Work Text:
Maybe, in retrospect, Kristal and Derek’s relationship was more obvious than Trevor would like to admit. The suggestive looks the two shared whenever Trevor was instructed to leave and test the challenge, or their obvious flirting after the space-challenge, the only one Trevor couldn’t accompany. It wasn’t obvious, or, at the time it wasn’t. He’s had difficulty picking up on social cues, maybe the nostalgia of wanting and Derek to rehash their season one days had him blinded him, though he wasn’t completely oblivious by the chemistry forming between Derek and Kristal. He was jealous of her, he couldn’t deny no matter how much he’d try to convince himself…or was he simply envious of her? Not one was better than the other, but what could Kristal provide for Derek that he couldn’t?
ノ
Finals week had finally ended, resulting in an abundance of celebratory parties throughout campus, which, Derek and Trevor had found themselves at. Trevor would consider both him and Derek to be extroverts, though, Derek was much noteworthy forward than Trevor had been.
Initially, he’d expected Derek to negate such a thought as playing spin the bottle, maybe making some witty mark how it’s not grade eight anymore. Instead, he seemed all too eager, seating himself beside a girl with black ringlets and parallel from Trevor. The hallowed bottle makes its rounds across the group’s circle, tipping to Trevor’s direction before he’d have to kiss his landing partner and take his mandatory shot. Sliding the bottle towards Derek, raising a brow to the man as he twirls the bottle. Spinning around the group, narrowly avoiding himself before landing on the girl to his right. It wasn’t like Trevor was kissing him or they were growing frisky, sure, it would be uncomfortable for anyone..
Seeing your best friend make out with some girl but instead of the typical discomfort he felt almost..envious. Hitching his breath as Derek moved from the girl, raising his glass to take his obligatory shot, the knot in Trevor’s stomach is unwavering. His attention wavers from the game, muffled voices of playful banter and excitement as he fixates on the bottle. He feels a pang of apprehension as he’s handed the bottle, flashing a smile before twirling the bottle..landing on the man before him, Derek. Like clockwork, the once
vivacious circle seems to quiet, aside from the occasional snicker as Derek raises his head to face Trevor.
“I’m not..I don’t like guys”
He replies as his breath hitches, a flustered smile beginning to form as he scratches the side of his neck. He lowers a brow as Derek chuckles, perhaps too tipsy as he’d taken his third shot in just twenty minutes, amused at Trevor’s awe rather than the bottle’s pick itself.
“It’s just the game, man, I know you don’t like me like that”
He assured in a faint whisper, forcing a smile as he shifts to his knees. Derek, ever the histrionic, began taking his hair down, swiping the loose strings across his face. The scene feels almost surreal, despite having known one other for only three years, Trevor cannot remember a time without Derek beside him. Maybe, it’s why Derek’s movements feel so deliberate or why the seconds between the bottle landing on Derek and him crawling to kiss Trevor feel like hours. Cupping the Trevor’s right cheek, he rolls his eyes and sighs before surging forward. He’s kissed people before, more specifically women, but what made this any more different than he’d kiss some collage hookup? His eyes remain widened as Derek kisses him in an almost tentative manner, clenching his eyes as the kiss becomes more assertive. Trevor’s hand stop’s on Derek’s wrist, leaning back just before Derek breaks away. Initially, he didn’t want to kiss Derek or, at least, before he crawled over.
He likes women, he’s always had, then why was kissing Derek such a.. confusing..moment? He didn’t like guys, of course, but he definitely liked Derek; the ever so faint taste of cinnamon chapstick on his lips or how he’d go out of his way to attract people’s attention.
“See, wasn’t that bad, right Trev?”
He scoffs, downing another shot before ushering the glass over to Trevor. Hesitantly, he drinks from the glass, tasting the faintest cinnamon flavor, which he assumes to be the remnants of Derek’s chapstick. Instead of the drink stifling his various emotions about the kiss, it only amplifies his longing for Derek and the confusion if his feelings are more than platonic. Running his tongue over his lips, tasting the distinct flavor of cinnamon chapstick once more. Continuing the game, though much less interested in whoever the bottle picks next and much more interested on Derek’s mannerisms and wanting to land on Derek once again.
