A/N: This chapter was so much easier to write, I got it finished on Thursday, which is good because I've taken on a buttload of overtime. Still waited to post it though. I'm enjoying writing this a lot more now, I think I had a bit of block but I'm glad I persisted and I hope you guys enjoy. Thanks again for all the wonderful support you've been giving me :)

x

Ste hesitated in the doorway of Brendan's bedroom, expression nervous as he watched Brendan sat on the bed facing the wall, fingers drumming out a panicked Morse code against his thigh whilst his knee bounced a mile a minute. Seeing Brendan like that hurt, he was so rattled by one little phone call and Ste really felt for him, he knew that feeling too well; just knowing Terry was home could ruin Ste's day, even if nothing came of it, he'd be on edge and twitchy, which always made him a smart mouth, which always got him hit. He let out a quiet sigh and stepped into the room, Brendan didn't even turn his head, not even when Ste began to speak,

"I think I was like… five or somethin', I still had them barrier things on the sides of me bed…" he laughed nervously, "I woke up cause I heard me mam cry out, so I climbed out of bed an' went downstairs…" Ste trailed off, trying to see if Brendan was listening. He hadn't turned his head to acknowledge Ste but his fingers had gone from tapping his thighs to curling tightly in the fabric of his trousers, digging into the meat of his thigh. "He'd smacked her so hard she was bleedin'," he swallowed as his voice gave a pathetic little wobble, "so I cried, cause I knew that she was hurt… and Terry told me to shut up, but I couldn't, cause I was a kid an' I was cryin', so he gave me a smack, a normal one, on the bum, like parents used to do without it bein' called child abuse, but that made me cry harder," he wasn't even looking at Brendan now, lost in a memory that had him hugging himself protectively, wishing he could think about anything else, "What he did… It was the first time I'd had to go to the hospital, mum said I'd fallen down the stairs… that that's how I broke my arm… where the bruise on my face had come from too," he said distantly, looking up and feeling like he'd just remembered who he was talking to, Brendan had moved, head turned to the side, watching him through the corner of his eye.

"I was eight the first time it happened…" Brendan confided, and Ste made to move closer but Brendan turned away and Ste noticed the shiver of a flinch and stopped, waiting, "Lyin' in that bed… in the dark… There are two sounds I can remember…" he started, "my mum comin' up the stairs… and then him… him comin' up the stairs…" Ste frowned then, this didn't sound right at all, "Funny thing is… when he came up I used to feel safe… then… overnight…" Ste almost missed his whispered "not so safe anymore…" he could feel his blood running cold, he hadn't expected this. Brendan looked so horridly vulnerable, hunched over and unable to quite look at Ste, "sometimes I'd pretend to be asleep… Didn't make a difference… just meant he didn't have t' talk to me…" Ste didn't know what to do, it was clear Brendan wouldn't want him close right then, that he was too consumed by the memory to take physical contact as anything but a trigger. "I'd just close my eyes you know… do my eight times tables…" Ste couldn't stand uselessly in the doorway any longer, tracing the edge of the room with a hand as he found the far corner and slumped down against it, hugging his knees to his chest and watching Brendan, he just wanted to be in Brendan's line of sight, as some kind of comfort if it worked. The whole while Brendan muttered his eight times table and it was like hearing a ghost whispering in a long hallway, distant and cold enough to send a shiver down Ste's spine, the breath he sucked in when he stopped seemed to ground him and he opened his eyes, not quite looking at Ste, "I was top dog at my eight times table…" his expression became almost childlike, a broken little smile, he looked like he could cry, "Got a gold star…" he glanced over at Ste with an unsure smile before his expression sobered and darkened again, "got me a gold star…" he uttered quieter this time, falling silent and clasping his hands together, letting it all sink in for the teenager.

Ste was honestly at a loss for words, he didn't think Brendan would open up to him at all about his abuse, he certainly wasn't expecting to find out it was worse than anything he could have conjured up. But it sort of made sense to him, Brendan's father was a child molester, sexually abused his own son, Brendan, and Ste had no doubts in his mind that his old man knocked him about a bit too, like it was Brendan's fault that he got these disgusting urges.

The realisation he had then was dizzying and he hated himself for not thinking it sooner, "Bren…" Ste let out, he hadn't been sure how to respond to Brendan's admission until now, because he didn't want to sound like he felt sorry for Brendan, he wanted Brendan to know he understood, even if what they went through wasn't the same.

