One-Shot: Peter/Claire
Aug. 23rd, 2007 09:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amorphousTitle: Know For Sure
Words: circa 2000
Rating: PG
Characers/Pairings: Peter/Claire
Warnings: Probably AU.
Author's Notes: first off, thank you to my brilliant beta![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jandjsalmon. I might convert you to Paire!
Second off, this was written forcrimsongrace at ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
paire_exchange. I really hope they like it!
Summary: Claire just wanted to know for sure...
Claire sighed and braced herself to jump when the needle pinched her skin. It wouldn’t really hurt, she was invincible, but she had to act like it did for the woman drawing her blood’s benefit. Nathan, her father, stood by the door watching her. His face was blank, showing no hope or dread of the results.
“This won’t even hurt,” the nurse said as she put the needle’s tip to Claire’s arm. “Ready?”
“Ready.” She flinched as the needle punctured her skin. Her dark red blood filled the vial quickly.
“All done!” the nurse announced with a smile as she took out the needle. She placed a cotton swap on the dot of blood and then bandaged it.
Claire knew she didn’t need the Band-Aid, actually the little hole had probably already healed itself on its own, but she went along with the nurse. It never hurt to play the part sometimes. Claire looked up at Nathan, hoping for him to say something – anything. A hint of a smile showed up on his face, making her breath a sigh of relief.
“Your turn Mr. Petrelli,” the woman said as she turned to smile at Nathan.
“Thank you,” Claire said politely as she stood up, letting Nathan sit down.
The nurse drew his blood just as easily as she had Claire’s. “Thank you both for coming in. The results should be back in a few days at most.”
Nathan nodded. “Thank you.”
Claire nodded to the woman and smiled before she followed Nathan out of the door. Silently they walked through the corridors to the reception area where they signed out. The uncomfortable silence continued until they were outside in the packing lot of the hospital.
“Nathan?”
He turned to her. “Yes, Claire?”
“Thank you for agreeing to the paternity test.”
He smiled at her, tucking a bit of blonde hair behind her ear. “It’s not a problem. You are my daughter after all.”
Her smile faded slightly. She didn’t want to be his daughter. It wasn’t that Nathan wasn’t a good man, he was. It was the feelings she had. The feelings that she cared for Peter in a way a niece shouldn’t care for an uncle. The feelings that were too strong and too intense to ignore. She shifted uncomfortably. “Right.”
He was silent for a moment as he watched her. She felt like she was being examined under his scrutinizing gaze, until he seemed to realize that he was staring . “Well, I’ll call you when I get the results, Claire,” he said suddenly easy.
Claire could tell that he was trying to figure out why she seemed uneasy about the idea of her being his daughter. She hoped he didn’t take it personally.
“Bye, Nathan.” She said quickly as she turned and walked as fast as she could to where her father, her real father, Noah Bennett, was waiting for her with a cab. He smiled when he noticed her, an expression showing pure affection. She felt just as she should around a family member when she was around her father. It was a completely different feeling that what she felt when she was around Peter.
---
The phone rang shrilly, cutting through the done of the television Lyle was watching. Claire reached over and picked it. “Hello, Bennett residence.”
“Hello, Claire?” Nathan’s voice said over the phone.
“Oh, hi, Nathan,” she greeted more casually than how she’d answered the phone.
“I got the results today,” Nathan went on without preamble.
“Oh! You did? What were they?” Claire asked, cursing herself for her flicker of hope that he wasn’t actually her father.
“I’d rather not say over the phone. Can we meet today?”
“Um, sure. Where?”
“At Peter’s place. I’m trying to keep Heidi from finding out anything until I figure out how to tell her.”
“She already knows about me, Nathan,” she pointed out, confused.
“Claire…”
“Sure. Peter’s place,” Claire said quickly. She didn’t want to start an argument with him; she was just confused. His wife knew about her already, what could he be trying to keep from her?
“Can you be there around five?”
“Alright.”
“I’ll see you then, Claire.”
“Goodbye.” She hung up the phone as conflicting emotions crashed through her. She hated the anxiety in Nathan’s voice and the confusion in her own mind at his request for Heidi to not find out. The feeling of excitement at possibly seeing Peter again confused her even more. Finding out that both Nathan and Peter were alive after his explosion had overjoyed her, but she hadn’t seen him since that night.