ノ
Initially, Trevor was excited to leave prison, in the twenty-two months the two spent no one had even bothered to pay their bail. Now, by the grace of god, they were free from prison, even if they’d have to return as unpaid interns. The first few weeks were fine, testing challenges for contestants, and occasionally helping with episode editing; rinse and repeat. Kristal and Emily were okay, though neither of them could amount to Derek nor the relationship the two shared. In the season the two seemed closer, Trevor knew prison must’ve changed Derek, it changed him too. This was different, though, Derek wasn’t exactly Mr.Popular in their college days but then again he wasn’t either.
Yeah, he should’ve seen the sighs, during the musical when he had to clean the stage instead of the two of them. Or, the next challenge when only Trevor had to help the contestants with their balls. After the Yellow Team’s destruction of the set, Derek was, admittedly, surprised as Kristal allowed him to skip out on cleaning instead of joining Trevor..not like he was complaining. The following morning, while the challenge finished its preparations Derek was called into the production tent, assuming it to be another task as an intern he relented with some hesitance. Inching closer to the tent, Derek watched Kristal turn to face him, a smile covering her usual frown.
ノ
“Why don’t you do the announcements, Derek?”
The woman asked, her brows raising along with her smile as Derek’s eyes grew.
“Wait, really?”
He clarified, in awe at the flattery Kristal had shown, her nod in agreement only made his excitement rise.
“First, I don’t have to test the challenge, now I get to do the announcements, again?”
“You’re spoiling me, girl”
He jokes, instinctively stepping closer before pulling the monitor chair forward as he sits before Kristal with a fixed smile.
“I can see your potential, Derek”
She coaxed, shifting onto the desk as her hands lay in her lap, lifting her chin higher as she stared at him, intently.
“After watching your season, I know you can make it as a host without Trevor..”
She continued, leaning herself back while using her hands to support herself from falling backward.
“I mean, you carried Trevor every episode”
She again shifts, extending a hand to place on his shoulder before steadying her feet to the floor. With a furrowed brow to her left and a lowered one to her right, Kristal slides from the production desk as Derek smiles on impact, flustered.
“You know, Kristal, no one’s ever told me that before..”
He smiles, staring off to the side as her knuckle rests on her waist, her other arm lying freely. Chuckling, his hand drapes over
his upper arm, standing rigid as Kristal continues to smile.
“Thank you”
ノ
Kristal vigilantly watches as the bickering of Jake and Ally subside, snickering as she turns to Derek. Typically, the producers or Oliver green light challenges, wanting to refrain from lawsuits or potential injuries. But, somehow, Derek’s challenge idea managed to bypass Oliver, though he believes Kristal let him choose his challenge without intervention.
“Ah, I’m in love with the space challenge, Derek”
Kristal congratulates him once more, raising a brow as her lips shift to a smirk, returning to watching as the Cyan team strolls through the hall. Derek leans into his chair, the cushion causing him to sink into the chair, but, upon registering Kristal’s compliment his back straightens and responds in the form of a crooked smile.
“It was a bit out there...but I’m glad you saw my vision”
ノ
Reminiscing on the various challenges he and Trevor conjured up during pre-production. After sophomore year, when the two’s schedules became closer aligned, following Derek’s pitch for a reality show was rejected once again he reluctantly sought Trevor out for assistance. Flipping through furiously sketched demos ranging from where contestants are instructed to clear obstacles whilst collecting medals fitting an emblem for each particular portion. He knows he shouldn’t be sharing private information with his college roommate, but it's not like anyone else he’d known would take his ambitions seriously. I mean, it’s pretty rare to find someone striving to be a reality TV host.
“I don’t get it, Trev…I listen to the producer's critiques yet they keep rejecting my pitches”
He sighs, combing his fingers through his hair, covering his face in frustration. Slouching in his chair, he feels Trevor’s hand lie on his lower shoulder, in an attempt to raise his spirits. Lifting his head, his right hand covering the second half of his face, a small smile grazes his features just before straightening to a frown.
