Title: To Be Loved
Summary: Neal finally realizes what love is. Pre-NealPeterElizabeth. Spoilers for Front Man.
Disclaimer: I do not own White Collar or any of its characters. I do not make any profit from this story.
To Be Loved
Neal winced as he slipped into the house, silently closing the door behind him. He was tired, and incredibly sore from being tased, but he wasn't going to pass up dinner. And to mess with Peter.
"Neal!" Neal didn't have any time to react as a brown blur pounced on him. "You're okay!"
Neal laughed. "If I get this greeting every time I get hurt, I should do it more often."
Elizabeth slipped away from him and slapped him on the arm. "Idiot. How are you feeling?"
"Perfectly fine," he lied, but the glare Elizabeth was giving him made him change his mind. "A little sore, but I'll be fine. You know me."
"Neal. Why does it not surprise me that you are here?"
Neal grinned and looked his partner. "You miss me."
Peter snorted. "Yeah, right."
"Hun," Elizabeth scolded her husband. "You are the one who invited him."
"Really?" Neal looked at Peter, startled.
"Don't let it get to your big head."
Neal held his hands up in surrender, laughing. "Too late."
Peter scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Food's done," he said before slipping into the kitchen.
Elizabeth giggled and looked at Neal. "Ignore that. He was really worried about you, we both were," she stood up on her tip toes and kissed his forehead. "I'm glad you're okay."
With a grin, she turned and went to join her husband.
Neal blinked, staring at the doorway to kitchen; his heart clenching. He felt loved, and it scared and delighted him.
Peter popped out from the kitchen. "You going to stand there like an idiot or are you going to sit down?"
Neal grinned. "I'm sitting, I'm sitting."
Okay, he was more delighted.