Chapter Text
Aaron lies awake listening to Brandon's heavy breathing, the only sound in the darkness other than rustling of sheets when Aaron has to adjust his position. He's been home two weeks and things feel, well, the same.
That night Aaron returned home it felt like walking on eggshells, waiting for Brandon to turn on him. He hadn't. Brandon had offered to unpack Aaron's things, taking them upstairs and leaving Aaron downstairs to fret. Aaron had never realised how cold Brandon's house is. The dark wooden floors and rich browns and reds of the walls. Victoria's home was warm and inviting, windows open with sunlight streaming in and the bright blue walls and sunny yellow curtains. It had looked lived in, whereas Brandon's looked like a home that was going on the market to be sold by a realtor and they've made sure the current owners had removed anything that shows people still live there.
Except for one thing. A wedding photo on the mantle. Aaron had pulled it down when he got home, staring at the smiling faces of two men he didn't recognise anymore. Aaron can't ever remember smiling like that even though the evidence is right in front of his face. Had he really been happy then? Could he be happy again?
Arms enveloped his waist and Brandon pulled Aaron back against his chest. “Missed you,” he breathed into Aaron's ear. “It's good to have you home,” he said it like Aaron had been gone weeks and not just an overnight. Shouldn't he enjoy that Brandon missed him that much?
He'd placed the picture back on the mantel and turned in Brandon's arms. “I'm tired,” he said, “think I'm gonna go have a lie down.”
Brandon's eyes dimmed but he nodded and kissed Aaron before letting him go.
Two weeks later and Aaron still felt the same. Living in a strange house with a man who shouldn't feel a stranger but does, unhappy and still walking on eggshells.
Brandon hasn't made the appointment for his medication or sought out any form of counseling.
Every time Aaron brings it up Brandon shuts him down, making promises and deflecting with how busy work has been and he just hasn't found the time. Aaron's trying to be reasonable and understanding but promises are promises and they're meant to be kept. He's sick of being disappointed by Brandon's broken promises.
Maybe that's why he does it or maybe it's so he can keep in touch with the outside world, but he kept the prepaid phone Robert had given him. He'd carefully stuck it inside a plastic resealable bag and taped it to the inside of the toilet tank in one of the guest bathrooms that Brandon never uses.
With Brandon sleeping steadily next to him, Aaron feels safe in getting up. Brandon doesn't move or acknowledge that Aaron got out of bed, so he quietly slips out of their bedroom and down the hall to the guest bathroom that he hid the phone in.
There's a new message from Robert, it was a continuation of their conversation from earlier. He's been speaking with Robert everyday since he left Emmerdale. He's sure Robert's just humoring him at this point, he has no real reason to keep in touch with Aaron.
The text reads:
I can't grow a full beard, so yeah I'm impressed by yours. Mine comes in patchy and blond, I look like a homeless pubescent man.
Aaron snorts, shaking his head but wearing the biggest smile and types out:
Good thing for you I like the clean cut look.
He's about to send the message when he realises that sounds a lot like flirting. It's something he would say to Brandon, not Robert who's still a stranger. They've only been doing this texting thing back and forth for nearly three days.
At first Aaron had forgotten about the phone until he'd found it in his pocket when doing laundry. The first text from Robert had been asking if he was okay. The next had begged for a reply, and the last one had been Robert promising to keep everything a secret between them if Aaron was uncomfortable with talking to Robert.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Robert, he did, but at the same time Robert was still a stranger. He did, however, text back to ease any panic Robert had to let him know he was doing okay. After that they fell into a rhythm.
Robert seemed to pick up on the times when Aaron was available to text and started sending them at certain times of the day. Aaron was trying to be careful because it was a prepaid phone and he could run out of minutes at any time but he really enjoyed texting Robert. It was nice to have contact with someone else. It couldn't be him and only Brandon forever, Aaron needed mates too. So, why wasn't he telling Brandon any of this and letting him know he was texting Robert? Because after the track record of the last two years, Aaron knew exactly what would happen if Brandon knew about the secret phone and texts.
The fear that ignited in Aaron alone.
Maybe that's why he hits send on his text even though he knows it's blatant flirting. It gives him a thrill, not from the danger if Brandon were to find out (no, that feeling made him want to curl into a ball on the floor and never get up) but more of the idea that Brandon can't stop this. Brandon has taken so much already, what's wrong with Aaron having one thing of his own? Someone to talk to instead of a husband he already resents most of the time. Aaron needs this and he won't give it up, even if their conversations dance along the line of flirting.
