Forming Borken Bonds.

"Liam," his father's voice came through the line, gruff but familiar. "How are you?"

Liam blinked, surprised by the softness in his father's tone. "I'm doing well, Dad," he said, leaning back into the couch. "How about you?"

There was a pause on the other end before his dad replied, "I'm alright. I just… wanted to check in."

Liam smiled faintly, his grip on the phone tightening. "Well, I'm glad you did. Things are starting to look up for me, Dad. I've had a good day."

His father hesitated again before speaking, his tone softer than usual. "That's… good to hear, son. Really good."

For the first time in a long time, Liam felt a genuine connection in their conversation. The weight of past tensions felt lighter as if the walls between them were finally starting to come down.

"Liam," his father said again, his voice steadier now but still carrying that gruff edge. "Tell me more. What do you mean by 'things are starting to look up'? What's going on over there?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to share. He leaned forward on the couch, running a hand through his damp hair. "Well… I had my first real gig today," he began carefully, choosing his words. "It's not a big role or anything, but it's a start."

"A gig?" his father repeated, the scepticism clear in his tone. "What kind of gig? Are you working on one of those independent student films?"

Liam chuckled softly, shaking his head even though his father couldn't see him. "No, Dad. It's not a student film. It's an actual movie, a small one, but it's legitimate. I got to be on set today."

The line was silent for a moment, but Liam could hear his father breathing on the other end. "You're saying they actually put you in a movie?" his dad finally said, a mix of disbelief and curiosity in his voice. "What did you do?"

Liam smiled, leaning back against the couch. "Well, I started as an extra. You know, just in the background. Nothing fancy. But today, something unexpected happened. The director needed someone to fill in for a driving scene, and I volunteered."

"A driving scene?" his father repeated, now sounding more concerned than impressed. "What kind of driving? You're not out there doing stunts, are you?"

"Relax, Dad," Liam replied, suppressing a laugh. "It wasn't anything crazy. Just a drift and some tight turns. But it was enough to get me noticed. The director said I did a great job."

His father grunted a familiar sound Liam recognized as him trying to process the information. "And this director—what's his name? You trust him?"

"Charles," Liam answered quickly. "He's the real deal, Dad. You'd like him. He's no-nonsense, just like you. If I wasn't any good, he wouldn't have hesitated to tell me."

Another pause. Then, his father sighed. "Alright, so you're working with a real director. That's… something." His voice softened again, as though he was trying to find the right words. "You sound happy about it."

"I am, Dad," Liam admitted, the smile returning to his face. "It felt good to be on set, to actually contribute to something. Even if it's small, it's progress. And the crew—everyone was professional. They treated me like I belonged there."

His father hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm. So what happens now? Is this a one-time thing, or…?"

"No," Liam said quickly. "Charles asked me to come back tomorrow. There's another scene he wants me to do. It's small again, but it's a chance to prove myself."

"You're serious about this acting thing, huh?" his dad asked after a long pause. "It's not just some phase?"

"Dad, I've never been more serious about anything in my life," Liam replied firmly. "I know it's not the easiest path, and I know you've had your doubts, but… today felt like the first step. The first real step."

His father let out a long breath. "I'm not going to lie to you, son. I've always worried about you chasing this dream. It's not because I don't believe in you—it's because I know how unforgiving the world can be. You understand that, right?"

"I do, Dad," Liam said, his voice steady. "But I've also realized something. If I don't take this chance now, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Today proved that to me."

Another silence stretched between them, but it didn't feel as heavy as before. When his father finally spoke again, there was an unmistakable warmth in his tone.

"Well," he said, clearing his throat, "if you're going to do this, you'd better give it everything you've got. Don't half-ass it."

Liam couldn't help but laugh. "I wouldn't dream of it, Dad. You raised me better than that."

His father grunted again, this time with a hint of amusement. "Damn right, I did."

For the first time in years, Liam felt a sense of understanding between them. The conversation wasn't perfect, but it was real—grounded in mutual respect and a willingness to meet halfway.

"I'll keep you updated," Liam promised. "I know I've been distant, but I'll try to call more."

"You'd better," his father replied, his voice softening again. "And Liam… I'm proud of you. Just don't let it go to your head."

Liam smiled, a warmth spreading through his chest. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."

They exchanged a few more words before hanging up, and as Liam set his phone down, he felt lighter than he had in months.

It was the first time that he had received this kind of support from his father in regard to his dream. This was a step forward. And Liam was determined to make the most of it.

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