Set directly after Thursdays episodes. (12th May 2016)

"No," Aaron said to Cain and his mother. "Leave me alone with him. I need to talk to him on my own."

Chas looked doubtful, Cain angry. They both knew that with Aaron, Robert could talk himself out of most things. Slippery as they come, that one. But they also knew that if anyone had the right to ask Robert about his involvement in Gordon's death, it was Aaron.

"All right," Chas said, relenting first. Aaron got out his phone and text Robert. I need to talk to you. I'm at home. Aaron looked up as Cain hadn't replied.

"I mean it," Aaron said. "I can't… I won't be able to say what I want to say if you're looking over my shoulder."

"Fine," Cain said. They both left and within ten minutes Robert walked in, looking out of breath and still upset.

"Shut the door," Aaron said. Robert did as he was asked, pulling out a kitchen chair and sitting down, watching Aaron on the sofa, almost folded in half, clearly tense.

"I'm sorry," Robert said quietly. "I did it for you."

"Did what?" Aaron asked coldly.

"The letter," Robert said. What else were they talking about? "I burnt it because I didn't want him to hurt you any more. I thought it would be what you wanted. I'm sorry if I was wrong."

"That's all?" Aaron asked.

Robert frowned. He could usually read Aaron so well, but from his expression, he was definitely missing something. "What's going on?"

"It's been pointed out to me that…" Aaron sighed and shook his head. "I'm just going to come out and say it. Did you pay to have Gordon killed in prison?"

"What?" Robert said quietly. "No. Of course not. Why would you even think that?" His voice was still quiet, unable to believe what Aaron was saying. What he was being accused of.

"Really?" Aaron asked, watching him carefully. "Wouldn't be the first time you'd played innocent, would it?"

Robert closed his eyes, both of them remembering Katie. When he opened them, he looked directly at Aaron, wanting for a moment to drown in them. "I didn't kill her. You know me, Aaron, you know I haven't got it in me."

Aaron shrugged. "I still remember you holding a gun up to my head," Aaron said darkly. "Tied to a radiator all night while you debated if you were going to kill me to keep my mouth shut."

"But I couldn't do it," Robert reminded him. "After the last six months do you… how can you think so little of me?"

"Robert…"

"If I was going to have him killed," Robert continued. "And believe me, I think he deserves it after what he did to you. If I thought that was a solution, I'd have done it before the trial. I wouldn't have wanted you to live through it all again, to give evidence in front of strangers because I know you hated every second of it. Why would I wait until he's convicted?"

Aaron raised his eyebrows once, seeing the logic of his words, but not wanting to admit it. "Mum and Cain mentioned it." Not an excuse, not by a long shot, but Aaron needed him to know that he hadn't been the only one thinking this.

"Aaron, I don't care what your mother thinks of me. She'll probably always think the worst of me, and I can't change that. I don't care what Cain thinks of me either, or Liv, or anyone else in this village. I care what you think of me. And it's clear you don't trust me. You think I'm a liar."

"You have been a liar," Aaron said. "I remember."

Robert scoffed. "You know what, I am done," he said quietly. "I love you. I will probably never really be able to let you go… But I can't live like this. Where I'm constantly having to prove myself to you, to your whole family for nothing in return. And always being the one who's blamed when anything bad happens. I'm not the devil."

Aaron looked at him, saying nothing, though his eyes were glazed, like he was about to start crying.

"I should go," Robert said, determined not to cry in front of him, even though he felt like his heart was breaking. He couldn't resist from adding "Call me if you need me."

Aaron didn't say a word as Robert left. He heard the door close behind him, then allowed himself to fall apart. The tears started falling and he couldn't stop them. He needed Robert, hated to admit it to himself just how much he needed Robert in his life. And now that was over. Due to a stupid accusation about his fathers death. When would Gordon stop hurting him? He was dead and still causing problems!

Possibly / probably going to be a chapter two to sort this out! Thanks for reading.