AN: Just an FYI, some of the aspects of this story are heavily inspired by similar aspects from this other story which I can't rave enough about, Think Happy Thoughts by sosodesj. Basically, I really love that story but it is incomplete and after a while I began to come up with my own spin on the same sort of story. I just thought that I would put this out there just in case, as a disclaimer. If you like this story you will like Think Happy Thoughts too. That story had a really good plot, my story is a bit less action-packed but I have more plotty plans for this fic, I promise so don't abandon it.

So obviously, we all pretty much know the downright wrong, completely awful way they spoke of "Indians" and portrayed them in Peter Pan, how he referred to them as the 'Piccaninny tribe', yeah no. I refuse to refer to these amazing humans as such in this story. It's not right at all, my dudes lol. Those books/movies were made in a very different time with very different ideals and outlooks which I have never agreed with, nor ever will. I went to a historic Seminole site in Florida once and even the museum-like signs on the walls referred to the Native Americans as "Indians" and it made me very uncomfortable. So anyways, they will be referred to as the Natives in this fic. I didn't not want to include them because I feel like there could be some interesting drama that goes on with them. Just a heads up if there was any confusion. Please don't behead me.

I also wanted to thank my beautiful readers and reviewers. Your praise means so much to me, I can't be grateful enough for your kindness.

When the Body Speaks
Chapter Three
-o-

"Do you want to fly yourself?" asked Peter.

Danielle cringed, insecure about it. "Uh, no. I, um, don't think I'm ready yet."

Peter Pan was smirking, stepping closer and Dani clung to the clothing he'd given her as if it were a stuffed toy animal. "You going to faint this time?" All the boys snickered at that.

"God, I hope not," Dani rolled her eyes, feeling particularly embarrassed.

"Alright," replied the playful Peter. He so far, seemed consistently amused with her. "I have some oils, to bathe with. We get loads of our supplies from the Natives. We trade and barter with them,"

"The Natives?"

"Oh yes," he said. "They've always been here – true ancient dwellers of Neverland. Though it is said, originally they too, were first of Earth and came to Neverland millennia ago." Peter disappeared into his cabin and only seconds later, returned with the aforementioned oils. He tossed them into a brown satchel, along with the garments she was grasping and threw the bag 'round his shoulder, a wide grin on his face. "Let's go."

Danielle's mind was whirring with more and more questions. An innate curiosity ever still, bloomed within her for this supernatural island known as Neverland. Mermaids and faeries, Natives and pirate nemeses? Saying this was all just bizarre would be an understatement.

Peter sidled up beside her, pressing a friendly hand over her shoulder. "Are you ready?" Dani realized she could hardly speak just then, even after everything, another bout of shock turning her insides out. She swallowed the swelling nerves down and nodded dazedly, but Peter's touch was welcoming and his eyes were kind. "Hold on to me tight, Dani,"

She took his advice, bashfully wrapping her arms around his neck where she could feel Peter's tresses tickle her ear. He gripped Dani to him securely, his hand on her hip. Her cheeks pinked and before she could make sense of anything, her feet left the ground. She was in the air once more, the gravity pulling on her legs as Peter took them higher and higher above the canopy.

She didn't scream, but damnit if she did not feel inclined to. Instead, a pitiful slur of pleadings and whimpers was what she settled for and Peter was chuckling at her. He turned himself upside down, as if he were cruising on his back in a great pool of water, the ocean of the sky.

Danielle was on top of him, barely moving an inch and peeking her eyes open bit by bit as she took in the tropical scenery. He hair was whipping behind her, but every so often flung around in her face, obscuring her vision and she wished she had thought to fasten her unruly locks behind her.

"How do you feel?" Peter asked gently.

"It's... scary, but not too bad, actually," she told him honestly, "I sort of feel like a bird."

"Put your arms out," he suggested and Dani scoffed.

