The bag he packed also contains the keys to a small flat he has managed to snag for the weekend in Manchester. It is all he can do to contain his glee as Robert grows increasingly confused, scanning their surroundings as Aaron drives through the Yorkshire countryside.

“Aaron, are you kidnapping me for the weekend? If you do I need to call Vic and have her take Seb tomorrow,” Robert asks to force a reply.

“If you were being kidnapped you’d be in the boot,” Aaron says. “I’ve sorted it, so don’t worry.”

Robert presses his hands against his thighs and lets out a slow breath. “I’m not worried,” he says when a few seconds have passed.

“No?” Aaron asks, and when he looks over at his husband the late afternoon sun beautifully catches on his skin, making his smile glow.

“No,” Robert says. There’s a certainty to those words that sends a thrill down Aaron’s spine, even after years of marriage. “I’m not.”

Aaron drives on in silence, and Robert doesn’t say another word.

Robert’s eyebrows are quirked up as they pull into the parking lot close to the centre of town. Aaron pays for a 48h ticket and that has Robert smiling, eyes shining.

“What’ve you got planned?” he finally asks as they walk down the street.

Aaron bites his lower lip. “You’re so impatient.”

“I’m not,” Robert counters. He’s carrying his bag over his shoulder, knuckles whitening on the handle.

“You hate not being in control.”

“We both know that’s not exactly true,” Robert says, and it is laced with heat. Aaron can remember countless times where Robert has lost control, giving in to Aaron’s touch.

“Fine,” Aaron concedes. “We’re almost there.”

Robert laces his hand with Aaron’s as they walk.

“You’ve rented this place?” Robert asks. Aaron nods. They have settled in, placing their bags in the bedroom, and Aaron managed to pop the bottle in the fridge in the brief time it took Robert to go to the bathroom.

The flat is beautiful; all designer furniture and clean lines. The windows are wide, showing the view of Manchester; blocks of cement interspersed with Gothic spires, or at least that was what Robert said last time they were here.

“Where did you find it?”

Aaron shrugs. “I’ve got my ways.”

Robert barks out a laugh, wraps his arms around Aaron from behind and kisses him in the spot under his ear. Aaron can’t help but lean into it, place his hands on top of Robert’s, holding him closer.

“One of our business partners was so happy about our last deal that he said he owed me one,” Aaron admits.

“Ah,” Robert hums, lips still against Aaron’s skin. “So, since this is your plan, what’s next?”

Aaron turns in Robert’s arms and kisses him, softly at first but it soon grows hungry, desperate, a dance they are both all too familiar with to not know where it is going. Robert tugs at Aaron’s jumper, fingers slipping under the hem of Aaron’s shirt to graze the skin of his stomach, grabbing his arse and pulling him closer.

“I’m guessing you packed for this too?” Robert whispers as Aaron kisses him down his throat.

Aaron grins at him, and pushes him towards the bed. It isn’t long before all clothes are shed and both of them are panting against each other’s skin. Definitely how Aaron planned to start off the weekend.

Afterwards, when the sweat has cooled and they are lying under the duvet, arms wrapped around one another, Aaron remembers why he brought the champagne. Robert is already languid, limbs heavy and head pressed into the crook of Aaron’s neck; they are wrapped around each other completely, bodies intertwined and deliciously relaxed. If anything will make Robert relax even more, it is a glass of bubbles.

Robert protests as he shuffles out of the bed, but stops when Aaron walks naked out to the kitchen.

He walks back in a few minutes later, bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other. Of course a place like this has champagne glasses on display in the cupboard.

“Is that -” Robert starts.

“It is.”

Robert sits up, a grin spreading over his face.

“But you hate champagne!”

Aaron smiles. “You don’t, though.”

Aaron shuffles under the duvet again, pulling it up so it covers his legs and lower stomach. Robert moves closer immediately, pressing a quick kiss to his shoulder.

“You want to?” Aaron asks.

The ensuing grin makes all the trouble planning this thing worth it.

