Stames

Stames is the SLASH ship between Steven Hay and James Nightingale from the Hollyoaks fandom.

Background
The two of them met in 2016 when James moved to the village with his mother. They instantly butted heads over James' interest in Ste's boyfriend Harry, who ended up sleeping with James behind Ste's back. The two remained rivals until 2020, during which time James framed Ste for the murder of his ex girlfriend, Ste had an affair with James' fiance John Paul, Ste helped get James out of prison after he was framed for the murder of his ex boyfriend Kyle, and more.

Canon
When Ste returns to the village in 2020, following his escape from a far right group, James is one of the first people to welcome him back. Assuming James is making fun of him, Ste asks James to leave. The latter expresses sincerity and offers to meet up with him to discuss finding him a job. Ste later finds out that James only agreed to meet with him in an attempt to make his ex, John Paul, jealous. He storms out of the pub and James follows him, apologising for his behaviour. Ste opens up about how he regrets returning to the village and says he wishes he went somewhere new, to which James tells him he's glad he didn't. He tells Ste not to give up hope, and the two become friends.

James' sister Juliet and Ste's adoptive newphew Sid get in trouble with a drug dealer named Victor and Juliet gets sent to prison.

In January 2021, Ste asks James for help with Sid and together they manage to stop him from going after Victor. They go back to James' house and talk about their own experiences, having both had abusive parents. They end up spending the night together, although they both feel awkward in the morning and agree to forget it happened. However, after a visit from Sid, in which he tells James that Ste hasn't stopped talking about him all day and that they make a good team, James invites Ste round for dinner. It quickly goes sour, however, after James makes a snobby comment about the wine Ste bought him. Ste realises he doesn't want to be with a man like James and leaves. The pair still see each other everywhere, as Ste has started working as a cleaner for James' law firm and his mother's cafe. James' co-worker Sami catches James checking Ste out while he cleans and teases him, to which James insists that Ste isn't his type.

James is annoyed when his mother Marnie hires Ste to clean their flat and the two clash at every opportunity. Ste remarks that James is hard to read, as he doesn't know whether he wants to fight him or get him into bed. Ste goes to Marnie after James gives him a verbal warning and the two finally agree to get along. James apologises for the way he has treated Ste and admits that he is just worried about Juliet. Ste tells James he can talk to him about Juliet whenever he wants. They team up to try and get Juliet out of prison, Ste getting in touch with one of Victor's ex dealers. While waiting for her to respond, the two of them sleep together again. The next morning, Ste goes over to James' to tell him that he'd set up a meeting with the dealer, but James mistakes the reason he came and accuses Ste of having feelings for him, stating they would never work out. While waiting for her, James opens up about how he feels he let Juliet down and expresses regret over the way he treated Ste in the past. Ste comforts him and they almost share a kiss, but are interrupted by a phone call from Victor.

The two go back to arguing when James blames Ste for the dealer not showing up. Marnie scolds James for being cruel to him and accuses him of having a crush on Ste. James confronts her about this and denies it, to which she replies that she can tell Ste has feelings for him. She urges him to go for it, but he joins a dating app instead. He finds Ste while scrolling through the app and tells his son Romeo that he's not sure he's found anyone he likes yet.

Ste once again asks James for help when Sid tries to go after Victor, and James comes up with a plan to frame him. Although Ste is initially wary of putting Sid in danger, the two work together and when the plan goes well, they celebrate by sleeping together. However, Victor stabs Sid and he is declared dead. Ste blames James and gets upset when he refuses to help him with Ollie, a drug addict who is friends with Sid. He accuses James of destroying everything and everyone he touches, ending their 'relationship' when he says he won't let James destroy him too. Ste sees Ollie at James' flat and assumes they slept together. He later apologises to James for the way he acted and once again asks him for help with Ollie, to which James declines. They both once again deny their feelings for each other and Ste leaves. James later finds out about Ste's plans to bring down Victor and warns him against it. Ste texts James a cry for help when the plan goes wrong, and James calls the police on Victor. He apologises for not helping them out, and Ste asks if he's trying to admit he cares about him, which James doesn't deny. It is then revealed that Sid is still alive.

Ste and James spend the next month casually seeing each other. James offers to help Ste when he plans to sell his house, but Ste gets offended because he thinks James doesn't treat him like a grown up. They later argue after a run in with their ex John Paul, when James flirt with him and lies about Ste's career to make him sound more impressive. Ste accuses James of being ashamed of him and concludes that he isn't serious about their relationship. Ste storms out and bumps into John Paul, who tries to kiss him after an emotional chat. Ste lets him stay at his house overnight and tells James, who immediately assumes that Ste slept with him. They make up and agree to check in on John Paul, who's boyfriend has been abusing him.

