Jackson didn't know what time it was. He hadn't thought to check the clock as he stormed out of Smithy, banging the front door closed as he went. Paddy was out on call and his mother was still at the pub otherwise he wouldn't have made so much noise. Stepping out into the cold September evening, he shivered and pulled his leather jacket tighter across his chest. He thought about just going back inside and making things right with his boyfriend. They hadn't meant to argue but what had started as a few harsh words had turned into a full-blown row. Discarding that idea, he set off towards Leyla's shop.

"Hey," Leyla called as he entered "You alright, babe?"

He felt the lump in his throat but tried to catch it before the tears had a chance to fall. He failed though and a single tear ran down his face. Leyla immediately ran over and pulled the builder into a warm embrace, stroking his back gently and wondering what on earth had happened. After what seemed like a lifetime, he pulled away and mumbled "Sorry."

Leyla shook her head and led him over to a chair as she pulled out her phone and sent Maisie a text. She knew Jackson was closest to Maisie and would open up more if she was there. Bending down to his level, she asked him what was wrong. The tears had stopped flowing but only just. God, Jackson felt like an idiot. He'd only come over to see his friend to try and take his mind of Aaron and now here he was crying over him! Jackson sighed deeply as he tried to control his breathing and slow his hammering heart at the same time.

"I..I asked him to move in with me."

"Aaron?"

"Yes. He..He said yes but everyone else said it was too soon. Even Paddy and my mum said," he stopped briefly and stared at the ground as fresh tears rolled down his cheeks "it wasn't the right time but we knew. Well, I thought we knew.."

Leyla, realising that Jackson was never going to be able to tell her through his tears, silenced him with a long hug as Maisie came running through the doors and took her place at his other side. Her hands found his and she squeezed them, telling him everything was going to be alright. She was a bit shocked actually, she didn't think Jackson was the type to get this upset, he always seemed to have it so together.

"He asked me if they were right. I..If it was too soon.."

He told the girls about their argument. How Aaron was been pissed at Paddy for doubting their desicion to move in together. Jackson hadn't been bothered by it - Paddy was just looking out for them and he was sure that he would come around to it if they all sat down and had a chat but Aaron had immediately lashed out, like he always did, telling Paddy that it was none of his business. As Paddy left for work, Aaron had been in full rant mode. Aaron had asked if Paddy was right, if it was too soon. Jackson didn't know, was there a time limit on these kind of things, he'd asked Aaron if he loved him and when the mechanic had said yes, Jackson told him that that was all that mattered. As they went upstairs, both quiet as they thought about the previous scene, they'd begun taking swipes at each other. For no apparent reason, other than to release their anger, they'd shouted at each other, yelling all sorts of accusations that they both knew weren't true. Aaron was angry that everyone had pushed him to come out and accept himself yet the minute he was happy and settled they were saying it wasn't going to last.

As he finished telling the girls that Aaron's last words to him had been 'Just go and don't come back' he felt utterly broken. He knew Aaron didn't mean it but the way he'd said it - his voice full of anger had surprised Jackson. Jackson wouldn't have admitted it but at that moment he had felt scared, not scared of Aaron but scared for their relationship. Scared for all the plans they'd made. Scared for their happy ever after.

Leyla and Maisie glanced at eachother. This was bad. The blonde asked Jackson if he wanted to go back to Smithy but he shook his head. He wasn't sure he'd be welcome and even if he was, he figured it'd be best to give Aaron time to cool off. Leyla said that he could spend the night at hers as David was in Helsinki on a council meeting and Maisie promised that after her shift at the bar ended, she would come over and spend the night with them. Looking between his two friends, Jackson had managed a weak smile, knowing how lucky he was to have them.

» »

Next morning, the sun shone down on the village, breaking the endless cycle of rain they'd been having. Jackson woke to find himself tucked up in Leyla's spare room. He turned his head to find Maisie sprawled out beside him and Leyla dozing across the end of the bed. He'd pretty much passed out as soon as his head hit the pillow so he wasn't aware they'd both spent the night watching over him. As they all woke, the said thank you but they dismissed it telling him that they'd always be there for him. Jackson knew it was true, he'd lost count of how many times Maisie had coming running to him after a row with Nikhil.

Dressed and washed, Maisie set off back to Home Farm while Jackson argeed to help Leyla open up her shop. He didn't have to be in work for another few hours and he still had to go home and change so he began setting out the food displays, chatting to his friend as they worked. Minutes later, a yellow car pulled up at the entrance and a tanned man climbed out of it. He was older, not old but just older than Jackson, short hair and wearing a simple white shirt. He walked up to Leyla and there seemed to be alot of tension between them. Jackson looked at them quizically but the man had barely noticed him, his beady eyes focused on Leyla.

"Jackson, this is Justin, Justin, this is Jackson.." Leyla introduced them before leading Justin into the shop.

Jackson told her he'd catch up with her later and she'd called her goodbye as he left wondering why he suddenly felt happy. He walked to Smithy and pulled open the front door to find Paddy and Aaron sitting at the kitchen table. No sooner had he closed the door behind him than the two men were on their feet demanding to know where he had been.

"I stayed with a friend. Sorry."

"SORRY? That's all you have to say?" Aaron practically yelled in his face.

Paddy, sensing another row and not wanting to see it, dissapeared into the surgery while Aaron continued ranting. Jackson watched him pace up and down the kitchen, his voice raised as he told Jackson that he'd been up all night waiting for him. Taking a step closer to his boyfriend, the builder cupped the younger man's face and kissed him hard. A kiss full of forgiveness, a kiss full of thank yous and hope. Breaking away, they'd smiled at eachother knowing their spat had been forgotten.

"Jay, I've been talking to Paddy.."

Jackson sighed but Aaron quickly continued, "He says it's okay if you want to move in here properly. Your mum too, I mean, but it just means we can be together and see how it goes and.."

"You want me to move in here? With you? At Paddy's?" Jackson couldn't hide the disbelief in his voice.

"Yes."

Jackson had nodded, his face lighting up. This was the last thing he'd been expecting but he liked it. He kissed Aaron again, holding the kiss for as long as he could manage before needing air. He didn't need air as much as he needed Aaron and from the way they climbed the stairs and tumbled into bed, he was sure the mechanic felt the same.

» »

The boys sat at a table in the pub that evening chatting. Jackson caught Maisie's eyes and they had smiled at each other, him silently thanking her for being there for him and her silently telling him she was happy to see them back together. When their glasses were empy and their fingers were entwined on the table, Jackson had suggested going home but Aaron, being the tease, told him to get another round. Pretending to huff, Jackson rose from the seat and made his way to the bar only to collide with Justin who was entering. The men smiled at each other, remembering they'd met earlier in the day. Jackson asked him if he wanted a drink and they'd stood at the bar together, ordering their beers. Jackson wasn't sure but he felt eyes watching him, buring deep into him, casting over his body.. and he was sure they belonged to Justin.