For a second after waking up Ste thought it was all just a bad dream, but then the memories hit him hard. His head was groggy from the panic and crying and not sleeping properly. He was actually surprised he had slept at all after what had happened, but the exhaustion must had taken over eventually.
It was morning now, still early judging from the light coming through the window, but Ste knew he couldn't sleep any more. He slid off the bed, took his dressing gown hanging from the closet door and put it on. It made him feel warm, and bit safer.
He had left the bedroom door open and he could hear movements from the kitchen and lounge area. That was another reason what made him feel safe.
Ste felt almost shy in his own home when he sneaked to the doorway and saw Brendan moving around, setting up cups and plates.
"Hiya."
Brendan turned to look at him and the softness on his eyes made Ste's heart jump. "Morning. Thought I make you a cup of coffee, hope you don't mind me going through your kitchen. It's all I've touched, I promise."
"No, it's fine." Ste walked to him and leaned to the island which separated what he called the kitchen from rest of the room. "Did you sleep alright?" Brendan had stayed on the same couch he had sat Ste on, and even when it was long and wide enough Ste felt ashamed he hadn't thought about the quest room upstairs. Must have been the shock.
"Well enough. How about you, did you get any rest?"
Ste's thoughts returned to what had happened. The fear, the rat. How Brendan has arrived, then the police. The questions which seemed to go on forever. How Brendan had showed them the tapes from security camera but Ste didn't want to see what was on them. How once the police finally left Brendan had told Ste to get into bed and started to clean up the mess from the floor.
"Where did you put it?" He asked and his voice sounded small even to his own ears. "The rat." He continued when Brendan frowned while pouring the coffee on the mugs.
"In the bin. Couldn't take it out tho, because I didn't have the keys. I'll take it now when you are up and can let me back in." Brendan already made a move towards the cupboard Ste had his trashes in.
"No, don't, it can wait. Have your coffee, please. And something to eat, I should have some toast at least." Ste moved past him to pick up stuff for sandwiches out from the fridge and started to throw things needed in the island while going through his cupboards. "Or cereals, if you'd rather.. Or I can defrost some bagels I have in the freezer, or -"
"Steven. Stop." Brendan placed his hand on Ste's arm, stopping him from pulling more stuff out from the cupboards. "It's alright."
Ste hadn't noticed he was shaking before Brendan touched him. He swallowed and leaned all his weight on the counter. Wave after wave of anxiety and dread pushed over him and he did his best to breath through it, until all he could feel was Brendan's hand stroking his arm. When he quickly glanced at him Brendan was standing close, his heat radiating to Ste and his eyes were so full of concern Ste had to look away.
"Alright? Come, you need to eat. We need to go into police station later on and you need energy for that." Brendan returned to the island and started to butter two pieces of the toast and loaded them with ham and salad, set them on a plate and handed it to Ste. "Take your coffee and go sit down."
Ste did what he told and went to sit on the table. Brendan made himself a sandwich too and joined him. For a while they both sat quietly, eating and drinking.
"You have a nice house." Brendan finally broke the silence.
"Ta. Bit big. For just me." Ste didn't want Brendan to think he was someone who'd spend their money for things that they really didn't need. "When I was looking a place to live I thought.. I hoped, the kids, you know, they could move with me, and Amy as well."
"Why didn't they?" Brendan was looking at him curiously but his tone was also careful, like he was worrying for asking too much.
"Amy was worried about them being exposed too much. Because of me being in a telly. And she got scared when I was on the gossip sections on magazines for a while. " He smiled sadly. "I understand her, I really do, but I always thought how I'd like to make lot of money so I could buy a nice place for my kids and now... When it's just me it feels so empty." Ste stared the remains of his breakfast. "I sound like a proper saddo, don't I? Poor rich boy, eh."
"I don't think that. It's natural to want your kids with you." Something in Brendan's voice made Ste look at him. "I miss my boys every day."
"You have kids?" Ste's heart sank. So he was straight.
"Two boys. Live with their ma in Ireland." Brendan cleared his throat and took a swing of his mug. The subject was clearly painful for him. "I'm just saying, I have seen you with your little ones. You are a great dad. You got a place thinking about them. Of course it's natural to wish they would actually be around here."
