Fic: I'll Keep You Safe 2/3
Title: I'll Keep You Safe
Rating: T - 16+
Summary (for p2) : : Stephen faces his feelings for that certain individual.
Labels on the box: Slash. Mentions of adult situations, much like the last chapter.
Pairing: Stephen/Connor
Series: Conphen!Verse
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He spent most of the walk concentrating on two things: not kissing Stephen,
and not falling on his arse. Stephen's arm was around his waist to support him,
which made his heart hammer as badly as his head was, and he stumbled from that
as much as the alcohol in his system.
The sincere concern Connor thought he could see in Stephen's eyes, when he
looked over, confused the younger man even more. Stephen frequently had no
problem laughing at Connor's mistakes, and smirked twice as often as he
geniuinely smiled. The only times he'd shown any sort of concern over him was
when Connor's life was in danger. And each time, as soon as he was out of
danger, Stephen seemed to completely disregard him. So why was the man so
worried over a little drunkenness? He hadn't shown any sign he remembered that
night, nor that he had recognized Connor...
He glanced at Stephen quickly, eyes narrowing. He opened his mouth to voice
his suspicions, when Stephen shifted away, his arm moving away from Connor's
waist long enough to fish a key out of a trouser pocket and unlock the door of
the flat Connor had just realized they stood in front of.
"C'mon." Stephen said, turning to look at him. Connor met the blue gaze and
swallowed audibly. Did he trust Stephen's nonchalance and concern? He wasn't
really used to anyone exhibiting this sort of concern, and especially not
someone who he fancied and had slept with once. Connor stumbled into the flat,
making his way carefully to the sofa in the livingroom. Stephen vanished into
another room, and Connor flopped onto the sofa, groaning at the pain in his
head. He shouldn't have agreed to go drinking.
"Connor." He jumped slightly, wincing when the movement made his vision swim
again. Stephen frowned, crossing to where the younger man sat. "Pretty bad, eh?
You never learn, do you?" The older man chuckled. Connor stuck his tongue out at
him. His brain was muzzy enough that he didn't really consider the fact that
Stephen clearly did remember.
"Just a tad dizzy, 's all. Should'a waited for Abby, 'n gone to th' flat..."
Connor put his hands over his face, leaning over to prop his elbows on his
knees.
"You're safe here, Conn. And Abby'll be fine. I asked Cutter to keep an eye
on her, and she's not nearly as much of a lightweight as you are." Stephen said
softly, sitting down next to him. Connor glared at him from between his
fingers.
"Tha' first bit sounds really familiar, Stephen." He muttered, words slurred
so badly that it was hard to tell what he said. Stephen heard, and flinched like
he'd been stung.
"I know." He whispered, eyes closing for a second. "This isn't the time for
this, but Connor, I don't regret that night. You were safe with me then. I won't
take advantage of you," Stephen's mind whispered 'again', but he plowed onwards,
"You're safe here now." He said, opening his eyes to meet Connor's dark gaze.
The younger man nodded slightly.
"Don' know why you bothered... why wouldn' you regret it...why you want ta
keep me safe..." Connor mumbled. Stephen's eyes widened fractionally.
"Because I care about you." He paused, words stuck in his throat. "Goodnight,
Conn." He chickened out.
How could he tell Connor that he'd been terrified Connor would leave the bar
with some stranger, someone who wouldn't care? How could he explain that he'd
woken up that morning three years ago expecting the younger man to be curled up
with him, that his stomach had plummeted when he'd realized that Connor had
left? He couldn't. The only explanation he could think of was love at first
sight - and not only was that corny, but he didn't think Connor would believe
him if he told him. But somehow, it was true. He'd seen Connor around before
he'd slept with him the first time. He'd been attracted to the dark-haired
enthusiastic genius, but unsure of how to go about it all. He'd done what he was
used to doing: he'd gone drinking, and Connor'd been there, and they'd somehow
ended up back in this very flat. Stephen had ruined the possibility of a
relationship with Connor by going for sex instead. And he couldn't explain any
of this to the subject of his thoughts, who was slumbering away on his sofa.
Stephen just hoped that Connor wouldn't jump to any conclusions come morning,
that he wouldn't freak out and run away first light, and that Helen would not
show up (he'd been unbelieavably relieved to find no sign of her when they'd
entered the flat). He wearily made his way to his own room, after locking the
door and turning off the lights, and collapsed into bed.
He dreampt of Connor, memories of that one night intertwining with everything
about the man that Stephen was in love with - his enthusiasm, his selflessness,
his determination, his optimism...