AARON & JACKSON

-1912-

"...Then They'll be"

Jackson stirred and his eyes opened slowly; he felt Samantha's arm over his naked upper half she was still asleep. Jackson rubbed his eyes and just lay looking up at the ceiling and remembered vividly, the night before as Samantha began to wake.

"Morning" she smiled and lifted up onto her elbow and kissed his lips softly.

Jackson smiled, putting it on obviously. That was the last thing he wanted, he wished those lips were Aaron's. "Morning"

"What are your plans for today?" she asked.

Jackson shrugged and let out a sigh. "Dunno, you?"

"I think I'm going with your mother to the parisien cafe for breakfast, come if you'd like?" she asked with a smile.

"Uh, no" Jackson frowned. "I'd rather not"

Samantha sighed, slight put back by her fiancés attitude. "Well what else are you going to do?"

"It doesn't really matter does it?"

"Well, yes it does, I'm interested in what my husband to be might get up to today"

Jackson rolled his eyes. "I might go for a swim"

"Oh that's funny" she said sarcastically.

"No, there's a pool onboard"

"Oh, I didn't know that"

"Well you do now" Jackson told her as he sat up and got out of bed putting his dressing gown around him.

"I forgot to tell you yesterday when we were at lunch there was this adorable little girl and it got me thinking...we should start a family, I'd love a daughter or son with your eyes"

"No" he basically ended the conversation with his sharp reply.

"What?" she frowned as she sat up in bed.

"I don't want too, well...not yet, anyway"

"Oh well your tune has changed Jackson" she told him as she got out of bed herself. "We used to talk about this"

"Yes we did but right now I don't want them"

Samantha raised her eyebrows at him and walked towards him and passed him to the bedroom door, obviously put out by his change of heart. "Have a good day" she told him and closed the door behind him.

Jackson shook his head as he bit his lip, this was getting ridiculous.

Below decks Aaron sat on the edge of his bed, his head hunched down so he didn't hit it off the metal railing above him. His head pounded and he felt rough and sick to the stomach. Momentarily the bed moved as Adam woke, seconds later he jumped down and stood looking at Aaron cradling his head in his hands. He chuckled. "Well I'm fine this morning" he grinned.

Aaron looked up shaking his head. "Oh don't" he groaned as Aaron pulled on his clothes.

"So" he said as he sat beside him. "What'd you get up to after I left?"

It was now or never and Aaron felt it. "I erm...I..." he sighed.

"Spit it out mate" Adam encouraged with a chuckle.

"I was with another man" Aaron declared quietly.

Adam frowned; there was something in Aaron's eyes as he said that, either he was over thinking or... "Ohh" his eyes widened. "Y-You mean?"

Aaron just nodded. "I'm gay"

"Okay" Adam nodded. "Well I don't mind..." Aaron just smiled. "Oh my god you devil!" Adam laughed. "Yesterday when I told you to look at that woman and you did..."

"Only" Aaron smirked. "I wasn't looking at her"

"Hmm, well he was a good looking man I suppose, not that I'm...ya know"

Aaron knew that. "I was with him last night, w-we haven't done anything but I've come from being someone who doesn't believe in love, that it can even exist for me anyway to actually feeling so strongly about this person that it could be love, it's strange"

"But the woman Aaron?" he asked, concern filled his tone as the difficulties of Aaron's situation began to be realised.

"Yeah, I know don't remind me" he sighed. "He isn't happy, he is gay too but those first class snobs you know what they're like, status, celebrity, Jackson, that's his name...if he does anything, it can ruin his family, their reputation and I-I dunno if I could be responsible for that"

"Listen mate you wouldn't be responsible for it, if Jackson likes you as much as he says he does then he'll do something about it"

Aaron scoffed. "I don't think so, last night he kinda put a dampener on things, said it was awkward, so I asked about being friends and he agreed, don't know why I was being stupid, this journey won't last too long anyway, just getting swooped up in his attractiveness, this can't happen"

Adam just smiled. "What do you want to happen?"

"Life is never that simple and you know it"

Adam nodded; he had to agree with that. "But there are times when it can be. Mate listen, if you want Jackson then bloody get him, what choice he makes is up to him and the consequences are down to him not you"

Aaron got up. "I'll think about it. I'm going to our oh so posh smoking room, hair of the dog and all that, bit of a smoke"

Adam nodded and watched Aaron open the door to their cabin. "Oh mate..." Aaron looked back at him. "I appreciate you telling me, I understand how hard it is, especially the way the world is at the minute, I'm pleased you felt you could trust me and you can"

Aaron nodded and grinned back at him before leaving.

/

Jackson was dressed and walked out into the lounge then out into their private promenade, the windows were open allowing the fresh air inside, it was a bright day, cold though. His mum was sat at a table drinking tea served to her by their steward.

Hazel just looked at him and lowered her tea cup down onto the saucer; it clinked as they made contact. She sighed. "Sit down Jackson"

Jackson shook his head and started to turn away.

