Reaching As I Fall (Lani.)

Lani clenched his phone the whole time as he ran back to Hammel. He kept checking it just in case he missed a text. He didn't want Odion to be alone with Rhett. Because he hated Rhett, because Rhett had left him and was not back and torturing him. Lani almost hoped he ran into that selfish bastard so that he could give him a piece of his mind. He had told Odion ten but he got there in five so he took a quick dash up to his room to drop off the goods he had been about to deliver and quickly change his shirt. After all they were still going out to drink and he shouldn't look like he just sprinted across the campus. He looked relatively presentable in a ruffled kind of way. His hair wasn't smoothed out but rather messy. His loose fitting dark jeans had been traded in for the pants he had run in. The shoes stayed, after all his black and gray sneakers went with almost anything.

Lani in a rush didn't bother with stairs. He slipped himself out of his window and using a trick he had learned but a few weeks ago caught himself as he got close to the ground and lowered him down gently. As soon as Lani's feet were on the ground he was off at a brisk pace again. He checked his phone again but there was no plea for help. He hoped Odion was handling himself well. He really wanted Odion to come to him with his eyes set in that stubborn anger with a bruise growing on his knuckles. But if not Lani would certainly see to it. Odion might have hesitations about punching Rhett out but not Lani. He vowed that the first time he saw the other blond he would knock him out. He caught sight of Odion. Quite a sight of red and white. He wanted to run up and give him a hug. Tell him that he was here for him. Let Odion know that he didn't have to go through this alone. Lani was going to try to listen but he was probably going to find it very hard to be reasonable.

"Odion!" He called waving his hand and trotting over to where he was walking. Lani nodded and almost had to keep a trot to keep up with him. "Odion, are you ok? Where is Rhett?" He asked the flood of questions not waiting. "I swear if he's hurt you I'll... I'll destroy him." He said his voice strong but low and his eyes full of fury. He followed Odion through the gate and couldn't help but smile, well Odion really did know his way around better than he did. Why hadn't he said something about this earlier? Oh well, that didn't matter. What mattered was that Rhett was back and Odion was alright. Which he wasn't. That was obvious, but he wasn't nearly as enraged as Lani would have expected. He finally was able to catch pace with Odion and fell in step.

Lani felt very much like he would hurt Rhett badly if he showed up. His power was chomping at the bit but he pulled it back hard for Odion's sake. Odion had enough to worry about without worrying about Lani's power. Though Lani knew his power would never hurt Odion. No matter what. Odion was his best friend. And like any best friend he was going to have his back until the end.

Lani would be happy if Odion never knew. After all this wasn’t about him. Odion needed him and Lani was going to be the friend he was and be there for Odion. There to grant a shoulder to cry on a crutch to lean on. And yes Lani would rather enthusiastically accept the role as the bullet in Odion’s gun.

Odion’s anger didn’t surprise Lani, no actually he was rather pleased to see that Odion was just as furious as he was. Well granted Odion was infinitely more furious than Lani was. Lani had never even met Rhett but it had been Odion’s heart that that particular blond had toyed with. Lani’s brows rose. “Wait, what? He’s in your room? How did he get into your room?” He blurted unable to help himself. Oh yes Rhett was going down. Lani wanted to reach out and touch Odion. Wanted to let him know he was here but really he was in his porcupine mode and Lani wasn’t sure that he wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire. He gave Odion a look and nodded. “I know. You have every right to be.” And really it was better Lani than some innocent bystander.

Lani hummed not really believing that Rhett hadn’t done anything. He had done something. That was for sure. But maybe it wasn’t physical but verbal. From what he understood about the man he was ruthless. Probably even better at mind games than Odion. But Lani liked to think that having spent time with Odion he could hold his own against Rhett if they ever met, which was starting to sound inevitable. And really he didn’t want to do the talking with his lips. He would much rather do it with his fists. And admittedly his power. Even Lani was surprised by the malice in his mind. It was like that time his sister had gotten pushed down and scrapped her knee. That bully had never seen Lani coming and really it was totally worth the lectures and yelling and suspension. But Odion wasn’t Caroline. Not even close. If this was someone’s battle it was Odion’s. Lani had to remember that. But he could always remember that after he had knocked out Rhett’s teeth.

