Disclaimer: I do not own any HO characters. I apologise for the delay. But here it is! Just one more chapter left with an epilogue. Do expect fluff because I will only give them fluff. Fuck everything else.
I've been rewatching HO a lot and remembered how much I love Mitzeee so expect a lot more of my fav characters next chapter,
Unbeta'd.
Texas looked over at him and nodded whilst Leanne frowned.
"Wha? What is it?" Ste asked her practically ripping out his hair. He thought he looked good. It took him an hour to chose a decent shirt.
"S'just..." Leanne narrowed her eyes. Leah and Lucas were plating her hair behind. "You look really yellow." Ste felt panic rush through his head. "Like not even tanned. Just yellow." Texas hit her arm.
"Stop it." She hissed and Ste looked between them before something clicked in his head.
"Are you trying to throw me off 'cause of Doug?" He asked her in a accusatorial tone. Leanne shrugged but averted her eyes.
"Doug's a lot better than Brendan." She muttered. Leah pulled at her hair. "Ow!" Leanne shrieked.
"Sorry." The little girl didn't sound sorry in the slightest.
"So do I look alright?" Ste asked Texas who nodded with a smile.
"You look great. We'll see you tomorrow." She ushered him out of the flat. "Have fun." She whispered to stay out of Leanne's hearing before promptly slamming the door in his face.
Ste took a deep breath and started walking to the club. He got a text from Brendan earlier on that he still wanted to see Ste.
The Mancunian looked around nervously. He imagined everyone staring at him. Knowing where he was going. Knowing who he was going to see. Knowing what he was going to do. Knowing what he was going to do and who with.
It made him flinch a little every time he saw someone. He tried not to make any eye contact. And the walk to the club wasn't long.
He got in through the front entrance, the bouncer just waving him in. Surprisingly, the club was very busy for a Monday night. Lots of students around. Ste tried to ignore them and just went upstairs. The dancefloor and the bar full of imbecilic students either making out, grinding on each other or being loud and annoying.
He didn't see Brendan anywhere though. And that was the only person that mattered. He asked Jacqui where he was. She gave him an evil glare but pointed to the office door. Rhys sent him a wink to which both of them rolled their eyes.
He knocked on the door but it was too loud to hear a reply so he just walked in. Brendan was sitting from across a blonde man in his early twenties looking bored out of his mind but lit up when Ste walked in. He sat up in his seat, his eyes wide and aware with his mouth twitching slightly as if he wanted to smile but didn't want anyone to see.
"Kevin, piss off." His eyes on Ste who felt like Brendan was penetrating him with his piercing blue gaze.
"Uh, no?" Kevin turned back around from staring at Ste. "What am I supposed to do?"
"Your job." Brendan growled at him. "If Danny asks you to do him a favour again, you say no."
"I can't say no to Danny Houston." Ste closed the door and sat on the couch throwing his head back and staring at the ceiling.
"Danny is a reasonable man." There were scattered holes in the ceiling. He could feel Brendan's eyes on him.
"I have six stitches that prove otherwise." Kevin muttered. Ste felt a change in the atmosphere.
"He won't come near you, Kevin. I promise." Brendan sounded so serious Ste turned his head to the side curiously. The Irishman was staring at Kevin with a determination etched onto his face.
"Alright." Kevin said softly and stood up. "Thanks Brendan." He walked out, barely glancing at Ste. Brendan groaned and ran a hand over his face.
"M'sorry, Steven." He said and looked at the Mancunian who shrugged.
"S'alright. That's the downside of being in business with Danny Houston." Brendan's face darkened.
"I'm not in business with him. He's a mate."
"Ah."
"He's made some bad decisions."
"Mm." Ste didn't want to give any sort of response to Brendan when it came down to the subject of Danny Houston because he didn't really know what an appropriate response would be. Brendan cocked his head to the side and eyed him curiously. He got up and locked the office door, throwing the key in the direction of the desk. Ste tried not to smirk as Brendan stalked towards him. He stopped right in front of him. His knees pressed hard against the twenty one year old's. Ste's head still thrown back looking up at the Irishman.
"I didn't get to say hello." Brendan muttered and leaned over, hovering above an almost giddy Ste, his arms holding onto the couch on both sides of the Mancunian's head. He hesitated for a moment, looking to Ste's eyes almost as if asking permission and quickly flashing down Ste's mouth placing a small light kiss on the young man's lips. It was very light but it sent an electric jolt through Ste's body. Brendan pulled back, his eyes roaming over Ste's face looking for something to tell him to stop before kissing Ste lightly again.
The twenty one year old made an impatient noise and pulled the older man on top of him, startling Brendan who chuckled as he collapsed on top of Ste. Ste tried not to laugh as the man growled and rolled his hips into the young man.
