Title: Happy Birthday, Peter; Happy Birthday, Neal
Author: QWERTYfaced
Fandom: White Collar
Wordcount: 100 each
Rating: G
Characters: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke
Genre: Drabble, gen, humor
Notes: Wrote #1 because I needed to cheer myself up after some work on "Senseless." Then, because turnabout is fair play, I scribbled #2 as a companion to #1.
Summary: What might the boys get each other for birthdays?
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. All characters and settings belong to their respective copyright holders, not me. Which is why I don't have a llama herd yet.
1. Happy Birthday, Peter
The cookie tray held little shields, baseballs, and horses...and so far, the gifts couldn't have been more apropos.
From Jones and Diana, a baseball signed by the current Yankees roster. From the Harvard Crew, a .40 caliber dummy bullet, engraved with the legend "World's Best Boss."
Which left Neal's gift: large, round, and presented with a suspiciously innocent expression and a gleam of mischief in blue eyes.
Peter unwrapped the box. There was laughter when people saw the brand name.
"Stetson?" he asked.
Neal grinned. "Happy birthday, Peter. This completes the theme."
Peter Burke lifted out the white hat.
2. Happy Birthday, Neal
After gazing at the box suspiciously for some time, the consultant finally slipped off the ribbon and opened it. His expression turned quizzical as he regarded the small item nestled on the cotton padding inside.
"You got me a lock?"
"It's a puzzle. 100% guaranteed unpickable."
"Well, we'll see about that."
Two days later, Neal Caffrey stalked into Peter's office and slapped an X-ray film down on the desk.
Peter chuckled, the sound full of satisfaction.
"Happy birthday, Neal."
"Very funny, Peter."
On the film, the welding lines were clearly visible, turning all the parts inside into one immovable lump.