Ste asks James on a date and reassures him that he doesn't have to be paranoid about John Paul. James then offers to take Ste out instead and states that he needs to prove he's serious about their relationship. He tells Ste he wants them to be together and the two become official.

John Paul's boyfriend George threatens to have Ste arrested for sexual assault and James shows his support, promising to be by Ste's side no matter what. George is murdered the same day, and both James and Ste are suspects and accuse each other. Ste expresses concern over James wanting to help John Paul after he is arrested, worried that his boyfriend still has feelings for their ex. James reassures Ste that he doesn't like John Paul anymore and promises to drop the case, but picks it back up again when John Paul's family beg him to. Ste's daughter Leah finds out that James lied to her dad and tells him that James isn't right for him and that she doesn't trust him. James tricks Ste into believing him over Leah, but the truth is later revealed and Ste breaks up with James, stating that he doesn't think he can be with a man who lies so easily. In an attempt to win him back, James apologises to Leah and tells her he wants to be with Ste. Leah comes up with a plan to get James back into Ste's good books, as she can tell how much they like each other. Ste finds out about their plan and lashes out at James, angry with him for using his daughter, and officially ends their relationship.

Two months after their break up, Donna Marie, the mother of Juliet and James' son Romeo, returns to the village. Juliet invites James round to ask for a restraining order against her, apologising to Ste for inviting his ex over. Ste compliments him after he gives a heartfelt speech to Juliet, giving James hope that there's still a chance for them. He later returns and tries to ask Ste out on a date, but the latter declines, stating that he needs to be with someone who's going to put him and his family first. Feeling rejected, James goes to John Paul's for a drink and ends up going to bed with him. It is later revealed that they only kissed before John Paul kicked him out, and they promise never to tell anyone. Sid talks to Ste about his feelings for James and forces him to admit that he still likes him. He tells Ste that James is his soulmate and convinces him to give things another go. Ste goes over to James' house the next day and asks him on a date, trusting that James is completely over John Paul. On their date, they have an honest conversation about what went wrong and James promises to try harder at putting Ste and his children before work. They admit that they make each other happy and get back together.

While out with Ste, James finds Donna Marie upset and offers his support. Ste wonders what's gotten into him, to which James answers that it must be love. Later on, Ste is testing the new security cameras in his house and overhears James and John Paul talking about their kiss. He confronts him and James lies, saying nothing happened between them. He then asks John Paul, who backs James' story. James brings Ste flowers at work and tells him he's very fond of him. Donna Marie warns Ste that James is up to something and he confronts him. James admits that he kissed John Paul and says he lied about it because he didn't want to ruin their happiness. Ste storms off, upset, and confronts John Paul, who punches him in the face. The next day, James apologises for lying to Ste and asks him about the bruise on his face. He tells Ste that he wants them to be together and Ste tells him the truth about the punch. James confronts John Paul and demands he apologise to Ste. They realise there's something wrong with John Paul and talk to him about his anger and alcoholism. James almost calls Ste the man he loves, but cuts himself off. He opens up about his own abuse at the hands of his father before forgiving John Paul and leaving with Ste, on better terms.

Ste tells Peri that he and James talked through their issues and that they're now better than ever. Leah thinks her dad has gotten borning since he got with James and encourages Ste to play a prank on him. They superglue him to his office chair and are surprised when he laughs it off. When Ste and his family almost lose their house, James tries to help them by making an offer to buy their house, but Ste's sister Leela beats him to it. Ste tells Leela that him and James are dating and invites her for lunch with them. Ste asks James to try and get along with her, stating that they both mean a lot to him. Leela, however, expresses her dislike for James and walks out. Ste tells her that he's staying with James and that Leela will have to accept that. Ste hides his money problems from James, not wanting to be treated like a charity. James promises not to go overboard but wants to help him out, to which Ste agrees. He gets angry when he thinks James has bought them a ton of presents, but finds out it was actually Marnie. He asks her what he can do to pay her back, to which she tells him to make James happy.

