This story is based on a scenario I've imagined could happen on EastEnders. Hopefully it won't end up being too over the top.
No copyright infringement intended. Sadly I own neither Christian or Syed.
One body pressed against another. The smell of desire and lust permeating the air. A probing, yet timid tongue exploring the cavern of another's mouth, enjoying the wet heat and taste of cheap beer. Two men, both with the same objective of a quick release, falling back onto a bed. Hearts racing as adrenaline surges through the blood. Fingers grappling at buttons and zips. The damp material of a tight T-shirt being tossed away. A mass of moans as two figures come together in a union that signifies everything that one person despises about themselves. "Fuck." Nerves firing as a climax threatens to overwhelm. A mumble of apology as the connection breaks, leaving one person alone and satiated whilst the other feels nothing but revulsion.
xxxx
Christian lolled on the sofa, admiring the view of Syed stood in the kitchen, his back to Christian's hungry eyes. They'd enjoyed a lazy Saturday together; beginning the day by indulging in a lie-in whilst exchanging languid kisses. As was the norm, their kisses and gentle touches had gradually become more passionate and they'd soon found themselves wrapped up in one another, breathless and spent, the exertions of their passion drying on their skin and the crimson sheets of their bed. Only a few hours ago had they gotten up and now Syed was lovingly preparing their dinner as Christian reclined on the sofa pretending to read a magazine whilst focusing his gaze on Syed's pert behind, clad in his tightest jeans. Christian's reverie was broken as his phone rung.
"Shirl? Umm, yeah I don't see why not, we haven't got anything planned. What time?" He looked at his watch, "Eight? Ok, see you then. Bye."
Christian pulled himself up off the sofa and headed over to Syed, wrapping his rugged arms around his waist and nuzzling into his warmth.
"You're working tonight then?" Syed squirmed, lightly moaning as he felt the rough stubble of his lover scratch against smooth skin as Christian deposited a kiss to his neck.
"Yeah, Tom's called in sick and there's some big function at the club tonight so she's desperate, said she'd pay me time and a half. You don't mind do you?"
"Why would I mind?" Syed questioned as he placed a knife down on the chopping board, turning to look at Christian.
"Dunno, just thought you might want to stay in tonight." His voice dripped with suggestion.
"We've been in bed for most of the day." Syed poked Christian in the stomach as he spoke. "You're insatiable."
"And you love it." He pressed his lips against Syed's affectionately. "You could come with me? Shirl said it's some sort of summer party for a property company. You should come and use your wonderful charm and experience to try and get us a decent flat?" Christian winked as Syed rolled his eyes.
"It takes a lot more than a bit of charm to get the price down, believe me I tried that plenty of times." His expression was barely readable but Christian detected what he thought was a slight hint of sadness in his voice.
"Do you ever miss it?"
"God, no! I was cocky and arrogant, that whole façade incorporated everything that I hate in a person today. I don't even recognise that man as myself now."
Christian sympathetically smiled in reply. "Just come and keep me company by the bar then. Come on… I can slip you free orange juice if you like. I'll need someone who's not drunk to talk to when they all start getting lairy." Seeing Syed's wary expression, he moved his lips closer to his face and nipped his earlobe, "Please…"
"Fine..." Syed signed with mock annoyance, "Anything to see you dressed all in black."
xxxx
Syed headed down the stairs and into R&R, the bass of the music resonating through wandered towards the bar area where he planned to settle himself for the rest of the evening whilst gazing adoringly at Christian. He spotted him, treasuring the look of concentration on his face as he took an order from a customer. Syed watched as he nodded and then turned to grab a vodka bottle, noticing Syed as he did so; hazel meeting emerald for several seconds, providing a silent 'hello' for the two of them. Christian suddenly remembered where he was and quickly returned to his work. Syed admired his fluid movements, skill and precision as he filled several shot glasses with the spirit. At that moment, Syed felt a touch upon his shoulder.
"Syed Masood?" The deep voice was full of surprise and inquisition. "Well I never thought I'd see you again!" Syed felt his heart rate begin to quicken and he had to steady himself where he sat as he was momentarily stunned by the man that he saw stood before him. Callum. Or Cal as he preferred to be known. Syed certainly hadn't forgotten him, a short crop of dirty blond hair, chiselled jawline with day-old stubble and piercing blue eyes. Syed could remember having to always urge himself to not look in his eyes through fear of falling into them and never being able to get back out again. He could picture that night in his head so clearly. That night when he…. Syed swiftly realised he was being asked a question.
"How are you?"
"Sorry? Oh yeah I'm fine, really good actually." Syed hoped his voice didn't portray his nervousness. "You?"
"Well you know how it is. Work 'parties' never live up to expectation. If I hadn't promised to share a cab then I'd have left by now."
The realisation dawned on Syed. "Oh, so you're part of the property function?"
"Yeah, I got transferred down here from Leeds about six months ago. I fancied a fresh start so when I heard there were a couple of positions down in the East London branch then I applied and got the job straightaway. Steve's here too. Not sure if you'll remember him though? I think he joined the same week that you left." Syed asked himself how Cal could make such idle small talk. How could that awkwardness that they'd shared after that eventful evening have evaporated so easily for him?