"Thanks. Anyways, now I'm glad they don't live here, because of the..."
"About that... Steven, I'm sorry." There was flash of something like pain on Brendan's face before he composed himself and became serious and professional. "What happened was my fault, and I take full responsibility of it. I understand if you feel like you can't work with me anymore, and I'll make sure to help you find the best security there is."
"Your fault? How?" Ste didn't understand. And what was that about him not wanting Brendan around anymore. "Why you say this?"
"Because of the note, Steven. He saw us. It was my job to estimate the threat and I made a mistake. I thought it was nothing more than random letters but it's something more serious and it's because of my wrong evaluation why this happened. And I'm sorry for that."
"No." Ste shake his head like it would have make Brendan's words to disappear. "It's not your fault, is it. I mean, it would have happened eventually, wouldn't it? If he's out there.. If he's watching me he would have seen me with someone sooner or later and then this would have happened anyway. And I'm glad it happened now when you are around."
There had been a flash of something dark in Brendan's eyes when Ste mentioned about the stalker seeing him with someone, but now he looked almost hopeful. "What do you mean?"
He's hoping I'm not going to fire him, Ste thought, and it was the last thing he would do. "Because you are here to make it better, aren't you? You came when I called and made me feel safe."
Brendan nodded. "Okay."
They fell into a silence for a while until Ste carefully asked "So you don't want to quit, then?"
"If you want to keep me around, then no."
They looked at one another and something passed between them. Ste wasn't sure what it was, but it reassured him. Brendan would be there for him, as long as he needed.
"Is it gonna be like, around clock protection now?"
"I think it would be wise. At least for now. The guy is agitated, and if he sees me around it might make him move forward and easier to catch."
"Okay." Ste nodded. "You are going to stay here, then?"
"Or I can arrange something with Joel, us taking turns, staying outside during night watching over the apartment."
"No." Ste said quickly. He hated the idea of Brendan spending a night in a car. "I have a spear room upstairs. It would make me feel better if you'd stay in the house."
Brendan nodded. "I need to go back to my place to get more stuff. I'm not exactly well prepared." He gestured his clothing. He didn't even have socks on, and Ste felt guilty for making Brendan rush to him, but he was also feeling a panic rising inside him.
"Can't someone bring them to you? Do you have to go?"
"It would only be a short moment, an hour, tops. You could lock the doors and stay inside, I'll be back soon."
"No. No." Ste was shaking his head. He was aware how fast his breath was and how unreasonable he was being, but the fear hit him hard soon as he thought about Brendan walking out from that door. "Can't I come with you? Please? I don't want to stay here alone."
"Steven, breathe. It's alright." Brendan's voice was calm and he placed his hand on Ste's shoulder. "Of course you can come with me."
Ste managed to smile at him. The warm touch and the way Brendan was looking at him made him feel more secure. "Thank you. When do you wanna go?"
"Finish your breakfast, then we'll go. Can't go into police station with my feet bare, can I?"
::::::
After Steven had gulped down rest of his coffee and changed his clothes they head out. Brendan took the trash with him and threw it in the bin outside, while Steven was hovering next to him like he didn't want to get close to the bin bag, but didn't want to be too far from Brendan either. Once they got into Brendan's car he looked breathless, as if the short walk from the front door to where the car was parked had been a massive task.
"You okay?" Brendan asked because the boy still looked pale, and he almost again suggested that Ste would stay home instead, but Steven nodded and shoot him with a steady gaze like he knew what Brendan was thinking. "Good." Brendan start the car.
The further they drove from the apartment the relaxed Steven seemed to get. He sat more straight in his seat and looked more curious while watching the streets they drove on. They were mostly silent apart from few times one of them commented something they saw, but it wasn't awkward, and Brendan felt Steven needed this to calm down. He still wasn't sure how he was going to be once they'd go into police station for their statement, but one step at the time.
Once they reached Brendan's neighborhood he glanced at Steven. "Just to warn you, Steven, but Cheryl might be at home." She probably was, it was early Saturday morning still, and she liked her lazy weekends.
"Cheryl?" for a second Steven frowned and looked almost hostile, until the expression changed with his aha-moment. "Your sister."
