He had to find a way to thank him.
Even when he was carried by Matheus to his car and taken home, or when he was bedridden for the next two days because of a fever and muscle pain, Jake kept thinking about finding Nath to thank him.
Even if he was some kind of hybrid who wouldn't react to his pheromones, that didn't mean he could be hugged like that. He always hung out with Guilherme, and given their proximity, maybe they were more than friends...
Fuck! Were they together?
— Fuck, Jake, what a mistake!
Just remembering that he'd spent long minutes hugging that joker, Jake felt his fever rise. Stretching his arms in the air, the alpha stared at his hands, still remembering the sensation of having him there.
His body wasn't small, and he had a feeling he could get rid of Jake very easily, as he had some strong muscles. Well, not that Jake would go down so easily, especially if he was in that state.
For an alpha, no prey could get away from you.
— Still, he was good enough to wait until I calmed down... Haa, what a disaster...
— Wow, are you really ill then?
Hearing that voice, Jake glanced round the corner to the bedroom door where he saw that familiar smile.
— Where did you learn to break into other people's houses like that, Milles?
The other blond-haired alpha let out a laugh as he backed away from the door.
— I know someone who loves jumping over walls and climbing trees to break into rooms.
Jake rolled his eyes, not wanting to know the details, even though he knew who it was.
— Did Matheus call you?
— That's right, he said he had to go training and asked me to come and keep an eye on you. I even brought some medicine — Milles approached his cousin's bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress to touch his forehead — What the hell did you do to get yourself into this state?
— An omega went into heat in the middle of class. It was hard to control myself, so... I'm in bed because of it.
Milles widened his eyes, leaning on his knees as he stared at his cousin.
— So that's what happens when an alpha doesn't fuck when he should?
— It's horrible trying to contain yourself at times like that, especially when someone else is around.
— Hey, didn't you leave the room? Did you stand there in the middle of the pheromones the whole time?
— I just helped get her safely to the infirmary. I left afterwards, but I ended up bumping into a guy in the middle of the corridor, and... Poor guy, he looked after me until I managed to take the inhibitor.
Milles covered his mouth to stifle a laugh, trying his best to remain serious at seeing his cousin look so upset. It wasn't that it wasn't obvious how much the alpha wanted to laugh, Jake had noticed, but he would pretend not to, since his embarrassment was far greater.
In the end, he just wanted to bury himself alive while he recounted the details of what had happened in college.
— Are you sure he wasn't an omega? Or a beta? Maybe even an alpha?
— No smell. No odour at all. He didn't even bother with me, he was like a plastic doll. No jokes, Milles — warned the alpha as he saw his cousin's smile widen.
Milles immediately raised his hands in surrender.
— But it's strange that there's someone like that around. It must be frustrating... Or a relief, since sometimes the smells are quite nauseating.
— That's the least of it, he's probably seeing a guy from my team. Fuck, he turned up afterwards... Aah, what would you do if you saw your boyfriend being cuddled by another alpha?
— Depends, would the poor bloke be alive or dead?
— And who would the poor sod be?
— The other alpha, of course.
Jake stared at his cousin for a few seconds, seeing that he was really pondering the situation. But considering the personality of the omega Milles was dating, Jake figured it was a pretty valid question. From what he knew of the little guy, only Milles could stand his scary personality.
— Anyway, I need to apologise to both of them. If they get into a fight and break up because of me, I don't want that.
— Wow, you think you're the last biscuit in the packet. You said that neither of you seemed bothered by the situation, and besides, you were in a bad way.
— I want to bury myself alive, how am I going to face the kid in training? Aaaah, what the hell!
— If you've had enough of shouting, take your medication and go to sleep. Then we'll have some noodles.
Although it wasn't as comforting as he wanted, the alpha still felt good about his cousin's words. He didn't have to reproach himself for doing what he did, since he wasn't feeling very well at the time. But he still tried hard enough not to go beyond that point.
And how hard that was.
Touching his own mouth, Jake sighed as he remembered smelling something coming from the mask. It could have been a trick being played on his brain, as he could smell absolutely nothing coming from that joker.
All he had to do was find a way to thank him for his help. It was the least he could do.
And determined to say thank you, Jake recovered from his aching muscles and was able to return to class the following week.
For the first time, he felt anxious about going to college. Tightening the strap of his rucksack, the alpha wondered where he could find the Joker. That day he had bumped into him in his course building, so maybe he could get lucky if he looked for him there.
And that's exactly where his search began.
Jake said hello to some of the classmates he'd met during his first few days at school, most of whom were Rapoxia fans. He had to admit that his university had some good sports teams, with football and volleyball being the strongest and best known. A good reason to be proud of being part of the team again.
As he rambled on, Jake entered the building and climbed the stairs looking for the masked man without finding even his shadow. Where else could he look for him? He had no idea what course he was studying...
Remembering the corner where the incident had taken place, he decided to go there by chance.
It was on the second floor, where a pillar served as the perfect hiding place. There, leaning against the wall, was a tall boy in a hood and mask, who seemed lost in thought.
Finally he found it!
One step towards him and immediately those frightening brown eyes were on Jake. Shuddering at having his presence noticed so quickly, the alpha just gave a nervous smile and raised his hand in a wave.
— Hey! You were the one who helped me that day, weren't you?
The boy nodded, not looking too surprised to see him.
