Chapter 13 - Friend request

He had been through complicated situations many times before, and had even been involved in fights in his school days. However, it was the first time he had seen an alpha use his pheromones with the intention of humiliating someone so openly.

Jake had no idea what the fight was about, but Nathaniel's condition was pitiful. 

Holding him in his arms, the alpha tried to calm him down. His body was shaking and his breathing was ragged and breathless. All he had to do was keep the levels of his pheromones low so that he would calm down.

It was the second time they had embraced and Jake had covered him with his pheromones.  No, it wouldn't be so different from the time he hugged him in the corridor at college.

What was different was that Jake wasn't in heat, and it was Nathaniel who was unwell.

How strange, if he hadn't had his bloom, why was he reacting to the pheromones?

Jake instinctively moved closer to Nathaniel's shoulder, taking a deep breath, where he could feel something. Just like the other time, there was the bittersweet odour impregnated in his clothes. This time, Jake stood there smelling it to make sure he hadn't made a mistake.

They were pheromones.

They were definitely pheromones.

Squinting his eyes, Jake sighed loudly.

— That smells good — murmured the alpha.

It had been years since he had smelt such a delicious aroma. It was a shame that there seemed to be so little of it, and that almost all of Nathaniel's body was filled with the pheromones of another alpha. 

If he could eliminate that foul odour, could Jake feel more of Nathaniel's pheromones?

— He'll be alright, won't he?

Jake's head snapped round.

Turning round, he noticed that Guilherme was looking at Nathaniel with concern. Suddenly, the alpha realised something that made him worry in the slightest.

Ah.

What the fuck was he doing? Was he practically shoving his face into the boy's neck, sniffing his crotch like a dog in heat? It wasn't enough for Jake to use his pheromones in front of the beta, of whom he still had no idea what their relationship was. But if they were a couple... Jake was doing something wrong, wasn't he?

Damn. Why did he always end up doing things that could lead to misunderstandings?

— I hope so, otherwise we'll have to take him to hospital.

— I'm fine.

Nathaniel's low voice surprised both boys. The Joker pulled away from Jake's chest, keeping his head down, even though he hadn't left the embrace. 

— Are you sure, Nath? You've never reacted to pheromones before.

— I told you to go to the doctor...

Nathaniel closed his eyes for a moment before pulling himself together and raising his head.

— It's all right. It just hurts where I got punched, but it's no big deal.

He was acting as if it really wasn't a big deal. As if none of it bothered him. Jake was amazed at how quickly he pulled himself together and ignored his own condition. However, he shouldn't believe what he was saying so easily. He could be lying to avoid worrying them.

Holding his shoulders, Jake no longer felt the boy's body tremble. Lowering his hands to hold Nathaniel's, he noticed that his temperature had normalised. He seemed to be really well.

What a relief.

— You gave us quite a scare, man. 

— Sorry about that.

— Why did you have to fight with Caspian like that, you idiot!

Guilherme whimpered. Nathaniel sighed and stroked his hair gently to calm him down. 

Those two were definitely something to watch. Although it was still none of his business.

Jake stood up, wiping the dirt off his trousers before he ended up making another mess in front of the two of them. 

— Let's go into the restaurant. You haven't eaten anything, have you?

— You don't have to worry about me.

— Exactly, he hasn't eaten anything! — interrupted Guilherme, still with a peck on the lips.

— Then let's go, I'll order some more snacks — smiled Jake.

Holding out his hand, the alpha found it strange that the joker was just staring at him.

He was just trying to help him up, no big deal, right?

I mean, he wasn't meddling where he didn't belong. Guilherme had literally asked for his help before, so it was okay to keep reaching out and help him even a little, right?

Maybe that made Nathaniel uncomfortable...

About to give up on offering him help, Nathaniel took his hand and got up from the floor. His hand was gloved just like the other times, but Jake swore he felt a warmth coming from it. 

Even when he pulled his hood over his head and picked up his mask from the floor, Nathaniel didn't look at Jake when he whispered.

— Thank you.

Nathaniel and Guilherme walked back into the restaurant as if nothing was bothering them. Jake, however, was still staring at his own hand, not understanding exactly what had just happened.

Was something wrong with him? 

Hiding his face between his hands, Jake sighed.

— Have you gone mad, Jake? How can you keep sniffing the guy in a situation like this? — The alpha grumbled, covering part of his face with his hand — But it smelled so good...

He should be worrying about other things. For example, why would those two fight with the Akaguia guy?

Even earlier it seemed like they already knew each other.

Should Jake be worried about a fight between the teams? Although the rivalry was always there, Rapoxia was careful not to cross the line.

Or rather, Jake was careful.

As soon as he returned to the restaurant, Jake approached the counter where he ordered some more snacks for his friends. While he waited, he drummed his fingers on the wooden countertop, not forgetting the strangeness of the situation.

— What an ugly face, huh?

Startled by Matheus' sudden arrival, Jake sighed tiredly.

— I was just thinking.

— Does it have something to do with the disappearance of those two?

Matheus looked towards the table, where the team members were playing with Guilherme, while Nathaniel sat in the corner. It was sad to see him alone while everyone laughed and ignored him.

— Do you know that red-haired boy from Akaguia?

— What about him?

— Nathaniel punched him.

Matheus widened his eyes and then cracked a huge smile.

— You're joking! Why did I miss a gig like that? — Jake glared at Matheus, who shrugged nonchalantly — But why would they fight? Even more so in a place where our team would be nearby?

— Yeah, I want to know too. Did anything like that happen while I was away?

— Of course not! I'm a good captain, you know? I kept everything in order.

