Once in a Lifetime {BxB English}

🖤 Chapter 13

After Ody closed the door to give him some space, he looked down at the plate of risotto in his hands. He settled back on the couch and took a bite, surprised at how tasty it was.

Ody put on headphones to listen to music. He'd picked up a few things about Mano over the days they'd known each other. When Mano didn't want to talk about something, he'd just leave. So, Ody didn't want to push him either. He wanted to give him space, especially now that Mano couldn't exactly walk out, being injured.

When Mano finished eating, he set the plate next to him on the couch and stared at the blank TV screen. He opened Instagram on his phone, just as Ody, still listening to music, got a message.

Mano
Can you come over?

He got up instantly, pushing the door open. "What happened?" he asked, sounding a bit worried.

Mano looked up at him from the living room. "Are you gonna sit down?" he asked, and Ody relaxed, sitting next to him on the couch.

"Was it good?" he noticed the empty plate.

"Really good" Mano nodded, and Ody smiled, taking the plate to the sink.

When he returned, Mano had reclined on the couch. "Can I turn on the TV?" he asked, and Ody glanced at him in disbelief, staring at him for a moment.

Mano looked at him, confused. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're... different. It's the first time I've heard you speak so politely"

Mano blinked awkwardly, turning his gaze to the wall. Ody chuckled, got the remote, and handed it over. "Here. Put on whatever you want" he said, and Mano took it without meeting his eyes.

The TV played softly as Mano browsed for a movie. When he finally found one, he put the remote down and tried to stand, but winced from the pain in his ribs and back.

"What do you need?" Ody asked right away.

"Uh... some water"

"I'll get it for you. Don't get up" he went to the kitchen, returning with a glass of water. "Here" he offered, and holding his gaze as if analyzing him, Mano took it in his hands and drank it all.

"Need more?"

"No, thank---" he trailed off, looking away again.

Ody smiled, taking the empty glass from him and setting it on the coffee table. His green eyes then focused steadily on Mano's face, making him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"What... what are you staring at?" He noticed Ody's gaze shifting down to his full lips.

"I'm thinking we should put on some more antiseptic to prevent infection. Hold on" he got up, returning with some cotton and antiseptic solution.

Sitting closer this time, he dabbed some of the solution onto the cotton. "Does this hurt at all?"

"It stings a little" Mano replied, referring to the small cut at the corner of his mouth.

Ody began to gently press the cotton as he looked intently at the wound on his lips. Mano kept his eyes on him as he was taking care of him, then flinched slightly from the sting.

Ody gently blew on the spot to ease the pain, and Mano watched him. Up close, Ody's green eyes looked stunning. He couldn't tell if they were deep pine, olive, or sea green, but they were beautiful.

"You got pretty eyes" he blurted out, as Ody looked up at him.

Their eyes met, the space between them minimal. Ody let out a soft smile before glancing back at the cut on Mano's lips. "And you've got pretty lips"