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karlakattz · 2 years

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What happened in the night before the wedding…

(Sorry, not beta read 🙈, all mistakes are mine)

He’s tossing and turning and tossing and turning. It’s too hot and when he pushes the blanket down it gets too cold. Nothing’s right here, the bed too small, too hard, somewhere is a clock relentlessly ticking and it drives him mad. Aaron is ready to jump up and throw the goddamn thing out of the window.

He’s back in the flat above the pub. In the guest room, mind you, because his old room was supposed to be Gracie’s nursery.

Aaron sighs and rubs his face exasperated. Now he’s thinking about her and his heart aches. The little sister he never met, but is going to miss forever.

His mum’s a mess. She tries to hide it, the attempt is bad though and his dad isn’t doing much better. Aaron’s not sure how they’ll make it through tomorrow if he’s honest.

Bloody hell, he isn’t sure how he’ll make it through tomorrow!

Marrying Robert.

He’s really going to marry Robert?

It seems so unreal after all that happened. Sometimes, when he thinks about it, like now, it’s a little overwhelming. The thought of how far they’ve come. What happened in those past three and a half years was the stuff of those stupid soaps Diane loves to watch. And yet, here they are. In only a few hours he’s going to meet Robert at the altar.

He’s really going to marry Robert.

Like, for real this time. With a vicar and flowers and matching suits and all. Aaron folded invitation cards and table decoration. This is happening. And in front of the whole village no less. A gay wedding in Emmerdale. With Aaron Dingle and Robert Sudgen as grooms. Who would have seen that coming, eh? Not Aaron, that’s for sure. His mind wanders back to his teenage years, ten years back, when he was that terrified kid, lost and confused and so damn angry at the world.

I’d rather live a lonely life than a gay one, he once shouted into Paddy’s face. The memory brings a sad smile on his face.

If he’d only known then what he knows now.

Love isn’t scary, love isn’t a mug’s game. And in the end it doesn’t matter if it’s a gay love or not. Robert is his friend, his home, the anchor that keeps him from spiralling and ultimately the reason why he’s still here.

And Aaron is going to marry Robert.

How is supposed to sleep when his heart keeps hiccuping in his chest, his hands are clammy and his brain won‘t give him a break? Aaron groans in frustration, tossing and turning once more, rearranging the pillow, but it still doesn‘t feel right.

He‘s missing Robert.

This is pathetic, seriously, it’s only night! Aaron knows that, technically, he can‘t change the feeling though. There is no pillow like Robert‘s chest and no godforsaken ticking watch can replace the steady thumping of Robert‘s heart.

Minutes turn into hours, stretching endlessly.

At some point, Aaron hasn‘t even noticed, he must have dozed off, because the next thing he notices is that his head is lying on something solid, something warm and moving. Something familiar.

Long and strong arms are wrapping around him, holding him tight and Aaron grins. They are supposed to stay the night apart - his family insisted, because of bad luck or whatever and he thinks if this is a dream, it‘s a very pleasant one and he doesn‘t want it to end.

“Are you real?“ he mumbles.

“Couldn‘t sleep without your stupid beard giving me a rash,“ Robert mutters and yawns.

“Shut up,“ Aaron smiles and rubs his head contently against the body underneath him.

This is so much better.

“Go to sleep, Mr Sugden,“ his fiancé says. His soon-to-be-husband. He sounds like he‘s smiling himself.

“…‘kay.“ Aaron pauses.

He‘s going to marry Robert.

"Mr Dingle.“

#robron #fanfic #my little stories #robron wedding anniversary

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jessie-james-cheats-3v · 2 years

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jessie james cheats free 28OO%

💾 ►►► DOWNLOAD FILE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Jesse James cheated on Sandra Bullock nearly a decade ago with three known women: Michelle McGee, Brigitte Daguerre, and Melissa Smith. Serial love cheat Jesse James bedded at least 20 women behind his wife's back, leaving his seven year marriage to champion drag racer Alexis. One of the main reasons James and Bullock split was due to the former reality star's numerous cheating scandals. Yet, several other factors led. Jesse James is a scumbag. That's the consensus that was reached after the year-old with the imposing tattoos and greased-back hair. 9 Sandra Bullock had her heart broken just after she had lifted the Oscar in when it was revealed her husband Jesse James had cheated on her with a string of women. Want all the latest Showbiz news direct to your inbox? Share your email for news, gossip and more. But their love wasn't made to last forever as they went their separate ways five years later in Sandra, now 55, poured her heart out in her Oscar-winning speech to her husband, but shortly after it was revealed he had ruined their marriage with a series of flings. Days before his infidelity was made public, it was understood the Oscar-winning actress had moved out of their marital home. Later, two other women - stripper Melissa Smith and photographer Brigitte Daguerre - also claimed to have had romantic entanglements with Jesse during his marriage. In , Jesse defended cheating on the Hollywood bombshell as he said having marital affairs was "part of life". He told DailyMail. And that's end of story. Everything else was just…". At the time, the love rat said he come under fire from trolls on social media for sleeping around while he was married to the actress. He said: "The easy [put down] is like, 'oh well you cheated on Sandra Bullock'. That's the world's easiest comeback. Earlier this year, her ex Jesse's seven-year marriage to champion drag racer Alexis DeJoria fell apart. By Lily Waddell. Group Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More info. Show Me No thanks, close. See our Privacy Notice. Sandra Bullock was heartbroken when it was revealed her ex Jesse James was a serial love rat. It's been a 15 years since the exes were first happily married in July Follow Irish Mirror. Facebook Twitter. 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lonelier-version-of-you · 2 years

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I did like Harriet from Emmerdale and wanted her to get some sort of storyline but then it was "oh I don't love the guy I'm with but won't break up with him even though I'm in love with my ex and am trying to get him to break up with his fiancee to get back with me" which I just found a bit annoying but it's Emmerdale so.... and now she might die and Kim might die but Amelia and the baby will probably be fine despite it being way too early because it's soapland where people can regularly give birth at 7 months or less pregnant and both them and the baby are completely 100% okay with no health issues whatsoever.

She's always been my favourite character - she feels like a sort of character who's very unique for soaps, y'know? Especially since she's never really had a big family unit around her in the way most other characters do. She's really just got Dawn, who only came in a couple of years ago and isn't even biologically related to her. Her isolated-ness compared to other characters has always been interesting to me. And I find her relationship with her religion fascinating, too.

But the writers have really been doing her dirty for years. The main reason I stopped watching for ages in the first place was because I was angry that she FINALLY got a big A-list storyline where she was the focus (the Malone thing) only for the show to first neglect the storyline for weeks at a time, and then resolve it quickly without doing any real justice to her trauma or her mental health. There was so much to be explored there and it ended up being wrapped up after a couple of episodes. She was so ill and then suddenly she was just fine?? And at first it really seemed like they were going for an OCD storyline - her repeatedly washing her hands, saying she felt unclean, the compulsive praying... I was re-reading some of my posts about that storyline earlier and got reminded of that line she had when Dawn found her at the place they'd buried Malone: "I need to keep checking on him. You know, make sure he's okay. And I pray for him. And us." That is just TEXTBOOK OCD. But nope, it was swept under the rug after a couple of months when it could've been such a good storyline. Ugh. And then after she miraculously (no pun intended, lol) healed from her trauma, she just stopped appearing entirely for ages. Like, we'd be lucky to see her once a month. I don't think she had a single episode in June 2021. Hence, I stopped watching and have only got back into it now for the anniversary... at which point they now seem to be killing her off!

