Roads Untraveled(Odion)

[Odion Martins]

Lani could laugh all he wanted, it would only make saying I told you so that much sweeter. He would even miss his father, even if his father wasn’t very kind to him, he was still someone in his life who had been a part of the whole. Any piece missing would cause distress. Just because Odi didn’t have a family didn’t mean he couldn’t try and figure things out, especially when they were so obvious to him. Perhaps it was because he didn’t have a family and he could be so attuned to the one he was staying with now. Neither father nor son was right in their arguments, but Odion didn’t want to ruined their trip. He could ruin Lani’s views another day. If Mrs. Hunter really was that terrifying, it was only because she was usually so kind in contrast.

It would be nice to know where Lani had gotten the necklace from if said detail had meaning. As it was, Odi had no idea that that was significant, especially when he had simply gotten Lani’s gift online. He didn’t want to get him something anyone else had had before. So for now, Odi put it in his pocket so that on their walk, he could ask Lani to put it on him. Also for now, Lani only received a smile. Odion wasn’t sure why a dragon eating itself suited him, but hopefully Lani could indulge him with a story half as good as the one he’d heard on the way here.

Odion had lived half his life betting on the moves people would make, which were consequently the things they took for granted. Lani had walked, literally, right into that kiss and Odi had taken advantage of the fact. This of course wasn’t a bad thing for either party, but Lani would have to keep an eye on Odion in a new way now. The redhead had already made his way to the next house, simply waiting for Lani now because he would be leading them. The telekinetic was off like a flash and Odi felt that strong pull towards him like nothing he’d ever felt before. It was like the magic in his cards came to life as he chased after Lani over rooftops for the second time, knowing exactly what he was running after. As if dropping down from a house was normal, they carried on casually, which made Odion grin from the excitement of it all. It was too bad they couldn’t have crossed rooftops the entire way, but he trusted that Lani knew exactly what he was doing.

“Remember the first time I brought you back in time with me?” Odi asked, interrupting both their thoughts. This was a new moment which mirrored that of the old one Odion mentioned.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani wondered what Odion was thinking about the dynamic of the family. Was it what he expected? Or was it surprising that they took each other so much for granted that they fought constantly without too much fear that those harsh words might be the last words that they ever exchanged. It was a terrible reality but a reality nonetheless. Something that Lani couldn’t or wouldn’t see. Family was important but so long as they would always be there it didn’t seem like a big deal, but it was because they wouldn’t always been there. Lani didn’t think about what it would be like in the next several decades when he had to bury his parents, nor did he think about how terrible it would be if his father’s worst fear of having to bury his son came true. He was young, he was invincible, things like this just didn’t cross his mind.

There was a story behind that particular twisted serpent pendant. Especially since it linked two serpents and it was difficult to see where one ended and the other began. It was still on his mind as it rested in Odion’s pocket. Just as heavy as the compass in Lani’s pocket he wondered if it weight more than just the weight of the metal for Odion as well. Well at least he would know what direction he was headed into now, it was too bad that the sun had gone down or Lani would have liked to try his hand at the sundial reading. He wondered if with sundials they took into account the change of the angle of the sun with the seasons. It was a curious thing and something that he would hold close to his heart.

Lani smiled at Odion, this was just the beginning, when they got to the city they would take to the rooftops again. It was easier to move that way, the houses in this part were just too far out of the way as going over the rooftops would be. He walked with Odion crossing the street and heading toward a familiar building for Lani that would set them up again. Once they got there it was a quick trail to where Lani wanted to show Odion. But for now with two feet on the ground Lani was going to enjoy just walking with Odion. He glanced at Odion surprised by the sudden question. He nodded. It had been when he had found Odion after Rhett had left. “Yeah,” he had seen so much of Odion in that past image. He looked at Odion waiting for some sort of explanation. Why had that come to mind? Unless he was talking about what they had seen in the past.

“I think it was colder then,” Lani commented. But he had also been without a coat that night. Chances were it was warmer and Lani just remembered it being very cold. He also remembered feeling like he was going to empty his stomach. Lani led Odion over a few fences one of which required quick motion to balance across the fence to bring them to the official outskirts of downtown. It was a pathway that Lani had crossed so many times it was almost like he was going to do something for his boss. It was a memory filled with mixed emotions. They passed beneath street lights and buildings sporting Christmas lights as they walked to the building Lani wanted.

