Chapter Two

When Ste opened his eyes he found himself covered in a blanket and the sun was blinding him.

"What happened?"

"Ye fell asleep." Brendan answered, smiling. He handed his sunglasses over to Ste.

"Oh," Ste flushed, shaking the blanket off. "Kids?"

He turned in his seat. Leah and Lucas were awake and playing with one of their electronic games Brendan had bought them recently.

"Keeps them busy for hours, that." Brendan said proudly.

"Well done, you." Ste grinned, turning back in his seat.

"We're almost at Little Chef, good job ye woke up."

"I'm starving." Ste said, his stomach rumbling as if on cue. Brendan smiled, giving his stomach a little pat.

"I've just seen the turn off, don't worry." He signalled and followed the road.

"I love watching you drive." Ste piped up suddenly.

"Yeah?" Brendan smirked at him.

"It suits you."

"Mm." Brendan agreed, finding a parking space. "Maybe we should get ye back into driving."

"You reckon?" Ste's eyes lit up excitedly.

"I ain't putting ye on my insurance though, the cost would be ridiculous." Brendan raised his eyebrows teasingly.

Ste pouted. "We're married now, maybe we'll get a special deal."

"Reason for marriage right there: discounts." Brendan chuckled, unbuckling himself.

"Ever the romantic." Ste sighed, slipping out himself and opening the door for Leah. "Your sunglasses are falling off me head."

"That's because ye are tiny." Brendan said, taking the sunglasses off of him with his free hand, the other was holding Lucas'.

Ste tutted, holding his hand out to Leah. "What do you fancy then, darling?"

"Sausages, beans, toast, egg-" Leah listed the food off with her fingers.

"A girl after my own heart." Brendan laughed, ruffling Leah's hair.

"Don't encourage her! What would Amy say?"

"Amy's not here." Brendan winked, leading the way.

"She'll know you said that!" Ste called after him, hurrying to keep up.

Brendan requested a table by the window and Leah ran ahead excitedly.

"I want to sit next to Brendan!" She piped up.

"Maybe I want to sit next to Brendan?" Ste laughed, helping Lucas up into his seat.

"You can sit facing him." Leah said reasonably, grinning up at Brendan.

"That's me told." Ste smiled, sitting beside Lucas.

"Can I get you some drinks?" The waitress asked kindly.

Leah jumped straight in there. "I'll have orange squash, please."

"Lucas?" Ste asked his son.

"Same, please." He said, fiddling with his napkin.

She turned to Brendan, her smile a little brighter. Ste glared and crossed his arms.

"We'll have two orange juices, please."

"But Brendan I fancy a coke, me."

"It's too early for that, Steven."

Ste rolled his eyes. "Fine, that's fine."

The waitress watched their exchange with interest but didn't comment. She went to put their drink orders through. Leah held the menu up by her face, peering at it with interest.

"I don't like bacon, Brendan." She said, looking at him.

"More for me then." Brendan said reasonably, taking the menu off of her. "Lucas?"

"He only likes toast really." Ste said. "I'll have a full English too though."

"That's what I like to hear." Brendan said, gesturing for the waitress. She came over too quickly for Ste's liking, balancing their drinks on a tray. She took their breakfast order and then took a moment to make polite conversation with Brendan, blanking Ste completely.

"You off on your holidays then?" She asked sweetly.

"Yep." Brendan said, monosyllabic as ever. Ste found his lips twitching into a smile.

The waitress noted Leah and Lucas with interest. "A family holiday is it?"

"Yeah, with my kids." Ste said sullenly. The waitress turned to him in surprise as though only just noticing him.

"How lovely."

"It is, isn't it, Bren?"

Brendan nodded in response, disappearing behind the paper left on their table.

Ste sighed as the waitress stalked off, clearly not appreciating being ignored.

Ste gave Brendan a little kick under the table.

"What?" Brendan said sharply.

"Why didn't you say you were married, hm?"

Brendan stared at him blankly. "What are ye on about?"

"To her." Ste jerked his thumb over his shoulder.

"Steven, I'm gay." Brendan said, matter-of-fact.

"She doesn't know that though." Ste replied sulkily.

"Who cares?"

"I care."

"Why? Not as though I'm gonna dump ye for her, not really how it works."

"Well I know that." Ste said, beginning to waver.

"I didn't say anything because it's not even on my radar." Brendan said reasonably. "I'm with ye."

