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nooneelsecomesclose17 · 2 years

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This is all I'm asking for

Another AU. Pretty much canon through to the present, except for a distinct lack of kayaks ;)

(AO3 link)

Day 10

He’s been expecting a family intervention. He’d thought it’d be his Mum, but it’s Cain’s who’s letting himself in after dark, standing there looking uncomfortable because he’s been told he should make him see sense, or whatever the instructions from his Mum would’ve been.

“Mum send you?”

Cain scratches his head. “Yeah, but I was going to talk to you anyway. How are you?”

“Oh just great.”

“Look, sunshine, we’re all here for you, always are.”

“Well that’s not true. Weren't many of you about when Robert was sent down if I remember. Then it was all move on Aaron, hold your baby sister the day after you lost your son Aaron, he’s gone Aaron. If that’s what being there for you entails then you can forget it.”

“I didn’t say any of that.”

“No. You were too busy with Nate and Moira. Just one more member of our family to say one thing and do another isn’t she?”

“Oi. You’re not too old for a slap.”

“You want to try it? Just go Cain, go and tell Mum you talked to me like a good little boy, and leave me alone.”

“No. You’re going to talk to me.” He sits on the chair, the one he always thinks of as Robert’s even thought it’d been him who sat in it most. Robert chose it though, kept going back to it in the store until he’d convinced him he should get it. “I think of you like my own, you know that, and I’m not leavin’ you here in this state.”

“What are you going to do? You can’t help, no one can.” He just wanted to be left alone, to wallow, to cry, to shout, whatever he wanted. “Why do I never get any luck Cain. Why does everything I touch turn to shit?”

“Aaron…”

“Jackson, Ed, I finally find a home here and I mess everything up and take the first reason I can to leave. When Robert and I first met when I came back, I thought he was such a prat, and then…” He trails off, thinking back to those days, when he’d ache for more, to be with him all the time, having to take whatever scraps he offered. He’d hated it then, wanted what he couldn’t have, but now…now he’d give anything to have just that back. “I thought me and him could be happy. I thought finally my life had turned round, that the universe had finally given me a break. Look at me now, I’ve got nothing.”

“Hey come on. You’ve got your family. I know we might not be perfect but we’re here. There’s Liv too and young Harry.”

“I barely see him! As for Liv, I’ve messed up there too haven’t I. She’s back drinking and nothing I do makes a blind bit of difference.”

“You can’t help her if she doesn’t want to be helped. She knows you’re here. That’ll have to be enough for now.”

“What if I wasn’t?” He asks, not looking as him, staring at his hands as he picks at his nail instead. He’d finally voiced what he’d been thinking for days, maybe even months. “What if I just took off.”

“You’re not serious.”

“Aren’t I? What have I got to stay for? I’ve lost Robert, I’ve lost Seb. Liv’s falling to pieces and pretty much hates me and everywhere just reminds me of him The scrapyard he invested in, the garage we got married in, the pub, this house. It hurts, every single day.”

Cain doesn’t say anything for the longest time, and in the end, fed up with the silence, Aaron gets up and grabs them both a beer.

“You really feel that way?” He nods. “Then I reckon you should do whatever it is you want to do.”

“What? You’re not going to try and talk me out of it?”

“Why would I? I’m not your Mum and you know why she’s the way she is. What’s to say though, that you won’t feel just the same somewhere else, somewhere where you won’t know anyone, where you can’t nip down the road to get some help if you need it.”

“I don’t know, but staying here isn’t going to get any better.” He sighs and drags his phone from his pocket. “Then there’s this.”

“Robert’s solicitor? What does he want?”

“Called to tell me Robert was appealing.”

“Is he even allowed to do that?”

“He reckoned Robert hadn’t said he couldn’t, but then I realised that it meant he hadn’t said he could, that he’d not wanted me there.”

“This is tomorrow.” Cain says looking at the text which is one line and a time and place. He’s had it on his phone for a week, trying to decide what would hurt most, not going, or turning up and Robert blanking him.

“Yeah.”

“So why are you still here?” He looks up at him. “I thought you’d have been on the first ferry.”

“What if he doesn’t want me?” Cain just laughs. “What? He divorced me!”

“You know why. You know what it’s like in there, he was just doing the best for both of you. I might not be Sug…sorry Robert’s greatest fan but he loved you. That was never in doubt.”

“You know he never minded you calling him Sugden, think he took it as a compliment.”

“Sometimes it was. Look you love him, he loves you. I don’t know what he’s thinking right now, he’s probably existing day by day, but I do know that if you don’t go down to that courthouse tomorrow, you’ll regret it.” He nods, feels the tears spring into his eyes. “And if I’m wrong, if he’s being stupid still, then you know that no matter what us lot will always be here when you need us.”

“Yeah.” He can’t move, can’t get his brain in gear.”

“Well go on, Southampton is miles away and you better get a move on if you want to be there by ten.”

“What about Mum?” She’ll kill him if he just leaves, maybe she’ll never forgive him, but he doesn’t have time. Cain’s right. “And Liv?”

“I’ll sort your Mum, and I’ll talk to Liv. It’s time for you to Go on.”

He gets to the bottom of the stairs before he turns back to his uncle. “Cheers Cain.”

“Go on with you. Just make sure you call me, you hear, let me know you’re safe and how Sugden got on.”

“I will.”

His feet barely touched the ground after that, he just about hears the door go as Cain leaves. The first thing he packs is a bag for himself, throwing in as many clothes as he can. Whatever happens the next morning he knows he won’t be back for a good while. Then he wonders if he should pack stuff for Robert. Is it tempting fate to do it. Then again all he has with him is his suit and a pair of jeans. He takes more care with Robert’s stuff, folding it properly, hearing him scoff at him in his head.

Once that’s done it takes him a long time to decide what else to take, wishes he could take it all but he can’t. There isn’t room in the car and he has no idea where he’ll end up, with Robert or without. In the end he throws in as many personal things as he can, including Robert’s watch, the one he’d not had chance to give to Seb. He doesn’t need to get their rings, they’d been on a chain around his neck for the past few months, the feel of them the only thing making him feel better.

The last thing he puts in the bag is the wedding album that’s been living in his bottom drawer since Robert left. That and the photos of Seb sit on top of his clothes and toiletry bag. He doesn’t need anything else.

For a moment he contemplates leaving his phone behind, he knows it’ll be ringing non-stop as soon as they realise he’s gone, but he doesn’t want them to worry so he switches it off, and besides he promised Cain. He takes one last look around the bedroom he picks up the bag and heads downstairs.

He has a few minutes so he takes a tour round the village, knowing everyone will be in bed, all the places that mean something, good and bad. He doesn’t know if he’s coming back, he hopes one day he feels he can, but for now he knows he needs to leave. Not just for himself, for everyone. He can’t be the support they need, the one they run to, he has to put himself first, do what’s best for him, with or without Robert.

When he gets back to the house he lingers a while. The house is the first place he’s felt completely safe, completely at home. The house that Robert made for them, their home. It hadn’t been the same since he’d gone, he could admit that to himself now. He’d tried to ignore it but it wasn’t the same. He writes the note he’d decided to leave on his walk, to Liv, hopes it’ll explain everything but he doubts it.

He shakes himself out of the memories and goes outside, checking no one is around because he doesn’t have time, before loading the bags into the car. A part of him can’t believe he’s actually doing it. It’s not like he hasn’t left before, but this time is his choice, no police following him, no one screaming at him to stay.

Switching on the engine he feels lighter almost straight away. He finally replies to the solicitor’s text telling him he’ll be there, not to tell Robert. He doesn’t want him to know until they’re in that court room. Then he drives away.

_____

Thankfully the journey isn’t too bad, the roads pretty clear and he finds a hotel he can stay in for a couple of nights. If Robert gets out and wants to be with him then they can work out what to do next, if not, it’s as good a place as any to go and lick his wounds.

The next morning he’s so nervous he can barely eat, can just about force down coffee before leaving for the court. He’d arranged to meet Robert’s solicitor outside before he went into see him.

“Aaron?” He nods. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Are you even allowed to be talking to me?”

“It’s…let’s say it’s a grey area, but Robert’s not specifically said I can’t. I believe it’s in his best interest to have a family member in court, and I believe his sister and stepmother are abroad.”

“So I’m last choice?”

“Not at all. I was going to inform you all. If the court can see he has support, has a family it might help.”

“And you really think he’s got a chance? We were told it was such a risk, that the chances were really small and then I get your text. What changed his mind?”

“I did some more digging. The chances were small, he pled guilty, but I don’t give up so easy. I contacted Wendy Posner, took a statement from her and managed to convince her to contact her son and see if he’d speak to me. It took a while but in the end he did.”

“So what, he’s going to prison instead?” He can’t deny the little thrill of pleasure that gives him. All of this could’ve been avoided if he’d just told someone what had happened.

“That’s not been decided yet, he’s calling it self defence. That’s not for us to worry about. We’re only concerned with Robert.”

“I’m not, that family ruined our lives!”

“I know, but right now all we can do is try and help Robert.” He nods, calming himself down. “Right, I need to see Robert. It’s courtroom 2. Now you’re sure you don’t want me to tell him you’re here.”

“No. He needs to concentrate on being in there. I’ll be here afterwards.”

He hangs around outside for a few minutes more once he’s gone, calming down, preparing himself for seeing Robert again. Two years is a long time and he can’t help but wonder how he’s changed. He knows he will have, it’s inevitable in prison.

He checks his phone before he goes inside, had turned if off in the car, only switching it back on to text Cain to say he was safe. It’s full of messages from his Mum and Liv, hundreds of missed calls. He knows he’ll have to talk to them but he can’t now, for now he has to focus on Robert.

The courtroom is nearly empty aside from the solicitors and barristers and clerks. He’s the only person in the gallery and a part of him is glad there’s no one else here. He doesn’t want to share Robert, if he’ll give him the time of day he doesn’t want anyone getting in the way.

It’s another few minutes before the doors below the dock open and he cranes his neck to see him. It’s a flash of blonde hair that he sees first, a bit longer than the last time he saw him. He can’t see his face, he’s got his head down but from what he can see he’s thinner, the suit that once fitted perfectly is just that bit too big now. He’s willing him to turn round, but he doesn’t why would he, he’s not expecting anyone to be there.

It’d taken Aaron a long time to come to terms with losing him, to being cut off the way he was. He’d gone through shock, anger, devastation and it had only been when he’d got the letter during lockdown that he’d even begun to accept it, to understand it. Now it was like a dull ache, like something was missing, a piece of him lost, he’d thought forever. Now he was relying on a judge to give him a chance of getting his life back.

He doesn’t hear most of what’s said, lost in his thoughts of what had gone before, only just managing to bring himself back to the present in time to hear the judge speaking.

“…with that in mind Mr Sugden, you are free to go.”

He thinks he’s imagined it, because he doesn’t get this kind of luck. Then Paul is talking to him, patting him on the back and the guards are taking the handcuffs off him.

He couldn’t face seeing him in there, looking up at him from the dock, like he had the last time they were in court. He wants the first time they see each other again to be outside, free. He texts Paul to tell him he’s outside, he just has to hope he gets it, and he hasn’t ruined it.

Then he sees him, talking to Paul as they walk out the door and he stands there waiting for Robert to look up. He doesn’t until they’re about eight feet away from him, and then their eyes meet.

“You’re fired.” Is all he says, glaring at his solicitor.

“Too late. I quit. You give me a headache Sugden.”

“You’re meant to be my friend.” He’s still not looking at Aaron, that one glance not near enough and all he can do is stand there like an idiot and wait.

“I am, and I’m your solicitor. You employ me to do the best I can for you. You’re not stupid, you know having family in the gallery is a help. Now, I am going back to Yorkshire. I trust you’ll be ok from here.” Robert doesn’t answer and Aaron’s heart sinks a bit as he watches he and Robert shake hands. He half waves to Aaron before he’s gone and it’s just them.

“Hi.” He says after the silence gets too much.

“What are you doing here Aaron?”

“What do you think I’m doing here. Getting my husband back.”

“I’m not your husband anymore.”

“That was your choice, not mine. I didn’t get a say in it, remember?”

“You signed the papers. I had no power over you doing that.”

“Strangely when your husband is in prison and you’ve been blocked from contacting him and then he sends you divorce papers for Christmas you tend not to think entirely straight.” He shuffles his feet a little, has to say what he says next, has to know, has to push him. “If you want I’ll just go.”

“Back to the village?”

“No. I left.”

“What?”

“Last night. I left to come here to see you. I left because it’s not home anymore, it hasn’t been for two years and it’s taken me so long to see it, to realise that it’s slowly killing me being there. Paul’s text was just the kick I needed. So, like I say if you really don’t want me here, I’ll go.”