The whole Dan/Harriet/Will/Kim love square is just... sigh. Especially if it's her last storyline - going out as she lived: almost only ever getting storylines if they were about her relationship with a man. (I know the Malone stuff was technically also about her relationships with men but it was different enough IMO.) It's not really OOC or anything because Harriet has always been hopelessly self-destructive when it comes to relationships, so annoying as it is I can't say I'm surprised she's pining after the bloke who literally tried to kill her even though she's in a relationship with Dan, a decent guy. But it's just... sigh.

In some way, it would be depressingly fitting for the first time the writers let her be properly involved in one of the Big Event Weeks to culminate in them killing her off. -_-

And YEP about Amelia and the baby. That sort of thing in soaps always drives me mad. I remember when Chelsea in EE gave birth last year when she was... only about 6 months in, I think? And she and the baby were both perfectly fine and she could take him home within a few weeks and he doesn't seem to have any lasting health issues. ://

#asks #anons

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diditoutoflove · 6 years

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#oz #toby beecher #Chris keller #keller x beecher #ozhbo #oztv #mygifs #hello why am I giffing them #who knows #gives me a break from emmerdale #hbo #christopher meloni #lee tergesen #otp: you are death

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dannymillerfansite · 3 years

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Danny Miller explains decision to quit Emmerdale

The actor, 30, has played the role since 2008 and is keen to open a new chapter after his fiancee Steph gave birth to their first baby son in October.

Speaking to the Mirror at a press roundtable event earlier this week, he explained that he was "very emotional" about his decision and that it had been a "big part" of his life.

He cited the tough soap filming schedules as one of the reasons he wanted to leave and said that he wanted to be around more for his family.

"Obviously, [I'm A Celebrity] is a fantastic money earner - not gonna lie - and it gives me the chance to at least be off for a year and next year if nothing happens and I'll be comfortable with my family and I'm hoping stuff does happen and new jobs come up, but we shall see. "

When we asked him the moment he realised he needed a change, he said:

"Obviously, as you know, our lives are ruled by two-week block schedules and life goes really quickly when you're in a soap - I've been there for 13 years - 13 years ago I started as Aaron and I've grown up with him and feel very privileged to be him and I think it was time for him to sort of start a new life, if you like.

"I'm hoping that stuff will come up after it - I'm not holding my breath because, why should I? But I'm certainly hoping that I can have more time with the family and let's see what happens."

"I feel very lucky and it's a privilege that I'm one of the 12 people picked to experience this this year. So it was a really tough decision but that's why I'm so emotional now talking about it! It's the first time that I've really talked about it and I have to be able to make the decision to pick and choose.

Danny has had a number of huge hard-hitting storylines as Aaron over the years - from his tragic romance with Jackson Walsh, who he helped take his own life, and his fiery relationship with Robert Sugden to struggling to come to terms with the child abuse he suffered at the hands of his father.

He previously took a break from the soap back in 2012 for two years to pursue other roles, including ITV's Scott & Bailey.

Danny reprised his role in 2014 after saying that he had "missed Aaron".

"I missed playing him, but thank God we've managed to ditch the trackies now! He's still got that chavvy side to him, but he's not so chavvy where his jeans are in his socks," he said at the time. "It's nice to see Aaron mature a little bit, but he's still got that bad boy and rebellious attitude."

*I'm A Celebrity returns Sunday at 9pm on ITV

"I'd like to think that I'm very, very far away from Aaron and that's part of the reason why I wanted to do this show. I've actually left Emmerdale, unfortunately, and I've decided to start a new path in life," he said.

"I've got my baby now and I'm getting married next year and it's felt like the right time to open a new chapter in my life - god, my nerves are going because I've not really told anybody!

"I'm very emotional about it, actually. It's been a massive part of my life and it's taught me lots of things. I've been wanting to spread my wings for a while and a show like this gives me the opportunity to see what else happens after it and kind of start a new life with my family and see what happens."

This weekend Danny will enter a Welsh castle after signing up for this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Source The Mirror

#danny miller #Aaron Dingle #emmerdale #I'm a celeb #source the mirror

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robron-til-the-end-of-time · 2 years

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So in your opinion how does Aaron reconnect with Robert from where he is visiting with Adam. What happens

Okay, so Roberts out of prison (I can make my own rules here) but he's very tired and beat down by it. He doesn't want to burden Aaron or disrupt his life which is the only reason he doesn't go looking for him or back home to Emmerdale and he lies low.

Aaron has had some rest and a bit of a calm time away from emmerdales madness. He always thinks of Robert, can't help not, but he thinks Roberts still in prison. (I've no idea what country Adam and Aaron ended up in in canon but whatever.)

So Adam and Aaron spend their time on the Croatian coast, enjoying the sun and the cheap beer. It's calm. Aaron would give up calm in a heartbeat to have complicated messy and disaster back in his life again.

Here I've got two ideas. Either Aaron comes home briefly (Zak's funeral or some other family emergency?) Or Robert decides to get a break from the UK and goes on a cheap foreign holiday.

Either way, they see each other across the street. Time stops. Because both men think that... It can't really be him. Right? But it is. Their eyes lock and neither dares to break it. In the end, Robert does first, but only to look at Aaron's hand. Seeing the finger with no wedding ring. It hurts, but at the same time at least he didn't find someone else.

Aaron moves first, crossing the street. "When did you get out?"

"About a month ago." Roberts voice is almost cracked but he's holding it together. Just.

"you never told me."

"I've... Got a history of wrecking your life. I didn't want to do it again."

"Robert... Don't say that." Robert shrugged. "Why here?"

"it was the cheapest flight for a holiday." Robert frowned, suddenly wondering why Aaron was here. "Why are you here?"

"Adams here. I needed a break. And.. well." He shrugged too. "How are you?"

Robert sighed. "Free."

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yasisworld · 7 years

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you know what would be wonderful and really a treat? if we didn’t get any whining about the son during the christmas episode. it’s just so so boring and kills me a little bit every day. i just don’t care for children in general...

#i'm so bored #when will this SL from hell be done #i'm so afraid of this shit going on when the whites all leave #give me a break #robert sugden #emmerdale

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anotheruserwithnoname · 3 years

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A Jenna DVD/Blu-ray guide (Nov. 2021 edition)

I know a lot of people have moved to digital downloads and streaming, but as someone who treats permanent media like DVD and Blu-ray with the same reverence as books (and who has experienced the “loss” of favoured shows on streaming because of expired licences), that’s still my preferred media.

With the holidays approaching, I thought I’d give a quick run-down for any fellow Jenna Coleman fans who might be interested (especially newcomers) of what Jenna productions are currently available on DVD, Blu-ray and (in some cases) CD. As I’m in Canada I’m going to mainly focus on what’s available through Amazon US (which usually aligns with Amazon Canada). If I know of something available in the UK and not here, I’ll note it.

Page break for those who aren’t interested or already know all this stuff! (And corrections are always welcome!)

Listed in more or less chronological order:

Emmerdale Farm: Jenna appeared in well over 400 episodes of this soap opera. I’m aware of no DVD release of her episodes.

Waterloo Road: Jenna appeared in Series 5. According to Amazon US, only Series 1 has been released on North America. Series 5 is available in UK format. At one point, all episodes of Series 5 (minus opening and closing credits) were officially uploaded to Youtube worldwide.

Xenoblade Chronicles: A video game, not a movie, for which Jenna provided the English voice dub for a character. Amazon US has the 2020 “Definitive Edition” (which includes new content recorded by Jenna) for the Nintendo Switch. You can also still order the original game for Wii and 3DS. Caveat: I don’t know if Jenna’s vocals are featured on all of these versions. Check first before ordering.

