the way i see it is very simple, actually; kev is to robert what john was to aaron.
aaron allowed himself to have a relationship with john because he never thought he'd ever see robert again. despite what some think, i believe aaron truly loved john or at least the person he thought he was. he wanted to try having a future with him. they had nice times together, they liked each other. still, aaron carried robert's folded picture in his wallet for almost six years, including the time he was with john who he married.
same thing goes for robert; he thought he'd never see aaron again and allowed himself to have a relationship with someone else, found comfort and had nice times with kev and loves him. he thought he'd be with him and that'd be his future. still, he carried aaron's mended and bloodied picture with him for almost six years including the time he was with kev who he married.
but they found each other again and everything changed and it's a messed up situation, but if there's something they know for certain is that they love and are in love with each other, and they never ever stopped. they are the love of each other's lives, they're soulmates and they want to be together. despite everything, even if it's difficult and if they have to learn each other all over again. they have chosen each other.
the only difference is aaron knows what john did and he no longer feels like he owes him, but he hasn't had any closure, hasn't allowed himself to think about john and what he did and how that makes him feel. right know, robert doesn't even know about the things he's lied about and is hiding from him, he still feels like he owes him and kev's still in his life.
both robert and aaron are complex characters, but i think that's what makes them interesting.
