"Robert woke up the next day and he looked to the side of him... Aaron was not in bed beside him so he looked around the room. Robert saw that Aaron was sat on the end of the bed and that he was very still. He crawled over the bed and he placed a hand on Aaron's shoulder. Aaron jumped in surprise and he quickly moved away from whoever was next to him.
"Hey, hey sh sh, it's just me, Aaron" Robert soothed
"Aaron looked up and he saw Robert "Sorry".
"Robert moved towards Aaron and he sat in front of him "What's wrong?"
"Aaron sniffled and he shook his head "Nothing, I was just surprised" he faked a smile.
"Robert looked into Aaron's eyes and he saw that they were red "You flinched when I touched you, and I know when something's wrong. You eyes are red and I know you too well. What's wrong?"
"I had a nightmare and I had a flashback when I woke up" Aaron explained but he shuddered "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I could feel it all again" Aaron started to cry.
"Robert's heart started to thunder when Aaron cried. "It's okay, baby. I'll look after you".
"No, I couldn't stop. I did it again. I'm sorry" Aaron sobbed.
"Robert was confused but then he saw that Aaron was holding his side. He realised what Aaron was trying to say "Let me see".
"Aaron choked on his tears as he lifted his hand away from his side. Robert saw the red stain on his husband's top.
"Robert looked at Aaron and he rubbed his arm "It's okay, I need to have a look at it to help you".
"Aaron nodded "Okay" he sobbed.
"Robert slowly lifted up Aaron's top so that he could see the wound. He wanted to cry when he saw the deep cut on his husband's body. He then looked up and he saw the pain and the sorrow in Aaron's eyes. "It's alright, I'm gonna sort it".
"Aaron cried harder "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it, I'm so sorry".
"Robert stroked Aaron's hair and he kissed his head "Sshh, it's alright. I'm not angry at you".
"Can you sort it out please? It hurts a lot. I didn't expect it to bleed this much" Aaron said with pleading eyes.
"Robert realised that Aaron was in a lot of pain, and that he was regretting his self harm attempt. "Okay, I'll be back in one minute". He kissed Aaron's head before stood up and speed walked to the bathroom to get the first aid box.
"What have I done?" Aaron asked himself.
"Robert rushed back into the room with the small green box, and he knelt down on the floor in front of Aaron. "I'm gonna clean it. It'll sting quite a lot but I'll be as quick as I can".
"Okay" Aaron nodded.
"Robert opened the box and he got the cleansing wipes out. He gulped before he started to clean the cut on Aaron's torso.
"Ahh!" Aaron hissed in pain as tears streamed down his face. "It hurts".
"Robert started to tear up when he heard the pain in Aaron's voice. "I know, Baby. I'll be as quick as I can".
"Aaron squeezed his eyes shut when he felt the stinging from the cut. After for what felt like forever, Robert put a dressing on the cut and he used medical tape to hold some cotton wool on the cut. Robert placed a hand on Aaron's knee and he squeezed it slightly.
"All done" Robert kissed Aaron's tummy.
"Thanks" Aaron sniffled.
"Robert noticed that Aaron was very pale "Are you feeling okay?"
"I have a headache and I feel really hot" Aaron answered.
"Robert sat on the bed next to his husband, and he used the back of his hand to check Aaron's temperature from his head. "You're burning up" he then placed his hands on Aaron's cheeks "Jesus Christ, you've never been this hot apart from the time that you..." Robert's eyes widened.
"Aaron began to worry "What?"
"You haven't had a temperature like this since... you collapsed at the scrapyard. I'm taking you to hospital, I'm not risking you having septis again" Robert said firmly.
"I'm scared, Rob" Aaron admitted as he stood up.
"It'll be okay, I promise that you'll be fine" Robert nodded.
"Robert walked down the stairs; he had his car keys in his right hand. Aaron was following closely behind his husband, his hand was pressing down a wet cloth to his wound as the striking pain stung him.
