Aaron was lying on his bed listening to some music with his eyes closed, trying to relax. The last few days hadn't been too bad, all things considered. He'd been sleeping better which had helped and eating a bit better too. He'd even had a drink with Cain in the pub without having to be dragged in. It was weird. Last week, he was a wreck, now he felt like he was taking the first steps to becoming his old self again. He sat up and noticed his phone on the bedside table. It had been just over a week since he had bumped into Flynn at Bar West. He'd thought that he might have got in touch, just to see how he was doing, but he hadn't. Then again, why would he? Flynn had made the offer that if he needed him, he'd be there. That meant he would have to be the one to get in touch, make the first move. He chewed his bottom lip as he thought about it. Would it really be that wrong to get in touch, just for a chat? He was allowed to chat to friends wasn't he? There was nothing wrong with that surely. It was no different to him talking to Adam or Paddy. He sighed and shook his head. Who was he kidding, of course it was different to talking to Adam or Paddy. This was Flynn he was talking about, the person who he started seeing because Jackson pushed him into it and who he found himself liking more than he wanted to.

He picked up his phone and twisted it in his hands as he thought about what he should do. He checked his watch, it was just after 9pm. Before he changed his mind, he opened his phone and typed a quick message: "Hi, are you busy, can we talk?" His finger hovered over the screen, send or cancel, those were his options. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and pressed send. He put his phone down on the bed and lay back down again. Well, it was done now, he'd reached out, made that first move. Now, it was up to Flynn. Five minutes turned into ten as Aaron tried to stay calm but there was no denying how nervous he felt. He nearly hit the ceiling as his phone beeped, telling him he had one new message. He looked at the screen, it was him. He read the message: "no I'm not and course we can. Call me."

Aaron smiled. He had wondered whether Flynn had meant what he'd said or whether he had regretted it when he woke up the next morning. Obviously, he had meant every word. Deep down, Aaron had known that but it was nice to have it confirmed. He sat up, took another deep breath and dialled the number. Flynn's voice sounded in his ear.

"Hi Aaron, how are you?" Flynn's voice was calm and friendly.

"Hi, I'm er, I'm not bad. You?"

"Yeah, good thanks."

"You said I could call anytime, are you sure that's still ok?"

"Absolutely. So, how are you doing really?"

That was a good question. Right now, he was doing fine, last week, not so good.

"I have good days and bad. The last few days have been more good than bad. I'm still trying to get used to things."

"I can imagine. It'll take time so don't be too hard on yourself, you'll get there"

A couple of weeks ago, someone had said virtually the same thing to him and he'd wanted to slap them yet when Flynn said it, he didn't mind.

"Look, I know I asked if we could talk but I can't... I'm not ready to talk about what happened, about Jackson, not yet. Not with you or anybody else for that matter. I just…."

"Hey, it's fine. You don't need to explain. I said, whatever you needed. If you just wanted to hear my voice again, that's ok."

Aaron laughed "Yeah, as if. Don't flatter yourself. I did just want to speak to you again, that's all."

" Well, that's fine by me. We can talk about whatever you want."

Their conversation carried on, talking about every day things, football, films, music just like any two friends would. It felt good, it felt comfortable.

"So, do you, er, fancy meeting up for a drink then?" Flynn asked

"Yeah, that'd be good. When did you have in mind?"

"How about tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow's good."

"Ok then, how about Bar West, 7.30?"

Aaron hesitated. Bar West, could he after how he had felt last time?

"Aaron, everything ok?" Flynn's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Bar West 7.30 it is then."

"Great, see you there. Oh and Aaron, I'm glad you phoned."

"Yeah, me too."

He shut his phone and dropped it onto the bed. That hadn't been as bad as he'd thought it would be. He was surprised how easily they were able to talk, hardly any awkwardness at all. Whether tomorrow would be the same, only time would tell.

Aaron stood outside Bar West looking through the glass. He had very nearly texted Flynn to cancel but had decided against it. Now he was here, he still didn't know if he could do this. His stomach was in knots. Part of him wanted to turn and run before it was too late, part of him wanted to stay. He could see Flynn from where he was standing. He was sitting at a table swinging slightly from side to side on a stool. He watched as Flynn looked at his watch, picked up a beer mat and started playing with it, tapping it on the table. Then he put that down and started tapping his fingers on the table instead. He looked at his watch again, ran his fingers through his hair. Aaron couldn't help but smile to see Flynn so nervous. It made him feel better, knowing that he wasn't the only one. He took a deep breath, pushed open the door and went in. He walked over to where Flynn was sitting. "Alright" he said. "Been waiting long?" Flynn smiled at him. "No, just got here actually. I've only just sat down." Aaron smiled. He knew Flynn was lying but he couldn't say anything because then he'd have to admit that he'd stood watching him.

