Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Gabriel Gray/Sylar x Mohinder Suresh
Warnings: Slash
Spoilers: Heroes, 1.16
Word Count: Approx. 798
Rants: Second part of three, and definitely the weakest of the three parts, IMHO. Still, it's not too bad.
Summary: Mohinder and Zane return to New York, only for a minor problem to arise.
Disclaimer: Well, Tim Kring has still yet to give me proper ownership of Heroes, so, no, I don't own Heroes.

The first night back in New York didn't really count as being the first night back, because they arrived at Mohinder's apartment at twenty-five after midnight, and neither of them could possibly stay awake for another moment. That was the point when Mohinder realized Zane lived in Virginia, and didn't actually have a place to stay.

"I can sleep on the couch," Gabriel muttered tiredly, glancing at the couch, then back at Mohinder.

The geneticist waved his hand dismissively. "I can't have you sleeping on the couch, you're my guest." He paused, glancing back towards his bedroom, then back at Gabriel and Sylar, a slight frown on his lip. "I'll sleep on the couch. You can have my bed."

Always the gentleman, Sylar hummed happily, and the corner of Gabriel's lip twitched in a smile. "I can't sleep on your bed – it's, well, yours." Mohinder's face fell, ever so slightly. Gabriel was confused, but Sylar let out a bark of laughter. You insulted him, Sylar informed Gabriel, and Gabriel felt like an idiot. "I mean – it's just, that, it's your bed. In your apartment. I don't mind the couch."

Mohinder smiled politely but shook his head. "I can't - "

"What if we both slept in the bed?" Gabriel blurted out, startling Mohinder. "I mean – it's not the first time. And, it's just for tonight..." Gabriel's voice fell to just below a whisper, but Mohinder looked like he had heard every word. An amused smile was on his face. Gabriel realized he had a nasty habit of asking to sleep with the other man, which caused him to flush a bright shade of red.

"No, I suppose it's not the first time," he mused. "Alright."

Gabriel smiled tiredly, and Mohinder smiled in return. It was weird, this time. Crawling into bed with Mohinder. It was planned, and awkward, and they lay shoulder-to-shoulder, each too tired and shy to talk or roll over. Mohinder's heart was racing again, as was Gabriel's, and the watchmaker was positive even Mohinder could hear it, even without special hearing powers.

"Hey, Mohinder?" Gabriel whispered softly into the night. One week before he'd have been scared to break the silence, afraid the geneticist was asleep, but now... Now he knew. Mohinder was still awake.

"Yes, Zane?" Mohinder replied in an equally soft tone. He turned his head to look at Gabriel, confused, and Gabriel looking at him, smiled in return.

"Do you travel a lot? Like all around the world?" He asked, and realized how childish he sounded.

"I've been to a few countries, yes," Mohinder replied, smiling faintly. "England, Wales, France... Areas in western Europe. It's... beautiful out there."

"Was India beautiful?"

"Not always, but, yes."

Gabriel drifted into silence, staring at Mohinder tiredly, and the Indian stared tiredly back. Even when they were half closed, the watchmaker could get lost in Mohinder's eyes, the beautiful brown colour they were. But saying brown wasn't doing them justice, yet Gabriel couldn't think of a better word.

He asked you a question, Sylar pointed out.

"I'm sorry, what?" Gabriel stammered, flushing slightly.

"I'm sorry, should I shut up?" Mohinder asked, a slight tease to his tone.

"No, it's okay, I like the sound of your voice."

He's blushing! Sylar cheered, laughing. Gabriel smiled shyly, doing his best to ignore his counterpart.

"Ah, well, I asked if you've traveled?" Mohinder repeated.

"Nothing outside of Virginia. Well, New York now, but... I've just never had time... or money..." Gabriel's voice trailed off. He'd never really thought about traveling before.

"Ah..." Mohinder said softly, and went back to staring up at the ceiling.

"Do you speak any other languages?" Gabriel asked.

"Parlez-vous français?" Mohinder replied with a light tone.

"Uh..." Oui, Sylar replied. Gabriel blanched. Oui? Sylar nodded. Gabriel was confused, as he was pretty sure 'oui' was yes, and if Mohinder just asked him if he spoke French, then 'no' was the correct answer. "No. Not really?"

Mohinder laughed lightly. Gabriel felt the back of Mohinder's hand brush against his own, and he realized how close they were. A light flush crossed his face, and he stared up at the ceiling. Sylar was laughing at him again, saying names Gabriel didn't care to repeat. He twitched his finger. Mohinder's hand brushed against his again, and their fingers entwined.

The geneticist's heart was racing yet again, as was Gabriel's. This couldn't be good for either of them. The heart racing thing. Gabriel didn't mind the hand holding. Gabriel's flushed darkened. He was holding hands with a gorgeous man he barely knew, in the dark, in the other man's bed. He squeezed Mohinder's hand gently, to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Mohinder squeezed back.

"Good night, Mohinder." Gabriel breathed.

"Good night, Zane." Mohinder replied.

Gabriel's heart broke.

Note: As I explained when I posted this originally, the Sylar speaking French while Gabriel can't is just an idea I tossed around with someone in one of my classes. As it's technically Sylar's (Charlie's) ability, we're just going to say the benefit of a super memory doesn't apply to Gabriel. In other words, I'm the author, so shut-the-hell-up.