Regina couldn't resist letting out of breath of relief when she slammed the door shut behind Killian and Neal's retreating backs. They were being a pain in the ass. They were acting like a couple of toddlers in the playground fighting over a toy, fighting over who saw it first. Honestly, they could act so immature. Henry acted more mature that they both do and he actually lost someone in his life, someone who chose something over him. Henry took it as an adult when Pan chose to keep his powers than to be with him. But then again, it was Pan's life on the line. Regina didn't approve of Pan for their son but Pan was Henry's love and she wouldn't wish him to lose that person like she did with Daniel. Neverland changed them all, Henry the most. He wasn't as cheery or as enthusiastic as he used to be with anything, especially magic. He was like a sullen Rumplestiltskin who says that'Magic always comes with a price' when Regina or anyone who had magical abilities to try and do magic around him. It seemed like he hated magic for some time, thank goodness that it was only just a phase.
Henry was angry then. She understood that. He lost someone but hating everyone didn't turn out so great for her and she didn't want her son to have the same fate as her. She terrorised everyone who tried to help her. It got to a point where everything was almost too late. She was happy for the second chance, even though there were still people who saw her as the evil queen but at least people who mattered didn't see her only as the evil queen. "He made friends." Someone said, breaking Regina out of her musings. Regina turned around to face Emma, who was looking at the contents of her wineglass. She didn't seem happy that Henry made friends though. "He met Bran Stark and Jojen Reed at Dartmouth." Emma told her. She looked up from her glass and regarded Regina for a moment. "They immediately hit it off, it's like they were friends for years." Emma told her.
Regina's eyebrow arched and Emma shrugged. "Aren't we supposed to be glad that he made a friend? Or friends?"
"Do you even know who Bran Stark and Jojen Reed are?" Emma asked her. Regina looked at her; Emma could only guess the words unspoken by it. "Game of Thrones? A Song of Ice and Fire World? One of the greatest Fantasy Series since Lord of the Rings?" Emma sprouted on. Regina wasn't familiar with any of the things that Emma said. "They came from a world, a world in the Enchanted Forest."
"You're kidding." Regina frowned at her. "You said Dartmouth." Regina's eyebrows furrowed. "How is that even possible? I thought anyone who crosses the border will forget who they are? Well, except you and Henry of course and apparently Neal too." Regina walked over to her, waiting for an answer. It wasn't much a problem, Emma didn't have a problem with that detail, Regina could tell that something else was bothering her. "What else are you not telling me? You're not upset that our son made a friend… you're upset because?"
Emma looked at up from her glass, sighing. "Two years. Two years and I know Henry still hasn't moved past Pan." Emma told her. She looked back at the glass; she started stirring the liquid inside by turning the glass in her hand slighty. "Two years and I know that that little demon still has a hold on Henry's heart." Regina didn't quite follow. "I know it's a pure coincidence but I honestly wouldn't put it past Pan to put a double of his to torment Henry here in our world." Well, not honestly. From what they saw in the island, if it were them, then Pan would do it just for the hell of it. But Henry? Pan wouldn't torment Henry, not like that.
"I'm sorry but I wasn't exactly there to follow your line of though." Regina told her.
Emma sighed again. "Jojen Reed."
"What about him?" Regina asked.
"Jojen Reed looks like the long lost brother of Peter Pan." Emma told her.
Peter was inside his treehouse, looking at the first sword that Henry created when he was at the island. Unlike the other weapons on the island, it wasn't covered in dreamshade. It was deadly on its own, with the blade always sharp and ready to kill. Henry gave it to Peter the night before he and his family left Neverland. Henry also kissed Peter then too. He could remember the tentative press of the younger boy's lips on his. He was caught off guard, barely managing to respond before he was pulled off by Neal. Henry was blushing then. It wasn't the first time they kissed but it was the first time that the younger boy initiated it and they got caught by an adult. He couldn't help the fond smile forming on his lips.
