Work Text:
It’s a late night at the office when Peter gets a call.
His first thought is that it’s Elizabeth checking in on him. She knows it’s a late night, but she likes to see how things are going, keep him company if it’s not too hectic. There are nights where the two of them will stay on the phone in silence. She’ll read her book with a mug of tea and Peter will go through paperwork or whatever the night requires.
When he looks down at the phone though, it’s Neal. Which is not immediately alarming, but he had seemed… off today. Quiet. Melancholic. Peter had assumed it’d something to do with his run in with Sarah but you never know with Neal.
Peter makes sure the office is empty and his doors are closed before he answers. “Hello.”
“Peter?” Instantly Peter is put on edge and he sits up in his chair, ready to book it out of the office. Neal sounds… breathless. But less in the “I just went for a run” way and more in the “I just had a panic attack and breathing is hard” way.
Peter doesn’t want to spook him though, so he bites his tongue, forces himself to be calm as he responds. “Hey Neal. What’s up? Mozzie and you need a tiebreaker?”
Neal laughs and Peter can hear the sniffles that follow it, as quiet as they may be. “No, no… I just wanted to see how things were going at the office. I know it can get boring.”
“Neal Caffrey calling to check in on me?” Peter drawls dramatically, trying to keep things light between them. “My how the tables have turned. You can’t go one hour without me by your side, can you?”
Neal stays quiet and that’s another sign of something being wrong. Neal never stays quiet, not unless he’s thinking hard and that normally means he’s planning something.
The silence is sobering and Peter thinks now might be the time to try for a more serious tone. “Hey, you doing okay? I can come over—”
“No, it’s fine.” Neal is quick to reply and the alarm bells ring louder in Peter’s head. Neal, what are you up to?
Peter quickly pulls up his tracking data on his computer. It says he’s at his apartment. He doesn’t want to bring Diana into this just yet, but—
“I just, uhm, did you mean it? When you said I could come to you? About anything?” Neal asks and all the suspicion in Peter dissipates, leaving behind concern and… a warm sense of sentimentalness.
“I did,” Peter answers. He feels himself relax a bit in his chair, the small seed of hope that’s been steadily growing within him finally starting to bloom.
Peter hears a shaky breath over the phone speaker and he frowns softly, wishing he could be there in person with him.
“After all this is done… after my time is, uh, served. What’s going to happen to me?” Neal sounds so unlike himself, the hesitancy in his voice squeezes Peter’s heart.
“Well…” Peter himself takes a breath, eyes moving around the office that’s become a second home to him, before moving down to the cubicle that Neal’s claimed for himself. “I’d have to talk to the higher ups, but we’ve done some really good work together. I don’t see why they wouldn’t let you keep solving cases with us.” Peter pauses, voice taking on a more sombre tone. “That is if you wanted to. I suppose once you finish your sentence you’ll be scott free. Free to roam wherever, so long as it’s legal— ” Peter can’t help himself from joking, knowing that he’ll be keeping tabs on Neal even if he decides to split off on his own.
“I could stay?” Neal asks, voice hushed and Peter wishes he could tell what’s going on in his head.
“I’d be happy if you did,” Peter answers, this time a bit more vulnerable, honest. “We’re a good team, Neal. I’d miss you if you left.”
There’s a heavy silence and Peter can’t help but think of the Manifesto that’s sitting in the safe hidden in his house.
(“How would you feel if it turned out that there really is no treasure?”
“...I’d feel relieved.")
Peter really hopes that the time never comes where he has to put Neal behind bars again.
“You’d just miss my coffee.” Neal finally speaks and Peter can sense the tone shifting. Whatever had Neal calling, whatever he wanted, he got and he’s back to himself. Peter wants to push more, wants to poke and prod and see what is going on beneath the surface, but… Things have been good between them. He doesn’t want to ruin it. He doesn’t want to break the peace they’ve found themselves in.
Peter chuckles, letting himself lean back in his chair. “That is true. You do make a good cup of coffee.”
Peter hears another breath come over the line and it signals their call coming to an end. “Alright, I’ll let you go back to doing… whatever boring thing it was that you were doing.”
And because Peter can’t help himself from still trying to help, to keep Neal on track, he offers anyway. “You know, if you want to come down and make things less boring—”
Neal is quick to object. “Yeah, no. I’m quite comfortable in bed right now.” There's another beat and then Neal speaks again, more sincere this time. “But uhm, thank you, Peter. For everything.”
“Of course. I really did mean it. If you need anything, I’m here. Always.” Peter reassures him and he hopes that one day, if it comes down to the treasure or Neal, that Peter won’t be forced to make that decision.
“Goodnight, Peter.”
“Goodnight, Neal.”