Chapter Twenty Three

They slept that night in one of the smaller bedrooms; neglecting the one Ste had previously slept in with the four poster bed. It felt more natural to be close together, bodies entangled, breath hot on each other's skin. Ste wasn't entirely comfortable in the large house; he suspected every noise echoing through the vast corridors and empty rooms, imagined strangers lurking behind every door. He wasn't used to being upstairs either; he'd only ever lived in flats and Brendan's bedroom was downstairs.

There was still a conversation to be had regarding their living arrangements. Ste wasn't sure if Brendan would mind moving back into Ste's place after getting his own back so soon. On the other hand, he knew how hurt Sam would be if he moved into Brendan's. It was certainly something to be discussed when they got back home and that wasn't until tomorrow.

"What ye thinking about?" Brendan murmured, brushing his nose against Ste's lightly.

"You." Ste said softly, cursing himself inwardly for sounding like a thirteen year old girl.

Brendan chuckled, pulling him closer with one arm. "Is that right?"

"Are we really gonna leave tomorrow?" Ste asked, wrapping his hand around Brendan's bare arm. It was huge; it made him gulp visibly.

"Is that okay?" Brendan asked, shuffling even closer, if that were possible. They were on a single mattress; there wasn't one body part that wasn't somehow touching.

"Yeah." Ste said. "Will Cheryl be upset though?"

"She'll have her hands full." Brendan replied with a grin. "Ye know how newborns can be."

"True." Ste agreed. "We should warn Declan that we're coming."

Brendan arched an eyebrow, just about visible in the darkness. "Ye mean so he can get Eileen out of the house?"

"No!" Ste said a little defensively. He ducked his head into Brendan's chest to hide his expression. "She scares me."

"What about all the attitude ye gave her last time?"

"Yeah, well that was different."

"This time we're a couple."

"Last time we were meant to be."

"I know, I know." Brendan protested. "Sorry about that." He said with genuine regret.

Ste shrugged, still hiding his face. "Don't matter."

"Steven," Brendan said sternly. "Let me see ye."

"I'm alright here thanks." Ste said, muffled now against Brendan's warm skin.

"Steven," Brendan said again, more firmly this time. "Look at me."

Ste reluctantly raised his head, aware of Brendan's palms suddenly cupping his cheeks.

"That's better." Brendan whispered, kissing him. "Why do ye hide such a pretty face?"

Ste wrinkled his nose distastefully. "Pretty?"

"What else can I call ye?"

"Handsome? Dashing?"

Brendan brushed his thumbs over Ste's jaw line. "Ye aren't scared I'll reject ye in front of Eileen again are ye?"

"Don't be stupid." Ste said quickly, attempting to avert his eyes.

Brendan sighed, moving one hand slowly down the back of Ste's head, past his shoulder blades and spine, resting at the small of his back.

"Nothing to worry about." Brendan breathed gently.

"I'm not worried." Ste answered petulantly.

"Okay, but if ye were-"

"Well I'm not."

"Alright." Brendan agreed, flash of teeth in the darkness.

They drifted off to sleep soon after; no nightmares to plague them in the tranquillity and solace of the empty house; coupled with the reassuring fact that they were never from each other's arms.

Ste woke early the next morning, head poking out underneath the covers. Brendan was already up, doing push-ups on the floor. Ste supposed it was his absence that had woken him, or perhaps it was down to the grunting.

"This is nice." He commented, laying on his stomach across the bed and watching Brendan with interest.

Brendan glanced up, mid-push. "Like what ye see?"

The answer was obvious; Brendan was shirtless, his taut muscles contracting with each strain of his muscles. His stomach was tight and sculpted as if from marble. He wasn't all muscle though; there was a small layer of fat just above his hip bone. Ste liked to nibble it sometimes and tease him about it. Alongside his annoyingly skinny frame it was reassuring to him that Brendan wasn't entirely perfect.

"Yup." Ste answered, slithering off the bed and shimmy-ing himself underneath Brendan. "Keep going." He instructed.

