Sorry for the wait.

Not entirely happy with this but I'm posting it now because I'd leave it on 'My Documents' for years otherwise.

Hope you don't hate it too much!

'Well, here we are.' Christian was jolted from his state of semi sleep.

'Huh? What?' He said, groggily.

'Wake up!' Syed got out of the car and held the door open for a half asleep Christian.

Christian got out. He was slightly disappointed by how... normal the house looked. It was a standard two-up, two down detached. Syed sensed his disappointment and smiled.

'It's really nothing special. Don't see the point in having a mansion when I wouldn't be able to fill it up.'

Christian made a noise of assent as he walked up to the front door.

Syed got out a key and opened the door. 'I suppose I should give you the not so grand tour.'

'We're in the hallway-'

'I gathered.' Christian grinned to show Syed he wasn't being rude.

Syed smiled back. '- which leads to the lounge.' He led Christian to a heavy oak door and opened it with a mock dramatic flourish. The room was beautifully decorated. The walls were painted a simple cream, on one side there was a cream chaise lounge leaning against the wall with a large uncurtained bay window on the right hand side. Opposite that wall was a real fireplace complete with logs. There was a plasma screen midway up the adjacent wall with a small shelving system underneath that housed about 50 CDs. A large coffee table completed Syed's lounge. Syed looked at Christian for his reaction. 'It's lovely.' He stifled a yawn, he hadn't realised how late it was. Syed's television had the time floating on the screen as it was on standby.

Syed saw Christian's yawn. 'I guess I should leave the rest of the tour for tomorrow. Come on sleepyhead, I'll put you to bed.'

Christian raised an eyebrow, not so tired that he couldn't discern a possible come on. Syed flushed.

'Not like that!'

'That's a shame.' Christian mumbled under his breath.

'What was that?' Syed asked pleasantly, half knowing what Christian had said.

'I'm in pain.' Syed looked at him in a 'who do you think you're kidding' way. Christian coughed slightly, trying to salvage his failed lie. 'Uh, I'm so tired, it hurts to keep my eyes open.'

'Long day?' Syed asked, hesitating by the door leading to the hall.

'You could say that. Entertaining idiotic boyfriends is never easy.'

'I wouldn't know.' Syed said breezily.

'No, I don't suppose you would.' Christian gazed at Syed curiously, trying to gauge something, he didn't know what, from his eyes. 'I really do appreciate this Sy. I know you really didn't have to.'

'Well... just make it worth my while.' Syed looked at Christian through his eyelashes. Christian gulped. What was it with this man?

He had beautiful eyes. Really beautiful eyes. Christian didn't realise he was leaning forward until Syed stepped back and cleared his throat. 'Night Christian. Help yourself to breakfast if I'm not up. I'm not really a morning person.' Hesitating slightly, Syed looked at Christian. Christian looked back.

'Sy? What is it?'

'I just want you to know, despite your infernal arrogance,which I look forward to seeing in its full glory, I'm very happy to have you here. For as long as you want.' Christian tried not to smirk; he already had an open-ended stay? This was going to be far too easy!

'Thanks Syed.' He brushed Syed's arm lightly with the back of his palm. It might have been a slightly too obvious gesture, for Syed looked at Christian's hand, clearly confused. 'Christian, I don't know what you're thinking but I'm not-'

'Not what?'

'Gay. So if you're trying to test me or something... please... Stop.' His voice sounded strained and he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. Not your average reaction from a 'straight' guy.

Testing the waters, Christian moved in closer. Syed stared at him, his eyes darting back and forth like a frightened rabbit.

Christian smiled, trying not to make it look like he was having too much fun. 'I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.'

'Earlier you- and at the table, you looked at me and then now-' Syed was clearly tongue-tied.

'You're imagining things. Syed, I know you don't know me too well right now, considering the age we were before, but believe me, if I wanted to fuck you- which I don't, by the way- I'd say so. I don't go for the game playing crap. And anyway...'

'What?'

'You're straight.' Christian said the word straight with an implied question mark. Syed could practically hear an 'aren't you?'

Syed nodded. 'Precisely.'

'And... you're not my type.' Christian stalked past Syed, a half smile on his face. 'Night Sy.'

But you don't know where the bedroom is... Syed thought. But it was too late. He felt strangely angry at the turn the conversation had taken.

How dare that infuriating man make him look like he was crazy for noticing things... Syed wasn't even sure he could remember what he'd filed away in his mind. He was too dazed by the conversation they'd just had.

He could still smell his heady, intoxicating, no... putrid scent. Not his type? If Syed was gay, which he wasn't, that irritating man would not be anywhere near attractive to him. Yeah, Syed could objectively see he was good looking, and he certainly understood why men and women alike threw themselves at him but he was an arrogant arse!

And arrogance was not an attractive trait in his book, especially when he frankly, could not see a reason for him to be as arrogant as he was. Sure, he was absolutely gorgeous, and from the little they'd spoken about before Christian had fallen asleep, he could tell he was searingly intelligent - far more intelligent and witty than most of the people Syed associated with, which was saying something because they were pretentious society types who loved to flaunt the latest word they'd read in their thesaurus, or worse, share the latest news they'd heard from 'their Uncle Theodore' - eminent broadcaster- but it didn't matter.

He was also a total user, it seemed like, with an astoundingly awful taste in men- not that Syed had been looking, it wasn't his fault Rob's boorishness had drop kicked him round the face- and he was arrogant, so arrogant that it had to be mentioned twice, and imposing and annoying... that all aside, Syed had meant what he said about being happy to have Christian around. He was well and truly intrigued to find out more about him. How had his childhood playmate become a man who waltzed through life, tying himself to nobody? Puberty had clearly played a part, but what else? He was interesting, Syed gave him that. He certainly wanted to know more. Which was probably why he found himself walking down the corridor, surreptitiously glancing for Christian's profile, when he should have been tucked up in bed reading 'Restaurant Review.'

