Fiction: Alpha Dog part 10
Oct. 25th, 2009 05:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kethniName: Alpha 10
Pairing: Matt/Adam, Matt/Mohinder (mentioned), Matt/’Nathan’ (implied)
Rating: 18
Warnings: Language, violence
Note: Thanks to everyone for reading and for help and suggestions. Huge thanks as always to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
boudecia7 for help and support.
Chapter 9
The rain hammers at the windows of the diner leaving droplets of water beading across the glass. The overhead fluorescent lights flicker and the buzz. The amber of the streetlights diffuses through the windows, creeping across tables and casting shadows oddly.
“Shush,” Matt says softly, rocking the snuffling baby. “Please go to sleep. Please?”
A slight squeak makes him look up as Adam comes through the door. He shakes off his umbrella and raincoat before crossing over to Matt.
“Who’s your friend?” he asks, sitting down.
“He doesn’t have a name yet.” Matt pats the baby idly as he looks at the other man. “I’m sorry.”
Adam shrugs and reaches over to play with the baby’s hand. “For calling me out to a deserted diner at three am in the pouring rain? What else would I be doing?” He meets Matt’s eyes and smiles slightly. “Chin up pet, you look like you’re about to start crying.”
“I’m sorry,” Matt says again. “I’m in a mess here and I... I didn’t... I wasn’t fair to you.”
Adam moves around and sits next to Matt. “Tell me what I can do?”
“I don’t know, I can’t think.”
Adam gently takes the baby and looks down at him. “Hello sweetheart, who’s your mummy hmm?”
“Candice,” Matt says quietly. “I’m sorry. I promised to let her go if she’d have a baby.”
Adam stares at him and then looks down at the baby in his arms. “I didn’t know you wanted more children,” he says quietly. “You never said.”
“We had Molly, and then we didn’t and... well.”
“He’s beautiful.”
Matt smiles at him. “You’d say that if he was pig ugly.”
Adam rolls his eyes. “Fortunately that’s unlikely to be an issue.” Adam nuzzles the baby softly and smiles as he yawns.
“Why did you come when I called?”
“You knew I would.” Adam looks up at Matt. “I always have. Always will.”
“I don’t know why,” Matt says quietly. “I’ve treated you like shit.”
“Language! There’s a baby present.”
Matt laughs and rubs his eyes. “I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you.”
“We’ve never had one before,” Adam says, letting Matt take the baby.
“That’s not true. I could always talk to you.” Matt gently rests his son against his shoulder. “It’s hard to find someone like that.” He smiles and shrugs. “For me, anyway.”
“That hasn’t changed. I’m here, I’ll always be here.”
“My beautiful monster,” Matt teases Adam, then kisses him gently, carefully holding the baby between them.
An exhausted trucker, grimy and grim, stumbles past clutching a coffee. He trips over one of dirty, trailing laces and pitches forward. The coffee hits Adam full in the chest and he jumps up as Matt squirms out of the way.
“Oh charming,” Adam complains. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Sure. You okay there buddy?” Matt asks as the trucker clambers to his feet.
The swaying man nods and looks blankly at the empty cup in his hand.
“You should have a nap in your cab,” Matt suggests.
“Gotta schedule,” he slurs. “Can’t wait.”
Matt sighs and shakes his head. Go back to your cab and take a nap. Don’t ever drive when you’re so tired.
Matt looks down at his son. “Now don’t tell anyone that daddy did that, will you?” He smiles as the baby wraps his fingers around his thumb. “The things I don’t want you to know I’ve done.”
“We’re all like that, sweetheart,” Adam says, running his fingers through Matt’s hair.
“I didn’t hear you come back,” Matt says reddening. “How’s your chest?”
“Sore, that bloody coffee was scalding hot. Irresponsible I call it.”
“Let me see.”
Adam grumbles to himself and unbuttons his shirt again. “I’ll heal.”
Matt adjusts his grasp on the baby and uses his free hand to open Adam’s shirt. “It’s still red. Is it my imagination or is taking longer for you to heal?”
“It’s not your imagination,” Adam agrees and buttons his shirt. “Now it takes longer to heal a cut then it used to take for me to grow back a limb.” He smiles wryly. “Just getting older I suppose.”
“Have you been checked out by anyone?”
“Perhaps Mohinder could give me a physical,” Adam says wryly. “I’m sure the full weight of the government would swing into operation to help me.”
“I don’t think you’re his type,” Matt says dryly.
“Come on. This little one needs a name.” Adam says, playing with the baby’s hand. “You must’ve had one in mind.”
“You pick.”
“It’s not my place to...” Adam trails off and looks at Matt, then smiles. “You always liked old fashioned names.”
“Like Adam?” Matt asks lightly. “Yeah.”
The baby’s randomly waving hand seizes Adam by the nose. “Ow. Grabby little soul isn’t he? Takes after his dad.”
“Smart ass.”
“What about naming him after your cousin, the one who died in the New York bomb?” Adam suggests. “David? You were close to him.”
“Are you a David?” Matt asks, jiggling the baby.
The baby gurgles happily and kicks his legs.
“That’s definitely an affirmative,” Adam says firmly. “David it is.”
“If something happens...”
Adam’s head snaps up. “Don’t.”
Matt shrugs. “I have to make sure he’s cared for.”
“Then make sure ‘something’ doesn’t happen. You have a son, a responsibility. You do remember that means you no longer have the right to risk your life, yes?”
“Don’t lecture me, okay?”
“I rather think I have the right, don’t you?” Adam says sharply. “Particularly if you’re asking me to take care of this little one if you get yourself killed.”
Matt rolls his eyes. “Don’t be melodramatic.”
“Is this Bennet? He’s got you in some ridiculous plot I suppose.”
“I suppose,” Matt agrees. “I’ll be alright,” he promises, nudging Adam. “Honestly.”
“What is it?” Adam asks. “I hope you’re not risking your life for something trivial.”
Matt chews his lip. “It.”
“It?” Adam asks blankly. “You mean...”
“Yeah,” Matt says, pursing his lips. “I’m doing it for him, for David. I don’t want him growing him with... with the things that happen now. The things I’ve done. You understand that, right?”
“Far too well,” Adam admits. “Let me do it.”
Matt snorts and shakes his head. “It has to be me. I can get close. They’d see you coming from a mile away.”
“Not if you had Candice come with me. They’d never see me. It’s a much better idea. It’s much safer, please.”
“No,” Matt says gently. “Candice’s ability only works on people, not cameras, and people she can see at that. Besides, she’s going to be out the front dealing with the tourists. We’re lucky she’s still got enough respect for Bennet to do it for him. God knows I’m in no position to ask her for help.”
