December 21st

Dinner

3rd Person POV

The smell of honey glazed ham, baked turkey, fresh bread, cranberry sauce, and cinnamin waffted through the apartment. It was a warm and cozy 78 degrees and the tree was lit up and glowing softly in the corner. Christmas carols were playing softly out of the speakers near the television. Noah was sleeping underneath the kitchen table, he had drug his pillow under there hours ago. The house was quiet of voices and besides the caroling the hum of the radiator, and Noah's occassional snore was all that could be heard.

It was an awkward silence. Peter, Angela, and Renee were sitting around the table while Gabriel scurried about the kitchen to get everything ready. He kept his footsteps light and his eyes downcast. Angela had called the night before to tell Peter she was going to come over for an early Christmas dinner. Not a full minute later there was a knock at the door. Three delivery boys were carrying Christmas groceries and as Peter could barely cook for himself, Gabriel had been left to it.

Peter felt horrible. He knew he hadn't spent a decent amount of quality time with his mother since he began dating Gabriel, but he couldn't help it. He loved his mother, but he hated so much of what she had done. He wasn't sure how to approach her with his new life choices, so he avoided the issue all together. He also felt bad for Gabriel. The taller man had thrown a fit. He'd paniced.

After the phone call Gabriel had ran his hands through his hair and started hyperventilating. Before Peter had been able to help Gabriel dashed off to get his cleaning supplies. Around eleven Peter forced Gabriel to eat a sandwhich then he headed off to bed after receiving a promise that Gabriel would follow after his meal. But when Peter woke up at two in the morning to go the bathroom Gabriel was still at it. His back was hunched down as he leaned in close to see any missed spots on the counter he was scrubbing. Peter had to pull Gabriel away and drag him to bed. Gabriel cried himself to sleep with Peter wrapped around his back, whispering to him that everything would be okay.

So Peter sat at the table with mixed feelings. But mostly he was aggitated. He traced small circles into the wood of his table and kept his eyes on his plate. His mother hadn't tried to start a conversation and for that Peter was thankful. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Renee move a bowl of sweet potatos to the side and seconds later he saw Gabriel put down a bowl of cranberry sauce.

He turned in his chair to face Gabriel and smiled warmly. The taller man was looking at his feet and twisting his hands in front of him. His lower lip trembled and he opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Peter reached out and clasped his hand with Gabriel's. The watchmaker took a deep breath.

"It's all there, you can eat."

Angela gave a sharp nod and Peter turned back to face the table. He glanced over his shoulder when he heard Gabriel walk away but was distracted by Renee asking for the stuffing. He assumed Gabriel was just cleaning a small mess and that he would be back momentarily. But five minutes went by and Gabriel was still nowhere to be seen.

Peter excused himself and headed for the kitchen. There he found Gabriel pushing sweet potatos and peas around his plate.

"You're not going to eat with us Brei? You worked so hard..."

Gabriel hiccuped once, his shoulders shaking. Tears were fighting to fall down his cheeks.

"It's not like t-they want me here."

"Gabriel..."

Gabriel let out a choked sob and then slid to the floor. He pressed his back against the counter and drew his knees up to hide his face.

I ruin everything! They hate me! She's doing this to punish me and I deserve it! I deserve to be punished for my sins. But it hurts...hurts so much. Wanna go away...go so far away.

Gabriel's shoulders were shaking harder and Peter knew he'd finally let the tears spill over. He walked closer to Gabriel and sat next to him on the floor. He pulled to taller man towards him, allowing Gabriel to cry into his neck and shoulder. Peter held tight around Gabriel's middle and placed soothing kisses anywhere he could reach.

He was suddenly aware of how quiet it had gotten in the dining room. He couldn't even hear the clacking of silverware against the plates. They were listening in. Peter glared in their direction even though they couldn't see him.

Damn it. I thought for once I could just have a nice Christmas. Now I'll be lucky if I can keep Gabriel from leaving me tonight.

"Peter, Peter come out before the food gets cold. Bring Gabriel with you please."

Gabriel sniffled and whined into Peter's neck, not wanting to leave the safety of the kitchen. Peter rubbed his arms soothingly up and down his boyfriends back and made shushing noises.

"It's okay, I promise to protect you."

You better, or I will.

Peter pressed a kiss to Gabriel's forehead and stood. He reached out to help Gabriel off the floor and rubbed his back soothingly as the watchmaker dried his eyes and retrieved his plate. Peter lead him, hand on Gabriel's lower back, into the dining room and into an empty seat. The taller man was sitting between Renee and Peter. He still felt he had no right to be anywhere near Angela.

I can't believe you kissed her.

She doesn't look bad for her age.

Peter cleared his throat in Gabriel's direction and then nodded towards the food.

"What do you want Gabriel?"

Gabriel slouched in his seat, trying to shy away from everyone's attention. He shook his head and began getting his own food.

Don't cater to me. Talk to your mother. She misses you.

Peter sighed and forced a smile in his mother's direction.

"So...an early Christmas dinner, this is new."

Angela nodded and swallowed. She took a sip of her water before eyeing Gabriel and then turning her attention to Peter.

"I knew you'd be less than willing to come visit me, and to be honest I was curious about your situation with Gabriel and Mr. Sylar."

Gabriel bit his lower lip and put his fork back on the table. He began breathing deeply through his nose and twisted his fingers into his pants. Peter reached under the table to take one of Gabriel's hands and squeezed.

"I'm in a relationship with them both if that's what you're asking."

Peter looked back and forth between Renee and Angela. At first he saw nothing but controled blankness on each of their faces. But the more he looked the more he noticed. Angela was concerned, lonely, and curious.

I just want to know how my baby boy is doing. I miss you so much Peter...

