#what do you mean that el and peter named their son after neal

[kittyphoenix12-xx]

rewatching the finale of white collar and pretending not to be absolutely devastated by the implications of it all

[aceofstars16]

*wants to ask aaaall the characters for the ask* What about Peter, Neal, and Mozzie from White Collar? (Also, free pass to talk about Tony Stark too here because I love him)

MY BOYS! (I legit almost watched White Collar tonight, but my sister wanted to watch Hawaii 5-0)

Peter Burke

First impression

Okay so…it’s been a loooong time since I started it, but I’m pretty sure I thought he was a little…strict maybe, I can’t really remember. It was kind of like, “Oh who is this FBI guy?” and then “Oh he’s giving Neal a chance awwww”

Impression now

Peter Burke is a gift to this world, the best dad, the best husband, the best FBI agent. Such a good boy, pure heart, able to put up with Neal despite all Neal puts him through. I love Peter Burke so much guys…

Favorite moment

Oh goodness…that’s hard…so freaking harddd hnnggggg, the one that keeps coming back to me is when he freaking flew out to an island using his vacation time to find Neal and make sure he didn’t like get killed by that jerk agent. 

Idea for a story

I just want one shots of him raising little Neal and occasionally thinking of big Neal…but also just fluff things. Though…him going on a trip to Europe to look for Neal is also…a good story (I legit have lots of ideas for how their story could continue/how Peter and Neal meet again…*flops*)

Unpopular opinion

I don’t know??? I mean I guess I’m both touched and a little like “would he though” when it came to naming his kid Neal because…it’s PRECIOUS but wouldn’t that freaking hurt him every time he said his son’s name??? Cause it would remind him of his pretty much other son???

Favorite relationship

DON’T MAKE ME CHOOSE BETWEEN PETER AND NEAL AND PETER AND ELIZABETH I LOVE THEM BOTH SO MUCH! How about just Peter, El, and Neal???

Favorite headcanon

I don’t know if I really have one but…I just had a cute thought of little Neal drawing pictures and Peter is like, “It’s like all of those…modern art things” so he hangs it up but then Mozzie sees it and is just like, “…no you can tell that was done by a two year old” and Peter is just like “how????”

Neal Caffrey

First impression

Who is this prison boi? Oh dang he is so smart?!? Oh gosh I really like him already…

Impression now

Neal…I love Neal, I don’t always agree with him but I love him. He has such a big heart and he cares so much about his found family like he legit PRETENDED TO DIE TO KEEP THEM SAFE HELP. He’s also gone through so much crap but he’s gotten through it (with his found family’s help) and he’s also like an amazing artist like Neal just make your own art you will be amazing at it???

Favorite moment

Oh gosh…I mean there are so many funny ones but…I just think of the sad ones…(I’m paraphrasing cause…I don’t remember exact quotes super well…)

“You’re the only one who saw good in me”

“Peter’s more of a father to me than you ever were!”

“You’re my best friend…my best friend”

Idea for a story

Okay, so Neal 100% puts together an all expense paid trip for the Burkes to come to Europe, because he misses his fam and by now Peter knows he faked everything sooo, he just kind of like shows up at their hotel room and then they catch up and everyone is happy. I also had an idea that Neal like joined a similar FBI thing and now he has his own like protege that he’s kind of training because yes

Unpopular opinion

I’m not happy with how they kind of seemed to instigate that “cons never change” and how Neal continually went back to crime. Like, it’s not terrible during the show, but the end made it seem like Neal was going to steal again and…no…like…come on, he’s learned, he had a fresh start. Let him start over plz

Favorite relationship

Neal and Peter are the best, but some other great ones are Neal and Mozzie and Neal and Elizabeth, honestly all of the platonic relationships are so goooood

Favorite headcanon

One day, Neal really tries to get into baseball for Peter, like do all the research and everything, and he actually kind of gets into it…but he legit just falls asleep on the couch while they are watching a game and Peter just sighs and smiles as he tucks a blanket around him 

Mozzie

First impression

Huh, this guy is…interesting…useful, but kind of eccentric, he’s kind of fun though?

Impression now

Mozzie is just too fun, and he cares so much about Neal, and in a way he gets his own kind of found family too which is just precious and good and yes

Favorite moment

Probably when he came out of hiding and brought his treasure with him to save El…but also him and Peter kind of helping each other cope after Neal faked his death…

Idea for a story

How about when he’s just chilling with Neal and Kate when they were smol and then Neal just casually goes “You know Moz, you really don’t need that toupee” and Mozzie just laughs until Neal says he’s serious and Kate agrees and from then on out Mozzie stops wearing it

Unpopular opinion

…I don’t think I really have one???

