Ody smiled, took the plate to the sink, and returned.
Mano had reclined on the couch. “Can I turn on the TV?” he asked.
Ody stared at him.
Mano frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’re different. I’ve never heard you talk like that.”
Mano blinked and looked away in embarrassment. Ody chuckled, grabbed the remote, and held it out. “Here. Put on whatever you want.”
Mano took it without meeting his eyes.
The TV buzzed as he searched for a movie. When he finally chose one, he set the remote down and tried to get up, wincing at the pain in his ribs.
“What do you need?” Ody asked.
“Uh... water.”
“I’ll get it. Don’t move.” He returned with a glass. “Here.”
Mano took it, drinking while keeping his eyes on Ody.
“Need more?”
“No, thank—” Mano cut himself off and looked away.
Ody smiled and set the glass aside. His eyes stayed on Mano, making him shift.
“What… what are you looking at?” he asked, noticing Ody’s gaze drop to his lips.
“I’m thinking we should put on more antiseptic. Hold on.” He returned with cotton and a bottle. Sitting closer this time, he dabbed at the small cut on Mano’s lip.
“It stings a little,” Mano murmured.
Ody dabbed at the cut, then blew softly on it. Mano watched him. Ody’s green eyes were stunning up close. He couldn’t tell if they were olive, sea green, or deep pine, but they were beautiful.
He found himself staring longer than he meant to. “You’ve got pretty eyes,” he said before he could stop himself.
Ody looked up, surprised, then smiled. “And you’ve got pretty lips.”
Mano flushed and turned his face away.
“Hey.” Ody caught his chin and turned him back. “I’m not done.” His fingers stayed against Mano’s jaw as he kept applying the antiseptic.
Mano swallowed. Ody was so close he could feel the warmth of his breath, his green eyes lingering on the very lips he had just called pretty.
“Ready,” Ody said, pulling back.
Mano looked away again, his fingers tightening in the fabric of the couch.
Ody tossed the cotton in the trash and returned. “Want me to put on a movie?”
“What movie?”
“Anything you want.”
Mano looked down at his hands. “I don’t know.”
