Fic: Trick and Treat
Title: Trick and Treat
Author: QWERTYfaced
Fandom: White Collar
Wordcount: ~500
Rating: G
Characters: Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey, Clinton Jones
Genre: Gen, humor
Notes: This is what happens when I can't sleep before a flight!
Summary: Neal tries to convince Peter to go to the office Halloween party.
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 an army of pumpkin-headed monsters yet.
A sharp double-rap on the glass wall of Peter's office made him look up. Neal stood just outside, one hand hooked casually around the edge of the doorframe.
"Are you sure you're not going to the office party?"
Peter sighed in mild exasperation, since Neal had been asking the same question for a week or more. "As you know," he said pointedly, "El's going to be off at an event, and I'm staying home with the dog. I'll hand out some candy, catch up with paperwork, watch some of the football game."
"How responsible and boring of you. Peter, it's Halloween." Despite his disapproving tone, there was a hint of amusement in Neal's expression.
"Look, I know it's your kind of holiday, but it's not mine." Peter favored his partner with a sardonic smile, waving vaguely towards the window. "All these tiny little con artists, running around all hopped up on sugar and the thrill of obtaining payouts under false pretenses..."
The only answer he got from Neal was a chuckle, but Jones chose that moment to arrive with a report.
"Payouts and false pretenses? Are you talking about candy and costumes?" the other agent wanted to know.
"What else?"
"Peter, that's the most depressing view of Halloween I've ever heard." Jones shook his head and handed over the folder. "And that's including those nutty claims that it's a Satanic holiday. You really should come tonight."
"What are you dressing up as?" Neal asked him.
"Sherlock Holmes," Jones replied, grinning.
"Nice. You really shouldn't miss that, Peter. Jones in a deerstalker is well worth the price of admission."
"I'm not planning on going," Peter said firmly, his patience starting to fray. "Get out, both of you."
Neal shrugged and looked to Jones. "I guess he's just not planning on going," he told the agent solemnly as they left.
For just a moment, Peter stared after them, his head cocked. Had it been his imagination, or had Neal put the slightest emphasis on the word planning?
Yes, it was probably just his imagination. Peter dismissed the stray thought, picking up Jones's report and starting to read.
***
The sun was just beginning to set when the doorbell at the Burkes' rang. Peter snagged the bowl of candy from his coffee table as he went to answer it. He put on an indulgent smile-despite what he'd said before, he did enjoy seeing the kids in their costumes-and opened the door.
And stared, his smile sliding from indulgent to incredulous.
"Trick and treat, Peter." Neal tipped his hat, his eyes full of mischief as he noted the stunned look on his friend's face.
Peter continued to stare in mingled amusement and fascination, surveying the consultant from Stetson to cowboy boots. And spurs. And...oh yes, just to make things complete, the toy sheriff badge Neal had insisted on taking from the cereal box years ago.
"Wait, what do you mean 'trick and treat'?" he asked belatedly.
Neal handed him a large bag, giving him a toothy grin that called to mind a particularly suave jack-o'-lantern.
With deep suspicion, Peter reached inside...and pulled out a black-and-white striped jumpsuit. Neal clapped him on the shoulder.
"Peter? Plans change."
Author: QWERTYfaced
Fandom: White Collar
Wordcount: ~500
Rating: G
Characters: Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey, Clinton Jones
Genre: Gen, humor
Notes: This is what happens when I can't sleep before a flight!
Summary: Neal tries to convince Peter to go to the office Halloween party.
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 an army of pumpkin-headed monsters yet.
A sharp double-rap on the glass wall of Peter's office made him look up. Neal stood just outside, one hand hooked casually around the edge of the doorframe.
"Are you sure you're not going to the office party?"
Peter sighed in mild exasperation, since Neal had been asking the same question for a week or more. "As you know," he said pointedly, "El's going to be off at an event, and I'm staying home with the dog. I'll hand out some candy, catch up with paperwork, watch some of the football game."
"How responsible and boring of you. Peter, it's Halloween." Despite his disapproving tone, there was a hint of amusement in Neal's expression.
"Look, I know it's your kind of holiday, but it's not mine." Peter favored his partner with a sardonic smile, waving vaguely towards the window. "All these tiny little con artists, running around all hopped up on sugar and the thrill of obtaining payouts under false pretenses..."
The only answer he got from Neal was a chuckle, but Jones chose that moment to arrive with a report.
"Payouts and false pretenses? Are you talking about candy and costumes?" the other agent wanted to know.
"What else?"
"Peter, that's the most depressing view of Halloween I've ever heard." Jones shook his head and handed over the folder. "And that's including those nutty claims that it's a Satanic holiday. You really should come tonight."
"What are you dressing up as?" Neal asked him.
"Sherlock Holmes," Jones replied, grinning.
"Nice. You really shouldn't miss that, Peter. Jones in a deerstalker is well worth the price of admission."
"I'm not planning on going," Peter said firmly, his patience starting to fray. "Get out, both of you."
Neal shrugged and looked to Jones. "I guess he's just not planning on going," he told the agent solemnly as they left.
For just a moment, Peter stared after them, his head cocked. Had it been his imagination, or had Neal put the slightest emphasis on the word planning?
Yes, it was probably just his imagination. Peter dismissed the stray thought, picking up Jones's report and starting to read.
***
The sun was just beginning to set when the doorbell at the Burkes' rang. Peter snagged the bowl of candy from his coffee table as he went to answer it. He put on an indulgent smile-despite what he'd said before, he did enjoy seeing the kids in their costumes-and opened the door.
And stared, his smile sliding from indulgent to incredulous.
"Trick and treat, Peter." Neal tipped his hat, his eyes full of mischief as he noted the stunned look on his friend's face.
Peter continued to stare in mingled amusement and fascination, surveying the consultant from Stetson to cowboy boots. And spurs. And...oh yes, just to make things complete, the toy sheriff badge Neal had insisted on taking from the cereal box years ago.
"Wait, what do you mean 'trick and treat'?" he asked belatedly.
Neal handed him a large bag, giving him a toothy grin that called to mind a particularly suave jack-o'-lantern.
With deep suspicion, Peter reached inside...and pulled out a black-and-white striped jumpsuit. Neal clapped him on the shoulder.
"Peter? Plans change."