The Letter
A Peter Claire fanfiction, for Lisa,
by Lissi
The letter lay unsent in the bottom of her bag for a week or more before she posted it. The envelope was crumpled and smudged when it arrived, the ink marked by her fingers from the many times she'd taken it out just to look at.
Dear Peter,
It's been a while. A lot has happened – some of it I can't tell anyone about, so forgive me for not explaining everything.
You were the first person I met who was like me. That meant more than you probably guessed. I was desperate. I thought I was a freak, and even though meeting you didn't change what I am, I knew then that I wasn't alone. That thought got me through so much of what followed – knowing that I was not the only one, that even though there were some – one man in particular – who used their abilities for evil, there were some who wanted to make a difference, to change the world. And it worked. I'm still alive, thanks to you.
That's why I'm writing to you now. Because I never realised before how much it meant for you be alive, how much you'd given me.
I'm getting married. His name's Andy. We met at work. It's only because of you that I have him, so even though I have to hide, and my family – adopted and biological – is a mess, it's worth it. I owe you more than just my life.
Don't reply to this letter. I know you'll be able to find me if you ever need to. I hope you don't need to, but whatever happens, know you can count on me. I'll always be there if you need me.
Love,
Claire
The letter was folded, falling apart along the creases from living in his wallet. When he left the club with Hiro and Ando, heading to New York to free the past-Hiro, it was in his jacket pocket. Sylar's radiation burned away the fabric, exposing the paper, and he watched it smoulder and crumble to ash. He'd carried the letter like a lucky talisman, but at least he still had Claire's words imprinted in his mind, and the knowledge that she was out there.
When Sylar regenerated, Peter knew he'd been wrong. He realised Claire was dead, and something inside him broke. Already twisted and bitter from living with the guilt of five years ago, torn by the knowledge of his brother's betrayal, angered by the persecution of those with abilities, this was the final straw.
Throwing caution to the wind – after all, neither of them could die – and not caring how, or even if, it ended, he rejoined the battle with greater force. The hope he had once clung to was gone, eroded by years of suffering and finally stolen by the murder of the girl who'd believed in it. Who had believed in him.
Oblivious to the outside world, Peter fought on, a single thought running through his head.
For Claire. For you, I will change the world.