Chapter Four
Ste watched in fascination as Brendan devoured his burger.
"You ate that in two bites!" He exclaimed.
Brendan shrugged, licking his fingers clean. "I was hungry."
Ste shook his head, laughing incredulously. "And how are you doing, little lady?" He asked Leah. She grinned happily up at him, chip dangling from her mouth.
"Lucas hasn't eaten as much." Brendan murmured, glancing at Ste's son beside him.
"Don't you like your food, Lucas?" Ste asked, a little exasperated. Lucas shook his head resolutely, frowning.
"Why don't ye have some of mine, hm?" Brendan offered, pushing some of his chips Lucas' way.
Lucas smiled and took a few, dipping them in Leah's ketchup.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Brendan Brady would share his food." Ste said wonderingly. Brendan gave him a little kick under the table.
"Watch yer mouth, boy."
"Oh yeah?" Ste grinned, rubbing his foot against Brendan's ankle.
Brendan gave him a level look, turning his attention back to the kids. "How was yer crèche thing?" He asked uncertainly.
"Really fun!" Leah said excitedly. "Are we doing our face painting today, daddy?"
"Err…" Ste checked their itinerary. "Yup, in an hour."
"Best eat up then." Brendan said, shovelling a few chips into his mouth and grinning at Lucas, who laughed delightedly.
"You're really good with them." Ste said fondly. He could feel a silly smile coming out on his face.
"Don't get soft on me, Steven." Brendan winked.
"I'm not." Ste said quickly, hiding his smile with his hand.
A few hours later and they all emerged with painted faces. Brendan looked less than amused about this. He'd insisted on at least being given a lion, while Ste opted for a more neutral panda.
"Ye look a state." He said, deadpan.
"Says you!" Ste gave him a playful shove. "I think I look proper good."
Leah clapped her hands together, getting into her role of puppy accordingly.
"Yip!" She said, poking her tongue out at Brendan.
"Adorable." Brendan said dryly but Ste could see the corners of his mouth twitching.
They received a few strange looks on their way back outside to the bikes. Lucas gave a little growl as Brendan put him into his bike seat; he was taking his role of tiger very seriously.
"Lion's trump tigers, ye know that, I know that."
Lucas stared at him uncomprehendingly.
"Brendan!" Ste scolded. "You don't tell a three year old that."
"Me and Lucas understand each other, don't we, wee man?"
Lucas continued to stare blankly at him.
"Woof!" Leah piped up, ending the conversation.
Xxx
"Aw come on, Brendan! You have to join in."
"No." Brendan said plainly, edging towards the bar.
"You're no fun." Steven pouted, tying the laces of his roller skates up.
"I'm not agile like ye are, Steven. I'd just fall down."
"What's 'agile'?" Steven asked blankly.
Brendan ignored the question. "Listen, I'll just be over there, watching."
"The football's on!"
"I'm hardly a fan, Steven. I'll just get myself a drink, read the paper…"
"You're such an old man!" Steven exclaimed, but he was smiling now. "Fine, I get it. If you aren't gonna join in though at least take pictures." Steven whipped out his camera that Brendan had bought him only a few months ago.
Without warning, he took an impromptu picture of Brendan, the flash near blinding him. "Jesus, Steven. Can ye not?"
"I just want to cherish these memories!" Steven leaned against him, pulling the camera back to take a picture of the two of them. Brendan attempted a smoulder while Steven grinned goofily. "Aw we look dead good." Steven said happily, giving him a sloppy kiss.
"Yeah yeah, get away with ye." Brendan gave his arse a squeeze and retreated to the bar.
He sat at a vacant table, sipping his whiskey thoughtfully. The table beside him was occupied by a man on his own in his mid forties. He glanced over at Brendan apprehensively as though gauging whether he was approachable to speak to. Brendan gave the tilt of his eyebrow in response, which was opening enough for the man.
"Didn't fancy it either?" He had a deep, gravely voice.
"Not my thing." Brendan replied, staring out at Steven and the kids holding the sides.
