Like it or Not

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Stiles gaped up at the building Derek had just parked in front of. "Are we at the right place?"

"Yes." Derek grinned as he turned the car off.

"You like arcades?" Stiles asked, his eyes now landing on Derek incredulously.

"You're gonna tell me you don't like arcades?" Derek raised a brow at Stiles.

"I love arcades. You just don't strike me as the type. The rooftop bar, definitely your thing. Arcades...not so much."

"I'm a lot more fun than I look." Derek laughed.

"So I'm beginning to see that."

Stiles and Derek climbed out of the car and made their way towards the building labeled 'Dave and Busters'.

Derek paused at the door. "So you're pretty good at baseball, but how are you at Mario Kart?"

Stiles' face pulled into a wide grin as he looped his arm through Derek's.

Derek laughed as he let Stiles drag him inside.

-

Stiles slumped over the mounted wheel with a loud groan. "How are you so good at this? That's the fourth time."

Derek laughed. It had been a long time since he'd played, it was nice to know he hadn't lost any of his skill.

"No seriously, how?" Stiles asked as they slid from the large plastic race chairs.

"Ric and I play."

"You and Alaric?"

"Yeah, we uh, we were roommates in college and we'd hold competitions in our hall. Teams of two. Winners didn't have to pitch in for the monthly party."

Stiles grabbed Derek's hand in his and pulled him deeper into the arcade. "Let me guess, you never had to pitch in."

Derek chuckled. "Once. Ric had to go home last minute one weekend. The day before an event. I had to find a stand-in. It didn't go well."

Stiles rolled his eyes with a fond smile.

"How are you at air hockey?" he gestured to the empty table.

"I'm alright." Derek shrugged.

"Great, then maybe I can find my dignity here."

Derek let out a laugh.

"No seriously, you can't tell Scott that you kicked my ass at Mario Kart. I've been reigning champion since we met."

Derek held a hand over his heart. "I swear."

Stiles pressed the start button and grabbed a paddle. "Ready?"

Derek and Stiles played far past the allotted time. Both of them scoring right after the other. Neither was able to get the last point before the other scored. A small group had gathered to watch the exciting game.

Stiles leaned both hands on the edge of the table and let out a sigh. "I'm exhausted. Who's idea was it to do this after dinner?"

Derek laughed as he set the puck on the table again. "Hey, I chose Mario Kart. This is all you, baby."

Stiles, who had poised himself ready for Derek's strike, faltered at the term of endearment. The puck bounced off the side wall and slid past Stiles' paddle, landing the winning point for Derek.

Derek let out a cheer along with the small group that had gathered.

Stiles bowed his head in defeat.

Derek walked around the table and pulled Stiles into him.