Neverland update...final chapter! *s/x - adult*

[tabaqui]

At last at last! Heeeee. There *will* be an epilogue! I have that already sketched out. But this is the end of the *story* story.

As always, my undying thanks to reremouse and darkhavens for all their help and encouragement. Thank you, ladies! :)
Previous chapters are here, 'cause you all probably need to refresh your memories! Thanks, guys, for your support and patience!





Spike came down to earth – literally – with a thump of his boots onto leafmold and spongy earth. He staggered sideways, thrown off balance by Xander's weight and the uneven footing. Xander made a funny little squeak of surprise and grabbed tighter and Spike braced one leg and pushed and they both ended up more or less upright, clinging together. The air was thick with humidity and the scents of wet earth and wood, ozone and water.

*In the woods...fuck, not those woods...bloody hell...*

"Oh, god, Spike, are we still there?" Xander's voice cracked a little and he swallowed hard. "Are we still in Neverland?"

"I can't tell. Be quiet a minute." Spike listened, face shifting. Ignoring Xander's heartbeat and the creaky wheeze of his lungs. A breeze rushed through the treetops, shaking down a little mini-shower, water pattering over the leaves. Far away was the soft rumble of dying thunder, the storm moving away. And then another sound, much closer and growing louder and Spike relaxed, letting out a little laugh. "Hear that?"

"Hear what? I –" Xander stopped talking – stopped breathing when Spike squeezed his shoulder. The sound was loud enough now and Spike felt Xander take a deep, shaking breath, relaxing under his hand. "That's – a car. Isn't it? That's a car engine."

"Got it in one, pet," Spike said. Somewhere below them – at the bottom of the slope they were standing on – headlights flickered between tree trunks as a car wound slowly past. Spike could hear the tyres hissing over the wet road – could very faintly hear some sort of music.

"We're home, we're home, we're – are we?" Xander's fingers skittered over Spike's coat – found his lapels and shook him very slightly. "Spike, do you know where we are?"

"Stop crumpling the leather, for fuck's sake." Spike pried Xander's hands loose and then just held onto his wrists. Listening with other senses – listening with his whole body. *There it is. Hook, you mad bastard. You were right.* "Can you feel it, Xander?" Spike whispered, watching as Xander blinked and then shut his eyes, frowning.

"I feel...my feet are wet and there's a rock...and...kind of...tingly?" His eyes popped open, looking around blindly and Spike could feel Xander's heart beat through the thin skin of his wrists. "What is that?"

"Hellmouth, is what that is. All that power, buzzing away like a hive of bees underground."

"I never felt it before. I think. Fuck, I don't remember."

"Like as not you didn't. Got sensitive to it, is all." Spike rubbed his thumbs slowly over the pulse in Xander's wrists – heard his little catch of breath and felt him sway infinitesimally closer. *Now what am I going to do with this boy? This...lost boy. Be a shame to drain him, after all this...*

"What are we gonna do now?" Xander asked, and Spike leaned forward carefully, not wanting to startle Xander in the dark and get a chin in the face. His cheek touched Xander's and Xander flinched ever so slightly and then Spike let the demon go and Xander turned his face and they were kissing again.

After a minute or two Spike pulled away. "Don't know about you, mate, but I'm starving. And you could use a wash and brush. How 'bout we go check on my car, get some nosh, relax?"

"Would there be pizza?" Xander breathed. "Meat-lovers with extra...meat and about a gallon of soda and won tons and General Tso's chicken and –"

"You'll be sick if you eat all that."

"You so do not know me, my fanged friend. That's just for starters. Uh. I don't actually have any money."

"Well, neither do I, at the moment." Spike reached into his pocket, hoping for one last smoke. Instead something jabbed his finger. "Ow! Bloody hell –" He jerked his hand out of his pocket and Tink came out with it, fluttering up to hover between himself and Xander.

"Tink! Hey!" Xander held out his hand and Tink settled lightly – hugged Xander's up thrust thumb. "You look better – do you feel okay now?" Tink chimed softly – lofted himself upward and flew in dizzying circles. "I think he feels okay."

"Bloody fairy," Spike muttered, but Xander was grinning, blinking happily in the dim mauve light Tinkerbell gave off. "Well, come on – time we were off. Hangin' about in the woods isn't anyplace we want to be."

