Page 199 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Ody watched him closely, his heart pounding.

Mano moved to the dresser, pulled a blindfold from one of the drawers, then sat beside him. “Before we start, I need to know your limits.” His tone shifted, more serious now. “I need you to be clear with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you okay with me slapping your face?”

Ody blinked. He opened his mouth, then hesitated. “I… I don’t know what you mean.”

A soft slap landed against his cheek. Ody jolted, eyes wide, staring at him.

“Like that.” Mano studied his face.

Ody looked down, letting out a small, embarrassed laugh. “Y-yeah… I think so.”

“I need you to be sure,” Mano said, his gaze steady.

“…Yeah,” Ody murmured.

“What about a harder one?”

Ody shifted, then gave a shy smile. “Once I’m turned on… probably. I guess I need to try it to know.”

Mano’s features softened. “And tying your hands?”

Ody held his gaze this time. “I want you to do whatever you want. I don’t know my limits yet. If I don’t like something… I’ll tell you.”

Mano studied him, then brushed his thumb over his cheek. “We need a safeword. You know what that is?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard of it.”

“If you want something to stop, you say it.”

Ody frowned. “Why not just say ‘no’ or ‘stop’?”

Mano hesitated. “Sometimes those are part of it,” he said, quieter now. “I used to say that to you.”

Ody watched him.

“Not because I wanted you to stop,” Mano added, his gaze dropping. “I was shy. Trying to resist. But…” He exhaled. “I liked it.”

“Liked what?”

“You pushing me,” he said. “Forcing me a little… even though I wanted it.”

Ody’s expression shifted, something clicking into place.

“I should’ve said something back then,” he went on. “I probably confused you.”

Ody shook his head. “I didn’t handle it right.”

“No—”

“I knew you wanted it,” Ody said, more firmly now. “I could see it. But still… I should’ve stopped.”

“I didn’t want you to stop,” Mano cut in, pulling his attention back to him. “I loved everything you did to me. I just…” He hesitated, searching for the words. “I like pretending I don’t want it. Maybe because…” He didn’t finish.

Ody leaned in, more certain now. “Because it makes you feel like I have control over you,” he said. “Like you’re vulnerable… helpless.”