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Edmund actually made it halfway across the room before Caspian was on him. Caspian had been sprawled out on the wide window seat, sulking, though, so he’d had some distance to cover.
Caspian wrapped his arms around Edmund and kissed his mouth and then his hair.
“You’re back,” he said delightedly.
“Well, obviously,” Edmund said. “Can you let go a moment? I need to put your present down.”
“Let it fall. I want to hold you.” Caspian wormed his arms a little closer around Edmund.
“It’ll break. I was only gone one day,” Edmund laughed. “You’re utterly hopeless.”
“You were gone all day, and you left before I woke.” Caspian planted another smack on Edmund’s mouth. “There. That is good morning.” Another kiss. “And that is good afternoon.”
Edmund sighed, and laid his arms over Caspian’s shoulders, carefully holding the bag he’d brought clear. He kissed Caspian, and no chaste, brief thing but properly, sucking on Caspian’s lip until it opened and Edmund could push his tongue inside. Caspian kissed him back with hunger, one hand tangling in Edmund’s hair and the other roaming Edmund’s back possessively.
“I love you,” Caspian said when they broke apart to breathe. “I can’t help showing it.”
Edmund shook his head.
“You spoil me,” he said. Caspian grinned and nipped at Edmund’s earlobe. Edmund yelped. “I was going to say something about spoiling you in return, but now I think I’ll keep your present for myself.”
“No, you won’t,” Caspian said, completely unworried.
“I will.”
Caspian drew back just far enough to sink to his knees, both of Edmund’s hands clasped in his. He drew them to his mouth, kissed them, and looked up at Edmund. His face was alight with mischief, but earnest, too—Edmund was here and Caspian delighted. He was gorgeous and devoted, his black eyes shining. Edmund was helpless.
Edmund scowled and pressed his forehead against Caspian’s. Caspian turned his face up to meet him like a cat, incorrigible and adorable.
“You are shameless,” Edmund said.
“Yes. And currently presentless.”
“Oh, alright,” Edmund laughed. “You have to let me go, though.”
He tried to tug his hands free. Caspian whined and dragged them back, planting a kiss on each wrist before releasing the hand holding the bag. (He hung onto the other, though.)
Edmund held up the bag, realized he couldn’t open it one-handed, and sighed. Further tugging went unrewarded. Caspian’s eyes danced teasing. Edmund raised his eyebrows, and kept his gaze locked with Caspian’s as he raised the bag, and caught the cord tying it shut in his teeth. It was a lovely scarlet one, too. Caspian’s breath caught.
“Did you ecthpect me to beg?” Edmund said. It did not come out quite as arch as he wanted with his teeth still clamped around the tie, and Caspian laughed and kissed Edmund’s knuckles again.
It took a bit of worrying, but Edmund managed to pull the cord off the bag without untying it. He dropped the loop over his thumb, bright against his pale skin.
“Remember, it’s your fault if I drop your present and shatter it into a hundred pieces,” he said, and bit down on the edge of the bag.
“Ah—Should I—”
Caspian reached for the bag as Edmund let go of it with his hand, but Edmund turned his head away, swinging it out of his reach. Caspian had started this, and Edmund wasn’t letting him help now. His teeth had begun aching with the weight as soon as he let go, and Edmund wasted no time getting his hand inside. He pulled out the cloth-wrapped parcel inside.
He spat the bag onto the floor, then presented Caspian the parcel with a smirk.
“You are very stubborn,” Caspian said.
“It’s why you love me.”
“Do I love you?”
Edmund raised his brows, and Caspian laughed breathlessly and rose to take Edmund in his arms.
“Hey, you’re gonna crush—”
Edmund twisted away, package clutched to his chest, but Caspian just pulled him in sideways. He snaked his arms under Edmund’s and around Edmund’s waist; he nuzzled Edmund’s hair before holding out his hands, without untwining from Edmund.
Edmund sighed (rather fondly, despite his best efforts to sound exasperated) and gave Caspian the parcel. He unwrapped it to reveal a wooden carving of a sailing ship, tall-masted and proud. Her full sails seemed about to carry her off Caspian’s palms any moment to seek adventure.
“Ed, she’s lovely.”
Caspian squeezed Edmund with his forearms in lieu of a hug.
“You like it?”
“Very much. I’m lucky to have a lover who knows just what I like.”
“I figured you would as soon as I saw it.” Edmund cupped his hands under Caspian’s, rubbing a thumb over the back of one hand. “I wanted to apologize that I’ve been away so much lately. It can hardly be helped, but I know how you hate being left.”
Caspian turned his face into Edmund’s cheek.
“I know you’re coming back,” he murmured.
“Always.” He twisted his head around to grin at Caspian. “You certainly make it worth my while.”
Caspian grinned back and kissed him.
“Well, then, why don’t we find a place to put this, and then get into the wine I had sent up, waiting for your return.” Edmund opened his mouth, and Caspian said, “Because you’re not the only one who knows his lover. You’ve been busy with figures and politics all day, and right now you just want to cuddle and drink wine and relax.”
Edmund laughed and kissed him again. Caspian finally peeled off him, but only long enough to find the ship a berth on a side table by the window and procure wine and cups, while Edmund pulled off his boots and heavy traveling cloak. Then they settled into the window seat where Caspian had been earlier: the wine at hand, and the ship, too, so it could be admired and talked over in between Edmund venting about pigheaded local politicians, and, best, of all, Edmund and Caspian tangled up together this time, nowhere to go, nothing to do, and nothing to be except together and content.