Disclaimer:

I, Aslansphoenix declare that I do not own 'Peter Pan', Neverland or anything that you find familiar. Technically some of the characters did come from my head ... but I think they belong to Neverland just as much as any canon characters.

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Author's Note

Thank-you for your patience. This was a longer chapter than I was expecting. But it contains important information.

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"All Children Grow up Except One"

Everyone Knows about Neverland,
About the home of Peter Pan.

Second to the Right, and Straight on till Morning.
To the place between dreaming and awakening.

There are rules in Neverland
Rules that must be obeyed.

Boys forget much easier than Girls.
"No Girl can resist Peter Pan,
When he uses a specific voice."
One more thing, which is True ...
In Neverland, You learn all about You.

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Chapter Twenty-Two

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To the amusement of the children, Hook let out a screech and fled.

Running so fast that he looked like he was almost flying. There was cheering and Peter crowed loudly, then flew to the air to celebrate. He looked down at the thimble in his hand, with a strange smile, then gasped dramatically.

"I have to get you home. I promised!"

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George sat behind the wheel watching as Peter Pan steered them through the clouds. They were on the Jolly Roger (which they had 'borrowed'), and with help from a lot of pixie dust, they were flying away from the island of Neverland. Apparently it would be faster, and supposedly also traditional.

George was sitting, thinking, and slightly hiding. After the adrenaline of fighting pirates, and saving Peter had worn off; the topic George had been thinking of before came back to him. He was a boy …. But he had been born Georgina. And that hadn't been a problem until going home was mentioned.

And then, once the ship had launched; the rest of the Lost Boys had been begging (and crying) for the girls, for their 'Mother' to stay. Peter was ignoring them all (purposely) Margaret had then announced something that shook George to the core.

"You boys could come with us. If anyone wishes to come with us, then we'll find you homes that will be filled with love. But yes, you will grow up. And it will be faster than if you stay in Neverland. There will be hardships and difficulties, I shall not lie, however there will also be new adventures and friends to make and experiences to be had. I want you all to think about it carefully before deciding, but please know that there is no right or wrong answer."

The others had fallen into a passionate debate (some people going both ways). Angela sat in the middle and answered any questions that came. Some of her answers may have been … unusual, but she was having fun being an 'authority'. Mitchell also got dragged into the conversation where he reluctantly, but honestly admitted "I'm scared to go back because of the mistakes of my past. But I … miss my Mum, and my Dad … and my bed. I've been sleeping in a hammock for the past forever."

George slid away his own mind was reeling. He paused near Margaret and Eliza as they leaned against the railing looking out. Eliza was asking Margaret "I don't know if I understand, why the option, the choice? Don't get wrong, I think it is a wonderful idea, I just am not sure I understand … why."

"It was Granny Wendy who started it. When she first went to Neverland, she brought all the Lost Boys home and convinced her family to adopt the, She became quite an advocate for finding homes for lost children, not just any homes, but homes that would give the children, not just shelter and food, but also the love and support that everyone needs. We just carry that on. All children grow up, except one."

At that line, Margaret glanced up towards Peter, before turning her head back to Eliza. "Even in Neverland people grow, just at different speed. When the Lost Boys are ready to grow up, we find them homes, they grow up loved, and forget Neverland."

"They forget?"

We all forget to differing levels. I'm sure you've noticed how difficult it is to recall specific details about our home."

"I … Yes. Sometimes I'm not sure which world is more the dream."

"Boys forget more easily and more quickly than girls. I'm not sure why; maybe it's the same reason that there are no Lost Girls on the island."

"Doesn't Peter say that 'Girls are too smart to fall out of their prams'?"

"Yes and it is very sweet. But … what if some did, if they ended up in Neverland they might exist believing themselves to be a boy. Or maybe they would all be like George, boys born into their incorrect gender, and it is in Neverland that they are free to be able to be their true gender. Or maybe it's because Peter is the heart of Neverland. And while he likes having a girl around to play mother; he is still a boy."

