Robert woke up the next morning but the bed felt empty "Aaron?" Robert opened his eyes but his husband was not in bed "Aaron!" Robert sat bolt upright and started to panic.

"I'm here" Aaron answered.

Robert looked towards where Aaron's voice had come from, he saw Aaron sat on the floor with his back against the wall "You okay hun?" Robert asked as he got out of bed and walked over to Aaron "Why aren't you in bed with me?"

"I had a nightmare again" Aaron said as he rubbed his tired eyes.

Robert sat down next to Aaron "What was it about?"

"It was about Gordon. I dreamt that he broke in and... He did what he tried to do when I left after I hit Sandra" Aaron hung his head as he spoke.

"It was just a dream. He can't hurt you anymore" Robert held Aaron's hand.

"But those memories haven't gone away, they weren't just dreams were they? I'm scared to close my eyes at night. I keep thinking that he's going to hurt me again" Aaron looked at Robert "I didn't wake you up because you were very tried as well". Aaron sniffled.

"I have an idea" Robert opened his legs "Come on" he said.

"Come on what?" Aaron asked.

"Sit in front of me" Robert patted the carpet in front of him.

Aaron sighed as he lifted himself up and sat in front of Robert "What are we doing?"

"Cross your arms over your chest and put your hands on your shoulders" Robert said in a calm voice as he pulled Aaron closer to his body.

Aaron did what he was told, but he was confused by what was going on "Why am I doing this?"

"Do you trust me" Robert said in a soft tone as he placed his hands on Aaron's legs.

"I trust you" Aaron said in a calm voice.

Robert gulped, he knew what he had to do to help Aaron but he did not want to scare him "Good" Robert said before he quickly grabbed Aaron's wrist and held them in their place.

"Robert what are you doing?" Aaron started to panic.

"Do you remember me screaming over the phone? Do you remember the look in my eyes when you saved me?" Robert asked as he restrained Aaron.

"Robert please let go of me" Aaron started to kick.

"Do you remember all the cuts and bruises I had? Do you remember seeing me tied up?" Robert raised his voice.

"Please let go of me Robert" Aaron started to thrash around.

"Do you remember me falling through the floor boards?" Robert shouted.

"Yes! Get off me!" Aaron started to cry.

"What happened to Gordon Livesy?" Robert asked.

"He's dead" Aaron was breathing heavily.

"Say it again Aaron" Robert raised his voice again.

"He's dead" Aaron raised his voice.

"Say it again!" Robert shouted.

"HE'S DEAD!" Aaron shouted.

Robert let go of Aaron's wrists and placed his hands at his sides. "Did it work?" he asked.

"What did we just do?" Aaron asked.

"You let out the emotions that you had towards that monster. I'm sorry if I scared you, but you needed to let your emotions out" Robert answered.

"It worked." Aaron was shaking when he thought about what he had gone through "Can you put your arms around me please?" Aaron asked.

Robert wrapped his arms around Aaron's chest and hugged him "Like this?"

"Yeah, thank you" Aaron said as he leaned back and rested his head on Robert's shoulder.

Robert kissed the side of Aaron's head "No problem. Do I have my Aaron back now?"

"Yes, he's back now" Aaron smiled.

Robert smiled "Good, because I missed my grease monkey" Robert was happy that he was able to help Aaron.

"He missed you too, handsome" Aaron said as he raised on hand and stoked Robert's hair.

"What do you fancy doing today?" Robert asked.

"Well we've watched all of Grimm and the walking dead, so there's not much to watch that we'd both enjoy" Aaron frowned.

"You could teach me how to play your Xbox games" Robert suggested.

"You want play my video games?" Aaron scoffed.

"Yeah. Which one's your favourite again?" Robert asked.

"Assassins Creed. It's not a hard game" Aaron raised one eyebrow.

"Alright, teach me how to play it then" Robert said as he and Aaron stood up.

They got dressed and walked downstairs, Aaron turned the Xbox on and put the game in. He then walked over and sat next to Robert as the game started. Aaron played the game for a few minutes as his husband watched, he then passed the control to Robert.

"Your turn" Aaron smiled.

"I don't know what I'm doing" Robert huffed.

Aaron placed his hands on top of Robert's "To help you get used to the game I'll tell you what to press, okay?"

Robert smiled "Okay grease monkey" he then started to play the game with help from Aaron.

After a while of playing together Aaron slowly lifted his hands away from the control just watched. He then noticed that Robert was sticking his tongue out "You're doing it again".

"I'm doing what again?" Robert asked.

