52. Chapter 52
Ody kept his hands against Mano’s cheek. “I brought some of my stuff.” He motioned toward the backpack he had dropped as soon as he walked in. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Mano shook his head, glancing away.
Ody leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Should we eat something?” he asked.
“Uh... I don’t have much…”
“How about crepes?” Ody suggested. “Oh man, yes. Do you prefer sweet or savory?”
“Sweet…” Mano murmured.
“Me too! Let’s go to the store, grab the ingredients and make them together. Sounds good?”
He nodded, and Ody grinned. “Come on, get dressed. Let’s go.”
Mano pulled on a hoodie and tugged the hood up, hoping it would hide the marks on his neck.
Ody’s eyes lingered on him before he smirked. “You know wearing a hoodie in July makes you look even more suspicious, right?”
Mano’s cheeks burned. “This is your fault,” he muttered.
“Still looks hot on you.”
“Shut up.”
Ody grinned. “Cute too.”
Mano immediately opened the door and headed down the stairs.
By the time they entered the supermarket, Mano barely spoke. He kept his gaze on the floor as they walked between the aisles.
He had stopped Ody from leaving. He had asked him to stay. His ears felt warm just thinking about it. Damn it…
Ody grabbed a basket and headed toward the refrigerators. He picked up milk and butter, closed the fridge door, and kept walking while Mano followed. He added eggs and flour to the basket, then walked down the sweets aisle. “What do you want to put inside?” He turned to look at him.
Mano averted his gaze. “Uh... Nutella.”
“And cookies.” Ody reached for a package before glancing back at him. “Do you want flavored ones or the classic kind?”
“Anything’s fine.”
“You pick.”
Mano shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his hoodie. “I eat everything. I don’t mind.”
Ody studied the fully stocked shelves for a moment, then grabbed three different kinds of cookies. “Ohh!” he exclaimed, making Mano flinch. “Just wait. I’m about to take this to the next level,” he said as he walked past him toward the freezer section.
Mano followed, watching Ody grab a tub of ice cream with three flavors and toss it into the basket. “Approved?” he asked with a grin.
Mano nodded.
“Do you want to get anything else for your place while we’re here?”
“No, I’m good.”
They walked together to the checkout, and Mano saw Ody pull out his wallet.
“I’ll pay,” Mano said, taking out his own wallet while they waited in line.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. It’s my first time at your place…”
“It isn’t your first.”
Ody glanced around, then leaned in, lowering his voice. “First time staying over, I mean,” he said with a smirk.
Mano swallowed hard, his eyes widening.
Ody chuckled and turned back to the counter, handing the cashier his card before Mano could protest.
“Have a good afternoon,” the cashier said, and they left with a full shopping bag in Ody’s hand.
As they walked back home, Mano glanced at the bag in Ody’s hand. He reached for it, but Ody pulled away, puzzled. “What?”
“I’ll carry it.”
“What, you think it’s too heavy for me?” he teased.
Mano grabbed the bag from his hands anyway.
Ody smiled as he watched him, and soon they arrived home.
Mano placed the bag on the table while Ody started taking the groceries out.
“Grab me a pan. Non-stick, if you have one,” Ody said.
Mano opened a cupboard and took one out.
“And a bowl,” Ody added.
He cracked the eggs into it while Mano grabbed a whisk and began beating them. Ody poured in the milk and added the melted butter. “And a sifter for the flour. Do you have one?”
Mano opened a tall cabinet and handed it to him.
“Wow, you’ve got everything, huh?” Ody said with a smile. He sifted the flour into the mixture, then asked for sugar and salt. After adding a small pinch of each, he looked up at Mano. “This part’s all yours,” he said with a grin, handing him the whisk.
Mano mixed the batter while Ody’s gaze lingered on the muscles in his arms, tightening with each movement.
He melted some butter and spread it evenly across the pan. Mano’s eyes followed his movements until Ody dipped a finger into the batter and smeared a bit onto his cheek.
Mano turned and glared at him. “What now? You wanna fight?”
“Yup,” Ody said playfully, dabbing a little on the tip of his nose.
Mano shut his eyes and let out a slow breath, like a bull about to charge. Then he grabbed the bowl of batter with murder in his eyes.
Ody backed away, laughing, his hands raised defensively. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up.” He grabbed a paper towel while Mano set the bowl down.
Ody glanced at him, but Mano refused to look at him. He lifted the paper towel to wipe Mano’s cheek. At the last second, he leaned in and licked it instead.
Mano’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“Cleaning you up.” Ody smirked, their faces just inches apart.
Mano blinked fast and dropped his gaze just as Ody ran his tongue over the tip of his nose.
Mano looked up at him again, stunned, and mumbled shyly, “I-I’m gonna go lie down on the couch. You can finish this on your own.”