“No!” Then he’s there, holding onto him, it’s the same but it’s different. “Of course I don’t want you to go. You always did know me better than I know myself.”

“I’m still mad at you.”

“I’ll make it up to you.” He can’t keep the smile off his face any longer as Robert leans in to kiss him.

“Yeah?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Where do we go from here?”

“Well I don’t know about you, but I could really do with some food. Everything else can wait a while.”

“We’ve got forever.”

#robron fic #a fic a day in december

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sugdenlovesdingle · 3 years

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Robron want to go on a night our for the first time since their daughter is born but Aaron is nervous about leaving her alone and Robert needs to reassure him that she is fine.

Liv didn't relapse here and i miss her friendship with Gabby so i included that too

---

"I won!" Robert said shocked, looking at his phone screen. "I actually won! I never win anything!"

"Won what?" Liv asked, coming down the stairs, followed by Gabby.

"Dinner for two at that new restaurant that opened up on Park Road in Hotten."

"Oh isn't that the place where that actor cheated on his wife the other day?" Gabby asked. "I read about it in some magazine in the hospital waiting room."

"Maybe?" Robert replied, turning his attention back to his phone. "How do you two feel about babysitting this Friday?"

The girls looked at each other and nodded.

"Sure. It'll be good practise for when this one if born." Gabby rubbed her belly.

"Yeah alright." Liv agreed. "But how are you going to convince Aaron?'

"Convince Aaron of what?" Aaron asked, as he pushed Ruby's pram into the house.

Robert got up and went to kiss him hello.

"Is she asleep?" He looked into the pram.

"Yeah out like a light. I told you the fresh air would work."

Robert nodded and stroked her cheek.

"Moira texted earlier, the boys want to have a sleepover so Seb's staying there for the night."

"Right. Now what did I have to be convinced of?"

"I... won a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant." Robert told him. "I thought we could go Friday? Liv and Gabby have offered to babysit. And the food is supposed to be really good."

Aaron looked down at the sleeping baby.

"A curry down the pub is good too. Or we could get a take out."

"Yeah but it'll be nice to get all dressed up for a change. Maybe we could go see a film after." Robert suggested. "Just the two of us. We haven't done that since before Ruby was born."

"Alright. I suppose it would be fun to get out of the village for a bit." Aaron agreed somewhat reluctantly.

That Friday Aaron had put on a suit and the cologne Robert had bought him for Christmas, and checked and re-checked with Liv and Gabby they really were ok to watch the kids for a few hours.

"Robert made enough macaroni to feed a small army and we have kids netflix." Liv commented. "We'll be fine with Seb."

"And Ruby's been fed and changed so she'll be ok too. So we can enjoy ourselves for one night." Robert said, putting an arm around his husband's waist and dropping a kiss in his neck.

Aaron sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Promise you'll call if there are any problems. Anything at all." he urged the girls.

"Of course. But there won't be any."

"But if there are..."

"We'll call." Gabby promised. "Now go. Or you'll miss your reservation."

"Exactly." Robert agreed and leaned down to kiss Seb and Ruby goodbye and waited for Aaron to do the same. "Be good for auntie Liv and Gabby." he made Seb promise and the two of them left.

Robert drove them to Hotten while Aaron checked his phone every other minute.

"They'll be fine." Robert said when he'd parked the car in front of the restaurant and Aaron hadn't noticed.

"I know." Aaron said, eyes glued to his phone. "Did you remind them to turn Ruby's nightlight on? And Seb won't go to sleep without a story from that book your mum got him."

"They know. And you know Seb won't let them forget about the story."

Aaron sighed and put his phone in pocket.

"Sorry, I'm ruining our night out."

"You're not ruining anything. But just remember they're in good hands. Seb loves Liv and Gabby is more responsible than you think. She'll be a mum herself in just a few months."

"Yeah... I just wish she wasn't using our daughter as a practise run." Aaron complained. "How come you're so calm and I'm the nervous wreck?"

"I had all the nervous breakdowns with Seb. I was terrified of letting him out of my sight for more than 5 minutes, especially after the accident. But I had an amazing support system." Robert put his hand on Aaron's knee and gave it a squeeze. "We can go home if you like? Get some chips on the way."

"Don't tempt me." Aaron groaned and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"I mean it. We don't have to go in. I can call and reschedule. I'll make up some sob story about a death in the family or something." Robert suggested.

"No." Aaron sighed. "It's always going to be the first time leaving her with someone else... Let's just go in and enjoy our free meal."

They went inside and let the waiter show them to their table. Aaron couldn't help but keep checking his phone during their meal but relaxed when Liv sent him a picture of Seb and Ruby sleeping peacefully in their beds.

The food was as good as the stories had promised and by the time they were onto their dessert, Aaron was completely relaxed and actually enjoying himself.

He and Robert shared a large piece of chocolate cake and chatted about everything but nappies and babies and cartoons for a bit.

"You know, you never told me how you won all this." Aaron started.

Robert shrugged.

"Won a competition."

"I know. But what did you have to do? Answer a question or something?"

"No... just... tell them why you should win."

Aaron nodded.

"What did you say?"

"Oh I don't remember... something soppy probably." Robert said and took a bite of the cake. "This is really good isn't it?"

"Don't change the subject on me! What did you say?" Aaron pushed.

Robert sighed and rolled his eyes.

"i said I wanted to spoil my husband because we've had a stressful time after our daughter was born six weeks premature... and that I wanted to see him in a suit... and show him off a little because he looks gorgeous in a suit."

Aaron smiled.

"Just in a suit?"

"Are you fishing for compliments now? You know I think you're gorgeous no matter what. Even in your ratty old joggers and shirt covered in baby puke."

Aaron laughed and leaned over the table to kiss Robert.

"I love you. And just so you know, you look pretty fit in a suit too."

Robert grinned.

"Yeah? You should see what's underneath."

#robron #robron fic #aaron dingle #robert sugden #my writing #not quite happy with it #but i'm fed up with messing with it #i hope you like it

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dannymillerfansite · 3 years

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25.05.21 Liv and Sandra have woken up with hangovers, Liv wants breakfast but Sandra has no food in, she offers to buy some but needs money from Liv to do so. As Sandra goes off to get the food, Liv has caught the eye of Tyson who she met yesterday, his attempts to chat her up fail but he does tell her her mum is likely to be in the pub this time of day, he knows her only too well.

Later Liv recieves a video message from Aaron, begging her to come home and at least let him know she's safe and how much she's loved.

Sandra comes home having spent Liv's money on booze proving Tyson to be right, she tells Liv they can talk but not about serious things like yesterday when Liv wanted to share her troubles Sandra wants to celebrate Liv staying with her with another drink. The parallels between Aaron who cares about her and her mum that doesn't all that much are striking.

#aaron's sl #aaron dingle #liv flaherty #sandra flaherty #emmerdale #screencaps

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obxhoe · 4 years

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Leather and Lace || Rudy Pankow {1}

Lovers forever face to face My city your mountains Stay with me stay I need you to love me I need you today Give to me your leather Take from me my lace

(eek i’m nervous about this. hope y’all enjoy. message me if you wanna be on my taglist!)

CHAPTER ONE

ZOE’S POV:

Sophie’s alarm clock is blaring yet again after the third time she had snoozed it this morning. I can hear it in my bedroom… across the freaking hallway. I pad into her room,

“Soph.” No response. “Soph!” I whisper-yell. “Sophie!!!” She jolts up, ripping her eye mask off.

“I’m up. I’m up.”

“I’m leaving in 20 minutes for class, I won’t be home until at least 11 tonight, I told Liv I would have dinner and a wine night at her place.”

“I’m probably sleeping at Aaron’s tonight so…” I raise an eyebrow at her. Aaron is this new guy she met over Bumble and the two of them have been seeing each other every day since their first date 3 weeks ago.

“Alright well have fun and try not to do anything dumb”

“You know I always do” I laugh and shut her door, walking to my vanity to quickly put on some makeup and grab my stuff.

I’m about a quarter way through my senior year at NYU, and about a quarter away from an existential crisis. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life yet. Basically every single one of my friends have boyfriends and they talk about marriage and babies and all that shit. And it’s cute. But I’m fine on my own. My last boyfriend Peter always had me feeling suffocated. The constant “Babe” and “Baby”. The obligation of having to FaceTime someone all the time. Having to be around someone every minute of every day. I was exhausted all the time. Currently, I’m an international business major with a minor in accounting. Taking a full course load, and working a part time job in an accounting firm on top of that. I don’t exactly have time for anything else.

I check the time and see that I’m running 5 minutes late. I slip on mom jeans, a giant t-shirt I stole from my dad years ago and run out the door. The walk to school is always my favorite part of the day. The West Village was my dream neighborhood to live in and once I saved up enough money from working throughout school, I finally was able to rent a tiny two bedroom apartment. I mindlessly scroll through social media as I speed walk to “campus”, it’s really just a few buildings in the city, there’s no open space or anything. Unless you count Washington Square Park. I pass the West 4th street subway station and my phone fumbles out of my hand as a result of someone walking straight into me.

“Fuck. fuck fuck fuck.” I say grabbing my phone and seeing the screen cracked. This is not exactly what I need at this moment.

“I am so sorry” I hear a voice above me, “I’m not from here, which I guess you can tell. Uh, I’m a little lost. I think? I’m not sure where I’m going or what uptown and downtown mean on the subways. Sorry, I’m rambling. Oh my god!” He sees my phone. “I’m so sorry. Shit. I can get you a new one.”

“Ok chill for a sec dude” I stand up brushing my hair out of my eyes. “At least buy a girl coffee before you offer up a phone.”

“Oh you’re not mad. I thought most people who live here have a stick up their ass all the time” He says, and I finally look up at his face. Those eyes, those fucking eyes. My breath catches in my throat as I realize I’m staring at him. Something about him looks or feels familiar but I can’t place my finger on it.

“Uh yeah most people are like that.”

“So are you not from here?” He asks “Cause ya know, you’re nice and stuff.”

“Oh no I live here. I go to NYU, I’m actually on my way there now.” I look at my phone to check the time but I can barely see due to the cracked screen.

“Uh it’s 9:0-”

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me” I groan loudly, class started at 9.

“Late for class…?” he asks cautiously, not sure if he’s going to make it worse or not.

“Yes. I have to go, like right now.” I say starting to turn to walk away.

“Wait. Let me buy you that coffee so we can discuss the phone thing. Today isn’t great for me, how does tomorrow sound?” I nod and he hands me his phone. “Put in your number.” I quickly type in my information and hand him back the phone. “Well Zoe,” He says looking down at my contact, “I hope to see you later.”

“You too, I didn’t catch your name though.”

“Rudy. Rudy Pankow.”

“Well Rudy,” I look at him, flashing a small smirk “I’ll be looking forward to your text.” I turn and walk away as fast as I can. Of all the things that make me anxious, being late to class is pretty high up on the list. But I think the idea of meeting Rudy for coffee is consuming my mind more than the fact that I’m late is. I slip into the back of the lecture hall about 15 minutes late, luckily not drawing any attention to myself. I take out my notebook and try to take notes, but my mind is elsewhere.

RUDY’S POV:

I don’t know where the hell I am right now. Chase was completely wrong when he said the New York subway system would be easy to figure out. I have to go film a few interviews for Buzzfeed about season two and I’m lost. Totally lost.

“West 4th street-Washington Square” The crackle comes over the speaker.

“Fuck it” I mumble and get off. I can just take an Uber, so much for trying to get the whole experience. I walk up the stairs trying to order an Uber, getting more and more frustrated by the minute. All of a sudden I slam into what I can only hope is another tourist, the last thing I need is someone yelling at me for looking at my phone.

“Fuck. fuck fuck fuck.” I hear a voice from next to me mutter.

“I am so sorry” Fuck. She’s beautiful, and I’m just straight up dumb. “I’m not from here, which I guess you can tell. Uh, I’m a little lost. I think? I’m not sure where I’m going or what uptown and downtown mean on the subways. Sorry, I’m rambling.” For fucks sake Rudy shut the fuck up. I look to her hand and see that I shattered her entire phone and my stomach drops. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry. Shit. I can get you a new one.” Yes good job. Just offer up an entirely new phone, that’ll help. I mentally smack my forehead.

“Ok chill for a sec dude” She stands up, locking her eyes with mine. My eyes can’t decide where to look. Her eyes? her lips? She’s stunning. “At least buy a girl coffee before you offer up a phone.” My face turns bright red. I’m a fucking idiot. She’s running late and I decide to just shoot my shot. I shove my phone at her offering up coffee. A smile breaks onto my face when she takes it and types in her contact info. Zoe.

“Well Rudy, I’ll be looking forward to your text” She smirks at me. God dammit I have never seen anything like her before. She spins on her heel and rushes away. I slide into the nearest taxi, not getting the chance to order an Uber. What the hell just happened?

