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Thanks to NoOrdinarySouthernGirl for her help with this chapter


John's POV
The rest of the day was spent with him getting used to the flat, putting his things away, and otherwise just getting comfortable. Greg encourages him to explore to his hearts contentment, and while the flat was not big, it was bigger than his closet and had little hiding spots in several spots.

So the first place he starts is the kitchen with a surprisingly decent amount of cupboards considering how small it is. Snooping, he is surprised at how much food the alpha has packed in, most of which is easy stuff to make such as sandwiches or cans of soup. In the fridge are a lot of fruits and veggies much to his surprise, all of them cut in small pieces and in various containers for storage and quick eating. There is also a variety of juices and milk in the fridge. There is wide variety of different types of cooking utensils, including a variety of types of pots, pans, and gadgets. When he comes across an entire cupboard with of teas and coffees of various types his eyes widen in shock, and he peaks a quick look at the dark-haired alpha sprawled on his sofa working on something without paying any attention to him.

When he is done with the kitchen, he moves on to exploring the dining area, finding where all the dishes are stored along with a small bookshelf tucked in the corner full of different cooking and recipe books. He thought that alphas only cook the bare minimum? So why does this one have so much stuff related to cooking? There are two different distinct sets of dishes, one that looks like it is a piece together, while the other a nice set of silvery white porcelain. The table is plain as are the three mismatched chairs at it.

Third up is the largest part of the flat, the living room, which is probably the plainest room as far as he can tell with an old, second had sofa, one armchair in front of a small tube TV with rabbit ears. The walls are mostly bare, and one of the ugliest colors he's ever seen, to the point where he could not tell you exactly what color they are though they may have been a tan or brown at one point. There is a small coat closet by the door, along with a boring mat in order to put wet shoes, though the stains in the carpet says its rarely used.

The small bathroom where he can sit on the toilet, reach over to the sink, and shove his feet in the tub is the next room. Surprisingly enough, it has a large tub, the old fashion claw foot kind with four plastic flat totes shoved under it with towels in them, though he is curious why they are there until he realizes that there is not really anywhere else to put them. All of the bathing products are scentless, and designed to lessen alpha or omega scent so it is closer to that of a beta, though they are not scent overlays. He wonders if he can get some for himself, because that would be nice.

Shaking his head, he goes to actually explore his room as he puts up his things. He now has his own bed and closet, though the closet he had been using in that old warehouse was about half the size of this room so he was not sure what to do with the extra space. Even his room at his parent's house had not seemed this big, but then that was also the room he shared with Harry until she moved out at seventeen, only coming home when whatever girl she was dating had got tired of her bullshit.

Several hours pass with him prowling around his room, adjusting things just so. The clothing he has doesn't even fill a single drawer of the dresser, though it can all be mixed and matched to make several different outfits. He has his few books from when he was in school set out on the top of the dresser, along with his note from this morning's dealings with the omega representative. While there are blankets and pillows on the bed, he tucks his among them, happy for the familiar weight. His duffle and backpack are settled next to the bed by the end table.

He doesn't understand why he trusts this particular alpha to keep his word, but his instincts say he is not a danger, that he will help him. While he is attractive, now that his heat has passed, he doesn't actually find anything particularly calling to him. His best asset is the fact he smells right, though he would be hard pressed to explain that to someone else. Maybe, if he could find an alpha like this one that he found attractive and smelled right, maybe being an omega wouldn't be such a bad thing.

He is pulled out of his musings by a single knock at the door before he hears the alpha he was just musing about query, "You hungry? I just put some pork chops on the stove."

Smiling at the idea of regular meals again, he replies as he opens the door, "Ummm, yeah, I umm forgot."

Chuckling lightly, the taller man nods, "Well, that's alright, dinners not at any sort of set time, and a lot of days I am not even going to be here for dinner because of work, hence the reason for all the easy and quick food. I'm guessing you'll be able to handle being on your own," there is amusement in his tone, as if there is o question there despite the fact the words are a question.

Blushing he nods and ducks his head before frowning, "Am I answerable to you?"

"Nope, you're your own person. I do ask that you don't leave things a mess but your closet was rather clean so I am guessing that's not going to be a problem. Twice a month I go shopping to fill the cupboards, I find it easier than trying to make time during daily life to go shopping." The alpha answers him seriously, before nodding towards the kitchen, "Dinners cooking." He pauses for a moment, studying him, before tilting his head to the side and inquiring, "Do you know how to cook?"

Barely shaking his head, he mutters, "Not really."

