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Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters

Syed walked into the flat and placed the shopping on the table. Christian was curled up on the sofa watching telly. It had been a week since Christian had come home from the hospital and he hadn't left the flat yet.

"I was thinking, maybe we could go over to the Vic later," Syed suggested. Christian looked at him giving a smile that showed he appreciated the effort.

"Sorry Sy. I just don't think I'm ready," he replied looking away. Someone slammed a car door outside and he jumped, his eyes full of fear, as he looked towards the window. Syed sighed. Christian still jumped at the slightest noise. He was still terrified that he would be attacked again. He would beg Syed to answer the door for him, too scared to do it himself. The police still hadn't found whoever had attached him and that made it worse, knowing that he was still out there and could do it again.

"I know this is hard for you Christian but you need to go outside sometime," Syed said, sitting down next to him. Christian turned to him, fear apparent in his eyes.

"I know. But I can't do it yet. I just can't."

"I suppose promising to spend the night with you has no effect now seeing as you already have that," Syed joked, referring to the way he had convinced Christian to go outside last time this had happened.

"I guess not," Christian grinned.

"Even if I say you're Superman?" Syed asked smiling.

"Nope."

"Maybe I should threaten not to spend the night with you if you don't go out," Syed mused.

"You wouldn't," Christian mock gasped.

"I would," Syed replied.

"But could you go through with it?" Christian asked teasingly as he moved closer to Syed, whose breathing kicked up a notch as he attempted to back away.

"Of course," he replied but it came out as a gasp as Christian gently kissed his neck.

"I don't think you could," Christian murmured huskily.

"I could," Syed gasped, determinedly turning his head away from Christian.

"Even if I did this?" Christian breathed, gently kissing his way to the base of Syed's neck.

"Uh huh," Syed answered no longer capable of words.

"What about if I did this?" Christian moved his lips to kiss the area just underneath Syed's ear. Syed moaned softly and Christian knew he was close to victory. He tangled his fingers in Syed's hair as he kissed along his jaw line. Syed crushed his lips to Christian's with a gasp.

"I knew you couldn't do it," Christian said pulling away and smiling victoriously. Syed didn't reply. Instead, he pulled Christian close and kissed him passionately. They held each other tightly as they fell back onto the sofa their lips moving together and their bodies entangled.

***

Syed lay with his head on Christian's chest. He was listening to Christian's heartbeat. Its steady rhythm was soothing. He could have lain there forever, wrapped in the arms of the man he loved. He tilted his head so that he could look up at Christian's face.

"Christian?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you do something for me?" Syed asked.

"Anything for you," Christian replied softly.

"Will you come outside with me?" Syed heard Christian's heart beat speed up.

"Not that," Christian responded.

"You said 'anything'," Syed pointed out.

"Please, Sy, don't," Christian whispered. Syed sat up and looked into Christian's eyes.

"Just come and stand outside the door. That's all I ask. I'll be with you the whole time," Syed pleaded. Christian looked into Syed's soft brown eyes. He couldn't resist him when he gave him that look.

"I'll be with you the whole time," Syed repeated.

"Okay, I'll try," Christian gave in.

Syed stood up pulling Christian up with him. He kept hold of his hand and slowly led him towards the door. They walked down the stairs. As they reached the blue door at the bottom, Christian felt panic rise within him and he pulled back fearfully. Syed turned and looked into Christian's eyes.

"You can do this," he assured him, gently stroking his cheek with one hand. Looking into his eyes, Christian saw all the love that Syed felt for him and the belief he had in him. Seeing those emotions gave him the strength to carry on. He nodded weakly and Syed smiled back at him. Reaching behind him, Syed opened the door and slowly backed out, his eyes never leaving Christian's. He could feel Christian's hand shaking so he gave it a gentle squeeze.

"You did it," he whispered to Christian as they stood outside, a feeling of pride growing within him. Christian looked around with fear in his eyes. Syed slid a comforting arm around his waist.

"Let's just stand here for a while," he suggested. "Then we can go back in."

They stood in silence for a while, allowing Christian to adjust to his surroundings. Slowly, he relaxed. He stopped trembling and the expression of fear faded. Syed smiled up at him proudly.

"How do you feel?" he asked gently.

"Still scared but...I feel a lot better," Christian replied. They stood like that for a while longer, simply watching the world go by.

"Do you want to go back in now?" Syed asked eventually. Christian nodded and they both turned and walked up the stairs and into the flat.

"Thank you," Christian said once they were inside. "I couldn't have managed that without you." Syed gently ran a hand down Christian's cheek.

"We'll just take this slowly, okay?" he said. "Maybe tomorrow we can walk to Jane's and visit her," he suggested.

"Okay," Christian smiled at him. For the first time, it seemed like a real possibility. He felt that he might actually be able to get his life back.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Christian smiled tenderly at Syed.

"I think you may have told me once or twice," Syed smiled back, gently pressing his lips to Christian's.

Please review. The next chapter will have more happening and the identity of Christian's attacker will be revealed! Dun dun duuun! :D