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Peter pulled the car slowly up to the manor. The freshly paved driveway was noticeably smoother than the backroad highway they had been on for the majority of the drive. The sun had long set and the house was uplit with what seemed like thousands of lights, making it appear even larger than its already massive appearance. Neal let go of Peter’s hand that he had been holding for the past half hour and whistled.
“This certainly fits the definition of a manor,” he said, eyes gleaming.
“Yep,” Peter said, looking for where he needed to park.
Peter’s hand already felt cold and void without Neal’s. Less than an hour had passed since they’d confessed their feelings for eachother in the quiet of the woods and Peter already was longing to kiss him again. He felt immature and adolescent and his cheeks began to redden thinking of this.
Come on, Burke! Focus.
He parked the car as a man dressed in a tuxedo-like outfit walked towards the car.
“They have a butler, Peter!” Neal said excitedly, sounding like a five year old.
“I told you it’s a very high-profile case,” Peter said as he started to get out of the car.
“Hello, you must be agent Burke,” the Butler reached out a hand to shake Peter’s. Peter took it and smiled.
“Yes. We are here to investigate the diamond theft,” Peter said.
The Butler raised an eyebrow, “We?”
Neal emerged from the car, smiling widely, “Neal Caffrey, consultant.”
The Butler didn’t seem amused.
“We only were expecting Agent Burke,” he said stiffly.
“Mr. Caffrey is my partner, we work together.” Peter said defensively. “Now, it’s late. Would you mind showing us where we’ll be staying tonight?”
The Butler sniffed, turned on his heels, and stuck his nose in the air. “Of course. Right this way.”
Neal gave Peter an amused look and Peter had to suppress a laugh, feeling like a school boy. They walked side by side, tailing the Butler, when Peter felt Neal’s pinky finger find his briefly, curling around it like a pinky promise and then letting go. It happened so quickly, but managed to unhinge Peter internally. Heat rose to his face and his heart fluttered. He glanced over at Neal, who gave him a half smile, blue eyes twinkling.
Caffrey you’re going to be the death of me.
The Butler abruptly stopped his pace, Peter and Neal almost stumbling into him.
“On second thought, I do think the Master of the House would like to be introduced to you before you retire for the evening. After all, it is only 7 pm.” The Butler had a villainous look in his eyes that both alarmed Peter and made him want to chuckle.
And now you are my number one suspect and we haven’t examined the case, he thought victoriously.
Peter smiled, “Sure, why not. We’d love to get an overview of the case so we can get a head start this evening.”
The Butler glared at Neal, his mustache twitching, “I still don’t understand why he is along, Agent Burke. He is a criminal, afterall.”
Peter took a breath to keep his anger down. People judging Neal was one of his weak spots and this Butler was getting on his nerves, fast.
Before he could answer, Neal swooped in with his charm, flashing a gleaming grin.
“Don’t worry,” Neal said and lifted his pant leg, no anklet. “Already served my time and learned my lesson.” he winked at the Butler.
The Butler did not respond. “We will have eyes on BOTH of you. Now, follow me.”
Neal and Peter let the Butler take a few steps to create some distance between them before they started walking again.,
“So I think we can agree that—” Neal started.
“It was the Butler.” They whispered together and then erupted into laughter like a couple of kids.
“Something funny?” The Butler sniffed.
“Nope, nope.” Peter said, still grinning.
Neal stepped closer in stride with Peter, their suit jackets brushing each other.
He leaned close to Peter, “We should have taken advantage of the SUV and the abandoned lot while we—-”
“Neal!” Peter hissed. “We have to keep this professional right now.”
Peter could feel Neal smiling at him, but he kept his gaze ahead.
No, I’m not letting Neal distract me from the case at hand.
“C’mon Peter,” Neal said teasingly as he placed a hand on Peter’s shoulder. It was a platonic gesture but somehow was more tantalizing than their kisses earlier. “You know I’m right.”
Peter shook Neal’s hand off of his shoulder. “I’m sure this won’t take long.”
