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Wishing you all a Happy New Year. xx
A Forever Kind Of Love
Chapter 14
Ste was glued to Brendan's captive stare, his eyelashes dashing with the need to always look into those bluest eyes. He was so in love, the little jolt Ste kept experiencing inside his tummy each time he thought about it, the feeling of knowing Brendan reciprocated that love a hundred fold skilfully warmed his body like a scorching summers day.
It was far from that now however, as they stood just looking at each other on a boat gliding through the water of the river Thames. The winter chill was all around them, jack frost already making his presence known turning every surface into a glitter strewn picture. Ste lightly touched the metal sides of the boat, the thin coating of ice pealing off a curl against the tips of his fingers, watched the breath from his lungs steam the frozen air. His eyelash fell closed momentarily when a snowflake suddenly drifted down effortlessly and settled on the extensive sweep of them. Brendan held the briefest of smiles, one that Ste would have missed if he hadn't been looking so intently.
Brendan thumbed off the snowflake and angled his head up to the dark sky. Ste followed suit glancing up and watching a flurry of snow gathering on his lashes and making his view blur. Brendan's beard hair caught the cold ice too, they turned his beard whiter and when he placed his head back down again, Ste copied and let out a low chuckle. Hand tracing the cold wet of the snow, Ste flicked the flakes off with a stroke of his palm. Brendan's fingers curled under Ste's chin bringing them closer. Eyeing up his ice kissed lips leaned in with his own frost bitten mouth.
The icy tingle shot through their soft lips, slowly parting their mouths to create sensual little kisses, they warmed up the cold skin and turned the slight blue tinge into a fiery red. Heart speed thumping at his chest Ste softly moaned feeling Brendan move in his tongue, eager to coil with Ste's as soon as they'd met. Ste's arms edged higher to hold tight around Brendan's neck, swiftly placing himself high on the tip of his toes Ste turned his head and angled the kiss deeper. Brendan's hands roamed everywhere, felt hot against the material of his suit.
The snow became a lot thicker and shrouded the two lovers in its white dusting. Brendan parted the kiss but remained sinfully close to Ste's lips, so much so he could still feel the bristles tickling him. Ste mirrored his smile, darted his eyes in unison. It was the perfect date, the snow added to the whole thing, Ste didn't care it was degrees below freezing, in Brendan's arms he was always warmer than the sun.
"Thank you" Ste whispered pulling his arms higher. Brendan who held against his waist; slid his hands lower to grab along Ste's thighs and drag up fingers that scored firm into the snug fit suit trousers he wore. "I love this"
"Good to hear" Brendan spoke relieved pointing to the night sky "I didn't order the snow, added bonus I guess"
Ste gripped Brendan's arm moving them to the table and chairs again, holding himself up on his palm. Brendan leaned closer to him, moving across the table they met in the middle an inch or so apart.
"Tell me something I don't know yet" Ste asked darting into Brendan's eyes. "Like from your childhood, something that made you smile"
Brendan blinked looking away to the sights around them, the buildings as they sail past. Then he looks at Ste again, exhaling. "I remember me and Chez used to play on the sand dunes at the house. I know I haven't spoke much about that place, but I will. Anyhow...I had this cape, I threw it over my shoulders ye know, I thought I was superman" Brendan explains, slightly shrugging, sweetly smiling as Ste looks at him and hangs on to every word. "We used to run around, chasing each other and laughing? God we used to laugh together. I was happiest then Steven. Just me an Chez"
Ste sighed bewitched by the older man's voice, his eyes and how if Ste looked deep enough he'd lose himself completely "Sounds brilliant, your face is all lit up with that memory. I can picture it now actually"
"Can ye?"
"Big tashe on ya face even then" Ste grinning stroked over Brendan's hidden moustashe "Kinda miss your tashe, one of the first things I noticed about you"
"You're asking me to shave finally?"
Ste shrugged "Thought I could do it, just a little, leave ya all stubbly cos it'll grow back again won't it?"
"That's the general consensus yeah" Brendan replied with a chuckle."And because ye like the burn between your thighs"
"You have no idea" Ste felt the heat in his cheeks and moved his chair to sit closer to Brendan, draped his arms around him, chin resting on his shoulder. They both viewed Big Ben striking midnight, heard it's loud bongs strum through their bodies.
"Was it like you'd been hit in the chest?"
Ste turned to look at Brendan puzzled "Eh?"
"When ye first saw me, what did ye think, really?"
"I thought ya looked fit" Ste chuckles "Weird though, only hours earlier I was dissin your duvet set, tashes" Ste reminded.
"Ye dissed my covers? Steven, ye are in trouble now"
"Ha!" Ste exclaimed at Brendan's fake angry face, moved across to kiss him. "You changed everything that night"
"One look did that, I must be pretty good" Brendan boasted egotistical dancing his own kisses with Ste's. "Your turn" He pondered "Something I don't know yet? That made ye happy"
Ste struggled with his thoughts, he didn't have any brothers or sisters around when he grew up, just his mum and Terry. Ste scrunched his eyebrows up tencing many moments. It was only when Brendan's hand fingered clean through his hair did he look up.
"Bren, I can't think of any childhood ones. I was pretty bad growing up, I did silly things. Broke the law...a little"
"My Steven, all bad. Hard to imagine ye naughty"
"I was. I guess the best times were with Tony. At College, meeting Anne, your Chez. That was before she got her degree in business and left for the big city."
"Ah Steven" Brendan exhaled "Why couldn't I have met ye back then huh? If only my sister had introduced us"
"Yeah, but all good things come to those who wait. Even if it does take years"
"Softie" Brendan replied with a dashing smile that unweighed Ste's knees. He was so gorgeous the younger man practically swooned in his presence. A throat cleared noisily beside them finally snapping their connection. Ste turned to look at a distinguished gentleman dressed in white lapels.
"Would sirs like another drink?" The man was a little snooty, or la de dah, as Ste was now thinking.'Sirs' Ste mouthed back at Brendan.
"Steven? Would ye like a drink?" Brendan asked still looking at him in his arms. "Hm, some champagne please. I heard the bubbles tickle" Ste disclosed glancing back up at Brendan.
"We will take our champagne down below" Brendan conceded laying his hand on Ste's lower back lifting his shirt to trace the flat of his thumb there. Ste's skin was warm and inviting despite the plunging temperatures outside.
"Down below?" Ste scrunched up his face confused
"In our cabin" Brendan pointed to the body of the vessel encouraging Ste to follow his finger. His eyes widened "We have a cabin?"
"Yeah, and a king sized hammock, ye ever been in one Steven?"
"No but, don't ya fall out as soon as ya sit in one?" Ste then distracted when the waiter returned with two cut glass flutes and a ice bucket containing a large bottle of Champagne. Brendan grabbed them off him and let Ste through some glass doors into another area of the boat. Wooden throughout, the mahogany and reds created a romantic feel space. Kitted out with a huge bed and seating area, Ste couldn't help but raise his eyebrow at Brendan after discovering it.
