Disclaimer: The characters and overreaching plot belongs to ITV Studios. This is a work of fiction. I do not earn any money out of this. No Copyright infringement intended. I can only claim ownership of my original plot and characters, which does not appear in the show, its movies or other official media.
Aaron had never been one to fuss much over Christmas. He couldn't understand why people got them self stressed up about it. Perhaps the magic was lost on him since his birthday was merely a few weeks away from Christmas. Therefore he hadn't had that holiday to look forward to with getting presents as an argument. Because of the closeness of the days he never got a lot of presents. That didn't mean he hadn't enjoyed it when he was younger though. But since his mother left the family, leaving only him and his old man behind, Christmas had lost a lot of its draw. Therefore this year felt like any other year. Sure he had gotten his mother and her family back but lost his dad. Not that it bothered him much. However it went without saying that he didn't looked that much forward to Christmas. But then something happened which may change this year's Christmas for him…
It was a couple of days before Christmas when Adam came up with a suggestion. Aaron had been busy with an engine of an old Buick -97 when Adam came around to talk. As usually Aaron was bent over the engine, which had proved difficult to repair because it was very worn. Therefore Aaron only half-listened to what his mate said.
"So what do you say then?" Adam suddenly asked.
"Eh?" Aaron replied and looked up.
"The Christmas party I told you about? It'll be a blast mate, you gotta come," Adam elaborated.
"I'm not much for Christmas mate," Aaron commented back.
"So? It's a party mate, to get drunk at and meet girls or… well boys in your case," Adam responded and gave Aaron a playful shove. "It has been like six months since you came out? And you still don't have a boyfriend," Adam then added.
"Nobody has caught my interest… anyway why do you bother about my love life? Try sorting your own out first mate," Aaron countered.
"At least I got one mate. C'mon… let's go, I insist."
Aaron chuckled a little and shook his head at that. "Alright, alright. When is it then?"
"Tonight at 10pm in Hotten. Scarlett and Ryan are also coming. Let's meet up by the bus stop half past 9."
"I will be there."
-ooOOoo-
Several hours later Aaron was in his room to get ready for the night out. He had already changed to a grey long-sleeved shirt which showed off his features brilliantly. He had forgone his usually trackies in exchange for a pair of dark blue jeans which he had gotten in birthday present earlier this year. Once he was pleased with his looks he went down the stairs. Once downstairs he stopped briefly in front of the mirror in the hall in to fix his short, dark, hair a little.
"Are you going out?" Paddy asked as he walked out of the sitting room.
"Yeah, don't wait up alright? I may be late," Aaron told him with a look over his shoulder. Before Paddy got a chance to respond Aaron grabbed his coat and headed out in the cold December evening. After a quick walk down the road he met up with Adam, Ryan and Scarlet. They spoke briefly as they waited for the bus. When the bus arrived they got on it and headed into town.
After the bus had arrived to Hotten the group headed towards the party. It was friends of Scarlet so she led the way to the house. Aaron quickly gathered that this was a house party and grimaced slightly.
"What's up with the face?" Ryan asked with an amused expression.
"Is it a home party? Those are lame," Aaron responded with a scowl.
"Hey, house parties are the best! No security guard who can throw you out and the party can last the entire night!" Ryan responded, acting a rather hyped up over it. Aaron just rolled his eyes while Adam snorted in an amused way. They then headed into the house. Aaron and Adam quickly made their way to the kitchen to get something to drink while Scarlet chatted with her friends. Ryan on the other had had saw a fit lady and made his way over to her. In the kitchen Aaron and Adam grabbed a can of beer each before they returned to the main room. The house was decorated for Christmas and the hosts ran around with Santa hats on their heads. Aaron failed to see why this party was any different from an ordinary party. However he changed his mind just a little when he noticed that here and there it hanged mistletoes and under them couples were kissing. As the night progressed the hosts made people sing Christmas Carols and played some holiday themed drinking games. Aaron even started feeling relaxed and comfortable, if not even a bit cheerful, at the party. Of course, he did drink quite a lot too. There was one thing which he felt a little annoyed at though. As Ryan had returned to the group (the girl wasn't interested) he started to find it quite fun to place Aaron and some girl under some mistletoe. Aaron was able to dodge it for the most part but a few times he had no choice than to follow through with it. It was uncomfortable for him to do it.
-ooOOoo-
After a quick break to the toilet Aaron were walking back to the main room. As he entered through the door frame, another guy was leaving. Aaron gave the guy an apologetic look and tried to escape.
"Where are you off to?" the guy then asked with brown eyes sparkling of mischief. Aaron could almost feel himself a bit draw to them. It was hardly the first time he found himself draw to a guy, he was gay after all. It had taken a lot of time for him to accept it and come out, even going so far to attempting suicide. It was in the past now but he still found it difficult to commit to the feelings he had repressed all his life.
"Back to the party… why?" Aaron asked with a slight frown.
"Look up! There's a mistletoe there… you do know what that mean, don't ya?" the other guy responded with an amused tone in his voice. Aaron glanced up and felt a warmness steering in his chest. He wouldn't mind kissing this man… but what if he was straight?
"Yeah but… you're a bloke and I am too…"
"It's tradition… c'mon, I won't even use tongue, promise."
Aaron gave the other man a small smile and leaned in. The other guy leaned in too and just seconds later Aaron felt soft lips touching his own and the other's guy's beard tickling his chin. Aaron kept the kiss for what could be seen as too long. He didn't want to let go, it was thrilling. His experience in that area was severely lacking but he was getting better at it as he grow older. After what may or may not be a minute they broke the kiss. The other guy smiled back at him.
"Have you done that before?" he asked. Aaron blushed slightly and nodded.
"You're good… you could turn into a decent kisser one day," the other guy then said.
"Only decent?" Aaron countered with a scrunched face.
"Yep, only decent. Not fantastic, like me," the other guy chuckled. Aaron just shook his head.
"Didn't feel like a fantastic kiss to me."
"I reserve the best ones for my boyfriends," the brown-eyed guy replied with a wink. "My name's Jackson by the way," he then added.
"Aaron," Aaron answered.
"Good. Now if you excuse me… nature calls. And as fascinating this conversation is, I gotta go,"
"Yeah… see ya," Aaron said and watched as the other guy left. Jackson… he liked the sound of that. A shout from his mate Adam interrupted his thoughts and with a scowl he went over to him.
"What?" Aaron asked.
"Nowt… so who was that guy?" Adam responded.
"What guy?"
"The guy you kissed under the mistletoe mate."
"Oh yeah… that was Jackson, just some guy."
"You two seemed comfortable. So will you chat him up then?" Adam asked but Aaron just shrugged in response. But he did keep his eyes out for the guy in the checkered red-shirt, soft lips and tickling beard. However he never saw him again. As usual Aaron just brushed it off but in truth he felt a bit hurt by it. He hadn't had a proper boyfriend since he came out. He had been talking with some guys, even going to dates but he never felt a connection, until now. Which was funny since he hardly knew the guy. He never had believed in love at first sight… but maybe this was it.
-ooOOoo-
As the party was leading to an end Aaron left. Ryan had scored with some girl and had left earlier while Adam and Scarlett stayed a little while longer. After Aaron had left the party he headed to Bar West for a quick pint and perhaps a small chance that he may see Jackson. He didn't know if he was taken or a free agent but he had to find out. He entered the pub and headed up to the bar where he ordered a pint. While he was drinking his lager he was looking around for Jackson. To his sadness he didn't see the other man. After he finished his drink he headed home. However he had a hard time falling asleep as he couldn't stop thinking of the fit bloke in the red checkered shirt.
TBC