"Yeah. She's nice, but she can get bit.. Excited. Specially for you being a TV star." Brendan was already cringing by the thought of all the things she might be saying once she met Steven. "If you want, you can wait in the car, I shouldn't take too long."
"No. I mean, if it's okay with you I'd rather..." Brendan had noticed from the first time they met how Steven liked to play with his sleeve if he was nervous and he was doing it again.
"Of course." He cut in before Steven had to finish his sentence. "Just know you have been warned, yeah?" He smiled at Steven to make sure he knew it was a joke and Steven returned one back to him.
He parked the car on his spot. "Ready?" and when Steven nodded they got out and slowly walked on the stairs and up to the door. Brendan opened it with his keys and stepped in. "Chez? Are you home?"
"Bren?" her voice came from upstairs and there was a sound of her steps when she was coming down. "Are you okay love, I heard you going out in the middle of the night and.." she had emerged on the stairs and spotted Steven standing awkwardly behind Brendan. "Oh, hi."
"Cheryl, this is Steven, he's my client. Steven, this is my sister Cheryl." Brendan made the introductions. Cheryl took the few last step to meet them at the bottom of the steps and she and Steven shook hands. Brendan could see confusion and questions in her eyes – he never brought the clients back home with him. "I'm going to stay with his place for a while now. Just came in to collect some stuff I need."
"Okay." Cheryl's eyes went between Brendan and Steven. "Steven, would you like some tea while Bren gets his stuff together?"
"That would be lovely, ta. And it's just Ste." Steven spoke the first time and it was like someone had put on a light on Cheryl's face.
"Oh my God! You're Chef Ste! I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you, I should have, Bren watches your show all the time!"
"Chez!" Brendan barked and she at least had the decency to look sorry. He felt hot with same and his quick glance towards Steven showed the lad looking at him surprised. "Okay, Steven, just give me a minute and I get my stuff together so we can go."
"Oh you take your time, I'll keep him company, isn't that right love. " She pushed past Brendan and took hold of Steven's arm, starting to guide him towards the kitchen. "Maybe you could give me some tips with my cooking, I'm awful, ask Bren, he'll tell you all about my foods..." and on and on she went. Steven threw a look for Brendan while he was being steered away but he didn't seem to be panicking. Not yet at least, but Brendan knew what Cheryl could be like.
He didn't even want to imagine what Cheryl would be blabbing on Steven, so he quickly run upstairs and started to back his bags so they could leave soon as possible.
::::::
Cheryl sat Ste on a chair by the table, put the kettle on and collected cups while constantly talking about some dish he wanted to do for her boyfriend. Ste had always thought Brendan was overpowering; his size, his presence, it seemed to demand all the attention to be in him even when he wasn't much of a talker. The way Cheryl took her space was completely different. Her coloring was lighter than Brendan's and it was hard to see any resemblance between them. Despite it being early morning she was dressed up in colorful clothes, turquoise top with low cleavage which was hard to miss even when Ste was gay, a very short black skirt and a massive necklace with "Cheryl" written on it. She was moving and talking constantly, and already chatting to him like they had known each other for years.
"So, Ste," she placed a cup of tea in front of him and sat next to him in a chair holding her own mug. "How did you and our Bren meet?" She was smiling so widely that Ste wasn't sure had she missed the fact that he was Brendan's client.
"Mitzeee introduced us." He explained and Cheryl's face did drop a bit with the name. "I asked her help for my... problem and she said Brendan could help."
"She used to be all over Bren, that one, let me tell you. Thank God she's not our Bren's type." She let out a laugh and Ste felt like she expected him to join in, but he just took a sip of his tea. It was hot and he almost burnt his tongue. "She works on the same station than you, doesn't she, that's how Bren knows you, she's always bugging him to watch her gossip bits but he's more interested about food as always." She gave him a little nudge and beamed at him.
"Really?" Ste's mind was buzzing. How he hadn't thought about that before. Of course Brendan would have been watching the morning show for Mitzeee and seen him too. The thought of Brendan seeing him stumble on words and looking like an idiot in front of a camera made him feel embarrassed. He never liked it when people he knew watched him on screen.
"Isn't it funny how he ended up working with you after being a big fan?" Then she, thankfully, turned more serious. "But if he's working for you then you must be in some sort of trouble. I'm sorry for that, you seen such a sweet guy."
