"Hi" [Odion]

[Rhett Goddard]

Rhett easily found his way into Odion’s room. Now, he was never the best lockpicker, in fact Odion was far better and Rhett had taught him, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

The room was empty, of course, a fact Rhett already knew. The months away from Hammel had been, among many other things, very good to the growth of his powers. No, he couldn’t control them at will yet, but he had learned how to get answers to his questions if he tried hard enough. Specifically, he had noticed that when wanting to learn something about someone, holding an object that shared a connection to said person helped him, and his powers, focus on that person, bringing some piece of information about them. It unusually was what Rhett was trying to learn, but sometimes he was lucky and it was, such as this time, knowing Odion was not in his room, and more importantly, knowing he was already in his way back there. All just by holding strongly that silver bracelet Rhett still wore in his wrist.

Minutes, no, seconds was all Rhett had alone in Odion’s room, so he took total advantage of them. Leaning, he took Odion’s pillow from his bed and smelled it, putting a faint smile in his face. It still was just the same. It was still that same smell he remembered perfectly. He hugged the pillow and buried his face in it as deep as he could, letting the smell drown him, and for the smallest of moments, he felt drunk in it.

It was not enough, but it had to.

The locks clicked and by the time Odion opened his room’s door, the pillow was in its place, apparently untouched, and Rhett was standing in the middle of the room. His face was serious and cold, his hands were in his pockets and his eyes were staring directly at Odion.

"Hi." He plainly said.

[Odion Martins]

Things were going well. The year was slowly but surely coming to an end, and Odion had to say he was pleased. He had done a bit more work with his powers, mainly in the form of practicing with Lani, but still, it was something he hadn’t ever done before and therefore was an improvement. But school wasn’t something he had ever been concerned about to begin with.

He was glad that summers worked differently at Hammel. He wouldn’t be stuck here by himself for too long, and he had secret plans to visit Lani in Boston. Not a huge sacrifice for a good friend, or whatever he was calling Lani these days. He’d just have to find someone to watch the kittens, or maybe just put them into a pet care centre for a while.

Then there was Rhett. Not a day had passed that he wasn’t reminded of that blonde. They were never good thoughts. He hadn’t been gone too long, but the aftermath of his disappearance had nearly cost Odi his life. It had been over three months since he left, and Odion had spent at least two of those months crying, screaming, or some combination of the two, and drinking had been involved. Rhett left without saying goodbye, without giving a reason, and thus had abandoned Odi.

Today was a rather nice day. Odion was making his way back to Hammel, a backpack full of kitten food. He had that sharp look in his eyes, as usual, as he made his way through the school grounds and then through the dorms. His hand reached for the door knob, but he paused. Something was different, wrong. It was something familiar and yet unwelcome that made Odi’s stomach turn into knots. It wasn’t Lani sneaking around in his room, though it wouldn’t surprise the time turner to find Lani in such an act.

Odion wanted to run. It was what he was good at. His flight system was kicked into high gear, his nerves on high, but he walked into the storm solemnly. He wasn’t sure why he felt like this, but he would find out soon enough. Odi wasn’t such a coward anymore.

Walking into his room, Odion’s eyes snapped up to the one person he didn’t want to see. Ever again for that matter. His heart raced as a mix of emotions flooded his senses all at once. And all Rhett had to say was hi?

Odi slumped off his backpack, no longer looking at the blonde. Nothing in the world could have prepared him for this. At least the kittens managed to put a smile on his face. They had come out of hiding as soon as he arrived. LJ hissed at the stranger, and Odi laughed a little.

He couldn’t keep pretending like Rhett didn’t exist, though he was trying his damndest. Odi made to sit on his bed, looking up at Rhett’s grey pools for eyes. So much like Lani’s. Odion didn’t know if he wanted to yell at Rhett first, or punch him in the face.

[Rhett Goddard]

"The silent treatment? That's fine." Rhett said as Odion walked up to the bed.

He wondered what was passing through Odion's head at the moment. Was he mad? He probably was, but he looked calmed. Almost as if Rhett wasn't there. Maybe he was still processing the fact of having Rhett in front of him. That's it. Odion probably thought he would never see Rhett again. No, Odion had to be smarter than that. If there's anything that history show between the two of them, it's that they were stuck with each other, no matter how many times one ran away from the other. It was that the reason that Rhett was here, after all.

