Fandom: Narnia (Books - so don't expect it to be like the movies.)
Pairing: Caspian/Edmund
Summary:A slashy version of the book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – this is not move related. Part 2 of the Kings series – sequel to Kings Comfort. This is SLASH – you have been warned.
Ages: Caspian-20; Edmund-16; Eustace-14; Lucy-14. - I had to work out the ages myself; Yes, I'm aware that these ages are older than the official timeline from CS Lewis, but I'm not gonna write slash about a 12 year old, so I've aged them from the first story (Kings Comfort) and then continued from that. I'll give the ages for each story as I write them.
Disclaimer: The character's belong to CS Lewis. The blame is mine.
Warnings: This is NC17 rated so graphic descriptions of m/m sex.
Author's Note: I wrote the first draft of this story back in 2000, long before the movies were even announced. I've been working on it, on and off, since then and I'm finally close to completing the entire series - there are two more stories in this series after this one.
Kings Love - Chapter 11
Edmund knew that he'd been furious with Caspian and the anger still lingered even though his mind couldn't grasp the reason why. As they returned to the Dawn Treader from the island that they had named Deathwater, he watched Caspian and could see the same confusion on his face.
Over the last three days Edmund had been feeling steadily more comfortable with Caspian, more comfortable with their relationship, and definitely more comfortable with the King's body. In private, Edmund would often find himself blushing and squirming with embarrassment at some of the things he was now doing but when he was doing them all he could think about was the slow burn of heat in his body, the pleasure that would come after and the heady power of giving the same pleasure to Caspian.
He'd mapped Caspian's body with his hands and his mouth, just as Caspian had mapped his. Felt the heavy weight of Caspian's erection slide into his mouth as his own body had trembled with apprehension, knowing that Caspian's eyes were watching his face, careful and cautious. But Edmund had been determined, the nerves had passed and when Caspian had finally laid back and moaned, his hips moving under Edmund's hands, Edmund's entire focus had become his mouth on Caspian. He'd explored and experimented while Caspian shuddered beneath him, until Caspian's voice had called his name in warning and he'd been pulled up into Caspian's arms and felt the liquid warmth spread between them. And then, of course, he'd blushed. But that hadn't stopped him doing it again.
And then they had stopped at the island to fill their water casks and explore. Edmund knew that they had found the body of one of the seven Lord's there and that was all he knew, except that somehow he was angry with Caspian, and that Caspian was angry with him as well.
Through supper they were all of them silent, the unease they all felt heavy in the air between them. Finally, Reepicheep stood and glanced around the table.
"I suggest," he said, "that we all retire for the night and put the memory of this island behind us."
Everyone nodded in agreement but Edmund knew that he was reluctant to return to the cabin with Caspian. He could see the same lingering resentment he felt in the darkness of Caspian's eyes and saw the angry flare of heat in them as Edmund rose hesitantly.
He followed Caspian out onto the deck and then stopped. The others drifted away and Caspian, obviously realising that Edmund was no longer behind him, turned and held out a hand.
"Come to the cabin, Edmund," he said.
Edmund couldn't see Caspian's face in the darkness but he heard the firm authority in his voice and the resentment that had been simmering inside him, the resentment that he didn't really understand, flared into red-hot anger.
"No," he said.
For a moment Caspian was very still and even in the darkness Edmund could sense the tension in his body.
"We can't talk about this out here on deck, Edmund," Caspian said finally. "Come to the cabin."
Underneath the resentment that simmered in Edmund a tiny tendril of fear uncurled and he hissed in a quick breath. Caspian's final words had awoken something, some sort of memory, and finally he heard it in his head – the Calormene's voice.
'Get in the tent'.
Edmund shook his head, trying to clear it.
"No," he whispered.
"Edmund?" Caspian's voice now sounded confused and he stepped closer.
Edmund took a swift step away and in the darkness saw Caspian reach out for him.
"Edmund? Wait," and Edmund was pulled forward into Caspian's arms. "No… I would never mean… I'm sorry."
Edmund finally released the breath he'd not even been aware he'd been holding. He was still tense and even though Caspian's hands around his waist were gentle, he could not relax.
