Fic: Fear Not For The Future (Peter/Gabriel) 3/5
Title: Fear Not For The Future (Chapter Three)
Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Peter/Gabriel
Rating: NC-17
The days after the funeral seemed to drag on. Peter preoccupied himself with work and going with Gabriel to his meetings with Dr. Suresh. So far the testing had been inconclusive and Peter could tell Gabriel was growing more frustrated everyday that passed without revealing his ability.
Dr. Suresh sighed and lowered the deck of Zener cards. “This is getting us nowhere. At least we can rule out clairvoyance as your ability.”
Gabriel slammed his hand against the table, startling Peter and Dr. Suresh.
“Whoa easy there, tiger,” Peter rubbed his shoulder.
“Sorry,” Gabriel said contritely, “Sorry.”
“I think I'll go make some tea,” Dr. Suresh left them.
Peter took his vacated seat. He picked up the cards, shuffling them. Smiling, he handed them to Gabriel. “Here, try testing me.”
Gabriel looked like that was the last thing he wanted to do, but he sighed and took the cards. “Fine.” He shuffled them himself and lifted one card from the top. Peter concentrated on the card, trying to visualize it. He got nothing. “Um, square?”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. It was then that Peter spotted it, the reflection in his glasses. Peter tried to hide his grin. He was feeling a bit mischievous. He pretended to think the next card over. “Star.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. He held up another card.
“Waves.”
He slapped the card down and lifted a new one, while staring at Peter with skeptical interest.
“Cross.”
Gabriel's eyes widened.
“Waves again.”
Gabriel slammed the deck down. “Okay, how are you doing that?”
Peter put on his most innocent look. “What? Did I get some of them right?”
Gabriel scowled. “I hate you.”
Peter couldn't help himself, he laughed. “I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.”
“So you were cheating,” Gabriel said accusingly. “How?”
Still laughing Peter waved a finger in front of his eyes. “The reflection in your glasses.”
Gabriel's hands shot up to his glasses and pulled them off. He glared at Peter. “I'm never wearing them again.”
Peter laughed some more. He held out his hand. “Here let me wear them,” Peter took the glasses from Gabriel and put them on. “How do I look?” Peter flashed him a grin.
“Cute, like always.” Gabriel was still scowling.
“Really? Aww,” Peter got up from his seat and walked behind it. “I have an idea,” he whispered, “I'll stand behind Suresh and you can read the cards off the reflection.”
Gabriel actually appeared to consider it for moment, but eventually he shook his head. “Cheating kind of defeats the purpose.”
Peter took off the glasses, looking cross-eyed for a second, and handed them back to Gabriel. He sat on the edge of the table in front of him. “Why don't we call it a day and go do something fun?”
“This isn't fun?”
“Not today.” Peter softened his expression and gave him what Nathan liked to call the 'puppy look'. “Come on.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Peter jumped off the table.
* * *
“This is what you do for fun?”
“Pretty much.”
“Wander aimlessly through the streets of New York, eating ice-cream?”
“Great isn't it?” Peter smirked. Absently he swiped his tongue along the cone, capturing the melting ice-cream before it dripped onto his hand.
“Mmph.”
Peter glanced up at Gabriel, mid-lick, who was staring at his vanilla ice-cream cone rather heatedly. Gabriel lifted his gaze suddenly and smiled around his spoon. He shrugged, pulling the red spoon out with a smack. “Good ice-cream,” he said quickly, looking away innocently.
“Yeah.” Peter peered jealously over at Gabriel's ice-cream. “Say, how come you got sprinkles and I didn't?”
“Because I'm special.”
“That or the ice-cream girl was flirting with you.”
“Really?” Gabriel looked dumbstruck. He whipped his head around, even though they were a couple blocks away already.
Peter nodded. “You want to try and get her number? We can go back.”
Gabriel shook his head. “I'm not... She's not my type.”
“What is your type,” Peter asked conversationally. Or so he hoped. He ran his tongue over the tip of his cone and Gabriel's eyes strayed again.
“My type,” Gabriel repeated distractedly, “I suppose... someone with a good heart, who looks for the best in people. A dreamer, who's not afraid to go after what they want.” He was about to say something else, but was interrupted by the high pitch squeal of a saxophone.
An old jazz song drifted across the street where a street performer had set up on the sidewalk. Excitedly, Peter grabbed Gabriel's sleeve and pulled him across the street. Gabriel watched Peter with a look of amusement as Peter bounced along with the music. They stayed and listened long enough to finish off their ice-cream. Peter dug out his wallet. He frowned, staring into the empty billfold. “Looks like I spent the last of my cash on the ice-cream.”
Gabriel took a twenty from his own wallet and dropped it into the open saxophone case by the musician's feet.
“Thanks, man,” the saxophone player smiled and nodded as they passed.
“You didn't have to do that.” Peter felt guilty and made a mental note to pay Gabriel back.
Gabriel shrugged. “You were enjoying it. It was worth it.” He smiled shyly.
It was Peter's turn to look dumbstruck. And then Peter was struck quite literally as someone slammed into his shoulder. Peter stumbled back. “Hey!”
Gabriel grabbed his arm, steadying Peter. “What's wrong, did you trip?”
“No, that guy just walked right into me.” Peter rubbed his shoulder.
Gabriel followed Peter's gaze. “What guy?”
Peter pointed. “That guy, with the long jacket.”
“It's 90 degrees out.” Gabriel looked at Peter like he was the crazy one.
“Yeah, I know. I think he might've been homeless.”
Gabriel was still giving him a weird look.
“What?”
“Nothing. It's kind of hot out today. Maybe we should cut our... outing short?”
Peter couldn't help it if he looked disappointed, he was. They were having fun... He didn't understand what had just happened.
Gabriel smiled. “Another time?”
“Yeah, sure.”
It wasn't until after Peter got home that he realized that his wallet was gone.
* * *
Peter heard a knock at his door. He put his book down and looked at the doorway curiously. He wasn't expecting anyone. So, Nathan or Gabriel then . Peter opened the door. “Hey, Nathan.”
Nathan glanced inside the apartment, saw that Peter was alone, and invited himself in. He turned and smiled at Peter. “I have some good news.”
“Good news?” Peter didn't get that often these days.
“Yeah, well, I think so anyway. I'm holding a press conference tomorrow to make an official announcement, but I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“You've got my attention.”
“I'm throwing my hat into the political ring. I'm running for congress.”
“Wow,” Peter moved away from the door towards his brother, “That's great.”
Nathan smiled proudly.
“So you're not going to work for the DA anymore?”
Nathan's smile fell. “Well, I haven't exactly been getting a lot of work thrown my way since... Anyway this will be good. It was time for a change.”
“And Heidi?”