"Aaron's vision began to grow dark as he managed to say one last word, before slipping into unconsciousness. "Robert..."
"The weak call out for help made Robert spin round, just in time to catch Aaron who collapsed. "Crap! Baby?" Robert held Aaron up and then he realised that this was an emergency "Hold on, Baby! It's gonna be okay" Robert picked Aaron up into his arms and carried him the rest of the way down the stairs. Robert raced out of the door and placed Aaron in the passenger seat of the car, he made sure that Aaron's seatbelt was secure before he began driving to the hospital. Robert was driving like grease lightning, because he had realised that Aaron was in danger of bleeding out. He saw the blood on Aaron's shirt, so he placed his hand over where the cut was. He felt like he was gonna be sick but he needed to put his husband's needs before his own. Every second was critical.
"Aaron woke up and he felt the sharp pain in his stomach "Ah!"
"It's alright, Baby. We're almost there" Robert reassured but inside he wanted to cry.
"They arrived at the hospital and Robert carried Aaron in. He explained what had happened and Aaron was immediately rushed to emergency car. Robert was told to wait outside because Aaron had been put under anistectic. He was nervously waiting for a nurse or a doctor to allow him into Aaron's hospital room, he was mentally preying that Aaron would be alright. However he not be able to see Aaron.
"Robert was waiting outside of the emergency room, when two policemen walked up to him. "Are you Robert Sudgen?" one of them asked.
"Robert looked up and he nodded, "Yeah, what can I help you with?" but he found himself being placed in handcuffs as they start to tell him his rights.
"Robert Sugden, I am arresting you for the suspected attempted murder of Aaron Dingle". One of the officers said.
" Robert did not say anything as they walked him out of the hospital, and away from his Aaron. He just knew that he had to get this sorted, before Aaron woke up and worried about where he was.
"Ed saw that Robert was being arrested; he smirked as he walked into the hospital. He asked about Aaron and he was shown to the intensive care unit. Ed walked into Aaron's room and he stood next to his bedside. "You had an argument with that husband of yours, but don't worry. I'm here now. Now you'll be all mine, Aaron Dingle". Ed whispered to the sleeping man "And I'll never let you go again!"
"Three hours went by until Aaron slowly opened his eyes and groaned. His vision was blurry as he looked around the room, he realised that he was at the hospital and he smiled when at the thought of Robert saving him again. He noticed that someone was standing next to the bed and he squinted to get a better look. "Rob?" his vision cleared and he saw Ed. Aaron was startled by the sinister smirk that is lying on his face for a couple of seconds but it quickly changed to a relieved expression.
"Ed embraced Aaron and let out fake tears of joy "Oh my god, Aaron, you scared the soul out of me!"
"Aaron patted Ed's back slowly, a little confused by the sudden events. "Ed?"
"Ed pulled away and looked down at Aaron, "I'm so happy that you're okay!"
" Aaron looked away and around the hospital room, "The hospital? Rob brought me here, where is he?" Aaron asked which annoyed Ed down to the core, digging up fresh hatred towards Robert.
"Ed smiled and sat on the edge of the hospital bed "He was very exhausted after worrying about you so much so the nurses sent him home to get a little rest".
"Aaron looked sad and guilty for a moment before he nodded his head understanding, "Thank you for taking the time to tell me, Ed. I owe him a kiss for saving my life".
"Ed was annoyed at how Aaron was so loyal and loving to Robert. He shook his head "It was the least I could do, and the doctors said that you can go home tomorrow as long as you take it easy, okay?"
" Aaron smiled faintly before nodding. Ed and Aaron chat for a little while before Ed said his goodbyes and left the hospital.
"Back in his car, Ed smirked evilly to himself; something in his brain had clicked, and tuned out any good judgment that he had left. "This is going to be fun! See you very soon, Aaron" Ed said as he looked at his reflection in the side mirror, he grinned at how evil and cruel his eyes looked.
