Those eyes. Granted, they were closed right now but Aaron knew they were beautiful. A creamy warm brown, like chocolate or freshly stirred coffee. Those eyelashes that he loved so much were fanned out on flawless, if slightly flushed, cheeks. And those lips. They were parted now, little wisps of sleep escaping every few seconds. Aaron longed to kiss them but he didn't want to risk waking Jackson up. Not wanting to break his gaze from his boyfriends undisturbed face, Aaron adjusted his arms to fit in around Jackson's, making him comfortable. Not that he wasn't already.
God knows how long they lay like that. Jackson still fast asleep with Aaron watching him. The sun was slowly coming up, filling the room with a soft glow. He knew the alarm would go off soon but he didn't want the shrill noise to wake Jackson so he quickly unplugged it, adding up the minutes he had left before he had to wake the other man. He couldn't quite believe this was happening. Here he was, in bed, his limbs entangled with Jackson's and he was loving every minute. He might not be comfortable enough to walk down the street holding hands but Jackson understood. Aaron smiled to himself, breaking from his train of thought and gently patted the builder's bare back.
"Jackson.." he whispered.
At first, nothing. He hated having to do this. Jackson looked almost angelic and Aaron knew that as soon as he'd gotten over the annoyance at being woken up, Jackson would be his usual upbeat self, cracking jokes and doing that eyebrow thing he did. Aaron almost sniggered thinking about it now but he stopped himself.
"Jackson," he tried again, tugging harder at his arm, "Wake up."
"Gerroff me, mum. Just a few more minutes.." Jackson slurred sleepily. The corners of his mouth twitching as he opened hs eyes and sighed. "Oh, it's just you."
"Cheers," Aaron joked and then in mock horror "I hope I don't remind you of your mother!"
Jackson laughed. A little long, drawn out laugh that Aaron had gotten so used to. Jackson sprawled out on his back, pulling Aaron closer to him, like they had all the time in the world. Usually Aaron loved that, loved that Jackson was so laid back. So unfazed by everything, and everyone.
"No, we need to get up. You have work and I need to be at Payback."
He almost wished he hadn't mentioned that. He glanced over at Jackson but he was still half-dozing with a smile on his lips. Aaron didn't want to break this spell by talking about that. He would have preferred never to talk about it again, to be honest. He was glad it was nearly finished and he could get back to normal. Well, as normal as he could manage, given everything that had happened in the last few months.
"Aaron.. can I ask you something?" came a soft whisper from the man beside him.
Aaron rolled his eyes but he had a smile on his face. "Go on then."
"Make us some toast, would you? I'm starving!" Jackson quipped, before chuckling to himself.
Aaron laughed too. Playfully punching Jackson's arm, he tried to sit up but the builder was having none of it.
"I was only joking Aaron, you don't have to. Although I wouldn't say no, if you're insisting."
"I'm not," Aaron replied laughing, "I'm just trying to get up. As much as you would like to lie here all day, some of us have jobs to do."
Jackson loosened his grip on Aaron and watched him lazily as he crossed his room, pulling on a pair of grey boxers. Jackson knew he was lucky to have found someone like Aaron. Yes, he was a handful but despite everything that had happened, they were both at ease. Jackson cast his mind back to when they had first met. Aaron sitting in the corner of the bar looking scared out of his wits. Jackson couldn't help but stare at him. He was handsome, a shaven head and baby blue eyes. Maybe not the best person to have a heart-to-heart with but he'd certainly do.
Yes, thought Jackson, watching Aaron leave the room to head downstairs, he was lucky to have found Aaron, and he was lucky that Aaron had let him in.
A few minutes later, Aaron reappeared, "Right. We didn't have any butter so I couldn't make toast and there was no milk to make tea so I brought you this instead." He grinned as he tossed an apple at his boyfriend.
"Great. I love apples, me," he said taking a big bite before spitting it out again into his hand, "Aaron, how old is this apple?"
"I don't know.. I found it in Clyde's bed so I figured it was fresh." Aaron teased.