Ste pulled back and grinned as Brendan's pupils were pitch black.
"Hello." Ste said happily at which the older man huffed a laugh and stood up again pulling Ste up with him.
"Clothes, Steven." Brendan growled as he started unbuttoning the yellow shirt. "This?" He held it up once Ste managed to get out of it. "Good for when crossing the street at night."
"Shut up." Ste shoved him playfully and grabbed at Brendan's red button down.
"Impatient are we? Thought we had all night." Brendan sounded amused.
"Too many buttons." Ste muttered not being able to get the shirt off. Brendan put his hands over Ste's and pushed them away unbuttoning the shirt himself. Ste loved the contrast between the two of them. His skin tanned to a golden brown whilst Brendan's was creamy white. His hands travelled over Brendan's shoulders as the man took his red shirt off. They came up to his neck which Ste had to lean in and start making marks on. It was like a blank canvas just for Ste's pleasure.
Brendan's hands came up to Ste's hips pulling them closer together.
"Brendan." Ste gasped out as he felt the older man's erection twitch against his own hard on.
"I want you so fucking much, Steven." Brendan groaned and pulled them together even closer than Ste knew it was possible. He felt like he was melting into the Irishman. "It's unfair you've made me wait so long." Ste smirked as he was working on another mark on Brendan's neck and Brendan unbuckled his belt.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Why is this door clo-Oh, hi Ste." Cheryl grinned widely as he tried to quickly put his shirt back on. He flushed and muttered a hello back whilst Brendan lazily readjusted his collar. His red shirt unbuttoned. The cross hanging freely in between the open space in front of Brendan's chest. His smugness evident in his eyes whilst his face was composed.
"Need something, sis?" He asked. His voice not revealing anything. Her grin widened as she took in the state her brother was in.
"The club's closing and I wanted to put the money in the safe." She was staring at the two with glee in her eyes. "You two need any more time?" Ste felt himself flush again. Brendan looked at him as if seriously considering the suggestion.
"Nah. Think we'll head back to ours." Brendan spoke to his sister but he was still eyeing Ste who realised he buttoned up his shirt the wrong way.
"Brilliant. Ste, you mind sticking around to help me close up?" He nodded in response. "Great. I'll get the money from the tills. Rhys! Get on home!" She screeched loudly as she closed the door back up making Brendan wince.
"You okay?" The Irishman threw the question into the air quietly. Ste finally happy with his buttons, turn to button up Brendan's shirt barely meeting his eyes. "Steven?"
"Just embarrassed, s'all." Ste muttered. He felt the older tense up under his fingers.
"About Cheryl?" Brendan's voice sounded strained just as much as his body. Ste nodded.
"Been a while since anyone's walked in on me." Brendan's body relaxed at that. "Bit dodgy." The older man didn't respond and just let Ste talk on. "I'm not used to this. Whenever someone walked in on me with anyone, it always turned into drama. And Cheryl just... She didn't care. You didn't care." Brendan pulled him close and kissed him lightly.
"I don't, Steven. As long as yer with me, I do not give a single fuck whether my sister walks in on us or whether that annoying ex of yours stares at us." Ste couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"That's...I've never had that." He confessed feeling a pang of hurt at his past partners. A same of shame always present. Even a slight. "Will you hold my hand in public if I ask you?"
"You really trust me to just hold your hand, Steven? I can barely control myself right now." Ste looked up to see Brendan smile at him with a lazy grin under his stache. "I don't particularly do hand holding. But for you I'll make an exception." Cheryl came back startling them both. Ste quickly finished buttoning up his red shirt for which Brendan thanked him in a long kiss. Cheryl cooed affectionately from the side as she opened up the safe.
"Fuck off, Chez." Brendan growled against Ste's mouth, biting on Ste's lower lip.
"That's so rude, love." She slammed the safe loudly. "Alright you two. Walking home now." Ste very reluctantly pulled away from Brendan and winked at the older man as he followed the Irishwoman out of the office. "I'm going to have to ask the cleaners tomorrow to sanitise that place." She mumbled to herself but loudly enough for Ste to hear. "How someone can have sex in a filthy place like that is beyond me comprehension."
"We weren't really focused on the filth, sis." Brendan said from behind Ste. His hand pressing against the twenty one year old's lower back with light pressure. Ste grinned at him as Cheryl rolled her eyes.
"Yer disgusting." She said as they passed by and she started locking up the door.
"Yer jealous." Brendan retorted nonchalantly
"Yer delusional, babe." She turned around to the two men and leaned in close to whisper in Ste's ear inconspicuously. "Careful, Ste. His ego will grow with every kind word you throw his way."
