It was the middle of January, cold, gloomy and miserable. Life had gone back to its usual routine, Aaron was working, Flynn was going to college and they were back to seeing each other a couple of times a week if they were lucky. After the amount of time they had spent together over Christmas and New Year, they were struggling to adjust again. Aaron and Flynn were growing stronger as a couple all the time. Ever since Flynn's little wobble over their relationship, things had gone from strength to strength, both of them happier than they had ever been. Aaron knew he had nothing to prove to Flynn anymore but he wanted to do something nice for him, show him how much he loved him, how much he meant to him. He'd decided to take him away for the weekend. He'd trawled the internet for hours looking for the ideal place before he settled on a secluded cottage in the Lake District. It was perfect, just the place for him and Flynn to get away from everyone and everything for a couple of days, somewhere they could be alone, just the way they liked it. He'd used the money Cain had given him for helping with that rush job to pay for it and tonight, when he saw Flynn, he was going to surprise him with the news. They hadn't seen each other for a few days either so he was doubly excited.
Seven thirty on the dot, Aaron walked into Bar West looking for Flynn. He smiled when he saw him standing at the bar. Even after all this time, his stomach still turned somersaults when he saw him. He walked over until he was standing behind him. He slid his arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. "Hey you" he said. Flynn turned around to face him, a big smile on his face. "Alright" he said. "I am now" Aaron replied. Flynn put his arms around Aaron and pulled him towards him. They kissed as if it had been weeks since they'd last seen each other rather than just a few days. They separated and smiled at each other again.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself" Flynn said looking slightly embarrassed.
"No need to apologise, I've missed you too" Aaron replied.
Flynn had already got their drinks so they picked them up and went to sit down, Flynn casually draping his arm across the top of the booth, his fingers gently stroking Aaron's shoulder as Aaron sat close, his hand resting on Flynn's thigh. He wanted to tell Flynn about the weekend right away but suddenly, he was overcome with nerves. It was stupid, he knew, but he couldn't help it. He took a large mouthful of his drink and looked at Flynn who was watching him.
"You ok?" Flynn asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I wanted to ask you something."
"Oh right, go on then."
"You know we don't get to spend as much time together now as we'd both like to, right. Well, I was wondering if you'd like to come away with me for the weekend, this weekend."
"Are you serious?"
"No, I'm winding you up. Course I'm serious. I thought we could go Friday afternoon and come back on Sunday."
"Sounds great but aren't you working?"
"Cain's given me the time off, it's a bit quiet at the moment. He's also lending me a car which means I can drive. That way, I can keep where we're going a surprise."
"Sounds like you've got it all worked out."
"I have. I just need you to say you'll come with me." Aaron's eyes locked onto Flynn's as he waited for his answer. Flynn's heart started to beat faster as he looked at the face of the man he loved.
"I can't think of anything I'd rather do than spend the whole weekend with you."
Aaron's face broke into a smile. He leant forward and kissed Flynn again, no words needed to say how happy he was.
"So, can you give me a clue where we're going?" Flynn asked.
"No, my lips are sealed."
"Please, just a little one."
Aaron laughed. "No, you'll just have to wait and see. All I will say is that we'll have a great time."
"I'm sure we will."
Friday soon came round although to Aaron and Flynn, it had seemed to take forever to arrive. The snow was still on the ground, the sky overcast and threatening more snow. Aaron had packed his bag the night before when he was too excited to sleep. All he could think about was him and Flynn and a whole weekend to do whatever they wanted. He couldn't wait. He'd been up really early and just wanted the time to pass by so they could leave. He went downstairs to collect the phone number of the guy he'd rented the cottage from and put it in his pocket. He checked the watch that Flynn had bought him. He had an hour before he had to go and collect him so he started to make himself something to eat before being interrupted by a knock on the door. He opened it and was shocked to see Flynn standing there, his bag in his hand and a smile on his face.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at college" Aaron said, standing aside to let him in.
