The rest of the month had continued with a little normality, as far as the church was concerned. John no longer wore his robes, but he hadn't had to explain himself. Father Kasuyama had been sure to take care of everything with both discretion and sensitivity. While John had still been in heat, he'd worked the news into his sermon and asked for patience, understanding, and sensitivity for John's fragile mental state. It would take time for him to adjust, and he would require their unyielding love and support. People still called him Father Brown and treated him exactly the same. The only real difference was that he no longer performed sermons or ceremonies. He did, however, continue his role as an exorcist for SPR.

SPR was where his life had become the most awkward. Uncomfortable. Stressful. He hated going to the office, because if he went to the office, he'd see Lin. His heart would pound with fear, anticipation, dread, and longing each time he approached the stone steps. His mating mark would itch and ache as he hesitated outside. As he drew closer to the door, Lin's spiced scent would drift down to his sensitive nose as he in greeting. His knees would shake, and the pit of his stomach would drop. The worst times were when he entered the office and Lin was the only one there. It happened occasionally when Mai hadn't returned from school yet. He never bothered Naru directly. He was always sequestered away in his office, out of sight. When Mai was absent, it was Lin's responsibility to take care of the office out front.

Lin would greet him politely, dark eyes burning and screaming how much he wanted to touch him. Caress him. Scent him. He wouldn't though. He would invite him to use the kitchen and take a seat before returning to his office. He did that because he knew that was what John wanted him to do. They hadn't discussed it, but he knew. John rejected him with every willing fibre of his being. The only unwilling parts were the base instincts of his omega. Outside of his heat cycle, John was able to quash them. He didn't need Lin's care and affection. He could take care of himself.

It was better when Mai was there. On those days, he could sit stiffly with his back to Lin's office and focus his attention on Mai. There was really no one who was better to talk to in awkward situations like this. She'd chatter endlessly about school, novels, cases. Anything that took her fancy. Sometimes, what she said was truly enthralling. Sometimes, she would have them both in stitches. Sometimes, she'd distract him from the spiced scent that seeped into his skin as Lin brought out documents and offered his stiff greetings. John would acknowledge him simply and politely, as he always used to, before returning his attention to Mai. She never judged him or Lin, one way or the other, though he did think her eyes always seemed somewhat sad as she watched them interact. He understood why. It was unusual for omegas to resist their alphas, and for their alphas to allow such treatment to pass unchecked. Alphas and omegas biologically wanted to please each other. John was fighting biology with his indifference, and Lin was allowing it to make him comfortable.

During cases away from the office, things were much the same. The only difference was that John refused to be left alone with Lin. That rarely happened anyway. Generally, Lin would pair with Naru, while John and Takigawa paired and the other three girls were left to their own devices. Sometimes John would pair with Masako while Takigawa accompanied Ayako, leaving Mai alone in their base. On rare occasions, Mai would accompany him. He actually preferred those times to any other. Mai was naturally friendly and since they saw each other all the time, she knew better than to bring up his relationship with Lin. Or rather, his lack of a relationship.

The worst times were when it got dangerous. The moment trouble sprang up, Lin would step a little too close. He would quietly suggest he accompany John's group. He would remain just outside the door while John conducted his exorcisms. It was stifling. John hated it. It made him feel warm. It made him feel safe. If he found himself in danger, Lin would spring into action. In moments, Lin would place his lithe body between John and any danger, taking the full brunt of an attack himself. It was brave. It was foolish. It was aggravating. John had never liked to see people getting hurt for him, but it was worse when it happened to Lin. Lin was acting as his alpha. Dutifully protecting him. Despite that fact that John had shunned him at every turn.

"Just stop it! I don't need you!" John had finally snapped. His chest ached as he watched Lin flinch at his words. They were mated, so bitter and angry words hurt much more than they used to. John felt guilty right away, especially considering that Lin had just been thrown across the room while protecting him. They were in an abandoned mansion. It had just been bought, and the new owners wanted it to be investigated before they began renovations. Secretly, John thought it would be a better idea to knock the fragile wooden shell down and start again. "I was in control!" John insisted, which was true. His exorcism would have flung the spirit away before it had the chance to hurt him.

