Tension [RP for changehistory]

[youngerpetrelli]

It's one of those nights. He'd expect to look up past the lights of the city and see a full moon blazing in the sky, but it's still a bit lopsided, working its way to full but not quite there yet. And yet, the lunatics are out in force.

By the time he gets off shift and goes back home his nerves are jangled, every sense hyper-aware. The place is empty -- he can tell that Adam isn't there just by the way it feels -- and that only serves to intensify his discomfort. With a sigh he strips off his uniform and tosses it into the hamper, then heads for a long, hot shower.

As he's soaping his hair he reaches out with his abilities, relieved to find that Adam is heading back to the apartment. And when he reaches out further, just looking for each of his friends and family to know if they're safe, he realizes that Sylar is heading away from generally the same place that he picked up Adam's movements from. As he rinses himself clean, he wonders if they were out together tonight, and blinks in surprise at the slight flare of jealousy he feels at that.

Finally clean and dry, he settles on the couch waiting for Adam to come in, and the tension comes rushing back. After a short while, it's all he can do to keep from jumping to his feet and pacing back and forth, and when Adam's key turns the lock he does jump to his feet to greet his lover.

Instead of the welcome he planned, though, the first words out of his mouth are, "Where have you been?"

Comments

[changehistory.livejournal.com]

"Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good," Adam says, but it's a battle he doesn't have the energy to fight tonight, and Peter probably won't listen anyway, he thinks. None of them ever do, even though nothing works their way, either.

His fingers curl around Peter's, and he frowns. The offer is bittersweet, everything he wants, and not quite at the same time, and he clings to his hand tightly as he watches him. "I can't tell you, Peter. I can't make you stop and risk you hating me for that later, or him hating me. I don't want to impose rules. I just...No, I'm not happy with things the way they are. I've told you that, now. What you do with that information is up to you."

[youngerpetrelli]

He nods, and he's more than aware of that, but sacrifices should be made by people willing to make them. Otherwise, as far as he's concerned, they're just murders... But this isn't the current argument, and maybe when they get through this, they can really discuss it. Later.

"That's okay, you gave me the answer," he says softly, standing up and moving to sit next to Adam on the sofa. "Just know that I'm not going to hate you, okay? I love you," he says softly, leaning his forehead against Adam's cheek. "And I'm sorry."

[changehistory.livejournal.com]

Adam closes his eyes at Peter's move, a feeling of fear flickering through the relief. Change never comes easily in his experience, and even if its one he craves, one he needs in a way that almost makes him ashamed, he fears the consequences. He feels too raw, not used to admitting to what feels like weakness, but he leans into Peter in response, slowly dragging fingers up his arm and over his shoulder until he can curl them in his hair, stroking lightly.

"I should apologize. I'm not usually...I never wanted you to see me like this..." He turns his head to kiss him, softly. "I just wanted to make everyone happy..." Which is something far too strange a thought, honestly.

[youngerpetrelli]

Softly, "Never wanted me to see you like what, human?" He gives Adam a small smile, then kisses him again. "No one is strong all the time, no matter who they are." He holds Adam close, his empathy still picking up some of his lover's emotions even though he tries so hard not to pry. "You've been strong for me when I'm not -- I can be strong for you if you'll let me. It's not a bad thing..."

[changehistory.livejournal.com]

Adam makes a little face, though he doesn't confirm Peter's guess about being human or not. He tries so hard to be more than human, after all, but he lets Peter hold him instead of pulling away like he did earlier. "I don't know how..." Which isn't quite true. More like he doesn't remember. He hasn't been able to let down his guard in decades, and doing it even this much has left him a little shaky.

[youngerpetrelli]

One hand strokes slowly up and down Adam's back, soothing -- at least he hopes it is -- and holding him close. "It's okay -- you've had to be so strong for so long. I get it -- I really do. You couldn't show them any sign of weakness or they would have been all over you. But it's okay now, Adam. You're not their prisoner any more. You're free, and you're among friends, and I want to help you any way I can..." He tries so hard to communicate his emotions and his concerns, but words are so clunky sometimes. But no matter what, he won't intentionally breach that mental barrier unless he's invited.

[changehistory.livejournal.com]

Adam shakes his head a little, uncertain how to even start to say much more. He is exhausted from the running through as much as he has. The rest of it seems almost too much to even contemplate. He leans into him a bit more. "I can't just learn a new skill overnight, Peter. I can't just...not be me..." It sort of comes back to that in some ways, because this feels so wrong, all of it, so disconcerting and uncomfortable for him. Part of him knows it's for the best, that it's right, but it feels like a too tight coat, and he doesn't know how to shift fully, yet.

[youngerpetrelli]

Softly, "This is the part where I remind you I'm going to stick around, because there's no rush at all. I'm going to be here for you, whenever you're ready." He closes the distance and kisses Adam again. "I love you."

[changehistory.livejournal.com]

Adam returns the kiss a little desperately, clinging to him even as he tries not to. It's ridiculous to need any one person so, but he can't seem to help it any more, no matter how upsetting that might seem. "I love you, too," he murmurs, sliding his fingers up and through his hair lightly. "Just be patient with me..." It seems like far too much to ask, all things considered, but he doesn't know how else to even contemplate getting through all of this turmoil in his head. It's been centuries since he felt do unsure of himself.