The next morning Jackson left Aaron sound asleep in bed as he met his mother downstairs in the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Neither of them had gotten much sleep, Jackson had gotten barely any watching Aaron sleep peacefully instead, so the two looked a little worse for wear as they sat opposite each other in the restaurant munching on bacon and French toast.
"I left him a little note incase he wakes up and I'm not back." Jackson told Hazel when she asked if it was wise to leave Aaron on his own after last night. "He'll be fine. I'll bring him some breakfast back as well."
"You're good to him." Hazel commented.
"And he's good to me." Jackson smiled before gulping back a large amount of coffee. "So what are your plans to help out my boy?" Jackson asked as he set his mug down.
"Well, I thought we'd talk to Paddy and Chas about what's gone on first." Hazel explained. "Maybe even Cain, I take it Aaron still wants to 'deal' with Darrel and Cain encouraging him doesn't help matters."
"And that's going to fix everything?" Jackson questioned skeptically. He wasn't sure how talking to Aaron's family would solve everything.
"No that's just the start. They can help us to get Aaron to agree to see a counselor." Hazel continued. "There's no doubt about it, he needs somebody trained to help him deal with it all but that won't fix things over night. It's going to take time."
"It all takes time." Jackson sighed, a little irritated by it all. He just wanted to wake up and it all just a bad dream. It was never that easy.
"It does. But it will all work out love." Hazel assured. She was proud of her boy for standing by Aaron through thick and thin. "Just you wait and see."
"I hope so."
"It will. In the mean time, I need to get back to my room and pack before I miss that train at nine thirty." Hazel announced finished with her meal.
"Look, I thought maybe we'd join you on the train back." Jackson told her. He didn't think Aaron would want to stick around after last night. "No point sticking around-."
"Don't be silly." Hazel exclaimed. "You'll get the later train this evening. It will be good for you both to stick around a little while longer and make a day of it. Besides I can talk to the others without Aaron around."
Jackson thought it over. Maybe it would be good for them.
"Plus I have a little surprise for you both." Hazel announced.
Jackson raised his eyebrows. "And what's that?"
"Follow me to me room and you'll find out, I left them in my suitcase for safe keeping." Hazel explained.
The builders followed Hazel to her room and waited patiently as she rustled around in her suitcase, searching for the surprised she had brought for them. Once she found them she quickly hid them behind her back, still not ready to give them to her son.
"Now I brought theses the other day by luck. Fortunately I know a few people from my travels." Hazel explained. "And I didn't want to tell you till today."
"Mum what is it?" Jackson questioned curiously.
Slowly Hazel brought the surprise in her hands in front of her to show Jackson. Two tickets to watch Manchester united Vs Leeds. She knew the two young men loved Football. They could sit watching football matches for hours.
Jackson face was a picture, despite his bruises which had earned him a few looks downstairs. "You didn't."
"I did." Hazel grinned, holding them out to him.
"No mum. I can't take these." Jackson protested. She'd already paid for the hotel and the room service the previous morning. This was too much.
"I insist you do!"
"No I can't. You've paid for everything else. How could you get these in the first place?" Jackson argued. "You must have spent a fortune on us already!"
"Don't be silly." Hazel said, pushing the tickets into his checkered shirt pocket. "I had a little left over from my travelling. You both deserve it."
"Thanks." Jackson said full of gratitude.
"Now go on before he notices you're gone." Hazel shooed away. "I'll see you back home later; make sure you have a good time!"
Back in their room, Aaron was still asleep in the bed, only just rising a little from the depths of sleep. He was aware of somebody, most probably Jackson, climbing back into bed beside him. The rough material of the older man's jeans rubbing against the skin on Aaron's bare leg as he hooked his leg over the top of his.
"Wakey wakey, sleep head." Jackson whispered into Aaron's ear, his breath tickling him as his eyes began to open. "Rise and shine."
"What time is it?" Aaron yawned rolling onto his back.
"Just gone nine." Jackson told him after he glanced at the clock in the room.
"Too early." Aaron groaned rolling back onto his side.
"I know." Jackson agreed nestling his head into the space between Aarons shoulder and neck. "But I've brought you breakfast."
"Too Tired."
