"This is a bad idea, Y/N." Tink chimes as she hovers next to me as I climb. "Peter won't be happy when he finds out you left by yourself. It's too dangerous."

"You know," I huff as I settle down on a thick branch and admire the view, "everyone keeps saying that, but no one will tell me why. Besides, I'm not alone; you're here. It's not like I haven't been training non-stop this past week either. I just need a little bit of time away."

"Faeries don't count." She argues before heaving out a frustrated sigh that's quite large for her tiny body. "You're going to get me into so much trouble one of these days, but, lucky for you, you're worth it."

"Again with the vague comments. Is anyone ever going to tell me what's going on?"

"I would, but I can't. Not while I'm under a faerie's oath—only Peter can tell you." Her glow dims a little as her mood grows dour. "I'll talk to him, but for now, I can't make any promises."

She doesn't say anything else as she leaves with only her small chime in her wake. "So much for not being alone." I whisper to myself and return to my thoughts, which swirl and crash as each clamor for more attention than I can give.

A heavy sigh escapes me as I press my eyes closed and try to calm down. The rough bark of the tree presses into my palms, and it takes a moment before my mind begins to settle under the steady rhythm of Neverland's heartbeat and the magic it holds.

It took me a while to pinpoint it. When I first came here, there was this feeling that this was no average island—aside from the obvious. No, there's something different in the air and life, and I noticed a heartbeat rhythm that drummed under the surface.

"Tink said you'd be out here." Peter calls as I open my eyes to find him seated on a branch near mine.

"I know I shouldn't be out here alone, but I just—just really need a minute." My eyes remain glued to my hands, unable to look him in the eye.

"Can't say I blame you." He pauses, letting out a sigh as he fidgets on the branch, "It really scared me when you were suddenly gone—and so were the others. They-they were worried too."

I can't help the small smile that tugs at the corners of my lips at the thought that he cares. After all, we've been spending quite a bit of time together, and I'll be the first to admit, I've come to care for him in a way that I can't explain. "I guess we should get back then? I'm sure there's more training for me to do."

"Actually, I think there's something I should show you first." Peter whispers mysteriously as he slides off the branch and climbs down.

"As long as it's not some test where I get ambushed or something, I'm in." I tease as I leap down next to Peter with a grin. He shakes his head with that wonderful laugh that does something funny to my head, and it takes a second for me to break the daze and follow him through the woods.

I watch him as we weave through the trees. As hard as I try, my eyes can't stop trailing over him and taking in the smallest detail. The way his eyes light up as he talks about an adventure, or the slight curl of his lips when he notices my lingering glances, and the tapping of his fingers that he does each time our hands brush on accident. Each one makes me all the more intrigued by him and send that peculiar feeling rushing through my veins.

"You know, you're not quite what I had expected from the stories." I tell Peter as I voice my thoughts. He tilts his head with a curious look and waits for me to continue. "In the stories, you're always described as this rugged, immature boy who doesn't care for anything but mischief and avoiding responsibility. But you're the opposite, you're kind and caring about the lost boys, and you take the time to help and lead each one of them."

Patches of red creep across his cheeks as he stutters out a thanks, "Y-you know, you're different too. When Tink told me about you, I thought for sure she was wrong, but when you got here, I saw exactly what she meant. You're meant to be here."

"Sometimes I wonder how I ever thought anything else felt like home." I mumble and do my best to avoid fidgeting with the fabric of my clothes. "I mean, of course, it was once, but after my brother left and my refinement approached, I felt like I was in a cage."

"Well, you'll never have to worry about that again. I promise." He whispers with a soft, sad smile as his hand brushes my own, and in a burst of courage, I take it in my own and interlace our fingers.

"I know, and I'll never forget that." I whisper and quickly realize the small amount of distance that's now between us. We remain silent for a long moment and look at into the other's eyes. My breath hitches in my throat as the inches seem to lessen the longer we remain.

Except, the moment is broken by the quiet bell sounds echoing from nearby. Peter's eyes seem to widen in realization before a grin breaks across his face as he turns and tugs me along. "Come on, we're almost there."

Peter climbs up a set of rocks and crouches down to offer me his hand. My initial instinct is to prove I can climb up unaided, but the other half knows that Peter means no insult by it. So, I extend his hands and try to ignore the warmth of his fingers as they wrap around my wrist and help lift me up.

"Where are we going?" I question as he continues to drag me on, growing more excited with each step. "Peter?"

"Shh." He hushes with a beaming grin, "We're almost there."

"You still haven't told me whe—" The words die in my throat as we break through the branches into a small clearing dominated by a massive tree that shimmers from the golden substance that flows from the knots and into the pools created by the roots. Faint chimes echo in the air as faeries bustle from one branch to the other, scoop the golden dust, and interact with laughter and mirth.

"What—what is this place?" I whisper as I turn back to Peter with wide eyes.

His smile increases as he motions to the view. "This is the heart of Neverland. It's where the faeries live, where the island gets its magic, and the most treasured part of life here. Not everyone gets to see it because it's the most guarded part of Neverland." His eyes are lit up with excitement, and I have to take a moment to memorize the way the golden light paints and enhances his features.

"Then why would you bring me here?" I ask finally processing his words.

"Because, you two are—" a small pink fairy starts to explain before dissolving into giggles. "I can't even say it."

"Say what?" I inquire, wondering what could be so interesting about me to a bunch of faeries.

"Well, there's um—kind of two reasons." He stutters as he scratches the back of his neck. "First, I had to bring you here because you needed to see this so you can understand what I'm about to say a little better."

Peter goes silent as he drags me away and sits us down on one of the massive tree's roots. "Neverland is sort of dying."

The words seem to echo in my head, and I have to look around my surroundings to really process and understand it. Out of curiosity, I dip my hand into the pool of golden dust, and immediately, I can feel the tremors and oddities in the heartbeat that I never felt before. "It really is dying. It's heart is struggling; you can feel it." I whisper and open my eyes again to look at Peter. "So, what can we do about it? And how does it involve me?"

He lets out a heavy sigh and leans forward on his elbows. It takes him a long second before he seems to sort himself out as he faces me. His fingertips brush against mine as he sets his hand back down on the roots. "The island needs an event of magic powerful enough to kickstart and revive it. That's kind of where you come in."

I remain quite and rest my hand on Peter's in quiet reassurance that he can tell me. "You see—that is—the thing is," He stutters, screwing his eyes shut before looking into mine as he finishes, "we're soulmates."