A/N: Hi, just a reminder that this story is NOT EDITED so therefore you may find a lot of mistakes. I do hope that you enjoy this chapter though.

Taste of Innocence

Brendan was back, big, strong and confident as he remembered him to be. The only thing is, he wasn't. Ste was a mess. After their breakup, Doug left and Ste had to deal with the aftermath of what happened alone.

Walker holding a gun at him and Brendan jumping in to save him is a scene that did not stop haunting him, not for a minute.

After what happened, Ste didn't know if he could ever trust Doug again. There just have been too many lies and deception for their relationship to work. And with the guilt of Riley's murder hanging on his shoulders, Doug just couldn't stay. Brendan too had left. He needed to get away, to stay close to his family and come to terms with what happened. Ste was left alone, without Amy and the kids, without Doug, and without Brendan. He never truly dealt with what happened, not properly anyway. He just kept on going. The deli was all his now which meant extra work, and extra work he did. Work was what he lived for everyday, what he woke up for in the morning and what he thought of before falling asleep at night. But when he slept, the nightmares came: Walker and his gun pointed at him… the gun going off. Sometimes he woke up before the bullet was fired. Sometimes the bullet would hit him and he would wake up feeling its pain tear its way through his body. And there were worst times, when Brendan would step in front of him and the bullet would hit him, sometimes in the chest, sometimes between the eyes, it differs every time, but he would always end up staring at Brendan fall, watching as life slowly deserts his body and his blue eyes stare back at him, lifeless and dead.

Brendan was back. The news did not sit well with him. It bothered Ste that he didn't know how he felt or how to deal with it. Was he happy that Brendan was back? Was he angry? What did he feel exactly? He decided it didn't matter and continued working.

At sunset however, Brendan walked into the deli. Mrs. Ruth thanked Ste for her order and he stiffly smiled back at her as she left. Brendan walked closer. Ste was nervous; he didn't want to look at Brendan so he looked down and continued working.

"Hello Steven."

"Hia," Ste replied casually, "Welcome back," And then quickly added, "How can I help you today?"

Brendan was staring right at him. Ste could feel his gaze penetrating his very soul, and suddenly a whole bunch of different emotions piled up inside of him until he couldn't contain them any longer. Anger, fear, longing… but worst of all was the bitterness. He finally raised his face and stared back at Brendan. Two sets of blue eyes looking at each other. Ste's eyes were full of challenge, anger and bitterness. Brendan's were full of longing, sadness and other unreadable emotions.

"So what would it be?"

"Steven we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about." Ste stated sounding harsh and emotionless.

"Yes there is." Brendan sounded calm, collected and Ste hated it.

"I don't want to talk Brendan. Things happened and they're in the past now. There's nothing we need to talk about. "

Brendan's eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth to say something but then quickly changed his mind. "Fine. If you don't feel like it now we can talk later."

"What would you like?" Ste asked again.

"Surprise me."

Ste didn't argue and proceeded to make a sandwich, one of Brendan's favorites, without even thinking about it.

Brendan waited silently watching Ste prepare his meal.

"Here you go" Ste finally handed him his order. "I would make it a welcome home present but the business is struggling as you can see." Ste tried to sound casual and actually managed to crack a smile.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Ste accepted the money then turned back to work, completely ignoring the tall man behind him. Brendan waited few minutes more before leaving.

Only after he heard the door close, did Ste allow himself to relax and let go of the heartfelt sigh he's been suppressing. He raised his hand to his face and watched it shake uncontrollably.

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO

Two men arrived to Hollyoaks that same night. Wearing suits and looking grim, they entered the bar and ordered drinks. The oldest was limping and pain was evident on his face. When the drinks arrived, he took long sips from his, and putting the glass down with a bang he asked, "You called Brendan?"

The younger man nodded, "Yes Sir. The meeting is set for tomorrow."

"Good," The man seemed content, "Tell me what you have on him."

"All the family is out of the country, his sister, kids and ex wife."

"So he has no one here."

"Not really. Except for of an ex boyfriend he has no one."

Max Maddler raised his eyes. He shifted his stiff leg, pain slowly subsiding courtesy of alcohol. "Did you say boyfriend?"

"Yes. Steven Hay. Everybody calls him Ste. He owns a small Deli."

"Well what do ya know. I thought the day would never come." A smile crept to Max's face. "Go on, tell me more."

The man shrugged his head as he took a quick sip from his drink. "They say Brendan's obsessed with him. No one messes with the boy or he answers to Brady himself. However, the two have been separated for quite a while now. There are also rumors of Brendan abusing the kid while they were secretly together before the word got out about him being gay."

"Interesting," Max said slowly, "Do tell me more, everything you know about Brady and that kid. But before that, call Leny and tell him I'm not going to the meeting tomorrow. There's something I need to do and tell him I need him to do something for me."

