Jake Mckenzie

The coffee shop was slightly crowded, but Theodore had still managed to get a good seat to talk to Jake.

Though he still couldn't believe he was standing there in front of him. It was a little strange to act friendly after his disappearance a year ago. Even more so knowing that he had been kicked out of his family for being in a relationship with another boy.

Wouldn't he have held a grudge against him?

― I see you haven't changed a bit, little ant. Am I making you nervous?

― A little bit. ― admitted the omega handing the menu to the alpha. ― I'm not sure how to act...

― I'm fine as you can see. ― Laughed Jake picking up the menu looking at the options. Then he cracked a smile pointing to one in particular. ― I bet you order this sweet coffee with chocolate and nuts.

― How did you know that? ― asked Theodore in surprise.

― It's the sweetest on the menu, of course it would be a little ant's choice. ― Laughed Jake as he ordered the sugary coffee for both of them. As soon as the attendant moved away from the table, the alpha leaned on it looking at the omega. ― How come you never answered my messages? I thought you were mad at me.

― What could I say? It's my fault for being an omega.

― Ah, but this talk again? How many times do I have to tell you that you should be proud of yourself for being an omega? Theodore, I saw that you were happy with that guy. No need to recriminate anymore, just be yourself.

― That doesn't mean I haven't brought trouble to you and your family.

― Just like yours. ― Jake smiled when Theodore finally got a good look at him. ― Why didn't you tell me about the sponsorship?

― I found out recently too. In fact, it's only now that I've made peace with my father.

― Is he still heavy handed? Boy, his punching is no joke. I've been in pain all week.

― Tell me about it. But he asked for an apology and some time to adjust. A lot has happened in the meantime. ― smiled Theodore shyly, little by little getting more comfortable with the platinum alpha. ― But why did you come back to the city?

― To be honest? To go to your father's cooperative. ― Before Theodore could question him, Jake had raised his hand. ― I worked hard to find someone to invest in the co-op. It may be a lot less than my family used to pay, but I think it can help.

― Why? Why do you want to go that far?

― It's because my parents didn't like me getting out of their control. It's an apology for getting in the way of your father's work. That's all I can do.

Theodore wanted to cry. His father had said he would deal with the issues at work, especially regarding the incident with Beto. Once again he was kept in the dark without knowing what was going on. Only now Jake was giving him a light at the end of the tunnel.

He had felt small and powerless. With no strength whatsoever to repair the damage as that alpha was determined to do. He should work hard to have a good future as an adult, and give his parents a decent life. Until they were proud of him.

― That's very kind of you, Jake. You've got more guts than I do, to be honest.

Jake reached out and took Theodore's hand, squeezing it gently.

― You have your share of courage too. Milles told me what was going on at school. I'm proud of you, Theodore.

Theodore's cheeks were flushed. It was surprising how shy he could get in front of Jake. I mean, how could he say those words and smile so sweetly, making it clear how true his words were? And yet, hear them without feeling embarrassed.

He were very lucky to have connected with him once.

― Thank you, Jake.

An attendant brought the orders, and then Jake began to tell about his life in the capital. Theodore had been impressed to discover that he too had found it difficult to establish himself, since he had no money and no support for food. As he told it, he was lucky enough to find a job in a bar as a waiter, making friends and managing to share a small flat.

Jake was studying to get into college to study agribusiness, so he had been making contact with some people in the field. One of them would be interested in investing in the cooperative, being the reason Jake had returned for a while.

As always, Theodore couldn't help but catch a glimpse of himself in Jake's story. It was simply fascinating how he could smile so cheerfully, even though he had been through a few good times since their breakup. And still treat Theodore so sweetly.

― But enough about me, I want to hear about you. I see you're dating again.

Theodore laughed, scratching the back of his neck. It was strange to talk about relationships with his ex.

― We're not dating, but we have been for a while. Not that it matters much, I mean... It's labels, isn't it?

― I mean, you're waiting like a little flea for that guy to propose, aren't you?

―Ahem.

They both laughed, already more comfortable in each other's presence.

― He seems really jealous. The way he looked at me was... creepy. ― Said the alpha, taking a sip of his sweetened coffee. ― It's really good here.

― Gabriel is jealous, but I think that's because we're soul mates.

Jake had choked on his drink having a coughing fit. The omega had grabbed some napkins extending to the alpha, who promptly held them out. Calling the attendant to order water, Theodore waited for the alpha to patiently recover. It was the most natural reaction, right?

― Are you all right?

― I'm... Argh, fine. ― Jake had pulled out the water and drank it before taking a deep breath, finally calming himself down. ― Wow, that was a clear shot. I was already surprised to hear about Miles, but now you?

