This was another random story I came up with. A big shout out to my dear friend Lolitangela who with her amazing thoughts and ideas helped me write this.
This is technically a long one shot, but with my limited time I thought I'd seperate it into parts for easier editing. xx

Two aspiring actors accept a role in a short film. The chemistry they share on screen and in real life leads them into having a one night stand they'll never forget. Stendan. AU. Rated M.


This Night Only.

Part 1

The rain pattered lightly against the windscreen and fell like little wriggles against the glass. Ste blew out a short blast of air from his lungs as he peered up to greying sky from inside his car. The journey so far had been a long one, up at the crack of dawn and a breakfast on the go he'd driven the miles to his next destination.

Early was the hour that there'd not been many vehicles on the road, but it had been dark thanks to the murky clouds that seemed to tag along during his travel. Caught up in his gaze at the darkened clouds above and the roll of the thunder, Ste hadn't noticed the lights had changed. A short sharp blast of a car horn behind him shook his every nerve ending making him jump in alarm.

The car passed by quickly spraying the now water strewn road against the paintwork. Ste shook his head brandishing the impatience of the person in the over priced car and continued to drive the long roads through to the city. With another new destination to add to his list, Ste pulled up to the tall hotel and stopped in the car park. Getting out and rooting in his boot for his bag Ste couldn't help but notice the car from earlier that had sped past him like on a mission.

His brows raised slightly, scanning the area for anyone in the vicinity of the cool silver BMW. Slamming shut the boot and clicking on the alarm Ste walked his way to the hotel and checked in at reception.

"Good morning sir, first time you have stayed with us?" The girl behind reception smiled and had a friendly characteristic. It settled Ste more as he nodded and continued to scout the large lobby.

"Yeah, it is actually. Very quiet round ere init?" Ste signed the paper he was passed over.

"At the moment it is, but there's a festival on this weekend, so bound to be more travellers like yourself. Will you be paying by card today?"

"Oh no, that's all on the tab. It get's picked up by the company that hired me. I'm a actor – believe it or not." Ste scoffed at the confused face the girl pulled. "Not like the big hollywood ones, only amateur, I've done a few little roles. I'm here to film my first erotic movie"

The girl changed colour within her cheeks and widened her eyes around them like it was the worlds biggest secret. "Oh my god...you actually...you know?" She shushed leaning closer to Ste.

"Take my clothes off? Yeah, somebody's gotta do it"

"Oof, yeah. I mean, good luck with that then." The girl acted coy suddenly, eyes darting from her computer screen. Ste couldn't help but chuckle accepting his key card from her.

"I just hope my co star is alright. Nothing worse than filming with someone who can't act to save their lives. Better to be challenged I think."

"Well, here's your keycard. Room 216, fourth floor. Breakfast is at 7am till 11am. If you need anything there's a phone in your room. Enjoy your stay"

"Ta. Oh...do you know who's in the BMW parked out there?" Ste backtracks on his way to the elevator.

"Erm...no I don't. Although I never notice what the guests drive in to be honest – why? Is there a problem?"

"No, No...it's cool. Just wondered" Ste waved his keycard "Thanks"


24 hours earlier.

Dublin

Brendan almost spilt the warm coffee he held as he was disturbed by his sister walking into the kitchen and crashing her paperwork down on the dining table. Brendan widened his eyes and looked at her with annoyance. Luckily it hadn't dripped down his clean suit. He placed his cup down and watched her intently faffing about wih her files.

"Something vexes thee?" Brendan asked leaning back against his chair. Cheryl huffed out a long breath and looked up at her bother. Her eyes were sheepish and hesitant leaving Brendan's wide smile to falter. "What?"

"Umm, well I'm not sure you'll like it Bren. But as ye left me in charge with this, then...you'll have to like it" Her body slid with a sass into the chair opposite, eyes darting with determination.

"Chez...what ye done?"

"Ye need the money right? So...this came up – literally. " Cheryl cleared her throat cautiously flicking through some papers. "It's good pay though, so I think ye can grin and bare it"

Brendan moved like lightning to grab the papers in front of her, despite Cheryl's applauded attempt at trying to wrestle them back again. Brendan held his hand at her shoulder stopping his sisters' determination and read the first few lines quietly.

Cheryl tried to move "I'll make us a brew..."

"No ye won't – sit." Brendan told her as he continued to read through the script he'd managed to wrangle from her hands. "Not my usual kind of role is it?"

"Nope" Cheryl had sat back down and relaxed. "Do ye like the plot?"

"It's okay, but erotic film? I'd actually have too...ye know..."

"Get butt naked" Cheryl nodded with a chuckle. "Suffice to say, I won't be accompanying ye to this one Bren. However the money is pretty amazing, and you'll be oposite a nice co star no doubt."

"Says here just an audition this though"

"Of course, I'm sure ye can persuade them oh lovely brother of mine. And think of the extra cash – ye can move out of here quicker then" Cheryl's voice oozed disappointment leaving Brendan to shuffle uneasy.

"Hey...ye know I don't wanna leave ye Chez. Ye know me and Da, we don't get on. I know ye love him, but nah...I gotta spread my wings don't I"

"Ye gonna ever try and actually meet someone Brendan? All this time, ye just work and work. Saving up and never being happy" Cheryl coaxed with a tentative flick of her eyes, she knew there was more to it, more reason to her brother being adamant to get out of Ireland. And as such continued to try and find out what that was.

"How do ye know I am not happy...I'm happy, I get by. Stop worrying about me. What about ye and Nate eh? Things moving in the right direction I hope. Don't want to have to sort the bloke out, do I?" Brendan changed the subject and then gulped down the remainder of his coffee, the thin liquid still seemed to stick in his throat.

"Things are great. Just taking things a day at a time. Daddy says he wants me to run the bar with him. I'm thinking about it, ye should come with me?"

Brendan becomes fidgety and stands up before tapping hard at the script and journey details. "Can't sis, gotta ferry to catch haven't I?"

Cheryl hoists herself up with Brendan. "You're going to the audition?" She paused studying her brother carefully. "I didn't think ye would. Or is this just a ploy to get out of seeing Daddy?"