While the younger man was busy making the call, Max smiled as he gulped down the rest of his drink. The notion of having something Brendan cherished excited him and soon the smile turned to a laugh, one that attracted everyone's attention, but Max was far too excited to care.

"Steven Hay! What do ya know!"

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO

Next day was slow. Ste was finally considering the offer to sell the deli. At the end of the day, he hanged the closed sign and proceeded to clean up when the door opened and a man stepped in.

"Sorry we're closed."

"Sorry to hear that."

Ste turned around and saw a middle aged man, tall and dark. The man limped inside. "I was quite hungry and hoping to get a bite."

Ste smiled. "I guess I can make an exception. You're new here, aren't you?"

"Yes I arrived here yesterday," the man smiled back, "I have some business here."

"Well, welcome to Hollyoaks. What would you like to eat?"

"Anything with meat."

Ste smiled and proceeded to make the man a sandwich.

Max kept staring at Ste. He was disappointed. Really disappointed. He thought Brendan could do better. What was so special about this thin-boned boy. Sure he was pretty and has beautiful blue eyes but nothing striking.

"Do you know Brendan Brady?" Max suddenly asked and watched as Ste froze. It took him few seconds to recover. Ste shrugged, "who doesn't. Everybody knows Brendan."

"I heard you two were close."

Ste tensed and he eyed the man suspiciously, his eyes suddenly frightened and untrusting. "That was long time ago. We're not anymore."

"I see."

"Anybody would be crazy to get anywhere near that man," Ste muttered before he continued to work. Suddenly he wanted the man to leave. He was scared but didn't want to admit it.

"Ah so you're not an item anymore."

"No we're not" Ste snapped, "Could we stop talking about Brendan please?"

"Do you still care about him? Max asked calmly, ignoring Ste's outburst and his apparent discomfort.

Ste stared at the man angrily, "Not that it's any of your business but no. I don't. Now do you want your sandwich or did you come here just to talk about Brendan?"

"Don't get mad," Max smiled. "Do you mind if I test your honesty?"

Ste looked confused, "Excuse me?"

Max got his cell phone out of his pocket. Called someone and told them to "send it". He then handed Ste the phone after playing a video he just received.

Ste watched dumbfounded at first. It looked like a deserted place with a bunch of men standing there. They were talking but Ste wasn't able to hear what they were saying. And then he saw him. Brendan was there talking to the men. The video was shot from behind him and slowly a gun was raised and aimed at Brendan's back. Brendan seemed unaware of this as he continued to speak with the men in front of him unfazed.

Ste's eyes widened, "what's going on? What're you doing?"

"What's going on is simple." Max told him ever so calmly, "This man will kill Brendan Brady unless you do what I ask you."

"Is this some kind of a joke?"

"This is no joke Steven," Max smiled, "Brady will be shot in five minutes unless I give an order to stop it."

Ste panicked. "Stop it. Tell them to stop it right now!"

"Not before you give me what I want."

"What do you want?" Ste said in desperation.

Max watched those blue eyes wide and alive with fear and panic. This boy was willing to do anything for Brendan, just as he suspected then. "Kiss me!"

Ste couldn't believe his ears. "What?"

"Kiss me," Max repeated, "A kiss to save Brendan's life."

"Are you for real?"

"The clock is ticking."

"Two minutes left." Max raised his phone and waved it in front of Ste.

"Please don't."

"You know what to do if you want to save him."

Ste couldn't think. Panic was all he felt. "Fine."

Ste leaned in and placed a peck on the man's lips.

Max didn't react, "You call this a kiss? Really Steven? Fine it's up to you." And he turned to leave.

"No wait! Ste left the counter and stood in front of the man. "You asked for a kiss and you got one."

"A real kiss Steven. One similar to those you and Brendan shared."

Ste hesitated. Max could tell he was thinking whether or not he was serious.

"It's too late anyway, Brendan's as good as dead now. I wi…"

The man's words were cut short by Ste's leaning closer and kissing him. Warm lips covered his and the slightly opened mouth was his for the taking. Max took his prize. He grabbed Ste's shirt roughly and with force he slammed him against the wall, pressing his lips against his harder, tasting him, devouring him. He could feel the boy struggling for air under him but he was blinded by crazy passion.

Ste struggled to get away. Finally he pushed the man with all his strength and Max finally budged. He stepped back. His eyes were glazed with hunger as he stared at Ste. Both men were breathing heavily.

"Well," Ste finally said.

"That was good," The man then called someone and told them to stop. He then looked at Ste and smiled. "You just saved Brendan's life."

Ste closed his eyes in relief.

"I'll be seeing you Steven."

Ste leaned against the counter, his body suddenly too weak to support him. He watched as the mysterious man left, an ominous feeling spreading through him. This was not over. It was only the beginning of something ugly and dangerous and all Ste wanted was to run.

TBC

HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO

Reviews are much appreciated :)