New Beginnings

[Odion Martins]

Odion couldn’t believe he had done it, but he had. After Lani had learned perhaps a bit too much about the redhead, the next day had been terrible – he remembered absolutely everything. Sure everything had a haze around it because he was drunk, but he remembered. He remembered everything he told Lani, things about Rhett no one else knew, things about himself he didn’t want anyone to know. Odion had realized too little too late that he was letting another thief into his heart. Maybe Adrianna wasn’t the only one who had bad taste in men. He remembered how adorable Lani was...

But what he couldn’t believe he had done, was retrieved that damn locket Lani had tossed out the window. Odi had thrown out the box of stuff, but his mind kept itching for the locket, like the trinket was calling out to him. He had buried his fingers into the dirt around the locket and looked at it for a very long time before pocketing the pocket watch. Odion moped around the outside of his dorm, kicking a little at the dirt before he went back to his room. The rest of that day he spent in bed, snuggled in his blanket, unsure of whether he should smile or not.

A few days passed and Lani hadn’t said a word. Odion thought of this as he got ready in the bathroom. The blonde had had so much time to think about the ginger helping with his powers, and he didn’t say anything. Why did Odi expect anything less really? Besides, wasn’t this what he wanted? To pretend that nothing had happened that night? That they hated each other like the always had? Odion sighed, pulling a purple v-neck t-shirt over his shirt. He still hadn’t been eating very much, but at least the colour had returned to his face. The pocket watch remained heavy in his pocket, like it had the past few days.

Skipping class wasn’t something he normally did, but he just didn’t care anymore. There was no point to being here anymore, and since he knew he wasn’t graduating, he would just try harder come September. That’s what he told himself anyways. As for today’s bright afternoon, he would try and enjoy it as best he could. Even if that entailed throwing small rocks into the fish pond, tricking the poor animals into thinking they were getting fed. He grinned slightly, until he heard a strange noise coming from the surrounding bushes.

Frowning, Odion stood up, thinking first to run away. But no, something fundamental had changed since he last saw Lani, and after he took a moment to listen some more, he approached the bushes. It sounded like someone was dying. It was loud enough to make Odi wince and he was glad no one else was around, otherwise they might think he was murdering someone. Kneeling in front of the bush, Odion pushed back the branches, and shock came over him. There before him lay a tabby cat giving birth. Already there were three kittens feeding from their mother, and the ginger grinned. Maybe being brave wasn’t such a bad thing...

And then the mother grew silent, and went limp. Odion panicked and touched the mother cat. She wasn’t breathing. Tiny meowing came from the four kittens, and Odion looked down at them helplessly. They were matted with mucus and still had their eyes shut – totally helpless. But he didn’t have a clue as to what they needed. Should he leave them to nature? He stared at them, wondering if he would hurt them if he touched them.

[Lani Hunter]

After Lani had reawakened that day… or rather that evening, he found himself rested and sharp again for the first time in a long time. Maybe settling into trusting Odion had made it easier. But then when he had wanted to find Odion he had been called back to Boston. Not for his job but because he needed somewhere he could think without the fear of mindreaders or speak without the fear of clairaudiences. He just needed to be around his family, even if that meant fighting with his fathers. And fight they had. Lani was still fuming about some of the harsh words between them. He was still on edge about that girl, she had pushed him when he shouldn’t have been pushed and he had gotten a note the other day about how someone wanted to talk to him about the track. Lani had ignored it, they knew he had done it, not many other telekinetic has a tendency for destruction of school property.

So as Lani stepped off the bus in Pilot Ridge he thanked the driver and headed back in the direction of the school. As the bus pulled away Lani swerved down a side street and made a quick stop with his handler. After passing over a letter from the boss and informing the man that he was going to take a few days off. The man didn’t argue and simply waved Lani off with the promise of a call. So Lani shrugged his bag back over his shoulders and went back to the school. Hammel’s gates always looked so large it was a wonder people didn’t think it was a prison. He smiled a little and pulled his hood up over his head and slipped past the security guard posted at the door. It was pretty sad on their part that Lani was able to slip past them in broad daylight, but things had been relaxed around here recently.

Against Lani’s better judgment he had been thinking about the suggestion that Odion had made. He still held that it was a bad idea but he could see the benefits. But the fact still remained that he was not going to send someone up into the air without the guarantee that they would make it back down in one piece. His mind had been very much distracted by that night he had spent with Odion. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. Honestly he was afraid of Odion, not because he had showed intentions of blackmail, quite the opposite. Odion had broken through and that freaked Lani out beyond reason. And now that this girl was holding blackmail over his head he had sealed his heart and been distant with both his friends and his girlfriend. But he felt the need to warn Odion that perhaps they should be careful about what they talk about on campus. He was pretty good at pretending, but he had been completely bluffing when he had told her that no one would believe her, because truth be told he had weeded a few things out of his file that proved that if someone were to tell them that Lani was a thief that would be the last piece of the puzzle.

He felt bad about avoiding the redhead and even worse about avoiding Adrianna. He had called her after he was on the bus to Boston saying that he was going home for his mother’s birthday. But he had neglected to tell her when he was coming back. This had to make him a terrible person. So Lani had called her back on the way back to Vermont and promised they would get together soon. He walked across the grounds toward the dorms when a flash of red caught his eye. With a little smile he wandered his way over to find that his assumption that it was Odion had indeed been correct. Then he saw the boy stand and go to a bush inspecting something. Lani’s curiosity was enticed and he made his way over. “Hey, Odion,” he said as he got closer and he waved a little. Should he be in class? Oh well, it wasn’t like Lani was in any position to lecture him on skipping.

Lani came up behind Odion and peaked over his shoulders to catch a look at what was making that noise. “Oh!” he exclaimed when he saw the kittens still wet and blind, but it was strange, the mother wasn’t moving. Lani hesitated and crouched down next to Odion. “Is she…?” He didn’t want to finish the question but he just looked at Odion just as freaked out as he was. He looked down at the kittens and his heart broke for them. They were so small and so helpless. They had to do something. He dropped his bag and dug around. He grabbed one of the old t-shirts that he had packed for his short trip. He shoved it at Odion. “We need to clean them off or else they’ll freeze to death.” He grabbed another shirt out of his bag and gently reached out for a kitten. It was already shivering as he placed it in his lap and wrapped it in his shirt gently rubbing it clean.

[Odion Martins]

Odion had been serious about the offer he had made to Lani. If the blonde could levitate himself, he needed to try something different. Lani could be opposed to the idea and as stubborn as he wanted, but it wouldn’t help him get any farther. If Lani could use his emotions to toss people off roofs, as he so proclaimed, then he could manipulate them into lifting people at will. He just needed to take the right steps toward that goal. Odion decided that the blonde hadn’t thought it a good idea, and avoided Odi now so he didn’t have to try doing something out of his comfort zone. Then again, Odion wouldn’t be too impressed if someone offered him advice on speeding up time, when they weren’t time controllers themselves. Odion was set on convincing Lani though, and as soon as the blonde knew it was perfectly safe, then Lani would agree. Odi wasn’t sure if he simply wanted Lani to agree with him, more than he wanted to help him practice. Maybe it was a bit of both. Either way, Odion could rewind time and they could try as many times as Lani needed, Lani would just have to get used to Odi’s powers.

Too preoccupied with the kittens, Odion hadn’t noticed Lani until he was right in front of him. “Where the hell have you been?” He asked calmly, still looking at the cats. What was he supposed to do? About the cats. When it came to Lani, he had just blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but maybe Lani would think he was being truly genuine about the blonde’s whereabouts. Lani didn’t need to know that Odi had checked the telekinetic’s dorm room almost every day since their last encounter. Odion looked at Lani helplessly, their eyes connecting. Obviously the blonde could see the situation. The redhead nodded solemnly. The mother was indeed dead and gone. Odion looked back down to the cats, the pocket watch burning in his pocket. Now he had to think about what he was going to do with these animals and what Lani was going to think about how he had retrieved the watch. And why he cared about what Lani thought about that...

Plucking up the courage to look at Lani in the eyes again, frustration overcame Odion’s face. He watched the blonde take clothing out of his rucksack. Well, Lani had been somewhere, probably Boston from what the ginger could gather about Lani’s family. Where else would he go to think about things? At least Lani had a place to call home. Lani had answered Odion’s question without having to say a word. Odion took the t-shirt silently, and watched Lani clean a kitten. His eyes wandered back to the little guys, and he picked one up as gently as he could, the kitten’s tiny paws outstretched in horror as something took it away from its mother. “It’s alright.” He cooed, wiping at his gently. The kitten seemed to relax, and it’s fur started to look more like fur as Odion worked, but there were still two others, and one of them wasn’t moving.

Odion wrapped up the first kitten in Lani’s shirt, his small head poking out, and then shoved the whole thing into his own shirt, trying to keep the kitten warm. The redhead’s face remained expressionless as he grabbed the runt of the litter, the kitten that wasn’t moving. He held the little body in the palm of his hand, poking the kitten’s tummy softly. There was no response. Sadly, he put the smallest kitten next to it’s mother, the other kitten by his chest meowing happily. But soon it would be hungry.

