brain freeze
. helium lost .

Author's Notes: I really don't like the way this turned out D: My first attempt at Heroes fic. I squeezed the whole series into my brain over the span of about four days, so please point out and forgive any errors regarding canon. Thanks!

Also, Sylar's being referred to as Zane here because he's still under that identity, so I apologize in advance if you go "oh whutthe--". :)


He eyes the small box before him with an air of surprise.

"What's this?"

Mohinder rummages around in the plastic bag for a few moments before turning up with a pair of plastic spoons. He holds them up triumphantly before smiling.

"Well, we've had a long day, and I know you're tired, Zane," Mohinder says, sitting down across the table from him. "And, well, I figured that a little ice cream could cheer us both up." He winks and hands Zane a spoon. He takes it.

"Neopolitan?" he asks, tilting his head to read the lid. Mohinder laughs and shrugs.

"I wasn't sure which kind was your favorite, so I took the safe route." He takes back the lid and raises the spoon. "You first."

Zane raises his eyebrows but complies, prodding the ice cream with his spoon and digging a spoonful out from the line between strawberry and vanilla. He hesitantly brings the spoon to his mouth, his eyes fixed on Mohinder, before eating the ice cream. Mohinder smiles.

"Do you know why eating ice cream makes you feel good?" Mohinder asks as he leans forward and gets a scoop of vanilla. Zane shakes his head. "It's because eating what tastes good releases endorphins in your brain. It's the same feeling as when you exercise, when you feel pain, or when you get an adrenaline rush." He contemplates the scoop of ice cream on his spoon before licking off the ice cream and swallowing it in a single gulp.

Suddenly, Mohinder winces; he sets down the spoon before touching his head.

"What's wrong?" Zane asks, a look of concern on his face.

"Spheno palatine gangleoneuralgia," Mohinder says in a single breath. Zane looks back with a blank expression on his face.

"…What?"

Mohinder takes in a small gulp of air. "Brain freeze."

"Oh, right," Zane says. He pauses for a moment, then stands and strides to the bedside table; sure enough, a bottle of water that he had bought earlier is still on it. He takes the bottle and walks back to Mohinder; he tilts Mohinder's head up, unscrews the cap from the bottle, and hands it to him.

"Here. Drink it slowly; that should help."

Mohinder nods, wincing, before taking small sips from the bottle of water. Zane stands and takes a couple steps back; the corner of his lips curl into a faint smirk as he watches Mohinder wince.

A few moments later, Mohinder lowers the bottle and takes a breath, holding it before looking up to smile at him.

"Thanks," he says.

Zane smiles. "No, thank you," he says. "I don't know where I'd be without you. You've shown me—kindness, care—" His smile widens as his eyes flash. "I don't know what it'd be like to lose you."

He walks up to the table, the flashing in his eyes gone, replaced suddenly by a warm smile. He takes Mohinder's spoon and scoops another scoop of ice cream for him and holds it out before his mouth.

"Now this time," he says, raising an eyebrow, "take it slow."

Mohinder smiles and takes the spoon. "I will."


Author's Notes: I love all forms of feedback and concrit, so feel free to leave some. Thanks for reading!