It was one shock after another. “What?” He found himself asking again. He really just couldn’t believe that someone could be that misunderstanding and really tactless. Lani swerved a little as Odoin snapped at him. Well not at him, just in his general direction. Lani’s rage was building by the minute. “Seriously?” Lani asked unable to believe it. “No apology? No nothing?” Lani literally growled and clenched his fists. He was about to swear he would see Rhett dead when Odion was talking again. And the watch came into his face. Rather Lani went crosseyed as it came flying at his face. “What the hell?” Lani blurted and reached out as if to touch it. “You have got to be kidding me.” Lani nodded approvingly. “Geez, what a self center ass! Let me know if you want me to send it to Alaska.” He said dryly.

Lani’s fists clenched and he looked at Odion his eyes hard and serious. “Odion, if you need a place to stay, just let me know.” He offered. No jokes, no tricks. If Rhett was lurking in Odion’s room then Odion could lurk in Lani’s. Already he was looking for a way to throw Rhett out the window. Randomly Lani thought of the cats. Rhett wouldn’t hurt them would he? He shook his head. No one hurt his friends and certainly his best friend and was stupid enough to repeat the action.

Lani had yet to really get over what Adrianna had told him. He had to admit that though some of what Rhett had told her was true it had hurt a lot that she doubted him. He had never even had a thought to hurt her. He was so worried about not hurting her. He didn’t allow himself to dwell on those thing he felt about her and about Odion. It was all too confusing. Lani blinked and shook his head. “Wow? Really? You accidentally teach him a few tricks before he ran off?” He asked clearly under the assumption that Odion had taught Rhett a few things. Rhett did have the mind of a master manipulator but that didn’t mean he was a thief like them. Secretly Lani hoped not, because that would mean he would be Odion’s second partner. But really what were the chances that that was true.

Rhett was going to have a terrible time when he really did meet Lani. After all, he had gone after his friend and now his girlfriend and it he thought that a sleeping dragon was dangerous well he would like to see how Rhett would fair when that dragon was out for blood searching for him. Rhett knew Odion very well and Adrianna well enough but Lani was a mystery. At least that was what Lani hoped. Sure the whole ESP thing probably gave him a few hints but he really had no idea what Lani was capable of. No idea how to manipulate him. Lani already knew just the mask for Rhett and it was one that he wouldn’t have to fake very hard.

Lani raised a brow. “I take it, it was an apology attached to ‘but you should forgive me anyways’?” Lani guessed from the tone of Odion’s voice. Odion was clearly enraged, Lani reflected that he should take the redhead to the gym sometimes and tape pictures of Rhett to the punching bag. Apparently Rhett also had the inability to see what sort of a douche bag he really was. Again Lani gave Odion a confused look. Of course it was broken. He had thrown it into a pond where it had sat for… geez a couple weeks? A month? The time seemed to have flown by. “If what I’ve heard from you and from Adrianna is any guess I am going to guess that this guy knew exactly what giving you that watch would do.” He pointed out his eyes hard. “I’ll knock him out.” He declared. Not just for Odion but for Adrianna as well. This was one telekinetic that really shouldn’t be made angry. After all… last time that had happened cars had gone airborne.

Shrugging it off Lani reflected that it might actually be nice to have Odion over. Being the circumstances though a sleep over wasn’t going to be a pleasant thing but Rhett would be in for a surprise if he walk in and Lani was there instead of Odion. “What are friends for?” He asked with a little encouraging smile. Things were going to be ok, he wanted to say. But he didn’t know if that was true. Lani nodded, he really could use a few drinks. More than a few, for the first time in a really long time Lani wanted to black out this whole thing. What Odion was thinking was lost on Lani at the moment. “Where are we going?” He asked wondering where they were going that they couldn’t walk to. Lani paid little heed to the driver and simply got in after Odion. Yeah, he trusted Odion not to lead him into a trap, or anything like that. Besides anywhere Odion would take him would be better than here, and he couldn’t meet anyone worse that the people he already knew. He slid in next to Odion and tapped his hands on his knees to the faint music playing.