"My wife loves it, but then she's got the figure for it." The man chortled, rubbing his own protruding belly with pride.
Brendan laughed, glancing over at Steven and his slender frame. "Mine's the same." he replied after a beat.
"Yeah?" The man smiled kindly at him. Brendan waited for it. "That him?" He pointed Steven out, laughing as he held both Leah's hands and swung her around the dance floor, Lucas watching from the side with a huge grin on his face.
"Yeah." Brendan said, a little stunned. "That's him."
"Fancy another? I'm going up." He asked. Brendan nodded, surprised. That was it. No further comment, no strange looks, nothing.
"Brendan!" Steven shouted and waved to him eagerly. "Look what Leah can do!"
Brendan watched in amusement as Leah did a little twirl all by herself. He whooped and clapped with pride, feeling the glow of parenthood in a way he hadn't for years.
His new friend handed him a drink and smiled, glancing up at the television screen for the football. Brendan spent another good fifteen minutes sipping his drink and reading the paper until he decided to go back down to Steven and the kids, who by now had done several laps of the dance floor.
"Brendan!" Steven zoomed straight into him. Brendan quickly reacted, holding him securely around the middle. "Look how well they're doing!"
Leah was guiding Lucas around, holding his hand tightly.
"And how about ye?"
"I'm loving it, me!" Steven grinned, shining in the twinkling lights. "You gonna join us?" He asked exuberantly.
"Oh I dunno…"
"Please, Bren! I'll take good care of ya, promise!"
Steven batted his eyelashes at him hopefully. He was practically buzzing with energy.
"What's in it for me?" Brendan asked, quirking his eyebrow.
"Gratitude." Steven said, stifling a laugh.
Brendan rolled his eyes. "Is that all?" He said suggestively. They both knew he'd already caved.
"Come on!" Steven pushed him in the direction of the skates.
After struggling to find a good size twelve, Brendan tottered towards Steven with his arms outstretched.
"I don't like this." He said, nervous already.
"You'll be fine! I've got you." Steven took his arm, pulling him onto the smooth surface. Brendan lurched forwards immediately. Steven grabbed him around the waist before he fell. "See? Told you."
Brendan panted, looking up at him with hooded eyes. "Better be worth it."
"It will, trust me." Steven winked, helping Brendan to stand upright once more.
"Yay, Brendan!" Leah squealed as she zoomed past them with Lucas in tow.
"Right, we'll take it slow." Steven kept his gaze, attempting to look reassuring. "Hold my hand."
"Any bloody excuse." Brendan tutted, but did so anyway.
His legs were dangerously unsteady as Steven pulled him along.
"Come on, you're doing really good!" Steven said reassuringly.
"No need to patronise, Steven. I'm a big boy."
Steven rolled his eyes but continued anyway, rolling around himself with apparent ease.
"It's fine when you know how!"
"I'll bet." Brendan grunted, his knees locking together. "Agh!"
"What?" Steven asked, alarmed.
"Cramp!"
Steven's lips pursed together until they broke apart in an almighty laugh.
"Don't laugh at me!"
"I'm sorry!" Steven eyes twinkled then. He let go of Brendan's hand without warning.
"What are ye doing?" Brendan bellowed, outraged.
"You can do it, Bren." Steven rolled away from him, holding his arms out. "Come on, roll towards me."
Brendan stared at the ground, his feet awkwardly facing each other. Others zoomed around him effortlessly. He'd never felt so useless in his life.
"Don't look at them, look at me." Steven said coaxingly, all teasing gone now. "Come on, one step at a time."
Brendan stepped out, shaking visibly. If he treated it like walking it was just about manageable. He kept his eyes fixed on Steven as he rolled forwards. Steven smiled encouragingly, his beauty startling even in tracksuit bottoms and a polo shirt.
The distance wasn't far and Brendan grabbed Steven the moment he reached him, smiling with obvious relief.
"You did it!" Steven grinned triumphantly. Brendan had hit him with the full force of his body, causing them to twirl in a spin. Steven steadied them; he was the strong one here. Brendan let him take the lead and watched him glow with pride.