"Yeah, okay." Xander followed Spike downhill, stumbling and sliding until Spike reached back and grabbed his arm, keeping him mostly upright. Tinkerbell darted back and forth, chiming wildly until Xander finally coaxed him onto his shoulder – kept up a low monologue of words while they crunched through bracken and wet leaves. "You ever have pizza, Tink? Oh, man – it's the best. And Twinkies – they're better than any kind of fairy food. And then there's Slurpees – you haven't had the perfect brainfreeze 'til you've had a Blue Raspberry Slurpee. And corn dogs! And cheese popcorn. And Twizzlers – cherry only, the strawberry are weird –"

"Great jumping gods, is food all you think about?" Spike slithered the last, muddy steps down hill and stepped out onto the road. Xander stumbled happily in his wake, picking leaves out of his hair.

"I think I missed food more than I missed my mom. No, wait – I know I did." Xander looked up and down the road, squinting a little. A very faint light – mostly reflected city lights – filtered down through the trees. "So – Sunnydale's thataway, huh?"

"Seems like." Spike felt reflexively for a cigarette and cursed as he once again encountered an empty pocket. First stop – smokes. He stomped down the road and then stopped and turned when he realized that Xander was just standing there. "Well? Come on, then – haven't got all night."

"Um. Maybe you could just...go on without me? I mean...maybe I could just kind of...hang back." Xander's hand was on the knife in his belt, fingers clutched tightly around the worn leather wrappings. "You know – get my bearings."

*Oh, what now? Sodding humans...* "Thought you were panting to get the goodies – have yourself some kind of junk-food orgy? Get a hot shower and kip in a real bed."

"Well, yeah, I am, it's just... I mean..." Xander stopped, his eyes suspiciously bright and Spike heaved a martyred sigh – stomped back to stand not a foot from him. Tink was chiming softly, his little hands patting at Xander's ear.

"What, then?"

"It's just...what if they...forgot about me? What if they don't...? I mean, I've changed, you know? And – and they've changed, and....it's a whole big – change-y kinda...thing." Xander waved his hands around, looking frantic. "You know?"

"Not really. Look – they're your mates. Either they give a shite or they don't. You skulkin' about in the woods like a scared rabbit isn't going to change that." Xander shrugged, looking away – sniffed and wiped hastily at his eyes with the back of his hand.

"I'm scared, okay? You happy? I'm scared they won't care anymore." Tink made a distressed little noise and fluttered up of Xander's shoulder to hover a few inches in front of his face. He patted at Xander's chin and darted in, pressing his tiny mouth to Xander's lower lip.

"Well, the fairy cares," Spike muttered, and Xander gave a shaky laugh and held his palm up for Tink. The fairy lighted there, hugging Xander's thumb and Xander very carefully stroked Tink's back with the tip of his pinky. Tink seemed to really...like that.

"I think the fairy cares a little too much. Tink," Xander said, looking solemnly down at the pointy little face that was slack with pleasure. "Tink, it'd never work. We're not even the same...species." Spike snorted and Tink shot him a filthy look and then shrugged, wrapping his arms more tightly around Xander's thumb and very unsubtly humping the callused skin.

"Listen, Xander. Let's just go hole up in my house – well, Angelus' house, but who fucking cares? You can get your bearings from in town, yeah? We'll get you some clothes and – and a haircut if you want or...something. No reason to rush things. Xander?"

Xander was still petting Tink's back, sweeping a little lower with every touch. He had a wicked look on his face. "Huh? Um. Okay, yeah. Yeah, you're right. No reason to rush things... Wow, I guess their wings are like – erogenous zones or something."

"You're one sick little puppy, you know that?"

Xander grinned up at Spike and then half turned away, shielding Tink from Spike's gaze. "We're having a moment here, Spike. Care to give us some privacy?"

"Wanker." Spike turned on his heel and stalked away and after a moment he heard Xander's bare feet on the road. He glanced back to see the boy jogging to catch up, a languorously curled Tink on his shoulder, holding tight to a lock of hair. "All done now, then? Need to get separate rooms?"

"You're just jealous the fairy likes me best."

"Soon change that," Spike said, and then snapped his mouth shut, horrified. He marched on, ignoring Xander's hysterical giggles.



