Thomas wondered how his brief time on the island might have been different it not for Derek. He could see himself still wearing the clothes he'd shown up, holed up in his dark apartment, only remembering to eat when he started to feel the physical and mental pain only associated with hunger. While he still didn't trust this place and continued to think he'd find a way back eventually, Derek had made this place comfortable. He'd done more for him than anyone else in Thomas's life and Thomas had no way to repay that debt.

Thomas kept his face turned up to the sun, bright orange lighting up the world behind his closed eyes. This world wasn't burning. This world was alive.

"Because who else is gonna remind me to eat?" Thomas joked before opening his eyes and turning back towards Derek. "I'd need you because I would. Because I like being around you. Because I'm comfortable."

His comfort wasn't always visible, he knew. There was tension and strain in his shoulders and back, curling up to choke him and suffocate and drag him under. But, there were times that eased and this was one of those times. It had been like that during the movie too. "Better question is why would you need me?"