BLIND
Chapter 5: New Beginnings and Unveilled Secrets
Peter was yanked out of his dream by the sound of the phone ringing, which grew more and more anoying. 'Shit' he mumbled into his cushion. He reached his hand for it, lying flat on his stomach, and after a bit of a strugle, was finally able to press the "talk" button. "Hello?" he said grogilly. His hand motioned scrubbingly accross his face then through his hair and he waited as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room.
The person on the other end was Nathan, inviting him over for brunch. The chat was very short once Peter accepted the invitation. Although, Nathan sounded awfully amused, Peter noted.
He turned his body around and almost fell backwards clumsily when he noticed the still body next to him. 'Guess you're not immune to everything after all, Petey ol' boy' he thought feeling the pain of his hangover. He turned his head slightly to see the woman's face with more clarity. It was Claire.
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Peter took out the goods while Claire eagerly got the shot glasses. He propped them on the small coffee table that was in front of the sofa, and they sat on the floor, at opposite sides of the table facing each other. Peter poured himself a shot and gulped it down quickly and proceeded to pour himself another. He brought up the glass to drink it, but Claire stopped him.
Claire:"Hey, not so fast. We can't just drink and stare at each other until one of us gets drunk" she half-joked. "Let's make this fun".
Peter raised his eyebrow, slowly putting the cup down, waiting for her suggestion. She did have a point.
She put a finger on her chin and her eyes brightened when a thought occured to her.
Claire:"Let's play 'I never' "
Peter chuckled at hearing this and shook his head. "You are so high school".
Claire:"Do you even remember how to play, gramps?"
He feigned being insulted.
She ignored this and went on to explain the game.
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He was only wearing his boxers. His memories of the night before were fuzzy due to all the alcohol consumption.
He closed his eyes squinting, willing himself to remember.
It was starting to work, little pieces of flashbacks were coming back to him.
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Claire:"I never ate snails" claire said shuddering, she pictured their gooey heads and peering eyes staring up at her.
Peter drank up. "What? It's a delicacy." he defended in response to her disapproving look.
Claire shrugged. "Ok, I never...smoked pot".
She realised how lame that sounded, but she'd surely liven things up slowly.
Peter grinned and drank up, remembering various incidents in college. So did Claire.
Claire:"interesting, guess you're not a total boy scout"
Peter:"I have my moments"
That earned a smirk out of Claire.
Claire:"All right, your turn"
Peter:"I never kissed a quarterback."
Peter thought that the former homecoming queen surely must have shared the obligatory kiss with the star of the football team.
Peter added "although a lineman did almost peck me once."
She hit him lightly on the shoulder at his joke. Claire poured herself a shot, her expression saddening. "Not all it's cracked up to be, believe me" she said remembering how a kiss from a certain quarterback landed her in the morgue on an autopsy table.
Peter:"I'll take your word for it" he joked. His smile faded when he noticed a hint of anger in her eyes, which made him curious, though he knew it was not directed at him. The anger quickly disappeared though.
He wanted to probe her about it but he could tell from the shake of her head that she was thinking 'don't ask'.
She cleared her throat and quickly recomposed herself.
Claire:"All right, I never...had a fling with a teacher" she stated, curiously awaiting his reply. She liked playing this game. She could ask anything she's wanted to know about him without worrying about being too nosy. He did agree to all this after all.
She grinned at him as he seemed relunctant to answer. "Come on, I won't judge" she said raising her hands in front of her.
Claire:"Well?" she teased "shall i take that silence as your answer? Need I pour you another shot?"
He scratched his chin, keeping eye contact.
Still no answer.
Claire felt a chilling sensation on the back of her neck and felt like something was pulling her hair. She turned her head around quickly, but there was nothing. she turned back to face Peter and caught him quickly trying to put his glass down. It was clear he had just taken a shot.
Claire:"Peter Petrelli!" she gasped. "What was that?" she said accusingly as she approached him and grinned from cheek to cheek. He opened his mouth to reply because he thought she was going to give it to him for using his powers on her but she cut him off.
