Derek had knocked on his door multiple times. He called out his name and Pete couldn’t quite pretend he wasn’t home. Instead he replied with a half-assed apology. He hated himself for shutting Derek out but he didn’t have the strength to face him yet. Tomorrow he could come over and apologise but at the moment Pete just wanted to be alone. Derek sighed in front of the door. The woman who’d been next to him was talking to him but Pete didn’t understand her. “Peter.” Derek then said loud enough for him to hear. “I accept that you don’t wish to see me but if you haven’t yet, I’d like you to read my letter. I dropped it in front of your door earlier.” Pete glanced at the mail he’d picked up. “I will open if you knock on my door so don’t hesitate to come over.”

Easier said than done, Pete thought and walked towards his sofa when he heard Derek and the woman entering the room next door. He stared at the mail and located the letter Derek was talking about. Pete bit down on his lip. He didn’t know what to expect but it seemed that Derek still wanted to be friends at least so it couldn’t be that bad. Right? “Alas, my heavy heart will be burdened until I read this paper and the lines in between to satisfy my aching chest.” With one last glance at Oscar Wilde to confirm this amount of dramatic expressions would be to his idol's liking, he opened the letter and stopped breathing.

“Yet each man kills the thing he loves,

By each let this be heard

Some do it with a bitter look (I’m sorry)

Some with a flattering word (I enjoyed our time, too Peter)

The coward does it with a kiss (I regret not saying goodbye to you)

The brave man with a sword! – Oscar Wilde”

That was it. That was Derek’s letter. A love poem from Pete’s favorite author and a written apology. He stared at the words and envied his pretty handwriting. The coward does it with a kiss – I regret not saying goodbye to you. As far as Pete remembered he asked for a goodbye kiss. Did that mean Derek regretted not kissing him? His heart skipped a beat and he gulped. He didn’t want to get excited now and then be disappointed later. Pete put the letter down and went through the rest of his mail. The whole time he was listening for any sounds coming from next door. He wanted to see Derek right away but didn’t want to interrupt him and the woman by whatever they were doing. He was already traumatised enough thanks to Thomas. As soon as he heard Derek’s door opening and closing he jumped up and rushed outside. “You must be Peter.” The brunette woman said and Pete gulped. He had run out too early. Derek and the woman were hugging each other goodbye. He averted his eyes and moved back. “Yeah, I just–” The woman let out a laugh and turned towards Derek. “I understand you now brother, he has a cute side.” “Lydia.” Derek hissed and Pete opened his mouth slightly. “You’re siblings?” “You didn’t think I was his girlfriend, did you? Though it would explain why you bolted when we stepped out of the elevator.” Pete shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't stop himself from blushing in embarrassment. “I’ll leave you to it then. Text Mom about the exam, will you Derek? She’s worried.” “I will. Have a safe ride home, Lydia.” She pinched Derek’s cheek again and then winked at Pete. When the elevator doors closed Derek cleared his throat. “Would you like to have a cup of coffee?”