Part 7

2 months later

Syed walked into his flat. He had just had another session at the counsellor's. The new counsellor was a man and Syed had been determined to make it work this time and had been honest from day one and opened up and every session now he was crying so much. The counsellor told him it was all good and he had to admit he felt better afterwards. He had gone back to the doctor's with Christian a while back and started some anti-depressants for a few months and what with that and the counselling, he had started sleeping better.

He whistled as he got into the shower, Christian had invited him round for dinner at his flat and he was really looking forward to seeing him. What with Christian's shifts at the Vic and all his working hours, they hadn't seen each other so much over the past couple of weeks. Now though things were a bit quieter.

They had a nice meal which Christian had prepared and then he was asking Syed how the counselling had gone recently. He started to talk about it and then he felt his eyes watering again "sorry Christian I don't know what's wrong with me at the moment but I just can't seem to stop crying now. The counsellor says it's perfectly natural to be like this while working through it all."

Christian smiled "I understand, I'm pleased that it's all going well and you look so much better and happier even if you are a bit tearful tonight!!"

Syed laughed "let's change the subject quick."

"There was something I wanted to suggest to you Syed."

"Oh yes sounds interesting" he raised his eyebrows in that way which always got Christian. He loved to see that Syed was relaxed enough to be flirty again with him.

"Yes I thought perhaps you could do with a short break. Maybe a weekend away somewhere."

"Doesn't seem much point going away on my own to be honest."

"Well I wasn't necessarily suggesting you go on your own."

Syed's eyes met Christian's in surprise and he didn't know what to say.

"I'm not suggesting we share a room or anything like that I just thought we could travel together. I could do with a break myself. Brighton's nice this time of year."

"I'm not sure I would have to see if I could get the time off work. Brighton would be great though, I haven't been there for years."

"Shall we settle on a weekend then. Two weeks time would be good for me."

"I'll let you know Christian. I appreciate this you know and everything you've done for me recently." He suddenly felt awkward thinking back to how desperate he had been and the self-harming Christian had witnessed. Christian reached out his hand to him and squeezed it gently "you would do the same for me Syed." They looked at each other for a long moment until Syed looked down at the table "I think I should be going" and he smiled and got up. Christian stood up too and walked with him to the door.

"Let me know when you can about that weekend and then we can book a bed and breakfast or hotel if you fancy paying more."

"Oh hotel I think, we need to treat ourselves."

Syed looked back at Christian "thanks for tonight I really had a good time" and then he walked out. Christian watched him go thoughtfully. He was so pleased to see that Syed was well on the way to being better and seemed much happier. He hoped their weekend together might bring them closer together again but he was going to take things very slowly and let Syed make any move if he wanted to.