Spencer went to his room and grabbed his phone, sending JJ a text, before walking to the front door, unlocking it, then curling up in his chair.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"5, 4, 3, 2," he said, counting down and pointing to the door. As if it were rehearsed, JJ knocked on the door and he sighed. "It's open."

JJ walked in, Penelope close behind her. "Sorry if we're interrupting."

"No you're not," Spencer mumbled, putting his books back into his bag and closing it.

Penelope walked over, nudging Derek with her elbow. "So, how was date night?"

"Fine?" he said, adjusting the ice pack on his shoulder.

She raised an eyebrow, lifting up the ice pack and looking at his shoulder. "What the hell did you do and remind me not to use your brand of karma sutra."

Spencer blushed, shaking his head.

"Not even close, Baby Girl," he told her, putting it back on. He glanced over at Spencer. "Would you like to take it, or is it on me?"

Spencer put up his hands. "It's all you."

"First question," JJ started, sitting on the arm of Spencer's chair, "why were you shirtless in his apartment last night?"

Derek smirked. "I'll get there. He was stressing over his assignment, which he ended up finishing last night, so I decided he needed to have a little fun for a change… somebody else's definition of fun." He saw Spencer rolling his eyes and laughed to himself. "So I took him to that ice cream place with the go-karts, mini golf, and batting cages."

Spencer raised his hand. "I'd just like to point out that I won go-karts, tied in mini golf, and hit more baseballs than Derek."

Penelope looked at Derek. "Seriously?"

"I'm getting there," he said quickly. "I took it easy on the go-kart track, he used math and logic to tie at mini golf, and I taught him everything he needed to know in the batting cages. It was my turn, I hit a few, I turned around to see him taking pictures, turned back around and didn't duck fast enough, so I got a baseball to the shoulder at top speed."

JJ winced. "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

Spencer scoffed. "Yeah, that phrase came out of his mouth a good ten times before he admitted he was in pain. Show them."

"Spencer, I'm not taking my shirt off to show them," Derek argued.

Penelope smirked. "I don't know, I wouldn't mind. Jayje, you?"

JJ shrugged. "I'm a mom and a wife, it's nothing I haven't seen before."

He sighed, reaching down and grabbing the bottom hem of his shirt, carefully taking it off and motioning toward his shoulder.

Penelope hissed, her fingers hovering over it. "That looks so painful. Derek Morgan, how the hell did you play macho man with that on your shoulder?!"

He put the ice pack on. "It didn't hurt that bad, but Spencer insisted on icing it while we were eating ice cream. Then he determined that I was in no condition to drive home, so he pretty much took the keys and demanded that I sleep on his couch."

JJ turned to Spencer, eyebrow raised. "Second date sleepover?" She whistled. "Go, Spence."

He blushed, shaking his head. "It's nothing like that. I didn't want him driving home and needing to make any sudden movements, so I wanted him to be careful. We got back here, I gave him something for the pain, and then I did my homework."

Penelope put up her finger. "You forgot to mention how he ended up shirtless."

Spencer ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

"Nothing happened," Derek quickly said, which seemed to calm Spencer down.

Spencer nodded his agreement. "I needed to get a better look at it to be sure I didn't need to drive him to the hospital, he was fine and elevated his shoulder-"

"And the curtains?" JJ asked.

He groaned. "I'm getting to that. I didn't need you seeing I was home and bothering me when I was trying to finish my homework. Derek kissed me, I realized the curtains were open, and I closed them. That's all."

Penelope glanced at Derek. "Truth?"

He nodded. "Meds kicked in and I fell asleep. Woke up in the middle of the night to him asleep in his chair, put a blanket on him, went back to sleep, woke up this morning to JJ's knocking."

"Sorry," she spoke up, turning to Spencer. "So what's going on with you two?" she asked, pointing between them.

Spencer rubbed his temple, looking up at her. "You're going to give me a migraine."

"It's what big sisters are for."

He sighed, looking at Derek, before glancing at her. "Well we're dating, so technically speaking, he's my boyfriend. Are you happy now?"

She squealed, wrapping her arms around him. "Ecstatic!"

Penelope leaned over, wrapping her arms around Derek, careful of his shoulder. "Look who has himself a boyfriend and can stop moping around."

He scoffed. "Thanks."

Penelope ran her hand over his scalp before patting his head. "We've got a girl's day courtesy of Will and we're off to enjoy it. You two lovebirds enjoy whatever it is you're up to today."

