A/N: Well, hello y'all! Sorry that there's been a bit of time since I last updated. Going through writer's block, being busy, and losing inspiration have made it incredibly difficult to keep consistent with this story. However, we're getting somewhat close to the end (though if I'm honest, I don't know how much more there is to go). I hope you guys enjoy where the story is going. I feel a lot of attachment to this project, and I hope for those who are reading, you are enjoying it too. Thank you to all who have kept up with this story; I really appreciate all of you.
Other than that, thank you, and please enjoy.
!
As the first signs of light appeared over the horizon, Slightly stirred from his sleep. His eyes fluttered open, grogginess throwing his senses off target as he attempted to rub the sleepiness out of his eyes. With a stretch and a yawn, he managed to rouse himself into a more alert headspace, where he glanced around the room at the other snoring Lost Boys. They wouldn't be waking up soon.
He turned his head toward Peter's hammock, which with delayed alarm, he realized that Peter wasn't in. Now that he thought about it, Margaret and Peter hadn't come back last night. If they did, it was after everyone was asleep.
Trying to not awaken his comrades, but with a light sense of urgency, Slightly jumped out of his bed and began to creep out to look for Peter, fearing the worst for him and Margaret. However, a strange sight in his peripheral vision caused him to cast a glance toward the bed where he froze in surprise.
Peter and Margaret were curled up in the bed together, with Margaret's head resting on Peter's chest and one of Peter's arms wrapped around Margaret. Despite Slightly's lack of knowledge on the meaning of them sleeping in the same bed, he was aware enough to see this as a sign that they were partaking in something more intimate than normal between two people. If he slept in the same hammock as the other Lost Boys, the same message wouldn't have been taken. Whatever they were partaking in, it was clear that they meant a lot to one another based on how close in proximity they were with one another.
Peter began to stir from his sleep slightly, causing Slightly to bolt back to his hammock. He didn't want to have to explain why he was staring at him and Margaret while they were sleeping. He couldn't guarantee he would have a very good answer.
Peter opened his eyes as the sun appeared halfway over the horizon. He found himself very alert, having had the most restful sleep that he could ever recall. He looked down to see Margaret's head still resting on his chest peacefully, causing a surge of adoration for her to spark within him. Peter couldn't help but think she looked absolutely beautiful when she slept, one of the few times when she allowed herself to not be hounded by the stresses of the world. Peter leaned down and planted a kiss on Margaret's forehead, causing her to pinch her eyes slightly and inhale deeply, a sign that she was waking up.
Peter reached up his arm that was swung around her to stroke her cheek with his thumb. Margaret lifted her head up about an inch, squinting her eyes open before letting it fall back down on its chest, groaning quietly. She had rested well, but grogginess decided to make her disoriented for the time being. However, after blinking her eyes a couple of times, her vision cleared up and she looked up to see Peter looking down at her with affection carved into his eyes. She jolted upward upon remembering the night before. Peter dropped his hand that was stroking her cheek, instead leaning in and planting a lingering kiss on her lips as she smiled against his affectionate greeting.
They pressed their foreheads together as Margaret climbed on top of the blankets and position herself to face Peter as she was sitting. Margaret reached up a hand to caress Peter's cheek. Peter in turn reached up a hand to clasp over hers, absorbing the feel of her dainty fingers laced around his.
"Good morning," Margaret giggled heartily. Peter grinned as his silent but contented response. "Restful sleep?"
"Very," Peter replied in a whisper as Margaret dropped her hand back to her side. Peter reached out and grasped both of her hands with his as they broke the contact with their foreheads. The couple gazed into each other's eyes lovingly, unable to comprehend anything more important than the moments they were sharing together in each ticking second.
Margaret looked out the window for a brief moment, before looking at Peter once again. She gave him a brief reassuring smile before melancholy swept away her façade of complete happiness. Margaret sighed deeply, looking down at her lap. Peter squeezed her hands, a solemn expression edging out his previous look of bliss. A droplet of water dripped from Margaret's face as she continued staring at her lap. She quickly brought up Peter's hands and pressed her lips to the back of his palms, her tears wetting them as well.
Peter appeared to stiffen, as if to hold back tears of his own. Margaret let go of his hands as she slid out of the bed, unable to look at him without more tears slipping down her cheeks. She glanced back at him, two waterfalls laying opposite each other on her cheeks, her eyes watery and red from the tears. She looked away from him again, after Peter found his heart broken from the emotions that Margaret was experiencing.
"I should probably go wash myself, so I'll look presentable when I arrive home," she said in a nearly silent voice. "I'll be back soon."
Peter watched as Margaret left the tree. He could scarcely form any protest on his lips as he watched her retreat into the jungle. Peter wanted to be able to guard her, in case any pirates decided to surprise them. However, he knew that in such intimate matters, she would want her privacy. It was better to remain back at the hideout than worry. She had the tools to defend herself.
"Peter?" A quiet voice asked. Peter turned his head to look over at Slightly, who was standing in the kitchen, looking over at him with a look of confusion. "What's wrong?"