"Sticking your tongue out when you're concentrating" Aaron smirked.

"I don't stick my tongue out" Robert said as he looked at Aaron.

"One tip..." Aaron started.

"What's that?" Robert asked

"You should concentrate because you have a load of guards around you in that game" Aaron said as he crossed his arms.

"What?" Robert looked back at the TV and saw that his character was losing life fast "Shit" Robert murmured as he used the controllers to make the character run.

After a while of Robert not getting away from the guards, Aaron sat up "Do you want me to stop them chasing you?"

Robert passed Aaron the control and watched. As the character climbed up the wall of a building and run as the guards followed. "What now smartarss?" Robert asked. Aaron made the character stand on the edge of a roof before he pressed the 'A' button. Robert watched as the character jumped and dive into a wagon of hay.

Aaron then pressed start on the controller and the game paused "That was easy" he smirked.

Robert looked at Aaron "You could've told me that I could do that".

Aaron looked at Robert "And miss the face you make when you're concentrating? Nah I don't think so" Aaron nudged Robert's shoulder with his own shoulder.

"And you say that I'm immature?" Robert scoffed.

"Nothing's changed there then" Aaron chuckled.

Robert put one arm around Aaron "I still love ya though".

"Good, I must drive you mad sometimes" Aaron smiled.

"I could never stay angry at you. I love you too much to be angry at you" Robert said before he kissed Aaron's head.

Aaron rested his head on Robert's shoulder and held his hand "Same here" he said as he closed his eyes and smiled.

"Want something to eat?" he asked.

Aaron nodded and he and Robert set about making something to eat. After they had eaten there came a knock on the door. Robert went to answer it, he opened the door and his jaw dropped.

"Hiya Robert" Chrissie grinned evilly up at Robert.

"What are you doing here Chrissie?" Robert demanded, still angry with the accusation that was made against his husband.

Chrissie shrugged, "I just wanted to talk to Aaron", she looked past Robert and saw Aaron staring at her with an angry look on his face. "Hello Aaron!" Chrissie says in a cheerful voice, "I heard you had a bit of trouble with the police today!"

Aaron walked over and stood next to his husband, "Who on earth told you that Chrissie?" Aaron said with a smug smile on his face. Chrissie's evil smirk vanished, "Yeah apparently someone thought that it was funny to accuse me if something that I never did!"

Chrissie's face went red and she pointed a finger at Aaron, "You bastard!" she shouted "You lying bastard!"

Robert put one arm around his husband's shoulders, "Excuse me!" he said angrily "What gives you the right to speak to him like that?"

"Shut up Robert!" Chrissie turned her anger towards Robert, "You and I know perfectly well that your husband has been threatening me for the past year now, just because he's a jealous bastard!"

Robert pushed Aaron behind him in order to protect him, "He's done nothing to you now get off of our property you bitch!" he yelled at Chrissie.

Chrissie took one step back but refused to leave just yet. She took a deep breath and regained her smirk and sassy posture. Chrissie looked up at Robert with a mischievous glint in her eye, "You know you really ought to have more self control Rob", she said as she played with her hair.

"What are you talking about?" Robert said as confusion striked his face.

Chrissie giggled before turning back to Aaron. "As soon as he sees something he can take to bed with him he just goes nuts, know what I mean?" Chrissie winked and turned to walk off.
Aaron yelled after her to find out what she meant by it. Chrissie turned round and grinned at Aaron, "You know, how he attacks people in the alleys". She then directed her gaze at Robert, "It was great by the way, how you kissed me and carried me up to your bed!" Chrissie then ran off before any further conversation could be made.

Aaron and Robert looked at each other before Robert shut the door. Aaron sat down on the sofa and cupped his hands over his mouth. "Please tell me that she's lying" Aaron said.

Robert walked over to the sofa and sat next to Aaron "I never attacked anyone. I'd never do that".

"Did you sleep with her?" Aaron asked.

Robert's was shocked by Aaron's question "Oh come on Aaron. You know me better than that." Robert said as he stood up and walked over to the wall.

"Did you?" Aaron asked as his knee started to bounce nervously.

"She's really trying to get me back. I can't believe that this is happening" Robert ran his hand through his hair.

"Did you sleep with Chrissie White?" Aaron shouted.

"No! I did not have sex with my ex wife!" Robert shouted as he turned around and looked at Aaron.

"Then why does she keep saying that you kissed her?" Aaron shouted.

"I don't know Aaron! Why didn't you fight back yesterday? I was being beaten to a pulp and you did nothing but watch! You couldn't even look after yourself!" Robert shouted.

