"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."

"I'm just...It's hard," John confessed, leaving the earlier question for now. Rei nodded for him to continue. He was listening. "I haven't been myself since all this started. I don't know that I'll ever be myself again! I'm weaker. I feel tired all the time. I'm sick, and each time the heat comes, it just...saps me even more!" He slumped back with a hand on his forehead. He used to be so bright and full of energy, but since his heats had started, he felt like a lesser person. How did Takigawa do it? Between heats, and even right before and after, he was always strong, kind, and brimming with energy.

"Your body is still adjusting. This is perfectly normal for omegas in their early years. The difference is that it usually comes with puberty, so it's less noticeable. Your body needs time to adjust to all the physical and hormonal changes. To build a new routine." That made sense. John almost curled up with vulnerability in his seat. He hated feeling so open and exposed. He also didn't like the fact that whenever he felt like this, his omega craved Lin's presence the most. He wanted to wrap himself around him. To nuzzle his throat and whine for attention. "Your emotional state is also adjusting. Your feelings are perfectly natural for a bound omega." Rei noted the slight flinch at his words. "You don't like the word bound, do you?" His lips raised in a gentle smile as he caught John's eye.

"No...It's not exactly...It makes me feel like less than a person...Like I'm a possession, like I no longer have my own will...Does that make sense?" John asked as he looked up, crossing his legs tightly. He felt more stressed as the conversation started to reach his deepest inner conflicts. He wasn't comfortable talking about it, but he would. Rei nodded. He knew it was an issue for quite a few omegas. Given the way society used to be, with male omegas being a highly sought-after commodity for rich alphas, it wasn't really surprising.

"It does...but there are choices...Just because you're mated doesn't mean you're trapped. If you were to meet someone else, for example, they would be able to replace your alpha's bonding mark with their own." Rei noticed the way John drew back as he reached across and gently touched the hidden area on his shoulder where Lin's mark sat. It was instinctive. It didn't feel right to have another alpha touching that spot. He looked flushed and uncomfortable as he averted his gaze. He was clearly in no rush to find a simple replacement for Lin. That suggested he was at least partially content with his situation.

"That would just mean I'd belong to someone else..." Rei nodded his agreement.

"Unfortunately, once an omega is mated, they are bound for life. However, the same is true of alphas. Once an omega mates their alpha, the binding is stronger. Just as you are obedient to your alpha, your alpha will be devoted to you. Only you." John shifted his gaze evasively. "You haven't mated Lin." John's cheeks flushed as he buried his face in his cup, almost spilling the hot liquid on his twitching knees. Rei sat back quietly and waited for him to speak. These meetings always went smoothest when John revealed information himself. It didn't take long. A few moments of expectant silence was all it took for John to continue.

"I-I don't think he wants to." John felt forced to continue as Rei waited silently. "He didn't tell me about omega bonding. He's never brought it up, and...there's...something else." He wasn't sure he should really bring up this issue. It was sensitive, and it wasn't really his business. It felt like he was sharing a secret that didn't belong to him. I don't even know for sure that I'm right, but...it definitely feels that way...

"Whatever you say here will go no further. These sessions are absolutely confidential," Rei assured as he sensed his unease. John hesitated a few moments longer before putting his cup down on the table decisively. Since he didn't know much, he couldn't reveal much. He only had to say as much as applied to his own situation.

"I think there's someone else...was someone else," he corrected, nibbling his lip as he thought about how much to say. "Lin was raised with my boss and his twin brother, and I think...The brother was an alpha, and died some time ago, but Lin kept a lot of his things, and keeps a photo on his bedside table...My boss also mentioned how alike his brother and I are...I just can't help thinking..." He trailed off nervously. He didn't want to say it out loud. Saying it out loud made it somehow more real. Rei sat forward with a nod.

"Are you a replacement?" He voiced the question, watching John flinch. It was in the open now, that small insecurity that had crept up on him. He kept seeing the way Lin sometimes looked at him with that surprised, haunted expression. He saw the way Lin's eyes softened when he picked up Gene's books around the house, or looked at the picture on his dresser, or handled his cup. He sometimes got this warm, far-off look that suddenly became sad.

"He lets me use Gene's books, his cup, and once I accidentally wore one of his tops thinking it was Naru's." He'd only found out the cup belonged to Gene when Naru had told him. John had noticed him staring and asked why. Apparently, he held the cup exactly the same way. There were a lot of things they did the same. He'd also noticed the way Lin looked when he called him Jo instead of Koujo. He could only imagine that was another thing Gene used to do.

"Have you ever spoken about this with Lin?" Rei knew he couldn't assess Lin without meeting him in person. That would not only be unprofessional, but damaging as well. He could, however, have John confront him. It would be unfortunate if John were a replacement. He was tender and kind hearted. He didn't deserve to be used. "You should ask him about it," he pressed as he flicked his glossy bangs out of his face. His hair had always been a little unruly. John was surprised he didn't keep it shorter, so it wasn't always in his face.

"But..." John trailed off vulnerably. What if I am just a replacement?

"You deserve to know either way." Rei's fresh sea foam scent wrapped around him like a warm blanket, offering comfort and support.