"I told ye before, stop meddling between us Chez, I love ye but I can't take it anymore. Just leave me be okay? I have my reasons"

"What reasons though? I just wish you'd speak to me"

Brendan kissed his sister on her head "I ain't discussing this any more, alright?" Brendan shifted back gaining her eyes again. "And I do speak to ye, all the time. Wish me luck, I might actually get a good looking co star for once ey?"

Cheryl lightens and smiles but feels like they've still unresolved things. After allowing a sigh to leave her lungs she hugs Brendan tightly. "Yeah, but just behave yourself. And let me know when ye land"

"I'm taking my car, so I'll book the ferry over there. Been a while since I worked in the UK, doubt I'll even get to see the place though"

Brendan strides across the floor momentarily pausing in the kitchen to get to his bedroom "Ye know I love ye Chez, don'tcha?"

Cheryl mellowed then, following her brother she discarded both their cups in the sink and lay her hand over his shoulder squeezing her palm. "Course I do love. Hey, ye go have a good time ye hear? And let me know how it goes with the audition"


The next morning.

They'd spent a day auditioning. Surprisingly a lot turned up for the role, Ste was picked out early on and found himself hanging about on set a lot. He took a good look around and met a lot of the crew.

"This the first time you've shot a film like this then I take it?" The thick Irish accent drawled through Ste's ears encouraging him to turn his head to the side quickly and saw Brendan stood next to him taller and with his hands tucked into his pockets. His gaze met Ste's, curious waiting for an answer.

"No" Ste said matteoffactly "Done a couple others actually. It pays well, not exactly rocket science this is it?" It was a little white lie, he'd never done a role like this. He tried to remain confident though, how hard could it be?

"Lying on ye back and spreading your thighs ye mean? No I guess not" Brendan replied, his eyes widened laying them back down on the younger man stood next to him, drawn like magnets.

Ste warmed slightly and held a smirk along his licked wet lips. "It's not a porno ya know?" Ste gestured to the set standing before them. "It's a proper film, with feelings an that"

"Feelings" Brendan murmured with an undertone that rolled Ste's eyes. "Ahh, I see the difference now then"

"Sarky ain't ya? What's the matter - too afraid to take your clothes off?" Ste almost challenged Brendan then, and for a split moment he thought he saw him accept. "Just think of somet else whilst you do."

"As long as it's not something that comes up in the middle of a take – that ever happen to ye. Did ye ever...get too involved in the scenes?"

Ste turned fully to face Brendan, lashes sweeping high "Why, would that amuse you?"

"Just interested, seen as I'm your co star. That blush ye got going on..." Brendan trailed his eyes down Ste's body "Does it go all the way down?"

"You'll have to wait and see wont'cha?"

Ste suddenly stopped short and gathered a sharp breath, he'd never been so brazen before, with anyone, and yet his thoughts just rolled off his tongue. There was no missing Brendan's amusement at his revelation either. His gaze travelled Ste's face, settling upon his eyes. Ones that were trying to work Ste out. The younger man turned away so he couldn't keep doing it and nibbled the inside of his mouth.

"I'm Brendan by the way, come from North Ireland – Dublin" Brendan's head slowly edged around Ste. "What's your name?"

"Ste" He replied, the effect of his eyes impacted Ste's goose bumps along his skin. "I'm from Manchester an I only started this by chance – the acting? A friend got me introduced to a producer an I needed the cash."

"Similar to me that is, I never wanted to continue this. It's the money side of it for me." Brendan continued until the producer entered the large room and distracted them both. He had another young man with him. He stopped to introduce them all.

"Hi Chris" Ste smiled and shook his hand. "So you play my fella then?"

Brendan shot his eyes at Chris and smirked "Think you're up to the job then, Christopher"

"Sure I am. We'll do just fine won't we...?"

"Ste. And this is Brendan. Bit sarcastic this one" Ste grinned, Brendan didn't.

"Imagine if we ended up as a threesome" Chris laughed with Ste and glanced at Brendan who pouted almost. Head gesturing and mouth almost beginning to speak, he instead looked at Ste again.

"I doubt we'll need anymore help - will we Steven?" Brendan winked and wandered off leaving Ste a little flummoxed.

"Wow, I feel for you having to act alongside that one" Chris tapped Ste on the back as he left.


"What ye up to tonight then?" Brendan asked using the water dispenser to get himself a drink, he gulped the liquid down and when he'd rested his head back watched Ste's eyes latch on to the bob of his throat. Brendan swallowed again and then Ste blinked his vision back up again.

"Nothing really...I...um" Ste gulped "Probably going over me lines"

"Oh" Brendan nodded pursing his lips. "Could go over them together – if ye like? I mean, gotta eat first though, right?" Brendan's eye line became distracted by the producer and some of the film crew that were congregated a little further away. They all stood watching them with interest and only averted their stance when Brendan cocked his head intriguingly at them. It had Ste puzzling and turning to see what was going on.

"Go over them together?" Ste repeated Brendan's words, eyes seeing the crew dispensing. He'd not filmed with Brendan much, mostly with Chris and to be fair, the guy was nice and friendly. Brendan however had this charisma about him, he was powerful, mysterious and good looking.

"Yeah" Brendan's voice had suddenly become louder and Ste looked back upon the bluest cobalt eyes. The first time he'd had chance to really look upon them and worryingly Ste found himself trapped within them. "I mean...we are filming them together, makes sense, no?"

"Uh huh...it does. Make sense that is." Ste darted his eyes "Where d'ya wanna go to read these lines?"

"Your hotel room" Brendan spoke caught up in the moment before huffing out a small breathy laugh at how it sounded. "Still in character there - my bad. Or my room? Nope...still in character. Ah the green room here?"

"The green room sounds good, my hotel room is a mess anyway" Truth be told, Ste didn't think it was a good idea anyway. Brendan had been joking though, or at least looked to have been. Ste heated in a reaction becoming familiar around Brendan.

"Course it is"

"Well we wouldn't want to give out the wrong impression Brendan – would we?"

"And what impression would that be Steven?" Brendan smiled wider and Ste found his breath catching with it. He backed off slightly flustered and thumbed behind them.

"Nowt. Nothing. By the way, my name is Ste"

"No it isn't, I checked out your profile, It's Steven." Brendan drawled smugly and walked with a swagger out of the building leaving Ste to catch up. They walked a while with no speech and ended up outside. Ste didn't give Brendan a reply deciding to venture out further into the car park. He stopped by one of the cars recognising it from the other morning.