"So you've been busy." Rhett said as he walked to the center of the room slowly. "And with a blonde nonetheless. Fair enough, I guess it was only fitting." He eyed Odion's kittens, remembering just how much he disliked cats. Then again, before Trouble, he also disliked dogs. "I didn't really think you’d go for someone with such a particularly girly name, but hey, apparently your thing is uniquely-named blondes." He made a stop and placed his hands in his pockets. Afterwards, he walked to the wall opposite to the bed and leaned there, fixating again his eyes on Odion. "Is he still dating Addrianna? It would further complicate my very important relationship with her if her current boyfriend cheated on her with my boyfriend."

[Odion Martins]

Old habits did indeed die hard. Odion knew Rhett well enough to know that given enough time, a story would pour forth without his having to poke around for it. And Rhett should be happy – the silent treatment was the least of his worries right now. He watched Rhett step around in his room. And after all that time he spent getting rid of everything that reminded him of Rhett. This was torture. The only thing keeping him calm, was that he didn’t want to scare the kittens.

And then, instead of explaining where he’d been for the past three months, Rhett decided to take a peek into Odion’s life. The ginger could feel his face turn as red as his hair, on the verge of a rampage. Rhett was still walking around like he was top-dog around here. “You can stop pretending to be jealous Goddard, that ship isn’t sailing.” He and Lani weren’t an item. Odion’s hawk eyes stayed glued on Rhett. “And as far as I’m concerned, being amiss for this long,” he scoffed and shook his head, “I’m single.”

Rhett was an idiot. He was insulting Lani and yet at the same time, insulting himself. Odion didn’t really have to any work here, did he? Obviously Rhett still didn’t know how to read between the lines. If you really loved someone, first of all, you told them, second of all, you didn’t just up and leave and then expect to be welcomed with open arms upon arriving back.

[Rhett Goddard]

Goddard... Rhett knew that Odion calling him by his last name was only the confirmation that Odion was beyond mad. If anything, he could expect a high-speed-punch anytime soon. It was good that Rhett wouldn't be able to avoid it if it happened, it meant that he didn't need to worry about it. It was unavoidable.

"No, you're not." Rhett said immediately at the sound of the word "single".

It wasn't like he was stupid or mindless. Rhett understood the logic behind Odion's words. It made perfect sense that Odion considered himself single, it was fair and Rhett had also expected it. It had little sense, thought, that Rhett thought the opposite. To him, they never stopped being boyfriends, and he knew he had no grounds or power to force Odion into believing the same, but he didn't care. It was what he believed true, and, even, what he wanted. It was all that mattered.

"You're my boyfriend." Rhett walked from the wall and to the bed, standing in front of Odion. "You're mine."

Rhett didn't wait one second before leaning to the ginger and pushing him into lying down to kiss him.

[Odion Martins]

“Yes, I am.” Odion was gritting his teeth and clenching the bed sheets into fists. Rhett had left once before, and when he did it again, Odi was heartbroken. Rhett promised never to leave him again. They had an apartment together, had Trouble. And then he left, and Odion was by himself again. It was like destiny thought it would be best if Odion was simply, alone. His worst fear, and yet, the most likely outcome for an orphan.

Odion thrashed about, finally pushing Rhett off of him. But not before kissing him back. It took only a millisecond for him to realize what he was doing, but it was already done. He stood to his feet as quickly as his legs could carry him. “I am not[/b] an object!” He hissed. Odion approached Rhett, hovering as close to the blonde as he dared. He pointed a finger in Rhett’s face, nothing but confusion and hate written on his face. “And I am especially not your boyfriend.”

There wasn’t going to be an explanation, not from Odion. Not anymore. Rhett didn’t deserve one. He didn’t need to know what had happened over the past three months.

Odion took a couple steps back into the middle of his small room. The kittens had scattered somewhere to hide. “Leave,” he said, watching every move Rhett made, just in case the blonde was truly being a blonde and not getting the hint. “It’s what you’re good at.”

