Chapter Forty One

Brendan didn't sleep that night. It was impossible to even contemplate sleeping soundly with Steven in danger. Instead, Brendan wrapped Steven up in his arms, his breathing soft and even through his nose. The brandy Brendan had given him before bed seemed to have done the trick, even if Steven had winced in distaste at the flavour.

Brendan's eyes ached with the early morning light drifting through the curtains. The bed was sticky and hot for such a cold morning but Brendan wouldn't release his grip on Steven's waist. He buried his nose in his hair, inhaling deeply to commit the scent to memory. When he'd been inside, many nights had been spent with his head buried in his pillow, desperately hoping for a lingering smell that had never been there in the first place.

Steven shifted a little, mumbling something inaudible in his sleep. He didn't look peaceful as he slept. His eyelids flickered like he was trapped in a never-ending dream. Involuntarily, he began to kick out. Brendan gripped him tighter, trying to calm him down. Steven thrashed more wildly in response, groaning in his sleep as though in pain.

"Steven!" Brendan whispered urgently, shaking him roughly.

"No!" Steven hit out, catching Brendan on the jaw. Brendan flinched for a second before pulling him back, afraid that Steven would fall out of bed and hurt himself.

"Steven, it's me. It's Brendan." Brendan was struggling to hold him still, both of them panting with the effort. He'd never seen anything like it.

"Brendan!" Steven started, finally waking up. His movements ceased immediately, blinking groggily as he struggled to bring himself back to reality. "Brendan?" He croaked, fingers reaching out to brush his face. "Hurt yourself." He mumbled, collapsing exhaustedly against his chest.

"It's nothing." Brendan kissed his hair. "You okay?"

Steven nodded against him. "What happened?"

"Nightmare." Brendan told him, smoothing his hair back.

"Sorry if I woke you up."

"Ye didn't," Brendan said truthfully, releasing his grip gradually.

"I don't even remember what I was dreaming about," Steven said, sitting up and rubbing his head.

"Whatever it was, ye were pretty out of it."

"Sorry." Steven yawned, stretching himself out like a cat. "You look knackered," He added, peering at Brendan's face closely. "Did you sleep at all?"

"Sure." Brendan shrugged, averting his face. "Want some breakfast?"

"Brendan," Steven said firmly, taking Brendan's chin in his hand and angling his face towards him. "Tell me the truth."

Brendan sighed, gaze dropping reluctantly. "How am I supposed to sleep knowing ye might not be safe?"

"How are you supposed to keep me safe if you aren't awake enough to protect me?" Steven smiled, nudging him in the side. "I can take care of myself, Bren. You don't have to make yourself ill over it."

"It's not something I can just switch off."

Steven sighed, leaning against him. Brendan took his weight, settling his arms loosely now around his waist.

"I love ye," He murmured against the top of his head.

"I love you too." Steven replied, hair brushing underneath Brendan's chin. "Go back to sleep though; you're no good when you're like this."

"What are ye implying?"

Steven grinned then, blue eyes shining as he looked at Brendan playfully. "You're a grumpy sod, that's what."

Brendan rolled his eyes, releasing his grip and standing up. He grabbed a shirt from the cupboard, beginning to button himself up. Steven stood with him, fingers raking through the hair on his chest as they stood closely together.

"Come on, go back to bed." Steven coaxed, fingers firm and reassuring on his skin.

"Not now," Brendan said, batting Steven's hands away. "We gotta sort this somehow."

"And we will, eventually." Steven sighed. "You going to the club today?"

"Do ye think we still have jobs there?" Brendan asked sceptically, slipping his trousers on.

"Why wouldn't we?" Steven frowned.

Brendan flashed his wedding ring, smiling grimly. "He's not happy about it."

"He seems alright."

"Steven, he's not. You're his son, his boy."

"I'm your boy." Steven pouted.

Brendan couldn't help but smile at that. "Of course ye are, but Samuel doesn't see it that way. You're his blood."

"We know better than anyone that blood isn't always what's important," Steven said reasonably.