"I'm sorry," Caspian repeated, his voice a whisper against Edmund's ear. "I don't understand this. I don't remember anything about that damned island except that you and I argued and I was angry… and I don't know why. "
"I was angry too." Relief was flooding through Edmund and he rested his head on Caspian's shoulder, as he was pulled closer. "And when you ordered me like that-"
"I know," Caspian interrupted, his arms tightening around Edmund. "I'm sorry."
Edmund nodded against Caspian's shoulder. It was a relief that the confusing anger they had both been feeling seemed to be fading but he could still feel the tension in his body. His relationship with Caspian had lead to a greater understanding of what could have happened at Narrowhaven and when Edmund thought of the Calormene touching his body the way Caspian had, he could not suppress the shudder of horror that rippled through him.
He felt Caspian's lips brush over his ear.
"Come to the cabin," Caspian's voice was soft and tender, and when he took Edmund's hand tugging him gently towards the cabin, Edmund followed.
Once inside with the door locked behind them Caspian took Edmund in his arms once more, his eyes searching Edmund's face. Edmund flushed, unable to meet Caspian's gaze, and finally resorted to resting his head on Caspian's shoulder again. He closed his eyes when Caspian's hand ran softly through his hair and settled on the back of his neck, heavy and soothing, his thumb caressing Edmund's skin.
"I wish I could take that memory away for you, Edmund," Caspian said, his voice a gentle murmur in Edmund's ear. "And I'm more sorry than I can say that something I said brought it back to you. I know that sometimes I can be overbearing but I need you to understand that I would never expect you to just obey me without question. I would never want that from you. I would never be angry if you told me no… about anything."
Edmund sighed. "You were angry with me after Dragon Island." The memory of that time still disturbed him. "You told me so."
"Yes, I was," Caspian replied. "But I was angry with you for closing me off without talking about it. If we disagreed about something I would argue the point with you but I wouldn't be angry with you for disagreeing with me."
"I understand." The tension was slowly draining from Edmund and as he relaxed against Caspian's body he felt the King's arms around him tighten and he smiled. "But you know, you're not overbearing, Caspian."
"I'm not?" Caspian sounded confused and Edmund grinned into his shoulder.
"No, you're actually downright bossy."
Caspian laughed. "Kings are supposed to be bossy, Edmund."
"Ah, in that case that means that I can-" But a hand under Edmund's chin pulled his head up off Caspian's shoulder and firm lips on his swallowed the rest of his words. Caspian's mouth was demanding and persuasive in the type of kiss that always stirred something in Edmund that made him melt into it. When Caspian's lips left his, Edmund was breathless. Caspian's hand was still under his chin and his eyes were intent and serious.
"This is something I can't really change about myself, Edmund," Caspian said. "I was born to this - to command, I'm used to it, and I like it. And it's expected of me. Does it bother you all the time?"
A flutter went through Edmund's stomach and he was experienced enough by now to know what it meant. This relationship with Caspian was making him aware of many things about himself that he'd never had the opportunity to think about before and he wasn't yet sure if he was really comfortable with all of them. He knew that it wasn't always his own shyness that made it so easy for him to let Caspian take the lead in what they did together; part of him enjoyed it and part of him was still horrified at how comfortable he was becoming with his own loss of control. It had become obvious to Edmund that Caspian enjoyed it as well but he sensed that after the misunderstanding that had just occurred Caspian needed some reassurance. Edmund just wasn't sure if he was ready to actually admit these feelings.
Caspian was still watching him expectantly and Edmund felt the heat rising in his face, saw the slow smile cross Caspian's face, and wondered resentfully if he would ever stop this annoying habit of blushing all the time.
He shifted uncomfortably.
"Perhaps, sometimes, I don't mind so much," he finally muttered, hoping that Caspian would leave it at that.
"Good," Caspian breathed, and then his lips were on Edmund's again in a kiss that was as soft and gentle as the previous one had been hard and demanding.
The next morning the wind changed and they sailed steadily eastward. For Edmund these days passed in a hazy dream of sunlit days and languid nights. It felt as if the slow burn of desire never left him, hanging heavy around him all through the hot day, building to a peak when he met Caspian in their cabin, and returning the next morning when he awoke.