ZOE’S POV:

I can’t get him off my mind. This isn’t like me at all. Usually I turn random men on the street down, I mean who doesn’t? What if this guy is a serial killer. God Zoe what did you do. Ok but he seems nice enough right? Ugh. I stare at my glass of wine, mind wandering.

“Earth to Zoe” Liv waves her hand in front of my face. I blink and look up.

“Sorry I’m exhausted. Too many unhappy clients today.”

“Uh huh sure.” She rolls her eyes and my friend Katie laughs next to her.

“What?!” I say, a little too defensively.

“Who’s the guy? You only ever act like this, all out of it and daydreamy when there’s a guy”

“There’s no gu-” I get cut off.

“Oh don’t even try. Who is he.” Katie slides next to me and pours more wine in my glass.

“It’s really no one. I met him on the street, he sort of smashed my phone. Well I guess I did. When he ran into me. And then he offered to buy me a new phone just like that. I was like well at least buy me a coffee first, you know, jokingly. But then he actually made a date for tomorrow to get coffee. He said he’d text me, but it’s been hours so I doubt it’ll actually happen. Probably is just being nice.” I mumble the last sentence.

“A guy on the street?” Liv raises her voice.

“Are you crazy?” Katie says, setting her wine glass down a little too hard.

“I know I know. But something about him just felt familiar. Like I had seen him before or something. He seems our age, he had these insane blue eyes. I couldn’t stop staring.” I look down at the table. “I probably won’t even go, it’s a dumb idea.”

“Dude, you’ll find someone. I promise. It just takes time” I look over to Liv.

“That’s the thing though. I don’t even want someone, I’m fine on my own right now. If I started seeing a guy, I wouldn’t have time for him, the two of you, work and school. I would literally have a mental breakdown.” I laugh. Part of me knows I’m lying. I don’t want a boyfriend, that part is true. But if that boyfriend was Rudy, I would have to reconsider. That’s crazy right? I’m definitely going crazy. I don’t even know this guy.

“Ok well let’s get drunk and watch hot boys on TV. There’s a show Liv and I wanted to watch on Netflix called Outer Banks. Have you seen it yet?” Katie asks me as she goes to the couch.

“I don’t have the time for that.” I plop down next to her.

“So that’s a no” She grabs the remote.

“I’m so fucking excited. I keep seeing stuff about the show everywhere, season two is coming out next week.” Liv squeals. Katie starts the show and I start chugging my wine so I can get a new glass. I choke on my wine and spit it out all over the ivory rug.

“Zoe! What the Fuck?!” Liv yells, obviously pissed I just ruined her rug. But I can’t stop coughing. I look back to the TV to make sure I’m not seeing things. It’s him, I could never forget those eyes.

“That’s him” I choke out, “That’s the guy who I ran into today.”

“Rudy Pankow? The guy on the TV right now? Are you sure?” Katie looks at me.

“There’s no way.” Liv shakes her head.

“I’m dead serious. That’s the guy.” My phone vibrates from across the room and we all look at each other. I run over to look at it.

Meet me at Think Coffee in SoHo tomorrow at 3pm. Apple Store right next door ;) -Rudy

“No. Fucking. Way”

Taglist: @pink-meringues @x-lulu @perkeusjackson

#Rudy #rudy pankow #rudy pankow x reader #rudy x reader #rudy pankow x oc #Outer Banks #jj outer banks #obx rudy #jj #jj maybank

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rustandruin · 4 years

Note

Can you just drop Robert's return and Robrons reunion out into the universe now please?? You seem to have......ways of predicting future canon. Please make it so!

Hey Anon!

This is very sweet of you, but I think the instances you’re referring to were just really me giving Robert and Aaron my own personal interests because I thought they fit well! (So please approach this with multiple grains of salt scattered liberally over your shoulder.)

That said, I think a really cool way to bring Robert back would be with everyday soap logic. Something happens so he’s released for good behaviour or something within the next few. Now what? He’s given up Aaron (and Liv and Seb), the only thing that really mattered to him, so he’s unmoored. He tries to live an Aaron-less life, settle down in Leeds, get a job in some marketing firm doing the accounts, starts small again, etc. (I like to think he somehow reads and studies a lot while he’s away in fancy white-collar prison, but I digress.)

For the most part, he’s doing fine. Only October 5th hits and it’s his and Aaron’s fifth anniversary. He goes to a bar after work because he’s a bit maudlin and maybe gets hit on by a cute bartender, but turns them down because he really meant what he said to Aaron all those years ago. It’s him. It’ll always be him. He doesn’t want anyone else. Five years in prison and all he can think about is how good Aaron looked on a suit on the day he officially made him his husband.

And because he’s full of booze by a certain hour and getting quite sentimental, he does what any emotional bisexual does: he calls himself a taxi to a little village in the dales, because he wants to visit a certain gazebo.

Unfortunately, Aaron has done exactly what Robert had told him to do. He’s moved on. He doesn’t have Seb in his life anymore, and Liv’s moved out and is working in Manchester. (Thanks to Robert’s guidance and Doug’s and Belle’s, she’s working at a start-up in Manchester, living her best life.) So he’s currently in a longterm relationship with Jason, a handsome accountant friend of Ryan’s who ran into Aaron when Ryan was helping update the Holey Scrap website, and politely flirted with him enough that even Jimmy King noticed and told him to take him up on it. (Aaron doesn’t know this, but Jimmy has secretly taken it upon himself to hold up his “Robert’s second best friend” duties even though Robert’s not here, because he knows that’s what Robert would want.)

Jason, who is also the new accountant at Home Farm and helps the new owner figure out a whole money scandal with the business, knows about Robert and how special that date is, so he offers to take Aaron away for the weekend as a form of distraction. With some more of Jimmy’s egging (because he’s also pulling double duty as Aaron’s secret second best friend atm), Aaron does take Jason up on his offer and goes away to Manchester to see Liv with him.

While there, Aaron has a ton of fun and realises that Jason really is a great guy and that if he had to move on from Robert and marry someone else, Jason would be an ideal pick. The sex is good, his family likes him, and Aaron actually does love him underneath it all. Of course, it’s not the earth-shattering love he had with Robert, because nothing will ever match that, but it’s enough. He never thought he’d move on from Robert, but look! He’s found it in himself to look at another man and get butterflies. It’s progress!

He doesn’t tell Liv or Jason, but the whole ride home he’s thinking of his wedding day with Robert and how he might propose to Jason. (Jason’s always floated the idea of marriage, but has never pressed because he has enough sense to ignore Paddy and Chas and listen to what Aaron’s not saying: i.e. that he doesn’t want to get married again.)

And THAT’s when it strikes! The massive week-long event that Emmerdale has been hyping up all month: A plane crash that causes a multi-car pile up. (The plane crash has to do with the new owner of Home Farm confronting the person related to the embezzlement of funds.)

Aaron and Jason are caught up in pile up it but aren’t hurt. Unfortunately, Cain is and it’s serious, so they rush to the hospital. Aaron has flashbacks the whole time and can’t help but wonder if this is how Robert felt when it was him.

They get to the hospital and Jason goes to park the car and Aaron goes rushing in, and a familiar blonde nurse says “Oh! You’re here. Thank goodness. He won’t settle.”

She grabs him by the arm as she drags him to a room, Aaron asks if Cain’s alright, and she says they don’t know. They still have to run tests. Aaron tries to text Chas with one hand because his phone is blowing up. The Dingles are trying to make sure everyone is accounted for.

It’s not until he finishes sending his text that he looks up and his heart stops. There’s no way the face looking back at him is the face that is right now. There’s no way those eyes and those freckles and those lips can belong to anyone else.

He must be imagining things. “Robert?”

And that’s when he hears it. The voice he’s practically memorised off a short video message and several others they’ve sent each other during their time together; fleeting snippets of a life shared.

“Aaron!” Robert exclaims looking at him with nothing but love and happiness. Then he frowns, brow furrowing as he frowns and looks Aaron over. “Thought you’d at least dress up for our honeymoon.”

(The doctors find nothing physically wrong with Robert, just a special kind of soap-induced memory loss. And because he still thinks Aaron and he are married, he moves back into the Mill with Aaron, thus kicking off a three-month love triangle of Aaron and Robert and Jason, where Aaron must figure out which man holds his future and Robert has to slowly come to terms with how life has moved on and changed around him.)

And there you have it! This is how I would do it if I were an Emmerdale producer with a billion dollars in the bank. Or just a new producer. Bring Ryan back with the promise of a juicy storyline (amnesia), a clean slate for Robert and Aaron to move forward from (amnesia), and a way for them to revisit their relationship and work through the pain of what he did in prison and how he stayed away while getting out, thus moving them towards a third reunion/wedding. (This time in the gazebo, when Robert finally has his memory back and is really giving himself a hell of a reunion tour.)

In any case, it’s the perfect way to hide Ryan’s return (a big event which they can keep promoting), while giving said event a banner ending, especially if you want to give Danny/Aaron a nice juicy storyline moving forward. (Being torn between two men who love him and he loves in turn. Though we all know he’ll be back with Robert within a month or so, or at least by Christmas, where maybe they can have their own Christmas special, but this time it’s like a sliding sideways type deal where Aaron sees how his future would be with both men and he truly has to choose.)

Though, in my hypothetical universe, I do think the news will be “leaked” and then we’ll all tune in and they’ll get the high ratings they want. I dunno. I hope it turns out this way and we all get surprised with Robert showing up in a hospital bed thinking that time hasn’t passed at all because that would be such a good parallel to him walking into the pub like he did when he returned in 2014.

#robron #emmerdale #robert sugden #aaron dingle #ryan hawley #rust and ruin has thoughts #rust and ruin answers #Anonymous

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veryveryverytemporarily · 4 years

Text

***

They’re still sweat soaked, they’ve eased apart a fraction, but Aaron is keeping close. The sheet’s rucked up and Robert spreads his hand to smooth it out, shifts just slightly where Aaron’s chin juts too painfully into his chest. Aaron opens his eyes for a second.

‘It’s alright,’ Robert says, watching him, ‘you can nap.’

He reaches both arms in the air behind Aaron’s back, quietly replaces the lid on the Just Glide, eases open the draw.

‘Don’t fidget,’ Aaron mumbles.

Robert kisses a damp cupid’s curl, splays his fingers to close the draw again. His eye catches the corner of a box of condoms they sometimes use with toys.

‘Stop it,’ Aaron huffs, opening his eyes with a sigh, stretching his spine like a cat before snuggling back into Robert’s chest. The sight makes Robert feel creative again, after all, there’s nobody home since Liv’s gone for Sunday lunch with Vic at Diane’s, and it’s not their weekend for Seb.

‘So you two would rather spend your Sunday playing those video games of yours than eating my roast? I warn you, I’m not offering twice,’ Diane had complained. Even Liv had had to hide a smile.

‘Don’t!’ Aaron says again.

‘I’m not doing anything,’ Robert answers.

‘Err, yes you are,’ he tuts, eyes still shut, ‘stop playing those video games.’

They both laugh.

‘Can you scratch my back?’

‘Where, there?’

‘Just down a bit, to the side not that fa..yes there, just there, ooh ahh, is it a bite?’

‘Let me look. No, it’s probably just a bit of salt from dried sweat.’

‘Shall we take a shower?’

‘Not yet.’

Aaron shifts up against Robert’s chest, closes his eyes and their lips meet in a kiss. Eyes stay closed, lips stay put; they engage in tongue play, alternating circles with deeper thrusts inside each other’s mouths in a simulation of penetration.

Their skin glows gold in patches in the glittering semi-dark where the curtains are drawn.

Golden late summer, Robert thinks.

They’ve been so, so lucky, really.

After a while they break apart for air.

‘You know that thing you did before?’

Robert holds up a finger, waggles it. ‘This thing?’

Aaron grins, eyes blown dark.

‘Yeah.’

They kiss again, Robert’s hand journeying down to Aaron’s thigh. He looks away through the triangle of light.

They should talk about so many things, they should talk about this, about sex. He wants to tell Aaron that he shouldn’t have to wait when he’s gone. It’s gonna be two years at the barest minimum, it could be four, five, even six. He needs to say to Aaron that he’ll understand if he wants to sleep with other men. That Aaron doesn’t deserve this.

He can feel his heart pounding through his chest.

‘Robert? What?’ Aaron’s asking gently, searching his face with concern. They shuffle up against the bedhead, Aaron’s hand gentle on his shoulder.

He can’t speak, can’t find his breath.

‘I’m sorry,’ he says.

#ficlet #robron #my writing #when I'm gone 3/?

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bobbie-robron · 1 year

Text

Robron Fanfiction Recommendations (Nov-2022)

The below were recommended during Nov-2022 on Twitter.

