AARON & JACKSON

-1912-

"Walk Away"

Jackson sighed as his mother walked into the room. "The question darling you should be asking is do you know him?"

Samantha's eyes darted between the both of them in sudden shock; she felt sick and he expressions contorted to one of disgust. "A MAN?" she raised her voice and Jackson sat nodding his head.

...

"I want to hear you say it!" Samantha snapped nastily.

"Why?" he asked. "It's the truth"

"Say it"

Jackson sighed and glanced over to his mother. "I want you to leave"

Hazel raised her eyebrows and scoffed. "I don't think so"

"Go now!" Jackson shouted. "We have to talk about this without you hanging over me, I can speak for myself thankyou very much, took my time but I can" he told her angrily through gritted teeth.

Hazel turned quickly and left the way she came.

As they both heard the door close from a few rooms away Samantha let out a deep breath and stood up and looked down at Jackson.

"Yes a man, I'm in love with a man"

"And when were you going to tell me you were?" she asked as tears ran down her face.

Jackson shrugged. "I always have been gay Sam, this engagement was forced, my mum she-"

"Don't blame your mum"

"I'm not. I'm trying to explain and she's a big part of it"

"Go on" she told him as she quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"My mum's always known there was something different about me she didn't know what exactly until a couple of days ago but when I said it was forced it was because she thinks we match and to be honest we don't and we can't match"

"What opposed to two men?"

"That's just the way it is, I'm not going to apologise for it, but what I' am sorry for is keeping this from you and for not saying something sooner"

Samantha scoffed and shook her head as she began to pace the floor, she wasn't taking this well. Nobody would. "It's a disease" she told him bitterly.

Jackson's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me Jackson"

"If you're on about love then yeah I guess it could be"

"No, you know exactly what I meant, tell me...how are you planning to live the rest of your life with a man when it is illegal, especially where we're heading"

Jackson shook his head slightly. "I'll find a way"

"Oh really?" she looked at him.

"Yes" Jackson stood and walked over to her but she backed away. "This has nothing to do with you, you are a beautiful woman and lovable" he smiled slightly. "But I'm not capable of love for a woman, I'm sorry"

Instantly Samantha flung her hand towards Jackson's face and a loud slapping noise filled the room seconds later. "How dare you" she growled.

Jackson rubbed his cheek which was quickly showing the hand imprint, it stung like hell. "I'm not getting off this ship with you" he said quietly whilst staring down at the carpet.

Sobs escaped from Samantha and she covered her mouth with her hand. "Why did you do this to me?" she cried.

"I-I...I never meant too, I cared for you I didn't want to hurt you but this lie Sam you have to understand, I like men..." his eyes filled with tears as he spoke. "It's not a disease, to me it's normal, and it's just love" his lips quivered as he explained. "It's love and-"

"Who is it?" she asked.

"You don't need to know that" Jackson replied.

"Well then you're mother shall tell me"

Jackson sighed. "What good is it going to do?"

"It won't! But at least I'll know who has stolen the heart of the man I love so much, cherish so much" her words were shot out as the emotion became too much and more tears fell.

"It-" he stopped and closed his eyes, he didn't want to tell her but she did have a point.

"Tell me Jackson!"

Jackson swallowed hard and looked into her eyes. "A-Aaron" he said with a nod.

Samantha's eyes widened and she stepped back. "Him?"

Jackson nodded.

"All this time?"

He nodded once again. "It just happened" he began to cry.

"What? Love at first sight was it?" she began to laugh.

"Actually yeah..." he sniffed. "And you were right next to me when it happened...it hit me just like that, I'm going to be with him, all I can say is I'm sorry and I never meant to hurt you" he told her then stepped back, and turned toward the door.

At the fear of realising she may never see him again she spoke. "N-No Jackson wait!" he stopped and turned around.

"I never meant to hurt you" he sobbed. "You have to believe me"

Samantha nodded. "W-Where are you going?" she cried.

Jackson shrugged. "To Aaron"

Samantha ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly, crying as she did. "I can't do this" she sobbed.

Jackson pulled back and held her hands, his eyes and cheeks soaked with tears just like hers. "You have too"

"I-I know I'm angry but you can't blame me" she told him and Jackson shook his head in agreement. "I-I love you so much"

"I know" Jackson smiled and his teary eyes sparkled in the light. "But I can't love you...but I need you to know that this isn't to do with you, even being gay I still appreciate the beauty of a woman and you" he smiled. "Truly are beautiful and you deserve someone who can love you"

Samantha sobbed again and nodded. She leaned in and kissed him on his cheek. "Walk away and live your life Jackson" she whispered and pulled back and quickly turned away so she didn't have to watch him leave.

Jackson wiped his eyes and turned slowly and walked through to the other room to remove some personal possessions and left, he didn't turn back.

He wandered the ship for hours, sat and ate a meal alone and as dusk approached he headed to Aaron and Adam's cabin but got no answer. He left once again in search of him.

Aaron was stood leaning against the railings at the point of the bow, a thoughtful look in his eyes and expressions, his cut and bruised face evident in the light of the sunset.

"He said I'd find you here" Jackson spoke softly as he stood several metres away from him.

Aaron quickly turned. "What you doing here?"

"I-I came to find you" he said as he stepped forward.

"Why?" Aaron scoffed.

"Because I needed to tell you something"

"Oh really?" Aaron asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jackson nodded with a smirk on his face.

"I don't find this in the slightest bit amusing Jackson, go back to your fiancé" he spoke with a disgusted look on his face and began to turn away.

"I'm free Aaron" Jackson spoke softly but Aaron remained still facing away from him.

Aaron frowned, replaying those words in his mind. He turned back to him in shock. "Free? As in..." Jackson nodded. "B-But...I don't understand...why I never expected..."

"I did it because I love you and I want you Aaron, when this ship docks I'm getting off with you" Jackson told him.

"W-with me?" Aaron asked, his heart began pounding in his chest. Was this really happening?

"Yes" Jackson grinned. "If you want me?"

"Want you? I've wanted you from the moment I first saw you!" Aaron began to smile.

Jackson stepped forward.

"How did she take it?" he wondered.

"Not good" Jackson shook his head. "But it's done and I'm with you"

Aaron nodded, he felt bad for her.

Jackson watched him carefully, examining him with a smile. "Did you hear me?"

"Uh, what?"

Jackson chuckled. "I'm with you"

"I-if this is a joke Jackson I swear I-" he groaned as Jackson's lips brushed against his and he kissed back with equal passion. He opened his mouth and flicked his tongue against Jackson's, both men consumed in passion but ultimately love as they wrapped their arms around each other, holding each other close for the first time as a couple.

TBC...