"Mm, good to know." Ste smiled innocently as Brendan glared between him and Cheryl.
"I don't have a big ego. I'm just flawless. Have you seen me?" Brendan said in all seriousness. Cheryl patted his cheek as she walked towards the stairs. Ste just smirked and refused to look at Brendan who was mumbling about how good looking he was.
The walk back was short and spend in silence. Cheryl lost in her own thoughts, Brendan hovering closely next to Ste. And the twenty one year old feeling nervous with each step closer back to the house. He spotted the curtain in his family's window moving lightly as the three of them walked past. He would probably get a ton of questions about it tomorrow from whoever was looking.
The place was dark with Nate sitting in front of the small TV in the kitchen which was connected to a small living room. The Englishman sat up immediately when they walked in and grinned at Cheryl.
"Thought I was going to have to send a police escort out for you." He said to her as she walked over and draped her arms over him.
"Aww, you're so sweet, babe." She said and kissed him softly. Ste averted his eyes uncomfortable, hiding behind Brendan's stiff body somewhat.
"Can you please stop being disgusting?" Brendan asked and turned around to face Ste. "You want anything, Steven?"
"Bye guys." Cheryl said as her and Nate walked up the stairs that were next to the kitchen. Brendan didn't even look in their direction. His eyes on Ste.
"We've got coffee. Or something stronger." Brendan leaned in close, his moustache lightly scratching at Ste's skin.
"Is this real?" Ste blurted out. Brendan pulled back slightly to look at him confused. "M'sorry. Didn't mean to ruin the moment. It's just...I don't believe I deserve-With everything-I'm not-And I can't believe that you're okay-" Brendan put a finger to his lips.
"Steven. Don't think about any of that right now. Please stop thinking. I want you spread out underneath me in my bed. That's what I care about." Ste couldn't help but gulp at that. The older man's pupils were fully dilated, darkening them already in the blackness. He was looking at the twenty one year old with such hunger and lust that Ste felt satisfactorily he was the cause of it.
"Where's your bed then?" He whispered breathlessly staring at Brendan's mouth that cornered up on the left into a side smirk.
"Good. Very good." He muttered an pressed his mouth against Ste's. His hands grabbing tightly onto Ste's short hairs.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Ste looked in the box and giggled.
"I think we've ran out." He told the man panting on the bed. Brendan was stretched out next to him as he stood up to dispose of the condoms. He found most of them flung carelessly around the room and put them in the empty box before throwing the box in the small bin. Brendan chuckled from the bed as Ste put his boxers back on.
"Isn't it a little bit late for modesty?" Ste rolled his eyes and dropped himself on the bed next to Brendan. The older man automatically putting his arm around him.
"S'not about that." He muttered glancing at Brendan's limp cock hanging out freely and proudly under the older man's stomach. "I just feel cold. Not everyone has extra fur to keep them warm like you, Bren." He joked trying to avoid talking about how insecure he felt in that moment. Brendan huffed and bit Ste's ear playfully but kicked the duvet up to cover them both. There was a flaw in Ste's deflection though. It was hot. Too hot. The night was well into a late hour but the warmth remaining from the daily sun and the sticky sweat from their numerous sessions of incredible sex gave a horrible sensation to Ste's skin. He put one leg above the covers giving him some balance in his body's temperature.
"Thought you were cold." Brendan stated.
"I am. But I'm hot as well." Ste explained. "What time is it?"
"Nearly four." Ste groaned and buried his face in Brendan's chest.
"I have to be up at seven."
"See, the benefit of my job is that I can sleep in as long as I like."
"I hate you." Ste sighed and let his head rest against Brendan's rib cage, hearing the man's heart beat in a slow, calming manner. "What's the protocol here now? Do I go? Do I stay? If I stay, do I have to sneak out in the morning? Or d'you want me to stay for breakfast?" Brendan sighed tired but moved his arm to hold Ste closer when the younger man started to pull away for fear of pushing him too much.
"Do you want to go?" He heard the vulnerability in the quiet question.
"No." Ste admitted just as quietly. "I want you. And I want us to be proper together. Not caring who thinks what. And sort of merge our families together too. But I don't think that's what you want."
"Your past relations are not me, Steven. So yer better stop assuming that." Brendan growled sounding annoyed. Ste looked to see him run a hand over his face. "I want you. I want this. I want an us. And I thought that we agreed that tonight was about that. It grates on me that you have to constantly question that." Ste remained silent as Brendan continued on. "There isn't a person on this planet that knows about what my father did except for you and me. I've been with a lot of...men and none have made me feel like you. None I've even considered being honest with. This thing between us...It's good. Isn't it?" Ste nodded. "Deccy will probably be still sleeping by the time you get up but Paddy will be up. Stay. For breakfast." Ste looked up to see Brendan staring firmly at the ceiling. It looked as if it pained him to say those words but he resolutely wanted to. "Stay for as long as you can, Steven. Because I'm going to fight for this. I'll even fight that Yankee. Even though it's not a contest because have you seen me?" Ste couldn't help but bark a donkey laugh at that that Brendan joined in on before kissing started back up again. But this time it was lazy and slow. Content.
