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«Aaron, remember I told you, we’re having dinner at the pub today at 4pm» Robert told him as they stood brushing their teeth in the bathroom. Aaron shook his head as he continued brushing his teeth while Robert rinsed his mouth. «I got to do some work at the office today and than I’ll come pick you up around 3.45 okay?» Robert continued as he dried off his mouth on a towel. Aaron shook his head again. «No» He whispered. Robert turned Aaron around slowly and cupped his face. «Yes we are. We’ve talked about it and decided» Rob reminded him softly. «I changed my mind. I don't want to anymore» Aaron said stubbornly. «I know you don't but we have to do this» Aaron pushed Robert off him and walked into the bedroom and crawled back into bed and pulled the duvet over himself. Robert sighed as he followed him. «I got to go now, I love you. I’ll see you soon» He told Aaron as he grabbed his suit coat.
When he returned hours later Robert wasn't sure what he was expecting but he was quite certain Aaron wasn't about to walk up to the pub with him. He sighed as he stepped into the house and smelt cooking food. «Aaron, I’m home» He called out as he put away some papers he'd have to look at later. «Kitchen!» Aaron yelled back. Biting his lip, Robert walked into the kitchen to see a smiling Aaron cooking dinner and setting the table. «I made rice and chicken» He said simply as he put some glasses on the kitchen table. «Aaron» Robert said seriously. «I made some vegetables too even if their gross. You like them so I made them just for you» Aaron said, ignoring him. «Aaron, I told you, we’re eating at the pub today. We can have this tomorrow» Robert told him. «Oh, I forgot. Well Ive made this now so we can go to the pub tomorrow in stead» Aaron said innocently and put the food on the table. «No, we are going today. We agreed. Come on» Robert said softly and tried to take Aarons hand. «No! No please! I promise I’ll go tomorrow, not today. I don't want to go today!» Aaron desperately told Robert and looked at him panicked.
«Itll be okay, Ill be right with you the whole time» Robert took Aaron’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Aaron shook his head quickly and muttered quietly to himself. «No no no no no» Robert ignored him as he guided him to the hallway. «I’m not ready, I have to wait longer, please, I don’t want to» Aaron whimpered as he tried tugging his hand away from Robert’s grip. «You did so good last time and you’re going to do great today too. You just need to trust me» Robert said as he pushed Aaron to sit down so he could quickly slip some shoes on him. «Robert, please! It’s not safe! It’s dangerous, we have to stay here!» Aaron cried, clutching at Robert’s shirt. «It’s not, Aaron. I promise. Remember where we walked last time? We are going to walk to the playground again but we’re going to walk up to the pub this time in stead of turning back» Robert said as he wiped away some of Aaron’s tears.
«Please, no, Robert» Aaron cried. «I know you think it’s scary but I’ll look after you. Don’t I look after you? Hmm? Protect you?» Robert said softly as Aaron clung to him tightly. «Y-yeah» Aaron whispered shakily. «That’s right, always will. So let’s try okay?» Aaron didn’t answer him, just whimpered and cried some more.
With one arm tightly around Aaron’s waist, Robert opened the door and let Aaron take it on for a second. His arms were clutching Robert’s shirt tightly and he was breathing quickly as he pressed his face into Robert’s neck. «It’s a lovely day, do you see? The sun is shining» Robert said softly as he looked down at Aaron. He opened his eyes to quickly glance around before trying to pull further in to the house. «No, no, shh, it’s okay, we’ll stay here for a bit more» Robert held on to Aaron so he couldn't move. «We’re going to step outside now okay? And than we’re going to walk over to the gate» Robert told Aaron before he slowly managed to get Aaron to take small steps with him so they actually made it outside. «There we go» Robert mumbled as he just carried on walking slowly with Aaron so they made it to their gate. Opening it, they walked through it and turned towards the playground.
«Can we go back now?» Aaron whispered when they got to the playground. Robert led them over to a bench where he sat down, pulling Aaron into his lap. «Let’s take a break before we continue» He said with a smile. Aaron sighed and rested his head on Robert’s shoulder. As two loud honks travelled through the air, Aaron let out a little scream and covered his ears with his hands. «No! No! Robert!» He whimpered. Robert swore if looks could kill, there would be one very dead delivery man right now. «Hey, hey, I got you, I got you, you’re safe. He just drove past, he’s gone now. Nowhere near» He muttered to Aaron as he held him close. «It’s not safe» Aaron whimpered. «Have to go home, Robert please» Aaron started sobbing, his body trembling in fear. Robert found himself silent as he just squeezed Aaron close, rubbing his back. There were tears in his own eyes. «shh, shhh» He whispered softly once the lump in his throat had gone. Aaron wouldn't stop shaking and Robert knew he had lost any hope of getting Aaron to the pub today. «Come on, love, let’s go home» Robert said quietly, rubbing Aaron’s back as they stood up. Neither said a word as they walked home.
Once they’d gotten home, Aaron kicked off his shoes and headed to the kitchen. Robert locked the door and allowed himself to rest his head on it for a few seconds as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. Standing up straight, he took off his shoes as well before walking into the kitchen. Aaron was standing by the sink, drinking water from a glass and his hands were still trembling. Walking over, Robert kiss Aaron’s forehead. «Go sit down on the sofa, I’ll heat us up some food yeah?» He whispered before giving him another kiss. Aaron nodded and started walking. Pulling down some plates, Robert started putting on food. «Robert?» He heard Aaron say quickly. Turning his head he looked at him concerned. «I’m sorry» Aaron whispered while looking down at his glass. «You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. We will try again later, now go on. Find us a program and none of that boring property shows please» Robert told him with a smile. «Okay» Aaron smiled before walking away. Robert’s smile fell as he put the plates in the microwave and heated them up one by one. He hadn’t let Aaron drown in the god damn lake and he wasn’t about to let himself bury himself in this house either. Grabbing the plates he headed into the living room and sat down next to Aaron.
Aaron had just finished half his plate and some news were currently on the TV when Robert felt Aaron’s head fall against his shoulder. Smiling, he kissed Aaron’s head before stroking his hair as he pulled him into his arms so he’d rest more comfortably. «You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it» Robert whispered to himself as he closed his eyes to, leaning back against the sofa cushions.