Finders Keepers
Chapter 13
Jackson's eyes flickered open to the early morning half-light, it gave his room a snug dreamy feel, one he was happy to luxuriate in for as long as was possible. Tightening his hold on Aaron he smiled to himself, he was happy, contented and that contentment was due to not waking up alone, to having someone sleep so soundly in his arms, someone he cared deeply about. He knew in his heart that Aaron was 'the one', and having acknowledged that the sense of loneliness that had plagued him for what seemed like forever was finally gone. He had found what had been missing in his life, and for the first time ever he felt whole, complete, and last night had confirmed that in Aaron he'd found what he'd been searching for, his soulmate.
Any reservations, any fear had been left at the bedroom door, and once in this bed all else had ceased to exist. Here they had shared in the fervour of passion, in the ecstasy, and finally in the ebb of the resulting elation. Only when Aaron succumbed to sleep did he too give in to the darkness. Aaron's shuttered eyes, his soft shallow breathing told Jackson he was still lost in that other world, and while he was Jackson was happy just to lie there and look at him. His gaze kept returning to and lingering on Aaron's lips, he wanted to taste them again, feel them against his own. Finally the urge proved a little too strong and he dropped a kiss on the object of his desire. He felt Aaron stir in his arms and eyed him expectantly, willing him to wake.
It seemed like forever before the blue eyes were looking back at him, he'd never thought of blue as a warm colour before but there was great warmth in this particular shade of blue. "Hi." Jackson knew he had the biggest daftest grin plastered across his face but he had no control of the happiness he felt right now, not that he wanted to hide it. Aaron responded instantly, giving him a heart melting smile in return. "You ok?" He didn't think for one minute that Aaron would have any regrets but for Aaron's sake he had to be sure.
"Yeah." Aaron knew what was behind Jackson's concern and could only think of one way to reassure him, and so kissed him before nestling further into his arms. He couldn't believe just how good it felt being here with Jackson or how good he now felt about himself. Last night had banished any remaining doubts, it had cleared his mind, breathed life into his soul, and as for his heart well it wasn't his anymore, it belonged to Jackson now.
How could he have ever thought something so mind-blowingly awesome was wrong? How could he have ever believed it was and he had for the longest time, ever since he'd had the first stirrings of feelings for another man. Fighting against those feelings had made him so unhappy, denying them had made him so much less than what he was. Since meeting Jackson he'd acknowledged and accepted them and last night had surrendered to them... the battle that had raged inside of him for years was finally over, but he'd not lost the fight... he had won.
"Good, cos the deli doesn't open until ten on a Sunday and I'm starving!"
"Oh?" Aaron feigned innocence as he eased himself out of Jackson's arms and rolled onto his back. The duvet was at waist level and he could see Jackson was now eyeing what was on offer, the hunger in those brown eyes set his heart racing in eager anticipation of what was to come.
"Yeah..." Jackson breathed as he reached for Aaron, his hand slipping purposefully below the duvet as his mouth worked its way over Aaron's neck, leisurely sucking and nibbling on his flesh.
/\\
According to Jackson, the Hotten Deli did the best ever breakfast bap. So with them both having worked up an appetite he'd volunteered to be the one to get dressed and make the ten minute walk to the deli. He'd taken some money from his wages, determined this would be his treat, not much of one but it was a start. Jackson had decided to give work a miss today, to give themselves some quality time together, and after they'd eaten they planned on going out somewhere, they hadn't decided where yet but that would be on him too.
The deli was just across the road from Bar West, the gay club Jackson had told him about, Aaron's gaze was drawn to the place. It was a favourite haunt of Jackson's, he said there was a great crowd there, that the place buzzed especially on a Friday night, and that he'd take him there when he was old enough. The 'when he was old enough' had rankled a bit, he didn't like being reminded that he wasn't eighteen yet. That birthday wasn't all that far off now, just five months in fact. What difference did five months make? None as far as he could see, but the club's owners seemed to think it did because if you weren't 18 you weren't allowed in, not even for a soft drink.
Aaron didn't think the club looked anything special from the outside, but still he was curious about it and eager to experience its atmosphere for himself. The deli didn't look anything special either but as for the smell emanating from it... his mouth had started watering 100 feet away. There was a small queue inside, and it was a good ten minutes before it was his turn to be served. As he finally made his way out of the shop someone was making their way in, the face was familiar, and the minute he realised who it was he too was recognised.
