Notes: this entire story was inspired by the various old h/c gifs by and especially by this gif, so this chapter is a direct reference post/160785204017/view-larger-version-on-ao3-totally-inspired-by


February

Neal and Peter got out of the car, looking down the street where their suspect was supposed to be meeting someone. It was cold, and just starting to rain. Neal made a face, folded his arms across his chest. Peter reached back into his car, pulled out a golf umbrella and his long coat. He handed Neal the coat and opened the umbrella. Neal held the coat back out to him. Peter took it, but shook his head, "you're cold."

He put the coat around Neal's shoulders, trying to keep the umbrella over them at the same time. Neal shrugged it a little bit more over himself, gratefully, and leaned his arm a tiny bit against Peter's warm chest. He pulled his phone out, getting out the photo of the meeting place.


It was still raining that evening, when Neal and Elizabeth got back to Peter's from an excellent dinner date. Peter had been more than happy to have the TV and living room to himself for the night of the Super Bowl. Jones had come over to take advantage of the snacks Elizabeth had made.

They came through the front door, having a friendly debate about the preservation of art forms that hadn't been made from easily conservable materials. Peter and Jones were on the sofa, cheering for something happening on the screen. Satchmo trotted up to Neal and Elizabeth, tail wagging.

Elizabeth went to use the bathroom, Neal scratched and petted the dog. Satchmo barked and went to the door, barking once more.

Neal chuckled, and asked Peter over the TV, "does Satch need to go out?"

Peter got up and came into the hall, "oh, shoot, it's been a few hours, he probably could."

Neal took the leash down, and Satchmo got even more excited, jumping enough it was hard to clip the leash on, "I'll walk him, don't miss your game."

Peter grinned at him, "how was dinner?"

Neal beamed, "great. El is in the bathroom, let her know I'll be right back?"

Peter nodded,df patted Neal's arm, and went back to the TV.

Neal took Peter's umbrella from by the door, went outside with the dog, and had to grab onto the railing so Satchmo didn't pull him down. He slowly went down the half flight. When he reached the sidewalk it was harder to balance himself against Satchmo's pull. He used the umbrella to brace himself a little, and took Satchmo over near a signpost to pee.

He gazed up into the cloudy sky, a light drizzle hitting his face and coat. He took a deep breath, and let it out. The cold and rain did his joints no favors, and it was uncomfortably helpful to lean on the umbrella like a cane, as Satchmo sniffed around the base of the sign, and a nearby bike rack. But Elizabeth was waiting for him, he could hear Peter and Jones cheering faintly through the windows, even Satchmo was happy. He gave himself permission to trust it.

Satchmo finally went, and Neal took him back up the steps. He opened the door, Elizabeth was there in the entry. She leaned against him, kissed him, her hand on the back of his head as they thumped against the wall. He let go of Satchmo's leash, the dog pushed the inner door open and ran into the house. Elizabeth broke the kiss to take a breath, and smile huge at him.

They headed up the steps, as Peter and Jones cheered at the game again.