[Odion Martins]

Odion wasn’t surprised by the way they took each other for granted, not at all. The dynamic itself was interesting, definitely not the average four member family, but it was far better than that. It was a real a family as Odi had imagined, and he was trying his best not to study and dissect it, even though it was a living organism. Odion was rather excited by it all, which just proved how disassociated he was to the family themselves. He could see Lani as an individual, and Caroline too, but together they were almost a TV series. Despite his powers, Odion wasn’t cocky enough to feel invincible, he just saw himself as tricky, and if he could trick or stop death, all the better.

The point of the multi-usage item was so that Lani could use it no matter what time of day. Odion could control time, but not everyone could. Of course the object held a lot of value, not just weight. There would be a lot of time to share that with Lani, perhaps on the way home after this trip was over. Odi knew Lani would be fascinated with the trinket for some time to come, and Odion was truly interested in his as well, even though he was pretending not to be. He wasn’t sure why he was trying to play cool around Lani, but he didn’t want to be squealing like a school girl over a present which he knew held a lot more meaning than the Greek one.

“It just strikes me as special now,” Odi said, sticking his hands in his coat pocket. Even his coat wasn’t just a winter coat, it was a longer coat, black and stylish. It was something he had shared with Lani while in the depths of his despair. Despite how much these two butted heads, Odion had always found it easy to share something with Lani when he actually did share it. Following Lani to the building, Odion was making a mental map of what he had seen so far, from the moment they arrived, to this moment, and a not so pretty moment from the past. But Odion just wanted Lani to share with him, and he believed that’s what they were currently in the process of. This whole relationship was a process, and it wasn’t about just getting to the point of whatever Lani was trying to get to, it was about creating their own constellation.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani was certainly going to use the compass. If only for his own fascination then that was that. But who knew perhaps at some point in time he would need it to truly find his way home. But to find a home he had to have a home. He didn’t see his home with his parents as his anymore. Hammel was temporary and he really had no idea what he was going to do. Or perhaps it would lead him to something more abstract. Home wasn’t always a physical place. It was a feeling more than anything else. That was why that was different than a house. A house was a thing. A home was a feeling. At least that was how Lani saw it. He wondered if Odion was curious about the twisted serpents. Lani was starting to wonder if Odion liked it then he remembered the smile on Odion’s face as he saw it. He wanted to close his eyes and remember that look forever.

Lani smiled and he paused looking at Odion. “I’m glad you showed me those things,” he said his eyes soft and warm. “Come on,” he said encouragingly before giving Odion a cocky smile, “See if you can keep up.” He jumped up and grabbed the fire escape ladder. He climbed up before jumping to grab the ledge of the roof. And the race was on. The night air filled his lungs and he did a quick glanced over his shoulder to make sure Odion was following before giving him a smiling. He had no doubt that Odion could keep up with him over rooftops. Perhaps the only place Lani could gain speed was across flat surfaces and even then if he went to fast Odion could paused him for a moment and catch up. He jumped from one building to another then to another. He felt a great thrill at racing along rooftops, he could see the harbor lights glowing in the distance as they came closer.

There were a few obstacles here as the buildings had to make way for cargo. He didn’t even pause as he leapt from a building looking as if he were going to take a jump that was far too wide but as Lani fell he landed not too far down on a cargo holder and danced across the traffic to the next building grabbing a balcony to get himself onto the next building’s roof. He turned back watching for Odion. Just a little farther the next building over. He wanted to be sure Odion made it across. He had full confidence that Odion would make it and he smiled as Odion appeared, “What took you so long?” He taunted with a beaming grin on his face. The next building was a little tricky. It slopped downward immediately after where they would cross it and on the other side was a shear drop down several stories into the heavily trafficked harbor.

[Odion Martins]

Home is that feeling you get when you feel totally at peace, and more than content. It’s a place you want to return to whenever you feel in doubt or unsafe. Home could be anything or anyone, it didn’t have to be a place. Odion knew because that’s how he felt when he was around Lani, whom already had his heart. And as the old saying go, that’s where home was too. But for Lani, home could be when he was looking at the stars, or at the docks they were about to see. But finding home was never a competition, and it should never be a race, and it was most definitely different for everyone.

