Grown up Christian is a bit of a dick. Imagine Christian when he first arrived on the square. He's like that but even more mercenary. Don't worry guys, he will become the Christian we know and love. He just has to meet his match. :P

I'm not too sure about this chapter but if I don't post it now, I probably never will.

Don't read if you are offended by racial slurs (not my opinion at all) or mature themes.

Things will be hotting up as the story goes on.

Please R&R and tell me if you think I've totally ruined this fic.

I don't own C+S (unfortunately.) I do own Rob. But I don't want him, he's icky! :P

Anyway, I'll shut up now. Without any further ado...

Never thought it would have come to this

'Hi.'

Christian ran up to Syed. Syed's face lit up, though he replaced his smile with a grimace.

'Hey.' Syed replied, not looking Christian in the eyes.

'I missed you at my party.' Christian tried, his face fell when he realised Syed's face was impassive.

'Sorry.' He couldn't have sounded more apathetic if he tried.

They walked side by side, not looking at each other. It had been a week since the incident and neither boy was relishing the idea of talking about it.

'Sy, what's wrong?'

Syed turned to face Christian, his mask gone. Christian stared at his friend. Syed looked sadder than Christian had ever seen him.

'NOTHING! Why can't you just leave me alone?' Syed blurted, as he ran towards the treehouse in the playground.

Syed was breathing deeply and tugging at his hair in a way Christian thought was causing him pain.

Christian climbed up the stairs to the treehouse. He had so many memories of them in the treehouse, playing their favourite Pirate game, carving things into the wood... and now his best friend wasn't talking to him.

'Syed.' Syed ignored him and continued tugging at his hair. 'Syed!' Syed looked at him, belligerently.

'What do you want Christian?' he said, glumly.

'Why don't you want to be friends anymore?' The words came out a garbled rush.

'I'mmovinghouse.' Syed wailed.

'What?'

'I'm moving house. Mum said it would be good for me to move somewhere new and she's found out I'm getting a baby sister so we have to go somewhere else because she doesn't like it here. I don't know why. I like it here.'

'Oh.' Christian felt a horrible sensation in his stomach, like he'd been punched. He doubled over. 'So we can't be friends anymore?'

Syed shook his head.

'Oh.' Oh was all Christian felt capable of saying.

'We're leaving tonight.' Syed offered. 'Mum told me not to tell you.'

'I- I have to go.' Christian felt tears fall down his face. His mum always told him boys didn't cry but it hurt him too much to keep his emotions in. He glanced at Syed to see if he was as upset as he was. Syed was playing with his fingers but he wasn't crying. He didn't care.

'-Bye.' Christian choked out, before jumping up and hurrying down the treehouse stairs.

Syed looked at Christian's retreating form sadly. 'Bye.' He mumbled, mourning the loss of his childhood friend.

20 years later...

'Wow, this restaurant is really something!'

Christian stifled a yawn. His current boyfriend, Rob, was driving him absolutely crazy.

He was smart, good looking, an alright person- on paper he should have been perfect.

That was the problem, he was too perfect. Christian craved excitement and passion, not... he bit back a smirk, mechanical sex.

They'd been together for 3 months, the longest Christian had ever been with the same person for. He was mostly with him for the wrong reasons. Rob was a heart surgeon who earned

enough money to take them to places like... well, this. They were in London's hottest new fusion restaurant, that was simply called 'Food'. Despite the name, it wasn't pretentious.

Granted, the crowd was, an A list movie star who'd just popped in after a premier in Leicester Square, was behaving like a diva, demanding to sit in a VIP area when there wasn't one.

Christian realised he still hadn't replied.

'It is!' He gushed, genuinely. The decor was amazing, the tables were made of reinforced glass tinted black, there were chandeliers above every table, place settings made of gold leaf and

yet with all the opulence, it still had elegance and class. A waiter came up to them, smartly dressed in a suit, that looked like it was Hermes. 'Hello sirs. Would you like to have some

complimentary foie gras as an entree? It's on the house, compliments of the manager.'

Christian suppressed a gasp. Complimentary foie gras? What sort of place was this? He dreaded to think of the bill at the end of the night. Before he could answer the waiter, Rob butted in.

'No thank you. We'll have the crispy prawns and a bottle of your finest red.' The waiter nodded and walked off.

Christian glared at Rob.

'What?' Rob asked, his fingers on Christian's knee. Christian jerked away.

'I sort of wanted the foie gras.'

'Why? Darling, the crispy prawns are much better. I've been here before, remember.'

'That's not the point-' Christian growled.

The waiter came back with two serving platters, one with steaming crispy prawns and a complicated looking chilli dip, that Christian admitted looked amazing, and the other with...