"Steven…" Brendan sounded hollow, like all the life had been sapped from him by that memory, and that crushed Ste,

"You… you're nothin' like him… aright?" Brendan looked at him, shocked, "me an' you… it's… it's nothin' like what he did… you're not like him at all…" he assured, thinking back to how scared Brendan had been when what he'd done to Ste had sunk in, sure, Brendan had hit him, but Ste felt almost positive at this point that Brendan would do his best to ensure that he never did that to him again, and he had to assure Brendan that everything between them was consensual, that Brendan wasn't molesting him or abusing him the way Brendan's dad had done to him.

"Steven," Brenan let out as a whisper, he seemed so shocked that Ste would say that to him, like he'd never expected to hear it,

"You're not, you're nothin' like him, he's sick, an' he's a bully," he had definitely heard right in that phone call, Brendan's father had called him Brenda, trying to humiliate and probably manipulate him, "you're better than him… he knows what he did… and… and I'm glad he's dyin'," he let out, voice shaky but his expression was dark and he hoped to hell the old man suffered before he finally kicked the bucket. "Don't go to Ireland…" he let out after, he wasn't sure if it was selfish or if he was trying to be protective, but the thought of Brendan going to Ireland for that man, he couldn't deal with that, "Please don't go…" he rubbed at his face, trying to hide the fact that tears were threatening to fall, but Brendan had seen.

"Don't cry Steven… I'm not goin'," he looked up and Brendan was giving him a sad smile, "I'm not," he repeated, "I'm stayin' here…" he exhaled slowly and shook his head, "with you…" he added nervously, not quite looking at Ste but half-reaching to him, inviting him to come close. Ste was on his feet like a shot, sitting heavily next to Brendan and forcing his way under the man's arm, clinging to him and being pulled into a tight, desperate hug a moment later.

That hug was the start of a defining fall down a slippery slope for Ste, he'd not realised it at the time, but as the weeks went by, things shifted and changed between them, and as he did his best to openly prove to Brendan that he was a good man and that their relationship wasn't forced, he slowly started to realise that what they had was a relationship. It hit him square in the chest when he and Brendan were leaning over the dining table to meet in a kiss, he sat back down with a stupid little smile on his face, it was a weird thing to consider, but for all intents and purposes, he and Brendan were in a relationship, or at the very least dating. They shared a bed most nights, cuddled up on the couch to watch movies or TV shows, shared takeout, talked about work and school, touched each other even when they didn't need to, the only thing they weren't was open about it. They couldn't be really, Ste didn't think Declan would be too mad about it, but Brendan didn't want anyone to know they were seeing each other, terrified of the judgement of others, potentially because it could get back to Seamus, Brendan's dad, or that's what Ste figured it was, Brendan never expressly stated why they were hiding it from Declan, possibly the only person who would understand.

"As much as I'd love to celebrate you finishin' the last of these," Brendan gestured to the papers on the table, "I do have work to get ready for," he admitted apologetically, Ste's dopey smile wasn't deterred though, the teen just offered a shrug and began putting his things away, he was done with his assignments and hadn't been given any homework from his other classes for once.

He was slotting the shiny new plastic wallets Brendan had bought him to keep his assignments separate into his bag when Brendan held him from behind, hands resting on his hips as he pressed a quick kiss to Ste's neck.

"Aright," Ste chuckled,

"You don't seem too sad about me goin'," Brendan grumbled against his skin, clearly put out by Ste's lack of reaction to his departure,

"What did y'want me to say? Don't go to work? I need to get fucked?" Ste asked, continuing to put his things away,

"You bein' funny with me Steven?" Brendan asked suspiciously,

"What like sarky or funny?" Ste asked, there was nothing wrong between them, he didn't think he was acting cold or anything, and to prove a point he turned around and pushed against Brendan, "Wake me up when you get home yeah? Show you how not funny I'm bein'," he gave a wicked little smirk as he said it, one he knew got Brendan's bright eyes darkening with lust.

"One of these days I've got to bring you to the club…" he growled against Ste's mouth as he closed the gap between them and they kissed, open mouthed and noisy, they always sounded so feral,

"Hmmm?" Ste let out when they slowed, looking lazily up at Brendan, his smile had gone dopey again and he knew it,

"Got a nice glass desk in the office I reckon'd support your weight a treat," he curved his hands around Ste's backside and the teen let out a soft gasp.

"Brendan," he smiled, he was half tempted to suggest they try it out, but he knew Brendan wouldn't do it, for one he couldn't have a sixteen year old at the club, even before the night rolled in properly, and two, it was too risky, too public, and someone would notice the manager taking a teenager into the office for however long and the pair of them leaving dishevelled. "I wish…" he sighed,

"Maybe when you're older…" Brendan trailed off, clearly he'd noticed how it sounded like a father-son interaction, rather than what it actually was. It had happened a few times and made things a bit awkward, but Ste usually pushed past it and coaxed Brendan back into their normal routine, which he did now, leaning up and kissing him softly.