“Your shirts are ruined.” He said, because there wasn’t anything else to say. At least they had saved three out of four, minus the momma cat. What were they supposed to do now? Odion looked at Lani as though the blonde might have all the answers. Where did Odi’s sense of responsibility come from? Now they had to feed these kittens. He wouldn’t usually bother with this kind of stuff. Maybe Lani was rubbing off on him more than Odi wanted to admit.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani smiled absently, the other night, they never had established who would out stubborn who. Lani honestly wasn’t sure why someone who made it their business to annoy him most of the time would want to risk himself by putting himself in Lani’s figurative hands. But then Odion wasn’t as annoying as he had been rather sweet actually. Besides the few time he had dug into Lani’s wounds, but Lani hoped that he had done well to put those subjects to rest. Little did he know that Odion was just biding his time, and little did he know that this was the calm before the storm. And what a storm it would be. And who knew what would be lost and what would be gained out of it. Either way Lani was ignoring that impending doom. Especially after the show his power had given off a few days ago with that girl who could hear everything he had been really hesitant using it. He had forgotten that he was capable of doing things like that and it was more than a little terrifying.

Lani’s brows climbed when the first words out of Odion’s mouth here asking where he had been. He didn’t think he had been gone for too long. Sure as per usual he was sure he was going to get a note from security on his door. Which as per usual he would ignore. He smiled as he weighed his options on whether to mess with Odion or be honest. But the expression on Odion’s face and the situation at hand led Lani to take the latter road. “Boston,” he shrugged and narrowed his eyes at the redhead. He opened his mouth to say something more but the kittens called his attention. He crossed his legs under himself and rubbed the kitten he looked up feeling Odion’s eyes on him and confusion passed over his eyes at that look. When Odion didn’t say anything Lani looked back down at the kitten a smile crawling over his face. It was adorable and it mewed a complaint at him as he smoothed the fur over its face. This one was turning out to be tabby just like its mother. It was so little he made his hands extra delicate with it.

Lani’s eyes went to Odion as he heard him speak softly to the little guys. Lani didn’t comment but reached out for the other kitten that was wiggling around its mother. He took the unused part of his shirt and rubbed it clean. The kittens were swaying ever so slightly and once he had the other cleaned he wrapped it up tightly with its brother, or sister, he actually wasn’t sure. He followed Odion’s lead and tucked them into his jacket wrapping his arms around them. He could feel their little purrs against his chest and they sniffed at the air around them their curious eyes still yet to have opened. These tiny things, so helpless. Lani couldn’t not help. It was just in his nature, these poor little guys without a mother to care for them would just die along with her in the harsh cold. Well, it had actually been warming up, but when it came to newborn kittens everything was cold. Besides it wasn’t like Vermont weather this time of year was hot, after such a strange winter it was almost like a trick having weather not in the forties.

The other kitten poked its head out of Odion’s shirt and Lani couldn’t help but smile. But the happiness was short lived as Odion reached for the other kitten. Lani’s expression fell, Odion looked completely crestfallen. And he couldn’t blame him. What a sad day, three lives brought into the world, one taken and one had not even had a chance to live a life. Mournfully he rubbed the pain in his arms gently on the head and they reached up their little mouths and he let them nibble on his fingers a little. He shook his head at little as Odion placed the stillborn next to its mother. “It happens,” Lani said knowing he was offering little comfort to the situation. “There was nothing we could have done.” He didn’t look Odion in the eye for a while after that. Honestly he wasn’t yet used to those eyes and they still kind of intimidated him. Not that he would ever let Odion know that. No, he would match him stare for stare when it came down to it.

Lani chuckled a little bit and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” He smiled and looked down at the kittens pulling his hand away from them. They made adorable little noises in complaint. His eyes went back to the mother and child and he’s brows came together and he closed his eyes for a brief moment of mourning. A small touch of a tongue to his neck reminded him that there was still something to be joyful about despite all this. They had saved three of the kittens and that was a victory in and of itself. He clucked his tongue at the kitten as its nose poked him. “Well, hello,” he said to it and shifted them a little so they were tucked in his arms in his jacket. It mewed and the sound nearly made Lani want to snuggle with it. The one bonked heads with the other and Lani couldn’t help but chuckle. “Easy, loves,” he said softly and scratched their heads gently.

He looked at Odion again and he was pretty sure that his expression of ‘what now?’ was matching Odion’s. “We’ve got to take them somewhere,” Lani said taking the lead. As much as his heart wanted to keep them he knew that he knew nothing about kittens and that in the care of two teenage boys who didn’t have a clue these kittens could unintentionally come into more harm than good. He looked back at Odion his eyes trailing down to the kitten nestled in his shirt. “I think he likes you,” he said with a grin. Lani grinned at his private thoughts. What an adorable pair they made the kitten with its mamma Odion. These kittens were proof that even in a cruel world two thieves could break the norm and show much care for such little creatures.

[Odion Martins]

Odion was willing to give Lani a shot, because Lani had proven himself worthy of Odion’s help. Of course, he couldn’t say it that way, then the other boy would think Odi was playing a trick. There was also a part of Odion that wanted to be an integral part of Lani’s life, and if that meant helping him get a better grasp of his powers, then so be it. It would also mean that Odion would have a better understanding of the telekinetic’s powers, and how to steer clear from them if he had to. Odion wouldn’t let Lani slip through the cracks so easily. Whether by gaining his trust, or being his friend, Odi would eventually find the truth, even if the truth hurt because it was festering within Lani’s wounds. Odion would stay just to find the hidden treasure. Oh if only he had a clue as to what he’d soon be up against. He wasn’t just a thief of objects, but emotions and information. Odion was just ignoring the part of himself that really wanted to be friends with Lani, and not just gain information. This was different. He recognized and loathed this.

Odion nodded abrasively, pursing his lips together in thought. He would ask about Boston later. For now, the kitten called his attention, and Odi rubbed the mucus off of it as best he could. It was no comparison for what the mother cat could do, clean the stuff clean off with her tongue, but that ship had sailed and Odi and Lani were these kittens next best thing. Odion’s thoughts were temporarily paralyzed as he attempted to save the kittens before him. He chanced a look at Lani, who was smiling at the kitten in his lap, and at this, Odion smiled to himself, looking back at his own kitten. It was turning out to be a grey mongrel. Grey as Lani’s eyes. His cat meowed again, and in spite of himself, Odion smiled. He couldn’t decide if he liked the thing or not. It reminded him of how he felt about Lani.

There wasn’t a damn thing Odion or Lani could do about the little dead kitten, life breathed life and then it flickered. Odi glanced at Lani, who looked equally sad. He sighed, blinking hard. No, he was not about to cry over a stupid cat. He refused to let Lani see that he was a cry baby when nobody was looking. “Bad things happen to those who deserve it least,” he said. Lani would understand full well what Odi was getting at, and perhaps the words would simultaneously distract Lani from seeing beyond the mask Odion was putting on.

He managed a smile as Lani chuckled. He was starting to enjoy that laugh. “Alright, hero,” Odion said, wondering why Lani was so quick to offer help when someone truly needed it. Odi had never met someone like Lani. Odion focused on the kitten mewing in his ear instead of looking back at the dead cats like Lani had. He just couldn’t bring himself to look again. So really, looking at Lani was the only other option. Odion felt himself smile despite the death in the air, and it was all Lani’s fault. “You’re such a twit,” he said, even though Lani was just as adorable as the kittens he was protecting. Not to mention that Odion probably sounded exactly the same when he spoke to his kitten like it was a baby. Why didn’t Lani make fun of that before? Still, Odi laughed with Lani, trying to focus on the good here.

“So,” he said, smiling at the blind kitten in his shirt, “how’s your family?” Odion bore a toothy half grin as he glanced back at Lani, the ginger’s eyes piercing through Lani as usual. “In Boston I mean,” holding his smile, as though Lani wouldn’t know what he was talking about. Odion was trying to come off as menacing, but that was very fucking hard to do when there was a small kitten meowing and he was smiling because he thought the little critter cute. He wrapped his arms around himself and subsequently the kitten gently, to warm the feline. He wished he had a jacket like Lani had. “Where will we take them? How can we feed them? Or anything really? Pets aren’t allowed... at...” His voice trailed off as he bit his bottom lip and swallowed hard, unwilling to finish that statement. This reminded him of Rhett. And just when he thought he was making a break through. Rhett had found a dog, Trouble, and kept it at school, and he and everyone else involved got into trouble. Of course, Lani knew about that. Fuck. Odion looked hard at the ground, simply waiting for a reply, the pocket watch feeling heavier with every second it counted.

[Lani Hunter]

Powers as strong as his and as strange as Odion’s really didn’t belong in the hands of thieving teenagers. But the world had deemed it right so they had to deal with it. Lani however was going to make sure that everyone around him was safe. His recent realization that the trainers had been right was really breeding paranoia in him. Not a good thing. But when it came to crazy suggestions like Odion’s Lani just set out to shut them down. It was asking for trouble. And trouble that his power would willingly give. Unfortunately the more he thought about it the more he wondered if it would work. But then he wasn’t really ready to put anyone in his mental hands and trust that they would be alright. Not just Adrianna or Odion but anyone. No one was safe. Lani had given up on trying to think of himself and Odion as not friends. After what had happened that night he couldn’t find a way to deny it. How strange that they went from practically enemies to friends in one night.

