Alex woke at dawn. The first rays of the sun touched the golden
head of the man sitting on the edge of the bed, lighting a halo
around him. The air had a nip of cold to it. The bed was warm.

Leaning over, Alex caught his companion about the waist. "Come
back to bed, your Majesty. It's too early and too cold to be up."

Turning, the man kissed him full on the mouth, twining his
fingers in Alex's dark hair. "Have I told you before not to call
me that when we are here? I think I have, sir." He was smiling
though, and still drowsy.

"Caspian, then, or sweetheart, or idiot -- anything you like,
just so you come back to bed." Alex slid his hands under
Caspian's nightshirt, warming his hands on muscle and sinew. He
pulled gently, but to no avail.

"I mustn't be late." Caspian pressed his forehead to Alex's
temple. "The kingdom won't run itself."

"I think it can for another half an hour." Alex tugged again,
more sharply, and managed to coax Caspian back beneath the
blankets. He rested his head on Caspian's chest. "Who's up at
this hour to rule, that's what I'd like to know."

"No one. I thought I'd spend some time on the plans to deal with
those tiresome giants. I had some tactical ideas last night I
wanted to draw up."

Alex kissed the side of Caspian's neck. "Mmm...don't you think
negotiation would be better than a battle? Maybe you could come
to some agreement."

Caspian sighed. "Do you think so? I suppose we could try that
first."

"That wasn't so hard. Now you can stay in bed all morning."

"And there are all those judgments and favours to go through. It
makes me yawn to think about it." Caspian stroked Alex's hair.
"And how do I know if I'm right?"

"You're the king. What you decide is right."

Caspian laughed. "If only it were so easy. I wish you would go
over those with me. You always know." He looked down at Alex.
"You should be king, not me."

Alex smiled, eyes gleaming. "I'd have no time to advise you,
then."

"If I weren't king, I'd have no need of advice. I'd spend my days
walking in the woods, talking to the trees and beasts. But
without you along..."

"You need a holiday, Caspian. We'll take a trip."

"I can't leave."

"We'll make it an official trip. To Calormen. You can pay your
respects to the Tisroc and establish a new Narnian embassy. And when
business is out of the way, I'll show you the pleasure of desert
nights."

"And what about the kingdom?"

"We'll find someone to look after it for a few weeks. Trust me."
Alex smiled up at Caspian.

"You're persuasive. And I'll have to deal with Calormen sooner or
later. I'll consider it." Caspian yawned and stretched. "I really
should get up now."

But, business out of the way, Alex slid under the covers, drew
aside Caspian's nightshirt, and allowed himself some pleasure.

-fin-