#carlwritesbadsmut

I would be interested if it’s done the right way. Unfortunately unless they say Robert was saving nuns and orphans in those years a lot of his fans are going to bash the show to hell.

I really don’t think so. Have you seen the fics on AO3 about Robert’s years away? none of them involve saving nuns and orphans. Most of them are pretty dark - and popular.

Robert being a rent boy is a popular story (and i don’t care what Ryan says about that - he’s entitled to his opinion but he’s wrong) and there is SO MUCH they can do to show how he went from punk ass kid to smug mofo that had a whole family lusting after him.

“Skiing?” Aaron’s doing that eyebrow thing of his. Robert’s worked out it has two meanings. One usually leads to an enjoyable time for them both. He doesn’t think that’s the case this time. “Like on snow?”

“That’s the general idea, yes. You hate it don’t you?” He’d wracked his brains for weeks, trying to come up with something for Aaron’s birthday. Especially after the last time he tried. He’d found the tickets to Las Vegas not that long ago when he was clearing out some old paperwork. He must have stuffed them in there to get rid of them, probably around the time Aaron was taking himself off to the police station.

This time though, two years on, he hadn’t planned anything big, no party, no casino, just a homemade dinner for the two of them. He’d realised, in the year it had taken them to get to this point, the big gestures were all well and good but this, a simple meal and a night with his husband, that was plenty good enough.

He hadn’t completely changed, he’d still booked them a holiday, it just wasn’t quite so extravagant and over the top as before. Not quite a popular either judging by Aaron’s face.

“I can change the tickets…it doesn’t matter.”

“No, no it’s good. It’s just…I don’t know how.” There’s a slight flush to his cheeks that’s visible even in the candlelight that he’d scoffed at earlier. “I’m going to look stupid.”

“Hey, no you won’t. Besides I’ve never been. That’s why I booked it. I thought it might be fun, something new for both of us.” He doesn’t look convinced, so Robert shuffles his chair round the table, closer to him and takes his hand. “It’s not for a few weeks. We can go to the dry slope near Leeds. It’s not that far. Might be fun. Could even invite Vic and Liv.”

“Because there’s nothing I like more than looking like a fool in front of my sister?”

“Just try it. If you don’t like it, I’ll change the tickets.” Aaron nods.

*****

“I look like an idiot.”

“No you don’t. Besides I’m dressed exactly the same.” Aaron just gives him a look. “Oi!”

“Come on then, let’s get this over with.”

It’s going well enough for the first couple of tries, they both reach the bottom of the slope upright. He’s picked a quiet day so there’s only them and one other couple on the other side who seem pretty experienced. It’s the third attempt where it all goes wrong.

They’re at the top of the slope when he somehow gets his ski stuck in the snow and its throws his balance off. He knows he’s going to fall and he grabs Aaron to try and stay upright. The next thing he knows he’s on the floor and Aaron’s laughing on top of him.

“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea I’ve ever had.”

“Mmm I don’t know. I quite like it.”

I have a feeling he will end up with Chas.

“No. Absolutely not!”

Come one Aaron, it’s just one day that you have to wear it.” Robert said, casually sipping his morning coffee. “And, we’ll all match.”

“Yeah like a proper family.” Liv added.

Aaron scowled at them, pouring the rest of his still warm coffee in the sink. 

“No.. and since when do you care so much about Halloween.. and matching, Liv.” Aaron went over and grabbed his jacket.

“Plea…” 

Aaron interruptet Liv’s plea with an irritated glance. “See ya… and no it will not happen.” He quickly left the house, trying to escape their ridiculous costume idea.

“Really thought the family-card would work.” Liv said smiling.

“yeah… I think he’ll cave… Anyways we have two days to really wind him up.” Robert smirked.

“If he does give in, I have to get on camera.” Liv laughed. “But he’s mood is already so worth it.”

.

That evening Robert and Liv had all the things ready and carefully planned, for when Aaron would return home.

“He’s here.” Liv shouted.

“Shhh. He’ll hear you… okay, get up on the table.” Robert helped Liv up on the table and he had the tape measure ready in his hands.

“Hi…What’s going on?” Aaron had stopped on his way to the kitchen, his jacket half off his shoulders and confusion clear on his face.

“We thought that we should do the costumes ourselves.” Robert said, pretending to measure Liv’s arm.

“You don’t know how to sew.” Aaron said sceptically and in disbelief, that they were that serious about the Halloween costume.

“I can do everything I want to.” Robert smiled cocky at Aaron.

“I’m done here right?.. so Aaron, your turn.” Liv said jumping down from the table.

“Wha..No!”

“I think purple or pink is more you colour.” Liv said looking  thoughtfully at her brother.

“I think you’re right Liv. Come here, let me measure.” He said holding out the tape measure.

“I… you two are insane..You know you two spend too much time together… you can’t be serious.”

“Please Aaron.”

“I have to go. you are really starting to get on my nerves.. the both of you.” Aaron walked back to the door.

“Come on Aaron, it’ll be fun,” Aaron didn’t respond and with a slam of the door he left a house filled with hysterical laughter.

“This is so much more fun that I thought it would be.” Liv said in between laughing.

“I know, he’s so easy to wind up sometimes.” They sat for a moment, still chuckling every now and then.

“You know what to do next?”

“Yup, first thing tomorrow morning.”

.

Aaron was woken up by something touching his forehead. He reached to grab it. It felt smooth and silky. He opened his eyes and took a hold of it and looked at it. He quickly turned his head to  Robert’s side of the bed, but found it empty.

“liv!”

Liv and Robert had been standing, waiting outside the bedroom door. Liv started to laugh and Robert gave a her a little nudge to make her stop.

“hi, goodmorning.” She said innocently as she entered the bedroom. Aaron was sitting up against the headboard of the bed.

“What’s this?” Aaron said as he threw the big pink silk bow at her.

“I wanted to see how it would look.” Aaron shook his head, not really understanding what was going on.

“Halloween Aaron.”

“Urgh not this again… I said no. Aaron got up and found some clothes on the floor.

Liv smiled. “Thought it would change your mind… and if the bow wouldn’t do it, maybe that would.? She said nodding towards the shirt he had just thrown on, clearly not paying any attention to it.

Aaron looked down himself. His chest rising in irritation and anger.

Robert’s cue to enter.

“Goodmorning….” Robert looked up and down Aaron. “See told you you’ll come around.. not so cheesy after all huh.” Robert said and went over to hus Aaron.

Aaron stepped away from the hug and quickly grabbed a different shirt on the way to the door.

“You’re doing my head in.” He said giving them a final annoyed look before walking out.