Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 227 - 13: A walk to the park

Chapter 227: Chapter 13: A walk to the park

The atmosphere between Killian and Nathaniel was thick with unspoken tension as they walked toward the bus stop. Their hands were still entwined, a connection that neither seemed willing to sever just yet.

For Killian, every step they took made him hyper-aware of the contact. His heart was racing, though he tried to keep his breathing steady. He wondered if his boss felt the same, but the alpha’s face was hidden from him, as he was walking a step ahead from Killian.

Killian unconsciously squeezed the alpha’s hand, and he felt him stiffen from that movement. This caused his heart to flutter inside his chest as if that mere reaction held a meaning.

They walked in silence.

When they finally reached the bus stop, Nathaniel gently released Killian’s hand.

The sudden absence of that warmth left Killian feeling oddly hollow like something essential had been taken from him. He stood there awkwardly; hands clasped in front of him as if unsure what to do with them now. He glanced up at Nathaniel, but the alpha’s gaze was distant; his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.

Killian wanted to say something, to thank him for saving his life earlier, but the words caught in his throat.

Nathaniel’s aura was overwhelming, and despite the vulnerability he’d shown after the near-accident, Killian still felt intimidated by the older man’s presence.

He hadn’t been expecting any of this—especially not the raw, unfiltered fear he had seen in Nathaniel’s eyes back on that street. It left him confused, and uncertain about the nature of their relationship.

It feels like they were playing tag, or maybe hide and seek. The bus arrived just before either of them could speak.

Killian offered a simple goodbye, not wanting to overstay his welcome or make things more awkward. "Sir, it’s too late, but thank you so much for saving my life back there. And...thank you for walking me out here. I’m going now, sir. Have a good night."

He turned toward the bus, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment as he boarded. Nathaniel’s nod was the only response, but it felt cold, which saddened Killian. He sighed as he took the seat opposite to the side where the bus stop was, to hide his disappointed face.

He wanted to stay longer and ask the alpha about the woman he saw with him, but whenever he formed the words in his head, his tongue would just hide.

He also wanted to know why the alpha reacted that way. Is it normal when you witness an accident?

Just as Killian was settling into the ride, the bus doors closed and the engine roared to life. But before the bus could pull away, Killian saw movement from the corner of his eye.

To his astonishment, Nathaniel had stepped onto the bus. He walked with purpose, his expression determined, though still calm.

Killian’s heart skipped a beat. There’s only one reason he’d be there.

"Sir?" Killian blurted out, surprised. "What are you doing? Why are you here?" he still asked, despite his ears wanting to clap in anticipation.

Nathaniel didn’t answer right away.

Instead, he sat down beside Killian, the seat creaking slightly under his weight. The close proximity made Killian’s pulse quicken again.

Nathaniel’s scent—the aromatic and strong smell of different florals—filled his senses, momentarily taking Killian into a vast field of flowers, different varieties, colorful and vibrant.

"There’s something I need to talk to you about," Nathaniel finally said, his voice low but firm, snapping Killian from his reverie. He looked straight ahead, his jaw tight, as if weighing his next words carefully.

Killian’s mouth went dry. What could he possibly want to talk about now?

"W...What is it, sir?" Killian said hesitantly, trying to maintain his composure. "I...I’m listening."

The ride to Killian’s stop felt longer than usual.

Both men sat in tense silence, Nathaniel clearly waiting for the right moment to broach whatever subject was weighing on his mind.

Killian, on the other hand, could barely focus on anything except the fact that Nathaniel was there with him. He wasn’t sure what was more unsettling, the fact that his boss had followed him onto the bus, or the fact that he didn’t entirely mind the company.

When they finally arrived at Killian’s stop, Nathaniel stood up without a word, gesturing for Killian to lead the way. They exited the bus and began walking, the cool night air swirling around them.

The streets were quieter now, most people had already gone home for the evening. A faint breeze blew through the park they passed, rustling the leaves of the nearby trees.

Without warning, Nathaniel shrugged off his coat and draped it over Killian’s shoulders.

Killian blinked in surprise. "What are you—?"

"You’re cold," Nathaniel said, his tone matter-of-fact but not unkind. "Just take it."

Killian’s first instinct was to refuse. He wasn’t wearing much either—just a long-sleeved shirt and a vest. Besides, did I say I’m cold?