Jake peered into his eyes, suspicious of the answer, but Matheus' shameless smile didn't encourage him to doubt it. He was going to believe it for now.

— But why are you so bothered about that guy? Do you know him?

— I don't know him — Jake sighed — But I think our freshman does, and he must have had a quarrel.

Matheus' eyes lit up with excitement. The tanned alpha leaned on the bench and gave Jake a mischievous smile.

— What about you find out for yourself, eh? 

— You really don't intend to let me go, do you?

— Of course not. I didn't raise Rapoxia on my own — smiled Matheus, crossing his arms, amused at having an answer he wanted — It's about time I took over this child.

If anyone heard Matheus talking, they would have thought he was talking about a real child. However, Jake knew very well what was between the lines. 

Rapoxia was much more than a university volleyball team.

— Since I'm in the reserves, I should take care of a few things — Jake commented in a serious and somewhat threatening tone — I'll take the opportunity to find out what that lawyer wants from me this time.

— Lawyer? Wait, are your parents going to try to contact you again?

Matheus' disgusted grimace hurt Jake's pride a little, but he wouldn't judge him completely. His parents were a total contradiction.

— Are you okay dealing with them? I'm worried since you just went back to college and those bastards didn't even take the time to send someone.

A bell rang, and Jake automatically turned to pick up the tray of ready-made snacks. The delicious smell made his stomach growl with hunger. Looking towards the table where Nathaniel was still alone, the alpha imagined that he wasn't the only one who was starving.

It really bothered him to see Nathaniel alone.

— Let's just say I'm losing my patience for certain things — the uniformed alpha finally replied.

Matheus stifled a malicious laugh and nodded.

— As you wish.

Leaving his friend behind, Jake took the tray of snacks to the table. He should put his worries aside and enjoy the rest of the evening, shouldn't he? Even though so much had happened during that simple party, Jake didn't want to end the evening with a headache. 

That's why the alpha was going to keep that joker company. And before the gluttons stole the snack, the alpha handed one to Nathaniel, who looked at it curiously.

— Eat it before it gets cold.

— But I just ate what I ordered earlier.

— You were shivering just now, so it's good to eat more so you can get home, don't you think?

Nathaniel pondered for a moment and then nodded and accepted the snack. Jake sat down next to him and started eating too, ignoring the jokes and the mess the foxes were making next to him.

As long as everyone could enjoy themselves that carnival night, everything would be fine.

— Aren't you going to drink with them?

Nathaniel's question surprised Jake. Was he trying to strike up a conversation? Unheard of. He wouldn't let his efforts be in vain. After taking a bite of his snack, the alpha denied it with his head.

— My day was full, I didn't stop for a minute. So I want to get some rest.

The boy shrugged his shoulders and continued eating his snack without saying another word. Had Jake said something wrong? It was time to change the subject and keep the conversation going.

— By the way, are you wearing your hoodie to hide that bruise? — Jake asked, pointing to the corner of his mouth where Nathaniel had a small purple circle.

— People might feel uncomfortable, so I'd rather not draw attention to it.

— But you must be feeling hot in that sweatshirt...

— It's all right.

He seemed used to it, Jake thought.

He'd never seen Nathaniel without his sweatshirt and gloves. Even though he only wore his mask now to eat, the boy would certainly be wearing it again soon.

Nathaniel would hide again.

Staring at the scar on his face, Jake felt his body shiver. He had thought it might be a tattoo, but usually people liked to show off, which was the opposite of Nathaniel. 

He always hid it.

So what had happened to give him a scar like that?

How did Nathaniel feel about having to hide it every day?

— It must be exhausting to hide the scar.

Covering his mouth, Jake's whole face turned red with embarrassment. 

What the hell was that?

Why did he have to let his thoughts escape like that?

Shut up next time, Jake Mckenzie, the alpha scolded himself.

— It's all right. I'm used to it — Nathaniel replied, staring at his own snack.

— Sorry, I said it without thinking...

— People hear rumours about me and already avoid me. It would be even worse if they saw my face.

Jake's heart skipped a beat when he heard that.

— Did you know about the rumours?

— It would be hard not to, it's not like they're trying to hide it. And I don't care either.

How could he be so calm?

How could Nathaniel say with such indifference that he didn't care about the rumours?

It was so obvious that he wasn't that kind of person!

It reminded Jake of a certain blond-haired omega who was also the subject of rumours and got into trouble because of it. The guilt of not being there to help him and of being partly responsible for creating the rumours taught Jake a valuable lesson.

It also showed that it could be lonely to face rumours.

Jake remembered that all too well. Clenching his fingers into fists, the alpha answered clearly.

— You shouldn't hide, Nathaniel.

Nathaniel froze in place, staring at the snack in his hands until he looked at Jake. The alpha's heart skipped a beat when those outlined eyes focussed on him, looking like a silent threat. 

Had he crossed the line by saying that?

Nathaniel was not someone easy to read. However, he wouldn't have said it out of spite.

— Oh, I'm sorry...

— Are you always so nice to people?

The question caught him off guard. Looking down at the table, he could hardly believe that Nathaniel had complimented him like that. I mean, he'd heard things like that from other people, but usually he didn't feel embarrassed.

— I don't think I'm kind, I mean, I haven't done anything to be considered so.

— You've already done a lot for me today. This time I'm not the one who owes you?

Out of the corner of his eye, Jake noticed that Nathaniel had softened his expression. It was a good thing he wasn't bothered by the conversation.

Wouldn't that be a good opportunity?

Opening a friendly smile, Jake dared to wrap his arms around Nathaniel's shoulder and look directly at him. And just by behaving in such a way, he could see the surprise on the hooded boy's face again. 

— So, how about we be friends from now on?