Thank you for your kind comments, it's brilliant reading them. :)
Sam, thank you for your review. This fic is already written as a one shot, It's just easier to edit breaking it down into separate parts, but it will have a conclusion. xx


This Night Only

Part 2

Brendan keeps on walking, having to force his feet to continue because the pull on his instincts is too powerful. He gets outside and halts. The rain has finally stopped. With a long intake of breath, he looks up into the sky and sees the blue beginning to paint it's watercoloured background. Brendan scoffs with a shake of his head, it only took a month to appear, that bright glimmer of sunshine. In that moment he thought of Ste, and how if he'd been stood here right now, they'd have both laughed at the irony. It had done nothing but rain the whole time they'd been here.

He turned to take a last look at the building behind him before he got in his car and drove away.


Before Ste left for the hotel he first stopped at the Chinese around the corner. For a while the younger boy sat in the restaurant alone and tried to use the chop sticks in his hand. It's a slow process and the amount of times those noodles just flail around helpless or slip through them is testing even Ste's patience. An older man wanders over to him and holds out his hand. A small plate he gestures contains one fortune cookie on it. Ste lifts his eyes up to it and then the man.

"I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty" The man smiles and gestures the cookie for Ste to take.

"Oh, thank you. I didn't order it though" Ste says, face sullen.

"Call it a gift" The man sits down next to him and places the plate down, rubs his forearm across his brow. "I've seen you before in here. Last time you were with the man with the moustache" The man spoke and watched Ste raise his head again.

"Yeah I was."

"He the reason you look like this?"

Ste looked over himself "Ey, I don't dress that bad"

"Ha ha, no. I meant your expression, it's that of a wounded animal" The man pursed his lips waiting for Ste to talk but the boy was far too deep in his thoughts. "I've owned this restaurant nearly all my life, seen people come and go. I'm intrigued...why do you want to learn these chopsticks so badly?"

"Cos - Brendan tried to show me how. But he's gone now so I have to fathom it out myself don't I? No choice"

"There is always a choice"

"Um, so will it tell me my fortune this then?" Ste asks fingering over the winged shape cookie. He breaks it in two and unfolds the little piece of paper.

"What does it say?" The man asks, he leans down on his folded arms a moment.

"Says I should use a fork" Ste looks up at the man, and they both chuckle. "Kidding, it says - the greatest risk is not taking one"

The man nods in agreement, stands up and moves around the table. "It was nice to meet you - enjoy the cookie. I made it myself" The man winks before he leaves.


When Ste arrives at the hotel he's feeling dizzy with all the emotions whirling through his mind. In frustration, Ste slams the door to his hotel room so loud it shakes the foundations. However his burst of adrenaline doesn't help much. Unsure if he's angry or hurt or both, whatever it is, the feeling is poisoning through his veins and driving Ste to distraction. The bed looks inviting so he dives on it and falls ungracefully on his front, face planting the duvet cover. It's cool and soft but his position makes it hard to breathe so he flips himself over and stares at the celling instead. Ste raises his brow at the amount of cracks there, thinks the hotel could have at least hidden them somehow.

Ste counts at least four that look menacing, then his head falls to the side, looks at his phone. Grabbing it he goes through the social networks he's on and then his emails. No new emails, no new messages. In fact there's nothing on there worth looking at. Ste huffs again and puts his phone down hard on the side. Twiddles his fingers, closes his eyes. Jumps and lays on a different side, but nothing he does helps. Nothing can settle him.

Instead he lays on his back again, eyes closed and strokes over his lips with his fingers, and it's a memory that stays in his mind, that last kiss they shared is still ghosted there, imprinted on his skin. The sweep of his tongue sent shivers through Ste like a lightning bolt striking a tree, sending the energy through so hard it splinters in half. Ste opens his eyes again and feels so restless it's futile. There's no way he can sleep like this, leaving so many things unresolved. He changes into a dark blue tracksuit and trainers and pockets his phone. Takes the elevator down to the lobby and approaches the receptionist.

"Good evening sir, how can I help?"

"Hi, um...you remember me don't you?"

The girl searched her mind before her eyes widened "Oh yes! The actor, hey...there's a few of you guys in here. However, I'm not really allowed to tell ya that...but you probably know - being in the same profession"

"Yeah, course. Look, I need your help. Please."

"Okay, if I can"

"One of those actors you saw, was one tall, blue eyes, Irish?" Ste questions

"Hey, how did ya know that?" The girl grins looking between Ste and the computer screen.

"I work with him, Brendan right?"

"Hm, but you know I shouldn't say anything else. It's funny though, when he came in tonight he asked about you too" The girl shrugged leaving Ste to widen his mouth in surprise.

"Wait – what did he say?" Ste slammed down his palms on the desk in his haste to know.

"Asked for your hotel room didn't he? I couldn't tell him though cos it's hotel policy"

"I don't mind! You could have told him. Don't you see...he feels the same as I do. Tell me his number, its obvious he wanted to see me. I'm telling you it's okay"

"I'm sorry, I can't"

"Ple...please. I leave in the morning. I'll never see him again." Ste's tear rimmed eyes reddened. The emotion in his voice profound now, he felt exhausted.

The girl swallowed deeply and felt the strain from seeing Ste so upset. "I would help if I could – I swear. I shouldn't...it's my job."

"Fine" Ste choked "Fine. Then I will knock on every door in the hotel then till I find him." Ste wiped the excess water from his cheeks and turned away. Walking to the elevator he felt a determination scoring through him.

"Sir? Why don't you just go back to your room on the fifth floor okay?"

Ste let out a shaky breath "I'm on the forth floor" He said, hand pressing the button.

"I know" The receptionist replied softly. Ste turned to look back at her, the young girl smiling tentatively. "Good luck"

"Thank you" Ste released a sharp breath and got in the elevator pressing the fifth floor.


There was a lot of rooms on the fifth floor. That was Ste's first knowledge the moment he'd stepped off the elevator. His second thought process was that of which way to start. Left or right. Ste was then thrown a lifeline in the form of an unlikely source – the cleaning trolley. Ste saw a note pad attached to it with writing on it of rooms due to be vacated in the morning. Brendan was one of those rooms and luckily for Ste there were only three rooms on the paper. Making a mental note of them he went to the first room and knocked on the door. To his disappointment a older lady answered the door, cat in her arms that meowed as it looked upon Ste.

