( 003. ) Growing Pains

Felix is gifted with an eighteenth birthday, meaning he is no longer a (Lost) boy, but a man. And that makes Peter furious. This is something not even Belle might not be able to get the former boy king to understand: growing up.


How in any of the realms they'd managed to calculate something as strange and insignificant as birthdays for all of the Lost Boys was beyond Peter; but that didn't matter. None of that really mattered to him anyways, since he was immortal, and since all the Boys except for Felix had left Storybrooke and had their memories erased anyway. They were traitors, the lot of them. And he could care less.

As for Felix, however… Peter couldn't deny that his top Lost Boy was his best friend, his closest ally. Felix had stayed in Storybrooke when everyone else had left, and he continued to remain loyal even when everyone urged him to leave the troublemaking Pan behind him and move on with his life. This also meant that when David – or Prince Charming, as some still called him – randomly picked a day and decided that April 15th was Felix's birthday, the entire town decided to celebrate a bit. Apparently, Felix was quiet and polite and pleasant to be around, so all the citizens of this stupid town adopted him like they would adopt a homeless puppy.

Peter, however… Peter Pan was the theoretically abusive owner of said puppy that everyone saw as Satan himself and avoided like the plague.

Belle, at least, seemed rather comfortable around him; which was why it was to her that he went to with this entire birthday nonsense. "It's a stupid idea," he lamented as he sat cross-legged on the breakfast island, watching Belle prepare a small dinner. "Who wants to be reminded of how old they're getting each year? It's like their practically counting down to the day of their deaths."

Belle shook her head in his direction, half exasperated, half amused. "First off, get off the counter," she chastised. "Secondly, to answer your question, not all of us are immortal you know. Birthdays are important, and I think you should be happy Felix gets to finally celebrate his. Turning eighteen really is a milestone, you know."

"Maybe in this pathetic realm," Peter spat venomously as he slid off the counter and landed on one of the small bar stools. "Felix doesn't need a birthday. We did just fine without them in Neverland."

"But you're not in Neverland anymore," she said slowly, watching how the teen just barely winced at the reminder. "I'm sorry, but it's true. You need to learn how this world works; and in this world, we have birthdays, and birthday parties, and Christmas…"

"What in bloody hell is Christmas?"

She couldn't help but smile at his bewildered expression. "Nothing. Something to discuss at a later date."

"What is?" Gold's voice cut in as he entered the living area in the back of his pawn shop, glancing firstly at Belle and then noticing Peter was back on the island. "Peter, get down from there."

"You know, I wouldn't have to use any of your precious furniture if I could fly again…"

"You're not getting your magic back," Gold said dryly as he sat down at the table next to Belle.

Peter scowled, but got off the counter; instead, he sat down on the stool and propped both of his boot-clad feet onto the marble top, smirking when Gold shot him a withering look. To his credit, the man didn't bother arguing the teen's behavior this time, but simply returned his attention to his fiancée. Peter watched them chat easily for a few moments before rolling his eyes in disgust/boredom and making his way up the stairs towards his attic bedroom, shouting quickly that he wasn't hungry at the moment before shutting (slamming) the door behind him. The one window he had opened easily, and even without magic, he managed to smoothly descend to street level; from there, it was only a matter of minutes before he entered the motel section of Granny's diner.

His fists pounded against Felix's door relentlessly until the tall, blonde boy finally opened it, face frozen in a befuddled expression. "Peter? What are you…?"

Peter didn't give him a chance to finish, because as soon as the door opened Peter shoved Felix back into the room and followed him, slamming the door shut behind him. "I don't want you mixed up in any of this birthday business tomorrow," he said as soon as Felix focused on him. "It's a sort of cultish ritual, and no Lost Boy should be involved in religious mysteries and whatnot."

Felix went from looking bewildered to amused. "I don't think it's religious, Peter," he said quietly, giving a small smile as the younger boy rolled his eyes. "It's really not a big deal."

"Then why are you doing it?"

A shrug. "Maybe participating in what the town wants will make them hate us less; like a way to make up for trying to turn Henry into a Lost Boy."

"And what if I want them to hate us?" Peter challenged, leaning against the now-closed door. "We don't belong here, Felix. They dragged us here. They took my magic, they sent away our boys… how can you even think about participating in any of their sick customs?" When he didn't get an answer, he frowned, eyes narrowing. "Of course, you're only doing this because you think it'll impress Ruby or something."

Immediately, Felix's cheeks flushed even as he scowled. "Don't be silly." Even though he was clearly irritated now, his voice remained as even and smooth as ever.

Peter considered teasing the older boy more, but at the moment, he wasn't motivated. Felix's subtle interest in Red Riding Hood was something Peter had never understood; sure, there'd been Wendy back in Neverland, but that was more for studying a female human and having someone to talk to that wasn't a Lost Boy. There hadn't been any… whatever it was that so many of these exasperating townspeople seemed to have. What Felix now seemed to have. Affection, or caring, or whatever silly emotion it was. It was annoying, it was pointless, and most of all, it was aggravating, and suddenly, Peter couldn't stand looking at his friend any longer. With a sudden growl that obviously caught Felix off guard, Pan threw open the door and stormed out, slamming it behind him and cursing beneath his breath.