"Sorry...I just wanted..." Lin trailed off as he dropped his head. To protect you. The words hung between them unsaid and John gritted his teeth. I never asked you to! I never wanted you to! He screamed the words internally, but he didn't need to voice them out loud. His grimace and shaking fists, as well as the tense atmosphere, did that for him. Lin pushed himself up, easily throwing off his aches and pains. He'd been slammed into the stone fireplace, but had come away with only bruises. One of the advantages of being an alpha. He didn't look at John as he exited the room to resume his place standing guard in the hall. John huffed quietly and continued his ritual. The spirit retreated.

"Nice work," Takigawa praised as he clapped a supportive hand on his shoulder. He'd just returned to the base after his exorcism. John managed a small smile of fatigue. He'd forgotten about the cameras in the room, and that his friends had been watching the whole exchange. He looked away, unable to meet Lin's gaze. Lin said nothing. He simply returned to his usual place at Naru's side. Why didn't he just mark Naru? They've been together long enough! Why me? He bit the inside of his mouth restlessly. He almost felt more bitter than usual. For the past few weeks, he'd been able to put off and ignore such thoughts. He was surprised that part of him almost felt a little jealous of the closeness between Lin and Naru as they worked. They were completely at ease together. They worked seamlessly. So why did it have to be me? "John...Are you coming on?" Takigawa asked in a quiet voice he knew the others wouldn't hear. He seemed concerned as he stared down with curious hazel eyes.

"W-what?" John stammered, his cheeks turning red as he looked up at him. Takigawa leaned in close, his own sweet apple and sultana scent seeping into John's senses. He heard him sniffing around his neck and shoulder and stiffened at the attention. Takigawa hummed thoughtfully as he stepped back and looked around, almost assessing the other people in the room. "W-wait a minute!" John stammered again as Takigawa tugged him along behind. They were leaving the base. John had no idea where they were going, and no choice but to stumble along.

"Your heat's coming...It's not here yet, but I can smell it..." Takigawa warned as they walked down the hall. John blanched at his words. He'd forgotten how often heats came around. It wasn't something he'd ever had to think about before. Had it really been almost a month already? He felt his insides twist in terror at the thought of what would happen this time around. He'd be defenceless. Powerless to refuse Lin's advances. He'd be his own personal little whore. He was disgusted and excited in equal measure. "I have some suppressants. They should see you through the first couple days and ease the symptoms," Takigawa said as he pulled a pen-like tool from a small case. John watched as Takigawa checked the dose and pressed a small button.

"What? What is this?" John had never seen one, which wasn't unexpected. It wasn't something alphas or betas would ever need. Takigawa looked almost sheepish. He'd forgotten that John hadn't taken the omega sex-ed course in school. He would have taken the beta focused module, only spending the bare minimum on omegas and alphas. It was generally expected that betas would pair with betas, so they didn't need to know about the ins and outs of alpha and omega relations. Takigawa unlidded the pen and handed it to John, gesturing to a spot on his neck before making a stabbing motion.

"Just jab it into the juncture of your throat...Right here," he added as he adjusted the tip right in the centre of John's bonding site. John hesitated, letting Takigawa help as he pushed down. There was a sharp sting as a needle breached the pale skin, and then an almost numbing sensation spread out from that point. John shuddered as he withdrew the strangely elegant tool and handed it back to Takigawa. "I'll take you to my doctor when we get back and get you some of your own," Takigawa murmured. John's head felt a little hazy. The drug was making him feel a little lethargic. Almost dizzy. He nodded as he regained his senses.

"Will these...stop the heat?"

"No, but they'll take the edge off the few days leading up to it, and cool you off a little during the full cycle." Takigawa was sympathetic as he rested a hand on John's shoulder. It was strange, having to explain these things to a fully grown man when most twelve-year-old omegas could answer those questions already. But then, John's situation isn't typical...He led the way back down the hall. Neither of them said anything as they returned, though they could all tell what had happened. John's scent was less potent than before. Lin's jaw tightened slightly at the loss of scent. His alpha stirred. Discontent. John was hiding his scent. His omega was ashamed to be paired with him. It hurt. His alpha was spurring him to take action, to put John in his place, to prove that he was a strong and worthy alpha. Lin winced and breathed through the urge. His alpha side didn't understand John's predicament. It didn't understand that John was not a willing mate. It only understood that its omega was showing disrespect. Lin felt John's eyes upon him and did his best not to seem affected. He didn't want to risk scaring his mate.