Hanging Out
Hanging up his phone, Neal ended his conversation with Ellie. "See Peter, even the doctor agrees with me."
"Yeah right!" Peter argued. "So, you can tell her your opinion, and get her to agree with you. I haven't even met this Ellie person, so how could she possibly know why my fever is high today." He wasn't in a good mood, so he didn't appreciate Neal getting bossy with him.
"Because, I have some medical training, and she is trusting my judgment of your symptoms." Neal answered calmly.
Muttering a comment about missing the days when he could threaten to throw Neal in jail, Peter quickly took it back when he saw the look in Neal's eyes. "I don't actually mean in Neal. It's just… I'm tired of being stuck at home and on the couch!"
Holding an emotional distance for a moment, Neal tried to hide how much that hurt. "You're restless and taking it out on me…"
Catching his hand as he was obviously withdrawing again, Peter pulled Neal to sit on the couch beside him. "Neal, I couldn't be more proud to discover that you are my brother, and I like working with you as a fellow agent better than worrying about you as a con. I haven't slipped in a while, as it's getting easier to remember that you aren't really a con, and I didn't mean what I said a moment ago." Leaning back tiredly, Peter tried to relax as the fever was wearing him out. Squeezing Neal's shoulder, he looked at him apologetically. "Sorry. You're right, I'm restless and taking out on you, which isn't right."
As the hurt look left his eyes, Neal moved to grab the pills that Ellie had recommended. "Here, take these and you should get to feeling better."
Glad to see Neal's eyes clearing up of emotion, Peter took the pills and curled up to sleep. "Ignore me when I say mean things like that Neal… I don't mean them." He mumbled as he drifted off to sleep.
Smiling softly, Neal curled up to take a nap himself.
Waking up first, Peter remained curled up as he watched his brother sleep. Although he had apologized, he still didn't like what he had said. Those conversations used to be a topic of jest between him and his CI, but since he had learned the truth about Neal, they had found other ways to show their comradery. Cracks about going back to prison and checking the anklet had changed. Peter still monitored the anklet to know that his brother was safe and to keep up an element of appearances, but the comments about prison had stopped. Neal wasn't a con, he hadn't technically committed any crime (he was always backed by the agencies) so prison was no longer something that was to be on the table.
Sighing again, Peter couldn't believe he had regressed to making such a comment simply because he was restless and had a fever.
As he continued to watch Neal, he couldn't help but think about the innocent side that Neal had been sharing with him, the side of himself that was just a nerdy kid.
"Yep, we have more in common than you might think. I may have been in a fraternity and a frequenter of parties in college, but I was also known for my athletic scholarship as well as hanging out with nerds. We tended to discuss advanced things like mathematics, science, engineering, art, and what we would take in a sandwich if we were going to be shipwrecked on a deserted island." Neal had paused to smirk playfully. "By the way, those answers ranged from actual food, to games, to beautiful women who wouldn't take a second look at us, but we were young and having fun."
Those memories brought a smile to Peter's face. Although he and his friends weren't into choosing what to put into a sandwich, they had had their own collection of pointless questions to theorize over back in the day. The more he got to know Neal, the more he learned to see the similar qualities that they possessed.
As his mind continued to wander, it was inevitable that it would find its way to the other side of his discoveries, to the parts where Neal had revealed himself to be a dangerous agent.
Having gone through the boxwith Neal, Peter had mostly seen generalized commendations for heroism, references to completed assignments of great difficulty, and hints that Neal might have been involved in legends. There weren't really any hard facts to go by, as most of it was above his clearance level and /or out of his need to know, but Peter had still found himself pouring over every scrap of information that he could get his hands on.
In addition to the box, Peter had also taken note of how the young CIA agents had reacted to Neal and Chuck's rescue, which wasn't even mentioning the rescue itself, to detail the skills that the two agents had.
The more he learned about his brother, the more he realized that his brother was truly a legend who tended to hide both his innocence and his heroism behind whatever character he was assigned to play at the moment.
Lulled by the peace of the atmosphere and Neal's soft snores, Peter found his eye lids getting heavier, but he was happy to have had the quiet observation of the man that his brother truly was… someone that he needed to show appreciation for more often.
As soon as Peter was well enough, Neal suggested that they drag him to the mall. It was an opportunity to meander through the shops, get something from the food court, and if Peter was up to it, they could even catch a movie.
