Pan's Never-Neverland

Never-Neverland

A/N: Ruff's character is inspired by Rufio from Steven Speilburg's "Hook".

Chapter Seven – Never-Neverland

Wendy could scarcely breath.

Soaring at an incredible speed, they flew over the rides, booths, buildings, and people of Never-Neverland. The lights twinkled like the stars. In the distance, she could make out the tops of trees, a sort of jungle-like forest surrounding an artificial volcano. The Ferris wheel slowly churned, looking like a clock ticking the time away. Off to the North was a secluded area filled with waterfalls and lagoons, the water shining with the moon's reflection.

"What do you think?" Peter asked, drawing her attention away from the land.

Gazing up at his eager, excited face, she smiled. "It's beautiful here," she responded.

"You should see the real thing," Peter chuckled, leaving her perplexed. "Why didn't you leave with the Twins?" he asked, swerving against the wind. The corners of his mouth tugged up as Wendy, startled by the sudden movement, tightened her hold around his neck.

"I…I don't know," she admitted. "I wasn't thinking…that was pretty stupid of me." She hung her head in shame, unable to believe she'd actually tried to help in a fight. Her father would've had a heart attack, had he looked away from his phone long enough.

"I thought that was pretty cool, actually."

Ruff came into view, winking at Wendy. "Smee deserved that bump on the head. I say you did great."

Wendy blushed, her hair falling over her eyes.

Laughing, Peter said, "Wendy, meet Ruff. Ruff, Wendy."

The two boys exchanged glances, Peter answering Ruff with a twinkle in his eyes. Ruff nodded, grinning. Casting his eyes back to the ground, he jerked his head. "C'mon, Pete! They're waiting!"

Wendy felt his hold on her tighten just a smidge, as though he was trying to carefully but securely hold a porcelain doll. "Hang on," he told her, dipping after Ruff. She sensed how he would've liked to dive down with the same velocity Ruff had but refrained, most likely because of her. She buried her face into his neck for a moment, feeling safer than she had all night. "Thank you, Peter," she whispered.

He didn't answer, but she heard a rumble in his throat, a chuckle escaping his mouth.

The Indian Village was full of teepee and longhouse structures, corrals, fires, and totem poles scattered in between. At one particular longhouse stood the gang, waving and cheering as Peter and Ruff landed.

"Ya made it!" a boy with wispy blonde hair laughed, wearing an old hoodie with plenty of tears and holes in it. He was rather tubby but he wore a beaming smile as he gazed upon his leader.

"'Course we made it," Ruff smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "This is Pan the Man we're talking about!"

"Wendy!" Mikey exclaimed, running for the girl as Peter set her down. "Are you hurt?!"

"No, Mikey," she smiled, scooping him into her arms and squeezing him tightly. "I'm alright…"

Nana bounded over, licking the girl's face, Jon huffing as he allowed the dog to drag him over. "Are you crazy, Wendy?!" he frowned. "When we saw that you weren't there, we panicked!"

"I know. I'm sorry," she said sincerely, hugging him in turn.

"Wendy!" Fred cried, rushing to her. "You sure you're ok?" He glanced over at Peter dubiously, the two exchanging curious, disapproving looks.