And Ste's eyes began to droop shut. The last memory he had of that night was curling around Brendan who muttered sweet words into his ear.
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Bloody Mercedes." Cheryl moaned as Ste nearly choked on his toast at the sight of Brendan walking into the kitchen with only a towel.
"What's she done to ya now?" Brendan passed by Ste with a wink before focusing back on his sister.
"She breathed in me direction. D'you know how offensive that is?" Nate shook his head. He was dressed smartly for a change. "I'm sick of the bloody McQueens. They multiply by the second."
"Steven dated one of them." Brendan sat on the stool next to him as Ste glared at the Irishman. Cheryl gasped and stared at Ste with wide eyes.
"How you managed that, love?" Ste opened his mouth but Brendan quickly replied for him.
"He was young. Naive. Didn't know a good thing like me would come his way." Ste glared again.
"Actually, I'll have ya know that not all McQueens are that horrible. JP yeah. Mercedes most of the time. Lindsay's sort of friends with her so she can't be pure evil." Cheryl scoffed at that, thinking the opposite. "Jacqui is nice. When she's not beating you up. Theresa's lovely. Carmel's a bit dim but sweet. Michaela is psychotic. Amy was best friends with her." He muttered annoyed. "And the rest of the McQueens are all too drunk to matter." He finished his toast and stood up. "Right, I'm off. Gotta get to me Leah and Lucas." He hesitated for a few moments before kissing Brendan chastely. The older man was surprised at the gesture. Ste hurriedly made his way to the door but Brendan followed.
"I'm sorry." Ste mumbled. "That was-" His words were cut off as Brendan leaned forward and sucked onto his bottom lip. Ste grinned realising that the Irishman had a strange fascination with it. Brendan pulled back after a few minutes with a smirk.
"Thought you had to go." His smirk smug. Ste couldn't help himself and shoved him lightly. "How about on Wednesday we come over to yours? Me and the boys?" Ste blinked blindsided feeling something light and warm bubble in the pit of his stomach.
"Uh, yeah. That'd... That'd be nice. The kids would love it."
"How about you, Steven? Would you love it?" Brendan said huskily leaning back in.
"Depends." Ste replied his eyes fluttering to those pink, delicious lips.
"On what?" Brendan's hands came to rest at Ste's waist as his nose nudged the younger man's. Ste's hands started to play with the edge of his towel.
"If you can survive Leah."
"I think I can handle a six year old girl, Steven." Ste grinned. Brendan had no idea how evil his children could be.
"Sure." He finally closed the gap that has been teasing him mercilessly for the past few seconds. Each of their kisses always tasted different. The first one was like a delicious cake with the most incredible icing. The first one last night tasted like strawberries in sugar and cream. This one was like a minty sundae. When Ste woke up to Brendan's alarm clock, still curled up next to the man whose grip around him was deathly tight, he realised he didn't bring a tooth brush. When he pestered a sleeping Brendan about it, the man just waved him off and grumbled about it being too bloody early before turning around into his pillow giving Ste an eye full of his backside. So Ste just settled on using the toothpaste like mouthwash and grabbing a quick shower. His clothes stuck to him uncomfortably but this was the quickest way to dry. Plus, he did have to hurry. He pulled back from Brendan and grinned wickedly getting an idea forming in his head. Brendan looked at him confused then concerned. But before he could do or say anything, Ste tugged roughly on the towel landing it on the floor.
Three noises were heard at that. Cheryl's screech. Nate's 'I'm eating breakfast here!' and a groan from Declan who just came downstairs into the kitchen, covering his own eyes.
"Ugh. My da's butt is really not what I ever want to see." Brendan's cheeks coloured in embarrassment. "Ste. Control your urges!" Brendan quickly picked the towel back up and tied it around his waist glaring at Ste who batted his eyelashes innocently before opening the door and sending one last grin Brendan's way. He quickly rushed past when the Lomaxes door was opening. Not because he didn't want an inquisition from his family but because he needed to get to his kids quick.
He bumped into several people when he started running home. Luckily Texas was just finishing Leah's hair when he barged in. Leanne gave him a judgemental look from where she was washing the dishes. Lucas was sleeping standing up and leaning on the arm chair.
"Daddy!" Leah shouted happily. "Texas made my hair. I have two pony tails now. She's a good wife."
