Blake twiddled his fingers, fiddling anxiously. “Sweetie calm down, I’m not angry or anything,” Gemma said with a gentle laugh. “You’re not?” He asked quietly, daring to look up at his mother. She reached across the table, taking his hand in hers.

“I’m not. Atticus is a sweetheart. I’m assuming he’s the one you were texting, based on how you look at him.” Blake opened his mouth to - what? Say it wasn’t true? Deny how he looked at the boy? Gemma spoke again before he had a chance to say anything.

“You said you were just friends, so until you tell me otherwise, I’ll assume it’s just that. He helped warm you up, and it’s not like girl friends don’t cuddle often, so there’s no reason it can’t be the same for guys too.” She gave him a kind smile, releasing his hand.

“But, if you ever want to tell me anything, I’m here for you no matter what - I’ll always love you sweetie, and you deserve to love whoever steals your heart.” Blake’s guilty feeling began to dissolve, and he croaked out “I don’t- I don’t love him. Just putting that out there. But um, I really appreciate the support.”

Gemma patted his shoulder, kissing his forehead before wishing him a good night. Climbing back in to bed, Blake smiled. This had got to be the best sick day of his life. His smile formed into a blush as he realised his bed smelt faintly of Atticus, and he missed his warmth.

He thought back to the wolf, missing his warmth also. Maybe I could tell Atticus about the wolf, he thought, before dismissing the notion instantly - he was just starting to get to know the young man, telling him he conversed with a wolf occasionally was probably not the best thing to say.

—————

Atticus had dived into a small alley right after leaving Blake’s house, and stripped down quickly. With his wrist almost completely healed, he could change into his wolf form. Doing so, he grabbed his bundle of clothes in his mouth, following the scent of his family back to his home.

As soon as he dashed through the front door to his house, he was met by his father. “Woah, slow down there, Atti. I have good news - I found a therapist.” Atticus’s canine eyes widened, and he quickly shifted back, donning the clothes he’d dropped on the floor from his wolf jaws.

“Really? That was so fast!” He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around his father. “Yep. What can I say; I work quickly.” Atticus grinned and Rayen returned it, squeezing his son tightly before letting him go.

“How was dinner at your friend’s place?” Atticus enthused about the lasagna and how friendly Blake’s mother was, but he couldn’t help but wonder what it’d be like to have a mother of his own. Rayen didn’t miss Atticus’s change in mood, and quickly gave him another hug.

Wolves were social creatures, and Atticus especially had been brought up in a very pro-cuddle household, always hugging his dad and brother. At least now I know Blake likes cuddles, he thought with a cheeky grin, recalling Blake’s contended sleepy sighs.

After gaining the therapist’s phone number from the alpha, Atticus texted her asking to make an appointment. She was busy, so it was likely to be some time before he had a session, but it was a step in the right direction.

Atticus decided to drop Blake a quick text before going to sleep.

Atti🌙: hey! Sleep well and hope you feel better soon :)

Blake😘: heya :) I already feel better after that cuddle ;p

Atti🌙: so glad I could be of assistance

Atti🌙: lemme know if you ever need a cuddle of healing again ;)

Blake😘: maybe I’ll just take you up on that offer

Atti🌙: as much as I love the direction this is taking, I have to get up in like

Atti🌙: six hours

Atti🌙: ew hate that

Atti🌙: anyway, you need to sleep too

Blake😘: ugh how can you be so right and cute at the same time 🤭

Atti🌙: pretty sure you could capture anyone’s heart with that smile of yours

Blake😘: there’s only one heart I want to capture

Atti🌙: 👀 I think I should go to sleep

Blake😘: sorry!!!!! Did I scare you off?

Atti🌙: you’ll have to try harder than that to scare me off 😉

Atti🌙: it’s just if we keep going I’ll seriously turn up to school with no sleep

Atti🌙: and as much as I’m totally up for that

Atti🌙: you’d be in Riya’s bad books if she knew you kept me up ;p

Blake😘: you do make a convincing case...

Blake😘: sleep well

Blake😘: see you soon 💜

Atti🌙: thanks and you too and definitely 💜

Atticus was blushing. It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t, and it seemed that Blake was going on the offensive. Atticus would also be lying if he said he didn’t like that.

He could tell Blake was, at the very least, attracted to him. And if one week got him attraction, then Atticus was willing to bet he could win Blake’s heart in a few more.

—————

Blake couldn’t believe how forward he was being. He just couldn’t help it - everything about Atticus was adorable and attractive, from his gorgeous face to his beautiful personality. Blake was extremely attracted to him.

And he planned to eventually let Atticus know just to what extent he was. But first, he needed to determine Atticus’s feelings towards him, and if there was the possibility Atticus could like him back.