"Even for this?" Jackson questioned wafting a bacon and egg toast sandwich in front of Aaron's face. It seemed to do the trick. Aaron shifted back onto his back and pulled himself further up the bed.
"Nope." Aaron said about to take the food from Jackson.
"uh!" Jackson said snatching it away. "I thought you said you were too tired." He teased with a glint in his eyes.
"Oh shut up!" Aaron scoffed taking the food and biting off a large mouthful.
"Attractive." Jackson drawled sarcastically as he watched Aaron shove the sandwich in his mouth as though he was starved.
"I know." Aaron grinned round mouthfuls.
"Well, as hot as you are, I've got a little surprise for us from mum." Jackson told Aaron as he dug the tickets out of his pocket.
"What's that?"
"Tickets to watch the football today." Jackson grinned.
"Sound." Aaron said.
"Don't sound to excited will you." Jackson said rolling his eyes.
They headed out later that morning, deciding to look in a few shops and grab some lunch before they headed to the game when the time neared kick off. Jackson had brought himself a new pair of work boots and a pair of trainers whilst Aaron had to be talked into buying at least a new pair of jeans instead of a hooded sweatshirt. Stomachs full of pizza; they sat in the stands waiting for kick off to start. It had been a struggle getting Aaron up the steps to be stands without crutches but they'd managed, just like always Aaron was determined to do it on his own. Their shopping bags wedged in between their legs as they stared down at the pitch while the players filed onto the grass.
"Aaron, I was wondering, have you lived in Yorkshire all your life? I mean, I know you've lived in Hotton and Emmerdale but have you ever lived anywhere else?" Jackson asked curiously.
"Yeah, I think why?" Aaron answered hesitantly. The question was rather random. He lived in Hotton with his dad when his mum left and in Emmerdale when his dad kicked him out.
". . . Just sometimes you have a Manchester accent." Jackson told him. He'd noticed it a few times. A few words stood out more than most, and it came out more when he was tired or relaxed.
Aaron raised an eyebrow at him. He wasn't aware he had an accent full stop.
"It's quite cute really." Jackson assured him. "Are you sure you didn't live in Manchester for while when you were right little?"
"I think I would remember something like that." Aaron told him. Even when he was little he lived in Hotton when his mum still loved his dad.
"That's funny." Jackson mused returning his attention back to the pitch, the game long since started. He'd also noticed that Aaron's accent had come out a bit more as they stayed Manchester, whether it was because at the wedding and today he was more relaxed or because he was surrounded by many more Manchester accents.
Despite his hidden accent, Aaron was still supporting Leeds throughout the football match, along with everybody else in their stand. Unfortunately they lost 3-1 to Manchester, even with the cheering and football chants hailing down on them. Not wanting to get caught up in the rush of spectators exiting the stadium, Aaron and Jackson tried to leave a little earlier than anyone else. It didn't work; they still go caught up in the crowd. Clumps of people pushed past without a care as they struggled to stick together and find the exit.
"Aaron?" Jackson called out when he looked beside himself to find Aaron had disappeared. He'd turned his head for a second catching a glimpse of a near exit to drag Aaron towards. "Aaron?" He called out again as he looked for him the bustling crowd.
"Hey watch it!" He heard Aaron bark out before he caught sight of him pushed to the side forcefully, only just managing to catch his fall against a wall. The builder quickly tried to fight his way over.
"You watch it cripple!" The thuggish looking teen wearing a baseball cap snapped at Aaron, giving him a threatening look up and down.
"Who're you calling a crippled?" Aaron growled glaring down the other baseball cap wearing teen.
"I don't see anyone else round here who's hobbling on one leg." The teen laughed, causing his mates behind him to as well.
"Funny. . . From someone as stupid as you are." Aaron sneered, his temper snapping. The other teen looked the same age as Aaron if not a little older, he certainly was bigger in size.
"You what? You better watch how you talk to me, mate." The teen warned growing angry himself.
"Or what? You're gonna break my legs?" Aaron taunted. He wasn't going to be pushed around by anyone any more. "And I'm not you're 'mate'."