"Ugh, no I-I can't," she felt her body temperatures rising. Danielle knew she was afraid of heights, like your every day, average person, but she had no idea how frightening this could be for her. She was definitely erasing anything like sky diving off her 'bucket list'. No longer was soaring, or pit falling across the hemispheres something she wanted to do. Though, if she had to do it, Dani supposed it was best with Peter. He was clearly very capable, and she felt it would be foolish to further underestimate his skills.

Her arms squeezed more tensely around him, her leg hooked haphazardly over his thigh and Peter whispered, "We're almost there, just around the cliff here."

The Jade Oasis was a sparkling green hideaway nook sequestered within the mountainside cliffs. From inside, Dani could see out to the never-ending sea, an orange, eve sun creeping in the distance. Thick, organic jade crystals filled almost the entire cavern, and encircled the hot spring like a glowing wreath.

Entranced, Dani began undressing without thinking, wanting to get herself into the inviting pool at once. She had accidentally undone just one of the buttons on her trousers, stopping though and staring back at Peter for the satchel he'd so kindly brought full of the things he was so kindly allowing her to use.

Peter was gazing at her strangely, inquisitively, and she realized along with everything else in the cavern that they were both illuminated in mellow green hues. For once, the boy seemed speechless, silently handing over the bag. "Thank you," she said, and he was snapped out of his own reverie.

He combed a jittery hand through the front of his mane, "Oh right... wanted to show you something really special of mine, the Turret of Voices," Peter withdrew from his pocket a small, spindly shell with a variety of other little shells, as well as tiny quartzes melded onto the outside of it. "Speak softly into it and I'll be able to hear you, from anywhere you are."

"Oh wow," exclaimed Dani. "It's lovely! Heh, that's really wicked,"

Peter smirked, repeating the slang she was introducing him to. "Wicked," It felt foreign on his tongue. "Right then, Dani, just speak for me using the shell when you're all finished and I'll be back to retrieve you."

"Okay, thanks Peter," she said.

He waved, "'Welcome!" and he was off through the oasis cave's opening, gliding out into the distance.

Peter flew to one of his favorite spots by beach, not very far from the jade spring. He liked to come to this region specifically because he figured out it was where the best shells and lost trinkets out from sea would wash up with the waves. He'd sift amidst the watery sands for hours, find all sorts of pretty treasures to either keep for himself, give to the Boys or trade with the Natives.

The sun would be setting soon. The sky was bright pink, red and orange where beyond the purple of dusk loomed on its gradual quest to blanket the island in starry darkness. Peter did not feel much for trifling through the beach at that moment, instead he sat himself down and watched the ebb and flow of the tide, the crests of each wave.

His mind felt full, anxious. Peter suddenly felt more aware of himself than he had ever been, and the abrupt tingle of change he noticed earlier that same afternoon was only gaining prominence. It was as if magic of some kind invaded him through his bloodstream and was slowly weaving its way through his veins.

It was especially strong just now, after holding Dani as they flew, and appreciating the way she looked drenched in jade green. She was just so lovely. He had always liked girls, sure. Peter had cared deeply for Wendy, but that was somehow different to how he felt now, towards Dani. He had been so sure he loved Wendy, but he was starting to realize he might not know what love truly was, for when he peered at Dani he became overwhelmed with a feeling that had never flooded him before.

Attraction, real attraction. Yes, Peter had always admired the beautiful mermaids who were very friendly, constantly giggling over him and pining for his affections. He'd flirt with them, toy with them all in good fun but never once had he actually felt desire like he did now. Why, he was just a boy, wasn't he? That was why he always laughed these things off, he had never been fully invested. He had never set his eyes upon a lady and felt his chest tighten, his mouth water, an invasion of warmth in his abdomen.

He was awakened, his body ablaze – but he was still a boy. He had forever been on the verge of a teenager, but Dani was a few years older and a head taller than him. It was not as if she felt the same, she couldn't, could she? It would be far too weird, just inappropriate really.

Dani would end up leaving him, just like the others. He could see it now, she had her whole life ahead of her, a husband to marry. A man. But Peter wanted to –

He almost gasped, covering his hands over his mouth though he had not said anything. Peter had just nearly declared in his own thoughts that he wanted to... to...

