I could see him tense up. His look made me understand he had something different on his mind.

– Not... That. – I rushed to say. – Just staying by my side. I don't want to think, and being with someone else helps me not to. 

I noticed how he immediately relaxed. I didn't want to be a bother, and I knew that maybe we didn't have enough confidence for that, but right now I could just think of not being alone. 

I lowered my head, waiting for his answer.

– Sure, I'll stay. 

I looked up at him and he was looking at me with a sweet smile, so I smiled back in gratitude.

A few minutes later, he reincorporated and pulled the phone out of his pocket. When the screen lit up, I saw the time.

It was half past eleven at night. 

– So late! – I said out loud almost screaming, causing John to jump, turning towards me.

– Could you please not do that? 

– Oh. – I chuckled because of his reaction. – I'm sorry. 

I had no idea John was such a scaredy cat that got frightened by sudden things, he didn't seem at all. He smiled and turned his gaze back to his phone, scrolling through messages.

I looked away and stood up. 

– I'm going to take a shower. – It was not necessary to tell him that, but I wanted to do it anyway.

He stared at me for a second and I could see a hint of a blush on his cheeks. Whatever he was thinking would not happen, not again. 

– Uh, okay. – He answered at the end, looking back to his phone and tapping the screen, writing something.

I took all my shower stuff and headed to the bathroom. When I finished and came out, John kept looking at his phone, just that he was now standing on the other side of the bed, where he slept the last time. 

– What are you standing there for? – I asked, drying my hair with a towel.

John raised his head, giving me a glance. He looked back at the bed and looked at me again.

– I thought you might want to put it away first. - He said, pointing with his phone.

I followed with my gaze to where he was pointing and saw Matt's jacket. He had taken it yesterday and put it away, but today he waited for me to do it myself. 

I hurried to bed and took it, looking at it for a second.

Then I turned towards John, who had taken a few steps towards where I was a moment ago, picking up the towel that I had dropped, and I hadn't even noticed.

I looked back at Matt's jacket and squeezed it. I breathed deeply to fill myself with its slight essence, then folding it. I crouched down and opened the bottom drawer of the nightstand to put it away.

Once I finished, I sat up in bed as I let out the air I had been holding in and then yawned. I had yawned several times in the bathroom already, and sitting on the soft bed didn't help much. 

Suddenly I felt the towel on my head, so I looked up and there was John, smiling at me. He started rubbing the towel on my head and I let out a whining.

– Okay, stop. – I took my hands to his, trying for him to stop. 

– You will get sick, dry it properly. – He sentenced. 

– Are you really twenty-three? You seem like a grandpa, or more like a dad. – I complained.

He let out a snort and began to rub harder.

– Ouch! 

As soon as I complained, he went back to doing it slowly.

– Stop complaining. I will keep going until it is completely dry unless you have a hair dryer. 

I grimaced.

It was a hotel and I had not brought anything with me, hence I just had the few clothes I had bought. And he knew that for sure.

I dropped my arms, defeated.

– I will bring you one later.

– No, thanks. I don't usually use it.

He pursed his lips in complaint but did not press the issue. He kept drying my hair and started to feel even more sleepy. I had never stayed up so late before, and even though I had slept for almost two days, I was still sleepy.

I started to fall asleep and John gently placed his hands on my shoulders to keep me from falling back.

– Alex? – I heard him asking.

– Hm? – I answered sleepwalking.

I could feel how John slowly pulled me against his chest and laid me down on the bed. He lifted my legs and pulled them up as well, then covered me with the sheets.

My eyelids were too heavy, so I kept them closed.

When I was almost asleep, I felt something gently bump into my forehead, and seconds later I fell asleep.

In my dream, I saw Matt and I together like before, as if nothing had happened. We were smiling and hugging each other on the couch in the apartment I called home while watching a movie.

I was lying on his chest while he touched my hair, taking strands and releasing them. I looked up at him and he was shining, with that little smile I knew so well. He turned to me and smiled even more, but for some reason, it made me cry.

As soon as I started to do so, Matt vanished with the whole apartment, leaving me alone and on my knees in complete darkness.

I visualized Matt in the distance, who turned around and started walking. I got up as best I could and started running towards him, but he kept getting further and further away until I could not see him anymore.

I fell to my knees again and covered my face with both hands, crying.

Behind me, I felt a small warm light that grew little by little.

The moment I started to turn around, my eyes snapped open and I could feel my cheeks wet.

I ran my fingers through them and began to wipe away the tears I had shed while sleeping.

It was my first time having a dream like this. I had never had dreams like that before, not even when I got here after Matt marked the omega. I thought for a moment.

