AARON & JACKSON

-1912: The Aftermath-

"Timeless"

With a sigh Jackson got up off his and Aaron's bed in frustration. It was now middle of the afternoon he'd been attempting to sleep since eight am, after he and Chas arrived back home. He opened the curtains and the sunlight lit up the room. He leant against the window sill and looked down over the main street, he sighed as he wished for Aaron to be there with him he just wanted him home. He moved from the window and headed out of the bedroom and made his way downstairs.

Walking into the kitchen Chas was already there making some lunch. "Can't sleep either?" she asked.

"I managed I dunno, about an hour altogether. Been tossing and turning the rest of the time" he said with a sigh as he sat down at the table. "Got frustrated eventually, I'm knackered" he said as he rubbed his eyes. "Been awake how long?"

Chas turned and looked up at the clock. "Thirty hours or so" she told him.

Jackson nodded, it sounded right.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something"

"Oh, n-no I'm alright thanks"

"You have to eat love" Chas encouraged.

"I know" Jackson replied quietly as he looked down at his hands which were clasped together. He frowned. "I…I'm just not hungry, that's all"

Chas nodded and Jackson began to relive events in mind, an instant anger sparked within him; things had simply gone way too far. He took a deep breath and considered his words. "C-Chas…I'm not being horrible but why didn't you help him? What happened all those years ago?" he asked as he looked up at her.

Chas instantly frowned and was offended. She turned and faced him. "Excuse me?" she asked while glaring at him. "I did the best I could do for him. I always have and will, but with no money there was only so much I could do, my son killed someone, it was obvious he needed help but I couldn't afford for a counsellor. Jackson…" she stopped and tried to calm herself down, his words had riled her up. "We live in a tiny village in Yorkshire, most of the jobs are in the nearby towns and even then they're hard to come by…"

Jackson shook his head. "I-I'm not judging-"

"But you are, I was lucky I got into the pub" she said then sighed. "And yes…o-o-other things but that is simply the way of life that I chose for myself, don't you dare try and judge me Jackson. Or even attempt to comprehend what mine and my sons life is like, back there it's hard, there's disease, pollution, crime and Aaron, well he got swept up in the crime, but you know that" she stopped for a breath, it was easy for her to go on a tangent but she felt some things needed to be said.

"I did what I had to, to get us food on the table, we're not all born with silver spoons in our mouths, so I'AM sorry I couldn't get an expert to talk to him about what he'd done, I' am his mother I looked after him after he killed Carl, he was distraught Jackson, he didn't mean to do it…I held my nineteen year old boy in my arms…at that age Jackson…it was heart breaking"

Jackson sighed, he felt awful now. He was tired, as was Chas, this was bound to happen. "I-I didn't mean too…"

"Well I do, Jackson…if you can start asking those questions that you know would get my back up then I will bite back!" she yelled.

Jackson straightened up, a deep scowl on his brow. "Yeah!" he raised his voice. "And that's fair enough but surely you could see what Carl was doing to him?!" he demanded to know.

"No!" she screeched. "No actually I couldn't because before we even got together, they both hated each other, for whatever their reasons, I still don't know and I don't care too. So whenever Carl started goading him about being gay, it was all the same to me I just thought it was the same old feud, Aaron never talked much as you know…so I didn't think it was serious…" she blew out a breath and placed her hand on her forehead and bit her lip. "Wha…What Aaron did Jackson, it was a shock, I loved Carl so much" she explained as tears began to fall.

"Oh? As opposed to Aaron! At least now anyway?" he asked with a raised voice.

"N-" Chas abruptly stopped at the sound of the phone ringing. She sighed and glared at Jackson as she left the kitchen and walked along the hallway to answer it.

Chas quickly realised it was the doctor who she and Jackson had spoken to very early in the day. He explained to her that Aaron had accepted counselling and was taking his medication with no problems, and that he's responding but it was still however early days.

The doctor sighed. "There is one more thing…"

Chas frowned. "Go on"

"I know this will be hard but Aaron is still adamant in not wanting to see anyone and I'm sure you can understand we have to go by his wishes"

"Uh, oh, y-yes of course" she replied as fresh tears ran down her face. "How long for?"

