What Are We Supposed To Be?

CH 14

Notes: I had to split this huge chapter into two parts because it was a lot to complete and edit. Let's get back shall we!

Stiles parked in the nearest space available, which happened to be half a mile from the ASU campus. He walked briskly towards Derek's dorm observing the throngs of people heading towards it from the surrounding parking lots. Seas of people on their cell phones made an interesting contrast against the darkness of the night, the tiny rectangular screens glowing iridescently.

An attractive couple stopped him on his way as they converged onto the same path. "Hey do you know where the party is?" the girl asked boldly.

"Uh, sorry I don't." Stiles shrugged apologetically.

"Are you going there too?" The guy asked. "I heard everyone on campus is going."

Stiles thought for a moment and nodded. Derek would most likely be there considering how his night had gone. He smiled at the couple who looked like they had just stepped out of the pages of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue, wondering how everyone on the ASU campus could be so freaking hot. Paying attention in class would be nearly impossible.

"Yeah. I was trying to find my way there too." he offered.

"Well let's go together bro" the guy grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.

"Yeah my boyfriend's in there. He's on the baseball team" the girl added, running a hand through her long blonde hair.

"Cool. Let's go." Stiles smiled back.

XXXXXX

The trio finally managed to find the party, which wasn't very hard given the masses of people heading towards the same destination. Stiles looked ahead to find a massive frat house lit up like the fourth of July, the beat of the speakers inside sending tremors under his feet like he was at some massive concert. The trio walked in, converging with several other partygoers.

The inside of the frat house was a sweat box and Stiles felt himself oozing from every single pore. He lost his escorts in the fracas of people and was unwillingly jostled into the middle of the dance floor where a riot of coeds were grooving along to the music. It took him a moment for the effects of the beat to work, but before he knew it he too was joining in on the fun that was being had. Stiles reveled in the moment, pushing the previous craziness out of his mind while enjoying the party.

Several members of the football and baseball team members were present, wearing their letterman jackets despite the heat like some sort of symbolic emblem, beckoning any willing coed to come and take a chance with them on a night of too many drinks and bad decisions. Stiles smirked to himself realizing Derek hardly ever wore his letterman jacket and continued dancing as a new song came in, its infectious beat enticing him to sway his body and booty to its rhythm.

A hand gripped his shoulder and he turned to find his well veneered friend from before along with his equally attractive friend who was holding hands with a handsome black guy. She tried in vain to yell something over the blaring music while pointing to him but Stiles shook his head and yelled back just as unsuccessfully that he couldn't hear her. They exchanged shrugs instead and danced along to the music with the other party goers.

As the song they were dancing to neared its end, Stiles finally saw him, wearing a leather jacket and pinning a petite girl against a wall, making out like his life depended on it. He felt something he had never felt before. It was prickly and painful and the anger that rose up within him could set fire to the entire campus of ASU if he would let it. He pushed through the gaggle of writhing bodies and pulled his boyfriend off his latest conquest.

"WHAT THE FUCK DEREK?" He screamed, his words drowned out in the waves of competing sound.

A guy with black hair and brown eyes turned around in surprise along with the girl who had been enjoying his attention. They both shot him an annoyed glance and Stiles held up his hands in apology.

"Sorry! Sorry!" He yelled before walking away quickly, glad that the drunken pair was quick to return to their previous activities with gusto, ignoring his interruption.

XXXXXX

Stiles jogged through the corridors finally entering the hallway where Derek's room was located. He saw a staggering figure in the distance and slowed down, all of a sudden not knowing what to do. What was he going to say to him?

He observed his boyfriend as he tried valiantly to put his key into the lock and growling when he couldn't manage it due to the amount of swaying he was doing. Derek tried again and cursed loudly when it didn't work. Giving up he laid against the wall groaning quietly to himself. He looked so sad that it made Stiles' chest constrict, a rush of emotions bubbling up in his chest realizing he was the cause.

All he wanted to do was to pull his guy inside and give him some water and aspirin while telling him how amazing he was, but another part of him told him to turn around and run. Stiles stilled for a moment. He breathed.

Derek gave a pitiful groan against the wall and Stiles approached slowly, not even thinking about it. He scooped the keys off the ground as Derek continued to rest his against the wall, his eyes closed and mouth open.

