Title: Spirited Away
Author: Squeezynz
Chapter: Twelve - Set in Stone
Rating: R15 for consensual sex and extreme fluff.
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James Hook opened his eyes to darkness, the air redolent with the smell of the sea, the boom and crash of waves heard somewhere in the distance like thunder. Blinking, he tried to remember where he'd been, seeing a picture of Wendy dressed in black standing over him. In a rush he recalled her pronouncement that Peter would decided Hook's fate, her face set in lines of grief as she left him bound on the rubbish heap. He'd shouted for her to come back and free him, his voice becoming hoarse until he could manage no more than a whisper, his arms and legs still bound as tightly as before. Exhausted, he'd closed his eyes for a moment only to have sleep steal over him, his body stiff and sore, his limbs numb. Now he appeared to have been transported back to the cave in which he'd returned from the dead, his limbs no longer restrained, his lips pulling back into a feral grin as he scrambled to his feet, his boots slipping on the sea slimed rocks. As he stretched and rubbed at his wrists a light suddenly flared into being, his arm coming up to shield his eyes from the glare as he spun about.
"What the devil?"
Perched on a rocky shelf sat a small brown pygmy with black button eyes and a glossy topknot of hair held back from the walnut face by a shell-decorated thong. The tiny man sat cross-legged on the rock, oblivious to the cold and wet, his eyes calmly regarding the pirate captain as Hook turned to face him, his arm lowering as he became accustomed to the glow from the torch spitting sparks from its holder on the cave wall.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Temper, temper James...you should be thanking me for saving you from the wrath of the fairies, they were all prepared to part your head from your shoulders, but I intervened."
"Fairies..." Making a rude noise, Hook scowled at the small man, his eyes darting around the cave while checking himself for any weapons he'd concealed around his person.
"You won't find anything...they were all removed." Kirano smiled as Hook scowled blackly again, his arms coming up and folding over his broad chest.
"So what do you want with me, savage?"
"I? I want nothing from you James...you have served your purpose, and now I am here to return you from whence you came."
"Whence I...but I was dead!"
"And so back you shall return...unless..." Kirano let his words tail off, Hook's eyes gleaming in the fitful flare of the torch.
"Unless?"
"We brought you back to this life to test the girl as to her suitability to be his mate..."
"I would have thought that was obvious...the lad was smitten with her as soon as he saw her!
"As you say...but calf love is not a basis for choosing a mate...we had to prove that she was prepared to give more of herself, not just to blindly follow and allow him to do everything for her...we needed someone with spirit and heart, qualities to pass on to the next generation."
"You expect them to breed?...how disgusting! They are mere children..."
"Not so James...trapped as you have been in this bubble called Neverland, you have had no real concept of time passing. How long do you think you've been here?"
Feeling a twinge of unease, Hook shifted, casting a jaundiced eye over the tiny native. "Before the crocodile finished me, I would have said the boy and I had been here...a number of years at least."
"Too conservative James...try for a bit longer."
"Decades?"
"Try centuries...you and Pan have been fighting your battles for hundreds of years, never aging, never dying..."
"Hah! I did age...I had grey threads in my hair...my bones ached...I was growing old...now I am young again!"
"No James...you have not aged a day since the moment you first stepped foot on these shores...those signs you recall were your increased bitterness and frustration, your consuming desire to capture Peter and end his life...a goal you never managed to achieve."
"I don't believe you...it's all poppycock!"
"Whether you believe or not is irrelevant."
"And anyway...the boy is aging now...he looks years older than when I last saw him...he's almost a man!" Hook declared in triumph.
"You are quite right...he is almost a man...and a man needs a mate. Because of his time spent here Peter is unable to return to the mortal realm, he is too much a part of Neverland...but being no longer a child, with a childish disregard for his future...he needed to be found someone to share this with."
"And then along came Wendy Darling..." shaking his head, Hook chuckled to himself. "He never stood a chance against those blue eyes, did he?"