Ste was taken aback and for a split second had to think on his feet gesturing to the feline friend he spoke "You allowed that in here?"

"You the hotel security?" The woman barked back.

Ste shook his head "No..."

"You the police then?" She continued, the cat yawned and stretched it's claws out.

"No..." Ste raised his eyebrows.

"So then, it's none of your business. Why are you knocking on my door?"

"I'm looking for someone." Ste backed off and began to turn.

"Description?" The woman asked, her stony eyes bore into him. Ste swallowed.

"Tall, blue eyes...funny looking moustashe"

"Room 502" She jabbed her finger down the corridor. "I've seen him walk past a few times, always wears his suits too bloody tight, you can see everything including what he ate the previous night. I can see why you like him" She smiled knowingly, eyes wide and sparkly. The woman closed the door then and Ste stood on the spot blinking and trying to fathom out if that had actually happened.

Ste turned and walked the long corridor to the very top and found the room. His hand stopped mid way, then he gave in and knocked. Brendan answered the door in his shirt, splayed open to reveal the dark hair of his chest. Ste's eyes travelled down the length of him without any shame; boxers - comfortable fit, held happy against his groin, Ste's eyes basked reaching his hair strewn legs and no trousers, black socks on his feet.

"I'm up here ye know?" Brendan spoke in amusement watching Ste take his time to drown in his body a second time until their eyes connected. "How did ye find my room?"

"Ya wouldn't believe me if I told ya..." Ste spoke before smiling. "Nice socks"

"Because that's what ye were looking at" Brendan smirked back.

"You gonna invite me in?"

Brendan let his breathing lax and pressed up against the wall to let Ste into his hotel room. Their eyes set upon each others as he did. Brendan closed the door and watched Ste walk into his room and turn his head back. "Yours is bigger than mine"

"Come on Steven, it's not the size that matters"

"No?" Ste asked and waited till Brendan had closed their gap.

"No, it's how it feels when ye use it." Brendan searched Ste's eyes "What are ye doing here?"

"Straight to the point, I like that. Not - how are you, or might be pushing it here, you're glad to see me?"

"I am glad to see ye" Brendan spoke lowly and breathed in the scent of Ste. "I'm just confused, given how keen ye were to see me go earlier"

"Keen? That what ya thought?"

"Ye never gave me reason to believe otherwise"

"So me kissing you – that weren't enough reason. You think I do that with all of my co stars eh? Because I don't..." Ste's voice susurrated once Brendan had began to walk him slowly backwards, his eyes were powerful and challenging. Ste trembled and felt his lungs release the breath they'd trapped.

"What do ye want from me?" Brendan asked, he couldn't take his eyes off Ste.

"Tonight Brendan, I want tonight." Ste tells him, the tip of his tongue glides across his tongue "Ask me to stay - you know that I will" Ste's voice broke as he spoke, his hands moving to finally touch Brendan. His fingers swiftly gathering up through the hair Brendan held against his chest, the pads moving over the pebbled texture of his nipple flesh. Ste watched his eyes close, mouth part and breathe like it was his first time doing so.

"Steven..."

"You're the only one who's ever called me that and had me physically want to melt when hearing it. I want you to say my name all night" Ste said, leading the moment between them and gaining himself a new confidence with it. Knowing what he wanted and needing to let Brendan see. As he opened his eyes again, they were darker than they'd ever been, perfect sapphire staring right into Ste's own sea blue sparkle.

Brendan just stood there and took him in and it felt like a last look to Ste. One that needed time taken over it. Ste's hand shifted and crept up the side of Brendan's neck coming to rest the angle of his jaw, stubble scratching against his skin. Ste pushed up and placed a gentle kiss on Brendan's lips and drew back again to look in Brendan's eyes.

"Do you want me to leave?" Ste asked and felt his stomach knot tightly.

"No I don't." Brendan smiled and took Ste's hand off his cheek. "Ye hungry?"

The younger man was taken aback slightly "Do you ever think of anything other than food?"

"I did till I met ye" Brendan watched Ste's cheeks brighten before he walked over to the phone in his room and ordered up some food for them. His brow quirked listening to the voice on the end of the line. His eyes fixed on Ste as he did.

"Yeah...I did get a visitor. Thank ye" Brendan replaced the receiver down and glanced over to Ste. "Ye were pretty desperate to find me weren't ye?"

"No...I weren't" Ste denied everything shrugging off his jacket and placing it on a chair.

"I asked for your room number too" Brendan confessed sitting on the bed. Ste removed his tracksuit jacket and then trousers, leaving him in his t shirt and shorts. He was struck by the simplicity of the whole situation, like this was normal occurrence for them.

"I know ya did – desperate to find me. Should I leave my socks on too?" Ste grinned devilishly as he crawled on the bed and shoved Brendan down sharply. His leg straddled over him and sat down on Brendan's groin leaving the man grunting. Ste angled down and settled on his forearms.

"Reminds me of another scene we did, ye were on top then too."

"I'd want to ride you, except this time I'd want to feel your hands touch me for real and not for the camera's."

"Ye think it was for the camera's?" Brendan asks, head angling to one side

Ste's eyes narrowed, lips curling into a smirking smile. "Remind me again"

Brendan swallowed and yanked Ste down kissing him deeply and pivoting fast so it was Ste bumping on the mattress and Brendan rolling his hips against him. "Bren..."

Brendan broke off the kiss noisily and ground his hips harder "Ye sure this is what ye want?"

"Yes. Do you?"

"I want to fuck ye Steven. Who wouldn't want ye" Brendan pulled down Ste's boxers leaving him flushed un expectant. "Jesus...look at ye, perfect" Brendan gripped his hands around Ste's cock and fondled the shape of it without warning leaving Ste bucking off the bed and groaning in approval. His mouth dragged feather like up the length of him and lapped wide over the head twice before his thumb pushed inside the slit. Ste's hips rolled and moans left his wide mouth, head turning to one side his hands clawed at the material beneath them.

