For Indiefran and crazysusan :) xx
"We've got mail!"
Christian looked up, a piece of toast held half way to his mouth, and flashed Syed a huge smile.
"Morning sunshine!"
He took a bite and mumbled through a mouthful;
"I hope you remembered to kiss me before you left."
Syed dumped down his jacket and flicked through the pile of letters in his hand.
"Of course, I always do. You rolled over and muttered something filthy, which I might take you up on later. Phone bill, electricity bill, gas bill, leaflet for mobility scooters, that's yours. Ugh.."
He grimaced and gingerly separated the brown envelope from the rest, holding the edges carefully, as if it were smeared with something unpleasant.
"…Inland Revenue."
Flicking it towards Christian, it flew through the air and skittered across the table.
"Don't give it to me!" Christian recoiled in horror. "I don't want the bloody thing. Shall we pretend we can't see it?"
Syed laughed and nodded.
"Good plan. Ooh! We've got a postcard from Michael!"
Seeing Syed's delighted expression, Christian rolled his eyes and pushed his plate away with a petulant prod.
"Oh have we now. What joy."
Syed placed the pile of post onto the back of the sofa and flipped over the card.
"Now, now. It's got a picture of the leaning tower of Pisa on the front." Snorting with laughter, he read Michael's message.
"He says it's a picture of his cock."
Christian scowled and pushed his chair back. He began to noisily clear away his breakfast things.
"He wishes. I thought he was meant to be in Naples?"
Syed continued to scan the words, trying to decipher Michael's spidery scrawl, eyes bright with amusement.
"He was, but he's having a quick break before he goes on to another job in L.A."
Christian made his own ears ring as he tetchily clattered a plate into the sink.
'Bully for him' He mouthed sourly, grabbing an orange juice carton from the fridge and splashily filling a glass.
He stood behind Syed, taking a large swig, and glanced briefly at the card over his shoulder.
"Lucky bastard. I see he thinks he's in love with an Italian waiter. Suppose he reminds him of you."
Christian turned and clanked his glass down heavily, bending to lift his bag.
His arms flexed under the weight as he heaved it onto his shoulders, and Syed watched the movement, enchanted by the smooth ripple of muscle and sinew.
"Ha! That's where you're wrong. He says Dario is six foot three and ripped to buggery. So it would seem you oiling him with your dubious charms in the Vic has turned him to the dark side.."
Christian couldn't help the smug swell of his chest.
"Well it worked on you. I wonder if your Dad enjoyed reading the card when he delivered it? Cocks and buggery, I bet he nearly had an aneurysm.."
Syed jumped up hastily and went to prop the card on the mantle piece, trying unsuccessfully to hide his crestfallen face from Christian.
"Hey, Sy? What's up? I was only messing…"
"I know, I know. It's just I saw him this morning on my way back from Mosque. All big smiles and jolly banter with people in the square. Masood, our friendly local postie, do anything for anyone, pillar of the community, upstanding head of his family. Takes one look at me and I could feel the gardens freezing over and hear the swish of knives as they hurtled towards my head."
He slumped disconsolately onto the sofa, head bowed and hands dangling between his knees.
Christian threw down his bag and rushed to sit beside him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
"Baby, I wish there was something I could do, talk to him.."
"You think that would help? He'd only hit you. Again. And Mum, yesterday I bumped into her in the market with Kamil. I tried to look in the pushchair, get a glimpse of my baby brother, and she turned it away. Almost tipped it over in her haste to get away from her cursed son. Kamil hardly knows me, I only get to see him if Tambo can sneak him out…"
Christian squeezed him closer wanting to absorb all his pain, unable to help the twist of guilt he felt at Syed's sacrifice, the family he'd lost for love.
Syed sniffed and brushed his hand across his eyes.
"Poor Tambo, complicit in dishonesty.. Ignore me, I'm sorry, I feel a bit down at the moment."
"Is there nothing you could do, say, to make them feel differently? Those forums you've looked at, has anyone there found a way of reconciling with their families?"
"Occasionally, usually because of some sort of crisis, illness or death. But it's always an uneasy truce, they can rarely truly be themselves."
Christian picked up one of Syed's hands and kissed the palm.
"Would talking to Zahida help? She seems to have made some headway with her mum and dad.."
" She hasn't come out as gay though, marrying Barry is mild in comparison. Plus I think her having the kids has helped, Granny couldn't resist interfering…"
"Well then, you never know, if…"
They sat in silence for a while, Christian trying to transmit silent strength and comfort. Suddenly, Syed patted Christian's thigh.
"It's alright Christian. I've got you, you're my family now. I chose you."
"And you don't regret it? I mean, I know I can be a right twat sometimes, you don't wish.."
"Oh shut up. Not be with you? Live a lie? I was dying inside. I'm tired and I'm maudlin. Wish we could have a holiday. This years going to be pretty full on if all our plans work out, I fancy a weekend away."
Christian raised one eyebrow and laughed.
"Well as long as you don't want to go to Pisa or L.A.."
Syed poked him in the ribs.
"Nooo, for the eight millionth time. I think you're the one fixated."
"I like hearing you say you love me best."
"I love you best. I want a break for the two of us, no one meddling, no other people's dramas. You and me."
"Then that's what we'll do. I'll get some brochures when I'm out, you have a look on the internet.."
Christian made to stand and Syed stayed him a hand on his arm, leaning across to lick his chin.
"Marmalade.."
As Syed moved away, Christian ducked his head and quickly caught his mouth with his own, murmuring through a kiss;
"And when I get back you can help me remember what the filthy thing was…"