Heroes - What Fools These Mortals Be - multi ship oneshot
My muse hit. More specifically, my Heroes muse. The muse I promised myself I'd never indulge in again. But *sigh* it must be answered. This is unbeta'ed, but I tried my best to edit it as carefully as possible.
Title: What Fools These Mortals Be
Fandom: Heroes
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Word Count: 1,412
Character(s),Pairing(s): Nathan/Niki, Peter/Claire, Matt/Mohinder & Hiro
Summary: Hiro has never been the greatest at picking up on subtleties. Nathan calls him naïve for it. But honestly, he’s always been much more of a grand gesture kind of person when it came to love. (1,000 paper cranes in Texas ring a bell?).
I. Matt Parkman:
I’m sorry, Nathan.
I can’t help it. I thought I had this thing under control. It’s been a long time since I heard thoughts that I didn’t want to hear. I mean, for the most part, I only tap into the telepathy when I’m trying, but lately your thoughts have been screaming out to me.
It’s so weird that you think so quietly, but your thoughts feel more like yells in my mind, and it’s always the same words.
I can’t.
Nathan Petrelli, fearless lawyer turned politician, hissing the words ‘I can’t’ over and over in his head.
It seems like even the toughest nuts can crack.
You’d probably kick my ass if you knew this, but as much as I wish I could turn off your thoughts, part of me actually doesn’t mind hearing them. It proves your human, just like the rest of us.
Sometimes, it’s like you’re pleading with me to make this stop.
And I laugh.
No, I’m not a masochist. It’s just kind of funny because I know what you mean when you think ‘I can’t.’ Because you’re thinking it when we’re around her.
Yes, her.
Tall, blonde hair, contagious laugh.
You stare at her you know. Even without the telepathy, I’d have to be a fool to miss how you look at her. You smile when she enters a room and you get surly (more so than usual) when she leaves it. When she smiles at you, when she hugs you, when she thanks you for saving her and her son’s life, it’s always the same thing running through your head.
I can’t.
Yes, you can, Nathan. Man, you two are perfect for each other. I mean, she’s not exactly my type. I usually don’t go for blondes…or more importantly, women who’ve thrown me out of windows, but she’s pretty and sweet and she cares about you.
Seriously, just please go for it because your thoughts are getting pathetic, and believe me, you’re not the only one suffering as a result.
I’m sorry Nathan, but you’re not fooling anyone.
You’ve got a thing for Niki Sanders.
----
II. Nathan Petrelli:
I’m sorry, Peter.
God, you would never hear me say those words out loud and actually mean them, but I am sorry. Come to think of it…I’ve got plenty of reasons to be sorry. Maybe I should clarify which one I’m actually expressing regret for.
So, I have a daughter. (You’re well aware of this.) And this daughter of mine is pretty, yes? Very striking…she takes after her father. Strong bone structure and fiery temper. And lucky for her, she’s got her mother’s eyes, those piercing blue green eyes.
Am I sorry I have a pretty daughter? No. Not at all. I am sorry though that I didn’t tell you about her sooner. I mean you were only a decade old when she popped into my life, but once you were older and more invested in my life, (although, scratch that. You were always curious…maybe when you were more mature then…) I probably should have told you about her. Just mentioned it in passing.
Hey, Pete, I’ve got an illegitimate daughter who supposedly died in a fire along with her mother.
But then you would have given me those emo eyes and shoved me off to counseling, and I would have killed you.
Still, I should have just taken those repercussions because that’s what big brothers do. Instead, I left you to suffer with my…indiscretions. If you had known Claire existed, then you would not have let yourself…look at her…the way you do…now.
I could have excused the hidden glances and secret smiles. Honestly. You both are from a different generation than I am. You saved her life a hand full of times and she’s saved yours. You share this connection based on destiny and fate and all that other emo shit you guys talk about.
But damn it, Peter, when you’re feeling guilty about something you always manage to let it be known. It’s like it eats at you from the inside until it’s almost impossible for you to hide it. I know for a fact that whenever I catch you and Claire in the middle of one of your little heart to hearts you feel like you’re betraying me.
You know why, I know? I know your poker tells and they’re the same as they were when you were seven, caught for the fifth time in two weeks with a handful of cookies before dinner. When you know you’ve done something wrong, and you know you’re going to keep doing it no matter how much you want to stop, your ears turn red. No poker face would be good enough to hide that.
But go ahead, keep working on it.
Even if I didn’t know your tells, I sure as hell know Claire’s. You know why?
Hers are the same as mine.
And I’m sorry, Peter, but, you definitely can’t fool a father.
You’re falling for Claire Bennett.
---
III. Peter Petrelli:
I’m sorry, Matt.
These powers overwhelm me. There are so many of them bottled up inside me, and sometimes I feel like I’m going to explode all over again. I was told that when that happens, I should focus on one of them, and telepathy is the easiest to work with.
