This chapter ended up being more light hearted than I'd intended. Anyway, enjoy!

Aaron hadn't called all day and Robert was trying hard not to worry about him. When five o'clock came and went, Robert knew he would no longer be at work, and he was trying to fight off how much it hurt that Aaron hadn't called him. Trying and failing, because it did hurt. Making a decision, he went to the pub.

"Chas, can I have a word?"

"Aaron's back through there," she said nodding easily.

"Actually, I meant with you," Robert said. "If you've got a minute?" She looked surprised but nodded, taking him to a table in the (thankfully) quiet pub.

"Spit it out then," she said as they sat opposite each other.

"I'm worried about Aaron," he said. "Today... he got a letter from Gordon."

"What?!" Chas said, appalled.

"Yes, that's how I feel," Robert said. "I don't think he's taken it that well. Just... I wanted you to keep an eye on him."

"Of course I will," Chas said. "I always do."

"Gordon asked Aaron to visit him in prison."

"You what?" Chas asked, her voice blunt. "You are joking."

"Come on, Chas. Would I joke about something like that?" Robert said, shaking his head. "I think it's thrown him. I'm... worried about him."

"Thanks for telling me," Chas said.

"Look, he didn't ask me not to tell you, but I don't think he wants everyone to know."

"Yeah," Chas said. "Yeah, I get the picture." Chas nodded in thanks and went behind the bar. In two minutes she brought a pint over to Robert who smiled at her.

"Thanks."

"Hiya love." Aaron paused in the middle of eating his sandwich, looking at his mother. The tone in her voice gave it away.

"Robert told you?" Aaron said. No point drawing it out.

"He may have mentioned something," Chas said. "Don't be mad at him."

"I'm not," Aaron said. "And there's nothing to say on that subject, so drop it."

"You know you can talk to me," Chas said quietly. "It doesn't always have to be Robert."

"Yeah, I know mum." Aaron smiled at her tightly. "I'm not going to see him in prison," he added.

"Promise?"

"Yeah, I promise," he said. Chas smiled at him.

"Good."

"I need to sleep," Aaron said, closing his eyes briefly, despite the fact it was early. He was tired, but especially tired of the conversations about Gordon that kept circulating. "Is Robert here?" he asked after a moment, debating whether asking his mother that was a good idea.

"He was out the front," Chas said. Aaron nodded, closing his eyes for a moment, his head tilting onto his hand in drowsiness. He may actually have drifted off to sleep, because the next thing he knew was Robert's voice jerking him awake.

"Aaron?"

"Mm?"

"Are you all right?" Robert asked seriously.

"I'm bored of talking about this subject," Aaron said, shrugging it off. "Yeah, I'm fine. Are you…?"

"Am I what?" Robert asked.

"Staying here tonight?" Aaron asked, risking the question. He didn't want to be rejected but he wanted Robert to be with him tonight badly.

"If you want," he said. The words were light, almost inconsequential, which would have bothered Aaron if it wasn't for the warmth in Robert's eyes. He wanted to be here as much as Aaron did and Aaron felt his lips curl into a small smile.

Robert groaned as he woke up, feeling like it was a few hours too early. His legs were tangled with Aaron's and he smirked slightly. A very good way to wake up. He tried to get up but ended accidentally kicking Aaron who moaned himself awake.

"Sorry," he said quietly.

"If you're getting up, bring some coffee upstairs," Aaron said lazily. Robert smiled in agreement, going down to the kitchen. When he reached the kitchen he was incredibly glad he'd thought to put some clothes on, despite how early it was. Chas sat at the kitchen table, wearing a dressing gown and she raised an eyebrow as she saw Robert.

"Oh. You're still here."

"Apparently," Robert said sharply, busying himself making coffee. While he and Chas were on speaking terms, and often more than that when Aaron was involved, Chas always made him nervous, especially when she caught him on the back foot.

"How is he?" she asked.

"Fine," Robert said, genuinely believing it for a time. "Until the next disaster comes along, anyway." At that particular moment, Liv came in, heading straight for the fridge. Robert looked at her pointedly and Chas hid her smile in her mug.

"Oh. You're here," Liv said, looking Robert up and down clearly with distaste.

"And with such a warm welcome," Robert said sarcastically, adding milk to his own coffee, leaving Aaron's black, the way he liked it. "Right, well I'll just…" Robert left and Liv watched him go.

"Is he always here?" she asked Chas.

"I think he might be, yes," she said. Chas couldn't bring herself to mind too much. Since the trial, she'd actually seen Aaron smile, more than once too. She'd be lying to herself if she didn't think that had anything to do with Robert.

Upstairs, Aaron took the mug of coffee greedily. "Thanks." Robert sat on the edge of the bed, watching him. "Stop it," Aaron said. "You're watching me like I'm about to fall apart."

"No, I'm not," Robert said seriously. "Just watching you." He took another sip of his coffee. "Are we okay? After yesterday."

"Yes," Aaron said. "I'm not mentioning that bloody letter ever again."

"Fine." Robert smiled, leaning over Aaron and kissing him softly. Aaron sighed gently against him, closing his eyes letting Robert take control, groaning when he bit Aaron's lip lightly, teasingly. It was just getting really enjoyable when they heard a plate smash downstairs, and Chas's and Liv's voices raised in an argument. Aaron sighed heavily with disappointment as they parted.

"We should…"

"Unfortunately, yes," Robert said. He kissed Aaron briefly, a silent promise that they would carry on later, before they both started the day.

Thank you for reading and if you have a moment, I'd love a review letting me know what you think, it makes my day!