Odion didn’t hesitate to start, a silly little grin on his face as he abandoned the fire escape altogether and scaled the wall itself, reaching the roof at the same time Lani did. He followed after Lani, but took his own path, making sure Lani was somewhere in view. Odion wanted to race, but he didn’t really want to race until he did some exploring. He loved the adrenaline rush he was experiencing now, and every once in a while he did like flips off of things for no apparent reason. That’s what had taken so long. He too, took the plunge where the next landing would evidently be, and used his momentum to fling himself up. Odi shook his head, if he knew the way like Lani did, he could’ve beat him.

Odion watched Lani view where they would go next, and he nodded towards it, only a little out of breath. “That way?” And like a gunshot he was off, gravity helping him along the slope, and when the drop came into view, Odi dove into it like it was water, landing in a rolling crouch on the harbour below. Maybe he had won, or maybe there was more to go, but Odion was having fun showing off.

[Lani Hunter]

If Lani was searching for a home he was in limbo between what he thought he wanted and what his heart was screaming at him. There was a miscommunication between mind and heart. The heart knew what it wanted and the mind agreed but was trying to be logical about it. It had taken Lani a while to accept that the people in this new life of his were going to be the closest friends he had ever had. He watched Odion out of the corner of his eye. More than friends. Lani’s life had led him off of the map and into the wilderness but perhaps it was in there that he would find his home. His path. The compass at least gave him a sense of direction. So Lani was going to take Odion to the place where his mind had always been the most clear. See if something happened, see if he could find courage in that.

Lani glanced over at Odion scaling the roof and picked up his speed. He watched his feet and watched Odion’s progress smiling to himself, impressed. Odion must have springs in his feet flipping as he did. Lani guessed they all had their different habits. He didn’t remember Odion being so flashy the last time they had run the rooftops. Odion landed next to Lani and Lani blinked at him, he couldn’t admit that he was surprised. If this were to be a race Lani would definitely have pulled out his skills. Lani was too concerned with moving low and moving quietly even though he didn’t have to. The way Odion moved it was so fluid so put together it was a wonder to Lani that he hadn’t been caught sooner when Odion had chased him down. Lani took comfort in the idea that if it were a foot race across an open surface he would win.

Lani nodded and opened his mouth to warn Odion about the slope but Odion was already off. Lani ran to the edge and watched Odion go sailing off his heart jumping into his throat. He jumped across with more control and slid down the slop coming to a stop at the bottom and looking down. Lani let out a laugh as he looked down at Odion. “Show off,” Lani muttered and stepped up onto the ledge. He pulled the compass out of his pocket and looked at it in the light of the nearby lights. Due North. He smiled and pocketed it and stepped off the ledge and his power caught him halfway down slowing his fall just enough to so that legs bent he landed and caught himself in a crouch with his hands on the ground. “Come on, you peacock, it’s just a little farther.” He smiled and led the way around the buildings across the docks. He was going the long way around to be careful to avoid the water at all costs. It always freaked him out to know that it was underfoot but soon they found another building.

“Here,” Lani said looking up at it before scaling the wall. He walked toward the opposite side of the building and with a sigh leaned against the railing they had been so easily leaping over. What they beheld was the skyline mirrored off the still water the lights making streaks into the dark abyss of the water. The stars above were muted by the lights of the city but a few strong ones shone through the clouds and the lights. “Sometimes I wondered if there was anything good in this world,” he said not really looking at Odion but rather feeling him nearby, “But this… this was always a good reminder.” The reason Lani loved the snow and the reason he loved the stars. They both represented, in Lani’s mind, something pure and beautiful and if such a thing existed than that must mean that not everything in this world was dark.

[Odion Martins]

The last time they had been on the rooftops, Oidon was going the express route. He wanted to catch someone, not be with someone. There was an extreme difference. Running flat out was completely different, and Odi seemed to always be running on pillows. He couldn’t run without a spring in his step even if he wanted to. His body was just constantly ready for anything he might need to jump over, or compensate for a fall. If it was a foot race from start to finish, on a track of some sort, Lani would definitely win. Odion wasn’t sure why Lani was sneaking around, but he was too busy enjoying himself to question the action. The redhead had practiced running and jumping over unknown terrain before, so this wasn’t any different.

