A/N - Adult language

A/N- Idea for this chapter taken from the BBC drama "The split"

A/N: Lyrics in bold are an alternate version of "By the way" By the band hinder

"Speechless and frozen,

Uncomfortable silence, who cares?

By the way, what makes you think you'd have it your way,

And by the way, by the way,

Didn't I always tell you that I'd forever stay the same?"

He pauses then walks to the nearest bus stop. He doesn't know where the buses are going. Or even if he's on the right side of the road. But he's got to sit down. He hasn't heard the name "Rahim" in years. Even when Anwar had borrowed one of his familes properties for a project, he and Eric never saw each other. It sounds warped, almost salacious, coming from his boyfriends lips. Suddenly his legs can't take his weight anymore. He leans on the bus seat, which to his chargin is thin as fuck, and sighs. Adam silently follows him.

"Why did you say his name?"

"You booked this for him, right?" Adam nods.

"What are you-"

"This is a date he would like"

"I never thought- "

"You're wearing the same fucking jacket that you dated him in! When I first came back from military school!" He points at the jacket. They both know that here and now, he's right. It's the same purple glittery multi-coloured jacket that wore on that first date with Rahim. It doesn't mean anything though. Eric wasn't thinking when he put it on. Obviously his boyfriend had been thinking...a little too much.

"Shit...I didn't mean to shout" Adam pushes a finger into his own forehead and wraps those fingers around the back of his neck.

"Yeah man, you did" Eric slides away from him. Eyes willing him to calm down. "What happened to us Ad? What happened to this?" He dramatically waves his hand around in a circle. They can both hear the light drum of the rain dribbling on the bus shelter. "This was supposed to be romantic!"

"Supposed to shut me up, more like"

"What?"

"I'm still gonna ask you the tough shit though" Adam carries on.

"I'm sorry? Are you gonna tell me why you were flirting with that tart in front of me?" Eric asks. He thought he was going to be upset, but there's raw red anger throbbing in his chest. He sticks his right hand in his pocket to stop the hand gestures. He wanted his boyfriend to take him seriously.

"So you notice me then? I'm not gonna hide in the shadows, Tromboner. I ain't my mum"

"What the hell does that mean?" Eric asked confused enough for the both of them. He watched his boyfriend take a cigeratte out of his pocket and roll it against his fingers. Didn't he say that he'd quit a while ago?

"Why don't we fuck anymore?" Adam said simply. Using the same tone he'd use to ask Eric to get milk from the corner shop.

"There's no way we are doing this NOW!" Eric yelps.

"If not now then fucking when?" Adam snaps keeping his voice level. "We're going to talk about this. Like sodding adults" He said pausing as they heard a sound, but it was just a cat eating from a fish and chip paper. "I don't usually do it... but I'd take it up the bum if you asked"

"I can't believe you just said that in public!"

"Our sex life is shit. Go on, deny it" Adam offers, but gets met with silence. "Before you just accuse me of being a perv, or just being into you for your arse. I'm not just talking about that. I dream about hugs from you, more than I actually get them. What's wrong? You've pushed me away for months. What did I do or say that set you off?"

"Nothing..."

"Have I changed? I shower all the time, I quit smoking. We get tested. You know I don't have the clap. Don't you fancy me anymore? Do you have a...a type now? Do you find me that disgusting that you can't touch me? Or kiss me?" He grips his own chin with his fore-finger and thumb.

Eric taps his arm to loosen his fingers. With that face and that tall "men's health cover" body Eric never thought that Adam could be or sound or act so insecure. But then, no touching, no affection and no sex for months would make anyone insecure. He realised that Adam hadn't looked else where. He hadn't cheated. Not yet. He could see the desperation for reassurance in his eyes.

"Maybe we should go to therapy"

"Us? You mean you? I'd fuck you now if you..."

"This isn't about the sex. Like Oatie would say, the sex drought is the symptom, not the cause"

"Then what's the cause? Eric I know...I take the piss about how chatty you are. But really...you're the only arse-wipe I could listen to all day. You can talk to me. Talk and I'll fucking listen" Adam urges, running his hand over his boyfriends' flawless dark skin.

"It's complicated. I just...I just don't know when I'll feel like being that close to you. And you jumping on every waitress that eye fucks you doesn't help. Holidays in France? Another thing I don't know about you. I'll call Otis, let's go to therapy hand in hand"

"Nah" His boyfriend shakes his head bluntly.

"Why not? Support me in this!" Eric asks.

"Parce que je suis toujours en colère contre toi" Adam said standing up. "Je ne vis pas la vie de mes parents. Je ne vivrai pas leur mariage"

"Wow...was that French? I mean...what did you just say?" Eric asked in amazement.

"I said I'm moving out" Adam lies. He knows Eric hates it, but he gets out a lighter and gets his cigarette sizzling. "After patty's job. I'm doing work on your sister's room. Khylia's room is gonna take over a month. Your parents have offered me a spare room. Your dad's gonna let me store all my tools and shit in his shed. I may as well just stay there for a while. If that's cool with you" He states.

"Wow you've thought all of this through. I don't have a choice in this" Eric licks his lips. Kicking his legs out and watching them sway.

"Stop acting deaf, blind, and dumb Tromboner. You have a choice. Come home. Date me, live with me"

"Adam I..." Eric's voice trails off as his boyfriend taps him gently on the thigh.

"Trust me, Eric. Touch me. Love me. Pin me to the wall. Take my shirt off. Love me properly" He stares at him so intensely that Eric has to turn away in akwardness.

"Please...just let me think about it"

"Cool. While you're busy being forever frigid. I'll be living at your parents place okay?"

"Fuck you!" Eric yells, extremely insulted.

"I can get V to do that for me!" Adam grins back. He begins to walk back the way they'd came. He was feeling pretty sociable. He decided to walk back to the restaurant, as he approaches the steps he's thinking about if he needs an excuse to go back in, when someone shakes an umbrella in his face.

"Bonjour Monseur!" V laughs with a smile. "It's Adam...right?...You're all wet!"

"Just the girl I wanted to see! Are you busy? I could do with a drink...and I'll pay for yours" He adds.

"Sure! I'm free. All night..." V grins and holds her hand out.

No smile competes with Eric's but he can't think about him in this moment. It stings too much. He grabs her slimer dainty hand. She tries to put her arm around his waist. She's slim and sexy with a gorgeous face. He forces a grin at the the growing spark between them as they make their way to the nearest bar. V can give him what his ex can't. Whatever happens tonight, will forever be Tromboner's fault...

The End!

Thanks to everyone for reading!