Page 102 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

“You walked into us!” one of them shot back.

Mano stepped forward, fists clenched. “You have a death wish?”

“Mano…” Ody caught his arm.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Mano said to them. He turned back to Ody, noticing the scrape, bloody and raw. His expression shifted. “Are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine.” He winced.

“Let’s go to a pharmacy.”

“I thought you didn’t like pharmacies,” Ody said, a hint of teasing through the pain.

“Yeah. And? You still took care of me. Now it’s my turn.”

Ody smiled.

A while later, they sat on a bench outside, Ody’s arm freshly bandaged.

“Are you okay?” Mano asked, studying his face.

“I’m good.”

Mano didn’t look convinced. Ody glanced down, a quiet laugh slipping out of him.

“What?” Mano asked.

“I like seeing you like this.”

“Like what?”

Ody’s smile deepened. “Protective.”

Mano swallowed, turning his head away.

“You know you blush when you’re shy?” Ody teased.

Mano snapped his head back, eyes wide. “If you’re colorblind, maybe go see a doctor.”

Ody laughed.

“And I’m not shy. I don’t even know what that means.” He pushed off the bench and walked off.

“Hey! You’re leaving me alone while I’m injured?” Ody called, laughing as he followed.

Back in the car, Ody struggled with the seat belt.

“Let me.” Mano leaned in, close enough for their breaths to catch.

Ody’s gaze lingered on his face. “Thanks.”

The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence.

At home, Ody went straight to the bed and lay down. Mano changed into gray sweatpants, staying shirtless, then joined him.

“Thanks for earlier,” Ody said, his voice low. “I feel safe with you.”

Mano didn’t answer. He just leaned in, and their lips met, soft at first. Ody melted into it as Mano hovered above him. The kiss deepened, his hands moving, sliding under Ody’s shirt, brushing bare skin.