All's Fair in Love and Pool

Scott paced back and forth in the loft, his brow furrowed in frustration as he tried to wrap his mind around the new dynamic between his best friend and the brooding alpha. He ran a hand through his hair for the umpteenth time, glancing over at Stiles, who was leaning against a stack of crates, arms crossed and a look of calm amusement on his face that only deepened Scott's irritation.

"Stiles, I just... I don't get it," Scott groaned, shaking his head as if that would somehow shake off the unease building in his chest. "You and Derek? Really?"

Stiles rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. "Scott, relax. There's enough of me to go around," he said, raising an eyebrow in a playful challenge. His tone was light, but the weight of Scott's worry hung thick in the air.

Scott scrunched his nose, looking at Stiles as if he'd just suggested they eat something disgusting. "Seriously, did you have to word it like that?" His voice was tinged with distaste, not just at Stiles' choice of words but at the whole situation.

From the far side of the loft, Jackson let out an exaggerated, disgusted sound, clutching his stomach as he grimaced. "God, Stilinski, some of us were just starting to enjoy dinner again," he said, his voice dripping with mock horror.

Stiles shot him an unapologetic smirk. "Oh, come on, Jacks. Don't pretend you're not thrilled by all this. You're practically ready to print 'Team Sterek' T-shirts."

Jackson rolled his eyes but didn't deny it, muttering under his breath, "Not the point."

Scott just looked more unsettled, the knot in his stomach twisting tighter. He'd tried to adjust to the sight of Stiles and Derek together—together in a way that felt intimate and exclusive, and he hated how it made him feel like an outsider looking in. The way they shared those little smiles, the way Stiles leaned in a little closer to Derek, made Scott feel as if he was watching a world that didn't include him.

And Peter. Peter was having the time of his life, the smug bastard. He hadn't stopped smiling in weeks, almost gleefully watching the unfolding drama as if he'd orchestrated it all. "It's all coming together, isn't it?" he'd say to anyone who would listen, a gleam in his eyes that hinted at some deeper satisfaction.

Even Erica and Boyd had come around quickly. They'd warmed to the idea of Stiles and Derek together, exchanging approving nods and mischievous grins whenever they spotted the pair in the loft. Jackson might act disgusted, but even he seemed to find amusement in Scott's predicament, secretly reveling in the chaos.

Scott let out a heavy sigh, running a hand down his face as he tried to voice his concerns. "I just don't get it. Since when does Derek even... I mean, it's Derek." His tone was laced with disbelief, a slight whine creeping in.

Stiles sighed, a patient but slightly tired expression on his face. "Look, Scott, I'm happy. Derek's happy. Heck, even Peter is thrilled, which probably says more about his weird sense of humor than anything else. But the point is, this works for us. So, you'll just have to come to terms with it."

Scott was about to respond when Derek walked in, a calm presence that somehow managed to command attention without trying. He took in the scene with a faintly raised eyebrow, his expression unreadable. He stopped beside Stiles, their proximity radiating an ease that Scott found infuriating. Derek's hand brushed Stiles' shoulder in a way that seemed almost casual, but everyone in the room noticed. Stiles looked up at Derek with a warm, easy smile, and Derek, barely noticeable, smiled back.

Scott felt a pang in his chest, a mix of irritation and something else he couldn't quite define. His shoulders slumped, finally giving in, although reluctantly. "Fine. I'll... I'll try."

Jackson smirked, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "Good, because they're kind of a package deal now, so you'd better get used to it."

Erica chimed in from her perch on the couch, raising her drink in a mock toast. "Here's to Derek and Stiles... and to Scott, learning to share."

Scott scowled, but despite his best efforts, a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he muttered, "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just don't expect me to be happy about it."

But even as he said it, he could feel the edges of his irritation softening. Stiles' happiness mattered to him, even if it came with a side of frustration. Maybe—just maybe—that was enough.

"Kiss, kiss, kiss!" Jackson and Erica suddenly chanted, their voices rising in mock cheer as they leaned in closer, clearly enjoying Scott's discomfort. They knew this would gross him out.

Stiles bit his lip, casting a playful glance at Derek, who stood there with an amused expression, as if he was both entertained and challenged by the chant. With a light laugh, Stiles leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Derek's lips, the kind of kiss that was sweet and full of affection, not the kind of thing Scott wanted to witness.

Scott groaned loudly, slumping down onto the couch in defeat. "Ugh, why do you have to do that in front of me?" he whined, squeezing his eyes shut in a pointless attempt to block out the image.

Erica and Jackson exchanged high fives, clearly delighted with the reaction. Boyd, sitting back with a bemused look, shook his head in amusement "You guys are ridiculous," he said, laughing softly.

Peter leaned against the wall, arms crossed, wearing a self-satisfied grin. "You know, Scott, this is all part of growing up. Maybe it's time you learned to embrace the chaos."

Scott shot him a glare, but the smile on Peter's face only deepened, a clear indication that he was enjoying every minute of Scott's misery.

As Stiles and Derek moved to the side, whispering to each other, Scott took a deep breath, trying to let go of his annoyance. He was happy for Stiles, he reminded himself. Stiles deserved this, even if it meant navigating the confusing territory of watching him be with Derek.

"Okay," Scott said finally, trying to keep his tone light, "I'll give it a shot. But if you two start getting all... couple-y around me, I'm going to need a strong drink."

Jackson snorted. "You better be prepared then, because it's not like they're going anywhere. Besides, you might actually learn to like it. You know, Stiles is really good at sharing."

Scott shot him a glare, unable to suppress a smirk this time. "I hate you all," he said, shaking his head, but the heaviness in his chest began to lift just a bit. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.