#fcsi

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Derek struggled to hold onto the controller in his hand while tapping so furiously on the button. Of all the things he was good at, cartoon violence was not one of them. He had a hard time guessing at the controls, or how close his character had to be to land certain moves, or even how to do most moves. Sometimes he would give in and open the Command Menu, but the lists of colorful circles weren’t at all helpful. What the hell did LK mean, anyway?

He fought the urge to throw the controller as his opponent mocked him with a winning quote. He knew it was stupid to be so angry over a computer-controlled fighter. Of course the computer knew all the commands, and of course it also knew how to do every single special. Every single annoying special. He knew it was stupid to be so angry, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to be angry. Hell, Derek didn’t even know why he was even bothering with such a stupid game. And as if on cue, that very reason walked through the door.

“Losing again?” Kevin said in a teasing tone that was maybe a little apologetic.

“Why ask?” Derek sighed pathetically. Kevin didn’t bother answering. He just sat down next to him, unplugging the PlayStation with enthusiasm. Wires were pulled away from the wall and TV, but quickly replaced with new ones. Derek watched as the Xbox was powered on.

“Here.” Kevin handed him a remote, already turned on as Player 2.

“I don’t really want to play anything anymore.” Or ever. But Derek didn’t say that in fear of glares that would eventually turn into puppy eyes. He was pretty powerless against puppy eyes.

“But we’re going to play online with Jacob.” So much for avoiding the puppy eyes.

“Jacob? How do you even know Jacob?” Derek asked with too much of a groan.

Kevin laughed, as if he already knew why it bothered Derek so much. It wasn’t like Jacob hated Derek with a burning passion or anything. At least, that’s what it felt like. There was always some type of tense emotion flowing through the room when they both inhabited it. Not to mention how angry Jacob always looked.

“Really?” Derek tried to give a serious look that probably turned out to be desperation.

“I answered Shaun’s phone one time for him and we just ended up talking.” He shrugs in response. That answer did not deserve a shrug, as if it wasn't a big deal. It was a huge deal. 

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. He’s awesome. I can totally see why Shaun’s been pinning over him for forever. And he plays video games.”

“Seriously?” Because one clearly wasn’t enough.

“Uh… and he wanted to play Halo with us?”

“Ignoring the entire ‘pining’ thing, which you really didn’t need to include,” Derek grimaced at the thought of Shaun pining over anyone, “I am seriously pissed that you can answer Shaun’s phone and have a normal conversation without getting yelled at by his vicious boyfriend!”

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Notes: Jacob doesn't really hate Derek, but he really likes making him think he does. Kevin and Jacob become pretty close friends and they even hang out in person sometimes. Derek is a sore-loser over the entire thing because Kevin apparently wins at everything, including successful phone answering.