“Totally behind it. Mom too. The only one left...” Nathan watched Peter expectantly.
Peter blinked. “Yeah, totally.” He nodded seriously. “You've got my support.” He grinned and added, “I'll even wear a button.”
Nathan shook his head and looked at Peter like he was an idiot, but he was smiling. “Thanks. That means a lot.” He paused for a moment, then added carefully, “It does mean that our family is going to be in the spotlight for a while...”
“I'll try not to embarrass you.”
Nathan gave him that look again, only he wasn't smiling this time. “I wanted to make sure you're going to be okay with that?”
Peter crossed his arms. “Guess I'll have to be.” Nathan nodded, apparently satisfied. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I can't stick around, I've got a meeting, preparations to make for tomorrow.” Nathan looked at his watch. “Say, do you have the time? My watch has been running slow.”
Peter grabbed Nathan's wrist and studied the watch. “Hmm.” He undid the clasp, pulled it off his brother's wrist, and walked it over to the counter. Gabriel had occasionally taken a watch over to work on while they watched movies and had left a small toolkit. Peter unscrewed the back of the watch and studied the gears inside. Somehow he knew exactly what was wrong and without thinking picked up one of the tools and began fixing it. Peter wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when he had finished and looked up again, Nathan was staring at Peter like he'd never seen him before.
Peter handed Nathan his watch back. “It should work now.”
“When did you learn to do that?”
Peter was just as shocked as Nathan. “I... don't know.”
Pieces of a puzzle clicked together in Peter's mind and he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline when he realized what it meant. “Can you drop me off someplace? I have something important to take care of.”
* * *
Peter banged on Dr. Suresh's door. He tried the door handle and it was open. He practically flew into the room. His face was flushed from running up several flights of stairs and his breath was ragged.
Dr. Suresh and Gabriel turned their heads and stared. They were seated opposite of each other, separated by some kind of monitoring equipment. Gabriel stood suddenly, pulling the wires free from his temples. “Peter, what's wrong?”
It took Peter a second to catch his breath. “I know what your ability is!” Gabriel took a step closer, his attention entirely on Peter. Peter smiled. “You know how things work.”
Gabriel looked entirely unimpressed. “Yeah. How is that a super power?”
Suresh stood up, looking at Peter with great interest. “Could you expand on that, Peter?”
“I'm not sure if I can.” Peter felt as bewildered as the other two men looked.
“Then how do you know?”
Peter explained, “Because I can do it too.” He paused, feeling a revelation of that magnitude needed a pause to sink in. He recounted what had happened with his brother's watch.
Suresh was skeptical. “And you're certain that it's not just something you picked up by watching Gabriel?”
Gabriel looked offended. “Watch repair may not be brain surgery, but it's not something you can learn overnight.”
Suresh looked thoughtful. “Interesting.”
“So wait, if my ability is to know how things work,” Gabriel winced slightly as he said it, “Then what's yours? Mimicry? How does that work?”
“I don't know. People are always telling me that I'm empathic. That it's what makes me a great nurse. Maybe that has something to do with my ability?” Peter remembered something his future self had said. “Maybe, somehow, I can absorb other people's abilities?”
“If true, that would be a fantastic discovery, Peter. Do you have any other conclusive evidence for this?”
Peter shook his head. “As far as I know I haven't met anyone else like,” he looked at Gabriel, “us.”
Suresh nodded. “This will require further study. Are you willing to submit to a few tests?”
Peter looked at Gabriel, uncertainly. “I suppose.”
“I have another promising candidate. I believe he may telekinetic. After I have examined him, perhaps we'll try a field test to see if your theory holds up.”
* * *
Peter was flying. Beneath him, New York sped by as he darted between its towering buildings. He'd never felt so free, so alive. It was exhilarating. A distant noise, rising above the city sounds below, caught his attention. He strained to make it out. His concentration lost, he fell, the ground racing too quickly towards him.
Peter's eyes shot open. He felt a sudden sensation of falling and his back connected with the bed. His heart pounded against his chest. It took him a moment to realize that he'd just been dreaming and that the ringing in his ears was his phone. He reached out and grabbed the receiver groggily. “Hello?”
“Peter,” it was Gabriel. “Can you come over? I have something important to show you.”
Peter rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turned to his clock. “It's six in the morning, Gabriel.”
“It's important ,” he repeated in case Peter hadn't heard him the first time.
Peter sat up reluctantly. “Yeah, okay. Can I take a shower first?” There was a slight pause on the other side. “Never mind, I'm coming over.”
* * *
Peter had never been to Gabriel's apartment before. He wasn't sure what he expected. The walls lined with bookshelves made sense. It was the plastic covered furniture that threw him for a loop. The place was too... sterile. Like a museum, complete with locked cases. Look, but don't get too close, don't touch. Peter always thought that a home should look lived in, that it should reflect who you are as a person. Gabriel's place didn't reveal anything about who he really was.
Gabriel locked the door and turned to face Peter. Peter could see that he was barely containing his excitement. There was a certain manic look in his eye that unnerved Peter. His clothes were uncharacteristically wrinkled and his hair was disheveled.
“Did you sleep at all?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I've been up all night practicing.”
Peter watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as Gabriel's large stride took him quickly across the room to a small table. He waved Peter over.
Gabriel was staring at a pen on the table. It was a nice looking pen, but Peter had a feeling that wasn't why Gabriel had called him at six in the morning. If it was, Peter was about to be very very concerned.
Gabriel held out his hand, fingers splayed. “Watch.”
The pen began to rattle and for a second Peter wondered if they were having an earthquake, except his feet were still planted steadily on floor. Then the pen started spinning. Peter jumped back, startled. The spinning stopped and Gabriel turned, eyebrows raised and an expectant smile on his lips.
Peter brushed back his hair. His heart was pounding much like it had earlier. “How-?”
“My power, it's just like you said. Suresh was showing me an MRI scan from that telekinetic. Brian Davis, I think he was called. I couldn't stop staring at it. There was something there... And suddenly it all became clear. How it all works. Pieces fitting together... Dr. Suresh was right. It's all in the brain.” Gabriel waved his hand over the pen.
“And you were able to mimic it? Like with me and your ability?”
Gabriel gripped Peter's shoulders and leaned in close. “We're the same, you and I.” Peter felt a chill. “It's fate that we met, Peter. I truly believe that.”
Not so much fate, Peter thought, as it was Peter's leap of faith in the impossible that had led him to Gabriel's door. But there was something there. Peter could feel it. Whatever future lie ahead of them, their destinies were intertwined. “We're connected.”
Gabriel glanced quickly at the pen and flashed Peter an impish grin. “Wanna try?”