"I know that car, it sped past me at the lights the other day"

"Shouldn't drive so slowly then" Brendan advised standing next to him. Ste looked up at Brendan.

"This is yours? Now it makes sense"

The small spray of light rain fell from the sky and Ste held his face up to it. The coolness tickled against his skin and lips, droplets clung to his long sweeping lashes when they caught onto the hair darkening them. Brendan found himself mesmerised by him and how the rain splashed into the air once Ste had blinked.

"Ya always do that to people you've just met?" Ste spoke with warmth in his words, droplets from his lashes snaked down his cheeks. "Or is it just me you like to look at?"

Brendan had a slight shake to his head and quickly looked away." Seems to do this a lot huh? British weather" Brendan gestured to the rainfall, nervous laugh rumbling in his throat. "Ye hungry? I'm hungry – let's go eat yeah?"

Ste consequently simpered in delight, he wasn't sure he'd ever had so much enjoyment with a colleague before and it lightened him. "Alright then, you like Chinese? There's a place around the corner. We could get it to go and er, go over our scripts"

Back in the green room the table was covered in foil containers full of Chinese food that had been picked at and eaten. Ste watched Brendan devour his food like it was the best thing he'd ever tasted and he'd eaten a lot. Sprawled out over one arm of the large comfy chairs, he read over the script in his hand, every now and then peering at Ste over the paperwork.

"Which scene ye wanna go over?" Brendan asked keeping a firm gaze of the younger boy.

"Not fussed" Ste shrugged

"What about the club?" Brendan lifted his body straighter.

"You're not in that part though, that's the other guy init. Plays my boyfriend"

"Ex." Brendan clarified, Ste shot his eyes up at him. "I mean, ye split up in the story. Why ye find me at the hotel" Brendan clears his throat.

"Yeah, I guess. He's alright Chris actually. Says he's from Manchester too, small world. " Ste continues to read along. "Dunno why they need me to dance, I can't to save me life"

"Well the general consensus is that when ye visit a club - ye go to dance"

Ste flicked his lashes high "Are ya askin me to dance for ya Brendan? Only that definitely isn't in the script"

"Ever heard of adlib? It could be in it" Brendan smirked at Ste's bashfulness, it endeared to him.

"Well, I can't dance so..."

"Maybe ye need plyin with booze first, loosen ye up" Brendan teased with a smile on his face.

"Nah, I don't need to be drunk first." Ste revealed without much thought. Brendan widened his eyes amused.

"That right is it?"

"Oi, I just meant that I ain't loose with drink"

"But ye are when sober...?" Brendan replied, clearly appreciating Ste's sudden glow.

"Yeah, I mean NO! Shurrup" Ste flushed leaving Brendan happy with himself. "Why ya even interested anyhow"

"I'm not, just going over the script here. Says you'll have consumed enough alcohol to end up on my doorstep. Tired, angry and needing release after a bitter argument fuels between ye and whatshisface"

"Chris" Ste interjects "And it don't say I need any release as you put it. Just wants a bed for the night. Then you come along and bam"

"Bam?"

"Yeah, bam, earth moves blah blah"

"Earth moves? That good ain't I though"

Ste shook his head and continued to persevere with the chop sticks Brendan had brought with them, slippery little suckers Ste just couldn't grasp them long enough between his fingers to eat.

"This has gotta be an art form hasn't it?" Ste says frustrated still trying to pick up some noodles that continue to slip off the wooden chopsticks.

"Ye could use a fork ye know? There's no art form in that is there."

"Bet you couldn't do this either" Ste's eyes shot up slightly irritated. Brendan chewed his food with a grin and reached for his own set and used them like a pro. Eyes fully on Ste's, his mouth widened for the noodles and beansprouts sucking the food in and chewing slowly. Ste gawped feeling it more than a little suggestive.

"Show off" Ste pouted and before he could let the chopsticks go Brendan had bumped himself into the space next to him on the sofa.

"Open up then" He asked grabbing some more of the noodles, his hand cradled underneath until he could angle the food into Ste's mouth. Their eyes didn't falter as Ste took it into his mouth and licked the sauce from his lips. Brendan mimicked his mouth to open and close too and let a short breath out.

"See it's easy, I'll show ye"

Ste caught some stray sauce from his mouth with a brush of his finger and let Brendan place the chop sticks in his hand properly, they grabbed some chicken and dipped it into the sweet and sour sauce caught each others gaze again and their strength weakened letting the chicken plop straight into the carton. Ste giggled and Brendan grinned.

"I need more practice don't I? Best use a fork for now though" Ste struggled to stop looking at Brendan leaving the older man to eventually break their gaze and move swiftly to the opposite seat and grab the scripts in his hands.

"Ye won't believe this, there's a scene they have Chinese food in the film too" Brendan informs Ste, piquing his interest.

"Ya kidding? What happens?"

"Your character can't use chop sticks either" Brendan smirks.

"Oh very ha ha. Your wit come down in the last shower then I take it?" Ste tried to hide his amusement. "So...why do ya need all this money then? Must be a reason behind it"

"Yeah there is, might be private though"

"Oh, sorry. Just trying to...never mind. Forget I asked."

Brendan tossed Ste over a script and he caught it in his hands. "How we gonna do the sex scenes? Do ye need showing how to do that too?"

Ste shot Brendan a look of distaste. "Bet I know more than you do. How about ya take that silver spoon out of your mouth for five minutes, you ain't above me here"

"Funny cause in here it says I am above ye...on top of you in fact."

Ste stands up and chucks the paper in his hands at Brendan and catches him on the head.

"This was a bad decision. Thank you for the food, I'll see you in the morning. Hopefully by then your attitude will have passed" The younger boy storms out of the room and Brendan curses under his breath. Grabbing his coat and both the scripts he pauses to look at the left over food on the table and hesitates about whether to leave it or not.

It takes up the time needed to go after Ste and when he reaches outside he's already left. Brendan exhales a deep sigh and clambers into his car and drives back to the hotel. Once in reception he makes a beeline for the desk and speaks to the receptionist. Asks if Ste has come back into the hotel but finds she cannot disclose such information regarding the hotel's guests to anyone. There is a bar in the lobby, so Brendan instead makes his way into there.

