Art for Art sake

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The radio was playing, Paddy was hummimg away, he had a piece of toast hanging between his teeth and was busy buttering another when Aaron walked in

"Morning Sunshine, You in a better mood? " the vet managed to mubble and still keep control of his breakfast

"Yeah, sorry about yesterday" Aaron sat at the table and poured himself a mug of tea

The two men were silent as they sat together at the table, then there was a thud from upstairs which had the vet first raising his eyes to the ceiling and then to the younger man

"Something you want to tell me?"

"Well yesterday I was supposed to go out with Jackson but he texted to say he couldn't make it"

"So that's why you were in a bad mood" Paddy interrupted

"Yeah, pretty much, so late last night he turned up outside, I was so mad I was gonna ignore him, but I'm glad I didn't"

"Go on"

"Turned out Hazel, that's Jackson's Mam"

"And your college tutor"

"Yeah, anyway, She flooded their house yesterday, so that's why we couldn't go out, He'd spent hours trying to sort it out and then still came all this way to see Me, it was really late and he looked Knackered so I said he could stay here I hope you don't mind"

Paddy got up from the table put his hand on the mechanic shoulder

"I'd have been annoyed if you hadn't"

Aaron smiled at the vet

"Thanks, I'll go and see if he's awake" with that Aaron filled another mug with tea and climbed back up the stairs

Paddy was stood thinking in the kitchen, Where had Aaron slept?, not with Jackson he was sure, their relationship was too new to be at that stage yet.

Aaron decided he had better knock before he walked in even though it was his room, he didn't want to catch Jackson with his pants down, well actually he did but this wasn't the right time, when they did get down to that, and Aaron was sure they would, it would be more romantic than their present situation.

Jackson had woken up slightly confused, he rubbed his eyes as consciousness returned and with it the events of the previous day, he couldn't believe how much had happened, how upset his mam had been, she'd been in tears and kept repeating "It's all My fault" for all that was the fact Jackson couldn't stay mad with his Mam, he'd made a pack a bag driven her to his Aunt Polly's and told her to stay there that he would be in touch once he had got the house back to some sort of order, he'd then driven to Emmerdale hoping to see Aaron but never thinking he would end up staying the night with the mechanic, he was however, grateful that the younger man had first of all spoken to him and secondly that he'd made him stay, if he was honest he didn't think he'd have the energy to drive back home and then face the devastation that was waiting for him, if infact the house was even habitable.

The bedroom door opened and Jackson watched Aaron look towards the bed smiling when he realised that He was awake

"Thought you might fancy a drink"

Jackson took the mug and took a large mouthful enjoying the hot liquid as it slipped down his throat

"Thanks I needed that, what happened to the drink you brought Me last night?"

"You fell asleep holding it" Aaron sat on the side of the bed facing Jackson "so I took it off you, no wonder you're so thirsty now especially as you said you didn't get much to eat or drink yesterday"

The two men looked at each other

"Thanks for letting Me stay, for understanding, for being so wonderful"

There it was again the dipped head that proved that once again Aaron was feeling awkward

"Anytime" the younger man spoke quietly as he smiled at the man laying in his bed "So what can I do today to help"

"Aaron you don't have to"

"I want to, I want to help, now how about I go make some breakfast and then we can get over to your place see how bad it really is" he got up from the bed and headed to the door as he put his hand on the handle

"Aaron"

Aaron turned and looked back at the builder

"Thankyou, for everything"

"You're Welcome, bathroom is across the landing, be down in five minutes and I'll have more tea and toast waiting"

Jackson laid smiling before getting up, using the bathroom getting dressed and joining the mechanic in the kitchen.

Walking into Jackson's house an hour later Aaron was shocked to see that the whole of the ceiling in the lounge had come down, the bathroom was obviously directly above the lounge so when it had flooded it had come straight through the light fitting on the ceiling, furniture had been piled on top of each other, dinning chairs on the table, coffee table on the setee and the all pushed to one side of the room trying to avoid as much damage as possible.

Taking his jacket off he looked at Jackson who was just standing looking about

"So what can I do?"

Jolted out of his thoughts Jackson turned to the mechanic

"I've ordered so space heaters they'll be arriving soon will you keep and eye out for them and set them going. I'll go and see how things are upstairs"

Jackson made to move but Aaron put his hand on his arm, he looked down and then at the mechanic before walking into his arms grateful that Aaron seemed to know he could do with a hug

The rest of the day Jackson spent on the phone speaking to his contacts in the building trade or onto the insurance company, Aaron set the heaters up opened the windows for ventalation, made tea and generally acted as dogs body if Jackson needed anything then Aaron would fetch it each time receiving a smile in acknowledgement that the builder was glad he was there.

Paddy rang Aaron late afternoon insisting that Jackson should come home with the mechanic once they were finished, Aaron was more than happy with that but Jackson had said he could find somewhere else to stay Aaron had looked at the builder

"What'll I tell Paddy? He said you have to stay with us, he's made a casserole and he's got cans in so you have to stay" passing Jackson his jacket Aaron checked again that the heaters were off and that the windows were closed and locked.

"Come on then" the builder laughed "I'm starving"

Jackson was having a long bath at Paddy's insistance, they'd got back to Smithy Cottage and were greeted by the most delicious smells making both mens stomachs grumble and remind them that they hadn't eaten since breakfast, Jackson had packed a bag which Aaron had placed in his room, paddy had raised an eye at that but hadn't commented yet.

"So, how were things" Paddy asked once Jackson had gone into the bathroom

"A mess, but Jackson has lots of contacts so hopefully they'll be back in soon"

"Aaron, I noticed you put Jackson's bag in your room"

"Paddy, we're not sleeping together if that's what you think, I mean I don't know him well enough for that" Aaron blushed pink just talking about it.

"So where did you sleep last night"

"On My bed"

"With Jackson"

"He was in the bed,I was on the bed"

"Oh I see"..."And where do you intend to sleep tonight?"

"Same place"... "Is that okay?"

"Yes, just be careful, okay"

"Yeah"..."Paddy"... "Thanks"

Aaron opted for a shower, had towelled himself dry in the bathroom and put on clean T Shirt and shorts before once again entering his bedroom, he couldn't help but look at Jackson who was under the covers but awake.

Jackson watched as Aaron came into the room, he looked gorgeous, freshly washed and smelling good enough to eat, Jackson knew that Aaron had slept on top of the covers the previous night but now as the mechanic walked over to the bed Jackson raised the covers and waited.

"Are you sure Jackson?"

"Are you?"

Aaron slipped under the covers, turned to look at Jackson illuminated by the soft light of the bedside lamp and rested his head on the pillow.

It was Jackson this time that kissed Aaron.