"Ye love yer dad though, don't ye?" Brendan asked, almost wanting Steven to deny it. He pushed the thought aside.

"Yeah, course I do," Steven replied, watching Brendan carefully. "Besides, we don't even know if we're gonna stick around, do we?"

"You're still thinking about that?" Brendan asked, feeling his chest tighten in hope.

"Yeah," Steven answered shakily. "It's a big deal, I get that, but something about it feels right, you know?"

"Yeah," Brendan said softly.

They were interrupted by a gentle tap on the door. Brendan made himself look presentable before calling Samuel inside. Steven remained in his t-shirt and boxers, sitting cross-legged on the bed in resignation.

"Here we go," He murmured to himself, catching Brendan's gaze in the mirror and giving him a warning look. Brendan deduced that he didn't want a repeat of yesterday with the two older men making plans and not consulting him.

"Alright?" Samuel asked briskly as he entered the room. He looked tired around the eyes, as though he'd had about as much sleep as Brendan had.

"Sure." Brendan nodded, looking to Steven. "What's the plan for today then?"

Steven shrugged. "Depends if I'm on house arrest or not."

Samuel tutted, stepping further into the room. "You're acting like we're punishing you for something."

"It does feel that way a little, yeah." Steven huffed, sitting back on his hands. "I can see you didn't sleep either, Dad."

Samuel brushed off his concern, glancing at Brendan. "I'll sleep when I know you're okay."

"I am though, as good as I'm gonna be with Terry around anyway." Steven jumped off the bed, moving towards the doorway.

"Where are ye going?" Brendan asked automatically, wincing at the look Steven gave him in response.

"The bathroom; I stink." Steven gave his armpits an experimental sniff.

"I'll join ye in a sec," Brendan rumbled, amending his words when Samuel looked at him sharply. "I mean, I need a shave anyway."

Steven flashed him a mischievous grin before closing the door. Brendan sighed heavily, sitting on the bed and rubbing his jaw.

"That looks pretty nasty," Samuel noted, giving him the once over.

"Nothing compared to what Terry's gonna look like when I'm done."

Samuel's eyes flashed in alarm. "We talked about this, Brendan. You can't go after him."

"What am I supposed to do then? Sit idle and wait for his move? It's not my style, Samuel."

"It's hardly mine either, especially when it comes to Steven." Samuel sighed, rubbing his temple with the same resignation Brendan felt. "I need to stop by the club, will you keep an eye on him while I'm gone?"

"Do ye even need to ask that?" Brendan retorted.

"I just wanted to make sure you'd be here," Samuel replied wearily.

"Where else am I gonna be?" Brendan countered, fiddling with the bed covers.

"This isn't easy on any of us, Brendan. The last thing Steven needs is more upheaval. He was in such a state when you weren't around and as much as it pains me to admit it, I don't want him to lose you."

"What's your point?" Brendan muttered, unable to look Samuel in the eye.

"You have to promise me you won't do anything stupid."

Brendan looked up, gaze hard. "And how do I know ye won't play hero and go after him?"

"Trust me, Brendan. Me going after Terry won't achieve anything. He hates me a lot more than he hates you."

"Ye reckon?"

"I do. You had him beaten up, sure, but for men like Terry that's second nature. I did something far worse."

"Pauline."

Samuel nodded grimly. "It's not love he felt for her, it's possession. He hated the thought that another man had been with her."

Brendan coughed. "It's not always easy."

"Surely you aren't defending him?" Samuel's eyes narrowed.

"No, in general I mean. Not easy." Brendan stood, tapping methodically against the door. "I should get back to Steven."

"I won't be long at the club. If I could avoid going, I would."

"Ye know I'll look after him, don't ye? No matter what ye might think, I'm good for that."

"I don't doubt it, believe it or not." Samuel gave him a hard look. "The both of you are so impulsive though, you don't always think before you act and it worries me."

"You're worrying about me, Samuel? I'm touched." Brendan said dryly.

