1927

Peter was the happiest, most playful being in all of the universe. From that sorrowful day with Wendy, Peter had worked on getting back to his old self, as if nothing had happened to him or Wendy or anything! He spent his days working with the Lost Boys, pulling off heists, protecting different tribes. The usual stuff a space hero would bring to the world. His reputation in Neverland was now stronger than ever.

He felt a tad embarrassed about it, but he delivered several copies of Peter and Wendy across Neverland. Hardly anyone read it though since leisure reading is not really a thing in Neverland. But, sometimes, in the darkest of days, when a shred of happiness was nowhere to be found in the dark, his story was told amongst the beings of Neverland. It wasn’t just a story to them. It wasn’t history either. To Neverland, Peter was a living legend. And the book was only the start of it.

It didn’t take long for the tales of him to be exaggerated. What started as him fighting one pirate, turned into him taking on a whole planet by himself. Peter wooing strange aquatic creatures, turned into him being a giant flirt and able to seduce anyone. Peter truly didn’t mind any of these stories. Not just because he was flattered by them, but because of how much power it gave him.

Peter could now ask for a higher rate when performing a job. Less beings tried to fight him. Some planets he went to thought he was just a legend or tale that was made up. It always made his day, watching their face turn into either awe or fear when they realized that he was the great Peter Pan. He was the first celebrity in Neverland. And he loved every moment of it.

There was a tad bit of pressure being the great Peter Pan, however. Peter felt as if he always had to be the persona in the book. Most of the time, he was genuinely the happy go lucky optimistic human he truly was. But there were days when he felt like he had to force it. He didn’t want anyone changing the story about him in Neverland and he couldn’t give them a reason. He also never wanted to let anyone down. He had fans to impress.

His days weren’t only spent having adventures in space, however. Peter decided to really explore Earth. He discovered there were many things to do on Earth that he wasn’t able to do on Neverland. It made him think of life in a different way. The itinerary would change every time he went there, wanting to soak in all Earth had to offer. Some days consisted of looking at paintings and art sculptures. He couldn’t believe someone would spend all the time in the world working on these things. There was something about these relics from the past that intrigued him. Some days he would find ways to listen to music, either live or recorded. A thing called jazz was now a thing. He didn’t quite understand it, but that’s what he loved about it.

One of his favorite things that recently was discovered were recorded performances called moving pictures. At first, Peter scoffed at these. He couldn’t believe that Earth had just now learned how to record someone. But then he realized, it wasn’t just the recording that captivated audiences, it was the stories they told. Peter had always loved books and the stories they created, but couldn’t believe he was now watching characters express feelings and thoughts. And, to make things better, they now had sound, which Peter may or may not have decided to help out on that portion of their technology. He wondered if there would ever be a movie about him? Who would play him? It was all so exciting.

Despite the excitement, the downside of all of it was he wasn’t able to share it with anyone. He showed Tink jazz music and she purposely shut herself down. He brought a movie to the Lost Boys and they just laughed at how terrible the quality of the recording was. Slightly showed a bit of interest, but that quickly faded when he showed him a book titled The Great Gatsby.

“People actually take their time to look at these words, for fun?” Slightly scoffed at the idea of reading for pleasure rather than reading because it’s a mission report. “Also, why does this guy keep mentioning the color green?”

“Well, it’s actually a thing called symbolism where green represents…” Peter stopped explaining when Slightly’s attention span clearly flew away.

“A color can’t be a symbol Pan! That doesn’t make sense!” That was the last time he tried explaining anything to do with leisure to Slightly. Though, he did every now and then, ask about Earth. He couldn’t believe their technology was so poor and thought they could help, but Peter was always hesitant. Earth was his, and for now he would like to keep it that way.

During his times on Earth, he always avoided London. He wanted to, from time to time, check in on her. But he was certain that she wouldn’t want to see him. He flew by the cottage one time late at night, but felt like a stalker and left as quickly as he could.

Something came up though that made him have to return to London. Tink intercepted a radio transmission that stated a theater in London was putting on a stage play of Peter and Wendy. Peter had seen the play multiple times, but at this showing in particular, J.M. Barrie was going to be in attendance. Peter had to meet him. He wanted to thank him, even if J.M. had no idea who he was. He still to meet the man that put him and his story on the map.

Not wanting any accidental run ins with Wendy, he planned to arrive a few moments before the show began. She shouldn’t be in London, but just in case. Perhaps it was subconscious or pure coincidence, but Peter arrived much earlier than expected and decided to hop around the city. The crowd was the exact antithesis of the last time he was in London.

