[ His relationship with Tate has been... difficult, recently. It's been difficult since the start, when it was laden with panic attacks, violence and breakdowns in storage sheds - but Derek doesn't see it that way. Doesn't remember how it felt, when he didn't trust Tate. He sees the dip they're in now, with Tate mourning Violet and being contracted under someone else's thumb, as a dip in normalcy. An outlier. Like things between them are usually so much smoother. Kinder.
So when Tate invites him out, Derek feels pretty good. Feels like they're getting back on track. There's that kneejerk, worried reaction that always comes when Tate's in the woods this late - what if something's wrong, what if LIES gets the wrong idea and assumes he's living with Derek uncontracted, what if X, what if Y, what if Z - but that just pushes him to go out and see him. He heads out, locks the den up behind him even though Stiles probably could have done it himself, texting as he goes. ]
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So when Tate invites him out, Derek feels pretty good. Feels like they're getting back on track. There's that kneejerk, worried reaction that always comes when Tate's in the woods this late - what if something's wrong, what if LIES gets the wrong idea and assumes he's living with Derek uncontracted, what if X, what if Y, what if Z - but that just pushes him to go out and see him. He heads out, locks the den up behind him even though Stiles probably could have done it himself, texting as he goes. ]
Coming.
Everything okay?