Edmund's senses, so recently in their Panther form, were still keenly attuned. Al's body language went all stiff, and he seemed to be bracing himself just to speak. Ah. Not forgiven then.
Flashes from the letter of so many months ago returned to Edmund. How sorry he was to have hurt Al, who'd been nothing but kind and protective toward him. Al had done his duty, and Edmund could not stand in the way of what he felt was his duty now. How much Al's absence would be felt, and his admonitions taken to heart. How thankful he was to have known Al, and how he wished him joy in his new life.
He tried to keep his voice light as he replied. "We weren't expecting you for two or three days, or else more red carpet could have been rolled out for you. At the very least, a few feather dusters." He held out his hand for Al to take, to clasp in greeting. His heart twisted into several new knots at the sight of his - he didn't even know what term applied. Friend was inadequate; lover had never been true; infatuation made him sound fourteen again, and was just as inadequate as friend.
Al was just...beautiful. He was thinner than Edmund remembered; had he been eating well enough with his new pack? The Narnian King ran a hand through his already wind-mussed hair, pushing it back, and basked in Al's very nearness. "How are you? I've barely had any news of you, just whenever I can catch Winfry." Ed had not been overly disposed to be communicative to him, fancy that.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2018-07-20 12:24 am (UTC)Flashes from the letter of so many months ago returned to Edmund. How sorry he was to have hurt Al, who'd been nothing but kind and protective toward him. Al had done his duty, and Edmund could not stand in the way of what he felt was his duty now. How much Al's absence would be felt, and his admonitions taken to heart. How thankful he was to have known Al, and how he wished him joy in his new life.
He tried to keep his voice light as he replied. "We weren't expecting you for two or three days, or else more red carpet could have been rolled out for you. At the very least, a few feather dusters." He held out his hand for Al to take, to clasp in greeting. His heart twisted into several new knots at the sight of his - he didn't even know what term applied. Friend was inadequate; lover had never been true; infatuation made him sound fourteen again, and was just as inadequate as friend.
Al was just...beautiful. He was thinner than Edmund remembered; had he been eating well enough with his new pack? The Narnian King ran a hand through his already wind-mussed hair, pushing it back, and basked in Al's very nearness. "How are you? I've barely had any news of you, just whenever I can catch Winfry." Ed had not been overly disposed to be communicative to him, fancy that.