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“Do you want me to run you a bath?” Aaron wiped his tears away with the heel of his hand, Robert still in his arms.
They’d been standing like that for a few minutes, just holding each other.
Aaron’s hand slid slowly up and down Robert’s back. “Come on, I’ll run you a bath and then I’ll finish the tea. Have it ready for when you get out.”
“Yeah. Okay.” Robert’s voice was muffled against Aaron’s shoulder.
They stayed like that for another half a minute before Robert slowly pulled back, offering a small smile. Aaron returned it, then let him go and headed for the bathroom.
—
“Right.” Aaron walked back into the living room. “Bath’s done. I’ve used bubbles.” He gestured vaguely. “Fresh towels are out, and I’ve put some clean loungewear in there for you. I’ve flicked the heating on too, so it’ll be nice and warm.”
“Aaron.” Robert stood from the sofa and moved in front of him, reaching for his hands.
They just looked at each other for a moment.
Aaron’s eyes glazed over again, and Robert lifted a hand to stroke his cheek gently. “I love you.”
Aaron leaned into the touch and nodded. “Yeah. I love you, too.”
He closed his eyes briefly, swallowing hard before pulling away. “Go on. Get in the bath, I’ll sort the food.”
—
Aaron pottered around the kitchen, peeling and chopping potatoes and mushrooms. Every few minutes, he paused to wipe at his eyes, the sting refusing to ease.
In the bathroom, Robert shifted upright in the bath, the water sloshing softly behind him as he reached for the shampoo.
He worked it into his hands, lifting them to his hair, then paused as the door creaked open.
He sucked in a breath at the sight of Aaron, eyes red and puffy.
“Don’t.” Robert looked down at the water, hands dropping into it. “I can’t bear to see what this is doing to you.”
Aaron stepped inside and closed the door quietly behind him, moving to sit on the edge of the bath. “And how do you think I feel? You’re the one who has to go through it.”
Robert kept his head down, hair thick with soap.
“I’d do anything to take this away from you, Robert.” Aaron’s voice caught. “Anything.”
Robert glanced up, his bottom lip wavering. “I know you would.”
Aaron shifted, moving behind him. His fingers slipped into Robert’s soapy hair, massaging gently.
Robert’s eyes closed instinctively, his head tipping back.
Aaron’s hands moved slowly, all over his scalp, and then down, thumbs pressing in slow at the base of his head.
He carried on, massaging into Robert’s neck and then his shoulders.
A quiet moan escaped Robert, tension slowly melting from his body. “Yeah… there…”
Aaron kept going, slow and deep, before finally easing up. His hands smoothed through Robert’s hair, and he leaned down to press a soft kiss to his shoulder. Then his neck and then his cheek.
“Food’s nearly done,” he murmured, before slipping out.
—
They ate most of their dinner in silence. It was one of their favourites. Steak, chips, fried mushrooms, eggs, tomatoes. A meal they’d demolished countless times before, suddenly feeling like an effort.
Aaron cut one piece of steak far more than necessary before finally lifting his fork. He chewed, swallowed, then dropped his fork down. “I’m not letting you do this.”
“Aaron.” Robert mumbled, mouth full of chips. He closed his eyes briefly. “Please.”
“There’s got to be another way, Robert. I’m not just sitting back and letting it happen. There has to be something we can—”
“Aaron.” Robert repeated, louder and firmer this time. “Please. Can we just eat?”
Aaron took in a slow breath, jaw tightening. “Fine.” His voice came out small.
“Thank you.” Robert kept his head down, shoulders slumped.
Aaron watched him for a moment, then looked away.
—
Robert was already under the duvet when Aaron finished getting ready for bed.
The sight of him, turned away, small, drained. It made Aaron’s chest tighten. He slid in behind Robert, cuddling close.
“Hey,” Aaron said softly.
“Hey.” Robert replied, voice flat.
Aaron rubbed his hand gently up his arm. “Robert… you do know none of this is your fault?”
Robert let out a quiet breath. “Yeah? How’d you work that out?”
“Because it’s mine and Vic’s.” Aaron kept stroking his arm. “This all comes back to John. And we’re the reason he came here. The reason he stayed around.”
“No.” Robert shook his head. “I’m not having you blame yourself.” His voice was low, resigned. “He wouldn’t have been anywhere near you both if I’d been around.”
Aaron sighed, moving his arm around Robert’s waist. “You weren’t around because you protected your sister. And that’s what you’re doing now.”
