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.

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[just_edmund]

It was strange, Edmund thought as he yielded and Al retreated to his prim starting stance. He'd have thought being around Al would make all aspects of his omega nature more intense. But it wasn't that way at all. The longer he was close to Al, the more like his old self he felt, the proud, jaunty, and incorrigible King Edmund. He ached in all sorts of ways, of course, to feel those teeth on his neck and the alpha's body holding down his own once more, in the privacy of some tent or bower. And somehow those feelings and his true self and his love for Al could all co-exist inside him at once in a kind of harmony.

He heard the announcer declare the victor - "Alphonse Elric!" - and under the cover of the cheers that followed, Edmund flipped over onto his paws and crouched low. A single moment of deference for Al's well-deserved win, while he muttered cheekily, "I didn't know you were capable of lying, Al." He knew exactly what Edmund meant by both of them winning a little. Al had his victory and his title to win...and Edmund had the reassurance that, mis-matched as they were, their bodies could not be more complementary.

Rising up proudly, he lifted his head and grinned, arching his spine and feeling it crackle as he looked out into the crowd. He caught sight of Kala then, and the look on her face was inexplicable. Cold fury, like something about this outcome had not just upset her but ruined her entire day. The outcome...or his behavior during the match? Or...Al himself?

[ironysoul]

Al caught site of Kala, her gaze fixed in both of them. He wasn’t nearly as surprised as Edmund to see the fury in her eyes, not that he’d say so. But based on what he suspected and what he’d confirmed, sniffing around as Lucy asked him...

He nosed forward, his shoulder resting against Edmund’s as they stood side to side. It was a lion gesture through, one of companionship and solidarity between packmates. Al looked directly at Kala as he leaned his weight into Edmund.

Lucy had asked him to listen and share what he learned, and to protect Edmund when opportunity arose. It was easy. But Lucy’s demands were not the only ones that weighed upon Al. The lions had held convention too — without Peter — and agreed that Kala was to be treated as an enemy combatant and no Narnian. Anyone who came up against her in the tournament was to capture. But if she died in the attempt, no tears would be she’d. Al wasn’t suited toward this kind of work — he was both relieved and sad his brother was slated to face her first.

[just_edmund]

Caught by Kala's cold stare, Edmund was suddenly aware of the pressure of Al's body against him. The shoulder-to-shoulder of pack. His chest tightened; his body gave a small but profound shudder. It was almost more intense than the full-bodied contact, that feeling of solidarity and Al literally by his side, protecting him. Breath whooshed out of his lungs in a creaky...purr.

He pressed subtly against Al. "Well-fought, friend." A slight turn of his head brought his whiskers brushing the silky ends of mane. Edmund could practically taste Al's scent that way. It was glorious. He made no overt moves to deepen the contact, just quivered with silent happiness that Al was still figuratively and literally in his camp.

They were to retreat to their separate tents to transform and redress, but Edmund couldn't let this be the last he saw of Al today. "Come to our den, after Ed's fight?" he murmured beneath his breath. The Pevensies had a very comfortable suite for their own private use, with plush sofas and cushions for lounging by the hearth, a small larder for midnight snacks, and a lavish bath chamber. They could talk with utmost discretion there.

[ironysoul]

“You too,” Al agreed, his warmth tumbling through his tone. He hesitated at Edmund’s request — every time they were together, it went badly — but maybe it would be okay. Maybe Edmund had spoken to Kala like he’d suggested, and the anger was because his king would no longer suffer her presence.

Maybe.

After a moment and one more affectionate head-chuck, Al padded back to his preparation chamber to greet his brother. This would all be over soon, and Edmund might indeed need him after the next match.

Scores reached out to compliment him on a well fought fight, but Al was characteristically modest, ducking his head sheepishly with each greeting. He hadn’t done anything unusual.

By the time he emerged, however, the next fight had already begun. Al was astonished to see the vicious blur of black harrying his brother from all sides. The crowd was already booing, and soon it was clear why — Kala shifted back to human form and fought with weapons, becoming a panther again with lightning speed to flee from Ed before he could attack. Her method, it seemed, was to stay at range, throwing sharp knives that gleamed suspiciously at his brother.

Al was just in time to see her transform again, barreling as a panther toward an opponent who was clearly dazed. Al knew his brother. He had laser focus in a fight. Nothing like this slow, dreamy creature in the ring.

Unlike Al, who’d only mimed the final blow, Kala clearly saw no reason to abide by the rules of sportsmanship. She tore into Ed’s neck, blood welling at the hinge of her jaw as she held on long after he’d collapsed.

[just_edmund]

Edmund had to say, he was proud of Al and how he'd fought. If he had to lose to anybody, Edmund was glad it'd been him. He smiled to himself, hearing so much adulation heaped Al's way, all of which Edmund agreed with whole-heartedly. His talk with Kala had left him with more questions than answers, ones he hoped Al would have, or at least help him sort through the truth of what lay behind the strange changes. He could hardly believe what they said about her was true.

