Josh isn't in a rush to say anything else, because he's not sure what exactly he's trying to accomplish here. What he knows is that he's no better than Derek now, possibly worse, and Aidan, Nora, Henry of all people - they were reminders of that.
Not to mention the fact that Derek hadn't ever really done anything to him. He was creepy and came on a bit strong with the wolf crap, sure, but that was just his language, right? Violence and doing anything to protect what's important - it makes sense, now. So when he finally speaks up again, it's entirely casual, but probably the second last thing Derek was ever expecting to hear. ]
Sorry for being such an ass. [ No specification, because it applies to most of their interactions, really. ]
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY WANT TO STOP GOSH also idk about this i just don't know
[ no one ever apologizes to derek. he doesn't know what to do with that, how to react to it. it's sincere, he knows it's sincere, but what is he supposed to say? ]
I killed my uncle.
[ no derek not that. ]
He was the alpha before me. The fire broke him, and we had to stop him. I had to stop him.
[ it's blurted, a little frantic, because josh tipped the scales in the wrong direction and it's just an apology, but derek doesn't want it. so he shoves back a little too hard, parcelling out a piece of information that josh could probably find out from any of the beacon hills crowd, if he asked the right person, but still, it's something. it's derek attempting to sympathize, to say thank you without actually saying thank you, to say that he understands.
there needs to be more context, but derek clams up, like he's shocked himself by saying that in the first place. ]
[ A year ago he might have mocked Derek for the vaguely inappropriate outburst, but now it - makes sense. It's still too much, and it's still too abrupt, but he actually gets it.
And that's the part he makes a bit of a face at, because wow, he understands what Derek Hale is trying to do for once, and he feels like that should disturb him more than it does. He could take this opportunity to pry, dig for more details, but that's not what this is. This is two wrongs make a right, apparently.
It's okay, Derek, Josh'll use words for you. ]
Anything to keep them safe, right?
[ Speaking of which, how about that first thing you asked. ]
That's what the gun is for.
YOU KNOW IN THE MORNING IT LOOKS MUCH WORSE THAN I HAD INTENDED....
it's easier to just let that stand. it's such a complicated mess of a thing, what happened with peter hale. it was about justice and about power and yes, about keeping people safe. but none of that is easy to explain, so derek lets it go. it isn't a lie if he doesn't agree, isn't that how things work? ]
That's how you keep yourself safe now.
HEY RUDE josh is the best one night stand derek's ever had i mean
[ It's a weird and vague answer, but he's not sure if there's a better one. He uses it to get himself into trouble, mostly - a shield for when he gets involved in things he really shouldn't. Safe isn't the right word.
He should probably also skip the part where he would use it to put down a rogue werewolf if he had to, right. He's quiet, and this time it might be slightly awkward, because he has no idea what else to say. Where do you go from mutual murder confessions, really?
Actually, wait, there is one thing. ]
So who am I dodging? Who's on the current pack roster, I mean. No offense, but the tally seems kind of fluid.
[ He means with each jump, obviously. Not the whole people turning their backs on Derek thing. Sorry buddy. ]
no josh hogged the covers and drooled on the pillow.
[ this is easier, talking shop. delving into facts instead of this, laying himself bare trying to find common ground and make josh feel better. sticking to just straight out plans, the how and the what, that's better. ]
Stay away from Peter, Erica, Isaac, Boyd and Jackson.
[ mentioning peter is his uncle? too easy. ]
Stiles is human, he won't be able to tell. Remus won't know unless it's a full moon.
[ He doesn't know half of those names, but - he'll figure it out. It's not hard to spy on people in the auggie lock. ]
Noted.
[ Then there's a pause, and this time it's definitely more awkward than companionable, because - he's not as good at talking shop, actually. Feelings are more his natural territory. And no offense, but you are kind of sitting in his room and he's had a long not-year, so in the politest way possible- ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
MY INBOX ATE THIS HISS
Josh isn't in a rush to say anything else, because he's not sure what exactly he's trying to accomplish here. What he knows is that he's no better than Derek now, possibly worse, and Aidan, Nora, Henry of all people - they were reminders of that.
Not to mention the fact that Derek hadn't ever really done anything to him. He was creepy and came on a bit strong with the wolf crap, sure, but that was just his language, right? Violence and doing anything to protect what's important - it makes sense, now. So when he finally speaks up again, it's entirely casual, but probably the second last thing Derek was ever expecting to hear. ]
Sorry for being such an ass. [ No specification, because it applies to most of their interactions, really. ]
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY WANT TO STOP GOSH also idk about this i just don't know
I killed my uncle.
[ no derek not that. ]
He was the alpha before me. The fire broke him, and we had to stop him. I had to stop him.
[ it's blurted, a little frantic, because josh tipped the scales in the wrong direction and it's just an apology, but derek doesn't want it. so he shoves back a little too hard, parcelling out a piece of information that josh could probably find out from any of the beacon hills crowd, if he asked the right person, but still, it's something. it's derek attempting to sympathize, to say thank you without actually saying thank you, to say that he understands.
there needs to be more context, but derek clams up, like he's shocked himself by saying that in the first place. ]
DEREKkkkkkkkkkkk........
And that's the part he makes a bit of a face at, because wow, he understands what Derek Hale is trying to do for once, and he feels like that should disturb him more than it does. He could take this opportunity to pry, dig for more details, but that's not what this is. This is two wrongs make a right, apparently.
It's okay, Derek, Josh'll use words for you. ]
Anything to keep them safe, right?
[ Speaking of which, how about that first thing you asked. ]
That's what the gun is for.
YOU KNOW IN THE MORNING IT LOOKS MUCH WORSE THAN I HAD INTENDED....
it's easier to just let that stand. it's such a complicated mess of a thing, what happened with peter hale. it was about justice and about power and yes, about keeping people safe. but none of that is easy to explain, so derek lets it go. it isn't a lie if he doesn't agree, isn't that how things work? ]
That's how you keep yourself safe now.
HEY RUDE josh is the best one night stand derek's ever had i mean
[ It's a weird and vague answer, but he's not sure if there's a better one. He uses it to get himself into trouble, mostly - a shield for when he gets involved in things he really shouldn't. Safe isn't the right word.
He should probably also skip the part where he would use it to put down a rogue werewolf if he had to, right. He's quiet, and this time it might be slightly awkward, because he has no idea what else to say. Where do you go from mutual murder confessions, really?
Actually, wait, there is one thing. ]
So who am I dodging? Who's on the current pack roster, I mean. No offense, but the tally seems kind of fluid.
[ He means with each jump, obviously. Not the whole people turning their backs on Derek thing. Sorry buddy. ]
no josh hogged the covers and drooled on the pillow.
Stay away from Peter, Erica, Isaac, Boyd and Jackson.
[ mentioning peter is his uncle? too easy. ]
Stiles is human, he won't be able to tell. Remus won't know unless it's a full moon.
well it was cold ok
Noted.
[ Then there's a pause, and this time it's definitely more awkward than companionable, because - he's not as good at talking shop, actually. Feelings are more his natural territory. And no offense, but you are kind of sitting in his room and he's had a long not-year, so in the politest way possible- ]
Was there anything else, or... ?
excuses
No.
[ derek looks uncertain for a few seconds before he visibly pulls himself together and gets up. he's done here, or that's the impression he gives. ]
Be careful.
[ AND THEN HE'S OUT ]