Neal Is
Disclaimer: I do not own White Collar, or anything affiliated with it.
Written for a friend of mine who requested, I quote: "Write that drabble. Neal the puppy-boy."
Neal is, in a convoluted and strange way, like their dog used to be as a puppy. Enthusiastic and unconsciously intrusive while charming the ladies and stealing breakfast, implicitly trusted to spend time with El and even bringing along his mistrusting, stray friend who gets fleas everywhere and shies away from strangers.
June is the pet-sitter, watching over him and soothing the festering intelligence that needs an outlet like all teething puppies need ropes, or rawhide. With her permissive attitude, he'll never be housetrained.
With Mozzie, that thought becomes even less likely. Mozzie, who Neal constantly brings home and whom Peter leaves toys, sometimes. Who is cautiously accepting of those Neal cares for, who care for Neal. Who they are suspicious of, because he could escort Neal into the night, give him fleas and mange and they'd only ever see him in designer hats and glimpses of smiles on the other side of the crowd.
He's like a puppy. Infuriating and brilliant and beautiful in all the ways that make him too cute to put back in the shelter.
In other words, they were fucking doomed the second they fastened the collar. Which he's already chewed off twice.
Written for a friend of mine who requested, I quote: "Write that drabble. Neal the puppy-boy."
Neal is, in a convoluted and strange way, like their dog used to be as a puppy. Enthusiastic and unconsciously intrusive while charming the ladies and stealing breakfast, implicitly trusted to spend time with El and even bringing along his mistrusting, stray friend who gets fleas everywhere and shies away from strangers.
June is the pet-sitter, watching over him and soothing the festering intelligence that needs an outlet like all teething puppies need ropes, or rawhide. With her permissive attitude, he'll never be housetrained.
With Mozzie, that thought becomes even less likely. Mozzie, who Neal constantly brings home and whom Peter leaves toys, sometimes. Who is cautiously accepting of those Neal cares for, who care for Neal. Who they are suspicious of, because he could escort Neal into the night, give him fleas and mange and they'd only ever see him in designer hats and glimpses of smiles on the other side of the crowd.
He's like a puppy. Infuriating and brilliant and beautiful in all the ways that make him too cute to put back in the shelter.
In other words, they were fucking doomed the second they fastened the collar. Which he's already chewed off twice.