Hi! My first story. I saw Prince Caspian, and I was inspired to write a Narnia story, so...here it is! Peter/Susan...and yeah, I know the whole idea of one of them being adopted and Peter avoiding Susan or vice-versa because they love the other has been used before, but I decided to try for it anyway. Hopefully it doesn't become too much of a generic story. And I apologize if my writing isn't as detailed or as flowery as the other one's I've seen on this site, but this is the best (or as close to the best) of my abilities. Oh, and this is when they're still in Narnia, during the Golden Age. Enjoy! Reviews are welcome, as is constructive criticism. But flames will be used to cook my popcorn--which I love to have with extra butter!

Chaper One

"Peter—"

"No."

"Really, Peter! Why must you be so difficult? I'm—"

"For goodness's sake, Susan! Why…why cannot you just leave me be?" cried Peter, burying his head into his hands. Silently, he prayed to Aslan that when he looked up she'd be gone, allowing him to brood once more in peace. A few seconds later he released his hands and risked a glance behind him, groaning as he saw her still there.

Susan stood at the door of his bedchamber, staring worriedly at her older brother as leaned tiredly against the railings of his private balcony. Lately, she had noticed how tired Peter was; his blue eyes, once shining with light, were now stormy gray, dark circles sagging beneath his eyes. The High King had done a wonderful job at hiding his weariness, hunting with Edmund in the woods, reading to Lucy at the end of each day, performing his duties perfectly…he had convinced everyone that he was completely fine, but Susan knew better.

She and Peter, as the eldest of the four, had always been closer to each other than they were with Edmund or Lucy, and having grown up with him, knew exactly when something was wrong. There was no lightness in his step, and he now dragged his feet as if he had the weight of the world upon his shoulders. His voice, once deep with confidence, now lacked the resilience it once held and he had lost the enthusiasm for life that he had always carried. Something was definitely wrong with him, that much she could tell. But when she approached him on the subject, he'd quickly turn away, hastily denying her accusations.

It was now in the second week of Peter's restlessness, and Susan had decided that enough was enough. After putting the younger two to bed, she had immediately sought out her brother, and that was where they were now, she worried and he frustrated.

"Please, just go away," he said, his back still to her. He didn't want to be around anyone, especially not her. She…she was the cause of his unrest! Tilting his head sideways, he glanced at her through the corner of his eyes before turning away once more. He sighed heavily as he thought of how lovely she looked in her nightdress, her face practically glowing in the moonlight. Four years had done a lot for her; no longer was she the awkward 12 year old of their youth, but a beautiful 16 year old who had every prince in the surrounding nations pining for her affection. His blood boiled as he thought of all the men who had come to ask for his permission to court her, and he dreaded the day she became old enough to marry.

He didn't remember falling in love with her, only just realizing that he was in love with her. Perhaps he had always loved her; of course he had always loved her, she was his sister, but somehow, his feelings for her had always seemed more than that of a brother. He loved Edmund as any brother should, and oh, how he adored his little sister Lucy, but when he looked at Susan, it seemed…different…more intimate. And when the suitors came lining up, begging for his permission to court her, that love came washing over him in full force. In a jealous rage, Peter had banned any and all suitors from coming to the castle unless it was Susan who had invited them, and their relationship would only be accepted if he gave them their blessing—which he never would.

Edmund's and Lucy's reaction were easily guessed; they believed that Peter had done it out of over-protectiveness, not once suspecting that he had done it because he was in love with her. Susan's reaction was a complete surprise though; he had thought that she would come tearing into his room in an angry fit, screaming at him and telling him that he had no right to interfere with her love life. But no, instead, she came skipping into his room, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace as she peppered his face with kisses. She had thanked him profusely; glad to have the men gone. It was then he remembered how often she emphasized staying in Narnia.

"I never want to leave Narnia," she had always said. And then he was glad he had declared the ban, glad that Susan would stay in Narnia, that she would stay with him. But then his happiness had 

turned into disgust, revolted with himself and the feelings he had for her. She was his sister! Albeit not by blood—he had been adopted, when his parents had believed that they were unable to bear children due to lack of results when they first tried to have a baby (out of the four children, only he knew)—but they had grown up as brother and sister, and there was no way to erase their history together as such. From that day on, he had been a miserable mess, though he tried his best to hide it. Of course, Susan being who she was, easily caught onto his change in behavior.

"I'm worried about you," said Susan, and Peter lightly winced as she came up beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I really am, Peter." She was always worried about him, and that was probably one of the reasons why he loved her so much. Despite all that they had been through, all the arguments, the trials and tribulation, she still cared about him. She cared about his safety and well-being, and that in itself was enough to win over his undying love and loyalty. But alas, that was just one petal on the rose of Susan's beauty, inner and outer.

"I'm fine," he replied, shrugging off the hand. He must've sounded harsher than he had meant to, because she stepped back and gave him an offended look. His heart twisted guiltily as he saw the hurt look on her face, and he quickly tried to make amends. "I'm sorry. It's really late, and you know how grumpy I get when I'm tired." He faked a yawn and continued, "You should get to bed, Susan. I'll see you in the morning."

Susan narrowed her eyes at him, easily picking up the deception. Despite the feeling of protest welling deep within her, she nodded her head and followed him to the other door. As he held it open for her, she stopped and looked him straight in the eye. "Don't think I'll forget about this, Peter. We'll discuss this once more in the morning, after breakfast." Leaning up, she kissed his cheek and walked out the door. "Goodnight, Peter."

"G'night, Susan," he answered shakily, closing the door behind her. His hand automatically reached up to touch his cheek, the feel of her soft lips lightly brushing his flesh as she kissed him goodnight. With a sigh, he climbed into bed to catch some shut eye. After all, he'd be waking up bright and early. There was no way he'd be there in the morning to finish their conversation.