⊹ ۪ 𖥔 ˑ ִ ֗ ִ ۫ ˑ ⊹ ۪ 𖥔 ˑ ִ ֗ ִ ۫ ˑ ⊹ ۪ 𖥔 ˑ ִ ֗ ִ ۫ ˑ
( Five - War of hearts )

"HEY, I HAD A lot of fun playing the flute with you, Pan." She hurried after him. ". . . Pan?"

Pan appeared unbothered, not even the colourful butterflies that flew about him caught his attention. He walked on, head held low. He wanted to tell her he had fun too. But, he couldn't. He didn't want anything to do with her. When she came into Neverland, he knew he would have some connection with her.

Change him even.

And so he regretted bringing her in. All that swarmed Pan's mind was the fact that he didn't want to get close to her.

For he was scared of loosing her. The pain that it would create would be far too much. And he had learnt that from Wendy Darling.

The night before his shadow visited her in London, it told him that Autumn would be the one "to put an end to all suffering". And he believed it.

Because, it was true.

He completely forgot about the feud between him and Blythe and much rather focused on Autumn. Ever since her arrival, it impacted Neverland, everything was much more delightful. Pan had never seen the lost boys' faces so full of joy.

Perched upon the tree, he realised Autumn had given up on pestering him with questions. Much to his liking, his shadow floated around him.

Pan picked at the hem of his sleeve, "What do you want?"

Its eyes glimmered yellow, "After a storm comes a calm." and just like that it disappeared and away.

Lifting his back up and brushing away leaves that stuck on his trousers he was struck with fear. What kind of storm? He would have to prepare; perhaps Autumn would end all the suffering. With every muscle within Pan's body, he despised the burdens of carrying trauma around. He wanted it gone.

Taking a swig of water from his canteen, he gazed from afar. Sprinting across the field with Grey on top of her shoulders, was Autumn. The lost boys surrounded the two and doubled over in fits of laughter. They all took in turns, trying to give each other piggy back rides and raced across the fields.

They were all supposed to be picking apples and fruits in the forest. But, Pan was not as cruel as you may think. He let them all run wild, spending their days as children.

Because that was what Neverland was for, was it not?

Pan decided that he would be staying on his thinking tree for a while. For if he returned to camp, everyone would stop playing around and get back to work. If he let them continue, they'd think he'd gone soft.

There was nothing wrong with being soft at all- but to him, it meant a whole deal. With Captain Hook on his tail, he needed to act tough. The last thing he needed was everyone to think he was weak and have war break out once again.

Halting him on his thoughts was a timid voice, a small hand clasped onto his boot. "Hullo Pan." Grey called out from below, still sat on Autumn's shoulders. The little boy fiddled with the flower crown that was decorated in her hair, one that was made by River.

"What on earth are you two doing here?" Pan tried to keep a strict voice. But, it was hard with Grey's lovable eyes looking at him.

"I wanted to ask if you wanted to join us? We're about to play musical chairs and I have my flute ready. I'm going to need some help with the music though." She motioned towards the flute that hung loosely by a string around his neck. Autumn grew tired of carrying Grey on to her shoulders and let him wander beside them.

Reluctantly, Pan followed after. "Now why would I do that? You all are supposed to be doing your duties, you do realise."

Before he could say anything else, Grey complained about how fast the two were pacing and tugged at Pan's shirt. "I'm tired." He pouted. Without leaving a second thought, he lifted the little boy into his arms and onto his back. "Yay! Now I'm taller than you Tumtum." Grey cheered.

Autumn giggled and booped his nose, "Sure you are Grey!"

Pan's eyes softened at the pair of them. He spent hours on end, trying to make the younger boy happy. It was the least he could do to make himself feel better. Especially when Captain Hook to the life of his little sister- Tinkerbelle.

Forgetting everything that worried him beforehand, he decided, that he needed to embrace change.