There's a Connection

[chimeramimicry]

"There's a Connection"
Who:  Peter and Nathan
When: Pre Season 1

It took ten minutes to actually get inside the building.  People wearing his last name on their chests and bags was a usual sight.  He wasn't presumptuous enough to actually wear a pin himself, though he kept one in his satchel.

Peter saw his brother cross in front of the glass, talking on the phone, and he tried to wave at him, but of course, the man had better things to do than glance out windows.  Nevermind that.  Peter finally pushed his way through the revolving doors of his brother's campaign headquarters and sighed as even more people clogged the small reception area.

"Nathan!"  He needed just a bit of help to catch up to his brother and not be stuck with the teaming masses.

Comments

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

He thought he heard his name, but people were always yelling Nathan's name. He figured it was just another person wanting him to sign off on something, or asking what he wanted for lunch, or how many buttons they should buy, who should be invited to his next rally.

It often felt overwhelming. Though, this was the path he'd chosen - or the path his mother and father and had chosen for him, rather.

Nathan hung up his phone prematurely, angry at the person on the other end of the line. Some snotty reporter trying to get things out of him. Bitch.

He sat down in his chair, his fingertips pressing into his lips as he thought for a few moments. And then he saw his baby brother's unmistakable head as Peter waved through the crowd. Nathan drew in a slow breath and exhaled through his nose. He'd told Peter not to come here when it was this busy.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

When wasn't Nathan busy though? Peter finally pulled his way through the crowd of people trying to get lunch orders from everyone, reached back to grab his fallen satchel, and half ran towards his brother.

"Nathan!" he said again, grinning as he pulled up another chair, spindly legs stretched out in front of him. "I had the most amazing--"

The look on his brother's face said 'can it,' but Peter decided to plunge right on through the icy waters of disenchanted Petrelli stares.

"--dream. Everytime I close my eyes lately, I just--"

"Mr. Petrelli, tuna again or pastrami?" Why did interns always interupt him?

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

He blatantly ignored his brother, considering the topic of discussion. "Pastrami," Nathan said shortly. "Without the fucking green peppers this time. I see green peppers on there and you're fired." The intern nodded profusely and dashed off to place his order.

"Pete I'm busy. I'll see you later, okay?" He picked up his notepad and flipped through some notes from an earlier meeting.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter's face fell. He frowned lightly at his brother before reaching across the desk to steal the yellow legal pad out of his hands. "Oh come on, Nathan. You'll conveniently forget! Again. You were suppose to come to my place last night for beers and brother night and you blew me off."

He was waiting for a sob story about staying with his wife. Nathan always did this to him, but like any kicked puppy, Peter forgave and forgot.

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

Scowling, Nathan stood and walked around his desk, snatching the notepad away. He closed his office door, pulling the blinds down for privacy. "How many times do I have to tell you I want to keep you out of this bullshit, Pete? You shouldn't be here. This is my place of business. It isn't a place of dreaming and comic books and pizza and beer."

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Leaning back in his seat, Peter was a bit stunned. He blinked eyelashes half the length of Nathan's -- why did that man always get the best of everything? -- and looked from his empty hands to his cruel big brother.

"You're right, Nathan, this is bullshit!" And sometimes, the puppy found his voice. Generally it was not a very strong one, but he was frustrated.

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

Nathan sat on the edge of his desk in front of Peter, pressing his palms into his eyes. He always got such a headache at the office.

His hands moved to Peter's shoulders and he leaned down, looking his younger brother in the eye. "Sometimes I think you don't understand the kind of pressure I'm under here. I'd love to run off and play as much as you," blatant lie - this workhorse mentality had been forced upon him from birth, "but I just can't. If I don't have decent ratings at my next rally, this entire campaign was a waste. Say bye to twenty grand of ma's money and our summer trip to Italy."

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Cowed, Peter frowned lightly up at his brother and sighed, one hand gently patting Nathan's. He fell for it every time, and worst of all, he knew he was and let it happen anyway.

