I just realized there are a couple of Fic Alphabet Challenge stories that I haven't posted yet :) Challenge fics were originally posted on my Tumblr.

Alphabet Challenge: Letter N
Prompt: Needle (WC: 743)
Fandom: White Collar
Timeline: Santa Day AU where Neal is a kid that Peter and El adopt as a toddler
Pairing: Gen
Summary: Neal gets a flu shot, and he's not happy about it. Peter comforts him.



Elizabeth was caught up in client meetings for a last-minute diplomatic luncheon, so Peter bundled Neal into his coat, mittens, and hat, and carried him off to the d-o-c-t-o-r.

Every time they'd had to take Neal to the doctor, the boy had pitched a fit of epic proportions. Peter couldn't blame him; he didn't like needles either. However, Neal had a terrible case of the flu last year, and both the Burkes wanted to avoid that if at all possible.

Peter decided to keep the news that they were going to the doctor to himself until the last minute, and he was trying to make it a fun trip out as long as he could. They stopped at Neal's favorite restaurant for lunch – grilled cheese and tomato soup – and took a stroll through the park while Neal explained everything he'd learned in preschool about the seasons and why they change.

Neal didn't realize they were at the pediatrician's office until Peter was signing him in on the clipboard at the nurse's desk. "Peter?" he asked, tugging on Peter's trousers.

"Neal?" Peter responded, gently loosening Neal's grip and holding his hand as they walked toward a couple of empty chairs.

"Why are we here?"

Peter pulled Neal onto his knee and bounced the boy for a moment. "Remember last year when you felt really bad at Christmas. You were hot and sick and didn't want to play?"

Neal nodded solemnly.

"Elizabeth and I don't want you to get sick like that again, so the doc is going to check you out and make sure everything's a-okay."

Neal didn't look happy about it, but he didn't actively protest any longer. Peter had expected him to take a couple of minutes to get used to the room before going to play with the toys in the corner. Instead, Neal stayed firmly seated on his lap with his hands clutching Peter's coat sleeve.

It didn’t take long for the nurse to call them back, and Peter carried Neal into the exam room. The little boy endured Dr. Hooper's poking and prodding while eyeing the older man with concern.

"This little guy is in great health," Dr. Hooper reported with a smile. "Mr. Burke, would you take a seat on the exam table with Neal, please?"

Peter dreaded what was about to happen, but he did as he was asked, taking a seat next to Neal and giving the boy a hug. "You're doing so great, Neal. It'll just be a few more minutes."

"There's just one more thing we need to do," the doctor said. "Neal, do you like puzzles?"

Neal nodded slowly. "Yes."

Dr. Hooper held out a small, colorful 2x2 Rubik's Cube. "While you work on solving this – you want to try to get all of the same colors together – I'm going to give you a flu shot. I'll protect you from getting sick this winter. Would that be okay with you?"

Neal looked up at Peter, who gave him a small smile and nod, before turning back to the doctor. "A shot?"

"It'll be fast, I promise. Just a little pinch, and it'll be all over."

"Do I really need a shot?"

"I'm sorry, buddy." Peter put his arm around Neal and and patted his leg. "After this, we can stop for ice cream on the way home."

Neal sighed and nodded. "Okay."

Dr. Hooper was fast, but the shot wasn't as painless as everyone had hoped. Neal cried out and dropped the cube as the needle entered his arm. He tried to squirm away, but Peter was anticipating that and held him gently but firmly while the doctor finished up.

"No! No more shots! No! No!" Neal screamed as Dr. Hooper got the Band-Aid situated and stepped away. Neal crawled into Peter's lap and buried his face in Peter's shirt while sobbing.

"Shhhh." Peter rubbed a hand soothingly along Neal's back. "You're okay. No more shots today."

Neal sniffled and cried out, "No more shots ever!"

Peter and Dr. Hooper shared a look as Peter slid off the table and got a more secure hold on the little boy. The doctor picked up the Rubik's Cube and gave it to Peter before letting them leave.

Halfway home, Neal had calmed enough to be excited when he saw that they were stepping into an ice cream shop. Neal had done his best at the doctor's office, and Peter thought he deserved a treat.

~End