Shattered Bonds

EPISODE 29

"Unspoken Bonds"

Here's the next episode!

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Episode X: The University Welcome Party

The campus was buzzing with excitement as the evening air pulsed with music, laughter, and the occasional pop of a champagne bottle. The university welcome party was in full swing, with students crowding the outdoor venue, dancing, drinking, and celebrating their new beginnings.

Tristan, Drake, Nathan, Carl, Jersey, and Dylan arrived together, dressed to impress. Tristan wore a sleek black button-up with the sleeves rolled up, his silver rings glinting under the lights. Drake, ever the charmer, sported a deep-blue fitted shirt that brought out his eyes. Nathan had gone for a more casual look, hands stuffed into his pockets, his expression unreadable.

As soon as they stepped in, people turned to look—Tristan and Drake were already becoming the "it" couple, their presence commanding attention.

The Flirtation That Sparked Fire

They had just gotten drinks when a tall, confident guy approached Tristan. His sharp jawline and playful smirk hinted that he knew exactly what he was doing.

"You must be Tristan Blackwood," the guy said smoothly, his eyes locking onto Tristan’s with interest.

Tristan raised a brow. "And you are?"

"Jayden. Heard a lot about you from the basketball team. They say you’re the one to watch." Jayden stepped closer, his gaze lingering a little too long. "I also heard you're taken, but that doesn't mean I can't admire from a distance, right?"

Drake, who had been taking a sip of his drink, lowered his glass slowly, his jaw tightening.

"Actually," Drake interjected, placing a hand on Tristan’s waist possessively, "even admiring has its limits."

Tristan smirked, amused by both Jayden’s boldness and Drake’s reaction. "That’s true. My boyfriend doesn’t take kindly to competition."

Jayden chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, man. Just appreciating the view." His tone was teasing, but there was a flicker of challenge in his eyes before he finally walked away.

Drake exhaled sharply, turning to Tristan. "Tell me you didn’t like that."

Tristan laughed, pulling Drake close. "Relax, babe. You’re the only one I’m interested in." He leaned in, placing a lingering kiss on Drake’s lips, making sure Jayden—and the whole party—knew exactly who he belongs to.

Nathan, Carla, Dylan and Jersey who sat far from them witnessing the drama were all having a good time

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After the party, the week had been a blur, with the whirlwind of assignments and research projects keeping the group on their toes. The first day at university felt like ages ago, but the reality of their new academic life had set in. The Engineering Department in Block D, where Tristan and Dylan spent their days, was at the far end of campus, away from the Medical Department in Block A, where Nathan and Carl attended their classes. Then, there was Block C, where Drake and Jersey were immersed in their Mass Management and Communication Department. The departments were spread out across the campus, so the friends didn't get to meet often during the day. It was only when the day was drawing to a close that they would cross paths again, gathering in their shared spaces.

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Tristan and Drake had just finished another exhausting week filled with textbooks and long hours of studying. Despite their academic challenges, Tristan made sure to carve out time for his boyfriend, Drake, every chance he got. The long distance between their departments was never an excuse for him to not spend quality time together. Their relationship meant everything to him, and Tristan wasn’t about to let the pressures of school come between them.

It was late one evening after a particularly rough day that Tristan found himself sitting next to Drake on their shared bed.

Tristan: “I swear, this place never gives us a break. But… no matter how busy it gets, I’ll always make time for you.”

Drake smiled, the warmth of his boyfriend's words soothing his tired mind. He gently placed a hand on Tristan’s cheek, gazing at him with deep affection.

Drake: “I know. You always make me feel like I’m the most important thing in your world.”

Tristan chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Drake’s forehead.

Tristan: “Because you are, Drake. You're my world. Don’t you ever forget that, okay?”

Drake leaned in closer, pressing a soft kiss to Tristan's lips. He felt the weight of the world lift off his shoulders, even if just for a moment. The stress of school seemed less daunting when he was with Tristan, the one person who understood him completely.

Drake: “I love you, you know that, right?”

Tristan’s eyes softened, and for a brief moment, the world outside of their shared space disappeared.

Tristan: “I love you too, Drake. More than anything.”

