'Right, time to go Jackson!' The Nurse chirped as she swept into the room, quickly beginning to busy herself with all the complicated contraptions around Jackson's bed.
'Anyway, shouldn't you be at work?' Jackson asked of Aaron, continuing their conversation; not wanting to acknowledge the unknown he faced over the coming hours. That, and not wanting to show any reaction or weakness to it.
'At work? Today? The day you go in for an operation? Don't be daft!' Aaron screwed up his face in the 'Typical Aaron' way that Jackson loved but had previously felt beyond frustrating. Today though, he loved it more than ever. If all that destiny claptrap really was true and he was always 'destined' to become paralysed, Jackson was content that it had happened in these circumstances. Horrific as they were, it was all worth it, just to be with Aaron.
Another nurse entered the room and flashed Jackson a muted, unconvinced smile as she took up one side of the bed as the other nurse took the other and between them began to wheel Jackson out into the corridor. Hazel sprang from her seat to hold open the heavy double doors. The light and brightness of the corridor made Jackson's eyes tingle. It was so noisy, so fast out here. His eyes searched anxiously for Aaron. Spotting his boyfriend's panic, Aaron jumped into his eye line, forcing a passing medic to jump out of his way.
Forgetting as he so often did, Aaron grabbed Jackson's hand. Although a distressing pain shot through Jackson's heart every time he saw but couldn't feel such a gesture, Jackson was nevertheless reassured.
'Mate there's nothing you can do.'
'Yeah but I wanna be here, you know, in caseā¦' Aaron stopped short, blushing, realising that was probably the worst thing he could have said.' He'd done it again. Jackson looked up at him, an awkward silence wailed in both their ears.
'So then', with a wide grin and twinkling eyes, Jackson piped up, eager to break the awkwardness, 'do I get a good luck kiss?' The two nurses immediately stopped short.
'Erm, way to make it awkward Jay'.
Aaron nervously looked around, lingering his gaze particularly on Hazel. Spotting it, Hazel deliberately and comically looked around her, paying particular attention to the ceiling tiles. A smile crept on to her face. Aaron slowly leant in and softly pressed his lips to Jackson's. Addicted to their taste, the pressure, he pressed his lips for a second time, lingering this time, more of a flick in his plump but quivering lips. Aaron smiled. Jackson smiled.
'You'll be fine. And I'll be right here waiting. I promise.' Aaron's smile quickly dissipated into raw concern.
Hazel stepped forward. Her smile had also vanished. Instead, she held her trembling hand to her lips then leant forward and kissed her son on the forehead. She let out a whimper which seemed to resemble some form of speech. Giving up before she'd even really began, she shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. She stepped back, letting the nurses recommence their work. As they slowly drove Jackson away, she mouthed the words 'I Love You'.
Jackson's eyes once again searched for Aaron but to no avail. He was somewhere behind. It was too late. As much as he loved his mum, as he was slowly dragged into theatre for an operation that could make or break his life forever, Jackson deeply regretted not using those last few moments to garner one last glance at Aaron, the man he loved more than he ever thought possible. He wished he'd absorbed his image one last time. Just in case.