He pushed her hand off. "Don't worry, we will."

JJ eyed Spencer. "You will?"

"My life and who's involved in it is none of your business, despite the fact you've somehow illegally adopted me," he pointed out.

She smirked, ruffling his hair. "Well, whatever it is you're up to, have fun, but not too much."

"Seconded," Penelope said, patting Derek's cheek before getting up, following JJ out and closing the door.

Spencer groaned, leaning his head back and rubbing his eyes. "I really didn't need a sister. I was satisfied being an only child."

"Trust me, I have two of them, and now with Penelope tacking herself on? I envy your status as an only child."

Spencer laughed. "I envy my former status as well."

Derek checked his phone. "Looks like we can get some breakfast if you're interested? My treat."

"How can a college student refuse a free meal?" Spencer joked, getting up. "I'm going to get dressed if you want to take a shower or something before we go?"

"That's probably a good idea. Bathroom?"

Spencer pointed. "Right next to the bedroom. Face cloths are next to the shower if you need one."

"Thanks. I'll be out in a few."

Spencer caught himself staring at Derek and looked up at him. "Hm?" He quickly blushed and opened the hall closet, taking out a towel and handing it to him. "I mean, um, here."

Derek chuckled, shaking his head and taking the towel. "Thanks."

After Derek took a quick shower and got changed, the two of them were on the road, Spencer still insisting on driving.

Derek put in his car charger, plugging in his phone and texting his neighbor to see if she had checked on Clooney, as she usually did when he was out late. When he received a text back, he was relieved, then laughed softly.

Spencer raised an eyebrow, turning to him. "What's so funny?"

He motioned toward his phone. "When I'm late renovating or something, my neighbor pops in to check on Clooney and walk him. She sent me a picture of him curled up on my jacket, with the caption 'I don't think he approves'."

At a red light, he turned the phone around to show Spencer, who chuckled. "He looks very upset, I think you owe him something."

"I'll make some extra meat with dinner tonight, he'll get over it. Where we headed, the diner?"

Spencer shook his head. "I'm not ready to frequent another place as often as I frequent the coffee shop. First name basis is fine at your place, but at a restaurant? It just seems awkward."

"Whatever you say."

Derek picked up a piece of bacon, biting into it. "So, how easily do you accept gifts?"

Spencer raised an eyebrow as he set the syrup back on the table. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you took care of me last night despite me trying to be a strongman and taking care of myself, and I really appreciate that."

He shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee before setting it down. "It's nothing, really. I didn't mind doing it."

"Still," Derek spoke up, swallowing, "do you accept gifts?"

"I guess it depends on the nature of the gift, as well as the monetary value, because I certainly don't have anything to give you in return except several visits a day at your job to get my caffeine fix satisfied," Spencer reasoned.

"That's more than enough for me."

Spencer blushed, taking a bite of his french toast. "Why, what did you have in mind?"

"Well, you know how there is literally a lining of books on both sides of your hallway?"

"I told you about my IKEA adventure, I'd rather not go back there," Spencer pointed out.

"What if you didn't have to go back there and I had two bookshelves already made that could go up and save your books from being tripped over or stepped on again?"

Spencer's eyes widened, smiling. "You're serious?"

He nodded. "I made them last weekend after I saw your apartment and figured that a lover of literature like yourself could use them." He shrugged. "But totally your choice. If you don't want them, I can just sell them or put them in one of my properties. I just thought they'd be a nice gesture."

Spencer thought it over before nodding. "Well, I suppose if you feel as if you owe me for last night, I guess I could take them off of your hands?"

Derek laughed softly. "That's what I thought. If you want, I can get them to you on Sunday. Obviously you don't want me lifting anything today, I work tomorrow morning, and I figure by Sunday my shoulder will be fine for lifting by your standards."

"All I'll be doing this weekend is assignments, so Sunday works perfectly."

"You're really not going to have any fun after everything I taught you yesterday?"

"Considering you taught me what not to do?" Spencer pointed out, smirking at him. "Don't worry, I'll be having my definition of fun at some point this weekend, including watching with Henry while JJ runs some errands with Will and watching Doctor Who."

Derek clicked his tongue. "I guess I'll take it."

"I guess you'll have to," Spencer teased.

After breakfast, Spencer drove back to his place. Parking in front, he turned to Derek.

