I would like to thank electrum for crawling through the beta mire to help me with this story. She pulled me out of "Tense" hell on more than one occasion and delivered a wreath of late-blooming participial phrases and gerunds. I treasure that wreath.

All mistakes are my own.

Sorry about the wrong posting. LOL

This story takes place between LWW and PC, book and movie verse.

NO SLASH WHAT SO EVER only family tenderness

Disclaimer: I was poor yesterday, today and probably will be tomorrow. So please don't sue because the works of C.S. Lewis belongs to him and any affiliate that makes that claim.

Chapter Two: Smother

At boarding school Peter found himself reprimanded with warnings of being expelled if he continued to cause havoc. It wasn't his fault every time. Sometimes there was confusion between causing havoc and chivalry when he rescued an innocent victim from a bully's assault. Unfortunately for the bully, Peter has years of hand-to-hand combat skills, but clearly he holds himself in check. He takes care to use only his hands, not his knees, feet, head or any other part of the body that could do considerable life-changing damage. Ultimately he remains in control and I commend him for at least trying.

Throughout the day I don't exist to Peter Pevensie. It hurts. I try not to let him see that, but he's Peter, so I know he does. Perhaps he is trying to protect me from himself. After Aslan became a willing sacrifice, my relationship with my brother became insurmountable. Even our sisters were mesmerized by the power of our unity. But this chasm he's forcing between us, all of us, will be a fatal wound if he doesn't come around.

Now he waits, impatiently I might add, for Aslan's call to return Home. Meanwhile, he retreats further into himself as he pushes me further away. The slight is so painful at times it's hard to breathe as I feel a part of my heart, my soul, my spirit being viciously ripped from me.

But at night it's a different story. Heroically he comes to my defense while I'm helplessly trapped by Jadis, the only person who could make me cry out against my will, be she dead or alive. He seems to always know, even from where he sleeps in the hall of the upper classmen.

Then there are those times when I've just had a trying day, and he would just perceive my discomfort and appear. It makes me wonder… is he watching me? He knows how I hate that. Even when we were adults I hated it. There were always those quick assessments of me between battles; he's such a neurotic worrier.

Most times I protest his comforting hand knowing my roommate is watching. In Narnia we didn't have the restraints of civilized England, so I allowed his coddling. But here . . . I know my room-mate is watching . . . I can feel it.

Every time Peter tried to console he would ignore my protest. What else is new!? I could never fight him off when he knew I was distressed. Unfortunately the strain was the trigger of my nightmares, hence his persistence. Even though I put up a fight and show how insulted I am, I secretly crave his love and comfort, and he undoubtedly knows this. Eventually I would, "settle down, Ed," and absorb all that he offers me. He gently presses his lips against my forehead. I relish the feel. He whispers just how much he and Aslan loves me as I feel the muscles in his arms tightens, pulling me closer where I'm warm and secure.

If I think about my need for him too much I frighten myself. What teenage boy, well, twenty-six year old man if I wanted to get technical, needed this type of comfort from his older brother? But that's just it, he is my comfort, my security and I realized years ago, my addiction. Of course I'd rather rip out my throat with my bare hands than to admit that out loud. Peter is the warrior who keeps my nightmares at bay with his presence alone, and somehow sooths me to dream dreamless dreams. I fall asleep wrapped in his warm embrace, snuggled safely in my familiar place, and then he's gone by morning. If it wasn't for his lingering scent I would wonder if he were here at all.

One particular day was a sordid affair. It was one of those days where you just wished you were never conceived. Those days are quiet common at an all boy's school. An hour after lights out I lay waiting for Peter, but he never came. I guess even the Magnificent can have a hiccup in his nurturing beacon.

I was afraid to go to sleep. I knew the seductress was there waiting to entice me, only to turn and viciously kill those I love dear.

So I lied to myself and said, 'She can't touch you, it's alright', and settled in for the evening. Charles, my room mate, asked if I needed anything. I guess I was a bit restless as I tossed and turned, unaware of my actions. What made me choke on the sip of water by my bedside was when he asked, "Shall I get Peter for you?" Sometimes I wonder if Peter hired him to watch me. I've been told on more than one occasion that I have a suspicious nature, but I have caught Charles observing me, and it's disturbing. Of course I was offended by his question. Then I huffed, "No, why would you ask me an absurd quest…" The knob of the door slowly turned and in walked Peter quietly.

After my usual indignant, quiet fight in bed with my brother, especially after Charles' inquiry, he pulled me towards him with my arms still crossed tightly over my chest. Evidently my actions were amusing to him and I suspect I heard a faint chuckle from Charles too.

"Come on, Ed, be nice," whispered Peter, his fingers combing through my hair, his nails lightly scraping against my scalp. My weakness, no fair! He softly kissed my forehead and whispered words of brotherly love, a soothing balm to my frayed nerves which he is the primary cause of lately, I might add. As I lay no longer fighting, I realized my room mate won't spread a teasing word. He'd rather not suffer Peter's wrath . . . or mine.

"Ed?" Why is he talking to me while I'm in this lethargic state he is responsible for?

"What do I need to do to get you to eat? You need to gain some weight, you're so light in my arms," whispered Peter ruining the moment.

"I eat, Peter," I sighed.

"Not enough."

"Leave it alone, Pete, I eat enough," I said as my voice rose in anger, forgetting about my room-mate's presence.

"Like what may I ask?"

"I bloody well have whatever my body requires, Peter so stop your…"

"Don't curse! Now just tell me what the bloody hell you ate today!"

"I ate enough, genius," I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Oh really, what did you have for lunch, because I didn't see you nor food in proximity of each other. You hardly touched your dinner and don't deny it. Tomorrow I want you to eat everything on your plate at every meal."

"You've been watching me!?" I pushed hard against his chest but he had me locked tight in his arms and wouldn't let go. My anger rose higher with the knowledge that I'll never, no matter how old I am, break free of his strength nor his spying. "I eat, you ridiculous, self-righteous, over bearing, overprotective… bloody imbecile!" I couldn't look at him because I was beyond irate.

I felt his finger slide under my chin as he lifted it up and still I refused to meet his gaze.

"I'm telling Susan."

"No, Peter, please!"

"I'll march right over to her school and escort her back, that's if I can keep up with her. You know you can't evade her when she's deliberately looking for you to put on some weight. She'll keep looking until she finds you, Ed. No matter how long it takes."

"I promise to eat, Peter, please don't!" I begged like a five-year-old child desperately clinging to the front of his shirt. I couldn't remember the meanings of any of my titles to give me the strength to fight back his threat. He was too powerful with such a weapon. Having Susan here would not be a one time affair, and there would be constant letters questioning my eating habits. She would arrive here before her letters would just to be sure my answers were truthful. What a low blow I've been dealt by the High King of Narnia.

"I'll hold you to it, Ed," he said with a smirk. Disgusting! Surely this will be a night for nightmares, with him as the main character.

tbc