Derek had been asleep, but he was a light sleeper these days. Ever since the fire. He usually slept half-dressed, as well, so when he got up to investigate the scratching and noise at his door, it was while wearing sleep pants.
His eyes widened at the sight of Isaac, curled in on himself and clearly distressed. It was immediate, the reaction that the image earned. Anger, and rage at whoever had caused his boy distress, and a fierce urge to protect, to make right.
"Isaac?"
He crouched down, and put his hand on the boy's back, carefully, keeping his voice soft, but firm, reassuring.