The truth is there simply wasn't any other reason to bring Aaron back. If Robert returning is not part of the plan, which brings numerous storylines with him, there is no point to Aaron's return. I know people are saying it's a steady paycheck for Danny, and true, but he was so clearly bored at the end of his stint I just think they had to sell him something more than that. Also the Dryan pub date is still there as well. They are both demons and knew exactly what they were doing when they posted that pic. I was very hesitant to believe it and you could sort of excuse the other mentions away. There was no need for today's and even the most casual viewer caught the unspoken Robert in that scene.

I like that a non mention is what has us all riled up again. Haha. I'm like "yes! This proves it!". Oh dear.

I mean I definitely don't think "Angry Aaron" is what brought Danny back. Steady paycheck maybe, but he keeps saying "it's fun to play for a while" every time "Angry Aaron" is brought up and that makes me feel like he's waiting for what comes next. The "next chapter" if you will.

Now, could they actually be competent producers and carve out a new life and purpose for Aaron and actually put in the effort to set him up with friends and eventually a real new love interest with real story and not just shoving him at whatever character they happen to have lying around (Ethan), sure? But I obviously have zero faith in their ability to do that. Like I don't think there's no point to Aaron returning without Robert, it's just obviously my preference that he does eventually come with a Robert return. I mean he's been a bit of an overused character in the misery department so there's definitely less wells to draw from at this point, not that they don't love a misery fest, but he's still a long running character with a lot of history. If they wanted to build a new life for him, they could. And if they put in the work, I'd be willing to give it a try. I just think they like being lazy more and bringing back Robron would certainly allow them to rest on the history with less establishing work. I think they'd like that. And obviously so would we, win win.

And yeah, there was the "next chapter" pub meet up that is still unaccounted for in terms of what that next chapter is. And the fact that no one has shut down a Robert return. And we have these mentions. And I obviously feel like Robert and Robron elevate Aaron's character and would find the continuation of that more interesting than him starting from scratch. Although four years and more heartbreak later, it's less of a frustrating idea than in the Ben era.

Also the fact that all of this Angry Aaron stuff feels like they're biding their time and giving him something to do for a while until they get Ryan back. Because even if this cancer story reconnects him with Chas and he goes on an apology tour and gets let back in the family yet again, there's still sort of a "what now" kind of feeling. Robert is still one of the things he's lost. And yeah he can fix things with family and get a new little sister to hang out with and maybe make a friend in Mack or Ethan or Billy etc but he's decided he's done with all forms of love in general because of losing Liv and everything else and that this is the way he won't get hurt, which is bullshit as we know. But I feel like the last part of the equation is a love interest and repairing his relationship with Robert would certainly provide a good long running story to do that.

It would also generate a lot of hype and they love nothing more than hype these days.

So anyway...we all want it. I just hope we actually get it.

Really? The break up era always made me love them a little bit less. love you for finding the good in it.

I think the reason i’m such a lover of the break up era is that i was the one fucker in the fandom who was literally begging for it at the time (well there was someone else with me but she became an anti not long after that lol)

like the moment we got the spoilers that said it was happening i’m pretty sure i said “oh thank god!” out loud

the way it was between them between the reveal and the break up was becoming really really uncomfortable for me to watch as a lover of.. them. it felt like they were draining the life out of each other and it was draining to watch! they were both lying about how they really felt because they were scared of losing each other (which was a fascinating aspect that i did appreciate), they were super snappy with each other and most importantly - and as much as i loved and sympathised with robert - i felt like the situation was way too unfair on aaron as a character, way too cruel, he really felt like a mug (and that’s coming from a robron shipper who gets how they got there and who loved them both)

but yeah.. it didn’t look good and that period was soul-sucking. it couldn’t go on like that, it was clearly not sustainable and i was desperate for something to give. anons were fearing a break up the whole time prior, and people were saying “i don’t think a break up would solve anything when their issue is a lack of communication, it’s counter-productive” and things like that and i remember thinking “guys we’re way past communication problems here, like yes it’s the root of their problems and that’s how they got there but we’re way past that, it’s too late now the damage is done”

personally, i desperately needed aaron to go “FUCK! ALL! OF! THIS!” and do this for himself, take control, walk away, get better (he was clearly miserable and like.. who wouldn’t be in his place lmao), i needed robert to pay the consequences of his actions (losing aaron) and i needed him to suffer (i say that with all the love in the world haha). i needed the fresh air a break up would bring, the pining, the jealousy (yes i needed robert to see aaron with another man), obviously the inevitable reunion!! and we got all that!! and i cherish all of it

imagine how boring things would have been if the break up hadn’t happened, if they’d just stuck it out for however long and just worked through it idk.. all the things we would’ve been deprived of! I am convinced that their story needed that stage - as difficult as it was sometimes - it only made it richer, it made them more and it made them better. what they are now, what they have is because they went through that stage and learned from it and let’s not forget that they never stopped being insanely in love with each other through it all!

“I do love you, I should tell you more” + robron ♥️

“I do love you, I should tell you more” + Aaron gets shot at the pub after catching a robber( this was a late request by another anon but I wanted to use it) 

set during the affair era

Day Three: Shouldn’t

Aaron froze, the shot still ringing in his ears, he reaches for the bar next to him unable to stand on his own, looking down at his hand as he pulls it away from his stomach to see it covered in blood.

“Oi!” He hears from outside.

His breathing his sharp and short as he pushes off the bar heading towards the exit, still holding himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I told you, Vic, I have to see what Chrissie is up to,” Robert explained as he and his sister made their way out the café.

“Oh come on its just one night and Marlon is actually letting me have control of the menu for once,” she explained. “Please?” She asked with puppy dog eyes.

“Oh don’t start with that,” Robert replied. “Fine,” he said with a sigh, giving in.

“Yay, I love you,” Vic stated going to hug him.

It’s the sound of a gun going off that stops Robert from saying anything in return, he frowns looking towards the pub, a second later seeing the door flying open followed by a hooded man exiting shoving something into his pocket. His heart sank, “Oi!” He heard Vic yell after the hooded man, his eyes still trained on the pub doors, his fears quickly turning into a reality, seeing Aaron falling out the door bloodied, “Vic,” is all he managed to get out.

“Oh, Ga- Aaron!” She yelled running over to her mate catching him, trying to hold him up. “Robert!” She called back, kicking him into gear quickly making his way over to them. “I gotcha,” He told the other man, Aaron grabbing onto Robert’s arm before his legs gave out on him.

“Oh God, Aaron,” Vic cried.  “What’s happened?”

“He’s been shot what does it look like?!” Robert nearly yelled as he ripped his jacket off balling it up to put it under the younger man’s head. “Ring an ambulance,” he told his sister as he moved Aaron’s hand away to apply pressure on the wound. “Vic!” Robert yelled noticing she was frozen. “Now!” He watched as she pulled her phone from her back pocket quickly tapping away on her phone. “Ambulance … The Woolpack, Emmerdale Village,” she stated. “My mate he’s been shot…”

Robert turned his attention back to Aaron, “You heard that… helps on the way,” Robert told him. Aaron sucked in a breath of air, “I..” He tried saying but started coughing.

“Hey, don’t try and talk,” Robert told him. “You’re gonna be okay, I promise,” he went on. “Is anyone else in the pub?” He asked. Aaron slowly shook his head no before coughing even more.

“Aaron?” Robert looked up to see Cain running over. “What’s happened?” He asked joining Robert by Aaron’s side.

“I don’t know,” Robert replied. “One moment there was a shot, the next some random is running out along with him like this.” He added.

“Chas?”

“He said no one else was in there,” Robert replied.

“To..town” Aaron managed to get out.

“She’s in town?”

He nodded in response.

“Aaron, did you see who did this?” Cain asked. Aaron breathing started to slow, he was struggling to keep his eyes open, his face turning paler.

“Aaron?” Aaron could faintly hear Robert calling for him. “Open your eyes, mate,” he heard again. “Aaron!”

“Robert?” The man heard from behind him. He had been pacing in the waiting room for hours, longer than he probably should have, waiting on any news, he turned to see Chrissie making her way over. “What are you doing here?” He asked as she hugged him

“I heard Bob and Jimmy talking in the Café, they said there was a shooting, and they said you were here,” she explained as she pulled away examining her husband. “You’re covered in blood,” she stated in a panic. “It’s not mine,” he reassured her. “It’s… Aaron’s,” He managed to get out.

