show me now;

where does it hurt? everywhere everywhere everywhere -- michael darling; 20.

[littlemichaeldarling]

“We did, Andromeda... Another year down.”

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael sat on the window sill of his apartment, his legs dangling out in the open of the breezy London night. It probably looked rather suspicious to anyone walking by. After all, he was now known for a moment of weakness of his that had occurred a year ago.

A year, four months, two weeks, and 6 days ago -- but really, who was counting?

[wendyclosed]

“Michael Louis Nicholas Darling…” Wendy called warningly, the polite knock turning into a closed fist pound on the door.

‘Uncle Mikey hiding?’ came a little voice, tugging on the hem of Wendy’s jumper.

“Yes, Alfie, Uncle Mikey is hiding from mummy…” she replied gently before turning back to the door and raising her voice. “And it doesn’t make her very happy! Come on, Michael..”

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael’s expression softened at the sound of his sister and his nephew’s voices, but still he couldn’t push himself to open the door. He’d yet to properly understand the weight of what he’d done and the last thing he wanted was for the people he cared about to feel the same way. With an awkward tug on his sleeves to cover up the scarring, his eyes remained on the comic book.

[morgandexter-blog]

The night miss Watson was killed, do you remember anything about that night besides what you told me? 

[littlemichaeldarling]

It should be one of the happier days, as it was his twentieth birthday. But like every other day for the past year, Michael found himself petting Andromeda as he lazily flipped through a torn comic book, ignoring the birthday messages on his phone and the current knock on his door.

[streetsofneverland-rpg-blog]

→ BEFORE 

While he was underage, Michael’s life consisted of waking up, being taken to a fancy private school by bodyguards, and then coming back home and staying locked up in the penthouse for the rest of the evening. He passed most of his time doing homework, but also enjoyed immersing himself in his collection of comic books. Though he  wasn’t often allowed out without supervision, he did manage to have several friends around Neverland, ignoring that for the most part they were employed by his parents. Michael grew particularly close to Nanette, finding himself most at ease around her without really knowing why. The youngest Darling always seemed the most hesitant with the activities of Neverland, choosing to remain as indifferent as possible for as long as he could manage. Despite their questionable examples, he looked up to his older siblings and always wanted to do right by them. With great amounts of change happening all at once, his parents sudden divorce and his siblings moving out, Michael turned himself inwards as a way of coping. He spent most of his time with his pet rabbit, Andromeda, finding himself too anxious to be around larger crowds of people.

→ AFTER  

After secondary school, Michael attended university like he always wanted. The reality of it, however, was quite unlike the fantasy that he formed in his head. After years cooped up in the penthouse, Michael’s social skills suffered drastically. He found it difficult to connect with people or truly enjoy the college experience. His anxiety slipped into a deep depression, and his grades began to suffer. He never thought he’d miss Neverland but he did; he missed his siblings, his friends, everything. The conglomeration of emotions caused Michael to suffer from a mental breakdown after winter break of his first year and he attempted to commit suicide. The incident promptly made him drop out of school, move back to Neverland, and fall off the map. He lives in his own apartment like a recluse, not eating or sleeping properly, too embarrassed to face his actions. Michael exists lifelessly, preferring that to feeling all the pain that the past few years caused him. No one, not even his siblings or his parents, has really seen him for the past year and Michael intends to keep it that way.

→ CONNECTIONS 

son of George and Mary, younger brother of John and Wendy

   ░  TAKEN

[ginnysarver]

Ginny pressed her lips together to suppress her chuckle as she watched Michael ram some of the muffin into his mouth before giving some to the bunny in his arms. “I hope that muffin doesn’t have any chocolate in it.” Not that she actually knew whether or not rabbits could have chocolate. For all she knew, bunnies were nothing like dogs. “Can they have muffins?” she asked curiously, a smile on her lips as she cocked her head to the side.

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael looked up at the voice, shaking his head vigorously before answering. “No, no. No chocolate. She can’t eat chocolate.” He responded insistently, taking another bite of his muffin. “She can only have a bite, nothing more.”

[peterfxckingpan]

“That’s a relief, that’s a tragedy no one wants on their hands.” 

Peter watched the bunny for another few seconds before he looked to Michael again. 

“So, what’s up? You two just hanging out?”

[littlemichaeldarling]

“Yes. I-- Hanging outside is just better as of late. The penthouse gets a bit lonely.”

As it should, with his mother gone and his father working and his siblings living their adult lives. It was just Michael and Andromeda, really.

