A/N: Inspiration has stalled for my other fic so I decided that while I'm figuring out what to write in the next chapter, I'd write this short story, which will only have one more chapter. I have two possible endings ready, but I'm not sure which one I'll use yet. I've never written anything like this before, so please go easy on me! I love reviews, and would love to know what you think :)
Syed stormed into the flat, slamming the door behind him and throwing his bag onto the table with such force that it almost sent it toppling over. "Christian, what the hell are you playing at? Why are you going around the square telling everyone we're trying for a baby with Roxy? I don't suppose you bothered to tell them that it was your idea, and that you went ahead with it without asking me?"
Christian groaned and briefly lowered his forehead onto the back of the sofa, where he had been sitting, relaxing after a tiring day, when Syed arrived home. "We've been over this all before. Besides, I haven't told anyone..." He closed his eyes and groaned again. "Roxy. I should have known. Look, I'll sort it."
"Yeah, well you'd better," Syed shot back, "Mum and Dad have found out and they're going ballistic. I'm surprised they haven't turned up here to demolish the flat yet." He yanked his jacket off, marched into the bathroom, and slammed the door.
Christian stayed in the same spot on the sofa, shocked into silence. He hadn't considered what would happen if Syed's parents found out about their surrogacy plans, especially so soon. He knew how much pain it caused Syed every day that his parents refused to even look at him, and that Syed still hoped for them to change their minds and reconcile with their first son. However, after 6 months of ignoring Syed's existence, they showed no signs of changing their minds, and the news that Christian and Syed were planning to have a child would probably set that attitude in stone for good. At least Zainab hadn't turned up at the flat...
As if reading his mind, there was suddenly a battering on the front door.
Christian forced himself to his feet, dropping the cushion he had been hugging to his chest, and slowly opened the door. To his dismay, the only person in the world who he didn't want to see right now was standing on the other side. Her face was furious and there was a fire in her eyes that Christian hadn't seen in months.
"You... you," she seethed, "you disgust me. A child? Just look at you." She gestured around the flat. "Look, you haven't even made the bed, picked up your clothes from the floor or tidied the kitchen. You're living in this dingy room above a fish a chip shop, no proper job, no money... and not to mention the moral implications. What hope would a child have with you two as parents? Gay men should not be allowed to bring up children. It's sick."
Christian finally snapped. "A baby would have a hell of a better chance at life with us than with you. Look at you, sitting on your moral high horse while one of your children has moved abroad to get away from you, another has been disowned by his whole family because you can't accept him for who he is, and another one is too afraid of you to even say a word against you. What right do you have to tell me what makes a good parent?"
Syed had been in the bathroom, quietly listening in, before he plucked up the courage to gently pull the door open and peer out. "Hi, Mum."
Zainab straightened up at the sound of his voice and her eyes hardened further. "You, Syed, are a disgrace. You've let down your father and me, yet again. You bring shame upon our name wherever you go – if we ever see you again, it'll be too soon." With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out, pulling the front door closed as she left.
Christian raised his eyes from the spot on the floor he'd been staring at, to look at his boyfriend. Syed had only made it a few steps out of the bathroom before Zainab had left, leaving an atmosphere of sheer tension in her wake. Tears filled Syed's eyes as he remembered how often he'd daydreamed of that moment. The moment where his mum would arrive at his door to tell him she'd missed him, she still loved him, she needed him; that she forgave him and knew she still had 3 sons. It hadn't gone like that at all. A strangled sob left his throat as Christian rushed over to catch him before his legs gave way.
"Christian..."
"Yes, Sy?"
"I can't do this." He summoned all of his strength to push Christian away and somehow supported his own weight as he rummaged in the cupboard for his suitcase. It took far longer than it should as his tears streamed from his eyes and down his cheeks, blurring his vision and making him dizzy.
Christian felt tears forming in his eyes and grabbed Syed's wrist to still him for a second. "Sy, what are you doing? Don't-"
Syed choked back another sob as he wrenched his wrist away and continued to haphazardly throw clothes into the open case. "I'm leaving. I have nobody, I have nothing... just a family who doesn't want me and a boyfriend who makes stupid decisions without me, ignores my wishes and winds up my family. I've had enough. I can't do this anymore, I... I have to go." He zipped up the case and heaved it towards the door, pulling on a coat as an afterthought as he noted the low rumble of thunder outside.
Christian grew increasingly desperate as Syed opened the door. "Please don't go. You're just angry. I love you, Syed, you're upset and you need me..."
The door slammed in his face.
He crumpled to the floor, whispering the last part of his sentence, "... and I need you."
-x-x-x-
Christian held his head in his hands as he tried to stop the growing nausea from overcoming him. Suddenly he jumped up and tore out of the door after Syed. He couldn't let him go, not now, not after everything they'd been through.
"Syed!" As he opened the door onto the street, it was raining so hard that he couldn't even see two metres in front of him, let alone across the square to where Syed may be headed. He raced out towards the square regardless, hoping to catch him. But he'd gone. There was no sound to be heard over the endless pounding of rain on rooftops. He halted in the middle of the road, turning his face up to the sky to allow the rain to wash away his tears.
-x-x-x-
Syed's POV
I can't hear. I can't see. What am I doing? I have to do this. I hate him. I love him. Where am I going? I hate them all. I love them. It's raining. Is that why I can't see? I'm crying... I can't see because I'm crying. I'm all alone... again. Why am I so wet? Oh yes, it's raining. I have to find somewhere to stay. How long have I been out here? What did I say when I left? He'll never forgive me. There's a B&B. It's dark, I need a room.
-x-x-x-
Christian's POV
Life is nothing without him. Just half an hour ago I was watching TV, waiting for the love of my life to come home, but now he's gone, and I'm all alone. I pick up his navy blue and white checked shirt. He wore it yesterday, it still smells of him. I hug it to my chest and sink onto the bed. I've never felt so empty. I need to call him but he's left his phone behind. It's dark but there's no need to switch the light on. I don't want to see... if I can't see, I can pretend he's still here somewhere, just hiding. I've never felt so heartbroken. Where is he? I looked for an hour, but he wasn't there. How could he do this to me? I hate him. I love him.