"Ohgod...feels so good" Ste's voice became gravely. Brendan sucked him indolently into his mouth and hummed around it's thickness. He didn't stop the movements and Ste rose his legs up to his feet and flicked his hips up and down, mouth so wide his jaw ached. Brendan's tongue slipped over his girth like silk, tenderly and unforgiving. Ste felt his orgasm rip from him, strips of come painted Brendan's mouth and slipped down his throat.

Ste kissed him desperately afterwards, Brendan's palm helping him stay high with the comedown never once stopped pulling up his dick and letting the slip create an obscene sound in their ears. Once flaccid Brendan let go and rubbed the excess wet against his emptied ball sack.

"I knew ye would"

Ste lifted his head, sheen of sweat along his brow "What?"

"Taste good." Brendan settled down heavy on Ste's body. "What ye thinking?"

"How I just came down your throat." Ste giggled nervously "This wasn't what I thought would happen"

"What did ye think would happen then?"

"Not sure. I just...I had to see you again" Ste fingered his hand through Brendan's hair. "I'm scared to leave tomorrow" Ste's vulnerability ebbed out of him and left Ste in danger of being hurt. It was the last thing Brendan wanted and quickly made to defuse reality. He wasn't ready for that yet either.

"Shhhh"

Brendan placed his finger carefully against Ste's lips "Don't think about that, think about now, about how I make ye feel." Brendan's tongue seductively licked a line of wet against Ste's lips and then kissed him for many moments, their heads swam caught up in just them and nothing else until there was a knock at the door that interrupted them.

Ste shifted up and replaced his boxers while Brendan answered the door and brought through the food. Ste ate in silence and nibbled at his food. Brendan ate but watched the younger boy openly struggle for the both of them. "How old are ye Steven?"

Ste flicked his eyes up "Twenty three"

"So young, got your life ahead of ye then. You'll get to meet loads of people through this job and the places you go and..."

"Don't you dare tell me I'll meet someone else right, cos I don't wanna hear it." Ste says in anger, throws the food he's eating back on the plate.

Brendan sniffs and silences finishing off his food and licking his fingers clean. "Ye finished then?"

Ste nods and Brendan carries the tray to the table before shifting into his coat pocket. He finds what he's looking for and walks back over to the bed, stands up on it and walks with a wobble along the mattress stopping to look down on Ste who is pretty much sulking and languishing in a silly mood. His eyes creep higher to look up at Brendan. He shuffles out of his shirt and drops it on the floor. Continuing to look down on Ste his thumbs flatten beneath his boxers as he slowly drives them off.

"Ye wanna see?"

"Shurrup Bren" Ste licks his lips. His eyes struggle though and keep glancing back up at Brendan.

"Worried ye won't be able to handle me?"

"I can handle ya – just big headed ain't ya"

"It does have a big head yeah"

Ste chuckles and shakes his head leaving Brendan smiling. Instead he drops to the mattress and rocks the bed. Flicks up his fingers, between them he holds a condom. Ste looks at it and then Brendan, chews on the inside of his mouth.

"I want ye Steven, I think I always did. Do ye still want to?"

"Yes" Ste nods "More than anything"

Brendan removes Ste's boxers again and kisses the top of his cock. "Have ye done this before?"

"Yes"

"Okay"

"I've always been on top though"

"I don't...that's not me Steven. I can't..." Ste felt concerned for Brendan then, his face fell.

"No that's not why I said that, Hey...I'm glad it's..." Ste moves up and crawls over Brendan's legs, sits astride him and ghosts their lips. "I want you to fuck me Brendan. I need you too."

"I've no lube, so..." Brendan's fingers pushed into Ste's mouth, feeling along his tongue. Ste suckled at them and let his hand curve the round of Brendan's arse. Sitting close enough to feel a reaction in Brendan's dick it rose as it thickened between them. Ste let go, and Brendan placed his moist fingers between Ste's parting, found Ste's hole.

Ste rocked his hips until Brendan's finger popped through the resistance and gained height into the warmth of him. Slow driving, Brendan's fingers worked hard inside of Ste as he rolled the condom down Brendan's erection. Hips lifted, sat down and let the feel of him take his every breath from his lungs. Ste snaked his arms loose around Brendan's neck and rested their foreheads together.

"You're so big..." Ste eased himself down until Brendan's every inch filled him.

"How does it feel?" Brendan dragged his lips behind Ste's earlobe and breathed down his neck.

"Feels good inside me" Taking time to adjust Ste kissed Brendan between hitched breaths. Brendan rolled his hips and hit against Ste's prostate, the sounds so beautiful Brendan never wanted them to end. He lay Ste onto his back and curled his legs around his body. Moved out to the tip and back in again, repeated the motion until the movement was like wet ice.

Brendan had never taken things so slow in his life, but it felt right, felt so good his body was sensitive and basked in each thrust he made. Stes walls clung on to his dick as he rode deeper each stroke, tight heat creating a friction barely keeping him from orgasm. He held off though, and kissed Ste languid through their movements, until Ste whimpered.

"I like it hard, Brendan..."

"Ye like it hard?" Brendan panted his each breath, watched Ste's smile stretch wide.

"Yeah" Ste replied almost breathless, the air slamming out of his lungs the faster Brendan moved inside him. "With you"

"Jesus, ye are fucking beautiful" Brendan griped Ste's hips and Ste widened his legs and tangled them up behind Brendan's back as he pounded hard inside his entrance. The bed shifted each time, balls slapping the underside of Ste's arse he cried out his name and words of encouragement. Body lifting, Ste ground himself, hips flicking he came between them. Brendan cursed the air blue coming not long after filing the condom and lacing his tongue desperately around Ste's mouth.

"Oh wow..." Ste sighed relaxing his body. His hole palpitated around the girth of Brendan's length. He collapsed on top of him, chest heaving erratically.

"Tell me you have more condoms" Ste spoke unequivocally satisfied, head falling back on the pillow and eyes wide to the celling.

Brendan laughed heartily and smiled against Ste's chest. "Might have, if you're lucky..."

Ste's fingers filtered through the older man's hair encouraging him to look at him. "Was amazing"

"Ye were too" Brendan breathed heavy, bobbed his throat and pulled out of Ste. Creeping higher up his body he kissed him softly and moved off the bed and into the bathroom. Ste laid over on to his side, almost angling on his stomach and rested on a pulled back arm. He waited and waited, but Brendan didn't come out of the bathroom.