“Come on let’s get you home,” she told her husband.

“No,” He replied quicker than he probably should have.

“Robert, I know you have a stake in his business,” she stated. “But you’ve done your bit haven’t you, I’m sure his family wouldn’t want you hanging around.”

“I… I just promised Vic I’d stay,” he lied before making his way over to a chair to sit. “She’s worried about him.”

“Why isn’t she here-

“Adam took her home,” Robert snapped. “She was a mess, she didn’t want Chas to see her that way so Adam decided to take her home,” he explained.

“Robert.”

“Look, you head home yeah,” he told her. “I’ll be home soon.”

“Robert,” she repeated.

”Go okay, It’s fine.”

Chrissie hesitated at first, “I’m coming straight back here if you’re not home by midnight,” she explained.

“I won’t be long I promise,” he replied.

An hour had passed after Chrissie left Robert sat in the waiting room, he was staring at the far wall, the whole floor was quiet. The look on Aaron’s face was burned in his mind, the scared and pained look in his eyes as he laid on the ground. Robert knew he was out of place in this waiting room, he knew shouldn’t be there, he should be at home, yet here he was sat, waiting.

“Robert?” He heard, he looked up to see Chas who was wiping the tears from her cheeks. He leaped from his seat making his way over to the woman. “What’re you doing here?”

“Aaron, is he?”

“…He’s resting,” she replied.

“So the surgery was a success?”

“They were able to remove the bullet and stop the internal bleeding,” she explained. Robert breathing a sigh of relief at the news. “Have you been here this whole time?” She questioned noticing the state of his shirt.

Robert looked down at himself not saying anything, “I… I couldn’t … I didn’t want to leave until I knew he was okay,” he explained.

“Well you know now,” she replied.

“Can…can I see him?”

“Don’t you have a wife to get home to?” Chas asked.

“I know you don’t like me, but please… I have to see him.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The room was dark the only light flowing in from the hallway and the only noise was coming from the monitor which was beeping steadily. He made his way over to the bed looking down at the man who if he didn’t know any better was just simply sleeping. He sat down next to the bed reaching for Aaron’s hand grabbing onto it. It was risky he knew but at that moment he didn’t care he needed this.

“Police reckon it was a burglary gone wrong,” Robert stated softly. “Not that I have to tell you, ay? You being in a hospital bed and all that,” he added as he ran his thumb over Aaron’s. He fell silent, closing his eyes to listen to the steady beeping from the monitor, telling himself the worst was over, Aaron was fine.

“Your mum will probably be in any minute,” he stated. “She told me I could have five minutes but you know your mum…” he trailed off. “I do love you, you know,” he said after a moment, looking up at Aaron’s face. “I should tell you more,” he explained. He sighed, “it’s not like I could though, can I?” He questioned. “My heart stopped… seeing you…. Like that,” He explained still holding onto his hand. “I’ve never been— I don’t know what I would do if you…” he choked, his chin wobbling and the tears welling up in his eyes. He stopped taking a deep breath. “I better go,” he muttered. “You need to be resting not listening to me go on,” he explained getting up from the chair letting go of Aaron’s hand. He stared down at the man reaching for the man’s hair brushing the curls back before leaning down to place a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll be back, soon, I promise,” he muttered.

ao3 link

previous fic

Two Pieces — Demi Lovato is.... them. In general. Especially now

My love for Demi Lovato is something I REFUSE to be embarrassed about. 

Now I can lay my head down and fall asleep

Oh, but I don’t have to fall asleep to see my dreams

‘Cause right there in front of me (right there in front of me)

There’s a boy

Lost his way looking for someone to play

We don’t know where to go

So I’ll just get lost with you

We’ll never fall apart, 'cause we fit together right

We fit together right

These dark clouds over me rain down and roll away

We’ll never fall apart, 'cause we fit together like two pieces of a broken heart

“but I don’t have to fall asleep to see my dreams” STAB ME PLEASE. YOU KNOW THAT IS HOW ROBRON THINK OF EACH OTHER AND IT IS SO GROSSLY SWEET. GOD. 

I like the “we don’t know where to go so I’ll just get lost with you” because it’s such a romantic truth. We spend a good portion of our life super confused and just sort of wandering and sometimes it works that what you were looking for was someone else to help guide you through it all, and I think for Robron that’s the case. They helped each other get comfortable with themselves in ways they never anticipated. 

“We’ll never fall apart, ‘cause we fit together like two pieces of a broken heart” HELLO BREAK UP ERA YES. They were never far from one another in their hearts (MY GOD THAT WAS CHEESY AND I AM SO SORRY) and it was inevitable they were going to fall back together. 

Look I’m very fragile today and this song just destroyed me. 

Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute

Right. I’ve decided to make mini Robron scenarios based on song lyrics. I start with a song, break down the lyrics and create starter scenes for you. Make sense? Okay. Some are AU, some are relatively close to the plot line. They are all set in different time points, including present day, affair era, break up era, etc, etc. Any song requests, let me know and I’ll see what I can do! Enjoy! Stay with me, baby, stay with me. As the credits rolled, Aaron sat back on the sofa, his jaw still aching from laughing at the film. "That was good." Aaron admitted. Robert had chosen the film. "I'm glad you liked it." Robert said, smiling to himself. "Least I could do was watch what you wanted to watch, after all, you did cook dinner for me and my boyfriend tonight." Aaron said. Robert glanced at the two Valentine cards on the fireplace, from Aaron to Alex and visa versa. "Yeah, it's a shame that Alex couldn't make it." Robert tried his very best to sound sincere. Aaron knew he was only saying it to be kind. Robert looked at his watch. "Anyway, it's getting late, I best go." He said. Aaron nodded in defeat and they both stood, awkwardly not knowing whether to share a hug. "Thanks... again." Aaron said. Robert nodded and picked up his coat, heading for the door. He was greeted by the most rain he'd seen in a while. "Oh, Robert, you can't go out in this. Stay here, until it stops raining at least." Aaron said, staring out as the sky poured with rain. Robert's heart leapt. "It's fine... I don't mind. I'll just run." He said, hoping Aaron wouldn't take no for an answer. "Shut up, when was the last time you ran?" Aaron asked, patting Robert's stomach for comedic effect. Robert faked offence and Aaron closed the door, the both of them warm with each other's company.

