[ Derek's just trying to protect Tate, but that's - a hard button to press, for some people. If Tate got defensive over that, if Tate hated Derek for lying for that, it wouldn't matter how decent Derek's intentions might be. He wouldn't have a way to make it better. ]

I know. It's okay.

[ Derek's not judging Tate, he doesn't think any less of him. The kid's lonely and starved of affection, he doesn't like himself, he doesn't understand himself - it's not a surprise that he turned to drugs, it's just... it's hard to see how deeply he fell into it.

Tate continues. Says there was a someone else, implies that something happened. Derek winces, and he tries to cover it, but it's obviously something that gets to him pretty hard. He could smell it on Tate, last night. Can still smell it now, to an extent. He just hoped... it was the atmosphere of the party, it was the proximity to other people. Thought the sweaty scent of sex could've just rubbed off on him. It was always an unlikely thing to think.

Still. ]

It's none of my business, what you do. I just... want to make sure you're safe.

[ And the last thing Tate's been is safe. Derek pauses, takes another few steps back, then leans against the arm of the chair. He sighs. ]

Scared me. Seeing you so far gone last night.