It's a little later that same night. We're back to Christian's POV.

~c~s~

Every couple of minutes I have a little freak out. Is he still here? Is this real? Or was it just a dream? About 0,5 second later I am reassured by the feeling of his body weighing down on mine, the trickle of his hair and the warm, moist air of his breath on my chest. I open my eyes to take in the sight of him, peacefully asleep. His upper body is resting on mine, his head turned sideways, one of his hands splayed on my chest.

'I have to go', he said.

'Don't. Please,' I pleaded, 'stay a little while longer'.

His eyes looked tormented. I could see him struggle with the need to leave and the desire to stay.

'What time is it?' he asked.

I made a grab for the alarm clock at the nightstand.

'It's just past midnight'

I watched his eyes widening in shock.

'What? Seriously?' he asked frantically, sitting up. But then he suddenly slumped himself back on the bed. 'Wait. They must have gone to bed by now. If they were wondering where I was, they would have called me. I guess I could stay a bit longer if they're asleep already… But what if we fall asleep?'

'I want us to. I want to fall asleep and wake up in your arms'. My heart fluttered as I watched the intense longing flash in those beautiful brown eyes.

'Don't worry,' I assured him, 'I'll set the alarm. How about three o 'clock', I suggested.

The most endearingly wicked smile curled his soft lips. I was so mesmerized by this look, that I almost missed his reply.

'Make it four'.

That's how we got here. I'm amazed that my happily pounding heart beneath his ear isn't waking him. Apparently not. He's so deeply asleep, it's like he hasn't slept in days. In his sleep, he clings to me. Every now and then his breath catches and his fingers search for me. But when he feels me, right there underneath him, he sighs contentedly and his breathing becomes even and calm again.

I haven't slept a wink. I don't want to waste a second of the time I have him here with me. Every time I feel myself nodding off, I jerk awake again. Checking to see if he's still here.

'Tell me about… your first time'

Why did I have to ask him that? Why? I've never known myself to be a masochist. Did I think I would enjoy hearing about how some random bloke picked him up? Kissed him? Fucked him? I wouldn't have liked it, no matter who it was or how it had happened. But this…

It physically hurt me to think of him like that. Alone. Vulnerable. Desperate. Craving some attention. Any attention. He needed someone to look out for him that night. He needed someone… like me. He needed me, and I wasn't there. I smiled wryly at the thought. I didn't know he needed me and I feel gutted about it.

He can have such a vulnerable look about him at times. A look that speaks directly to the part of me that wants to, needs to do anything necessary to protect him. If anyone tried to hurt him… I shudder. I'm not sure what I would do. I'm not a violent man, never have been. But he does something to me…

I tried to wash away his memories, with water, soap and gentle caresses. Tried to rid him off all traces. And then I gave him some new images, sensations, experiences, to fill his head and his heart.

I startle at the sound of the alarm going of. His only reaction is to try and burry his face deeper into my chest, letting out a light huffing noise. I smile down at him, ignoring the alarm.

'Morning gorgeous. Time to wake up now', I softly say, while stroking his hair out of his face.

'Mfngk…' is his only response.

I chuckle and try again.

'Wakey wakey sleepyhead'

'Am wake… sure… hmpfngk…'

Well, that's progress I guess. Part of me wants to do nothing, just let him sleep, feel him in my arms for a little bit longer. But I can't. With a sigh, I roll over, taking him with me, pinning his body to the mattress. His eyes fly open with a start, and he's immediately wide awake.

'Christian'. In his eyes I see a rush of emotions fly by, one after another. Happiness, guilt, fear, longing, lust…

'I have to go', he says, but he makes no move to leave.

'No you don't', I smirk, 'We're not done yet'.

'Christian, I seriously have to go. It's four o 'clock already. I have to go so I can sneak back in before they realize I'm not back yet. I told you this, I need to leave at four!' and he starts to push me off him.

'You have to leave at four?' I ask. I grab the alarm clock and show him the digits.

'Good thing I set the bloody thing for three than isn't it?'

Not waiting for his reply, I crush his mouth with mine.

