Work Text:
Neal never considered himself a cabin-in-the-woods type of guy, but standing on a rustic porch, marveling at the clear sky littered with stars, he decided it couldn’t hurt to make an exception.
He’d spent the last couple of days with Peter and Elizabeth, upstate in this cabin belonging to Peter’s uncle. The men worked Friday morning, then after putting together the final puzzle pieces of their current case, Operation: Neal’s First County Fair commenced.
Weeks ago, Peter had identified the missing experience in Neal’s history, and both Burkes believed everyone should enjoy a county fair at least once. After a full day of midways, livestock, and more disgustingly delicious junk food than he’d consumed in his lifetime, Neal had to agree.
But his favorite part was when Elizabeth ignored their protests and shoved them into an old-time photo attraction. Peter tried putting on a sheriff costume to stage an arrest of ‘Kid Caffrey,’ but El overruled that, too, insisting on a traditional family portrait pose.
Neal smiled wistfully at the sepia-toned photo he held. Since Kate’s death, he’d decided he wasn’t meant to be a family man; alone was safer, anyway.
But maybe it wouldn’t hurt to make an exception.