Chapter Two

Rae was told to wait in the waiting room, Ste needed urgent medical attention. She just kept looking at her phone, wondering what she was going to do (she had to tell Amy but what could she say?). The sounds of a door opening gained her attention, Brendan had turned up. She just shot him a dirty look.

"What do you want?" Rae asked him through tears.

She was still in her pajamas and slippers, she felt rather silly. Got a couple of stares from people who walked past. Though it was too late, the attack happened late at night and she had to go straight away, no time to change.

"Why don't you go home and get dressed? I will stay here and phone you when Steven comes round" Brendan suggested.

"No way...I'm not leaving him with you"

"I didn't do this"

"That makes a change"

Brendan gave a sigh as he sat besides Rae. The girl was still shaking like a leaf, he went to place his jacket around her however she shoved him away. She had no time for him and didn't want him anywhere near her.

"Do one" Rae hissed at him.

"I'm sorry"

"Are ya? Why don't you go? He's my boyfriend; not yours...you do remember that don't ya? If you don't go, I will tell everyone what you and Ste has been up to behind my back"

He gave her a look of disbelief.

"I need to know Steven is okay first" Brendan told her firmly.

"Just go away!" Rae cried.

Brendan could clearly see she was in a state and he didn't wish to upset her any further. So he just gave a nod. He would still be in this building but he will leave her alone, he took his jacket and made his leave without a second glance.

...

Still in her pajamas, Rae was called by one of the nurses. Ste was stable and has woken up. She opened her eyes (having fallen asleep in the waiting room). She looked relieved at this news. As she followed the nurse to his room, he was still going to be tired as expected. He has just been stabbed after all.

"Hey" Rae spoke as soon as she seen him. He looked so defeated lying there.

He tried to speak however nothing seemed to be coming out. The first person on his mind was Brendan. Though Rae was his girlfriend, he should want to see her first, shouldn't he? Yet all he wanted was for Brendan to walk through that door. He glanced over at Rae with a false smile.

"It's okay...don't worry about it, I'm just happy you're awake" Rae told him as she sat on the chair next to him.

"Are you okay?" Ste asked her.

"Of cause I am"

Rae gave him another small smile, holding onto his hand. Their reunion was interrupted by the presence of Lynsey Nolan. She just so happened to be on duty however Rae convinced herself this was Brendan's doing.

"Come to check up on us for your friend?" Rae asked with strong sarcasm.

"I work here Rae" Lynsey reminded her.

The girl was certainly rattled by Brendan. She just saw how much love he has for Ste and she's very much threatened. Ste gave Lynsey a rather sad look, he wanted to ask her to bring Brendan. Though he didn't want to upset Rae...

"Is Brendan okay? He had a bit of a fight" Ste questioned.

"Yeah he's fine...do you want to see him? He's been waiting here since you were admitted" Lynsey replied.

Ste's face lit up slightly at this fact. He just gave a nod, he felt Rae letting go of his hand. Lynsey leaving them to it while she went to get Brendan. The mood has lessened badly, she felt pushed out.

"Why do you want to see him? It's his fault you're in here" Rae insisted.

"It wasn't his fault"

"Stop sticking up for him! You promised me that he was just a one-off, you told me you loved me more"

"I do love you"

"You love me so much that you would rather have him here"

Ste was too exhausted to argue with her. The door opened a few moments later as Brendan appeared. He seemed so relieved that Ste was awake, seeing him bleeding on the floor like broke his heart. The Irishman rushed over to him, sitting on the chair and placing his hand on his without much thought.

"I'm going home to get dressed" Rae told Ste with tears in her eyes. She left before he could apologize.

...

With Rae gone, the two men were left alone. Never before has Ste seen Brendan be so affectionate (both in private and in public). The room was empty now, Lynsey gone elsewhere. Brendan just kept looking at him, he could see that the doctors and nurses has put bandages on him.

"Will you stay with me?" Ste asked as he looked back at Brendan.

"Of cause I will"

"No...I mean, I could have died and the last thing I seen was you...if I was suppose to be with Rae, I would have seen her but I saw you"

He was asking him for a proper relationship. One that wasn't hidden behind closed doors. He longer cared what people said. Ste just wanted to be with Brendan and that was it, he knew it would be difficult but they had to try.

"Steven...don't"

"I want to be with you, right? I never wanted to be with Rae...I know you want me too"

Brendan was still quite self-loathing and he didn't want to admit his true feelings. Though Steven almost died (like Vinnie) and he couldn't cope with that. The only way he could think to keep Steven safe was keep him far away from his world as possible. Though it was too late for that now.

"The village would have a field day" Brendan muttered under his breath.

"I don't care what they say...just because you're in a gay relationship, it doesn't mean that people are going to suddenly not take you seriously...is that what you think?"

"Cheryl doesn't even know"

"She will understand if we tell her together"

He made it sound so easy. Though Brendan was so afraid of losing him again that he contemplated it. For the first time in his life, he actually contemplated it. He thought people would have a problem with it though.

"Will you stay with me when you get out, Steven?" Brendan asked. He wanted him to stay with him for a few days.

"If you tell her"

"I don't know how she will react"

"I get it...I was bricking it when I told Amy but it was alright in the end"

"What about Rae?"

"Leave Rae to me"

...

TBC