In January 2022, Marnie dies in an explosion at her cafe and it sends James into a deep pit of depression. Ste tries to help find him the day after, as his family are worried he's got himself into trouble. When he finds him, James is angry and acts coldly towards Ste. He expresses regret at the way he ended things with his mother, and Ste reassures him that they'll all be waiting for him at home when he's ready. Leah makes a candle for Marnie and Ste gives it to James, who doesn't appreciate the gesture. James stays at Ste's for a while, who is reluctant to leave him alone while he's grieving. James reassures him that he'll be okay and Ste tells him he loves him before leaving. James continues to ignore his grief and avoid his loved ones, much to Ste's worry. He tries to stay strong for James, but Donna Marie tells him he's allowed to be sad. James gives Ollie drugs and Ste confronts him at Marnie's vigil and asks him how he can help him through his grief.

James continues to drink and push everyone away, and he starts gambling. Ste finds out that James stole the charity money they collected for Marnie and confronts him, saying it's not the James he knows. He refuses to watch James blow his life up, to which James comments that maybe they're better off without each other. Donna Marie convinces Ste not to give up on James, so he sets up a meditation session to get James to open up. He tells James he loves him and that he refuses to let him deal with his grief alone. James opens up about how much he misses Marnie and how he doesn't think he has the strength to say goodbye, to which Ste assures him that they'll get through it together. Ste ends up missing the funeral and James laments that he's all alone, telling Ste to leave. The next day, James tells him how badly he needed him at the funeral and Ste apologises, wanting to make it up for him. They have another send off for Marnie as a family, reliving fond memories. Ste is unsure whether they're still together, but James reassures him they are.

James continues gambling and becomes reckless. Ste refuses to go out with him as he is working all hours of the night to pay the bills, so James goes to see John Paul. He advises him to go home to Ste and to hold onto the people he loves, but James ignores him in favour of going to a casino with a prostitute. He ends up getting robbed and returns home the morning after. Ste skips work to look after him, but John Paul tells him what James was up to the night before. The pair argue and James tells him to get out of his life. Ste doesn't leave, which James is grateful for. Ste tells James that he's trying to help him because he loves him, and tells him he needs to start grieving. James opens up about how he's been feeling since Marnie died, stating that the emptiness he felt at the casino is the best he's felt in weeks. Ste realises that James is just trying to escape the pain and hugs him, telling him he understands but he needs to stop. James gives Ste his wallet to stop him from gambling again and promises to start dealing with his grief. Ste is proud of James and kisses him. James finds an email from his mother that triggers him, and rings Ste for help. Ste doesn't answer the call and James ends up stealing Marnie's inheritance money. He gambles it all away and steals his wallet back from Ste, leaving Hollyoaks and his family behind.

James returns to the village almost a month later with a dead body in the boot of his car. He is arrested for the murder, but is proven innocent. He returns home to Ste and things are awkward between them, but James apologises for leaving and Ste promises they will work through it. Ste tries to get their relationship back on track, but James struggles with the intimacy. Ste questions why he's being so secretive, and James confesses he slept with someone else. Ste throws him out of the house and the pair break up.

A month later, James is in debt to a corrupt police officer. Ste tells James he cares about him and offers him help, threatening the officer to leave him alone. James is grateful for the help and the pair sleep together, Ste admitting he can't stay away from him. Leela warns Ste to be careful, saying he shouldn't get back together with James unless he's changed. James tells Ste not to fight his real feelings and they sleep together again. James plans to fake his own death but changes his mind after his family plead him to go to rehab. Ste finds out about the plan and asks him why he did it. He expresses sadness that James was going to leave without saying goodbye to him. James tells him that he wanted a fresh start away from the village, and away from everyone he loves. Ste tells James that he died the same night Marnie did and leaves, once again ending their relationship. James owes someone else money and finds out that Ste has been working for a gangster called Norma, so he contacts her in hope that she'll give him the money. Having burnt all his bridges in Hollyoaks, James leaves to work for Norma.

Two months later, James returns to the village and tells Ste he wants his old life back. He opens up about some of the stuff he did for Norma and how he couldn't handle the guilt. He goes back to working for Norma so that he can come home. Ste supports him but tells him their relationship is over for good when James tries to kiss him. Norma pays James to continue working for her and Ste finds out, insisting that there really will be no chance for them if James takes the money.