Inside he sees a few others doted around and scans the room to find Ste sat at the bar too. He's not alone and sat with another man. Ste laughs and Brendan thinks it's because the guy probably cracked a joke. Ste shifts from the stool and walks in the direction of the toilets giving Brendan chance to swoop in. Brendan sits down on the tall stool and taps on the bar, orders a Irish whiskey.
The man swings his head around to look at him.

"Hey, I know you don't I?" The man turns his body further "Brendan isn't it?"

Brendan took a gulp of his drink. "That's me"

"I play Ste's fella. Names Chris, in case you forgot" The man says, holding his hand out to Brendan.

"Seems a wasted journey to me. Steven ends up with me at the end of the movie" Brendan shakes Chris' hand and squeezes firmly.

"Um, yeah" Chris laughs. "So what brings you here then?"

"Actually, Christopher? Yeah, I came here to talk with Steven. So, if ye wouldn't mind, I could really do with speaking to him alone" Brendan grinned so fast Chris almost missed it with a blink. "Going over our lines – ye understand"

"Oh, yeah sure. Um will you tell Ste I left?" Chris asks grabbing his jacket. "I'll see ya on set"

"Hm, yep" Brendan held his arms up in a joyous moment. Ste came back not long after Chris had left. Stopping short seeing Brendan sat there instead, he rolled his eyes.

"Where's Chris? Worked ya charm on him too?"

"Something like that"

Ste shook his head and made to leave but Brendan wanted to do some damage limitation.

"Steven, don't go...come on" He asks gracefully, and waits for Ste to respond.

Ste huffs and murmurs to himself before sitting back down "Give me a reason why I should"

"Because we were getting on before, and ye like my company"

"So full of it Brendan" Ste scoffs to himself. "What did ya say to Chris?"

Brendan turned to Ste "Why are ye so bothered about him huh?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"I told him he's wasting his time, seen as we'll have sex at the hotel. He got mad and stormed off" Brendan captures the eyes of the barman who stands there to bring his drink, brows hitting his hairline the man looks between them both.

"We're filming together!" Ste's voice bites harshly, yanking the script from Brendan's hand. Immense heat gathering in his cheeks that entice Brendan completely.

"Whatever floats your boat." The barman spoke faint smirk on his lips. He left and Ste's mouth fell to gravity.

"What did ya have to go an say that for ey? Now they're all gonna think we're sleeping together!"

"Wow. Thanks for that. Way to go Steven, my integrity is now flattened." Brendan gulps down the harsh liquid.

"Sorry, that sounded..."

"Shitty?" Brendan exasperated.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." Ste gets up to leave. "I did have fun tonight. Even if ya are a little full of it" Ste places his hand to Brendan's shoulder before walking away.


The next morning Brendan is first down to breakfast sitting down to eat he pours himself a coffee and spreads jam on his toast. A little while later and Ste walks into the seating area finds Brendan and walks over unsure of himself. Hands both resting on the back of the chair opposite he looks at him.

"Hey"

"Morning Steven. Sleep well?" Brendan tears off some toast and chews it.

"Yep, can I join you?"

Brendan gestures to the chair and widens his eyes. Ste slithers into his seat and pours his own cup of coffee. "Have some toast, it's seedless jam. Dunno if you'll like it"

"Seedless?" Ste looks nonplussed trying some. "It's nice actually, ta. Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday. We gotta work together for a while longer yet so..."

"So...we can't be falling out? I agree. I should be the one apologising"

"I'm just nervous me cos..." Ste gestured his hands nervously in front of him and tried to avoid Brendan's eye line. "Cos me an you...it's...I'm..."

"What, tell me?" Brendan sat forward and waited baited breath. "Steven?"

"Morning you two! Bright and early I see. Day two of the shoot, can you both go straight to make up and costume? Trying to wrap this film up quickly what with this continuous bad weather we're having" Their producer stood there and held a cup of coffee in his hand to go. Waited around like a bad smell. Brendan looked back at Ste and smiled thinly at him.

"What did ye want to say?"

"Don't matter. Ignore me ey. Let's get this film under wraps, we can go home then" Ste pushed his chair out and waited for Brendan to do the same. They all got in their cars and drove to the studio. Ste stopped at some lights and laid his arms over the steering wheel momentarily laying his head down and cursing. He couldn't get Brendan out of his mind.


"Do you think you'd ever own a hotel?" Ste asked while deep in thought, going back over the scenes they'd just filmed together Ste lay down fully stretched out on one of the sofas in the green room. Brendan was in there with him but settled head rested and neck elongated on the back of a comfy chair. His eyes opened to look at the celling.

"No, I don't think so" Brendan answered leaving Ste to turn his head to look at him. "It's not really my thing"

"What would be your thing then?"

"Dunno" Brendan paused to think. "A pub maybe. I used to works in my fathers pub when I was younger so I know how to run a bar"

"Oh, sounds cool that. Why didn't ya just continue that then?"

Brendan angled his head towards Ste "Ye ever done that Steven, had just one night with someone?"

"You mean like this film? No I haven't." Ste gazed up at the celling too, fidgeted with his hands "Always had relationships. It's not really me that"

"No...didn't think it would be. I couldn't work with my father, we don't get on. I did a few parts, ye know, filming in Ireland to get some cash together. I told ye, I'm saving up" Brendan laid his head back again. "Even if ye was attracted to that someone – ye still wouldn't?"

"Depends on the guy I guess." Ste chewed on his bottom lip. "I mean he's fallen out with his boyfriend and that's got his adrenaline already pumped hasn't it? The B&B is just there. I wasn't expecting you to answer the door though was I?"

"Me?" Brendan answered with a smile "Did ye like what ye saw then?" Brendan swallowed and felt his heart quicken.

"Sorry, I meant your character. Daft. He was definitely up for it" Ste honked out his laughter. Ste stopped then and turned to one side, watched Brendan a few moments then averted his gaze just as Brendan himself repeated the same process.

"I know yesterday didn't go according to plan but, shall we go over the scripts again? There's a scene I want to practice with ye."

Ste stretched his arms above his head elongating his slender body. Brendan turns and captures Ste's top riding up and the bronze glow his stomach has. He gulps turning away again. Ste sighs cracking his bones and sits up with a grunt. "Go on then. Is it in the B&B?"

Brendan gets up and walks over to Ste and holds out his hand. "It's the first kiss scene. See I thought if we practice, there's no awkwardness the first time as we'll have already done it. That okay with ye?"

