Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Yes, it's another Narnia fic. This one is dedicated to Sentimental Star, Capegio, Samantha, Tex110, Eruvyweth, SugarHighNutcase, and Alia G. L, for such giving me enthusiastic reviews that I just had to write this.
…Not as fond of this one, but I guess it'll do…
Peter watches Edmund.
He does it when he thinks Edmund isn't looking; a quick flick of his eyes to the side, a swift appraisal of his health and safety and then he goes back to whatever he is doing.
What Peter doesn't notice is that every one of those glances is followed by an exasperated one from his younger brother, the same flick of the eyes sideways, but with a frown above it.
Edmund knows when it started; he came back from the witch all bloodied and battered, and he could almost see Peter making a silent promise to watch Edmund like a hawk, after that.
He lets his older brother have his little glances, because he knows it gives Peter peace of mind, but he thinks it's time it stopped.
After all, it's not like he's ten anymore.
He doesn't need a guard.
And that is why, the next day, he asks Peter bluntly, "Why do you watch me all the time?" He presses on before Peter can answer. "You do it for Susan and Lu, too, but mostly for me."
And Peter blinks at him in surprise, as if he should know the answer. "You're my little brother, Ed. I have to watch you. And I wouldn't—I can't…I can't lose you again, Ed."
And his older brother ducks his golden head with slight embarrassment, and even though all of Edmund's thoughts have been confirmed, he can't really find it in his heart to be that upset.