Let It Bleed Some More
By devilishlysas
Summary: Yet another of my twisted little ideas sparked by the 'Let it Bleed' ending, here's how Sylar/Claire's next infamous meeting might go. A little darker than Building Bridges, focusing more on Nathan's influences and Sylar's mindset.
Disclaimer: I don't own Heroes and I find that incredibly depressing.
PG-13 oneshot
The dark enveloped him completely as he remained there hovering, he felt like a pervert somehow, watching her like this, but he couldn't seem to stop. So Sylar continued to watch as quiet tears slipped down Claire's cheeks for the father she'd lost all too soon after finding him. He watched as she ignored the third successive call from Noah, her other, all too disappointing father; causing a flicker of satisfaction which swelled at the idea that finally Claire was coming to her senses and seeing Noah Bennet for what he really was. He even watched silently, as her interesting little roommate returned from the library, laden with books and just itching to pull Claire into that 'oh so friendly hug'. He snorted bemused and somewhat encouraged by the interaction, at least he was apparently Claire's type... tall, dark, and something of a stalker.
As they prepared for bed, their quiet chatter not distracting him in the least from the sight of Claire's slowly, teasingly, revealed flesh. Not that the sweet virginal Claire Bennet was in the least bit aware that both her observers were watching avidly with bated breath; it was in that shared moment, that he decided he'd spare the roommates life... she couldn't be blamed for her infatuation he supposed. His eyes drifted away as Claire slid into her thin little vest and flannel pj's, lingering instead on the sight of her face tattooed on his arm like that.
He wasn't a fool and there was something disturbing about seeing his desire imprinted so blatantly like that; for everyone to see. Slowly he let his eyes drift back to her as she lay down in the bed, telling herself that she wouldn't cry anymore about Nathan, not whilst Gretchen was here.
'Why was she his greatest desire?'
He didn't think it was an idle question, nor an obvious one. Claire was a beautiful girl, at least he'd always thought so; it was one of the reasons he'd always taken such perverse pleasure in tormenting her. So he highly doubted it was the sudden realisation that she was desirable physically... so what?
The disturbing idea that this new desire, which had nothing to do with obtaining her ability, was possibly a lingering effect of Nathan's presence, left him cold. The man had truly loved the little girl he'd lost, loved her more than he ever had the irritating little brats Heidi had blessed him with, but then Claire was special after all, it only made sense she'd be the favoured child. But Nathan had loved her as a father and as Sylar gazed over her soft features now, his eyes lingering on the rise and fall of her chest he understood that there was nothing paternal in his desires for the little Cheerleader.
But he couldn't dismiss the nagging feeling that Nathan had influenced this, his last words to Pete had been about taking care of his precious Claire... surely that meant something now, with him hovering outside her bedroom window, her face emblazoned on his arm. Struggling to comprehend the jumble of images, thoughts and feelings he was left with he tried to focus in on Claire's image... he had to be sure. Because, Claire wasn't and never had been, an easy target, if he was committed to this, he needed to know why.
He had felt love... it was as simple as that. Nathan's life, Nathan's family, Nathan's love for them and by them; but for even that brief time it had been his as much as Nathan's. Now it's sudden absence was like a hole in his chest, stealing his breath and crushing his hope. He couldn't live like this, not anymore. He needed more. He was Sylar and he damn well couldn't live with the idea that Nathan could have something that he couldn't!
Gabriel Grey had been unloved all his life, lied to and manipulated, held to everyone else's ideas of what his life should be... no more. Sylar would get what he wanted, the life he deserved. Sylar would be loved.
It didn't take much to open the window, a simple flick of his wrist and it slid up quietly, the roommate twitched, her mind hovering on the edge of consciousness, so he exerted Matt's ability and forced her back into sleep... possibly too deep, but he wasn't overly concerned, so long as she stayed asleep. Claire slept on oblivious to his intrusion as his feet touched down on her carpeted floor and he eyed the room quietly from the inside. Nothing remarkable about it really, it looked like any other room, that two somewhat contrasting teenage girls had been forced to share. Smirking he turned his attention back to the sleeping blonde, crossing to stand over her bed, he seemed to tower over her, his shadow stretching out and smothering her features.
