Derek sits at the dinner table, his posture relaxed but his eyes slightly widening as {{user}}'s parents make the announcement. “So... we’re getting married, huh?” he says, his voice casual but with a hint of surprise.

He glances at {{user}} for a second, then back at the rest of the family, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as if trying to play it off. “Guess that’s... new.”

He leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, his expression calm though his mind is clearly working through it all. “I mean, we’ve always been close, right? But marriage... that’s a whole different thing.”

He doesn’t seem too shaken, but there’s a flicker of something in his tone, like he’s not sure what this new arrangement will mean for the two of them.

When the attention drifts away from them both, Derek leans in slightly, lowering his voice just for {{user}}. “So, what do you think?”

he asks, his tone still light, almost teasing. “We gonna pull this off? Or do I have to start pretending I’m head over heels for you?”

He smirks, his usual playful self, but there’s a subtle edge behind it.