Peter Gives The Best Hugs

By Allyson

(A/N – All characters belong to C. S. Lewis, I'm only temporary playing with them)

Edmund was not a 'hugger.' If someone tried to cuddle him his flesh would crawl in distaste. He would grudgingly under duress accept hugs but would never give them, even when he secretly wanted to. His behaviour was an unexplained oddity amongst his siblings who were the polar opposite to him. Peter and Lucy had always been very tactile when it came to showing people that they liked them or when they craved attention. Though more reserved in public, Susan was just as bad as her sister and older brother.

After they arrived in Narnia and defeated the White Witch, Lucy seemed to make it her personal mission to hug Edmund at least once a day to show him how much she cared for him. Lucy had also roped her older siblings into doing it too. Susan would find any excuse to lightly touch Edmund's shoulder or card her fingers through his hair. Peter, who always wore his heart on his sleeve, would awkwardly show his affection by hovering nearby, ruffling his hair and bumping shoulders with him. Peter was aware that if he smothered Edmund too much his brother would panic and secretly, Peter was always worried that Edmund would leave again.

At first Edmund was uncomfortable with his siblings attentions but slowly it became more easy and natural to accept it. After a while it was nice to have Susan fuss over him and Edmund marvelled at the delighted smile on Lucy's face whenever he hugged her back. But the hugs that Edmund craved the most were from his big brother.

Peter loved having his brother back. Almost losing him to the White Witch and then to death had rattled Peter more than he would admit to. Checking to make sure Edmund was still alive was a daily habit. Which is why, after an arduous three day scouting trek, Peter was more than anxious to return home. On his arrival to Cair Paravel he was warmly welcomed by both his sisters, hugging them together despite their amused protests at how filthy his clothes were. His sisters were quick to tell him that Edmund's cold was improving but said brother was still in a grumpy with it.

"He won't come out if his room," fretted Susan, as they escorted Peter into the Cair. "He's barely touched his breakfast and lunch."

"He's been in a rotten mood all day," added Lucy with a displeased frown. "But now you're home, Peter, he will cheer up, won't he?"

"I'll talk to him," Peter promised, tussling her hair. "In fact, I will go and check on him now."

"But don't you want to change your clothes?" tutted Susan. "You're filthy, did you purposely roll in the mud?"

Pulling his cloak off, Peter made to teasingly drape it over Susan who gasped and ducked out of the way. "Peter!" she scolded, as Lucy giggled.

Placing his cloak on the back of a nearby chair, Peter grinned. "If Ed's still got his cold he won't smell anything."

As he walked away, Peter was sure he heard Susan mutter, "boys!" in exasperation. As his sisters had told him, he found Edmund in his bedroom. The fireplace was lit and Edmund sat on a wooden chair staring discontentedly at the flames, his back to the door. Stealthily slipping into the room, Peter trod quietly behind his brother.

"Hello, Peter," croaked the younger boy without turning his head. He had felt his brother's familiar presence when he stood behind him and involuntarily Edmund's shoulders had relaxed.

Unphased that he'd been caught out, Peter stood behind Edmund and wrapped his arms around his brother in a gentle bear hug, effectively pinning the younger boy to his chair. Edmund relaxed completely, tilting his head up in an effort to see his brother passed his growing fringe.

"Alright, Ed?" I hear you've been quite miserable, still feeling ill?" Peter asked the top of his brother's head. His chin could feel the heat of the other boy's still fevered brow.

"I'm fine," growled Edmund, with an unconvincing muffled cough.

Peter sighed at his brother's stubbornness. "What am I going to do with you, eh, Ed? One day I'm going to be able to hug you so tight that all your broken pieces will stick back together."

Edmund chuckled and managed to free one of his hands to pat at his brother's arm. "You are a sentimental mother hen, Peter. I worry about you sometimes, you've been spending far too much time with the girls."

Peter snorted dismissively. "You will eat something, won't you?" At Edmund's silence, Peter tightened his grip on his brother. "We're worried about you."

Edmund sighed. "I'm fine, but if it will stop you nagging I will join you all later."

Peter nodded, satisfied, but as he made to move away, Edmund clutched at Peter's arm to keep him in place. Peter gave him a puzzled look. "Something wrong?"

Edmund averted his eyes before grudgingly replying, "Lucy's right. You do give the best hugs."

Peter grinned. "Looks like I'm not the only one who is sentimental. Come on."

He patted Edmund's shoulder as he pulled away again. This time Edmund released his grip on his brother. Standing up, he sneezed loudly, nose wrinkling under the cuff of his sleeve.

"Peter, you need a bath."

The End