"Aaron!"
Aaron felt a wave of dismay wash over him and silently asked himself 'why him of all people?' He forced out a quiet "Hi," just to be civil and would have just carried on walking but Harley was now blocking the doorway and was seemingly in no hurry to move.
"How's Jackson?"
"He's fine." He suddenly felt awkward, he knew Harley was wanting to get back with Jackson but Jackson was with him now.
"You still staying at his?"
"Yeah." Harley was now eyeing the wrapped rolls he held in his hands, his inquisitive gaze then slowly moved to meet his but not before lingering on the love bite on his neck, Aaron knew Harley was now for some reason connecting the two.
"It's you isn't it?" Harley demanded angrily.
"What?" Not knowing how to deal with the situation Aaron decided to play for time.
"I knew it! The way he was looking at you... you're the real reason he broke up with me aren't you?"
"No!"
"Liar!" Harley spat scornfully.
Aaron wanted to say he'd only met Jackson last week but knew it was pointless, Harley would only believe what he wanted to believe right now.
"It won't last you know, he's easily bored and he'll get fed up of you like he has all the other men that's shared his bed."
Aaron knew it was jealousy and spite talking and he could ignore that but what he couldn't ignore was the attention Harley's raised voice had drawn, it seemed all eyes were on them, and he didn't like it. He shouldered his way past Harley, made his way out into the street, but Harley's voice carried after him, reeling off a list of reasons why his and Jackson's relationship wouldn't work, letting the whole world know he was gay in the process.
/\\
In Aaron's absence Jackson had changed the bed, and done a quick tidy up of the place. He was just washing up last night's dishes when he heard knocking on the door, expecting it to be Aaron he'd quickly opened it only to find a complete stranger standing there.
"Jackson Walsh?"
There was something about the man that made Jackson uneasy; he had a coldness about him, a hardness he didn't like. "Yeah."
"I want to talk to Aaron."
"He's not here." Even if Aaron had been there he'd have denied his presence, he had a bad feeling about this, was more than a little suspicious of the strangers interest in Aaron... something told him it was his dad! How the hell had he traced him here?
"You sure about that?"
The dark eyes bored into his, Jackson knew the menacing stare would intimidate most people, but not him, he just thought Livesy a poor excuse for a man. He could just imagine him laying in to his own son. "I should know."
"Yeah well… I'd like to see for myself!"
The stranger had just pushed his way into the hallway and was now opening doors and peering into every room; Jackson stood watching him, his anger steadily growing. "I told you he's not here!"
"Where is he?"
"I don't know!"
"I just want to talk to him."
"With your fists?"
"What?"
Jackson had to give Gordon Livsey credit, he was good, he looked suitable appalled at his comment. He must have somehow got wind about Aaron telling the police about the abuse and was now out to save his own neck. "Hoping to 'talk' him round are you? Beat some sense into him?"
"You what?"
"I know who you are, what you are!" That had earned him an angry glare, he'd definitely hit a nerve.
"You only know half the story. Aaron..."
"I don't want to hear it." Jackson snarled angrily, he wasn't going to listen to Livsey's lies.
"Just what is your problem?"
"You, you gutless bastard! You're the problem." Jackson hated violence but right now he longed for the satisfaction of punching Gordon Livesy, and goading him might just present him with an opportunity to do just that!
/\\
Jackson's flat was just off a quiet street, it was a nice area but parking was a bit of a problem, and true to form they'd had to park half a street away the evening before. Seeing the van, Aaron knew he was almost home, and he couldn't wait to get there, although he'd said very little to Harley and had somehow managed to keep his cool while he'd ranted at him, it had got to him, it had really unsettled him, and he needed to offload to Jackson.
On reaching the van his gaze was drawn to the vehicle parked in front of it. It was a breakdown truck, the one he'd seen in Emmerdale, there was no mistaking it not with Dingle Automotives blazoned on its doors.
What was it doing here? It didn't have something to do with him did it? A sudden eruption of anger coming from the direction of Jackson's flat told him that it did!
tbc