Two shadows standing by the bedroom door, no, I could not want you more than I did right then as our heads leaned in. Aaron listened with his ear pressed against the wooden door, his head thudding loudly. "Yeah, I just hadn't expected you to come home yet!" He heard Robert say. "I missed you! Cutting the holiday short by a few hours seemed like a good idea to me. Especially today of all days..." Chrissie replied. Aaron was frozen to the spot, scared to move, scared to breathe. "It's a miracle I even heard you. I'd just been in the shower." Robert continued. Aaron smirked to himself. What a liar. "I had hoped you'd be here. I want to do something to celebrate our anniversary..." Aaron could just visualise Chrissie hanging off of Robert's neck as she spoke to him, smiling up at him, sweetly. "Definitely. Why don't you head out to town and get yourself a new dress? Here. Take my bank card. Treat yourself. Then we can go for dinner tonight. Just you and me." Robert was trying to get rid of her. "Oh, Robert. You do spoil me." Chrissie squealed back. Aaron heard the door close and he was finally able to step away from the door, collecting his clothes up from the bedroom floor. The door opened and Robert stepped inside. "That was close." He whispered. Aaron nodded. They were face to face again. Robert stared at Aaron, his own heart still racing. "She'll be gone for another... hour or so at least." He smirked, taking the clothes that Aaron had gathered and throwing them back down onto the floor. I'm not sure what this is gonna be. Robert rubbed his palms together and looked out at the green grass surrounding the cricket pavilion, feeling awkward. Adam's glare was yet to leave him from the bench behind him. "Do you love him?" Adam asked. Robert blinked. He had always known how upfront Adam was, especially when it came to people he loved. "Because if you don't, if this is all just a game of manipulation and deceit, then it ends now." Adam said. Robert turned to face him. "This is all new. I'm not sure what this is gonna be but I can tell you one thing. I care about him, Adam. I care about him so much." Robert was sincere. It had been a few days since Aaron had told Adam the truth about the affair and this was the first time Adam had gotten chance to speak to Robert without wanting to throw a punch at him. "You're a married man, Robert. You either leave Chrissie or... you leave Aaron alone." Adam was trying to keep his anger to a minimum. "I know that, don't you think I know that?" Robert was frustrated. His head and his heart were telling him two different things, almost like having an angel and devil on each shoulder, whispering to him. "You need to pick between them. You can't have both. This is only going to end in tears." Adam said, sharp and straight to the point. Robert sighed and nodded, turning back to face out to the Yorkshire countryside. "I know." Hold my breath as you're moving in, taste your lips and feel your skin. "I just can't stand that man." Robert said, slamming the phone receiver back down again. Aaron looked over at him from his desk in the cabin. "Who?" He asked. The list of people that Robert detested seemed to grow by the day. It was hard to keep up. "Tate! Who else?" Robert said, standing up. Aaron smirked, amused. "What's he done now?" He asked. "He's keeping the list of all our clients and is planning on using them himself." Robert was furious. He walked over to the kettle and Aaron stood to join him, wrapping his arms around the taller man's waist. "What's the best revenge we could provide?" He asked. Robert shrugged, throwing a teabag into one of the mugs on the side, waiting patiently for the kettle to boil. "Why don't we give the man a show?" Aaron whispered, his eyes looking across the room to the camera in the corner of the room that Joe had planted, thinking they still knew nothing about it. Robert tried not to smile. "You... you have the best ideas." He said, spinning around to kiss his husband. And it's hard to love again, when the only way it's been, when the only love you knew just walked away. Diane said, placing a mug of tea down for them on the table. Robert sighed and sat down, watching as Victoria bounced Seb on her knee. "I'm just saying, if you want to get back out there and look for someone, maybe you'll feel happier." Diane said, adding a pack of biscuits too. Robert was glum. "It's not got to be straight away." Victoria said, looking at him. "You can be on your own for a while." She added. Robert shook his head. "What am I supposed to do when he's the one for me?" He asked. Diane's sympathetic smile was the last thing Robert wanted to see. She patted him on the shoulder. "Sometimes, sweetheart, you just have to move on. No matter how hard it is guaranteed to be. If he's the one for you, like you think he is, maybe someday he'll come back to you." She said. "No, Diane. That's the problem. I don't think he's the one. I know he is." He pulled an unwritten card from his leather jacket inside pocket and placed it on the table, silently. Diane leaned over to read it. "Oh, Robert." She said, putting her hand to her mouth. "I'd forgotten." She said, feeling horrible. Robert shrugged. "Don't worry. So did Aaron." He said. It read, To my Husband on our Wedding Anniversary... 

Robron x Seb headcanons. Go

OH ANON, YOU’VE STARTED SOMETHING HERE

- seb has plenty of clothes, that much is obvious considering how many times in the day he has to get changed after being sick on himself. but that doesn’t stop aaron from buying a new outfit for him whenever he sees something cute in the shop. his latest one was a stripy red shirt and dungarees. (robert had loved it)

- aaron came home from work late one day, only to find robert asleep on the sofa topless, and seb cuddled up on his chest, both of them snoring as they slept

- aaron has a thing about matching with seb. it started with them wearing the same grey shirt, and now aaron got dressed for a ‘chill’ day at home with the little man, both of them dressed in matching black trackies and a black hoodie

- seb’s first word was ‘dada’. robert had been trying to get him to talk for weeks, saying words over and over again, making his mouth as wide as possible as he taught his son. when seb has actually said it, he’d been sat on aaron’s lap, robert feeding him his dinner. neither of them knew who he’d directed it to, but it didn’t matter

- liv walked down the aisle with seb at their wedding. they’d bought him a mini suit, identical to the ones they were wearing. the wedding photos were the cutest, the whole family candidly laughing at each other, a new era in their lives documented

- they’d both cried on his first day at nursery. they’d walked him in, talked to his teacher, met another parent who instantly knew that seb was their first born. it broke aaron’s heart when he hugged seb goodbye, despite knowing that they’d be back to pick him up in a few hours time

- he was a little terror most of the time. running riot around the house, jumping on the sofa and constantly wanting to kick a football at the walls. robert learnt early on that music calmed him down, so whenever he was in a paddy and his face was bright red with anger and frustration, robert would but some music on for him and within minutes, he’d be singing along like nothing else mattered

Seeing as Christmas is coming to save our souls and Robert Jacob Sugdens 😉 I've been re watching some old robron to get back into how amazing they are ( they still have been acting wise even tho he plot is crap) but I wanted to kno what are some of your top/fave robron moments from 2014-now ? x

anon I’m pretty sure you sent this in like October so for that I deeply apologise but is there any better time to respond than less than 24 hours before the highly anticipated ep actually begins?!?!

I THINK NOT

I HAVE SO MANY FEELS TONIGHT

(well always really but especially tonight bc i’m really weirdly emotional for some unknown reason and it’s startling me a bit)

and I can’t believe you’re making me choose my top fave moments like I can just whip them out without thinking into the depths of their earth shattering love

I’d literally be here for the entire festive period if I listed them all so I’m gonna narrow it down to ten (tough but doable)

2014... the be all and end all, the sexual frustration, the inability to stay away from each other, literally so much tension you could ferment a brand new molecule with that chemistry 

...compare it to now it’s absolutely complete sheer madness how far we’ve prospered through the good and the bad and the soul wrenching, I get quite overwhelmed that these two are still so deeply connected and nothing compares tbh

anyway I live and breathe pre affair era so let’s start this ten carefully chosen moments with that

When Aaron literally discreetly yet directly asked an engaged Robert out on a date without second thought??? like we don’t talk about that enough, before Robert actually faked a breakdown and before the first kiss of dreams, Aaron fully invited him for drinks as though they were best mates and he totally didn’t want to jump his bones lol a m a z i n g 

Hotel one. There’s just something about Aaron’s soft, content smile as he wakes up and adjusts to his surroundings by realising he’d fallen asleep with Robert’s arm round him, and those bright blue puppy dog eyes blown with lust as he gazes at Robert’s thirsty af face and only-boxer-worn bod

When Aaron’s injured in the woods after that beautiful life shifting movement where they pretty much jumped into a relationship after spending a week in Robert’s marital home together. Aaron weakly calling out for him and Robert taking off his jacket to protect his frail, cold body as he high pitch panics and tries to tell the paramedics how to do their job :’))))

The abuse era. (It counts as one solid point okay I’m making the rules now) it’s harrowing and tragic and sad but also so wholesome and tentative and genuine. Robert totally being ride or die Aaron, like he just dedicates his whole life to him without even reconsidering his actions??? It’s all so normal and natural to him, there was no ulterior motive behind it, it was just Robert wanting Aaron to be ok and healthy, Aaron slowly growing to trust Robert again as he recognises Robert’s devotion, framing a best friend who have always been and are still in love but it’s not right to act on it dynamic  “I’LL WAIT FOR YOU, TILL YOU’RE READY!!!!”, the pivotal reveal itself god it wrecks me every time AND THAT DAMN PLACEMENT OF THE BLANKET... high and mighty Robert Sugden sleeping on a hard floor all night because he wanted to be beside him MAXINE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING

SUPER SOAP WEEK THE LITERAL HIGHLIGHT OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. This also counts as one, soz. The entire proposal mid argument as Aaron fails to recognise what may be happening even though an engagement ring is literally thrown in his face lmao just pure, golden, completely, absolutely robron. Robert revealing his biggest secret to the love of his life??? coming out to him for the first time???? he poured his heart out and Aaron’s heart exploded in return. Aaron’s quiver of his lip and teary eyes as Robert tells him about the farm hand, Robert looking away, Aaron having an outburst of love for the first time in forever bc all these feelings spilled out of him in such an intimate moment and he was determined to let Robert know how amazing he was bc it’s what he needed to hear!! the underwater scene of almost death (and literal death on my part)... do not even talk to me about that, thank you. The hospital bedside scene on the Friday - Robert squashed and curled up in a heap on that tiny chair in the corner, adamant he wasn’t going anywhere, not even home to change out of those dirty lake water garments bc no way was he leaving Aaron again, “Rob... Robert”, the fluff ruffle, the constant heart eyes, the second segment of the proposal where Robert was unwavering in his love for Aaron, telling him he’s all he wants, that soft little double kiss as he dove back in bc one literally wasn’t enough, the beaming smiles, the soft voices. It was all so wonderfully sweet and romantic??? every part of it bound them together and showed just how much they invented the word love like????? EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN RIGHT THEN JUST HOW MUCH THEY BOTH MEANT TO EACH OTHER AND HOW MUCH THEY KNOW EACH OTHER INSIDE OUT I would die for that week tbh