* * *
Peter stood behind Gabriel as he proceeded to demonstrate his new ability for Dr. Suresh. They had practiced well into the afternoon and while Peter couldn't so much as nudge a penny yet, Gabriel had made remarkable, unbelievable, progress. Not quite perfected though, as the glass he was demonstrating on flew across the room and shattered against a wall.
“Sorry about the glass,” Gabriel apologized, though he could not hide his delight.
“It's just glass,” Suresh stared in amazement. “Incredible,” he said after a moment, “You both appear to have the ability to re-sequence your very DNA to mimic those of other's with the mutated gene. That you both found each other, here in New York, it's (at the risk of using an unscientific term) a miracle.”
Gabriel smiled at Peter. “Its fate,” he corrected.
* * *
Peter tried to keep the discovery to himself, but it was too big. So he went to Nathan.
“That's a cute story, Pete. Plan on publishing it?”
“It's not a story, Nathan.”
“You can move things with your mind.”
“Well, no, not yet. But Gabriel's helping me work on it.”
“Gabriel,” said Nathan disapprovingly.
“You should see what he can do!”
Nathan sighed. “When are you going to grow up, Peter? He does some magic trick and suddenly you think pigs can fly.” He rolled his eyes.
“It's not a trick. It's real.”
“I really can't deal with this right now,” Nathan dropped down into the chair behind his office desk. “I have a lot going on with the campaign . I can't be expected to hold your hand too.”
“No one asked you to. I'm not some naïve little kid, Nathan.”
“Then stop acting like one.”
Peter crossed his arms petulantly.
“I don't think you should be spending so much time with this Gabriel guy.”
Peter dropped his arms. His mouth gaped. “You can't tell me who I can and can't see.”
Nathan placed his hands on the desk and stood. “Fine, just try to keep the crazy fantasies to a minimum okay? Our family doesn't need another scandal.”
* * *
“I can't believe it. My own brother!” Peter finished venting. He was lying on his back, his feet dangling over the arm of his couch. He turned his head towards Gabriel, who was watching him thoughtfully.
“Some people can't handle the concept of something... bigger than they are.”
“I just wish I could have shown him what I can do, something he couldn't deny.” Peter looked at Gabriel enviously. “It comes so naturally to you.”
“You'll get there.”
Peter swung his feet around, sitting up. “But when?”
Gabriel knelt down in front of him. “Give it time. These powers are just emerging. I'm not giving up on you, don't give up on yourself.”
“I'm not.” Peter suddenly felt embarrassed. He was acting like a little kid. Filled with new determination, Peter sat up straight. “Let's try it again.”
* * *
“I think I can fly,” Peter spoke into his cell phone, as he hailed a cab.
“Hmm,” responded Gabriel, “I wonder... If I concentrated hard enough, maybe I could lift myself off the ground using my telekinesis?”
“That's not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
“I'm not sure, but those dreams I have? I'm having them every night now. And I swear, this morning, when I got out of bed, my foot hovered, just for a split-second, before it hit the ground. It was like I was floating.”
“Interesting.”
* * *
Nathan's response was much the same as when Peter had told him about the telekinesis. And without proof, Peter knew his brother was never going to believe him.
During the drive back to his apartment, Peter tilted his head back, so he could watch the eclipse through the rear window of the cab. “Wow.” He wondered if Gabriel was watching it too. His thoughts drifted as he stared off dreamily. “Do you ever get the feeling that you were meant to do something extraordinary?”
“All the time.”
Peter sat up with interest. “Really?”
The cab driver nodded glancing at Peter through the rear view mirror. “Yeah, I've been trying to break into acting for nearly ten years now.”
“That's not what I... never mind.” Peter slouched back in his seat, frowning. At least Gabriel understood, even if no one else did.
Peter's cell phone rang. Peter smiled as he answered it. “Gabriel?”
“No,” the voice sounded confused, “It's Simone.” Peter winced. Oops. “Are you busy?”
“No. I was, uh, just heading home.”
“Listen, I need you to meet me at my dad's.”
“Yeah, no. I can be there in ten minutes.”
“Okay. Just hurry, okay?” She sounded really upset.
“Okay, I'll see you there. Bye.” Peter flipped his phone shut and told the cab driver to drop him off. He'd walk, run if he had to.
* * *
Peter used his key to get in. He found Simone rummaging frantically through drawers and cupboards. “What happened? Has your dad-“
“It's not my dad.”
Peter followed her into Charles' bedroom. His condition appeared not to have changed. It wasn't like Simone to mislead him into thinking there was an emergency. Peter watched bewilderedly as she continued her frantic search. “What are you looking for?”
“Morphine.”
“What for?”
“I need you to come with me someplace.”
“Where?”
“You'll see.”
* * *
“You really think he can predict the future?”
“I saw it with my own eyes, Peter.” They entered the darkened art studio. “Isaac? I brought someone to help. He's a nurse.” She tried flipping the light switch, but the lights didn't come on. Hesitantly Peter followed her inside. “Isaac?” Peter reached into his messenger bag and pulled out a small flashlight. “Isaac?”
Something crunched under Peter's foot and he aimed his flashlight down. Lying on the floor was a syringe. Peter walked down the small steps, flashing his light across the ground. A man, Isaac, was lying prone on the floor. “Simone,” Peter called for her as he rushed over.
“Oh god. Oh my god. Isaac?”
Peter checked his heartbeat. “He's alive. Call 911.”
Peter started to pull his medical supplies out, to do whatever he could until the ambulance got there. But a painting drew his attention away. Simone had said that Isaac could paint the future. Despite everything, Peter had been skeptical. After all she'd just gotten done telling him Isaac was going through withdrawal. But here it was, his dream painted in vivid color by a man he'd never met. Only it wasn't just a dream or a painting. It was the future. It was Peter, flying.
* * *
Peter watched from the rooftop's edge as a yellow taxi pulled in and out of the alleyway, dropping his brother off.
“Alright, I'm here. Now what do you want?” The annoyance in Nathan's voice was evident.
Peter let the cell phone slip from his hand, knowing it would catch his brother's attention.
It crashed and broke on the hard cement below. Nathan looked up.
Peter shouted so he could be heard. “I've been up here all night, thinking about this, thinking about my destiny.”
“Watcha doin', Pete?”
“It's my time to be somebody now, Nathan.”
“Come on, Peter, stop screwing around!” Nathan yelled, like Peter was a kid again, after climbing onto the highest branches of the old tree in their backyard.
But Peter wasn't a child anymore. And he wasn't going to fall and break his arm like he did that time. He was going to finally prove himself to Nathan. To himself. He was going to fly.
Peter held out his arms. The wind whipped past him as he imagined himself soaring through the air. Gathering all of his courage, and thinking of Gabriel, Peter took one more leap of faith.
