Having thought himself alone, in his own house, Jackson's guard was about as lowered as it could possibly. He wasn't on guard for anyone to step out, or even for anyone to see him. He didn't have to put up a front, or maintain those walls he always kept up that made people think he had it all together.

So when Derek spoke, he jumped. If not for a hand gripping his towel, it probably would have fallen to the floor. He took a few steps back until he collided with the frame of the bathroom door, struggling to get his usual facade back into place. Rather difficult when he was trying to build it out of the panic Derek always sparked in him.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" He snapped, at last covering his undignified reaction with anger.