"And if she'd been a bloke?"

"Makes no difference to me." Brendan said, flattening out his newspaper.

Ste shuffled uncomfortably in his seat, feeling foolish. "Well alright, I guess that makes sense."

"Exactly." Brendan gave him a small smile. "Ye weren't jealous, were ye?" His eyes lit up with amusement.

"No." Ste said forlornly, crossing his arms again.

"Of her? Seriously, Steven?"

"I just don't like people ogling my man, that's all."

Brendan snorted under his breath.

The waitress brought their food over. She'd given Brendan extra sausages. Without hesitation he put one on his fork and offered it to Ste. Ste took a bite, perplexed. The waitress' expression changed with realisation and after that there was no more special treatment.

"Shame really, I could have gotten us so much more." Brendan said, Leah's bacon in his mouth.

"Don't push your luck." Ste said, but he was smiling now.

They were back on the road again once they'd finished. Leah groaned that she'd eaten too much and wasn't feeling well so Ste suggested she sit in the front.

She chatted incessantly to Brendan for the remainder of the way. Brendan caught Ste's eye at one point but he merely grinned at him. Lucas was preoccupied with his game so Ste put his music on. It helped with the travel sickness if nothing else. Brendan had a cd on but they didn't exactly have the same taste in music.

Eventually their destination came in sight. Ste took his music out and enjoyed getting excited with the kids.

"Ye are as bad as them." Brendan noted, but he was smiling.

They checked in easily enough. It had been better coming earlier. Ste stared behind them at the cars beginning to pile up. They couldn't go in to their lodgings until three so Brendan suggested they go for a swim, scope the place out.

It was a little strange seeing Brendan in swimming trunks. They were stylish of course, jet black and fitted. Ste found himself staring fixedly at his crotch. Brendan coughed, giving him an amused smirk.

"Steven." He said firmly.

"What? Oh." Ste looked ahead; the kids had already found their way into the water. "Lucas! Armbands!"

They didn't spend long in the main pool; too many people for Ste's liking. The outside pool was gorgeous. The kids paddled around in front of them whilst Brendan and Ste leaned on the bubble machines. Ste tilted his head back, groaning in pleasure.

"This is proper relaxing."

"Mmm," Brendan agreed. "Wait till ye go to the spa."

"Spa? Really?"

"Yep it's all booked. The kids are at that crèche place."

"Perfect." Ste breathed, closing his eyes.

"Daddy," Leah suddenly appeared beside him. "Can I go on the rapids?"

Ste looked over her head where they were situated. "Err, I'm not sure…"

"Ye aren't scared are ye, Steven?"

"No!" Ste said quickly. "But it might not be safe…"

"I'm a big girl now, Daddy." Leah said seriously. "Brendan can go with me!"

"Happy to." Brendan grinned, helping Lucas up to sit beside Ste.

"Well be careful!" Ste said worriedly, watching the two of them approach the opening of the rapids. Leah gave him a big thumbs up and disappeared.

Ste sighed, smiling at Lucas. "Just you and me, wee man." He frowned a little when he noticed one of his armbands was missing. "Oh, Lucas! Where'd that go?"

"This what you're looking for?" A kind, male voice asked.

Ste looked up, squinting in the sunlight. One of the lifeguards was holding Lucas' armband. He was around mid-twenties, sandy hair, broad grin.

"Oh yeah, thanks." Ste reached out to take it.

"My pleasure." He replied, slipping Ste a wink. Ste watched him walk away, perplexed.

"Who was that?" Brendan growled from behind him. Ste nearly jumped out of his skin.

"That was quick!"

"Yeah, I know. Who was that?" Brendan repeated.

"Just a lifeguard." Ste replied airily.

Brendan frowned after him but didn't comment.

"Maybe we should get some lunch?" Ste suggested quickly. Brendan turned back to him, his expression smoothing out.

"Good idea."

Ste scooped Lucas into his arms, following Brendan and Leah out of the pool.

Xxx

They ate at the fast food restaurant in the swimming pool. It was bizarre eating in swimming trunks and Ste had to keep his towel over his shoulders to stop himself from dripping constantly.

Brendan ate his burger with gusto, licking his fingers once he was finished. Ste pushed his leftover chips in his direction without even glancing his way.

"What shall we do now then?" Ste asked.

"We could get the bikes?" Brendan suggested.

