Breath (TulHin)

Chapter 13

Painkiller

Hin has always thought that what he fears most is that his owner gets hurt. So sometimes he worries that Tul will end his life one day, but right now, he thinks his condition is too peaceful, it's like he's not himself. Tul is sitting on the edge of the bed and hasn't moved for half an hour. Last night, Gornhin had prepared to accept all of Tul’s pain to relieve the heartache caused by his grandmother, but it didn't happen, he just lay down next to the bed where his head is.

This is what worried him the most. Tul managed to control himself and cried silently. No sobs, no upset, just tears falling from his bloodshot eyes to vent the resentment caused by his grandmother. For pain? Out of resentment? Or he thinks he's worthless... The words written by the old woman were too harsh, too painful, as if his master had no feelings, no heart Khun Tul may be called perfect, but his heart has been constantly attacked, until it has become as fragile as the most delicate crystal. He can't stand it. Gornhin feels he can no longer bear it.

“Khun Tul, it would be better  to attend class.”

A large hand is placed on the young half breed, causing his beautiful eyes to open for eye contact.

“How much time has passed?”

“More than a week.”

Their friend Rob called to say that the teacher had given an extension on the report. Khun Tul has stopped attending school since the old lady died. This is something that teachers, friends, even the student council understand, but Gornhin thinks it would be better if  Tul left that house. The atmosphere and gossip surrounding him would only make the situation worse.

“That's right, you have to go to college.”

The boy smiles slightly, then gets up and leaves the room without saying a word. Which means... He doesn't want to hear anything. From the way he looks at him, Hin can understand that... Inside he must feel more pain than he lets on. These are the thoughts of the person who follows him silently until they both enter the dining room.

“P'Tul Last night Hin refused to let me into your room.”

As he enters, little Tin turns to speak loudly to the older one, while sending a dissatisfied look to Hin, so the servant returns a slight smile.

“I'm sorry Khun Tin.”

Little Tin shows him an annoyed face, but decides to let the matter go because his brother looks different from what he showed the night before and he doesn't want to risk Khun Tul getting angry and then not wanting to see him. Annoying him wouldn't be good.

“Why do you bother your brother? Tul has a lot to think about given his grandmother's decision.”

The woman speaks as if she truly sympathizes with her stepson, but her eyes and smile rejoice in the fact that her son is the absolute heir. Her words made his fists clench, then loosen again.

“I knew this from the beginning.”

The young man responds pleasantly, like a good stepson to please his stepmother. But the woman doesn't notice, so she raises her hand to caress his cheek, then she gives her opinion of her, which makes Gornhin think that she really has no brains.

“You don't have to worry, you can still be Tin's assistant.”

If the intention wasn't to mock him or further humiliate him, those are the stupidest words of comfort I've ever heard.

“Can you stop talking about these things?”

“Yes.”

Occasionally the only person who can make his Tul breathe is Khun Try. The person who interrupts the conversation by changing the subject.