(Untitled)

[smileforaliving]

It's several days later that Neal finds sitting on the Burke's couch, Satchmo sitting in front of him. He's scratching the dog behind the ears and it all feels so, so normal

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[burkethejerk]

Peter isn't looking at Neal at all, at the moment. He had been, when he'd first walked in, but now his focus is on the coffee. It's easier that way.

"How are you?" he asks Neal when Elizabeth is seated, because it's easier than jumping right into talking about things.

[smileforaliving]

Neal takes his coffee into his hands, simply breathing in the vapors for a few moments before taking a sip, his eyes closing in contentment.

"I'm fine," he starts, looking at them over the rim of his coffee cup. "What about you?"

He feels silly doing chit-chat but if that's what they want, then he'll do it. He already decided before he came here that he would let them lead the conversation.

[burkethejerk]

"All right," Peter answers, but he sounds more like he's trying to start talking than answering the question. He looks over at Elizabeth before he continues.

"Before we talk about anything else," he barrels on, awkwardly and uncertainly, but doing his best to keep it to a minimum, "we need to establish something. If it's not going to be you, at any time, then you need to tell us."

[smileforaliving]

Elizabeth nods her head. "Please honey," she adds in. "We need to know this, okay?"

Neal just nods his head. "That's fine," he agrees, I can do that." Then he considers something for a moment. "Nick's here.. He wants to be here for support and to make sure I don't screw this up." He smiles a little weakly. "He might not say anything himself but he'll probably help me along. So I wasn't sure if that would count."