"Steve? Yeah I think I can remember him. Italian wife?"
"You don't want to be mentioning her! He only just got the divorce through a couple of months ago; he's still really bitter about it."
Christian had been stealing the occasional glance over at his fiancé, wondering who the stranger was who he was talking to. Syed wasn't one to talk to random men; he was the first to admit that. Christian attempted to prevent his irrational jealousy from interfering with his work, failing as he smashed a shot glass whilst filling it up. Syed instinctively turned towards the noise and flashed a questioning, yet worried, look at his partner, mouthing "Ok?" as he did so. Christian glanced at his watch. Realising it was time for his break, he felt himself calm slightly as he sauntered over to Syed.
"So," he promptly kissed Syed's cheek, "you going to introduce me?"
"Of course, yeah… Christian this is Cal." He indicated towards the man who was now stood with a puzzled look on his face, "We used to work together. Cal, this is Christian, my fiancé." Puzzlement became shock as the words were spoken. The two men shook hands; it was Cal who spoke first, clearing his throat before he begun.
"Syed, it was great to see you again. I best go and mingle now though." He looked over his shoulder towards the crowd, indicating at his workmates with his thumb. He shuffled away with his hands in his pockets, a slightly perturbed look on his face. As Syed observed him dissolve into the crowd he could feel Christian's gaze bearing into him.
"What?" Syed's face crumpled into a frown.
"Did something happen between you?" Christian tried not to sound too demanding with his question. "It's just that you seem a bit strange around him, not entirely comfortable."
"Me and Cal?" Syed hoped his voice wasn't wavering too much, betraying his lies. "No, we never really had that much to do with each other." A shy, nervous man approaching another, praying that his feelings would be reciprocated. "He's nothing more than an ex-colleague." Syed flashed a small grin at Christian, trying desperately not to meet his eyes as he knew they'd reveal the truth.
"Christian! Your break's over. Get back to work!" The sound of Shirley's screeching meant that even if Christian had doubted him, he wasn't able to act on it.
"Ok," he reservedly smiled at Syed. "Do you want a drink?"
xxxx
Syed worked to supress a yawn as he came out of the toilet. He decided to call it a night and wait at home for his partner's return, the crowd was slowly getting more raucous and Christian had had barely a second's pause from his work over the past hour. Washing his hands, he looked into the mirror and saw Cal stood behind him.
"You're finally out then?" Syed couldn't separate the past from the present and instinctively felt the urge to deny who he was, feeling as though the secret he'd repressed for all of those years had only just been revealed. He forgot he was stood in a club in Walford, feeling as though he was in his old work's office instead, the drone of telephones and fingers tapping keyboards filtering into his mind. But then he heard that laugh that he'd heard so many times before. That laugh that filled him with warmth and signified happiness and love; and he remembered that Christian, the man he was going to spend the rest of his life with, was stood mere metres away.
"Just over a year ago, yeah. Look, I know we probably won't see each other again after tonight but I'd just like to clear the air. No awkwardness, no uncomfortable feelings. As far as I'm concerned the past is the past. The Syed that you knew isn't the one you see today and…"
Cal interrupted him, "Syed, it's fine. What happened between us was something that I forgot about long ago. No hard feelings eh?" Syed exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding as the relief hit him. "You seem a lot happier than I remember you being."
"I am."
"Good." Cal gave him a warm smile, "I see your taste in men is impeccable as ever too."
Syed chuckled, "I see you ego is as big as ever."
"Hey!" Cal nudged Syed's shoulder as he beamed at Cal's reaction to the comment. "It really was good to see you again. Maybe we could go for a drink some time?" He noticed the bewildered look in Syed's eye, "As friends obviously. I'd love to find out more about your life in London. I'd love to know how Christian gets those muscles so big too!" He still had that cheeky charm that Syed remembered so well. He took a card from his pocket, "Give me a call sometime, yeah?"
With that he turned on his heel and left, waving a hand at Syed as he went.
xxxx
Syed rubbed his eyes as he sat back down at the bar, causing Christian to cast a concerned look his way.
"You ok?" He looked into his lover's ashen eyes.
"Yeah, I'm just feeling really tired. Do you mind if I head off?"
"Course not; I shouldn't be too long now, the majority of them have headed off somewhere else", he indicated towards the few stray revellers dotted around the club. "I'll be home within the hour" He leant over the bar, tucked a tendril of Syed's hair behind his ear and pressed their lips together.
"Ok, love you." Christian watched as Syed departed from his bar stool and plodded up the stairs, running his hands over his jeans as he did so.
xxxx
The coolness of the summer night's air on Syed's face was a welcome respite from the humidity of the club. As he casually strolled up Turpin Road towards the flat, he noticed a figure stood underneath the bridge.
"Syed." The voice was hoarse from the evening's partying but it was one that Syed thought he recognised nonetheless.
"Steve?" He strode over to him, trying to make out whether the figure was him or not. His feelings were confirmed as he recognised the broad shoulders and grey eyes that were illuminated by the few lights scattered within the brick of the bridge. "Cal said you were here."
"Did he? You come here to destroy some more lives then?"
Whatever could Steve mean? A little bit more will be revealed in the next chapter.
Reviews, comments and criticism are much appreciated!