Chapter Forty Five

They had only been driving for an hour when Brendan pulled up outside a service station, Steven practically bouncing in his seat.

"I'll just be a sec," he said with an infectious grin, popping his seatbelt off hurriedly.

"I'm coming with ye, it's dark out there," Brendan replied, opening his car door smoothly.

"Suit yourself," Steven said, wrapping his coat around himself against the cold wind and bounding in the direction of the small building. "Can we eat too? I'm starving!" He called back over his shoulder.

"I'll get us a table," Brendan said, turning towards the small restaurant while Steven ran to the toilets.

The place was a little run down but it had a homely atmosphere that Brendan appreciated after the last few days' events. He got them a table near the window, ordering coffees before Steven returned, cheeks flushed from the cold and eyes bright as they fixed on Brendan's face.

"Thanks, I know we should wait till the hotel really."

"It's fine," Brendan said, handing Steven a menu. "No doubt all we'll be eating in the next few days is room service anyway."

"You reckon?" Steven asked quizzically, tilting his head to the side.

"Course. I'm hardly gonna let ye out of the room, am I?"

Steven grinned knowingly, leaning forwards close enough that his breath ghosted across Brendan's face.

"I can't believe we've done this," he said excitedly, planting a short kiss on Brendan's lips.

"Stopping here or…?"

"You know what I mean," Steven said, leaning back against his seat. "It's like an adventure or something."

Brendan raised his eyebrows, smiling a little. "Is that right?"

"Aren't you excited too?" Steven asked, his mouth making the most delectable pout.

"What do ye think?"

Steven grinned, his face practically glowing.

The coffees arrived shortly after and their dinner order was taken. The waitress appeared bored and unaffected by Steven's obvious excitement but it didn't disarm him in any way, Brendan was pleased to note.

"So, where are we gonna go then?"

"Where do ye fancy?" Brendan asked, blowing cold air onto his piping hot coffee.

"Well I don't wanna leave the country just yet, I know that much."

Brendan gave him a searching look. "Any particular reason why?"

Steven's cheeks flushed red. "It's not gonna be easy for Dad, you know? I don't wanna go too far yet."

"Okay," Brendan said reasonably. "So where do ye propose?"

"Brighton?" Steven grinned toothily.

"Are ye serious?"

"Err…" Steven bit his lip, looking playful. "Maybe not. The beach is nice though."

"There's plenty of nice beaches in England, Steven. Considering we're almost in the minus numbers though."

"I don't really mind where we go." Steven shrugged. "As long as we're together."

"That's cute."

Steven ducked his head, still smiling. "I think our food's coming."

"I gathered that."

"Oh yeah? Eyes in the back of your head is it?"

"No. Just your eyes light up whenever food approaches, you're getting as bad as me."

"Least I'm eating again proper though, right?"

Brendan's lips twitched. "Point."

The waitress laid their food out in front of them, cocking an eyebrow when Steven immediately tore into his cheeseburger.

"I told you I was hungry," he said around a mouthful.

"By all means," Brendan replied, taking an appropriately large bite of his own burger. It was cheap and fatty and exactly what Brendan needed. He finished it off in three more bites, licking his lips to dislodge the mayonnaise around his moustache.

Steven giggled, reaching out to wipe the corner of it. "Looks a bit rude, that."

"Ye reckon?" Brendan leaned into the touch, feeling his lips tug upwards into a smile.

"Do you like it when I do that?" Steven asked, hand pausing.

"Do what?" Brendan asked quickly, feeling as though he'd just been caught out on something embarrassing.

"Stroke your tache," Steven explained, rubbing his thumb gently across the corner of it.

"Don't be soft," Brendan said, clearing his throat.

"You do, don't you?" Steven was grinning again, leaning forwards so much Brendan could see the hem of his t-shirt riding up at the back.

"I like when it strokes a certain area of yours," Brendan said throatily, locking eyes with Steven and watching as he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.

"How far until the hotel?"

"Another forty five minutes, tops."

Steven gulped visibly. "I'm not sure I can last that long."

Brendan took several gulps of his coffee. "What do ye suggest?"

Steven's foot suddenly made its way to Brendan's leg, moving slowly up and down.

"Someone's keen."

"Are you surprised?"

"Not particularly."

Brendan pulled a couple of notes out of his wallet, laying them on the table without breaking eye contact with Steven. They both stood up, wrapping their coats around themselves tightly before making their way towards the exit. Brendan gave Steven's bum a slap in preparation, making Steven yelp and laugh in that ridiculous way of his.