Sylar bent his knees and edged onto the side of her bed, pausing as she shifted, turning upwards to face towards him, he waited still until she settled before easing his arm over her body and leaning forwards until he could angle his top half almost over hers, their faces inches apart. It was a side of Claire he rarely got to see, soft, quiet, his memories of Nathan recalled watching her asleep in that Roach infested shit-hole of a hotel in Mexico, of covering her in that dusty old blanket and trying desperately to think of a way to keep her safe; to earn her love.
The same questions rose now... only he wanted to keep her safe from the world, from Samuel and his manipulations; from himself. Gently he let his fingers brush through her hair, catching them in her gold strands and revelling in the silkiness that met his touch.
Awake she would never accept him, not yet, if ever. Forced love wouldn't be enough not now, he was certain he could have achieved it; there was very little challenge in it in fact, with Matt's ability and Claire's willingness to play the martyr; which also made it meaningless to him.
'How do we make love stay?' That was the real question, the only question that still mattered to him now. Was Claire the answer to it? Someone who by all rights should only ever hate and despise him?
Well he did like a challenge and Claire was the greatest challenge of all; the only person who really knew his monster. If she could ever love him... ever care for him, then he would know he was worthy of it; that it would mean something; that he might never have to live, or die alone.
Sylar moved quickly, pressing his hand down firmly over her mouth and pinning her top half with his own. Claire's eyes flew open, her hands flying to his and attempting to pry it off before she'd even realised the futility of it. The moment her foggy, sleep hazed eyes cleared and locked on his features he couldn't help the smirk that rose to his lips. Her body bucked wildly, trying to throw him off, as her nails clawed bloody gauges in his hand, until she redirected her attention and went for his eyes instead. Only then did he slam his power into her and pin her arms, it was unfair, but then they said nothing was ever fair in love and war and he thought this probably qualified as both.
Her eyes widened and she stilled, she even stopped attempting to bite him, as she merely glared hatefully up at him. Sylar snorted in derision, he didn't even need Parkman's ability to know what she was thinking.
"I'm going to remove my hand Claire. Feel free to scream," he smirked "I'd love to get to know your roommate a little better."
Claire visibly paled as he removed his hand from her mouth and she quiet deliberately pressed her lips together into a thin line.
"Hello Cheerleader." He whispered, drawing that same hand along her face to cradle her cheek, ignoring the flinch and her obvious revulsion as she tried to turn away from his touch.
"I thought we might have a little conversation. Just the two of us." Claire's eyes flickered for the barest second to her still sleeping friend. "Oh don't worry about your little girlfriend." Her wince at his choice of words convinced him that apparently Gretchen's little crush might remain unrequited. "She won't be waking up any time soon." For a brief moment Claire entertained the idea that he'd killed yet another friend, but as she watched, her pulse slowing a little, she realised she could see the rise and fall of Gretchen's chest.
"I have nothing to say to you." She snarled, "Get out!"
Sylar laughed lightly, and eased himself onto the bed fully, nudging her aside as he hopped on and propped his head up on his elbow beside her own. More than anything he sensed her desire to put distance between them, if only to prevent herself from physically attacking him, the cost be damned.
"I would, but then I'd never discover the answer to a riddle I've recently been posed." He raised his arm above her head and held it steady before her, letting her see her own likeness inked there.
Claire's mouth fell open as she was momentarily rendered speechless by it.
"Lydia was kind enough to share her gift with me, whilst she was attempting to get into my pants." He quirked an eyebrow suggestively at her, but Claire only managed to look even more repulsed and somewhat disbelieving, which irked his pride. "Apparently it shows me what I want."
That got her attention he watched her swallow thickly, deliberately avoiding his eyes whilst she tried to come back with a suitably scathing comment; only she was drawing a blank, apparently surprise had been the best tactic with Claire.
