AARON & JACKSON

-1912-

"Fear"

Twenty four hours had not passed since his first kiss with Jackson but a new day had dawned. Aaron walked along the deck, it was a cloudy day and all he could think about was that kiss, that very special kiss with the man he found himself loving; he would never forget that moment, never.

However as he let out a heavy sigh as he looked out at the ocean Aaron was still very aware of the difficulties surrounding a possible relationship with Jackson. His mother for one was a major problem and of course Samantha, the woman Jackson was close to marrying, even despite his promise to leave her she was still under the impression they were going to live their lives together and Aaron couldn't help but feel bad, despite it being Jackson's choice.

Moments later Aaron's attentions were diverted elsewhere to what seemed to be a heated discussion on one of the upper decks; a man seemed to harassing a first class passenger. Aaron frowned and quickly made his way up. Once there he immediately recognised the woman – Samantha. He didn't know what to do, but he was there he couldn't not help her. "Excuse me? Is he bothering you?"Aaron asked as he looked between both of them.

Samantha looked Aaron up and down and she seemed disgusted at the sight. Aaron ignored her. "Yes he is" she replied apprehensively.

Aaron nodded then looked at the man, who was a third class passenger such as himself but he was more unkempt. "Move it now" he warned him.

The man looked at Aaron once again he sighed and shook his head as he walked away clearly angry by the young man's intrusion. "And don't come back" he added, calling after the man.

Samantha stood still confused by the events that had passed. "Never in a million years would I have thought someone- I-I mean a third class passenger would help me"

"Well we're not all bad" as he said that, he swallowed hard realising the contradiction because when he and Jackson are out in the open he will be seen as a bad one.

"Hmm" she raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not, but I'm afraid one man can't change my opinion"

Aaron nodded. "I understand...Well then I better get going" he said before turning to walk away. "You're welcome by the way" he told her.

Samantha watched as the young man walked off. "Oh- wait!" Aaron stopped and faced her again. "Yes, of course thank you – please this must not get back to my fiancé if you ever come across him, highly unlikely but still" she nodded and Aaron frowned, he already knew him well enough, and she had no idea, the bad feeling he had was slowly getting worse. "U-Unless...to thank you" she sighed, fighting her thoughts, her strong opinions on class. "You could join us for lunch at midday, I'm sure my fiancé would be happy to know you rescued me from the unwanted hands of that man"

Oh god he thought, he wanted the deck to open up and swallow him. What could he do? It wasn't like he'd be doing anything anyway and he'd get to see Jackson. He wasn't thinking about anything else but seeing him and he smiled and nodded. "If you're sure?"

"Yes" she nodded but her expressions defied her words, she seemed nervous probably worried what people may think.

"Okay, where do I need to be?" he asked.

"First Class lounge twelve p.m. sharp" she told him. "And if you have any better clothing..." she inferred.

"I'll see what I can find" he smiled. "See you later" he said with a smile and walked off. Of course he had something to better to wear, the suit Jackson gave him to wear on the tour of the ship was still in his possession; he'd wear that.

/

"You kissed him?" Adam asked in complete shock.

Aaron stood almost naked in their cabin, his underwear the only covering on his body. He rolled his eyes as he took the suit off from the hangar. "Yes"

"Alright, listen I'm happy for you I' am but this is gunna end badly"

Aaron shot a look at him quickly. "It won't"

"But you are aware of the problems you two have before you can even start being together properly?"

"Yes" Aaron hissed. "His mum and fiancé, I know, we both do"

"Then explain to me why the hell you're going for lunch with them all?" Adam was aggressive toward him but he cared, and believed he was making things harder for him and Jackson by going to lunch.

Aaron sighed as he pulled on the black trousers, trousers that Jackson's legs could slip into just as easily, he shuddered slightly at the thought it was an instant turn on. "I want to see him, is that such a bad thing?" he asked.

"No, but after what you said about his mum Aaron..." Adam stopped and bit his tongue, thinking about what he was going to say. "She seems to me to be a woman who has the means to do anything she has to, to keep her family together and i-i-" he stuttered, hating the words that were about to come out of his mouth. "...If that means hurting you then...then I wouldn't put it past her"

Aaron scoffed.

"Don't do that" Adam told him with a frown.

Aaron chuckled. "What? Listen I know you're concerned and that you care but I'll be alright" he smiled at his friend.

"Really?" Adam asked in a softer tone.

"Yes, I promise" he smiled at him.

Adam nodded. "Alright, get dressed then" he told him and sat down in the chair up by the wall.

Aaron finished getting dressed into the suit and looked himself over in the small mirror before leaving the room and heading up to first class.

