Full Circle – Chapter 3

DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV

-O-

Jackson had cried for a while; he did not want to, but breaking up was always a hard thing to do. He had confronted Dane with Aaron's accusations and Dane had admitted everything; how he did not love him and wanted to be with Marco. Jackson asked himself why he always seemed to be let down by the men he went out with. The only one who had come anywhere near his 'perfect match' was Aaron; and that had turned out badly too! Maybe he was just destined not to meet 'Mr Right'!

He awoke alone in his bed on Sunday morning. He felt a bit better for a night's sleep and things looked a little brighter than they had the previous day. After showering and eating breakfast, not that he had much of an appetite; he decided to call Aaron to thank him again for setting him straight about Dane. However, he felt a phone call would be a bit impersonal so he changed his mind and grabbed the keys to his van; he was going to take a trip to Emmerdale.

On arrival in the village, he parked his van in the street and bumped into Chas, who was just coming out of the Woolpack.

"Two days in a row!" Chas smiled, "Don't see you for yonks and then you keep popping up!"

"Yeah, I know. I was wondering if Aaron was around."

"He's in his room, licking his wounds. You know he's just split up with his boyfriend?"

"Yeah, I do actually. That's partly why I'm here; it was MY boyfriend that Marco was carrying on with. Aaron found out and told me what was going on."

"No way!" Chas looked stunned, "I didn't know any of this! Mind you, I sometimes think Aaron keeps me in the dark on purpose!"

"Don't take it personally," Jackson said, "us lads never confide in our Mums, do we?"

"Good point!" Chas replied, "If you want to come inside, I'll see if I can drag him from his pit!"

When they went inside, Chas did not need to fetch Aaron from his room as he was already in the back room having a snack.

"Visitor for you," Chas addressed Aaron as she put her head round the door, "I'm going out, but I'll be back before opening time. See you later!" She made a discreet exit to leave the boys to chat in private.

"Hi, how are you?" Aaron looked at Jackson with concern etched all over his face. Jackson saw how worried he was about him and it touched him deeply.

"I'm getting there!" Jackson forced himself to smile, "I just wanted to thank you for telling me about...you know!"

"No need!" Aaron smiled back, "I just couldn't bear to see you being stitched up; that was all!"

"Anyway, how are you? I'm not the only one to have lost a boyfriend!"

"I'm OK. To be honest, now the dust has settled a bit, I'm quite relieved really. I liked Marco a lot, but I knew that, deep down, it was mainly a physical attraction. I didn't feel the same way about him that I felt about..." Aaron stopped short, as if he had suddenly realised that he was about to give away a secret. He knew now that he had always loved Jackson; but he was scared that his feelings were not reciprocated.

Jackson knew exactly what Aaron wanted to say, but he also felt that to declare his true feelings would give the game away, so he said, "Listen Aaron, if you're not busy, how about we drive out somewhere for a pub lunch or something; my treat! I just want to thank you properly."

There was nothing that Aaron wanted more than to spend some time with Jackson, but he continued to play it cool, "You don't have to do that!"

"I know I don't have to; but I want to! What do you say?"

Aaron looked deep into Jackson's big brown eyes and said, "OK then, I'd love to!"

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They drove out into the country in Jackson's van and found a lovely little tavern out in the wilds of the Yorkshire countryside. As they sat eating their meal, they chatted constantly; almost as if they were making up for all the time that they had spent apart.

"Of course, you haven't seen my new place, have you?" asked Jackson.

"You know I haven't!" Aaron tutted as Jackson was stating the obvious.

"Well, how about we pick up a few tinnies later and I can show you 'Walsh Towers'. That is, unless you've got other plans."

"Well, I did promise this millionaire mate of mine that I'd spend some time on his boat this afternoon, but I told him; private yachts are SO last year!"

Jackson giggled, "You always did make me laugh!" He grinned at Aaron and a silent understanding passed between them as they looked into each other's eyes.

Later that day, they arrived at Jackson's flat and Aaron was given the grand tour of the lounge, the bedroom, the kitchen and the bathroom.

"Wow!" Aaron joked, "You must get lost in a place like this!"

"Sarcasm never was your strong point!" Jackson laughed. He couldn't remember when he last felt this relaxed and comfortable.

They settled down on the sofa with a couple of cans; a scenario that brought back so many memories for both of them.

Aaron suddenly turned serious, "Jackson, I don't want you going all weird on me, but I've got to say this; I've missed you! All the time I was with Marco, all I could think about was you; it was as if I was comparing him to you all the time. That sounds stupid, I know; and I don't deserve you after the way I messed with your head, but if there was ever a chance you'd take me back, I'd never let you down again!"

