A/N: Hey guys! Just a quick one shot that popped into my head. Haven't posted a story in . . . years actually, but 'Being Human' is a show I really enjoy and got a little writing inspiration from. I hope you like it, reviews are always appreciated!
Disclaimer: I own nothing from 'Being Human,' nor make any profit from this story.
"Some of us don't get a day off!" Aidan growled.
"Some of us didn't choose this!" Josh snapped.
The look on Aidan's face made him regret it instantly. Hurt, anguish, despair and deep sadness . . . Josh would never forget that look. The deep hurt in Aidan's eyes made Josh burn with shame. Aidan lowered his head and spoke softly.
"You're right. I chose this path . . . and I get to live with that choice for eternity." With that Aidan grabbed his coat and left.
Josh collapsed onto the couch and put his head in his hands. What were they even arguing about in the first place? It seemed irrelevant now - Aidan was his greatest friend and had done so much for Josh - he owed him his life for Pete's sake! And how did he repay him? By opening his big mouth and hurting the one person who's been there for him through and through. Josh groaned and leaned his head against the back of the couch, closing his eyes.
It was after midnight and Josh was asleep on the couch, snoring softly. The sound of the front door clicking shut roused him from his slumber.
"Aidan?"
Silence met his question and when he turned to look, sure enough, it was Aidan. He hadn't moved from the entryway, as if contemplating his next move. He set his keys down on the table and took off his coat but remained standing in the shadows of the entryway, waiting.
"Aidan, look, I am SO sor-"
"Stop. I . . . I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear how 'sorry' you are, Josh. You're supposed to be my friend, not throw my mistakes in my face." Aidan's voice was shaking, his whole body was shaking.
With those words Josh knew he had opened a wound deeper than he could imagine . . . and poured salt in for good measure.
"Please, I-"
"I'm leaving."
"What?"
"I don't want to live somewhere I don't feel welcome. Somewhere that makes me feel like this. I know I don't deserve better, but I'm not going to subject myself to the pain either."
"Aidan, please, I made a mistake and it won't happen again, I promise! Please don't leave, I- we need you!"
He didn't reply, only remained standing, then laughed a short laugh and shook his head.
"What? What's so funny?"
"Sorry, it's just the way you said it - it sounded like you had an affair or something." Aidan was smiling now, barely, but it gave Josh hope.
"I might as well have, given the damage. I really am sorry, there's not a word for how sorry I am, all I know is that I don't ever want to see that look on your face again, especially not because of me." Josh got up from the couch and walked the few steps to where Aidan was standing. Aidan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the wall, a glint in his eye.
"Stay?"
Aidan sighed and dropped his arms, looking away. For what seemed like forever they stood there in complete silence and finally Aidan made his decision. Slowly nodding, he straightened up and made his way past Josh, towards the stairs.
"Fine, I'll stay. I'm going to bed now." Aidan got halfway up the stairs before stopping. "And Josh? I'm sorry about what I said too." With that Aidan went upstairs to bed.
Josh just laughed to himself and ran a hand through his hair. He knew this wasn't completely over - that the hurt wasn't healed just yet, but given enough time, things would return to normal. Well, as normal as things got around here.