Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to Hollyoaks!

Summary: AU fic: Brendan is a police officer and Ste is a criminal he catches.

A/N: Thank you to Iclabon for the prompt.

Officer Brady

Officer Brady was not a kind man. He was strong, purposeful. Tall build, dark hair, moustache. He had advanced through the police force through a mixture of determination and dirty tactics. He was not a clean cop.

Right now he was driving through the streets at night, fiddling with the radio and humming to himself. He was grateful to be alone; he didn't play well with others. He lived by himself in a large flat near work. It suited him fine, he didn't need anyone else. Not anymore.

He drove by the area he was meant to be looking out for. There had been a few complaints from neighbours; strange noises emitting from rooms, men and women of various ages hanging around, looking worse for wear. Brendan pulled up outside a particularly derelict building. He stepped outside, straightening his uniform and feeling for his gun and truncheon. He ought to call for more backup but that wasn't how he did things.

It was futile anyway. Anyone who saw the uniform would certainly run a mile. And yet some were too off their face to care; approaching him suggestively, faces smeared in lipstick. They made Brendan feel sick. He couldn't arrest them all, nor did he have enough evidence to do so. It was only when he heard noises coming from the building that he seized his opportunity. Truncheon in hand, he slipped through the door, unlocked. It seemed to be a council estate.

He located the room easily enough. The sounds inside were not ones of pleasure. Brendan felt his blood run cold as he heard a very male scream inside. Forgetting conduct, he leaned heavily against the door, throwing it off its hinges within moments. Inside was a large man, partly dressed. He wasn't the one Brendan was looking at however. There was a young lad, covers partially covering him. He had dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes. His skin was flawless and his mouth curved upwards, begging to be kissed.

"What have we here then?" Brendan asked coolly, shutting the door behind him.

"It's not what it looks like" the larger man stuttered.

Brendan raised his eyebrows, smirking a little. "Oh it isn't? So what's this then?" He picked up a wad of cash on the dresser. The man made a lunge for it but Brendan placed the truncheon on his chest. "I don't think so"

Sighing, Brendan called it in. He couldn't handle the both of them alone. At least it seemed the man was going to cooperative. The younger man however…

"Ow!" Brendan exclaimed in some surprise as he shot past him, pushing him against the wall. "Ye stay here" he said sharply to the other man, before taking off after him.

It didn't take long to locate him. He had made it outside at least but after spotting another police car approaching, he had attempted to make a break down the street. Brendan caught him by the arm.

"Ye are only making it harder, son"

Blue eyes flashing, he bit him.

"Fuck!" Brendan cursed, staring after him. One of his colleagues approached him.

"Want me to-"

"I got it" Brendan murmured, making chase.

He was fast, but Brendan was faster. He caught up to him soon enough, grabbing him around the waist to restrain him.

"Oi! What is this? Aren't you supposed to be a copper? Ain't this police bru-bru…" he trailed off, unable to pronounce the word. He had a mancunian accent.

"Be quiet" Brendan muttered, getting his cuffs out effortlessly. He pushed him against a nearby car, placing his hands behind his back before cuffing him.

"This is getting a bit sexy, ain't it?" he purred, rubbing his arse against Brendan's crotch which was unfortunately placed to assist in the cuffing.

Brendan withdrew, his face set. "Now, son we can do this the hard way…"

"Oh aren't we already?" He said, staring at the bulge in Brendan's trousers.

Brendan was stunned momentarily. "What's yer name?"

"What's yours?"

"Officer Brady. Your turn"

"Ste" he said proudly, drawing himself straight. He was dressed in a white t-shirt, slightly hanging off at one shoulder and barely covering his stomach. Brendan noted a tattoo on his hip. He couldn't take his eyes away at first. Then he looked at his face. He had eye liner on but it was smudged. His hair was messy, but looked soft to touch. His lips were pouting, his eyes flashing in amusement and challenge. Brendan decided right there that he liked him.

"How old are yer?" He asked.

"Twenty-two"

Brendan raised his eyebrows sceptically. "Ye sure about that?"

Ste rolled his eyes. "I'm young looking, me. Good for my trade"

"Ah, yes" Brendan drew out the wad of cash from his pocket. "This yours then?"

"You aren't supposed to take that!" Ste said, his eyes wide. He made a grab for it but then remembered he was cuffed. He toppled into Brendan's chest, who held him fast.

"Why not? Did ye even work for it? Didn't sound like it to me"

Ste's eyes darkened at the memory. "He was being too rough"

"Man in your trade must be used to that" Brendan noted, wondering why he was taking such an interest.

Ste shrugged. "I haven't done it for long. Can't say I enjoy it much"

Brendan frowned. "I have to take ye in, ye know"

"Yeah" Ste looked a little deflated. "Or you could let me go?"

"And why would I?"

Ste's eyes darted around. "Uncuff me and I'll…" Ste looked down at his crotch.

Angrily, Brendan pushed him against the car, menacing close to his face. "I don't pay for it, kid"

"It was just an idea!" Ste spluttered. "Forget it!"

