Barcelona Birthday Boy – Chapter 2

-O-

DISCLAIMER: I am not connected to Emmerdale and its characters, which belong to ITV

-O-

Robert stirred from his slumber and sat up in bed. He looked at Aaron next to him. His boyfriend was still asleep and he studied the gentle rise and fall of Aaron's big chest as he lay there, silently inhaling and exhaling as he slept. Robert thought that he looked beautiful: the dark hair curled over his forehead, the well-kept stubble covering his chin, his long eyelashes shut tightly...the eyelids covering a pair of wondrous blue eyes that he never tired of staring into.

Robert thought back to the day that he and Aaron had first met. He knew, deep down, that they would always get to this point, even then. There was no way that Robert could ever resist Aaron, he was like a magnet drawing the older man ever closer: an irresistible force which would never allow him to break free. Robert had tried to resist at first, being in denial and convincing himself that Aaron was his dirty little secret: an outlet for his gay tendencies and a way of providing meaningless sex, but his physical attraction had soon turned to love. After he came to know Aaron better, he saw past the tough guy persona to the vulnerable boy underneath. This was the boy that he had fallen in love with: a lad who had been through more hurt than anyone was expected to experience in a lifetime. Now, it was time to try to make Aaron happy. He did not have a firm plan to achieve his goal, but he knew that Aaron needed love and he could provide that easily: unconditionally and without end.

Aaron suddenly started to thrash around in his sleep, holding his arms out as if to push away an imaginary assailant. He cried out, "No! Don't! Get away from me!"

Robert knew that Aaron was reliving the nightmare that he had lived through before, time and time again. How he hated Gordon Livesy for the abuse that he had perpetrated. Aaron still had the nightmares, ever since Gordon had come back to Emmerdale. He took hold of Aaron's flailing arms, trying to stop him from hitting something or hurting himself.

Aaron fought in his sleep and continued to shout, "No! Don't hurt me! Get off..."

Just then, he came round to see Robert staring down at him. At first, he was still in a half-awake state, "No! Nooooo!"

"Aaron, it's me!" Robert tried to calm him, "Babe, you're having a nightmare. You're safe, everything's okay...nothing's gonna harm you...I'm here!"

Aaron was now fully conscious. He focussed on Robert and the tears began to fall from his eyes. Robert scooped Aaron into his arms and just held him, stroking his curly hair and cooing to him, "It was just a bad dream, baby. I won't let anything bad happen to you, not from now on."

Aaron sobbed into Robert's chest, "I'm sorry, you must think I'm a right soft git."

"It's okay!" Robert squeezed Aaron tightly, "I understand and I'm here for you, Aaron. You don't have to apologise, you've got nothing to apologise for."

Aaron was soothed by Robert's obvious concern. He knew now that Robert loved him and nothing would ever change that. He was home at last to a man who would care for him regardless: a soul-mate who would take his pain for him. Robert had once taken a beating from him and hadn't complained, even back then his only concern had been for Aaron's welfare. He hadn't realised it at the time, but Robert loved him deeply and would never let him down. He knew that now.

"I thought that my father being found guilty would have made everything better. Why do I still have these nightmares, Robert?"

Robert continued to stroke Aaron's hair, "You've had all these bad memories buried deep for so long, Aaron. With your father coming back into your life and then the trial, those memories have come back to the surface and it's bound to have a massive impact on you. Your nightmares are probably just a way of your mind trying to deal with it. It'll get better when you've come to terms with what that bastard did to you. You were too young to face all that on your own. But you're not alone any more Aaron, just remember that."

Aaron lifted his head to look into Robert's eyes. Robert had been a rock for him in these past few months and he knew that he could now trust him.

Robert looked at Aaron's tear-stained face and his heart nearly broke. Here in Barcelona, away from their usual surroundings, he had hoped that Aaron would feel better, but he knew that Aaron's demons would follow him wherever he went. All he could do for now was to comfort his boy and make him feel safe and protected.

"I love you, Aaron," Robert said, softly, "that's all you need to know. I'll be by your side, every step of the way."

Aaron was touched. He knew that he could have nightmares, cry, let out his frustration and anger and Robert would take it all in his stride, "I love you too, Robert."

They kissed. Then Robert looked deep into Aaron's wonderful eyes, "We need to get up and dressed, they'll be banging on the door with breakfast soon."

"What did you say you'd ordered?"

"Croissants, jam, cereal, coffee...is that okay?"

"Sounds perfect," Aaron reluctantly pulled away from Robert's embrace, "Last one in the shower is a sissy!"

Robert laughed: Aaron had cheered up and they had the day to spend together in Barcelona.

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Aaron and Robert wandered around the town, taking in the sights. They came to Placa Espanya, with its statues and fountains and, after taking photos, they came to the Palau Nacional, which housed a museum of Catalan art. Aaron was unsure about spending time in an art gallery, but Robert seemed keen and Aaron would do anything to make his man happy, so they went in. Aaron found that he enjoyed it immensely, just being with Robert and doing things as a couple gave him great joy and contentment. He was falling more deeply in love with Robert and knew that his lover felt the same.

After leaving the gallery, they found that they could get a cable car to the Fortress of Montjuic at the top of the hill, so they took the ride and enjoyed beautiful views from the cable car and, when they reached the top, they could see all across the town, the sea and the harbour.

Standing alone by a railing next to an old stone wall, Robert embraced Aaron from behind and Aaron was comforted by Robert's warm body pressing against his back as he looked out over the harbour.

"Happy?" Robert whispered.

"Yeah," Aaron replied, "I didn't know Barcelona had cable cars."

"There are two, actually. The other one goes across the harbour to San Sebastia."

Aaron twisted round to face Robert, "Can we go on that one too?"

Robert giggled, "You've got a taste for it now. I didn't think you liked heights that much."

"I loved it!" Aaron was like a little kid let loose in a candy shop, "I want to do all these things I've never done before...as long as I can do them with you."

Robert leaned forward to kiss Aaron, right there in the open air where anyone could see, although there was no-one else around at that moment. He then held his forehead against Aaron's and spoke softly, "I want you to be happy Aaron: I'd give everything I own to achieve that. Whatever you want to do is fine by me...I've been a fool, thinking that wealth and status bring happiness...but, they don't, you know? I didn't know what happiness was until now."

"Robert?"

"What, babe?"

"You won't ever let me down, will you? I want to be able to trust you."

"You can!" Robert knew that it was a momentous task for Aaron to give his trust after all that he had been through in his life and he was determined to convince him of his sincerity, "Believe me, Aaron, I'm hopelessly in love with you and you mean everything to me. You've got me babe and I'll always be there for you."

Aaron threw his arms around Robert and gave him a big hug and whispered in his ear, "In that case, you've got me too. I love you and I know I always will. We belong together now."

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That night they were cuddled together, naked, in their hotel bed. They just took comfort from each other's closeness and warmth.

"I'm frightened to go to sleep," Aaron said.

Robert ran his hand comfortingly along Aaron's strong arm, "Because of the nightmares?" he replied.

"It's been such a perfect day," Aaron sighed, "I don't want anything to ruin it."

"Nothing will. You can always hold on to good memories, Aaron. Those bad ones that still haunt you will fade in time and be replaced by the good ones: I'll make sure of that. I'll spend my life creating good memories for you, because that's what you deserve."

"Love you, Robert!"

"I love you too, Aaron. I've always loved you and will never stop loving you. Just fall asleep with that thought in your mind."

Aaron kissed Robert. He knew now that he could trust this man to chase his demons away. He knew above all else that, finally, he could find peace in his life.

Robert could guarantee it.