"Thought ya said there was a hammock?"
"Could drag the sheets off the bed and make one if ye like Steven?" The ice bucket clinked as Brendan set it down on the table.
"You planned all this out huh? Ya wanna have your way with me in that bed, dont'cha?" Ste spoke with a sparkle in his eyes.
"No, I just thought you'd be cold now" Brendan replied bumping down into a sofa, his legs crossed calmly and held on top of the small coffee table grabbing the remote to flick on the tv with. Ste simmered under his suit and tore off his tie flinging it at Brendan who watched it land. His eyes trailed back to Ste who pulled out of his suit jacket.
"If you think I am gonna stand here and watch you ogle the tv, well you've another thing coming"
"I understand, here..." Brendan scooted up the sofa making room for Ste to fit. His mouth widened as he tried not to laugh.
Ste huffed down looking back at the door, he thumbed at it. "That butler wont come in here will he?"
"Ye wanting a threesome?" Brendan inquired flicking through each channel annoyingly slow.
"What? Ew no!" Ste side swiped Brendan laughing "Maybe if he was better looking..." Ste scraped his teeth over his bottom lip, Brendan turned to look at him sharply.
"I ain't sharing ye with anyone" Brendan warned Ste with a glow to his face.
Ste sat up on his knees "So...you're not into that sort of thing?"
"Steven, are ye winding me up here?" The remote is placed on the table with a clatter.
"Yep." Ste replied smugly "Got all your attention now though don't I?
"Ye always have my attention. I oughta sort ye out"
"I wish you would..." Ste replied moving to straddle over Brendan's lap, rocking down against Brendan's groin, the friction warms them up sufficiently. "I wanna do it like this, I love riding you"
"I love ye riding me too." Brendan groaned unzipping himself. Ste reached inside his boxers and felt Brendan's semi hard arousal throb in his hand when he dragged the length from it's base and pulled tightly. Brendan threw his head back on the sofa and stretched his arms either side, laying them long across the back of it. Moved his hips to accommodate Ste milking his cock erect, thumbing over the pre come and humming over his Adam's apple when he sucked it into his mouth.
"Lube?" Ste spoke thickly into Brendan's ear.
"Ye know how ye wanted to feel the bubbles tickle?" Brendan held Ste safely leaning them both forward the ice crunched when the bottle pulled out of the ice bucket. Ste watched carefully as Brendan removed the wrapping and silver wire. The cork pushed up stiffly until it budged and exploded across the room. Ste huffed a quick laugh watching the pressure smoke out of the bottle neck. Brendan placed it to his lips taking a swig and then passed it to Ste who felt the bubbles explode over his tongue and down his throat. Brendan pushed forward and thrust his tongue into Ste's mouth tasting the sweet liquid inside him. The bubbles prickled the slide of their tongues.
"Like?" Brendan asked interested.
"Love" Ste grabbed the bottle again taking another drink. Ste hiccups and then laughs and hiccups again. "Musta drank it too fast"
Ste edged off Brendan's lap, the bottle rocking when he placed it down haphazardly. Ste falls to his knees, widens Brendan's to slot between them. Brendan hold Ste back, palm flat to his chest and stands, holding out a stretched hand to Ste. "Got a better idea, come with me and bring the bottle with ye"
Ste placed his hand into Brendan's allowing him to lead him to the bed. He lays down and wriggles out of his trousers showing off his hard on as it points to the ceiling. Ste's throat bobs looking at him. The bottle fizzes as he takes another drink, slipping sparkling down his throat. Brendan takes it from him and repeats the motion then places it on the side cabinet.
"I want ye on my face" Brendan held one hand out to Ste whilst the other stroked up and down his shaft. Ste felt himself lactate pre come from his cock, the motion wet the material of his suit trousers darker instilling a smile from Brendan. "Come here beautiful"
Ste rid himself of his trousers and boxers leaving them both fully dressed above their groins. Ste was a little apprehensive crawling up the bed to a watching Brendan, shaking with nerves. Brendan smoothed his hand over the angle of Ste's bum and coaxed him to kick his leg over him and move down over his open mouth. "Gonna slip my tongue in ye,Okay?"
"Jesus Bren, yeah okay" Ste swallowed deeply.
Brendan grabbed the champagne and took a drink, his thumbs parted the crease, the wet glide of tongue followed by the fizzing liquid jolted Ste forward to rest his palms flat on Brendan's belly, breath caught in his throat. His nails clawed at him, tip of his tongue piercing through his entrance felt cold and moist with the champagne bubbles bursting over his entrance.
"Oh Bren..." Ste whined and rocked back, felt Brendan's tongue penetrate deeper. "oh...oh I like that,hmm"
"Ye sound so hot Steven" Brendan's dick throbbed listening to Ste's breathy words, lapping hard against his hole.
Ste held back his head, hips circling over Brendan's tongue and nails scoring over his stomach. Ste crawled down and took Brendan's cock in his hand and milked at it a few strokes before taking the head into his mouth and sucking slowly, tonguing between the slit and swallowing his pre come. Lapping a straight line the length of Brendan, he gasped prizing his lips away from Ste's hole and growled like a tortured animal, fingers crushing into the soft flesh of his peachy globes. Ste glowed before taking Brendan down his throat, his thickness filling his mouth, cheeks invert Ste sucked hard while bobbing his head exquisite moments Brendan wanted to last forever. The side of his mouth unprecedented, warm and moist, attentive.
"Jesus Steven, that's fucking good" Brendan keened his hips shallow fucking his dick into Ste's mouth a few moments. His attention soon moved back to Ste's lush backside jolting in front of him, hands splayed over each inch of his delectable arse Brendan opened Ste's parting and ate at his hole, forcing his tongue deeper each time. They didn't stop, and their initial thoughts went out of the window and stayed this way pleasuring each other, driving them both to insanity and back.
Ste's hand slipped with sweat and drifted lower, he felt his fingers the round of his heavy set ball sack playing a while until curiosity got the better of his wandering hand moving lower and over his tight hole. It felt warm, and clenched when touched. Brendan's breath inhaled sharply jolting them both to let their mouths slacken and drop contact. Ste's hand remained where it was, his heart beat going faster each waking second listening to Brendan hold his breath for what seemed like forever.
"Bren...I..." He wanted to touch him so badly, his fingers twitching ghosting his parting as it contracted. Brendan's breathing was shallow but he heard it again over his noisy heartbeat. His tongue swept the head of Brendan's cock, suckled the slit tasting his salty pre come. "Can I touch you...?"
"Steven, it's been...fuck..."
"I'm sorry..."
