Mommy Dearest - Peter Pan x Reader

4. Second Thoughts

Second Thoughts

It had been a month since Hook had taken you from Neverland and forced you into his crew. You were mostly a slave, but your knowledge of fighting came in handy when enemy ships attacked. You had two options: fight on Hook's team or walk the plank.

During your stay, your demeanor never changed. You were isolated and removed, only speaking when spoken to so you didn't have to bother with conversation. You cleaned and cooked and did whatever you were told so you wouldn't incur the wrath of filthy, unruly pirates, but your cooperation was strictly for the betterment of your own health. If you stepped out of line, you would be confronted, either by Hook himself or one of the crew, and pirates got lonely sailing the seas without a lady on board. You didn't want to think of what your punishment might include if you didn't play nice.

When Hook first took you, part of you hoped and honestly believed that Pan would track him down and bring you back. You believed that he thought you important to the island and to the boys, and that that would be enough for your return. But as the days dragged on and time went by, you began losing faith in that fantasy. Pan had let you go. He could have stopped Hook, but he didn't. He let this happen. Why would he bother coming after you? He didn't need a girl on the island...

Unbeknownst to you, Hook noticed your unhappiness, and he had guessed the reason. He knew there was something between you and Neverland's leader, though he had doubts when Pan so willingly traded you for the island's magic. His doubt increased as days went by without a single attempt from Pan to rescue you, and he knew doubt had crept into your head as he watched your expressions and body language become more crestfallen. When you first joined his crew, you were a fighter. You had spirit and wit and you didn't let the pirates boss you around. Now, you had lost your will to fight. You weren't obedient by any means, but you no longer argued when they called you derogatory names or ordered you to do their chores. You just accepted your new life as best you could.

Deep down, under many layers of leather and metal, Captain Killian "Hook" Jones had a heart. He hadn't always been a ruthless pirate. He'd been a man. He understood love and loss. He saw the heartbreak in your eyes. And as much as he liked having a trophy from defeating Pan and, honestly, enjoyed having you on his ship, his heart was cracking and he knew he had to do something.

"How could you just let her go?" Felix demanded as he watched Pan pace across the campground.

"Shut up!" Pan growled in response.

"No," his second argued. "You know how much (y/n) means to the boys, including you. Don't try and tell me you don't want her back. The boys have been absolutely miserable without her and you've been extra hard on them."

"I need to be hard on them. They've grown soft."

"No, they're sad. They miss her. You gave them a mother, someone to look after them, and then you just sent her away."

Pan opened his mouth to yell at Felix, while the lost boys watched the exchange, but instead he let out a frustrated sigh.

"I know," he breathed. "I know. I regretted it as soon as she left. But what can I do? If I fight Hook and bring (y/n) back, he'll attack the island again. I can't risk him destroying Neverland's magic. That wouldn't be good for anyone."

"You have to do something," Felix replied, calming down. "You have to get her back."

"Pan!" Devin called out, running into the campsite from where he had been in the woods.

The leader turned around, raising his brow.

"There are pirates on the island," the boy stated.

Pan's eyes widened. Could it be Hook? And you? What could he want?

Before too long, Hook and his crew entered the camp. Hook was holding your arm while your hands were tied behind your back. Your gaze was cast on the ground, refusing to look at anyone in the camp.

Calls of your name sounded through the boys as they saw you. You were happy that they missed you, but you couldn't bear to look at them if Hook was just going to take you away; or worse, if Pan wouldn't let you back.

"What are you doing here, pirate?" Pan asked, distaste dripping from his tongue.

Hook shoved you forward. You nearly tripped over your own feet, but you managed to catch yourself, standing equally between Pan and Hook.

"Take her back," Killian said. "She's not worth the trouble. Nearly got me killed when Blackbeard attacked my ship. I don't want her."

You thought back to that fight. You'd saved his life, and he'd even admitted it. Was he just letting you go? Did he understand how much you missed Neverland?

You built up the courage to lift your head and turn to look at Killian. His face was stern but you saw a soft twinkle in his eye. He was bringing you home.

But would Pan let you stay?

"What do you say, Pan?" Hook challenged.

The boys immediately piped up. "Let her stay!" "Bring (y/n) back!" "Please, Pan!"

Felix quirked a brow at Pan, but your gaze had returned to your feet. If he said no, you wouldn't be able to look at him.

"Fine," Pan agreed.

You finally looked up in shock. Your mouth fell open as you finally met Pan's gaze. You saw unusual emotions in his eyes; regret, sorrow, and something you couldn't identify.

Cheers rang out through the boys as Hook and his crew took their leave, disappearing into the jungle. Felix walked behind you and cut your ropes, freeing your hands. He pulled you into a warm hug and you realized how much you'd missed everyone. As soon as he let you go, the rest of the boys jumped up for their turn to welcome you back.

When you looked at the spot where Pan had stood, it was empty. Well, fine. You didn't really want to speak to him anyway. Sure, he let you stay now, but he also sent you away a month ago, to be enslaved by pirates.

It was going to take a while for things to return to the way they were.