O'Children (A OUAT Neverland Fanfic)

Chapter 8:Hidden

"You looked at me then like you knew me, and I thought it really was Eden, and I couldn't take your eyes in because I was loving the hoof marks on your cheeks."

- Toni Morrison

After everything was revealed, Peter directed Jane to a homey little shelter, built of oak wood; leaves, foliage, moss, and sticks. Most of the lost boys resting areas were similar. But hers was built more fit for a lady. It seemed as if previously occupied, too well built to have been just recently crafted.

3 days had passed and she began to adjust to life in Neverland. Living around boys was no cookie, but they all tended to her every need, (as long as she told them stories and cooked them food). Her brother demanded he rest just near her, to protect her in case any of Tiger Lily's girls came prodding in.

And so quickly had she become attached to the lost boys. It was really as if she was a mother to them. Although she was convinced that she could never live up to Peter's previous grace. The boys told marvelous stories of her, and spoke of her divine beauty, and her intelligence! But they would never talk of what happened to her, and Jane thought it best she don't ask.

Despite their eternal admiration for the grace named Wendy Darling, they called Jane their mother now, despite being just their age, and for some, younger.

It was one desolate night that Peter Pan stole into her homey abode, pleading for her to come with him and see the stars so sharp in the sky that they mesmerized even him.

Taking her hand, they treaded off into the radiant night, like real lovers.

...

"Tell me Peter, why is it I feel I know you so well, but know almost nothing about you?" Jane pondered, her cotton frock brushing against her bare flesh as her gaze was entwined in the stars that shone rich in the sky.

Peter remained silent beside her, thinking so deeply her words failed to appease him.

Turning to him, she observed his sumptuous green orbs, and his sharp tip of a nose and thin lips, all molded to form an odd beauty, poised before her, so close.

She cleared her throat, tilting her head slightly.

That caught his attention, and turning, his eyes met hers, blinking absent-mindedly, attempting to conceal any emotion or any feelings that may corrode him.

"Peter we know so little of each other, but we treat each other as lovers. Wouldn't it be best we get to know one another?" She breathed, his gaze piercing hers, a faint blush trailing up her cheekz.

He nodded, a finger moving to hook his lip, his beetle-brows furrowing together, thinking.

"Perhaps, we tell each other of a memory." He suggested, leaning against the body of an elm.

Jane nodded, licking her lips, as her gaze faltered.

"When I was 6, my brother tried to climb a 10 foot tall tree. A birch, I think. He'd gotten to the 3rd branch when he thought it would be a good idea to hang upside down from it, He said that bat's do it all the time, so he didn't see why he couldn't. Than he fell off. He broke both of his legs and had to be in a wheel chair for a month." Jane explained, laughing at the mere memory of it.

The chill grew strong and she shivered, goose bumps trailing down her thighs and her thin arms. Her blooming breastbuds pointed from her frock, and when she noticed this, she covered her chest, blushing wildly, fearful Peter might have seen them. Bobby-sox wrapped around her ankles, as she walked barefoot on her heels, elevating closer to Peter to collect his warmth.

"What a memory. You and your brother seem real close." Peter replied, moving closer to her, just as cold.

He was a gifted actor, and boy did he know it. A part of him, though, wished he didn't have to act, that he could truly, genuinely love her. But losing Wendy plucked at his heart strings, and now they were all tattered and torn, and he felt the only way to rid of the pain was to numb away his emotions with anger and force.

"We-We ar-e. I love him dearly. All we've ever had is each other." Jane explained, nestling in closer to his chest.

What he didn't know is that on nights as cold as this one, and when both her and her brother grew lonely, Jared would sneak into his sisters room and fall asleep beside her underneath the covers, comforting her, wiping away her tears when they struck her.

It was a secret she strived to keep, and even to this day he still did. She saw nothing wrong in it, really. They were just brother and sister, but others would look down at it.

Wendy Darling once loved her brother's as Jane loved hers, Peter thought to himself, bewilderment pressing at his visage. The thought brought again tortuous memories, clutching at him.

It was than that, peering down into her eyes, Peter noticed more of the similarities of both Jane, and his darling Wendy. The tiny nose, the plump, perfect lips, and even a similar stature. Holding her close, he raised her chin with his finger, bringing her face to his as he leaned in closer, even for a moment believing that she was his Wendy.

Than he pressed his lips to hers, an impulsive action. And when he pulled away to notice that she wasn't Wendy, that Wendy wasn't coming back, he turned away from her, Eyes a glisten, his heart pulsating in his chest. This emotion, no--no, he mustn't show emotion, it was weakness. It was- It was-

He was weak.

Blinking she took in his fragrance, he smelt of firewood and sap, as if he was born of the forest. When his lips met hers, she trembled, shivering, her chest pressed to his.

They both felt like stupid, curious, broken children. The reality hit them like a train on a railroad track.

Wendy wasn't coming back.

And Jane wouldn't be leaving. No. Not anytime soon. Not ever.