AN: Thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing. This chapter comes with a warning for DARKNESS. Enjoy!
Ste clung to Brendan's back all the way back to the club that evening. He could have flown himself, but it seemed like more fun. And Brendan seemed to enjoy it too; as Ste wound his legs around his lover's waist and arms around his chest it was like a mirroring of their earlier activities. And he put his head on Brendan's shoulder so their cheeks were touching. It felt heavenly and he couldn't resist the need to lick Brendan's cheek, nibble his ear.
Brendan growled, "You're a menace, I'm trying not to hit any buildings," but he didn't actually tell him to stop, so Ste giggled and grew bolder, slipping a hand past Brendan's collar and caressing the so manly hair he found there.
They ended up stopping on the way. It should have only been a two minute journey. It took an hour. They'd already made love a number of times in the crypt and the graveyard. Ste wondered if it was possible for a vampire to fail to get hard. He guessed it probably wasn't.
The club was well and truly open by the time they arrived, but Ste wasn't even considering doing any work. He was thinking about what Brendan had told him at the crypt. Or more importantly, not told him. He'd told the truth about worrying that Ste couldn't consent when he was going through the change, though Ste thought that was mental and that when someone is begging you and rubbing themselves against a sheet, it definitely counted as a "yes". So why would Brendan think it could possibly not be a yes? What had he held back? What had he tried to lie about?
Then the club was full of humans.
Bloody hell, how could Brendan stand it? To be so surrounded by food so willing to be eaten! And bodies so ready to be taken. How had Brendan found time for anything else? How had he looked past all that to notice a chav like Ste?
Brendan put a hand on Ste's waist and Ste turned to him. He knew he'd always notice Brendan. Just the sight of the tall handsome man sent tingling up and down Ste's body. He stepped closer to Brendan, just because he could never get enough of being close to Brendan.
"Watch out," Brendan muttered in his ear. "They're all checking you out."
Ste looked around himself. A couple of people were looking at him, but that could have been anything. And it hardly mattered. "Are you checking me out?"
Brendan smiled, "Always."
"Good," said Ste, "You want to share some dinner?"
Brendan smirked. "Anything you fancy?"
"Just a snack," said Ste, "to fill us up. We've got a lot of work to do."
"Yeah, you better get serving," said Brendan, "the place is pretty busy."
Ste rolled his eyes and ran his hand down Brendan's leg. "I can think of better things to do."
Brendan pulled him firmly against his body, claiming his mouth, before spinning him round so Ste's back was to Brendan's front. He hummed into his ear and Ste shivered.
"Take your pick," said Brendan, his hands securely holding Ste to him. "Who smells good?"
Ste threw his head back, trying to twist it to kiss Brendan, "You smell good."
"You can't eat me," growled Brendan.
"Wanna bet?" Ste said with a squirm, licking his lips. Brendan was strong enough to keep him still, and Ste felt a thrill at the feel. "If I let you tie me up, do you promise to fuck me this time?"
Brendan spanked him, "You're a naughty boy," he hissed as Ste burst into laughter, "you have to eat something proper or there'll be no dessert. Choose something for dinner."
Ste considered. There were a few people who smelt alright around them, though no one who he found irresistible. "Hmm," he said, looking for someone Brendan couldn't get jealous of if he tried. He spotted a skinny blond man staring at them wide eyed and open mouthed. "Him," he said pointing.
"Really?" said Brendan, "he's dressed like a twelve year old boy."
Red trousers, woolly jumper; that was true, "Well it's just about food, innit?" said Ste, "I don't fancy anyone here, 'cept you,"
Brendan smiled genuinely. "Good boy," he purred, giving Ste a sensuous kiss. "I'll go fetch him for you. I'll be right back."
But he didn't get far. Mitzeee suddenly appeared in front of them.
"There you are!" she snapped. "I've been looking for you two for ages!"
"Well, you've found us," said Brendan, "now if you don't mind, we're hungry."
Mitzeee stepped into his way again. Ste laughed, at the a new game.
"Mitzeee," growled Brendan, "get out of my way."
