Thanks for the reviews. I'm afraid poor Syed is in for a tough time…hopefully Superman will save him though ;)

Chapter 6

I'm trapped. I'm trapped. I'm trapped.

Those words buzzed through his head like an irritating bee as he rode the bus back to Walford. His parents were never going to forgive him, he thought to himself miserably. Without his family, he didn't feel strong enough to leave Daniel and Walford. It had been a foolish idea, he knew that now. He didn't love Daniel anymore, but he couldn't bear to be alone either. He had given up so much for their relationship – his home, his family and his friends – maybe he ought to try again, try harder. After all you have to work at relationships; he knew that from his parents. They had been married for 28 years and not a month went by when raised voices weren't heard in the family home. As the bus reached Walford, the decision was made. He would stay.

Unlocking the door, he was surprised to see the flat empty. Relieved, he curled up on the sofa and hugged his favourite cushion. It was comforting but it wasn't what he really needed. His thoughts shifted to Christian. That would only ever be a fantasy, he knew that, but he couldn't help brooding over the fact that – maybe, subconsciously, Christian's presence in Walford was part of the reason he had decided to stay. If he and Daniel were going to stand a chance of working, he knew he couldn't afford to get distracted by Christian. Christian was just a dream; he and Daniel were the reality.

XXXX

Syed must have dozed off as the slamming of the flat door jolted him awake. He peered over the back of the sofa and saw Daniel in the kitchen, his hands full of Sainsbury's bags. Fixing his mouth into a fake smile, he caught Daniel's attention with a loud cough.

"You back already?" Daniel queried, unpacking the shopping bags hastily.

"Yeah, the shops were mayhem so I decided to come home. Sorry", Syed replied, feigning disappointment that he hadn't been able to buy anything.

"You didn't get what you wanted then?"

This time Syed answered truthfully. "No"

XXXX

It wasn't unexpected but Syed still froze when he felt Daniel's hand on his thigh as they sat on the sofa watching a film.

Relax, relax, relax, Syed repeated, over and over and over…relax, relax, relax…you can do this Syed, it's okay…no, that night…I can't do this…relax, relax, relax…

Ignorant of Syed's torment, Daniel started to kiss him, pushing him down on the sofa and climbing on top of him. Every instinct of Syed's was telling him to shout out, say "No", but he felt almost paralysed. With all the strength he had, Syed forced his mind to go blank.

"I think we'd be more comfortable in the bedroom, don't you?" Daniel finally said, pushing himself off Syed and grabbing his hand. Syed stared impassively at him but didn't resist.

"You are gorgeous Syed and you're mine"

XXXX

Shutting the bathroom door, Syed surrendered to his emotions. Slumped on the cold tiled floor of the bathroom, he wept.

They were over…