Art for Art sake

Hazel had an announcement to make and was busy trying to get her students to quieten down and take notice

"Oi you lot be quiet Hazel's trying to tell us something" Aaron bellowed before smiling at his tutor

"Thankyou Aaron, well class the term is nearly over just two more weeks" there was a groan as people started to realise that they would have to find another way of entertaining themselves on a Thursday evening "I know, I know" Hazel continued "You're all going to miss Me but I have some exciting news the Principle is wanting us to have an exhibition of the work you've done so can I ask you all to pick out two compositions each to be displayed"

Aaron had his picture of Jackson, Hazel had given it back to him a few weeks earlier, she'd smiled as she handed it back because, well, not only was it beautifully drawn but as she now knew to be the truth Aaron had feelings for her son.

Everyone was looking through their portfolio's and chattering excitiedly about the exhibition comments being passed about which pictures should be displayed but Aaron wasn't joining in

"What's up?" his best friend asked when he noticed that Aaron hadn't even started to look through his pieces

"Well I know one I'd like displayed but I'm not sure"

"The one of Jackson?"

"Yeah, but it's, I don't know, private somehow and I don't want to upset him" the mechanic sighed

"Aaron Mate" Adam put his hand on his friends shoulder "You just have to put that one in"

Hazel had overheard and added

"My Boy up there for all to see"

"That's what I mean" Aaron moaned "He won't like it"

"I think the opposite" Hazel remarked "But if you're unsure why don't you ask him, Julie over there, she's putting her Jackson picture in"

"Yeah, but she's not going out with your son I am" Aaron frustratedly rubbed his head

"Well he's here now so just ask him"

Adam had already chosen his two and like alot of the male students he was putting his life drawing of Kelly, because for all their relationship had come to nothing he was still proud of that picture.

Jackson was stood looking at the pictures already chosen He liked them all and was admiring Julie's picture of him but it didn't have the same passion about it that Aaron's had and he liked to think it was because of how he made the mechanic feel.

Feeling a presence behind him the builder turned but it was Adam that he found there not Aaron, the farmer obviously wanted to tell him something so he stood waiting and then crooked an eyebrow at the younger man.

"What's up?"

"Aaron"

"What about him?"

"Just talk to him, okay"

Adam walked off leaving Jackson more confused than ever, what could be up with Aaron?

From his vantage point Adam watched as Jackson strolled over to his boyfriend who was now standing with a few other students discussing their work, Jackson didn't say anything but slipped his hand into the mechanics lacing their fingers together.

Aaron looked down at their hands, before slowly looking into the builders deep brown eyes and smiling not attempting to pull away, he was infact enjoying having the builders fingers entwined with his own and didn't want to let go.

"So which ones are you putting in the show?"

"Don't know, which do you think?"

"Well they're all good but I really like the pencil drawings especially that one" the builder pointed at Aaron's drawing of Butlers Farm that he had done the previous week, Hazel had asked them to draw something from memory, he'd spent so much time up at the farm that he knew every blade of grass and had quickly produced an exact replica on paper.

Aaron nodded and added to the others, "which other one?"

All the students who were stood with the couple chorused together

"Jackson, gotta be"

Aaron looked at Jackson "Would it be okay?"

Jackson was delighted it was Aaron's best but he didn't want to presurise the mechanic

"Of course"

Breaking their holding of hands Aaron took his pieces up to the front and handed them to Hazel

"Good choice" She winked at her son as she watched Aaron walk back to him, he was a good lad even if he was her son and she could clearly see how much these boys were starting to mean to each other.

Aaron whispered in Jackson's ear "After the exhibition will you take Me back to the lake?" He watched as the builder nodded his head before leaning in to whisper the next part "And will you make love to Me there?"

Jackson's breath caught in his throat as images raced through his mind of him and Aaron, he looked into expectant slightly nervous eyes before whispering back

"Can't wait"