Robert slowly makes his way down the stairs and wonders into the bright kitchen. He didn't realize that Aaron had came over earlier that morning, waiting for him to wake-up and talk about what happened the night before.
"Morning mate," Aaron says when he realizes that the other man has woken up.
"How's the head?" He asks as he's pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee.
"Pounding," Robert answers trying to shield his eyes from the bright sun coming through the windows. "Is there any left?" He nods towards the kettle.
Robert sits down at the table and rubs his face with his hands slowly and sighs, "What did I have to drink last night?" He asks looking up to the other man, who was now adding a cube of sugar to the coffee. "And how much did you let me have of it?"
"Just beer I think," Aaron answers with a big smirk on his face. "I only let you have one, but you were already a few in by the time I got to the pub."
"Can't have been only a few pints," Robert shakes his head, accepting the hot steaming coffee mug. He pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to hold down the nausea and calm his head as he takes a sip of the coffee.
"I feel like someone did the River Dance in me temples," He takes another small sip of the bitter black liquid and shivers, "Got any cream?"
Aaron smiles and carries the plastic container from the fridge and pours a bit into Robert's cup and sits it back down in front of the other man.
"Perfect," Robert hums in satisfaction as he takes another sip of the drink. He wraps both hands around the mug, soaking in the warmth and breathing in the steam and takes another sip.
"So, about last night..." Aaron slowly begins, gauging Robert's reaction.
Robert closes his eyes and sighs deeply, "Please, can I finish my cup first? I'm embarrassed enough as it is."
"Hey," Aaron reaches across the table, laying his land on top of Robert's, causing Robert to jump slightly in surprise.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about mate... Well, except maybe the amount of beer you had last night. May want to ease up on that a little bit," Aaron said with a gleam in his eye. Robert smirks and takes another sip of his coffee, trying not to laugh at Aaron's response.
The duo sit in silence as they both contemplate who is going to bridge the discussion first and what to say when they finally do. Aaron sits patiently watching Robert enjoy his cup of coffee and Robert sits, sipping as slowly as possible to avoid talking.
It was Adam who broke the silence, coming whistling into the kitchen, dancing around in just his towel.
An embarrassed Aaron spits his coffee out and tries to shove him out of the kitchen, while Robert just sits and stares at his cup. Adam laughs and takes the towel off of his head and pops it a few times, trying to hit Aaron. Aaron grabs the towel and hides it behind his back.
"Morning mate," Robert days to Adam, eyes still never leaving his coffee cup.
"Is he alright, mate?" Adam whispers nodding towards Robert.
"No, but he will be," Aaron answers back with a sad smile on his face.
"You sure?" He whispers while heading back up the stairs to get dressed.
"Positive, Adam. Just give us some time, yeah?" Aaron turns and walks back to the table and sits down beside of Robert.
"So, about last night..." Aaron starts, and waits patiently for Robert to finish the statement.
"Last night was a drunken one off, Aaron," Robert tries, standing up to put the coffee mug into the sink.
"Was it?" Aaron stands and faces Robert. "Robert, was it? You said you still loved me... I can't sit here and pretend that it didn't happen."
Robert looks up into Aaron's eyes, "Yeah, and I seem to remember you telling me that it was all in me mind. I was a mentalist or something. That I couldn't love you any more." Robert's eyes turn somber.
"And I'm sorry for that, but that was months ago. Robert, you can't sweep this under the rug. We have got to talk about this," Aaron tries again, actively searching Robert's eyes for anything.
"Aaron, please don't do this," Robert pleads trying to turn his back to Aaron, but Aaron holds on to his hands and keeps him in place. Robert drops his eyes from Aaron's face to the floor, takes a deep breath and looks back up to Aaron.
"Please Robert. I promised last night that I would listen to you when you were ready to talk. So, please, please talk to me. Please be ready and please, let's just... talk." Aaron tries. He stands there, watching Robert struggle internally with what ever he's struggling with, and tries to be a means of strength until he can spit it out.
