Author's note: Please do not read this fanfic if slash or yaoi offends you. In other words, MxM literature with Peter x Caspian as the pairing. This story contains spoilers from the 2nd Narnia movie so you might want to watch Prince Caspian before going any further.

This is my first Narnia slash fanfic so feedback is very welcome! Considering how I haven't written anything in ages, I probably am in desperate need of some C & C.

Part 1

It was the dead of night, the sky a jet-black inky pool of darkness jaded only by the occasional light of an overhead star. On the one hand the night sky sought to relax and ease the minds and spirits of the Narnians who slept under it. However, on the other, it served as a heavy reminder of the recent demise of the men and women that had lost their lives in the battle between the Telemarines and the Narnians. How bleak was the future of the families and loved ones they had left behind.

"…and to think that we were drawn back to Narnia by a simple horn," Edmund was saying as he turned the intricately crafted instrument over in his fingers.

"This is no mere horn," Caspian corrected Edmund, his Spanish accent thicker than usual, a clear indication that he was getting emotionally excited over the topic. "Susan's horn is a magical device, which wields a power far beyond our greatest imagination. Even Aslan himself was hesitant in explaining the full potential of --."

Caspian was rudely interrupted by Peter's snickering. He harshly set his gaze on the blonde haired young man – the High King of Old – sitting across from him at the campfire and was startled by the ferocity with which the look was returned.

"Something amuses you, King Peter?" Although Caspian kept his tone light and questioning, his dark brown eyes were daring his counterpart to stir up any further trouble. Since the Pevensies had shown up in Narnia, answering the call of Susan's enchanted horn, Peter had gone out of his way to criticize and challenge just about everything Caspian said or did. Perhaps crossing swords upon meeting wasn't the best first impression to make but they'd fought on the same side eventually. Whatever Peter's earlier reservations may have been, Caspian had thought that he'd finally proven himself worthy of the support and respect from the kings and queens of old, and from Peter himself.

To Peter's left side, Susan straightened up from her lounging position to give her older brother a dirty look. "Oh please, don't start up again." If looks could kill, Susan's was the best for the job. Where feelings were concerned, Susan's could certainly become a tangible thing.

"I wouldn't dream of derailing Prince Caspian's overzealous interest in your beloved horn, Susan," Peter replied with a discontent smirk. He'd had just about enough of listening to everyone go on and on about how Susan's horn had saved the day for Caspian and for Narnia. Truth be told, hearing the sweet infliction the Telemarine youth spared for Susan's name left a bad taste in Peter's mouth.

"Isn't it King Caspian now, Susan?" Lucy innocently poked her sister in the arm for a confirmation of facts.

"Now until his coronation ceremony – tomorrow." Peter corrected just as innocently.

It was now completely obvious to Caspian that Peter was mocking him once again. He wished to challenge Peter, to demand an explanation as to why he was the constant target of the other youth's anger and resentment. Caspian had overheard a few distasteful references to the life that Peter led back in his own world. He'd heard Susan constantly berating the oldest Pevensie to stay in line and quit acting so brutish and disagreeable. Even Edmund had urged Peter to tone down his temper when his older brother seemed to fly off the deep end with fists and insults flying. Lucy seemed to be the wisest of the three. Aside from the rolling of her eyes, she kept a safe distance from Peter when he was on a rampage. Seeing the individual ways that the Pevensies reacted to Peter's hostile outbursts might have provided some insight into a way that Caspian himself could skirt around the danger that was Peter. Might have… if Caspian had felt that confident.

"Are you ready for your big day?" Peter continued, not allowing Caspian a moment in which he might have been able to form a suitable response. "I'm sure that Susan's horn will fit quite snugly in your new royal belt." Every word dripped with acidic sarcasm.

That did it.

Caspian leaned forward, fists bared at his sides as he met the hostility in Peter's smoldering blue eyes. "Exactly what are you implying?!"

"Don't you dare drag me into your petty, childish feuds," Susan shot out nastily at Peter. "I'll stand for no more of your innuendo." Having said her peace, she angrily brushed off her dress and leaned over to snatch her horn back from Edmund. With her other hand, she latched onto Lucy's wrist and urged the younger girl to her feet. "There'll be no more talk about either me or my horn. Thank you ever so much." Giving Peter one last scowl, she led Lucy away from the campfire and in the direction of the castle. "Come along, Lucy."

From far in the distance, Lucy's hasty, "Susan, what does 'innuendo' mean?" could be heard.

Once Susan was out of range, Peter eyed Caspian, gauging the dark haired youth's reaction to his attractive – if not overbearing – sister's exit.

Edmund sat on the sidelines looking from his brother to Caspian. "You guys aren't serious, are you? I thought that you'd settled your differences."

"I had assumed so as well," Caspian agreed.

"Ed, why don't you take a walk." Coming from Peter, that was far from being a friendly suggestion. "There's something that I need to settle with Caspian here."

"Peter," Edmund pleaded.

"Ed." This time, Peter's tone was not so nice.

Giving Caspian a look that may have been his last, Edmund quietly sulked off after Susan and Lucy.

"Now, dear Prince Caspian, why don't we have ourselves a little chat?"

Caspian could only watch mutely as Peter rounded on him from across the fire, somehow sensing that this was not going to go over well at all.

... to be continued