"Ye never...say sorry to me" Brendan's hand stroked Ste's arse cheeks again, teeth taking the flesh and grinding his teeth over the hot skin. "I love ye"
"I know...I love you. I want to feel every part of you Brendan, touch you and make you tremble because of me"
"I do tremble...ye turn me on so much, Jesus I only have to think of ye" Brendan closed his eyes feeling Ste's fingers trace over his parting again, find their way. Brendan's legs shook as they parted.
Ste curled his finger lightly against Brendan's hole, tickled the brushing of hair, rounded the rim. Brendan didn't know the breathy noises were coming from him till Ste spoke. "You sound amazing like this Brendan. I love I'm doing that to you"
Brendan moaned when Ste licked his finger tip and dragged it around him again and again, pushing in the tip. Brendan stiffened and Ste looked at his cock dribbling a line of pre come down the foreskin, he licks the line of it before clamping his lips sealed around Brendan's cock. Continuing to push deeper into his entrance the older man climaxed heavy strips of come down Ste's throat.
"Fuck, yeah...Steven..."
Ste gasped pulling his mouth off Brendan letting his cock fall limp. "Bren..I'm gonna...oh god Brendan"
Brendan grabbed Ste higher taking his dick down into the back of his throat allowing the younger man to fuck his mouth as he came. Ste's hips burned and thighs throbbed with the heavy orgasm. Mouth wide allowing his cries to echo the cabin they were in. There was no way they'd not been heard, and Ste couldn't care less. Once Brendan had released his flaccid cock Ste scrambled back to find Brendan and kissed him aggressively. Mixed with copious amounts of Champagne they made out together. The older man in turn hotter than hell for Steven plunged his tongue deep into Ste's throat, they roll wrestled over the bed desperate for each other until they'd miss judged and fallen in a heap on the floor.
Laughing like crazy they just gazed at each other dumb stuck. Their groins throbbed with aftershocks. Brendan curled his body around Ste as much as he could given the space between the side of the bed.
"No one has ever touched me there since...him...when he...he..."
"Hey, shhh" Ste held Brendan close, stroked over his hair "Shhh it's okay. I promised you'd never need to be scared again, I will take care of you always now" Ste promised with each small kiss to Brendan's hair, cheek and eyes.
"I wasn't sure at first, but..." Brendan's voice was still low "I liked it, ye touching me"
"Me too."
Ste held Brendan tightly. "Hey, take me home now? I want you to take me to bed and fuck me"
"Right now?" Brendan thumbs the corner of Ste's mouth, places a gentle kiss there.
"Yeah, right now."
"So let me get this right...he takes you on the river Thames for a first date?"
Anne asks Ste as they sit down to lunch in a quaint little diner in the city. The lunchtime break bringing out a scurry of people out wanting to feast. Ste is glowing, happiness suiting him so well. Anne coos at his demeanor, practically screeching at his description of the 'perfect date'.
"Yep, he had it all planned. Your Simon had to take me there, saying he was on an undercover assignment – which turned out to be one of my best nights out" Ste beamed. "God Anne, I swear he's like my soul mate, I feel so lucky"
"My Simon? Hmm, well one things for sure, I reckon we'll be hearing wedding bells soon enough" Anne sipped at her drink.
"What? You and Simon?" Ste's jaw widened in shock.
"Good lord, no! You two...it's proper love babe."
"Naaah" Ste dismissed with the back of his hand "It's early days init?"
"Ha! Never stopped you before did it? Come on" Anne leaned forward to gaze into Ste's bashful eyes "You never thought about it, Brendan asking you? He's the one,right?"
"No I haven't...till now. Anne! Why did ya have to go say this? He's the one, I mean the way he makes me feel" Ste touches along his thighs, they still throb now after last night, hours and hours taking Brendan's dick between them.
"Sets you on fire, doesn't he?" Anne interrupts Ste's thoughts that turn his cheeks a flushed crimson. Anne winking with knowledge watching her friend almost melt toying with his food and thinking about Brendan and the way he touches him. "Yeah" Ste spoke dreamlike and bit the edge of his lip. "I'm shattered" Ste giggles hiding his face.
"Lucky boy." Anne shakes her head. "So, I'm going back to Chester at some point, but only for a few days. Wanna come with? I mean, I know you're working, but Tony will be glad to see you. And Scott" Anne's eyes flicked up cautiously.
"Yeah, I need to speak to him. He caused an argument between me and Bren. I know he cares, but bloody hell."
"Aw, he still likes you. Why don't you invite him to London?"
"And that will go down like a lead balloon, Bren is already jealous of him"
"Ste...you're allowed friends love. He's no harm to you two" Anne replied twirling spaghetti around her fork.
"I'll think about it then, not yet though okay?"
Brendan was beginning to master this now. They're at the club, and this particular shift, Brendan and Ste are working together. It was just little looks in the beginning, at the start of the shift. Brendan complimented Ste on his ability to make his uniform look like it was a felony or something. Ste blushing and Brendan getting his fill of him looking so god damn beautiful it takes his breath away. Ste smoldered looking back at Brendan over his shoulder mouthing 'I want you' with come to bed eyes. The beginning of the shift and Brendan is already needing Ste's undivided attention.
So an hour or two into the shift and Brendan throws his pen down in boredom scaling the steps down through his dark club, the coloured lights granting his sight back he scowers each floor to find him. Ste's on the second floor when he finds him, behind the bar serving. Once upon a time the flutter Brendan continuously feels in his heart would have unnerved him. Now it's like waking up and breathing. Brendan stands with his back against one of the corners of the huge room and glances around the dance floor, every now and then looking at Ste. He wants him to notice, capture his eyes across the room. They play this game with each other on matching shifts. It's been another six months they've had together and they're comfortable and set in their ways.
A man Ste is serving begins to get impatient with Ste, and Brendan starts to wander over, but it's sorted as fast as it started, Ste knows how to handle himself six months on the job training and he can sort them all out. Ste throws the money into the till and turns to rub the bar clean. And it's then he sees him, Brendan stood, hands loosely in his pockets, glancing around the room but Ste knows why he's there. He waits until his eyes track the room and settle on his.
Ste blossoms creating a smile upon his lips, a little one but it still produces the warmth of the sun between them. There's nothing else now they've found each other through the crowd of club goers. Ste sees the bright lights flicker over his face, his moustashe more defined since the beard was trimmed down into rough stubble that scratches rashes wherever it rubs on Ste's body. Ste wants Brendan to come over, but he knows he wont because this is their game. Little looks and teases, eyes that show the truth, ones that crave every single part of each other. Brendan's heart beats so fast in his chest when Ste's looking. Like a shy teenager he's bashful. It's like they've only just met, everything between them is heightened. Brendan isn't sure how much longer he can wait.
