Learning to Fly (Nathan/Peter)
Peter: Peter's lounging on the couch in his brother's room, completely relaxed and those brown eyes closed. He could be waiting for his big brother or he could be waiting for something else. After all, what Nathan had done to him... oh, it was time that he paid big brother back for that.
Nathan: Nathan had been on his own for a little while again, still hoping against hope he could find a way to get them both the hell out of here. Sure, it had been like a nice vacation at first, but by now it was getting a little bit tedious. He didn't like not being in control of his life, and being dropped here put him MAJORLY out of his control zone. He was a little surprised to see Peter stretched out on his couch, and one dark eyebrow rose as he entered the room, removing his tie as he went. "Pete."
Peter: "Nathan." Those brown eyes don't open up though and Peter doesn't so much as move from his spot on the couch. He's rather comfortable.
Nathan: "Is there a REASON you're sprawled on my couch, or are you just there for kicks?"
Peter: "Oh, there could be a reason." The younger Petrelli states with a mischievous smirk.
Nathan: That dark eyebrow rose further then, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh, really?"
Peter: "Yes, really." When those brown eyes do open they look right back at Nathan. "You know... I heard somewhere that paybacks are an utter bitch."
Nathan: Oh, he didn't like the sound of that. His brow furrowed noticeably, and he frowned, watching his brother carefully. "So they say."
Peter: "Which means... there are going to be a few changes to take place where our... playtime is concerned."
Nathan: "What are you talking about?"
Peter: "I'm talking about paybacks, Nathan. Haven't you realized that yet?"
Nathan: "Quit with the riddles, Pete. If you've got something to say, say it plainly, for godssake."
Peter: "Seeing as you've given me incentive on this whole controlling my telepathy... the same thing goes for you. But you have to fly, Nathan. You have to use your powers or, well, my warm touch won't be part of the playtime."
Nathan: ". . . . . You're bluffing."
Peter: "No, Nathan, I'm afraid not."
Nathan: "You'd do that?"
Peter: "You did it to me."
Nathan: "Ah, but YOU were the one having trouble with control. I'm not."
Peter: "You won't even acknowledge your power. That's worse than not having control."
Nathan: "Peter . . ." His voice took on a warning tone, brow furrowing again.
Peter: "It's how its going to be, Nathan."
Nathan: "So . . . what? I refuse to fly, so we're done?"
Peter: "Just means you'll have to use your hand until you start flying."
Nathan: "I don't fly, Pete."
Peter: "Then I guess your hand will have to do where my hands normally would be."
Nathan: He couldn't believe this. Peter was playing him, and he was doing it WELL. Nathan didn't know when his baby brother had learned to play this game, but he wasn't amused.
Peter: Yes, well, they always say that a person learns from the best. He'd been dealing with Nathan for a long time now. His brother was the best. The older Petrelli just needed to realize that.
Nathan: "Pete . . . This isn't funny."
Peter: "I'm being serious, Nathan."
Nathan: "What'll it take for you to drop it?"
Peter: "You to drop yours."
Nathan: "Not happening," he almost snapped. "You need that incentive."
Peter: "Then I'm not pulling back on mine." He states calmly.
Nathan: "You little-" He sighed, running a hand over his face. "So, what? I have to start flying, now?"
Peter: "Yes, Nathan, you do."
Nathan: "This second?"
Peter: "This second."
Nathan: Nathan rolled his eyes at his little brother, frowning darkly. "So, what? You want me to take off out the window or something?"
Peter: "Or we can go up onto the roof. One of the two."
Nathan: "I was joking, Pete. I'm NOT going out the window!"
Peter: "Then don't suggest it next time."
Nathan: Nathan's hands clenched at his sides, and he had to try and calm himself down before he tried to pin Peter here and now. He knew he could do it; he wasn't stupid enough to think for a second Peter could fight him off if he really tried. But he wouldn't go that far, just yet. If Pete kept pushing, maybe . . . but not yet.
Peter: He moves to sit up. "I'll leave you to your thoughts now, Nathan." Because he'd meant what he'd said. His big brother was going to get used to his ability. One damn way or another.
Nathan: Alright, then. It would seem Peter had made his decision for him. There was no way in hell Nathan was going to let him leave the room like this. Biting back the curse that threatened, the older man immediately moved into action, trying to push Peter back down onto the couch.
Peter: He'd barely even mored to get up off that couch when he found himself pushed back down onto it. Okay then... that was the last thing that he'd expected. But he was still going to stick by what he said.
Nathan: He pushed his brother down fully, brown eyes meeting brown as he frowned, a hand splayed across the younger man's chest, even as he knelt over Peter. "Let's get one thing straight, here, Pete. I don't fly. I will not fly. I. Will. Never. Fly."
Peter: "Then I guess I won't be touching you then, Nathan." He states brown eyes looking up into brown. His big brother was a bit intimidating at the moment but that was quite alright. He wasn't backing down. To hell with that.