"Let me know if you need any advice for what to do about that shoulder. I've read more medical journals than I could count, and I don't want you hurt and making me lift those bookcases on Sunday."

Derek laughed softly. "Yes, sir."

Spencer got out of the car, walking around and handing Derek his keys as he got out. "Keep it elevated, take something for the pain, and relax."

Derek saluted him. "Can do, boss."

He smirked, leaning in and kissing Derek on the cheek. "And once you're better? I think you should demand a rematch, because losing to a stick like me is, I'm sure, embarrassing beyond all possible belief."

"Beginner's luck," Derek pointed out, twirling the keys around on his finger.

He scoffed. "Prove it." He leaned in, giving Derek a quick kiss, before waving and walking to his front door, unlocking it and going inside.

Derek shook his head, smiling to himself and walking around, getting in and starting the car.

As instructed by Spencer, Derek spent his day with his arm elevated and his shoulder on ice every once in a while. After a few hours, he got a text.

Have you taken something lately?

He smirked. I took something when I got home a few hours ago, and I just took the ice pack off.

It was about a minute before he received another text. Is it still swollen? If it's looking abnormally large, maybe you should see a doctor.

He turned and looked at his shoulder. It was worse yesterday. I'm fine, and I mean it this time.

When Spencer texted him back, he checked his phone. You'd better. I'll see you Sunday.

He laughed, shaking his head and tossing his phone on the table before turning to Clooney. "I've gotten myself into a relationship with a crazy one, haven't I?"

At work the following morning, Penelope had insisted on checking his shoulder before letting him lift anything. Once she found it wasn't swollen and he could move it without being in too much pain, she allowed him to restock the cups and prepare all of the machines.

"So, what's it like having an adorable little boytoy to take care of you?" she asked, digging in her apron for her Sharpie.

"I have to say, it doesn't suck," he said, tucking his own Sharpie behind his ear. "He knows so much and he was a great help when I needed it."

"Oh I'm sure," she said, nudging him with her elbow and winking.

"Definitely not, sweetness. I've barely known him six weeks and barely even talked to him for three of those. That is very far in the distance at this point."

She gasped, putting a hand to her chest. "The great Derek Morgan taking a relationship slow? Call the presses!"

He mock laughed. logging into his register. "You're hilarious," he said dryly.

She shrugged. "It's a gift."

Later on in the shift, the two of them finally had a chance to talk.

"So, where are you two?" she asked, cleaning off the counter.

He shrugged, washing out the blender and setting it out to dry. "We're playing it by ear. His schoolwork comes first, and I need to respect that, but I'm also taking it as a challenge to teach him how to have a little fun once in a while."

"Because your last attempt went so well?" she asked, motioning toward his shoulder. "Go take something."

"Penelope-"

She put up a finger. "Do not make me call Spencer to snap at you. He seems to be able to control you much better than I can."

He rolled his eyes, walking to the back room and looking in the first aid kit for some Aleve, popping it in his mouth and swallowing, walking back. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic. So if by the second date you end up shirtless in his apartment and the curtains are closed, what in the world is going to be the third date?"

He mock laughed. "Whatever it is, it'll be none of your business."

An hour before their shift ended, Spencer walked up to the counter, tapping his fingers on it.

Derek groaned, turning to Penelope. "You called Spencer on me?"

Spencer raised an eyebrow, confused. "Is that some sort of code I should be made of aware of?" he asked, looking between the two.

Penelope laughed softly. "Oh, I didn't, but that look on your faces was priceless."

Derek rolled his eyes, looking at Spencer. "The usual?"

Spencer eyed the menu board before shaking his head. "Surprise me."

Penelope gasped. "Excuse me while I search on the floor of this fine establishment for my jaw because Spencer Reid is straying from his usual order. I think this is one of the four signs of the apocalypse," she mumbled before walking away.

Derek thought to himself before smirking. "I think I have the perfect thing for your sweet tooth. If you hate it, next drink is on me."

"Sounds fair."

Spencer tried leaning over the counter to get a look but Derek wagged a finger at him. "No peeking or it's not a surprise." Spencer sighed, leaning back and crossing his arms, waiting.

Derek walked up to the counter a minute later, setting it down and holding out his hand for Spencer's credit card. He rang him up and swiped it, before handing him the card and receipt. "Enjoy."

Spencer lifted up the drink, sniffing it. "...It's a frappuccino. I'm not used to these."