"They look different," Xander said, and Spike shifted around on his stool a little bit and squinted through the lights. Looking toward the little table where the witches and the Slayer were sitting, nursing neon-colored drinks. The older one – the teacher – wasn't there.

*And thank Christ for that. Bloody gypsy.* "Well, been nearly three years, hasn't it?" Spike said, and Xander shrugged – nodded. He looked different too, now that Spike had stolen him some proper clothes. Looked like the grown-up he nearly was in new jeans and a plain, dark red t-shirt. He'd left his hair long, curling nearly to his shoulders. It had a sheen like a sealskin now that it was clean and combed and Spike liked to run his fingers through it. When Xander let him, which was...pretty bloody often. Getting cozy, they were.

It reminded him of Dru, truth be told, though he didn't say that out loud.

"Yeah, I guess. I just... It's weird! Willow's all...gay and Buffy's like...a grown up, and they're in college... I can't believe it's been so long." Xander took a sip of his soda, toying with the straw. "Maybe I'll just...you know...go over and say hi."

"Maybe you will, pet," Spike agreed, fishing for a smoke and inhaling gratefully. Sodding California and its sodding anti-smoking laws. Xander sat and fidgeted and sipped his drink and Spike smoked and when smoke and drink were both gone, Spike stood up. "Think I'll take a little stroll – have a bite," Spike said, and Xander slithered off his own stool, looking grateful.

"Guess I'll just – tag along. Wouldn't want you getting hurt."

"In your bloody dreams," Spike muttered, but they walked out of the Bronze with wrists and shoulders casually brushing. Habit, now. Xander stalked his former friends, Spike didn't point out that he never actually talked to them – they both hunted down feeding vamps. Spike – or Xander - would stake the vamp and Spike would take a nice long drink from a swooning victim. Xander would then take said victim to the nearest safe place and they'd wander on in search of more until Spike was satisfied or Xander was tired. Imperfect, but workable. Tonight, they only went a couple of blocks before Spike was lifting his hand and nodding toward an alley and Xander was drawing a stake from the inner pocket of his jacket, dark eyes alight with adrenalin. Whatever else Pan had taught the boy, he'd taught him how to hunt.



Spike wiped his mouth off and sucked the end of his thumb clean – watched Xander shove the half-dead man into a cab and send him on his way. Big, hairy, garlicky half-dead man. Not something Spike would ever choose for himself. Sodding sick of this, I am. Had enough. Feel like some kind of damn pet on a leash.* Suddenly it was all too much, and Spike made up his mind in an instant. "Going to head out tomorrow," he said abruptly and watched Xander blanch, eyes going wide. "Know a vamp or two in San Francisco – they'll get this chip sorted for me."

"San – San Francisco? But – I thought..."

"What, thought I'd spend the rest of my unlife here? Eating sloppy seconds and having a boy for a bodyguard? Not bloody likely." Spike snapped his Zippo open and lit a cigarette – ignored the look of hurt on Xander's face.

"I guess... I guess I'd better find someplace to live, then," Xander mumbled and Spike stopped dead, unconsciously letting his face slip into the demon's mask as he growled in pure irritation. Xander flinched a little but kept going, head down. Fists shoved hard into his jacket pockets, his shoulders hunching. "I mean, I can't stay at the Crawford Street house forever, somebody's gonna want it and...and it's too big for just me anyway, and –"

"What in bloody hell are you going on about?" Spike snarled. Xander just shrugged, walking a little faster and Spike stomped after him – rounded on him, glaring. Xander stopped dead and glared back. "Look, mate, it's been a month, yeah? An entire damn month of trailing around after the Slayer and those witches, making mournful faces in the window at the Watcher's house like the sodding Match Girl, and you've not once opened your gob and said one bloody word! It's time to move on!"

"Yeah, well – so? You've got your car and your – your stolen stuff and your big – moving – plans so just – move! Not like you –" Xander clamped his mouth shut hard on whatever was coming next and Spike just stared at him. Breathing, and then paying attention to what he was breathing. After a moment he let his face relax back into human – let his mouth move into a little half-smile.

"Oh, that's how it is, yeah?"

"That's how what is?" Xander mumbled, sidestepping around Spike, moving away, booted feet crunching on broken glass.

"That's how you are," Spike said, catching up. "This is."

"What is? And if you say 'What's on second', I'll shove that cigarette up your –"

"Calm down, pet."