"I'm not sure yet Ms Livesy but I will work on him, you have to trust me...you will get your son back"

"How can you be so sure?" she asked sadly.

"I'm very good at my job" he told her. "I will do my upmost, I hate losing patients Ms Livesy, I...I could try a lifetime to help them recover but it sometimes doesn't work, however Aaron's nowhere near that point. Adding his stubborn edge which I endured this morning I might add to his illness…well he is a difficult so and so"

Chas chuckled as she wiped her eyes. "Yes, yes he is"

"I will keep you informed and just remember I'll try and get him to accept visits"

"Thank you doctor, I look forward to hearing from you again" Chas put the phone down with a sigh and walked back into the kitchen and leaned up against the bench.

Jackson simply looked at her "What? What is it? Is Aaron okay?"

"From what I got from that he's fine, he's accepting counselling, the medication but he doesn't want visitors"

Jackson shook his head. "No, nope I'm not having that; I'm not leaving him there on his own"

"I don't like the idea either but you are going to have too!"

"You can't tell me what to do!" Jackson shouted back.

Chas stepped forward and leaned down over the table and got in Jacksons face. "When it comes to my son Jackson, I can and by god I will, I'm thinking of his welfare here and if that means missing him then we have too, he's ill Jackson!"

"You don't have to tell me that!"

"Well yes I do because you seem to think this is all about you Jackson"

Jackson banged his fist down on the table instantly in a rage as unknowingly to them Hazel and Adam stood in the doorway of the kitchen. There entrance was clouded by the yelling and it was still on-going.

"No it's not, it's about him, my boyfriend, I-I've looked after him since we met, loved him, helped him, saved him for Christ sake and this! This is the thanks that I get? And no it's not about me; I don't like the idea because he needs me!" Jackson stopped and only then was he aware of their visitors, he swallowed hard.

Chas turned and looked where Jackson was and saw them. She sighed, that wasn't something she wanted them to witness. She turned back to Jackson. "He doesn't realise he needs us Jackson, time…we have to give him time"

Jackson clenched his jaw and he got to his feet quickly while shaking his head angrily and he barged through his mum and Adam then grabbed his jacket.

"Jackson!" Adam called for him. "Where you going mate?" Jackson's response was the slam of the door.

"I think you have some explaining to do Chastity" Hazel told her with a disapproving look.

"Oh shut up Hazel" Chas spat angrily and barged through them just like Jackson had and went to her room, her sandwich she was making before Jackson had come down could wait.

Hazel rolled her eyes and sighed and looked at Adam. She smiled at him. "Have you cleaned those cuts up properly? Eh?"

"Er, no…" Adam told her with the shake of his head.

Hazel placed her arm around him and walked him to the table and sat him down, after pulling the chair to the table from which was flung away in Jackson's temper when he'd got up. Hazel then searched the cupboards for some antiseptic; she found some and turned the tap on. "Should do the trick, don't know what's in those lakes" she said with a smile but Adam just nodded with a slight smile. Hazel walked back with a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth and sat down. She sighed as she looked at the state of Adam's face. "He certainly let it out on you didn't he?"

Adam shrugged. "It doesn't matter"

"I know but still"

"No, it doesn't" Adam shook his head. "He's my best mate Hazel, I love him, I care about him, what I feel from his punches is nothing compared to what he's going through at the minute…I-I can't even begin to imagine what it's like for him. Aaron wasn't himself when he beat me...hell even if he was fine I'd still forgive him"

"That's good of you" Hazel said with a smile.

Adam smiled at her as he nodded. "We went through a lot together so there would be no point in ending our friendship now, what me and Aaron have is timeless, there's a connection that can't simply be broken, I'm here for him always and I know he will be again for me to, when he's better"

Her heart strings were severely being pulled. Adam spoke with such warmth, pride and love for Aaron that it brought tears to her eyes, she reached out and squeezed his hand. Only then did Adam falter, his breathing hitched as he began to cry, he lowered his head and his shoulders jerked quickly as the powerful emotions left him.

"Let it out love" Hazel soothed. "He'll be back soon"

….

Jackson sighed as he put his hand out to block the door from being shut in his face. "Just let me in"

"Why would I do that?" Mark asked from behind the door.