“What’s up, Claire?” Lyle said, turning to her.
“Nothing.”
He gave her an unbelieving look but turned back to the television a moment later, ignoring her again.
She glanced at the clock. It was half past four. “Mom?”
Her mother poked her head out from the kitchen. “What, Claire?”
“I’m going out. I’ll be back later.” She jumped to her feet and grabbed her jacket from off the hook.
“Will you be back for dinner?”
“No probably not. I’ll grab something with Nathan.” She ran out the door without looking at her mother.
---
Claire had to take a few deep breaths before she could find the courage to knock on Peter’s door. Peter opened it to Claire’s surprise. “Hi, Claire. I was expecting you.”
He seemed strange to Claire. Distracted perhaps. Or just uncomfortable in her presence. “Yeah, Nathan called. Is he here yet?”
Peter shook his head as he went to the small kitchen. Claire stood near the door, shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. She felt uneasy being in his apartment alone with him. Her feelings were even stronger when he was around her. He returned a moment later with two sodas. “Here,” he offered her one. She took it, muttering a thank you and looking at the ground. “You can sit down.”
She looked up, he was watching her expectantly. “Oh, right.” She slid into the nearest chair, setting her unopened drink beside her.
“Are you okay?” Peter asked, concern in his voice.
She looked up and smiled. “I’m fine. Just nervous about the results I guess.”
“Even if it’s proven you are Nathan’s daughter, you’re still a Bennett too,” he tried to reassure her.
“Oh I know that. It’s not that part I’m worried about…” She trailed off, not wanting to admit she didn’t want to be his niece.
“Then what is bothering you?”
“Just the results in general. Knowing for certain – you know…” There was an awkward pause, like he wanted to hear more, yet was too nervous to ask.
He nodded. Glancing at the clock he said, “Nathan should be here any minute.”
“Good. I hate waiting like this,” she muttered, grabbed her can of soda. She opened it and took a drink as someone knocked on the door.
“That must be him.” Peter got up quickly and went to let his brother in. Claire watched him, hating herself for the lust that was building within her. He was probably her uncle for goodness sake!
“Hello, Nathan,” Claire said when the older man came into the room.
“Hello, Claire.” He held up an unopened envelope. “I thought it would be best if we saw the results together.”
She smiled, trying not to look as nervous as she felt. “Thank you.”
Nathan held out the papers to her. “You do the honors.”
Taking the envelope carefully, she bit down on her lip. “This is it,” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. She opened the envelope and pulled out a few sheets of paper, only caring about the top one. “I’m not your daughter,” she said quietly, unable to believe it. “It says there is a 0% chance I am your daughter.” She looked up at Nathan, unsure whether to smile or be sad.
Nathan’s face was once again blank as he said, “I’m sorry, Claire.”
“It’s okay,” she said, putting a smile on her face. “I’m just glad we know for sure.”
He nodded. “I understand.” She offered the papers to him when she saw he was eyeing them. “Thank you.” He turned to Peter. “I’ll have to go tell Heidi. She doesn’t know we had a blood test.”
Peter nodded, a slight smile on his face. “I’m sure she wouldn’t have cared either way.”
“So am I, but I didn’t want any unneeded stress on her. Goodbye, Claire. I’m sure, even if you are not my daughter, I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
She nodded. “I’m positive about that. Goodbye.”
Their brothers bid each other goodbye and Nathan left. Claire was suddenly very aware that she was now allowed to be attracted to Peter. She was allowed to have the intense feelings that she had been having since the beginning. But she was also acutely aware that she was much younger than Peter, and that until a minute ago, they had thought they were family.
“Are you happy?” Peter suddenly asked.
She looked at him, confused for a moment as she broke out of her thoughts. “What?”
“Are you happy you aren’t Nathan’s daughter? Or would you rather know who your father is?”
She pushed some hair from her eyes and smiled. “I’m happy. I’m glad I know for sure he’s not. If he was, I’d be just as happy to know for sure he was,” she lied easily. She couldn’t bring herself to admit she was happy she wasn’t because it meant her feelings towards Peter weren’t wrong. She paused. Unable to resist she asked, “Are you happy?”
