Windsor Castle June 2023 (ED)

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Peter was excited about today.

It was a Saturday morning and he had been invited to go shooting with his cousin, Prince William that evening. William was first in line for the throne and a really great guy. He was incredibly kind, brave and a good leader. Will really looked up to him.

He had asked William if he could bring Edmund along, and the prince accepted wholeheartedly. Will often went around Pete whenever he got together with his cousin, since they had the same first name it got a little confusing sometimes.

Will walked down the hall to Ed's room and knocked. it was already nine in the morning so eh should be awake... though, Will wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't.

@edmund

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Ed was lying in bed. To an outsider that entered his room, he was being lazy. It was part of the show he put up, the display for everyone else to see. He wasn't asleep, hadn't been for hours. He was too busy with magic. Granted, he couldn't do magic outside of school. First of all, if Wil or his mother caught him he would be in big trouble. Secondly, he could imagine both of them reporting him and was sure he wouldn't like the consequences.

However, since he couldn't do magic outside of school, the next best thing was studying it, and he'd been doing that almost all morning. He'd actually gotten up quite early to read through some of his textbooks and try to remember how to do certain spells. Sure, he could have been doing homework, but he'd finished that ages ago. Now he was poring over Quidditch books. He loved the sport and missed it dreadfully

He knew he should probably get out of bed, it was quite late now, but he really had no interest in interacting with his family yet. He had to prepare himself for that. He jumped when someone knocked on the door to his bedroom. "Come in," he called, not bothering to hide his Quidditch book or pretend like he'd been sleeping. What was the point?

@william

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Will heard his brothers voice rather suddenly and opened the door slowly before stepping inside. "Hey," he said. Awe, his brother had been sleeping. Well, there ws no helping it. No reason to chastise him at this point. He'd just encourage Ed to go to sleep earlier tonight. He smiled, "rise and shine. I was wondering if you were free this afternoon," he started, not stepping too far into the room for fear of 'interrupting' Ed's privacy or something.

@edmund

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Ed wasn't oblivious; he could see that Wil thought he'd been sleeping. Of course. His older brother always thought the worst of him, thought he was lazy and that he didn't try. At least, that's how it seemed to Ed. He silently took a deep breath to calm himself. It didn't matter what Wil thought of him, he wasn't going to get angry after only a few seconds of interaction with his older brother. That would just be ridiculous.

"Hey," he nodded in greeting, keeping his voice light. He pulled the blankets off of himself, showing off the fact that he was already dressed and ready. Of course, Wil would have no way of knowing this, but Ed had gotten up hours ago and gotten ready for the day. Then he began his studies and opted for the warmth of his bed to do so. 

He stretched as he walked across the room until he came to his window. As he looked outside, he answered Wil, "You know, it really depends on why you're asking. What plans do you have?"he asked. He wasn't trying to start a fight, but he had no intention of getting tricked into something he didn't want to do because he said he "didn't have plans". Ed learned long ago to be cautious with his words.

@william

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Wills eyes registered that he was dressed under those blankets but his body didn't react. He was used to keeping his reactions under wraps for the most part. He was curios as to why his brother was in his clothes already but he didn't bother saying anything. Ed walked across the room to look out the window and Will stayed where he was. He wasn't surprised by his brothers answer, that it would depend why he was asking. "Well, cousin William invited me to go shooting today," he said. "If you wanted to join us, I think it'd be really nice," he added. He always was worried that Ed wasn't even a bit interested with anything to do with the Royal family, which for the most part had proven true. However, the Prince was his cousin and it Ed could appreciate that, right? Still, Will was always prepared for the worst reaction when it came to his little brother. Susan was a little easier to convince and Lucy just had a good time wherever she was but Ed... Ed was a whole other game. One that Will wasn't very good at playing.

@edmund

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Edmund didn't know how to react. It wasn't often that his brother was so nice to him, especially since their last major argument in Hogsemeade. So why was he inviting Edmund to go shooting with them? Granted, Edmund was never really good at shooting, so his general inclination was to say no ... but maybe going would help break the ice a little, make his summer vacation not as dreadful as he fully expected it to be.

"Does cousin William want me to come?" he asked slowly as he turned to face his older brother. He didn't want to be the third wheel, though he would probably end up being that anyway. He never really got along with his Cousin William ... or any of their cousins as a matter of fact. That's why as a general rule Edmund tried to avoid them. What was the point in trying to grow close to those who didn't want to be close to you. It was different for Wil. He'd always gotten along with them, always wanted to be one of them. When it came to royalty, Edmund was the outsider.

@william

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Will wasn't surprised that Ed was hesitant. Ed seemed a bit between worlds and Will could understand that. He nodded, smiling, "he doesn't see enough of you. He'd like to," he would go on about how most of the family didn't see enough of Edmund, but he was sure that wasn't the best idea. He had to take things slow with his brother, he knew how he was.

"It'd be good for you, too," he added, knowing that it may not be well received. Will was honest, that was nothing new, even if it meant Ed getting upset with him. He hoped Ed was in a good enough mood to accept it as a gesture of good will.

@edmund

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Edmund didn't miss the fact that Will avoided his question, which in and of itself was his own answer. Cousin William must have invited Ed as an afterthought. Or maybe Will suggested it. Edmund wouldn't be surprised with either situation. Still, maybe getting out would be a good idea. Maybe it would help his relationship with his older brother, in the least.