"Want to learn?" the dark-haired male inquires before stating, "And not because you're an omega, but because it's useful to know for living on your own."

Smiling, he stands and walks over to the door, "Alright, that'd be good."

Grinning at each other, they head into the kitchen where the older male shows him how to cook pork chops and make fresh rolls to go with it, before throwing some veggies from a bag of mixed frozen veggies in some butter to cook on the stove. The entire process is delightful fun for him who had always been told that cooking was a woman or omegas work. Of course he ended up being an omega, but he had been thrown out so soon after presenting he had never learned to make anything more than sandwiches. At first he is shy about asking things, just listening instead, but Greg keeps prompting him, until he starts asking things on his own.

Once dinner is done cooking, the two of them sit at the small table and eat before cleaning things up together, working in companionable silence before Greg returns to being sprawled out on the sofa. He is debating about what to do when the older man suggests turning on the TV or music. When he still dithers the alpha sets his stuff aside and studies him for a minute.

"Mind if I ask a few questions? You can answer them or ignore them as you'd like."

Deciding to settle on the chair he nods, and hesitantly answers, "I guess."

Smiling reassuringly at him, the older man comments, "Feel free to ignore any that you're uncomfortable with." There is a long pause before he suggests, "How about we go back and forth, for every question you answer, I'll answer one."

"Why would you be willing to do that?" he is honestly curious and confused, alphas demand answers they don't ask for them. This is another instance of Greg doing something he doesn't expect due to his past. None of the alphas he has ever met before were this easy going, not his father or grandfather or the ones he went to school with or had for teachers.

Shrugging the taller man fetches a glass of apple juice and calling, "You want something to drink?"

"Ummm sure, ahhh, I don't care what." He answers, embarrassed when he stumbles over his words because this is another unusual situation for him.

"Alright, apple juice coming up," the alpha responds bringing two mismatched glasses and the jug of juice with him. "So, in answer to your question, 'cause I would like to get the know the bloke I invited to live with me and spent a day in bed with. You seem like a decent sort. Favorite sport?"

Blinking at the change of topic, he answers, "I love rugby. Used to play even though I was the smallest bloke on the team, the others used to joke I was an omega despite the tests…" his voice trails off when he realizes it ended up not being a joke. "What about you?"

"Honestly? I prefer football and hockey, but don't tell the blokes at work, they seem to think I love rugby." The dark-haired alpha answers with a shrug. "First kiss?"

He can feel his face heating up in a blush, prior to Monday he had never kissed someone, and while a few girls had kissed him fleetingly on the cheek, he is quite sure that's not what Greg means. "I, ummm, ahhh," he stutters thinking about the fact he had pressed his lips against the alphas, his tongue had tentatively pressed against the older man's lips as he mashed theirs together.

"Monday?" there is curiosity and something else in the alphas tone, before he holds up a hand and state, "Ask your question."

"Your first kiss?" he asks, maybe it will make it easier to answer that question if the alpha answers it first.

Smirking the older boy reclines on the sofa as he responds, "Toby Erikson, I think we were fourteen, maybe a bit before our birthdays, I was a week older, he was acting like an arse and I remember Mel telling one of her girl friends that the best way to deal with a bloke being an arse was to kiss him 'cause it'd shut him up. So that's what I decided to do," shaking his head and smiling fondly, "boy was that awkward, I ended up with a bloody lip cause he bit me in surprise."

Biting his lip he tries not to giggle but one still escapes him, before he answers, "Yes."

Confused the alpha tilts his head to the side, "What?"

Blushing, he mumbles, "You asked if it was Monday."

Realization seems to dawn on the old male's face, "Oh." He blinks at him, "Well that wasn't expected, ummm, thank you?" He sounds unsure of something, but doesn't asking, instead he shakes his head, "Favorite subject to read about?"

"Science, particularly life science," he promptly answers, wanting to get off the subject of kissing, particularly the fact he kissed him in an effort to get the alpha in bed with him. "Why did you become a copper?"

Smirking again the dark-haired alpha replies, "Always wanted to be one, plus there are several of them in my family, actually most the alphas in the family have either ended up in the military or law enforcement. I never wanted to be military so I went into law enforcement." There is pride in his voice as he speaks and purpose, as if he knows exactly what he wants in life. "Why do you want to be a doctor?"

For a long time he thinks about that question before slowly answering, "I want to be able to help people, no matter what their gender or sub-gender is. Why do you flirt if you don't mean anything by it?" It is a question he has been wondering about since watching the alpha at the hospital the night before.

