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“Okay!” Peter announced as he walked into Neal’s apartment, kicking the door shut behind him. “I’ve got dinner, I’ve got beers, I picked up a newspaper so that I could—“ Peter stopped in his tracks, a rush of guilt dousing him at what he saw.
Neal was asleep, his head tipped back against the back of the couch, case file opened in his lap, pen still in his hand. Peter had, logically, known Neal was tired. He was told as much when Neal asked to head home early instead of waiting for Peter to give him the ride.
As he tiptoed the rest of the way to the dining table, he internally kicked himself. He knew the case was pretty dull and tedious, but he hadn’t realized Neal had meant he was actually tired. He’d just thought he was bored though. That’s why he said he’d come over with dinner to continue working on the case. He thought working on the case together, alone at Neal’s, would be more fun. He hadn’t meant to push Neal into working on it when he was exhausted.
He set the food down as quietly as he could, then slid his suit jacket off and rolled up his shirt sleeves. He had gone through this enough times with Elizabeth to at least know the routine to follow.
Once back over to Neal, he carefully slid one arm behind his shoulders and the other under his knees before lifting. Further proof of Neal’s exhaustion was that he barely stirred at the movement, only blinking up at Peter blearily as he was placed to sit on his bed. “I– Wha–?”
“You’re alright,” Peter reassured with a kiss on Neal's forehead, “just go back to sleep.”
“The case?” Neal tried to argue, but his body stayed loose and pliant under Peter’s hands as he carefully maneuvered Neal’s suit jacket down his arms.
“It can wait until tomorrow. You’ll get more work done on it with a clear head then half asleep anyway.”
“Mm,” was all Neal responded with, eyes half lidded as Peter carefully undid the collar pin and then the knot to his tie. By the time Peter pulled the tie from around his neck, his eyes were closed again.
Peter cupped his face and pressed a few kisses across it. “You can go to sleep soon, but you need to stay at least a little awake for just a few more minutes. Stay sitting up until I come back, okay?”
Neal nodded half heartedly, and Peter made quick of pulling out pajamas before heading to the bathroom and grabbing Neal’s toothbrush and getting it ready. Neal, luckily, did stay sitting up while Peter was gone, forcing his eyes open like they weighed impossibly so as he heard Peter approach.
“Here,” Peter held up the toothbrush. “Open your mouth, after this you can lay back down.”
“You’re going to brush my teeth for me?” The first complex sentence Neal had put together, apparently shocked enough by the offer to be jarred from his half dozing state.
“Yup. I do it for Elizabeth when she’s had a long day too.” He tapped Neal’s knee gently with his free hand, encouraging him.
Neal’s eyebrows stayed furrowed in confusion but he dropped his jaw open, and Peter took a gentle hold of his chin to steady him. It probably wasn’t the most thorough brushing, but Peter took care to hit every side, and it was better than nothing. “There you go.”
“Not going to floss too?” Neal teased as Peter started working on the buttons of his shirt.
“No, that would be weird.” Neal laughed softly, and Peter’s heart swelled. After he pulled Neal’s undershirt off, he leaned in to kiss him, savoring the cinnamon flavor.
Neal was awake enough now to stand, but he allowed Peter to do all the work of stripping him the rest of the way before pulling his pajamas on. “This is probably the most…domestic thing anyone has ever done for me.” He mused softly as he sat back down in the bed. “I…thank you Peter. It’s…” He averted his gaze as he considered his next words. “I just really love you.”
“Oh, Neal,” Peter breathed. He ran a hand through Neal’s hair, gently encouraging him to tilt his head back up so he could kiss him again. “I love you too, so much. And I’m sorry I didn’t realize how tired you were, I should’ve been paying better attention.”
“I didn’t even realize how tired I was until you woke me up.” Neal shrugged. “Just been a long week. An early night in is…it feels really good right now.”
“I’m sure.” Peter arranged the blankets around him before pressing another kiss to his forehead. “Do you want me to stay the night still, or would you rather enjoy this big bed all to yourself?”
“Oh, uh, I mean…it’s like eight o’clock Peter, and you haven’t even eaten yet, and there’s still work to do. Don’t force yourself to go to bed early just because I am.”
“Hm,” Peter considered it for a moment. “I’ll go eat and do some work in the sitting room downstairs, give Elizabeth a call, and when I’m done I’ll come up and join you, okay? Plus, that way I can redirect Mozzie if he decides to have a late night visit.”
“Yeah? You…you wouldn’t mind that?”
“Nope, not at all. Looking forward to joining you, even. An early night doesn’t sound half bad.” As Neal laid back against the pillows, Peter picked up the elements of his discarded suit and set them aside. Then, he grabbed a few dishes himself to take downstairs with him before he grabbed a glass of water and set it on the table next to the bed.
“Take a bottle of wine with you,” Neal said, eyes already closed and voice muggy. “To appease Mozzie, if he does come by.”
“Good idea.” Peter pressed a few final kisses across Neal’s face. “Goodnight Neal.”
“Goodnight Peter. Love you.”