"Want a beer then?" he said

"Yeah, that'd be great" Flynn replied.

Aaron turned and walked towards the bar. Flynn let out a deep breath. Well, he'd turned up, that was a good start. He'd half expected a text from him cancelling or to have been left sitting there like a lemon. He was so nervous, he didn't want to mess this up. Aaron was so fragile and one wrong move from him could send him running in the opposite direction never to return. Still, he'd offered his help and he was going to do his best to make sure that help was exactly what he was going to give.

Aaron returned with the drinks and placed the bottles on the table, taking a seat opposite Flynn. Flynn noticed that he looked different today, his eyes seemed a little brighter, he seemed a bit more relaxed or maybe he was just imagining it. Neither of them spoke, the silence between them a little bit awkward. Flynn decided to break it.

"So, are you up for a game of pool. I'll go easy on you in case you're a bit rusty."

"Me, rusty, you wish. Pool skills like mine don't just disappear you know."

"Ooh, I'm scared. Come on then hot shot, show me what you've got."

They picked up their bottles and walked over to the pool table.

"Rack em up then" Aaron said as he selected two pool cues, handing one to Flynn. "Loser buys the next round."

"You better have lots of money with you then" Flynn said smiling.

Aaron said nothing and just smiled back.

They both soon relaxed and began to enjoy themselves. The next couple of hours passed quickly. They had a few games of pool, Aaron even managed to win a couple of them, had a few beers and talked about nothing really, just general chatter. They were sitting at a table, this time next to each other, not opposite. There was still a gap between them but they were both comfortable enough. "So" Flynn said " have you enjoyed yourself then?"

Aaron smiled "Yeah, I have. I haven't had a game of pool in ages."

Flynn smiled back at him. "Well, if you want a rematch anytime, let me know."

Aaron was about to answer when he heard a song begin to play over the club's sound system. Oh no, he thought, not this, not now.

Flynn noticed the change of expression on Aaron's face, the way the colour had drained away.

"What's up?" he said. Aaron couldn't answer

"Aaron, what's the matter?" Flynn asked again, his voice a little bit louder.

"I, er, I've got to get out of here" Aaron mumbled as he stood up and moved quickly through the bar.

"Aaron, Aaron wait" Flynn called after him but Aaron didn't stop. Flynn got up and followed him outside where he found him leaning against a wall with his eyes shut and his hands in his pockets. He stood in front of him and said " Do you want to tell me what's going on?"

Aaron kept his eyes shut as he thought about what to say next. Why did that song have to come on, they'd been having such a good time. That song had so many memories for him. It was the song that he'd played the first night him and Jackson had spent the night together, the night he'd taken the step that would change his life forever. He couldn't tell Flynn that though could he, how pathetic would that sound? He opened his eyes to find Flynn looking at him, concern written all over his face.

"Look, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to but something freaked you out. I just need to know if you're ok."

Aaron decided there and then to do something he wouldn't have done a few months back. He was going to tell the truth and if Flynn thought he was a wimp or an idiot then so be it.

In a quiet voice, Aaron said "it was that song, the one that just started playing. It has a lot of memories attached to it of me...and Jackson. When I heard it, I just had to get out. I can't listen to that song anymore, I just can't."

Flynn didn't say anything, he just nodded his head. He was surprised at Aaron's honesty, he would never have admitted that to him before and he was pleased that he trusted him enough to tell him now.

"Music can do that, can't it? Bring memories back."

Aaron nodded as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Hey, come on, it's ok" Flynn said. He didn't know if he was going to regret what he was about to do but he had to do something. He took a couple of steps forward and put his arms around Aaron's shoulders, pulling him in so that Aaron's head was resting on his shoulder. To his surprise, Aaron let him, he didn't pull away.

"It's ok" he whispered, "It's ok."

Aaron cried silently on Flynn's shoulder. He wanted to be held, comforted, soothed and it felt good to be in someone's arms again.

After a couple of minutes, Aaron pulled back. He wiped his eyes and smiled shyly at Flynn. "I'm sorry" he said.

"Don't be daft, you've got nothing to be sorry about" Flynn replied." I said, remember, if you need a shoulder to cry on…"

"I know, I know. Look, I'm gonna call it a night, you don't mind do you?"

"Course not, wanna share a taxi? we can get me dropped off first."

"Yeah, fine."

They walked towards the taxi rank in silence but it wasn't uncomfortable. When they arrived at Flynn's house, he gave Aaron some money towards the cost of the taxi.

"I'll phone you tomorrow, see how you're doing" Flynn said

Aaron smiled at him. "Make sure you do" he replied.