He's surprised when another text comes through. It's almost two in the morning.
It's a classic look, the text says. You're up late, is everything okay?
How can one simple text being such a smile to Aaron’s face. It's because he cares, Aaron thinks, but because he can never leave well enough alone to be happy for even a second he has to think, and he probably thinks you're his responsibility now. Pathetic isn't it?
Aaron send back a clipped fine and puts the phone back. Laying down next to Brandon should feel natural, he's been doing it for two years now, but in a way it feels like climbing into bed with a stranger.
****
“Did you call your doctor?” Aaron asked over breakfast. Brandon pauses with a piece of toast in his mouth before biting into the bread. He's silent whilst he chews.
“I will later,” Brandon finally says. “Things at work have been hectic, I'll find some time to make the call later.”
The problem with later is it isn't a specific time. Later could be weeks from now. Aaron's shoulders slump, admitting defeat, at least for today. His mind wanders to the hidden phone upstairs and if Robert has texted him this morning.
****
Maybe he should be more careful. They say time flies when you're having fun and texting Robert is fun and since it is, Aaron doesn't hear when Brandon comes home. The first hint he gets is when the sound of a car door slamming right outside has Aaron sitting ramrod straight. Footsteps on the path has Aaron running upstairs to the guest bathroom.
He shuts the door to the bathroom just as Brandon shouts, “Aaron?”
Quickly, Aaron puts the phone back in the plastic bag and fixes the toilet. He's rushing out of the bathroom and down the stairs just as Brandon is shouting for him again. “Hiya,” Aaron says breathlessly, glad that Brandon can't hear how his heart races. “Good day?”
“Er, yeah. You okay, you look, I don't know, flustered or summat?”
“Flustered? No, I mean I'm fine. I was just upstairs,” Aaron points over his shoulders and silently curses himself that he never learned how to lie properly. Suddenly Brandon snorts and Aaron goes completely still.
“You don't have to lie about having a wank,” Aaron hopes Brandon doesn't catch his relieved sigh. “It's okay if you do.”
Except Aaron doesn't. He doesn't do that anymore. He rarely thinks about sex because sex reminds him of pain and horrifying memories he'd rather not remember. When him and Brandon have sex it feels like another chore he has to do around the house and he just does it, but it doesn't really feel good anymore. Sex is a job, one Aaron could just do without. And when it comes to jerking off Aaron doesn't really want to. If he wakes up hard in the morning he waits for it to go away and it doesn't take long, he doesn't even bother to take the time to rub one out under the hot spray of a shower. He's just not interested anymore.
But masturbation is the perfect lie. “Was bored,” Aaron shrugs and follows Brandon into the kitchen. “Didn't think you'd be home so early.”
“Sorted through all my paperwork and then skived off, wanted to come home to you. How do you fancy a meal out?”
“Yeah,” Aaron brightens because they rarely go out. Aaron's face is healed and he feels better than he has in ages. “Italian food?”
“Whatever you want,” Brandon promises and pulls Aaron against him. “And after we can work out whatever sexual frustrations you might be feeling.” Aaron shivers against Brandon and he mistakes it for anticipation, slapping Aaron on the butt and telling him to go clean up.
Aaron reminds himself it's just another job to do as a husband.
****
They went to a restaurant called Ciao Bella. They've gotten take away a few times and only ever ate in once. The atmosphere is nice, live band music, an in house bar and a private reserved table for two with the name Houser on the list.
How Brandon got their name on the list so fast Aaron will never know. But he assumes money was exchanged.
Aaron sits when Brandon pulls his chair out for him. There are lit candles on the table, illuminating their faces in the dim lighting of the restaurant. Some couples are out on the dance floor, swaying to the soft melody the band plays. Aaron feels comfortable enough to finally really breathe.
While Aaron feels relaxed he also feels nervous, like first date jitters. How can someone feel so nervous after two years of being married? Aaron should be able to drum up conversation about anything and flow with it because it's his husband sitting across from him and not a stranger. But is it really?
“Did you call your doctor?” Aaron asked and that wasn't what he wanted to start with, not really, but it was the first thought that popped into his head.
“Completely slipped my mind,” Brandon explained apologetically. “First thing tomorrow, promise.”
They make it through dinner with mostly idle chit chat. Brandon talks about work which prompts Aaron to suggest he start looking for a job. Aaron would like to start working again.