Adam chews his lower lip. “I’ll speak to Bennet.”
“Come on,” Matt says, patting his hand. “You know that he’ll make sure all the bases are covered.”
08:57 T minus 4 hours and 3 minutes.
Charlie grins broadly and flicks her hair over her shoulder. “Good morning Mr Parkman!” she says cheerfully, standing up and walking over to him. “I’m so relieved to see you.” She throws her arms around Matt and squeezes him. “I was worried.”
“I’m fine,” Matt promises kissing her forehead. “You okay?”
“Well, some of the paperwork is piling up,” she says wryly. “But apart from that everything is fine and dandy.”
“The President confirm my meeting with him?”
Charlie blinks at him. “Yes, Mr Parkman, at twelve-thirty pm as you asked for.”
“Just checking.”
“Okay, so why don’t you go into your office and take the weight off, and I’ll bring you a coffee?”
“I don’t deserve you.”
Charlie gives him an odd look and turns on the coffee machine as he walks away.
09:13 T minus 3 hours and 47 minutes
Nathan rubs his fingers through his freshly cut hair and tries to copy the style in the photograph. Eden brushes hair off his shoulders and adjusts his shirt.
“I don’t think my hair goes this way.”
“It’ll have to,” Eden says shortly. “We can’t afford any screw-ups. Any doubts or worries you have, put them out of your mind. The primary team need to believe that you’re...”
“Me?” Nathan asks, finally slicking his hair back. He gives her a wide smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Ms McCain I’m Nathan Petrelli. Doubts and worries are for the weak and I’m not weak.” He puts his hands on his hips. “Difficulties are simply opportunities to adapt and grow.”
“Do you believe any of the bullshit that comes out of your mouth?” Eden asks.
“I find it works best not to think too much about it.” Nathan says, straightening his sleeves.
Eden folds her arms. “You’re not fooling me. I heard what Parkman did to you.”
Nathan shrugs casually. “Being shallow has its benefits. No lasting damage.”
“Really,” Eden says disbelieving. “And now you’re helping him, helping us.”
“Parkman was damaged.” Nathan shrugs easily. “He did what Sylar wanted him to do. What he did was nothing to what Sylar did.” He smiles again, the same superficial smile. “Believe me.”
The door opens and Bennet wanders in. “How’re we doing?”
“He’s a little unsteady still,” Eden says critically. “Rather thin in the face too.”
“Well there’s not much we can do about that. Besides people won’t be looking that closely,” Bennet says smoothly. “They’ll be expecting to see the President of the United States, and that’s what they’ll see.” He smiles slightly. “It’ll be true too.”
“Ms McCain I was the President of the United States,” Nathan says smoothly. “He’s imitating me, I only have to be myself,” he smiles at her again, and it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“That’ll be a new experience for you,” Bennet says archly.
10:26 T minus 2 hours and 34 minutes.
Matt finds his attention drifting, to his briefcase, to his gun in his shoulder holster, to the paper knife on his desk. The clock on the wall ticks far louder than he thought it could, each tick the swinging of a scythe.
Nathan pores over photographs and files of Whitehouse personnel.
The CCTV cameras in the Whitehouse security bunker flicker for a moment and then resume.
Adam scoops up the crying baby and cradles him against his shoulder. “Shush, there, there, petal. No need to cry. Let’s go for a walk shall we? You and I can get properly acquainted while we wait for daddy too... yes, let’s do that.”
11:49 T minus 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Matt plays with his watch. It’s a brown and bronze one, old-fashioned one with Roman numerals on the face and a sonorous tick. He takes off his watch and turns it over, stroking his finger over the engraved message there. ‘Happy Two Week Anniversary’. A memento of a simpler, happier time. Before everything went wrong. Before Molly... before everything. Matt sighs and hands another sheaf of paper over to Charlie.
“Gosh,” she says doubtfully. “More prisoner releases?”
Matt stares at her, and she flushes. “Don’t question me, Charlie.”
“No, Mr Parkman.”
Candice squints at the bright sunshine, and shades her eyes with her hand.
“Are you ready?” Bennet asks.
She grins and stretches. “I’m always ready.”
Nathan hesitates to climb into the back of the delivery van, his heart hammering in his chest.
“You don’t have time for second thoughts,” Bennet warns.
“I don’t have second thoughts,” Nathan says smoothly. “That would indicate reflection and a good politician always moves forward.” He smiles slightly. “It’s just that the last time I was in a van it was with five of Sylar’s private security aides.” He raises his eyebrows. “They make Parkman look like a blushing wallflower.”
12:05 T minus 55 minutes
Charlie waits by the restroom door, holding a glass of water and a box of tissues. Inside Matt continues to throw up.
Adam sits in the park and feeds David from a bottle. His tears splash down onto the baby’s face, making him squirm and protest.
“Sorry about that,” Adam says softly, scrubbing at his eyes. “Being silly. You know what would make me feel better?”
David blinks huge eyes at him.
“Making sure I’m nearby if daddy needs me, that’s what would make me feel better.”
The security alarms scream as the resistance members stream through. The security personnel look on obliviously as Candice takes a big bite of her Philly cheese steak and leans back against the wall.
<12:29 T minus 31 minutes
Brad braces himself behind his desk as Matt walks into the room. “The President is already waiting for you!”
Matt tucks his hands in his pockets and looks the younger man up and down. “Why’re you here, Brad?”
“What?”
“Why’re you here?” Matt repeats. “You knew I was coming for a meeting and you know the President would stand and watch if I raped you over the desk. Hell, he’d probably join in. So why haven’t you gone for your lunch, taken a holiday, called in sick?”
“I don’t know,” Brad says in a small voice.
“You can’t just hope things will work out, you have to make things happen.” Matt takes a very deep breath. “Go for your lunch, not in the building, go outside. Have a nice lunch and don’t come back until at least two.”
“But...”
“Don’t come back,” Matt says sternly. “Or I will have you over the desk.”
Brad flees.
12:38 T minus 22 minutes.
The agents jump to their feet, knocking over takeaway food, tripping over cables, and sliding on magazines as Nathan struts unannounced into their room. The monitors flicker for a moment but none of them see it.
Bennet slams his fist against the wall as Adam walks into the lobby. “What’re you doing here?” he hisses.
“Making sure someone I care about doesn’t die because I was too far away,” Adam retorts.
“Does he know you’re here?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Adam snaps. “He’d be distracted and I have no intention of endangering him.” He runs his hand over the baby sling on his chest and pats David on the back. “Be reasonable Bennet, when something goes wrong, and something always goes wrong, I’ll be to hand for your people as well as Matt.”