“Ch, first I can’t keep up, now I’m a show off?” There was just no pleasing Lani. Odion watched in slight awe, “I didn’t know you could float.” Maybe Lani hadn’t even realized what he was doing until it was over. What a shame, Lani could learn the most about his power when he was most at ease and not paying attention to it. Odion would just have to take some mental notes when he wasn’t too busy showing off. Odion blushed in the dark, following Lani with his hands in his pockets and his head ducked.

Following Lani up the wall, he kept himself at a good distance, taking Lani in with the docks in the background. This was an interesting place to be, and Odi wondered if Lani had found it during one of his jobs. It was eerie and beautiful here, a haze gathered above the boats and cargo, blocking the sky until the very tippy top. Odion looked directly upwards and noted that some stars were visible. It occurred to him then that he had never seen the stars in the country, for he had always been in a city. Odi glanced over to Lani when he started speaking. Odion sat on the edge, watching the boats float and bob. It just reminded him of how lonely life could be. Why would this remind Lani of what was good in this world? Maybe Odion wasn’t looking at this properly. Looking over at Lani, Odion searched him, “Maybe, you should explain.”

[Lani Hunter]

“I’m just teasing,” Lani grinned, “But you’re gonna have to teach me now to do that.” Lani said glanced back at the path they had traveled as if he were going to see Odion doing those fancy flips and diving off of the rooftop. Lani glanced at Odion and shrugged, “It’s more of a controlled fall…” He wouldn’t call it floating since he hadn’t actually defied gravity, not yet at least. He looked back up the wall wondering where Odion had found the sureness that when he dove off the building he would be able to face any obstacles. It probably had something to do with doing things without planning them. Lani knew the way and he was doing it without any risks. He looked back at Odion a few times wondering why Odion was dragging his feet. He had just proven he could keep up without any problems but Lani wondered if something was on the redhead’s mind suddenly.

He watched as Odion sat on the edge. It worried him, all that was below them now was water and Lani’s irrational fear translated to other people sometimes. But if Odion fell off of the edge he would have been very surprised. Lani chewed on his lip as he glanced from Odion to the scene before them. “It’s hard to explain,” he warned also reminding him that most of the time what made sense in his mind didn’t make sense to other people. He was silent for a time as he thought about how to answer. When he started to try he realized it might sound foolish. But Odion had asked. He hummed a little as he tried to organize his scattered thoughts. It was something that reminded him that there were good things in the world. It wasn’t the beauty so much as it was the idea. For Lani knew that beauty could be just as good a cover for evil as anything else.

“It’s like the stars,” he finally began, “It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the darkness, by people who… I guess people who are filled with darkness. But the stars always shine through the night sky, even with city lights blotting them out,” Lani turned back to Odion searching for his eyes in the darkness, “It’s a reminder if something so pure as stars can exist in this world that not everything is bad.” It was an easy thing to forget when one was surrounded by thieves and murders. By mob bosses and cons. Lani knew he himself was included in those categories. “Not everyone is bad.” He added and turned his head back to look out at the sea. He wished he wasn’t so afraid. The ocean was like a mirror of humanity. Sometimes it was calm and clear and gentle and other times it was merciless and dangerous and violent. When it was boiled down it was just a place. Like any other.

[Odion Martins]

“You’ll have to teach me something in return,” Odi said, sticking out his hand as part of their silly agreement. Odion put a hand to his face, “You’ve should’ve told me that sooner.” That would’ve helped in their training. Maybe Odi wouldn’t have challenged Lani so hard. The ginger didn’t feel bad about it now, as it was Lani’s own damn fault. But if he could do that already, then he was well on his way to going back up. It would make his parkour training a lot easier too. Odion smiled at the thought – what a great incentive. And it would make Lani think on his feet, there was no other way to do it.

Odion couldn’t sense Lani’s paranoia. He was just sitting on an edge, and so long as they weren’t on a airplane, he could handle it. Odion raised his brow. Really? That was a terrible excuse. Besides, they had plenty of time to sort through it all. Odi stopped trying to piece together what he thought Lani was going to say, and instead just waited. There wasn’t much to preoccupy his thoughts, so he concentrated on the sound of the water nearby, and Lani’s humming. Eventually Lani would have to say something, Odion could outwait the best of them. Listening, Odion looked up when the stars were mentioned. There they were, true to Lani’s word, proving his point.

