Chapter 26: Thieves and Beggars

PETER PAN'S POV

She messed up his life again the day Daniel, Robert, and Peter's own second-in-command broke his rules by dragging her into Lost Boy territory. Peter sensed her aura far too close to camp, and brighter than it had been in months. He stood to send some boys after her, rules were rules, but Felix stepped into the clearing and called him aside before he could utter a word.

"Pan," the tall boy drawled, voice stern. Peter raised his eyebrows, intrigued to see Felix try to play lord over him. "We need to talk." Oh, now he just sounded like a damn girl.

"Yes?" Peter clasped his hands behind his back, smiling sickly sweet.

"I know you've been going through some crap, so have we all. But you're making the boys scared of you," Felix said slowly and calmly. This caught Peter off-guard, he'd expected more of a…well, some behavior more provoking. Then, his own brother scared of him? Not possible.

"No, they're just adjusting—" he started, but Felix cut him off. He grit his teeth and fisted his hands at that one, no Lost Boy cut off their leader.

"Even the older ones. Peter," Felix urged, and Peter was again unbalanced at the sound of his name. "You even make me not want to be around you, to be yours." That one hurt. Felix had always been there, always loyal to him, always his friend. Neverland was known for Peter Pan, but Peter Pan was known for Felix.

He sighed and swallowed his previous annoyance. "Alright, what do you suggest, then? But I'm not going all soft and girly," he scowled. Felix chuckled.

"No, don't. Just…remember that it takes time to build up the skills you want. And they will build them. Especially with Bae gone, so we don't have to deal with his whiny ass," the boys rolled their eyes in sync at that memory. "And we have time. We also have something else, which you're going to have to like," this would've seemed like a threat, but Felix's smirk was almost excited.

"What?" Peter asked slowly, arching an eyebrow and straightening his back.

"You already know," Felix tilted his head down to look at him better. Peter thought for a moment, and felt the girl's aura again. Oh.

"You broke my rules," Peter growled.

"She's our sister. And she didn't betray you, I'm absolutely sure of it," Felix growled back, standing his ground but not even fisting his hands. "Daniel, Robert," he called over his shoulder. Peter shifted to look past him, and had to control himself.

Daniel and Robert stumbled into the clearing, hair messier than usual, each holding one thin, pale arm of the struggling, gorgeous princess between them. And, damn, was she putting up a fight. Peter bit his lip to stifle his amused grin at the girl kicking and wriggling between the boys, mouth spewing expletives he didn't even know she knew, and he could feel the magic she was shoving out in waves. It wasn't doing much, she obviously didn't want to hurt the boys so the magic was just sort of lightly nudging. Peter rolled his eyes, weak little child.

The two dragged her and stopped a couple of steps in front of him. She was looking at the ground and their legs trying to trip them, but flung her head up to snarl at whoever else was in front of her. Tossing her hair out of her face and breathing heavily, she stopped struggling suddenly. Robert and Daniel relaxed and she wrenched her arms out of their grips, giving them each glares that could sink Jones' ship before staring hard at Peter and standing still. It wasn't a glare, but it definitely wasn't a smile either.

"Well, she doesn't really look like she wants to be here so I don't know what good you think you're doing," Peter sneered at Felix, but it didn't pack its usual malice. He was too busy trying to control the flips his stomach and chest were doing.

Felix just continued smirking as the other Lost Boys scrambled from their activities around the camp and made towards them. They stopped suddenly, a few bumping into each other, when Peter looked back at them. All of them sheepishly looked away, but were sneaking so many glances and twitches toward the girl it almost didn't matter.

"She didn't do it, Pan, she swears," Daniel started, hesitant but brave. Peter crossed his arms and tilted his head.

"And she couldn't possibly lie, because she's a pretty girl, right?" Peter mocked. Her gaze hardened further, and Daniel grit his teeth before continuing.

"She's as much my sister as Harry is. Like all a' us are. I know ya have rules, and I'm not goin' against ya. But c'mon, Pan, Neverland is a place a' second chances," his voice rose with his conviction, and Peter had to admit he was impressed with it. "Give her one, it can be on your terms. But I believe her," he finished with a shrug.

Peter looked back at her, but glanced away again. He looked at Felix, who just nodded silently, giving Peter that same hard look. He smirked at each of them, including her. "What would you bet on?"

A humorless but still soft laugh came from her, and Peter swallowed hard. "I already bet my life," she said. Her tone wasn't bitter, just matter-of-fact. He looked straight at her, and almost lost his balance. It had been a while since he'd seen those blue-grey eyes, with far more blue than grey. They were still bright and sparkled with…something, Peter didn't really care. He scanned her over slowly, hiding a smirk at how she stayed still but her little fists clenched. She looked about the same. Her white hair still glowed and looked so soft, despite having sticks and leaves tangled in it. She hadn't bothered with tying it up anymore, and Peter was still a bit surprised to see it stop at her chest instead of her feet. He remembered her dress had been black when she had first come, and gradually gotten lighter with wear. Over the months she'd been gone, it was almost white and even more torn and grass-stained, of course. Her skin was still light, her body still thin and graceful and so lovely, same as her face. But she looked stronger, sharper, older, in a good way. In the way Neverland made people who stayed for a long time, because Peter wanted them here.

