They laid flat on their bellies, chins on the floor with less than two feet between their faces

'What are those dark flecks on your irises?' he asked 'And are your eyes green or brown? I've always thought they were brown but now they seem green with a very dark green ring around the outside.'

'That's just your murky soul reflecting' she chided in mock annoyance and then smiled.
'As for the flecks, I dunno--someone once told me that each section of the iris corresponds to a part of your body and where the flecks are is where you are ill or potentially ill.'

'Well?'

'Well what?'

'Well where are you ill? What are we talking about here for pete's sake?'

'She sighed, "Pancreas or something--who cares! I'd say that's pseudoscience, wouldn't you? You just now noticed that my eyes are hazel? Is that your stomach growling? I already had breakfast. Did you not eat?'

'No...I wasn't hungry for food this morning.'

She let a silence fall as an achy sort of acknowledgment and after a few seconds she felt him settle into it too. Now she could feel it coming on like a refrain and--Oh sweet periphery--is that his pulse racing in his neck? Now hers too...

'You just LOST!' he practically yelled.

'What are you TALKING about? My gaze didn't shift--not in the LEAST!' She stared determinedly and squinted for emphasis.

'Well it sure looked like it! You know this is not going to work if you cheat.'

'What do you mean 'work'? Is there a point other than winning?'

His eyes got soft and he cocked his head a bit letting the silence do its work again.

'I really didn't look away.' she said gently leaning her head on her arm to find his eyes again.

'Did you really not?' He matched her tone but his eyes narrowed and his mouth was a bit smirky.

She wrinkled her nose and frowned. 'Since there is no referee, you will just have to trust me.'

'Yes, I suppose I will, or...'

'Or?'

'OR I could declare myself the winner--have victory pancakes.'

'I like pancakes. You LOOK like a pancake all flat on the floor like that. And you look all glowy and hazy too.'

'I was just thinking that about you. Must be the light in here or our eyes getting tired. Or..."

'OR?'

'Or it's an aura...'

He tilted his head down and raised his brow. 'You know, now that you mention it, you really do look like a steamy pancake and I want to eat you!'

She thought she was gonna lose it and jump him but then she realized that was exactly what he was going for so she wiggled and settled down into position--squinting in a dare.

He met her dare. 'But like I said, I'm not hungry for food this morning.' He rested his chin in his hands now meeting her gaze.

The silence came heavier this time and she could feel herself becoming burdened under its weight. After a few seconds it seemed as if he was getting further and further away. Soon all she could see was the light around him. It was a like he was being swallowed inside his pupils! 'Oh God, where am I?'

'Don't go!' she heard him yell and like a camera flash he was back in focus and his hand was on her arm.

'What happened?' She asked as he pulled her over to him.

'You won.' he whispered.