Syed: I just don't see why we have to go!

As soon as she'd told him that they were going out tonight Syed fell into a foul mood, feeling it deepen as she told him who they were going out with.

Amira: Because it'll be fun! And it might help you relax a bit as well.

Syed: Meaning?

She slid over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He tensed at her touch, cursing himself for being like this. He had no right to treat her like this, no right to alienate her the way he was. But he couldn't help himself. He just couldn't love her the way she wanted him to.

Amira: Syed, I know OK.

Syed: Know what?

Amira: I know your nervous about sleeping with me. But I am too! I mean, we're both in the same place aren't we? We just have to teach each other, help each other... explore.

Her hand slid down his chest and over his groin. Nothing. He felt nothing.

Syed: We're going to be late.

He slid into the back seat of the car next to Christian, his entire body screaming at him to reach out and touch him. To feel him once more.

Amira: Sorry about this, I just get travel sick if I sit in the back.

Christian: Don't worry about it.

Every corner they took sent Syed sliding into him, his leg crushed against his, their arms touching through their jackets. He could almost hear his heart's beats echo in the car.

Roxy was to busy talking to her sister on her phone to notice the tension between them. The way their eyes glanced everywhere but at each other.

Syed could feel him so close to him, feel the heat from his body warm him through his clothes. He heard his laboured breathing as he struggled to do the same thing he was. Stay away from him.

Christian held his breath for the entire journey. Every time he saw a corner approaching he knew he'd feel him against him. And he wanted to. Because despite the brave face he was putting on in front of Syed, he still wanted him. He missed him badly, missed his touch, his voice, his heart. He didn't just miss the sex, the way his naked body felt against his, he missed Syed. The man he had fallen so deeply for. He was a different person now. and there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't look at him, couldn't risk just one glance at him, because he knew he wouldn't be able to hold himself back. Not looking the way he did tonight.

Christian: You look good.

Syed jumped at the sound of his voice. He'd been so deep in concentration, so focused on thinking of anything but the man sat next to him that he had blocked out everything surrounding him.

Syed: Thanks.

Christian: I always liked you in that shirt.

Syed glanced down at his blue check shirt. The one he had worn so many times before. The one he had thought Christian would see that he hadn't made an effort tonight and had just thrown on the first thing he'd grabbed.

Syed: Thanks. I see you kept to the scruffy look!

Christian laughed. Even in the darkness of the back seat of the car he could see his face light up. And Syed's face lit up with him.

Andy: Hey! You made it!

He walked out from behind the bar and hugged Christian as soon as he saw him. Syed felt his guts churning as he watched their arms wrap around each other, the tightness of their embrace was too much to bear and his insides almost screaming at him to pull them apart.

Christian: Roxy, this is Andy. Andy, brace yourself, this, is Roxy!

Roxy: Oi!

She pushed him jokingly, laughing and eyeing him her approval. Christian knew the look that was in her eye. He'd seen it so many times before. She thought he was mad to turn down someone this good looking.

Roxy: Nice to meet you Andy. Christian's told me almost nothing about you!

Andy: Likewise!

His smile dropped as he moved in to hug her, unable to believe who was standing behind them. He turned to Christian who avoided his gaze and back to Syed.

Andy: Nice to see you again Syed.

Syed nodded his thanks at not making a scene.

Syed: Yeah. You too.

Andy: And this must be your wife...?

Amira: Amira.

Andy: Amira. Wow, Christian said you were stunning, and he wasn't wrong was he?!

Christian laughed at him. He really could charm anyone and he had the proof standing in front of him. She knew he was gay, knew he was interested in Christian, but Amira still blushed at his comment.

Andy held out both his arms as he flashed both women his killer smile.

Andy: Follow me ladies, I've got the best seats in the house waiting just for you.

They took an arm each and let him lead the way, Christian and Syed following behind them.

Syed: Got a way with the ladies hasn't he?!

Christian: Yeah! Bit of a charmer.

Syed: Christian....

Amira: You coming babe?

They both sighed at the interruption.

Syed: I need to talk to you.

Christian: I read everything I needed to hear from you in your letter Sy. Don't spoil it for me.