Before Ody could say anything, Mano turned and walked out of the kitchen. Ody let out a low chuckle behind him.
Mano lay down on the couch and pulled out his phone while Ody poured the batter into the pan, letting the first crepe cook.
By the time Ody approached with two plates, Mano was still glued to his screen. Ody set the plates down beside him on the couch, then went to grab the ice cream from the freezer.
When he returned, Mano hadn’t looked up once. “I put the last ones on your plate so they’d still be warm. Try one,” Ody said.
But Mano barely reacted.
“What are you looking at?” he asked, leaning over to peek at the screen.
Mano jerked away. “None of your business.”
“Okay... sorry. I was just messing around,” Ody said, looking down.
Mano locked his phone and slid it under his leg. “Did you try them?” he asked.
“No. You try first,” Ody said, handing him the fork.
But Mano didn’t make a move. So Ody cut a piece of crepe and lifted it toward him. “Here.”
“What?” Mano asked, blinking at him.
Ody motioned for him to take the bite. Hesitantly, Mano leaned in and took the piece from Ody’s fork.
“Wait.” Ody set the fork down and grabbed the spoon instead. He scooped up a generous amount of ice cream and held it out. “Quick, before it melts.”
Mano leaned forward again and took the bite. As he did, Ody’s eyes lingered on his full lips. “Good?” he asked.
Mano nodded.
He cut another bite and held it out to him.
“Aren’t you gonna eat?” Mano asked.
“Later.”
“It’ll get cold.”
“I don’t mind. I like feeding you,” Ody said casually.
Mano averted his gaze, suddenly shy. He ate the second bite slowly before finally looking back at him.
Ody smiled and brushed a hand through Mano’s hair. “Here, ice cream too.” He brought the spoon toward his lips.
When Mano’s crepe was gone, Ody grabbed his own plate.
He took a bite, and Mano watched his expression carefully. “Isn’t it cold now?” he asked.
“A little, but I don’t mind,” Ody replied, still chewing.
Mano didn’t look away. “You’re so selfless…”
Ody paused mid-chew and met Mano’s gaze.
“You always put yourself second for others,” he added.
Ody swallowed, then spoke. “I don’t do it for everyone. Only for the people I lo—” He cut himself off, his eyes widening.
Mano’s breath caught.
“...Only for the people I care about,” Ody corrected quickly, watching Mano’s stunned reaction.
“I-I’m gonna get some water…” Mano mumbled, shooting up from the couch.
Ody stared at the empty space where Mano had been. He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled slowly.
He finished his crepe in silence, then gathered the plates and carried them to the sink. He grabbed a sponge and squirted some dish soap onto it.
“You don’t have to wash them,” Mano said, stepping up beside him.
“I’m a guest. It wouldn’t be right to leave you with dirty dishes,” Ody replied, scrubbing the first plate, his eyes still on the sink.
Mano, however, kept watching him. “I’m going for a shower,” he muttered, walking past him toward the bathroom.
He stripped off his clothes and stepped under the showerhead, turning on the water.
Warm droplets cascaded down, soaking his black hair.
Water traced the contours of his muscles, running down his chest and along the lines of his abs.
He reached for the shampoo, flipped the cap open, and poured a small amount into his palm.
Massaging it into his scalp, he worked up a thick lather.
With his eyes closed, he let the water rinse the foam away, standing still beneath the steady stream.
A faint noise reached his ears. Before he could react, a hand brushed against his waist. He flinched and jerked backward, his eyes still squeezed shut to keep the suds from stinging them.
“Did I scare you?” Ody’s soft chuckle reached him.
“W-what are you doing here?” he stammered, still blinded by the shampoo.
“Thought I’d take a shower too. Hope you don’t mind.” Ody reached for the showerhead and turned it toward him.
Mano remained frozen, soap clinging to his hair, his eyelids squeezed shut. “Wait for me to finish first, then take yours.”
“I want to shower with you.” Ody turned off the water and set the showerhead back onto the faucet. His hands found their way to Mano’s waist again.
Mano tensed, though there was nowhere to retreat.
“God, this body…” Ody murmured, his fingers tracing slowly from Mano’s neck down to his abs.
Mano’s breathing grew heavier beneath the touch.
“Want to start working out together?” Ody’s voice dropped to a low murmur. “You could show me your workouts.”
“O-okay, fine! We’ll go!” Mano blurted. “Just let me out now. Turn the water back on.”
“Why?” Ody asked.
“B-because I can’t open my eyes. It’ll burn!” he protested, feeling Ody’s hands still wandering over his body. The thought of standing completely exposed in front of him made heat rush to his face.
“Open them,” Ody whispered with a smirk. Then, reconsidering, he added, “No, don’t. I wouldn’t want your pretty eyes to sting.”