Chapter Text
Two Months Later – October 2015
“It's been two months and I still can't believe you said yes,” Robert said, nudging his shoulder against Aaron's.
“How could I not?” Aaron replied. “You made such a good case for it.” He grinned, ducking when Robert swatted at him.
“Be serious,” Robert said, shaking his head at the younger man.
Aaron laughed. “I love you,” he said meeting Robert's gaze. “Why wouldn't I say yes?” He looked Robert up and down. “You're pretty fit too so there's another reason.” He grinned, laughing when Robert shook his head at him.
Aaron looked around. They'd gone for an outdoor ceremony, a specially erected white gazebo outside the village hall, decorated with fairy lights in the roof, and a few chairs in front for their guests, surrounded by trees in pots that would be planted in the woods after the ceremony. The guest list was small; neither of them had wanted a big wedding, so only the important people had been invited. Chas and Paddy, sticking together and holding hands when they thought no-one was looking; Cain and Moira, Adam and Victoria, the latter tentatively friends with Aaron now. Katie was there too, Andy by her side. Sandra and Liv were hovering close to Marlon, and Diane was talking to the registrar who had just arrived. Clyde wandered around, wearing a bow tie around his neck for the occasion.
“You sure?” Aaron asked Robert. “About what we’re going to do after this? You can change your mind you know.”
Robert looked at him. “Don’t you want to anymore?” He asked him, upset. “Have you changed your mind?”
“Not for one second,” Aaron said. “I knew what I wanted as soon as you told me it was possible,” he reassured him. “I just want to make sure that you’re sure.”
“There’s nothing I want more than a ring on my finger and your voice in my head,” Robert told him firmly, passionately. “If that happens, obviously. Having to wait for two months has been hell.”
“I know,” Aaron said. “But you know some of the ingredients have to mature.”
“I know,” Robert said. “I’m just excited that’s all, I can’t wait for it to happen.”
“We might not be able to talk to each other,” Aaron reminded him. “I don’t want you getting your hopes up, it might just be an emotional connection.”
“Then I’ll take it,” Robert said, grasping Aaron’s hand in his own, projecting feelings of love, excitement and anticipation. “Whatever this bond means, whatever it does… I’ll take it.”
Aaron leaned into Robert's side, their matching blue suits brushing against each other. “I sometimes wonder if this is all a dream you know,” he confided. “A few months ago, I'd have never thought any of this was possible. Meeting you, controlling my ability, going to college to train to be a vet nurse... marrying you, bonding with you...”
“You aren't dreaming,” Robert told him, turning Aaron to face him. “It's real. It's all real.”
“I know,” Aaron said. “I'm just so happy.”
“Me too,” Robert smiled at him. “Me too.”
They held hands for a little while, waiting for the final preparations to be done, for everything to be ready, anticipation and excitement bouncing back and forth between them.
“You ready to change your name again?” Robert asked, seeing that it was almost time. Aaron had changed his surname to Dingle not long after Gordon had died, wanting nothing to connect him to that man ever again.
Aaron grinned. “Sugden-Dingle, here I come,” he said, leaning in when Robert wrapped his arm around Aaron's shoulders.
They took their places, having decided to walk down the aisle without escort, side by side instead. The music started, and they walked the short distance past their friends and family, up the steps and under the fairy lights.
Once they were standing in front of the registrar, she began talking, introducing them, going over the legalities. They listened as she asked if anyone knew of any legal impediment meaning they couldn't get married, too busy gazing into each others eyes to look over at their guests, still giddy at the fact they were even here. When she got to the serious bit however, they made sure they were paying full attention. She asked them to repeat after her, but they didn't need her to tell them what to say, they already knew.
“I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, Aaron Dingle, do take you, Robert Jacob Sugden,” Aaron began. He paused, swallowing thickly as emotion took over. “To be my lawful wedded husband.” He finished, smiling as he gazed into Robert's eyes.
“I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, Robert Jacob Sugden, do take you, Aaron Dingle, to be my lawful wedded husband.” Robert copied, tears forming in his own eyes.
Clyde walked up to them, a velvet bag dangling from his mouth. Aaron took it, dipping his fingers inside before handing the bag over to Robert. Robert tipped the contents into his hand, then gave the bag back to Clyde.
Aaron took Robert's left hand, putting the ring Clyde had given him onto the older mans finger. “I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love,” he said.
Robert took Aaron's hand, sliding the ring into place. “I give you this ring, as a symbol of our love,” he repeated.
“I promise to love you forever. All that I have, I share with you, and I promise to be loyal,” Aaron said, tears in his eyes, choking up. “And no matter where our life takes us, I'll be there by your side.”
“I promise to love you forever,” Robert repeated. “All that I have, I share with you, and I promise to be loyal, and wherever our life leads us, to be there by your side.”
