A Hollyoaks Fiction. I Don't Own Any Of The Characters Blah Blah
Set: Ste & Brendan have been in a 'proper' relationship for 3 months now.

Brendan hadn't been the same, old upbeat Brendan for days now and Ste was really starting to get concerned about his boyfriend. He had hardly shown any affection towards him, and hadn't even really looked into his eyes. Even on his birthday, he wasn't exactly happy or grateful for any gifts. Just seemed to just cower and hide all day.

'Brendan? Brendan? Ste asked gently.

'Mhm?' This was the first time Brendan had looked at Ste in days.

'Are you gonna break up with me?'

This question seemed to come as a shock for Brendan. No way on earth was he expecting Ste to ask him that question. That was the last thing he was anticipating.

'Wh...what? No Steven I'm never going to break up with you. You're my rock, you're the reason I keep on living!' Brendan replied, trying to reassure his lover.

It was true. Steven was the only reason Brendan kept on living. His childhood was of the worst kind. No child should have to endure what Brendan did from the age of eight, and many times before he had considered ending it all and attempting suicide, but a sheer memory of Ste's precious facial features brought Brendan back down to earth.

Steven let out a gentle, relived smile. 'What's up then? You haven't been yourself for days. Did you not like my present? Cos ya know.. I could get you summit el...'

Ste couldn't even finish his sentence before he was interrupted.

'Steven I loved it, it's the best present ever.' Brendan replied, with a half-hearted smile.

Steven got him some tickets for a international football match between Ireland and England. He knew it would be fun, each supporting the opposite team. Whoever won then the other could somehow comfort them afterwards. Win win situation in Ste's book.

'What is it then?' Ste whispered as he put his hands over Brendan's. 'You can tell me anything you know. Is it Cheryl? or your mum?'

'No, neither of them. It's... no Steven I can't. If I tell you it all becomes real again. I can't'

Brendan started to cry now. Ste had never actually seen Brendan this upset. Sure, he'd seen him upset after his friend Lynsey's sudden passing, but this was something serious. Even more serious than murder if there was such a thing.

'Brendan I want to help you...'

'If I tell you, he might come after you Steven. I couldn't live with that. He's a monster Steven, an absolute monster.' Brendan was speaking in such a thick irish accent. He sounded like he was panicing.

'Who Brendan? Who? Nobody's gonna come after me. Not when I've got you near me eh? It's better when you tell other people ya'know instead of keeping it bottled up'

Ste had never really talked like this to Brendan before. It was always the other way round, Brendan trying to help Ste through something he had done that was stupid.

Brendan was sitting on the floor of the bedroom now, the far left hand corner, an all too familar part of the room for him. Ste was knelt beside him, still holding his hand tightly. He looked into Ste's bright blue eyes.

'My da...My da.. he erm. Yaknow... I can't say the word Steven. I can't say it!' Brendan was literally in floods of tears now, eyes bloodshot red from the stinging.

Steven looked shocked. He knew Brendan's dad used to beat him so he wouldn't be admitting that. Then came the realisation. His dad had abused him more than punches. There's only one thing worse than that. The lowest of the low. To your own son? You're own flesh and blood?

Ste said nothing, just took Brendan's head and buried it in his arms. There was no words to be spoken, just comfort for now. If Brendan wanted to open up more to Ste he would be there for him. Yet, for now Brendan just had to let the tears flow, to somehow get this horrible memory out of his system. This was the first stage though, telling somebody. A relief.

'I love you Brendan, I love you. I'm here...' Ste whispered in his ear..

To be continued. Please review :)