Edmund wondered if the intensity of it could possibly be normal but when he finally got the courage to ask about it, Caspian gave him that slow, lazy smile that always made Edmund lose his breath and told him that he felt the same way.
They had one disagreement. Edmund was leaning over the deck railing watching the afternoon sunlight dancing on the waves when strong arms wrapped tightly around him from behind and a warm mouth pressed to his throat. For a moment he melted into the embrace and then realisation struck him and he turned quickly, pushing Caspian away.
"What are you doing?" he whispered frantically.
Caspian was grinning at him. "There's no one around and I couldn't resist."
"That's not the point," Edmund was angry now and he could feel the heated flush in his face. "Anyone could have come along. We agreed."
"Perhaps it's time to change the agreement," Caspian said, his eyes alight with some sort of emotion that Edmund could not fathom. "People will find out eventually and I'm tired of not being able to touch you whenever I like."
Through his anger Edmund felt a little flutter of excitement at Caspian's words but he sternly pushed it down.
"I told you I'm not ready for that."
"Nobody would really mind, Edmund, you know that," Caspian's voice was soft now, persuasive and coaxing, and he pressed closer.
"It's just…" Edmund cleared his throat trying to ignore the warmth he could feel from Caspian's body. "It's just... I'm not sure about Lucy, about how she would react."
"Lucy's been in Narnia before, Edmund," said Caspian firmly. "I would have thought Eustace would have been more of a concern and he was fine. I'm fairly certain Lucy will be as well."
"And the rest of them?"
"My subjects are aware I've had lovers, Edmund."
"Well, yes, but I haven't, Caspian," Edmund ground out, his temper snapping. "This is new to me, even if it isn't such a novelty to you, and I'd prefer to have some privacy."
"I'm not saying we shouldn't have privacy, Edmund. By the Lion's Mane, it's not like I'm going to ravish you in the middle of the deck, I just want to be able to…" he broke off, staring at Edmund. "Don't blush at me like that, you know what it does to me."
Edmund could feel his face flaming but absurdly he wanted to laugh and he wondered if Caspian would eventually drive him completely mad. He sighed. Caspian smiled at him and just like that, Edmund's anger was gone.
"I need more time," he finally said, softly.
Caspian cast a swift glance along the still empty deck and grinned.
"All right," he whispered. "One kiss, right now, and you can have as much time as you need."
Edmund grimaced but he couldn't find his anger again, not with Caspian looking at him with such mischief in his eyes.
"Must you always have your own way?"
Caspian shrugged. "Well, I am the King."
"Hmph," Edmund snorted. He gave up. "Fine."
Caspian bent his head and brushed his lips against Edmund's. Trying to make the kiss quick, Edmund started to pull away but Caspian's hands settled behind Edmund's head and his mouth opened, deepening the kiss into something long and messy. When Caspian finally ended it, Edmund was breathless.
"See." Caspian winked. "That wasn't so bad." And then he was gone.
Edmund leaned against the railing for a long moment trying to calm himself. He felt shell-shocked, both by the argument and it's ending. It was only as he entered the main cabin that Edmund remembered, with a dreadful rush of horror, that the lookout in the crows-nest had probably witnessed the whole scene.
He wondered if Caspian had 'conveniently' forgotten that.
All through supper Edmund glared resentfully at Caspian, whilst the King returned his gaze with a look of calm amusement. This seemed to Edmund like an admission of unapologetic guilt and he fumed silently, waiting for the moment when he could tell Caspian exactly what he thought of him.
As soon as the meal was over, Edmund rose to his feet, gave Caspian a look that he was sure was obvious as 'Follow me now,' and left the cabin. He entered their cabin, leaving the door open, and it wasn't until he heard it locking behind him, that Edmund turned. Caspian was watching him, still with that look of amusement, and Edmund felt the fury rise in his throat.
"I told you I needed more time," Edmund said as calmly as he could.
"I gather you've remembered the lookout then," Caspian replied, his eyes dancing.
