Brothers In Arms Chapter 2, an emmerdale fanfic

Brothers in Arms

Part Two

Aaron stared at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep, feeling as if he had just drank cup after cup of coffee. He was buzzing but miserable. He was full of energy but exhausted. He sighed loudly and chanced a look over at Jackson's bed and saw that the twenty one year old was sound asleep, his mouth slightly open, snoring softly. Aaron envied him. He couldn't sleep, not after what they had done earlier that day. The kiss had been strange but good. Aaron had never had any feelings for anyone, male or female but Jackson had stirred something deep inside him, something he was still trying to decipher now, five hours later in the middle of the night.

'Aaron? You awake?'

Aaron sat up slowly and could just make out Adam's silhouette in the dark.

'What do you want?' Aaron snapped, secretly relieved that Adam would keep him company for the time being.

'Who's on Mess duty tomorrow?' Adam asked.

Aaron rolled his eyes. He'd been hoping that Adam would have some genuine worries that they could discuss together.

'Ryan and someone from Storm's Company. Why?'

'I am bloody starved. I was hoping you would sneak in and get me something to eat?' he asked hopefully.

Aaron shook his head and lay back down.

'Go to sleep.'

'But mate, I'd be forever grateful…' Adam pleads.

'Do one Barton.'

Jackson avoided eye contact with Aaron the following day. He marched out of the sleeping quarters and made his way over to Hound Company, desperately seeking out Gary. He found him sitting down in the warm sunshine, chatting away effortlessly to XO Macey.

'Hey Jackson! Guess what? We're learning how to ride horses tomorrow!' Gary called out happily.

Jackson smiled and saluted Declan before settling himself down beside him.

'Smashing. I love horses.'

Declan nodded and bid farewell, leaving the two of them alone.

'I hear we're jogging to Hotten and back today.' Gary said miserably.

Jackson nodded.

'Yup. Aaron's on the war path.'

Gary rolled his eyes.

'Any idea why?' he probed.

Jackson shrugged and shook his head.

'Bad nights sleep is my guess.' He lied smoothly, knowing full well that it had to do with what had happened between them yesterday.

Gary frowned and looked at Jackson curiously.

'You okay? You look a little worried mate.'

Jackson forced a smile and nodded.

'Just wondering how fast we'll be jogging today, that's all.'

It wasn't jogging; it was sprinting.

Aaron sprinted around the group, shouting at them, telling them to move, pushing some of the lazier ones who were slowing down.

'If one of us falls, we all fall. Never leave your men fall behind, alright?' he roared breathlessly, giving McGeever a shove forwards.

He clutched at Aaron helplessly, his face beetroot red.

'I…can't…' he gasped, his entire body heaving.

'YOU CAN!' Aaron yelled, dragging him forwards a few feet.

Gary sprinted over to McGeever's side and linked arms with him.

'C'mon mate, together, yeah?' he mumbled, trying to focus on getting to Hotten and back.

Jackson shuffled over and gently shouldered Aaron out of the way so that he could take McGeever's other side.

'See? TEAMWORK!' Aaron shouted, before jogging on to motivate some other members of the company that were slowing down.

'This…is…bloody…murder…' Gary puffed, shaking his head, feeling slightly dizzy.

'…Can't…breathe…' Jackson huffed, rolling his eyes.

Gary laughed and let go of McGeever for a second to wipe his face. Johnny fell sideways onto Jackson, causing the pair of them keel over, there was the sickening sound of something snapping and a painful yowling.

The entire Company came to a halt and Aaron pelted towards the fallen men, his eyes on Jackson's face.

'GET MCGEEVER UP!' He snapped, furious that none of them were moving.

As quick as lightening two of his men came over and picked up McGeever, checking him for wounds. But it was Jackson that was injured, not Johnny.

Aaron felt his stomach jolt a little at the sight of the quickly swelling ankle. It looked painful.

'Right, Walsh, sit up and steady your breathing.' He demanded, pulling off his shirt and lifting Jackson's ankle so that he could rest it on the bundle of clothing.

Jackson did as he was told, his breathing quick and shallow.

