Narnia Preferences and Imagines

The Pevensies~3/5

Peter Pevensie

Around her he doesn't feel so magnificent. He feels second rate compared to everything she is. She can solve every dispute between his siblings with ease and she always knows just what to say when they're upset. She has such a gentle, comforting touch with which to wipe away his youngest sister's tears. And her presence in any room could clear the air in an instant. Yes, he's jealous of her ability to be a sibling to his own better than he can. Around her, he doesn't feel so magnificent.

Just like right now, he doesn't feel magnificent. He's losing his nerve, watching the confidence of his sister diminish so quickly. He was close to backing out after watching the tears she suffered at the small chance he might uncover something. But he can't. He has to know. They all have to know. To not talk himself out of anything, he makes himself believe he's doing this for her. He takes a deep breath and take her delicate hand, knowing he very well might also be holding her fate.

He watches from an outward point of view. He watches a young girl - a young Y/n - as she plays with a young boy. A carbon copy of her, just a tiny male version. About one year old, he is busy trying to find his balance. Y/n is quick to help, reminding him it's okay when he falls, keeping him relatively calm. When he gives up for the moment, she gets up, seeing as he's content with his toys. After letting out a breath, she goes to turn down his bed for the night. The skirts of a dark dress, embellished with gold, swish around her ankles. Upset by her leaving, the young boy struggles to his feet. Toy clutched in hand, he takes a wobbly step. When he doesn't fall, he puts one chubby foot in front of the other, successfully completing another step.

Y/n turns about the time that he is on step number four. He's gotten a rhythm and seems to understand he's doing something great. Excited for him, Y/n squats down, holding her arms wide for him to walk into. Equally as excited to see his bis sister, he stumbles forward a few steps, caught successfully in her warm embrace. Y/n picks him up, repeating how proud she is and how they will have to show the rest of the family tomorrow. In the midst of her excitement, she notices his drooping eyes and heads over to the rocking chair in the corner.

Peter watches as she sits, holding that baby boy close - who had already been changed into his pajamas - with tender love and care. She sings softly to him as she rocks, his big eyes slowly closing. His little fist wraps itself around the fabric of her gown, wanting to be close to her forever. With a gentle kiss to her sleeping brother's head, she lays him in his crib, heading into the hallway to fetch the maid who will be attending him that night.

She steps back in moments later, finding he's very still. Cautiously, she peers over the railing. Peter can see her panic at the absence of his small chest rising and falling. She places her hand a short distance from his mouth, her panic coming through in a scream when there's no breath on her hand. She picks him up from the bed, tears blurring her vision as she tries to remember pediatric CPR. Her hands shake, sobs rip through the silent room, and then she screams for help.

She doesn't have to scream long, for at her yell people came running. They found her crumpled in the floor, holding a still baby in her arms, crying out for someone to save him, for someone else to do something, trying her best to revive him. The nurses grabbed the baby boy from the inconsolable girl. Her lady-in-waiting is quick to wrap Y/n up in her arms. To console her just the way she did her baby brother.

But she could not be consoled. She kept asking for him. Asking if he was okay. Begging for someone to save him. Some monarchs ask for tasks to be completed that seem impossible. Statues of gold. Endless devotion. High tax payments. They've all been done. But, poor Y/n, her request was never fulfilled.

Peter's eyes are wet. He looks over Y/n's peaceful face, understanding so much more. Her own baby brother was lost, but she can still shelter his. She can love on his brother and sister despite no longer having her own.

He feels sick with himself when he realizes what he's done. He was jealous of someone trying to protect herself after something truly horrible. He sits back next to Susan, furiously wiping at his eyes. He doesn't feel so magnificent, but it's no one's fault except his own.