Peter leaned to the side and kissed his mother on the cheek. He tipped his head forward and rested his forehead against her temple and closed his eyes.

"I know mom, I'm sorry."

He kissed her cheek again and pulled away.

"Me and Brei will answer your questions after dinner. He worked hard, it'd be a shame to let everything get cold."

"A shame indeed."

Gabriel's head jerked to the side in shock. His eyes comicly wide and mouth slightly agape. He apparently hadn't been aware that Renee could talk. Renee and Angela laughed quietly at his reaction and Peter laughed heartily into his hands. The tension had eased and the meal continued with a lighter air.

- - - - - - - - - - - - –

Gabriel was sitting on the reclining chair with Peter on the arm of it, arms crossed. Renee and Angela were seated comfortably on the couch, each of them holding a mug of tea. Gabriel had decided not to take a glass of his own on the off chance that one of Angela's questions made him choke or spit. Peter thought it was a wise move and decided against tea as well.

"So Gabriel, you are Gabriel at the moment aren't you?"

Gabriel nodded and pressed his glasses closer to his face.

"Yes Ma'am. Sylar doesn't like wearing our glasses. It helps Peter tell us apart...well that and..."

Angela raised an eyebrow and raised a hand to stop him.

"I think I get the gist of it. Gabriel...do you still own the watch shop? Do you have other hobbies?"

Angela started out slow, asking questions that allowed her to get to know Gabriel better. She had never really met him after all, just Sylar masquerading as him. She wanted to know who her son had fallen so hard for. She wanted to know what it was about this man that allowed Peter to forgive Nathan's death.

The longer Gabriel talked the more animated he became. Once he realized Angela wasn't out to get him, nor the Hatian, he was more willing to respond. He was more open, more child-like in his enthusiasm. Angela took the reactions in kind, opening up little by little, even allowing small smiles to shine through. But Peter wasn't worried about her, he was worried about Renee. Renee was a good man, but he was also very interested in keeping Peter safe. The nurse feared Renee would do something to Gabriel or Sylar, something the Hatian thinks is in Peter's best interest, and not necessarily something Peter wants.

But finally Peter was torn away from studying Renee and brought into the conversation. Peter had slid on the armrest, half of his butt was now resting in between Gabriel's arm and the side of the chair. His upper body was tipped onto Gabriel's and he tilted his head to rest the side of it on the top of his boyfriend's.

"Peter, do you and Gabriel...and Sylar...plan on having any more of a family?"

Gabriel tensed and bit his lip. Peter slid a hand into on of Gabriel's and squeezed it gently.

"We're thinking about it. But not too soon, we have forever. For now we have Noah to keep us busy."

Seemingly tired of being ignored, Noah bounded into the room at the mention of his name and barked happily at Angela and Renee. He feinted back and forth between them, nugging his face into their legs and barking at them. He quieted when Renee began petting him.

"Noah? You didn't name him after Mr. Bennet did you?"

"I wanted it to be a reminder...I'll never forget...but it's better that I have a glaring example of what I've done staring me in the face everyday. It reminds me of what I am."

The words were soft, sad, and shakey. Peter kissed the top of Gabriel's head. He knew better than to speak with him about these things. It only brought pain, tears, and Sylar's angry face.

Angela was slightly taken aback at the response. She had expected Gabriel to explain that it was a biblical reference. But she nodded once in understanding. She knew a little something of those types of reminders.

With that one question the room grew tense again and Peter feared the worst. But Angela clasped her hands together and leaned forward on the couch.

"Well! I think we've taken up a great deal of your time today boys, and unannounced at that. But just one more question before I go."

Gabriel nodded and gave Angela a soft smile, glad for the peace that was coming.

"Why on Earth did Sylar kiss me?"

Renee turned his head slowly to face Angela and raised an eyebrow. Peter stiffled a laugh into Gabriel's hair and then shuddered as he felt Sylar come to the front to answer the question.

"I wanted to taste a different brand of evil. And let's be honest, you wear your age well."

Angela cleared her throat and stood. She straightened her jacket and held her hands out for Peter to come closer. The nurse slid off the couch and hugged his mother tightly before pulling away to help Gabriel stand. Sylar had retreated in order to embarrass Gabriel and it had worked. A dark blush spread from his cheekbones down his neck and under the collar of his shirt.

When Angela motioned for a hug from Gabriel, Peter took Renee aside. He grabbed Renee tightly by his upper arm.

"Don't take him away from me. Either of them, please Renee. I'm begging you."

Renee put his hand over Peter's and looked him in the eye.

"I will always come if you need me."

"I don't want to lose him."

"But maybe he could stand to lose a few things."

Peter's hand slid from Renee's arm.

"Those memories make them who they are."

"And all the strife those memories have caused?"

"I've made my peace with that, and he's dealing with it in his own way."

Renee nodded once and followed Angela to the door. He nodded to Gabriel in goodbye and then left with Angela. Peter let out a big sigh and hugged Gabriel around the middle. He pressed a kiss into Gabriel's shoulder and closed his eyes.

"Wanna take a bath together? Wash away all the yuck of the day?"

"Bath's aren't very sanitary."

Peter pulled away and tugged Gabriel towards to bathroom. He cocked his head back and smiled.

"Fine, then we'll take a dirty shower instead."

Dirty? But-

Gabriel, not that kind of dirty.

Oh...

"Oh indeed Brei. Oh indeed."

Disclaimer: I do not own this slash fiction. I just uploaded this here because I prefer reading stories using my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phablet. I will be taking this down once I'm done reading all drabbles. You can find the source of this fiction in - neaislove . livejournal / 27458 . html . Look for the Settled World Verse series.