AARON & JACKSON

-1912: The Aftermath-

"The Deal"

Aaron and Jackson lay awake in bed the following morning after their night of love making. They only had managed a couple of hours sleep. Both boys looked at each other with a smile and a happiness that even broke through their desperately tired eyes. "Last night was amazing Aaron I-I..."

"You want it again?" Aaron asked with a smirk.

Jackson chuckled and leaned forward and kissed his lips softly. "I do yeah but what I was going to say was that I wasn't expecting you to be ready yet that's all…and my god you certainly know what you're doing, it was passionate, exhilarating, and more importantly, meaningful"

Aaron looked thoughtful as he listened to Jackson's words. "You do mean so much to me Jackson I wanted it to be meaningful, y-yesterday I pushed you so much, I know sex can't make up for things but you mean everything to me and I wanted to show you in that intimate way and I will in everyday things too"

"I know you will babe" Jackson whispered against Aaron's lips as he stared into his eyes then finally as he finished speaking their lips clashed once again. As they kissed Aaron began to move on top of Jackson but Jackson groaned and shook his head. "No you don't" he ordered, his voice was raspy and lust filled. He then pushed Aaron back down. "You've done enough…" he said before kissing Aaron's neck in a heated passion they were both sharing once again. Aaron's moans only added to Jackson's arousal. "Time to rest that foot…it's my turn now" he whispered breathlessly once again in between kissing his lovers neck, then slowly he lowered himself down, kissing, gently biting his boyfriends taut skin until he reached his desired location. A deep groan left Aaron as his head pressed back into the pillow and his eyes closed in complete pleasure.

…..

A few hours later Aaron and Jackson surfaced and walked into the kitchen to see Adam sitting having a late breakfast. Adam instantly grinned at them. "So good night and morning then?"

Aaron looked at Jackson and smirked, then looked back at Adam. "You could say that yeah"

Adam was smiling "Don't know why I asked really I mean the headboard banging off the wall and the slight squeaking of the bed and everything else gave me that answer when I got up. You two look knackered"

Jackson chuckled. "Yeah well it was worth it"

"Certainly was" Aaron's smirked seemed permanent; he coughed and tried to look serious as he began to hobble to the other end of the kitchen. "So breakfast then?"

"No you sit down Aaron, I'll do it"

Aaron rolled his eyes as he hobbled back to the table; he smiled at Jackson who was holding out the chair for him to take. "I have to rest my leg" he told Adam as he lowered himself into the chair.

"Well yeah you kinda do Aaron…"

"I'm surprised it's not worse" Jackson added as he raided the cupboards.

Aaron simply could not hide his cheeky smile. "I was careful"

Adam laughed and shook his head. "So…you know, who's the…?"

Aaron frowned and knew what Adam was asking. "Who's the man and who's the woman?"

"Uh yeah, something like that" Adam replied and Jackson laughed.

Aaron had missed his mate a lot and he didn't mind the question, and neither did Jackson obviously. Aaron took it as him being interested in them, and in their life it meant a lot.

"It's all man in that bedroom matey" Jackson replied seriously with a massive grin.

Adam smirked and gave an approving nod. "Good to know"

After breakfast Adam and Aaron were left alone together as Jackson went to take a shower. Adam rested his arms on the table and leaned in and looked at Aaron. "So…how are you feeling?"

Aaron nodded. "I'm alright" he said with a smile. "Just slightly embarrassed that you saw me in that state"

Adam shrugged. "Doesn't change anything, you're still my mate"

Aaron nodded and smiled softly. "Cheers"

"I know you guys are okay now but what's the plan?"

"Um, we talked and we compromised…I give it six months and try my hardest and if not then we go back together, and I will try my hardest Adam, I love him he deserves that much, well…a hell of a lot actually"

Adam smiled. "You're a good man Aaron"

"I try to be" he replied a little more quietly.

Adam sensed the lack of credit he was giving himself. "I'm telling you mate you are, and yeah you had a bit of a slip, so what?"

"B-But why haven't you two?"

Adam lowered his head and sighed then looked back up at him "Trust me mate I've had my fair share of guilt, sadness, just sitting alone sometimes and I'd cry to the point I'm in agony, the nightmares are slowly going. And I can't speak for Jackson but everyone reacts differently"

Aaron nodded. "I'll talk to him tonight" he smiled. "He needs looking after too"

Adam smiled. "So, Jackson said you're off to the hospital today?"

