December 19th. Mistakes are forgiven
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"Ed, Ed. Take a deep breath and look at me." Peter said gently, keeping his voice even and calm. "It was just a dream, it's all over, it happened three years ago, she's dead, gone, okay? Now deep breath, just breathe."
Edmund choked on his breath, tears rolling down his cheeks as his dream kept flashing before his eyes, but with Peter's gentle comforting he eventually got his breathing under control, but his tears were still falling. "I - I'm so - so sorry." He choked out.
Peter frowned a little, gripping Edmund's shoulders. "Sorry for what?" He murmured.
"For what I did!" Edmund cried. "I nearly got you all killed! And for what? Some sweets?'
Peter watched Edmund all but gag at the thought, and shuffled over to sit next to him, pulling him close. "Ed, we forgave you for that," He mumbled. "You know we did."
Edmund swallowed hard, furiously wiping at the tears on his cheeks and pulling sharply away from Peter. "I almost killed you all and you forgave me like it was nothing." He coughed.
"Ed listen." Peter murmured softly. "We've had this conversation many, many times, and I know you're only saying all this because of the dream you've just had. But you are forgiven Ed, you're our brother, and we love you so, so much."
Edmund squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a choked sob as he shook his head back and forth.
Peter sighed, and pulled him close again.
Edmund fought to pull away, but Peter only tightened his grip and refused to let go until his brother gave up and sunk into his arms, crying quietly.
"Shhhh." Peter murmured. "It's okay, you're okay, I'm right here."
In the end Edmund was clinging to his brother, gripping the back of his shirt so tightly his knuckles had gone white.
Peter's heart was slowly breaking as he listened to Edmund cry, but he carried on reassuring him that he was forgiven, until he went quiet. "Ed?" He murmured.
Edmund sniffed, before taking a deep, shaky breath. "I'm-"
"Don't say sorry." Peter cut him off. "There's no need."
Edmund swallowed hard, shaking his head, but he didn't say anything else.
"You are loved Edmund," Peter whispered in his ear. "You are so, so loved. And you're forgiven, I swear with all I have that I forgave you, and for extremely good reason. You sacrificed your life for me and the Narnians, and that showed me just how much you changed and how sorry you were, so I forgave you, and I meant it.
I love you so much Eddy, you're my baby brother, and I would never dream of abandoning you, ever."
Edmund buried his face against Peter's chest, swallowing hard. "I - I love you." He whispered.
Peter smiled weakly. "I love you too."
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