"Don't you trust me?" Derek asked.

"Well, of course I trust you, hence why I said 'surprise me', but I don't recognize it as anything on your menu-"

"But nothing." Derek unwrapped a straw, putting it into his drink. "Trust me."

Spencer put the straw into his mouth, taking a sip, before raising his eyebrows, impressed. "Bravo, consider me surprised. Is that caramel and toffee nut I taste?"

"Indeed it is. Have I given you a new regular drink?"

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," Spencer said, taking another sip. "It's fall, then winter's coming, and I don't see myself getting cold beverages in the winter months. Maybe once summer hits. For now? You'll be making my regular."

Derek shrugged. "I'll take it as a small victory you even attempted something else. What brings you here?"

Spencer motioned toward his bag over his shoulder. "Need to finish an assignment. I love Henry, but him screaming right outside my study window doesn't exactly give me a good working environment."

"Say no more. Good luck."

Spencer smiled, nodding in response, before walking over to a table and setting his drink down.

Penelope slow clapped. "You are officially changing the great Spencer Reid into an actual college student who knows how to think outside the box. Bravo."

Derek shrugged. "Baby steps."

The next morning, Derek did some work at one of his properties before calling Spencer.

"Hello?" Spencer said, and Derek distinctly heard the sound of turning pages in the background.

Derek smirked. "Reading?"

Spencer shook his head, though Derek couldn't see it. "Researching for a paper I have due in a couple of weeks. I actually ended up e-mailing my professor that assignment from the deepest depths of Tartarus yesterday, so I'm waiting to hear back on how I did. To keep myself occupied, I figured I should tackle the next assignment." He paused. "And by that I mean 'I'm not reading, why are you calling?'."

Derek let out a small laugh. "I just finished up some renovations and was wondering if it was a good time to drop off your bookcases, but if you're too busy I can come by later?"

Spencer thought to himself before Derek heard the sound of a heavy book closing. "Now sounds fantastic. How's the shoulder, are you going to be okay?"

"It's a little sore, but I can do light lifting, it won't hurt anything."

Spencer rolled his eyes. "Uh huh, big macho man, and how are you going to carry bookcases into my place by yourself? Even completely able-bodied I don't think it's a smart idea."

"I can manage. I'll be there in a half hour."

Derek had successfully put the two bookcases into the back of his truck he used when he was picking up supplies for his projects. He pulled up to Spencer's and walked to the front door, knocking.

Spencer opened the door, peeking around Derek. "Wow, you managed it."

"You sound surprised," Derek said, eyebrow raised. "Did you clear space?"

Spencer pointed to the hallway. "Books are all cleaned up and there's easy access to my study for the bookcases."

"Great, I'll go get started."

Spencer put up a finger. "One second."

"...Okay?"

He watched as Spencer walked next door to JJ's house and knocked on the door. After whispering to her for a minute, she walked back into her house and somebody else walked out, making his way over to Derek.

He held out his hand. "You must be Derek. I'm Will."

"Nice to meet you, man." Derek took his hand, shaking it, before looking past him to Spencer. "So, what happened to this whole 'trust' thing from yesterday?"

"There's a difference between trusting a trained professional to make a good drink and trusting someone with an injury to lift and carry something meant for two people," Spencer pointed out.

Derek chuckled, looking at Will. "Do you mind? Hurt my shoulder trying to teach this one to have fun and he doesn't seem to trust me to know my own body."

Will gave him a smile. "Not at all."

Derek turned to Spencer. "And during this, you'll be?"

"Sorting my books," he said matter-of-factly, walking back inside.

Derek scoffed. "And probably enjoying the view," he muttered under his breath, going over to his truck and opening the latch for the back.

"So, how long have you known Spencer?" Derek asked, climbing on the truck bed.

"Since a couple years before JJ and I got married," Will explained. "JJ told me she'd had a sister and an adopted younger brother. I figured maybe her parents wanted a change of life kid or adopted a little kid. Color me surprised when I met him and he was an adult."

Derek laughed to himself. "I'm sure that was fun." Will picked up one end and he picked up the other, carefully stepping out of the bed and walking toward Spencer's front door. "At least you didn't bring a coloring book or something with you to give to him. He'd have given you the history of crayons."

"I heard that, Derek," Spencer grumbled, moving his boxes of books to the study.