“They’re just missing out, Derek, we can do this”
He replies, placing his hand over Derek’s, seeing his smile reemerge
ノ
“Trevor never appreciated my challenge suggestions as you do”
He responds, scratching the nape of his neck as his eyes flicker back to Kristal, mindlessly clicking her nails against the camera desk.
“Well, you have an eye for it”
She responds, squinting slightly as she leans her back from off the chair and inches closer to him. Glancing back to the monitor, upon hearing the bickering of Jake and Ally resume. In her distraction, she disregards Derek’s hesitancy to continue their conversation.
“If you have any plans, after the challenge we can grab a drink..”
He offered, straightening his back with an amicable smile, he apprehensively watched as Kristal dwelled on her response.
“Sorry, Derek, I’ve got paperwork and socializing isn’t for me..”
She responds, patting him on the shoulder as she smiles with a raised brow, crossing her arms over her chest.
“We’ve been working so hard, what’s one night from work…they have a pool table you know..”
ノ
Since their release from prison, the two’s schedules have been filled with challenge preparation and testing with the occasional task of watching the security cameras, leaving no time for the men to catch up. Tapping his fingers, the two’s silence is cut by the clinking sound from Trevor’s glass. Turning to Derek, absentmindedly humming his gaze continues to flicker from the door and then back to Trevor. Hitching his breath, Trevor falters, unsure whether to strike up a conversation or continue their silence.
“I feel like we haven’t been able to talk since we got out, just the two of us”
ノ
He smiles, watching as Derek furrows his brows, biting the inside of his cheek as Trevor inches his hand closer to Derek’s. Sighing, he turns from the man, fingers stopping their clicking.
“Remember when we got the show picked up?”
Derek responds, whisking his glass to the side, intertwining his hand with Trevor’s, his eyes flickering with excitement.
“We were so excited, we finally got what we’ve been wanting for years..”
He chuckles, patting his pant pockets before tracing his fingers over a cigarette lighter. Before he can retrieve his lighter, the familiar clicking of heels grows louder and louder; Kristal. Derek's attention almost immediately shifts to Kristal, making his way to the woman. Trevor enviously watches as the two speak for what feels like hours, making their back to the bar. His jaw clenches as Kristal whispers in Derek’s ear, mentioning Trevor’s name.
“Shit, I forgot to tell you, I invited Kristal, that’s okay though, right?”
He asks, placing a hand on Trevor’s shoulder before applying light pressure and smiling. His gaze quickly turns to Kristal, once more, causing a sense of disdain for the two of them; Kristal for coming between his and Derek’s friendship, and Derek for casting Trevor to the side to vie for Kristal’s attention. Remaining stationed at the bar, watching as Derek lights a cigarette for the two of them, a fixed smile grazing his features as Kristal readies her cue. Clutching his drink, Trevor bites his lower lip, stifling his jealousy as the two continue to laugh and disregard him.
ノ
“My head’s killing me Trev..”
Derek slurs, hoisted by Trevor’s shoulder which he clings to as if he’ll fall without the support, granted, his legs struggle to hold their weight though Trevor attributes this to inebriation. Derek’s fingers massage his forehead, clenching his eyes shut to distract from his pounding headache amplified by the background’s deafening music. Resting his head on Trevor’s shoulder, Derek stares up at the man, blinking in varied pauses before smiling placidly. As the men inch closer to their floor’s dormitories, Derek’s arm slings over Trevor’s neck as he raises his head to speak. His breath reeked of alcohol, causing Trevor’s head to instinctively pull from his roommate, avoiding the stench.
"Fuck, Trev, what would I do without you?”
“I mean, who needs a girlfriend when I have a roommate like you?”
He grins, clasping his fingers together and learning into his friend, pursuing his lips to make kissy faces. Taking much satisfaction with his joke, Derek’s arm remained stationed over Trevor’s neck as the two men made their way to their dorm’s bedroom. In contrast to Trevor, Derek was a lightweight when drinking, often relying on Trevor to take him back to the dorms. As Trevor placed Derek to his bed, the man’s gaze lingered on his roommate before clearing his throat to stand.
“I’ll go get you some water, man”
Derek groans, rubbing his temples as he extends a shaky hand towards Trevor’s wrist.
