A/N: Thanks for the comments, I really should reply to everyone individually.
Chapter Two
When Syed finally awoke he was in hospital; the beeping from the heart monitor searing into his skull. His entire body felt like it was on fire; everywhere ached and his lungs felt like they had gone ten rounds with a heavyweight boxer. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to move and Syed longed for the darkness to claim him once again.
He could feel someone next to him, almost holding his hand but not quite. Syed knew it was Christian though; it was like a sixth sense. He was not yet aware that Syed had woken up though and Syed didn't have the energy to let him know, so he simply just closed his eyes and hoped the next time he woke he didn't feel so bad.
Christian was extremely worried for his young lover. He had noticed that Syed had not been well for the last couple of weeks, complaining of headaches and nausea. He had also lost a lot of weight and was constantly fatigued. Looking at him now, he could also see several large and purple bruises on his arms; which Syed had been hiding from him. Christian felt guilty for not saying something sooner. It had taken for Syed to almost die in a fire before he truly picked up that something was wrong.
"Come on Sy, wake up," he said quietly, rubbing Syed's hand with his thumb. "Let me see those beautiful eyes of yours. Why didn't you tell me how bad you were feeling? Why couldn't you say that you needed help? The doctors don't know what's wrong with you yet, they just keep coming in and poking around; taking blood from you. I wish they would just tell me what's wrong so I can figure out how to make it better. Please wake up Sy; I need you to answer back."
Syed could hear everything Christian was saying and he wanted to wake up and talk to him, he truly did but he just didn't have the energy at the moment. He settled for moving his hand slightly just to let the man he loved know he was there.
"Hey," Christian whispered, a smile gracing his face at the movement. "Are you going to open those eyes for me?" He asked. Syed groaned and screwed his eyes shut tighter. "Well I know you're awake now so there's no point pretending not to be," he teased lightly as Syed's eyes finally fluttered open. "You had me worried. How are you feeling?"
"Thirsty," Syed croaked. It felt as though he hadn't drunk anything for a month.
"I can get you some water if you want," he said and Syed nodded. "I'll be back in a minute."
"When they first saw the bruises they thought I was hitting you," Christian told Syed.
"That's crazy."
"Well you do have a lot of unexplained bruises on your body."
"I can explain every one of them. Have you told mum and dad?"
"No, I didn't know if you wanted me to."
"Let's just wait and see what the doctor's say before we have to worry them," Syed told him. He was scared at the thought that there was something seriously wrong with him but he didn't want to bother his parents until he was absolutely certain.
"Okay," Christian replied wanting to respect Syed's wishes.
The doctor looked grave when he finally entered the room. "Mr. Masood," he greeted Syed. "I'm Doctor Barrett."
"Is everything okay?" Syed asked, feeling very worried at what the doctor was about to tell him. He was certain it was not good news.
"We have your blood test results back and there is evidence of elevated white blood cells."
"What does that mean?" Christian asked.
"It means that we need to do more tests but at this moment we're suspecting leukaemia."
Syed felt his heart rush to his mouth. He felt sick; he wanted to scream but his body wouldn't let him. Instead he simply sat there in dumb silence, not really able to process anything at the moment.
"What happens next?" He heard Christian ask but the doctor's answer merged into one. He heard something about tests and biopsies but he had stopped paying attention. The next thing he heard clearly was Christian.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he sat on the edge of the hospital bed and pulled Syed into his arms. Syed didn't reply, he couldn't reply. The words caught in his throat and made him want to choke. Instead he curled closer into Christian and buried himself into his safe and warm body. "Everything's going to be all right. We're going to get you better," Christian soothed as he heard Syed sob.
"I don't want to die," Syed finally said through the tears. It was very quiet, almost inaudible but it broke Christians' heart. He held Syed tighter and comforted him until he fell asleep.
Christian returned home to the flat late that night. He still hadn't got around to redecorating the kitchen after the fire; it was still black and scorched. He sat down on the sofa and rested his head in his hands. He had to be strong for Syed; which is why he hadn't shown his emotions at the hospital; instead choosing to be strong and reassuring whilst the man he loved was in pain. Now he was alone and he had no need to be strong.
He felt the tears begin to flow down his cheeks, hot and full of pain. Why did this have to be happening now? They had just found happiness with each other and now it felt as though it was all beginning to disappear. He let out a large sob as he felt his chest constrict. It was so unfair; why couldn't God or whatever higher power out there give them both a break once in a while? It was supposed to be easier now; they were supposed to be happy and this had to happen. He felt as though his world was collapsing. He curled up on the sofa and allowed the darkness surround him as he gave in and sobbed until he felt completely numb.