Pub quiz. A* content, and surprise content which made it even better. Working as a team to prove just how disgustingly bonded they are??? the playful fun and the gags and the impish comments, Robert calling everyone else but him and Aaron a peasant, Aaron saying his super suave fiance is now Hugh Grant because he buys his crisps in a tube, the signature tickling, the hug, the whispering in the ear, generally being the best most victorious and powerful couple in that goddamn village

The wedding vows in the garage. A dirty, oil stained garage where they first fucked, where the journey to soulmates began. That moment where Aaron was giggling at the whole bizarre ordeal that hadn’t really sunk in and then Robert said his name and his face just completely changes???? oh my god it ruins me absolute sentimental idiots who are so bloody in love with one another so much so that the rest of the world is blocked out and if there was to be an apocalypse they’d still be there savouring the moment

Goodbye scene. For obvious reasons. I don’t even need to say anymore do I?!?! 

The mill reveal. To say the ons literally tore me in two, this episode was just stunningly directed and “my beautiful husband who I love” was born so nothing else matters really

A romantic picnic to aid my devastation. Robert just wanted to take Aaron out to take his mind off everything he’d been through and he literally just sat there on a blanket reminding him how he’s never had better??? the softest realest shit™

and one more to add bc it isn’t appreciated enough: when Robert was rooting through Bernice’s handbag that time during his mild scheming and he was so sure he’d fooled Aaron with his “I just wanted a tissue” makes me wee every time GIVE ROBRON MORE COMEDY 2k18

One Direction  :  You and I Theme Song for Robron

The title of my blog is The Robron SongBook and underneath, the description is ‘You and I’.  I’ve had this for years and never changed it to something else.  To answer a question that nobody asked … this is my personal theme song for Robert and Aaron.  

The song perfectly fits their journey through all the stages and eras in their relationship … from the very beginning, the present and in the future.  From figuring out their love for each other and figuring out their mistakes, to their mini or epic breakups, they are destined to be together.

‘We can make it ‘til the end, Nothing can come between You & I, Not even the gods above could separate the two of us.’

Whenever I’m sad about them not being together, I listen to this song and the lyrics always remind me that no matter what obstacles and setbacks they face, it will always eventually end up being just the 2 of them.

I figured it out I figured it out from black and white Seconds and hours Maybe they had to take some time I know how it goes I know how it goes for wrong and right Silence and sound Did they ever hold each other Tight like us? Did they ever fight like us? You & I We don’t want to be like them We can make it 'til the end Nothing can come between You & I Not even the gods above Could separate the two of us No, nothing can come between You & I Oh, you & I I figured it out Saw the mistakes of up and down Meet in the middle There’s always room for common ground I see what it’s like I see what it’s like for day and night Never together 'Cause they see things in a different light Like us They never tried like us We can make it if we try You & I

Oh Lo. Please teach me your ways. I mean I'm not even overly negative about everything, but how can you always be so excited./see the positives with each new spoiler/quote? I wish I could lol. Cos seriously, IM's definition of 'fun' and mine appear to be vastly different. This mainly boring scheming Robert plpt continues into next year? We're not getting a reunion til 2018 are we? Lord, they really want to test our patience don't they? Have we not paid are dues yet? haha! Who's exit you think?

do you know what anon, it’s weird, but i was actually thinking about what i would say to someone earlier today, if they asked me how i tend to stay positive???? it’s like our brains just know sometimes lmao - but that’s why you’re about to get a weirdly deep answer instead of what i usually say here

and honestly, i was thinking about this because i was thinking about life in general and how much i believe in the power of positive thinking? and how incredibly well it works? in fandom terms particularly, it’s a life saviour - in life it’s can be a lot more of a struggle to remind yourself but yk we’re not getting that deep we’re just talking about a soap

i get that it sounds like bullshit, but it works for me literally every single time. i’ve found that complaining about things is literally giving voice to negative thoughts and giving voice to negative thoughts is giving power so that they can breed more negative thoughts and before you know it, you’re sinking down this weird self-made hole of sadness - and not only that, but it spreads to other people, because humans are like feelings sponges and we feed off other people’s emotions a lot - it’s hard to be the lone person feeling one way in a room of people feeling the other. it’s like subconscious peer pressure.

but then the opposite - looking at the positives, being as steadfast and determined and strict with yourselves to look at the good sides of everything, is fucking life changing. there are like one thousand and one ted talks on this - like, you wouldn’t believe how many damn ted talks there are. anyway, because i was in this weird mood this morning and reflecting on it, i watched one that used a quote from wayne dyer - “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

THIS IS SO EMBARRASINGLY DEEP FOR WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A CONVERSATION ABOUT FLIPPIN EMMERDALE SPOILERS BUT IT’S TRUE OK 

it’s true. if i look at spoilers andlook for the positives and literally refuse to give voice to the negative, pullmyself back to the positives whenever i do, and beyond that encourage thatpositivity in others through humour or happy thoughts so that maybe it spreads - and if i do it enough times that it becomes natural to me, a natural response to anything and everything, then… well… everything gets a hell of a lot more fun and enjoyable and those things that maybe i once thought were negative and worrying somehow turn into positives. and that’s not me desperately trying to tell myself something is good - it just genuinely does become something that inspires good feelings in me, happiness and excitement and whatever. i can’t really explain how well it works - you have to experience it. but like now? now i literally fucking love that rob and rebecca had a one night stand lmao. like. i love that god damn story beat so much. it’s just about changing the way you look at things - so when i used to look at that scene, all i ever saw was jfc why i don’t actually want this - but after really and honestly thinking about it in every way, by about acknowledging that i can’t change it and then looking at it from every angle, i look at that scene now and i see the show committing to showing just how affect robert is about everything, and also playing out a soap trope in what is literally the most shippy way possible. i see a scene that is, perversely, entirely about robert’s love for aaron and also a scene that gives me a great look at who robert is as a character and the way he reacts in situations. 

it sounds ridiculous? like, it really god damn does, but like… actually, why does it matter if it sounds ridiculous if i’m having fun and hopefully making other people smile occasionally lmao

also, beyond this, i’m also all about accepting the things i cannot change - and the writing of emmerdale? that’s a thing i cannot change. so why fight it? why not just buckle in and enjoy the ride? what the hell else am i gonna do? 

so yeah, anyway, it’s not about paying dues or anything, it’s not about making us suffer for our crimes of loving too much lmaooo  - they’re just…. it’s a soap and they’re telling a story that ultimately has robert and aaron interacting regularly and still being stupidly in love and eventually reuniting properly. so all i can do and all i want to do is find ways to enjoy the journey - and this is true of every storyline ever. 

and the result of me giving as much voice as i can to the things i enjoy and literally just ignoring any thoughts i may have or thoughts other people have about what they don’t because i don’t find them helpful (sorry all other ppl i love you i just gotta do me) - is that what we’ve had so far has been so much fun for me. i enjoy aaron and robert interacting in a - in a way, very abuse era-esque manner, obviously in an entirely different context. like - they both want to be together but they can’t - and now the feelings are there but only tenfold and so their scenes always have that bubbling underneath. a little bit of subtextual love and angst is fun. yes i want them to get back together and make out and cuddle and all that good and lovely jazz but like… that’s not the only way to enjoy their scenes, i don’t think. why would anyone ever rewatch the lighter relationshippy aspects of the abuse storyline if it was?

like - the smitten kitten scene? maxine’s episode where they go to find sandra? rob dealing with aaron leaving to see family in ireland for a bit (#parallel) and literally just trying to get info about how he’s doing out of chas on a daily if not hourly basis? they weren’t together during any of that. so why do they need to be together as a couple to have amazing, wonderful scenes now? why does them being split up automatically mean we’re in for months of no robron at all? because that hasn’t been what i’ve seen so far and from everything that has been said, that isn’t what they seem to have in store for us going forward.

obviously, you know, you gotta do you etc etc but… yeah, this is literally my secret lmao. just… idk. it took me a long af time to learn this and i had to go through a lot of sadness to get there but… idk the idea of being sad about a soap all the time just isn’t something i’m interested in for a way to spend my free time. so i don’t spend it that way. 

basically, what i’m saying is, this isn’t just innately me, irrationally excited about all things ever. it’s something i learnt to do and it changed my god damn life for the better in every damn way.

