1
"Anything you want to see," he kisses him. "Or try." Another kiss. "I'm your man."
Brendan's voice is low. Suggestive. Mesmerizing. It shoots straight to Ste's groin.
"Whatever the pleasure."
Ste looks from his eyes to his lips. Both demand absolute attention. It is difficult to look away.
Brendan kisses him hungrily then. Ste is sure he has morning breath. He hasn't even had the chance to brush his teeth yet or take a sip of the coffee that Brendan's brought for him specially. But when Brendan's kissing him like like he wants to drown in him, it's hard to care.
It takes a lot of strength to break away. "Guinness."
Brendan stares at him, the morning light showing every curve and line on his face and body.
"Guinness?"
Ste nods, biting his lip.
"I'm not sure you'll like it."
"I'm all for trying new things, me. I thought you would have worked that out by now."
Brendan quirks his eyebrows.
"Maybe there's some things I still want to do," Ste continues.
There's coyness there, but also a lack of fear. Ste's confident that they're beyond the point of denying each other anything now.
"Oh yeah?" Brendan stares down at his lips. "Like what?"
Ste looks up at him through long eyelashes.
He hasn't broached this idea for quite some time. Even when they were seeing each other more than a year ago he gave up on the suggestion after hearing the unequivocal replies of 'I'm not doing that', 'forget about it', and 'no way in hell.'
"Come on, Steven," Brendan whispers close to his mouth. He wishes he could read the boy's mind. He doesn't like them keeping secrets anymore. He wants to see into his mind and access every thought, have every idea opened up to him.
"I was thinking that maybe I could...you know...be the one who..."
Brendan can barely believe that he still has the capacity to be embarrassed after everything they've done.
"Spit it out."
"I usually swallow."
Ste laughs at his own joke while Brendan nudges him in frustration.
"Okay, okay." Ste fidgets out of Brendan's grasp. "But first of all, promise me you won't say no straight away? That you'll think about it."
Brendan frowns, his mind racing. "Alright..."
Ste takes a deep breath. He doesn't want to ruin this perfect state they've been in ever since they walked off that bridge together.
"Can I...you know...go on top?"
Brendan feels like he's missed a step.
"Don't you usually do that anyway?"
"No," Ste laughs nervously. "I mean...on top as in...on top."
Brendan blinks, leaning away from Ste.
"We've already discussed this."
"Yeah, like two years ago! And you said you wouldn't say no right away."
"I'm not saying no right away." He pauses. "No. See, that wasn't right away."
Ste rolls his eyes. "You're not even giving it a chance."
"What's the matter, are you missing Douglas?"
The mention of his name is too much, too soon. Doug's face when he left him at the airport is still fresh in Ste's mind.
"That's not fair."
Brendan has the decency to look apologetic.
"Do you not like what we do?"
The idea is almost laughable. "Don't be daft! Of course I do. You know I love it. I thought last night would have told you. If once hadn't got the message across, I thought four times might have."
Brendan grins. Ste could get used to this, seeing him smile. He's softer around the edges, more easy to reach.
Ste can't help but be curious though. About doing that with Brendan. The thought is enough to turn his legs to jelly.
"Haven't you ever done that before with someone?"
Brendan's eyes cloud over. "Maybe. Once."
"But you didn't like it?"
"No." He's very quiet.
Ste is suddenly consumed with guilt, and he's not entirely sure why.
"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed it. It's not exactly like I've got any complaints, is it? If you don't want to try that, it's fine."
Ste presses a hand against Brendan's cheek to reassure him. Brendan turns his mouth and kisses his thumb. It's one of the most tender things he's ever done, and Ste feels his heart somersault.
"No, I...I want to."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I trust you. Completely."
Ste hadn't truly believed that they'd ever get to this point. Suddenly the reality hits him.
What if I'm not good enough? What if I hurt him, or he doesn't enjoy it?
"You're not just saying this because I asked, are you?"