"Seriously?" snapped Mitzeee, "you're that wrapped up in Ste, you haven't noticed?"
Brendan put his head to one side. Ste glanced around himself. The club looked normal, what was there to notice?
"Behind the bar," Mitzeee hissed.
Ste turned. There was Cheryl, a big grin on her face, serving out special brew to a bunch of regulars. There were some of the normal staff serving humans and vampires alike, not caring to recognise which was which and there was a middle aged vampire getting slightly in the way.
"What am I looking at?" asked Ste.
Neither Mitzeee nor Brendan replied, so he looked at them enquiringly. Mitzeee had her arms folded, and was wearing a serious and slightly worried expression, lips slightly pursed, but it was nothing to the reaction of Brendan.
Brendan had frozen. His face had gone solid. His eyes were wide and glued on someone behind the bar. In the absence of any other differences, Ste assumed it had to be middle aged man that was making him react like that, but he was at a loss to understand why.
The second Cheryl spotted them, she squealed.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, "Look who's here! Ste! Ste come here!"
She flew and grasped Ste's hand, pulling him all the way to the man who was emerging from behind the bar. "This, Daddy, is Steven Hay. He's Brendan's boyfriend and this, Ste Hay, is Seamus Brady, our Daddy!"
Ste hadn't expected that. He'd assumed Brendan and Chery's father would have died many years ago. Brendan hadn't mentioned that his father was a vampire too. They might have been made by the same vampire. Maybe Brendan's Dad was still in that vampire's power. Maybe that was why Brendan didn't seem pleased to see him. "Hi," Ste mumbled.
"The renowned Steven Hay," greeted Seamus, holding out a hand, "I hear you've been setting my son's heart aflame, there." He grabbed Ste's hand and pulled him close, staring into his eyes. "Cheryl said you were pretty, but I'm not much of a judge of these things. Is he pretty, Brendan? He doesn't look much older than a boy."
Brendan stepped between Ste and his father, forcing their hands to separate, "What are you doing here?" growled Brendan.
"Brendan!" cried Cheryl, angrily, as Seamus looked at the ground with sad eyes. "He's come to make amends!" Cheryl cried, "He told me how much he misses us, Brendan. I know yous two fell out, but..."
"No," stated Brendan. "Get out of my town, Seamus."
"Brendan!" Cheryl scolded.
"Son," said Seamus, his voice repentant, "I'm here to say sorry. For whatever I did to make you hate me so, I'm sorry, but haven't you punished me enough?"
Ste glanced at Brendan. He didn't look moved. He held a tension in his face that Seamus continued.
"You asked me to stay away from my own grandchildren and I did! They died barely knowing my name. It's been sixty years since I saw my own daughter because of you. You're making your own family again but shutting me out of it. Brendan, nothing you can do will change the way I feel about you. You're my son, I want to be part of your life."
Brendan looked ready to burst with fury. Then he glanced at Cheryl and his eyes dropped to the floor.
"Brendan," said Cheryl, "I miss him. He's my Daddy!"
Ste stayed quiet. He didn't know what was going on, but if he found out Terry was back in his life and could live forever, he imagined he'd probably react something like Brendan. But then, Amy went on about how awful her parents were sometimes and neither of them particularly deserved it. He wondered which Brendan was closer to.
"Do what you want," Brendan mumbled, then pulled Ste away, back into the crowd.
"Bren…" Ste tried.
"What? I thought you were hungry?" He pulled Ste along, checking out the bodies they passed, sniffing the air.
"Well…"
"It was that one wasn't it?" Brendan pointed at the slim man Ste had pointed out before.
"Yeah," Ste mumbled, "but…"
"He's a proper little thing, in't he?" said Brendan, "barely a mouthful each."
"Don't you wanna talk about…"
"Nope," said Brendan. "Hey, you."
The slim, fair haired man that Ste had pointed out earlier jumped.
"Yeah," said Brendan, "you."
"Doug," said the man.
"What?" snapped Brendan.
"Er, I'm…. Doug," said Doug, weakly. He sounded American.
Brendan sneered, "And I'm hungry," he said, "walk."
