Felix x Reader (From Once Upon a Time)

Peter's POV:

~Short time skip from last chapter~

The forest pressed in around Neal like a suffocating memory, every step weighted with urgency. Henry slumped over his shoulder, Y/N cradled carefully in his arms. She'd begun to stir once or twice—murmuring in sleep, caught between dreams and whatever spell had taken hold of her. But neither of them had awakened fully, and Neal was running on sheer will.

He found a small clearing nestled among thick ferns and moss-draped trees. Gently, he laid Y/N down first, brushing a leaf from her cheek with unexpected tenderness, before lowering Henry beside her. His shoulders sagged as he finally allowed himself to sit.

Just a minute, he told himself.

But a glimmer of heat drew his attention. Ash.

There—beneath the shadow of a hollowed-out log—a fire pit, still warm. He crouched, stretching a hand toward it. The faint warmth licked his fingertips.

"Emma..." he whispered, hope flickering in his chest like the dying embers.

"So close," said a voice from behind him. "And yet, so very far."

Neal spun around, already reaching for his weapon. But it was pointless. I was already there, standing in the firelight, smug and untouchable.

"You disappoint me," I said with a sigh, as if he were a child who'd broken his toy. My boys slipped from the underbrush like shadows, encircling him with ease. "Didn't I teach you better than this? Rule number one: Never break in unless you know how to get back out."

Neal squared his jaw. "I'll remember that for next time."

"Oh, Neal," I laughed. "There won't be a next time."

Behind me, Felix stepped forward. With practiced gentleness, he lifted Y/N off the ground, cradling her against his shoulder as if she were something precious—something fragile. His hands didn't fumble. He didn't rush. A subtle frown ghosted across his face as he glanced down at her, and then looked away just as quickly.

Another boy took Henry. Less delicately.

"You know," I continued, my tone light, "your father could've protected you out here. But then again—who would've protected Henry from him?"

"Talk about a rock and a hard place," I mused aloud, striding closer to Neal. "Now, I know what you're thinking. I'll get my son back, no matter what it takes."

"I will," Neal said, fire in his voice.

"You're not getting it," I told him. "You already got him. And now? I got him back. The boy's been passed around like a prize, but this isn't about who holds him."

I leaned in, smile razor-sharp.

"It's about who wins."

Neal struggled as two Lost Boys restrained him. "You won't keep him."

"Oh, I'm not planning to," I said with a smirk. "At least, not forever. But this is a game, Neal. The real problem is... no one escapes Neverland. Not unless I say so."

"I've done it before."

I cocked my head. "Did you, though? Look around. You're back. Right where I want you. It's almost like you never left."

His mouth twitched. "Are you saying you let me go?"

"I'm saying everyone's exactly where they're supposed to be." I stepped back, gesturing to Felix and the others. "Something to chew on."