~~~~~~~~
It did indeed take long.
Not only was the Master of the House, Gerald, old, long-winded, and could barely stand on his own, but the Butler was shooting lasers into Neal with his eyes at every minute. Every movement Neal made was noted by the Butler with a glare or nod or narrowing of the eyes.
Meanwhile, Peter was there, talking to Gerald, gathering information with his brows furrowed in concentration, his suit fitting his square shoulders impeccably and Neal was about to explode. It was taking every bit of restraint he had left to stand there, hands jammed in his pockets, nodding and smiling as Gerald went on and on about the family diamond and how it was stolen and…
All Neal could do was look at Peter and feel desire rising slowly in his body.
How could Peter do this to him? Kiss him in the woods and then forbid him from touching or flirting with him now that Neal knew Peter felt the same way? Did Peter even know Neal Caffrey? Neal’s thoughts paused for a moment. Yes, Yes. Peter Burke knew him better than anyone. But Peter Burke also hadn’t been on the receiving end of Neal Caffrey’s romantic heart.
“Alright, alright, thank you, Gerald.” Peter said politely and turned to face Neal, giving him an exasperated look.
“ Now can we head to that guest house?” Neal slid his eyes seductively to catch Peter’s.
Peter, caught off-guard because he was in FBI Agent Mode, cleared his throat, “Um, well—”
The annoyed Butler rounded the corner (out of nowhere?!), eyeing them both suspiciously, “I assume you two are just starving after your journey here?”
“Oh no, we’re good—” Peter began.
“Excellent! I have dinner in the dining room, right his way.” The Butler turned on his heels and began prancing down the hall.
Neal fell into step with Peter, grabbed his hand and pulled Peter into the next room in the long hallway, which happened to be a linen closet. It was smaller than expected, both of them slamming into the shelving, towels and napkins falling onto Peter’s head. Neal laughed at the sight, brushing the linens off, allowing his hand to linger and trail down Peter’s cheek.
I am going to make you want this so badly. Neal promised silently, a grin spreading across his face.
“What the hell, Neal—” Peter started, but Neal cut him off immediately with a kiss.
Peter’s lips were resistant, but after a moment, they parted and let Neal in. Neal smiled into the kiss, reaching his hand up cup Peter’s face. Peter wrapped an arm around Neal’s waist and pulled him closer, their electricity sparking in the tiny closet.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” Peter breathed between kisses.
“Why not?” Neal asked, moving to kiss Peter’s neck.
Peter groaned with pleasure, “Don’t start that…”
“What?” Neal asked playfully, planting a kiss on Peter’s jawbone.
“That, I can’t, wow Neal.”
It was dark but Neal could hear the smile in Peter’s voice.
“You like that?” Neal asked, doing it again.
“Mmm, I do,” Peter sighed as Neal, indeed, did it again. “I can’t believe I’m kissing Neal Caffrey in a linen closet, what has my life become?” Peter murmured as Neal continued on his neck.
Neal perked up, nose touching Peter’s, “I believe your life just became even more interesting.”
“Is that so?” Peter said, brushing over Neal’s cheek with his thumb. Neal closed his eyes and leaned into the touch, such a simple action that brought fire to his being.
“Agent Burke?” a muffled Butler’s voice chirped from far down the hallway.
“Damn it,” Peter whispered. “We will have to come back to this.”
“Don’t make me wait too long, Peter,” Neal entwined his fingers in Peter’s, squeezed his hand, and then let go, opened the closet door and strode out as if nothing had happened.
~~~~~~
The Butler led them to a long table, motioning Neal to sit on one side and Peter on the other. This time, it was Peter who didn’t want the distance in between them. The closet incident was still burning throughout his body and the thought of Neal being all the way across the table was…well..torture.
“I–uh, actually prefer to have Neal next to me. To keep an eye on him.” Peter fumbled.
The Butler raised an eyebrow and sneered, “Really.”
“He’s been known to steal things with the owner in the room,” Peter shrugged, regaining his confidence.