Aaron started to cry, he quickly stood up and ran up stairs.

"Oh come on Aaron! Can't you even admit that you are weak? You didn't even protect me! I'm the man that you're meant to love. Or was our wedding day a complete waste of flaming time!" Robert shouted up the stairs but then he heard a door slam shut. Robert sat down on the floor with his back against the wall and he thought about what he had just done. He stayed there for a few minutes before he stood up and walked up the stairs to go and find Aaron. Once he reached the top of the stairs he saw that his and Aaron's bedroom door was shut, he walked over to his and Aaron's bedroom. He knocked on the door "Aaron I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say those things. I know that you love me, I don't blame you for what happened yesterday. Our wedding wasn't a waste of time, it was the best day of my life. Please let me in Aaron. Babe?"

Aaron was sat on the floor in his room, hugging his knees with his back against the door as he cried. He looked at one of the cuts on his arms and stared at it. He wanted to press his thumb on it until blood started to leak. He lifted his hand but then he stopped himself and went back to hugging his knees and crying.

Robert heard that Aaron was crying and he kneeled down in front of the door "Aaron I'm sorry. Please let me in? I didn't mean what I said. I was just stressed, I'd never cheat on you and I'd never attack anyone. You know me better than anyone. You know me better than myself sometimes; you knew what I was like from the moment we met. Do you remember? You know how I hold back emotion and how I can be a complete ass to the people I love." Robert placed a hand on the door "Baby I'm so sorry" he said in a remorseful voice. When Aaron did not answer Robert started to sing softly knowing that there was only one song that made Aaron open up to people and that it somehow got him to listen "Making my way down town walking fast faces pass as I'm homebound. Starring blankly ahead just making my way making my way through the crowd. And I need you and I miss you and I wonder. If I could fall into the sky do you think time would pass me by 'cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see you tonight".

Aaron remembered that his and Robert's first dance on their wedding had been to 'A thousand miles' turned his head and he moved out of the way of the door before he turned the doorknob. He then pulled his knees back up and hugged them.

Robert stood up and walked into his room. He found Aaron sat on the floor hugging his knees and crying "Baby I'm sorry"

"Can you blame me for asking? I've been constantly let down by everyone all of my life. It makes me sick to think about you hurting someone like how Gordon hurt me. I asked because I know you and I wanted you to look me in the eye and tell me that you didn't do anything like what Chrissie said you did. I don't deserve to be yelled at by you about not fighting back yesterday because I did. I kicked, I screamed and I thrashed around but I still got beaten up and I got touched. It would've been more than that if Cain and Moira hadn't have turned up. I can't change that, I can't fix that. I just have to live with it" Aaron looked up at Robert. "You saw me fight, you were there. Two of those men held you back as I was kicked and punched over and over again. I was trying to get back up the whole time and you were screaming my name and I was trying to scream for you. But I couldn't. I could only watch as they punched and kicked you, and I couldn't do anything to help you. All I could do was lie on the ground and Say that I love you. I was trying to get to you, I was trying to protect you. All I wanted to do was protect you from being hurt yesterday. Do you know how much that kills me? To see you being hurt and not being able to do anything about it? Don't you ever say that I didn't fight back. I've been fighting since I was 8 years old. I never stop fighting, You don't know how that feels, to be told that you're weak and that you didn't fight back. Because I tried it really did try. But I couldn't get to you" Aaron sobbed.

Robert kneeled down in front of his husband "I know baby I know".

"No you don't. You had someone to look after you when you were a kid, you had Andy, Vic and Diane. I had no one to look after me. My dad hated the sight of me so much that he raped me three times. You weren't the one who was dragged to the boot of a car and beaten up for 45 minutes. You have no clue what it feels like to have to fight against the one person that was meant to love you as a kid. He didn't love me at all, he hated me so much that he practically tortured me" Aaron shook his head "You don't know what that feels like".

"You're right" Robert said as he sat down next to Aaron "I don't know what it feels like to go through what you did" Robert let his head fall back against the wall "But I do know what it feels like to be powerless to protect the man I love more than anything".

Aaron looked at Robert through tearful eyes "I do believe you, I just wanted you to tell me that you didn't cheat. I've always had to deal with people lying to me and letting me down, I can't handle it anymore, it's ripping me apart piece by piece". Aaron shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that" Robert apologised as he held Aaron's hand.

"I shouldn't have shouted at you. I'm sorry" Aaron held Robert's hand and kissed it.

"It's okay. I was out of order for calling you weak, because you're not. You're the strongest person I know and I love you more than anything" Robert said as he wiped away his tears.

