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Two fic updates in one day...wow. That's awesome. Well, I figured might as well get this up before Otakon...
Title: The Lost King
Author: The Telmarine Prince
Pairings: Peter/Caspian, Caspian/Susan
Genre: Romance/Angst/Drama
Rating: PG for implications
Word Count: 2,656
Summary: Ever since his return from Narnia, Peter has been getting into fights and feels lost in life. He wants to return to Narnia, but mostly, he wants to see the prince he fought alongside.
Chapter 12-Mixed Signals
Caspian was proudly letting everyone remember how he won his first game of cricket.
“And when it almost hit you, Peter, I’m sorry but I tried really hard not to hit you.”
“No, I know.” Peter said, not minding the fact that he had been hit by the ball numerous times, causing bruises to form on his chest and arms.
“Caspian,” Edmund cried, “that was excellent! I didn’t know you were so good at a game you’ve never even played before.”
“Yes, well, I had some help.” As he said this, he caught Peter’s eye and the eldest Pevensie noticed the warm smile that surfaced on Caspian’s face. He smiled back, showing that he wasn’t mad after all. Susan, on the other hand, was upset for very little reason.
“Beginner’s luck.” She uttered, disappearing upstairs.
Caspian watched her leave as he asked the others, “What’s the matter with her?”
“Probably sulking over something concerning…” Edmund cut off and then finished, “Lucy.”
Peter knew Edmund was about to mention James, Susan’s friend, as she insisted. Of course, the rest of them knew that they were dating. It wasn’t exactly a secret. Even Caspian knew now.
“Lucy?” Caspian asked. “Is she worse?”
Edmund then said, “Not sure. The doctor’s supposed to come in an hour or so though to check on her.”
“Oh.” Caspian said understandably. “May I see her?”
“Sure.”
Peter and Edmund followed Caspian up to Lucy and Susan’s room and knocked on the door. Susan answered, looking like she had just been crying. Caspian, who was in front, demanded what was wrong.
Fighting back tears, Susan shook her head as Caspian held on to her, trying to calm her. They had come into the room and Edmund went over to where Lucy lay to check on her. Peter stood by the door, watching Caspian and Susan enviously.
“What’s the matter?” Caspian asked her.
“Nothing’s wrong, okay?” Susan tried telling him. Just as stubborn as ever, Peter thought quietly. Caspian wouldn’t stop though.
“Has somebody hurt you?”
Susan shook her head vigorously, but didn’t say anything.
“Have I hurt you?” He asked.
“No, you did nothing wrong.” Susan said.
“Susan, if you can’t tell me what’s bothering you, then I will never now how to help-”
“It’s none of your business!” Susan said.
“But it is mine.” Peter spoke up, coming over toward the two of them. Caspian was looking at him as Peter asked Susan, “Was it him? Did he do something to you?”
“Peter, please, don’t be rash.” She pleaded. “It’s not him, okay? It’s me.”
Everyone in the room seemed to look at Susan as she said this, even Lucy, who was awake now.
“You?” Edmund asked.
Susan was red now as she said, “Okay, fine. I said something and it went the wrong way and now James is mad at me.”
There was silence for a moment and Peter unmistakenably saw Caspian grasp his hip, the place where the hilt of his sword usually was. The prince seemed to have forgotten he wasn’t wearing it. Peter figured it was instinctual though.
“That’s it then?” Peter asked, almost relieved that he didn’t have to beat someone up.
“Yes,” Susan admitted.
The rest of them exchanged glances and as Caspian caught Lucy’s eye, he made his way over to the bed.
“Lucy, are you all right?” He asked.
Lucy smiled and nodded, “Yeah. My stomach’s hurting a little, but it feels a bit better. Although, my throat is sore when I swallow.”
Caspian stroked her hand as he said, “Had I known you were this sick, I would have brought your little bottle of miracles.”
Lucy couldn’t help but smile as she explained, “it helps if one is badly injured. I’m not sure if it would work for a cold.”