"I'll hold ya to that," he smirked, "you sure you can't stop a bit longer?" he asked, looking hopeful as he bit his lip suggestively, Brendan gave an irate growl and kissed him,

"Would that I could Steven, but we've got new staff on," he looked disgusted at the prospect of new staff at the bar, it was kind of funny,

"Ah fine…" he sighed, "Oh can you take this one with you?" he asked, easing from Brendan's arms and pulling his final assignment out, holding it out to Brendan,

"Red pen?" Brendan asked, looking at the title of the essay,

"Red pen," Ste agreed, Brendan hadn't looked over this one yet, he was going to ask about it tomorrow but he figured Brendan might get a chance during a lull at work, he usually did, which he appreciated more than Brendan knew.

"Sure… sure I can do that…" he folded the papers and tucked them under his arm, "Gotta go get ready, see you later, don't wait up, you've got school," he cupped Ste's cheek and drew him into a quick kiss, Ste grinned when he left, besotted with the sheer domesticity of that little kiss.

Ste awoke in the early hours of the morning to the bed dipping, rolling onto his back and smiling when he saw Brendan lying beside him, propped up on an elbow and looking at him quizzically,

"Heya," he sighed sleepily, expecting Brendan to lean down and kiss him like he always did,

"Steven," he greeted, voice low and rough and far too sexy for Ste to process, "I think you might have dyslexia," he nodded surely, and Ste frowned at him for an awkward few seconds before cracking a really shitty joke,

"If I do, I caught it offa you," he prodded,

"What? No, Steven I—" he looked so confused, Ste felt a bit bad,

"I know what dyslexia is Bren… but you gotta admit, sounds like it could be a sex thing," he explained with a huff, "I appreciate you tryin' to find a reason I'm thick but…"

"You're not thick Steven," Brendan growled, not keen on the self-deprecation.

"I know, I just can't spell, or read, or… oh…" he stopped then, looking at the ceiling and frowning, jaw slack as he mulled that over, Brendan's chuckle brought him back though, "Wot?" he snapped,

"Your face," Brendan smiled,

"What about it?" he scowled,

"Beautiful, of course," Brendan was being sarcastic, but his voice was fond and he leant and kissed Ste lightly, the two slipping easily into gentle kissing; Ste turned fully to Brendan and eased against him, smoothing his hands over the dark hair on Brendan's chest and smiling as they parted. "So,"

"So… dyslexia? You think?"

"They seriously should've picked it up when you were in school," Brendan grumbled, sounding irate,

"They wrote me off…" Ste shrugged, "bad kid, bad grades, lost cause," he prattled off the list of things he'd been called at parent-teacher conferences his parents had very rarely managed to attend, usually he was sent alone, where they'd just berate him for not letting his parents know about the event. With each word Brendan's expression grew darker,

"They're fucking idiots… they were when I was in school too…" he grumbled,

"And look at you now," Ste said wistfully,

"Yeah, fuckin' a child who is far too much like I was…" Brendan huffed,
"And runnin' a club, successful business that is, fuck em," Ste grinned when Brendan nodded even if it was sort of dismissive,

"Rather fuck you," Brendan smirked, Ste felt a little bad about not really being in the mood anymore, but he cuddled close to Brendan,
"Can we just talk a bit instead?" he asked, he was a bit worried about this dyslexia thing, it would explain a whole lot, but it was still a scary thing to consider,

"Christ Steven, I fuck men because they don't talk in bed," Brendan sighed melodramatically,

"Well go fuck men then," he huffed, punching Brendan lightly, "Just remember who you like fuckin' better,"

"Mh… I'm good here…" Brendan hummed, wrapping his arms around Ste, "Go on, talk," he urged,

"Promise you won't fall asleep on me," Ste poked at him as he said it,

"No promises, talk," he grunted, nosing against Ste's cheek before rolling onto his back and pulling Ste against his side. Ste curled against him habitually, resting his cheek on Brendan's chest and sighing,

"What does it mean? What happens now?" he asked, voice shaking a little,

"You get it confirmed I guess… the school should… there's this girl at work, saw me goin' over that last essay of yours…" he explained, "she suggested it, she says the school should provide someone to help you read or somethin'," he frowned as he said it, "they sit your exams with you too,"

"Ain't that cheatin'?" Ste frowned,

"Nah, no Ste, dyslexia is a disability, it's just an aid," Ste reeled a little,

"A disability?" he didn't want to be disabled, he was different enough already,

"It's a manageable one, you just… get help… it's nothin' really, loads of kids have it, loads of adults manage with it," he shrugged and Ste felt a little better,

"You sure?"

