I love so many things about the world in colour, but what I find so very wonderful is how you’ve captured the love between these two verging on middle aged men, who have been through the mill, weren’t looking to find love again, and just stumbled upon each other. It’s such a comfortable read, it’s a gorgeous love story, and it feels so real and solid. I’m so so so so pleased you’ve talked about writing more of it!
Thank you! That’s the core of what I wanted to get across - that it’s never too late for a second chance, to find new things and people who make you happy and just a little bit more like you. You don’t become “past it” at a certain age, and love can breathe a new lease of life into anyone.
Their meeting is accidental but exactly what they need and what they deserve, after so many hardships on both sides. The comment I’ve received over and over is that it feels very grounded and real, and it has this familiarity and warmth. That’s all I wanted - I grew up and remain in small-town Yorkshire and I know how lonely it can be, and how one person can suddenly make the boundaries of your little world bigger. I also spent much of the initial chapter drafting out in the countryside, so it does come from a very real place.
The newest chapter is almost complete, and will see that warmth continue as they get to explore more of their newfound relationship.
(or, the one where I pick 12 random fics that I love out of my bookmarks and share them with you)
What’s Left of Us by @escapingreality51 -10k
Robert and Aaron having that painful conversation
And All These Little Things by @capseycartwright -3.5k
robert finds a way to support aaron throughout his counselling sessions.
or, four tuesdays that robert supports aaron, and one tuesday where robert needs his husband.
Iceberg by @misswhimsy -18.2k
Future fic. Robert attends counselling to try to help with his depression and guilt.
Too Hard, Heart First by @madroxed -6.2k
Robert Sugden's not a Hero.
Pursuit of the Whole by @portinastorm -6k
“…this becoming one instead of two, was the very expression of his ancient need. And the reason is that human nature was originally one and we were a whole, and the desire and pursuit of the whole is called love.”
Robert and Aaron find each other throughout time, though never in circumstances that it could ever stick.
Daniel in the Den (Felled in the Night) by @magicalrocketships -2k
Everything he felt was trapped in his chest, clamouring to get out, desperate to tear itself out from underneath his skin.
or:
Aaron shows up on Robert's doorstep in the middle of the night.
Move Together by @secondsofhappiness -3.3k
Aaron swallowed hard, smile teary as he allowed his hands to slide out of Robert's jacket and up into his hair, fingers splayed and scratching a little. Robert curled into it making Aaron grin, satisfied. "You are so drunk," he whispered and Robert laughed against his cheek.
"Pretty sure you're meant to be on your wedding day."
The Journey by @yoongii-s -7.8k
Aaron and Robert meet on the Eurostar from Paris to London.
And then again on the train from London to Leeds.
And then again on the bus from Leeds to Emmerdale.
And then finally...
Textbook by @beautifulhigh -2.6k
He looks it up a month following "the incident" and it turns out that he's actually textbook. Of course he didn't come to this conclusion himself, it was Aaron's nurse – the one who fancied him and seemed to ignore the fact that he was there visiting his fiancé – who first said it.
Waste Time with a Masterpiece by @sapphicsugden -14.8k
“So where are you taking me, then?” Aaron asks, rooting around in his bag for his passport.
Robert’s driving, stretched out and languid even in a car, one hand on his thigh, the other on the steering wheel. “Nobody’s spoiled the surprise this time around?”
There’s a wry twist to Robert’s mouth, but Aaron feels momentarily guilty. He’s still gutted they never got to Vegas, but is sure whatever Robert’s got planned will make up for it. “Mum’s not blabbed, you know that."
Robert brushes a hand through Aaron’s hair. His eyes flick to the road as the cars inch forward a little, but looks back as soon as they’ve crawled to a stop. “Clue: a holiday destination, you love it, I think it’s tacky.”
Fireworks, Gold and Dazzling by @littlelooneyluna -3k
"Hey look I know a trick yeah? Just - count to ten and then count back and, and it will help yeah?" Chas knows he is talking to her like she is his child but she finds the thought oddly comforting, this is how he'd be with his child, with Aaron's child, she thinks to herself amongst the chaos of her mind.
- robert finds chas mid panic attack on bonfire night and supports her, prompting chas to understand him a little better.
Waves Know Shores by @robertandliv -4.9k
Their eyes meet over the table and Robert felt soft and warm and fuzzy and all the things that only Aaron ever manages to make him feel with a mere smile.
@portinastorm yeah, it's really frustrating to watch because paddy has always rallied around aaron when he needed him, and to see him sit in the pub and just.... not react when aarons life was literally falling down around him was just an odd storyline choice, i can't understand why they wouldn't have paddy at least trying to get involved (even if aaron was like back off or whatever.) like.... cain was SO involved that time aaron went to prison for shooting robert and it felt like the dingles were so involved and concerned and this time around we didn't really get any of that? like i know the focus was more on liv and robert and how aaron being away affected their family unit but there feels like there's such a disconnect between aaron and the dingles, and aaron and paddy right now, and im not a fan. the best thing about ed was always the familial aspect to storylines, and aaron seems to be on his own in this, and victorias spent more time worrying about rebecca than taking to her actual brother (also where is diane) like i don't mind this storyline but it just seems so odd to just have none of their family involved in the aftermath when that's always the best kind of soapy drama!!
@portinastorm My Two Dads was amazing. Basically, the girl’s mother died and because she didn’t know which of the two men was the father she left her daughter in the custody of both of them and they raised her never knowing who the actual father was. I imagine it would be terrible to watch now, but it would kind of be hilarious for Robert and Ross. I imagine Aaron would get annoyed pretty fast though.
@portinastorm I've never seen that, but I'd believe that. The only ones in the scene I felt bad for was Aaron, Robert and Lawrence because he didn't know what way was up and because the boys were blindsided in public which is shitty.
@capseycartwright ~ babes i'd only be returning the favour after all those times you've broke mine so... 💗 @nooneelsecomesclose17 ~ break you very slowly and then suddenly and then slowly again lmoa 💜 @annemonyk-g ~ babe it's a bloody Journey™ honestly! 💚 @robronsnugglebean ~ aww my lovely, thank you for being so kind to me! it's a real sad one but i hope you like it! ❤️ @portinastorm ~ i don't even know lmao ! glad you're looking forward to pain babes 💙
