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It had been a little over three years since Edmund had last been to Narnia. The last thing he remembers is his sister kissing Prince Caspian, and leaving. He knew by now more years had passed in Narnia. And that worried him. Learning that those he had met the first time had died and been dead for a while after a several short years in his time made him wonder about the friends he had made his second visit. He had grown a bit mentally and physically since then. His worries grew.

These past few years the thoughts haunted him. Thoughts of a certain person. Thoughts that wouldn't be accepted much less returned. Edmund knew he needed something to clear his mind. Something to silence the voices, memories, and scenarios that wouldn't seem to mute unless there was something louder. There was only one thing that seemed to do the trick any time he had hardships in his life. One thing that just seemed to prevail over any other thoughts. Army. He knew when fighting in Narnia he never had to worry about thoughts. He was a soldier at heart. A good one, regardless of what his older brother seemed to have thought of him. Maybe enlisting in this world would do the same as drawing a sword on Narnia did, he thought.

As him and Lucy went to the market Edmund thought of what to do. He had snatched his aunt Alberta's legal documents to attempt to enlist. Uncle Harold tried his hardest to ignore his niece and nephew upon arrival, but that didn't make it any easier to sneak around. At least if aunt Alberta found out, she would only say something along the lines of "I'm disappointed." which Edmund had heard enough in his life to become immune to its effects. As soon as Lucy made it to the market, Edmund turned around and searched for an enlisting site.

As he waited in line, the thoughts came back. The closer he got to the front, the louder they were. He had to get in. Soon, he was at the front. Edmund placed the stolen documents in front of him and waited for them to be assessed.

"Are you sure you're 18?" Edmund looked down thinking of the least suspicious thing to say.

"Why, do I look older?" Edmund smirked slightly. He had enough conviction in his voice to be confident in his lying abilities.

"Alberta Scrubb?" The officer questioned. His tone making Edmund nervous. He was quick to respond, once again, confident.

"That's a typographical error...It's supposed to be Albert A. Scrubb." This was it. Surely he could get through. It was so close to happening. All this man had to do was give him the proper forms and that would be it.

"Edmund, you're supposed to be helping with the groceries." Edmond heard his younger sister shout, followed by snickering from the line behind him, shattering his delicate hopes of getting out of there completely.

The walk home consisted of Edmund angrily speaking of his abilities that made him useful to the army, and Lucy...well not listening at all.

After coming home, Edmond didn't have time for his mind to wonder again. Almost as soon as he and Lucy walked through the door, Eustace began obnoxiously pestering the siblings. Which then caused Edmond to step forward and threaten to harm his cousin, as uncle Harold sat reading his newspaper. Lucy came to the rescue by cheerfully shouting about a letter from Susan, their older sister. The siblings went upstairs alone to read what news their sister had deemed worthy of sending their way.

As they read the letter, they became jealous of both of their older siblings, and the adventures they were having in America. Edmund lied down on Lucy's bed complaining about having to room with Eustace, while Lucy viewed herself in the mirror self-consciously, which sparked her to ask Edmund if he thought she looked anything like Susan. Edmund, however, wasn't listening in the slightest. In the letter Susan had sent, not only did she talk about what a great time her and Peter were having, which angered Edmund, she had also mentioned the great times they had shared in Narnia together. This gave an excuse for Edmond to think of that wonderful place he hadn't seen in so long, once again. As he spaced out, the painting hanging across from Lucy's bed caught his eye. He stood.

"Lucy...have you seen this ship before?" Edmund questioned.

"Yes, it's very Narnian looking. Isn't it?" She replied. Which prompted Edmund to speak his annoyance of not being there out loud.

As Lucy and Edmund admired the painting, Eustace walked in only to taunt his cousins about Narnia and commenting on his disliking of the painting. Edmund had already had enough. Asking for permission from Lucy to hit Eustace.