Bennet glances away and then back at Adam. “Wait out in the black caterers van, don’t come back here, if you’re needed we’ll get you.”
“Thank you.”
Matt’s nails dig into his palms as ‘Nathan’ walks behind him, rubbing Matt’s shoulders.
“So tense, boy, you need to learn to relax,” ‘Nathan’ murmurs. “Did they hurt you?”
“It wasn’t... nice.”
‘Nathan’ runs his fingers through Matt’s hair. “When we catch them you can hurt them. Was Bennet there?”
“He tortured Mohinder but he was all talk with me.”
‘Nathan’ moves around in front of Matt and sits on the desk. “You can soothe Mohinder’s wounds I’m sure.”
Matt smiles thinly and tries not to think about his briefcase, sat on the floor.
12:50 T minus 10 minutes
Matt glances at his watch, at the first real present Adam gave him, wipes his mouth and takes a gulp of coffee. “I need to make a quick visit.”
Nathan returns to his seat and opens a file on the desk. “Make it fast; I have a lot to go through with you.”
Matt nods and stands up. He dries his hands on the back of his trousers and forces himself to walk towards the door, leaving his briefcase behind him.
In the outer office two resistance officers barricade the door to ‘Nathan’s’ office and follow Matt to their fallback position.
Adam mindlessly sings nursery rhymes to the baby repeatedly, walking up and down the van as he cradles the baby.
His footfalls chime with the ticking of his pocket watch.
Bennet pulls the fire alarm.
The tourists flow through the lobby, surging out of the doors caught between anxiety and excitement.
Nathan is hustled out by serious, concerned agents and through a hidden entrance and into an always waiting car. The President thus accounted for, the security service congratulates itself on a job well done.
12:54 T minus 6 minutes
Charlie looks around the evacuation point and tries Matt’s phone again. She shuts the phone decisively and marches back towards the building.
Candice climbs into the van and recoils from Adam.
“Take that thing away from me,” she snaps.
“He’s beautiful,” Adam says gently. “You might feel differently if you...”
“No,” she says firmly. “He wanted it and if you’re going to help him with it, you go for it with my blessing.” Candice’s expression softens. “You look like you’re going to throw up.”
“I’m worried about him,” Adam says simply.
12:58 T minus 2 minutes
The doors to office clang back and forth. The lock splinters and shatters. The doors collapse on themselves and Sylar stands in the doorway.
Charlie runs into the corridor, passing the CCTV cameras, which swivel to follow her.
“Shit!” Matt charges out after, her.
“Parkman, you don’t have time!” Bennet bellows.
12:59 T minus 1 minute
Charlie sees Sylar and pales. She turns back and runs towards Matt, her heels slipping and sliding on the beautifully waxed floor.
“You did this,” Sylar snarls at Matt. “After everything I did for you. What now? A valiant last stand?”
13:00 T minus 0. Detonation.
The bomb explodes.
Light ripples through the corridor as the shockwave picks them all up. The sound of the explosion, the crushing, screaming, roar of sound follows and is suddenly upon them, engulfing them in the fire and destruction.
Molly beaming like a sunrise as she walked down the aisle. A bridesmaid without a bride, crying softly as Matt and Adam took their vows.
Crushed in the rubble.
Adam knowing it was far too late and trying anyway.
“Everyone you ever loved died,” Matt said blankly. “Everyone you ever will love will die. How do you keep on... How do you keep putting yourself through this.”
“I can’t help it,” Adam admitted. “Tried not getting close, not getting attached, tried sublimating it into hate and rage. But carrying the grief around forever like Marley’s chains doesn’t help them or you.” Adam ran his fingers through his hair. “I know that it doesn’t feel like it now, but eventually it will be bearable.”
“It shouldn’t be.”
“I know. But one day it won’t hurt to breathe and you won’t flinch when you think of her. Then you remember the good things and only the good things,” Adam promises.
Matt winces as the bandages are removed from his face.
“Don’t move,” someone says brusquely.
As the bandages are removed from his hands, someone squeezes his fingers. “Stop thrashing around, you ass,” a very familiar voice says. “Lie still.”
“Adam?” Matt mutters thickly.
“Arsehole.”
“Is Charlie alright?” Matt asks, managing to focus on Adam, lying in the adjacent bed.
Adam snorts and nods. “She’s fine now. You didn’t bloody tell me that you’d gotten her pregnant too, did you? A lot of husband’s would be bitter about that. If you think that I’m going to be chained naked to the sink feeding you and looking after your litter of sproglets... ” Adam pauses. “Well you’d have to make it worth my while,” he says scowling.
“I didn’t know,” Matt says quietly. “She was trying to get pregnant but I didn’t know she had already. She really wants a baby, I just... I don’t know.”
“I had no idea I was marrying such a slut.”
“I suppose I thought I was helping her out,” Matt says shaking his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry.”
Adam tuts loudly. “Don’t start that again love,” he says. “I think we can agree I can out-guilt you hands down.”
“You’re too forgiving,” Matt says, rubbing his eyes. “Is David alright? Where is he?”
“He’s fine, Candice had Luke come and get him,” Adam says and smiles slightly. “And I called Mohinder, which thrilled him as you can imagine, and told him you’d be grateful if he’d keep an eye on things.”
“Mohinder? You and Mohinder hate each other.” Matt shifts slightly. “He’s a little... twisted.”
“Oh he’s a complete pervert,” Adam agrees. “And still utterly obsessed with you, but he never gave us cause to doubt his parenting of Molly. In my experience sexual kinks have nothing to do with ability to care for a child.”
The nurse removes the last of the bandages and moves away.
“Thank you,” Matt calls to her and she gives him a quick smile. He turns back to Adam and licks his lips. “Adam, why’re you in here?”
Adam squeezes his hand. “We can talk about that later.”
“Adam, what’s going on? Is it still taking you a long time to heal?” Matt panics. “Did they use your blood to heal me and Charlie?” He tries desperately to sit up, waves of nausea crashing over him. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, stop carrying on,” Adam says firmly.
“Then why’s there a drip in your arm? What’s happening?”
Matt wakes to the sound of someone whispering, “Shush now, there, there.”
“Why are people always telling babies to shut up?” Matt wonder, rubbing his eyes and looking at Mohinder.
“Because we can’t say it to each other I suspect,” Mohinder says, handing David over to Matt. “Please don’t look at me like that, Matt. I would never do anything to your little boy.”
“Sorry,” Matt says, stroking David’s face. “I appreciate you looking after him for me. Why’s it you with him and not Luke?”
“Bennet won’t let Luke in the building,” Mohinder snorts. “We thought you’d like to see David.”
“Where is Bennet?”
