Vulnerable - Chapter 7

It had been a couple of weeks now since Ste and Brendan got back together. Brendan was able to manage without wheelchair and crutches and most of his bruising had faded now too, the only reminders were the odd scars here and there. Brendan thought it made him seem broken, but Ste always relished in telling him how it made him seem more manly as he kissed over them while they were in bed.

Cheryl had finally gotten over whatever her and her brother had fallen out over. Ste still didn't have a clue, but where brother and sister were concerned, knew it was best not to pry. He felt awkward if he ever tried to bring it up so decided just to let it lie. What he wasn't aware of was that it was probably for the best, sometimes there are things that you're better off not knowing, and this situation was certainly an example of that.

Brendan's pov

The smell of bacon was wafting as Brendan padded down the stairs in only his boxers to cover his modesty. Steven was making himself at home in the kitchen, humming contentedly to himself as he fried Brendan's breakfast. It warmed Brendan's heart to know he was the one who was making Steven happy these days, never again would he lose him to another, ever. Not that they liked to think of the past now, but he knew that the bleak period without Steven had left him with a hole in his chest, one that now was only just mending itself, now that he had his boy back. Through finally admitting everything to himself, Brendan for the first time in his life felt complete, and there was really only one person to thank for that.

Steven had now noticed his presence in the open plan living room/kitchen, gazing up from his culinary skills to beam a smile at Brendan, the smile that held a thousand words, and Brendan knew every one of them.

'Smells good' Brendan mumbled as he buried his face in to Steven's neck, igniting a blissful sigh from his lover.

'Well I thought ya'd need your strength this mornin after last night' Steven replied in that matter of fact tone of his.

Brendan gave a filthy smile, one only reserved for Steven, as he reminisced over their action between the sheets last night. No wonder he'd slept in, that boy would be the death of him.

'Fuck! Brendan! There's hot fat in this pan!'

'Huh?'

He was suddenly roused from his daydream realising that all of those memories had managed to spark something down below making Steven jump as he'd unconsciously ground in to him.

Brendan shrugged it off,

'S'not my fault you make me feel this way Steven. Perhaps you should stop being so god damn sexy!'

Steven shook his head and grinned.

'On second thoughts, don't ever stop. Perhaps you should make ye self some a that. Gonna need the energy for what I plan to do to ye.'

To add effect he slapped Steven's arse causing him to yelp again.

'BRENDAN!' He scolded.

'We aint got time anyway. Cheryl's gonna be ere in an hour.'

'Urgh!' Brendan groaned.

As much as he was glad his relationship with his sister was back on track, WHY did she have to be such a cock blocker. Wouldn't be the first time he's had to delay a shag because of her presence.

He trudged over to the dining table then, feeling sorry for himself.

'Do you ever stop thinkin with ya dick Brendan?'

'Only when I'm thinking with my stomach.'

Steven tutted but smirked as he placed Brendan's food down on the table in front of him, at least Steven's cooking was some consolation. If he couldn't have his body for now, then he could quite easily settle for his food.

Steven was already dressed so Brendan rushed to the shower after his breakfast, suddenly feeling that he should make some effort for his sister. He was going to be the one having to tread on egg shells for the time being, family or not, Chez wasn't one to forgive and forget easily, that woman knew how to hold a grudge.

Towelling himself dry Brendan heard Steven get the door, and then the muffled interactions between him and his sister. Shoving some product in his hair he exited the steamy room, towel around waist to shout down the stairs.

'Won't be a minute sis.'

Once dressed he joined Steven and Cheryl on the bright sofas, cups of tea in hand.

'So I told them, babe these are all natural, aint no silicon goin anywhere near my puppies!'

Steven let out a donkey laugh as Brendan raised an eyebrow. He was glad he now had Steven to listen to certain things that his sister wanted to share, she really had no limits which would often leave Brendan squirming and digging his own grave in which to hide in.

'Oh hiya love.'

She looked up to greet him with a smile, one that still held a wariness, but was warm none the less.

'That Carmel McQueen thought your Cheryl had had boob implants.' Steven laughed. Always did feel the need to fill him in on the girly gossip.

'The daft mare asked me to recommend a surgeon.' Cheryl added, mocking a look of disgust on her face.

'Lovely.' Brendan muttered, wondering how much chit chat he would have to endure just so he could spend some time with his sister and hopefully make his way back in to her good books.

'I'm so glad you's twos are finally back together' she cooed.

'I knew it was only a matter of time.'

The grin on Steven's face stretched to both cheeks as he leant his head to rest on Brendan's shoulder, a small gesture that would have made Brendan cringe back in front of his sister, but now, things were different. Steven made him feel that someone was proud of him for once, he wasn't sure he could ever quite live up to the expectations of the man that Steven had in his head, but God knows he would try his damn hardest.

'Hey! What d'ya say we go out to celebrate?' Cheryl jumped up at her bright idea.

'Have some lunch at the dog?'

Before Brendan could object Steven was pulling him up by the hand, exclaiming what a good idea that was.


The pub was pretty full, only made worse when he spotted Douglas at the bar. Thankfully he looked deep in conversation with Darren Osbourne, but Darren being Darren alerted him to their presence making Douglas turn around and give him what can only be described as a death stare.

As if on instinct he held a possessive hand to Steven's back, trying to guide him past to avoid confrontation. It wasn't that Brendan had a problem with confrontation, the majority of the village knew that. But this! He really wasn't in the mood for this.

'We can't just ignore him!' Steven whispered.

'Well I certainly aint gonna be buyin him a pint.'

As if on cue, Douglas marched over towards them, head held stubbornly high.

'Cheryl, how have you been?'

His sister had the decency to look slightly awkward as she hugged the American.

'Fine babe, just coming in for a quiet drink.'