Captain America: The First Avenger: Obviously as a Marvel movie, this thing is everywhere (and might be the only Jenna production also available in the 4K Ultra HD format). Don’t forget Jenna is in two scenes (look fast for her as a camp nurse later in the movie. She’s the only one wearing white - easy to spot, especially in high def. It only took some of us a decade to do so!).

Titanic: The 4-part miniseries is available in BD and DVD in North America and right now is listed by Amazon US for quite cheap.

Room at the Top: No DVD or BD for this one, due to the rights complications that delayed its broadcast on the BBC for a year. Any DVDs listed for Region 1 are for the 1950s movie. The miniseries is available on Amazon Prime in North America for streaming. (I think its on iPlayer in the UK but don’t quote me.)

Dancing on the Edge: Available on DVD and BD, again quite cheap from Amazon.

Doctor Who: Series 7, 8 and 9, obviously, plus Twice Upon a Time if you want her cameo too. Day of the Doctor and Time of the Doctor are available as standalones. There’s also a 3D standalone release of Dark Water/Death in Heaven. If you want to get some of the more obscure stuff like the Doctor Who Ultimate Guide or Five(ish) Doctors Reboot spoof, you need to seek out one of the Matt Smith Years collections (there’s an expensive box set and a more recent version). Jenna also recorded a few lines as Clara for the Lego Dimensions video game and its Doctor Who “mission pack”. I believe this online-based game has been retired and I haven’t seen it for sale for a while.

Death Comes to Pemberley: Amazon US lists several places carrying the DVD, but not the Blu-ray. The North American release is the UK edit - it’s possible the PBS broadcast had additional footage (as was the case with Victoria) but I’ve never heard of any extra footage of Jenna.

Me Before You: Widely available (often in Wal-Mart bargain bins).

Thunderbirds Are Go: Jenna provided a guest voice (and her likeness) for the Series 2 episode, “Earthbreaker.” No DVD or BD release for North America is listed on Amazon (but it’s streaming on Prime). The series is available on DVD in the UK.

Victoria: All 3 series are available in North America (with the Christmas special included with S3). A box set of the first 3 series is available for DVD only. Unlike the UK, S3 only got a DVD release over here. My understanding is the UK DVDs/Blu-rays also include commentaries and special features not on the US releases. The US releases are the ITV UK edits and lack the 5-10 minutes added per episode for PBS airing (though on the plus side, whereas PBS cut a lot out of the Christmas special, including the whole “Victoria’s sexy painting” subplot, it’s intact on the DVD). If you’re in the states you may be able to stream the US edits on your local PBS station’s website. Otherwise fingers crossed that if they ever put out a “Complete Series” set (hopefully after a Series 4!) they’ll include the extra footage as “deleted scenes” or something.

The Cry: Although it was released on DVD in North America a year after it streamed on Sundance (UK also got a Blu-ray along with a DVD and theirs came out only a week or so after BBC aired it), Amazon US currently lists it as no longer available. However I have seen it at brick-and-mortar stores recently, so go get some fresh air and take a look/

All My Sons: National Theatre Live does not (yet) release its cinema streams to DVD or Blu-ray, but one of the few positives of C19 as it inspired NTL to finally start putting some of its broadcasts on a streaming service, available worldwide. All My Sons was at one point available but may not be anymore.

Corporate Monster: This short sci-fi horror film that was delayed in releasing for nearly a decade is unlikely to get a DVD or Blu-ray release unless it gets picked up for an anthology (it actually would make a half-decent Twilight Zone if they ever wanted to follow the precedent of the original series and pick up short films from elsewhere as filler episodes). It is currently available for free viewing (authorized) on the Omelto YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kYUf-Qncss

Inside No. 9: Jenna’s guest appearance in Series 5′s “Death Be Not Proud” is on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK, but there’s yet to be a North American physical release for any of the show’s season’s; it’s on Amazon Prime, though.

A Separate Peace: As part of a (sadly aborted) effort to launch a series of virtual plays during the first C19 lockdown, Jenna partnered with David Morrissey (of The Next Doctor and Walking Dead fame) on a Zoom-based production. As indicated, it was meant to be a one-off with no reissue planned or expected (and admittedly would look like hell even on DVD resolution). If you hunt around you might be able to find recordings of it online, but I won’t tread those waters further here.

The Serpent: The UK has a DVD release. North America may get one in 2022 once Netflix’s one-year exclusivity ends. Netflix does not release every show to DVD or Blu-ray, so it remains to be seen if The Serpent gets a release over here.

Billion Pound Bond Street: Jenna’s most recent production not counting the Boots commercial, this documentary is not available on DVD or Blu-ray in North America. It is listed for streaming on the UK version of Amazon Prime, however.

CD/audio releases:

The Secret Garden: Amazon US does list Jenna’s abridged reading of the children’s book from 2013, but it’s in the collector price market now. I have seen it listed for cheaper elsewhere, like Book Depository, so hunt around. It’s also available on Audible for those who prefer to stream.

Destiny of the Doctor: The Time Machine: Now out of print on CD, you can order a download for only a few dollars from Big Finish.com. I haven’t ordered anything from BF since 2017, but downloads before then were generally actual downloads - MP3 or similar files, not streams. This is the one where Jenna plays a new companion - as well as the Eleventh Doctor. It’s the final chapter of a 12-parter, however, so you may need to invest in the others to make sense of it all.

A Christmas Carol: You need to go hunting for this one as there are zillions of audio adaptations. This was an audio drama done exclusively for Audible streaming a few years ago. Last I looked it was available for free, but I’ve never heard it so don’t know how much of a role Jenna plays in it. Being made for Audible, it’s unlikely to ever get a legal CD release.

Pressures, Residential: a Black Mirror-esque short story recorded by Jenna for an Esquire Magazine-related fundraiser during the early months of C19. No physical release is expected but you can listen to the story - and read along with the text - here.

Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales: Jenna is one of many celebrities (including David Tennant and Pearl Mackie) who recorded readings of Potter’s children’s stories for this CD set. No listing on Amazon but it’s available worldwide from Book Depository and possibly from shops that are well-stocked with CD audio books. There’s probably a digital version but I haven’t checked.

#jenna coleman #our queen

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aelric · 7 years

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Prompt: You're always on my mind, really fluffy please :)

They’re more than a hundred miles apart. Aaron is in bedalone while Robert attends a conference in Birmingham. He’s lying on his side,one arm stretched out over the empty mattress where Robert should be. He canstill smell him there; the lingering smell of his overpriced cologne and poshshampoo clinging to the pillowcase. They spoke to each other over Skype earlierin the evening, Robert chatting away while he changed into his suit and did hishair, Aaron listening and smiling while curled up on the sofa in his pajamaseating leftover pasta bake. It’s one of those things that makes being together so much different to justsleeping together. The ease of conversation. The simplicity of each other’scompany. The way the words never run out.

When he’d decided he was late enough to be aloof but notrude, Robert bid Aaron goodnight, kissing his fingers and pressing his hand tothe webcam. Aaron told him to stop being such a sap, but couldn’t wipe thesmile off his face even after Robert had long since ended the call.

He misses him. It’s not so much an ache as a longing forsomething just out of reach. He misses Robert’s back pressed against hisstomach. The sound of his breathing. The way he turns over in the night so theyalways wake up nose-to-nose. He knows he won’t be gone for long, but he misseshim all the same.

