hackthis_archive ([personal profile] hackthis_archive) wrote2006-12-11 01:11 pm
Entry tags:

Heroes - X Will Mark the Place Like a Parting of the Waves (Heroes AU)

Last week I burned through Friday Night Lights by writing Jason (All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands), Matt (The Greater Good) and Smash (smashnstreet). This week, we do something else.

This story is based on a storyline concept that was apparently supposed to happen but for whatever reason didn't, which is a damn shame cos wow that would've be awesome.

Heroes AU
Nathan/Peter Petrelli
Spoilers: General for the series
Rated R


X Will Mark the Place Like a Parting of the Waves





In an alternate universe Nathan and Peter Petrelli are identical twins. Peter is older by two minutes, but Nathan is bossier. Nathan is the one in charge -- Peter doesn't mind. Peter says he was only first because Nathan shoved him out so that Nathan could make his grand entrance. Nathan is all about appearances.


*



Nathan is the more aggressive twin; he's more ambitious. He wants things; Peter just wants. Most times Peter's wants are simple: another bowl of cereal, another five minutes of sleep, another ten minutes watching The Colbert Report. When it comes to Nathan, however, Peter's wants are a little more complicated. Sometimes Peter will look up and find Nathan watching him, sharp eyes tracking Peter's movements across a crowded room or through their cluttered apartment, and Peter's fingers will unconsciously ghost over his neck or his ribs or someplace that Nathan touched him recently, and everything will get that much more opaque.

Nathan has never asked Peter what he wants, but he must have an idea.

Peter's ideas are written all over him.


*



Peter will tell you that Nathan is the smarter twin, but then again, Peter is more modest. Nathan says this is because of Peter's stupid martyr complex; he wishes Peter were more assertive. Nathan wishes -- well, whatever Nathan wishes, it never stops him from cleaning up Peter's scrapes, tidying up his messes, and making whatever Peter wants come to fruition. Nathan isn't just Peter's brother; he is his twin. He is a part of Peter. There is no one that Nathan loves more than Peter. Even if Nathan doesn't say it, Peter knows it's true.


*



Nathan and Peter have the same silky black hair -- although Peter's hair is longer than Nathan's -- and the same bright eyes. They have attended the same grade school, middle school, high school and college -- a point which required a little concession on both their parts -- but have completely separate groups of friends and completely different sensibilities.

Peter is relaxed; he practices yoga every morning before breakfast. Nathan is -- Nathan; he has a sandbag hanging in the corner of his bedroom which he spars with while Peter does his yoga. At least this is what happens on the mornings that Nathan is able to motivate himself to get out of bed and go back into his own bedroom.

Most mornings, however, Nathan lies in Peter's bed, bare legs entwined in cotton sheets, while he rubs his morning erection against the mattress until he gets tired of watching Peter contort himself on the floorboards. Then he crawls down to the foot of the bed, grabs Peter by his floppy hair, and yanks him back onto the bed.

Nathan tends to stretch Peter out in ways Peter's pretty sure his yoga teacher has never even thought of.


*



Nathan is not a cuddler, but he is a toucher. He touches Peter all the time, even when there are other people around. There should be something more scandalous about this than there is.


*



Peter has a faded scar on his temple from crashing his bicycle when he was eight. The day of the accident, Nathan was at a soccer game being cheered on by their father -- because there were two of them, their parents always tended to split time accordingly. Nathan spent more time with their father; Peter spent more time with their mother. Everyone plays favorites.

According to what Nathan told Peter later that night, he was charging down the field, less than twenty feet from scoring this wicked corner shot on the goal, and then he just fell down on the field in agony. He didn't know why, he just felt like his head was splitting open. Their father rushed Nathan to the hospital only to find their mother there already. Peter got five stitches, Nathan got two aspirin. It wasn't the first time they'd shared an experience. It wouldn't be the last time either.

These days, Peter carries ibuprofen for when Nathan gets headaches -- Nathan says his headaches always tend to start in the exact same place as Peter's scar. Most times the drugs don't work though. Most times, if Peter's around, he drags Nathan someplace private and kisses and pets the spot on Nathan's temple where Peter's own scar is.