[Rhett Goddard]

As soon as their lips touched, Rhett learned what he was dying to know: Odion and Lani hadn't kissed. Good. It put his heart to rest a bit. The fact that Odion returned the kiss, even if for the smallest of seconds, was also good, he knew that despite Odion's words, the ginger was still his and his only.

Odion's show of attempting to make Rhett leave didn't budge him the slightest, not even his harsh words. Rhett was not going to leave, not yet. All he did, was walk back to the bed and lie down, finally taking his eyes off the redhead and putting them in the ceiling.

"I know what's going through your head, Odion." He said confidently, wondering for a bit if Odion still thought Rhett could read minds. "I know what I promised and I know I was honest when I said such things, see, I really was. But I also know I had no idea what would happen or how." He placed in his head the image of him telling the ginger he wouldn't leave ever again. "Circumstances changed and I had no idea they were going to, how to? I’m gifted with the present and past, but the future is and will always be uncertain." He swallowed saliva. "I can apologize from breaking my promise, and I do, I apologize, but I don’t regret it and I would do it again."

Now explanation time. Rhett feared few things, bats and fires were two of them, but they were never frequent and so he wasn't accustomed to the feeling. It was strange having that strange thing in your gut jumping up and down and right and left. This time, he feared Odion wouldn't understand, wouldn't forgive him, even if he claimed he didn't need nor wanted any of those two things.

"I don’t have to explain myself to you, but I’m choosing to." He sat in the bed, looking at Odion again and patting the spot next to him, inviting him to sit. "You can’t relate, and I don’t want you to try to, you will never really understand it all, I still can’t." He looked at the other boy's eyes. "I found my mother."

[Odion Martins]

Odion’s arm fell to his side in defeat. All he wanted was one moment, one day, one week, to even consider that Rhett would come back. He had so willingly left before, why couldn’t he do it when Odi was practically begging him to do so.

It didn’t surprise Odion to hear that Rhett knew what he was thinking. He always had. It was why Odi liked playing mind games with everyone else. Rhett was always ahead, always, and he always had to let Odion know. And then Odi completely lost it and started pacing, glancing at Rhett every once in a while. “Fuck you Rhett,” he was on the verge of screaming, but not yet, “a promise is a promise, I don’t care what the future may or may not hold.” Did Rhett forget he was a time controller? He knew that the future had too many variables to truly predict, but he never predicted Rhett leaving him for a second time. And then coming back.

No, he didn’t have to explain himself, but if he thought they were still a couple, wasn’t that what couples did? Trusted each other? But Odi couldn’t feel more disconnected. And then, the most unlikely thing to happen, happened. Neither of them had known any family other than a handful of boys they stole things with. Odion gulped, jealously brewing inside of him. How could Rhett say he wouldn’t understand? He hadn’t even bothered trying to see if Odion could handle it. Hadn’t even asked him if he wanted to come.

This, was what Odion hoped Adrianna would never feel from Lani.

“Good for you,” he said rather calmly. So that was the big secret he couldn’t tell his boyfriend, his lover? Rhett’s actions spoke louder than words. It was so nice to see how much Rhett cared, how much he had given up in a potential future with Odion to find his bitch of a mother who abandoned him in the first place. Perhaps Rhett and Odion weren’t so similar after all.

Without another word, Odion headed for the door. He didn’t care anymore, he just wanted out.

[Rhett Goddard]

"See? You can't relate." Rhett said after Odion's "I don't care" words.

Seeing him attempting to leave hurt him a bit. Did Odion want explanations or not? It seemed illogical not to want them, but then again, not everyone had that innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge that Rhett had. Still, if Odion thought that by just leaving his room he'd avoid Rhett, he was wrong. Odion should have noticed by Rhett's strong statements that they were still boyfriends that Rhett wasn't just going to accept his "I don't care".

"Oh so you're mad because I left and now you're leaving?" Rhett said coldly from his spot. "An eye for an eye?" He shrugged. "I'll just wait here, in your room and with your cats. You're bound to come back anyway."

Rhett wanted Odion to stay put and hopefully that was enough to convince him to do so, otherwise, he'd have to chase him all over school and putting a show on his first day back was not something he was intending to do.

"You've been waiting all this time to deal with me, just get it over with." Rhett said calmly, as if it wasn't serious. "Go on, tell me how much you hate me and all that."