Another four hours pass, and there's still two hours till 2am. That's when they finish, and they get to go home. Brendan finds his breathing shallow when Ste enters his office just after midnight. It's enough to have him settling back in his office chair, the heat from them bouncing clean off each other. Brendan acts nonchalantly but can see a new light in Ste's eyes.
"Steven...what do I owe the pleasure?" Brendan asks with a deep voice. His eyes watch Ste enter, arms flailing his upper torso, eyes fleeting little looks.
"Erm...need change" Ste lies as he moves further into the room. "Need to get into the safe"
"That right? Funny, I made sure each floor had a petty cash box...none of them have come up here, which means there must be plenty of change" Brendan replies dropping his pen as Ste edges closer.
"Oh" He says "Hadn't noticed." Ste walks around to stand next to Brendan who pushes back in his chair to create space for Ste to slip into, he stands in front of Brendan and flattens his palms on the desk either side of his body, legs at ease he studies Brendan intently, licking his dry lips apart. "How's the office, boss?" Ste asks lowly, nibbling on his lip.
Brendan's mouth quirks into a smile, eyes drinking in Ste's entire form and bound by his beauty his fingers twitch wanting to feel Ste's bronzed skin against them. "Quiet" Brendan admits "A little monotonous"
"Ah, right" Ste accepts, head turning to look out of the large windows that span the room. He can see the smile of the moon in the twilight sky, shimmering aura bouncing light off it thanks to the cold night air. "Had a guy in earlier, causing shit" Ste tells Brendan "An the bouncer took him outside, had to frisk him too"
"Did they find anything?"
"What?" Ste turned back to Brendan again "Oh yeah, drugs or somet. He was thrown out"
"Oh, well good. Glad my staff are working well"
"You ever had to do that?"
"What?"
"Frisk anyone? You know as the boss?"
Brendan moves his body up in the leather chair, creaking the material as he does. His throat bobs, their eyes never leave each other "I've never had to do that Steven"
"Shame, I mean. I bet you'd be good at that" Ste flicked his eyes up at Brendan.
"Well, I'd only do it if someone had been bad in my club,so..." his hand gestures in front of him, smile forming at the way he's winding Ste up into a glorious state of impatience. Being wanted by someone so breathtaking still puzzling the older man as he bores their eyes together.
"I've been bad" Ste interjects quickly "I said I'd come up here to get change when really...I came up to see you" Ste widened his legs more, his uniform clings to his every curve. "You gonna teach me a lesson, boss?"
"Jesus" Brendan feels his crotch tighten. Sliding his chair closer to Ste he runs his hands up the front of his thighs bunching the trouser material with the pads of his fingers and back down again with his nails digging in hard. Ste's mouth parts, his shaky breathing filling the large room. Brendan's hands travel to the front of his zipper, using both thumbs to press pressure down his covered length, presses one stroke slowly feels him thicken. Brendan gazes into Ste's eyes.
Fingers splayed Brendan swiftly travels Ste's body, down his calf muscles, up the inside of his thighs, cups the round of his arse, squeezes there as he stands up. Placing his face at the side of Ste inhaling his scent, he smells amazing, the older man tells him he smells incredible. They turn to look at one another when his palms track down his back, round by his waist lifting up Ste's top to explore his torso and fans those pink flush nipples. Ste's eyelashes fall hooded body jolting he lets out a soft moan.
"Ye like this?" Brendan whispers. "My hands on ye?"
"Yeah" Ste replies with a shaky voice.
Brendan takes one of his hands and cups against Ste's crotch again, moulds his dick."So hard"
"For you"
Ste admits as Brendan's fingers grip and pulls up his top, feels underneath at Ste's bronzed skin slowly. Brendan pinches Ste's nipple between his thumb and forefinger, twists at the nub harder until Ste cries into his ear. The sound he makes shoots to his dick and thickens him in his suit trousers. Brendan continues to fondle against Ste's trousers, moves up and down his dick through the material.
"Ye wet?"
"Yes"
"Ye want me to lick it off?"
"Yes" Ste croaks aroused, fingers clawing into the desk, they stay planted to the wood, unmoving. Ste's nipple is becoming sensitive and with it unmeasurable pleasure as Brendan pulls on it, wets it and blows cool air at the flesh.
"Ohhh god" Ste hisses shivering.
"So responsive." Brendan's fingers creep into Ste's navel inciting breathy moans. Continues his little touches feeling his stomach invert. "I'm gonna make ye come now, those hands stay on the desk, ye hear?"
"Yes...Bren..."
Brendan lays Ste back down on the desk with a heavy palm on his chest, presses his own arousal flush against him and rubs their groins together. Licks and sucks his mouth around Ste's stomach, widens his teeth over the wingspan tattoo and slots the tip of his tongue into Ste's navel playing deep. Ste moans, Brendan's stubble is scratching over his tummy, moustashe tickling him sending currents through his body. Ste grinds himself against Brendan shows him what he's doing to him, making him hard and so desperate.
The older man responds meeting their cocks, rubs the material until the friction heats between them. Brendan's kisses are sloppy against the sweat beading through the pores of Ste's skin, laps at it and cries out his own arousal. Brendan slips his hands high and ghosts each finger tip over his erect nipple peaks arching Ste's body off the desk fast. Ste's cries are sweet in Brendan's ears. Ste feels himself shudder, hands still flat against the desk, he's dying to touch the older man.
"Bren...I'm so close"
Brendan sits on his chair, Ste widens his legs so Brendan can slot between them. His hands feel their way along his thighs and claw hard down the material. Unzips Ste pulling out his cock and takes him down into his mouth. Ste's hands slip damp on the varnished wood as he keen's into Brendan's delicate sucks over his throbbing dick. Ste elongates his neck as he comes, moans vibrating off his tongue.
Brendan kisses him afterwards, sat back in his chair, Ste on his lap and fingers fed inside his boxers milking Brendan's length. They're taking their time, soft deepened kisses sound loud in the quiet office, it's dark besides the moonlight and the false light that's coming from the other buildings outside. Ste swallows Brendan's moans and licks clean his come filled hand.
"We gotta be more careful Steven" Brendan nestles into Ste's hair taking in his scent, kissing him. "We are gonna get caught one of these days"
"By the staff? They know about us Bren. They know why I sneak up here to see you. I couldn't wait for ya could I? And besides, you enjoy this as much as I do. Me creeping into your office. Admit you were waiting for me"
"Of course I was waiting for ye, ye always keep me waiting."
"Was ya all desperate? Cause I saw ya earlier, on the dance floor" Ste bites against Brendan's neck making sure he leaves a mark.
"When am I not desperate for ye Steven. You've turned my life upside down" Ste moves off Brendan and they clean up. Ste eyeballs the time and smiles "Soon be end of shift, see you later. I'm driving"
"I'll be walking home then" Brendan replies with a wink.
Two months later.
