/red-a-"man-sE/

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I love you with the fire of a thousand suns.

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N o t e

Soooooo

I got fan art.

AND I FUCKING FLIPPED WHEN I SAW THESE AND YES I DID BURST INTO TEARS LIKE A BABY BECAUSE LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THOSE ARE AND LIKE THIS GOT ME OKAY BEST EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER.

Thank you for making these amazing masterpieces, and my tears are forever yours.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter, and I did squeal while writing this so beware.

PS - Missed you all so much like give me hugs my children.

PPS - Hope I don't kill too many people with this.

PPPS - Unedited because life's hard, so I apologise for any mistakes that I lazily forgot to correct.

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Aaron had freckles on his shoulders.

They looked like moles at first, but when Rose took a good look at them, they were too scattered to be moles. The freckles were different colours; some appeared to blend in with his light complexion, emitting an ashy blonde tone. Others were as dark as his hair; standing in pride as they contrasted greatly against his skin. They were just as beautiful as the rest of him.

Rose just stared at them for a while, not even feeling the delicate smile blossoming on her face. They looked like paint spatters against his shoulders, lightly fading as they got closer to the sides of his neck.

Rose thoughts portraits worth millions of dollars with just silly paint splatters and dots were always ridiculous (She still thought they were), but when she looked at Aaron, she could see the beauty behind it.

They were effortless.

Effortless drizzles of brown and blonde and ash kissed on his shoulders and Rose couldn't couldn't couldn't breathe.

She smiled at him. "You're warm."

He chuckled lightly against her, his arm tightening around her waist. "You always say that."

"I wouldn't if you weren't always warm."

His right dimple indented. "You're always warm too."

She quirked an eyebrow, her fingers unconsciously tracing his shoulder. "What makes you say that?"

"My neurotic impulses," Aaron grinned.

"Shut up," She laughed, shaking her head.

His fingers traced her shoulders. "Did you know that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and that the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body?"

Rose snorted. "And you call me a nerd,"

He shrugged, still smiling. "It was a fun fact okay – nothing to do with how much IQ I have."

She gave him a look. "That's what they all say."

He grinned. "So you admit you said it before?"

Rose pursed her lips. "Shut up."

He laughed and something in her disintegrated as always.

♡♡♡

That was how she loved him.

Soft breaths against his chest and gentle fingers in his hair; the soft whisper of his name leaving her lips like a prayer whenever he'd read even more of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. She was convinced that she could by heart the octaves of his voice and the pitches of his laugh and the tones of his whispers and his his his –

She loved him like how writers loved words; like how pirates craved their treasures and like how artists loved colour and patterns.

She loved him like he was the most important thing she has ever loved.

And she would always tighten her fingers against his own and whisper his name even more delicately and kiss him even more softly just to show – to prove that her love for him was as pure and innocent as the rain that fell from the heavens, but just as fiery and passionate as the embers burning in the moonlight.

And she loved Aaron – a boy who blended into the shadows of grey and bone; the boy who was mistreated and used like he was nothing, his cerulean eyes reflecting off the harshness that he was shown, but concealing the kindness that was always stitched in his heart.

She loved a boy with secrets inked onto his arms and concealed confessions stamped into the valley of his chest; with the world in his eyes and truth in his voice, and she loved loved loved –

She loved Aaron as a whole.

That was how she loved Aaron – a little too shyly, a little too passionately, a little too aggressively, but it was beautiful all the same.

"You okay there?"

Rose snapped out of her thoughts as she met Aiden's flat expression, crossing her eyebrows when he let out an annoyed breath. "Huh?"

"You zoned out again," He replied warily, pursing his lips. "Something you wanna tell me?"

Rose shrugged. "Nothing, just thinking."

Specks of mischief twinkled his eyes. "About third base with Aaron?"

