AARON & JACKSON

-1912: The Aftermath-

"Decision Made"

The doctor had just left and Aaron was sleeping on the sofa, he was given some medication and from the doctor's tests he could do there was no sign of a head injury, he did however have a broken ankle, he placed a support bandage around it for now but he was in no danger. Before he left the doctor gave strict instructions for him to go to the hospital to be checked over fully in any case. Jackson walked into the kitchen after seeing the doctor out and began to cry. Adam left Aaron alone in the living room when he heard Jackson's cries and he stopped in the kitchen doorway. "It's not your fault Jackson" Adam told him softly and Jackson wiped his eyes quickly and turned to look at him.

"Really? All I've ever tried to do is keep him safe, I failed on that damned ship, he almost died in the water and now I'm pushing him to complete anger to the point he doesn't know what the hell he's doing and falls down those steps!" he breathed harshly and shook his head, angry at himself.

"Don't be daft"

"It's true!" Jackson cried again.

Adam stepped closer. "No Jackson it's not, I know he can get pretty riled up sometimes that's what did this, not you"

Jackson scoffed and shook his head, not believing him.

"What was the argument about?"

"A reporter…he uh, he has a list of survivors, found us in the city and wanted a story, Aaron told him to go but earlier he found where we live and he apparently realised we're not brothers…" Jackson rolled his eyes. "Cover story"

"Ahh" Adam replied with a nod.

"He used that to threaten Aaron for a story, he went mad and punched him, I didn't get to him in time to stop him, anyway the reporter left, I dragged him back inside…long story short, Aaron thinks it's wrong that we have to hide who we are, I don't mind…and although I agree with him, hiding well…it's easier"

Adam nodded. "H-How have things been since the sinking?"

Jackson looked at him and shook his head lightly.

"Right…and who's been here for you?" Adam wondered.

Jackson shrugged his shoulders, no one had been really, he kept it locked inside he had to be strong for Aaron. Adam sighed and stepped forward and took Jackson in his arms and hugged him. "Well I'm back now and if you want me to be here I will and I'll talk to him when he wakes up, and you can talk to me alright?"

Jackson nodded as he hugged Adam back. "W-what happened to you?"

"Oh erm…" they pulled away and Adam looked at Jackson "After Aaron helped me to safety I could see the water rising…I had to get out…I couldn't stay there…I felt guilty" he frowned. "I couldn't face that water; I was a coward when I could have been down there finding you both"

"Oh Adam…"

"No...Jackson, I should have and for just making a run for it I' am so, so sorry"

"You don't have to be mate you were badly hurt and we got out…he saved me" Jackson smiled a little.

Adam smiled too in reaction. "You have no idea what I was like when I saw your names on that list"

"I can imagine" Jackson said with a nod.

"Anyway after that, I struggled like everybody, but I managed to get onto one of the collapsible lifeboats…people were arguing, trying to swamp us but with help we stopped them and after that we were away from the ship, I was just quiet…I-I couldn't even look back…it was horrible…"

"It really was" Jackson nodded; he knew all too well how horrible it was.

"But anyway" Adam attempted to lighten the mood. "Were alive and I found you both again" he smiled. Jackson smiled and offered to make them all a drink and some food, hopefully Aaron would wake up soon. Adam left Jackson too it and walked back into the living room to watch over Aaron who was now stirring. Adam quickly sat by him with a permanent smile on his face. "Hey mate…I-it's me"

Aaron groaned and his eyes began to open, when they did he just frowned at Adam. "Adam?" he asked weakly.

Adam nodded. "That's right…" he told him and instantly Aaron tried to sit up, but Adam placed his hand on Aaron's chest to stop him. "Careful mate you've got a broken ankle"

"Ugh…" he grunted and rubbed his eyes then looked at Adam again and began to smile wide. "It's really you"

Adam grinned and let out a laugh. "Yeah"

"Oh my god" Aaron was relieved and he leaned up as far as he could and hugged him tightly. "I-I thought you wer-"

"No, no" Adam cut him off. "I'm fine"

Aaron nodded and let go and lay back down. "W-Where's Jackson?" he asked sheepishly.

"He's in the kitchen making some food…last lot looked ruined by the looks of it…"

"Oh…" Aaron trailed off and looked away. "Has he told you about the argument?"

Adam nodded. "But I want your story"

"I said he was ashamed of me" Aaron spoke quietly as he became teary. "I went crazy Adam I-I don't even know why really…"

Adam nodded and let out a heavy sigh "All the stuff you went through to be with him and then this…"

"I know please don't…"Aaron felt guilty and he really didn't want to be told off.

"Well someone has too, Jackson just shook his head when I asked but it's not been a good time since the sinking and now you've punched a reporter? Are you serious?"

Aaron sighed. "I lost my temper…I hit him…it's what I do"

"No matter what the cost?"

"It won't come to that"

"Oh and why's that?"

"B-because I'm not staying here…I-I just hope Jackson comes with me"

"What? Go where?"

"Home" Aaron told him.

"Come on mate this is stupid"

"At least there people know who I' am"

"What?" Adam was surprised. "They do?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. "It's a small village Adam, nothing stays secret for long"

"And what if Jackson doesn't want to go with you?"

"Then I'll understand his decision but I'm not staying here"

Adam sighed and increasingly became angry with him. "You love him and you've been through too much to let him go now, pull yourself together for god sake!"

"I'm going home Adam with or without him! I need to see my mum…I miss her and I miss the village…this life isn't for me…"

"What about Jackson?"

"Of course I want him but if he doesn't want to leave then" he shrugged "There's nothing I can do about it"

Adam sighed and got up. "I'll go and get the meds the doctor left"

Aaron nodded and lay silently as Adam left him.

Adam walked into the kitchen and closed the door, which confused Jackson. "We've got a big problem."

TBC…..