His phone buzzes on the bedside table. When he picks it upand blinks the words on the screen into view, a warmth spreads from his heartand fills the whole of his chest.

You’re always on mymind.

He sleeps soundly after that.

#it's that time of the evening again lads #also i know it's always birmingham in my fics #but im from the midlands #give me a break #emmerdale #robert sugden #aaron dingle #robron #myfic #mine

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sugdenlovesdingle · 3 years

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Flufftober day 17: Reunion/reuniting

MAD - Massive Aaron Dilemma (AO3)

What if they had gone to the musical festival together during the 2017 break up?

---

“This came for you.” Vic casually dropped an envelope next to Robert’s elbow. He’d been pushing a piece of toast around his plate for the past hour or so, wallowing in self-pity about the mess he’d made of his life – as per.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. I’m not going to open a letter addressed to you, am I?”

Robert muttered something under his breath that Vic ignored and turned the envelope over in his hands.

He hadn’t been back in Vic’s box room for long and he couldn’t think of anyone wanting to send him a letter, let alone at this address.

But the envelope had his name on it, and Keepers cottage, Emmerdale.

After a few more minutes of starting at it and wondering who it came from, Robert ripped open the envelope.

“Oh...” he said to himself when the content dropped on the table.

Two festival tickets he’d bought as a surprise for Aaron, what felt like a lifetime ago.

They’d still been at the pub and Robert had come across an online ad one day and the announcement that one of Aaron’s favourite bands was playing. He’d decided to put Vic’s address down instead of having it sent to the pub, so nobody would accidentally open it, or Aaron would see it.

“What is it?” Vic asked, noticing her brother’s reaction at the letter. “All the bills are in my name so that’s not what shocked you so much. Though if you want to help out with the bills, I wouldn’t stop you, you know.”

“I’ll cook tonight…” Robert said, not looking away from the tickets.

Vic sat down at the table and slid one of the tickets towards her to take a look.

“Oh I’ve heard about this festival. It’s supposed to have a great line up. Who are you taking? Your loving sister?” she jokingly bat her eyelashes at him.

“I… uh… I bought them for Aaron…”

“You what? I thought you were giving him space?”

“I am! I bought these ages ago. I forgot about them completely.”

“Right… so what are you going to do with them?”

Robert stared at the tickets on the table.

“I don’t know…”

“Well whatever you decide, you better do it quickly, the festival is in a few weeks already.”

After a few days of going over every possible option in his mind, Robert finally made a decision. He was going to give Aaron the tickets to do with them as he pleased.

He made his way over to the scrapyard, hoping to find him there.

“Hey…” he knocked on the open door and Aaron looked up from his computer.

“Hey… why are you knocking?”

“I… I don’t know… I guess I just… wasn’t sure you’d want me here?”

Aaron shrugged.

“You work here too don’t you?”

“Well… yeah…”

“Though I haven’t seen you here in weeks.”

Robert felt like he’d just been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

“I uh… I’ve been working from home… to give you space… like I said I would.” He explained. “Vic’s not best pleased with me taking over her dining table with my work.” He gave an awkward little chuckle and wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

“Right…” Aaron trailed off and cleared his throat. “So why are you in now? Do you need something from here?”

“No. Yes. Kind of. I… I need to talk to you… if… if you have time…”

“I’ve got time.”

Robert nodded and reached into his jacket pocket to take out the envelope with the tickets.

“I bought these ages ago… as a surprise for you…” he handed Aaron the envelope. “Maybe you can take Adam or something…”

Aaron opened it and let the tickets drop on his desk.

“You bought festival tickets?”

“Yeah… I uh sort of stumbled across an announcement for it online… and I wanted to surprise you. One of your favourite bands is playing.”

Aaron turned to his computer and looked up the festival website.

“It’s a great line up.” He said after a few minutes.

“Yeah… I thought about selling the tickets and giving you the cash… but I figured you’d like to actually go. A lot of your favourites are playing… And it’s not really my scene anyway so… You and Adam have fun.”

“I don’t think this is really Adam’s thing.”

“Oh… well… someone else then… I’m sure you can find someone to tag along.”

“Yeah…” Aaron nodded, turning back to the line-up on his computer screen. “Or you and me could go together. As friends.”

“You what?”

Aaron shrugged.

“You paid for these… it’s only fair you’d get to use them.”

“I… you… you want to go… with me?”

“Why not? It could be fun.”

“I… I… I don’t know what to say…”

“Just say you’ll come along? We’ll each get our own tent though because I don’t want you to keep me awake all night complaining about the cold or the bugs or the uncomfortable air mattress.” Aaron teased.

“I wouldn’t!” Robert felt his cheeks heat up and Aaron chuckled. “Alright. I’ll go. I’ll show you I can handle sleeping in a tent for three days.”

The weeks leading up to the festival were a rollercoaster of emotions for Robert.

On days where they’d meet up in the pub to go over the schedule and pick what bands they wanted to see, it was almost like they’d never broken up.

Only then suddenly he’d catch a glimpse of Aaron’s bare ring finger and the spell was broken.

“Oi, Robert. I asked you something.” Aaron snapped his fingers in front of Robert’s face.

“What? Sorry… I uh… was miles away…”

“Clearly. I asked if you wanted to take one car or two.”

“Oh… I don’t know. What do you want?”

“Doesn’t matter.” Aaron shrugged. “I’m good either way. But we need to sort a parking pass for each car.”

“Right. Uhm. Maybe just one?” Robert suggested carefully.

“Sure.” Aaron replied and typed something on his phone. “We’ll take yours then.”

“Uh… ok. Wait, what are you doing?”

“Sorting a parking pass. Do you have your license on you? I need the document number.”

Robert took his wallet out of his pocket and handed Aaron his driver’s license.

They sat in silence for a few minutes while Aaron completed the form, Robert wondering if he should say something or help out in some way.

“There. Done. I put down your email address so you should get a confirmation any minute now.” Aaron put his phone down and sat back in his chair. “I was thinking we’d leave early Friday morning? So we’ll have time to set up the tents and stuff before the first bands start.”

“Alright. I’ll drive.”

That Friday morning they were on the road before most of the village had even woken up and they arrived at the camp site around mid-morning.

It took some time and a lot of arguing back and forth until they’d both put up their tents in a spot they both agreed on.

Aaron wanted to be near the main stage, Robert not too far from the car and the showers. They reached a compromise and found a spot somewhere in the middle of the two.

By the time they gotten settled in properly, the first band was starting on the main stage. It wasn’t one either of them were particularly interested in, but they went to check it out nonetheless.

After walking around a bit they found a spot on a hill where they had a good view of the stage and when Robert got them both a beer, he’d decided maybe he could do this friendship thing with Aaron after all.

That was until the day progressed and one of Aaron’s favourite bands were performing and he wanted to go up to the front while Robert was perfectly happy in his spot on the hill.

“Mate if your boyfriend won’t come with, just tag along with us.” A guy with bright green and purple hair said to Aaron and the group of guys with him all agreed.

“You sure?” Aaron looked back and forth between them and Robert.

“Yeah, come on.” The guy linked his arm through Aaron’s and dragged him away, leaving Robert on his own.

“I’ll see you back at the tents!” Aaron called out over his shoulder.

Robert considered following them but decided against it. He wasn’t going to make an even bigger prat of himself than he already had.

Aaron stayed true to his word and did eventually make it back to the tents, only he’d brought the guy and his friends with him.

“This is Olly, Sean, Alex, Scott , and… sorry mate I forgot your name.” Aaron introduced the guys, giving the last guy an apologetic look.

“It’s Eddie.” The guy said and accepted a beer from Aaron.