Lani held up a hand as if to pause Odion as he started making connections. “Wait… so are you saying… We’re dealing with another thief?” Lani’s mind went to one thing. Competition. Rhett brought new competition. But there was a huge difference in the light competition that he had with Odion and this. If Rhett found him on the rooftops he might just find himself left in the dust or worse flying off the roof. Yes, if Rhett and Lani ever met it wouldn’t be like a mountain and a tornado, it would be like fire and ice. Only one would win. This was a little much to take in though. It was rare to find several thieves together outside of a group, but to meet three at random with no prior connections, that was almost unheard of. Especially since they hadn’t been seeking each other out to begin with. That certainly complicated things. If Lani had wanted to throw him off a roof before now he had even more of a reason. Rhett was dangerous.

It took a little courage but Lani finally found it. He reached out and put a hand on Odion’s shoulder. He wanted to tell him it was all going to be alright. Like he had told Adrianna. But that was a lie. This was far from being ok, they would be lucky if they came out of this alright at all. Who knew what crazy scheme Rhett had planned. Already he had pulled the rather peeved telekinetic right into the heat of everything. When it had been just Odion he could defend him and keep Rhett away from him as best he could but he really didn’t want to get mixed up in this love tangle. But now, now he had pulled Adrianna in on this and Lani was on the offensive. “You know, I’m really having a hard time wrapping my head around how stupid this guy is,” he said removing his hand from Odion’s shoulder and waving his hands around his head. “Like seriously, who does that? Leaves for three months with no explanation then comes back expecting you to welcome them back with open arms?”

“Well that manipulative asshole is going to be missing a few teeth,” Lani said viciously rubbing his fists, “I mean you’ll never believe what he told Adrianna.” Lani really wouldn’t care if it was because of Odion that he was being dragged into this mess. After all Odion was his best friend and no one messed with his best friend. He really didn’t know why he was going after Adrianna. What was he hoping to gain from breaking him and Adrianna up? Really if anything that would just make Lani single and more likely to act on the emotions he was suppressing. And that would only make him hate Rhett more. He had made Adrianna a promise and if they ended on bad terms he couldn’t keep that promise because she wouldn’t want him around anymore. Lani raised a brow wondering what Rhett thought was going on between them. Lani snorted and shook his head at Odion. “Too bad, that… that… he’s hurt the two people here I care most about.” He was xenos. Stranger. It was a word he and his family reserved for the most awful of people. People they didn’t even want to be associated with. Lani didn’t want to say it yet but he was already disassociating himself with the other blond.

Lani’s eyes softened when Odion admitted that to him. That was a sad but touching truth. Touching because Odion had chosen to share that with him. “Well then I’m telling you now, Odion, I’m here for you. For anything.” He took care not to promise anything but the implication was there. Hopper’s Lounge? He looked ahead of them down the road. He didn’t remember if he had ever gone there. Probably not though, he usually stuck with stuff within walking distance. “I hope they have strong drinks,” he commented taking a glance out the window of the cab. He was worried about seeing people he knew. Because if they saw him with Odion they would add him into the people they could use against him. When they had gone to that burger joint it hadn’t really mattered, none of his crowd went there and besides they really didn’t like Hugo. Lani glanced back at Odion and wet his lips wondering what he should say next. Things hadn’t changed; he was still very bad at stuff like this. But Odion had changed. He was stronger than he had been before.

The cabbie kept glancing at them and Lani was starting to wonder why. Finally the cabbie spoke and Lani watched as Odion turned the same shade as his hair and told him off. Lani found himself smiling a little bit, the poor cabbie was probably just curious and Odion just wasn’t in the mood for snide comments. Though that was a rather personal thing for someone to say. Lani considered the man and the smirk on his face. He seemed innocent enough probably just trying to get under Odion’s skin. He looked over at Odion and smiled a little bit, he really did look attractive. That fedora really complimented him. Lani watched as the distance and price ticked up and they finally pulled over at the bar and Lani pulled out his wallet handing over a few bills before Odion could stop him. After all he had paid for those burgers and Lani hadn’t been able to pay him back. “Thanks,” he said sharply to the man feeling obligated but not happy about thanking a man that had gotten to Odion. He stepped out onto the curb and waited for Odion to slide out after him.

