Playing In Pan's Game

Chapter 12

Ace's POV

"Can I ask you something?" I asked, sitting on the bed in the tree house, my legs crossed. Peter stood across the room, leaning against a wall and playing with his dagger.

"Shoot."

"Hook's been trying everything to break us apart, and I know one of the reasons not to trust you is why you sneaked off with Tiger Lily. I guess I never did ask you why."

Peter nodded, turning the blade over in his hands, not looking up at me. "Well it's not the reason he's trying to make it sound like. It was when they first showed up in Neverland, and we first began to have problems with the tribe. When I sneaked off with her, it was me trying to get her out of Neverland without a battle. As much as I love evil and messing with people, dealing with a bunch of Indians was not of my interest. I was busy looking for someone else," he explained.

"Someone else?" I asked. He never told me he was looking for someone. "Did you ever find them?"

"Not yet, but I'm getting close."

"Who?"

"The Truest Believer, a powerful being."

"To have his power for your own?" I asked.

"Sure," Peter mumbled, still playing with his knife.

"Are you okay?"

"Just dandy," he snapped, stabbing his dagger into the tree.

I stepped off the bed and walked over to him. "Hey." I grabbed his hand in mine. "We're going to be fine. I'm going to be fine."

"How do I know that?!" he exclaimed. "Ace, I almost lost you last time he was here, and almost lost you a couple hours ago. And in those moments? I literally broke down. The last time I cried was the day I became Peter Pan. What if you actually die this time?"

"I won't, and if I do you can say I told you so."

He glared at me. "This isn't funny."

I laughed a little. "You always get to do the dangerous stuff, it's my turn."

He sighed, "I know." Peter wrapped his arms around me and put his head on my shoulder.

"You're cuddly when you're upset, maybe I need to make you upset more often," I joked.

"I'm always down for cuddles with you. And maybe some-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll slap you."

Peter burst out laughing, standing up straight again. "With our luck Felix would walk in."

I laughed. "You're not wrong."

"Will I at least get a kiss before you leave?" he pouted.

"Of course," I said, smiling, pecking him on the lips. "Later."

Peter groaned and walked over to his dagger, yanking it out of the tree. "You need this?"

I shook my head and pulled my own out of my boot, just enough for him to see before concealing it again.

"I have another one hidden too."

Peter smirked, raising his eyebrows. "Do I get to find it?"

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "You've spent too much time with Felix."

"Just trying to lighten the mood."

Silence fell over us, and I walked over to the window, looking out over the camp. "Are you going to tell the rest of the boys?"