Despite how they had all grumbled about loathing the gang from Neverland that had been brought back to the modern-day world, nearly all of Storybrooke ended up in Granny's diner after that irritating Charming couple announced that there'd be a tiny little party for Felix's eighteenth birthday. Why they all pretending to be interested and happy for the Lost Boy was beyond Peter's understanding, and while Felix smiled at Ruby and smiled silently at anyone who passed him, Pan remained in the back corner of the diner, scowling.

Belle noticed his sullen position and wandered over to him, offering a tight smile as she placed a piece of cake in front of him. "I noticed you didn't get any," she remarked, trying to stay light and cheerful under Peter's burning glare. "I don't know if you've ever tried chocolate cake; it's really good, and Felix seems to like it…"

"I don't give a damn what Felix likes," he interrupted sharply, ignoring her surprised stare as he grit his teeth. "Just go away and enjoy your stupid cult party."

She raised a thin eyebrow at the words 'cult party', but didn't comment on it. Instead, she sat down on the booth across from Peter and gave him such a strong look of sympathy and understanding that he was thoroughly repelled. Somewhat. "I know you think this is all nonsense," she said. "And maybe having a party really is, I wouldn't know. All I'm saying is that it's okay to indulge a bit in all this birthday stuff. Think of it as a game; you like games."

Peter just glowered at her until she sighed and walked away.

"…and you can learn how to drive on your own now," he heard Emma telling Felix a few feet away. "Granny just signed off that room your living in as your own now, and as long as you keep working at the diner to pay it off, it's all yours. Your own place, and you've only been here around two weeks… I'm kinda impressed, kid."

"Trust me, Felix, you can do all kinds of cool stuff," Henry added as he stuffed ice cream into his mouth. "I mean, you can eat all the candy you want without someone..." He cast a glance at Emma and Regina. "…telling you to stop being a pig and then sending you to your room."

One of the worst parts about the entire conversation was that Felix was actually smiling at their stupid talk; but, Peter noticed with venom, the worst part was when Snow White (or Mary Margaret, or whatever they called her) walked over and put a friendly hand on Felix's shoulder while she grinned at him. "Congratulations," she said in her usual merry voice. "You're officially an adult now."

That was when he snapped. Ignoring the fact that Felix continued to smile upon the statement, Peter charged over, shoving people out of the way roughly and nearly knocking Margaret to the floor as he grabbed Felix's sleeve and pulled his former-lieutenant out of the little group of Storybrooke pests. He shoved the taller boy behind him and then proceeded to death-glare everyone who dared to look in his direction. "Felix doesn't need all of your stupid, pathetic, worthless attention," he spat. "And he certainly doesn't need to be called an adult. This is all irrational, and it ends now."

"And dancing around a bonfire whistling into a set of bamboo tubes isn't pointless?" Emma quipped, frowning. Ugh, how he hated that woman.

"You can all keep your birthdays and your parties and your meaningless words to yourself," he continued hotly. "It's not like any of you give a damn anyway." Then, he wheeled around and faced Felix. "I'm forbidding you from acknowledging this ridiculous festivity ever again," he said, pushing past the boy and marching straight from the door. "Come on – we're leaving here."

It wasn't until he was halfway outside of the diner that he noticed Felix wasn't following.

"Felix." His tone had lost some of his confidence, and while he did well at keeping his face stone cold, he knew he couldn't hide all of his confusion from flickering in his eyes as he stared down the blonde teen still standing near Emma and Margaret and Henry. He was going to add a command to his call, but then stopped himself. His calling Felix's name should be enough. He waited impatiently for the teen to move, to take a step forward, to prove he wasn't a traitor like the rest of the Lost Boys that had left Storybrooke. His eyes narrowed when Felix, instead of coming immediately, looked to Emma and the others before looking back at him, uncertain. That was unacceptable. It hurt a bit too, but he wasn't about to reveal that now, was he? "Felix," he repeated in a growl. "Come."

"He's not your Lost Boy anymore, Pan," the Savior spoke up, which infuriated him to no end. "You don't get to command him or control him anymore. He can do whatever he wants."

He can stay with us and leave you completely alone; just like you were before Neverland. That's what he heard her say between the lines, and that became the straw that broke the camel's back. He waited just a second longer, giving Felix the chance to say no to Swan's absurd theories and to come back to Peter's side. Where he belonged.

But Felix still didn't move, didn't make any sign of moving in the near future; and accepting that as his final answer, Peter glared at them all one more time before storming out of the diner, letting the door shut so hard that the glass cracked in the frame.


