AARON LIVESY

-The Chase-

"Permanent"

Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
And all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary rest your head
I'm permanent

Song Belongs To David Cook

Aaron lifted his head up from its resting place on his folded arms on the kitchen table when Moira came back in from talking to Chas on the phone. "She's fuming isn't she?"

"That would be an understatement love" Moira said with a smile. "But don't worry I've explained everything and that you're in no state right now so you're staying here tonight"

Aaron nodded as he let out a heavy sigh. "I'm really sorry Moira"

"I know you are love, I'll get you a bag of frozen peas for that head. What did you do Aaron?" she asked as she turned to the fridge/freezer and rummaged through the drawers.

"I erm, I whacked it off one of the doors" he told her quietly. "At the garage…it hurts" he scoffed.

"I'm not surprised, here" she said as she handed him the frozen bag of food which he took and placed it over the lump on his forehead that was thumping.

"Thanks"

"The lads will be in soon, there wasn't much to catch up on actually, just some last few bits and pieces" she told him. "When they do come back I'll order takeaway how's that sound eh?"

A small smile crept onto his lips and he nodded.

"Excellent, I know it's only one night but it's going to be nice having another man around the house" she said with a smile. "Cause to be honest, don't tell him but he gets boring" she chuckled, as did Aaron but he knew she was just joking.

After a few minutes Aaron got up and he saw the slight panic in her eyes. "Moira" he said softly. "I'm not going to do anything I'm just going for some air, I'm not gunna run off I'm done with running now"

"Well you're in my care love so I really hope that you're not lying"

Aaron shook his head. "I'm not"

Moira gave him an approving nod and he opened the front door and out he went. Taking in the fresh air as he walked outside he headed over to one of the far fences, his expression thoughtful as he looked out to the countryside. Adam and Flynn were walking back to the house and they both stopped when they saw him leaning against the fence. Adam gave him a reassuring nod and Flynn hesitantly started walking over to him.

Stopping beside him with his arms rested against the fence Flynn smiled as he looked around to see Aaron's face, he was pale with bags under his eyes a clear sign of exhaustion "Hey" he said softly.

Aaron smiled a little too, a good start Flynn thought. "Hi"

"I can leave you alone if you like?"

Aaron quickly shook his head. "No" he turned to his side to face him. "No I uh, I wanted to talk to you"

"Oh, right" Flynn nodded "T-that's great…Aaron" he smiled.

"What you had to see back at that barn…I'm really sorry" he told him as he hung his head in shame, he was embarrassed.

"You don't have to be sorry Aaron, I'm just glad we found you" Aaron nodded. "Are you glad we did?"

"Yeah I am I was just…right at the bottom"

"It was bound to happen mate but like we all pointed out, we are all here and like I said, I meant it when I said I'm not going anywhere"

Aaron nodded, acknowledging that fact. "Why do you love me, Flynn? What do you see when you look at me?"

Flynn smiled. "Ignoring the bruises and whatever else on your body right now, I see a man who as soon as I saw early last year standing at the pool table in bar west, I was instantly attracted to, yeah you're a bit awkward sometimes but you have your moments" Flynn told him with a smile which caused Aaron to also. "You're gorgeous Aaron, caring, loving, funny, insanely frustrating at times but that's who you are and I love you, it's just simple really and I can't begin to imagine why Ed or Jason ever laid a hand on you because I never would"

"Y-you mean that?" Aaron asked as tears ran down his face.

Flynn reached out slowly and rested his hand on Aaron's cheek which was allowed and he wiped away his tears. "Of course I do Aaron"

"I erm…" Aaron frowned. "This isn't easy at the moment but I need to say something…"

"Go on, take your time"

Aaron nodded. "I love you, I know I do but I can't love you yet, does that make sense?"

Flynn nodded. "It does actually, I'd be worried if you hadn't of said that"

"I think I always knew, well since I came back from my holiday and when Chris was with you I buried it, then when I got with Jason it was to hurt you but I did like him Flynn, obviously I did I'm grieving for him right now despite all he did" Flynn nodded. "Then Manchester happened" he continued with a frown as he tried to work out his thoughts. "And you made love to me, we made love and it came back…and I was scared for you, I really was…I'm sorry he hurt you to"

Flynn shook his head, that didn't matter now and it wasn't Aaron's fault.