He shrugged. “Does it matter what I think?”
“Yes. Of course it does. You mean a lot to Nathan. And… you mean a lot to me,” her voice had faded into a whisper.
”I mean a lot to you?” His tone was surprised, like he really didn’t realize that she cared about him.
“Yes, of course you do.”
He smiled and ducked his head sheepishly. “I’m glad.”
She nodded, feeling disappointed that that was his only reply. He didn’t care about her that much was clear. “Uh… I should go. Dinner is at six at my house.”
“Right. I guess I’ll see you later,” Peter said, following her too the door. He seemed disappointed that she was leaving so soon, and that confused her. If he didn’t care about her wouldn’t he want her to leave as quickly as she could?
They reached the door and instead of opening it for her his hand stilled on the knob and he looked up at her seriously for a moment “Claire, would you like to stay for dinner?”
She genuinely smiled at him. “I’d love to, Peter.”
He smiled back, seeming slightly taken back by her quick and ready agreement to his invitation. The look in his eyes wasn’t platonic as looked at her. She tried to search for what exactly was the look in his eyes actually was. Lust, perhaps, or was that just wishful thinking?
She noticed abruptly that he was extremely close to her. She could feel the body heat radiating off him. His breath caressed her face warmly as he became to lean forward slowly. She didn’t pull away, instead she looked up at him and waited to see what he would do.
He brushed his lips against hers softly, pulling back a second later. She closed her eyes, hoping for the pressure of his lips on hers again. Reaching behind her, he pulled her close as his mouth claimed hers. Opening his mouth slightly under his, she felt his tongue slide in to taste her and deepen the kiss. Pushing her back against the door, his body pressed against hers and she felt she was going to loose control.
Suddenly, he pulled back, breaking the kiss. “I’m sorry. I should have—“
She cut him off by leaning forward and brushing her mouth against his. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. I’m just glad I know for sure this isn’t wrong.”
He smiled at her, reaching up and stroking the side of her face gingerly. “So am I.”
Words: circa 2000
Rating: PG
Characers/Pairings: Peter/Claire
Warnings: Probably AU.
Author's Notes: first off, thank you to my brilliant beta
jandjsalmon. I might convert you to Paire!Second off, this was written for
crimsongrace at paire_exchange. I really hope they like it!Summary: Claire just wanted to know for sure...
Claire sighed and braced herself to jump when the needle pinched her skin. It wouldn’t really hurt, she was invincible, but she had to act like it did for the woman drawing her blood’s benefit. Nathan, her father, stood by the door watching her. His face was blank, showing no hope or dread of the results.
“This won’t even hurt,” the nurse said as she put the needle’s tip to Claire’s arm. “Ready?”
“Ready.” She flinched as the needle punctured her skin. Her dark red blood filled the vial quickly.
“All done!” the nurse announced with a smile as she took out the needle. She placed a cotton swap on the dot of blood and then bandaged it.
Claire knew she didn’t need the Band-Aid, actually the little hole had probably already healed itself on its own, but she went along with the nurse. It never hurt to play the part sometimes. Claire looked up at Nathan, hoping for him to say something – anything. A hint of a smile showed up on his face, making her breath a sigh of relief.
“Your turn Mr. Petrelli,” the woman said as she turned to smile at Nathan.
“Thank you,” Claire said politely as she stood up, letting Nathan sit down.
The nurse drew his blood just as easily as she had Claire’s. “Thank you both for coming in. The results should be back in a few days at most.”
Nathan nodded. “Thank you.”
Claire nodded to the woman and smiled before she followed Nathan out of the door. Silently they walked through the corridors to the reception area where they signed out. The uncomfortable silence continued until they were outside in the packing lot of the hospital.
“Nathan?”
He turned to her. “Yes, Claire?”
“Thank you for agreeing to the paternity test.”
He smiled at her, tucking a bit of blonde hair behind her ear. “It’s not a problem. You are my daughter after all.”
