Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

For the longest time, Alex couldn’t put his finger on why.

Back as a cub, whenever he and his friends snuck into the public library, he would find himself pausing at the sight of the marble lions guarding the grand stairway.

Not in awe, not in childlike wonder, not even out of New York pride. Just staring, like someone familiar caught his eye even though he couldn’t fathom who.

Back then, the answer would always slip away, whether from his friends calling him or some random nearby noise of the city jolting him back. Being so young at the time, he’d seen no reason to consider the pattern of loss frustrating.

Now, fully grown and knowing better, he couldn’t help but chuckle in fond amusement as he stood decked in human clothing to blend amongst the unknowing humans, all to see this place – or rather these two statues – one more (though he hoped not last) time before the circus left.

Patience and Fortitude – or “Pie Sense and Fort Dude”, as Anthony called the towering lions when the little cub had asked. Even then, the cat could tell the bird had not had all his facts straight. Of course, what else had been new?

Regardless, Alex couldn’t help but recall those misnomers with a fond smile many years later.

Yet another reason he’ll miss this crazy city.

Out the corner of his eye, the sun could be seen dipping behind the buildings. Well, time to head out.

With a half-smile, he gave the ever-watchful statues a two-fingered salute.

“Be seeing ya, guys."

Chapter Text

Being back in the zoo when it’s like this was bad enough.

It shouldn’t be like this.

It wasn’t supposed to end like this.

They weren’t supposed to end like this.

Alex thought back to his argument with Marty on the ship, back before they washed up on Madagascar. Back before everything turned.

I was a king, loved by my people! And you ruined everything!

What bitter irony. Here among those people once again, only now he knew how they truly saw him, what they expected of him.

An animal. A spectacle. A means of entertainment.

What difference did the sight of him so dejected make to them?

Sapphire eyes take in the other caged enclosures, the ones where his friends either bang against or reach through the bars, desperate.

All of this ignored by the people too. Alex didn’t know whether to cry or roar.

That’s when he saw her.

There, all the way in the back, her heart-stricken face a contrast to the smiles and cheers and hollers, making her wrinkles and gray hairs stand out all the more.

I’m so sorry, her eyes say.

Correction: being back in the zoo when it’s like this was bad enough. Seeing Kate again like this is worse.

What Alex wouldn’t give to go back to being a cub, back when he thought the entire world was his world to explore. Back when everything felt safe and right.

But he can’t. None of them can.

Now nothing feels safe or right.

Just wrong. Wrong-wrong-wrong.

And when Dubois – that relentless harpy – shows her smug face, it’s clear Alex won’t be feeling for much longer.

Of course, Kate doesn’t know this, unable to notice from so far away.

She will soon enough if Dubois has in mind what Alex fears she does.

For all the woman who basically raised him knows, he’s only going to be miserable for the rest of his life. At least if that were true, she’d still be able to see him, to comfort him like she used to.

If only so.

The thought of her having to see whatever comes next makes the lion’s stomach curdle like sour milk.

He’s no idiot. It’s clear by now that she can’t understand him, just like all these stupid people.

But she can tell. She always could.

Alex returns her sadness.

I’m sorry too.