Christmas--A Petlar Fic
December 25th
Christmas
A Petlar fic--1546 words
3rd Person POV
When Peter woke up it was to the warm feeling of Gabriel wrapped tightly around him from behind. He smiled warmly into his pillow and snuggled back farther. He felt Gabriel's heavy, even breathing wash over his neck and he resisted the urge to shiver. He heard Noah scrapping at the door and knew he had to get up soon and walk him, but he was too comfortable to move. He took another deep breath and scratched his nose.
Don't let him pee on the carpet Peter, please.
Peter jerked in surprise.
"Good morning to you too."
Gabriel smiled into Peter's neck and then pressed a wet, lingering kiss there.
"Good morning Peter. Happy Christmas."
Peter turned so that his nose was brushing Gabriel's and smiled. He leaned forward for a kiss and was rewarded with a sloppy open mouthed kiss. A small trail of spit dribbled down the side of his cheek and he laughed at the ticklish feel. They broke apart and Gabriel poked him in the stomach.
"Okay, okay, I'm going."
Peter rolled out of bed and pulled on a jacket before opening the door. Noah nipped playfully at his heels as he headed for the doors and pulled on some shoes. As Peter clipped the leash onto Noah's collar Gabriel came out to plug in the tree.
"Come back soon."
Peter nodded the affirmative and saluted Gabriel before jogging out the door and out of the apartment building. Gabriel backed away from the tree and turned to stare at the carpet in the center of the living room. There wasn't a single drop of blood there, not even a stray hair, but Gabriel knew that the area of carpet that had been under the tarp would forever be burned into his memory. He'd never be able to look at that section of carpet again without feeling saddness and thankfullness. Already he could feel the weight of the hunger lifting from his shoulders.
He's a keeper.
Sylar...don't say it like that. We love him, we really do love him. With all of our selves.
I know Gabriel, just...don't make me say it.
You don't have to, we all know. It's okay.
Gabriel got no response from Sylar but nodded anyways and leaned under the tree to straighten out some of the presents Noah had knocked over. When everything was set out nicely Gabriel made his way to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate. By the time he finished Peter had returned.
Gabriel brought a mug of hot chocolate to Peter, who was shaking snow out of his hair and off of his jacket. Gabriel smiled and kissed the tip of Peter's pinkened nose.
"Ooh, that burns a little."
Gabriel pressed another kiss there because of the remark before handing Peter the mug. The nurse took it happily and blew on it before taking a large sip. He followed after Gabriel and sat down in front of the tree, holding the mug under his nose. The watchmaker picked up his own mug, raised it at Peter, then took a sip.
"Merry Christmas Peter."
"Merry Christmas Brei."
The two of them sat towards eachother at an angle, half towards the tree, half towards eachother. The sipped quietly for a minute then both of them slowly leaned forward for a kiss. But it was interrupted by Noah. He came bounding off the couch to lick heartily at each of their faces. Peter took it in good grace, laughing. Gabriel let out a paniced whine and tried to lean away without spilling his drink or falling over. When Gabriel almost poured his drink down his front Peter reached out and pulled Noah back by his collar.
"No, no, Noah."
Peter reached under the tree for Noah's gift while Gabriel scrubbed at his face with his robe. He opened it up and pulled out a rubbery chew toy and threw it across the room. Noah bounded after it with a happy bark and began gnawing at it. Peter smiled happily at him and then turned back to face Gabriel. He leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss against the corner of Gabriel's mouth.
"Love you."
"I love you too Peter, more than anything."
"I know. Me too Brei."
They pressed their foreheads togther and shut their eyes, breathing softly over eachothers faces. They rubbed their noses together slowly before pulling away, their hair tangling together momentarily. Gabriel smiled brightly at Peter and handed him a gift. It was expertly wrapped in festive red paper with a golden bow. Peter smiled wickedly and raked his nails through the paper, shredding it. Inside there was a beautiful photo album. It was made of a dark leather and embroidered in peeling gold. It looked old, but well loved. Peter ran his hand lovingly across the cover and opened it slowly before fingering the first page.