"I love you too. We can't let something like this come between us" Aaron said as he wiped away his own tears with his sleeve.

"What do we do then?" Robert asked.

"We fight back" Aaron answered.

"Do you fancy going to the pub for a drink?" Robert smiled.

"Yeah, I think we both need one" Aaron smiled and they both stood up.

They walked downstairs, put their jackets on and walked out of the house. Robert locked the door behind them and they walked to the Woolpack arm in arm. They walked in and the whole pub went silent when they saw the faded bruises that Aaron had on his face. Chrissie was shocked when she saw Aaron and Robert smiling when they walked in.

"You sit down I'll order some drinks" Robert said.

"Alright, if Chrissie says anything just ignore her" Aaron looked at Robert.

"Okay, I'll be over in a minute" Robert smiled at Aaron and walked up to the bar as Aaron sat down in one of the booths.

"And what can I get for my son-in-law?" Chas asked.

"Two pints and a pack of pawn cocktail crisps please Chas" Robert smiled.

"So what's been going on with you two? Neither of you have shown your faces for a while" Chas asked as she poured their drinks.

"We had an unwelcomed visitor this morning. She was claiming that I had cheated on Aaron, which is complete rubbish because I love him" Robert answered.

"Did you two have a fight?" Chas asked as she put the drinks in front of Robert.

"We did but we've made up now. I had to sing our song so that he'd open the door" Robert explained.

"That song does mean a lot to him. Is he okay? I mean about what happened yesterday" Chas was concerned that her son was not telling people how he felt.

Robert looked over at Aaron and his husband looked at him. The soft smile that grew on Aaron's face told Robert that everything was alright. He turned back to Chas and picked up the drinks and the crisps "He's alright now. I'm gonna make sure that it stays that way". Robert then walked over to where Aaron was sat and he put his drink in front of him.

"What was that about?" Aaron asked.

"Your mum just wanted to know if you were alright. I told her that you're okay now" Robert put one arm around Aaron.

"How could you tell?" Aaron asked.

"Because I know you very well, your smile tells me that everything is okay" Robert smiled at Aaron.

"How do you know if something is wrong?" Aaron asked before he sipped his pint.

"I just know" Robert answered.

Robert enjoyed seeing the smile on Aaron's face, he had not seen it for what felt like a life time..

Aaron put his pint down and moved closer to Robert "I know when you're worried about something".

"How do you know?" Robert asked.

"You become all sarcastic and smart mouth. That's how I know" Aaron smiled.

"Smart little grease monkey" Robert smiled and kissed Aaron.

They talked for a few minutes before Chrissie came over and sat opposite them "You two have some nerve showing your faces around here" she snarled.

"My mum owns this pub so really we should be saying that to you" Aaron sipped his drink.

"You still believe him Aaron? You're an idiot" Chrissie scoffed.

"One problem you have Chrissie is that I know Robert better than you do. I know what makes him tick and when he's trying to hide something from me. So I know that he hasn't cheated on me with you or anyone else" Aaron smirked.

"I know him better than you!" Chrissie snapped.

"Oh really" Aaron sat up "What's his favourite colour?"

"Orange of course" Chrissie said with a smug smile.

"Wrong, it's ocean blue. What's his favourite song?" Aaron asked.

"The flood by Take that" Chrissie answered.

"Wrong again, it's smooth criminal by Michael Jackson and his other favourite song is A thousand miles by Vanessa Carlton. What's his favourite animal?" Aaron sat back so that he was touching Robert.

"Lion" Chrissie answered.

"I win, his favourite animal is a monkey and his second favourite animal is a wolf. I know everything about him Chrissie and you just got the most obvious questions wrong" Aaron smirked.

Robert smiled at Aaron as Chrissie stood up and stormed out of the pub with Lachlan and Lawrence trailing along behind her. "Wow, do you know everything about me?"Robert asked.

"Yep, and you know everything about me" Aaron smiled.

After they had their drinks Aaron and Robert went home and Aaron made their dinner. Robert noticed that his husband was being very quiet over dinner, and that he was trying to hide the fact that something was bothering him.

"You okay babe?" Robert asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm alright" Aaron answered.

"You sure?" Robert held Aaron's hand.

"Yeah, don't worry about me" Aaron forced a smile.

Robert did not believe Aaron but he smiled "You do know that you can tell me anything right?"

"I know" Aaron smiled.

However Robert could tell that Aaron was faking "Okay, I do love you. You do know that right?"

"I love you too" Aaron smiled again, he then stood up and took the dishes into the kitchen and began to wash up.