"Don't tell me that!" Xander stopped again, snapping up his arm in a 'talk to the hand' gesture. "I hate that!"

"Well, then, bloody calm down!" Xander huffed and then stood there, seething, and Spike took a long last drag and flipped the butt away, trying for his own calm. "Look, what I'm saying is... You just don't fit here anymore. You've seen things, done things you know that mob wouldn't approve of. You don't fit into their little world anymore. Besides..." Spike leaned in a little, getting right into Xander's face and space and the thin aura of heat and scent that surrounded him. "You like me better."

"No I don't," Xander snapped, but he was looking away – was leaning into Spike, just a little, and Spike grinned.

"Course you do – why shouldn't you? I don't care who you killed or how you did it or that you slept with some little kid –"

"He was the same age as me," Xander muttered. He sighed and leaned all the way, then – let his head drop onto Spike's shoulder and Spike's hand came automatically to rub the back of Xander's neck, fingers tangling in his hair. "It's just... I thought I'd come back and the first thing I'd do was go see Willow and Buffy and...it'd all just...be the same!"

"I know," Spike murmured, eyes on the alley mouth across from them. Something was lurking.

"And it's not. Nothing's the same. They're totally different and I don't... I hate it here. Everybody hides from the truth. Everybody knows bad stuff is happening and they're all just – pretending it doesn't." Xander lifted his head, his hands creeping forward to stroke lightly along Spike's sides. "I'm sick of pretending things and...hiding things. I can't go back to that. I can't make-believe anymore, Spike. I just can't."

"And you don't have to," Spike said, rubbing his thumb along the soft skin and softer hair just behind Xander's ear. The slightest encouraging pull and Xander was pressed up tight against him, mouth to mouth and hip to hip. He tasted like Coke and beer nuts and bubble gum toothpaste. He felt warm – solid – and Spike slid a hand around Xander's hip and held him close, enjoying the little flutter of Xander's heart and the reflexive clutch of callused fingers when Spike tilted his hips and pushed.

"Can I come to San Francisco with you?" Xander whispered, nose brushing Spike's nose and his hand rubbing slowly down Spike's back, fingertips dipping into the waist of Spike's jeans.

"Never planned on leaving you behind. Just needed you to make up your mind proper," Spike whispered back. He felt Xander shift against him – felt something hard pressing into his thigh.

"There's a vamp over there," Xander breathed, and Spike laughed softly.

"You go left, I'll go right, eh?"

"Gotcha." Xander was grinning as he spun around and lunged, and Spike laughed out loud.

*Not so lost anymore, are you, boy?*

Comments

[sweptawaybayou.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

**breathes**

I LOVE THIS STORY.

and you ... and your brain.

and damnit, you even made me like Tinkerbell.

:)

But what happened to the Lost boys? and Neverland? And Peter Pan!!!111! is it gone? are they dead? are they stuck and only Xander and Spike escaped?

I neeeeeeds to know!

*is grabby*

:)

Thank you for the update! And thank you for the story. You've brought new life to old fantasies and for that? You win. So much.

**adores**

[tabaqui]

*hugs you hard*
Thank you thank, you so much!
Why - they all go home, of course!
:)

*luffs*
*clings*

[yourlibrarian]

"Soon change that," Spike said, and then snapped his mouth shut, horrified. He marched on, ignoring Xander's hysterical giggles.

Hahaha! Loved that bit. Great ending lines too.

[tabaqui]

Whee!
Thank you!
:)

[shakatany.livejournal.com]

Well done. I can now see the two of them hunting together watching each others backs and maybe one day visiting LA to befuddle the AI gang (if this Angel went to LA).

Shakatany

[tabaqui]

Thank you!
:)

[yanagi-wa.livejournal.com]

Yes. I like the ending. Thank you for a great story.

[tabaqui]

Yay!
Thank you!
:)

[zile61.livejournal.com]

This might sound a bit odd, but although you're a fantastic story teller, you really excell at wrap-ups! Your conclusions always put a wonderfully final note on your story line, yet open to interesting possibilities. Not that I mean you always leave them open for continuations, but you develop such strong characters, settings and plots that the reader is able to indulge in lovely musing about their future lives. Thanks for another lovely story.