The other teen lashed out, shoving Aaron again, but a lot harder this time. He was prepared for the push and stumbled back, tripping on someone's foot as he went to catch his fall. Luckily Jackson caught him in time. He set Aaron back on his feet a little roughly before he glared at the other teen who'd just assaulted his boyfriend. "Go on!" He snapped angrily at them. "Jog on!"
The baseball cap wearing teen and his mates turned round casually and continued to push their way through. Not before they served Jackson a threatening look.
"You alright?" Jackson asked Aaron, shooting a quick look to his leg. It was easy to forget about his leg in cast now. He'd had a cast or splinter on it for so long that it had become second nature, grown accustom to it. Aaron had grown to be able to hide it and make it seem as though it didn't bother him.
"Yeah fine.2 Aaron assured him. "Scared them off didn't you."
Jackson shrugged. "Not really."
"Yeah you did." Aaron told him. "It's those bruises."
"Make me look tough do they, like you?" Jackson teased with a smirk.
"You wish."
"They do."
Back at Emmerdale, Hazel had already been home for a few hours. She'd unpacked her clothes and put in a few loads of laundry as she waited for Rhona and Paddy to get back from the supermarket in Robblesfield. Paddy had picked her up from the train station and brought her back home before the two of them had dashed off to restock the cupboards. She hadn't had the chance to sit Paddy down and talk to him. So instead she had busied herself round the house. However, she ran out things to do, because they boys hadn't been at home the house had been able to keeping an orderly state, so there wasn't much for her to do. Chucking a stack of magazines on the side, Hazel decided to make a start on helping Aaron. She didn't' need to talk to Paddy, then Chas before Cain. There was no point in wasting time. Did it matter what order she spoke to them?
Hazel grabbed her coat and headed for the garage with addressing Cain in mind. The older mechanic and criminal might have scared some people but not her. She was prepared if he didn't like what she had to say. It had to be said. She found Cain bent over a car, elbow deep in car engine as he tinkered with a few tools.
"Could I have a word?" Hazel asked loudly after clearing her throat, to be heard over the sounds of the radio and clatter of tools that Ryan in the back seemed to be making.
Cain straightened up and turned to face Hazel, wiping his hands on an oily rag. "What do I owe this pleasure?"
"It's about Aaron." Hazel explained. "I'd prefer it if we didn't' talk out here."
"I'm working." Cain told her, a little hostile.
"I can see that." Hazel said rolling her eyes. Well done for stating the obvious. She didn't expect Cain to be at his workplace and sunbathing on a beach towel. "Can't you take a break or something, it's urgent."
Cain scoffed. He threw the oily rag onto the side of the bonnet, turning on his heel to head inside the garage. Hazel stayed put where she was, she wasn't going anywhere until he did. A few moments later, Cain returned after telling Ryan to cover for him.
"Woolpack." Cain simply said as he strode past her, trying his overalls round his waist.
Hazel waited until they were seated at the back of the pub with drinks before she started.
"So what's the reason why you stopped me working?" Cain turned to her. "It's not because you suddenly can't hold yourself back from me. Has Aaron done something stupid?"
Hazel let out a polite laugh. He should be so lucky. "No but he will do." Hazel told him. "He will do something very stupid if you keep encouraging him to."
"Encouraging him? Excuse me?" Cain shot at her. He wasn't to blame for what Aaron did or didn't do. "What that boy does has nothing to do with me. I'm not his dad."
"You're not, but you're as he's got. One of the closet people he has to a dad. You and Paddy." Hazel explained to him. "He looks up to you."
"Not my problem if he does." Cain shrugged off, taking no responsibilities. He had Debbie and Sarah to look out for most.
"Not your problem? Course it's your problem!" Hazel snapped. "He's your little sister's son, your nephew! It's your responsibility to care."
"I do care!" Cain growled why the hell would he be keeping tracks on Darrel if he didn't?
"What? By hunting down Darrel like an animal?" Hazel sneered." Encouraging Aaron to get revenge on him? Because that's not caring in my book!"
Cain rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"You may think your doing good by him, going after that monster but you're not!" Hazel sighed, her anger fading just as quick as it had come. "It might be the 'dingle' way to get revenge but it's not doing him any good."
"But he's a Dingle. Maybe not by Name but by blood he is!"
"He's not like the rest of you Dingles."
"What do you mean? Just because he's gay it sets him apart from the rest of us?" Cain flew at her.
