Blood is thicker than water, but guilt overrides everything

[loadedparadox]

Who: Neal Caffrey/defineguilty
Verse: Apple doesn't fall far
What: A call for help
Warnings: None


Arthur wasn't sure why he had dropped everything to come see Neal. Maybe because the man hadn't asked for help in over ten years. Maybe because Arthur knew it was the right thing to do. Maybe... In the end he knew the answer.

It was what their father would have wanted.

Getting his bags from the claim area, he headed for the lounge, knowing he would need a drink before he met with his brother. Ordering a double scotch, he sent out another text.

I'm here. How far does that leash let you go?

Comments

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighed, leaning against the wall as if suddenly tired. He wasn't, just worn.

Oh. Goodie.

June?

If this was about a woman, he was going to kill him.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

Neal texts him back pretty much straight away.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighed and downed the second drink. He was going to end up regretting this and he knew he would do it again should Neal ever contact him. They might not be close, but he was his brother.


And the Y was full, I'm sure. Got. Mozzie. Robin Hood. June's.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

He stiffles a grin before Peter sees it, sending another text message back:

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Why do you assume I'm drinking?

Which was the end of drinking because he wouldn't prove Neal right.

Decrepit? Really?

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighed, pulling out a file and working. Screw the desire to get wasted, or call this all off. He was text silent before saying what had been on his mind since the first text.

I can't believe you got caught.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

Years ago, Neal would have been upset about that, annoyed that he'd failed in some way. Stealing a glance in Peter's direction as he talks though, he can't quite drum up the emotion.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Bite your tongue.

Arthur never lived by that belief, never wanted to accept that one day they would find him and catch him.

[defineguilty.livejournal.com]

Neal almost laughs, but it's then that Peter asks him a question, chucks his jacket at him and tells him to get a move on. He only has a second to fire off another message before he leaves.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Peter. Great. Some kind of super agent that dragged Neal in and, God forbid, seems to have made him like it. Just great. Arthur fairly bounced his head off the wall.

For a brief moment he had the panic that Neal cared enough for this agent's approval that this was a set up. His hand went to his bag, making himself stop. Neal wouldn't turn him in. He couldn't imagine it, even if they had never been close.