Eustace was not phased by this. He continued his reign of annoyance by practically telling Lucy and Edmund how stupid they were and eventually referring to them as hideous burdens. This filled Edmond with rage, causing him to snap. Slamming the door Eustace headed towards, ensuring no escape. "Edmund, the painting!" Lucy shouted. Edmund stepped closer to his cousin, ignoring his sister. He began threatening to tell his aunt, Eustace's mother about her thieving son taking her sweets. And to add fuel to the flame, he mentioned licking the sweets the boy had taken, and ate. Eustace yelled.

'Eugh! I'm infected with you!" He cried.

Both boys eventually snapped out of their heated argument after noticing water was quite literally pouring out of the painting.

Copious amounts of water from the ocean displayed in it spit out of the canvas. The floor was soaked and pretty soon the room was filling with water. Eustace began yelling, believing this was a trick being played on him by his two cousins. Quickly he moved to grab the painting to smash it after all three of them started panicking. The sibling duo rushed to stop him. They knew this was no coincidence. The water rose to the ceiling. They gasped for air as the space between the water and ceiling grew smaller. Soon they had no choice but to go under. They struggled and panicked, not knowing what their next move would be. Thankfully they spotted a huge light above them and began swimming up.

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As they gasped for air when their heads were above the water, they looked around to see that the pool they were swimming in was now seemingly endless. They were no longer in that near empty room, and certainly no longer in Cambridge. The trio then began swimming rapidly once they saw a large Viking styled shipped sailing right for them. Three men then jumped from the sides of the ship and next thing Edmund had seen was Lucy being pulled up by a man with dark shoulder length hair, and a well groomed beard. His stomach turned. They were no longer in that room. No longer in Cambridge. No longer in their world. Soon he was pulled up as well. When they were out of the water they were pulled onto the large decorative ship. Knowing they were in Narnia, smiles couldn't be wiped from their faces. After their cousin was anything but gracefully pulled on board, they wanted to enjoy being back, before having to ask real questions, like why they were there in the first place. This being said Caspian came into the room where Edmund was changing. The door was slightly open causing Caspian to assume it was safe to come in.

He walked in grinning with two swords and looked up to see a shirtless Edmund.

Edmund jumped at the sudden arrival of Caspian.

"Ah! Sorry Ed! Door was open... I just thought if or when you were done, we could duel. For old times sake. My apologies. I'll leave you be." Caspian said in panic.

"Nonsense. I'd love to." Edmund laughed nervously as he quickly slipped his tunic on. He grabbed the other sword in Caspian's hand and smiled.

The entire crew on board watched as they danced around each other. They were a perfect match for each others' skill. It looked so easy to everyone else how they dodged and swung. It was quite a site to see. However even though it looked as though both were completely focused on the sword fight, Edmund's mind was on the man himself he was fighting. When the only thing that can get your mind of someone is to fight, yet you're fighting the one occupying your mind, do they cancel each other out? The thoughts were loud once again. Edmund eyes and attention flickered on Caspian. His form. Force. Strength. Posture. Body. Shoulders. Face. Concentration. These are the thoughts that scared Edmund. More so now that they shared the same space once again.

As they swung and dodged one more time they were brought closer by their technique. Holding their swords to each other, smiling. A tie.

"You've grown stronger my friend." Caspain smiled.

"It seems I have." Edmund retorted. He had no idea where this sense of confidence was coming from. In front of anyone else, he was cocky. However in front of this king, usually he metaphorically melted.

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After a couple of days sailing and beginning missions, edmund, caspian and lucy has come across a pool. one that turned anything not enchanted into pure gold. finally, one thing to get hisind off of caspian, edmund spoke to lucy. speaking of how rich they'd be and how they could do by themselves. however caspian, being right there, heard what edmund was saying and spoke up.

"You can't take anything out of narnia." he spoke strongly.

"Says who?" edmund questioned.

"I do." caspian said sternly.

this angered edmund. he really knew caspian was right, but he didn't want to admit it. edmund had this urge to stand up to caspian. he wanted him to see he was not a child anymore. but why? why did he want caspian to consider him grown? edmund didn't want to answer that. he pushed it to the back of his mind and argued with the man who occupied his thoughts.