"I didn't mean that. He's just different." Hazel argued. "He doesn't need this whole revenge thing. He needs to forget about it, move past it. Because it's eating at him."
Hazel continued to explain to Cain about how Aaron wasn't coping at all, about his nightmares and withdrawal from everything. She then went on to convince him that it wasn't good for Aaron to hear about Cain's plans to show Darrel who's won. She was a little surprised when Cain actually agreed with her. He really did care for his nephew even if he didn't' want to shot it, even if it meant it would kill him.
"So I can rely on you to leave it all to rest then?" Hazel questioned, finishing her second white wine.
"Yeah, it's forgotten about." Cain assured her. "Just don't get me to the comfort and cuddles thing." He threatened.
"I don't know. It might do the both of you some good." Hazel teased as she stood, making Cain scowl at her.
She hadn't been aware of how much time she had spent in the pub talking to Cain, by the time she reached Smithy cottage again Paddy and Rhona had returned and had already dispose of the weekly shop in appropriate cupboards. She must have been a while without realizing. It wasn't long before they had to pick Jackson and Aaron up from the train station in Hotton.
"Sorry Paddy, I was longer than I thought." Hazel reprimanded herself.
"Oh don't worry about it. Hazel what was it you wanted to talk about?" Paddy asked having remembered Hazel telling him in the car she needed a word.
The last half of the journey had Aaron falling asleep on an already sleeping Jackson. He'd tried to keep awake, watching Jackson and sending off putting glares to anybody who dared to look his way, but his eyes were too heavy. Jackson had fallen asleep almost straight away when they were seated and the train began to pull away. He hadn't even kept awake for Aaron to buy him a coffee. He must have been exhausted and Aaron felt guilty for that. If he hadn't of woken the builder by his nightmare than he wouldn't be so worn out. That was another reason why he fought sleep for the best past of half the journey. He didn't' want to have another nightmare especially as he sat on a train with strangers surrounding them. But he could only fight it for so long. He fell asleep on Jackson's shoulder, taking the risk.
He woke up with a start as the train pulled into Hotton station. Still aware that he was on a train, Aaron shot quick glances around the train carriage, incase anybody was staring at him in fear or bewilderment, the tell-tale signs of calling or acting out in his sleep. Thankful that nobody was watching him, he rubbed his eyes and rolled his shoulders, as if it would rid himself of another bad dream. They were getting more frequent now.
"Jackson." Aaron called to him as he still slept beside him.
"Mmm." Jackson groaned making Aaron's stomach knot.
"You need to wake up. It's our stop." Aaron told him, already packing up their things.
Jackson shifted forward on his seat, stretching his arms above his head and rolling his neck from side to side as if they ached. "Come on then babe." Jackson smiled.
As they struggled off the train they were met by Paddy who helpfully took a few items from both boys to carry to the car. He told them that Rhona and Hazel were at home putting together a roast meal for them to have when they got back. They couldn't help but feel as though they were being spoiled lately. It didn't' take them long to get back to Smithy Cottage and ditch their suitcases in their room. Rhona and Paddy had wanted to know everything about the wedding, having only gotten little snippets from Hazel earlier on her car journey home. They'd been delighted to hear that Aaron had dance with Jackson at the wedding, a first for them to hear.
"No excuses now Aaron, now that we know you can dance!" Rhona teased as they all sat in the lounge while dinner simmered away. "I'll be expecting you to dance at The woolpack's Christmas Party next week then!"
"You wish!" Aaron scoffed, getting up. His good leg couldn't stop aching and he didn't know what to do with it.
"Where're you off to?" Jackson yawned.
"Take some painkillers." Aaron said over his shoulder as he left the living room.
"Your legs not playing up are it?" Jackson asked a little concerned, they'd walked quite a fair bit the past few days and he'd taken to stumbles that day.
"No my other one." Aaron called back from the stairs now, knowing which one Jackson was referring to.
All five of them sat round the kitchen table when Dinner was served Paddy seated between Hazel and Rhona as he tried not to elbow them with every use of his cutlery. Jackson beside Hazel and Aaron, on the edge of his seat. When Aaron had disappeared from the lounge earlier, Hazel had informed him on what she had done, managing to speak to all three she had intended to, squeezing in Chas just before they got home and before her shift at work. She'd made Hazel promise her to wait until she came over that night before they spoke to Aaron. He was her son after all. In the mean time they were all trying to keep Aaron off of the scent.