Aaron wiped his eyes, the tears falling freely now and Robert couldn't resist, tugging him in towards himself and planting a kiss in the middle of Aaron's forehead.
The registrar smiled at them both, pronouncing them husband and husband.
Robert and Aaron grinned, Robert pulling their joined hands towards him as they met in a kiss, Aaron's hands sliding around Robert's waist, Robert's at his neck. The joy and happiness flooded across their connection from both sides, and when they eventually pulled apart, they kept each other's hands clasped firmly as they stepped down from the gazebo, only breaking the connection for a matter of seconds as Robert hugged Diane and Aaron hugged Chas respectively. Aaron held his hand out for Robert to take, the older man resuming their connection as they walked back down the aisle as husband and husband.
Chas approached them as everyone stood up, starting to move off in the direction of the Woolpack for the reception. “That was beautiful,” she said, dabbing her eyes carefully, trying not to mess up her mascara. “Reception now,” she said. “Some of the rest of the family wanted to come, I can tell them to go though if you want...?”
Robert and Aaron looked at each other. “Nah,” they said in unison.
“This bit was the bit we wanted to keep small, not the reception,” Robert explained. “I assume you've got plenty drink in?” He asked.
“Fully stocked,” Chas confirmed. “Knowing our lot they'll drink the place dry but for now yes.”
“Don't worry, we'll pay.” Robert said.
“You better,” Chas said, laughing while she said it, turning to walk in the direction of the pub. “You coming?” She asked when they seemed hesitant to follow her.
“There's something we need to do,” Aaron said, looking sideways at Robert.
“It's not your wedding night yet you know!” Chas said knowingly.
“We know!” Aaron exclaimed, blushing bright red. “We'll be there soon,” he said. “Promise.”
“Alright...” Chas replied. She headed off after the others, looking back occasionally at the three of them, Clyde now sitting by their feet.
“She thinks we're off to have sex,” Aaron said, glancing at Robert with a look of mild horror on his face.
“Oh, let her,” Robert said. “Come on, let's go.”
*
They walked hand in hand into the barn. It was important to use a location that meant something to them and their relationship for the bonding ritual, and the barn where they’d spent the night together for the first time, where secrets were revealed, where they’d made love for the first time… neither of them could think of anywhere more fitting.
Robert watched quietly as Aaron prepared the liquid that the three of them, himself, Aaron and Clyde had to drink. Robert had asked Aaron what was in it but Aaron had told him he wouldn’t want to know.
Robert decided to focus on what was coming, the bond between the three of them, rather than whatever was in the concoction he had to drink to make it happen. He’d gone over the whole ritual with Aaron and exactly what he needed to do, now he just needed to not mess it up.
Aaron placed the glass chalice in the centre of the blanket he’d spread on the floor. Tea light candles lined the edges and Aaron lit them one by one. “Ready?” He said, as he clicked the lighter shut, putting it back in his pocket.
Robert nodded, stepping onto the blanket. At Aaron’s direction he sat cross legged at one side of the chalice, Aaron mirroring his position at the other. Clyde sat down next to them.
Aaron picked up the chalice first, drinking four large mouthfuls of the liquid within. Robert copied him. It tasted fairly sweet, he thought as he swallowed. He put the chalice down on the blanket and Clyde stood, drinking the rest, leaving it bone dry.
Aaron took a knife out next, cutting a deep line across his left palm before handing the knife to Robert to do the same to his own left palm. They then joined hands; pressing the cuts together firmly. Aaron picked up a soft white cloth, wrapping it around their joined hands, twisting it until their hands were linked together, unable to pull apart. Clyde, sitting back down again, lifted one of his front paws, placing it on top of their wrapped hands.
“I bind myself to you.” Clyde’s voice echoed through both of their heads. “Now, and forever more.”
“I bind myself to you.” Aaron said aloud. “Now, and forever more.”
“I bind myself to you.” Robert repeated. “Now, and forever more.”
Moving as one, both Robert and Aaron each pressed a kiss to the top of Clyde’s head in unison. Looking at each other briefly, they smiled before kissing each other deeply, Robert’s tongue sliding into Aaron’s mouth.
They broke apart after long moments, feeling the love as it resonated through their connection.
Now for the moment of truth.
Robert watched as Aaron unwrapped the cloth that bound their hands together. Once it was gone, they looked at each other before breaking the physical connection, both men holding their breath.
The feelings didn’t fade. They stayed strong, solid. Happiness and joy flooded through to Robert from Aaron, he could tell that the emotion was from his husband, and he sent the same back. The answering smile on Aaron’s face told him that the bond had worked, it was successful.
They kissed again. Now it was time for the only question left, the one Robert now found himself afraid to find out, afraid of being disappointed if it didn’t work out the way he’d hoped.
The two men looked at each other wordlessly, drinking each other in, emotions flaring across the bond.
When it came, Aaron’s voice in his head almost made Robert jump.
“Hello, husband.”