The words resonated through Odion as he thought on them, letting them sink in as he wondered at the connection. “Is it to remind yourself too?” Odi asked softly, unwilling to look at Lani. He didn’t understand why it was this place in particular, or the stars. But he did understand the feeling and what Lani was trying to say. It was why Odi had gone off the deep end when Rhett had left, for Odi had thought he found that sense of peace when Rhett was around. Odion liked his solitude, getting lost in his cards, but most of all, he was reminded that there was good in this world because of Lani. And Lani reminded him that there was good inside of him, as he had once told Lani before. “You remind me of those things, you remind me to believe in what good there is left.”

[Lani Hunter]

“Fair enough,” Lani said taking Odion’s hand and shaking it, “What would you like to learn?” Lani didn’t think he had a lot to offer in the ways of teaching, unless Odion wanted to learn to think like a philosopher or something. As the thought crossed his mind he looked at Odion suddenly confused. What did he have to offer? Why was Odion so sure about all of this? What did Lani have to give him? He took so much from Odion, logic and training, courage and harsh doses of reality. But what did Lani offer him in return? Lani smiled at Odion and shrugged, “I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Sometimes his power did things that were useful, he didn’t really think much of it being himself that did it. His power was parasitic and if he was falling chances were it would catch him. Though it was probably not actually one hundred percent certain but it was close enough for Lani’s purposes. He wondered if Odion was computer savvy. Lani might be able to teach him a little basic hacking.

Lani wasn’t trying to use it as an excuse he was just thinking. The explanation came out rougher than he initially intended. And made even less sense, or so he thought when he actually said it aloud. At this point Lani was just hoping Odion would laugh. He looked at Odion surprised by the question. He looked down at his hands and picked at his fingernails. “Yeah,” he whispered back looking out over the water. He had seen the harbor on stormy days and it was terrifying the way the waves reached up toward the sky and the way the wind whipped the ripples into waves. The gentle oscillation going on below them was perhaps the most calm he had ever seen the ocean. It looked beautiful. Reflecting the sky and the building across the way. Lani scooted a little closer to Odion until they were just touching.

But he moved away again when Odion spoke again. He shook his head, sure Odion was joking. “You shouldn’t look to me for that,” Lani’s throat closed as he shook his head harder to get his point across, “Not after what I’ve done.” No not after Lani had lied to everyone, not like he continued to lie to protect his pride and fragile heart. “You are a good person by your own doing.” He added. He looked down at the water and he felt that familiar terrifying void starting to grow in his heart as he wanted to start pushing Odion away again. But Odion was in his heart he was filling the void and he wasn’t leaving no matter how much Lani tried to push him out. It was then that Lani realized that no matter how much he pushed the physical Odion away he would always be there but it would depend on the future whether that presence was a knife blade constantly twisting deeper or a warm fire that cured and filled the void with warmth.

[Odion Martins]

“I’ll let you know,” Odi said, not about to waste this opportunity. “You realize that’s half of levitating, right?” Lani could act so dense sometimes. In order to get up, one had to stay up, and if Lani could keep himself from falling all the way, what the hell did he need Odion for in the first place? A frustrated, yet adoring smile came to Odi’s face as he looked up and shook his head. Oh Lani, what would you do without me? In any case, their training would continue and hopefully Odion could help Lani find himself.

Proactively finding things or atmospheres to remind himself that he wasn’t all that bad – Odion thought that was pretty smart on Lani’s part. Odion had gone about accepting that everything and everyone had ill intent and he hadn’t bothered trying to prove it wrong. He was so willing to play devil’s advocate for anyone but himself. It was why Lani was his harbour, or his starry sky. Odion couldn’t see the good in the world of his own accord, it needed to be proven to him by someone who already knew there was good in the world. It was a part of many, of why Odion loved Lani.

