
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/120514.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Chronicles_of_Narnia_-_C._S._Lewis
  Relationship:
      Caspian/Edmund_Pevensie
  Character:
      Caspian, Edmund_Pevensie
  Additional Tags:
      Romance, First_Time
  Series:
      Part 8 of Narnia_Sequence
  Stats:
      Published: 2008-06-07 Words: 1085
****** How to Love Each Other ******
by Celandine
Summary
     Sometimes having a plan thwarted to begin with can improve it in the
     end.
Notes
See the end of the work for notes
Caspian and Edmund had reached an agreement that, should they make landfall on
an island on which they could victual and water and repair the poor battered
Dawn Treader, the first night they would cement their understanding. They had
shared many stolen kisses and sweet caresses on board, yet they both longed for
more, though were chary of any such attempt on the crowded ship.
Thus when Eustace disappeared, and they had to search for him, Caspian's
irritation was great. He had tried to feel as well as show courtesy to Eustace
for Edmund's and Lucy's sake, but he could not like or condone such behavior as
the boy had consistently exhibited.
They could not send out search parties at night, not on an unknown island, but
they did put out more sentries than would otherwise have been the case, on the
chance that one of them might see or hear some trace of the missing boy. As a
result, Caspian found a moment to tell Edmund with regret that their plan would
have to be postponed. It would take some days to repair the ship and replenish
her stores, and there would be other opportunities for them.
Being a king himself, Edmund took the delay in good part, and they both were
glad of it when the dragon appeared that same night. It would never have done
for the king of Narnia to be discovered with his breeches down by one of the
ship's crew while on his way to inform Caspian of the ill news.
"I'm almost glad that the dragon proved to be your cousin," Caspian murmured to
Edmund the following afternoon.
"Why so?" Edmund's voice was just as quiet. The two of them were waiting in a
thicket, with others similarly concealed nearby; the hunting party had spotted
signs of game, deer or goats or some similar animal, and the rest of the men
were circling to drive it toward them.
"He is inquisitive. None other would follow either of us, should they see us
slip from our blankets late at night, but he might." Caspian set an arrow to
his string. "I hear them coming."
The hunt was successful. They feasted at that night on fresh meat, and all ate
their fill, with watered wine as well to soothe throats long parched.
Across the spitted haunch Caspian's eyes met Edmund's, and a brief nod was all
that was needed for understanding.
After all the rest were sound asleep, save the sentries -- only two tonight -
- Edmund slipped from his place. Caspian marked where he went, a little to the
north of the necessary trench, and scant minutes later he followed.
Just as he began to wonder if he had somehow missed Edmund altogether in the
darkness under the trees, a hand grasped him firmly by the forearm, and
Edmund's voice said, "Here, Caspian."
Caspian embraced him, feeling the pounding of Edmund's heart as fast and urgent
as his own. "Edmund," he breathed. Edmund's kisses never disappointed, but
tonight they had a greater intensity than usual, for both of them knew what was
to come. Edmund slipped a hand under Caspian's tunic and stroked his back.
"Are you ready?"
"I am." Caspian swallowed.
They sank to earth softly carpeted in fir needles. Edmund touched Caspian's
cheek.
"It would be imprudent to undress entirely, I fear," he said.
Caspian could not but agree, much though he would have liked to do so, to feel
Edmund bare against him for the full length of their bodies. "We must make do,
then," he said as cheerfully as he could.
Edmund had brought a little flask of oil taken from the galley, and he used it
to prepare Caspian, who gulped with mingled apprehension and delight as he was
laid open by Edmund's touch.
When at last he knelt on hands and knees, Edmund behind him, inside him,
filling and completing him, Caspian bit his lips to stifle the sounds of awed
pleasure that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Caspian?" Edmund's voice was urgent. "Caspian, you must tell me if I hurt
you."
"You could never hurt me." Caspian was as certain of that as he had ever been
of anything in life. "Go on."
When Edmund began to move, Caspian nearly cried out. Not with pain, not at all,
but with the sheer unexpectedness of the sensation. He held his tongue only by
remembering that they were not so far from the camp, after all, and to alarm
them would be unwise. Instead he turned his head to muffle his voice against
his own shoulder, repeating Edmund's name in a whisper as he glanced backward
to see Edmund's face contorted in solemn ecstasy.
"Caspian," whispered Edmund in return. "Caspian, my lord and king." He bent
forward so that his lips touched Caspian's shoulder blade. His hand slipped
along Caspian's belly, taking hold of him and beginning a stroke that fit so
naturally with the thrusts of Edmund's hips that Caspian felt as if he were
lover and beloved at once, spiraling up to a hitherto-unknown peak of
intensity.
He hissed and stiffened as his climax overtook him, felt Edmund still moving
convulsively for a moment more, and then had scarcely time to feel empty or
forsaken as Edmund slid from his body before Edmund had lain beside him and
held him in an embrace.
"My lord and king," Caspian murmured, echoing Edmund's words, and Edmund
laughed softly and kissed him.
"Kings and lords, knights and equals we are and shall be, then, shall we not?"
"Always," Caspian promised, and then for a little while they were silent.
Edmund had a pocket-handkerchief and cleaned them both as best he was able,
fumbling awkwardly in the near-dark. They refastened their loosened clothing
although they hoped nevertheless to remain unseen.
"It is not that I would not acknowledge you as first in my heart and
affections," Caspian began, but Edmund stopped him with gentle fingers against
Caspian's lips.
"No need. A king is bound by his duties, as I well understand. There is no need
for apology between us."
Slipping back through the trees to camp, crawling again into his blankets,
Caspian had no regrets for what they had done. He would do his duty as king -
- he had no illusion that Edmund would be allowed to stay long in Narnia -- but
to have had this, to have the chance to repeat it for as long as they might be
together, ah, that was joy unlooked-for, yet treasured indeed.
End Notes
     The title is from the hymn "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."
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