He did not want to grow up, no. Not ever, he could not fathom that for an instance. Still, this yearning within him, this unexpected longing for a just a little more; for unspeakable, wanton wonders and sensations he felt jarringly robbed of.

'A thimble, heh,' he thought. Peter was noticing he wanted far more than that of a simple thimble, or a kiss, whatever it was called. There was no one he would rather explore those intimate things, those emotions with than Dani, if she'd ever have him. He did not care that he only just met her. Peter was usually an excellent judge of character, but time would tell of course, just exactly what type of person she was. She was related to his past companions, so how bad could she be? Dani seemed pure of heart, he felt instantly pulled into her orbit.

Peter was smitten, very smitten. So smitten he almost just admitted to himself that he wanted to be a man. For her. And it was not that he wanted to be a man, only that he could be old enough. Tall enough, strong enough. He no longer felt that natural sense of perpetual innocence he'd always known. Somehow – organically – Peter's body, his mind, every part of him including his soul, felt activated, aroused.

"Um, let's see, uh... Peter are you there?"

"I'm here," he replied to the empty space, hearing the ghostly voice of Dani calling for him through the Turret.

"I'm all done," she whispered.

"Be right there." Peter said, and he was.

-o-

There was no moon that night. It must have been the phase of the New Moon, for the only light in the skies were the twinkling of the cosmos.

A New Moon was depicted as the times of the year where change happens, and it was the best time for new endeavors, fresh beginnings. Dani reflected on that as she took another sip of the plumpricot wine she'd been given. Plumpricots were a thing here, in Neverland. A hybrid fruit of plums and apricots, and the fermented juice they made was very tasty indeed. Tasty, but just about too sweet.

She was going to get a headache later, that much was certain. Dani was not used to consuming spirits of any sort and could not believe these boys drank this wine on a regular basis. She was glad she hadn't been forced into mothering anybody around, for the children were a hell of a lot to handle. Dani would have been in over her head, she already was in general just existing.

Creek poured some more fruit stuff in his goblet and then looked at Dani, "Want more?"

She pursed her lips in consideration and then held out her own cup, "Just a dash,"

"What? I'm right here." The black-haired boy, Dash jested and they all chuckled, standing about the smoking fire pit.

Peter was on the outside of the group. He was leaning against one of the wide trees that helped to hold up the levitated fort and playing a merry jig for them on his special, ornate flute. He watched them all as they conversed and joked with each other, dancing and cracking up. He watched Dani, and he saw the way Leaf kept glancing over at her too. It was clear it was not just Peter, who felt smitten. It appeared as if all of his Boys were fighting for her attention. He couldn't blame them.

Creek, Leaf's brother, went back to strumming the strings of his lute, the melodies slower, more melancholy-like. Peter harmonized with his own instrument, the same type of heartbreaking sounds and together the ethereal organum, the bittersweet of it caused Dani's eyes to brim with tears.

"Are you okay, Dani?" A tiny Filbert tugged at the bottom of her island dress.

She nodded, rubbing at her face and pretending she was not as sad as she seemed. "Yes," she choked out. "I'll be alright, Filbert. Thank you,"

Timber, the boy who was just a tad plumper than the others, came over out of nowhere and picked up Filbert, spinning him 'round in circles to the music. The little boy could not contain his laughter and Dani smiled at this.

"Just ask her, dingus," Dash was nudging Leaf over, the redhead almost falling into her because of it.

"Oh, uh, sorry," Leaf grumbled after his shoulder bumped into her chest. He could hardly meet her eyes, biting his lip as he offered his hand out to her. "Care to dance?"

"Uh... sure." Dani hesitantly took his hand, she didn't know what came over her. She didn't actually want to dance, she only wanted to make it seem like she was having a good time – and she was having a good time. She wanted to have fun, to be involved, to participate in life. Dani did not really want to die, not when here on Neverland, she had finally found a little bit of hope, found genuine sparks of magic.