He pressed closer to him. “I’m proud of you, Robert.”
Robert frowned, eyes stinging. “What? Why?”
“Because all you’ve done is look out for other people.” Aaron squeezed him gently. “You’re a good person.”
Robert let out a soft, wet laugh. “Think you’re the only one who’s ever said that.”
Aaron found his hand under the pillow, lacing their fingers together. “I love you.” He kissed at Robert’s neck. “So much.”
“Yeah.” Robert tilted his head back slightly. “I love you, too.”
Aaron pressed another kiss under his jaw. “I can’t believe this might be our last night.”
“Don’t.” Robert turned to face him. “Don’t say it.”
Their lips met, slow and tender. Once. Twice. Three times.
They pulled back for breath, noses brushing, then kissed again. Deeper this time.
Aaron’s hand slid up to Robert’s jaw, pulling him closer. Robert’s fingers moved into Aaron’s hair and tugged slightly, causing Aaron to moan into the kiss.
Robert pushed back against Aaron’s hips, their fingers gripping tight beneath the pillow as their kisses grew heavier.
Aaron’s hand drifted down to Robert’s waist, then lower, fingers slipping into his boxers to feel him. Robert shifted his hips instinctively, closer to Aaron.
Aaron pulled back just enough to move, breaking their grip so he could move and sit in between Robert’s legs.
He looked down, taking him in. Robert’s tousled hair, eyes wide, lips red and plump. Aaron leaned down to press a soft kiss to his mouth, then his hands moved to Robert’s shirt.
He lifted it slowly, his lips following a path across his stomach.
Robert exhaled softly, his breath catching as Aaron continued, kissing underneath his ribs, up along his chest, then back down again, slower this time.
Aaron’s fingers tugged slowly at the waistband of Robert’s joggers and boxers, easing them down until he was free. Aaron’s head dropped low and he took Robert slowly into his mouth.
Robert’s head tipped back, hands finding Aaron’s hair again. “Aaron…” he breathed his name.
Aaron stayed like that for a moment, hands and lips moving into rhythm before he leaned back up for another kiss, softer this time, then reached toward the bedside table.
He settled back in between Robert’s legs and moved forward, slow at first, until he filled Robert up completely.
“God…” Aaron’s voice cracked, his movements finding a new rhythm as he looked down at him. “You’re perfect, Robert.”
Robert’s hands tightened around Aaron’s arms, his breath uneven. “You’re perfect.”
Aaron’s pace deepened, as Robert spoke again, words broken by breaths.
“D’you know… the thought of you… like this… it kept me going.” His eyes slipped shut. “Inside. This… us. You’ve no idea.”
Aaron let out a breath. “I think I do.”
“The whole time…” Robert tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip. “I was yours. I never stopped being yours.”
Aaron’s jaw clenched, his rhythm faltering for just a second before picking up again, stronger now. “Say it again.”
“Which part?”
“You… being mine.”
Robert’s gaze locked onto his, dark and unwavering. “I’m yours.”
“Mine,” Aaron repeated, almost a whisper, like he was telling himself.
“I’m yours,” Robert said, firmer now. “Always have been…. Always will be.”
Aaron exhaled sharply, his resolve slipping as their movements grew more urgent, more desperate.
“Aaron…” Robert warned softly. “I’m close.”
“Yeah,” Aaron’s voice was strained, pressing deeper. “Me too. Say it again.”
“Aaron… fuck.” Robert’s fingers gripped into Aaron’s arms, legs clenching around him. “I’m yours.”
That was all it took.
Aaron’s voice broke on a quiet “Mine,” as they both let go, riding their release together.
Their movements slowed, as they tried to steady themselves, breaths slowly evening out.
Then Robert reached up, his hands softly cupping Aaron’s face. “I meant it,” he said quietly, eyes glassy. “No matter what. I’m yours.”
Aaron sucked in a breath as he reached down, brushing his thumb across Robert’s cheek, wiping his tear away.
“Yeah,” Aaron leaned in, pressing another soft kiss to Robert’s lips. “I know.”
He sat back up in between Robert’s legs. “And I’m yours, too.”
Aaron blinked for a second before pulling at Robert’s left hand, thumb stroking over his fingers. “I… I actually wanted to say something to you.”
“Yeah?” Robert rubbed his other hand up Aaron’s thigh gently, voice still low, “what about?”
Aaron swallowed, his heart suddenly quickening. “When we get married again…” he looked down at their hands for a moment.
“I wanna be Aaron Sugden.”