Her eyes widened. "What, no –"

"And of course when we all leave to get food, we find Aiden talking about sex," Luke said, placing his tray on the table, glancing at Aaron. "With your girlfriend of course." He added.

Aaron pursed his lips, letting out a sigh as he settled next to Rose. "Not my fault you all couldn't tame him."

Aiden gave him a dirty look. "Do I look like a fucking dog to you –"

Tristan laughed, his blonde hair settling on his forehead. "Is that even a real question?"

Aiden glared at him. "You wish a dog could even begin to compare to me."

Andrew rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "No one calls Aiden a dog besides me okay?"

Aiden snapped his gaze to him. "Excuse me –"

"I'm tired," Chase said, letting out a yawn. "So can you ladies stop bickering for a while?"

Rose glanced at Lana's empty chair. "More importantly, where's Lana?"

Andrew took a look at her empty chair too. "We had Algebra just before lunch break," He then peered at Aiden. "You said she had to run some errands or something."

Rose could make out the subtle tint of pink that bloomed on Aiden's cheek. He coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, she had like stuff to do with the student affairs."

Rose quirked an eyebrow. "She would've told me."

Aiden looked at her. "It was last minute."

"She would've called."

"She forgot her phone."

"How would you know?"

"She used mine."

"She still would've texted me."

Aiden sighed. "Why are you taking it out on me? Chill woman, she's fine."

Luke grinned. "Something you wanna tell us Aiden?"

He glared at the hazel eyed boy, scowling. "Screw you."

Even Aaron's lips twitched, and Rose watched before they bloomed into a full on smile –Holy guacamole goodness gracious oh my God God God – "Sounds to me like you're keeping an awful lot of things to yourself."

Aiden's blue stare hardened. "Shut.Up."

Aaron was subtly grinning now, and Rose thought she was going to explode explode explode. "As you wish." A speckle of playfulness shone through his eyes. "But I called it first."

Just as Aiden's cheeks started to flush, Rose interjected. "Called what first?"

Tristan smiled goofily, his green eyes bright with amusement. "That Aiden –"

"One more word you little fuck and I will rip your Biology notes page by page."

While Tristan kept his mouth shut, smiling, Andrew glanced at Aiden, smirking. "That Aiden –"

"Say goodbye to Unearthly Part 2 bud, you wish I would've just fucking punched you in the face."

Horror gushed out of Andrew's eyes, and Rose almost laughed at how he looked like he was going to pass out. "Screw you man, no fair you call me out on how unsuccessful my love life is."

Rose's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't you have Camille?"

Andrew's shoulders slumped as a small sigh left his lips, but before he could answer, Aiden spoke up. "She broke up with him,"

Rose could feel her heart snap in half. "What? Why?"

Andrew offered her a sad smile. "Shit happens."

And Rose could feel the tears bud at the corner of her eyes. "I'm sorry – are you holding up okay?"

Aiden made a face. "Okay? Please this guy has been having the time of his life –"

Andrew elbowed Aiden in the ribs, Aiden yelping out a Shit that hurt you fucker before Andrew offered Rose a smile. "I'm doing fine, I'll be back to normal in no time."

Rose could feel Aaron tighten his fingers around her own, and when she glanced at him, she could make out the specks of pity in his eyes; how he was looking at Andrew like how an older brother would console a broken heart.

She wanted to cry.

Aaron managed a small smile. "I told you to come over and we could hang out for a while –"

Andrew shook his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips but Rose could detect the tinge of sadness that intertwined his usual chirpy tone. "I'm fine guys, trust me."

And Rose gave him an encouraging smile, but she thought it wasn't enough, but when Andrew replied with a smile of his own, she knew that the big guy would be fine; not now, but eventually.

"We could all hang out though," Luke said mindlessly, licking some of the ketchup that drooled down his chin – which made Tristan scowl and stuff a tissue on his face – "It's almost the end of the year and all, it would be cool."

Aaron shook his head. "I'm busy."