“Burying Sylar’s ashes in a casket under the seabed, like Dracula,” Mohinder says dryly.
Matt smiles slightly and kisses David on the forehead. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you,” he says quietly. “The things I did to you... shit.”
“You can do anything you want to me, Matt,” Mohinder says softly. “Always.”
Matt glances away. “You never made a move on me. Even before I started dating Adam, you never did or said anything.”
“Bloody Adam,” Mohinder sniffs. “I wanted to be him so much. Doing bugger all but lying around in your bed waiting for you.”
“Don’t forget that horrible job in the supermarket that he had,” Matt says with a smile. “He spent a lot of time doing that.”
Mohinder laughs and runs his fingers through his hair. “There was that. He did look after Molly too I suppose. Saved us a lot in childcare costs.”
“He loved Molly,” Matt says quietly.
“Everyone loved Molly,” Mohinder says, crossing his legs.
“You never said anything about her death.”
“What was to say?” Mohinder asks. “You blamed yourself but I never blamed you. You wouldn’t listen to Adam so you certainly wouldn’t have listened to me.”
“I wonder what she would’ve thought about you, eh?” Matt says, jiggling David. “He’s very quiet.”
Mohinder nods and plays with David’s hand. “Luke says he’s not a big crier, so far anyway.”
“Did you want kids? After Molly died, did you ever think of meeting someone, having kids, all that stuff?”
“Dear god, no,” Mohinder laughs. “I never thought about having children. I’m entirely selfish. Not that children are bad in small doses of course. I rather like them generally. I could’ve never cared for Molly full time by myself, and she was old enough to dress and feed herself.” He smiles slightly. “She was also old enough that I could start having actual conversations with her.”
“She used to come out with some stuff,” Matt laughs. “Do you remember when we had ‘The Talk’ about where babies came from?”
“I believe ‘euww gross!’ was the exact phrase used.”
“You got all that to look forward to,” Matt says to David. “Can’t we just give you books or something, huh?”
“Have Adam do it,” Mohinder says snottily. “I’m sure it’s a talk he’s given dozens of times by now.”
“If he’ll take me back,” Matt says quietly.
“Oh please,” Mohinder huffs. “Do you have any idea how many times he died on the table providing enough blood to heal you and the Sainted Charlie? Every pint was less effective than the last as well. It was like working in a slaughterhouse by the end.”
“That bad?”
“You were charcoal briquettes,” he says flatly. “Bennet thought it was a waste of time but we weren’t about to... well.”
“We?” Matt asks. “You and Adam working together, it must be a sign of the impending apocalypse.”
“Do you mind me helping Luke look after David while you’re both in here?”
“No, I appreciate it,” Matt says quietly. “Not sure why you’d want to though.”
“He’s a decent enough little stinker, David not Luke, and I do like kids. Although I couldn’t eat a whole one,” Mohinder says airily.
Matt laughs. “You’re an asshole sometimes.”
“Hmm, I’ve been called worse. Do you mind if I stay in touch?”
“No, I’d like that.”
Five Years Later
Adam peers at himself in the mirror. “I can see laughter lines.”
“Well you need to stop laughing so damn much,” Matt says on his knees as he ties David’s trainers. “You’re getting old, monster.”
“What, I’m not your beautiful monster anymore?” Adam sulks, walking over and kneeling to wrap his arms around Matt’s shoulders.
“Always,” Matt promises.
“I’ve been old so long I don’t even remember being young,” Adam says, kissing the side of Matt’s face.
“Can I go now?” David asks impatiently. “Charlie said that Sam has ice cream sandwiches!”
“They’re not actually here yet, sport,” Adam says mildly.
Matt kisses David’s forehead. “Don’t be mean to your little sister this weekend, either.”
“Sam’s mean to me when she stays here,” David scowls. “Last time Adam had to tickle her to make her stop!”
Matt glances at Adam and raises his eyebrows. “Is that why he was tickling Sam until she squealed?”
“Naturally,” Adam says innocently. “David, go and get your rucksack from upstairs.”
“Okay,” David says sadly and plods away.
“He’s always so serious,” Adam says lightly, standing up with Matt. “Takes after his dad.”
Matt kisses him and takes his hand. “How did it go at the testing centre?”
“Fine,” Adam says cheerfully.
“Meaning what?”
Adam shrugs. “Meaning I’m no worse.”
Matt sighs. “And no better?”
Adam rolls his eyes. “Matt, it’s been five years. It’s time to accept that it’s done. You know that my ability to heal was waning after I was caught in the New York bomb blast. You and Charlie getting yourselves blown up was just the icing on the cake.” He taps Matt on the nose. “A vampire would’ve taken less blood then you two.”
“Adam,” Matt says gently. “If your ability doesn’t come back you’re going to die.”
“Yes,” he agrees. “Of old age probably, just like everyone else.” He kisses Matt. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The End
Pairing: Matt/Adam, Matt/Mohinder (mentioned), Matt/’Nathan’ (implied)
Rating: 18
Warnings: Language, violence
Note: Thanks to everyone for reading and for help and suggestions. Huge thanks as always to
boudecia7 for help and support. Chapter 9
The rain hammers at the windows of the diner leaving droplets of water beading across the glass. The overhead fluorescent lights flicker and the buzz. The amber of the streetlights diffuses through the windows, creeping across tables and casting shadows oddly.
“Shush,” Matt says softly, rocking the snuffling baby. “Please go to sleep. Please?”
A slight squeak makes him look up as Adam comes through the door. He shakes off his umbrella and raincoat before crossing over to Matt.
“Who’s your friend?” he asks, sitting down.
“He doesn’t have a name yet.” Matt pats the baby idly as he looks at the other man. “I’m sorry.”
Adam shrugs and reaches over to play with the baby’s hand. “For calling me out to a deserted diner at three am in the pouring rain? What else would I be doing?” He meets Matt’s eyes and smiles slightly. “Chin up pet, you look like you’re about to start crying.”
“I’m sorry,” Matt says again. “I’m in a mess here and I... I didn’t... I wasn’t fair to you.”
Adam moves around and sits next to Matt. “Tell me what I can do?”
“I don’t know, I can’t think.”
Adam gently takes the baby and looks down at him. “Hello sweetheart, who’s your mummy hmm?”
“Candice,” Matt says quietly. “I’m sorry. I promised to let her go if she’d have a baby.”
Adam stares at him and then looks down at the baby in his arms. “I didn’t know you wanted more children,” he says quietly. “You never said.”
“We had Molly, and then we didn’t and... well.”
“He’s beautiful.”
Matt smiles at him. “You’d say that if he was pig ugly.”
Adam rolls his eyes. “Fortunately that’s unlikely to be an issue.” Adam nuzzles the baby softly and smiles as he yawns.
