Complications

Part 4

He couldn't stop himself from smiling, he'd hoped Aaron would follow him here, kind of knew he would, but was just beginning to give up on him turning up... but here he was... chatting him up! Using a line he knew he hated, it was one way to break the tension between them.

"I'm sorry."

They'd said the words in unison; they'd been barely audible above the incessant thunderous beat of the music. But they'd been heard and understood, the salve applied, the wounds healed. Time now to move on.

He decided it was his turn to do some teasing, "Do you wanna dance?" Aaron hated dancing, well not hated as such, he was just shy about it, he had to be tanked up before he could be tempted anywhere near the dance floor. He knew he hadn't had nearly enough to drink to shake off his inhibitions and he was expecting him to screw up his face in horror.

"Yeah."

He was the one left pulling a face, one of surprise. He was even more taken aback when Aaron grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him to where the action was. He soon found himself slap bang in middle of the energetic crowd.

It was two o'clock in the morning before they stumbled out of the club. Laughing helplessly at one of his jokes, it wasn't the joke they were finding funny but the fact he'd got the punch line wrong, they'd both found that hilarious, drink fuelling their mirth.

His sides were soon hurting from the uncontrollable spasms of laughter and he had to lean back against a wall to catch his breath. He'd been surprised when Aaron had moved in for a kiss, and not just any kind of kiss either, it was no brush of the lips, no smacker... it was a full on snog! It wasn't like Aaron to be so demonstrative in public, not like him at all, not that he was complaining, he happily lost himself in it.

They'd eventually had to come up for air, and he'd grinned at the younger man, unable to hide his delight, he couldn't wait to get Aaron back to their hotel room and carry on where they'd left off. He planned on getting a taxi, the quickest way there, but it seemed Aaron had other ideas; he'd caught hold of his hand and was again pulling him along with him. They were, he told him, walking back to the hotel.

Aaron never held his hand in public but here he was strolling with him down a street that even at 2am was teaming with people! What did they put in the water down here?

He wasn't about to say anything, nothing that might make his boyfriend feel uncomfortable and revert to his reserved ways. He was loving this open affection, soaking it up because he didn't expect it to go on indefinitely.

"Are you sure you know where the hotel is?" He didn't, he didn't expect Aaron to know either but he'd assured him he did.

It was an hour before they declared themselves lost, an hour in which they walked hand in hand, never breaking the contact, and stopping every so often to share a kiss. It had been a memorable hour, one he didn't really want to end but he was aching for Aaron and so he'd stopped a passing taxi... and found they'd been going in completely the wrong direction!

They'd sobered up in that hour, so that when they finally got back to their hotel room, when they'd fallen into bed their lovemaking was just that, slow and sensual, lovers bliss.

The morning had come much too soon for his liking, it wouldn't have been so bad if Aaron had woken him up with kisses and caresses, but all he'd got this morning was his not so very dulcet tones in his ear.

"Come on! I want to go see the sights."

"But I've only just gone to sleep!" He protested. That's what it felt like, like he'd just shut his eyes. It had to be getting on for five before he and Aaron had finally pulled the sheet over them and put their bed to another use. "Can't you just look out the window?" Aaron thought he was joking, but he wasn't, he was deadly serious, between everything Aaron had worn him out.

He felt better when he'd had a shower, better still when he'd had something to eat, the hotel did a full English breakfast, and it had helped replace all that energy they'd burned up last night.

They'd hopped on a sightseeing bus, sitting on the open top deck pretending not to notice the cold wind blowing through them. They soon got chatting to some American tourists, telling them they should visit Yorkshire next.

They'd got off by the London Eye, Aaron only realising he was scared of heights when it was too late. The view had been spectacular but the best bit was Aaron holding his hand and it wasn't just because he was scared.

As they'd sat there taking in the panorama he'd silently congratulated himself, he was more than pleased with the way the weekend was going, ok so he'd made a balls up with the proposal but it hadn't really spoilt anything, they'd got over it and Aaron was throwing himself into everything, was really enjoying himself and that's all that mattered to him.

The younger man was looking a little pale by the time they'd returned to earth though, so he suggested they get a hot drink but he'd wanted to get back on another tour bus, so they did, and that's how they spent the rest of the day, getting on and off them. He'd had to remind Aaron they didn't have to do it all in one day, that they had a few more days to fill.

Once back at the hotel he'd flopped exhausted onto the bed, asking Aaron what he fancied doing that night. He'd surprised him by saying he wanted to go back to the restaurant they'd eaten at the night before. The romantic meal had ended on a sour note and he didn't think Aaron would want reminding of that but if that's where he wanted to go then fine by him.

Aaron had led the way into the restaurant this time, they didn't have a booking but they'd been found a table, another secluded one.

They'd each put three courses away again, enjoyed every minute of the time together but they couldn't stay there all night. He'd been about to ask Aaron if he was ready to go when the younger man caught hold of his hand, and smiled across the table at him, he was looking really pleased with himself for some reason, his smile was contagious and he was soon smiling back and asking, "What?"

"Marry me?"

It was Jackson's turn to be rendered silent, his turn to wonder if he'd heard right. The older man hadn't seen it coming, hadn't suspected a thing, why would he, he'd taken his reaction to his proposal as a definite no. It hadn't been though, not really. He'd just needed some time to think about it, to get over the inital shock and as he'd made his way to Razzes that's all he had done, think. He loved Jackson, he loved him with all his heart and ever since he'd walked into that club he'd tried to show him just how much. He knew Jackson loved him, that he would do anything for him, he made him laugh, he made him happy, he made him feel wanted, cared for, needed and he knew that would never change. That what they had would last. Married or not.

Then he'd thought about what getting married would entail, a civil ceremony, close friends and family, repeating out loud promises they'd already made to each other... and matching rings, symbols of their love for each other... he didn't like being centre of attention normally but he knew he would enjoy every minute of that special day.

"But..."

He wasn't known for his patience; Jackson needed a nudge in the right direction, "Just say yes."

"Yes."

The End

(Short but hopefully it was sweet?)

Mererid ;-)