Lani whistled as he took in that information. Three thieves in the same triangle of conflict. This could get very ugly very fast. Lani wasn’t very enthusiastic about having to deal with someone of Odion’s skill. If Rhett was that good. This just got more complicated. Oh god, wasn’t Rhett also an ESP? That could get really bad. If he found out about Lani and tracked down his boss and told them about his power… Lani bit his tongue refusing to think about that. That would be a shit show. Someone would probably not survive this in one piece and consequently if Lani’s boss got involved it might be Lani losing a limb. Or worse, Rhett could tell Odion and Adrianna before he could. Odion would hate him and Rhett would have him all to himself again. Hopefully not all to himself, Odion had to have other friends. And Adrianna, well perhaps she would think he was lying but as proven by their conversation earlier he was able to make her doubt him so who knew.

It was with a little relief that Lani’s gesture was not met with offense. He remembered that time he had seen Odion’s teddy bears on accident, Odion looked so offended when Lani touched him that the blond had hesitated to do so again. It also brought a smile to Lani’s face. He wanted to be reassuring and comforting. To be there for him. Like he had been for Lani when Lani needed to be told things he didn’t want to hear. Lani’s smile grew as Odion laughed. He loved that laugh and it was such a nice sound especially after there had been so much anger and sadness in his voice. It was clear to see that Odion still loved Rhett, but he didn’t trust him. Who knew if Odion even wanted to love Rhett anymore, but that didn’t matter as much as the fact that he did and it was hurting him that Rhett wasn’t at least a little bit remorseful about the whole thing. “Oh well, you told him off, didn’t you?” He asked wondering what had really transpired. He almost wished he had Odion’s power so that he could slip in and spy on the event.

Well unlike most cases where Lani would say just let the pieces fall where they may, Lani wanted to make the pieces fall in favor of himself and Odion and Adrianna. This was a convoluted mess. Not a triangle but rather a knot. The three of them against Rhett, but then there was also Lani against Adrianna, they had had their first fight the other day about what Rhett had said. He couldn’t believe she would doubt him and she started to think that it was a mistake to call him. It wasn’t an all out war but it opened doors that Lani had never wanted to enter. Who knew what other alliances and battles would be fought while Rhett sat back and watched them destroy each other? But this wasn’t his time to complain. Odion was the one who had truly been dragged through the mud with this one. Odion needed support and Lani wasn’t about to add his relationships onto Odion’s plate. If anything Lani wanted to duck under the burden Odion shouldered and share it with him. If Rhett’s objective was to get Odion by shutting him off from people who cared about him, what kind of relationship was that? If Rhett really had wanted to he could have left it alone and been apologetic to Odion and never worried about things between Odion and Lani going anywhere. But no, that had been too hard for the other blond’s pride.

“Really?” Lani asked surprised. So Rhett was the controlling sort of person. Lani’s fists clenched and he put two and two together. “So he cut you off from everyone and watched you fall with no one to catch you.” Lani blocked out an image of Odion reaching out his hand but closing only on the wind. Lani had to think back now, their first meeting Odion had wanted nothing to do with him. Now was that because Lani had changed or was that because it was just easier for Odion to shut people out and go porcupine on them. Lani’s eyes steeled over even more. His usually liquid gray eyes froze over and became hard with anger. Lani was moved by Odion’s smile and he realized that even in Odion’s presence his anger was slipping away. Not fading, merely simmering. He could listen to Odion and see where he stood. He had already had to back off from going after Rhett right the moment Adrianna told him what he said. But he had assured her he would calm down before he went seeking the other blond. There was only one problem with that. Now that Lani had taken time to calm down he could plan.

Lani felt the cool night air hit him as he stood outside the cab as Odion said something to the driver. He took this moment to examine the crowd and scan the area with his sharp eyes. This was a more high scale place than he was used to so chances of running into the people his boss had posted around here was probably going to be slim to none. He wondered absently if it would be expensive. Odion joined him after slamming the door and Lani gave a little smile. Well Odion really wasn’t taking any crap tonight. He actually felt pity for the next person to accidentally cross the redhead’s path. Lani raised a brow as Odion spoke… what was that? French? He didn’t know Odion knew French. He could be taking the class, though he really couldn’t tell because the accent sounded very smooth.