They'd only gone a few steps when Brendan pulled Steven into a dark corner, pressing him securely against the wall. The wind was less cutting in the small space and the warmth of their bodies pressed together more than compensated for the chill. Steven's eyes glinted in the darkness as he pressed himself against Brendan's thigh, daring him to react accordingly. Brendan wrapped a hand around the back of Steven's head, holding him tenderly as he brought their mouths inches apart.

"Go on then," Steven challenged, pupils dilating at a remarkable rate.

"It's no fun if ye ask," Brendan murmured, brushing his bottom lip against Steven's.

"You know how vocal I am though," Steven pointed out, hand resting on Brendan's hip, fingers squeezing tightly. He pushed up Brendan's shirt to get at the flesh, making Brendan wince with the sudden cold.

"Gonna have to warm those up ye know," Brendan told him, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.

"Who says I'm gonna do you?" Steven asked teasingly, squirming a little as Brendan pushed the extent of his body weight against him, trapping him.

Brendan's mouth curved upwards, flashing his teeth. "I haven't said a word."

Steven attempted to shuffle away from him, clearly growing a little worked up over their close proximity. It was fucked up sometimes, their sex life. Brendan loved to feel every inch of him and Steven adored being trapped underneath his weight, submissive but always a part of whatever they were doing.

"Trying to get away from me, hm?" Brendan smiled wider, feeling his heart thump against his chest in exhilaration.

"Fat chance," Steven scoffed in return, his hand on Brendan's hip drifting to Brendan's arse.

"Oh no ye don't," Brendan muttered, grasping both of Steven's arms and pressing them either side of Steven's body against the wall.

Steven pouted. "That's not fair."

Brendan shrugged, bending his head towards Steven's neck and loving the feel of him shudder against him as he licked a trail from earlobe to collarbone.

Steven whined a little in his throat, squirming again against Brendan's body.

"Something wrong, Steven?" Brendan asked, replacing his tongue with his lips, making soft, sucking kisses across Steven's shoulder.

"N-no." Steven ground out, teeth locked together as though suppressing a moan.

"Come on, don't be shy," Brendan murmured, nudging Steven's cheek gently with the tip of his nose.

"When am I ever shy?" Steven pointed out, sticking his tongue out enough to graze Brendan's lips.

"Like that is it?" Brendan pulled his face closer and kissed him hungrily, mouths open wide, tongues battling together. He barely gave him a chance to breathe but Steven gave as good as he got, biting down on Brendan's bottom lip, hard. Brendan pulled away, rubbing the pad of his thumb across Steven's wet mouth, allowing him to suck and lap at the exposed skin. "Had enough, sweetheart?" Brendan crooned.

"What did you just call me?" Steven laughed incredulously.

"Shut up." Brendan kissed him again, their teeth knocking together in his ferocity.

"Bren," Steven eventually murmured, gently prising their lips apart. "We should find somewhere more private."

"Such a long drive though," Brendan said, hands reaching underneath Steven's shirt and smoothing across his belly.

"It'll be worth it, trust me."

Brendan squeezed Steven's waist once more before slowly extricating himself from him.

"Come on then, let's get a move on." Brendan grabbed Steven's hand, tugging him towards the car.

"You're incredible, you know that?" Steven laughed, allowing himself to be steered across the car park.

"Thank ye," Brendan said, not missing a beat.

"Don't get stopped for speeding though," Steven told him as Brendan started the engine up.

"Would I do that, Steven?"

"Well, yeah probably."

Brendan grunted, pulling out.

A good fifteen minutes of silence followed. Brendan shifted constantly in his seat, willing his cock to calm down but the memory of Steven's soft, pliable body against the wall was fresh in his mind, and having him sitting beside him, smelling so good and knowing how sweet he tasted wasn't helping.

"Can ye stop that please?" He eventually ground out, clutching the steering wheel tightly.

"Stop what?" Steven frowned. He'd been staring out of the window until Brendan had spoken.

"Ye know what."

"I really don't." Steven shook his head, smiling. "What am I doing?"

"Forget it," Brendan said tightly, clenching his jaw.

Steven's eyes widened suddenly, a wicked glint entering them. "Oh, I see."

"No." Brendan shook his head.

"Oh, yes." Brendan stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him.

"Getting a bit hot in here now, isn't it?" He asked casually, stretching out in his seat, shirt riding up and exposing his soft belly. Brendan fought the urge to bite it.

"I'll turn the heater off." Brendan grunted, reaching out to the right button.

"Allow me," Steven said, leaning across in his seat with obvious, exaggerated movements. His skin brushed Brendan's hand, leaving it tingling afterwards.

"Fuck sake, Steven."

"Isn't it 'sweetheart'?" Steven teased, looking at Brendan in mock innocence.

"I will pull this car over, I swear."

"We're on the motorway!"

"I don't care."

"You sound a bit stressed, Bren. Want a shoulder rub?"