"Get out." She hissed, but apparently that was it. He rolled his eyes and inched a little closer until his body pressed against her side; he didn't give her the chance to move away, locking her body in place. From this position their heads were almost angled together, buried as she was in the crook of his arm. Her quiet resistance and forced stoicism had an unusual, if not entirely unexpected result and he glanced incredulously at his half hard erection hidden for now in his dark jean pants.
He laughed quietly and she looked thoroughly unnerved glancing at him like he was... well a raving lunatic serial killer, who'd invaded her room and was currently imprisoning her on her own bed. "Well I suppose that clears up one issue." He murmured and it had weighed on his mind slightly given as he had barely felt turned on at the sight of Lydia's half nude form throwing herself at him. Of course her 'impotent' comment had been aimed at his emotional state, rather than physical, but still, it was never a word a man liked aimed his way.
"You don't want me Sylar." Claire snarled, finally apparently losing the last of her patience for him in her life... shame really given his intentions. "You just want control, someone to push around and terrorise."
"Well I wouldn't say I don't want you." Sylar pointed out, his burgeoning erection finally catching her eye and causing no small amount of shock and disgust which registered quiet clearly on her face.
"I hate you." She spat at him, wishing with all her worth that she could prove it to him.
"For now." He admitted. "But I'm just here to talk Claire, let's not make this unpleasant." He chastised her gently and was surprised to find it had the desired effect; evidently college had matured her some, because she stopped fighting him entirely and he found it easy enough to release her from his control.
"Then talk, you usually don't need much encouragement for that." Came her catty reply as she kept her gaze fixed on the ceiling and the quiet thud of the bass from the party above that shook it slightly.
Without thinking too much why, he grasped her chin and forced her eyes onto his face, "I've been having some problems Claire."
Her laughter startled him and he almost dropped her chin, but apparently now she was quiet happy to stare unpleasantly at him. "Am I supposed to care?"
"Yes." He replied simply. "Given as my emotional state will no doubt involve your family and you specifically, I think you should give it thought."
"You killed my family." She snarled at him and he caught the expertly aimed claw that would have cost him the use of his eye for a few seconds had it connected.
"I killed your biological parents... who I'm sure I don't need to remind you, cast you aside." He aimed a knowing look her way, "Just like my family did."
"Don't compare us." Claire huffed; it had always been a sore point for her and one he'd picked up on early enough to press in their relationship.
"Why not. Other people will when Samuel's plan comes about." Sylar let the bait hang out there in the air between them, waiting for her natural curiosity to nibble at it.
"No." She told him quietly.
"No?" he snorted at her attempted resistance to the game. "That's it, just no?" he loosened his grip on her chin and let his index finger stroke across her lips, aware that it took a monumental amount of effort for her to not bite it off.
"I'm not playing this game with you Sylar, not anymore. Just leave." Her words held real bite and he spent a moment merely examining her hard expression whilst his finger traced the outline of her jaw, feeling every single reflexive tensing of the muscles that his proximity drew from her.
"You're not even curious about his grand plan... you were suspicious weren't you, wasn't that the reason you left their little family?" A small frown crinkled her brow as she determinedly kept her gaze on the ceiling and not on him as his hand trailed down across her collarbone, playing lightly with the small strap of her vest.
"Do you have to touch me." It wasn't a question, more of a plea and to his surprise he found that his fingers froze against her skin.
"I think I do." He replied quietly, equally surprised to find that it was the truth, as his finger drifted down over her arm to her hand, tracing the palm that he turned upright.
"If I humour you will you leave?" he could hear the start of apathy in her voice, she was actually trying to simply ignore him.
"I'd say it's worth a try." He murmured leaning closer so that their faces were only inches apart. Claire flinched at his proximity, apparently ignoring him only worked so long as he wasn't actually touching her.
"So tell me then." She hissed, "What's the new threat I have to save the world from?" Claire cocked her head fractionally so that her cold glare him hit him full on, "I feel like I have to ask, because I'm just so used to it being you."
