For Rome81 and wfctgio xx
"Don't you dare answer it Sy."
Christian's muffled voice came from beneath the dust sheet on the floor.
Syed wriggled out from underneath it, laughing.
"I won't be a minute, just hold that thought. I'm going to turn it off."
Syed glanced at the screen of the mobile phone, noting the five missed calls and pressed redial.
Christian sat up pushing the sheet from over his head.
"Syed…"
Syed mouthed sorry and perched naked on the bottom rung of the ladder.
"Tam, Hi! What's up?"
Christian untangled long limbs and headed for the bathroom, shaking his fist in mock rage as he passed.
When he emerged ten minutes later, wet from the shower, he asked.
"So what was so important then? It had better be good."
Syed ran his hand down Christian's arm apologetically.
"He's been left with Kamil for the day and his mate just rang up with a free ticket for Comic Con."
Christian hunted around for his T shirt.
"And?"
Syed pulled the shirt from the top of the ladder and threw it to him.
"And he wondered if we could look after him."
"We can't bring him here."
Christian gestured around the flat, pots and buckets littered the floor and the strong smell of paint from newly decorated walls permeated the air.
Syed nodded in agreement.
"I know. And we can't go there, what if they came home early?"
"Your mother would freak. And probably hit me. What are we going to do then?"
Syed started to get dressed.
"I told Tam we'd meet him at Earls Court tube, he's packed all Kamil's stuff."
Christian started to look a little more cheerful.
"We could have a picnic in Kensington Gardens. I'll just nip to the Minute Mart."
He kissed Syed as he grabbed the keys, ignoring Syed as he called after him,
"You usually do!"
They found a sheltered spot under a Plane tree and Kamil lay contentedly on his back on the chequered rug, happily waving his legs in the air.
Christian watched him fondly.
"He looks just like you."
Syed sniffed and pulled a face.
"Thankfully I have more control of my bowels. Do you want to change him?"
Christian's brow furrowed in confusion.
"What for, a puppy? I think Zainab might notice. Oh, his nappy! God no. He's your brother, you do it."
Syed rummaged through the bag that Tamwar had packed, making a small mountain of nappies, cream and spare pants on the grass beside him.
Clean, changed and fed, Kamil started to grizzle.
"What's wrong with him now? He's had your undivided attention for the last half hour, he should be happy."
Christian started to pack away the remains of their picnic into a carrier bag.
Syed stood up and dusted himself down. Picking up Kamil he rubbed his back as he slipped him into the sling. Kamil began to flail at him, little fists beating against his chin, the volume of the wails rising.
"Shhh, shhh."
Syed looked to Christian with pleading eyes.
"He's tired. Here you have a go."
He lifted the sling over Christian's shoulders, laying Kamil on his chest. Christian cradled the small head in a strong hand and the cries turned to snuffles and then to smiles.
"He likes me!"
Syed saw the delight in his eyes.
"He feels safe with you. It's a family trait."
He gently touched the small of Christian's back.
"Let's get him back to Tam. You and me have got a date with a dust sheet."