Soon, Caspian began telling Lucy all about the cricket game that he won. Edmund and Lucy were laughing at the prince’s excitement about it. Edmund then turned to look at Peter and his smile faded. Peter saw Edmund turn to face him, but his eyes were focused on Caspian. Peter’s eyes were flashing in anger as he looked at Caspian, but softened when he looked up at Edmund’s confused face. Peter suddenly wanted to escape the scene. Quietly, he left the room with only Edmund really noticing. As soon as Peter was out in the hall, Edmund caught up with him.
“Pete!” Edmund called. “Wait up.”
Peter ignored him as he opened the door to their door. Edmund followed him inside the room and closed the door behind him.
“What’s gotten into you?” He asked as Peter grabbed a book and sat on his bed, ready to read.
“What d’you mean?” Peter asked, opening up the book.
“That look you gave Caspian. That wasn’t just any dirty look. That was a glare. Why do you hate him all of a sudden?”
Peter sighed as he looked up from the book at his brother and said, “I don’t hate him, all right?”
“Then what was that glare for?” Edmund demanded.
“Obviously, you misinterpreted the situation.” Peter told him. “I wasn’t glaring at him. I was thinking about what I was to do about Susan’s boyfriend and happened to be looking in Caspian’s direction as I thought about it.”
It was a pathetic lie, but since it seemed probable, Edmund didn’t press the issue. He then asked, more hesitantly than before, “Um, Pete?”
Peter grunted, trying to process the first few words of his book.
“Did you mention James to Caspian?”
Peter stopped reading (seeing as to how he could barely start) and sat up on his bed as he said, “I may have.”
Edmund was shocked and started half-yelling at him. “Peter! How could you tell him something like that? Caspian’s our friend. He still loves Susan. You saw the way they looked at each other before we left. That’s probably the reason why he came-”
“He came back because Lucy’s sick!” Peter told him sharply, standing up to face his brother.
“How do you know that? You only have a hunch.”
“Because he told me that was the reason.”
“Only so he wouldn’t get you mad.” Edmund said.
Peter wouldn’t listen to this. He would not accept that as Caspian’s reason for coming all the way to England.
“No, Caspian wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Why just to you?” Edmund wondered.
“Shut up. He wouldn’t lie to any of us why he was here.” Peter felt his face grow red. Thankfully he could get away with saying it was his anger more than his embarrassment.
“Unless he had good reason.”
“Which he does not.” Peter replied.
Just then, the door opened and Caspian appeared. “Hello,” he greeted, about to step into the room, when both Peter and Edmund thundered simultaneously, “Get out!”
Caspian, noticing their bloodthirsty voices, quickly backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
“So, what was up with you during the cricket game?” Edmund asked Peter when Caspian had closed the door completely.
“What do you mean?” Peter said, lowering his voice so Caspian was less likely to hear them.
“The way you were sulking the entire time.” Edmund clarified, catching onto Peter’s hint and lowered his voice as well.
“Susan placed me in a position I didn’t want.”
“So, you wanted to be wicket-keeper?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because he wanted her to be wicket-keeper.” Peter said, his voice growing a little now.
“You could have said no. Why didn’t you?”
Peter paused for a second. He wasn’t sure how to tell Edmund the truth, so he lied, “Because I was tired of arguing and I just wanted to play.”
Edmund regarded him with an odd expression and Peter tried his best to keep his refined look of dignity he was so used to showing. Edmund finally stopped questioning him and went over to his side of the room where he pulled out a deck of cards.
Peter opened the door where Caspian was waiting and instead of letting the prince into the room, Peter stepped out of it, closing the door behind him.
Peter urged Caspian around the corner where the bathroom was and said in an undertone, “Caspian, I am so sorry about that. It was extremely rude of my brother and I to not allow you in. Please, will you forgive me?”
“Of course I do.” Caspian said, as though it were obvious. “I wanted to ask why you left the girls’ room earlier though.”
