Recoil {Rhett}

[Ulrich Schneider]

Another day, another afternoon of launching marbles at empty soda cans. It was one of Ulrich's favorite things to do. It kept his mind and his marksman skills sharp. It was an outlet for him to let out all his anger and frustration that built up throughout the day from school, and in Ulrich's case, school can build up quite a lot of it.

The air was cool and still, lacking a breeze. The sky was partially cloudy. The weather was beautiful, and the lack of wind made it a perfect day to shoot. Ulrich set his cans up on an empty bench and moved back a fair distance before taking aim. Before he fired though, his eyes caught the sight of something familiar.

Rhett was walking by, and Ulrich's heart quickly started pounding. A full week had passed since the awkward pool incident which was the last time Ulrich laid eyes on the other blond. Ulrich did want to speak him again, but never had an opportunity.

He then had an amazing idea.

He shifted his aim from the cans to the bench itself before firing off a green marble. It ricocheted and flew straight at Rhett. Ulrich knew it would get his attention.

[Rhett Goddard]

Having finished his business at the MANifesto event, Rhett walked out of the auditorium. He had gotten what he was looking for and there was no longer any point of staying around anymore as he wasn't planning on bidding on anyone else, nor could, actually. Plus, the appearance of a certain Korean acquaintance made him prefer to skip the join rather earlier than later, and, well, he did had a date to get ready to.

BAM.

The pain was familiar. It was acute and very concentrated. He looked at his arm and rubbed it as a small red mark quickly appeared on it. He pushed his powers unto letting him know what had just happened, but they didn't provide him any answers, which should have been the first clue on who was behind it all. Instead, he looked around and saw a small green marble in the ground a couple of steps away from him. Of course. He walked up to it and grabbed it. Unlike last time, nothing ESP-related happened. He shook his head and wondered for the dozenth time why his power was avoiding the German blonde so much.

Marble in hand, he looked around, trying to find Ulrich in the courtyard, but he couldn't. It didn't surprise him, the blonde could shoot those things perfectly from very large distance and was also a skilled hunter, so he knew how to camouflage himself if he wanted to. Rhett wasn't going to play this game, he doubted Ulrich had failed his shot again like first time, after all, a meta like Ulrich was not supposed to fail shots and Rhett was just walking normally and slowly, not running. Rhett figured Ulrich did it on purpose. He probably didn't have the balls to approach Rhett head on, which Rhett understood, after all, Rhett himself had avoided Ulrich the past week.

Unlike Ulrich, however, Rhett didn't lack courage. The blonde picked his cellphone and dialed before placing it in his ear.

"You really have to stop hitting me with these." Rhett said as soon as Ulrich answered the phone while waving the small marble so Ulrich could see it from wherever he was. "There are better ways to say 'hi', you know? One of them being just saying, well, 'hi'. It's not hard, I'm quite sure of it."

[Ulrich Schneider]

Ulrich watched on as Rhett grabbed his arm where the marble hit. He wasn't meaning to hurt the other boy, just get his attention, and it seemed like he was successful. It didn't take Rhett long to figure out who the marble belonged to before Ulrich heard the death metal guitar riff ring tone that belonged to his outdated cellphone.

He looked at the screen and saw that Rhett was calling. "H-hello," he said timidly as he answered.

"I didn't do it on purpose..." he lied. "And look behind you."

Ulrich waited for Rhett to turn around and waved. He then hung up and walked toward the older boy. "Hi," he said, taking Rhett's advice, "you look... uh... you look nice... today..."

Ulrich was wearing a faded hunter's camo shirt and black pants. The combination actually blended in with the environment very well, which is probably why Rhett had a hard time seeing him at first. Ulrich also had a slight smile on his face. He was quite happy to see Rhett again.

[Rhett Goddard]

So it wasn't on purpose? Rhett frowned as Ulrich told him to look behind. There he was. He hung up and placed the cellphone back in his pocket as Ulrich got closer. He laughed a bit with a smile as Ulrich did indeed said "hi" in front of him, he didn't expect Ulrich to take the advice so upfront. It was good, though, but he still couldn't find himself comfortable around Ulrich's seemingly random compliments.

"Thanks." He said plainly.

