AARON & JACKSON

-1912: The Aftermath-

"Where We Are"

Aaron stared at himself in the mirror on the wall in the bathroom he examined himself and his cut on his head still looked bad. He rolled his eyes as he stepped away; it was time to face the music or endure the awkward silence between himself and Jackson, he was very much aware of what he had said in bed the night before and he didn't regret it, nor had he forgotten the look on Jackson's face; he couldn't help that, it was the way he felt.

Aaron walked into the living room and caught Jackson's eyes instantly but he awkwardly looked away and lowered himself onto the sofa as Jackson placed down a mug of tea on the coffee table. Aaron sighed and rubbed his eyes.

Jackson stood watching him he was really, really worried. He stepped back and sat across from him on the single chair. Jackson stared down into his own tea then looked back across at his boyfriend. "You know what you said last night, it really worries me"

Aaron shrugged. "It's how I feel" he said miserably, he was really down.

"I understand how you might feel like that but it isn't the way to think Aaron…your life is just as important as anybody's"

"Is that so?"

"Yes" Jackson hissed. "Of course it is, all life is important, those people who died that night died because all odds were against them, the time they were in the water, the freezing temperatures and how long it took for the lifeboat to return"

"But why did we survive? And don't say it was luck because it wasn't!"

"Fate" Jackson told him. "That's got nothing to do with luck and you know we were in short supply of it, the only luck we had was that floating chunk of debris that saved us, yes it was close I know that but we're here Aaron. I feel it too, survivor's guilt, whatever you wanna call it but we have to move on now, we survived they didn't that's not our fault"

"Harsh"

"Well…" Jackson blew out a deep breath. "Someone has to be…I don't like it either but that's the simple truth and while it will be difficult at times we have to move on" Jackson then got up and walked over to Aaron and knelt down in front of him and held both of his hands tightly. "You are so important to me, your life, just….you is why I love you, I do Aaron I love you and it hurt hearing you talk about yourself like that but we're here…" he then removed one hand from Aaron's and placed it onto his cheek and caressed it. "Me and you, that's all that's important right?"

Aaron nodded and looked into Jackson's eyes. "Yeah, it is and I didn't mean to hurt you it's just sometimes I feel like I'm not worth it"

"Oh but you are" Jackson smiled. "You're worth it to me, this morning when I woke up and you were beside me it was like a dream come true, I don't care what you have or don't have as long as you're with me and healthy then that's all that matters" he smiled softly at him, the sight of Aaron's blue eyes caused his stomach to flip. "Everyone is important to someone and I'm your somebody" he smirked and Aaron chuckled. "Hell, even my mum spent the last few days with you without me there, now hey…surely that's got to say something"

"Or…she just felt guilty?" Aaron piped up, joking this time.

Jackson began to laugh. "In all honesty I don't think she'd do that"

"Nah, you're right"

"So, does my handsome boyfriend feel better now? I know I do I don't think I could have carried on with the silence"

Aaron smiled slightly and nodded. "I-I've never been so good at talking about feelings and stuff"

"I know" Jackson nodded lightly. "It just takes time" he smiled. "How's the head?"

"Oh err, yeah fine stinging a bit but there's nothing I can do about that" Aaron replied with a smile.

Jackson got to his feet. "It'll heal soon…" he then began to walk away but suddenly stopped and turned back. "Y-you know Aaron…we'll always have Titanic but it's what we choose to remember that will shape the couple we're becoming" his words were wise and he could see it in Aaron's eyes the impact they had made.

Aaron smiled and fell into a daze as he remembered and unknowingly seconds later he began to cry silently. "I-I'll…" he began with a smile. "I'll remember that day when I first saw you, the tour you gave me…and when I was changing into a suit…" he began to chuckle. "I saw you watching me in the reflection of the mirror…I've never been so aroused in my life!" Jackson laughed too and listened as Aaron carried on. "And our first time…it was something that can't be taken away from me, I'll never forget it Jackson…and I'll never forget beginning to fall in love with you, it's still on-going, each day it gets stronger and it's thanks to that ship because otherwise we wouldn't be where we are now and I love you with all of my heart Jackson" Aaron declared as he wiped his tears away. "I really do"

"I love you too" Jackson said softly as they stared at one another.

"So…along with many others of our moments together, that's how I choose to remember my time on that ship and I'm sorry for being such a pain in the arse"

Jackson walked to him quickly and leaned down and kissed him softly on his lips, tasting him, feeling the softness, he got lost in those lips every single time. "You're my pain in the arse, I wouldn't have you any other way" he mumbled to him before kissing him again with more force and passion.

TBC…..