Chapter Twenty Six

When Ste opened his eyes again, he was alone in the bed. He felt sticky and hot all over, the fan doing little to ease the fever on his skin. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table, groaning when he registered the time.

Mitzeee popped her head around the door, smiling almost in amusement.

"Alright?" She asked, stepping further into the room.

"What do you think?" Ste said, closing his eyes. The room was far too bright. "I feel worse than I did before."

"You always feel worse before you get better." Mitzeee said knowledgeably. She went to the bathroom briefly to make the flannel cold again before replacing it on Ste's forehead.

"Where's Brendan?" Ste asked, feeling a small amount of relief at the coolness of the flannel.

"He had to pop out; he won't be long."

Ste opened one eye suspiciously. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Don't know what you mean." Mitzeee said innocently. "Here, Phoenix made this for you."

She handed him a makeshift get well soon card, written in crayon with a drawing of a sickly looking Ste on the front.

"Aw, I'll give him a cuddle when I'm better." Ste smiled, placing the card on the bedside table.

"He wants to come in and read you a story later. I had to convince him that he couldn't sleep in the bed with you tonight. He's so worried."

Ste frowned. "Tell him there's no need, I'll be on my feet in no time."

"You really are like a dad to him." Mitzeee said softly. "It means a lot."

Ste looked at her carefully. "Do you ever think about… you know. Dating again?"

"Dating? Me?" Mitzeee shook her head, golden hair tumbling about her shoulders. "You really think there's a man up to the challenge?"

"My dad likes you." Ste told her.

"Your dad? No chance." Mitzeee said uneasily.

"He does, it's dead obvious."

Mitzeee's cheeks flushed. "He's a little old for me, isn't he?"

"Maybe." Ste agreed. "But then, so is Brendan in a way and I don't care."

"That's different." Mitzeee pointed out. "You two love each other; age doesn't even come into it."

"You don't think so?" Ste sat up a little. "Do you think if we were the same age, all this would have happened?"

"What do you mean?" Mitzeee leaned in closer, intrigued.

"You know, him seducing me, me falling in love with him so easily."

"That was only at the beginning, love. It became more than that."

"I know." Ste said. "Don't get me wrong; I don't regret it. I just wonder sometimes… why me? What made him want me?"

Mitzeee smiled then. "Now that one's easy. Have you seen you?"

Ste rolled his eyes. "I'm nothing special."

Mitzeee snorted. "Even when you're sick you still look lovely."

"Says you." Ste countered. "But thanks."

"The curse of the beautiful, eh?" She teased.

"Do you think that's why he wanted me though? For my looks?"

"Ste," Mitzeee patted him on the nose. "You're being silly now. He loves you for all sorts of reasons."

"I guess so." Ste said. "Him and my dad won't stop arguing over me."

"Mmm." Mitzeee said, raising her eyebrows. "Now that's a tricky one. They both love you so much, but in different ways."

"Well I'd hope so." Ste laughed.

Mitzeee smiled. "From your dad's point of view, I guess he feels like he's finally got you back after all those years of fighting for you, and now he doesn't want to share."

Ste snorted. "Brendan said he doesn't share either."

"Exactly. And Brendan… well, he's trying to do right by you, isn't he? He wants to make up for lost time and mistakes. It can't be easy for either of them."

"But do they ever stop and think how I might feel?" Ste asked, exasperated.

"Of course not, love." Mitzeee grinned. "They're the epitome of alpha. Ultimately they'd want you to choose." Her eyes softened then. "But that's terribly unfair, I know."

"The choice is easy." Ste said stiffly. "But I don't plan on making it any time soon."

"You never know, maybe they will learn to share eventually."

Ste looked to the ceiling. "We can only hope."

Xxx

Brendan returned an hour later with resources.

"I went to the pharmacy, asked them what would be best for ye. They gave me this."

"Night nurse?" Ste said sceptically.

"Apparently it works wonders. It'll knock ye out cold though."

"Wonderful."

"I wasn't sure how ye would be feeling by now so I bought something simple for dinner even I could make."

"Thanks." Ste smiled easily. "You forgot something though."

"What?" Brendan appeared panic-stricken.

"A kiss." Ste puckered up, drawing a laugh from Brendan. He gave him a long kiss, brushing his palm against Ste's cheek.

"Better?"

"Much."

"Ste!" Mitzeee called from the other room. "You've got a phone call." She came tottering into the room, dressed up appropriately for work. "It's Amy." She said conspiratorially, glancing at Brendan.

"Hello?" Ste answered happily, ignoring the roll of Brendan's eyes.

"Ste! Mitzeee said you were sick, what's up?"

