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elrhiarhodanTitle: I Believe in What You Do
Prompt: White Collar 100 - #011: Family (3)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elrhiarhodan
Rating: R
Characters/Pairing: Neal Caffrey, Mozzie
Fandom: White Collar
Spoilers: Oblique Reference to Vital Signs
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: None
Word Count: 300 Exactly!
Summary: Brother they may be, but that doesn’t change much, nor should it.
Author’s Note: Title from R.E.M.’s Turn You Inside Out
Set after Closer Than Blood. Continues the Danger Series, which is now a single entry on AO3.
THE DANGER SERIES:
TARGET | HUNT | CASE | FILE | BACKGROUND | INTERROGATION | WITNESS | HOME | HOME 2 | FAMILY | FAMILY 2 | TEAM | UNIT | UNIT 2 | PAPER | CLAY | PAINT | INK | CHECK | CASH | CREDIT | LOAN | SAVINGS | GOLD | WIFE | SILVER | GLASS | PARTNER | BACKGROUND 2 | CLUE 2 | TRACK | BOYFRIEND | BOYFRIEND 2 | LOVER | FAMILY 3 | DIAMONDS | CREDIT 2 | WIFE 2 | LOVER 2 | PAINT 2 | FAMILY 3 |PAINT 3 | LOVER 3 | TIE | INNOCENT | WHISPER | SKIN | SECRET | SECRET 2 | BLOOD |
______________
Mozzie was completely disarmed. “Really?”
Neal put a hand on his shoulder. “Really, mon frère.” That was his expression for Neal. Neal had never used it for him. Ever.
He searched Neal’s face. There was no mockery there, but he knew Neal almost better than the back of his own hand, and he wasn’t above using emotion to get what he wanted. “But you trust Peter more than me.”
Neal smiled. “Of course I do - Peter’s inherently trustworthy. You’ve run with the Detroit mob. You’ve robbed banks. Your a criminal of the highest order. You’re also a professional paranoid and an avid conspiracy theorist. You trust no one, not even me.” Neal’s smile became a full-fledged grin - and not the con man’s fake one. “My lack of trust has nothing to do with my respect, my love and our kinship.”
The cold knot of anger that was lodged somewhere under his breastbone migrated upwards, becoming a lump in his throat. He was a little annoyed at himself for being a sentimental fool, but for a man who grew up without a family, being called brother was not something he could take lightly.
Almost against his will and his sense of self-preservation, Moz wrapped his arms around Neal and gave him a tight hug. Neal squeezed back, just once and very briefly. Which was perfect, and just about all he could take.
They stepped apart and Moz took off his glasses. They were unaccountably steamed up.
“What do you need?”
Neal cocked his head, and Moz was reminded of a blue-eyed wolf-dog he once saw roaming the streets of Detroit. A dangerous stray filled with both cunning and intelligence. No, just as Neal didn’t trust him, he didn’t trust Neal.
And that was just fine.
FIN
Prompt: White Collar 100 - #011: Family (3)
Author:
elrhiarhodan Rating: R
Characters/Pairing: Neal Caffrey, Mozzie
Fandom: White Collar
Spoilers: Oblique Reference to Vital Signs
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: None
Word Count: 300 Exactly!
Summary: Brother they may be, but that doesn’t change much, nor should it.
Author’s Note: Title from R.E.M.’s Turn You Inside Out
Set after Closer Than Blood. Continues the Danger Series, which is now a single entry on AO3.
THE DANGER SERIES:
TARGET | HUNT | CASE | FILE | BACKGROUND | INTERROGATION | WITNESS | HOME | HOME 2 | FAMILY | FAMILY 2 | TEAM | UNIT | UNIT 2 | PAPER | CLAY | PAINT | INK | CHECK | CASH | CREDIT | LOAN | SAVINGS | GOLD | WIFE | SILVER | GLASS | PARTNER | BACKGROUND 2 | CLUE 2 | TRACK | BOYFRIEND | BOYFRIEND 2 | LOVER | FAMILY 3 | DIAMONDS | CREDIT 2 | WIFE 2 | LOVER 2 | PAINT 2 | FAMILY 3 |PAINT 3 | LOVER 3 | TIE | INNOCENT | WHISPER | SKIN | SECRET | SECRET 2 | BLOOD |
Mozzie was completely disarmed. “Really?”
Neal put a hand on his shoulder. “Really, mon frère.” That was his expression for Neal. Neal had never used it for him. Ever.
He searched Neal’s face. There was no mockery there, but he knew Neal almost better than the back of his own hand, and he wasn’t above using emotion to get what he wanted. “But you trust Peter more than me.”
Neal smiled. “Of course I do - Peter’s inherently trustworthy. You’ve run with the Detroit mob. You’ve robbed banks. Your a criminal of the highest order. You’re also a professional paranoid and an avid conspiracy theorist. You trust no one, not even me.” Neal’s smile became a full-fledged grin - and not the con man’s fake one. “My lack of trust has nothing to do with my respect, my love and our kinship.”
The cold knot of anger that was lodged somewhere under his breastbone migrated upwards, becoming a lump in his throat. He was a little annoyed at himself for being a sentimental fool, but for a man who grew up without a family, being called brother was not something he could take lightly.
Almost against his will and his sense of self-preservation, Moz wrapped his arms around Neal and gave him a tight hug. Neal squeezed back, just once and very briefly. Which was perfect, and just about all he could take.
They stepped apart and Moz took off his glasses. They were unaccountably steamed up.
“What do you need?”
Neal cocked his head, and Moz was reminded of a blue-eyed wolf-dog he once saw roaming the streets of Detroit. A dangerous stray filled with both cunning and intelligence. No, just as Neal didn’t trust him, he didn’t trust Neal.
And that was just fine.