Lani shrugged it off and followed Odion. “Ok,” Lani said a little confused by what Odion was planning. The world changed and it became rather unsettlingly quiet after the din of conversation stopped suddenly. “Woah,” Lani muttered as the moved through the frozen world. There were people paused in conversation, some gesturing, some rolling their eyes. People frozen eerily in laughter. They passed by like ghosts in this scene. Lani watched the security guard’s eyes as they passed expecting the bored man’s straightforward eyes to follow them. He moved slowly looking around himself curiously. It took him an honest effort to keep up with Odion and not to stop and examine the frozen figures. “That is too cool,” Lani said after the unsettled feeling finally melted away and he realized the benefits of such an action. He glanced back at the room before disappearing between the closed door with Odion.

Time seemed to jerk as it fell back into place. Lani smirked at Odion’s back his sly expression clear in the mirror. He crossed his arms at Odion as he turned and shook his head at the redhead unable to keep himself from smiling. “You, sir, have been holding out on me.” Lani beat him to the door and went out holding it open long enough for Odion to follow him out. The sounds were loud and jumbled. He had to say he preferred it to the silence of frozen time, especially as the sounds of the frozen laughter came out. “Me too,” he agreed and snorted at Odion’s suggestion. “Don’t worry, I try not to subject the human race to my dancing skills.” He laughed at himself and strode to the bar where he ordered a pint for himself and for Odion. He leaned against the bar for a moment and looked around the room the music a dull throb in the background of conversation. “Over there?” Lani asked gesturing toward a free table near the corner of the room at a perfect angle for people watching.

Lani would probably oblige Odion in that request. There or not if Odion missed it the first time Lani would probably gladly do it again. Especially now. Once for Adrianna and once for Odion. And then probably as many as it took for him to learn his lesson. Odion would probably be happier knowing Lani’s secret but Lani wasn’t sure. He was too afraid that Odion’s anger would be turned on him and consequently banish him from his thoughts. That was the worst possibility for Lani. He wouldn’t mind if Odion was angry, if he yelled, even if he stuck him because he really deserved it. But as long as Odion didn’t turn cold and ignore him he was sure that he could work out a way to apologize well enough to gain forgiveness. But then he would also have betrayed Odion’s trust. That was the touchiest topic. Would Odion accept that Lani had been trying to shelter him? Probably not, Odion was strong and they both knew that. No it was the fear of what might be that stopped Lani. It was selfish.

“Sort of?” Lani asked raising a brow in askance. His fists clenched a little and he really would have been satisfied to hit someone right then. It was a really good thing that Lani wasn’t the kind of person to take out his anger on an innocent person. Now if someone provoked him that would be quite different. It was interesting him how Odion bit his lip, he hadn’t done that very often. Perhaps it was a tell, perhaps that meant that Odion had been telling the truth all along. He hadn’t heard any lie or truth from Odion after that so he couldn’t be sure. He would have to keep an eye out for that though. He almost wished that that sort of was a lie because he really wanted to hear Odion tell him that he had told Rhett go to hell.

It was a square in shape but it was a very strange vector field throughout. There were arrows going both directions along all of the connections. Except for the connection between Adrianna and Rhett. Lani was sure the only thing headed that way was hatred. Or if not hatred at least distrust. Lani hoped it was hatred. But then was it just the lines or was it a plane? Well it really didn’t matter the point was that this was going to be a challenging adventure. But an adventure nonetheless. Things could go the way were Rhett won and Odion would have his boyfriend but Lani was left without a friend, without a girlfriend and without a thing holding him here. Lani would just fade away to nothing, only a memory going quietly like a ghost. Or they could go the way where Odion won and kept Lani as a friend and perhaps even more if it went in one of those possibilities that they could be more.

He had to admit he was surprised that Odion admitted that. He raised a brow and shook his head. “So that was then,” he said with a shrug, “This is now.” Odion really was a sweet person who cared about people, well some people. But he just didn’t let his spikes down long enough to let people in. Well that had certainly changed, after all Lani had been able to get him. Really if Odion had kept acting as prickly as he had when they first met Lani would probably have lost interest rather quickly, but not that that had changed, Odion still got on him for little things but what had changed was that he knew Odion cared. Lani could deal with someone challenging him as long as it wasn’t in hatred or to get a feeling of superiority.