"Er, walk where?" asked Doug, eyes wide. Apparently the idea of disobeying hadn't occurred to him.
"Off the edge of a cliff," snapped Brendan, "where do you think?"
Doug's face went from wide-eyed to plain terrified.
"The booths, of course," said Brendan, extending the sounds as though talking to a child.
"Er, OK…" said Doug. He turned and nervously rushed in the direction of the nearest curtain.
"Bren!" Ste protested.
"There's a good lad," said Brendan, "Steven, after you."
Ste glared at him. "Fine," he snapped, "don't tell me anything, see if I care!"
He stuck his tongue out for good measure and stormed after Doug, followed his scent into the nearest curtained area where he found Doug standing, his hands clenching in front of himself, weight sliding from foot to foot with nerves.
"Hey," Doug greeted.
Ste looked him up and down and sniffed. He smelt like he'd taste alright. "Hey," Ste said. Then smiled. The guy was staring at him like he was a film star. Ste liked that.
"Hey," said Doug again.
"Yeah, you said that," said Ste, hearing Brendan slip through the curtain behind him, "You nervous?"
Doug nodded.
Ste stepped towards him, "There's no need." He stroked Doug's cheek with a single finger, "You ever had a vampire drink your blood?"
Doug shook his head.
"It's amazin'," Ste whispered, circling the American, trailing his finger over his chest and shoulder and back as he went. "It's like… they pull out all the bad in you and leave you with just this… sexiness. They pull the need up into your stomach 'til it fills you and you're humming with it. You'll be so hot, and so hard." Ste looked over Doug's shoulder and made eye contact with Brendan. "You'll fall straight in love with me."
He felt Doug shiver, heard his heart rate and breathing speed up. He was easy to get excited. Only Brendan could ever make Ste feel like that, but right now, Ste had many reasons to want to annoy Brendan. He licked Doug's neck. He saw the flash in Brendan's eyes. This was supposed to be about food, but Ste was purposefully adding sex. Just to get on Brendan's nerves. For lying, for keeping secrets, for chaining and gagging Ste without having sex when he wanted it.
"Do you think I'm sexy, Doug?" Ste whispered, knowing Brendan could hear every word.
"Yeah," breathed Doug, his heart racing, filling the room with the smell of arousal. It did add something to the blood, something that sweetened it. Ste could smell it already. "You're beautiful," he gasped.
Ste smiled, strangely touched. "Do you want me to drink your blood, Doug? Do you want me to bite you?"
Ste could hear Brendan growling so low Brendan himself may not have known he was doing it.
"Oh God," gasped Doug, "yes please! Please!"
Ste scraped his neck gently with a fang. The tiniest spring of blood dribbled to the surface, and Ste licked it up. "More?" he hissed
"God yes!" cried Doug.
Brendan lost his patience. He stormed forward and dug his teeth into Doug's neck. Doug convulsed. Ste laughed and copied on the other side, breaking his dinner's skin to fill himself up. He barely got a cupful before Brendan shoved the man away. "Get out," he ordered.
Doug was open mouthed on the floor, looking post orgasmic. Brendan was pitiless. "I said get out." He picked up the American and physically threw him through the curtain.
"Hey!" moaned Ste, "I weren't full yet!"
"You won't starve," Brendan snapped back.
Ste felt the sting. "What's the matter with you?"
"Why should anything be the matter?" grumbled Brendan, glaring through the gap in the curtain.
"We're all alone and I'm still wearing clothes, for one," said Ste, "And for another, you just nearly bit me head off! Grumpy git!"
Brendan turned back to him, rubbing his face.
"Is it your Dad?" Ste asked. "Cheryl obviously thinks he's great. Why's he put you in such a bad mood? We were having a proper nice time before."
Brendan grunted.
"What?" said Ste.
Brendan growled like a beast.
"Oi!" Ste shouted, "No need to get all Incredible Hulk. I'm worried about ya! You...you smelly poo head."
Brendan raised an eyebrow. "Classy Steven."
Ste didn't know why Brendan was being so sarcastic. "You gonna tell me why you hate your Dad?"
"Not today," said Brendan.
