Chapter Twenty-One
Ste was currently waiting at the bus stop to be picked up. He felt so cold though (the summer was truly over). It didn't help that 'The Loft' was busting out loud music and drunken people were shouting at each other. A car soon pulled in; giving out two loud beeps and shining light right in his face. An older man in his late 60s stepped out...
"Steven Hay?"
He looked over when his name was called out. This must be that prison guard (Russell). Another old man whom Brendan has got involved with. Ste wondered what the Hell was up with Brendan these days; hanging out with men older enough to be his father. Though Ste kept these thoughts to himself as he just nodded in response.
"Get in the car then" Russell ordered; like he was some sort of general.
"Brendan's expecting me?"
"Yeah he is"
Ste paused slightly before walking over and getting in the passenger's seat. After Walker, he had good reason to not trust Brendan's companions. Russell got in the driver's seat next to him and began to drive away from the village.
"Is he alright?" Ste asked after a few minutes of driving in total silence.
"He's a bit beaten up again...black eye this time" Russell muttered.
"Why?"
"How else was he to get down to solitary confinement? You don't get down there minding your own business" Russell firmly replied.
He talked down to Ste like he was stupid.
"Why are you doing this for us?" Ste asked; wondering what was in it for him.
"Because...Brendan needs this"
"I swear down that if you done anything to him, I'd..." Ste was quickly cut of...
"I haven't done anything to him; I'm his only friend in there" Russell assured him.
"Who's been giving him those bruises then? You must know since you're his friend...apparently"
Russell looked his way with a sigh. He knew alright where he got those bruises from but he doesn't think Ste will like the answer. He gathered it wouldn't be the answer he would be looking for but the real truth never is.
"He did it to himself, Ste"
He looked at him with look of slight disbelief.
...
The prison looked so much different in the dark, it somehow looked even less inviting. He was led though a couple of dark corridors, Russell has told him to keep very quiet and he obliged. He looked through a hatch to check it was the correct cell before slowly opening the door...telling Ste in a hushed tone...
"Go in and I will be back at a quarter to 4"
Ste nodded and nervously entered the very dark cell. He heard the cell door lock behind himself and knew that was it...
...
Ste was trying to adjust his eyes to the dark cell; scanning the room he was in. He spotted a figure sitting on the floor. Brendan seemed to be in his own little world down there (barely acknowledging his presence).
"Hey...what are you doing on the floor?" Ste asked; placing himself down next to him.
Brendan just looked at him and that was it. It was like he didn't believe he was really there. Ste placed his hand onto the slightly older man's leg. Gently rubbing his hand up and down before giving him a quick kiss...
"Come to bed and let me hold you at least...it's much nicer then the floor" Ste suggested, pulling himself up.
He walked over to the small prison bed. It wasn't much softer then the floor but that's prison beds for you. He got under the covers and placed his arms out; wanting Brendan to get in with him. Brendan paused slightly, giving out a sigh; finally getting into bed as he felt his Steven wrap his arms around him. It wasn't exactly something that he would usually let anyone do but Steven was different. After years of beatings, the odd bit of rough sex and almost zero consolation. He allowed himself to be held and it made him forget about the Hell he has been living in for the last five years. Ste kept giving him soft kisses on his neck which just relaxed him more then anything else.
"I love you" Steven breathed; no other man would he rather be with right now.
Brendan is the only man he would be happy to do this for. The only thing that troubled him was the fact he couldn't take him home. He wished that he could just take Brendan away from this awful place. He's been in prison himself and he knew how horrible it was, how lonely it felt at times. During his thoughts; he noticed that Brendan had fallen asleep in his arms. Ste gave a small sigh, looking down upon him. This wasn't exactly what he imagined their first night back together would be like. He was dreading Russell coming back, if only 4am never came.
...
After hours of just silence, Ste too has fallen asleep. Though the sound of a door opening awoken them both from their slumber. Russell urging Ste to get out before the day staff come. This broke the slight trance as a still half-asleep Ste reluctantly unwound himself from Brendan.
"I gotta go now...see you in a few days; yeah?" Ste asked him.
Brendan just giving him a nod in return. The two shared a kiss; not wanting to leave each other again. Though Brendan broke away and told him to just go with the younger man making a very reluctant exit. Russell locked the cell door again and led Ste back through the way he came in. It was still dark and the fresh air somewhat felt even more cold then it did when he arrived.
"Get in the car and I will be back in an hour" Russell informed him; Ste forced him into the backseat.
He watched as Russell locked the car door and returned back inside to resume his last working hour. Ste slumped back down with a sigh however the only thing on his mind was Brendan. He fell back asleep; hiding himself in the backseat.
...
TBC