Shrugging, the older male responds, "Partly it's expected, partly its fun, partly because I can."

"Expected?" he repeats, confused by that before shaking his head, "Sorry," and motions for him to ask his next question.

Smiling, the dark-haired alpha queries, "Alpha's are expected to hit on everyone not an alpha, it's almost an ingrained part of society, so I see no reason not to do it politely and enjoy myself while I am at it if I am going to be expected to do it. Favorite food ever?"

"Slowly cooked beef roast with carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes that's smothered in brown gravy with buttery corn bread on the side." He replies instantly, trying to remember the last time he had it. Oh yeah, his fourteenth birthday. "Do you have a favorite food?"

"Anything I do not have to cook that's not burnt. Though if you ask mum she will say it's her Christmas turkey and all the fixings," the older boy answers with a smile, "I'm not the picky sort. Do you want pets?"

Wistfully he replies, "I always wanted a dog, we were not allowed pets." Curious he questions, "Have you ever had a dog?"

"Oh yeah, we've had several, actually Vicki has our families current dog now, he is a German shepherd named Ruddy." The alpha smiles fondly before questioning, "If you had a dog what type would you like?"

"Don't laugh please," he requests seriously, "but I think the English bulldog is adorable and they are not that big."

Curious the older man asks, "Why would I laugh? Bulldogs are a perfectly respectable breed, now if you said Chihuahua," he wiggles his eyebrows at him suggestively before chuckling at the expression on his face.

He cannot stop from chuckling at the expressions on his friends face. Friends? Are they friends? "Greg?"

"Yeah?" he absently answers as he pours both of them more apple juice.

"Are we friends?" he quietly asks, barely above a whisper.

Tilting his head so he was staring right at him the alpha nods slowly once, "I'd like to think so John."

"Thank you," this time his voice is a whisper. While he had gotten along with the blokes on the rugby team and the others at school, he had never really had friends. Most of them were either afraid of William or looked down on them because it was a well known fact that William was a drunk.

Seeming to catch the change in his mood the taller man quickly sits up, "Hey now, what's wrong? You're giving off distress."

Confused he questions, "What?"

"You're giving off distress pheromones, do you understand about pheromones in relation to alphas and omegas?" the older male inquires, motioning to the spot next to him on the sofa.

After a moment of considering it, he moves from the chair to the spot by Greg, snuggling up against his side hesitantly and sniffing, no scenting, him. "Not really," he mutters embarrassed because he is an omega and doesn't understand about it.

"Not surprising, they don't normally teach it to betas, and if they thought you were a beta when you were last in school the subject was probably not covered." The dark-haired alpha remarks while sitting back and leaving his arm where it is across his shoulders from when he snuggled up next to him, but not putting any pressure on him, "Anyways, our sense of smell is different from a betas. We can catch emotions because we can smell the pheromones that each emotion produces. It is also the reason we scent each other, to see if we like the base personality which come through in each person's scent. This is more common between alphas and omegas, often seen as part of the courting process."

Jerking upright, he quickly spins to face him, "Courting?" he repeats a bit worried, "I wasn't trying to court you!"

Smiling, the alpha tugs him back into the spot by his side, "I know that," the older man says soothingly, "It's also done between family members and close friends as a way to reassure friendly and familial bonds. Don't take this wrong, but while you smell good, you don't smell right."

"What do you mean?" he inquires curiously, how can he smell good but not right?

"I think mum described it best. Friends and family may smell good, familiar even, comforting and reassuring. The person who is for you, that would make an excellent mate, will smell right, irresistible. I haven't found that person yet, and until I do I will not be bonding with anyone." The alpha continues softly. "So my question, do you have siblings you miss?"

"Sort of?" he answers after considering Harry for a long while, "I have an older beta sister named Harry and there are rumors that William had a child with an omega but he never said anything about it if he did." He shakes his head sadly, "Harry and I were never close, she rebelled at everything and I tried to do everything right only to end up in the situation I am in."

"Well that sucks, I am sorry your family seems to be full of douches," the alpha tells him.

He shrugs, "Mum's parents were alright but I didn't get to see them often, William said they were too easy on me." Wanting to change the subject he asks, "Do you have a favorite movie?"

Accepting the change in subject easily the alpha answers and their game of questions and answers continues well into the early morning. Somewhere along the way Greg had produced some popcorn and ice cream along some spoons. It was all sorts of fun, making him wonder if this was what his sister did with her girlfriends that she stayed with. At some point during the night he must have drifted off because he partly wakes up to Greg stretching out with him on the sofa before drifting back off to sleep.