"I love ye." He said, wanting to kiss him so badly, so he did.
"I love you too." Steven smiled, taking his hand again and pulling him along around the room.
Brendan was exhausted by the end of the session. His feet throbbed when he took the skates off.
"Well done." Leah smiled, kissing Brendan on the cheek.
Steven grinned at him again, smug as fuck.
"Want another drink?"
"God, yes."
Xxx
"Can we stay in tonight? I well fancy some pizza." Steven bounced along beside him, still full of energy.
"Ye don't fancy the Italian?"
Steven wrinkled his nose. "Too posh, init? I just want a plain old margherita."
"Consider it done then." Brendan replied, leading him by the arm. "Ye ever think about getting back into cooking?" He asked casually.
"What, you wanna fire me?" Steven grinned playfully.
"No but ye know…"
Steven looked thoughtful before he answered. "I guess so, I do miss it sometimes."
"I was thinking maybe, if ye wanted, ye could do some food for the club sometimes on our big nights."
Steven's grin widened. "I'd love that."
"Ye work hard, Steven. Ye deserve more responsibility."
"And it's not just because I sleep with the boss?"
"Well, that has its perks too."
"Naturally."
They arrived at the takeout place, the kids bundling inside before them, shrieking with delight.
"I want pepperoni!" Leah said, lifting her arms for Brendan to pick her up.
"Whatever ye want, sweetheart." He crooned, turning to the cashier. "Small pepperoni for the little lady, margarita for this one." he inclined his head in Steven's direction. "Meat feast for me and…" Brendan looked at Lucas.
"He can share Leah's, she won't manage all that."
"Right, ye got that?"
They sat in some of the plastic chairs while they waited, the kids growing restless.
"Early night tonight I reckon." Steven whispered to him.
"Really?"
"Them, not us!" He laughed.
"Sounds good." Brendan smirked at him, imagining all of the wonderful things they could be doing when they were finally alone…
They trundled back to their accommodation with their pizza, watching rubbish television and laying out on the long sofas. Steven laid himself between Brendan's legs, head resting on his crotch. Leah and Lucas eventually tired themselves out and fell asleep together on the chair. After they carried them to bed Steven resumed his original position, stretching like a cat and exposing his bare stomach for Brendan's eyes to rake over.
"Tease." Brendan murmured, his fingers absently trailing over the small tufts of stomach hair.
"I'm just laying here!" Steven shifted a little so his head was pillowed in Brendan's lap.
"Ye reckon?" Brendan's fingers continued their descent, slipping underneath Steven's tracksuit bottoms.
"Now who's being a tease?" Steven asked, but his words came out weird. Brendan's fingers were already curling around his cock.
"I'm just laying here." Brendan said mildly, giving Steven a few firm strokes.
"Right." Steven attempted to sit up but Brendan placed a hand on his chest.
"Let me take care of ye, like ye did for me earlier."
Steven turned his head slightly, small curve to his mouth. "If you insist." He made himself more comfortable, if that were possible. Brendan continued with his gentle, teasing strokes, working Steven to full arousal.
"I think my pillow just got hard." Steven laughed, head thrown back to look at Brendan.
Brendan placed a finger over his lips, silencing him. "Turn around."
Steven did as instructed, still as pliable as the day Brendan first claimed him.
"Where do you want me?" He practically purred. Brendan directed him to balance on his hands and knees, his pert arse in Brendan's direct line of sight. Brendan smoothed his hands over the faint hairs there, enjoying the way they stood on end at his touch. Without preamble, he spread the cheeks and smoothed his tongue over his entry, loving how Steven squirmed even after all this time. He could see the way his hands curled into the pillows, his head bowed, eyes squeezed shut.
He coaxed him open with his mouth and fingers, relishing the soft keening noises Steven made. When he was ready he flipped him onto his back, nudging between his legs.
"You don't hang about." Steven teased, hands smoothing down Brendan's chest.
"What can I say, Steven? Ye bring it out in me."
