Odd was watching them when they left the garden shed, tussled and blushing. Ulrich brushed the dust from his hair and planted another kiss on Yumi's cheek. She giggled- actually giggled!- and sauntered away.

"Wow! It looks like you two really hit it off." Odd said as Ulrich approached. He slapped him on the back when he got near enough and slung his arm over his shoulder in his usual gesture of comradeship.

"Well you see, we were just, um-"

"You were just lucky I saw you two sneak in there and I distracted Jim before he went by on his rounds. Bad enough to go into the garden shed, but to go and neck? I'm surprised at you, Ulrich, you're usually more careful than that."

"We weren't necking!"

"Sure you weren't. I suppose your shirt came unbuttoned all by itself, then."

"What?"

He hurriedly re-arranged his clothes while Odd snickered.

"Just don't go too fast now, you fox," Odd said.

"What?" Ulrich looked confused for a moment, then he turned bright red. "No, no! We'd never- I mean, we're only sixteen! Well, I'm sixteen, she's seventeen."

"Relax, relax! I was just kidding with you."

They continued to their room chattering quietly. They were in the other wing of dorms now; the first wing was reserved for freshman and sophomores, but the second was for juniors and seniors.

Ulrich watched Odd from the corner of his eye. What was that look he'd seen? Just before he walked over, Odd had been staring at him. No, not him really, but Yumi. Both of them, he guessed. He looked…disgusted.

"Hey Odd, can I, uh, talk to you about something?" He asked when they'd both settled into their usual spots.

"Sure buddy. What's up?"

"What do you think about me dating Yumi?"

"Me? Well, I think it's great of course. You two make a really cute couple you know."

He made a kissy face and Ulrich sat straight in bed, leveling his full glare on his friend.

"I mean it, Odd! Tell me the truth. I mean…why were you looking at us that way today?"

Now Odd went rigid and he met Ulrich's gaze.

"I just think…if you have something to say, then say it, okay? Do you like Yumi too? Is that it?"

"You really think I want your girlfriend?"

Ulrich winced and stared at his feet crossed beneath him on the comforter. He had a sudden image of Odd as a cat, tail lashing, eyes wide and stare unwavering like when they were stalking prey.

"No, I guess not. But- Well, what's your problem then? I know you well enough to know when something's wrong. Just tell me!"

Odd's eyes softened.  "It's just-"

Then he stopped, and let the rest leave him in the form of a sigh.

"Never mind. Look, I'm glad you're happy, all right? Let's just leave it at that."

He flopped onto his side on the bed.

"I don't want you to be upset with me Odd, especially if I don't know what's wrong."

"I'm not mad at you!" He snapped as he sailed up, taking the sheet with him. Kiwi, who'd been dozing lightly on the bed, jumped down and skittered to the corner.

"Well then what are you yelling for?"

"Just leave me the hell alone!"

"Fine!"

"Good!"

Odd flopped onto the mattress again, and he was quiet for so long that Ulrich assumed he'd fallen asleep. Then, an hour or so before he planned to go to sleep himself, he half-heard something from the direction of Odd's bed.

"-you."

"What?"

He turned, but Odd was still curled up on the bed, his back rising and falling slowly in the gentle rhythm of sleep.

"Goodnight, Odd." He muttered, and went to take a shower.

"Night," Came the reply, after he left.