PARTING OF THE WAYS
THE GOODBYES TOOK PLACE IN THE MAIN SQUARE, AND EVERYONE AGREED THAT, AS FAREWELLS WENT, IT WAS QUITE SPLENDID. Everyone was dressed in their absolute best, and it all had a strange, festival-like atmosphere, no less so for being bittersweet.
They said goodbye in their own ways. For Toph, this meant bone-crushing hugs for the three who were making their departure, accompanied by constant complaints about shit in my eye, seriously, did someone bend sand through here or something? Fuck. For Suki, this meant a strong hug for Katara, and proper bows and warm words exchanged with the once royal siblings. Asami contented herself with bows. She didn't feel like she knew Katara or Zuko well enough for more, and, for all that her and Azula had grown close in their time at the temple, they were both still products of their people, and bowing was where they left it.
Asami did end up crying, though. She had promised herself she wouldn't, but she ended up not being able to help it. She blamed Azula, who had smiled at her, and said, Hey, listen, I…I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have acted that way when you came, and not Mai. I've done my best to make it up to you, and I'll always work at that, but…I haven't said that I was sorry. So…heh…
Asami had smiled, and rolled her eyes. Do they teach royalty how to apologize? Because, seriously, you guys fucking blow at it.
Azula had laughed, light and free. Yeah…we're actually told not to apologize, like, ever, but, you know…I'm always trying to push the boundaries, you know? Still…I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad you made it. Watch over Korra for me.
Asami had bowed, one final time. I will. Always. Be careful.
Azula had returned the bow. You, too.
The tears were rolling down Asami's face by the time Azula had turned away. As annoyed as she was, she did nothing to stop them.
Everyone's favorite goodbyes were made by Lobsang, who cried without shame, like a little kid, really, the tears flowing freely as he did his best to out-do Toph in the bone-crushing quality of his hugs. He cried and hugged, even as he laughed and gave some last pieces of tongue-in-cheek advice and promised that he would never let them down, even though no one had even thought to imagine such a possibility. By the end of it, he had everyone laughing through their tears.
The most dramatic farewells, though, were made by Sokka. He clasped hands with Zuko, praised the former prince's grip and technique, before pulling him into what Sokka called a manly hug, full of backslaps strong enough to rattle ribs and leave Zuko looking winded. Sokka made Zuko promise to look out for Katara, and then made Zuko promise never to tell Katara that Sokka had asked that. And if you do, Sokka said, wagging a finger, I'll revoke your Man Card, because you will have violated the Bro Code.
Zuko had laughed. Is that even a thing?
Sokka had rolled his eyes. Gods, man, don't they teach you princes anything?
Zuko had shaken his head. Nothing useful, that's for sure.
Then it was on to Katara. The siblings had hugged for all they were worth, and Sokka had taken the time to give his sister a pep talk. Don't you let those fire-breathers push you around, and don't let them look down on you. You're pretty much our version of a princess, nevermind that you're married to a prince, so that makes you a real princess, and they can go shove it if they have a problem. And don't worry about Dad, because Mom will love Zuko, and I love the guy, so he'll get over it. And you know what-
Katara had stopped him there. Hush, she had said, because I have some stuff to say to you. At which point, she had launched into a long diatribe, ranting as only Katara could rant, sounding every bit the mother everyone knew she had always been, and would one day be. In an out of character moment, Sokka had bowed his head, and offered not one bit of argument, which ended up reducing his sister to tears and led to another round of hugs.
Then came the farewell to Azula. This one ended up being fairly simple. The two stared at each other for what felt like a long time, until everyone was feeling as awkward as they looked, and then Azula said, You know what? Fuck it, grabbed Sokka by the collar, and pulled him down into a kiss that involved, from Zuko's standpoint, a nauseating amount of tongue.
Watching this, Toph, who stood between Asami and Suki, nudged them both and said, Snoozles and Princess are totally making out, aren't they?
They are, Suki admitted, and was surprised that she felt not the least bit of jealousy. Indeed, it was all she could do not to clap.
Toph had scoffed, as only she could. Figures. Hey, either of you want to make out? Since that seems to be going around.
Don't you and Korra have a thing? Asami had pointed out.
Hey, Toph had replied, I didn't say anything about me being involved. Come on, you two, don't knock it until you've tried it.
Asami and Suki had bitten down on their laughter and rolled their eyes over Toph's head. Toph, for her part, just sighed, shaking her head. You two don't know what you're missing…
When Azula finally let Sokka break the kiss, she discovered, to her surprise, that he wasn't done. So, it went on for a bit more, until they finally had to come up for air.
Hey, he said, I really like you. Let's do something about that, when this is all over.
Azula had smiled, in a way she didn't know she could. You know what? I agree. I like you, too. Let's do that. So…you know…do me a favor, stop being an idiot, and don't die.
He had given her his signature grin. Well, I can promise to not die…
She had rolled her eyes and shoved him away. Oh, get out of here, before this takes any longer.
The four who were left, Lobsang, Toph, Suki, and Asami, gathered atop the temple gate, and watched their friends ride away, everyone waving to each other the whole way. They stayed there, long after the Ninety-Fourth had saluted their friends, long after the long scarlet-and-black column had disappeared into the distance, gone like they had never been there in the first place.
Then, everyone retired to Korra's room, told her all about it, then settled down on the floor to play cards, which Toph won, of course, though no one could explain how.
They cried a lot, too. There didn't seem to be any stopping it.
I don't know why, but in every fic that I write, I end up working in the title to the infamous Doctor Who episode, Parting of the Ways. I guess I'm just that much of a fan. Also, how about that Peter Capaldi? I'm enjoying the shit out of the guy.
Which also reminds me of Super-Who-Lock. Anyone know what that is? Because my wife's ridiculously into it, and she's infected me. Also, anyone ever watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars? You know, the CGI animated series? It's actually...really good. Like, really good. It comes very close to redeeming the prequels.
Oh! Also! Anyone watch the new Star Wars trailer? Or the new Batman vs. Superman trailer? Because holy shit you guys. Between those two and the second Avengers movie, it's nice for DC, Marvel, and J.J. Abrams to map out my next year-and-a-half for me.
Heh...that was a strange AN. Next thing you know, I'm going to be rambling over how my wife and I totally ship Black Widow and Captain America. Or, at least, I do, and the wife indulges me. Moving on!
In the next chapter, which you shall, of course, get tomorrow, Arnook makes his call. Stay tuned!
