Chapter 10
Jackson stirred, stretching into wakefulness; in a comfortable way, he was uncomfortable; he shifted position a little, yes, there were definitely places he knew Aaron had been. He looked at his lover, still sleeping peacefully, his face relaxed and thought how incredibly young he looked, even with a few days growth of stubby beard. He was tempted to kiss him, waken him, but that wouldn't be fair; it had been late before they slept and was still early now. He shifted again, tucking his arse into the curve of Aaron's body, snuggling in as deeply as he could, feeling his lover shift to surround him, his arm falling forward, capturing him. Soon he slept again.
...
"So what's the plan for today?" Aaron was sitting in the passenger seat of the van, sharing the last of their biscuits with Jackson. "We need to get more food and what about finding a camp site for tonight; I wouldn't mind getting a proper shower."
"Ok", said Jackson slowly, looking at the map, "how about heading to the Roman fort at Housesteads; it's right on Hadrian's Wall, having a look round there, then going back to the A68 and heading north into Scotland"
"Sounds good to me," said Aaron, holding out the last of the biscuits.
"You're sure? Anywhere you want to go, just say."
"Yeah, I'm sure," replied Aaron, smiling at him. "I'm just happy to be away from all my family and their prying eyes; get away from one and another pops out. It's like they are checking up on me. Maybe they've got me tagged or micro-chipped so they always know where I am!"
"Mostly it's because they care, you know," said Jackson quietly.
"I know," Aaron sighed, "but it can get so claustrophobic; sometimes I feel as though I just can't breathe. It just makes me freak a bit, that's all."
"Maybe it'll be different when we get back," said Jackson, trying to sound hopeful and encouraging.
"Yeah, maybe," said Aaron, not convinced. "Right! C'mon, get in and drive. And put your foot down."
...
It was an Aladdin's cave of shop that sold everything and they emerged loaded. Enough food to feed an army, two fold-up canvas picnic chairs, a small plastic water container – already filled by the shopkeeper – a football, pack of cards and a couple of magazines. Aaron couldn't believe such an out of the way shop sold Gay Times and to Jackson's amusement he quickly covered it with a car magazine when Jackson threw it into the trolley; disappearing for a moment as it went through the checkout.
Following the signs to Housesteads Roman Fort, the countryside became emptier, treeless, beautifully stark. There were a number of other cars in the car park but few people as the fort itself was an uphill walk away. The wind hurled itself around them as they got out of the van.
"Wow! That's amazing!" exclaimed Aaron, jumping down. Lifting his phone he took a couple of photos. "Can you chuck me a hoodie out," he called back to Jackson, "it's freezing!"
"Ah, you're a real tourist now," grinned Jackson, coming round the side of the van with their jumpers, "taking photos."
"It's what folk do on their holidays, isn't it," replied Aaron. "Just wish I'd taken some of the first place we stopped."
"I think you were a bit too busy to worry about taking photos," teased Jackson, his eyes sparkling at the memory.
Aaron blushed. "I didn't notice you complaining."
"Oh believe me, I wasn't! C'mon."
They paid their entrance fee and had a cursory look round the museum before heading up the windswept hill to the remains of the fort. The gusting, howling wind buffeted them as they fought against it to climb the hill, whipping the breath from them, taking their laughter and releasing it to the elements.
"Are you going to drag me to look at stone buildings and ruins every day this holiday," laughed Aaron, pausing for breath as they reached the first of the ruined fort buildings,
"Yeah, kicking and screaming if I have too," declared Jackson. He grabbed Aaron's arm and tried to pull him onwards. For a moment Aaron resisted being pulled, letting Jackson's hand slide down his arm until their hands met and he caught his fingers in his own.
Jackson looked at him; Aaron smiled back reassuringly, gripping his hand tighter. For a moment nothing else existed around them; the stony remains spreading over the hillside; other visitors wandering through what was once a Roman fort on the outskirts of civilisation; they could have been alone as their eyes held each other.
"I'll never kick and scream against you, Jay," Aaron said, suddenly serious. "Well, not unless you tie me up and cover me in chocolate!" he added, trying to break the unexpected moment of intensity before it overwhelmed him.
"Wow! That's a date then!" Jackson grinned cheekily at Aaron. Suddenly, before Aaron could protest, he pulled him towards him and kissed him quickly, full on the lips.
Maybe it was the open, empty landscape, the elemental wind, the isolation; but Aaron didn't protest. The kiss could have lasted for eternity and at that moment, Aaron wouldn't have minded; nothing mattered but Jackson, everything that mattered was Jackson. There was nothing to think about except the moment. Aaron returned the kiss, deep and heartfelt.
Returning to awareness, Aaron couldn't help but look around and couldn't help but be relieved that no one seemed to be taking any notice of them.
"It's ok, we've not got an audience," said Jackson, noticing his anxious glances. "I maybe wouldn't do that in parts of Hotton on a Friday night, but here everyone is too busy trying to keep upright in this wind to worry about us having a quick kiss."
"Sorry, just feel a bit...exposed," said Aaron, smiling sheepishly. "C'mon, lead me to these ruins then."
...
Aaron flung himself into the back of the van, glad to get out of the ferocious wind. He had enjoyed wandering round the ruins more than he expected, the loos were brilliant, though it was kind of hard to get his head round the idea of Roman soldiers sitting there, doing their business, so many hundreds of years ago,
Jackson leapt in behind him, collapsing onto the mattress.
"That's better!" he exclaimed, "that wind is something else! Do you want to eat here or go somewhere more sheltered?"
Aaron raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"It's only cheese butties on offer, pal," laughed Jackson, "I'm a bit tender for anything else just now."
"Oh Jackson! I'm sorry!" exclaimed Aaron, instantly contrite. "You should have stopped me."
"No way! You're too damned good. We'll just have to be a bit more imaginative tonight!"
"I'm sure I'll think of something," responded Aaron cheekily.
"Oh I'm sure you will; you're a perfect slut!"
"Only for you babe, only for you," smiled Aaron. "Although if you don't move off that mattress, I might not be able to stop myself." Jackson pushed himself to a sitting position at Aaron's teasing words. "Oh well, I've got a few hours to think of something. Have we got any chocolate?"
...
Usually Aaron didn't approve of pickleless cheese butties, but by the time they had driven away from the exposed position of the fort and found a sheltered place to park up for lunch, he was ravenous and thought he had never tasted anything so good. They had set their two picnic chairs up beside the van; the little gas stove between them and were now waiting for a saucepan of water to boil for coffee.
He looked across at Jackson, a smile touched his lips. What a difference a week, a month, a year had made. Every minute was a rollercoaster, but just now he felt...amazing. There had been so many changes in his life in the last year, and he knew he was a long way from being comfortable with all of them. He wished he could see into the future; a few months ago he had told Paddy he never wanted to go to bed with a man, to fall in love. He had done one, and it was magical, so different from what he had expected; and the thought crossed his mind that he might be well on the way to the second.
"Jackson," he began hesitantly. "I just want to say...well...thanks...for everything...for sticking with me. I mean...I know I'm not the easiest person...and..."
Jackson moved, crouching beside Aaron's chair, hugging him. "Hey! Where did all this come from?"
"Nowhere; just saying." He gazed into the dark eyes of his lover, saw sudden concern etched there. "It's ok...just a passing moment."
"Oh come here," Jackson stood and pulled him to his feet, pulling him closer, feeling him rest his head against his shoulder.
Their bodies moved together; for the moment, they didn't need words.