“Right. Everyone, this is Robert, Robert this is everyone.”

Robert forced a smile and mumbled a nice to meet you.

The guys were nice enough but as the night went on, the urge to strangle them became harder and harder to fight.

Especially Olly who couldn’t make it more obvious he liked Aaron if he tried. And the worst thing was that Aaron didn’t turn him down.

“I’m going to bed.” Robert said somewhere around midnight.

“What? Already? It’s still early.” Aaron said surprised.

“Yeah I know, but I’m tired and I’ve got a headache. It’s been a long day. You guys have a good night.” He said and disappeared into his tent. He tossed and turned for what felt like hours and listened to the conversations around him, wondering if he could fake an emergency at home to get out of the other two days.

When he woke up the next morning and crawled out of his tent, he was happy to find Aaron on his own outside his own tent and no sign of the guys from the night before.

“Morning. Feeling better?”

“Yeah… I guess I just… needed a good night’s sleep.”

Aaron nodded and held up an old fashioned kettle.

“Brew?”

“Sure.” Robert replied and watched Aaron make him his tea without even bothering to ask how he liked it. He supposed he knew him well enough by now to know that. “So… did those guys stay long?”

“I don’t know… few hours maybe.”

“Right.”

“Nothing happened if that’s what you’re thinking…”

“I wasn’t. And even if it had… none of my business, right? You’re single… you can hook up with a guy you just met if you want to.” Robert said, and when he looked up at Aaron, he couldn’t figure out the look on his face.

“Right. Yeah.” Aaron cleared his throat. “The first band we wanted to see isn’t on for ages…”

“Ok.”

“Maybe we can wander around a bit? See what else is there is apart from the bands.”

They spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon wandering around the festival grounds, trying out food from various food trucks, daring each other to get a henna tattoo, and getting sucked into some political debate that Aaron had to almost forcefully drag Robert away from because he was worried he was going to deck his opponent.

When Aaron suggested going up to the main stage to find a spot near the front, Robert agreed without hesitation, not wanting to live through a repeat of the night before.

It turned out he knew the band better than he thought and spending the night jumping, dancing, screaming, and singing along with the music was more fun than he’d expected.

When the performances on the main stage had ended for the night they ended up at an afterparty where they stayed until they could barely stand anymore from exhaustion and alcohol.

“I had a really good time today.” Robert announced a little too loudly as they made their way back to their tents.

“Me too.” Aaron agreed. “Who knew the great Robert Sugden would enjoy slumming it in a field without room service and a decent shower?” he teased.

Robert wanted to reply and tell him to fuck off, but at that moment he saw his tent, or rather, what was left of it.

What had been his nice, comfortable 2 person tent this morning was now a flat pile of canvas and poles with some lumps where his stuff was supposed to be.

It took every ounce of Robert’s self-control not to break down and cry.

Aaron started looking through the mess and managed to dig out the bag with his clothes and toiletries and his sleeping bag.

“Rob, check if anything’s been stolen.” He ordered but Robert could only stand there and look at the ruins of his tent. “Did you bring an air mattress? Do you have your phone on you? And your car keys?” Aaron continued and checked Robert’s pockets himself when the other man didn’t reply.

A few people who’d pitched their tent nearby came to see if they could help, and soon what was left of Robert’s tent was back upright, but it was clear he wouldn’t be able to sleep in it anymore.

“You can sleep in my tent. It’s supposed to sleep three so there’s plenty of room for the two of us.” Aaron decided and moved Robert’s stuff into his tent.

Someone gave them an air mattress, they’d been able to salvage Robert’s own sleeping bag, and Aaron made a pillow for himself out of some clothes and gave Robert his.

“Come on, get some sleep. We’ll deal with the rest in the morning.”

Sleeping close to Aaron always had a calming effect on Robert, but now he couldn’t just reach out and wrap his arms around him or throw a leg over one of his, he was feeling anything but calm, and by the time it got too hot in the tent to even pretend to sleep, he was exhausted.

Aaron made them both a sandwich and some tea and together they sorted through the remnants of Robert’s tent, saving a few more things, but realising they’d have to throw most of it away.

“We’ll just leave it all behind tomorrow. They’ll throw it away when they clean the place up.” Aaron said and Robert just nodded. “Are you ok?”

Robert shrugged.

“I’ve still got my clothes and my money…”

“Yeah but they took a lot of your other stuff and destroyed your tent…”

Robert shrugged again and rubbed a hand over his face.

“I think I just want to go home… I’ll call Vic for a lift so you can stay and drive my car back tomorrow.”

Aaron moved a little closer and put a hand on Robert’s shoulder.

“Just stay a little longer? Let’s go check out the local stage. It’ll be quieter there and you can get your head together. Just chill for a bit. And if you still want to go home in a few hours, we’ll pack up and go home together.”

“What? No. I can’t let you do that. Your favourite band is closing tonight.”

“I’m sure this won’t be the last gig they play. I can see them another time. I’m not letting you go home alone.” Aaron insisted and got up. “And besides, it’s supposed to rain later.”

Robert reluctantly let Aaron pull him to his feet and together they went to the local stage. As Aaron had predicted it was a lot quieter there, with people seemingly using it to get over their hangover.

They settled down in the grass near the stage where a woman of around their age was tuning a guitar.

“It’s nice here.” Robert admitted after a while and Aaron smiled.

“I told you it would be.”

The woman on stage turned out to be a singer songwriter from Hotten who played mostly her own songs with a few covers mixed in.

“The next song isn’t one of mine but it’s one of my favourites ever. Feel free to sing along if you know it.”

She started playing and within seconds Robert recognised the song, but it wasn’t until she started singing that he realised what it was.

I could hold you for a million years

To make you feel my love

Suddenly he was overly aware of Aaron sitting right next to him.

Should he acknowledge it or ignore it? What would Aaron want him to do? They’d been having a good weekend but they were only there as friends.

“Stop thinking so loudly, you’re drowning out the music.” Aaron teased, moving closer and grabbing Robert’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

Robert looked down at their joined hands and then up at Aaron’s face, trying to figure out what he was doing.

“Just relax.” Aaron smiled and squeezed his hand, and all Robert could think was that he wasn’t making that very easy for him. His heart was racing and he was sure his hands were sweaty.

No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do

To make you feel my love

Aaron moved their hands up to his mouth and kissed Robert’s knuckles, a move so familiar and loving it made his heart hurt.

“I love you.” Aaron said softly.

“You do?” Robert asked and wanted to kick himself for saying something so stupid, but Aaron just laughed a little.

“Yeah. I do.” He replied and pulled Robert close and kissed him.

“But… what about Rebecca… and the baby?” Robert asked, trying not to get himself lost in the moment.

Aaron pulled him in for another kiss.

“We’ll figure it out. Together.”

#robron #robron fic #flufftober #aaron dingle #robert sugden #my writing

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softlass27 · 3 years

Text

an ibhfc version of emmerdale's first pride (plus another one in the future) to make up for this week's upcoming episodes with aaron and the village's resident kayaking creep

AO3 link here

Pride 2021

“Right, that’ll be £7.99, please.” Victoria pushed Aaron’s lunch towards him.

“Cheers.”

“Oh, almost forgot!” She grabbed a brightly-coloured collection tin that was sitting on the end of the counter. “We’re taking donations for the Pride festival if you’ve got any spare change?”

Aaron frowned. “What Pride festival?”

“Oh, didn’t you hear? Charles is organising it.”

“In the village?”

