The promised neverland oneshots + more

Tpn- but what if? - no ship

(so this is kinda an idea i had like a what if boys could become fathers for the orphanage so uh here father Ray AU cuz i said so >:D there are ⚠ spoilers ⚠ so be warned. few changes: norman didn't get shipped off and ray is still the traitor. if people like this enough it'll get a part 2 or a story depends on my freetime cuz i keep overworking 😙✌ ) 

it was the day before Ray's 12th birthday, the raven-haired boy knew he would be shipped out that day as well.. he knew what waited for him on the other side. Death. he knew since he was 6 about the farm, the demons. while Emma and Norman planned an escape, ray planned his death, Janurary 15th he would pour gasoline on himself in the library watch as the flames engulf him. he knew he was going to die but he never wanted his death to be for the demons, he was still human after all and he wasn't going to allow himself to be food. 

as all the kids played and he read under his tree one last time, he saw Isabella.. well the mother of the farm calling him in, he placed the book down memorising his page number and walked over. she led him up to the room they talked in every day. she smiled at him like awlays, fake smile the smile of 'i love you so much' when in reality it was a fake face a mask to fool the innocent kids to trust her so she can send them to her death. Ray sat down on the chair he always did listening to her talk and commenting what he had noticed.  it went on like this for a bit before something peaked Ray's interest. 

"Ah yes before i forget, the higher ups have decided to try a new thing with the programme and want you to to be the first to join"

"and that is?"

"to take my place"

"as the parent of the farm?!"

"don't raise your voice at me but yes, they want to see the affect on the kids by having a father instead"

"no! i'm not being part of some experiment to test the quality of kids"

"it's either this or die"

"i choose death then"

"ray!"

"no that's my answer"

"that's a shame, i've already arranged it for you"

Ray nodded and got up to head outside, what else could he say. his plan can still go ahead, what will they do when he's dead. they can't use him if he isnt alive. he went to open the door being stopped again.

"come on let's announce your adoption you're being collected today"

Ray froze, keeping or at least trying to keep a neutral expression. he came back to reality and followed. as the kids were gathered he stood slightly away from everyone, staring down. the first one to notice this behaviour change was Norman, he mentioned to emma. the two wearing a concerned look. 

"now i've gathered you all here to announce ray has been adopted, the family made a last minute decision and want to take him in an hour so say your goodbyes now"  

the group walked over to ray making a fuss of the situation which made him uncomfortable, Norman and emma stayed back to try help by giving him some space waiting till everyone backed away till they walked over. the three snuck off for a bit, Ray quietly explaining the sudden change.

"so because she couldn't get any of the girls to be a mother you've been sent to go be a father?"

"yea i have"

"but why?"

before ray could answer their question he heard his name being called so walked over to see Isabella waiting for him, he sighed and said goodbye to the others allowing Emma to give him a quick hug for once. a small awkard moment happening between himself and Norman so they decided to just leave it with the words 'goodbye'. 

once ray got ready to be 'adopted' he said a final goodbye and was led down to the gate where Grandmother was waiting for him.