A/N: final chapter or this will go on forever. I may continue it in another fic if I ever get the time to sit down and write it

Chapter Four

Syed sighed heavily before entering the house, steeling himself for the inevitable backlash that was about to happen once he told his parents he had made his choice once and for all. They were going to hate him, they had always made it very clear they were not happy with him being gay. He had tried so hard to respect them and honour their wishes that he would not act on these feelings he had but he had failed. He couldn't lie to himself anymore and if that meant he lost his parents respect then so be it.

His hand shook as he placed the key in the lock and turned it. He felt sick. The bile was rising up in his stomach. He didn't know how he was going to do this, all he knew was that he was not going to lie. He pushed the door open and heard Zainab singing, off key, to Kamil. He almost smiled at the sound of his mother doting on his baby brother. Almost smiled.

"Mum," he greeted as politely as he could manage.

"Oh, hello Syed," she replied, her voice still cold towards him even after all those months. Things would never be right between them.

"Is dad home?" He asked. "I need to speak with you both."

"He'll be home soon, what do you want to talk about?"

"It can wait, I need to talk to you both together," Syed explained. He sat down in one of the chairs at the table and waited nervously in silence for his father to return home.

It felt like an age. Neither Syed nor his mother spoke to each other. They both sat in an uncomfortable silence the heavy air between them only permeated by Kamil's sleepy whimpers. Syed could tell Zainab did not want to speak with him, she had avoided anything resembling close contact with him since he moved back home, why should she start acting any different now?

Syed almost breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the door open and his father entered the living room. The time was now. He took a deep breath and stood up.

"Mum, dad I have something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Masood asked, sounding slightly concerned, like Syed was about to tell them both he was dying. Syed wished it was something like that.

"I have been trying to fight who I am for so long," he started. "And I'm tired. I'm tired of lying to you and I'm tired of lying to myself. I can't deny who I am anymore. I'm gay and I am not going to pretend I'm not anymore. I'm gay and I'm in love with Christian."

Syed looked at his parents, who were completely silent, trying to gauge their reaction. Masood's face was completely blank, he was giving nothing away but Syed could see Zainab's lips twitching. She was about to blow up, Syed could tell. He could feel his hands shake as he waited for the inevitable to happen.

However, it didn't happen. Zainab quietly seethed as Masood began to speak. "And you're sure about this?" He asked slowly and deliberately. Syed nodded dumbly, he couldn't find the energy to speak.

"Then you know what has to happen. I love you, son but you know we cannot support you in this decision. If you decide to be with Christian then you do so without our love."

"I understand," Syed quietly replied, not trusting himself not to cry if he said any more. "I'll just pack my things and then I'll leave," he said as he walked past his parents and headed up the stairs. Behind him he heard his parents begin to argue.

"How can you be so calm about this?" He heard Zainab shout. "He is ruining our entire family and you're just going to stand there and let him shame us any further. You were the one who insisted he move back home, you were the one who told me I had to invite him back into the family and look what has happened. Yet again, he has shamed us."

Syed leaned back against the wall and fought back tears. He knew his mother had never been supportive of his sexuality but hearing the bile and vitriol coming from her mouth against him hurt Syed more than anyone could ever know. He took a deep breath and hurried upstairs to his room and grabbed the nearest bag. As he was stuffing his clothes haphazardly into the bag he heard someone walk up behind him.

"Are you okay?" Tamwar asked. He had heard everything.

"I'm fine," Syed said, his voice cracking. He was not fine at all. He was on the verge of a complete breakdown. "It would have been easier if they'd shouted at me to my face instead of behind my back."

"They'll come around eventually."

"No they won't. They're never going to understand and they're never going to be all right with this."

"You'll always have my support," Tamwar sadly told his big brother as he stood and folded clothes for Syed to pack.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," Syed smiled sadly. He was glad to have the support of his brother when no-one else cared. He zipped closed his bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Could you help me sort out the rest of my stuff?" He asked.

"Of course. Where are you going to stay?"

"With Christian," Syed replied. "At least, at first. Don't know how long for though."

"Something tells me it's going to be for a while," Tamwar smirked.

Syed smiled back and leaned in to hug his little brother. "Thank you, for everything."

"It's not 'cos I like you or anything, just want your room," Tamwar teased.

"At least I know this isn't all for nothing then," Syed joked back. "I'd better go before mum decides to throw me out on the streets. I'll see you soon."

"Sure, I'll come over when you're settled to see how you are."

"Thanks," Syed smiled gratefully before he turned away from his brother and headed down the stairs.

He didn't look back as he left the house for the final time. He made a conscious decision not to look back at the past but instead to concentrate on the future and his new life with Christian. He smiled as he thought of his gorgeous lover and headed over to his flat. He buzzed and waited to be let up the stairs.

Christian stood at the door waiting for him. He looked amazing, better than Syed had ever seen him look before. He dropped his bag to the floor and allowed Christian to pull him into a passionate embrace. Syed clung to Christian, not wanting to be apart from him any longer. He shivered as he felt Christian's tongue run along his lips and he happily opened his mouth in order for him to gain access.

"I love you," Syed said when the kiss finally ended.

"Welcome home," Christian smiled and pulled Syed in for another kiss.