Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 257 - 15: Getting drunk to forget

Chapter 257: Chapter 15: Getting drunk to forget

Kayden shook his head at the banter of his two friends. He was off duty, but instead of resting, he decided to drink his broken heart away.

"Wow. The line between love and hatred is truly terrifying. You’re so brave to cross it, my dear friend."

"Shut up."

Kayden chuckled at Rian and Diva as he took the bottle of champagne. He heard Rian scowl but the sound of liquid being gulped down his throat drowned it. The cold champagne slid down his throat in hurried gulps, as if each swallow could wash away the sharp ache in their chest. The bubbles prickled on the way down, and he felt a tingling bite that was almost punishing, and each sip tasted more bitter than the last.

As he gulped, the chilled liquid numbed his mouth, though it failed to numb the sting inside. It settled heavily in his stomach, like a stone. There was a momentary rush, a heady buzz that blurred the edges, letting him feel just a bit lighter, but the empty pang in their heart lingered and was sharp as ever.

He raised the bottle higher, but it suddenly disappeared in his hands. Furrowing his brows in wonder, Kayden looked at the thief.

Rian was glaring at him like he was crazy. "Pour it on the glass, fool, not on your face. What’s with you? Where did the strict doctor who always chewed on Azrael for drinking too much? Maybe you’re the possessed one here, tsk, tsk."

Diva scooched closer to him; his nose scrunched from the smell of his pheromones and beer. "Kay, what’s your problem? Share it!"

Kayden sighed. He stared at the shot glass while watching Rian fill it to the brim as he answered Diva, "I found that omega I was chasing before."

"Oh? Cong—

"He was engaged to someone already. He was planning to marry that person. Damn him. I was rejected. I feel so pathetic. In these times, I want to be Azrael, you know? So, I can just do what I want without considering his feelings. Maybe kidnap him and lock him up somewhere?"

"Sounds like Azrael indeed."

Kayden chuckled. He shook the image of Shawn away from his mind. Fortunately, the night became livelier and noisier after Azrael arrived. He laughed at his cousin’s cluelessness like he didn’t have any problems. He almost got beaten up, but he didn’t care. That night, he wanted to forget him.

However, when morning came, he found himself not in his room, but in someone else’s. At first, Kayden wondered whose bed he slept in, and if they did something. But upon recollection that it was his friends whom he spent the night with, goosebumps rose all over his body.

He hastily sat up. He wasn’t wearing anything on top!

"Go back to sleep, darling~."

Kayden froze. He slowly glanced to the side and almost puked upon seeing Rian on his bathrobe, winking at him. He shoved his face away and jumped from the bed. "What the fuck?!"

Rian laughed. He stood and fixed his robe. "Don’t panic. I’m just kidding. Azrael left you on me after getting what he wanted from Diva, so I brought you upstairs after you zonked out. You’re really brokenhearted, huh? Who is this omega you’re crazy about?"

"I told you it’s the same person I was looking for before."

"The one you had sex with at the Hideout?" Kayden nodded. Rian gasped. He gave him an incredulous look. "So, you really looked for him after that? Are you insane? Who would look for someone for four years after just having a one-night stand? It’s hard to believe that you fell in love with him sincerely. Goodness! You and your cousin! Does it run in the blood?"

"Is it...really that hard to believe?" Kayden asked, recalling what Shawn’s reaction was.

"If you tell that to a hopeless romantic like me, I’d think it’s love at first sight. But if I’m not, then I’d think you’re just after my body. Also, confessing right away..." Rian’s words trailed off after seeing Kayden’s dejected look. Something told him. "You... already told him?"

Kayden slowly nodded with a saddened look.

Rian went silent. He scratched the back of his head at the awkwardness. No wonder why the guy was rejected. He sighed and walked to his friend, patting his broad shoulder and just telling him to get dressed first.

After eating breakfast with him and chatting a bit, he went back to his own house and prepared for work. He thought that he wouldn’t see Shawn again, hearing that his father already regained consciousness.

However, when he was on his way to go back to his office after buying coffee, he saw him in the sky garden late at night, looking at the sky. Despite the garden full of post lamps and lights, an omega sitting alone in a deserted area can attract malicious alphas.

Kayden intended to just watch him from afar. He could see Shawn bathed in the soft golden light from the lamps, his expression was distant as he gazed at the stars. The air was thick with the lingering scent of night-blooming flowers, and beneath it all, Shawn’s scent—a scent that he kept searching for in one of Rian’s collections—an intoxicating scent that made him addicted.

Before he knew it, he was approaching him slowly. His footsteps filled the silent garden, yet Shawn remained undisturbed. He wanted to call out, but the sight of his far-off gaze made him hesitate. Clearly, there was something heavy on his mind. So, he stood at the edge of the bench, a coffee in his one hand and the other in his pocket. Looking up, he was tempted to appreciate the clear sky, but he was enchanted by the two pairs of honey-colored eyes that shone brighter under the golden lights of the lamps.

When Shawn turned to his side, his shoulders jumped in surprise. "Oh, fuck!"

Kayden let out a soft chuckle. Shawn was like a startled cat.

"What are you laughing at? How long have you been standing there?!" Shawn asked, hugging himself and eyeing the doctor suspiciously.

"I saw you from the windows upstairs. Sitting here alone, even if this is a hospital and it’s bright, can still be dangerous. I came because I’m worried." Kayden sat in the vacant space next to Shawn. "Aren’t you cold?"

Shawn stared at the guy for a few minutes. He was amazed at how he acted like nothing happened. Maybe I was right... it’s really not a big deal to him, he thought afterward.

Kayden raised his brow. Shawn looked away. "I’m not." He yawned and rubbed his eyes. The slight shivering of his hands did not escape Kayden’s eyes.

"Why are you here then?" Kayden asked again, trying to converse with him longer.

Shawn didn’t seem to realize his intention. He answered truthfully, perhaps because of his drowsiness. "I just feel stuffy inside. I stepped out to get fresh air, but the sky was beautiful tonight, so I ended up staying later than I intended."

"What about your father?"

Shawn propped his legs up the bench and hugged his knees. He rested his chin over his arms and watched their shadows on the ground. "He is with my mother and younger sister. They stayed because tomorrow, the doctor said he could be discharged already. I’m glad it only took three weeks for him to recover."

"That’s good news," Kayden replied while putting the coffee down. He took his coat off and hesitated whether to put it on Shawn or not. He was afraid he might get angry.

Shawn closed his eyes and hugged himself tighter. "Yeah." He felt something warm with a relaxing scent covering him. He wanted to refuse it, but his lips wouldn’t open. The silence calmed him, the smell of sandalwood soothed him. Before he knew it, he was drifting to sleep already.

Seeing his head fall to the side, Kayden carefully wrapped his arm around Shawn and pulled him closer to him. He rested his head on his shoulder and pulled the coat tighter. He stayed like that, until Shawn woke up.