"Did you just here what he said to me?" Ste asked his eyes wide. "He said I still snore like a… donkey!" He wrinkled his nose up.

"Donkeys are cute," Doug smiled. "Not that I've heard one snore. Anyway, what's wrong with that?" He couldn't see the problem.

"I don't care if I snore like a donkey," he snapped. "It's that he knows I still do! How does he know that, eh?"

Doug shrugged. "Ask him, you two seem to be on better terms now."

Ste shook his head, "no I can't, me. Better terms? Doug, the reason I walked outta here yesterday was cause he…"

"Cause he what?" Doug asked, mopping down the counter.

"Oh, it doesn't matter."

Doug stopped what he was doing, "of course it matters. Don't let him get to you again, Ste. Look how far you've come."

Ste smiled. Yeah, Doug was right. Doug had believed in him from the off, they'd only been friends for a couple of months and it was like they'd been the best of mates for years. But Brendan wasn't really something Ste wanted to talk about with him. He knew Doug knew of their past, and how their relationship was nothing short of frustrating and upsetting, but would he understand?

They were similar in many ways, that's why they'd got on so well. Their bickering something they grew to appreciate in their friendship. They learnt they'd both had hard lives, that past relationships were something to be forgotten. But Carter & Hay had proved all the doubters wrong, they could make a success of their lives, and they had made something of themselves.

"I know Brendan's no saint, and that he's always got something up his sleeve, but I think he could change, especially for you." Doug offered did he believe Brendan could change?

He actually did. Brendan wasn't his favourite person, the control Brendan had over Doug wasn't one he ever thought he'd have. He was a bully, he had dealings with drugs, and he was a psychopath. What sane person would get involved with him?

But Doug had sensed something different about Brendan when it came to Ste. There was a more genuine side to him; he had no doubt Brendan enjoyed having a hold over Ste but it was more than that. When Brendan offered the money for the deli, Doug couldn't have thought of a worse idea. Then it leaded to him getting attacked, all signs bad. He was fuming with Brendan, and himself, he felt like a failure when he finally signed the contract with Brendan. Or the devil, has Doug liked to call him.

But further down the line, it made him think – why hasn't he told Ste that we are here because of him? That would show his control, his need to interfere with Ste's every move, whether it be love or business. Brendan must have wanted Ste to be happy; maybe he felt guilty for all he'd done to him in the past.

"Nah, he can never change. I gave him chance after stupid chance, and he messed up each time," Ste interrupted his train of thought.

XXX

"'Ere ya are, watch it!" Ste shouted, the bump into the back of him making him drop the coffee granules everywhere.

"Oops, didn't see you there," Brendan's tone bored. His mood this morning seemingly back to how Ste knew him best – being a prick.

"Getting right on me nerves you," Ste said, getting a sweeping brush.

"Ye still care then?" Brendan asked, raising his eyebrow.

"What? NO!"

"But ye must, for me to be getting on ye nerves, ye must care."

"What would you know about feelings?" Ste said his chin high; defiant.

"Jesus, Stephen, I've come for food. Not a shouting match. "

Brendan wasn't expecting Ste's reply if he was honest. Why was Ste so sure he had no feelings? Had he forgot that Brendan had told him he loved him? Did that count for nothing?

"Don't come in here starting then," Ste said putting the brush away. "I've got a right to not serve ya, anyway."

"Is that so? I'm ye most regular customer, if anything ye should be putting discounts on my meals." Brendan put his money on the counter, "I'll have a meat feast." He winked.

"Whatever, you didn't come in for three weeks," Ste realised he sounded as though he was moaning, he straightened himself up, "I'll bring it over."

"Knew ye missed me," Brendan tilted his head to side as he watched Ste sassy off to the kitchen.

XXX

Brendan finished his pizza, he licked his fingers and 'mmm'd' his approval. "Ye know, I have missed these," he said as Ste came over to collect his plate.

Ste totted at him, "did no-one tell you not to eat with your mouth open."

"I don't know, can't say I really listen to people, especially when all they do is moan at me like an old woman."

"That better not be aimed at me," Ste huffed.

"What if it was?" Brendan laughed, Ste's strop amusing him.