Neal flashed him an offended look.
The Butler sighed and turned towards the kitchen entrance at the far end of the dining room.
“Peter what the hell, why are you pinning me as a criminal?” Neal hissed, leaning to Peter haughtily.
Peter placed his hand on Neal’s forearm, slipping his thumb underneath the cuff of Neal’s shirt, and stroked his wrist, soft and sinewy beneath his touch. Neal’s eyes lit up and Peter saw him visibly shiver.
Neal pulled Peter closer, keeping his hand and whispering into his ear, “So that's what this is...can’t stay less than two feet from me, huh?”
“Do you blame me?” Peter caught Neal’s eyes and almost kissed him then and there when they heard footsteps approaching. The two let go, hands falling to their sides, Neal plastering on his con man’s face and Peter….well, Peter felt flustered but coughed and tried to straighten himself out.
“Well?!” The Butler asked impatiently, “Sit!” He motioned to the table.
Neal threw Peter a grin and sat next to him. Neal had sat next to Peter so many times, in the car, at the conference table, at the patio table, across the visitation table in prison, but this time it was thrilling. Peter couldn’t help but notice everything Neal did, the way he straightened his napkin with his slender fingers. The way he parted his lips to drink wine. The way his smile radiated light. The way his foot found Peter’s under the table, legs brushing against each other sending sparks crawling up Peter’s thigh.
Finally, when dinner was finished, the Butler took their dessert plates and wine glasses off the table and left the room. Neal immediately snaked his hand underneath Peter’s suit jacket around his waist and leaned in close.
“Can we leave now?” Neal’s blue eyes were dancing.
Peter blushed, again (when would that stop?), unable to say anything but, “Let’s hope.”
The Butler entered again, to which Neal promptly stood and buttoned his suit coat, looking handsome and poised as ever.
“I believe it’s time we retire,” Neal said, voice filled with syrup.
The Butler stiffened, “Well, alright. Follow me, the guest house is this way.”
Neal gave Peter such a dramatic seductive look that it made Peter laugh out loud.
“Stop that,” he huffed, but was smiling.
“Peter, you said twenty minutes and it’s been nearly three and a half HOURS,” Neal said moodily.
“Well, we’ll have all night,” Peter rolled his eyes, playing into their usual banter.
Neal nudged Peter’s shoulder, eyes ablaze, “Peter!”
“What?” Peter asked innocently.
They followed the Butler out a side door of the mansion and saw a small guest house, windows glowing about fifty feet away. When they were clothed in darkness between the house and mansion, Peter took Neal's hand in his, holding it firmly. Not caring if the Butler saw them at this point, he stopped and looked Neal in the eyes, his features soft and creamy in the moonlight. “I’ve been waiting for this, too.”
Neal’s lips smiled softly, the con man’s mask breaking, “Let’s get inside and get rid of this Butler, then.”
“Let’s do it, partner.” Peter said as they strode towards the guest house, hand in hand.
~~~~~~~~
“Should you need anything, just ring and someone will attend to you.” The Butler said, standing in the doorway to the guest house, lingering after having given Peter and Neal an extremely thorough tour of the 2-bedroom place.
Neal and Peter stood in the entryway, hands locked down in their own pockets to keep from finding each other's, standing just far enough apart to not touch if the other moved. Hearts were beating fast, butterflies were flying everywhere, and it seemed as if heat was radiating from both bodies.
“Great, thanks,” Peter went to show the Butler out.
“Now, it’s still quite early if I could interest you in a history of the diamond for case purposes—”
“Nope,” Peter said dryly and gave him a little shove and shut the door.
Neal was low-key impressed. “Dang Peter, you really–”
Neal did not get to finish his sentence, Peter’s arms were around him, pulling him close, silencing him with a slow, passionate kiss on the lips.
“Neal, the past few hours have been…” he started.
“So fun?” Neal grinned cheesily, kissing Peter quickly and sweetly.
