His hands were stained with ink as he wrote down notes on a piece of parchment. You and Ed were stuck in the library for hours. Peter was meeting with Calormen ambassadors in a few days and entrusted Edmund with research, important notes on the economics, trade, history and culture of the southern country. And then Edmund went to you, his dedicated partner. You were finding relevant books and chapters, he was summarizing them into notes and highlighting what you need more information on and so, his ends were covered with ink, yours with dust collected from various Narnian tomes and scrolls. It reminded you of homework group project but more bearable when you could do it with a person you love, exchanging both information and kisses.
You slammed shut a thick book on Calormenian agriculture and sat down in an armchair with a sigh. The curtains of the door opening the library to a balcony outlooking the sea, moved in the breeze. You heard thunder. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon and the usually soft sea breeze stung your skin with cold.
'Maybe we should finish for today?' you mentioned.Â
Ed made a questioning hum and looked up at you. Immersed in work, only now did he feel the cold wind picking up, storming into the room. Another thunderclap shot through the air. He looked into the dark clouds slowly approaching the castle and furrowed his brow.
'Youâre right, we can finish tomorrow.â he stood up and closed the balcony door. 'Thank you for your help today, I know that looking through economic records is not your favorite pastime.â
'Maybe not, but spending time with you might be.â You said with a cheeky smile which disappeared suddenly when you saw lighting illuminate the sky, followed by a loud rumble. You didnât like storms, they put you on edge and although Cair Paravel was safe, it was hard to believe that something so beautiful, made of marble archways and glass, could withstand so much. Then again, fear made people irrational.
'Oh, flattery?â he smirked in reply, putting the quills and pieces of paper into a desk drawer. 'Well, Iâm off. Iâm going back to my chambers, but if you need anything just let me know, Iâll probably take a bath first and- are you okay?â
Your silence must have been more than telling. Eyes peeled to the glass panes, all you could focus on was the sound of wind hitting the windows. Thunder. Uneasy waves getting faster and more aggressive.
'Can I go with you? I donât want to be aloneâ you looked him in the eye - hopeful, disoriented, anxious.
'Why-â he saw you shiver as you heard another thunder. 'Of course.â
He reached out a hand, helping you get out of the armchair and you left the library together. He held you close as you walked down the hallways, pressing a quick kiss to your temple on the way.Â
His chambers were on the west side of the castle, better protected from the upcoming storm. It was a simple but elegant room. As you entered you could hear the storm quieten, still gaining strength but in the distance, somewhere far away. When he drew the heavy curtains close over the windows, the sound was almost possible to ignore, except for an occasional thunder, its sharp and distinct sound still reaching your ears.
With the curtains close, it was dark but in the dim light you could still see him go up to the little basin in the corner of the room and wash away the ink from his hands. You sat down on the bed. The greens covers were soft as you ran your hands over them. You laid down, watching him as he wiped his hands on a towel and joined you on the bed. You were facing each other, faces mere inches away, eyes locked.
'Did you know that in 872 due to grain shortages Calormenian brewers started adding seeds and spices  to flavor their beers and keep all ingredients cheap and local? An event which not only forced them to develop new drinks and recipes, but affected the barley trade between them and Archenland.â
You gave him a questioning look but couldnât hold back a smile. 'Is that a poor attempt at distraction?â
'Yes.â he smiled back. 'But also, I canât wait to try the Calormenian spice liquor.â
You rolled your eyes jokingly and when you met his gaze again he was looking at you intensely, smile still lingering on his lips.Â
'Weâll visit Calormen together one day.â he whispered. He looked beautiful, his black hair in disarray, green eyes looking at you full of honest, his expression vulnerable and happy. 'Iâll wrap you in silks and show you Tashbaan, weâll see the sands of the desert and the restless sun.â
'Iâd like that.â you whispered back, matching his lazy but quiet tone. You could whisper about plans and fantasies with him for hours. He pulled you close, wrapping an arm around you. You spoke about plans, journeys, and places. You spoke about the future and all the things you hoped for. You spoke until the storm disappeared to the back of your mind, thunder drowned out by the beating of your hearts.
 A/N: Took me a while to reply to that request, 3+ years but hey, hope you like it guys!