"I'm sure, I'll get you whatever you need, promise," Brendan nudged Ste's chin with a finger and Ste looked up, smiling when Brendan kissed him. "Get to sleep, we can figure out steps to take tomorrow," he assured, running his thumb against Ste's bottom lip before kissing him once more. Ste rested his head on Brendan's chest again after and sighed through his nose, happy and content, even though he was nervous about what would happen next.

Ste was reluctant to get up in the morning, Brendan had opted not to get up early to exercise which meant that when Ste's alarm went off on his phone, Ste was still curled around a warm body,

"Muh let me wag off," he yawned,

"Get up Steven…" Brendan ordered sleepily, he sounded like with some pushing he'd probably agree to let Ste stay home, but Ste decided not to let him cave, letting out a pathetic moan of dismay as he disentangled himself from Brendan's embrace and the duvet, slouching out of bed and leaving to figure out where he'd left his uniform. He got dressed in his room, Brendan was boiling the kettle when he arrived downstairs, they had replaced the old one since it had started smoking profusely whenever it was used after Ste had thrown it, Ste liked this one better anyway, it was quiet, so he could still hold a conversation when the damned thing was boiling.

"Hiya," he greeted, hugging Brendan from behind, smiling when Brendan twisted and wrapped an arm around him, drawing him to his side,

"Mornin' Steven," he hummed, "Your essay's on the table," he gestured with a nod, "Tea or coffee?"

"Uh… Tea?" Ste answered, slipping from under Brendan's arm to go look at his essay, "thanks for this, I'll copy it up in maths or something," he didn't actually mean to say that out loud, pausing and turning to stare quietly at Brendan, waiting for him to comment, but Brendan just raised an eyebrow and shook his head, smiling to himself as he made their drinks.

They helped themselves to cereal and sat quietly together at the island counter this time, Brendan had procured a newspaper at some point and was reading it whilst he ate, Ste had his essay in front of him, not bothering to read it through because it would take too long.

"You headin' out on foot or do you want a lift?" Brendan asked when Ste was washing his bowl and putting his last few things into his backpack,

"If it's not any trouble," Ste looked over hopefully, he couldn't be bothered,

"No trouble, gonna nip to the shop too, get a few things we need," he said absently, folding his newspaper up and leaving it on the side, quickly slurping away the last of his drink as he stood.

"Don't forget the condoms," Ste joked, even though they were kind of running low,

"God I won't," Brendan chuckled, slipping an arm around Ste and giving him one long lingering kiss before they left the house together.

Over the weeks, Ste had earned the title of being an absolute shite in the car and had them leaving for school earlier and earlier, the teen reaching across to Brendan, resting his hand on Brendan's thigh, his fingers tracing the outline of Brendan's dick as he kept his eyes forward, smirking as he felt Brendan getting hard.

"Steven…" Brendan warned, but it was a little game they played and Brendan's warnings fell through as their route to Ste's school became longer than it ought to and they took a detour to a pretty bleak, abandoned looking part of town, parking in a narrow alley, too narrow for them to get out of the car easily, but that wasn't what they were there for. Ste unfastened his seatbelt and leant over, unzipping Brendan's trousers and easing his hard cock from his pants, he absently licked his lips as he looked at it, he'd never given head before, not even to Brendan, but he really wanted to, and Brendan seemed to sense this, stroking the back of Ste's head before pushing it gently down towards his cock. "Go on…" he urged quietly, Ste was all nerves as he leant down, swallowing shakily and wetting his lips again,

"Bren I don't… I've not…" he admitted as he glanced up at the older man,

"Surely, I've given you enough head for you to have some idea of what you're doing Steven," Brendan chuckled, but he'd stopped applying pressure to Ste's neck, stroking it gently now, soothing and comforting him,

"I'm a terrible student," Ste quipped in return, he was absently stroking the length of Brendan's cock as he hesitated going down on him,

"I disagree," Brendan hummed, giving the back of Ste's neck a light squeeze in appreciation for what he was doing. Ste smiled then, courage bolstered by the pleasure in Brendan's voice and a desire to do this for him, he dipped down, feeling Brendan's fingers scratch through his hair as he let out a breath he knew Brendan could feel. He licked his lips once more before tracing his tongue over the slit of Brendan's cock, it was salty and hot to the touch, but not bad, he'd had a second-hand mouthful of his own cum on more than one occasion, he couldn't really complain about Brendan's taste. His hand continued to gently stroke the base as he wrapped his lips around the head and flexed his tongue against it, feeling Brendan push a little before loosening up, obviously not wanting to force Ste into anything since this was his first time sucking cock. He was hesitant in his licks and sucks and when he got the courage to take more into his mouth he swallowed nervously and was surprised at the moan of praise Brendan gave him. "That's it… deeper… good boy…" Brendan whispered roughly and there was something about that 'good boy' that had Ste obeying, he was nervous as hell as he tried to take Brendan deeper into his mouth, feeling himself start to gag a little and withdrawing, releasing Brendan's prick from his mouth and puffing breaths on it as he tried to relax, swallowing a couple of times to try and sort himself out. Brendan was oddly patient, letting Ste slowly sink his way half way down his cock, gag reflex prohibiting him from going further, so what he couldn't get in his mouth he stroked with his hand. He shifted to rest his free hand on Brendan's right thigh, bobbing his head a little, glad Brendan had moved his seat back, he loved the feel of Brendan's cock in his mouth and his hand in his hair, guiding him down and tugging his hair on the withdraw.

