"Down And Out Part Two"

WRITTEN BY DAYNE DINNING

-This fanfic follows on directly from Down And Out Part One

# Disclaimer – I do not own Emmerdale or any of the characters used.

The high winds had moved the clouds on their way and as Jackson caught up, light was now shed on his predicament. Oh God he panicked instantly and ran closer to the pier and walked on it slowly. "Aaron..." he spoke calmly as he slowly approached.

"Go away Jackson" Aaron spoke quietly.

"Oh yeah because I'm going to leave my boyfriend on the edge of a pier who's obviously ready to dive in"

"Why do you always do that?" Aaron asked and turned his head slightly to one side, although not facing Jackson.

"Do what?" Jackson asked, not knowing what he meant.

"Make light of it like it's something fucking hilarious when it's not!"

Jackson jaw slightly dropped and he felt heartache at those words, he couldn't believe Aaron thought that. "Babe" he sighed. "I haven't, I know it's hard, and I know what you're doing with the medicine"

"I'm not doing anything"

"Well maybe you don't realise you are but it has to stop now, it can hurt you and I don't want an addict as a boyfriend because that's what you'll become if you don't do something about it now"

Aaron turned around. "An addict?" he scowled.

"Yes!" Jackson raised his voice.

"Oh come on, I might be many things but an addict is not one of them"

Jackson became frustrated. "You're deluding yourself, I know as well as you do that you should have came off them weeks ago"

Aaron sighed. "Yeah ok, you're right" he wasn't fighting anymore. "I need them Jackson; they help me through the days"

"I don't?" he asked. "I try but you don't let me anywhere near you? And this covering up business, what's that all about?" he asked.

"Do you want me to spell it out for you?" Aaron asked.

"Yeah actually, I do" Jackson replied.

"Alright then you've been so wrapped up in that bloody house that you can't see how self conscious I' am, has the fact that I've said no to anything physical since not sprung sort of alarm in your head?" he asked. "No, because all you want is sex" that wasn't true but that was his vicious mood at the moment. "And that house, you might be able to get it all nice for Paddy but if you think I'm going back there you've got another thing coming, I'd rather be dead"

"You don't mean that" Jackson told him.

"Oh don't I?" he stepped closer to the edge.

"Aaron, babe, please, just step back from the edge and we can talk properly, have this out once and for all"

"What good is that going to do?" he asked.

"It'll help you, this isn't all my fault you know maybe if you talked more it would help you come to terms with all this" Jackson sighed. "You need to embrace what happened to you now, not reject it because rejecting it does this, the medicine problem we can get sorted when we get home but this is up to you babe, I know it was horrible for you but you have to let me in again, and you have no need to feel self conscious"

"But I do Jackson..."

"Do you know what your scars say to me? They are reminder that I nearly lost the love of my life and they're also a reminder that I can never ever lose you, I love you too much to let that happen, I'm here for you Aaron, I have been since the day we met, I know it's been a rollercoaster since but there's nothing either of us can do about that except move on and deal with it, I don't care if my boyfriend has scars, they're apart of you, your still here and that's the main thing, you still look as handsome as ever"

Aaron cried. "What if I disgust you?" he thought.

Jackson stepped closer. "Aaron, come here..." Jackson held out his arms.

Aaron turned around.

"Let me Aaron?" Jackson spoke quietly, looking into his amazing eyes which he loved so much.

Aaron stood breaking down and Jackson caught him before he faltered to his knees.

"You're safe with me, always, I'm sorry I've been so busy with the house, and ignored your feelings, I guess I've just been burying my guilt into the house"

"I know I'm safe with you, I'll get help before it gets out of control I promise"

Jackson kissed his head. "I know, I believe you, but this fire, it's in the past, you lived" he smiled. "Be grateful and live your life"

Aaron nodded and looked into his eyes. "Live with me?" he asked.

Jackson frowned. "We already kinda do" he chuckled.

"No I mean properly, just me and you, our own place, to start a fresh, a new life, do what normal couples do cause I don't think you'll argue the fact that we haven't exactly been stereotypical" he laughed slightly.

"Okay then but this is a conversation to be taken inside" he smiled. Aaron agreed and walked with his boyfriend back to the lodge.

Once back they locked the door, settled in front of the fire with a cup of hot chocolate each, it was cosy both of them had to admit.

Jackson smirked. "Is this what you meant by stereotypical?"

"Hmm...Closer yeah" he smiled. "I just meant like normal things you know, no drama"

Jackson nodded. "I know what you mean" he placed his hand over his.

Aaron smiled then looked thoughtful. "I'm so sorry babe; I dunno what came over me before"

"The past did, but just remember what I said, it's a part of you, don't push it away, you're alive" Jackson placed his hand on Aaron's cheek. "That's all that matters"

"I couldn't leave you!" Aaron grinned. "Never, not a chance! And I mean that. I'm really sorry"

Jackson nodded.

"Will you do me a favour? Throw those pills away?" Aaron asked.

Jackson smiled and nodded as he got up. "Sure"

Aaron was now alone, and the crackling of the fire was now more prominent. He hesitated at first, but then found the acceptance within him and turned to stare his worst nightmare in the face and momentarily his lips curled into a smile.

When Jackson returned, Aaron couldn't believe he didn't see it before. He kneeled up onto his knees as Jackson settled back down; Aaron put his arm around his neck and pulled him in closer and kissed him with a deep passion. "What's this for?" Jackson smiled. "I never realised it before" Aaron breathed.

"What babe?" they both gazed at each other.

"How much you've changed my life" he became tearful.

Jackson's smile was wide. "Hey, don't cry" Jackson leaned forward again and kissed him. As they kissed Aaron leaned back and started to slowly move to the floor, he felt Jackson's arm supporting him so he didn't hit the floor. Their lips were locked and weren't parting anytime soon...

To Be Continued...