White Collar Fic - The Strength To Dream Is All That Remains - Part II (Wonder(ful) Years)

Title: The Strength to Dream Is All That Remains - Part II - A Wonder(ful) Years Story
Author: elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey, Reese Hughes, Jack Franklin, OMC, OFC, Peter Burke/Neal Caffrey, Jack Franklin/OFC
Spoilers: None
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Discussion of HIV/AIDS, expressions of homophobia, sexist appellations
Word Count: ~12,200 (two parts)
Beta Credit: coffeethyme4me, theatregirl7299 and jrosemary
Summary: In the aftermath of the events first told in Heaven for the Hunger, Poison for the Pain, where Neal might have been exposed to HIV/AIDS, Neal’s colleagues rally to him, they have his back and make it known that he’s very much part of the team.

This story also ties up some loose ends in It's Life That Just Sharpens the Blade and What Doesn't Bend, Breaks.

Author's Notes: Written for the lovely angelita26, who asked me to write more of the story from Heaven for the Hunger, on my Timestamps Meme. Now, technically, a timestamp is a short outtake of a much longer story, but not in this case. The original fic was 2000 words, this one is six times longer.

Fills the "Coming Out" Square on my Trope Bingo Card, and the "Wildcard" square on my Love Bingo Card.

Title from Dougie MacLean’s “Hearts Can Never Hide”.

Go To Part I: On LJ | On DW

__________________

(  Reese Hughes never wanted a shot of whiskey more than he did right now. It wasn’t even the whiskey, but the oblivion it promised. )

Community Rewatch - Tonight - COMPANY MAN - 9:30 PM EDT/6:30 PM PDT

Signal boosting tonight’s scheduled community rewatch of Company Man, wherein we get to see Peter in some well-fitted suits and extraordinarily ugly ties, Neal play valet, (excuse me while I zone out at the memory of that scene), Mozzie and Diana snark at each other, (sonnets and pocket-sized pals), some lovely hurt/comfort, and of course Peter getting a little teary-eyed.

Drinking games include, as always, Neal’s awesome hair and Peter’s heavy-handed moralizing.

( In case you’ve never joined us before, the rewatch works this... )

The scheduled start time tonight is 9:30 PM EDT/6:30 PM PDT/2:30 AM GMT (that's Wednesday morning for those on the other side of the Pond). Come early and hang out with us or stay late and chat and maybe word war.


Why am I in a bathrobe? Does this scene exist solely for the fangirls to make funny caps?

Spoilers for Season 5

Totally awesome news.