"I know but as if I could concentrate knowing we're going away this afternoon. I emailed them and said I had a virus and wouldn't be in. I've been driving Harrison mad at home trying to kill time, looking at my watch every few minutes. I've checked and rechecked my bag loads of times. In the end, he said if I wanted to live long enough to enjoy the weekend, I'd better leave so I did."
"And breathe" Aaron said laughing. He'd never seen Flynn like this, he was like a child at Christmas. "So, you're looking forward to it then?"
"I may be a little bit excited about it, yeah. You?"
"Yeah, me too. Come on, we'll have something to eat and then set off."
An hour or so later, their bags were in the car and they were on the road. Once they'd got out of the village and onto the main roads, they were able to drive at virtually normal speed, the snow not causing any problems. Aaron reckoned it would take them a couple of hours especially as most of their journey would be on motorways. Flynn sat back and smiled.
"Makes a change to be sat on this side of the car. So, now can you let me have a clue where we're going."
"Nope, told you, my lips are sealed. Just sit back and relax. You'll find out soon enough."
"Ok." Flynn reached over and put his hand on Aaron's thigh.
Aaron glanced over at him and smiled." And you better keep that still too, I need to concentrate."
"I won't move it, I promise. I'll be good."
They made good time, the journey passed pleasantly enough, both of them talking and laughing without a care in the world. The journey became more time consuming the closer they got to their destination as the snow was deeper and they were back on minor roads. Aaron parked the car in a supermarket car park and switched off the ignition.
"Wow, you take me to the best of places, don't you? You really know how to show me a good time" Flynn said, smiling.
"I can show you a good time later. Right now, I need to get some food to bring with us."
"So, we're self catering then are we?"
"Who's a clever boy" Aaron said. "Come on, you can help me choose what we bring."
Shopping placed in the boot, they were back on the road within half an hour. It was snowing now, everyone driving slower, being that extra bit more cautious. Aaron drove through the town and out into the countryside, their destination close by. He saw the sign advertising the cottages and turned off the main road onto a side road that was terrible to drive on. The road was full of twists and turns as they left civilisation behind. They rounded a bend and there it was, the little cottage that was to be their home for the next couple of days. The lights were on and there was smoke coming out of the chimney. Aaron stopped the car just behind another car that was parked there.
"Well, this is it. Home sweet home, well, for a couple of days."
Flynn looked at the cottage and smiled.
"Aaron, this is great, I never expected anything like this."
They got out of the car and, as they did so, the front door of the cottage opened and a man came walking towards them.
"Mr Livesy?" he said.
"That's me" Aaron said shaking the man's outstretched hand.
"How was your journey, not too bad I hope."
"No, it was fine."
"Good. Well, here's your key, the fire's lit and there's more logs inside. Tea, coffee and some other essentials are in the cupboards. I take it you've got my number in case you need anything."
"Yeah, I have thanks."
"Right, well, enjoy your stay." He got into his car and drove off.
Flynn and Aaron looked at each other with big grins on their faces. They unloaded the car and took everything inside before locking the door behind them.
The cottage consisted of an open plan living room and kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The living room was dominated by a massive fireplace which had a log fire roaring away in it. On one wall were some shelves containing board games, playing cards and DVD's. Aaron leant against one of the cupboards in the kitchen and watched as Flynn had a wander around. He seemed really happy, it looked like he'd made the right choice bringing him here.
"Look at that fire, I can't believe we've got a log fire, it's so cosy and they've even got your favourite DVD" Flynn said, waving a copy of ET at Aaron.
"I am not watching that" Aaron said laughing "so you can put it back where you found it." Flynn put it back on the shelf.
"I'm just going to the loo" he said. Aaron took the opportunity to put their shopping away listening to the floorboards creak as Flynn moved around upstairs. He was back a couple of minutes later.
"You should see the bathroom. There's a massive shower in there, easily enough room for two" he said smiling at Aaron.
"Sounds good." Aaron said. His face grew serious temporarily. "So, what do you think, really."
