Tempest

Derek thoughtfully scratched his growing beard as he stood over the blueprints of what the arboretum was going to look like. He had offered up the idea to the Higher Ups and to his surprise, he got the "okay" from them. That transpired a couple of weeks ago and now construction had actually began. The reason why he wanted this space was not only for those Havenites who's powers that connected to nature, but also for everyone to have a place to just relax.

The idea he was going for was a meadow like area with a mini hill or two with trees that outlined a path. There was more like a fountain, but that was going to come later. Right now, the area had small flags marking where things were going to go. The location was in between Devon's penthouse and the rest of the Haven Headquarters, so to Derek, it served as the perfect transition area. Nothing too special yet. However, he did schedule time for Devon to come down and check on how things were going. 

Two songbirds manged to make themselves over to Derek and land on either shoulder. This definitely wasn't helping denounce his Disney Princess persona. Oh, well. Glancing at his watch, Derek moved from over the blue prints to go take a stroll through the construction site (he workers had gone on their late lunch break so Derek wasn't in the way).

“It’s really coming along,” Devon’s voice flitted as easily through the room as the birds. “One day I think all of New York will have these converted green spaces within and atop their buildings. Good for all of us.” He approached with a grin, passing by the wire mesh and buckets of rocks that would form the false hill at the center of the space.

“I see you’re already attracting some friends inside too,” he gestured to the birds with an inclination of his chin. “The more friends the better.” And that was true, almost precisely Devon’s mind of thinking. If people collaborated, then amazing things could be accomplished. New York City itself was an example.

“Everyone else at lunch?” he questioned, glancing about as he neared the empath.

>> "It’s really coming along,”

Derek quickly turned his head to look over at Devon (hopefully Devon) and smiled loudly.

>> “One day I think all of New York will have these converted green spaces within and atop their buildings. Good for all of us.”

"I agree. Hopefully, that'll happen in every big city," Derek nodded his head and turned around fully to look at blue-eyed mutant, "then from there, maybe we can start doing some agriculture on rooftops, too."

>> “I see you’re already attracting some friends inside too...The more friends the better.”

Derek glanced to either side of his shoulder at the finches. "Yep! They like to give me company." The finches chirped in agreement before flying off.

>> "Everyone else at lunch?"

"Ah, yes. They're off to lunch," Derek nodded his head and took a small step toward Devon. "Uh," he glanced around the construction site before awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "So, ah, how're things? Good, I hope."

>> "…then from there, maybe we can start doing some agriculture on rooftops, too."

Devon nodded, “I hope so. Our cities need it. I’ve heard of cities doing it overseas in China and Japan.”

>> "Yep! They like to give me company."

Gentle laughter followed from Devon, who nodded and smiled. Why was this feeling awkward? Hadn’t Derek wanted to review progress thus far… It seemed Dopple-Devon’s actions were going to haunt them for some time.

>> "So, ah, how're things? Good, I hope."

Devon laughed, eyes widening. “Yes, better, but busy,” he nodded. “Now that everyone’s been able to adjust their security and are aware of the alternates of one another. Again, I’m quite sorry about missing our picnic. The other Devon removed it from my calendar and I’d been helping a mutant child refugee from Syria who was trying to get the right to stay and…”

“I am truly sorry,” he nodded. “I should have remembered. I do hope there wasn’t anything too problematic he did. There’s a bar I’m not allowed to go to a few blocks up,” he chuckled and sighed. “All that aside, how about class now that school’s started?”

>> “Yes, better, but busy...Now that everyone’s been able to adjust their security and are aware of the alternates of one another. Again, I’m quite sorry about missing our picnic. The other Devon removed it from my calendar and I’d been helping a mutant child refugee from Syria who was trying to get the right to stay and…”

Derek felt a pang of hurt and anger when Devon brought up Not-Devon. That son of a toad could rot in hell for all Derek cared. Though, he knew he didn't need to direct his anger at real Devon. That wasn't fair.

>> “I am truly sorry...I should have remembered. I do hope there wasn’t anything too problematic he did. There’s a bar I’m not allowed to go to a few blocks up...All that aside, how about class now that school’s started?”

"I'm sorry too." Derek added before answering his question. "And it's been goin' well. Just fine." He looked up at Devon and slowly stepped closer. His hand slowly reached out and ran his fingers along his collar of his suit. After having a go with Aleksandr, Derek learned that if he wanted something, he would have to go out and take it. So, that's what he was doing. "...To make up for Devon, you and I are goin' to have drinks, dance a little, and have a conversation. If things work out, great. If not, okay. I can live with that."

>> "I'm sorry too."

Of what, Devon wasn’t sure. Derek hadn’t done anything wrong, hadn’t missed the date, hadn’t let his doppleganger swoop in and cause all this trouble. The RIP had brought opportunity for good and ill. Clearly, DoppleDevon was ill but at least Derek hadn’t been hurt or anything. The same could not be true for Noel.

>> "And it's been goin' well. Just fine."

“Good glad to hear-“ but Devon cut off as Derek crept forward and then ran his hands along Devon’s shirt collar. Devon was careful not to frown though his brow knit together slightly. The motion had caught him off guard and lately Devon was very much on guard. He resisted retreating back, but it was not easy as Derek resumed speaking.

>> "...To make up for Devon, you and I are goin' to have drinks, dance a little, and have a conversation. If things work out, great. If not, okay. I can live with that."

“Ah, sure, and that’s partly why I had come here,” Devon smiled gently, his tone warm though hesitant. “I’d be happy to get out for a night with a good friend, but right now I do need to limit it to just that. I don’t want to seem to lead anyone on or present a situation that promotes expectations counter to my own.” He set a hand on Derek’s shoulder, “I appreciate your understanding and the lack of pressure.”