Thomas started to answer but stopped, fixing Bitty with an appraising look. He hadn't really expected so many questions about Derek especially from Bitty.

"Why does this matter so much, Bitty?" Thomas asked, deciding against saying anything else for the moment. He could have listed any number of things that he wanted to come to grips with before saddling anyone with his myriad of issues and insecurities.

"I'm just not ready to take something like that on with anyone," he said, shaking his head. The closest he'd gotten was with Krem and even that seemed like a memory after their time spent in the other city. "I want to enjoy not dying first."