Felix x Reader (From Once Upon a Time)

Y/n's POV:

The days blended together in an indistinct haze, each one an echo of the last, wrapped in the suffocating stillness of the cage. It had been too long since I'd seen Neal or Wendy. Peter had whisked them away for whatever twisted purpose he had planned, and I was left behind—just a forgotten piece on his board. It was almost laughable how insignificant I felt in comparison to them. But it was the truth. I was not part of his grand design. I was expendable.

The thought gnawed at me as I rocked the cage back and forth, the metallic creaks accompanying my futile attempt at escaping the monotony. What else could I do? The cage was high up, a constant reminder of how small I was in Neverland's grand scheme. And the only interaction I ever had with anyone was when Felix, of all people, would lower the cage to feed me.

"Henry," I whispered into the empty air, the words barely escaping my lips. "I'm so sorry... I couldn't help you." My voice cracked, the guilt eating at me. What would Emma think of me? Of my inability to protect him? I had failed him, failed all of them. I could never be the hero I'd always wanted to be. I wasn't strong enough, and maybe... maybe that's all I would ever be—a shadow, destined for nothing but disappointment.

As the weight of my thoughts threatened to drown me, I heard it—the sound of ropes being pulled. Felix.

"Hey," he called, and the sound of his voice made my stomach tighten in annoyance. Ah, yes—my favorite island boy, come to deliver the one thing I could count on. Food.

The cage descended slowly, the motion familiar by now. I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for his charm or his games. I knew what was coming.

"Your dinner," Felix said, offering me the plate with an expression that, despite everything, seemed genuine.

I accepted it with a quiet nod. The food, always well-prepared, was the one thing on this island that felt somewhat like home. But my gratitude was a thin veil, easily torn by the resentment I felt toward him.

Felix, ever the creature of habit, trusted me enough to leave the cage door open while I ate, something I took advantage of—often, though never successfully. I had tried. Oh, how many times I had tried. But the moment I even hinted at running, I was either grabbed by the wrist or threatened with Dreamshade, its sharp sting forever etched in my mind.

"Thanks," I muttered, biting into the food, not bothering to look at him.

Felix leaned against the bars, watching me, an almost amused look in his eyes. "You know, I'm not as bad of a guy as you might think."

I chewed slowly, eyeing him skeptically. "And what makes you say that?"

He shrugged, his posture casual, as if trying to convince both me and himself. "I just wanted you to know that I do what I'm told, and for good reason. Pan calls the shots. I'm just the guy who carries out his plans..."

There was a pause, the weight of his words sinking into the silence. "Just know that I wouldn't harm you unless Pan told me to. That is, unless you try to escape again, of course."

I let out a dry laugh, my voice thick with sarcasm. "Seems to me you're a whole lotta talk and not a lotta action. If you were really a 'nice guy,' you'd let me go."

Felix sighed, his gaze falling to the ground. "You know I can't do that," he muttered, his voice a little softer than usual. He leaned back, looking up at the sky, as though caught in some internal struggle.

"Then you're not a nice guy in my book," I said, a sigh escaping my lips. I set the plate aside, the sudden weight of the conversation settling on me.

"Before you send me back to my... cozy prison," I added, my voice dropping slightly, "can you tell me one thing?"