Disclaimer: I do not own Heroes.

22 December, 2009

Sylar and Claire sat side by side in bed on Tuesday evening reading, bodies just close enough to touch but not so close that either felt crowded. The day had exhausted both of them, mentally, physically they were both ready to go. That, Claire supposed was the comedy of their lives now. Their bodies regenerated with no problems, everything crystallized in perfection. Their minds however were another story.

Claire was beginning to understand Adam just a little. The madness that drove him after so many years of being alone, of doing the same things, of watching the world turn but never really change. Claire had experienced just a teaspoon full of that madness when she first understood her condition. She had attempted, quite seriously, to end her existence. It was about more than just testing the limits of what she could recover from.

The chaos of the first few months and years of fighting and hiding had given Claire a purpose, something in which she could bury herself and hide from the truth. When the chaos calmed, all Claire had left was the understanding that she would be alone. The introspection was in part, due to Noah calling early in the afternoon. He had asked simple questions Claire simply didn't know how to answer. She had struggled to separate the week's events, even struggled to recall what day it was. Noah had been too focused on where Claire was to hear the confusion in her voice.

It was a stupid fear, Claire knew it, but the reasoning was probable. She had so much time on her hands and very little to fill that time. Eyes flicking back to her book, Claire scooted a little closer to Sylar, resting her cheek against his arm.

"Sylar," she whispered still pretending to read the book, "Do you ever wonder if we'll get bored?"

"Boredom is a natural part of life," he answered easily. "Why?"

"Do you think we'll ever get bored of each other," Claire asked, fingers curling tightly against her book.

Sylar's book closed with a whisper of paper and he turned to look at her, "No."

"How can answer that," Claire closed her eyes, the book falling into her lap. "How is it that easy?"

"Because," Sylar pulled Claire into his arms, cradling her in his lap, "I know that I have never felt this at peace, this comfortable with who I am. No matter what, Claire, I will never let that go, I will never let you go."

Claire shook her head, "That's not…I'm not going to leave you either, but what if there's no purpose in our lives. This is nice, relaxing, but what do we do for the next god knows how many years!"

A trail of gentle kisses were pressed against Claire's face, "We'll find things to do, maybe I'll go to college, we could learn everything there is to learn, we could travel the world, explore every peak and depth in the world. There is so much out there Claire, and our world is getting bigger every day."

His words comforted Claire immediately; she relaxed against him sinking into his warmth, "Okay."

Grip tightening, Sylar kissed Claire soundly before smiling down at her, "So after Christmas, what do you want to happen?"

The blonde jerked in his arms, "Whoa, don't get ahead of yourself there."

He laughed, a full, body shaking laugh, "I'm getting ahead of myself, really?"

"Yes," Claire told him, eyes wide, "Very ahead of yourself."

"Excuse me," Sylar kissed her forehead, "Maybe I just need you, and I can't imagine being apart from you now."

"God you're a sap," Claire wriggled out of his hold and bounced off the bed, "Seriously what is wrong with you, you go from psycho murderer to gooey boyfriend like that." Claire snapped her fingers throwing a smirk over her shoulder as she darted from the bedroom, Sylar's footsteps pounding after her.

The doors to the patio were tossed wide and Claire ran out onto the cold flagstones, bare feet leaving perfect imprints on the fresh snow. Sylar followed her, ignoring the chill, he watched as Claire stripped her t-shirt off, leaving her in a very lacy bra and not much else, Claire hadn't been wearing shorts in bed, just her panties.

"Claire," Sylar warned, his voice pitched low with desire. "What are you doing?"

"Warming up," Claire teased as she slowed her steps and pivoted to face him as he advanced. She took a step backward, and another.

In a flurry of movement, Claire had taken the last few feet to the hot tub and plunged into the steaming water. Claire ducked underneath the water before she broke the surface, enjoying the odd sensation of the intense cold on her heated skin. Gooseflesh raced across Claire's skin, the scant lace covering her doing nothing to impede the cold breeze.

Unhurried steps brought Sylar to the edge of the oversized tub sunk into the patio. "Enjoying yourself," he asked crossing his arms over his bare chest.

"Mm," Claire moaned, sinking back into the water and pushing away from the predator who had his eyes trained on her. "I am, want to join me?"

Body thrumming with heat, Sylar forced himself to stay rooted to his spot, not willing to allow Claire to see how easily she effected him. Her lower lip was caught between her teeth and she was looking up at him with dark eyes, every curve of her body calling to him.

"And why would I want to do that," he asked in as unaffected a voice as he could.

Lips falling into a pout, Claire swam towards him, "Well, I seemed to have lost my clothes, I was hoping you could help me find them."

"Is that it, that's the best reason you can come up with," Sylar asked lightly.

Claire rolled in the water, pushing away from Sylar, "Well, I might be able to think of another reason…"

There was no arguing it, he was hooked. Slipping off his drawstring pajama pants leaving his boxer-briefs on, Sylar stepped down into the pool of water. In long, smooth strides Sylar moved through the water. Reaching out with one hand he latched onto Claire's ankle and pulled her back, enjoying the startled look of surprise that manifested in her eyes even as she began to smile.

Giggling Claire attempted to pull away from him, it was a vain action. Sylar dragged her through the water, hands finding purchase higher and higher on her body until he had her caught around the waist, her legs curled around his hips.

"Hi," she whispered shyly.

Sylar grinned, brushing his nose against hers, "Hi."

The soaked blonde melted against Sylar, every inch of her body that could possibly be pressed against him was. A roll of Claire's hips had Sylar clinging to her, mouth pressed to her chest, tasting her through the thin lace. While she was very aware of the power she held over Sylar like this, Claire was equally aware of how very needy she was in response to his touch. Every touch was a spark of lightning, a flood of heat in her belly.

That was one thing Claire would never have to worry about, she and Sylar had a mesmeric physical attraction. She smiled euphorically as she considered that they were very good at keeping each other on their toes. Loving Sylar would never be boring, living life with him would always be an adventure.

A/N: 22/25. Well I spent the afternoon and early evening a bit sick, I'm feeling better, but for a moment I thought I might have to skip writing today. But here it is! Thanks for all the lovely comments, ta!