“Oh, that…” Peter said, afraid that Caspian would bug him about that. “Well, I was feeling rather vengeful on Susan’s boyfriend and I started thinking about how I could…”
He cut off, realizing who he was talking to. He was about to say ‘persuade him to forgive Susan and go back to her’, but knew that Caspian wouldn’t exactly find that plan profitable to him.
“How you could what?” Caspian asked.
“Th-thinking about how I could beat him up without anyone noticing.” It wasn’t until the words came out of his mouth that Peter realized how incredibly stupid he sounded.
“Ah, well, that shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Yes, I know.” Peter said, almost impatiently. He hated lying to both Edmund and Caspian about the same scenario.
Caspian sensed his anxiety as he asked, “are you sure there isn’t anything else?”
Peter wasn’t sure how to respond. He honestly felt like crying and breaking down from the pressure of all the questions that surrounded him, but knew that if he did, his true feelings for the man standing in front of him would tumble out and he didn’t know how Caspian would react. But at the same time, he hated lying.
“No,” Peter finally said, “I’m troubled, Caspian.”
“How do you mean?” The prince asked.
“Ever since my return to Narnia, I’ve been having difficulty adjusting. I’ve gotten into more fights at school and I’ve had so many urges to just whip out a sword and fight some of the people who’ve been aggravating me. Then, I hurt Edmund after I became jealous of him being able to go back to Narnia. The truth is, after leaving Narnia the first time, I was acting rather mature for my age because I had grown up as a king while in Narnia and suddenly, I was a kid again. Then, after returning this time, I felt lost, like my time there was a lot shorter and I realized that there was something I had this time that I didn’t have last time.” Peter looked Caspian in the eye as he said, “a brother in arms, a companion who fought alongside me to the end. It was you, Caspian.”
“Me?” Caspian questioned.
Peter nodded sagely. “I couldn’t help myself, but for some reason, I kept thinking about our time together and I was upset when I thought I would never see you again.”
“But I’m here now.” Caspian said as if this comment made up for everything.
Peter almost cried at the fact that the person he had missed this entire time was there right in front of him. He hid his face so Caspian couldn’t’ tell he was trying very hard not to cry. “I know.” Peter choked.
Caspian put a hand on his shoulder and Peter glanced up into those dark brown eyes and embraced the man before him. He didn’t pay attention to anything else around him but the man he held onto. He didn’t care if Susan appeared right next to them. Through silent tears, he grasped onto Caspian’s back as the prince held tightly onto his. Peter stared twisting the ends of the prince’s hair, almost unconsciously, as he thought about how soft and wavy it was…
“Peter?”
“Mm?” Peter hummed, still playing with Caspian’s hair.
“What are you doing?” Caspian asked.
Peter suddenly became aware of his actions and ceased almost immediately. He then let go of Caspian as he said, embarrassed, “Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Caspian asked.
But Peter didn’t want to continue the conversation. He was too red in the face to talk to him. He tried leaving Caspian, but the man grabbed his hand and asked him to wait.
Peter breathed slowly as he turned back around to face Caspian.
“You’ve changed, Peter.” Caspian observed.
“What?”
“You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.” Caspian clarified. “You’re not as critical or cynical as you were when you came to save me.”
Peter simply regarded him, not commenting.
“You seem more…soft, even though you’ve said that you fight a lot. And I cannot help but notice how much nicer you seem to me. And yet, I sense that you are still mad at me for something.”
Looking down, Peter murmured, “I’m not mad at you.”
“But you are,” Caspian countered, “You must be…are you mad about your sister and me?”
You aren’t a couple yet. Peter thought to himself. He paused before he muttered, “no.”
“You’re not?” Caspian asked, rather surprised.
“No, if you want to try winning her heart again, be my guest.” Peter was amazed at his own words, though they were icy. “But like I said earlier, Susan’s hard to get and she’s very complicated. But hey, apparently you still have a chance because her other admirer is mad at her right now.”
Caspian wasn’t sure how to react now that Peter was allowing him to go after his sister and he kept his face under a cloud of confusion.
Peter saw his expression as he demanded, “what?”
