Well, I'm having major issues with "Long Way to Happy". I'm having trouble deciding where to put them after capture; if anyone has any ideas…I'd love you!
So I decided to write myself a oneshot! It's based on the pre-Gaang lives of Smellerbee and Longshot. I mean, they were Freedom Fighters before meeting Aang, right? xD
This is about a year before the Gaang comes into the picture, based on how I think Smellerbee became such a tomboy.
Ages:
Smellerbee – 12
Longshot - 14
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She was always a bit of an outcast; or she had been at first. The only female in the bunch, she mixed with them like water might mix with oil. She was so different; with her messily pulled together pigtails and large, almost constantly watering eyes. She was awkward in the short robe she wore, pinned over her right breast and with sleeves dragging at the wrists, the hem falling to her knees.
Longshot was frightened for the small girl; who he himself had protected when Jet had first found her. She tried so hard, but she was just too small, and was trying to be too big. It was painful to watch.
She sat in his treetop dwelling now, kneeling on the floor, robe folded gracefully around her, fists clenched in her lap as she stared forward with a glazed kind of look in her large, doe-like eyes. He didn't want to look at her; it was very painful.
A large bruise streaked across her face, from the top of her cheek until it disappeared into her hairline. A large welt had sprouted at the wide of her head. Longshot rattled around in a drawer where he had stashed a balm intended for bruises, and other such abrasions.
He turned around, facing her with a small jar in his hand, gently pushing her bangs back and out of her face.
She flinched.
He gave her a look; long face tilted forward, eyes boring into hers. Smellerbee shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze.
"We was just playing around!" She exclaimed, rubbing her shoulder uncomfortably. Longshot frowned; a bruise that took up half her face, along with the bloodied nose he had already helped her mop up, was not just playing around. At least not by his standards.
He shook his head, not interested in pushing the matter as he dipped his fingers into the cool balm, spreading it over her cheek. At first she flinched, but quiet under his gentle touch. He could see the gratitude in her eyes, and smiled.
"It was Sneers." Longshot had turned his back, returning the jar to its proper place. Smellerbee spoke and he frowned deeply, anger arising in his stomach and spreading to the very tips of his fingers. It wouldn't be the first time Sneers had beaten the girl more harshly than "just play" might allow. He turned, heading for the exit from his hut, intent on finding the other boy, fists clenched at his sides.
"Please! Don't!" Smellerbee had grasped his sleeve. He looked back at her; her face glistened with the balm and her eyes pleaded with him, "I'm NOT a wimp Longshot! I can handle it on my own."
He stared forward; wanting to leave his hut and track Sneers down. He wanted to make him pay.
But he knew she would never forgive him if he did.
He sighed, taking her shoulders gently, she flinched and his stomach sank. How could she go through life so frightened? He stared at her for a moment before turning a leaving. She didn't try and stop him this time.
He left from his dwelling to almost instantly enter Jet's, tapping his leader, who was bent over some map of some…something. Jet frowned, looking up from his work, the sprig of wheat that hung limply from his lips twitching in obvious annoyance, "What?"
Longshot twisted his head to the side, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Smellerbee?" Jet asked, Longshot nodded, "Again?" Once again Longshot nodded, not quite understanding how Jet was so blind to what was going on among his rebels.
The pair was silent for a few moments; Longshot and Jet had been together for awhile. Longshot had been Jet's first Freedom Fighter, but he was far different from the other boy. He didn't like to find himself outside of his own control; whereas Jet lived constantly on the edge. It was a good balance.
"I have an idea," Jet said finally, turning to stoop in front of a small chest. Rustling around in its contents for a moment Jet finally withdrew a bundle of clothing; stuff he had grown out of. Longshot was confused for a moment, but then nodded.
Later that night the pair took Smellerbee aside, using an oddly curved dagger to slice her hair into a shag to imitate Jet's own. They gave her a moment of privacy to change into the stiff, long unworn clothes Jet had dug up.
She let go of herself; the girl.
And soon embraced Smellerbee; the freedom fighter.
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EWWWW! Don't like this all that much. And strangely, I have the idea for my next drabble xD
Remember, if you have ideas for Long Way to Happy, please tell me! Severe blockage of my cranial arteries… or whatever they're called…
