Chapter Twelve

When Brendan opened his eyes again it was still dark. He glanced over at the luminous bedside clock and read the time: two thirty am. Steven was tucked underneath his chin, legs thrown across Brendan's own as promised. Brendan was on his side, holding him tight, lips in his hair.

It was wonderful to wake up like this and Brendan was just wondering what had woken him in the first place when he heard a buzzing sound from the floor. Steven didn't stir, even when Brendan slowly disengaged himself from his arms and padded across the room to the source of the noise. The buzzing was coming from Steven's trouser pocket. At one glance at the screen Brendan saw Samuel's name. He grunted in annoyance, putting the phone back in Steven's pocket.

"Bren?" Steven murmured from the bed, not as sound asleep as Brendan had thought.

"Shh, go back to sleep. It's only half two."

Steven smirked, eyes still closed. "That reminds me."

"What?"

"I lied that first night I stayed with you. I knew it was gone seven in the morning."

Brendan crawled back into bed, staring at Steven in disbelief. "Ye serious?"

"Yup. Only way I could get the whole night with you."

"Ye little sod." Brendan scolded, but his voice was teasing.

"I think I probably fell in love with you that night." Steven said wistfully, still in a half awake, half dream state.

"Is that right?"

"Yeah." He said sleepily. "Who phoned me?" He asked around a yawn.

Brendan hesitated. "Yer dad."

"Oh." Steven's eyes didn't open. "Bit late, init?"

"He must be worried."

Steven let out a small puff of air. "Go fetch it for me."

"Lazy fucker." Brendan muttered, nudging him in the side.

Steven smiled coyly. "I'll make it worth your while."

"Now how can I say no to that?" Brendan laughed, stepping out of bed once more to fetch the phone.

Steven stared bleary eyed at the screen. "Five missed calls, ouch."

"Wouldn't he just assume ye are here?"

Steven opened his eyes fully then, looking at Brendan and saying nothing.

"What?"

"Maybe that's what worries him."

Brendan snorted. "Because I'm so dangerous, is that it?"

"Well, maybe to him."

"Ye said ye didn't mention me."

"I didn't, much. But you're pretty well known around here."

"People still talk about me then?"

"A bit, yeah." Steven said, putting his phone back on the side, switched off. "That should settle him."

"What did ye say?"

"That I'm lying in your bed, fucked out of my mind and about to give you a blow job."

"Seriously?"

"No, course not."

"So I'm not getting a blow job?"

Steven grinned at him. "I didn't say that." He said sweetly, rising from the bed.

"Yeah?" Brendan's voice became lowered, strained.

Steven shifted down to the end of the bed. "You want me to?"

"Is it even a question?" Brendan felt Steven's hands on his thigh, grip warm and tight.

"I like to hear you say it." Steven said, eyes blazing.

Brendan reached forwards to cup his cheek, rubbing his thumb across his jaw.

"Swallow me down then."

Steven's eyes glittered seductively. His lips parted, closing around the tip of Brendan's cock. Brendan's eyes rolled back as he collapsed once more against the pillows. Steven started with gentle, teasing licks to the tip, sucking a little to moisten it further. His hand rested comfortably against the base of Brendan's cock, beginning the slow stroke up and down.

His lips moved lower, tongue darting out continuously in his mouth, breath hot against Brendan's skin. His other hand moved to cup Brendan's balls, palming them as he lowered his mouth further around Brendan's cock. Brendan's legs began to twitch as Steven sped up, spit becoming more pronounced and the friction of his hand increasing.

Brendan tangled his fingers in Steven's hair, soft grunts escaping his lips. He chanced opening his eyes, took one look at Steven's red, plush lips around his cock, blue eyes shining desirably, shuddered and came down his throat. Steven gagged a little but swallowed him down obediently, licking his lips afterwards and giving Brendan a wide grin.

"Feel better?"

"Jesus." Brendan breathed, thumb brushing Steven's lips.

Steven crawled up the bed between Brendan's legs, laying against his chest. Brendan wrapped his arms around him, resting his chin atop his hair once more. The flat was silent save the sounds of their breaths and the steady beats of their hearts. Brendan didn't remember drifting off to sleep but the next thing he knew he was being shaken awake by Steven, bright light shining through the curtains.

"Someone at the door." He murmured, looking fearful.

Brendan sat up carefully, giving his cock a rub absently.

Steven eyed him, his own morning presence peeking through his boxers.