Lani watched Odion out of the corner of his eye. He smiled to himself, against he was surprised. He hadn’t thought Odion had this softer side to him. The care with which he handled the little life was so precious that Lani blinked and filed away image away in his memory for safekeeping. The collection of kittens was stealing his attention, from the gray in Odion’s care to the tabby and black one in Lani’s arms. They distracted Lani from the way that Odion had asked about where he had been and distracted him about everything that had happened for the last few days. He had chickened out of talking to his boss again and instead when he had gone by had expressed worry that he was being stretched too thin. Then there were the epic meltdowns between him and his father. Sometime he honestly envied Odion for not having anyone to answer to.

Lani tore his eyes away from the mother and child loathing the fact that he could now touch them with his power. What a curse this thing was, not allowing him to touch anything alive but as soon as death found its host he could touch them with his mental hands. Nothing they could do, the end had come. Lani hummed in agreement not trusting his voice to not give something away. He looked up at Odion curious about how he was going to handle this. He seemed alright and perhaps the death of something he hadn’t known wouldn’t be so hard. Despite his best efforts Lani was still being fooled by the clever masks Odion put on. He really looked at Odion, he didn’t look much better but he certainly didn’t look like he was courting death anymore. “You look better,” he said rubbing the kitten’s ears, “Have you been eating? Sleeping?” Lani wasn’t trying to hide his concern anymore, they both knew he worried and that he cared so what was the use at least if he came at Odion head on there were only so many ways Odion could weasel his way out of talking about it.

Lani wrinkled his nose at the term, little did Odion know he heard that more than he ever wanted to. “It’s what anyone else would have done,” he protested. There were certainly people he worked with and people he had rivaled who thought Lani was the definition of the devil, but why did so many people see him as a hero. Lani certainly didn’t. He just offered help when he could, when he came across someone he just couldn’t turn a blind eye. It had started before his sister was even born but only been amplified after she was born and he protected her. Then after he couldn’t protect her from the disease he tried to protect her in other ways. But even when his boss asked he couldn’t rob a struggling family. He could get someone else to do that, but not Lani. He was often mocked by his fellows as having ‘morals’. Thieves didn’t have morals, they did a job and got paid end of story. Lani raised a brow at Odion and laughed a little in shock and a little at the fact that he had just been called a twit. “Wow, I can honestly say, Odion, you are the first person ever to call me a ‘twit’.”

Lani honestly couldn’t be afraid of someone caring so gently for a kitten and smiling at it. The blue eyes stuck Lani’s and for a moment Lani sat uncomfortable feeling as though Odion could see his soul. He shrugged, “They’re fine, thanks for asking.” He looked back down at the kittens as they gaped at him and mewed for food. Odion’s rambling threw all assumptions that Odion had a cold heart out of the question. As much as he tried to hide it Lani could see that there was indeed a soft heart hidden behind all those walls and all those spines. Lani stayed silent for a while watching Odion. He was thinking about Rhett again, wasn’t he? That joker that constantly overshadows Odion’s thoughts, Odion had to let him go, but Lani didn’t know how to tell him that without either starting a fight or making Odion feel just like he did a few nights ago when he had launched that pocket watch at him. Lani frowned, “We can’t keep them anyways, I know I don’t know the first thing about kittens, I don’t know about you. But Hammel won’t let us keep them anyways.” He looked hard at Odion, “Is there a shelter around here?” Focus, he thought at Odion. Lani honestly didn’t know because he had never had to go looking for one.

[Odion Martins]

When Odion used his powers, he didn’t make the decision on whether it was safe to do so or not. Whether to himself or those around him. Either way, he could control who he brought with him while time travelling, and so far, that had only been Lani. He wasn’t sure if it had been safe to bring the blonde, but again, he hadn’t thought about how Lani would feel until the deed was done. He didn’t think Lani’s powers could be that different. The only question was whether his power could overcome Lani’s powers. Could he still stop time if Lani was trying to levitate him? It wasn’t something he was too worried about. The worst that could happen was a broken bone or something like that, and Odion, while not looking for pain, wasn’t totally opposed to it if it was worth it.

Not having a family wasn’t something to envy.

Unaware of Lani’s mental capacity to touch the felines, Odion kept to himself and the kitten he was attending to. It was all he could do now. As much as he wanted to go back in time and save these creatures, what was meant to be dead, should stay dead. Otherwise, things could turn out very differently. Someone else could die. Maybe he did have a natural sense of responsibility after all. Odion hadn’t been near death’s face, other than recently. He wasn’t thinking about his own life at this moment though, and that was probably for the best. “Darla and Mimi,” Odion said, finally looking at the dead cats, “that’s what I’m naming them.” He didn’t really care what Lani had to say about that, Odi just thought they deserved a little respect, and something to remember them by. Odion had a serious look on a face, because it was the closest thing to crying he was willing to do. He looked at Lani as he inquired about the ginger’s health. Right, Lani actually cared about him now. Odion stared at Lani for a few more moments, a hint of a smile on his face, before saying, “More of the latter.” How sweet he is...

Thinking for a moment, Odion shook his head. “No, it’s not,” he lifted his hand to the kitten in his shirt and rubbed the tiny head with his thumb, “not everyone has good intentions.” He chose his words carefully. The ginger let himself be distracted by the tiny meows, and rubbed the critter behind its ears, successfully shutting it up. Lani wasn’t necessarily good, but maybe he was trying to be. Odion wasn’t sure yet. And there inlay the two’s difference – Odi would steal from a struggling family if it meant his own survival. The struggling family probably had more than he did anyways. Lani didn’t know about the ginger’s life in Europe, and just how poor, poor meant. This wasn’t the only time Odion had been so skinny, so, skeletal. It was just by choice this time. Odion may have been more of a thief than Lani in that regard. Odion smiled broadly at Lani, suppressing a laugh. “Hero, Lani, Twit, it’s all the same thing,” he said, raising a finger, “and, I doubt you have a lot of European friends.” He was blabbing. And he was admitting they were friends. Fabulous.

Odion always found it curious when people didn’t have much to say about their families. Even through others, he had no idea what a real family was like. It was really too bad no one could shed some light for him on the subject. Maybe people simply didn’t take in the details about seemingly mundane things in their lives. Odion made sure everyone knew he didn’t have a heart. Unfortunately, he wasn’t very successful in convincing Lani. Not that he really knew about that. He thought that Lani knew that Odion cared a little bit, but would never tell just how much he cared about certain things. Odi could feel those grey eyes bearing into him, and he flushed in anger, still looking at the ground. It wasn’t fair that Rhett had to come barreling into every new moment he tried to have. But he wasn’t sure if he regretted coming for Rhett or not. “You knew to clean them,” Odion said through gritted teeth. He wasn’t trying to be mean, it just came out that way. He was actually pointing out to Lani that he knew less than the blonde about animal care. Odion shrugged. His pointer finger went up to scratch the little one nestled into his collarbone, like a makeshift bed. “I think I’m keeping him.” He didn’t care if Lani opposed. He knew he wouldn’t rat Odion out. Odion looked at Lani, a dare in his eyes. Just try. Little did Odion know that this was only to spite Rhett. Because obviously, he hated the kitten he was slowly falling in love with.

Wanting to forget about the predicament they were in with the kittens, Odion tried to switch the subject. He didn’t care how abrupt it was. “Are you going to let me help you with your powers, or not?” He just came right out and said it. He wanted to know what Lani was thinking about that and he didn’t want to keep waiting. They didn’t have to right now, but Odi wanted to know if Lani had taken him seriously or not.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani hadn’t quite decided whether or not he liked time traveling. It certainly hadn’t done good things for his stomach. He might not have thrown up when Odion was around but halfway through the night, or rather the day, he woke with that strange knowing feeling. He had gotten up and stared at his pale face in the mirror for a moment before his stomach emptied. He had been so miserable after that that after he had practically drunken mouth wash he curled up in his bed and didn’t leave it for the remainder of the day. He hadn’t quite thought of how his power would mix with Odions, mostly because he hadn’t given training very much thought. Lani shook his head at his own thoughts. As much as he claimed he would rather do without the connections if he lost his family there wouldn’t be a Lani to find because he would be so destroyed he’d probably just avenge his family and then join them.

Lani had been lost in his own thoughts so that when Odion declared the cat’s names all he could do was utter a “Huh?” He looked at Odion as he named them. He frowned and looked back at the cats. He didn’t want to leave them out in the open but he couldn’t think of anything to do with them, they didn’t have the means to bury them and the best he could think of would be to put them under a bush. But then again, nature had called them and perhaps they would feed the buzzards or something. A morbid thought but not the worst thing that had passed Lani’s mind in the past few moments. He looked at Odion waiting for an answer. Odion looked at him and answered. Lani chuckled lightly and shook his head. “Well I suppose that’s something. We’ll have to get you a cheeseburger or something later.” He wasn’t sure how Americanized this European was but for Lani there was nothing better than a grilled burger to make life just a little better.