He shakes his head. "Whatever the pleasure," he repeats softly.
Brendan feels a dull ache in the pit of his stomach. He does trust Steven. He trusts him with his life, but he still can't tell him about what happened. He's not ready yet. He'll never be ready.
But he realises he wants this. It is strange, wanting something that has only ever made him think of pain, that made him feel disgusted and frightened.
Ste is meticulous in preparing him. They switch positions so that Brendan lies on his front on the pillow. Brendan wills himself to relax, to focus on what Ste's doing to him. He feels warm hands on his arse cheeks, and then cold air as Ste spreads them apart.
Ste licks over the soft flesh of Brendan's pale arse, nibbling in areas, leaving behind a flash of red which takes its time to fade to white. When Brendan pushes back, Ste takes it as a silent request to begin burying his mouth in his entrance, wetting Brendan's hole thoroughly. Rimming Brendan always feels like a deeply intimate experience. Ste enjoys giving almost as much as receiving. Listening to and watching Brendan's reactions is half the fun. The sight of him gripping onto the sheets and uttering a deep guttural groan of pleasure is something that Ste doesn't think he'll ever grow complacent of.
It's moment like this which have caused him to think what it would be like to go deeper, to heighten the feeling, to be inside Brendan with his cock. He feels like his body is humming at the mere thought.
Brendan presses his face deeper into the pillow.
"Does that feel good?"
"Is that a legitimate question?"
Slowly Ste withdraws his tongue and inserts a wet finger in its place. Brendan pushes out his arse further.
"Have I ever told you that you have a nice bum?"
Ste strokes it with his free hand.
"Only like a dozen times. And yes, I know I do."
"Oi!" Ste smacks it lightly, and notices that the noises coming from Brendan's mouth only increase further.
"You like that, do you?" Ste enquires, humour peppering his voice.
"I wouldn't mind...if you did it again."
"You give the greatest compliments, Bren."
Ste taps his arse, mesmerised by the way the normally taut flesh wobbles.
"Harder."
"What?" Ste doesn't want to make the skin raw.
"Your finger. Move it harder. Faster."
"Oh, right."
Ste concentrates his attention fully on moving his single digit in and out of Brendan's tight pink hole, watching every time as it opens and closes up.
"Fuck, your hands..."
"You taught me how to do it right," Ste teases.
"No," Brendan laughs gruffly. "That's not something you teach. You have amazing fingers."
Ste adds another one in, and Brendan's knuckles become white as he balls them up into fists. The pleasure is almost too strong, too acute. He's going to come before they've even got started.
They hit a rhythm, Brendan fucking himself against Ste's fingers while Ste feels his own cock growing hard in his boxers. When he thinks Brendan's ready, Ste withdraws his hand, and makes a grab for the bottle of lube and a condom.
Brendan immediately tenses now that he's lost that physical contact. It is like a feeling of warmth leaving him, and he knows exactly what's to come. He's fucking terrified.
But there is Ste, understanding without him having to say a word, even though the boy has no real idea what there is to understand. He kisses down Brendan's back as he tears off the wrapper of the condom.
Brendan turns over. He wants to face him when they do this, to stare into his eyes and see the love there. The reassurance, and the feeling that he'll keep him safe.
Ste holds his hand out, ready to place the condom on Brendan's cock before he stops himself, remembering. They laugh together, and finally some of the nervous energy between them is dissipated.
Ste slips the condom on his dick and coats it with lube. He's done this before with Doug, but this is a whole different challenge. A whole different kind of pleasure that comes with staring into the eyes of someone who he feels like he's been waiting for his whole life.
Brendan hooks his legs behind Ste's back. He is strong, pulling Ste towards him effortlessly. There is no such thing as too close, too much. Ste's skin feels like velvet above his own. Every square inch is wonderfully, beautifully soft.
Brendan winces when Ste first enters him. It is a long forgotten feeling, and his body and mind tell him to fight against it, that it's an intrusion that he doesn't want. Ste stills, hardly daring to breathe. His mind is racing a mile a minute.
