Teaching Chay

Chapter 14

After watching the videos and Khun's breakdown, it feels like the whole operation is grinding to a halt. It feels like the more they learn about Korn, the worse it gets, and they've reached a point where all five of them need time to regroup and take a break.

Kim spends the next few days rarely alone, which is unusual for him. Normally, when he needs to recharge his batteries, he prefers to be alone and in silence. Now he is either snuggling up to Porchay, lying next to Khun in his bed and watching over him, or spending time with Kinn or Chan. It's fun to play guitar with Kinn or teach him to play the piano again.

Chan is great just to be quiet with or to let him tell stories about the past, the missions, old and long gone guards, or to reminisce about the time when Chan was Kim's guard and Kim was just a small child.

One evening, while Porchay is at the shooting range with Pol, Porsche surprises Kim at the pool where he is swimming laps. It's the first time Kim has seen Porsche take anything he does seriously. They swim in silence, an unspoken competition between them that Kim wins, and when they are done, they push themselves out of the water and sit on the edge of the pool.

"You're not a bad boy, Kim. You're good for Chay and he really likes you. I know you will look after him. But let us take care of you too. You need it. You don't have to do it alone anymore. Actually, it feels good that I'm not the only one who knows what a sick motherfucker Korn was," Porsche says and then just walks away, leaving Kim to his thoughts.

For the longest time, Kim thought no one but Khun cared about him. He thought Kinn hated him as much as their father and Vegas did. Being rejected by most of his family still hurt because he didn't know what he was doing wrong. What was wrong with him from a very early age that his father and brother hated him? Kim thought he knew all his father's plans and had seen through all his games. Although Kim thought he had seen through all his father's schemes and manipulations, the old bastard managed to isolate him and play him like a puppet. It may have hardened him, but Kim was tired of being alone. He wants his family and Porchay around him, but he doesn't quite trust them yet, at least not when it comes to Kinn and Porsche. Too much has happened between him and Kinn to forget in a few weeks. And yet, every time they are around each other now, Kim automatically becomes the little brother he never really got to be. He is truly adored by Kinn, who looks at him with a big smile and tears of pride in his eyes when Kim sings.

Kinn makes sure he eats and brings him his favourite sweets when they play guitar.

Kim has also managed to get Porchay back and waking up every morning with Chay wrapped around him feels like a dream.

All five of them, as well as Chan, Arm and Pol, grow closer and become a close-knit unit, even though Tankhun is still in bed and not speaking after four days. But he clings to Kinn, Kim, Porsche and Chan equally, even smiling once when they all watch a film together.

*

It's still a surprise to them when, a week after his breakdown, Tankhun walks in while Porsche, Porchay, Kinn, Kim and Chan are having breakfast together, sitting down in his usual place with as much flourish as they're used to from him, wearing the brightest light blue suit and matching cape.

"Good morning, little brothers," he says, and only the fact that his voice is not so shrill and slightly trembling is a hint of his recent mental breakdown. "I have an announcement to make," he continues, and Kim exchanges a look with Kinn. They're both happy to see him back, and it doesn't really matter what madness he's come up with now. As long as he doesn't want to flee the country, they'll let him get away with just about anything.

"Yes Khun?" Kinn asks, as he seems to be waiting for a confirmation.

"Although I have been pretty much incommunicado these last few days, I have been listening. I know what's been going on. Let me say this first: Congratulations to Kim and little Chay. It was about time you two got your act together! Good God, Kimmy! I never thought you were so stupid! A little longer and I would have locked you up together in a broom closet!"