They gazed deep into each other's eyes and, before they knew what was happening, almost against all reason, they were kissing passionately; a kiss which seemed to roll away the all the time that they had spent apart.

Their lips parted and Jackson held his forehead against his partner's, "Oh Aaron," he said softly, "Why did I ever let you go? No-one makes me feel the way you do. I know you used to drive me mad with the things you did, but that was part of who you are. I've never stopped loving you; and it doesn't matter if you don't love me; I just don't want to be without you!"

"Jackson, I do love you. It took me a long time to realise it; and I was an idiot! But I know now; I love you."

"Do you really mean that?" Jackson had just heard the three little words that he had so wanted to hear from Aaron in all this time.

"Yes, Jackson, I want to be with you; if you'll still have me!"

The kiss that Jackson gave Aaron at that moment dispelled any doubts that he had. There was such a strong bond between them that it could not be broken in all the time that they had spent apart.

Jackson pulled back to look Aaron in the eyes; those beautiful blue eyes that melted his heart every time he saw them. "Are you sure this is what you want? You're not just on the rebound from Marco?"

Aaron held Jackson's gaze steadily, he knew exactly what he needed and what he felt deep inside, "I've always wanted this, ever since we split up. I've never stopped hoping that we could somehow get back together one day. I can't forget you, no matter how I try. You're there, in my mind, the moment I wake up and before I go to sleep at night. You are the one for me; and always will be."

Jackson gave Aaron a quick peck on the lips; he could not remember a time like this; when Aaron had opened up to him so completely; and he decided to be honest with his partner too, "Aaron, you are all I ever wanted. I know you can be a right royal pain in the backside, but that doesn't matter; so can I sometimes! Everything you are is everything I want! You can mess with my head all you want, I'll still keep coming back for more; because I know, in the end, I can't live without you!"

They kissed again and Aaron; moved by Jackson's heartfelt speech, replied, "I'll never mess you around ever again; you're much too important to me for that; I know that now. If you take me back, I'll spend my life proving to you that there is nothing in the world that I wouldn't do for you. Anything you want, just ask; and you've got it...you've got me!"

They were both crying now, after being so honest with each other, tears of joy and relief streamed down their faces.

"You're such a soft lad!" Aaron brushed the tears away from Jackson's face with his fingers.

Jackson mimicked Aaron's actions on his lover's face, "I know you'd never admit it, but so are you!"

"Look at the state of us!" Aaron started to laugh; and Jackson followed suit. They were both happier than they had been for a very long time.

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Jackson's bed was comfortable and Aaron sighed contentedly. He had just had the most amazing experience of his young life; sharing the intimate, naked passion that only two people in love can ever feel. Yes, he had slept with Jackson before, but this time was different; more special. He knew that he truly loved this man by his side and it only served to heighten his senses; making their union more intense.

Jackson stared at the ceiling, wondering what had just hit him! He had been with men before, but nothing came close to the feelings that he had just experienced; and he knew that he could never be truly happy without Aaron in his life.

Jackson looked at Aaron; the gorgeous face, the blue eyes, the perfect body. But, it was not just a physical attraction, there was something else; a deep, magnetic pull that bound them together. People often spoke of a soul-mate, well, that's exactly what Aaron was to him.

Aaron turned his head to look at his lover and he smiled, "So, you'll take me back then!" he said, cheekily.

Jackson leaned across for another kiss, "What do you think?" he replied.

"Dunno!" Aaron decided to break the spell, "I thought you'd just invited me back for a quick tumble in the sack and, once you'd had your wicked way with me, you'd throw me out onto the streets!"

Jackson loved these light-hearted moments; it was part of who they were and what made them 'fit'. He decided to play along, "But, I haven't finished with you yet; have I?" He lunged at his boyfriend and they wrestled in the sheets like a couple of kids, laughing their heads off. Jackson rolled on top of Aaron and pinned his arms back onto the mattress, crushing his lips into his lover's.

After a while, they stopped kissing and just lay cuddling each other.

"Are you hungry?" asked Jackson, "I've got two cream cakes in the fridge."

Aaron teased him, "What's brought this on?"

"I just feel a bit peckish, that's all. I bought them for today; it was...well... it is Dane's birthday. I was going to share them with him," Jackson looked a little pensive; and Aaron picked up on his discomfort.

"Are you sure you want to share them with me? If they were for Dane, I mean."

"Well, they're not birthday cakes anymore; they're celebration cakes now; for us getting back together!"

