DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN EMMERDALE OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS. THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF ITV.

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MID SEPTEMBER

Aaron brushed his teeth. His phone jingled.

can we meet up?

With his toothbrush hanging out his gob, he reached over to the phone and read it, it was from 'Rugby Ed'

Aaron quicked replied;

why?

He finished off his teeth and gargled the mouthwash. The phone tinkled again.

Well it's not to see you smile!

Aaron perched on the rim of the bath and chewed on what to text next.

BANG BANG.

It was the bathroom door.

"COME ON IN THERE, HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GONNA BE!"

"FUCK OFF I'M HAVING A SHIT!"

It was the fat old cow from down stairs. The sloth of a woman who insisted she wear nothing but dirty old flipflops.

He could actually hear her huff and flipflop away. He focused down to the screen of his phone and texted.

go on then...at the park at 12.

Aaron vacated the shared bathroom and went up to his top floor flat to get his trainers on and rub gel into his hair.

He then clicked his tongue and Clyde rose out of his bed, "Come on boy, lets go walkies"

Clyde wanted to be made a fuss of, and after Aaron gave him a quick pet, the dog then obiediantly followed his master out of the room and down the creaky stairs.

XXX

Flipflops watched from her window as Aaron went up the path with the dog on it's lead. She turned and put her phone to her ear. Her cigarette was in the other.

"Can I speal to Mr Lacey please...he's my landlord..."

XXXX

Jackson usually went home for lunch. But today he was reluctantly heading towards Nathan's block up the road from where he was doing a renovation.

Parking the van across the street, he climbed out and hurried across the road, up the steps and pushed his way into the glass frontage of Nathan's building.

Hurrying up the stairwells, the builder came to his Ex's door and pressed the bell.

Jackson waited a while, then it opened up. Nathan was standing there white as a sheet, and in his pyjamas.

Jackson plastered on a smile, "Alright mate?"

Nathan looked abit wary, "what are you doing here?"

Jackson shrugged and put his hand to the door frame, "just thought I'd call round seeing i'm in this neck of the woods"

Nathan raised his eyebrowes, "that was your last excuse"

Jackson pulled a face and nodded, "yeah it was wasn't it? But...DO I have to have a reason to come visit yah?"

Nathan sighed and opened up the door wider and Jackson pushed his way inside.

Nathan shuffled in and plonked himself down in the comfy armchair, Jackson did a double take to the kitchen.

"What? No brew?"

Nathan rolled his eyes, "you know where the kettle is"

Jackson went and filled up the kettle and turned around, "look...the thing is..."

Nathan met his glance from where he sat, "folk have been blabbing and now you've come to see for yourself?"

Jackson closed his open mouth.

"It doesn't matter Jackson...what's done is done...I've made me bed and I have to get on with it"

Jackson pulled a face, "but that's JUST it...you're not..."

Nathan lolled his head back, "Ohhhh can you just go...I don't want a lecture...I've had that from...everyone..."

Jackson came forward and sat on the couch opposite him, "but they're right Nate...YOU HAVE to take your meds and that...I don't know too much about all this me...I wish I did, but..."

Nathan blew out a laugh. He had dark rings under his eyes, "is that a dig? Meaning I SHOULD KNOW all about this"

"Well you are a nurse"

Nathan met his gaze, "Jackson...the crap I have to take...the pills and that...the side effects made you feel like death...infact death is more inviting"

Jackson frowned at him, "don't be like saying that"

The builder saw that the nurse was just staring at the TV screen. The set was on, but the sound was turned down.

He stood up and nodded to the boiling kettle, "I'll go and make that brew, yeah"

XXX

Ed sat on the park bench. He pulled out his mobile wondering if Aaron had stood him up. But then, Aaron appeared. He and a great big dog.

The rugby player stood up and gave him a welcoming smile, "alright Mate...whos your friend?"

Aaron stopped and stooped down to give Clyde a ruffle around the scruff, "This is Clyde...and he goes everywhere I go..."

Ed gave him a teasing wink, "Everywhere?"

Aaron didn't find him funny, and ignored him "...so what is it?"

Ed pulled a puzzled look, so Aaron sighed, "you texted ME you div...what is it?"

"Just thought we could hang out..."

"What in THIS park...you know what goes on in here, don't yah" Aaron told debating whether to let Clyde off the leash for a while.

Ed nodded, "yeah...I thought it might be the reason why you picked here to meet up!"

Aaron glared at him, "you joking aren't yah...the only reason why I picked here is so that Clyde can have a good old run about and get some exercise"

Aaron then picked up a nearby stick and tossed it, the dog ran after it, tail wagging and tongue lolling out.

Ed watched, not amused. Aaron smirked at him and went to fuss over Clyde. Ed followed, this wasn't what he had in mind"

XXX

Jackson and Nathan sat holding their brews. Nathan was now staring out of the french doors to the belcony. Jackson came to his side, "So...does your Mum and dad know? About you"

Nathan half looked at him, "take a wild guess...they had trouble with me coming out as gay...amagine how they'd react to that news, eh?"

Jackson shrugged, "They've got to know...you have to tell them"

Nathan shook his head, "I don't have to do anything...", he turned to look at Jackson, "look I know I stalled on the divorce front and couldn't be bothered to sign the paperwork...but...give us a few days and I'll have it done for you, then you won't have to come around no more"

Jackson knotted his browe, "I'm not here for that! I'm here because I care mate..."

Nate blew out a laugh, "what? After ALL what I did to you? Why are you being so nice for"

"Yes...i'm a complete mug I know...and I'm being nice because I am a caring kind of guy and don't hold any grudges...and still look for the good in people"

Nathan held his mug tighter and sniffed back, "look...you really are gonna have to go...I've got things to do"

Jackson threw up to arms, "What things"

Nathan desparately tried to think of something.

"Look...there's a big drag act on at Bar West next Saturday night, I can meet you there if you want...as mates obviously...YOU can even come as 'Natasha' if you want...you used to like to drag it up"

Nathan met his gaze, "'Natasha' is dead and buried...and no, I've got something on...now PLEASSE can you go...I just want to be on me own..."

Jackson sighed and moved to the door, "Look...give us a call if you fancy coming out...no pressure no strings just two mates out together"

Nate nodded and watched Jackson go. Then he sat down on the couch and cuddled up in the duvet and burst into tears.

XXX

The rain lashed it down and Aaron and Ed ran back to Aaron's place. Clyde was running after them.

Once inside, Aaron lead the way up the creaky stairs and let himself into his flat. Ed looked around taking it all in, then removed his red and white rugby shirt. Aaron watched him used it to rub dry his hair.

Aaron removed his towel from the radiator and chucked it over to him, " put THAT back on" pointing to the shirt as he said it.

"Ohhhhhh...you not gonna take yours off then?"

Aaron glared at him, " No I'm not..." he went over to the window and watched the rain fall, "Once this is done, then you can go mate...can't see why you wanted to meet in the first place"

Clyde shook himself dry spraying them both with water.

But it didn't put off Ed, "Isn't it obvious?"

Aaron nervously looked up at him, then nodded, " You've got me wrong mate...I'm not interested..."

There was a bang on the door.

Aaron went and opened it. His landlord Mr Lacey was stood there;

"Hello Aaron...I think you and me need a talk, don't you..."

Aaron was gutted, because as Clyde came to his side and licked his hand, he knew what this was about...

XXX