" Where have you been? I've been ringing all afternoon."
Syed shut the lap top and pushed back his chair, bounding across the room to grab Christian in a hug. He stepped back, shocked, as he felt him wince.
"What's happened? Did you pump iron so hard that your pecs burst?"
Christian removed his jacket carefully. Facing away, he started to unbutton his shirt.
"Wait and see. I got you a present."
Syed grinned with anticipation, impatiently asking.
"What is it? Can I eat it?"
Christian dropped his shirt onto the floor and turned slowly, peeling away a white dressing. He stood before him, his chest bare.
"I had your name tattooed above my heart."
Syed looked down and gently touched the letters.
"That's such a beautiful thing to do." A look of confusion passed quickly across his face.
Christian took his hands, worried.
"What is it? Don't you like it?"
"I do, truly, it's just.."
"You think it's silly. Too mushy."
"No, no it's not that. But.."
Syed looked up and met his gaze, an expression of sadness in his eyes.
"Who's Syod?"
With a roar, Christian barged into the bathroom to look in the mirror.
When he emerged Syed was rolling around on the floor, clutching his sides, his face wet with tears of laughter.
Christian scooped him up and threw him onto the bed.
"You rotten bastard. Why on earth did I believe you?"
The side of his mouth started to twitch at the sight of Syed wriggling around, helpless with mirth.
"That's it, I'm going back to the tattooist tomorrow to get him to add 'is a git'. Unless you can think of some way to make it up to me?"
Syed pulled him down beside him.
"I love that you've done that for me, It means I'll be in your heart forever. And as for making it up to you, well i'm sure I can think of something!"