"Damn." Brendan muttered, thinking of better things they could be doing. He slipped some clothes on from yesterday before padding to the door. He opened it without even really looking to see who it was, which was a mistake.

Samuel strode into the flat, dressed in a smart suit and looking determined.

"Come in." Brendan muttered unnecessarily.

"Where is he?" Samuel asked, voice tight.

Brendan inclined his head down the hall, resigned look on his face.

Before Samuel took another step, Steven appeared rubbing tiredly at his eyes. Brendan was relieved to see him dressed.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" He asked, perplexed.

"Steven," Samuel said, voice softening. He strode forwards and took him by the shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me where you were? I was worried."

"I texted you." Steven answered vaguely.

"After I called several times." Samuel said. Brendan could see how much effort he was putting into staying calm. It unnerved him somewhat.

"Yeah but you must have known I was okay after leaving the club. It's not as though you came looking for me." Steven frowned.

Brendan stiffened, remembering what Anne had told him last night about finding Steven in the cellar. Had Samuel gone back to the club to release him and panicked when he didn't find him there? Perhaps he'd been afraid Steven had realised the truth. Brendan stared at him, eyes hard. Samuel didn't return his gaze.

"I thought you'd leave straight after me; I got called away and left the keys for you to lock up. But when I came home you weren't there." Samuel's hands gripped him tighter.

Brendan didn't appreciate his tone, and it was abundantly clear to him that Samuel was lying. Steven didn't seem to have the same reservations.

"The cellar door locked me in, dad. Mitzeee came by and helped me out, lucky she was there really."

"Yes, very fortunate." Samuel agreed, relaxing a little.

"And then I came to see Brendan." Steven finished, offering no extra details.

Samuel glanced at Brendan. "I know you're an adult, Steven but I'd still like to know where you are."

"I know, sorry." Steven said sheepishly.

Brendan refrained from rolling his eyes.

"Have you eaten? I'll treat you to some breakfast if you like."

Steven glanced warily at Brendan. "Can Brendan come too? He hasn't eaten either."

Samuel paused, his jaw set. "Of course, if he hasn't got anywhere better to be." He replied stiffly.

Brendan slung a casual arm around Steven's shoulders. "Where else would I rather be?"

Steven nudged him warningly in the ribs, giving him a stern look. Brendan smiled back at him, slowly drawing a smile from Steven's lips. Samuel watched this exchange silently.

"Where we going then?" Steven asked, smile still in place.

"How about that place we took the kids last time they visited?" Samuel suggested, giving Brendan a sideways look.

"The kids?" Brendan turned to Steven in surprise.

Steven flushed visibly. "Oh, yeah. They've been down here quite a lot since dad arrived. You should see our Leah, proper little madam now."

"She wasn't already?" Brendan responded. Inside his stomach was clenching. Samuel was smiling in a satisfied sort of way. "Amy's okay with it?"

Steven's smile faltered. "She came around eventually once I… uh, sorted myself out."

Brendan nodded, knowing that Steven meant once Brendan was out of his system.

"Hey." Steven said softly, brushing his arm and giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll call Amy, get her to bring them down sometime."

"Yeah." Brendan nodded, eyes downcast. His thoughts drifted to his own children and he wondered whether Eileen would let him see them.

Steven opened his mouth as though to voice that very thought until Samuel spoke instead.

"I'll bring the car round, see you out front." He patted Steven's arm and gave Brendan another glance before letting himself out. Brendan released a breath, relieved to be alone together again.

"Bit intense, yer dad." Brendan noted, eyes narrowing at the space Samuel had left.

Steven shrugged, flattening his hair. "He loves me, he's always been like that."

"In the two years ye have known him?" Brendan said thoughtlessly. Steven frowned at him.

"You got something to say, Brendan?" He challenged.

"No, Steven." Brendan said darkly, thinking of Samuel being the dutiful granddad to Leah and Lucas, probably getting it better second time around easier than Brendan had.

"Do you want to come out with us or not?" Steven sighed.

"Yeah." Brendan mumbled. "Course I do."

"Then you're gonna have to make the effort with my dad, aren't ya? He ain't going anywhere and neither are you so…"

"I'm not?" Brendan asked, looking up once more. He sounded unbearably vulnerable even to his own ears.

Steven's expression softened. "You idiot, you think I'm gonna ditch you now after everything? Don't be soft."

Brendan smiled, feeling immeasurably better. "I'll fetch my coat then."