For a second, as his feet left the ledge, time stood still. Like he was floating. And then he was falling. The wind stung his face as gravity pulled him down. The world sped by too quickly for Peter to see. Nathan!
Suddenly a hand was grabbing hold of his and he was spinning, spinning like the pen on Gabriel's table.
“Peter,” it was Nathan's voice. Peter looked up with wonder. “You're flying, Nathan. You're flying.” I was wrong , Peter thought, it was Nathan all along. He could feel his hand slipping and tried for a better grip, but it was too late. Nathan couldn't hold him. And suddenly Peter was falling again. He heard his brother cry out as the world went black.
* * *
Gabriel was having a coffee when a news report on the diner's TV caught his eye. “Congressional candidate Nathan Petrelli's brother was rushed into emergency care in midtown Manhattan today after what is said to have been a lengthy fall...” Gabriel didn't wait for the rest of the report. He was out the door and hailing a cab before the waitress could stop him. He couldn't be certain, panic that he was in, but he may or may not have used his telekinesis to stop a cab as it tried to zip by him.
* * *
Peter woke, disoriented. The last thing he remembered was falling. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at his older brother. “Where am I?”
“You're in a hospital.”
“What happened?”
“You don't remember? You jumped Pete.”
“Jumped?” He tried to sit up.
“Off the roof of a fifteen story building. You tried to kill yourself.”
Peter was still getting his bearings, but he was certain Nathan had just said that he'd tried to kill himself. And that couldn't possibly be right.
“You were a little wound up yesterday, but then you were just being you.”
How could Nathan get it so wrong? “What are you talking about? I didn't try to kill myself.” The memory came back to him, like walking through a dream. “You were in the alley below. I jumped and you... You flew.”
Nathan laughed, like Peter had just said the punch line to a joke. “I what?”
“You flew up and you caught me.”
“You jumped, Peter. Twenty-five feet to a fire-escape. I climbed up and carried you down. That's what happened.” Nathan lied so smoothly. “The rest is just crazy talk. You understand?”
Why was Nathan lying to him? He understood if Nathan didn't want other people knowing, but Peter was his brother.
There was a commotion outside and they both turned their heads towards the noise.
“You don't understand. I have to see him.”
“I'm sorry, but I can't let you in.”
Peter tried to see out through the doorway. “Is that Gabriel?”
Nathan stormed out into the hall. Worried, Peter pulled himself out of bed. His body protested as his bare feet hit the cold floor. He stumbled across the room, grabbing onto the doorway for support.
“You need to leave now.”
“Its okay, Nathan.”
Nathan snapped, “No, it's not. You never would have been on that roof if it hadn't been for him filling your head with all that nonsense.”
Gabriel looked hurt and confused. Peter sighed. “Gabriel didn't have anything to do with it. I made it all up. The telekinesis, the flying, everything.” Peter could tell a good lie too when needed.
Nathan leaned in close to Peter and whispered, “Why would you do that?”
Peter shrugged. “I wanted to be special.” Nathan's look of pity was almost unbearable. “Can you, can you just give us minute?” Peter nodded towards Gabriel.
Nathan was reluctant, but agreed, “Fine.” He turned to Gabriel. “A minute.”
Gabriel pushed past Nathan and enveloped Peter in his arms. Peter winced. The fall must have left some bruising. “Thank god... I thought... They said on the news...”
“The news?” Over Gabriel's shoulder he spotted Nathan glaring at them from the nurses' station. Peter patted Gabriel's back. “Come on, help me back in?” Gabriel left an arm around Peter and half carried him back to his hospital bed.
“Are you okay?”
“I think so.”
“What happened?” Gabriel leaned against the side of his bed, facing Peter.
“I jumped off a fifteen story building.”
Gabriel's voice was soft, bewildered. “Why would you do that?”
“I thought I could fly. I guess I was wrong.” The look Gabriel gave him, reminded Peter of the time when that pickpocket had slammed into him. Like maybe he thought Peter was a little bit crazy too. It hurt more than anything Nathan had done.
“I wish... I wish you would have called me. I could have helped. Maybe talked you into starting with something a little closer to the ground.”
The corner of Peter's mouth turned up slightly. If he was crazy, at least he had company.
* * *
Gabriel couldn't sleep, so he occupied himself with a book, though he found it difficult to concentrate. His apartment was dim, lit only by the lamp near his chair. He looked up, startled, when a banging sounded on his door. He thought for a moment it might be the kids from down the hall again, but it was much too late for them. Curiously he set his book down next to the lamp and walked over to the door.
“Gabriel,” Peter's muffled voice drifted through the door.
Gabriel quickly undid the locks and opened the door. “Peter?”
“Hey, can I come in?”
Gabriel stepped aside. “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?” He closed the door.
“I'm fine. Great, actually.” Peter's face was alight with excitement.
Gabriel titled his head slightly, examining Peter. He was trembling, almost imperceptibly, but whether that was from the adrenaline or the pain... maybe both. “You should sit.”
Peter shook his head. “I have to show you something first.”
Gabriel wondered what could be important enough to make him leave his hospital bed and travel all the way to Gabriel's apartment in the middle of night.
“Close your eyes.”
“What?”
“Go on. Trust me.”
It was strange, but Gabriel did trust Peter, completely. So he closed his eyes. Gabriel sensed, more than heard Peter slink towards him. His heart began to beat quickly and he wasn't certain why. Then he felt a hot breath against his face.
“Okay, open them.”
Gabriel did, finding hazel brown eyes staring directly back at him. Confused, Gabriel glanced down at their feet. Peter was hovering several inches off the ground. He lifted his gaze to meet Peter's. “How-?” Gabriel's question was crushed under Peter's lips.
Gabriel froze for a moment, caught off guard. But Peter's mouth persisted and Gabriel quickly gave in to the kiss. He gripped one hand onto Peter's waist and the other in his hair. Peter began to drop, but Gabriel caught him with his telekinesis and boosted him back up. Peter's arms snaked over his shoulders and crossed behind his neck, pulling Gabriel even closer. His body felt warm and right, pressed against Gabriel's. The kiss was eager, messy, and desperate all at once. It didn't matter though, because Peter was willing to give everything Gabriel took.
Gabriel must have handled him too roughly though, as Peter broke away, hissing through his teeth. Concentration lost, Peter dropped onto the floor.
“Did I hurt you?”
“It's okay. I'm still a bit sore from the fall.” Peter clutched his side.
“Do you... do you want me to take you home?”
Their eyes met and Peter bit his lip nervously. He shook his head. “No.”
Gabriel ran his hand across Peter's cheek. He leaned down, gently pressing his lips against Peter's. Peter smiled.
