Word Count : 2381
Rating : P-13 for boy kissing
Notes : For
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
Once upon a time there lived an unhappy young man named Gabriel Gray. His mother and father were dead and he was taken into the home of a rich widow and her two sons, who believed themselves to be very special. At first Gabriel was cared for, given work and fine clothes like his brothers, but soon enough the widow turned cold towards him, and made him wear the clothes of a prisoner. She made him sleep in a cold, stone cell while his brothers had soft beds. Gabriel was given harder work, and made to do things he didn’t want to do, and all the while his brothers would tell him that he was evil and bad. Over time, Gabriel’s own self was stripped away by the widow and her sons, until not even he could remember who he was. When nothing of Gabriel remained, he named himself…
“Sylar!” Nathan slammed his hand on the re-enforced glass of the cell. When he saw the occupant stir he went to the keypad and punched in the four numbers which gave him so much power over his adversary.
Sylar sat up on the concrete bed wondering what his new assignment was going to be. The indignity of being handed civilian clothes and made to dress up to do his duty was difficult enough without it being the pompous Nathan who delivered the news.
“There’s going to be a party, at Primatech.” Nathan said as he dumped a plastic bag next to Sylar.
“A party? And I’m invited?” Sylar hated himself for feeling excited but he ached for any activity which might temporarily relieve his status as a prisoner, as a servant.
Nathan smirked. “It’s going to be great. No expense has been spared, and everyone is going to be there.”
“Everyone?” Sylar asked. He flushed slightly as he realised that he’d betrayed his cool again. Nathan knew exactly who wanted to see at the party.
“Yes Sylar, even Dr Suresh will be there. Exciting huh? Make sure you’re not late, you’re integral to the success of the evening.” Nathan swept out of the cell, slamming the door behind him.
Sylar waited until Nathan was out of sight before he looked into the bag, which was just a mess of black fabric. He pulled out black trousers, a little plain, not exactly a tuxedo, but they would do. When all of the clothes were laid out on the table his heart sank. The outfit looked like his regular work get up, except for one detail. There, embroidered on the breast pocket of the white shirt, was the word ‘security’.
……
On the day of the party, Sylar stood staring at the uniform, wondering if he could somehow disguise it. If he could just get a jacket, it would cover the breast pocket of the shirt and people wouldn’t know. He could mingle with the guests and no-one would know that he hadn’t been invited. Maybe he would even see Mohinder. He imagined the doctor’s face when he saw him, irritated and even afraid on the surface, but with a fire in his eyes which betrayed his need to be challenged, matched.
A smile played around his lips as he saw Agent Lewis arriving with his lunch. The man used to use the hatch to deliver his meals but lately they had been working together in the field, and misplaced trust had seen him actually enter the cell to deliver the tray and engage in a little small talk. As the silver tray came down on Lewis’s head, Sylar grinned. His Armani suit jacket was perfect, and no-one would find Lewis until the midnight security detail. He put on the security uniform and folded the jacket into the plastic bag for later. This was going to be a great party.
…..
Nathan stalked through the crowds at the party, anxious to see that Sylar was behaving himself. He stepped through to the entrance hall and was surprised to see him standing diligently, smiling and nodding at the invited guests, the very picture of professionalism. “Has Dr Suresh arrived yet?” he asked.
Sylar made a show of checking the guestlist, tracing his finger down each page he flicked through. “No, not yet. Do you want me to let you know when he does?”
“No, that’s fine.” Nathan went back to the hall, slightly disappointed. He was sure that Sylar was up to something…
Sylar had been watching the arriving guests like a hawk. His opposite number was checking names on the right hand side of the door while he stood on the left. When the names were announced by the master of ceremonies, a pretentious touch by Nathan, the two men ticked them off their lists. Sylar scanned the approaching group of guests and his heart skipped as he saw Mohinder’s black curls at the back of the pack. He waited until he was closer before crouching, pretending to tie his shoelace. Mohinder gave his name to the other guard, and disappeared through the door.