(i think it does make me a horrible person to try and be salty with when it comes to plot or spoilers though because i will, with all the love and good intentions in the world, probably refuse to let a conversation wallow in that misery and probably change the subject to something happier in order to preserve the hard work i’ve done on myself)

idk idk hopefully this doesn’t sound like a flipping lecture or whatever but this ask just came at a hilariously appropriate time for where my head has been at this morning

What are your darkest emmerdale thoughts? I'm talking something you wouldn't really want people to know 👀👀👀

OH FUCKING HELL

so it’s not really a secret that I shipped Bartsy and think “where would we be now if they’d kissed in 2009?” and I still think hmm, but imagine….

I’m maybe a multi shipper and can see Aaron and Robert with other people but I ship them and want them together the most.

Robert Sugden deserves better (better than everything else but Aaron)

I never liked Rebecca and I especially don’t now I hate her infact

I loved Liv from the get go, but hated how she was shoe horned and ruined the initial “new relationship” bliss and fluffyness etc for robron but I’d rather that again than anything we have right now

I didn’t get all of the negativity for the “chill” (boyfriend) era, yeah there was no affection or intimacy but it wasn’t all that bad

I’ve hated more things than I’ve liked during Robron’s relationship but I really love watching Danny and Ryan so I kinda let it go

I’m bitter about Robert/Katie

I’m bitter about a Bartsugsy / Bartsuggle double date

I’m bitter Vadam couldn’t have a baby for Robron to be wonderful uncle’s to

I’m bitter about the lack of Diane caring for Robert

I love Charity in The Woolpack and that dynamic but how amazing would it have been if Diane still had lived there when Robron did?

I do think Robert is shitty but I have loved him all of my life. it’s kinda hard impossible to hate him 

I didn’t get all of the negativity for the initial prison scenes

Adam leaving has broken my heart

I don’t want Chrissie to leave yet as I fancy her a lot

honesty hour; ask me anything

What you said about Rob being marginalised in this crappy plot is so true and makes me so sad:(, look I get Robron is no fairytale and they're messed up always have been but did they really have to make it quite so bad? When I first saw this I was like ok Aaron's messed and so has Robert this can be worked out but really they way they made Robert look and choices like the mill just made him look 10x worse? did they really have to make it so nasty.

Oh, nonnie, this ask just went epic. 

Alright this answer got away from me so you know if you have stuff to do tl;dr

Looking at it from their point (the writers), they don’t think they did anything wrong because I get the sense that their INTENTION was that they equally messed up. That Robert’s horrible choice was equally as bad as Aaron. I think their intention was to bring to light those issues that they never resolved after the Kasim incident: Robert’s fear of never being good enough and never being able to make Aaron happy; Aaron’s fear that Robert would be unfaithful. He was sure of it even when Robert insisted he wouldn’t (and he meant that). Robert was sure that he couldn’t make Aaron happy even when it was obvious that Robert leaving would break Aaron.

It’s almost like self-fulfilling prophecies. If you think something is going to happen (Rob believing he wasn’t good enough no matter how hard he tried; Aaron never believing Robert wouldn’t cheat) then eventually, it’s going to happen. Let’s be honest, so much of this stems from how they began: the affair. AND MAYBE if I had more faith in ED, I would say that THIS IS WHAT this is about; Robert has betrayed his vows and Aaron (whether you full on call it cheating or not). But it wasn’t out of desire or want or need. (He isn’t looking for someone other than Aaron.)  It was out of losing Aaron. I mean it’s incredibly fucked up but there you have it.

This time, however, Robert’s reactions after are completely different. He feels horrible and guilty (something that never happened with Chrissie). He was going to actually tell the truth even though he really didn’t want to because he doesn’t want to hurt Aaron or lose him (something that never occurred to him with Chrissie). He is taking full responsibility and not trying to blame this on anyone else; he knows he has just hurt so many people he loves: Aaron, Chas, Liv (something that never happened through the affair era because Rob was too self-involved to consider anyone else). He fully admits he doesn’t deserve Aaron and in his mind never did (something he said about Chrissie once but didn’t mean because that Robert believed he was entitled to have what he wanted, this one knows that’s not true ).

All that has happened since Rebecca got here was to get us here. If they can deal with those issues, they have a chance of turning this story on its head.

This time, Robert had tried so hard and though Aaron saw it and knew it, there was that part inside him that lived through the affair, through The Lodge, through the scrapyard confrontation and can’t quite believe it. I mean the beginning of their coming back together was difficult because any wrong foot that Robert made – whether accidental or on purpose – had Aaron kicking him out. That was his gut reaction because of all they’d been through. And yes, things changed slowly and he let Robert in but as soon as Rebecca came into the equation, all of that came rushing back, all of it, and this time it was worse because now he knows what it is like to have all of Robert’s affections and love and attention on him. His mind keeps going there again and again. No matter how much Robert shows him he loves him, tells him he loves him, Aaron thinks Rob has one foot out of the door, just waiting. Robert spent the better part of the year ignoring that. Ignoring that Aaron didn’t believe in him because he doesn’t think he deserves that. It’s been in recent months that Robert has allowed himself to get angry about it and actually speak up. January being that moment where he just couldn’t anymore.

Then everything happened and Robert had to step up and be that awesome guy regardless of what Aaron, his family, Paddy thought. He did it too. He was doing it. And then Aaron chose the drugs over him and Liv. And every single time that Robert felt marginalised came back to him.

Here’s the thing: this was all in the actual narrative. I’m not making it up.

Maybe the execution was the problem more than anything. It was just misery after misery. We as a fandom didn’t see them together except for 2-3 minutes. They felt disconnected (they are supposed to), they felt alone and we felt that way with them. They need that constant connection, where they can look at each other, talk to each other, touch each other. Without that, they flounder and fail.

Aaron was reaching his breaking point long before prison, it was just the thing that sent him over the edge and he broke. He took drugs and choice to deal with his pain that way rather than holding on to Rob and Liv. Ultimately, it was losing Robert, like he thought he had, that pulled Aaron back into himself and made him realize what he was going to lose.

Robert’s breaking point has been quieter and subtler because he doesn’t let his emotions show as easily but they did an excellent job at getting him there, and I do love that it wasn’t played as a breakdown in tears but a complete and total loss of willingness to go on. Rob was completely done. There was nothing left without Aaron, even Liv wasn’t enough to keep him going without Aaron. Somewhere in Robert, he already felt like he failed Aaron long before he made the idiotic choice of getting drunk and sleeping with someone else.

Where they lost the audience was with the way they executed it. It was cheap drama (though awesomely acted by Ryan and Danny) and it just threw everyone for a loop. Having spent weeks without them being them, Aaron being someone else, Rob going crazy, no loving interactions between them for more than a few minutes, no communication, that scene on Thursday was OUR breaking point.

They have been playing the long game with this for a while and sometimes they forget that the audience doesn’t always remember everything that came before and how it plays into the now. That might have been a major flaw in this plan. (Or I could be giving them too much credit, who knows.)

Again, if I didn’t already feel pretty burned by that I would be more hopeful (and somewhere deep inside I probably am) that this was also their point.

Will they be able to fix it? It really all depends on what happens next and how the handle the fallout and the reconstruction of it all. Can they do it? Honestly, I don’t know. However, they brought me SSW, Robron reunion, the wedding, the abuse storyline, Holly’s death, Emma’s amazing characterization, Pierce and Rhona’s insidious domestic abuse, Ashley’s dementia, Rob’s development, Olivia Flaherty, Faith Dingle, pub quizzes, awesome women friendships, book clubs that make me happy….so I am going to try to believe a little bit harder in them.

@aviewfromtheclouds25 : Same!!!! I was so used to watch my favorite tv shows and ship my favorite couples alone or just talk about them with friends and then I found Robron and this fandom, I was like ok that’s something else, I want to join and never leave 😂 Oh yeah, sometimes I wonder how I spent all my time before Emmerdale and Robron ;) You were there since the beginning ??? 