Stopping in front of an arcade, Neal got excited enough that the others had to join him in a few rounds of games.
"Come on Peter, lets race… that is something that you can do one handed." Neal said, mindful of how sore Peter's shoulder still was.
Getting a competitive light to his eyes, Peter was enjoying the chance to see Neal for himself where he could show his actual taste in activities and things. "You're on. But remember, I was the top driver in my Quantico class…" He tried to come off as intimidating.
Unfazed, Neal grinned at him. "Like I wasn't in my training class…?"
Eager to see which one won, Elizabeth stood behind them and observed the challenge. Cheering them both on, she was happy to see that it was a close race, but not surprised when Neal won.
"I'll have to take you on again once my shoulder has fully healed." Peter was hopeful for better luck next time.
Shrugging, Neal was confident in his skills. "You can try, but you won't beat me. I'm a nerd and master at video games."
"Do you have any in your boxes?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, but my current character doesn't do nerdy things." Neal shrugged again as he moved to the next game.
Seeing that it was a huge part of his interest, Elizabeth suggested. "Why don't you bring it downstairs? I'm sure you could play it at our house from time to time."
Knowing that Neal would find reasons to leave it in the attic, Peter added to her comment. "You should you know. That way you can show us what you like to play, and maybe you could challenge me at home… you do have a racing game, right?"
"There is Mario Karts, but what would be the story behind you suddenly acquiring a gaming system?" Neal hedged.
"I bought it for something that you two could bond over, and because Chuck likes to play." Elizabeth answered.
Smirking, Neal validated her story. "Chuck does like to play, but why would you think that Peter and I would play?"
"Because, it was my idea, so you would both do as I suggested and play. Perhaps, you even decide that you like to play, because it is a bonding time between the two of you." Elizabeth saw the matter settled.
"You can bring it down when we get home… maybe we'll even play for a while?" Peter suggested.
Knowing when he was beaten, Neal decided that they should go check out a game store to see what else they could get that Peter and Elizabeth might be more interested in. "There is a game store, we should check it out then." Was his way of telling them that he was giving in.
"Or maybe we could just ask Chuck, I'm sure he and Sarah might have checked it out already." Peter said. Their body guards were enjoying some private time, while also being fairly close in case they were needed.
Pulling out his phone, Neal asked him if there were anything for his console. With a positive answer, he smiled at Peter. "They have been there, and the store has games for my console. We'll have to make a stop there before we leave."
Sighing, Peter resigned himself to tagging along. Apparently, his little brother did have interests different than him, but at least a game store should take less time than a museum… right?
Moving out of the store, Elizabeth drug the two to a photo booth. "We should take some pictures." Her eyes lit up with humor. "I'm thinking some goofy ones."
Enjoying the prospect of getting some goofy pictures of Peter, Neal was on board for the plan.
Although he wasn't much of one for making goofy poses, Peter went along with it because it was Elizabeth and Neal. "Just don't expect me to be as goofy as you two." He commented.
Raising her eyebrow at him, Elizabeth teased him with a threatening look. "Are you calling me goofy?"
Neal reacted with a faked indignant expression. "I believe we were just insulted."
Rolling his eyes at them, Peter generally ignored their remarks. "Are you sure that three people can fit in there?"
Taking turns, they took a series of pictures. Some were more romantic of Peter and Elizabeth flirting, others were of Peter and Neal being brothers, Elizabeth took some pictures of her and Neal to commemorate their new found relationship, and then they crowded in for a few with all three of them together as a family unit.
Continuing down to the food court, they divide up the pictures and sorted who got which one while they got themselves some food.
Seeing that Peter was getting worn out, Neal suggested that they meet Chuck and Sarah at the movie theatre for a showing before heading home.
Agreeing to his plan, they conferred with the others until they came to the conclusion of watching a nerdy movie that appealed to Neal and Chuck. As there wasn't one that particularly appealed to the others, they gave way to the nerds and prepared themselves to watch the movie whether it was to their preferences, or not.
Getting tickets and grabbing their snacks, the group made their way into the theatre where they chose a row and settled in. Elizabeth took the outer seat, Peter next to her, Neal, then Chuck, and finally Sarah on the other side.
Watching the movie, Peter enjoyed Neal and Chuck's enthusiasm, Sarah and Elizabeth tried to understand what was so interesting about it, and the others were totally absorbed into the plot until the end.