He takes a glass for Robert and deftly pours a respectable amount into it while Robert rests his head against Aaron’s shoulder, before he gets a glass for himself and does the same. Their glasses make a satisfying ‘clink’ as they raise them to their health and then, a sip. It is just as Aaron remembers it; despite everything he has been told about it, Aaron doesn’t like champagne. He takes a sip, containing his dislike as best he can but Robert starts laughing.

“You don’t have to drink it,” Robert says. “You know that.”

“We’re sharing,” Aaron says. “Plus, if you get a whole bottle you won’t be awake in an hour.”

Robert nuzzles closer, and Aaron lets him. “What’ve you got planned in an hour?”

Aaron grins. “Sushi… then sex, if you want.”

“I thought you hated sushi,” Robert says, eyebrows rising.

“There may or may not be some alternatives in there as well,” Aaron says. “But…”

“I love sushi?”

Aaron leans forward, pressing a deep kiss to Robert’s lips.

Champagne might not taste good, but the taste of it on Robert’s tongue has him desperate for more. It isn’t long before the glasses are placed on the bedside tables, and Aaron’s mouth is wrapped around Robert.

Aaron wakes before Robert does; he hasn’t done that in a while. Robert’s face is peaceful, his jaw slack and his hair tousled from the second and third rounds last night. It warms his heart to see Robert so relaxed and peaceful, especially after a stressful few weeks where Aaron has barely seen him outside of tea and bed.

Today he can’t stay in though, can’t wrap his arms around his husband and wait for him to wake up. Aaron has plans that are too important. moves the arm Robert has wrapped around his chest and quickly hops into some clothes, leaving the flat. The sound of the door slamming shut 20 minutes later must be what wakes Robert up, as Aaron hears a hoarse ‘Aaron?’ ringing through the flat.

“I’ve just got back,” Aaron says.

“Where’ve you been?” Robert asks as Aaron walks into the bedroom, groceries still in hand.

“Making a fry-up.”

Robert falls back into bed, a hand over his eyes.

“You really are treating me,” Robert says a few minutes later as he walks into the kitchen in nothing but his boxers. It is quite the sight to behold, even after all this time together.

Aaron shrugs. “I really love you, you know that?”

“Yeah, I know.”

Their eyes meet, and Aaron has never known something so fundamentally as the love that floods his chest for this man, the gorgeous mess of a man in front of him. Robert smiles, eyes more wrinkled than they were a few years ago, and Aaron shares it with him until it engulfs them both.

“Coffee?” Robert asks.

“You make the coffee, I’ll make the food.”

They move around each other seamlessly despite the new surroundings, years of routine kicking in.

While the sausages are cooking, Robert wraps his arms around Aaron, pulling him closer, bare chest pressed to Aaron’s back, hips pressed to Aaron’s.

“I’m cooking here,” Aaron says and makes a move to worm his way out of Robert’s grip.

“I’m not bothering you,” Robert counters, holding on.

“You’re an idiot.”

“Shut up,” Robert says into Aaron’s shoulder.  

By the time they get back to the village, the strain in Robert’s shoulder has gone, and he has a light in his eyes that fills his face with happiness.

“Thank you,” he says, leaning forward to press his lips to Aaron’s. They’re warm, soft, and Aaron presses close across the gear stick.

“You’re welcome,” Aaron says.

“Right, you unpack and I’ll sort some tea?”

Aaron smiles, leaning in again to nip at Robert’s lower lip and the kiss turns heated in seconds.

“Or… we can chuck the bags on the sofa and go upstairs?”

Robert grins.

“You are terrible,” he says. Aaron’s grins.

“You can bring up another bottle, if you want.”

Robert rolls his eyes. “You like it now?”

Aaron shrugs. “Maybe I’m learning.”

Maybe it is the dopey grin Robert gets after a glass or two.

The place was alright and the straight girls hadn’t discovered it yet so it wasn’t packed with hen parties looking for their new gay best friend.

And if nothing else maybe he could convince some guy to buy him a beer.

