AN: I was supposed to be writing a request fic but then I listened to some of my old music and re-discovered this Boys Like Girls song. Needless to say, it screamed Zutara at me too and I decided that I had to write a companion piece to The Way I Loved You.

So this is Zuko's POV, again with VERY little detail and again with the song lyrics integrated into the fic. Please do note that I'm taking artistic liberty so I can change some of the lyrics around to fit my needs better :P Oh I love this power.

Again, reviews will be adored.

Disclaimers: A:TLA belongs to the amazing Bryke

Learning To Fall belongs to Boys Like Girls

Learning To Fall

Today is by far the worst day of my life. Forget everything else that's happened. Forget banishment and constant failure and the slums of Ba Sing Se and the catacombs… Forget them; they were nothing compared to this. It feels like something is trying to crawl out of my throat as I watch you and him beneath me. You're so content it hurts me, and I don't know why. Surely I should be happy if you are happy? Apparently that logic doesn't work in this situation.

The cost of misery is at an all time high. How ironic is it that if I'd acted just a bit faster I could have stopped him kissing you? Or maybe even then I would have been too late… But at least I would have had a chance. If I'd broken up with Mai just a little bit faster I could have had a shot with you. Yes, I could have. I would have made you listen to me; you would not run away again.

But I wasn't fast enough. I failed again. And now I have to be content with watching the two of you together without even the semi-comfort of Mai. You have no idea the emotions this is bringing me. The hate and regret and jealousy… Aang won't see it, but I know you will as soon as you look at me; you know me too well. I keep it all hidden close to the surface and in sight. You will know. What will that do to you? Make you smug that you've finally gotten he better of me? Will it make you feel sorry for me? Will you feel regret or will you feel nothing at all? It's driving me insane wondering about it. Hopefully nobody will try to talk to me anytime soon; I really don't want to snap at anyone who doesn't deserve it.

I know others might think that this should be nothing compared to what else I've been through. But they don't understand how much of myself I gave to you. I let you in and told you almost everything; more than I've ever told anyone before. That ride back from our encounter with Yan Ra… I don't think you get how much of myself I gave to you. It was something I'd never done before, and so now I'm getting hurt in an entirely different way. And I need to learn how to hit rock bottom in this part of life afresh.

So I'm learning to fall. And as much as it disgusts me to admit it, I can hardly breathe. The same thing that's trying to crawl out of my throat is constricting my lungs. I can barely swallow and my hands are shaking so hard I can't even ball them into fists. But hey, you don't need to pay any attention to that! When I'm going down, don't worry about me! Don't try this at home; don't think about anybody's feelings but his. Not that I can judge you on that; Mai is crying in the bathroom right now. I'm just… so… bitter that after everything you still chose him.

No, that's not the reason I'm so bitter and angry. The real reason is you told me, you told me, that you don't see how you could be with him. You said it to my face! And yet, even with that you're… Ugh I can't look at it any more. It would have been bad enough knowing that you chose him, but I could have lived with that. I'm good at living with disappointments and I could have made it work for everyone in the long run. But for that to happen I need to be able to move on. How can I do that when I saw the doubt in your eyes countless times? I don't want to know that you know it should have been me.

Now that I think about it: could you be with him? Or was it just a lie? A lie you told and are still busy telling him and yourself. I'm not Toph but I saw your reactions every time he showed too much affection. And I saw your expressions when you talked one on one. The simple truth is he doesn't get you like I do, and you don't know why. And you know what sickens me? You changed for him even when I know you didn't want to. And let me point out that you looked much better in Water Tribe clothes with your necklace uncovered and proudly displayed then you do in a white Air Nomad dress. It makes me so jealous that I couldn't be the one to fight (and probably lose) a battle against you to get you to wear Fie Nation clothes again.

So you changed your clothes and your hair, but I can't change your mind. I'm uninvited and so unrequited now. Still learning to fall… I'd have thought I'd hit the bottom by now. But somehow the anger, bitterness and resentment can't make me love you less.

And now there are words screaming in my head. Why did you leave? And I can't stop dreaming… Watching you and him when it should have been… it should have been me.

Your lips are finally off his and you see me standing here. Your face changes, but I don't know to what. I keep my face blank, but I know you can read it in my eyes. Aang is confused as he watches me walk up to you, but happiness at your kiss blinds him from the truth. I tell him, calm as can be, that the feast is ready. He smiles and thanks me, gives you a shy look and then takes your hand to lead you inside. But I stop you, lean in close so that Aang has no hope of hearing, and I whisper what you know deep down is the truth. The truth that will keep me forever learning to fall. The truth that will eat both of us alive forever.

I know that you know it should have been me.

AN 2: Yeah, Zuko is the type of person who'd get really agro if he didn't get the girl he loved. That's why I made him act all bitter and GRRR. If it's too OOC PLEASE tell me so I can try and remedy the situation? Thanks.