"Cage," he snapped. The older Lost Boys grinned, the newer or younger ones just looked confused. Her face was unreadable, not that Peter was trying anyway. As Robert and Daniel led her off—at least she wasn't struggling anymore—Peter turned back to his tent, catching Felix looking at him with a wide smirk. The blonde wasn't even trying to hide it under his hood.

"Not a bloody word," Peter growled. Felix just chuckled softly.

Nevertheless, he followed Peter into his tent. Peter purposefully ignored his presence, until Daniel, Robert, Colin and Devin stepped in a few moments later. He was a bit surprised at the last two. "That was fast," he arched an eyebrow.

"She didn't struggle at all," Robert shrugged. Then, he glanced up at Felix, who nodded back at him. All five simultaneously looked at Peter, and the leader sighed, crossing his arms loosely over his chest.

"What do you want now?" he huffed.

"Please let her stay," Colin blurted rather unceremoniously.

"She's in the cage, isn't she?" Peter rolled his eyes at the obvious answer.

"We mean stay normally, as part of the Lost Boys," Devin mumbled.

"She didn't betray us," Felix added.

"More than that," Robert said, tone edging on aggressive and Peter instinctively stiffened. "You saw what Hook did to her, how she was after we got her back," all six boys winced, though Peter the least. "She went through more pain than we have, over you, Pan. Now, I fight pirates and I love it as much as the next Lost Boy," the others snickered at that, "but even I haven't felt that."

Peter just looked at each of them silently, and they stared back. He raised his eyebrows at their determination, torn between reprimanding them for disregarding his authority or being impressed at their strength. "Devin," he started sharply, and he met the boy's doe eyes.

"Yes, Pan?" his voice shook and he bit his lip, but stayed still and continued meeting Peter's gaze.

"Why are you so," he paused, gathering the words for effect, "insistent on her residence?" he kept his voice low and intimidating. If they really wanted their supposed sister back, they'd have to prove it.

Devin chewed his lip and cast his eyes down. With a deep breath, he started. "Well, I was recruited after whatever happened with the pirate, but I saw how you all acted around her, and were all so worried about her. She just seemed like part of your family," he shrugged as he finished.

"Your turn, Colin," Peter continued, not reacting to Devin's speech. It was cute, but not strong enough.

The brunette had a light smirk as he began. "I'd rather say mine in private, please." Peter arched an eyebrow and smirked, but nodded.

"Very well, Robert's turn," he nodded at the boy, not even bothering to fully meet his gaze.

"I speak for both Daniel and I, she's as much our sister as Harry's Daniel's brother, as any of us are brothers. We know you've got rules, and they are for our good and we respect that. We believe in Neverland, in you, just like you taught us. We also believe in her."

Daniel jumped in as Robert opened his mouth to say more. "It doesn't really add up, Pan. If she gave Hook information, why didn't he use it? He's had time, plenty a' opportunities if he really was ta destroy ya. 'N' there's a reason her hair was so long, remember? Ya can't cut off pieces 'n' use 'em, the magic only works if it's attached ta her. So he can't have used her magic." Peter tightened his jaw at this, Daniel was right. It really didn't make sense, and Peter had realized that a long time ago. But this wasn't about if she had betrayed him or not anymore, it was about keeping his word. He had to make sure the boys knew that his word was law, and his rules were never to be broken.

"Leave, it's Colin's turn," he bit out. The others sighed and trudged out of the tent, but Felix stayed near the flap. Peter let him, anything the boy had to tell Peter he would tell to his second-in-command. Colin shifted his weight and his eyes darted around the roof of the tent. Chewing his lip and playing with his fingers, he seemed to be thinking of the best way to say it. Peter sighed and tapped his foot, he wasn't one for patience. He could have patience, but not usually with speaking.

"I was raised in pirate ships and thieves' alleys, I've developed a rather handy ability at reading people," Colin said slowly, choosing his words carefully. Peter was a bit intrigued at this approach, although he wasn't particularly interested in a background sob-story. "Observing things that make them weak, things they pay attention to or care about, so that I could use it as leverage if needed, you know."

"I'm not going to take pity on a girl because of one Lost Boy's backstory," Peter sneered. "We all have such tragic stories, yours isn't any different and it's not going to help her."

"I know, this is the part where she comes in," Colin argued quietly. Peter stayed quiet for a moment, giving him time to continue. "When I came here, I paid a lot of attention to you, of course," Felix chuckled from his position behind Colin, and the boy whirled around as if he'd forgotten about him. Peter sympathized with that, the tall blonde was damn quiet most of the time. Colin took a deep breath. "You care about her, Pan, I'm certain. You care about all of us, but you always cared about her differently. I saw how you were after Hook, we all saw. You just…there was less of you. You didn't seem as excited and free, you seemed dull." Colin gulped, and Peter bared his teeth and growled at him.

"And what the hell would a little, lonely, Lost Boy know of me, Peter Pan, ruler of Neverland, and feelings? You boys are my brothers, and I care for you all, yes. But you know nothing of me," he hissed, and Felix stepped silently forward.

