Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Rating: PG-16 (language and violence)
Genre: AU, Action, Intrigue, Romance (in that the story focuses largely on character interactions)
Co-Author: Eleanor
Summary: After the theft of her family's ostrich-horse, Song decides to track down the two men responsible, and stumbles across a fragile boy in dire need of help. This chance meeting touches off a chain of events that leads Song to the capital of the Fire Nation just as the final battle is ending, where her skills as a doctor are greatly needed. Just when it seems as though life is settling into a comfortable routine, however, the Dai Li start causing trouble -- and nobody knows who is pulling the strings...
Warnings: Longfic is long, and will eventually span twenty years or so. Contains a Xanatos Roulette. OCs abound. Noncanon pairings. Deviates from canon before Sozin's Comet.
At some point during the night, Song had been moved from Zuko's bedroom to the one she shared with Yì Suì. Exhausted by the ordeal and some severe emotional upheaval, the young doctor didn't wake up until late afternoon, when she settled down at her desk and began to write. Yì Suì had likely gone to the palace library with Ursa at some point before Song woke up.
A little less than a half hour after she started, someone tapped at the door.
Startled, Song hid the letter and wiped her face — tears? When had she started crying? — before opening the door.
It was Zuko. "Hi."
"Le— Lord Zuko!" she gasped, surprised.
"You don't have to call me that," he said, the way he always did when she used his title.
She, as always, ignored him. "I— I'm glad you're doing better…"
He nodded. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes." Song forced a smile for him.
Zuko visibly relaxed. "Good. Good, I'm glad."
"What about you?" she whispered softly.
"I'm fine," he said reassuringly.
Her hand drifted up to touch his face, and she worriedly looked him over.
"I'm fine, Song, really," he repeated.
"You always say that."
"I'm fine unless I can't function," he replied.
Song just closed her eyes and sighed.
He gave her a twisted little half-smile — the closest he ever came to smiling anymore — and repeated his assurances that he was fine, she had nothing to worry about.
"If you say so," she said at last, shaking her head.
"I do," he said, and then trailed off, with no idea what to say or do next.
Just as lost, Song looked up at him, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.
You should kiss her, the teenage boy in him suggested.
It did seem to be a good idea, and the angle at which she was tilting her face to meet his eyes was perfect.
I can't, he told that part of himself, very curtly.
Of course you can. She's right there.
All right, technically I can, but I shouldn't. And I won't.
Why the hell not?
Well, for starters, she'll hit me.
…She's not going to hit you.
"…Lord Zuko?" Song asked, frowning.
"Huh?"
"You're… staring at me." Her cheeks were red.
"…I'm sorry." He flushed a little.
And now you missed your chance. You idiot.
Shut up.
She glanced down, shifting awkwardly again and licking her lips.
You could still try, you know.
You just told me I missed my chance!
So? She's right there. And very pretty. In case you hadn't noticed.
I noticed!
Then prove it.
He kissed her.
Startled, the doctor froze — and then she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him. He slid his free arm up her next to cup her cheek in his hand.
Told you she wouldn't hit you.
The next moment, wetness touched his thumb. She was crying.
He pulled back a little, confused.
Okay, this is the last time I listen to my fucking libido. I made her cry.
Hey, it's not my fault you have about a quarter of the experience with girls a boy your age should have.
"Song?" he asked, letting go.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said quickly, rubbing at her face. "Something got in my eye…"
…She's lying, he thought. "All right… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to — I shouldn't have — I should go."
She hesitated, then kissed him again. "I… I guess I'll see you later?"
"S-sure. I just…I should get back to work. I just wanted to make sure you were all right." I didn't come here to assault you, I swear.
"Goodbye, Zuko," she whispered, turning to go back into her room.
"Bye." He ran off, and despised himself for his callousness and cowardice — he really failed every woman who mattered to him in every possible way.
* * *
Song was gone the next morning. The only thing proving that she had left under her own power was a trio of letters, for Doctor Chang, Yì Suì and Ursa, and Zuko. A page brought Zuko his smudged, tear-stained letter, and he tore it open, nearly damaging the paper in his haste.
Lord Zuko (it read),
I'm sorry for leaving like this, but I know you'd try to stop me if I told you what I was doing. It's better this way. I'm a danger to you; the Dai Li used me to keep you from escape and if they try again… well, I'd rather not give them that chance.
I love you.
Song.
It hit the floor seconds later, and he ran out of the room, then out of the palace, going after her.
* * *
Song pulled her cloak tighter around her body, looking around the dock. Hopefully crossing the ocean wouldn't be as difficult this time as it had been the last. The doctor choked back a sob and made her way to the ticket booth.
"What are you doing?" The voice behind her was very familiar.
"T-Ty Lee!" gasped Song, turning around.
"Hi," the younger girl said, smiling. "What're you doing?"
"I…" Song looked down.
"Come on." Ty Lee took her hand and led her off where no one could watch or overhear them. "Why are you leaving?"
