"That's the spirit lad, soon you'll be a smooth talking master, able to get any pretty guys attention. Maybe even a certain storm boy would be interested as well?" His crush on Devon was kind of cute. Sure he could see where it came from, the guy was as close to gorgeous as a man could be, but for some reason Devon just didn't do it for Artair. He could only see him as a good friend.

Whispering, "At any point you want to bolt, just say. no need to do any more than you're comfortable with." Pushing your boundaries was one thing, but driving a friend into a genuinely upsetting situation just wasn't his style. If Derek wanted to stop, he was more than happy with calling it there. It'd also help knowing exactly where the line stood and how much he could get away with doing. 

Giving the blue skinned man a winning smile and putting a hand gently on his friends shoulder, "Hi, so sorry to bother you, but my friend would be kicking himself all night if he didn't ask for your name." So maybe he laid his accent on a little more, rolling his words and making them sound just a little more musical than usual. And of course, this man and his friend were taken in straight away. So far, it had never failed him.

"I'm sure I could give in to such a simple request, I'm called Jason. What about you two fine gentlemen, what would I call you?" Oh Derek was in. Flirting had already started and they were just getting names and the appraising looks he was giving his friend were pretty telling.

"Well, I'm Artair," he supplied pleasantly while pushing Derek forward a little, "and this is Derek."

Derek's phone vibrated suddenly as the text came in.

Hey Derek. That'd be great. I always struggle to get lunch in and having lunch with you would be wonderful. Have a good night.

Derek would be forever grateful to Artair for introducing him to Jason. Now that they were up close, Derek could feel his face heat up. There was something about mutations that made Derek feel...giddy.

"H-Hi. I noticed you from the bar 'nd had to come talk to you," Derek started. He glanced over at Artair, then back at Jason, "I like your eyes by the way. They're like...shinin' stars." That was appreciate to say right? Derek didn't know. What he did know was that he just received a text message. He dipped his tongue out from his lips and started a smile a bit more.

He wasn't a smooth talker but that probably worked in Derek's favour. He had that cut, innocent vibe going, the kind some guys just ate up when they were looking for something a little more than a one night stand. If he could work on not being just a bit too cringey the lad would be set. Checking his own phone at the sound, it hadn't been his. Good. "Pleasure to meet you then Jason, you been coming here long?" Get a little info, talk up his friend. It was simple.

Taking a sip of his drink as Jason explained he was a bit of a regular and liked the atmosphere, how relaxed it was. "Good to know, first time being here myself. Derek works here and thought I should check it out," glancing to his side, Artair was doing what he could to plant certain associations to him. This wasn't the Scots first rodeo.

When his own phone went off, he politely excused himself and left the two of them alone to 'talk'. It wasn't important but he acted the part of texting away, covertly getting a picture of the two of them getting on for the future. Teasing material was very important after all.

While Artiar excused himself, Derek had Jasons's complete attention. He found that it was actually charming and Derek liked that. Derek got more and more comfortable with talking freely with Jason. After a while, he got his number and headed back over to Artair.

"Hey, Meirda, I can't tell you how grateful I am that I have you. I got his number and everythin'." As Derek talked, he stuffed the number into his back pocket. He then grabbed his phone that was in the front and pulled it out to see who messaged him.

"...Oh, God." Derek couldn't breathe. Devon had actually responded to his voicemail via text message. "Guess who just texted me, Artair?"

Giving him a grin and waving off the thanks, "No problem Derek, anytime really. All I did was got you talking, you did the leg work." The lad had just needed a push in the right direction. Once that was done, he'd done fine. A couple more weeks and he'd be chatting up anyone in a club with ease.

"You, have got to be f------ kidding me? That boy's timing is b----- miraculous sometimes." Damnit Devon, he'd just gotten his friend someones number and now you were swooping in, being all good looking and nice. "Well come on, don't keep me waiting. You get a date out of him or not?"

OK, so maybe he wasn't too upset. Those two would make a cute couple and frankly, they'd be pretty suited for each other.

Derek couldn't stop smiling as he showed Artair the text message. "Now what? Do I keep my options open or do I just wait?" Derek asked. Artair looked like the type of "lad" who knew what he was doing. The twenty year old huffed and looked at his best male friend.

"They're both real bonnies, y'know?" He huffed, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "Why is this so stressful?" Derek leaned against the side of the bar and studied Artair more. "...I want food. Do you want food?"