It occurred to the blonde that Ulrich was behind him, and he had been walking from the auditorium. Could Ulrich had been back there in the MANifest? Rhett didn't see him, but then again the place was packed, and the German boy seems to be invisible to Rhett's power, so he couldn't be quite sure. Then again, it didn't seem like the kind of event Ulrich would go to, but as a matter of fact, it wasn't one Rhett would go to either, and yet he did, so he couldn't know. And didn't Rhett hate not knowing things...

"Were you... practicing around with your slingshot?" He asked. "What have you been up to?"

Rhett felt like adding the second question would make it look less like he was interested in knowing what Ulrich was doing just a few moments ago. It made him realize he was actually very interested on knowing this, and he wondered if it had something to do with what Rhett had done back there. Was it that Rhett didn't want Ulrich to know that he had "bought" Odion and Lani? If so, why? He shouldn't care. I definitely don't care if he knows or not. He reassured to himself.

"Haven't... seen you in a while." He said with a toned down voice.

[Ulrich Schneider]

"Yeah, I was doing some target practice," Ulrich replied as he pointed over to the bench with the cans he had set up. "I've just been umm... chilling lately I guess..."

The reason why Ulrich came from behind Rhett wasn't because he was at the MANifesto event. He had to move over to that area in order to be far enough from the targets to make it challenging for him.

"Yeah, where have you been?" Ulrich asked curiously. "And why is everyone in the auditorium? Is something going on?"

Ulrich wasn't aware of MANifesto, and even if he was, the likelyhood of him actually attending was slim to none. He had very little money to bid, not that he would bid even if he did have money, and there was no way in hell that he would let people bid on him.

[Rhett Goddard]

"That's... good I guess." Rhett had barely anything to say to Ulrich's first answer.

He rather happy to know that Ulrich wasn't there, but he looked away as his whereabouts were being inquired. He thought of going the safe way and using the old cliched excuse of being busy with school and all that, but it seemed a bit out of place. He didn't want to lie to Ulrich, he didn't like to lie. Ulrich's next question provided him a safe way to avoid answering the first one, so he took it right away.

"There's an event." He said. "It's to raise money for... something or other, I should admit I don't even remember what for." He thought of leaving it there, he didn't want Ulrich to ask too much and see himself forced to tell. "How have you felt since the pool?" He went for a change of topic, but realized too late that it was a topic too close to another he wanted to avoid as well. "The drowning, I mean, have you been ok?"

[Ulrich Schneider]

Ulrich pondered for a moment. "Charity?" he said aloud, "Do they need help with anything? Should I go?" He was curious about what everyone was doing, but more than that, he was happy to see that Rhett could be charitable. That was a sign of being a good person. "I always knew you were a nice guy."

And then Rhett brought up the nearly drowning to death thing. "I've been fine," Ulrich insisted, "I don't think there are any long term side effects to almost drowning... I wasn't under the water that long."

He rubbed the back of his head as he eyed Rhett up and down. He remembered the sight of the beautiful body that was hidden under the older boy's clothes. He remembered watching drops of water slide down his skin, causing it to glistening in the light, and he definitely wouldn't mind seeing it agian. "Speaking of swim lessons... are we... going to continue them soon? I still want to learn... if that's okay with you?"

[Rhett Goddard]

"No." Rhett corrected Ulrich. "Something for the student council. Or a club. Something Hammel-related." He found it cute to hear that Ulrich was the kind of guy that would volunteer himself right away to help for a cause. "I'd think they have it covered. It's an auction, so, not much to do to help but... bid."

The blonde smiled at the German boy's next words. He was still quite amazed that Ulrich remained firm in his thought that Rhett was a nice guy. He could understand it, of course, after all, Rhett did save Ulrich's life, but it was just so strange. Ulrich had to be the only person, in this continent that thought of Rhett as a nice guy. Heck, aside from his sister and grandma, Ulrich had to be the only person who could say such a thing and firmly believe in it. After all, not even Rhett was sure he could believe it.

"I'm happy to hear that." Rhett said, even if he was very serious and cold when saying it. "Continue them? I don't think we even... started them."