It makes Nathan feel better, and that's enough for Peter.


*



Nathan is taller by a quarter of an inch, which he tends to lord over Peter whenever he gets a chance. When they're in public all of Nathan's lording gets wrapped up in sarcasm and headlocks and ruffling Peter's hair until Peter bats him away.


*



When they're in private Nathan likes to fuck Peter on the furniture. Correction: Peter likes to fuck Nathan on the furniture. Peter likes to push Nathan down in chairs and on floors and across tables and then crawl on top of him and ride Nathan's cock until Nathan's thrashing beneath him and begging for anything Peter will give him. They have a rather dysfunctional power dynamic.


*



When they were younger Nathan and Peter's mother had the nanny dress them identically; at twenty-six, however, they are easily identifiable by their clothing choices. Peter prefers jeans and sweaters and tee shirts; Nathan's clothing is sharper, as befits an up-and-coming Assistant District Attorney.

After they graduated from NYU, Nathan demanded that they get out of the Village, but Peter wasn't ready to go, so Nathan moved out.

They lasted fourteen days apart.

It was a bright October afternoon when Peter went downstairs with two duffle bags and his yoga mat to catch a taxi to Nathan's apartment on the Upper East Side. When a taxi stopped for Peter at the corner of Bleecker and Sixth, Nathan got out of the back holding a large suitcase.

Peter blinked. "I knew you couldn't leave me alone for long," he said, dropping his yoga mat in the middle of the street.

Nathan rolled his eyes and grabbed Peter by the front of his zip-up hoodie and hugged him. "I just missed your snoring," he muttered against the shell of Peter's ear somewhat obscenely.

Peter snorted. "Yeah, you would."


*



It has always been Nathan and Peter. There was once a Peter and Simone, but Nathan didn't like her very much. There was also a Nathan and Heidi, but Nathan changed his mind. Or possibly Peter changed Nathan's mind for him. Whatever the case, their mother was less than pleased about the news. Nathan let the wedding planner break it to her.


*



Nathan is right-handed, Peter is still undecided. According to his brother, he's only ambidextrous to piss Nathan off, except that the only person who really benefits from Peter's talents is Nathan. Like when Peter's jerking Nathan off in the shower, one hand wrapped around Nathan's cock, his thumb rubbing the underside of the head while his other hand is tangled in Nathan's hair, yanking and pulling. Peter kisses Nathan like he's the only thing keeping Peter grounded on this earth. And then, instead of letting Nathan come, Peter backs off, switches hands, and starts all over again.


*



The first time Peter woke up and found Nathan floating two feet above the sheets he should've been shocked. He should've been surprised and worried and probably a little jealous, except that Nathan rolled over in mid-air, presumably looking for Peter in his sleep, and then Peter was floating too.


*



Peter likes being a hospice nurse. It's not glamorous like Nathan's job, but he genuinely enjoys the work he does. He likes that he can make things better for another people. He likes giving comfort. Nathan says his superhero complex is overdeveloped -- except that Nathan's the one who can fly whenever he wants. Peter can only fly if Nathan's holding him tight. Peter always knew that Nathan was meant for something better than what he is.


*



Everything changes for Peter on a Tuesday evening at 4:42 p.m. It's November, cold and raining aboveground, so instead of walking home, Peter's taking the train.

Nathan has to work late, and Peter's thinking he'll just order some Chinese takeout. He's trying to decide between the Peking duck and the Mu Shu Pork when everything around him just stops -- the train, the people, everything.

The man with the mouth wide open would be funny, except there's this Asian guy with a samurai sword walking towards Peter, and that's freaking him out. He wishes Nathan's flying abilities came with some superhearing too.

And then the Asian guy starts talking, he starts telling Peter that he is the chosen one, that Nathan will be nothing without him, and Peter discovers that there may be something more important to him than the incestuous little life he's surrounded himself with.

Apparently, if he doesn't save the cheerleader, then there won't be a world for them to hide from anyway.



-end-

Title from Radiohead's 'Where I End & You Begin'

Beta by [livejournal.com profile] antheia.