[tabaqui]

Thank you! I'm always worried that the endings are a little weird or abrupt,so i'm so glad to hear that!
:)
*beams*

[julia-here.livejournal.com]

{sigh}

Yup, sometimes coming home isn't what it's cracked up to be...

Julia, loving on this story

[tabaqui]

Yeah.
:)

But it'll be okay.
Thank you!

[angstpuppy.livejournal.com]

Wow...lovely ending, love the last line, the whole last scene really.
Looking forward to the epilogue.
Now, going to go read from the beginning, cause I'm like that...heh.

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much!
Re-read, already!
Wheeeee!
:)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Perfect, perfect perfect! I *loved* this story so damn much!
*HUG* This was the only right ending, yay! Plus, he got to keep the fairy!Oh, and the vampire. *G*

[tabaqui]

Heeeeeee!
Yis!
Got to keep 'em both!
Heh.
Thank you, Ms. Thang!
*smooooch*

[bendtothesun.livejournal.com]

...oh, oh, ooooh

That was... I don't think I have words. You... *blink* man I really don't have words. Even after having to sit and just let it absorb for about half an hour after I read it.

*Blink* All I can really think of to say is that I didn't realize I was going to miss Tink until they had him- it? she?- back.

Hmm, I suppose what I love especially is that even though they are back in their world, they don't lose who they were in Neverland. Well not that I thought you'd be anything but brilliant with keeping up their characterizations but I suppose what I mean is...

"I'm sick of pretending things and...hiding things. I can't go back to that. I can't make-believe anymore, Spike. I just can't."

That's Xander speaking, the same Xander we saw, desperate and at the end of his rope in Neverland and even coming back from that place, coming back to Sunnydale, stalking his old friends etc., he hasn't forgotten what it was like to be there. He's not willing to go back to playing his role, faithful dog boy and loyal retainer, he's not that person anymore and he never wants to be again.

So basically what I'm saying is I'm glad Xander kept his backbone. Even when it would have been.... easy, in a way, to slip back into that role.

I also love that you didn't have Xander and the Scoobies re-uniting because to be frank, it's easy enough to guess what there reactions would be and I suppose I'm thankful to avoid the mess.

Also, the line I quoted earlier? Absolutely my favorite line in the whole thing, it hit me so hard I had to sit back and wait to read the rest of the chapter. It was just... everything that this story has come to mean to me.

*Ahem* Yes, anyway, the Spander itself was done perfectly. Their growing intimacy with one another and Spike being the one to help Xander realize the truth about why he couldn't make himself go up to his old friends. It's a relationship now, growing and slowly getting deeper, something longer lasting. And despite what I may or may not have said before, that's truly why I read Spander. They, out of all the characters on the show, seem to be the two who can create a steady, long-lasting relationship one that is really about two people being together and making it work. And you're one of my favorite writers in that particular respect, everytime you write Spander it always seems perfect because it’s about two people in a relationship. Not just the sexy, hotness of two guys coupling.

*Blink* obviously I'm starting to babble so I better cut myself before I start composing sonnets about your lyrical prose and stunning brown eyes.

Oh and on a personal note, I'm sorry to hear you've been so sick lately. I'm relieved to hear you are on the mend and here's to a speedy recovery!

[tabaqui]

Oh, hey. Wow.
*blinks right along with you*
This fb really just...blows me away. Thank you so very, very much.
Xander is *totally* not the boy who was taken from Sunnydale. He grew up fast and hard in Neverland, and yeah - no way would he go back to being the tag-along. Just...no way.

I'm just totally...wow. Heh. Love this so much! Spike and Xander are so alike in so many ways, and how they're different is a huge, huge prop and *balance* for the other. They just *work*, so well.

Thank you so much, for the fb and the good wishes!
:)
*hugs*

[fanbot.livejournal.com]

Delicious! I love how you got them out of Neverland and how hesitent Xander is.
*HUGS*

[tabaqui]

Thank you !
:)

[darkhavens.livejournal.com]

Such a bizarre trio, and yet somehow a perfect match. *g*

Loved every minute of the ride, darlin'. :D

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you thank you!
:)

[yaburetayume.livejournal.com]

Bless you for not making everything all flowers and light when Xander returns to Sunnydale, 'cause it's so much more realistic for him to be like the puzzle piece that got dropped in a puddle and doesn't fit anymore. Ooh, and I like how him being in Neverland made him more attuned to the hum of the Hellmouth. You also capture Spike's character well in your narrative. Oh, how I luffle this story - and you. Yes, much ♥ing. XP I'm a dork. What else can I say? Wonderful^{100,000,000,000,000,000}. I'm looking forward to the epilogue.

