Anger bubbled in his stomach, but the smell of the pastries distracted him.
He'd know that smell anywhere.
His father must have been busy, Jamue thought as his eyes fell on the box.
Sirhe smiled.
Jamue frowned.
Sirhe deflated. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Jamue turned away. “What are you sorry about? Are you sorry for abandoning me in that house or lying to get me there?”
Sirhe grimaced. “Both. I brought a peace offering. Your favourite.”
Jamue rolled his eyes. “I’m not a child.”
He silently groaned because he sounded like a child. Sirhe pouted and got closer. He dangled the takeout box in front of him.
The delicious smell thickened, tempting him.
“I’m sorry, Jamue. Please forgive me. I can’t have both you and father angry at me.”
Jamue stared at him. Why would father be angry at him?
He did everything father wanted, except five years ago he something their father was mad about.
Jamue snatched the box from him and opened it.
“Did father send you with these?” he asked, salivating.
Sirhe nodded. He sighed and sat next to him.
“He wants you home. He sent me to check what was keeping you.”
“It’s only been two hours,” Jamue grumbled. “I’m going. I just needed a minute.”
He couldn’t even get that.
“Did something happen?” Sirhe asked. Jamue leaned into him, dropping his head on his shoulder. “Jamue?”
“Nothing happened. I feel suffocated, that’s all.”
“I get that. Come here,” Sirhe wrapped his arm around him, pulling him closer. Jamue sighed, his anger dissipating.
He could never be angry with him for too long. He tried to protect him against their father as best as he could. Did he do the same thing five years ago?
“What happened five years ago?” he asked suddenly.
Sirhe flinched.
Jamue lifted his head and stared at him. “I heard you and father arguing. And you disappeared for days afterwards. You didn’t even bother to come and see me in that horror house. Something happened to me five years ago, right? And it was all your fault.”
“You should eat the pastries before they grow cold,” Sirhe said. He got to his feet and straightened his long shirt.
Jamue’s heart fell.
He wasn’t going to tell him.