Bricks in the Wall, Chapter 100: Power From The People

[game_byrd]

Title: Power from the People
Characters: Sylar, Peter Petrelli
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Word count: 750
Setting: The Wall
Summary: Sylar and Peter are sitting on the couch in the rec room, reading their respective books, when Peter sees something on page 286 of the biography of Muhammad Ali that he wants to show Sylar.

Comments

[game_byrd]

I read the Hauser biography of Muhammad Ali. It's a good book. I recommend it, but only if you have plenty of time and an interest in the subject.

[means2bhuman]

I like that Sylar has the patience to listen when Peter narrates the reading to him, then reads it for himself, then digs deeper and finds more, thinks about it and applies it to Peter. It's perfect for his character and it's sweet.

I am still touched and intrigued by their exchange. Like I said before, I liked the way they were both (mostly) aware of what the other was saying but not totally addressing it and simultaneously sort of misunderstanding each other. Sylar encouraging connections with him and Peter thinking he just needs to buckle down, focus, eliminate distractions (funny, he was so against that with Claude). Sylar's quiet insistance that he can/will give Peter strength and Peter knows it, does and doesn't like it, thanks him and acknowledges it but doesn't really agree or jump in (yet). Then Peter does agree to try and lean on Sylar and that has to feel good for both of them. It's a lovely little discussion and so typical of both of them. Sylar humors Peter a bit, too, anticipating the 'Ali might have had abilities'

[game_byrd]

I see Peter as treating Sylar like a friend here, as well as someone he wants to share with and explain himself to. They're reading together and Peter comes across something interesting, a bit he might be able to use to illustrate a concept he'd been struggling with communicating for a long time (not so much to Sylar, but to anyone) and he jumps at it. He's enthusiastic in trying to tell Sylar what it is and what it means to him, which is why he forgets himself and reads it to Sylar - he's excited about it. Sylar gets that, so rather than get defensive or upset by it, he's warmed that Peter cares and wants to get him to care, too. Plus, it's about abilities (and not about killing people) and Sylar loves to talk about abilities. Sylar tries to turn the moment into showing Peter what Sylar thinks Peter is missing. Peter gets that, too - he knows the answer and he admits it, but he has barriers alluded to here that they both know, with Nathan and Sylar's past. But he's grateful Sylar listens to him, humors him, and is there for him, so