These are powerful things

His lips fall on hers, in a powerful assault. The novelty of it shocks her. He presses the planes of his chest, against her restless hands, that grip his coat tighter. She should push him away, untangle herself and run away. Far from those, tantalizing lips, that seek her out without reprieve. Instead, she drowns in his touch. She feels the weight of him for the first time. A hand angles her face to his, and seeks purchase in her hair. A moan escapes her. His lips tease hers to open.

Of course she’d never kiss any man before, she’d never imagine she’d want it. But, in this strange moment, she does. Her desire ignites in her veins. Heat flushes her cheeks, as his bold tongue slips in. Shocked by it, she let’s him caress her with his wicked tongue. She forgets to breathe. She gasps for air, in between kisses. Something strange is happening to her. A tingling of sensations that seem familiar.

His kisses are as powerful as he is, unyielding, demanding and absolute. He cradles her face with both hands and he moans sending a shiver deep in her bones. Gods, how she wishes to hear more of those sweet sounds. Tentatively, her gloved hand reaches for his hair. And through the satin she feels the softness of it, desiring to feel them against her skin.

Dizzy with lust, she breaks the kiss. His breath is shallow too, his lips flushed as are hers. And that’s when she notices. Her feet are not touching the ground. Neither are his.

« Oh Gosh ! I’m… we !! » Eyes wide, incapable of saying it out loud. Like it would break the spell. His hold on her loosened, letting her levitate close.

They were floating ! Not floating, flying ! Joy, incomparable, bubbles inside her. She searches his face for the same surprize. What she finds, is a beautiful smile. One that seems to hit her and seize her heart painfully. Gosh, he’s so charming…

« Did you do this to me ? You made me fly ? »

He flew over her, positioning himself behind her, arms over hers. His wicked grin never leaving, making her heart flutter. He parted her hair gently, his face so near her neck.

« You did that on your own. » his voice a feather like touch on her sensitive skin.

They stood just a few feet above ground, and yet it felt like a new world, opening itself to her. He took one of her gloves off, letting the wind steal it.

« Do you feel it ? The call of the wind » he said in a sinful whisper.

Wendy was feeling everything, it was overwhelming. The joy of flying, was taking possession of her body.

« Forget them Wendy, forget them all. »

As he said those words, a brush of gold passed in front of Wendy’s eyes. It was like opening a secret door inside her mind. Like pulling on threads, that leads to a beautiful tapestry. One covered in moonlight, thick forests and pink cushiony clouds.

Her next breath is labored, as she discovers the savor of air for the first time in ten years. It’s too much at once. Her heart aches. She sees herself standing above a blond boy, she can feel the blood on his temple as she leans down. The words are muffled, but she hears her younger self.

« This belongs to you. And always will. »

Tears stream freely on her cheeks. She’s cold, and the pain grows in her like a vine, entrapping her heart.

« I remember… » she floats down, like a leaf in the autumn air.
Her feet collide with the hard ground, too hard. She falls, but is caught by Peter. She knows who her dream man, her stalker is. He is Peter Pan. One she’d love and left.

« Wendy… »

As burned by fire, she straightens and puts a good distance between them. Wiping her tears away, she faces him.

For a moment they stare at one another. Realization adorns his gorgeous face. Her eyes are screaming with resentment. How he had toyed with her. Left her to grow, alone, in this unforgiving world. And for what ? For him to grow too ? Make her forget what her responsibilities are. His expression turns serious, brows furrowed he approaches her.

« Don’t. » she backs slightly.

Still he advances on her, gaze set on hers. He corners her, once again against the wall.

« No. I won’t let you anymore. Is that it ? You’ve come to have your fun once more ? » She shakes her head.

A knot is lodge in her throat, tears threaten to burst out. He just crowds her.

« Wendy. » Each syllable of her name gliding on his mouth, said in a mournful way.

So many emotions, so many years of forgetfulness. She can’t take it, brush it away.

She pushes him away, and runs.

She’s back at her engagement party. The contrast between what just happened on the balcony, and what is going on inside, is daunting.
Composure is key, she repeats to herself, like a solemn prayer. She can’t unpack what she just discovered.

« Wendy dear, where have you been ? »

Her mother approaches her, concern and shock over her disheveled state. What could she say ? Mother, the boy of my dreams in not a boy anymore and I’ve tied myself to a man who will resent my every ambition. Of course she could never.

« I took some air, I’m… I need… » pondering her next words she simply said. « I was overwhelmed. »

Her adoring mother strokes her cheek, her sweet secretive lips stretched in a smile.

« My sweet girl, let me help you. » she says taking her hand and leading her away for the party. She helps put her hair back in place in a powder room, silently waiting for her daughter to let her burden down. She gives her own gloves to make up for the one Wendy seems to have misplaced.
Wendy remains quiet in front of the looking glass.

« Wendy, is it really what you want ? »

The reflection in the mirror paints a delicate picture of a mother and her younger image. Mirroring one another in beauty.

« What do you mean ? » She turns to face her mother.

« Simply that I know how much is resting on your shoulders. And you must know, your father and I, would support your choice. » Her mother looks at her with so much compassion. How she’d love for those words to hold some truth.

Wendy is not a young girl. She’s a woman, choosing accordingly to her values. She’ll never forget what her father sacrificed for his children. Working day in, day out. With only a small drawer of dreams to contemplate in the dark hours of the night.

« I know mother, I just needed a moment. »

Mrs Darling is no fool. Her daughter is hiding something and before long she’ll discover it. The two come back to the ballroom.

As Wendy’s eyes take the ballroom in as her mind is floating away, flying over rooftops. A dark shadow looms over her, covets her with a burning desire.

The shadow clings to her, its form, kissing the sole of her feet where her own shadow starts.