Once in a Lifetime {BxB English}

🖤 Chapter 27

Ody held Mano in his arms, comforting him as he cried.

"Are you okay?" he asked when he felt Mano had calmed down, but the other boy was still buried in his embrace. "Mano?" He tried to look at his face, only to realize he had fallen asleep.

He must have been really shaken by that nightmare.

Ody carefully tried to shift him without waking him up so he could lay him down properly on the couch, but it was impossible. Mano had his arms wrapped tightly around Ody's waist, making it impossible to move him without disturbing him.

So instead, Ody gently pulled his legs onto the couch and lay down right next to him. Well, more like with him, since Mano's head was resting against his chest.

His right hand started stroking Mano's back in slow, soothing motions.

It's okay... It's over now... Just a bad dream...

~~~

The sun was barely peeking through the curtains of the balcony door in the living room. Both of them had their eyes closed, one in the other's arms.

Their bodies were turned sideways, their faces facing each other. Mano's head was nestled in Ody's chest, while Ody had his arms wrapped around him.

Mano's honey eyes slowly opened. They felt heavy, as he was bothered by the dried tears.

"Mm..." he mumbled groggily when he realized something was pinning him down.

He cracked his eyes open, only to be met with a wall of warmth right in front of him. Blinking in confusion, he slowly tilted his head up—his honey eyes widening in shock.

The moment it hit him where he was and who he was with, a deep, raspy yell left his throat as he shoved Ody off of him—sending him tumbling onto the floor.

"AH!..." Ody jolted awake with a loud groan of pain.

Mano just sat there, wide-eyed, staring at him from where he was pressed against the backrest of the couch.

"Oww..." Ody grabbed his lower back, wincing.

"Wh-wh-why are you here?!" Mano stammered, looking absolutely horrified.

Ody rubbed his sore back as he sat up. "You don't remember?"

"R-remember what?! What are you talking about?!" His panic only grew.

"You had a nightmare... You were crying in your sleep, so I tried to wake you up. When you opened your eyes, you grabbed me and wouldn't let go"

Mano's eyes went impossibly wider, his mind short-circuiting. What the hell was he saying?

"And to avoid waking you up, I just... lay down with you"

"W-with me?!" Mano practically shrieked, staring at Ody in utter disbelief.

"What was your nightmare about?" Ody asked, watching as Mano's gaze dropped to the floor. 

His memories were slowly coming back. The nightmare... the tears...

He had woken up, shaken and disoriented, only to see Ody beside him. He had thrown himself into his arms and—

His honey eyes flew open as the realization hit him like a truck.

Oh my God... What did I do?! 

Panic surged through him. Without thinking, he abruptly turned his back to Ody, curling up with his knees to his chest.

What the hell is wrong with me?! What am I even doing?!

"Mano, are you okay?" Ody asked, concern lacing his voice, as he had no idea Mano was currently burning up with embarrassment.