Will smirked. "Luckily I talked myself out of it at the last minute. JJ said younger brother and I assumed much younger. Obviously I should've just assumed nothing."

"I found that's best with him," Derek started, walking through the front door, "and before he says it 'I heard that, Derek!'."

Spencer made a face, walking to the study and opening the door before stepping out of the way. They set down the first bookcase and made the trip out for the second one.

"Accent like that, I'm gonna guess you're a southeast guy?" Derek guessed.

"New Orleans, born and raised," he said, looking at Derek. "What about you? You from these parts?"

"Born and somewhat raised in Chicago, so I still support my home teams." They both lifted up their ends and walked inside. "We moved here after my dad passed away because my mom thought we needed a fresh start, and like most mothers, she ended up being right."

"Mamas usually are," Will pointed out, following him into the study. After setting up the second bookcase, he turned to Spencer. "Need me to stick around?"

Spencer shook his head. "We can take it from here. Thanks for your help."

"Anytime." He held out his hand to Derek and Derek shook it before Will walked out, closing the front door behind him.

"He seems like a nice enough guy," Derek said. "As little brother, I take it you approve of him?"

"Well, something like that." He walked to the living room, starting to carry his boxes in and set them on the desk. "I was told by JJ that I'll approve of him. Luckily, I did, but being told you like someone is something that should be taught at Henry's age, not around mine."

"Good point," Derek said, looking through some of his books. They were all over the place, including old textbooks, novels, thrillers, poetry, and even a few romantic stories thrown in there. "You're really all over the place with your reading material, aren't you?"

"When you have an eidetic memory, you kind of have to be," Spencer pointed out, setting down the last box. "Helping?" he asked, motioning toward the books.

He pulled off his jacket. "I don't have anywhere else to be."

It turned out that helping Spencer meant staying and putting the books in the exact order he wanted. He didn't go by genre, author's last name, size, or even by title, which all seemed to be normal methods to Derek. Spencer was different and organized his books by the publication date, then author's last name. A few hours later, Derek stepped back to look at their handy work, eyebrows raised.

"I'd say we did a pretty good job," he said, crossing his arms in front of him.

Spencer put in the final stack of books, nodding. "I think so as well, though it's all going to change next time I go to the used bookstore, because then I'll have to add those in. But for the time being, it's great." He turned to Derek. "Thank you, they're amazing."

"Glad I could help. Besides, you were one tripping away from breaking an ankle or two, and I've seen your coordination on two working legs. I can only imagine you on crutches."

Spencer mock laughed, pointing his thumb toward the door. "Come on, I'm making lunch."

Once they were in the kitchen, Derek sat down at the table. "What are you making?"

Spencer opened his fridge, clicking his tongue and thinking to himself. "Are you opposed to grilled cheese sandwiches?"

"Can anyone be?"

"Good point." He took everything out, setting it on the counter. "Can I ask you something?" he asked, setting a pan on the stove and turning the stove on.

Derek raised an eyebrow. "You can ask me anything, what's up?"

"Well, I've told you about my mother, my not-so-much father, and my somehow adopted older sister. What about your family?"

He got up, walking to the kitchen and leaning against the counter. "Depends on what you want to know?"

Spencer handed him a water bottle, which he took, before shrugging. "I don't know. I feel like I've opened up to you like a book, which I usually don't do around new people, and I appreciate the fact that I haven't scared you away with it, but with how much I've shared, I feel it should be reciprocated?"

He took a sip of the water before nodding. "Fair enough. Ask away."

Spencer took out the bread, untying the twist tie. "Siblings?"

"Two, Sarah's older and Desiree's younger, so I had to be a baby brother and a big brother, and had to kick any guy's ass for even thinking wrong things about them. The lesson was learned quickly after I bulked up."

He raised an eyebrow, confused. "After?"

"What, you think I came out of the womb six feet tall and muscular? I wish. I was pretty much a beanpole until I hit a major growth spurt in high school, then started doing weight lifting and running. If you'd believe it, I was smaller than you."

Spencer laughed to himself. "That'd be a sight. What about your parents?"

"My mom's Irish, and she has the biggest heart of gold on the planet. I'd get into fights because I was a little bit of a rebel after Dad passed away, and she'd just wash me up, ask what happened, give me some painkillers and tuck me in. Though, if I was in the wrong, she'd make me apologize to them and need to witness it. She's kind of perfect though. She always listened, rarely yelled, bakes like a madwoman, and did everything she could so every night, there was food on our table."

