Believer || OUAT Peter Pan x OC

Chapter 10; My Lost Girl

(A/N - This chapter took a little more time for it all to tie in and give u all what u want too 😂 enjoy!)

Henry and Elena both shared the same strong feeling of anger and confusion. After speaking to Wendy and hearing about her illness, they found themselves to be almost completely lost in the situation, and the only difference between their thoughts was that Henry was convinced that Neverland was, indeed, dying, and Elena believed that Wendy's story didn't add up at all, and since Pan never mentioned anything about her, she assumed it was most likely because of him not wanting Elena to know. So much for trust.

It was starting to get dark as the pair made their way back to the camp, walking in silence as they silently pondered - but that silence was soon interrupted.

"Why so glum, chum?"

Elena held back a scoff at the phrasing, tensing at Pan's voice as she and Henry looked over their shoulders to see him, sitting down leaning on a tree at an area they had passed just moments ago.

"You said you weren't keeping any secrets," Henry started, as Peter got up and approached them, Elena refusing to look at him, "but you lied. We found Wendy."

"Henry, I can explain-"

"She's dying, isn't she?" Henry questioned, and Pan nodded.

"I'm afraid she is. Like much of the island. Because the magic here is slipping away. I would've told you, but, I didn't want you to have that weight on your shoulders. Knowing that a young girl's life depends on you."

Elena rolled her eyes at that, finding her voice. "She's the same age as you, for god's sake! This is absolutely ridiculous - how can she even be dying because Neverland's magic is dying when she isn't even from Neverland?! I never should have trusted you in the first place." And with that, she stormed off into the jungle, leaving Henry and Peter Pan watching after her.

Nothing made sense, and she hated not knowing. Henry was gullible because of his good-nature and want to do the right thing, but she, on the other hand, was overly cautious, which usually came as an advantage. Peter Pan was simply a pretty enigma to her, and it was frustrating. After a while, she went to sit down near a large cliff that overlooked the seas that surrounded the island, the night falling upon the land. She sat there for a long time, in silence, just watching the rolling waves and pushing away her thoughts filled with confusion.

"Nightfall in Neverland used to be the most magical time," Pan said, making Elena jump slightly as he approached her from behind. "Pixie flowers grow at the highest of the branches, where they're closest to the stars. They bloom at night and soak in the starlight, which is how the pixie dust within them gets its magic. But that's all too rare now."

"Really? I don't get that," Elena spoke up, not looking away from the glimmering ocean as Peter sat down beside her, "if magic's really dying as you say, why is there a girl faking death because of Neverland's magic shortage when she isn't from Neverland?"

"You're right. She isn't," Pan answered, "and she was never supposed to be here. The Shadow took her by mistake."

Elena frowned then, glancing at him. "The Shadow?"

"Yes. It collects children who feel lost and alone and brings them back to Neverland. I suppose Wendy interfered and went instead of one of her brothers. But while trying to get her back home, she cut herself with Dreamshade - a nasty poison - and had to be saved by the waters of the Spring of Neverland. Which, of course-"

"Runs on Neverland's magic," Elena finished, nodding. "Right. So, it's water that can cure anything?"

"That it is," Pan agreed. "But when the magic started dying here, the water's powers did too. Hence her current state."

Elena sighed lightly, biting her lip as she listened. "That does make sense," she mumbled. "I just... I can't help feeling like something doesn't make sense. Emma and the others weren't exactly singing your praises when we were on our way here."

"Well, why would they? What with my methods of getting Henry here - they don't know that it's all for the restoration of this land. If they did, I'm sure their outlook would be different, Elena."

Elena thought his words over, still unsure.

"I want to trust you..." Her words trailed off helplessly, but as she spoke, Pan shifted in his seat so that he was positioned behind her, and in one smooth movement he wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her back a little in his embrace. Her eyes widened a fraction and her breath caught in her throat at the action, shivers threatening to run down her spine as she felt warmth spread throughout her body.

"You know," Pan started, his voice soft and calm, "you say my name in your sleep."

Elena's eyes widened further, and she glanced in his direction as he played with her hair subtly. "I- I do?"

"Mhm. You know I won't hurt you..."

Elena forced herself out of the breathless trance, speaking up again hesitantly. "Yeah, but- but Wendy-"

"Doesn't mean anything," Peter told her confidently. "She isn't lost, she never was. She's too... weak. She doesn't belong here. But you're none of those things."

Elena smiled slightly, glancing past her shoulder again to him. "So.. what's your plan for all this?"

"There's another small island here," Pan told her, his deep green eyes flicking to the sea, "Skull Rock. Inside is where our salvation awaits. That's where he can save the island. And you can be there to witness it."

"Yeah..." Elena turned around then, meeting his gaze. "But... why do you need me for it?"

Pan gave her a soft smirk then, raising a brow. "I don't need you. But I want you."

Elena stalled as his words dawned upon her, completely at a loss for words.

"And when Henry's done saving the island," he continued, "I promise, I can show you just how special you really are. Because you are extraordinary, Ella. You just need to decide where to place your trust."

Elena dropped her gaze as she thought, Peter watching her intently.

"I do," she finally whispered, daring to look back up to him. "I do trust you."

He smirked at that, and pulled her close to him, hugging her tightly. She returned it immediately, feeling a sense of calm and safety warm her heart and quieten her doubts. He was exactly the kind of boy you'd want to trust as soon as he smiled at you - although she knew that she really shouldn't, at this moment, she didn't care. She was tired of fighting the uncertainty anyway.

"So, maybe I am a Lost Girl," Elena said with a half-smile when they pulled away. Pan smiled back, his arms still around her waist as he pulled her in again, this time to kiss her deeply, making the island around her a dreamy haze.

"My Lost Girl," he whispered, before hugging her again.

And that was the night that Elena Brea decided to trust Peter Pan.