"I'm not asking you to come and play. I know you're under a lot of stress, but--"

He shut his mouth and stood up, pulling out of Nathan's hands. He did feel guilty trying to monopolize his brother's time. He had two kids that probably saw him even less.

"Know what? You're right. Good luck, Nathan."

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"Thanks Pete." He cupped the side of Peter's face and then gave it a pat. "No more talk about dreams, either. If you spent less time sleeping and more time working I wouldn't have to kick you out of my office all the time."

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter snorted, leaning back against the wall. He still had his glass, not that it mattered much as he wasn't planning on finishing it off. He just liked to hold onto something. "No it doesn't," he muttered stubbornly. "How'm I suppose to 'grow up' if you need on expecting me to cowtow to you?" Not to mention, being constantly called a baby brother didn't help.

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"I've tried to treat you like an adult, Pete. I even offered you a position in my campaign, helping my manager, but you turned me down. The only thing left to do is try to shut you up about your silly dreams and help you focus." His voice was a bit more stern than before.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter was getting tired of this and it showed on his face. By this point, he would usually be apologizing, hanging his head down and waiting for his brother to like him again. Nathan's approval had only very recently stopped being so important to him. "Maybe I'm happy doing what I am," he lied.

Being a hospice nurse was not what he was meant to do.

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"Watching people die? Peter, its obvious you're not happy. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't be happy doing that. I'll place my offer back on the table, if you'd like to come work for me." He turned to face his brother.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter put his glass on the railing before he dropped it or it spilled. "Yeah, just what I want to do," he murmured, grinning awkwardly, trying to be civil. "I don't want to work for you."

He was trying to be gentle. He really, really was.

"You offer lousy benefits and I don't think I have what it takes to lie on your behalf."

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"Watch your mouth, Pete. I don't lie." He did, but only when he had to, and he didn't appreciate Peter smearing his work with negativity, especially at a party to celebrate said work.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Nathan had been smoozing him out of things for years with his half truths and his bullshit. Peter, more than anyone alive, knew that. Nathan wasn't transparent, but Peter had seen some of his darkest times...he had no idea that there was worse...but what he did know was bad enough.

Peter sighed. How many times could he use "I love you" as an excuse to be an asshole? Probably not anymore.

"All right...spin then. I can't do it."

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

Nathan shook his head and was tempted to murmur 'story of your life, Pete' but he stopped himself. Alcohol tended to make him even more of an asshole, and he knew it. Did he care? No.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

"Jesus, Nathan! Be careful!" Peter wasn't entirely in danger of falling out, but that didn't mean he wanted to be pushed around! "You've had enough!"

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"I'm a grown man, Peter, I think I know when I've had enough to drink!" With a huff, he scooted back again. After a few minutes of silence he spoke up again. "My approval rating is down in the polls." Damn it, that made him want to drink even more.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter licked his lips and leaned closer to Nathan until he rested his head on his brother's shoulder. "It will turn around. You know it will. You'll win." That was Peter's hero worship kicking in.

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

His head fell to the side, resting atop Peter's. "Thanks, Pete. If it doesn't, ma will have my head." He didn't know what else he could do to gain his mother's approval.

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

Peter closed his eyes and slowly wound his arms around Nathan's neck. So that was what was going on. Nathan was clamoring for their mother's attention. He already had all of their father's before he passed on... "Mom will love you no matter what happens, Nathan."

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," Nathan said, not sounding convinced. He kissed Peter's head and rested his hand on the small of his back. "I didn't mean the things I said, Pete. You live your own life and be happy. The world has too many snobby, rich politicians and not enough kind hearted nurses."

[chimeramimic.livejournal.com]

"I know," Peter said with no hesitation. He couldn't stay mad at his brother, not even when he lied to him or did something underhanded to have him be the scapegoat. "So," he continued, glancing sidelong at his brother, "what do you think it means? My dreams?"

[dontflywithme.livejournal.com]

"I think it means you're bored and want to try something new. I bet I could convince ma to send you on a trip or something. Would you like that?"