title The Loss of Others
title The Loss of Others
author khushiyan
fandom; characters Avatar: The Legend of Aang; Zuko/Katara
rating PG
prompt 031. Watch
setting after B3, C12. Spoilers!
an I don't take credit for the title. I read this awesome ficlet in and the author had the line "the loss of others..." and it just stuck in my head. They used it in a different context, but this idea just came rolling and so I snagged it. I'm sorry for the stealing, but there was such inspiration. If you want, I'll change the title if you no likey! Also, while I'm at it, Avatar, no mine. :)
summary the loss of others is just as haunting as your own.
It marks you differently, loss. It leaves a slight imprint in you, a small scar or mark. Something that makes you different, that makes you able to see the loss of others.
And he can see it in her.
He had seen it long ago, before she had ever told him in those glowing caves. He had seen it in her anger, her impatience, her necklace... It drew him to her. Her loss was different, but still, it was the same.
He thought he told her in the caves, he thought he showed that they were the same, both empty but she doesn't see it now.
He does though. She sits quietly by the river, her arms wrapped around her legs and her soft sobs shaking her and the water beside her. He stays hidden in the bushes and watches her.
Eventually she breathes a word out, a simple and pure word and he knows instantly the heartbreak. "Mom," she gasps and cries again.
The branch he holds tightly snaps and she lifts her head up and her shocked blue eyes turn to fury. With one strong movement, she flicked a thick stream of water and aimed it directly at his face. His head knocked back hard and he staggered backwards, his hand at his right cheek.
He looked back at her, and saw her standing angrily in front of him, her eyes seething. Her breathing became erratic and he thought she was going to strike again, but she dropped to her knees and began to sob bitterly.
He swallowed hard and walked towards her, his hand outstretched to comfort her. "Don't!" She yelled. "Don't touch me," he pulled his hand back tightly, and it curled towards him as if it wasn't supposed to be there. "Leave me alone."
"But you-"
"I said go!" She roared, and she lifted her head to look at him with startling clear eyes. Tears dripped down onto her cheeks and trickled down her face.
He frowned and nodded. Slowly, he turned and edged back towards the temple. Deep into the woods, he heard her tears drip down again, soon followed by her sobs and he felt as if he had lost something just then too.
"Is everything alright?" Aang asked, pointing to his swollen cheek.
"I fell and hit a tree," he answered bluntly.
"Must have hurt," Aang said with a curiosity in his voice.
He swallowed and clenched his mouth for a second. "No, it didn't. It didn't hurt a bit."