"Did we all enjoy that?" Hazel smiled as she collected everybody's empty plates round the table.
"I deffinilty did." Paddy grinned full to burst.
"Me too," Rhona sighed. "I think I've got a food baby."
"I can assure you that's not a food baby." Aaron cheeked under his breath but loud enough for everybody to hear.
"Excuse me?" Rhona laughed taking it all as light banter. "You're not too big for me to show whose boss." She joked.
"Yeah . . . whatever." Aaron shrugged off.
"You can't talk." Jackson butted in teasing Aaron. There was no way Aaron looked like he had a podge with the weight he had lost recently dues to stress, but it was good to wind the teen up at his own game.
"You what!" Aaron shot at him staring down at his own tummy. It was flat.
"You heard me." Jackson smirked. "Don't worry; I like it if you carry on a bit of weight." He winked, adding the cherry on top.
Aaron scowled at him.
"Only me!" the teen's mother rang out as she stumbled in through the door in her little heels, as they still sat round the table. "Oh sorry, didn't realize you would still be having your tea."
"We're not. We've just finished." Hazel corrected her.
"We're now poking fun at Aaron's tummy." Jackson grinned, earning a nudge in the side from Aaron's elbow.
"Aaron?" Chas laughed. "Your both skin and bone you two are! He takes after me. Slim little thing he is."
Aaron scowled his mother to for the comment about being a 'little thing' before turning to Jackson with a smug grin as if to say "Ha! See."
"Right then, lets get cleared up." Paddy announced, slapping his hands down on the table surface. "You lot go through there, I can do this.
"No, we can do that." Rhona said already protesting.
"No. You and Hazel cooked the meal. I can do it." Paddy insisted. "Now go in the lounge out of my way!"
"Yes, Paddy." Rhona laughed slapping the male vet on the bum as she went to the next room.
They all did as they were told, filing into the lounge and sitting themselves down in the comfy sofas. Jackson had Aaron on one while Chas, Hazel and Rhona all perched on the other. At first Chas had them talking about the wedding, insisted that the two told her what they had told the others and then about their day in Manchester. All the time Jackson was a bunch of nerves every times he thought they may stray towards the topic they were all heading towards at some point. He was sure what reaction they would get out of Aaron. Yes, they had mentioned it once to him the previous night but he hadn't seemed to happy and now Aaron was surrounded by them all.
"Tea and coffee!" Paddy announced carrying two mugs into the lounge.
"Let me give you a hand." Chas exclaimed, jumping to her feet. Her bartending skills coming into good use as she breezed back into the room with two mugs in each hand a packet of biscuits tucked under one arm.
"Thanks Chas." Paddy said, having taken her seat next to Rhona.
Chas wedged herself next to her son with a little smile, cup of tea in hand. "This is nice." She said.
Aaron nodded his head, aware that his mum was looking at him.
"Christmas soon.2 Jackson commented, straying from the subject that they would most probably breach sooner or later.
"Yeah, it goes so quick." Rhona sighed.
"Haven't even started my Christmas shop!" Chas exclaimed, she'd been wrapped up in keeping tabs on Aaron she'd forgotten it was only round the corner.
"Not the only one.2 Jackson assured her.
"We've all been a bit preoccupied this time round.2 Paddy commented trying to bring them back to task.
"You could say that again." Chas scoffed. "How long is it till you get that taken off? I've gotten so used to you having your leg like that.2 Chas questioned when Aaron pulled himself further back on the sofa and perched his straight leg n the coffee table.
Aaron shrugged. "Early January."
"That's good; you'll be able to get back to work in no time then." Chas said. "Back to normal and all that."
"Yeah." Aaron agreed pulling a face.
"Speaking of normal Aaron how've you been lately?" Paddy asked trying to be subtle as a brick. Jackson swore under his breath at Paddy's attempt.
"Alright, why?" Aaron shrugged, slouching further down and adverting his attention to the TV as a comedian appeared on the screen.
