AN: If it matters to anyone, I've never seen a Tinkerbell movie in my life. But I know they exist so I assume there is a bunch of lore I don't really know about but yeah I'm just going to wing it with the faeries. I have no idea. I'm having fun with the lore of Neverland and making it my own, keeping it interesting. This is an AU story, just in case I forgot to mention it.

There will be more characters, like the pirates and Natives in the future, and a younger, far more attractive version of Hook. Hook will still be much older than Peter and Dani, perhaps like 41, and I wouldn't say he's going to be a likeable character either. He's definitely going to be a creep, just FYI.

I also really want to say thank you so much to all my readers and reviewers! I hope this story found you well. You are all so lovely. Cheers to you.

When the Body Speaks
Chapter Four
-o-

When Dani awoke, it was still mostly dark inside Peter's tiny room. She was underneath the blankets, Peter was on top of them, uncovered. He had turned himself toward her in the night, his arm slung around her middle. Dani's face buried into his shoulder, and she breathed deeply his inviting scent as her eyes peeled open groggily. Her head was already pounding from her evening of too-sweet wine, something she knew would happen but even through her hangover haze, she began to notice something was very different.

It'd seemed, and Dani had to rub at her eyes at first, but Peter's legs had sprouted in length. His feet just about grazed the end of the bed, a sheath of fine auburn hairs covering those feet, his shins and arms. His arms had extended too, his chest broader, torso long and lean, corded with muscle. A slim trail of auburn fur traveled from beneath his leaf-woven shorts up to his belly button, and incredibly flustered at the sight, Danielle peered up timidly to inspect the face above her.

His face had lost its roundness – a longer neck and sharper, tapered jaw led up to nicely defined cheekbones. His copper-brown mop had grown also, skimming his collarbone and Danielle gulped, more lightheaded than a person should be. Peter Pan really was a god, wasn't he?

Peter swallowed as he stirred, thick brown lashes fluttering awake. He grinned at her as he came around, but Dani could tell he was not yet aware of the changes to his body. "Hello," a deeper, brash baritone vibrated from his throat when he spoke and Peter flung himself out of the bed from the stun of it. The throbbing in Dani's temples worsened, an agonizing ache behind her eyes. "What the –?

"I don't know," she whimpered, quickly sitting up and moving to get off the bed. "But I think I'm going to –"

Danielle ran out of the tiny room and out of the cabin to find herself retching over the side of the treetop balcony. It took several moments to subside. She felt briefly regretful for anybody, or anything her vomit may have landed on before she settled herself down, sitting on the timber floor. Oh boy, she did not want to do that again. She wiped the sweat from her face and took in the fresh air.

"Holy shit," she cried to herself, glad the sun was not yet beaming light over the place, glad nobody was up yet or at least had not been around to see it. It was very possible she might have woken the others with her vomiting but she hoped not. Damn, she was embarrassed, and that embarrassment ascended when a much taller Peter stepped out of the doorway.

"Well, this is unexpected," he drawled slowly, unwilling to divulge that he had been wishing for this all night, trying to seem like he was not as thrilled as he was. "Just look at me!" Peter spun around, flexing the muscles of his arms and back, the vastness of his shoulders. Dani giggled, very bashful. Oh, she was indeed looking. "I can't believe it! How old you think I am now? Maybe seventeen, like you?" His sharpened face was very hopeful and Dani agreed, he certainly appeared her age.

"You must be. I-I don't know how something like that is even possible!"

"Me neither, but I definitely don't mind it," he was punching the air now, grappling with and kicking about an invisible enemy as he practiced his forming and begun to get to know his new body. Danielle attempted to keep her mouth closed – she could not understand it. Peter must have been at least six feet tall now, with manly fuzz spanning all over his limbs, little tuffs on his chest. "I can't wait to show the boys! They need to see this. I have so much more training I need to do now," Peter walked over to her, one of his large hands coming out to help her stand up. "But first things first, gotta get you some more water, and I have something to clean up your teeth,"

"Oh Peter, that's brilliant. Thank you," Dani grabbed for his hand, admiring how long his fingers were as they wrapped around hers.

"Do you feel alright?" he asked.

