Chapter Text
For as long as he could remember Aaron had hated being touched. Not just hated it, it caused such a physical reaction in him he avoided contact with people full stop. Maybe he had experienced some kind of childhood trauma that he’d blocked out or the minor issue of his Mum abandoning him or maybe it was just the simple fact that he didn’t much care for anyone, not even himself, all he knew was that it had always been there, that need to not be touched.
Of course it hadn’t been easy, still wasn’t but he’d learnt how to manage it, built up defences against it, from the way he dressed to the way he spoke, it was all designed to put people off, so they didn’t even want to get to know him let alone touch him. There were days when he needed help, he was human after all and there were two people that he could remember that he’d ever allowed to touch him; only under extreme circumstances. His Mum was one, even though she had abandoned him as a child they had somehow managed to move passed that and now they lived together. She didn’t understand it, his condition, but she accepted it with the help of the local vet and her boyfriend at the time Aaron came to live with her, Paddy. Aaron had never met anyone like Paddy before. He was a gentle giant, who wouldn’t hurt a fly and as Aaron got to know him he began to trust him, even after his Mum cheated on him and that trust was enough to allow him in when needed. It was actually Paddy that encouraged him to see a therapist. Naturally he’d refused at first, he wasn’t crazy, but in the end having a ‘diagnosis’ helped. The therapist worked with him to find coping mechanisms, a lot of it centred on him keeping calm through breathing techniques and it was nice to learn he wasn’t the only one who felt like this.
There had only ever been one other person that Aaron had desperately wanted to allow in but he’d pushed him too far, touched him too soon and Aaron had ended up punching him so hard his tooth had fallen out. That kind of put an end to whatever Aaron had been hoping for, so now, he just plodded around Emmerdale destined to a live alone which he was still coming to terms with. The need others had for contact was innate and because Aaron couldn’t enjoy that he often felt isolated. His condition was difficult for people to comprehend and his rejection of touch was often seen as a rejection of the person offering the touch. Thankfully he had a couple of great friends in Vic and Adam and his family, though they didn’t fully understand even after Paddy had sat them all down and explained, accepted him, his Uncle even got him a job at the garage which Aaron loved. Cars were far easier than people anyway. Because of his condition the rest of the village saw him as a thug, always using his fists if someone got too close; tinkering under the hood of a car was Aarons escape. In time the village learned how to interact with him without setting him off and he finally managed to settle into a normal life, well as normal of a life someone like Aaron could expect. That was until a certain blonde walked into the pub.
Aaron had just finished a hard days graft at the garage and fancied a pint before hitting the shower. He looked a right mess, somehow he’d managed to get oil all over the front of his white t shirt even though he wore overalls, it seemed his hands were permanently engrained with dirt and no matter how many times he washed them there was always dirt under his fingernails but he didn’t care as he picked up the cold beer his Mum had just pulled for him.
“Cheers,” he said as he brought the glass to his lips and sighed as he felt the familiar froth cover his top lip which he promptly licked clean.
He took a long gulp as he sat down in his usual spot and drew his bottom lip into his mouth to savour the taste of the bitterness. Hearing the pub door open his eyes automatically found the person who entered hoping it was Adam or Vic having come to keep him company, instead as he looked up his teeth bit sank further into his lip at the sight in front of him. Tall, blonde and dare he say it handsome, the newcomer entered as if he owned the place. He oozed confidence, something which Aaron himself lacked making him immediately irritated at the newcomers presence. As Aaron took another swig of his beer his eyes still locked on the blonde at the other end of the bar their eyes met and Aaron couldn’t help notice the sparkle the blondes eyes contained and when he smiled it sent a shiver down Aarons spine. His fingers began to tingle with need and for the first time in his life he wanted to touch someone, not just somebody, him, he wanted to touch him. The thought scared him so much he jumped to his feet so rapidly the stool he had been occupying went flying and all eyes turned to him. His Mum span around at the commotion, the newcomer ignored, seeing the panic across her sons face she began to fret,
“Aaron love what’s wrong?”
“Nuffin,” Aaron huffed his eyes glued to the blonde man stood behind her who was still smirking at him.
Aaron clenched his fists and closed his eyes, what was happening? His Mum must have noticed something was seriously wrong because she came as close as she dare and asked again,
“Son?”
He could hear the fear in her voice and he hated himself for it. He spun on his feet and practically ran up the stairs to his room, taking them two at a time before throwing himself on his bed, the blondes smile burnt to the back of his eyelids.
*
“He alright?” Robert found himself asking after Aaron had ran from the room, even though he had no idea who the lad was or why he felt the sudden urge to check on his well being.
“Yeah just me son, what can I get ya love?” Chas asked looking at the stranger properly for the first time, her eyebrows pulling together as she tried to place his face.
“Robert?” she questioned it had been years since she'd seen him.
“Chas right?”
Chas nodded enthusiastically and beamed as she pulled him a pint.
“That was your son just now?”
“Yeah our Aaron,” Chas replied before quickly dismissing anymore conversation about the intriguing brunette.
“What are you going back her then?” she quizzed patting his arm and placing his pint in front of him.
“thought it was about time I came back checked on Vic you know how it is,” Robert quipped before taking a sip of his drink.
“Was gonna ask Debbie for me old job back actually,” he added; that wasn’t his original plan but he’d seen the lad, Aaron, had oil stains on his shirt and assumed that he worked at the garage so it couldn’t hurt to get to know him a little better. The panic that crossed Chas' face didn't go unnoticed.
“If she’s still…..” Robert started worried he’d somehow managed to out his foot in it, he’d been gone for so long perhaps something had happened to Debbie.
Chas recovered quickly and the unease on Roberts face seemed to finally register.
“Of course she’s still…” she exclaimed.
And as if they planned it Debbie burst through the door.
“Debs,” Chas shouted in greeting,
“Look whose back.”
“Hi Debbie,” Robert said awkwardly offering his hand not sure how he was supposed to greet the mother of his niece and nephew.
“Long time no see Robert,” Debbie smiled brushing his hand away and pulling him in for a hug which took them both by surprise.
“Yeah suppose it is, how are the kids?” Robert asked, he’d heard from Vic about Sarahs illness, she kept him updated on important things like that.
“Good thanks.”
“Was gonna come and see you later actually, any chance you need an extra pair of hands in the garage? I could use the cash,” Robert added a little sheepishly.
Debbies eyes flashed with panic as she turned to Chas, as if to ask permission.
“Am I missing something?”
“No!” they both protested at the same time.
“Could do with the help,” Debbie admitted looking at Chas shrugging in apology.
Robert was definitely missing something and somehow he knew it had everything to do with Aaron, which made the grumpy brunette even more intriguing in Roberts eyes.