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Empty Pages And Empty Bottles.

Summary:

Robert Sugden is a struggling writer who decides to visit his hometown in need for some inspiration for his next book.

Aaron Dingle is a widow who is still struggling with the death of his husband; who decides to come home to heal.

Both are two wondering souls who really could use a damn break.

Notes:

This story just kinda came to me and I hope you all enjoy it. I'm really just writing as I go so...bare with me. This story takes place in 2022 but some of it and the characters aren't on the show anymore so..again bare with me.

Thanks for reading! Feedback is amazing!

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Chapter One-Nothing to Write/Missing you.

Chapter Text

 

 

Robert Sugden stared at his opened google doc for the last 20 minutes as he lets out a breath; “Fucking hell just write something.” he says as he places his fingers on the keys and started pressing the letters; he finished it with a period as he stared at what he wrote; letting his head fall on his desk with a thud as he closed his eyes, the clock made a loud ringing noise; it being tea time Yorkshire time; which was odd since he was in London not much of a difference but still… he lets out another breath as he stares at the Doc. 

Fucking hell; just write something.” Robert groaned as he slammed the laptop closed and ran his hands down his face as he shook his head. He lets out a breath as he stands up; grabbing the tea he made an hour ago now gone cold as he walks out of his study and into the kitchen; placing his mug in the sink. 

 

 Robert wouldn’t say he was a good writer; he was pretty damn amazing. Four books out in five years is pretty good. He writes romance mixed with horror; coming from his small village in Yorkshire, an hour out of Hotten he had seen plenty of romance and horror; himself having touched that as well.. Writing was easy and writing about what he had witnessed or had gone through had been the best way to deal, whether it was good or bad; sharing it to the world had been overwhelming but damn if the money wasn’t good. Which it wasn’t; he was sure the younger him would be throwing a fit at him; assuming he went into something that would make him rich quick before he was 30. 

But here he was, 35 nearly 36 in 17 days; with four books out and not anywhere near having a fifth book done. Robert grabs a glass and a bottle of scotch, opening it he pours himself a drink and drinks it; the strong golden liquid burned down his throat, a welcoming feeling as he opens the door of the balcony; stepping out as he lets the cold London air hit his face; blue skies one day and now gray. 

 

 London could never make up its mind. 

 

Robert sits down on the chair he has out as he continues to drink; refling his glass as he lets out a breath; pinching the bridge of his nose. 

 

 The first raindrop to fall had Robert hurrying in; not waiting to get wet he closes the balcony doors as he sets the glass and bottle down he walks into the living room and places wood in the fireplace; lighting a match he sits down close to the fire; not to close but enough to feel the heat on his face. “What time is it?”

Robert felt for his phone but nothing as he stands back up; walking into his study he sees his phone on the desk, grabbing it and walking back into the living room he sits down by the fireplace again; with a blanket as he stares at the fire thinking of Emmerdale. It had been a few years since he had been home. Not since 2009; his fathers funeral which he wasn’t even really at. In the background watching them put his father 6 ft in the ground as he spoke only briefly with Andy; his step brother as he leaves. Leaving Andy, Victoria and Sarah; his mothers behind. 

12 years is a long time. He writes from time to time; sends an email to Victoria or to Sarah. He makes sure Sarah gets one of his books first before they hit the shelves. He thinks of his mum and Victoria; last he heard Victoria was working at the Woolpack with Diane; his stepmum. It had been a few years as Robert let out a breath; his phone ringing as he looked at it; rolling his eyes at the name as he answered it. 

 “Hi Chrissie.” “Hello Robert; nice to hear you're in a good mood.” Robert rolled his eyes; he had started a thing with Chrissie White a few months ago; just something to pass the time for both of them. “How’s the writing?” “Great.” he could hear Chrissie’s father Lawernce White speaking in the background. “Robert; maybe you should get out of that flat; take a drive. It's not healthy to spend all your time inside.” Robert felt his chest tighten; Chrissie was a good person; why she was wasting time with him, he didn’t know. “I was thinking of Emmerdale.” 

 “I haven’t heard you speak of your home in awhile; everything okay?” “Yeah, I just haven't been back in a while and was thinking of it.” He could Chrissie typing and hear her shushing her father as he clears her throat. “Maybe going back might be in the cards.” Robert picks at a piece of carpet, biting his lip. “Just think about it, yeah? I can’t come over tonight; Lucky has a school thing I promised I would go to.” Robert nods, “No worries.” Chrissie smiled a little; “bye Robert.” “Bye.” He hangs up as he lets out another breath, the fire slowly going out as Robert puts more wood and pieces of newspaper in it; the fire starting again as he pulls up BnBs in hotten. 

 

Aaron had parked the car; looking at the back of the Woolpack he let out a breath as he held back the tears that have threatened to fall since he started his car ride from Manchester to Emmerdale. He had packed most of his life in his car; the other stuff was in a storage unit in hotten; the other stuff was… he shook his head as he turns off the car and gets out;As he walks to the back door of the woolpack and opens it; he can hear the voices of the patrons and he could hear his mom laughing; he smiled a bit as he walks to the back room; opens the door when he

sees his aunt Charity; smiling a little he knocks on the door She puts her phone down as she smiles at him. “Aaron!Your hair is longer than it was last time I saw you.” Aaron smiles a bit as he shrugs, “Figured.” Charity sets her mug down and walks over to him. “I heard love; I’m so sorry.” Aaron nods; holding the tears at bay as Charity hugs him; he hugs her back as he thinks about Ben. 

 

It's only been two weeks. Of course most of Emmerdale would know; his mom and her big mouth. “I’m going to go get your mom.” Charity pulls away; her eyes slightly wet as he walks out of the room; Aaron lets out a shaky breath as he stands in the living room. “Love!” Aaron smiles at his mom who hugs him tightly; he hugs her back tightly as the tears he thought he had under control had finally fell he lets out a shaky breath. “Hi mom.” Chas just holds her boy tighter. 

 “You aren't staying here?” Chas hands him a mug which he accepts as she sits down next to him. “I'm mom; just not permanently; I have things in a storage unit and I would like to have my own space; no offense.” Chas lets out a breath; “none taken.. This place is packed with Charity’s lot and Vanessa's lot.” Aaron nods; “you do have your own room. “Noah has his own and Johnny and Moses share a room.” Aaron nods, “thanks mom.” “You don’t have to thank me sweetheart. Stay as long as you need and I will help you look for a place.” Aaron smiles as Chas kisses his head; “the family is going to be thrilled you are home.” 

“I don’t want a big deal.” Aaron says softly as Chas lets out a breath; “no big deal; just dinner as Zak and Lisa’s.” Aaron looked at her. “Just the family?” “Just the family.” Aaron thinks for a moment. “Okay; just nothing too big and no big celebration.. Just dinner.” Chas nods; “Just dinner.”  

 Aaron finishes his tea; “I’m gonna go lay down.” “Okay; same as it was before.” Aaron nods as he heads upstairs and into his old room. The wallpaper is new; it being white with green trimming as he closed the door; Aaron sits on the bed as he grabs his phone; unlocking it he sees his wallpaper. A picture of him and Ben in pairs; Ben is kissing Aaron’s check as he feels tears fall again. Aaron goes to his contacts and finds Ben’s number; clicks it and it starts ringing and ringing. Two more rings and it goes to voicemail. 

  This is Ben; sorry I didn’t get your call. Leave a message and I will get back to you. And if this is Aaron; I’m okay and safe. Love you. Aaron lets out a choked sob as he hears the beep and ends the call; falling onto his bed and continues to cry.