Of course Samuel had a fancy car. It was sleek and black, reminiscent of Brendan's old car. Steven grinned at Brendan as Samuel wound down the passenger side window.

"Who wants to get in the front then? Steven?"

Steven hesitated, glancing at Brendan. Brendan could almost read his mind; he knew that Brendan would feel emasculated riding in the back with Samuel at the wheel, but the idea of them both sitting in the front together was unthinkable as well. Brendan took the decision out of his hands, opening the front door for Steven to slide inside.

"Thanks." Steven said, giving him a knowing look.

Brendan slipped in the back seat, resting himself across two seats, legs spread out. He saw Samuel glance at him in the rear-view mirror but he didn't comment as they sped away.

It was only a short drive thankfully. Steven filled the empty silence with inane chatter. Brendan closed his eyes, allowing his voice to warm and calm him like it had done all those years ago. When the car stopped Brendan jerked. He'd almost drifted off to sleep. Steven smiled at him, poking his tongue out. Brendan raised his eyebrows, remembering exactly what that tongue had done to him in the early hours of the morning. His cock stirred at the memory.

"Come on, Steven." Samuel said, cutting into Brendan's thoughts.

Brendan recognised the restaurant they were at; he'd taken Cheryl here in his first few months in the village. He wasn't used to being out in public so noticeably and he felt a few eyes falling on him in recognition. It was hardly surprising; he'd been all over the news when he'd been arrested.

Steven shuffled closer to him, allowing Samuel to lead the way inside. Steven was different around his dad, younger somehow. It made Brendan uncomfortable and wary. He would most definitely be keeping an eye on the both of them.

Samuel seemed to know the owner; all smiles and shaking hands. They were seated at a table near a window; Samuel sitting opposite the two of them. Brendan suddenly had a déjà vu moment, remembering when he had first met Eileen's parents. He coughed, feeling uncomfortable.

They ordered their drinks, studying the menu carefully.

"Why did ye order a coke, Steven? It's only half ten."

Steven shrugged, playing with the straw. "I like my sugar boost in the morning, don't I?"

Brendan rolled his eyes at the same time Samuel did. They locked eyes, mouths set in a firm line.

"Anyway, err our Lucas sent me this picture in the post last week. I kept it in my wallet." Steven drew out a folded piece of paper, handing it to Brendan.

Brendan squinted at the figures drawn, trying to decipher who they were.

"That's me." Steven said, pointing to a man with yellow hair. "That's dad." He said, pointing to a larger man in a suit. "And you're there too."

"Me?" Brendan said in some surprise.

"Yeah next to Leah." Steven said, pointing. And lo and behold, there he was.

"He remembers me?" Brendan asked, stunned.

"Course he does. Leah goes on about you all the time, drives Amy mad." Steven chuckled and Brendan couldn't help smiling in return, staring in wonder at the picture.

"How's he getting on at school?" Brendan asked, quickly calculating how old he would be by now.

"Not bad, he's a bit naughty." Steven said, with some pride. "Chip off the old block."

"And Leah?"

Steven's face lit up. "She's our little genius, must have gotten Amy's brains. She's top of the class for spelling, can you believe that?"

"I can." Brendan said, handing the picture back to Steven. "She ran rings around the rest of us."

"She's excellent at science as well." Samuel said, eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Must be from that bug motel." Steven grinned, nudging Brendan with his elbow.

"Yeah, must be." Brendan agreed, watching as Samuel's face hardened.

They ordered breakfast; Brendan opting for a full English, Samuel ordering the same. Steven settled for some toast and egg on the side.

"That's not a meal." Brendan commented, pushing a sausage onto his plate.

"Not that hungry, me." Steven said, chewing the corners of his toast delicately.

Samuel sighed. "I keep trying to get him to eat more but he won't. I cook him all sorts of dishes and he barely finishes them."

"Ye still load up on ketchup?" Brendan asked, looking at Steven.

"Sometimes." Steven shrugged. "Dad finds it a bit gross."

"I didn't say that, son."

"It don't matter." Steven said, tucking into his egg. "This'll do me."

Samuel and Brendan exchanged worried glances. They seemed to be united on one thing at least: Steven's wellbeing.

"So Brendan," Samuel began thoughtfully. "What are your plans now?"

Brendan stared at him levelly. "I have some money put aside for the time being but I guess I'll have to look into new business ventures. I'm looking for another flat too, indefinitely."

Steven made a small noise of protest. "But you're so close upstairs."

"The flat's a shithole, Steven. I need my space, now more than ever."

