Drabble: Lucky Charms (#37)
Title: Lucky Charms
Author: QWERTYfaced
Fandom: White Collar
Wordcount: 300
Rating: G
Characters: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke
Genre: Drabble, gen
Notes: For the extended A Drabble A Day personal challenge, and whitecollar100's Challenge 194 - Luck.
Summary: Peter and Neal share the stories behind their own personal talismans.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. All characters and settings belong to their respective copyright holders, not me. Which is why I don't have a pocket universe yet.
"Do you believe in luck?"
Peter glanced at Neal. On a stakeout, you had to pass the time somehow, and conversation was often the best way. Once you got past his musical taste (jazz was all very well, but it made Peter drowsy), and the ritual complaining, Neal was not bad company. His mercurial mind threw out an endless variety of topics.
"A little," Peter admitted. "I was a baseball player. You won't find anyone more superstitious."
He rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out a small knot of oiled rawhide. "I still have this. Pitched a no-hitter in college, and I kept some of the lacing from that glove."
Neal nodded. "I kept something from my best score, too."
His partner looked blankly at the coin in his hand. It was just a quarter, rubbed almost smooth.
"The first pocket you ever picked?"
"The first pocket I almost picked." There was a few moments' silence, as he gathered his thoughts.
"It didn't start with Raphaels and bonds-just enough cash for a meal or a bed for a couple nights. One day, I was in a fast food restaurant when I saw an opportunity. I was still learning, and I don't suppose I could have telegraphed my mark more clearly if I'd shouted.
"That's when he turned around and saw me. He had me figured out in an instant, but to my shock, he gave me his lunch...and the change." Neal's fingers closed around the quarter, and he chuckled. "He also told me he was an off-duty cop, and that I'd better find something else to do."
"And boy, did you ever," Peter quipped. Both men laughed.
Still, Peter mused, Neal had handled diamonds and masterpieces, but what he kept was a memento of kindness.
His best score.
Author: QWERTYfaced
Fandom: White Collar
Wordcount: 300
Rating: G
Characters: Neal Caffrey, Peter Burke
Genre: Drabble, gen
Notes: For the extended A Drabble A Day personal challenge, and whitecollar100's Challenge 194 - Luck.
Summary: Peter and Neal share the stories behind their own personal talismans.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. All characters and settings belong to their respective copyright holders, not me. Which is why I don't have a pocket universe yet.
"Do you believe in luck?"
Peter glanced at Neal. On a stakeout, you had to pass the time somehow, and conversation was often the best way. Once you got past his musical taste (jazz was all very well, but it made Peter drowsy), and the ritual complaining, Neal was not bad company. His mercurial mind threw out an endless variety of topics.
"A little," Peter admitted. "I was a baseball player. You won't find anyone more superstitious."
He rummaged in his pocket, and pulled out a small knot of oiled rawhide. "I still have this. Pitched a no-hitter in college, and I kept some of the lacing from that glove."
Neal nodded. "I kept something from my best score, too."
His partner looked blankly at the coin in his hand. It was just a quarter, rubbed almost smooth.
"The first pocket you ever picked?"
"The first pocket I almost picked." There was a few moments' silence, as he gathered his thoughts.
"It didn't start with Raphaels and bonds-just enough cash for a meal or a bed for a couple nights. One day, I was in a fast food restaurant when I saw an opportunity. I was still learning, and I don't suppose I could have telegraphed my mark more clearly if I'd shouted.
"That's when he turned around and saw me. He had me figured out in an instant, but to my shock, he gave me his lunch...and the change." Neal's fingers closed around the quarter, and he chuckled. "He also told me he was an off-duty cop, and that I'd better find something else to do."
"And boy, did you ever," Peter quipped. Both men laughed.
Still, Peter mused, Neal had handled diamonds and masterpieces, but what he kept was a memento of kindness.
His best score.