"She is worthy...in spirit and in heart. She will give him everything he's wanted and needed and not known how to ask for. She will complete him and allow him to grow up."
"How do you know she will stay?...Women are fickle creatures...always changing their minds." Hook waved his hands in a dismissive gesture.
Kirano laughed.
"She will stay...I have no doubt about that."
"And what of me little man? Am I to walk the plank?"
"If I believed for a moment that you would leave Peter and Wendy in peace, I'd send you to the other side of the island to live out your life...but I somehow think that would pall and before long you'd be back wreaking havoc among Neverlands'' denizens."
"Too true...I am a pirate...hardly likely to change now and with no ship or crew to command, I am at a loss."
Kirano smiled knowingly.
"As I suspected...and loath as I am to destroy something I created, I am granting you a stay of execution, so to speak. I am taking you back in time, James Hook...back to before you ever set eyes on Neverland, back to a time when pirates sailed the seven seas, back so far you will forget all about Peter and your life here, forget that there was any other life than the one you will lead, all be it a short life and brutal."
"I'm to have a ship again...a crew?"
"As before...your life, or death will be in your own hands James...or that of the sea."
"Do I get a choice?"
"No.
"But..." As he opened his mouth, Hook found the cave plunged into darkness once more, his eyes blinking as his stomach lurched, vertigo making him stagger, his boots slipping on the wet deck.
(Deck?)
As suddenly as before light flared into being, his arm flying up to shield his eyes as muted sunlight flooded his sight. Under his feet the slippery deck lurched and bucked, the waves breaking over the prow drenching him in salt spray.
"I dunno how long we can run before this wind Capt'n!"
Whipping his head around, Hook stared in surprise at his first mate, Smee, standing beside him, as drenched as himself, his old sock hat pulled down over his ears and his glasses beaded with spray.
"Smee!"
"Capt'n?"
The doughty first mate peered up at his tall Captain, Hook's hair whipping around his face in wild disarray, unholy glee spreading his lips wide as he bared his teeth at the gale.
"Get that sail furled Mister Smee...we'll run for as long as the bitch blows."
"Aye, aye Capt'n."
Watching as his old friend staggered down the stairway to the main deck, Hook braced his legs wide apart, his fists planted on his hips as he reveled in the feel of the ocean's fury beneath his feet and in his face.
This was living, come what may, this was what set his blood pounding, this was what he was born for.
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They slept until late, waking up in each others arms only to have passion flare again, consuming them until they lay sated and drenched in sweat, soft kisses bringing them both down from the peak of bliss until they lay supine, hearts thumping in unison.
Slowly running her fingers across his chest, Wendy painted patterns against his skin, her body still thrumming in the aftermath of their loving.
"Peter?"
"Give me a minute.."
Giggling, Wendy slapped his chest, provoking an answering chuckle from her lover.
"I wasn't going to...oh you!"
Still grinning, Peter opened his thickly lashed eyes and turned his head to look at her.
"Happy?"
"Completely."
Smiling smugly Peter closed his eyes, his hand finding hers and threading their fingers together.
"Peter?"
"Hmmmmm?"
"What do you think happened last night?"
"You don't remember? We got married and made love...or did we make love then get married?"
"I'm serious Peter...you were gravely injured, then suddenly you're healed...and Hook...I know he was securely tied up...now he's vanished."
"I don't know Wendy...if and when we get...er out of bed, we'll go and find the fairies. They'll know what's been happening, and if Hook is on the loose, then I'll fight him again..."
"NO...please Peter...you can't...please, I don't want you to die!"
"Have you so little faith in me?" His expression one of hurt, Peter stared up at the thatched ceiling, swallowing hard.
"Oh Peter...I have every faith in you, but you almost bled to death in my arms...I don't think I could stand to nearly lose you again...please say you won't fight Hook again!"
"I can't promise that Wendy...I have to protect us...you...Neverland from Hook and his kind. Would you have me run away?"