"Yes I have, and I don't see why the hell you're so entertained by the idea of what happened spreading all over the ship, especially-"
"Did you actually see who it was?" Caspian interrupted.
"No," Edmund snapped, his face flushing. He'd been far too embarrassed to go back and find out who had been in the crows nest. "That's not the point."
"Actually it is," Caspian said with such a gleeful smirk on his face that Edmund wanted to hurl the water jug in his face. Instead he stared at the King blankly.
"The man on second watch was ill today and he couldn't do his shift. Drinian and I were discussing a replacement when Eustace volunteered to take the watch. He was up there. I don't imagine he was too happy but he certainly won't be telling anyone."
Edmund stood, watching the grin widen on Caspian's face, and felt the mixture of relief and fury race through his body.
"You… set me up," he finally managed to splutter. "You utter… utter… bastard!"
"Yes, I know," Caspian gasped, laughing.
Edmund picked up the water jug and flung it at him. Caspian managed to catch the jug but not before a great arc of water flew through the air, drenching him from head to foot. He gaped at Edmund in shock and Edmund couldn't stop himself from erupting into laughter.
Caspian gently placed the jug on the bench near the door and grinned at Edmund.
"You are going to pay a high price for that, King Edmund."
"Ha, you deserved it King Caspian," Edmund replied, still snorting with laughter.
Caspian was approaching him slowly and stealthily and Edmund eyed the door, wondering if he could move fast enough to get by Caspian and out of the cabin. His hesitation cost him too much time though, because just as he started to move, Caspian lunged and tackled Edmund to the floor. They hit the floorboards with a crash that knocked the wind out of Edmund and before he could react, Caspian was sitting astride him, tickling his sides without mercy.
Edmund flailed under Caspian, gasping for breath through sobs of laughter and begging him to stop.
"Apologise, King Edmund, and I will."
"You're the one who should apologise," Edmund panted, and he reached up to Caspian's head and grabbed two full handfuls of his hair. "Stop, or I'll pull it out."
Caspian did stop, but only to grasp Edmund's wrists so tightly that Edmund had to let go. Then Caspian pulled Edmund's hands down and held them on the floor above Edmund's head.
"Going to play rough are you?" He smirked at Edmund.
Caspian's chest was now pressed to Edmund's and Edmund grimaced at the cold dampness soaking into his clothing.
"Ugh, you're getting me wet."
"Now, that's an idea," Caspian leered, and Edmund laughed.
"You're such an idiot sometimes, Caspian," he said.
"You know," said Caspian, "I think I could really be an idiot over you, Edmund."
Edmund blinked in confusion, not sure whether Caspian was joking. The King was still smiling but his eyes were gazing into Edmund's, his expression serious. However before Edmund could think of a reply, Caspian leant down and pressed his lips to Edmund's in a soft kiss.
The hardness of the floor under his back was forgotten as Edmund opened himself to the kiss, sliding his tongue against Caspians. He felt Caspian's hands leave his wrists and slide over his palms, his fingers tangling with Edmund's. All he could feel was Caspian's body pressed to his, Caspian's hands holding his hands, and Caspian's hot mouth sliding against his own, and it felt… perfect. He moaned softly.
Caspian's mouth left his and slid softly along his throat, teeth gently scraping and Edmund shuddered at the delicious sensation. Caspian's hands were now drifting over Edmund's body, pulling and tugging, removing both his own and Edmund's clothing, and finally Edmund felt the warm slide of skin against skin and shuddered again. As always, Edmund felt that he was losing himself, his only focus Caspian's body and hands and the moist heat of Caspian's mouth as it glided over Edmund's skin. He gasped when it settled over his now hard shaft.
Caspian's hand was tight around him, stroking, as his tongue circled the head of Edmund's erection, his other hand running along the back of Edmund's thigh, pushing his leg up slightly. When Caspian's mouth left him, Edmund raised his head in protest, leaning up on his elbows, and saw that the King was watching him, his eyes dark. He smiled at Edmund and then, raising his hand to his mouth, slid his tongue wetly around his fingers. The sight made Edmund's breath catch and their gazes locked as the moment held, heavy and silent between them.