It was a lame excuse when he said it and he looked up at Odion shocked that he was going to argue with him about this. He knew Odion was right. He knew that more than anyone. He frowned and occupied his attention with the kittens while he considered an answer. “True,” he shrugged and rubbed the tabby’s head, “But good intentions don’t always make something good.” What was it that people said? ‘The road to Hell is paved with good intentions’. It was true that when it came down to it Lani had never experienced starvation or poverty. He had experience desperation, but that was different. That was caused by the drive to save his sister. Lani had never thought about it, but he had done very few things in life for himself after that final change for his sister. Now look at him, a thief with an addiction to helping people. Lani looked at Odion exaggerating a sour look. “I’m glad you can name antonyms.” He gave Odion a glare but the smile on his lips ruined his menacing image. Lani laughed a little and shook his head at Odion’s assumption. “Not quite, but then he never called me a twit.” Dalton, that old man. Where was he now? Lani had betrayed him and now the old man was nowhere to be found, Lani still hadn’t gotten over that guilt.

The kittens complained but somewhere between the warmth of Lani’s body heat and the scratches on the head they quieted and slipped into sleep. They were adorable and Lani found himself really wanting to keep them. But what would he do with kittens? He looked up at Odion startled by the anger in his voice. He couldn’t quite tell who the anger was directed at but he bit his tongue to keep himself from making a sharp remark. “So I knew one thing about kittens,” Lani said exasperatedly, “that’s honestly all I got.” Why did Odion think he had all the answers? That was a silly question; of course Odion didn’t think he had all the answers. If anything it felt like most of the time Odion was determined to make Lani feel like a dumb blond. Lani looked up shocked by Odion’s decision. “You can’t be serious? How will you feed it, wash it, train it?” He stared right back at Odion’s dare rising to the bait. “Besides what will you do with a cat? Other than get that kitten put in a shelter when you get caught.” He wasn’t sure what Odion was playing at with this bold decision. It was a lot harder to hide a cat that people thought. He looked down at the kittens in his arms. As tempting as it was he knew it would be better for them to be with people who knew what they were doing. He needed to shut down the names swimming around in his head before he got attached.

“What?” Lani blurted in shock. He felt like he had been walking along and suddenly jerked on his collar. That was a blatant changing of the subject if Lani had ever heard one. Caught completely off guard Lani groped for a response to that. “You really want to talk about that now?” He rolled his eyes and poorly suppressed groan. “We kind of have a more important matter on hand,” Lani said ignoring the question. “Like what we’re going to do with these kittens, for example.” He didn’t want to talk about this now, mostly because he didn’t want to have to make a decision yet, partially because the kittens were a major distraction but mostly because of the decision. In reality it was a small victory that Lani didn’t immediately shoot the idea down this time. It wasn’t quite a step in the right direction, but more of a shuffle in the general direction.

[Odion Martins]

Odion had to wonder what it felt like for Lani to time travel. He was used to it by now, and he was curious as to what his first passenger thought of the experience. Of course, he probably wouldn’t get to ask Lani until much later. Other than that gut wrenching feeling, Odi wanted to know – what was it like to relive the past? Or was that just something he thought about on his own? Oddly, Odion wanted to know everything about Lani, even the parts Lani didn’t seem to understand, because maybe, Odi could help.

Apparently Odion didn’t care about a lot of things today, mainly what Lani thought of him. That’s what he kept telling himself anyways. Lani was important, but he didn’t need to know he was such in Odi’s mind. The ginger paled slightly at the mention of greasy food, and instead of saying no thanks, decided on a different route. He perked up as though the comment had made his day, and he grinned softly. “Sounds like you’re planning a date,” he said, mirth in the pools of his eyes. All part of the act. This was easier than trying to deal with death. Trying to deal with the cats. Or trying to deal with how he should deal with Lani. Odion knew that Lani was with Adrianna, and really he was only teasing the blonde. He also wasn’t after his girlfriend, she was beautiful, but she wasn’t really his type. Odion had never really liked brunets. Food simply wasn’t something he was interested in.

And there he went again, Lani said one thing and almost immediately gave in when Odion pointed out the obvious. He chuckled at the thought, or was it due to Lani? “Thank you for the encore Captain Obvious.” He hadn’t expected Lani to agree with him, but really he should stop teasing the blonde. He knew he could annoy Lani if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to so soon. Of course what Lani said was the subtext of what Odion was trying to say, only that Lani wasn’t directing it to himself. Odion’s eyes sparkled a bit as he decided that eventually, Lani would catch on. He smirked at Lani, “I’m glad you’re all those things!” he said with a wave of his hand, a grand gesture of appreciation. Mockingly, of course. “Consider yourself special then.” Odion laughed again and shook his head. Lani could be his twit any day.

The kitten seemed to be getting warmed up, and the next thing Odi wondered about was when it would open its eyes. “It was more than me mate,” his voice was starting to simmer down, “the rest I’ll find on the internet or something.” Odion had just given Lani the option to opt out if he didn’t want to be a part of this big mess called life. Odi had found something to stick up for other than himself for once, and it seemed a shame to just drop it off at some shelter. Who knew what would happen to the kittens after that anyways. Odion broke a bit as Lani offered him a cold dish of reality. “How the fuck should I know?” He sighed, feeling a little sad, but no less determined. His eyes softened into a grin. “I never get caught.” Rhett had chosen a dog, a cat was something very different. It wouldn’t need to go on walks, etcetera. Odion could try time travelling with it, although he wasn’t sure how well that would turn out. “Just give me a shot.” He wasn’t asking Lani for permission, he was trying to let him in. “I can be crazy cat boy or something.” Odion smiled in spite of himself, imaging a very old, very grey version of himself, surrounded by many cats. Yeah, that sounded just about right.

This was how Odi enjoyed watching Lani – squirming and being real. “Why else would I ask?” Odion gulped hard, a bit offended that Lani was rolling his eyes about this. Either he didn’t take himself seriously, or he thought what Odi was suggesting was a joke. “I didn’t mean right now idiot, god, for all the tricks you have up your sleeve you really don’t know how to have a conversation.” Odion sucked in a breath of air, fighting the urge to just stand up and leave Lani right this moment. He pulled at the growing grass, ripping it out blade by blade. Being with Lani was like walking on broken glass. You never knew when you were going to get cut. “Maybe I can stop your power, if something goes wrong...” he mumbled, trying to play the pity card on Lani. It was for his own damn good.

Standing up slowly, Odion clutched the kitten in its place by his neck, but he wasn’t ditching Lani. “Come on then, we have some milk to find for these guys.” Just like that, Odi would change the subject to his liking.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani would probably be beyond surprised that he was the first person to travel back in time with Odion. He would have through Rhett would have had that benefit. He hadn’t thought much about the actual travel since that night focusing more on what he had been shown. Did Odion go back a lot? Was he reliving those memories over and over again? Lani looked at Odion a little bit of concern making his brows come together. He had to admit that it was nice to have someone know at least part of his secret. He at least didn’t have to hide that part. So long as Odion never figured out the other part things would go well from here. Lani had an overly optimistic view of his future. He wasn’t expecting to get out of this without a mark but if he could get through it without hurting anyone else he would be grateful. Lucky even.

Lani really was clueless. Maybe Odion and him should switch roles. Though Lani did a good job of stating the obvious and being rather clueless. Blood rushed to Lani’s cheeks and he ducked his head. He hadn’t even thought that his offer might have been interpreted like that. He risked peak at Odion and shook his head avoiding those blue eyes. Odion’s joke pulled a laugh out of Lani, but he was mostly laughing at his own expense. “Too bad I’m taken,” he pointed out with mock disappointment. Take that, he thought at Odion an impish smile growing on his face. If they were going to play this game Lani was not going to be left in the dirt. For some reason even knowing Odion’s sexuality flirting and joking around didn’t bother him like he always assumed it would. Most of his avoidance of the subject was due to his own uncertainty. But then, he was with Adrianna, didn’t that mostly clear up that question?

He shot a soft glare in Odion’s direction in amusement. He scratched the kitten’s dead and hummed at them. “But where would I be without my Lieutenant Clueless?” He grinned at Odion jumping on this opportunity to get a jab at him. “You should have a little faith in people,” he added. Not like he was much better. He was more likely to believe the worst and be pleasantly surprised when he was wrong. But these were adorable kittens. Who could have not helped them? “I’ll rephrase though,” he said holding up a finger, “Anyone with a heart would have done the same thing.” Lani wasn’t about to give into that assumption. Besides he liked to think he wasn’t someone who was a good person. He did too much wrong for that, made too many mistakes. Lani raised a brow at Odion’s kind gesture, if it was kind. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head as he realized again Odion was teasing him. He freed a hand and swatted at him. He didn’t actually hit Odion but he was sure it got his point across. “Lucky me,” he said unable to hold back a laugh. “Fine. Haha, you’re hysterical.”