Brendan did so, taking care not to crush Ste under his weight. He grew faster and faster, their crotches beginning to brush in the process. Ste felt himself hardening; it was impossible not to considering his view and the images Brendan being on top of him brought. He fantasised for a while about Brendan taking him right there and then on the floor, distracted enough to be startled when he was suddenly being kissed and groped. Brendan pulled at his boxers, his only item of clothing from the night before, and bent down low, resting himself on his palms so their noses were inches apart.

"Fancy a workout, Steven?"

"Always." Ste replied, tipping his head upwards to meet Brendan's lips.

Brendan retained his balance as Ste's hands found his cock, freeing it from the confines of his jogging bottoms. He was grateful for the lack of underwear underneath.

"Do yourself an injury." He told Brendan, marvelling at the sheer size and thickness of him; it never failed to amaze him.

"I remembered to stretch first, did ye?"

"Course, you know me." Ste grinned, fisting Brendan's cock in one hand and ghosting the other across his bicep. "You're fucking huge."

"In what department?" Brendan asked, voice low and amused.

"Every department." Ste replied, with certainty.

There wasn't much room for conversation after that. Brendan lowered himself further, resting himself on one elbow to free his other hand, putting his digits in Ste's mouth to lubricate them before drifting down his chest and stomach and finding his hole. Ste widened his legs underneath him to accommodate Brendan's fingers. He was still feeling a little loose from the night before and evidently aroused by the sight of Brendan's body on display. Soon enough Brendan was lining himself up, pushing inside him fluidly and filling him completely.

Ste arched back, his eyes rolling shut. After years of little contact it was still quite overwhelming to be penetrated again. His body seemed to fit with Brendan's. Despite the slightness of his frame, he was able to take whatever Brendan did to him, was often the one demanding more. Brendan fucked him at a steady pace, wanting to draw out their enjoyment while they were alone and undisturbed.

Ste tilted his hips up, hands underneath his buttocks. He loved the gleam Brendan got in his eyes at the sight; as though Ste were a feast being offered up to him to devour.

He wetted his fingers, touching the base of his own cock and shivering at the sensitiveness of the sensation. Brendan watched him with intense fascination, slowing his movements to watch Ste slowly stroke himself, slow and languid to Brendan's thrusts.

They continued in his manner for some time; simply enjoying each other's bodies and remembering the touches that drove the other crazy. Brendan nibbled at his neck again, causing even more bite marks. Ste giggled delightedly, imagining himself going to Eileen's with a love bite on his neck. Brendan looked at him quizzically until Ste brought his face down to kiss him again.

The climax was long and sweet. Ste rode out the waves of it with pure indulgence, loving the feel of Brendan inside him as he came, wincing a little when it was time to withdraw. He'd barely felt the carpet burns from the night before but now they flared up again intensely.

"Too much?" Brendan asked. "I'll run ye a bath, the tub's huge."

Brendan left him right there on the floor; a hot, sticky mess. He came back ten minutes later, lifting Ste with ease and carrying him to the bathroom. The tub was filled with bubbles and sweet smelling liquid. Ste groaned as Brendan placed him inside before climbing in himself, the tub big enough for the both of them with room to spare. Brendan pulled him flush against his chest, smoothing down his hair sticking up in every direction.

"I could get used to this." Ste said contentedly, stretching himself out and hearing the satisfying pop of his joints.

"Oh yeah?" Brendan hummed, wrapping his arms tighter around him.

"Do we have to go home?" Ste asked, closing his eyes. When he received no response he turned his head a little to look at Brendan. "Bren?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah I'm afraid we do. Unless…" He shook his head, cheeks flushing either from embarrassment or the heat of the bath.

"Unless what?"

"Unless ye really wanna stay." Brendan's gaze found his, deadly serious.