'Foie Gras?' Rob asked, looking at it disdainfully. 'We didn't order that.'

The waiter looked at them apologetically. 'I know Sir, but the manager wants everyone to try it. It's what the restaurant is famous for after all.'

Rob gave the waiter a look that showed what he thought of that. The waiter went pink. Christian hissed, 'Leave it.'

Rob pushed himself up to his full height of 6"2. The waiter paled. 'Please get the manager.' He said, in a dangerously quiet voice.

'Right away Sir.' The waiter practically ran off, casting Rob frightened glances.

'What the hell is wrong with you?' Christian glared at his 'boyfriend'.

'I thought you liked having the best. Being with the best.' He said pointedly. The man didn't half have a high opinion of himself, Christian thought.

'Well, maybe I'm finding out I don't-'

'Sorry to interrupt.' The manager came up to their table smoothly. Christian started. He recognised him from... somewhere. He couldn't quite place him.

The man turned to Rob. 'I hear you have a complaint? I'm sorry. It's just I'm so proud of our reputation... I apologise sincerely.'

'Yeah, well...' Rob said sullenly.

The man turned to leave and in that moment, Christian was able to see his face up close.

Christian stared. He was absolutely beautiful. His big brown eyes were framed by long eyelashes, his brown skin was more tanned than it must have been naturally- clearly from an

expensive holiday (or very good fake tan), his full lips were carved in a half smile, showing the dimple in his right cheek... Christian knew that dimple, those eyes... His long, thick dark hair

reached the base of his neck and was tied in a neat ponytail, his suit hid a lithe, yet athletic frame. Christian realised he was staring.

The gorgeous sophisticate realised at the same time, and flushed darker. He smiled radiantly, as if Christian was his best friend. He opened his mouth as if to say something but closed it again.

Christian was breathless at the sight of him... it had been so long. He'd know that face anywhere.

'Sy?' His name for his old playmate, came out with a life of its own. It sounded like a song on his lips.

Syed peered at him, excitedly. 'Christian? I thought it was you! I was afraid to ask in case I looked like a weird idiot! It's been so long.'

'20 years. God, Sy, you look good!'

Syed practically glowed from the compliment. 'So do you.' Older, he thought. It suited him. He certainly wasn't 7 anymore. His frame was impressively muscular, the shirt not even beginning

to hide the contour of his muscles from view. His hair had darkened from the childhood blonde to a rich brown, the exact shade of the espresso they served. He was tall. Imposingly tall.

He could tell that even while he was sat down. He was attractive. He could say that, he was comfortable enough with his sexuality to say when another man- a friend- was attractive.

It wasn't like he was gay or anything. Ok, so he hadn't had many... well, any girlfriends but that didn't mean a thing in this day and age. He was waiting... waiting for the right person?

No, no, waiting for the right woman- yes, that sounded right.

But, hell, he was gorgeous. He was probably breaking a few laws of childhood friendship for fancying... no! Not fancying. Being curious about his childhood friend.

He was obviously gay. Syed was fine with that. What he wasn't fine with was the guy Christian was with shooting him daggers.

Rob folded his arms, in obvious jealousy, looking from Syed to Christian with angry interest.

Christian ignored him. 'So you're the manager of this place? Impressive.'

Syed smiled modestly. 'It's nothing much.'

'Nothing much? It's one of the best restaurants in the country, let alone in London.' He ran his hands through his hair. 'Gonna give an old friend a hug?'

Rob tutted, but again, Christian ignored him. It was becoming a bit of a running theme in their 'relationship'.

Christian stood up and Syed stepped into his open arms.

They held each other a bit longer than friends normally would. A bit tighter too.

The chemistry they were emitting could be seen by everyone in the vicinity, Rob included.

After, a frankly ridiculous length of time, both their hearts beating unexpectedly faster from the bodily contact, Syed cleared his throat awkwardly.

'It's really good to see you Christian. Listen, I'm going to have to go and sort out some of the staff, but- will you and your friend be around later?'

Rob muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like 'I'm only his boyfriend'.

'Listen, do you have somewhere to be or are you going to hang around all night harassing the customers?'

'I'm sorry for my ex's rudeness Syed.' He said the word ex so pointedly it couldn't have been more obvious if he had tapped danced and sang the words 'You're dumped'.

Rob snarled. 'You're gonna dump me for a Pa-'

Quick as lightening, Christian's fist landed on Rob's nose.

'Shit!' Rob screamed, blood was pouring out of his nose. Syed looked at him disinterestedly. 'I suppose we should call an ambulance?'

'Guess so.' Christian smirked. 'He's bleeding all over your tablecloth.'