I think that it’s best if we both stay (2016) 15.0K words, electrumqueen

Robert and Aaron have finally made the decision to live together and move into a flat. In a box of Aaron’s, Robert comes across a picture of a younger Aaron in an enticing pose. When Aaron is reluctant to talk about the photo, Robert begins to think the worst and only makes matters worse with his actions. Will their new living arrangement be short-lived as well as their relationship?

Avoiding the Issue (2017) 17.3K words, robron_til_the_end

Aaron finds a small lump on Robert and urges him to have it checked out. But Robert is stubborn and lies to Aaron that he did as he was asked and all was well. Months later, that lie comes back to bite Robert as he’s stricken with back pain that continues to get worse. What follows is Robert facing facts about his possible mortality and he and Aaron (and Liv) facing the challenge of his diagnosis together.

If our stars would meet (2018) 32.3K words, softlyspoken

A 19-year-old Aaron is willingly having social services take his daughter, Bella, whose mum, Holly, recently died of an overdose. After a scare with Bella, Aaron is determined to get her back but the only way to do that is with the assistance of Robert who at first glance sees him as a chav. Robert is in debt and Aaron offers to get the money to pay it off if he’ll pretend to be his boyfriend. What could possibly go wrong? Maybe Bella growing attached to ‘giraffe’ ‘ob or real feelings surfacing?

Not a Day Goes By That I Don’t Think of You (2016) 3.0K words, DirtyLilGreaseMonkey

Takes place on 16-Nov-2015 when Aaron was released because of Robert and Aaron making it clear to him that he hates him. The scenes are expanded to include the anniversary of Sarah’s death and the effect on the lads.

I’ll build you a boat darling, so you can float (2017) 13.1K words, Small_bump

Robert is raising his seven-year-old niece, Maggie, on the down low and barely scraping by fixing boats. All he wants is for Maggie to have a normal life. Unfortunately that normal life may not be possible when the school she is entered into, with Aaron as a teacher of hers, is tested as gifted without Robert’s permission. Because of Robert’s refusal to get her into a proper school, they go behind his back and contact Jack who takes her away with ‘exceptional’ plans for her. How will Robert (and Aaron) get Maggie back, if it is at all possible?

Robert Sugden’s Life in Numbers series (2016) 21.4K words, MissFanFicWriter

Two stories are included in this series. The first is Robert going through various stages of coming to terms with his situation of being outed and not wanting anything to do with Aaron… until he does. The second story takes place at Home Farm week and gives us a day-to-day of what the lads were up to.

Lions lay down with lambs and colors mix with whites (2017) 21.7K words, messedupforever

Adam and Aaron have just moved into a flat together in Leeds and have gotten jobs as bartenders. Soon after, two Mormon missionaries, Robert and his fiancé’s obnoxious cousin, Damian, move into the flat across from theirs for six month (before Robert is allowed to wed Chrissie). Damian’s off putting first impression tarnishes Aaron’s opinion of Robert. But after a down low apology from Robert, he and Aaron start to get on and there’s an attraction. Can there be more or are their paths set in stone?

Autophobia (2016) 5.8K words, thisissirius

It’s post-SSW2016 and both lads are not as okay out of the accident as was shown on screen. Aaron is facing nightmares and taking time to heal while Robert, well his state of mind is worse off for nearly losing his fiancé but he tries to hide it from others including Aaron. But something’s gotta give at some point because Robert can’t keep bottling it and risk his own heath.

#robron #robron fanfiction #robron fanfiction recommendations #robron fanfic monday #202211

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themackenzieboydchronicles · 2 years

Text

Can Aaron and Mack Make up?

Chas urges Aaron to go and see Mackenzie.

Mackron Fanfic.

"Aaron will you stop pacing and tell me what's wrong" said Chas

"Sandra's back and staying at the Mill with Liv and Vinnie" said Aaron "So there's no way I'm staying there she's up to something I swear"

"Well I'm sure Liv can deal with it. Come on Aaron there's some thing else isn't there" said Chas.

Aaron stopped pacing and burst into tears.

"I knew it" said Chas "It's Mack isn't it?" said Chas putting her arms round Aaron to comfort him.

"I said some horrible things to him mum and we fought" Aaron explained.

"What are the pair of you like. Just get round there and make it up" said Chas.

"I can't mum I said he was no good and Robert was way better than him"

"Well did you mean it?" Chas replied.

"Of course I didn't" said Aaron "I miss him so much"

"Well the sooner you get back together the better" said Bear who was reading the newspaper. "Its getting decidedly crowded in here"

"Aaron go round and talk to him" said Chas.

"You know that Lucy dumped him as well don't you?" Aaron explained.

"Yes, Charity took great pleasure in telling me and that he offered to give her a good seeing too" said Chas rolling her eyes.

"For God's sake" said Faith "That thought is enough to put a girl off her morning coffee. Mind you he can give me a good seeing to any day of the week"

"Gran!" said Aaron "That thought is enough to put me off morning coffee for life"

"Why aren't you staying at the other cottage with Ethan and Marcus?" Chas asked.

"Coz I wanted to spend some time with gran" said Aaron. "Besides they're too loved up and it's embarrassing"

"That was nice of you Aaron giving your old gran a thought" said Faith.

"Just get round there lad and tell scottie you can't live without him" said Bear "I heard he was a sucker for flattery"

"Who told you that" asked Aaron.

"Well he was the talk of this place the other night" Bear explained "And Charity was telling everyone its only a matter of time before he'll be begging her to have him"

"In her dreams" said Aaron.

"Well get your running shoes on or she'll pip you to the post" said Bear.

"Not a cat in hells chance" said Chas "Moira was telling me Lucy has gone back to Mack"

"Straight up mum?" Aron asked Chas.

"Yes straight up, now just get yourself round there" Chas urged.

"But the things I said to him mum" said Aaron "I really hurt him"

"For God's sake how many times?" said Faith "If he's worth fighting for go and do it instead of crying and snottering round here"

"Go on Aaron" said Chas "At least you'll know where you stand"

#aaron dingle #mackenzie boyd #mackron fanfic #kiss and make up #emmerdale

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spamela-hamderson · 4 years

Note

“You’re basically a marshmallow. Perfect for cuddling.” Aaron to Robert please.

Hope you like it! ❤️(ao3)

“Liv, help.” It’s a struggle just to get the words out, with weak hands pushing at his cheek so that his face is turned uncomfortably to the side, crick already forming in his neck.

“Can’t, got to get this on video,” Liv says, biting her lip around a wide smile.

Robert sighs, frustrated. He gets it, he does. He hadn’t been able to resist recording a few minutes of Aaron either, when they were still at the hospital. But after the scene they’d caused in the hospital car park, with Aaron loudly refusing to detach from Robert long enough to get in the passenger seat of the car and Robert glaring down the alarmed stares of passersby as Aaron got creative with his swearing, and the bizarre drive that had followed with Aaron asking every 5 minutes if Robert thought the car was moving, he’s finding this entire situation a little less entertaining. Robert just wants a nap, now.

“You can’t make me,” says a voice from inside the car, muffled by wads of cotton.

“Aaron,” he tries again.

“No.” Aaron pokes harder at his cheek.

Again, Robert sighs. Just as they’d been turning into their driveway, Aaron’s tongue had uncovered a recently vacated crevice in the corner of his mouth, and then another, and he’d demanded to know who had nicked his teeth.

Robert steps away, outside the reach of Aaron’s brutal fingers. He figures his neck deserves a break while he thinks. He watches Aaron watch him warily. There are bits of soggy, lightly pinking gauze sticking out the sides of his mouth, cheeks puffed up around them, and still that incensed scowl on his face. He looks ridiculous right then, and Robert’s face twitches to clamp down on a laugh.

Aaron’s wariness intensifies. “What?”

Robert shakes his head. He raises a hand towards him—Aaron watching his every move—until his fingers sink into the curls at the top of Aaron’s head. He watches the way Aaron’s shoulders reluctantly slump. “You look knackered, mate,” he says. He’s slipping into the voice he sometimes uses for a fussing Seb, he can tell. Low and sympathetic.

Aaron’s face slackens even further. His eyes are barely open by the time he’s able to respond with anything other than bliss at having Robert’s fingers rub against his scalp. “So much,” he finally admits, quite mournfully (and rather nonsensically), and then pouts. Or he tries to, lips not being able to stay firmly closed around those overstuffed cheeks.

“I know,” Robert soothes. “How about we get you some sleep, eh? And I’ll heat something up for later?” he asks, now scratching at the short hairs at the back of Aaron’s neck.

Aaron slowly nods, inching his head further into Robert’s hand.

Satisfied that he’s too far gone now to notice, Robert turns desperately back to Liv for help.

Alright, chill out, she mouths back, and stuffs her phone back into her pocket.

It’s as she’s making her way past the door of the car that they hear her.

“Oh good. You’re all here.”

Robert snaps his head down the driveway, fingers tensing around hair. He hadn’t even heard her coming. He checks on Aaron, sees he’s broken out of the calm daze Robert had managed to slip him into, and is now throwing betrayed looks back at Robert as he tries flimsily to cross over the centre console and into the driver’s seat.

Robert’s sure he catches something being muttered about Jedi mind tricks. He doesn’t know what Aaron thinks he’s doing. The keys are still with Robert.

“What’s Pearl doing here?” Liv asks.

Wrecking his day, that’s what. He spares a last worried glance at the way Aaron seems to be pawing at the cover of the steering column and then rummaging through the glove compartment looking for something. A screwdriver, probably. Or a crowbar. Flipping Dingles. “Make sure he doesn’t try hotwiring the car.”

“I’m meant to be getting to college, you know?”

Robert has to raise his eyebrows at that. “You didn’t seem all that in a hurry when you were filming him just now.”

Liv narrows her eyes at him, half in warning, but jogs over to stop her brother from driving straight into the yard anyway.

Having temporarily settled that, he turns to see Pearl’s already stood in front of him.

“I was afraid I might miss you, but it looks like I couldn’t have come at a better time.” She’s very nearly shimmying on the spot, more excited than Robert can cope with.

“You couldn’t have come at a worst,” he bites out. It’s been a long day.

Pearl loses some of her peppiness to indignation at his tone. “I beg your pardon?”

“Look,” Robert breathes out. He waves at the wheeled bag she’s dragged along beside her, filled three quarters of the way. “Did you need something?”

“Oh! Er yes, well,” she says. “I’m collecting donations for the church raffle this Sunday.” When that’s met with a blank look, she goes on to explain, “Harriet’s put up flyers all over the village. Haven’t you seen them?” She sounds shocked at the very thought.

“No. And we haven’t got anything to–”

Aaron—who seems to have given up on his amateur criminal antics—chooses then to get out of the car and lean over the top of it, wanting to know what’s keeping Robert’s attention from teeth rescue plans.

“Dear god,” Pearl gasps as soon as she sees him. She stumbles back a few steps, hand to her chest and eyes enormous with horror.

He looks a state, Robert will give her that. His eyes are rimmed with red, there’s now drool forming around the over-saturated gauze, and he’s grown impatient at the interruption, groaning long and thin and restless. “Robert, we have ta get back ‘fore they give ‘em away,” he stresses.

Pearl takes another uncertain half a step back.

“Tooth surgery,” Robert feels like he needs to explain. “Just needs to sleep off the medication.”

“Of course,” she says around a nervous smile. Her other hand is clutching tightly at the bag handle, her gaze flicking back to Aaron every now and again as if to make sure he stays staring at her in suspicion from a distance and doesn’t graduate to making any sudden lunges forward.

“Right, so…,” Robert nods at Pearl. She stares at him, not getting the message. “We’ll see you around, I guess.” He nods up the driveway.

Pearl sputters. “There must be something you can spare. You’d be helping out your community!” She follows Robert’s impatient glance back at the mill. “I can wait inside while you get the patient sorted,” she offers, stretching her neck to peak eagerly past Robert’s shoulders at the door behind them. “I can even help you look for something suitable.”

Absolutely not. The last thing Robert needs is to have Pearl set loose inside his home, rifling through cupboards.

“No, no,” Robert frantically shakes his head, “not necessary.” He turns to his grinning sister-in-law and widens his eyes meaningfully at her. “Liv can drop some stuff off at Harriet’s later today.”

The grin vanishes. “Oi–”

“What you still talking for?” Aaron wants to know right then. He’s begun to slowly trudge along around the car, to the end closest to Robert and Pearl, his hand reaching out for Robert and not even close to bridging the distance between them.

Robert sees the fist around Pearl’s bag handle tighten yet again, as she inches her body behind it. “Or actually, if you’re staying, Pearl, Liv’s going to be late for her classes if she doesn’t leave now. Could you help me with him?” he nods over at Aaron’s hunched, drooling, irate form.

