Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They belong to the BBC.

Chapter 1

After all this time Syed had thought that his parents would have forgiven him by now. He'd known that when he chose Christian and walked away from the family that to begin with they would act like he didn't exist but he didn't ever think that it would go on for this long. It had almost been a year. Syed was sitting in his and Christian's living room staring into space thinking about how his mother had shunned him in the square yet again. Every time it happened he felt a stab of pain. He didn't feel that he would ever get used to the feeling. He still loved both his parents very much. He'd left the flat to go and get ingredients for his and Christian's dinner but after running into Zainab and getting the cold shoulder he turned around and went straight back home.

At six thirty Christian had just finished with his last client and started the short walk home. Syed was cooking tonight. He loved Syed's cooking. He might make a huge mess but god, the end result was worth all the mess and destruction in the kitchen. He hated to leave Syed. He loved him so much. At the start of their "official" relationship Roxy had told him that they would only have the butterflies in the stomach feeling for a couple of weeks and even though they hadn't exactly been going long term Christian still got the butterflies anytime he looked at or thought about his partner. He couldn't imagine the feeling ever leaving. He got to the flat and let himself in. He frowned a little as he stepped through the front door, usually he could smell the spices cooking. He glanced over at the kitchen, Syed wasn't there. He turned around and jumped. Syed was sitting on the sofa staring into space. He felt a pit in his stomach. Something was wrong. Immediately he went over to him.

"Babe, What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Sorry I haven't started dinner, I'll do it now." Syed went to get up but Christian quickly grabbed his hand and dragged him back down, whilst pulling him close and planting a kiss in his hair.

"Sy, I know when something is wrong. This isn't like you. Please tell me what's up? I'm worried."

Syed glanced up at his partner, he didn't mean to worry him. When he thought about all that he had to give up to be with Christian, no matter how much it upset him that his parents acted like he didn't exist he knew that he would make the same decision all over again. One look into Christian's face and he knew he didn't ever want to be anywhere else. Before Syed could stop it a stray tear meandered down his cheek. Christian was really worried now. He tenderly wiped the tear away.

"Sy, please. Have I done something?"

Syed shook his head. "You haven't. I'm just being silly."

"No, you're not. If something is upsetting you no matter what it is it's not silly. Just tell me I want to help."

"I was in the square today and I saw mum, she just looked right through me. I know that I should be over it now but every time she ignores me I feel like shouting at her to get over it. I wish that I could see Kamil. She won't even let me see my baby brother. I just thank God that Tamwar still wants to know me. I mean, I don't regret a single second with you for a moment but just sometimes I miss my family."

Christian sighed. "Of course you do sweetie. It's only natural and just to let you know it isn't silly. Your family are close. I'd be surprised if you didn't miss them. Anyway, no more tears. I don't like you upset and considering there's no dinner in the oven I take that as an excuse for us to get dressed up and go to a beautiful restaurant. What do you think?"

Syed smiled. "I think that sounds great. Have I told you recently that I love you?"

Now it was Christian's turn to smile. "You have, this morning actually but I don't ever think I'll get tired of hearing it. Just in case you think that I don't say it enough, I love you too. Now come on, I want to get to the restaurant. The quicker we go, the quicker we'll be back and then I'll get my dessert. If you play your cards right I might even do that incredibly dirty thing that you like. I still can't believe everyone thinks you're the good one. If only they knew what sort of sex antics you make me do, you'd make poor Dot blush."

"Excuse me! Don't act like you're not as bad. Now come on. Let's get ready." They kissed then got up to get ready so that they could enjoy their evening together.

Three hours later and they got back into the flat. They were pulling each others clothes off before they had even properly shut the front door. All through dinner both had been thinking about getting home. Each had a hungry thirst for the other that needed quenching. As soon as they ate the last piece of food on the plate Christian was signalling for the bill. He was sure that the food was fine but he couldn't recall the taste of it. He wasn't hungry for what was on the plate, he was more interested in the gorgeous young man in front of him.

The two of them tumbled onto the bed, each not able to keep their hands off the other. They went together well. Christian didn't know how he lived his life before Syed entered into it.

When they were finished Syed and Christian lay panting on the bed. Legs tangled together. Perspiration covering them, both exhausted but both with the biggest, goofiest smiles on their faces.

"That was some of your finest work Clarkey."

"Not so bad yourself Sy! By the way I have to say that I've had an idea."

"No! I don't like your ideas, they always mean trouble for me."

"Just shut up a minute. I've been thinking. I know you're upset with how your parents are treating you so I thought that we needed a holiday. Now I know we can't take one just yet, we are just getting our jobs sorted but I thought that we could do a trial run."

Syed sat up on his elbows. "What do you mean a trial run?"

Christian sat up too and hugged Syed close to him. "I thought that tomorrow we could head down to Brighton and book into a nice bed and breakfast somewhere. Have some time together away from everyone. Two days away. I know that you're upset that you aren't going to Tam and Afia's engagement party so I thought we could head to Brighton for the two days and come back after the party."

"That's really sweet but me and Tanya are trying to get set up for the salon. Anyway Tam has said that he'll come around before the party and I don't get enough time with him as it is." Syed watched as he saw Christian's smile turn into a frown. "But I wouldn't mind heading down there early tomorrow and spending one night and coming back up the next day. We could still have fun in that time plus it'll be a change of scenery."

"Right then, that's settled, Brighton here we come!" Both boys settled back down into bed. Both happy to be getting away. They were so exhausted after their aerobics that both fell asleep quickly, still wrapped in each other's arms.