"Steven."

"I'm sorry, I'll stop." Steven laughed to himself, relaxing back into his seat. "You're too easy."

"Funny that." Brendan gritted his teeth.

"Aw, you know I'm only teasing."

"You're loving it."

Steven shrugged. "I never realised before how crazy I make you."

"Really?" Brendan asked sceptically. "I didn't give ye a clue?"

"I guess I was a bit oblivious back then." Steven sighed, trailing his finger over the condensation on the window.

"I think we both were," Brendan pointed out, relaxing a little. Only half an hour to go.

"We got there in the end." Steven smiled, turning to him. Brendan's breath caught in his throat in an entirely different way.

"We're off the motorway now," he said, swallowing thickly.

"Can you really not wait?" Steven grinned.

"It's not that," Brendan said, amazed at even himself.

"Then what?"

Brendan pulled up on a country road, nearby a field. Besides the odd passing car, it was relatively quiet.

Brendan immediately unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning across to pull Steven into his arms, cradling his face gently as he kissed him. Steven responded, wrapping his arms around Brendan's neck as Brendan laid his palm flat on the small of his back.

Steven pulled away first, looking beyond Brendan at the window.

"What is it?" Brendan asked, noting the odd look on Steven's face.

Steven leaned across to wipe at the window, looking outside in awe.

"Come on," he said, leaning back to open his passenger side door.

"Where are ye going?" Brendan asked, confused.

"Just come with me."

Brendan turned the engine off, following Steven out of the car. The night was still bitterly cold but the strong wind was beginning to abate. Brendan followed Steven's figure out onto the field, perplexed. Steven stopped suddenly, making himself comfortable on the ground. Brendan slid down slowly, checking first that the grass wasn't wet.

"What are we doing here?"

"Just lay down with me," Steven told him. Brendan did so, the crown of their heads touching when they were both comfortable on the ground.

"It's cold, Steven."

"Just for a minute." Steven said, sounding strange. "Look."

"At what?" Brendan craned his head around, trying to steal a glance at his husband.

"The sky," Steven said, as though it were obvious.

Brendan did so, unsure where this was leading. "What am I looking at exactly?"

"When you were inside, I went back to Ireland to visit Cheryl," Steven began, his voice soft and wondering. "I used to look up at the stars and hope that one day you would be able to as well."

"Steven-"

"I know it's sad, I know that. But having you here, knowing you aren't going anywhere… it means a lot. More than you know."

Brendan swallowed, feeling his throat tighten. "Here was me thinking ye wanted a fumble in a field."

Steven laughed, turning onto his stomach and gazing down at Brendan's face. "No thanks, it's too cold for that."

"We should get back in the car then." Brendan said, but for some reason he didn't want to move yet.

As if reading his thoughts, Steven moved to his side, laying his head against Brendan's chest.

"I love you," he said quietly, burying his face against him.

"I know," Brendan said, wrapping his arms tightly around him.

Eventually they began to feel the cold. Brendan gently tugged Steven to his feet, sparing a final glance at the stars.

"Is this what it's like, hm?"

"What?" Steven asked, wrapping his arms tightly around Brendan's waist as they walked back to the car.

"Being a normal couple. Turning each other on one minute and then getting soppy the next."

Steven laughed shortly. "No, not for us. We aren't normal, are we?"

"True," Brendan said, kissing him hard on the mouth. "I think I can easily get horny again anyway."

"I don't think you ever stopped," Steven pointed out.

"Ah, Steven. You always knew me best."

Xxx

Finally they arrived at the hotel. Steven practically ran inside, glancing back at Brendan with the bags.

"Come on, old man!" He shouted, spinning on his heel to grin widely at him.

"Little help wouldn't go amiss."

Steven rolled his eyes, jogging back to grab his own bag. "Is the romance dead already?"

"Do ye know who you're speaking to?" Brendan asked, stepping inside the warmth of the building and giving their bags over to one of the hotel staff.

"I think I'm speaking to Brendan Brady but I can't be sure," Steven replied, eyes gleaming in the sudden brightness inside.

Brendan checked them in, glancing at Steven surreptitiously as he did so. They took the lift to their room's floor, sparing each other looks as they contained themselves from physical contact.

When the lift doors opened, Brendan turned to Steven, giving him a pointed look.

"What?" Steven asked, wary.

"Romance, eh?" He slowly began to grin.

"What are you doing?" Steven asked warily, glancing down the empty corridor.

"Come on, Steven. Ye can't challenge me like that and expect to get away with it."

"Don't. You. Dare." Steven warned, skirting backwards.

Brendan lunged for him, grappling with him until he managed to lift him, throwing the younger man over his shoulder and giving his arse an almighty smack.

