Derek nodded, knowing Isaac could feel it, even if he couldn't see it, and his hand traced idle patterns over the boy's abdominal muscles. After Kate, he knew the way that falseness could sour everything. "It's never false praise with you, Isaac," he said, softly. "Even before we...before...you never demanded anything, yet gave me everything. I don't deserve your devotion, but I never want you to think it's not appreciated."