* * *
Chapter Four
Fandom: Heroes
Pairing: Peter/Gabriel
Rating: NC-17
The days after the funeral seemed to drag on. Peter preoccupied himself with work and going with Gabriel to his meetings with Dr. Suresh. So far the testing had been inconclusive and Peter could tell Gabriel was growing more frustrated everyday that passed without revealing his ability.
Dr. Suresh sighed and lowered the deck of Zener cards. “This is getting us nowhere. At least we can rule out clairvoyance as your ability.”
Gabriel slammed his hand against the table, startling Peter and Dr. Suresh.
“Whoa easy there, tiger,” Peter rubbed his shoulder.
“Sorry,” Gabriel said contritely, “Sorry.”
“I think I'll go make some tea,” Dr. Suresh left them.
Peter took his vacated seat. He picked up the cards, shuffling them. Smiling, he handed them to Gabriel. “Here, try testing me.”
Gabriel looked like that was the last thing he wanted to do, but he sighed and took the cards. “Fine.” He shuffled them himself and lifted one card from the top. Peter concentrated on the card, trying to visualize it. He got nothing. “Um, square?”
Gabriel rolled his eyes. It was then that Peter spotted it, the reflection in his glasses. Peter tried to hide his grin. He was feeling a bit mischievous. He pretended to think the next card over. “Star.”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. He held up another card.
“Waves.”
He slapped the card down and lifted a new one, while staring at Peter with skeptical interest.
“Cross.”
Gabriel's eyes widened.
“Waves again.”
Gabriel slammed the deck down. “Okay, how are you doing that?”
Peter put on his most innocent look. “What? Did I get some of them right?”
Gabriel scowled. “I hate you.”
Peter couldn't help himself, he laughed. “I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.”
“So you were cheating,” Gabriel said accusingly. “How?”
Still laughing Peter waved a finger in front of his eyes. “The reflection in your glasses.”
Gabriel's hands shot up to his glasses and pulled them off. He glared at Peter. “I'm never wearing them again.”
Peter laughed some more. He held out his hand. “Here let me wear them,” Peter took the glasses from Gabriel and put them on. “How do I look?” Peter flashed him a grin.
“Cute, like always.” Gabriel was still scowling.
“Really? Aww,” Peter got up from his seat and walked behind it. “I have an idea,” he whispered, “I'll stand behind Suresh and you can read the cards off the reflection.”
Gabriel actually appeared to consider it for moment, but eventually he shook his head. “Cheating kind of defeats the purpose.”
Peter took off the glasses, looking cross-eyed for a second, and handed them back to Gabriel. He sat on the edge of the table in front of him. “Why don't we call it a day and go do something fun?”
“This isn't fun?”
“Not today.” Peter softened his expression and gave him what Nathan liked to call the 'puppy look'. “Come on.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Peter jumped off the table.
* * *
“This is what you do for fun?”
“Pretty much.”
“Wander aimlessly through the streets of New York, eating ice-cream?”
“Great isn't it?” Peter smirked. Absently he swiped his tongue along the cone, capturing the melting ice-cream before it dripped onto his hand.
“Mmph.”
Peter glanced up at Gabriel, mid-lick, who was staring at his vanilla ice-cream cone rather heatedly. Gabriel lifted his gaze suddenly and smiled around his spoon. He shrugged, pulling the red spoon out with a smack. “Good ice-cream,” he said quickly, looking away innocently.
“Yeah.” Peter peered jealously over at Gabriel's ice-cream. “Say, how come you got sprinkles and I didn't?”
“Because I'm special.”
“That or the ice-cream girl was flirting with you.”
“Really?” Gabriel looked dumbstruck. He whipped his head around, even though they were a couple blocks away already.
Peter nodded. “You want to try and get her number? We can go back.”
Gabriel shook his head. “I'm not... She's not my type.”
“What is your type,” Peter asked conversationally. Or so he hoped. He ran his tongue over the tip of his cone and Gabriel's eyes strayed again.
“My type,” Gabriel repeated distractedly, “I suppose... someone with a good heart, who looks for the best in people. A dreamer, who's not afraid to go after what they want.” He was about to say something else, but was interrupted by the high pitch squeal of a saxophone.
An old jazz song drifted across the street where a street performer had set up on the sidewalk. Excitedly, Peter grabbed Gabriel's sleeve and pulled him across the street. Gabriel watched Peter with a look of amusement as Peter bounced along with the music. They stayed and listened long enough to finish off their ice-cream. Peter dug out his wallet. He frowned, staring into the empty billfold. “Looks like I spent the last of my cash on the ice-cream.”
Gabriel took a twenty from his own wallet and dropped it into the open saxophone case by the musician's feet.
“Thanks, man,” the saxophone player smiled and nodded as they passed.
“You didn't have to do that.” Peter felt guilty and made a mental note to pay Gabriel back.
Gabriel shrugged. “You were enjoying it. It was worth it.” He smiled shyly.
It was Peter's turn to look dumbstruck. And then Peter was struck quite literally as someone slammed into his shoulder. Peter stumbled back. “Hey!”
Gabriel grabbed his arm, steadying Peter. “What's wrong, did you trip?”
“No, that guy just walked right into me.” Peter rubbed his shoulder.
Gabriel followed Peter's gaze. “What guy?”
Peter pointed. “That guy, with the long jacket.”
“It's 90 degrees out.” Gabriel looked at Peter like he was the crazy one.
“Yeah, I know. I think he might've been homeless.”
Gabriel was still giving him a weird look.
“What?”
“Nothing. It's kind of hot out today. Maybe we should cut our... outing short?”
Peter couldn't help it if he looked disappointed, he was. They were having fun... He didn't understand what had just happened.
Gabriel smiled. “Another time?”
“Yeah, sure.”
It wasn't until after Peter got home that he realized that his wallet was gone.
* * *
Peter heard a knock at his door. He put his book down and looked at the doorway curiously. He wasn't expecting anyone. So, Nathan or Gabriel then . Peter opened the door. “Hey, Nathan.”
Nathan glanced inside the apartment, saw that Peter was alone, and invited himself in. He turned and smiled at Peter. “I have some good news.”
“Good news?” Peter didn't get that often these days.
“Yeah, well, I think so anyway. I'm holding a press conference tomorrow to make an official announcement, but I wanted you to be the first to know.”
“You've got my attention.”
“I'm throwing my hat into the political ring. I'm running for congress.”
“Wow,” Peter moved away from the door towards his brother, “That's great.”
Nathan smiled proudly.
“So you're not going to work for the DA anymore?”
Nathan's smile fell. “Well, I haven't exactly been getting a lot of work thrown my way since... Anyway this will be good. It was time for a change.”
“And Heidi?”