Flynn walked over to him and put his arms around him.
"I think it's perfect and I think you're perfect too."
He kissed Aaron softly and slowly to start with, Aaron responding instantly but it wasn't long before their desire for each other started to take over, their kisses becoming harder, more demanding. Aaron pushed himself against Flynn, Flynn holding him against himself as their hands explored each other's bodies. Aaron moved his mouth away from Flynn's planting little kisses across his neck before biting gently on Flynn's earlobe. Flynn groaned as Aaron pushed him back slightly, his hands now roaming over the front of Flynn's body, Aaron gasping as Flynn's movements mirrored his own.
"I think we need to move somewhere else, don't you?" Aaron said.
He led Flynn across the room and towards the stairs. Flynn stopped him.
"What's wrong with here, in front of the fire."
"Are you kidding, we'll get splinters."
"Not if we put something on the floor we won't. There's two duvets upstairs. Come on, what do you say."
Aaron smiled. "Let's go get them then."
With one duvet underneath them, and the other thrown on the sofa for later, it didn't take long for them to get back to where they'd been a few minutes ago. Clothes discarded, nothing mattered to either of them except making sure that the other one experienced the maximum amount of pleasure and satisfaction possible before then satisfying their own needs. Their lovemaking was getting better and better too, each now more sure of what the other liked, what the other wanted and needed. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, they both knew that what they felt for each other, what they had was something not everyone got to experience. It was a deep connection that was far more than physical and impossible for them to put into words. It was something they just knew.
Lying together afterwards, Flynn with his head on Aaron's chest, arm across his stomach, Aaron with his arms around him, holding him close, neither wanted to do anything except stay right where they were. They had no idea what the time was and didn't care either.
"Aaron" Flynn said.
"Mmm"
"Thank you for doing this, arranging this whole weekend away."
Aaron kissed the top of his head "You're welcome but it should be me thanking you, for helping me to get my life back. If it hadn't been for you…"
Flynn silenced him by kissing him, a kiss full of love, nothing else.
"Hey, come on, that's all behind us now. Only happy thoughts allowed, remember. Now, I'm going for a shower and if you're not up there with me in a couple of minutes, there'll be trouble." He walked over to the bottom of the staircase before turning round to look at Aaron. "Two minutes, ok."
Aaron smiled. He lay there until he heard the shower get switched on before standing up and making his own way up the stairs. When they came back downstairs again, they had something to eat, drank a few beers, watched a couple of DVD's snuggled up on one of the sofas and eventually fell into bed some time in the early hours of the morning.
When Aaron woke up the next morning, he was on his own. From downstairs, he could smell bacon and he realised where Flynn was. Pulling on some boxers, he went downstairs to find him.
"Morning" he said.
"I think it just about is still morning, yeah. Haven't even looked at my watch. Hungry?"
"Always, you know that. Bloody hell, it's cold down here. I'll see you back upstairs."
"Er, hang on a minute, it's ready now, you take these and I'll bring the rest" Flynn said, handing Aaron two mugs. It was definitely warmer upstairs so they were quite happy to stay there and eat their breakfast. They then got dressed and went downstairs.
Aaron threw himself on the sofa looking at Flynn.
"You better get that fire going, get some heat down here."
"And what's stopping you from doing it?"
"Well, I wasn't the one in the scouts was I? You must have learnt how to light a proper fire with logs and stuff" Aaron said picking up the remote to switch the TV on.
"Logs and stuff? Very technical. I'll do the fire if you make me a coffee, how's that?"
"Deal"
Flynn soon had the fire going and they settled down in front of the TV. There were never any awkward silences between them, they always found something to talk about, laugh about, any silences that did happen were comfortable ones, borne out of two people completely at ease with each other. Bored with what was on the TV, they switched over to some music station just for background noise as they decided what to do.
"We could play cards" Aaron said.
"No, don't really fancy it. How about Scrabble?"
"Scrabble? Do I look like the sort of person who plays Scrabble?"
