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“Are you ready?” - asked Robert coming down the stairs all dressed up and ready to go.
“No.” - scoffed Aaron. - “You kinda killed my dreams about a quiet drink so I think it's best if we make up some excuse.”
“You're joking right? Come on it won't be that bad. I just wanted to wind you up. Get dressed.”
“I am dressed.”
“You wanna go like this?”
“I won't put on a fancy shirt for a few drinks Robert.”
“It's our stag do!”
“Yeah, and I wanna be comfy... not.... looking like a right idiot.”
“Cheers.” - he laughed.
“You know that's not for me, but... you look alright.”
“Alright? Wow steady Aaron I might think you're a romantic with all these compliments.”
“I think I'm gonna get a headache.“- tried Aaron.
“I promise to give you a massage when we got back, but we have to go. Besides we need to talk to Vic.”
“Yeah I know.” - sighed Aaron. - You do understand why I couldn't tell you then, right? - he asked just to be sure.
“Yeah I get it, but after we got back together you should have told me.”
“D'you wanna know the truth? I hate to say it coz he's my best mate and I miss him, but....I didn't really think about all of that stuff after you moved back in. We got on with our lives and I just....I was so happy that you were home, that I didn't think about him at all. That makes me a terrible person doesn't it?” - he asked with a sad face.
“Hey.”- started Robert as he put an arm around him, and pulled him close to his body. - “You're not a terrible person. You hear me? You are the most amazing, selfless, best friend anyone could ask for.” - he said kissing his head.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. And I don't blame you....forgetting everything...you see my presence kinda has that affect.” - he joked.
“Shut up.” - said Aaron brushing Robert's arm off him.
“He's smiling again!” - laughed Robert - “That's better.”
“Why did you help me then?” - asked Aaron suddenly. - “You didn't even know a thing but you helped me and Cain...and well Adam.”
“Obviously I was thinking about Vic, of what this could have done to her if Adam got sent down. Prison visits, fighting. I didn't want that for her.” - he said then he looked at Aaron. - “And...”
“And what?”
“You know I loved you. I would've done anything to help you. I was convinced that we were over, at least I was telling that to myself, to stop hoping....but...I couldn't miss any chance to talk to you...to help you...even if only as a friend.”
“Robert....”
“I know, soppy git.” - he laughed. This time Aaron was the one who reached out his hand to rest it on Robert's shoulder.
“Look at me.” - he asked quietly. As soon as Robert did he cupped his cheek with his other hand - “You were never just a friend, I was never able to look at you anything less than my... my Robert. You were it for me, even when we were apart, and I always knew that. I just needed....”
“Space away from me?”
“Yeah and you needed that too. To get yourself together, for Seb.”
“You helped a lot with that, did I ever tell you that?”
“Really?”
“You always told me to step up. I wanted you to be proud of me...kinda. I know it sounds rubbish but.. it made sense back then.”
“It's not rubbish.” - smiled Aaron.
“So...” - started Robert after a few seconds of silence. - “Can we go now?”
“Okay.” - he answered before he gave him a little kiss.
“What was that for?” - asked Robert surprised.
“Let's just say I was in a soppy moment, shall we?” - he laughed.
“You should be in that kinda moment more often.” - he smirked leaning close to him.
“Oi. Stop it.” - said Aaron placing his hands on Robert's chest. - “We don't have time for that.”
“What? I just wanted to kiss ya.”
“No, you wanted a quickie. Come on I know you. You wouldn't stop at one kiss.”
“Okay maybe you're right.” - he laughed. - “Come on I'm gasping for a pint.”