Her headache was waning but still there, and she yawned. "Honestly? I could use a bit more sleep," the sun was just peeking through the jungle, and Peter was very understanding, leading her back inside to his bed. He gave her some fresh drinking water he acquired by means of their well below the treehouse.

Peter also bestowed to her a special, all-natural paste, some soft plant twigs to use for brushing as well as a shot of pirate's rum to gargle like mouthwash so she could sanitize the aftermath of her retching. It was the best he could do really, and he hoped the taste of rum would not cause her to retch again. He had been there himself, quite a few times.

He placed the Turret of Voices by the bedside in case there was trouble, and it was then that Peter left Dani to doze. He felt inclined to spend a moment alone before his comrades were ready to wake. So he went to one of his favorite places. In truth, he had many favorite places. On Neverland there was much to enjoy.

In particular, there was a meadow full of wildflowers on the tallest plateau on the island – Evermore Peak. It was lush with greenery, and its smells were intoxicating. He often came here to ponder about himself and of his woes when he was feeling blue. It was few and far between, the moments he felt sad, but they still came from time to time, ebbing and flowing like the waves of the sea. The sadness would go just as soon as it had come, but when it tended to stay longer, this colorful glen was where he sat.

There were sprawling castle ruins made of stone, an epic sight even just now as it lie crumbled. Peter liked to wonder how glorious it might have looked in its heyday. He did not know much about who the castle once belonged to. In years past, Tinkerbell had told Peter it had been the old Keeper of Neverland, long ago, before the pirates ever showed up.

A lighthouse had once towered, built into the castle to help with the Keeper's work. The Keeper's supposed duties to Neverland had been to watch for any anomalies, dangers, or enemies in the distance, as well as to hold the key to all of Neverland. Peter had never understood what this had meant, but he had always wanted it. He sort of did the first half of the job already as it were. He wanted to know what the key was.

It was unfortunate the castle had been destroyed by the pirates in their invasions, before the fateful day that Peter turned up on the beach. He had been alone, thirteen or fourteen, and he had remained that way for the rest of his time on Neverland. Thankfully, Tinkerbell had found him in the very beginning, and the faeries had shown him the way. They taught him how to survive on the island, and what his assigned obligations would be. He looked after boy after boy, a girl sprinkled in here or there. Peter would take care of them all, and in the end, he had learned something from each of them.

Only to forget most of it as the years drew on.

Drop Dead Fred was the dreaded leader of the buccaneers back then, before he dropped dead. That was many lifetimes ago now, and even though to Peter it seemed like only yesterday when James Hook had made his grand entrance to become the new captain of the crews, it had really been about a hundred years.

Peter missed Tinkerbell, but she had been very busy for quite some time. Whenever she came around to visit him, she practically flew off again on some other important excursion. He could not blame her though. She had become a very prominent figure in the faery community and Peter admired Tink for all her hard work ethic. These days, he might go weeks without seeing her, but she always, always returned – eventually.

The Boy Who Never Grew Up was suddenly the Boy Who Grew Several Inches. Peter thrusted himself up from his lounging position in the field and began a basic, solo training session. He did his usual exercises, but this time was so impressed with how far he could jump in one leap, impressed with how he retained his god-like agility, his speed.

Even though he no longer had the advantage of being somewhat small to get around his enemies, Peter knew he would still have no problem taking down the pirates if they came anywhere near his lot.

An Autumn Faery named Opal who glowed purple, was twinkling overhead. Gazing down, she noticed the strange, broad-shouldered boy she did not recognize. She was a miner faery, and was on her way to the mines she had been assigned for the day. She was already very late, but upon seeing the boy there at Evermore Peak, Opal wanted to fly closer to inspect him. He seemed so familiar...

When she flew around Peter who was in a fighting stance, he saw who she was and waved joyously. "Good morning there, Opal,"

An expression of amazement dawned her features. "Peter?" she squeaked. "Is that you?"

A devilish grin spread wide on his face. "It's me," Peter was panting from his strenuous training, but he was cooling the session down now. He couldn't believe how calm he was, considering the excitement rippling through his bloodstreams. He had never felt so good, so strong, this confident in himself. He had always felt those things – good, strong, confident – but not the way he felt it now. He was fully awakened, he was fully alive.