While they walked out, Neal and Chuck were going ninety miles an hour as they discussed the merits of the plot and reenacted their favorite scenes. Sarah and Elizabeth walked along with Peter as they laughed at the other two, but none of them could particularly share their enthusiasm.
Ignoring the other's disinterest, Neal and Chuck tried to help them to see the point of the movie and to enjoy the story in the plot. When that failed, they chose to pick out some games before returning to the Burkes for an evening in.
On their way home, Neal and Chuck decided to make it an all nighter, despite Peter's slight protests.
"Come on Peter, it's like having a sleepover as kids. None of us have to work in the morning so we can hang out with games, maybe watch a movie, and do whatever we want as late as we want. Then in the morning we can sleep in before making breakfast… I promise to make something if you let us." Neal tried to beg.
Unable to resist the chance to provide his brother with some simple fun, and finding himself interested to participate, Peter gave in fairly easily. "Fine, but if you make a mess then you are cleaning it up, not too much noise as we do have neighbors, and you had better make something really good to go with the coffee that you will be providing." Peter bargained.
"Deal… lets swing by my place so that Chuck and Sarah can get their things and I'll get some of June's Italian roast." Neal agreed.
Elizabeth added to their plans by requesting a stop at the grocery store. She wanted to get snacks and other treats for munching on through the night.
Making quick work on their stops, the group arrived back at the Burkes and moved to get set up. Peter changed and took a brief nap as the day had worn him out, Sarah and Elizabeth had prepared the snacks, and Neal had worked with Chuck to retrieve the gaming console with its accessories before bringing it all down and setting it up.
With everything ready, the group decided to join Peter in taking a nap before planning on staying up virtually, if not literally, all night for the fun of it.
Waking up as Chuck and Sarah made their way downstairs in comfy pajamas, Neal switched places with them as he moved up to the guest room to change his clothes as well.
Coming out in a pair of comfy sweats and a t-shirt, Neal met Elizabeth in the hallway.
Pulling him into a hug, Elizabeth told him again how happy she was to have him in the family. "Things have changed a lot ever since we learned that you are family Neal." She laughed softly. "I don't think we would have ever had an all night sleep over with you and your friends before this, yet alone found ourselves friends with them to the point of considering them just another brother and his wife… Thank you Neal, we couldn't ask for a better little brother." Laying her head against his shoulder, she enjoyed the feeling of happiness as he returned her hug.
Happy as well, Neal laid his head on top of hers. "Thank you Elizabeth. I know it took some work for you to accept me as a criminal, and that it was a relief when you learned that I am not actually one, but I'm glad that you have accepted me into the family like it's where I have always been. Not only that, but you have befriended Chuck and accepted Sarah like a younger sister. After everything growing up… I never imagined myself in a place like this." Neal breathed deeply and relished the peace of knowing that he was loved.
Wiping a tear away on his shoulder, Elizabeth squeezed him tighter before stepping back. "I'm going to go get the snacks, Peter was waking up when I came out… he should be out in just a moment."
Turning as the door opened behind them, Neal moved to see Peter coming out in his own sweats and a t-shirt. "Are you feeling better Peter?" He asked.
Yawning, Peter stretched lightly. "Yeah, and I'm happy to be back to sleeping in my own bed instead of on the couch. It isn't a bad place to sleep for a night, but it's not somewhere that I like to be long term." Catching up to Neal, he stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "I heard your conversation with El… and we both mean it, Neal. You are a great younger brother, and we are both proud to have you in the family." He squeezed his shoulder.
Turning to hug his brother, Neal loved the feeling of warmth that came with love and acceptance. "I'm lucky to have a brother and sister like you too. You have opened your hearts, and your home to me… even before discovering that I am actually family."
"And you are always welcome here, Neal. Don't forget that! Even if you get given another assignment in the future, I still expect you to stop by, to keep in touch, and to be present for family occasions as often as possible." Peter pushed for a promise.
Letting a weight fall off of his shoulders, Neal promised to do his best.
Stepping back from the hug, Peter threw his arm acrossed Neal's shoulder for a moment. "Now, what do you say about us heading down where I am going to beat you at racing?"
Laughing, Neal answered. "I say 'dream on big brother, dream on.'"
Thank you everyone for reading, commenting/reviewing, leaving kudos, following, and choosing to favorite :D
