[ Derek was never a bully in highschool. He was popular, kind of a smartass, definitely the sort of golden kid jock that everyone expects to be a bully in highschool - but that was never his game. Tate keeps talking and, just like always, whatever stubborn anger he could've been feeling gets picked apart by guilt and pity in a way that makes him resent himself for even starting this argument. For even making the point he was trying to make, valid though that point might have been.

The more Tate talks, the less this feels like a fight worth winning. His expression slips and Derek sighs, that I hate him hitting him harder than it should. This is getting complicated, now. ]

That's not -

[ He shakes his head, looking away. He's sitting up, now, cross legged with more distance between him and Tate than there was before. He's frustrated, but it's as much with himself as it is with Tate. With Reggie. When he figures out what he wants to say, he's torn between sounding apologetic and wanting to defend his friend. ]

That's not the Reggie I know. He's always had a good heart, underneath his - bravado. I've never seen him say anything vicious. Just - stupid.