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“ Come with me to Neverland.”
Rafal can still hear James’ low voice in his head as he sits on the edge of the deck, legs dangling over the ship. The night is quiet, with the only sounds accompanying his thoughts being the light crash of waves against the side of the Jolly Roger, sailing smoothly in the direction of Blackpool. He and James were the only ones on the ship. He would’ve opted to fly, a much swifter means of travel, but James had insisted on sailing back and who could say no to those dark, beautiful eyes? Just like how he couldn't say no to the pirate when he offered the vision of the two of them running away to Neverland, taking on Pan and living out their own story.
After taking the school back from Vulcan, his brother had been surprised to hear his decision, but had accepted it anyway. Now that Rafal thought of it, his brother had been a little too eager to send him off—
A pair of legs swung over the edge next to him soundlessly, interrupting his thoughts. He looked over at the lanky boy beside him, leaning back and grinning at him, shirt laces undone. Rafal felt his cheeks heat up and turned stoically back to the ocean, staring pointedly at nothing.
He could hear the smile in James’ voice. “Penny for your thoughts?”
Rafal snorted. “What a smooth talker you are.”
“Can't believe you're actually here with me now. I honestly didn't expect you to agree at all.” Rafal turned. James was already looking at him. The playfulness in his voice was gone, replaced with an intensity that he delivered through his gaze which made Rafal want to look away a second time, but he resisted the urge.
Rafal hummed. “I wouldn't go against the Storian. If it insists Rhian is the only School Master needed, then so be it.”
“Surely it wasn't easy to relinquish your authority over your Nevers to your brother? Or the right to protect the Storian?”
Of course it wasn't. But Rafal would rather protect his and Rhian’s love than fight over protecting a pen. And he had learnt his lesson on letting students come in between them.
“I’m sure you already know what I think of all this. You just want me to say I left my brother for you .”
James’ grin widened. “Did you not, though?”
Rafal couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from lifting. His knee brushed James’. Neither boy moved away.
“Once we reach Blackpool, you can help me pick the best crew for the Jolly Roger, though I have little faith in those lowlives who call themselves pirates. But that’s a worry for another day. With you, I’m sure taking down Pan will be as easy as pie.” James always spoke so surely of himself, like he knew for a fact he would be the first Hook to succeed in his destined life mission.
“Don't expect too much from me, now. My Evil sorcerer days are over. This is basically my retirement. I’ll be spending my days lounging on your ship and taking day-long naps. You have no idea how tiring running a school is,” Rafal said.
James laughed out loud, the sound making something in Rafal’s chest swell. “I can imagine. The Pirate Captain definitely thinks I make his job infinitesimally harder.” Now James was angling his body towards Rafal, the space between them shrinking. “For an Evil sorcerer, your magic and soul felt pretty warm to me.”
Rafal frowned. “Did it?”
“Yeah. Your magic responded so well to me, it was as if it was part of me.” Rafal caught a twinkle in James’ eyes. “Want me to show you?”
“Idiot. I’m the one who has to give it to you first.”
“Yeah,” James breathed.
Rafal raised his eyebrow. But James was already eyeing his lips. Rafal licked his lips self-consciously, and turned away, hurriedly saying, “Who knows, if our souls were as in tune as you claim, maybe you're as Evil as me.”
Now it was James’ turn to frown. “No, I’m Good. How else would I want to take down that Evil Pan?”
“Are you, now? You’d make a fine student at my school, I’m sure.”
James rolled his eyes. “Maybe instead of questioning if I’m Good or not, you should ask yourself. Do you really think you’d let your brother take over the school and the duty of protecting the Storian if you were truly Evil?”
Rafal paused. Had he been the Good twin and his brother Evil all along? Rhian did replace him after he left, without regard for their bond at all. But before he could ponder further, he felt a hand on his.
“Hey, it doesn't matter anymore. Whether you're Good or Evil now doesn't matter if you're with me. Besides, I believe it’s what you do that makes you who you are.” Rafal stared up at James, their fingers somehow intertwined now.
“Your fingers are cold.”
“Yours are too,” James smiled. “Guess we both run cold.”
Rafal gazed into the eyes of the boy in front of him. James was looking at his lips again. Rafal’s heart thumped louder. They had locked lips before, but at the time Rafal’s intention had only been to share his magic. This time, however, the pounding in his chest told him they both had very different intentions now.
Rafal’s mind was in a haze when their lips finally met, the swelling feeling in his chest almost painful as he realised that this feeling was love, true love . As James kept kissing him, Rafal was mentally berating himself. He was acting like a damned Evergirl—stomach fluttering from the promise of a boy’s touch, with only thoughts of the boy in front of him occupying his mind. He wrapped his slender fingers around James’ neck, pulling him impossibly closer, both boys groaning into the kiss as their tongues met.
He would worry about his brother’s and the school’s reaction tomorrow. Whatever lay ahead in the future, he would worry about tomorrow. But for now, he didn't want to let go of the boy in his arms, no longer a substitute for his brother’s love. Rafal smiled against James’ lips. Maybe this was what the beginnings of Ever After felt like.