What dreams are made of... (Between Us/Hemp Rope)

Unmasked

Thank you for taking the time to read.

I hope you enjoy :)

******

Tul throws himself on the bed and closes his eyes, just a minute of peace. Since he has moved in with P'Waan he hasn't gotten a single chance to himself. Everyone is just everywhere and for some reason everything seems to be speeding ahead at what seems to be lightning speed. Between graduating and then starting his new job with Win, having 3 teenagers to take care of, well 4 if you count Wiew, who by the way had been doing a great job taking care of himself before they all had moved in here but now, he was just a little kid again. He smiles to himself because he didn't think he would ever be this person but he loves it. Having them around makes his life full, beautiful even. And the fact that he gets to do this with the person who owns his very existence is something special. But still on days like today he just needs some time alone to think and get himself in order. He had just returned from a parent-teacher meeting and it seems like Rosie is not doing so well after all. Since they had been in therapy he has seen her be happy and okay but now he knows that this was all an act she puts on for him and P'Waan. She hadn't even told them about this meeting, he was surprised when he got a call from the teacher who was chewing him out because he had missed it, thankfully she was kind enough to wait for him until he could get there. 

 Tul feels kind of deflated for not knowing all this was happening. Turns out she has no friends and is being bullied, her grades are slipping, she doesn't pay attention. The teacher actually caught her bunking class and hiding in the bathroom crying. This killed him but he remained stoic, trying to process everything that had just been said to him. He knew that he would be a shitty parent but he didn't expect to mess it up this badly. He rubs his hands through his hair while cursing P'Waan for not being home today of all days. He hears a soft knock on the door and then Torch enters.

"We're ready to make dinner. You coming?"

He pulls in a breath and plasters a smile on his face, "Aye aye captain." He watches the boy beam and leave the room. He sits up and places his hand on his chest to calm himself. He knows he has to address the issue but he cant without P'Waan, till tomorrow he has to pretend like everything is okay so they can discuss how to go about this without scaring her away. Damn, parenting isn't for the feint of heart.

******

Tul was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed he placed his hand on the stove that was on. Wiew tugs at him jarring him out of his thoughts and dragging him to the sink, opening the tap and pushing his hand under the cold running water. He feels it sting and looks down realizing that he had just burnt himself. He sighs but then winces in pain. Great.

Wiew looks at P'Tul with concern, "This looks bad, we should go to the hospital and get you treated."

Tul shakes his head, "I'm fine. Everything is done, we should eat. You all must be starving." He pulls his hand away and wipes it on the side of his jeans, regretting it instantly. He looks up and sees all 3 of them staring at him and unmoving. "Fine, I will put on burn cream and then we eat. You all can set the table while I do that." This makes them more receptive to his suggestion. He finishes up and heads back downstairs seeing them all ready and waiting. "You guys don't have to wait for me you know."

Torch looks at the man still concerned, "We actually enjoy family dinners. Being together like this is something we haven't had for a long time."

Wiew looks at the boy and nods in agreement, "I understand that too well."

Tul feels his chest constrict, he changes the subject before they get lost in their feelings. "So what exciting is happening at the university these days?"