[ Nathan knew one good way to check whether Peter was who he said he was. He looked at him hard, while Peter looked at Izzie and tried to decide whether or not she was real, tried to work out if her wagging tail made him feel any better or not.
This exact scene echoed back to a scene that Nathan had lived through years ago, although that time it wasn't on a spaceship. Peter was sitting there all innocent and afraid and hopeful, like he was fourteen years old again. Izzie was at his feet; Izzie with her tail making little wags and her chin practically in Peter's lap while he sat still, trying too hard to think, looking up at Nathan and waiting desperately to be told how it could all be alright, reassured.
Nathan looked down at Izzie one last time, then slid out of his seat, moving around the table. It was a simple test. If Peter was wearing this face, if he was from the future, then a hug would be far from what he wanted. And if this was absolutely his little brother, desperate for guidance, for help... If Peter needed him, then a hug would tell Nathan everything he needed to know.
He wrapped his arms around his brother, pushed his nose into Peter's neck, uncaring of the people around them, and waited to see what Peter would do. ]
action
This exact scene echoed back to a scene that Nathan had lived through years ago, although that time it wasn't on a spaceship. Peter was sitting there all innocent and afraid and hopeful, like he was fourteen years old again. Izzie was at his feet; Izzie with her tail making little wags and her chin practically in Peter's lap while he sat still, trying too hard to think, looking up at Nathan and waiting desperately to be told how it could all be alright, reassured.
Nathan looked down at Izzie one last time, then slid out of his seat, moving around the table. It was a simple test. If Peter was wearing this face, if he was from the future, then a hug would be far from what he wanted. And if this was absolutely his little brother, desperate for guidance, for help... If Peter needed him, then a hug would tell Nathan everything he needed to know.
He wrapped his arms around his brother, pushed his nose into Peter's neck, uncaring of the people around them, and waited to see what Peter would do. ]
You're my brother, Pete. Nothing changes that.