Opal was twinkling frantically about him in jetting circles and it was liable to make him dizzy as he swished back and forth to look at her. "I can't believe – this is madness! Look at you, look at you!"

Peter chuckled, holding his ribcage. "Yes, I know, right?" He certainly liked to be stared at in awe and admiration, his feathers stroked. The whole thing was pretty incredible, his new physique, the magic of it all. "Just woke up like this, just this morning. What d'ya think?" Peter clicked his tongue, his smirk smug as he turned around for Opal and boasted his lean but sturdy muscles.

"What do I think?" she yelped, scandalized. "I think, Peter Pan, that this needs to be brought to the Queen's attentions at once." Peter's eyes widened in realization. Queen Serendipity Shale was the current ruler of the faeries, as well as the one true voice of Neverland, the all-knower. "Do not worry over it yet. I will go forth to speak with her now, to report to her what I have seen but soon, Peter. I do not know if she will seek you, or if you will have to come to Pixie Hollow to stand before her there, but prepare yourself."

Peter nodded, a sobering mist in his eyes. "Aye, Opal. I understand."

"Very good, Peter. I don't know when, but you'll be hearing from us," she began flying away but peered back at Peter with a smile, "And you look fantastic Peter! Oh, but you knew that already."

Peter laughed heartily, "Cheeky little faeries."

As Opal soared back to Pixie Hollow to alert Queen Serendipity of her findings, she could not help but think how this was going to be the perfect excuse for why she late to the mining site today.

-o-

Danielle woke up wobbly but feeling a whole lot better than hours before. When she freshened up and made her way out to the veranda, she found all the boys shouting up in the sky at Peter who was just returning. He landed onto the fence gracefully, smiling and making a show of his new form. His longer hair which skimmed his shoulders had been pulled back into a tiny wave of a tail behind his neck. Dani thought it suited him very well.

"Holy shit!" exclaimed Dash, pointing up at him.

"Woah!" breathed Timber and Filbert excitedly.

"What?" Leaf and Creek uttered to each other, all of them in shock and totally taken aback.

"You're practically a man now!" said Dash teasingly but Peter shook his head.

"No. I'm still a boy, like you all," he conveyed. "Only a little bit different now, right? So... relax. I'm still the same Peter, I'm just... stronger now really – better to protect you all!"

"You're still my big brother," Filbert told Peter politely, earnestly. "Even more now."

Peter beamed at the child and Creek stepped forward, "Mine too," he agreed and the boys looked around at each other, nodding.

"Aye," they all said.

"You're the leader," drawled Leaf slowly, swallowing hard as if it were difficult for him to say. "We've been through a lot together and you've always been here for us. I trust you, Peter,"

Peter smirked at Leaf, patting him on the back. "Thank you," he said. "I trust you too."

Dash grumbled, "I wish we could all get big like you,"

"Yeah, seriously!" Filbert said enthusiastically.

"It would be nice," Leaf said, glancing in Dani's direction, who had been quiet during this entire interaction.

"Maybe if we wish it hard enough, it'll happen to us too!" Tim added and they all nodded again.

Peter Pan was going to tell them that wishing for it was pretty much how he got this way, but he stopped himself. Something in the way Leaf had been looking at Dani, acting around her since she arrived made Peter's stomach twist with jealously. Trusted him, Peter did but if Leaf grew several inches like he had, or even the rest of them, there was no telling what sort of shenanigans could ensue.

"It just might," he said anyway, not wishing to be so selfish, nor withholding to his friends. If they became stronger too, then the lot of them would be unbeatable.

Hook will have never seen it coming. The sour bastard's expression when he observes the new Pan, the captain will be utterly perturbed to say the least. Peter could not wait to see it. He shivered just now at the power surging through him.

After they all cooked up and ate some breakfast, Peter told them it was time to go out for the afternoon's chores which consisted of hunting, fishing, collecting sticks, firewood and other things to burn, all the while combing the jungle or beaches for valuables. Timber and Filbert were the designated firewood collectors. Creek enjoyed his fishing and often did it alone or with Leaf. Leaf took shifts in between fishing with his brother and hunting with Dash and Peter.