Every time they ordered a drink, Andy silently slipped a double into Christian and Roxy's glass, winking at him as he did so.

Christian: Are you trying to get me drunk?

Andy: I've been trying to do that since I first met you!

Christian: Don't start. I may be drunk but I know a line when I hear one.

He grabbed the tray of glasses and made his way back to the table. Truth was he was still sober. He'd barely touched a drop all night. Not when Syed was here, staring at him the way he was, biting his lip the way he always did when he was nervous. To much drink and Christian knew he would go one of 2 ways. He'd start sobbing as he would force himself to watch Amira drape herself over him, kiss him, smile at him as he spoke to her. Doing everything he should be doing. Or he'd get cocky and try to get him alone. Back him into a corner, knowing he'd talk his way around him eventually. He could even hear the conversation in his head. 'Just one kiss'. As if he would leave it there. He closed his eyes and put the images to his words. One kiss, leading two, leading into 'let's get out of here', slipping out unnoticed. He could feel him pressed up against him as he saw himself pulling him into the nearest alleyway he could find, his hands travelling down his front, unbuckling his belt as his soft plump lips crashed against his...

Roxy: Drink up!!!! It's my round.

He almost screamed as she interrupted him, his hands shaking, his cock hard in his trousers. He grabbed the glass and downed it in one. That was one drink he needed.

Roxy: Syed? Amira? Drink?

Amira: No, we're fine thanks. I'll give you a hand tho.

Christian looked over at him as both girls finally left them alone together. Syed slid into the chair next to him.

Syed: You might want to sit there for a while.

Christian: Sorry?

Syed smiled as he nodded down towards Christian's groin as he saw the bulge in his trousers.

Christian: Shit!

He shifted uncomfortably in the seat, trying his best to disguise it and laughing as Syed smiled at him.

Christian: Trust Roxy!

Amira: Sorry?

Christian laughed as he watched his friend subtly flirt her way into another drink.

Christian: Only Roxy could come to a gay club and find the only straight man here!

Amira: Um, excuse me?!

She smiled as she nudged Christian's side.

Amira: What about Syed?!

Christian was glad he was only tipsy. A few more drinks inside him and the stifled 'yeah, right' laugh that was desperate to escape would have.

Christian: He's married. He doesn't count.

She smiled at him as she turned to Syed.

Amira: Good. Because he's all mine.

He smiled falsely at her as she leaned in to him, his eyes never leaving Christian's as she kissed his lips.

Syed: I'm going to head home babe.

Amira: Already? It's still early.

Syed: I know, but some of us have work in the morning!

Amira: Let me get my coat.

Syed: You stay. There's no point you leaving as well is there?

Amira: You sure you don't mind.

Syed: Of course not.

He leaned over and kissed her, his first real kiss with her all night. He was just thankful Christian wasn't there to see it.

Amira: OK. I'll see you in the morning yeah?

Syed nodded and smiled at her as she trotted back onto the dance floor with Roxy.

Andy: All alone?

Syed: Yeah.

Andy: Where's your wife?

Syed ignored his tone. He was better than that, better than reacting to him. He pointed to Amira dancing.

Andy: And your boyfriend? Oh, sorry, you haven't got one of them anymore have you?

Syed grabbed his coat, glanced back at the table and made his way towards the door.

Christian: Where are you going?

Syed: Home. Got work in the morning.

Christian: Amira?

Syed nodded to the dance floor.

Syed: Bonding with her new best friend. Think you might have some competition there!

Christian: What, again?

He said it before he realised it.

Christian: Sy, i'm sorry. Slip of the tongue.

Syed: It's OK.

The stood there and stared at each other, Christian's lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something but just couldn't bring himself to do it.

Syed: See you.

He turned and walked up the stairs and out the door, the cold air slapping his face, waking him to what hadn't happened tonight.

Christian sat back down, confused but happy. At least they'd been civil to each other, flirty even. Maybe that's how it was going to be from now on. Deny what they really want but still showed each other they cared. He grabbed his glass, at least now he could relax, get a little drunk without worrying about saying something to him.

Christian: Oh, Sy!