“Yeah, he says it’s mad that we’ve not had one before. Apparently it was always a big event at his last parish. He’s not wrong, really, it’s about time we did more than your mum sticking a bit of multi-coloured bunting up behind the pub each June.”

“Huh.”

“Think you’ll go? It’s next weekend.”

“I – ”

“From what Charles and Ethan said, it should be fun,” Vic spoke over him, hands waving animatedly. “There’s music, food and games, all sorts! It’s family-friendly too, so you can bring Seb. We can go together if you want? I was planning on meeting up with Matty and Amy but – ”

“Vic, stop for breath would ya?” Aaron huffed a laugh. “Yeah, I'm up for it.”

On the morning of the festival, Victoria let herself into Mulberry Cottage and cast an appraising look over Aaron. He shuffled uncomfortably.

“What?”

She gave a quick wave to Seb, who was sitting on the sofa, and looked Aaron up and down again. “That’s what you’re wearing, is it?”

He glanced down at his black t-shirt and jeans. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing! Except, well, it’s not very colourful is it?”

“You’ve known me, what, 13 years? When have you ever seen me do colourful?”

“But it’s Pride!”

“So?”

“Oh come on, you have to get into the spirit of it. Speaking of which – ” She rummaged in her oversized handbag and pulled out a small, light blue article of clothing, passing it over. “I saw this in town and I couldn’t resist.”

As Aaron unfolded it, he realised it was a child-sized pair of dungarees with a bright rainbow stitched across the chest. His mouth quirked upwards.

“Alright, that’s pretty cute.”

“I know, right? Should’ve got something for you too, you big grump.”

The retort Aaron was about to give her was cut off when he felt tug on his trousers and looked down to see Seb standing next to him.

“Is that for me?” He asked, looking at the dungarees with curiosity.

“Yep, Auntie Vic got them for you to wear to Pride today. What d’you say?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. You’d better hurry and get ready, though, or we’ll be late!”

Seb grabbed Aaron’s hand and started tugging him towards the stairs. “Daddy, come on!”

Although he was a little young to quite get what Pride was all about, he’d been full of beans about the whole thing ever since Aaron had told him they were going to a party, especially once he’d found out Isaac and Dotty would be there, too.

“Alright, let’s get you changed.” He looked back at Vic and rolled his eyes. “I’ll get changed, too.”

She grinned at him.

“Did you and Robert ever go to Pride?” Vic quietly asked as the four of them made their way to the field where the festival was being held, Seb in his new dungarees and Aaron in the one green t-shirt owned (“It’s a colour that’s on the flag, Vic, that’s as good as you’re getting.”)

“Nah.” Aaron shook his head. “Never got round to it. We used to talk about maybe going to the one in Leeds or something, but somethin’ always came up. Then we'd always say we’d go the next year but… ”

But we ran out of years.

“Yeah.” Vic’s face fell a little and she squeezed Aaron’s hand lightly. “But we’ll have a nice time, won’t we?”

“Daddy, there’s music!” Seb called from where he was walking just in front of them. They could indeed hear the sound of upbeat pop music blasting through a speaker as they got closer to the festival. “Hurry!”

“Coming, mate.” Aaron called after his retreating back, smiling at his enthusiasm. He sighed and squeezed Vic’s hand in return. “Yeah, we’ll have a good time.”

Considering Emmerdale’s tiny size, the village’s first Pride event had a pretty good turnout. The festival was full of so much colour and noise that Aaron ended up hoisting Seb up on his hip, slightly wary of losing track of him in among the chaos. The three of them wandered around for a while, taking in the party-like atmosphere and watching Charles and Ethan both make heartfelt speeches on the small stage that had been set up.

At some point Marlon called Victoria's name and she went over to catch up with him and April, leaving Aaron and Seb to carry on exploring alone. The little boy seemed to love it so far, taking in the sights and sounds with increasing delight.

“You wanna get your face painted? Aaron asked, pointing to a tent where Matty and Amy were emerging hand in hand, both of them covered in body paint.

Seb clapped his hands enthusiastically. “Yeah!”

They made their way inside and sat across from a girl who looked barely 20 and was covered head to toe in paint and glitter.

“Hello.” She smiled brightly at Seb, who predictably turned under the attention bashful and tucked himself against Aaron’s chest. She tilted her head down to catch his eye. “What’s your name?”

“Seb.”

“Nice to meet you, Seb, I’m Freya. Do you want some rainbows?”

Seb nodded shyly and sat as still as a three year-old could while she carefully painted a small pride flag on each of his cheeks, Aaron holding his waist to stop him from squirming too much under the tickle of the brush.

“There, all done.” She brandished her brush towards Aaron. “Are we doing your face as well?”

“Uh, no thanks.”

“Yes.” Seb smacked a palm on Aaron’s cheek enthusiastically. “Rainbows for you, too!”

Aaron sighed. The things he did for his son.

“Alright. Do your worst.”

When they emerged from the tent five minutes later and bumped into Vic again, her eyes lit up with glee.

“Aaron Dingle with glitter on his face.” She fumbled frantically for her phone. “Don’t move, I need a photo.”

“No, don’t – ”

“Moira!” Vic ignored him and called over his shoulder. “Both of them, can you believe it?”

Aaron turned around to see Moira coming towards them with Cain just behind her – Cain whose cheek was adorned with a rainbow flag identical to Aaron’s. He let out a snort that had Cain’s eyes narrowing dangerously at him.

“Not a word out of ya.”

“Wow, how’d they get you?”

“This one made me.” Cain gestured to Isaac, who dropped his hand to run towards Seb, the two of them immediately chasing each other in circles around the adults' legs.

“Come on, you two!” Moira was stood next to Vic, both their phones held up. “Smile!”

Neither of them smiled, but they let them take a couple of snaps.

“Perfect,” Moria smirked down at her screen and turned the phone so Aaron could see a photo of himself and Cain both with matching scowls and rainbows on their faces. “This one’s going on the fridge.”

“You have fun today?” Aaron asked Seb as he carried him home.

Seb’s arms were wrapped loosely around Aaron’s neck and he could barely keep his eyes open, exhausted like most of the other kids in the village. The daytime part of the festival was over, only the child-free people sticking around into the night to keep drinking and dancing.

“Mhm,” Seb hummed tiredly, head flopping around on Aaron’s shoulder. “C’n we do it again?”

“If they do another one next year, then yeah. We can go again.”

He unlocked the door to Mulberry Cottage one-handed, depositing Seb on the sofa and carefully easing his shoes off. He glanced at the photos on the mantlepiece, Robert’s smiling face looking back at him. Aaron straightened up and moved to stand in front of them, adjusting one of the frames slightly.

“Finally went to Pride,” he said quietly. “Can you believe it?”

Just wish you could’ve come with me.

****

Pride 2025

“Morning!” Vic let herself into Mulberry Cottage, Harry in tow. “Happy Pride.”

“Happy Pride!” Seb shouted back from where he was fiddling with Molly’s rainbow-coloured leash (a purchase he’d talked Aaron into making from one of the stalls the previous year).

“Hiya.” Aaron jogged down the stairs. “Thought you’d be goin' with Ryan this year. He’s got the girls, right?”

“Yeah, we're spending the day together but I told him that me and Harry would meet him there. Us lot always go to Pride together, I’m not breaking tradition now.” She gave Aaron’s blue jeans and red t-shirt an approving nod. “Wow, red and blue this year. Really pushing the boat out.”

“Shut up, you.”

“Where’s that brother of mine?”

“He was just dropping some stuff from the cafe off at the festival, cakes and sandwiches an’ that. Said he’d come back before we set off, though.”