"Wha? Is she your wife now?" Ste asked confused as Texas smiled sweetly trying to wake Lucas up. "Yer just going through all me kids now, ain't ya?" He directed the question at the woman.
"I can't help it if they love me." She simply responded brushing through Lucas' hair. The little boy fell asleep standing in front of her.
"How were they, really?"
"Leah wanted to give me a makeover." Leanne chimed in. "She said my face was too ugly to attract anyone."
"Oh." Ste blinked. "Sorry?" He offered but Leanne rolled her eyes in displeasure clearly not satisfied with his lack of discipline over Leah. He looked down at the little girl who was pulling on her pig tails for fun. "Leah, don't tell people they're ugly." He said in his most stern voice but clearly it wasn't good enough because Texas snorted in covered up laughter.
"Okay, daddy." Leah answered in a tone which said that she would ignore her father's reprimand. Leanne coughed meaningfully in the background and Texas stood up.
"Alright. The kids are sorted. Everything is ready for them. We even worked on a special project for a little bit." Ste looked at her quizzically. "It's a surprise."
"Right. Well thanks so much for doing this." He found his wallet and pulled out three twenties which Texas shook her head at.
"Nope." She grabbed her bag. "I told you before and I'll tell you again. Save your money because I don't want it. I love Leah and Lucas. Spending time with them is really fun for me." Leanne rolled her eyes again standing in front of the door and tapping her foot impatiently.
"I feel dead guilty though." Ste tried to reason.
"I don't care. If you were straight, I'd try to marry you and adopt them." She smiled and waved at him before giving both Leah and Lucas a kiss and a hug.
"Come back soon!" Lucas shouted after her but because of his sleepy state it came out very slurred. Leah moved her head from side to side smacking herself in the face with the pig tails.
"Daddy. Why are you wearing the same clothes as yesterday?" She asked not stopping her movements. Ste looked down at his yellow shirt. He forgot he still hadn't changed clothes.
"Fu...Uhh...Flomp." He came out trying to stop himself from cursing. Leah and even sleepy Lucas looked at him curiously. "It's a word. That means I'm going to get changed. And brush me teeth. Quickly." He explained walking into his room and breathing with relief.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Doug had puppy eyes. They were honestly disturbing and stuck like glue to Ste. Who managed to ignore him as it was a busy day and Tony needed all hands on deck. Cindy even came in to help out with the waitressing. Lynsey finished her shift at the hospital early and started working early whilst Ste extended his by an hour giving Danny a quick text asking if he could watch the kids that long. Most of the time the restaurant did pretty well with not that many customers but during the holidays it often got this busy. Plus with the renovation of the restaurant there was a lot more space for more customers which on busy days like this were in full use. There even was a queue outside full of people waiting to get seated.
Tony got a couple of old tables from storage and set them outside as well but more and more people kept on coming.
"Hate days like these." Lynsey growled putting more chips in the deep fryer. "Constantly more and more orders."
"Aw, come on, Lyns." Ste said cheerfully. "This way the time passes quicker, innit." Lynsey paused for a moment, eyed him up and down, and smirked returning back to her task.
"Someone got laid last night." Both Doug and Ste cried out in paid when they registered what she said. Doug accidentally cut himself and Ste burned his hand as he missed a pan. "Please don't tell me it was the two of you? That would be horrible.".
"Thanks, Lynsey. I really fucking appreciate it." Doug snapped at her annoyed looking for a plaster in the first aid kit.
"Sorry, love. Just being honest." She didn't sound sorry. She sounded like she didn't care.
"Well knock it off." Ste jumped in feeling annoyed and got an icepack for his hand. "Let's just focus on our job and not on our personal lives."
"Ste." Kira popped her head in through the door. "Your kids, dad and Mr Brady are here. They're sitting at the same table. Just thought you should know." Ste felt his jaw drop as Lynsey snickered behind him and Doug swore.
"S'hard not to discuss a personal life when yours is just out the door." Lynsey said smugly. Ste put the made orders out trying to see the four people however he couldn't spot them over the small window. They probably had a booth. Danny was probably being overdramatic and overprotective with Tony hovering and ready to provide back up. But Leah and Lucas were the real worry. Lucas would probably try to climb on top of Brendan's head to eat his food whilst Leah stared at Brendan's moustache and attempted to pull it off a second later.
Ste made a small whine but he couldn't walk out of the kitchen when he had food to prepare. Doug hit his head on a shelf again before Ste's shift as finally over. They spent the rest of it in silence with Lynsey being smug throughout the entire hour. Finally when Ste's time was up, he breathed relieved and got out of the kitchen as quickly as possible but his phone rang pausing him in his steps.