― It's weird, isn't it? I mean, suddenly feeling like that person was meant to be your date.

― I think it's the first time I've ever met someone found their soul mate. It makes even more sense that he looked at me like that. ― Seeming to remember something, Jake leaned across the table again staring seriously at the omega. ― Have you two bitten each other yet?

― Of course not!

― I figured, you were always careful about biting. ― Leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, Jake then sighed heavily. ― When you were with me, you always talked about being afraid of getting attached to someone bad. What do you think of this guy then?

― Gabriel takes good care of me, and I do my best to take care of him, too. I mean, we're just getting started, so I can't tell you what we'll be like in the future.

― That makes sense. My instincts felt threatened by him. ― Jake grumbled. ― And he said he was going to visit you in your room tonight, you guys already did....

Theodore just nodded, even if his cheekbones suddenly felt hot.

― And it wasn't forced. He asked me in advance and I thought long and hard before accepting. I don't want you to think Gabriel forced anything on me.

― Because if he did, your pet pinscher certainly wouldn't let him live.

― You and Miles talk alike, it's scary.

― If I knew he forced something on you, I'd kick his ass too. ― Warned the alpha ― By the way... If that guy felt threatened by me, then there's a good chance he'll try to bite you.

Theodore was mixing his whipped cream with his coffee when he heard those words, raising his clear eyes immediately to Jake.

― What?

― If you're soul mates, then it's only natural that his instinct makes him bite you. To make sure no one touches his omega.

― Gabriel wouldn't do that. ― Said Theodore clinking his glass ― He's patient and can control his instincts well.

― I hope so. Because I intend to stay here this week, and I'm not going to like it one bit if that guy wants to keep you away from me because I'm an alpha.

By the time the sky had starred, Jake had driven Theodore home as promised. They continued to talk about other things, but the blonde hadn't stopped thinking about the advice his ex-boyfriend had given him.

Entering the house, the omega had spent some more time with his family. He played with Lisa, who was slyly trying to grab her older brother's leg for attention. Surely that was another low blow Theodore was taking from his cute sister.

After dinner, he went to his room to do his homework and study for a while longer. Of course, every now and then he slipped his attention to the computer to check out Orkut and MSN, but he hadn't seen Gabriel online.

He wanted to talk to him, he felt the need to be transparent with his alpha. If he told him of Jake's intention to be in town, Gabriel wouldn't have to be jealous, right? At the same time he didn't want to tell, to know how much the alpha would trust him.

Being with someone was completely different from the romance movies he used to watch. Theodore was a mere spectator who had all the information at hand and could judge the characters' attitudes with clarity. But to live a romance was to be limited to his truth.

At the risk of not even being that true.

What did Gabriel think?

What did he want?

Would he trust himself? Or would he play the speech that he didn't trust Jake?

Giving up on studying, the omega had gone to take a shower. It had taken him a while under the shower as he had continued to think about it. When he had returned wearing only the sweatpants of his pajamas, Theodore had been startled to see Gabriel hanging from the neighbour's tree spying on his room.

Had he forgotten to open said window?

He quickly opened the window and helped the alpha enter his room, feeling Gabriel's smell invade the room and calm his nerves.

― I'm sorry, I must have forgotten to open the window ― whispered the omega looking surprised at his lover.

― It's okay, actually I... Wow.

Tilting his head uncomprehendingly, Theodore had looked at himself noticing he was shirtless. Gabriel had blushed looking away, somewhat graceful in the opinion of a certain omega. He had even considered going to get a shirt, but had opted to stay that way anyway.

― Actually what?

― Ahn... I wasn't going to come, but here I am.

Theodore laughed at Gabriel's failed attempt not to look at him, he could notice his corner peering at his body. Come on, he wasn't skinny like Nicolas, but he wasn't as burly as Miles and Jake either. He was a bit of a sturdy guy with a flat belly.

In the midst of his amusement at witnessing his lover so embarrassed, Theodore had noticed the bruises on Gabriel's hand. Gently holding his wrist, the omega looked closely at the wounds.

― Why are you bruised? Did something happen?

― Actually, I hit a tree. ― Admitted the alpha, without returning the omega's gaze.

Pulling Gabriel to sit on his bed, Theodore went to his dresser for some ointment. When he sat down next to him, he had spread the ointment over the wound with utmost care.

― Why did you do that? Look at the state of your hand!

― I was jealous. ― He said softly, and this time one returned the other's gaze. Gabriel brought his face closer to the omega, only a few inches apart when he whispered, ― Theo, I really want to bite you now.