Sylar smirked and placed a restraining hand against her stomach, stopping the movement to sit up she'd attempted and drawing a sharp hiss of disgusted frustration from her.
"Admit it Claire, you missed me... just a little, when you thought I was gone." Claire's eyes hardened and her lips pursed as she hit him with the most unpleasant look he was certain she could manage.
"You never get it, do you Sylar!" She all but snarled. "You weren't even gone... you were just hidden inside my father, like some sort of parasite."
Sylar felt himself go almost unnaturally still, "Now that's not quite right is it." Claire's chest was heaving with restrained rage but she was listening at least. "Thanks to your family," he all but spat the word at her, "you're sorry excuse for a sperm donor of a father was the one possessing me in case you forgot."
"Don't you talk about him like that! He was twice the man you'll ever be. You didn't deserve to share even a thought with him, let alone his life." The words stung him, there was no doubt about that, but they also struck a chord inside, she did understand after all.
"You're right." He admitted and Claire blinked in surprise, he moved then, rolling from his position beside her on the bed to directly over her, her hands snapped up to beside her head and he pinned them with his own, enjoying the feel of her entirely against him. "I didn't deserve it, didn't want it; didn't want to feel any of that." Claire was motionless beneath him, too afraid to move or even breathe. "Do you know what it's like for me Claire, to have felt everything he did, to be a part of something... to feel love like that!"
"I never felt love for you." She swore and he felt the tingle of the lie shuddering through the entire length of his body and he closed his eyes burying his head in the side of her neck and just inhaling. Her smell was familiar and yet forbidden, comforting and painful all at once; it was just so confusing.
"I want to feel that again Claire." He whispered, brushing his lips across her ear even as she strained to turn away from him.
"Then you're out of luck aren't you. Because you will never feel that... never. No one will ever love you for you!"
Sylar didn't look up, just kept his lips pressed against the skin of her throat feeling her pulse pounding beneath and reminding him how very alive she was beneath him. "You're probably right." He admitted, feeling his voice tighten at just the idea of it, he hated how vulnerable this whole Nathan thing had made him. He longed for the single minded assurance of insanity again.
"You shouldn't be here." Claire whispered, revealing the tremor in her own voice, part fear and anger, the rest tears.
"I disagree Claire, this is exactly where I should be; with you." The comment sent a shudder through her and he could see it wasn't going to sink in anytime soon, he sighed and pressed a lingering kiss to her temple, before sliding off her and moving to stand beside her desk. For a moment she merely hesitated, lying there, so he sat back on the desk, arms crossed watching as her eyes flicked to her phone, before realising there was no one she could call that could help.
Slowly she sat up, eyeing him nervously from her position as she stood beside her bed, clearly surprised that she was free.
"Samuel is planning to unleash himself and people with powers on the world. But I highly doubt he has the strength to control the power he's going to gain... I'm almost certain he'll tear the world apart trying."
"And you care why?" she cocked an eyebrow disbelievingly at him.
"Have I ever wanted to see the world burn Claire?" he shot back at her, watching as she opened her mouth and faltered. Her mind latching on to the threat over New York that had turned out to be Peter, not him, her mouth closed abruptly. The virus... that had been Peter too, him and Adam. Exposing them to the world, that was dear old Gramps. Locking them all away and de-powering them well that was both her Daddy dearest's idea.
"It was never me Claire." He couldn't help the sly grin that lifted the corner of his mouth at her stark realisation and the shock it invoked.
"No." She spat, "You never wanted to destroy the world... just my life."
The smug grin slid off his face at that. "I deserve that." He acknowledged. "It was never my intention you know... to hurt you."
"You just wanted what I had right." Claire reasoned snidely, rejecting his half attempted apology. "You just wanted to be special, because poor Gabriel Grey the watchmaker was never special; just some pathetic wretch of a man... a murderer."
