A little after ten thirty, Ody spotted him arriving outside the apartment building.
Mano took off his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Good morning,” Ody said as he approached.
“Sorry I’m late. I couldn’t find the address.”
“I didn’t wait long.”
“We’ll get there fast. You’ll see.”
“You won’t… go too fast, right?” he asked nervously.
Mano arched a brow. “Ody, you scared?”
Ody blinked, staring at him. “It’s the first time you’ve called me by my name.”
Mano looked away, sighing. “Get on.” He handed him the second helmet.
Ody hesitated, eyeing it.
“Let me guess,” Mano said. “First time on a bike?”
“N-no.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t show.” He smirked and took the helmet back. He held it above Ody’s head and settled it in place, fastening the strap under his chin. He gave the helmet a couple of light taps. “Get on, or you’ll miss class.”
Ody climbed on behind him, careful not to touch him.
“Hold on,” Mano said.
“I’m fine.” Ody rested his hands on his own knees.
Mano lowered his visor and revved the engine. Then he took off with a sudden burst of speed, jolting Ody backward. Panicking, Ody grabbed Mano’s waist.
Mano smirked. “Told you to hold on,” he said over the noise.
Ody loosened his grip again, barely touching him through the shirt.
“You have class in ten minutes,” Mano shouted. “If you don’t want to be late, I’ve got to go fast.”
“Uh… go ahead,” Ody replied shakily.
“You need to hold on,” Mano repeated as he stopped at a red light. Ody still didn’t. “This isn’t a scooter. Hold on or you’re coming off this bike.”
Ody swallowed and wrapped his arms around Mano’s waist. “Just don’t go too fast.”
Mano sighed, grabbed his hands, and settled them more securely around him. Ody’s chest pressed against him, the firmness of Mano’s abs unmistakable beneath his shirt.
The light turned green and they sped off again. Ody clung to him, convinced the wind would rip him off the bike if he let go.
Mano was right, they reached the university in minutes. He parked and shut off the engine. Ody let go and got off, fumbling with the helmet clasp. His fingers searched blindly beneath his chin. “Damn it…” he muttered.
Mano laughed inside his own helmet. Ody stilled.
Mano took off his helmet, hung it on the handlebar, then reached for Ody’s buckle, fingers brushing too close to his throat. “Like this.” He unfastened it and lifted the helmet off his head, his gaze catching Ody’s.
Ody looked away, blinking.