Ste shrugged and took Brendan's hand standing in front of him slightly smaller so he's having to glare straight up into Brendan's eyes. "It's okay with me, kissing is the easy bit. No tongues mind - professional to the end me" Ste sniggered and placed his arms around Brendan's neck. The older man flinched slightly, shiver bursting through his body.

"What ye doing?"

Ste loosened his grip slightly "Thought ya wanted to practice kissing?" His hands slipped down over Brendan's growing stubble. "Changed your mind now?"

"No, I just wasn't expecting ye to touch me...um hold my neck"

"Well it makes the access easier" Ste tells him and pushes up to his tip toes, eyes firmly on Brendan's "See"

Ste ghosted closer and lowered his eyes to Brendan's mouth "You gonna open up for me this time?"

"Jesus..." Brendan whispered as Ste connected their lips softly. Staying true to Ste's wishes they didn't let their tongues slip but Brendan had to fight his urge to do so. Ste's lips cupped gently and when Ste turned his head and pressed closer Brendan moaned leaving Ste smiling before he parts the kiss.

"How was that then?" Ste stayed close to Brendan, still balanced on the tips of his toes his arms seemed to lock momentarily keeping them tethered completely.

"It was alright – yeah" Brendan winked with the half hearted compliment, in reality the kiss had knocked him sideways.

"Only alright?!" Ste's face warped affronted, but he was just playing into the Irishman's hands by doing so. Brendan relished his feisty ways.

"Steven, it's just a rehearsal this, what do ye want me to say?"

"Course" Ste let go falling back onto the flat of his feet. Brendan's hands immediately held against his waist thinking he would fall, catching Ste within his eyes too.

"You're disappointed" Brendan assessed, sharp nod of his head. Perhaps he could make things better somehow. "My turn then" He said with a quick smirk.

Brendan's kiss was rougher, hard and turning Ste's red lips white with the pressure. Breaking the rules a little, Brendan widened his mouth so Ste would have to follow suit allowing the younger boy to taste the bristles of Brendan's moustache. Ste's turn to sound out down his throat. Noisily parting Brendan smiled sweetly and watched Ste's eyes hold closed a few seconds longer until they flickered open again.

"How was that Steven?"

Ste gulped the lump down in his throat. "Alright"

"Thought so" Brendan was reluctant to let his hands leave Ste's waist. "Ye gonna be okay if I let go, ye won't keel over will ye?"

"Think you're so irresistible don't you?"

Brendan leaned behind Ste's ear "Ye telling me ye don't think so? Then why are ye trembling, huh?" Brendan spoke on breath and felt Ste push out of his hold abruptly. Embarrassment coursing through his body he felt like Brendan was taking the mick out of him but in reality, the older man had never felt more endeared to him.

"Don't take the piss out of me Brendan. I don't know what you're trying to prove here, but it isn't working. This will be over soon, then ya won't ever have to see me again" Ste sounded off and left the room. Brendan let in a deep breath through his nose and held it a moment. Only Ste's words could stick in him like a knife.


Back in the comfort of his hotel room Brendan lay on the bed and called Cheryl. The dial tone clicked four times before she finally picked up.

"Hiya love! How's it going there?"

"It's good, yeah. The filming is going by smoothly, they're rushing it through though now. The weather being as bad as it is, they've still not done the scenes outside yet." Brendan sighs heavy and waits for Cheryl to speak, she's quiet at first. "Chez?"

"Ye alight Bren? Ye sound..."

"I sound what?"

"Like you've things on your mind" Cheryl's voice spoke cautiously feeling her brother had something weighing down his enthusiasm.

"No, I'm good. Why wouldn't I be. It's not like I've the co star from hell is it?"

"Co star? OHH, now I see. Come on, out with it" Cheryl can be heard getting comfy wherever she's sat and Brendan just rolls his eyes.

"Nothing to tell ye."

"Liar! Is he good looking?" Cheryl chuckles down the phone.

Brendan pauses and hears his sister's brain ticking over with the silence. "Not too bad. Chez can we talk about somet else" Brendan actually wants to talk about it, it's the reason he rang his sister in the first place. Ste seemed to be messing with his head in more ways that one.

"No we can't. So, he's good looking. Name?"

"Steven" Brendan shifts off the bed to the side and grabs some gum from a bowl throwing it into his mouth.

"That's a nice name – Bren what's happened? I ain't gonna tell anyone am I?" His sister continues to get more from him, Brendan imagines her mind whirring.

"Perhaps I'm ill. Not like myself here. I kissed him today, just rehearsal ye know? But, I felt something."

"Jesus, like actual feelings? That's never happened before has it?" Cheryl was serious as became more and more enthusiastic.

"I think we're getting caught up in the plot, erotic movie, all we're gonna do is kiss and sleep together – on camera I mean. I think it's manipulating things. We have even began to bloody argue, it's stupid."

"Sexual tension!" Cheryl exclaimed. "Think about it, those scenes ye will film will be pretty intense. Maybe that's why?" His sister gushed down the phone, he might have known she'd be all for it. Sexual tension, Brendan scoffed at the absurdity.

"Whatever Chez. I just want to get out of here now, soon as this is done I'm on a ferry home"


Weeks later and the scenes are going well, although due to the worsening weather a lot of their time was made up of waiting around. Brendan and Ste hadn't practiced their lines together since the kisses they'd shared. Feeling a little awkward, both men used the postponing of the shooting to their advantage with a lot of avoidance.

Chris yawned loudly as he sat in the chair in the green room, Ste wandered in afterwards and grabbed a hot drink. They exchanged a smile and Ste settled by the large window on the second floor of the building.

"You alright Ste? You seem quieter than normal" Chris peered over the back of the chair.

"I'm okay. It's this weather and the delays you know? Driving me nuts this waiting around"

"Why don't we go out? There's bound to be a club in this place, sure the producer will let us have one night off?" Chris notices Brendan walking around outside about to enter. "We can ask the crew to join us, make a night of it. You could ask Brendan?"

On the other side of the door Brendan overhears and listens. Ste looks down at his hands, face sullen.

"I don't think so" Ste says, his voice hardly registering.

"Come on, why not eh?" Chris side sweeps his glance to Brendan hanging around. "Thought you two were mates?"