As the argument progressed lucy had yelled to stop them. and afterwards, they left.

They made their way back to the boats when the discovered eustace was nowhere to be found. edmund immediately volunteered to be the one to look for him. following after, caspian spoke up and volunteered to go with him. while lucy and the others went back to the ship.

As caspian and edmund walked back an through the giant rocks, Caspian spoke.

"I don't think of you as anything less than me, Edmund."

"What?"

Caspian stopped. Edmund did the same. "I know you think that I think of myself as more worthy of the throne than you are. I know you think of me as someone who thinks you're just a child and incapable of understanding anything. But that isn't the case at all. Edmund, you've grown. Stronger yes, but as a fine adult as well. It's crazy what a few months in your world can do. I am very lucky to know you...And I-"

Caspian couldn't even finish his schpeel before Edmund's lips were attached to his. Instinctively, Caspian was grabbing at Edmund's face, opening his mouth sloppily exploring the younger's mouth with his tongue. Edmund snaked his hands around Caspian's hips. His nails digging into the bones, causing the older man to let out a deep grunt.

Caspian realized what was going on after making that noise. He pulled back quickly with wide eyes breathing heavily. He glanced at Edmund's lips, red from rough kissing. Edmund, also breathing heavily flitted his eyes from Caspian's to the ground. He smiled slightly and continued to walk, leaving Caspian frozen with shock.

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On the boat, it was late. After finding and dealing with his now Dragon cousin, Edmund had been sleeping in the bunks, next to the one Caspian took when Lucy and Gale when they came aboard, leaving them the room and bed.

Caspian was facing the direction away from Edmund. They hadn't spoken since earlier when they exchanged saliva. Edmund laid on his back and turned his head to see if Caspian was as restless as he was. When he turned, Caspian was facing him. His eyes were closed and he was breathing lightly. Edmund smiled slightly staring at the older man, when suddenly his eyes fluttered open tiredly. Edmund jerked his head back to face the ceiling hoping Caspian didn't see him.

Caspian sighed and sat up. He sat on the edge of his hammock and finally got up. He walked to the younger man who's eyes were closed now.

"Edmund." Caspian whispered.

No response.

"Edmund." He whispered a little louder.

Nothing.

"I know you're awake, you were just looking at me." He spoke quietly.

Edmund sighed and opened his eyes finally.

Caspian moved his head in the direction of the door. And began walking.

Edmund was confused for a moment but quickly got up and followed.

"Where are we-" Edmund was cut off by Caspian shushing him.

"Just follow me."

Edmund obeyed.

After quietly walking for a bit, they made their way into Caspian's study. Edmund walked in and Caspian slowly shut the door behind them, careful not to wake anyone.

Edmund was able to actually speak now that they were in shut in quarters. But as he opened his mouth to say anything, Caspian had pulled him right to his body, to fit like a puzzle piece. He cupped Edmund's jaw and breathed in harshly while connecting his and the younger's lips hardly. Edmund being probably more surprised that Caspian had kissed him than Caspian was when Edmund had kissed him. But immediately Edmund was wrapping his arms around Caspian's neck.

Caspian started walking forward making Edmund walk bavkwards because the refused to separate. Soon Edmund was being pushed against a wall, while Caspian kissed him hungrier by the second. Edmund wanting some kind on intiative here pushed his leg in between Caspian's, creating friction.

Caspian wanting to challenge Edmund's dominance, bent a little and picked up the younger man pushing his entire self between the other's legs. Caspian walked them to the table used to map and set Edmund down. Edmund placed his hands on the table knocking a few things off making Caspian laugh and kiss Edmund again.

After continuing to kiss for a few seconds, Edmund's hands were exploring Caspian's body and below the waist. Caspian wanting to touch Edmund just as much started unbuttoning the younger's shirt. Edmund followed unbuttoning the older's shirt

(To be continued)