[Odion Martins]

Odion rolled his eyes. Of course he couldn’t relate! Rhett knew better than anyone that Odion didn’t have a family, and he didn’t want to find them. If he wasn’t good enough then, he was more than good enough now and they didn’t need to be a part of that. Just like Rhett.

It wasn’t that Odion didn’t want to know why Rhett had left, or where he’d been, or why he came back at all. It was simply that Odi was afraid of being hurt again. Maybe these things were better off unknown. Maybe he was starting to be happy without Rhett.

He stopped in his tracks. “I’m not the bad guy here,” he said softly. If Rhett wanted soft, understanding Odion, he shouldn’t have left to begin with. Now it seemed Rhett was only egging him on, trying to get Odi mad.

Just get it over with? Oh, Rhett really did know how to push Odi’s buttons. He turned to look at Rhett, opening his room door. He could stay all day and all night if he wanted to for all Odi cared. “You seem to have a firm grasp on how I feel already.” He didn’t neglect to slam the door on the way out.

Odion didn’t know where he was going, but he wasn’t going to let Rhett see him cry.

[Rhett Goddard]

Great. Odion made the worst choice of the two and Rhett sighed at see hi leave. Fine. Rhett swallowed saliva, took a deep breath and ran up to Odion. Catching up to him, Rhett just grabbed one Odion's hands, attempting to hold it, and walked next to him.

"I know I am the bad guy." He said. "But do you really think I left only to make you mad?" Odion had to know Rhett wasn't -that- bad. "It wasn't easy to decide on what I did." He kept talking calmly next to Odion and through the halls. "But I knew you wouldn't understand me. And even if you did, it was something I needed to do alone. I wanted to go there and confront her on my own."

At this point, Rhett attempted to stop Odion from walking by pulling him back and hugging him to restrain him. For a second, he saw a soft gleam in Odion's eye. Rhett knew what it meant, so he attempted to squeeze with more strength. He was not going to allow Odion to escape.

"I'm sorry, I really am." He said in the ginger's ear. "You should have been a part of my decision-making and you weren't." He squeezed his grip on the younger boy's body even more. "But I'm trying to make you a part of that story now, let me."

[Odion Martins]

Attempt was the key word here. Rhett could walk beside him all he liked, that didn’t mean Odion was going to hold his hand. Odion wiped at his face. He hadn’t expected, nor had he wanted Rhett to follow him. He just need to be alone right now.

“No,” Odion said, keeping his eyes ahead, “you’re selfish. You left for you, without considering the consequences.” The ginger sighed, his hands in his pockets. “You could have told me that. But I get it, you don’t really trust me,” he glared at Rhett, “it’s alright, I don’t really trust you either.” Once a thief always a thief, and Rhett was in the business of stealing hearts. First Talen’s, then Odi’s, and who knew who else while he’d been away. But unlike Rhett, even though Odi really liked Lani, he would never ask him to cheat on Adrianna for him. He was better than Rhett. That’s what Lani had said anyway.

Rhett hugged him and Odion’s breath caught in his throat. His body stiffened into a board, willing himself not to cry, even though he really wanted to. Part of him was glad Rhett was safe, but a bigger part of him wished they had never met.

Unsure of how sincere Rhett was being, Odion felt himself flushing as other students stared. Yes, they were hugging, move along. Odi hated spotlight of any kind. “The story isn’t all about Rhett Goddard and all his glory,” he said, keeping his voice calm and even, “I want my own story.” And he wasn’t sure if Rhett was going to be a part of it anymore.

[Rhett Goddard]

"You're right." Rhett said as he buried his head in Odion's neck. "With all you've said, you are right." He breathed deeply. "You're always right but you made a mistake in that last part." Rhett leaned back, finally releasing the strong grip he had in his boyfriend. "This story isn't about me, it's about us."

He grabbed and held both of Odion's hands, finally feeling he was not going to try to run away again, but ready to run to catch him up again if he had to. Rhett wet his lips and stared into Odion's blue eyes for several moments before blinking. He had missed them.

