Scott, Derek and Isaac had finally arrived at the bar for the the third time that week. And wasting no time, they swiftly entered, Adelina on all of their minds. Being a Saturday, the bar was awfully busy. Drunks were everywhere and their shouts filled the room. Server's were zipping up and down from the bar and tables delivering drinks.
In the sea of people, they couldn't seem to spot Adelina so they found themselves up at the bar, questioning the man who had spoken to Adelina on multiple occasions. "We're looking for Adelina, is she here?" Scott asked politely. The man was quite skinny and on the taller side, he was taller than Adelina but not as tall as Isaac. Isaac was taller than both Derek and Scott but Derek was taller than Scott.
With a beaming smile, the man looked at them, "Yeah she's over there." All three of their eyes followed his finger as he pointed to the other side of the room. There they saw her, she was carrying a tray full of drinks over to a table to serve them. Her hair was disheveled and multiple beads of sweat fell from her flushed red face.
Just as they were about to make their way over to her, the bartender spoke again leaning over the bar, "You three are friends of hers right? So maybe you can try and get her to slow down. She won't listen to me."
Derek raised his brow at the man, "Slow down?"
"Yeah! She's been here for two days, she won't take a break. She didnt even go home last night she just kept working! I tell you what that girls gonna tire herself out." The man warned before turning to a customer at the bar and serving him a drink.
The three of them exchanged quick glances before maneuvering their way through the crowd towards her. As soon as they reached her, the dark circles under her eyes became apparent and the sound of her racing heart mixed with her heavy breathing echoed through them. "Adi?" Isaac called out almost excited to see, yet worried due to her fatigued appearance.
"Oh hey." She gasped as she tried to catch her breath, bringing her hand to fan at her face in an attempt to cool down.
Scott looked at her worried as he softly placed his hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I've just gotta finish this and then I can talk for five minutes. Not longer though, I need to work." Her hands had tried to lift a tray of empty glasses but this proved difficult due to her fatigued muscles incessant shaking.
Shaking his head, Derek stepped closer to her, pushing the tray she barely managed to lift back down to the table with ease. "Stop." His gruff voice commanded.
"What are you doing? I'm trying to work." She spoke through gritted teeth as she struggled to lift the tray.
"You're tired. Stop." He stated before forcing her hands away from the tray.
"I'm fine." Her jaw clenched as she glared up at Derek.
"You didn't go home last night and instead stayed here working." His patronising tone caused her to clench her jaw in irritation. Despite only knowing Derek for about a week, he had found a way to involve himself in everything she did and she was staring to grow tired of it.
"Stop trying to get involved in my life!" Shouting the words at him, she quickly spun around ready to leave. But her quick turn caused a wave of dizziness to wash over her as she could feel her legs give way beneath her. Derek was right. She was tired. She was exhausted. She refused to stop working and started taking as many shifts as she could due to her desperation for money. And now she was paying the price.
Just as she felt herself losing consciousness, two arms wrapped around her before she was scooped up into someone's hold. The familiar scent of the woods and cologne filling her.
Derek had picked Adelina up bridal style just before she collapsed. The bar had exploded into gasps as they watched the scene of the young girl thankfully being caught before she fell. The bartender from before had quickly climbed over the bar, running over to them before motioning them to a back room. With her head resting lightly on his chest, Derek followed the bartender, with Scott and Isaac close behind.
Leading them in, the bar tender began opening the windows whilst Scott and Isaac helped. Derek had carefully laid Adelina on a black couch that sat in the middle of what he assumed was a staff room. "There, that should keep her cool." The man said as they finished opening the windows, "I'll get her a glass of water." He said before rushing towards a sink.
As Derek watched, he noticed that she began to stir. His finger had reached out to her red and sticky face to brush a piece of hair behind her ear. Then her eyes began to flutter open and she tried to lift herself up.
Rushing over to her side, Isaac grabbed her hands to stabilise her as she sat up, "Steady, steady." His voice full of concern as he carefully sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her and allowing her to lean comfortably on him.
Derek had reached out to her cheeks, carefully lifting her head as he scanned her face, "Adelina." A little worry detectable in his voice. Slowly her hand reached his that was still on her cheek, giving it a slight squeeze before talking breathlessly, "I'm okay."
The bar tender had passed her a glass of water and her wavering hand took it before bringing it to her lips and slowly drinking it. When she tried to put it down, Derek had pushed it back up to her, signalling to finish it and she did so. When she was done, she leaned her head back onto Isaacs shoulder, trying to catch her breath as her eyes momentarily closed.
Deciding that she had now fully come to, Derek and Scott backed away a little giving her some space.
Lifting her head slightly at the bartenders words, "That's it Adi. I understand that you need the money but this isn't good for you, you're exhausted. I'll pay you for the extra shifts and see what else I can do for you but you need to go home. Your health comes first." With a soft smile, the man left.
"Thanks Nick." She mumbled, waving her hand a little as he left.
"You need money?" Scott asked as he eyed her, worried about her deathly pale complexion.
"Don't worry about it." A sigh left her lips as Isaacs hand lightly grabbed hers in a comforting manner.
"If you need help then I can help you. And not just with money. If you ever need something then ask me and I'll help however I can."
A soft smile formed on her lips at Scott's comforting words. "You're a good person Scott."
~
After a short discussion, the three decided that the best thing for Adelina was to go with them to Derek's loft. It was closer than her apartment and meant she had someone to watch her.
As she began getting out of the car, Isaac gripped her hand to steady her, anxious that she'd collapse again. Instead she chuckled at his worried gesture and assured him, "Isaac I'm fine."
"What if you faint again?" He pleaded, loosening his grip on her hand. At this she laughed, reassuring him that she wouldn't.
Isaac had barely left Adelina alone since she fainted and this was really starting to annoy Derek. He watched as he would hold her close to him or grasp her hand at any moment he got. What annoyed him most was that Adelina let him do it. He knew that Isaac was just trying to make sure she was okay, but it irritated him nonetheless.
Growing tired of their intimate touches, Derek scooped her in his arms, carrying her bridal style to his loft. Gasping at his sudden movements she found herself surprised, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck for support. Then he continued the walk to his loft, leaving behind a stunned Isaac and Scott.
Entering the loft, her cheeks tinted pink as everyone stared at their questioning position. "Derek?" Stiles asked, absolutely bewildered to see the sour man carrying a woman in his arms.
Also ignoring him, Derek continued walking until he plopped her down on the big double bed. "You. Sleep." He pointed at her and then at the bed.
"I want to shower first." At her attempt to stand up, Derek lightly pushed her back to the bed.
"I don't care. Sleep." She scoffed at his words. His calm demeanour whenever they would bicker really got under her skin.
"I'm sweaty. The sheets will be dirty." She huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Mimicking her action, he too crossed his arms over his chest and replied smugly, "I'll wash them."
Glaring at him, she pleaded, "At least let me change first. Pleaseee."
With a roll of his eyes and a long huff of frustration, he agreed to her request. Handing her one of his largest shirts and directing her to the bathroom to change, she smirked victoriously at him.
Everyone else watched the scene, stunned. It was rare that anyone would try to argue back against Derek. It was even rarer for Derek to give in.