Belle found him shoving clothes into a backpack he'd been given by some kind civilian a few days before. She didn't know why he bothered to pack; he only ever wore a black t-shirt, his old green and brown vest, a pair of dark jeans, and his own boots, never wearing anything different. Still, she supposed he was just acting on instinct now, and she stayed in the doorway silently, watching Peter trash his room until the boy made ready to jump out the window. It was only then that she cleared her throat and stepped inside, making the teen turn around with a scowl to face her. "Go away," he snapped. He was already halfway on the windowsill.

She looked at him quietly for a moment, arms folded across her chest, before she sighed. "Where were you planning to go?" she asked. "You can't leave the town because of Rumple's spell, remember?"

Yes, he knew very well of the curse that imprisoned him in this rubbish pile of a town, and the look he sent Belle told her just that. Really, he had no idea what he was doing grabbing a bag and escaping through the window; he just had to get away. Away from the others and their silly notions and Felix. It was almost as if the older boy wanted to grow up, wanted to be an adult and leave behind his time as a Lost Boy and Pan's right-hand. It was stupid, and he couldn't understand it. Adults couldn't be trusted. Adults caused pain. Adults were corrupt, and spoilt, and to wish to be one was like wishes to be turned into a toad by an evil witch.

Aaand… he hadn't realized he muttered any of that out loud until he noticed the near sad look Belle had adopted. "Well," she said quietly, chewing on her lip as she played with the hem of her blue dress. "I'm an adult. Do you think I'm corrupt and spoiled?"

Do you think you can't trust me?

Honestly, Belle was the one person in this entire town that he could stand, that he could tolerate, and that he somewhat enjoyed being around… so he'd put himself into a corner, and sealed his mouth shut not wanting to have to answer. He considered simply jumping out the window now, since she couldn't really stop him… but, as she'd reminded him, there was nowhere for him to run. Nowhere.

"Not all adults are bad, you know," she added in a near whisper, looking right at him, through him. "I don't know why you think that, but it's true. I'm not bad. Felix is an adult now, and he's not bad, no matter how much you think he's betrayed you. And Mary Margaret and David and most of the others… they're not bad. They make mistakes too, just like everyone; but they're not bad."

He didn't want to hear this, didn't want her messing up the logic he'd used all his life. But already his anger was dissipating much faster than he was used to, and even though he tried to cling to it, it had transformed into mist and was simply vanishing into thin air.

"I know you think that Felix growing up is treachery," she went on, noticing how her words seemed to make some sort of difference, one of them being that he was now standing before the window instead of halfway out it. "But he can't control it; just like you really can't control him." He tensed at that, hands curling into fists, and she sighed quietly. "He's your friend, Peter," she whispered, because it was obvious that that was exactly what Felix was. Not a poor little boy that Pan wanted to play with like the others Lost children had been. Peter genuinely had some sort of bond with Felix, and she began to suspect that Pan being possessive was Pan making sure those he somewhat cared for wouldn't just up and leave. "He's not your pet."

He wasn't looking at her, was glaring at the ground; when he told her to "Go away," once more in a low, miserable tone, she didn't object. She'd said what she could – because how much can you explain growing up to a boy eternally immortal? – and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Peter threw the backpack across the room before collapsing onto the hammock he had instead of a bed, staying there unmoving and still slightly scowling for the hour that passed before a soft knock was heard on his door. He didn't answer, and the knocking continued before it was obvious whoever was out there wasn't leaving. "Enter," he called out, irritated, and didn't bother to look up as he heard the door open and near silent footsteps creep towards him.

Only one person could ever manage to walk this quietly, and Peter tried not to roll his eyes as the visitor stood just out of his view. "Felix."

Felix didn't say anything, but just sat down on the hammock next to Peter. It was a familiar action, done repeated times back on Neverland, and as much as Pan wanted to tell the young man to leave, he couldn't bring himself to do so. So they both just sat there was several long minutes before Felix stood up and fingered one of the two pillows that lay on the hammock. "Wanna play a game?" he suggested quietly.

Peter Pan loved games; but right now, he was too stubborn to admit the idea intrigued him, so he flipped over and stared at the wall. "No."

It was such a pitiable lie that even Peter winced at how unconvincing he sounded.

When a heavy, yet soft, force pounded against his back a second later, he jumped to his feet, eyes wide, and spun around to find Felix standing there with a pillow clutched in his hands, a tiny smirk crossing the blonde's lips as he gave him a challenging look.

If it had been anger or teasing in Felix's eyes, Peter could've resisted and forced Felix to leave; but it was a challenge, and Peter Pan never failed; meaning Peter Pan never turned down a challenge to begin with. It wasn't long before both boys were messing up the hammock with their pathetic weapons, hitting each other repeatedly for a half hour before finally both fell onto the netting-made-bed, panting.

They lay there in a comfortable silence before Felix finally spoke up. "I'm not going anywhere, you know."

Not like the others did. Peter pursed his lips, furrowing his brow as he stared at the ceiling, wondering if he believed Felix's words or not. Because he wanted to; but adults never told the whole truth, did they? Felix had never lied to him before, though, and would a single year added to his partner's age really make any difference?

It was nearly five minutes later when the answer came, quiet but firm.

"I know."