The sun was high in the sky, glinting off the gold of Eustace's scales as the dragon swooped through the air ahead of them. The bright light of day did nothing to decrease the menacing aura of the island ahead of them. It was a misshapen thing of dark stone catching up in a maze of caves from which deep green smoke poured. It reminded Otto of the talks of mustard gas he had heard from the war. Creeping yellow green gas that curled and choked your lungs, drowning you in your own blood and filling your vision. It sent a thrill of fear up his spine and he gave a shiver. Caspian, who stood next to him, caught the motion and his hand came up to rest comfortingly on his lower back. Otto could feel the warmth of it through his shirt and he let it give him strength. 

The rest of the crew were all out on deck staring with anticipation and horror at the hell they were about to enter. Otto, Caspian and the Pevensie children were up on the quarter deck with the higher ranking members of the crew. They had the better view of the island, not that they were grateful for it. "What do you think is in there?" Davros, the minotaur asked, tone audibly nervous. 

Edmund swallowed. "Our worst nightmares". The boy was pale. 

"Our darkest wishes", Caspian added. He was watching the island with a narrow eyed resoluteness that Otto found comforting. Caspian was never one to back away from what he must do, it was one of the things Otto loved about him. 

"Pure Evil", Drinian stated. The captain let go of the wheel, the waters keeping them on their dreaded course, and stepped away. "Davros. Unlock the armoury". The minotaur nodded and stomped down to the main deck. Drinian turned out to the crew. "Archers, prepare yourselves". A scuttling of activity as the crew spread out across the deck. 

Caspian let his hand fall from Otto's back as he turned to the Pevensie children. "Lets prepare ourselves". As a group they turned towards the stairs. Lucy disappearing to her cabin to get ready while the boys crossed into the navigation room. Otto followed Caspian inside as Edmund shut the door behind them. "Here", Caspian pulled open one of the larger cupboards in the back and retrieved a leather breastplate from inside. 

"You didn't tell me you had these in here", Edmund exclaimed with happy surprise. He crossed the room and took the offered armour from Caspian's hands. It was a mixture of leather and metal. Thick leather making up the breast plate with metal shoulder pads attached to the sides. The whole thing was covered in more leather belts and buckles the Otto had seen on armour before. This was far more complicated and expensive than the old leather breast plate he had worn the last time he was in Narnia. He eyed the buckles with a frown. 

"Newly made", Caspian boasted with a grin, accent curling his words as he relaxed slightly. "Designed to be lighter than the armour we used before, but still as protective". He pulled a second set from the cupboard and slipped it over his head. His fingers deftly adjusting the buckles until it rested snug against his frame. Edmund had been too busy admiring the gold decoration on the straps to notice. Caspian looked up and held out a hand. "Otto, come. Let me help you with yours". 

Otto walked to his side and held out his arms for Caspian to pull the third set over his head. It was heavy on his shoulders but not enough to hinder movement. It was more of a grounding weight and it eased some of the nerves in his stomach now that he knew that they were protected. Caspian leaned over him, close enough for his hair to tickle Otto's cheek as his fingers tightened the straps. Behind them Edmund had finally stopped admiring his armour and was pulling it on. 

"There", Caspian's voice was low. "You're done". His gaze was dark as he looked up into Otto's eyes. The lighter haired boy silent as he gazed back, then he leaned forwards and pressed their foreheads together. Caspian inhaled deeply, eyes fluttering shut and one hand coming up to cup Otto's jaw as they leant into one another. Otto's hands gripping securely at the strap around the king's waist as they took a moment to savour each other's presence. It lasted almost a minute before a muffled huff interrupted them. The pair pulled away and turned to Edmund as they opened their eyes. The younger boy was struggling with his straps. Caspian sighed fondly and let go of his partner to go help him. 

"In case we don't get through-", Caspian murmured as his fingers tugged the leather into place. His accent was soft but thickening round the words in the way it always did when the man was talking hesitantly, from the heart. "-Whatever this is. Edmund, I wanted you to know that I think of you as my brother Ed". He tugged the last strap into place and stepped back as Edmund's eyes widened. 

"Me too", he replied. "You both are". Otto grinned at the inclusion. 

"You have always been a younger brother to me", he stepped forwards and rugged Edmund's hair. The younger boy swatted a hand at him but his eyes were fond. "Ever since you bailed me and Peter from detention two years ago". 

"Three years ago for me", Edmund reminded. "Don't go missing a year just because you got caught up in time". 

"Oh yes", Otto nodded. "Three years. Give or take. I'm still really confused by that". 

"That's what happens when you fall through a door from Narnia", Caspian rolled his eyes. Otto laughed, glad that the time separating them was no longer too traumatic and scary to joke about. He was still scared, yes. Scared of loosing Caspian, of being alone and stuck again away from those he loved. It was a fear that would always haunt him but now he felt like he could deal with it rather than let it suffocate him. From the joke Caspian just made, he guessed that it was the same for him too. "You gave up your sword", Caspian noted suddenly. 