Ste's eyes fell closed blinking open again quickly, his body never felt so relaxed. Brendan eventually padded back to the bed and flung himself onto it, the pair of them laughing. Brendan weaved his palm over Ste's luscious bum slapping it hard. Ste looked back at him.

"That didn't happen in the film" Ste wriggled his backside so Brendan slapped it again.

"Ye have a kink there then. Lucky for ye I could slap this wondrous creation all night long" Brendan soothed the sting out of Ste's arse cheeks. "So, ye wanting to create the movie we did tonight then?"

"Hmm" Ste nodded. "Not the same pretending. I like it better our way."

"Ye didn't ride me though, so which is it to be. Cowboy Steven, or can I tempt ye into the shower?"

Ste pursed his lips. "I liked that scene. Plus ya got to see me naked properly on set." Ste laid his head on folded arms a moment before pushing up to his knees. "I hope you've got enough energy for me Brendan"

Brendan pulls Ste down on top of him and swims inside his eyes. "Ye ever been rimmed by anyone?"

Ste shook his head "No I haven't - why?"

"Good" Brendan bit against Ste's bottom lip before he kissed him. "Come on"


Brendan watched Ste in the shower, his body shape slender against the black tiles. Ste's curves arched like a cat against them, hands both pressing flat. Ste turned his head slightly as if silently giving Brendan the come on. Brendan walked over and bent to his knees, eyes trailing up his back, the water fell down Ste's spine and edged over his rounded arse cheeks.

Brendan's thumbs parted his entrance and as the water found it's way wriggling down over his hole, his tongue swept wide upwards to capture it, and again, once more and Ste whimpered and clawed at the smooth tiled wall. Brendan's tongue circled the puckered hole,lapped hard and manipulated the flesh to weaken enough to gain entry.

Ste's tight walls tasted sour, hot and clenched the further his tongue travelled inside. Steaming shower water trickled inside Brendan's mouth the more he moves, licking as deep as he can get painting his saliva into Ste. His movement follow the noises Ste makes, the harder he plays the louder he gets and it's turning Brendan on to the point he has to feel what he's doing to him too. Ste's dick is thick and bucking when he touches it, lets his fingers curl around wrapping up all of him into his palm.

Ste gasps and jerks back feeding more of Brendan's tongue in him. "Brendan...god"

Brendan stands quickly to his feet and takes Ste's wrist pulling it behind him, let's Ste's hand feel the latex he's just placed over himself. "Do ye want me?"

"Yes I do"

Ste lays his head back and sticks out his tongue. Brendan grabs it with his wide mouth kissing him so deep they both tremble. The younger boy's whimpers leave Brendan so weak he has to told on to him for stability.

"Do ye want it hard again?"

"No, I want you to take your time"

"Okay, okay..." Brendan whispers, soothes Ste's overwhelming feelings. He knows how close it is till sunset and it's affecting them both. Brendan continues to kiss Ste angling out his arse and placing himself at the back of him. Ste leans his forehead on the tiles and breathes out heavy as Brendan finds his way inside. It jolts Ste when Brendan begins to rock, small languid thrusts that hit his sweet spot on the way back in him.

Ste pushes himself out to meet each time Brendan fills his walls up, it's sloppy with the shower water and feels nothing short of divine the moist slip when Brendan's dick enters his hole. Ste grips Brendan's hand and rocks his length between a tight fist, pre come mixing with the hot water. Brendan kisses Ste, pulling his chin around to take over his mouth. They're hard, and rough then slow and soft kisses, Ste feels his emotions rise up to the surface.

His eyes fill with tears and the shower water flushes away the salt of them. Ste brings Brendan closer to him and lets their bodies fit like a jigsaw, both moving enough, they fuck slowly for the longest time, Brendan has never experienced anything like this in his life, and he knows Ste is feeling the same way. They come together, Brendan filing the latex and Ste striping the tiles. It washes away with the hot water.

"I, I..." Ste breathes in deeply.

"Ye okay?" Brendan whispers behind Ste's ear "What do ye want to say?" His lips are the softest flesh when he kisses him down the nape of his neck.

"Nothing, it's...never mind"
Brendan curls his fingers under Ste's chin and looks deeply into Ste's eyes. "Let's get some sleep"

"Yeah, get into bed. I'll be there in a moment"

Brendan edged out of the bathroom and switched off the light. The room was in darkness besides the natural light from the moon. Ste was curled up in a ball on one side of the bed angled away from Brendan when he slid into the coolness the bed provided. Soft mattress and smooth cotton sheets Brendan lay on his back and felt the tension in the air.

"Are ye asleep?" Brendan asked gently, looked back at Ste. "It feels weird for me too, but I'm glad you're here"

Ste shifted slightly with no voice. Brendan turned himself then and lay the opposite way. And it was only when he'd almost given into sleep he felt a hand slowly edge round his hip and settle on his tummy. Ste's shallow breathing warming between his shoulder blades. Brendan lightened, settled his own hand over Ste's and gave into sleep.


Ste jumped as he woke up, half asleep and misty mind, his eyes blinked away the tiredness as he yawned silently. The room was dark, but upon turning his head the streak of light from the early morning sun striped against the carpet. Ste simmered awake and shifted his body into a blissful stretch, each bone loving the attention cracked and relaxed his body into a slight comatose.

The presence of another breathing pattern soon had Ste sobering up to the realisation Brendan was next to him. Ste's head flicked quickly to his side to just look upon him. His face peaceful as he slept, eyes moving gently behind their lids as he dreamt. Ste raised his hand to touch the older man but his resolve weakened, theyd spent the night together, that's all it was. One night.

Ste still found himself struggling to lower his hand, knowing that actually, he did want to touch him again, to feel the shape of his smile, the way his lips caressed his each inch of skin like he was everything Brendan had needed in the world. Ste nudged himself up on his elbow and remembered how he'd never felt so wanted in his entire life, and more than that, feeling it back ten fold.