Too soon. This is too soon.
Brendan forces himself to relax. To see that the eyes which are piercing into his are the deepest blue, that they belong to the boy that he loves.
It's Steven, and it's all going to be okay.
All that is needed between them is a nod, and Ste gradually increases the pressure. Brendan is tight, and hot, and perfect around his dick, better than he ever dreamed. Ste tries to find that spot that Brendan so effortlessly always finds in him, that will make his toes curl and his pupils dilate, that will make him writhing in need.
He finds it, and Brendan gives a strangled cry.
"Yeah...right there...right there."
Ste pummels into him hard and fast, relentless in his pace now that he knows Brendan wants it.
He is perfect like this, spread out before him, all his to enjoy. Brendan's cock stands up tall on his stomach, pre cum gathering in its slit.
Brendan loses himself to the pleasure, struggling to keep his eyes open. He didn't know that being filled so completely, that someone owning every part of his body could make him feel so free.
He needs something to grab hold of, to squeeze, to release some of what he's feeling. He runs his hands over Ste's back, clawing at the skin there, feeling the boy's sweat on his fingers.
It feels like he could come like this. Just like this, with Ste's cock inside him, diving into that same spot again and again.
He is close to the edge, and he can tell that Ste is too, his face giving him away, a picture of pure ecstasy.
Brendan wants to let it all go right this second.
They both jump at the sound of a loud, persistent knock at the door. Ste stills, just as they were both so, so close.
"Ignore it," Brendan grunts, willing him to resume his actions.
Ste begins to move in and out again. He thinks he might die if he doesn't come soon.
The knocking continues, growing louder. They both try to block it out and focus on the sounds that the other is making, but whoever it is isn't going to go away anytime soon.
"For fucks sake."
Brendan gently dislodges Ste from on top of him and tucks his dick into his boxers, throwing on a t-shirt over his sweat stained body.
He could kill whoever's at the door.
Ste covers himself with the covers, wanting to burst into laughter at how insanely good that felt.
Throwing open the door, Brendan glares at the man standing behind it. He vaguely recognises him from the reception desk earlier.
"What?" He barks. He's sure he looks like a madman right now, face flushed, frenzied expression on his face.
"Sorry to interrupt Sir, but we've had some complaints about the noise..."
2
A loud shriek is ringing in Brendan's ears. He closes his eyes against it, waiting for it to stop. It's too early in the morning for this. He should still be in bed nursing a cup of coffee, a sleeping Steven beside him.
Instead he is at the club, and the screaming won't stop.
"Anne please, just pack it in."
"That is SO cute though."
Does everyone have to keep using that word?
"It may be, but do you have to make that noise?"
"Sorry if I'm excited for you! Aw, you and that little scally, together at last."
"Mmmm." Brendan hides his smile by taking a sip of his tea.
"You have no idea how annoying it was to see you two making those longing lusty eyes at each other for the past two years."
Brendan almost chokes. "Longing lusty eyes?"
"Kind of like wounded puppies."
"Well, I'm glad I could put you out of your misery."
Mitzeee follows Brendan around the bar, a constant questioning shadow at his side.
"So what was it like?"
"What was what like?"
"Getting back together!" She rolls her eyes as if it's obvious.
"Anne..."
"I bet you barely left the hotel room," she says with a snort.
Brendan raises his eyebrows. Discussing his sex life is not something he's used to. This isn't going to become some gossip session. They're not...girlfriends. He shudders at the thought.
"And your Ste...well..."
He glances over at her. "What?"
"You know. He looks...bendy, doesn't he?"
Mitzeee laughs at the widening of Brendan's eyes.
"I'm not talking about this with you. It's too weird."
He tries to move past her to the office, but they're both stilled by the sound of footsteps coming towards them. A pair of chino clad legs.