"Ain't got time for this, ya know." He turned to walk away, but he had to settle something, "what did you mean this morning?"

Brendan looked up, "what ye wittering on about now?"

Ste looked around; the place was empty apart from a couple near the door. He sat facing Brendan, "you know what I mean! 'ye still snore like a donkey.'" He tried to mimic Brendan's accent.

Brendan couldn't help but grin, his teeth on show, "I'm from Dublin, not Scotland." He messed with the napkin on the table, "ye don't remember then?"

"Remember what?" Ste's body tensed.

"Last night."

XXX

"I'm taking ye home, Stephen."

Ste batted his hand off his arm, "you aren't taking me anyway! So don't bother trying."

"I doubt Amy would appreciate ye coming in making a racket when the kids will be fast asleep."

Ste stood up and stuck his tongue out.

"Well that's really mature," Brendan went for his arm again. "Just come on."

"Get your hands off me, Brendan! And don't you talk to me about me kids."

"Keep ye voice down, it'll only take two minutes if I help ye."

"Help me? Yeah, cause you're such a great, helping person."

Ste's speech was becoming more of slur, and his head was getting heavier. He wanted his bed.

He slapped Brendan on the chest, "ya don't touch me if I let you walk me home. And you don't step foot inside my house. OK?"

"OK," Brendan repeated. Complicated, drunken bastard Brendan thought. He wasn't sure whether to admire his state or be annoyed. He went for the former.

Brendan tried to talk to him, Brendan trying to talk. Who'd have thought it? But he soon gave up when Ste was having none of it. He was disappointed that he'd let Brendan walk him home, it was like he was relying on him again, just this once though, never again.

They reached the slum and Ste tried to rummage around his pockets to find his keys. "Oh, proper lost me keys, ant I?" Ste covered his face with his hands.

"Want me to have a check?" Brendan offered.

Ste pointed at him, "don't you dare. I said no touching."

"Well have another look then," Brendan rolled his eyes.

Ste looked again, this time in his inside coat pocket. He jangled them in air when he found, and he laughed, "Sneaky bastards."

Then there was another hurdle to jump – he couldn't get his key into the lock.

"We'll be here all night," Brendan took the keys from Ste's grip and unlocked the door.

Ste stood with his arms crossed, "I could have done that myself!" He stepped inside, "you can go now."

But Brendan just ignored him and went inside. He wasn't planning on staying; he just wanted to make sure Ste didn't course himself an injury by falling, or waking anyone up.

Ste stood in shock, "get out now!"

Brendan shut the door, "ye shouting, Stephen, stop shouting."

"Don't you tell me what to do!" Ste's body flopped against his front door, "I didn't know you had a twin."

"Ye what,"

"There is two of you," Ste hiccupped. "God save us all," he looked up. "I think I'm gonna be sick.

Less than twenty minutes later and Ste was in bed. It was a miracle Amy hadn't woke up demanding answers. Brendan stood beside Ste's bed, watching him drop off to sleep.

"You better not tell anyone…about this," Ste mumbled. He opened one eye slowly, "do ye remember the first time you saw me drunk?"

Brendan nodded, "like it was yesterday," Brendan put two fingers between his teeth thoughtfully, "do you?"

Ste nodded tiredly, "you tricked me. You tricked me in to kissing you." He scratched his nose, "bad Brendan."

"That drink has affected ye more than I thought," he smiled. "Ye kissed me."

Ste groaned putting his arm under his pillow, "only cause you wanted me to," he whispered. "You proper wanted me."

Next sound to air the room was Ste's snoring. A loud snore at that, a sound Brendan hadn't heard for months, a sound he undeniably missed. He suddenly felt trapped; he wanted the memory to last longer.

Fully clothed, Brendan slipped off his shoes and laid next to Ste; on top of the quilt. If Ste found out about this he'd never hear the end of it.

He watched Ste's chest rise and fall, the way it did when he was away with the fairies.

He stroked Ste's neck softly and listened to his snores until he could fight no more to stay awake.

A/N: Sorry for any mistakes, it's half 4 in the morning. :/ Thanks again for your comments, they are a treat.