Crashing Waves [Milliways]
When the girls went to Li and Lo's beach house, Zuko lingered without them. Sure, they were 'friends' and all, but -- there were simply things that weren't shared. His sulking was on that list; Azula ridiculed him, Mai feigned (?) indifference, and Ty Lee whined about his aura's stormy gray hue.
He stood on the stoop before the family beach out, before he ducked inside; they had spent so many pleasant months here when he was small. Upstairs the beds were musty from lack of use, the furniture covered in a fine patina of dust. Here in the sitting room, the moon turned that fine coating silver, like it was somehow precious.
Like it hadn't been tarnished, trashed, over time.
There were no more family portraits to burn. He sat, silent and head bowed; if he gave a prayer for what was lost there was no sound. Instead, there was only a wet testament, falling into cupped hands as he bent his head and struggled not to weep for the family that had shattered so; a father that loved a lie (did not love him), a mother gone, and a sister mad.
He stayed there a long time, while the moon watched on. There was a lot to grieve for, and this was the first time he'd allowed himself to touch that well of hurt in a long, long time...
He stood on the stoop before the family beach out, before he ducked inside; they had spent so many pleasant months here when he was small. Upstairs the beds were musty from lack of use, the furniture covered in a fine patina of dust. Here in the sitting room, the moon turned that fine coating silver, like it was somehow precious.
Like it hadn't been tarnished, trashed, over time.
There were no more family portraits to burn. He sat, silent and head bowed; if he gave a prayer for what was lost there was no sound. Instead, there was only a wet testament, falling into cupped hands as he bent his head and struggled not to weep for the family that had shattered so; a father that loved a lie (did not love him), a mother gone, and a sister mad.
He stayed there a long time, while the moon watched on. There was a lot to grieve for, and this was the first time he'd allowed himself to touch that well of hurt in a long, long time...