He's pleasantly surprised when Brandon agrees.
“Something part time,” Brandon muses, “few times a week could be good for you.”
“That's what I was thinking,” Aaron smiled brightly and touched Brandon's hand that was lying face down on the table.
“Well isn't this a surprise,” someone said as they came to look over there table. The smile slid right off of Aaron's face as he looked up to meet Robert's blue eyes. “Aaron, it's lovely to see you again. Brandon, lovely isn't a strong enough word for you.”
“Robert,” Aaron breathes out his name. He doesn't know what to do. It's almost unreal because in a way he's built Robert up in his mind as this amazing man who jokes, makes Aaron laugh even when he's sad and worries over Aaron even though Aaron isn't his responsibility. He's Aaron's safety net but that could all be lies, anyone can lie over the phone. This man standing in front of Aaron is a stranger. A stranger who Aaron wants to get up and hug to greet like an old friend.
“Robert,” Brandon sneers. “Do you mind, my husband and I are trying to enjoy dinner, alone. You're interrupting our date.”
Aaron wants to reprimand him for being so rude but he doesn't know what that would look like, apologising on Brandon's behalf to a man who knows about their past.
“I apologise,” Robert nods to Brandon. “You're looking well,” he says to Aaron. “Really well,” he adds. To the untrained eye Robert would look like any other man checking someone out but Aaron knows he's looking for any sign of bruising.
Brandon clears his throat just as a brunette woman walks over to them and puts her arm around Robert's waist. “Robert, I'm afraid they said it would be a twenty minute wait. The hostess said to take a seat at the bar.”
“Of course,” Robert says to his...date? Mate? The arm Robert wraps around her doesn't imply just “mates”.
A hot burst of jealousy twisted in Aaron's gut and shocking him because that isn't right. Robert's date isn't someone to warrant jealousy over. Or maybe the jealousy is coming from the way Robert holds her? Because Brandon doesn't casually put his arm around Aaron. No, he puts it there when he's being possessive or to keep his hold so Aaron can't runaway.
It's unfair. Even now, Brandon reaches over to take hold of Aaron's hand but it's not out of love or solidarity it feels like he's saying, yes, Aaron is mine, what are you gonna do about it?
“Chrissie this is Aaron and his husband Brandon. I used to work with Brandon.” Used to?
“Used to?” Aaron voices. He looks at Brandon who is glaring hatefully up at a smirking Robert.
Robert hadn't mentioned being sacked, neither had Brandon. “Yes,” Robert finally answers. “Two days after you went home I was sacked. Apparently my work was subpar.”
“Brandon?” Aaron questions sharply.
Brandon clears his throat and sits up. “The partners made the choice and I just delivered the message, Robert. You can see my husband and I are on a date and whilst I'm sure you've accomplished whatever you set out to do by interrupting us tonight, I think it's time you left us alone.”
They silently glare at one another until finally Robert blinks first and smiles. “Of course,” he nods, “didn't mean to interrupt. Brandon. Aaron,” Robert turned his whole body towards Aaron, making sure that everyone knew he was giving his undivided attention to him. “It was really good to see you, you look… healed.”
“Yes,” Aaron cleared his throat. “Goodbye, Robert.”
Aaron waited until Robert and his date were gone before angrily pulling his hand back from Brandon. “Did you have him fired?” He accused. “All because he helped me?”
“No. Robert was fired because he couldn't do his job properly. The partners sacked him, I can't help it if they asked me to deliver the message.”
Aaron silently fumed before standing up. “And I'm just sure you couldn't wait to deliver it. That's just like you, something bothers you or you can't handle it, you lash out and control it!” He snapped.
“Where are you going?” Brandon demanded.
“To the toilets if you must know!” Aaron said loudly enough to gather some attention. He didn't care too much.
He stands in front of the sink, torn between anger and guilt. Robert lost his job, the way he earned his income, all because Aaron couldn't handle his own problems. He's surprised Robert didn't tell him or place blame on him, he'd have deserved it if he had.
He's standing there, hunched over with his hands gripping the sink when Robert walks in. Aaron looks up and meets his eyes through the mirror. “I'm sorry,” Aaron said in defeat. “You should've never bothered with me.”
“Aaron,” Robert sighed and walked the rest of the way into the bathroom, leaning up against the wall next to the sinks. “I don't blame you. Brandon wanted me gone and he got what he wanted, it's not your fault. Unless you asked Brandon to fire me and if you did I'm realising you're very two faced.”
