001 • [ Location: Central Mansion Lobby ]
The past few months hadn't exactly been easy. That was an understatement really, since he'd watched the love of his life killed in an explosion then gone back to prison. No, they certainly hadn't been easy. He'd put on a brave face for the people around him, had even fooled himself with the mask he wore once or twice, but his hands still shook now
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"I am pretty unbelievable, aren't I?" Neal said with a lazy, charming smile. He knew that probably wasn't how Peter had meant it, but he didn't care. It was how he was choosing to take the words, because he preferred compliments to criticism. And who wouldn't? "But you should be used to it by now, Peter. Unbelievable is like...my default." Yeah...he should probably just stop talking.
He let himself be pulled to his feet, staggering slightly and leaning against Peter. Good, reliable Peter. He'd never let El go and die on an exploding plane. Because he always knew the right thing to do. After all, hadn't he talked Neal out of going to the plane? Because he knew what was best. And Neal hated him a little for that, because if he had died on the plane, at least he wouldn't have this gnawing empty feeling inside him.
Peter asked for the bottle and he lifted it and took another drink before passing it to Peter. "Might loosen you up," he said idly, as if Peter was asking for it because he really wanted a drink himself. And maybe he did. Maybe Neal's presence drove him to drink. He kind of hoped not.
"I remember..." He trailed off. "I was drinking. A lot. And then I turned around and I was here...like a magic trick. And I was sitting on the floor...and then you got here. And I know you'll figure it out, because you always do. So we'll be fine." He swayed a little on his feet and leaned against his friend. "I miss her, Peter."
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There would be a possibility that he might regret that later, but thankfully, that was still a long way off. Hopefully.
To his credit, Peter hadn't cringed at all by the time Neal was through. But he couldn't hold down the sigh. "I know." He said evenly, glancing around at the lobby at large.
Making sure his partner was steady, he walked Neal in the direction of the hotel's bar. It wasn't exactly choice, but it was a place to sit him down for a little while, so it would have to do.
Peter steered him in the direction of one of the few booths there, and sat him down, checking to make sure Neal was at least remotely looking him in the eye before he said anything. "Don't move. Alright? Just give me a second." He went to the bar, ordering coffee in spite of instinct's highly paranoid ramblings.
A few minutes later, and after he'd tasted it himself to be sure it was safe, Peter brought the cup back and set it down in front of him. "We've been kidnapped, you need to be sober." He sat down across from Neal, watching him mostly to make sure he wasn't going to fall to the side. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
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