“I don’t know that I could ever get used to this,” Lani commented looking around the strange scene, “It’s… creepy.” He said after taking a moment to find the right word. It would be useful though. They could clean everyone out this way and get away without anyone having a clue as to who might be responsible. That was part of what made their life fun. Getting away with it. This was just the sort of big thing that Lani loved to pull off. It would be on the news for weeks. If they switched powers that would be quite an interesting day. Lani would probably love to be able to move through time like a fish but then Odion would also be stuck with Lani’s unruly telekinesis. Lani looked at Odion measuring him up. He smiled slyly, “I think you have,” he nodded to himself, “The things we could do…” His thoughts faded off as he looked around and he shook his head at himself. This was not the time to think about stealing things. But maybe that was what a thief’s mind did.

Lani didn’t open the door because Odion was hurting; he did it because it was polite. He could have walked out and let the door hit behind him. Ok so many be a trying a little harder to be nice to Odion but it wasn’t a big deal. At least Lani didn’t think it was. Lani gave Odion a smile and shook his head. “You have no idea.” He really couldn’t even begin to explain the extent of his dancing failure. Adrianna was trying. Lani was a bad learner, as he had said before. The best he could do was keep the rhythm and not knock anyone out by flailing. “And I take it you’re a brilliant dancer?” He asked. Really it wouldn’t surprise him, anyone in the world would be a better dancer than Lani was. It really wouldn’t do for him to dance with anyone. It was a miracle that he hadn’t pummeled Adrianna’s feet. So chances were if he were so inclined to dance with Odion he wouldn’t do so for Odion’s own safety.

Lani followed Odion to the table with his beer in one hand. He drank his more slowly than Odion and had only about a quarter left by the time Odion was already ordering a second drink. He leaned forward to better hear Odion. His words made Lani smile. “Good, but why free time?” Lani asked with a shrug, “Think of the shocked look he’ll get.” Lani glanced at the woman and gave her a charming. “Same for me, but another beer first please,” he asked politely and she nodded and looked more than relieved to get away from them. Lani with his second beer in hand swallowed a good gulp and nearly spit it back when Odion talked about the cats. He coughed as he got the liquid down and laughed. “Oh I would love to see that!” He knew he really shouldn’t encourage this kind of behavior but he really couldn’t help it. He leaned toward Odion his eyes sharp with ideas of revenge. “You know what you should do, after you punch him in the face and sick the cats on him, that is. You should kick him right where it hurts.” He raised his glass to toast the idea of castrating Rhett.

For the time being, forever, hopefully the latter. Lani really didn’t need his problems brought to light, not now, not ever. If Lani wanted people to know he would tell them. At least that was what he told himself. Truth was that if Lani could get away with it he would keep his problems to himself. But already Odion was getting better at catching Lani in his lies. Now it didn’t matter. Honesty was something that got them in trouble but not as much as the lies. Odion was hurting, that was clear and so Lani was going to ignore his own problems and jump on Odion’s to try to fix his. His own problems seemed insignificant, and perhaps they were. Right now Odion’s problems were bigger.

Lani bit his lip and raised a brow at Odion. Oh no, he didn’t… Lani winced. He did. “Oooodion,” he groaned and pressed a hand against his forehead. What was Odion thinking? He had give Rhett hope, he had given him a way in. Lani’s glare wasn’t directed at Odion but the sad look of disappointment was. His expression was dark but not angry. “Odion, why are you doing this to yourself?” He asked not angry but disappointed. He thought better of Odion. “You’re letting him back in, you’re giving him a chance to get what he wants! And to do what? Probably leave you again.” Lani was dishing out a harsh reality that he felt Odion needed to hear. Lani really couldn’t help the fact that he reacted to the words before he thought about them. He threw his hands in the air before bringing them into contact with his head. Why on earth would Odion even think about trusting Rhett again? After all he had done? “Are you crazy? Actions speak louder than words, and history repeats itself. He’s just going to use you again. For God’s sake Odion don’t let him! You’re better than this,” he finally finished his rant and simply stood there. How could he say those things? What did he know? He didn’t care how Odion felt about his after that but he had to say it.