"Sounds like a plan."

Brendan gave him a small smile, brushing the wet hair back from his face.

"Ye almost had a fringe again there."

"Aw do you miss it?"

"Sometimes." Brendan shrugged. "Ye wanna take the kids and get ready?"

"Meet you by the hairdryers?" Ste asked, leaning down to kiss him. "That tache is gonna need drying." He whispered, tweaking it.

"Get away with ya." Brendan murmured, batting his hand away.

Ste laughed, wrapping the towel around his waist as he went to the changing room.

Ste found Brendan afterwards in front of the mirror, combing his wet slicked hair. Ste approached him from behind, grinning at him in the mirror.

"Do I know ye?" Brendan teased, giving him a narrow look.

"Come on," Ste purred, wrapping his arms around Brendan's waist. "You can't spend all day preening yourself."

"I want my bike." Leah piped up from beside them.

Brendan smiled at her in amusement. "Is that right, little lady?"

Leah nodded enthusiastically. "Cuddle Daddy later, come on!" She pulled on Brendan's hand.

"That's me told." Brendan laughed, allowing himself to be led away.

"We'd best call Mummy, Lucas." Ste told his son. "Do you want to dial?"

Lucas nodded eagerly, holding out his small hands for Ste's phone. Ste gave him a little help and once they'd walked outside Amy had answered.

"We went swimming, Mummy." Lucas said happily.

Ste let him speak for a little bit before he took the phone for himself. "Alright, Ames?"

"How's it going? They haven't given you any trouble?"

"Nope, good as gold. Leah keeps hogging Brendan though."

Amy laughed. "Oh she was so excited, Ste. Don't over indulge her though."

"Oh I know, don't need to tell me."

"How's Brendan?"

"Yeah good, relaxed I think."

"Relaxed? Brendan?" She sounded sceptical.

"Well we're pretty anonymous here, no risk of me being grabbed or whatever."

"Ste." Amy said sternly.

"I know, I know. Shouldn't joke."

"Can I speak to him actually?"

Ste frowned. "Why?"

"It's private." Amy said conspiratorially.

"Okay…" Ste jogged ahead to pass Brendan the phone. "Amy for you."

"Ah." Brendan didn't seem surprised. "Alright?"

Ste listened intently but Brendan wasn't giving him an inch.

"Right, yep. Course. Nothing to worry about. Okay. See ya." He hung up and looked at Ste mildly. "What?"

"What was that?"

Brendan shrugged. "Nothing, Amy just wanted a private word."

"Okay…" Ste said suspiciously. "We're here now anyway."

They collected their bikes, opting for a child carrier on one of them. Leah insisted on her own bike.

"You're gonna have to keep up though." Ste said, hands on his hips.

"I will." Leah said confidently.

"I'd best take this one, Steven." Brendan said, throwing his leg over the seat.

"Why?"

"It's heavy."

"Are you saying I'm not strong enough to do it?"

Brendan sighed. "Come on, Steven…"

"Give us a try!" Ste nudged him. Brendan sighed, climbing off. He strapped Lucas into the back and crossed his arms, waiting.

"Go ahead."

Ste began peddling, triumphant for a few metres until his legs began to hurt.

"Struggling?" Brendan walked alongside him like a dad helping his kid ride a bike. Ste wobbled a little and Brendan caught him round the waist.

"I can do it, Bren."

Brendan removed his hands, holding them out innocently.

Ste tried a few more metres, glaring as Leah whizzed by him on her own bike with stabilisers.

"Give up?" Brendan whispered.

"Fine." Ste panted, his legs aching. He allowed Brendan to help him off the bike. His hands didn't leave his waist straight away. He smiled like Ste was the most precious thing in the world. Ste blushed, embarrassed. "We need to get the car." He muttered.

"We'll cycle up there and I'll go back for it."

"I could go now with the bikes and you could-"

"No, that's fine." Brendan said quickly.

Ste frowned. "I can go alone…"

"Yeah, course." Brendan said airily. "Just easier."

"Alright." Ste agreed carefully.

Thankfully their lodgings weren't too far. Ste was glad he didn't smoke anymore; he was out of breath by the time they arrived. Granted, he hadn't done it since he was a teenager but even so.

Leah and Lucas bounded inside, running to their room. Ste and Brendan followed in after them, taking note of their surroundings.

