*WARNING: This story contains spanking. Don't like, don't read. You have been warned, and I will not apologize for my work or its content.I don't own Narnia!
When Peter reentered Susan's bedchamber, she was not sitting on her bed. Upon glancing around, he heard noise coming from the lavatory in her room adjacent to her closet. Figuring that's where she was, he sat down on the bed, set the cup of water on her nightstand, and waited for her to come back out.
She reemerged after a couple of minutes, dabbing at her eyes with her sleeve. When she saw Peter, she gave a little start and froze mid-stride, her eyes dropping to study the floor.
"Su," Peter spoke gently, reaching an arm out to beckon her near. "Come here. I have water for you." After a long pause (in which Susan seemed to be thoroughly considering turning around and walking out the door), she walked guardedly over to where Peter sat, gingerly sinking down next to him, though, Peter noticed with chagrin, a good deal further away from him than before. She was not close enough for him to put an arm around her. Susan reached for the water on the stand at the same time as Peter, and when she saw him reaching for it, she shot forward in an effort to grab it before he did. Succeeding, she brought it to her lips and took a long drink, perhaps taking advantage of the opportunity to scorn him. Be patient, Peter thought to himself. He figured he could quickly fix this if he approached it, approached her in the right way.
"Susan," he began at last, "are you alright?" She gave a curt nod. "Well...that's good, because I'm not." Seeing no acknowledgement from her, he sighed and continued. "I'm truly, truly sorry to have needed to do that. In truth, it saddened me deeply. As I'm sure it did you, as well."
"It didn't sadden me," she said coldly. Peter blinked in surprise.
"...oh?"
"No. It wasn't saddening." And then she was fixing him with an angry, piercing gaze. "It was humiliating. I--" she swallowed hard, blinking rapidly to shove back the hot tears forming in her eyes. "I thought--"
"--that we were past this?" Peter finished for her.
"Quite."
"As did I," he nodded, "which is part of the reason why I was so dismayed to have to do it."
"You didn't have to," she spat.
"Yes," Peter's voice changed, stronger now, authoritative. "I did."
"No, you--"
"I have discounted many things from you that I would not otherwise let Edmund or Lucy get away with, simply because you are older, their authority figure, and because...well, because it was you," Peter spoke over her. "Many things. Dishonesty, disrespect, both towards me and towards the younger ones, slacking of duties." Susan opened her mouth but did not speak upon catching the don't try me look on Peter's face. "The majority of which," he continued, "we have been able to resolve with a conversation. However, Susan, look at me," he reached for her hand, gripping it firmly as she attempted, in vain, to tug it away, "flirting with danger is something I will never, ever be able to overlook, no matter what. I'm not going to apologize for doing whatever it takes to ensure my own peace of mind. Both you and Lucy will not be put in the position of that kind of sheer instability again. Do you hear me?" She nodded, biting her tongue. "Susan, every time I think about it, every time I can bring myself to think on it, all I see is you or Lucy tumbling to the ground." He shook his head in a bit of a shudder. "I will not have it. And that is why I determined that this particular method was necessary. I need to know that the next time you are tempted to do something so risky or hazardous such as that, with so little experience and training, you will think twice. If not for your own safety, for Lucy's." Susan made no reply, but her countenance had drastically softened. She twisted the bedspread in her fingers. "It's not about humiliating you. I'm sorry that it did. The truth is that it matters little how old you are or that I discipline our younger siblings the same way. I will always do whatever it takes to protect you, all of you. Even if it means making you upset with me." Susan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You understand?" She nodded. "Words," he prodded gently.
"Yes, Peter, I understand," she mumbled, almost in a whisper.
"Good," he squeezed her hand. She pressed her lips together firmly. "Would...could I give you a hug?" Susan was silent for another long moment before offering the tiniest nod she could muster. And then Peter was closing the distance between them, wrapping her up tightly and pulling her in close to his chest. "Susan, I love you," he murmured. "Never would I dream of doing anything with malicious intent to hurt you. You and Ed and Lucy are the most important things in the world to me. And I need you safe."
"I know," her voice was thick. "I'm sorry, Peter."
"Completely forgiven, all of it," he ran his hand up and down her back. "I understand wanting to help, as well as make sure Edmund was alright. I'm glad for the cordial and that we were able to fix him up so quickly. But even so, I never want you to compromise your safety. I'd have rather you sent word of your intentions and waited for my okay. I could have had someone escort you."
"Alright." Susan nodded into his shoulder. "I...I suppose I don't blame you. I'd be rather incensed myself if Edmund or Lucy had tried something like that." Peter chuckled. Susan sighed. "I'm ever so sorry that your trip went to such rubbish. Had I known of Edmund's intentions at all, I'd have done whatever I could to stop him."
"I know," Peter nodded. "That's not your fault in the slightest. In fact," he sat up, "I should probably away here to address that." He shook his head. "When will he--"
"--learn to do as he's told?" Susan finished for him. "I've asked myself the same question over and over. Best to be patient and persistent, I reckon."
"Agreed."
"I think I'll take Lu to town today," Susan said after a moment. "Have her choose some fabric for new play dresses. And we'll pay a visit to a few of the locals."
"That sounds like a good idea," Peter nodded. "It'll give Edmund and me some privacy. Not that you or Lucy care to be around for much of that anyway, I'd imagine." Susan shook her head.
"If he needs me later at all, you'll make sure to send him to me, yeah?"
"Of course." Peter pulled her closer. "Do you need anything from me before I'm off to find him?"
"No," Susan rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry again, Peter. I'll be more careful in the future. Promise." Peter leaned back to kiss her forehead.
"I know you will. Love you." He squeezed her and stood.
"Love you, too," she stood as well. Peter placed an arm around her shoulders as they exited her chamber together.
"Ed." Edmund jumped upon hearing his brother's voice across the hall. Peter was striding towards where he sat, idly carving away at a hunk of wood with his pocket dagger. Peter reached him and looked down at him, raising an eyebrow. "Susan has told you numerous times to do your whittling out-of-doors. You leave an unnecessary mess for the servants to clean up after."
"I--I'll clean it up. Right now," Edmund jumped to his feet, moving to dart away, but Peter caught his arm, shaking his head.
"Leave it. But be more mindful of others in the future, will you?" Edmund nodded.
"Okay, I will. Sorry." He moved away again, but Peter tightened his grip on his arm.
"You're not going anywhere, mate. You and I have business to attend to." Edmund felt the color begin to drain from his face. "Upstairs, please. My chamber." Heart pounding in his ears, Edmund gulped and shakily turned to take the stairs.
To be continued!