So that’s where he was now, sat in a corner at the bar nursing a beer and people watching. Or well, mostly watching this one blond guy going absolutely nuts on the dancefloor.

“So what’s your story?” the barman asked, snapping Aaron out of his thoughts.

“You what?”

“It’s Christmas eve.”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“So what are you doing here instead of spending it with family or friends?”

“What’s it to you?”

“I’m just making conversation mate, relax.”

“I’m just trying to enjoy my beer in peace.” Aaron replied, hopefully making it clear he wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

The barman muttered something under his breath and walked away to the other end of the bar, which suited Aaron just fine.

The blond guy he’d been watching had arrived about 10 minutes after him, thrown his jacket over a chair and ordered a beer, and let loose on the dance floor.

Aaron was in no means an expert but even he could see the guy was a bit of a disaster when it came to dancing. Though he didn’t seem to care in the slightest, which made him even more interesting to watch.

He was also quite fit if Aaron was honest.

The guy apparently decided he needed a break because he honest to god danced over to the bar, right to where Aaron was sitting.

He gave him a quick smile and tried (and failed) to get the barman’s attention.

“What do I have to do around here to get a drink?” he said, more to himself than to Aaron but Aaron replied nonetheless.

“Yeah the service isn’t great here, is it?”

The guy looked at him.

“You’re right. We should just get it ourselves. He’s obviously busy.” He said and nodded to the barman talking to someone at the other end of the bar.

“Get it ourselves? How were you planning on doing that? Climbing over the bar?” Aaron asked amused.

“I was just going to go round… but climbing over is probably quicker.” The guy replied. “How thirsty are you?”

Aaron laughed.

“Don’t climb over, I’m pretty sure they’ll kick you out.”

“And that would be bad because?” the guy asked

“Well who else would there be to cause mayhem on the dancefloor?”

“You’ve been watching then, have you?”

“It’s hard not to. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone dance at badly as you.” Aaron grinned, taking a sip of his drink, not breaking eye contact with the guy who just laughed.

“Ok, one, I don’t see you impressing the Strictly judges with your moves.” He started, “And two, I’m actually a really good dancer.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night.”

The guy wanted to reply but suddenly their flirting was interrupted by a guy Aaron had seen hang around the blond guy.

“Hey, what’s taking you so long? I thought you were only getting a drink? I’m getting lonely out there.”

Aaron took another sip from his drink to hide the eyeroll he was giving the bloke.

“Barman is busy.” The blond guy replied without missing a beat. “So I was just talking to Colin here for a minute. He just broke up with his boyfriend and he’s drowning his sorrows.”

“Oh that sucks mate. Right before Christmas and all.”

Aaron shrugged.

“It is what it is.”

“Yeah I was just inviting him to come dance instead of drinking to forget his ex.” The blond guy said and gave Aaron an expectant look.

“I don’t dance.”

“Pity.”

“Well then I guess I have you all to myself tonight.” The second guy said and draped his arms around the blond guy’s neck.

“Right. Yeah. Uh you just go ahead, I’m still trying to get myself a drink. And keep Colin company for a couple more minutes.”

The second guy looked back and forth between the two of them for a minute until apparently coming to the conclusion Aaron was no threat and left them to it with a flirty “Don’t be long”.

“You probably shouldn’t keep your boyfriend waiting.” Aaron said as soon as the second guy was out of earshot.

“Who? Him? He’s not my boyfriend. I just met him. I don’t even remember his name… it’s… Ray or Roy or Roger or something.” The guy said with a shrug. “And besides, there are more interesting people here tonight.”

“Oh yeah, the DJ with the hot pink hair and the barman who won’t serve his customers.” Aaron said, pretending he didn’t know what the blond guy was getting at.

“You’re very observant tonight, Colin.”

“It’s Aaron actually.” Aaron told him. “I did just break up with my boyfriend though… but I’m not drowning my sorrows.”

“Let me guess… you dumped him because he slept with your sister? Or brother? Best friend? Cousin?”

Aaron laughed.

