I like wanna give Neal a hug. Guys we haven't seen much of this guy, but yes he's showcasing trauma so well with how he's huddled in himself and yet also simultaneously has a charm about him?
Like... he actually can showcase guilt so well compared to other villain characters who literally refuse to admit what they did wrong and then get a redemption free of charge for siding with the good guys.
And his only fault was being fooled by a guy he met who knows who he is into thinking that leaving Emma was the best thing for her, because he's only holding her back. He legit believed that and that's what's sad, especially since he's the best thing that ever happened to her... but the moment his past comes back, the moment "Baelfire" is reminded to him, that little boy abandoned by his own father because magic and power was more important to him than him... he goes back to being a little boy again and just following the leader, or what others say is best...
It makes me wonder.... what his time with Pan was like...like did Pan also play a role in his lack of self-worth and why he just believed in Pinocchio when Pinocchio says he needs to leave Emma because he's holding Emma back from her destiny...
I imagine he did... like think about that song in Disney's Peter Pan, "Following the Leader".
Neal is charismatic and charming and basically comes up with plans to get money. Emma is really charmed with that. I can't decide is "Neal" is who he really is inside or if he's trying to embody the people in his life: Rumple, Pan, Hook. He certainly has the boyish Peter Pan charm about him, and Emma and him and how they act remind me very much of Peter and Wendy from 2003 Peter Pan. They literally giggle like teenagers and are always on the run like it's the time of their life, going from one adventure to the next and the only thing that matters is each other.
You could almost say Neal deciding to let Emma go resembles Peter letting Wendy go at the end of 2003 Peter Pan, realizing that Wendy has to grow up and that she's more than Neverland. He can't hold Wendy back away from her mother and father even if he wanted to. The only difference is Wendy wanted to go and grow up and told Peter so, so Peter was just following Wendy's wishes, and it wasn't a betrayal. It was...an almost farewell because saying goodbye means leaving forever and Peter never wants to leave Wendy. Neal on the other hand lets Emma go for a perceived destiny and believing that he has no place in it (which is where the similarity with Peter letting Wendy go is at least from what it looked in 2003 Peter Pan...might need to rewatch it).
Emma and Neal definitely looked to have embodied first love to me, you know (oh I have so many plans for them in Neverland...I'm actually going to have them meet much earlier but uh... I'm stuck on my outline so this might just stay in my head...forever)
Anyway Baelfire it seems is a scared little boy, and I can see Neal going back to that especially when his past is brought up, especially when he's in front of Rumple, though you can also see the adult Neal in him also standing strong against his father's emotions. It Baelfire to hurt Rumple, but Neal is the result of the loneliness and abandonment and that's who he is now. Neal is protecting himself, his inner child self, Baelfire, from the father that deep down he wants to give a second chance to but also knows...that it can't be until his father shows he can change.
And Rumple showed clearly, he hadn't. He hadn't changed at all.
I guess Neal is the adult child who has grown up with a parent that has substance abuse... at some point, you have to parent yourself when that parent is not there.
- Credit to the gifs owners - Please be specific about characters wanted for requests -
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• When you first met Peter you were extremely quiet, and he wasn’t really sure why. Usually all the people he meets are in awe of their surroundings, but you’re a different type of silent. And he honestly doesn’t mind.
• After Peter finally convinces you to join him he’s very much over the moon, almost literally. He doesn’t usually get someone to join him that is the shy and quiet type and he absolutely thinks that you’re someone he could get much closer to, rather than you being a person with the sole want for fun and games.
• He has a small little meeting with the boys before you meet them, as he definitely doesn’t want them to come across as intimidatingly loud or to scare you away when he’s so desperate to keep you with him. They may struggle to be on their best behaviour, but since it’s Peter instructing them they do try their best.
• Peter enjoys the peace and quiet of being able to be with you. You’re an outlet he’s never really had before, and if he ever wanted quiet in the past he’d have to take a long time away from the boys all by himself. Now he’s able to keep company with him, and never truly feel alone at any time.