Brendan doesn't have to look at Mitzeee to know that she's like the cat that got the cream at the sight of Ste.
"Speak of the devil..."
"You what?" The boy frowns at them both.
"Nothing," Brendan quickly says.
"We were both just discussing how much you love being under Brendan."
Brendan tries to warn her with his eyes to shut up.
"In business, of course. You used to love to work under him, didn't you?"
"Errr..." Ste's cheeks grow faintly pink, in a way that makes his golden skin look even more delicious.
Brendan tries to stop salivating at the mere sight of him.
"Anne, get back to work. I don't have time to stand about talking all day."
"Oh no, I'm sure you have more important things to do." She looks between Brendan and Ste, her smile the image of sweetness and light.
Brendan grunts, and stalks to his office. Ste follows, not quite sure what's just happened. He closes the door behind them as Brendan sits behind his desk.
"What was all that about?"
"Just the usual silliness. Anyway, what are you doing here this early?"
"I came to give you this."
Ste takes a plastic container out of his bag, and puts it in front of Brendan.
"You got me...sandwiches?"
"Yep. Jam, your favourite."
"Are they -"
"Seedless? Of course. I remember that you used to miss lunch all the time when I worked here because you were so busy. This way, you can't."
The words "what did I ever do to deserve you?" are stuck in Brendan's throat.
"Come here."
Ste goes to sit down on the sofa.
"No, I mean come here, Steven."
Brendan pats his thighs, and Ste quirks a grin in his direction.
He is as light as a feather in Brendan's hold, and sits in his lap effortlessly, hands hooked around Brendan's back.
Ste spins the chair around and laughs.
"You have the loudest laugh I've ever heard in my life, you know that?"
"You don't like it?" Ste pretends to be wounded.
"Are you kidding me? I love it."
There's that word again. Love. Ste won't ever tire of hearing it from this man.
Brendan begins taking the top off the container.
"What are you doing? Those are for your lunch!"
"I'm hungry now."
"You're always hungry, you."
"Better believe it."
The way Brendan says everything shouldn't sound so obscene to Ste, but it does. He bets that Brendan could make every sentence sound like a come on if he tried. Perhaps even if he didn't try.
Brendan speaks in between kisses. He places his lips on Ste's mouth, his cheek, his eyelashes, his nose, his jaw.
"Want to feed me?"
Ste giggles. "Okay."
He tears off a bit of the crust. Some of the jam oozes onto his fingers, and when he places the bread in Brendan's mouth, he licks up Ste's fingers teasingly, lapping with his tongue.
They continue, Brendan licking Ste's fingers as deeply as he can, sucking on them until all the jam is removed. Ste has his free hand in Brendan's hair the whole time, stroking it softly, rhythmically.
"How is it?"
"Fucking amazing."
"Only you would get this excited about a jam sandwich."
"Maybe I'm more excited about the boy feeding me it."
"Oh really?"
Ste dangles another piece of bread in front of Brendan's mouth, then puts it in his own mouth just before Brendan's tongue reaches it.
"You're playing that game, huh?" His voice is low and gravelly.
"Mmm hmmm," Ste hums through chews.
"You're a cheeky fucker, aren't you?"
He flutters his lashes in a way that tells Brendan that he knows exactly what he's doing.
"It would be a shame to put this to waste. Your mouth being so sweet..."
"What do you want me to do?" Ste asks, moving forwards for a kiss.
Brendan stills him with a finger held in front of his lips.
"Lower."
Ste grins, catching on.
"Lower as in...here?" He asks, touching Brendan's chest. Brendan shakes his head, never breaking eye contact.
"Here?" Ste continues, his hands trailing down to Brendan's stomach.
"Just a little bit slower," Brendan whispers.
"Oh." Ste nods, as if he's only just figured it out.
With firm, confident hands he begins undoing Brendan's trousers, moving down to the floor to take them off completely. The sight of Ste on the floor, looking up at him while his hands move close to Brendan's groin is enough to turn his eyes dark with need. The boy is irresistible like this, eager to please and willing to do anything. Anything.
