The song words belong to Adele, Rihanna, Snow Patrol and Paul Weller.

Aaron had been thinking about the weekend. He wanted to do something a bit different with Flynn rather than just go to Bar West. Maybe they could go out for something to eat and then go round a few pubs or maybe see a film. He was happy either way as long as he was with Flynn so he would just let him choose. He took out his mobile and dialled Flynn's number, the familiar feeling of nervousness coming over him as he waited to hear Flynn's voice.

"Alright Aaron, how are you?"

"Hiya mate, yeah, I'm good thanks, you?"

"Yeah, fine. Listen, I'm glad you phoned, I wanted to see if you wanted to do something at the weekend."

"Great minds think alike, I was just going to ask you the same thing."

"Don't you need to have a mind in the first place to have a great one?"

"You're such a comedian, you're wasted at college."

"Go on then, seeing as you phoned me, you can go first."

"Ok, well I was thinking maybe we could go for something to eat and then hit the pubs or go see a film. You can choose."

"Great, I'd love to go out and have something to eat, nothing fancy though, just pizza or something but how do you fancy going to a party afterwards instead of hitting the pubs. We can stay for a while and if it's really bad, then go for a drink somewhere else."

"Sounds good as long as these friends are better than that prat you introduced me to before."

Flynn laughed. "You don't need to worry, these people are fine."

"Great so shall we meet outside Bar West usual time and go from there?"

"Yeah, that'd be good. See you Saturday then."

"Ok, see you Saturday."

Aaron had just stepped out of the shower and was standing in his bedroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, looking out of the window. Marlon was walking up the road from the shop towards the pub. Now there was someone who had been through more personal tragedy than most and had managed to move on. Aaron envied Marlon because he had achieved what Aaron was hoping to, to get over the death of someone you loved and find love again with someone else. He was getting there, he'd given up trying to tell himself that he didn't have feelings for Flynn because it was obvious that he did. He was starting to accept that it was ok to have these feelings. What he hadn't got to grips with at all was how far to go with these feelings. That was the bit that made him feel uncomfortable. Still, as he said, he was getting there. He dressed, put his mobile in his pocket, ran downstairs to get his wallet, keys and jacket, shouted goodbye to Paddy and left. On the bus into town, he came to a decision. Just for tonight, he wasn't going to spend his time constantly thinking whether he should be doing this or should be doing that, he was just going to do what he felt was right and see what happened.

Flynn was waiting for him when he got there, a broad smile lighting up his face when he saw Aaron approaching. Aaron smiled back. They made their way to the restaurant, chatting away easily and they were still chatting as they left the restaurant to get a taxi to the party. As they got in the taxi and Flynn gave the driver the address, Aaron sat back and realised just how relaxed and at ease he felt. As they were driving along, the taxi driver decided he was bored with the music on the radio and started pressing the buttons to look for another channel to listen to. Flynn's head turned from looking out of the window as he heard "I know you haven't made your mind up yet but I would never do you wrong" closely followed by "Hey boy, I really wanna be with you cos you're just my type" then "would you lay with me and just forget the world" ending with "you do something to me, something deep inside" before the driver decided that silence was golden and switched it off completely. Flynn laughed. Aaron looked at him. "What you laughing at?"

"Nothing. It's just, it doesn't matter. I'll explain one day." Flynn added the songs to the fact that their first meeting shouldn't have happened because he shouldn't have even been in Bar West that night and the Coldplay song that had made his mind up that morning in his kitchen that he would do whatever it took to help Aaron. Something was definitely exerting an influence over them, he was sure of it now.

Aaron shrugged and pulled a face. They paid the taxi driver and walked up the path to the house where the party was being held. "Alright?" Flynn asked Aaron.

"Yeah, no problem" Aaron replied, smiling back at him. He nudged Flynn's arm with his as they got to the door.

The house was noisy and full of people. As they walked in, people were calling Flynn's name, saying hello to him, asking who his new friend was. This would have been Aaron's worst nightmare not so long ago but not now. They made their way further through the crowd. Suddenly, Flynn was pulled into a bear hug by the biggest guy Aaron had seen. Definitely a rugby player type of bloke. "Flynn, glad you could make it, pal."

Flynn grinned at him. "Well, I said I would if I could. Nick, this is Aaron, Aaron, Nick. He's one of my best friends."