“Totally behind it. Mom too. The only one left...” Nathan watched Peter expectantly.
Peter blinked. “Yeah, totally.” He nodded seriously. “You've got my support.” He grinned and added, “I'll even wear a button.”
Nathan shook his head and looked at Peter like he was an idiot, but he was smiling. “Thanks. That means a lot.” He paused for a moment, then added carefully, “It does mean that our family is going to be in the spotlight for a while...”
“I'll try not to embarrass you.”
Nathan gave him that look again, only he wasn't smiling this time. “I wanted to make sure you're going to be okay with that?”
Peter crossed his arms. “Guess I'll have to be.” Nathan nodded, apparently satisfied. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I can't stick around, I've got a meeting, preparations to make for tomorrow.” Nathan looked at his watch. “Say, do you have the time? My watch has been running slow.”
Peter grabbed Nathan's wrist and studied the watch. “Hmm.” He undid the clasp, pulled it off his brother's wrist, and walked it over to the counter. Gabriel had occasionally taken a watch over to work on while they watched movies and had left a small toolkit. Peter unscrewed the back of the watch and studied the gears inside. Somehow he knew exactly what was wrong and without thinking picked up one of the tools and began fixing it. Peter wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when he had finished and looked up again, Nathan was staring at Peter like he'd never seen him before.
Peter handed Nathan his watch back. “It should work now.”
“When did you learn to do that?”
Peter was just as shocked as Nathan. “I... don't know.”
Pieces of a puzzle clicked together in Peter's mind and he felt a sudden rush of adrenaline when he realized what it meant. “Can you drop me off someplace? I have something important to take care of.”
* * *
Peter banged on Dr. Suresh's door. He tried the door handle and it was open. He practically flew into the room. His face was flushed from running up several flights of stairs and his breath was ragged.
Dr. Suresh and Gabriel turned their heads and stared. They were seated opposite of each other, separated by some kind of monitoring equipment. Gabriel stood suddenly, pulling the wires free from his temples. “Peter, what's wrong?”
It took Peter a second to catch his breath. “I know what your ability is!” Gabriel took a step closer, his attention entirely on Peter. Peter smiled. “You know how things work.”
Gabriel looked entirely unimpressed. “Yeah. How is that a super power?”
Suresh stood up, looking at Peter with great interest. “Could you expand on that, Peter?”
“I'm not sure if I can.” Peter felt as bewildered as the other two men looked.
“Then how do you know?”
Peter explained, “Because I can do it too.” He paused, feeling a revelation of that magnitude needed a pause to sink in. He recounted what had happened with his brother's watch.
Suresh was skeptical. “And you're certain that it's not just something you picked up by watching Gabriel?”
Gabriel looked offended. “Watch repair may not be brain surgery, but it's not something you can learn overnight.”
Suresh looked thoughtful. “Interesting.”
“So wait, if my ability is to know how things work,” Gabriel winced slightly as he said it, “Then what's yours? Mimicry? How does that work?”
“I don't know. People are always telling me that I'm empathic. That it's what makes me a great nurse. Maybe that has something to do with my ability?” Peter remembered something his future self had said. “Maybe, somehow, I can absorb other people's abilities?”
“If true, that would be a fantastic discovery, Peter. Do you have any other conclusive evidence for this?”
Peter shook his head. “As far as I know I haven't met anyone else like,” he looked at Gabriel, “us.”
Suresh nodded. “This will require further study. Are you willing to submit to a few tests?”
Peter looked at Gabriel, uncertainly. “I suppose.”
“I have another promising candidate. I believe he may telekinetic. After I have examined him, perhaps we'll try a field test to see if your theory holds up.”
* * *
Peter was flying. Beneath him, New York sped by as he darted between its towering buildings. He'd never felt so free, so alive. It was exhilarating. A distant noise, rising above the city sounds below, caught his attention. He strained to make it out. His concentration lost, he fell, the ground racing too quickly towards him.
Peter's eyes shot open. He felt a sudden sensation of falling and his back connected with the bed. His heart pounded against his chest. It took him a moment to realize that he'd just been dreaming and that the ringing in his ears was his phone. He reached out and grabbed the receiver groggily. “Hello?”
“Peter,” it was Gabriel. “Can you come over? I have something important to show you.”
Peter rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turned to his clock. “It's six in the morning, Gabriel.”
“It's important ,” he repeated in case Peter hadn't heard him the first time.
Peter sat up reluctantly. “Yeah, okay. Can I take a shower first?” There was a slight pause on the other side. “Never mind, I'm coming over.”
* * *
Peter had never been to Gabriel's apartment before. He wasn't sure what he expected. The walls lined with bookshelves made sense. It was the plastic covered furniture that threw him for a loop. The place was too... sterile. Like a museum, complete with locked cases. Look, but don't get too close, don't touch. Peter always thought that a home should look lived in, that it should reflect who you are as a person. Gabriel's place didn't reveal anything about who he really was.
Gabriel locked the door and turned to face Peter. Peter could see that he was barely containing his excitement. There was a certain manic look in his eye that unnerved Peter. His clothes were uncharacteristically wrinkled and his hair was disheveled.
“Did you sleep at all?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I've been up all night practicing.”
Peter watched with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as Gabriel's large stride took him quickly across the room to a small table. He waved Peter over.
Gabriel was staring at a pen on the table. It was a nice looking pen, but Peter had a feeling that wasn't why Gabriel had called him at six in the morning. If it was, Peter was about to be very very concerned.
Gabriel held out his hand, fingers splayed. “Watch.”
The pen began to rattle and for a second Peter wondered if they were having an earthquake, except his feet were still planted steadily on floor. Then the pen started spinning. Peter jumped back, startled. The spinning stopped and Gabriel turned, eyebrows raised and an expectant smile on his lips.
Peter brushed back his hair. His heart was pounding much like it had earlier. “How-?”
“My power, it's just like you said. Suresh was showing me an MRI scan from that telekinetic. Brian Davis, I think he was called. I couldn't stop staring at it. There was something there... And suddenly it all became clear. How it all works. Pieces fitting together... Dr. Suresh was right. It's all in the brain.” Gabriel waved his hand over the pen.
“And you were able to mimic it? Like with me and your ability?”
Gabriel gripped Peter's shoulders and leaned in close. “We're the same, you and I.” Peter felt a chill. “It's fate that we met, Peter. I truly believe that.”
Not so much fate, Peter thought, as it was Peter's leap of faith in the impossible that had led him to Gabriel's door. But there was something there. Peter could feel it. Whatever future lie ahead of them, their destinies were intertwined. “We're connected.”
Gabriel glanced quickly at the pen and flashed Peter an impish grin. “Wanna try?”