ETA: Now with brilliant art and wallpaper by [livejournal.com profile] slodwick, so everyone show her love.

[identity profile] bop-radar.livejournal.com 2006-12-12 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
*beams* Nathan/Peter fic of greatness! Hooray! I love the alternate universe idea--both similar to and different from the one presented in the show. Lovely!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for reading and commenting!

[identity profile] la-folle-allure.livejournal.com 2006-12-12 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
He should've been surprised and worried and probably a little jealous, except that Nathan rolled over in mid-air, presumably looking for Peter in his sleep, and then Peter was floating too.

Loved that line. Amazing story!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] just-katarin.livejournal.com 2006-12-12 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
This is really amazing. Just... I'm completely speechless and this kind of makes me sad that they didn't end up being twins. Though them being twins would explain the oddly intense touching and looks.

Again, this fic is just amazing.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Though them being twins would explain the oddly intense touching and looks.

Clearly the actors have decided this on their own, which is A OKAY by me. Also, I'm so pleased you liked this, thank you for commenting.

[identity profile] moonlitpines.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
Ahahaha! You go where casting peeps dared not tread!

Awesomely done--though it was *totally* freaking me out to imagine them as identical twins. Who would, of course, look like AP. *g*

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, okay, fine I admit they would totally look like AP in my head. People kept asking and I was like, well, I'd mostly just invisioned them as some amalgamation of the two, but now I just see two Pasdars. Ohhhh.

[identity profile] vylit.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, honey, this is so, so good.

He wants things; Peter just wants. Most times Peter's wants are simple: another bowl of cereal, another five minutes of sleep, another ten minutes watching The Colbert Report. When it comes to Nathan, however, Peter's wants are a little more complicated.

This -- this is just... yes.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
My baby! HI! *pets happily* You like it? You read it? I didn't even know you were watching Heroes. Are you watching Friday Night Lights, too? You REALLY need to be watching that, because major major hotass.

I have beent thinking about you, so you know, if you want to take advantage of me and request something, I am at your disposal

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[identity profile] lastsummersiris.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
They have a rather dysfunctional power dynamic.

What tipped it?? And I am not responsible for this one, which makes it even MORE delicious! I love the staccato, matter of factness of it all! I love it! Thank you so much for going to the bad place again, and for leaving tickets to the naughty train for the rest of us!!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I mentiond in other comment that I have been have justification problems with the Petrellicest, but making them twins seemed like an okay justification. I'm disturbed aren't I?

Re: EEEEEEEE!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com - 2006-12-13 21:17 (UTC) - Expand

[identity profile] scribblinlenore.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my God yes! Oh my God! I can't be more coherent than that. Really! I tried.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
It's all your fault. I was determined not to go there and then you did and I was like, well, if Lenore did it it must be okay!
mf_luder_xf: (Heroes hospital)

[personal profile] mf_luder_xf 2006-12-13 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
Oooh! Brilliant. And beautifully written. Great flow and interaction.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!
ext_17079: (Default)

[identity profile] greenapricot.livejournal.com 2006-12-13 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
This is great, I love the idea of them as twins and how much more wrapped up in each other that would make them and how much more deliciously fucked up.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I have been trying to work around my incest squick, and somehow managed to go from subtext to full on twincest. I have no idea why this was okay, but I suspect it was probably the incedible dysfunction, plus, you know, the visual aspect of hotness.

[identity profile] americangrl69.livejournal.com 2006-12-14 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Loved it. I love these two.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Your icon = awesomeness.

[identity profile] shimmeree.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
That was really wonderfully written. :)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!
ext_46841: (Default)

[identity profile] 1407graymalkin.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 06:05 am (UTC)(link)
Why was this so amusing/addicting? I thought I was against getting too involved with anything fandom-y in Heroes. I only wandered in here for FNL fics.


Damn you!

(I lie. This was cracklove on a stick)

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2006-12-15 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not a Heroes fan, I am a Nathan fan. *nods knowingly*. It's not nearly as bad as it is with FNL, with FNL I just love everybody all the time. There aren't enough hours in the day for me to write all the FNL stories I want.