Lies. That was what it all came down to wasn’t it? Lies that were told to protect and deceive were one in the same. After what he had heard from Adrianna Lani honestly wasn’t sure that they were going to make it. If she doubted him when someone she didn’t even trust said something what would happen if a good friend of hers told her Lani was lying. Or worse what if that blond demonness befriended her and told her all about Lani’s lies. Would Adrianna defend him? Or would she come back running to him and demand to hear that she was the liar. Like she had done this time. The reason Lani had been so angered by that and yes, very hurt, was because he hadn’t done anything wrong and yet she was already treating as if he had done something.

Lani rested his head on his fist as he thought about this and his attention was grabbed as Odion started talking again. Lani’s head slowly lifted from his fist as he processed what he was hearing. So Odion had made this mistake before. He realized he had missed a crucial piece and he had had it all the time. “You mean when he came here?” Lani’s brow creased in thought and he shook his head. “And you’re setting yourself up for it all over again.” His words were hard and unsympathetic. Realizing this Lani’s eyes softened. “I don’t want to see you like that again.” His voice was soft and smooth as he remembered the emancipated Odion from when Rhett had left the last time. He could see it now. Odion falling back into the routine with Rhett getting himself hurt and walking around like a zombie again. But Lani knew as frustrating as it was he would be there ready to shove bread down Odion’s throat for a second time if he needed too. And who knew, maybe Lani wouldn’t even want to say ‘I told you so’.

Lani’s eyes paused on the bartender who had been frozen caught in her secret thoughts. “It’s very useful,” Lani acknowledged and followed after Odion. Odion’s smile spoke volumes. Of course now was not the time, but it was certainly in the future they could use this. Working in tandem there was nothing that they could not accomplish. “And by quickly you mean you can take your time until times turns back on,” he said with a grin. Things had been established already, they were friends, partners. And Lani would defend his partner against anything. It was strange that he felt so protective of Odion in regards to Rhett. But then if it had been any other guy would he had been so disagreeable? He liked to think it was just Rhett but really the more he thought about it the more he was willing to admit that yes Odion had taken up residence in his heart. But though Diana had made him think he was hardly in a position to make decisions about matters of the heart.

A laugh drew out of Lani’s throat. Oh he would love to see Odion dance. Partially because he wanted to see if he was really as good as he thought. Maybe between Adrianna and Odion Lani might be able to cross a dance floor without taking someone out. He wouldn’t bet on it though. Lani clueless was looking around the bar at the people around him seeing a blur of faces but no one really interesting. But then he was looking opposite of Odion and his eye wasn’t trained on anyone really. He shook his head a little, he had a girlfriend, he was just here to get drunk with a friend. “Oh really?” Lani asked feinting insult, “So you’ll dance with other people, but not me?” He laughed and nodded his head. “Good choice, probably safer that way.” He smiled good naturedly and settled at the table his beer cradled in his hands.

It would probably be a good idea to calm Odion down and not get him riled up. But then it was probably also a good idea not to steal from people, but Lani had chosen wrong there too. He didn’t mind the choice besides the more he could stoke Odion’s fire the more he was likely to remember the pain that Rhett had caused and give up the dangerous chance of getting back together with him. Lani’s lips stretched into a devilish grin as he listened to Odion’s reasoning. There was the Odion he knew and loved. Lani laughed and nodded his head very glad Odion was choosing him to conspire with him to get Rhett back. Oh this did not mean that Lani was not going to take a swing at the other blond. No, Lani was going to enjoy that. Lani was still working on his beer when the mixed drink came and so he didn’t mind when Odion took it. Lani smiled a little and shrugged. He was a lightweight really. “Not too much, at least I don’t really get drunk a lot.” He said and raise his glass to knock it against Odion’s. “But I’m making an exception tonight.” With that Lani swallowed some more of the amber liquid. He glanced over feeling eyes on him. “That guy is looking over here,” Lani said conversationally his eyes flickering for a moment but his suspicions rising.