White Collar Drabble: And They Meet in Present
Title: And They Meet in Present
Author’s Name: sheenianni
Fandom: White Collar
Spoilers: None
Characters/Pairings: Peter, [...]Kate, Neal/Kate
Spoilers: None
Word Count: Exactly 300
Beta Credit: embroiderama
Notes: Written for thewhitecollar100 community, for the prompt Collapse.
Summary: They sit around the bed, united in understanding. AU, (hopefully) first part in a series.
As time ticks on and as minutes turn to hours, Peter wonders how things could have been different.
If he had stopped Neal eight months ago.
If Neal had trusted him more.
If he had believed in Neal’s instincts.
And if he hadn’t been too wrapped up in his own hurt feelings to appreciate the danger that Neal’s opponent really posed.
However, the past doesn’t matter right now, nor does the future. Sitting on the chair next to Neal’s bed, watching all the machines around them, Peter wills Neal’s chest to fall and rise again - and he knows that the time to beat himself up over their mistakes will come later. As for the future - well, the future is a moot point if Neal doesn’t make it.
Peter glances at the dark-haired woman on the other side of the bed. Physically she’s fine, except for a few half-healed bruises and scrapes. Mentally… The circles under her eyes mirror Peter’s own. Peter knows her fate is another that is yet to be decided - though right now, that’s probably the last thing she cares about.
A month ago, he wouldn’t have believed that.
“Neal is strong,” he states in what he thinks is a soothing voice.
Kate nods. “I know.”
“I’m sure he’ll be okay. Why don’t you - ”
“Don’t try to con a con, Peter.”
“Kate - ”
But the words die on Peter’s lips. Maybe, there isn’t a right thing to say.
Peter’s influence has kept Kate out of handcuffs, at least for now. He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to do the same for Neal, once he wakes up.
If he wakes up.
When his and Kate’s eyes meet the next time, there is understanding born of shared fear, hope and despair.
Together, they wait.
And the clock ticks.
---End
Author’s Name: sheenianni
Fandom: White Collar
Spoilers: None
Characters/Pairings: Peter, [...]Kate, Neal/Kate
Spoilers: None
Word Count: Exactly 300
Beta Credit: embroiderama
Notes: Written for thewhitecollar100 community, for the prompt Collapse.
Summary: They sit around the bed, united in understanding. AU, (hopefully) first part in a series.
As time ticks on and as minutes turn to hours, Peter wonders how things could have been different.
If he had stopped Neal eight months ago.
If Neal had trusted him more.
If he had believed in Neal’s instincts.
And if he hadn’t been too wrapped up in his own hurt feelings to appreciate the danger that Neal’s opponent really posed.
However, the past doesn’t matter right now, nor does the future. Sitting on the chair next to Neal’s bed, watching all the machines around them, Peter wills Neal’s chest to fall and rise again - and he knows that the time to beat himself up over their mistakes will come later. As for the future - well, the future is a moot point if Neal doesn’t make it.
Peter glances at the dark-haired woman on the other side of the bed. Physically she’s fine, except for a few half-healed bruises and scrapes. Mentally… The circles under her eyes mirror Peter’s own. Peter knows her fate is another that is yet to be decided - though right now, that’s probably the last thing she cares about.
A month ago, he wouldn’t have believed that.
“Neal is strong,” he states in what he thinks is a soothing voice.
Kate nods. “I know.”
“I’m sure he’ll be okay. Why don’t you - ”
“Don’t try to con a con, Peter.”
“Kate - ”
But the words die on Peter’s lips. Maybe, there isn’t a right thing to say.
Peter’s influence has kept Kate out of handcuffs, at least for now. He doesn’t know if he’ll be able to do the same for Neal, once he wakes up.
If he wakes up.
When his and Kate’s eyes meet the next time, there is understanding born of shared fear, hope and despair.
Together, they wait.
And the clock ticks.
---End