"It's not cheating if I use my natural talents," Derek says airily, but he gives Thomas a sharp grin. "But I appreciate your forgiveness."

And then Thomas mentions a next time, and Derek feels pleased at that. This is something that he can see them doing, running around the woods together. Exploring. He's suddenly excited for Thomas to see snow, even though that's months away.

His mood diminishes just a little when he remembers just how much that Thomas doesn't want to be here, and that Derek is at best the balm on an open wound, but that's okay. Most of the people in this city don't want to be here. He was in a relationship with someone who never stopped looking for a way out, even when Derek was sitting right next to him. It's just the way that things are.

They walk quietly along the path that Derek has created in his two years here, just from all the running around that he does. The morning dew along with the coolness it brought has all burned away, and Derek is grateful for the shade of the trees. It's a warm day, and the air feels syrupy and thick, but not oppressively so.