"Hello?" He looked around the restaurant frantically spotting his family and Brendan in a corner.
"Ste. Don't freak out." Mitzeee's voice stopped him in his tracks. His eyes connected with Danny's. He was sitting on one side with Leah whilst Lucas was on the opposite standing next to Brendan on the bench. The Irishman holding his hands out to catch the little boy if he fell.
"What?" Ste asked feeling a sense of dread.
"I bought Amy a car." She said sounding proud. Ste let out an irritated sigh and started walking towards the four people. "Aren't I just the best wife in the universe?"
"No. The best wife in the universe wouldn't nearly do me off." He replied annoyed. She cackled on the other side.
"Maybe I have an agenda. Number one. Gimmeh the kids. I miss their beautiful voices. Yours is all Ste like."
"S'cause I am Ste, aren't I?" He picked Lucas up and sat next to Brendan with Lucas in his lap. The Irishman immediately put his arm at behind Ste. "Here." He passed the phone to Leah first. "D'you wanna talk to Mitzeee?" Leah beamed up and grabbed at the phone while Lucas played with Ste's hand.
"Auntie Anne!" Leah shouted happily into the phone making everyone at the table wince.
"Who's Mitzeee? Or auntie Anne?" Brendan asked Ste curious.
"Amy's wife. Her model name is Mitzeee. With three 'e's." He smiled at Brendan. "What are you doing here?" The older man shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just came in for lunch." Ste felt a smirk crawling up on his face. "Saw Daniel here waiting in that long line with the wee bits and decided to share my booth." He finished looking at Ste with a playful gliny in his eyes. The Mancunian looked at his father who shook his head.
"I've done nothing. Leela on the other hand is planning some grand invasion of privacy."
"Ah. Sisters." Brendan said.
"Tell me about it." Lucas muttered glaring at Leah who stuck her tongue out at him. Ste looked at Danny confused who shrugged.
"What's going on?" Ste turned Lucas to face him. "Did you two fight?"
"She wants to marry Texas." Lucas grumbled pouting.
"...There's this really nice lady, Auntie." Leah said loud enough for the three men to hear. "I think she's going to be my first wife."
"She's my wife first, Leah!" Lucas shouted.
"Lucas is being such a baby." Leah tried to roll her eyes.
"I'm not a baby!" Lucas tried to crawl over the table to get the phone but Ste pulled him back.
"Leah." Ste said firmly. "Stop it." She opened her mouth to say something but Mitzeee must have started speaking on the phone again because she went quiet.
"Okay." She looked down and passed the phone back to Ste. "Sorry, Lucas." Ste grabbed the phone. "Sorry you're such a baby." She said under her breath but everyone still heard and Lucas tried to crawl over the table again.
"Lucas, you want to talk to Mitzeee too?" Lucas grabbed the phone quickly.
"Auntie Anne, I am not a baby." He said straight away. Ste looked at Brendan who was trying to conceal a smirk but it was tugging upwards on the right.
"How come it's so busy today?" The Irishman asked.
"Happens during the holidays. Especially when it's a heat wave." Ste explained as Lucas climbed off his knees and moved to sit next to his sister putting the phone in between them where a faint singing was heard from. "Where are your boys at?" Brendan groaned stuffing his face with chips. Ste thought he'd never have seen a sexier sight.
"Nate took them to his mother's estate." The Irishman scrunched up his face annoyed. "Declan was so bored and driving everyone up the wall. Chez suggested they go somewhere out of the village." He inhaled more chips before he continued on. "Deccy is a good boy but making friends is not his strength. He doesn't have his old man's charm."
"Well, him and Peri have bonded a bit." Danny said sounding a bit defensive. "I suppose hanging out with someone younger though can be a bit embarrassing." Ste tried not to read into his father's words but Brendan's head cocked to the side.
"Ya know what they say, Daniel. Some people mature faster."
"I suppose." Danny said staring back unblinking.
"So where's the estate?" Ste asked breaking the tension. Brendan broke eye contact with his father to look at him with a different kind of intensity.
"Not sure, really. Whenever Nathan starts talking, I get this headache and need to stop listening to him." Ste coughed away his laughter. "Yer alright there, Steven? Maybe you need a lozenge?" Brendan was smirking again.
"Alright. Enough." Danny said. "Am I the only one who thinks you two are ridiculous?" Ste gave his father a blank look. "This man is way older than you. And he just came out to the world as gay. You barely dated in years. The two of you are not compatible." Ste thought about how different his biological father's reaction was to his substitute's. Tony was hovering and sending out worried glances their way but he encouraged a Ste and Brendan relationship.
"Dad." Ste spoke quietly briefly glazing over his children who were still on the phone and not paying attention. "This isn't any of your business." Danny shook his head.
