Title: It Wasn't Actually A Compliment

Author: HalfshellVenus

Characters: Neal, Peter (Gen)

Rating: K+

Summary: One man's style is another man's albatross.

x-x-x-x-x

"So, the hat thing…" Peter said, as he and Neal walked down the street.

"Ye-e-es?" Neal prompted him.

"It's still going on."

Neal shrugged. "So?"

"So, I kind of thought you'd… outgrow it, or something."

"Why would I want to do that? It's straight-up style." Neal took off the fedora and spun it up into the air, catching it with a flourish. "See?"

Peter looked embarrassed. "Well sure, it was. But that was back in the middle of last century. For god's sake, Neal, Sinatra's dead."

"The classics never get old. These hats are great. Here, you try." Neal put the fedora on Peter's head and surveyed the result. "It's good. I like it."

"I don't," Peter grumbled. "I feel like my grandfather."

"It must have worked out for him though—your grandmother married him."

"I do not owe my existence to a hat, Neal."

"Maybe not…" Neal snatched the fedora back and put it on again, giving Peter the full measure of his brightest, most dazzling smile. "But to be on the safe side, I'd suggest you show it a little respect."

Peter laughed. "I'll buy it dinner, how's that?"

"That," Neal said, "sounds like a very good start."

- fin -.