Sylar's attention waivered and Gretchen stirred, drawing both their sharp gazes with the sudden realisation that they weren't alone. He reached out and forced her mind back into sleep, this was for Claire alone and given as he was trying to achieve something here; killing her new best friend was probably not the wisest decision.
"I'm extending an olive branch here Claire." Sylar pointed out.
"Then this is me shoving it back in your face!" she hissed. "Get out of here, get out of my life!"
"And who would take care of Samuel and his little Carnival of Freaks then?" the smirk was back, he had her with that one. "Will it be Pete, with all his many powers?" he taunted, sitting up and taking a small deliberate step towards her and his smirk widening at her reflexive step back. "Daddy Bennet and the Company?" he snorted, Bennet had his talents against individual specials but he doubted it would serve him against an army and sweet Claire knew that.
"I will." she threw back, but it sounded hollow even to her own ears.
"I'm offering my services Claire." He continued, feeling his pride chafe a little at the idea that he was practically having to beg to help her... pathetic. But it was all part of the plan, the goal, the only way he could have her in his life; so he'd grovel and play the remorseful killer and he'd work his way in, until she accepted him. Of course it did occur to him in the back of his dark little mind that killing for killing's sake might not be enough anymore, but killing to be a hero... that might work.
"For what price?" Clearly she was resisting the idea of him being a part of this.
"Does it really matter Claire?" he took another step towards her, leaving her nowhere else to go. "Without me the world burns."
"So what, you want to be the hero now?" Claire bit back, her eyes flashing with pain.
"No... just your hero Claire-bear." He raised his palm to her cheek, surprised that she let him, "Just yours." He added quietly, hoping that finally she'd listen, he only wanted a chance; it wasn't too much to ask.
"I don't want you in my life." Claire added, pulling herself sharply out of his grasp and attempting to shove past him. "I think I'd rather die."
Sylar rolled his eyes... 'teenagers'. Whipping his hand out he stopped her dead with his ability, forcing her to turn and quietly walk back towards him, angling her face so that he could take it in hand again. "News flash Claire... you won't die. Just everyone else, except for me of course." He smirked down at her. "Doesn't that sound nice Claire, just the two of us, no one else left on the planet to come between us?" her face paled and he saw the set of her jaw as she gave up fighting him for control, he relaxed his hold and watched as her shoulders slumped. That was the thing about real hero's they were always predictable.
"See, I knew we could agree." He smiled softly at her grimace.
"So now what happens?" Claire inquired uneasily.
"Now we get to spend some quality time together Claire, discuss strategies..."
Her eyes dropped to his tattooed arm reminding them both that there was still an elephant in the room.
"Will we discuss how I'm your greatest desire?" she took the elephant by the neck with that question, but she looked less than amused, even if there was definitely a shrewd glint in her eye. He could hear the wheels turning as she considered the best way to use that information to her advantage. Fortunately for her she wasn't a master manipulator, unlike everyone else in her family, or everyone else in his life... it was what saved her from his wrath. She just didn't have the patience to tolerate him even long enough for a plan like that to work.
"I'm sure it will come up." He shrugged with a shark-like smile for her that succeeded in making her rethink her smugness in this issue, reminding her that being his obsession had only brought her nothing but pain.
"Terrific." She muttered swiping his hand clear of her face and finally succeeding in shoving her way around him, to stalk to her desk and retrieve her cell phone. Sylar sent it flying out of her fingertips with a simple flick of his fingers, catching the piece of plastic in his hand and tucking it in his back pocket at her irritated look.
"I'll be the one making the plans from now on." He reminded her.
"So what's the plan." She sighed, crossing her arms and watching him edgily.
Sylar extended his hand to her. "Come with me and I'll show you."
Claire hesitated for what seemed like forever as she weighed up her options, deciding, as of course he knew she would, that she didn't really have all that many available to her. Her soft fingers slid into his and he tightened his grip, pulling her firmly against his chest and wrapping an arm around her, ignoring her repulsed look.
The dorm room window flew open again and he lifted them both into the air, sailing through into the dark concealing night outside. "You see Claire; I knew we could build bridges."