Peter asked Dani which task she would rather learn that day and Dani took a moment to answer, not sure what she felt willing to do. She did not think she wanted to watch any hunting just yet. Dani never had the stomach for that sort of thing. She was not squeamish, but it would be difficult because she adored animals of every kind and wished not to see them harmed. Eating them for sustenance was not a problem for her, but she did not fancy witnessing its maiming.

Fishing was also not on her list of things she was jumping to do, but she knew she would have to suck it up sooner or later and get to work learning those things to survive out there with Peter and the Lost Boys. For then, Dani decided she would start small and accompanied Tim and Filbert for the day, helping out and watching over the smaller ones.

After a lighthearted but arduous afternoon, the crew took turns washing up in the washroom below the treehouse. Then they worked as a team collecting water from the well and pulling it up to huts. Danielle learned that they often called the treehouse the Hearth, because it was their home and also because it lied at the heart of the main jungle.

At dinner, the boys and Peter recounted their epic story of how they defeated the tribe of cannibals who dominated Cannibal Cove. It had been many years since then and since their extinction, the cove had been overrun by wildlife. The faeries were very pleased with the outcome and renamed the area Clearwater Cove for its now clear waters that no longer ran with blood.

The dwellers of Neverland had been trying to rid the island of its flesh-eaters since their invasion moons upon moons ago, and all were grateful. Even the pirates had been appreciative in their own way. The denizens of Pirate's Bay had been the tribe's main prey, after all.

The boys were already passing around the plumpricot wine before dinner was through. "Make sure you drink up on your water," Peter told them and they nodded, refilling their cups with fresh water. "I saw Opal this morning."

"You did?" peeped Filbert.

"How is she?" Creek asked.

"She seemed great!" answered Peter, finishing up the last bite on his plate.

"Who's Opal?" Dani wondered and Peter explained to her that she was a faery, an Autumn Faery, whose duty was mining the precious crystals, gems and stones from Neverland, and beyond if need be.

"She didn't stay long, she had to leave right away to report to the queen of my changes," he said.

"Are you in trouble?" Timber asked with a terrified expression.

Peter chuckled, "No, I don't think so. But I am waiting to hear back from the faeries. I will likely have to go to Pixie Hollow and stand before Queen Serendipity. I'm sure she will know what's happened,"

Dash got up to chattering about the day's hunting excursion where they caught four squirrel, three rabbits and a hog, sufficiently distracting the gang for the time being as Peter got lost in his own thoughts.

He couldn't stop himself from staring at Dani, at the exposed skin of her neck, her long flowing hair. He was completely enamored. And now that he was in a whole new body, with entirely new sensations, Peter was overwhelmed with the innate need to get away from them all, to get away from the girl. He just had to think. He was trying not to, but his mood was becoming slightly irate and he felt himself losing patience.

Peter could not be certain what was wrong with him, but he was gradually coming to a stuttering realization. His aura was fast darkening and as he took a last lingering look at Dani, Peter vanished from the dinner table without anyone's notice.

Everyone was laughing over their plates, unawares until Leaf gazed around quizzically, "Where's Peter?"

Dani bit her lip as a thousand questions ran through her mind. Peter Pan's sudden disappearance was very curious.

Peter found he'd landed behind a gigantic tree, a good bit away from the Hearth but not too far. He ran a shaking hand through the top of his mane, a frustrated growl escaping him. "Pull yourself together mate," he ordered to himself, leaning against the tree. He panted, sweat beading at his brow.

It all happened so fast. His body was acting of its own accord, his hand smoothing down his torso to his quickly tightening groin. He never thought too much about this part of him until now, a place he knew was called the cock. It was new, and enthralling the way it pulsed and hardened, jutting out and upward beneath his trousers. Peter undid his utility belt that held his sheathed sword and dagger, allowing the drawers to drop at his knees.

He released the lengthened beast, Peter had never seen it so large. His stare widened at how long it became in his hand as he squeezed himself, closing his eyes. An amazing feeling unlike any other overcame him, a tortuous buzz, an ocean of white-hot pleasure swelling his soul.

