Finally. I am so sorry it's taken so long. I stopped around the time I started my new job and it was the biggest mistake I could have made because I've found it really hard to start again. Everything just sounded so wrong. But anywho…. Here goes, the next part. It's just a short one to get me back into writing again. I hope you all enjoy and it's not a disappointment.

(This is for Patricia_Jessic, sorry it took so long)

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Nice dream was it Ste. Now MY Bren hates the beach so it obviously couldn't have been him you were dreaming about. See he hates getting sand everywhere". He flashed Ste a manic smile as he climbed off of him and sat at the end of the bed. "Nice of you to finally wake up and join the party though".

"So Ste, where is he?"

Ste tried to say he didn't know what Macca was talking about but Macca just screamed and punched him in the face.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Brendan woke with a start. Something didn't feel right but then he had just woke up from sleeping on his damn couch. He really needed to sort this, he wasn't as young as he used to be and his back hurt from the awkward position.

He decided a hot shower would help and he went into his room to get fresh towels and clothes. He tried to be as quiet as possible cause he didn't want to have to talk to Macca yet. But when he opened the door the room was empty. He went back into the living room and checked his phone. There was a message from Anne that must have come through after he had fallen asleep;

"Macca text me and asked what time you and Ste left the club, I've told Ste to watch his back, Macca knows something".

Fuck.

He got into his car and drove round to Stevens. The house was still in darkness and it seemed quiet inside. Brendan knocked the door but there was no answer. Maybe Steven was still asleep; after all he'd had quite a work out in the hotel last night. Brendan took out his phone and dialled Steven's number. Someone answered but all he could hear was a moan then the line went dead. That was it, Brendan knocked his shoulder into the door until it burst open and as he entered Ste's flat he heard a whimper. Brendan quietly made his way along the hall and stood outside Ste's bedroom door.

He could hear whimpers and he could no longer control himself. He barged through the door and came face to face with exactly what he had been trying to avoid.

Ste was lying on the bed tied up and covered in blood. Macca looked up and all the colour drained from his face. Brendan launched himself across the room and dragged Macca away from the boy who was becoming more and more important to him.

He hauled Macca off of the bed and threw him against the wall. Macca began pleading with Brendan but all Brendan could see was red. He drew back his arm readying himself to punch the man who he had been sharing his life with, not his heart but he still lived with the man. As he began to thrust his arm forwards something broke through the red mist that had descended. It was Steven, Steven telling him to stop, not to do this. Brendan continued to hold Macca against the wall, completely oblivious to the sounds Macca was making as he pleaded with Brendan. He turned his head towards Steven and as soon as their eyes met Steven continued telling him not to do this.

He was beginning to realise that he couldn't refuse the boy much of anything anymore. He turned back to face Macca and moved so that his mouth was next to Macca's ear. He struggles to control the rage he felt as he growled for Macca to leave, to pack up his shit and leave, he wanted him out of his flat and his club and if he ever saw him again even Jesus himself couldn't stop Brendan from killing him.

Brendan released Macca from his tight grip and shoved him towards the bedroom door, then made his way over to Steven. He quickly untied him and Steven practically launched himself into Brendan's embrace. It wasn't something Brendan was used to, cuddling, but all he wanted to do was protect his boy and if this is what he needed then that was fine.

As he held Steven he wondered when his feelings towards the lad had become so strong. He wondered if he was ever just some barman but he knew deep down, even if he did struggle to admit it, even to himself, that he had felt the connection that first day in the club.

Steven continued to sob and eventually his breathing levelled out.

Steven woke with a start. He really didn't understand how he could have slept after what had happened, but as he came too he felt Brendan's arms tighten around him. He felt safe with the Irishman, which was ridiculous really.

Brendan removed himself from Steven and left the room. Steven instantly felt panicky but tried to tell himself to get a grip, surely Macca wouldn't return.

Brendan returned a few minutes later and lifted Ste off the bed. Ste knew this was not the time to be having completely inappropriate thoughts but the strength and sheer masculinity turned him on.

Brendan lowered Ste into a warm bubble bath and left the room. Ste couldn't help but relax as the warm water soothed his aching muscles. Once the water started to cool Ste got himself dried and wrapped himself in his dressing gown. He made his way to the kitchen where he saw Brendan sitting at the table with his head in his hands. He lifted his head as Ste entered and Ste gave him a small smile.

"I'm so sorry Steven, I should've sorted it, I should've checked that he was at home when I got in, I should've….."

Ste walked across the room and cut off what he was saying by kissing him. It wasn't a sexual kiss, it was for comfort, for reassurance that Ste didn't blame him. After all he knew his Macca was crazy before they started this.

Brendan pulled away and told Ste he had made him tea and toast but that he had to leave to sort out the club. He made Ste promise to lock the door as he left. Ste felt exhausted. The events of the last 24 hours had caught up with him and he just wanted to escape into sleep.

One Week Later

This was getting ridiculous. Ste couldn't move without Brendan or Anne asking what he was doing, where he was going. Brendan denied it of course but Anne calmly rubbed his arm and told him that they were just worried about him. To be honest, he just wanted to put it all behind him. Macca hadn't been seen since and Brendan had been crafty in ensuring that they were never left alone. If Ste text him Brendan's responses were always short, he always replied, but the flirty nature of their texts had disappeared. He missed it, he missed what Brendan could do to his body, the pleasure that only Brendan could draw from him. Ste really didn't know what to think, had Brendan went off him, was he only interested in the danger and thrill of seeing Ste in secret, behind his boyfriends back. Or was he being a martyr? There was only one way to find out.

Ste was busy cleaning down the bar after all the customers had gone home. Rhys came out of the staff room with his coat on and asked if Ste was about ready to leave. Ste knew this was his opportunity to speak to Brendan. The Irishman has been locked in his office all night, only emerging when the bar staff needed change. Ste told Rhys just to go on without him. Once Ste was sure he was alone he made his way over to Brendan's office and tentatively knocked the door. He heard Brendan grunt inside so he open the door to see Brendan slumped over the desk, there was an open bottle of whiskey which was about half empty. Ste made his was over to Brendan, who lifted his head and mumbled

"What do you want Steven?

"I came to talk to you, what are you doing? Why are you being like this?"

"Why do you care Steven, I'm not your problem?"

Ste placed his fingers underneath Brendan's chin and tilted his face upwards so that he could look in his eyes,

"You'll always be my problem Brendan, come on, let's get you home"

Brendan lowered his face so Ste couldn't look in his eyes. Brendan struggled to his feet and staggered home with Ste's help.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox

Ste managed to get Brendan into his bedroom and onto his bed. He took of the older man's socks and shoes and pulled the cover over him.

Ste knew he should go home but he couldn't bring himself to leave so he cuddled up on the couch and turned the TV on with the volume down low. He didn't know why he was bothering, Brendan was out cold. But he just couldn't get himself to leave the Irishman.

Please review, even if it's just to shout at me for taking sooooooooo long