Another one shot from me, set after Tuesday 12th April episode, after Aaron has given his testimony. This will probably be the last Aaron / Robert fic I write for some time, as I have a two week holiday coming up (yay!) Enjoy.

Robert answered his phone before the first ring had died away. "Well?" he said to Chas. "How is he?" The fact she was calling him in the first place indicated that it wasn't good.

"I don't know," she said. "I can't get him to say anything at all. He won't even look in my direction. I wondered… if you could get him to talk."

"I don't know if I can," Robert said. "He's not happy with me right now." This was perfectly true, but he also knew that if Aaron was in pain, or needed him, he'd be there. Chas was silent, so Robert continued. "How bad is he? Oh, he must be bad or you wouldn't be calling me," he added, answering his own question.

"I have to do something," Chas said desperately. "He's only grunted since he came out of the court room. I can't get a word out of him."

"Is he at the pub?"

"Yes."

"I'm on my way," Robert said, disconnecting the call and putting his jacket on.

Aaron sat on the sofa in the back room of the pub, with at least twelve cans of lager from the shop, and he planned on drinking them all. He needed something to numb the horrific day he'd just lived through. His normal option would be to cut himself, but he hadn't lost all of his sense, not yet. Aaron could still feel the urge to cut, but the booze was a good second option. He opened the first can and downed half of it. The door opened and he didn't even look around. He knew that it would be one of two people, his mum or Robert. He did not want to talk to either of them today. Or, with the way he felt right now, ever again.

"Go away," he said.

"How'd it go?" Robert then. He stood behind the sofa and Aaron still didn't turn around.

"Oh, brilliant," Aaron said sarcastically. "I enjoyed myself so much, I think I'll repeat that tomorrow."

"Aaron…"

"Go away," Aaron repeated. "I can't make it any simpler."

"I can't leave you," he said, voice soft. "Not after today." Aaron didn't respond, hoping that if he ignored him, he'd go away. "Tell me you're not going to do anything stupid." Aaron knew he meant his self harm issue and he shook his head. He wasn't going to, though a part of him wanted to.

"Get out," Aaron said. "I'm planning on getting pissed and you're not stopping me."

"I wasn't going to stop you," Robert said honestly, moving around the sofa to look directly at him for the first time. "I know you're upset."

"I am not upset!" Aaron shouted. "I am so angry. The way he can stand there, acting all innocent. Like I'm a liar. It's all in my head. I'm so angry I want to explode." His hands were clenched into fists and he was almost vibrating with the energy to fight back. Robert had seen this urge on his face too many times before and knew he wanted to hit someone.

"You can hit me if you want," Robert said, sitting on the arm chair opposite him. "If it makes you feel better." Aaron sighed, a ghost of a very faint smile on his face and Robert relaxed slightly. He'd be okay. Today had been an impossible day, but he'd be all right in the end.

"If I can't get rid of you, at least bring a bottle of whisky," Aaron said. "Might numb me a bit more." Robert left for the front of the pub, taking his advice. Chas looked at him as he took a bottle from behind the bar.

"Well?"

"He's talking," Robert said. "He's also going to have a hell of a hangover in the morning."

"Can't you stop him?" Chas said, her eyes pleading.

"Right now, I think his two options are drinking himself into oblivion, or hurting himself to cope with the stress. So no, I'm not going to stop him." He took the bottle of Glenfiddich and two glasses back through.

"That do?" he asked, taking his seat in the arm chair.

"For now."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Aaron…"

"Robert, don't push me or I will punch you." Robert spent a good thirty seconds wondering if the punch would be worth it, but he kept his mouth shut, pouring the whisky. They were silent as they drank

"I can't do this," Aaron said eventually when he was halfway through the second glass.

"Do what?"

"The trial," he said. "I can't…"

"You already have," Robert said slowly. "You've done the worst bit now. It'll be better now."

"The worst bit is seeing him. How do I…."

"Go on," Robert pushed gently.

"Forget what he did to me for a minute," Aaron said. "What he put me through. I'm his son. I'm… a rapists son. So what does that make me?"

"Don't," Robert said. "You're nothing like him."

"I hit people, I hurt people when I'm angry. I can't stop myself."

"Stop it," Robert said firmly. "Stop doing this to yourself. None of this is your fault. Whatever happens, you stood up to him. Even if the jury let him off, you proved you're stronger than him. Stop torturing yourself.

"More," Aaron said, nodding at his empty glass. Robert poured another measure, aware at how quickly the level in the bottle was going down. And Robert wasn't drinking that much either.

Aaron had been mostly quiet as he steadily worked on the whisky bottle. Robert didn't take the lead either, which meant they were both sat there in silence. Eventually Aaron's eyes started to get heavy and he collapsed on the sofa. Sleep or unconsciousness, Robert wasn't quite sure. After he made no further movement, Robert got up to leave.

"I miss you," Aaron said, slurring on the words. He was very drunk, and very close to sleep. "But you won't want me now. No one will want me now. You'd only be with me for pity or sympathy. I couldn't bear that. It's easier to push you away." Robert felt the lump of emotion in his throat, but he didn't say anything. He wanted to contradict him, but Aaron's eyes slid closed into sleep and he didn't have the chance. What would he have said anyway?

Robert left the room, and in the hallway he felt the tears brimming. Did Aaron really think so little of himself? Chas came into the hallway and froze upon seeing Robert. He turned aside, wiping his eyes quickly, embarrassed that Chas had caught him crying.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said. "Aaron's asleep. I'm going home."

"Robert…" her tone made it clear that that wasn't a good enough explanation.

"He's drunk, Chas," he said bluntly. "He said some things I just… I'm going home." He didn't stop to talk any further and left the pub, wondering how on earth he and Aaron could possibly get back to normal.