"You bastard!"

"Sorry, sweetheart. Can't help it." Brendan held him effortlessly, one arm supporting him as he opened their hotel room door. He flung him unceremoniously onto the bed, eyes gleaming in triumph. Steven's face was flushed red all over as he stared at Brendan in outrage.

"If you think I'm gonna-"

Brendan pounced on him, pinning him to the bed. "What's that?" He asked, enjoying the way Steven wriggled underneath him, not putting up much of a real fight.

"You absolute fucker," Steven cursed, pulling Brendan down roughly to kiss him.

All of the feelings from earlier came rushing back, coupled with the intimacy they'd shared on the field, culminating in a tangle of limbs and flesh, hot slide of tongues and Brendan once more pressing his body weight against Steven's.

"Too much?"

"No chance." Steven bit his neck, tugging on Brendan's hair roughly.

"Alright," Brendan said reasonably, loading his hands with a generous amount of lubricant. "Ye better take it easy though, Steven. I don't think I'm gonna stop until we're both satisfied."

"Likewise," Steven said, sounding like a challenge. He pushed Brendan away from him, pulling his legs back to his chest and spreading himself wide. "I dare you."

Brendan grinned, kissing along Steven's thighs and breathing in the scent of him. "You'll regret saying that."

"Probably." Steven shrugged, jerking suddenly as Brendan's tongue swept across his hole.

After such an intense build up, Steven was immediately intoxicated. He groaned low in his throat, gripping his legs tightly enough to leave marks. Brendan indulged him for as long as he could allow himself, feeling satisfaction at how quickly Steven opened for him, his cock aching with the need to be inside him.

"May I?" He asked, pressing his stomach against Steven's legs.

"Hang on." Steven said, re-positioning himself so that his legs were resting on Brendan's shoulders.

"Always so flexible."

"Only for you." Steven told him, then rolled his eyes at the look on Brendan's face. "Don't get cocky. We talked about this."

"Just this once." Brendan nudged against Steven's soft hair.

"You say that every time."

"I can't help it." Brendan growled, nipping Steven's throat. "And neither can you."

"Fine," Steven said, the smile in his voice.

Brendan grinned, pushing himself slowly inside. He groaned as Steven swallowed him up completely, the tight heat always a shock to his system.

"All mine," he crooned, kissing along Steven's jaw and throat.

"All yours," Steven agreed breathlessly, hands clutching the bed covers as he tilted his pelvis to accommodate Brendan's thrusts.

The bed rattled a little with the strength of Brendan's movements, their voices carrying around the surprisingly large room. Steven's body curled and twisted with each movement, his toes stroking the back of Brendan's head with difficulty.

"How many times then?" Steven panted. They were both sticky with sweat. Brendan could smell it, along with Steven's cheap deodorant. He moved one of his hands to clutch Steven's hairy leg, straightening it out where it had bent in the effort of holding himself still.

"After this? Who knows," Brendan said, readying himself for the final push.

Steven made an odd, strangled sound in the back of his throat as his fingers tightened around himself, semen splattering against his belly, warm and appealing. He groaned as Brendan continued, jerking once before climaxing himself, shuddering with the aftershocks that seemed to go on forever.

He withdrew carefully, collapsing beside Steven on the bed, both of them sprawled out and covered in semen and sweat.

"Jesus." Brendan breathed.

"Yup," Steven agreed, turning his head to the side to stare at Brendan. He looked beautiful; skin practically glowing from his orgasm, his eyes impossibly bright. Brendan always logged the way he looked after sex in the back of his mind, knowing that nothing else would ever compare. He placed his hand against his cheek, stroking his jaw.

"Love ye," he murmured, stealing a quick kiss.

"Never gets old, that," Steven told him.

"I'll bet." Brendan made a low groaning sound as he reached across to find Steven some tissue to clean himself up with. Once he had done so, he flung himself across Brendan, head tucked underneath Brendan's chin.

"If every day is like this, we're gonna have a great time on this trip."

Brendan laughed, fingers trailing up and down Steven's bare arm. "You're gonna wear me out, boy."

"Get used to it, old man."

"Watch it."

"Rather watch you," Steven said, his voice taking on a softer quality. He looked up at Brendan underneath dark lashes, taking Brendan's breath away, although he'd never admit it out loud. Steven smiled knowingly, nudging his nose against Brendan's tenderly.

"Gonna look after ye now," Brendan said, dazed at having his boy in his arms, still warm from being inside him.

Steven snorted. "What are you, my guardian angel or something?"

"Nope, not an angel. Far from it."

Steven looked at him seriously for a moment, a small crease between his eyebrows. After a moment his expression smoothed out and he smiled.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Bren."