Time moved slowly. Almost too slowly for Caspian. Biting his lip, he shifted his sleeve down further over his wrist, wincing as he brushed his fingers against it.
Caspian shook his head, trying to focus on what his professor was saying. He forced himself to pick up his pencil though his arm ached.
He blinked hard against the tears that threatened to fall. As he began to write, a small whimper escaped and his pencil fell to the floor with a small click.
Cornelius stopped talking, looking up. Caspian stared hard at the paper in front of him, refusing to make eye contact. He heard Cornelius walk towards him, but still, Caspian looked down.
At twelve years old, he knew better than to cry, so he bit his lip even harder. Tried to appear perfectly okay, as he was told he always should.
He could still hear Cornelius breathing beside him. Gently he took Caspian's hand and rolled back his sleeve. Caspian looked up uncertainly, eyes wide.
The bruise had grown darker since he'd last seen it, and it stretched from his hand halfway up his forearm.
Caspian sniffed. His professor sighed and carefully pulled him from his seat. He sat Caspian next to him on the bench across the room.
Cornelius put an arm around his shoulders, saying nothing. Caspian leaned against him, letting a single tear fall down his face. He knew he shouldn't cry, and it wasn't from the pain- not really.
It was a whole lot of everything; of things he couldn't quite explain. Of feelings burning inside of him that he never let out, of a deep internal pain that never subsided no matter how he tried.
Although everything inside screamed otherwise, for a small moment Caspian sat, clinging to his professor, and let his heart shatter. Every wall he'd put up disappeared and he sobbed; still careful to be silent lest he somehow disturb his uncle.
In this moment, Caspian felt safe.
Loved.
If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine his father and, though he loved Cornelius, that was what he wanted most of all.
Even now, at this moment, Caspian decided he would never again do this. Never again cry like this. At least, he would try not to. But right now, he didn't care. Right now, he still felt small and scared.
He knew he wasn't Cornelius' problem, but just this once he didn't think it would hurt to cry.
Cornelius held his hand, the bruise glaringly visible. Caspian stared at it, tears still dripping off of his face, his nose beginning to run.
Uncle Miraz hadn't meant to hurt him, at least, Caspian believed that. He was just a lot stronger than Caspian, which he seemed to often forget. He had only yanked Caspian away in anger, not realizing the mark he would leave on Caspian's small arm- nor his life.
But this was only a bruise and it would heal.
Cornelius gave him a squeeze. Caspian smiled up at him, a wobbly uncertain smile, and rubbed his nose with his left hand. Cornelius patted his head, puffing out a saddened sigh.
Caspian opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. He stood, and made his way back to his seat, picking up his pencil once more.
Cornelius shook his head, closing the book he'd been reading from. He wasn't giving Caspian any more lessons today.
Gratefully, Caspian threw down his pencil and fled to his room.
YOU ARE READING
(Narnia) Broken Pieces -Caspian X- A One Shot Collection
Fanfiction"If only he'd been a little older, then he would have his own memories. But his father and mother were gone, leaving him in a castle, surrounded by people, yet almost entirely alone. Alone without even a memory..." Short one-shots exploring Prince C...
