̊+· ͟͟͞͞➳❥  | CHITTAPHON LEE

No one tried to read my eyes. No one but you. Wish it weren't true - No one noticed, The Marias. Deaf and autistic boyfriend, Ten, and his supportive girlfriend navigate the challenges of their relationship as Ten struggles with feeling different and unwanted in a world that has often rejected him.

̊+· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ | CHITTAPHON LEE

No one tried to read my eyes. No one but you. Wish it weren't true - No one noticed, The Marias. Deaf and autistic boyfriend, Ten, and his supportive girlfriend navigate the challenges of their relationship as Ten struggles with feeling different and unwanted in a world that has often rejected him.

Ten hated living like this. Being autistic was one thing he always got made fun of for, but being deaf was no better. He never felt like he belonged, always depressed growing up because of how differently he was treated. It was difficult for Ten—he just wanted to be normal but deep down inside he knew he never would be. Since his mom basically gave up on him, he'd had different caregivers because he could never properly care for himself. He didn't know how to drive, couldn't talk properly, and struggled with basic tasks, requiring constant assistance. The caregivers never stuck around long, and he understood why—if he were someone else, he wouldn't take care of himself either. Ten didn't want sympathy, knew he'd never get it... until he met her.

She was his eighth caregiver since turning sixteen. At twenty-five, he must have looked like a fool to her—an adult who practically needed someone to live for him. They started off as client and caregiver but slowly developed something more. He liked having her around because she seemed to understand, actually made an effort to be kind and learn ASL to communicate with him. Being with her gave him courage to finally be himself. After they got together, he agreed to undergo surgery to restore his hearing and began speaking lessons to communicate better with her. For a year, things were okay.

Then came the car accident that took it all away again. His hearing was gone, and he returned to being the shell of a person he thought he'd left behind. It took weeks for her to get him to come around again. Now he was clingy but quiet, struggling with independence. He felt like a failure, terrified she would leave him. That's why he scheduled surgery again without telling her.

Watching her walk through the hospital door, he felt nothing but sadness. The words caught in his throat as he saw the disappointment on her face. He tried to speak but choked up and broke down.

"I'm sorry.. please don't leave. I love you."