"Please" she urged him.

Jackson rolled his eyes and walked to the table and sat opposite her, eyeing her warily as he lifted the tea pot up and filled an empty cup. His mum was the head of the family, his father had left them many years ago and she was a force to be reckoned with and he had never tried not to until last night. This was an unusual experience.

"Last night, I-I want to apologise"

"Oh mum save it, I know what you're going to say, you know what I'm going to say, it's all going to go round in a circle I' am who I' am mum and I couldn't give a stuff about society or reputation, I'd rather be happy and you know why I'm not" he was angry and he spoke through gritted teeth as he leaned over the table slightly towards her. "I'm not marrying her, I feel bad course I do but this, this is not happening anymore"

"And what?" she chuckled. "You're going to go off with him?" she asked, disgusted.

"Why the hell not? I really like him"

"Well you've just dug your own grave" she told him.

Jackson nodded. "Maybe so... and I'll lie in it...with him" he flashed a smile and took a sip of his tea.

Hazel sighed and nodded. "Alright, if that's the way you want it..."

"Yeah, I do...like I said last night you should love me no matter what...but I know that won't happen you're too concerned about your status"

"I do love you Jackson"

"Well which is it then?"

"You are making me choose?" she asked sharply.

"No it was a simple question but the fact you jumped down my throat straight away gives me your answer" he began to stand.

"It isn't like that!" she raised her voice.

"But it is!" he yelled. "I don't care how people think of it, it's not disgusting not to me...its love, love has been around since the beginning of everything and you want to deny me that?"

"With a man yes"

Jackson sighed. "So small minded its unreal" he told her then stormed out, slamming every door on his way out to the corridor. He rested against the wall outside their room, clearly disturbed by their talk.

"Good morning Jackson" a fellow passenger greeted him.

Jackson looked up and smiled at him. "Good morning Mr Astor"

"Is everything alright? You seem unsettled"

"Oh erm" he smiled again. "Yes just not feeling too good today"

"Rest up son" he told him with a grin and carried on walking. Jackson watched as the richest man on board left.

Hours later Aaron was still in the third class smoking room, several people were still there, a few had come and gone in the time he'd been there. He was sat with a few empty pint glasses, there had been more empties but he'd cleared them away. He took a drag of his cigarette and picked up his glass, he was feeling quite drunk but not as bad as the previous night, not yet anyway. He caught sight of a woman entering, her clothes immediately telling him she didn't belong there, she belonged up in first and she clearly didn't like the 'inn' smell that came with the room as she was pulling her nose up at it in disgust. He scrunched his face and returned his attentions elsewhere.

"I believe me and you need to have words" she stepped as she stood opposite the relaxed, seemingly drunken boy.

Aaron didn't look up. "I don't know who you are, but I don't know me, you've got the wrong person we don't need to have words"

Hazel smirked. "Oh believe me, we do" she pulled out the chair and sat down causing Aaron to look at her.

Why was the posh woman talking to him? He scowled. "And why's that?" he asked curiously as he placed the cigarette in his mouth and took another drag and blew it out, instantly realising she didn't like it and started waving her hand to disperse the smoke.

"Because" she sighed. "I believe you and my son..."

"Oh Jackson" Aaron smiled.

"If I were you, I'd wipe that smile off my face"

Aaron chuckled. "Come to warn me off then?"

"Indeed I have, how much will it take? How much will it take for a sewer rat such as yourself to leave him alone"

Aaron looked around the room. "If I were you I'd be careful what you're saying...in my part of the ship" he grinned.

"How much will it take?"

Aaron laughed. "You know you must really hate your son"

"I beg your pardon!" she exclaimed.

"He isn't happy and he's being forced into marriage with a woman, it must be awful for him"

Hazel sighed; she wasn't getting into this with him. "How much?"

"Nothing will make me leave him alone, I like your son and he deserves to be liked and much more"

"He is"

"No" Aaron shook his head. "Not on that level, not with a woman, a man and this may sound stupid but I think already I'm in love with your son, what do they say? Oh yeah, love at first sight"

"That is ridiculous"

Aaron shrugged. "Maybe, but I won't leave him alone, hell I'm not even doing anything, if he wants me, he'll do something about it, and let me tell you when he does, I'm not letting him go"

Hazel scoffed. "He's done this before you know" it was a lie.

"What do you mean?"

"Led men on, pretends he likes them..." she shrugged. "How he gets his kicks I suppose, then at the last minute he drops them, I'm afraid you're just another in a small line of men...this is just a phase he's going through" she was very convincing but she was disturbed at the lengths she would go to, to keep her family together.

Aaron frowned, affected by what she had just told him and tried his best not to show it.

Hazel smiled; she noticed his confidence and body language falter slightly. "If I were you, I'd leave him alone, don't get involved"

"A-And like I said" he took a drag on his cigarette "When he comes...I'm not letting go" he blew the smoke in her face.