* * *
Peter stood behind Gabriel as he proceeded to demonstrate his new ability for Dr. Suresh. They had practiced well into the afternoon and while Peter couldn't so much as nudge a penny yet, Gabriel had made remarkable, unbelievable, progress. Not quite perfected though, as the glass he was demonstrating on flew across the room and shattered against a wall.
“Sorry about the glass,” Gabriel apologized, though he could not hide his delight.
“It's just glass,” Suresh stared in amazement. “Incredible,” he said after a moment, “You both appear to have the ability to re-sequence your very DNA to mimic those of other's with the mutated gene. That you both found each other, here in New York, it's (at the risk of using an unscientific term) a miracle.”
Gabriel smiled at Peter. “Its fate,” he corrected.
* * *
Peter tried to keep the discovery to himself, but it was too big. So he went to Nathan.
“That's a cute story, Pete. Plan on publishing it?”
“It's not a story, Nathan.”
“You can move things with your mind.”
“Well, no, not yet. But Gabriel's helping me work on it.”
“Gabriel,” said Nathan disapprovingly.
“You should see what he can do!”
Nathan sighed. “When are you going to grow up, Peter? He does some magic trick and suddenly you think pigs can fly.” He rolled his eyes.
“It's not a trick. It's real.”
“I really can't deal with this right now,” Nathan dropped down into the chair behind his office desk. “I have a lot going on with the campaign . I can't be expected to hold your hand too.”
“No one asked you to. I'm not some naïve little kid, Nathan.”
“Then stop acting like one.”
Peter crossed his arms petulantly.
“I don't think you should be spending so much time with this Gabriel guy.”
Peter dropped his arms. His mouth gaped. “You can't tell me who I can and can't see.”
Nathan placed his hands on the desk and stood. “Fine, just try to keep the crazy fantasies to a minimum okay? Our family doesn't need another scandal.”
* * *
“I can't believe it. My own brother!” Peter finished venting. He was lying on his back, his feet dangling over the arm of his couch. He turned his head towards Gabriel, who was watching him thoughtfully.
“Some people can't handle the concept of something... bigger than they are.”
“I just wish I could have shown him what I can do, something he couldn't deny.” Peter looked at Gabriel enviously. “It comes so naturally to you.”
“You'll get there.”
Peter swung his feet around, sitting up. “But when?”
Gabriel knelt down in front of him. “Give it time. These powers are just emerging. I'm not giving up on you, don't give up on yourself.”
“I'm not.” Peter suddenly felt embarrassed. He was acting like a little kid. Filled with new determination, Peter sat up straight. “Let's try it again.”
* * *
“I think I can fly,” Peter spoke into his cell phone, as he hailed a cab.
“Hmm,” responded Gabriel, “I wonder... If I concentrated hard enough, maybe I could lift myself off the ground using my telekinesis?”
“That's not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?”
“I'm not sure, but those dreams I have? I'm having them every night now. And I swear, this morning, when I got out of bed, my foot hovered, just for a split-second, before it hit the ground. It was like I was floating.”
“Interesting.”
* * *
Nathan's response was much the same as when Peter had told him about the telekinesis. And without proof, Peter knew his brother was never going to believe him.
During the drive back to his apartment, Peter tilted his head back, so he could watch the eclipse through the rear window of the cab. “Wow.” He wondered if Gabriel was watching it too. His thoughts drifted as he stared off dreamily. “Do you ever get the feeling that you were meant to do something extraordinary?”
“All the time.”
Peter sat up with interest. “Really?”
The cab driver nodded glancing at Peter through the rear view mirror. “Yeah, I've been trying to break into acting for nearly ten years now.”
“That's not what I... never mind.” Peter slouched back in his seat, frowning. At least Gabriel understood, even if no one else did.
Peter's cell phone rang. Peter smiled as he answered it. “Gabriel?”
“No,” the voice sounded confused, “It's Simone.” Peter winced. Oops. “Are you busy?”
“No. I was, uh, just heading home.”
“Listen, I need you to meet me at my dad's.”
“Yeah, no. I can be there in ten minutes.”
“Okay. Just hurry, okay?” She sounded really upset.
“Okay, I'll see you there. Bye.” Peter flipped his phone shut and told the cab driver to drop him off. He'd walk, run if he had to.
* * *
Peter used his key to get in. He found Simone rummaging frantically through drawers and cupboards. “What happened? Has your dad-“
“It's not my dad.”
Peter followed her into Charles' bedroom. His condition appeared not to have changed. It wasn't like Simone to mislead him into thinking there was an emergency. Peter watched bewilderedly as she continued her frantic search. “What are you looking for?”
“Morphine.”
“What for?”
“I need you to come with me someplace.”
“Where?”
“You'll see.”
* * *
“You really think he can predict the future?”
“I saw it with my own eyes, Peter.” They entered the darkened art studio. “Isaac? I brought someone to help. He's a nurse.” She tried flipping the light switch, but the lights didn't come on. Hesitantly Peter followed her inside. “Isaac?” Peter reached into his messenger bag and pulled out a small flashlight. “Isaac?”
Something crunched under Peter's foot and he aimed his flashlight down. Lying on the floor was a syringe. Peter walked down the small steps, flashing his light across the ground. A man, Isaac, was lying prone on the floor. “Simone,” Peter called for her as he rushed over.
“Oh god. Oh my god. Isaac?”
Peter checked his heartbeat. “He's alive. Call 911.”
Peter started to pull his medical supplies out, to do whatever he could until the ambulance got there. But a painting drew his attention away. Simone had said that Isaac could paint the future. Despite everything, Peter had been skeptical. After all she'd just gotten done telling him Isaac was going through withdrawal. But here it was, his dream painted in vivid color by a man he'd never met. Only it wasn't just a dream or a painting. It was the future. It was Peter, flying.
* * *
Peter watched from the rooftop's edge as a yellow taxi pulled in and out of the alleyway, dropping his brother off.
“Alright, I'm here. Now what do you want?” The annoyance in Nathan's voice was evident.
Peter let the cell phone slip from his hand, knowing it would catch his brother's attention.
It crashed and broke on the hard cement below. Nathan looked up.
Peter shouted so he could be heard. “I've been up here all night, thinking about this, thinking about my destiny.”
“Watcha doin', Pete?”
“It's my time to be somebody now, Nathan.”
“Come on, Peter, stop screwing around!” Nathan yelled, like Peter was a kid again, after climbing onto the highest branches of the old tree in their backyard.
But Peter wasn't a child anymore. And he wasn't going to fall and break his arm like he did that time. He was going to finally prove himself to Nathan. To himself. He was going to fly.
Peter held out his arms. The wind whipped past him as he imagined himself soaring through the air. Gathering all of his courage, and thinking of Gabriel, Peter took one more leap of faith.
