Peter's Favorite- a OUAT fanfic

Chapter Thirteen- The Guests

Tinker Bell had the doll- although it was hardly a doll at all. It was behind a rock in a hole in the wall, out there so it wouldn't fade or get dirty.

I flew it over to Felix, and he thanked me and smiled (which is super notable, because after over a year, I'd only see him smile maybe ten times).

I flew to the top of the cliff, but Peter wasn't there. He wasn't at the bottom, either. Or the camp site, the cove, Tink's cave, or even by the magic-healing-fountain-thing. Returning to the camp, where only a few of the boys were, I asked around. No one knew, except one little boy- he looked like the only one under the age of twelve, at around eight years old. His name was Pentiss (I'd always wondered who gave him such a strange name).

"I know where he is!" his little voice peeped from behind some others.

I walked over to him and crouched down. "And where would that be, little Pentiss?"

"In his thinking tree!" the boy exclaimed excitedly.

"His what?"

He quieted down a bit. "I only know because I caught him sitting there once. He told me not to tell anyone- oh wait..." his face curled up in guilt. "Oops."

I giggled and turned my head. "Can you tell me where that is?"

He nodded and gave me directions. Thanking him, I turned towards a small break in the bushes.

I followed the path until I found a tiny clearing. Looking up, I saw Peter sitting in the tree. I flew up.

"So, when were you going to tell me about this place?" I asked. He was sitting with his chin on his knees and his eyes far away, deep in thought. He didn't flinch when I spoke.

"I thought I'd keep this place to myself," he said. "Although, I suppose Pentiss isn't a great secret keeper, now, is he?"

I laughed. "No, not particularly."

He smiled. "He's a nice kid, that one. Although, I think I might've caught him a bit earlier than I should've."

"Maybe just a bit," I teased. He smiled and turned towards me.

I stared at him for a bit, and we held eye contact. I broke it and turned away.

"He reminds me of the kids back at the foster home," I said, quietly.

He kept watching me. "You miss them, don't you?"

Tears formed. They were tiny and stung and felt like pinpricks in my eye. "I didn't get a chance to see them when I was in New Jersey. I can't help but feel as though..." I sighed. "I feel as though I've abandoned them."

Peter stayed quiet. I heard him take a breath as though he would speak, but stopped himself. It wasn't for another few moments until he opened his mouth again.

"I'm sorry-"

"No!" I shouted. "No, no no- don't apologize!" I sat up and laughed a little at the circumstance. "You never apologize, Peter! Never ever ever!"

He looked hurt before he turned and saw I was smiling.

"Maybe after all this is over, we can visit them."

My eyes widened. From his shoulder, I looked up into his eyes.

"Really?" I asked. "You would do that?"

He chuckled. "That's basically what I do, you know."

My mouth curled into a smile. "I'd love to."

 I rested my head back on his shoulder. We sat together fin peace until he suddenly tensed up.

'What's wrong?" I asked.

"Those people- they're coming with the boy, I can feel it," he said, and then quickly sat up. "And-" he stopped.

"What?" I asked. "And what?"

"And they're not alone."

"What? What'll we do?"

He smiled. "Nothing- yet," he said, smiling. I could see in his eyes that he was planning.

"Do you need me to do something?" I asked.

"Yes, I'd quite like it if you would go...check on them- but don't let them see you, or know you're there."

"Alright," I answered. "Will they be too much of a problem?"

"Quite the contrary, actually." He smiled. "I think they'll really be quite fun to play with."