Rose Red

Fight! (Peter's POV)

Rose began to 'struggle' against my restraint on her as Felix emerged through the bushes.

"What's this?" He asked, an amused look on his face.

"Just a little something I caught wandering around," I replied casually. "She's my prisoner."

"I can see that."

"Well get over here and help me get her to the camp," I commanded before adding, "you idiot."

He chuckled at my last statement and took one of Rose's arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked with a smirk. "Can Peter Pan not handle a feisty girl?"

"I can handle her fine," I answered coolly. "But why not take advantage of a helping hand when it's there?"

He hummed in agreement.

"Hold her while I get some rope," I told him.

He took hold of both of her arms and held them behind her back while I summoned some rope with my magic. I tied her hands where they were and took her back from Felix. "Let's show her off to the boys. Lead the way."

Felix nodded and started back to the camp.

"Follow my lead," I whispered in her ear. "Unless you want to get eaten alive by the Lost Boys. Your safety won't rest on my conscience."

"You're in charge of them," she mumbled back. "Surely the mighty leader has some influence over his subjects."

"Get moving," I said, louder so Felix could hear. I lowered my voice again. "Of course I do, but they aren't used to not getting what they want. Whatever they want from you, count on it that they will get it eventually."

"And what if they want nothing?"

"I wouldn't count on it."

"Something wrong?" Felix asked from ahead.

"Just exchanging threats," Rose grumbled.

"I would be one to get confident, girl," he added.

"I have a name," she sighed.

"Does it look like I care?"

"Shut up, you two," I exasperated. "Save the show for the boys."

Rose kicked my shin after I said that. I stopped moving and held her back, then pulled her close. Her back was against my chest, and I put my right arm around her midsection.

"If you want to pick a fight," I breathed, "I can assure that you don't want to start one with me."

"Why?" she asked mockingly. "Are you afraid?"

I tried to think of a clever comeback, but ended up twisting her wrists in an awkward-and hopefully painful-position and moving us back into a walking pace.

I was embarrassed at the fact that I had failed to intimidate her. I had always had a strong influence over all who came to Neverland, so the feeling of not being completely in control was a strange and new feeling to me.

She was very difficult to scare, and that meant one of two things for me. Either she just thought that she was stronger than me, or she actually was. I wasn't afraid of the latter, just preferred the former. If her magic was stronger than mine, I assured myself that we would be able to reach an agreement that would limit her use of magic around my turf as to not threaten my authority over Neverland.

But one can never be sure of these things.

Before I could lead myself into a soul search of why I was helping a stranger anyway, we arrived at the camp.