"Ta. It's just some... Eager fan." Ste wasn't sure how much he wanted her to know. She seemed nice, but also someone who talked way too easily past her mouth. "Brendan has been very good tho, making me feel safe and all."
"That's our Bren, always looking after others. He's had his troubles, bless him, but he's come through them and turned his life around."
Ste was so curious to hear more, and it seemed it would have been easy to make Cheryl talk about her brother. He was taking another sip of his tea and tried to decide should he ask something to prompt her go on, but it seemed he didn't need to.
"Being so far away from his boys is hard for him, you know, but fresh start was all he needed after... And he has so much going on here now, and he's not alone like he used to, with me and Nate close by, and his friends." She gave him a wide smile again, like Ste was one of those friends and not just a client. "Oh gosh, here I am, going on and on. It's just so exciting, to think how you two met, like in a movies, you know."
"You ladies done with the gossiping?" Brendan's voice made Ste jump and almost spat his tea out. He was annoyed how silently Brendan could move but when he turned to look at him his annoyance turned to lust instead.
He had changed and was now wearing a very dark blue shirt, tight as his every clothing seemed to be, and dark jeans. He had combed his hair and looked more control of the situation. He was hot as fuck, but there was also a part of Ste which missed the casual, more relaxed Brendan he had seen in his kitchen this morning.
"I was just talking with Ste how you two met." Cheryl explained and for those two seconds Ste had been staring at Brendan he had almost forgot she existed. "It's a good thing you share a mutual friend who could bring you together."
"Mitzeee thought I could help Steven, and I'm doing best I can to do so. Steven, you ready?" It seemed like Brendan wanted to leave fast as possible.
"Yeah, I am." He turned to Cheryl. "Thanks for the tea. It was nice to meet you."
"You too, sweetie. I'd wish you didn't have to go so soon, are you sure you don't have time for another cuppa?" She had risen up from her seat same time with Ste and followed them to the door. Ste saw a massive luggage waiting there.
"We can't Chez, there's... Steven has a place to be."
For a second Ste thought it was just and excuse for Brendan to get out and stop Cheryl telling Ste things, but when Brendan gave him a steady look he remembered the police station and his heart sank. "That's right. I'm sorry, Cheryl, maybe some other time."
"I'm gonna hold on to that, you still need to give me some cooking tips one day." She smiled at him and then gave Brendan a kiss on his cheek. "Bye Bren, call me, please?" Her brother gave her a nod and started to guide Ste out from the front door. "Take care, Ste."
"Bye." Ste said over his shoulder while being pushed by Brendan to keep on moving. When they reached the stairs down the streets Ste couldn't help but notice how Brendan carried the suitcase down like it weighed nothing. "You were quick to pack." He said just to break the awkward tension between them.
"I always have some stuff ready in case I need to travel quickly. I just threw in some extra stuff and was ready to go." Brendan popped the car boot open and stuffed the suitcase in. "So what do you wanna do, Steven? Go back to yours at first, or straight to the station?"
"Station, I think." He'd had to face it sometime and the sooner the better. "Lets get that over with."
::::::
They were silent the whole drive to the station, but it wasn't the same comfortable silence they'd had before. Brendan hadn't heard the whole conversation between Cheryl and Steven, but he knew his sister and how much she liked to talk, and Steven seemed guilty like he'd been caught on something he knew he shouldn't have been doing. While driving Brendan tried to guess how much Cheryl had told him while Brendan wasn't there to shut her up. He had tried to be quick with his packing and changing his clothes, but he worried he hadn't been quick enough.
He hated to think how Cheryl could have made him sound, but was too nervous to ask what exactly they had talked about. How would one start that conversation? Hey did Cheryl mention my dead boyfriend Vinnie? So Brendan didn't say anything and Steven seemed just as willing to sit in the silence instead.
It wasn't until Brendan parked near the police station when he turned to Steven. "It's going to be alright, Steven, they probably just want to go over your statement from last night now when you had time to rest, and show you the tape."
Steven nodded but still looked nervous when he got out the car and they walked inside the station.
Brendan gave in their names on the desk and they waited for a while in the hall until they were called by a young man. He offered his hands for them.
"Good day, I'm DC Ethan Scott. If you'd follow me please."
