Chapter 9

When Syed woke up he really wished he hadn't. He'd been dreaming that he had been saved from a burning house by a superhero. He curled up in the bed and tried to go back to sleep.

"I was beginning to think you were never going to wake up", Daniel whispered, his face inches from Syed's ear. Snapping his eyes open, he saw Daniel watching him intensely with blue emotionless eyes. Unnerved, he pulled himself out of bed, and walked to the bathroom. Closing the door as silently as he could, Syed leaned against the wooden frame. He was feeling so tired lately. The atmosphere in the flat had been tense for days, and it had not improved when they went to bed. Discouraged by Daniel's lack of communication, every night Syed would coolly shrug away his unwelcome advances before falling into a restless sleep.

Removing his blue and white stripped pyjama bottoms, he switched on the shower and stepped inside, the hot water momentarily easing his anxious mind. Everything that had happened to him lately had left him feeling like a different person, anxious and unsure of himself.

When he came out of the bathroom, a towel tightly wrapped around his slim waist, he saw Daniel sitting on the sofa holding a small, neatly wrapped box between his slender fingers. Syed watched him suspiciously as he got up off the sofa and moved towards him.

"I brought you this", he smiled uneasily, giving Syed the box. Puzzled, Syed took it in his hand, looking at Daniel questioningly.

"It's not my birthday", he finally says, confused. "I'm mean, thank you. But why?" he quickly adds, not wanting to sound ungrateful.

"I wanted to say I love you and that I'm sorry", he explained, wrapping his arms around Syed and embracing him in an uncomfortable hug.

Syed pushed him away gently, his heart and mind not quite ready to forgive and forget.

"Open it then", Daniel instructed, a half-smile tugging his thin lips.

Syed carefully unwrapped the packaging. Inside the box was a silver watch, with a brown leather strap. Syed carefully took it out of the box, and held it up.

"It's beautiful, Daniel. Thank you", Syed uttered shyly, his voice cracked with emotion. "It must have been expensive"

"You're worth it", Daniel replied smoothly. "Look, there's an inscription on the back", he pointed out, indicating for Syed to turn the watch over.

You and I forever, love Daniel

Syed felt unease in the pit of his stomach but he pushed it away. It was the nicest present anyone had ever brought him.

"Thank you", he said, giving Daniel a kiss on the cheek. Looking down to fasten the watch around his wrist, he failed to notice the gleam of triumph in Daniel's eyes.

XXXX

The day was bright and sunny, reflecting Syed's improved mood. Work was busy and Adele was delighted that, for once, she didn't have a boss that walked around with a face like Eeyore.

As the day ended, Syed set the alarm, locked up and started to walk home. The streets were busy with weary shoppers heading home for the evening, excited groups of friends going out for the night and loved up couples making their way to a romantic restaurant. As he walked along, Syed mused to himself about taking Daniel out for a meal at the new Indian restaurant. The food was supposed to be fantastic and quite reasonably priced and, he reasoned, it might help them reconnect emotionally. Although he didn't love Daniel anymore, he cared about him and he had chosen this life. It wasn't fair to hold back just because his feelings had changed, not if he wasn't prepared to be honest.

It was on his way back to the flat that he saw him, leaning up against the wall outside the café, wearing a close-fitting black shirt and jeans. Syed's breath hitched in his throat and he hung back to watch him. He was disappointed when he saw James appear from the café door, holding two takeaway cups, full of what Syed presumed to be coffee. He watched them intently, selfishly hopeful of hearing raised voices, furious words being exchanged, and one of them storming off. He felt shamefully disappointed when he saw no discernable signs of a couple on the verge of splitting up.

Lost in his furtive longing, he was too late to react when Christian turned and looked straight at him. Rooted to the spot where he stood, he offered Christian a weak smile, which to Syed's relief, he returned. He motioned to James to stay where he was and walked towards Syed.

"I haven't seen you around for a few days". There was a casual tone to his voice, but Syed was sure he sensed something more, disappointment, maybe even hurt? Who was I kidding, Syed realised dejectedly. He is happy with James, he doesn't want me. Even if I told him how I felt, he still wouldn't want me. I'm nothing compared to James. I'm an emotional mess. The words cut through his mind like sharp metal.

"No", Syed confessed, consciously avoiding Christian's eye. "I've been busy"

"Oh. I thought you had already left" Christian replied, surprised.

"No, I changed my mind…" he trailed off, feeling uncomfortable.

"So…you're staying?" Christian questioned, his voice hitching slightly. In the darkness, Christian's green eyes sparkled intensely.

"Yeah", Syed confirmed, looking at James over Christian's shoulder. He was watching them with a puzzled and suspicious look on his usually friendly features.

"Good", Christian emphasized, "This is your home now too". A beautiful smile adorned his lips before he turned and walked back towards James, indicating to Syed to follow him.

"Sorry about that", Christian apologised. "It was about business", he clarified. James eyed him uncertainly but seemed to accept his explanation.

Feeling awkward, Syed offered him a small, apologetic smile, which he acknowledged with a nod of the head.

"I was wondering whether you and Daniel would like to come over for dinner tomorrow" Christian asked.

James pulled a face and tried to attract Christian's attention but he ignored him and looked directly at Syed, the grassy-green eyes connecting with the earthy-brown eyes in the cool night air.

"I'll have to ask Daniel first, but okay", Syed accepted hesitantly. A night with friends might be just want they needed, he thought apprehensively.

XXXX

Daniel was on the phone when Syed entered the flat. Quickly disconnecting the call, he resumed his sitting position on the sofa.

"My dad", he explained quickly when Syed looked at him, confused. "Just giving me an update on mum", he added, his voice low.

"How is she?" Syed asked, concerned. Daniel shrugged but stayed silent. Syed knew not to press him any further so he refrained from asking anymore questions. Instead, he sat on the sofa next to him, playing with the corner of a cushion as a means of distraction.

"I bumped into Christian and James on the way home. They've invited us for dinner tomorrow", Syed told him eventually, neglecting to mention the fact that it had actually been Christian alone that had invited them. From experience, Syed knew that Daniel was extremely jealous, and would cut even good friends out of his life if he thought they had more than friendly intentions towards Syed. In his mind, another couple asking them out for dinner would be less of a threat to Daniel than another man asking.

"That sounds nice", Daniel replied, calmly.

"I said we'd go, but if you don't want to-", Syed babbled, trying to gauge Daniel's mood.

"No, I want to", Daniel interrupted, firmly. "I'm going to visit my mum in the morning so I could do with cheering up after that. You'll wear your watch tomorrow, won't you?" he simpered, taking Syed's hand and lightly touching the leather strap where the inscription lay.

"Of course", Syed confirmed before he felt himself being pushed down onto the sofa, Daniel's lips on his own.

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