Hello! :) I've gone back in time a little bit with this one. Haven't written Chryed for a while, so please forgive me if I'm rusty. xxx
"I still don't see why I can't come to the airport with you."
Syed quickly stepped back, narrowly avoiding decapitation as Christian swung the heavy bag from his shoulder and deposited it onto the platform.
"Because I'll blub, and it'll make my eyes puffy. We've had today. I want you to think of me like that, not a wibbling mess in departures."
Casting his mind back to only an hour before, Syed smiled, feeling heat creep through his veins at the memory of Christian's naked body wrapped around him. Christian smoothed Syed's hair back from his forehead and studied his face with a delighted grin.
"Are you thinking of it now?"
"I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forget…" Syed confessed. A chill wind blew suddenly along the tube tracks, sending a discarded Minute Mart bag flapping through the air. It arced gracefully and lay limply on the gravel, a corner waving feebly, as if for help, wanting to be rescued from the train that would inevitably arrive. In the periphery of his vision, Syed saw orange letters flicker onto the display above them, and a shadow darkened his glowing eyes.
Christian tilted his head up, intent on making him meet his gaze.
"What's up? You're doing that ambiguous thing again…"
"Am I? Sorry… Train's due, I think. Why couldn't it be delayed, like they usually are? Wildebeest on the line, or something…"
Christian laughed sadly.
"No travelling circus disaster to save us. I have to go, Sy. You do understand?"
Placing his hand on Christian's chest, above his heart, Syed nodded and intoned,
"We need the money. You can't let them down. I know, I know. It's just; it only seems a minute since we got back together…"
"A busy minute, packed full o' love though?" Christian cajoled, ducking to kiss the tip of Syed's nose, hoping that in trying to cheer him up, it might also achieve a similar effect on himself. "And the time will fly by, you'll see… Unless…"
"I can't." Syed immediately regretted the instant refusal, wished it hadn't erupted so vehemently when he sensed Christian's emotional withdrawal in the imperceptible shift of his posture.
"No. Obviously not… Earl's Court, three minutes…" Christian bent to pick up his bag.
"Amira wouldn't be able to manage the stall." Contemplating kicking himself in the mouth, Syed flapped his arms uselessly, wanting the reassurance of Christian's touch.
"She might break a nail. There's probably no room in the apartment anyway." Christian arched, stretching his muscles. "That blow up bed I have to sleep on has been killing my back."
"Get a later flight. I can give you another massage…"
With a slow smile, Christian relaxed, pulling Syed towards him.
"Temptress. I've got work tomorrow morning, and they'll be expecting me."
"They?" It was Syed's turn to stiffen with resentment, and he felt as if he and Christian were engaged in a perpetual game of umbrage Ping-Pong.
"Beattie and Sas, and Carlo… I told you about them."
"And Carlo owns the bar?"
"Yup. You know he does."
"The gay bar." Syed wanted to leave it, but jealousy was tightening in his gut, the hated vision of Christian and the stranger, laughing in the restaurant, treating him as if he were of no importance, torturing him, driving him on.
"Gay bar, gay bar. Yes, Syed. It's a job. I was starting a new life…" With a strength of will, Christian left the words 'because I thought you wanted your family more than me' unspoken.
They both tensed, feeling the vibrations from the approaching train before they heard the sound. Seeing Syed's downcast, worried expression, Christian relented, dismissing the hurt and anger that had made him choose to leave. He pressed a long, loving kiss on Syed's mouth, revelling in his instant, urgent response.
"It's okay, Sy…" He murmured. "You're my boy. I'll be home to you soon. All the roads lead to you."
"I love you so much…" Syed's voice cracked, and he gulped back tears as the tube doors creaked open.
"I love you too. I'll miss you. Give Yasmin a kiss from me…"
Christian raised his hand in farewell, stooping slightly to be able to watch Syed through the window until he was out of sight.
"Christian!"
"What?" Christian pushed back the closing doors at Syed's cry.
"The bow! How will you know which is your bag on the carousel, without the big gay bow?"
Christian winked, and wedged his shoulder against the door. Patting the top pocket of his jacket, he seductively and slowly revealed the tip of the pink ribbon.
"Could whoever is obstructing the doors kindly pack it in, so that the sodding train can depart. Please."
The loud, bored announcement made them both jump and they giggled naughtily at each other, amused at having been told off.
Blowing a kiss, Christian retreated into the carriage, holding his fingers to his ear and mouthing, "I'll call."
The train rumbled and rattled away, snaking out of the station, heading downwards to the tunnels and beyond, leaving Syed forlorn, huddled into his coat. He started a timer in his head, imagining it large and bright, the hand made of gleaming silver, counting down the hours until Christian returned.
Discarding a crumpled newspaper, left behind by an early morning commuter, Christian pictured it travelling up and down the line throughout the whole day, and mused about how he had spent the same time. Warm and content in his own bed, their bed, drowsy with love and passion, blissfully dispelling all the unspoken questions that still lay between them. He yearned to get off at the next stop, turn around and surprise Syed, take him somewhere out of Walford, away from his family and the ever present Amira. But he knew that to be free, they needed money, a basis for their future together, so he pulled the ribbon from his pocket and stoically tied it around the handle of his bag.
To be continued...