Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 263 - 21: Forgotten kiss

Chapter 263: Chapter 21: Forgotten kiss

Athan’s finger poking Shawn’s cheek froze. His gaze shook, astonished at what he heard. He worried he was just hearing things, but when Shawn turned to look up at him, his gaze traced over his features, his words weaving a spell that wrapped around Athan’s heart, and refused to let go.

Athan shuddered. He feared that he might do something he would regret. No matter what Shawn said, he shouldn’t take it seriously, since he was drunk. Yet he hoped.

He pulled back, aware of where this exchange might take. However, Shawn made it hard for him to hold back. He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to Athan’s as he rambled on, but the words stopped registering in Athan’s head.

What’s more, Shawn was unconsciously letting out his pheromones. Athan knew it was his scent, as the smell of beer wouldn’t be able to compare to his intoxicating scent. He groaned, feeling frustrated at the same time aroused.

"Shawn, wait..."

"Hm? You have a mole under your nose, Athan! Did you know? It’s just under the tip! It’s too small to even notice!" Shawn excitedly exclaimed, as if he found a treasure. Once again, he cupped Athan’s face, his voice softened as he kept mumbling, growing reverent as he traced his thumb over his cheeks, gazing at his newly discovered mole as though they held some kind of magic.

Athan’s resolve crumbled, the distance he’d worked so hard to maintain shattered by Shawn’s inadvertent honesty, and the light, intoxicating scent of his wine-laced pheromones. Slowly, without even realizing he’d moved, Athan leaned closer, his gaze flickering from Shawn’s half-closed eyes to his slightly parted lips.

And in a moment that seemed suspended in time, he closed the distance, pressing a gentle, tentative kiss to Shawn’s lips.

The kiss was brief, a mere whisper of a touch, but it carried with it a weight that left Athan breathless, his heart pounding as he pulled back just slightly. He slapped his forehead for giving in, thinking he was taking advantage of a drunk person.

He looked down at Shawn’s face, realizing he’d already drifted off, his breathing was now soft and even, maybe even oblivious to the kiss that had left Athan’s emotions in turmoil.

Athan stayed like that for a moment, hovering over Shawn, the faint scent of wine still lingering in the air around him, wrapping him in a warmth that was both maddening and comforting. He shook his head, trying to clear the haze clouding his thoughts, and gathered Shawn into his arms.

Gently, he carried him to his bedroom, placing him carefully on the bed and tucking the covers around him.

Stepping back, Athan let out a long, slow breath, his mind was replaying the events of the night as he cleared the cans and empty food containers. He found himself lingering over the memory of Shawn’s words, his drunken statements that felt more real than anything else he’d shared.

As he finished tidying up, Athan retreated to his own room, but the quiet darkness did little to settle his racing thoughts. Shawn’s touch still lingered, and his words reverberated through his mind.

He lay on his bed, gazing up at the ceiling as frustration twisted tightly in his chest. The memory of Shawn’s hands gently holding his face, and the softness in his gaze stirred something undeniable within him.

Athan’s face warmed, caught between a yearning he’d suppressed and a guilt that lingered, knowing he’d been so close to losing control. When he felt something rose below, he palmed his face quite loudly and drew deep breaths to calm down. But it did not.

Groaning, he got up, making his way to the bathroom and stripping off his clothes. Despite the time, he took a cold shower again, praying it would be enough.

The next morning, Shawn woke up groggily. His head throbbed, and he wondered how he came to the bedroom.

"Did I crawl here?"

He stood and stretched up as he looked out the window. The sun was so high in the sky already. He yawned but soon froze after remembering his purpose of drinking last night.

"Argh! It’s already so late, he’s gone again! Wah!" Shawn threw himself on the bed and punched the pillow.

The door opened, startling him. He glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened after seeing Athan standing by the door.

"What are you doing?" The alpha asked with a raspy voice.

Shawn gaped. But he also quickly jumped out of bed and walked to Athan. "You’re here? Is it the weekend?"

"No. It’s Friday."

"Why are you home, then?" Shawn was baffled.

Athan coughed. He stared at Shawn. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

Shawn stiffened. His ears turned red, and he shook his head. "No... did I do something wrong again?" he looked at Athan innocently.

Disappointment flickered in Athan’s eyes, but he didn’t push. He just shrugged his shoulders and walked away while saying, "Go wash up. Breakfast is ready."

Shawn was left stunned. Is Athan avoiding him again? He groaned. Did he really do something last night? He recalled his drunken habits and when he realized what it might be, he palmed his face.

"I... did not seduce him or something like that, right? Right? Ugh..."

After he washed up, he went out and saw Athan on the balcony. He was working with his laptop, and while breakfast was served on the glass table in front of him. Shawn walked in nervously. He settled on the opposite seat and gulped at the aroma of coffee.

"How are you feeling?" Athan asked him, folding his laptop and setting it aside.

"Huh? Oh... fine, I guess?" Shawn answered awkwardly.

"You drunk too much you don’t remember anything."

Shawn paused. Did he just hear an accusation in Athan’s voice? He eyed the man, but Athan just motioned him to eat already. He began eating before he blurted out that he did remember something... embarrassing he did.

He looked up at Athan and stared at his face. What did I say about his face again? My gosh, I’m so embarrassed!

"Are you free today?"

Shawn blinked, pulling himself from his thoughts. "Ah... yes. Just the usual. Going to the café to help, then picking Knoa from school, waiting for Knox to arrive, then going back here. Why?"

"Ah, I took the day off because you’ve been grumbling about why I’ve been avoiding you, but you’re so busy," Athan sipped on his coffee, meanwhile Shawn almost choked on his food.

"I wasn’t grumbling... well, sure I am," he swallowed and drank his coffee. He avoided Athan’s gaze and just stared at the blue sky. But what he said next made him spit.

"And you kept touching my body."

His head spun to Athan and he shouted defensively, "I only touched your face!"

Athan narrowed his eyes at him. "So, you do remember." Shawn caught his breath. He fell into a trap. The alpha leaned on his chair and crossed his arms. "Up to where do you remember, hm?"

Shawn was reluctant to answer. He fidgeted in his seat, and he kept looking away, but Athan’s gaze was drilling holes in his face. He scratched his head and finally replied, "Just after I... grumbled how good-looking you are...?"

"That’s all?" Athan looked at him suspiciously.

Shawn swallowed. "Did I really do something... unforgivable?"

Athan stared at him straight for a few minutes. Then, he sighed, looking resigned. "Forget it." He then continued to eat in silence.

Shawn bit his lip. Whatever he did, he hoped that it didn’t put Athan off or turn him off. Wait... what’s the purpose of our living together again?

Isn’t it to show his parents that they’re very incompatible?

That thought was still on his mind even after he arrived at Franz’s café. He tried to focus on the part-time job he took after Knoa began schooling, just to pass the time, but his composure crumbled when he saw Athan enter, waving at him, while everyone stared at him with awe.

Shawn felt something unpleasant, seeing men and women, openly displayed interest in him. He should have stayed at home with him.