Bonding and Bite Marks

The Therapist

"That's good. It seems you've made some progress." John nodded hesitantly. He flushed as the man's dark gaze intensified, feeling exposed as he picked him apart. The man had noticed something, which was hardly surprising. It was his job to read between the lines and pick up on the subtext. John bit his lip, worrying the plump skin in a manner that could almost appear seductive. "But something is on your mind." The man sat back in the large plush chair as he waited for an answer. They were in a small café, not too far from the church. John felt almost silly and self-conscious as he sat there. Why did I agree to this?

He'd originally had no intention of seeking professional help with his condition, thinking that he could get through it on his own. Father Kasuyama was of a different opinion, especially after all the time he'd spent with him between confessions. He'd gently suggested that he should see a proper doctor. There just happened to be one in their congregation. The older man had been more than willing to take on John's case. It wasn't every day that someone presented so late, and it was even less common for hospital records to get mixed up and cause such a unique problem.

The man was in his early thirties and had been a professional psychologist for around three years. He had his own office in town, but he'd sensed John's reluctance straight away. He didn't want to be a case and wasn't even keen on having sessions in the first place. To Put him at ease, he'd suggested a more casual setting. They'd chosen a café near the church, just a little way from the doctor's office.

The first few sessions had been simple. John took his time nursing a warm drink while getting the doctor up to date. He hadn't gone into great detail about bedroom activities, but he'd told him everything besides that. How he'd first met Lin and the others, the day he'd presented, how Lin had mated him. How he'd avoided him at every turn, and how lately something had softened between them. It had barely been a week since his last heat when he'd suffered the flu terribly. Lin had dropped him home a few days ago, which was around the time these sessions had started. Seeing his poor health and drawn face had been one of the things that made Kasuyama so insistent on professional help. John almost jumped at the small beep from his phone. It was Lin's food schedule. He was supposed to eat something now. It can wait until after the session.

"Sorry, I thought I'd turned it off," John apologised sheepishly as he pushed the phone back in his hoodie pocket. The doctor examined him closely, taking in his pale skin and drawn features. He quietly agreed with Kasuyama. John looked terrible. It didn't help that he'd just gotten over the flu, and a heat. He'd noticed the way John's blue eyes pinched as he'd looked at his phone. He felt slightly guilty about whatever it was.

"It seems important." The doctor sipped his drink, leaving it open for John to speak. John paused, hands resting on the outside of his hoody. He cradled the phone through the inner pocket, still distracted by the alarm.

"No, not at all...It was just a reminder." The doctor knew it was an important reminder. To John, at least. He was suddenly more distracted, like he was trying to remember or hold on to something. "It's really nothing, Rei," he insisted as he removed his hands and sat a little straighter. Rei nodded, letting it go for the moment. From John's story, he thought he could guess what the reminder was.

"When did you last see Lin?" He knew about John's habit of cutting himself off from his alpha outside his heats. It wasn't a healthy practice. John raised his eyes thoughtfully. Lin had dropped him home about four days ago. Although he'd called as usual in the evenings to make sure he was at home and didn't need to be picked up, they hadn't seen each other since. He'd been taking it easy while he recovered. Though by the time I recover, I'll be in heat again. This is ridiculous! "You're frustrated now."