Haha exactly!! I watched some amazing fanvideos on SSW, it was SO BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING !!! So, I watched their storyline, I found out about the affair (ok they have an insane chemistry but Robert is really not nice), then Katie (WTF !!!!!), the lodge scenes/scrapyard scene (BUT HOW??? HOW CAN THEY BE SO IN LOVE NOW???), Robert is shot and Aaron is the principal suspect (I didn’t think it was him but you know, we never know :p), Aaron’s speech at the hospital (who is the opposite of what he looked like when he tried to save Robert on the floor), Robert’s testimony to free Aaron (but of course when they meet again, he says that he hates him 😭), and then one of my favorite scene Robert who is helping Aaron with Doug and the whole story with Chas, the look they share oh god at this moment I knew it wasn’t over (even if I already knew since the beginning 😂)!!! And finally Aaron’s storyline and Robert being there for him, the boyfriends era and SSW!! Well, I think you got the idea (sorry I got carried away) but I had too many emotions in only three days!!! So yeah I’m a little bit afraid to see them apart for the first time if I don’t already know when they are going back together, but I guess we’ll see and I’m sure I’ll enjoy it somehow ;)

A really high likelihood. Really really high. 😌 (And that sticks to the last spoilers we have “Robert is determined”, of course he is!! He wants to avenge the lack of bread his husband has suffered! I think you’ve got something there Vicky!! Optimistic realism is back. 😌😂

@carlwritesbadsmut replied to your post:

For me these problems go back years, not just months. 2015 was everything you describe the show as being for me in present day with the heart being gone. That, and the poor way Aaron's abuse and his relationship with Robert in that timeframe, are why I pretty much checked out of their relationship. Holly's death and Ashley's last year had heart but otherwise the show just hasn't really cared about this in many years. It cares about plot plot plot. I actually think they've done a very good job showing grieving for Holly. I don't think I have to "remember" her because she is obviously still affecting Moira and Jai, if not Adam. I agree about James - other than Emma they have done a poor job showing that grieving. The only story that heavily involved it was Finn and they botched that by downplaying it and just making him look crazy. I don't really see the Ashley stuff the same way you do. I think we've seen some grieving with Laurel and I don't think they're rushing her going after Emma. It hasn't even happened yet and it's been months. I don't think that they're saying she's magically cured of alcoholism. If we saw her struggle over and over then it would lose any impact. I think that things like Sandy are impacted by Freddie Jones being 90 years old - we saw more of him than I thought we would, to be honest. I didn't feel like they pitched Gabby being upset with Bernice as a story. I thought the writeups suggested it would be brief, which it was. I imagine it could have been longer but Rosie Bertham had to leave for her studies. I do agree with many of your points though, especially about Rebecca. The problem is they have always handled the Robert stories. Ryan Hawley would say things about Robert that were never shown onscreen, especially regarding Chrissie. Fans liked that, because it fit their headcanon about his feelings. But it also meant the show never fixed these problems. It's always been the main failing of the Robron storyline, going back to the disastrous story of Katie's death. And now I feel like it's too late. As you said, they are only focused on how people feel about Rebecca. And of course many fans talk solely about her, just as they solely talked about hating Liv or hating Finn before this. There's a certain portion of the fanbase that only tells the show how awful something is and sadly I do think that segment gets more attention, because they are louder. Anyway, I thought this was very well-written. I didn't want to reblog it and add my comments and I didn't want to send a million asks so I just replied here. Sorry to go on so much.

Oh I agree, 2015 was bad and very plotty. I definitely don't think this is the first time Emmerdale has resorted to plot but for me, it feels like the first time it's become solely about that non-stop. Or in my lifetime at least. Up until the 2015 era, it had been fairly consistent. It had its moments of course, but in comparison to the other soaps it definitely had a balance for me of favouring character more. And I felt like most of 2016 found its way back to that (I'm obviously ignoring the whole Robron versus the White business.), but since the start of this year/after Christmas it's really taken a downward spiral. I do actually agree about Holly though. My point was simply referencing the immediate aftermath and using it as an example of their universal lack of follow-through these days, but I am glad they haven't dropped it entirely, particularly the Jai aspect like you say. And again, I guess other factors got in the way - SSW happened immediately after so Holly's storyline was more or less pushed to one side for a while, Adam going into the jungle would have affected his availability for filming etc. And yeah, as far as James is concerned, they mainly relied on Finn and Emma and highlighting the similarities between the two, but as you say Finn's grief just became a catalyst for his odd behaviour and essentially a plot device for the messy Robron situation now. Which is a shame. With Ashley, the point I was making was purely in response to the comment of having Laurel "sat twiddling her thumbs". Because, personally, I'd like to watch characters just be rather than always action. And I'm also not saying Laurel struggling should be an actual plot-point, just that they touched on it in one scene and then it was pushed aside again. And yeah, the Gabby point was just in response to the quotes again, which talked about how this is a very real thing that people have to come to terms with and it just implied to me that they were going to explore it a bit more. But again, as you say, circumstances probably affected that too. I'm not saying we haven't seen any grieving with these storylines of course, just using it as an example as one of these things which should be carried through. You can't put a clock on human emotion after all. But my thoughts on that extend to the whole show.

Let's not get started on Katie's death haha. But to be honest, I think the fandom appreciated whatever Ryan said about Robert because it showed he had a deeper understanding of the character which the plots rarely allowed the onscreen narrative to show. But I think that kind of applies to most actors and storylines to be honest, and probably not just ED.

I mean, I've not been on here long. Until recently, I was a regular Emmerdale viewer all my life. But I've loved Robron from the start and the excitement leading to the wedding brought me here. So until now, I never had a place to voice my opinions. That's the same for the majority of the audience, whether it be praise or criticism. The only voices which get heard are those of the online fandom and like you say, those which are loudest. And that's what gets the focus. And that's why I wanted to put my thoughts out there (which I was in two minds about doing), because even though no one else will see it, I knew there were other people feeling the same and our voices may be too quiet to be heard, but we can still use them. :) Thank you for your comments though! And it's always good to hear other people's opinions, because they're what shape our perspectives and feelings on the show. Like I said in my post, we're all individuals and it shouldn't automatically be assumed that we think the same on everything because we each identify as "fans". :)

yo lo your thing made me think, what if this is all just aaron getting back at rob for the lodge? what if like, in the car with paddy that "you have to let them destroy themselves" was an inspo to aaron? like what if rebeccas pregnancy isnt the con but actually the whole of robron? imagine if aaron turned around to robert next week and was like "i never loved you. you still disgust me. i'm just serving you some justice for shooting paddy" how wild would that be? how would rob take that? 🙈

😂😂😂😂 oh my godddddd anon what kind of hEATHEN MESSAGE IS THIS

Just taking my dream Rebecca story and giving it to Aaron. The cruelty of it.

Bless it would literally make no sense whatsoever though and trying to find a way to make it make sense within canon would destroy my entire brain. Because how could you explain Aaron’s complete and ultimately violent jealousy over the thought of losing Robert to Rebecca, how could you reconcile all of the abuse era and claim that Aaron was in any position or state to carry on with a con that big during that time, how could you explain the fact that he genuinely wanted to spend time with only Robert during the wedding or their goodbye scenes before prison, him holding onto Robert’s shower gel and later just sitting there, crying about it, or actually anything about the prison era.

Bless him, he’s great at throwing up a facade of not caring - he did it in the first big break ups, particularly on the lead up to the lodge, and they’re showing the exact same thing again; guard up and stony faced until he’s alone and Robert isn’t looking anymore, and then face falling into something more hurt and vulnerable. He’s… really not good at keeping up a kind and loving act though, as evidenced by the entire beginning of the lodge. He abandons that plan almost immediately and instead just eggs Robert into revealing his secrets. No one else has ever managed to get Robert to talk about things in the same way Aaron has, for better or for worse.

😂 Poor in love boys, they’ve made such a mess of one another all on their own, even while trying their hardest not to.

The Robron Break-Ups : A Definitive Guide (Part Four/A Large Number)

Part One / Previous Part / All / AO3

And so we return again to what is ostensibly a Break Up Counter but is actually at this point just a general recap of Aaron and Robert’s entire storyline, because I literally have no self-control.