Slowly approaching the boy, Jake felt his hand break out in a cold sweat. Now that they were face-to-face, he could clearly see what was scaring everyone to the point where absurd rumours were spreading. I mean, his presence was kind of intimidating. Jake had the feeling that he should just say what he wanted and get on with it before he was kicked away.
That's because he stared at him so intensely that he forgot his words.
— You seem to be feeling better today.
— Oh yes! Are you... Are you all right? — Jake asked, looking at him curiously, but the guy just tilted his head, not seeming to understand him very well — The amount of pheromones I threw at you was too much, so I thought it might have made you ill too.
— No. As I said that day, the pheromones don't affect me since I haven't had my bloom.
So Jake hadn't imagined it, he really wasn't bothered. Once again Jake felt guilty that the poor guy had helped such a pathetic alpha like him the other day.
— Good. Actually, I was looking for you because I wanted to thank you for helping me.
— I didn't do anything.
— Of course you did! Not just anyone can handle an alpha's pheromones. That's why I want to repay you, hm... — Facing him, Jake sighed, feeling awkward about calling him by the nickname Guilherme had called him that day. — Could you tell me your name?
The boy blinked slowly before answering.
— Nathaniel.
Ah... Hence the nickname "Nath". Smiling, the alpha extended his hand.
— I'm Jake, it's nice to meet you.
Nathaniel stared at the alpha's hand and then extended his gloved hand to shake it.
— It's my pleasure.
— I know it's sudden, but are you free now? I wanted to buy you a coffee, since it's the least I can do for now for the help you've given me.
Apparently, Nathaniel wasn't a chatty person. Besides, he was hiding behind that pillar as if he were running away from crowded places.
Considering how many rumours there are about him, it would be natural to want to be alone.
— The cafeteria here at the college isn't that crowded, since people prefer to go to restaurants and snack bars. And their coffee is good.
— That's fine.
Bingo!
Nathaniel doesn't like crowded places. And having received a positive response, Jake ended up smiling with relief, exuding his usual brilliant aura.
And so he managed to drag Nathaniel out of the administration building and on to the cafeteria near the centre of campus.
Thanks to their early arrival, there weren't many people staring at the strange combination, which made Jake more comfortable in trying to strike up a conversation.
— Didn't Guilherme come today? You're always together.
— He's in the gym, I think he had a team meeting.
Team meeting? Jake hadn't been told about any meetings. Not that it would have made any difference, since he was in the reserves. It would take a while for his coach's anger to wear off and let him step on the court.
— Speaking of him, I hope I haven't caused any misunderstandings between you — Jake commented, massaging the back of his neck, feeling embarrassed to bring the subject up — Guilherme must have been surprised to see us like that.
— It's okay, it's not your fault and he knows it.
All right? Jake was relieved to hear that.
The café Jake wanted to go to was very quiet, just as expected. A clean, calm environment that every stressed-out student should seek out to take a break from their studies.
As soon as they stopped at the door, an attendant came to greet them with a friendly smile.
— Welcome! Are you going to order here or take it away?
— Actually, we're staying here. Can you find us a nice table?
— Of course! Do you have any preferences?
— A table at a distance, please. — Nathaniel suddenly interceded.
The waitress looked surprised and glanced at Jake, who just nodded. If that's what he wanted, then he'd take it, after all, Jake was there to thank him. A table away was no big deal.
The girl took the two boys to the second floor of the café, which was empty. At a corner table with an upholstered seat against a wall, this was where they would find the privacy they wanted. The menu delivered, Jake automatically looked at the sweetest drinks there, giving a nostalgic smile.
— I'll have a cappuccino and a... Strawberry shortcake.
— Yes, sir. And you?
Nathaniel stared at the menu without saying anything.
— I don't know what to order. It's my first time here.
— Ah... Do you prefer bitter or sweet?
— Sweet.
— Then I recommend the hot chocolate cake and a mocha.
— That's fine then.
The waitress took their orders and then went downstairs. Standing there alone, Jake looked at him curiously, not sure how to start a conversation. He'd already apologised for what had happened the week before, and he'd also found out that Guilherme hadn't misunderstood what had happened...
What else could he know?
Tapping his fingers on the table, he soon remembered a small detail from the other day.
— How did you know where my class was?
— I'm your senior, I've seen you walking around the corridors.
— Are you in business administration too? — Jake shouted, pretending to be surprised — I mean, you don't look like someone who'd go into business.
— I didn't have much idea what to do, but I ended up doing well so I decided to go all the way.
He was no different from most university students. Not everyone had any idea what they wanted to study. Deciding the future of your life in a short space of time was the most suffocating thing. Nathaniel probably went through the same thing.
Thankfully, they found something to talk about.
Jake noticed that Nathaniel was someone different from what he expected. What's more, it was clear from what he said that his grades were very good. Jake was surprised to realise that his impression of him was only improving.
As soon as the orders arrived, they were able to enjoy the warmth of a coffee and cake. Jake took a sip, feeling the sleepiness gradually go away, and the sweetness of the cake was also a good match. Definitely.
— What did you think of the cak-
As soon as he raised his head to ask a simple question, Jake froze when he saw Nathaniel remove his mask.
He imagined that he wore it for style reasons, since his clothes were all dark and covered him completely as if to hide him. It wouldn't be strange to see a young man following a trend, like the infamous emos. It was just a question of identification.
But what he saw there was completely different.
A scar ran from the corner of his lips halfway down his face. A hideous scar that sent shivers down Jake's spine. Now he understood why Nathaniel was called the Joker.