Chapter Text
As Robert entered the Woolpack, he breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a long day of meeting after meeting and putting up with and sweet talking clients when all he wanted to do was go home to Aaron. “Hello love.” Chas called from the other side of the bar. “Aaron’s just gone through to the back.”
“Thanks.” Robert said following in his fiancé’s footsteps. In the backroom Aaron was sitting on the sofa with some trashy TV game show playing. “Hey you.” Robert said, leaning down to place a kiss on Aaron’s lips. He put his briefcase down on the floor and lifted Aaron’s feet off the coffee table so he could move ‘round to sit next to him on the sofa. Aaron looked at his fiancé and smiled.
“How was your day?”
“Boring. You know Nicola really doesn’t make it easy for me. She sits there just winding the clients up and then giving me sulky stares. God knows what I’ve done to upset her this time.” He paused to look Aaron up and down. “I know what would cheer me up though.” He suggestively raised his eyebrows which made Aaron smirk. He leaned in and kissed him. Aaron pulled back after a moment, leaving his forehead resting against Rob’s.
“I’ve got to go pick Liv up from town in a minute.” Rob leaned back to look in Aaron’s eyes.
“Didn’t she have school?”
“Teacher training day thingy.”
“Oh. We’ve got time before you have to go….” Rob leant in again and started planting kisses on Aaron’s neck.
“Rob. Robert.” Aaron reluctantly pushed him away. “I’ve got to go.” He kissed him one final time then stood up, straightening his shirt out, then grabbing his keys and heading out through the door with a smile on his face. Robert turned the TV off and sat there for a moment his head resting right back and eyes closed.
“Robert.” At the familiar voice, Robert opened his eyes and turned.
“Nick.”
“Sorry. The woman at the bar said it was alright for me to come through.” Rob stood up and walked towards his friend.
“Wow. It’s so good to see you.” He hugged Nick. They pulled back and smiled at each other. “It’s gotta be, what, six years?”
“Something like that.”
“What are you doing here?” Nick looked slightly uncomfortable.
“Why don’t we get a drink and talk?”
“Yeah sure.”
Half an hour later and they were still catching up.
“Are you still with Danni?” Rob asked.
“No it didn’t work out in the end. We split up a few years ago. I’m still single actually. You know me – just playing the scene!” Robert laughed. “How about you? You with anyone?”
Robert smiled as he said, “Yeah. I am actually.”
“Spill then. Is she ‘the one’?”
“Um…he is yeah.” He braced himself. He and Nick used to be really close after he moved away from Emmerdale but Rob still feared his reaction. After all he hadn’t seen him for years.
“You’re with a bloke? So….what you’re gay?” Nick’s question was genuine and not at all judging.
“I’m bi actually.” Rob looked down at the ring on his finger. Nick noticed.
“Wait. You’re getting married to him?” Rob just smiled and nodded. “That’s great mate. I’m really happy for you. It must’ve taken a lot for you to…you know..”
“What come out?”
“Yeah.”
“Well it did. And I hurt a lot of people along the way. Including Aaron…”
“Aaron. Is that his name?” Rob nodded again. “When do I get to meet him then?”
“He should be back soon actually. He just nipped out to pick his sister up from town.” He stared at Nick for a moment.
“What?”
“Nothing…it’s just…thanks. You know for…not being weird about it.”
“Of course I don’t have a problem with it. As long as you’re happy, what does it matter who it’s with?” Nick smiled at Robert and took a swig of his pint. At that moment, Liv stormed through the Woolpack doors and through to the back. Aaron entered shortly after.
“Oh no. What’s happened now?” Rob asked his fiancé.
Aaron walked toward where Rob was sat with Nick, “Don’t ask.” He put a hand on Rob’s shoulder and looked to Nick. “Who’s this?”
“Hi. I’m Nick. You must be Aaron?” Nick extended a hand to Aaron. Aaron shook it.
“Yep, that’s me.”
“Nick’s an old friend who I haven’t seen for years. He turned up just after you left. Although you actually never did tell me why you’re here. Not that that I’m not pleased to see you.” Nick looked between Aaron and Robert and the stood from his chair.
“I’m sorry. This was a mistake. It was really nice to see you Robert. Keep in touch yeah?” Then he hurried out of the pub.
“What was that about?” Aaron asked.
“I don’t know.” Rob replied as he ran after Nick. Aaron looked at Chas who just shrugged.