Chapter 20

"Aaron, How'd you feel about a little Welcome Home party? You've been home a week now and I know you must be bored to tears!"

"Why?"

"Well, Chas suggested it. Just a couple of hours in the pub if you fancy it? I mean you can always come back home when you start feeling tired"

"But I won't be able to drink!"

"You can have fun without alcohol mate! Your friends wanna see you anyway!"

"Well i suppose it beats staying in bed watching Die Hard for the 17th flipping time!"

"Awesome. You gonna shower first?"

"You saying I stink?"

Liam laughed and kissed Aaron softly "yeah you do. I'll get the cling film."

Aaron began to strip off, he winced slightly as he pulled his t-shirt over his head. He took off the bandage and studied his wound. It was still scarlet red, still traces of his dried blood surrounding the stiches, ugly purple and black bruising surrounding the 4inch gash in his stomach.

Liam returned with the cling film and began wrapping it around Aaron

"Eugh it feels weird!"

"It will. Right, there you go, all done. Leave the bathroom door unlocked and dont be scared about shouting me if you need me, ok?"

Aaron rolled his eyes and nodded, heading to the bathroom.

20 minutes later Aaron reappeared. "Right, let's get you sorted, and then we can go." Liam smiled, unwrapping a bandage from its plastic packet.

Another 20 minutes had passed before the boys arrived in the pub. Aaron was suprised how many people had turned out to welcome him home. Nearly thew whole village was there.

"Sorry we're late." Liam smiled "Gok Wan here couldn't find a decent enough shirt!"

"Shut it you!"

"Go and sit down boys, I'll bring your drinks over in a minute. What you having?" Diane asked

"A bottle of vodka." Aaron smiled

"Two cokes please, Diane. Thanks." Chas smiled. "You not joining us love?" Chas asked, indictaing to the empty seats next to herself, Cain and Gennie

"We will do soon, Just got to talk to liam about something." Aaron smiled, grabbing Liam's arm and taking him to the other side of the bar, a much quieter area.

"Talk to me about what?"

"Nothing. Just cant really be bothered to sit with that lot!"

"Ah so you're the new fella are you?" An old lady asked Liam.

"Yeah, Liam Turner. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Pearl Ladderbanks. I work with Paddy, Known Aaron for a long time. He's like a little grandson to me he is." Pearl grinned, leaning over to picnh Aaron's cheeks and joining Dermot back at the bar

"Nice lady."

"If you say so!" Aaron replied, rubbing his cheek. "Hey Li, You never did tell me how you got stabbed."

"It happened when I was at school. i was badly bullied, I tried to defend myself once, and it went horribly wrong. They followed me, and jumped me. Next thing I could feel was a really sharp pain in my stomach and I was bleeding. Guess you could say I've had a tough life!"

"Hopefully that'll all change now. You've got me." Aaron smiled, leaning over to kiss Liam.

"'Ey put him down lad you don't know where he's been!" Cain hollered

"Talking to me or 'im?" Aaron asked

"Him!"

"Jog on, Cain!"

Liam sat back, trying to stop himself from laughing

"Whats tickled you, EMO?"

"You two. It's funny! Erm...there's an old lady with curly blonde hair staring at me..."

"Huh? Oh...that's Betty. You ok Betty? See anything you like love speak up!"

"What in the name of god do you have on your arms boy?" Betty asked

"They're tattoos. Each one symbolises a part of my life that I don't want to forget."

"They'll look terrible lad when you're 80 and a bag of wrinkles!"

"Don't plan on living that long if I'm honest!"

"I bet you had a nice body before someone drew on it!" Pearl laughed

"Nothing wrong with his body Pearl. Trust me!" Aaron winked "Regretting coming here now?" Aaron asked

"Nah, I find it amusing. It's gonna be a good night." Liam smiled, leaning over to kiss Aaron "You know what? I know we haven't been together that long, but...I'm falling for you, Aaron Livesy. And I don't think I can stop. I...I love you."

Aaron smiled and storked Liam's hand "I love you too. I'm so happy right now, despite previous events. I...don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you."

The sound of the doors banging open and several gasps around the room caused Aaron to look behind him. He alomst dropped his glass of coke in shock as the confident male strolled up to the bar. He thought it was just a huge coincidence, someone who looked like him. It couldn't of been him, last time he saw him he was...Aaron had almost convinced himself he was just seeing things, Until the male opened his mouth to order his drink, that voice..it was unmistakeable. It only belonged to one person.

Jackson Walsh.

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