Aaron helpfully swings his arm out again as if on cue, doing his best impression of the undead.

Pearl blinks once at him, once at Robert, and then once more, down at her wrist. “Oh, dear. Is that the time?” she says. “I’ve really got to get going. Lots more donations to pick up before dinner.”

“Ah.” Robert nods regretfully at her.

Pearl has already started moving back up the driveway. “I’ll let Harriet know to expect you, Liv,” she says to a spot somewhere behind him. Then, she turns to Aaron and steels herself. “Hope you feel better, Aaron,” she says, vowels stretched longer and slower, and voice a little louder than the one she’s been using.

Aaron doesn’t respond, aside from staring, transfixed, at the way her bag wobbles over the rough ground of their driveway when she hurries along with it.

“Right,” Robert turns back to his family. “Let’s go inside.”

“Inside?” Aaron has never looked more offended. “Someone’s taken my teeth.”

God, are they still doing this? “No, not someone,” Robert says, being very patient, “it was only the dentist. And you asked her to.”

Aaron scoffs like Robert’s trying to be funny (it comes out more of a puff, through all that cotton). “And why would I do that?”

“Oh my god,” Liv finally snaps, which Robert thinks is a fair reaction. “We’ll get your teeth tomorrow. Okay?” She says this so forcefully, it leaves Aaron (and Robert too, if he’s being honest) looking a little stunned.

“But–”

“Tomorrow, Aaron.” Robert cuts in. “It’s not like they’re going to just hand it over, is it? We’ll need time to prepare,” Robert says, like that makes any sense at all.

Aaron nods, considering, like it does make sense. “Fine,” he finally concedes, staring at the ground in front of him a little dejectedly.

Robert exchanges a look with Liv, shocked that that worked. “Let’s go inside,” he says again, and locks the car.

Liv shakes her head, picking up her bag from where she’d apparently left it laying in front of the door. “Bus’ll be here any minute. You’re on your own with this one,” she points at Aaron. She looks visibly relieved at having an escape and Robert feels a little affronted on Aaron’s behalf. He’s not that bad.

And anyway, he thinks, sulking, she's not even had to deal with him long as I have.

After watching Liv all but run away from them, they finally make it inside the mill, Aaron allowing Robert to usher him through with a hand around his waist but staying quiet otherwise. After an entire trip where he’d been anything but, this feels off.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asks, taking off his jacket. It was a simple, routine extraction, went off without a hitch, Dr. Groff had said. There shouldn’t be any complications from it. But...

Aaron looks solemnly at him.

Robert grows worried.

“You really think we can get ‘em back?”

Robert snorts. He’s talking about his teeth again, of course he is. Robert’s never letting him live this down. “We will,” he indulges him anyway. “You’ve got me helping, haven’t you?” he boasts.

Aaron’s eyes widen and he looks absurdly touched by this, nodding bashfully at him.

Robert can only shake his head at him, disbelief tinged with affection.

Feeling more confident about their chances, Aaron begins taking off his jacket enthusiastically. A fair amount of wriggling goes on, and Robert watches saliva dribble menacingly from gauze until detaching and landing on Aaron’s shirt.

He winces. “Don’t think you need the gauze anymore, do you? It’s only making a mess,” Robert tsks. He helps to free Aaron’s arms from where they’ve momentarily gotten trapped in his jacket, and tosses it onto the back of the couch.

It happens so quickly. In one moment, Aaron’s holding his hand and bringing it towards himself, and in the next, Robert’s left staring at the pink saliva threading down Aaron’s scruffy chin to the two congealed, bloody, warm masses on his palm, a long, distant scream playing over in his head. A soft, tortured, “Aaron,” is all he can manage in his disgust, much of his voice trapped in his throat.

The monster in question wipes at his chin. “You’re right, tha’s better,” he says.

Robert spares a few desperate seconds to press the edge of his palm (the one that’s empty) into his eyes. I love him, he reminds himself, so much. “Okay,” he breathes out, voice still shaky. “Stay here. I’m going to get rid of–,” he looks down at the cooling lumps and quickly looks back up, “–this and come help you up the stairs. Alright?” Robert looks up at said stairs, and his eyes catch at the too-wide spaces between the steps. “Don’t move,” he pleads again.

He rushes over to their kitchen, dumps them into the bin (they dislodge after a firm shake, landing on top of last night’s takeaway container with a plop) and rinses off the wet slime left behind. He’s tearing out a sheet from the kitchen roll by the window for Aaron to wipe his mouth with when he hears the thud.

He’s never moved so fast in his life. He’s by Aaron’s side in a second with his heart seized up and in his throat, trying so carefully to manoeuvre him so he’s no longer lying prone against the unforgiving metal steps. “Are you ok? Are you hurt?” He gets nothing back for one terrifying moment, and then a choked off gasp for another, even more terrifying one, before Aaron turns around and laughs to his face.

“You idiot,” Robert says with so much relief. “What the hell were you doing?”

“Missed ya,” Aaron says, stroking up Robert’s arms where they’ve landed on either side of him. It isn’t really an explanation, Robert doesn’t think.

Unless… “Did you… do that on purpose?” he asks a little shrilly.

“No,” Aaron says. But his lips are twitching horribly and his glazed eyes are twinkling like he’s got away with something very clever and is exceedingly proud about it, and Robert has to wrestle with himself not to drop his husband back on his head.

He settles for staring at him in utter defeat instead. “Get up, you.” He sounds worn out, and yet, still fond, and Robert wonders if he’s not quite right in the head either.

It’s a miracle they manage getting up the stairs and into their room without any more ‘accidents’. Aaron is still hanging onto him like a limpet, having decided he’d rather stay standing against Robert by the foot of the bed, arms coiled around his shoulders, than lie down.

“You’re bas’cally a marsh… marshmallow,” Aaron mumbles into Robert’s collar, this apparently being his reason for not wanting to let go. Fatigue has warped his words even more now he’s so close to their bed. “P’fect for cuddling.”

“Hang on, who’re you calling a marshmallow? This is all muscle, this.”

“Sexy marshmallow,” Aaron amends.

Robert feels greedy hands move down the planes of his back then, and slip under the waistband of his jeans, fingertips splaying against the outward curve of his arse before they grab at fabric and pull free. The hands come immediately back, slipping under his shirt this time to tug weakly at his skin.

“None of that, you can barely stand,” he says, deeply amused, and shifts Aaron’s head away from where he’s begun nuzzling his mouth at the base of Robert’s throat, ignoring soft whines of protest. “C’mon. Sleep,” he says to Aaron’s sulk. “I’ll join you.” He can’t help but smile at the way that makes Aaron smile. Soft lad.

“Yeah?” Aaron asks.

“‘Course,” Robert answers. He drops a careful kiss onto Aaron’s—thankfully clean—lips as a reward for his cooperation, but also just because of the way he’s looking up at Robert—tired and trusting.

Aaron hums into it.

Robert drops another kiss just for that.

It goes a little easier after that. Robert’s ridding them of their jeans and shirts (Aaron hadn’t been too good at helping, his fingers fumbling over buttons and petting too long at skin) and guiding them under the covers. They shift and slide over each other, bodies moving in a dance their skin has long since memorised, until legs and hands and heads find their usual places on the other.

Aaron looks dead to the world not a second after he settles, and Robert takes the opportunity, with just enough afternoon light shining through the curtains, to stare at the way his lashes fan over thin skin underneath and leave behind the subtlest of shadows. So subtle in fact, they threaten to disappear against the dark smudges already present under his eyes—Aaron had been restless the night before; Hospitals aren’t his thing.

It does something to him, seeing Aaron when he’s like this. It always has. It’s a bit embarrassing really, the force of it, but taking care of him, being trusted to, so unreservedly... It makes something crack just under his heart; something primal, something foolish. Something beating against his ribs from the inside, desperate to prove that he can. That he will.

But it’s too wild a feeling for this moment here. Too loud to exist alongside the soft shadows of Aaron’s lashes and the whispers of his breath humid on Robert’s skin. So he breathes the feeling out instead, losing it in the scent of Aaron mixed in with antiseptic.

He starts to drift off before long. The distant murmurs of the village outside and the warm weight resting against him lull him into drowsiness. Impossibly, he shifts a hair closer to Aaron. The weather’s been getting warmer and he knows they’ll break apart soon in sleep when the heat gets to be too heavy, settling for just a hooked ankle or fingers grazing a back, but he wants to fall asleep like this. “‘Night,” he whispers into the skin closest to him. He proceeds to fall.

Aaron jolts awake with a violent snort.

Robert jumps as well, narrowly missing bashing his head into the side of Aaron’s, shock kicking his heart rate into overdrive. “What? What?”

“Thought I heard somfin’,” Aaron croaks.

Robert feels very close to sobbing. His confused heart thumps erratically on. “It wasn’t anything,” he says quietly, whines, really. “Go to sleep.”

“Do we ‘ave ghosts?” Aaron’s eyes are already back to being shut. His voice tapers away.

Robert doesn’t answer. With his luck, it’ll only wake Aaron up again. He feels him turn his head closer, his nose bumping softly along Robert’s in the movement. Robert smiles, bites his lip. Yeah. With his luck.

#robron #emmerdale #robert sugden #aaron dingle #*mine: fic #anons

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fuckyeahmackenzieboyd · 3 years

Text

Sex, Bugs & Sausage Rolls - Mackron fanfic

For @justherebecausemackenzieboyd

Description: When Ben cancels his and Aaron’s plans for a picnic, Mackenzie is only to happy to offer his services instead...

*******

"Oh come on Ben we've had this planned for ages! It's the first decent day we've had in so long and it's going to rain again tomorrow! Well what am I meant to do with this food? And that crappy Pesto Pasta you made me buy? Fine. You better make this up to me, though." Aaron sighed, slamming his phone down on the work top. H e was disturbed by a soft knock on the door.

"Aaron? Can I come in?”

"What do you want, Mackenzie?"

"A smile?"

Aaron rolled his eyes and looked away. "I'm really not in the mood for you today."

"What's all this?" Mackenzie teased. "Nice blanket." he smiled, holding up some bright yellow abomination covered in Minions.

"It's Liv's. Put it down."

“Planning a picnic with Canoe Boy? And judging by the colour of this blanket, a rather large family of wasps, too.”

"Kayak B-.. Ben. His name is Ben. And I was, ‘til he stood me up."

"Lucky I happened to be walking by then, isn't it? Can't let this all go to waste. You can keep that green shite though, whatever it is."

"Pesto pasta, and not on your life, Mackenzie."

"What? Oh come on, I'm bored and hungry and you know what happens when I'm left unsupervised." Mackenzie smiled, eyes sparkling.

"You're not gonna leave me alone ‘til I agree are you?"

"You know me so well, it's scary! Kind of sexy too."

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I feel like I'm really going to regret this?"

**** Aaron yawned as he came round from a power nap, finding Ben sitting next to him, watching TV.

"Ben. I didn't hear you come in."

"Only been here about 15 minutes. Didn't want to wake you. Sorry about cancelling on you earlier."

"It's ok. I ended off having quite a good time with Mackenzie, to be honest. Plus he provided the beer."

"Mackenzie?"

"Yeah. He came round cause he was bored and we ended off having the picnic at the Cricket Pavilion."

"Get up to anything else with him?" Ben asked, standing up.

"What?"

"I know he fancies you. He barely leaves you alone. I don't like that he flirts with you. He is aware you've got me now?"

"We shared a baguette and a bit of cheese Ben it's hardly Pride & Prejudice. What did you think we were doing? Ripping each other's clothes off and rolling around in the grass?"

"Were you?" Ben asked, feeling himself getting angry

"No! I can't believe you don't trust me!"

"It's him I don't trust."

"But you don't trust me enough to tell him to do one if he tried anything?"

"Anyone but him, Aaron and I'd have been fine with it."

"Mackenzie is the closest thing I have to a mate around here, if you can't handle that, then that's something you need to work on. Not me. I've had enough of being manipulated into doing what other people want, god knows I had more than enough of that with Liv. Mackenzie stays a friend and if you've got a problem with that then you know what you can do. "

"Really? We're really going there?"

"You forced my hand, Ben. What was the reason you couldn't come with me, anyway?"

"I told you, I had to see Liam. Personal problems." Ben sighed, looking down at his feet.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not!"

"Liam buried his daughter yesterday. Do you really think that I believe he's back to work already or that he gives a shit about your problems? Do you know what, just go. Go and don't bother coming back. We're done."

"Aaron.."

"No! You dare to stand here, in my house, accusing me of cheating on you when you can't even be honest with me?"

"I get it. I see what's going on here. Fall out with me, fall under Mackenzie."

"If anything, Mackenzie would be under me."

"Thought about it then?"

