Stolen

Chapter 3: Tears

            Patrick's lips pursed open in surprise as Nicholas lowered his head trying to hide the escalating temperature spreading over his cheeks.

"See? He's blushing. Ge rarely does that in front of anyone. It appears that when you stole his coffee, you've also stolen his," Fandi waited for the suspense to grow, "heart. Would you like to move in with him? His room is big."

"F-Fandi..." Nicholas went over to clamp a hand over the mouth of the youngest. "Don't listen to him," he blurted to Patrick in a panic. "He won't be joining us for dinner, if he speaks another word. Got it, Fandi?"

Fandi rolled his eyes and mumbled something behind Nicholas's hand. Quickly letting go, Nicholas noticed his brother's unwilling hiss.

"Fine, I'll let you two get acquainted. Try not to dirty anything in here. Food is prepared in this lovely area, you know?" Fandi snatched another cookie and walked out of the kitchen.

"F-Fandi is a," Nicholas sputtered, "jokester." Letting out a fake laugh, Nicholas continued. "Please, don't be upset with him. He's not hinting that you are gay or that you like men. That kid just loves to tease his brothers."

Patrick stepped forward and made eye contact with Nicholas, who shied away faintly at their close proximity. "What if I tell you...that I don't mind him saying that?"

"Hmm...?" Nicholas managed to extract a trembling breath.

"I don't usually like men, but I have to say...I like you."

"You," he gulped, "like me?"

"Yes...tremendously." Patrick provided calmly.

"W-We..." choking on his words, Nicholas shifted his eyes away from the other's intense gaze, "we've only just met. How could you...?"

"Haven't you heard of love at first sight?"

"L-Love...?"

A corner of Patrick's lips lifted into a smirk, disappointment written on his face. "You really don't..."

"Nicholas..." a voice, hoarse and shaky, interrupted them.

"Bernard, what's wrong?" Nicholas walked over to the sobbing man's side. "Why are you crying?" Cupping Bernard's face in his palms, he thumbed off the tears streaming down the younger's face.

Shaking his head, Bernard sniffed to hold in his runny nose. "I won't be staying for dinner tonight."

"What happened? I thought you were going to stay with..."

"I can't, ge. I can't make Ted fall for me if he hates me."

"Ted doesn't hate you," Nicholas reassured.

"He does," Bernard insisted. "He just told me."

"What? No..."

"I should go. Thanks for all your help."

"W-Would you like me to drive you?" Patrick offered in sympathy.

"That would be nice." Bernard accepted gratefully. "I'll pick up my luggage when I come over next time, okay?"

"I expect to see you in this apartment tomorrow, Bernard," Nicholas ordered.

"Nicholas ge, I..."