"We were, I think. Dunno. He's been avoiding me since we..." Ste sighed heavy.

"What?"

"We kissed"

Chris sat up straight "Shit, no way! I thought you were mates though?"

"No, I mean, we practiced. And he's been weird with me ever since." Ste sniffs and continues to glare out of the window.

Chris can see Brendan is wrestling with his conscious behind the door. "Do ya miss him? Cos you did practice your lines loads at one point"

"Miss him? I barely know Bren"

"Bren?" Chris relaxes with a small smile when Brendan enters the room.

"I ain't being weird with ye Steven." Brendan speaks and Ste turns back to look at him. The nerves still clearly there. Ste looks at Brendan and their charged chemistry drives Chris to leave. He pauses before he does though.

"You'll join us at the club tonight, won't you?" Chris asks looking at Brendan.

"I'd never miss out on Steven's dancing for anything" Brendan tilts his head, eyes boring into Ste's. The younger boy laughs and darts his eyes to the floor, bottom lip chewed plump. Brendan walks over silently and leans at the window too.

"Ye have avoided me"

"Don't go blaming me, you were the one wanting to practice our lines" Ste crosses his arms tightly bound his chest.

Brendan smirks "I wanted to go over some more. The bed scenes - who's on top?"

"Brendan"

"Me?" Brendan asks getting closer. Ste loses it then, weeks it's been and he's barely spoken a word to him. Ste's hurt and wound up.

"Is that what you want is it? Me on all fours?" Getting right up into Brendan's face, Ste says his words sharply, hand gesturing them. "Or would you like me riding you? That what ya want eh?"

Brendan swallows and inches nearer to Ste, darts his eyes. Their breaths mix and it's not clear who makes the first move but they are kissing again. It's hard and chased and it's Ste who pulls out of it first.

"Missionary, so I can watch your face as ye come" Brendan says, breath heavy. Ste walks away and stops at the door.

"Shame you wont get to see that. Just a film after all"


The club they go to is packed full of people dancing, Chris leads Ste to the bar and they order a beer each. Brendan has a whiskey and finds a table to sit down at. It's not long before the alcohol is flowing and they're up dancing. Brendan watches Ste intently the whole night while downing the harsh brown liquid.

Ste is with Chris, they're dancing together. It shouldn't bother Brendan as much as it does, but it's there, the niggling thoughts pouring false accusations into his mind. There's another young lad in there, he'd done nothing but give Brendan the eye all night and as Ste could enjoy himself, so could Brendan. During the next two songs Ste doesn't notice, far too busy flailing his arms to the music, head slightly spinning. As the next song plays Ste decides to get a drink, as he does the other man with Brendan catches his eyes. His heart falls right into his stomach, it's a feeling Ste isn't used to and thinks perhaps he's ailing for something.

Ste sways over to them and doesn't even look at Brendan. "Who are you?" Ste asks, slight sway in his legs.

"Paul, who's asking?"

"Me" Ste points to himself angering a little. Brendan palms softly at his wrist.

"Hey, ye okay there Steven?" Brendan raises his brows a few times.

"Remember when ya wanted me to dance for ya?" Ste smiles and sways his body closer to Brendan, palms feeding their way up Brendan's inner thighs he parts them wide and slots between them. Turns and moves seductively, hands snaking against his body Brendan is captivated with his arse and how peach perfect it is. He resists touching, darting his eyes to the other man who gawps offended.

"Are ya gonna let im do that to ya?!" He asks in shock.

"Of course I am - he's twice the man ye are" Brendan tells him, mouth chewing his gum he turns to watch Ste trying to dance sexy and it turns him on. Ste glances back and winks.

"Well, am I any good?" Ste asks grinning. Brendan curls his finger at him until he turns around. He pulls him down onto his lap and keens his hips against Ste.

Ye feel that? That's how good ye are" Brendan tells him, and Ste hitches a breath. He can feel Brendan's excitement pressing into his thigh.

"I should go..." Ste swallows and gets up.

"Ye gonna leave me like this? Ye turn me on Steven, and I think I do the same for ye." Brendan stands up and leans into Ste's ear. "Tell me ye aint a little bit aroused knowing what ye just did to me"

"Yeah, I am. But we're colleagues. And I was stupid. I'm sorry"

"Wait a minute." Brendan grabs his jacket "I'm getting ye back to the hotel safely, come on"


In the morning, Ste wakes up with the mother of all hangovers. He crawls under the duvet when the early morning light hits his eyes and stings harshly at his pupils. Hands both trying to rub the sleep from them he continues to crawl until he finds the way out and almost falls onto the carpet. It's around about the time he's had a shower, dried and changed - it hits Ste. And the memory of it has him tempted to hide back under that duvet again.

Ste looks in the bathroom mirror and like a checklist goes over what happened last night. The club, getting drunk, dancing. Dancing for Brendan. The bed looks more tempting than ever as he cries out a crescendo of curse words. Ste drags his feet down the corridor to the elevator and sneaks into the breakfast area. Scans the place carefully. When he's satisfied Brendan isn't there he sits down and has a black coffee.

"Ye know...it's just not the same in here without music Steven" Brendan speaks and Ste's eyes widen animatedly. Watches the extra gorgeous looking Irishman sit down across from him and look into the menu.

"Hmm, I wonder...ye think it is too early to order a lap dance? I'm not sure they'd allow it this time in the morning eh?" Brendan had the filthiest smirk. Ste felt annoyed at it as he sipped his coffee and gave Brendan the evils.

"I dunno what ya on about" Ste feigned ignorance but the colour of his cheeks gave away his guilty secret.

"Least ye know how to push my buttons, gonna make today interesting" Brendan chews at his toast. Ste lets his lips leave the rim of his cup to look back at him.

"What ya on about?"

"We're shooting the sex scenes later. Didn't ye read the script last night?"

"No!" Ste huffed and grabbed some of his own toast, nibbled pathetically on it. "Gonna be many of us in there while it's filmed?"

"Not sure to be honest" Brendan shrugs swallowing his breakfast. His eyes look over at Ste curiously as they sit in silence the rest of the time they eat.


"Are ye nervous?" Brendan spoke suddenly leaving Ste to jump. They were back in the studio an hour later and Ste's hangover had thankfully began to lift. He had another headache now though in the form of their next scenes. It weighed heavy on Ste's mind. Brendan, upon seeing how edgy he was, held his hand on Ste's lower back. They were both wearing fluffy dressing robes to cover their modesty. Ste clung to his with congregated arms around him.

