Thing He Loves Most (Peter Pan/Ouat)

Chapter Sixteen (part 12)

--*Flashback*--
-

Sweet, exotic bird song greeted my ears as I exited my tent the next morning. Streams of sunlight shone down from the canopy above, illuminating the camp in a warm, golden glow. I breathed in the heavenly aroma of moss, vegetation, and bacon frying on the grill and a smile made its way onto my face.

A few of the Lost Boys were already up, with Alex cooking breakfast on the fire. I spotted Noah waving me over, and I nearly bounced over to him.

"You're looking particularly chipper this morning," He noted curiously, sliding over on the log to make space for me to sit. He held two plates of food in his hand, one of which he handed to me. "Sleep well?"

I nodded, sighing in content. "It's been so long since I've slept through an entire night," I told him, a bit sheepishly. And by my self without needing Thomas. I felt lighter, like some of the weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I could breath a little better, "It was nice."

Noah smirked. "And it's nice to see your true appetite come out to play," He added, teasingly.

I paused my eating, my cheeks stuffed with eggs and bacon, and looked down at my plate to see it already half empty. "Huh?" A few crumbs dropped out and I slapped a hand over my mouth, blushing in embarrassment. I probably looked like a chipmunk.

Noah guffawed, nearly falling backward off the log. A few more Lost Boys had come out of their tents, and they were glancing curiously in our direction. "That was priceless!" He said between laughs, holding onto my shoulder for support. "You're too cute, Bailey."

His unexpected and bold remark only made my cheeks grow warmer. When I managed to swallow the food in my mouth, I lightly smacked his arm. "Shut up."

Noah grinned. Then his hazel eyes shifted to something beside me on my other side. "What'cha got there?"

I glanced next to me to see the glass jar I had carried out with me. My eyes widened in realization. "Oh!" I set my empty plate aside and picked it up to show Noah. Inside were two lightning bugs, which now looked like just ordinary beetles in the daylight. Pan had set them next to my bed last night.

Was it just coincidence that my nightmares magically disappeared the same night? I wasn't about to jump to any rash conclusions--but if it were true that they did work, I wasn't about to complain either.

Noah examined the tiny insects for a moment. "I've never seen any of those on the island," He said, frowning thoughtfully. "Where'd you find them?"

I half rolled my eyes, thinking he was teasing again. "Right, okay."

I looked for the slightest slip of a smirk on his face, but there was none. He was serious. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You've never been to the meadow?"

Noah blanked. "What meadow?"

"But Pan said..." I trailed off, frowning. It didn't make sense. Why would Pan lie about the Lost Boys knowing about the meadow?

"Let's save the chit-chat for tea time, ladies."

Speak of the devil...

I tensed as Noah lifted his head at his leader's appearance. "The boys have already started training; Noah, you're on target practice today."

Noah set his plate aside and stood obediently. I wasn't about to be left alone--or with Pan--so I followed suit, with the intention of going with him.

"Sunshine..."-I halted-"A word, in private."

I exchanged a hesitant look with Noah--and was slightly taken aback by his narrowed eyes and clenched jaw, but it wasn't directed at me. Fortunately, Pan didn't take notice. Noah moved closer to me, lowering his voice so only I could hear,