Derek almost objects when she scratches him behind the ears, because he isn't a dog, but he knows she doesn't mean to offend him, and he could really use the comfort she's offering.

He presses against her, head hooked over her shoulder as he nuzzles into her neck, ears flicking as he listens to her speak. She's right, he admits to himself with a huff. It doesn't do him any good to sit out here and mope, not when he has people here who actually care about him. He pulls back and swipes his wet tongue across her cheek in retaliation for the ear scratching, and then grabs his jeans between his teeth and heads behind a tree to shift back.

He looks vaguely embarrassed when he comes back out, buttoning up his jeans and reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "Hey."