Everything That Mattered - Chapter 18
Title: Everything That Mattered (18/21)
Pairing: Caspian/Edmund
Rating: PG-13
Summary: There was always something there, some feeling that Edmund had always acknowledged. As the feeling escalates, he and Caspian find themselves swept into something that neither of them had ever dared to dream of before.
A/N: I'm going to try and post the last remaining chapters in the next couple of days. I'll be going away after Christmas, and I'd like to get it all posted before then. :P
Notes: Thanks to my awesome beta xxlucyferxx for kicking my arse into gear. :)
( Chapter 1: 'A Fool's Hope' ) ( Chapter 2: 'Stubborn Man' ) ( Chapter 3: 'A Walk In The Park' ) ( Chapter 4: 'Closer' )( Chapter 5: 'High King Peter the Overprotective' ) ( Chapter 6: 'Be Civil, Peter!' ) ( Chapter 7: 'Nothing To Do With Engineering' )( Chapter 8: 'Galmian Relations' ) ( Chapter 9: 'A Little Bit More About Engineering' )( Chapter 10: 'Ow' )( Chapter 11: 'Tidings From Ettinsmoor' )( Chapter 12: 'Memories' )( Chapter 13: 'King Edmund the Interior Designer' )( Chapter 14: 'Taking Control' )( Chapter 15: 'All Hell Breaks Loose' )( Chapter 16: 'Things Take A Turn for the Worse' )( Chapter 17: 'Looking Up' )
Chapter 18: ‘Welcome Home’
Edmund shifted his weight from foot to foot, craning his neck to peer into the distance. He heard Susan sigh beside him, but he could not hide his impatience. He tilted his head, listening intently for the sounds of an approaching party. He could hear nothing, and he groaned, scuffing the toes of his boots on the stones to distract himself.
“Stop it, Ed,” Susan hissed.
Edmund ignored her, standing on tiptoes, though he could already see over the crowd, in an attempt to see further. His ears pricked as he heard the sounds of a horn being blown, and marching creatures approaching. A grin split his face and he nearly bounced, shifting his weight yet again, his thumbs twisting behind his back.
Trumpeters raised their instruments as the party came into sight, blowing loudly in triumphant greeting.
“Hail the king!” One of the nobles called.
“Hail! Hail, King Caspian!” the Narnians and Telmarines roared, cheering and throwing flowers as the king passed them, a grin on his handsome face as he waved in greeting.
Edmund’s heart soared and thudded loudly in his chest. Caspian was smiling, undamaged and within his sight once more. His smile widened and he squeezed his hands tightly behind his back, restraining himself from simply leaping into Caspian’s arms. Such things were hardly courteous, particularly in the royal court. Peter and Susan would kill him.
Riding up to the steps, those on horseback dismounted to the tumultuous cheers of the people. Edmund was surprised at the reaction, but proud nonetheless. Caspian’s prowess in battle proved that he would make a good king, and his subjects were simply expressing their gratitude.
Caspian turned to address the crowd, but Edmund was too distracted to take in what he was saying. Caspian was home, safe. His dark brown hair glinted in the warm Narnian sun. His eyes were sparkling with joy, as dark and beautiful as ever. Edmund could feel the breath knocked out of him as his eyes re-acquainted themselves with the gorgeous features of his lover.
He looked out over the crowd as a loud cheer penetrated his thoughts. Before him was a sea of smiling, relieved faces, gazing in awe at their king. A small child was telling her mother something, pointing animatedly at Caspian. The mother just nodded as the little girl gurgled, still too young to talk, gently pushing her hand down as Caspian began to speak again. Edmund smiled warmly at the girl when her attention shifted to him, receiving a gummy grin in return.
Still in a slight daze, Edmund followed his family inside as, at a final word from Caspian, the crowd parted, still smiling. His gaze was fixed on Caspian once more, utter relief spreading through him once again. He longed to just fling himself into Caspian’s arms, but kept himself in check. He was sure that the gesture would not be appreciated.
His lips curved into a welcoming smile when Caspian turned to look at him. Caspian grinned in delight, taking a step towards him, only to be grabbed and whisked off, disappointment flashing over his face before he composed himself. Edmund sighed, readying himself for a long wait until he could properly greet his beloved.
He watched as Caspian’s party greeted their ecstatic loved ones, embracing tightly and all chattering to each other. Family and friends were all assembled, swamping the victorious soldiers, who were laughing and looking just as pleased to be back. Edmund’s gaze went past them to a corner of the entrance hall, and he felt his lips turn down. Not all of the soldiers had made it, and their mourning loved ones held one another, tears streaking down their cheeks. Edmund nearly went to them, but no matter how much he thought about it, he could not find the right thing to say. Perhaps Peter or Caspian could, but not him. So he left them alone, sadness for them turning his expression sombre.
He leant against the wall near the magnificent staircase, watching Caspian calmly. Sometimes it would look as though Caspian was about to come to him, and Edmund would almost grin, but then someone else would grab the king and he would settle back against the stone, waiting patiently. He was not the only one who wanted to greet and congratulate Caspian, after all. Nor was he the most important one to do so. He would wait his turn.
Edmund smiled at the happy family of centaurs that were beginning to leave, watching as the younger ones swamped their triumphant father, their mother just smiling warmly. She grinned at Edmund when she noticed his smile, then turned to usher her children and husband out, pride shining in her eyes.
Gazing around for Caspian again, Edmund noticed the other king approaching him rapidly, frustration obvious in his face as the council members pulled him to the side once more. He spoke with them briefly and they nodded, releasing him to his obvious relief. He darted towards Edmund and, before Edmund could properly react, he was grabbed by the arm and being dragged up the staircase, laughter escaping his lips. The tanned hand was warm and comforting on his arm, the grip firm but not bruising. He had missed Caspian so much.
Caspian took a moment to unlock the door to his quarters, tugging Edmund inside and slamming the door shut. Edmund’s breath was knocked out of him as he was shoved against the wall, urgent lips pressed against his. One hand threaded through Edmund’s hair and another flew to his waist, Caspian pressing even closer to him, attacking his lips like a starved man. Edmund wrapped his arms around Caspian’s neck, breathless and dizzy, needing air but not willing to pull away. His entire body was on fire, his fingers squeezing the firm muscles of Caspian’s back. His knees were beginning to feel very weak and, if not for the wall, he would have fallen over.
Finally, Caspian pulled back, panting heavily as he rested his forehead against Edmund’s, eyes closed as he ran his hand over the pale face. Edmund’s hands went to the dark head of hair, his fingers playing with the silky strands as he tried to catch his breath. It was futile, he knew, because just being around Caspian made him breathless.
“I missed you. So much,” Caspian murmured. Edmund smiled as the familiar, accented voice washed over him, making his entire body turn to mush.
“And I you,” he said simply. He smiled more, having always been a believer that actions spoke louder than words. Unless they were misinterpreted, of course, as they often were when Caspian was involved. Or Peter. Both tended to get confused by his behaviour, though he thought he had made it clear.
“Always so reserved?” Caspian asked, bringing him out of his musings.
“Well, it’s only proper,” Edmund shrugged, tracing his hands along Caspian’s jaw.
“Not when you are with me, sweet Edmund.”
Edmund felt a blush rising on his cheeks and, seeing a pleased grin on Caspian’s face, tried to push it down. Suddenly, Caspian’s lips were ravaging his once more, and he allowed himself to be picked up and carried to bed. It was high time that he welcomed his beloved home.