[What grin. There was no grin. There's certainly not another one at Alex's comment about his aura.]

Compared to you, I'm downright friendly.

[Derek is the master of being awkward about things and then jumping on a subject change. So far the tactic has been - marginally successful, considering the only people he really cares enough about to actually stick around for the awkward things are Chloe and Simon.

He smirks a bit when Alex brings up passive aggressive dicks.]

Right, don't be a passive aggressive dick. I'll work on that.

[Derek knows exactly how that feels. He snorts, giving a smile that's not quite bitter and not quite rueful.]

Yeah, so've I. Wish more people thought like you.

[He considers Alex's last words for a moment before nodding.]

Guess that's one way of looking at it. Least no one I've met has tried to kill me yet. That's a plus.