Chapter Text
Robert Sugden let his mind wander as he stared out onto the dusty road in front of him. The wind ruffling his blonde hair as his green eyes observed the people that were walking by. Robert watched as Victoria and Adam walked past holding hands and whispering about something obviously in their own world. Chas and Charity arguing about an order as they opened the pub for the day. Andy, Debbie and the kids walking towards the playground laughing about something Jack had said to them. Moira handing off a cup of coffee and a kiss to Cain as she headed off to finish her deliveries. Robert smiled as he looked down at the paper on the table in front of him.
EMMA BARTON PLEADS GUILTY
He picked up his purple coffee cup that Bob was pushing as environmentally friendly and took a sip of his americano as he read past the headline. Another case was officially closed, and everything had changed in three short weeks. If you had asked him where he would be three weeks ago, it wouldn’t have still been here.
“I can’t keep the flappy bird from hitting things!” Aaron’s voice rang out gruffly breaking Robert out of his thoughts. He looked over at him as he sat there, his tea untouched as he played a game on his phone.
“Didn’t you say that to me in bed last night?” Robert told him with a smirk. He could hear Aaron crash and burn again out of shock. He looked up at Robert and rolled his eyes.
“Idiot,” Aaron mumbled with a smile as he started a new game.
Robert put his coffee down and leaned over giving Aaron a kiss on his cheek. He could see the glow of pink spread across Aaron’s cheeks in reaction. “Did you know there was a time I would never dare to do that in public?” Robert told him as Aaron looked over at him.
“You can’t deny how you feel. Who you are.” Aaron said softly. Robert nodded in agreement.
“Like I could deny you or how I feel about you,” Robert said reaching over and taking Aaron’s hand in his own.
“Same,” Aaron said gripping Robert’s hand tighter. They both shared a moment before Aaron leaned over and gave Robert a slow and controlled kiss, his lips still managing to lit a spark in Robert that he hoped would never die out. They both started to laugh as they pulled apart.
“Hi!” a chipper voice said breaking into the little love bubble they had created. “Did I interrupt?” Priya asked as she watched the scene in front of her.
“No,” Aaron said quickly as Robert shook his head yes. Aaron squeezed Robert’s hand in response.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on closing that case! Emma Barton! I never knew that family was that twisted!” Pryia told them.
“Small village. Big secrets.” Robert said earning himself an eye roll from Aaron.
“Speaking of secrets. Are you busy?” Pryia said as she sat down across from them her voice lowering. Robert sat up in his seat his interest sparked.
“No. Whats up?”
“I was wondering if I could hire you for some light surveillance work. I think my brother, Jai, might be stealing from the family business.” Pryia told them her voice falling into a whisper as her eyes darted back and forth.
Robert sat back and looked over at Aaron who squeezed his hand in response. “Meet us at the office in an hour? We can talk in private there.”
Pryia gave them a relieved smile. “I will. Thank you!” She said jumping up out of her seat and walking towards the café door opening it to go inside. Aaron sighed as he let go of Roberts' hand to put his phone back into his hoodie pocket. Robert picked up his coffee and got up from his chair. Aaron followed suit. The two of them walked side by side in silence towards the office.
“I was thinking. We should rename the business.” Aaron said breaking the silence.
“Excuse me?”
“Instead of Robert Sugden Investigations, we should rename it Dingle-Sugden Investigations,” Aaron suggested getting a laugh out of Robert.
“Sugden-Dingle Investigations. I’m still the boss.” Robert argued as Aaron snaked his arm around Roberts' waist pulling him close.
“Of course. Just like you think you are in bed.” Aaron teased earning himself a playful smack from Robert on his stomach. Robert wrapped his arm around Aaron’s shoulders giving him a squeeze.
“Just as you like it too,” Robert whispered in his ear getting a smirk in response. The two of them flirted as they walked down that old dusty road together towards a much different future than the two of them envisioned for themselves but a future they couldn’t wait to see. Together.