"So, basically whenever I've spoken to you or about you to other people, I've been nasty to and about you…and that I think is cause I do love you and you are important to me…I didn't want another man to touch me before you did then, I didn't even want you, but I just need time Flynn, alright…keep your promise of sticking around and who knows? When all this is done and I'm getting there…"

"Who knows" Flynn repeated as he stared into Aaron's blue eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, I'm permanent"

Aaron nodded and then slowly stepped over to him and cautiously wrapped his arms around Flynn. Flynn's eyes widened as he felt Aaron's arm around him and he quickly but carefully wrapped his own arms around him. This most certainly was not a dream. "You're going to be alright Aaron, I promise" he told him in almost a whisper. Aaron nodded against Flynn's neck as silent tears ran down his face again.

…

"Ah mate I'm stuffed!" Adam exclaimed as he sat back on the sofa. Flynn smiled as he closed the lid on his pizza box, then he looked over and noticed Aaron was just picking at his kebab and chips with his fork while his elbow rested on the arm of the sofa with his head resting against his fist. Flynn then exchanged a look with Adam who then sat up and looked at Aaron properly; he was in a world of his own. "You alright mate?"

"Hmm?" Aaron asked quickly as he looked up.

"You alright?" Adam repeated.

"Oh err yeah I'm alright…not really hungry to be honest mate, I'm sorry"

Adam smiled and shook his head. "No need to apologise mate how longs the appetite been like that?"

"Since I got out of hospital" Aaron replied with a shrug.

Adam nodded. "It'll come back" he told him with a smile as he got to his feet, taking Aaron's unwanted food with him to the kitchen and Flynn followed taking his in too, leaving Aaron alone for a few minutes.

When they came back Aaron looked up at them with a smile and Adam asked if they wanted a go on the Xbox and Aaron positively told them yes and told them both in no uncertain terms that he would win which they were pleasantly surprised by, it wasn't much but they knew he was trying.

An hour or so later Flynn's dad arrived to pick him up and Moira had long been absent since taking a glass of red to bed with her while she watched a film so now Aaron and Adam were alone. They stood in the kitchen and Aaron remembered something Moira had brought up earlier but she hadn't relayed an answer. "Oh erm, Adam…d-did your mum mention-"

Adam nodded with a smile. "Yeah mate you can come in with me"

"Ah right" Aaron smiled. "Cheers…I know it's stupid but…"

"It's not mate. Right I'm going to have a shower you know where my room is" Aaron nodded and after locking up, they both headed up the stairs parting when Adam went into the bathroom. Standing in Adam's room he found the entire situation weird, but in his current state he didn't want to be alone anymore and like any best mate Adam understood and let him sleep there with him. He let out a sigh and started to undress; now only in his boxers he pulled back the duvet of the double bed and got in, he let his eyes rest while he waited for Adam, after a few minutes he heard Adam walking in and he opened his eyes. "You don't have a particular side do ya?" Aaron asked with a small smile.

Adam chuckled as he nodded in reply. "But you're not in it so you're alright mate"

"Ah good, listen Adam about today, I can't say sorry enough I'm just a mess"

"No apologies alright, I'm just glad you're still with us" he told him as he sat down on his side of the bed. Aaron nodded slowly as he looked away, feeling his eyes sting but he didn't want to cry he put them to a stop instantly. "You ready?" Adam asked then reached over to the bedside lamp and when Aaron said he was the room fell into darkness and Adam settled down into bed. "Ah this isn't so bad"

"Nah it's not is it?" Aaron replied as he turned onto his side, facing away from Adam then silence fell upon them, after a few minutes Aaron opened his eyes, he wondered if he was flat out already. "Adam?"

"Yeah mate" Adam replied quietly.

"…Can I have a hug?" Aaron replied equally as quiet.

Adam smiled in the darkness as tears ran down his face. "Course you can" he told him then shuffled closer and gently laid his arm around him and pulled him in closer. "That alright?"

