Al wasn’t expecting Lucy to advocate for Edmund. It was stupid, really — she was his brother, of course she’d side with her family. But he couldn’t help the feeling that none of them — Lucy, Edmund, Peter — none of them really understood what they were asking him to give up. To risk. If he stayed here with Edmund, what were his options?
To keep his distance and watch as Edmund settled down with a mate, had cubs? Or worse, watch him flit from fling to fling like it was nothing? Al knew he couldn’t do that. And the status quo wasn’t working, either. Their options were limited, to say the least.
After last night, Al had no way to deny what his feelings for Edmund were becoming. Any more time with Edmund and he’d be well and truly bonded to a panther, someone he could never have. An animal who didn’t mate or form a family pride, and a king who had to marry someone appropriate. Al wasn’t suitable for Edmund and Edmund wasn’t suitable for Al.
At least the life Peter was offering him was something. He could be in a pride, even if he couldn’t breed. He’d have a family of sorts. And he wouldn’t have to watch Edmund’s dalliances, or watch him marry some foreign princess. He wouldn’t have to lose any more of his heart, or keep slamming himself into the same inescapable walls. It was something.
“I can’t stay, Lucy. It’s not realistic.” Al tried to keep his tone calm and reasonable. It wasn’t Lucy’s fault. She couldn’t understand what she was asking of him, asking him to stay. Just like Edmund couldn’t comprehend what he kept doing to Al. Just like Ed and Winry were never going to understand his decision to leave the pride.
It had been too much to expect Lucy’s understanding, really. No one could make sense of this mess.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-12-02 05:36 pm (UTC)To keep his distance and watch as Edmund settled down with a mate, had cubs? Or worse, watch him flit from fling to fling like it was nothing? Al knew he couldn’t do that. And the status quo wasn’t working, either. Their options were limited, to say the least.
After last night, Al had no way to deny what his feelings for Edmund were becoming. Any more time with Edmund and he’d be well and truly bonded to a panther, someone he could never have. An animal who didn’t mate or form a family pride, and a king who had to marry someone appropriate. Al wasn’t suitable for Edmund and Edmund wasn’t suitable for Al.
At least the life Peter was offering him was something. He could be in a pride, even if he couldn’t breed. He’d have a family of sorts. And he wouldn’t have to watch Edmund’s dalliances, or watch him marry some foreign princess. He wouldn’t have to lose any more of his heart, or keep slamming himself into the same inescapable walls. It was something.
“I can’t stay, Lucy. It’s not realistic.” Al tried to keep his tone calm and reasonable. It wasn’t Lucy’s fault. She couldn’t understand what she was asking of him, asking him to stay. Just like Edmund couldn’t comprehend what he kept doing to Al. Just like Ed and Winry were never going to understand his decision to leave the pride.
It had been too much to expect Lucy’s understanding, really. No one could make sense of this mess.