“My sister is only 17, so no. He was just… boring. And now I’m looking for someone that isn’t boring.”

“Yeah? How’s that working out for you?”

“Not so bad, Philip.”

The guy laughed. Full on throwing his head back and laughing.

“Do I look like a Philip to you?”

“I don’t know.” Aaron said, feeling his cheeks heat up as he took another drink. “It was the first name that came to mind.”

“My name is Robert. But you can call me Philip if that does it for you.”

“Not really. Robert is fine.”

“Yeah? Is it just my name you like?”

“Are you actually fishing for compliments?”

“Might be.” Robert said moving closer to Aaron. “Or maybe I’m just trying to figure out if the fit bloke at the bar is interested in anything more than beer and complaining about clueless bar staff.”

Aaron put his drink on the bar and turned to face Robert. He was close enough to see the faint dusting of freckles on his face and took a minute to imagine what he’d look like with a tan in the summer. He put his hand on Robert’s chest and grabbed a fist full of his shirt to pull him closer.

“Come here.” He said and kissed Robert.

Maybe it was the beer, maybe it was the thrill of flirting with a stranger, maybe it was the relief of being free to kiss a bloke in a bar, just because he wanted to, but, Aaron decided, Robert was easily the best kisser he’d ever met.

“Want to get out of here?”

“Gladly.”

“Your place or mine?”

“Yours. I’m living in my sister’s box room at the moment.”

Aaron dug a tenner out of his pocket and threw it on the bar while Robert grabbed his jacket.

“Hey, where are you going?” The guy from before asked Robert.

“Yeah sorry… Roger? I got a better offer.” Robert told him.

“Who is Roger? My name is Paul!”

Robert waved his comment away as he made his way back to Aaron at the bar.

“Ready?”

“Lead the way.”

They piled into a taxi together and spent the entire drive to Aaron’s flat snogging in the backseat.

The driver cleared his throat to get their attention when they’d reached their destination.

“Here you are lads. That’s 18,50 please.”

They paid the driver and Aaron all but dragged Robert out the taxi to his front door. He dug around his pockets for his key and tried to open the door, which was no easy feat considering the fact that he didn’t want to stop kissing Robert.

Somewhere in the distance a church bell chimed twelve times just as Aaron finally managed to put the key in the lock.

“It’s midnight.” Robert noted. “Merry Christmas.”

“Yes, yes it is.” Aaron said as he pulled Robert inside the flat and into his bedroom.

“What? No drink first?” Robert grinned as he let himself fall backwards on Aaron’s bed.

Aaron took off his jacket and threw it in a corner before climbing onto the bed himself and straddling Robert’s waist.

“Do you really want a drink right now?” Aaron said popping open the buttons on Robert’s shirt.

“Not really no.” Robert replied and put one hand on Aaron’s neck to drag him down for a kiss, while the other tried to undo his belt.

“Thought so.” Aaron smirked.

The sexual tension was almost too much and Aaron swore he’d never felt more alive than with Robert’s hands all over him.

Unfortunately things were over way too quickly for Aaron’s liking and he expected Robert to put his clothes back on and leave, only the other man made no move to do so. Instead he pulled Aaron close under the covers and started kissing him again. Slow and sensual this time instead of the rushed and almost desperate kisses from before.

“I’m going to take my time with you.” He promised. “Give you the best Christmas present you’ve ever had.”

Aaron smiled and decided to let Robert have him in every and any way he wanted.

The next morning he woke up with an arm draped around his waist and a warm body next to him. he turned around and looked right into Robert’s somewhat sleepy blue green eyes.

“Morning.”

“Morning. You alright?”

Robert nodded.

“Yeah, you? Are you kicking me out now?”

“Nah, not just yet. I kind of like having you around.”

“Yeah? Good.”

“Do you want some breakfast?” Aaron asked. “You never got that drink last night.”

Robert laughed softly.

“Breakfast would be nice.” He agreed. “But first I just want to know one thing…”

“What am I doing the rest of the day?”