London was doing something that was roaring, at least that’s what Peter understood it as. After the Great War, there was a surge in wealth and a focus on leisure, exactly what Peter needed in his life. All of the faces of the crowd were no longer that of gloom and sorrow, but rather optimism and happiness. Peter’s face reflected the crowd’s as he paced throughout. Until he saw her.

He was speechless at first, stopping dead in his tracks. Across the way was a local bookshop, the same one he found his copy of Peter and Wendy, where he found her. When he last saw her, she was just a few years older looking than Peter, but now she had quite a few years on him. But the wonder in her eyes still resembled that of her younger self as she window shopped over which novel she should buy.

Peter thought about walking up to her and seeing how she was, but figured he shouldn’t. He had inadvertently caused so much pain in her life and wouldn’t take that risk again. It was tragic. Looking at an old friend that you can’t catch up with.

A passerby bumped into Peter. “Oh sorry,” he replied. Peter disappeared into the crowd as an act of camouflage when he heard an all too familiar voice.

“Peter?” He halted to a stop. A brief flash of an idea came into his head of running into the crowd and vanishing. That idea quickly collapsed as he turned around, scared, but anxious to meet with Wendy once again. Her face met his and he couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.

“Wendy? You’re back in London?” They quickly embraced each other, having been apart for so many years.

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“I’ve been back for years now! Why are you here?” she inquired, sounding more curious than accusatory.

“Just been a while you know? Wanted to see the old neighborhood,” he lied being incredibly embarrassed that he was here for the play based on his life.

“Do you have time to catch up?” Winter inquired. Peter checked the time and he had about half an hour till show time, but he couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

They found an old pub that was apparently ‘hopping’ as Wendy put it. Sitting down for a drink, Peter had no idea what would be happen with their conversation. “So, what’s been going on with your life?” Wendy asked, leaning toward him with interest.

As Peter explained, he sensed a hint of sadness with Wendy. She seemed happy for him, but her expressions felt fake. She would add in the occasional “That’s amazing” or “So fun!” but they didn’t seem very genuine. He finished his story and an awkward silence happened between them.

“And what about you? I’m sure lots has been going on for you,” Peter said tip toeing around the fact that her brothers and father were dead.

“Oh, it’s been quite grand actually. I’m in the process of selling a novel,” she said downplaying the information.

“What! That’s amazing! You have to let me read it!”

“Of course!” Wendy exclaimed as her face turned into one of surprise. “It’s…in the process of being published now. It takes quite a while for it to come out. You know, with the state of the publishing industry,” she gestured to him. Peter nodded in agreement, even though he hadn’t a clue on how the publishing industry worked. “And you know, been going to parties, and dancing. It’s been really great.”

“That’s great to hear! I’m so glad things have gotten better.” Wendy smiled and nodded with a clenched jaw. “How’s your mother?”

“She’s fine, really enjoying the country life. It’s just, not for me.” Awkward silence happened yet again between the two.

“Well I think I should-” Peter began.

“I was thinking about the old days between us recently.” Shock and awe filled Peter’s face. He assumed she hated him.

“Really? What about them?” Peter curiously inquired.

“Just everything about them. The fun we had. The places we could go to. I was wondering, if you had any plans…go back and maybe take someone with you?” Wendy hinted as she grew an embarrassed look.

“Like, you want to go back to Neverland?” Peter questioned baffled. Wendy nodded with elation. Peter couldn’t believe she was asking him this. Never in a thousand lifetimes did he expect that she would want to return. Throwing out his plans for the theater he responded with, “Of course! Let’s pack a bag and get out of here!”

Relieved, Wendy cheered and went in for a hug. As they hugged, Peter felt as if he should pinch himself. He never imagined he would ever speak to Wendy again, let alone her wanting to go back to Neverland.

“When should I come by Darling Manor?”

“How about you just meet me in the outskirts of London, near the country side?”

“Okay?”

“I’m just doing some renovations to the manor right now and am staying at a temporary place till they’re done. And it’s very crowded. Even with the cloaking device I don’t think we’ll manage to leave undetected.”

“Sounds good! East side it is?”

“Can’t wait!” Wendy said as she exited the bar.

Peter quickly made his way back to the Jolly Roger. When he walked into the cargo bay Tink commented, “Must have been a quick show.”

“Change of plans. We’re going back to Neverland!”

“So soon? Is another job lined up?”

“Maybe.” Peter paused and took a deep breath, unsure of how Tink would react to the news. “We’re bringing Wendy with us.”

“Wendy? She actually spoke with you?”

“Yep, we’re picking her up and taking her back.”

“Peter, do you really believe this is such a good idea?”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Peter asked knowing damn well why it may not be a good idea.