"Oh." Ste said simply, frowning. For a fleeting moment he considered it; him and Brendan living out here by themselves, no one to bother them. They'd be close to Declan and Paddy and Leah and Lucas could visit and treat it like a holiday every time. Cheryl, Nate and baby Brendan would be near; a proper family. At the thought of family Ste stopped himself. He'd only just found Sam, he owed him more than that after how good he had been to him. As if reading his thoughts Brendan didn't push him further. Ste couldn't help detecting a sadness ghosting across his features and he found himself desperate to soothe, to promise everything.

Brendan smiled at him, still content beneath the sadness and it warmed Ste to his earlier happiness. They finished their bath, drained the water and towelled each other off, dressing in fresh clothes for the day.

They stopped by the hospital first to say goodbye to Cheryl and Nate, promising to visit again soon. Baby Brendan was fast asleep when they entered, curling and stretching himself out in his sleep. There wasn't an ounce of worry on his face and it made Ste ache a little. He had everything he needed right beside him; loving parents, a warm bed to sleep in and food on tap. Ste told Cheryl this, earning himself a gentle nudge on the arm and a disgusted look from Brendan at the thought of breast milk.

They left the couple a lot brighter than when they'd encountered them and Ste was pleased for that.

When they travelled back to Eileen's however they were not met with the same enthusiasm.

"Eileen, ye remember Steven." Brendan said without hesitation.

"Mm." Eileen replied, lips pursed in a straight line. "The boys are in the living room." She said, leaving them standing at the door.

Brendan sighed, leading Ste inside. Paddy was on his playstation when they arrived, glancing up and grinning brightly before being distracted by a hit from his game. Declan was in the corner, texting. He strode over to them when they entered, hugging his dad tightly and patting Ste happily on the shoulder.

For the most part Ste stayed out of Eileen's way. Brendan left him with the boys for a while to speak to her and Ste took the chance to play with Paddy; it wasn't easy to bond with a teenage boy. Once Ste proved himself as a useful player however, Paddy warmed to him immensely, telling his mum that Ste should visit more often.

Eileen smiled tightly, nodding at Ste in what he hoped was acceptance, however begrudging.

They declined the invitation to stay for dinner, much to Eileen's relief. Their flight was that evening and Brendan said they were going to grab something small from the airport.

"This one gets travel sick anyway." He said with a grin, looking over at Ste.

"Shut up." Ste flushed, feeling Eileen's eyes on him. When he glanced up she was wearing an amused smile, this time not at his expense.

"You haven't told him about the time we went on the ferry to France then? Sick as a dog, this one."

"Wouldn't even eat his chips." Declan chirped in.

"The waves were choppy." Brendan said defensively. Ste hid his laughter behind his hand, attempting to look sympathetic.

They left in good spirits, Declan making them promise to skype him later. Brendan looked at him in utter confusion. Ste laughed and said he'd explain later.

True to his word, they picked up some fast food at the airport before their flight, Ste flicking some chips Brendan's way and grinning at him. It felt as though they'd been gone forever but in reality it was no more than a week. Ste had called ahead to let Sam know they were returning and his response had been muted. Ste hadn't wanted to broach the topic of Brendan moving in over the phone; he wasn't sure how Sam was going to react.

Ste dozed on the flight home, tucked under Brendan's arm comfortably. Brendan had bought him an ipod from the duty free on their way to Ireland and Declan had filled it with songs from his computer. Ste woke up mid-flight to Brendan sighing in annoyance.

"What?"

"Declan seriously listens to this stuff?" Brendan wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Not all of us like Johnny Cash, Bren."

"Still." Brendan took one of the headphones from his ears, dangling it on one finger. Ste swiped it, placing it into his own ear for a listen.

"This one's alright." He said, bouncing a little in his seat.

Brendan grunted, settling back and closing his eyes.

They arrived in England at eight o'clock. Both of them were dazed as they stepped out of the plane, Ste stretching and yawning like a cat. They took a taxi back to the village; Brendan hadn't wanted to bring his car and pay for it to remain in the car park. It was a good thing too, considering how much longer they had stayed over there.