Maybe Lani was right, maybe Odion shouldn’t see what he did in Lani, but he did, and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. Yes Lani had hurt him with his lies, and Odi wouldn’t forget that, but he would move on, and obviously he had already. “If you really want me to believe that, you wouldn’t have kept me in the field.” Lani knew exactly what Odion was talking about. If Lani wanted to convince Odion that he was a bad person, or unworthy of such praise, then Lani should’ve left Odion to his own devices a long time ago. “That might be so,” Odion said, willing to forfeit this battle, “but I never would’ve noticed without you.” If Odi couldn’t hide from what he knew and felt, neither could Lani.

Odion stood up and neared Lani, “Thanks for showing me.” He smiled, glad to have another piece of Lani Hunter, even though he wasn’t sure where to put it just yet.

[Lani Hunter]

“It’s different,” Lani insisted pointing his fingers up and down. “It’s up and down versus horizontal motion.” Horizontal motion added a second dimension. Lani hadn’t really thought about it before. He felt slightly sheepish but he wasn’t going to let Odion know that. If he could keep himself from falling then theoretically it should be a simple matter of making upward motion greater than downward motion. Simple in theory. Seemingly impossible in practice. Then to add flight to the equation and add that horizontal motion it was, again easy to draw the forces needed to overcome different things. But one also had to add the skill of the person, their balance and their ability to react to sudden changes… As Lani worked it out in his mind he gave Odion a shocked and annoyed expression. Why did he always have to be right? Well now it just sounded like he was making excuses. Well, partially that was true.

Lani clenched his jaw as memories flew back at him. How could he forget that night? Dropping his eyes to the sea below. A lot of hard things to say had been pulled out that night but it had had to be done. Honestly, Lani wished he could see what Odion saw in him. Lani reached up absently and scratched at the scar on his cheek. Perspective. That was what it all really came down too. The scar was so pale and small it was almost invisible to people who didn’t know it was there. But to Lani’s eyes it stood out against his skin like a brand of all the sins he had committed. The problem was that Odion knew what Lani carried on his heart, or at least most of it, and Lani thought he knew a fair amount of what rested on Odion’s heart. How strange, Lani reflected, he didn’t trust anyone and yet he trusted Odion enough to let the redhead take his heart in his hands. He turned his eyes back toward Odion and he just watched him his expression unreadable because he couldn’t decide whether to smile or frown at the comment.

Odion was a good person and that wasn’t Lani’s doing. He nodded a little bit and his lips finally tipped up into a smile. The thoughts from the bus started to pop up in his mind again as he was alone with Odion. Lani felt as if something were stuck in his throat preventing his voice from working but he needed to say it. He didn’t know why his ears needed to hear his voice say. “Odion…” Lani started looking at the redhead before looking up at the stars for strength. “This makes me… us…” He sighed heavily and his tongue felt heavy and awkward. He turned his eyes back to Odion. “I’m gay?” It came out more unsure than Lani meant it to. He didn’t know why naming it was important. It was like being a thief, it didn’t define him but he wanted to define it. Something strange was going on in Lani’s brain and he needed help figuring it out. Lani knew what he wanted and he was standing right in front of him. The simple fact remained that he didn’t know and he didn’t want this something to change who he was.

[Odion Martins]

“Oh,” Odion said, thinking about it further, “I thought it was a little of everything.” Lani would have to excuse him for assuming things about his powers. It was one thing to talk about it, another to watch it, and still another to actually have the power and be able to work with it. It was strange for Odion to think that Adrianna hadn’t tried to help Lani, what with being able to copy his power and what not. Or maybe she had tried and it simply hadn’t worked.

Odion didn’t like it when Lani literally held him back that night. He had to wonder if he had had better control over time, would he have been able to escape, and would he have wanted to? But at least Lani was a fighter, and very determined. Sometimes Odi admired that but often he detested it in times where it made him vulnerable. Hearing his name spoken, Odion turned to look at Lani, seeing a different backdrop. Now, the city was behind him, and from where they stood, he seemed invincible. Odion wanted to smile at the picture but didn’t because of the serious tone coming from the blond. Odi’s dark eyes implored Lani to go on, watching him watch the stars. The brisk night air made Odi’s sense extremely alert and he couldn’t help but wonder at the strong man become so weak, and willingly so.

