[ There's a few seconds, if that, where things are just... quiet. Peaceful. Derek feels like the kind of Alpha he should have been back home; capable of comforting the heartache in his betas, instead of pushing them and hurting them while fearing the fucking Alpha pack, or while trying to force Tate to use blood as an anchor. He feels good, and then - it's done. Tate moves away, breaking the connection, and Derek opens his eyes, unaware they'd even drifted shut.
"I'll go home".
Derek does look hurt. He tries not to, but - jesus, this keeps happening. Why does he have to keep asking Tate to stay? What more can he do to keep the two of them together? Is he the problem? Derek doesn't know how to be any more open and inviting with Tate than he already has been, and the harsh sting of rejection crawls under his skin and makes him feel pretty fucking put out. He takes his arm back, sits in the corner for a few seconds, and then just - stands, getting away from the couch. Tonight's not about him. Can't get all pathetic over this. Gotta get distance. ]
[Tate stays seated, even when Derek moves away. His feet are on the ground but now the dynamic's changed and he's looking up at him again, dark eyes widened slightly but just attentively. He doesn't say anything to that, choosing silence instead with a soft nod of his head before he twists a bit and curls up on the couch. Derek offered to take it but Tate's claiming it instead; curling up like a cat in clothes that aren't his size, feeling strange in them and stranger still in someone else's home.
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"I'll go home".
Derek does look hurt. He tries not to, but - jesus, this keeps happening. Why does he have to keep asking Tate to stay? What more can he do to keep the two of them together? Is he the problem? Derek doesn't know how to be any more open and inviting with Tate than he already has been, and the harsh sting of rejection crawls under his skin and makes him feel pretty fucking put out. He takes his arm back, sits in the corner for a few seconds, and then just - stands, getting away from the couch. Tonight's not about him. Can't get all pathetic over this. Gotta get distance. ]
Okay. Not going to force you to stay.
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He breathes in deep, letting it out slowly.]
Thanks.