But man, I should not have used it on you. If I had known the…stuff…that you’re dealing with, I would have been sure to steer clear of your head.
The problem is…well…now that it’s in my head; I can’t exactly get it out.
See, there’s a reason I went into nursing and there’s a reason that The Powers That Be gave me the gift of empathy. It fits my personality. I like to listen to people. I’m an absorber. I hear other people’s problems and I want to do my best to fix them.
So yeah, your problem has become my problem. Although, I have to be honest…I’m not quite sure what the problem really is.
I mean I might not swing that way, but attraction is attraction, right? Mohinder is very aesthetic. I understand why you would feel that way about him. Plus, you two seem to have a great relationship already. I mean with the banter and such and those looks you two give each other whenever Nathan and Niki are flirting. The chemistry is there. The attraction is there. I don’t get what’s holding you back…
Is it because of the whole ‘We’ve-got-a-kid-to-worry-about’ thing? You have to know that Molly knows you two are in love. I mean you’re a telepath. She’s just assuming her parents are like all other parents. See?
It’s not the gay thing, right?
Because that would be pretty lame seeing as I know you know Mohinder’s comfortable in with his homosexuality. And I know that you know you’ve always been homosexual. And you’ve already conceded that you’ve got a thing for him.
Are you worried about what other people would think about you?
I’m sorry, Matt, I hate to break it to you, but you’re not fooling anyone.
The world knows you’re in love with Mohinder Suresh.
---
IV. Hiro Nakamura (and the rest of the world):
Hiro has never been the greatest at picking up on subtleties. Nathan calls him naïve for it.
But honestly, he’s always been much more of a grand gesture kind of person when it came to love. (1,000 paper cranes in Texas ring a bell?). Lately though, he’s been doing a lot of watching. He’s been watching Claire and Peter. Niki and Nathan. Matt and Mohinder. He’s been noticing that there are these tiny…things that everyone else seems to be picking up on too. Only, they’re not making a big deal out of it. No, none of them are saying anything, which confuses him above all.
Love is to be shouted from the rooftops. Proclaimed. Announced. And who cares about these seemingly non conformist situations…Americans are known for their pride. They’re known for their volume. Everything here is louder, bigger, faster, and grander.
“There’s nothing subtle about subtlety,” Ando says in Japanese as he sips his coffee when Hiro brings up the conundrum. He watches the pairs in front of him with the same interest as Hiro, “Americans just like to pretend that’s so because it makes them feel better…More…coy.”
Hiro furrows his eyebrows, soaking in his friend’s words, “And they call me naïve.”
Title: What Fools These Mortals Be
Fandom: Heroes
Rating: PG
Spoilers/Warnings: None
Word Count: 1,412
Character(s),Pairing(s): Nathan/Niki, Peter/Claire, Matt/Mohinder & Hiro
Summary: Hiro has never been the greatest at picking up on subtleties. Nathan calls him naïve for it. But honestly, he’s always been much more of a grand gesture kind of person when it came to love. (1,000 paper cranes in Texas ring a bell?).
I. Matt Parkman:
I’m sorry, Nathan.
I can’t help it. I thought I had this thing under control. It’s been a long time since I heard thoughts that I didn’t want to hear. I mean, for the most part, I only tap into the telepathy when I’m trying, but lately your thoughts have been screaming out to me.
It’s so weird that you think so quietly, but your thoughts feel more like yells in my mind, and it’s always the same words.
I can’t.
Nathan Petrelli, fearless lawyer turned politician, hissing the words ‘I can’t’ over and over in his head.
It seems like even the toughest nuts can crack.
You’d probably kick my ass if you knew this, but as much as I wish I could turn off your thoughts, part of me actually doesn’t mind hearing them. It proves your human, just like the rest of us.
Sometimes, it’s like you’re pleading with me to make this stop.
And I laugh.
No, I’m not a masochist. It’s just kind of funny because I know what you mean when you think ‘I can’t.’ Because you’re thinking it when we’re around her.
Yes, her.
Tall, blonde hair, contagious laugh.
You stare at her you know. Even without the telepathy, I’d have to be a fool to miss how you look at her. You smile when she enters a room and you get surly (more so than usual) when she leaves it. When she smiles at you, when she hugs you, when she thanks you for saving her and her son’s life, it’s always the same thing running through your head.
I can’t.
Yes, you can, Nathan. Man, you two are perfect for each other. I mean, she’s not exactly my type. I usually don’t go for blondes…or more importantly, women who’ve thrown me out of windows, but she’s pretty and sweet and she cares about you.
Seriously, just please go for it because your thoughts are getting pathetic, and believe me, you’re not the only one suffering as a result.
I’m sorry Nathan, but you’re not fooling anyone.
You’ve got a thing for Niki Sanders.
----
II. Nathan Petrelli:
I’m sorry, Peter.