He heard movement in the guest bedroom. He knocked loudly, attempting to include a 'please be dressed' hint inside his knock, all the while wondering what the hell he was doing and why he didn't just go to bed, because he'd clearly found his way- 'Come in.' Christian called, pulling open the door as he did so. Didn't most normal people wait until the person who had knocked open the door?

Syed stood by the door, trying to hide his awkwardness. Christian was standing shirtless by the wardrobe. He was so powerfully built, his muscular frame filling up the pretty large room, making his presence seem sublimely masculine.

'Yeah?' He moved to the bed, lying on his back casually.

Syed tried not to look at his toned torso. 'I just came to say sorry. I hope I didn't offend you with what I said?'

'What?' Christian looked genuinely confused. 'Sit down Syed, I don't bite. You're making me nervous standing over there.' Syed moved to the bed, feeling strangely nervous. Bad idea, Syed. Bad idea. His inner monologue was positively screaming at him. They watched each other for a moment. When the silence became uncomfortable, more for Syed than Christian, for Christian looked like he could stay like that all night, Syed broke it.

'Well?' He was doing his best curt businessman impression while trying not to eyeball Christian's pecs.

'Well what?'

'Did I offend you? With, you know... the whole not being gay thing? I don't think being gay is a bad thing, I just can't-'

'Syed. Relax. I think I should apologise. I never should have said what I said about sleeping with you and you not being my type...' Christian's half smirk told Syed he wasn't entirely sorry.

'Yeah well...I'd prefer you being blunt with me. Just so we both know where we stand.'

'So... if I told you I fucking hate your ponytail, you'd be ok with that?' Christian didn't say it unkindly, Syed realised. In fact he was peering at Syed, as if he was actually anxious that he had hurt his feelings.

Syed's face cleared and he smiled as he shook his head, relaxing for the first time since he had entered Christian's room.

Christian's hand came out of nowhere to rest in his hair and yank the black hairband from his ponytail. His hair fell about his face. Christian's hand smoothed Syed's hair into place. Syed felt his breath catch as Christian ran his hands through his hair. 'There.' Christian's voice was slightly higher than usual, showing Syed that he was not the only one who felt the spellbinding chemistry that sizzled between them. Syed looked at Christian, feeling vulnerable under the heat of Christian's gaze and the way Christian was looming over him.

'Christian, I-'

'Shhh.' Christian caressed Syed's face softly. 'Old friends, remember?'

Christian cupped Syed's face tenderly with both hands. Syed closed his eyes, leaning forward, unsure of what was going to happen but at the same time willing something to. 'Old friends.' He echoed, swallowing a lump in his throat. Syed's breath hitched again as Christian's lips parted in anticipation, he could feel the heat emitting from Christian and instead of scaring him, it excited him and how had that happened?- they were so close together that their thighs were touching and their lips were inches apart and Syed thought with a surprised gasp that something was going to happen as Christian leaned slightly closer to him-

The phone in the lounge rang. The moment was broken as Syed leapt up. 'I'll just go-'

'Stay-'

Syed walked briskly to the lounge, unsure of what had almost taken place between he and Christian. As he picked up the phone, he was unsure if he should feel heartily disappointed or relieved.

Syed woke up with a banging headache, he'd been unable to get much sleep, he'd been too busy thinking about what had almost transpired between himself and Christian. With a groan, he dragged himself out of bed. He walked into the kitchen to find Christian pottering about like it was his own home, again- half naked, did the man ever wear clothes? He grinned broadly at Syed as he entered. 'Morning.'

Syed ignored him, it was far too early for someone as upbeat as Christian, especially when said someone was someone you'd almost kissed. Again.

'I need some coffee.' He murmured.

'Already done.' Christian presented him with a mug of steaming coffee. Syed looked at him, confused. 'How did you know I was a coffee person and not a tea person?'

'I just knew. '

Syed sipped the coffee. 'Thanks.' This was an improvement. He could actually talk to him without thinking about last night and how they'd almost... no... he couldn't.

Christian came up so close to Syed he could feel his day old stubble on his temple. 'Nah, I noticed your menu had about 10 billion different types of coffee so I figured it out.'

'Ever considered being a clairvoyant as a career?'

'I don't think I'd look too good in a turban, do you?' Christian snorted.

'I think you'd look good in anything.' Syed blurted it out before he could stop himself. Idiot, idiot, idiot. What the hell was he thinking? As if it wasn't enough to almost kiss his lodger, he was now complimenting him on his looks? Ignoring all the other implications, complimenting Christian was like waving a red rag to a bull, he wouldn't let it go. As if attempting to prove his point, Christian grinned widely. 'You know, I'm starting to wonder about you Syed...'

'What are you starting to wonder?' Syed asked, again feeling exposed.

'If you are what you say you are.' Christian replied cryptically, overtly looking Syed up and down in a way which left no doubt what he was thinking.

Syed was thankful Christian couldn't see the blush that was heating his body from head to toe.

'I know who I am!' Syed replied, realising as soon as he'd said it that if he was trying to prove he wasn't gay, or at least not camp, he wasn't doing a very good job. He'd said it rather dramatically.

'Do you? Because I'm starting to think you either enjoy being a tease- which you're rather good at- or you don't have a clue what you're doing, or you just... I don't know, secretly want me or something.'

There was a charged moment where they assessed each other. Suddenly Christian laughed. 'Your face! God, Syed, I was teasing!

'I knew that.' Syed said stupidly.

'Yeah.' Christian's tone said the exact opposite.