Thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews. They've really made me smile and I'm glad that you like what I've done here.

This second chapter is still canon as I don't want to rush the story too quickly. I do however apologise if there is anything I get wrong in the storyline, really didn't have enough time though to watch all the episodes before these particular ones. There will also be no Walker storyline involved.

It also picks up exactly from where I left off ;)

Vulnerable - Chapter 2

Brendan's pov

Brendan had put aside an envelope with a wad of cash, stashed it away in his room for a rainy day. He wanted to give it to Steven now, show him that he really did appreciate how he was putting himself out for him. If truth be told, no amount of money could ever portray just how much Steven really meant to him, but for now, this was all he had and would have to do.

'Call it an engagement present' he said as he handed it over.

The sentence made him cringe as soon as he opened his mouth, he also wondered whether Steven had noticed the hint of bitterness that laced his words. Knowing Steven though, he was probably too taken aback by what Brendan had just put in his hand.

'I can't take this!'

That boy was always so stubborn. Of course he could take it, of course he should take it. After everything that Brendan had put him through, and the fact that Steven always came back, always gave him another chance, this was the least he could do for him. Money was dispensable, Steven was not.

Steven was giving him a confused look now, wondering why on earth he would be handing over a large percentage of his life savings to him. That boy really did not know his worth did he? Brendan wasn't sure however, how to explain why he was doing this, sometimes it was hard to explain things to himself where Steven was concerned.

'You and Douglas need a holiday.'

Maybe he would think that Brendan really was happy for them and wanted to do something nice.

'I hear America's nice this time of the year' he continued.

'You can get each other matching baseball caps.'

That was more like it, trademark Brady sarcasm to signal just how ridiculous the concept of Steven and Douglas really was to him. He didn't know about baseball cap, but he knew what he'd want to do to Douglas with a baseball bat. Or maybe Steven would come to his senses and beat him to it….after all, he'd already had some practice.

Brendan quickly shook the thoughts and images out of his head.

'Oh right, yeah, there we go, that's more like it!'

Shit! Steven was pissed!

'I'm serious!'

His tone was more sobered now, he was only messing before, wasn't he?

'You should, you should get away' he stuttered.

He really should get away, as far from him as possible. Brendan would only lure him in again, he couldn't deny that after Steven had told him about the engagement, all he could think about were ways to break it off. In some scenarios he'd even pictured himself chasing after Steven down the aisle, a scene that made him shudder in embarrassment. But sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures.

Steven was pushing the opened envelope back towards him now in rejection, he looked like he wanted to leave, instantly making Brendan panic.

Ste's pov

How dare he just think he can throw money at me and Doug again! He'd already done it with the deli, nearly broke us up because of it! And here he is again, just thinking he can buy me, control me with his money. That's what it always is with him….control! So uncomfortable in his own shell that he has to dominate everyone else around him. I can't do this, not anymore. This is why I'm marrying Doug.

The way he's looking at me now though, it's different. He's actually being genuine, just using the sarcasm as a cover up. I can't take his money though. That's the problem with Brendan, money has been the only thing that he's known, the one thing that gives him control, that he has control over. Forever fighting off self belief that people would actually want to know him for him, and not for materialistic reasons. Ste can't deny though that Brendan's reputation wouldn't particularly encourage people to take the time to get to know him, the real him, without all of the gangster façade.

This is why he's smirking now, when he tells Brendan that he definitely will not take his money, even if Brendan says please. The fact that Brendan thought that one word would make this whole situation acceptable has him trying to hold back a laugh. Typical Brendan! Definitely not a word he's used to using very often, even sneers as it comes out of his mouth. Ste's touched though that he would say it just for him.

'Right, so what now?' he asks.

Brendan's sat in a wheelchair offering him money that he's now rejecting, he's not really sure what the next step should be. Not right now, and not in the wider picture of things either. He wonders whether Brendan is also thinking about the double meaning behind his question.

Maybe he was, because Brendan is now telling him to go home. Pushing him away again. Something that Ste should be used to by now. He's not letting this happen at this moment in time though, Brendan's been in hospital for god's sake, he needs to remember that. He can't even walk, let alone look after himself. He really needs to stop being so stubborn and put some of his pride to one side just for now.

Ste instantly regrets grabbing for his hand as Brendan tries to wheel himself towards the door. Even the slightest of touches feel far too intimate between them, mainly because of the rush of warmth and adrenaline that pulses through him as their skin makes contact reminding them that they have a connection. If they allowed themselves, they could create something special. Ste knows it's not just the effect Brendan has on him, he knows that Brendan feels it too, that assault of desire, his eyes give it away, plus the fact that he instantly brushes Ste off, scared of what might happen if they stay attached for longer than necessary.

Brendan's trying to push him away again. Feelings aside, there's no way Ste would feel comfortable just leaving Brendan to his own devices, stuck in that house, in a wheelchair, where he can't even tie his own shoe laces. He's getting frustrated with him now, accent getting thicker:

'You ave to make everythin so ard for yaself don't ya?'

He could tell he wasn't going to win this battle though.

'Right, if ya want me, you know where I am.'

He heaved himself off the sofa and strode towards the door in defeat.

'Steven?'

Ste felt his heart stop as Brendan called him back, as he turned to face him he could see the look of sadness in the older man's eyes.

'Thank you' he simply said.

It wouldn't have sounded much to anyone else, but Ste knew this wasn't a phrase that was heard from Brendan very often, and he could see just how much he really meant it.

Ste's heart instantly warmed and he couldn't help the big goofy grin that was now spreading across his face. Brendan appreciated him, and that was all that mattered. He could put on the big bad wolf act for as long as he wanted, but he would always need Ste, and for once, it was actually nice for him to be able to look after Brendan. Usually it was Brendan trying to fight all of Ste's battles for him, being overprotective and stating that he knew what was best for him. For once in his life Brendan was more helpless than Ste, and it was now Ste's turn to offer him support, to give him the lifeline that no one else could.

He hurried out of the door then before anymore sentimental thoughts could fill his mind. Douglas, that was the name of his fiancé. Douglas! He would be waiting for him, and he couldn't exactly embrace his future husband with open arms whilst consumed with thoughts of Brendan.

Little did Ste know, that on his walk back to the deli, Brendan sat staring at a closed door.

Sorry this chapter was quite short, but it seemed like a good place to end as from now on it will start to get a bit less canon.