21st Life Saved

[totallyyourhero]

Seeing as how I actually have a parent in the City, I'm glad I wasn't cursed. Not that I would have said anything I wouldn't want mom to hear, but I don't think she'd appreciate having as much of her life story as I know posted on the network

Comments

[hathborne]

You see, I always knew you could read people the best. I wouldn't have been happy if you went around telling my gossip to people, Peter dear. Not of course that our family has any skeletons in the closet.

How do you feel? Capable again?

[totallyyourhero]

Exactly. Besides, who wants to listen to someone talk about how much they love their mom and their mom loves them?

I feel good. Normal, I think. I don't think my abilities define me, but I guess I was starting to get used to them. I just want to get back home, right now. I've seen some things that... I need to find out if they're true.

[hathborne]

I don't know. You always seemed to need to be reminded a lot that you were loved, when you were little. But you're not so little anymore, are you? Taller than Nathan, actually.

Some things? Very non-descript. Something worrying you?

[totallyyourhero]

I think I'm understanding now that love can look like a lot of different things. And out family isn't exactly normal, so I guess that meant you had to do some abnormal things out of love.

I saw dad. Alive.

[hathborne]

People will do nearly anything out of love. Even things that are deeply stupid, believe me. That's the kind of world we've always lived in.

You saw Arthur? When?

[totallyyourhero]

I know that now, but you and dad did a good job of making sure I didn't know that was the kind of world we lived in then.

One of the curses. It was showing people their future. I saw dad and I meeting. We hugged and then... something happened. It... hurt, and then the vision stopped.

[hathborne]

Security and happiness is important for young people. I suppose that some people would argue that we shouldn't lie about things like Santa Claus, but these people would be wrong.

Your father's not dead, Peter. I have yet to figure out where he is or what is going on in his head, but he's not dead. And you must not get near him if he shows here.

[totallyyourhero]

I liked believing in Santa. And... thanks for keeping me safe and happy.

You knew he wasn't dead? And why shouldn't I go near him? He's... it's dad. I know he didn't always approve of what I did, but...

[hathborne]

Every good mother would try to keep her children safe and happy, no matter what the cost.

Your father isn't the man that you think he is, Peter.

[totallyyourhero]

I'm lucky you're as good a mother as you are. You were always the one supporting me and watching out for me.

Mom, I know dad was involved with Linderman and the mob.

[hathborne]

Someone had to watch you. Everyone else was busy watching your brother Nathan, and that was just the way he liked it. It's good to be able to see you being more assertive recently.

That's not what I meant. Your father was very special, Peter. Just like you are. Perhaps the most special of all.

[totallyyourhero]

I think I'm understanding now. Nathan has his own destiny and I have mine. His was just more clear early on.

What ability does dad have?

[hathborne]

Our paths can't all branch off at once, after all. Things happen over time for a reason-- so that everything doesn't happen all at once.

They say that God giveth with one hand and with the other taketh away. Your father was never much of a religious man, but he certainly saw himself as a God.

[totallyyourhero]

What if we go back or forward and change what happens?

... he can take away and give abilities?

[hathborne]

We don't fool around with time. We are where we belong, and if we change that the damage each time will show itself tenfold. Trust your mother.

It's more nuanced than that, by far, but yes.

[totallyyourhero]

I know. I... I left someone I cared about in the future and couldn't get her back.

Is that what he did, took away my abilities to give to someone else? That... sounds like him.