It's Christian's POV. This chapter starts with Christian watching Syed sleep on the first morning of Ramadan.

~c~s~

I didn't know any man could be this beautiful. The sight of him, lying in my bed, takes my breath away. I let my eyes travel over the smooth, golden skin of his exposed back. Beneath it I can see the slight indentation of his spine, the rise of his shoulder blades and the workings of the muscles of his strong, lean body. His face is turned towards me, cheeks slightly flushed, features relaxed in sleep.

I shift in my seat. Guiltily I realize that it'll make him feel uncomfortable to find me sitting here, next to the bed, staring at him. I crept out of bed around three 'o clock and have been sitting here admiring him ever since. I can't seem to help myself. If I had stayed in bed with him for even a second longer, I wouldn't have been able to keep my hands off him. But I know the alarm is set for a ridiculously early hour as it is and I want him to rest as much as possible before he has to get up to eat. I feel guilty enough already for keeping him awake so late last night, though I didn't hear him complaining…

I must look like an idiot, smiling like a loon. I just feel so happy right now, it seems like I'm almost bursting with glee. It makes it difficult to remember how very differently I felt not even 24 hours ago. I glance over at the door. Only the fact that underneath all this happiness I can still sense the remnants of my fear, makes the memory feel real.

~c~s~

I run up the stairs like the very hounds of hell are chasing me.. I hurriedly unlock the door, rush inside and lock it behind me, sliding the chain in place. My heart pounding, my breath heavy and ragged, I lean my back against the door and let myself slide down to the floor in a heap of relief. I still have my prize, a bag of sugar, clasped securely in my grasp. I did it, is all I can think, I really did it… I still can't quite believe it. After hiding myself away for over 2 weeks, I've finally gathered up enough courage to leave the safe sanctuary that is my flat. And all because of him. Syed.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I was scared shitless the whole time. I felt like everyone was looking at me. The buzz of activity, the being surrounded by other people, overwhelmed me.. I freaked out when someone accidently bumped into me. Jumped whenever someone brushed past me. When Patrick talked to me in the shop, I didn't know how to respond. I just gave him a vague, stiff smile and hurried out. Only the sight of Syed, his encouraging smile, grounded me somewhat. Thanks to him, I was able to get myself home again, safe and sound. I breathe a sigh of relieve.

But that's not the point. The point is, it didn't kill me now did it. In the end, it's just Albert square, just the Minute Mart, just… people. It's a comfort to know the police caught the creep that caused all this. But my fear was never really about him. I can see that now. I haven't totally recovered yet, I know that. If I had, I wouldn't be sitting here, on the floor, my hands shaking, having difficulty to get my breath and my heart under control. But I know I will be now. All the sooner for having Sy's support.

My heart has calmed down a bit and so has my breathing. My thoughts turn to Syed. I'm glad he made me do this. 'I think you're superman'. That's what he said to me. I smile. I liked that. It's what I want to be, his 'superman'. I want to be strong and capable for him, rescue him if he needs it, protect him, us, from the outside work. That's what superman does, isn't it? What he does not do, is hide away in a dark corner after someone tries to hurt him. I'm done with that. I'll not pretend the fear, the pure terror I felt has dissolved over night. I'm still scared, terrified even. But I'm resolved to not let it dictate my life again. Never again.

~c~s~

He mumbles something incoherent, drawing my attention back towards his sleeping form. He looks so peaceful like this. Relaxed. At home. Like he belongs here. Like this is our bed now, his and mine alone.

The time we've had together has been wonderful. He has really been there for me, looking after me, encouraging me, pushing me when I needed it. Superman. I would have laughed at anyone calling me something silly like that. But not him. When he said it to me, looking at me in that way that only he can… He makes me want to be the man he sees as he looks at me.

He promised me he'd stay the night. And he has. I don't know what he said to that mother of his and I don't care. All I care is that he did it for me and now he is here, with me. Sleeping in my bed. I feel a little twinge of regret as I remember what he told me about Ramadan. No sex for weeks… It'll be difficult, I can tell you that right now. But I'll do it. For him, I'll do pretty much anything. All he has to do is ask.

~c~s~

He looks at me nervously, like he's worried I'll reject him over this. I repress a flash of annoyance at this. Sex has been a big part of what we are from the start, I won't deny that. It's to be expected that he would doubt if we, I, could do without it for so long. If we'd survive without it.

'Well', I say, "we'd better make this one count than hadn't we'.

He looks at me, startled for a moment. Then I watch as relief flushes through him. He smiles at me and nods.

'I suppose we should. Got any suggestions?' he inquires, eyebrow raised.

'Oh, I think I might have. How about this for starters?'

I sink down on my knees, positioning myself between his legs. He claws his hands in the sofa cushions, looking down on me expectantly. I shoot him a wicked smile and cup his still clothed groin. I watch him contentedly as I feel his erection swell to live underneath my touch. He bites his bottom lip, stifles a groan and opens his eyes wide. I lean into him, claiming his mouth with mine, leaving my hand where it is, gently applying some added pressure. As his soft mouth responds to my kiss, his hips buck involuntarily against my hand. My delighted laugh is stifled by our kiss.

Our kiss starts slowly, but soon builds up to an urgent frenzy. His hands slide over my back, clawing the material of my sweater, trying to get it off. He lets go of my lips with a regretful sigh in order to pull the sweater over my head. His hands map out the now naked skin of my back and chest. A shiver of lust ripples through me. He has started to unbutton his shirt, or tried to at least. His unsteady hands are making a mess of things as he groans in frustration. I push his hands away without ceremony and start unbuttoning his shirt with decisive movements. When done, I push it back over his shoulders, impatiently tugging him free of his sleeves. When I see the exposed skin of his chest, I press my open lips against it hungrily. I lap at his skin, relishing the taste of him on my tongue. Not satisfied, I suck in his skin to fill my mouth, licking him, biting him, almost hurting him with my untamed desire. When will this ever be enough, I wonder. I can't see how it ever will.

~c~s~

The alarm will go off any minute now. I take my last chance to drink in the sight of him. I can't resist, carefully pulling down the sheets a bit, exposing a little more of his mouth watering skin. I imagine myself bending over him, following the trail of his spine with my mouth. The memory of last night is so tangible, that I can almost feel the way that golden skin would feel against my lips…

Beep beep beep…

For one second, I think he'll just sleep through the alarm. But no. He turns off the alarm, gets up and heads for the kitchen.

'I've got to eat' he says.

I smile. He doesn't even say good morning. I shake my head and find that I just don't care. I'm happy. Really really happy.

'Morning gorgeous' I say.

And then I lift myself out of my chair and go and get my man some breakfast.

~c~s~

Reviews, as always, much appreciated :-)