• Peter encourages you to speak your mind as much as possible, but he does realise that you don’t like doing so around people you aren’t exactly close to. Until you’re able to talk freely and feel comfortable, he’d gladly take over and talk on your behalf if you’d let him.
• As well as not speaking out, he knows that any injuries you may have or danger you’ve been in would be kept to yourself. This is why he usually prefers to have someone nearby you in the case of anything happening. And after a while of getting to know him, he’s glad that you feel safe enough to let him know about such things.
• Because you’re not exactly the loud or gossiping type of person, Peter feels much more comfortable telling you things about himself and especially his deep dark secrets that the other boys don’t know about. Your quietness reassured him that you won’t tell others in the hopes of attention or to turn them against him, and by doing this you grow closer together.
• Peter would be broken if you ever decided to leave him. You’re the only peaceful outlet he has from his loud and chaotic life with the boys and he just wants someone to relax with. If you do ever leave, he’d be a completely different person from the second you’ve left, and the boys may never be able to get the Peter they once knew back.
• Peter would be much more explosive than you during and argument or disagreement. No matter how close the two of you get, he hates someone questioning his authority or not following what he thinks is best. However, if he knows that you’re shying away from him afterwards he would immediately feel guilty and try his best to apologise to you at his first chance of doing so.
Request: hey may I request a one shot for your Peter Pan story if yes can you, use my real name (Zai) instead of Y/N if you please and can you have me pans total opposite like sweet, shy everything he would hate but in the end he falls for her and becomes really protective
Pairing: Pan x Zai
Warnings: Cliffhangerrrr
< Part 1
Heavy, gloomy, and dark atmosphere swept through the camp, the boys quite obviously upset but too afraid to show any grievance in front of their ruthless leader as they held tears back behind their eyes. It had been like this for a week now, but somehow I couldn't seem to share the same sadness with the boys, I didn't feel bad, I hardly knew the boy and what I did know about him I didn't like.
The loud cracks and pops of the fire pulled me from my thoughts, snapping my head up to watch the orange and red flames dance with each other. The golden glow spread across the camp, painting it, contrasting with the dark gloomy sky.
A familiar pair of green eyes were caught staring at me from across the way, meeting my brown ones. I would say it bought a light blush to spread across the King of Neverlands cheeks, but as quickly as it came it left again. It was probably a trick of the light but this wasn't the first time I had noticed him watching me, observing me. Probably wondering if I was worth keeping around or not.
I found myself spending more and more time with the cold leader of the lost boys, not because I wanted to, just because he always seemed to be around me like a phantom slowly stalking me in the night. Never leaving, never straying from the path that I created, always watching, lurking, creeping. It seemed like he kept track of my every word, making notes of where I went and what I would do, who I spoke to.
Sweat trickled down my fare skin, the sudden feeling of grease and muck made my whole body tense up in disgust, I needed a wash and soon. Rising from the makeshift bench I was sat at I began to walk out of camp, I felt his eyes following me.
Stepping over the threshold of the Lost Boys territory I released a breath I didn't know I was holding in.
It was so peaceful walking through the forest at night, there were no animals or birds to be heard as they were all sound asleep by now, there was nothing but me and the trees. They silently watched as I passed them by as if they were guiding the way to the waterfall for me, mapping out the path I would take, making sure I didn't stray, and get myself into trouble.
The sound of rushing water grew louder and louder in my ears, indicating it was a step closer to becoming clean once more.