"Bren...we get to spend Christmas together" Ste's smile warms Brendan's heart thoroughly. He's all excited and flush because the colour in his cheeks glow and it's obvious to the world he's so happy about the fact. More so that he's just found out they're going to Dublin for the festive season. Brendan squared it with Cheryl that they commandeer her home again.
Ste is searching the drawers for his passport and cries as he finds it. Holding it aloft he rushes and wags it quickly in front of Brendan. It's only when he opens it up and his frown unsettles him does Brendan grab it out of his hands to look.
"Steven, this has ran out"
"I know that don't I?" Ste pouts at the obvious and slams himself down hard on the sofa. Brendan sits gently beside him and scratches his beard.
"Ye are so cute when ye pout, I always want to kiss ye into the middle of next week when ye do" Brendan flicks his eyes up at Ste who starts to smirk at his words.
"Yeah well, it's not the time for that. I gotta get a new one now ain't I?"
"Easy, we will go out and get your photo's done. Then send it off, fast track. I am taking ye back to Dublin Steven, I promise"
"Okay, we gotta buy Christmas presents anyhow ain't we? So on the way, let's pick them up,yeah?"
"Shopping?" Brendan's face falls "You're not serious"
"Come on Bren, it'll be fun!" Brendan doesn't agree and tried to dig his heels down into the laminate floor they've got throughout their home. It doesn't work though, it just makes him go faster. Brendan drives them to the nearest shopping centre and his face mirrors a thunderstorm. Ste shakes his head at him dragging them both around each store buying presents for everyone.
A good hour has passed and Brendan is sick of the sight of Christmas decorations and people dressed as Santa Claus following them around shouting 'ho ho ho'. Ste called him a Grinch and went into a mood over it blinking the older man back into the festive spirit smartish.
"It's not my favourite time of year Steven" He calls to him as he walks off. Ste stops a meter or so in front of him and turns.
"Why though? Look around ya, everyone else happy, smiling" Ste dismisses his hand.
Brendan closes the gap and tries to avoid the stares from the other people shopping, tries to explain "My Da, it reminds me of him and what he did. How he treated me, this time of year..." Brendan's voice wavers when Ste takes his face into his warm hand "Was always worse for me"
"Bren, I should of known. Ignore me right. You can go home if you want"
"No, I'm staying, I want to stay with ye. I have to do my own shopping anyway" Brendan clocks a place he wants to look in. "Need to get your present don't I?"
Ste grins then, feeds his hands into the warmth of Brendan's long leather coat and settles against his hips, fishes into his jean front pockets and jolts him closer "What is it?"
"I ain't telling ye. Now scram! Meet ye back here in about 20 minutes alright?" Brendan seals his intentions with a chased kiss that Ste latches onto falling forward when it's released to soon. "Okay" He says walking backwards a moment he pivots on his feet and disappears into the crowds. Brendan's eyes travel to the shop that's caught his intrigue, double checking Ste is out of sight he makes his way over.
Brendan makes sure he's out of the shop a good five minutes before Ste returns, more bags in his hands than ever. Brendan rolls his eyes to the ceiling standing up and taking every single one from his hands.
"The perfect gentleman you" Ste says
"The perfect mug more like - ye bought the whole place here Steven?!" Brendan scoffs walking them towards the exit, he's seen enough of the shopping centre now and the fresh air seems more appealing than ever. Ste then halted in front of him annoyingly. Brendan wraps his head around his shoulder looks down at what Ste is doing, he's messing with coins in his hand. "Steven?"
"Hang on, gonna need some photo's ain't I?" Ste looked back at Brendan who was stewing at the length of time they'd spent shopping. Now above everything else he had to wait for Ste to get photo's taken. Brendan gave a tired glance at Ste who just grinned his perfect teeth back in reply. Brendan felt his resolve weaken, how did the boy manage to do that no matter what.
Brendan shoved the bags on the floor moved to place his arms around Ste but he was unceremoniously pushed away."No, you'll mess up my hair an stuff"
"I'll do what? Steven it's just a photo"
"No it's for me passport init, gotta look proper for that. Not even allowed to smile" Ste drew back the curtain and sat down in front of the large screen.
Brendan smirked and leaned up against the booth "Ye put your money in yet?"
"In a minute, just making sure I look okay, do I look alright Bren?"
"Stunning" Brendan replied placing his head through the curtain.
"Out! It might have been taking the picture" Ste pulled the curtain shut again and placed two hands in front of him calmly, he was ready and dropped the coins in.
"Okay It's gonna take em now Bren so keep a look out" Ste put on his best pose without any smile when suddenly Brendan popped his head through the curtain again. "What did ye say sexy?"
The camera flashed as Ste turned to look at Brendan "Bren! It took the photo!"
Brendan turned to the camera and fed his freezing cold hand into the back of Ste's tracksuit bottoms instilling a shriek from Ste. "Did it? Oh that's no good"
"B...Bren, y...ya, f... freezin...oh my g...god!" Ste's mouth widened with his eyes as again the camera took another photo. Brendan moved into the booth fully now placing Ste upon his knee.
"I can warm ye up Steven" He purred pulling Ste into a hot tongued kiss the camera wasn't shy in capturing.
"One left Bren, you're a pain in the arse. Look at the camera" He gave in turning to look as it captured them both smiling. Ste and Brendan left the booth and waited for the pictures to develop, Ste grabbed them out and beamed while shaking his head.
"Look at the state of me on that one, I look like I've had a shock!"
Brendan held his chin against Ste's shoulder "I'll have that one for my wallet"
"No ya wont I look dreadful."
"Beautiful more like, the kissing one is pretty good"
"We're hot" Ste grinned turning to Brendan who gave him a chased kiss.
"Yes we are, the last one is a good one too." Ste nodded passing Brendan the photos,he moved back into the photo booth "Shame not one of them can be used in my passport"
Brendan looked at the photos fondly "Something to show the grand kids maybe" Brendan spoke absent-minded and heard Ste gasp then curse as another set of photo's got ruined.
"What did you say?" Ste stood with a drained expression, hand gesturing his words. "Did you mean..."
Brendan rounded his head and spoke with a soothing voice "What? Not my worst idea. One day...maybe?" Brendan questioned carefully, looked at Ste who was still reeling and stuttering between that and the fact the booth was still taking none existent photo's.
"Well...maybe yeah, one day" Ste's eyes lit up and sparkled.
"Ye think so?" Brendan kept his stare, head lolling to one side. Ste wondered if Brendan could hear his heart as it beat a rhythm out of sync. He wasn't sure how long he'd just studied Brendan's face for, but it became too obvious in the end. The photo booth behind him flowed back into his thoughts again, nodding sharply before thumbing back to try and get at least one decent set of photos. Ste fed his body back into it and sat down.
