elrhiarhodan

Title: The Magic Between Us - Part One of Two
Author: elrhiarhodan
Fandom: White Collar
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Peter Burke, Reese Hughes, June Ellington, Byron Ellington, Original Female Character, Neal Caffrey, Ford Tolman, David Siegel; June/Byron, June/Ford, Peter/David, Neal/Unnamed Male Character (past), Neal/Kate (unconsummated past), Peter/Neal
Spoilers: None
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Canon death of canon character (long-term unspecified illness), non-canon deaths of canon characters, internalized homophobia, expressions of homophobia, gunshot wound, references to 9/11, talk of suicidal behavior.
Word Count: ~15,000
Beta Credit: sinfulslasher
Summary: Peter Burke, a young FBI agent, meets June and Byron Ellington during an investigation of a series of mortgage fraud cases. They take him under their wing and become his surrogate family. During his first visit to the Ellington mansion, he sees a magnificent portrait of a young man and becomes captivated. June and Byron invite him to spend Christmas Eve with them, and he begins to notice something wonderful about the portrait. For a little while, it comes to life. For almost twenty-five years, Peter spends Christmas Eve with the Ellingtons, and each year, he grows closer to the man in the portrait.

A/N: Inspired by kanarek13's artwork – or more accurately, the concept that Kanarek told me about, which set my brain whirring. I had the basic idea of this story plotted out before she finished the piece. I'm only sorry it's taken longer than I'd planned to finish it.



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(  He was always so cold – caught forever between the past and the future.  )