[mermacombe]

“Too long,” he agreed, glancing at the bodyguard. It had been foolish of him to forget that a Darling would have protection. Thatcher relaxed though, he had no intention of hurting Michael. “I’m doing well. Enjoying my day off. How are you?” He asked before his eyes slid to the bunny. He slowly crouched down some, not wanting to startle anyone. “And who is this?”

[littlemichaeldarling]

“Day off? Where do you work?” Michael asked curiously. The concept of a job was interesting to him, considering he would probably never need one in his life ever. Once the attention was directing at Andromeda, he smiled lightly as he carefully pet her. “This is Andromeda. My bunny. I got her as a gift for my birthday. She just turned one.”

[mermacombe]

Thatcher hadn’t thought anything about seeing a boy with a rabbit, and in fact, he’d nearly walked past them both until he realized he knew the boy. It had been awhile, but there was no denying that before him was Michael Darling. “Hey Michael,” he greeted carefully, gauging the boys reaction. Thatcher just couldn’t tell where he stood with any of the Darlings anymore.

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael looked up at the sound of his name, eyebrows furrowing together as he appraised the guy in front of him. In the corner of his eye, he could see his bodyguard stiffen at the new arrival but Michael waved him down with a flick of his hand. He recognized this person and as soon as he did, the confused look left his face and the young boy smiled warmly.

“Thatcher? It’s been a while. How are you?”

[peterfxckingpan]

“Can rabbits eat muffins?” Peter asked as he scratched the rabbit’s ears, watching the very act in motion as he questioned it. 

“Like you know how you feed a dog chocolate it explodes? That won’t happen to her will it?“

[littlemichaeldarling]

“They can only get teeny tiny pieces.” Michael responded. If he was being honest, Peter’s question was one of the first he’d Googled after he’d gotten Andromeda. “She won’t explode. I won’t let her.”

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael nearly rammed half of the muffin into his mouth, before he realized he was a Darling and he probably should act like it. Instead, he carefully peeled back the paper and took a polite bite, pinching off a piece to offer to the bunny sitting next to us.

“Eat quick. We’ve got to be home soon, Andi.”

[littlemichaeldarling]

"Sorry... Did you say something?" Michael mumbled, a bit distracted. Blinking rapidly, he glanced upwards.

[nanaafterhours-blog]

"Thank you," Nana said softly, smiling widely and touching her neck at the compliment. It felt different than the compliments men gave her since she’d started waiting tables at The Green Fairy. Michael wasn’t expecting to get anything after he told her she looked pretty. It made her stomach flutter a little.

"It feels odd, wearing white to a wedding."

[littlemichaeldarling]

"But it works, considering this isn't the most traditional of weddings, I suppose." He responded, pleasant smile still in place. Andromeda attempted to squirm her way up his shoulder but he kept her within his arms to avoid getting fur everywhere. "Would you like something to drink?"

[jollycaptainjames-blog1-blog-de]

He rolled his eyes as someone bumped into him. He was about to snap, but when he turned, there was Michael. He immediately shifted to tilting his head as he saw the rabbit in the boy’s arms. But he forced a smile to the youngest Darling.

"The one and only."

[littlemichaeldarling]

"What are you doing here?" He shouldn't be there, that much Michael was sure of. And even if he himself was happy to see someone he once considered his brother, he knew the rest of his family wouldn't feel the same.

[jollycaptainjames-blog1-blog-de]

He debated on walking in without a dramatic flair. But being silent for too long, waiting for people to notice wasn’t too good for him either. So he settled for a compromise. He slipped inside so easily and once he had a wine glass in his hand, he sighed.

"What a lovely event.”

[littlemichaeldarling]

It was exhausting holding Andromeda in his arms the whole ceremony, considering that she was growing very large. Still, Michael preferred this option to setting her down and risk her hopping away to God knows where. Ducking his head a bit, he maneuvered through the crowd, promptly bumping into someone. "Sorry." He gasped, glancing up a bit flustered. The sight that awaited him brought an expression of surprise and confusion onto his face.

"J--James?"

[nanaafterhours-blog]

"Andromeda, you look beautiful!" Nana beamed as she appeared out of the crowd, her invitation in one hand and a small purse in the other.

"New suit?" she smiled at Michael.

[littlemichaeldarling]

Michael was relieved to see Nana. She never gave him strange looks or treated him in any other way than what a friend should. His face was still solemn, but his lips curled into a half smile.

"Yes. I got it especially for today." He replied softly, taking in her appearance. "You-- You look very pretty."