Author's Note : This is the chapter I didn't plan... but just happened... ;-)

CHAPTER TWO

The sharp buzzing of the alarm clock ruthlessly cut through Christian's sleep. He stirred. Half consciously he was aware of Syed quickly shutting off the noise, carefully untangling himself from his embrace and quietly getting out of bed.
Ramadan, Christian thought, and he couldn't stop a feeling of admiration for his lover seeping through his consciousness. Syed's faith was incredibly important to him, and if he'd had any doubt about that, the past few weeks had really opened his eyes. He'd witnessed Syed observe Ramadan last year, but mostly from a distance then, and mostly with a sense of frustration and incomprehension on his part, because at the time it had just been another obstacle, another reason why they couldn't be together.

But this time it was different. This time they were together, and he could only feel a deep respect for the way Syed practised his faith. Observing the fast dutifully, unfailingly offering his prayers at the designated times, getting up in the middle of the night to eat, to pray and travel halfway across town to go to mosque - Syed did it all naturally and without question or reservation.

And he did it on his own, without the support of his wayward family. A pang of regret shot through Christian at that thought.
Syed shouldn't have to do this on his own.
He shouldn't have to make that gruesome hour-long journey on public transport at this ungodly hour of the morning just to be able to practice his duties as a Muslim.
He shouldn't have to do it in some faraway mosque where he knew no one, and where he therefore could never really find the support and respect Christian knew Syed truly craved – and deserved.
It was just blatantly unfair.

Syed would be offhand about it though, shrugging it off, never letting show how it affected him. But Christian knew it quietly ate away at him. Christian knew why Syed wouldn't go to his own mosque. Not because he feared the accusing looks, the stares, the incomprehension, the gossip of his community - of course that was part of it…. With the renewed trust Syed had found in himself and in his faith however, Christian was convinced that Syed would suffer it all gladly, would gracefully take it in his stride… But being the gentle soul he was, the main reason he wouldn't go to the same mosque as his parents, was just to spare them the backlash and the humiliation his presence might cause them. He basically did it for them. Despite everything, still being the dutiful son…

It grabbed Christian by the throat. The pain he'd seen in Syed's eyes, the deep desperate sobs he'd felt ripple through Syed's body yesterday, when he finally admitted to him how much he missed his family, had cut right through his heart.

It was just so unfair.
Syed deserved better. So much better.

Christian had been bowled over by the way that Syed finally managed to reconcile his faith with his sexuality, and with the love he felt for him, Christian... He'd been moved to the core by how convinced and how sure Syed now was that his God accepted and loved him – even if he lived a life others in his faith considered as sinful. "You don't go to hell for having loved". Christian would never forget those words, and the glow in Syed's eyes when he spoke them. It had told him so much more than a simple declaration of love. It was such a big step for Syed to take, the biggest step he possibly could take…, a giant and risky leap into the unknown perhaps… but Syed had done it with such conviction and such confidence... It still left him speechless.

0+0+0

He heard Syed move around in the kitchen. By now, surely, he'd discovered the little surprise he'd prepared for him. Christian smiled. They'd just sat and talked last night, cuddled up on the sofa, and Syed had finally fallen asleep in his arms, emotionally drained and exhausted. He'd quietly carried him to their bed, and before joining him there, he'd gone back to the kitchen and lovingly set the table for Syed's early-morning breakfast. By now Syed's tastes and penchants held no secrets for him. The cereal, the fruit, and the dry biscuits with the unpronounceable Swedish name (and indefinable cardboard taste as far as Christian was concerned)…it was all there. Teabags ready in the pot, freshly squeezed orange juice and a fresh pint of milk in the fridge...
All that… and a little extra something from him…

His eyes still closed, he felt Syed lean over him.
"I love you too" he whispered in Christian's ear, before planting a soft kiss on his lips.
'So he's seen it', Christian mused, feeling his heart skip a beat – and his lips wholeheartedly responded to the kiss.
"Hmmm... I thought you were asleep" Syed smiled, when their lips finally parted.
"I am" Christian answered with a sleepy grin. "I was… But the kiss of my prince charming just woke me up"
"Let's hope you won't turn into a frog then" Syed whispered fondly.
"You're mixing up fairy tales now" Christian smiled
"You are my fairy tale" Syed answered, then chuckled when he saw Christian roll his eyes… "Sorry, I do tend to get rather cheesy at this time of day…."
"You're forgiven" Christian pulled Syed near and kissed him again. It was a slow lazy kiss which left them both breathless.

"Thank you" Syed whispered.
"What for… for kissing you? I think I should thank you actually, you…."
"Oh shut up…. Clarkey…" Syed playfully ruffled Christian's hair "you know what I'm thanking you for"
His face turned serious now.

"Thank you for your lovely gesture, Christian. It means a lot" – he lovingly traced his fingers over Christian's face.
"It's my pleasure, sweetheart" Christian answered equally serious. He lifted his hand to brush away a lock of Syed's hair from his face. "You OK?"
Syed's beautiful dark eyes locked with his, and he smiled. "I am" he said "I really am".

He leaned down, and playfully rubbed the tip of his nose with Christian's before planting a last quick kiss on his lips.
"Got to go now. You know how public transport in London is like… don't want to be late"
"OK, darling" Christian answered. "You sure you don't mind going on your own? Give me a minute, and I'll go with you. I really don't like you roaming the streets of London on your own at this time of night…"
"We've been over this before, Christian. It's very sweet of you, but there's no need. I'll be fine! Don't worry about me. Get some more sleep. And don't forget to get up when the alarm goes. You have clients today, remember…? I'll be back in a couple of hours…."
"OK…. Be careful"
"I will. Love ya!"
"Love ya too" Christian mumbled sleepily.
At least that's what Syed thought he said...

0+0+0

Syed got up from the bed, and went to get his jacket and keys. At the door, he turned around to have another look at the quiet sleeping figure on the bed. Christian had turned over, and he was clearly all the way back in dreamland already. Syed smiled fondly.
The hand in his pocket fingered Christian's little surprise, and he couldn't resist another look. He took out the small white card and read the message again, scribbled in Christian's almost illegible handwriting.
And again it caught his breath …

It was nothing special really, but to him it meant the world.
Just a few simple words that said it all.

For the most special person in the world.
I love you.
C. x

The custard cream Christian had put with it, he'd already eaten.
But the card he would treasure forever...

A/N : Because this is not the ending I had intended initially, it looks like there's going to have to be a chapter 3...
Watch this space!