Then Edmund felt Caspian's hand brush his bottom, his fingers sliding wetly into Edmund's cleft, and drifting across the entrance to his body. Edmund stilled, holding his breath as Caspian's fingers pressed smoothly against him, circling and rubbing, leaving tendrils of sensation wherever they touched Edmund. His other hand was still slowly stroking Edmund's erection and Edmund's eyes drifted shut as the pleasure began to build.
"Do you like this?" Caspian's voice was low and husky, and Edmund finally took a stuttering breath. "You have to tell me, Edmund."
Edmund opened his eyes and found that Caspian's gaze was still searching his face. At his serious expression a tremble went through Edmund's body and he couldn't be certain if it was fear or excitement.
"Tell me, Edmund. It's all right if you don't like it but you have to tell me."
Caspian's fingers rubbed more firmly against Edmund's entrance and the jolt of pleasure Edmund felt had him arching off the floor, his eyes widening in surprise.
"You look so…" Caspian's voice broke off in a groan and it was a moment before he spoke again. "Tell me, Edmund."
"Yes," Edmund gasped, and he arched off the floor again as the very tip of Caspian's finger pushed into him. Caspian's hand rested there as he leant up over Edmund and took his mouth in a deep kiss, his lips then sliding around to Edmund's ear.
"I can't take this any further right now, Edmund," he whispered. "Not on the floor, and not without some oil, but do you understand what this can lead to?"
Edmund blinked, confused, and then the memory flooded into him, the memory of one night in Cair Paravel, it seemed a hundred years ago and was probably actually thousands. Peter had returned from one of his campaigns in the North, they'd all been drinking and after the girls had gone one of Peter's knights had started telling bawdy tales, which had grown more and more shocking until culminating in a story about a Knight and his Squire that had caused many of those present to blush. The details of the story had seemed disturbing to Edmund at the time and he'd quickly forgotten them, but now, with Caspian's body pressed warm against him, he wasn't sure if he was disturbed for the same reasons.
"Edmund?" Caspian's breath ghosted over Edmund's ear.
"I understand," Edmund said quickly, as he felt the heat rising in his face. He cleared his throat. "You want to…" he faltered.
Caspian's lips met Edmund's again in a lingering kiss.
"Yes, I do," he whispered against Edmund's mouth. "But that doesn't mean we have to." Edmund felt him smile. "I don't actually always have to get my own way, you know."
Edmund returned the smile but his heart was pounding and he wasn't sure why. When Caspian had touched him it had felt good but at the same time the whole idea seemed shocking… and too intimate.
"Edmund," as Caspian's hand smoothed gently over his brow, Edmund realised he'd been frowning. "I only want to do what you want me to do. There's no hurry, let's just keep doing what makes us feel good, and if it happens, then it happens. All right?"
Edmund nodded, unable to speak, his face still uncomfortably hot. Caspian smiled at him again and slid down his body, his mouth leaving wet trails down Edmund's chest. Edmund watched Caspian wet his fingers but when Caspian's mouth surrounded his shaft, Edmund's eyes closed at the hot pleasure of it. He held his breath, waiting and at the first wet touch of Caspian's fingers in his cleft, Edmund shivered. After that it was just wet heat and pressure and it felt as if his entire lower body was on fire. Waves of pleasure rolled through Edmund, the pressure building and then, just as he felt he couldn't take anymore, he felt Caspian's finger pushing inside him. Edmund's eyes flew open, his back arched, a groan erupted from his lips and it was over.
As he lay shuddering and gasping for breath, Caspian loomed over him and pressed down, thrusting against Edmund's limp body. His mouth took Edmund's in a deep kiss and his hands slid into Edmund's hair, holding him in place. By now, Edmund knew that Caspian liked this, liked Edmund under him, pliant and open, and Edmund could admit that he liked the feeling of Caspian's strength against him. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like to be open to Caspian in the way that Caspian had suggested and a wave of heat went through Edmund, and suddenly he was mindlessly meeting Caspian's thrusts. Caspian moaned his approval into Edmund's mouth, thrust hard once more and then stilled. Edmund sighed in contentment, wrapped his arms around Caspian's shoulders and held him close.