It's a joke and Aaron knows that so he gives a half smile. “What are you gonna do now?”
“I have some contacts. It might take me away from Emmerdale but I'm using those as a last resort. Who knows,” Robert shrugs, “maybe I'll start my own firm.”
“I should go,” Aaron sighed. “Y’know, before Brandon thinks we're doing something other than talking.”
“He didn't see me come in,” Robert said quickly. “Too busy talking with the waitress. Aaron, you look… well, but that's just what I can see. You don't tell me much over your texts. Are you really okay?”
“It's… the same but not. He hasn't hit me if that's what you're wondering. He's just, he's making promises he's not keeping again and I'm finding I don't know if I can really trust him.”
“But you love him?”
“Of course,” Aaron replies without thinking. He does love Brandon but sometimes he finds it hard to love Brandon, and Aaron knows in the back of his mind love isn't supposed to be hard. Loving someone should be the easiest thing you do and maybe he's fighting a losing battle but he has to try. Right?
“If you ever need me,” Robert said and reached into his pocket. “Just call or text. Here,” he pulls out his wallet and takes a plastic card out of it and passes it to Aaron. “I was going to come by your home and give you this but since we're here. It's for the phone, to refill the minutes. That's if you still want to talk with me.”
Aaron's chest warms at how vulnerable Robert sounded just then and he can't help but smile and take the card from Robert. “'Course I do,” Aaron admits. “It's nice having someone other than Brandon to talk with. I've tried my mum a few times but we keep fighting and hanging up on one another. Adam won't take my calls.”
“He's being thick,” Robert snapped heatedly. “He'll come 'round in the end and realise you're an adult that can make your own choices.”
This is why he likes Robert. He's someone who allows Aaron to think and feel for himself, he trusts Aaron to make his own choices. Suddenly Aaron gets the urge to hug Robert and does. Robert tenses at first before realising it's only a hug and wraps his arms around Aaron and patting him on the back.
“Thanks,” Aaron mumbles after he pulls back. He clears his throat, feeling awkward now. Never the one to show outright affection. “You best get back to your date before she thinks you're sick in here or summat.”
“Yeah I should,” Robert agreed. “How about you go first, I'm sure Brandon is wondering even more about you.”
“Alright. I'll talk with you soon.” Robert nods as Aaron leaves the bathroom.
Brandon's standing at the table and searching the crowd, jaw clenched tight. Finally his eyes land on Aaron and he glares. “Are you done having your little strop in the bathroom? Only thing is you've made me look like an idiot and I'd like to go home now!”
“Fine!” Aaron snapped and let Brandon lead them both out of the restaurant. Aaron picked the conversation back up in the car. “Why did you have to have Robert sacked? What did he do to deserve that?”
“I told you, his work-”
“How about the truth, Brandon!” Aaron shouted. “Why do you always have to lie. You lie about this, about going back on your meds and getting help. I told you I'd leave if you didn't get help, Bran!”
“I've told you, I haven't had the time to make the appointments but I will. You keep pushing me and…”
“And what?” Aaron growls, clearly hearing the threat in Brandon's voice.
Brandon sighed tiredly. “Do we have to do this, Aaron? Do you really want to fight? Tonight was supposed to be fun, not this. Why do you keep pushing me?”
Guilt makes Aaron's stomach ache. He was supposed to be better than this, they both were. Aaron had made a promise to himself to not push Brandon and put so much pressure on him. After all, Robert's just a mate - if Aaron can even call a relationship through texts a friendship - and Robert reassured him that he's fine and he'll figure things out. There is no point in fighting with Brandon, so why is Aaron pushing for it?
“You're right,” Aaron agrees. “It's none of our business what happens with Robert. I'm sorry for how I acted.”
Aaron tugs on the sleeve of Brandon's suit jacket and at first Aaron thinks Brandon will ignore him but - and Aaron can tell he's reluctant - Brandon takes one hand off the steering wheel so Aaron can hold his hand. He brings Brandon's hand up to his lips and kisses the warm skin of his palm.
Back home Aaron goes through the house, turning lights on as he does, going straight for the kitchen for a glass of water.
Brandon comes up behind him and hugs him close as Aaron drinks. He begins kissing at Aaron's neck, tonguing at the pulse point the way Aaron has always liked, except there's nothing now, but Aaron leans into anyway and sighs like he's happy.