Brendan took a deep breath, releasing him.

"Please just, I can't go to prison" Ste said in a rush, his eyes wide and panicked. "You know what they'll do to someone like me in there!"

It was true. Brendan had seen it many a time. Slip of a boy like this, with the experience he had, there was no questioning it. His radio signal started to crackle.

"Did you get him?" someone asked on the other end.

Ste looked at him, his lips no longer pouting but wobbling. He looked so young, so small. Brendan hesitated before answering.

"No. I lost him" he said, switching the radio off.

"Thank you!" Ste said, tears in his eyes.

"Don't mention it" Brendan said gruffly, reaching to uncuff him. "And I mean that, don't mention it. I don't wanna see ye round here again, got it?"

Ste nodded frantically. "Promise" once uncuffed he reached onto his tip toes and kissed Brendan's cheek. "Thank you" and off he scuttled.

Brendan stared after him, a little stunned. There was something about the lad that Brendan couldn't put his finger on. A part of him had been reluctant to let him go, not for the law, but for himself. Sighing, he walked back to his car, pleased it was the end of his shift. He had only walked a few feet however when he heard that unmistakeable scream.

"Jesus, Stephen" he said to himself, the name rolling off his tongue. He turned on his heel, sprinting in the direction of the scream.

It didn't take long to find the culprit. He had Stephen backed into an alley, throwing his weight around.

"I didn't take your money!" Stephen stuttered, his back against the wall.

"Who did then?"

"Must have been that guy you arranged for me!" Stephen replied, the fear in his voice evident. "Please, Danny. I didn't take it!"

"Is there a problem here?"

Danny turned round swiftly, a glint in his eye. "Hello, officer. Nothing to see here"

"I'll be the judge of that" Brendan walked forwards, hand on his gun.

"I don't want any trouble" Danny said pleasantly enough. He was a short, plump man. Everything was starting to click into place in his mind.

"Neither do I. Just let the kid go and we'll say no more"

"I can't do that I'm afraid"

Brendan raised his eyebrows. "Is that right?" he took another step closer.

Stephen looked at him from behind Danny's back. He mouthed the word "go", his face stricken. Brendan couldn't make sense of it, why did he want him to leave him? Distracted momentarily, Danny took his chance to grab Stephen by the scruff of the neck, pointing a gun at his head.

"Take one more step and I'll shoot his pretty little head off"

Brendan steeled himself. "Let him go"

"Why should I? You'll arrest me anyway"

"Just… give him to me"

Danny must have seen something in his expression. "Do you know him?"

"No" Brendan said. "It's my duty to protect people"

"Is it now?" Danny sneered, gripping Stephen that little bit tighter. "Well, it's my job to cover loose ends and this one has been giving me trouble for months" Danny promptly stepped on Stephen's foot, hard. Stephen cried out, tears streaming down his face.

"Ye are really testing my patience" Brendan said, whipping out his gun and pointing it at Danny's face. "Last chance"

"Can you fire before I kill him?"

Brendan wavered. "We'll find out, won't we?"

"I hope he doesn't mean anything to you. Otherwise your little friend here isn't going to last the night"

Brendan tightened his jaw. He looked into Stephen's eyes, seeing sadness reflected there. He looked beautifully broken, limp in Danny's grip. Danny grinned triumphantly. Next moment however, Stephen's eyes glinted and he bit down on Danny's hand, hard. Danny yelped, releasing him and allowing Brendan to get a clear shot, in the arm.

Danny toppled to the floor and so did Stephen. Brendan sprung forwards, grabbing Stephen around the waist.

"We need to move, now!"

"But, but you shot him!"

"Only a flesh wound, he'll be fine"

"Brendan" Stephen gasped. "I can't walk"

Brendan pondered this. "Come on" he said gruffly, wrapping his jacket around Stephen's shoulders and lifting him into his arms. He went off at a sprint, glad he was keeping in shape.

"My hero!" Stephen giggled, collapsing unconscious against Brendan's chest.

Brendan's car was where he had left it. He laid Stephen carefully out in the back seat and put his sirens on, heading for home.

Xxx

Stephen didn't wake up until Brendan had settled him down in his own bed.

"Where am I?"

"My place" Brendan said, pouring himself a drink. "Want one?"

"No thanks" Stephen sat up carefully, wincing. "My foot kills"

"Want me to look at it?"

"Would you?" Stephen lifted the covers off himself. Brendan put his drink down and pulled Stephen's socks off. Stephen winced again, flinching from Brendan's touch.

"Hold still, Stephen"

"Stephen? Have you forgotten my name already? It's Ste"

Brendan simply stared at him until he understood.

"Oh… right. Okay then"

"I think it's just badly bruised" Brendan murmured. "I'll bandage it up though if ye like"

"Great, thanks" Stephen looked around. "Nice place you've got here"

"Mm" Brendan said, going to the bathroom for the first aid kit.

"You live alone?"

"Yep" Brendan returned and started wrapping his foot up. "Do you?"

