The Twilight Children//The School for Good and Evil

43 ~ Return to Neverland

. : Laura of Neverland : .

Laura stood on the rickety dock, staring at the boat. Merlin had transported her and Sebastian to the edge of the Eastern Sea; it was the closest he could get them to Neverland due to the magic that surrounded it.

Sebastian had entered the boat with ease, his demeanour rippling with confidence as he moved over the small wooden deck to tie the sail up.

"It is safe to board, you know?"

Laura glanced up at him. He stood near the helm, watching her. His hand was held up to block the brilliant sun from streaming into his eyes. Instead, the sun bounced off his tanned skin. He had stripped himself of the jacket and wore only a loose white top with the sleeves rolled up and breeches and boots. A sword hung from his waist.

"I'm aware," She knew perfectly well she could board the boat. But once she was on it, there was nothing left but wood between her and the water. Her magic didn't like it. "Are we leaving?"

Sebastian hummed and stepped down from the helm. Laura linked her fingers behind her. She had changed into travelling clothes-- forest green pants and a matching tunic. She had found a dark grey cloak stowed in a chest. It was tucked over her arm now. She could feel sweat dripping beneath her braids and down her neck. The clothes would be handy in Neverland, but she was regretting them in the heat.

Sebastian stood across from her on the boat. They were the same height, she realized, with no small amount of satisfaction. Between them-- the dock and the boat-- was a metre of water. 

"Come on, let's get going before it gets much hotter."

Laura nodded but didn't move, gripping her cloak close to her chest. The ship's tall yellow sails rippled threateningly.

Laura watched as Sebastian eyed her before a slow smile spread across his face. "You're scared of water."

Laura huffed but still refused to move. "I am not scared of water."

Sebastian laughed, and Laura turned her gaze away from his grin, her face warm. "You are so!"

Laura ignored him and took a step away from the edge of the dock.

"Come on," Sebastian beckoned, holding his hand out. "I won't let the water hurt you, Prince's and Sage's promise."

Laura hesitated, before stepping forward and taking his hand. It was rough and callused from years of sailing and sword fighting. He gripped her hand tight and pulled her aboard. 

Laura stopped in place as Sebastian failed to remove his hand from hers. Her magic rioted at the rocking of the boat beneath her. It screamed at her, protesting her proximity to the water. Sebastian's magic leaked through his cold hand, persuading her magic to calm. 

Sebastian grinned at her, his freckled face gleaming in the sunshine. "See, nothing will harm you."

Laura nodded once, squeezing Sebastian's hand tight. She didn't want to let go-- both out of fear and maybe something else.

"Come on, you can stay in the centre." 

He tugged her towards him, and Laura should've seen it coming. The deck was damp from Sebastian moving around, and she hadn't noticed. 

The instant her foot moved into the water, she slipped, capsizing like a boat below the surface. Her body crashed to the deck, but she managed to keep her head off the ground. She would've been fine-- she had fallen out of trees before-- had it not been for the fact she was still attached to Sebastian. The prince came tumbling after her, falling straight on top.