"Just don't mention marriage while I am in here okay? Just shush a moment will ya?!" Ste joked and his laugh muffled as he drew back the curtain. Brendan snapped his eyes up seemingly taken aback by Ste's words, he drew in a long conscious breath and smirked to himself. There was a bench and Brendan sat down on it, eyes nervous keeping a look out while he fished into his pocket. The box looked tiny in his hand, felt light weight held on his palm.
It cracked open when his fingers prized it apart, flashed a quick spark when the light hit it. Shiny platinum metal that Brendan thumbed over and then almost dropped in haste when he heard Ste speak again.
"Bren, I actually think I have a good photo now. I can look into getting this passport now can't I?"
Brendan moved his hand behind his back like lightning and feigned a fast interest in what Ste was talking about. He couldn't let him see what he'd been holding seconds earlier. Brendan watched Ste and in those seconds knew he couldn't have because boy, he'd have known about it. The smile Brendan formed must have looked scary as hell when he pushed the item into his back pocket and over enthusiastically grinned with widened eyes.
That was what Ste noticed, his eyes looking shifty, or maybe it was him that looked shifty because of the stupid grin. Brendan stood up and relaxed. "Hey, ye okay there Steven? The photos took ye say? Let's have a gander then" Brendan coughed fingers twitching as he reached out and took the photos from Ste's outstretched hand. They looked good too, Ste beautiful as ever and a slight smile going on, even though you're not really meant to smile on passport photos, he still manages it.
"Gorgeous those are" He says easily with a look that melts Ste's heart, kissing the corner of his mouth for good measure.
"What ya up to Bren?"
"Me? Nothing"
"Then why ya looking like, all shifty, like you've done somet" Ste slanted his eyes and still managed to take Brendan's breath from his lungs. Brendan grabbed the bags up, his other hand taking Ste's and walked them towards the exit again, and that seemed to do the trick. For the amount of times they had held hands in public, Ste was always overwhelmed by the gesture. Ste proudly squeezed Brendan's palm leaning on his arm for the briefest of moments. They continued out and to the post office, sending off the right documents for his passport. Brendan rubbed his back pocket to make sure the hidden treasure was still there,and smiled.
"Heads up" Brendan warned tossing a packet of crisps in Ste's direction. The younger mans quick reflexes managed to catch them.
"Ta, you not having any?" Ste inquired tearing open the packet and throwing one in his mouth. Brendan dipped down and kissed Ste savoring the flavour of them on his palate humming.
"Not as good as ye taste though" He winked strolling around the apartment gathering things up in his hands. They had a suitcase each, ones they had bought together. Brendan placed one of his suits in, folded up neatly spurning Ste to stretch his neck to look.
"Why ya need a suit? Planning a night out in Dublin are ya?" Ste crunched the crisps loudly with his mouth agape.
"Ye should always pack a suit Steven, just in case"
"Should I pack my blue one then? The one from our date? It's my best one init." Ste was already up walking to the bedroom to find it before Brendan had chance to reply. He returned a few moments later with said suit in his arms. Brendan takes it off him with a shake of his head and puts it with his own. The case is closed and they're now packed.
Brendan twists his body to grip Ste around his waist dragging the breath from him. He removed the crisps from his hands and placed a finger at his protesting mouth. Moving in Brendan gently kissed against Ste's lips and looked into his eyes, then closed the gap again, the third time and Ste had pivoted around and cradled his arms behind his neck, brought them both into a deeper more meaningful kiss that blurred out everything but them.
"Ye ready to go?" Brendan asked softly, fingers finding a way to touch Ste.
"Uh huh, got me passport, got you. I'm ready." Ste brightened enthusiastically "Can't wait to go to the bridge again, I can admire my handiwork then, good job I did it. Else I really would have lost you forever" Ste grimaced at his words.
"Both of us stubborn, I think it...it would have..." Brendan felt his phone vibrate in his pocket before the music broke their moment. He held up his finger to Ste while he spoke into the receiver. Ste standing closer and running nails down Brendan's close fit top, catching his bullet tipped nipples through the material. Brendan's eyes flicked fast to Ste's before his face suddenly dropped. Ste backed off his hands like he'd been stung and concerned eyes filtered over Brendan's.
"Bren?" Ste whispered but Brendan placed a finger in the air again and walked away head angled.
"What ye mean a lot of damage? Are ye serious?" Brendan gripped his fingers at his temple shaking his head in disbelief. He then looked up at Ste with sorrow felt eyes and sighed heavy.
"Yeah I get that don't I?!"Brendan snapped angrily. "Just, wait there yeah? I won't be long"
Ste slowly shook his head "No"
"Steven..."
"You can't!" Ste peeved.
Brendan strode over to Ste and held calmly against his cheeks, eyes darting "I'm sorry. There's been a flood at the club. I need to go and sort it"
"But...our flight? Bren we have plans, Dublin remember?" Ste's voice broke.
"I know, and I swear I will be there. I will meet ye on our bridge, tomorrow night." Brendan promised.
"No, I don't want to go without you!"
"Get the flight out as we planned, Chez is expecting ye." Brendan tried to placate Ste but his resolve had taken a beating. "I will be there, trust me"
"I do trust you. I was looking forward to it." Ste was pouting, he knew he was pouting but he didn't care. "Stupid flood. Is it really bad?"
"I don't know, I need to get there and have a look. I'm insured so that will take care of it. I'm sorry..."
"No, don't say that. It's not your fault is it? I will go with Chez and get your room ready for us."
"My room?" Brendan raised his eyebrows
"Yeah, missed that room I have." Ste smirked. "An I will be there tomorrow night on the bridge. So you'd better turn up Brendan Brady."
"Wear your suit for me, okay?" Brendan curled his fingers under Ste's chin.
"Why?" Ste asked drowning in Brendan's eyes. His mouth kissed back when he'd moved closer, the swipe of his tongue electric filled. "Bren?"
"Just be there, wait for me Steven, it's important. I will get the evening flight out, give me time to sort things at the club that way"
"Okay" Ste felt dejected watching Brendan grab his coat and car keys, still holding onto a slither of hope he'd stay and catch their flight. The door seemed to echo when he'd closed it and Ste's heart fell clean into his stomach.
Brendan walks through the club doors and the first thing he sees is a load of firemen talking with his deputy manager. Hes enthralled and moving his arms about obviously trying to sort the situation out. Brendan slides on his shoes getting there, supportive hand on the mans shoulder.
"Greetings. I'm here now" Brendan nods sharply, eyes up the fire chief till his attention is drawn.
"What's happened?"
"And you are?" The fire chief points as he asks, Brendan notices he's soaked a quarter up his uniform.
"Proprietor. I'm the manager" Brendan takes the man's hand.
"Oh good, look no easy way mate, you've a lot of water coming through the basement here. Needs pumping out,which we are doing now. It's left a considerate amount of damage."
"We have lost all the stock" Alan interrupts with a heavy sigh. "So we can't really open now."