"Aaron waited for a nurse to walk in and he sat up "Can you call my husband for me please? I need to see him".
"I can't do that sir. He's been arrested for the attack on you. Do you have any immediate family?" The nurse asked.
"Wait What? He didn't do this to me!" Aaron protested.
"Then how did you end up with a wound like that?" The nurse asked.
"I have a history of self harm after my dad sexually abused me! I experience flashbacks and nightmares, and I cut myself because I could feel my dad's hands on me!" Aaron exclaimed.
"The nurse looked into Aaron's eyes and she realised that he was not lying. "I'll call the station and I'll explain everything that you've just told me" she rushed out of the room to get to a phone.
"Aaron was lost for words but then he realised something very strange. "Ed lied to me".
"A few more hours past before... until the doors to the room opened and Robert rushed in. Aaron's eyes began to water when he saw his husband.
"Robert!" Aaron choked on his tears.
"Robert hurried over to Aaron's bedside and he held his husband's hand "Hey, Baby. Are you okay?"
"Better now that I've seen you. I'm sorry" Aaron sobbed.
"Robert raised Aaron's hand to his lips and kissed it "Don't be, I'm not angry at you".
"Why am I so stupid? Why did I have to cut myself again?" Aaron asked himself.
"You're not stupid. It all got too much for you, I understand why you did it. Just please tell me if you want to hurt yourself again, I can help you if you tell me" Robert explained.
"Ed was here, he said that you had gone home. The nurse told me that you'd been arrested. I'm so sorry" Aaron cried.
"Robert got up and then he laid down on the hospital bed with Aaron "It's alright, I'm not angry at you. I can't stay mad at you, I love you".
"Aaron snuggled into Robert, and his husband wrapped his arms around him "I love you too".
"Robert and Aaron hugged for a while before Aaron was discharged, and he was allowed to go home. Robert helped Aaron into the house and he sat him down on the sofa, Robert sat next to Aaron and he put one arm around his husband. Aaron rested his head on Robert's shoulder and his husband his kissed his head.
"A few hours later Aaron and Robert went to the pub, they explained everything to Chas and she sat with them as they ate their dinner.
"Can I have a word with you in the backroom please, Robert?" Chas asked.
"Yeah, sure" Robert nodded as Chas walked to the backroom, "I won't be long. Are you gonna be okay?"
"I'll be fine, Rob. Just don't start shouting at each other" Aaron smirked.
"Alright, I'll try to behave myself." Robert smirked.
"Good, because I don't want my mum to rip you to shreds" Aaron chuckled.
"Robert kissed Aaron on the lips and then he smiled "Behave yourself while I'm gone".
"I'm always good, but I'm bad for you" Aaron smirked.
"You're such a bad boy" Robert smirked.
"Just for you" Aaron winked at Robert.
"Robert kissed Aaron again before he looked into his eyes "Are you gonna stare at my ass as I walk to the backroom?"
"Did you even need to ask me that?" Aaron asked in a husky voice.
"Not really. I was just interested" Robert then stood up and he walked around the bar. He looked over his shoulder as he walked, and he saw that Aaron was smirking as he looked at him. he winked at his husband before he walked to the backroom.
"Aaron finished his dinner and then he went on his phone for a bit. He heard the chair opposite to him being pulled out and he looked up.
"How's it going, mechanic?" Ed asked.
"I'm not a mechanic anymore. I own my own scrapping business with Adam. Robert invested into it." Aaron answered.
"The corner of Ed's mouth twitched when Aaron mentioned Robert. Aaron noticed that Ed's demeanour had changed and he sensed a change in Ed, and it made him slightly scared.
"You looked good in that jumpsuit. I miss seeing you in it, you looked sexy" Ed smirked.
"Rob said that too. Though... he thinks that I look sexy no matter what" Aaron smiled.