One more hour of him. One more hour of us. It's like nothing at all, but I'm determined to make it last. Our lovemaking is unhurried, slow and wonderful. I stroke the entire length of his body leisurely, not neglecting any part of it. His skin is still warm and soft with sleep as I touch it. He sighs, craning and curving his body under my hands.

'Sy…'

I feel the need to softly say his name, over and over again. Every time I do, he gasps and closes his eyes. I can't get enough of it.

He turns himself around in my arms and pushes his back against me. Instinctively, I pull our knees up slightly, spooning him snugly. Again I'm marvelling at how our bodies seem to fit together perfectly. I love the feeling of his lean, supple body moving with mine. Our moves are languid, are voices still. The only sounds I hear are the rustling of the sheets and our breathing. We both sigh as our bodies become one. I feel no need to hurry, no need to rush. As I move in and out of him at the same, steady pace, I feel myself slip into a dreamlike state. It's like I've slipped outside of my body, floating above our entangled bodies. I see us, laying there, together, on top of the sheets. He looks even more beautiful like this, his head falling back on my shoulder, his eyes blinking slowly as I move inside him. He's worrying his bottom lip with his teeth as I see myself nuzzling the soft hair in his neck.

'Christian'

His voice calls me back to him. I let my hands sooth down the front of his body as I press my body tighter against his. My hips have kept up their leisurely pace. I can sense Syed growing restless, pushing his arse back into me, forcing me deeper inside. I happily oblige, moving deeper, probing him deep inside, causing him to mewl incoherent syllables. But when he tries to quicken the pace, I still his hips with my hands.

'Don't. Trust me'

I can feel him force himself to slow down. Gratefully, I press a kiss on his shoulder and wrap my arms around him tightly.

'You are so beautiful Sy', I whisper in his ear. 'I love the way you feel when you're in my arms like this'.

I can't stop myself citing every little thing about him that I love, from his flowing soft hair, to his elegant fingers and his slender hips. And I love all of him. I can tell he is hanging on my every word, drinking in the admiring words. I can feel him blossoming with every compliment I give him, blossoming like no one has ever admired him before. I can feel a little tug at my heart. Why is this man so unappreciated? I try and express just how much I value him with my words, my kisses, my caresses. We keep moving, getting closer and closer to what I know will be a heart wrenching climax. I keep telling him how wonderful I think he is, and when I can't think of anything new, I just repeat what I said before.

I hold myself together until I feel him come ever closer to the edge. As he lets go, he shouts out hoarsely, his body jerking uncontrollably. The tightening of his muscles around me drags me over the edge alongside him. I almost black out with the force of my climax, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, only able to steady myself by clinging on to him.

I let myself slip out of him, enabling him to turn himself around and face me. His eyes are beaming at me, belying the tears that have quietly escaped them. Only now do I feel the tears that are streaking down my own face. He pulls me close and starts kissing the tears away.

'You are beautiful too. I love the way you make me feel, safe, cherished, wanted'. He shakes his head.

'I'm sorry. I'm rubbish at this kind of thing' he apologizes.

I smile. Even now he doesn't see.

'Don't worry, you're doing just fine', I reassure him.

For a moment we just smile at each other, appreciating each other. But then the moment is gone.

'I have to go'.

I can hear the regret in his voice.

'It's ok. I know', I try and reassure him.

I get out of bed and start gathering up his clothes. When I've got everything, I head back to the bed. He is sitting on the edge of it, dangling his legs. Silently I hand him his clothes and then help him get dressed. I can't explain it, but it makes me feel slightly better if I'm the one fastening his buttons, his belt…

When he is fully clothed, we walk towards the door together. He makes to open it, but then hesitates, turning back to face me.

'I've had a great time. Thank you', he says quietly, sincerely.

I smile and press a gentle kiss on his lips.

'Me too' I tell him.

And then he is gone. Already I feel my heart aching from missing him. I take a few quick steps towards the window, hoping to catch another glimpse. I see him hurriedly walking away, without looking back. Resigned, I get back into my rumpled bed, breathing in the scent he has left behind. I close my eyes and try and catch up on some sleep.

~c~s~

Reviews, as always, much appreciated :-)