He didn't quite know what to answer. It was awkward, true, but Ulrich did need swimming lessons, clearly, and Rhett was aware that Ulrich was a good guy and didn't deserve being... shunned because a couple of... awkward incidents. Ulrich didn't seem bothered, why should Rhett be? It really didn't make much sense.

"Sure... it's... ok." Rhett nodded. "Just... tell me when you feel like it."

[Ulrich Schneider]

"An auction? Cool. What's up for bid?" Ulrich asked. Curiosity was getting the best of him despite the fact that he knew the items up for auction probably didn't contain ammo, triggers, or sharp edges, so they wouldn't really interest him.

Rhett was right about the swim lessons. Ulrich really didn't learn anything except for maybe learning that he owed Rhett his life. "We can start as soon as you have free time, I guess," Ulrich replied, "I've got nothing better to do."

He was telling the truth, he really didn't have anything better to do. He spent most of his days hating school, launching marbles at soda cans, and watching World War II documentaries on the History channel. He wanted to get out and do something, especially with Rhett. Truth be told, he missed the older boy.

Ulrich didn't have any real friends at Hammel. Rhett was the closest thing to it, but Ulrich knew that his feelings for the boy were different than your typical friendship feelings. He just didn't know what to call them... or what to do with them.

[Rhett Goddard]

Great. Ulrich was asking. Rhett had the feeling this was going to exactly where the blonde didn't want things to go to. He blamed himself, he could have avoided it all by lying or should have been better and shifting the topic away, but he wasn't. Now he was stuck at trying to slow things down as much as he could.

"Guys." Rhett replied softly, as if lowering the volume of his voice would push Ulrich away from the subject.

It was a bit sad that Ulrich said he had nothing better to do. What was sad, though, was that Rhett knew how right the sentence was. Rhett couldn't say that he had lots of things to do, and like Ulrich, he also lacked friends, but things like his job, practicing parkour, attending the academic weight of being a senior and keeping in touch with his sister overseas pretty much kept him about occupied enough on a daily basis. Besides practicing with his slingshot and playing shooters in his Xbox, Rhett didn't really quite know what Ulrich did during the day.

"Right." Rhett nodded. "Well, you know I have to go to work after parkour practice and I'm in there usually until very late." He placed his hands in his pockets. "Last time we went in parkour time, but I'd like to leave that... un-bothered." Weekdays were not going to be it, then. "Saturday?"

[Ulrich Schneider]

"What?" Ulrich asked. He was super confused. He heard Rhett say guys, but he could have sworn that bidding on people had to be... illegal somehow... especially in schools... He immediately thought of human trafficking and figured he must have misheard or misinterpreted this somehow. "People are bidding on other people...? Did you bid on anyone...?"

Despite being a bit weirded out about what he just heard, he was quite excited that they were making plans for later. "Yeah! Saturday works for me!" His enthusiasm was quite obvious. "I can't wait!"

[Rhett Goddard]

There it was. The exact question Rhett was trying to delay as much as possible. He didn't want to tell Ulrich, even if he didn't want to not want such thing. He wasn't quite sure of the why, but still. He thought that maybe, he could still delay the answer a bit more, heck, maybe if he focused enough on Ulrich's first question, he'd forget about having asked his second one.

"Yeah, well, actually, it's more like bidding on a date with them." Rhett explained. "The guys are not the prizes, it's not like they're objects, what bidders win are dates with them. One, actually." He nodded. "If you think about it, it's quite a good plan, since they didn't spend any money in using the auditorium and they're not paying the guys that are being auctioned. It's all profits." He thought about saying how Zac had bid a thousand dollars, but he decided not to, as it was too close to the subject "who were bidding". "I'm quite sure they did the same back in Kocher a couple of times while I went there, and I must say they always raised a lot of money. It's the first being done here, I'd believe, and they're probably going to raise a lot too."

That was good. Now, hopefully Ulrich wouldn't continue inquiring on the subject. Noticing the excitement on Ulrich's voice, Rhett decided to take advantage of it to further deviate the conversation away from MANifesto.

"Great!" He said excitedly too. "I didn't take any shifts this saturday so I have all day." He shrugged a bit. "Well, afternoon, anyway, since I am really not planning, nor considering, as a matter of fact, on waking up before noon." He nodded. "So, sure, it's a date."

