Their faces were very close now, barely any space between them. The way Ody kept staring at him made a faint blush creep across Mano’s cheeks. “W-why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re very handsome,” Ody said.
Mano looked away, trying to focus on anything but him. “You…” He swallowed, then finally lifted his gaze back to Ody’s eyes. “You too…”
Ody blinked in surprise. Then his face lit up with a bright smile before he leaned forward and stole a quick kiss from him. He pushed the sheets aside and climbed over him, straddling Mano. His fingertips brushed gently along Mano’s cheek as he looked down at him.
For a moment, he just stared. The soft blush on Mano’s face. The way those honey-colored eyes looked back at him, uncertain but warm.
His chest tightened. “Mano…” he murmured, his thumb brushing over his cheek again. “I want to…” The words caught in his throat. The thought of being with anyone else felt wrong. Deep down, he had known for a while now, but saying it out loudmade it real. “I want to break up with Anna,” he admitted, their eyes locked. “I want to be with you.”
Mano blinked fast, his pulse quickening. “What... what do you mean?”
“I want us to do things like a couple,” Ody said.
Mano’s eyes widened. “I’ve never been in a relationship. I don’t know what couples do.”
Ody smiled. “They go out for lunch. Watch movies, go shopping, take walks, travel. Sleep together. Wake up together.”
Mano looked away. “That sounds really hard,” he muttered.
“You just have to be yourself,” Ody said softly. “I want the real Mano.”
Mano stared at him, thrown by the words. His mind raced, a thousand thoughts crashing into each other at once.
The real Mano. He wasn’t even sure what that meant.
Ody studied him, then suddenly brightened. “I want us to do more things together. Let’s go to an amusement park!”
Mano frowned. “Where did that come from?”
“It’s awesome!”
“I’ve never been to one,” Mano admitted.
Ody blinked at him in surprise. “Then we’re going. It’s settled.”
“I don’t want to.” Mano looked away with a small pout.
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights…” Ody teased.
Mano glared at him. “Me?”
“Or maybe you’re scared of the haunted roller coaster,” Ody added with a playful smirk.
“Scared?” Mano scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You might scream like a little girl. Who knows?” Ody shrugged dramatically, looking away as if the outcome were obvious.
“Wanna bet?” Mano pushed himself up. “The one screaming like a little girl will be you.”
Ody grinned. “Wanna go see?”
“Hell yeah, let’s go!” Mano snapped, clearly irritated.
Ody had to bite back a grin. While Mano was still worked up, Ody cupped his face and kissed him.
The sudden kiss stole the irritation right out of him.