Ste faltered and withdrew his desperate fingers before they would never stop and slipped gently from beneath the covers. Padded in the dark to the bathroom and had a shower. As the water guided over the bronze hum his skin had, Ste winced knowing each kiss and touch laid down on him was being washed away, eyes closed the younger boy remembered everything, committed it all to memory. It didn't matter if it felt different last night, in the throws of passion everything heightens he reasoned to himself. Made a mental note to stop reading more into it.

There was nothing he could do to stop the thoughts and feelings he had, they seemed to linger and grow the more he thought about it. Ste cursed himself and switched off the shower, dried himself and wrapped a towel around his waist. The white fluffy material felt good on his skin. Ste padded into the bedroom again and settled by his clothes, began to get changed. Fiddling with his t shirt Ste juggled with the material turning the right way around when suddenly Brendan stirred.

The older man felt his hand across the other side of the bed as if searching, there was nothing but a sheet covered mattress and the cool of a vacated body felt there. Brendan sat up half asleep and tried to focus his sleep filled eyes, he couldn't see him. There was a moment in those few seconds he looked that his heart jolted. And it hurt him. Brendan turned his head to finally find what he was looking for.

"Are ye going?" Brendan asked with a tired riddled voice, he was pretty shattered and wasn't sure he had the strength for this after first waking up. But Brendan needed to know as he fell back on the bed half satisfied he'd found Ste and half trying not to look gutted he was leaving. Ste smirked; bashful at being caught out and placed his top on.

"Yeah...um...long drive ahead of me." Ste swallowed uneasy, eyes not yet daring to look at Brendan. "Thought it best..."

"Thought what was best? Sneaking off?" Brendan hadn't meant to sound as affronted as it came out, but as a new revelation of upset filled his entire being he'd be lucky to hide it. He watched Ste look guilty almost as he dressed himself.

"I ain't sneaking off. I was trying not to wake you"

"A sly getaway, were ye even gonna say goodbye Steven?"

"My name is Ste. And no I wasn't – but maybe...maybe I should have done that huh" Ste huffed slightly, heart beginning to hurt with the pressure of what he wasn't sure of. Brendan watched him hasten his dressing and quickly revised his attitude.

"Will ye at least stay for breakfast? A long drive, ye will need to keep your energy up, right?"

"I'm young – tons of energy me"

"I noticed - last night" Brendan's voice purred leaving Ste's skin to goose bump with a cool sparkle the area of his body. Bottom lips sliding under his teeth he chewed nervously and Brendan blossomed with it, the glow in his cheeks not unlike the way he looked after he came.

"Stay..."

"What?" Ste spoke, feeling his lungs collapse knocking him uneasy.

"For breakfast. I can order us something up, anything." Brendan suggested, he watched Ste wrestle with his thoughts.

"I'm alright..."

"Coffee, croissants...toast? What do ye like huh?"

"Bren..." Ste stood silently looking at Brendan who then stopped talking. Eyes darting with Ste and the bed he nodded in understanding and astounded at his own behaviour swung his legs out over the bed and sat quietly. Ste swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and the pain of it had him physically wincing.

"Um..." Ste coughed "Coffee, I'll have a coffee before I go" Ste's hand shakes as he tries to make them both a coffee.

"Don't bother on my account, ye gotta go. I have someone to meet anyway so" Brendan said with a deep tone, shrugging petulantly he walked past Ste into the bathroom.

"Who?" Ste asked as soon as Brendan exited the bathroom. Manages to pass Brendan his drink without scolding either of them. "Who d'ya have to meet?"

"Simon, a friend of mine. He lives in the city, so thought I'd visit"

"Old flame ey?" Ste said half heartedly joking, egged Brendan on playfully while his stomach jolted.

"Simon? No. A mate. Why ye ask?"

"No reason." Ste shrugs. "How are ya getting home?"

"Car Steven. Like ye. I'm catching the ferry tonight – I'm going back to Ireland"

"Will you ever be back?" Ste asked lowly.

"I don't know, maybe." Brendan nods sipping his coffee. He'd have drank it by now, but Ste said one coffee. He'll make it last. "Ye going back to Manchester?"

"I enjoyed last night" Ste said stopping the small talk and saying what he really felt. Ste hitched in a sharp breath.

Brendan darted his eyes up quickly "Me too"

Ste pursed his lips and flickered his eyes up at Brendan. "Really?" Ste asked, quiver in his voice.

"Every single moment" He replied assuredly, eyes still firmly on Ste's. His cup placed down on the side Brendan stood up, still in his boxers, he wore a white robe aound his body.

"I gotta...best check out" Ste's breathing splintered.

Bendan settled his hands against his hips and rounded his head and eyes with Ste's, coaxing him with an hypnotised gaze. "Ye gonna say goodbye properly?"

Ste gulped and lunged forward connecting their lips, so sweet was the kiss both men groaned and held on tightly. Brendan's tongue took pure advantage and swept the entirety of Ste's mouth before settling with gentle sweeps of tongue and softening lips. Brendan knew he could kiss the boy forever.

"I have too..." Ste whispered, whimpered into Brendan's arms, his hands crept up around the older man's neck and tightened his grip, Brendan snaking his arms, they crushed closed around Ste's waist.

"I'll miss ye"

"I'll miss you..." Ste spoke immediatley in response and with his mouth into the skin of Brendan's neck placing a small kiss there that took the older man's breath away. Ste heard the falter of it and smiled softly cupping his lips a few more times and tightened his hold encouraging Brendan to hug onto him too.

"Might see ye on the TV huh?" Brendan murmured his words behind the back of Ste's ear.

"Might do, or you can rent the dvd of the movie" Ste grinned with his laughter. "Wonder what we'll look like"

"Incredible" Brendan says pushing Ste back from him. He couldn't stand it any longer, it just felt like too much of an effort to forget. Ste moved to get his things and paused at the door, half looking back his head lulled to one side.

Brendan's voice played inside his head, he wanted Ste to stay but how could he ask, it was just two people seeking comfort in each others arms. So why did this feel different. "Steven?"

"Yeah?!" Ste twisted his head, eyes beginning to mist over. His heart held by a thread.

"Doesn't matter, take care of yourself"

Ste hitched a breath that carried the tail end of a sob he'd held deep within his throat. Ste coughed and nodded sharply, the door clicked loudly in the room that was plunged into the sounds of silence.