Samuel rolled his eyes. "Whatever makes you happy. I'll see you soon."

Steven was already in the shower by the time Brendan entered the bathroom. He heard the front door close distantly.

"That you, Bren?" Steven called, eyes squeezed shut to avoid the suds getting into his eyes.

"Who else?" Brendan answered, a little sharper than he'd intended.

Steven rinsed himself, giving Brendan a searching look. "Why don't you lie down for a bit?"

"I'd rather get in the shower with ye." Brendan flashed him a smile.

Steven stepped back, allowing him the space to enter the bathtub. Brendan ran his fingers through Steven's hair, rinsing out the remaining suds. Steven laid his head against his chest, eyes closing contently.

"That feels nice."

"Don't get used to it," Brendan replied, lathering Steven in body wash and paying particular attention to his front.

"Someone's on a mission," Steven grinned, slipping an arm around Brendan's waist and pressing himself against Brendan's leg.

"Is it working?"

"Might be." Steven's eyes twinkled, leaning up on his tip toes to draw Brendan into a kiss.

They emerged half an hour later, skin dried out in various places but otherwise thoroughly satisfied. Brendan re-dressed in something more casual and then proceeded to prostrate himself across the sofa, Steven curled against him in one of his tracksuits.

"I feel all warm now," Steven said, humming in appreciation.

"Long showers will do that for ye," Brendan told him, feeling his eyelids droop from the combined effect of the hot shower and the memory of Steven's warm body pressed against him.

"It had the desired effect anyway," Steven said smugly, curling an arm across Brendan's stomach.

"What's that then?" Brendan asked sleepily, unable to open his eyes.

"I'll tell you later," Steven whispered. Brendan felt the cool pressure of lips on his forehead and then nothing more.

He woke sometime later, feeling disoriented and groggy.

"Steven?" He mumbled, feeling around for him on the sofa. Steven was gone however and as Brendan opened his eyes he found no trace of him in the general vicinity. "Steven?" He repeated, growing more alarmed. He sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and working his jaw to normality; it seemed to have seized up somewhat and a distinctive bruise was developing.

He glanced at the clock and noted that he hadn't been out for longer than an hour. Even so, if Steven had gone out voluntarily he wouldn't have left Brendan this long in case he woke up and noticed him missing.

He checked each room first before he really started to panic. Steven was nowhere to be found. Grabbing his jacket, phone and keys he headed for the front door. His foot stepped on a piece of paper from underneath the letter box. Brendan picked it up hastily, eyes scanning the words but not really taking them in.

Ste,

Come meet me in the folly, alone. If you don't, you'll be sorry. I promise you that. I know things about your husband that would land him in a whole heap of trouble so don't disappoint me.

Terry.

Brendan wracked his mind, thinking what Terry could possibly know about him. After a few seconds of quick thinking, he concluded that Terry knew nothing but instead had used it as a means to lure Steven to meet him. Brendan cursed, knowing instinctively that Steven would do it if it meant protecting him.

With an agility he had long thought passed with age, he was out the door and into his car. It was possible they weren't at the folly anymore and Terry had taken Steven somewhere. Brendan needed to keep up on their trail and he doubted Terry had the luxury of a car at his disposal. He stopped to check the folly just in case, heart hammering as he scoured the area, finding no trace of either of them.

Xxx

The moment Brendan drifted off to sleep, Ste removed himself from his embrace. He smiled as he watched Brendan rest easier, no doubt comforted by their earlier encounter in the shower. His phone buzzed from his bedroom and he quickly went to retrieve it, wary that Brendan would wake from the noise.

He frowned as he looked at the caller display, answering after a moments beat.

"Doug?" He asked doubtfully.

"The one and only," Doug replied in an attempt to sound breezy.

"You haven't called me in ages," Ste said, confused by the sudden interest.

"I kinda need to talk to you, it's important."

Ste sighed, hopping out of his bedroom to check on Brendan. "Can't it wait?"

"Well no, it's important, remember?"