"As far as I can tell, you don't have to make a commitment just yet. Go on the date with Devon, see how it goes. It be be that you don't have good chemistry, or you just don't gel. or you might hit it off from the word go and have as great time. Just wait and see." Chances are they would have fun, and the good looking lad with blue skin would quickly forget Derek ever existed. "It's just a date for now lad. Go in just wanting to have a nice time, no expectations and you'll see how it goes." Worked out well for him and Xavia after all. Very well.

Food sounded great, "Aye sounds like a good idea, and don't worry too much, you'll be fine. But what kind of food are you feeling?" He was in the mood for anything to be honest, maybe a chicken burger would do the trick.

>> "As far as I can tell, you don't have to make a commitment just yet. Go on the date with Devon, see how it goes. It be be that you don't have good chemistry, or you just don't gel. or you might hit it off from the word go and have as great time. Just wait and see."

Derek nodded his head when Artair gave him his opinion. Whether the Scotsman knew it or not, Derek valued Artair's thoughts on everything whether it be Haven-related or personal. "Right, I shouldn't stress about anythin' especially if this was just a first date," Derek huffed and started to chew on the inside of his cheek. He gave Artair a smile and thankfully refused the urge to nuzzle Artar's neck affectionately. That would've been way out of line. Perfect for creeping his ass out.

"...Hm, wings and onion rings, honestly. What do you want to eat?" Derek asked with raised eyebrows.

"Just try to remember that at the end of the day, Devons just another person, with all the same motivations as anyone else. His are just wrapped up in particularly pretty packaging." Damn man was a walking model of humanity, how was any normal guy meant to compete. Well any normal guy without a charming accent. Artair did just fine with that.

Rings sound good, but not the type Derek wanted, "I could do with a barbecue chicken burger, been a while since I've had one. Oh do they do calamari rings here as well?" The idea of seafood was mouth watering.

"And of course, I'll need another drink." His own was running empty. It was what, his third, and he still wasn't buzzing yet. Thank you Scottish endurance. Many a drinking contest here had been won with just that. 

>> "Just try to remember that at the end of the day, Devons just another person, with all the same motivations as anyone else. His are just wrapped up in particularly pretty packaging."

Derek snorted when Artair said those words. "Merida, Devon isn't just 'another person'. He has more in common with Gill Bates than he does with...with...me!" He sold himself short even when someone told him that he was good enough. With a huff, Derek stole an illegal sip from Artair's drink before putting it down. He doubts anyone saw him or cared, but Derek could never be too sure.

>> "I could do with a barbecue chicken burger, been a while since I've had one. Oh do they do calamari rings here as well?"

The twenty-year-old thought for a few seconds, "Huh...well, I hear there's this amazin' seafood bar on 856 and 9th Avenue. Do you wanna take the town car there?" That would be the perfect opportunity to do a little bar hopping with his best lad, "and I think they sell what you're lookin' for." Also Derek could go for some oysters right about now.

Chuckling at the flailing from his friend, he couldn't help but be amazed by how Dereks mind worked. Maybe it was just a little bit of hero worship but Artair kind of just treated Devon like just another guy. "He's human mate, just try to remember that on your date. Can't be fainting at his good looks now can you?" The lad was so much fun to mess with.

"I'm in, lead the way mate. Excited to see a place you're so convinced by." It'd been a while since he'd had some decent seafood, going to a proper seafood bar sounded like a good shout. "You want to give the car a ring and I'll settle the bill?" Derek had invited him here but considering his drinks were more expensive, seemed only fair he covered the pairs drinks.

Jumping down and paying for the cocktails, he waited for Derek to finish his call before they left, "Don't forget to wave to your bonnie blue lad, best to leave with a good impression, just in case."

"He's human mate, just try to remember that on your date. Can't be fainting at his good looks now can you?"

In response, Derek actually started to flail his arms. "I knooow!" He groaned, throwing his head back in exasperation. "He's just so hot and a good person," Derek let his head drop back down to look at the Scotsman. He laughed a bit and shook his head. "I'll try and remember that on our date. I hope he's excited about it."

"I'm in, lead the way mate. Excited to see a place you're so convinced by...You want to give the car a ring and I'll settle the bill?"

"Sound good to me," Derek picked up his phone to call the town car to come pick them up. As he wedged his phone between his ear and shoulder and handed Artair a couple of tens. He gave him a look basically telling him to take the money before he started singing.

"Don't forget to wave to your bonnie blue lad, best to leave with a good impression, just in case."

Derek hung up the phone and nodded. He turned toward the "blue bonnie" and waved. The mutant returned it with a wink added to it. "and yep! The car should be here in five minutes." Derek smiled and headed out of the bar with Artair with a smile on his face.