She coughed and looked away."We'll see" she told him and got to her feet and quickly left. She left Aaron reeling from their encounter, now he was in two minds about the man he loved, yeah he loved him, and everything just got a whole lot more complicated.

Jackson was wandering the ship in hope of finding Aaron but it was huge, it was like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Instead of searching the boat deck Jackson went back inside and made his way quickly to third class. He walked quickly down a stairway and the lower he ventured down, the contrast between all classes was highlighted, it wasn't fair. He was now in third class and he felt out of his depth, he stuck out like a sore thumb but he had to put that passed him and find Aaron. Someone walked towards him who looked familiar; the young man was about to walk by him but Jackson stopped him. "Err excuse me? A-are you that lad who was with Aaron yesterday"

"OH it's you!" Adam grinned.

Jackson leaned in. "You know?" he whispered.

"Oh yeah, don't worry you can trust me" he smiled. "I'm Adam by the way"

"Jackson" he replied smiling. "Do you know where I can find him?"

"He said he was going to the smoking room, I haven't known him long but the impression I get is he's brooding...he's really into you mate, he's a good lad"

"Yeah" Jackson smiled. "I know...and when you say brooding...what's wrong?"

Adam sighed. "I think you better talk to him yourself"

"Point me in the direction?" he asked.

"Oh erm, along this corridor, left, up the stairway along the corridor and you'll come to large wooden doors on your right" he smiled. "Good luck"

Jackson nodded. "Cheers" he thanked him as he headed off in the directions he'd given.

Adam was impressed, his first experience with someone of such stature as him was a pleasant one, and then he remembered his own mum's words. Never judge a book by its cover.

Arriving at the smoking room minutes later Jackson looked around and saw him instantly, he looked drunk but still ever so sexy. He smiled and walked over to him, concerned however as to what was wrong. He sat down without invitation and they both caught each other's eyes.

Aaron froze, then frowned and started to get up.

Now Jackson was worried. "What's wrong?" he asked but Aaron started walking away. He got up and followed, soon ending up back out in the corridor; Aaron wasn't letting up though he wasn't saying a word and charged through the corridors, down the stairs Jackson walked up.

"What did I do?" Jackson called after him as he kept up closely behind him.

"Sending your mother here, nice!" he congratulated him. "I must say...she's a bitch!"

"Yeah I know" Jackson frowned. "But I didn't send her!"

Aaron didn't stop and both of them carried on along more corridors and more stairs. "Yeah okay! Stringing me along aswell Jackson, nice one...I get it!" he didn't care who heard him. "Bit of fresh young meat" he scoffed. "Well you're not getting it!"

Jackson could tell he was working himself up more and more with each word. "A-Aaron where the hell are you going? Please just calm down!"

"You can't tell me what to do; I'm not being a pawn in your little game!"

"What! There is no game, I don't string anyone along"

"Well according to your mum!"

"Stuff what she says!" Jackson yelled. They were walking lower into the ship. "Aaron where the hell are you going?"

"I don't know!" he yelled as he saw a door up ahead in the empty corridor and as he got to it he opened it and slammed it shut and locked it, it was just a utility cupboard.

Jackson sighed and rested his head against the door. "Aaron, please...she's trying to scare you away"

"Well it's working!" he growled in reply.

"Just open the door and we can talk, please" he spoke softly hoping he would. Seconds later he heard him undoing the lock and he stepped back away from the door and it began to open.

"Talk then" he sulked, he'd calmed down now, it didn't take him long but he knew why, he loved him.

"Alright, look listen to me...whatever my mum did was not because I told her too, and whatever she said isn't true, I've been honest with you Aaron..."

"Yeah..." he cleared his throat. "Alright"

"Now...be honest with me" Jackson told him.

Aaron sighed. "Last night when you agreed to being friends...my heart sank..." he shrugged. "I don't want to be your friend, the question just came out...I want to be more than your friend, I don't care about the consequences I really don't..." Aaron finally looked at him. "This is going to sound stupid but you have to know... call me crazy, a fool...whatever I don't care" he reached out and grabbed his suit jacket in his hands and looked at it then back up into his eyes. "I'm crazy about you...I-I love you Jackson"

Jackson felt the sting of tears in his eyes and he quickly grabbed him and pushed him up against the wall and gently at first kissed him, the passion, fire and intensity grew with each brush of the lips. Aaron kissed back with equal force and passion and wrapped his arms around his neck, feeling him close; the hardness of his toned body could be felt even through his suit. When the kiss ended they rested their heads against one another's. "I'm going to tell her, S-Samantha, I'm not marrying her...you make me feel alive Aaron"

Aaron nodded. "And I'll be by your side"

"Do you know what you're getting into?"

Aaron shook his head. "No all I know is I want you, but don't do this unless you're sure"

"I'm sure" Jackson replied and pulled away, smiling at Aaron. "I love you too" he laughed, the enormity of those words hit him, he was free.

"Wow..." Aaron breathed. "Okay...we can get through this"

Jackson nodded, scared about the reactions but confident he and Aaron would be happy together.

TBC...