"I have actually. Then you came along and I chose you. Not my finest moment. You bore me. You and your kayaks. I PRETENDED to be asleep, by the way, just so I didn't have to sit through another boring conversation about your stupid boats. I DON'T CARE."

"Well, if that's how you feel.." Ben sighed, grabbing his jacket

"It is. I'm fed up of pretending to be happy. What happened to poor Leanna shows life's too short, that any one of us can be gone in a matter of seconds and I swear I will go crazy if I have to spend another one with you."

Ben glared at Aaron and stomped over to the door. "Oh by the way, you were right, I didn't see Liam. I was at home, watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Seemed a better option than spending an afternoon with you whining about Liv."

"Get the fuck out of my house, Kayak Boy."

The door slammed loudly behind Ben and Aaron took a deep breath. He fished his phone out of his pocket and rang Mackenzie. "Think it's time I called in my favour. Come round. Bring a bottle and don't worry about what you're going to wear, you won't be in it for long."

#mackenzie boyd #aaron dingle #emmerdale #fanfic #request

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nooneelsecomesclose17 · 3 years

Text

No doubt in my mind where I belong

Ok, so I've been thinking about this one for a while and anyone who follows me will know just how incensed I still am at the whole 'Paddy locking Aaron in his own house' episode, so this is my attempt at trying to make it just a little more bearable. I've had to rejig the whole going on the run thing so canon as it was pretty much stops when Vic walks in to tell them that L** is dead.

I've used some of the dialogue from the ep itself, but yeah, I've tried to make it better.

(A03 link)

When he was a kid he caught the end of one of those dramas about the apocalypse and it scared him. He’d gone downstairs late one night, wanting some water and he’d peeked through to door to see his Mum and Dad watching it. For weeks after he’d had nightmares of the world ending and him being all alone. When it actually happens though, it’s not with a bang or anything so dramatic. In reality it’s two little words that bring his world crumbling down around him.

“Lee’s dead.”

The room is perfectly quiet at Vic’s words, as if none of them quite know what to do. All he can see is Robert’s panicked face. They both know what this means. It means a murder charge, at best manslaughter. It means Robert going to prison, possibly for years.

Then Robert’s talking, his voice carrying through the fog of panic that’s filling his head.

“If anyone’s going then it’s me on my own.”

He stares at him, their silent conversation telling him everything. His next words are the truth, he’s useless without him. There’s no question that he’s staying behind

From then it’s a rush, making sure Seb’s taken care of, that Vic will take him back to Rebecca and try to explain, packing enough clothes for the night, they don’t have time for anything else. When he comes out of the bathroom, hands full of stuff they might need he finds Robert sitting on the bed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Is this the right thing?”

“Yeah. There’s no other choice. Robert we don’t have time. We have to go.”

“We won’t get anywhere, you don’t think they’ll have my name everywhere as soon as they can? How will we even get out of the country?”

“Look, let’s just get out of here first and then we’ll sort it. If we stay here the police will come and then we’ll have no choice. If we leave we have a chance.”

“I should go on my own. You don’t need to be dragged into this.” He shakes his head, there’s no way, the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. “I mean it. Your family, the scrapyard, I’d be dragging you away from it all because I was stupid.”

“You’re my husband, you think that stops just because things get tough? I meant those vows you know. Now come on, get packed.”

Even in his wildest dreams he hadn’t thought it would be so hard to say goodbye to Seb. He tries to say everything he needs to while the little boy plays with his trucks. The little boy he’d once thought he could never love, who had won him over the minute he held him. Would he ever remember them, would he hate them for leaving him like this? He presses a kiss to the top of his hair and then makes his excuses about sorting the two cars because he can’t watch Robert say goodbye to his son.

By the time Robert’s done his Mum and Paddy are there and he makes the goodbyes as quick as he can but of course his Mum doesn’t want him to go, using the baby to try and stop him, demanding he doesn’t leave. He says the only thing he can.

“I choose Robert.”

—————

It was idyllic, the sun coming through the trees, the only noise the birds singing and the distant hum of traffic.. It really was idyllic. If he closed his eyes he could imagine they were on a picnic, the three of them, Seb taking a nap after wearing himself out exploring, he and Robert enjoying the quiet. Instead he’s looking around expecting the police to jump out any second. They’d driven for an hour, far enough away that they wouldn’t be found quickly, driving the cars down a track that looked like it hadn’t been used for years, deep enough that it couldn’t be seen easily, and now they were waiting, sat in the woods like they had years before.

"So we're agreed?" Robert asks breaking the silence. They’d talked this over so many times and there was no other way.

"Yeah." They needed to get out of the country and to do that they needed passports. Robert’s contacts had come up blank, leaving Aaron with no choice but to call Cain. Now it was all set. "I'll go and get the passports from Cain and more of our stuff, then meet you. Cain can pick up the car we leave later.”

"And you're really sure? Because it's asking a lot I know and I won't...if you wanted to stay."

"I'm sure." It wasn't even a question. No one got it, not his Mum, not Liv, no one. He thinks maybe Cain comes the closest. He had to be with Robert. Couldn't even contemplate letting him go. “Like I said, useless without ya, aren’t I?”

“I know but…we can never come back Aaron. Can you really handle not seeing Liv again, or your Mum or the baby?”

“I can’t handle not seeing you again. I’m not saying it’ll be easy but there isn’t a choice. Throughout our lives together remember. That wasn’t just about the easy bits.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“Stuck with me now though.” Robert grins, the first one since they’d heard the news and he smiles back. “Right, so you find somewhere near the port then text me.”

“Right.”

“I’ll find you and then we’re gone.” It sounded so so simple, he could only hope it was that easy in reality.

"Then it’ll be me, you, little chateau, by the river maybe.” It sounds like a dream.

“We could even get a little veg patch."

"Fancy yourself in a pair of wellies do you?" Robert's laughing and for a few seconds he revels in it, the normality, before he sobers. "We're really doing this aren't we?"

"Looks that way."

"And it doesn't matter that we'll have nothing?”

“Are you forgetting I’ve done this before.” There was some kind of joke in there, going on the run twice in a lifetime. “ been there done it, got the criminal record

“You had Ed then.”

“Yeah, for all the help he was. Spent most of the first month panicking every time he saw a uniform. The security guard at the local supermarket nearly gave him a heart attack. At least you’ve got a bit of sense about you.”

“Cheers.”

“Listen to me, I don’t care what I have as long as I’m with you. What about you? I mean you're leaving behind just as much as I am."

"I don't have any choice though. I can’t handle prison Aaron, I know it. Anyway, I’d rather live out my days living my best life with you with nothing than not have you at all. But you, you have a choice.” He pretends not to hear the wobble in his voice because this is where they are now, they've made the choice. No going back.

“No I don’t.” They go back to sitting in silence, waiting, thinking, until his phone lights up. He picks up his phone. "It's Cain. He's got them.”

“That was fast.”

“Amazing what you can get if you offer enough money.”

"You're sure going back to the village is safe? Why couldn’t he meet you somewhere else.”

“I don’t know, there’s something up with him. I’ll be fine, I’ll be in and out. They can't get me on anything anyway. The worst they can do is hold me up but like I said, you wait twenty four hours and if I'm not there you go, however you can.”

"But..."

"No. You go. I mean it Robert you get away. I'll find you. Don't you dare do anything stupid like giving yourself up."

"Yes boss.” He takes a minute, just in case, to drink him in and then he’s getting up, kissing him, lingering as long as he dares before he leaves.

—————

He's halfway home when Cain calls telling him he's held up and to wait, that he's sending them over with Billy. Aaron rolls his eyes at that, him of all people. Whatever is going on with his uncle better be worth it.

He's sat at the edge of the village not daring to go any further until he has to, for all his bravado in front of Robert, he doesn't much fancy being hauled in by the police, even if they couldn't actually prove he'd helped Robert in any way. It would just waste time. Time they didn't have.

After he’s met Billy and got the passports and the cash Cain has managed to get together, he goes to the house, wanting to grab enough to tide them over for a few days. Sentimental it might be but he threw a few pictures of Seb in too alongside their wedding album. At least they’d have the memories wherever they ended up. As he’s zipping up the bag he hears the door slam downstairs.

"Hello?" Instantly on edge he grabs the bag making his way to the top of the stairs, half expecting find a police firearm in his face. Instead he finds Paddy standing between the stairs and the door. "Paddy, what is it? I don't have a lot of time."

"I saw Billy.” Fucking Billy, he should’ve known he'd mess it up.

"I don't need this." He goes to walk past him, cursing Cain, but Paddy stops him, and that's when he sees Liv sat at the table. "Paddy get out of the way,"

"Listen to him Aaron."

"I know what he wants to say and I gave you my answer this morning. I choose Robert. Now move, I need to go."

“No. I can’t let you do this to your mother. Not when she’s in the state she is.” There it was the tone he was so used to, like he was a naughty child. He wasn’t that person any more.

“She’s pregnant Paddy, and everything is fine so there’s no need for the dramatics. Did she send you?”

“No, but she’ll probably know by now. I told Marlon.”

“Terrific. Why not just send an email to Hotten nick. So, what are you going to do about it? And what's your part in all this?" He switches his attention to his sister, suddenly mute in the corner.

“I’m trying to help you see sense.”

“Liv, don’t do this. You told us this morning, you said we should go.” All he gets is a shrug.

“I changed my mind, I don’t want you to go. At least let us talk. You didn’t even give us a proper chance to say goodbye.”

"You understand that the police could’ve turned up any minute night? Did you want me to throw a party?"

"Aaron."

"What!" He turns back to Paddy. "You know what. I don't have time for this. Robert's waiting."

"You're really going to throw your life away. for him?" The sneering tone whenever he talks about Robert is back. Had it ever gone away or had he just ignored it. “You won’t be able to come back. Can you really do that, give up everything? Everything you’ve managed to build up here, the life you have?”

“That’s what you don’t understand.He is my life! Nothing else matters except for him.”

“You’re about to do the most stupid thing imaginable. For him. He killed someone Aaron."

"A rapist. Don't you ever try and tell me I should feel sorry for someone like him. Robert did the world a favour and if you didn't hate him you'd admit it."

"He broke the law and just like always he thinks he can just get away with it,”

"You call this getting away with it? He wishes he was surprised that Paddy was behaving like this but he wasn't. "He's giving up everything, his business, his home, his family, his son. You think that's easy?"

"Maybe he should've thought about that before he killed someone. Maybe Seb will be better off." Aaron can't help himself, steps up in Paddy's face ignoring Liv's protests and it takes everything he’s got not to push him out of the way. Only because it’s him does he not give into the urge.

“Whatever you think about Robert even you can’t deny he’s a good Dad. The best Dad, so don’t even go there.” He bends to pick up the bag again. “I’m done. I need to go, so are you going to let me pass?”

"No. You're staying here until you see sense.” Paddy nods at Liv and she finally moves. He frowns as all she does is go to the kitchen window. It takes a few seconds to realise she’s locking them.

"You're not serious?"

“Every door and every window is locked. I love you Aaron, you’re not going to get your own way. I'm not letting you ruin you life over him.”

"So you're keeping me prisoner?” He’s going to wake up in a minute and find this is some kind of drug induced nightmare he’s sure of it.

"If necessary."

"For how long?” They can’t be serious. Any minute now they’re going to laugh and send him on his way because he’s having a hard time believing that people he loves would do this to him.

"As long as it takes.”

"Best get comfy forever then because the second your back is turned I'm gone.” He’s not quick enough to stop Paddy moving past him and he can only watch as he throws the keys into the waste disposal.

“Oh that was clever. So tell me, how are you going to get out?”

“I’ll think about that when you’re not being so stupid.” He sits in the chair he’s moved to in front of the door, the one he picked out, the one they argued over because it didn’t match the sofa and Robert hated, the one he insisted on because it was big enough for both of them to sit in if they were really close.

“I’m being stupid? You’ve just locked three adults in a house and thrown the keys away. Real mature that. Now you’ve had your fun, but I’m done. You either let me leave or I’m callin’ the police.”

“Go ahead. I doubt they’ll let you go any more than I will.” He just stares at him, wondering where the Paddy he used to know had gone. The one who had seen him through one of the toughest times in his life, who had sat by his hospital bed when he’d thought there was no point in carrying on. The person in front of him wasn’t that man, he didn’t know who this was.

“I’ll have to take my chance won’t I?”

”Aaron. Don't be ridiculous. You’ll go to prison!”

“Fine. Not like I’m going to have a life here is it? If you’re willing to stand by and let me go back there then so be it.” He’s bluffing, it’d kill him he knows it would, but maybe just maybe it’ll bring them to their senses.

“He’s not worth ruining your life over!”

“See that's what you don't get. He is my life. Without him…without him I don’t have anything.” He ignores the cry coming from Liv. He didn’t mean to hurt her but he’s only speaking the truth. Without Robert he’d merely be existing.

