Two of a Kind

Too good to be true

Derek stabbed at his pasta as he listened to Spencer ramble about his last lecture. Derek would normally be trying to pay more attention to what Spencer was saying but he was distracted by the knowledge that Stiles was currently on a date with Theo.

It had been two days since Derek had thrown away any chance he might have had with Stiles. Derek had started spending more time with Spencer so as to give Theo and Stiles more time together. Or that’s what he told everyone anyway. Truth was he couldn’t bring himself to be around Stiles as much. It was too hard.

“You okay, Der? You’ve been awfully quiet,” Spencer titled his head. He had noticed Derek pushing around the same noodle for several minutes.

“Yeah, just tired,” Derek lied.

Spencer frowned, “I wish I was as good at reading people as Stiles. I’m sure you’re lying but maybe you are just tired.”

Derek smirked. It was true, Stiles would know he was lying, but he also wouldn’t push it.

“I’m guessing you’re not going to offer me anymore than that?” Spencer asked from around a bite of spaghetti.

“Nothing more to offer,” Derek shrugged simply. He couldn’t exactly tell Spencer that he had developed feelings for his brother and was miserably pining while Stiles was off with Theo.

“You probably prefer to hang out with Stiles,” Spencer chuckled, his eyes dropping to his plate.

“Why would you say that?” Derek frowned. He suddenly felt guilty. He didn’t want Spencer to think that.

“You two are similar,” Spencer shrugged.

“So? Have you met Erica?” Derek snorted.

“Fair enough.”

Spencer seemed satisfied with that answer.

-

Stiles opened the door to find the room empty. He’d been hoping to catch Derek before he Spencer got home.

Stiles found a note on his laptop.

“Got out of class early, went to dinner with Derek, be back later.”

Stiles let out a sigh. He hated the jealous feeling in the pit of his stomach that he got when Spencer and Derek hung out. The two had gone out almost every day the past few days. Stiles didn’t want to claim to be jealous but he didn’t know how else to describe it.

He’d enjoyed spending time getting to know Theo. He was sweet and understanding but Stiles found his mind drifted when they were together. Often times to Derek.
A knock at the door caught Stiles’ attention then.

Frowning Stiles went over to answer it and found Erica on the other side.

“Erica, hey, Derek’s out with Spencer.”

“I came to see you actually,” Erica smiled widely at the twin.

“Oh, okay. Well come on in,” Stiles stepped aside allowing the blonde in, “Is everything alright?”

Erica nodded, her curls bouncing around her shoulders, “I just wanted to see how you were doing. I haven’t had a chance to see you since the thing with Kai went down. I know I messaged you, but I felt like a bad friend for not stopping by sooner.”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Stiles waved a dismissive hand, “It wasn’t that big of a deal anyway.”

“It seemed like a pretty big deal according to Derek,” Erica objected.

Stiles bit down on his lower lip but didn’t respond.

“How’s Theo?” Erica asked then changing the subject.

“He’s good,” Stiles gave a small smile.

“That didn’t sound convincing,” Erica plopped down on Derek’s bed, crossing her ankles as she looked at Stiles expectantly.

“No, he’s honestly so good. It’s too good to be true ya know?”

“You know what they say, when it’s seems too good to be true it usually is,” Erica winked.

“What do you mean?” Stiles frowned.

“I’m only teasing you, I’m sure Theo’s great,” Erica laughed.

“So does it make me a terrible person if I think about someone else when I’m with him?” Stiles asked. He felt like he could trust Erica not to repeat that.

“Kai is not worth a second thought,” Erica scoffed with a frown.

“No, not kai,” Stiles shook his head. He immediately regretted saying anything as the blonde perked up then.

“Oh? Who then?” Her eyes wide with interest.

“No one,” Stiles shook his head then.

“Oh, come on Stiles, I won’t say anything,” Erica whined, urging Stiles to spill.

“I just miss my ex,” Stiles lied.

“What? Why? Theo is hot and sweet and you like him so why are you thinking about your ex?”

Stiles shrugged.

“It’s so not your ex is it?” Erica crossed her arms.

Stiles went to object but she continued.

“It’s Kai.”

Stiles decided to let her believe that it was.

“I know it’s stupid, but what if I over reacted. What if he’s better than Theo?” Stiles sighed. It was Kai he was talking about but it still felt nice to get it off his chest.

“He’s not better than Theo. But if you are second guessing why’d you agree to date Theo?” Erica pressed.

“Spencer would never allow it and Derek thinks Theo would be good for me.”

That was the part that hurt Stiles most. He had been upset when Derek didn’t come back after confronting Kai. He’d wanted to ask if he really thought dating Theo was a good idea.
Stiles really wanted Derek to like him, but that would never fly with Spencer. It was a rule that if they both called dibs said person was off limits. It wouldn’t be fair to Spencer. Of course Stiles was almost certain if Derek was to choose between them he’d pick Spencer. They always did.

“Derek just didn’t want to see you upset and he thinks Theo genuinely likes you,” Erica shrugged.

“I think he does. Course I thought that about all my ex’s too,” Stiles shrugged.

Erica gave him a sympathetic smile, “I wish I had the right answer for you. Derek has the same problem.”

“Maybe we should date each other,” Stiles joked.

Erica’s eyes lit up, “Would you be interested in dating Derek?”

Stiles rose his brows curiously at the blonde, “He’s my friend and not to mention he’d never be interested in me.”

“You think he’s hot. You called him that that night at the bar a few weeks back,” Erica pointed out.

“Don’t remind me,” Stiles groaned.

“I think you’d be great together for the record,” Erica said tossing her hair.

“Spencer and I agreed to avoid any problems we weren’t to date our roommate,” Stiles shrugged. It wasn’t exactly a lie, just not exactly the truth.

Erica sat back with a pout, “That’s stupid. You should switch roommates then.”

“What?” Stiles laughed.

“I think you’d be good for Derek,” Erica gave an innocent shrug.

Stiles bit his bottom lip. It was nice to know Erica was rooting for him even if it would never happen.

“Wanna watch a movie?” Erica asked then, holding up Derek’s laptop.

“Sure,” Stiles shrugged. He could use the distraction.

*AN*
Small update for ya.