Paddy Speaks To Aaron

"A…Aaron!"

He had stormed up the stairs so fast that Paddy didn't notice the tears streaming down his face.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Go away."

He'd buried his head so deeply under his covers that Paddy chose to ignore his mutterings.

"Did you slam that door loudly enough? Only I don't think the Barton's quite heard it."

Paddy drawled sarcastically.

"I said go away."

"Aaron what's wrong?"

Not taking the hint Paddy pushed Aaron over and perched on the edge of his bed.

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong."

"So that's why Jackson is sat on our doorstep with a face like a wet weekend."

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him?"

"I don't need to."

"You heard then?"

"It was difficult not to considering you were on my front lawn."

"I'm sorry about that. It's just-"

"It wasn't quite what you were expecting?"

"Exactly."

"That lad loves you. Is that really so difficult to believe?"

"We've only been together three months and after everything I put him through I am surprised he lasted a day."

"But he took you back."

"Then I messed up again. I got Clyde killed and then after begging him for a second chance…well you saw what happened."

"Aaron I want you to be happy so I am going to give you some advice. Aaron rolled his eyes skywards. Don't look at me in that tone of voice. I may not have been in many successful relationships, but I am an expert in falling in love. That boy has been by your side as you came out and struggled to accept yourself and he stuck around when once again you acted with your fists rather than your brain. Don't speak. He preempted him. Just think for once. Do you love him?"

"I…I don't…I think so."

"Then give yourself a break. I know people have constantly let you down or just walked away, but Jackson hasn't. He hasn't left since that day in court. He moved out to give you some space, but he paid Mickey off so you could start over. He came to speak to me earlier."

Paddy explained.

"But he might."

Aaron admitted.

"You can't push him away because you're scared of something that may or may not happen."

"I don't want to get hurt."

"No one ever does, but falling in love and being happy is worth that risk. I'm living proof of that."

He quipped.

"He probably won't ever want to speak to me again anyway."

Aaron attempted to bury his head under the covers once more.

"He's downstairs in the kitchen so I think there is a good chance he does."

"But I can't. I mean I don't know if I can say that to him."

"I understand that, but running wasn't the smartest idea. I don't think it was what he was expecting."

"He surprised me first."

Aaron pouted like a petulant child.

"Talk to him. I'll send him up."

"Thanks Paddy."

"What for?"

"Everything."

"You're welcome. You know you can always tell me anything, right?"

"I know."