Edmund was thinking it over, actually starting to agree with the idea when Will spoke again. "It'd be good for you, too," he said. Without meaning to, Ed grew tense all over. His jaw locked, his hands clenched and his eyes narrowed. He couldn't help it, he hated when others told him what he should do, what was good for him. Even when he'd been thinking the same thing only moments before. The fact that it was Will just made it all the worse. Just another example of his older brother trying to control him.

Ed took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. No use getting so upset so early over his brother. Better to ignore him, but Ed couldn't right now. He sighed. "When are you two planning on going?" he asked noncommittally. If he could calm himself down, he probably would agree to go. Unless Will made another stupid comment. Edmund was loosing his almost non-existent patience.

@william

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Awe, there was the moment of tension Will was waiting for. Will stayed calm, trying his hardest not to jump to conclusions about hoe Ed was feeling. He waited for the outburst, but instead Ed took a deep breath and asked when they were planning on going. "This afternoon. Around two," he answered, smiling softly. "I was thinking just you and I could get some lunch together first before we meet him," he suggested. He wanted to make this work, he really did, he knew that he had to be the adult in the situation, though. He had that Windsor temper too, though, and it wouldn't be easy for Will to keep his grounds if Ed started to break. He could only hope for the best, really and try his hardest to stay positive.

@edmund

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Edmund watched his brother, waiting for his response, which came soon enough. Will spoke quietly, calmly and Ed was sure that this was on purpose. A part of him hoped it was. He was so tired of fighting with Will, of always feeling like he had to be on his guard, but he couldn't help it. It was now habit, but not one that he wanted to keep. Ed would love the chance to grow closer to Will, like he had with Susan. He wasn't really sure it was possible, but he hoped it was. 

He took a deep breath, "Ok, I'll go," Ed said, trying to ignore the sense of foreboding rising in the back of his mind. This probably was not going to end well, but he was sure going to give it his best shot. "And I'm game for lunch. When and where do you want it?" he asked, making himself smile a little. He had to really try for this, give it his best shot.

@william

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Will let out a sigh of relief on accident when Ed said that he would go. His smile grew more when Ed said he was game for lunch as well. "Well, I'm ready now if you are," he said. It would be a bit of an early lunch but they would be meeting William and probably eating again later. "If you are. We can go wherever you want," the image of the restaurant he had taken Isla too crossed his mind and he realized that he didn't even know if Ed had seen the muggle magazines gushing about his date. Ed didn't read tabloids, did he? Either way, Will felt that strange tug in his stomach again at the thought Isla and that day...

He cleared his throat, waiting for Ed's vote on where to go. Trying to calm his suddenly pounding heart. This was getting out of hand.

@edmund

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Edmund gave a short smile and nodded when Will smiled, seeming relieved. "See? It's possible for us to get along", he thought to himself. The next question was: would it last throughout lunch, and then throughout the afternoon? It was worth a try either way. Ed really did want a better relationship with Will, if that was possible. His changing relationship with Susan was evidence that things could change, he just didn't know if they would between him and Will. It partially depended on whether or not Will could start treating him like an adult or if he kept treating him like a child. 

"I'm ready," Ed said almost instantly. He started thinking of where to go. He wasn't big into important restaurants and he kind of wanted somewhere low key just in case they had an argument. Ed would be on his best behavior, but he didn't want to cause a spectacle. Not if he didn't have to. He grimaced ever so slightly as he realized where he wanted to go. He didn't know how Will would feel about this. "What would you say if I want to go to the Leaky Cauldron," Ed hedged, watching his older brother carefully. If Will hated that idea, he'd chose somewhere else, but he really didn't want to. 

@william

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Ed was ready to go and Will nodded. Then Ed suggested the Leaky Cauldron and Will briefly frowned. He really would rather stay on the muggle side of things today... but he didn't want to change Edmunds choice since he allowed his brother to make it. He sighed slightly, returning a smile and nodding, "that's fine. Come on then," he said, heading out of the bedroom door.

Once outside the castle Will would drive them into London and park the car somewhere close to the Leaky in order to use the muggle side entrance to get in. They stepped out of the car and Will chewed his lip, glancing at the pub before them. "Wonder if Susan is working today," he said in a mutter.

This was going to be a long day.

@edmund

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Edmund was surprised when Will agreed to the Leaky Cauldron without saying anything. Granted, he didn't look too happy, but the fact that he was agreeing told Ed a lot. Apparently he wasn't the only one of a peace mission today. Maybe they'd actually be able to get throughout the day without an argument. 

Edmund shrugged when Will asked if Susan was there today, "I don't know. If she is, she'll be proud of us for getting along," he muttered, smiling as he imagined what Susan would look like if she did see the two getting along together. He sat down at a table and looked at the menu. It didn't take him long to make a decision. Edmund was in the mood for a sandwich. 

After a few minutes, he decided to try and start a conversation. "So how has your summer been?" he asked uncomfortably. He couldn't remember the last time he initiated a conversation with his older brother.

@william

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Will gave a bit of a faux chuckle at Ed's whispered comment, but didn't say anything abut it. Will kept his eye out for his sister as they sat down, getting ready to order. Will kept trying to think of things to say, but he was having a hard time forming words. Luckily Ed got some out. Will cleared his throat, looking up at his brother, "good, Ed. Really good," he said with a genuine smile. He was surprised and glad that Ed had asked him. "I... met someone, if you didn't find out through Susan," he said slowly. He wasn't sure if Ed would really care, but it was worth the shot.

"And your summer?" he asked.

@edmund