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]

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.