Nathan: "Then I'll get used to it," he snapped back, wondering if his brother would believe him.
Peter: "No, you won't." He didn't believe that.
Nathan: Was that a challenge? Peter should have known better than to challenge Nathan Petrelli, particularly when it came to self-control. The older man released him suddenly, pulling back and straightening his own clothes with an odd amount of calm.
Peter: "Are we through here?" Peter asks. Yes, well, Nathan may of had an odd calm to him but then so did the younger Petrelli. Peter didn't do calm. Not last we checked anyways. But he's been learning a lot of stuff from his big brother.
Nathan: "I guess we are," Nathan snapped, watching the younger man.
Peter: "Snapping isn't good on you." He states getting up from the couch and straightening his clothes before heading towards the door. "Hope it doesn't get too lonely at night, Nathan."
Nathan: "The same goes for you, Peter," he answered, avoiding using the familiar nickname, making a point of it.
Peter: Ouch... "Oh, I'm sure I'll be just fine." Even though they were both probably lying to themselves stating something like that. But he doesn't think too much on it and heads out the door and off towards his own room.
Nathan: Nathan watched him go, waiting until he was well and truly gone before he dropped back into a chair with a sigh. That? That hadn't gone so well.
Peter: Yes, well, Peter doesn't think it did either. Which is why the younger Petrelli just sprawled out on his own bed. This... this was seriously going to be the hardest thing in his life to do.
Nathan: He wasn't giving in. This wasn't giving in . . . Nathan wasn't going to give in, if only so that he didn't have to see the smug look on his brother's face, announcing that he'd lost. The (currently hiatused) politician frowned darkly, staring out over what passed as landscape from his position on the roof. He was honestly surprised he'd lasted this long, but he refused to give in now.
Peter: Peter had gotten... well, bouncy... hyper... no, those weren't the right words. He was cracking but at the same time not letting himself crack. So he merely goes up to the roof and raises a slight brow noting where his brother was sitting at. Okay then...
Nathan: Nathan was seated on the very edge of the roof, his suit jacket folded neatly on the ground behind him, his feet almost dangling off the edge. It was a strange, undignified position for him, but it felt better . . . He felt less likely to break and take off, like this. He didn't hear the door open, not realizing Peter was behind him.
Peter: Brown eyes watched Nathan but he didn't say a word. Not once. After all... why should he?
Nathan: It took him a long moment or two to feel those eyes on him, and he finally turned. Nathan just barely kept his surprise in check, brow furrowing as he quickly moved to get back up. "Peter."
Peter: "Nathan." The younger Petrelli states calmly. "Nice day?"
Nathan: "Is it EVER a nice day here?"
Peter: "Yes."
Nathan: Nathan couldn't quite help but scowl at his brother's answer, dark brow quirking lightly. "Since when?"
Peter: "Since I fell from the sky and hit a ton of jagged rocks and had blood everywhere." He states seriously.
Nathan: "Funny, really, Pete."
Peter: "It's not meant to be." He states, seriousness in those brown eyes. Because that's how he'd shown up at this place.
Nathan: The scowl deepened on his face, but it was tinged with concern now.
Peter: "It's how I ended up in this place, Nathan."
Nathan: ". . . But you're okay."
Peter: "Only because I had tapped into Claire's healing ability that I have."
Nathan: Okay, he couldn't just stand there then. Nathan frowned again, moving forward to rest a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Fuck, Pete . . ."
Peter: "It's okay. I'm fine now." Or as fine as someone can be after something like that.
Nathan: His hand remained on the younger man's shoulder, watching him carefully.
Peter: "What?" It's soft and not at all harsh.
Nathan: It took him several long seconds to finally withdraw, and he looked away. "Nothing."
Peter: He shakes his head a bit at that before walking over to the edge and just standing there, brown eyes looking at how far it was down below them.
Nathan: "Pete . . . what are you doing?" There was an edge to his voice at the moment, a slight warning or nervousness.
Peter: "Nothing."
Nathan: Nathan moved up behind him after a long moment, and before he could stop himself an arm wrapped around his brother's waist.
Peter: Peter doesn't stop him. But at the same time doesn't stop looking down either.
Nathan: The older man pulled Peter back against him, trying to fight off the cracks he could already feel breaking into his armor. He was cracking, and he hated that.
Peter: Peter blinks slightly when he's pulled back. Um, okay then. There had to be a reason why Nathan was doing this. There had to be.
Nathan: "Come with me."
Peter: "To where?"
Nathan: "Up."
Peter: Up? What the hell? There was no... "Okay."
Nathan: His arms tightened around Peter, and before he could say another word Nathan shot up into the air with his brother in his arms, muttering against the younger man's ear. "You wanted me to fly? Well, I'm flying. Happy?"
Peter: The younger Petrelli grins and leans his head on Nathan's shoulder. "Yes, I am." But it wasn't just going to be this time and Nathan had to realize this.