Chapter Text
Robert
It's a year today since Robert Sugden returned to the village he grew up in. After being sent away by his father, Robert had no intention of returning until his step-mum Diane, was on the brink of death. Facing his past demons, Robert made peace with his family - brother Andy and sister Victoria - and helped care for Diane back to health.
Moving back to the village seemed like the obvious option afterwards - moving into the pub with his step mum and co-owner Chas. Still no farm boy, Robert became reacquainted with Cain Dingle, an old friend who brought him into the garage as a mechanic. Finding his feet, Robert was enjoying life, even if it was lonely and simple at times, and it didn't help that there wasn't much company in a village full of straight guys.
Robert was comfortable in his sexuality, after years of denying it to himself; but he had no qualms with it anymore, and was happy to admit it to anyone who might ask. His family accepted him and he had no issues with hooking up with many guys, night after night. The village had no other options than Finn Barton - a one night stand that didn't satisfy Robert's labido quite as he wanted him to - which led him to stray to a nearby bar, but Robert was becoming tired of the easy job of picking up a guy at a bar, sleeping with them and never seeing them again. He wanted someone who challenged him - someone who wasn't afraid to play hard to get. The thought turned him on more than anything, but so far, he never had that.
*
December 2nd
Robert was working as usual at the garage, him under the hood of a car while Cain worked in the office. It was only the start of the day, but he was already knackered - or rather hungover.
The previous night kept flowing through his head - he'd managed to get himself completely wasted and ended up falling into bed with Finn again, not that he could really remember it. Waking with a banging headache, Ross Barton shouting his mouth off and slamming him against the wall of his brothers bedroom as Robert rose from the bed butt-naked didn't help the sickness either. He'd rather just forget about the whole thing, Finn Barton wasn't his type.
Robert looked up as he heard the familiar sound of tyres traveling over gravel, a flash White Audi pulling up and a guy jumping out.
Now, HE is my type.
Robert took a good hard look at the hot guy before him, the guy shuffling his feet and breathing heavily, before Robert approached him.
"You alright mate?"
The guy looked Robert up and down, a little hungrily, Robert thought.
"Yeah, my brake pads are playing up, wondered if you could sort them?"
"Sure, I'll-"
"-What? Now you're up at the big house you've lost all use of your hands?"
Robert shot around to see Cain walking up behind him, putting his left hand on Robert's shoulder.
"I suppose you're more the type to get others to do the dirty work now eh Aaron?"
The guy - name of Aaron apparently - gave Cain a scowl.
"Look, I'm not looking for a fight, will you do 'em or not?"
"Who's fighting?! C'mon Aaron, you don't have to be like this-"
"-Just save it yeah?!"
Cain stood silent before his expression became more concerned and calm.
"-I just want you to talk to her-"
"-I'm not having this argument again."
"Aar-"
"-Will you fix them or not?!"
Cain just glared at him.
"It's a quick job, I'll do 'em now yeah?" Robert interrupted, sensing the tense atmosphere.
"Fine" Cain muttered, walking back into the garage, as Aaron sighed.
Robert went up to the car.
"Nice wheels mate, I take it they're yours?"
"Yeah, how long will it take?"
"Not long, you could probably grab a coffee and come back and they'll be sorted."
"Oh, alright, cheers..."
"Robert"
Robert extended his hand out, Aaron looking at it before cautiously shaking the hand.
"Aaron".
Robert released his hand, feeling his stomach flutter a little (probably the hangover, he thought) before looking at Aaron.
"So what's the deal with you and Cain? Old friends?"
Aaron stood coldly and shuffled on the spot.
"He's my uncle."
"Uncle? Oh-wait! You're that Aaron?! The ga-"
"I'm not gay. It was just a phase alright? I'm getting married, to a woman."
"That doesn't mean nowt though does it?" Robert smirked.
Aaron just looked at him angrily. "Look, I don't need your comments, alright?! So are you gonna do my brake pads or do I need to go somewhere else?!"
Robert held his hands up. "Alright mate, calm down, only saying! It'll take 10 minutes."
"Fine."
Aaron walked away in a huff and Robert could help but laugh at the guy.
Another "it's a phase" type of bloke eh?
Robert just sat back against the car, arms crossed and saw Aaron turn around briefly, before walking towards the café.
Nice arse! Robert smiled.