Odion grinned a little, looking down at the roof of the building they were on. Lani was incredibly adorable. Odion grinned a little, looking down at the roof of the building they were on. Lani was incredibly adorable. “I’m glad you’re happy,” Odi said, nearing Lani before the blond tried to correct him, or tried to explain himself again. Lani was Lani, and though his sexuality was one component of that, one piece of the puzzle didn’t paint the whole picture – Lani did. Giving Lani a soft look, Odion neither admitted nor denied the fact, he just wanted to challenge Lani like he always did. “What’s wrong with that?” And by the way he said it, Lani should would know where Odion stood.

[Lani Hunter]

Lani shrugged and waved his hands back and forth as it they were waves. “Eh, kind of,” he cocked his head as he ran it through in his mind, “In the real world it is, but it’s impossible to think of everything.” He twisted one of his hands absently and looked up as his thumb pointed toward the sky. “We might as well factor earth’s rotation into it.” Now he was rambling and not making any sense. He was skipping steps in his head as he tried to work out the force balance. If one really wanted to include everything then one would have a pin cushion looking creature on paper and god forbid one started adding the apparent forces. Lani didn’t really think there was such a thing. If it acted on something it should be a force but… he looked at Odion realizing he had digressed from the original conversation.

Holding Odion in the field gave Lani mixed feelings as well. It got the job done but it scared him that if he wanted to he could hold someone still. If he could hold them, he could throw them or put enough pressure to crush them. Sometimes the pure amount of power that poured from his mind was enough to make someone either power hungry or terrified. The world should be glad that Lani was the latter. The fact that one couldn’t didn’t mean one should. It was a moral question that everyone with a power had to juggle. And even those without powers. It was a human question. Either way Lani didn’t dwell, when Odion had asked him to he had let him go. His power was a safety net as much as he used it. When he felt vulnerable he didn’t have to accept anything. He just had to blast something. And suddenly the attention was off of him. It worked on most people. But then again Odion wasn’t most people.

Lani looked at Odion about to correct him when he came close and Lani couldn’t help but laugh. Odion wasn’t wrong. He was just using a different definition. His face was crimson and he was glad the darkness helped that. Heart in his throat he looked at Odion his eyes searching. He blinked surprised by the question. It wasn’t one he had expected but it the tone made it different. He shrugged and tore his eyes away from Odion and back to the city. “Nothing,” he said softly before letting out a low chuckle, “I guess I just thought it would feel different.” Passing it off as a joke again. But really it wasn’t a freeing statement, it wasn’t something that he hadn’t known already. It was already there. He wondered if it was like that for other people when they realized it. But it didn’t make sense, he had been attracted to Adrianna. Very much so. And he was very attracted to Odion. Did that make him… indecisive?

[Odion Martins]

Odion’s face contorted in confusion. “I think you just make it more complicated than it needs to be.” Odi himself hadn’t thought of half of the things Lani asked him about. His power was just there, to be bent and to be used. Sometimes it got the best of him, but perfection wasn’t in anyone’s grasp, not really. If Lani wanted to keep trying to figure it out, he would just get tired and not make any progress. It’d be much easier just to let it be and see what happened. Maybe he was worried about hurting people, but what, was he going to spend the rest of his days doing that and trying to control a massive headache all the time? Lani was always telling Odion to relax but he himself never did. Oh well, Odion would just have to point that out when the time was right.

But he especially wasn’t worried about being hurt by Lani, not by his telekinesis anyways. Maybe it was just a cocky misjudgement, but Odi deemed himself far above the grasp of anything Lani could do to him, so long as he hadn’t been hit in the back of the head and made unconscious, then he had the magic of time.

There was that laugh Odion had been dying to hear. Lani the jokester, always felt a little better after having laughed, if only a little. Maybe it didn’t take the confusion away at all, but Odi was carefully listening to the inner struggle Lani was having with himself. He seemed to fight himself on a lot of things. And maybe that was the key, that he just didn’t know how to be, he couldn’t just sit with himself. Maybe Odion spent too much time doing that, but at least he could notice that Lani was lacking in serious self-reflection. “Confusing maybe,” Odion said, watching Lani pull away from him, “but I think you know yourself better than you let on.” Despite what Odi was really thinking, he wanted to see if his faith in Lani could rub off a little. And Odion was curious to know how much Lani thought he knew about himself. “Why does it matter so much?” He asked, firmly planting himself in Lani’s heart. Odion didn’t see the problem, and he was curious as to what Lani was so concerned over. Was it just a familial dilemma?