For still_soserious

[ethanstone]

It was the end of the school day for Simon and he was walking back to his car on campus. They'd been waiting for him, unable to get a hold of Mister Petrelli or other members of his family. Like moths to a flame, nearly twenty members of the New York area press swarmed Simon on his way to his car, barricading him in the parking lot. "Simon Petrelli

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[still_soserious]

He'd drawn himself up proudly and had been about to speak when Ethan pushed his way through and started dragging him away. He didn't protest, though his lips thinned in annoyance. It was a relief when they finally got through the crowd. He slid into the passenger seat of Ethan's car and shot a glance at him. "I'm a Petrelli," he said softly. "I can handle the press."

[ethanstone]

"I don't want you to have to handle the press," Ethan said after he climbed into the passenger seat. "Besides, we're trying to keep this under wraps, not let more information leak out. Your dad doesn't even know yet. I'm fucked." He sped off out of the lot.

[still_soserious]

"I wouldn't have told them anything." He leaned back in his seat, turning to look out the window. It irked him a bit that Ethan thought he would slip up. It was the life he had chosen and was preparing for. He could have handled it.

[ethanstone]

Ethan rolled down his window and lit a cigarette, taking a puff. "What, do you want to go back there and face them? I'll turn around. Let your dad tan my ass later for allowing it to happen. Sound good?" He didn't have time to play games.

[still_soserious]

He was silent for a moment. "You don't have to treat me like a child," he said softly, still looking out the window.

[ethanstone]

Ethan glanced at him, smoke pouring slowly out of his mouth. "I know I dont have to. I want to." One thing about Ethan Stone was that he wouldn't take any shit in matters of the heart. If he wanted to coddle someone, they'd be coddled, and they'd fucking like it.

[still_soserious]

Simon turned to look at him. "I'm not completely hopeless," he said coolly. "I can take care of myself." It wasn't even that he minded Ethan 'rescuing' him from the reporters. He just didn't want him thinking that he was weak and useless. He wanted Ethan to respect him.

[ethanstone]

"I know you can. Relax, okay? I'm just trying to take care of you. Its what people do when they love someone." He took another long, slow drag from his cigarette and let the smoke leak from his nose. Nasty habit. He wanted to quit, but quitting would make him go nuts.

[still_soserious]

Simon could feel his insides melting, and a giddy grin crossed his face. He leaned over and rested his cheek on Ethan's arm. "I love you, too," he murmured.

[ethanstone]

He grinned and kissed the top of Simon's head. "Hungry? Or would you rather head home? I think Mohinder is cooking Indian food tonight." God, Ethan was starting to feel like a creep, knowing everything about what that family did.

[still_soserious]

"Mmm." Simon smiled and glanced up at him. "We don't want to miss Mohinder's cooking. You coming too?" He was glad to see that the family was getting much less critical of Ethan, especially since he'd saved all their lives.

[ethanstone]

"If you guys will have me. I'm not gonna pass up free food." He lived for free food. That and sex. And booze. And cigaretts.

...Ethan needed a lifestyle change.

[still_soserious]

He laid a hand gently on Ethan's thigh. "I'm sure it will be fine," he said softly. "I could call Mohinder and ask, if you want."

[ethanstone]

"Uh, yeah sure, that'd be a good idea." He'd saved their lives, but that didn't mean they loved him and wanted him around.

[still_soserious]

He slid his phone out of his pocket, still leaning against Ethan, and pressed Mohinder's speed-dail button. He listened to the phone ringing patiently.

[doc_suresh]

Mohinder saw who it was on the caller ID and smiled as he flipped his phone open. He was just finishing up dinner, having rushed home from the University to cook since Nathan had meetings back to back all day. He wanted a nice meal waiting for the family when they all got home. "Hey you. How was your day?"