Shuddering as she remembered her bloody hands, Wendy choked back the tears threatening to strangle her. Drawing in a deep breath she lifted their clasped hands and lifted them to her lips, kissing them.
"If you have to fight Hook again...then he'll have to fight me too."
His heart swelling with pride, Peter lifted their hands to his lips, placing a kiss on her fingers. "I couldn't ask for a worthier lieutenant to watch my back".
"I won't stand by and watch you die Peter...I would rather die myself than lose you to Hook."
Feeling an answering swell of emotion, Peter drew her forward, freeing their hands to wrap his arms around her, Wendy burying her face against his neck, clinging to him fiercely.
"No one's going to die Wendy...we'll find out what happened and deal with it together."
"Together?"
"That's what married people do, isn't it?"
"Oh yes...yes, we are married...aren't we?"
Lifting her hand he brought her ring finger to his lips and kissed it, Wendy's head turning to watch, blinking to clear her tears.
"I think I'd like one of those."
Turning his head, Peter found her eyes intent on his, his mouth stretching into a wide smile as she let the tip of her tongue snake out and moisten her lips in anticipation of his kiss.
"Just one?"
"For starters...please Peter...kiss me."
"As you wish, my love."
Matching actions to words, Peter gave his prettily flushed wife a thorough thimbling, the world outside forgotten, the future left to take care of itself for a little while.
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The ship was foundering, wedged on a spit of black rocks, her spine broken as the pounding waves swamped her repeatedly. Smee clutched at the swamped gunwales of the boat keeping him out of the grasp of the cold sea, his glasses still perched on his nose as he tried to spot his Captain through the driving rain and heaving waves. They had run before the gale for hours, many of the crew lost overboard in the mountainous seas, unable to prevent the main mast snapping, rigging carrying more of the men into the ocean, consigning them to a watery grave. When they ran aground there was only Smee and Hook left aboard, the crew drowned and dead, the ship wrecked around them.
"Captain...we have to save ourselves..." Smee shouted against the scream of the wind, a rope wrapped around his arm to secure the first mate to the deck as he stared up at Hook standing above him on the poop deck.
"Get yourself to shore Smee...take the long boat...I'll stay and secure the ship."
Blinking the sea water out of his eyes, Smee peered up at his Captain as the ship lurched, another huge wave smashing into the ships hull.
"Are ye not coming with me?"
"I'll follow in the jolly boat...get yourself over the side Smee...I'll join you on the beach."
Finding himself drenched by another wave, Smee spluttered and spat out a mouthful of brine before fighting his way across the deck and down the heaving side of the ship to the boat bobbing in the black water below. Using the last of his strength, Smee severed the line holding the boat to the ship, a wave immediately pushing the boat away from its parent, Smee hanging on as the boat threatened to upend and tip him out. Staring up at the dark cliff of the ships side, Smee could barely make out the figure of Hook standing as he'd left him.
"Captain!" Smee cried out, seeing a bright yellow flame suddenly sprout from the deck.
Unable to stop the boat carrying him further and further away, Smee could only watch helplessly as the flames on the deck consumed downed sails and rigging. As the conflagration grew, Smee could see Hook still standing like a statue on the deck, his outline licked by flames. A wave almost upended the boat and Smee fought to maintain his grip, his gaze drawn away from the ship to the sea around him. His eyes stinging, he stared once more at his ship, a bright light preceding a huge explosion, the magazine blasting the Jolly Roger into smithereens in front of its first mates horrified eyes.
"Oh my gawd...oh my gawd..." Smee whispered through salt cracked lips as black smoke obliterated what remained of Hook and his ship.
Clinging to his storm tossed raft, Smee closed his eyes against the salt spray, mourning the loss of his Captain and the crew, his own fate still dependant on the will of the sea.
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Having exhausted their hunger for each other for the time being, Peter and Wendy rose in the late afternoon, taking great delight in choosing clothes, interspersing their dressing with many kisses and teasing, Wendy discovering Peter's ticklish sides, while Peter delighted in chasing his a semi naked wife around the hut before collapsing in a heap of giggles on their bed.