Then, I noticed that the light wasn't shining directly on me like it normally did, so I looked up.

And there was John.

I stood completely still, shocked. My brain snapped awake and I noticed I was wrapped in his arms like a baby.

That was why it felt hotter than usual.

I stared at him for a moment.

He was sleeping so peacefully that I felt bad waking him up, but I had no idea what time it was and we both had to go to work, so I raised a hand to his face.

Before touching him, I stopped. I was not sure if it would be a good idea to touch him like that, so I lowered my hand and moved the arm that was on me. 

He whimpered and tightened his grip, making me to be the one to whimper this time. 

– John. – I whispered. 

Seeing that he did not move, I repeated his name a little louder.

He grimaced and opened his eyes slightly. He looked down at me and closed them again, bringing his face closer to mine, leaving me completely frozen.

– Good morning. – He spoke with a hoarse voice, gently touching his forehead to mine and smiling slightly.

I swallowed hard.

– H-Hi. – I replied, unable to take my eyes off him.

Seeing that he had gone still again, I took a deep breath and moved my head slightly, causing his to move as well.

– John, we have to go to work. I don't know what time it is. 

He opened his eyes slowly and blinked a few times. He stared at me for longer than necessary.

I looked away and cleared my throat. As if he had just processed everything, he raised his head abruptly, saw his arms wrapped around me, and pulled them away.

I looked back at him, surprised by his reaction.

– Oh, yeah. Work. Sure. – He said, sitting on the bed with a blush that covered all his face. He was on the side where I usually slept, but for some reason, it felt better this way, maybe because he protected me from the light from the window.

He sat on the edge of the bed for a few seconds and then stood up.

He turned around the bed and headed to the bathroom. While walking, I could still see a slight blush on his ears and cheeks. 

I curled up in bed again, trying to think what that had all been about.

Maybe he had someone, and he had thought I was that person. Although if it was the case, then that time we slept together he had cheated on them with me.

I frowned.

That could not be, because during all the months I had been working with him, I had not seen anyone come looking for him, nor had he gone to meet someone. 

Even though there was still the possibility that he was in a long-distance relationship, considering that he had lived in South Korea for several years and was always looking at his phone. 

I looked towards the door, still frowning.

Could that be it?

I shook my head. He didn't seem like that kind of person, although as they always say, you never really know someone.

When he came out of the bathroom I got up, still lazy, grabbed some clean clothes, and went over there.

I remembered I had left the dirty clothes on the Laundry including Jhon's jacket, so I made a mental note to pick it up after work. 

I walked into the bathroom and came out to find John sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting. He looked up as soon as he heard the door open.

– Are you sure you want to go to work? – John asked, moving his hands nervously. 

I nodded confidently.

– I prefer to keep my mind busy. – I said seeing him grimace, hesitating. I stood where I was, wondering if I should ask him or not.

I looked down and stood on one foot, then the other.

– Alex? – His call made me look at him. He had tilted his head and was looking at me. – Is everything alright? 

I looked away for a second and leaned against the wall.

– Hey, John. Do you... Have a partner by any chance? – I hated beating around the bush.

He opened his eyes and shook his head slowly.

– N-No, why? – His eyes sparkled for some reason.

I grimaced.

– Because of the way you woke up, as if it were the most normal thing in the world to hug and get close to another person in that way. – I explained.

He stared at me for a few seconds. Then he slowly covered his face and looked away. 

– Oh, no. I think it was because of your ess... – He whispered, covering his mouth this time, apparently embarrassed. 

I raised an eyebrow, without fully understanding what he meant. I waited for him to continue, but he just shook his hair and gave me a look. 

At the end, he sighed and stood up. He walked over to where I was, so I pushed myself away from the wall, somewhat alert at his sudden approach.

He lifted a hand to my head and placed it there, slowly lowering it while caressing a few strands along the way.

I could not read him at all, and he wouldn't look at me either, keeping his eyes on his movements.

– Your pheromones... They are pretty strong, but they smell good. – He said quietly. – I like them. – He whispered.

My lips slowly parted in shock.

Why was he saying that?

He slightly closed his eyes, as if he was lost in his thoughts. I stood completely still, waiting for him to do or say something, but he just stood there.

– ... John? – I asked seconds later, somewhat confused by his sudden attitude. 

My voice took him out of his thoughts, pulling away with a slight blush. He walked to the side of the bed and grabbed the thermal backpack he had brought last night. 

I followed him with my eyes.

– I'm sorry. – He blurted out. – Just forget it. It's getting late, let's go. – He said turning to me with a smile, probably dissembling.