Fair warning to you - with this post we reach The Donny Saga and The Time of Chrobert and the first Proper Break Up, which is personally one of my least favourite eras as far as Aaron and Robert are concerned and I spend most of it wanting to silently and furiously throw sharp objects at my tv screen. I MAY NOT BE AS SUBTLE ABOUT MY DISLIKE AS I COULD BE, TO BE HONEST.

But still, this has been therapeutic, and has reminded me that we’ve lived through many a Dark Age before.

Anyway, everyone loves a good bit of low-key saltiness don’t they? And also, in amongst all the… Lachlan stuff… there’s still some really wonderful moments, because of course there are. It’s Aaron and Robert.

I love you all. Thank you for your kind comments and likes/kudos/general loveliness. Enjoy.

Part Four: The Real Deal

16. 15th April 2015

So we pick up with things happening with Lachlan that I’m not even going to pretend to care about. Robert is distracted, Aaron is back from the hospital and Paddy and Chas are both Very Unsatisfied by this whole goddamn bitch of a situation. Anyway - the important thing is, in among all this stuff, Lachlan’s dad Donny comes back, which is only enjoyable if you enjoy seeing Robert irrationally hate people out of sheer jealousy (which I do, so here I am).

In the midst of all this, Aaron and Robert are not actually talking, according to Aaron, who is staring sadly at his phone in wait.  

(At the same time as this is happening, Vic and Adam agree to go on a double date with Finn and the bloke he’s seeing and I scream a thousand screams of actual agony because when will they go on a double date with Aaron and Robert what the ACTUAL HELL)

(…moving on)

Anyway, Robert rocks up at the Woolpack to visit Aaron, who is still annoyed that Robert has been ignoring his messages and expresses this. Robert explains that Donny has turned up, Aaron asks if Robert’s jealous and Robert pulls this great ~offended~ face, as if that’s not exactly what’s happening. Aaron teases Rob a little bit to try and lighten the mood but Robert still kind of looks grumpy, so Aaron gets the hump and tells Robert to call him when he’s ready to talk. As he leaves, Robert looks all sad and guilty. It’s so hard maintaining two romantic relationships at once, isn’t it Robert? Poor angel.

How long did it last? Less than a day. Probably minutes, honestly. Robert had probably text Aaron with a wink face and a flirty joke before he even got out of the door.

But on screen, the very next day we see them at the scrapyard, literally just standing around and making out next to a rusty old van. Robert checks his watch to keep an eye on the time (lest Chrissie get suspicious) and Aaron comments that Robert has yet to have a go at him today - an odd occurrence given how moody Robert has obviously been lately. Robert laughs and explains that it’s Donny (TO WHICH AARON REPLIES “IT’S AARON, ACTUALLY”. AARON DINGLE KING OF HUMOUR). Robert goes on to talk about his annoyance at Donny’s general presence, because he’s clearly jealous and worried that he’s going to start making moves on Chrissie. Aaron, understandably, is about as sympathetic as an imminently dying person might be towards someone who sneezed once 5 hours ago and points out the absurd irony that Robert is worried about Chrissie cheating.

Robert doesn’t quite dignify that observation with a response, but simply apologises because he’s aware that him moaning about his marriage to his lover is probably not the smoothest of moves. He dials the pretty charm up to 560 and tells Aaron that they should meet tonight and go on a big romantic date with food and drinks and that Aaron should wear a suit (OK HE SAYS “PUT SOMETHING DECENT ON” BUT THIS OBVIOUSLY MEANS SUIT IT’S ROCK SOLID CANON THAT ROBERT LITERALLY FALLS OVER HIMSELF AT THE SIGHT OF AARON IN A SUIT SO) and that he might even be able to wrangle them an entire night together. He leaves and Aaron watches him go, biting back the smallest little smile because he’s all excited. Well. That will disappear soon.

Who came crawling back first? I don’t know they literally went from Aaron walking out to the two of them snogging. It was obviously Robert though.

How little did they mean it? 0/5 I mean why even ask at this point

17. 16th April 2015 - 17th April 2015

So, Aaron goes home after work and gets ready for his date with Robert. He’s not wearing a suit and I’m upset about it. Probably for the best though, because Robert has literally gone home and immediately dragged Chrissie into bed because he is the dictionary definition of “insatiable”, with the intent of spending the night with her. Has he already forgotten what he just said to Aaron? Stop double booking your dates Robert, you literal butthole.

Robert sort of neglects to mention his self-inflicted change of plans to Aaron, who ends up waiting around in the Woolie and leaving an angry voicemail with Robert, who obviously still hasn’t turned up. Luckily, Chas comes along to provide an excellent distraction, when she reveals that James has cheated on her. Cain barges in shortly afterwards and both he and Aaron look ready to punch all the things.

Aaron walks out (or hobbles - he’s still on crutches following his accident) and gets almost accidentally pushed to the floor by Paddy. Paddy notices the Face of Thunder™ Aaron is wearing and asks what’s wrong. Aaron fills him in about James and just sort of looks fed up with life. To rub salt into an already gaping wound, Robert rocks up with Chrissie, heading towards the pub, for the date night that he and Aaron were supposed to have, because apparently it’s ASSHOLE WEEK AND ROBERT IS THE NUMBER ONE PARTICIPANT DO YOU MIND ROBERT YOU’RE MAKING YOUR BOYFRIEND SAD YOU FLIPPING BAGEL BITE OH MY GOD

It’s at this point that I’m remembering why I never rewatch this particular era in their storyline.

Anyway, Aaron limps off, even angrier still, and snaps at a following Paddy to leave him be. Back at the pub, Aaron bumps into James, who is going through the ‘collecting his stuff’ stage of the break up. James tries to apologise and Aaron calls him a little muppet, growls a bit and refuses to let him leave.

James snaps and says that Aaron gets a free pass with Chas for every mistake he makes, which he understands because Aaron is her son, but - to quote James - “boy, do you need it”. Well, James isn’t wrong. In perfect soap timing, Robert chooses this moment to walk into the pub with Chrissie, still on the date he was supposed to take Aaron on. Aaron and James’ fight escalates, Aaron follows him out into the pub and catches sight of Robert and Chrissie, James calls him a coward who can’t face up to his actions and Aaron just snaps, grabs an ENTIRE FUCKING WINE BOTTLE and bottles James over the head.

In front of a lot of witnesses.

James gets back up and they start arguing again, but Cain keeps them separate and forces James to leave. Robert gets up with the intent of “doing something” to help, having completely forgotten about Chrissie’s presence in the face of Aaron doing something stupid, but Chrissie immediately forces him to sit back down. Chas comes out, Pete rocks up, it’s a whole thing, there’s a lot of arguing and Aaron just really looks like he wants a fight. You’re on crutches son, be good to yourself.

Anyway, other stuff happens. Donny gets beaten up and Aaron gets questioned by the police because he literally assaulted James in front of like 50 witnesses. Luckily, James gives Aaron an alibi for the police and he’s free to go.

How long did it last? Bloody forever

Who came crawling back first? Robert. Obviously. Robert drives up to the village to talk to Aaron and apologises for standing him up the night before. It’s the worst apology I’ve ever heard and Robert seems mostly perplexed that Aaron doesn’t want to both forgive him and hear about his dramas with Donny trying to steal Chrissie or whatever.

A few days later, Robert goes to find Aaron at the scrapyard and apologise. This scene mostly exists for Aaron to tell Robert that he’s seen Donny for the first time and overheard a dodgy call, which sends Robert back to Home Farm to #expose Donny to Chrissie once and for all.

More stuff happens with Donny. Ross and Chrissie flirt and I cry over their absurdly good sexual chemistry. Other stuff happens with Donny and he tries to steal Lachlan from the village or whatever. Sadly, he fails. Chrissie takes this as a cue to have Donny brutally murdered or some shit and Robert finds this to be the best turn on in the world and god help me I literally love everything about them despite myself. They’re like the Ultimate Evil Scheming Power Couple of Emmerdale, except Robert is utterly in love with someone else and Chrissie deserves better.

Also at some point Bob makes Robert a cake and sings him Happy Birthday. I understand this has nothing to do with anything, but it felt important to point out.

How little did they mean it? I mean, as much as it didn’t even sound like a break up when it happened, a damn lot, a whole flipping 5/5.

The show has, at this point, basically decided that Home Farm week never happened and it’s Chrobert’s time to shine. At one point Robert goes to the pub while Aaron is there sitting pretty in the background and has a secret meeting with ROSS BARTON. They don’t even make eyes at each other, this era sucks.

