will sparks flame again?

It hadn't been long since they'd all come back from Neverland when they rescued Henry. Neal had had so many memories come back from the moment he got carried with that Shadow from his father's castle. Back when he was on that island, he had been nothing, but, a lost boy. Of course Pan had no problem with reminding him of that during that return trip, but, he didn't believe it as much anymore. His son needed him, and, his father had wanted him. Neal knew that for these reasons he wasn't so lost anymore.

Waking up here in Storybrooke, Neal had decided he needed some fresh air. Neal had been working in his comic book store, but, this was one of his days off. Neal knew that Henry was spending time with Regina for now, so he had decided to take a walk around Storybrooke. Neal still didn't know much of this town, but, there was one way to find out for real.

Keeping his jacket around himself, Neal headed outside of the Bed and Breakfast, and soon found himself on the main street of Storybrooke. It felt weird being in this town now. Now that things with him and his father were working on getting back on track. It made this town feel more like home then it had before.

He had heard that one of his other friends from Neverland, Jini had ended up here in this town as well. Neal remembered he'd saved her from Felix and the rest of those Lost Boys, all those years ago. And he was glad to know that she was alright.

Looking up at the sky, he soon found himself at the park, not too far from his father's shop. Neal lowered his head and looked around, seeing everyone walking around, or playing with their kids. Marco and Pinocchio, Jefferson and Grace. It just made him sad that Neal didn't get that here in this world, and that his own son was spending time with Regina.

Shaking those thoughts out of his head, he noticed someone sitting on the bench at the far end of the park. Neal smiled as he noticed that it was Jini, or rather Sophia here in this world. The two of them had reunited when he first got here to this town, maybe he'd even been flirting a little, but, it was harmless, besides he was engaged to Tamara at that point anyway.

Neal made his way over towards where he was sitting and noticed that she was bleeding slightly on her finger. Pulling a tissue out of his pocket, he stood just in front of her and held it out to her. "You seem like you need this." Neal said, as he looked at her.

Neal looked at Jini, as he awaited her to take the tissue he offered. Those eyes of Jini's, were still so warm and welcoming, just as they had been for a lost boy all those years ago. He knew that the flirting had seemed innocent, but, there had been something behind it. Maybe, small, but, it was definitely left over from Neverland.

A smile grew on his face “It's no problem really.” Neal said, looking at her before lowering his hand as she took the tissue from him. Neal moved himself closer to Jini, before leaning over her, and glancing at the cut on her neck. A soft chuckle escaped his lips at Jini's words “No, it's fine. You're fine.” Neal said. “Although, I think that title is reserved for Emma's father” Neal looked at Jini, before frowning softly at the blood on the tissue. He wished he could help his friend, but, he didn't quite know how. “Hey, you and me both. On both counts.” Neal said, meaning this literally, but, not wanting to let his anger show too much. A lot had gone on during that return to Neverland, he may have told Felix that he wasn't a lost boy anymore, but, that wasn't 100% true. Neal was just reminded of what he'd always been for most of his life, an orphan. At least Pan had been able to be locked in that Pandora's Box now, so for now their troubles were gone for the most part. “Yeah, I know that part with scars. I have so many of them because of what my father did to me.”

Neal couldn't help, but, smile at Jini's comments about David. “Well, someone's gotta be the Prince Charming from the fairytales. But, no I think you're fine. Everyone's done that stuff at some point” Neal said, glancing down at Jini.

“You mean Pan? I'm not sure where he is, and I frankly don't care all that much. I don't see how he's been roaming the streets though.” Neal said, lifting his head slightly. “Magic can do terrible things for anyone. Well, that's a stupid reason for wanting to punish you. There's a lot of things father's can do that don't seem all that great. Yeah me too. Neverland was the last magical place I went to. I wanted to forget that place so much, and I just wanted a normal life again.” Neal sighed softly and looked around him, before glancing back to Jini. Looking out to the people out there on the playground, he sighed and smiled at the children playing there. So happy, care-free and no worries in their lives.

"I think so too. Yes, I haven't been able to see it that long, but, from what I've seen he does a good job. It's probably the closest thing to being able to do his prince duties here." Neal said, smiling softly. Not knowing what to do with his hands, Neal just placed them on his lap, as he looked at her. Neal knew that sometimes being a nice guy could be confused with flirting now. Before when he had first seen her again it was, but, that time back on Neverland had told him to focus on being a father to Henry, and re-building his relationship with his own.

"Me either. The last time I saw him was when he was being sucked into that Pandora's Box by my father. I used to worry about that for years, but, now I realise that he wanted me to escape in the first place. Of course I still worry about not only myself, but, Henry and Wendy as well. I can't see them hurt, and I can't lose them again." Neal said, a clear precise tone in his voice, but, the sadness of them also seeping through. Neal knew that Jini had been through a hard time on Neverland, and that he had helped protect her.

"Don't I know it? Although, it can be even if you do use it right as well." Neal said, having seen both of these for himself. Both good and bad magic at it's finest. He hated all kinds, no matter what it did. "You didn't stand a chance against him because he's a boy who didn't care about breaking the rules to do or get what he wants. He was evil and no-one can change that." Neal knew that for years that was what he thought, and that he was as bad as his father. But, he'd proven that he wasn't so bad anymore. Neal flinched as he heard Jini groan in pain. "I'm sure it'll be fine. But, here try this." Neal said, as he pulled out his water bottle, and softly poured some on the cut.