Favorite relationship

I couldn’t find a good gif *cries* but Mozzie and El are the best brotp, so pure

Favorite headcanon

He still thinks about his birth family from time to time, but then he looks around and realizes he does have a family and that helps him smile

Tony Stark

First impression

I honestly don’t remember I was like twelve…but I remember loving Iron Man so much more than I thought I would and I think I really did like Tony…

Impression now

I love him. Tony is the best. He is so smart, but also so kind. He has been through so freaking much and yet he keeps going, even when he has so many excuses to give up, or stop fighting, or heck even to look at the bad and pay people back for what they have done. But NO, he freaking keeps going, he helps other, he encourages the younger generation, he is broken but he hasn’t let that stop him. Tony is a gift to the MCU, end of story.

Favorite moment

Dude…only one??? I…I don’t know if I can pick just one??? I just keep coming back to the end of Homecoming - how Tony wraps his arm around Peter and says he did a good job, how happy he looks showing Peter the Iron Spider suit, his shock when Peter says no to being an Avenger and then that little shrug and smile when Happy says Peter is a good kid…there are so many other moments but that one just makes me happyyyy

Idea for a story

I really want Tony to get therapy…and like come to terms with his parents, both their death and his dad’s mistreatment of him. I feel like not a lot of people know that, so just Tony being able to tell someone at least, and get that off his chest. Heck give me Peter finding out and then finding out Tony is scared of being like his dad and Peter quickly reassures him that “No, you are a great dad! Or…you will be..I mean you’re a great mentor which is kind of like a dad, I’ll just stop talking now…” Tony is touched.

Unpopular opinion

Ummm, nothing? He’s an amazing awesome characters and all the haters don’t know what they are talking about???

Favorite relationship

I love Pepperony and so many others but….

Favorite headcanon

That Peter totally keeps Tony in the loop with all the things kids are doing, so Tony knows a lot of memes and vines (not all of them though he is still confused from time to time) and he watches lots of TV shows with Peter (hence why he knew who Squidward was) and they make references and quote things during battles and other people are just like ???

[white-collar-lawmen-and-conmen]

Being Pregnant with Neal's Baby Would Include...

Between Mozzie, June, El, and Neal himself, you are the most pampered woman in the world.

            You knew as soon as you told everyone that you would have a support system to reckon with, but you hadn’t expected this. Neal, you’d predicted – he was cautious but enthusiastic, engaging and yet calm. Everyone else, however, was going above and beyond your expectations.

            The Burkes didn’t have any babies they’d had to buy things for, so Elizabeth didn’t have anything to pass on to you, be it advice or stories or references, but she more than made up for it in careful, knowledgeable planning. (You suppose you shouldn’t be surprised – she is an event planner.) She makes sure that you get to every single doctor’s appointment and get all your prenatal care. When you were at three months, she sat you down and the two of you started a list of things you’d need for your baby.

            Once, when Neal had been undercover, you had had a minor scare – you’d feinted. Luckily, you’d been with Elizabeth at the time, helping her select caterers for a fundraiser. She woke you up easily, but then insisted on dragging you to the hospital. You couldn’t get in touch with Neal (later you found out his cover had been blown and the suspect destroyed his phone), but El went as far as lying to the nurses and claimed she was your sister, just so she could stay with you in the emergency room.

            June claims she started out like any other woman on the planet, but you have your doubts she didn’t hide wings under those thick fur coats. She was a godsend. She had the stories and advice El lacked, and she even offered a tiny little fedora that you knew Neal would go nuts over as soon as he saw. (You kept it hidden and were waiting to surprise him with it.)

            Finally, though you knew Mozzie had always been skeptical that Neal would ever be able to ‘settle down,’ he was one of the most supportive of all. He always brought you movies and ice cream, and if you were alone, he’d keep you company as long as you asked. He even stopped drinking while he was with you, just because he didn’t want you to feel left out. He almost single-handedly supplied all of the toys and stuffed friends your baby would ever want, and he made you a CD of classical music, determined that any offspring of Neal’s would know how to recognize the subtle differences between Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart.

  Mozzie is the godfather. No debate.

            “We have to meet a family law attorney,” you told Neal, presenting your case meaningfully. “We’re not married. You have a criminal record. We need to make sure that if anything happens to me, you get to keep full custody.”

            “I’ve already asked around,” Neal told you, standing up and frowning slightly. He reached for you and held you to him, drifting a hand lower to slowly rub his thumb over the rounding of your stomach. “We’ll be alright. I’m not going back to prison. No more cons, not with my family to think about.”