"I have to," the older girl whispered.
"How come?"
"It— it's not safe for him if I stay," Song explained
Ty Lee blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"I'm a danger to him," Song elaborated, twisting her braid in her hands. "I… he lessens his guard when I'm with them. And makes them stay several yards away."
"He doesn't want them to make you feel uncomfortable." Ty Lee rolled her eyes. "Besides, they shouldn't've listened to him. They're allowed to disobey stupid orders like that, and they should have."
"But they didn't," the older girl said in a whisper. "And the Dai Li took us. And… I think that if they hadn't been able to break him…" She shuddered. "They would have used me against him."
"You can't run away just 'cause he thinks you're more important than he is," Ty Lee said, quietly.
"I won't be used against him," Song said coldly, but tears were running down her face.
"You're right. You won't. We're not gonna let that happen." Ty Lee was crying, too.
"I can't take that risk, Ty Lee. You can't afford it, the Fire Nation can't afford it." Song wiped her eyes again.
"We'll keep you safe," she insisted.
"I have to go," Song said. It sounded as though she was trying to convince herself.
"But people know you're important to him. If you stay, we can protect you. If you leave; if his enemies track you down in the wilderness—" Ty Lee began.
The doctor shook her head and cut the acrobat off. "I won't be important anymore. He'll hate me now."
Ty Lee shook her head as well, emphatically. "No, he won't. He doesn't hate other people for leaving him, he hates himself for giving them reason to leave."
"I have to do this," Song whispered. "I— I know I'm going to regret it for the rest of my life, but I can't…"
The younger girl chewed at her lower lip, searching for another argument. All she could come up with was, "This is wrong."
"I can't think of anything else to do!" Song cried. "I love him, Ty Lee."
"Then come back to him!" Ty Lee shot back.
"I'll only cause him trouble!" the doctor disagreed.
Ty Lee countered, "You'll cause him worse trouble by leaving."
The tearful doctor shook her head. "No… Ty Lee, he can't love me. He can't. I'm a foreigner, and a peasant besides. The court will draw and quarter him for that!"
"The court will draw and quarter him for ending the war. Loving you won't change a thing." Ty Lee wasn't entirely certain of that, but she felt it had to be said.
"It will give them more fuel for the pyre," was the half-hearted reply.
"He can take it. He's taken worse hits. And I know he thinks you're worth it. Please, come back," Ty Lee begged now.
"I can't," Song whispered. "I can't…"
The younger girl was definitely crying now. "Please."
"I'm sorry, Ty Lee. I'm so, so sorry."
"I'm s-sorry we couldn't keep you safe…"
Song embraced the younger girl, then rose and returned to the ticket window.
* * *
Ty Lee was still crying as she made her way back to the palace, but Haru met her halfway there. "Your monarch is an idiot," he greeted her, sounding annoyed.
"Wh-what did he do…?" she asked, still in tears.
"He's gone. I think he's gone after her." There was no need to ask who the 'her' was.
"She just left the country," Ty Lee told him.
The earthbender let out a vexed noise, but wrapped his arms around her. "And I bet he's right behind her. Come on. We're following them."
"Good."
Haru quickly realised on reaching the Earth Kingdom that he didn't have a chance of tracking Zuko. The other man was simply too skilled at moving swiftly and silently. Thus he suggested they make a detour to a certain town that hosted a yearly tournament for Professional Earthbenders.
Ty Lee agreed readily, and, luckily, Toph was competing.
Haru managed to make his presence known to her with some very careful earthbending, and then they waited behind the arena for her.
She joined them a few minutes later. "Heya. What's up?"
"Sparky and the doctor are idiots, is what," Haru said, quickly summing everything up.
"…So, you need me to help you find the overdramatic Firelord and his overdramatic girlfriend?" Toph clarified.
"That's about it, short stuff," he agreed.
"Don't call me that," she snapped at him.
"Yes, ma'am." Haru sighed. "At least I was able to get a general idea from the General where Song lives. With any luck…"
"Here's hoping," Toph agreed, quietly.
"Pack your things. We'll leave tonight." Haru grinned at her.
"I'll meet you here," the younger bender told him, and headed back into her tournament.
Haru sighed. "Good. We'll definitely find him now."
"Them," Ty Lee corrected.
"Yes," he agreed. A pause, then he asked, "Would it be unethical to bet on her?"
"…What d'you mean?" his girlfriend wanted to know, tilting her head.
"She's gonna win," Haru explained.
Ty Lee rolled her eyes. "It's not unethical to bet on the obvious winner. It's unethical to trip up the others and make them lose."
Haru gave her a horrified look. "Are you kidding? She'd kill me if I even thought about it!"
That made the acrobat laugh. "Well, you're the one who asked about ethics."
"True. Eh, we'd probably get bad odds anyway, since she's the reigning champion. Let's stock up and meet her back here," the earthbender said after a moment's thought.
"Good plan," Ty Lee said, then stole a kiss.
Part Two over here.
cranky