Lani grinned a little and nodded. “Yeah I’m sure Google knows.” In this day and age anything could be found on the internet. But one thing Lani refused to get on the bandwagon about was facebook and smartphones. He didn’t like the idea that his phone could be called smart, all he needed was a way to make phone calls and he was good. It made disappearing easier too. He looked at Odion his eyes taking in every detail. Something was happening here, something deeper than the surface. The determination that came out when Lani offered problems surprised him. Why was this so important to Odion? Lani wasn’t going to back down in that he thought this was a bad idea. More surprising was Odion’s next sentence. How strange, it wasn’t like he was asking permission. It was more like asking him to believe that the redhead could do it. He raised a hand yielding in this argument. “Alright, crazy cat boy. If you think you can handle it. But you know you need to take care of yourself as well.” Perhaps this was just the opportunity Lani needed to get Odion to start taking care of himself again. Taking care of cats might help. But. This was still a terrible idea. “What are you going to name him then?”

“I just don’t see why this is so important to you?” Lani said getting on the defensive. He looked at Odion’s face still unsure of why he was getting so upset about it. He narrowed his eyes at the redhead. “Right now? It sounded like you wanted a yes or no answer,” he hissed then took a breath calming himself. He added in a softer voice. “You don’t know what you’re asking. It isn’t like it’s going to be fun. Can you even imagine what it’s like…” He swallowed his voice getting soft as he realized the real vulnerable and scared Lani was slipping out from behind the mask, “what kind of guilt I would have to endure if you got hurt.” He looked at Odion his grey eyes soft as he tried to press upon Odion the understanding that Lani felt he was missing. What was he supposed to do, hope when he flung Odion in the air he wouldn’t fall and get hurt? The kittens mewed and he reached up to scratch them but didn’t take his eyes off of Odion. Lani had to admit he was feeling bad about it now that Odion was picking at the grass and looking pitiful. But he was not going to back down. He shook his head. “Maybe…” He sighed, “That’s the problem, Odion, maybe just isn’t good enough.” As much as Lani hated it Odion playing the pity card was working. He closed his eyes and rested his cheek on the soft fur of the kittens. “Look, I’m thinking about it, I just haven’t made any decisions yet.”

There that was as much of the truth as Odion was going to get at the moment. Lani let his mask down long enough to let Odion see how much this idea scared him shitless. He could only hope Odion would understand. Odion stood and for a moment Lani thought he was going to be left there. He nodded and rose to his feet careful not to jostle the kittens. He grabbed his bag with his power and grabbed the strap putting it over his shoulder. “Where are we gonna find milk for kittens?” He wondered aloud. He looked back at the mother and child and closed his eyes and his power gently lifted the lifeless forms and nestled them under the bushes. Once they were placed his power recoiled uncomfortably and he felt a little dirty. “Hey Odion,” he called falling in step with the redhead, “There’s something you should know. I met someone the other day and not to worry you but… she can hear everything, so…” He shrugged trying to play it off, he didn’t really want to talk about how he had almost leveled her or how she was almost blackmailing but Odion deserved to know that nothing was safe here on campus.

[Odion Martins]

It just never made sense to bring Rhett back in time with him. What would be the purpose? Rhett had been with him for most of the time. When he hadn’t been, Odion was just depressing, and for some reason the ginger thought Rhett wouldn’t want to see that. He thought Rhett would become afraid, or see how needy Odi could be sometimes. Lani needed to see what Odion had been through because it was too long of a story to tell, and Odi wasn’t a fan of storytelling. Lani knew without Odion having to say a single word, and it was a clearer picture anyways. Honestly, Odion wasn’t reliving the memories. As tempting as that would be, it just wouldn’t change reality. And he didn’t want to use his powers to be with Rhett, because even Odion knew relationships weren’t supposed to be that way. Not meaningful ones anyways. But just like Odi’s reality, Lani couldn’t run away from his for very long.

Nodding a few times, Odion was left grinning a smile that pulled into his dimples. Really? That was the best Lani could come up with? “Too bad for who?” He asked just as slyly. “We can go anyways, but I’m not having a hamburger.” He made a mock puking face and let the subject lie. Odi didn’t mind flirting with Lani, it was harmless really. And the blonde was rather attractive, though that probably wasn’t somewhere the time controller’s thoughts should be going. It wasn’t like that mattered in the long run anyways. Like Lani stated, he was taken, and that was that. For now. However, it wasn’t Odion who was blushing.

“I am not as clueless as you are obvious,” Odion said, trying to make Lani stumble over the words. That, and Odi liked arguing over pointless things. The ginger couldn’t ignore the possessive pronoun though – my. Lani saw him as his Lieutenant Clueless, and for that, a tinge of red struck Odion’s face. “I don’t have faith in people generally,” Odion said lightheartedly, though the statement was partly true. “You should take your own advice though.” Having faith in others required trusting them, and that wasn’t something Odi threw around like playing cards. Trust was valuable, and given only to those that deserved it and had proven themselves. Odion had little to no faith in the human race. Because people thought it made sense to send money overseas to starving people, when there’s starving people in their own neighbourhoods. The kittens between them were a different story entirely.

“So you’re saying we both have hearts?” Odion asked very seriously, before breaking into peals of laughter. Yes, he was trying very damn hard to assure himself that he didn’t have a heart that could be broken. It didn’t make sense for either to them to have hearts. It just wasn’t an easy conclusion to accept. Yes they saved the kittens, but that didn’t really mean they had hearts made of gold. Did it? Lani reached out to swat Odion, and the redhead only laughed more, his eyes crinkling. Whatever point Lani was trying to make, it went right over Odi’s head. Why was Lani always agreeing with him now? It was very strange. Odion wiped at his eyes and sniffed hard, laughing just a bit more before speaking. “I told you, that you’re lucky I mean,” he winked at Lani, “and I know, I’m a riot.” See, there really was a softer, charming side to Odion.

Shrugging, Odion matched Lani grin for grin. “I’ll trust Google before anyone else.” It was a matter of fact. A sad one, that someone would trust a machine over a person, but it was so. Odi didn’t have a FaceBook or any of that rubbish. He only had a cell phone, and even that was often left in his room, charging for hours on end even though the battery was full. He simply forgot about it most of the time. Odion temporarily went cross-eyed as Lani raised his hand in front of his face, before concentrating on the other’s eyes. He smirked, “Yeah you’re right, I guess I need to live if I’m going to have a pet.” He pet his new friend on its back, a distinct, small purr coming forth. Maybe the little guy really did like Odion. Or maybe it just didn’t know any better. Odion thought about a name for a moment, though it had been brewing in his mind for a while now. The answer was obvious. “L.J.” His lips quivered into a smile as he held Lani’s eyes. “What are you doing with those two?” He asked, nodding at LJ’s brothers. If Lani said shelter one more time, Odion was going to have to take all three of them in. Are you with me or not?

“I don’t see why it’s not important to you,” Odion snapped, intruding on Lani’s defenses. Although this approach didn’t seem to work. Getting into someone’s face wasn’t always the way to go. Not everyone was Rhett. In fact, Lani was nothing like Rhett. LJ was complaining on Odion’s shoulder, and the ginger consoled him into quietness again. Even the kitten could sense the hostility in the air. But Lani seemed to calm down at the same time Odion did, and Odi did his best to simply listen. However, Odion had never heard Lani so worried, or seen him look like the world was going to end. And that’s when they started interrupting each other and speaking at the same time. “...doesn’t have to be right now... I know it won’t be fun... I have powers too you know...” And that’s when Odion stopped. The look on Lani’s face said he wasn’t bluffing – he really would be guilty over hurting Odi. Odion swallowed hard. He had asked so abruptly to get the truth out of Lani, and that’s exactly what happened. He was pushing Lani, but it was because he wanted him to grow. He cared about the blonde in his own way. Odion didn’t think Lani cared about him that much though. Odion didn’t think he was invincible or anything, but now he was questioning himself – why was he willingly putting himself in harm’s way when he never had before? “I understand now,” he said, because Lani wasn’t a mind reader, and he needed to know he was understood. He didn’t want to hurt Odi. For that, Odion had full faith in him. He looked back at Lani with a winning smile. “We’ll just have to test it out first, something small will do.” They had to try the smaller things before they ruled out the bigger stuff, like levitation. Odion’s eyes lingered on Lani as the blonde nestled into the kittens. Why did he have to do that? Odion could practically feel himself melt.

Truth really didn’t set you free, it just made things more complicated. “Take some from the grocery store, obviously,” he said with a grin. Odion didn’t have any money on him, but that really wasn’t a big deal. “But the cafeteria is closer, that works too.” Odion tried his best not to limit his possibilities. It was a good thing Odion didn’t see the thoughtful deed Lani did for the dead cats. Odion wouldn’t have been able to handle it. He had honestly forgotten about those two by now. Odi was happily petting LJ between the silence. He looked sideways at Lani as he spoke. He smiled softly, “I’m not worried,” he poked Lani in the side, “I think you are though.” Odion had no idea what Lani was talking about, but he really didn’t pay it close attention. It was sweet that Lani was trying to keep him in the light though. People had all kinds of interesting powers here, and not a lot of anything was safe. That’s why it was better not to interact with people.

As they walked on, Odion suddenly felt LJ playing with something on his neck. “Ow! That hurts you little...” And Odi’s voice trailed off as he removed the chain of the pocket watch from LJ’s mouth. His blue eyes grew darker as he glared at Lani. Had Lani done that on purpose? Or had the emotionally invested conversation a few moments ago cause his powers to find the watch and magically unlock the clasps to put it around Odion’s neck?