Steven frowned, laying his fork down. "I guess your old place is empty, you could give that a try?"

"It is?" Brendan asked in some surprise.

Steven shrugged. "No one's stuck around, said it weirded them out too much after everything that happened."

"What happened to the rest of our stuff?" Brendan asked, dreading the answer. "I know Chez put all mine in storage but…"

"She took most of it to Ireland. She chucked all of Seamus' stuff out." Steven paused, realising his error. "Shit, Brendan I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine." Brendan grunted, waving his apologies aside.

Samuel stared at them in interest but didn't comment, which was a good thing. Brendan wasn't sure how he would react to probing questions.

They descended into silence. Brendan could feel Steven twitching in discomfort beside him. Brendan automatically reached out and grasped his leg reassuringly. Steven visibly relaxed, flashing him a smile. Brendan felt warmth pool in his belly at his expression. He was so beautiful. Brendan didn't know how he had coped without him all these years. He was reminded of what he once told him, that Steven made him believe the world could be good again. Maybe now was their second chance at a happy ending.

Samuel coughed, diverting Brendan's thoughts back to the current situation.

"I'll get the bill." He offered.

"That's alright, my shout." Brendan said, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet.

"I insist." Samuel said tightly.

Steven stared between the two of them, exasperated. "How about we all pay for ourselves, huh?" He threw some money down on the table, eliciting noises of protest from both men. "You're both ridiculous." Steven sighed, going up to fetch the waitress.

Brendan and Samuel stared at each other across the table. Samuel clasped his hands together, all business.

"So, what kind of new business ventures will you be looking into?" Samuel asked pleasantly.

"I haven't quite decided yet." Brendan answered carefully. "I'm sure there are plenty of clubs around that I can invest in."

Samuel laughed dryly. "Is that what you really want to do, Brendan?"

Brendan shrugged. "It's all I've ever done, mostly."

"Mostly." Samuel repeated, eyeing him. "I might have a proposition for you."

"Yeah?" Brendan quirked an eyebrow. "If ye are offering for me to invest in Chez Chez, I'm not interested."

Samuel smiled pleasantly. "Of course not. I'm quite content to run that myself. I was offering you a job, of the more menial variety."

"Seriously?" Brendan asked in disbelief.

Samuel leaned forwards, voice low. "I'm not a bad man, Brendan, no matter what you might think. I only have Steven's best interests at heart."

"Is that why ye locked him in the cellar?" Brendan challenged, all pretence at civility evaporating.

Samuel's expression barely altered. "Well, I'll admit that was… rash."

"Ye admit it?" Brendan asked incredulously.

"Of course, I'm not a dishonest man, mostly." He smiled wider at that. "Can you honestly tell me you've never done anything untoward to look out for him though?" He stared at Brendan levelly, waiting for his response.

"Whatever I've done, I'm different now. I won't lie to him, and I certainly won't hurt him again."

"Again?" Samuel's expression did change now. His eyes flashed dangerously.

"I thought ye knew all about me." Brendan said, leaning forwards himself now.

"Not everything." Samuel said, the muscle in his jaw twitching.

"Still want to offer me that job?" Brendan asked lightly.

Samuel paused for a moment. "I do. If you have to be in my son's life, I at least want to be privy to it."

"So ye wanna spy on us?" Brendan couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"If that's what you want to call it." Samuel said calmly.

"And if I refuse?"

"Why would you refuse? It could take you months to find a new business to invest in, the paperwork alone… I'm offering you an alternative, until you find your feet."

"Bit of a power trip though, isn't it? Me working as a barman." Brendan said distastefully.

"You saying it's a poor choice?" Samuel stared past him at Steven who was about to return to the table.

"No." Brendan said, voice low. "Anything to be close to him."

Samuel nodded, his voice picking up in volume. "That's settled then."

"What is?" Steven asked curiously, slipping back into his seat.

"Brendan's accepted my offer of a job at the club."

"Seriously?" Steven seemed wary, he glanced between the two men. Brendan knew he wasn't stupid and he also knew Samuel had grossly underestimated the both of them.

"It's true." Brendan said quietly, staring at Steven directly. "If it's alright with ye."

"Well, yeah! Course it is." Steven wrapped his arms around Brendan's neck, drawing him close. "It'll be almost like old times." He laughed, breath warm against Brendan's skin.

"Yeah." Brendan said carefully, holding Steven and watching as Samuel raised his glass, slipping him a knowing wink. "Like old times."