Peter's Favorite- a OUAT fanfic

Chapter Sixteen- The Believer

I sat by the boy, Henry, watching him. He was quite peaceful, sleeping. A calm before a storm.

In the background, all the boys were grabbing weapons and dipping them in dreamshade. I looked around. Peter walked over.

"What's all this about?" I asked him as he walked over.

"We're getting ready to go have... a little meeting with Emma and the rest," he said.

"Emma?" I asked.

"The people I asked you to check on. Emma is this one's mother," he said, nodding at Henry.

I nodded. "So what did they do that requires all of... this?" I asked, waving my hand around.

"Well, they cheated," he said, sitting on the log next to me, "and I have to make sure they remember that cheaters never win."

"You're so chivalrous," I teased him, leaning in to kiss him. He leaned in, too.

Felix cleared his throat behind us. Peter broke off, leaning back. "Yes?"

"The boys are ready," Felix said. Peter nodded, standing.

He turned to me. "Aren't you coming?"

I shook my head. "I've had a pretty shit day," I said, "and I'd really rather stay here for a bit. Plus, I can be here if Henry wakes up," I said. He nodded, smiling, as he reached for a black coat hanging off a tree branch. I wondered what he was using the coat for, but didn't ask.

Peter whistled. "Come on, boys!"

I watched as all the Lost Boys followed Peter down a path. Felix was last to follow, and then I was alone with the boy and the campfire.

~~~

I was leaning against the log, with my back and my neck about a foot away from the boy's head.

The fire was running out. I stood to collect more wood. Grabbing my sword, I turned and began chopping at the tree branches.

Some of the trees dropped fruit, which I saved for later. I checked the leaves- not very dry or crunchy, but they'll do. Looking to my left, I saw poppies- the kind who's pollen put you to sleep- and I picked it up and shook the pollen into my hand. Turning around, I threw the branches and leaves into the flames.  I was focusing so much on the fire that I almost didn't notice Henry gasping in surprise.

Running over, I sat on the log, right next to his head. His eyes were frantically looking around.

"Wh-where am I? Where's mom? Wh-"

"Hey," I whispered, smiling softly. "Shhhh- it's okay." I moved the hair out of his eyes. He looked at me.

"Who- who are-"

"Hey, you'll be okay," I said, as I dropped the poppy pollen on his face. He fell back to sleep.

I stared down at his face. It was so young and innocent, so...

My train of thought was intterupted by a single tear. I wiped it from my face and stood up.

~~~

I heard the boys shouting before I saw them. Peter ran in first, coming straight towards me.

"Oh, Tiger, it was great!" he exclaimed. "The surprise on their faces was just- oh, I wish you were there. It was glorious."

I smiled and bit my lip. "If i was, this kid would've woken up alone."

He nodded. "Thank goodness I have you, Tiger Lily."

 Behind us, Henry started to move.

"We might want to get ready for our guest," he said.

~~~

Before the kid woke up, I had to fly to the beach first for more pixie dust- I was running low.

As i flew back, i saw the boys in a circle. Watching from above, is saw Henry pointing an arrow at an apple sitting on Felix's head. Right as he was about to shoot, however, he turned and aimed for Peter. Before the arrow hit his chest, Peter caught it. I smiled.

Lowering myself, Peter walked towards me. "I trust you've met Tiger Lily," he said, facing Henry. Henry looked at me and nodded.

"Good," he said. "She's great, you'll just love her."

"How come she can fly, but none of you can?" he asked.

Peter was puzzled for a moment. "Well, because-"

"Because I'm just that special," i chuckled.

 "Now, Henry," Peter said, "if you wouldn't mind, I believe you have something to discuss with Tiger Lily," he said, nodding at me.

He leaned in close. "What are you doing?" I asked.

"He'll trust you more, Tiger," he whispered.

I nodded and led Henry over to a log.

"So are you having fun here, Henry?"

He shook his head. "I don't think I belong here," he said, looking down.

"Henry, of course you belong here," I said. "Haven't you ever seen the movie about this place?" I asked, jokingly.

"The movie's a lot different than... all of this," he noted.

"But it doesn't have to be so different," I pushed. "You can make it just as magical as you once thought it was."

He looked at me, confused. "How?"

"Henry, Peter has been expecting you for a long, long time- before you were born. SInce even your father was your age, he's been waiting," I said. "Because..." I sighed. "Because magic is fading, Henry. Not just in this world, but in every world. And we know you're the key to saving it."

"That's impossible. How am I the one who will save magic?" he asked.

"Because it's the reason you were born, Henry. Do you want to know how we know?"

He say anything, but he didn't break my gaze either.

"This is how we know," I said, fishing the tiny parchment out of my bag. I handed it to him- it was the paper with a drawing of his face on it. "Peter has had this since he arrived at this island," I told him. "You should take a look."

I stood and walked away. He didn't look at it, but he didn't drop it either. I stood up and walked away.

I didn't like lying to the boy, but I knew it was the best we could do.