“Well he’d better hurry himself up, I don’t wanna miss whoever Ethan’s got opening the festival this year. And it’s Robert's first one, we can’t be late!”

“Alright, keep your hair on.” Robert appeared in the doorway, nudging past her to come inside. “You can’t be late to a festival, Vic, they’re sort of all day things.”

“You get the food sorted alright?” Aaron asked, shoving his wallet and phone into his pockets.

“Yeah, Jimmy and Nicola are all set up. They’ve roped Angelica into helping out, poor kid.” Robert ruffled Harry's hair before grabbing a bottle of suncream from the coffee table and kneeling down in front of Seb. “Right, suncream on then we can go.”

“I can do it myself,” Seb protested, batting Robert’s hands away from his face.

“Hm. See, I believed you when you said that at the beach the other weekend and we ended up coming home with you looking like a lobster. Keep still.”

Seb sighed and let Robert rub suncream all over him with only a bit of squirming, giggling when Robert finished by poking him sharply in the ribs.

“Dad, not on my t-shirt!” He said, smoothing a protective hand over his new rainbow-striped top. “Don’t get it dirty.”

“Alright, you big fusspot,” Robert teased, kissing him on the head and rising to his feet.

“Leave him alone, you’re no better,” Vic said with a tut. “Right, come on. Chop chop!”

She opened the door to let both Seb and Harry run outside, following closely behind them. Aaron picked up Molly’s leash and held out a hand to Robert.

“Ready?”

Robert grinned and took it.

“Let’s do it.”

The thing about Charles and Ethan was, they always had to one-up themselves. Aaron had no idea how they did it, but every year they somehow managed to increase their budget enough to make Emmerdale Pride bigger and better until now, four years on, the first festival they held looked tiny in comparison. Huge crowds of people swarmed the village, taking in the countless stalls, games, music, drag acts and and live bands playing all day. There were even a few rides this year.

As they made their way through the madness, Aaron gave Robert a quick nudge.

“Okay?”

They were only in the village and they knew a lot of the people there, but there were still some days where Robert and large crowds didn’t mix well. Thankfully, it seemed that today wasn't one of those days, as Robert shot him a small smile and nodded.

“I’m good.”

“Dads!” Seb shouted, running back to tug both their hands. “Can we do the face-painting first?”

Robert let out a mock groan. “Do I have to?”

“If I’m not getting out of it, neither are you,” Aaron muttered.

“Doesn’t have to be rainbows,” Seb said to Robert, shrugging matter-of-factly. “You can get the bisexual colours if you want?”

Aaron watched Robert’s eyes widen ever-so slightly in surprise, before he nodded and let Seb lead him towards to the face-painting tent.

After a few hours of exploring and mingling with the other villagers, Aaron and Robert collapsed with a couple of pints at one of the picnic tables, both of them in need of a breather. They’d picked a spot in the shade, keeping half an eye on Seb playing with a group of other kids while they listened to the band currently playing on the stage. Molly drank from the bowl of water they’d put down on the grass for her, before jumping up into Robert’s lap.

After sitting in comfortable silence for a few minutes, Aaron took a long, cooling gulp of his pint and looked away from Seb to glance at Robert. His husband was absently stroking Molly, watching the festival with a slightly pensive look on his face that made Aaron’s brow furrow.

“You alright?”

Robert blinked and turned to look at him. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“If you're tired, we can go home, y'know.”

Robert gave him a reassuring squeeze on the wrist. “I know. Honestly, it's nothing, just... ” He trailed off and stared once more at the festivities around them. “Could you ever have imagined anythin’ like this in the village when we were growing up?”

That was an easy question to answer.

“No.”

Aaron knew for a fact that the teenage version of him would have never imagined in his wildest dreams seeing the village transformed this way, decked out in bright colours, full of people like him, every resident open and accepting. And he knew the idea would’ve seemed even less likely when Robert was a teenager.

“Bet your dad’s rolling in his grave.”

Robert barked a surprised laugh. “Yeah, probably.”

They watched the party for another couple of minutes, then Robert nodded towards where Seb was tackling Dotty in an overly-enthusiastic game of tag.

“I’m glad that he gets to grow up in this version of the village,” he said softly. “Whether he turns out to be straight or gay or bi – whatever – I don’t want him to ever be scared of being different, like you an’ me were back in the day.”

“Don’t say ‘back in the day’, makes us sound ancient.”

“Well if you keep complaining about your back aching every time we – ”

“Oi!” Aaron gave his shoulder a punch, before trailing his hand down his arm to link their fingers together as they both watched Seb. “Yeah, me too. It is different for him, he knows he can be whoever he wants here. No one’s gonna have a go at him over who he does or doesn’t fancy. And he knows we love him no matter what.”

“Course he does.”

Robert grinned warmly at him and leaned across the table to press his lips to Aaron’s. The two of them kissed lazily until Molly jumped up between them to lick at both their chins and they broke away with a laugh.

“Can't go more than five minutes without needing attention, can you?” Robert pulled her back into his lap, scratching her behind the ears until she settled again. The pink, purple and blue stripes on his face were smudged from where Aaron’s thumb had just rubbed over his cheekbone.

“Sounds like someone I know.”

“Piss off.”

Aaron drained the last of his pint and put the glass to one side, resting his elbows on the table. “Good first Pride, then?”

“Great first Pride.” Robert quirked an eyebrow at him. “It’ll be even better if we carrying on celebrating at home. Y’know, once the kid’s in bed.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Think we've got a bottle of champers in the fridge; I say we crack that open, take it upstairs and then – ”

“Daddy!” Seb ran up to them, grabbing Aaron’s elbow with a pleading look in his eyes. “Can we go on the dodgems? Isaac says him and Uncle Cain are going on.”

Aaron groaned and stretched his arms over his head. “Right now?”

“Yeah, we have to get them!”

Aaron huffed a laugh and dropped his arms. “Well in that case.” He paused and turned to Robert. “Unless you’d rather have a go?”

Robert shook his head rapidly. “Nah, me and Molly are good here, we'll save the table. Go crash some cars, boy racer.”

“Come on, then.”

As they headed in the direction of the bumper cars, Aaron looked back to see Vic appearing at Robert’s side, looking a little tipsy as she sat down next to him. By the time they were standing in the queue for the ride with Cain and Isaac, he could see the Sugden siblings had been joined by Ryan and his girls, plus Diane and Harry, all of them piling onto the table and surrounding them. Robert was laughing at something Ryan was saying, eyes crinkling. When he saw Aaron watching, he shot him a small wave. He looked happy and content, and the sight of it made something warm settle in Aaron's chest.

It wasn't his first Pride, but it was the best one he'd had so far.

“Dad,” Seb piped up, grabbing his attention. “It's our turn”

“Alright, let’s show Cain and Isaac how it's done.”

#ibhfc #the pride ep hasn't even aired yet and i already felt the need to do a fix-it fic #my writing #robron

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nooneelsecomesclose17 · 3 years

Text

Who says I want to go back

This contains spoilers for Friday's ep of Emmerdale, because it enraged me so much I had to write a fix-it. So have a Robert's the one helping with Liv fic. I've borrowed relevant bits of dialogue from the ep (watching that twice was not pleasant btw)

--------

"Well I need something to forget that I'm here with you. When you're in my face Aaron, I hate you." He can tell himself that she's just mouthing off, that she doesn't mean it but it still hurts, has every time she's said it.

"Yeah I know Liv, you keep telling me. What am I supposed to do, I'm terrified. I can't stop you hurting yourself."

