Their lips crashing against one and others, tongues colliding and hands running up and down their bodies, Ste and Doug got lost in the kiss. Doug couldn't remember what he'd been so worried about, Ste always put him at ease somehow, like kissing him was so natural that it had always been that way. As they continued to get lost within each other they failed to notice a lone figure standing outside the window of the deli…. Brendan Brady, who had caused so much heartache and strife to Ste, yet who had and always would love him was standing there not believing the sight in front of him. His Steven and the Yank, Brendan knew from Cheryl that Ste was involved with another man somehow but never did he think of Douglas, he didn't even realise that Doug was gay. Yet there they were plain as day, not caring who saw. Brendan couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy rising over him, Steven looked happy, he wished that he was the one who was making him feel this way but they hadn't been together for a while… had Steven moved on? He always said he would, and that he didn't need Brendan. Brendan taw his eyes away from them and carried walking on… pondering his next move.
Doug and Ste stumbled backwards into the kitchen still not pulling apart, until they both had to come up for air. "Wow" was all that Ste could utter. Standing there in the kitchen with Ste, Doug remembered the last time they had been alone in there and what had happened. Things had changed so much in those two weeks, Doug accepting himself for who he really is and coming out to his friends, he was happy, a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Doug smiled and laughed nervously to himself. "What's so funny?" asked Ste, returning the smile. "Nothing" replied Doug. "I was just thinking about the last time we were in here together, things have changed so much." Ste took hold of Doug's hands in his own and looked deep into those blue eyes that always made him melt. "As in a good change though?" Ste asked Doug, he didn't want to rush Doug or freak him out in any way, Ste remembered how he felt when he first came out to everybody. "What do you think?" replied Doug as he took Ste's face in his hands and gave him a soft but passionate kiss on his lips. Ste was revelling in Doug's new found confidence.
"Come on, lets get out of here," Suggested Ste. They both then got on with the job of shutting up shop together, stopping every so often for a kiss as they brushed past one and other as they tidied things away, struggling to keep their hands to themselves. Finally they were ready to leave, Ste put his jacket on as Doug closed and locked the door behind them, they had decided to go to Doug's flat, Amy and the kids were at Ste's place and Leanne and Texas were off out into town (Dennis usually went wherever Leanne went) so they would have the place to themselves to talk and maybe other do things. Doug had realised in the two weeks just how much he missed their chats, even some of the goofy things Ste came out with. "Ready?" Ste asked."Sure am" Doug replied, they went to turn to the steps when Ste felt Doug take hold of his hand and place it in his own, he looked down to see Doug entwine their fingers together and smiled broadly at him. Doug remembered they just needed to nip into the shop and get something for them both to eat even though Ste could probably have rustled something up that tasted ten times better in no time, Doug thought that Ste had done enough work the past couple of weeks so wanted to treat him. Ste noticed a taxi outside Riley's, and waited for Doug to pull his hand away but he never did. "Hi Guy's" Doug said to Riley and Mitzee as they went past with a knowing nod of the head to Riley. He should have never doubted him really, Doug was taking it all in his stride. Whilst in Price Slice they laughed and giggled and held hands just like any other couple as they decided on something to eat, without anyone else batting an eyelid, no one seemed to notice . Doug paid and they walked up the steps together ready to face the rest of their friends, knowing they could face anything and anyone together.