Leaf led her around and leisurely twirled her, Dani's long hair whirling behind her. He then grabbed her waist, pulling her toward him and Dani lost the air in her lungs. Leaf was the same height as Peter, both lanky and spry. She almost wished she could be younger, could be thirteen or fourteen again. It was a time when she actually cared about boys liking her – for about five minutes anyway, until she went to high school and the boys became absolute gits.

Well, to be fair, they were always gits, but they became far crueler, and sometimes downright sadistic. She could not care for any of those shoddy imbeciles, and especially not the several who had shown interest in her. Dani had been a magnet for the smarmy and the bad boy punk types, and she had always stood her ground about her high standards, had always remained vigilant in her values.

The other kids had all called her a prude for her choices, and bullied her for her lack of sexual experience but Danielle was not just going to give it up for anybody. She was going to do it for love, not because another person couldn't stand to be in her presence without wanting to take their clothes off. Dani could barely spend time with a boy from school without them trying to swoon her, or coerce her into something she did not want. She had lost a lot of friends because of it. Arseholes.

One could say she was a bit traumatized from all of that, but with Peter and the Lost Boys, it felt alright. She did not yet, feel in any real danger. They had good souls, and she felt more and more comfortable around these youngsters as the night went on.

And she drank, and she kept on drinking. Intoxicated for the first time in her life, and it was with a bunch of little kids, with tweens. She definitely would not have pictured it ending up this way.

In one moment, Danielle was laughing so very hard, a stitch in her ribcage. Seconds later, her laughter had withered into crying and then she was openly weeping there in front of everyone. They were staring at her, wide-eyed and concerned but why were they staring? Why did everyone always stare at her?

"Dani," Peter's gentle voice soothed her. "Do you want to go lie down?"

"I – yeah." Dani agreed, slurring and stumbling around. It had been a few hours since they began, and Dani had not touched any wine since at least forty-five minutes ago. Though she had been sipping cautiously from her goblet all night, the sips had caught up to her.

"Give her some more water," said Creek, and Leaf nodded, handing Dani the rest of a spare canteen. She took it gratefully and leaned on Peter as he guided her into his hut.

Peter attempted to lead her to the large-tattered sofa but Dani shook her head, wishing to go back to sleep on Peter's bed. In her drunk state, she did not care if this was uncalled for, or rude of her, but her body cried out for that comfortable quilt and leathers she found herself in that morning.

"Might we please go to the bed instead?" she queried, her glossy gaze pleading.

Peter smiled, "Of course." He brought her where she'd asked and helped her down gingerly onto the nest-like bed. When Dani curled up and seemed peaceful, he moved to leave so she could have some space for sleep but she shot up, her fingers stretching out toward him.

"Wait, Peter," Dani cooed sleepily. "Could you maybe... lie with me?"

Peter's stare softened, feeling a great twinge of sympathy for Dani for he knew she was extremely sad and going through hardships since she had previously been trying to freeze herself in the snow. He was not going to refuse her, and he certainly wouldn't pass up the chance to hold her, comfort her, get close to her.

He said nothing, just fell into the bed beside Dani, wrapping an arm around her. Her head nuzzled against his chest and Peter sighed into her soft chestnut locks. Dani smelled divine, like sweet flowers, like honey and sweat with just a tad of his lavender-oak and sea salt bathing oils. She smelled like a girl, like a woman.

Peter cherished this moment. You never, ever knew when something was going to be the last or only time. Dani was drifting off and looked at ease. Peter was relieved that she felt better but if she ever wanted to talk about the things that made her sad, he would be here for her. He would listen, would give her hugs and take her to the most beautiful places on Neverland. He would show her how beautiful life could be, give her reasons to feel happy.

He would show her how to fly, and she would smile at him and she would never, ever want to forget him or Neverland. Maybe she would stay. With all his being, Peter wanted her to stay.

-o-

AN: I seriously cannot wait to get writing the next scene. The sexual tension is going to skyrocket. Let me know what you think! I really hope you are enjoying this story so far, and to those who've returned, I hope you continue to love it. Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate you all so much! I'll be updating as soon as I can. Cheers, my lovelies.