"Oh, just the flu I think. How are the kids?"

"Great, yeah. Looking forward to seeing you next week."

"Oh yeah." Ste said, swallowing thickly.

"You'll be better by then, won't you?"

"Course, yeah."

"And Brendan?"

Ste glanced warily at Brendan, whose expression stiffened.

"He'll be around, yeah."

"Remember what we talked about?"

"Yes." Ste sighed. "It won't be a problem."

"Good. Sam will be there too, won't he?"

"Yeah. How did you know I was here anyway?"

"Sam told me. Why are you at Mitzeee's?"

"I got sick here babysitting Phoenix."

"Ah." Amy paused then. "I best go, Ste. The kids will want their tea. See you soon, yeah?"

"Yep, see you soon."

Ste handed the phone back to Mitzeee when he was done. Brendan was staring at him steadily.

"Does she know we're together?"

"Yes." Ste said with more confidence than he felt. "She isn't exactly thrilled about it."

"But she hasn't threatened to keep ye away from the kids this time?"

"No. Leah especially is old enough now to figure out when something's wrong. Amy would never be able to explain it to her."

"She's always been very perceptive."

"She desperately wants to see you."

"Yeah?"

Ste nodded, lowering himself further into the bed. "I just hope I'm well enough by then."

"Ye will be." Brendan said. "I'll make sure of it."

"Stick our dinner on then." Ste grinned, feeling hungry for the first time all day.

"It's not much." Brendan said.

"I don't care as long as it's food." Brendan made to leave the room. "Maybe ask Mitzeee to help before she goes?"

"Ye think I can't cook?"

"No! I didn't say that."

"Ye were thinking it though."

"What, are you a mind reader now?"

"I don't have to be."

"Bren." Ste sighed, calling him back to the bed. "Help me up."

"What? No chance."

"Let me help. What have you got there? Rice?"

"I can boil some rice, Steven. Ye need to rest."

"But it's so boring in here and I'm all sticky."

Brendan raised his eyebrows, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Sticky, is that right?"

"You know what I mean."

Brendan sighed heavily. "Fine. Ye have to lay on the sofa though."

"It's all I ask." Ste replied solemnly.

Brendan wrapped an arm around his waist, guiding him slowly out of the room. He was aching all over but at least the nausea was gone. Brendan placed him carefully on the sofa, making sure his legs were resting properly.

"Need anything before I start?"

"Water?" Ste settled himself comfortably against the cushions.

Mitzeee came bustling out of her bedroom, fluffing her hair. "I won't be too late tonight. You sure you'll be able to cope with both of them, Bren?"

"Hey, I'm not a kid!" Ste protested.

Mitzeee grinned at him. "Whatever you say, love."

"We'll be fine." Brendan said, allowing her to kiss him on the cheek. "Say hello to Samuel for me, won't ye?"

Mitzeee gave him a look. "Don't go burning my kitchen down, okay?"

Brendan laughed dryly, handing Ste his glass of water. "I'll save ye some."

"Err, that's okay. I can grab some chips."

"Something wrong with my cooking?"

"No! Course not."

"I'm gonna help." Ste said helpfully.

"Ah, maybe save me a bit then." Mitzeee winked.

She flew out of the door before Brendan could retort. He grumbled a little under his breath, grabbing a saucepan from the cupboard.

"Right, what do ye want with it?"

"Um." Ste pushed himself upright to get a better view. "I'm not sure how much I could manage really."

"How about I cook some sauce with it then?" Brendan offered, tipping the rice into some water.

"But you'll get hungry yourself then."

"Don't worry about me." Brendan said dismissively.

"I do though."

Brendan sighed, stirring the rice into the gradually boiling water. "I could do with eating less anyway."

"Yeah?" Ste smirked at him. "I can't see that happening somehow."

"Oi what are ye trying to say?"

"I love you, I really do, but you do eat an awful lot."

"Not recently though. Ye know what makes me hungry."

Ste raised his eyebrows. "Is that a hint?"

"Don't be soft. I won't take advantage when you're ill."

Brendan's words made Ste sit up straighter, intrigued. "Are you saying we can't…?" He trailed off, gesturing absently with his hands.

Brendan stopped cooking to stare at him. "Are ye serious?"

"Yeah. So what, no sex till I'm better?"

Brendan turned back to the oven. "However long it takes." He said tightly.

Ste gaped at him, incredulous. "You're gonna hold out on me?"

Brendan chuckled, grabbing some plates from the cupboard. "We're not having this conversation."

Ste whined a little, feeling flushed for an entirely different reason now. "That's not fair."

