Chapter Text
It was raining when Wendy was spit into the dark jungle of Neverland. She tumbled to the ground, face first into mud.
“Ugh,” she groaned and pulled herself up, wiping her face clean and gauging her surroundings. She had never expected to come back, but yet here she was.
Wendy and Peter had gone their separate ways (in a rather nasty split) after he murdered an entire family in exchange for eternal life. However much she may have (or still) loved him, there was no way she could’ve stayed in Neverland with him after the fact. So, she did the only thing she could. She got out while the opportunity presented itself, and it did in the form of a one handed pirate with a drinking problem. Hook took Wendy and escaped, which really pissed Peter off.
In a way, it pleased Wendy that she left Peter fuming over a pirate stealing his girl, but she also knew Peter would not forgive her easily, if ever. Wendy never actually knew what happened of Hook after she saw him the last time at the docks, but she wished him well. He was a good man, and he didn’t deserve to lose Emma like that.
But right now, she needed to focus her attention to getting out of the heart of the jungle and on to some kind of trail. To make matters worse, she definitely didn’t remember this part of Neverland, but she suspected it was of no coincidence, nothing here ever was. The pitch black jungle, the pouring rain, the mud, the lightning, the deafening thunder, the suspicious rustling off in the distance, everything… It was created just by him to mess with her. Peter always set the game. She suspected he already knew she was here.
Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark as she readied herself for whatever might be coming. He knew every grain of sand on this island and he knew what was going on at all times. After taking Henry’s heart, Pan’s power was practically unlimited. Wendy often wondered that, since all fairy tales were real but portrayed inaccurately in her world, if the ones in the Bible were too. She had been raised to believe them, but after what she’d seen, she knew it couldn’t be how it was written in the good book. What does that make Peter? She wondered glumly. A cross between God and Satan?
It had been five years since she left. Nothing had changed, but yet everything was different. That was the way of Neverland, though. Even though she had no idea where she was, it was like she had never left. She could never forget this place, no matter how much time she gave it. If it were up to her, she would have never come back here.
As Wendy moved along through the underbrush, she still wasn’t starting to recognize where she was, which was a bad sign seeing as she’d lived here for over a century. The blond made her way through the foliage as quickly and quietly as she could. Her most pressing concern was trying to find a trail until an arrow pierced a young tree uncomfortably close to her head. Heart in her chest, she leapt sideways and ran for it, using what she could to hide herself.
An arrow would shoot every time she thought she was out of range or somewhat safe, always striking close to her but never touching her. She spotted some ferns and ducked down into them, praying she was hidden safely. Heart hammering and eyes wide as saucers, another arrow pierced the canopy of ferns and struck the ground half a foot away from her foot.
That was too close, Peter!
“Come out, Wendy! I’m not going to really shoot you!”
“Oh, you bastard,” she whispered. He was playing with her, she realized, he had wanted her to run from him. She popped up out of the ferns, staring confidently ahead, arms raised as if to say, Go on and shoot me. It was just his silhouette, but it was enough to make her stomach turn in disgust. At least he was alone.
“Hello, Wendy bird,” he said kindly, like they were old friends, and the rain stopped immediately. It was a disturbing contrast to the person he really was. Wendy did not reply, but she lowered her arms. She didn’t feel so brave anymore. She had expected herself to be able to face him again, but after what she did and what he did and the deaths and not to mention what drove her here in the first place…
Suddenly he was before her, eyes glinting darkly, a predatory smile on his face. “It’s been a while, darling. A lot has changed, hasn’t it?” He looked her up and down, noticing her more feminine physique. She still seemed to have a fondness for pretty dresses, and this purple one was very flattering on her. She was so different. Something like a bloodstain on the side caught his attention and made him raise an eyebrow. Either way, she was still as pretty as he remembered, but somehow she seemed even more beautiful when she looked a mess. He didn’t like her to be too comfortable.
Wendy couldn’t help herself, she struck out as soon as Peter was within range. Her fist made a satisfying sound against his cheek and he honestly looked shocked.
“That was a mistake,” he said, his expression darkening as he slapped Wendy to the ground with more force than necessary. The pain was blinding, but she said nothing as she crumpled into the soft, wet ferns. In the distance, the sound of a group approaching made her look up sharply. The Lost Boys would never miss this, Wendy thought, and Pan loves to put on a show.
“What are you doing coming here, Wendy?” He used his foot to brutally shove her onto her back. Her cheek had turned red from the blow and looked painful, but she put up a good front.
Wendy groaned in response.
“Trying to fix what happened? Trying to kill me?” Peter asked mockingly, before leaning over her. “Trying to prove something?” His brow arched. What in the hell was he talking about? The Lost Boys were there now, their torches providing light. She could see him better, not at all surprised to see he looked to be the same old boyishly handsome devil she had known before. Dare she say it, he even looked better. He looked healthier with a new glow about him after he took that poor boy Henry’s heart. Wendy looked sideways and made contact with Felix, his smirk barely visible in the poor lighting.
“Looking at Felix? He’s not going to help you, you dumb gi—” Peter began but was cut off by Wendy’s shouting.
“Get off me, you murderer!” She yelled and tried to wriggle free from under him. The girl put up an impressive fight, but he quickly subdued her. He was on top of her now, legs on either side and holding her down as he smiled at her. He drew his face closer to hers, and for a second Wendy thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, his lips were at her ear, whispering hotly, “Back because you miss me?”
“Shut up!” Wendy shrieked, wrestled her arms free and punched him in the jaw again. Because of her position, it wasn’t the most powerful punch, but it was enough to hurt him. Peter grunted and recoiled, quickly holding her down with magic. What was she thinking? He had killed before, he could do it again very easily.
“No! I’m not telling you until you get off me and show me some respect!” Wendy had acquired quite the attitude.
“You know, I’m surprised at how tough you’ve become,” he said. The Lost Boys cheered on their leader, holding up torches and various weapons to the sky. He felt a small flush of pride in Wendy, knowing that if he hadn’t kept her here she never would have grown a backbone. Unfortunately for her, she picked the moment day to show it.
“But, I’ve had enough of this now, darling.” He said breathily and placed a quick kiss to her lips, much to Wendy’s disgust. "You’ve hit me twice now, and this last time you’ve done it front of my boys. I can’t allow you to embarrass me like this.” With that, he sat up so that he could put his weight behind his arm as he pummeled Wendy Darling’s face repeatedly. The Lost Boys hooted behind him.