Caspian paused before saying, “I thought you didn’t like seeing Susan and I together.”
“I never said that.”
“No, but I can’t tell by your expression. You obviously disapprove.” Caspian said.
“Perhaps,” Peter admitted, “but it doesn’t mean I’m mad at you.”
“Then tell me Peter,” Caspian said, raising his voice, “I must be missing something because you say that I can try to tell her, yet you advise me not to and now you say I should go for it because this James is mad at her. But you contradict yourself by saying that you disapprove of us together anyhow, so if there’s something you want to say, then just say it!”
Peter had trouble forming words. He wasn’t sure how many people were listening from down the hall and he couldn’t say what he wanted to say. I don’t think Susan’s right for you because I have feelings for you.
“There’s nothing to say.” Peter concluded, his stubborn nature showing a bit.
“No?” Caspian seemed to be growing angrier, “Well, then maybe I’ll only listen to half of your advice.”
Caspian turned to walk past Peter down the hall. Peter asked quietly, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to talk to Susan.” Caspian said as he turned briefly. He made his way to Susan’s and Lucy’s room and Peter, feeling tears start to run down his cheeks ran down the hall and bumped Caspian on purpose as he disappeared down the stairs and toward the library. It had grown increasingly cloudy outside and when glancing at the clock on one of the shelves, he saw that it was just after three-thirty. Only half an hour until I need to show my face again. He thought grimly.
He covered his eyes with his hands, crying softly, wondering what had gone wrong in his conversation with Caspian. It had started off fairly well, but had taken a wrong turn after Peter noticed he was getting a little too affectionate with Caspian. The prince hadn’t gone into detail about what Peter was doing which was good, because Peter didn’t know how to express how he really felt to Caspian. He didn’t just miss him. He loved him. He could admit it to himself any time, but not to anyone else, and because of that, he was miserable. His only hope was that Caspian would lose interest in Susan rather quickly.
A/N: Not the happiest ending I know. It doesn't end here though. The next chapter will be told from Caspian's pov.
Previous Chapters Here
Title: The Lost King
Author: The Telmarine Prince
Pairings: Peter/Caspian, Caspian/Susan
Genre: Romance/Angst/Drama
Rating: PG for implications
Word Count: 2,656
Summary: Ever since his return from Narnia, Peter has been getting into fights and feels lost in life. He wants to return to Narnia, but mostly, he wants to see the prince he fought alongside.
Chapter 12-Mixed Signals
Caspian was proudly letting everyone remember how he won his first game of cricket.
“And when it almost hit you, Peter, I’m sorry but I tried really hard not to hit you.”
“No, I know.” Peter said, not minding the fact that he had been hit by the ball numerous times, causing bruises to form on his chest and arms.
“Caspian,” Edmund cried, “that was excellent! I didn’t know you were so good at a game you’ve never even played before.”
“Yes, well, I had some help.” As he said this, he caught Peter’s eye and the eldest Pevensie noticed the warm smile that surfaced on Caspian’s face. He smiled back, showing that he wasn’t mad after all. Susan, on the other hand, was upset for very little reason.
“Beginner’s luck.” She uttered, disappearing upstairs.
Caspian watched her leave as he asked the others, “What’s the matter with her?”
“Probably sulking over something concerning…” Edmund cut off and then finished, “Lucy.”
Peter knew Edmund was about to mention James, Susan’s friend, as she insisted. Of course, the rest of them knew that they were dating. It wasn’t exactly a secret. Even Caspian knew now.
“Lucy?” Caspian asked. “Is she worse?”
Edmund then said, “Not sure. The doctor’s supposed to come in an hour or so though to check on her.”
“Oh.” Caspian said understandably. “May I see her?”
“Sure.”
Peter and Edmund followed Caspian up to Lucy and Susan’s room and knocked on the door. Susan answered, looking like she had just been crying. Caspian, who was in front, demanded what was wrong.
Fighting back tears, Susan shook her head as Caspian held on to her, trying to calm her. They had come into the room and Edmund went over to where Lucy lay to check on her. Peter stood by the door, watching Caspian and Susan enviously.