“I’m fine, Trev, don’t go”
He assures, his eyes half-lidded as he poops his head onto his pillow, sighing and shifting uncomfortably as Trevor sits beside Derek’s heel. Feeling his headache return, Derek sits up to stretch though he quickly turns to the dorm’s trash can. Doubled over, Trevor wastes no time pulling the man’s hair out of harm’s way. His grip remains steady on the can’s edge, craning his head back to see Trevor fidgeting with his leg, pouting.
“You good man?”
He asks, repositioning his hair to the left of his shoulder, and wiping the corners of his lips.
“Yeah, I’m fine man”
Trevor smiles as Derek turns his back to him, wiping his tears with the pad of his thumb as he clears his throat and smiles weakly.
ノ
“Derek, before the elimination starts I need to tell you something..it’s really important”
He insists, lowering his eyes to the floor as his fingers fidget against the side of his shorts.
“Man..I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you but..me and Kristal are going out, she just wants it to be us two. So..can you handle this one?”
He smiles in an attempt to convince Trevor, fixing his hands to a praying motion.
“Yeah,sure whatever, but I really need to tell you something”
He persists, stepping closer to Derek, trying to pull their hands together though Derek’s hand strays before their hands can meet.
“You can tell me later, man, promise”
He smiles, placing his hand over Trevor’s before staring into him. Trevor’s face soon rises to a crooked smile, hesitating if he should confess before Derek leaves.
“Uh..alright, see you soon, Derek..”
ノ
Trevor drags his feet to the production tent,
dejection etched on his face. However his disappointment soon shifts to shock as he’s met with the back of Kristal’s ponytail, hands settled on her waist. His steps falter,
his mind racing with a mix of emotions from agony to ire. Instead of speaking, he gasps, causing Kristal to turn; her eyes widen in embarrassment as Trevor is met with the sight of Derek standing behind her. Kristal stands frozen, her cheeks flushed as Derek takes the initiative and trails after Trevor. Once outside, Derek tries to talk with Trevor in a hushed whisper.
“Ah, Trev come on man, I’m tryna get laid here”
He chuckles, running a hand through the front of his hair, leaning with crossed arms.
“I don’t care about your little girlfriend”
He responds with a sigh, clenching his fists to form a ball as he cranes his head back to face Derek.
“It’s just a fling, Trev, what are you jealous or something?”
His voice drips with sarcasm as he accuses Trevor of envying the relationship Kristal and Derek share, insinuating Trevor’s interruption and later storming off was motivated by jealousy.
“Maybe I am, it’s kind of hard not to be”
He confesses, turning to face Derek, although he lacks the courage to stare Derek in the eye.
“And what’s that supposed to mean? Please, enlighten me”
Derek scoffs, raising a brow as he stares Trevor down, rolling his shoulders.
“I told you I had something important to say, and you blew me off, exactly how you did when we went to the bar”
He responds with frustration lacing every one of his words, chest raising as his eyes begin to well with tears. Meanwhile, Derek stares at Trevor as if this is an inconvenience for him
“I don’t get why you’re making such a scene out of this just-“
Before finishing his sentence, he’s abruptly stopped Trevor’s abrasiveness, swallowing harshly as he choked back tears.
“Fuck you, you don’t get it, I’m tired of being cast off to the side as if you aren’t my best friend..”
Dismissing Trevor’s sentiment, as shown by him scoffing and rolling his eyes, Derek finds himself biting the inside of his cheek in arrogance.
“Fuck me? You would love that, wouldn’t you?”
He replies condescendingly, sneering at Trevor’s words, noticing how Trevor seethes
before tightening his fits once more. Turning his heel, Derek watches as Trevor mouths, ‘ fuck you ’ before storming off to the woods. After walking for what feels like ages, Trevor finds himself using a tree to support himself. Crying for both his and Derek’s dwindling friendship and his jealousy for Kristal and Derek’s relationship. God, how could he let himself get blindsided by someone who clearly doesn’t reciprocate his feelings? It shouldn’t matter, but how can someone throw away a decade of friendship for a few weeks of knowing someone? He’ll make up with Derek tomorrow, then it’ll be the two of them again.