Tiger Lily (A Peter Pan Fanfic)

Chapter Fifteen

A/N: This chapter is somewhat chaotic. Please forgive me! All of this is necessary for the story to continue, however. 

I watched as Pan paced back and forth, his brow furrowed and eyes narrowed. He was deep in thought, that much was clear. But as to why? That was the real question. Pan had requested my presence, as he put it, about ten minutes ago. Of course, I'd gotten there as soon as I could, only to see him pacing back and forth, back and forth.

"Pan, what is it?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Pan stopped pacing. His gaze met mind and I saw his features were laced with conflicting emotions. "I've thought about our bet."

"What, still nervous you're going to lose?" I joked, trying to ease the tense mood.

Not taking the bait, Pan shook his head. Under different circumstances, I might have found Pan's worried attitude quite adorable. But this was different. After the stressful few days we'd had, his worried attitude made me worried. 

It had only been a day since Pan had saved me from his shadow, and in those twenty-four hours, Pan had never left my side. And if, for some reason, he had to leave me, I was put under guard by at least two lost boys, and Felix had to be there as well.

"I'm calling it off." he said simply, his green eyes boring into my blue ones.

Stunned, I stood with widened eyes. "You're...what?"

"You need to leave Neverland, love. It's the only way I know how to keep you safe." Pan explained, raising his eyebrows.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, I said, laughing lightly, "I already am safe. And...I still need to win that bet."

Pan placed both of his hands on the sides of my face, causing an usual feeling to stir in the pit of my stomach. I felt my heart beat faster and my cheeks flush. I didn't understand how someone I used to detest could make me feel such a way by a simple touch.

"Listen to me, Lily, " Pan said seriously, "I'm going to wipe your memory. You and your dad are going to leave Neverland as soon as possible. You can't remember any of this. I can't have you coming back here."

I surprised myself when I felt tears welling in my eyes. So much had changed in those twenty-four hours. Pan's entire personality had changed, it seemed. He hadn't so much as cracked a sarcastic joke since the day before. As flattered as I was, I had changed as well. And I hated to admit it, but I wanted to stay in Neverland just a bit longer.

Wrenching myself out of his grip, I angrily wiped my tears away. "You can't do that to me. Why don't I get a say in this?"

"Because if it's your safety versus some ridiculous argument you have, your safety wins every time, love." Pan said, tilting his head.

Relief flooded through me for a brief moment - he had almost seemed like his old self again. Controlling, cold, and calculated. It was strange to see him so...caring. Sure, I hadn't minded when he saved me last night, or...the countless other times before, but when he was forcing me out of a place he originally kept me in, it was as if my entire world was turning upside down. 

"Pan, you've never cared this much about me being safe. What's different now?" I inquired, crossing my arms.

His green eyes grew dark briefly as he turned his head away. "You're mine, and I'm not letting something of mine get hurt."

I felt a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Each time I argued with him, it was as if a piece of his old self was returning. I couldn't explain it - but when Pan actually cared about me, I felt...strange. I had to put a stop to it. Yes, I knew the dangers that Pan's shadow presented. If it had been a few months ago,  I would have jumped at the chance to leave. But now?