Syed wrinkled his nose. 'That's genuine goldleaf!' He muttered something under his breath about 'an idiot who has the bad taste to bleed on gold'.

Christian laughed. 'What?' Syed asked, innocently.

'Nothing.'

'Sure. Christian, I've known you- barring the time I knew you 20 years ago- for approximately just over 5 minutes and I can already tell you're lying.'

'You're a proper Sherlock Holmes aren't you?'

'And who are you? Mrs. Marple?'

'I am bowled over by your wit. How long did it take you to think of that one? Actually, it doesn't even make sense! I never said anything to warrant an inane Mrs. Marple comment.

And do I look like Mrs. Marple to you?'

'Can I refrain from commenting on that one?'

'I think you just did.'

They smiled at each other, enjoying their verbal sparring.

'Um. I suppose I should say thanks.' Syed looked at Christian, a half smile on his face.

'For what?' Christian asked, genuinely confused.

'Defending my honour. Or something.' Syed said wryly.

'Isn't that what friends are for?'

'Is that what we are?' Syed stared at Christian intently, causing the bigger man's breath to hitch. What was that? He'd never ever lost his breath over anyone. Ever.

'Bleeding man.' Christian pointed out. Rob was writhing on the floor, attracting quite an audience, including the starlet who was looking like she was close to fainting.

'Stay here. I'll be right back.' Syed the charmer was in full swing. Christian watched Syed move deftly to the star and gesture in a way that clearly appeased her for she wrapped her arms

around Syed and kissed him on the cheek. Christian looked away. He found himself drawn to Syed again as he spoke to his staff who escorted Rob outside and ordered a waiter to

Christian's table, who quickly removed the offending napkin. Syed then walked up to a podium in the centre of the room, a podium that Christian had somehow managed to ignore.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, the restaurant will be closing early. I apologise for any inconvenience as I am aware some of you haven't been served. If you would be so kind as to come back

tomorrow, there will be a day where this restaurant is only open to you who had reservations today, so whether you have had your meal or not, tomorrow, you will receive everything you

order...' He took a dramatic pause and Christian was impressed by the way he commanded the attention of the diners who were mostly celebrities and high-up politicians. 'completely free

of charge.'

There was a collective gasp in the room, Christian one of the gaspers. He assumed Syed was loaded from the free fois gras but he hadn't realised he was that loaded.

Someone started a round of applause. Syed smiled, bashfully, holding two hands up in the air. 'I love you too. Now go!'

The patrons laughed and began chattering excitedly as they filed out of the restaurant. Christian turned to join them but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He shivered.

'Not you.' Syed said.

'That was quite a performance out there. When did you learn to schmooze like that?'

The A list movie star who had kissed Syed earlier skipped up to him and placed something in his hand, winked and walked out of the restaurant, looking seductively behind her.

Christian raised an eyebrow. 'Her business card.' Syed supplied, looking bemused.

'Wow.'

'Sit down.' Syed gestured to the chair he had been sitting down earlier.

'My, my, for someone so weedy you're bloody commanding.'

'I am not weedy.' Syed glared. A glare from Syed reminded Christian of a puppy growling; ridiculous and very comical.

'Ha!'

'I'm not! Just because I don't take obscene amounts of steroids!'

'These babies are 100% natural!' Christian flexed his muscles.

'This is weird.' Syed ran his hands through his hair. 'It's like we're-'

'Old friends?' Christian completed Syed's sentence. 'Well, I suppose we are.'

'So tell me-'

'That sounds ominous!'

'Tell me...' Syed ignored Christian's comment. 'What happened after I moved away?'

'What with my life? God, that's a long story. Well I moped around for a few months, sent you multiple letters over the years-'

'-Which I didn't get.' Syed interrupted. 'My mother...' He made a sound of frustration. 'Did you get mine? I thought you'd forgotten about me.'

'Never.' Christian smiled sadly. 'You were my best friend. My only friend really. And even though we were so young... in many ways you were one of the truest friends I had. While it lasted.'

He cleared his throat and grinned brightly at Syed.

'But anyway... my life, I sent you a few letters, generally rebelled against my teachers and my mothers, realised I was gay- I guess you gathered that? Fell in love, got my heart broken,

left school with no qualifications, pottered around a bit with a million uninteresting jobs, slept around, got bladdered- that's how I met the arse you saw me with, he was the locum doctor

on my case and he took a liking to me. I took a liking to his money and here we are. What about you? Your life is probably more interesting.' Christian gestured at the restaurant.