There it was, the most beautiful thing I had ever seen before. Clear, clean water running down cliff face basking the glory of the pale moonlight causing it to glow with a powerful silver shimmer. Everything surrounded it seemed to glow too, as if this tiny part of the island was untouched by the boy's wicked ways and remained pure, holding the power of a Goddess. The flowers seemed to dance in the moonlight stretching towards the starry night sky to drink up its silver shine. The scene before captured my gaze, refusing my eyes from averting themselves. As if possessed, I stalked forward ever so slowly, scared that the delicate scenery would be ruined by my presence. It was so beautiful, I was terrified I would mess it all up it like throwing a bucket of water over a freshly painted canvas, but it was like the spirits of the water pulled me in closer and closer, beckoning me to come in and be purified by the magic it supplied the island.
Slowly, the top part of my dress slipped off my shoulders, revealing the nape of my neck to the onlooking moon. I had no reason to hide or cover myself, for I was loved, the moon welcomed me, hugging me with its beaming silver light. It continued to fall, showing the beauty of my back which connected to my behind, the cold air was not a problem for the giant in the sky protected me from any harm such as the harsh cold. White cloth that once covered me tumbled down, leaving my entire body exposed to the wilderness. Next to flee my frame were my boots, feeling my feet meeting the grass, letting it rub in between my toes, and grounding me.
I stood, completely naked and free, praising my imperfections. Smiling down at every stretch mark, kissing every scar, appreciating my moles, befriending every freckle that resided on my skin, grasping the love handles at either side of my body and giving out a giggle of happiness.
I felt like I was a child once more, so innocent and carefree. The love that poured into my heart was overwhelming, calming, freeing. As I got closer and closer to the healing water of the waterfall, my appreciation for myself only grew more and more intense. Beautiful roses seemed to empower me, tall trees gave me the courage I needed, the small koi fish which swam around in the clear waters supplied me with the grace I always knew I had. A single tear slipped down my rosy cheeks soon being washed away by the remedial waters the island gifted to me.
Drops slide over my skin, healing me from the toxicity of my old mindset. I was free, happy, cleansed, and totally whole. There is no reason for me to hide myself anymore, there was no reason to hide myself in the first place for we are all perfect no matter what we look like. Bliss consumed me, bursting into every cell in my body, flowing through my veins as I laughed and smiled, cupping the beautiful water, letting it pour through my fingertips.
I danced and cheered, this was the first time I had felt like this and no words could describe how amazing it is. I had been holding onto society's idea of the "perfect" body for too long and now I see we are all perfect, every single being in the universe is totally and utterly beautiful. All of us, children of the moon, stars, and sun as they lend us their beauty. We are pure. We are whole. We are loved.
It was only then that I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure, perfects poised, leaning against a tree. Vibrant green eyes stood out the most in the dark forest, reminding me of the Cheshire cat lurking in the shadows. His arms crossing over his broad chest, veins almost popping out of them, his shirt hugged his frame nicely as if it were made for him.
I felt proud, not feeling the need to cover up, not like it matter to the king much anyway for his eye didn't scan over me as I had expected them to do. They stared deeply into mine, not moving, a smile played on his lips but there was something about it that was different. It wasn't an act of lust but rather one of amazement, as if I had taken his gaze as a hostage much like the way the waterfall had mesmerized me.
As quickly as the boy appeared in front of me he left again, surrounding himself in a cloud of dark green smoke, leaving nothing but the air in his wake.
Bright stars shimmered in the sky, lighting the way back to camp. I didn't put my shoes back on but carried them in my hands, the dirt and leaves crumbled below my feet. Camp looked more lively upon my return, the boys were finally up on their feet and dancing around the fire, clashing their sticks together and they cheered and hollered.
A small, tired voice sounded, "Zai~" He spoke, pulling on the hem of my dress.
I smiled down at the sleepy little boy, "What's up Daemon?"
"Can you read me a story?" The glimmer in his eyes made it hard to refuse his request, the little boy warmed my heart, giving his place a sense of hope and innocence.
I nodded in reply and with that his little hand grasped mine, guiding me towards his time tent that was lit with nothing but a candle. Hopping up onto the bed he pulled the cute little storybook out from under his pillow, passing it to me.
