Hook did not visit them again that night, for which Peter was grateful. Wendy slept until Smee entered with a tray of food for them both. He said naught a word as he lay the tray down and exited the cabin quickly. Peter gently shook Wendy awake, thinking she needed sustenance. He made sure she ate first before helping himself to a piece of bread. They ate in silence until Peter asked the question that had been burning inside him for so long.
"Have you ever done any of that with anyone, Wendy?" Her face went red and he instantly felt ashamed.
"No, Peter. That was the first time...I've never done anything like that before. I haven't met anyone that I wanted to share it with yet."
"What about that James fellow? Would you let him do that to you?" Wendy blushed even more but she leaned forward and cupped his cheek.
"You are the one I want to be with, Peter. Always and forever. Whatever happens to us, know that I will always love you." Peter swallowed at her words. She had said the L word. When she had mentioned it four years ago, he had flown into a rage and denied he felt anything. But the truth was that he had feelings for Wendy, feelings that had grown over the years and he was sure what he felt for her now was love. He just didn't want to vocalize it, for fear of breaking her heart. Peter wasn't stupid; he knew Hook would not let them go. In fact, he was sure his life would be ended upon the Jolly Roger in the near future and his only hope was to get Wendy away from Neverland before it happened. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her and how much he wanted a life with her but he couldn't find the words. He had never said the L word to anyone… he didn't know if he even could despite his wanting to. Wendy watched him as she ate, thoughts racing through his mind.
"Why did you come to my window but never speak to me?" Peter bit his lip and stared at the floor.
"At first I came to hear the stories again. But then I found that I just wanted to hear your voice…to see your face. But you were growing up and I decided if I stayed far away, you might not be hurt again. I don't mean physical harm…heartache. I've heard your mother ask you if you found someone to give your hidden kiss to and you said no. So I thought you might have forgotten me. I think about you every day, Wendy, it drives me mad. I know that each time I leave Neverland, I grow up a little bit but I can't help it. The mermaids said if I don't stop, I'll become a man and never be able to return but I don't believe that will happen. But I wondered, if I become a man…would I be able to I call you mine?" He looked up at her shyly and waited for an answer with baited breath.
"Peter…I think of you often too. But I tried to force myself to move on because I was sure you had forgotten me. But look at yourself. You are quickly becoming a man, no matter how hard you try to deny it, it's happening. Maybe it's happening because you're finally starting to feel something…for someone. I don't know." She watched him in trepidation, afraid he might fly into a fit and deny he felt anything for her but he remained silent.
"And I have always thought of you as mine so I don't mind in the slightest if you call me yours." Peter's face broke into a smile and he swooped down on her for a kiss.
"And by the way," she said, giving him a smile, "this is called a kiss. I lied to you years ago when I told you it was a thimble. I'm sure you know that by now though. You are the only one with my hidden kiss."
"So is this a kiss too?" He fumbled with a chain he wore around his neck and Wendy noticed it for the first time. It was the thimble Wendy had given him the first time they met. Seeing it brought tears of joy to her eyes and she loved him even more.
"You kept this? All this time?"
"You kept mine. So what's it called?"
"A thimble," she replied.
"I think I like kiss better. I wear your kiss wherever I go." Wendy smiled lovingly.
"I'd like to think I have Peter Pan's kiss around my neck at all times." He grinned again and pulled her in for another kiss. He longed to caress her body against his but he did not want to push or pressure her in any way and so he was content to be kissing her for now. Wendy broke their kiss and lay down on the floor, pulling him down with her. He wrapped his arms around her and she nestled into his embrace. Kissing her cheek softly, he closed his eyes and fell fast asleep by her side.