He picked Syed's mobile up from the table and ran out after him, Andy stopping him before he reached the exit.

Andy: Leave him go.

Christian: What? No, he left his phone.

He showed him his mobile as proof that he wasn't making some last ditch attempt to win him back.

Andy: So? Give it to Amira, she can take it for him.

Christian: If i'm not back in 5 minutes you can come looking for me! Trust me OK, I'm just going to give him mobile then I'll be straight back.

Andy: OK. But i'm timing you!

Christian laughed as he ran out the door, hoping to catch him before he got a taxi.

Syed leaned back against the wall, his heart hammering in his chest. He'd done it. He'd survived his first proper evening with Christian without letting him see him falling apart. He almost felt proud of himself.

Christian: Sy!

He turned his head to see him running towards him. Oh God, not now. Please.

Christian: You forgot your phone.

Syed: Thanks.

He reached out to take it, brushing his hand as he did so. He felt the fire inside him burning in an instant. Every part of him screamed from his touch. His breath caught in his chest as he let the intensity of Christian's touch take it's hold on him once more.

Christian: Sy?

Syed: Why are you being like this?

Christian: Like what?

Syed: This. Nice, kind, understanding?

Christian laughed.

Christian: How am I supposed to be?!

Syed: How you used to be with me. Just after all this started. You were always winding me up all the time. Annoying the hell out of me!

Christian: And you want that?

Syed: I do actually. At least then I could hate you.

Syed smiled as the silence hung in the air.

Syed: See, if I hate you I wouldn't have to think of you. I wouldn't have to see your face as I drift off to sleep. You wouldn't be in my dreams every single night.

Christian: Sy...

Syed: Don't. Please don't call me that!

Christian: Why?

Syed: Because every time you do I go back there. Back to being with you. Back to you touching me, holding me. Kissing me.

Syed took a small step towards him, his lips parted and full of anticipation. When Christian didn't move away from him he took another step forwards, their bodies barely separated by the air surrounding them.

Syed: Do you remember? What it feels like?

His slowly moved up Christian's chest, they're eyes locked together.

Syed: Laying there with me. Holding me next to you.

Christian: Stop it.

His eyes shut tightly as he felt him move his face to his, feeling his cheek brush against his stubbly face as he whispered in his ear.

Syed: Do you remember what I taste like?

Christian moaned as he felt his lips gently close on his cheek, his soft kisses tracing their way down until they finally found his lips again.

Christian tried his hardest to fight back, to push him away but it was useless. The rationality of his mind could never win against the yearning in his heart. But it had to this time. As lost as he was in Syed's kiss he just couldn't ignore the voice in his head telling him that his heart just couldn't take anymore. But still his lips responded, his tongue lost itself as it explored his mouth again, revelling in the fact that his mouth was just as warm, just as soft as it always had been. But this was wrong. This was all wrong.

Christian: Fuck Sy!! What the hell do you think you're playing at?!

He pulled away and saw the desperation in Syed's face not to be rejected.

Christian: I can't do this. Not again.

Syed: Wait! Please.

But he couldn't wait. He turned and walked away from him, straight past Andy standing by the door, a look of thunder on his face.

Andy: He got a bit more than his phone back.

Christian: Drop it.

Andy took a step towards Syed, lighting a cigarette as he made his way over to him, looking behind him to make sure that Christian was back inside and out of ear-shot.

Andy: Well, you just can't help yourself can you?

Syed: Back off OK. This has got nothing to do with you OK. What happens between me and him is none of your business.

Andy laughed at him, his voice turning sinister as he spoke.

Andy: Yeah? Well you've just pushed him further away from you so I'm making it my business. You see, all I wanted you to do was to stay away from him. Then, slowly I'd help him get over you, nurse hi broken heart and then before you know it, I'd be in his bed, him being so grateful to me that I helped him through his 'struggle'.

His voice was so patronising, antagonising Syed with every word.

Andy: But now? Now you've just pushed him further into my arms! Big mistake Syed. Big mistake.

He threw his cigarette on the floor and smiled at him,

Syed: Stay away from him.

Andy: Or what?