For a second, as his feet left the ledge, time stood still. Like he was floating. And then he was falling. The wind stung his face as gravity pulled him down. The world sped by too quickly for Peter to see. Nathan!
Suddenly a hand was grabbing hold of his and he was spinning, spinning like the pen on Gabriel's table.
“Peter,” it was Nathan's voice. Peter looked up with wonder. “You're flying, Nathan. You're flying.” I was wrong , Peter thought, it was Nathan all along. He could feel his hand slipping and tried for a better grip, but it was too late. Nathan couldn't hold him. And suddenly Peter was falling again. He heard his brother cry out as the world went black.
* * *
Gabriel was having a coffee when a news report on the diner's TV caught his eye. “Congressional candidate Nathan Petrelli's brother was rushed into emergency care in midtown Manhattan today after what is said to have been a lengthy fall...” Gabriel didn't wait for the rest of the report. He was out the door and hailing a cab before the waitress could stop him. He couldn't be certain, panic that he was in, but he may or may not have used his telekinesis to stop a cab as it tried to zip by him.
* * *
Peter woke, disoriented. The last thing he remembered was falling. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at his older brother. “Where am I?”
“You're in a hospital.”
“What happened?”
“You don't remember? You jumped Pete.”
“Jumped?” He tried to sit up.
“Off the roof of a fifteen story building. You tried to kill yourself.”
Peter was still getting his bearings, but he was certain Nathan had just said that he'd tried to kill himself. And that couldn't possibly be right.
“You were a little wound up yesterday, but then you were just being you.”
How could Nathan get it so wrong? “What are you talking about? I didn't try to kill myself.” The memory came back to him, like walking through a dream. “You were in the alley below. I jumped and you... You flew.”
Nathan laughed, like Peter had just said the punch line to a joke. “I what?”
“You flew up and you caught me.”
“You jumped, Peter. Twenty-five feet to a fire-escape. I climbed up and carried you down. That's what happened.” Nathan lied so smoothly. “The rest is just crazy talk. You understand?”
Why was Nathan lying to him? He understood if Nathan didn't want other people knowing, but Peter was his brother.
There was a commotion outside and they both turned their heads towards the noise.
“You don't understand. I have to see him.”
“I'm sorry, but I can't let you in.”
Peter tried to see out through the doorway. “Is that Gabriel?”
Nathan stormed out into the hall. Worried, Peter pulled himself out of bed. His body protested as his bare feet hit the cold floor. He stumbled across the room, grabbing onto the doorway for support.
“You need to leave now.”
“Its okay, Nathan.”
Nathan snapped, “No, it's not. You never would have been on that roof if it hadn't been for him filling your head with all that nonsense.”
Gabriel looked hurt and confused. Peter sighed. “Gabriel didn't have anything to do with it. I made it all up. The telekinesis, the flying, everything.” Peter could tell a good lie too when needed.
Nathan leaned in close to Peter and whispered, “Why would you do that?”
Peter shrugged. “I wanted to be special.” Nathan's look of pity was almost unbearable. “Can you, can you just give us minute?” Peter nodded towards Gabriel.
Nathan was reluctant, but agreed, “Fine.” He turned to Gabriel. “A minute.”
Gabriel pushed past Nathan and enveloped Peter in his arms. Peter winced. The fall must have left some bruising. “Thank god... I thought... They said on the news...”
“The news?” Over Gabriel's shoulder he spotted Nathan glaring at them from the nurses' station. Peter patted Gabriel's back. “Come on, help me back in?” Gabriel left an arm around Peter and half carried him back to his hospital bed.
“Are you okay?”
“I think so.”
“What happened?” Gabriel leaned against the side of his bed, facing Peter.
“I jumped off a fifteen story building.”
Gabriel's voice was soft, bewildered. “Why would you do that?”
“I thought I could fly. I guess I was wrong.” The look Gabriel gave him, reminded Peter of the time when that pickpocket had slammed into him. Like maybe he thought Peter was a little bit crazy too. It hurt more than anything Nathan had done.
“I wish... I wish you would have called me. I could have helped. Maybe talked you into starting with something a little closer to the ground.”
The corner of Peter's mouth turned up slightly. If he was crazy, at least he had company.
* * *
Gabriel couldn't sleep, so he occupied himself with a book, though he found it difficult to concentrate. His apartment was dim, lit only by the lamp near his chair. He looked up, startled, when a banging sounded on his door. He thought for a moment it might be the kids from down the hall again, but it was much too late for them. Curiously he set his book down next to the lamp and walked over to the door.
“Gabriel,” Peter's muffled voice drifted through the door.
Gabriel quickly undid the locks and opened the door. “Peter?”
“Hey, can I come in?”
Gabriel stepped aside. “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?” He closed the door.
“I'm fine. Great, actually.” Peter's face was alight with excitement.
Gabriel titled his head slightly, examining Peter. He was trembling, almost imperceptibly, but whether that was from the adrenaline or the pain... maybe both. “You should sit.”
Peter shook his head. “I have to show you something first.”
Gabriel wondered what could be important enough to make him leave his hospital bed and travel all the way to Gabriel's apartment in the middle of night.
“Close your eyes.”
“What?”
“Go on. Trust me.”
It was strange, but Gabriel did trust Peter, completely. So he closed his eyes. Gabriel sensed, more than heard Peter slink towards him. His heart began to beat quickly and he wasn't certain why. Then he felt a hot breath against his face.
“Okay, open them.”
Gabriel did, finding hazel brown eyes staring directly back at him. Confused, Gabriel glanced down at their feet. Peter was hovering several inches off the ground. He lifted his gaze to meet Peter's. “How-?” Gabriel's question was crushed under Peter's lips.
Gabriel froze for a moment, caught off guard. But Peter's mouth persisted and Gabriel quickly gave in to the kiss. He gripped one hand onto Peter's waist and the other in his hair. Peter began to drop, but Gabriel caught him with his telekinesis and boosted him back up. Peter's arms snaked over his shoulders and crossed behind his neck, pulling Gabriel even closer. His body felt warm and right, pressed against Gabriel's. The kiss was eager, messy, and desperate all at once. It didn't matter though, because Peter was willing to give everything Gabriel took.
Gabriel must have handled him too roughly though, as Peter broke away, hissing through his teeth. Concentration lost, Peter dropped onto the floor.
“Did I hurt you?”
“It's okay. I'm still a bit sore from the fall.” Peter clutched his side.
“Do you... do you want me to take you home?”
Their eyes met and Peter bit his lip nervously. He shook his head. “No.”
Gabriel ran his hand across Peter's cheek. He leaned down, gently pressing his lips against Peter's. Peter smiled.
* * *
Chapter Four