AN – Alternate Universe in which Peter is drafted after Prince Caspian and is a German Prisoner of War. This takes place when Edmund drives up to get him when he's finally rescued.
Disclaimer: This is Fanfiction. Therefore we must all assume I am a fan and do not own said concepts.
The boy looks like his son. He's blond, he's got stormy blue eyes that err more to the side of gray, and he is hideously, unspeakably young.
The MP knows that he doesn't have to get personally involved with this boy, just wait with him at the train station until his brother comes to get him. But it's hard not to look at the boy and see not another solider, but a boy who's been through more than most men ever will be.
He'd collected the boy at the military hospital, thought that he needed another month or so, but the boy looked glad to be out of it. He'd let the man take his duffel and sat obediently by him on the train, and now he was sitting anxiously on the bench while the MP stands next to him, his firm glare keeping people well away.
It doesn't show, not after six weeks in the hospital, save in the hollowness of the boy's face and the cast on one arm. The circles under his eyes, not to mention the pain in him make him look older, but at the present moment he seems very young as he asks the MP, "What time is it?"
The MP smiled, checked his watch, told the boy, "Half past lad. Three minutes later than the last time you asked."
The boy's face colored and he looked down, "Sorry."
The MP shook his head, "It's fine lad. You miss your brother?"
A short nod, then a "Yes." it sounds cut off, as though the boy's struggling not to cry. "I told him he should have let Dad come, he has exams, but he was pretty set."
"Brothers can be like that. Is he your older?"
The boy shoook his head, "Younger, actually. Four years."
"Ah."
"Yes, that's what a lot of people say."
The MP laughed, surprised. Apparently the Germans hadn't burned all the spirit out of him. It had seemed that way for a while. "Trouble?"
The boy shook his head ruefully, "When he's a mind to be."
"What's his name?"
The boy bit his lip and tangled his hand further in his duffel bag's straps. "Edmund. He's in university now."
" Oh? What's he studying?"
"Literature. He's going to be a professor."
The pride in the boy's voice spoke volumes. He turned to the MP again, who told him, "Twelve thirty five lad. He'll be here in ten minutes."
A satisfied nod, then the boy told him, "Thank you, by the way, for coming all this way with me."
The MP shakes his head, "Not a problem, lad."
They sat in silence again, until an even younger, even slighter boy walked up. The boy looked up as soon as he heard the footsteps, "Ed?"
"Pete!"
The boy was up immediately, and his brother was grabbing him around the neck and holding him close, "Pete."
"Hey Ed." He buried his face in his brother's hair, stood there for a long moment before Ed squeezed him tightly, then asked him, "You ready?"
He nodded weakly, and Ed nodded, took his bag and hefted it up, then let Peter lean against him, "Come on. Let's get you home."
The boy nodded gratefully and let his brother lead him out to the car, pausing to tell the MP, "Thank you."
The MP had to clear his throat a little before he replied. "Don't worry about it lad. Just doing my job."
AN – Comments? I was thinking of writing more, but thought I'd wait to see if anyone liked it. Let me know.