It had been three weeks since Aaron broke his arm, and it was a sunny Saturday morning. They were getting ready to go to the zoo with Chas and Paddy. It was Chas's idea.

Chas suggested the idea as a way for all of them to spend time together, to properly get to know Robert and to have a nice day away from the drama surrounding the village. Aaron was just happy that his mum wanted to get to know his boyfriend, so he agreed, not fully realising that Chas had invited Paddy along too. Aaron had soon realised that Chas had already decided that she was taking Aaron and Robert to a zoo, regardless of Aaron's answer.

"What top do you want to wear?" Robert asked.

"The green one," Aaron answered, frustrated as he pulled his trousers on. "This is ridiculous" he grumbled as Robert helped him get dressed.

"Well would you rather me or Chas help you shower and get dressed?" Robert asked.

"Prat" Aaron mumbled as Robert did his belt up.

Robert scoffed before he looked up at Aaron "You shouldn't of broken your wrist then".

"You're the one that landed on me!" Aaron exclaimed.

"You're the one that ran out in front of a car" Robert stated "Which I'm very grateful for".

Aaron groaned and rolled his eyes "Can't we just stay in bed?" He asked, trailing his hand down Robert's chest.

"I wish, but your mum is desperate for us to go on this thing with her" Robert sighed, pulling Aaron close and kissing him "We'll find some time to be alone later, and I'll make it worth you not being able to use your arm".

"You're going to do all of the work?" Aaron scoffed "Mr I don't want to scruff me new suit".

Robert chuckled as he held onto Aaron's suit "I suppose I can make an exception for you".

Aaron quirked an eyebrow "Maybe the next few weeks wont be so bad".

"That depends on how argumentative you are" Robert joked.

"Shut it, you love it really" Aaron smirked.

"Yep" Robert smiled before he kissed Aaron.

However, their blissful moment was soon interrupted by Chas shouting up the stairs "Aaron, we're leaving!"

"Coming!" Aaron called, earning a sly smirk from Robert "One track minded git" he said as he pulled away and left the room.

"It's not my fault you're sexy!" Robert said in his defence.

"I didn't need to hear that!" Liv yelled from her room.

The road trip was a long one, Chas singing along to every song that played on the radio before she connected her phone and subjected Aaron, Robert, and Paddy to her singing for three hours as they sat in traffic.

Aaron glanced at Robert, who was doing his best to keep a straight face, while Chas belted out yet another tune. Paddy, sitting in the front seat, occasionally chimed in with a hum or a few lyrics, but mostly he seemed to be trying to zone out the impromptu concert.

"How many renditions of this song are there?!' Paddy exclaimed, sighing as 'Man, I feel like a woman' began to play. For the third time.

"Is she going to sing the whole way?" Robert whispered to Aaron, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Looks like it," Aaron replied with a resigned smile, "But at least she's happy."

Robert nodded, squeezing Aaron's hand in silent camaraderie. The journey was long and the traffic was relentless, but they had each other, and maybe that made the trip a little more bearable.

As Chas launched into another chorus, Aaron leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He could feel Robert's presence beside him, a comforting anchor in the chaos of the road trip. For now, that was enough.

Robert could not contain his amusement, laughing as he held onto Aaron's hand 'What have I got myself into?' He thought before he turned his gaze to Aaron, laughing even harder when he saw the uncomfortable grimace on Aaron's face.

Thankfully, the traffic soon began to move, allowing Paddy to continue with driving to their location, whilst Chas continued to get Aaron to join in with singing the playlist of Coyote Ugly and every Bonnie Tyler song that followed.

The day out at the zoo was more for Chas, but everyone enjoyed themselves as they walked the trails, marvelling at the animals and taking in the lively atmosphere. Robert and Aaron exchanged amused glances, whenever Chas excitedly pointed out yet another fascinating creature.

"Sweetheart, look it's your favourite animal!" Chas exclaimed excitedly.

Aaron smiled at his mother, walking over to the wolves enclosure to get a better look at the wolves as they played.

In the peacefulness of the moment, Robert found himself watching Aaron's face as he smiled at something his mum said. It was a small, genuine smile, and it made Robert's heart swell with affection. He thought to himself that he was going to spend the rest of his life making sure that Aaron remained happy. A promise is a promise, after all.

The End