“Why did you come when I called?”
“You knew I would.” Adam looks up at Matt. “I always have. Always will.”
“I don’t know why,” Matt says quietly. “I’ve treated you like shit.”
“Language! There’s a baby present.”
Matt laughs and rubs his eyes. “I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you.”
“We’ve never had one before,” Adam says, letting Matt take the baby.
“That’s not true. I could always talk to you.” Matt gently rests his son against his shoulder. “It’s hard to find someone like that.” He smiles and shrugs. “For me, anyway.”
“That hasn’t changed. I’m here, I’ll always be here.”
“My beautiful monster,” Matt teases Adam, then kisses him gently, carefully holding the baby between them.
An exhausted trucker, grimy and grim, stumbles past clutching a coffee. He trips over one of dirty, trailing laces and pitches forward. The coffee hits Adam full in the chest and he jumps up as Matt squirms out of the way.
“Oh charming,” Adam complains. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Sure. You okay there buddy?” Matt asks as the trucker clambers to his feet.
The swaying man nods and looks blankly at the empty cup in his hand.
“You should have a nap in your cab,” Matt suggests.
“Gotta schedule,” he slurs. “Can’t wait.”
Matt sighs and shakes his head. Go back to your cab and take a nap. Don’t ever drive when you’re so tired.
Matt looks down at his son. “Now don’t tell anyone that daddy did that, will you?” He smiles as the baby wraps his fingers around his thumb. “The things I don’t want you to know I’ve done.”
“We’re all like that, sweetheart,” Adam says, running his fingers through Matt’s hair.
“I didn’t hear you come back,” Matt says reddening. “How’s your chest?”
“Sore, that bloody coffee was scalding hot. Irresponsible I call it.”
“Let me see.”
Adam grumbles to himself and unbuttons his shirt again. “I’ll heal.”
Matt adjusts his grasp on the baby and uses his free hand to open Adam’s shirt. “It’s still red. Is it my imagination or is taking longer for you to heal?”
“It’s not your imagination,” Adam agrees and buttons his shirt. “Now it takes longer to heal a cut then it used to take for me to grow back a limb.” He smiles wryly. “Just getting older I suppose.”
“Have you been checked out by anyone?”
“Perhaps Mohinder could give me a physical,” Adam says wryly. “I’m sure the full weight of the government would swing into operation to help me.”
“I don’t think you’re his type,” Matt says dryly.
“Come on. This little one needs a name.” Adam says, playing with the baby’s hand. “You must’ve had one in mind.”
“You pick.”
“It’s not my place to...” Adam trails off and looks at Matt, then smiles. “You always liked old fashioned names.”
“Like Adam?” Matt asks lightly. “Yeah.”
The baby’s randomly waving hand seizes Adam by the nose. “Ow. Grabby little soul isn’t he? Takes after his dad.”
“Smart ass.”
“What about naming him after your cousin, the one who died in the New York bomb?” Adam suggests. “David? You were close to him.”
“Are you a David?” Matt asks, jiggling the baby.
The baby gurgles happily and kicks his legs.
“That’s definitely an affirmative,” Adam says firmly. “David it is.”
“If something happens...”
Adam’s head snaps up. “Don’t.”
Matt shrugs. “I have to make sure he’s cared for.”
“Then make sure ‘something’ doesn’t happen. You have a son, a responsibility. You do remember that means you no longer have the right to risk your life, yes?”
“Don’t lecture me, okay?”
“I rather think I have the right, don’t you?” Adam says sharply. “Particularly if you’re asking me to take care of this little one if you get yourself killed.”
Matt rolls his eyes. “Don’t be melodramatic.”
“Is this Bennet? He’s got you in some ridiculous plot I suppose.”
“I suppose,” Matt agrees. “I’ll be alright,” he promises, nudging Adam. “Honestly.”
“What is it?” Adam asks. “I hope you’re not risking your life for something trivial.”
Matt chews his lip. “It.”
“It?” Adam asks blankly. “You mean...”
“Yeah,” Matt says, pursing his lips. “I’m doing it for him, for David. I don’t want him growing him with... with the things that happen now. The things I’ve done. You understand that, right?”
“Far too well,” Adam admits. “Let me do it.”
Matt snorts and shakes his head. “It has to be me. I can get close. They’d see you coming from a mile away.”
“Not if you had Candice come with me. They’d never see me. It’s a much better idea. It’s much safer, please.”
“No,” Matt says gently. “Candice’s ability only works on people, not cameras, and people she can see at that. Besides, she’s going to be out the front dealing with the tourists. We’re lucky she’s still got enough respect for Bennet to do it for him. God knows I’m in no position to ask her for help.”
Adam chews his lower lip. “I’ll speak to Bennet.”
“Come on,” Matt says, patting his hand. “You know that he’ll make sure all the bases are covered.”
08:57 T minus 4 hours and 3 minutes.
Charlie grins broadly and flicks her hair over her shoulder. “Good morning Mr Parkman!” she says cheerfully, standing up and walking over to him. “I’m so relieved to see you.” She throws her arms around Matt and squeezes him. “I was worried.”
“I’m fine,” Matt promises kissing her forehead. “You okay?”
“Well, some of the paperwork is piling up,” she says wryly. “But apart from that everything is fine and dandy.”
“The President confirm my meeting with him?”
Charlie blinks at him. “Yes, Mr Parkman, at twelve-thirty pm as you asked for.”
“Just checking.”
“Okay, so why don’t you go into your office and take the weight off, and I’ll bring you a coffee?”
“I don’t deserve you.”
Charlie gives him an odd look and turns on the coffee machine as he walks away.
09:13 T minus 3 hours and 47 minutes
Nathan rubs his fingers through his freshly cut hair and tries to copy the style in the photograph. Eden brushes hair off his shoulders and adjusts his shirt.
“I don’t think my hair goes this way.”
“It’ll have to,” Eden says shortly. “We can’t afford any screw-ups. Any doubts or worries you have, put them out of your mind. The primary team need to believe that you’re...”
“Me?” Nathan asks, finally slicking his hair back. He gives her a wide smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Ms McCain I’m Nathan Petrelli. Doubts and worries are for the weak and I’m not weak.” He puts his hands on his hips. “Difficulties are simply opportunities to adapt and grow.”
“Do you believe any of the bullshit that comes out of your mouth?” Eden asks.
“I find it works best not to think too much about it.” Nathan says, straightening his sleeves.
Eden folds her arms. “You’re not fooling me. I heard what Parkman did to you.”
Nathan shrugs casually. “Being shallow has its benefits. No lasting damage.”