Tristan shot a look at him. "What could you possibly be busy with? You're done with Accounting, studied miles advanced for Chemistry – what is still not done? Calculus? Because I swear if you make the teacher give us extra classes just because you're advanced one chapter –"

"Chill Tris," Aiden smirked, chuckling lightly. "Him and Rose have some catching up to do."

Tristan then became beet root red, mumbling I didn't know that my God, while pink tickled Rose's cheeks and she weakly replied. "Aiden for God's sake –"

Aaron took her fingers in his own, him offering her a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah, Rose and I have things to do." Oh my Lord what goodness gracious oh my God God God –

"What?" She squeaked, feeling her cheeks ignite, her wide eyes boring into Aaron's smiling blue ones. He squeezed their fingers as encouragement, but all Rose was thinking was the million and a half ways Aaron was going to kill her and God God God –

Chase peeked at Rose through one eye, giving her a sleepy wink. "You get some."

She smashed some of her mashed potatoes on his face.

♡♡♡

"What?"

"Why do you look like you're going to pass out?"

Rose could feel her heart in her palms. "Aaron you wouldn't want me –"

Aaron gave her a small smile, leaning his head against her head board. "I really couldn't think of anyone better," His left dimple indented. "Besides, as if you have any interesting summer plans."

"Hey!"

He grinned so brilliantly that Rose thought the world split in half. "And I kinda need you there with me," He admitted quietly, entwining their fingers together. "James wants to see you anyway." He peeked at her through one eye, giving her a lazy smile.

Rose smiled back. She nuzzled her face in the curve of his shoulder, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I might screw things up."

"I doubt that very much," Aaron replied, wrapping his arms around her. "But if you can manage to, by all means do."

She gave him a look. "I really don't want to mess this up. I mean I'm going to meet your brother."

He kissed her temple. "And he will love you just as much as I do." He gave her a playful smile, chuckling a bit. "Okay, maybe not as much as me, but he'll get close."

She smiled against his neck. "I love you."

He would always smile back bashfully, as though her words always made him flustered and it was so beautiful beautiful beautiful –

"I love you too." He said, giving her a quick peck, before he abruptly got up. "Now come along and let's help your parents make dinner."

Rose smiled sheepishly at him. "About that –"

"I kinda figured out that they procrastinate the dinner until I arrive, I'm not an idiot Rose."

She grinned at him. "You're the best."

"I know."

"Shut up you moron."

He gave her a look. "Is that how you treat guests?"

She quirked an eyebrow at him. "You're practically family now."

He smiled shyly again – Oh my goodness dear Lord have mercy – "Then let's get cooking."

And it was something awe striking seeing Aaron with a white apron wrapped around his waist; an apron that said Kiss the cook with flour staining his forearms and lilac mittens covering his hands. His usual questions of Was it two spoons of sugar Helen or three? leaving his chapped lips as he balanced multiple bowls in his long arms; a sheepish smile on his face as Rose grimaced at his cookie dough.

More sugar you moron.

But your Mom said only two spoons!

And it was Aaron towering over Rose as she cleaned the kitchen counter; him sending her quick smiles and even pecks on the top of her head as he yelled Okay coming through these are hot wow oh my God they are hot to the McLean family; Peter chuckling when Aaron managed to get some of the salad dressing on his cheek while Helen went on her tippy toes and wiped it away with a kitchen cloth, giving him an amused look and muttering a How in the world did you even manage to get it on there as Rose giggled at how embarrassed Aaron looked; like a little boy with pink tinted cheeks and bashfulness clouding his eyes.

Aw it's okay you big baby, everything's alright.

Hey!

And when they all sat down and munched on what they all made – Wow Aaron these cookies are delicious – which made Aaron send a cocky smirk to Rose mumbling conceitedly I told you only two sugars you bean, which immediately made Rose stuff two cookies in his mouth to shut him up.