He wasn't as skilled or sure as Brendan was, he knew that much, but Brendan seemed to be enjoying it regardless, praising him when he did something particularly good, struggling to not fuck into Ste's mouth. He gave Ste ample warning when he was going to come, but Ste pulled off, looked up at him, and gave a lusty smirk,

"I want you to come in my mouth," he let out huskily before taking Brendan into his mouth again, working him quicker with his hand, tongue, and lips. Despite wanting it, the feel of Brendan coming in his mouth was a shock, hitting the back of his throat and flooding his mouth, he managed not to choke and swallowed reflexively, he swallowed it all down with tears in the corners of his eyes, sitting up and breathing heavily, tongue stained salty.

"Christ…" Brendan gasped,

"Not bad?" Ste asked, wiping his mouth on his hand, then rubbing his eyes on his sleeve,

"Good," Brendan corrected with a smile, "c'mere," he chanced a brief kiss before tucking himself away and turning the engine back on, "let's get you to school," he said, looking uncomfortable with the reminder of Ste's age.

Ste was buzzing at school, thrilled that Brendan had said he'd done good and also excited that he'd finally finished his stupid essays, he'd absolutely copied the corrections out in maths as soon as the teacher stopped talking to everyone.

"What's gotten into you?" Declan asked over lunch,

"I've finished my essays, I handed the last one in at break," Ste beamed, it wasn't the main reason he was happy, but it was all he was willing to tell Declan, "have you heard back from Ames?"

"Yeah she says she's not feelin' well," Declan shrugged, but Ste had to frown at that,

"Not feelin' well? Amy practically had Swine Flu last year and that only just stopped her showin' to school," Ste frowned, it wasn't like Amy to have time off over just not feeling very well.

"I dunno it's all she said… I'm a bit worried about her, she's not been herself lately,"

"I know… but I dunno what to do, she doesn't want to hang out and him over there doesn't know what's up with her either," Ste scowled,

"He's acting fuckin' sketchy an'all," Declan huffed, looking across the way to where Josh was hanging out with his mates, they weren't about to talk to him though, they'd tried that already and been shut down by a very anxious and irritated teenager.

"I'm sure she'll tell us if somet's up," Ste shrugged after a while, Amy shared her problems, unlike Ste, because she was the kind of person who did that and felt it helped, which was why she tended to try and get Ste to do the same. He was definitely worried about her though, but as he'd said, she'd tell him at some point, she always did, so he was hopeful that would be the case this time,

"Alright… So your essays… my da's been helpin' you?" Declan asked with narrowed eyes,

"Yeah…" Ste said slowly, not sure why Declan was looking at him like that,

"How come you let him help you an' not me?" Ste didn't think Declan had meant to sound the way he had, but it came across sort of bitter and Ste got defensive quickly.

"I dunno he was just there alright," he snapped,

"Ste, I didn't mean owt, it's just… I've been askin' if you needed help with your English for ages…" Declan sighed,

"I… might've had a bit of a meltdown…" Ste admitted, he hadn't told Declan about his tantrum before, even though it had been a while ago now,

"What? God Ste what happened?" Declan went full concerned friend mode, shifting closer and pressing their shoulders together,

"I just… I got my last warnin', she said she were gonna call in mam an' Terry… I couldn't… I couldn't let her do that right…" he sighed, "she said she'd give me a last chance, get an assignment done or planned or somethin' in a week, then she'd give me the chance to do all of em…" he explained, he felt dumb for reacting so badly, especially given how easy it all turned out to be with Brendan helping him. Sure he'd stumbled over his words when he was reading paragraphs aloud to clue Brendan in on what he was talking about, and his spelling had been unbearable, but he understood the text, he had interesting views and opinions on the essay titles, and he'd even had to cut down some of his essays a lot because he'd gone too in depth. "I got upset about it… threw things… broke the kettle…" he admitted sheepishly, watching as Declan's eyebrows shot up,

"You didn't get hurt did you?"