Her smile faded slightly. She didn’t want to be his daughter. It wasn’t that Nathan wasn’t a good man, he was. It was the feelings she had. The feelings that she cared for Peter in a way a niece shouldn’t care for an uncle. The feelings that were too strong and too intense to ignore. She shifted uncomfortably. “Right.”
He was silent for a moment as he watched her. She felt like she was being examined under his scrutinizing gaze, until he seemed to realize that he was staring . “Well, I’ll call you when I get the results, Claire,” he said suddenly easy.
Claire could tell that he was trying to figure out why she seemed uneasy about the idea of her being his daughter. She hoped he didn’t take it personally.
“Bye, Nathan.” She said quickly as she turned and walked as fast as she could to where her father, her real father, Noah Bennett, was waiting for her with a cab. He smiled when he noticed her, an expression showing pure affection. She felt just as she should around a family member when she was around her father. It was a completely different feeling that what she felt when she was around Peter.
---
The phone rang shrilly, cutting through the done of the television Lyle was watching. Claire reached over and picked it. “Hello, Bennett residence.”
“Hello, Claire?” Nathan’s voice said over the phone.
“Oh, hi, Nathan,” she greeted more casually than how she’d answered the phone.
“I got the results today,” Nathan went on without preamble.
“Oh! You did? What were they?” Claire asked, cursing herself for her flicker of hope that he wasn’t actually her father.
“I’d rather not say over the phone. Can we meet today?”
“Um, sure. Where?”
“At Peter’s place. I’m trying to keep Heidi from finding out anything until I figure out how to tell her.”
“She already knows about me, Nathan,” she pointed out, confused.
“Claire…”
“Sure. Peter’s place,” Claire said quickly. She didn’t want to start an argument with him; she was just confused. His wife knew about her already, what could he be trying to keep from her?
“Can you be there around five?”
“Alright.”
“I’ll see you then, Claire.”
“Goodbye.” She hung up the phone as conflicting emotions crashed through her. She hated the anxiety in Nathan’s voice and the confusion in her own mind at his request for Heidi to not find out. The feeling of excitement at possibly seeing Peter again confused her even more. Finding out that both Nathan and Peter were alive after his explosion had overjoyed her, but she hadn’t seen him since that night.
“What’s up, Claire?” Lyle said, turning to her.
“Nothing.”
He gave her an unbelieving look but turned back to the television a moment later, ignoring her again.
She glanced at the clock. It was half past four. “Mom?”
Her mother poked her head out from the kitchen. “What, Claire?”
“I’m going out. I’ll be back later.” She jumped to her feet and grabbed her jacket from off the hook.
“Will you be back for dinner?”
“No probably not. I’ll grab something with Nathan.” She ran out the door without looking at her mother.
---
Claire had to take a few deep breaths before she could find the courage to knock on Peter’s door. Peter opened it to Claire’s surprise. “Hi, Claire. I was expecting you.”
He seemed strange to Claire. Distracted perhaps. Or just uncomfortable in her presence. “Yeah, Nathan called. Is he here yet?”
Peter shook his head as he went to the small kitchen. Claire stood near the door, shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. She felt uneasy being in his apartment alone with him. Her feelings were even stronger when he was around her. He returned a moment later with two sodas. “Here,” he offered her one. She took it, muttering a thank you and looking at the ground. “You can sit down.”
She looked up, he was watching her expectantly. “Oh, right.” She slid into the nearest chair, setting her unopened drink beside her.
“Are you okay?” Peter asked, concern in his voice.
She looked up and smiled. “I’m fine. Just nervous about the results I guess.”
“Even if it’s proven you are Nathan’s daughter, you’re still a Bennett too,” he tried to reassure her.
“Oh I know that. It’s not that part I’m worried about…” She trailed off, not wanting to admit she didn’t want to be his niece.
“Then what is bothering you?”
“Just the results in general. Knowing for certain – you know…” There was an awkward pause, like he wanted to hear more, yet was too nervous to ask.
He nodded. Glancing at the clock he said, “Nathan should be here any minute.”
“Good. I hate waiting like this,” she muttered, grabbed her can of soda. She opened it and took a drink as someone knocked on the door.
