don't freak out

aka my fic for @capseycartwright's romcom event is here. It was so much fun to write.

“I’m meeting someone in a moment, and I need him to look really good.” Robert mutters without looking, feeling pathetic in his stress-caused oversharing.

“A train is an interesting place for a blind date.” the lady chuckles, “Well, for your sake, I hope that this young man that just came in is here for you.”

Robert’s eyes snap open. 

“Robert, right?” the man - Aaron, his name is Aaron - gives him a polite half smile before putting his bag on the shelf and sitting down, “Apologies for cutting it close, I had to do something last minute.”

The spicy taste of ginger intensifies, making Robert’s tongue tingle, his mouth feeling numb as he keeps on staring at the man sitting in front of him, who’s now busy connecting his charger to a socket under his seat. They didn’t exchange pictures during their short text exchanges that Robert instigated a couple of days ago, drunk on whiskey and desperation and an overwhelming fear of showing back home alone. He figured that someone in the escort service had to be more or less attractive, good-looking enough to make a couple of gobs shut up.

Good-looking is a ridiculously inadequate word to describe Aaron, and if Robert starts drooling, he can at least blame the ginger burning through his gums.

Second of all, I'm starting to understand why my incessant posting annoys some of you so much.

You spent 23 years in prison. You came out, lied about dying to keep hold of your husband, did an armed robbery, held him, his boyfriend and his boyfriend’s stepdad hostage and attacked your husband with a sword. You then came back firing shots at the them, terrorising them and told your husband you refuse to accept he wants to be with someone else. You left and ended up back in prison.

AKA mechanic / bartender AU part 2!!

"They're molten lava, burning against each other, turning each other to gold. And if Aaron weren't a better man, he wouldn't think of the place he grew up in, the people he once knew, his family, because there's a selfishness to his and Robert's alchemy. To go home to Emmerdale now, he would first have to let go of being held in these arms, and that's not something he wants to sacrifice.

But he is a better man.

So, he's holding on now, breathing him in, taking everything he can from him, because Robert doesn't want to go back, and Aaron has to."

--

Or: For two years, Aaron and Robert have lived together, away from the scrutiny of the village they once called home. But when tragedy forces them both to return to Emmerdale, a place that hasn't felt like home in a long time, they must reckon with their demons to find out where they really belong.

Chapter 1/8

Read it on AO3

thank you for the tags @nerdyfangirl76 @jonathan-harks @stuckinanothertimezone @sugdendeeznuts @kellykadesperate xxxx

And now they're asking questions and making accusations and Aaron is digging his nails into his thighs to stop himself from jumping up and launching them out of his house.

He has to remain calm. Has to bite his tongue. Has to play the part of concerned fiancé.

That last one's not difficult, Robert looks like he's about to ready to pass out when the detectives finally stand up and hand him a business card.

"We'll be in touch, with any further questions," the woman says, an unfriendly smile on her face. "Your parole officer tells us you're just back from a holiday?" She says parole officer like it's a mark against Robert's character, like he may as well just give in and confess and go back to prison.

Like he'll never escape it.

"Portugal," Aaron says from the table, standing and feeling the beginnings of bruises under his jeans. "Visiting family."

thank you so much for the wonderful @sugdendeeznuts and @nerdyfangirl76 for tagging me!

the fourth and penultimate chapter of something blue will be up on sunday. have a little snippet of that as i edit it through!

“Do you want to get married?” Aaron feels his heart thud hard in his chest. “What’s that mean?” “It’s a simple question.” Mack shrugs. “Or do you want to roll about in hay with his brother?” “It’s not funny.” “No, I know it isn’t.” Mack folds his arms over.  “What isn’t?” Chas says as she comes back through with a pint for Aaron. Aaron takes it, feels the cold press against the palm of his hands until they feel numb.  “Aaron’s first dance choice.” Mack kids.  Aaron rolls his eyes and then Chas is banging on about how an Adele tune would be the best thing ever.  Later, Chas goes to lock up and Mack pats Aaron’s knee as he gets up to leave. “Just say the word tomorrow and I’ll be your getaway driver. I promise.” Mack isn’t laughing, he’s not being cheeky and annoying. Mack nods like he wants Aaron to really know.  “Reassuring words from my best man.” Aaron whispers. Mack smiles gently like he’s trying to be careful. “I’ll drive you straight to the farmer’s if you want.” Aaron feels tears pool in his eyes and he realises he needs to get a grip. “I love John.” “Doesn’t mean you need to do this.” Mack says. “Maybe you thought you did ‘cause no one else could come along that’s better but – who knew he had a brother you fancied.” Aaron gives this stupid watery smile. “I can’t hurt him.” He says. “You already have.” Mack says, like he’s so wise. He’s right again. 

I have a love/hate relationship with my romcom event fic, it's got out of control (angst, how not to make stuff angsty???) and Idk how to contain it, but here is a bit. I'm pretty sure hopeful that it will be done before the weekend!

Robert blinks, tears drying in the corners of his eyes as he tries to wrap his mind around it. Aaron looks relaxed, his smile easy if a bit concerned as he holds Robert’s gaze.

“Are you alright? Do you need painkillers?”

He is kind, clearly unbothered about last night, and Robert doesn’t understand. 

“I’m-” his temples are throbbing, “About what happened-”

Aaron’s expression grows more serious as he shifts closer, his hand landing above Robert’s blanket-covered ankle.

“Yes?”

Robert’s brain turns blank. He glances aside at his pretty, expensive wallet, and when he looks at Aaron again, he’s met with an expression so bleak it’s actually scary.

“I’m-” he tries and fails, and Aaron stands up, turning around and wiping his face with a rough gesture.

“Drink. I’ll go make you some toast.”

The room is empty, and Robert’s chest is so full he doesn’t think he can swallow anything.

this kind of policing is why ao3 was created

remember, kids, the three laws of fandom are:

- don’t like; don’t read

- your kink is not my kink