~~~~ time warp: 4 years later ~~~~
Derek was so wound up, he could probably spin like a top if put on his head. Already anxious because Danny's college graduation day was coming up, he'd actually -- by complete accident -- crushed part of the cinder block he held, which had dropped and broken Scott's foot when Scott managed to steal Danny's thunder about the job Danny was going to take back in Beacon Hills. Danny -- brilliant Danny -- was going to be an entry-level programmer at a local software firm, which Derek knew couldn't be the best offer that Danny had received.
"Tell him 'congratulations' for me," Scott had said with this big smile. "You must be so happy."
The Scott was jumping around, howling about his foot and Derek was stalking off of the job site to get some air. He'd nearly cried he was so damn upset. Though, he wasn't just upset. Part of him was thrilled that Danny was coming back to Beacon Hills. The rest of him, though, knew that take such a mediocre job when Danny could have so much better was going to make Danny resentful over time. That was the moment that Derek told himself that he wasn't going to let Danny do this, but it was only Wednesday and Danny didn't get there until late in the afternoon on Fridays this semester. Two days was a lot of time for Derek to get more irrational thoughts in his head, to get more angry, and to get more depressed.
When Derek walked into the apartment after work on Friday, Danny was there and the scent of meat was on the air. Danny was cooking a roast and Derek's stomach was sinking somewhere around his ankles. He had to take several deep breaths before he even made it inside, but once he did and Danny was in his arms, Derek was winding up and going taut. He couldn't let Danny do this -- but wow, that sneaky smile of excitement on his face that made Derek ache -- because... Derek just couldn't.
"This is a mistake, Danny," Derek huffed as they held each other in his living room. He pulled back to look into Danny's eyes. "I know what you're so excited to tell me," Derek said with a firm voice and even gaze. "And it's a mistake."