White Collar Fic Recommendations
Another Rec List. White Collar this time. Updated March 2014.
What You'll Find
Being a Blue Skies show, most fics tend to explore the emotions and internal struggles that the show only scratches the surface of. And there is significant Neal!Whump. Sorry Neal. Mostly Neal-centric fic or fic about Neal and Peter's relationship and themes of family, friendship, and trust. This list is significantly Gen.
Categories: In-series, Case!fic, Future!fic, Character/Relationship Studies, Fantasy, Alternate Universe
Using the list: Summaries are italicized and my comments/tags are not. Starred (*) fics denote personal favorites.
In-series
Stories of Progress by blackeyedgirl (~4.5K, T+, Gen)
Neal doesn't need stages, he needs people. Spoilery for 1.14. Coping with loss. Friendship!fic. Sweet. Alternate History.
Grip by linman (1K, G, Gen)
Neal might be a little tired of working without a net. Set between "Point Blank" and "Burke's Seven." Missing Scene.
A Corner on the Limbo Market by linman (~3.7K, PG-13, Gen)
There were three freshly-painted blank walls in Neal's new prison cell that were just crying out to be drawn on, and Neal had come by a bit of pencil his first day back. But four days had passed and he still hadn't figured out what to draw. The time between Season 1 and Seasons 2.
In Little Rooms in Buildings in the Middle by lowriseflare (~1.4K, PG, Gen)
2.10 tag Point Blank. Lately he never has a word for what he feels. Neal’s hurting. Peter doesn’t know how to help. A moment.
The Elect by mad_with_july (~1.4K, PG-13, Gen, Peter & Neal)
"Who sends spam to the FBI?" How Peter and Neal put themselves back together after "Point Blank." Canon filler. Things unsaid. Broken!relationship. Achy.
Secondbreath by neontiger55 (5K, T, Gen)**
Neal isn't sure whether an identity crisis is inevitable in his line of work, or a sign of how far he's fallen. Character Study. Season 3. H/C, Family, Identity Crisis, Choices.
Case!fic
The Scorpion's Ghost by mrwubbles (39K, Gen, M for Violence and Non-Con)
Neal wakes up next to a dead man but he has no recollection who the man is or how Neal got there. Slowly, Neal begins to regain his memory. But what he's remembering is not what he's being told. Who's conning whom? Well-developed case!fic with balance of plot, characterization, and dealing with trauma. Neal!Whump.
Rain by kriadydragon (10K, PG-13, Gen)
With Neal, nothing is ever as it seems: Neal comes back after being abducted and draws. Peter’s worried. Neal deals and helps in his own way. Trauma, the fallout.
Knife Edge by sholio (5K, PG-13, Gen)
As prisons go, Neal thought, this was rather a nice one. At least, it started out that way. Angst, psychological torture. Hostage situation.
Future!Fic
Someone You Might Have Been by elrhiarhodan (24K, R, Pre-slash)
The anklet comes off, and all of Neal's plans, all of Peter's plans, fall apart after an ill-timed confession. The world is sometimes too big and yet not big enough. A bit OC, but grabs at your heartstrings and doesn’t let go. It’s about heartaches, misunderstandings, life kicking you in the gut, and coming home.
365 Pieces of Paper by ladygray99(~600, G, Gen)
Neal made the calendar himself. Peter & Neal relationship study. Anticipation and goodbyes. Lovely.
Provenance by tigs (~4.5K, G, Gen)
"You know this isn't goodbye, though," Neal says. "You really don't think I'll just fade away, do you?" Set four years in the future. Fun, adorable, and a satisfying version of what happens post-anklet.
Character/Relationship Studies
Choices by Faye Dartmouth (9K, T, Gen) *NEW*
Neal really didn't like guns. Needless to say, bullets weren't his friends either. H/C. Neal!Whump. Peter!Angst. Simple theme present throughout. Early seasons.
I Could See For Miles, Miles, Miles by Faye Dartmouth (~3.5K, T, Gen) *NEW*
Neal has the gift of sight. H/C. Lovely character piece.
Crescendo by jumpfall (~1.6, PG, Gen)
Trusting Peter Burke is both the easiest and the hardest thing he's ever done. Neal-centric. Spoilers through 2x07.
The In Between Years by phreakycat (~3.3K, T, Gen)
Neal's spent his whole life trying to wash away the stains other people have left on him. Neal-centric back-story angst. Sensitive subjects.
