Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
She held the pen over the paper for a long time, wrestling with herself. She’d /asked/ for help. He was offering help. There was nothing wrong with accepting it. It was just so hard to persuade herself of that. Her stomach growled audibly, even as she started to write, and her hand shook a little. ‘if I could borrow some clothes, maybe I could have a shower?’
Derek of course heard her stomach growl and then read the paper. “Of course. Well, this isn’t the best place, but I have a loft in town also, and we can go there. Would you like food before or after you shower?” She seemed to struggle with asking so he took the option away this time, knowing she needed to eat.
Her stomach growled again, and she ducked her head and huffed. ‘before,’ she wrote, giving him a sheepish look. Another wave of dizziness swept over her, and she held still, waiting for it to pass and hoping she wouldn’t pass out.