Second Star

Something about his tone had her opening her eyes a little. “Sorry… I forgot he was your friend back then. But… he kinda was an ass, TJ. Tryin’ to kill a kid, an’ all.” She closed her eyes again and snuggled deeper under her covers, suddenly feeling cold again.

She really was trying to keep her eyes open, but it was getting so hard. “What did the pirate do after that?” Willa asked sleepily. This was the part of the story she was more familiar with. Rumpelstiltskin killed her father’s love, and her father spent centuries trying to get revenge on ‘the crocodile’. She knew all of this, but she liked listening to Todd tell the story. 

“That is…a disturbingly valid concern to have. Though technically at best it would be hebephilia. Not much better. I only know this because of my occupation. And I’m nobody you should volunteer that information to as you’re clearly uncomfortable around me. I’ll be more than happy to take my curiosity and leave you in peace.”

“Alright.” Milah sat next to him, leaning in and watching as he worked. “I could never work wood all that well.” Her own attempts had always been…scary. Her fingers still itched. Reaching up she lightly ran them through his hair. “We could try drawing again, if you ever want a change. I could see your adventures.”

◢☸◣ He would pause in his task, blue eyes glancing up to his son after a moment with a tight knit to his brow.

“Now why would you go believing rubbish like that?” he queried with genuine curiosity, holding the young man in that unwavering gaze, pushing himself to his feet and approaching him. “Todd, allow me to remind you that you are a Jones,” his hand came to rest heavily on his son’s shoulder, leaning forward a little to be certain his attention was caught.  “A little self-doubt is understandable, and probably hereditary, but strength runs in our blood as well — and not just ours. Your mother was a force of nature to be reckoned with…”

His hand lifted from Todd’s shoulder to pat him on the cheek gently, letting his palm rest there as he spoke. “There’s no illusion to be had, lad. It’s in you, and I see it. We all do.” ◢☸◣

Todd glanced up at Killian when the hand landed on his shoulder. The words do make him feel better but he can’t shake that doubt nestled in his heart. It’s been there a long time and shows no signs of going away ever. 

“Like Neverland… Didn’t you and Papa and your mama live in Neverland?” she asked innocently. Todd rarely talked about his time in Neverland, and it was even more rare for him to talk about his childhood; there was no way for her to know the story was about his family.

Peter Pan smiled to the boy. He felt so proud, so much more happier to know that ALL of his Lost Boys didn’t hate him for the things he didn’t do in Neverland. ❝No..if they wanted me, they would have found me. We’re all family.❞ 

“I know..I know we do.” Olivia said as she looked to him. She wanted to take him with them but she wasn’t sure if it was possible. She wasn’t sure if even coming here for Hook was going to work. This whole idea was nuts in her opinion but she came because her brother and mother came. “Who?” she finally manages to get out. 

      “You didn’t have to do anything for my Birthday…Being with you is just enough.” Evie’s thick blue eyelashes fluttered in Todd’s direction. “You’re the only one who always stood by me…Every side of me. That is the greatest gift I could ever wish for.”

@ofthedarkwaters   🎂’d for a birthday starter

“He musta loved his son an awful lot to do that,” she said quietly. With her head resting against his shoulder, Willa looked up at her brother. “What’d the lady do? Was she able to keep her other baby?” This was a part she’d never heard before, and it made her curious.

“Yeah, ‘cause Pan was an ass. . an’ good guys always win,” Will mumbled. In the moment, she forgot how devoted her brother had once been to him.

“aye, i’m sure he will. he does love to teach you all the best ways to be as big a handful as he was.”