Ste screwed up his face, "Whyyyyy?" he moaned.
Brendan actually smiled at him. "You'll understand in a couple of days."
"Er, what does that mean?" Ste demanded, with an extra glare.
Brendan reached out and stroked the lip Ste hadn't realised he'd stuck out. Ste pulled it in again, but kept his arms folded. Brendan stroked his face instead and Ste could see love and fear in his eyes. It didn't make any sense.
"Look," he said, "even if you don't get on with your Dad, surely it's good that he's turned up? I mean, we've got someone who tried to kidnap and or kill me or something, that's still out there and up to who knows what. Surely it's good we've got someone else on our side? If he's trying to prove he loves you, he's bound to try to help."
A hard look entered Brendan's face. He failed to make eye contact for whole seconds. When he looked back, Ste was certain he spotted a blood red tear about to drop from his eye lid. But Brendan pulled him close to his chest before he could see it fall. Ste let him hold on, and undid his folded arms to hold Brendan back.
A polite cough interrupted them. They pulled away from each other and looked at an embarrassed looking Seamus standing just inside their curtain. "Sorry," he said, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
Ste glanced at Brendan. Brendan just glared at Seamus.
"Well, obviously I am interrupting," said Seamus, jovially, "I'm sorry, I just… I needed … " he mumbled away, a number of attempts at sentences that were quickly aborted, "Brendan… son... I..."
He stopped, looked down and shifted uncomfortably. Ste felt obliged to say "It's fine, don't worry about it."
Seamus gave him a gruff smile, "You're a good kid, Steven. I like you. It's obvious the two of you love each other very much."
Ste nodded. Brendan didn't. Ste felt a burst of pain in his heart when he realised. Why would Brendan want to pretend they weren't in love to his father?
"You know, Brendan" said Seamus, "I only ever wished you well. I want what's best for you. You should be back where you belong, with the people who love ye."
Brendan grunted. Ste thought the obvious answer was that Brendan was already surrounded by people who loved him.
Seamus looked between Ste and Brendan, "And of course, that includes young Steven here."
Brendan didn't answer. Ste didn't know what to say either. It sounded like Seamus was welcoming him into his family, so why should Brendan be so angry about it?
Seamus continued, seeming to grow in confidence. His voice was serious, honest. Ste believed every word he said. "I want my family back, Brendan. And if that includes your boyfriend, then so be it. I'd welcome him with open arms, son." He put a friendly hand on Ste's shoulder, "You know, I'd treat him like he was my own son."
Brendan's icy glare didn't thaw. Instead it suddenly burned with fury. Without warning, he scooped Ste into the air and threw over his shoulder. He flew them both out of the club, and all the way to his home. Ste kicked and shouted in shock, but Brendan didn't even seem to notice. He didn't let Ste go until they were inside, when he let him off of his shoulder, but kept a grip on his arm.
Ste blinked in confusion, "Brendan, what…"
"We're packing," said Brendan. "We're leaving. We're gonna grab whatever we need, and we'll be gone in ten minutes."
"You what?" cried Ste.
"Just do it!"
"We're not just leaving!" Ste snapped.
"We are if I say we are!" growled Brendan.
Ste snarled at him, "You try ordering me to leave and I'll order you to go and shake your father's hand!"
Brendan snarled back, "I'm not ordering you, I'm asking you."
"Well, it don't sound like it!" Ste snapped at him.
"Jesus Christ, Steven!" Brendan cried.
"Don't shout at me!" Ste shouted at him.
Brendan made a noise like an angry tiger. Maybe he'd tried to shout at Ste and failed because of the order.
"I've got kids, me!" Ste cried, "And you've got Mitzeee and Cheryl! We can't just run off without a word."
"We have to go!" insisted Brendan.
"What because your Dad welcomed me into your family?!"
A sound of exasperation escaped Brendan's lips, running fingers harshly through his own hair. "We're going!" he growled.
"I ain't going nowhere!" snapped Ste, "And you are not gonna make me!"
