Chapter Text
It’s the middle of February; the night sky is dark, the air bitterly cold, and a heavy downpour has made its way over the bustling streets of Hotten. The rain is cool to the touch as it splashes off Aaron’s eyelashes and onto his cheeks, but he makes no attempt to shelter himself.
Why would he? This is exactly where he’s supposed to be - home. And Aaron, well, he’s spent months trying to find shelter in the arms of someone new. Someone nice and kind and too bloody perfect. And all of that, that he should crave, has just pushed him further into the arms of his ex-husband. “
Hey, I can hear you thinking” Robert’s voice snaps him out of his thoughts, all hoarse and husky sounding as if he’s spent hours pouring his heart out. He has. They both have.
As Aaron detangles himself from Roberts embrace he wonders how many people have passed by while they’ve been lost in each other. Ten? Twenty? Hell, it could’ve been a hundred but it wouldn’t have made a difference to Aaron, not when it feels like they’re the only two people in the world. “
Sorry” Aaron mutters, more to himself than to Robert. He’s sorry - sorry that it took him this long, sorry that he ever took that damn ring off, sorry that he’s so in love he’s blind to all others. But now isn’t the time to dwell on the past.
Not when Robert’s steady fingers wrap themselves around Aaron’s chin and tilt his head upwards. Aarons isn’t going to admit it out loud but he’s missed his husband’s hands, so much so that he takes the opportunity to entwine their free hands. The press of cold fingers and wet palms shouldn’t be such a comfort. And neither should Roberts eyes burning into his, full of love and admiration. It used to scare Aaron, make him want to run a mile - but now he basks in the attention - and it’s all he can do to lean up and fit his mouth with his husbands.
Roberts kisses are exactly how he remembers them; as warm as the rest of him. “
I’ve missed you, Mr. Dingle” “
Not as much as I’ve missed you, Mr. Sugden.”
And that’s when Aaron decides that he’d burrow himself into Robert if he could.