"Ed grew angrier "I don't get why you got with that wimp. He's useless at protecting you and he only thought about himself today and he went home, whilst you were in the hospital because of him!"
"I love him because he's amazing. He's caring, protective, very smart, kind, stubborn and he's loyal to me, he was there for me when I exposed what Gordon did to me. He's not the kind of man who fights back with his fists but I lost count of the amount of times that he punched Gordon for hurting or touching me, and he has protected me ever since. And I know that you lied to me about Robert earlier. The hospital made a mistake and Robert was arrested for trying to kill me" Aaron said before he sipped his drink.
"I wasn't lying! I know that he cut you! He tried to kill my boyfriend" Ed exclaimed.
"Aaron's alarm bells started to sound off inside of his head "I'm not your boyfriend. Robert would never harm a hair on my head. He loves me more than anything and he's proved that. I had a flashback and I could feel Gordon touching me, I cut myself because I was scared and I wanted to get rid of what I could still feel".
"You're pathetic! Will you get over that stuff already?" Ed scoffed.
"Aaron was shocked at what Ed had just said "You expect me to get over being abused by my dad? How could anyone every get over something like that? You ignorant pig!"
"Like you can talk, at least my body is still pure and not tarnished like yours" Ed snarled at Aaron.
"Aaron was gobsmacked by Ed's comment, he remembered that Ed had acted the same way when he had hit him. He became scared of Ed; Just like he had been when Ed had lashed out at him.
"Robert walked back around the bar, but he saw that Ed was sat with Aaron. He walked over to Aaron and he placed a hand on his shoulder. Aaron flinched when Robert touched his shoulder; this made Robert aware that something was very wrong. "Sh sh it's just me" Robert crouched down next to Aaron so that his husband could see him. He saw that Aaron was about to cry "Aaron? What's wrong, Baby?"
"I want to go home. Ed said that I should get over what Gordon did to me, and he said that my body's tarnished because I self harmed" Aaron explained.
"Robert's eyes widened and he straightened up "Come'ere, Aaron".
"Aaron stood up and Robert pulled him into a hug.
"There's nothing wrong with you. Your body is beautiful and it shows how strong you are. You're perfect to me" Robert whispered in Aaron's ear.
"Pathetic" Ed scoffed.
"Robert glared at Ed "How dare you treat him like that. I thought that you said that you loved him, you scumbag!"
"He should be with me! I can protect him!" Ed shouted."
"From the way I see it... he needs protecting from you, I'm the one that protects him. I know that you hit him and that you threatened to cut him. You better stay away from my husband unless you want to be sent back to France in a body bag!" Robert threatened as Aaron pulled out of their embrace.
"Can we just go home please? I just want to go home" Aaron choke on his tears.
"Okay, come on. Let's go home" Robert put a protective and comforting arm around Aaron's shoulders and they walked out of the pub.
Once they were in their house Aaron broke down in sobs, he walked over to the sofa and he curled up as he cried. Robert walked over to where Aaron was, he crouched down and he stroked Aaron's hair, as Aaron buried his face in a cushion and cried harder.
"It's alright, you can let it out." Robert reassured.
"He scared me, I felt like I did when he hit me. I don't understand why he would hurt me like that" Aaron
"I know, Baby. I don't understand why anyone could hurt you either. But I'll make sure that he leaves soon" Robert soothed as he rubbed Aaron's back.
Aaron looked at Robert through tear filled eyes "You love me, right?"
Robert leaned forward and he kissed Aaron, he then pulled back and looked at Aaron "More than anything. I always have, since the day I met you I've loved you".
Aaron smiled and he hugged Robert. The older man hated seeing his precious Aaron cry, he was too beautiful, too loving, too caring to be put through any sort of pain. He rubbed Aaron's back as he cried into his chest, until he stopped crying. They played on the Xbox for a few hours before they went to bed. The held each other tightly and Robert ran the tips of his fingers up and down Aaron's bare back until they both fell asleep.