AARON & JACKSON –
– DESIRE –
"Secret's Out"
This fanfic continues the next day after Ultimatums & Heartbreak
Characters belong to ITV
...
Aaron was busy, Cain had left him too, probably for the rest of the day and Ryan had asked for the day off. He had two cars to sort after the one he was working on and they had to be done before one, he had a couple of hours.
Jackson was at work, although getting the jobs done his mind was elsewhere. He was frustrated he took a deep breath and stopped what he was doing; he pulled out his phone We need to talk. Jackson hit send.
Tom was pacing the bedroom, his and Jackson's, his eyes remained fixed on the bed, making him worse. During the night he'd woken up a few times, he'd done the crying, for now that was over. In an angry outburst he ripped the bedding off and slung it out of the room. He stood, his chest rising quickly, he tried to get his breath back, to calm himself down. He had too he had to prepare the house for the party for the evening. He pulled out his phone quickly when it beeped; he frowned when he read the text from Jackson. He sighed. Ok later, at the party x he hit send, he clenched his teeth together hating the fact he put a kiss at the end to make everything seem okay. It was far from it.
...
Tom had asked Chas, who he'd got on with since arriving in the village to let people know that they were holding a housewarming party and everyone was invited. He walked round the garage, a few cars were parked up in a line and he saw one in front of the garage that was being worked on.
Aaron's head was under the bonnet of the Nissan he was currently occupied with. He heard the gravel clicking together a few metres away, whoever it was would have to wait. Seconds later he saw someone beside him. Aaron looked briefly then had to double take when he realised it was Tom. He swallowed hard, and frowned. "Hi"
"Hi" Tom smiled. "You're Chas' son right?"
Aaron nodded. "Yeah, I'm Aaron..."
"That's right you sorted Jackson's van out the other day, I'm Tom his fiancé..."
"Yeah he mentioned you, I've seen you around..." he looked back to the engine on the car. "How's the house?"
"Yeah not bad, we're having a housewarming tonight; I wasn't sure if your mum would have told you but thought I'd check"
Aaron shook his head. "No, she didn't"
"Well you're invited so I look forward to seeing you there"
Aaron tensed instantly. "Oh I dunno...I dunno how long this'll take...If I can...maybe" he nodded.
"Okay, no worries, I'll have a pint ready if you do"
Aaron half smiled. "Yeah, cheers" he trailed off.
Tom smiled and turned away again.
"Er Tom...!" Aaron called, his words left his mouth without so much of a thought, then as Tom turned to face him he realised what he was doing. "Yeah...I'll be there" he told him.
"Good man" Tom nodded and carried on walking back to the house.
Aaron slammed his fist down on the front of the car; he closed his eyes and shook his head. He was going to tell him. But didn't. He should have.
...
Tom was watching as Jackson pulled up outside the house, he frowned when he didn't come in instead he headed to the garage. Tom turned and smiled at the few guests already there, Chas, Paddy, Pearl and Adam. Tom excused himself and ran upstairs and looked out the spare bedroom window where he had a full view of the garage. He watched.
"Your text panicked the crap out of me what is it Aaron?" Jackson asked as he approached his arms out as his side then dropped them at his waist.
"You should be panicked!" Aaron glared at him.
"Why?"
"Because Tom asked me to this housewarming tonight, I nearly freaked, tried to keep it together...I nearly told him, I was going too but I stopped"
Jackson sighed. "I'm sorry Aaron" he stepped closer, their bodies touching, so so close together. Jackson placed his hand on Aaron's face and rested his forehead against his. Jackson closed his eyes. "I want you Aaron..."
"I want you too but I'm just going to get hurt Jackson...I hate this, I hate all of it...why couldn't you have just left him?" he said sadly.
Jackson shrugged. "I'm a coward..."
"No..." Aaron couldn't hear that. "No...No you're not, but you have to fix this"
"I'm going too tonight...then it's me and you, I promise...you're so special to me..."