For a minute, Aaron thought he was going to be grabbed the way Flynn had been but Nick just stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you, finally, though I feel like I know you already." Aaron shook his hand and Flynn said "Now then Nick, you promised to behave." Nick grinned.

"So Aaron, you're a mechanic, what's the most expensive car you've ever worked on?" Aaron smiled and started talking. Flynn knew he'd be ok with Nick so he said "I'll go and get us some drinks." He underestimated how long it would take him, talking to people he hadn't seen in ages, telling the same stories over and over again. Suddenly, Nick's face appeared laughing. "Flynn, I think you need to go and rescue Aaron. I only left him for a minute I swear."

Flynn took their bottles of lager to see what Nick was going on about. In a corner of the living room, Aaron was pinned up against the wall by a girl. She was talking nineteen to the dozen, determined that Aaron was going nowhere now she'd got him where she wanted him. Aaron's face was a picture. Flynn burst out laughing. Aaron didn't look too bothered but he supposed he'd better go and see if he was ok. He made his way across the room and handed Aaron his drink. "There you go, sorry I took so long, I got talking."

Aaron took the drink and smiled. "No problem, you're back now" he said all sweetness and light.

The girl turned to look at Flynn and her face fell. "Oh no, he's not with you is he Flynn?"

Flynn nodded. "I'm afraid so, yes."

"Typical" she said "the best looking guy here and he's gay." She walked off and Aaron and Flynn laughed.

"God, she could talk. I never got a chance to say anything. I'm sure if you hadn't come back, I'd have been there all night. She was not letting me go anywhere."

"Good job I came back then isn't it? So, do you want to stay a while or move on?"

"We'll have these and then decide."

They stayed close, their hands occasionally touching, people coming up to talk to them, they all seemed really nice and made sure to include Aaron in their conversations. They had decided that they would go when they'd finished their drinks, not because they weren't having a good time but because they wanted to be on their own. They were talking to a guy from Flynn's college. Flynn had just gone to the loo before they left so Aaron was talking to him.

"So, you're on the same course as Flynn are you?"

"Yeah, that's right. It's not too bad as courses go."

"Yeah, it seems alright. You were away on one of those trips again weren't you?"

"No, we haven't been away for a while now."

Aaron felt sick." Oh right, I must have got it wrong then."

Flynn arrived back at that precise moment. "So are you ready then?"

Quietly, Aaron said "Yeah, course." Flynn noticed the change in Aaron's voice, the change in his face and was confused. He'd been fine a couple of minutes ago.

They left the house and walked in silence for a while. "So, what did you think, did you enjoy yourself?

"Yeah" was all Aaron could say.

"How did you get on with Nick? He loves cars, I thought you two might get along."

"Yeah, it was fine."

Something was definitely wrong. Flynn went back over the evening and couldn't think of anything that had happened that could have made Aaron like this. In fact, this was probably the best night they'd had together so far. Flynn put his hand on Aaron's arm to stop him from walking.

"Aaron, what's wrong?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Aaron replied fixing his blue eyes on Flynn.

"What do you mean why don't I tell you, why don't I tell you what?"

"Why don't you tell me why you lied to me. Why you told me you were going away with college for a couple of days when you weren't."

Flynn felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. Someone must have said something at the party. He put his head down and shook his head.

"So, you're not denying it then" Aaron said, a steely tone to his voice.

"Aaron, look, whatever you're thinking, I promise, it's not what it seems."

"No? You have no idea what I'm thinking."

"Look, we can't talk here. Why don't you come back to mine, I'll explain everything if you give me the chance."

Aaron looked at Flynn's face, usually so happy, now pale and completely devastated. The old Aaron would have said no chance and stormed off but he remembered the promise he'd made to himself. To not think about what he should do but to go with his feelings and his feelings said to give Flynn a chance to explain. "Fine, let's go then."

The journey to Flynn's house felt like the longest journey they'd both ever been on. Flynn unlocked the door and switched the lights on in the empty house. "Would you like a drink?" he said, more to break the silence than anything else. "Yeah, I'll have a tea please."

"You go in, I'll bring the tea in in a minute."

Aaron went in and sat on the sofa, wondering what he was about to be told. He was trying to stay calm. So far, all he knew was that Flynn had lied to him. That hurt but until he knew the reason for the lying, he didn't know what he was going to do. Flynn came in with the two mugs of tea and put them down on a little table. He sat at the other end of the sofa but turned sideways to face Aaron. He took a deep breath. God, this was going to be difficult. Aaron turned to look at him. "Well" he said. Flynn was unnerved by this calm Aaron, it would have been easier if he'd shouted or been angry with him.

