The evening crept up on Peter and Neal who sat lazily on the porch overlooking the yard. The rosy blanket of dusk settled over the sky while the two drank beer in silence. Peter liked that they didn't need to talk all the time - just drifting in the blue pools of Neal's eyes was enough. It also helped that he was slightly buzzed.
Neal took a swig, his pouted mouth meeting the lip of the bottle. Leave it to him to make the most mundane look overtly sensual. His gaze locked on to Peter's, drinking in more than just the beer. Peter couldn't help but stare. He wasn't even trying to hide his roaming gaze, which usually meant that he was tipsy. Neal liked this Peter, the one that always got a little too cuddly after a few drinks. He felt like he had the upper hand in these moments.
Peter smiled softly. "C'mere you." He patted his knee.
Neal's mouth curled in a humorous grin. He swished his beer with an air of casualty. "And what if I don't feel like it?"
"Neal, don't make me come over there and get you."
"You wouldn't dare." He placed his drink on the railing.
"Watch me." Peter stood and, in one swift motion, scooped Neal up bridal style.
"Peter. Burke. You will put me down this instant."
He returned to his seat, ex-con in tow.
"I believe that makes it four."
"Four what?"
"Four times that I've caught you."
Neal snorted. "You wish." He laid his head on Peter's shoulder anyway.
Suddenly the porch door opened.
"Room for one more?" El teased.
"As a matter of fact, yes," Peter called. "Get over here, honey."
Neal and Elizabeth exchanged glances.
"He's had a little too much to drink..." He explained.
"Figures." She winked.
"I am right here, you know."
Elizabeth laughed and gave in, gingerly sitting on Peter's free knee. He grunted but didn't protest. First silence washed over them, then a symphony of crickets began, their music the sound of faraway stars. The ones that were just surfacing winked in and out of existence against the cloudy sky. Darkness approached like a velvet cloak, and the smell of sparklers drifted in from somewhere in the neighborhood. Cars rumbled behind them. They sat like that for a while, ignoring Peter's possibly cut-off blood circulation. It was perfect.
Elizabeth broke the silence.
"I love this. It's so nice being with my two boys." She brushed the hair from Neal's face.
"And I love my favorite married couple."
"Well, I-"
Woof!
A bark, accompanied by a streak of white.
El chuckled. "I guess I forgot to close the door."
Satchmo ran a few laps in the yard before throwing himself onto the group, creating a human/dog pyramid.
"Agh - my legs can't hold you two and a dog!"
"Down, Satch!"
"Give the old man a break, Satchmo!"
The dog pile was now just a pile.
"Wha-who are you calling old?!"
"He's just teasing, hun - Satchmo, get!"
Satchmo ran back inside, panting.
"Aw, he just wanted to be part of the love-fest."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't expecting him to jump me..." Peter stood and dusted himself off, a few grass stains marking his shirt.
Neal and Elizabeth shared another look, this one decidedly more conspiratorial.
"What about us?" She posed.
Peter thought for a moment. "That wouldn't be so bad."
No sooner had the words passed his lips than the two were on him and dragging him inside.
"Not bad at all."
