Present

POV Brendan

I stand there in shock watching Stephan as he brushes Declan's hair out of his face affectionately.

Why did I just do that?

"Get out Brendan," Stephan spits out without even looking at me.

"Stephan…" I will him to look at me. Please just look at me..

But he doesn't. His eyes are fixed on Declan. "Just get out…" He growls.

I need him to just understand why I did this. I'm protecting you, I had to do it, I love ye. But my words only come out sounding like shallow attempt to keep them apart. "But…I…I just…ye have to stay away from him Stephan, he's dangerous."

He finally looks at me with dead, cold eyes. "No Brendan…the only person who is dangerous here is you. I left because you were an abusive psycho and now I can see that nothing has changed."

He is wrong, I have changed, but I don't know how to control myself when it comes to protecting him. Doesn't he realize that this is all for him.

"Get the fuck out of my flat before I call the police." I know he means it. I have fucked up royally. This was not how things were supposed to go. I needed Stephan to stay away from Declan and now I just pushed them right back together. My eyes shift between the two of them. How am I going to talk my way out of this?

My eyes focus on Declan now. He looks so small and fragile. I almost feel sorry for what I have done until a small sinister smile comes across his face. Is he smiling…he's fucking smiling at me.

I realize now that he had anticipated my reaction. He knew that I couldn't control my rage when he said Stephan doesn't love me anymore. And now I have to sit here and watch Stephan comfort Declan.

I begin to weigh my options. I can just pick him up and run. I can drag Stephan out of this flat. I just need him alone. I need to explain the situation to him.

I take a step forward. He will forgive me. I'm protecting him.

Stephan looks up at me. His eyes tell me that if I take one more step forward I will regret it.

So I decide against it. I look at Declan who still has a smirk on his face as Stephan hugs him tighter. I will be back. Ye can count on that.

I take one last look at Stephan who looks back at me with revulsion and then I am out the door.

The cold air hits my face and I realize that it is well into the night. I head in the direction on my flat. I have to sleep eventually but first I have a call to make. If I can't reason with Stephan then I'm going to have to get rid of Declan.

I pull out my phone and dial the number, I realize that it is almost 4 in the morning but Declan needs to leave Hollyoaks NOW.

The phone rings and rings and rings but I am not hanging up. Finally she picks up. "Hello…"

"Eileen…"

"What…Brendan…what's wrong…did something happen?" she mumbles. She is obviously half asleep as I should be now.

"I'm sending Declan back to ye." I know I sound in a panic but between the alcohol and the lack of sleep, I can no longer have rational thoughts. My mind keeps flashing to Stephan who is alone in his flat with Declan. The same kid who brutally raped Ruby Button without a second thought. I have reason to panic.

I hear her shuffling. "Why Brendan…what time is it…what happened?"

I ignore her questions. I don't have time for them. "He can't stay here…do ye hear me Eileen. He can't stay here." I am aware that I am raising my voice but I need her to comprehend. Stephan is small, weak. He is too trusting. If Declan wanted to he could overpower him, force him to do things. He could hurt him.

I push back the thought that I am a complete hypocrite.

She is silent for a bit. I almost think she has fallen asleep until I hear her sigh, "…Brendan…he can't come back here."

I am confused now. Declan only came for a visit, she never told me that he was staying for good. "Why…?"

I can hear her breathing quicken. She seems scared to tell me. "Something happened." Wow Eileen…way to state the obvious.

"What…" I ask annoyed.

She is hesitating. "Something bad."

I yell now. "Dammit Eileen…spit it out." I realize that I should have a little more patience but that is not a luxury I have right now. As we speak, Stephan and Declan are probably consummating their relationship. After that, it will be harder for Stephan to see Declan for who he really is. The lad has always been kind of thick when it comes to love.

"He attacked me…" she says really quietly. I think she was hoping I wouldn't hear.

I am stunned. "Attacked ye…what do ye mean?."

"He hit me Brendan…and he didn't stop. I thought he was going to kill me. I've never seen that look in his eyes it terrified me. Brendan he can't come back, I have Paraic to think about."

"Why didn't ye tell me?" I say calmly. It is obvious that she is upset. I don't need to be an asshole on top of that.

She pauses. I suppose she is choosing her words carefully. "I was afraid of what ye would do to him…he's still our son." She however doesn't know what I know about him though. He may be my son but that doesn't mean I will let him hurt the people I love.

"I'll take care of it Eileen." I try to sound reassuring. I don't want her to have to worry. She is a good person and an even better mother.

"What are ye gonna do," she asks.

I'm gonna make him pay. "I don't know." I say honestly.

After I hang up with Eileen, I walk up the stares to my bedroom. Sleep is inevitable. I will need all my strength to deal with Declan.

When I wake, I will figure out my next move.

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