Two of a Kind

Here with you

Derek stared at the words on his computer screen. He was trying to finish an assignment for one of his classes but his mind was elsewhere. He rubbed his eyes with one hand as he tried to refocus. It was pretty much useless. He slammed his computer shut, letting out a frustrated huff.

At that moment the door opened to one of the twins.

Derek frowned. Both brothers were supposed to be in class right now.

"Derek, hey."

Derek's shoulders went rigid. Spencer rarely called him Derek. That meant this was Stiles.

"I was hoping to catch you, you've been so busy lately, we haven't really gotten a chance to talk in a few days," Stiles smiled shyly at his roommate.

Derek swallowed hard. Truth was he'd been trying to avoid Stiles.

"What's up?" Derek asked, setting his computer aside.

"It's been a few days since we hung out, I was thinking maybe we could go grab a coffee," Stiles looked at Derek with hopeful eyes.

Derek wanted to say no. He didn't want to hear Stiles talk about Theo, but he just couldn't say no to that look.

"Sure," Derek forced a small smile, "But shouldn't you be in class right now?" Derek had memorized Stiles' schedule so as to make it easier to avoid him.

"Yeah, but I'm passing the class and it's just a test review day so I skipped. I figured it would be the only chance to maybe catch up with you," Stiles bit down of his lower lip in embarrassment.

"You skipped class to see me?" Derek raised a brow.

"Is that a crime?" Stiles smirked.

Derek's stomach twisted. Stiles, who never skipped class, had skipped a test review day just to get a coffee with him. That didn't help Derek's feelings. If anything, it only made Derek like Stiles even more.

Stiles lead Derek out of the apartment. His body was alive with nerves. It had been almost a week since he'd been alone with the guy. He'd missed spending time with Derek. He felt like he could trust the guy.

"So, how's Theo?" Derek hoped to get that conversation out of the way.

Stiles' shoulders dropped. He'd hoped Derek wouldn't ask about Theo.

"He's good," Stiles gave a small smile.

Derek opened his mouth to respond but Stiles interrupted.

"Why did you convince me to date him?"

Derek rose his brows in surprise at the question.

"I mean, it's obvious you don't like him, so why?" Stiles shoved his hands into his jacket pockets as they walked.

Derek frowned, "What do you mean it's obvious I don't like him?" Derek had been careful not to say anything negative about Theo.

"You forget I'm good at reading people," Stiles smiled up at the other guy.

Derek dropped his head, "It's not that I don't like him, I just worry about you. After Kai..." Derek didn't know how believable his lie was, but he was hoping Stiles would buy it.

"You don't trust him?" Stiles asked with a questioning look.

"I don't trust anyone," Derek was being careful not to admit how he felt about Stiles and Theo's relationship.

"Do you trust Spencer?" Stiles asked then, catching Derek off guard.

"What?"

Stiles shook his head, "Never mind."