"Because you love my Aaron and this is concerning him" he spoke quietly then loudened again. "So…yeah…" and all of a sudden his temper peaked and he forced his way in, pushing the door open angrily. Slamming the door shut behind him Jackson stared at Mark who stood nervously in the doorway to the living room. "So what? You gunna hit me again?"

Jackson shook his head. "No that was a one off. So…w-where did it happen then? My bed? The alley, here?"

Mark sighed. "Here…on the couch…actually"

"Ahh, classy" Jackson spoke with attitude and a smile. "See, I get why Aaron likes you…I mean yeah you're attractive but…something just doesn't fit…"

"He likes me Jackson, and I…w-well…" he stuttered. "I lo-"

"Oh yeah course, sorry I almost forgot…you love him…sorry I could just burst into laughter knowing that…ahh this world eh? So…where is he then? Cause I still haven't found him"

Mark pouted and looked up at Jackson, realising something was really wrong. "I don't know Jackson…really I-"

"I lied" Jackson spoke above him. "I spent last night trying to talk Aaron down from killing himself…"

Mark's eyes widened. "You what?"

"I-It didn't work…well it did after his mate and I jumped into the lake after him, see he attached a brick to his feet…hard work that under water and completely blind…then" Jackson spat angrily with tears in his eyes as he approached him. "I had to revive him…can you imagine what that's like? Hmm!" he yelled as the tears ran down his face. "Can you? The man you love is lying lifeless in front of you and you're doing all you can to bring him back…and just as hope runs out there he was, coughing, spluttering water and crying…"

Mark's head was bowed, Jackson's words hitting him hard.

"And where was he hmm Mark? Where was he?"

"W-w-with you" he muttered.

Jackson nodded. "With me! But where were you? For a man who loves him you weren't anywhere to be seen despite knowing he was missing!"

"He's a grown lad!"

"Nineteen years old Mark, NINETEEN! Unstable and hurt…"

"I-I…I"

"You used him, you wanted to fuck him on your seedy little sofa, probably seen more action than the entire town's population put together! You're a sleaze Mark, you got what you wanted, you pretended to fall in love, like you're pretending with me now, you tried to reel him in…it worked good for you…he's in the psychiatric ward if you must know, he has other issues aside from the suicide, not share them with you? No?"

Mark shook his head.

"What a surprise…If you really are telling me the truth but I doubt…then go and see him" Jackson told him, knowing he possibly would but he'd get a big shock because even if Aaron did see him, it was likely that despite not wanting to see him or Chas he had to have realised who he belonged with and that was not Mark. At least; Jackson hoped.

"What? Just like that?"

Jackson nodded. "Yeah go on, why not? But I'm telling you this, if and I mean if he still wants you…trust me I will get him back, and I'm not being a psycho or possessive I just…well there's something between me and Aaron…see Aaron and Jackson" Jackson smiled. "It fits…it works, Aaron and Mark" he pulled up his lip and shook his head. "That doesn't"

Mark scoffed. "Wow…"

"Problem?"

Mark shook his head. "No…I will go and see him but…I think I messed with the wrong man didn't I?"

"Yeah and don't go forgetting that anytime soon eh? Might be a good idea" Jackson smiled and turned and left. Once outside he frowned. "Never thought I could be so cocky" he muttered to himself. Now there was one more place he wanted to go before heading home.

….

Aaron woke up and was aware of someone sat beside the bed. His back was facing them. He sighed. "I told them I don't want any visitors"

"Aaron, I-it's me Mark…"

Aaron frowned and quickly turned onto his back and looked at him.

"Had to beg for them to let me in"

Aaron nodded. "Who hit you?"

"As if you need to ask" Mark smiled.

"Ahh Jackson"

"Jackson indeed; he's a force to be reckoned with"

"Yeah I know"

"Listen I…well Jackson told me…I wish you'd talked to me…"

"What? When we were fucking?"

Mark bowed his head, he quickly realised that maybe that's all there relationship was about, the sex, however unintentional it was.

"I'm sorry that wasn't fair"

"Nah you're alright" Mark smiled

"I-I've been thinking" Aaron began.