At last dressed and armed, they left the tree house and prepared to seek out the fairies. With joined hands they flew to the fairy forest, Peter showing off his skill in the air with fancy aerobatics without once losing contact with Wendy's body, her laughter at his antics bringing an answering grin to his face.
Only as they prepared to descend to the forest floor did his face assume a more serious expression, both of them drawing their swords as they approached the fairy grotto, wary in case Hook should be waiting for them.
Instead of a pirate, they were greeted with a swarm of bright lights that poured out of the fairy tree in golden streamers, each ribbon winding around Peter and Wendy like a bright halo, coating them both in dust until they glowed.
Sheathing their weapons, they stood side by side until the fairy horde finished their welcoming dance and settled on the trees and branches above their heads, gilding the tree and filling the air with the chimes of their voices.
"What brings the Pan to see us?" Asked one which Peter recognized as the first.
"We seek the whereabouts of Captain Hook."
A ripple of sound greeted Peter's request, the flutter of agitated wings like the rustle of leaves in a storm.
"We wish we could help you...but we have sought the pirate ourselves, and found no trace of him on Neverland."
"No trace?" Peter asked, finding Wendy's hand slipping into his for reassurance.
Wendy and Peter exchanged a look.
"It is as we said...Hook has left Neverland, as far as we can tell. The Mermaids will confirm this if you care to ask them."
"Thank you...I'm sure if you say it is so, it is true."
The fairy fluttered forward. "There is one who knows all and you should consult with him."
"Are you speaking of Kirano?" Wendy asked, her fingers closing convulsively on Peter's.
"If that is the name he goes by...then yes, Kirano will have the knowledge you seek."
"Thank you..." Turning to leave, Peter had to tug on Wendy's hand to draw her attention back to him, her eyes gazing up at the fairies gathered in the trees around them.
"So many Peter...you brought all these into being?"
"Apparently."
"That's...magical."
"I guess so," shrugging Peter tugged her after him, the fairies rising up in a cloud, forming a spiral around the ancient tree, their voices chiming together in a haunting melody.
Rising into the air, Peter drew Wendy with him, the fairies left to their dance far below.
"Where are we going?" Wendy asked, her initial nervousness at flying again rapidly banished as her confidence and faith in Peter increased. As if sensing her feelings Peter loosened his hold on her hand, their fingers barely touching as they floated above the forest canopy, birds and butterflies their only companions in that golden afternoon.
"Just somewhere we won't be disturbed...you've been there before."
With their fingertips just brushing, Peter guided Wendy towards a ridge, a path winding its way through the trees. Wendy recognized it as the trail they'd taken when she'd first arrived back at Neverland.
Landing lightly, Peter pushed his way off the path and through the jungle, Wendy following behind until they found themselves once more standing beside the monolith, new creepers winding their way around the rock, obscuring the carvings. Drawing his sword Peter cut the new growth away while Wendy stood aside, the greenery parting to reveal the worn surface and its pictures. Sheathing his sword he stood back as Wendy approached the ancient rock, her fingers dancing over the surface, tracing the outlines worn by the weather and time.
"Here's the ship...and the tepee...and here's John's hat...oh!"
"What?"
"The carvings of us...they're not here."
Together they circled the stone, rubbing their hands over the surface, searching for their images.
"Their gone." Wendy announced as they met up on the other side. "How odd."
"They were no longer needed," a voice explained, making them jump and spin around to find their tiny pygmy friend standing behind them.
"Kirano!" Wendy cried starting forward only to have Peter grip her arm and halt her impulsive movement.
"Where's Hook?"
Surprised at Peter's harsh tone, Wendy turned her head to stare at him. Peter ignored her surprised look and stepped forward, effectively blocking Wendy from Kirano's sight.
"Where's Hook?" Peter repeated.