"Why, what does someone who plays Scrabble look like?"
"Not like me, that's for sure, next idea."
"Ok then, Snakes & Ladders."
Aaron looked at him "Now you're being ridiculous."
Flynn took the game of the shelf and sat down on the floor, taking the board out of the box. "But you haven't played by my rules before though have you?"
"And are they any different to the proper rules?"
"Yes and no. You still play the game in the normal way but, when you land on a ladder, you get to take an item of clothing off the other person, when you land on a snake, you have to take something of your own off."
"But what happens if we've both got nothing on and no one's won the game?" Aaron asked.
"If we're both here with no clothes on and you're still wondering about who wins the game then we're in trouble" Flynn said laughing.
Aaron grinned and sat on the floor. "Now I'm interested but I'm going first."
"Be my guest" Flynn said handing Aaron the dice. Aaron rolled the dice and got the game under way. It wasn't long before items of clothing were being removed as both of them giggled and teased each other. Before long, they were both down to just their boxers, each casting glances over the other one's body, admiring the muscle tone and wondering how much longer they could hold out. Flynn was closer to winning the game than Aaron was but not for long.
"Why don't you get us a drink and I'll take your go for you" Aaron said. Flynn looked at him suspiciously. "Ok but no cheating."
"Would I?" Aaron said trying to look innocent. He rolled the dice. "You got a five." He moved Flynn's counter along the board, four would have put him on a snake. Aaron smiled to himself.
"Oh dear, you landed on a snake."
Flynn put the bottles down and sat back down on the floor again. He looked at Aaron.
"Now, there's a surprise. What are the odds of me landing on a snake?"
Aaron shrugged. He leant over and put his finger inside the waistband of Flynn's boxers pulling them away from his body and letting go.
"So, come on then, you know the rules, get them off."
Flynn stood up and took them off. He lay back on the floor, hands behind his head, watching Aaron, seeing the effect that him being naked was having on him, after all, you can't hide much when you're only wearing boxers. Having said that, you can hide even less when wearing nothing at all. Aaron's eyes travelled up Flynn's body until they eventually stared into Flynn's. Seeing the desire, the wanting, the lust in Flynn's eyes nearly sent him over the edge. Discarding his own underwear, he launched himself at Flynn, nothing slow and tender this time. This time, for both of them, it was about satisfying an urgent need and satisfying it as quickly as humanly possible. Bathed in sweat afterwards, both of them breathless and gasping for air, neither knew quite what to say so they said nothing. They just lay there recovering, lying next to each other. Eventually, Flynn turned to look at Aaron who smiled back at him, still red faced.
"Well, that was kind of unexpected" Aaron said.
"Yeah, you can say that again."
"I'll never think of Snakes and Ladders in the same way ever again." They both laughed. Aaron sat up, kissed Flynn quickly on the lips and started to put his clothes back on.
"What are you doing?" Flynn asked.
"Getting something to eat. I seem to have worked up an appetite."
The rest of the day they spent doing very little, the night they spent making love as slowly as possible, this time making it last as long as possible before falling asleep in each other's arms. After breakfast the next day, which they ate at lunchtime, it was time to leave. They checked they hadn't left anything behind, left the key in the kitchen as they'd been asked to do, shut the door and then put their bags back in the car.
"I really don't want to go back" Flynn said.
"No, me either but we have to. There's nothing stopping us from coming back though."
Flynn smiled at Aaron. "I'd like that."
"Yeah, so would I. Come here" he said pulling Flynn close to hug him.
"Thank you again for the best weekend, Aaron."
"You're welcome. Come on, we better get going."
They got into the car and Aaron started the engine. "Oh, nearly forgot" he said leaning over to kiss Flynn one more time before they left. "I meant to tell you last night and this morning but I forgot. I love you."
Flynn smiled. "I love you too."
Seat belts on, they set off, Aaron driving slowly, neither of them wanting to get back to reality again any quicker than they had to.