Sylar looked at his watch. Ten PM, just like Mohinder to show up as late as possible. He wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, he knew he would soon drift onto the edges of the room, trying to blend into the background until he could politely bow out. “I’m taking a break, it’s getting quiet now anyway.” Sylar announced, not even waiting for the other guard to agree. He stepped out into a hallway which ran parallel to the party room, and headed for the kitchens where he had stashed the plastic bag with his jacket. He buttoned it to ensure that the security logo was disguised and checked his reflection in a stainless steel work surface. Around him the kitchen staff bustled and a waiter bumped into him whilst carrying a tray of hors d’oeuvres. “Oh sorry Sir, the party room is this way, follow me.” Sylar smiled as he followed, relieved that he looked like a real guest.
He thanked the waiter and followed him into the decadence of the main hall. The chandeliers had been cleaned and everything was dressed in rich reds and golds, but Sylar only had eyes for the doctor. Glancing to the left side of the room he saw him. He had been so afraid to let Mohinder see him at the door that he hadn’t fully taken in his appearance. Sylar cocked his head to one side, allowing his eyes to travel the length of Mohinder’s body. He was wearing a dark grey suit which Sylar hadn’t seen before. It looked new, and he wore it with an uncharacteristically daring bright green shirt which cast his caramel coloured skin into beautiful contrast. His eyes shone but couldn’t replicate the fake smile which was on his lips as a woman in a tight blue dress leaned into him unnecessarily, brushing his arm with a manicured hand and tossing her hair coquettishly. Mohinder looked uncomfortable, and when he took a very deliberate step back Sylar went in to rescue him.
“Dr Suresh, I’m sorry to have been so long, I have that phone call for you, if you’d like to come with me.” Sylar took his arm and was pleased when Mohinder followed, calling back a relieved apology to the woman in blue. They moved wordlessly out into the hall where Mohinder took his arm back and looked at Sylar with that familiar hardness.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh you’re welcome Mohinder. Would you prefer I left you to the mercy of that awful woman?”
Mohinder’s face softened. “No, thank you. I do hate these things, if I could have gotten away with attending…But I had some business to discuss with Angela and she insisted we did it tonight.”
“Well I have a very expensive bottle of Nathan’s whiskey and a key to the library, if you’re interested.”
Mohinder thought for a moment. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t, he considered, and gestured for Sylar to lead on. They walked in silence to the library, and Mohinder gave an audible sigh when they were finally out of sight of the festivities. “So how come you were invited? I heard the Petrellis were locking you away every night.” Mohinder asked as he settled into a large, red leather armchair.
Sylar poured two glasses of whiskey and handed one to Mohinder, ensuring that their fingers touched as he did so. “You’ve been mis-informed, Nathan said I was integral to the success of the evening.”
“Shouldn’t you be out there mingling in that case?”
“I’d rather be in here out of the way, entertaining isn’t exactly my thing.”
Mohinder lifted his glass in agreement. “I’ll drink to that.”
Sylar looked at his watch, 10.30pm. He had plenty of time.
….
Nathan flipped open his phone. Thirty minutes ago he had gone to check on Sylar and been told that he was ‘on a break’. Now Suresh was gone. “Johnson, this is Nathan Petrelli, I want you to find Sylar, he’s gone missing. And do it discreetly.” He asked around but the description of ‘tall, dark haired man’ wasn’t really helping. He assumed that Sylar had ditched the uniform. When he found him, he was going to make him pay for this.
…..
Mohinder was actually smiling. Maybe he was drunk, but he really was smiling. The time had flown by as Sylar recounted some slightly embellished tales from the field, specifically the time that Agent Howard had had his clothes burnt off by a Special who could disintegrate synthetic matter, revealing his distinctly female underwear to everyone in the process. Mohinder’s face creased up beautifully when he laughed and Sylar wished he could recall that sound on demand. He picked up Mohinder’s glass and filled it again without asking. “Are you trying to get me drunk?” he smiled as he accepted the glass.
“It’s just easier to hide an empty bottle.” Sylar said innocently, draining the last of it into his glass.
