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 patted the space to either side of her, looking small and lost all alone in the big bed. When they climbed in, she laid down on her side again, and hesitantly reached out to put an arm over Isaac’s waist. As her fingers brushed his skin she flinched away, reaching to grab Derek’s arm instead and pull it around her own waist. Then tentatively she tried again with Isaac.
Derek and Isaac complied and crawled back in, getting set how they’d been before. Isaac felt a little hand brush him but jump back, holding still and hiding his face in the pillow. He could feel her hesitation.
Derek, when bid to, scooted forward and curled himself around Summer’s back, arm around her waist loosely, easy touch. As her hand slid out for Isaac again, Derek’s went also, gently touching Isaac first, calming his own nerves. He had a history he hadn’t shared with Summer yet, but Derek knew it, and gave the contact to relax him, so Summer wouldn’t get that anxiety. Isaac relaxed into the bed under Derek’s hand, welcoming Summer’s hand next.
This felt right. Familiar. Someone curled at her back, guarding her from the things that went bump in the night. She smiled in the dark at that idea, that some of the things that went bump would protect her from other things. But then she knew that humans could be more monstrous than anything called a monster. Waiting for sleep to reclaim her, she stroked Isaac’s back lightly.
When she opened her eyes again it was morning.