As he gave his cock three enthusiastic pumps, Peter thought about Dani, her eyes, her curves, the way she moved – and then the floodgates had opened. All Peter could see were exploding galaxies, electric waves of heavenly light bursting within and ricocheting from his toes to the top of his head.

Peter had made a sticky mess all over the jungle floor and moved the dirt around to cover it up. He sheepishly walked his way to the Hearth and cleaned up in the washroom before returning back to the crew.

Creek was skillfully strumming his lute as the other boys gallivanted around, teasing each other and socializing. They did not pay any mind to Peter as he slipped onto the wooden bench beside Dani at the fire.

"Peter," she breathed, surprised at his reemergence. "Where did you go?"

"Oh nowhere, really. Just took a few laps around the Hearth, had a sudden burst of energy," he lied, glancing away. He'd had a burst alright. Peter's cheeks reddened and he pretended not to look so guilty as Dani scrutinized him quietly, her perfect brow arched with questions. It felt like she could see right through him. "So Dani," Peter then began slowly. He crept closer, speaking softly by her ear. "Would you like to tell me more about yourself? I want to know about you." Dani's skin prickled with gooseflesh at his closeness, his somehow silky but very gruff voice. His tone was low, husky. Her insides were enflamed, yet she shivered.

"Ehm," Dani blanched, bashful under his shining gaze as she peered up at him. "What do you want to know?"

"What happened to you? How'd you get so sad?"

Danielle swallowed dryly, not used to speaking of such things aloud. After a minute, she surrendered. "Well, if you want to know, Peter... it's my parents. They died about three months ago in a car wreck we were in," the tears were already stinging at the corners of her eyes, her voice breaking. "Maggie, you knew her..." Peter seemed very shocked, and jarringly devastated at the revelation. "And my dad, Freddy – they didn't make it. I survived and... and I hate that," Dani's jaw was clenched as she spoke, unable to look at Peter. A tear streaked down her cheek as she continued, "I've pretty much been on my own since. I... felt so alone. I was alone, not even Uncle John gave a damn about me. That's why I was in the garden, in the snow. I had no one. I wanted to freeze, to see my parents again."

Peter's eyes sparkled with pure empathy and sadness for her. Dani could tell he understood how she felt. "I am extremely sorry, Dani. To hear what you've been through... you don't ever have to feel alone when you're with me." Peter told her, gentle and genuine.

"Oh, heh. Thank you, Peter. You're so very kind,"

"I mean it," he said and she found his fingers squeezing hers. "You're not alone, Dani. Not here, on Neverland. I'll take care of you."

Her gaze snapped up to his in surprise, and he was smiling warmly, intently. She found his declarations incredibly forward, but she appreciated it more than she could say. She knew he had meant he would take care of her in the same way he took care of the Lost Boys, surely. She was being a little silly for getting carried away with the faint idea that Peter might be attracted to her, crushing on her even.

He had grown into a young man overnight! Had that had anything to do with Dani's presence, the fact that she was older? Did his body change to adapt to having an older member of the opposite sex around? Or was it for another reason? Had he changed because he'd simply wished for it, as they had discussed briefly that morning? Dani figured it very well may be all of the above.

What she did know, was that she felt safe there next to Peter. She felt stronger too, somehow.

Peter's smoldering stare had not left her, the flames of the fire cascading them in light and shadows. He remembered the night before, how Leaf had danced with Dani and once again, Peter was overcome. "Dance with me," he said in all seriousness, the tiniest of smirks tugging his mouth.

Peter was making her so nervous, now that he was grown, now that she had to peer up at him instead of gaze downward. His jawline was so cut, so chiseled. It was a hazard, frighteningly distracting.

He watched as her tongue darted out and licked her plump lips, unconsciously dragging them in between her teeth. "Oh, Peter. I don't kn –"

"Don't say no."

He had not been asking her, he was commanding and she did not even realize she was telling him, "Okay," until his smirk lengthened, dimpling his cheek. He stood, offering her his large hand. He was actually quite graceful, poised. She hadn't exactly noticed that before, but Peter had always been so.

His movements were fluid and Dani surmised that Peter really knew what he was doing when it came to fighting, hunting and flying around. He seemed very well-rounded, knowledgeable in many different aspects despite having been only a boy for so long. She wondered how old Peter Pan truly was. Hundreds of years?