[identity profile] kelly-girl.livejournal.com 2006-12-20 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
Wow. Very hot. I like this AU. They're them which I love. Love your descriptions of their personalities, and about Simone and Heidi.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-01-25 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for reading and commenting!

[identity profile] morgaine22.livejournal.com 2007-01-04 07:09 am (UTC)(link)
Wow, I loved that! Their connection is so underplayed in the series and you've magnified it brilliantly.

Thank you!

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-01-25 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank *you* for reading and commenting!

[identity profile] askmehow.livejournal.com 2007-01-07 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay porn! For is it excellent.

I always liked that Nathan and Peter were apart in age. It makes the power dynamic between them more believable for me: Peter always pushing, Nathan grumbling, but invariably delivering. This really worked for me, though, 'cause Nathan's essential Nathan-ness shines through: his bossiness, his sense of duty to his family, his not-so-hidden devotion to Peter. It's a great remix of canon.

Damn, I need to get some Heroes icons...

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-01-25 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I was going to respond to what you said, but then I saw your icon and that needs to be on a goddam tee shirt! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! *is totally distracted*

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[identity profile] talk-back.livejournal.com 2007-01-24 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, /wow/. ♥

[identity profile] hermionesviolin.livejournal.com 2007-03-28 07:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Peter says he was only first because Nathan shoved him out so that Nathan could make his grand entrance. Nathan is all about appearances.

Hee!

The first time Peter woke up and found Nathan floating two feet above the sheets he should've been shocked. He should've been surprised and worried and probably a little jealous, except that Nathan rolled over in mid-air, presumably looking for Peter in his sleep, and then Peter was floating too.

::draws little hearts around them::

Even though technically this isn't canon, it feels so close to it; they're so very much themselves -- "Whatever the case, their mother was less than pleased about the news. Nathan let the wedding planner break it to her." and all that -- and you keep very close to canon events.

[identity profile] hackthis.livejournal.com 2007-03-28 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I can see you are working your way through my Heroes ouvre, so I truly hope you are enjoying yourself. Thank you so much for all your feedback, I've had a wonderful time writing Nathan and Peter.

[identity profile] runningondreams.livejournal.com 2007-04-27 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
I think I read this a while ago and can't for the life of me remember why I didn't comment- perhaps I was still denying the inevitability that is Petrellicest.
It was a stage. I got over it ^.^

This is awesome- I mean the idea of making them twins is really cool in itself and just adds to the impossible fucked-up dynamic that is these two, but for most of the fic I felt like I was reading canon, and really brain-stoppingly good canon at that.

Really terrific work.

[identity profile] porntestpilot.livejournal.com 2007-05-04 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Ahhh...twinporn. guvbuonikpm.

The first time Peter woke up and found Nathan floating two feet above the sheets he should've been shocked. He should've been surprised and worried and probably a little jealous, except that Nathan rolled over in mid-air, presumably looking for Peter in his sleep, and then Peter was floating too.

That got an actual physical reaction SO FUCKING COOL and excellent.

[identity profile] ghostrunner7.livejournal.com 2007-05-10 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
They have a rather dysfunctional power dynamic.


Nah. F'real?

[identity profile] hey-mockingbird.livejournal.com 2007-05-10 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought I had commented on this already, but to no avail!!!!

But...guh. I wish they were twins so more hot twin sex could arrive!!

......that sounded So awkward in writing....

[identity profile] stephanometra.livejournal.com 2007-10-10 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Brilliant. Spare and gorgeous and lyrical, and I really love the way you used POV to show how they inform one another, how it's about them. Beautiful work.

[identity profile] pheebs1.livejournal.com 2007-12-29 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
I could not have more love for this. This is awesome! (This was rec'd me by [livejournal.com profile] heidi8 because I was idly saying 'what if Sam and Dean were twins' and she pointed out that it had been done for Heroes). And how!

Or possibly Peter changed Nathan's mind for him. Whatever the case, Great! :)

[identity profile] poisonshock.livejournal.com 2009-03-03 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
hmmm, definitely intriguing! Loved the closer bond as well.

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