I ran my thumb over the cover whispering the title into the cold air of the night, "Peter Pan" I almost laughed at how ironic it was, no wonder the small boy had ended up here.
"Once upon a time..." I began.
As time passed the child's eyes grew too heavy for him to keep open and he let sleep consume his body. Silently, I leaned over his, placing a soft kiss upon his forehead.
"You're good with kid's," A British accent whispered, turning to face him he seemed to stand in the exact same position that he had when watching me at the waterfall, like he is a statue.
"You were watching me," I replied in a hushed tone, more as confirmation to myself rather than a question.
"I was, you're good with him," He said, "Daemon needs someone like you to keep him safe, a mother."
"I am no mother," I whispered to the king of Neverland.
"You're more a mother to him than the woman who birthed him," Pan spoke, "She starved him, beat him, and left him for dead in a street alley."
It pained me to know what he had been through, my heart cried for him. He was safe now, here with his family, here with the lost boys. How could anyone do that to someone so pure, someone so innocent and small?
Pan knew that although I didn't respond, I understood. He could see the pain that I was feeling on the boys' behalf.
"You were also watching me at the waterfall," I said.
"That I was, I admired you. Seeing the way that you danced, you were free and happy. You had the power to turn your weaknesses into strength, you're stronger than you look, little one." With that, he gave me a smile before leaving the room.
I felt a sense of pride swell up in my chest, could this be true? Could the ruthless, cold-hearted, cruel, malicious Peter Pan be proud of me? Could I possibly have earned his respect after so long of being here?
As the days passed by the boys seemed to warm up to me, allowing me to hunt with them, dancing with them around the fire, play games with them. They stopped treating me like an outcast and more like part of their family.
"Listen up boys!" Pan's voice boomed, scaring birds from trees and causing animals to sprint away, "We have some visitors."
The smirk on the boy kings face grew causing a shiver to travel up and down my spine, I felt hot all of a sudden.
The lost boys hollard and cheered, we all knew what this meant, pirates.
Excited and eager we all rushed down to the shore, weapons at the ready. The boys were ruthless and bloodthirsty, looking for a fight, I however was on the more cautious side of things. I don't like to fight, I never did, but if I didn't want to be seen as weak again it would be a smart idea for me to join them only if it is for the time being.
By the time my feet met with the sandy beach, the fight was already in full force, the sound of metal clanking with metal and battle cries filled the crisp air. From where I stood the lost boys all looked so small, like ants fighting against another colony.
Silently, I watched the scene before me unfold. People were getting hurt, boys were getting hurt. Thick red blood dyed the golden sand with no remorse and I could do nothing but watch.
So wrapped up in my own thoughts I didn't notice the dirty pirate sneaking up behind me, hand covering my mouth as he attempted to drag me to Hook's ship.
I didn't know what to do, or how to react, but I wasn't going anywhere without putting up some kind of a fight.
Wriggling and struggling against him I tried my hardest to keep my feet planted into the ground, my efforts were useless. I bit down hard at the hand covering my mouth, causing him to yelp out and grasp the attention on the others. A sharp, sneering pain exploded in my side as I let out a muffled scream, trying hard to not look weak in front of the lost boys.
My foot came down hard on his and my elbow swiftly embedded itself into his stomach before he fell to the floor with a groan, in an effort to get as far away from him and possible I stumbled to the tree line. A wet feeling covered my hands, sticking to my shirt and sides. Red, that's all I could see.
"Zai" Pan's voice filled my ears, the look of worry was noticble on his face, it was strange seeing him show any emotion other than angry, "I've got you, don't worry I've got you."
Panic flowed through my veins, who's blood was that? His or mine?
My vision quickly became blurred, it was like I was under a spell, stuck in some trance that I couldn't get out of. The king of Neverlands voice echoed around in my skull, I wanted to reply, I wanted to tell him I was fine, but the words couldn't leave my mouth before everything went black.
"Zai!" the angry shout from the leader was the last thing I heard before falling to the ground.