[tabaqui]

Thank you so very much! I just couldn't see Xander slotting smoothly back in, not after all the things he's seen and done.

No, not a dork! Carry on!
*heeeeeeee*

[katekat]

ok, i LOVED this story. L. O. V. E. D. it. First the Dark Pan and the replaceable Lost Boys is such a good reading of that story. And wicked and tortured and feral Hook, who becomes the father figure in the end in such a literal way is just a stunning way to play it out. OF course Hook can't truly die, since he's the only one that's really part of Pan. And when he talked about the great god pan's time to die - damn woman. You just... nailed it. Reminds me a little bit of the way Tom Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume (have you read it?) has Pan's last gasp slowly fading through the centuries, but he's winnowed down into something more about being silly and sexual and sad, less about the dark. But this? Your Pan? He was all about the dark in such a lovely way - all about blood and bones and dangers lurking in the water or behind those promises of Neverland and of always staying young. Just as perfect as a dying god's rattled mind could make it. Even the little tortures got to me, like the imaginary food that nourished no one but that the boys had to pretend to eat - that scene is so painful and so bitter and so great. Then there's the delight of Spike who's not bowed or broken or anything other than what he is, fangs, curiosity and all. The deal maker who always works only on his own terms. I adore that you wrote him that way. And I loved the way he gets curious about Xander - how you make it about him seeing Xander's strength and pretty and hurt and how he gets off on it all - just so goooooood. Loved the weather, too, the first clues I thought to how completely Pan tries to control his world - and the eye of the storm thing was such a great way to ratchet up the tension just a little bit more.

I'm trying to think about what else I loved, and I could probably go on for days, but repeating your story back to you is probably not the best way to feedback, is it? Suffice it to say this was just wonderful, and I'm so terribly glad you shared it. Thank you so much for that. I know, the epilogue is still on it's way, and i'm sure it will be as tasty as the rest of this morsel was, but I wanted to say thank you while i had the chance: at the close of an incredibly satisfying story with an absolutely fabulous last line. SO good.

[tabaqui]

Oh, man - dude! You've just made my day!

Wow...

Peter Pan in the books is *dark*. There is so much about him that's the absolute *genesis* of 'Lord of the Flies', in my mind. He has absolute control over his boys - he wills everything, he is the 'hero' worshipped by all but when he gets 'this look' in his eyes and they glint 'red' - everyone knows to duck and cover. He's feral and self-centered and absolutely mad, in my mind, and the long years of boys who believed less and less in him - and were more and more grown up - just did it's work.

In the play, most often Hook and Mr. Darling are played by the same man, which makes for a *lot* of interesting sub-currents, if you ask me. He is vain and foolish but also utterly deadly and completely without remorse but... He knows. He knows *as in the book* that Pan has dreams in which he cries and is afraid. Dreaming of his mother and his old life and for Hook to take that and twist it, at the last moment, for his own use was just...the way it had to be.

And of course, Hook wants Pan to love him - he *wants* the love that the Lost Boys used to give to Pan and since Pan is his only real competition...

Well. I think when Xander isn't being forced into the mold of the 'good scooby' he's *always* going to be attractive in ways to Spike because Xander has such dark little wells and streaks, and in a lot of ways is much more in touch with 'reality' than the rest of the Scoobies. He's the one that proposes they kill Ben, after all...

Anyway - i'm so, so glad you enjoyed this so much - thank you for the utterly lovely feedback!

[taruma16.livejournal.com]

That was an awesome ride! Can't wait for the epilogue!

But I have no idea how I'll be able to watch the Peter Pan Disney movie I have at home without thinking about you dark Pan. *sigh*

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you!
:)

Heeeeee. Well, it *will* make you think, that's for sure. You should read the book if you haven't - it's just...

Yeah.

[nashmaveric.livejournal.com]

No words can express how much I love this fic. ::nodnodnod:: The end just had me smiling and well, wanting more really ::bighugegrin::

[tabaqui]

*hugs*
Thank you so much!
Whee!