"Where he wanted to be...and no longer a threat to you or your lady."
"But..."Wendy started only to have Peter cut her off with a chop of his hand.
"Why did you interfere...I've fought Hook more times than anyone can count and I've never lost. This time he beat me as if I was a novice who'd never held a sword."
Shrugging, Kirano walked forward and past them, Peter keeping his body between Wendy and the pygmy, to her rising annoyance. "What are you doing Peter?" Wendy hissed, her question ignored, fueling her temper.
"This time there was more at stake than your childish ego." Kirano answered, seating himself on a raised mound of moss that had appeared where the ground before had been flat.
"My what?"
"There is more to this than just satisfying your desire to win, Peter. Hook had been sent back to where he belongs, never to return to Neverland. He will no longer harass the people and creatures of this world nor will he be here to disturb the peace for either of you."
"Why was he brought back Kirano?" Wendy asked, ignoring Peter's scowling look as she stood beside him.
"Are lady, you come to the heart as always. He was a tool, nothing more."
Placing her hand on Peter's arm, Wendy could feel the tension knotting his muscles, her touch silencing him.
Not really understanding where her thoughts were taking her, Wendy decided to try her own theory. "This was some sort of test...wasn't it? All of this...Hook, the locket, me getting sick..the fight...it was all a test?"
In reply Kirano simply smiled, beaming at her as if she was a prize pupil who had solved a complex riddle.
"A test? For what?" Peter blurted, still scowling, but in confusion rather than anger.
When Kirano stayed silent, Wendy continued, becoming surer of her words as she spoke. "It was a test of me...of my love...my loyalty. I'm right aren't I Kirano...you weren't sure I was right for Peter...for Neverland."
"As always, dear lady, your intelligence is only exceeded by your beauty." Kirano replied, his teeth very white in his brown face.
"What if I had failed your test..what then?"
"We would not be having this conversation and you would not be here."
Shocked at his harsh reply, Wendy gasped and Peter stepped forward, brandishing his sword, a growl rising in his throat.
"You won't take her away...I won't let you!" With the tip of his sword an inch from Kirano's heart, Peter stood over the tiny savage, glaring at him, daring him to make a move. Wendy was already moving to grasp Peter's arm when Kirano disappeared, only to reappear behind them.
"What you have wanted is what all this is about Pan...what it has always been about. Do you imagine that she is the first to come here and capture your interest?"
"There have been others...other like me?" Asked Wendy, her hand fluttering to her throat.
"If they had been like you, all of this would have been unnecessary. None of the others were like you, so they were returned to their world with no memory of their visit here, and Peter also."
"There was never anyone before Wendy...I would know!" Peter interrupted, his brows drawn together as he tried to bring faces into his memory but failing to see any other face but Wendy's.
"How many?" Wendy asked faintly.
"More than I care to remember. Peter was a child, and like a child his favor would fall on many a pretty face, his heart given as freely as the air, and theirs to him with the ease of children...but like a butterfly his interest would wax and wane, already exhausted before they arrived in Neverland, and discarded as readily as leaves off a tree. It was only when you arrived that everything changed...and all that has happened since is because you are the one."
"The one?"
"The one to give us all what we need...a future."
With a negligent wave of his hand, Kirano indicated the stone monolith. As if drawn by a magnet, Wendy walked over to the rock and searched its surface once more, finding under her fingertips evidence of a recent carving, the edges rough against her skin.
"Peter...there's something here."
Looking over her shoulder, she locked eyes with him until he stood beside her, then they both stared at the new carvings. Two figures stood side by side, one slightly taller, one with flowing long hair, both facing each other. Tracing her finger over the female figure, Wendy felt a slight bump rise up out of the stone, the carving coming to life as she snatched her fingers away, changing and moving as they stared. The carving's arms were coming up to cradle something against its chest, the male figure turning and bending its head to look at the bundle held by the other. When the bundle had resolved itself into the shape of a baby the carvings ceased to move, reverting back to inert stone, the couple now increased to three. Wendy felt faint, a rushing filling her ears as she swayed, Peter catching her as she slumped to the ground.