The sword was light, almost in his hands. Peter stared at the sword far more times than he was willing to admit to anyone. Felix often asked him why he couldn't just visit Henry in his dreams, it would be easy for Peter to do so… But Felix didn't understand that if he did, it'll be even more difficult for them because Henry couldn't stay asleep forever and none of it will be real, it'll all be a dream. He heard the door open and he didn't have to look around to know that his best friend was rolling his eyes at him. "I know what you're going to say." Peter said, scowling at the weapon before returning it back to its sheath. "And for the last time, I'm not going to do it." Peter snapped, not waiting for Felix to open his mouth to say the words he's been tired of hearing for the past 2 years. He did it once and he was certain that Henry doesn't even remember it or else he'd have been back in there in his dreams. "What is it?" Peter asked when Felix didn't respond.
"You're being a mopey idiot." Felix said, if it weren't Felix and it was another one of the boys, Peter would have shown what that statement will cost him but the thing is, it's Felix. He's learned over the years to just ignore most of whatever comes out of Felix's mouth rather than tell him off and threaten him to never say those things again. Who was he to boss them around anyway? The good thing about being a lost boy was that they didn't need to listen to anyone, (except Peter, of course) and Peter doubted that Felix knew exactly what was going through Peter's head (except he did). "Isn't it time for you to serenade Henry again?" Felix asked, leaning against the wall of the humble house.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Peter told him. There were two enchanted pipes on the table. One was for luring children to Neverland and one was for Henry. The one for Henry was enchanted to be able to travel across different worlds to reach the said boy's ears. He played it often, and when he felt like he needed to. "Besides if I were to serenade Henry, I don't need you reminding me when to do it." Peter said, pushing himself to stand up. Felix had this infuriating smirk on his face, the one he often wore when Henry was still in Neverland. It made Peter antsy, to be honest. Felix had no business being here, not now anyway. "What are you doing here?"
Felix shrugged and looked at the club in his hand. "There's not much to do around the island, you know that." Felix told him. "Do you think if we find it, we'll be able to go to another world?" Felix asked.
Peter looked back at him, regarding the thin boy for a moment before grabbing Henry-enchanted pipe. "I suppose it's possible." Peter said. "Only one way to find out." Peter shrugged. "You know where to find me." And Peter disappeared before Felix could respond. He rolled his eyes and strolled out of the house to continue looking for what they need.
Peter stayed on top of the tallest tree in Neverland, where he usually was when he played the pipe. He could hear everything going on in the island. Some of the boys were taking a break from looking, Felix telling the others to keep looking and Simon, Devin and Brian betting against one another again. Peter lifted the pipe to his lips and began playing. He closed his eyes and let the little memories that he and Henry had together in the island fill his mind.
They weren't many but it was enough to remind Peter that this wild goose chase will be all worth it just to have a chance to be with Henry again. He did realise how off-character it was but… as the clichéd characters say, people do crazy things for love. It was ridiculous and stupid, Peter knew that but he couldn't help but try. Because it was better than doing nothing at all, it was more cowardly and unPeter Pan like if he just sat and let fate take his true love away. Henry is Peter's true love and he was truly sure about it, more sure than Henry was the saviour of Magic. When his lips touched Henry's that first time, he knew that he could give everything up for this boy. It scared the hell out of him. He was… being one of those stupid Princes and Princesses in the enchanted forest. Pathetic, really. When Henry left, he was disappointed and hurt and a little more lost than he originally was but there was a part of him that was happy. He was happy that Henry didn't ask him to choose because Peter knew it will be him (the sad part was that he didn't have to think about it) and Peter didn't know if he could give it up and not be mad at Henry for making him choose. He didn't want to resent Henry.
