There was a line between protectiveness and possessiveness. Peter Pan had crossed that line. A lot. In fact, I don't think he'd ever once been on the protective side of that line- he was just incredibly possessive, all the time. That didn't fly with me. I was a free spirit, roaming and hunting and talking to whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Pan pushed my buttons so often and so hard that it was really only a matter of time before I snapped.

Unfortunately, it couldn't be right now because I had a job to do.

As I pinned the man underneath me, a smile on my lips and the dagger in my hand pressed against his throat, I marveled in the pure terror in his eyes. I was smaller and physically younger than him, but he was at my mercy. And he was terrified. Before I could enjoy it much longer, though, an arm was pulling me off and a boy was taking my place atop my prize.

No, not just any boy. A Lost Boy.

Knowing that I shouldn't undermine Pan's direct orders to the boy that was just doing his job, I stepped back and stewed silently instead of acting. The pirates had to see Pan and I as a united front - not some bickering old married couple they always compared us to. We had to be young and unbreakable. The Demon and his Queen. Not that I was his anything in reality. The Boys as well had to see Pan as the strongest player. I was the brains, but he was the face and since he'd come to Neverland, he'd caught on well. He still needed my perspective on a lot of things though, and I sure as hell needed him. I couldn't lead like he could. I couldn't manipulate and twist and lie as easily. I was awkward and became flimsy under the expectant gazes of many eyes. I just didn't't have the right charisma. But I'd still been here longer and for the most part, the island was most loyal to me. So even though I was a social road block, I was a major key player in everything else.

Seems that recently Pan had forgotten that though. He coddled me and stood between me and everyone else. Anyone else. He stopped my kills and interrogations. He tortured those who flirted with me so they could spread the message not to. He puppy guarded me and hovered too often and took control even in the little things I'd always handled with complete ease. He was making me look useless and helpless. Weak. The pirates had stopped taking me seriously and the Boys didn't look at me with the same respect. The same fear. Some of them had stopped listening to my orders and advice altogether. All because I'd gotten soft on Pan...

When the pirate was released and the Lost Boy and I disappeared in our opposite directions, I headed immediately for where I knew Pan would know I'd be. I made it to the lake and moved to the water's edge. A mermaid surfaced. "Welcome back to the lagoon," she cooed half heartedly.

Even though I was the closest thing the mermaids had to a non-aquatic friend, even I could hardly hold their interest long enough for them to care much. If I had juicy enough gossip or was upset enough though they'd stay all day and listen to me. Or if I had a good story. Today I was simply angry. My face was twisted and I let all my emotion show. This was the only way I could get her to stay and I needed to talk to someone right now. Plus, letting out all the pent up emotion was very good actually. It helped a lot. The mermaid - Oora - noticed my expression and her eyes focused on me, her gorgeous face smoothing into one of concern. I sat in the water and her hand glided around my legs soothingly. "He's hovering again," I complained. My relationship with Pan was the only fun and drama the girls had on this island and they loved it. Even now I could see her taking notes and writing it all out in her head as she memorized every detail to make into a story later. "Hovering and clinging and over protecting. Getting possessive and controlling. I hate it."

She tilted her head. "Have you talk to him about it?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Pan? Listen? While I talk? I mean maybe before but these days he's ignoring me and undermining me so much the Boys barely even listen to me. The pirates laugh at me. They don't even take me seriously!"

Oora bristled. I'd saved the Queen of the Mermaids - Meerana - from a pirate when Hook and his crew had first gotten to Never Land so long ago. I was a familiar face and fun to tease and get stories from, but that was what really sealed the deal of friendship between us. Even though they were normally uninterested, if I was in serious danger and in the water, any of them would immediately come to my rescue. The idea of having me as their faithful guard was quite a pleasant thing for them. Losing that was... not pleasant. "Why is he taking you so lightly?" she seethed, surely more upset that it was affecting my power over the pirates than my individual feelings as a person. The concern was the same though and I settled for it.

"I don't know," I moaned. "But I'm sick of it!"

A light sigh caught Oora and my attention both. We were both tense until Pan came into sight. "I don't ignore you as much as you think, Love."

Scowl deep, I stood. The water dripped down my legs but I didn't mind. I'd always loved water. This scene that was about to occur though, I didn't want Oora to blab about to the others. "I'll talk to you later," I offhandedly dismissed the mermaid before storming over to Pan and grabbing his arm before I roughly pulled him back into the jungle. He simply let me, not even fighting me. When we were far enough, I turned to face him sharply and let his arm drop. "Are you really so oblivious that you don't see the effect you're having on the way everyone on this island sees me?" I demanded.

He frowned. "I'm just trying to protect you," he reasoned.

My lips curled. "That's the thing! I don't NEED protecting, Pan!" I growled, feeling the power flowing as my anger rose and exploded. I squared up to Peter, stretching to my full height and glaring at him."I am NOT a helpless little girl! I'm the bloody Queen of this bloody island. You just waltzed in and tried to claim it as your kingdom. And I let you. My fault. But I'm not to be messed with. I'm NOT to be looked over. And I am NOT to be PROTECTED, Peter Pan." My hands twitched as the island rose to power me, support me. I had been created and given life here. I was part of this island. We were one. I was made when my parents ship wrecked here and my mother died with me inside her stomach, the magic of the island swooning to save me once she was gone. My blood was of this soil, my soul sewn with the life and light of this place. Pan was an invader. "I was here before you. This is my island. I'm dirtier than you, darker than you, and I know how to deal with you, Pan. Don't treat me as a child!" I yelled the last word, stepping forward again. Pan blinked, leaning back with a frown. He looked like the child I had proven I was not. I smirked.

I turned and began walking away. "Y/n?" I heard a small voice call behind me. I turned around to see Peter there. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close, touching his lips briefly to mine. His breath fanned my face as he pulled back. "I had to do that. Just once. You might be scary as hell but... it is rather sexy." He smirked softly. When my anger flared again, his frowned deeper. "I do respect you," he followed up. "I even... fear you. You are a part of this island in a way I never will be. I'm sorry I've been making you feel any less than you are. You deserve the respect you've earned." My eyes went wide. He'd just... apologized. "From now on, I'll keep my distance. It just kills me to see you in danger. If you need me, or, even want me just in case. I'm waiting." His fingers brushed along my neck, his gaze following the invisible path he was drawing to nowhere. It was actually kind of nice. My stomach was flipping like some kind of carnival ride, my head spinning and my heart skipping and fluttering. Pan didn't not respect me he just... cared about me. That was impossible. He was Peter Pan- King of Never Land. More Demon than boy. Yet, here we were. What an idea.

After my grandeur though, I couldn't go soft and mushy and romantic now. Trying to play it off, I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't quite hide the burning in my face. "Whatever, Pan." Then I really did walk away, as fast as my feet could carry me, trying to ignore the feel of his gaze finding every inch of my body as I did so.