This is just a quickie story I wrote for the Soko War Room over on Distant Horizons, but I've had some undirect convincing that I should post it here. It's right after "the Chase", just so you know. Enjoy.
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I'm getting up know If I could only come around (I'm looking in the back)
the sun is burning my eyes and I ache
I'm living on a freeway, running low on heart and good mistakes
I'm taking it to living, just living all the lives I have to live
I'm playing off this feeling knowing that it's time to be forgiven
Just stop and turn around (I need to get this off my back)
Am I outta my mind, for faking what's inside of me?
"Another Thin Line" by Alexz Johnson
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Zuko, seeing that his uncle's dire situation was not getting the least bit better, back tracks and stumbles upon an old village in the dead of night. The stars twinkling on the velvety black sky provided just enough light for him to realize that he had returned to a certain person's village: Song's village. He sighed, he remember what he did. The ostrich horse his uncle was on was a clear reminder of it all. Still, he didn't have much of a choice. The young fire bender trudged up to her door and knocked. She answered, gasping and shutting it in his face before opening it once again. Gold and green met, exchanging untold emotions and thoughts and words.
"My uncle needs your help," Zuko finally said. Song nodded and let the two inside, Zuko watched as she cared for Iroh, cleaning and bandaging his wounds. An hour or two passed before they were alone without him.
"You're back," she whispered. It was more of a statement than a question. Zuko looked down, his face burning. From embarrassment or shame, he didn't know.
"I am."
They stood still for a minute.
"Why?"
That three-letter word felt like a sharp knife through his heart. This time, he knew that his face was red from shame.
"I-"
"Yes?"
"I don't know."
It was true, he didn't. She shrugged and left him standing there, alone in the cool room. Not even a goodnight passed between them. He shut his eyes, balling his hands and feeling the faint heat radiate off of them. He knew that he'd better know the next time, or who knew what could happen? Sighing with determination, the Fire prince stepped out of the room.
Before going inside of the guest room that her mother had lent them, he paused in Song's open doorway.
"I know."