James stages a break in at the gym Donna Marie and Leela are opening and Leela gets hurt. He feels guilty and makes a fuss over her, which Ste misinterprets as kindness. He tells James he's proud of him for letting go of Marnie and they hold hands. Ste finds out about the break in and reports James to the police. The two of them have a physical fight in the village before James realises he needs to get away from Norma and better himself. James helps out at the gym to try and make amends, telling Ste he has reported Norma to the police. James confesses to wanting a future with him, which confuses Ste as he is unsure how genuine James' feelings are for him. Donna Marie teams up with James' best friend Verity to get Ste and James back together. They are both put on the hook-a-duck stall at the village fair, where James tells Ste he wants him back. They agree to meet up, but Norma finds James and kidnaps him. There's an explosion in the village and James ends up trapped for days. Sid finally finds him and he is taken to hospital, where Ste waits by his bedside. Donna Marie brings up the fact that they were getting back together before James went missing, and they have an honest conversation where James tells Ste they can never see each other again. Ste is heartbroken, but James tells him it's for the best as he still has to face his gambling addiction.

Two months later, Juliet is diagnosed with cancer, and Ste supports James through it. Donna Marie asks if the two of them are back together, which they both deny. Ste tells James he needs to stay strong for Juliet and keep on top of his own mental health. When Juliet pushes James away, Ste comforts him.

James visits Ste on Christmas day, hoping for a bit of fun. Ste avoids his advances all day and gets angry with him. James apologises, admitting that he wants to talk to Ste about his feelings, but he doesn't know how to. Ste asks him if he'll still want them to be together the next day and promises that he isn't going anywhere. He tells James that he wants them to be together, but he wants to take it slow and let it happen in the most perfect way possible. He asks James to stay and they cuddle in front of the TV.

Verity dies before Christmas, and James goes to her funeral in January 2023. After the funeral, he visits Ste and tells him he misses him, and that he make him happy. He expresses his fear of not having a lot of time left and admits that he'd want to spend it with Ste. The two of them kiss. James later asks Ste if he believes in true love, and Ste states that he is starting to. The two of them take part in couples meditation and Juliet confronts James on why he isn't telling Ste how he really feels, to which he says he's scared of hurting him.

James and Ste are both bitter about being single on Valentine's day. James pays Ste a visit to try and make amends, and Ste tells him exactly what he needs in a relationship. He confesses to still having feelings for James but is concerned that James can't be the man he needs. James walks out and Ste thinks he's left him, but James actually went to buy a ring. They go to a Valentine's party at the pub and James tries to talk to Ste, but he ignores him. James then grabs the microphone and announces that he's trying to propose to Ste. James tells Ste he loves him and is proud to be with him. He gets down on one knee and asks Ste to marry him. Ste accepts his proposal and the pair share a kiss. The day after the proposal, the two are overly affectionate to annoy Donna Marie, and James thanks Ste for accepting his proposal.

Quotes
"I also had you down as a no mark scally. Seems I was wrong about that too."

- James, after Ste helps him with Juliet's case

"He's like a lovesick teenager whenever you're around."

- Marnie, talking about Ste's feelings for James

"James, is this your weird, emotionally unavaliable way of saying you were actually worried about me?"

- Ste, after they take down Victor

"Somehow we fell into this, because it felt right. I don't know the rules, but I do know that I want to be with you."

- James, before Ste breaks up with him

"I like how different we are. It's almost as if that's the reason why we do work."

- Ste, when Sid tries to get him and James back together

"I am very fond of you, Ste."

- James, after bringing Ste flowers

"Don't let him push you away, 'cause he needs you right now. More than he's willing to admit."

- Donna Marie, to Ste when James is grieving

"I love you, and I'm not going to let you go through this alone."

- Ste

"I don't deserve you."

- James, the morning of Marnie's funeral

"I am into you. Only you. It's just us now, yeah? For the long haul."

- James, after returning to the village

"I know that we're not together anymore, but I will always care about you."

- Ste, before sleeping with James

"James, I want to be with you so much."

- Ste

"For him, I'd walk around the world twice."

- James

"I realised how much I still loved you, and loving you, I never want to hurt you again."

- James, before breaking up with Ste

"I miss you. You make me happy, and let's face it, not a lot of people do."

- James

"I like him. I have done for a long time."

- James, when Juliet confronts him on his feelings for Ste

"I want that guy to be you."

- Ste, after telling James what he wants from a relationship

"I am so proud to be with you, Ste... I love you, and I never want to lose you again."

- James, proposing to Ste

Fanon
Stames are a very love or hate ship within the fandom, but the majority of fans like them together.

They are a very popular ship on Tumblr and currently have 7 works on A03.

Fandom
Ste Hay/James Nightingale on A03

Stames on Tumblr

The Stames story on YouTube

Trivia

 * The dialogue in the scene where they first sleep together was changed when the episode aired. You can see the original scene in the Spring 2021 trailer.