The power he had… He didn't want to give it up. He longed to be with the boy but he couldn't. Peter wasn't a power hungry demon but he liked having powers. He liked being able to make people quake with only a mention of his name. He liked his powers. Henry can't change that about him. The idea of being an attempt to be reformed irked Peter as well. Henry was good, he had a true heart while Peter… Well, he had almost a millennium of cruelty and tricks to make up for. Hook said he wasn't prepared to be happy but that wasn't it. He wasm't ready to give up being the most powerful being yet.
He stopped his playing, opening his eyes to look up at sky. Henry was so fond of the stars or well, the night sky. "The second star to the right." Peter wondered if he still looked at them or if the muse left him when he left Neverland. Peter often wondered if Henry still listened to his music or if he was playing for deaf ears. He pulled his leg to his chest and placed his arm over it, looking over the island. He could feel a steady heart beating in his chest, and it was because of Henry.
"When you say long lost brother…" Regina's eyebrow arched because she was sure that Peter Pan didn't have a brother or she hoped that he didn't. If he did, then she hoped that he wasn't as an evil little shit as Pan was.
"I only mean he looks like Pan." Emma clarified. As far as Emma knew, Peter Pan was the spawn of the devil. Jojen Reed seemed like a top lad. But the fact still remained that he looked like Peter Pan. "He seems like a good kid but having someone who looks like Pan might not be too good for our son, not when he's supposed to get out of this town and start a semi-normal life."
"What do you suggest we do?" Regina asked her. "It's not like he's in 1st grade that we can tell him who he can and can't befriend. As you have often pointed out, Swan, our son is all grown up."
"I'm not saying he shouldn't be friends with him." Emma shrugged. "But I'm worried, what if Henry goes back to the way he was when we came back?" Emma asked worriedly. "He's been doing so well."
Regina looked back at her and nodded. "I know you're worried but he's our son. He can handle someone looking like Pan." Regina told her, sounding soothing. Emma was a bit surprised but Regina seemed sincere in her attempt in making Emma feel better and she nodded.
"So how was the campus tour?" Regina asked when they were all gathered around the dining table. Henry was leaning on the table while picking on his food. He had the strangest dream. Peter was there but it was impossible, wasn't it? Henry opened his mouth to respond but closed it when his mind drifted back to the immortal teenager residing in Neverland instead of an answer for his mother. He could hear music suddenly and he cursed Peter for choosing now to play his stupid pipe. He forgot where he is, concentrating on blocking out the music from his head. "Henry?" He heard a distant voice call. "Henry!" Henry jumped and found both of his moms looking at him worriedly. He cleared his throat and it seemed to bring them out of their looks of worry too. "Are you okay?"
Henry nodded. "Sorry, spaced out." Henry told them, he aligned his utensils on the plate. "I'm fine." Henry answered.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Regina said slowly, putting her spoon down. "But that's not what I asked." She shot a look at Emma before lacing her fingers together. "I was asking about the campus tour."
"Oh right." Henry snapped his fingers and rubbed the back of his neck. "It was fine, fun. I made new friends. Jojen and Bran. Jojen is already a student there, Bran's in the same year as me and of course you already know that they're from here." Henry smirked, rolling his eyes fondly at his mother. Emma and Regina shared amused looks before looking at Henry. "I don't know why you still ask me when Mom already tells you what happened."
"Of course your mom can only see so much." Regina said, picking up her fork. "So, what happened?"
"They asked me to join them, Bran did and Jojen went along with it." Henry started, recalling everything that happened. "We talked about their life here and in the Enchanted Forest. They have their direwolves here too!" Henry said, grinning. "Jojen drove them both out there and Bran's been Jojen's audience for almost the whole tour."
"They seem pretty close when we saw them." Emma pipped in the conversation.
"Jojen and Bran are together, I mean they're dating." Henry told them, like it was a normal thing because it was. They didn't have them much of a problem when they found out that Henry was gay; they did have a problem with the guy he liked. "They've been together for 3 years and they're pretty much like Snow and Charming, true love or soulmates." Henry said, continuing his meal. There was a painful tug on his heart when he said it. He ignored as he always had. "Anyway, Bran's asking me if I could meet him at Granny's tomorrow. Told him I'd go, I mean if that's cool with you guys."