A life in Orange Segments by pommery (~3.6K, T, Gen)
It's Neal, In Bits. Back story, father figures. Friendship!fic.
untitled #1 (couple with dog) by sholio (~4.6K, PG, Gen)
Neal asks Peter and El to do a portrait of them. An intimate piece that lovingly paints a picture of Neal and his relationship with the Burkes. Literally. Peter’s POV.
Fantasy / Mind-Fuckery
Worldwalking by sholio (9K, PG-13, Gen)
It's sort of like you turn around, and walk out of the world," Keller once said. Neal never could do it. But then Keller did it and he took Peter with him, so Neal had to learn how. Multiple Realities. Neal searches for his Peter. Bromance. Engaging, imaginative, and poignant.
The Only Thing Constant by Min Daae (3K, T, Gen)
Groundhog Day was never Neal's favorite movie. Every time the situation with the treasure is resolved, Neal blinks and it's the day Adler dies all over. Time loop.
Signs of Life by nice_disguise (~17.5, PG-13, Gen)***
Neal is receiving strange messages. Who's sending them and what do they mean? Angst, Mystery, Puzzles, Suspense, H/C, friendship. Atmospheric. Mind-Bending. Trust, regrets, introspection, words, and READ THIS.
Alternate Universe
my lips have the sin by hoosierbitch (29K, NC-17, Slash)
Neal is sent back to prison where everyone knows he's a snitch and realizes the only way he'll survive is to pair up with a series of questionable "protectors". Cue confused post-prison Neal who is still in the mind-set of needing a "protector" and looking to Peter to fill that role. Originally a fill on a kink meme, aside from indulgent H/C, this is actually and honest and heartfelt journey of recovery and has a very compelling OC. Mind the warnings for Slash, violence, rape, PTSD etc.
You Ruined Everything (In the Nicest Way) by jmtorres (10K, G, Gen)***
A story of missed connections, in which Peter doesn't know what to say, Neal doesn't seem to want to hear it, and Elizabethan translation proves vital. Lovely lovely characterization and makes me wish it were canon.
Stronger Than Justice by OnYourMark (11K, T+, Gen)
Matthew Keller's last words were, "Hey Caffrey, guess what I found? Our dad." Neal, and family.
What You'll Find
Being a Blue Skies show, most fics tend to explore the emotions and internal struggles that the show only scratches the surface of. And there is significant Neal!Whump. Sorry Neal. Mostly Neal-centric fic or fic about Neal and Peter's relationship and themes of family, friendship, and trust. This list is significantly Gen.
Categories: In-series, Case!fic, Future!fic, Character/Relationship Studies, Fantasy, Alternate Universe
Using the list: Summaries are italicized and my comments/tags are not. Starred (*) fics denote personal favorites.
In-series
Stories of Progress by blackeyedgirl (~4.5K, T+, Gen)
Neal doesn't need stages, he needs people. Spoilery for 1.14. Coping with loss. Friendship!fic. Sweet. Alternate History.
Grip by linman (1K, G, Gen)
Neal might be a little tired of working without a net. Set between "Point Blank" and "Burke's Seven." Missing Scene.
A Corner on the Limbo Market by linman (~3.7K, PG-13, Gen)
There were three freshly-painted blank walls in Neal's new prison cell that were just crying out to be drawn on, and Neal had come by a bit of pencil his first day back. But four days had passed and he still hadn't figured out what to draw. The time between Season 1 and Seasons 2.
In Little Rooms in Buildings in the Middle by lowriseflare (~1.4K, PG, Gen)
2.10 tag Point Blank. Lately he never has a word for what he feels. Neal’s hurting. Peter doesn’t know how to help. A moment.
The Elect by mad_with_july (~1.4K, PG-13, Gen, Peter & Neal)
"Who sends spam to the FBI?" How Peter and Neal put themselves back together after "Point Blank." Canon filler. Things unsaid. Broken!relationship. Achy.
Secondbreath by neontiger55 (5K, T, Gen)**
Neal isn't sure whether an identity crisis is inevitable in his line of work, or a sign of how far he's fallen. Character Study. Season 3. H/C, Family, Identity Crisis, Choices.
Case!fic
The Scorpion's Ghost by mrwubbles (39K, Gen, M for Violence and Non-Con)
Neal wakes up next to a dead man but he has no recollection who the man is or how Neal got there. Slowly, Neal begins to regain his memory. But what he's remembering is not what he's being told. Who's conning whom? Well-developed case!fic with balance of plot, characterization, and dealing with trauma. Neal!Whump.