"She sounds great."

Derek smirked. "Yeah, she really is. I know you want to ask, Spencer. Go ahead, I won't be mad."

He chewed on his cheek before sighing. "I hate to be invasive, but what about your father?"

Derek's grip tightened on his water bottle and he looked up at Spencer. "My father was a cop. Greatest man who could ever live. He was brave, smart, kind, loyal, and an amazing person. He put me into sports, and that's why I kept playing through college." He swallowed, clearing his throat. "I was ten years old, and it was dad's day off, so I was with him while he was running some errands. He was running inside and told me to wait in the car with the doors locked. A couple guys ran out of the store, he ran out after them, and I just felt something bad in the pit of my stomach. I looked up and I heard the gun… got out of the car, ran over, and he was gone. Nothing I could've done." He shook his head, exhaling. "One minute we were making plans to go to the Blackhawks game and the next, he's gone. It sucked and I turned into such a little prick after, but then I wisened up and realized that I was still here for a reason. Threw myself into my schoolwork, did all the sports I could, and I hope he's up there somewhere, proud of it."

"I'm sure he is," Spencer said softly, setting the sandwiches on a plate before reaching out, rubbing Derek's arm hesitantly. "And if it's any consolation, if there was some form of trade? I would gladly offer you my father to sacrifice for yours. Your father deserved to see you grow up. Mine chose to walk away."

Derek smiled slightly, wrapping his arms around Spencer and pulling him into a hug. "We've got all sorts of daddy issues, don't we?" he teased.

"Too many to count," Spencer said, muffled against his chest. He pulled back. "Come on, lunch is served."

The two of them ate their lunch in a comfortable silence, and once in a while, Spencer would click on his laptop.

Derek motioned toward it. "Solitaire?"

He smirked, shaking his head and turning it around. "School e-mail account. I sent him that assignment and all I want is to know my grade so I can stop stressing over it."

"You need to stop stressing before you give yourself an ulcer. Don't make me make you have fun again."

Spencer laughed softly, motioning toward his shoulder. "It went so well last time. Speaking of, take something. Medicine cabinet in the bathroom."

Derek opened his mouth to respond, but Spencer pointed a finger at him. Sighing, he walked to the bathroom and took out the bottle, popping two pills into his mouth, before swallowing and walking back. "Happy?"

He refreshed the page again and groaned. "For you, ecstatic. For myself, not so much."

After lunch, Spencer all but ordered Derek to go home and get some rest. Derek took his car keys from his pocket, turning to him.

"Promise me you won't spend the day glued to that laptop?" he asked, motioning toward it.

"Eventually I'll have to use the bathroom or cook myself a meal," Spencer said. When he saw Derek ready to say something, he rolled his eyes. "I'm kidding. See, humor, that thing you try to say I don't have a sense of?"

Derek laughed softly. "Okay, fine. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Bright and early," Spencer said, "I'll need my fix."

"Of me or the coffee?"

Spencer flicked his arm. "Very funny."

"You didn't answer," Derek pointed out.

Spencer leaned in, kissing his cheek, before patting his arm. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Answer received," Derek said with a smile, walking out and closing the door behind him.

Over the next week, Spencer came into the coffee shop his usual few times a day, and every time, Derek would ask how he did on his assignment, which was met with a frustrated groan and a headshake.

"He's seriously stressing this much over a grade?" Penelope asked.

"You should've seen him working on it. I'm pretty sure there was actually fire in his eyes. He finished it two weeks early, so the fact that his professor still hasn't graded it with less than a week to go is driving him absolutely insane. I'd hate to be that professor, because Spencer's probably shooting daggers at him right about now."

She laughed softly. "Wouldn't surprise me. Have you two discussed another date yet?"

He shook his head. "I don't think it'll happen until he gets this grade, but I can wait it out."

She smirked. "Good luck with that."

It wasn't until later that week that Spencer sent Derek a text, asking to meet him after his shift at the coffee shop. He quickly texted him back that it wouldn't be a problem and finished out his shift. At 4:00, he hung up his apron and walked out, sitting at a table.

"Enjoying yourself?" Penelope asked, digging through her purse for her car keys.

"Waiting for Spencer to get here. He wants to meet me for some reason."

"Ah, waiting for the mister," she said, taking her keys out and stuffing them into her coat pocket. "Be sure to let me know how it goes."

