Mommy Dearest - Peter Pan x Reader

3. The Deal

The Deal

Being the only female amongst a clan of preteen and teenage boys, you were often the center of attention and subject of arguments. The pre-pubescent boys fought to determine which of them you would tell stories too and who could sit with you during meals. The older boys who understood crushes and urges constantly tried to impress you with their fighting ability and competing to hunt the bigger rabbit for dinner.

You knew exactly what they were up to and you didn't mind. You saw all of them as little brothers, except for perhaps Felix who had a more mature presence, and Devin who was kind of your personal servant.

Pan was always torn between being amused and irritated by the way the boys fell over each other to get your approval. It was entertaining to watch them push each other aside while trying to show off for you, but an unfamiliar irritation set in every time he saw their attempts at flirting. They would wrap an arm around you or kiss your cheek and something boiled inside the leader's belly. You would usually chuckle and shove the flirter off but that didn't make Pan feel any better.

He told himself that it was because no one was used to having a girl on the island. That was the only reason it bothered him. Absolutely. That had to be it.

Everyone was caught off guard when Jake and Devin came stumbling back from hunting one night, announcing that there were pirates on the island. Pirates hadn't invaded Neverland for a long time; long before you came to the island.

You were concerned for Pan and the boys. The leader seemed genuinely upset, not just offended that someone dared to come onto the island without permission. You wondered who the pirates were and what their business was. Had they been to Neverland before? Did they know Pan personally? Were they planning to attack?

Just as Pan told the boys to ready themselves for a fight, strangers pushed through the bushes and arrived at the camp. You looked them all over and your eyes widened in realization when you saw a gleaming hook in place of the leader's left hand.

Captain Hook. Pan knew him well.

"Killian," Pan greeted with a twisted smirk. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Your boys have gotten better," the brunet replied. "Last time, it took them days to find me. Now, however, they even managed to capture me."

"I'm glad you approve," Pan replied, his smile dropping. "Now what are you doing here?"

What he didn't know was that Hook was missing a few men.

"Well, since I was captured, I suppose I can tell the truth. I've come for your magic; to destroy you. I want to make sure the demon known as Peter Pan is no more."

The boys almost lashed out in a riot but you held them back.

"Pan has a lass now?" Hook snorted. "How sweet."

Pan growled. "What do you mean you've come for my magic? You can't take it."

"Oh, but I can. You see, I know all about that special hourglass of yours – the one that protects the magic of Neverland and keeps the lot of you from growing up. Right now, half of my crew is arriving at Skull Island to destroy it."

The younger boys whimpered in concern while the older crowd turned to Pan with intrigue. Was taking Neverland's magic really that easy? You couldn't imagine that Pan would have such an easily defeated defense system. He was so vigilant about everything else on the island; why would the source of Neverland's power be so easy to take out?

Hook stepped forward and you followed suit, aiming your sword at his neck. He chuckled at your confidence, his eyes darting between you and Pan.

"Look how protective she is," he mocked. "I'm sure she doesn't want her precious leader to die of old age. Does she even know the secrets of this island?"

"Bite your tongue, pirate," you growled, extending your sword further and pressing it to his skin. "Before I cut it out."

He hummed in approval. "She'd make a fierce pirate." Then his eyes lit up like an idea struck him. "How about a trade, Pan?"

Pan's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Jones?"

"I'll collect my men and leave the hourglass be. In exchange, I take the lass with me as part of my crew," Killian offered.

"Not likely," you growled.

"Fine," Pan agreed after a minute.

You nearly dropped your sword in shock. Gasps of surprise flooded through the crowd of boys behind you.

"Pan?" you murmured in confusion. Was he sending you away?

"Is that the only way you'll leave?" Pan asked the pirate.

"Aye," Hook nodded. "Give me the girl or my men destroy your source of power."

"Fine," the leader repeated. "Take her. We don't need her."

A set of hands grabbed your arm, dragging you closer to Hook as you stared in disbelief at the green-clad leader.

"Pan, you can't do that!" Devin cried out.

"How can you just let her go?" Jake asked.

"We do need her!" Marco chimed in.

"Looks like your boys don't want to let her go," Hook chuckled.

"Enough!" Pan shouted. "The deal is done. (y/n)'s leaving. Say goodbye."

You bit back tears as you looked out at the crowd of boys. Some of the younger ones were crying, some of the older ones glaring daggers into the back of Pan's head. Even Felix seemed upset, and he usually showed even less emotion than Pan did.

You steeled yourself and shook your arm out of the pirate's grasp. "Let me go. I'll go with you."

More cries of protest could be heard from the boys, but there was nothing you could do. If Pan wanted you gone, then you had to go.

"Good," Hook smirked. "Then I'll call off my men."

You waved a weak goodbye to the boys, ignoring Pan completely as you turned away and followed Hook through the jungle. Your heart shattered at the rejection, but you kept your gaze forward until you were off the island.