I went in circles somewhere else

A bit from one of the stories for robron week.

He looks younger now, soft and vulnerable in a way he probably wouldn’t appreciate showing. It’s not what he’s used to, Robert thinks, quick ins and outs more in fashion than staying a night, at least from what Robert gathered between harsh kisses and rough touches that made his head spin. But here he is, the duvet slipped down to his waist, and Robert can’t help but pick it up, bring it to cover the man’s shoulders.

Aaron, Robert thinks absently as he lingers by the bed, his name is Aaron.

He’s beautiful, and suddenly, Robert can't handle it, can’t keep looking at him, and his throat is full, his eyes burning.

"Robert's phone! Hello, yes... of course he didn't forget, we were just getting... Absolutely! Obviously! See you soon, Chrissie, pleasure as always!" the phone slides smoothly back into Robert's pocket, "Robert, mate, she scares me to death."

Jimmy delivers it with such gusto that Robert is actually confused. Mostly, though, he's disappointed because the bottom of the box contains old travel guides to Czechoslovakia, and Robert would actually love to check them out, his internal nerd gagging, but the weight of responsibility is sitting on his shoulders like a bag full of stones. 

"Right." he mutters, stepping back and wincing at the layer of dust covering his arms, "Right, we should go." he says, mostly to remind himself that he's an adult and a soon-to-be husband. 

"She reminded you about the dinner." Jimmy says helpfully as they make their way from the back of the shop, "And that she met your sister and her boyfriend."

"It's not her boyfriend." Robert says distractedly, vaguely remembering that Vic is bringing her friend, Arthur or whatever his name is, "Do you have a fiver?"

Surfing on the high of robron romcom summer, I've cooked an update to my serendipity AU! Honestly had a blast with this one.

Today does not bring joy, but romcomming does, hence here's a bit from chapter 4 of my serendipity au!

Now, however, propping himself up against the fluffiest pillows he ever touched, he can have a proper look. As he was reminded by Vic multiple times, Robert is marrying into money. Vic claims he isn't a gold digger, thathe's doing well for himself, but this place was definitely chosen by a woman, a woman who is used to basking in wealth. The colour palette is mostly cream, soft gray and various shades of blue, a design Aaron would see in some of the magazines his mum snatches from her hairdresser. 

It's posh and luxurious and smells like roses, but it's still not the favourite room in Manchester Aaron ever stayed in. This title still belongs to that dimly lit room filled with boxes and books, smelling of cedar and tasting of sweat and laughter. 

His phone pings before Aaron can get all nostalgic and horny, a text from Vic announcing that she's going to knock at his door in ten so they can go to breakfast, and Aaron sighs, forcing himself out of bed.

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.

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.