Work Text:
1. Birthday
“Your birthday’s coming up soon, Ed,” Peter said softly.
“Really? I didn’t realize it was that close, I even forgot” Edmund replied without much interest. His eyes remained fixed on the worn book he was reading. That morning, the city library near Peter’s campus was still quiet.
“Is there anything you want?” Peter asked gently.
Edmund closed his book slowly, then turned toward Peter and gave a faint smile.
“I don’t want anything, Pete.”
“But it’s your birthday, Ed. It’s a special day. I want to give you something for it.”
Edmund let out a soft chuckle. That quiet laugh never failed to warm Peter’s chest. Peter smiled too, unable to help himself.
“I already have it, Pete. I don’t need anything else.”
Peter’s eyes dimmed with disappointment, as if wishing he could place that gift in Edmund’s hands himself.
“Can I know what it is, Ed?”
“What I wanted… I already have it, Pete."
Edmund reached out and gently placed his palm against Peter’s chest. Peter could feel his heartbeat thudding beneath Edmund’s touch.
"It’s right here.”
Peter’s eyes widened. He tilted his head back and looked up at the ceiling.
“Oh Aslan,” he murmured, full of quiet gratitude.
Then he looked back at Edmund, his eyes shimmering. “Ed, you never fail to make me…”
Peter’s voice faltered.
“…make me want to hold you and kiss every inch of your face right here.”
Edmund smiled, his cheeks flushed pink.
“Wait until we’re back at your dorm, Pete.”
2. Letter
Edmund had written Peter a letter while he was away, fighting the northern giants. The words made Peter’s heart race—Edmund said he missed him, and wished for his safe return. Peter nearly rode straight back to Cair Paravel the moment he finished reading. But of course, General Oreius stopped him.
When Peter finally returned, he whisked Edmund away to the northern lands of Narnia. They spent a full week together, leaving behind royal duties for a while. What they did during those days was theirs alone to know. But when they came back, Edmund quietly asked a servant if they had any potions to ease the soreness in his body.
3. Warmth
Lucy froze when she saw Edmund asleep, wrapped in Peter’s red cloak like a blanket. She knew instantly, Edmund missed him. And somehow, that cloak had become his way of holding Peter close.
Lucy stood still, not wanting to disturb the moment. She wished Peter could see this right now. But her brother was away in Archenland, meeting with King Lune on a week long diplomatic mission. Lucy made a quiet promise to herself. When Peter came back, she would tell him. Edmund would never say it out loud—but she knew, without a doubt, that he missed him.