After a few days, James and Alex met at James' to do some homework. They were studying the same university career, so they were able to help each other on what they didn't understand. At first, they thought of living together, but their workplaces were far away from each other. Still, they used to go to James' house, since it was near the train station.

- You want some coffee? - James said while hanging up the coat. It was freezing outside. Winter had come.

- Yeah, I'll prepare the notes in the meantime.

Alex entered his friend's bedroom and tried to relax. He had been there plenty of times, there was nothing to be nervous about. He noticed a mild scent of his deodorant. He inspired deeply and calmed down a bit. Wait. Did he just calmed down by smelling his friend scent? No way.

All those confusing thoughts disappeared when the door opened and James entered with two steaming cups.

- Man, you've prepared nothing. What were you doing all this time?

- I... Uh... I-I was checking my phone.

- Well, let's get to work now. That stupid project won't get done by itself.

Alex managed to focus on all the homework instead of how his friend gently bit the pen, trying to understand the task. Well, maybe he hadn't been as successful as he thought. And he hadn't done that much homework, he didn't know how to.

- Hey, can you help me with this? - he asked James.

- Sure, what is it?

James moved closer to Alex, who started to feel hot.

- Um... This part. How do you calculate this? - he pointed the exercise and James leaned over the sheet. Alex noticed his friend's arm, which was a few centimetres from his body, and before he could think what he was doing, he stroked it. James looked at him curiously and smirked.

- Are you giving me a free massage? 'Cause if that's the case, I expect a happy ending.

Alex's face turned red and put his hand away.

- Hell no, that'd be fucking disgusting.

- Dude, relax, I was just joking.

- Well that wasn't funny at all.

- Well, you were the one who touched my arm like it was a masterpiece. I mean, it's gorgeous, I know, but why did you do it?

Alex started to feel dizzy. He stood up and began to walk towards the door, mumbling.

- I-I'm sorry... Uh... I'm going to the bathroom for a moment.

- Hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you.

- It's ok, it's just that I drank all the coffee at once and now I have to pee.

Alex left, and James looked at his cup. It was almost full. What was up with him? He had been acting strange for a long time, but this was really strange. And what was that caress for? But damn, that face he made when he was blushing was pretty cute. He had never done such a face before. Or maybe he didn't notice? Anyways, something was wrong with Alex. They would have to talk seriously about it, but not now. Pretending that nothing happened was the best idea.

Especially because of the tingling in his belly.