"Steven…"
"No!" Ste shouted, rage and confusion boiling over, "all you've done today is lie and not tell me things and get angry and sad and stupid for no reason! I don't wanna love you if you're gonna be like that!" He felt hot and miserable, his eyes dribbled angry tears and he glared at Brendan with as much power as he could muster. "Are you gonna tell me everything?"
Brendan looked back at him with equal passion. "I can't," he croaked.
"Then fuck off!" Ste shouted, and stormed out
Brendan heard the door upstairs slam, another characteristic of Steven's teenage vampire phase, like the childish insults and the constant need for sex, not that he minded the latter. Steve's refusal to leave was probably for the best really. They couldn't just run away until Brendan had done what he needed to do. And where he was going Steven couldn't follow. He had to commit a murder; a murder that was long overdue. It all made sense now, why human Steven was murdered. Everything Brendan touched turned to ash, because he was created by the closest thing he had ever met to the devil. He couldn't be anything but evil because he was created and crafted to be evil.
"Brendan." said Anne softly, appearing at his side. She must have followed them from the club. She was the only one who understood even a little of this situation. "You've got that look on your face, like you're about to do something stupid." she paused. "Please tell me I'm wrong."
"Go to bed Anne." Brendan ordered.
Anne began to move, but stood still. A pained expression spread across her face, like she was physically being torn apart from disobeying the command. "Brendan." she gripped onto the sofa, fighting his words.
"Don't make this any harder." said Brendan.
"You can't..." gasped Anne, her long red nails digging into the sofa. "You can't do this alone. I'll scream and Ste will come running downstairs."
Brendan stepped forward and softly placed his hand on her cheek. "No you won't." he bent down and gently kissed her on the forehead. "Look after them, keep them away from him. I order you not to breathe a word about this to either of them."
Anne let out a growl, as her legs suddenly began to move on their own accord. She was heading upstairs to her bed, groaning with every step and looking like a doll that was being controlled by an invisible hand. Brendan heard her bedroom door click closed. She'd be alright, all of them would. He just had to hope he'd be the one to make it out alive, but it would probably be for the best if neither of them did.
Brendan collected the things he needed, slipped out the door and moved slowly into the night. He was in no hurry to see the man he hated with every inch of his un-dead body. He could smell his stench, it was like Seamus had left a bread crumb trail of smell for Brendan to follow. He'd obviously planned it all.
The smell was leading him outside of Hollyoaks, Brendan continued to walk. Taking in the sights of the passing countryside and admiring how many stars he could see. Maybe he'd bring Steven out here if he survived. Brendan stopped as he reached a crumbling church, with a gothic grave yard. His maker had always been one who loved the dramatic.
It should have been obvious that his maker was going to turn up. Things had been going too well and he'd been happy. So, so, so happy before Steven had been murdered. It was like he'd found a sun in his world that had been full of darkness throughout both his vampire and human existence. But his maker always found a way to take away anything good or meaningful in his life.
He stepped into the doorway of the church, taking a deep breath even though he didn't need to. Brendan unconsciously felt around for the stake that was concealed in the waistband of his trousers. It was still there and acted like a representation of everything he had to do. He had to keep his children safe, had to keep Steven safe.
"I thought you were never coming," said his maker's voice from inside the church. "Aren't you going to come in Brenda? Or are you still too much of a spineless coward to face me?"
His voice alone stirred memories that haunted Brendan. It was almost as if he was a small helpless child again. He went to take a step back, but found he couldn't. Something was surrounding the church, a bubble of sorts. He was trapped and Brendan had a feeling only one of them was going to make it out alive.
"I'm sorry," said a woman's voice in his head.
Brendan turned and noticed a red-headed woman. He put two an two together; this was the third witch from Nancy and Myra's coven. The one who had been missing. It all made sense now. Silent tears were falling from her eyes.
"He left me with no choice." she whispered into his mind. "He was going to hurt my family."
Brendan shifted along the barrier, trying to get as close to the witch as possible. "I don't blame you." He thought, hoping she'd be able to hear. "I need you to do something for me."
Martha shook her head. "He's forced me to put a spell on myself. I can't say his name or do anything to help you or a man called Steven. You can't get out of this barrier until he says you can."
