Carter didn’t know what to do with himself after Xander had left. He decided he needed to figure out why he felt so drawn to the man. Maybe he was gay. Carter sat down on the sofa and opened up his laptop and searched for images of men, he scrolled down a few pages seeing various pictures but nothing interested him in the slightest. At least not in the way Xander interested him. Shutting his laptop he let out a frustrated sigh. He definitely was not gay but the thought of seeing Xander in nothing but his boxers again made blood rush to his groin and gave him butterflies in his stomach. I need advice. He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts. He knew exactly who he needed to call and he was uncertain how they would react. He found Sydney’s number and dialed.

“Hello?” Her cheerful voice sounded down the phone.

“Hey, are you busy? I need some advice.” He admitted.

“I’ll be right over, get the kettle on.” She ordered hanging up the phone. Sydney actually lived a few floors up in the same block as him. He ambled over to the kitchen, flicked the kettle on and got out a couple of mugs, adding tea bags and sugar to each. There was a gentle knock on the door. Carter strolled over and let Sydney in. She walked over to the kitchen where the kettle had just finished boiling the water and she poured the boiling water into the mugs before getting the milk out of the fridge and adding it to the two mugs of tea. Carter took his and sat down on the sofa, closely followed by Sydney.

“You know I still reckon you should get me a key cut… So what’s up?” She asked, her hazel eyes open wide and curious with a caring smile across her pretty face. She wore her hair up in her usual ponytail with the tendrils hanging down framing her face.

“I’m… I… eugh I just don’t know!” Carter struggled, putting down his mug and burying his head in his hands. Sydney was slightly taken aback by the sudden show of emotion but even so, she moved in closer to him and put her arm around his shoulders reassuringly. One hand clutching her mug of steaming tea.

“Okay, well just start from the beginning. I won’t say anything until you’re done.” She encouraged calmly. Carter glanced up at her and nodded, his amber eyes gleaming with trust. When he moved into his flat, he became really close with Sydney and had begun to rely on her a lot as a friend, especially since Xander wasn’t in the country. There was never anything between them, not that he wouldn’t have said yes but it just wasn’t for them. He knew he could trust her with anything.

Carter spent the next 10 minutes attempting to explain what was going on and how he felt really stupidly attracted to Xander and he didn’t know why because he was straight and how they almost kissed when Xander was drunk last night and he didn’t know what to do and that Xander didn’t remember anything. When he had finished he looked up at Sydney and she nodded.

“Right, well is Xander gay? I don’t really know him that well but he’s never mentioned boys or girls before?” She asked.

“Err he’s straight… actually, that’s a good point, he’s never mentioned it to me either. I just assumed he was straight but he’s never had a girlfriend and when he talks about anyone he’s interested in it’s always them and they.” Carter realized. How well did he really know his best friend?

“Well, I guess you need to find that out first of all” Sydney stated, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

“ME?! Why me? I can’t just ask him that! You do it! Please, Syd, please?” Carter pleaded, putting on his best puppy dog eyes on.

“Okay okay! God calm down!” she surrendered holding her hands up. “So you definitely want to pursue this then?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Wait, what? No, I just wanted to know. I need to know, I… I’m straight!” He babbled, more talking to himself than Sydney.

“Well, I think you might not be.” She said gently, patting Carters thigh.

“But I’m still attracted to girls.” He insisted. “I could even get it up for you!”

“Alright first there’s this thing called bisexual which you full well know about.” She said, prodding Carter in the chest. Second I don’t even want to get into second!” She said slightly pissed off but laughing at Carters now blushing face.

“I’m sorry Syd, I didn’t mean… I’m sorry.” Sydney was, in fact, bisexual and he hadn’t meant to offend her. He wasn’t bothered what sexuality people were at all but he did know a lot of people who were bothered by that sort of thing.

“That’s alright.” She smiled. “Look I’ll talk to him, but I can’t promise I’ll get any answers.”

“Thanks,” Carter replied shyly.

“So… Why didn’t you kiss him last night?” Sydney asked.

“What?! What do you mean why didn’t I kiss him? Isn’t that obvious?”

“No, not really,” Sydney replied boredom lining her tone.

“Well, because… I… err” Carter faltered biting his lip.

“um hum.” Sydney looked at Carter with a “you’re an idiot” look.

“Look this isn’t funny!” Carter complained getting upset.

“I’m not laughing, I just don’t understand why you didn’t kiss him when you obviously wanted to!”

“No, I didn’t…” Carter started before Sydney interrupted.

“Don’t give me that. I wouldn’t be here right now if you didn’t because it wouldn’t have bothered you, I mean sure you would probably still be wondering if Xander was gay but not if you are.”

“I guess… still the thought of kissing another guy, it’s a bit weird.”

“But the thought of kissing Xander?” Sydney hinted.

“Gives me butterflies.” Carter swallowed hard. “Oh Syd, what do I do?”

“Well how about I start off with finding out if he’s gay or not, then you can find out, with the help and guidance of yours truly,” Sydney said gesturing to herself in an over the top manner.

“Okay.” Carter laughed.