The tube came to a juddering halt in a tunnel and the lights dimmed off and on alarmingly. Christian steadied Syed. They were crushed up against each other, Christian hanging on to the bar overhead whilst Syed leant against him. He sniffed the lemony tang that wafted from Syed's hair.
"You smell delicious."
"I won't smell so ripe by the time we get out of this sweat box."
"Tell me again, why did you need me to come with you?"
Syed sighed and tried to angle his neck in the crush so that he could meet Christian's eyes.
"She's my sister. I'd like her to get to know you better."
Christian gave him a kiss on the forehead. He stuck his tongue out at the elderly man sitting below them who had been staring in outrage, making him quickly hide behind his newspaper.
"Oh yes, It's just my track record of getting along with your family is one notch below abysmal."
The tube lurched into motion, throwing Syed even closer.
"Kamil adores you, but then he does still mess his own pants."
Christian noticed that the newspaper man was sneaking another look and licked Syed's cheek.
"Couldn't we have driven?"
"Stop moaning. We could have, if someone whose name begins with 'Christian' had remembered to pay the car tax. Look, we've stopped now, only five more stations."
Commuters spilled out on to the platform, instantly replaced with new ones.
Syed tried to make himself more comfortable.
"Christian, could you move your hand? it's digging in my ribs."
He felt the purr of Christian's laugh reverberate through his chest.
Wriggling he hissed;
"No, not there. Do you want me to burst into flames?"
"Spoilsport." Christian shut his eyes, resting his chin on Syed's shoulder.
The train rattled noisily though two more stations, the hot dry air from the open windows doing nothing to cool the heat.
Stirring, Christian glanced about him.
"Sy."
"Mmm?"
He felt Syed move even nearer.
"Everyone seems to have got off at the last stop. We could sit down."
Syed considered this option for a brief moment, then said happily,
"Nah, I like it here."