"Bit of a burn on my arm but it weren't bad, just hurt for a while…" he shrugged, rubbing his arm where he'd burned himself on the kettle, there wasn't a mark or anything, but it had been painful at the time.

"I'm glad you let my da help you," Declan sighed after a while, "he's pretty top," Ste chuckled at that, his mind had taken a dirtier route but he wasn't about to tell that to Declan,

"He's aright, thinks I might be dyslexic though," he frowned then, he'd been a bit nervous about telling Declan, who looked genuinely surprised, "We're gonna talk about it later, he's findin' out what to do about it, cause the school ain't done shit… an if I am…" he shrugged,

"Well everyone'd feel really shitty about writin' you off, I told you you're smart," Declan seemed thrilled for some reason, but Ste didn't question it, the bell rang and they had a class to get to together, where their topic of conversation changed completely, even though Ste noticed that Declan seemed to cast him odd looks every now and then.

They were meant to part ways after school, Declan's mum had shown up to pick him up, which had been a little awkward as she'd spotted Brendan and started talking to him rather irately, not happy he'd shown up on a day that 'wasn't his'.

"Calm down Eileen, I'm here for Steven, he's stopping at mine,"

"Why the hell is a teenage boy stopping at yours?" Eileen asked, giving Ste a scrutinising look,

"Trouble at home, not that it's anyone's business but his own," Brendan snapped, he'd been calm and collected up until then, unfazed by Eileen's obvious distaste for his 'lifestyle choices' which were clearly the point of contention,

"Can we go?" Ste asked, he was uncomfortable around Eileen anyway, he didn't like being around her like this, and he certainly wasn't happy Brendan had told her he had home problems.

"Well aren't you the knight in shining armour," she bit out before looking at Ste again, Ste shrank under her gaze and her expression softened, "I'm sorry you're having trouble Ste," she said sympathetically, giving him a smile that seemed genuine, "I'm sure your parents love you and miss you Ste, maybe you could fix things?" she suggested,

"Not likely," Ste sighed, he'd seen Brendan flare in anger but the man said nothing, because Eileen's expression turned from sympathy to shock as she looked at the crumpled teen and jumped to her own conclusion.

"That's just pathetic," she huffed, "I'd… I'd never turn one of my boys away if they were… If they were like you," she couldn't quite say 'gay' which was what she was clearly going for as she cupped his cheeks and made him look up, "you're welcome to stay with us when you get sick off putting up with him," she had a smile on her face as she gestured to Brendan, who almost looked amused. Ste was genuinely surprised, nodding a little,

"Okay, thank you," he offered a shy smile as she released his cheeks, turning to Declan and gesturing to her sleek looking Porsche,

"Bye Ste!" Declan grinned, Eileen gave a wave too, "Bye Da,"

"Declan, Eileen," Brendan nodded his goodbye and climbed into his car, waiting for Ste to get in. Ste made himself comfortable, cheeks turning pink as he thought about what had happened in the car this morning, grinning to himself, "What're you smilin' at?" Brendan asked,

"Your dick, my mouth," Ste smirked,

"Mmm, fond memories," Brendan chuckled, looking behind him as he reversed out of his spot. Ste managed to wrangle his thoughts as they drove, looking over at Brendan,

"She really doesn't like you does she?" Ste asked curiously,

"Eileen? We get on better than we did when we were married," he shrugged, "She was just a bit upset, thought I was sniping Deccy from under her nose," he added like he understood why she'd been a bit confrontational.

"Ah right…" Ste hummed,

"You know, that back there? That was pretty huge for her, she's a good catholic girl, accepting queers like us isn't in her upbringing," he noted, and Ste had to admit it was a total flip from the first time they'd met and he'd overheard her warning to Declan,

"She told Declan to 'be careful around boys like me'," he admitted, "when I first went over, last time I've been there actually…"

"She scare you off with that? She's a bit… difficult to like at first… amazing woman though, I'd've done anything for her, her and the boys were the only good reason I ever wished I wasn't… how I am," he hummed thoughtfully, "Things could've been different there either way…" he sighed, and a silence drew out between them that said that conversation was well and truly dead.

When they arrived home they parted ways, Ste heading for the dining room table whilst Brendan jogged upstairs throwing out some comment about taking a leak, which Ste ignored in favour of pulling his homework from his bag and sitting down with it. He'd made a new start by finishing his English assignments and wanted to work harder in his other classes too, he'd so far managed an average grade through putting in minimal effort, but he now knew he could do better across the board, so he wanted to prove it.

