This is the greatest thing. The greatest.

This is the greatest thing. The greatest.

In which Peter's a G-man, Neal's an escape artist, and the 20s are roaring as loud as they can. Ugh, this was a gorgeous AU. Wonderfully sensual. You could practically inhale the smoky interior of that speakeasy and the cool night air of everything that happens after.

In which Peter actually went the cushy corporate route, but fate has a way of making sure you meet the people you're supposed to meet. OH. MY. GOD. SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS FUCKING FIC. PETER STILL CATCHES NEAL. THE SUITS. PETER'S APARTMENT. AND THEN THE END, HAHA, OMG YAY.

In which Elizabeth observes as Peter recieves his birthday cards. This was kind of :(. But also a really good portrayal of their dynamic.

In which we see just how bad Peter is at flirting. Adorable.

In which June is a smart woman. Like, this fic actually made me think, "wow, now there is a woman who knows where her towel is," and I haven't had that thought since high school. But she totally does!

In which Peter gets kidnapped to get to Neal and, with Elizabeth's hearty approval, Neal puts himself in charge of rescue and subsequent care. Haaaaa, really liked this.

In which Peter gets dosed with an aphrodisiac, and El gives Neal the green light to give Peter a helping hand, but maybe there is more to this act of mercy than he's letting himself think.

In which Peter and Neal are partners in crime. Oh my God, I love this so much. This Neal voice was so, so spot on and the whole thing hit exactly the right emotional notes.

In which after Neal wanders back into Peter's life after wandering off after his release, and somewhere in that new meeting, Peter realizes all the things he never let himself realize when they were working together. Nice and quiet and fond.

In which Peter takes protectiveness and jealousy to the razor's edge of appropriateness. Ahhh, Neal in this has teeth. I like it!

In which Neal gets let out of his anklet and wanders off soul searching for a bit while Peter goes quietly insane waiting to see if he'll come back. While this was primarily about the amazingly literal bonds of trust and love that connect Peter and Neal, the supporting characters are in no way sidelined--El and Moz and even Diana are all strongly and lovingly rendered. I appreciate that so much. It adds another level of loveliness to an already wonderful fic.

In which the crossdressing for great justice trope is explored. I enjoyed this a lot though I couldn't conjure up a mental image of Matthew Bomer actually looking like a woman, it just didn't happen. In a way, that was an added level of humor.

In which theft totally is foreplay, Peter, get over it and enjoy yourself. HAHAHA, PRICELESS. And damn hot as well.

In which Neal and Peter go undercover on a gay cruise. Which contains the line: “Ridiculous? Peter, that’s our love story, and every word of it is true!” THE FUN NEVER STOPS WITH THESE TWO.

In which Peter is wary of being given things he hasn't earned, but Neal is not.

In which we find out that Peter's long game was Neal all along, and that makes all the difference. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT for about 95% of the fic. So much Astolat-related awesome. God, I can only pray this is how the long game really pans out because I don't think anything can top this level of touching, wonderful cleverness. As a note about the other 5%: El is great in this when she's talking, but something about the sex, about her just letting Neal and Peter work each other out while she lies back thinking "whatever, at least I'm getting off in this deal" was so not the actively awesome El that I've come to expect and love. I know she has a long game of her own, but in the process it didn't read that way. Characterization issues aside, -5% is still an A, and this fic deserves to get kudos.