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The late afternoon sun streamed through high wall openings screened with carved stone, setting the sandstone walls aglow like burnished gold.
Outside, palm fronds swayed in the warm breeze, and from afar came the soft chanting of priests in praise of Bastet, guardian of the home and sacred cats.
The air was thick with the scent of incense and lotus blossoms, curling lazily through the warm room.
In the center of the nursery sat a huge woven basket, lined with soft cushions embroidered in gold and deep crimson. It was made for cat-humans, a place to curl up together in safety and warmth.
Inside it, Edward sat cross-legged, his long blonde hair spilling over the edges like sunlight. His wooden right arm and left leg were carved with delicate hieroglyphs, polished and shining in the sun, but today they felt heavy in his mind.
His golden eyes flicked nervously toward Alphonse, who was sitting on the opposite side of the basket, smoothing cushions with delicate hands.
"Are you sure about this?" Edward asked softly, ears flicking with tension. "The priest said catnip makes cat-humans… act very cat."
Alphonse chuckled, his brown eyes warm and bright. His long light-brown hair fell loosely over his shoulders, and his ears twitched with amusement.
"That is the point." He said. "You said you wanted to know what it feels like. And… we are in a basket. That feels appropriate."
Edward's tail swished nervously, brushing against a cushion. Then he glanced down at his wooden limbs, his expression hesitant. "Al… before we try it… can I ask something… a little strange?"
Alphonse leaned closer, his ears tilting forward. "Of course."
Edward swallowed and whispered, his ears flicking nervously. "Could I take off my prosthetics? Just for a little while… I think I could cuddle better with you. More freely. Not so stiff and wooden."
Alphonse's eyes softened, and a gentle smile curved his lips. He reached out, brushing his hand over Edward's wooden arm with a light, careful touch.
"Edward… you don't need to change a thing." He said softly, voice low and comforting. "But if taking them off helps you feel more free with me, more playful, then yes. I'll help. We can tumble, roll, and cuddle however you want."
"Thank you."
Together, they carefully unfastened the wooden arm and leg. Edward leaned back against the basket, suddenly lighter, his tail curling around himself.
Alphonse climbed in beside him, brushing a hand through Edward's hair.
Alphonse held a small cloth bag filled with catnip, already cut into tiny pieces. With a gentle shake, he released it over the two of them, and the leaves scattered like green confetti across the cushions, their hair, and clothing.
Tiny bits of catnip drifted in the air, settling on Edward's shoulders and Alphonse's lap, making them sneeze and giggle as they wriggled under the fluttering pieces.
Edward sniffed at the scattered catnip, then Alphonse did the same. At first, nothing happened. Then Edward's pupils widened, his ears perking straight up. A soft, startled meow escaped him.
"Oh… oh Bastet. Al, I feel… fuzzy."
Alphonse laughed, low and vibrating, before blinking as the catnip's effects settled in. A deep purr rumbled from his chest.
"This… this is really nice."
Edward's eyes gleamed mischievously. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Alphonse's, rubbing his cheek against him like a tiny, golden kitten.
"You smell good.~"
"So do you.~" Alphonse replied, tail puffing up happily.
He reached out and gently grabbed Edward's shoulders, tugging him closer, and suddenly the basket became a swirl of joyful chaos.
They tumbled over the cushions, rolling side by side, tails entwining and ears flicking with excitement. Edward nuzzled and playfully tugged at Alphonse's hair and ears, and Alphonse responded with soft, playful grabs and gentle pushes. Their laughter and little meows mingled, and every tumble pressed them closer together, hands brushing and fingers tangling as they rolled.
Bits of catnip fluttered around them like green confetti, settling on their hair and clothing, making the playful chaos feel even more magical.
Even in their wild play, there was tenderness in every touch: fingers brushing cheeks, hands holding wrists, and small, warm presses against each other's chest.
Every tumble was a little spark of closeness, a reminder that they were happiest wrapped together.
Edward squealed, swatting at Alphonse's chest with soft hands, then lunging to nibble at Alphonse's ear. Alphonse yelped, lightly swatting at Edward's arms with his hands, and the two tumbled together, rolling over the cushions.
Tails twined, ears flicked, and their giggles were punctuated by tiny meows and purrs.
Bits of catnip clung to their hair and clothing, fluttering down like tiny green confetti with every movement.
Edward pinned Alphonse gently but playfully, tugging at his hair. The basket shook slightly under their wriggling, their laughter mingling with soft, delighted mews.
After several minutes of tumbling, nipping, and swatting, they collapsed together in a tangled heap. Edward rested his golden eyes on Alphonse's brown ones, tails entwined, chests rising and falling together. The room was silent except for their synchronized purring.
Alphonse curled around Edward, wrapping his arms snugly around him, but Edward didn't just melt, he pressed closer, draping his left arm over Alphonse's chest and tucking his right leg against him.
Edward nuzzled under Alphonse's chin, his tail brushing against Alphonse's, and held him just as tightly.
"Brother, you are… precious." Alphonse whispered, fingers threading through Edward's hair.
Edward's soft purr vibrated against his chest. "So are you."
They stayed like that for a long time, half-buried in cushions and fluttering catnip, tails wrapping around each other.
Edward gently kneaded Alphonse's shoulder with his hand, while Alphonse rubbed soft circles along Edward's back.
Every now and then, Edward would poke Alphonse's ear teasingly, and Alphonse would squirm just enough to laugh and purr. Even in their cozy cuddles, there was a lingering spark of playful energy, softened only by the warmth and comfort of being together.
The golden sunlight faded slowly, leaving streaks of amber and rose across the temple walls. Bastet's statue gleamed faintly in the corner, as if smiling at the pair of cat-humans.
Outside, the temple cats purred in quiet approval. Inside the basket, Edward and Alphonse curled closer, perfectly content, completely safe, and utterly entwined in warmth, laughter, and gentle love, with tiny green leaves still clinging to their hair and clothing like confetti celebrating their happiness.