Speaking of, Ross gleefully spills to Chrissie that Robert set up the Home Farm raid. She confronts Robert, he thinks she’s found out about Aaron, but nope. Just the original shit he pulled. She yells and then he yells and then Robert goes off to confront Ross and Aaron appears and Robert doesn’t even give him a flirty look and I just want this era to end.

Robert ends up with Diane, who insists that he stay with her in the pub. Aaron walks in to find Robert looking pathetic and STILL NOT TRYING TO BANG HIM

AND THEY ARGUE AS IF THEY NEVER WERE EVEN IN LOVE BECAUSE ROBERT IS ANGRY ABOUT LOSING CHRISSIE AND AARON IS ANGRY AT ROBERT FOR BEING A DICK AND THEN AARON THREATENS TO TELL CHRISSIE EVERYTHING AND ROBERT SAYS “YOU’RE NOTHING TO ME” AND EVERYTHING HURTS ME IT’S NOT EVEN GOOD ANGST™

They’re literally sleeping under the same roof and not talking OR banging.

It’s absurd and it’s offensive.

At the prospect of having to actually live with Robert, Aaron asks Paddy to borrow some money so that he can leave the village for a bit and get some thoroughly undramatic and much needed peace. He changes his mind though, and has a great chat with Chas about Robert and Carl and Aaron is absolutely resolute that he’s finished with Robert, regardless of whether he comes crawling back for more.

Later on, Robert has literally changed his tune entirely and tries to get back into Aaron’s good books. Aaron gives him a shove, tells him they’re done. Robert apologises, says he shouldn’t have pushed Aaron away, but Aaron stays true to his word and doesn’t give in.

Oh man, yeah. This is a Break Up.

Luckily, knowing what we know about these two, it may be Over For Now, but it is in no way Over For Good.

Honourable Mention #10: 11th May 2015 - 14th May 2015

Fast forward a bit. Robert and Aaron are still living under the same roof and still haven’t banged again, which is entirely unrealistic, but hey - good for Aaron. I guess. Speaking of Aaron, he literally grabs a paper and sticks it down in front of Robert, telling him to find his own place and move on. Robert, who is sitting at the bar looking thoroughly depressed, uses his Soft Aaron Voice and asks if they can go and talk somewhere. Aaron tells him to not be a prat and walks away.

CAN I JUST POINT OUT HOW GOOD ALL OF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN IF THE SHOW WANTED TO ADMIT THAT EITHER OF THEM EVER HAD FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER BEYOND “NICE DICK” BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO. GOOD. INSTEAD, THEY DON’T AND I’M MOSTLY JUST MAD.

ON PAPER IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE SHOULD BE ALL THIS SEXUAL TENSION AND ANGST AND IT SHOULD BE BEAUTIFUL. IT’S NOT. DON’T WATCH IT TO TRY AND PROVE ME WRONG. ALL YOU’LL END UP WITH IS DISAPPOINTMENT.

The next day, Robert is meeting with Rakesh, because despite Robert’s best efforts, Chrissie still wants to divorce him. She’s still upset about that whole Home Farm break in thing. Bummer. Aaron walks in on the meeting and refuses to leave, gloats, gets a good couple of digs in… generally looks like he’s having a very satisfying time winding Robert up. Robert reacts to this all by getting steaming drunk. Aaron finds him and takes him back to the Woolpack, gets him a coffee and takes care of him, because Aaron is a good person and also still completely in love with Robert.

Robert apologises sincerely, talks about how much being alone terrifies him and tries to kiss Aaron. Aaron pushes Robert away and walks out. Chas sees the kiss and freaks out once more that Aaron and Robert are going to end up together. I’m telling you - give Chas a detective show or a psychic certification because she’s NEVER WRONG ABOUT THIS STUFF.

Chas and Paddy confront Aaron once more and he decides to sort out the living-with-Robert situation once and for all - and goes to pay a visit to Chrissie.

Blinding red herring - here we are, getting ready to see Aaron reveal the affair, but instead Aaron goes to Chrissie and basically convinces her to give Robert another chance and my heart shatters to little pieces because oh my god, Aaron just wants to be away from Robert, knows that if Robert stays they’ll end up getting back together and it’s just sad ok it’s sad and I’m sad.

The scene is amazing though. Aaron really sells it and it’s fascinating. He goes back to the Woolie to find a now sober and hungover Robert, who is absolutely not in the mood for Aaron to have it out with him again about moving out. Aaron explains what he’s done to Robert. Chrissie appears just in time to overhear their conversation. It all starts off great, then Robert starts bitching and Aaron admits that he flat out lied to Chrissie and ultimately, Chrissie locks Robert in a barn and pretends to set it on fire.

Seems reasonable.

Ah yeah and lest we forget - that’s exactly the way his mother died.

God they’re terrible to each other.

Anyway - a fascinating little sidenote to this particular honourable mention: Robert, in another desperate attempt to get Chrissie back, tells her that he knows he does stupid things, hurts the people he loves, manipulates, etc. and that he’ll change. She almost believes him, until he accidentally drops the massive cheque she gave him as a settlement and frantically reaches down to grab it, proof that more than anything, Robert cares about her money. There are so many similarities between this and the conversation Robert will have with Aaron about how he wants to change and be better for Aaron - except that with Aaron he honestly, genuinely means it.

He’s nowhere near there yet though. He does, however, go back to the Woolpack to find Aaron and they have a conversation - one of the first probably almost civil conversations since they split up.

Robert asks Aaron to run away with him. They’ll take the cheque Chrissie gave him and make a fresh start somewhere else, together. Aaron says that if Robert had been asking this a few weeks ago, Aaron would already be out of the door with his bags packed and ready to go. Now though - now he’s lost his trust in Robert and more than that, knows that wherever they go, even with Robert not being with Chrissie, they still won’t be able to be openly in a relationship because Robert still isn’t ready to come out.

Because, and this is important, Robert has spent all this time not with Chrissie, with Chrissie seemingly firmly out of the picture, and he and Aaron still haven’t become a proper couple - which is something I think Aaron had really put his hopes on, deep down - that the person getting between them was Chrissie, more than Robert himself.

Aaron asks Robert to go out into the bar and tell everyone, to “say it proud” and of course, Robert isn’t in the right place to do it. Aaron says that all he wants is for Robert to not be in his face 24/7 and tells him to “do one” (ah boy, I’ve missed that phrase) and storms off.

Honourable Mention #11: May 2015 - June 2015

FAST FORWARD SOME MORE. Robert and Chrissie get back together because Robert and Lachlan are like best buddies at this point and Lachlan helps out. It’s adorable in the sense that Ryan and Louise have lovely chemistry, but you know, whatever.

Robert breaks the news to Aaron and is all “no hard feelings” which Aaron quite rightly laughs off because What. The. Hell. Ah Robert, you dingbat. You can try to pretend like what you had with Aaron meant nothing but we all know the truth son. WE KNOW THE TRUTH.

He’s so good at lying to himself, isn’t he?

Aaron gets distracted by more Adam and Victoria drama, which is great. Anyway, on the day Victoria and Adam are supposed to move in together, Vic finds out that Adam had a one night stand with Vanessa and may have knocked her up. Aaron is a supportive friend and Robert appears to have the sweetest conversation with Victoria and be a supportive brother.

I say sweetest, but the whole thing is literally him suggesting she get her revenge.Whatever, it’s still sweet. Robert decides the best way to do this is to use some of his dodgy contacts to try and get Adam arrested because of course that’s how Robert responds to things.

Anyway, this is all to set the scene for Robert’s sudden and visceral hatred of Adam Barton. Vic and Adam reunite and decide to run off together with the intent of getting married. Robert… does not take this well.

So. Short and sweet (…in a way). I’m ending this here so that I can get it out of my drafts and move on to the next post, because this entire thing was written about two months ago and has been sitting untouched ever since. Tragic. So, onwards to the next part - which, coincidentally, is my all-time favourite era and also, let’s be honest, possibly the worst robron break-up to exist in this day and age so far.

(AND FOREVER MORE I DO NOT WANT LODGE PART TWO DO U HEAR ME UNIVERSE? NO. ONCE WAS PLENTY.)

That’s right kiddies. It’s The Lodge.