"Yeah, just me" Stephen sounded a little sad when he said that. He shook himself as though to snap out of it. "No boyfriend then?"

Brendan stared at him. "Ye assume I'm…?"

"Gay? Yeah. Trust me, you kinda need a sixth sense for these things in my line of work"

"Yeah, yer line of work…" Brendan said, frowning. "Who was that Danny guy?"

"Changing the subject?" Stephen laughed, then sighed. "He handles my…contracts"

"In other words, ye give him most of what ye make"

"Pretty much"

"Why?"

"Who else is gonna look after me?"

Stephen's eyes pierced into his own, soft and sad.

"Ye call that looking after ye?"

Stephen shrugged. "He offers me some protection, at least he did…" He frowned a little. "Thank you though, for saving me"

"It's no problem" Brendan said gruffly. Something was nagging him. "Ye and Danny? Ye aren't… he doesn't expect…?" Brendan trailed off, uncomfortable.

"What? No! No, course not" Stephen blushed.

"Good" Brendan said without thinking.

"Good?" Stephen's lips curved into a smile.

Brendan laughed a little. "For some reason, I like ye"

Stephen raised his eyebrows, the smile still present on his lips. "Yeah?" he looked so eager, so young.

Brendan licked his lips. "Ye can stay here a while, if ye want"

Stephen looked unsure. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. Just keep a low profile, yeah?"

Stephen nodded, resting his head against the wall.

"I'll take the couch" Brendan said, rising.

"Don't be silly, it's your bed!"

"Ye need to rest up"

"Then share, I don't bite" Stephen grinned mischievously. "Much"

Brendan sighed and settled next to him.

"I am ye know"

"What's that?"

"Gay"

"Knew it!"

"Yeah, alright" Brendan chuckled to himself.

Stephen sidled up beside him. "So if I propositioned you…?"

"I ain't paying for it"

"I wouldn't want you to"

Brendan looked at him, trying to determine if he was being genuine. He was satisfied that he was. And then he was kissing him, and somehow he felt a kind of ache, deep in his chest. Something unusual passed between them. Brendan suddenly felt as if he knew him, deep in his bones and at the bottom of his soul.

He broke away, breathing hard.

"What is it?" Stephen asked, eyes as wide as saucers.

"Who are ye?"

Stephen looked at him in bafflement for a while until his expression cleared. "I'm yours" he said it with such solemnity that Brendan had to believe him.

He kissed him again, pushing him into the bed. His poor clothes were discarded; Stephen fondled his handcuffs playfully.

"Later" he promised, smirking.

And then he was stripping him out of his police uniform, his hands running over the contours of his chest. Stephen grabbed a nipple between his teeth, tugging hard. He switched their positions, straddling Brendan, a glint in his eye. He knew how to please a man. Brendan didn't want that. He flipped Stephen onto his back again.

"Let me take care of ye this time, alright?"

Stephen nodded wordlessly, allowing Brendan's fingers to caress him, their gentleness unheard of in Stephen's world, he imagined. But Stephen seemed content enough, undamaged. His eyes squeezed shut as Brendan penetrated him. It had been a while for Brendan and Stephen felt tight all around him. His groans were unrehearsed and reverberated right into Brendan's body. He'd used a condom, naturally, even though Stephen had promised that he was clean. Even so, the feeling of Stephen wrapped around him was enough to send Brendan over the edge in what seemed like no time at all. He knew there would be a round two later, slower, sensuous.

Brendan collapsed beside him afterwards, drawing him against his chest. Stephen rattled the handcuffs by his side playfully.

"Please?"

Brendan rolled his eyes, allowing him to play with him a while. It was funny, how he trusted him. Stephen could have tied him to the bed, stolen his money, and ran. He didn't. Instead he teased the tip of Brendan's penis in his mouth, grinning all the while. He drew him in deep, almost choking on the length. Brendan pushed his hips up to meet him, strangely enjoying the feeling of Stephen gagging around him.

Stephen's hands were on his thighs, rubbing in smooth circles. He knew just where the pleasure points were on Brendan's body, as though he had it memorised. It occurred to him why Stephen was in this line of work, and why now Brendan would never let him be again.

When he was close to climax, Stephen drew away, smiling all the while. Brendan stared after him, wondering what he was doing. Stephen began to touch himself, his eyes rolling back into his head and emitting soft moans of pleasure. It was enough to drive Brendan insane with longing, and yet Stephen wouldn't touch him.

Stephen allowed himself to orgasm before finally touching a seething Brendan. He was so wound up and aroused he came alongside a stream of profanities. Stephen laughed at him, unlocking the handcuffs. Brendan immediately pounced on him, trapping him. Stephen simply laughed harder until Brendan silenced him with a kiss.

"Ye aren't going anywhere" Brendan practically growled.

"Wouldn't dream of it" Stephen countered, kissing the tip of Brendan's nose. "Officer Brady" he said with mock gravity.

"And don't ye forget it" Brendan kissed him again, claiming him once more.