Ste opened the door to the flat and was met with darkness as they stepped through the door.

"Dad must be at work still." He said, turning a few lights on. "You want a brew?"

"Yeah." Brendan collapsed onto the sofa, leaning his head back against the rest. "I'll have to go back to mine soon though, run out of clothes."

Ste walked to the sofa, carrying two cups of tea. "Might be best anyway, I better talk to dad myself."

"About us moving in together?" Brendan asked lightly, sipping his tea. It was almost comical, seeing him like this and knowing all the things he'd been capable of in the past. "What?" Brendan paused, aware that he was missing something.

"Nothing." Ste smiled around his own cup. "So… did you want to move in here?"

"Was that not the plan?"

"Well I don't know. You just got your old place back."

"So?"

"So… it's yours, you might wanna keep it."

"It's just a place, Steven. I know where home is and it ain't there anymore."

"Oh." Ste blushed, leaning back into the sofa and wincing. "Ow, I'm still tender from the other night."

"Me too." Brendan admitted, unconsciously putting his arm around the back of the sofa where Ste sat.

"I think I'll run myself a bath." He said decisively, putting his cup down and standing up. "You wanna come?"

"In the bath? Sure. Won't old Sammie be annoyed though when he gets back?"

"You don't have to get in the bath. There's not enough room for both of us. I just meant come sit with me."

Brendan stared at him blankly. "What for?"

"I dunno, chat and stuff."

"People do that?"

"Couples do, yeah."

"Alright then."

Brendan followed him to the bathroom, eyes on him as he stripped on the way there. He heard a wince and turned, stark naked, towards Brendan.

"What?"

"Yer all bruised…" Brendan said, horrified and uncertain.

Ste glanced down at himself in some surprise. "Oh, so I am."

"Is that it?"

"Well aren't you as well?"

"Yeah but-"

Ste held up his hand. "Let's not, okay?"

He started to run the bath water, Brendan a silent and uncomfortable presence behind him. It was only when the water was full and Ste had lowered himself into the tub that he spoke again.

"I'll be gentler next time."

"No you bloody well won't be." Ste retorted.

"Steven, don't argue."

"Stop being ridiculous. We got carried away, it wasn't on purpose."

"Don't make excuses." Brendan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"It didn't bother you the other night."

"I couldn't see how bad it was then."

"It's just a few marks from where your fingers were, that's all. And some carpet burn."

"Oh is that all?" Brendan rolled his eyes.

"Strip." Ste said shortly, sitting up and rinsing the suds from his hair.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Brendan stared at him incredulously before doing as he was told. The moment he took his shirt off Ste stopped him, tracing his fingers down his bare back.

"Marks made by me." He whispered. "And a bite on your hip."

"Why aren't we normal?" Brendan turned back to him. "We shouldn't need to mark each other like that out of some sort of… ownership."

"Says you." Ste tutted. "Are you telling me you aren't just as possessive over me as you were before?"

"Before I went to prison ye mean?"

"Yeah."

Brendan shrugged. "I'm trying to change that, Steven. Ye aren't a… possession."

"But I am yours, aren't I?"

Brendan's gaze softened. "Do ye even have to ask?"

"It's nice to hear." Ste admitted a little sheepishly.

"Then you're mine." Brendan crooned, sitting on the edge of the bath tub.

Ste closed his eyes contentedly, allowing the warm water to soothe his aches and pains.

"I should go." Brendan said after a while, standing up.

"Now?" Ste opened his eyes, unable to prevent himself from pouting.

Brendan smiled at him, leaning down to kiss him on the mouth. "I won't be long."

"I'll miss you anyway."

"Course ye will." Brendan answered cockily, slipping him a wink as he went out the door.

Ste heard the front door open and close and sank further into the bath, relaxed.

Xxx

Sam left work feeling disgruntled and tense. He'd wanted to get away early in preparation for Steven's return but too much had come up for him to leave. He walked into the flat, rubbing tiredly at his face. He wasn't even sure if Steven was home yet. He absently walked into the bathroom, eyes half-closed.