He looked at his boss, worried that the alpha might be cold himself, but the stubborn set of Nathaniel’s jaw told him that protesting would be futile. Instead, he adjusted the coat on his shoulders, feeling the warmth of Nathaniel’s body heat still lingering in the fabric.

"Thank you," Killian mumbled, pulling the coat closer around him while his face busy turning red. The scent of the alpha enveloped him once again, making his heart beat even faster.

The initial reaction when they met was still there every time he met with his boss. He only managed to control himself and subdue his instinctual urges. During those moments, he was reminded of the possibility that Nathaniel and he were fated partners.

They continued walking in silence for a few minutes, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with the rustling trees. The park was almost deserted, save for a few late-night joggers and couples walking their dogs.

Killian couldn’t help but glance at his boss occasionally, wondering what was going on in his head.

Finally, it was Killian who broke the silence, unable to take the tension any longer. "Sir, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

Nathaniel didn’t answer immediately. His eyes were fixed ahead, his expression unreadable in the dim streetlights. It was only after a few more steps that he spoke, his voice softer than usual. "It’s about...you and Emily."

Killian felt his stomach drop. Emily? The very mention of her name made his chest tighten with guilt. He had just rejected her earlier that evening—had just broken her heart. He wasn’t ready to talk about her, especially not with him.

"What about her?" Killian asked cautiously, his voice lowered.

Nathaniel’s gaze flicked to him, sharp and assessing. "Are you... in love with her?"

Killian stopped walking for a moment, taken aback by the question. "In love? No! No, it’s not like that." He hurried to explain, his voice rising in pitch. "She’s my best friend, but... she confessed her feelings for me earlier tonight. And I—"

"You rejected her?" Nathaniel’s voice was flat, but there was a strange edge to it.

Killian nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Yes. I told her that I don’t see her that way."

Nathaniel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And how do you see her?"

"She’s like a sister to me," Killian said quickly. "I care about her, of course, but not romantically. I couldn’t... I couldn’t lead her on."

Nathaniel’s expression remained impassive, but the corners of his lips were curved slightly upward. "I see. You did the right thing," he muttered after letting out a sigh of relief.

Killian frowned, confused by Nathaniel’s reaction yet still hoping. "Why does it matter?"

Nathaniel’s gaze hardened. "Because, Killian, you need to be careful about who you let close to you. Emily might care about you, but if she can’t accept the boundaries you’ve set, it’s only going to lead to trouble. And I—" He stopped himself abruptly as if catching words before they spilled out.

"You what?" Killian asked, his curiosity piqued.

Nathaniel clenched his fists as if struggling with his emotions. His voice, when he finally spoke again, was laced with frustration. "I think I was enchanted."

Killian stared at him, wide-eyed. "Enchant—what? What are you saying?"

Nathaniel stopped walking and turned to face him fully. His green eyes bore into Killian’s, intense and unyielding. "Right. What am I saying? Enlighten me, Mr. Arden."

Killian felt his throat tighten. "W...What do you mean..."

Nathaniel stepped forward, invading Killian’s personal space. He then spoke, his voice low and rough, "I say you’re the one who must have known what I meant. After I met you in that elevator, so many things about me changed. I don’t act the same, I don’t think the way I have and I even forgot my morals and beliefs. It all started when I met you. So, explain this, did you bewitch me, Killian Arden?"

Killian’s heart skipped a beat. Bewitched? Does that mean he also feels the same...

He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he stood there, frozen, staring up at the alpha who had just laid his emotions bare in a way that left Killian completely stunned.

Nathaniel took a step closer again, his hand reaching out to gently touch Killian’s cheek. "I don’t know where this will go," he whispered, his breath warm against Killian’s skin. "But I know I want you close. I want to protect you. And I don’t want anyone else to have that privilege."

Killian’s breath hitched. It was what he had been hoping for, but now his head was spinning from all this.

Before he could think better of it, Killian found himself leaning into Nathaniel’s touch, his own hand rising to cover the alpha’s. "Sir..." he whispered, his voice trembling.

Nathaniel’s eyes softened, his thumb brushing against Killian’s cheek. For a moment, they simply stood there as if the world around them fading into the background.

It was in slow motion, laced with careful thinking and planning, accompanied by the cold breeze of the night, that Killian found his lips pressed against his boss, sharing warmth underneath those trees.