"Yeah thanks mate"

"No problem, you get some sleep mate, I'm right here"

Aaron nodded and closed his eyes again and was soon fast asleep, but for Adam it took a little while to fall asleep, he had been overcome with emotion and several times he'd found it hard to keep it quiet so that he didn't wake him. He didn't care that he was in bed with another lad, this one was different, he was special and he was his best mate who needed him, he would never have said no to his request, never.

The morning came and Aaron woke up with his head on Adam's chest. Aaron frowned and looked up at him seeing him already awake and Adam just shrugged then chuckled.

"You need to sort that chest hair mate" Aaron said with a smirk as he sat up.

Adam laughed louder. "You made yourself comfy there mate not me…"

Aaron nodded. "That's true, sorry anyway"

"Don't be daft"

"Weird that wasn't it?" Aaron wondered and he watched as Adam shook his head. "No not at all, I'd gladly hold you and make you feel safe, the past few months of your life have been horrible and that's just me imagining…so anytime alright"

Aaron just smiled "Love ya Farmboy" he told him as he got up out of bed.

Once the boys were freshened up and dressed they headed downstairs to see two full English breakfasts laid out on the table for them. Moira turned to them with a smile. "Did you boys sleep well then?"

Aaron nodded. "Yeah…he gives the most perfect hugs…"

"Oi!" Adam replied while Moira burst into laughter. "I let you stay in my bed you!"

"I know you did and I'm grateful, you know I am" Aaron told him as they sat at the table and a new day had started it seemed like his appetite had returned, he'd never eaten so fast. After breakfast was eaten, Moira and Adam had to leave for work but she told Aaron to make himself at home and that if he was to leave to please let them know, he told them he wasn't going to and that the washing up would keep him occupied, Moira obviously told him he didn't have too but he had insisted and after thanking him she and Adam left the house.

Outside Moira walked to the car instead of going with Adam, which on any normal morning she would do. Adam stopped. "And where are you going?" he asked with a frown and watched as his mum turned to face him.

"To see a mother about her son" she replied.

"Hmm…what you up to?"

"Absolutely nothing" she told him but the look on her face told him otherwise and Adam raised an eyebrow causing Moira to sigh. "You'll soon find out"

…

"Morning!" Moira called out as she entered the back room of the pub and saw Chas sat with Hazel. "Sorry, Marlon let me in"

Chas smiled. "How is he?"

"He seems alright Chas he was just shaken up last night but the lads were with him" Chas nodded. "He ate a full English this morning, apparently his appetite hasn't been the best"

Chas shook her head. "Yeah Paddy said the same"

"Anyway the reason I'm here is to have a word…" she continued and sat down on the sofa looking at both women who were sat at the small table up against the wall. "I'm not prying or saying this to cause trouble but the other day after being with Aaron at Smithy Adam mentioned that he got the impression that Rhona didn't want Aaron there…"

"See!" Chas shot her head round to Hazel. "I told you! I bloody knew it"

"Yes you did tell me but let Moira carry on…she's not saying this for you to go round and start world war three…she's saying this for Aaron so just listen" Hazel advised her gently to which Chas did so and turned back to Moira. "

"Well seeing how he is with Adam after yesterday and stuff I thought maybe that if it was alright with you Chas that he could stay with us up at the farm, it's not like I don't have the room cause I do…and he's a good lad and he needs his mate around"

Chas was silent as she thought about it.

"It might help him to be away for a bit too" Moira added.

"He shouldn't be away from his family at the minute" Hazel argued. "What you're suggesting is like him running away from his problems"

Moira frowned, extremely annoyed by what she had said. "Excuse me? You didn't see him yesterday Hazel"

"No because I was out looking for him" Hazel defended.