"Sure, if you'd like to go into great detail who Sam is and why your face lights up every single time he texts you."

She scrunched up her face, shaking her head. "No thanks."

He laughed to himself. "Thought so."

She kissed her fingers, pressing them into his forehead. "Have fun, be responsible, don't break my Boy Wonder."

He saluted her and watched as she walked out, leaning back in his chair.

After a few minutes, Spencer walked in, a smile across his face as he walked over, sitting across from Derek.

"Somebody's in a good mood," Derek pointed out, sitting up straight.

Spencer nodded, opening up his bag and taking out his paper, setting it in front of Derek. "My professor printed and graded my assignment."

"...The one from, what was it, the depths of Tartarus?" he asked, reaching out for it and picking it up.

"That's the one. When I turned in my next assignment and that one still hadn't been graded, I think it lit a fire under him to get it done."

"I'll bet." He looked at the cover page, smiling and turning it around to Spencer. "You got a perfect score? Let me put on my best surprised face."

Spencer smiled. "I have you to thank for that. Your definition of 'fun' actually got me to let loose and distance myself from the assignment enough to clear my head, then give me enough to get it done exceptionally well."

"Come on, you're giving me too much credit."

He shook his head. "No, I'm not giving you enough. I used your advice for how you did your assignments and you're right, the professors may not like it, but it gave them all of the answers and made it so I had to get a perfect score. So thank you."

"In that case, I'm glad I could help."

"...Are you doing anything tonight?" Spencer asked, putting the paper back into his bag.

Derek thought to himself. "Friday, right?"

Spencer nodded. "All day."

He smiled, laughing to himself. "I'm busy later tonight, but if you want to do dinner or take-out or something, I'm game?"

"If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing?" he asked, closing up his bag.

"Well, you know how I told you I have several properties?" When Spencer nodded, he smiled. "Of course, stupid question, asking if you remember something. Anyway, my shoulder's finally feeling better to the point where I can lift and build things again, so I was going to one of my other properties to do some work. If you want to do something though, I can put it off until tomorrow?"

Spencer shook his head. "No, it's fine, we can do take-out or something. I… think I'd actually like to see you get some of your work done, watch your process, if that's alright?"

Derek raised his eyebrows. "You want to see me working on a house? That's an exciting Friday night to you?"

"You've seen the types of things I do with my free time. It can't be any worse."

Derek thought it over before motioning toward his bag. "What's in there?"

"Just the assignment and a couple of books I'm reading for my personal enjoyment," Spencer said, opening it up and showing him. "I'm trying this little thing you keep mentioning called 'having fun', and carrying an assignment with me everywhere isn't doing me any favors."

"I'm impressed. How about this - we're going to be in one of my houses with a lot of loud noises and such, so in return, you get to pick what we get for takeout."

Spencer clicked his tongue. "Chinese, but with one condition."

"...I'm listening?"

"No chopsticks. Give me a fork."

Derek chuckled, nodding. "Consider it done."

Derek ended up ordering their food and picking it up on their way to the house.

Spencer looked out the window as they pulled up. "...This place doesn't seem so bad?"

"Yeah, because I've been working my ass off on the outside. Now I need to focus all of my attention on the inside," he said, grabbing the bags of food and getting out, closing the door behind him.

Spencer followed close behind as he walked up to the house. "Remember, this place is a work in progress, so it's kind of a dump. I already finished the kitchen and the bathroom, but the bedrooms and living room definitely need some work. Basically, don't judge a book by its cover, I guess."

"I'm sure it's fine."

Derek unlocked the front door, walking inside and going to the kitchen, setting the bags on the counter and unpacking them.

Spencer eyed the rest of the house before checking out the kitchen. "If the rest of this place is any indication? You've done a pretty great job."

"Thanks." He handed Spencer a plate and a fork, before opening the packages and making his own plate. "I can give you the grand tour or what it'll all be once we finish eating."

"Sounds interesting." Spencer opened the fridge, taking out a couple of water bottles. "Do you always keep the fridges in your places stocked with water and sports drinks?"

"Pretty much. I need to stay hydrated because while working on my first house, I ended up getting dehydrated and passing out. Luckily my sister was in town and came by to check on me, woke me up and took me to the hospital. It wasn't pretty."

Spencer finished making his plate, sitting down at the table. "Dehydration usually isn't." He picked up his fork, eating.

