Nong'Chili 🌶️🌵 Phi'Cactus (TulMax / MaxTul) - FF

#32 - The Rescue - 2

Tul was bent over Tay examining and cleaning the wound with the meager first aid supplies that New had brought with him on Max's instructions.

Max watched from a distance. He had already had Tul snap at him twice while he had tended to Tay.

Serving Max a reminder of why they had parted ways few weeks ago. Making him wonder if he was already late in winning Tul back.

He watched with pangs of jealousy pinching his heart as Tul hovered over Tay. Dressing up the wound with care. The soft gentle voice in which Tul was talking to Tay and the tenderness with which he had wiped Tay down.

The wound after all wasn't much. The bullet had just grazed over his shoulder. And though he had bled a little and the wound was sure going to hurt for a few days, it wasn't life threatening, especially as the bleeding had also stopped.

New walked over to where Max had been sitting leaning against a boulder and sat down. "Look at them. People might think they are lovers or something." New grumbled, his eyes shooting daggers at the two who were looking into each other's eyes and smiling.

Mew and Great were once again huddled together watching Tul and Tay intently while slanting glances at Max from time to time.

"I am all but ready to beat the daylights out of my brother." Mew muttered for Great's ears only.

"Don't bother. Max will make a move to claim what is his. I have never seen Max give up without a fight." Great muttered.

"I have some doubts this time though." Gulf added sitting down next to Mew.

Just then they saw Tul take of his shoe while Tay helped him spray his ankle with an anti-inflammatory.

"I agree. I doubt Max will do anything that he perceives might hurt the doctor." Kao murmured and they all glanced at Max whose eyes were fixed on Tul.

Their glances were not missed by New though.

Max suddenly got up and in a voice audible enough for the small group said, "Get some rest guys. Its going to be a long trek down these mountains tomorrow. I will keep watch at the entrance."

Before anyone could say anything, Max got up picked his backpack and disappeared through the tunnel to the cave's boulder strewn entrance.

"What did he mean? Is he going to stay awake all night?" Tul suddenly questioned looking at the group of huddled men who were watching him with varied degrees of murderous expressions.

"Why don't you go and ask him yourself?" Mew jeered.

Tul hesitated. He wanted to go after Max. But they hadn't resolved anything. And after what had happened during their last meeting, he was not sure if Max was still angry at him or not.

"Tul, don't waste this chance. Go after him. Don't let him get away this time." Tay urgently whispered while grabbing Tul's arm to get his attention.

But for the onlookers who couldn't hear Tay's words the scene looked totally different. For them it looked like Tay was being possessive and was stopping Tul from going.

New wanted to walk out like Max had. But instead he got up and went to Tay.

Though he and Tay had started dating, the signals that he received from Tay were always confusing. The man was a confused mess most of the time. Blowing hot and cold. To New it always seemed like Tay's idea of being a couple was limited to going on dates or indulging in sex. But when it came to talking or sharing information about each other's lives he preferred to share it with Tul.

In the past 3 weeks New had tried to confront Tay about it. And the answer he always received was, 'We are just friends.'

"Here eat this. That should give you little strength." New sat down next to Tay and handed him a trail bar. "And I think we should all rest like Max suggested. Don't you agree doctor?" The last part New uttered curtly looking at Tul pointedly.