"Nice." Ste said, impressed.

"Yeah?" Brendan stalked forwards, his hand ghosting across Ste's back.

"Can't wait to try out the bed."

"I'll bet." Brendan said smoothly, drawing Ste close for a long, deep kiss.

They spent the remainder of the afternoon unpacking and watching the odd bit of television. They ordered takeout for their first meal together: pizza. Brendan finished the leftovers once the kids had been put to bed and Ste came to join him on the sofa.

"This has been perfect."

"Mmm." Brendan agreed, his arm around the back of the sofa where Ste had slotted himself in.

"I'm knackered though, it's proper tiring here."

"That's what I was told." Brendan said, stifling a yawn.

"You wanna go to bed?" Ste asked, his voice low.

"Sure." Brendan murmured, grabbing Ste's wrist and pulling him immediately to his feet. "Been waiting all day. Do ye know how unbearable it is seeing ye in those skinny little swimming trunks and not being able to do anything?"

"Want me to put them on now?" Ste suggested, his lips quirking upwards.

"I'd rather ye wore nothing actually." Brendan growled, walking them towards the bedroom.

"Consider it done." Ste said, pulling his t-shirt over his head. Brendan's hands were on him straight away, stroking his hips.

"Ye are fucking beautiful, ye know that?" Brendan pushed him onto the bed, straddling his lap.

"I've been told." Ste whispered, tilting his head back to give Brendan access to his neck and throat.

Brendan licked a trail from the soft spot below his ear to his collar bone. Ste gripped his arms, balancing himself upright. He could feel Brendan's hardness digging into his lap.

"Someone's keen." He said throatily as Brendan undid his trouser buttons.

Brendan responded by pushing him onto his back, kissing his chest down to his belly button. His teeth grazed against Ste's boxers, teasing.

"Not too tired for this?" Brendan asked calmly.

"What do you think?" Ste pushed up against him as Brendan leaned over him, claiming his lips.

Their mouths became a driving force, neither yielding to the other. Brendan kissed Ste wherever he could, his fingers slicked up with lubricant and coaxing him open in the meantime.

"Jesus, Bren. We only did this earlier this morning."

"Too long." Brendan murmured, sliding his hands over himself in preparation.

Ste pushed his legs back to his chest, giving Brendan the perfect access. He lined himself up, his eyes not leaving Ste's as he slowly pushed himself inside. Ste winced a little, gripping the bedcovers. He relaxed once Brendan was fully inside, allowing him to rock gently to begin with.

"The bed doesn't squeak as much as ours does." Ste noted a little breathlessly.

"We broke the first one, remember?"

"Oh yeah." Ste laughed, hardly able to contain himself. Brendan picked up the pace, holding Ste's knees as he pulled himself out half way and then slammed back in again. Ste groaned in satisfaction, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Look at me, Steven." Brendan instructed, stroking his cheek.

Ste did so, noting how wild Brendan seemed above him. This was when he saw Brendan's other side; the feral, insatiable beast he could be. Ste wasn't afraid though; there was nothing more satisfying to him than being consumed by this man. He tugged Brendan's hair, their signal, and propped himself up with his hands to give Brendan better access.

Brendan pushed their foreheads together as the pressure increased, both of them building to climax. Ste gripped himself in his hand, stroking to the pace of Brendan's thrusts. He shuddered and came first all over his stomach. Brendan followed soon after, whispering Ste's name into his skin, searing them in the moment.

It took several moments for their breathing to return to normal. Brendan withdrew, collapsing beside him on the bed.

"Now I'm knackered." He chuckled, throwing his arm over his eyes.

"I'll go clean up and we'll go to sleep."

Brendan grabbed his wrist before he could move, smiling mischievously at him.

"No need." He said mysteriously, flattening Ste on the bed and licking up the almost dried remnants on his stomach.

Ste squirmed at the ticklish sensation. He froze when Brendan swiped a finger over his entry, clearing it.

"Jesus…" He whispered. Brendan licked the remainder from his cock and smiled at him sensually.

"Ready for bed now?"

Ste nodded wordlessly. Brendan slid underneath the covers, pulling Ste with him. Neither of them made a move to redress themselves. Brendan moulded himself against Ste's smaller frame, his lips in his hair.

"Love you." Ste whispered, closing his tired eyes.

"Love ye too." Brendan breathed, holding him tight as they both drifted off to sleep.