CHAPTER I
Hatred. Disgust. That's what he read on Aaron's face. It was strange that now, after he had just divulged at least part of the darkest, most well kept secret of his life to the man he loved, he was going to lose him. Ironic how, after the plethora of lies he had told, the truth would be what ruined him. He could only stare open-mouthed at Aaron, attempting to think of a way to prove the man he loved that he wasn't lying.
Robert was day-dreaming, only half listening to the middle-aged man in front of him drone on about his recent business dealings in London. That's why he didn't notice the man's voice grow husky as he changed the subject of their conversation to what he would need in order for him to agree to invest with Robert and Nicola's company. He was brought sharply back to reality as the man began to run a hand up his thigh under the table.
Robert lurched to his feet, his chair clattering backwards onto the floor, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at his potential investor with new understanding. His voice came out stiff, but polite.
"I'm engaged. Happily engaged. So, while I'm flattered, I'm afraid that you won't be getting anything of that sort from me."
The man's expression changed from one of carnal expectation to one of barely controlled rage. He spoke quietly, a threat in his voice.
"That's too bad now isn't it? I suppose I'll have to withdraw my investment. Not only that, but such a rude refusal suggests that you don't understand just how much damage I could do if I invested with your competitors. If you don't sit back down right now and reconsider my offer," the man hissed, his words a menacing whisper, "I will make a call that will bankrupt you."
Robert's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing, as he leaned forward his hands splayed on the tabletop.
"Do your worst. We'll see who wants your dirty money, with strings like that attached." Robert stood up and turned to leave, not looking back over his shoulder, but stopping long enough to say in his most threatening, velvet-soft voice, "Oh, and go fuck yourself."
He strode from the restaurant, his hackles raised at the threats. He bowled over a few drunken pedestrians on the way to his car, but was too angry to stop and help them back to their feet. He slammed his door as he got into his car and pounded his hands furiously on the steering wheel. And then the anger abruptly faded and he leaned back wearily in his seat, closing his eyes and letting out a ragged breath.
Why him? Why did this always happen to him? He swallowed back the lump in his throat as bad memories clawed their way to the surface and began flashing one after another like a horror movie in front of his eyes. He closed his eyes against the images, forcing himself to take deep breaths and think of something else, something good.
Aaron.
Aaron was good. He was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He was kind and honest and Robert loved him like he had never loved anyone before. He was the only one Robert wanted. And he had no idea what Robert dealt with on a daily basis from lowlifes like the one he had just left in the restaurant: the constant haranguing, the unwanted touches, the propositioning. But those were all minor inconveniences compared to what came after: stalking, repeated late night phone calls, breaking and entering… sexual assault.
He had dealt with attracting unwanted affections all his life, starting at a young age, and he had learned far too early and harshly that not everyone took no for an answer. He had it drilled into his head as bad experience after bad experience begun to pile up.
No one in Emmerdale knew what he'd been through. No one understood why he was the way he was. But after having his feelings and wants trampled on by so many people over and over again, he had learned to put himself first, to not worry about crossing lines. Other people didn't. And following arbitrary ethical rules just made it easier for the people willing to break those rules to take advantage, to victimize. Robert was tired of being a victim.
He shook himself, abruptly putting an end to his pity party. He wasn't one for wallowing or dwelling on past wrongs. His life was good now and one asshole feeling him up under a table was hardly worth getting worked up about. He started his engine and pulled out, aiming his car towards home.
Aaron felt like his head was going to explode. "Liv!" He finally yelled, cutting her off mid-rant. "We're not using you're money to buy a new place. End of discussion. Robert and I will figure something out. That's your money. I don't want any part of it." He came off a bit strong he realized too late, as a glassy-eyed Liv spun around and ran up the stairs to her room. "Liv—" He tried to call her back, giving up at the sound of her door slamming.