"Yeah, gunna get this bad boy sorted, cast and crutches probably"

"Mind if I come with ya?"

"No course not, more the merrier eh?" Aaron said with a smile.

….

A few hours later the three of them were sat in a corridor of the local hospital, they were told the most they'd be waiting would be ten minutes or so, they'd been there for five already. "I hope they give me some more of those pills while they're on aswell, bloody amazing them" Aaron commented as he sat in between Adam and Jackson. Jackson turned and smirked at him. "What?"

Jackson chuckled. "Nothing"

"Oh" Aaron said quietly. "Well hopefully I won't be complaining at you every minute once this is done"

"Hmm true, but I don't mind really, you know that don't ya?" Jackson asked.

Aaron nodded with a smile. As Jackson looked around he noticed someone familiar further down the corridor looking their way. He frowned, then as he realised who it was he sighed quietly and shook his head. The reporter was watching their every move it seemed.

"So what you doing today after this mate?" Aaron asked.

"Oh erm, think I'll go and look for a job, there's got to be plenty of opportunities around here, bloody better be it's what I came for" Adam replied with a chuckle.

"Ah you'll find something, have a look for me while you're on too?" he asked him

"Yeah course I will"

"Cheers mate, I'll have a look in the paper too when I get back and in the morning, hopefully there'll be something"

Adam nodded. "What you wanting to do?"

Aaron shrugged. "Never really thought about it"

"Well what you good at?" Jackson chirped in.

Aaron pouted then it turned into a cheeky smile. "Stealing" he said jokingly as if he was proud of it, it made the boys laugh and himself.

"You're mad you" Adam told him.

"That's me…Maybe something with cars, I know the basics, if not that I'll take anything"

"Sounds good" Jackson replied with a smile.

"Mr. Livesy" a female nurse called as she stepped out of a room a few doors up. Aaron turned and nodded and got up carefully.

"You want me to come in?" Jackson asked.

Aaron turned as he began to walk. "Nah you're alright, keep him company, I shouldn't be too long"

Jackson smiled. "Alright" with that Aaron disappeared off into the room and Jackson then quickly looked down the corridor and the reporter was still there. "Will you be alright for a sec? I just want to see if there's a shop around…I'm parched"

"Oh yeah, yeah no worries"

"Won't be long" Jackson told him as he got up and walked down the corridor.

Stopping in front of the reporter several seconds later the smirk on his face was enough for Jackson to want to punch him. "You're following us"

The reporter shrugged. "Free country last time I checked"

"I think when you start following people it crosses a line"

"Yeah well…you know what I want"

Jackson sighed and looked around the corner to see Adam sat waiting alone.

"And after this" the reporter pointed to his bruised nose and split lip. "I think it's only fair I get what I want"

"If I do this…you won't go to the police about Aaron…" Jackson told him, and by doing so he knew he himself was crossing a line over Aaron's wishes.

"But I want Aaron's side"

"It's this or nothing…and Aaron was with me the entire time anyway you'll have both sides"

The reporter watched Jackson carefully as he decided on his decision. "Your story…and no charges on Aaron?" he asked.

Jackson nodded. "Yeah" he replied as he swallowed hard.

"Alright, you've got a deal…there's a café around the corner, meet me there once you've seen to him"

Jackson nodded. "Alright"

The reporter turned and walked away, leaving Jackson regretting what he had decided to do instantly. He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. Some things just had to be done. He turned and walked back to Adam.

"Didn't find anything then?" Adam asked.

"Nah and I didn't wanna go too far either" he told him as he sat back down.

"Probably the best bet"

"Listen mate once he's out of there do you mind going back home with him? I know you had plans but I need to go and get some things for the house, and I don't really wanna make him traipse around after me, not when he's just got the crutches"

"Yeah, yeah sure I'll go out tomorrow"

"Cheers mate, I'll get us some lager in aswell" he grinned. "Can't go without that"

"I appreciate it Jackson and once I get myself a job I'll chip in more you know, just at the minute I don't have much-"

"Hey, don't worry about it" he smiled. "I know you will contribute when you can"

Adam nodded with a smile.

A few minutes later Aaron came out of the room on his crutches and his foot was in a cast and he was biting down on a bag which contained his pills. Jackson quickly got up and took them from his mouth.