"Don't worry. The insurance will cover that. Talk to Warren yeah? Fill him in on the situation and tell him to bring me a whiskey" Brendan muffles a laugh.
"Don't think drinking's gonna help you sir."
"It was a joke, besides I've plenty behind the bar ain't I?" Brendan watches his employee move away. "Can I see the damage?"
"It's not really safe to go down there yet. You've a burst pipe, once its all drained away we can see whats happened."
"Hm, any ideas how long this will take, only I'm meant to be on a flight to Dublin"
"Sorry sir, this is gonna take a day at least. Unless you want to leave it as it is, which I wouldn't recommend."
"No,of course not" Brendan thinks about Ste on the plane and how he should be there next to him. He shuffles onto his other foot restless. "I'll call the insurance company then, um thanks for your help."
"Just doing my job sir"
'Hey, u ok?' B'
Brendan sits at his desk sends Ste a text, he's firmly in his thoughts despite the problems at the club. He wants to be there with him and can't seem to make peace with the fact he can't be. Ste replies almost immediately lighting Brendan's phone up.
'Bren,I got window seat :) S'
'That's good. Flood here bad, gonna keep me busy B'
'Sorry its happened. U gonna still meet me? :) S'
'I promise. 2mo night. I can't wait that long though B'
'I miss u 2. We should b miles high. S'
'That's a thought. The flight is 3 hrs right? In an hour go 2 the bathroom,and txt me. B'
'Eh? U crazy, i aint txtin u in there. S'
'Better had boy, I can't be with u physically can I? B'
'Ohhhh. ;D. In an hour then. S'
It had taken a lot longer than an hour to make the calls to the insurance company, the amount of hoops Brendan had needed to jump through despite spending good money to make sure this kind of hassle was avoided. He pushed his lethargic body into the leather char and physically snaked his body lower, legs limp and stretched out in front of him under his desk. Brendan's head was resting arched back on the chair when a familiar buzzing vibrated through his top drawer. Silently cursing to himself that he'd been too busy to remember, Brendan grabbed his phone out to see Ste's name flashed up on screen calling him.
"Steven - I'm sorry"
"It's okay Bren. I knew you'd be busy an that. I left it a while longer before I rang ya" Ste's voice instantly having a good effect on the Irish man, he'd relaxed and got up to lie over the sofa by the large windows in his office, legs kicked up and arm rested behind his head for comfort. He just wanted to hear his voice, didn't care what they spoke about.
"Ye okay? How's Chez?"
"Good, she ordered us Champagne, that's twice I've drank that now. Feel dead posh" He imagined Ste grinning as he spoke, Brendan never wanted to see him more than in this moment.
"That's ye getting used to the high life, am I gonna have to buy it in more often now then?"
"Only for special occasions though - it's not something I could drink like tea is it?" Ste explained with his thinking.
"Why not?"
"Tea's hot for a start off, and the Champers bubbles tickle everywhere Bren"
"That they do Steven" Brendan closed his eyes "Where are ye?"
"I'm not in the bathroom" Ste whispered "I stayed in my seat, Chez is asleep next to me. Recon the booze knocked her out" Brendan heard him snort trying not to laugh.
"Doesn't matter, just wanna hear your voice Steven"
"Where are you then?" He can hear Ste moving, suspects he's trying to get comfortable too.
"In the office, slouching on the sofa. Want to be with ye"
"Wish I was there too" He notes the decline in Ste's spirited tone now.
"No, I should be there sat with ye, drinking Champagne."
"If you was with me right now what would we be doing?" Ste asked
"I'd have my arm around ye, you'd be batting my wandering hand away because you'd be embarrassed the flight attendant might catch us, me copping a feel" Brendan's moustashe lifts listening to Ste giggle into the phone.
"You so would do that as well. That why ya mentioned the bathroom is it?"
"Might be yeah"
"Flight back to London though?"
"It's a date Steven" Brendan hummed settling down further into the sofa.
"Havin a few of those now ain't we? Gonna be proper official me an you soon"
"We already are, you're mine. Done deal" Brendan replies thickly. "The flight going alright?"
"Bit bumpy" Ste replies "The captain announced we will be there soon. Gotta fasten my seat belt"
"Better do it then, right now Steven yeah?" Brendan swallows listening to Ste shuffle on the other end of the call, hears a soft click.
"It's done Bren. I better go hadn't I? Don't want to though" Ste replied with a long breath.
"Me either. Listen, ye text when ye land and at the house." Brendan released a heavy breath too, his office phone began to ring loud into the room distracting him. He kicked his legs to the floor "I gotta go Steven"
"I can hear. Can't wait for our date"
"Date?"
"On the bridge? Tomorrow night" Ste explains, Brendan knows he's smiling now he pictures him doing so.
"Yeah, that's right. It's a date Steven"
"Love you, bye"
The call clicked and went silent before Brendan could respond, it was funny how his insides inverted making him feel ailed. "I love ye too"
He's packed, got his passport, tickets. Brendan's double checked at least five times over this. Bags at the door and ready to go. His phone has been ringing non stop, but he hasn't looked at it yet because this is important. He's reaching out to open his front door when a loud knocking surprises him. Taken aback he opens the door slowly then wide seeing it's Warren stood there.
"Foxy?"
"Brady, I am so sorry mate. What ya gonna do?"
"Oh that, well the basement has been cleared of water and just needs drying. Plus ye are still gonna look after the place for me anyway and when I get back...it'll be Ok...so..." Brendan stilled "what?"
Warren is stood there shaking his head, solemn eyes "What's goin on, ye can look after the club still?"
"I can look after the club Brady...have you not seen the news?" Warren barges past Brendan to walk into the apartment and grab the remote, flicks on the news channel.
Brendan turns to watch him "No I haven't seen the...news" His stomach twists.
Brendan is looking at the message, it's strewn in big letters across the bottom of the screen in a loop but he still can't believe it. 'Fights cancelled due to broken down aircraft, oil on the runways. Hours delays promised.'
He can't get a flight out to Dublin in time. He's dreaming, he must be.
"No this ain't happening"
"Jesus Brady. Where have you been the last hours?" Warren gestures the remote aggressively as Brendan removes it and sits down on the sofa in a trance.
"I came here, I fell asleep for a bit...I've been up over 24 hours! I needed to sort the club so's I could get to Steven" Brendan flicks his eyes up "I need to get to Ireland Foxy, I can't not go, it's all planned out."
Warren stands in front of Brendan, looks down upon on him. "What is?"
Brendan reaches into his back pocket and shows Warren what he's talking about."Right. You need to get to Dublin! Simon...he's the one who can help us. He'll sort this, bloody contacts everywhere ain't he?"
Warren is back now,after making a few phone calls and he's impatient trying to get rid of Brendan. It's a good thing though, he does need to move now because he's got a a date in less than 10 hours and he can't be late for this. Warren's told him the club will be looked after, and there's no need to be concerned about it. And he's not concerned, what he is bothered about is getting to the airport and catching the last flight out from Liverpool of all places.