Brendan laid their dinner out, putting Ste's on a tray. He walked towards him, brandishing the food as a peace offering.

"It hurts me more than it hurts you."

"I doubt that." Ste said, sitting up and letting the cover on the sofa fall back from his shoulders. Brendan sat beside him, tray on his lap. "What are you doing?"

"Helping ye eat."

"Seriously?" Ste cocked an eyebrow.

"I wanna make sure ye eat it."

"Yours will get cold."

"I can always heat it up." Brendan shrugged, handing Ste a fork. "Tuck in."

Ste's stomach flipped. The portion suddenly seemed huge even though he'd seen Brendan ladle out twice as much on his own plate. He poked at it tentatively before gathering some on his fork and hastily putting it into his mouth. The food was fine but Ste found it difficult to focus on chewing.

"You know when you're hungry but your mind tells you something different?"

"No, but go on."

"I want to eat it but I can't get that same feeling." Ste explained.

"Eat what ye can." Brendan said. "If it helps, divide it up. Eat a section at least."

"Alright." Ste did as he was told, managing a good quarter of the meal.

"Enough?"

He nodded, sinking back onto the sofa. "Ugh." He groaned. "I'm sorry; I don't want to waste food."

"No waste." Brendan said, picking up the plate and going back to his own. Within minutes he'd put the remainder of Ste's food onto his own plate, heated it up, and started wolfing it down. "Not bad." He said around a mouthful of food. "Some of my finest work."

"We're all very proud." Ste said amusedly.

Brendan returned to sit beside him afterwards. Ste noticed that their bodies weren't touching. He shuffled a little closer, blinking up at Brendan through long lashes.

"What are ye doing?" Brendan asked stoically.

"Seeing how long it takes you to crack." Ste said, lips curving into a flirtatious smile.

Brendan turned away from him, looking straight ahead. "Won't work."

"I'm not that ill." Ste said, waving a hand dismissively.

Brendan arched an eyebrow. "Is that right?" He placed the back of his hand against Ste's forehead. "I guess ye aren't burning up so much now."

"See! Perfect health, me." Ste said, stifling a cough unsuccessfully.

"It's still a no." Brendan said resolutely.

Ste folded his arms stubbornly. "Normally have to fight you off with a stick." He grumbled.

"Oh that's cute." Brendan said, barking a laugh.

"What you laughing at me for?" Ste demanded.

"Sulking because I won't have sex with ye, it's… charming."

"I'll give you charming-" Ste protested, moving half onto Brendan's lap. Brendan pulled away immediately, standing.

"No." He said, very firmly.

"But I get horny when I'm sick." Ste said petulantly.

"I might break ye."

Ste snorted. "Yeah alright, paranoid much?"

"I'm not being paranoid, I'm being responsible."

Ste laughed harder then, causing him to cough uncontrollably.

"I think I'm in the cold stage of the flu."

"Is the flu not one big cold?" Brendan asked, genuinely baffled.

"You really don't get sick much, do you?"

"Nope."

"Can you at least put some Vicks on me? My nose is getting all blocked up."

"I don't know, Steven…" Brendan replied warily.

"What do you take me for?" Ste demanded. "I just want to feel better."

Brendan sighed. "Alright. Best take ye back to bed then."

"Oh yeah?" Ste grinned at him but Brendan promptly ignored him.

Ste laid himself out on the bed, chest on display. Brendan came into the room after checking on Phoenix.

"Sound asleep." He said, closing the door quietly. When he turned around, he gulped visibly. "Aren't ye cold?"

"Nope." Ste said, shifting a little on the bed. He was in his boxers and nothing else.

Brendan moved closer towards him, staring resolutely at the top of the bed and not at Ste's chest. Ste smiled to himself, holding out the Vicks in one hand.

"Go on then."

"Just below the neck, yeah?"

"And my chest. Make sure you're thorough." Ste said pointedly.

Brendan sighed, sitting as far away from him on the bed as possible. He rubbed some Vicks onto his fingers slowly.

"Ye gonna be good?" He asked.

"Course."

Brendan looked to the ceiling as though in prayer before rubbing his fingers slowly across Ste's chest. His touch was firm but not rough. He moved in a circular motion, rubbing in the mixture across Ste's chest and neck. Ste already felt his eyes beginning to water and looked at Brendan to make sure he was coping okay himself.

Brendan grunted, slicking his hands up with more Vicks and this time massaging it in with his palms. He was deeply concentrated on his task, eyes firmly fixated away from Ste's body. Ste would have felt guilty except for the hardness beginning to develop in his boxers.

"Bren…" He said throatily. Brendan gulped, Adam's apple bobbing.

