Art for Art sake

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Why was it taking so long?, Aaron found himself thinking this not for the first time that day, every minute felt like and hour and those hours were taking forever to roll past.

When Aaron had woken up that morning it was with a smile on his face, he'd spent the night dreaming of Jackson or more precisely he'd been dreaming of kissing the builder and a whole lot more, so much so that he'd woken up with a hard on, he taken advantage of this and used his hand to pleasure himself the whole time imagining it to be Jackson's hands on his body, he'd even cried out his name as he came all over his stomach.

Jackson too had spent the night thinking about the younger man closing his eyes and picturing every detail of the mechanics face, the way he smiled, that smile reaching his baby blue eyes making them even bluer if that was possible, how he dipped his head when he was feeling awkward all of these things just endeared Aaron to Jackson even more.

When his alarm had gone off that morning he flung back the covers determined to greet the day, get on with it, get it over with because the night was calling and he was fully intending to spend the biggest part of it with the mechanic.

Aaron had got through the morning without any comments about him being distracted, he had kept checking his phone for messages but only when he was sure that no one was watching him, so far no messages which had Aaron wondering when and where he would be meeting Jackson later.

Lunch time came and the usual choices had to be made, Pub or Cafe, not much to decide really, if he went to the pub he'd have to sit with Cain and Ryan, it was bad enough working with them but to have to explain why he was checking his phone, well he knew he couldn't handle that, so that just left the Cafe.

In the end it was nearly 4pm before Aaron heard from Jackson and when he did he wasn't happy because Jackson had texted to say he wasn't available that night, he was cancelling their date, no reason and nothing about organising another date, Aaron kicked the tyre of the car he was fixing before chucking the wrench to the ground and storming off up the road to Smithy Cottage where he stomped up the stairs and flung himself on his bed.

Cain had watched that little scene with his usual smirk before he looked at Ryan and laughed "Looks like Juliette is not going to get his Romeo"

"C'mon Cain" Ryan laughed "If this doesn't go well, we'll suffer his bad mood for days"

"Oh Yeah, I hadn't thought about that, so you coming for a pint"

"Why not"

The evening was long and lonely, Aaron hadn't moved off his bed since he'd slammed home those few hours earlier, He'd had a text of Adam asking what he was doing, he'd ignored that and Paddy had knocked on his door which had remained firmly closed before asking if he was okay, once again Aaron ignored the vet until eventually he'd given up and had gone back downstairs.

The stars were out, owls could be heard hooting in the night sky the gentle breeze rustled through the trees and the moon shone down on the earth as there wasn't a cloud in the sky, Aaron lay unmoving on his bed pretending to be asleep but his mind was too full of questions that sleep just wouldn't come to the mechanic.

Aaron was sure he'd heard something but couldn't be bothered to look, there it was again he was sure something was hitting his window, sighing he rolled off the bed stood up walked across the room to look out, for a second he couldn't see anything and then on the lawn he saw a shadowy figure who's arm lifted and a small pebble was launched at his window, it looked like Jackson but why would he be here after all he was the one would had cancelled their date was he here just to rub salt into the wound?.

Standing on the lawn Jackson was throwing pebbles at Aaron's window, he wasn't even sure the mechanic was home, he hadn't texted him again after that afternoon cancelling their date because to be honest he'd been too busy, when he'd finally got things sorted he'd just headed straight for Emmerdale in the hope that Aaron would be there and willing to see him, he raised his arm again and released another pebble at the window, was that a movement he saw?, yes, it was, then he saw a soft light coming from the room he was aiming for, next thing Aaron was at the window, Jackson continued to look up at the window and the young man who had ocupied his thoughts even as chaos had been unleashed around him.

Aaron stood for a minute then he opened the window and leaned out

"What'd you want?" he whispered harshly

"Will you come down? I need to talk to you"

"Right, so you think you can just turn up here and I'd be waiting what happen the other guy? see you for what you really are?"

"Aaron what you talking about?"... "Let Me in so's I can explain to you"..."Please"

Jackson was stood on the door step as Aaron opened the door but he wasn't letting the builder in

"Well"

"Look I'm sorry alright"

"No, not alright, you knew how much I was looking forward to spending this evening with you, but then you just go and dump me"

"Aaron, it wasn't like that"

"Well what was it like"

The builder sighed rubbed his eyes and Aaron noticed how tired he looked

"My Mam flooded the house this afternoon, I've spent the last 7 hours cleaning up, My Mam was so upset I drove her to My Aunt Polly's so she doesn't have to deal with the mess, I didn't have time to explain earlier so after I dropped her off I came straight here to see you, to explain to you, I didn't even know if you'd be home, I just hoped.

Aaron stood back and opened the door wider

"Come on in you look shattered"

As Jackson went to walk past Aaron he smiled weakly

"Thanks"

Aaron watched him as he walked into the kitchen there was no way he was letting Jackson drive again tonight he looked dead on his feet.

"No Jackson, go upstairs, My room is the 1st door on the left at the top of the landing"

"I can't ask you to let Me stay here" Jackson not only looked ready to drop but he sounded it too

"You didn't ask I'm telling you, you're not driving anywhere else tonight so just do as you're told and climb into My bed, I'll make you a drink and bring it up"

Too tired to argue Jackson simply nodded his head and wearily climbed the stairs as Aaron switched the kettle on.

Waiting for the kettle to boil gave Aaron a few minutes to reflect on what he thought was happening and what had really happened, he gave himself a mental telling off, he was too quick to think bad things because he didn't think he was worth much, but looking at Jackson tonight and the trouble he'd been through and he still wanted to come and see Aaron made him realise that perhaps he was worth bothering with after all.

Quietly opening the door to his room Aaron could see that Jackson was in his bed eyes closed and for a second the mechanic thought he was asleep until Jackson spoke

"It's okay I'm awake" He opened his eyes to look at Aaron as he came forward with a mug in each hand

"You okay?"

Aaron placed the mugs on the bedside cabinet, wanting to make things better for the builder but not knowing how he bent down and softly placed his lips on those of the older man.