He knows exactly how it would go, a repeat of the months after they broke up. The sympathetic looks would last for so long and then their tactics would change, the odd mentions of cute guys, of how he should get out more, how Robert wouldn’t want him wasting his life. He wouldn’t be able to cope with it, not again.

He has to come up with something, he was wasting time here, and they weren’t going to budge he knew that, but he had to get out. He’s frantically trying to think where there might be a spare key hidden. Robert was obsessive about them losing their keys so he had them stashed everywhere but right now his brain is so muddled he can’t remember where he put them.

“Seeing sense are you?”

“No, just trying to work out how to get out without hurting you.”

“You can’t. And besides we can’t let you. You’ll see we’re right in the end. You know the police, they’d think he masterminded this. All you’re doing is adding time to his sentence when they catch you, which they will.”

“We’ll be long gone by then.”

“You and Robert against the world? Do you think that’s going to last forever, that you’re not going to resent each other for everything you’ve had to give up.” They’re wrong and he wants to shout it from the rooftops. He doesn’t have anything to give up that’s worth more than Robert and if they’re together then nothing else would matter.

“This is our only option you know, I’m not choosing this.”

“But Robert did. Robert chose the day he ignored you and Victoria, the day he went out and attacked Lee, just like I did the day I went to Pierce’s office and smacked him one for what he did to Rhona.”

“There you go. He was just protecting his sister.”

“But she didn’t want that Aaron. Can’t you see, this is what he does! He always has to get his own way! It was all about him, and what he wanted. I was the same, it was about my need to do something. Ended up nearly ruining the court case for Rhona in the end.”

“Yeah, well Vic didn’t even get a court case did she?”

“That’s not the point and you know it. He still killed someone, someone’s son, someone’s brother.”

“Paddy you really are mental if you think I’m going to feel one ounce of sympathy for a rapist.”

“Aaron, he’s not a hero. He’s selfish, and he’s reckless and I know you don’t want to hear this but if he valued your marriage even half as much as you do…”

“Oh Paddy will you just be quiet. You know nothing about our marriage. The only time you bother with us is to tell us what we’re doing wrong or when Mum drags you. I get it, you don’t like him.

“And why is that? He’s turned you against us, me and your Mum.”

“No, no. You’ve done that yourself. Do you think he didn’t tell me what you said before our first wedding? When we broke up? Always in his ear like an annoying little flea aren’t you, whispering your poison. Whatever you say isn’t going to change anything, you might as well save your breath.”

“This is the man who tried to kill me. Twice. He cheated on you. He had a child with someone else and then forced you to take him on. He’s not yours Aaron and he never will be, not really.” That hurt, even now after all this time, because it’s true, in reality he’ll never have any claim on Seb. He knows that if this goes wrong, if Robert ends up in prison he’ll lose the both of them.

“No. You stop right there. I love Seb. You know you’re so obsessed with biology and yet you reckon I’m your son.” He shrugs, biting his thumb nail. “When was the last time you saw Leo?”

“What?” Finally he thinks he’s managed to wrong foot him, sitting there with his head tilted to one side, a habit that Aaron hadn’t realised was so annoying until today.

“When did you last see Leo. You do remember him don’t you? Nearly nine years old, blonde, you used to call him your son.”

“That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair is you lecturing me on all of Robert’s wrongs when you're not so squeaky clean yourself are you. Now you’re with Mum you barely want to know Leo. I suppose I should be thankful you still speak to me, although right now I’d rather you weren’t.”

“Aaron, why are you being so horrible? Paddy’s always looked out for you.”

“Has he Liv? Really? Where was he when I was going through the worst thing a person can go through? When I had to take my own father to court, to stand up in front of strangers and tell them what he did to me? Where was he?”

“Wait a minute…”

“No. He’s so keen to talk about Robert’s failings, but Robert was there. He listened to me, he let me talk, he didn’t lecture or tell me what was best for me. He stood by me the whole way through, he was there in court by my side every day.” He stands up and leans over Paddy, hands clutching the leather of the chair. “You, you turned up what twice and then as soon as it was over you upped and left me to it because you’d been found out after having an affair. That’s not what a Dad does.”

“You didn’t want me near you if you remember.”

“Because you’d had an affair! Something you keep crucifying Robert over. Face it Paddy, you’re a hypocrite. You hold everyone to such a high standard and yet you can’t even meet it yourself. If you truly loved me like you say you do you’d have been there anyway. I told Robert to do one numerous times and yet he was still there.”

“Oh Robert’s so perfect isn’t he?”

“I’ve never said that, no one is perfect, but he doesn’t stand on the moral high ground like you do lording it over everyone.”

“And yet he’s got you going on the run, away from your family. You can face the truth or not Aaron but he’s the one who’s put you here, all because he couldn’t control his temper."

“Whatever. I don’t need to hear this, just move.”

“No!” He’s shouting now, getting up out of the chair grabbing at his arm.

“Don’t be stupid Paddy.”

“Why, what you going to do? You gonna hit me?”

“No.” He’s so close all those old feelings of being trapped flooding back and doesn’t know if he can stop it. For all he’s better now, it’s still there.

“Well that’s the only way you’re going to get past me isn’t it?” It’s the hand on the shoulder that shakes him out of it, swings round so fast only to see Liv’s shocked face looking back at him.

“This is what he does you see Liv, lashes out, so he doesn’t have to listen, so he can turn it into a fight”

“You’re the one pushing me to it, and you know it.”

“Cos you know we’re right, like the last time you decided to beat me up.”

“Paddy stop it, that’s not fair.” He actually can’t believe he’s brought that up. He’s changed, surely he knows that. He’s not that petrified kid anymore.

“Tell me I’m wrong Aaron. Me, Jackson, James, Kasim, even Robert. Any time you’re in a temper or things aren’t going your way you lash out.” He can’t speak, just nods, fighting back tears, refusing to let them see him upset.

“Fine. If that’s what you think.” He sniffs, stands up straight. “If I’m so bad, if I’m such a violent person then you won’t need me around anymore.”

“Now hold on, that’s not what I’m saying.”

“No. Clearly I’m not someone you think very much of so there’s no point me staying any longer.” He wishes he was more surprised, but when he thinks back there’s always been an air of disappointment, like he’s never quite been good enough. He’d never be able to thank Paddy enough for taking him in, helping him, but it’s almost as if he’s expected to pay for that by conforming to his, and his Mum’s, idea of what his life should be like, and when he doesn’t they bring out the emotional blackmail, and bring up all his past mistakes.

He knows he’s done that himself, with Robert, can remember sitting on that sofa and calling Seb a mistake, seeing the light go out in Robert’s eyes as if he’d realised that he’d never be able to forget that one moment of stupidity. He should never have done that, especially as he hadn’t even meant it, had just been lashing out in his helplessness over Liv. He knows how that feels, how could he have made Robert feel like that.

“You’re going to break your Mum’s heart.” He barely manages to stop from rolling his eyes. Maybe she’d be upset, no he knew she would, but deep down he knew she understood even if she’d never admit it.

“She’ll get over it. She managed before when I went to France.”

“And you came home then, what makes you think you’ll be able to do it this time?”

“I’ll be with Robert.” They could do anything as long as they were together, as sappy as that sounded. They’d already got through so much, this wouldn’t be the thing to break them. “He’s all I need, and you can argue all you like but it’s the truth. I’ll never forgive you if you do this Paddy, I swear."

“I’ll take the risk. I’m still not letting you out. Your Mum would never forgive me and you might not think so now but you’ll thank me one day.”

“It doesn’t matter, because like I told you, as soon as you leave I’m gone. You can’t keep me here the rest of my life.”

“I don’t need to, the police will catch up with him eventually.” He can’t believe he’d actually wish someone to go to prison like this, it’s such a world away from the Paddy he’d lived with, the one who’d taken him in.

“You know, I used to think you were the best, I wished you’d been my Dad, that I’d always had you. But that person, he would support me, he would understand. I’m twenty seven years old Paddy, I’m not that messed up kid you took in, not any more. You can’t force me into doing what you want any longer.”

“Someone has to. I’m not standing by while you mess up, again and ruin not just your life but ours too. You say you’re not a kid anymore, well start acting like it.”

He just shakes his head, there’s no point talking anymore, he was getting nowhere. He checks his watch, it’s been hours and he’s running out of time. It’s dark outside, surely someone will have noticed Paddy is missing by now but he can’t rely on that. He’d never be able to call Cain, they’d probably break his phone. No, he has to sort this himself, has to stop relying on other people.

All he can think about is Robert sitting somewhere alone, waiting, wondering. Maybe he thinks Aaron’s had second thoughts, has decided he’s not worth it, hates that he knows it’s the first thing Robert will think and that he can’t do anything to take that away.

He can’t bear the thought of him out there alone, knowing no one, having to hide, not being able to contact anyone. At least if he’s with them then they have each other.

He needs a plan, because there is no way he’s letting Robert believe that Aaron doesn’t love him enough to do this.

“Have you ever been in love Paddy?” He asks quietly. Liv’s asleep and he doesn’t want to wake her.

“What?”

“I said have you ever been in love?”

“I’ve been married four times.”

“We both know that means nothing. I mean real, intense, passionate love. The kind where if you’re away from them too long it actually aches. The kind where you’d willingly die just so they could live. Have you ever felt like that?” He’s silent, like he knew he would be. “Because that’s me and Robert. That day, in the car, I told him to go, to save himself, to leave me so he could save himself.”

“So?”

“So...if you’ve never felt that then you can’t even imagine how much you’re hurting me right now.” For a minute he thinks maybe he’s got through to him, Paddy’s staring at him and maybe he’s finally seeing it.

“See, if that’s true, then Robert would willingly let you stay so that you could have your life when he can’t have his. He wouldn’t make you do this.”

“For God’s sake Paddy, he’s not making me. The only one making me do anything is you.” He doesn’t answer and Aaron sighs, sitting back in the chair.

They sit in silence for hours. His eyes are permanently fixed on the clock over the mantelpiece, the minutes and hours ticking by. He’s seriously short of time now, and if he doesn’t get out soon there’ll be no point. He looks around, Liv’s still curled up asleep on the sofa worn out from the constant arguing. Paddy’s still in the chair, he looks asleep but Aaron’s not going to take it for granted.

He’s about to give up hope when it comes to him, can only hope they haven’t realised, that they’ve forgotten it. He wishes it didn’t have to be this way, wishes he could’ve made them see that this was what he wanted, that without Robert there was no point. They’d never change though, so convinced that what they believe is true, and he had to do what was best for him.

Once upon a time he would’ve caved, would’ve given in just to keep them happy, that it would be the only way they’d love him, if he did what they wanted. He knows better now, Robert has taught him that love is unconditional, or it should be.

He gets up, checks they’re still sleeping. As quiet as he can he picks up the bag, eyes fixed on Paddy silently begging him not to wake up. As soon as he’s in the bathroom with the door locked he springs into action, nearly cheering when he finds the window unlocked.

“Not so clever after all eh?” He whispers, pushing it as wide as it’ll go, throwing the bag out onto the ground.

He studies the window, hoping he can fit. Then again, Robert did. If nothing else it’ll give them a laugh later on.

Before he knows it he’s out, the night air cool around him. For a second he thinks he should break back in, let them out, but he reasons with himself that the two of them got into the mess, they would have to get out of it. He drags his phone from his pocket dialling the familiar number.

“Robert? It’s me.” His voice is shaking from the adrenaline and he wants to laugh at the fact he’s just escaped from his own house. He would if it wasn’t so ridiculous and he wasn’t so angry.

“Aaron, what’s taking so long?”

“I’ll explain later. Where are you?” He gives him the name of a place and then he’s quiet and Aaron knows he’s waiting for him to tell him he’s not coming, that he’s changed his mind. “Rob?”

“I’m here.”

“I’m on my way. I promise.” He tells him, jumping into the car. He wishes they’d had time to find another car but as it is he’ll just have to be careful and as much as it would slow him down he’d have to keep to the speed limit to avoid any unwanted attention.

“I’ll wait.” He smiles. That’s all he needs to know.

He doesn’t want to leave Liv like this, he knows she’d only done it because she cares. Maybe Paddy did too, but there was a part of him that knew if it had been anyone but Robert, they wouldn’t have stopped him. It has to be this way. Maybe one day they’ll see each other again, somehow. Maybe one day he’ll forgive them, but right now that’s not important. What’s important is his future and he knew exactly what that meant.

His future was with Robert now.

#robron fic #really nervous about this #because it sounds better in my head than on paper #but hopefully you'll all enjoy it #do i need to tag anti paddy?

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sugdenlovesdingle · 3 years

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A little follow up for @softlass27

“So, now how do I know you’ll keep your end of the deal?” Eric asked Robert who grabbed his phone and dialled a number, putting the call on speaker and motioning to Eric to be quiet.