"Tell us, will this Jojen Reed be joining you tomorrow?" Regina asked.
Henry looked at Emma and then at Regina and sighed. He grabbed his napkin and wiped his mouth before answering the question. "I know you guys are worried about me because Jojen Reed looks like Pan but I'm fine. He's nothing like him." Henry said, looking at them. "I didn't even remember who he looked like until about an hour together." He lied, and he knew that Regina and Emma didn't believe him for even a second but commendable effort. "But no, he won't be joining us. I told you, he's already a student there."
Regina looked at Henry before nodding. The rest of the dinner was peaceful and quite fun. Emma and Regina began talking about a plan if Henry did decide to go to Dartmouth. Regina wasn't completely sold on the idea because Regina didn't want to be 5 hours away from Henry while Emma… Well, she wanted a good future for Henry in fairy tale land and in the real world.
Henry entered Granny's dinner and the usual patrons greeted him with a smile. Ruby and Granny waived at him as he walked over to his usual booth. He slipped in and he immediately buried his head in his arms. He couldn't sleep last night, every time he did, he fell in the burning room. The only thing consolation he had was he didn't get burned while inside it. "Rough night, bud?" He heard Ruby ask. "The usual?" Henry managed to give her a thumbs up before he tried to go back to sleep. The nightmare didn't come as often as they did before Neverland, they still came though. It usually happened when Henry's defences were down like last night. A few minutes later, Ruby was shaking him awake, placing the plate in front of him. "Want a coffee to go with that?" Ruby asked.
Henry yawned and shook his head. "I'm fine, thanks." He waved her off, grabbing his phone from his pocket and placing it next to the plate. There was an unread message from Bran.
Sorry! I'll be a… few minutes late! –Brandon Stark
He looked at his plate and began picking at his fries. "You've been staring at your plate for almost half an hour." Ruby said, sitting in front of him. "You okay?" The phone's screen lit up with a message.
Sorry! Be there in 10 minutes. –Brandon Stark
No worries. Take your time.:) –Henry Mills
"Yeah, I'm just waiting for someone." Henry told her.
"A date?" Ruby grinned at him. Why is everyone so interested in his love life these days? They didn't seem to take interest in it before.
Henry's eyes widened and shook his head. "What? No!" He answered. "Just a friend."
"And where did you meet this friend?" Ruby asked. Henry could see the list forming in her mind, trying to list all of the teenage male characters in the fairy tales, trying to think of who Henry was meeting. It wasn't a long list. "He's from Storybrooke, right?"
"Yes, but I don't think you know him, not personally anyway." Henry answered; Ruby gave him a look but nodded her head. "Really, I'm fine." Ruby smiled and ruffled his hair before going to other tables to entertain their other customers. Henry faintly heard the bell chiming as another customer entered the diner. His phone rang quietly, an incoming call from an unknown number. His brows furrowed, picking up his phone and answering it. "Hello?" He said when the person on the other line didn't talk.
"Ah." He heard someone say. "I'm guessing you're Henry?" The same voice, a girl apparently, asked. She suddenly slipped inside his booth, grabbing the menu from his grasp. "It's my first time here, what do you recommend?" The girl asked. She had long brown hair, she wasn't a girl boys would normally find attractive but she was attractive. She had a unique set of features. She looked like she was the type of girl that adventurous lads would have a lot of fun with outdoors doing outdoorsy stuff like trekking, mountain climbing and such. "Are you suddenly a mute or something?" The girl asked, snapping her fingers in front of Henry's eyes. He didn't realise he was spacing out again. "Well?" Henry's brows furrowed trying to think of something to recommend. He was about to say the Lasagne was a must try but she began tapping her fingers on the table. The girl was impatient, obviously. Henry just continued to stare at her, not being able to stop because he didn't exactly know her to act so familiar with him. "Oh whatever, let's see. Bran said you said something about the Hot Cocoa or Milkshakes here." She called the attention of Ruby. A few moments later, Ruby arrived, a pen and paper in hand. "Are your milkshakes any good here?" The girl asked, her tone wasn't exactly rude but it was close to it. "Let's see… I'll have a Vanilla Milkshake."
