What Are We Supposed To Be?
CH 3
Stiles woke again when his phone started ringing. He fumbled for it on the ground next to the bed until he found it and looked at the screen to see Scott's face grinning back on the caller ID. Stiles picked up.
"Hey man."
"Hey dude, you back in town?"
"Yeah."
"You at home?"
"No I'm at Dean's."
"Oh ok. So what are you up to today?"
"Dean's coming over to meet dad and have lunch. Should be free this afternoon, want to meet up?"
There was a pause. Stiles could hear a muffled voice in the background, most likely Allison.
"We're kinda busy this afternoon. Want to hang out tomorrow?"
"Yeah sounds like a plan" Stiles replied with a yawn.
"Dude, it's like 1 o'clock in the afternoon." Scott chided.
A moment later. "Hi Stiles! Wake up!" Allison's cheery voice filtered through the receiver.
"Yeah, well I've been studying for midterms all week." "Hi Allison!" Stiles responded.
"Well alright, see you tomorrow!"
"Later dude" Stiles replied.
He got up, realizing that he had crawled into bed in his jeans, which always an uncomfortable experience. He sighed and dialed Dean's number. It went to voicemail.
"Babe don't forget we are having lunch with my dad today. Don't be late." Stiles hung up and tossed his phone onto the space next to him. His phone chimed and he looked at his phone to see a text message: 'Sorry sexy, I'm hung over and Trey wants to go Vegas for a few days. I'll catch lunch later'
"Dude, what the ever loving fuck?!" Stiles exclaimed at the screen. He sent out a long vicious text message full of expletives and hit send.
Stiles stomped downstairs and grabbed a duffle bag before taking a shower and changing.
He shuffled downstairs, hearing movement in the kitchen. He followed the sounds to find Derek rifling through cabinets. He saw Stiles at the doorway and gave him a smile.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Just looking for some cereal, I'm starved." He finally retrieved a large box of Cocoa Puffs and pointed it at Stiles in triump.
"Want a bowl?"
"Sure."
Stiles sat as Derek retrieved two bowls and spoons,
He accepted a bowl of brown puffs floating in a sea of liquid white gratefully.
"To spring break" Derek nodded holding up his spoon.
"To spring break" Stiles replied with a smirk.
Stiles stopped after two spoonfuls. "Dean's heading to Vegas." Derek grimaced apologetically.
XXXX
Stiles leaned against the counter as Derek washed the two bowls. "Do you think you could give me a ride home?"
"Yeah of course man." Derek quickly answered. He felt guilty by association. Dean was a jackass.
Derek led Stiles, holding two large duffle bags and his backpack slung over his shoulder to the garage.
"That's your car?" Stiles asked staring at the black Camaro.
"Yeah."
Both Dean and Derek had nice cars, another family trait he thought. Dean's souped up Audi was a monster and practically ate up the asphalt when it sped through freeways. Apparently the Hale family was loaded.
The two rode in silence, Stiles thinking of what excuse he could give for his so called boyfriend's absence. From the corner of his eye he could see Derek stealing glances at him in worry.
"Stiles where do I turn?"
"At the next light."
Derek nodded.
Stiles began chewing on his thumbnail in anticipation. His dad would not be happy. He would want Stiles to stop seeing Dean.
Stiles felt a warm hand slowly pry his thumb from his mouth.
"I'm sorry about Dean. He lives in the moment most of the time." Stiles nodded, Derek gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
Derek pulled into the driveway of the Stilinksi house staring at the house for a moment. It looked just like he had remembered it. He stepped out and took out Stiles' bags. Stiles approached with his hands out.
"I'll take them in, don't worry." Derek nodded. He couldn't help but notice how Stiles stared at his arms for a moment longer than necessary. He followed him to the front door with a grin.
Stiles opened the front door with a key to the sound of cooking.
"About time you got here" The sheriff's voice greeted a moment before he appeared at the entrance of the house, wiping his hands with a dish towel.
"Sorry." Stiles apologized before giving his father a hug. The Sherriff held out his hand to Derek.