"Hey" Stiles spoke quietly, running a hand across his boyfriend's flushed cheek. Derek opened his eyes to find him there and his eyes widened for a moment in surprise before they narrowed and he glared off into the distance making Stiles feel awful. He was pretty sure Derek had pushed himself past his limits because he was hurting and it made him feel even worse.

Stiles quickly found the right key and opened the door, ushering his boyfriend in.

Once inside, Derek opened the mini fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, downing half of it and then releasing an extremely loud belch that echoed across the room.

Stiles watched as he began to strip his clothes off, and while he didn't mind watching, he desperately wanted to clear the air.

"Uh Der?" He mumbled as Derek pulled off his pants and tossed them onto the small mound of clothes lying on his dresser. His boyfriend wasn't listening but instead, had stripped down to Stiles' Scooby Doo boxers before heading towards his unmade bed.

A tingle swept over his skin at how adorable it was that his boyfriend made it a point to wear his underwear but he didn't have time to contemplate the connotations as Derek sat down and pulled Stiles to him, unbuckling his pants and pulling them down so he stood there in a pair of Derek's black boxer briefs, his jeans pooling at his ankles. His boyfriend proceeded to pull his t-shirt off him, tossing it into the same corner of the room with his discarded clothes and Stiles grinned at the fact that Derek still took care of him even though he was mad. He was finally pulled into bed, Derek crawling in after him. Once he was comfortable he pulling the comforter over them and yawned.

"Der can I say something?" Stiles tried softly, only to feel Derek's stubble graze his cheek and a strong pair of arms wrapping around him.

"Later." He slurred.

"Der?" Stiles tried again thought with less conviction because his boyfriend's arms were so warm and comforting.

Derek yawned loudly behind him and Stiles couldn't help let out a yawn of his own. He realized how tired he was given the drive and consequent run around. He managed to blink and run a hand through Derek's hair, quickly snuggling into his side because it was pretty obvious that his dude didn't want to talk. Before he knew it, he was in la la land.

XXXXXXXX

Stiles woke the next morning to the sound of Derek snoring in his ear, the smell of alcohol and morning breath mixing together for a rather pungent odor. He scrunched his eyes as sunshine pouring in from the windows, given that the curtains were still wide open. He crawled over to the window and closed them, sighing as the light dimmed in the room.

He laid back down and stared at his boyfriend who was stirring slightly.

"Morning."

Derek grunted in response a hand reaching out to grab him, his eyes remaining closed

"Der' Stiles mumbled pointing a finger into his ribs.

"Tired" Derek mumbled "woke up early and went to practice, then drove to this guy's house but he was being lame….then came back and went to a party and drank way too much to get over it." He muttered going beneath the covers again.

Stiles bit his lip feeling instantly guilty.

"Ok go back to sleep" Stiles muttered pulling the comforter over them again. Derek absently rubbed small circles into the skin of his stomach, mitigating his guilt and coaxing him back into a morning nap.

XXXXXXXX

Stiles woke up later to the sound of someone banging loudly on the door. He crawled over a still sleeping Derek and pulled on a pair of boxer briefs and a ASU baseball shirt before answering.

He opened it to find a tall guy with a chiseled jaw looking back. His letterman jacket looking especially sharp in the afternoon light.

"Hey. Is Derek here?" The man announced looking at him disapprovingly.

"Ah yeah. But he's sleeping." Stiles responded.

The guy fixed him with a look that made him feel uncomfortable.

"Did you stay the night?" He inquired with a look of veiled disgust, staring at the ASU baseball t-shirt and then to Derek's sleeping form.

"I'll let Derek know you asked for him" Stiles returned, feeling way more annoyed than he let on. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

"Yeah whatever" the guy retorted shaking his head and walking away.

Stiles shook off the awkward interruption and checked his phone. He groaned when he read the time.

"Damn it. Its already 2 in the afternoon." He stumbled to the bed and pushed the sleeping form.

"Der get up. It's 2. Do you want to spend the entire day sleeping?"

