A/N: Hey! I have to say thanks to colakirk and darjeelyng for helping me out with this, you guys are wonderful.! :D
Peter knocked softly on the door before he let himself in, even though it was his house, he felt it was the right thing to do.
Neal was sitting on the edge of the bed. His first impulse had been to throw himself onto the bed and cry, then maybe kick something and yell and keep crying…in other words, throw a first class temper tantrum! But no, he was too upset even for that.
The only action he was able to undertake was to sit moping on the bed, while trying not to pay too much attention to the pain that the mere act of sitting elicited in his butt. As he sat, he let his thoughts consume him, and the more he thought, the angrier and more confused he became.
Therefore, it was no great surprise that by the time Peter approached Neal, the kid was in quite a state. He refused to look up as the older man entered the room. He kept his head down and avoided all eye contact.
Peter cleared his throat. "Hi."
Of course the young con didn´t respond. Peter had expected as much, in fact he hadn't expected a reply of any description. But he needed to start with something. "Neal….I," Peter sounded uncertain as he gazed around the room.
Neal continued to glare at the bedroom floor.
"Listen Neal…I," Peter made another attempt to say something but the truth was, he didn´t know what to say. Sorry maybe? That could work but unfortunately, the problem with that was, he was not sorry at all.
Peter sighed deeply and took a seat next to Neal on the bed. And then they both sat quietly… for a long moment, a long and uncomfortable moment. Finally Peter tried again, "What I just did… it was… well…it…it was…" Damn!Since when was it so freaking difficult to get a point across... "What-well…. Did you…did you want to talk about it?"
"No," Neal said, still looking at his own feet. "I don't."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am."
"I´m taking it you're mad at me?" Peter asked sadly.
"Can I just go home to my apartment now?" The kid spoke very calmly.
Maybe Neal was not that angry after all.
Peter considered before responding, "Yes Neal. If you don´t want to talk, you can go."
Maybe the kid had understood why he did what he did after all.
"Thanks." Without further discussion, Neal headed for the door.
Maybe this was the miracle Peter had been asking for? Maybe everything was just fine? Maybe Neal was okay with all …this?
"How could you hit me like that!"
Maybe not.
Neal stopped at the door and turned back to face the older man. "Have you lost your mind!" He shot his words angrily at the agent.
Peter stood up from the bed and held up his hands up defensively, "Maybe I got a little carried away but…"
"You hit me!" Neal accused. "You hit me like a misbehaving child! Are you crazy!"
"Yes I did it! But only because you acted like one! And no Neal I'm not crazy, in fact I don´t know why I didn't do it before!"
"Because it is wrong! That's why! And you have no right, you have no right Peter!"
"I have no right Neal?" Peter said while giving the kid a pointing glare.
Neal hesitated for a split second before taking a step back. "No you do not! When I asked you if you wanted to be my mother, it was a joke! Not an actual proposition!"
"I know that Neal but you can certainly use a mother, or a father, you need someone to take you in hand kid."
"Peter!" Neal looked incredulous. "I do not!"
"Yes you do. And like I told you before, I'm the closest thing you got."
"Peter…"
"No Neal! You almost got yourself killed today. You know how much I worry about you and yet, you've got the nerve to tell me, 'Get over it.'"
Neal began to feel a little guilty, finally. He dropped his gaze once more and mumbled, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry Neal?" Peter asked in scolding tone.
"I shouldn't have said that to you, I know you care about me, and I know I shouldn't have gone there by myself. I know it was wrong."
"If you know all that, then why do you do things like that young man?" Peter's scolding tone stepped up a notch as he placed his hands on his hips.
"You really are going all paternal on me aren't you?" Neal asked with a smile. Peter did look a little funny with his hands in his hips.
"Yes," Peter admitted. "A bit…now answer me Neal."
"I-I don´t know. I was bored. I don´t like doing reports all day." To Neal's displeasure, Peter no longer looked funny, in fact he looked downright angry once more so he quickly added, "I´m sorry it won't happen again."
"That's good to hear Neal. I hope you really mean that."
"I do Peter, I do." And in that moment, he actually did.
Now that he had that off his chest, Neal looked expectantly at Peter. The older man looked away while trying to figure out what was wrong. When he couldn't come up with anything, he directed his eyes back to Neal. "What?"
"I apologized to you," Neal stated simply like there were some obvious meaning behind that particular statement.
"Yes and I appreciate that."
"Don´t you think you should say something to me?" Neal sounded offended.
"Don´t do it again?" Peter was clueless.
"Peter… you …you know what- forget it!"
"Neal? I don't know what…wait." The agent suddenly understood, "You want me to apologize to you for the spanking?"
Neal blushed at the word and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "It's only fair. I said I was sorry." The kid spoke with a combination of anger and embarrassment.
"Sorry Neal but… I'm not sorry for that."
"What! That is-so-oh god whatever. You are unbelievable!"
"Neal you deserved every single swat I gave to you, if not more, and what's more, you know it."
"What I know is that you really have lost your mind."
"Fine. Say what you want but I know you know."
"Yeah-yeah…well we'd better get going." Neal turned to head for the door.
"We?"
"Yes, my sore butt and I. We don´t want to have another painful match with paternal Peter."
"Well then, don´t do something to earn yourself another spanking."
Neal went pale, "You're joking right?"
Peter had to make a huge effort not to laugh at Neal's horrified expression. "Next time you may find yourself with your bare butt over my knees."
"That´s a joke too…right? That has to be…Peter!"
"Well, I'm not so sure so you'd better behave just in case."
"I'm leaving now!" The young con made another attempt to head out the door.
"Wait!" Neal stopped. "Didn't I send you to your room until diner?"
The kid's jaw all but dropped to the floor. "You- weren´t serious were you?"
Peter put on his 'I´m not kidding face' for a few moments, but was unable to hold it for too long - Neal's face was priceless! Then both men broke down in laughter. "Nah, come on, stay for diner, I promise you don't have to stay in your room like a naughty kid, you can even have dessert."
"Well, thank you very much daddy," Neal responded sarcastically, "but I think I
better…"
"Come on Neal. El is probably making your favorite meal."
She better be! Neal thought. After all, it was the least she could do after not coming to his rescue when Peter was spanking him.
"Okay I'll stay, but only if you promise to keep that deadly weapon of yours safely tucked away in your pocket."
Peter rolled his eyes, "I promise kiddo. No more 'deadly weapon," tonight