DC Scott lead them into a room with a table and few chairs. He sat on one side and Steven and Brendan on the other. It was like Brendan had thought, he went over the papers he had with him, read out Steven's statement and asked more questions about how the harassment had started. Steven answered calmly and clearly despite being so nervous, making Brendan very proud of him. When DC Scott turned his attention to Brendan he could sense Steven relaxing next to him. Brendan answered the questions of how Steven had come into him, how long he had worked for him, what leads he might have gathered. The detective seemed professional even when he was younger than Brendan, but he also didn't seem very invested on the situation, like it was just another job between many cases. The thought surprised Brendan – not everyone was as involved and worried about Steven's safety as he was.
When detective started to fiddle with the laptop on the table Steven sat more upright and Brendan could sense the anxiety radiating from him.
"Now, I'm going to show you what's captured in your security system, and I want you to tell me if you recognise this person in it." DC Scott turned the laptop facing them.
"It's alright." Brendan said laying his hand on Steven's tight and quickly removing it when something like electric shock went through the lad. "He can't hurt you through the video."
Steven gave a nervous nod and DC Scott pressed play.
The picture was dark because of the night time, but the street lamps gave just enough light so they could see a person quickly approaching. They were dressed on dark clothes, jacket with hood up covering their face and black gloves on. They run up the stairs to Stevens door and carefully placed the box behind the door. Then it seemed like they did something to the door, and then Brendan realised they were probably knocking or making some kind of sound which must have been what Steven heard. Then the person turned around and walked away as quickly as they had arrived.
Steven looked like he might throw up.
"There's nothing else on the tape which might be considered unusual, not until Mr. Brady arrives 18 minutes later. Do you have any idea who this man on the tape might be?"
Brendan followed Steven's expressions, hoping to see some kind of recognition, but Steven shook his head.
"No."
"Are you absolutely sure? I know it's a dark footage, but is there anything, any movement, which might tell you who this man is?" DC Scott started to play the video again.
"No." Steven shook his head again and turned his gaze away from the screen. "Are you sure it even is a man?"
"We are pretty certain this individual is a male, or they are a very tall woman. We compared his height on Mr. Brady when he appears and this person seems to be same height or maybe even slightly taller than him." DC Scott threw a look towards Brendan as to size him up. "No ideas, then?"
"No." Steven said the third time. "Can I go now?"
"If you have nothing else you think I should know, then of course. Here's my card, if you remember anything else or something happens, you can contact me directly. In the mean time, we have informed the TV station you work for that they should tighten up the security around the building, just in case."
"Ta." Steven took the card and nudged Brendan's arm. "I want to go."
DC Scott walked them to the door and then returned to his papers, his mind probably already on some another case. Steven walked so quickly through the corridor to the exit of the building that Brendan had troubles to stay in his speed even with his longer legs. When Steven finally reached the outdoors he let out a massive exhale and bend over to breathe. Brendan realised he had rushed because he didn't want to be seen getting the anxiety attack inside.
"Sit down. Here, on the steps, that's a good lad." He sat next to him giving him space, but still close enough if Steven needed the contact. You always couldn't tell with people what would help them the best in this situations. For a few minutes Steven hold his head on his knees and breathed in and out loudly, trying to steady his breath. Finally he turned his head so he could look at Brendan. "Alright?" Brendan asked and he gave a small nod.
"I just can't stand that this person was behind my door. It's my home, I should be safe there." Steven sounded tired. "Seeing him there, on me doorstep, it just... It's scary."
"I know. It's going to be better, now." Brendan carefully placed his hand on Steven's back and gave a little rub on those tense muscles.
"Yeah, 'cause you'll be there." Steven said. Then his face turned lovely shade of red and he quickly stood up and started to walk towards the car. Brendan slowly followed him and couldn't help himself enjoying the view of Steven's arse in front of him. He was only human, after all.
Once he had unlocked the doors and they had sat back inside a thought came into him. "Steven, aren't you supposed to work at Tony's tonight?"
"Shit." Steven rubbed his eyes. "I completely forgot. What time is it now?"
"Around noon. We had a early morning."
"Yeah, it feels like I have been up for hours."
"You could call Tony and say you are ill, you need some rest after everything." Brendan had begin to drive back to Steven's place. Peace and quiet, that's what the lad needed.