He'd had a shower, stood in it a while and just let the hot water lash hard over his body and flushing his skin with the heat. Hands flat on the tiles, Brendan's head held forward, eyes closed trying not to over think the last moments he saw Ste. In fact the entire time he'd spent with him. The water didn't help, didn't wash away his reoccurring thoughts. It was one night, he's done this before. It hadn't ever meant anything other than a quick shag. It hurt when Brendan punched the wall in frustration, switching off the shower he settled once dried to get dressed.

Packed already, Brendan gripped his suitcase in his hand and dragged his coat off the bed. He turned again when something caught the corner of his eye. A piece of paper had fallen from his coat and to the floor. Brendan held it in his hands opening it up, his breath caught sharp.

Brendan was overtaken in a zombie like state as he walked out of his room and clicked the door shut. Eyes reading the note like it was some kind of mirage. Down the corridor the cleaning trolley made it's way up towards him, not that he'd notice an earthquake right now. Brendan stood there and read the writing over and over again. Trying to reason things in his mind.

'Take a risk' Steven. x

Ste had left his number by the short message. Brendan smiled gradually and the warmth that filled his stomach was a new feeling for him but he could definitely live with it. He wasn't gonna call immediately though, had to play it semi cool didn't he? He wasn't sure what to do, this was all new to him.

"Are you alright sir?" The woman asked, and Brendan found her eyes slowly, slightly gormless in deep thought he still resembled a zombie. Brendan shook himself out of it.

"Never felt better. Tell me, how long do you wait before you get back in contact with someone you...um.." Brendan swallowed. The woman waited a moment and then cottoned on to what he was on about.

"Depends, if you want to play hard to get? Tonight, text them about 7 pm." The woman shrugged gabbing some fresh towels.

"Why that time?"

"They'll be that restless when they see the message you'll get instant reply"

"What if I can't wait that long?"

"Then you've got it bad" the lady grinned, Brendan watched her walk in to a room and he turned to leave himself placing the paper into his wallet.


One month later.

Manchester

Ste was at a crossroads in his career,there had been no other roles fall into his path for considerable time and with the lack of work came the shortfall of money. What Ste had earned from his last venture went towards a deposit on a flat in Manchester he shared with a flatmate, namely Chris who'd he'd met on the set of the last role he filmed. He too living in Manchester the new friends took on the flat together. Within a week Ste had found a new audition, and Chris tagged along for moral support. In a cruel twist of fate it had been Chris who had landed the part leaving Ste feeling low confidence stricken.

Not one to take things to heart Ste had soon taken on the part-time job for extra money, but what he hadn't banked on was the boss from hell. Or as Ste liked to call him 'The old Trout' after the pub itself, he'd deemed it fitting for the man who was a nightmare to work for.

"Ste? Can you please get out here and serve!" The bar manager screamed across the pub, voice forever seeming to echo whenever he did. Ste rolled his eyes , the man never shut up.

"E'yar! I'm on my break here! I am entitled to it ya know?!" Ste shouted himself then, brew in hand. The kitchen was tiny and housed a small wooden table and chair in it. Ste looked through the door to the bar area.

"Not when we're bar staff down and I'm expected to serve myself it ain't." The man said, frustration in his voice.

Ste gave up and moped into the pub, a sea of punters lining the bar. He'd drawn out a tired breath but worked hard and served until after a while he'd managed to wade through the customers and he'd got a little respite.

"Alright love" one of the regular customers smiled at Ste. "Vodka and coke please. You shouldn't let him treat you like that."

"You heard him? Not surprised actually, human fog horn" Ste shrugged and placed the drink on the bar."Gotta earn a living"

"What happened to the acting career? You did a film recently didn't you?" The woman sipped her drink.

"Ha, don't remind me. Dunno what happened with that to be honest. Probably straight to dvd" Ste scoffs and rubs down the bar with a tee towel.

The woman slid a dvd across the bar "I found it for you, thought you'd like to see it. Tell you what, that co star of yours is damn fine. Anything happen between you?"

"What no..." Ste cleared his throat. "What makes you say that?"

"Thought all actors were at it nowadays. Nah, I'm kidding, reason I ask is your on screen chemistry is incredible. The way ya look at each other, jeez."

"Yeah, he did look at me like that" Ste smiled with fond memories jumping into his mind. "Seems like such a long time ago, yet I recall everything"

"You should contact him" The woman winks, smile spreading her intoxicated lips.

"I did, kind of - I left him my number. He didn't get back to me though. Guess I read the wrong signals"

Ste spoke distantly then gripped the DVD in his hands. Neither of them were on the front, just a picture of a hotel with a lamppost in front of it. Made Ste chuckle though, the first he'd managed so far today. On the back it did have them together, the kiss under the lamppost. Ste widened his mouth looking at it, they did look good together. This hadn't been the first time Ste had thought of Brendan, the Irish man had a permanent place beneath his skin.


Ste's phone lit up as it lay on the table vibrating the glass. He'd come through from the kitchen with a sandwich and huffed down on the sofa hard, relaxed into the soft material and gave out a long sigh. Ste was glad to be home finally. His feet ached from the shift he'd done at the pub, and ears still rang from the sound of his boss barking out orders. This wasn't exactly his vision for the future.

Ste's eyes darted from the tv to his phone, realised it was flashing a notification. About to pick it up was distracted by the front door opening.

"Alright Ste" Chris greeted, he hung his bag down on the bannister.

"Hey. How was the rehearsal?" Ste asked with a slight jealously in his tone. The other man sighed and sat down on the couch next to him.

"It was good, yeah. Sorry mate. Something will turn up, you shouldn't worry. And I have been asking around for ya" Chris fidgeted uneasy.

"I know - ignore me yeah. I'm just tetchy from the shift I've just done."

"That manager still on your back? Dunno how you put up with it to be honest. I'd have left..." He spoke apologetically, but Ste agreed wholeheartedly

"Ya know I can't do that, need the rent paying. Can't keep expecting you to help out all the time."

"I don't mind, you've helped me loads. Ya even got me this job!"

Ha ha yeah. Ironic really." Ste sighed, watched Chris edge forward, the tips of his fingers ghosted his phone on the table.

