It all happened before

Peter Pan hadn’t expected the younger Darling to recognize him. He had come to the painful conclusion that, adults where forgetful beings, driven only by societal expectations. Yet, Micheal was standing still, in wait of an answer.

« Follow me. »

Micheal felt like a 6 year old again. Ready to follow, wherever that strange boy would lead him. The two walked off to an isolated gallery, Micheal glanced to his sister, that seemed entirely focused on Sir Clifford.
Now, they both stood alone in this gallery. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Micheal cleared his throat.

« So… you grew, I thought you would never. »

« It just happened ». The once eternal boy shrugged. Micheal was puzzled.

Neverland magic was strange and unreliable, but he did recall how Peter controlled it, did the magic stop working for him ?

« I know you have questions Michael, but if you don’t want your sister to wander after us, I suggest we get to the point »

« Of course don’t mind me, I’ve just caught Peter Pan, fully grown, in a museum but let’s get to the point. I’m sorry, what is your point ? » Micheal retorted, utterly frustrated.

« Your sister is my point » A typical smirk, was plastered on his face.

Micheal should’ve know. Always for her, he thought to himself, after all this time.

« I’m here to take her back » he added harshly.
Micheal didn’t like the sound of that, like his sister would have no say in it.

« Take her ? I’m sorry Peter, but she’s not going anywhere - he squared his shoulder, jaw tight - you had your chance years ago, and you let her go and grow. You pushed her away. »

« She will not marry that buffoon, you might not care for what I want, but I know you care for her, and she is ruining herself, you know it » Peter’s eyes narrowed, his posture rigid.

What Micheal knew, was how much Wendy had changed after Peter, how she had stopped being a child and believing. He had resented Peter for it.

« You have to understand Peter, she has made her choice, she has her reasons and it doesn’t matter what you consider right for her. » he stated as calmly as he could.

« Oh but it matters, you see, she has to answer for her actions. Neverland wants her. And I will take her back. You might not see it know, but you will. Keep that, excuse of a man, far from her is what I ask » he said gaze locked on Micheal. It was starting to get under his skin.

« Or what ? Sir Clifford is a good man - pausing at the word man- and I don’t know what actions she has to respond to, but you’ll find me in your way.»

« He will never hurt her, he has a good situation and their future children will long for nothin. »

He saw hurt flicker in Peter’s eyes, solidifying what Micheal knew of him. That Peter Pan was still obsessed with his sister.

« Micheal, don’t cross me - he growled -Neverland is suffering and needs her »

That last part sounded false, he could see the truth that remained unsaid, the « I need her » that Peter would never utter aloud. He considered his options, a part of him was truly happy and excited to see him.

He could watch and see what Peter would do. Anyway, he could punch his arrogant face if needs be.

« I don’t need to cross you, Wendy doesn’t remember. She forgot right after our return home. »

At that Peter dropped his, intense, gaze. He truly seemed distraught by that notion.

« She’ll remember, I just need her to drop this wedding act. »

At least Micheal could agree with him on that. The marriage shenanigans were always on Wendy’s mind, but since their family’s recent predicament it had become clear, she intended to tight the knot as soon as possible.

Of course, he hated seeing her hide her true self, to please men. He knew what Wendy had desired more than anything, and beyond adventures what her heart had yearned for was to experience life. Experience all of it, love and sadness, becoming a mother, growing old next to her family.

Precisely what Peter couldn’t offer. Or so he thought, since apparently Peter outgrew his childish pursuits, maybe that dream was attainable for his dear sister.

Still how could he trust the man that broke her heart ? They had been children but knew it had left a deep wound.

« I will let you meet her, if that is what you’re really asking. Wendy is a woman, she makes her own decisions, if she leaves Clifford, it needs to be her decision. I’m just her little brother after all. »

He would leave the matter alone, he trusted his sister to chose. He would simply be there to help her punch any of those two idiots.

« Thank you Micheal, I’m happy to see you protect her well ». Peter’s stance dropped, tension released from his shoulder.

Micheal had so many questions that remained unanswered. Peter gave him a last smirk and walked off into the crowd.

On the other side of the Gallery, Wendy was slowly, but surely, losing her mind. After one more uncomfortable and prolonged silence, she had asked Sir Clifford what he thought of the impressionist movement. She was regretting it with all her being.

To put it mildly Sir Clifford was not a supporter of « such blatant inconsistency ». Who could appreciate this blur of colors ?

She was surprised, to finally get to hear more than three words come out of his mouth. If Sir Clifford didn’t have passions, he most definitely had distastes. So powerful, that he could rant for hours about them. It had already been, at least, twenty minutes since her innocent question, and he was still going at it. Reaping the hole movement apart like they had trampled his kitten.

How strange was her life. Of all things this potential husband could hate, it had to be her favorite art movement. She was utterly speechless.

If only the diatribe could end soon… As if she had conjured him, her brother reappeared next to her. She gave him a questioning look, to which he just shrugged and smiled. Her attention was back on Sir-not-into-pastels. His hair was getting ruffled by his agitation.
The rest of the afternoon went as it had begin, uneventfully. Wendy was losing hope she’d ever get proposed. It was time to leave this awkward situation.

« Thank you Sir, I hope to see you at the Serpentine race next week ? » she asked hopeful.

« It would be my pleasure to see you Miss Wendy, I will participate in the race in your name if you’ll allow me » he struggled to get out, eyes searching hers for approbation.

« Oh, it would be an honor Sir ! Thank you again » she batted her long lashes a few times, pinning him with her bluebell eyes.

The Sir bid them goodnight and hopped, onto his car, with difficulty, almost falling (once more !) before catching himself on the wheel.

Well, she thought to herself, another failure of a plan. Deep in her own considerations, she didn’t notice her brother throwing glances behind them, nor did she notice a particular glow emanating from his left side pocket.

Both Darlings arrived home, with much on their minds. The family was eager to hear all about this date with Sir Clifford. But refrained from asking after glancing at their decomposed faces. Seemed that Wendy’s curse was still very strong. Aunt Millicent gave them a look that was saying « Victory or nothing ».

Later in her bed, Wendy would curse herself for her continued failure. She was doing everything right, acted as required. Never voicing her feelings, always putting the focus on him, asking and asking.

Frustrated and unable to find Morpheus’s deep embrace, she rose to her window. That damned window. Taunting her, accusing her almost. Her slander hands rested on the window’s handle. Gripping it more strongly.
She dropped it suddenly, remembering herself. How foolish she was, to give such importance to a simple window.

She regained her bed at once, and forcefully closed her lids. And like she had wished, she fell slowly into a deep sleep.

As Wendy left the conscious world, a bright light moved swiftly through the bedroom. It twinkled against the window, before lowering the handle and finally delivering the winter night air into the room.

The window was left open wide, and a shadowless figure stepped inside. A white toothed smile glowing in the darkness.

« Finally, you took your sweet time Tink ! »