He is also in a playful mood, licking Brendan's cock through the material of his boxers.
"Take them off..."
Ste says nothing, just continues to dart his tongue out and give little flicks, frustratingly small. He wants to build up Brendan's excitement, wait until he's practically begging for it.
Brendan tries to shuffle out of his pants, but Ste holds a firm hand down on them. Brendan is shocked by the strength of the boy at times.
He sucks on Brendan's cock until it begins to tent the material. Brendan lets out a deep groan of pleasure, lying back on the chair and closing his eyes.
In one quick, immediate movement with disarms Brendan, Ste releases his cock and takes it down to the root, licking it roughly, his head bobbing backwards and forwards.
"Fucking hell."
"Language, Brendan," Ste admonishes, caressing the tip of Brendan's cock with his tongue.
"You're one to talk, after your performance last night. I'm surprised the neighbours didn't complain."
"Shut up."
"It's a wonder the head board in your room hasn't broken."
Ste's mind wanders to yesterday. Brendan fucking him fast and hard, them shifting up in the bed with every thrust. There is nothing self conscious about him. He doesn't hold a single thing back, and even when Brendan had kissed him he'd still been shouting, causing a vibration of sorts in Brendan's mouth.
"Now are you going to keep on talking, or can I...?" He nuzzles his nose against Brendan's cock.
"If you must." Brendan grins, settling back down again. He really should start clearing up the office. There must be a dozen cum stains on the carpet already.
He hears Mitzeee before he sees her.
"Brendan!" She comes crashing through the door, not stopping to knock.
Brendan sits up with a jolt, and he hears Ste knock his head against the desk. Brendan hides the noise and his swearing by banging his own leg and clearing his throat.
"Jesus Anne, have you ever heard of the thing called putting your hand against the door?"
"Alright, don't be..." She stops, narrowing her eyes at him. "What's wrong with your face?"
Brendan swallows. "What do you mean?"
He can practically see Ste holding his breath below him.
Despite being interrupted, he can't take his eyes off Brendan's still hard cock. His lips are parted, ready to place them around him again. He is shameless, and he couldn't give a fuck.
"You look...strange."
Ste grins. Brendan doesn't look strange to him. His expression is wonderfully familiar. He's seen a lot of it lately, the glazing over of his eyes, the slackening of his jaw, the spit slicked lips.
"Where's Ste?"
Brendan looks under the desk before he can stop himself, his boy grinning up at him wickedly.
"Brendan!" Mitzeee gapes in shock. "Is he...were you..."
"No."
Ste reaches forwards and begins to play with Brendan's cock again, coating it with his salvia and running his hands over the head.
Brendan shifts sharply in his seat, trying to bat Ste away with his hands.
"Is he sucking you off?" Mitzeee's smiling at him openly now. He's never going to hear the end of this. It was bad enough for her to try and talk to him about this, let alone witness it.
Ste giggles silently. Brendan knows he won't be able to keep it inside for long.
"Get out won't you?"
"Sure, sure. I'll leave you to your...work."
Smirking, Mitzeee opens the door, then turns back towards them.
"Oh, and boys? You might want to lock the door next time. I thought you would have learnt that by now."
3
"Happy birthday daddy!"
A mass of blonde hair clouds Ste's vision. He blinks against it, sleep still in his eyes.
Leah and Lucas bounce on the bed, clapping their hands delightedly. They have a rule to wait until at least 6am on Christmas morning before they wake him. Ste should have told them that that extends to birthdays.
He looks at the clock. 5.30. He should still be having his dream of him and Brendan setting up an ice cream business together right now.
He stares towards the lump in the bed beside him. He's awake, Ste knows he is. Brendan's a deep sleeper, but he's not fooled. Someone jumping on top of you is its own kind of alarm clock.
"Daddy Brendan doesn't like early mornings, remember?"