"No, I can't, he won't get anyone to cover me in such short notice. I can't leave him in trouble, Brendan. No, you know what, I have enough time for a nap before I need to be in and then I'm fine." Steven looked determined when Brendan glanced at him.
"Yeah? Are you sure? This has been quite a 12 hours you've had."
"I'm fine. I just can't let that psycho affect on my life, can I?" Steven looked like he made up his mind but there was also a hint of fear in his eyes. "I mean.. You are going to come with me, yeah?"
"As long as I don't have to cook anything." Brendan said and that got a smile out from Steven. "There's a place where I can be without being on the way?"
"The bar, yeah, you can sit there. It'll be dead boring for you though." There was worry on Steven's voice again.
"Hey, just focus on you. I've done this a long time Steven, I know what my job is like. I don't want you to worry about me, okay?"
He pulled in a free space next to Steven's apartment. If there was some resentment form Steven to get back into the place after seeing a video of a guy sneaking around it, he didn't show it, but instead let them in. Brendan set his suit case in the hall and for a while they both stood there bit awkwardly.
"I don't... How does this usually work?" Steven asked.
"It depends." Brendan shrugged. "Usually my clients might want me around for some event if they feel they need someone to look after them. Most of them have something like violent ex's or court cases coming up and they want someone to look at their back while going through that time. To be honest, in most of my cases I know when I go in how long I'm going to stay and they have a room arranged and so on. So, I guess we just have to see how this one goes."
Brendan watched how Stevens adam's apple moved when he swallowed. Then he nodded his head towards the stairs. "There's a spare room upstairs. Let me show you."
Brendan took his suitcase and followed Steven up. He showed him the bathroom with a tub in it, and the kids room which had two small beds and lot of colorful decoration. It was clear how much Steven would have wanted the kids with him.
"You can sleep here. The closet should have.. yes, there's some clean sheets, towels and stuff in here." Steven pulled some out and placed them on the bed. "It's not big but I hope it's okay." He said while looking around. Alongside with the bed and the closet there was only a small nightstand. It seemed Steven didn't have many guests staying over, because the room lacked the same personality Brendan had seen downstairs.
"It'll do fine. Thank you, Steven."
"Right. I'll let you settle in. Please make yourself at home and use the kitchen and what ever you need. I don't want you to stay stuck in here." Steven made his way to leave but turned back from the door. "Brendan? Do you think I should tell Amy?"
Brendan had lift his suitcase on the bed, opened it and started to get his shirts in the closet. He paused to look at Steven. "It's not me to decide. But yes, I think she should know, in case something happens again."
"What if she thinks it's not safe for me to see the kids?" The thought seemed to terrify Steven more than anything.
"I think who ever is following you already knows about them. So there would be no point trying to avoid them. But that's my opinion. She's the mother and can choose what she feels is the best for her kids. What I think is, the sooner she knows the better, so it doesn't feel like you have been hiding things from her."
Steven didn't look reassured but managed to give him a small smile. "I'm gonna take a nap now, yeah, so I see you in few hours, okay?" And before Brendan had the chance to reply he was gone.
::::::
Ste had been sure he wouldn't be able to sleep because he was so wired up, but he lied down on his bed anyway hoping that just staying still would make him feel more energized afterwards. He had heard Brendan's movements through the floorboards when he moved around his room and then to bathroom, and Ste tried to imagine what he was doing based on the sounds. Last night he had still been in shock, but now he felt safe and comfortable hearing the noises and knowing Brendan was so close to him. It was that though which had made him close his eyes just for a second, and ending up falling asleep.
He woke up later on with the low sound of music coming from the kitchen. He checked the time from his cellphone and it was alright, he hadn't overslept and still had time for a shower before heading to work. He had a long stretch and felt better than he had in the whole day. There was a small en-suite bathroom connected to his room, and he was in and out from the shower in ten minutes but still felt like he'd been refreshed enough to face the world again.
It was still weird to walk in the lounge and kitchen area to find someone else in there. Brendan had opened the radio and was sitting by the table with his laptop. He looked up when Ste entered the room.
