Sorry that it's taken me longer to update than usual, I just wanted to make sure this was right. Thanks for the review so far :)

Syed wanted to look his best. After so many weeks of prevarication and wondering if he'd be making a dreadful mistake, he knew that this evening things were going to… happen.

His heart leapt into his throat just thinking about it. But then you could only deny your true feelings for so long. Christian knew that too, didn't he? He'd been the one to instigate all of this. Tonight, everything would change. Their relationship would progress and develop, moving to a whole new level. Now, at last, Syed finally trusted Christian. This definitely wasn't going to be just another meaningless shag. No, because there were feelings, real deep feelings involved.

Ok, too much thinking about this evening wasn't helping, and he was getting jittery with anticipation. Deliberately clearing his mind and taking several deep breaths, Syed applied a splash of aftershave and looked in the bathroom mirror, holding alternate tops against his body.

Was Christian having this much trouble getting himself ready for tonight? Possibly, or maybe was he just jumping in the shower and throwing on the first clean clothes to hand.

x-CS-x

The TV was on; the credits were rolling at the end of the soap opera, but for the life of him, Christian couldn't have named even one character that had been in it. His eyes had been on the screen, watching various figures move about, and his ears had heard the voices, yet nothing had permeated his brain. Because all he could do was think about tonight. And Syed. Shit, this was serious.

And what's more, Syed had no clue. How could he even begin to know how Christian felt, how life-changing this evening would be? If Christian could hardly believe what was going on inside him, then how was Syed supposed to have any idea himself? When Josh had died, his world had changed forever, permanently. It had been like being trapped inside a giant cage. That was what happened when you allowed yourself to fall deeply in love with someone; and then when they were ripped away from you, the pain and grief were unimaginable.

So, he'd vowed to never let it happen again, and had simply kept the door to the cage locked. It had been so much easier to play the part of the flirtatious philanderer, to have plenty of fun and avoid any form of commitment. So he'd managed to earn himself a bit of a reputation along the way, why should he care?

And now, everything was about to change. Because despite his best efforts, Syed had uncovered the key to his cage and freed him from his prison. And it was terrifying, so terrifying, but it was also an exhilarating feeling. Christian couldn't deny his relief at finally discovering that time does heal, and that when you meet the right person then it's possible to move on.

x-CS-x

The tumble-dryer clicked off and Christian opened it, pulling out the warm, cream pillow cases, duvet cover and king-sized fitted sheet. But then he pondered… If Syed smelt the fabric conditioner on them, would he think that Christian had taken it for granted that they'd end up in bed together tonight? Would he be offended at having been regarded a sure thing? Then again, didn't they both know, deep down, that it was going to happen tonight?

As he carried everything through to the bedroom, Christian wondered what Syed would be doing now. He wasn't the kind of flap around and worry about what he looked like. That was just one of the great things about him, he wasn't high maintenance or vain, like so many of the men around here.

Right, that was the bed finished. He stepped back to admire the end result, leaning forward to adjust the position of a cushion. The bedroom was tidy, dusted and vacuumed this morning; everything was clean and the lighting was just right, providing a sensual glow across the room. All of a sudden it seemed incredibly important, he wanted Syed to feel comfortable here, and to approve of the way the room looked.

There were candles in the wardrobe; Christian deliberated if he should get them out. On the one hand he was keen to impress Syed, but on the other he didn't want him feeling overwhelmed and under pressure.

Ok, he'd give the candles a miss, they were too much hassle. Briefly pausing in front of the mirror to check that his hair hadn't dried funny, Christian then crossed over to the window to close the curtains. As he reached out to clutch them, his left arm brushed against the deep blue ceramic bowl on the window ledge. Josh had bought it shortly before their wedding was due to take place, declaring that it would be perfect to hold bunches of flowers. Christian smiled fondly at the memory.

x-CS-x

The restaurant was small and intimate; music twinkled throughout the room, adding to the relaxed and romantic atmosphere. Christian and Syed were sat in the far corner, a jarred candle in between the pair of them, casting shadows over their faces.