Once they were done, Derek threw away their trash and washed his hands. "So, want to see what I'm doing with this place?"

"Sure."

Derek led him into the empty space that was the living room. "The previous owner used this as two separate rooms, an office and a living room, but my idea is to open it up and make it one big living room. It'll be perfect for entertaining and be a huge draw to anyone who wants to buy the place."

Spencer nodded. "It makes sense."

He then walked to the bedrooms. "They had three separate bedrooms, but I figure it would make more sense to have two: one master and a smaller, possibly for a family just starting out. That way there's a bedroom big enough for two parents and possibly a bassinet or a crib further down the line, and then a bedroom for a kid. Either that or college kids can rent it out and have two people share this room with a divider, and there can be one mutual entry point to the master bathroom."

Spencer raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Do you always put that much thought into it?"

Derek nodded. "Pretty much. And today's the day I finish tackling the wall separating these two rooms."

"You're going to tear it down?"

He motioned toward the plastic lining the floor and picked up a pair of safety goggles. "Indeed. And if you'd like?" He grabbed another pair of goggles, holding them out. "You're welcome to work out some aggression and help me."

Spencer eyed the glasses before chewing on his cheek, taking them from him. "I've beaten you at go-karts and batting cages. I can beat you at your own game too."

Derek mock laughed as Spencer put on the goggles. "Then let's go, genius." He held out a hammer to him. "Swing away."

Derek was surprised to find that Spencer was rather good at working out his aggression and swinging at the wall.

"Okay, please tell me you're envisioning your professor's head or something, because you're insane at this," Derek said, lifting up his safety goggles.

Spencer laughed to himself, nodding. "I guess you could say I was envisioning a few things to keep me motivated." He pulled off the goggles, handing them back to Derek. "How did I do?"

"Considering the wall is now nearly non-existent? I'd say you did pretty well."

"Shoulder doing okay?" Spencer asked, pointing to it.

He nodded. "I'm sure it'll be tender later, but it feels fine."

"...Do you need to do anything else here today?"

Derek shook his head. "Considering I had help with the most difficult job, now all I have to do in here is clean up the floor, paint the walls, and put in the flooring. I'm sure I can start that soon."

"Would you possibly need help?"

Derek smiled. "If you're offering, I'm accepting. After seeing you all but tear a wall down with your bare hands, it'd be interesting to see what else you've got up those sleeves." He checked his phone. "It's late and I don't want you taking public transportation. Want me to drop you off?"

"That'd be nice."

He pulled up in front of Spencer's house, parking. "Do you want me to walk you to the door, or are you all set?"

Spencer looked out the window. "Seeing as JJ is peeking out the window, more likely than not waiting for something to happen, I think I can manage on my own. And suddenly, I'm glad your car has tinted windows."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "Really, why's tha-" He was cut off by Spencer's lips against his and smiled.

Spencer pulled back. "Can I ask you something?"

"...Of course."

He cleared his throat. "Well, in a few days it's Halloween, and it just so happens to be my favorite holiday out of the year for a variety of reasons. And every year, JJ has this huge Halloween party where she invites old friends from college and I sort of have to go because it's either go or sit next door and listen to the party and get aggravated by all of the noise, so I guess-"

"Spencer?"

He looked up at Derek. "Yes?"

Derek smiled. "Are you asking me to be your date to JJ's Halloween party?"

"I'm trying to anyway."

"I'll be there." He leaned over, kissing his cheek. "What's your costume and do we need to match?"

"I'm working on it, and something in the Marvel comics universe would be appreciated, though isn't necessary," Spencer told him, putting his bag over his shoulder. "Surprise me on Sunday."

"Don't worry, I will. Is this going to be date number three?"

Spencer blushed. "Well, it is a social outing involving the two of us, so I'd say yes."

"In that case? I can't wait."

Spencer gave him another quick kiss, before getting out of the car. He quickly waved to JJ before walking into his place, closing the door.

Derek wrung his hands on the steering wheel before taking out his phone, texting Penelope.

Are you going to JJ's Halloween party?

His phone buzzed a couple of minutes later.

Indeed, just like I do every year. Why, was your presence requested, and more importantly, by who?

He laughed softly. I have a date, and I think you know who. I could use some help with my costume.

Consider it done! Meet me at my apartment tomorrow morning.

He tucked his phone into his pocket before shaking his head, smiling to himself and pulling out of the parking spot.