“Really,” Eden says disbelieving. “And now you’re helping him, helping us.”
“Parkman was damaged.” Nathan shrugs easily. “He did what Sylar wanted him to do. What he did was nothing to what Sylar did.” He smiles again, the same superficial smile. “Believe me.”
The door opens and Bennet wanders in. “How’re we doing?”
“He’s a little unsteady still,” Eden says critically. “Rather thin in the face too.”
“Well there’s not much we can do about that. Besides people won’t be looking that closely,” Bennet says smoothly. “They’ll be expecting to see the President of the United States, and that’s what they’ll see.” He smiles slightly. “It’ll be true too.”
“Ms McCain I was the President of the United States,” Nathan says smoothly. “He’s imitating me, I only have to be myself,” he smiles at her again, and it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“That’ll be a new experience for you,” Bennet says archly.
10:26 T minus 2 hours and 34 minutes.
Matt finds his attention drifting, to his briefcase, to his gun in his shoulder holster, to the paper knife on his desk. The clock on the wall ticks far louder than he thought it could, each tick the swinging of a scythe.
Nathan pores over photographs and files of Whitehouse personnel.
The CCTV cameras in the Whitehouse security bunker flicker for a moment and then resume.
Adam scoops up the crying baby and cradles him against his shoulder. “Shush, there, there, petal. No need to cry. Let’s go for a walk shall we? You and I can get properly acquainted while we wait for daddy too... yes, let’s do that.”
11:49 T minus 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Matt plays with his watch. It’s a brown and bronze one, old-fashioned one with Roman numerals on the face and a sonorous tick. He takes off his watch and turns it over, stroking his finger over the engraved message there. ‘Happy Two Week Anniversary’. A memento of a simpler, happier time. Before everything went wrong. Before Molly... before everything. Matt sighs and hands another sheaf of paper over to Charlie.
“Gosh,” she says doubtfully. “More prisoner releases?”
Matt stares at her, and she flushes. “Don’t question me, Charlie.”
“No, Mr Parkman.”
Candice squints at the bright sunshine, and shades her eyes with her hand.
“Are you ready?” Bennet asks.
She grins and stretches. “I’m always ready.”
Nathan hesitates to climb into the back of the delivery van, his heart hammering in his chest.
“You don’t have time for second thoughts,” Bennet warns.
“I don’t have second thoughts,” Nathan says smoothly. “That would indicate reflection and a good politician always moves forward.” He smiles slightly. “It’s just that the last time I was in a van it was with five of Sylar’s private security aides.” He raises his eyebrows. “They make Parkman look like a blushing wallflower.”
12:05 T minus 55 minutes
Charlie waits by the restroom door, holding a glass of water and a box of tissues. Inside Matt continues to throw up.
Adam sits in the park and feeds David from a bottle. His tears splash down onto the baby’s face, making him squirm and protest.
“Sorry about that,” Adam says softly, scrubbing at his eyes. “Being silly. You know what would make me feel better?”
David blinks huge eyes at him.
“Making sure I’m nearby if daddy needs me, that’s what would make me feel better.”
The security alarms scream as the resistance members stream through. The security personnel look on obliviously as Candice takes a big bite of her Philly cheese steak and leans back against the wall.
<12:29 T minus 31 minutes
Brad braces himself behind his desk as Matt walks into the room. “The President is already waiting for you!”
Matt tucks his hands in his pockets and looks the younger man up and down. “Why’re you here, Brad?”
“What?”
“Why’re you here?” Matt repeats. “You knew I was coming for a meeting and you know the President would stand and watch if I raped you over the desk. Hell, he’d probably join in. So why haven’t you gone for your lunch, taken a holiday, called in sick?”
“I don’t know,” Brad says in a small voice.
“You can’t just hope things will work out, you have to make things happen.” Matt takes a very deep breath. “Go for your lunch, not in the building, go outside. Have a nice lunch and don’t come back until at least two.”
“But...”
“Don’t come back,” Matt says sternly. “Or I will have you over the desk.”
Brad flees.
12:38 T minus 22 minutes.
The agents jump to their feet, knocking over takeaway food, tripping over cables, and sliding on magazines as Nathan struts unannounced into their room. The monitors flicker for a moment but none of them see it.
Bennet slams his fist against the wall as Adam walks into the lobby. “What’re you doing here?” he hisses.
“Making sure someone I care about doesn’t die because I was too far away,” Adam retorts.
“Does he know you’re here?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Adam snaps. “He’d be distracted and I have no intention of endangering him.” He runs his hand over the baby sling on his chest and pats David on the back. “Be reasonable Bennet, when something goes wrong, and something always goes wrong, I’ll be to hand for your people as well as Matt.”
Bennet glances away and then back at Adam. “Wait out in the black caterers van, don’t come back here, if you’re needed we’ll get you.”
“Thank you.”
Matt’s nails dig into his palms as ‘Nathan’ walks behind him, rubbing Matt’s shoulders.
“So tense, boy, you need to learn to relax,” ‘Nathan’ murmurs. “Did they hurt you?”
“It wasn’t... nice.”
‘Nathan’ runs his fingers through Matt’s hair. “When we catch them you can hurt them. Was Bennet there?”
“He tortured Mohinder but he was all talk with me.”
‘Nathan’ moves around in front of Matt and sits on the desk. “You can soothe Mohinder’s wounds I’m sure.”
Matt smiles thinly and tries not to think about his briefcase, sat on the floor.
12:50 T minus 10 minutes
Matt glances at his watch, at the first real present Adam gave him, wipes his mouth and takes a gulp of coffee. “I need to make a quick visit.”
Nathan returns to his seat and opens a file on the desk. “Make it fast; I have a lot to go through with you.”
Matt nods and stands up. He dries his hands on the back of his trousers and forces himself to walk towards the door, leaving his briefcase behind him.
In the outer office two resistance officers barricade the door to ‘Nathan’s’ office and follow Matt to their fallback position.
Adam mindlessly sings nursery rhymes to the baby repeatedly, walking up and down the van as he cradles the baby.
His footfalls chime with the ticking of his pocket watch.
Bennet pulls the fire alarm.
The tourists flow through the lobby, surging out of the doors caught between anxiety and excitement.
Nathan is hustled out by serious, concerned agents and through a hidden entrance and into an always waiting car. The President thus accounted for, the security service congratulates itself on a job well done.
12:54 T minus 6 minutes
Charlie looks around the evacuation point and tries Matt’s phone again. She shuts the phone decisively and marches back towards the building.
Candice climbs into the van and recoils from Adam.
“Take that thing away from me,” she snaps.
“He’s beautiful,” Adam says gently. “You might feel differently if you...”
