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Robert had been thinking about Aaron all day, okay that wasn’t exactly new but today was different. It had been exactly 11 years since their first kiss, 11 years since their lives changed completely. Robert couldn’t believe how much time had passed, how much had changed. Part of him longed to go back so maybe he could get things right, so the past few years would never have happened. Despite how close him and Aaron have become the past couple of months after everything came out about John, Robert desperately misses Aaron, misses what they had.
Without really thinking where he was going, Robert took Vic’s car and drove to his and Aaron’s lay-by, wanting to feel closer to the past, remembering what once was. Robert got out the car, and just sat on the hood reminiscing on their first kiss, the second proposal- thinking about what could have been. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear Aaron pull into the lay-by as well.
Aaron doesn’t know why he’s surprised to see Robert there, after all Robert did admit that the only reason he came back was to be with him. He got out of his car and made his way over to Robert.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Aaron said jokingly as he sat down next to Robert. Robert jumped slightly, having only just realised Aaron was there.
“I just fancied a drive, you know a change of scenery or whatever,” Robert said casually.
Aaron laughed, “so no other reason then?” Robert shrugged in response.
“I think you know why we’re both still here,” Aaron said with a slight smile, parroting Robert’s words from all those years ago- the memory of that day etched in their minds permanently. “I can’t believe it’s been 11 years,” he added.
“Kissing you that day, was the best thing I ever did. I wanted you before then, but in that moment, that was it for me. I knew you were the one, even if I tried to deny it.” Robert said, tone bitter as he recalled all the time he spent deny how he felt, and hating how much he hurt Aaron at the start even if it was over a decade ago and Aaron had long since forgiven him.
Robert continued, “I know you don’t want me anymore Aaron, but I meant what I said in the pub, I can’t stop loving you. You are everything to me.”
“Rob- I never stopped loving you either. How could I? What we had, the way I feel about you… no-one has or could ever come close. And I know I haven’t shown you that recently, but it’s true. The only reason I chose John was because I thought he was the stable option, but I was so wrong about everything. These past couple of months, getting to be close to you again is the happiest I’ve felt since you left me, I finally felt safe- like I could breathe again.” Robert didn’t look at Aaron, he felt this was too good to be true. After everything, all this time, how could he still love him? He felt he didn’t deserve Aaron despite how much he wants him.
Aaron turned to face Robert, “Rob, look at me,” he said forcefully and Robert obliged “I love you, okay. It's always gonna be you.”
“Who knew a lay-by could be so romantic?” Robert joked after a beat, always one to take Aaron's emotional confessions seriously.
“Shut up,” Aaron replied softly, a broad smile on his face. Robert smiled back just as wide, closing the gap between him and Aaron and kissing him- his hand cupping Aaron’s face.
“Thank God you didn’t run away this time,” Aaron said with a slight laugh, resting his forehead against Robert’s.
“Never again, you’re stuck with me this time,” Robert replied, tone fully serious.
“Well, we did say messed up forever. And I reckon we’ve done pretty well at that so far.” All Robert could do was agree.
“I’ve missed you, Mr Dingle.” Robert whispered, silent tears of joy finally falling.
“I missed you too, Mr Sugden.”
So much had happened, and in all they'd spent more time apart than they had done together, but none of that mattered now. They had each other again and promise to never let each other go again.
And the angry calls and messages Robert got from Vic for taking her car without permission were well worth it- and she couldn't stay mad when she found out why.