'Me? Um... well my mother basically watched me like a hawk for the 20 years we've been apart. I moped around too when we got separated, it broke my 7 year old heart. My parents

started a catering business and forced me to work there everyday after school so I didn't do the classic teenage drug taking and sex before marriage. Never mind the fact I was- am- a

devout Muslim, to my mum I was a boy and all boys are the same.' He rolled his eyes.

'Anyway, I found out I was actually good at catering. I worked hard in school so I had something to fall back on and unlike you, aced my exams.'

Christian rolled his eyes good-humouredly. 'Went to uni, studied business, did temping jobs for a while to pay the bills, saw an advert for a dishwasher at a middle of the road restaurant,

thought what the hell and took it, worked my way up the levels till I became head chef, the manager retired and promoted me, I took the job- obviously- and took out a loan and

renovated the place. One day a food critic came, must have been rather famous, though I had no idea who he was.

He wrote up a glowing review and word spread and A listers started turning up. I made enough money to pay off the loan, give some money to my parents and open another restaurant in

Paris.

Which I have absolutely nothing to do with but get all the money from.' He grinned. 'And here we are.' He repeated Christian's words.

'Wow. That's pretty amazing.'

Syed shrugged modestly. 'I get by.'

'So. Are you going to take whatsherface up on her offer? She seems a bit stuffy to me.'

'Nah. I don't have time for dating.'

'Don't let your mum let you hear that, she'll be down here in a flash with a book of prospective wives for you if she's anything like I remember.'

'You've got the measure of her.'

'Christian, where do you live?'

'Shit!' Christian jumped up.

'I was only going to ask if you wanted to be dropped off.' Syed said, with a slightly injured expression.

'No, not you! I was living with the guy I dumped. So now, I suppose nowhere. I'll crash out in a friend's pad.'

'Yeah.' Syed stared at Christian a moment too long, a touch too intently. 'Mine.'

'What?' Christian looked at him in shock. 'Are you being serious? Syed, I couldn't, we hardly know each other and I don't want to impose.'

'I insist. It's logical. I have a spare room.'

'Sy- I can't.'

Syed placed a hand on Christian's shoulder. They both jumped at the flow of electricity that stemmed between them. 'Sorry.' Syed looked down, awkwardly.

Christian could see that despite his bravado in talking to people, he was actually very shy.

'Hey.' Christian said, softly. 'It's ok. Why are you so upset?'

'-You can even pay me rent if it makes you feel better. I'd feel bad if I let you crash on a friend's couch when you can sleep in a soft, warm, bed... and sink into luxurious silk sheets and-'

'Ok, ok. I'll stay at yours. Only until I find somewhere else though. I really don't want to impose.'

'Don't be silly, you won't impose. Old friends, remember?'

'Why are you so keen for me to stay at yours? Would have thought you'd value your privacy.' A new thought entered Christian's head.

Maybe this could be good... if he played his cards right, he might be able to get something more than a place to sleep out of this. Money, perhaps.

'Sometimes...' Syed smiled, sadly. 'I get lonely. And-' He brightened. '-I'm looking forward to getting to know you again.'

Was it Christian, or did he hear something just a tad suggestive in that?

'Yeah. Me too.' Maybe he could make Syed fall in love with him and get him to sign over his restaurant? It would be a challenge... but Christian loved challenges.

Syed smiled, his eyes lighting up. 'Then it's settled! I'll just go bring the car over.'

'No... there's no need-'

But Syed had already gone.

He was getting major gay vibes off Syed. That hair. It was too thick and luscious – and long- to belong to a straight guy.

He'd noticed Syed hadn't mentioned a partner in his life monologue. Too busy? Yeah right.

He had to admit, he was attracted to Syed but that was as far as it went. Maybe, he was more good looking than average... Ok. Armani model hot, well apart from the height.

And maybe he happened to be smart, ambitious and witty. And maybe he was interesting and remarkably shy and self effacing and could possibly be one of the most amazingly genuine

and good-natured people Christian had ever met. And maybe he was an old friend. But none of that mattered. Not in the slightest. All that mattered was he was loaded and he probably

wouldn't notice a little money gone, if Christian decided not to play the 'make him fall in love with me and sign over his restaurant to me' game.

Hell, Christian suspected he'd probably give him money if he asked.

Yes, they were old friends and they had the whole nostalgia thing but Christian reckoned after a few nights annoying each other with their habits, the nostalgia would dissipate, leaving

only two acquaintances- hopefully sexual acquaintances.

Syed came back, a excited grin on his face. 'Ready?'

Christian nodded and grinned as he prepared to leave.

What, he thought, on Earth had he got himself into?

Dickish Christian pops up at the end there. Using Syed. Pah! I won't let my Syed be used!

Maybe Syed has some using of his own?

R+R

I like reviews as much as I like Chryed. Which is lots. :)