Peter Pan Imagines (Once Upon a Time)

The Act, Made Worthwhile

On Neverland, favors are worth their weight in gold. If you can't step foot off of the island, you have to make what you do on its shores count, and that means making your own utility higher than anyone else's. Power is played back and forth like a round of cards, and if you're not careful, you'll end up on the bottom.

You've been at this game for quite some time now, and it wouldn't be too strong a suggestion to say that you've learned how to make it your own. No one can make it work quite like you, and they never will.

Still, you do have to admit that having Peter Pan himself ask for your help does come as a surprise. He makes sure to do it as casually as possible, because Peter will never be able to truly deflate his ego long enough to be on the same level as the rest of you, but it is rather satisfying nonetheless.

He asks his favor as simply as he can, late one afternoon when no one else is around. The hour is late, and you're barely awake yourself. Many of the other Lost Boys have retired for the evening already, trickling out of the campsite in twos and threes as they head for bunks and hammocks and whatever will hold them for the night.

This already lends strength to Peter's conquest, knowing that no one can hear him other than the two of you. He keeps his eyes fixed on the endless waves of trees as he walks, you by his side. When he finally speaks, his voice is so carefully quiet that you almost don't hear him, the words carried away by a sudden breeze that is either nature's best coincidence or Peter's doing, just like everything else here.

"Seamen will be coming here tomorrow."

You arch a brow at him. "Pirates, you think? How can you be sure?"

He gestures vaguely towards the darkened sea. "You've seen the ship on the horizon, haven't you? I recognize the sails. They're a band of traveling merchants, really no better than pirates. I can call them what I will."

You bite back a grin. "Peter, you hate pirates more than anyone. Try not to pollute the name by assigning it to anyone else."

Peter gives you an exasperated look. "Perhaps the fact that I'm even comparing these merchants to pirates in the first place should give some indication of their terrible status. They've been here a few times before, and every time, it's an absolute nightmare."

You can't deny the fact that you're intrigued by this. "You're the closest thing to a walking nightmare I've ever met. What could these merchants have that could possibly make your skin crawl?"

Peter shudders violently. "It's not just the main group. There's this one girl in their party who seems quite taken with me. Every time I see her, she's winking or grinning at me. If I didn't know better, I'd say that she might actually be flirting with me."

You can't hold back a laugh. "Try not to sound so disgusted, Peter. I've heard that flirting is often taken as a compliment."

His stare is acidic, although it does absolutely nothing to quell your high spirits. "It's not a compliment when she's tracking me throughout the island. I can't get a moment's peace when she's here."

You nod solemnly, face twitching as you try to keep your composure. "Alright, then. Peter Pan is afraid of people who like him, that's not much of a surprise."

Peter glowers at you. "If I knew you were going to be this supportive, I would have complained to Felix instead."

You refuse to be cowed by this, and instead just fold your arms across your chest. "Why didn't you talk to Felix, then? You want something from me, don't you? If it's murder, I want to at least meet the girl first. I can't assassinate someone without knowing for sure that they're a scoundrel. I have my limits."