Alphonse/Edmund: The one where they're furries

[ironysoul]

One hundred years in feline form, and now walking on two legs feels stilted. There was a knot between his shoulders that Al knew he could stretch out if he switched to fur. He could hunker down on his haunches and reach his front paws out far, sinking into a bow that would make every nodule of his spine pop. But while King Peter hadn't expressly banned fur, Al (and for that matter, the rest of the pride) still felt like it was something frowned upon now. Lesser, than their human form. At the very least that they should be grateful for it being restored.

He flexed paws (hands) and reminded himself again that his claws wouldn't unsheathe from the tips of his fingers. A hundred years in fur, and after almost a decade being able to change, he still felt wrong in this one.

At least, in the years since the age of winter, the pride had been restored to Cair Paravel. They'd served as stewards for generations, until Jadis had banished them. Not, Al was forced to admit, that he'd have been a particularly deft housekeeper with four paws. Maybe he could have dusted with his tail. The thought made him giggle.

Comments

[just_edmund]

Those kinds of rules just weren't important to Edmund. If Al thought it was all right, the opinion of anybody else wouldn't have made a lick of difference to the defiant King. Wasn't that one of the perks of being King? You got to make the rules? He was sure Lucy and maybe even Susan would be willing to make an exception if he was truly in love with someone. Not that Al would even let him get close enough to fall in love...but his nose didn't lie, everything about this alpha was just so right.

Everything except the part where, you know. He didn't want to be with Edmund.

"Because of course you know my deepest hopes and dreams," the King replied with heavy sarcasm. He didn't like at all being told that his fancy could be turned to any suitable candidate. Sex, yes. But Al was the first person in a very long while who had piqued his other interests.

Edmund's brows darkened into heavy furrows. "Yes. We can't be together because you do not wish it. That is the only reason that matters. I am sorry for troubling you any further." He stepped back. "You are relieved of your personal duties to me; Metan can attend to me while on board." He could find no other words that wouldn't reveal his own twice-hurt feelings or potentially hurt Al's, so he simply turned and strode towards his cabin. Al wouldn't know he was curling up in his oversized bunk perfect for two, wallowing in the rejection and the stew of hormones that kiss had left in its wake.

Damn that stubborn lion. Damn him.

[ironysoul]

Edmund said Al didn't understand. But he was just as mistaken if he thought Al didn't want him in return, or have the same sense of rightness when he was with the king. If it weren't for the pressures of his pack and society following them both, Al couldn't imagine wanting anyone else. Even, maybe, if Edmund were any other pack. But a Panther -- he would never be accepted by the pack. And they looked to Al, one of the few remaining alphas, for leadership and guidance. To say nothing of his responsibility to the next generation...

But he wanted Edmund just as badly. And if Edmund thought he didn't, or thought it didn't hurt to watch Edmund walk away from him, the prince trailing after... He couldn't find any comfort in throwing up barrier after barrier, watching Edmund run head long into them. He was just as lonely, just as miserable, returning to his own berth on the ship. Not far from Edmund's, as he was expected to be ready to serve him.

Al curled himself into his own ball of misery, tucking himself into the corner of the bunk. He had no right to expect anything else from Edmund. If they couldn't even be friendly with each other, it was his own fault.