"Cheers" Aaron told him.

"No worries, all set then?"

"Yep, let's go" Aaron smiled.

They made their way back the way they came and Jackson explained the 'shopping' situation and Adam told him he'd go back with him just to keep an eye. "Ah ok bring back some flying saucers then, if they do them here that is"

"No worries, I'll have a look" Jackson replied with a smile as they left the hospital. "See you in a bit then"

"Yeah see ya" Aaron replied as he watched his boyfriend walk off down the street and found himself staring with a smirk on his face. He was quickly brought back to reality when Adam slapped him hard on the arm and laughed.

"Oi!"

"That hurt!" Aaron complained.

"So, stop perving you perv"

"Ah but see that's where you're wrong, he's mine so technically…"

Adam rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah…"

Before they began to walk back themselves Aaron took one last look and felt a shiver go through him. It certainly was love.

…

Jackson found the café easily and he walked in and saw the reporter sat at a table by the window; he approached with a stoic look on his face and he pulled the seat back and sat down.

"Glad you could make it"

"Well we have a deal, I'll stick to my part of it but will you?" Jackson asked seriously.

"What do you take me for?" he chuckled.

"I take you for a man who likes to stalk innocent people who have been through a traumatic time, but of course money is all that concerns you"

"It has too I have deadlines and a family to support" he explained with a sigh. "Would you like a coffee or a tea, you English drink a lot of that…"

"No…" Jackson replied with an arched brow. "I don't want anything, let's just get this done"

The reporter nodded and pulled out his notepad. "Fair enough, let's begin"

Jackson nodded and looked out of the window, he had no reason to be because he knew Aaron was going home but in those moments he felt extremely paranoid.

….

Aaron and Adam were sat in the living room eating a sandwich while chatting and having a laugh. Adam had already defaced the cast; he'd drawn a huge smiley face and a simple message in case Aaron got depressed over his lack of mobility love ya mate! he hoped when he saw it in his dark mood it would help. A little while later the closing of the door and the rustling of bags told them that Jackson had returned. "Help me up"

Adam got up and grabbed Aaron's hand and helped him to his feet, then quickly hadn't the crutches to him before he lost his balance which he could see happening if he left him standing unaided long enough, it was a funny thought. Aaron headed into the kitchen as Jackson was unpacking the shopping; Jackson turned to him and smiled. "How you doing?"

"Yeah good, be better if you kissed me though"

"Mmm" Jackson sounded with a smile as he walked to him and wrapped his arms around him then kissed him passionately on his lips.

"So, what you get?"

"Some food, lager, and your precious flying saucers" he said with a grimace.

"Don't knock them till you've tried them you"

"Thing is I have…mingin!" Jackson told him as he laughed.

"No taste" Aaron said with a shake of the head.

"Get out of it you!" Jackson told him as he flung the t-towel at him.

"Alright, don't be long Walsh"

"I'll do this then I'll be in" he told Aaron with a smile.

Aaron smiled as he turned and left him alone.

Jackson watched him go then rested back against the bench and let out an uneasy breath, he was shaky and he pulled out a small bottle of vodka from the bag and opened it and took a long swig, he let out a painful sigh as the liquid burnt his throat.

Oh god what the hell have I done! I'm so angry at myself, I just went against every reason Aaron gave for not giving our story and I've gone and done just that, given our story because it is ours, we shared that experience together, I've betrayed him…god what am I going to do? He's going to hate me if he finds out, he is an- and he'll leave…I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack or something…j-just breathe h-he'll understand, he has too! It was either that or him being arrested; I did it for him, for us…for our life together. I feel terrible but it had to be done, the guy wasn't going to let up otherwise…I know Aaron will be furious at first but yeah…I nod…he should understand eventually, I reach for the bottle again and take another long swig – God it burns! Ahh…suppose I better get in there and act normal, but thing is…I'm not so good at pretending, just like I couldn't pretend that I wasn't attracted to him when I was with Sam…he'll either find out tonight…o-or well hopefully he won't, that'd be good but then again, I can't keep this from him forever…

With the wireless playing quietly in the background the three of them sat with some snacks and alcohol. Aaron was drinking, his reason for doing so was because he'd start his medication tomorrow, and he made them both laugh. The night was going well; their home was comfortable, cosy and warm. They talked, laughed and joked together until the topic of the reporter came up, Jackson dreaded this.