The girl mentioned Bran's name. Henry then recognised the brash attitude and features. In front of him was Arya Stark. The fourth child of the Nedd Stark. "You're Arya Stark." Henry stated. He thought the girl would be around Jojen's age. He figured that she was in college too.
"You're a fan of that book then?" The girl asked, her nose scrunching up. "In my opinion, they should have made Sansa more of a pain in the arse and whinier." Arya Stark said as a matter-of-factly. She leaned closer, placing her arms on the table. Her eyes narrowed as if inspecting him. "So, you're Henry Mills, the saviour of Magic." She smirked. It almost sounded mocking or well, Henry didn't know. She leaned back on her seat, still regarding him carefully. "Jojen and My brother wouldn't shut up about you. It almost drove me mad." She told him. She wasn't unpleasant, intimidating? Yeah. "So besides being the saviour, who are you?"
"Not to be rude or anything… But I thought I was meeting Bran?" Henry asked, looking around the diner for the crippled boy.
Arya didn't seem offended. "You are. I only came with him so Jon would let him go." Arya informed him. "He's still in the car with Osha and Hodor… which reminds me." She pulled out her phone and began tapping away on it. Minutes later, Bran came in with a tall woman and a largely built man. Bran said something to them before he wheeled himself towards Henry and Arya's table. The pair waited for Bran to arrive at the table before turning and leaving the diner without another word. "So, this is the saviour you wouldn't shut up about?" Arya asked.
"Don't be rude." Bran frowned at her. "Hello Henry." He slowly got up and slipped in, Henry only noticing the hands that were waiting for Bran to fall when Arya placed them back on the table. Bran didn't look pleased with that, rolling his eyes at his sister. "I'm sorry I'm late. Arya got let out late by her professor." He said, taking the menu from Arya. "My brother insisted that I not go here alone. It's ridiculous, if I'm being honest." He sighed, looking up from the menu. They called for Ruby again and Bran ordered a burger and a coke for himself.
Henry smiled, and nodded. "No worries." Henry told them. "My moms have their moments too." The only reason why they'd let him go out freely in Storybrooke was because they knew everyone there and no one would dare hurt him anyway.
Bran smiled pleasantly. "So this is Granny's." Bran said, looking around. "It's as quiant as I imagined." Arya snorted and looked at her phone. "Don't be rude." Bran scolded. She looked at him, her eyebrow arched and it reminded Henry of Peter Pan. He remembered how he used to tease the older boy about how his eyebrows moved with his lips when he talked.
Their meal continued until around 7. It was meant to go on longer but Jon kept calling Arya asking where they were and what time they will come home. Arya dodged the calls until her inbox got flooded with her whole name in every message. "Ugh, I hate to cut it short but Jon's being a pain in the arse." Arya muttered under her breath. She answered the call this time. "Yeah, yeah, we're going home." Arya said, rolling her eyes. "It's only 7, drama queen."
Henry could hear the loud response from the other end. Bran was looking at her fondly, rolling her eyes ever so often too. "Can we do this again?" Bran asked, catching Henry's eye. "Not here, somewhere else. Somewhere near mine next time."
Henry nodded, not needing to think about it. "Yeah, I'd love to."
Arya got off the phone and helped Bran transfer to the wheelchair. Henry paid the tab and saw them out. Bran told Arya to get in the car first and he'll just follow. "I know I already asked…"
"I'd look forward to it, really." Henry told him, not letting him finish his question. "Just tell me when and where."