The older man opened his mouth to protest but chuckled when he realised Aaron was joking. He threw the apple and the contents that he'd chewed onto the beside table before reaching out and pulling Aaron towards him, onto the bed. Once Aaron was lying back down again, without any resistance, Jackson noted, he two looked deep into each others eyes. Jackson wasn't sure what he was seeing. Aaron's young eyes had depth to them, a sudden cloudiness was beginning to dawn on them and Jackson raised his eyebrow quizically, wondering why the mechanic's face was suddenly growing darker. He let out a hearty laugh when he realised.
"I don't want to break your obvious adoring gaze but I really need to blink!" Aaron reasoned. He laughed, pulling Jackson closer and resting his head on his shoulder. God, he loved Jackson. No. He loved lying here with Jackson. He couldn't love Jackson. It was too soon for that..
..Wasn't it? Jackson told himself to get a grip. He had caught Aaron staring at him like that. Like he was mulling something over. Jackson was sure he'd seen Aaron's eyes sparkle and his heart immediately jumped. He couldn't be falling in love with Aaron. He didn't want to scare him away.
The two cuddled, oblivious to the fact they were sharing thoughts. Jackson leant down and nudged Aaron's chin, bringing his face up to level his own. The kiss was soft at first, a light brushing of the lips but he needed more. He moved his hand to Aaron's neck, inching him closer for a harder kiss. A smile playng on his lips as Aaron's mouth came crashing to his. Aaron slid his tongue gently into Jackson's mouth, teasing his own and Jackson sure as hell didn't mind! He loved it when he got to see this Aaron, not the Aaron that everyone else saw.
Aaron broke from the kiss first, breathing rather quickly. He knew that feeling. He ran his hand down Jackson's chest before stopping at his stomach. Jackson moaned slightly, indicating that it was alrght for him to go on. He was looking forward to this. If the previous night was anything to go by, he knew he wasn't going to be dissapointed. He was brought back to reality by something pulling on his manhood. He smiled and stroked Aaron's shoulder, urging him on.
"AARON AND JACKSON, BREAKFAST IS READY!" yelled Paddy from downstairs.
The lads groaned at the interruption but then froze as they heard Paddy running up the stairs, taking two at a time by the sound of it. Aaron quickly pulled himself up and reajusted the duvet, hoping to God that Paddy wouldn't walk in. He didn't. Just fumbled around in the bathroom for a second before giving a quick knock on the bedroom door and running back downstairs. The boys sighed, looked at eachother and smiled. Aaron went to make his move again but Jackson grabbed him by the arm.
"Easy tiger, I'm still starving after you tried poisoning me with that apple."
"Jay, it wasn't toxic!" he teased back.
Aaron was about to suggest they take this into the shower when he looked at his watch, shit, they were both late. No time for showering, just a quick wash and change. Jackson obviously picked up on this because he started untangling himself from his lover and getting up. Aaron noticed that the bed suddenly felt cold without Jay so he followed, picking his work clothes out of the wardrobe. He stole a glance at Jackson getting ready, the sunlight streaming in and bouncing off his skin, making him appear sparkling, almost perfect. The only thing out of place was the bemsed look he had on his face as he wrestled with his jeans, pulling them up over his toned legs. Jackson turned back towards Aaron and placed an urgent kiss on his lips before agreeing to go on down and eat. Aaron watched him walk out the door, smiling at his retreating back.
Having washed and changed, Jackson stepped into the kitchen to find Paddy laying out bowls. He said good morning and settled himself down at the table, his mind wandering back to Aaron. Yes. Jackson was sure of it. He was falling in love with Aaron. He smiled and took a sip of hs coffee, his face giving in and displaying a huge grin.
Upstairs, Aaron was washing. He was thinking of Jay. He was always thinking of Jay. The Jay that had always been so understanding, even after he had punched him that night in the Woolpack, the Jay that silenced any doubts the youngster had just by being there and promising not to leave, like most other people had. He dabbed at his soaking face with with a towel and grinned. He was falling for Jackson. Better, or should that be worse, yet, he was already head over heels in love.