"Fair enough but it was heart shattering Hazel, absolutely heart shattering so I'm sorry to have to disagree with you here but Aaron is well aware of his problems, he's not for one second forgotten and he never will" she stopped completely agitated and she let out a deep breath. "I'm sorry, it was just horrible…"

"I know what horrible is like when it comes to my son, it's alright Moira" Chas told her and Hazel nodded too. "I'm sorry Moira"

Moira shook her head and smiled. "It's alright…I know it means he'd be out of the village but he's not far away and any of you can come and see him anytime and I'm sure eventually he'll go back to work so you'll see him then…I'll cook us all a dinner tonight…both of you come and we'll discuss it"

Chas smiled and nodded. "You have my approval"

"I do?" Moira asked in surprise.

"Yes, but still make the dinner and we can suggest it to him then"

Moira smiled and got to her feet. "Great, come by around seven then yeah?"

"We'll be there" Hazel replied with a smile.

"I'll see you both tonight then" Moira told them before leaving.

Hazel looked across the table at Chas. "Are you sure about this?"

"We need all the help we can get Hazel" Chas spoke sadly; it was clear she was troubled, what mother wouldn't be, Hazel understood that and simply nodded.

…

The house was silent and a knock on the front door was enough to make Aaron jump. He got to his feet but before he even made it to the kitchen Cameron had walked in. "Oh I erm…I wasn't expecting to see you"

Cameron smiled at him. "Your mum told me where you were"

"Ah, right…"

"I-I can go if you like?"

"No, no come in…"

Cameron nodded and walked into the living room and sat on the sofa, Aaron followed and sat next to him. "Have a bang on the head did ya?" he said and looked accusingly.

Aaron sighed.

"Don't go down that route again…"

"You weren't involved then Cameron" Aaron snapped with a harsh frown on his brow.

"That's right but I know"

"Of course, my mother" Aaron rolled his eyes.

"Don't be like that about her; do you know that she was on the phone to Cain for hours last night in tears after hearing what you'd tried to do?"

Aaron hung his head in shame and shook it lightly.

"You're really lucky Cain didn't come up here last night because I'm telling ya he would have been out of the door if it wasn't for me and Debbie, yes you're struggling Aaron but it's affecting everyone"

"I'm sorry"

Cameron sighed, that was enough of a telling of he could cope with, he was only making Aaron worse and he couldn't carry it on, instead he put his arm around him. "It's okay"

Aaron frowned and looked at him, his eyes found Cameron's but yet they weren't his, his heart beat increased as he started to move closer.

Cameron frowned for a second and when he realised that Aaron was moving in to kiss him he backed off. "Aaron…y-you really don't want to do that"

Aaron's eyes widened and he jumped up from the sofa. "Oh god! C-Cameron I'm so sorry…I-…I…" he stopped unable to speak and ran upstairs.

Great! Cameron thought to himself as he got up and walked upstairs after him. He opened the ajar door which he eventually realised was Adam's bedroom when he saw Aaron sat on the bed, he decided to stay on the landing. Tread carefully… he reminded himself before he spoke. "Y-you weren't seeing me were you?"

Aaron simply shook his head with tears in his eyes. "You and Jason have the same eyes"

"We did" he replied sadly with a nod.

"That will never happen again, I'm so sorry I don't know what I was doing…"

"I'll let you off" Cameron told him with a smirk as he stepped into the room and sat beside him. "Forget about it yeah?" Aaron nodded and wiped his eyes. "Anyway I came to ask you two things"

"Oh?"

"About the funeral Aaron and I'll understand if you don't want too or whatever but…first, would you like to carry his coffin, n-not just you obviously, but I'd be at the front with you and I managed to get some of his mates…"

Aaron's eyes fixed onto a poster on Adam's wall. "And the second is do you want to say something at the funeral?" Cameron continued.

"Erm" Aaron swallowed hard with a frown. "C-Can I think about it?"

"Yeah" Cameron smiled. "Course you can…it's a week today so there's plenty of time…"

Aaron nodded. "I'll let you know"

Cameron got to his feet and with a smile he replied "Sure, you'll be alright on your own?"

Aaron looked at him with a smile and he nodded. "Yeah course"

"I'll see you soon mate"

"Yeah" Aaron replied quietly as Cameron walked off. But as soon as heard the front door shut downstairs he fell back onto the bed and the tears were unleashed, he missed Jason so much.

TBC…