"Go," Felix murmured to Colin, and the boy wasted no time in leaving the tent. Felix gripped both of Peter's shoulders.

"Why don't you let her plead her case, since she's the one of interest?" Felix suggested, voice low but firm. Peter took a deep breath, his shoulders rising under Felix's grip, and eased the irrational anger from his body.

"Good idea," he smirked.

He stepped around Felix and out of the tent, striding to the cages with Felix on his heels. The Lost Boys stood around one in particular, ignoring the sobs form the other, but quickly stepped back and parted as Peter stormed through. He stopped half a step away from the wooden, skeptically sewn sticks that made the cage door and looked down, keeping his face blank.

She knelt in the cage—not that there was much room to do otherwise—and Peter did feel a twinge in the back of his mind at her behavior. The other cage held little Wendy, who just lay down and sobbed and begged all damn day. Really quite annoying. This other girl, however, did no such thing. She was completely still, staring up at him and barely even blinking, face as blank as his. Peter faintly heard one of the boys speak from far away, but he just kept looking at her. When did she get so strong, that she showed no fear at being locked in a cage and just stared her captor straight in the face?

Peter felt his lips twitch, but he held them still. He couldn't stop the surge of pride at her glittering eyes, almost all dark blue in the light, as they pierced into his.

"Well, the boys are all adamant on keeping you. But I don't just forgive traitors," he started, internally grateful he managed to keep his voice hard.

"I didn't betray you," her voice was perfectly level and she didn't even blink. Peter sighed, she just wasn't making this easy.

"Well, Jones had magic, and he had you," he explained as if to a child.

"Do you know why my hair was so long when I first arrived?" she asked, tilting her head curiously. He nodded and she straightened. "Then you know that it wasn't my magic."

"Why should I let you in?" Peter decided, changing the subject. "Why shouldn't I just throw you back out, or, even better, just kill you?" he sneered, wincing a bit at his chest twisting. He yanked his magic up in a kind of shield, but it didn't do anything. He narrowed his eyes, but her hair was just barely glowing. She wasn't using magic.

"I'm not going to beg you, Peter," she said, voice suddenly so quiet he had to lean forward to hear it. Another jolt went through him at hearing his name. Then, her voice rose again. "I haven't done anything wrong to you, or to any one of the Lost Boys."

"Prove it," Peter spat, hating her compliance. This is why girls are so difficult to deal with, they're never just straightforward and they never behave how they're supposed to. Well, Wendy does, but only because she was always sniveling. Peter glanced at the other cage for a split second, realizing how quiet she was. He saw her eyes peeking through the sticks, watching this exchange intently. He went back to ignoring her, not like she could or would do anything about it.

"I am," came the princess' unexpected, annoying cryptic, answer. Peter returned the ferocity in her gaze with his own, and he was a bit surprised the whole island wasn't on fire from the two of them. He could feel the Lost Boys' eyes on him, not nearly as strong as hers, but still present.

Peter cracked a smirk and began sauntering slowly around her cage, not breaking the stare. She had to twist her neck and body, but she didn't break it either. He knew she was receiving the message. A few boys had to lean out of his way, but they stayed quiet and obedient.

Completing a full circle, Peter dropped the smirk and shifted his face back to an unreadable expression. He raised his voice so that all the boys could hear as well. "Don't even think about going anywhere alone, you are on very, very strict probation." Not giving anyone time to process, he turned on his heel and sauntered back to his tent, trying desperately to keep up the image of a powerful, composed authority. He'd be damned if the boys—or worse, she—realized how tight his chest was and the unnatural desire he had to throw up.

It only took a second before he heard the Lost Boys crowd back around her, realize Peter's meaning, and begin cheering and talking to her. He didn't hear her voice, but he felt her eyes still burning into his shoulder blades.

Peter let out a breath and leaned his forehead against one of the poles in his tent, closing his eyes as he cast a mindless spell to keep anyone from entering. He didn't want to deal with a Lost Boy questioning him, and he definitely could not deal with Felix at the moment. She was messing everything up, without even trying or meaning to. He believed her, that she hadn't betrayed him, but he'd already taken action and Peter Pan never breaks his promises.

Even with the spell on his tent, Peter heard Felix's crunching steps pass on the way to his own tent. Peter scowled, Felix was usually silent, he was being loud on purpose. "Thank you," he heard the tall boy murmur. Peter grabbed a dagger from his rickety table and threw it at where he knew the boy was. Of course, it was not with the deadly speed or accuracy Peter was capable of, he didn't want to kill his second-in-command, but it ripped through the tent's fabric anyway. He knew Felix caught it by the whoosh and lack of the sound blades make against flesh. Peter fixed the tent's fabric with magic and his scowl deepened at Felix's chuckle.

Well, fine. She would stay as they all wanted and he did technically have no grounds for punishing her, other than she made him uncomfortable and was confusing. Still, that could be a danger, most definitely. He would make sure she had no opportunity to endanger him or any of the Lost Boys, and he would let her stay with them. But that did not, in any way, mean that he had to interact with her.