"So," Christian took a gentle sip of his drink and beamed at Syed, "have you had a good week?"

"It's been a bit boring actually, now that I'm back in the office."

"Now that you've got to do actual work, you mean?" Christian cheekily raised an eyebrow.

"Oi!" Syed laughed, "Your renovation is finished now, isn't it?"

"Yeah, alright," Christian spoke slowly. "All thanks to you, obviously."

Syed smiled shyly, "So, how about yours?"

"Yeah it's been ok. I've had a fair bit on my mind recently though so I've been a little distracted."

"Like what?"

"Well, like you and me, us… " Christian trailed off.

"Oh, I see."

At that moment the waiter came over, pen poised, ready to take their order. Syed watched Christian as he spoke, his eyes travelling over Christian's silk-disguised torso and face, coming to rest on his mouth.

"You're staring at me." Christian smiled smugly as the waiter departed.

"No," Syed faltered. "I was-"

"You are allowed to, you know. Don't tell me that you've never noticed me looking at you for longer than I probably should have done."

Syed couldn't deny that he hadn't. The lingering looks from Christian had always given him a frisson of excitement; they'd also led to him questioning whether there could ever be anything more between them. And now here they were, sat enjoying a romantic meal together…

"There's something about you, Sy." Oh, that was new. Sy. Nobody had ever called him that before, never dared to shorten his name. He'd always thought he wouldn't like it, but when it was spoken by Christian it sounded right, it sounded good. "Something that I still haven't quite got my head around."

"Is that a good thing?"

"I can't decide." Christian shook his head thoughtfully. "You're sort of… mysterious."

"Mysterious? I've never been called that before."

"Maybe that's the wrong word then, I just feel like there's so much that I don't know about you."

"And you want to know?"

"Yeah," Christian nodded and smiled. "I think I do."

"Well, this date is the first step towards that, isn't it?" Syed teased.

x-CS-x

They thanked the waiter, and Syed asked for the bill, as their table was cleared. After he was gone, Christian leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, a look of slight trepidation on his face.

"I was wondering, do you want to come back to mine?" He asked cautiously, "Just for a coffee or something?" 'Something'? That would be great… amazing even. 'Something' was what Syed wanted, what he'd craved for so long, and now it was on offer, and it was too good to resist.

He composed himself and replied calmly, "Yeah, that'd be nice."

x-CS-x

"Ok, so I'll put the kettle on then, you just sit down and-" Christian's ramble was interrupted by Syed.

"Christian, I think we both know that I don't want a coffee." He stated timidly, blushing as he spoke.

Christian moved towards him knowingly, "Oh… do we?"

"I want the 'something'." Syed bit his lip flirtatiously.

"I was hoping you would."

"Can I just clarify what it involves though, please?" he asked, mock seriously.

Christian took a further step towards Syed and ran his fingers through the other man's hair, sweeping strands from his forehead. "Let me think…" Syed's breathing was getting progressively heavier now. "It involves a bed, some kissing," Christian's lips were temptingly close right now, "taking our clothes off, and-" Their mouths met in a surge of passion and want, when they parted they both grinned at each other.

"So, more than a mattress on the floor then?"

"Oh, definitely. Only the best for you."

"Care to show me?"

Christian smoothed his hand over Syed's arm and then gently took his wrist, "Follow me."

x-CS-x

"You do trust me, don't you?" Christian was straddling Syed's hips, his hands either side of Syed's head.

His groin aching with want, and his pupils dilated with lust, Syed looked up, deep into Christian's green eyes. "Trust you? What do you mean?"

"You…" Christian paused. "You know that this is more than just a one night stand, more than sex, to me anyway. I know what you've been told, and what you must think, but you mean a lot to me, really. I want you to know that."

All doubt had faded from Syed's mind, and he knew that every word Christian was speaking was true. He ran his fingertips over the back of the other man's head, trailing them towards his neck. "Christian?"

"Yeah?"

"Make love to me."

I hope you enjoyed it? Let me know :)