"Please. I'm not in danger. You're just a control freak that can't stand me having fun." He can see Robert, standing just inside the door, trying not to intervene because just lately that makes everything worse, but he knows he's there, that's what's important. He should be on his way to see Seb, he's already late and he nods, tells him to go, he can manage.

"That's not true."

"You want everyone to be as miserable as you, don't ya. Oh poor Aaron. You wouldn't want to be happy if you knew how to. You just want to drag us down cos of what you've been through." He just shakes his head. Is it true, is she right, does he do that? Robert's always teasing him for being grumpy, but is it more than that, does he drag him down too. "What, no shouty comeback?"

"If that's what you think then there's nothing I can say is there." He doesn't wait for an answer, just grabs his coat and leaves. There's no point even trying to talk to her when she's like that.

He heads to the yard, maybe an hour or so of bashing the hell out of metal will help calm him down. He should've gone with Robert like he suggested, but he hadn't wanted to leave Liv alone all that time.

It doesn't work like it always had in the past, and Robert's not answering, even after enough time has passed for him not to be driving.

"You alright kiddo?" He throws the crowbar down as Cain approaches.

"What's she done now?"

"Who? Your demon of a sister? Nowt, but your Mum said you'd had words."

"Something like that." He collapses down on the steps, throwing his gloves on the ground.

"You alright? She said Sugden was off to Liverpool."

"Yeah, to see Seb. Not like we can have him at ours right now is it?"

"You know, it's not a failure to say you can't cope."

"There's no one else is there? Sandra's worse than useless and she doesn't have anyone else. I'll sort it Cain. You'd never leave Mum to fend for herself would ya?"

"I might if she didn't want my help. I'm just saying...it's alright to fail." He nods, because he can't. He's failed her once already, he left her behind. He won't do it again, no matter how hard she pushes him.

--------

She's not about when he gets home and after making himself a cuppa he tries Robert again, just wants to hear his voice.

"Robert, this is really not a good day for you to do that ignoring calls thing. Just, call me back, please. I need you."

"God that was pathetic. No wonder he's not answering. Maybe he's finally seen the light. He's gone off to Liverpool for a couple of days, who knows what he's getting up to there."

"Why would he Liv?" Her words don't even hurt anymore, he knows Robert better than that, trusts him properly now.

"Wouldn't be the first time with her would it? All he's got here is you leaving whiny messages on his phone."

"You don't have to pick a fight just to cover what you're really after. It's right there."

"Aw what's up, don't want to tell me what to do anymore cos hubby's off with the ex?"

"Enough! Do you know why he's gone there huh? It's cos we daren't have Seb here with you like this. Just go Liv, get out of my sight."

"You just can't face up to the truth can you? He's up there with her and you're here, alone. Face it Aaron, you're the fool."

"Oi! What the hell is going on?" Both of them turn round at the sound of Robert's voice. Aaron smiles when he sees he's got Seb in his arms, immediately reaching out for the little boy who he's sure has grown since the last time he saw him.

"Liv was just telling me what she thought you were getting up to in Liverpool." He can see when Robert realises what he means, and he takes Seb into the kitchen away from the pair of them. "Hey mate, it's alright, we're not mad at you. How about a biccy eh?"

"Oh was she. Why don't you enlighten me?" He sets Seb at the table with a colouring book they keep handy before watching the two of them.

"Well it wouldn't be the first time would it?"

"I think you're winning in the repeating mistakes game right now don't you? So what brought on this latest round of making everyone hate you? Run out of vodka?"

"Of course you're taking his side!"

"You've all but accused me of cheating so why would I take yours? How long are we doing this for Liv, because I'm tired. Aren't you?"

"Get off my back Robert!"

"Fine. Just get out."

"You can't throw me out. It's my house!"

"So you keep saying, except that's not actually true is it? It's half Aaron's and mine too." He stands his ground and Aaron stops himself from getting her to stay. He doesn't have the energy, just wants Robert and Seb, and some peace. Liv stares at him for minute before she grabs her bag and storms out.

"You know she's just going to drink all that at the pavilion don't you?"

"Yeah, probably. I'll go after her in a bit, when you tell me why I have thirty missed calls?"

"I should go. I'm her brother."

"Yeah well you married me. What's yours is mine and all that crap. I think you've taken enough off her for today don't you?" He runs a hand through Seb's hair before hugging Aaron, holding on until he relaxes properly. "Go on, what did she say?"

"Do I control people? Make them miserable?"

"What, no! Did she actually say that?" Aaron nods. "That's ridiculous."

"You're always saying I'm grumpy."

"Yeah cos you are, and I love you anyway don't I? You never make me miserable though, or anyone else. The only one doing that round here is Liv. I know she's suffering Aaron, but this can't go on."

"I don't know what to do anymore. She won't listen."

"Then we ask for help. As much as I love your Gran, her idea isn't going to work and your Mum's idea...well the less said the better. When I've found her, we're going to see Liam, or Manpreet."

"But..."

"No. We need proper advice Aaron. They'll know who to talk to, or how to talk to her. She doesn't have to know, not yet, but I'm not having you upset like this."

"Ok." He sniffs, pulling back from Robert's arms, feeling cold as soon as he does. "How come he's here?"

"When I got to Rebecca's I saw all your calls and guessed something had gone on so I asked if we could change the weekend to here. She didn't mind, her and Ross have some concert thing they want to go to anyway. Besides he missed ya. I don't do cuddles as well as Daddy Aaron apparently."

--------

"So this is where you're hiding." He sits down on the steps beside her. The bottles beside her are still mostly full so hopefully he can actually get through to her. "Make you feel good does it, hurting Aaron?"

"Does actually."

"Funny...I used to think I could manage all on my own, didn't need anyone else. Without the gallons of vodka obviously, but yeah, I pushed everyone away, said all the right things to make it happen even though inside I was begging someone to stay, to see how much I was hurting, how much I needed them."

"I don't need anyone."

"Except you do, if only to pay the bills so you can afford that." He points to the bottles. "So why don't you talk to me because if I come home again and find you've spoken to Aaron the way you have today you might just find yourself truly alone. Trust me, you don't want that to happen."

"Aaron would never do that."

"Maybe, maybe not. Everyone has their breaking point and I truly don't think he's far from his. So go ahead, if you want to lose your brother forever then I'll give you some tips from when Andy and I hated each other. Or," He picked up one of the bottles, unscrewing the cap and pouring it onto the grass. "You can come home with me now, apologise, and then tomorrow, we'll go to Manpreet or Liam and get some advice."

"And if I don't?"

"I reckon it'll take about an hour to pack the car and then Aaron and I would be gone."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me. I love you Liv, you know I think of you as my sister, but Aaron is my number one priority, him and Seb and I'm not having him putting up with your verbal abuse any longer." He gets up, brushing off the back of his jeans. "I'll leave you to think about it. We'll be at home."

The walk back to Mill calms him down, ready to tell Aaron what he'd said. Liv was likely right, he doesn't think Aaron would ever abandon her, anymore than Robert would Vic, but something had to happen, had to change.

"Do you think it'll work?" Aaron asks him as they watch Seb playing in the garden a while later. There's been no sign of Liv but Robert could only hope she'd listened.

"I don't know, but if it does, then it's a start."

#robron fic #emmerdale spoilers #early ed lb #ok so I don't know if his tactics are good or not #but i figure it's soapy enough #but aaron will always come first for robert #and he wouldn't do a ben of just being on her side against aaron or whatever that is #so anyway it didn't actually go as i thought #but i hope it fixes something

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