He was puzzling over his maths book with a blunt pencil when Brendan finally came downstairs, the older man sitting down next to him and watching him for a long while,

"I thought you were done with those yesterday," Ste looked up from his homework and shrugged,

"My assignments yeah, but I still get homework don't I?" he explained, Brendan drummed his fingers on the table by Ste's open maths book, tutting quietly,

"Sack it off," Brendan huffed, Ste gave a frown then, "I've got tonight off, forget your homework," he gave Ste a suggestive smile and Ste lit up before sobering his expression.

"So?" he asked innocently,

"So… I feel like I've been… neglectin' ye… and we never did get to celebrate that finished essay of yours," he purred, Ste couldn't stop his lips twisting into a smirk,

"Oh yeah?" Brendan's hand had slipped from the table and was on Ste's thigh now, rubbing it gently.

"Yeah, so I'm gonna take you upstairs, fuck you til you can't take it anymore, then we'll have a little break, get food, chill out, then, well I guess it won't technically be round two, but…" he trailed off and Ste filled in the gaps as he eagerly began shoving his homework into his bag, "Steven leave it,"

"Nah I don't want to forget my shit in the mornin'," Ste huffed, it didn't take long anyway and he was soon reversing up the stairs, shedding clothes like they were on fire whilst trying to keep his mouth on Brendan's as much as possible, eternally thankful for the button up shirts they both wore.

Brendan was fucking Ste for the third time that afternoon when Ste couldn't take it anymore, he had to let it out, and it was almost too perfect a scene, Brendan was knelt on the bed, Ste straddling his lap, seated on his cock, they were so painfully close to each other and their orgasms, and their mouths had barely parted the whole time. He broke the kiss finally, panting and pressing their foreheads together,

"Bren," he gasped, "Brendan," he urged again, Brendan's eyes finally opened and met his gaze, hands marvelling Ste's hips again and again, Ste felt so full and so completely overwhelmed, "I…" the words caught in his throat but he needed to say it, had wanted to last night when Brendan had climbed into bed with him, but couldn't find the right moment. "I love you," he let out finally, "Brendan I love you," he said again, feeling tears prick at his eyes as his words sank in and he just felt so deeply vulnerable and exposed here. Brendan just gasped, hands tracing up Ste's sides, moving to cup his face, to draw him in and slot their mouths together slowly whilst his hips rolled deliciously slow, altering the pace of their fucking to something completely different. It felt like so much more than just sex, the way their bodies shifted together as they kissed, and every other breath had Ste uttering it again and again like he couldn't get enough of it, like the only way he'd stop, and even then only temporarily, was when Brendan said it back.

"Steven…" Brendan gasped, "God Steven," Ste stroked his hands down Brendan's cheeks, holding him close, kissing him lightly, waiting with baited breath for those words to slip out, because he could tell by the look on Brendan's face that they were going to.

"Jaysus." The two of them snapped their heads to the side, looking to the open bedroom door, Ste felt a chill run through him at the sight of Declan standing there taking in the scene before him, of his best friend and his dad fucking. "Jaysus…" Declan repeated, shaking his head in disbelief and turning to leave,

"Deccy!" Brendan shouted after him, pulling out of Ste and shoving the teenager off onto the bed, the suddenness of it actually hurt Ste, who took a moment to lie on his back and whimper, confused and watching as Brendan pulled some clothes on hurriedly, "Declan!" he shouted again, dashing from the room, Ste could hear him running down the stairs.

He lay there for longer than he meant to, shell shocked and sore, trying to process that Declan knew, he shook it off as best he could, scrambling off the bed and pulling the first clothes he could find on, some of Brendan's, before nervously leaving the room. He was scared of facing Declan, lingering at the top of the stairs, taking them slowly when he finally descended, carefully stepping over his school uniform and Brendan's suit. He sucked in a shaky breath when he headed for the door, peering cautiously into main room, where Declan was sat at the dining table, Brendan sat opposite him.

"Declan please, look at me,"

"I can't believe this…" Declan muttered to himself, and Ste felt nothin but guilt, wanting to reach out and apologise,

"I swear, I swear to god it was one time, a mistake," Ste's stomach dropped and he looked to Brendan in confusion, "It was nothing, he's just a kid, I… I should've said no… I know that… I… it meant nothing, I swear, Declan please,"

"What?" Ste let out, he didn't mean to open his mouth, he meant to turn and run, Brendan didn't even look at him, just closed his eyes and cringed, as if to silently curse Ste for having the gall to be offended and upset. Declan was looking at him though, and Ste didn't even think to try to apologise, looking between Brendan and his son in confusion, "What?" he asked quieter, visibly sagging and trying to blink away tears, which only managed to force them to fall sooner. He watched through watery eyes as Declan looked expectantly at his dad, but Brendan just gave a half shake of his head, not willing to move,

"Declan please," he whispered, ignoring Ste entirely, it cut deep and Ste bolted, hearing Declan snap 'Da what the hell?!' as he rushed upstairs.

