Chapter Text
PART ONE
In the end, his involvement wasn't needed. Two women came forward with hard evidence, and that was the end for Lee. But Vic and Diane still left. Vic said it's gonna be better this way, to start again somewhere. Somewhere where she's not reminded of what happened.... somewhere where people don't know her. Somewhere Wendy can't find her, because she was still an issue. Not a major one, but Vic wanted to be sure. And Robert found it hard to move on from that. He wanted to support his sister.... but saying goodbye to her.... to Diane? He'd have no family left in the village. Of course, he didn't count Aaron, he was such a massive part of his life, he never even thought about putting him on the list “family that can leave me”.
It was hard for Aaron as well. After Vic and Diane went, Robert became quiet. And not in the good way. He didn't wanna go out anymore. Not even to the pub. He wasn't sleeping, and when he managed to get a few hours, he always woke up in the middle of the night. He didn't tell Aaron but he was having these... dreams.... nightmares really. He always tried to put up a front, to not let people see how much pain he was in. It didn't mean Aaron didn't know. He knew better. He always did. And it killed him to see his husband like that.
It was August. Bloody hot, and Aaron found Robert in the garden. He was sitting in a chair, just staring into thin air. He was thinking about how he could help him, help both of them. He drove all the way to Liverpool last weekend to bring back Seb. He thought the little boy might put a smile on his daddy's face. It worked.... for a while. Robert was so happy to see him, to play with him, to just spend time with him. But then bedtime came, and after Seb fell asleep Robert went back to his shell, and Aaron couldn't do a thing to snap him out of it.
So now, as he approached him in the garden, he took a big breath, preparing himself for the conversation he was about to have with him.
He got closer, stood behind him, his hand gently stroking his hair.
“You okay?” - he asked already knowing the answer.
“Yeah.” - he heard him saying. He knew he wasn't okay tho. He took another breath before he set his eyes on Robert's face.
“Let's just leave.”
“You what?” - he asked looking up at him.
“You heard. I can work anywhere... so can you.. so... if you wanna be closer to Vic, to Diane... let's leave.”
“Aar.... what?” - he stuttered not believing what he's just heard.
“Is this a wind up?”
“No. Why would it be?”
“But your family...” - at this point, Aaron knew that Robert was thinking about leaving too. He just didn't want to bring up the subject... didn't want him to leave his family. The thing Robert didn't think of is that for Aaron, Robert was the only family he's ever needed. The only one he could never bear to lose.
“You know how they are.” – he smiled at him – “Better in small doses anyway.” - he could tell Robert wasn't expecting him to say that, but it was nice to see him genuinely thinking about it.
“You mean that?”- he asked finally with a lump in his throat.
“Robert...” - started Aaron stroking his cheek. - “when it comes to you I always mean it.” - he said smiling, and before he realized he felt Robert's arms around him, hugging him tight. So tight he thought he might pass out. All the frustration all those repressed feelings he tried to push aside came to the surface and Robert couldn't stop himself crying. - “Oi.” - said Aaron holding him close while he brushed away a few tears – “It's okay, it's not the end of the world. We can sort this, yeah?”
“I love you.” - sniffed Robert before he buried his face into Aaron's neck – “Thank you.” - he whispered closing his eyes, trying to calm down. He didn't even realize but finally, he felt like he could breathe again.
They had no idea how long were they there... in the garden, just hugging. Ten minutes? Twenty? It didn't matter, it felt right. Afterwards, they went inside, and Aaron sat down on the sofa, looking at Robert who was pacing up and down before him.
“You can just sit down you know.” - he tried joking.
“It's... I appreciate what you're willing to do but... I can't let you, Aaron.”
“What? What do ya mean what I'm willing to do?” - he asked but Robert wasn't listening. - “Oi, idiot, just stop for a second.” - he laughed as he stood up to get his husband's attention. - “I'm not willing to do anything, it's important to you, so it's important to me. Dead simple.”
“But.... you can't do this Aaron. What about your mum? And Paddy? And Liv? What are we suppose to tell Liv? No... it's a bad idea. I love you, and thank you for even saying it but... we're staying put.” - he said before he stormed upstairs.
“Rob... Robert?” - Aaron tried to call after him but it was no use. He needed space and that's exactly why Aaron didn't go after him. But they needed to continue this chat. If not right now, then later, because things weren't working, and he wasn't about to stand there and see Robert falling apart because of this. He's suffered enough. He knew that Vic and Diane moving away didn't mean the end of the world, they can go and visit them whenever they want, but he also knew it wasn't that simple for Robert. He's dealt with so much in his life... losing people, seeing people walk away... he knew it was hard for him. That's why it wasn't even a question whether he'd move away. If it would make things better, he wanted to do it.
Robert was right in one thing tho. His family. He knew his mum and Paddy would understand. They'd probably moan about not seeing him every day, but... eventually, they'd get it. Liv though... she was a whole other matter. Aaron knew his sister would understand as well, but did he really want to pull her out of this community? It'd be harder for her to start again in somewhere new, and all he wanted was for her to do well. After everything she's been through it would be unfair to make her leave.