"I'm gonna go upstairs to do some work on my laptop. Call me if you need me, okay Aaron" Robert said as he poked his head around the door.

"Okay, shout me if you need anything" Aaron said.

Robert then walked upstairs, he walked into his room and began to undress. He knew that Aaron was upset about earlier and he knew exactly how to cheer him up. "Aaron!" Robert called.

"Yeah?" Aaron shouted.

"Can you come up here please? I need your help with something!" Robert yelled.

Aaron sighed and began to walk upstairs, he walked into his bedroom "What is it Robert?"

Robert walked out of the en-suit bathroom and leaned back against the doorway "I have a big problem".

"Why are you stood in the doorway of our bathroom in your boxers?" Aaron raised one eyebrow.

Robert walked towards Aaron "I need your help to get out of the doghouse" slid his hands underneath Aaron's top.

"You're unbelievable" Aaron smirked.

"I want to make you feel good, I'm really sorry about earlier" Robert looked down at his feet.

"Do it" Aaron said.

"What? You're sure?" Robert asked.

"I need to know that you love me I want you to know that I love you. So do it already" Aaron smiled.

Robert pulled Aaron close and started at his lips, as their kiss deepened Robert picked his husband up and carried him over to the bed. He straddled his husband and kissed him passionately. He then drew back and looked down at Aaron.

"If you don't want this tell me" Robert said in a soft voice.

"Believe me when I say that I want this. I want you" Aaron said as he raised his hand and placed it on Robert's cheek.

"I just don't want you to feel like I forced you into this" Robert said in a concerned voice.

"You haven't forced me to do anything. I'm not scared of you, I trust you with my life. I don't want stuff to come between us again, I almost lost you a year ago. I can't go through that again" Aaron shook his head.

"I love you" Robert ducked his head and kissed Aaron.

"I love you too" Aaron groaned as the passion intensified.

Robert unfastened his husband's belt and pulled his jeans and boxers down in one tug. Aaron kicked off his trousers and underwear as Robert grabbed the tub of lube off of the bedside table. He speared some of the gel onto his fingers as Aaron spread his legs as he waited for Robert.

"Tell me if you want me to stop" Robert said as he inserted one finger into Aaron.

Aaron closed his eyes tight and groaned, he bit his lip as he grabbed the duvet and made fists fulls of the matereal.

Robert looked up "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, don't stop" Aaron answered.

Robert then slowly inserted another finger into his husband's tight hole and moved them in and out. He kept looking up at his husband to make sure that he was okay and that he had not hurt him. When he felt Aaron relax Robert slowly pulled his fingers out and pushed his dick into Aaron.

Aaron gripped the pillow and gasped when he felt Robert enter his body.

"You alright gorgeous?" Robert asked.

"Yeah. Come on already, I'll end up getting bored" Aaron joked.

Robert smiled knowing that Aaron was teasing him, he started to thrust in and out of Aaron. He sped up and increased the force of his thrusts as his husband's moans grew louder. He lowered his head and their lips met.

"I love you my grease monkey" Robert breathed into their kiss.

"I love you too handsome" Aaron groaned.

After a ten minutes Robert felt that he was about to cum "Fuck, I'm gonna cum" he moved to withdraw but Aaron held him in place.

"Don't pull out yet. Please don't pull out" Aaron pleaded.

Robert continued to pound Aaron a few more times before he came with a shout "Oh Fuck! Aaron!" he cried as his seed shot into his husband, he then pulled out of Aaron and collapsed onto the bed, he was lying next to Aaron and their bodies were touching.

Both men were exhausted as they panted and sweat clung to their hot naked bodies. Aaron rolled onto his side and snuggled into his husband, he rested his head on his husband's chest and listened to his fast beating heart. Robert put one arm around Aaron and held him close as he brushed back his hair using his other hand.

Robert looked at Aaron and smirked "Have I warn you out?" he asked as he stroked back Aaron's ruffled up curly brown hair.

"Yeah. Thank you" Aaron panted.

"No problem" Robert kissed Aaron's head and held his husband's hand. "So... does this mean that I'm out of the doghouse or..."

"You're out of the doghouse alright" Aaron smiled.

"I guess that we really can't stay mad at each other" Robert smirked.

"It's impossible for me to stay mad at you" Aaron said as he closed his eyes to go to sleep.

"I can't stay mad at you either" Robert smiled and kissed Aaron's head "I love you so much baby. Sleep tight" he whispered as he turned the light off and closed his eyes.

"I love you too, good night Rob" Aaron smiled before he fell asleep.