Yeah. It's oppressive. Always has been, but — feels like one big fuck you to those who already stuck out their rules for a full year. I... probably don't need to ask, but. You're covered, right? I mean. If I got sent home, you'd still be reaching quota?
Nothing wrong with adapting. Probably better for you to get a little calloused. You used to have a pretty hard time, here. I'm glad that it doesn't seem to be quite so difficult anymore.
[Part of Tate wants to go back, to be sad and reclusive. To survive over live just so Derek won't say he's moved on enough to not need him. He can't help that instinctive feeling. Tate takes a pause before replying:]
i'm glad you noticed u always watch over me. i like it. i'm glad i make u proud
You do. I care about you. Always have. It's good. Seeing you grow. You used to worry that you wouldn't be able to. So. That's why it matters so much to see you being better. Doing better.
[ who knows what will happen, should derek find out the horrible things that tate has done despite derek's belief that he's changed. "grown". ]
Just. You know. Tell me. If you ever want me to stop doing that. Watching over you. I know I can be a lot. When it comes to being protective.
[ where as derek's reply comes a little too slow. he just — pauses, feeling something constrict in his chest. guilt, again. as always, with tate. ]
I won't.
Just want you to have control of your own life. Your own choices. I don't want to make them for you the way I used to. That's the only space I'm giving you. I hope you know that. You're still as important to me as you ever were.
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i think ur right, something's unsettling about it all
i'm sorry if i'm rude
i just idk
im getting too used to this
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I... probably don't need to ask, but.
You're covered, right? I mean.
If I got sent home, you'd still be reaching quota?
Nothing wrong with adapting. Probably better for you to get a little calloused.
You used to have a pretty hard time, here.
I'm glad that it doesn't seem to be quite so difficult anymore.
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me and marcus would have it covered
[Tate says because it's easier than saying he's a bit of a slut that gets around to the guy who might get jealous over it.]
time's helped
people too. you have.
do i really seem better?
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[ he says, immediately irritated. shouldn't have asked. moving on. ]
I think so. Less sad. Trying new things. Meeting new people.
Seems like you're living more than surviving, sometimes.
It's nice to see.
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i'm glad you noticed
u always watch over me. i like it.
i'm glad i make u proud
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It's good. Seeing you grow.
You used to worry that you wouldn't be able to. So.
That's why it matters so much to see you being better. Doing better.
[ who knows what will happen, should derek find out the horrible things that tate has done despite derek's belief that he's changed. "grown". ]
Just. You know.
Tell me. If you ever want me to stop doing that.
Watching over you.
I know I can be a lot. When it comes to being protective.
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[A fast, nearly too much so, response.]
i like it.
so don't stop
and don't give me space or
any other shit. stay around. forever
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I won't.
Just want you to have control of your own life. Your own choices. I don't want to make them for you the way I used to.
That's the only space I'm giving you. I hope you know that.
You're still as important to me as you ever were.
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you're just really important to me
more than anyone else here
[In a certain way. So it's not a lie? Marcus and Derek both get spun the same story, but with different yarn.]
i dont want to come to the den but
can we hang out somewhere else
sometime.