Creek went on to play his instrument and the rest of the Lost Boys did nothing but stare and gape at the two eldest as they began to slowly sashay in front of them. Peter's palm gingerly held her waist as he spun them around. He handled her with ease, with care but his strong touch sent Dani's heart aflutter. She had no idea what she was doing despite the ballet lessons she'd done for many years as a child. Dancing alone or alongside someone was one thing, dancing with a partner, a dashing one at that, was something else completely.

He actually had her feeling weak in the knees, which was quite new for Dani. None of the arseholes back at her academy had ever swept her off her feet, neither figuratively nor literally, yet Peter Pan was managing both. Peter was infuriatingly good-looking, with his smug little smirks, gleaming smile, sultry stare, and plucky, gallant demeanor. Nobody was like him. Dani hadn't wanted to fancy anyone, she had not planned on this.

Creek stopped strumming, cracking his knuckles and stretching his hands. "Getting tired of playing," he told them, and so Dani and Peter ceased their dancing and everyone sat down around the fire.

"Why don't we play manhunt?" Dash exclaimed excitedly and all the boys cheered in agreement.

Peter shook his head, "It's too dark out now. We will play tomorrow before nightfall so no one gets hurt."

Leaf made a face, "Peter, you're growing soft!" he joked and they all laughed, even Peter as he shoved the younger boy in the shoulder.

"Shut it, you," he grunted.

"Scary story, scary story!" Filbert chanted.

"You all want a scary story?" Peter queried the group and everyone agreed, Dani smiling and shrugging. Where were they, summer camp?

Peter went on to give a spooky, spine-tingling tale of what he called the Ghost Ship of Cannibal Cove and by the end of it, Dani and the Lost Boys were wide-eyed, jumpy, and seeing eerie shadows moving in the darkness.

Everyone was stretching their legs and yawning, finishing up their drinks. Peter turned to Dani, asking her what she wanted to do. "I don't know," she replied. "Perhaps keep talking for a bit? I'm not quite sleepy yet."

"Let me take you to Evermore Peak, then. It's lovely any time of day, but in the moonlight, wow! And I can really show you the stars!"

"Well, alright!" she giggled, a warmth in her soul.

His face took on a very serious expression, "Are you ready to think happy thoughts?"

Dani considered this and after a second, she said, "I will try." Peter smiled, sprinkling golden pixie dust over her, glittering in her hair. He took both her hands in his comfortingly, standing so near as he waited.

The happiest moment Dani could think about right then and there, was dancing with Peter just before. Being with Peter in general, was so far, the happiest thing that had ever happened to her. The way she felt when his eyes seared into hers, how she felt being touched by his firm hands. She had never felt more alive.

Her feet left the ground and Dani gasped, chortling loudly, disbelievingly. Her eyes had been closed but she opened them, instantly meeting Peter's who had not let her go. She was unabashedly amazed, producing some very girlish and overly dramatic sounds of confoundment. Peter chuckled, keeping a protective grip on her hand but watched as she floated from him some distance independently. Dani gazed all around into the night, over the jungle canopy and out to the seemingly infinite sea that stretched into starlight.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Dani declared finally as Peter guided her along the cool breeze.

"Incredible, isn't it?" Peter sighed fondly.

"It's indescribable, Peter! I... I am absolutely blown away," she told him sincerely, but now it was she who did not want him to release her hand. Dani was still fearful of this beyond belief, but she felt exhilarated more than anything else.

Dani continued with a will made of steel, not faltering much as they soared to the highest plateau of the island. When they landed, Peter threw his arms around her in a compassionate embrace. "I am so proud of you!" he exclaimed, nuzzling his nose in her hair, breathing in her scent by her ear.

She smelled so good, like oak and lavender, salt and rain, all things from her environment he guessed, but there was something else about her that smelled even more intoxicating, a fragrance that he couldn't place. It was like her sweat, embedded in her skin, and it was only and innately Dani. So seductive, Peter wanted to taste her.

But he pushed away these overwhelming feelings, that tightening in his abdomen returning, that burgeoning in his groin. It was the worst time to get himself in such a state. Besides being totally humiliating, all signs of any situation like that right then pointed to being bad news. First of all, no. Second of all, definitely not. Dani would hate him, and he would hate himself forever.

