Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 261 - 19: What is wrong, Athan?

Chapter 261: Chapter 19: What is wrong, Athan?

Shawn fidgeted at his study table, his chin resting on the table, while his gaze was fixed on the phone a few inches away from him. He sighed, his fingers drumming the desk impatiently. He had been waiting for a call ever since the other night, but that person never did.

He began to wonder if something was wrong with his phone, or something was wrong with that person. He already received updates from Knox, saying that they were already back, but from Athan, there was only silence.

Shawn frowned. What happened? He said he’d come to him as soon as he landed! His stomach twisted with worry, but he still hesitated to pick up the phone and call him, thinking that he might just be busy.

He waited for another several minutes.

Finally, unable to bear the suspense, he took a deep breath and dialed Athan’s number. The phone rang once, twice, yet no answer.

His heart sank. "Why isn’t he picking up?" he whispered to himself, brows furrowed as he gripped his phone tighter.

After what felt like an eternity to Shawn, the line finally clicked, and Athan’s voice came through.

"Athan! I was worried—why took you so long to answer? Are you okay?" Shawn’s voice held a hopeful tone, but he did not expect to be met with a distant tone.

"Yes, I’m fine," Athan replied curtly.

Shawn’s breath hitched, confused. He could almost feel Athan’s coldness through the phone, and Shawn’s heart chilled just by the thought that it was directed to him. However, knowing that he did not do something wrong, he erased the idea and appeared cheerful again.

"You said you were going to stop by the hospital as soon as you landed, but you never came! Have you forgotten?" Shawn puckered his lips; his tone sounded a bit childish.

Athan went silent for a while. He heard the rustling of papers, and he was about to ask if he called at the wrong time, but Athan’s low voice came up again. "Did you wait?"

"Of course, I did!"

Another cold silence answered him. He began to think that something was off.

"Athan, did...something happen? You sound...different," he asked carefully, not wanting to push too far.

Another pause. On the other line, Athan swallowed, tempted to ask about the scene he’d witnessed in the garden. He pinched the bridge of his nose and shoved the stack of papers away—documents he brought home to distract his mind from thinking about that scene.

But he clamped down on the urge, his voice slipping back into practiced calmness. "It’s nothing. But why did you call?"

Shawn bit his lip. It was clear that Athan was dismissing him. Unexpectedly, he felt his chest tightened and something unpleasant crept in. "I... finished packing, like you asked."

Athan stiffened. He just remembered that, and now he was hesitating whether to proceed or not. Right now, he didn’t want Shawn to see him, and vice versa. It felt like he’d burst out if he saw his face, then he remembered that doctor.

However, when he heard Shawn’s expectant voice, he could no longer refuse. "Athan, are you coming? I’m ready to leave."

Athan sighed. He pushed his chair back and stood, grabbing his keys. "Alright. I’ll come by to pick you up."

Shawn felt his heart skip with excitement, a smile spreading across his face. "Great! I’ll be waiting."

An hour later, Athan arrived at Shawn’s family house. He greeted Shawn’s parents with a polite nod. They were surprised to see him visit, but when he explained that he was there to ask permission if he could take Shawn away, Stuart and Heidi’s expression became serious.

"Young master, please be honest. Is this my son’s plan?" Stuart narrowed his eyes at Shawn who was sitting properly next to Athan.

Athan nodded, to Shawn’s surprise. His eyes widened, silently asking why Athan admitted it, but Athan did not glance at him and just continued. "Shawn doesn’t want to stress you, Mr. Williams. He wanted to give this relationship a try, and it was something favorable to me too. I mean, if we ended up incompatible with each other, then I’d rather not proceed with a marriage that might only lead to divorce. I accepted because I want to know where this setup will take us."

Stuart looked displeased. "So, basically, what you mean, young master Athan, is that when you find my son unlikable, you’ll send him back to us?"

Athan shook his head. "I can keep him forever if you want, but Shawn’s life might turn miserable." His voice turned cold and serious, and everyone in the room felt the tension. "If you worry that having him live with me, means using him for my own needs, then I assure you, Mr. Williams. It won’t happen. I respect Shawn, and I won’t hurt him."

Stuart and Heidi exchanged looks. The male alpha then sighed resignedly and nodded slowly. "Alright. I will trust you, young master Athan."

Shawn was a bit taken aback by his father’s words. He seemed concerned about him more, rather than what the results of their cohabitating would be, which baffled Shawn despite feeling warmth.

After exchanging goodbyes, Athan and Shawn headed for the car. As they left, Shawn noticed Athan’s demeanor changed. His silence grew colder and more distant.

He thought everything was fine since he was conversing with his parents normally. He stole a glance at him, his nerves tightening.

Athan stared straight ahead, his hands on the wheel, and his face displayed an unreadable expression. Anxiety simmered within Shawn, twisting with each passing second.

Finally, they reached Athan’s apartment, a pristine unit in one of the city’s most expensive apartment complexes. Its gleaming glass walls and soft lighting made it feel more like an art gallery than a home, yet all Shawn felt was the weight of the silence hanging between them.

When he lived there with Knox and Knoa, it was never this silent. Now, it felt like he entered a different house.

Inside, Athan gestured briefly at the living room. "Make yourself at home," he said after, almost mechanically. He set his Shawn’s bags down and was about to leave when Shawn called out.

"Athan," Shawn said, the tension in his voice was evident as he reached for Athan’s arm. He tugged on his sleeve, telling him not to leave quietly. His gaze dropped, unable to look at Athan’s cold eyes when he turned to him. He just knew his eyes were growing glassy. "Why are you like this? You said nothing’s wrong, but you don’t even look me in the eye now. Did I do something wrong? Did I say something wrong? Tell me..."

His voice broke, so he stopped speaking.

Athan’s heart clenched at the sight of Shawn’s quivering hand. He was gripping his sleeve tightly as if trying to restrain his feelings. Is he about to cry? Athan wondered. Despite himself, he softened slightly, then let out a frustrated sigh.

He pulled Shawn into a hug, holding him close, grasping his hand on his sleeve, which felt smaller and frailer than his. His other hand moved at the back of Shawn’s head, and as he bent down, he pushed him closer to his chest.

"No," Athan murmured, his voice subdued and barely a whisper. "It’s nothing you did, Shawn. I’m just... being a jerk. Don’t think too much of it."

Shawn’s fingers clung to his shirt, sending the emotions into Athan’s embrace. But as much as he wanted to believe the reassurance, something it felt like a lie. Before he could say anything, however, Athan pulled away, pressing his lips briefly to Shawn’s hair.

His voice dropped, barely audible, "Just... if there’s something you want to do, do it. If there’s someone you want to be with—promise me, you’ll tell me immediately. I need to know, so I’ll know what’s the right thing to do."

A pang of confusion struck Shawn, but he nodded, too bewildered to question Athan further.

The cryptic words lingered, hauntingly familiar, but before he could ask what Athan meant, Athan pulled back, his face a mask of gentle yet distant once again. "I’ll be on the study."

And with that, he walked away, leaving Shawn alone in the stillness of the apartment.