"Hey...You've a message here." Chris smiled lobbing Ste's phone at him. It landed on his lap.

"Oh I forgot to look. Watch it be my manager. Probably forgot how to pull a pint, dosey sod"

"Ha yeah, probably" Chris agreed and watched Ste check his phone. The colour seemed to drain from his complexion.

"Ste? You've gone white mate" Chris turned to Ste, concern in his face.

Ste sat and shook his head, couldn't quite fathom out what to say. "I can't believe...he's contacted me"

"Who has?"

"Brendan" Ste looked up at his friend and gawped in shock.

"Who's Brendan...oh wait a minute! The Irishman? Why has he?"

"I asked him too, but that was over a month ago. Thought he weren't interested."

"Hang on, did somet happen between you two? No way, ya never went there?!" Chris almost choked on his laughter.

"Oi! He was alright. I really liked him too, but when he didn't contact me I figured it really was a one night thing."

"Well if it floats ya boat." Chris scoffed as he spoke. "Text back"

"Why should I? Brendan made me wait didn't he?" Ste mumbled half annoyed half wanting to stop the beat of his heart changing rhythm.

"Yeah, but think about it, why now text? He'll have a reason Ste." Chris warned cautiously, leaving Ste to stew with his thoughts.


Ireland

It was mid afternoon when he landed in Dublin again and luckily the sunshine had followed him there. The heat felt good after spending the last weeks in constant rainfall. Brendan pulled up outside his home and felt the note inside his pocket literally burning a hole through it, his heart felt lighter somehow, having something to look forward to. Brendan wanted to text Ste, but his mischievous side still teetered, making Ste wait a while had his eyes sparkling. Brendan could picture his face, and once he'd found out, how feisty Ste would be. Brendan had become accustomed to his little ways, Ste's personality, the way his face actually glowed with embarrassment, or mouth curled whenever mad.

Brendan climbed out of the car and locked it up before walking up to the house. The smile on his face a permanent fixture, his key turned in the lock.

"Chez?!" Brendan cried her name anxiously, the youth of his voice coming to the surface.

Brendan pocketed his keys and grinned as he walked through the house looking for her, "Got something to tell ye" he continued. Brendan's face fell when he'd walked into the kitchen.

"What ye got to tell us boy? That ye finally grew some balls?" The haggard old man spoke with a vicious tongue. Brendan watched the all too familiar smirk he used whenever he belittled him. It all drained from him, the happiness he'd held turned inside out.

"Why are ye here?" Brendan's voice hollowed.

"Hello son. Enjoy your wee holiday did ye?"

"Holiday?"

"Bren! Cheryl cried and hugged her body close to her brother." So glad you're home!"

"Shouldn't have left ye in the first place - swanning off like that." Seamus drawled, his eyes piercing Brendan who couldn't bare to look at him.

"Chez, what's he doing here?"

"Never mind that, how did it go?! Did ye and that young..."

"No." Brendan shook his head, imploring to his sister to quieten. His eyes then flicked up to his Da and back down to his feet as they shuffled on the spot.

"What's this?" Seamus asked intriguingly, his hand settled on Brendan's shoulder leaving Brendan to side away.

"Bren please. Just for me yeah?" Cheryl watched her brother struggle and it made her snap out of her selfish mood."Daddy, will ye go out and get us some wine for tea? Please?"

Seamus smiled "Anything for my best girl"

Brendan shivered, eyes closing the sickly feeling making him want to leave the room. He watched his father leave and then his eyes gazed accusingly at his sister.

"Why is he here?"

"Its just a meal Brendan. I invited him, stop trying to ruin things"

"I'm ruining things?!" Brendan bit back, anger making up a huge part of his anatomy. It was like a switch had been flicked inside him. He walked away and further into the kitchen. Hands scrapping the worktop his breathing ebbed away. "I wanted to tell ye something - I was happy and then I walk in here and he just takes it away from me" Brendan hitched a breath and turned to look at his sister.

"I'm sorry" she cried, "I just don't understand why him being here makes ye this way." Cheryl stood behind her brother "What did ye want to tell me?"

"Have ye anything else for me chez? Any more jobs?" Brendan changed the subject, what was the point. Brendan fleeted his eyes between her and the floor he wished to open up; the room so stifling he barely breathed. Brendan just needed to get out, get back in his car and drive.

"Germany"

"What?"

Cheryl sighed and walked over to the side drawer cabinet and drew out some papers. "I don't know how you'd feel about doing another one so soon after you'd gotten back but..." Cheryl threw the papers at Brendan.

"Another month away" Brendan sighed and wrestled with his conscious. His fingers gripped the bridge of his nose "I can't contact him now"

"Who?"

"Steven" Brendan sat down heavy on his chair. "Says it's a month of filming, and this money chez...I could finally get away from him" Brendan's voice lowered enough his sister hadn't heard the last part. Cheryl had, however heard the first.

"Steven?!" She walked over to Brendan with the biggest grin over her face. Brendan suddenly felt coy and shook his head.

"No"

"Tell me everything!" Brendan's arm jolted from his body once Cheryl had gripped a hold of it. They settled on the sofa and her face reminded Brendan of the better feelings he'd had before.

"Until I read this I'd planned to contact him tonight. We slept together" Brendan relaxed then and looked back at his sister.

Cheryl stared at Brendan and waited. Waited some more, she waited for the punch line that never came. "Right...? What's new about that Bren? Not exactly the first time is it?"

"Wait, now hang on a minute. I might have form here but..."

"Form? Ye wrote the book Brendan?!" Cheryl laughed and settled her hand on Brendan's shoulder, head shaking. "Poor wee lad, you're leaving another one heart broken"

"Chez, for crying out loud. Look" Brendan scrambled through his wallet and shoved the note into her hand. "Read it"

"Its a phone number" Cheryl shrugged. Her eye's widened "Wait, Steven's?! Oh my god. And ye kept it? Should I bake?"

"Ye what, bake?"

"Yeah to celebrate ye falling in love" Cheryl cupped her hands in delight, this was probably the best news ever.

"Get lost, I ain't in love chez"

"Call him."

"Can't"

"Call him, call him, call him!" Cheryl tickled her brother, and she was good at it so Brendan was giddy by the time she'd relented.

