CHAPTER FOUR

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Emmerdale or it's characters, they belong to ITV

A/N: Again thanks for all the kind reviews, those not liking Ben have good reason not to...

The Dance music was loud and started to annoy him.

Aaron glanced at his watch, Ben was late 9 he had said, it was now knocking up to half past.

Aaron hated being late, for dates anyway, for work it didn't matter, Ben had been late for all their dates that week and it annoyed him.

Aaron swung around on the bar stool and watched the revellers dance to the music, happy and merry on their night out. Jackson was never late, well just the once early on in their relationship and there had been a good reason for it.

A voice broke his daze "thought i'd never get here, a mate kept me back, bit of business..."

Aaron didn't know what kind of work Ben did, every time he had asked, he would only be evasive with a this and that...

If he was bruterly honest the mystery was an attraction to him.

"It's okay, I'm getting used to it" he sighed playfully, " but I haven't got you a beer...as punishment"

Ben gave him a quick peck on the lips "Nice to see you too grumpy" he said in jest.

He ordered a drink and said " Tom's in Leeds, he's got a bloke...!"

Aaron raised his eyebrowes in surprise, Poor Tom wasn't the prettiest of fellows.

"I know hard to believe a" cried Ben in laughter.

The night wore on and Aaron really enjoyed himself, but he kept looking out for him, for Jackson, but Jackson wasn't here tonight, he was out again in some better club with a better boyfriend.

Aaron was in a dream as the music did his head in, Ben had come back from the gents and came to rest beside him on the soft seating area.

Ben slid up to him and slipped his arm around his shoulders pulling him closer to him.

Aaron flinched slightly making Ben retract his actions "I'm sorry...getting too heavy am I ?"

"No...it's alright, I don't mind..." He gazed into Ben's green eyes " I'm ready...you know..."

Ben was chuffed and stood, " I get us another beer in, and we're go..." Aaron returned his smile, but as he watched Ben disappear to the bar, his stomached churned uneasily...

Aaron shivered in the freezing night air, as he and Ben waited for the cab at the rank, the queue was endless and the cabs few and far between.

" we are going to be here all night at this rate, let's walk, my flat's not far..." suggested Ben pulling his jacket around himself.

Aaron nervously nodded in agreement, Ben could see he was uneasy, he sighed and breathed " ...if you don't want to, we don't have too..." he hated not getting what he wanted.

Aaron bit his lip and turned, "No, No it's fine, let's walk, might keep us warm a ?"

Aaron stared around the flat, it was nothing special, just a flat above a hardware shop in the Hotton High street.

Ben removed his jacket "Sorry it's freezing in here, i'll whack the thermo up"

Ben disappeared into the next room, Aaron entered into the lounge area and plonked himself down on one of the dingy sofas, he did'nt remove his hoodie, it was too cold.

Ben rubbed his hands together as he joined him in the lounge " i'll make us a coffee to warm us up!"

Aaron stood up, forcing his hands into his pockets " yeah...that'll be good..."

As Ben prepared the mugs in his kitchette he turned " sorry about the mess, i'm not as tidy as you"

Aaron folded his arms and leaned on the fridge and sighed " it's fine...I'm just abit anal about stuff..."

"Oh yeah..." smiled Ben, taking Aaron's reply as innuendo.

Aaron flustered as he realised what he ment " you know what i mean" he huffed,

Ben boiled the kettle, and poured into the mugs " yeah I do, I'm only kidding..."

Ben stirred the coffees and chucked the spoon into the sink, that was crammed full of plates and stuff, he handed Aaron his mug and they both entered the lounge and sat on the sofa.

Ben carefully put his arm around Aaron "Look, honestly if you are not...you know..."

Aaron nodded, gulping down the dregs of his coffee " No...I'm fine..." he turned and looked into Ben's eyes "...I want to"

Ben took the mug from Aaron's grasp and placed it with his on the cluttered coffee table, he then gentley cupped Aaron's face with his palms and kissed him on the lips, brushingly at first then more forceful when Aaron responded.

When he pulled away Ben slowly stood and took hold of Aaron's hand, and slowly led the nervous lad towards the bedroom...

The next morning Ben opened his eyes and stretched his arm across the bed, he'd expected Aaron but the space was empty and cold. He propped himself up upon his elbows and sighed in disappointment, then his mobile jingled and he reached across and grabbed it from the side.

he read the text: missed you last night, hope to see you again. Lee X

Ben deleted the text, and throw his mobile aside and got up.

Aaron wasn't far, he was in the lounge with a mug of tea, deep in thought. It was okay with Ben last night, but different than it was with Jackson.

Ben had been rough and lustful, were as Jackson had been gentle and loving.

Ben came through jolting Aaron from his thoughts " there you are, I thought you'd done a runner!"

Aaron smirked " Oh yeah... you can't get rid of me that easily!"

Ben nodded "Good, that's good to hear..." he then noticed Aaron's tea "...where's mine!"

Aaron stood " In the kettle, I've been up since 7" Ben made himself a cup , and turned,

"Look, I've got nowt in, hows about we go to the cafe up the road for breakkie"

Aaron pulled his hoodie on, this flat was cold even with the heating on,

"I've gotta better idea, we get breakfast and then you can spend the day with me in the village, at least Paddy's place is not the arctic!"

Ben slurped his tea and flashed his trademark grin " Sound, I'll get myself ready, won't be long"

To be honest, Aaron still wasn't entirely sure where he and Ben were going long term, and he still knew deep down he had strong feelings for Jackson, but he had lost Jackson...Jackson was starting a new life with a better boyfriend. He had no one to blame that but himself.

But he liked Ben, he was different and exciting, after last night he was ready to let Ben meet Paddy properly and maybe his Mother, if she behaved herself.

When Ben was ready and dressed in jeans and a sweater, Aaron stood,

"You don't mind do yah...?, coming back to the village with me"

Ben nodded and brushed his Aaron's cheek with his palm

"I'm actually looking forward to it...getting to know your family and friends..."

"I hope they like you, like I do!" Aaron chuckled.

Ben smiled, and gelled his blonde spikes " ...they'll love me...I'll make sure of it..."

TBC

All reviews welcomed!