Chapter Eight

There's a dark room. The curtains are closed and the barest hint of sunlight shines through, casting an odd glow on the centre of the bed. There are two bodies, entwined on the bedspread. One is smaller, skinnier. His blonde hair is mussed, entangled in the taller man's strong, capable hands. He has a tattoo on his hip that Walker likes to bite.

He is beneath him, his legs spread, his smooth, silky skin tantalising beneath Walker's fingertips. He is his. He wants him. He swipes his tongue across his bottom lip and then buries his face in his neck, kissing and sucking the soft flesh there. Ste's hips buck up towards him, his eyes rolling back in pleasure. He grips Walker's waist as he drives into him and the sensation is tight all around, heady and sweet.

Ste's skin tastes salty and Walker wants to lick every inch of him. His groans are soft and yet intoxicating and Walker almost wants to tease him to draw out more promises.

"I'm yours, Simon" he says and somewhere, deep inside, Walker feels it.

Walker cannot tease however, not when the boy is willing and hot underneath him and completely at his mercy. He feels the fantasy fraying around the edges and he tightens his hold on Ste, not wanting it to end. Knowing that it must. Knowing that he will be here soon and that will be it.

And then Walker is on the outside and Brendan is where he should be, Ste's legs are wrapped around his torso and he groans even louder for him, promises more.

"I love you, I'll always love you"

Walker feels himself choking and he collapses on the floor, clawing at his throat. Somewhere consciousness begins to tear at him and he finds himself where he is, in Amy's bed where Ste put him, and Brendan's hands are around his throat.

"Brendan!" Ste screamed, clad only in a white t-shirt and boxers. "Let go of him!"

And Brendan does, automatically. He looks at Ste and his eyes are wild but they calm in his presence. Walker watches in awe as he wilts, relaxes. He wants to call him weak but he knows that he isn't; he's strong, and Ste will always choose him.

"Why is he here?" Brendan asked, his voice very strained.

"I offered him a place to stay for the night" Ste replied, taking Brendan's hand and pulling him away. Ste is looking at him in concern. "Are you alright, Simon?"

"I've had worse" Walker sits up, rubbing at his throat.

"I'll give you a minute to uh…" Ste blushes then, noticing that Walker is naked with only a sheet covering his modesty. After his dream, his erection is very prominent. Brendan's eyes fall on it and his face twists and Walker suddenly thinks he's going to kill him but then Ste tugs on his wrist and he's gone.

Xxx

"Stephen" Brendan is on him immediately, holding his face tenderly in his hands. "Tell me what's going on"

"It's what I said in there, I let him stay"

"Why? Ye promised me"

He wasn't angry, and Ste was glad for that. "I know, I'm sorry. Just he seemed so lonely-"

"He's playing with ye, Stephen" Brendan's eyes were seeking his out, wanting to hold his gaze. Ste squirmed a little, feeling self conscious.

"Bren-"

Walker emerged from his room then in only his boxers. He glanced at them and then proceeded to the bathroom. Ste heard the shower being turned on and he felt Brendan stiffen.

"I need him out of here" his voice was a low growl.

"I made him breakfast" Ste said, and then immediately wished he hadn't.

Brendan pulled back, biting his fingernail in agitation. "I'm going to wait, over there, I'm not leaving until he does"

"You're being stupid" Ste sighed. "He's no threat to you!"

"I'll be the judge of that" Brendan murmured, taking a seat on the sofa and crossing his arms.

Ste rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Help yourself to the food, I'm going to get dressed"

Brendan almost followed him but apparently his pride was more important than watching Ste undress.

Ste threw on a white polo and some tracksuit bottoms. He combed his fingers through his hair, needing to go into the bathroom for his gel. He did so absentmindedly, forgetting he had a guest.

"Ah! Simon!" Ste screwed his eyes shut but it was too late.

"Don't be shy, Ste. It's your bathroom"

Ste felt him step out of the bathtub and brush past him, his body hot and wet. Ste opened his eyes to reach for a towel. He caught a flash of Walker's toned buttocks as he turned his back to him. He couldn't get the image of his groin from his mind, the small cluster of blonde hairs there, how his cock was soft and yet still elongated from his earlier erection. Ste idly wondered if he'd got himself off in the shower, and blushed at the thought of it.

"Stephen?" Brendan was knocking on the door and Ste groaned, closing his eyes.

"He's clothed. I came to get my hair gel"

He heard Brendan pacing outside the door. Ste leaned past Walker to get his gel while he towelled his hair dry. Walker quirked an eyebrow at him and Ste rolled his eyes, stepping out the door and falling into Brendan's arms.

"You're incredible, you know that?" Ste said haughtily, straightening himself.

"Why thank ye, Stephen" Brendan grinned at him unashamedly. "There's no food left for Walker, I ate everything"

"What?" Ste rolled his eyes in exasperation. "He's my guest you know"

"I don't care" Brendan walked back to the living room. "If he stays, I stay"

"Fine, be that way" Ste huffed, throwing two slices of bread in the toaster. It wasn't long before he felt Brendan's arms encircle his waist, his lips finding that sensitive spot on his neck. "I thought you were supposed to be giving me space?"

