Disclaimer: The characters and overreaching plot belongs to ITV Studios. I gain no money from this. No copyright infringement intended. The original plot in this short story belongs to me as well as any original characters (OCs).
Author's note: Once again I'm sorry that it took such a long time to finish this chapter. Have gotten beta'd now.
Aaron and Jackson made their way from the park back to Smithy Cottage. Aaron was getting more confident with holding Jackson's hand in public. As Paddy had said, it wasn't that hard. He was grateful that the people they met acted positively about the whole thing. Jackson was also thankful over that. He could just imagine how Aaron would have reacted if they met bad words during their stroll. It was something Jackson loved with this village, everyone was friendly and accepting. After a few minutes they arrived back at the house. Aaron phoned Adam while Jackson went over to the telly. He turned it on and sat down. A few moments later Aaron finished the call and walked in. He took of his jacket and slid down beside Jackson whom placed his arm around him. Aaron leaned into the touch as a smile broke out over his face.
"So what did he say?" Jackson asked after a few moments of silence.
"He'll just milk the cows and feed the chickens first. After that he'll come over," Aaron replied.
"Alright. Maybe you can show me how to play the game in the mean time then?" Jackson replied and glanced over at the Xbox. Aaron smiled and picked up a control and turned the game console on. He then proceeded with explaining the controls for Jackson and they played a few test matches. Aaron was a bit surprised that Jackson wanted to play with him because the other man had never struck him as a gamer. Jackson did make a decent try at the game but Aaron was better at it. After some time they heard Adam's Rover drive up to the house and not long thereafter Adam entered the house. He gave the couple an awkward look as they were quite tangled together at the moment.
"You need some time for yourself mate?" he asked with a smile. Aaron flinched a little and gave Adam an annoyed glare. He then moved away from Jackson and ignored the other man's comment that it suddenly got a bit colder. The three men spent the next few hours playing the game. Jackson lost most of the time but he didn't mind that much. After Paddy came home and started making lunch they cut their gaming session short. Adam headed home to do some farm work. Jackson had been thinking about going back to Dale View but Paddy persuaded him to stay. Aaron didn't mind that Jackson stayed over. He did hope that they could sort their issues out. He missed waking up next to Jackson since he had moved out.
They sat down around the table and ate their lunch while speaking about things which had happened during the day. Paddy was happy that Aaron and Jackson went along well during the meal. Jackson even made Aaron speak a little which he rarely did when it was just him and Paddy. After the meal the couple headed up to Aaron's room. Paddy did wonder what they were up to but he didn't ask. Once inside Jackson and Aaron laid down on the bed. They cuddled together without any heavy touching, as they were all too aware about the other persons in the house. Aaron did take this moment to talk with Jackson about things though. He wasn't sure how to begin so he went right on point.
"Jackson? Will you ever move back here?" he asked.
Jackson rested his head on his hand as he brought himself up with his arm.
"Do you want me around?" he countered.
"Of course I want," Aaron said and gave Jackson a sincere look.
"You know why I moved out right? If you can prove to me that you won't repeat that I'll stay. Forget about that guy," Jackson replied sternly.
"He's nothing for me, I swear. I hate him for what he did but I won't let that affect me."
"That's good. I'll hold you to that promise."
"Jackson, I love you and I don't want to lose you. I have never been any good at this relationship thing but you have helped me, a lot. If it wasn't for you then I wouldn't be the man I am today. I would still be that angry and scared thug. You changed me, made me into a better man."
Jackson's heart got filled with joy over those words. He knew that Aaron meant every single one of them. He just hoped that his violence would be gone forever. He then stroked his fingers over Aaron's head and smiled at him. Aaron gave him a shy smile back and they embraced each other in a sweet kiss. He loved this man so much.
-ooOOoo-
Later on Aaron and Jackson went over to the Woolpack to get something to drink. They stepped in through the door and made their way over to the counter and ordered a pint each. Aaron exchanged a few words with Cain who was standing by the counter. Cain did mention something about an interesting "business opportunity". Aaron knew all too well what he was getting at. The money was tempting but he knew that Jackson would hate him if he went through with it. He did not give a final word to Cain, stating that he needed to think about it first. After they got their beers the couple made their way over to one of the booths and started drinking, well for the most part. They were also holding hands and sat closely together. Aaron was a little nervous but he was ready for this. About half way through and after some talking Jackson leaned in closer. He was not sure if Aaron would fulfill his request. To his surprise the other man did and they exchanged a kiss which tasted of lager. Not far away from them Edna sat and gave them a disapproving look. Aaron responded with a glare.
"What're you looking at?" he spat out. Jackson groaned as he did that. He should probably have foreseen that.
"Some things are better kept in private," Edna replied dryly.
Before Aaron got a chance to respond Jackson intervened. "You do know that you can choose to not look at something you don't like?" he said. Edna scoffed at him. Then Chas came by too.
"If it was a man and a woman you wouldn't have reacted at all. What's the difference if it's two men who love each other deeply?" she asked with an annoyed look at her face and a hand on her hip. Edna gave Chas a sour look and finished her drink before she leaved. Aaron raised his glass towards his mom as a token of appreciation. But then he looked over at Jackson's slightly annoyed expression.
"What?" he asked.
"Just because some people don't like people who are gay that does not mean that you should lash out at them," Jackson stated matter-of-factly.
"What, so I'm not allowed to get angry at bigots?" Aaron replied sarcastically.
"I'm not saying that. I get annoyed at bigots and homophobes too but I do not shout at them or hit them."
"What're you going on about? I didn't do anything of that!"
"It's your attitude," Jackson explained.
Aaron rolled his eyes at that. "Fine. I'll ignore that kind of people. Happy?"
"That's better," Jackson said.
"Are you two having a lovers squabble? " Adam suddenly pitched in. Both Aaron and Jackson looked over at him as they hadn't heard him coming in.
"It's nothing…" Aaron began at the same time as Jackson replied. "That's sadly a part of having a relationship," Jackson said.
The two men then looked at each other and chuckled a little. Adam smiled and sat down with his pint. The rest of the evening went by under happier circumstances but Jackson couldn't let go of Aaron's reaction. He did not voice it however but it reminded him that they still had several issues to work through. Then again, he was happy with how Aaron was. He loved the guy for everything he was except his violent tendencies. But he had faith in that those would be resolved too one day. By the end of the evening people started going home. They said goodbye to Adam as he went with his father back to the farm. Jackson then accompanied Aaron back to Smithy Cottage. They walked together and held each other's hands. It mostly went on under silence. As they arrived to the house, Aaron turned towards Jackson and pressed his lips against his. Jackson kissed him back and parted his lips. Aaron was quick to take the opportunity and pushed his tongue in and so did Jackson. They kept their lips locked together and swirled their tongues around each other for a few seconds. As they got short of breath they broke apart however. Aaron then smiled at Jackson and looked into those chocolate brown eyes of his.
"Will you come in?" he then asked.
"Yes," Jackson answered with a smile. The couple then went in through the doors and up to Aaron's room to get some sleep, hopefully.
