Authors note: In this two shot, Brendan and Steven did have a secret relationship, but the break ups and abuse never happend. I don't like abusive Brendan so that's why I haven't wrote him like that. Thank you, and please read.

Brendan looked at the strange man in front of him. This man was clearly upset, his eyes red and sunken, with massive grey bags weighing them down from obvious lack of sleep. His hair was scrunched up in loads of different places, not caring how bad it looked. His left eyebrow had stitches in it, followed by a deep gash along his left side cheekbone. His face was gaunt and white, he looked like he hadn't eaten in days, six days, five hours, twenty seven minutes and eight seconds, no eleven seconds to be precise. The exact time it was since everyone heard the news...

Brendan shook his head, the weak man in the mirror doing exactly the same, hoping that some way this would ward of those bad memories. He didn't need them, he had to think how he was going to get through today. He needed to distract himself, and tried his best to fix his tie, but his shaking hands just wouldn't let him. Damn it Brendan pull yourself together.

Cheryl appeared behind him, her face full of sympathy that Brendan didn't want. He wasn't the one that was dead, it wasn't his funeral they were going to, but it should be. At first Brendan slapped her hands away when she went to do his tie for him, insisting he can do it, he isn't a child, but he gave in when Cheryl persisted. Truth be told, it wasn't going to get done if it was left down to Brendan. Finally he was ready and so was Cheryl. She has actually had the decency to dress smartly, with a long black dress, not her usual low cut ones, but a dress that actually somewhat flattered her. On any other occasion, Brendan would of complimented his sister on how beautiful she looked.

'Why are we dressing up anyway? It's not like it matters anymore.' Brendan thought bitterly. 'He's dead now, he doesn't know what we doing. He can't see how we look. Even if he could see, he would of wanted us to dress comfortably, be themselves, not all posh for him. Stephen would of laughed at the idea of everyone dressing smartly for him. He was as common as they come'.

He zoned out most of the funeral, not caring what the priest had to say. There were so many people around him. Cheryl at his side, crying her eyes out. Brendan knows she had become really close to Stephen over the last year or so, he had almost forgotten that she was grieving too. Amy stood on the front row, with Leah and little Lucas. They had no idea what was going on or why mummy was crying, and kept looking around, as if searching for their daddy. Their daddy who was currently in that coffin.

Loud sobs could be heard coming from Steven's mother. They were obviously fake and seeking attention. She hadn't been a mother to Steven in years, choosing alcohol, drugs and goodness knows what over him each time. But now suddenly here she was, wanting attention for being the grieving mother. And then Terry Hay, standing next to her, holding her acting like the concerned step father, but Brendan could see the slight smirk on his face. Steven had told Brendan all about his childhood, how Terry would beat him, on a regular basis, while his mother laughed in his face, too drunk to care. Steven had broken down in tears as he recalled how they would tell him that he was better off dead. Well they certainly had their wish now, didn't they? Bastards.

Brendan forcefully shut his eyes, closing out the rest of the room, he just need to focus on not breaking down. He can't show these people any emotion. He has to stay strong. He has too. They wouldn't understand, because they don't know. Just a couple more hours and then it will all be over, for good. A few hours until there is no more pain or heart ache.

Thank you for reading part one. Next part will be much longer, explaining what happened and concluding this short story. I hope you liked it and please review for any questions, request, praise or criticisms. Also for other Stendan Fics, please check out my page, and also please spare a few seconds to answer my poll. Thank you.

-TracesOfTrueLove x