Leah begins poking Brendan on his cheek.
"Leah!"
She giggles and reaches out to stroke his tache.
"Alright you two, come on. It's still early. Go back to bed for a bit, yeah?"
Ste strokes their hair. He's touched that they've remembered. He thought this birthday would pass with only a phone call from Amy. Did she tell them about today? He hasn't mentioned anything.
Leah and Lucas start arguing, only relenting when he holds their hands and takes them back to their rooms, telling them to give it another half an hour and play with their toys while he wakes up properly.
Shuffling back to bed, Ste yawns and melts against the pillow. He and Brendan had a late night yesterday, having a meal with Cheryl and Nate. One glass of wine had led to a second, then a third. Ste didn't even much like the stuff, and Brendan preferred whiskey, but the haziness the wine had produced had been difficult to fight against. The last thing he'd been aware of had been Brendan attempting to carry him back to his bedroom, dropping him when he lost his own balance, Ste landing on his arse and laughing loud enough to rouse the whole village.
Ste hadn't mentioned a word about his birthday to anyone though. He knew that even if he told Cheryl privately that the word would soon spread, and it wouldn't be long before she was taking Brendan shopping, suggesting fancy and expensive presents that he should buy.
Ste didn't want that. He didn't want Brendan to celebrate today because he had to.
Besides, Ste told himself that things like that didn't matter to him. It wasn't the big gestures or presents. It was the little day to day things. The way Brendan smiles at him, the way he makes him feel safe, worshipped. Spending every day of their lives together, building something. A future.
But now he knows that it's his birthday. What if he acts out of some sense of obligation?
Ste tries to settle back to sleep, but feels a weight pressing against him.
Brendan curls his arms around his stomach, his lips pressing against Ste's neck.
"Sorry about that. Being woken."
"Don't worry about it. I'll recover after I have one of those coffees of yours."
"They're really just like any other coffee, Bren. I don't do anything special," Ste insists for what feels like the hundredth time.
He hears Brendan tut. "Load of rubbish."
Ste grins, his tiredness beginning to leave him. He moves his neck closer to Brendan so he can kiss it properly.
"So, as it's your birthday..."
"Don't," Ste groans.
Brendan is surprised by his reluctance. Did he really think that he wouldn't say anything on a day like this? It's Ste's first birthday where they've been a couple, and he'll be damned if they don't do something to mark the occasion.
"Look in the drawer beside you."
Ste's eyes widen in surprise. Brendan can't mean that he's...that he's planned something? Ste had no idea he was even aware of the date.
Sitting up, reluctant to shrug out of Brendan's hold, Ste opens the drawer.
Inside are two carefully wrapped presents, a card lying over them.
Ste blinks back tears, while Brendan waits nervously, wondering if his gifts look small and pathetic, not knowing how they could ever explain how much the boy means to him.
Tentatively reaching out, Ste picks up the card first. He can't imagine what words Brendan would have written inside. He's a man of few words at the best of times. Half of him expects it to contain the message To Steven, Happy Birthday, From Brendan.
His hands quivering, he unseals the envelope.
His eyes travel over the card, consigning everything to memory.
On the front are two men sitting by a pond, fishing. They look like they're in their seventies.
Ste wonders whether to say thank you or to laugh. He settles for something in between.
"But...we don't fish."
"I know that. But there weren't any...couple cards, were there? Not for men, I mean."
Ste looks down at the card again as the message slowly sinks in.
"Is this...us?"
Brendan nods, looking faintly embarrassed.
"When we're...older?"
He looks up into Ste's eyes.
"Obviously we won't fish, but..."
"But we'll be together when we're this old?"
"I hope so," he murmurs under his breath.
Ste doesn't know if he can open the card now. He's not sure if he can take anymore. He's in danger of crying right now, making Brendan think he's some dramatic, soppy idiot.
But part of him wants to know.
Slowly he begins to read, letting every word sink into his mind.