[Lani Hunter]

Memories were strange creations. Odion would probably always be able to verify a memory but for people without time control they had to trust their memories were accurate. Lani knew that there were some memories of his that were not quite accurate from added or missed details. The mind was an unreliable truth but then there were times when it was the only reliable truth. Maybe that was why powers of the mind were so complicated. No one knew with certainty what the mind was, whether it was a physical object or nonphysical but had interactions with the body. It was all terribly confusing and Lani would rather not think about that kind of philosophy today. Either way memories could fool just as well as the eyes and ears could. Taitum had one thing right; they were gods, trapped in mortal bodies, these fragile constantly deteriorating bodies.

Lani raised a brow and forced himself not to think about the dimples. Adrianna didn’t have dimples, but the happiness that shown in her brown eyes when she did smile was wonderful. It was different than the light that lit Odion’s eyes. Odion’s eyes were sharp and aware of everything, Adrianna’s were warm and welcomed everything in. Now why he was comparing their eyes Lani didn’t really know. Lani grinned back at Odion letting him take this victory because he knew anything he said at this point would get turned back on him. “Don’t like them?” Lani laughed a little, “But it’s so good a huge hunk of beef covered in grease and stuff,” he said going into detail due to Odion’s gagging expression. “I’m sure these guys would like a burger… well eventually when they are older.”

“It’s not a matter of degree so much as a matter of kind,” Lani said waggling a finger at Odion. He was glad to say that he thought he was getting better at keeping up with Odion’s mind games. Though he really had to stop saying things that only made sense to his mind, like the fishing comment. It had made sense until he had said it out loud. The kittens made an adorable coo and Lani was so distracted by their adorable faces that he missed Odion’s reaction. He was so taken by these little guys. They should be opening their eyes sometime soon and he was really excited to see their little eyes. He looked over at Odion and smiled a little, they were like two peas in a pod really. Lani’s eyes grew big and he looked into Odion’s eyes as if trying to find something. “Do you have faith in me?” He asked his voice curious but otherwise not giving away any emotion. He was trying to turn to tables on Odion let him squirm for once. Lani grinned and shook his head. “Bah, I just spout this stuff out.” He laughed a little at himself, follow his own advice, what a new idea. Lani was probably guilty of ‘practice what you preach’ far more than anyone.

Lani gave Odion a sour look and shook his head but unable to keep from joining him in laughter. “Well, considering we’re both alive right now,” Lani said with a shrug. Lani huffed a little occupying himself with the kittens. “I get no respect,” he told them, “But don’t tell him I told you but he’s really a big softie.” He rolled his eyes in Odion’s direction then back to the kittens. “After you get past the spikes of course,” he added with a chuckle. His smile was wide and his humor filled eyes sparkled at Odion. He seemed to recover a little and Lani raised brow, “You good?” He asked teasingly. He grinned toothily, this was good to see Odion laughing like that. Unrestrained and free, it was almost as if slowly he was gaining back whatever it was that Rhett took with him when he left. After seeing Odion so torn down it was a relief to hear that laugh. He shook his head chuckling a little. He rolled his eyes exaggeratedly and shook his head. Silly Odion.

“Hear, hear,” Lani said in agreement, “All praise master Google.” He raised an invisible glass into the air. “May our overlord be ever kind and ever gracious.” He joked. It was true, Google was one mad scientist away from taking over the world. It was kind of scary but in the end no one was going to stop it if it happened because no one would know it was happening. Yeah, Lani did spend a little too much time reading up on conspiracy stories. Lani smiled glad Odion agreed with him. In that case Lani was all for keeping the cat, besides with their good friend Google, how could he go wrong. Oh dear, this was such a terrible idea and he couldn’t believe that he was going along with it. “L.J.? What does that mean?” He asked curiously. Lani sighed and looked down at the black and tabby cats. “This is still a bad idea,” Lani said, “But I suppose LJ would be lonely without them.” He paused for a few moments before adding, “Darshay and Shadow.” He said spontaneously picking the names as they came into his mind. “The black one Shadow and the tabby Darshay.”

“It is important to me,” Lani protested unsettled by the fact they were arguing about this. “Ow,” Lani hissed a little when little nails pricked into his neck. The kittens were not happy about this fight and neither was Lani. Why was Odion fighting with him about this? It wasn’t his power. Lani was looking at the kittens as he spoke and as his and Odion’s words started to mesh he looked up at Odion a little put off but at the same time trying to let him see just a little of what he was worried about. Lani didn’t like to be pushed, he usually pushed back when he was pushed. If Odion had asking him why he cared so much it would have been a hard subject boiled down to that that was just what Lani did. Lani cared and Lani worried. Lani wasn’t a violent person, he hated to hurt people, of course unless he was provoked or the other person really had been asking for it. He sighed and rubbed is eyes with his free hand looking away from Odion convinced that the redhead wasn’t getting it. His eyes snapped back to Odion. “What?” He blurted as though he hadn’t heard him right. He nodded slowly and slowly like a phantom put his mask back on. Now Odion knew the real Lani and the mask was just a comforting piece of clothing. He groaned a little and sighed. “Fine.” He looked back at Odion unable to stay angry or upset when he was smiling like he was. “But one accident and it’s over.” He said not allowing for room to argue on that issue.

Lani nodded and scratched the kitten’s heads. “You think that milk will be good for them?” He asked warily. A chill ran the length of Lani’s spine and his power practically cowered in his mind so unsettled by what it had just touched that it twisted and howled in his mind like a wounded animal. It reached out for something familiar. He winced a little as the pounding headache became a stabbing one. Ok, he was never doing that again. Ever. Lani grinned, he had half expected his warning to be blown off. He just really hoped if Odion ever ran into this girl he wouldn’t have quite the tongue lashing that Lani had. But then again they might be friends, both wanted him to tell Adrianna about his job. Oh well, that was not going to happen. “I worry about everything,” Lani said dismissively. Lani had been altogether peeved that now he had to watch his tongue, his thoughts, and his emotions he would much rather go out into the wilderness somewhere and scream. “Bitch has a temper too.” Oh how much he hoped she had heard that. She had to be the first person in a terribly long time to truly get on Lani’s bad side.

The kittens mewed and a tongue touched his neck again. He looked down and grinned at the kittens. He scratched Darshay’s ears and the kitten rubbed its head against his collarbone. Shadow squeaked loudly as if he knew Darshay was getting more attention. So Lani obliged them and alternated. He smiled sweetly at them and he glanced up at Odion when he exclaimed. He beamed at Odion but the glare the redhead gave him was positively deadly. Lani looked at the chain and realized now what his power had been up to when he had felt something familiar. Lani drew in a breath and started to find a way out of this. “I’m sorry,” he began, starting with the safest phrase. “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t even know what it was doing. I mean I knew, but it just… does this stuff sometimes.” Stupid emotionally parasitic power. His power was now even more interested in the chain now that Lani was interested in the chain. It felt it and made the chair act as if it were a snake in Odion’s hand wrapping around it and coiling up his arm. “Stop it,” Lani snapped under his breath with a sharp jerk of his head. It was the best way Lani found to control it when it got like this. The chain fell limp and Lani looked into Odion’s eyes. “You went back and got the pocket watch didn’t you?” Lani asked, but he already knew the answer he could feel the pocket watch now. He tried to keep judgment out of his voice but a little disappointment slipped into it.

[Odion Martins]

It was funny to not trust people. Not funny haha, but funny because Odion didn't have to. Not when he could simply go back and time for verification. It helped him with memorization, and studying people. One of his favorite pass times. Thing was, people often made up their memories. What they want to remember, or not. This is why Odion is the man behind the scenes, taking notes in the shadows for future reference - to see who's lying. Maybe it wasn't intentional, but lies were always true for Odi. All of this wasn't very philosophical for Odion, rather, it was fact. It was why he could see past people, see through their facades and straight into their hearts.

Odion would be hard pressed to read minds though, and he had no idea that Lani was comparing his eyes to his girlfriend's. He would question that immensely though, if he were Lani of course. Shivering in disgust at the description of the burgers, Odi shook his head. "That's the problem with people here, they can't tell the difference between human food and cat food." Odion frowned slightly, though his eyes still grinned. "I am not a cat."

Odion didn't expect Lani to have a retort, and for once, the ginger remained speechless as Lani waved his finger about. Damn. Lani really was getting better at keeping up with him. Odion wasn't sure whether that was a problem or not, considering they hadn't spent very much time together. What did that say about either of them? Odion shruged at the next question. Why did Lani want to know? He was probably mentally weighing out the situation, like Odion was. "I have as much faith in you as you do in me." There, that would throw Lani through the meat grinder again. Truly, Odion had faith in Lani. He wouldn't be trying to help the blonde harness his powers if he didn't. But he wasn't about to say so to Lani. He didn't deserve to hear something like that so directly. It was too meaningful.

Watching Lani tell the kittens his 'secrets', Odion kept laughing, though it was very fake. For some reason, he thought that what Lani was saying, behind the rolling eyes, had a hint of truth. If Lani really believed what he was saying, and Odi wasn't sure if he was or not, what he was saying was true. So true, it scared Odi a bit to think about Lani knowing the real him. He really was a porcupine. He could put his spikes down and be cute and fun when he wanted to be, but otherwise, everyone better watch out for the spikes. He had half a mind to throw something at Lani, but the only thing available was his shirt, and that had the kitten inside. Odi didn't mind being teased, because he could play with anything. But, he didn't like being teased when it actually affected him. "Very good thanks," he said, ending his laughter with a grin. Today promised to be good.