Derek groaned and stared back at him through bleary eyes. Stiles smirked because his boyfriend looked absolutely adorable right there, bloodshot eyes, matted hair and all. He looked through some drawers and found some aspirin and a bottle of water.

"Here you go" Stiles grinned, doling out two aspirin with the water.

Derek shifted to a sitting position and took the offerings gratefully.

"So what did we learn about drinking too much?" Stiles smirked running a hand through his dude's bed head.

Derek fixed him with a stare and downed the rest of the bottle. "I'm starving" he responded flatly.

XXXXXXXX

They finally make it out of the dorm room and head towards the eating commons almost an hour later, the sun as hot as ever.

"If it's closed we'll go somewhere else." Derek nodded as they entered the crowded eating area.

Once inside they made their way to the back of the line and waited to be served. Stiles had forgotten about the morning wakeup call until a familiar voice called out to them.

"Yo Hale" someone yelled and Stiles and Derek turned to see the guy who had been at his door walking towards them with a few other member of the baseball team.

"Hey Trent. What's up?" Derek responded with a tired grin, a little confused at how he was being approaced.

"Where were you this morning? You know the whole team has to be there for practice. Or are you too good for that now?" Trent retorted coldly.

"Hey man It's just one practice." Derek replied, his voice evident of being caught off guard.

"Whatever." Trent responded dismissively before walking away.

"What's your problem man?" Derek called after him. "I'm at every single practice 10 minutes before everyone else."

"I should ask you the same question" Trent spun around glaring directly at Stiles, his voice so loud that several people in line looked over to see what the fuss was about.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Derek shot back, crossing his arms across his chest.

"So you're a fag now?" Trent sneered and Stiles face dropped at the horrible words. In a flash he was on the defensive, he opened his mouth to respond but Derek beat him to it.

"Shut the fuck up" Derek growled, his whole posture stiffening. Onlookers immediately turned their attention to the argument that was quickly escalating in front of them. Trent folded his arms in response, continuing to sneer menacingly.

"I mean I know you're fucked up in the head but damn, at least you could make up your mind on which team you actually bat for." Trent spat causing Derek to bristle.

"Hey what's going on" a blond girl approached, and as she made her way next to Trent, Derek realizing it was Ashley of all people, her hand on Trent's chest, eyes full of worry.

"Hey stop. Let's go. Whats wrong?" She urged quietly.

"Nothing babe, let's get out of here" Trent huffed putting his arm around her.

Stiles watched as Derek's eyes darkened in anger.

"Yeah enjoy my sloppy seconds" Derek heckled after him, making the pitcher turn around, fist pulled back. Stiles didn't know what to think but the next few seconds were utter chaos.

Trent jumped, ready to fight and Derek took him on. The two wrestled onto a table, effectively breaking it below their combined weight.

Several members of the baseball team ran in to break them up but not before Derek had clocked Trent in the jaw and Trent had likewise sucker punched him in the left eye.

"Break it up!" The handsome black guy from the party yelled hauling Trent away while the blonde with great teeth restrained Derek. Ashley was screaming for them to stop while Stiles stood there in shock.

"You and I are fucking done!" Trent seethed, spitting blood out of his freshly bruised jaw, a look of pure hatred in his eyes. "You better find a new mentor asshole. I'm done trying to help you."

"You ever talk to him like that again I will fuck you up. That's a promise!" Derek roared pulling himself out of the grips of his teammates.

He grabbed Stiles by the hand and they rushed out, leaving chaos and frightened onlookers in their wake.

XXXXXXXXXX

Derek dragged Stiles across the university campus by the hand until they arrived at his Camaro in the student parking lot. He flung himself into the car seat and Stiles hurriedly got into the passenger's seat beside him. Derek started the car and throttled out of the parking lot in an impressive, though unnecessary show of speed and aggression. A few minutes later, they had merged onto the interstate and were driving silently towards an unknown destination.

"Hey are you alright?" Stiles asked looking at the bruise that was already developing under Derek's eye.

"Yeah" he grunted not taking his eyes off the road.

"Enjoy my sloppy seconds huh?" Stiles smirked despite himself feeling unbelievably guilty at finding the statement funny and sad that Derek had had to see that.

Derek's lips curled the tiniest bit and Stiles squeezed Derek's free hand making Derek take his fingers to give his hand a kiss.