“What’s the matter?” Caspian asked her.
“Nothing’s wrong, okay?” Susan tried telling him. Just as stubborn as ever, Peter thought quietly. Caspian wouldn’t stop though.
“Has somebody hurt you?”
Susan shook her head vigorously, but didn’t say anything.
“Have I hurt you?” He asked.
“No, you did nothing wrong.” Susan said.
“Susan, if you can’t tell me what’s bothering you, then I will never now how to help-”
“It’s none of your business!” Susan said.
“But it is mine.” Peter spoke up, coming over toward the two of them. Caspian was looking at him as Peter asked Susan, “Was it him? Did he do something to you?”
“Peter, please, don’t be rash.” She pleaded. “It’s not him, okay? It’s me.”
Everyone in the room seemed to look at Susan as she said this, even Lucy, who was awake now.
“You?” Edmund asked.
Susan was red now as she said, “Okay, fine. I said something and it went the wrong way and now James is mad at me.”
There was silence for a moment and Peter unmistakenably saw Caspian grasp his hip, the place where the hilt of his sword usually was. The prince seemed to have forgotten he wasn’t wearing it. Peter figured it was instinctual though.
“That’s it then?” Peter asked, almost relieved that he didn’t have to beat someone up.
“Yes,” Susan admitted.
The rest of them exchanged glances and as Caspian caught Lucy’s eye, he made his way over to the bed.
“Lucy, are you all right?” He asked.
Lucy smiled and nodded, “Yeah. My stomach’s hurting a little, but it feels a bit better. Although, my throat is sore when I swallow.”
Caspian stroked her hand as he said, “Had I known you were this sick, I would have brought your little bottle of miracles.”
Lucy couldn’t help but smile as she explained, “it helps if one is badly injured. I’m not sure if it would work for a cold.”
Soon, Caspian began telling Lucy all about the cricket game that he won. Edmund and Lucy were laughing at the prince’s excitement about it. Edmund then turned to look at Peter and his smile faded. Peter saw Edmund turn to face him, but his eyes were focused on Caspian. Peter’s eyes were flashing in anger as he looked at Caspian, but softened when he looked up at Edmund’s confused face. Peter suddenly wanted to escape the scene. Quietly, he left the room with only Edmund really noticing. As soon as Peter was out in the hall, Edmund caught up with him.
“Pete!” Edmund called. “Wait up.”
Peter ignored him as he opened the door to their door. Edmund followed him inside the room and closed the door behind him.
“What’s gotten into you?” He asked as Peter grabbed a book and sat on his bed, ready to read.
“What d’you mean?” Peter asked, opening up the book.
“That look you gave Caspian. That wasn’t just any dirty look. That was a glare. Why do you hate him all of a sudden?”
Peter sighed as he looked up from the book at his brother and said, “I don’t hate him, all right?”
“Then what was that glare for?” Edmund demanded.
“Obviously, you misinterpreted the situation.” Peter told him. “I wasn’t glaring at him. I was thinking about what I was to do about Susan’s boyfriend and happened to be looking in Caspian’s direction as I thought about it.”
It was a pathetic lie, but since it seemed probable, Edmund didn’t press the issue. He then asked, more hesitantly than before, “Um, Pete?”
Peter grunted, trying to process the first few words of his book.
“Did you mention James to Caspian?”
Peter stopped reading (seeing as to how he could barely start) and sat up on his bed as he said, “I may have.”
Edmund was shocked and started half-yelling at him. “Peter! How could you tell him something like that? Caspian’s our friend. He still loves Susan. You saw the way they looked at each other before we left. That’s probably the reason why he came-”
“He came back because Lucy’s sick!” Peter told him sharply, standing up to face his brother.
“How do you know that? You only have a hunch.”
“Because he told me that was the reason.”
“Only so he wouldn’t get you mad.” Edmund said.
Peter wouldn’t listen to this. He would not accept that as Caspian’s reason for coming all the way to England.