"Nice to meet you Dean, I've heard so much about you."
Derek balked, dropping Stiles' luggage on the ground and holding out his own hand.
Stiles countered. "Ah no dad this is Derek, Dean's brother." The Sherriff shifted his gaze upon his son.
"Dean's friends kidnapped him and took him to Vegas." Stiles shrugged. "He apologizes for his absence." The Sherriff stared at his son, surveying him like a delinquent in handcuffs. Stiles smiled cheerfully "It's so good to be home."
The Sherriff held out his hand again. "Well welcome Derek. Glad you could join us for lunch."
"Oh. I didn't want to impose" Derek started.
"Dude, you're fine. Dad cooks for an army."
"Then why was the fridge always empty when I got home?' The Sherriff retorted over the sound of a fryer.
"Because Scott eats for three dad." Stiles yelled back over the noise.
"Are you sure?" Derek mumbled uncomfortably following Stiles into the house.
"Yeah." Stiles said grabbing Derek by the wrist.
Stiles sat Derek down at a dinner table and helped his dad place several enormous dishes on it. When they finally sat down to eat and Stiles had piled Derek's plate with fried chicken, a massive slice of lasagna, and salad the Sherriff started talking.
"So Derek, where do you go to school?"
"Dad can you give him a few minutes before interrogating him."
"I'm just making conversation" the Sherriff stated taking a mouthful. Stiles shot an apologetic look at Derek. He smiled back.
"I go to ASU."
The Sherriff nodded his approval "Good school."
"He's going there on a baseball scholarship" Stiles added. The Sherriff looked impressed. Derek tried to hide his blush.
"A family of athletes. You know I used to play baseball in high school"
"What? You never told me that." Stiles spoke in surprise
"You never asked. I used to pitch at 83 mph, could have gotten faster."
"That's a great arm" Derek responded, completely fascinated.
"I played until senior year. But I injured my back and had to stop." The Sherriff finished.
Derek nodded in understanding.
"Hey I like baseball too" Stiles pouted.
"You've never even been to a game" The Sherriff lamented giving Derek a look as if to say 'this guy.'
"You've never been to a baseball game?" Derek asked Stiles with a shocked expression.
"Because maybe my dad never took me." Stiles shot back, crossing his arms, glaring at his father.
"You have to go to a baseball game, it's amazing" Derek continued. "I'll take you next season."
"Yeah?" Stiles replied with a hopeful look.
"Promise."
The Sherriff looked even more interested in Derek.
"So what are you studying out in ASU?"
"I'm a business major with a minor in history."
Stiles stared at him in surprise, his look evaluating and interested. Derek smiled back shyly. He stopped when he saw the Sherriff watching them.
"Well, you must have a full plate." The Sherriff spoke.
Derek nodded, "I like to stay busy."
'So do you have a girlfriend?" The Sherriff asked casually.
"Dad!" Stiles whined.
"Just asking."
Derek shook his head. "No, not at the moment." The Sherriff nodded, an evaluating look on his face.
"So what do you two have planned for the rest of the day?"
Stiles and Derek shared a glance. Stiles shrugged. "Just doing laundry."
The Sherriff grimaced. "Well I'll be late tonight, so don't get into too much trouble." Derek couldn't help notice the way the Sherriff glanced at him as he uttered the last statement.
He stood with his plate. "Stiles, I cooked so you clean."
"Yes sir."
"I'll help" Derek followed.
The Sherriff grabbed his holster, which Derek noticed had been lying in plain view on the table the entire time.
"Alright well keep out of trouble. I mean it Stiles!" he called, heading towards the door.
"I have no idea what you're talking about father." Stiles countered in an innocent voice.
The Sherriff held out his hand. "Nice to meet you Derek. I'm glad Stiles has such a responsible friend."
"You too sir."
The Sherriff made his way to the front door. "And tell Dean he's on my list." He announced before leaving.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Notes: Dean is a jerk and Derek is getting way in over his head. What do you guys think?