"What?" He asked roughly.

"Get on top of me." Ste choked out. Brendan's gaze snapped to his face. "Better access, init?"

Ste was surprised when he didn't argue. He shifted on the bed, swinging his leg across Ste's crotch and straddling him. He didn't put any weight on him and their groins weren't touching. Brendan continued his massage without saying a word. Ste closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Brendan's hands all over him and remembering other times of a similar nature. It was only when he felt Brendan's lips at his neck that he realised he'd broken the older man. Their groins rubbed together, sending a delicious thrill down Ste's spine.

"Ye will be the death of me, Steven Hay." Brendan growled, nipping lightly at his throat.

"Not my fault you can't resist me." Ste pointed out, placing his hands on Brendan's biceps.

Brendan's hands drifted down to his waist, tugging at his boxers.

"Not gonna put any down there are you?" Ste asked coyly.

"Don't push it." Brendan murmured, pulling his boxers clean off, Ste's cock landing stiffly on his stomach. "Ye have to tell me if it's too much."

"I'm already feeling hot." Ste told him. Brendan hesitated halfway down the bed. "Not from the fever though." He said sheepishly, his earlier cockiness evaporating. It had been a while since Brendan had last touched him; he wasn't sure how he was going to react.

"Like I said; tell me if it's too much." Brendan said softly, as though reading his mind. He placed his lips against Ste's cock, a gentle caress of tongue and mouth.

Ste hissed in a breath, eyes squeezing shut.

"I've barely touched ye yet." Brendan chuckled.

"Don't stop." Ste said with some difficulty. Brendan smiled, taking Ste slowly into his mouth. "Are you gonna fuck me?"

Brendan paused, swiping his tongue across the head of his cock. "I'm not sure about that."

"Please." Ste whimpered.

Brendan frowned, uncertain.

"You can be as gentle as you like, I'll be fine."

Brendan took a moment to register his words before he continued pleasuring him. He slicked up his fingers, rubbing against his hole slowly and gently. It was almost worse to be treated so delicately. If Ste wasn't so ill he'd have been bouncing off the walls by now. A part of him also knew that he had to let Brendan treat him this way to protect the older man's conscience.

Brendan slid a finger in and Ste tightened involuntarily around it. He smiled, panting a little. Brendan kept his gaze locked on Ste's as though waiting for his cue to stop. A second and third finger went in, slowly stretching him open. The difficult part came when Brendan removed his fingers and lubricated his cock in preparation. Ste was sweating profusely and finding it difficult to keep himself focused on what was happening. Brendan stopped, stroking a wet finger down his cheek.

"We don't have to go any further." He whispered.

"I want to." Ste said firmly.

"If I get on top of ye, won't ye get even warmer?"

Ste considered this briefly. "I'll go to the edge of the bed, then you won't have to get fully on top of me."

"Ye sure?" There was a flicker of doubt in Brendan's eyes.

"Yes." Ste shifted away to the edge of the bed, watching closely as Brendan stood up and walked around to stand in front of him.

"I'll take it slow." He said encouragingly, the tip already nudging it's way inside.

"Okay." Ste said, breathing through his nose. Once he was the whole way inside, he began to relax. "That's good." He said. Brendan wouldn't move without his say so.

Brendan kept a slow pace, holding his own weight back and not putting any on Ste. He held his knee to give himself the best access and fucked him slowly with incredible care. Ste wasn't used to it being like this; he was used to it being animalistic and wild; biting and scratching and bruises from how tightly they gripped each other. Strangely he didn't mind the change of pace. Brendan leant forwards just enough to kiss him throughout, making the whole thing intensely intimate. The climax was long and excruciatingly blissful. Ste clung to Brendan when he came, head buried against his warm chest. He felt safe there in the cocoon of Brendan's body and for a moment he forgot that he was even unwell.

Brendan pulled out slowly, grabbing some tissues from the bedside table to clean them both up.

"Okay?" He asked, brushing Ste's hair back with his fingers.

"Better than okay." Ste breathed, flushed but content.

"Ye better sleep; I've probably warn ye out."

"The Vicks worked too." Ste noted, taking air through his nose. "Thanks."

"Ye should be ashamed, taking advantage like that." Brendan teased, helping Ste back into bed.

"I couldn't help myself." Ste admitted. "You'll come to bed soon won't you?"

"Yeah. Anne will be back soon; I want to make sure she gets home okay."

"Aren't you the gentleman?" Ste said, feeling sleep pulling at him. He hadn't even needed the Night Nurse.

"Only for you." Brendan said softly, kissing his forehead and leaving him to sleep.