Claire:"You had a raunchy affair with a faculty member? Do telll, i want details"
Peter laughed at her enthusiasm. "uh--ahem--ok, well, I was a freshman in college. I was the broody artistic type and quite the intellectual if I do say so myself"
Claire could totally picture it, that's so him, she thought. She motioned with her hands for him to continue.
Peter:"Anyway, I took a poetry class as an elective and the prof was a complete knockout. She liked that i was more mature than other some of the other guys my age. We'd always have long chats after class about one writer or another and one day we just--" Peter was going to say had mad passionate sex but realised that Claire was still a young impressionable teenager and that he should probably refrain from saying that. Instead, he settled for "we kissed and it...progressed from there."
Claire felt herself become jealous as Peter was telling her about this professor. Hearing him talk about his ex made Claire feel really uneasy, she can't imagine or remember why she wanted to hear about it in the first place.
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19 shots and a half hour later...
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Claire laughed. "All right, your turn Petey"
Peter raised his eyebrows at the nickname.
Claire. "I was trying it out...has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
Peter:" All right, I never...been skinny dipping"
Claire was surprised, which she clearly showed by her open mouth and tilt of her head. "Seriously?"
Peter:"yep, guess that makes me an alien or something" he said as he let out a chuckle.
Claire drank a shot and a mischievous smile started to form.
Claire:"There's a first time for everything...no time like the present, right?"
Peter's head shot up and she raised her eyebrow as if prompting for a response.
Peter:"You mean...?" she nodded, still smiling.
Peter:"heh..." he was thinking about the proposition, wondering whether that was such a good idea.
Claire:"I promise not to take advantage of you"
Peter:"I'm not sure I like that promise" he replied impulsively.
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Peter felt her shift beside him. She unconsciously let out a couple of moans as she moved her legs and felt the comfortable matress beneath her feet. The sounds made him gulp.
She was still moving, wanting to find a comfortable position, finally, it seemed like she had when she slid closer to him, resting an arm across his chest and laying her bare thigh over his.
He noticed her wearing his chemise, which was only buttoned at the bottom, the curves of her breasts visible. Even when she was sleeping, she had ways to drive him crazy. He rested his arm around her.
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Claire:"Where are we? Are you sure this is okay?" she asked, looking around at the swimming pool that was hidden behind a beautiful mansion surrounded with gates.
Peter:"Some politician's house, it's fine"
Claire:"Living on the edge" she noted.
Peter:"I like to, occassionaly".
She smiled coyly. "Turn around" she said as she crossed her arms and brought her hands down the sides of her shirt. Peter realised what she was about to do so he obliged her. He heard the fabric rustle to the floor and fought the urge to turn around. Her shorts soon followed and she jumped in the pool, splashing water on Peter.
Claire:"Come on. Your turn!" he heard her call. He saw her run her hands through her newly wet hair.
He took his shoes off and tossed them to the ground. His shirt went flying next. When he reached his belt buckle, he paused for a second, resting his hands there. He shrugged off all doubts when he heard her call for him again. He was drunk, he told himself. He wasn't accountable for his actions. His remaining clothes were off in seconds.
He jumped and curled his knees into a ball as he splashed into the pool, feeling the water invade every part of him.
He swam over to her, feeling like a teenage boy, a feeling that he liked. For a while, he had managed to stop worrying about the coming events and let himself go, enjoying a peaceful night for the first time in a long time.
They swam, facing each other, him towards her and her backing up, keeping their eyes locked on one another's until she reached a hard surface. She gasped softly and turned her head to see what it was, pressing her hands backwards against it.
It was dark, but light enough for him to see the perkiness of her breasts when they thrusted up as she hit the wall, placing her hands backwards on it for balance. He was now standing, covered from the waist down but she, becoming increasingly self-conscious sunk a bit lower to keep her upper body covered underwater. She blushed when she saw the bulge between his thighs and felt content for being the cause of it. She placed a finger on his chest and trailled drips of water downward, feeling his muscles tense at her touch. It continued lower but stopped when she reached his pelvis, her eyes concentrating there for a moment. She traced it on the side gently, moving her finger back and forth. She thought of how sexy he looked and couldn't believe how perfeclty built his body was, enough to drive any woman to mad obsession. She took in his appearence mesmorizingly, devouring him with her eyes. When she realised she was staring, she quickly removed her finger, blushing and looked away.
