Sometimes, Gabriel hated being so observant. It was great on the job, for sure, but when it came to life and the people around him, it wasn’t so good at times.
Sylar was acting different. Not anything alarming. He still sang obnoxiously along with the radio, he still gorged himself on bacon cheeseburgers and pie. And he was still shy about public displays with his lover, or boyfriend, whatever they wanted to call each other.
When it was just the three of them talking, Sylar spoke softer, hung his head slightly. He was still Sylar, just a bit more subdued. The biggest change that Gabriel noticed was that he was calling his lover Peter, not “Petey boy” like he used to. Gabriel was burning with curiosity, but he knew better than to ask either of them. It was obviously something between lovers, and Gabriel had a strict “Do Not Need To Know” policy when it came to their love life. They were both happy, so Gabriel was happy. He just didn’t want to know any of the details.
Sylar came out of the motel office with a worried look on his face. Gabriel and Peter exited the car. “Only one room left. Two queens, at least, but we have to double up tonight.” Sylar’s eyes flicked nervously between his brother and his lover.
“We’ve had to do it before. It’s no big deal.” Gabriel said, watching his brother closely. Sylar was biting his lip, looking pleadingly at the other man. Peter cupped Sylar’s cheek and looked questioningly at him. Sylar closed his eyes and nodded. Peter took the keys and made his way to the door, leaving the brothers alone.
“Uh, Gabriel,” Sylar started as he popped open the trunk to get their bags. “I, uh. Peter and I, um. Things are different between us now.” Gabriel grabbed his own bag and the emergency bag.
“Okay,” Gabriel said, not wanting to push the subject.
“No, Gabe. Things are really different between Peter and I.” Sylar picked up both his and the Peter’s bags. “I just wanted to give you a heads up, you know. So you don’t, like, freak out or anything.” Sylar shut the trunk and started towards the open motel room. Peter was waiting for them just inside the door.
As Sylar crossed the threshold, Peter brushed his arm. “You’ll be fine, I promise.” He whispered so that Gabriel almost couldn't hear it. Sylar nodded, and made his way to the bed closest to the door. He placed the bags on the bed then walked back to Peter. Peter removed his coat and held it out. Sylar took it and placed it on the coat rack before removing his own. Gabriel went to the other bed and started unpacking his bags. He tried not to watch as Sylar unpacked both bags.
“Sylar,” Peter said with a bit more authority than his voice usually held. “We forgot the beer in the car.” Sylar nodded and left the room quickly. Gabriel watched, unbelieving as his brother made no smart assed comment, nor even argue about doing it. He returned to the room and placed the case of beer in the fridge. Sylar caught his brother’s confused stare and flushed a little before looking away. Peter sat on the comfy looking couch.
“Gabriel, come join me,” Peter said. Gabriel made his way over to the couch and sat beside the other man. His brain had processed what he was seeing, but he didn’t want to acknowledge what exactly was happening. “Sylar, a beer for myself and your brother. You may have one if you wish.” Gabriel shifted uncomfortably, focusing his attention on the channel surfing Peter was doing. The two of them had settled on an interesting documentary about recent religious discoveries in Israel.
Sylar handed Peter an open beer, then handed one to Gabriel. He opened his own bottle and sat on the floor. He wedged himself between Peter’s feet and rested his head on the inside of his thigh. Sylar was blushing badly, avoiding looking in Gabriel’s direction. Peter began stroking the side of Sylar’s face.
The three of them began discussing the authenticity of the new relics being found. Gabriel had almost forgotten witnessing his brother’s submissive behavior. After the documentary finished, Peter announced he was going for a shower. Sylar went to stand up, but was stopped by Peter. Sylar sank back to the floor and watched his boyfriend walk to the bathroom.
The brothers did not speak or even look at each other for a few moments. Sylar was picking at the label on his empty bottle. It was Gabriel who broke the silence.
“Are you happy?” He asked. Sylar smiled slightly and nodded. Gabriel nodded. “Then I’m happy for you.” Sylar’s shoulders sagged in relief. Gabriel walked into the kitchen, grabbing them each another beer. Gabriel handed Sylar’s down to him and sat back in his original spot. “I just don’t want details. Period.”
Peter emerged from the bathroom, hair more of a mess than usual. Sylar smiled up at him. Gabriel kept his attention on the television.
“You can take your shower now, babe.” Peter said as he took his seat on the couch. “Thank you.” Sylar said, giving Peter a kiss on the cheek. His face still a little pink, he retreated to the bathroom. Gabriel and Peter remained in silence until they heard the water running.
“Gabriel, I would like to ask you a question.” Gabriel swallowed, not entirely sure that he wanted to know. He nodded. “I wish to take my relationship with your brother to a more serious level. And keep human customs, I wanted to have his family’s approval.” Gabriel looked at Peter with the same tilted head expression the man was famous for.
“You want to get married?” Gabriel chuckled slightly. “I don’t think that Sylar likes the whole idea of marriage.”
“No, I do not think marriage is what he would like. Something a bit more like what our relationship is like.” Gabriel held his hand up to stop Peter from saying any more.
“You have my blessing. Do whatever it is that you want to do. You are happy, my brother is happy, I am happy for you both. Just, I don’t want to know.” Gabriel shook his head and downed the last half of his beer in a single gulp.
“Thank you, Gabriel.” Peter said, taking a sip from his beer.
“Oh, man or not,” Gabriel glared at him. “You break his heart and I will fucking kill you. Understood?” Peter stared at him with his signature confused look. Gabriel sighed. “Just, treat him right, okay?”
Sylar exited the bathroom dressed in just track pants and sat between Peter’s feet once again. The other man ran his fingers though the damp hair affectionately. Both looked much more relaxed then when they first entered the room.
Gabriel, however, finished the rest of the case of beer, mumbling “Didn’t want to know, didn’t need to know” until he passed out.