The spectacle that awaited him when he returned to the royal dais, however, was one that defied belief. It wasn't specifically against the rules to transform in the middle of the fight - but it was certainly understood that the agreed-upon form should be kept, and to bring weapons against a Were who was not armed - it went against every Narnian principle. Edmund was appalled. Any pride he might have had in Kala and her skill was swept away by the unsportsmanlike behavior.

Until the moment where she began to shed unnecessary blood. The older Elric had already lost - and still, the Panther attacked him viciously. Edmund sprang to his feet - but Peter was already there, shouting for the match to stop, ordering the guards to separate the two. They had to pull Kala off of the bleeding Lion. Edmund felt like he was in shock. How could she -

"Charges will need to be drawn up," Susan said gravely beside him. Lucy looked ready to play judge, jury, and executioner right then and there, but she had a job to do, cordial in hand, and rushed to Edward's side. And Edmund...needed more than ever to talk to Al.

There were multiple matters for the Pevensies to sort out in the meantime. It was agreed upon that charges would have to wait until the conclusion of the tournament, and that until then, Kala would walk free but with increased security around her. The Pride looked in a worse state than Lucy, and the crowd was tense. The peacekeeping guards would be stretched thin. Already, Susan was at work, calling for rounds of refreshments to be dispersed while they summoned the musicians to entertain and soothe the fraught guests.

At least, Edmund reflected with a worried glance at Al, there would be no danger to Ed after Lucy treated him. Al could rest easy with his brother healed. Still, he'd be upset, and the hours would chafe between the aftermath of the match and when Edmund could finally meet with him. It seemed like another day entirely by the time they were able to escape to the privacy of the suite, where he'd requested a few moments alone with Al. The Pevensies would need to convene at some point privately as well, but the others had nodded knowingly at him when he'd asked them, and he had the room to himself when Al finally arrived.

[ironysoul]

It took Al quite some time to find Edmund. He was one of the first into the ring, before Peter officially halted the match. Technically, a violation of the tournament rules, though the look in the normally mild lion’s eyes dared anyone to comment.

Only the presence of the guard to subdue her spared Kala from a second Elric’s attack. He followed his brother to the healer’s tent, staying at his side long after Lucy had left to converse with her siblings. Recovery would take some time, even with the aid of Lucy’s tinctures, and while the flesh began to knit closed, Edward’s mind was still dazed and clouded. Whatever Kala had done, it had a lasting affect. Only time would tell how Edward recovered.

Al left his brother’s side only when Winry unceremoniously booted him from the room. It was then he heard that Kala was still free, still allowed to compete. He sought Edmund out then, but not in the mood Edmund had no doubt anticipated. “Why is she free?”

It was rare to see such rage on Al’s face. People forgot too often that the younger Elric has never shied from battle, despite his sweet demeanor.

[just_edmund]

Prepared to comfort Al, Edmund was instead met with the blast of anger that was so strange to see on Al's face. It wasn't the cold rage of Kala's stare but the heat of righteous fury that blazed in him now, apparent before he even said a word.

Edmund shut the door firmly behind them so that they would not be overheard. "There will be a trial. She's leveled serious accusations against the Lions. Conspiracy to implicate her in past and present rebellions. Threats against her life. This was a warning, she claimed."

He rubbed his forehead with one hand. His head was beginning to throb from the pressures of the day. "There's no justification for what she did out there. I can scarce believe it myself. She wishes to relearn Narnian ways. This - this is not the way."

[ironysoul]

“Why does she still walk free?”

Al wasn’t interested in Edmund’s justifications or explanations. He knew who Kala was, and he knew what he’d seen. His lips sealed shut with distaste and he crossed his arms over his chest, defensive. He’d thought Lucy and Peter would come to his side in this, and together they’d be able to sway Edmund. What justification could there possibly be? This confirmed everythingbhed been saying.

But then, Edmund was Edmund the Just. Of course he was always fair minded. But where had been that sense of fair play when Kala pulled weapons on his brother? When she poisoned him?

“Brother is still unconscious. Whatever she used on him can destroy the most powerful lions of Narnia. Do you really think she’d have something like that if she wasn’t planning to use it?” ‘How can you be on her side’ lingered, unasked.

[just_edmund]

Immediately, Edmund felt himself rising to the defense as well. He'd run with her. He'd let her scent him. She had never done anything that had given him any indication that she was capable of such savagery.

He exhaled. His drive to fight warred with his loyalty to Al, and even the beginnings of loyalty to Kala. Was this what Aslan had seen in him when he'd named him Just? "Because the truth is not known yet. There are accusations of wrongdoing on both sides. If the Pride is targeting her for imprisonment or death, that's just as bad. And there's no time for a trial right now - and even if there were, we'd need time to gather evidence."

His posture was supplicant, hands clasped in front of him, his dark eyes wide beneath the boyish bangs. He wanted desperately for Al to believe he acted as his duty called for. "I'm sorry about your brother, Al. So very sorry. It won't happen again. She has a guard at her door, another patrolling her hall. So...do the Lions." He didn't want to believe that they were implicated. But he didn't want to believe that Kala had ripped into Al's brother and poisoned him without justification.

