– AARON & JACKSON –

– BORN AGAIN–

"The Date"

This fanfic follows on a few hours after Easing Back Into It

Characters belong to ITV

...

Jackson stood outside bar west pinching his lower lip, it was five past eight, he was late but he was nervous. The warm evening sun was beating down on him, he loved nights like that. He shook his head and opened the doors. He was wearing a low cut white V neck t-shirt and dark jeans. He looked around for Matt but couldn't see him. Jackson walked to the bar but was tapped on the shoulder seconds later. "I erm I got you one in...Got a table" he smiled.

Jackson was overwhelmed by his smoky grey eyes and his smile, the perfect teeth, him in general. He was physically attracted to him, Jackson knew that and so did Aaron. But would the personally match up. Jackson sighed. "Guess I'll find out" he mumbled to himself as he followed him to the table.

Jackson sat opposite him. "I'm sorry I was late I was a bit nervous to be honest..."

Matt nodded. "Don't be" he smiled. "So how are you doing?"

Jackson smiled with a nod. "I'm alright you know, every second is difficult but I went to work today which is a start"

Matt's smile was beautiful and he seemed genuinely interested in Jackson. "How was it?"

"It was fine, did a few little jobs then went home..."

Matt nodded. "Slowly but surely, what do you do anyway?" he asked as he picked up his pint.

"I'm a builder" Jackson replied.

"Cool, yeah you like the type...in a good way of course" he smirked.

Jackson chuckled. "What about you?"

"I'm a fireman, based locally, station just down the road"

Jackson smiled. "Handy that, bars on your doorstep for you finishing work"

"Has its upsides" he didn't say it but the upside was setting his eyes on Jackson that day.

"I bet...so I couldn't help but wonder...out of everyone here you found my bracelet and safely returned it, why?" Jackson asked curiously.

Matt smiled and leaned over the table slightly. "Should I be honest?" he asked with a sparkle in his eye.

"Best policy" Jackson nodded with a smile.

"Alright...I saw you that night and I was instantly attracted to you, but I could see the pain you were in...I-I wanted to talk to you but before I had chance you left, I watched you and like I told you the other day I saw it fall and I picked it up because I'm a nice person and because I wanted to see you again"

Jackson nodded. "Right then well I'm here...and you know some of my history so I'm just gunna do the general warning...if you stick around afterwards I'm impressed..."

Matt curled his lips, he was curious. "Shoot"

"Alright, I'm not just after sex, to be honest I don't know what I want right now but I do have to move on and if you don't want anything serious then I suggest you jog on" he told him in one breath.

Matt chuckled. "Impressed, I like you Jackson, I really do..." he stood up. "Another drink?" he asked.

"Yeah sure" he frowned. What had just happened? He was shocked he hadn't taken offence to what he said and left. He pondered it all until Matt came back with two pints.

Matt had a smile on his face as he sat. Jackson eyed him. "What's the smile for?"

Matt chuckled and shook his head. "You and that ultimatum...never had that before but I respect you for it...and I'm not just after sex either I want more than that, I've had crap relationships in the past that really hurt me and now want to find the real deal, had enough of being messed around"

"Whoever hurt you I hope their sorry"

Matt frowned.

"Well..." he trailed off wondering whether he should continue. He did. "Look at you...got it all haven't ya?"

Matt smiled while Jackson felt embarrassed. "Thanks, stop feeling embarrassed I can see it in your eyes, seriously mate, I'm a really nice guy and to be honest nothing fazes me...yeah I'm big and bulky but that's just because of the jobs I've had...and to what you said originally, yeah I hope they are sorry" he grinned and took a drink of his pint.

Jackson smiled slightly and noticed the necklace he had on and the outline of dog tags under his tight t-shirt. "Army?" he asked.

"You what?" Matt looked across at him.

"Your necklace, dog tags..." Jackson told him.

"Oh" Matt nodded. "Yeah, was in the army for five years, I loved it..." his expression seemed to flatten.

"Why did you leave?"

"I'd rather not if you don't mind"

Jackson sighed. "I'm sorry"

"No you don't need to be maybe one day I'll tell you" Matt smiled.

"There'll be a one day will there?" Jackson asked with a smirk.

"I really do hope so" Matt said as he let out a breath and admired Jackson in front of him.

As the night went on, they chatted and laughed together but it came to a point when the bar became too noisy. "Should we er...get out of here!" Matt had gotten up and spoken into Jackson's ear.

Jackson's heartbeat became faster as he looked at him closely and nodded followed by him getting up and following Matt outside.

Matt looked across to Jackson and smiled. "That's better"

"Yeah usually gets a bit rowdy at this time" he breathed, looked at him awkwardly feeling nervous, he never used to be like this but things changed and so did people. "So, how old are you?"

"Twenty eight, that ok or too old?" he smirked with a cheeky look in his eyes.

Jackson laughed. "No, no...That's alright...I'm twenty two, twenty three in a few weeks"

"Young" he smirked and nudged his shoulder with his playfully.

"Well if we were to you know...it'd be the first time I was the younger one...Aaron was nineteen"

"Wow...and you were married?"

Jackson nodded. "And completely in love" he smiled and looked away. "Listen I erm..." he turned back to him. "I better go, got to be up for work but I had fun and you've got my number?"

Matt smiled and nodded. "I certainly have"

"Good" Jackson smiled back. "I look forward to your text then" he said as he started walking away.

Further down the road Jackson's phone rang and he smiled when Matt's name flashed up, he answered it.

"How about a call?" Matt asked with a smile as he watched him walk.

"Callings fine too, now go you've got those drills in the morning"

"Ugh don't remind me...I had fun tonight too Jackson and I like you but I understand what you're going through"

Jackson couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, I appreciate that...So what exactly does that mean?"

"What does what mean?" Matt asked with a chuckle.

"I mean does it mean you wanna see how it goes?"

"Well...yeah I do but ultimately it's up to you Jackson, from what you've said it hasn't been long since Aaron died and I just want you to be sure really"

"I' am, slowly yeah?"

"Yeah alright, enjoy the rest of your night and I'll call you tomorrow"

"I look forward to it, night Matt" Jackson told him and hung up the call and put it back in his pocket, once he turned a corner he stopped and stood against a wall and took a minute to soak in what was going on. He knew it might be too fast but thinking of Matt and then Aaron's words to him whirling around in his head made him felt okay about it.

TBC...