Brendan walked off back to direction of Mitzeee's in a mood he couldn't quite put his finger on. Yes, he was happy. He'd seen the only person he'd ever truly loved after three years of not. Of course he was happy; he looked amazing with no remnants of any accident whatsoever to see. Yet, on the other hand it had brought up all the longing of wanting to be near him again, wanting back what he missed. He wanted Steven all to himself like the old days, whether that be cuddling on the sofa watching a film, going out for a spot to eat or doing certain things in the bedroom. He just wanted Steven and his feelings were getting stronger than he ever thought they would. Ste was oblivious of course, he had just outwardly flirted like he used to, making little comments. Freddie Mercury what was that all about? He'd never called Brendan that, but in a way Brendan liked it. He liked Ste messing around and Brendan couldn't help but laugh to himself. He was sure Steven had offered to buy him a drink as well, a little flash of hope bearing within, wishing this would actually happen, to just be normal even if it was for a little moment in time. Steven would obviously not be buying the drink though, that was Brendan's job. He just had to make sure they wasn't spotted.

Ste walked home, unable to understand what he was feeling. Did he fancy this man? This man he had known for literally two or three minutes. This man he didn't even know? Truth of the matter was yes. Yes he did, and it somehow didn't feel wrong, he'd even found his moustache attractive which he didn't think he would. He'd invited this stranger out for a drink, a date whatever it was. But he'd invited him out with him. Either way He hadn't actually got a yes or no, but they were obviously staying near eachother since he had popped to the local newsagents, so he figured it wouldn't be too hard to track him down. He'd called him Freddie Mercury which he was quite proud of inside. Since the accident he'd lost some of his confidence. From what Amy had told him, filling in the gaps of his memory, he was never the most outgoing of the pack. He was never the shy type but he wasn't the sort of person who would go up to somebody in a bar and openly flirt with them to get his own way. So why the hell was he doing it now in broad day-light? He'd asked the man if he was 'checking him out' How the hell did he even know this man was gay? He decided he wasn't going to tell Amy about this just yet, he knew that she'd be running about choosing his clothes, making sure he was stocked up on the necessities and grilling him about this 'bloke' before he could even get a word in edgeways. As he'd thought before he didn't know whether this man was gay or not. Right now he needed a friend, one who didn't know about his past life and he hoped he'd found one to maybe start a friendship in a new one.

Ste got to the door, and took out the key which Cheryl had loaned to him. He'd made a decision.

"Oh hiya love, did you get everything?" Cheryl asked, looking over her magazine.

"Yeah, Cheryl I need to talk to you actually"

"Oh what is it love?" The worry obviously imbedded in her mind. Had Ste found out about everything? She mentally scalded herself. No, how could he? She'd told the whole village practically to never mention her brother to Ste while he was staying, so that was impossible.

"It's just, being round here. Where I grew up, where Leah and Lucas were born. Where I met you and Amy. It helps you know?"

"With your memory?"

"Well, kind of. Helps me to picture things instead of you telling me. Like the park, Amy telling me that's where Lucas first rode his bike. I couldn't picture it when we wasn't here, but going there the other day, picturing it all. It was like erm... comforting do you get what I mean?"

"Are you hinting you want to stay Ste?" Cheryl smiled, blatently willing him to agree, that yes he would love to stay. She hated living in the flat alone anyway, since Brendan had upped and left she had lived here all by herself and she didn't like it. She liked having Ste and Amy around and the kids, it brightened her day up as sad as it sounded.

"Maybe...If it's okay of course?"

"Course it is love! I'd love you too.. Forever if you wanted" She winked.

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet eh? Few weeks maybe?" Ste mumbled as Cheryl pounced on him, obviously over the moon.

"What's this then?" Amy asked as she walked out of the bathroom.

"Ste asked!"

"About time, or I was gonna have to do it for you."

"Ah so you two planned it then" Ste looked between the two of them, pointing his finger jokingly.

"Maybe..."

"You're the best friends ever you know that?"

"Of course we are, that's why you love us!"

"Hm..."

Brendan's entrance was a little more.. forceful than Ste's. He'd knocked on Anne's door probably hard enough to break it, which luckily he hadn't. Expense he didn't need.

"Are you trying to knock my door off it's hinges Brendan?" Anne smiled, and then quickly changed her tone noticing Brendan's face. "Ehh.. Brendan what's up? Sit down."

"I saw him." It was barely a whisper, surprising it had actually left his mouth it was that quiet.

"Ste? Did you.. you know.. walk the other way?"

"No."

"You walked up to him?"

"Not technically."

"Brendan talk to me."

"I bumped into him." Brendan turned his head to look at Anne. "Before you make sarcastic comments, I meant literally. I literally bumped into him. And he had no idea who I was."

Brendan broke down, the tears running freely. He was crying, mourning in a way. Mourning something that had gone, something special that he'd cherished. Why had he come back? He didn't expect Steven to notice him, of course he didn't, but it was more hardhitting than he imagined it being.

"Ehh, come here you big softie."

Brendan let Mitzeee keep him in her embrace. He needed it, he felt like a child right now being comforted. After a moment or so, he let himself fall out of her arms.

"He invited me for a drink."

"He what?"

"Well I had a coffee and he knocked it out my hand, and it fell to the floor. So he said he'd replace it. Do I go Anne? Tell me." Brendan sped his words out, without taking a breath.

Mitzeee did however, take a breath, she didn't know how to answer. Did she tell Brendan that he shouldn't go? Because technically he shouldn't. He'd made a promise to Cheryl that he would never come back into Ste's life once he'd left it. She'd gave him the ultimatum.

"If you walk out that door Brendan that's it. You are never coming back you hear me? Never. You are gonna let Ste live his life and you will NEVER be a part of it ever again. Is that what you want Brendan? Because believe me, I mean it. You've hurt that boy more than words can express, and if you go that's the end of it all. Everything you've done to him, I've forgiven you for it. But not this time. I will never forgive you if you leave when he's DYING in a hospital bed Brendan!"

She had forgiven him though, she obviously meant if he tried to come back and fuck Ste's life up again, she'd never forgive him. He'd kept that promise for all she knew.

Then Mitzeee thought of the other side of the argument, that Brendan should go. Maybe Ste would fall in love with Brendan all over again, they'd find out new things about eachother that neither knew. Well Ste didn't know anything, but he could learn it all again right? Mitzeee didn't know the right answer. She knew this was Brendan's decision to make."It's up to you. When is it?"

"He er.. he didn't say. I didn't ask."

"Well, he's staying with Cheryl so he can't be that hard to find?"

"You want me to go don't you Miss Minniver?"

Mitzeee nodded. She couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She always thought Brendan and Ste were cute. Even back in the day when she'd caught them apparently saying "goodbye" ending their "relationship" she thought they were the perfect match, and she still did.

"Go get your man Brendan."

Hope it was okay :) xx