[ what matters in this moment is the absence of sheer, blind hate derek had seen with the argents. it's the fact that he looks at dean's face and there's nothing in it of kate, nothing like what her expression had been when she'd stood over him, stood over scott. he'd seen flickers of that in dean, the way he talked about things supernatural.

he doesn't see it here. it's not enough to broker unwavering trust, not yet, but it's something. it's just enough to ease the tension out of derek's body, to have him sighing.

there's no real way to deny derek may eventually need the help. so long as he's up here like this, painfully human and lacking both bark and bite, he's not going to be able to handle every werewolf related issue. if something gets away from them, they'll need something. someone. derek knows that. ]

There's no killing. You'll be thrown in the brig for it.

[ the only deterrent derek offers for the moment, forcibly keeping his hands on his thighs, keeping from picking at the bandage and calling attention to it. ]

We're not going to give you a reason to do that. But if I need your help, I'll find you.

[ it's sincere. it's as sincere as derek can possibly be. ]