"Hey..." Brendan lifted Ste's chin with his two fingers "Sorry"

"No it's...it's alright. Thanks." Ste blossomed with his smile. He looked again at the set in front of him and namely the bedroom set up. The inside of his mouth became redder the more he nibbled it.

"I am a little actually, nervous I mean - an don't take the piss" Ste shot Brendan a warning gaze.

"I ain't all bad ye know? I'm nervous too, not that I'd disclose it to anyone else" Brendan looked down upon Ste with soft eyes, softer than Ste had ever seen before from him. His own darted with Brendan's as the older mans hand continued to stroke his lower back.

"How do ye want to play this, ye tell me okay?"

"I dunno" Ste found himself slightly speechless. Taking a moment to blink back into the room. ""How about..." Ste spoke cautiously

"Missionary?" Brendan asked and kept Ste's gaze. "Ye can just keep your eyes on me then, forget the cameras, crew. I know it'll be hard at first but..." Brendan scoffed then, head shaking.

"Nice choice of words there Bren." Ste grinned and felt himself relax for the first time then. The younger boy edged closer to Brendan, felt his warmth.

"Yeah...well I'm only human Steven and ye are..."

"I'm what?"

"Ye know" Brendan stared at the floor. Beautiful he thought, Brendan didn't say it but Ste was.

Ste smirked then. "Yeah, so are you"

The producer broke their moment and ushered them over to the set. Ste lay on the bed immediately, quickly pulling the covers over himself like a protective blanket. The crew and cameramen were all staring at him. He felt small and intimidated as his heart became harder to keep inside his chest. Eyes wide and slightly naïve it was only when the lights switched off and they were plunged into a dimly lit room he felt relief.

Brendan slid beneath the covers too and bumped playfully into Ste. "Ye okay?"

Ste gripped the duvet in his white knuckled hand. "Yes, no..." Ste chuckled. The producer called for them to undress and when he did, Ste's body plunged colder with his goose bumps. Mapping his entire area of skin he shivered uncontrollably.

"Can I?" Brendan again, his voice constantly gentle, continued to soothe Ste, so he turned to him. "Focus on me ok?"

"I'm...I...I am so nervous." Ste's eyes widened when Brendan kisses him, lips that soft he'd barely felt it. Ste looked up at him leaning over, his face hardly visible in the light. Ste's mouth fell loose, little breaths from Brendan faltered over his lips.

"I got ye, okay? We can do this - it's us, right?"

"Hm mm, yeah, it is." Ste blew out a shaky breath and swallowed "Can you...um"

"Kiss ye again?" Brendan asked lowly, needing confirmation. Ste touched the side of his cheek finally letting go of the sheet, lowering him and they kiss again. Ste feels better the more they do and that's all Brendan cares about, that he's happy and wants to continue.

Occasionally they break their kisses and move against each other, Brendan is playful and tries to make it fun. His mind is always on Ste and the younger boy knows it the whole time. Ste can feel Brendan's body, its naked and warm every place it touches him. Brendan's arm is wrapped around him and Ste had never felt safer in his life. They speak to each other throughout, Brendan always asking if it's ok where he puts his hands, explorative but never crossing the boundaries.

They don't touch each others groin but they both feel the shape and soft of each other. Neither of them knew how they'd film this scene, never once discussing it in detail, instead they let their bodies work it out. Ste kicks the duvet slightly and when it shifts he rubs the hair of his legs against Brendan's waist, one leg pushes down and his foot slides over Brendan's fleshy backside, up then down, languid stokes.

The older man makes a contented sigh and Ste smiles before raking his hands up Brendan's back and scrunching his fingers through Brendan's hair. It's not long before they kiss again and their body heat is now producing a slight sheen. Their bodies slip and slide and it becomes so hot Brendan tells Ste to just kick the duvet off completely. He's past caring who sees his arse, its a fit backside, no one would complain.

Ste giggles in Brendan's ear at his words, tries to make it into a moan so no one hears. Brendan lifts his head, body still writhing and looks at Ste.

"Ye sound good" Brendan whispers. "Keep making those noises"

"Do you like them?" Ste ghosts Brendan's lips. "Cos I will for you" Ste tells him and Brendan kisses him again, bites wide at the side of his neck coercing more noise from Ste.

Ste feels himself physically getting too wrapped up in what they're doing, his groin stirring and he gasps tries to pull away from Brendan.

"I'm sorry – ohgod"

"Steven" Brendan says, "Steven, it alright." Brendan tries not to rub Ste's cock with his body but it proves difficult so he has to be honest instead, there's nothing either of them can do about it. "I feel the same"

"Ye are turning me on too" Brendan promises.

"Oh god..." Ste chokes and keens his hips higher. Brendan kisses Ste again but this time their tongues slide together and there's no going back.

The crew behind them are oblivious, to them it's a normal day filming another sex scene. To Brendan and Ste its a revelation for them both. They don't come but perhaps if they'd had more privacy they would have. Ste fumbled on his dressing robe quickly, flushed red, sweat moistening his face Brendan looked at him in awe.

Afterwards, in the green room, Ste sat and looked miles away in thought. A few people had come and gone through the room but he'd barely noticed. All he could think of was Brendan and how he'd been during the most erotic moment he'd shared with anyone that didn't involve actual sex. None of his relationships had the spark he's felt from day one with him. It slowly simmered inside Ste's mind the feelings he had were now deepening.

Back at the hotel he sat in the bar. Drink in hand he gazed out of the window. A glass placed on the table he sat at roused him. As he looked back Brendan was stood there.

"Want some company?"

Ste gestured to the seat opposite. "You alright?" Ste asks carefully, fingers playing with the beer mat on the table.

"I'm great. Ye?"

Ste pursed his lips and nodded. "Thank you"

"What for?" Brendan asked as he sips at his drink.

"I've seen a different side to you, today"

"That a good thing?" Brendan looks up as he speaks.

"You knew how nervous I was, and you were kind and gentle. You made me feel safe Bren. No one has ever made me feel safe before." Ste touched Brendan's hand across the table, and thumbed across it.