"Alright, no need for the attitude." Ste closed his eyes wearily. "I'll come by the deli, yeah?"

"I'll be waiting." Doug hung up the phone unceremoniously, leaving Ste blinking in confusion at the screen.

He felt guilty slipping out without telling Brendan but he needed his sleep, now more than ever. He only planned to be quick; leaving him and Doug in a room together for too long was not a wise choice. Ste was bound to get aggravated by him; Doug had a habit of bringing out a side in him he didn't particularly like.

The deli had its closed sign up when he arrived, giving Ste further cause to be suspicious. Doug was out the back when he entered, wearing his ordinary clothes.

"Right, what is it?" He asked abruptly, feeling more than a little strange at being back in the deli. He hadn't stepped foot in the place since the fire.

Doug came through the door, wringing his hands together. "Do you wanna sit down?"

"Not really, just get on with it." Ste crossed his arms haughtily.

"Look, I know we haven't been on the best of terms for a while-"

"Understatement of the century," Ste cut in.

Doug continued as if he hadn't spoken. "I have news."

"What?" Ste asked, a little intrigued. Doug looked anxious but excited, his blue eyes shining as he stepped closer. Ste took a step back in response. If Doug noticed he didn't let it show on his face.

"I'm leaving," He said in a rush, hardly able to keep his smile in check.

"Oh," Ste said, feeling relief course through him. "Where?"

"Thailand, America, wherever the mood takes us."

"Us?"

Doug flushed then. "I've met someone."

"Right…" Ste smiled, baffled. "Why are you telling me then?"

"Well I don't exactly plan on coming back," Doug explained, looking a little nervous now. "And I know I was pretty down on you after what happened to this place but it is still yours and I wanted to see what you wanna do with it, if anything."

Ste blinked in surprise. "What are the options?" He asked, almost too stunned to speak at first.

"You could have it, if you wanted. But I should warn you it isn't doing great." Doug frowned a little, his lips pressing together firmly.

"That doesn't surprise me," Ste said. "What's the other option?"

"We sell it, split the deal fifty fifty. I personally prefer this option because I kinda need more money to get away and start again."

Ste considered this, thinking of his and Brendan's plans.

"I think I like that option best too," He said eventually, watching as Doug's face smoothed out in relief.

"That's great, Ste. I really appreciate it."

"We need to find a buyer yet," Ste warned him.

"We've had a few interested parties already, the time just never felt right, you know?"

Ste smiled then, tilting his head to the side. "What changed?"

Doug drew his gaze away, small smile playing on his lips. "Actually it was Brendan coming back."

Ste winced, opening his mouth to say something before Doug cut him off.

"It's not because you're together, I'm well past that, don't worry. It's just that whole idea of a second chance, you know? That's what I want, I need it. I can't stick around here with all its memories and not move on."

"I get that," Ste said softly, Doug's thoughts mirroring his own.

"So we have a deal then?" Doug asked brightly, bouncing on the balls of his feet in sudden excitement.

Ste grinned, feeling as though a burden had been lifted that he wasn't aware he'd been carrying. "You're on."

Doug let out a whoosh of air, moving to hug Ste before changing his mind and offering his hand instead.

"No hard feelings?"

"No hard feelings." Ste agreed, and he meant it.

Xxx

He stopped by Price Slice on his way back to get supplies for dinner. Brendan would be hungry when he woke up and Ste had the jam ready to make him a few sandwiches. When he turned the corner for the block of flats, he was confused to see Brendan's car missing from outside.

Thinking that he'd moved it elsewhere while he'd been gone, Ste hurried to the front door. He checked his watch, cursing when he noted that it had stopped working. He had no idea how long he'd been gone for. What if Brendan had woken up and panicked, wondering where he was?

"Brendan!" Ste called as he opened the door, hearing nothing in reply.

"Hello, son." A voice sounded from behind him.

Ste froze, attempting to shut the door on him a second too late. Terry shouldered his way inside, eyes blazing angrily.

"Alone at last," He sneered, and shut the door behind him.