"Jesus Chez! I want to, believe me. But I'm going away now. I'll wait till after this movie is done. Besides he'll get jealous if It's the same type of film."

"Why? You've only just met?"

"It's there, I felt it before I even knew him properly. I'd drink knowing he was doing another one." Brendan admitted, he took in a long breath "That boy changed something. It's a month, he'll understand" Brendan dismissed it but deep down he knew Ste would probably pout for England and make him pay for it. He couldn't wait.

"Brendan, ye sure you're not falling for him?"

Cheryl watched her brother roll his eyes before entering Ste's number into his phone. He then made a call.

"Simon? Yeah its me. Have ye ever been to Germany? No? Pack your bags - we're going"

Brendan ended the call."The time will fly past" He spoke hopeful and dragged himself off the sofa.

"Yeah it will. I hope I get to meet this Steven one day." Cheryl continued "Don't revert back to old ways when you're over there will ye?"

"It's Ste" Brendan cringed. "He only let's me call him Steven."

Cheryl's smile widened as she stood up and hugged her brother tightly.


Ste stared at his phone, and namely the message he'd received. He read it over and over in his mind that many times he knew it off by heart.

'Steven, I took the risk. B.'

Ste continues to picture Brendan actually typing it out; had he done that in the beginning but just put off sending it? Or had he really left it weeks later? But what niggles most is why he'd taken this long to get in touch. Had he read the signals so wrong. He'd taken a massive chance leaving his number in the first place, to be ignored was the ultimate brush off. Maybe he just wanted another night, just sex and nothing else. Ste nibbled against the fleshy skin inside his mouth for the umpteenth time.

"Bloody hell, they'll hear your thoughts in China Ste!" Chris threw a tee towel at Ste with a chuckle, it seemed to do the trick Ste finally zoning back into the here and now. "Just flamin text him!"

"Why should I? He made me wait" Ste huffed petulantly. He was cutting off his nose to spite his face but he didn't care. It was the principal.

It was that principal that kept Ste in his ever darkening mood.

"I've had to put up with your massive sulk a week now, you've read the text that much its incredulous." Chris said as he walked into the kitchen. He swiped back the tee towel first. Ste followed behind him.

"I know I'm a pain, but if i give in I look easy"

"Ste ya slept with the guy, you've screwed up your virtue" Chris retorts, arms stuck in the air. He was actually being driven mad.

"Hang on, I happened to really like him yaknow. He was all...like..."

"Fit? Well that's your opinion"

"Shurrup. Charismatic. Fit too though" Ste smirked.

"See...he makes you smile, put us all out of our misery will ya" Chris exclaimed, Ste watched him leave the kitchen mumbling as he went.


Ste skulked up to his room and closed the door with his back to it. His phone held tightly in his palm. There was no denying he'd missed Brendan. As he moved over to his bed and sat up against the fluffed up pillows looking at the side of him alone, it occurred to the younger boy just how much he'd love to be back on that set once again with him. Ste chewed his bottom lip nervously as he pressed reply.

'Took ya time didn't u?' S

'Says u, a week later' B

The text he'd sent mirrored the madness he couldn't help but feel, but the reply was pretty much instantanious and Ste felt better for it. He couldn't help snigger at the fact Brendan had obviously been waiting for him too.

'Counted did ya? Why now Brendan?' S

'Why not?' B

'I have my reasons' B

'I missed u' B

'U don't get to say that to me' S

Ste threw his phone at the side of him and crossed his arms in a huff. Brendan had no right to screw with his head like this. Ste saw his phone light up in the corner of his eye but he wasn't bothered. A further time his phone brightened tested his determination.

''Did u miss me?' B

'Stop sulking' B

'I am not sulking!' S

'Got ya :)' B

'I'm sorry – I wanted to contact u. I got another job' B

'Like the last one?' S

'Yes, have been filming abroad' B

'Oh, where?' S

'Germany' B

'That why u let me think it was over?' S

'We never made promises Steven' B

'I never should have let u walk away that day' B

'I want to make things right - let me' B

'Okay, I'm listening' S

'Can I text u later - on set in a min ;)' B

'I see nothings changed, still the charmer' S

'Worked on u didn't it? More than once too' B

Ste grinned ear to ear, how was it possible to be this mad and happy in the same moment. Ste bumped himself flatter on the bed and settled down to sleep.


Ste turned over in his bed hearing the annoying vibration noise coming from the side of his ear. He brushed the back of his palm there, trying to flick away the noise. Half asleep and still in mid dream Ste jolted awake. His body jumping that much his eyes widened with the shock. It took Ste a little while to adjust his eyes and glancing to the side of him as his phone lit up once more.

'What time is it there?' B

'Googled it...sorry. Did I wake u?' B

'Cos I forgot the time difference' B

'Are ya bored or something? S

'You're awake' B

'No, I have an automated text service for ignorant sods' S

'Ha! you made a joke. Well done' B

'Piss off' S

'What you doing?' B

'I was asleep Bren!' S

'I'd almost forgotten how much I like u calling me that' B

'Do ya even remember my voice' S

'Thick Manchester accent. Changes tone when you have sex' B

'Surprised ya recall' S

'Like I'd forget that night. One of us had to mention it' B

'Fab. Good for u. Can I sleep now?' S

'Keep me company? I'm in the hotel bar.' B

'Well I'm sure there's plenty of guys in there for that' S

'Yeah, there is. One keeps giving me the eye – think I should just go for it?' B

'Do what the hell ya like' S

'That what u want? Fine' B

Ste cursed himself, he was still fighting sleep and pretty mad about being woken up. Now he had the thought of someone else on Brendan's mind. Ste sighed heavy and tried to settle his thoughts.

'Trying to make me jealous wont work - I'm still mad at u' S

'I won't give up, gonna text u everyday now' B

'Might take a lot of em to make it up to me' S

'U still have that wingspan tattoo?' B

'Yeah' S

'And u still glow when u blush right?' B

'What are u on about?' S

'Just lift up your legs and lay them down to your sides' B

'Bren where is this going?' S

'Just needed that image. Thanks. I'll text u 2mo.' B

Ste smirked and shook his head, teeth scoring over his bottom lip. He couldn't wait till tomorrow.