That didn't make any sense t George who was moving away, at this time. But Eliza laughed as she seemed to understand. The last thing George heard before he was out of earshot was Margaret saying "I don't know. It's probably best not to question why things are the way they are on Neverland. They just are."

Then George was up the steps, in the shadows thinking.

Because Margaret was right; in Neverland George was free to be himself. And the place labelled as 'home', caused mixed feelings in George. He didn't remember much clearly, but there was a pull there; a longing for his real Mother and Father, and for friends and learning … but there were also vague memories or constant discomfort; of … not being able to be himself. Of being expected to be … her.

And so George sat, and wondered … if maybe … if he could stay in Neverland.

That thought scared George. There were so many sides to argue – Tigerlily, fighting pirates, or learning from Tinkerbelle about how to tinker in a way that works. There would be no adult worries, just fun and games forevermore. And … and there would be no warm hugs from his Mum, no family get-togethers, no random games like Pirate-Spies, and probably no true sense of understanding the world.

There was also an odd feeling that, staying in Neverland would be running from his problems, not fat facing them

As they flew on, he had a few discussions that skirted around the matter. Most conversations with the other Lost Boys were about them going or staying. Wit, who George was closest too, confessed he was afraid of George growing up and forgetting their awesome brotherhood. George admitted the same and both avoided looking at the other to avoid pretending not to care.

Eliza was firmly on board with, all the cousins at least, returning home; 'because it was the right thing to do, their parents would be worried if they didn't'. George felt the sensation of comparing Eliza to a Leopard, but he understood that she meant well.

Mitchell had continued their truce, and he seemed to be trying to prove (at least to himself) that he could continue to be decent. He came over to George, actually called George 'George', and they spent an enjoyable, if slightly awkward time together. Mitchell taught George a couple Mouse who were trying to tie knots.

The only mention of the London/Neverland discussion was when said Mitchell "All my life I've been pretending to be 'grown-up', but in all the wrong ways. I think it's time I genuinely start to grow up, but in the right ways this time. Not too fast and the expense of other people."

Which was brilliant to hear, but not very helpful to George's dilemma. And why should it – Mitchell had gone through a completely separate situation, and had probably mentally matured the most out of all of them. He was ready to grow up and face his problems … George didn't feel ready, and he didn't want to do it either.

Through the journey, George's thoughts and gaze kept wandering back to Peter at the helm. George had never really asked questions during Granny Wendy's stories, always preferring to listen over talking. But there was one that he did have. One he had never asked because he knew Granny Wendy wouldn't know the answer.

But Peter would have an answer. Hopefully.

And maybe his answer, would help with George's dilemma. He made his way towards Peter who was posing dramatically against starlight.

"Peter?"

"Ahoy me Hearty!"

"Ahoy Captain Pan! Permission to approach?"

"Permission granted. What can I do for ye, ye wee landlubber?"

"I want to ask you a question, please."

Peter gave a gesture indicating his permission. George took a breath, a bit nervous, because this question could be considered personal, and Peter was known for not answering those. But George pressed on.

"Why do you keep going back to the Darling House? You could have stayed in Neverland and never visited, you could have gone to any open window; I bet that there are thousands of children, who probably tell stories about you and would be thrilled to go on an adventure to Neverland with you. So why Wendy's house?"

There were many deeper questions within that one question. And Peter must have known because he turned and gazed at George. And for the first time, George found himself looking – really looking at Peter Pan.

The face so youthful, this being who was so joyful and hopeful and still had all his baby teeth … Yet his eyes … Peter Pan's eyes; usually so bright and mischievous, were so … old. To George in that moment, they seemed as old as the universe, and as deep and sorrowful as time itself. And George realised in a way he had not before, that Peter Pan was the child who didn't grow up. Not necessarily because he wouldn't, or couldn't, but because he didn't, and how very lonely could such an existence be.

Whatever Peter had been looking for when he looked so intensely at George, he must have found, because, to George's silent surprise, Peter answered the question.

"Because the window has never been shut to me. No matter how grown-up Wendy gets, she always leaves the window open for me, always gives me the opportunity."