"In that case, I can't think of anything I'd like better; bring it on!" Aaron grinned and kissed Jackson.

"Stay here, I'll go and get them!" Still naked, Jackson climbed out of bed and headed for the kitchen. A minute later, he reappeared with a small, cardboard box containing two fresh cream éclairs.

"You look like one of those 'nude waiters' that you can hire!" giggled Aaron.

Jackson laughed at the joke; he could see the funny side of his appearance in the buff, carrying food. He jumped onto the bed next to his partner and took one of the éclairs from the box. Aaron was expecting him to hand it over, but instead, he pressed it to Aaron's lips and Aaron took a bite. Then, Aaron copied Jackson's actions and fed the other cake to his boyfriend. They sat on the bed, giggling and feeding each other until they had devoured most of the éclairs. There was a little bit left and they both nibbled each end of it until their lips met in the middle and they kissed; tasting the remnants of cream and chocolate on their tongues. It was a very intimate moment; a special, secret ritual.

As their lips parted, Jackson whispered, "Stay with me tonight?"

"Yeah, 'course I will!" Aaron smiled at Jackson; there could be no mistaking the love in their eyes, "If you're sure that's what you want."

"I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life," Jackson smiled back.

Aaron suddenly felt that he belonged here. He was home; he was exactly where he wanted to be, at last.

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Jackson roused the next morning to see Aaron slumbering next to him. He propped himself up on one elbow and gazed at the vision before him. Aaron could be so aggravating at times but, when he was quietly sleeping like this, he was just so cute! At that moment, he remembered why he was attracted to the young mechanic in the first place; this was the Aaron very few people saw...'his' Aaron. He traced his boyfriend's strong jaw line with his fingers.

Aaron stirred and opened his eyes. "Morning!" he said, giving Jackson a beautiful smile.

"Morning!" Jackson could not resist giving Aaron a quick kiss on the lips.

"What time is it?" Aaron enquired.

"Eight o'clock."

"What? Why didn't you wake me? I'll be late!" Aaron looked worried.

"Late for what? It's a bank holiday Monday, you div!"

"Oh yeah!" Aaron suddenly remembered and his smile returned, "So, what are we going to do today?"

"Well, we can do anything you want. But first, I'm going to have to go to the supermarket. When I opened the fridge last night, I realised how low I am on supplies!"

"I'll come with you; keep you company."

Jackson looked at Aaron in astonishment, "You...Aaron Livesy, shopping? Look, Mr Alien Person, please return the real Aaron to me...now!"

"Oh, very funny!" Aaron rolled his eyes, "I have been to a supermarket before; I'll have you know!"

"You never cease to amaze me!" Jackson said with a cheeky grin.

Jackson parked his van in the store car park and the couple went inside. Aaron volunteered to push the shopping trolley, which astounded Jackson even more; and they traipsed up and down the aisles like all the other shoppers. When they reached the confectionery aisle, Aaron spotted some sweets that he loved, "Oh, please buy me some sweeties Daddy, please!" he fluttered his eyelashes and Jackson looked round to see if anyone was watching.

"You're so embarrassing!" Jackson said, blushing, "If anyone asks, you're not with me!"

"You love me really!" Aaron pouted, making Jackson laugh out loud.

"Go on then; put whatever sweets you want in the trolley!" Jackson was resigned to Aaron getting his own way; as usual!

They returned home just before the heavens opened and they managed to get all the shopping bags inside just in time. Jackson busied himself putting everything away while Aaron boiled the kettle so that they could have a brew after their expedition.

"Good idea, now that we've got some milk!" Jackson held up the freshly-bought bottle to show Aaron, "Thanks for your help today; I don't think I've ever enjoyed a shopping trip so much!"

"What?" Aaron seemed surprised, "Even when I tried to wind you up in the middle of 'Supersavers'?"

"Yeah, even then!"

"I enjoyed it too. I like it when we're together; whatever we're doing!" Aaron had a look of contentment on his face.

As they sat on the settee with their drinks, Jackson looked out of the window, "Typical bank holiday weather," he said with a frown, "What are we going to do now?"

"Well, there's not much point in going out again, is there?" Aaron replied.

"Not really. Perhaps we can find something to amuse ourselves indoors!" Jackson licked his lips suggestively.

Aaron wasted no time in grabbing his boyfriend and planting a hot kiss on his lips.

They broke the kiss and looked at each other longingly, "I do love you, you know!" Aaron whispered.

"I've always loved you; and I always will!" Jackson kissed his lover again as he melted into the moment.

After everything that had happened in the past, they had finally found their way back to each other; they had come full circle.