"Well . . . t-the thing is- the thing is A-Aaron." Paddy stumbled. "H-H-Hazel told us what happened the other night."
"What?" Aaron flew, glaring at Hazel.
"We're worried about you love." Hazel defended before he had a go. "We just want the best for you."
"So you think talking about me behind my back is gonna help." Aaron snapped.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Chas scolded beside him. "Aaron . . ."
"No, Aaron, we've been talking and we think that maybe it would be good if you want to see a counselor." Hazel said.
"I told you that's not happening." Aaron said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yeah. But Aaron listen love." Chas argued. "We want to help you."
"Sending me to a shrink isn't going to help!" Aaron napped. "Is this what it's all about, getting her over here, us all eating together and cozying up in her? So you can all gang up on me!"
"Aaron please don't get like this." Paddy pleaded. They all new it was going to take a sour turn.
"Get like what?" Aaron sneered, swinging his leg off of the coffee table. "Angry? Pissed off? 'Cause I am!"
"You have no need to be." Jackson tried to the teen.
"I have every right to be." Aaron growled, scoffing slightly. "You all get me in here and throw this at me, when I told YOU that I didn't want, nor need, to go to a shrink. I'm not a nutcase."
Before Jackson could get a word in to cool the situation down, Chas jumped in. "You cannot keep going on the way you are Aaron. You are not coping; you're going off the rails if anything!" Chas flew at him, their family patience gone. "You've lost weight, you're a mess, you don't sleep, and you have nightmares when you do. You're not right Aaron. You need help. So let us help you! You stupid sod.2
"I'm not- . . . . . . Whatever." Aaron said definitely annoyed now. As he stood up and left the room.
"Aaron!" Chas shouted after him.
"Leave it Chas." Paddy suggested.
"No, I will not leave it Paddy!" Chas flew at him, tears threatening to spill. She couldn't' bare to see her little boy so lost anymore. She just wanted him to be Happy, like any mother would want for her son. It was just; she didn't always go about it the right way. "I just want him to be happy!" She sobbed unable to hold back the tears.
"And he will be." Hazel assured her, getting up from her seat to sit next to the slim dark haired woman and loop an arm round her shoulders. "He'd just a bit stubborn that's all, takes after his mum."
Chas smiled a bit at the last part, dabbing at her eyes, carefully not to ruin her make up.
Nobody noticed Jackson slink out of the room, after Aaron. He found him upstairs in their room. The teen was sitting on their bed, throwing a tennis ball at the space of wall just above the door before catching it again as it bounce back, repeatedly. The builder ducked a little as he opened the door when he saw the yellow ball fly his way.
"Get out." Aaron growled.
Jackson ignored him, climbing onto the bed beside him.
"Get out!" Aaron growled again.
"I don't know why you don't let us help you." Jackson said as Aaron continued to throw and catch the ball.
Aaron sent a scathing look Jackson's way for a split second before catching the ball again.
"'Cause you need us, you can at least admit that you do." Jackson said. "We're all here for you. But seeing a counselor will help you get your head on straight a lot better than what we can do, see things more clearly."
"I'm not seeing a counselor." Aaron gritted out. He didn't' want to talk to a stranger. He didn't' want anybody Knowning what had gone on.
"Why not?"
"Because. . . Just. . ." Aaron stumbled shrugging his shoulders instead of finished the sentence.
"I can come with you?" Jackson offered. "They're only going to talk to you, nothing else, I promise."
Aaron remained quiet as he thought it over. It didn't seem so bad how Jackson put it but it still didn't convince him fully. His head too much of a mess, he didn't' want anybody knowing what dark thoughts went through his head, he didn't' want any pity or judgment.
"Whatever you say to them won't go no further." Jackson told him. "They've heard it all before."
Aaron scoffed.
"It will help." Jackson sighed. "I promise."
He didn't push no more. He left it at that, knowing Aaron would think it over in his head on his own. If and when he decides he would go to a counselor it will be in his own time. He knew that. So Jackson went back downstairs where the others were.
A/N – Extra long update this time round guys! Please tell me if you feel it's dragging by! It's the longest one I've ever done. I just don't want to ruin it for you. Thank you for all the great feedback! It helps so much knowing what you all think!