Raising his fake glass in toast to Google, Odion 'tipped' his towards Lani's and said in a happy, high pitched voice, "Tink." It was an attempt to be funny and make the noises to go with toasting glasses, but it would probably just end up being awkward. Not that Odi would notice. When Lani questioned the cat's name, Odion decided not to say anything. It would come to him, what the letters stood for. Maybe. "Good, I'm glad we're in agreement," he said, glancing at the two kittens in Lani's shirt. He could see the glistening in their eyes as they began to open. "I could've guessed who was who, idiot," he said, but the smirk on his face said it was all in good fun. When it came to the kittens anyways.

Odion scoffed. "Could've fooled me," he stated as both boys struggled with their unhappy cats, like a couple of parents with crying babies. The words in the conversation mixed, but Odion was getting more truth than he had bargained for. It was making his head hurt. Odion's eyes grew bigger as Lani reacted. All Odi could do was blink and try to recollect himself. Lani wasn't the only one who was getting the final verdict. "You're not going to get anywhere on your own." Odion said with a kind of finality. That wrapped everything up nicely, including Lani's question of what. Lani could argue this to the moon and back, but the facts were clear. Lani had helped Odion when he thought he could do things by himself, and look how well that turned out. If Lani wanted to succeed, then maybe it was time to put a little of his own faith in someone else. Besides, he needed somebody strong. Adrianna didn't fit the bill.

"I don't really know, I've always heard that they love milk." It was a stereotype that Odion was hoping was true. It was make for one less search on Google. Didn't babies drink milk from their mothers for a while? Odion's head pounded with each heartbeat. "I know you worry about everything," Odion said. He remembered things that were important to him. Raising his eyebrows in Lani's direction, Odi smiled as he insulted this unknown female. "Oh, did I lose my place at the top of your Most Bitchy list?" It was a joke, because the better part of Odion didn't want Lani to worry about any troublesome girl. He wasn't always very good at joking, but it was the best way to show you cared without saying so. Part of Odion wanted to meet this girl, but another part didn't. Then too many people would know things about him. For once Odi was probably going to listen to Lani and stear clear of this wench.

And things were just starting to turn around. Odion would've thought Lani giving attention to the kittens adorable had his own kitten not grown a set of functional eyes. Something he wasn't excited about at the moment. Odion could feel his gut wrench before Lani could say anything, but he remained strong, pushing tears back into his eyes where they belonged. Lani was apologizing and speaking but most of it was just ringing in Odi's ears. Why was it that he seemed so susceptable to people he cared about, and their powers? He hadn't made the connection yet, but he would later. It was the same thing that happened with Rhett. He let people in, and the second he allowed them to affect him, he literally felt their powers, like they were stepping in time together. The thing that caught his attention, was the watch's chain as it slithered up his arm. He pursed his lips together and watched it carefully. Maybe he could pull himself together to make this the 'something small' Lani needed to work on. But he just couldn't understand why Lani was doing this to begin with. Maybe if the blonde had explained his powers more. The chain stopped crawling and Odion released his breath as the golden snake retreated into the ginger's palm. When had he stopped breathing? He put it back into his pocket, trying to control himself. "I don't want to yell at you, but I will if you don't shut the fuck up," he said, his voice level as they entered the school.

Odion wouldn't say a word, even once they arrived in the empty cafeteria. Nearly everyone was in class, but it wasn't anywhere near lunch time. He didn't wait for Lani to say or do anything. Odion reached into his shirt with one hand, grabbed Lani's with the other, and put LJ into Lani's hands. He couldn't stop time and get milk if the kitten was on him. He didn't know how LJ would react and he wasn't willing to find out. Stopping time and walking through it was like walking through a still life painting. Odion swooped into the kitchen, warmed some milk, found a few basters, and had it all in a stolen backpack in what for Lani would feel like not even a second. Usually when Odion did this, no one could feel the difference. He had total control because he was starting to put his masks back up again. Odion let time resume as he reached for LJ, putting the kitten back into his shirt. He left the cafeteria with the supplies and headed back outside to the man made pond. At least it was quiet there. There wasn't a reason to say anything to Lani, because if he wanted to feed the cats, he had to come. Odion was still extremely, and irrationally upset.

[Lani Hunter]

If there was a way to tell the truth and not give everything away Lani would love to hear about it. He was a skillful liar and a willing one. Usually the lying made things easier but when the truth was something better left in the dark it was all too easy for it to find its way into the light. So the web of lies became complex and deep and if one erred in their story people would catch on. Lani had to admit that sometimes it sickened him to know what kind of person he had become. What he was doing to Adrianna and even now to Odion, keeping part of his life in the shadows and letting his mask fall just enough to keep himself human. Maybe that was why he felt a little threatened my Odion. He wasn’t so easily fooled. That made him dangerous. Everything could come crumbling down and Lani was worried that when it did people would be caught in the crossfire as he tried desperately not to be crushed under his lies. But wasn’t that just what Lani did? Flirting with danger?

Lani really hoped that if the floodgates did break no one would be around to see him break. Oh well, he would just keep up this charade, it was easier. His greatest lie, his best mask. The one that even Lani didn’t really know what was behind. He had shut it down so completely so he wouldn’t have to deal with it. If he broke he really wasn’t sure what he would see behind that mask. He smiled, his expression not giving any hint to his thoughts. Lani laughed and shook his head at Odion. “You just don’t know what’s good,” he nodded a grin growing on his face, “I’m sure you’d like one if you had it cooked right.” Lani’s lips curled into an impish grin and looked at Odion as if in surprise, “You’re not?” He chuckled his eyebrows jumping in mock shock.

A smirk flashed on Lani’s face as he realized he had stumped his friend. He laughed his eyes squinting as his smile grew large. Lani was back on the scoreboard! He was a quick learner, albeit a stubborn one. His victory was short lived, as usual. Maybe he shouldn’t celebrate too soon. His laughter faded slowly as he realized he was again on the roped. No if he was going to beat Odion at anything he should make it some sport or something. It was clear who was superior in these mind games, though Lani couldn’t say he didn’t enjoy them. He didn’t have an answer for that so he just stared at Odion. He mulled over the implications. If Lani were to gauge it as the redhead bid him too this was going to be rather complicated. He had faith in Odion’s abilities and trusted very carefully what was said. But he wasn’t so sure he had faith that Odion was sane, after all why else would someone voluntarily be tossed around by an equally insane telekinetic. “Riddle me this,” he replied avoiding a direct answer.

Lani grinned at Odion’s laughter. It had an odd ring to it but Lani let it go as he cuddled with the kittens. It was clear who was going to be the bold one of the pair. Darshay was already nipping at his collar while Shadow just curled deeper into the shirt as if the world were too cold. He wondered when they would open their eyes, would it be hours or would it be days? It was moments like these he wish he knew more about animals. For some reason Odion with a cat just seemed right. He could be affectionate at times but other times it was cold aloofness. As he mock whispered at the kittens he watched Odion out of the corner of his eye. He really couldn’t tell whether or not Odion was annoyed or just laughing because it was all ridiculous. Well if Odion was in denial at least the felines would know the truth. “Good,” Lani nodded matching Odion’s grin.

He gave Odion a questionable look as he mimicked the sound of the glasses coming together. Yep, definitely crazy, Lani concluded. He forced a chuckle to easy the silence in the air. He huffed a little when his question was ignored. LJ, that really could be anything. Oh well, if Odion wasn’t going to tell him chances were it would be an uphill battle to try to figure it out. And if they were also going to engage in a battle about his powers training he wanted to save his patience, whatever there was of it, for that. He rolled his eyes a little but they rolled down at the kittens and he couldn’t smother a smile. “We are not in agreement,” Lani protested, “I’m doing this for LJ.” That was a lie, he wanted to keep the kittens just as much as Odion, he was just sure that this was going to end badly for them. Oh well. Lani wrinkled his nose at the word. He hated it when people called him an idiot. He was clueless, yes, and slow sometimes, yes, but no Lani was no idiot. “They’re gonna have to stay in your room.” Lani said decisively.

His tongue prepared to let loose a barrage of upon Odion for that comment. Lani was not going to let this get the better of him. With his power, once he harnessed it he was going to be unlimited. Completely unlimited, no one was going to hold him back; no one was going to bring him down. He was going to fly. If he could climb his way up there on his own that would be just icing on the cake. Odion was doing well trying to help and Lani appreciated it but Lani absolutely resented him when he said he couldn’t do it on his own. His eyes grew dark as he glared daggers at Odion. He didn’t want to accept that that was the end. He wanted to argue about this now. “Is that what you think?” He snapped, his heart intent on going to the moon and beyond with this argument now. No he would go through with it, he had already agreed to that. That didn’t mean he had to be happy about it. “Make no mistake, one day I’ll fly.” He declared with ferocious determination. He would with or without Odion’s help.