"Jackson!" Aaron said as he nudged him.

"Sorry, what?"

"You're in a world of your own; I said do you think he'll come back?"

"I don't know, maybe he got the message" he forced a smile and placed his arm around Aaron and pulled him in close.

Adam watched their closeness with a smile. "Let's hope, or I'll have to have words myself"

"No mate, seriously don't get involved he's not worth it" Aaron told him.

"Wise words should have thought about that last night" Jackson nudged him gently.

Aaron scowled. "Yeah, yeah" he then smiled. "It was a mistake, but like I said, that's what I'm like" he shrugged.

The night continued until they all went to bed in the early hours of the morning.

….

The following morning Aaron woke to no Jackson beside him and with a hangover he precariously made his way down the stairs. Adam was already up and about; he was an early bird it seemed. Adam heard him coming down and quickly rushed to him, remembering the amount of alcohol and wondering if his hangover was as bad as his own he couldn't afford anymore falls.

Aaron groaned as he hopped down each step, it was making his stomach flip and not in a good way. Adam chuckled. "You look ill"

"I' am" his expression was a complete 'feel sorry for me' kind of expression.

Adam laughed as he walked up the last few steps to help him, placing his arm around him he got down without any problems.

"Where's Jackson?"

"Just went to get some milk…the one thing he forgot yesterday"

"Oh right…I'll be in the living room then, is the paper here yet? Wanna get started looking for a job"

"Uh yeah I just had it, nothing in it for me unfortunately"

"Ahh you'll find something mate"

Adam smiled. "I'll go get it"

Moments later Adam returned and handed the paper to him and went and got dressed.

Aaron set about reading, normally he would have skipped to the jobs pages but not this time for some unknown reason he began to skim through….

….

Aaron sat with folded arms and if looks could kill... Yeah, Aaron Livesy was not very impressed since reading that paper; he didn't even get to the jobs section after he read the interview with Jackson he folded over the paper and placed it down on the coffee table and sat silently and on the outside he appeared calm but inside he was a volcano waiting to erupt.

What the hell is going on in his head! Grr! No I didn't ask him not to give our story because I didn't think I fucking had too! I'm livid, absolutely livid! He's gone behind my back and to some people, no it might not be a big deal, but this is to me because what we went through is very personal and now everyone who reads that's bloody paper will know what happened to us! Why should they know? It was private and a horrible experience I didn't want to be shared and he knew that!

Aaron wasn't going to argue actually, he reached for the paper and opened it out onto the page where the interview was and he left it on the table. Moments later Jackson walked back in and Aaron looked towards the door and waited for him to appear. Seconds later when he did Aaron simply just looked away and got to his feet, grabbed his crutches and started walking towards him to the door; he passed him without a word which confused Jackson. "Aaron?" he asked with a frown as he watched him beginning to make his way upstairs.

"I wouldn't speak to me for a while if I were you Jackson"

"Erm why?"

"Because I'm so close to knocking your head off your shoulders, that's why!"

Jackson's frown deepened and he looked around the living room, his eyes widened when he set eyes on the newspaper, he approached quickly and read the headline. 'Survivor gives his story' He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, he ran back out into the passageway. "A-Aaron I had too!"

"Save it. I'm not interested in that or YOU right now!" Aaron growled angrily as he reached the top of the stairs and then with a bit of a delay their bedroom door slammed shut.

Jackson couldn't leave it there so he ran up the stairs and barged into their bedroom, the crutches had been discarded on the floor and Aaron lay on the bed with his back facing him. "I have to explain" Jackson rushed.

"Have you gone deaf? I just said I'm not interested!"

"I-I did it because the police could have been at the door, he was lurking around the hospital for god sake he just wouldn't let it go!"

"But you know how I felt about it Jackson"

Jackson lowered his head and he nodded. "I know…I've explained now alright, hate me all you want but at the end of the day it saved you from being arrested and probably from jail too, and we still have each other…I did it for us Aaron…and while you're lying there moping try for one second considering that doing that interview was difficult for me too, I hated going behind your back but it hurt telling the story because you aren't the only one hurting Aaron" Jackson spoke with a sharp tone and turned and left slamming the door behind him.

TBC…