She diverted her eyes back to face him.
His eyes were still stuck on her. She could see desire in them, a longing that she felt too. His intent stare made her already pink cheeks more flushed. She decided to take a chance, be bold. She knows he would never initiate anything with her because of their age difference and because he thinks it'd be taking advantage of her, but oh how she ached to be taken advantage of by him.
She kept her blue eyes locked on his, biting her lip.
Claire:"I never...had impure thoughts about present company" she said, lifting herself up at a deliberately slow pace, the water now only reaching her waist. She then looked down, awaiting his reply, fearing rejection.
He took her hands in his on either side of her, then let his travel up her arms, to her shoulders, to her neck, then to her chin, slowly lifting it up to face him.
Her breathing fastened, heaving her chest up everytime she inhaled.
"What are you doing to me?" The words had escaped his mouth before he could stop them, a hungry expression in his eyes.
She smiled, his confession confirming she wasn't the only one whose feelings had deepened beyond the throes of friendship. She brought up her hand to his cheek and caressed his bangs, his beautiful bangs that she loved.
Claire:"Sometimes I look at you and you seem to be looking at me. But sometimes you look away...like you're afraid of what might happen if you stare for just a second longer."
His hand finds her cheek and cups it, his body slowly inching closer to hers.
His lips brush against hers softly, almost teasingly. Her eyes close and she lifts her head up in anticipation.
Peter:"I am afraid" he admits. "My body trembles.. I shouldn't be shaking..." he speaks against her mouth.
She feels his breath on her lips.
Her lips spread, her mouth inviting, waiting for contact.
Finally, his crash into hers. Gently at first, savouring the taste but soon...
Soon, their tongues have a mind of their own and it's hard to tell where hers end and his begins.
Their perfect moment is interrupted when a light comes on and someone comes out of the house. Peter acts fast and makes them invisible, then flies them away back to the apartment, leaving their clothes behind.
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Claire felt a weight on her stomach when she woke up. She placed her hand on top of it and realised that it was Peter's arm. His head jerked awake and turned over to her.
Peter:"Morning Sleepyhead"
She smiled at him. "Hi"
He removed his arm from around her and turned on his side, towering her while she lay on her back.
Peter:"You feeling all right?"
Claire:"Yeah i'm--" she stopped as she tried to sit up and felt sudden panging sensations which send her head falling back on her pillow.
Claire:"Ugh! Guess we're not immune to everything after all" she said rubbing her head. He grinned, remembering having felt and thought the same thing when he awoke.
Claire turned to look at him and a smile began to form.
Claire:"some night, huh?"
He tucked some strands of hair behind her ear.
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It was a wonder to both of them that Peter had managed to get them home safely considering how drunk they were. Peter headed straight to the bathroom when they got back to his apartment. Being naked in a pool with Claire was hard enough, but holding her so close, flesh against flesh while he flew them home brought all his fantasies to shame. It was an understatement to say that he was in dire need of a cold shower.
He had told her to help herself to his clothes before locking the bathroom door behind him.
After a few minutes, he came out into the room with a towel around his waist, and she quickly sat up from his bed, not sure of what would happen next.
She was wearing his boxers, rolled up as high as possible, with his baby blue chemise, barely buttoned. He cleared his throat and turned away, ruffling through his closet. He finally found what he was looking for and motioned for her to turn around so he could change.
Claire:"Come on Petey, nothing I haven't seen before" she grinned suggestively.
Peter:"That doesn't mean you get a free viewing fro--" he was cut off when she approached him and tugged at his towel, letting it drop to the floor. She crossed her arms satisfied.
Peter:"Claire..."
He put his boxers on, not taking his eyes off her. They'd sure gotten to know one another's eyes better tonight. He wouldn't forget them anytime soon.
Claire:"Party pooper"
"You know..." she began raising her hands to her buttons. "You can sneek a peek anytime" she slurred over her words. He was tempted. But she was obviously drunk. He didn't want to do anything she may regret later.
He gripped her hands and stopped her.
Peter:"Let's get some rest".