“Do I have to remind you about the reason she went with you last time?”

“Tink.” Peter looked up to the ceiling as if he was staring at her face. “I don’t want to hear it. Plus, she’s doing much better now.”

“Understood.” Peter continued to the main console and began to coordinate the position to pick up Wendy. They would have the greatest time together, just like the old days.

But of course, Tink was right. This time quicker than the last. Only a week or so passed until Wendy had a mental breakdown in her room. She belted out crying, sliding against a wall till she was balled up in the fetal position. Peter came to her rescue, but as soon as he got close, she yelled, “Don’t touch me!” Peter backed away cautiously.

“Wendy, I don’t understand,” was all Peter could say. “You don’t have to be here. I can take you back at any time.”

“I don’t want to go back! There’s nothing for me there!”

“But…I thought you said you had a book published. There’s so much there for you.”

“I lied,” she sniffled. “All of it. There’s no book. I tried writing it, but it just didn’t come through. I just said that because I was embarrassed.” Peter took all this in to process.

“Everything you told me was a lie? Everything?”

Wendy nodded and let the silence pass. She made brief eye contact with Peter as he thought about all the life updates she gave him.

“There’s a reason I didn’t pick you up at Darling Manor.”

“Well, it is getting renovated. I had to sell it. Sold it for next to nothing. I lost control of it. It decayed and I cut my losses. It’s still there, just looks terrible. Last I heard, the owner was about to try and fix it up.” Moments of silence passed. Peter somehow knew the answer, but he needed Wendy to answer.

“You mother?”

“No longer with us. Sold the cottage too. I rent a very small place on the outskirts of the city. Just trying to hang onto what I used to have.” Peter couldn’t believe Wendy’s words. He thought that she thought of him as a friend, one you could always be honest with. Wendy looked over at him ashamed. “I’m sorry I asked to come here. I just needed a break.”

“Like last time.”

“But every time I leave, I feel like I’m messing up. I’m not moving forward in life. I certainly don’t want a life here.” That last sentence hurt Peter. “But I needed to get away. I had to.” Wendy now looked terrified, thinking about what would have happened if she stayed. “It’s a catch 22.” Peters furred his brow at her expression. “I need to stay there to get better. But when I’m there I want to leave and get away.”

“When are you happy then?” Wendy laughed at how absurd the question was.

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question then? I’m sorry Peter. I was about to…” Wendy’s mouth quivered, unable to finish her sentence.

“About to what?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. When I saw you in the city, I knew I could use you for a way to escape. And I’m so sorry for that.” Peter got closer and sat next to her.

“It’s okay,” Peter said as he put his arm around her. “I would have done the same.” Wendy smiled at this and collapsed her head into his body. He knew it was a lie, but he knew it would make Wendy feel so much better. She used him again, thinking it would make her feel better, only to make everything so much worse, unable to live a life in two different universes, much like how Peter had.

He took a huge sigh and said, “Everything is going to be okay, Wendy. We’ll get you back. But you’re going to have to try to only live there. No more seeing me as a scapegoat. Okay?” Wendy nodded solemnly.

“So, this is goodbye?” Peter could feel his eyes getting wet. He wanted to tell her that it wasn’t. He wanted to say that when she got back on her feet and wanted to just be friends they could. That she would always have an open door to Neverland. But he knew that would only help his mind, not hers.

“I think so.”

“But…saying goodbye means going away,” Wendy started. “And going away means…”

“Wendy,” he took his hands and lifted her chin so their eyes would meet. “I will never forget you. I never could.” He wanted to finish with, ‘Just don’t forget me,’ but he thought it may be best if Wendy did.

The next day he dropped her off hoping that she would be better. He wished the best life for her. Peter was torn on what he wanted. Apart of him would have loved it if Wendy contacted him later down the road, but not just to escape. He wanted her to contact him because she missed him. But another part hoped she would never contact him again. That her life would be so amazing that Neverland would pale in comparison. He couldn’t have both. He would later find out he couldn’t have either.

Peter returned back to the ship, not wanting to talk to anyone. But Tink stopped that from happening. “You okay, sir?” Peter entered the captain’s deck and saw a copy of Peter and Wendy on the main console. He thought about the Peter that book portrayed. The happy go lucky kid that would never grow up. The person everyone expected him to be. He swallowed and put on a happy face.

“Of course, Tink! Let’s get out of here! I’m sure Hook could use a visit from us. What do you think?” Peter lifted his eyes to the ceiling with a grin. As he piloted the ship, he felt his happy face slowly fade away as his true thoughts and feelings clouded his mind.