“Tortuous!” Peter finished, pulling away and running a hand through his hair, beginning to pace. “I didn’t know you’d have this effect on me. I usually don’t fall for your charms.” He exhaled slowly as if he was trying regain control of himself.
Neal’s heart sank a bit, like a small weight had been placed on top of his chest. Did Peter think he was only charming him?
“Charms?” Neal said.
“Yeah, I mean wow, I’ve seen you work woman and the occasional man but when Neal Caffrey is directed at you, there’s no getting around it!” Peter said, placing his hands on his hips and shaking his head in disbelief.
Neal walked cautiously to Peter and took his hand.
“So you thought I was just charming you?” Neal asked gently.
Peter looked at him with those warm brown eyes and they were filled with bafflement. “Neal, come on. Look at you. You’re a work of art from head to toe,”
Neal felt himself blushing at this and grinned, “Aw, thanks Peter.”
“And I’m—” Peter sighed. “I’m just the guy who caught ya.”
Neal felt his heart squeeze, “No.” he looped a finger round one of Peter’s belt loops, beckoning him closer. “You’re not just that.”
Neal slowly peeled Peter’s suit jack it off, dropping it to the floor.
“You’re so much more…”
…kiss…
He undid Peter’s tie, sliding it off and dropping it seductively onto the suit jacket.
“You’ve always been so much more,”
…kiss….
Neal reached a hand up and began to unbutton the top of Peter’s shirt, his hands eager, his mind telling him to slow down. Peter’s hand found his and held it against his chest. Neal could feel Peter’s heart hammering inside, his chest broad and warm and the shirt was too much, it had to come off.
“Wait,” Peter said softly, looking down at their hands clasped together. “Are you sure about this?”
Neal lifted Peter’s chin with his forefinger, brushing over his lips with his thumb, and then leaned in for another kiss.
Before their lips met again, Neal whispered, “Yes. I’m sure. I’ve wanted you for a long time.”
Peter’s eyes grew soft and he smiled that sweet, goofy smile that made Neal melt. They kissed slowly at first, their pace quickening as hands began to explore, both unable to quite get close enough to the other. Shirts were becoming untucked, shoes kicked off as jackets, ties, and belts began to litter the floor.
“As I said earlier today,” Neal whispered in Peter’s ear, his hands sliding up underneath his shirt, feeling his warm, strong back against his arms, “You have way too much on right now.”
“Wait,” Peter breathed. He paused, almost embarrassed. "You won't run, will you? If I'm not good en--"
Neal traced Peter's face with the back of his hand sweetly and Peter leaned into his touch, bringing his hand up, interlacing his fingers with Neal's.
“I won’t run, Peter,” Neal said quietly. A seductive grin spread across his face, "And you are more than good enough, I already know."
He then pushed Peter gently down on the bed, straddled him and began to kiss his neck, his lips, and finally his forehead, all while unbuttoning that maddening shirt. He heard Peter moan and felt him shudder at his touch. Neal smiled and his heart was so swollen it was about to burst.
I love you, Peter. He thought, but did not dare say it outloud. And I will show you that tonight.
~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Peter awoke, brain foggy from the night before, trying to clear the cobwebs off of what had happened.
Neal happened.
Peter looked down and saw Neal’s head snuggled into his bare chest, one arm slung around Peter’s waist, fast asleep. Peter’s stomach did a flip and he ran his hands through the younger man’s hair, forcing his pulse to slow down and take this moment in.
He didn’t run. He thought, warmth spreading over his chest, still getting used to the notion that Neal chose to be with him every day.
Peter gazed down at Neal. His face was lit by the morning sun coming through the curtains, his dark lashes a contrast to his pale skin. He was breathing steadily, a look of complete comfort strewn across his entire being. Neal was so active, so alive, so bright that seeing him asleep was strange and beautiful all at the same time.
“Ah, I love you, Neal.” Peter whispered to himself, knowing Neal wouldn’t hear and preferred it that way. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of Neal safe in his arms.
A soft smile broke out on Neal’s lips, who had not been fully asleep, “Love you, too.”