/

Aaron approached the dining saloon, he remembered passing it on the tour. He took a breath as he approached the doors, he held out his hand to push it open but the doors opened for him by stewards standing on the other side. He smiled at them and nodded his head, something he'd noticed a lot of people doing. He looked at the clock on the wall it was just past twelve. He looked around the room and soon found the group and headed over, he could hear Hazel talking, something about the married life and how she hoped it would be better for them than it was for her. He caught Samantha's eye and she looked surprised, shocked even probably by his sudden change in appearance. Strange he thought how clothing and how it was worn could possibly alter a person's opinion, Aaron couldn't be sure but he guessed she was quite intrigued by the look of him, something he did not expect, nor wanted of course.

"Oh!" she called out and chuckled as she began to stand. "I almost forgot we have a guest for lunch this afternoon" she held out her arm and Jackson and Hazel both looked in the direction and saw him.

Hazel eyed him hatefully.

Jackson's jaw dropped, utterly stunned by this surprising revelation.

"Hi" Aaron said with a smile then his smile faded when he looked at Hazel. "I'm Aaron" he introduced himself, going along with the fact that neither of them knew who each other was.

"Nice to meet you" Jackson said with a smirk, it was a good job Samantha couldn't see. But Hazel had and if looks could kill, both men would be dead.

Aaron nodded. "You too" he then stepped toward Hazel but passed her and took his seat at the round table.

"Yes, Aaron was of some assistance to me today, I thought to thank him I'd invite him to dinner and..." she smiled at Aaron. "The wardrobe is definitely an improvement, looks like a suit Jackson has"

Hazel almost choked on her drink.

"Well then we must have good taste" Aaron was enjoying this more than he should be but he couldn't help it. He looked across at Jackson; those eyes, those damn eyes, heavenly.

Jackson smiled. "Well more the merrier"

"It isn't stolen in case you-"

"Oh no of course" Hazel put on a smile. "Why would we think that?"

"Well I don't exactly look like a first class passenger now do I?" he asked, still playing along.

Hazel cleared her throat. "No. I don't suppose you do, but you're welcome here, might I ask how you aided Samantha?"

"Oh erm, a man was harassing her; I heard a heated discussion she seemed to be distressed, I made him leave"

"You didn't say anything" Jackson told her.

"I know darling but it was dealt with, nothing to worry about now"

Jackson nodded. "Well, shall we all eat?" he asked.

A while later after a rather filling lunch they all still remained at the table chatting much to Hazel's distaste. But she had had enough. "If you'll all excuse me I'm going to retire to our room" she said as she stood, Jackson stood as Hazel left the table.

"Would you like me to walk you?" he asked.

"No of course not don't be silly" she replied, gave a look to Aaron; one that sent shivers down his spine.

Jackson nodded and sat back down.

"So Aaron where did you grow up?" Hazel heard Samantha asked as she walked away. Words could not describe how livid she was, how dare he?

As more time went on the conversation continued. "Of course we will have children but he sprung a surprise on me the other day and said he wasn't ready" Samantha was chatting as if she and Aaron were the best of friends and he now started to feel quite uncomfortable and angered by the discussions that were taking place.

"I'm sure he'll be ready one day" Aaron forced a smile.

"I hope so, I mean who wouldn't have a child with him" she turned to Jackson with a loving smile. "He's beautiful"

Aaron coughed. "I-I don't think you should be saying these things to me"

"Why not?" she asked in shock. "Were all friends here" she stated.

Aaron's smile began to fade but he nodded in response. He was angry, it was starting – pure jealousy that's what it was and he couldn't stop it, he'd made a mistake – Adam was right.

"And we'll have a big house and spend the rest of our lives together" she carried on with a smile.

"It will be amazing I'm sure" Aaron told her and then looked at Jackson.

Jackson frowned; he'd seen that look the day before when Aaron stormed out of the third class smoking room when he'd arrived to speak to him. Only this time he knew what was wrong.

"A-Are you with anyone?" Samantha asked.

"Erm" he took a deep breath and shook his head as he looked down at his hands as he fiddled with the edge of the table cloth. "No" he answered as he looked up. "Doubt I'll ever be" he answered honestly, well to him that was the way he felt in that moment.

"No you will be, a handsome man like you" she smiled.

Jackson rolled his eyes, her tune had suddenly changed.

"Nah" Aaron replied again. "No point, just full of disappointment and second guessing" he looked at Jackson as he spoke.

"Now with that attitude you will get nowhere" she chuckled.

"Maybe" Aaron replied quietly. "I better be getting back" he told them.

Jackson watched him, disheartened by his words he knew they were aimed at him and their situation. Aaron looked so sad and it was killing him.