“Robert, hey, how are you?” a female voice said.

“Hey Nat, it’s all good here, and you? I hope our girl isn’t giving you too much trouble?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” The woman said laughingly. “And besides, this is the easy part, she’s not talking back yet.”

The two of them made small talk for a few minutes until Eric started tapping his watch.

“Hey listen Nat, Aaron and I were thinking of treating you to a weekend of R&R in the countryside.” Robert started. “My stepmother co-owns a little B&B in the village here and Aaron’s cousin owns a salon. So we’d like to invite you down here for a weekend. We’ll make sure you get the nicest room and we can book a facial or manicure or whatever you want for you. All our treat.”

“Oh that sounds lovely, but you really don’t have to pay for it all. This baby is going to cost you enough when she’s born.”

“It’s just our way of saying thanks for doing this for us.”

“I’m happy to. You two are great parents and this girl is going to have the best life with you.” Natalie told him. “But let me pay for the room at least. Or the manicure.”

“No, it’s fine. But maybe you can give them both a shout out on your blog? Post a few photos?” Robert suggested.

“Of course. It’s the least I can do.”

“Alright, well, check your calendar and let me know when you’re free and we’ll book it al for you.”

“I will. Thanks Robert. Say hi to Aaron and Seb for me.”

“Will do. See you soon Nat.” Robert said and ended the call before turning to Eric. “See? I keep my word.”

“Very well. If you let me know when the young lady will be arriving, I’ll make sure the room with a view of the fields outside the village will be ready for her.”

“Excellent. I knew you’d see sense. I’ll be in touch.” Robert said and made his way back to the pub to tell Aaron the good news.

He found him still sitting in the beer garden with Paddy who was stumbling through some kind of story in an attempt to cheer Aaron up.

“How did it go?” Aaron asked when he spotted Robert.

“All sorted.” Robert said and sat down next to Aaron and kissed him.

“What do you mean all sorted?”

“I mean... it’s all sorted. All taken care of. Done. Finished. Over. Sorted.”

“He’s changing his statement?”

“Yup. Well he’s already done that. The case is closed, charges have been dropped. It’s all over.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course I am.I wouldn’t joke about this. It’s all over.” Robert repeated.

“It’s all over? I’m not going to prison?”

“Nope. The only place where you’re going is home with me. And then we’ll deal with Liv, together.”

“Wait a minute.” Paddy stopped them as they got up.”You got Eric to change his statement?”

“Uh... yes? That’s what I just said, isn‘t it?”

“How did you do that? I talked to him, father to father, and he wouldn’t even consider it.”

“Hmm... well... I just... gave him the right incentive.” Robert said, giving Paddy a self satisfied smile.

“The right incentive? Like what?”

“He’s a businessman isn’t he? I just made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.” Robert explained. “The way to Eric Pollard’s heart isn’t his fatherly side or emotional side, it’s through his bank account.”

“You paid him off?”

“No. of course not. I just provided him with a business opportunity and he took it.”

Aaron’s phone rang and he rushed to answer it.

“Michael?”

“Aaron, I’ve got good news, Mr Pollard changed his statement and the case is closed. You’re a free man!” his solicitor told him.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. I just got the confirmation from the police. They’ve closed the case, it won’t appear on your record and you’re free to live your life.”

“That... That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do anything. Thank Mr Pollard for changing his statement.”

“I think I’ll just stay out of his way for a while.” Aaron replied, wiping tears of joy from his eyes.

“That might be best. Take care Aaron. Bye.”

Aaron ended the call and pulled Robert into a hug, burying his face in his husband’s neck.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me. We’re a family and you know I’ll always fight to protect the people I love. I do whatever it takes.”

Aaron pulled back a little and pressed a kiss to Robert’s lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Now let’s go home. We have some celebrating to do.”

#robron #robron fic #robert sugden #aaron dingle #my writing

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robronanniversarycelebration · 5 years

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Precious Time (fic to complement art)

to anna @illgetmerope, for the robron anniversary celebrations i really wanted to pay tribute to you as an amazing artist and thank you for your wonderful art. i wrote three short fics to work alongside three of your favourite art pieces. i hope i managed to do them justice because what i love best about your pieces is the intimacy, emotion and joy that you can feel through the screen. being that i’ve set this in the “now” universe, the fic does have a sad edge but i hope you’ll forgive me.

Precious Time

(art inspiration)

Aaron’s out of breath, his wild heart thrashing under damp skin. He pulls Robert closer, until their foreheads bump and Robert’s fingers climb to the back of his neck. Aaron’s mouth falls ajar and he’s too aware of the sounds he’s making. Gasping. Desperate. Between them, their cocks touch, their hands stroke. Aaron feels like he just might collapse at the knees. Robert stops for a moment to kiss him, and murmur hotly: “I want you. God, I want you.”

The bedroom is dark, the only light from a leak of moonlight between the slats of the blinds and there’s something about the dim that makes everything closer, more intimate.

Robert pulls Aaron by the hips and runs his tongue and teeth against Aaron’s throat and Aaron’s fingers in Robert’s hair feel like a retaliation, tugging and teasing. Then by some magic Aaron has control again, and edges them over to the wall of the bedroom. Robert’s been away on a haulage trip and oh fuck he’s missed this, missed Robert’s body, the size and skill of his hands. There’s only so much memories and late night texts can do.

It’s stupid o’clock and Robert told him not to wait up but he had. He’d sprawled on the sofa, TV on low and pinching himself to stay awake. He’d failed. When he was next aware of his surroundings, Robert was home, creeping around the living room to cover Aaron in a blanket, but Aaron opened an eye and grabbed his wrist to stop him.

“I told you not to wait,” Robert said with such affection that Aaron pulled him down by the shirt collar for a kiss.

“I wanted to see you.”

After a kiss that was slow and sleepy, Robert pulled away and with suggestion in his voice said, “How tired are you?”

Aaron leapt off the sofa and then they were upstairs, stark naked, kissing in a sleep-deprived trance. Real conversation could wait for the morning. Robert would ask about the yard, about Liv, and Aaron would hear the trials and tribulations of some complicated haulage route and queues in Dover.

Aaron’s so close to the edge now, but Robert knows him too well and holds back, toying with him. He tries to roll his hips, rub up against Robert, but it’s a game of cat and mouse, Robert wants to delay it. Robert presses his forehead harder against Aaron’s and lets deliberately loud moans cause goose-bumps to appear on Aaron’s skin. He lets sighs and groans morph into extended versions of Aaron’s own name. Other words blend into it too, words like: good, and yes, and, oh like that. Sometimes, Robert admitted to Aaron, he could get hard just by imagining Aaron jerking him off. That’s how good he was.

Aaron feels Robert sinking, aware that in some way they’re holding each other up. He leans some of his weight on Robert’s shoulder and in turn, Robert presses his nose and mouth into the crook of Aaron’s neck and whimpers. Aaron rolls his head to the side and whispers so Robert can hear, a strangled, urgent cry: “I’m gonna come.”

ii.

(art inspiration)

There’s a moment where they share the same breath, where neither of them feel like separate people. Aaron loses the second syllable of Robert’s name down the back of his throat and runs his hands over Robert’s chest, transferring heat to all the peaks and shallows of his body. His hands come to a natural fit around his waist that once might have felt like possession but now is just home. Comfort.

What had it been? An argument, a fight. Something quick and hot-tempered, an explosion of shouting, and later when he was alone, tears. Time was falling from them fast and Aaron hated himself – hated them both – for wasting a single second. When they made up they didn’t speak, curling against each other, pressing their noses into skin and hair and clothes and committing it all to memory while pretending they weren’t.

Robert seems taller somehow, like Aaron’s grief is shrinking him day by day. Robert presses his face against Aaron, breathes him in, puts his hands on his shoulders as if to say: I’m right here. Aaron manages to bottle it all up again, the solid presence of Robert’s body giving him a strength he can no longer find just in himself. He understands now why people talk of finding “The One”, why people talk about souls. He’s always thought it’s stupid. He still does when it comes out of the mouths of people who haven’t known love like he has.

He can feel Robert’s heart racing, just like earlier when the frustrating was pulsing away in Robert’s neck. When they’re breathing in tandem again, eyes closed and all Aaron can feel in the slight weight of Robert’s hands, they begin to move. Sway so slightly that an observer wouldn’t even be able to notice. It feels like a lifetime since they danced in front of their friends and family in a pub tackily dressed for every occasion. A bee hanging from the ceiling. Christmas chintz. He was at his happiest, at an impossible place, and yet the day after he knew prison would crush him.

It feels like a lifetime. It feels like yesterday.

Aaron secures his arms around Robert’s waist with a clinging that says: never let me go.

Breathe in, breathe out. He can make this last forever, if he holds on tight enough. He tilts his head so his lips catch Robert’s and then nestles his face in the crook of his neck. He knows, in some way, that every touch is a goodbye now, but he won’t let the thought consume him. He won’t let it win.

iii.

(art inspiration)

When they get home on the Sunday, the 6th, the day after their anniversary, with the low-slung sun blaring into their eyes on the drive home from the hotel, they collapse onto the sofa. Their eyes squint to stay open and Robert pulls a rough hand through his unstyled hair before offering to make Aaron a drink.

“I’m fine,” he says and then in a flush of softness, rests his hand on Robert’s knee and his head on his shoulder. “I’m knackered-”

“-but it was worth it.”

Aaron’s smile steals the breath from him. “Hundred percent.”

It’s hard not to let any leak of sadness through but they’d promised themselves through the weekend that this was a time to treasure, to reminisce and be grateful. Not a time to dwell on the future and the what ifs - when had that ever got them anywhere?

They were supposed to be using Mandy’s money for important things, but Robert had reasoned with him that this was their wedding anniversary - their first - and it was an occasion that deserved celebrating in luxury. Robert booked a five-star penthouse suite with its own terrace, a hot tub, a gilded bath in the bedroom. Aaron didn’t want to see the bill and he let Robert organise the whole thing as a surprise, shutting out any pressing thoughts about what their life might look like in a few months to just enjoy the moment. It wasn’t denial. It was survival.

It was second nature in the hotel bed, adrenaline and passion made him euphoric. Robert took every sensation he owned and multiplied it. Toes curled, spine arched, the pressure of pleasure so intense he thought he might have to escape his own skin. Afterwards Robert checked the time on the watch Aaron had gifted him – well, returned – a year ago and then stroked Aaron’s face, thumb stilling on his lip.

“A year ago to the hour, husband,” Robert said.

“Best day of my life,” Aaron said, denying the tears that were threatening and leaned to kiss him, to seal their anniversary with a new vow of its own. To cherish every second.

They didn’t even entertain the idea of going somewhere that evening, it was as much as Robert could do to entice Aaron downstairs to the bar and restaurant for something to eat. But that was after a long, hot soak in the bath, watching Robert lay stark naked as he flicked through the TV channels. Aaron wore a shirt and blazer as promise and then because Robert was nothing but a cheesy bastard, an extra dessert was brought out after they’d finished the first, and placed between them.

Happy Wedding Anniversary x

The waiter gave Robert a subtle nod when he placed it down, candle and everything and said to them, “Congratulations. We heard it was a very special day.”

“It is,” Robert said, filling Aaron’s stunned and aching silence with an adoring smile. “Thank you.”

Aaron stared at the candle, his throat clenching after the waiter had gone. “Can you make a wish if it’s not a birthday?”

“Worth a shot.”

Under the table Aaron gripped his hand and together they closed their eyes and wished for the same thing.

Back at home on the sofa, Aaron feels Robert shift beside him, reaching for something on the coffee table. It’s their wedding album. Aaron knows Robert’s been keeping it out to look at every few days, opening it and closing it like picking at a scab. When it’s out, sitting there, it’s shiny cover, it taunts them, comforts them. Every day has the same atmosphere.

Aaron budges up next to him so they’re comfortably squashed in the arm of the sofa and tucks his arm through Robert’s so they can look through it together. They’re in silence mostly, looking at each picture, each photograph electric with its own memories. They laugh out loud at some of them from the reception, like the one of Faith leaving lipstick marks all over Robert’s cheeks. There are photos of all the family, the doughnut cake, the car, the decorated pub filled with photos taken from their life together. The album tells a story all on its own.

“It was perfect,” Robert says flicking back to the photo of the two of them after they’d said their vows, when they were walking back down the aisle, confetti, tears and cheers surrounding them.

“Feels like yesterday.”

“We can always do it again,” Robert says with a teasing smile.

“Marrying me twice not enough?”

Robert takes his hand tightly, it’s all bones and knuckles and sincerity. It feels unbreakable.

“Marrying you is the best thing I ever did.”

#robron anniversary celebration #robron anniversary 2019 #illgetmerope #robron

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