Once upon a time, there was a big family. The father lived with his children. The sons were named Nolan, Dima, Kirill, Egor, Alex, and Kirion. The daughters were Anya, Lucy, Mila, and Milana.
Their mother had died, and the father raised them alone. He couldn't find another wife — he simply couldn't fall in love again. He loved all his children… except one — Kirion.
Kirion, however, loved his family deeply. He wanted the best for them and did everything to make them feel happy.
One day, the father called him into a room and said:
— Son, you want the best for your brothers, sisters, and for me… right?
Kirion nodded:
— Of course, I want the best for all of you.
The father smiled and took out a needle and thread.
— My dear son… you understand that if I sew your mouth shut, you won't annoy your brothers and sisters anymore. Nolan doesn't really like you. Kirill tries to. Dima loves you, but not sincerely. Egor doesn't really like you either, though he tries to find something good in you. And Alex… your voice irritates him. He hates when you speak. The girls love you, but not that much.
Fear filled Kirion's eyes.
— I… I won't be able to talk?.. — he asked, almost crying.
— No, — the father replied calmly. — But you can communicate with gestures. Just don't remove the threads.
Tears ran down Kirion's face.
— Don't cry, son, — the father said. — If you agree, it will be better for all of us. We'll be happy… just like you wanted.
Kirion whispered:
— I… okay, Dad… if you want it… then do it.
He stepped closer. The father took the needle and began sewing his mouth shut.
When it was done, a stitched smile remained on Kirion's face.
— That's it, — said the father. — Just don't remove the threads. If you feel ashamed, wear a mask.
Kirion nodded and left the room, believing it was for the best.
The next morning, when his siblings saw his sewn mouth, they were terrified and began to cry. Kirion hugged them and wrote on paper:
"Don't cry. It's better for you this way."
Later, he went to the bathroom and cried, but tried to calm himself, thinking his family loved him and would be happy.
He looked in the mirror… and removed the threads.
He opened his mouth — and could speak again.
When he came out, his siblings saw it and hugged him happily.
— You removed the stitches! — his sister said.
— Yes, — Kirion answered quietly.
But suddenly, his heart stopped.
A tear rolled down his cheek, and he slightly smiled…
And then a knife pierced through his body.
Kirion collapsed to the floor, covered in blood.
The father said coldly:
— I told you not to remove the threads.
Then he turned to the others:
— Go. Gather your brother's things. He won't need them anymore. Why would a dead man need belongings? Give them to orphans.
The siblings cried.
— You'll get over it, — said the father. — I warned him. He disobeyed — and this is the price. He wanted us to be happy… and we will be. Without you, Kirion.
He bent down and turned his son's body.
There was a smile on Kirion's face…
and blood.