Neverland

Chapter 16

Sooo I know, that I'm like the worst person ever right now, and I'm really sorry guys! I know I said I'd update before Tuesday, and technically Where I live I did with like two minutes to spare, but that was a really jerk move of me, and I'm sorry. I've just been so buys, and yeah... ok here's the update! -Kat <33

I ducked back into the tent to find Kate sleeping peacefully. Her breaths were deep and even, and her face was calm. It was a nice change from the distressed and fearful face she had before.

I spread out my blanket on the space next to the bed, my original goal being to sleep on the floor again, but as I laid down on the ground, her voice came groggily and quietly from the bed above me. “Peter?” she asked, quietly.

“Yes?”

“Would you… well, would you just come up here with me?” she asked with a nervous quiver to her voice, “I don’t know… I feel like I’d be less afraid of having the nightmares again.”

Something in her words made me ache inside. She just sounded so innocent and scared. The differences between us were so shockingly different. I knew I hadn't done anything to deserve something so pure. Hell, I'd done things that would certainly block me from ever deserving someone like her, but that didn't matter to me. The fact that she was healthy and living was proof that we were meant for eachother.

I was hers, and she was mine, and I planned to keep it that way.

 Gently, I stood up from my spot on the floor, and leaned over her.

Brushing a strand of hair back from her face, I whispered, “Of course,” before kissing her gently on the forehead, and laying down beside her. I wrapped my arms around her small torso, and she laid her head against my chest.

“Peter?”

She asked again.

“Yes?”

“Thank you, again. I mean it. Thank you for everything.”

Her voice sounded far off.

“I would do anything for you.” I whispered into her hair.

I looked down when she didn’t answer to see her eyes closed in sleep, her eyelids fluttering with her breath.

It was a beautiful sight.

Kate’s POV

I slept soundly that night, free of the haunting nightmares of my past.

I woke up as light was beginning to peak through the curtains of the tent. I was generally a morning person.

Peter’s arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, his face buried in my shoulder.

Gently and slowly, I eased my way out of his arms, and turned to look at him. He looked so peaceful in sleep, so innocent and just so… young. I knew in my heart that truthfully, he was neither. I had no interest in asking him just how old he technically was. I knew that you didn’t age in Neverland, but he spoke with the words of one who had seen many years. More that I’d care to imagine.

“What are you doing?” He asked groggily, half opening his tired eyes.

“Nothing,” I said hastily, turning away. I could feel the embarrassed heat rising to my cheeks, as I struggled to look casual.

“Since when does nothing include staring at me for the past three minutes?” He grinned, drunk with sleep.

It was sort of endearing to see him like this, unguarded, and smiling. It was a nice change from his usual closed-off scowl.

“I was not staring!” I huffed.

“That’s what it looked like to me.”

“How would you even know? You were sleeping.”

“So you admit it.”

“No!”

We laughed, and I smiled at him. This easy banter was something I could live with forever, but I knew it wouldn’t last. Soon, he would go back to his usual dark and dangerous self, and I would be left longing for moments like these.

Just as the thought processed in my mind, the shield rose up over his face, and I sighed.

“We need to get up.” He said quietly, sitting up.

I looked down at my ripped and stained t-shirt and pajama pants.

“I should probably change back into my other clothes,” I muttered.

He nodded, “I’ll give you some privacy,” and ducked out of the tent, leaving me alone.

I slipped my t-shirt off, and quickly found my green sweater dress, pulling it on over my head, followed by my tights, and, with some difficulty, my boots. I hadn’t quite gotten the hang of getting them on, and the tough leather was just now beginning to break in. I tied my wild curls back with the cloth, and marched out of the tent, despite the gnawing hunger in my stomach. How long had it been since I ate? Hell, I didn’t even know how long I’d been out.

Peter handed a bowl of what seemed to be oatmeal as I sat down next to him on a log.

I ate the whole thing within a matter of minutes, and I looked at Peter who was smiling at me wryly. “What?” I asked, rather ungracefully, “I’m starving! How long was I out, exactly?” “Two days,” he stated, “And it’s good that you eat your fill. I’ve always thought the stronger, healthy looking girls were more attractive than the stick-thin type. It shows that you care more about how you are than what others think you should be.” I blushed, and shrugged, thinking of the boys at my old high school. If only they had thought that way. Then again, it didn’t really matter. I’d finally left them behind, and I was never going back.

Despite the night’s rest I’d gotten, I still felt like I was wearing my sickness like a coat, and  I longed for a strong cup of tea. It always made me feel better as a child. “You know,” said Peter, making me realize that I’d spoken aloud, “In Neverland, you can wish for something and make it happen. Nothing’s off limits here. It is, after all, a land of dreams.” I frowned, “You couldn’t have told me this before when I wanted a cup of tea?” “Try it,” he said, ignoring my question. Huffing, I closed my eyes, and pictured, in my hands, a steaming cup of tea in my favorite mug.

After all I’d seen in this strange place, it didn’t surprise me when I felt the familiar heat between my hands, and the feel of the smooth ceramic glaze of the mug underneath my fingertips. Opening my eyes, I sighed at the sight of it, and took a sip of the hot, smooth liquid, allowing it to flow through my body with warmth and comfort, reminding me of the time long before my mother’s death.

“Better?” asked Peter.

“Better, I smiled, “But there’s one thing that I think would really get me out of my funk.

One eyebrow raised at my use of words, “And what would that be, exactly?” he asked.

I smiled awkwardly, “Um, do you think there’s a place where I could possibly, maybe take a bath?”

He nodded, laughing, “Follow me.”

Taking my cup with me, I stood up, and hurried after him into the woods.

Ok, so I'll probably be updating every other day from now on. It honestly depends on my homework/rehearsal load, and I'll probably miss some days, which I apologize for in advance. I hope you guys continue to read and enjoy the story, and I just want you to know how much I appreaciate y'all. Really, your comments make me so happy, and yeah! k bye! -Kat <33