Peter shifted his jaw as he sighed deeply. He pursed his lips for a moment, stalling his answer. "Since the pirates have retreated, Margaret is going to be leaving today. I'll be escorting her home."
Slightly blinked in shock, suddenly recalling the news yesterday. Peter and Margaret didn't look too thrilled. He vaguely recalled finding that a bit odd. Especially the fact that Tootles was so silent. Now, he realized just how blind he'd been.
A heavy weight settled over Slightly as he felt himself go numb. He had little idea as to why; after all, he didn't feel he was extremely close to Margaret as Tootles had been. Why was he so upset at her leaving?
"Has she left yet?" A small voice broke into the silence. Tootles joined Slightly's side, glancing anxiously at the bed where Peter still sat. Peter shook his head, allowing Tootles a moment of relief.
"No, she hasn't yet. She's bathing, making herself more presentable," Peter mumbled under his breath. He finally gathered the courage to rise from the bed. "I guess I should prepare to leave. You both should wake the rest of the Lost Boys up; tell them to prepare their goodbyes," he ordered in a low voice. Slightly and Tootles managed a slight nod of their heads, stepping aside so Peter could walk outside to do whatever he needed to in order to prepare.
Slightly and Tootles obediently roused the other Lost Boys awake. Amidst the grogginess and confusion of returning the world of the awake, the message of Margaret's inevitable departure slowly diffused into the minds of the other Lost Boys. The coinciding sadness at this news took a bit longer to hit the group, but soon enough, all of the boys found themselves sitting silently at the table with their heads bowed down.
About 10 minutes later, Margaret walked in, freezing at the sight of all the boys sitting so quietly at the table. They looked over at her, sadness resting on their expressions. Margaret realized that they knew. She took a deep breath, walking into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The silence continued to dominate the hideout as the Lost Boys sat unmoving and statue-like in their chairs. Peter returned just as Margaret placed down Tootles plate of food. They made eye contact from across the room, sadness being the only thing they found in each other's eyes.
Breakfast passed silently in a manner that was far too quick for Margaret's liking. The Lost Boys all helped this time with the dishes to Margaret's surprise. She expected them to race into the jungle to partake in their usual antics. However, they all remained at the hideout, their expectant faces telling her all she needed to know.
Once the group finished, they all lingered around, unsure of what to do. Hesitantly, Margaret made eye contact once again with Peter. He gave a nod. It was time to leave.
The entire party filed out of the hideout and into the clearing. Margaret took a long drink of her surroundings, knowing that she wouldn't be back for a long time. Peter came up to her side, taking hold of her right hand as she looked over at him with a tear running down her right cheek. He reached up his left hand and wiped it away with his thumb.
Peter turned around to the Lost Boys with Margaret. Cubby was the first to step forward.
"I'm gonna miss you, Margaret," he said shyly, bowing his head at a slight angle. Margaret managed a touched, but melancholic smile as she walked up to him and planted a kiss on his forehead. Nibs followed Cubby.
"You are super nice. I know that Wendy's our mother…but, we liked having you here too." Margaret placed a kiss on his forehead.
"We liked all the food you made us," the Twins told her in unison. Margaret planted kisses on both their foreheads.
Slightly walked forward, hesitating for a moment as he found his well of words had run dry. "You…did a lot for us, Margaret. You've protected Peter. You've protected us. We'll never forget you," he said with a bashful tilt of his head. Margaret embraced him, before placing a kiss on his cheek.
Tootles stepped forward, looking down at his feet. "Do you really, really have to go?"
Margaret squatted down in front of him as she reached out a hand to dry the tears that spilled down his cheeks. Her own eyes threatened to release the dams that held back her own flood of tears.
"I really do," she replied in a whisper. Tootles engulfed her in a sudden, tight hug as he more tears squeezed out of his eyes. Margaret held him tightly, placing a kiss on the side of his head. The two companions remained in this state for a moment before Margaret finally released him, drying his tears once more before returning to Peter's side.
With one last look at the Lost Boys, Peter sprinkled fairy dust on Margaret, jumping into the air. Margaret, after a moment of concentration, joined him. Margaret turned to the Lost Boys and waved before she disappeared into the sky with Peter.
All of the Lost Boys lingered in the clearing, the sounds of the jungle being the only sounds that interrupted their state of silence. Each of the Lost Boys kept their eyes tilted toward the sky, almost in prayer that Margaret would return.
Their prayers weren't answered. With a sigh, the Lost Boys began to file back into the hideout, their shoulders slumped and heads hanging low. Margaret was gone, likely to never be seen again.
All of the Lost Boys sat the table. Just as Tootles climbed into his seat, a loud thud could be heard outside. With a quick look at one another, the Lost Boys raced outside to see Peter scrambling to get up from the ground. A large cut lay on the right side of his lip as blood dripped from his mouth. He quickly wiped the blood away, frantically whipping around.
"MARGARET! MARGARET! MARGARET!" He screamed, his neck bulging as the desperate cries of her name were launched into the sky.
"Peter! Peter, what happened?" Slightly asked, nearly skidding over to Peter's side as he collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.
"The pirates," his voice cracked. He looked up at the Lost Boys, "the pirates got Margaret."