            You had been worrying about this for a long time, and even though Neal was making promises you truly hoped he would be able to keep, you had other concerns. “And what if something happens to both of us?” You questioned. “I want someone I trust taking care of my son or daughter, not some random people in a foster home.”

            “Well, obviously, Mini-You isn’t going to be in foster care.” Mozzie bristled. He’d been on the couch listening, drinking non-alcoholic cider. “Baby will come to the godfather.”

            Godfather? You and Neal both raised your eyebrows, asking each other the same question. Did you decide on godparents? You hadn’t even had that discussion yet. You hadn’t even decided whether or not you would name any godparents. You shook your head. Neal cocked his head at Mozzie inquisitively.

            Mozzie saw the whole exchange with an indignantly-opened mouth. “Me, of course!” He huffed. “I’m the godfather!”

            You looked back up to Neal, attorneys and worst-case-scenarios all but forgotten in the back of your mind. “This one’s your responsibility,” you vowed, pointing at Moz over his shoulder. Neal groaned quietly and dropped his head onto your shoulder.

   Neal would be excited to teach your child about art, and would actually design the nursery himself.

            About half of the nights when you woke up before your alarm, you were alone in bed. The first few times, this worried you, but lately, you know exactly where to look.

            You go straight to the room that you’ve decided will be the nursery. It’s only one door down from the bedroom you share with Neal. Although it’s spacious, it’s also small for a bedroom, which means it’s a good size for a human so small they can fit in your arms. The light is already on, and there’s a phone filtering slightly-tinny Sinatra music.

            You lean yourself against the doorway and bite your lip, taking in the beautiful sight before you. Your lover, in only his sweatpants, standing on a stepstool over a painter’s tarp, duct tape over the wall’s trim, a charcoal pencil in his hand as he darkens the outlines of a long mural that he’s designing to wrap around the entire room. To your tiny baby, it’s going to seem like he or she is sleeping in Paris. For many reasons, you’ve decided that – at least for the time being – you’re going to raise your child in New York, where you both have safety and friends, but you know Neal will miss being able to travel at a moment’s notice, and you think it’s incredible that he’s choosing to share his favorite city with his kid in this way.

            “It’s amazing,” you compliment, your voice kind of low and interrupted with a yawn. You rub at your eyes, blinking away sleep, and look around. Soon, he’ll start on painting, mixing and creating his own palette, and you’ll have to be very careful when you enter this room because his supplies will be all over.

            Neal turns to look at you over his shoulder, his back flexing gracefully. He picks up his phone and turns it off. “Sorry,” he apologizes needlessly, concern written over his face. “Was that too loud?”

            “No,” you promise. “I just got lonely.”

            He started to smile wanly. “Five more minutes, and I’ll be back, okay?”

            You nodded, fighting back yet another yawn. “I’m getting a snack first,” you mumbled, stepping over the tarps to give him a quick kiss on the lips. “Because I think we both know you’re going to be here for at least another twenty.”

  Sometimes, Neal would be really worried about being a father, especially since his was such a disappointment. You have to remind him that he’s a better man than his dad ever was.

            You were fortunate enough to not have parents that traumatized you for life. You were also fortunate enough that neither of your parents had hidden important facts from you that changed how you viewed the world and sent you reeling into an identity crisis. It was easy to forget sometimes that Neal was not so fortunate, and it always made your heart hurt when you were reminded of it – especially when it manifested in his attitude towards your pregnancy.

            “Hey,” you said, calling for his attention, tugging on his sleeve. “You’ve been looking forward to the ultrasound for weeks. How come you’re upset now?”

            Neal halfheartedly fixed his tie on his business-casual shirt and sat down on the sofa. You kept standing, playing with the hem of your long sweater.

            “I mean,” you continued, trying to lighten the mood a little. It felt too serious and too sad for a day that was supposed to be so good. “I know I’m upset, but I had to buy an entire wardrobe to accommodate for the fact that there’s a person growing in my abdomen. You don’t seem to be having the same problem.”

            Neal looked up at you and chuckled dryly. “No,” he agreed smiling slightly. “I’m really not.” His smile, as temporary as it was, faded. “Just… why are we doing this?” He looked up at you, his eyes open and honest, and more insecure than you had ever seen. Only the knowledge that you had to let him speak kept you from swooping down and cuddling him until that look went away. He turned his eyes to his hands nervously. “No one would exactly say I’m parent material, and after my father-“

            You cut him off right there, understanding what he wouldn’t directly say. “Neal, your father was a bastard,” you flatly stated, sitting down beside him and taking his hand. You threaded your fingers together. “And if he tries to come anywhere near our kid, I’m going to take out a restraining order.”