To Steven,
Happy birthday. I hope this card will make you smile. I saw it a few months ago, and for some reason it reminded me of us.
Thank you for everything. Thank you for being here when my dad came. I hope I can save you the way you've saved me.
I love you,
Brendan.
Tears swim in Ste's eyes.
"Is it okay?"
He is surprised Brendan even has to ask.
"Yes. It's wonderful. Except for one part."
Brendan stares at him worriedly.
"Which part?" He asks, trying to see over Ste's shoulder. It took several drafts until he'd worked out exactly what he wanted to say.
"You hoping you can save me."
Brendan looks at him.
"Do I have to remind you of someone called Danny Houston? Warren? Walker?"
"That's different." Brendan nods dismissively. "That's nothing compared to what you've done for me." It's not even in the same league.
"You saved my life, Brendan."
"No, I put you in danger in the first place."
Ste sighs. They shouldn't ever be having this conversation again, especially not this early in the morning.
"Being a martyr doesn't suit you."
Brendan grins at him, and Ste knows that it's not like before, that he's not going to lose him this time over the need to do the right thing. The right thing now is for them to be together.
"Are you going to open your presents then?"
"Well, if you insist." Ste is like an excited child when he reaches into the drawer and brings up the two packages.
He props the card up on the bedside table, not wanting it out of his sight for a single second.
Ste unwraps the larger present first. It is soft and almost weightless in his hands.
Brendan gets the reaction he was hoping for, Ste beaming at him brightly.
"You...I can't believe you!"
"I can't believe it either, trust me," he says wryly.
Ste holds up the jumper to his chest, posing.
"How does it look?" He asks delightedly.
"Completely hideous."
"You seriously brought me this with your own money?"
"Yes. It was panful."
Ste shoves him playfully, and Brendan lets out one of those laughs that he loves.
"I saw you staring at it in the shop for like half an hour. God knows why, the thing's even worse than one of those monstrosities that Douglas wears. It's worse than that yellow checked shirt that you used to have."
"Hey! That shirt's decent."
"So I remember you saying."
Ste looks from Brendan to the jumper, his cheeks practically splitting he's smiling so fiercely.
"Thank you, thank you!" He kisses Brendan all over, the jumper in his arms tickling against Brendan's skin.
"So am I actually allowed to wear this thing in public with you?" Ste asks once he's calmed down enough to form coherent sentences.
"Hmmm...maybe. I'll see."
Ste wants to change into it right now, but he plans on rewarding Brendan fully for this, and it'll only be one more thing to take off.
Brendan places the remaining present in his lap as a reminder, and Ste can barely believe that there's still more. He almost wants it to stop, just so he can gather his thoughts.
He notices there's a tag attached to it.
For when I'm on my business trips.
Ste eyes him curiously, noticing that Brendan's mouth has quirked upwards. He looks...cheeky.
Slowly removing the paper, Ste nearly drops the present once he sees what it is.
"Brendan!" He gasps out in surprise.
Brendan licks his lips. He registers that the boy doesn't seem entirely upset or disapproving. In fact, there's something behind his eyes. A spark.
"You went out to a shop and -"
"Two words, Steven. The internet."
"What website did you go to?"
"Why? Do you want to buy something else?"
"No!" Ste splutters.
"Why not?" Brendan is genuinely curious. He finds it hard to believe he's never tried this before. But then again, the idea of him doing it with Noah or Doug isn't something he wants to picture.
"Because it's...it's well pervy!"
"Right up your street then," Brendan all but growls.
"I'm not like that at all!"
Brendan almost laughs, but he doesn't want to provoke the boy further.
"Who was it who said, and I quote, 'Touch yourself for me, Brendan. Stroke your cock for me.'"
"That was...different. That was one time!"
"'Have you ever used handcuffs, Brendan?'"
"Shut up!" Ste blushes profusely. He hesitates. "You seriously want me to use this while you're away?"
"It's more fun than wanking yourself off."
