J. M. Barrie wrote several works featuring Peter Pan: most notably two novels, The Little White Bird and Peter and Wendy, and the play Peter Pan. In all of them, Peter Pan is the same static character since it is his principal feature that he never develops or grows up.

Both Wendy and Tinker Bell display romantic feelings for Peter Pan, who is attractive and can be charming. Peter Pan himself seems to prefer Tinker Bell, or at least to feel more comfortable with her. However, he is clearly not in love with either Tinker Bell or Wendy. If he can be said to love anyone at all, it is himself.

Ultimately, Peter Pan is depicted as being too selfish to fall in love with anyone. He is not a teenager, but a child. This is not to say that children do not experience love, but Peter Pan has none of the family connections that might allow him to love as children do. He is the leader of the Lost Boys, a band of orphans. If Peter ever did love Wendy, it would be as a replacement mother rather than as a romantic partner. However, his personality is shown to be too self-centered and fickle even for this type of love.