"Wendy? Wendy?"
Holding her against his chest, Peter raised his head to glare at Kirano only to find the tiny man gone, the glade empty of anyone but themselves and the silent, towering stone.
Alarmed at Wendy's pale face, Peter gathered her into his arms and leapt into the air, flying as quickly as he dared back to their home. The cool air revived Wendy, her arm snaking up to circle his neck as she buried her face in his shoulder, his arms holding her tightly against him, their bodies almost burning where they touched.
Landing gently he prepared to carry her into the tree house but Wendy struggled and he put her down. With trembling fingers Wendy unbuckled her sword belt and dropped it to the ground, her feet kicking off her boots, her eyes not meeting Peter's.
"Wendy...are you alright, what happened back there, why did you faint?"
"I have to...I want...I need...oh!" Unable to articulate her chaotic feelings, Wendy turned on her heel, her fingers fumbling at her shirt front in an effort to co-ordinate her hands to undo the buttons. Her feet were carrying her towards the hot spring, her fingers finally working the buttons free so that the shirt could be shrugged off her shoulders to flutter to the ground behind her. Peter, initially confounded by her strange behavior, started to follow suit, discarding clothes and weapons as if shedding skins, arriving at the hot spring in time to see Wendy toss her trousers to the side and almost throw herself into the steaming water. As always the sight of her naked body sent his own into a fizz of excitement, his movements clumsy as he hurriedly shed his own breeches and followed her into the water.
Cautiously he approached her, her creamy skin luring him to touch her, his fingers playing lightly over her shoulder, drawing her around to face him. Her eyes finally came up to meet his, their colour shadowed with self-doubt and confusion. As he watched her bottom lip start to tremble he drew her towards him and enfolded her in his arms, her own burrowing around to his back to clutch him closer.
"It was all a game...everything that's happened, he was...they were using us...using me...using Hook..."
"Wendy please..."
Lifting her head, Wendy searched Peter's face, seeing only the confusion in his expression.
"Don't you understand...nothing is as it should be...I don't know what to believe...it's all been a fantasy."
Feeling something slipping away, Peter gripped her upper arms and shook her to get her attention.
"Are you saying you don't love me? That you don't want to be here? That everything has been a lie?"
Shocked, Wendy stared at him with her mouth open, her heart thumping in her chest.
"No..oh no Peter...I do love you, more than I ever thought possible and I do want to be here with you...it's just..."
Not allowing her doubts to crowd in again Peter jerked her forward and kissed her, the embrace intense and teasingly brief. Tearing himself away, Peter glared at her.
"That's not a lie." He pulled her hand down and pressed it against his chest, his heart thumping erratically against her palm. "This isn't a lie...or this." Grasping her fingers he yanked her hand down under the water to feel his body's reaction, her fingers brushing against his hardness, making him draw in a sharp breath.
As if waking from a dream Wendy's eyes lost their shocked expression, her kiss bruised lips parting on a sigh as she swayed towards him, her fingers closing around his arousal while her other hand pulled his head down for another embrace.
With her touch and his kiss all their lingering doubts dissipated like morning mist before the sun. This was right, this was not a lie, this was what they wanted and had always wanted.
Skin to skin they melted into each other, the world beyond their bodies banished and forgotten, their senses focused only on the other with no thought to the future or the past, only the moment.
Parting briefly, Peter cradled Wendy's face in his hands and pressed soft kisses all over her features, drawing breathy sighs and faint moans from her as he nibbled at her lips.
"I love you..." Peter murmured between each kiss, Wendy's hands lovingly stroking his skin making him tremble and shudder in ecstasy.
"I'm sorry I doubted you...doubted us...this was never a lie..." Wendy breathed, gasping as his lips traveled down her body, latching onto her breast as she threaded her fingers in his hair and held him to her.