“Hmm, I’m sure.” Mohinder downed the whiskey and went to the table to set it down. He turned back towards Sylar and gave a confused look. Sylar followed Mohinder’s gaze down to his chest. His jacket was gaping and from the angle Mohinder was standing he could plainly see the embroidered security logo. Sylar gathered the jacket around him and let his head drop, ashamed. As he looked for Mohinder’s reaction his eye caught the mantle clock behind him, which showed 11.55pm.
He stood abruptly. “I have to go, I’m sorry, it was…nice to see you.”
“Wait!” Mohinder stood in his way, and placed a hand inside his jacket, his fingers lightly brushing the shirt over the breast pocket. “Surely you don’t have to rush off, you’re not going to turn into a pumpkin are you?”
Sylar managed a small smile and covered Mohinder’s hand with his own. “I have to get back to my cell.” He said quietly, too embarrassed to look at him. Mohinder put his other hand to Sylar’s hip and pulled him closer. For a minute they stood, their heads too close to focus on one another. Mohinder stared at Sylar’s full pink lips, and Sylar admired the doctor’s sculptured cheek bone. Finally, Mohinder edged forward, catching him in a kiss which was returned as he felt Sylar embrace him.
……
Nathan grimaced as he snapped his phone shut. Sylar was nowhere to be found, neither was Suresh. He walked towards the kitchens but stopped in his tracks when he heard voices from inside the library. He put his ear to the door but couldn’t hear much through its thickness. As the voices quietened he crouched to the keyhole and squinted. He could see two men, stood very close together, from the hips down. One man drifted his hand down to the other’s waist. Nathan knew of only two Indian guests at the party and he doubted that that was the 75 year old Professor Pather that was caressing another man’s thigh in his library. Nathan tried the handle slowly, not wanting to alert either man to his presence. When it turned uselessly he reached into his pocket for the skeleton key. As he pushed the door open he was met with the sight of Sylar and Mohinder kissing fervently, their hands wandering over each other’s bodies slowly, completely oblivious to his presence.
“Ahem!”
Sylar and Mohinder turned to the door and Sylar’s hand twitched, desperate to freeze Nathan where he stood for interrupted his perfect moment.
“Dr Suresh I’m sorry you’re being harassed by one of my staff. Rest assured he’ll be disciplined for this.”
“Not at all, it was me who was distracting him from his duties, I’m so sorry. He was helping me… to look for my cellphone.” Mohinder squeezed Sylar’s hip, not taking his eyes off Nathan.
“Looks like it might be in your pocket Dr Suresh, or are you just pleased to see him?” Nathan strode out of the room, leaving the door open and expecting to be followed.
Sylar smiled sadly at Mohinder, extricating himself and taking the emptied bottle of whiskey over to the trashcan. “I’d better go with him.”
“No.”
Sylar turned, surprised to see Angela in the doorway. “Dr Suresh as per our arrangement you may take Gabriel with you tonight, that way your new project can begin first thing in the morning.”
“What project?” Sylar asked.
“I’ll let Dr Suresh explain, but you are to assist him with anything he needs Gabriel, is that understood?”
Sylar nodded, and watched Angela go. He snapped the door shut with a flick of his hand and turned to Mohinder. “What project? Am I going to be tested on again?”
Mohinder went to him, taking him by the hand and drawing him back into an embrace. “It won’t hurt, I promise you. I think the way your healing ability lives in your genetic code could be manipulated. It could be used to fill in gaps in DNA which lead to degenerative illnesses. Your specialness could save lives. You’d be a hero.”
“You think I could ever be called a hero?” Sylar rolled the word off his tongue, trying to take it all in.
“Yes,” answered Mohinder, kissing him softly on the cheek. “If the shoe fits.”
From:
no subject
Nathan is such a jerk :-)
Love all the trouble Sylar goes through to not only see Mohinder but on his own terms...and I love the image of Mohinder stopping him from leaving the room by stepping in front of him and placing one hand to his chest which Sylar covers with his own.
Perfect ending for them!
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Nathan makes a great ugly stepsister. xD
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
From:
no subject