Rain by kriadydragon (10K, PG-13, Gen)
With Neal, nothing is ever as it seems: Neal comes back after being abducted and draws. Peter’s worried. Neal deals and helps in his own way. Trauma, the fallout.
Knife Edge by sholio (5K, PG-13, Gen)
As prisons go, Neal thought, this was rather a nice one. At least, it started out that way. Angst, psychological torture. Hostage situation.
Future!Fic
Someone You Might Have Been by elrhiarhodan (24K, R, Pre-slash)
The anklet comes off, and all of Neal's plans, all of Peter's plans, fall apart after an ill-timed confession. The world is sometimes too big and yet not big enough. A bit OC, but grabs at your heartstrings and doesn’t let go. It’s about heartaches, misunderstandings, life kicking you in the gut, and coming home.
365 Pieces of Paper by ladygray99(~600, G, Gen)
Neal made the calendar himself. Peter & Neal relationship study. Anticipation and goodbyes. Lovely.
Provenance by tigs (~4.5K, G, Gen)
"You know this isn't goodbye, though," Neal says. "You really don't think I'll just fade away, do you?" Set four years in the future. Fun, adorable, and a satisfying version of what happens post-anklet.
Character/Relationship Studies
Choices by Faye Dartmouth (9K, T, Gen) *NEW*
Neal really didn't like guns. Needless to say, bullets weren't his friends either. H/C. Neal!Whump. Peter!Angst. Simple theme present throughout. Early seasons.
I Could See For Miles, Miles, Miles by Faye Dartmouth (~3.5K, T, Gen) *NEW*
Neal has the gift of sight. H/C. Lovely character piece.
Crescendo by jumpfall (~1.6, PG, Gen)
Trusting Peter Burke is both the easiest and the hardest thing he's ever done. Neal-centric. Spoilers through 2x07.
The In Between Years by phreakycat (~3.3K, T, Gen)
Neal's spent his whole life trying to wash away the stains other people have left on him. Neal-centric back-story angst. Sensitive subjects.
A life in Orange Segments by pommery (~3.6K, T, Gen)
It's Neal, In Bits. Back story, father figures. Friendship!fic.
untitled #1 (couple with dog) by sholio (~4.6K, PG, Gen)
Neal asks Peter and El to do a portrait of them. An intimate piece that lovingly paints a picture of Neal and his relationship with the Burkes. Literally. Peter’s POV.
Fantasy / Mind-Fuckery
Worldwalking by sholio (9K, PG-13, Gen)
It's sort of like you turn around, and walk out of the world," Keller once said. Neal never could do it. But then Keller did it and he took Peter with him, so Neal had to learn how. Multiple Realities. Neal searches for his Peter. Bromance. Engaging, imaginative, and poignant.
The Only Thing Constant by Min Daae (3K, T, Gen)
Groundhog Day was never Neal's favorite movie. Every time the situation with the treasure is resolved, Neal blinks and it's the day Adler dies all over. Time loop.
Signs of Life by nice_disguise (~17.5, PG-13, Gen)***
Neal is receiving strange messages. Who's sending them and what do they mean? Angst, Mystery, Puzzles, Suspense, H/C, friendship. Atmospheric. Mind-Bending. Trust, regrets, introspection, words, and READ THIS.
Alternate Universe
my lips have the sin by hoosierbitch (29K, NC-17, Slash)
Neal is sent back to prison where everyone knows he's a snitch and realizes the only way he'll survive is to pair up with a series of questionable "protectors". Cue confused post-prison Neal who is still in the mind-set of needing a "protector" and looking to Peter to fill that role. Originally a fill on a kink meme, aside from indulgent H/C, this is actually and honest and heartfelt journey of recovery and has a very compelling OC. Mind the warnings for Slash, violence, rape, PTSD etc.
You Ruined Everything (In the Nicest Way) by jmtorres (10K, G, Gen)***
A story of missed connections, in which Peter doesn't know what to say, Neal doesn't seem to want to hear it, and Elizabethan translation proves vital. Lovely lovely characterization and makes me wish it were canon.
Stronger Than Justice by OnYourMark (11K, T+, Gen)
Matthew Keller's last words were, "Hey Caffrey, guess what I found? Our dad." Neal, and family.