“That must be him.” Peter got up quickly and went to let his brother in. Claire watched him, hating herself for the lust that was building within her. He was probably her uncle for goodness sake!
“Hello, Nathan,” Claire said when the older man came into the room.
“Hello, Claire.” He held up an unopened envelope. “I thought it would be best if we saw the results together.”
She smiled, trying not to look as nervous as she felt. “Thank you.”
Nathan held out the papers to her. “You do the honors.”
Taking the envelope carefully, she bit down on her lip. “This is it,” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else. She opened the envelope and pulled out a few sheets of paper, only caring about the top one. “I’m not your daughter,” she said quietly, unable to believe it. “It says there is a 0% chance I am your daughter.” She looked up at Nathan, unsure whether to smile or be sad.
Nathan’s face was once again blank as he said, “I’m sorry, Claire.”
“It’s okay,” she said, putting a smile on her face. “I’m just glad we know for sure.”
He nodded. “I understand.” She offered the papers to him when she saw he was eyeing them. “Thank you.” He turned to Peter. “I’ll have to go tell Heidi. She doesn’t know we had a blood test.”
Peter nodded, a slight smile on his face. “I’m sure she wouldn’t have cared either way.”
“So am I, but I didn’t want any unneeded stress on her. Goodbye, Claire. I’m sure, even if you are not my daughter, I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
She nodded. “I’m positive about that. Goodbye.”
Their brothers bid each other goodbye and Nathan left. Claire was suddenly very aware that she was now allowed to be attracted to Peter. She was allowed to have the intense feelings that she had been having since the beginning. But she was also acutely aware that she was much younger than Peter, and that until a minute ago, they had thought they were family.
“Are you happy?” Peter suddenly asked.
She looked at him, confused for a moment as she broke out of her thoughts. “What?”
“Are you happy you aren’t Nathan’s daughter? Or would you rather know who your father is?”
She pushed some hair from her eyes and smiled. “I’m happy. I’m glad I know for sure he’s not. If he was, I’d be just as happy to know for sure he was,” she lied easily. She couldn’t bring herself to admit she was happy she wasn’t because it meant her feelings towards Peter weren’t wrong. She paused. Unable to resist she asked, “Are you happy?”
He shrugged. “Does it matter what I think?”
“Yes. Of course it does. You mean a lot to Nathan. And… you mean a lot to me,” her voice had faded into a whisper.
”I mean a lot to you?” His tone was surprised, like he really didn’t realize that she cared about him.
“Yes, of course you do.”
He smiled and ducked his head sheepishly. “I’m glad.”
She nodded, feeling disappointed that that was his only reply. He didn’t care about her that much was clear. “Uh… I should go. Dinner is at six at my house.”
“Right. I guess I’ll see you later,” Peter said, following her too the door. He seemed disappointed that she was leaving so soon, and that confused her. If he didn’t care about her wouldn’t he want her to leave as quickly as she could?
They reached the door and instead of opening it for her his hand stilled on the knob and he looked up at her seriously for a moment “Claire, would you like to stay for dinner?”
She genuinely smiled at him. “I’d love to, Peter.”
He smiled back, seeming slightly taken back by her quick and ready agreement to his invitation. The look in his eyes wasn’t platonic as looked at her. She tried to search for what exactly was the look in his eyes actually was. Lust, perhaps, or was that just wishful thinking?
She noticed abruptly that he was extremely close to her. She could feel the body heat radiating off him. His breath caressed her face warmly as he became to lean forward slowly. She didn’t pull away, instead she looked up at him and waited to see what he would do.
He brushed his lips against hers softly, pulling back a second later. She closed her eyes, hoping for the pressure of his lips on hers again. Reaching behind her, he pulled her close as his mouth claimed hers. Opening his mouth slightly under his, she felt his tongue slide in to taste her and deepen the kiss. Pushing her back against the door, his body pressed against hers and she felt she was going to loose control.
Suddenly, he pulled back, breaking the kiss. “I’m sorry. I should have—“
She cut him off by leaning forward and brushing her mouth against his. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. I’m just glad I know for sure this isn’t wrong.”
He smiled at her, reaching up and stroking the side of her face gingerly. “So am I.”
