Work Text:
The room once consumed with yellow light now fell dark, only smoke remained, filling the space and obscuring what now lurked inside. Albedo coughed into his fist, waving his other hand in an attempt to clear away the smog. His bleary gaze moved to the window at the back of the room, that’s when he saw him.
Durin, or Mini Durin in human form if all went well. The first thing his eyes focused on were the black horns sticking out of his head, then they trailed down his lavender hair and to his face. Wings spread from the dragons back as his eyes cracked open, unfocused at first, until training on the alchemist.
Albedo instinctively tensed, this was the moment of truth, has he given the original Durin a new vessel, or has he given Mini Durin a new life.
The dragon opened his mouth, but whatever he was going to say was cut off by a violent coughing fit. His body shook before giving out, and Albedo instinctively shot forward to catch him before he could hit the floor.
Arms wrapped under the dragon’s as he fell against his collar. This was dangerous, Albedo could feel strong abyssal energy coursing underneath the surface of his creation, and if this was a ploy from the original Durin then he was in deep trouble. Yet, despite this reasoning he could not bring himself to drop the limp figure in his arms.
Albedo’s train of thought was interrupted by a cough itching at the back of his throat. Maneuvering around he inched backwards, dragging Durin with him until they were close enough for him to reach the latch on the window.
The smoke flowed out of the room, exchanging itself for fresh night air. The two relaxed for a moment as Albedo cycled through questions in his head, but before he could open his mouth a boom accompanied by a bright flash cut him off.
The dragon’s body jolted with a yelp, his wings momentarily flaring up and wrapping around Albedo, weakly squeezing them together before they lost their strength and fell limp to his sides. Durin whimpered at this, body trembling with both effort and fear yet neither could give him the strength to move.
“Durin…” Albedo tentatively called to the figure in his arms, “…can you hear me?”
“yee, ah, ss” the dragon sounded out the word in a raspy voice, uncertain with his new mouth.
Another firework thundered outside, pink illuminated the room around them as Durin tensed again, no wings came to his aid this time.
“Aul, Al, Albay, bedo, I, I cuh, can, t, m-moo, ve.” Each word the dragon choked out was laced with panic, brought on by the overwhelming changes and unexpected helplessness.
“It’s okay Durin, the transformation has probably exhausted your body beyond functionability. It’s nothing permanent, all you need is rest.” Albedo murmured softly in his best attempt to sound comforting, reaching one hand up to pet the dragon’s hair. “I’m going to take you to one of the housing rooms now, okay?”
“Oh, oak, kay” Durin repeated.
Albedo loosened his hold on the dragon, keeping one arm in place to support his back and crouching down briefly to scoop his other under Durin’s legs before hauling him up into a princess carry. Unfortunately, since the room had been completely cleared there was nothing to cover the dragon's body with. While most people were out enjoying the Windblume Festival, there were most definitely some knights still posted. It isn’t anything serious but the alchemist doesn’t want Durin to have to deal with the embarrassment later.
Albedo just opened the door as another firework went off, though from the dragon’s lack of reaction it seems he’s slipping further from lucidity. He peaked out from behind the frame and surveyed his surroundings, clear. Albedo stepped out and hastily tread down the hall, his footsteps echoing in the quiet space.
He was already halfway around the corner when he locked eyes with a fellow knight, the man’s eyes widened at the sight before him, and since Albedo wasn’t in the mood for another trial, he approached.
“C-captain Albedo, um, what uh, what is that?” The knight slightly leaned away as he pointed at Durin.
The half-awake dragon lolled his head in his direction, tail swaying in lieu of wagging and with a loopy smile he drawled, “Heh low, lehs be fer, furenss”
Albedo bit back a chuckle as the knight stood dumbfounded, rendered speechless by the absurdity of the situation. Though at least he relaxed, no longer capable of perceiving Durin as a threat.
“This,” Albedo cleared his throat, “is Durin. He will be staying with us in the Knights of Favonius headquarters from now on, you will most likely be briefed tomorrow. He wasted no more time, breezing past the knight with no further protest.
Just a few doors down was an empty bedroom. Albedo shut the door behind them with a kick of his foot and moved to gently lay Durin on the bed. When he turned away the dragon groaned in protest. The alchemist made his way to the drawers, fishing around until he found a nightgown that looked to be about the right size. Albedo swiftly returned and pulled Durin up into a sitting position to fit the gown over him, before laying him back down and wrapping the sheets around him.
This time when he stepped towards the door there was no protest, but he still paused. He needed to inform Jean and the traveler of the experiment’s outcome yet he found himself reluctant to leave the dragon here alone. Another firework sparked in the sky, illuminated the room blue, and casting a shadow of a hat-wearing figure from the window.
A smile quirked on Albedo’s lips, “I trust you’ll watch over him while I’m gone?”
He didn’t get a proper response, just a displeased mutter, but Albedo left the room regardless, worries fully put to rest with his creation’s safety guaranteed.