God, you would never hear me say those words out loud and actually mean them, but I am sorry. Come to think of it…I’ve got plenty of reasons to be sorry. Maybe I should clarify which one I’m actually expressing regret for.
So, I have a daughter. (You’re well aware of this.) And this daughter of mine is pretty, yes? Very striking…she takes after her father. Strong bone structure and fiery temper. And lucky for her, she’s got her mother’s eyes, those piercing blue green eyes.
Am I sorry I have a pretty daughter? No. Not at all. I am sorry though that I didn’t tell you about her sooner. I mean you were only a decade old when she popped into my life, but once you were older and more invested in my life, (although, scratch that. You were always curious…maybe when you were more mature then…) I probably should have told you about her. Just mentioned it in passing.
Hey, Pete, I’ve got an illegitimate daughter who supposedly died in a fire along with her mother.
But then you would have given me those emo eyes and shoved me off to counseling, and I would have killed you.
Still, I should have just taken those repercussions because that’s what big brothers do. Instead, I left you to suffer with my…indiscretions. If you had known Claire existed, then you would not have let yourself…look at her…the way you do…now.
I could have excused the hidden glances and secret smiles. Honestly. You both are from a different generation than I am. You saved her life a hand full of times and she’s saved yours. You share this connection based on destiny and fate and all that other emo shit you guys talk about.
But damn it, Peter, when you’re feeling guilty about something you always manage to let it be known. It’s like it eats at you from the inside until it’s almost impossible for you to hide it. I know for a fact that whenever I catch you and Claire in the middle of one of your little heart to hearts you feel like you’re betraying me.
You know why, I know? I know your poker tells and they’re the same as they were when you were seven, caught for the fifth time in two weeks with a handful of cookies before dinner. When you know you’ve done something wrong, and you know you’re going to keep doing it no matter how much you want to stop, your ears turn red. No poker face would be good enough to hide that.
But go ahead, keep working on it.
Even if I didn’t know your tells, I sure as hell know Claire’s. You know why?
Hers are the same as mine.
And I’m sorry, Peter, but, you definitely can’t fool a father.
You’re falling for Claire Bennett.
---
III. Peter Petrelli:
I’m sorry, Matt.
These powers overwhelm me. There are so many of them bottled up inside me, and sometimes I feel like I’m going to explode all over again. I was told that when that happens, I should focus on one of them, and telepathy is the easiest to work with.
But man, I should not have used it on you. If I had known the…stuff…that you’re dealing with, I would have been sure to steer clear of your head.
The problem is…well…now that it’s in my head; I can’t exactly get it out.
See, there’s a reason I went into nursing and there’s a reason that The Powers That Be gave me the gift of empathy. It fits my personality. I like to listen to people. I’m an absorber. I hear other people’s problems and I want to do my best to fix them.
So yeah, your problem has become my problem. Although, I have to be honest…I’m not quite sure what the problem really is.
I mean I might not swing that way, but attraction is attraction, right? Mohinder is very aesthetic. I understand why you would feel that way about him. Plus, you two seem to have a great relationship already. I mean with the banter and such and those looks you two give each other whenever Nathan and Niki are flirting. The chemistry is there. The attraction is there. I don’t get what’s holding you back…
Is it because of the whole ‘We’ve-got-a-kid-to-worry-about’ thing? You have to know that Molly knows you two are in love. I mean you’re a telepath. She’s just assuming her parents are like all other parents. See?
It’s not the gay thing, right?
Because that would be pretty lame seeing as I know you know Mohinder’s comfortable in with his homosexuality. And I know that you know you’ve always been homosexual. And you’ve already conceded that you’ve got a thing for him.
Are you worried about what other people would think about you?
I’m sorry, Matt, I hate to break it to you, but you’re not fooling anyone.
The world knows you’re in love with Mohinder Suresh.
---
IV. Hiro Nakamura (and the rest of the world):
Hiro has never been the greatest at picking up on subtleties. Nathan calls him naïve for it.
But honestly, he’s always been much more of a grand gesture kind of person when it came to love. (1,000 paper cranes in Texas ring a bell?). Lately though, he’s been doing a lot of watching. He’s been watching Claire and Peter. Niki and Nathan. Matt and Mohinder. He’s been noticing that there are these tiny…things that everyone else seems to be picking up on too. Only, they’re not making a big deal out of it. No, none of them are saying anything, which confuses him above all.
Love is to be shouted from the rooftops. Proclaimed. Announced. And who cares about these seemingly non conformist situations…Americans are known for their pride. They’re known for their volume. Everything here is louder, bigger, faster, and grander.
“There’s nothing subtle about subtlety,” Ando says in Japanese as he sips his coffee when Hiro brings up the conundrum. He watches the pairs in front of him with the same interest as Hiro, “Americans just like to pretend that’s so because it makes them feel better…More…coy.”
Hiro furrows his eyebrows, soaking in his friend’s words, “And they call me naïve.”