She frowned, suddenly feeling insecure. Maybe he didn't want her, she thought. She nodded at him and put on a faint smile, not wanting to show her hurt.
He knew what she was thinking, her expression giving her away.
"Claire? I just want us to...take things slow. Ok?"
He walked to the bed and lifted the comforter for her to lay down. She did, and he tucked her in.
Peter:"You need anything?" he asked.
She shook her head 'no'.
Peter:"All right, sleep tight" he said as he bent down to kiss her forehead and headed to the door, turning the light off. He was about to walk out of the room and to the living room couch, but Claire's voice stopped him.
"Peter" was all she said, getting his attention.
She patted to the spot beside her on the bed, inviting him in.
Claire:"Please?...We don't have to do anything."
He walked over and layed next to her. She stayed true to her word, not trying anything.
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"Some night" Peter said in agreement.
Claire's eyes concentrated on a spot in the ceiling.
Claire: Do you regret... any of it?" she referred to their kiss, remembering offering herself to him but him turning her down. She expected him to give her a speech about how they can't be more than friends, that it wouldn't be right, blah blah blah.
He waited for her to look at him to answer, but she wouldn't.
He mounted her, laying on top of her, forcing her to face him.
He lowered his head and kissed her, biting her bottom lip as he lifted his head, parting.
Peter:"Does that answer your question?"
She was surprised, pleasantly so.
Claire:"Ahem, I don't know, maybe we should try that again--"
He recaptured her mouth. This time, the kiss was deeper. He tried to keep it innocent at first, not wanting to scare her but she responded with such fervor that he found himself breathless and his stomach tingling. The way she teased him with her tongue made it clear he didn't need to hold back for her benefit.
After a few minutes, they parted for air.
He got off of her and sat up, she did too. They were facing each other.
Claire:"So...What now?"
Peter:"Breakfast" he simply stated.
She hit him on the arm. He knew she was talking about them.
Peter:"Now...I think we should take things slow". He waited for her reply, hoping she'd respect his decision.
Claire:"I'm okay with that." She said truthfully. Her feelings for Peter are real and stronger than anything she's felt for any other boy. She's willing to give him the time he needs to realise that and to come to terms with his own feelings. Heck, she'd take whatever she could get.
He gave her a peck on the lips.
Peter:"Oh, um -- my brother called. He invited us over for brunch"
Claire couldn't resist. "Shouldn't you take me out on a real date before you start introducing me to your family?" she joked.
Peter's lip curled upward. "What can I say? I guess I have a good feeling about you"
She blushed.
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Outside the Petrelli Mansion...
Claire recognized the house from their previous night.
She raised her eyebrow at him followed by a "living dangerously?" remembering him refer to it as 'some politician's house'.
He laughed and put his arm around her as they entered the house.
They entered the foyer, but no one seemed to be around. Peter told her he'd be back as he went to look for his brother. Claire took the opportunity to look around, the place was truly exquisite. She walked over to a table full of pictures. She saw one of two kids in soccer uniforms and a black haired woman. She smiled thinking how cute they looked. Her eyes moved on to the next one and she picked it up. It was one of Peter and two other people, whom she could only assume was his mother and his...brother?
Peter had found Nathan, he had his arm around him when he came into the foyer, Claire's back was facing them.
Claire brought a hand to her mouth when she looked closely at the man in the picture beside Peter. Her heart fell. It was...him. How could she not have made the connection before? How could she not read the signs? How many Petrellis are Politicians for christ's sake?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her.
She turned around dreadingly, not wanting her suspicions to be confirmed.
Peter:"Nathan, this is --"
Nathan cut him off. "Claire?" he said stepping closer to her, not believing his eyes.
She dropped the picture frame she still held in her hands, the glass shaddering on the ground.
Claire couldn't believe it. It really was him.
"You" she let out in a whisper.
Peter looked back and forth from his brother to Claire.
Peter:"You two know each other?" he asked confused.
He didn't know what the hell was going on. But whatever it was, he didn't like it one bit.
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Authors Note: Hi guys. Sorry for the late update, I had a bit of difficulty writing this chapter, hope it was worth the wait. Let me know what you liked and didn't like...all suggestions are welcome :) And I love reviews so please feel free to leave your comments.