"It's beautiful."
Gabriel smiled shyly at the compliment and looked down at his mug. He was tracing the rim of it with his fingertip.
"I know you have a shoebox full of newspaper clippings and photos. I thought maybe you'd like somewhere nice to put them."
Peter closed the album and set it aside gently. He crawled forwards on his knees and hugged Gabriel's head to his chest. The watchmaker's nose was tucked tightly against a nipple and Peter's fingers were working through his hair.
"The first page, I promise, is going to be a beautiful picture of us."
Gabriel hummed in appreciation and pulled gently away. Peter let his butt fall back to the floor and he pulled out Gabriel's gift. It was wrapped in shiney gold paper and topped with a velvety red ribbon. Gabriel stoked his thumbs softly over its side and held it upside down. He slid a single finger under the tape he found there and lifted it. Gabriel removed the wrapping paper slowly, making sure not to tear any of it.
Inside was a plain cardboard box and Gabriel set about opening it just as carefully as the paper. There, wrapped in tissue paper was a beautiful sepia globe. There was a catch around it's middle and a hinge on the spinner support and on the back of the globe. He opened it and gasped at what he saw. There was a polished glass surface and underneath a sea of bronze, gold, and copper grears, screws, and cogs. Slightly off-center there was an ivory clock face and three delicate bronze hands revolving around delicate golden roman numerals.
He ran his finger lovingly over the glass and watched the hands slowly tick forward. He held it close to his ear and listened to the tick his ability assigned to it. It was slow, but only just. A gritty cog slowing its neighbors. Gabriel knew he could fix it in a matter of minutes, just long enough to wipe the cog clean.
He looked away from his clock to see Peter worrying his lip between his teeth. He looked nervous.
"I...I know how you are about your clocks and watches. Is it okay? Do you like it?"
Gabriel hugged the globe to his stomach and smiled widely at Peter.
"It's exquisit. A little slow, but an easy fix. I'll enjoy taking it apart."
Gabriel was rubbing his thumbs lovingly across the textured surface of the globe, taking note of the indentions marking lattitude and longtitude; and then of the bumps signifying land mass. Peter looked under the tree and pulled out another gift.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Hours later, after masses of gifts, numerous calls and visits, and a reheated Christmas dinner, Peter and Gabriel eased back onto the couch, snuggling. Peter tucked his head into Gabriel's chest and let out a relaxing sigh.
"Busy day, huh Brei?"
"Very busy indeed."
Gabriel removed his glasses, setting them aside and then rubbing the bridge of his nose. Peter brought an arm up across Gabriel's chest and rested a hand against Gabriel's shoulder. His thumb stroked softly at the front of Gabriel's neck. He slid his eyes shut and rubbed his nose back and forth across the watchmaker's shirt.
Gabriel reached out telekeneticly and clicked off the radio, that had been playing Christmas music all day. They sat in silence for the first time since they had woken up. He stared lovingly at the tree. He smiled at the mess of tinsel and lights, proud that he hadn't given in to the urge to fix it. He watched it and the light snowfall beyond the window until he felt his eyes begin to droope. He looked down at Peter who was already asleep.
He let his head drop back against the couch and shifted his upper body. Peter's head slid into the crook of his arm and the nurse mumbled softly. He hooked his other arm around the backs of Peter's knees and lifted off the couch. He carried Peter bridal style into the bedroom and placed him gently on the bed.
Gabriel brushed a stray lock of hair behind Peter's ear and pressed a kiss to the center of his forehead. Peter's eyes scrunched softly before relaxing back into a scerene looseness.
"G'night Brei..."
"Good night Peter."
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Merry Christmas readers! I hope you all the best Christmas wishes and hope you got all the gifts you wanted.
The reference for Peter's book...just imagine it bigger:
Happy Christmas everyone! I hope you enjoy the fic and your holiday.
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs45/f/2009/096/9/1/Mini_Victorian_Photo_Album_by_asunder.jpg