"Did I wake you?" and when Ste shook his head Brendan pointed the fridge door where were lot of notes hanging by magnets. "Hope you don't mind that I borrowed the wifi password." It was written down in a massive yellow post it, so it wasn't very hard to miss.
"Of course not, I'm sorry I didn't think about it myself. Have you eaten anything? Oh God, I'm sorry I should have made you something." Ste felt embarrassed and was ready to start cook something straight away but Brendan lift up an empty plate next to him.
"Had another sandwich. It's okay Steven, you've had a lot on your mind."
"It's not okay to leave you starving whole day, is it. I'll make you something when I get to work, yeah, so you can at least eat while you wait me to finish. Actually, now when I think of it..." He went to one of the cupboards where he kept his random stuff, found what he looked for and went to hand it to Brendan. "Spare keys."
"I'll be staying with you, so I won't need a set, won't I?" Brendan said but Ste firmly placed the key to his hand. "Thank you, Steven."
"Just in case." Amy naturally had one set of spare keys, but Brendan was the only one after her who'd had a key to his place. "Anyways, do you mind if we go to Tony's early, I think I need to explain what's going on to him."
"Not at all. Actually, I have been meaning to tell you." Brendan posed himself and Ste was suddenly nervous what he was going to say. "I went to see Tony yesterday. Just to ask some questions but still. I'm sorry, I should have asked you first if it's okay."
That's all? "It's fine. I'm actually bit relieved." Ste smiled how surprised Brendan looked at his reaction. "I mean, now I don't have to drop the bomb to him, if he's already heard some of this from you."
"Yeah? Well I'm glad you're feeling that way." Brendan closed the laptop and stood up. "Are you ready to go? After you, then."
::::::
Steven showed him where to park the car, behind the restaurant where was a small empty space where staff seemed to keep their vehicles. Brendan wasn't sure should he follow Steven inside from the staff door, but the lad insisted, so he walked after him inside. They were met in sounds and rush from the busy restaurant, Steven shouted out his greetings with his colleagues who were working on the earlier shift, and even when Brendan got some curious looks no one asked who he was and what he did there.
Steven lead Brendan past the kitchen to the restaurant side and towards the small bar they had there for guests waiting for table or who just popped in for a quick drink.
"Right, this might be more comfortable for you than our tiny dressing room at back. I'm gonna go and find Tony before my shift starts, but I'll make you something to eat soon as I can. What would you like? Are you vegetarian of something?"
"Do I look like a vegetarian?" Brendan let out a laugh. Steven looked bashful.
"Well you can't know these days, can you, I have seen vegans who are..." He made a wage gesture towards Brendan's arms.
"Well I'm not one of those guys, no matter how much my oldest boy wishes me to be. Declan, see, he's just eating those rabbit foods."
"Okay, I got your point. Nothing vegan, then." Steven nodded like he made a mental note. "Rhys?" He called the man serving behind the bar. "Brendan here, he's my guest, so anything he wants, put it on me."
"Sure thing, Ste." Man looked few years older than Steven and gave Brendan a nod before went to serve another customer.
"You sure you are okay back there?" Brendan felt weirdly uncomfortable to let Steven out from his sight.
"I'll doubt there's anyone hiding behind pots and pans, is there. Besides, you would just be in the way with the size of you, it's a tight space we have in there."
Brendan smiled at the joke and well enough, Steven seemed much more confident and relaxed inside the restaurant. He clearly enjoyed being in this environment. Steven gave him a one last look and then disappeared in the back.
"What would you like, then?" The guy, Rhys, asked, and Brendan asked for a pint of Guinness. He was driving, but it was hours till the closing time so having one or two now wouldn't hurt.
He tried to see Steven from the opening to the kitchen, but it was a long time before he managed to catch a glimpse of him. He had changed his clothes to similar black uniform everyone in the kitchen seemed to wear, and he was moving fast while preparing his dishes so it was hard to keep an eye of him. It wasn't long after that when the same young girl who Brendan had spoken in the first time came to him with a steaming plate.
"Brendan? Ste asked to bring you this." She placed the plate in front of him on the desk and disappeared to serve other people, leaving Brendan to his food.