"There's a smile." Stiles smirked, trying to ease the tension. Derek sighed, letting his shoulders sag.

"Sorry. "

"No. He kind of deserved it."

"Kind of?" Derek lamented with a huff.

Derek's cell phone began to ring and he tossed it to him.

"Answer. I'm driving." He supplied absently and Stiles pressed answer before speaking into the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Hi," a deep voice replied. "Is Derek there? "

"Yeah hold on."

Stiles put the phone on speaker and Derek spoke.

"Hey Boyd."

"Hey man, how you doing?"

"I'm fine. I'm just taking my boyfriend to that rib place off the 153."

"Nice. We'll meet you there?"

He looked over for an answer and Stiles shrugged.

"Alright." He responded.

"See you in 20." Boyd spoke back through the receiver.

"Alright." Derek assented.

Stiles hung up and glanced over.

"My friends want to join us for lunch. That ok? Should I cancel?" Derek frowned. "Sorry I know we need to talk and stuff."

Stiles shrugged again. "Yeah no problem with me."

Derek took a moment before speaking.

"They want to meet you. They might ask some intrusive questions."

"Ah" stiles acquiesced. "You called me your boyfriend." Stiles added quietly, a small smile breaking the somber mood.

Derek looked over

"Yeah. What else would I call you?" He responded quizzically.

Stiles made a noise akin to a delighted chuckle and smirked like the cat that ate the canary. He unbuckled his seatbelt and began kissing Derek's neck so insistently that he had to pull over so they could partake in a proper makeout session, right on the side of the freeway, the sound of cars zooming by intermingling with their soft moans.

XXXXXXXX

Boyd and two other members of the baseball team, Isaac and Danny, had crammed themselves into the booth with Derek and Stiles and ordered themselves a full rack of ribs each. Stiles looked across the table at the glistening meat and condiments laid out in an appetizing manner. A moment later the athletes laid waste to the massive amount of food, taking no prisoners.

"Are you guys allowed to eat like this?" Stiles wondered out loud, pointing a fork in Derek's direction as he practically inhaled several chicken fingers.

"Nah. Not at all" Boyd chuckled, his mouth full.

Danny nodded shoveling fries into his mouth. "We're supposed to be on strict diets but coach knows that we cheat here and there on the weekends." Stiles smiled realizing that Derek probably saved up his indulgent meals for when they hung out or went on those dates that he was so unaware of.

"We figured we should go out and celebrate our friend's new boyfriend." He continued, dunking a massive onion ring into a dish of honey mustard sauce.

Isaac nodded as he guzzled a beer "Yeah. And for getting a first row seat to Trent Stevens' ass kicking."

Derek rumbled out a laugh.

"Asshole deserved it" he reasoned, starting on his second rack of ribs.

Stiles tried not to smirk since he was non violent all the way, but he had to join in on the raucous laughter that erupted from their booth.

"Man, we've always got your back" Danny declared between bites. "Why didn't you introduce us to this cutie earlier?"

"Thanks man. And watch it, he's taken" Derek muttered though there was no anger behind his words.

"Hey hey" Danny held up his hands. "Bros before hoes man." He pointed a rib at Stiles "Present party excluded of course."

"Thanks Danny" Stiles laughed, instantly liking the guy as he sneaked a bite of Derek's ribs.

"Speaking of bros before hoes. Can you believe Trent got with her even after everything?" Isaac muttered shaking his head.

"Yeah. Dude's a pretentious douche." Danny muttered.

"And a lousy pitcher." Boyd added.

The table exploded again in laughter.

"Anyway. Coach told us that the scouts are coming in next month. So get ready for all day work outs and protein shakes galore." Isaac lamented pointing a rib at the table.

"Great." Boyd sighed while Derek just shrugged. "I'm ready." He nodded.

"We'll all be ready" Boyd held out his fist and the other players bumped it.

"You too man. You're part of the crew now" Boyd grinned and Stiles bumped his fist as Derek grinned broadly.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Notes: Fluff fluff. Jerk wad. Fluff!

Notes 2: Thank you for all the wonderful comments and following – I can't believe you guys like it this much! *bows in humble gratefulness*