Robert takes a deep breath, "Where would you like to start then?" Robert slowly sits down in his chair, Aaron sliding his next to Robert, still holding his hands, offering support.
Aaron sighs in relief, "Where ever you're comfortable starting," he answers.
Aaron sits and holds Robert's hands, still patiently waiting for Robert to start talking. He's not sure if he's holding Robert because he's afraid that if he let's go, Robert will run a mile, or if it's because he wants to reassure Robert that he's here and willing to listen to him. Either reason, Aaron is still holding Robert's hands in his and trying to be patient enough to wait for Robert to be ready to start. He understands how hard this is for Robert and respects the process he needs to go through to admit his feelings.
"How about..." Aaron says as he begins rubbing circles on Robert's hands.
"You start at the 'I love you' part then?" Aaron looks hopeful.
"I don't know how to say this... Romantically, Aaron." Robert shakes his head, " But I do, you know," he begins. "I do love you."
Aaron can feel the other man start to tremble with fear, "Hey, hey. None of that. I'm here," he tries to reassure Robert, lifting one hand from Robert's and resting it on his shoulder.
"I don't know what to do or to say to make you believe that I still love you Aaron," Robert tries to pull his hands out of Aaron's, but Aaron refuses to let go.
"Robert, look at me," Aaron starts. Robert, again, tries to pull his hands out of Aaron's grip and stand up from the table, but Aaron holds tight.
"Robert, look at me, please," he says again.
Robert finally looks up, and sees Aaron's bright smile and unshed tears still pooling in his blue eyes.
"I believe you, you idiot." Aaron says, his smile becoming bigger than Robert thought was even possible.
"What?" Robert whispers, not sure he's correctly heard Aaron.
"And I love you too," Aaron says pulling Robert into his body, wrapping his arms around the other man. He feels Robert let go and sob quietly onto his shoulder and he nuzzles his nose into the other man's hair. Aaron starts whispering loving words to Robert, waiting for his tears to subside.
"I don't know that I believe in soul mates as mum talks about, but, if they exist, you would have to be mine." Aaron whispers into Robert's ear.
"I love you Robert Sugden." Aaron kisses the tender space below Robert's ear and tightens his hug. Robert tenderly returns the hug and kisses the side of Aaron's neck.
"I love you too, Aaron," he pulls back, tears now streaming down his face.
"But we have a lot to work out," Aaron says and Robert nods.
"I agree," he frames Aaron's face and kisses him tenderly on the lips.
When they pull back, they notice Vic and Adam standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Vic, who can hardly contain her happiness, bounces in and hugs the boys, both around the necks.
"So, does this mean what I think it means, mate?" Adam asks shaking Aaron's hand.
"It MEANS, that they've stopped being STUPID boys and admitted that they still love each other." Vic supplies, causing everyone in the room to laugh, breaking the tension.
"It means, we've stopped being STUPID boys, as Vic put it, and admitted that we love each other," Robert supplies with a smile.
"But, we have some things we need to work out and talk about," Robert says looking nervously at Aaron.
"Yeah, but, I think we can overcome anything, don't you?" Aaron says taking Robert's hand again.
"I do," Robert answers with a smile, lifting Aaron's hand to give it a tender peck on the back.
"As long as I have you, Aaron, I can do anything."
Vic smiles, "Awww, see, smitten kittens," and hugs the duo again.
The rest of the afternoon is spent talking, smiling, snogging, cuddling, and talking out their feelings. To say it's a productive day is an understatement.
"I have to head home, Paddy will kill me if I'm late for tea," Aaron says quietly.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" Robert asks shyly.
Aaron smiles, "Yeah, I'd like that."
The duo kiss 'good-night' while looking forward to the next time they get to meet.
"Love you," Aaron says and pecks Robert's nose.
"Love you too," Robert laughs out, returning the kiss, but to Aaron's lips.
"Nite," Aaron says, finally letting go of Robert.
"Nite," Robert answers and closes the door.
Both head to bed and dream about the next time they will get to see the other. It's happy dreams all around.