"I did, for a night" Brendan murmured. "If I'd have known who ye had here though-"

"Nothing happened, Brendan. I let him sleep in Amy's room, that's all. Then you showed up and kicked off"

"Can ye blame me?"

Ste turned in Brendan's arms, looking up at him. "I guess not. But it's supposed to be different now"

"I know" Brendan pressed their foreheads together. "It won't happen again, promise"

Ste smiled a little. "Maybe you should apologise to Walker for trying to strangle him"

"Hey, let's not push it" Brendan smirked before tilting Ste's chin up and pressing his lips against his. Ste could already feel him harden against his leg and he chuckled into the kiss.

"Walker's still here"

"Get rid of him then" Brendan kissed down his neck.

"Can I at least have breakfast first?" Walker was fully dressed now and didn't look entirely impressed.

The toast popped up at that moment, burnt to a crisp. Ste rubbed his hands over his face in agitation. "That was the last of my bread, that! I'll have to go to the shops"

"Stephen-"

"Do you wanna go?" Ste raised his eyebrows and watched as Brendan pursed his lips together.

"Don't be long" he said, releasing him.

Xxx

Brendan sat on the edge of the sofa, watching Walker carefully.

"What's yer game, Walker?"

"I'm quite into poker" Walker said languidly.

"I meant with Stephen"

"Oh" Walker smiled. "I enjoy the chase, that's all"

"Ye won't get far"

"You think?"

"Do ye even want him, or is this about me?" Brendan asked abruptly.

Walker laughed. "Think a lot of yourself don't you?"

"Answer the question"

Walker pondered this. "I don't know really. I don't know what I want. I just, what's the saying? 'Go with the flow'"

"Enough of the mind games, Walker. I want ye gone"

"That isn't really up to you"

"I asked ye here and now I'm asking ye to leave"

"You aren't asking, you're telling" Walker pointed out.

"What difference does it make?" Brendan stood up, pushing their faces close together. "Ye don't mess with what belongs to me"

"I don't think Ste would like you talking about him like he's a possession" Walker said quietly.

"That isn't yer business" Brendan replied, stepping back.

"I'm not going anywhere until Ste tells me to" Walker said calmly. "And I think you're on thin ice, my friend. Two acts of violence in the space of twenty four hours… honestly"

Brendan bared his teeth. "I'm warning ye, Walker…"

"What? You want to be the bad guy in this? Tell Ste I can't stick around, that you don't trust him to be alone with me? That's a great start to your relationship"

"Ye think I'm going to let ye stay here, with him? No fucking chance"

Walker shrugged. "I think we should leave it up to Ste"

"Fine" Brendan snapped. "Whatever ye say"

"I'm back!" Stephen came bustling through the door, Price Slice bag clutched in his hand.

"That was quick" Walker arched an eyebrow.

"Well it's early, no one's about" Stephen deposited the shopping onto the kitchen counter. "You know, it's proper nice to have more than myself to cook for. I didn't have to get meals for one for a change" Stephen grinned happily.

Brendan felt a twinge in the bottom of his stomach. He glanced at Walker, who grinned smoothly back at him.

"Stephen" Brendan began carefully. "Ye know ye can come stay with me and Cheryl"

"Oh I know" Stephen turned, butter in hand. "But this still feels like home, you know? It reminds me of the kids. I know that's stupid but…"

"It's not stupid at all, Ste" Walker said, looking almost sincere.

Brendan sighed. "I can stay a few days"

"You hate the bed here" Stephen laughed.

"I'll buy us a new one then"

Stephen smiled at him incredulously. "There's no need, Brendan. Simon needs to lie low for a few days, I have the room. What's the problem?"

Brendan very much wanted to tell him what the problem was but he could feel Walker's gaze burning into him and see Stephen's hopeful smile.

"Ye want him to stay?" He asked with great difficulty.

"Till he gets back on his feet, yeah"

Brendan looked to the ceiling, debating with himself. "Alright" he said slowly. "But I still think I should stay too"

"You can't leave Cheryl all alone in that house, Bren" Stephen pointed out. "Joel's never around and it isn't easy for her you know"

Brendan rubbed at his temple. "Ye trying to get rid of me?"

"Of course not! Just, you have nothing to worry about"

Brendan didn't like this one bit but he'd backed himself into a corner now. He'd have to find a way to keep an eye on things without Stephen realising.

"Fine. He can stay"

Stephen smiled brightly, a little too brightly for Brendan's liking. Then his phone rang.

"Doug!" Stephen said excitedly. "I'll be there soon, calm down"

Brendan and Walker glanced at each other, stony faced. At least there was one thing they could agree on.

"Right, I have to get to work, me" Stephen put Walker's toast on the table. "I'll see you later"

Brendan followed him to the door, lowering his voice.

"I'll come by tonight, yeah?"

Stephen gave him an amused look. "If you want to, sure"

"Stephen-"

"Bren, I really have to go"

Brendan pulled him towards him, kissing him hard on the mouth. When he pulled away Stephen was breathless and had a dazed look on his face. Good, let him think on that for the rest of the day.

He turned back to Walker when Stephen was out the door.

"Don't think that ye have won. It's still me he wants"

"For now" Walker smiled.

Brendan breathed out through his nose, gesturing that he was about to say something else but instead he walked through the door, slamming it behind him.