“No,” she says firmly. “He wanted it and if you’re going to help him with it, you go for it with my blessing.” Candice’s expression softens. “You look like you’re going to throw up.”
“I’m worried about him,” Adam says simply.
12:58 T minus 2 minutes
The doors to office clang back and forth. The lock splinters and shatters. The doors collapse on themselves and Sylar stands in the doorway.
Charlie runs into the corridor, passing the CCTV cameras, which swivel to follow her.
“Shit!” Matt charges out after, her.
“Parkman, you don’t have time!” Bennet bellows.
12:59 T minus 1 minute
Charlie sees Sylar and pales. She turns back and runs towards Matt, her heels slipping and sliding on the beautifully waxed floor.
“You did this,” Sylar snarls at Matt. “After everything I did for you. What now? A valiant last stand?”
13:00 T minus 0. Detonation.
The bomb explodes.
Light ripples through the corridor as the shockwave picks them all up. The sound of the explosion, the crushing, screaming, roar of sound follows and is suddenly upon them, engulfing them in the fire and destruction.
Molly beaming like a sunrise as she walked down the aisle. A bridesmaid without a bride, crying softly as Matt and Adam took their vows.
Crushed in the rubble.
Adam knowing it was far too late and trying anyway.
“Everyone you ever loved died,” Matt said blankly. “Everyone you ever will love will die. How do you keep on... How do you keep putting yourself through this.”
“I can’t help it,” Adam admitted. “Tried not getting close, not getting attached, tried sublimating it into hate and rage. But carrying the grief around forever like Marley’s chains doesn’t help them or you.” Adam ran his fingers through his hair. “I know that it doesn’t feel like it now, but eventually it will be bearable.”
“It shouldn’t be.”
“I know. But one day it won’t hurt to breathe and you won’t flinch when you think of her. Then you remember the good things and only the good things,” Adam promises.
Matt winces as the bandages are removed from his face.
“Don’t move,” someone says brusquely.
As the bandages are removed from his hands, someone squeezes his fingers. “Stop thrashing around, you ass,” a very familiar voice says. “Lie still.”
“Adam?” Matt mutters thickly.
“Arsehole.”
“Is Charlie alright?” Matt asks, managing to focus on Adam, lying in the adjacent bed.
Adam snorts and nods. “She’s fine now. You didn’t bloody tell me that you’d gotten her pregnant too, did you? A lot of husband’s would be bitter about that. If you think that I’m going to be chained naked to the sink feeding you and looking after your litter of sproglets... ” Adam pauses. “Well you’d have to make it worth my while,” he says scowling.
“I didn’t know,” Matt says quietly. “She was trying to get pregnant but I didn’t know she had already. She really wants a baby, I just... I don’t know.”
“I had no idea I was marrying such a slut.”
“I suppose I thought I was helping her out,” Matt says shaking his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry.”
Adam tuts loudly. “Don’t start that again love,” he says. “I think we can agree I can out-guilt you hands down.”
“You’re too forgiving,” Matt says, rubbing his eyes. “Is David alright? Where is he?”
“He’s fine, Candice had Luke come and get him,” Adam says and smiles slightly. “And I called Mohinder, which thrilled him as you can imagine, and told him you’d be grateful if he’d keep an eye on things.”
“Mohinder? You and Mohinder hate each other.” Matt shifts slightly. “He’s a little... twisted.”
“Oh he’s a complete pervert,” Adam agrees. “And still utterly obsessed with you, but he never gave us cause to doubt his parenting of Molly. In my experience sexual kinks have nothing to do with ability to care for a child.”
The nurse removes the last of the bandages and moves away.
“Thank you,” Matt calls to her and she gives him a quick smile. He turns back to Adam and licks his lips. “Adam, why’re you in here?”
Adam squeezes his hand. “We can talk about that later.”
“Adam, what’s going on? Is it still taking you a long time to heal?” Matt panics. “Did they use your blood to heal me and Charlie?” He tries desperately to sit up, waves of nausea crashing over him. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, stop carrying on,” Adam says firmly.
“Then why’s there a drip in your arm? What’s happening?”
Matt wakes to the sound of someone whispering, “Shush now, there, there.”
“Why are people always telling babies to shut up?” Matt wonder, rubbing his eyes and looking at Mohinder.
“Because we can’t say it to each other I suspect,” Mohinder says, handing David over to Matt. “Please don’t look at me like that, Matt. I would never do anything to your little boy.”
“Sorry,” Matt says, stroking David’s face. “I appreciate you looking after him for me. Why’s it you with him and not Luke?”
“Bennet won’t let Luke in the building,” Mohinder snorts. “We thought you’d like to see David.”
“Where is Bennet?”
“Burying Sylar’s ashes in a casket under the seabed, like Dracula,” Mohinder says dryly.
Matt smiles slightly and kisses David on the forehead. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you,” he says quietly. “The things I did to you... shit.”
“You can do anything you want to me, Matt,” Mohinder says softly. “Always.”
Matt glances away. “You never made a move on me. Even before I started dating Adam, you never did or said anything.”
“Bloody Adam,” Mohinder sniffs. “I wanted to be him so much. Doing bugger all but lying around in your bed waiting for you.”
“Don’t forget that horrible job in the supermarket that he had,” Matt says with a smile. “He spent a lot of time doing that.”
Mohinder laughs and runs his fingers through his hair. “There was that. He did look after Molly too I suppose. Saved us a lot in childcare costs.”
“He loved Molly,” Matt says quietly.
“Everyone loved Molly,” Mohinder says, crossing his legs.
“You never said anything about her death.”
“What was to say?” Mohinder asks. “You blamed yourself but I never blamed you. You wouldn’t listen to Adam so you certainly wouldn’t have listened to me.”
“I wonder what she would’ve thought about you, eh?” Matt says, jiggling David. “He’s very quiet.”
Mohinder nods and plays with David’s hand. “Luke says he’s not a big crier, so far anyway.”
“Did you want kids? After Molly died, did you ever think of meeting someone, having kids, all that stuff?”
“Dear god, no,” Mohinder laughs. “I never thought about having children. I’m entirely selfish. Not that children are bad in small doses of course. I rather like them generally. I could’ve never cared for Molly full time by myself, and she was old enough to dress and feed herself.” He smiles slightly. “She was also old enough that I could start having actual conversations with her.”
“She used to come out with some stuff,” Matt laughs. “Do you remember when we had ‘The Talk’ about where babies came from?”
“I believe ‘euww gross!’ was the exact phrase used.”
“You got all that to look forward to,” Matt says to David. “Can’t we just give you books or something, huh?”
“Have Adam do it,” Mohinder says snottily. “I’m sure it’s a talk he’s given dozens of times by now.”