Lani shrugged, that answer was about as good as anything they had. Lani shrugged and gave him an innocent smile. Well now that that was established. That girl was going to be a thorn in his side, he could tell already. She was relentless even when Lani knew he was refusing to see her logic. It made sense to her, but not to him. For Lani telling Adrianna about this made about as much sense as swimming. He wouldn’t do it. Swimming was not enjoyable it was terrifying and he wouldn’t have any of it. Neither was telling his secrets. It was terrifying and there were too many unknowns. Then there was always the threat that she would tell someone else. His thoughts were interrupted by Odion’s joke. He laughed a smile sneaking back out. He shook his head, “She’s a close second.” He was grateful for Odion whatever he was doing. He wasn’t sure but it was distracting him and he needed a distraction right now. Lani swore he was going to destroy that girl if she even tried to start a pleasant conversation with Adrianna.

Then his power acted up. Why was it that nothing between them could just be relaxed and chill? Everything had to turn into something. So Lani grabbed the chain, it wasn’t on purpose. There it was. Odion was giving him that numb look, he was shoving everything back into his heart and building his walls so fast Lani could almost hear the workers. Lani knew why his mind was curling the chain but he wanted it to stop. Odion was still in Rhett’s chains. But he didn’t have to act that out with his power. Lani’s eyes widened and he bit his lip taken aback by the anger in the redhead’s voice. “Odion…” He began softly but he lost the nerve as Odion walked toward the school. He followed the weight of the guilt that he had done that unwillingly making his shoulders slouch. Now that they were in the school Lani zipped up his jacket a little to hide the kittens that were doing nothing to help them be sneaky. “I’m sorry I grabbed it. But why? Why did you go back for it?” He asked knowing he was probably goading Odion into a fight but even if he needed to take out his frustration on Lani, so be it. Perhaps he deserved it, after all this was his fault.

Lani barely had time to juggle the newly added kitten in his arms into a safe place before he blinked and Odion was back but he was suddenly in a different place with a bag on his shoulder. LJ was taken back and Lani was left standing there for a few moments confused and a little disoriented. He was never going to get used to that. He didn’t like to think that someone could freeze time like that. It stirred some memories that made his gut clench and he forced himself to rationalize with his stomach that he hadn’t traveled. He probably would never have known had he not been with Odion. He followed against looking down at the kittens hoping to find some consolation in them. Rather he was surprised. He was met by a pair of bright blue eyes. Oh that was just unfair, he thought at Darshay as it gave him a sweet little mew. Shadow blinked a few times showing yellow eyes before deeming the world too bright and squeezing them shut. Back at the pond and hesitated a few moment looking up at Odion hesitantly. “Hey, look,” he said with halfhearted enthusiasm, “She’s got your eyes.” He said trying to get him to look at Darshay’s eyes but really hoping that the red head would look at him and see the apology in his eyes as well.

[Odion Martins]

A good way to tell the truth and not give anything away, was to play it off as a joke, or laugh about it. Something these two young men are currently doing. You could always tell the truth, but no one would no depending on how you presented your words. Lying could be easy, so long as you could keep up with what you said to people. This is why Odion usually told people his name was Martin. It was something that remained consistent, and he wouldn’t forget who he told what. Lani may have been lying, and Odion may have been lying too, but maybe that was okay. Odion could be upset that Lani was keeping such a significant detail of his life to himself, and Odi would probably have a few choice words to say, but he would still understand. Because even though he was only seeing bits and pieces of Lani, underneath it all, he was just as human as Odion was. He always assumed people hid things anyways. If they couldn’t be read like a book, like Adrianna, then they were hiding something significant. Odion never took this for granted.

“Do I look like a cat to you?” He asked, unconsciously looking down at LJ, snuggled next to his neck. Odion grinned. The food was something he missed a lot about Europe. It wasn’t the thing he missed the most, but it was the second thing. The breads, the cheeses, oh my, Odi could just feel himself drooling from the imaginary smells of his favorite foods in his mind. “You make good burgers then? I didn’t know you were a chef,” he said, breaking his gaze from the cat to look Lani square in the eyes, capturing him in this moment. “I seriously doubt even you can convince me to eat a burger.” Rhett hadn’t been able to, and Lani sure as well wasn’t going to. Bread was one thing…

It was nice being around Lani. Most people couldn’t keep up with Odion mentally, and Lani wasn’t giving him a break. Not that Odion had given him one. The ginger smiled even broader than Lani as his laugher subsided. Lani was a fast learner, so why couldn’t he apply that to his powers? This only served to convince Odi that Lani could do something if only he set his mind to it. Still, Odi was glad to keep throwing Lani through tricky phrases, if only to see where he landed. It was nice not to have to pull out his tattered old deck of cards and amuse Lani with his card tricks. Actually, he hadn’t touched that old deck in a long time. Lani had kept him plenty occupied. Odion, however, wasn’t used to being stared at like he often stared at other people. Eyes were his favorite thing to look at, and Lani’s were quite intriguing. Flecks of gold danced around in the pools of grey, and Odion could see himself in them. A crooked grin crossed Odion’s face as the two found themselves at a standstill. There were many riddles to be solved, weren’t there?

The cats were just the ticket. Odion was truly tired of always being compared to a dog. It was time for something new to happen in his life. A new beginning if you will, though every beginning is new. Already Odi was falling in love with little LJ, and was excited to see what kind of personality he would have. So far, he seemed rather stunned with anything close to him, but at least he was a little playful. The perfect critter really. But Odion was comparing himself to LJ. He had already decided he was more cat-like a few days ago. Subconsciously, Odi was also excited to visit Lani and have a real excuse to do so. It saved a lot of awkward conversations.

Lani should be used to the uphill battle that was Odion, and everything about him, and everything he said. If Lani could see that Odi cared for him, then the kitten’s name would be obvious. Lani would eventually open his eyes, just like the kittens. “Call it what you like,” Odion said indifferently. Agreement, for LJ, it was the same thing in the end. And then Odion felt like time had stopped, but last time he checked, he hadn’t touched time. “Wait, what?” He stared at Lani in disbelief. “You want me to watch over all three of them?” Odion could feel his mouth hanging open, so he snapped it shut. Hopefully Lani wouldn’t notice. One thing was for sure though – Lani was absolutely insane. How was Odi supposed to take care of them all? Never mind finding room for them.

So maybe Lani couldn’t get a hold of his powers, because he was afraid to. If he would be so unlimited, why wouldn’t he learn how to harness it? Take what the teachers were saying to heart? Because he was a scared little boy behind all of his charades and masks. The only one holding him back, was himself. And Odion would have told him all this if he had even the slightest clue as to how powerful Lani could be. Odion could feel the resentment that Lani was trying to hold back, but the blonde’s eyes said it all. Truth was, Odi didn’t really care if Lani resented him. He raised his head a little, accepting Lani’s mental daggers. “It’s what I know,” Odion said, “if you could do it on your own, you would have already.” Odion didn’t doubt Lani’s individual ability, however he did doubt Lani’s motivation to grow. But it didn’t look like Lani was going to give up on the argument now, so Odion sighed. Time for a nugget of truth. “Look, you helped me, right? Why can’t I help you?” And that’s all Lani was getting.

You know what would be a fun field trip for these two? Skydiving into a lake. Odion was glad to keep his spot. And then the pocket watch.

Truth was, he didn’t hate Lani, it wasn’t his fault. He hated himself, for going to get the watch in the first place. It was like it had been calling him, taunting him. He couldn’t let go that easily. He wasn’t sure if he wanted Lani to know all this, know that he was covering his heart. He didn’t want to regret letting Lani in the walls, but now he was trying to shove him out. He bit his bottom him so hard that he tasted blood. He turned and walked into the school before Lani could see the tears in his eyes. He hated it, but Lani was doing the same thing to him – asking Odion to grow. Don’t pretend like you care. Odion thought as loudly as he could, for fear of speaking at all.

It was satisfying to see Lani so jostled by his powers. Odion was just as powerful, and Lani needed to remember that. Maybe that would prove to the telekinetic that Odion was fully capable of helping him with training. Because unlike some people, Odion had full control over stopping time and moving through the past. Most people didn’t know when Odion had pulled the cloak of time over their eyes. Odi had not been careful with his powers around Lani because he believed Lani could handle it. That, and he was going through emotional turmoil and didn’t feel like protecting Lani from his powers, like appearing in the same spot he had left the blonde.

The pond wasn’t as consoling as Odi hoped it would be. He had just settled back into the grass by the pond and taken out all of the feeding supplies. Lani spoke after a few moments, and Odion looked at his kittens. He was unwilling to see the resemblance. But then it dawned on him that the kittens eyes had opened, and he looked at LJ, a set of yellow cat eyes staring back at him. LJ looked at him, waiting to be fed. Odion smiled in spite of his broken heart, and handed a baster filled with milk to Lani without looking at him. “Because I loved him,” he had set his gaze on LJ as he tried to feed the kitten, “that’s why I went back. I always went back for him and he… well, you know the rest.” Odion hated Rhett so much. He was a vile person, and Odion wasn’t even in a place to judge. He rested the baster next to LJ’s mouth, who seemed quite interested and attacked the tip with both paws. Odi chuckled softly. Damn stupid adorable LJ.