It was a steak, left raw in the middle just like Brendan liked it and with it was lot of steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes and some sort of dressing. He wolfed it down pretty fast – he was hungry and it was good, seasoned to perfection and everything was just on point. All those times when Brendan had watched Steven on the TV he had imagined how his food would taste like, and now he knew the boy truly was a talent in the kitchen. That didn't help with the desire Brendan was already feeling towards him.
After that he passed the time watching over the other customers, trying to guess their age and occupation, a little game of his he often played while during a case. He had another pint, but after that he switched to soda, even tho he was craving for a whiskey. He had packed a bottle with him and he would have one as a night cap soon as he'd got Steven home safely.
Few hours before closing Tony came to find him. After they had shook hands Tony lowered his voice so no one could heard their conversation.
"I talked to Ste earlier, he explained what had happened. Let me tell you, I'm as surprised as I was yesterday when you came to see me. How someone could do something like that to a lad like Ste?" he shook his head.
"World is full of creeps, I'm sad to say. I have met many during my career."
"God, yes, I bet you have. Actually, I came to ask, there are few fans in tonight, who would like to meet Ste for a photo and stuff, do you think it's safe?"
Brendan asked Tony to point them out, and it was a group of middle aged ladies. He almost laughed but he was touched by Tony's concern.
"I can't see any of them pulling out dead rats out of their purses." He joked and Tony laughed too, although he did look bit embarrassed.
"Well I just wanted to ask professionals opinion. I go tell Ste, then."
About fifteen minutes later Steven came out carrying the desserts for the group himself. They were too far for Brendan to hear their conversation over the chatting of the other guests, but Steven was smiling and talking to the ladies, who seemed very excited to meet him. One of them pulled out her phone and they took turns to pose with Steven. After that Steven started to make his way back to kitchen, but his eyes swept over the bar until he spot Brendan. He grinned at him and those few seconds before he vanished behind the staff door Brendan felt like the rest of the world disappeared.
The serving stopped half an hour before closing time, and by the time lasts of the customers were out it seemed like most of the cleaning had been done. Brendan made his way through the staff door and stood awkwardly around in the corridor while the staff moved around him. Finally Steven appeared from the dressing room in his regular clothes, yawning. There were shouts of good night around the group when they made their ways outside, some picking up their bicycles, some getting in their cars. Steven yawned again when they had sat into Brendan's car and started to make their way back to Steven's place.
"I'm so tired. But it was nice. It was busy so I had no time to think." Steven was leaning his head against the window and watching Brendan. "Were you dead bored? Did you like the food?"
"It was delicious, thank you. How'd you know how I like my meat?"
"Lucky guess." Steven said with a soft smile. "Did it match the expectation after the show?"
Brendan almost blushed. Almost. "Look, Steven -"
"I'm just teasing. I should have known you've seen the show because of Mitz. I was just surprised that you didn't mention it."
"Didn't want to embarrass you." Brendan said and hoped Steven didn't hear the strain in his voice. Neither of them said anything after that, but thankfully it wasn't a long drive.
Steven let them in, and Brendan made sure the door was locked and all the security systems were on. Then they both stood awkwardly on the hall again before Steven nodded his head towards his bedroom.
"I'm just gonna go straight to bed, it's been a long day and all. You can still watch telly downstairs if you want though, or have a snack or something."
"I'm good. I think I'm going to get some sleep too." Steven wasn't only one who was exhausted. "Good night, Steven."
He watched Steven make his way to his room and once he had closed the door of his bedroom Brendan climbed up to second floor. He was too tired for that night cap, so instead he just brushed his teeth and went to the guest room. Brendan stripped off his shirt and jeans, changed into T-shirt and trackies again in case he had to get up quickly. He usually slept nude or in his boxers, and it had been a rare occasion last night for him to have anything on him when Steven called him middle of the night. In that panic he probably would't had stop to dress up and would have driven to Steven's place naked.
Brendan slid into bed and tried to find a comfortable position. It was hard to try and relax, when his thoughts were circling back to Steven, how small and vulnerable he had looked in the early hours of the morning, how confident when talking to his fans in the restaurant. His profile when he had stared right ahead in the car. How skinny he had looked on that black chef uniform. That ass when he had walked in front of Brendan. Those full lips, and that smile which seemed to light up the whole room when ever Brendan saw it.
He did his best to try and fight down his boner, not knowing that just few feet underneath him Steven was having the same kind of problems.