            Neal nodded his fervent agreement, but he still seemed skeptical.

            “Look,” you tried, exhaling slowly. “You won’t do anything to hurt either of us. Whether you’re Neal or Nick or Victor – or Danny,” you added a little more softly, and saw him look at you very quickly. You averted your eyes. You didn’t talk about Danny Brooks any more than you absolutely had to, but this… this felt necessary. “I know that you’re going to do the best you can for your family. Your dad, he didn’t care about you any more than he could use you. You love me. I know you love this baby.” You brought your clasped hands up and kissed the back of his. “That’s the difference.”

  You have the craziest mood swings. It scares Peter.

            You can go from crying to laughing to feeling mean and snappy and then to feeling like the lowest person on earth, all in a small window of ten minutes, and it’s happened.

            It wasn’t a big deal, really. You were just having dinner with Neal, Peter, and Elizabeth when Peter mentioned their case. He said that it was being passed to Violent Crimes, and it made you suddenly realize that some of the suspects Neal got close to were mean and vicious and would kill to protect themselves from the law. And, just like that, you were scared, terrified that he might not come home.

            And you started sobbing over your shrimp scampi, leaning back and crying into your hands with abandon.

            El, bless her, seemed to understand instantly what the problem was. She stood up, motioned for Neal to come with her, and led you from the dinner table and into the living room, where she sat you down next to Neal on the couch and then took the loveseat for herself. El promised you that everything was fine, and Neal showed you he was safe and talked to you about all the precautions they took to make sure he wasn’t hurt, and he hugged you tight while El made a joke about how no one would dare take Neal away from you, because hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman who has to make an unplanned trip to the hospital for anything other than her water breaking.

            So you started giggling, because suddenly that was the funnies thing you’d heard in the entire month.

            Peter came back in. You could see he was relieved that you’d stopped crying, and for about thirty seconds, you had fully planned to apologize for ruining dinner and for worrying him, but then he made a near-fatal mistake.

            “We’re okay now?” He checked, holding his hands up in surrender. “I can never tell. Sometimes it’s a minefield with girls.”

            The laughter gave way to anger as you glared at Peter, seriously contemplating taking his own gun and shooting him with it. How dare he stereotype you? How dare he act like your emotions were unreasonable? You’d like to see him nourish and grow a baby in his nonexistent uterus and see how he handled it!

            “Peter!” El and Neal synchronously exclaimed, Neal shocked and Elizabeth agitated.

            Peter was taken into the kitchen, scolded by his wife, and sent to walk the dog. You could overhear them, though, and heard that he was trying to explain he only meant that he was uncomfortable when women cried. He didn’t know what to do to help, because often his attempts at comforting only made things worse.

            So you felt completely terrible for going off on him.

            That dinner was kind of a failure, but it ended with Neal stroking your hair and reminding you that he loved you, and swearing up and down that you were not a bad person for being mad at Peter, so all things considered, it could’ve gone a lot worse.

            Neal would just be so excited. It would be completely adorable.

            Neal took all of the parenting classes twice as seriously as you did. You understood the basics and you knew that you could learn, with each other’s help, as you needed to. You clearly had to be educated and prepared, but you didn’t see the point in stressing about everything when you still had a few months to go. Stress was bad for the baby. You got a real kick out of Neal trying to convince you to practice Lamaze, and, unbeknownst to him, so did El, who saw the entire secret recording.

            One of your favorite parts of being pregnant was undoubtedly right before you went to sleep every night. Neal made a point to go to bed with you, even if you both knew he would have to get up after you were unconscious to finish what he was working on. He would make sure you were comfortable and then curl in around you protectively, kissing your forehead. You would talk casually for a few minutes about whatever you wanted, and the whole time, he would be moving his hand in circles over your tummy, waiting to feel for the little kicks. At some point, he would talk directly at your child and kiss your swollen stomach until you giggled and started playfully complaining. Almost every night, he would sing to you both, because he was thrilled by the idea of his baby recognizing his voice.

            You had no doubts that Neal was going to be an excellent father, and you were happy to be able to give him the family that he’d had in the back of his mind for so many years. Mostly, you couldn’t wait until your little ventures into the nursery to watch him paint the murals would turn into quiet visitations to your little one, where you might see Neal kneeling by the crib and reading, or cradling your child in his arms and walking around the room.

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