He was torn.... he needed a drink.
“Hiya love, what can I get ya?” - smiled his mum as soon as she saw his face.
“Just a pint, ta.” - he sighed before he walked over to the bar.
“What's wrong? I know this face.” - said Chas as she placed the glass in front of Aaron. - “Everything's alright?”
“Yeah... it's just... never mind I sort it.” - he nodded before taking a sip.
“Alright... you go to the back, I'll be there in a minute.”
“Mum...”
“No, something's bothering you and I wanna know what it is.” - she said and all Aaron could do was roll his eyes before he obeyed. She wouldn't leave it alone anyway. Might as well tell her.
“So? Spill.” - she said 2 minutes later as she sat down next to him.
“It's Robert.”
“He's alright?” - she asked and for a second all Aaron could think was how mad that this is his mum's first question... if Robert was okay. Given their relationship, it's huge. It always blew him away how far they've come. Now his mum sees Robert as family, and it gave him a warm feeling he never wanted to shake.
“No... not exactly.” - he sighed.
“How d'ya mean?”
“This whole thing... Vic moving away with Diane... it was a bit too much.” - said Aaron.
“Why didn't ya say so before? Tell you what... why don't you guys come over for dinner tonight? Yeah? “
“No... mum... look it's not... It cannot be fixed with a nice meal.” - he said putting the pint on the table before he buried his face into his palm.
“Hey, talk to me, Aaron.” - said Chas as she stroked his back. She could see he was upset, and she really wanted to help.
“I told him we should leave... move away. To be closer to them.” - he whispered finally.
“What?”
“I can't stand to see him hurt mum... I want him to be the Robert he was... before all this mess.”
“Oh, sweetheart....”
“It's so hard to see him suffering and not being able to do a single thing about it. Especially after all the trouble, we went through coz of that scumbag.” - he said with gritted teeth. Chas knew all about it, of course, she did. All about Robert's stupid plans to try and ruin Lee, and how hard it was for Aaron to try and keep his husband safe.... to not let him do anything that could jeopardize their marriage... like Robert going to prison for murder.... or worse.
“It really hit him hard didn't it?”
“Yeah... but... he's right, what about Liv? I mean I can't make her move away... not when she's just got back on her feet.” - he said massaging his temple. He felt a headache coming in his way, and he didn't have time for that as well.
“So you talked to him about it then?” - she asked listening carefully.
“Yeah and guess what” – he scoffed – “He was worrying about what you lot would say.”
“You mean...”
“The whole family. He said he couldn't ask me to give it all up... and then he said it wouldn't be fair on Liv... and he's right about that. But... I can't just sit here doing nothing.” - he said desperately.
“Aaron, love, you'll find a way.”
“That's it? That's your advice?”
“Oi, don't be cheeky, I'm trying to help ya!”
“Then tell me what to do mum! What do I do?”
“If you're worrying about Liv...”
“Of course I am.”
“Then don't. She can... stay here.”
“What, on her own in that big house? Yeah, no thanks.”
“No, I meant with us.”
“I don't know...” - said Aaron thinking about it.
“You said she's just got back on her feet, she's a good kid.”
“Yeah, that doesn't mean I'd trust her to be on her own...”
“WITH US IDIOT!” - she said slapping him playfully. - “She wouldn't be alone.”
“But it's not the same, I'm her brother, I should be the one looking after her.”
“And what makes you think she wouldn't want to come with you?” - she asked.
“I … I don't know... I just thought.”
“You just thought... typical.” - she replied shaking her head – “Why don't you ask her love.”
“And what about you? You'd be okay if we moved away?”
“Sweetheart, it's your life.” - she told her smiling – “I know I had a hard time accepting it, and I tried to interfere...”
“Loads...” - he laughed.
“You what?”
“You tried to interfere LOADS.”
“Alright alright...” - she laughed – “But... you're an adult, you're married.... and I know how happy you are with Robert. If you need to do this... then... I'll support ya.” - she finished smiling, and Aaron couldn't stop his emotions.
“You mean it?” - he asked wiping his eyes.
“Course I do, come here.” - she said hugging him – “It's not like we can't visit... or you, come to that. Is that really so important to Robert?”
“And to me.” - he sighed.
“Then it's all that matters.”
“But... what about my little brother?” - he asked glancing at her mum's bump.
“Don't worry love, I make you babysit either way. You and that husband of yours as well.” - she laughed – “You won't miss out on anything, I make sure of that.”
“Thank's mum.”
“Go and talk to Liv.” - she said and saw Aaron nod.
“Mum?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you mind not telling this anyone? It's still... “
“New?” - she asked as she saw him biting his lips – “Of course love, whenever you're ready.”
“Thank you.”
“And tell Robert Sugden that we're his family too, we want the best for both of ya.” - she said with a smile.
After that conversation with Chas, Aaron had one task: talking to Liv. He was dreading it, to be honest. Not because she wouldn't understand, or she'd be mad because he knew she wasn't like that.
It was because either way... things were about to change, and he had no idea about the outcome.