“No, Caspian wouldn’t lie to me.”
“Why just to you?” Edmund wondered.
“Shut up. He wouldn’t lie to any of us why he was here.” Peter felt his face grow red. Thankfully he could get away with saying it was his anger more than his embarrassment.
“Unless he had good reason.”
“Which he does not.” Peter replied.
Just then, the door opened and Caspian appeared. “Hello,” he greeted, about to step into the room, when both Peter and Edmund thundered simultaneously, “Get out!”
Caspian, noticing their bloodthirsty voices, quickly backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
“So, what was up with you during the cricket game?” Edmund asked Peter when Caspian had closed the door completely.
“What do you mean?” Peter said, lowering his voice so Caspian was less likely to hear them.
“The way you were sulking the entire time.” Edmund clarified, catching onto Peter’s hint and lowered his voice as well.
“Susan placed me in a position I didn’t want.”
“So, you wanted to be wicket-keeper?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because he wanted her to be wicket-keeper.” Peter said, his voice growing a little now.
“You could have said no. Why didn’t you?”
Peter paused for a second. He wasn’t sure how to tell Edmund the truth, so he lied, “Because I was tired of arguing and I just wanted to play.”
Edmund regarded him with an odd expression and Peter tried his best to keep his refined look of dignity he was so used to showing. Edmund finally stopped questioning him and went over to his side of the room where he pulled out a deck of cards.
Peter opened the door where Caspian was waiting and instead of letting the prince into the room, Peter stepped out of it, closing the door behind him.
Peter urged Caspian around the corner where the bathroom was and said in an undertone, “Caspian, I am so sorry about that. It was extremely rude of my brother and I to not allow you in. Please, will you forgive me?”
“Of course I do.” Caspian said, as though it were obvious. “I wanted to ask why you left the girls’ room earlier though.”
“Oh, that…” Peter said, afraid that Caspian would bug him about that. “Well, I was feeling rather vengeful on Susan’s boyfriend and I started thinking about how I could…”
He cut off, realizing who he was talking to. He was about to say ‘persuade him to forgive Susan and go back to her’, but knew that Caspian wouldn’t exactly find that plan profitable to him.
“How you could what?” Caspian asked.
“Th-thinking about how I could beat him up without anyone noticing.” It wasn’t until the words came out of his mouth that Peter realized how incredibly stupid he sounded.
“Ah, well, that shouldn’t be too hard.”
“Yes, I know.” Peter said, almost impatiently. He hated lying to both Edmund and Caspian about the same scenario.
Caspian sensed his anxiety as he asked, “are you sure there isn’t anything else?”
Peter wasn’t sure how to respond. He honestly felt like crying and breaking down from the pressure of all the questions that surrounded him, but knew that if he did, his true feelings for the man standing in front of him would tumble out and he didn’t know how Caspian would react. But at the same time, he hated lying.
“No,” Peter finally said, “I’m troubled, Caspian.”
“How do you mean?” The prince asked.
“Ever since my return to Narnia, I’ve been having difficulty adjusting. I’ve gotten into more fights at school and I’ve had so many urges to just whip out a sword and fight some of the people who’ve been aggravating me. Then, I hurt Edmund after I became jealous of him being able to go back to Narnia. The truth is, after leaving Narnia the first time, I was acting rather mature for my age because I had grown up as a king while in Narnia and suddenly, I was a kid again. Then, after returning this time, I felt lost, like my time there was a lot shorter and I realized that there was something I had this time that I didn’t have last time.” Peter looked Caspian in the eye as he said, “a brother in arms, a companion who fought alongside me to the end. It was you, Caspian.”
“Me?” Caspian questioned.
Peter nodded sagely. “I couldn’t help myself, but for some reason, I kept thinking about our time together and I was upset when I thought I would never see you again.”
“But I’m here now.” Caspian said as if this comment made up for everything.
Peter almost cried at the fact that the person he had missed this entire time was there right in front of him. He hid his face so Caspian couldn’t’ tell he was trying very hard not to cry. “I know.” Peter choked.