"Dad!" Steven's voice rang out, startling him.

"Steven!" He quickly averted his eyes but already he had seen everything. His stomach began to churn uncomfortably with dread. "I didn't know you were back already." He said quietly. It wasn't time to reveal himself yet; he didn't want to frighten Steven away.

"We got back earlier. I think I fell asleep in the bath." Steven laughed that wonderful laugh of his, stepping quickly out of the tub and reaching for a towel.

When it was safe to turn around Sam did so, trying not to let his eyes be drawn to the bite marks on Steven's neck. He'd seem them alongside the red marks on his skin, unmistakably caused by some form of violence. Sam shuddered, feeling both disgusted and terrified.

Steven stared at him, bright eyed and happy. The poor boy had never known anything other than pain and neglect. Sam suddenly had the urge to hold him close and never let go. He settled for an awkward pat on the arm and a tight grin.

"I'll go get changed and we can talk." Steven said, bouncing on tip toes out of the bathroom towards his bedroom.

Sam went out to the living room, putting the kettle on. He took a few deep breaths, seating himself on the sofa and attempting to compose himself.

Steven came back into the room, hair tousled and dressed in a thin t-shirt and jogging bottoms. He slumped heavily onto the sofa, warm and close. Sam put his arm around him, pulling him against his side.

"Missed you, son."

"I missed you too." Steven said brightly. "Got so much to tell you."

"Can't wait to hear it." Sam said tiredly. Steven stared at him in concern, jumping at the sound of the kettle steaming in preparation.

"I'll make you a coffee." He offered, a little too eager.

"Is everything okay, Steven?" Sam asked soberly, following him to the kitchen.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Steven replied, looking shifty and distracted.

"You know you can tell me anything; I won't judge."

Steven averted his gaze, absently pouring the hot kettle water into a mug.

"There was something actually." He said carefully, still unable to look Sam in the eye.

"What is it?" Sam asked, placing his hand on Steven's arm. "You can tell me."

"I was wondering if it would be okay… I mean, it's my flat I suppose but I thought I'd ask you anyway…" Steven paused, uncertain. "I want Brendan to move in."

His words hit Sam abruptly, causing the older man to start violently and making Steven lose his grip on the kettle, dropping it and spilling the boiling water onto his hand.

"Shit!" He shouted, grabbing at his wrist in agony.

Sam immediately took control, thrusting Steven's hand under a cold tap. Steven had tears in his eyes, wincing in pain. He'd already been burnt so much. Sam patted him on the back, alarmed when Steven jumped away from him.

"What is it, son?" Sam asked, urgently now. "Are you hurt? What happened?"

"No I'm-" Steven was cut off by a knock on the door.

Sam went to answer it, not taking his eyes away from Steven in the process. It was only when Brendan pushed past him hurriedly did he react to his sudden presence.

"What happened? I leave ye for two seconds and ye do this." Brendan was at his side, hand stroking the back of his neck soothingly, the other hand gently holding Steven's underneath the tap. Steven relaxed at his touch, not flinching in the same way he had at Sam's.

Sam backed out of the room, needing a few moments to himself. He went to his bedroom, sitting on the edge of his bed, head in his hands.

Brendan was hurting his son. It was plain to see, the evidence conclusive in Sam's eyes. The marks, the starting at loud noises, the flinching… Of course Brendan knew where to touch; he knew the areas he had harmed with his own hands. Sam couldn't believe Steven's acceptance of the fact; the way he still lit up at Brendan's presence as though he meant the world to him. It wasn't natural; he didn't know any better.

Sam peered out of his bedroom door, watching as Brendan wrapped Steven's hand in a makeshift bandage from some kitchen towels. He kissed the area tenderly as though soothing the pain away. It was Sam's job as a father to soothe, not Brendan's. More than that, his purpose was to prevent Steven from coming to any harm. With Brendan Brady in his life that was impossible and therefore he had to be eliminated.