I'm staring up at the balcony from below, the coronation crowd behind me screaming his name as my heart soars; this boy, no, man, standing above me, a gold crown in his hair, stealing a smile to me, I love him.
I love him, I love Fire Lord Zuko.
I think we both discovered that at the same time. Tragedy always brings out emotions in full regalia, and like the raging bulls they are, they are so strong they can crash through even the strongest walls one puts up.
I still can't believe it, and I definitely don't understand it, but I can't imagine myself without him. Just a few short months together and I feel as though I can never live any other way.
My hand is on my necklace, staring up at him with tear-lined eyes, so proud of him and us and everything we've been fighting for. He steals a glance at me, and I swear I can see the corner of his mouth lift slightly, his eyes go soft, just before returning to his usually scheduled program of stern strength by frowning.
I know he's not perfect, and he's not exactly the ideal match for me, and that we fight every chance we get, but there's something so comforting in all of it. A comforting unknown. A chance is all we get, just one, to find out if this is the real deal, and I don't plan to let it pass us by. The war is over for everyone but us; and we'll fight forever if we have to.
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In process of moving; it steals my brain functions to remember to post this story…Sorry to those of you who keep coming back, especially those who review. applesonawhim, Scarylady, Chicette; thanks for the kind words and interest. I've had well over 1,000 hits to this story, and you three are the only ones reviewing it! Kind of crazy…but I understand. I'm a lurker, myself. We're almost to the end of the tunnel, people!
Peace and love,
VP