Caspian put a hand on his shoulder and Peter glanced up into those dark brown eyes and embraced the man before him. He didn’t pay attention to anything else around him but the man he held onto. He didn’t care if Susan appeared right next to them. Through silent tears, he grasped onto Caspian’s back as the prince held tightly onto his. Peter stared twisting the ends of the prince’s hair, almost unconsciously, as he thought about how soft and wavy it was…
“Peter?”
“Mm?” Peter hummed, still playing with Caspian’s hair.
“What are you doing?” Caspian asked.
Peter suddenly became aware of his actions and ceased almost immediately. He then let go of Caspian as he said, embarrassed, “Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Caspian asked.
But Peter didn’t want to continue the conversation. He was too red in the face to talk to him. He tried leaving Caspian, but the man grabbed his hand and asked him to wait.
Peter breathed slowly as he turned back around to face Caspian.
“You’ve changed, Peter.” Caspian observed.
“What?”
“You’ve changed since the last time I saw you.” Caspian clarified. “You’re not as critical or cynical as you were when you came to save me.”
Peter simply regarded him, not commenting.
“You seem more…soft, even though you’ve said that you fight a lot. And I cannot help but notice how much nicer you seem to me. And yet, I sense that you are still mad at me for something.”
Looking down, Peter murmured, “I’m not mad at you.”
“But you are,” Caspian countered, “You must be…are you mad about your sister and me?”
You aren’t a couple yet. Peter thought to himself. He paused before he muttered, “no.”
“You’re not?” Caspian asked, rather surprised.
“No, if you want to try winning her heart again, be my guest.” Peter was amazed at his own words, though they were icy. “But like I said earlier, Susan’s hard to get and she’s very complicated. But hey, apparently you still have a chance because her other admirer is mad at her right now.”
Caspian wasn’t sure how to react now that Peter was allowing him to go after his sister and he kept his face under a cloud of confusion.
Peter saw his expression as he demanded, “what?”
Caspian paused before saying, “I thought you didn’t like seeing Susan and I together.”
“I never said that.”
“No, but I can’t tell by your expression. You obviously disapprove.” Caspian said.
“Perhaps,” Peter admitted, “but it doesn’t mean I’m mad at you.”
“Then tell me Peter,” Caspian said, raising his voice, “I must be missing something because you say that I can try to tell her, yet you advise me not to and now you say I should go for it because this James is mad at her. But you contradict yourself by saying that you disapprove of us together anyhow, so if there’s something you want to say, then just say it!”
Peter had trouble forming words. He wasn’t sure how many people were listening from down the hall and he couldn’t say what he wanted to say. I don’t think Susan’s right for you because I have feelings for you.
“There’s nothing to say.” Peter concluded, his stubborn nature showing a bit.
“No?” Caspian seemed to be growing angrier, “Well, then maybe I’ll only listen to half of your advice.”
Caspian turned to walk past Peter down the hall. Peter asked quietly, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to talk to Susan.” Caspian said as he turned briefly. He made his way to Susan’s and Lucy’s room and Peter, feeling tears start to run down his cheeks ran down the hall and bumped Caspian on purpose as he disappeared down the stairs and toward the library. It had grown increasingly cloudy outside and when glancing at the clock on one of the shelves, he saw that it was just after three-thirty. Only half an hour until I need to show my face again. He thought grimly.
He covered his eyes with his hands, crying softly, wondering what had gone wrong in his conversation with Caspian. It had started off fairly well, but had taken a wrong turn after Peter noticed he was getting a little too affectionate with Caspian. The prince hadn’t gone into detail about what Peter was doing which was good, because Peter didn’t know how to express how he really felt to Caspian. He didn’t just miss him. He loved him. He could admit it to himself any time, but not to anyone else, and because of that, he was miserable. His only hope was that Caspian would lose interest in Susan rather quickly.
A/N: Not the happiest ending I know. It doesn't end here though. The next chapter will be told from Caspian's pov.
Previous Chapters Here