He slammed his door behind him, looking around frantically, he didn't know what he wanted to do, but it didn't take long for him to grab the nearest breakable, a glass that had been left on his bookshelf god only knew how long, and hurtled it at the far wall, turning back to the shelf and shoving everything else off it, pictures and books alike. He wanted to tip the whole thing over but he lost his wind of anger and started crying, standing there sobbing and rubbing at his face until he decided everything was beyond repair and headed for the wardrobe, pulling out one of the bags he'd brought his things over in and shoving his clothes into it. He didn't care about the rest of his stuff, he just needed his clothes and his school bag, which was downstairs; he was still ramming clothes into the bag when a knock at the door froze him solid,

"Bren?" he asked quietly, watching the door crack open,

"It's me," Declan announced, he looked miserable and nervous as he looked around the room, "Are you okay?" he asked. Ste didn't understand why Declan wasn't mad at him,

"Go away," he sniffled,

"Ste what're you doin'?" Declan asked as he got closer, rounding Ste and peering at the bag on the bed, "Ste?"

"I'm leavin', I don't wanna be here anymore…" he spat, his shoving had filled the bag to the brim with less than half his clothes and it was pissing him off, "For fuck's sake!" he shouted, tipping the bag up and starting over, starting to fold a t-shirt and cocking it up a little bit, which was enough for him to screw it up in frustration and throw it at the wall.

"Jesus Ste calm down!" Declan yelped, moving to hold Ste, who shoved him off angrily, Declan stumbled but managed to stay on his feet, watching Ste in shock; Ste crumpled in guilt,

"Dec I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he broke down again and was surprised when Declan pulled him in for a tight hug, "I'm sorry…" he muttered into his shoulder,

"If you're sorry then don't go," Declan pleaded, Ste pulled away and looked miserably at the door,

"I can't stay here… not after that…" he sighed, he really thought things were good between him and Brendan, he thought he felt the same, "Why would he do that?" he asked, "things were so… I thought we… I thought he…" he couldn't finish, "I love him…"

"I know… I know… he's a fuckin' idiot…" Declan sighed, holding Ste tighter when Ste clung to him and buried his face in his shoulder, "I don't think he meant that stuff…" he said after a while, stroking circles into his back to soothe him.

"Doesn't matter… I can't… I can't be around him after that…"

"Then come to my mam's, you heard her," Declan tried desperately,

"Dec I can't be around you… I lied to you," he admitted, he felt awful, "I lied to you an' I used you, I'm the worst…" he choked out, wiping his face and easing from Declan's arms,

"It doesn't matter Ste, you're my best mate… an… I know he's my da but… if you… if you meant that… if you love him… I get it… I can forgive that…" he sighed, "I'm still pissed off at him though…" he insisted with a scowl, "idiot…"

"I'm goin' Dec…" Ste said, finalising it in his own mind and turning to pack his clothes neater this time, trying to keep calm and collected just because he didn't want to be crying when he finally went downstairs.

"Ste please…" Declan tried again, "Where are you gonna go?" he had Ste at that, there was no way he could stay with Amy, especially unannounced, and there wasn't really anywhere else he would want to be,

"Home…" he breathed like he couldn't believe it himself.

Ste hefted his bag over his shoulder and stomped downstairs, he didn't linger in the main room when he stopped to grab his school bag, Brendan was still sat at the dining room table, staring darkly at the surface. Declan sidled past Ste when he reached the doorway and balled his hands into fists,

"Da!" he snapped, Brendan looking over slowly, "Ste's leavin', he's goin' back to Terry's, do something!" Declan's pleading hadn't gotten Ste to change his mind, but if Brendan apologised, explained himself and why he'd said that shit, maybe Ste would stay and talk this out. Ste was desperate for Brendan to stop him,

"He's old enough to make his own decisions…" Brendan sighed, sounding hollow and disinterested, looking away from the two teenagers.

"Jesus Da, what the hell?!" Declan balked, Ste grew stubborn then, if Brendan was going to persist in being like this, then he was wrong about him, "Da he loves you, you can't just… you can't just let him go back there cause you got caught short!" Declan was yelling now, fuming at his father, "I don't care if you're together okay? I don't care, don't let him go back!" Ste turned and left then, he couldn't listen to this, he couldn't bear to think he was the cause of Declan falling out with his dad. "Man the fuck up Da, tell him you were talkin' shit, tell him what you said isn't true, please," Ste stopped at the front door, listening, but Brendan said nothing, so he left.