Chapter Text
Robert had not stopped grinning all day. He couldn’t ever remember being this insanely happy. He’d finally married Aaron, this time properly. They were having a loud party in one of the barns up Moira’s, that had been decked out for the occasion, everyone drinking and Robert and Aaron surrounded by their family. Robert had never seen Aaron smile this much either.
The only slight fly in the ointment was that Lachlan was still on the loose, which meant that everyone was keeping a close eye on Seb, thinking he could be an obvious next target for Lachlan. But Robert wouldn’t think of that, not today. He felt hands around his waist and smiled as Aaron wrapped his arms around him, pulling him into a kiss. “Happy?” Aaron asked.
“Yeah,” Robert said. “Never been more happy.”
“Me too,” Aaron said, resting his head on Robert’s shoulder. They watched as Liv picked up Seb, the boy giggling at his aunt. He loved Liv, though Liv was getting a little frustrated trying to stop Seb grabbing at the flowers in her hair.
“I want more,” Aaron said quietly. Robert almost held his breath, wondering if Aaron meant what he thought he did. Hoped.
“More what?” Robert asked. “Another drink?”
“You know what I mean,” Aaron said, turning to look at him. “I want more kids. I just… I do.”
“You were saying "I do" a couple of hours ago,” Robert quipped, mostly to stop his heart from racing.
“I’m serious,” Aaron said. “Liv’s… sorted herself out now. Seb’s nearly walking, and… I just want more.”
“Okay,” Robert said, smiling. Aaron almost frowned at him.
“That didn’t take you long to think about,” he said.
“Because you and our family is all I want,” Robert said. “Whether that’s just you and me, or you me, Liv, Seb and however many others we have, I just… want this.”
“I love you,” Aaron said. He kissed him briefly before Robert nodded towards the bar.
“I want a drink,” Robert said. Aaron laughed as he went to the bar and watched him. That suit fitted him perfectly, and it showed some self restraint that he’d not dragged Robert off to have his way with him already.
“Can you stop gawping after him? It’s well embarrassing,” Liv said, coming over to him.
“If I can’t stare at my husband today, when can I?” Aaron said, making Liv roll her eyes.
“I’m really happy for you two,” Liv said, more sincerely this time.
“Gah!” Seb interrupted, wanting attention and Aaron took him from Liv’s arms.
“You okay mate?” Aaron teased, ruffling his hair. Seb smiled, and that was when the world caved in. Aaron tucked Seb’s head under his jacket as the noise screeched and people screamed and the roof literally fell into pieces around them.
Lachlan. He didn’t know how or why, but this had to have something to do with Lachlan, it just had to. It was too much of a coincidence otherwise.
Seb seemed to be quiet from shock, but as soon as the noise stopped and the building stopped rocking, Seb started screaming at the top of his lungs. “Robert!!” Aaron shouted, then coughing through dust and smoke. Smoke. Fire. Shit.
“Aaron!” He looked and saw Liv, dust in her hair but looking in one piece. “Are you all right?!” she asked.
“I’m fine,” Aaron said. “Have you seen Robert?”
“No,” she said tearfully.
“Right,” Aaron said, thinking quickly. “Take Seb, get out of here. Do not let him out of your sight.”
“Aaron!” she said desperately, and it was clear she was afraid.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. He gave Liv a tight hug, then kissed Seb’s head. “Get him out of here.” She nodded, and then it was all Aaron could do to shout Robert’s name in desperation.
“Robert!!”
Robert came to feeling very groggy and disoriented. He also couldn’t move and everything around him looked black. “Aaron?” he asked. His voice was faint, barely above a whisper and once he tried to speak he realised his throat was coated in sandpaper. Or at least, that’s what it felt like. He also realised he was lying down on his back, an immense pressure on his chest. He closed his eyes and drifted away again.
Aaron fought to get towards the pile of rubble that was around the bar where Robert had been, Cain helping him without a word. There was no stopping Aaron, everyone knew that, despite the fact that Aaron could smell the singeing straw beginning to catch light. The barn could go up in flames at any moment, but one thing Aaron knew is that he wouldn’t leave without Robert. He couldn’t, it simply wasn’t possible.
“Robert!” Aaron called again, getting frustrated and terrified in equal measure. “For God’s sake, help me out! Let me know where you are!”
“Do you know he was here?” Cain asked.
“I saw him before the bloody roof caved in!” Aaron told him. “Robert!”
“Calm down, we’ll find him!” Cain said, putting a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “We’ll find him.”
“I can’t lose him,” Aaron said, shaking his head. “He’s everything, I can’t lose him like this.”
“Hey, come on. Stop whining, and help me shift this.” Aaron nodded briefly, trying to ignore the smoke getting thicker. Why had they thought a barn reception was a good idea? Because Robert was being romantic, Aaron thought to himself. It had been such a wonderful idea at the time, now this?