Aaron hums and reaches behind to card his fingers through Brandon's hair, hissing when Brandon's sucks hard at the skin beneath his ear, leaving behind a darkening bruise. Aaron delights in the fact that Brandon didn't use his fist to make it.
“How about you go upstairs,” Brandon whispers hotly into his ears. “I have a few things to take care of down here and then I'll be right up. Will you wait for me?”
“I might,” Aaron says cheekily. “Better make it worth my while, though.”
Aaron kisses his husband, letting their lips linger together before pulling away and going upstairs.
In their bedroom he strips down to his boxer briefs, hanging up his suit. He takes the plastic card Robert gave him in the bathroom and hid it in his bedside drawer. He brushes his teeth in the bathroom, avoiding looking in the mirror at his body and goes back to the bedroom where Brandon is waiting at the foot of the bed, barefoot and shirt removed leaving him in only his trousers.
Brandon's eyes are carefully blank as he inspects Aaron's body and Aaron has to fight the urge to try and hide behind his arms. “Come here,” Brandon said steadily. Aaron padded across the carpeted floor, stopping in front of Brandon, resting his hands on Brandon’s bare waist.
“Hi,” Aaron sighed out and stood up on his tiptoes to initiate a kiss. He had control for all of three seconds before Brandon cupped the back of his head and licked into Aaron's mouth, taking what he wanted from the kiss. The hand at the back of his neck tightened and Aaron hissed in pain. “Ah, Bran, not so rough.”
Brandon grunts an acknowledgement and loosens his grip. It's good for a while, just kissing and hands sliding over warm flesh. Brandon grabs Aaron by the arse, hands gripping tight enough to make Aaron flinch, and he forced Aaron's groin against his own and started grinding. Aaron was still soft unlike Brandon, his cock thick and hard against Aaron's body.
“Slower,” Aaron gasped, the quick jerks of their hips too uncomfortable for Aaron. “That doesn't feel good.”
Brandon let's go of Aaron like Aaron's skin burned his hands, but he quickly turns Aaron around and presses his body against Aaron's back, sucking and biting as his neck. A hand closed around his throat when Aaron tried to get away from Brandon. “Calm down,” Brandon ordered. “You're acting ridiculous.”
“Well you're hurting me,” Aaron snapped.
“You're only being sensitive,” Brandon said like he was bored with it all. “You've never had a problem before.”
It takes everything Aaron has not to scoff, because yeah, he has had a problem with it. Many times.
“Could you please not be so rough with me?”
“Fine,” Aaron doesn't need to see Brandon's face to know he's rolling his eyes. “Princess,” he seems to add as an afterthought to put Aaron down.
Whatever it was that made Brandon say it embarrassed Aaron enough so that next time Brandon manhandled him too roughly Aaron bit his bottom lip to keep in his whine of pain. He had Aaron on the bed, both of them naked with Brandon hard and dripping precum. Aaron was still soft. Brandon seemed to be ignoring that fact. “Roll over,” Brandon demanded and slapped Aaron's thigh. Aaron had half a mind to tell Brandon to finish with his hand but Brandon's never listened to that suggestion before.
Brandon moved behind Aaron and Aaron thinks he's going to prep, he doesn't expect Brandon to try and push in with no prep or lube. “What the fuck, Bran!” Aaron shouts and sits up, pushing Brandon away from him.
“What?” Brandon shrugs. “What is your problem now?”
“How about you open me up first with some lube,” Aaron shouted. “Are you trying to fucking hurt me?”
“You are such a drama queen, Aaron,” Brandon exasperated. “You've never had a problem with it before.”
“You never exactly gave me the choice to have a problem with it before,” Aaron snapped back.
Brandon goes stock still, hands clenching into fists by his sides. “What are you saying? That I forced you?”
“Bran,” Aaron said calmly, suddenly feeling like a skittish dog that knew a punishment was coming. Aaron tried to even hunker down so he appeared smaller. “That's not what I-”
“Because I've told you before, you're not that weak pathetic child who couldn't stop daddy anymore. I have never done that to you, so don't you dare accuse me of that!”
“I'm not accusing,” Aaron said softly, trying to soothe Brandon. He could tell it wasn't working so he got up on his knees on the bed and wrapped his arms around Brandon's neck and made Brandon look him in the face. “I'm not accusing you of that, I'm just saying that sometimes it doesn't feel good when you go rough. I prefer if you were slower and opened me up first. So it's good for both of us.”