"Thankyou for lunch and inviting me in the first place"

Samantha nodded. "You could stay, i-if I offended you I didn't mean to really"

"No, you didn't" he reassured. "I just realised I had to be somewhere"

"Well enjoy the rest of your day and I hope our paths cross again"

Aaron smiled and nodded, and gave another look at Jackson. Aaron seemed frozen on the spot for a second, he was contemplating everything. He wanted Jackson so much but Hazel's apparent hatred towards them and the issue of Samantha and then all the talk of babies and a house to live happily in. He wanted that a home for him and Jackson to be happy together in, it was quickly becoming apparent to him that it wasn't going to happen. He didn't know it yet but he was scared, the fear causing his feelings to reject Jackson and use anything that was said to clarify the reasons behind the rejection. He was stood still, staring for a split second before walking away.

Samantha watched him go with a smile. "Such a lovely man, I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover" she mused.

"Yeah...he is" Jackson was watching too. He sighed and turned back to her. "And you really shouldn't"

Samantha nodded, she knew she shouldn't and would try and change that aspect of herself, more so for Jackson, she knew he disliked people degrading others because of who they were or how much money they had and from that conversation and the time spent with a man from the lower class it showed her that everyone was the same.

/

Hours passed and night had fallen. Aaron was sat on the floor at the very front of the bow, his arms were wrapped around the railing and his legs dangled over the edge. He felt low and he let out a heavy sigh as he rested his chin on his arms and his forehead rested against the higher railing.

"Wondered where you were" Adam's voice filled the air and Aaron jumped slightly.

"I think you were right" he said miserably.

Adam quickly sat down beside him. "What happened?"

"His fiancé was taking about babies and a big house and I just" he sighed. "I dunno I think it just hit home what we were actually doing"

"Were?" Adam asked.

Aaron nodded. "Yeah, I'm not doing it anymore, he said he would tell her and he hasn't it was amusing at first winding up his mum but I just think I'm done" he answered with a shrug.

"Oh mate I'm sorry"

"Nah" Aaron replied as tears ran down his face, thankful that the darkness was too much for Adam to see them. "Don't be" he told him.

"Do you want me to talk to him?"

"No, just leave it now...the kiss...the moment was the best I've experienced in my entire life and I'll take that with me"

"Okay mate" Adam replied softly. "You love him don't you?"

Aaron let out a sniffle, the first indication to Adam as to how upset he actually was.

Adam placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed. No words were needed. He had his answer. "I'll leave you for a bit alright but just come back to the cabin when you're ready"

Aaron nodded. "I will" he said as he wiped his eyes and nose.

Adam got up and left him too it. It was another twenty minutes before Aaron decided to move. He was so cold; a hint of iciness filled the air. He rubbed his hands together as he walked back to the entrance to inside. Stairways, he was fed up of them now, he smirked at his thought and definitely now much warmer than he was outside. Aaron reached the stairway that would take him down to the corridor where his cabin was situated. When he reached the bottom he turned and walked along, he moved aside to allow a man passed him but he was took by surprise when the man pushed him into the wall and landed a punch on his face, Aaron grunted and struggled. "W-What the hell Aargh!" he yelled, but more punches came and impacted his face, he could taste blood.

"I've been waiting for you" the attacker told him as he slammed his fist into him again.

Aaron's brow was lined with sweat and his face was red and bloodied, his nose ran like a river and he was disorientated. He looked up at the man, confusion set among his face. The attacker chuckled. "It's amazing the things people – I will do for money"

Aaron was sat down against the wall of the corridor, of course no one had heard his cries, and everyone seemed to keep themselves to themselves, typical. "Money?" Aaron questioned.

The attacker ignored him and ran off.

Aaron sighed and closed his eyes for a split second before pulling himself up. His face was stinging badly and he couldn't comprehend the man's words, not yet anyway.

Aaron pushed open the door to his cabin when he got to it and walked in. Adam immediately jumped up when he saw the state of him. "Oh god what the hell Aaron?"

"I-I dunno I just walked down here and he was walking the other way but he pushed me against the wall and beat me...you not hear me?"

"No" Adam frowned. "If I'd heard something I'd have been straight out there..."

"J-Just help me cleanup"

"Yeah c-course" he helped Aaron along to the sink then pulled the chair up behind him and sat him down. Adam knew what had happened here, just as he had feared but he wasn't sure if Aaron had made the connection. He'd wait till morning then bring it up.

"Thanks" Aaron said.

"Anytime mate, now let's get this face sorted..." he looked at him, obviously worried for him. This wasn't fair.

TBC...