Edmund took a tiny, hesitant step towards Al. The surge of authority that the fight had granted him seemed wavering, and yet around Al he had never wanted more to live up to his title. "Please. I cannot only favor you and your kin. Or mine. Justice will prevail, in time."

[ironysoul]

Well. The Pride was, in fact, targeting her for imprisonment or death. A fact Al wasn't eager to share with Edmund, because he was very afraid that the answer would cast doubt on the Pride. Kala wanted this, of course. She wanted to bolster her own case and make the lions look unreasonable.

At the same time, this was exactly why they'd targeted her. This, and her history. There was no way that Kala was innocent, and any reservations Al had had evaporated the moment he saw what Edmund had become. Edmund wondered if by seeing both sides, he was fulfilling his role as the Just. But Al was certain that Kala had done something to taint Edmund. She'd made her side seem more reasonable by fogging his mind. Whatever she wanted, in the long run, it wasn't in Narnia's best interests, or Aslan's. Or Edmund's.

"No one is asking for your favor besides Kala!" Al was angry, but also just sad. Was his king really this far gone? Could he not see what she'd done to him? "She wants to turn you against us. She wants to turn the panthers away from Aslan, again, and you're playing into her hands."

[just_edmund]

Al's anger towards her was justified. But as Edmund felt it turning his way as well, he couldn't keep from cringing. Don't be stupid, he told himself. This isn't your fault. He should be furious at Al for blaming him - 'playing into her hands', was he? - and yet all he could muster was some indignation and a feeling that he needed to defend himself and his kind. Consoling the heat of Al's wrath, though, consumed his heart. He let it.

"After today, her behavior is certainly more suspect. And it won't go unpunished. That, I promise you." Another step, his head bowing, until his forehead could almost nuzzle Al's shoulder. "She could never turn me against you." The murmur was low and husky, almost intimate. Part of him wanted to give in and do what Al wanted without question. Another part wanted to negotiate for Al's favor with it. Or he could just accept that Al was never going to love him, while Kala clearly sought him.

Edmund reached a hand to cup Al's chin. "Perhaps I want you to ask for my favor. Or for me to ask for yours. Perhaps I wouldn't seek it elsewhere if I had - "

Another alpha to guide him.

[ironysoul]

Al had kept his temper leashed until now. But seeing Edmund sidle toward him broke his restraint, and his lips pressed into a thin, unhappy line as he took a step back, separating them again. When he spoke, he wasn’t angry, but sad.

“I don’t even recognize you anymore.” Al was so often the more polite, restrained brother that people were always taken aback when he spoke truths without regard for tact. “The king I serve didn’t need to barter his body to justify his decisions.”

Edmund could think whatever he wanted about how unfairly he’d been treated. It was clear his judgement was deeply broken, and Al doubted he’d ever come to an agreement on some things. Certainly not when Edmund was still under the control of whatever Kala used to dim him. And Al didn’t know how to make Edmund see what she’d done to him. How to make Edmund see that everything she’d taught him was flawed.

[just_edmund]

Edmund flushed a deep, dark red. Embarrassment and anger warred within, competing with those strange new instincts. But instinct couldn't hold back the hurt and recoil he felt at those accusations.

"Enough!" he roared at Al, though his limbs were shaking. "I don't need a presumptuous Lion berating me to justify my decisions. I answer to Aslan. Not to you."

Taken aback was putting it lightly. Edmund felt torn apart by the things Al thought of him now. But he couldn't show it. It would be weakness, and he'd already shown enough of that today.

"I am sorry about your brother," he said again, eyes still blazing with some of that old fire. "I wished you to advise me...but all you've done is insult me and urge me to act unjustly. I see I was wrong to confide in you." Silently fuming, he stalked to the door, unlocked it, and flung it open. "Go. I know it's your dearest wish."

[ironysoul]

Al didn’t go right away. He stood exactly where he was, perfectly still, and he held Edmund’s gaze with his own. His golden eyes were steady and firm, but not uncompromising. Not hard. Deep inside himself, Al believed Edmund knew the truth. Maybe he couldn’t face it now, and maybe that was because of what was done to him. Maybe it was just because he couldn’t face the reality right now, didn’t have the will. But eventually, Al believed, Edmund’s vision would clear and he would see the situation for what it really was. He’d see the mistakes they’d all made.

But he wouldn’t be able to do that with Al pushing him. He’d wanted Al to advise him? Well, Al had advised him, and look where they were now. Edmund was lost to them, at least for now. He’d find his way back eventually. But Al couldn’t wait. He had to take care of his family. He had to take care of Narnia.

“I answer to Aslan, too,” he said finally, gathering himself up. “But not everyone here does. I hope one day you remember that.”

Al loved Edmund, and he knew the king needed him. But so did his brother. The decision was made for him. He left.