Hello dears!

First thing first, I forgot to mention in the previous one shot, but there will be hints that Neal is interested (yes, romantically) in Peter, and Peter in Neal (though somewhat subtler). However, unless asked and/or in special one shots, romance won't play much part in the series. I want to focus more on their friendship, and the reveals awaiting Peter. Other characters will be present (El, June, Diana, Jones, Mozzie), but overall, those one shots will be about Peter, Neal and Neal's family (and secrets). I just wanted to warn you because this is part of my Neal!

Now, enjoy this one shot, even if it feels more like a multi chaptered story that a collection of one shots XD Though, this is mostly because the one shots of the main storyline follows each other chronologically, while the one from Past and Alternate will be real one shots, so to speak.

This is mainly some little brotherly fluff, and some more hints~ I can't help thinking Peter is the in-story version of the readers, though x)

Settings: Main storyline, the day after Three Brothers.

Good Morning

When Peter had watched Neal's brothers go after a subtle promise of meeting another time, he had not realized how soon this would happen. It was only as he entered Neal's room at June's and saw Joshua that it occurred to him Neal's brothers might stay with Neal for however long they would be in town.

Emerald eyes snapped to Peter, showing a somewhat sleepy smile as he made a gesture to be silent. The man was sitting at the table with a cup of tea, his gaze returning toward where Peter knew Neal's bed to be. The agent noticed the genuine fondness on the younger male's face before he looked in the same direction; and Peter swore his heart melted for a few seconds.

Because curled against Neal's side was Jack, both men still deeply asleep.

Neal slept to the left side of the bed, on his back with one arm resting above Jack's head on the pillow. The younger male was on his side, one arm used as pillow and the other arm pressed between their bodies so his hand ended up under his head. Jack was not completely against Neal, but at the same time, his forehead rested against Neal's side toward the ribcage, which made Peter suspect the youngest brother was fallen asleep listening to his brother's heartbeat. To finish the picture, Peter noticed someone had slept on the right side of the bed, which could only mean Joshua had also slept in Neal's bed, keeping Jack between his two older brothers.

"It will be a shame if you have to wake them so soon." Joshua whispered to Peter, as he knew Neal was supposed to work today.

Peter gazed back at the black haired man, and with a little smile he came to sit opposite Joshua. "I'm a bit early." He whispered back, returning the grin Joshua gave.

Joshua looked back toward his brothers, once more growing soft. However, Peter did not miss the hint of sadness in his gaze. "It's been forever since we've last slept all together." He mused outloud, letting out a little sigh as he drank his tea. "The curse of busy lives."

Peter gave Joshua a look. "You talk as if you haven't been able to see each other for a while."

Joshua locked eyes with Peter. "Why do you think the FBI and Marshals never found out about us?"

The agent knew well enough what Joshua was saying, and he felt a pang of… guilt? "We didn't even have a picture for a long while, though." He pointed out, curious if a bit confused.

Joshua huffed, then sighed. "It was bad enough that Neal entered the FBI's radar, but it's not just about this." His gaze almost seemed to pierce Peter. "It's always safer to make sure nobody knows about our loved ones, in our line of works."

The agent couldn't help looking back at Neal, also recalling what the man had said yesterday. How he had almost begged Peter not to start any research about his brothers, how it would be dangerous. His guts twisted at all the clues pointing to one fact, a fact that Joshua had subtly confirmed to Peter: the three brothers worried about something, a thing that should not be able to connect the three of them.

It reminded Peter that nothing had ever been found about Neal before he entered the radars, that Mozzie had once told him he didn't know much of Neal before they met. It made Peter feel a visceral need to hunt down whatever put such a weight on his friend.

"I wouldn't say we've been out of touch, though." Joshua spoke again, bringing Peter's attention back to him. "We've got our ways to contact each other. It's just safer to actually see each other only when needed." He took another sip of his tea, and for the first time Peter realized this still somewhat asleep Joshua had a British accent slipping into his words. Joshua seemed to notice too, because he gave a small smile, bordering on shy. "It's not like we can easily see each other, either. Only Jack couldn't bear to be too far from Neal."

Peter looked back at the sleeping men, Neal having moved a bit so his head was now half turned toward Jack. "They're very close, aren't they?" Almost like twins, he wanted to say.

Joshua's lips curled into a smile. "I've always said Jack imprinted on Neal. Then again, Neal has always been taking care of Jack. He's less outgoing than us, and I'm not ashamed to admit Neal's personality makes him the one most fitted to be Jack's anchor." His smile widened in amusement. "Apparently, I'm too flashy and teasing for him to handle."

Peter had to restrain the laughter that wanted to escape him. "Neal is pretty flashy too, though."

Emerald eyes sparkled. "You poor soul, still oblivious to the wonders of a calm Neal."

The FBI agent would have asked about this comment, eager for new knowledge on his CI, but a small unhappy noise brought them to look at the sleeping men. Jack had a frown on his face, body shivering once. Joshua frowned deeply, straightened in his chair as if ready to bolt toward his brother. However, the second Jack let out a small whine and curled on himself more, Neal turned to lay on his side, the arm above Jack's head lowering a bit to rest on top of the younger's head, while the other arm ended on a lose hug as it rested on Jack's side. Immediately, the younger male snuggled closer, face disappearing into Neal's shirt. His frame relaxed, a sigh passing his lips.

Neal's eyes opened slowly, blinking down at his brother. A little smile showed as he petted the dark hairs with the hand above his brother's head, and then the ex conman seemed to sense the eyes on him. He scowled at Joshua's little smirk, then blinked as he registered Peter sitting there too, biting his lips and lifting one eyebrow once they locked eyes.

"… Not a word." His blue eyes snapped to Joshua, glaring. "Stop smirking and make something for us."

Silently, Joshua raised both hand in surrender before getting up. As he made coffee, Jack grumbled as Neal moved to sit up a bit. The ex conman stopped moving, glancing down and chuckling as heterochromatic eyes were throwing a betrayed look up at him, as if asking why they were waking up.

"Come on sleepyhead, I've got work." Neal poked Jack's cheek, which earned him another grumble as Jack twisted and buried his face in the pillow under his head.

"Noooooooo…." Jack let out, muffled.

Neal only shook his head, still chuckling as he got out of bed. He approached the table, giving Peter a wave of greeting as Joshua put down two cup of coffee in front of Neal's seat. Before he could even, move the chair, Neal felt a weight on his shoulder. He glanced backward, amused as he got the view of Jack resting his head on his shoulder, visibly trying to keep his eyes open.

"… He's not a morning person, is he?" Peter commented, deeply amused by the sight.

Jack only grumbled toward Peter, as Neal reached out for the cups, offering one to Jack as he took a sip of his own. Funnily enough-or adorably enough-Neal did not sit right away, as Jack still rested against him. It was only when the youngest male took his cup of coffee and leaned back that Neal pushed the chair back.

Then Neal patted Jack's head and pushed slightly his back, making his younger brother take the chair. Once Jack sat down, one elbow on the table so he could rest his head on his open palm while his other hand was wrapped around his cup; Neal leaned his hips against the back of the chair, gazing down at his brother.

And it was far from the last time that Peter would be rewarded with such sights. He had already guessed Neal's brothers were staying around for a few days, and deep down he wanted to see more of their interactions.

It did not occur to him that, as they had suggested during their conversation the day before, more people were expected. And it would not occur to him, until he met the first of those.

End of Good Morning.

Stay Tuned...