Crap. Rhett closed his eyes regretting using that word. The whole MANifesto stuff was clearly, still in his head. Oh well...

[Ulrich Schneider]

"I guess that's okay," Ulrich said stoically. The idea of having to compete with other people financially to go on a date with someone didn't really sit well with him. It seemed to similar to prostitution, despite sex not being involved, for him to fully appreciate something like that. "And people volunteered for that? It just seems... strange... I guess it's good if it's helping the school... but couldn't they just ask for donations? I'm sure people would give them some, right?"

"A date?" Ulrich's face lit up with joy. He felt a little odd since he had never been on a date or even been asked to go on one before, but he was excited. "That's great!"

Ulrich wanted to close the gap between him and Rhett and wrap the older boy up in a hug, but he restrained himself. "Does this mean that... we are... dating?"

It made perfect sense to Ulrich. If they were going on a date, that meant they were dating. And then, Ulrich finally figured out what his more-than-friendly feelings for Rhett were. They were the feelings people get when they go on dates with each other. He was feeling a crush. He liked Rhett, and he was actually content with that. He usually avoided any odd feelings he had for guys, but he knew he could trust Rhett. Rhett saved his life, and he deserved whatever affection he had to offer.

"So... uh... what are you doing this afternoon?"

[Rhett Goddard]

"Well," Rhett shrugged. "people are more keen to give their money away when they're getting something in return," He said with confidence. "after all, that is how it's supposed to work, and how it does, actually." He nodded. "Even with charity, 'feeling good' is something you get in return of giving your money away."

It was impossible not to notice how Ulrich's expression's changed as soon as Rhett said the word "date" out loud. It even make him regret things more. The situation made him remember his first date with Odion, which at first was a not-date and ended up being so. He then remembered Talen, and well, there was no such thing as remembering Talen without Rhett making a visible twist of the lips and frown. He composed himself quick enough, though, hoping the German blonde hadn't caught the face expression and thought it was because of him, although in all honesty, Rhett was indeed feeling like twisting his lips and frowning over all Ulrich was saying.

How do I keep getting myself in these situations? The boy had a knack digging his own holes himself just by saying too little too much.

"I... wouldn't..." He was talking very slowly, hesitating with every syllable. "I... don't..." How was he supposed to say that did not mean to say the d-word and that he and Ulrich weren't dating? "I... didn't..." Come'on, you're a good guy, Rhett, a good guy. Don't do this. "Let's... just..." He sighed and attempted to compose himself. "Let's just see what happens..."

It wasn't that Rhett didn't found Ulrich attractive, because he did, and clearly his hormones agreed. It wasn't that Rhett hadn't been with other guys since Odion, because he had, but they had been just that, one time things. Ulrich was different. It was complicated, he didn't want to play with the German boy, but it quite couldn't fit in Rhett's head to "date" someone else. In his mind, the thing was reserved for Odion and Odion only. Dating someone else was just... not.

"I have a..." Rhett decided to come clean. "date." He figured that Ulrich did like him, and thus, it wasn't fair for him to be lead on just because he doesn't know how things currently are. "With my ex." Yes, the truth was coming out already, so maybe it was best to keep at it. "It's also with his best friend who will most likely be his next boyfriend soon." He sighed. "It's a double date except it's just the three of us, it's complicated." He nodded. "Like very complicated."

[Ulrich Schneider]

Ulrich was very content with an answer of 'let's just see what happens'. It meant that there was a chance of them working out as... whatever want to end up being. He enjoyed any little glimmer of hope he could get. Plus, the excitement of going swimming with Rhett when Saturday comes around was still fresh on his mind. He was very optimistic at the moment.

But just as quickly as his optimism came, it began to die down.

Rhett mentioned that he had a date planned... with two different guys. Ulrich was already feeling a little left out of the loop, and he was confused as to why Rhett would go on a date with two people who were not far off from being a couple themselves. He feared that he would never have the older blond figured out. He was just too complicated for the socially unequipped German marksman.

"What are their names?" Ulrich asked a bit more harshly than anticipated. He felt like he was in a competition. He was competing for Rhett's attention, and he wanted to know what competitors were in his way.