Edmund shrugged. "It wasn't mine to keep". 

Caspian turned and picked up one of the swords resting by the door. He held it by the scabbard and extended the hilt to Edmund. "Use this". The younger boy's eyes fell to the golden lion head pommel. 

"But its-"

"Peter would want you to have it", Caspian interjected sincerely. Edmund blinked but reached out and when his hand grasped the scabbard, his grip was steady. 

"Thank you". 

Caspian nodded and retrieved a spare sword for his own belt. All of them strapping on their weapons. Otto took a spare dagger but also gripped the spear Caspian had given them months ago at the start of their journey. When they were ready, Caspian turned to the door. "Wait", Otto called. Both black haired boys turned. "Edmund. Go ahead. We will be out in a minute". Edmund's eyes flicked between the two of them and a teasing smirk crossed over his face. 

"Alright. Don't be too long though", he grinned at Otto before slipping out of the room. The door shutting behind him with a click.

 Caspian opened his mouth to say something the but words left him as Otto was surging forwards. The king's back collided against the wood of the door with a soft thud and the brown haired boy wound his arms round the darker man's neck. He buried his head into the crook of Caspian's neck. The position a reverse of their reunion embrace all those weeks ago. For a second Otto breathed in the other man's scent and basked in the warmth of his body, Caspian's hands resting round his waist as they breathed together. Then Otto was pulling away and raising his head before pressing forwards again. He kissed with a slight desperation, needing to memorise this feeling. To feel everything he felt for the other. Caspian kissed back, their lips moving in a smooth dance that was more savouring than passionate. 

Air made them separate to breathe. Otto opened his eyes as they rested their foreheads together. Caspian's hair was tickling his cheeks. The man's eyes still closed as he panted, lips pink and breath dusting Otto's skin. He watched and the words were escaping before he could stop them. "I love you". 

Caspian's eyes blinked open with surprise and everything was spilling from Otto's mouth. "Darling I have loved you ever since you joined me on that moonlight night on the roof of the temple and told me of a world I had only imagined. When my life became more than books, when a prince looked at me and saw more than a washed out boy. I loved you when you offered me a home and a place to belong as myself. I love your loyalty, your devotion to your people, your stubborn tendencies and your fierce spirit. I even love your excitement for stories and that habit you have where you always have to spin your sword before sparring, which I still think is just showing off. I love how you hug me in your sleep even though your hair gets in my mouth. Caspian, I love you and I never want to leave you again". He blinked, the enormity of what he had just confessed shocking him. His mouth had worked on its own and he just couldn't contain it anymore.  It left him feeling suddenly empty yet buoyant on endorphins. 

Caspian was simply staring at him, something powerful and devoted in his eyes. It left the mousy haired boy feeling exposed and yet sheltered by the hold the darker haired man had round his waist. "Otto Birch", the way his name rolled in Caspian's accent never failed to warm his chest. The words were spoken low, just between them and slowly so that they sunk into the air with a weight. "Love, my love. I have loved you since you held me at spear point in those woods. I was entranced and so smitten with you that it almost crushed me when I thought you dead at my uncle's hands. I would have burned my castle to the ground if it were true. I loved you when you chose me over your homeworld. You chose me, something that no one has done before. You chose me and chose to stay with me. I swore that day that I would give you everything, keep you safe. I failed", at this Caspian's eyes dropped to the scars on Otto's forearm from pointed teeth and the ones left from claws high on his  other arm. 

"That was not your fault", Otto reminded softly. 

Caspian met his gaze again and he raised one hand to rest against Otto's jaw. "Still, you were lost to me and I could do nothing once again as someone I loved was separated from me. By some miracle of Aslan you were returned and for that I will never be happier. I love you. I love how you pull faces at others when you think they have forgotten about you. I love how you devour every book you come across, even the boring ones about the history of farming. I love your little comments and your sharp sense of humour. How you sing while doing chores you find boring, yet still insist on doing anyway. I love how you listen to everyone who comes to you and how you are never afraid of fighting for those who cannot. I love your passion, your curiosity, your sharp tongue and observant mind. I would be a lesser king if I hadn't met you. I love you too Otto". 

Otto was weeping softly by the time Caspian was finished. He was so happy that it couldn't escape in any other way. The grin hurt his lips from it's force and he laughed wetly as Caspian's hands raised to wipe the tears off his cheeks. Otto sunk into the touch, pressing forwards to kiss his king again. It was softer than the one before. Reassured and warm. It was a comfort, a fond and hopelessly in love exchange. When they pulled away, Otto giggled. "I love you", he gushed, joy at saying it aloud making him giddy. "I love you. I wanted you to know". 

"I know", Caspian's smile was in his eyes. "I love you too. More than words can say". Otto just grinned and hugged him tighter.

unedited

who needed an endorphin boost and absolute sticky sweetness? Otto and Caspian are so in love it is ridiculous. I had fun writing this.