lingering
. helium lost .

Author’s Notes: Inspired from some discussion about pairings—particularly Jin’s role as almost a “throwaway” character, a truly one-shot role, a person who wouldn’t remember Zuko much (nor would Zuko remember her). So I decided to explore that a little bit :)

Challenge: 7-chakras: If you’re on Livejournal, go join it:) It’s my own prompt community.
Prompts: Truth/Lies

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Truth

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The streets of Ba Sing Se are crowded but undeniably empty as she walks through them, hand clutching the handle of an empty, straw basket. She reminds herself that she needs to buy some groceries, but her feet seemed to act of their own will and take her away from the marketplace. She finds herself wandering aimlessly through the winding, cobblestone streets in a sort of half-trance, passing by the familiar sights and sounds, yet feeling so utterly alienated.

Suddenly, she comes to a stop, and she looks up. She is, somehow, not surprised to find herself by that quaint little tea shop. Her heart rests heavy in her chest as she looks inside—the tea shop still looks exactly the same, but there is less of the hustle and bustle that she remembers, and the patrons don’t seem to look quite so pleased as they had before. Behind the counter is a different boy, one with a warm, toothy smile, a welcoming atmosphere that seems all too foreign to her.

He’s gone, her mind says to her, and he won’t come back. Just like everyone else. Move on with your life.

But as she runs a finger over her lips, feeling anew the memories of that night, her body refuses to believe that so-called “truth”.

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Lies

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Crumpled white sheets, the moonlight slanting in through the open window, the curtains billowing gently in the cool evening breeze. A candle burning out on the bedside table and a panting figure beside her as she lies on her side, head pillowed by her arm, body only slightly covered by the blankets.

Did you like it? Was it good?

The words drift into her mind almost like a dream. She sighs and turns over, facing the man beside her. She strokes the side of his face and lets her fingers run over the smooth, scarless flesh, stares deeply into his eyes, which are a deep, dirt-brown (so unlike that molten gold she sees in her dreams), and smiles gently as she runs a hand through his hair (her fingers sore from its smoothness, so unlike the rough, coarse hair she felt long ago).

Yes.

It is a complete lie, but as long as she says it with a smile, he’ll believe it—and maybe she’ll start believing it, too.

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Author’s Notes: Yeah, it’s a bit short P: but, while I could expand it… I don’t really feel like it. As always, feedback is greatly encouraged! Just don’t flame me over pairings/shipping, please.