"Don't move."
Ste flinched as the dark Irishman gently cleaned away all the blood from his one-sided fight. After being rescued he was half-carried to Chez Chez the Irishman in question saying only that his sister owned the club and it would be empty. Before he had left Hollyoaks for the first time, he had remembered Cheryl saying she had a brother, but he never thought he would ever get the meet the guy. The infamous Brendan Brady.
He flinched again turning his head away. "Don't move." Brendan's words were a whisper as his fingertips cupped his jaw gently and turning his head back to eye level. "What's your name?"
Ste swallowed trying to ignore the strange warmth running from his chin and down his body. "Why? What's it got to do with you?"
Brendan leaned in his mouth close to Ste's ear he could practically feel the bristles of his mustache. "A wee bit defensive there, aren't we Stephen?" he gasped at the sound of his name, how was it even possible Brendan knew who he was. "Surprised? Well you're a household name around here Steven. And I bet you already know who I am. Am I right?" he nodded his head timidly as Brendan continued cleaning Ste's face. "Yeah, but I don't want know trouble."
"Have you done anything that might cause trouble with me Steven?" he shook his head quickly. "No, no I just don't know what you might've heard."
"I wouldn't worry about that Steven." He handed him a glass of whiskey and ice pack. "Put that on your face, will keep the swelling down." It seemed whatever Brendan said, Ste did automatically; it was like deep down he knew this man was someone who anyone would regret crossing. He instead averted his eyes and sipped at the whiskey. His eyes watered as the liquid burnt his mouth and throat. "Not much a drinker?" Brendan had taken the stool next to him, his dark eyes calculating and watching his every movement. "Err no, I um… better get back home. Amy will be worried." He stood up quickly. "Thanks for your help."
Ste practically ran back to the Flat partly because he was scared of who might be waiting for him, but mainly because he needed to get away from Brendan and the strange warmth that came to his body in his presence. "Ste! Where have you been? Oh God what happened to you?" she immediately touched his bruised face. "Someone jumped me, it's okay he's long gone." He sat down heavily. "Do you know who?" Amy sat near him; she took one of his hands and squeezed it reassuringly. "Bradley." Her sharp intake of breath told him she remembered him. "So he beat you up, how did you get away?" Ste bit his lip. "Brendan Brady saved me." Her eyes narrowed. "Oh Ste be careful that's one guy who you don't want to cross."
He smiled helplessly at least he had managed to get something right. "When did he get here?" she cleared her throat. "About a year or so but trust me Ste stay away from that guy. He causes more trouble than he's worth."
Even with Amy's warning Ste still went back the next morning to find Brendan. Why? He didn't really know but he knew he needed to thank him properly, maybe go out for a drink. He found Brendan at the Chez Chez reading a newspaper, a pen hanging out his mouth. "Steven, what brings you here?" He tongue felt like a paper weight before he forced some words out. "I-I just wanted to thank you for your help." Brendan nodded and turned his attention back to the newspaper. Ste stood awkwardly near the stairs not particularly sure of what to do. 'Is that everything?"
Ste moved from his spot near the stairs towards Brendan. "No, I was wondering if you have any jobs going."
A/N: Well that was a bit tricky to write dialogue wise.
I find I have to really think of how Ste would talk.
Doesn't really help cos I'm quite a formal writer!