Disclaimer: Same as before, I own nothing.

Pairing: Odd and Ulrich

Warnings: Slash, Yaoi, m/m

Title: Throwing Stones

Chapter: 2-2

Author's Note: I know I said it was a one-shot before. But...I changed my mind. Mainly because this just happened to pop into my head. I hope you enjoy it!

"I hate this Ulrich."

Ulrich sighed as he rested his head against Odd's shoulder. "I know but Odd..."

"I love you Ulrich. You love me. I'm sick of hiding it!" He pulled away from Ulrich, collapsing on his bed and looking up at the ceiling. A few cracks here and there from where he had shot pebbles with his slingshot interrupted the otherwise flawless creme colored ceiling.

"Odd...I love you too. But I don't want..."

"Me to get hurt. Or others to make fun of me. They do anyway Ulrich! You know that. So what, they'd call me gay, pansy, fag? Just some more names to add to the list of insults. I wouldn't care, as long as I was with you. As long as everyone knew we were together."

Ulrich sighed again, as he went over, running his fingers through Odd's hair. "I'm sorry Odd..."

"No you aren't Ulrich. You aren't sorry at all." He stood up, throwing the dorm room door open and storming out. Ulrich fell back on the bed as it slammed shut, Kiwi approaching tentatively to lick his face.

"Well, at least you still like me," he muttered. Kiwi whined, his tail wagging slowly.

Odd grinned and Ulrich gave a small smile. "Really?" he asked. Ulrich just smiled and leaned forward, kissing Odd gently.

"Really," he whispered when they broke away.

Odd shook his head as he sat on the bridge, throwing stones into the river. It had been six months. Six fucking months since Ulrich had given him that first kiss, that first taste of heaven and here he was, sitting on the bridge, throwing stones into the murky depths below. Nothing had changed since then, it was almost like Ulrich had never said anything, never done anything.

Except when they were alone. That was when all pretenses were shoved aside. When they could be themselves, or when Ulrich could pretend. It had been a fool's hope, that Ulrich would be physical with him in public, would let others know that they loved each other. Ulrich would never do that, would never jeopardize his reputation like that. No matter what he said.

"I love you Odd." He reached over, brushing back his hair so that they were looking each other in the eyes. "Nothing can change that. Nothing."

"I love you too Ulrich..." he whispered, smiling. Ulrich grinned back and Odd pulled him close, kissing him.

The wind howled and Odd shivered, wrapping his arms around him. "Damn you Ulrich!" he shouted to the desolate factory. He had been an idiot, a stupid fool who'd fallen head-over-heels with his best friend. "Hollow words, that's all you've ever said to me," he muttered as he picked up another stone, hurling it into the river.

Waves were beginning to form in the water from the choppy winds and he saw a few whitecaps glinting in the fading light. He rested his head against the guard rail, letting his body tremble.

"Hey," he exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Ulrich. He was sitting on the bench in the courtyard, talking to Yumi and Jer, waiting for Aelita. Ulrich stiffened, looking at Odd.

"Hi," he replied, pulling out of Odd's grasp and sitting next to him. Not touching but oh-so-close.

Odd glanced at him curiously. "Over sleep?" he teased, running his hand over Ulrich's arm. He jerked it back as if he'd been burned.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked, standing. Odd shrugged, following Ulrich, ignoring the looks given by Yumi and Jer.

"What's up?" he asked when they'd gone to a small alcove.

"What are you doing?" A look of confusion passed over Odd's eyes and Ulrich's tone softened a bit. "We can't...you can't just do that...Not at school. I don't want you to get hurt."

A bat screeched as it flew through the air and he jumped, shaking. He had agreed to keep it quiet, to smother his feelings and always monitor himself. To make sure he never went out of line. And it had worked for awhile, no denying that, but six months of silence and self-doubting were wearing on anyone...

Gravel crunched and he looked up, startled as Ulrich approached. "I'm sorry," he muttered as he sank down next to him. "I'm sorry for everything."

"For kissing me?"

"No. Everything but that. Your right...we...shouldn't hide it. But Odd," he reached over, entwining their fingers together. "I'm scared Odd. I'm scared of what people will say, yes, but I'm more scared at what they'll do. People aren't understanding Odd."

"I know that. Trust me, I know that. I've lived through it before and it's not as bad as it's made out to be. I love you Ulrich, even if you are a stupid jerk at times." He leaned over, resting his head on Ulrich's shoulder, smiling when he felt the other's arm wrap around his waist.

"I love you too," Ulrich murmured, burying his face in Odd's hair and inhaling deeply. His gaze trailed over the smaller boy and came to rest on a pile of stones next to him. "Skipping stones?" he teased.

"No way. That's to girly. I was throwing them," Odd muttered as Ulrich laughed again.

Yumi smiled as she approached the bench where Ulrich and Jer were sitting. "Where's our favorite cousins?" she asked, grinning.

"Aelita's feeling sick, I brought her some chicken soup this morning," Jeremie replied. "And here comes Odd now," he laughed. "And he's bringing some of his breakfast as well."

Ulrich glanced over, smiling when he saw Odd walk over carrying a croissant and hot chocolate. "Nah, that's mine," he replied. Odd grinned as he stopped in front of Ulrich. "You ate part of my croissant!"

"Couldn't resist," he replied, grinning. Ulrich yanked him down into his lap, careful not to spill the drink and extracted the rest of the bread from Odd's hand.

"Yeah yeah," he muttered. He finished the croissant and looked at the hot chocolate. "And you drank my hot chocolate!"

"Well, I needed something to wash your breakfast down with," he replied. Ulrich rolled his eyes, brushing his lips against Odd's. "You are such an idiot," he muttered.

Odd grinned, floating somewhere on cloud nine. At that moment, he didn't care who saw them or what they said. So what if Jer looked like he'd just swallowed a hornet and Yumi looked shell-shocked. He was right where he wanted to be. He nuzzled Ulrich's neck, grinning madly. "Aw, come on Ulrich, you know you love me," he chided.

"Yeah, lucky you," he muttered.

Yumi glanced at Jeremie who still looked shocked and she stepped back quickly, shoving the need to cry back. So this was why Ulrich broke up with her...

Author's Note: So...it turned out rushed. So sue me. Not my fault. Well, it is, but I wanted to get it out tonight, so yeah. Hope you enjoyed it!

Starr