"You're me son, Ste. I need to look out for ya." Brendan's hand moved from behind his shoulder to under the bench, squeezing his thigh in reassurance.
"I don't need anyone to look out for me. I'm a grown man with kids and a stable job, me." Ste tried to remain calm. "And this really isn't any of your business so please stay out of it."
"I agree." Brendan spoke. "It's admirable how much you love Steven and want to protect him but that's my job now." Ste felt a light sensation in his stomach. "I love my boys. I get it. Want to protect them at all cost. But I want to protect Steven too." The twenty one year old blushed at that.
"Me too." He said looking at where Brendan's hand was still on his thigh.
The rest of the lunch went by in silence between the three men.
With only Leah and Lucas talking.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Tuesday family dinner went by with Leela trying to drag Ste into a private conversation and him refuting every chance by calling on the kids.
Peri was annoyed with her biological mother acting like a teenager and distracted her at every chance she got. Ste promised himself to buy her something good for Christmas as a thank you. The rest of the family were focused on Tegan as her pregnancy was taking its toll on her.
"I remember when Amy was pregnant with the two. It was well bad." Ste said in between the desserts. "Got sick so often I was worried she'd throw up the baby."
"I was the same with both of you girls." Sam added. "Horrible sickness all around the clock. And the cravings. I wanted to munch on frog legs most of the time."
"Please stop talking about food." Tegan groaned looking a bit pale and everyone quickly changed the topic.
Ste got out of the house quickly before anyone had a chance to catch up to him practically running to the flat.
The next day he was at work worried about what he should make for the Brady Hay dinner. His small table wouldn't be able to cater to everyone. The kids could sit on the floor and then Brendan and Ste could sit at the table.
He groaned at the thought. It would be too date like. And Ste didn't want it to be a date. He wanted it to be a bonding exercise.
"Fuckin' hell." He muttered into the chicken fillet he was seasoning.
"What's up?" Doug asked. His voice strained. It was the first time since last week that Doug actually said more than one word to Ste.
"S'nothing." Ste shrugged. He didn't want to drag anyone into his emotional turmoil. Especially not a guy who had feelings for him.
"I know it's awkward..." Doug started carefully. "Between you and me...But...It doesn't mean I can't listen." Ste looked at him. He was wearing the most earnest expression on his face.
"It's about Brendan." Ste warned. Doug nodded but his face didn't flinch.
"Thought it was. Now come on. Tell me what's making you glare at the chicken so much." Ste thought about his options for the moment.
"Alright." Doug took a deep breath waiting with anticipation. "Brendan's coming for dinner. With his kids. And I don't have any place for them to sit in me flat. And I don't know what to make either." He turned back to his chicken. "This is dumb. I'm dumb."
"You're not dumb, Ste. Don't put yourself down." Doug stood next to him. "Listen. Anything you make, I'm sure everyone will love it."
"I know. Just don't know what they will love." He murmured. "Mitzeee always said me chilli was the best. Could make that."
"What's brought Mitzeee up?" Doug went back to his work station.
"I dunno. She rang yesterday and I've just been thinkin' a bit, 'aven't I?" Ste shrugged again. "She makes me Amy happy. I want that. For meself." He said realising in the moment how true his words are. "And I think that maybe I can have that. With him. Maybe..." Ste let himself smile a little. "Maybe we could even be a proper family one day." He said in a small voice feeling for the first time in a while hopeful again.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"So." Declan said. He was sitting next to Ste on the couch. "Are you two like a proper couple now?" Ste looked at Brendan with wide eyes. "Are ya gonna be my new daddy?" The teenager smiled wickedly at the twenty one year old. "Bit young though, ain't ya? But da's always liked them young."
"Declan." Brendan warned. He was sitting on the floor playing cards with Lucas and Paddy, Leah playing with her dolls next to him.
"Wha? I'm just telling the truth. You married ma when youse was just two years older than I am now. I was at the wedding, yah know." Declan bragged to Ste. "Ma could barely stand 'cause I was two seconds away from popping outta her."
"He loves telling that story." Brendan muttered not looking in his direction.
"Well, duh. I was at me parents wedding. Not many people are as cool as me."
"We were at Mummy's and Auntie Anne's wedding." Leah said. "So was Phoenix."
"Who's Phoenix?" Declan asked her.
"Our little brother. Auntie Anne had him in her belly so he's not blood like Lucas but he's family." She spoke in a patronizing tone and sighed as if she was too good for that conversation. "Family doesn't need to be blood."
"It doesn't?" Paddy asked amazed as the little girl shook her head.