Instead, Peter put on an air of nonchalance as he was used to, and led her through the glens, around the outside of the meadow. "Oooh, these flowers smell divine!" Dani squeaked and Peter shook his head, laughing. He thought she smelled better than the flowers, no contest.

Already far too astounded by flying and everything else, and also smiling real smiles for the first time in ages, Dani collapsed onto the grass in a fit of giggles. Peter followed suit, falling right beside her. Their shoulders and hips pressed to one another as their arms brushed each other every time they moved about.

Peter pointed up into the purpled black sky immediately, "Over there, the Corsicus Cluster,"

Dani squinted to where his finger directed and could see the globular accumulation of white and bluish stars and planets in the distance which glowed and twinkled with conviction. "Wow, that's wicked. I can't believe you can see something like that from here," she said. "I don't recall ever learning about the Corsicus Cluster, and I've really looked into astronomy before..." Dani got lost in thought, attempting to solve the puzzle. She felt like she already knew the answer but Peter grinned.

"Our stars are different than the stars of Kensington Gardens,"

"Ah, they would be, wouldn't they, hah," Dani rolled her eyes at how thick she was.

Of course, that's right. They were practically on a different planet, though somehow the planet was an island? Dani had a difficult time fathoming it all. If she were to really understand it, Neverland was a different realm entirely, rather than a planet. It was like a hidden pocket where time moved differently, where certain physics were challenged and occasionally limitless, another universe that remained connected to Earth.

It was all very magical, and Dani was so grateful she had been whisked off on this adventure of a lifetime. She smirked playfully over at Peter and she watched as his eyes swept over her form, biting his lip. "How did you learn how to dance like that, Peter?" It hadn't been like the way Leaf had danced with her. With Leaf, it had been childish, lighthearted. With Peter, it had felt grown-up, heavy.

Peter shrugged, "Sometimes I go down to people watch by the Bay, where the pirates, their families and all of their allies live. I spy on the ones I worry about, but by chance, I have seen a few couples down by the taverns. They dance with each other, and..." he gulped. "Canoodle when they think they're alone,"

"Peter, you scoundrel!" Dani squealed, pinching him teasingly in the arm and Peter flinched, laughing.

"I never look for long, honest! I just studied their dancing! I thought I might do that one day, you know? Dance with a-a lady," he gulped, unable to meet Dani's gaze.

"I'm just taking the mickey," she simpered below him. "You're funny, Peter,"

"Am I?" Peter was wholly amused.

"You are," replied Dani, turning toward him and cozying up at his side. She sleepily threw her hand atop his belly, her head coming to rest on his chest. Peter instinctively began stroking her long brown locks and as he did so, his fingers caressed also Dani's side, her lower back.

"Dani?"

"Hm?"

"What did you think of, just now? Your happy thoughts..?" he queried gently. "Don't feel the need to answer if you can't. I'm only curious,"

Danielle took a deep, sobering breath. "Well... I was thinking of the last two days, spending time here on the island," she told him, which was mostly true. It was only half a lie. Dani was not about to tell Peter Pan that she was really thinking about his big hands on her, his sensuous voice and magnanimous soul. "It makes me really happy to be here, here with you," she finished courageously, her heart skipping a beat and Peter's free fingers wrapped around her hand which sat over his abs.

"I am happy to hear this," sighed Peter, a rush in his spirit. "More than happy."

It was moments later when Dani lost the war with sleep. Listening to Peter's coy timber relay to her wonderous facts about the constellations overhead, the Lost Girl succumbed peacefully to slumber right then in the grass, lying in Peter's arms.

Dani was lost, but her very last thought was that she was certain she had never been so found.

-o-

AN: There we are. This has been my favorite chapter so far, but I can already tell the next one I shall enjoy writing even more! Things are finally heating up! I am sorry it has taken me so long to update this story, but I have been working more towards the outline of the next few updates.

I hope this fic has found you well and I hope you all are having a lovely week. If you like this fic, please let me know in a review and don't forget to follow so you can read the next update! Love you all so much ;0)