Title: Dearly Beloved, Dearly Departed

Summary: It's Peter's wedding day, one of the most important days of his life. He can't imagine spending it without Nathan…

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me.

Notes: Thanks to Lara-Van for writing the wonderful "I Dream of Hope." After reading it, I started thinking about Peter getting married, and it led to this. There's a little Peter/Emma, but it's mainly about brotherly love here.


Peter stared at his reflection in the full-length mirror as he straightened the lapels of his black tuxedo jacket. He checked that his bowtie was straight, and that the white handkerchief in his breast pocket was still neatly creased. He didn't want to have to get his mother back in here to fix the details of his attire.

A knock sounded on the door to his dressing room, then Hesam stuck his head in. "Hey, Peter. Ten minutes till show time, pal."

"Thanks, Hesam. I'll be out there soon."

His groomsman smiled and nodded, then his eyes went to the single open window in the room. "You want me to close that for you?" he offered.

Peter shook his head. "No, I need the fresh air."

Hesam grinned, then shut the door to give him his privacy.

Peter closed his eyes and took a deep breath, shaking out his arms in an attempt to rid himself of his nervous energy.

"Be careful, Pete. All that shaking, your cufflinks will fall out," a new male voice said from behind him.

The paramedic's arms stilled, but his eyes remained closed as he smiled. "Nathan," Peter said softly.

"You didn't think I'd miss your big day, did you? Congratulations, by the way." The younger Petrelli could hear the smirk in his brother's voice.

Daring himself to open his eyes, Peter saw his brother's reflection alongside his in the mirror and turned around to face him. "I wasn't sure you'd be able to come," he admitted.

"Well, I'm here," Nathan assured him. "I'll always be here for you, Peter."

Peter nodded. "I know." A beat passed, then the young man asked "Hey, Nathan?"

"Yeah," came the crisp response.

"You know I love you, right?"

"I love you, too. Now, come on. Get out there. She's waiting for you."

Peter chuckled softly. "Her name's Emma," he informed the Senator.

"Right. Emma." Nathan turned and tilted his head in the direction of the closed dressing room door. "You ready?"

His younger brother nodded. "Thank you, Nathan."

"You're all grown up now, Pete. You're about to be married, and I'm happy for you. Just don't go and screw it up like Pop and I did. Okay?"

"Okay."

Peter closed his eyes again, and felt his older brother press a kiss to his head and ruffle his hair affectionately.

When Peter next opened his eyes, Nathan was gone. A wind blew through the open window, ruffling his hair again.

Blinking back tears, Peter closed the window, smoothed his hair back into place, then opened the door, ready to begin the ceremony.

-fin-