Feeling an urgent need to complete what they'd started, Peter scooped her up and carried her out of the pool, the last rays of sun bathing the bank in warmth as he lay her down on the soft grass. Laying down beside her, he continued his exploration of her body, his mouth blazing a trail that left her shivering in his arms.
"Please Peter...oh please..." Wendy begged, her body arching against him as he covered her with his own, melting into her heat with a cry against her throat, sheathed in her core, wanting nothing more than to absorb her into himself. When she lifted her arms and legs to drew him in closer he moved at last, so close to nirvana he had to fight to prolong the sensations, his body wanting to fly apart in her arms but his heart wanting to stay poised on the brink forever. When he felt Wendy's body pulse around him he finally let go of his control, thrusting into her and shouting out his release, her arms gathering him to her as he collapsed on her chest panting harshly against her neck.
With hearts hammering they lay for several precious minutes melded together, indivisible and inseparable. Opening his eyes, Peter lost himself in her loving gaze, his mouth tilting up at the corners with his irrepressible smile, one which Wendy echoed, their delight in each other transcending any and all fears and doubts.
"I love you Peter Pan...I loved you as a child...and I love you know as a woman, as your wife...I will always love you."
Lifting his hand, Peter traced the beloved contours of her face, smoothing her brow, her soft cheek and the outline of her lips.
"There was only ever you...you were mine from the first moment I saw you...I lost my heart then and I never wished it back. What has happened here was meant to be...despite everything that we know, or think, this was always inevitable...I love you Wendy...love you."
"Oh Peter." Pulling his head down she kissed him sweetly, a single tear of happiness leaving the corner of her eye and disappearing into the tangle of her hair.
Rolling onto his back, Peter pulled Wendy so that she lay half on him, her head making a cushion of his shoulder, her arms holding him tightly to her, their legs threaded together as they relaxed against the sweet grass, steam from the pond curling up above their heads and misting the sunlight still warming the air.
"I'm sorry Kirano took away your right to fight Hook again...but I'm not sorry if it means I won't have to watch you be injured again."
"I'm sorry that they didn't trust me to know my own heart and put you through all that heartache and hurt...I knew you were the one." Peter replied, pressing a kiss on her head.
"So did I...even before I met you, I dreamed of you..."
"Then lets forget what's gone before...we'll start afresh...here, now..."
"Together..."
"Forever.."
Wendy lay content listening to his heart beat, her fingertips tracing invisible whorls on his warm skin.
"Will you mind being a father so soon?"
"I don't know...I don't think so...I know I once said I wanted always to be a boy and never grow up...but maybe growing up isn't so bad when you have someone to grow up with."
"Having a baby is something terribly grown up Peter...do you think we'll make a very good mother and father?"
"I think we'll make the very best...I'll teach him to fly and to fight and to crow and to play..."
"And I'll love her and cuddle her and tell her wonderful stories..."
"About me?"
"Of course about you...and about our adventures, and Hook and everything."
The sun finally gave in to the pull of time and disappeared below the level of the trees, the sky turning rich shades of pink and orange as it sank below the horizon.
Bathed in their gentle afterglow, neither Peter, nor Wendy felt the cooling of the air around them, their young bodies curled around each other as they slipped into an easy sleep. Above their heads the trees and jungle closed their ranks to keep out any stray breeze or errant dew that dared to disturb the slumbering King of Neverland and his Queen. As the night darkened tiny pricks of light appeared, dancing across the pond and alighting on the branches around the glade, shedding a golden glow over the couple so closely entwined on the grass below. Crickets started to sound their music in the darkness, the chirping not waking the sleeping lovers as the island enfolded them to its heart, the future of all of them firmly secured for the generations to come.
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Sadly, dear friends, that is - The End.
thank you for accompanying me on this adventure, I hope it entertained and you enjoyed it.
my thanks to all who so enthusiastically reviewed this story, it's been great having you along for the ride.