"Brady, jeez will ya just get goin mate!?" Warren knows, Brendan told him and Simon knows now too. He's on his way as they're rushing, gonna give him a police escort the whole way there if he has too.
"I am ready Foxy - can ye stop making me more nervous than I am. I mean Christ, he might say no" Brendan's heart narrowly escapes exploding in his chest. The pressure is ridiculous.
"No" He says "No way. It's gonna be like one of those bloody films ain't it? I swear to god, if I wasn't so tough I'd say I was welling up for ya mate" Warren places a hand on Brendan's shoulder, squeezes.
"Shurrup Foxy, no need to take the piss"
Warren's offended and is about to tell his friend he was far from winding him up when Simon's tires screech against the asphalt turning into Brendan's place with a different kind of donut. "Sweet lord!" Brendan and Warren jump back quickly saving their toes from extinction. "Bloody nutter!"
"I'll have you know, I'm trained to drive like that, I am allowed" Simon is smug getting out of his car, teeth whiter than white, rips off his sunglasses amused at his friends' gormless faces "You better be ready Brendan, I pulled off a miracle here"
"Of course I am ready, bags...look" Brendan's sarcasm is frowned upon as the young detective grabs his suitcase and throws it in his boot.
"Doing you a favour..."
"I know...I do! Thank ye"
Simon nods "You coming along for the ride too?" he asks Warren as Brendan places his holdall in the boot and stands at the passenger side of the car. Warren shakes his head and gestures over to Brendan.
"Nah mate, gotta sort this flood damage out at his club, promised else he'd still be here." Warren darts his eyes to the nervous Irish man "You - go get him and I swear you better not fuck this up"
"I won't Foxy, I can't can I? That boy...fucking angel...is my life." Brendan recoils hitching a breath.
"Okay, enough of the pleasantries. You club...you car" Simon delegates before wrapping his sunglasses back on ginning "I do like these little undercover missions." Inside the car he switches on his siren and flashing lights and looks over to Brendan whose eyes widen.
"Ye are gonna get into trouble doing that!" He doesn't want to cause any unnecessary problems. He thumbs over his phone, he's not heard off Ste since they arrived. A couple of texts and then he'd fallen asleep getting back late exhausted. "Simon, I don't know how ye managed to get me this flight - I don't wanna know, but thank ye."
"It was nothing really, had a few favours owed to me. I can't promise a smooth drive though. We gotta get ya to John Lennon Airport fast, this is the best way. Just buckle up and hold on" Simon switches on the ignition, a last wave to Warren and they bolt out of there.
Ste corrects his suit, brushes himself down discards the tie, thinks it's a little too formal really. Ste undo's a couple of buttons so his shirt opens out and reveals his neck. Eyes shining and bottom lip chewed at he looks down at his phone. He's conscious it's been a while since they spoke, but the reasoning in his mind helps him to overcome that. Brendan will have been snowed under at the club, needed all those hours to deal with the problem and when he checks the time, he knows he's in mid flight now.
A disturbance in the room makes him turn to look at Cheryl who stands at the top of the stairs with a smile. It's only half hearted though he can tell without her even saying anything to him. Ste feels his stomach spin."Chez...what is it?"
"Hey sweetie, ye look gorgeous. Brendan he'll...he'll be blown away when he gets to see ye" Cheryl swallows eyes flicking sheepishly to the ground and back up to him.
"Chez...?"
"It's not his fault okay? There's been a massive delay at Heathrow. The flights are running over schedule"
Ste moves when his strength goes in his knees sits on the bed that never keeps still." Oh, well he'll still make it won't he? I mean he promised he'd be there on the bridge." Ste nods, Adams apple bobbing. "Have you heard from him then?"
"No love, I have from Warren though. He says they're off to Liverpool airport and Simon has got him on a different flight...babe, he might not get here in time" Cheryl completes her journey across the carpet to stop at Ste, kneels down. "Maybe ye should wait till tomorrow?"
"No...No he said to meet him tonight an I'm going. I'll just wait won't I? I'd wait forever right" Ste's voice crumbles, lump catching in his throat is hurting now.
Cheryl warms with her smile and takes Ste against her shoulder tightly. "I know ye would. I'm so glad ye found each other." Cheryl moves and dips her head under Ste's, his hanging low trying not to worry. He sniffs and wipes his nose, gets up and pulls on his jacket determined. It's always winter whenever he stands on The Liffey bridge he's realised as he leaves the townhouse. Winter again, his breath steams the air as he walks briskly, spring in his step. Makes a mental note to visit the next time in the summer.
It's around nine o clock when Ste walks onto the Ha'Penny bridge again, and the resident butterflies in his stomach must be having another party because his insides are crazy right now. It's not the same without Brendan though and as his palms encase against the iron sides they freeze along the sensitive skin. The river has a thin coating of ice along it so it's not flowing anymore, instead it shimmers in the moonlight and glistens with the white glitter look frosting.
An hour passes and he continues to brave the plummeting temperatures determined to wait for Brendan but now he's shivering and no matter how much he huddles against himself he can't get warm. Feels the cold more than most and it's becoming harder. Cheryl has rang him, checking up and telling Ste to get home, sit by the fire and to stop being so stubborn. There'll be other times. He's thinking about it, that fire and a comfy sofa to relax on. Brendan's just been delayed, there's always tomorrow. He just defies her words and holds onto their love lock, thumbs over their names. A little while longer can't hurt.
Ste shivers with the cold and every now and then glances back when someone walks past, sees if it's the person he longs for the most. Ste fingers over his phone and searches his contacts, heart banging at his chest his hand shakes as he calls him and holds the phone to his ear, waits as it rings and then clicks. It goes straight through to voice mail and Ste gulps defeated. Takes every ounce of him to begin the arduous walk back. He's not coming after all. Ste catches and wipes a falling tear when it rolls down his cheek and freezes along his skin.
A car door slams behind him and then he hears hard footsteps along the concrete and Ste gasps daring to believe; but he can't turn around because he's frozen in time. Ste holds his breath and another tear snakes down his face.
"And where d'ya think you're going, hmm?" Brendan stands there disheveled, drops both his bags on the bridge, sick of the sight of them now, they're heavy and annoyingly bulky. They kept him at the airport deciding to check his bags through customs, delaying him even further. Taxi driver did nothing but waffle on throughout the entire journey to the bridge and then overcharges him because it's Christmas time. It was a nightmare and Brendan has so much to tell him.
For now though Brendan watches Ste stop with his voice, feet anchored to the ground. Brendan's smile spreads evenly, he made it.
"Bren" Ste's cheeks dimple, radiates joy as his breathing returns, eyes closed he silently thanks the world.