'Right men, all of yez are to sprint back to base. Then Gary and Rob, you two are to find Dr. Kirk and send him out on the jeep, does everyone understand?'

They all nodded and murmured 'Sir Yes Sir.'

Aaron nodded, satisfied.

'Right. Go.'

Aaron sighed and looked down at his watch. Forty-five minutes of silence.

Forty-five minutes of Hell.

Jackson was staring off into a space, an exhausted look on his face. Aaron calculated that they would be here for at least another half hour. The pain seemed to be easing a little and a little more colour had returned to Jackson's face.

'You okay?' Aaron croaked, clearing his throat from lack of use.

Jackson nodded and offered Aaron a strained smile.

'Mmm…I suppose if I'm going to be a soldier, I'll have to get used to this.'

Aaron chuckled wryly.

'That you will.'

'You ever been injured?' he asked curiously.

Aaron bit his lip and looked at Jackson uncomfortably.

'I've never actually been…you know…in the thick of it, to be honest.' He admitted, a blush creeping across his face.

Jackson's eyes widened in amazement.

'Really? But you sound so…experienced…' he said in awe.

Aaron shrugged and wondered why he had told Jackson this. He would undoubtedly lose respect from the rest of the Company now.

'Really. I've just been training new recruits for the last eighteen months.' He said softly.

Jackson frowned and gave Aaron a small smile.

'I suppose that's nice in a way, not having to go to war.'

Aaron shrugged again.

'Still…I'd like to do it…so I'd stop feeling like a hypocrite, you know?' he mumbled.

Jackson smiled in a knowing way and nodded.

'But you're great at what you do. You really are.'

Aaron looked up and his eyes locked with Jackson's for a brief moment, bright blue meeting with intense brown.

'I want to kiss you again.' Jackson admitted, a small blush creeping across his face.

Aaron blushed as well and looked away, shaking his head.

'That was a mistake. I'm not…queer. And neither are you, if you know what's good for you mate.' He warned.

Jackson wanted to argue, he wanted to tell Aaron to stop lying but instead he nodded.

'Yeah…okay.'

Paddy wrapped a cold, wet cloth around Jackson's ankle and smiled kindly.

'It's just a nasty sprain. You should be fully fit again in a few days.' He said warmly.

Jackson nodded and sat up in his bed, placing his ankle on a pillow.

'Thanks, mate.' He said happily, delighted that he would have a few days off.

'Oh no, you're going to miss the riding lessons.' Ryan said loudly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Adam stamped his foot and shook his head.

'Why? Why is life so cruel!' he exclaimed, looking from Jackson to Aaron.

Aaron rolled his eyes and smirked.

'It's alright, I'm sure Declan wont mind giving you a one on one session.'

Ryan snorted.

'PFF! If only it was Declan. He'll probably end up Huffy Henshall.' He chuckled.

Jackson winced.

'Oh please, not Nick!' he whined.

Adam laughed and clapped his hands together gleefully.

'Oh but think of all the 'fun' you two will have!' he mocked.

Aaron laughed and elbowed Adam.

'Alright, enough of that lads. He could be hiding around a corner listening to us.'

Ryan narrowed his eyes and looked at Paddy teasingly.

'Or maybe one of us is a snitch…' he stage whispered.

All the men laughed, including Paddy.

Jackson smiled happily, his eyes meeting Aaron's sparkling ones.

He wanted him. He knew it.

Aaron marched into the canteen and made his way over to his uncle's table. He was surrounded by important looking people, including the very smug looking Corporal Wylde.

'Oh hello there Livesy! Just the man I was looking for!' Nathan said loudly, a wide smile on his face.

Aaron frowned and folded his arms across his chest.

'Sir?' he muttered, not looking Nathan in the eye.

'I heard there was an accident yesterday on one of your training outings?' he inquired.

Aaron nodded.

'The report's written up. Sir.' He growled.

Nathan nodded.

'Mmm, yes I know, Mjr. Dingle just gave it to me there, but see I was wondering who's permission did you seek to take the men to Hotten?' he asked.

Aaron looked confused.

'No ones.'

Nathan slammed the table with his fist, a victorious grin on his face.