“If he’ll take me back,” Matt says quietly.
“Oh please,” Mohinder huffs. “Do you have any idea how many times he died on the table providing enough blood to heal you and the Sainted Charlie? Every pint was less effective than the last as well. It was like working in a slaughterhouse by the end.”
“That bad?”
“You were charcoal briquettes,” he says flatly. “Bennet thought it was a waste of time but we weren’t about to... well.”
“We?” Matt asks. “You and Adam working together, it must be a sign of the impending apocalypse.”
“Do you mind me helping Luke look after David while you’re both in here?”
“No, I appreciate it,” Matt says quietly. “Not sure why you’d want to though.”
“He’s a decent enough little stinker, David not Luke, and I do like kids. Although I couldn’t eat a whole one,” Mohinder says airily.
Matt laughs. “You’re an asshole sometimes.”
“Hmm, I’ve been called worse. Do you mind if I stay in touch?”
“No, I’d like that.”
Five Years Later
Adam peers at himself in the mirror. “I can see laughter lines.”
“Well you need to stop laughing so damn much,” Matt says on his knees as he ties David’s trainers. “You’re getting old, monster.”
“What, I’m not your beautiful monster anymore?” Adam sulks, walking over and kneeling to wrap his arms around Matt’s shoulders.
“Always,” Matt promises.
“I’ve been old so long I don’t even remember being young,” Adam says, kissing the side of Matt’s face.
“Can I go now?” David asks impatiently. “Charlie said that Sam has ice cream sandwiches!”
“They’re not actually here yet, sport,” Adam says mildly.
Matt kisses David’s forehead. “Don’t be mean to your little sister this weekend, either.”
“Sam’s mean to me when she stays here,” David scowls. “Last time Adam had to tickle her to make her stop!”
Matt glances at Adam and raises his eyebrows. “Is that why he was tickling Sam until she squealed?”
“Naturally,” Adam says innocently. “David, go and get your rucksack from upstairs.”
“Okay,” David says sadly and plods away.
“He’s always so serious,” Adam says lightly, standing up with Matt. “Takes after his dad.”
Matt kisses him and takes his hand. “How did it go at the testing centre?”
“Fine,” Adam says cheerfully.
“Meaning what?”
Adam shrugs. “Meaning I’m no worse.”
Matt sighs. “And no better?”
Adam rolls his eyes. “Matt, it’s been five years. It’s time to accept that it’s done. You know that my ability to heal was waning after I was caught in the New York bomb blast. You and Charlie getting yourselves blown up was just the icing on the cake.” He taps Matt on the nose. “A vampire would’ve taken less blood then you two.”
“Adam,” Matt says gently. “If your ability doesn’t come back you’re going to die.”
“Yes,” he agrees. “Of old age probably, just like everyone else.” He kisses Matt. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The End
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-10-25 07:55 pm (UTC)And Matt's willingness to die to stop Syler was the ultimate act of redemption.
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Date: 2009-10-25 08:24 pm (UTC)Thanks! I'm so glad you thought so. I'd already raised the prospect of Adam living on past Matt's death and so I had to deal with that. It seemed the best way for the story and for Adam in the long run.
And Matt's willingness to die to stop Syler was the ultimate act of redemption.
I didn't want to finish without Matt having done what he could to make up for his actions, both for him and for the readers. He needed to do that before he could move on.
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Date: 2009-10-26 12:55 am (UTC)I was so thrilled when you found a way to give them a happy ending after everything else--it was just obvious from Adam's introduction how much he loved Matt and vice versa. *happy sigh* Loved it!
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Date: 2009-10-26 06:12 am (UTC)It took a bit for me to work out how they could have a happy ending but they'd both suffered so much already I really didn't want to end on a downer. I'm really pleased you enjoy it, I couldn't have done it without your help <333
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Date: 2009-10-26 07:37 pm (UTC)Something about Matt and Adam just makes me all happy inside ^ ^ and I liked the idea of Mohinder and Adam working together for some reason, just seems lol-worthy :D I think you made Matt/Adam one of my top ships now XD legendary x
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Date: 2009-10-26 08:12 pm (UTC)Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.
Matt and Adam are only of my main ships, taken over from Matt/Nathan I think :D
Adam and Mohinder have such an antipathy, it's hard to imagine they wouldn't be moaning and complaining all the time :) In the pre-Alpha Dog twitterfic Boudecia7 and I have been doing Adam's convinced Mohinder's going to stalk or kidnap him :P
Thanks! <333
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Date: 2009-10-26 08:25 pm (UTC)Ah yes I saw that twitterfic and I read it through XD I have to say it is incredibly awesome ^ ^ heh Mohinder is such a stalker, I love it XP
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Date: 2009-10-27 02:34 pm (UTC)We were hoping for some interaction with readers but we don't many and I guess they're not comfy with it :) We're having fun although we would've liked a Mohinder to play with (as it were!).
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Date: 2009-10-27 10:46 pm (UTC)I think the idea is very clever and that would actually be funny, crazy stalker-ish Mohinder on Twitter, ahh I love it! XD I would interact but I'm still finding my footing on Twitter, its odd indeed XP
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Date: 2009-10-28 05:15 pm (UTC)Twitter just gave a scare and a half! It can be a bit of a pain but I like it and great fun for this kind of thing.
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Date: 2009-10-28 11:57 pm (UTC)Its seems rather fun, I just suck at things like that XD I get way to nervous to talk to people. But twitter is certainly coolio ^ ^ it amuses me at times
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Date: 2009-10-30 03:50 am (UTC)Side note, a co-worker of mine went to a dog-charity-party thing and picked me up this shirt. And all I could think of was this fic xD
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/LeaDaisy81/Heroes/grunny/alphabitch.jpg
no subject
Date: 2009-10-30 06:17 am (UTC)The first draft there was no Mohinder! Had to give him an ending as well as everyone else :D
Awesome t-shirt! :D Matt action figure clearly agrees!
no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 01:17 am (UTC)I adored Matt's sacrifice, his attempt to fix the last thing he can before he goes. I loved, in so many different ways, Adam literally giving his all for the man he loves, giving him not just Matt's life, but his own. Matt never has to worry about Adam leaving him behind ever again, and I find that a wonderfully fitting ending to this tale.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-18 03:00 pm (UTC)I really struggled to work out a way for Matt and Adam to have a happy ending. Firstly because Matt had to find some way to atone for the things he'd done or I don't think he could've lived with himself, and secondly because of Adam's immortality. I'd already raised the spectre of Matt dying and Adam living on without him so I needed to deal with that. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, I think it was fairly satisfying :)
Thanks so much! <3