Brendan bowed his head to claim his lips, slick and wet graze of mouths, tongues battling for dominance. He pulled at Steven's shirt, hands running smoothly over his bare stomach. Steven tugged at Brendan's trousers, bringing out his flushed cock.
"We shouldn't be doing this here." Steven breathed, eyes glazed over with desire.
"Do ye care?" Brendan murmured, nuzzling his neck with his teeth.
"Uh…" Steven's eyes rolled back, resistance lost.
"Thought so." Brendan grabbed his hips then, pulling him closer so he could line himself up properly. "Remember not to scream." He told him smugly. Steven glared at him, opening his mouth to argue. Before he could Brendan pushed his way inside and swallowed Steven's moans with his mouth latched onto his.
They moved in a steady rhythm; the long sofa a surprisingly good place for it. Steven, agile as ever, pulled his legs back to his chest to give Brendan better access. His ankles ended up on Brendan's shoulders, the tickle of his hairy legs against Brendan's neck.
"Jesus, Steven. Sometimes I feel too old for ye."
"Don't be a git." Steven retorted, his breathing hitched. "Just fuck me."
"Steven, husbands don't talk in that manner." Brendan's voice was laced with amusement and arousal.
"I keep telling you, we're not normal!" Steven clenched around him, dragging his fingernails against Brendan's spine. "Get closer."
Brendan did as he was told, bringing their faces inches apart.
"Problem?"
"I need you to come inside me."
It was amazing how hearing those words still sent shivers across Brendan's body.
"Yeah?" He asked softly.
"Don't slow down either." Steven instructed. He was coming apart at the seems. "And jerk me off."
"Demanding wee thing, ain't ye?"
"Just fucking do it, Brendan." Steven's body spasmed, jerked, clenched. Brendan increased his pace, pulling in and out to give them maximum sensation.
"Jesus." Brendan breathed..
"Brendan!" Steven cried out, muffled as he bit into Brendan's shoulder.
Brendan felt his own orgasm coiling through him and after feeling Steven tighten around him as his was released, it wasn't long until he was riding out his own, coming into Steven as requested.
He laid on top of him afterwards, boneless and sated. He didn't withdraw straight away. Steven wrapped his arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss.
"It's like a second honeymoon."
"We can have one ye know, I don't mind."
Steven laughed, boyish features shining and glowing with sweat.
"Maybe." He breathed. "We still have one more day of this one though."
"True." Brendan finally withdrew himself slowly, flopping next to Steven on the sofa. "What's on the 'itinerary' for tomorrow?"
"Don't tease." Steven reprimanded, hitting him with a pillow. "We can swim in the morning I thought, then we've got that treasure trail thing-"
"Why are we doing that again?" Brendan asked, circling Steven's chest with his fingertips.
"The kids love it, makes them think."
"We could cheat I suppose, go to the pub after."
"Brendan!"
"Ye were thinking it, don't lie."
"No! I wouldn't!"
"Sure, we'll see about that tomorrow." Brendan murmured, his nose nudging Steven's neck now.
"We need to get into bed."
"Ugh, no." Brendan threw an arm across his stomach. "No moving."
"The kids might wake up in the night."
"Point." Brendan reluctantly stood up, more than a little put out when Steven remained on the sofa, curled in a ball. "Don't fall asleep! If I have to get up, so do ye!"
"But my muscles are all ache-y."
"That's what ye get, putting yerself in all those strange positions."
"I didn't see you complaining!"
"Fine. Do ye want me to carry ye?"
"I wouldn't say no…"
Brendan sighed, wrapping one arm underneath Steven's legs and the other around his neck. "Liberties." he murmured.
"What was that?" Steven asked, poking him in the chest.
"Nothing, dear." Brendan sighed, hiding the smile on his face.
"Don't make me hit you with another pillow."
"Violent wee thing, aren't ye?"
"Shut up."
"Make me."
"You know I will."
Brendan opened their bedroom door, throwing Steven unceremoniously onto the bed.
"Not if I make ye first…" he crooned, climbing back on top of him.