A Silent Vow

 

A lone man stood among a section of tombstones, a Christmas wreath with dark red roses in his chilled hands. The wind blew at his dark brown hair, but the young man didn't seem to notice. Shadowed green eyes looked down at the large tombstone before him, shining quietly. His shoulders absently shook as the wind continued to howl among the grave markers around him, but again, he didn't notice. He stood there for a long while, his thoughts alone keeping him company.

It had been years since she had passed away, her laughing green eyes looking for the last time at the world around her, her slender shoulders that had always managed to carry the weight of the world slumping gently as the burden was lifted from her. She was beautiful in her day, when boys would step forward to talk to her, only to be swatted away with a few well-chosen words. There was only one man that had really stolen her heart, and that was Peter.

Peter Venkman stood, wreath still clutched in his hands. He blinked his eyes rapidly, but knew that sooner or later, there would be tears freezing on his cheeks. He took a shuddering breath, and sighed deeply.

A few feet away, Egon Spengler stepped out of Ecto-1, wearing a heavy brown trench coat over his dark blue jumpsuit. Rich blue eyes watched the man near the grave with a pained, worried look.

Peter swallowed once. Every year, he came to this grave at Christmas, on her birthday, whenever he felt worried or lonely. The marble angel stood over the plot where her body was buried, the cold hands spread as if to say, 'This is where to find warmth. This is where to find love. You will never be alone here.'

He felt eyes on him from behind, but he didn't turn away. Peter already knew who it was.

"I miss you," he whispered to the grave marker, the wind almost snatching the words away as he said them. "I just hope I'm doing the right thing."

He looked up with blurry vision to see the angel again, the gentle smile that had been carved into the face that had been much like hers.

He took another long breath, ignoring his shaking shoulders and gently placed the wreath against the marble gravestone, next to the inscription.

KATHERINE VENKMAN
APRIL 18, 1936 - FEBRUARY 13, 1979

BELOVED MOTHER

"Peter?" Egon asked hesitantly. When he had found the note on the refrigerator that Peter had left, he had debated whether or not to come. This was a quiet ritual between Peter and his mother, and one that he was loathe to intrude upon. From the very moment the physics major had met the vivacious woman, Egon had a feeling of unmistakable familiarity with Katherine.

She was a strong woman, much like his own mother, and she seemed to know, as all mothers could, what was wrong and how to fix the problem. When Egon had realized that he was in love with her son, Katherine had been supportive, quietly hoping that the two would be happy together.

The young scientist could remember one conversation in particular, when he, Peter, and Ray were helping her paint the walls of her apartment. Peter and Ray had gone out to get groceries, allowing him to spend some time with Katherine . They had gotten to know each other well by that point, and looking at the day with 20/20 hindsight, Egon could see her gently urging him to reveal his feelings to her son.

 

"Peter's always felt alone, Egon." He remembered her telling him. "He's never had real friends, just people who think they are. I think you're the first person he's actually opened up to."

Egon had been quiet. "He finds no trouble in speaking to Raymond about anything."

"Take it from a mother who knows her son then." Katherine smiled at him. "I think you mean a great deal to Peter, and I don't think he'll throw away your friendship for anything." She sighed almost wistfully before setting down the cup of hot chocolate that Egon had made for her and pinning the physics major with the full effect of her emerald green eyes.

"I've always worried about him, Egon. Since his father wasn't a large part of his life, Peter slowly started to close himself off, shutting out even the people he loved so that he wouldn't be so easily hurt in the future. But, after meeting you, he's willing to tell me things again, knowing that I wouldn't betray his trust or abandon him like Charlie has. He still has trouble, but he's trying. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Egon nodded mutely.

"The worst thing that could ever happen to Peter is that he's left alone. He thrives on human contact, being around people and being able to interact with them. Now that he's met you, and knows that there are people who care about him besides his mother, I think he'll be all right."

"Peter's a good friend, despite his actions to the contrary." Egon agreed with a small smile.

"He's a difficult one, but I think you'd both be good for each other." Katherine gave him a satisfied smile.

"If it's within my power, Peter will never be alone."

Katherine's eyes brightened at that.

Two weeks later, Katherine Venkman passed away in her sleep.

 

Peter didn't answer, but looked away from the gravestone to look at the other man. Green eyes were shadowed, asking a silent question.

Egon moved to the dark-haired man's side, walking respectfully around plots and markers. Looking down into Peter's eyes, the scientist wrapped an arm around the psychologist's shoulders and gently took the shorter man into his arms. He could feel Peter shaking, and with a silent hitch of his shoulders and a muffled sob, felt two arms wrap around him fiercely and burrow his face into his shoulder.

Egon held him silently, his eyes on the grave marker.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Venkman. I will look after your son.

 

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