Alex was sitting there next to Hope and he was listening to everything he was saying to him and Alex started getting a little nervous about things.  First Hope was hugging him asking him about how he smelt and Alex had to admit to himself that Hope smelt wonderful and the old spice was a perfect scent.<br/><br/>Hope was in deep with his feeling for Alex and it was making Alex really nervous and he was afraid that he would say something and Hope would just break.  Hope was so fragile right now and Alex was afraid to lead him on, but then he was afraid to turn him down.  Alex had to admit that there was something about Hope that attracted him to him he had a wonderful personality when he showed it and Alex had a chance to see it once in awhile while Hope was living on the streets.<br/><br/>Alex was boosted every time Hope said something sweet about him because he could not remember the last time someone called him anything other than his name.  Alex just kept thinking that the only reason Hope even wanted to kiss him or be with him was because he was helping him. He was trying to pull himself away from those thoughts and even if Hope told him he was worth it, it was hard for Alex to see it.<br/><br/>When Hope touched his face he could not help but sigh a little enjoying the feeling of the touch.  He wanted to give Hope what he wanted, but things were moving a little too fast.  The kiss they had shared earlier had been a mistake on Alex’s part and knew they needed to slow down.  “Hope, I am trying to help you get better.  We need to take this one day at a time.”  Alex said as he removed his hand from Hope’s and got up and moved a little, “We need to make sure these feelings are real, not just because you feel attracted to me because I am taking care of you.”  Alex doesn’t want Hope to feel like Alex was pushing him away, but it was going too fast and Alex almost felt like Hope was getting Stockholm Syndrome.   "Don't get me wrong though I do feel an attraction to you, but I am afraid."  Alex never admitted to anyone when he was afraid of something so this was a new step for him.  He was afraid that Hope would wake up from his feelings and Alex would be left again.