The Second Time
Neal:
The second time Neal fully expected Peter to go running. The famous cowboy up line being Peter's go to tried and tested response to any show of emotion not his own. He said as much when trying to clear El's friend's husband of the Iraqi gold theft. Sitting at that table, Neal had to shrug and agree when Peter had talked about women crying and being okay with Neal crying because he knew how to handle him. So, when the shit hits the fan and Neal loses it he doesn't know where to turn. Everything is so raw; his life is crumbling and no one wants him. Maybe not even Kate. Because though he's saying it isn't true there's doubt that thinks maybe Peter's right. And damn it if that doesn't squeeze his chest tighter. He may have screwed up a great thing with Peter. May have been a total idiot in his relationship with Kate.
He closes his eyes tight, willing everything to just stop hurting. Hands take hold of his and Neal can't help it, he flinches, pulling away on instinct. But the hands are having none of it. They tighten their grip and pull him in closer, guiding his sobbing eyes to one very solid shoulder. Peter's warm and welcoming and his arms as they wrap around his back are secure. There are no awkward words or clumsily hesitation. Just large hands holding him steady and warm words whispered in his ear. Peter calls him kid and shushes gently, telling him everything's going to be alright. He cries harder. Not for what he lost today. He cries for what he thinks he's found. Neal only wishes this can last forever.
Peter:
Neal turns away trying to stop the tears and oh god if that just doesn't break him. Peter's never been a hard-hearted guy. He doesn't like to watch others fall apart, but despite his uncomfortableness around kids and crying woman somehow with Neal its okay. He knows Neal and he knows what to do to make him happy. He doesn't need to know the details of his past to spot the signs of an emotionally neglected kid under all that charm and bravado- okay El might have helped him connect the dots on that one, give what he saw a name - but point is he saw it and he wanted to help. Neal's obviously embarrassed and lost, with no idea how to ask for help, so Peter doesn't make him. They are friends, they are partners and Neal is his responsibility. It feels like Neal's always been his.
As always it seems, like there has never not been a time he hasn't been there, Peter swoops in, takes trembling hands in his and expecting the fight is prepared to counter and pulls the kid close. Resting Neal's head on his shoulder, under his chin, he's the perfect height to rest against Peter without causing either of them to take an awkward position. Neal stops his struggles and all but falls against him. Peter holds on and whispers in his ear, telling the kid over and over that everything's going to be okay until shaking stops and he believes it.