Brendan thanked his sister for the subtle hint.

'Ste.'

Douglas was rounding on Steven now, Brendan felt his hackles rising, glad when Steven shrank back from his ex's attempted hug.

'No hard feelings hey Ste?'

'Ermm…..'

Steven looked between Brendan and Doug, clearly unsure of how he should be acting around both.

This time Doug didn't wait, enveloped Ste with a hug and looked Brendan dead in the eye as he did so.

'At least let me buy you all a drink?' He offered as he parted from the embrace.

'Doug, it's ok ya know…to still be angry.'

Ste was trying to keep his voice down, wary of causing a scene.

'What's there to be angry about?'

Brendan wasn't buying his act but Douglas continued.

'I was the happiest I'd been in a long time.'

He looked Brendan dead in the eye, Brendan knew he was thinking about Bex.

'We'd built a business together, made a home, but all along, the man I'd asked to be my husband' he emphasises the word, 'is still wanting to go back to the man who beat him.' He says this all with a maddening grin on his face.

'Come on love, let's go get those drinks hey?'

Cheryl steers Doug back over towards the bar.

Brendan's hands are in tight fists when Steven rubs his palm along one, trying to get Brendan to calm down.

'I'm so sorry' he whispers as he tries to guide Brendan towards a table, hoping they haven't attracted too much attention.

Brendan lets Steven direct him in to a chair and sits back, arms tightly folded, trying to avoid eye contact.

'Shall we just go?' Steven asks.

Brendan can see how anxious he's looking, doesn't blame the boy for this but is just so bitter about the history that him and Douglas have. Brendan can't help but resent the fact that Douglas was there for him the whole time that Brendan wasn't. He hates himself for it.

'I think it's too late for that Steven.' Brendan mumbles.

He has his guard up now, slowly slipping back in to the character the village has come to expect of him.

'He just wants to get a rise from you Brendan right, now if you wanna be the bigger man you just ave to ignore him, and then we can go soon. I can't be rude to im though, after everythin I've just put im through, we have to remember that he's the broken one in this situation.'

'Huh' Brendan lets out a sarcastic grunt, if only things were that easy. If only Douglas' words didn't hit a nerve every time he spoke. If only he wasn't reminded just by Steven's face every day of the way he'd treated him, of how he didn't deserve him and would never fully be able to make it right.

As if Steven had heard his thoughts, the boy leant forward slightly across the table to gain Brendan's full attention, making him tilt his chin up slightly, face level with Steven's hopeful eyes.

'You've changed Brendan. You are the man that I want, and will always want, and you are so much bigger than all of this playground jealousy. I love you ok? So nothin else matters.'

You've changed

The words rang in Brendan's ears.

He still had so many secrets from Steven, had still done stuff that would make Steven hate him so much, how could he continue to lie to him? But how could he tell him the truth? He'd never felt more ready to be the man that Steven deserved but how could he when his own father had tainted his very being?

He swallowed down that thought and gave Steven the silent nod that he knew the boy was looking for. The smile he got in return briefly erased some of the pain.

Cheryl, accompanied by Doug came walking over to the table then, a tray of drinks in hand.

'Ta.'

Ste accepted the beer that Doug had bought him but sat fidgeting with the label on the bottle, clearly feeling awkward and unsure what to do in a situation as messed up as this.

'Bren I got ya a whiskey love.'

Cheryl placed it down in front of him with a hesitant smile, she knew the kind of mood he'd be in.

He swirled the liquid around in the glass, anything to occupy his attention and stop him from running out of this pub right now. He knew what Steven would think though if he did, had to stay here to prove himself.

Fucked up Brendan thought to himself.

'You can stay in the flat as long as ya want.' Steven was saying to Douglas, 'I..I can just stay at Bren's…Brendan?' He was seeking reassurance that that would be ok, it made Brendan feel sick that Steven was expecting the old Brendan, the old Brendan who could never have had Steven staying at his for longer than a night.

'Of course it is Steven, it's your home now.' Brendan was still staring in to his glass, unable to make contact, but emphasised the word home hoping to prove a point.

Doug had the decency to look unwelcome at that point.

'It's ok, I've already spoken to Texas, she said I can move back in with them as soon as I want.'

Ste nodded.

'I can be out within a couple of days.'

'Thanks Doug, I'm sorry.' Ste was quiet and offered Doug a small smile.

'Right, I think this party's over, don't you?'

Brendan had abruptly risen from his chair, ready to get the hell out of there.

As he began to march out of the pub he sensed Steven behind him, thankful that he'd followed.

Once outside he stopped to catch a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding.

'Cheryl said she's gonna take Doug home, ermm, I think she wanted to give us some privacy for a bit.' Steven had stopped behind him, both looking out across the pond.

Brendan grunted in acknowledgement, trying not to feel betrayed by his sister, she was only trying to do what she thought best.

'Let's just forget it Steven.' Brendan needed to clear his head, 'I'm going to the club for a bit, need to sort out some paper work, I'll see you at home.'

By home he meant his home, or at least he hoped that's where Steven would be when he came back. He didn't wait for a response before he headed towards the grey building.

I've finished another chapter! :D Feels like a personal achievement haha! I'm not entirely sure where I'm going to be heading with this story, but ideas have been popping in to my head lately so I'm just going to go with whatever feels fitting at the time. Can't say that I'll be turning this in to a long dramatic fic, but have been trying to imagine what the folks at Hollyoaks would do with this and for the time being knew that there would still have to be confrontation with Doug, I mean, he's not just going to get over something like that. And of course, Stendan was never plain sailing, there has to be at least a little bump in the road along the way. At least it gives them something to make up over ;) Anyway…..hope this chapter seemed relevant, and thank you for continuing to read. xxx