Flynn sighed. "Ok, I lied. I didn't go away with college, not this time. The other times I told you I was away, that was the truth, I can show you the timetable if you want to see it. I said I was away because I needed some time on my own. We'd just had that major chat after we'd kissed and I needed some time to think."

"About what? I thought the whole point of that chat was to clear the air, so we both knew where we stood. What more was there to think about?"

"Plenty. Look, I'm trying to do the right thing here, I really am but it's so difficult."

Aaron twisted his position so he was facing Flynn. "Why? Why is it so difficult?"

"Oh, come on Aaron, don't make me say it. You know why."

Aaron nodded his head. "Because you want to be more than friends, right"

Flynn nodded. "That's only part of it though." Aaron stared into Flynn's eyes, both of them aware that the next few minutes could be crucial.

"Me and Matt, I told you we split because it wasn't what I wanted anymore. The reason it wasn't what I wanted anymore was because he cheated on me. My first proper boyfriend and he did that to me. I was devastated. I got over it eventually and then I met you. I thought that I'd found someone that I could be happy with but then you hurt me too."

Aaron felt a lump rising in his throat. "I'm so sorry about that. I never meant to hurt you. I tried to explain."

"Yeah, I know and I understand why you went back to Jackson, I do but it didn't stop it hurting though."

The way they had both positioned themselves meant that their knees were just about touching.

"That's why I needed the time on my own. I've been hurt badly twice now. I needed to think about whether I could put myself through whatever me and you were going to go through, risk getting hurt again on a promise of what might be."

They looked at each other, both staring intently into the other's eyes, sparkling blue eyes meeting deep brown ones. Aaron suddenly realised what a lot he'd been expecting of Flynn. To help him get over Jackson, move on, rebuild his life and do all of that while trying to put his feelings to one side until he, Aaron, might be ready to take things further. He shook his head. Remembering his promise to himself to do what he felt was right , he reached out and took one of Flynn's hands in his own. He rubbed his thumb gently up and down Flynn's hand as he held it.

"And what did you decide?"

Flynn had to concentrate hard to get his mind back on what he was going to say.

"Well, I carried on seeing you, didn't I so I decided yes, it was worth the risk, even if it was only on a what might be."

In a quiet voice, Aaron said "what if I changed the what might be to what will be, would that help?"

Flynn's mouth was completely dry, he didn't know if he was able to speak. Fortunately, he didn't have to as Aaron carried on talking.

"I know I said that I wasn't ready for a boyfriend yet and I'm still not, not in the, you know, the proper meaning of boyfriend but I can't ignore how I feel about you either. When I am ready, I want it to be you but I can't tell you how long it will take to get there."

Flynn smiled at him. "That doesn't matter. It's just such a relief to know you feel the same way, I thought I might scare you off if I told you the truth."

Aaron laughed. "You don't need to worry. My running days are over."

He leaned towards Flynn and their lips met, another soft, gentle kiss to start with, growing more intense the longer it lasted. Aaron ran his tongue along Flynn's bottom lip, waiting to see if Flynn's tongue wanted to come out and play and it did. Suddenly, the front door slammed. They jumped apart as Flynn's brother came in.

"Oh, sorry, I've got a really bad sense of timing haven't I?"

Flynn laughed. "Yeah, you have. Aaron, this is Harrison, my brother."

Aaron turned around to say hello. "Nice to meet you, mate"

This must be the friend that Flynn was talking about the other day Harrison thought. His description was spot on, he did look like he could take care of himself, that no one would mess with him but there was something endearing about him too. It was in those eyes. That's where you saw the real person, not the person that you assumed he was from the outside appearance.

"Yeah, you too. Anyway, I'll get out of your way. Maybe see you again sometime." He went straight upstairs and they heard a door shut.

The moment was gone but neither of them minded. There were no doubts anymore about where they stood, what they felt for each other. They smiled at each other.

"I better call a taxi and get home" Aaron said.

"We never did drink that tea did we?"

"No, but you can make me another one while we wait for the taxi and you haven't got any biscuits have you, I'm starving."

"I'll see what I can find" Flynn said, giving Aaron a quick kiss before he stood up. Both of them knew that they would sleep a lot easier that night than either of them had recently.