Brandon seems to thaw slightly at Aaron's words so Aaron finishes by kisses him dirty, slipping his tongue in and reaching down to pump Brandon's cock in his fist until he's fully hard again. “Fuck me,” Aaron whispers against his mouth before biting Brandon's bottom lip. “Just use this first.” Aaron gets the lube out of the bedside cabinet and presses it into Brandon's hands.
“Fine,” Brandon gave an exaggerated sigh, like the idea of having to open Aaron up wasn't worth his time. “Get on you hands and knees.” Aaron does, ass up and face resting against his folded arms.
He doesn't go slow. Brandon's still rough and he keeps sighing in annoyance like he's bored having to finger his husband. He doesn't do a lot of prep, two fingers quickly scissored inside Aaron and then Brandon's gripping painfully at his hips. Aaron bites the pillow to stop from screaming.
It was never like this in the beginning. Brandon would spend hours on foreplay, used to enjoy making Aaron fall apart in a good way. Would take his time to tease him to that edge and then fuck him good and proper. This… this was painful. Not as bad on those nights when Brandon's rage or drunkenness would have Aaron screaming in pain beneath him until Aaron couldn't remember who or where he was. The small amount of lube Brandon used did slick up the way but it still burned, the lack of proper stretching caused Aaron's eyes to water.
There would be bruises still, Aaron was sure of it. Some on his ass where Brandon's hips slammed painfully against Aaron and his hips would have fingerprint bruises where Brandon gripped him too tightly. At one point Aaron tried to get up and move his weight to his hands and arms but Brandon grabbed him by the back of the neck and forced him back down, hips not even stuttering.
Even with the attention to Aaron's prostate he doesn't get hard. When Brandon finally comes, inside and without a condom, he pulls out and rolls to his side of the bed. Aaron collapses down and keeps his head turned away from Brandon, quickly wiping at the few tears that spilled before looking over at Brandon who looked mighty pleased with himself.
“Good for you?”
No. Not it was not. “The best.” Brandon kissed him before shutting off the lights. Aaron laid awake until the sky started to lighten outside.
****
The next morning saw Aaron and Brandon in the kitchen having breakfast. Aaron just sat down at the island with Brandon, his third cup of coffee in his hand and he asked. “Did you make the appointment with your doctor to get on your meds?”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “I won't have time today, huge deposition.”
Aaron saw red, rage boiling in his veins. He thought about last night and the control Brandon exuded over him in bed. He'd fucking had enough. “Why the fuck are you doing this?” Aaron demanded, slamming his mug down, coffee sloshing over the rim. “You promised me! I told you I'd fucking leave if you don't get help. WHY ARE YOU RUINING OUR FUCKING MARRIAGE?”
“Don't you yell at me,” Brandon warned. “I will get help, calm down you whiny husband.”
“Husband,” Aaron sneered. “Get help today or I fucking leave you. I'm done with this. I'm done with you!” Aaron stormed out of the kitchen and up the stairs, slamming the door to their bedroom, the loud bang ringing in his ears.
He threw himself down on the bed and cried hot tears of pity and hatred and disappointment. He just wants Brandon to stop disappointing him. He just wants a husband who doesn't constantly fucking lie to him. He deserves that much.
Aaron half expected Brandon to follow him up and keep fighting, instead he hears Brandon's car start outside and drive away.
That's that, Aaron thinks bitterly.
****
Aaron's cleaning up from where he made dinner when Brandon comes home. He's late and Aaron’s already exhausted from the idea of listening to Brandon's tired excuses. He ignored Brandon when he comes into the kitchen, just grabs their dinner plates and shoves past his husband to place them on the table. He sits down and starts eating without even acknowledging Brandon.
Brandon walks over and places something down on the table at Aaron's elbow.
It's a small bottle of pills.
“I went to the doctor.” Brandon said and walked out of the room to get two cans of lager for them - it's the only alcohol they keep in the house now, except for the times Brandon brings home a bottle of wine.
Aaron picks up the bottle with shaking hands and reads the label. It's Prozac, the date on the bottle for today. He opens the bottle and pours some of the pills into his palm and suddenly feels like crying. The tiny green tablets with the V on them meant so much to Aaron. It meant a new beginning for them.
Finally they could start over. Aaron thought that maybe his future didn't seem so bleak now.