"How do you know?"
"How do you think?"
Ste raises his eyebrows. "You've used one before?" He asks quietly.
"A couple of times, yes."
Ste's cheeks redden further. "Was it...good?"
Brendan leans in closer to him, hot breath against Ste's ear.
"It was amazing."
He's sure he sees Ste shiver.
"It feels so rubbery," He says, moving his hands up and down the base of the dildo.
"It feels good when it's inside you. And it's my size. Nine inches."
"Alright, you cocky git. What if I wanted a different size, eh?" Ste challenges.
"Doubtful," Brendan teases, capturing Ste's lips with his own. "Very doubtful."
"Brendan?" Ste asks against his mouth.
"Hmm?"
"How did the kids know about my birthday?"
Brendan draws back. "They're perceptive."
"At their age?"
Brendan chews his bottom lip. It's...distracting.
"Okay, but don't get angry."
"Alright..."
"I told them."
Ste wasn't expecting that.
"You did?"
"Yes."
"But...how did you know?"
"I remembered the date." He says it as if it's the simplest thing in the world.
"I didn't even say anything though."
"I remember you going on about it at the club one year."
Not for the first time that morning, Ste's lost for words.
"I rang Amy to let her know what times we'd be at home too. She wants to Skype you."
"You spoke to Amy?" Ste can feel his mouth drop open.
"Yesterday night, yes."
"Without killing each other?"
"Well, she did say she had a GP appointment to go to at eight o'clock at night, but we're getting there I think. Slowly."
Brendan can hardly believe it himself. She had almost sounded civil on the phone. Once she was done waiting for some hidden catch to his call she had even been on the verge of being friendly.
"Wait a second..." Ste tries to organise his thoughts. "What do you mean, what times we'd be home? Where are we going?"
"I'm taking you out for the day."
Ste would like to ask the universe what the hell it's done with Brendan Brady, the man who almost threw up at the word date two years ago.
"Where?"
"Jesus, can't I keep anything a surprise? Just...be ready at eleven."
"I haven't booked a babysitter though."
"The kids are coming. They're part of this family too, aren't they? We can take their favourite toys with them if they get bored."
Ste feels like he needs a bucket of cold water thrown over him. This can't be real.
"You can wear that awful jumper of yours if you want," Brendan continues.
Ste allows himself to feel it then. To feel that this isn't a dream. He flings his arms around Brendan, holding him so closely that he has to fight him off just to get his breath back.
"You're amazing, you know that?"
Brendan strokes his cheek with his thumb.
"I'll go and get the kids ready," he says, pulling the covers back.
"Brendan?" Ste's not done with him yet. Not nearly done.
Brendan stares back at him. He's clad in a tight grey vest, and it clings to his muscles, allowing his broad shoulders to go uncovered. Ste has never wanted him more.
"What are we going to do with this?" He holds up the dildo. It's beginning to feel less strange in his grip. He could get used to this.
Brendan moves towards him like a predator circling its prey.
"What do you want to do with it?" His voice is light, but Ste knows him. He knows every dark, dirty thought he's thinking.
"Why don't you show me?" Ste asks, his voice deceptively sweet.
Brendan takes it from him and moves his hand under the covers. Ste spreads his legs willingly.
Brendan reaches down between Ste's thighs and finds his entrance. He presses the tip of the dildo into him, and Ste takes an intake of breath.
"Daddy!" Leah and Lucas burst in the room, and Brendan roughly withdraws his hand, hiding the dildo out of sight.
"I thought I said half an hour?" Ste mumbles.
They ignore him, bouncing on the bed again.
"Come on guys. Lets give your dad some time to get dressed, eh?"
Brendan beckons them to follow him, and they take his hand straight away. Ste has learnt that they'd follow Brendan to the ends of the earth if he asked.
Ste and Brendan share a smile before he leaves the room. They know they'll be time for this later. An endless expanse of time stretching out before them, no end in sight.