"Umm Helen and Peter," Aaron said suddenly, letting out a small cough as he scratched the back of his neck. "I actually do have something important to ask you both."

"Awwww if it is proposing to Rose, then you have our full blessings."

"Mom!"

But Aaron, he offered Helen a soft smile; his eyes gleaming with devotion. "Someday I will, but not now," He glanced at Rose, still smiling as he squeezed their fingers encouragingly. "I wouldn't want to scare her away."

Rose's eyes widened at him what what what –

"But I do wish to take Rose with me some place," Aaron gulped, intimidated under the curious stare of Helen and Peter. "I want her to come with me to Ontario after this week's exams." He said quietly, squeezing Rose's fingers as he let out a small breath.

And she could feel his pulse in her hand; the blue in his eyes almost as blue as the morning sky tinted with yellow and green – the earnest anxiety reflecting through the specks of turquoise in them. She squeezed their fingers softly, offering him a small smile.

Peter quirked an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

And Helen was pretty curious too; her eyebrows knitted together as she stared at Aaron keenly. "Yeah, why?"

Rose gulped. She didn't want her parents to force the gruesome truth out of Aaron; to let him pour out his blood stained secrets just when he was getting better and she was about to tell them that it wasn't the right time when –

"To visit my sick brother," Aaron smiled wistfully, the honesty sparkling sadly through his eyes. "He has always wanted to meet her."

And Helen's fork clanged against her dish.

Peter was stunned too; his own blue eyes wide as his grip on his knife tightened, swallowing down a harsh breath as he sighed. And Helen was mouth agape, the tiniest sign of tears gleaming off her hazel eyes.

"Oh Aaron –"

"No it's fine," Aaron cut them off with a smile, one where both his dimples were on display. "I would never use sympathy of my brother's illness to get what I want – Ontario is three hours away from here, and I am asking permission if I could bring Rose with me." He smiled again. "That is if you agree of course."

Helen smiled sadly. "Of course you can take her Aaron, anything for you my dear."

Peter nodded his head. "You're like a son to us Aaron, and I trust Rose with you more than I have ever trusted anyone else," He smiled. "Of course she can go with you."

And the smile that adorned Aaron's lips was enough to send Rose to the ER.

♡♡♡

"It's almost bed time kids, put that book down!" Peter hollered across the hallway. "And I trust you Aaron enough that you both won't be doing anything you shouldn't be!"

Aaron chuckled lightly, some strands of his dark hair settling on his eyelashes. "You Dad cracks me up sometimes."

Rose smiled. "I'm not going to stop reading though."

"Rebel," Aaron noted, grinning. "Look who's becoming a badass – continuing to read even though she was told to stop," Aaron said, the mock excitement in his tone made Rose want to choke him. "Job well done, you make me so proud –"

She smacked him with her pillow, Aaron yelping out an Ouch! while Rose laughed at his face.

And even though she hit him pretty hard – You could've given me a concussion you idiot – Aaron still smiled at her and stretched over; switching off her night lamp. "Your Dad did say to sleep though,"

She snorted. "And you're listening because...?"

He grinned. "Now who said we were listening?"

And that was how the night went on; 1:07 am and Aaron and Rose were still reading through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, quickly hiding their books and flashlights when they could hear Helen or Peter cross the hallway.

It was the definition of giggles and quiet chuckles; Aaron's sharp whispers of Be quiet you moron they will hear you if you don't stop laughing, while Rose was all smiles and puffy cheeks as she squealed yet again at Ron and Hermione – Goodness he's so jealous like it's so obvious, and Aaron do you mind taking me to Homestead? – and it was Aaron with sparkling eyes of sapphire gems and the stars sprinkled on his lips – For you Rose, anything.

It was the quick and sloppy sips of water in between reading breaks – Aaron don't sip so loudly, they'll hear! – and his sheepish smiles as he choked on some water and spilled down his chin – You're such a klutz you moron.