Aaron sighed. "I know I'm younger than you so don't just be fobbing me off...if you want me then show me that you do and get rid of him because I can't take any more of this!" he urged him, tears filling his eyes.
"Hey...don't cry"
"I can't help it" he spat. "I'm feeling things for you Jackson...whatever happens I'll be in the gutter, alone...permanent nights alone...I need you" he admitted shyly.
Jackson was worried for him, for them, he lifted Aaron's head slightly and kissed him, kissed him softly, their lips brushing together, Aaron opened his mouth and allowed Jackson's tongue to slide into his mouth, now both tongues touching, Aaron let out a groan as they kissed.
Tom looked away; he swallowed hard, his eyes fixed to the wall. He shook his head. How could they?
They parted seconds later. "You'll never be alone Aaron, me and you...together, tonight...tonight and it'll just be me and you"
Aaron nodded. "I trust you"
"Good, because as soon as I walk in that door I'm telling him"
Aaron nodded. "I'll brace myself then" he smirked.
Jackson left and walked to the house, he swung open the door. "Tom!" he yelled but stopped in his tracks to see a few guests already there. "Oh...hey..."
"Hiya love he's just upstairs...think you better go and get changed before everything gets here"
Jackson smiled nervously and nodded then walked up the stairs.
"Yeah?" Tom asked as he approached Jackson on the landing.
"I need to talk..."
"No...Not now we've got guests Jackson, get yourself showered and lets get this party started" he forced a smile as he brushed past him.
"No, Tom listen to me!" he urged.
"I' am doing...but there's more important things going on at the moment, shower now..."
Jackson turned and pushed the bathroom door open with force causing it to bang off the wall. "For fuck sake Tom!" he growled.
Tom stopped on the stairs and smirked. No Chance. He thought, he wasn't about to let Jackson have a talk with him now, he knew what it was about. How couldn't he not know? Jackson was choosing to be with someone else, it was obvious by his actions.
...
Once downstairs, Tom opened the front door, an invitation to the villagers and turned up the music, the sun was setting, the evening warm. He greeted the rest of the Barton family as they arrived, more of the Dingles. By that time Jackson was downstairs and he greeted Declan when he came in.
"Hi mate, thanks for coming"
Declan frowned. "No worries, just a little something" he handed over the champagne that Jackson took gratefully. "Mate, are you alright?"
"Yeah why?" Jackson asked.
"You seem stressed"
Jackson nodded. "I' am a bit to be honest but erm...once I've had a few it'll pass" he smiled
Declan nodded then carried on through the living room to mingle with the other villagers.
...
Hours had passed, it was nine, and the sun had disappeared now street lamps lit the village. Aaron stood looking out of the kitchen window, he saw villagers outside Dale head, laughing talking and enjoying the night the party was in full swing it seemed. Aaron sighed and sat alone at the table, Smithy cottage was quiet. Paddy had already left for the party hours before. He looked down at himself, dressed and ready to go, he didn't want to now.
A while later Aaron sighed and got up from the table and left the house and walked down the village. At the same time Tom had quietened their guests. "A speech Tom really?" Jackson asked bluntly.
Tom was calm. And he simply nodded. "Yes Jackson, a speech...right first of all I'd like to thank everybody for coming it's been great to get to know you all a bit more...now I'd like to say I look forward to many more parties here in this house, with Jackson"
Everyone looked around at each other confused. Jackson quickly looked at Tom, frowning.
"But I won't be here...purely because of the simple fact that he, he has been having sex with someone else behind my back!"
Gasps filled the room, stares penetrated Jackson.
Tom smiled as tears filled his eyes. "Nah, he's not denying it...should really dispose of condom wrappers a bit more carefully Jackson, instead of leaving them lying on the floor...under the bed...OUR bed...I found it..."
Adam sighed and lowered his head shaking it.
"Now, who is it I ask you all...well..."