"Anything for ye Steven." Brendan flicked up his eyes fleetingly. "I'm glad ye felt okay with me"

Ste felt his insides almost explode with butterflies, his heart ached so much for the man in front of him. In their environment and what they were going through perhaps everything was just heightened for him. Ste sat forward ready to tell him when Chris walked into the bar and waved at Ste and pointing out a clear message he was about to join them. Ste sighed heavy, missing his moment. He figured it best in the long run, some things are better left unsaid.


They were filming the last of their scenes finally and both men were silent with each other for the most part. They still had the other day hanging over them that neither had dared to bring up again. Ste miles away with his thoughts sat in make up and stared at his reflection in the mirror. The producer came to stand behind him and smiled.

"Ste we're gonna have to film in the rain. There's no other way, we'll be waiting around forever at this rate and the budget just wont allow that. Can you start from the moment you leave the B&B and you pause next to a lamppost. You turn back to the hotel, you're feeling anxious because..."

"Because he's began to fall for the hotel owner...and it's killing him knowing he's gotta leave him behind. But what choice has he got ey? He lives in another place...country even. They can't be together can they, not after a one night stand" Ste hitches a breath and looks up at the producer who looks dumbfounded.

"Err, well not really. It doesn't say in the script your character has fallen for him. He'll be going back to his life with no regrets"

"Will he...oh. I wonder how he will manage that. Wait! They need a last kiss" Ste turns in the chair he's sat in. "It makes sense they would say goodbye. And in the rain, the audience will love that."

Ste's eyes widen imploringly as he speaks to the producer who obviously thinks Ste has gone soft.

"Well...you don't write the scripts Ste..."

"I can improvise can't I? If it fits the story? They would kiss" Ste says completely adamant about his thoughts.

"He's gotta point there" Brendan is stood close by then and Ste's heart jumps clean into his throat.

"How long have you been there?" Ste asks with a quiet voice.

"Long enough I think" Brendan keeps a straight face, eyes binding with Ste's. His hand gestures to the producer but he doesn't break his gaze. "Put the kiss in, else we'll do it anyway. And if ye cut it, I'll pull out of the film completely"

"What, you can't do that! We have a contract, you bring the screen to life. I'll never find any other partnership that has the same chemistry on screen and..." The producer realises then there's no more arguing. It's an extra kiss, no big deal.

"Fine, but don't think this will help you in the long run. No producer likes pushy actors that want to think their way through this business."

"Not ye obviously. Wouldn't know a decent idea if it booted ye up the backside" Brendan seethed as he spoke and felt Ste's hand against his arm.

"Bren...it's not worth it. Come on yeah?" Ste's eyes are soft when Brendan looks at him again, his smile sweet and Brendan relaxes instantly.

"Bren?" Ste speaks when they wander onto the set outside. They're not alone as two members of the crew hold aloft umbrella's for them to shade them from the downfall. A rumble of thunder vibrates the ground and their bodies, lightning brightening up the sky.

"I mean Brendan, sorry."

"No, I like ye calling me that." Brendan swallows "Why are ye so passionate about the last kiss Steven?"

"I dunno...just feels right. I know they met just once and had that one time. But it meant more than that. It's how I'm playing the scene Bren and if you're with me or not..."

"I'm definitely with ye, okay?" Brendan looks at the set. "Under the lamppost"

"What?"

Brendan leans down closer to Ste. "I'll kiss ye under the lamppost, capture the rain as it trickles along your lips. I want to taste the rain as it mixes in your mouth" Brendan thumbs across Ste's lips watches his mouth bruise white. Ste's eyes take in all of him and holds his breath for the longest time. When Brendan's eyes magnetise with them Ste pushes high to his ear.

"Use your tongue, if you really want to taste me" Ste reaches out to him longingly but retreats realising the crew are surrounding them. He quickly walks away to begin the filming again and their eyes continue to lock throughout; Ste feels his heart beat strengthen.


"Cut! That's a wrap guys. Thank you for all your efforts" The director smiles and gestures to everyone as they all applause. Brendan and Ste are still holding each other, their kiss lingering between them like an unspoken desire. They don't move and the rainfall is soaking them to the bone, no umbrella's cover them this time as the crew move to put things away and clear up the set. Brendan can feel his heartbeat for the first time in his life deafening within his ear canal. Caught up in the moment there's no time for thought process when he moves down and kisses Ste without the cameras rolling, without the prompt of a director and script lines dictating their every move.

He's thankful that Ste reciprocates attentively, seeming too, forgetting to think anything other than this moment between them. It's not desperate but is challenging. Brendan egging Ste on to compete on a straight level with his intentions. Ste's hand fingers up the back of Brendan's hair and drags the moisture from it as the excess rainwater falls down his coat, some droplets finding their way beneath the material sprinkling it's cold down Brendan's neck leaving him to gasp.

Ste uses this to his advantage pushing up and deepening the kiss with an explorative tongue. This time they both make noise, moaning in satisfaction and greed. A noise beside them falters their connection and brings them back down to reality with a bump. It's painful and Ste doesn't know how to cope with their intensity. Instead letting reason and his head rule the situation, he backs off leaving Brendan to share the fallout.

"We should..." Ste takes in a breath

"I know" Brendan nods and looks at the pair of them. "When did it start raining again?" Brendan hitched his own breath then.

"I'm not sure" Ste wiped the back of his hand across his eyes and moved away to the dressing rooms.

"It's a sad ending, isn't it?" Brendan speaks again when they get there and try to dry off as much as they can. Ste moves behind a screen to undress.

"What is?"

"The film?" Brendan explains as he drags off his weighted down clothes. "They didn't get to be together in the end"

"I know. It's just one of those things though – happens doesn't it, all the time. Not everyone stays together Brendan. It's just a film, who cares" Ste replies and waits. Brendan doesn't answer him and he feels like his insides are tearing. "Right?"

"Yes, you're right. I'll see ye around then"

Ste yanks back the curtain and looks at Brendan, he's stood waiting to leave. "I doubt it – I check out in the morning" Ste doesn't mean to sound so spiteful but the hurt inside him makes it come out that way.

Brendan claws his way down the wooden doorframe. "Me too."

Ste shakes his head "Well go on then, you're obviously dying too." Ste's heartbeat almost stops.

"Bye then" Brendan croaks opening the door swiftly, his head teeters to look back but he continues and slams the door behind him. Ste feels the floor slip out from beneath his feet.