Brendan clenched his fists, even now his maker was finding ways to control him. "What about Cheryl? She's vulnerable to him and can't see him for what he is. Anne can take care of herself and Steven, but it's Cheryl I'm scared for."
Martha silently nodded. "I've got to go now, but I'll make sure she's safe. Make that bastard pay Brendan Brady." She turned and disappeared out through the rusty gate that lead into the church yard.
"Daddy's waiting, son." said Seamus's voice.
With a shiver, Brendan turned away from the church yard and finally entered the crumbling church itself. Seamus was stood by a marble figure of the virgin Mary.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" asked Seamus, his voice revealing nothing. "The perfect woman, just like your Ma was."
"Don't talk about my Ma!" snapped Brendan.
Seamus ignored him. "Shame what happened to her. She begged and begged for me to spare her, but she tasted too delicious for me to waste even one little drop."
Brendan clenched his fists so hard that he was sure his nails were drawing blood. "You always did talk too much, are you ever going to get to the point?" he tried his best to fix his face into an expression that showed his maker's words hadn't affected him.
Seamus's faced twisted into an ugly expression. "What did I do to deserve such a feckless and ungrateful son? I give you eternal life and you repay me by disappearing like a thief in the night. A son should obey his father, not go to a pathetic witch to solve his problems."
"I am no longer under your control." said Brendan, sounding braver than he felt. His father always made him feel so afraid. Steven did the opposite. Steven made him feel as if he could take on the world.
Seamus fixed his cold eyes on his son. "I can see that. If you were, you wouldn't be in such an ungodly relationship with that little gob-shite."
Brendan let out a hollow laugh, amazed at what a hypocrite his father was. "I've already accepted I'm going to hell, what's a relationship with another man after all the things I've done since becoming this?"
"The boy is scum, he doesn't deserve to be here still or have control over you," hissed Seamus.
"Steven's more deserving than you'll ever be." said Brendan quietly.
"I think it's time we tested that," said Seamus, slowly advancing forward. "I must say Brenda, I was nearly impressed when you escaped all those years ago. But all these years away from me haven't change you a bit. You're still as pathetic and weak as you ever were."
Brendan stood his ground, resisting the urge to flee. There was nowhere to run to anyway. He began to reach for his stake, knowing this was how it all had to end. For all those times his father had done things to him as a human and all the things he'd made Brendan do when he was a newly turned vampire.
Seamus was in front of him before he could react. Seamus's fist impacted with Brendan's head, causing him to fall to the floor. He was dazed and in pain, the world was suddenly blurry and wouldn't stop spinning. He tried to move, but his body protested against it.
"Crucifix," said Seamus, holding the solid metal object in a thickly gloved hand, "Soaked in holy water from the font there. The old ones are the best. You should have known I would find you." said Seamus, his voice low. "You can never escape me Brenda. I own you."
Brendan tried to crawl away, ignoring the blinding pain in his head. Seamus grabbed his leg and pulled him straight back to where he was.
"It's time I taught you a lesson." hissed Seamus.
Brendan scrambled to get away, but his maker held the crucifix against his left leg, burning it, making it weak and useless. Seamus was kneeling over him, his eyes glinting demoniacal, transferring the cross to the other leg. The smile on his face was wild and evil.
"Please no," said Brendan, placing his arms up defensively.
"Just close your eyes and count to twenty." said Seamus, turning Brendan over. He began to yank Brendan's trouser's down, he paused when he noticed the stake. "Did you really think this silly bit of wood could help you? You're a pathetic little queer, Brenda." He aimed a brutal kick into Brendan's ribs.
Brendan let out a groan, his father always knew how to hurt him the most. He desperately wanted to move, but he just couldn't. He knew what was coming. He knew what would always come. He'd known since he was eight. The pain was just too much. He was frozen again, just like he had been when he was human. He tried not to think of Steven; he didn't want his memories of his love's perfection to be blighted by this; the depths of his unworthiness.
"Don't cry." said Seamus in a low voice, "Daddy's here."
Brendan heard the click of Seamus undoing his belt and knew there was no escape.