In that moment Aaron walked into the house, apart from quiet music everyone was quiet and all eyes turned on him. "Here he is" Tom said bitterly.
"Here's what?" Aaron asked frowning.
Tom stepped forward, closer but Jackson stood blocking his way to Aaron. "I can explain Tom...I should have explained ages ago!" Jackson told him quickly.
"Aaron?" Chas questioned him, everyone switching from Aaron, Tom, and then Jackson.
"Is this true?" Paddy asked as he got to his feet.
Aaron lowered his head and nodded.
"Aaron you stupid idiot!" Chas yelled, angry.
"Lover boy has been more honest than you ever have Jackson" Tom spat. "So come on...why?" he asked angrily as he pushed him back.
Jackson sighed as he regained his balance. "Because...because we aren't who we used to be...I-I got bored...Aaron...and I met...and" he shrugged. "He makes me feel good, we talk...we understand each other..."
"How could you do this Jackson, he's only a kid!" Chas yelled.
"I'm not a kid!" Aaron yelled angrily. "It happened, we can't take it back, I wanna be with him and Jackson wants to be with me!"
Chas put her head in her hands and rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Aaron mate, I think you should go" Adam told him.
"He's not going anywhere" Tom growled as he pushed back Jackson, now face to face with Aaron. "He can't protect you now"
"No...But we can" Chas stood and was joined by Zak.
Tom shook his head, then looked back at Aaron. "So, that's true is it?"
Aaron nodded. "Yeah, it is...I'm sorry Tom"
"You're sorry!" Anger increased in his tone.
Aaron just nodded.
Catching Chas and Zak off guard Tom flung his fist at Aaron, striking his hard in the face, knocking him back into the wall. Aaron got up and moved to the open door. "I deserved that" he said quietly and walked out into the dark.
Tom shook his head and followed him. "Think this is over do ya?!"
"Hey!" Jackson ran out after them followed by several people from the party. "You touch him again and I swear to god I'll hit you myself Tom...leave him, this is all my fault...he told me to tell you, he wanted me too, but I didn't I dragged it out, I was going to tell you after the party"
"Oh and that's nice isn't it?" he glared at him and pushed him away causing him to fall onto his backside.
Tom followed Aaron far enough away from anyone stopping him for a few seconds, he pulled him back by his shoulder and punched him, again and again. Aaron was just taking it. "You have ruined my life!" he screamed at the bloodied mess of Aaron.
Aaron spat out blood as Tom stopped. His breathing was hard, strained. "I-I-I know" he nodded. "B-But I love him" Aaron let out a cry and dropped to his knees, while his arms gripped his sides where Tom had landed a few punches quickly.
Jackson heard Aaron's words, they slid right into his heart, he smiled a little. Aaron loved him. "Will you do something!" Adam yelled. "It should be you getting the beating not him!" Adam then shook his head and stormed over to Jackson and grabbed him by his collar.
"Do you have any idea what he's been through? He's just a kid Jackson! He overcame so much and now you've done this, you've done this to him!"
"I know Adam I'm sorry..."
"This better be worth it Jackson and you better want to be him after all of this!"
"Of course I do..."
"Not how it looks to me...if he..." Adam's voice cracked at the emotion he was feeling, his eyes burnt with heat as the tears surfaced. "If my best mate does anything stupid...again...because of this...I-I will never, ever! Forgive you"
Jackson frowned as Adam let loose of him. "Adam?"
"What? He didn't tell you!"
Jackson shook his head.
"Adam please! That's not important now!" Aaron called over, crouched down on the road.
Tom in another wave of anger kicked Aaron in the face. Chas let out a sob as she watched this. Jackson ran over and pushed Tom away from him, pushing him to the ground. "You're hurting him!"
"Good! He might know how I feel!" he shouted sadly and he got up. "I hope you are happy with him" he said bitterly and ran into the house, up the stairs to get a few things together.