Like the question the answer had a deeper meaning. George was never sure why, but on a ship travelling through stars being stared at by eyes of an age in the face belonging to the spirit of youth; George understood completely.

Those most common arguments about the story didn't matter. Peter had once tried to grow up, but the window had been shut, and so too was opportunity.

It didn't matter if Peter may have been decades too late, or if he had gotten the wrong house. What mattered, was what Peter believed. He thought he had been gone for only a short time, he thought he had flown back to the correct house, he saw a mother holding a new baby, with the window firmly shut.

To Peter he had seen his mother replace him, he had seen himself be shut outside, away from a family, away from the opportunity to grow up. That was real to him.

Maybe Peter did love Wendy; and Wendy did love Peter. But that didn't matter either. Because of course Peter was going to reject any offers to stay on the 'mainland', but Wendy kept the window opened for him, even when grown-up with a husband, with grandchildren. She kept giving Peter the choice, the opportunity to grow-up, if he ever decided to. Wendy, and by extension her family was giving Peter something he believed his mother had taken from him. A choice.

And that is what mattered.

That was why Peter Pan kept returning to the Darling House (Well and for the stories about himself). And George understood; that was why he would return. Not because it was the right thing to do, not because his family would miss him, not even because staying in Neverland would feel like running away from his problems. But because he knew he had the choice and acceptance to make that choice.

He nodded "Thank-you Peter."

And Peter shot his cheeky, in less than moment; he was back to being his cocky self.

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They arrived at the house in the middle of the night, but it wasn't silent. It sounded like there was an argument going on inside the house. In fact there was an argument going on. The cousins were a bit taken aback to see that all their parents had returned early to see their children … only to discover that their children were missing.

To George's surprise Aunt Jane and Uncle Cyrus were yelling at each other. Cyrus who was a quiet professor and never raised his voice towards anyone. Uncle Taran was standing in front of Granny Wendy, as if protecting her. George saw that it seemed to be from his own Dad, James Darling and other man who never yelled – and especially had never done so to his Aunt Wendy. Aunt Ruth seemed to be screaming at everyone, and George's Mum sobbed in a corner.

George looked closer, and actually; Aunt Ruth was also crying, he thought she couldn't do that. All the adults looked stressed and with a glance to the other cousins, George came to understand; it was because the adults must have been worried about them, about their children.

They heard Aunt Ruth scream "FLYING BOYS DON'T EXIST!" but before anything could be said, the room was interrupted by a loud crowing. There, floating above their heads, making the most dramatic entrance only he could, was Peter Pan.

The children, hanging outside the window had to laugh at the stunned look on the faces of the adults. The only adult not shocked was Wendy, who instead looked full of joy and relief. Peter finished his crowing, for good effect he flew around the room before landing in front of Wendy.

There he bowed low and said, quite grandly "Wendy-Lady, I am sorry for being late, but I have kept my promise and returned the children safe and sound."

Angela broke the stillness that had been caused. She flew into Taran's arms yelling "Daddy!" excitedly. Margaret and Jane joined the family hug, and Taran was strong enough to admit he cried a little at having his girls back. He trusted his wife when she said they were safe, but it was good to have it confirmed.

To the embarrassment of their children, both Cyrus and Ruth broke down crying when Mitchell and Eliza stepped forward. George stepped into the room and saw his Mum murmur questioningly "George?" George nodded and was enveloped in a hug of warmth and soft tears.

Later there would explanations, stories told, difficult discussions to get through ("Oh George … Couldn't you be a boy with long hair?" "Sorry Mum."). Later there would be questions, and complications, and different kind of adventures. But for now, George just enjoyed the comfort of returning home.

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End of Chapter Twenty-Two.

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Author's Note:

Here this chapter ends.

This chapter had, I think, some of my favourite thoughts about Peter Pan. The 'arguments' in (about) the story are ones I've had with myself, that I've seen other have, that exist. And they are fascinating, but the truth is; they also don't matter to the actual story. There's something heat-breakingly beautiful about that, I think.

Hope you're all staying safe in Lockdown. Take care of yourselves.

I thank you all for your patience.

Date - Monday 6th April 2020