"Mm mm. Daddy isn't my blood but he's my daddy." She told the Irish boy. "He's the best daddy in the world." She looked at Brendan and Ste sat up worried. Leah had come into the habit of putting on a dangerous face when she was ready to battle with adults. Brendan didn't even notice, continued on playing the cards. "Brendan. Can I call you daddy Brendan?" The older man's cards flew into the air. Declan snickered besides Ste burying his head in the twenty one year old's shoulder.
"Leah. Stop." Ste tried to warn her. She batted her eyes at her father innocently but Ste wasn't fooled.
"I like daddy Brendan a lot more than daddy JP." She scrunched up her face in disgust and leaned in close to Brendan whispering as if she was telling him a secret but everyone in the room could hear her loud and clear. "I don't remember much but he was dumb. Are you dumb, daddy Brendan?"
"Steven, you wanna help me out here?" Brendan asked, his eyes locked in by Leah's. Ste grinned to himself as Declan's snickers turned into muted laughter. Lucas stared at Brendan with his mouth open as Paddy was grabbing all the cards for himself.
"You're the one who said you can handle me six year old. I warned ya she'd give you cheek." Brendan visibly swallowed before answering Leah who was still expecting an answer.
"I don't think I'm dumb?" Leah grinned at him widely.
"Can you and my daddy get married then? I want to wear a pretty white dress and throw flowers at people."
"Leah, sweetheart. I think it's a bit-." Brendan's speech was interrupted by the little girl grabbing his face into her small hands, similarly to how she handled Ste's face on Saturday.
"I. Want. A. Pretty. White. Dress." She growled out every single word. Ste blinked at how serious she seemed. "Okay, daddy Brendan?" Brendan remained quiet for a moment, everyone waiting with anticipation for his answer.
"Alright." Brendan sighed and shook his head. "You'll get a pretty white dress." Ste muffled his laughter as Leah stood up and dusted the imaginary dust of her dress.
"Of course I will. I'm Leah Barnes. I can do anything." She smiled and took her dolls into her room leaving the five males gaping after her. Declan burst out laughing immediately, Lucas and Paddy following and Brendan turned to look at Ste with an incredulous expression. He smiled at the older man.
"That is all Mitzeee."
"I've dealt with thugs. Me pals are of the dodgy kind. No one has played me like that before." He sounded disbelieving as well. Ste shrugged still smiling.
"Welcome to me life." He got up to put the kettle on as Declan fell on his seat weeping tears from laughing so hard. Lucas and Paddy climbed on top of him and pretended he was a bench which resulted in more laughter. Ste felt happy. He looked himself over in the window. He looked happy as well. Brendan came up and stood beside him facing the kids as Ste did a bit of washing up waiting for the water to boil.
"Sorry about Leah. She's a bit of a nutter."
"Nah. Little bit just loves ya." Ste looked to the side and saw Brendan was a lot closer than he previously imagined. "Can't blame her." Brendan's voice lowered as his eyes travelled to Ste's lips and darkened. "Yer a good looking lad. I mean..." Brendan smirked leaning in closer. "Yer a good lad." Ste glanced at the living room. The kids were completely occupied with themselves. He looked back at Brendan who was staring at him defiantly as if challenging Ste to make the first move. Now the younger man wasn't about to refuse himself the pleasure of the Irish charm.
He grabbed Brendan's neck and pulled him in close smashing their mouths together. Brendan's hands quickly came up into his hair and the older man grunted at the sweet sensation that was Ste's lips on his. The younger man slipped his tongue into Brendan's mouth sending a jolt of electricity down his body as both of their pink flesh touched and he couldn't help himself but let out a small whine. They broke apart when someone screamed to see Leah closing her eyes and running to hide behind Declan. The two men looked at each other confused and went back into the living room.
"They were eating each other's faces! It was worse than when mummy and Auntie Anne kiss!" Leah yelled still hiding behind Declan. Lucas and Paddy gaped at their fathers in shock whilst Declan looked disgusted and shook his head.
"You two are going to hell." He said and both of the men blushed in embarrassment as their children judged them. "To suck face in front of impressionable, young children. Disgusting. I think you need to go into a naughty corner and think about what you've done."
"You know wha'?" Ste grinned at Brendan. "I think 'e's right." He pushed Brendan, who chuckled at him, towards the bedroom as Declan groaned and Leah started sobbing about how gross her daddies were. Ste just rolled his eyes and allowed Brendan to push him down on the bed before climbing on top of him and attacking his mouth with his own flesh.
Special thank you to my beautiful audience esp NickyM1 and Samia Like I said, expect fluff and happiness. Next chapter will be up hopefully next week. I kind of don't want to finish this fic but I know I need to otherwise it will be just left unfinished forever and I don't want to do that. I want Stendan to have a happy ending. Even if it is just in my head. Love you all.