The Longing

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Chas had heard her son was back in Emmerdale but as yet she hadn't clapped eyes on him, she'd spoken to Cain who'd said that he looked the same and was just as moody in his opinion as he was five years before, he didn't let on to his cousin that he hadn't actually made Aaron feel all that welcome when he'd called to see the older mechanic, he was secretly pleased that his nephew had called to see him before anyone else in the village and that included Adam who'd been his best mate

Paddy tapped quietly on the closed door at the top of the stairs, there was no answer so he cautiously opened the door and poked his head in, there laid on his double bed was Jackson his eyes were closed he was either ignoring the vet or had fallen asleep Paddy walked into the room and closed the door before approaching the bed his shadow cast over the bed alerting the younger man to his presence

"How could you Paddy?" Jackson asked without opening his eyes

"So your not asleep your just ignoring Me that's not very mature is it?" Paddy sat on the edge of the bed and turned to face the builder who'd raised himself on his elbows and raised an eyebrow at the older man

"How can you forgive him just like that" Jackson was confused

"It was a long time ago, I think, no, I know he's changed, he's not the same person, he's older"

"That doesn't mean he's changed he could still be a nutter"

"He was never a nutter, he was confused and scared" the vet defended his surrogate son

"You're just too nice do you know that?" the builder smiled at the older man, he wasn't surprised that Paddy just accepted Aaron back into his life, after all, He'd accepted him into his life with all the shit that came with it and that included Jerry his dad turning up, threatening the vet, accusing him of perverting his son, shouting abuse and even at one point hurling a brick through the living room window of Smithy Cottage

Paddy placed his hand on the builders knee "Just give him a chance, eh, Just for Me?"

"I'll try but if he gets in My face" the builder sighed

"You're a good lad, now are you coming down?"

Jackson hesitated he wasn't sure he could handle the situation especially if the man downstairs just thought he could walk back in and everything would be the same cause it wasn't, for one thing he was here now and he'd look after Paddy, it was the least he could do after everything the vet had done for him

"It's spaghetti bolognaise for tea" Paddy knew food if nothing else would get the builder out of his room

"Well why didn't you say earlier?" Jackson grinned "My favourite, can we have jelly and ice cream for pudding too"

Paddy wrapped his arm around the younger man, tousled his hair as they walked to the door, he knew that things weren't going to be easy but if he could keep Jackson on side perhaps it would give the two younger men time to get to know each other and from there, well, you just never know

Aaron could hear two sets of feet coming down the stairs he'd known that Paddy would go and speak to Jackson whilst upstairs making up the spare room, Paddy the peace keeper, Paddy the peace maker it made Aaron smile but also that warm feeling again swept over the mechanic as he thought about the vet, now he was back he wondered how he'd managed to stay away for all those years, nothing and no one could compare with Paddy and the feeling of coming home that Aaron felt just sitting in the kitchen of Smithy Cottage

Two men sat awkwardly at the table whilst Paddy served up their meal, Jackson had offered to help but the vet had declined stating he should sit and talk to Aaron, that was the last thing Jackson wanted to do, he'd noted that Aaron hadn't offered to help, if he thought he was here for a free ride he was in for a nasty shock, everyone pulled their weight that's how things got done and he for one wasn't going to let their visitor upset this routine

Plates of steaming food had just been placed on the table when the door opened and in walked Adam, he looked at the men sitting at the table, yes there he was, Aaron, his former best mate

"So the rumours are true, the wanderer has returned, about bloody time" He grinned at Aaron

Aaron wasn't sure what to do, how to react, but seeing the grin he got up from the table and walked up to his friend pulling him into a hug

"Whoa" Adam exclaimed "This isn't Aaron Livesy, coz Aaron Livesy doesn't do public displays of affection" but returned the hug

Jackson looked over at Paddy who was watching the two men hugging, he had a soppy look on his face watching Aaron and for a second the builder was jealous, he knew looking at the older man that he would do anything for Aaron he just hoped that he wouldn't end up being hurt, he could see that the vet was already hoping that Aaron would end up staying for good, not something the builder was looking forward to though, Aaron was trouble he just knew it

"You eaten Adam?" Paddy asked getting up to set another place at the table

"Yeah, I have thanks" the young farmer confirmed as Aaron released him from the hug "Go on eat while it's hot I'll put the kettle on" Adam continued, he busied himself making the drinks whilst the others ate and then sat at the table with them "Oh by the way Jackson, can you come up to the farm and check the barn wall it looks like it's about to collapse "

"So you're a builder" Aaron spoke to Jackson

"Yeah, what of it" Jackson was immediately on the defensive

"Nothing just saying"

"Well don't "

"Sorry mate" Aaron tried again, looking into Jackson's eyes he felt his toes curl, why was that happening?, it had never happened before he'd been around a lot of gay men but none of them had had this kind of effect on him and he didn't even like Jackson, well actually he did but it was obvious that Jackson didn't like him

"I'm not your mate " the builder growled before getting up from the table dropping his plate in the sink before picking up his mug and walking into the sitting room

Adam and Paddy shared a look as they witnessed the exchange between the other two men

"What's his problem?" Aaron seemed confused by Jackson's reaction, but there was something more he also seemed disappointed

"Don't know" Adam was confused too, He'd never seen Jackson take such a dislike to someone without good reason, Adam and Jackson had been friends the whole time that the builder had lived in Emmerdale their friendship had grown so much that now Adam even joined Jackson on nights out at Bar West, a gay bar in Hotten and he wasn't even gay

From the kitchen they heard Jackson's mobile ring, a few minutes later the builder walked back through heading for the stairs

"Aiden and Logan are going to Bar West" he was directing his conversation at Adam "I'm going, are you coming?"

"Course" Adam replied then looking at Aaron "Him too?"

Jackson didn't want to include Aaron but couldn't really not as he was sat at the table

"If he wants"

"Wow, don't go over the top a guy could get the wrong idea, you gushing like that"

"Come or stay here, up to you, but I won't be asking again"

Adam looked at his two friends

"C'mon Aaron, you'll love Bar West it's a gay bar"

"So how come you go there?, you gay too now?" Aaron teased Adam knowing full well his friend was a straight as they come

"If I was then they'd be no fit blokes left for you two because as we all know I'm the best looking out of all of us " He laughed as he got up and walked to the door "What time we going Jackson?"

"Bout 8"

"Great, right I'm off for a shower, clean pair of jeans, splash of brut and I'll be back" He winked at both the younger men as he walked out, once outside he leant against the wall the atmosphere in the kitchen had been tense but was it because Jackson and Aaron really didn't like each other, or, could it be that they actually do like each other and that's what scares them more