"Me too…"

"You first" Aaron told him.

"Well I've come to realise that despite my feelings, which I'll somehow have to get over, I-I can't get in between yours and Jackson's love" Mark shrugged. "I was wrong to do so in the first place but like you labelled me a go getter that's exactly what I' am…and I did have you, for a short time on the quiet" Mark smiled. "I'm not stupid either, you and Jackson are actually a great couple and I'm sorry for ruining that I hope I haven't?"

"This isn't just because of our fling"

"I know, Jackson told me…well…he didn't say what just that there were other things to do with what you did to yourself"

Aaron nodded. "I'm sorry, if this now makes you think I've used you, strung you along" he sighed. "I never meant to…" he wasn't going to get into the details of why the fling ended up happening, it was too much to go into. "But I will get better and when I do I'm going back to Jackson"

"You should" Mark told him with a smile but deep down his feelings wanted to be free, he was hiding them well. "But why are you refusing visitors if that's the case Aaron?"

"B-because I'm ashamed Mark, I'm ashamed of myself, I'm with Jackson and I slept with you behind his back, I've kicked off so much, so much that he didn't deserve any of it…same with my mum…" he sighed. "I beat my best mate to a pulp in a rage…him and Jackson found me in such a state where I was tied and ready to jump into the lake, with blood pouring from my stomach…then Jackson had the pain of bringing me back…and now you…I-I know you're just putting on a brave face, it's hurting you I can see but it's the best way, I do love Jackson"

Mark nodded. "I know you do and it is the right thing to do, I just hope you can forgive me?"

"For what? It takes two Mark…"

"Yeah…" his words trailed off.

"I've said some hateful stuff to people all in all Mark I hurt people, I have hurt people. Before I see anyone I have to learn not too and to forgive myself, only then will I let them see me again…c-could you if it's not too weird…give a message to Jackson…"

"Erm, yeah of course"

"Just tell him I need time and ask him if he remembers where we first met, if he does, then tell him so do I and I'll find that Aaron again" Aaron spoke calmly but the emotion of what he was saying showed, Mark didn't understand really but Aaron didn't expect him too.

"Got it" Mark said as he stood. "I'll go and find him, get well soon Aaron"

"Thank you"

Mark gave a small nod and walked out.

After trying Jackson's house and being told he wasn't there Mark hadn't a clue where to look, if he didn't tell him today, he'd make sure to find him again.

…

Jackson was sat on a stool in the smoky bar of the pub Aaron had went too with his mates, it was steady during the day but much quieter than the night time. He looked around trying to make sense of it…he wasn't used to this in his life, he'd never had it, a place for the community to meet, drink and be merry. He just wasn't accustomed to it. He picked up his pint and took a long drink and looked around again and realised that he kept forgetting this was Aaron's comfort zone. Yes a different country but a known environment to him, where the working class gather, because at heart Aaron was one of them, comfort that's all it had taken for Jackson to spy Aaron laughing so much that night. Sadness filled him, but at the same time he vowed to himself to consider Aaron for all of who he was and embrace those sides of him, when Aaron was well he would go back to that pub with him and have a drink, talk laugh and get drunk. Aaron tried in his world; he owed it to him to try in his.

When Jackson turned around Mark spoke. "Not your scene really is it?"

"Will be from now on"

"I see…so I visited"

"And?"

"And he's yours, Jackson"

Jackson nodded, he wasn't going to rub it in his face, he was better than that. "He told me to tell you he just needs time and to ask-"

"Ask me what?" Jackson asked quickly.

"Do you remember where you both first met?"

Jackson nodded. "Course I do" he smiled.

"Well he said so does he and that he'd find that Aaron again"

As if he's been hit in the chest, he felt winded, those words knocked the wind out of his sails, he blew out a deep breath, his eyes instantly glazed over and began to fill with tears.

Mark smiled. "H-he wanted you to know"

"Uh, thank you Mark…" he said with a frown as he got off his stool, he never thought he'd thank him for anything.

"You're welcome, make sure when he's okay to look after him?"

"Course I will" Jackson told him and then left the bar after a surprising turn of events with Mark and with a renowned sense of hope of having Aaron back in his arms.

TBC…