[texanfan.livejournal.com]

So, does this make Xander a found boy? Very nice natural conclusion.

[tabaqui]

Heeee!
Very possibly!
Thank you so much!

[hippychc.livejournal.com]

I've just loved this story, I'm sad to see it all end. I adored cute, horny Tink...can I keep him....pleeease *puppy eyes* I hope you decide to fracture another fairy tale soon.

[tabaqui]

Thank you so very much!
I'm adding an epilogue to this very soon, but who knows! I like fairy tales, so i just might.
:)

[sparrow2000.livejournal.com]

see this - this is a big insane grin. When you started this story I just thought wtf have you been smoking that you're going to cross Spike and Xander with Peter Pan. But I should have had faith because I loved every damn second of it.

Bravo love, this was wonderful and the ending was just perfect.

s xxx

[tabaqui]

HEeeeeeee!!
But you trusted me, and lo! you enjoyed!

Thank you so much, bay-bee!

[mokalicious.livejournal.com]

This was great and Tink, hahaha, so sweet and kind of pervy, but all good.

Great story, love it.

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much!
:)

[milady1844.livejournal.com]

Yay! Happy ending. And now, thanks to you, I'm never going to think of Tink the same way. :-P But then, this whole story's really warped how I see Peter Pan. I really enjoyed this. Thanks!

[tabaqui]

Yes yes! Always that, one way or the other.
:)

Ooh, i warped you.
*bounce*
Thanks so much!

[tiger-lantern.livejournal.com]

Oh, fantastic, beautiful, *believable* - how did you take *this* subject matter and make all the interplay between two 'verses (?) so totally *plausible?* All the way to the last sentence, which was perfect. I am in awe, woman, honestly.

This has been so worth waiting for and I will be re-reading the whole thing in one go later. You are massively talented (and I know that's not really practical feedback but you must and shall be told how great you are).

Please tell me the epilogue begins with Spike kidnapped and tied down, á la Gulliver and the Lilliputtians, by a horde of kinky faries. I *so* want a kinky fairy. *pervs*

Mucho hugs and lurve to you, hope your recovery is speeding along xxx

[tabaqui]

Thank you so very much!
Um...'massively taleted' is *delightful* feedback - who cares about being practical!
Heeee.

OMG, kinky fairies! You *are* a perv. Heh.

I'm *much* better now, thank you.
:)

[anelith.livejournal.com]

A lovely happy ending to wrap up this great story! I really enjoyed the whole thing.

[tabaqui]

Thank you! It was a fun story to write.

[stretfordditto.livejournal.com]

I didn't need the link to re-read, I have all the story in my head! I didn't realise it was finished though till I read the other comments. I was looking forward to going San Francisco! Smashing story, I loved it. Look forward to the epilogue. :D

[tabaqui]

Heeeee! My memory is so awful, i go back and re-read a *lot*.
Thank you so much! And yes - San Fran in the epilogue.
:)

[lily-le.livejournal.com]

*sigh* lovely end - just right for the story.
Neverland is an excellent piece of work start to finish - it's really stuck with me (I found myself thinking about the Pan and Hook death scene at the shops the other day) and its something I'll go back and re-read time and time again.

Thanks so much for sharing

Lily

[tabaqui]

Thank you thank you!

To hear that you were thinking about it in your day-to-day is great - really makes my day!
:)

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*Happy sigh* *Contented sigh*
I was thinking about this story last night - thinking I'd missed the end, or that I'd read the end, trying to remember how it ended. And this morning.... there it is - the end. *g*
One of the things I love about your writing, besides the actual amazing imagination, is that you don't ever take the easy was out. And yet your stories end with such a 'right-ness'. The whole 'watching, but not contacting' of Willow and Buffy, was so right - not only had they all changed, but part of Xander knew that it was a choice between them and Spike. He was supposed to do it, he'd held onto the dream of it for so long, but he didn't want to loose Spike. So glad Spike eventually forced him to realise that. *very happy sigh*

[tabaqui]

Thank you so much!
Yeah, it felt totally wrong for Xander to bounce up to Willow and Buffy and be all 'hi, i'm back!'. He really *had* changed too much - done too much - and his old life was just...a memory, anymore.

So glad it 'worked' for you, too, and it wasn't just all in my head! Heh.