"I'm not perfect Odion, you know this." Rhett's french accent was pouring out, showing just how honest he was attempting to be. "You, in the other hand, are. You've never wronged me while I've wronged you dozens of times." He looked away for a moment but then went back to Odion's eyes. "You're too good for me and you can do so much better but you never wanted because you only wanted me." He pulled Odion a bit closer. "The way I only wanted you."

Rhett had no idea how things were going to turn out once he got back, but he never quite guessed it was going to be this way. He thought it'd be easier, he didn't think he was going to end up using these words, he never thought he'd up giving Odion the possibility that he expressly didn't want to happen.

"You are my boyfriend Odion Martins." He said firmly, loud and clear, not caring about anyone else around them. "But if you want to play some game and pretend that we are not, go on." Rhett was daring Odion. "But you have to say it, that you're breaking up with me and that you never want me back again." Rhett breathed deeply. "I'll go away and stop bothering you and let you and girly-name be. He let the words sink in for a second. "But, if you don't say it, I'll be here, doing just this, until you realize that you're still mine just as I am still yours."

Rhett leaned forwards and landed a small peck in Odion's lips, still not caring nor acknowledging anyone else's existence in the hall.

"What's it going to be?" He finally asked.

[Odion Martins]

Odion had envisioned so many different versions of Rhett coming back. There was one where Odion didn’t even give him the chance to speak, and just knocked him out cold. Another, sweeter version, consisted of Rhett showing up with ‘I’m Sorry’ flowers, and swept Odion off his feet and into the land of forgiveness. Of course neither of these versions were the reality Odi hoped he would never encounter. Real life was so much different than what people pegged it for.

He had never really decided if he would take Rhett back or not. He didn’t know if he could trust his long time fellow pickpocket anymore. Odion had found someone else worthy of his trust. He smiled just at the thought of Lani.

So now, what Rhett being affectionate because he was truly sorry, and missed Odion? Or because he was going on some jealous ESP rampage, to see if Odion had been faithful? Either way, Odi wasn’t going to tell Rhett anything.

Odion thought about what Rhett was saying. Truth was, Lani had treated Odi better as a friend, than Rhett had as a boyfriend. Rhett could be sweet, but he could be nasty as well. He held Odion’s hands and Odi let him. It was partly selfish. He had missed Rhett.

And then Rhett was wooing him and Odion hated him for it. Now he was playing the bad guy card and Odion was falling for it hook line and sinker. He still hated fishing. Still, maybe he only wanted Rhett because he didn’t know any better. Odion held Rhett’s gaze as he was pulled closer, his heart fluttering.

But Rhett was already giving him an ultimatum, and, he still hadn’t said quite the right words. Odion sighed, the small kiss catching him off guard. He blushed, finally taking his hands away. Why was Rhett making such a big show out of this? Odion was coming back with a counter offer.

“You made me wait three months, so I think it’s only fair you do the same,” he smiled coyly. Rhett wasn’t going to be the boss anymore. “I need time to trust you again, without a leash around my neck. You can’t expect to pop out of the blue and have me head over heels for you, because I’m not. I’m confused, and I need space.” If Rhett was going to go storming off because of that, then they both knew who was the bigger man.

Odion might want to give Rhett a second chance. After a few months of equal suffering.

[Rhett Goddard]

Smart. It was a good way to counter his offer, but still, it was in the boundaries of what Rhett had proposed initially. If Odion wasn't denying the fact that they were boyfriends, he wasn't breaking up with Rhett, then they were still an item. Rhett had won again.

"So the latter it is." He nodded. "Good." Rhett let go of one of Odion's hands and reached into his pocket, taking a certain necklace from it. "You're still my boyfriend, you keep your necklace." He placed it in Odion's hand. "The time in the water damaged it so it no longer works, but in due time we'll get it fixed." He gave off a half-smile. "Nice metaphor, huh?"

Rhett hadn't appreciated that Odion had thrown his necklace, and to a pond nonetheless. Again, he understood it, though. Odion was trying to move on by it, he probably had thrown away everything else that reminded him of Rhett. Hopefully Odion had noticed that Rhett didn't do the same, he still wore his bracelet and was not planning on taking it off, just as he was, planning not to see Odion without his necklace ever again.

"Just two things," Rhett leaned closer to Odion. "don't lose it again," He said about the necklace. "and don't you kiss him," He said about Lani. "or any other for that matter."