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Later that weekend, the group decided to get away from the stress of university for a little while. They discovered a cozy restaurant not too far from campus, a place they could relax and unwind together. The evening air was crisp as they entered the restaurant, and after a short wait, they were seated at a table. The menu was simple yet comforting, and they ordered their food, eager to enjoy each other’s company away from the books and deadlines.

The food arrived, and they dug in, joking and chatting about everything and nothing. The tension of the past week seemed to evaporate in the warmth of their laughter. It was a peaceful moment, the kind they needed to recharge for the challenges that lay ahead.

Carl: “I’m telling you, Nathan, you need to stop being so serious all the time. When was the last time you actually laughed?”

Nathan raised an eyebrow, smiling lightly.

Nathan: “I laugh. Just not when I’m surrounded by people who are constantly telling bad jokes.”

Jersey: “Hey! I’ll have you know, my jokes are legendary!”

The group burst into laughter, and even Nathan found himself shaking his head with a smile.

Once they were done, they paid the bill, and Tristan, who had driven them there in his car, was ready to head home with Drake. Nathan, Carl, Dylan, and Jersey piled into Carl’s car, and the four of them headed back to their shared house, their conversations still flowing effortlessly.

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The days passed, and it had been a month since school had started. The workload was brutal, and the thought of joining extracurricular activities like the basketball team had been on Tristan, Dylan, and Drake’s minds. They had all been on the fence about it, unsure if they wanted to dive into more commitment. However, with the basketball team tryouts fast approaching, they knew they would need to make a decision soon.

A Quiet Evening in the Yard]

The evening breeze was cool against Nathan’s skin as he sat alone in the yard, staring at nothing in particular. The hum of the night filled the silence—rustling leaves, distant laughter from passing students, the occasional chirp of crickets. It was peaceful. Or at least, it should have been.

But then, his gaze unintentionally drifted upwards—to the window on the second floor.

Tristan and Drake. Together.

Nathan quickly looked away, forcing himself to focus on the grass beneath his feet. He had trained himself not to react, not to feel the sting anymore. But no matter how many times he told himself he was fine, something inside him still ached.

A voice broke the silence.

Dylan: “I swear, if I were in your position, I’m not sure I would still be here.”

Nathan blinked, startled. He hadn’t even noticed Dylan approaching. He turned to see his friend standing there, arms crossed, looking up at the same window before shifting his gaze back to Nathan. Unlike Nathan, Dylan wasn’t pretending not to see.

Nathan exhaled softly, tilting his head back. “It’s not that simple, Dylan.”

Dylan sat down beside him, the weight of his presence grounding the moment. He didn’t speak immediately, just watched Nathan carefully before finally saying—

Dylan: “You have a big heart, Nathan. I just hope you find someone who’s going to give you the love you deserve.”

Nathan let out a small, dry chuckle. “Deserve?” He shook his head. “Love doesn’t work like that, Dylan. You don’t get what you deserve. You just… get what you get.”

Dylan frowned. “That’s a sad way to look at it.”

Nathan smiled, but there was no joy in it. “Maybe. But it’s the truth.”

Dylan studied him for a moment before asking the question that had been weighing on his mind. “Do you still love him?”

Nathan didn’t hesitate. “Of course, I do. I still very much love him.”

Dylan’s breath hitched slightly, as if he expected a different answer.

Nathan continued, his voice quieter now. “But I’m satisfied with the fact that he’s happy.”

For a second, Dylan couldn’t speak. He could see it—Nathan’s pain, the way it sat quietly behind his calm expression, how he carried it without letting it consume him. Dylan had met strong people before, but this… this was something else.

Dylan swallowed, his respect for Nathan growing in that moment.

Dylan: “I don’t think I could do what you’re doing. Not with a smile on my face.”

Nathan shrugged. “Maybe you wouldn’t have to. Maybe you wouldn’t love someone the way I loved him.”

Dylan’s lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn’t sure whether that was comforting or heartbreaking.

Silence stretched between them, not awkward, but heavy. Then, Dylan patted Nathan’s back gently, as if grounding him back to reality.

Dylan: “Come on. Let’s go inside. Dinner’s ready.”

Nathan let out a small sigh before pushing himself up. He looked at Dylan, giving him a genuine, if tired, smile.

Nathan: “Thanks, Dylan.”

Dylan simply nodded. “Anytime.”

And with that, they walked inside together—one step at a time.