A Slice of Love

Chapter 1

Tum, wearing his beige sweat-shirt and grey slacks, had been pacing the front hall for an hour now. Tar had yet to return from wherever he had gone and it was nearing 10:00 pm already. Tar had left soon after they had had evening snacks, saying that he had to run some errands. Tar didn't give any details, just assured Tum that he would be okay and that he had not lived alone in a foreign country for over two-years, without learning how to be safe. When Tar had asked Tum to not accompany him, it had hurt, but the elder brother also knew he needed to give Tar his space. He had just gotten his brother back home and Tum didn't want to be overly invading and make his little brother run away again.

Tum was just about to call his brother once again when he heard the front gate open. He paused and composed himself. He didn't want to look like he had been worrying consistently and seem over-protective towards Tar. A few moments later he saw the angelic face of his brother, who was sliding the front door open. Tum couldn't help the smile that bloomed on his face as he saw his baby brother enter the house. He wanted to ask Tar about where he had been, but then the younger boy had smiled at him with sparkling eyes and Tum had forgotten everything. Yes, that was Tum's secret. He was in love with his own brother. Tum shook himself out of his thoughts as he realized that Tar was saying something.

"Umm..I'm sorry. What did you say?" Tum asked.

Tar chuckled. "P'Tum, I got you some sweets..." Tum looked at the pink pastry bag that was being held out to him.

"Oh! Thank you. I will put them on a plate. Lets eat together. Did you have good dinner, though?"

Tar followed his brother to the kitchen, "Yes. P'Type treated me at this sushi place."

Tum stiffened as he heard the name. He knew Tar talked to the older guy from time to time but he had not known that they were so close. Tar had gone through the trouble of setting some time apart to meet with P'Type. He really didn't understand why Tar would go through this. P'Type was dating P'Tharn, who was Tar's ex-boyfriend. Tar had fallen in to depression when P'Tharn had broken up with him and started dating P'Type. So, it was weird that Tar was close to P'Type, it didn't make sense. Tum let it slide, though.

"Umm. P'Type, huh?"

Tar smiled as he took his plate from Tum, "Yes. He has been there for me, ever since I went to France. I mean, he is a good person.."

Tum sat his plate on the table and looked at his brother seriously. "Tar, you know that P'Type has been dating P'Tharn, since before you left. Why would you knowingly put yourself through this?" Tar smiled shyly, a faint blush creeping on his cheeks as he gave an minuscule nod. Tum felt like his chest was being stabbed at Tar's reaction. Was it possible and Tar's affections had moved from P'Tharn to P'Type now? Was it possible that Tar was once again set up for a heart-break?

He stood up suddenly, the plate of raspberry cheesecake tumbling on the table. "Tar, I am warning you..Stay away from both of them. They have brought nothing but heartache to you. I don't know what I would do if I have to watch you broken like that ever again. Earlier, I was not paying attention, but I won't make that mistake again. Mark my words Tar, P'Type and P'Tharn are bad news. Stay away from them.."

Tum abruptly turned away to leave the living room, when Tar called out to him. The younger man understood where his brother was coming from but Tum didn't know the whole truth. "P'Tum, it's not what you think..P'Type has always.."

Tum turned around, eyes blazing in anger, "Don't . No. I don't want to hear anything. You will not see either of them or talk to either of them..and that's final. Am I making myself clear enough for you?" Tar nodded slowly but didn't say anything.

"Good. Now get changed for bed. Sleep tight, my nong." Tum said as he drew his brother in fora half-hug. He placed a kiss on the shorter man's forehead and left him to go to bed himself. He will have to talk to P'Type soon. He will not allow anyone to mess with his baby brother ever again.