You Had to Be There

Rated: G
Category: Double drabble. Gen.
Summary: The old saying is true, you know.
Disclaimer: Hook belongs to everyone, in my humble opinion. But that doesn't count for much.
Note: taj_mahal07 came over the other night. We watched Hook, quite unintentionally, as it was on TV. This is the result of that evening and is dedicated to all the stories for which it is true. Also, I contend that what happens in Neverland stays in Neverland. Literally. Thus Peter changing clothes on the way home. It's magic and it just happens – and injuries are healed, too. Just my headcanon, for what it's worth.

xxx

Moira asked him about it occasionally.

He always said he didn't know why he did it. "Just habit," he'd say.

She'd give him a funny look then, because it was new, but she'd shrug and move on.

Still, she'd wonder.

And so would he.

Because he wasn't exactly lying. He really didn't know why he did it. Sure, there'd been an injury, but it didn't hurt. There wasn't even a scar. So why he rubbed at it really did puzzle him.

As to why he never told Moira about said injury? That he wasn't sure about, but some part of him knew she wouldn't understand, so he kept quiet.

But Maggie understood. So did Jack.

And when their dad massaged his left forearm just so, they'd grin. If Jack was feeling cheeky, he'd pretend to scratch his sister, and she'd giggle.

Their parents would roll their eyes then, and the children would settle, but the wink they received from their father when his wife wasn't looking always kept them smiling for hours.

They didn't feel guilty keeping their mom out of the loop, either.

Because the old saying was true in this case.

Sometimes, you just had to be there.