He ran a hand over his face roughly. Being responsible for a teenager was the most difficult thing he had ever done, he found himself thinking. The sound of Robert banging in through the door had him immediately revising that thought. Okay so maybe he had dealt with some things more difficult than teenagers…
Robert came in, his coat and scarf still on, looking a great deal more frazzled than usual. After looking up and noticing Aaron's raised eyebrow and questioning look he glanced down to see his car keys still clutched in his hand instead of left in their usual spot: the bowl by the door. He spun back around and Aaron heard the distinct rustling of a coat being taken off and hung up as well as the clinking of keys being dropped into a bowl. Robert returned to the kitchen, then, sighing as he fell heavily into the chair next to Aaron's.
Aaron's brow furrowed slightly. "Rob? What's up?"
Robert shook his head, not meeting Aaron's eyes. "Nothing. The deal with the new investor didn't work out is all." He crinkled his nose as if he had smelled something rotten, looking at Aaron now. "Nicola's going to be a nightmare tomorrow."
Aaron smiled sympathetically, rubbing Robert's arm comfortingly. "Want to trade? I'll deal with Nicola tomorrow if you deal with Liv."
Robert snorted. "What's she done now?"
Aaron pulled his hand back, wishing he hadn't brought it up now. "She was going on about using her money to help pay for a new place again." He didn't look up to meet Robert's understanding gaze.
Robert put a hand on Aaron's, waiting for the younger man to look up at him. Aaron did so, reluctantly, after a couple seconds. "We don't have to use it if it makes you uncomfortable, Aaron. But she's only trying to help so try not to be too upset with her. I'll have a chat later." Aaron nodded, smiling at how easily Robert volunteered to go talk to Liv. It was strange how well his sister and fiancé got on, considering how much they'd despised each other to begin with.
Robert cocked an eyebrow at him, mirroring his smile. "What are you grinning about?"
Aaron leaned in, planting a chaste kiss on his fiancé. "You."
Robert's eyes softened as he gazed back at Aaron. "How did I get so lucky?" He whispered wonderingly, his eyes darkening and flickering away from Aaron's as he remembered his uncomfortable dinner earlier that night. It was an unwelcome reminder that the happy little bubble he lived in with Aaron didn't mean he was no longer a target, didn't mean he could let his guard down. Everything could be shattered in a single moment if he wasn't careful.
Aaron's brow furrowed as he noticed something in Robert's expression and he grasped Robert's hand tighter, pulling him up with him as he stood. "We're heading up early."
Robert raised an eyebrow at him, his expression clearing as his wayward thoughts dissipated. "Whatever for?" He asked, feigning ignorance. He grinned mischievously as Aaron peeked at him over his shoulder. Aaron's ears went slightly pink as he tugged Robert along even more quickly than before in the direction of their room.
Robert smirked as Aaron swung him around, pressing him against their bedroom wall and closing the door in a single motion. Aaron stepped forward, using his knee to knock Robert's legs further apart. He trailed kisses along Robert's jawline, letting his hand trace a line down Robert's torso to the bottom of his shirt. He yanked it up over Robert's head in one swift motion. His mouth found Robert's. They moved as one towards the bed, Aaron breaking the kiss and pushing Robert backwards so he fell onto the mattress. He took off his own shirt, letting it fall to the floor, before climbing on as well. He found Robert's mouth again, simultaneously working Robert's pants off in an impressive exhibition of multitasking. Robert chuckled lightly, whispering into Aaron's ear. "So impatient." Aaron tugged on Robert's earlobe with his teeth and responded quietly. "Always."
Afterwards, Aaron sighed contentedly, rolling onto his back on his side of the bed. The two men laid next to each other, listening to their breathing calm back to normal. Aaron turned to smile at his fiancé, who was grinning lasciviously back at him. He pushed himself up onto his elbows and kissed Robert deeply, pulling back from the kiss to look lovingly down at him. I'm the one who's lucky, he thought.
Robert nuzzled into Aaron's side and they fell asleep wrapped around each other, neither wanting to leave even the smallest amount of space between them.
END of CHAPTER I