'SEE! That is exactly what I'm talking about Dingle! You need to run a tighter ship! Livesy, if something had happened to you and your men no one would have known where you were! Do you see what the problem is?' he urged.

Aaron wanted to say no but Cain was staring at him, a threatening look in his eye.

'Um. Yes.'

Nathan nodded, satisfied.

'Good. Dismissed.'

Aaron bit down on his tongue and turned his attention to Cain.

'Permission to speak.' Cain drawled lazily, enjoying the look of indignation on Aaron's face.

'I just wanted to ask sir if I could take Pt. Walsh's dinner into the sleeping quarters. He can't walk yet, not for another day and Dr. Kirk is on leave tonight.' He explained.

Cain nodded.

'Fine, but your responsible for the mess. Will he be alright for the march tomorrow?'

Aaron shrugged.

'Not sure sir.'

Cain nodded. Nathan smiled.

'Like I said. Dismissed.'

Jackson smiled as Aaron entered Fox Company quarters laden down with a tray of mashed potato, chicken, gravy, carrots, Brussels sprouts and milk.

'There is no way that everyone in the canteen is getting that dinner.' Jackson chuckled.

Aaron shrugged and offered Jackson a small smile.

'You're sick so…'

Jackson raised an eyebrow.

'I'm not exactly sick Aaron…It's only a sprained ankle, and besides I can walk on it now and all.'

Aaron shrugged again and placed the tray down in front of Jackson.

'Thanks.' Jackson said warmly, tucking in eagerly.

Aaron nodded and watched as Jackson devoured his meal, a delighted glint in his eyes. Jackson looked up from his dinner and blushed slightly.

'Stop watching me eat, you're making me uncomfortable.' He laughed.

Aaron averted his gaze obediently and stared at his hands instead.

'Jackson…' he mumbled, afraid to look up.

Jackson looked at him curiously.

'Yeah?'

Aaron took a deep breath and looked up at Jackson, a vulnerable look in his eyes.

'Do you still want to kiss me?'

Aaron laid his slick forehead against Jackson's damp chest and sighed heavily.

'Shouldn't have done that…' he grumbles, his stomach turning with guilt and shame.

Jackson draped an arm across his strong shoulders and placed a kiss on the crown of his head.

'No…but it's done now.' He said gently.

Aaron groaned and rolled off of Jackson, picking up his boxers and starched trousers.

'You can't tell anyone.' Aaron growled, shooting Jackson a glare.

Jackson frowned and nodded.

'Why would I?' he argued.

Aaron shrugged and started to button up his shirt.

'Just keep your mouth shut, or I'll shut if for you, d'ya get me?' he threatened.

Jackson burst out laughing, a disbelieving laugh. Not five minutes ago Aaron was naked and grinding against Jackson, all reservations and inhibitions gone and now he was getting defensive and building some sort of impenetrable fort around him and his emotions.

'Aaron-'

'Sir.' Aaron corrected, not looking Jackson in the eye.

Jackson's eyes widened slightly but soon narrowed.

'Sir, it won't happen again.'

Aaron nodded and put on his cap, making sure his uniform was neat and tidy before grabbing Jackson's tray and making his way to the door. Jackson glared after him, seething with fury, unaware of the tears that were filling the teens eyes.

Mum,

I know you're going to smile triumphantly when I tell you this, but I really, really, hate it here. All my fellow soldiers are lazy and unfit and the standard here is so low that even you could apply and get accepted. Britain is desperate for able-bodied men but now it seems as if 'able bodied' is an optional extra.

Remember Aaron Livesy? Well, it seems that first impressions can be deceiving. He's a class A knob Mum. He's horrible. He's stupid and inexperienced and way too young to be training men for war. He's clueless and I wish he'd just crawl into a foxhole and die.

Gary Thompson is the only person I trust around here which is crazy seeing as I soon have to go into battle with this group of incompetent bastards. I want to come home, I want to give up.

Missing you so much,

Love always,

Jackson

Jackson,

Sorry abowt the udder day.

What happind will happin again, if you want.

I care abowt you.

A/N: WELL? Terrible or brilliant? Do we want more? x