not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter fifty eight |

Saki thought that the others wouldn't be safe with her there, no one would be safe with her there. This was something she couldn't control, it was in her head, it knew all of her secrets, all of her weaknesses, everything about her.

She looked down at the drop below her. It looked far to the ground - far enough anyway.
She took a deep breath and extended her arms to the side as a tear slipped down her cheek. She really was going to miss everyone.
But this was for the best.

Saki leant forwards and shifted her weight, her stomach dropping as cool air rushed past her ears.

This was the best thing for her.
This was the best thing for everyone.
This was good.
This was her ending.

She felt something collide with her side and then a weight on top of her as she hit the grassy floor.

"What are you doing!?" A familiar voice shouted, as someone shook her shoulders.
Saki slowly opened her eyes and looked at Zuko. His eyes were red and slightly swollen - filled with pain and worry.

"What's best for everyone." Saki said, trying to get out of his grip.
"No you're not!" He shouted, wrapping his arms so tightly around her waist she could barely breathe.

"Let go!" She gasped, trying to grab at his arms.
"I'm not letting go of you! If you jump off of that cliff, I'm going too!" He yelled at her.
"Why!?" She yelled back, getting angry.
"Because I love you!" Zuko shouted.
Saki stopped struggling to look at him, his eyes were shining and filled with tears.
She froze, then put her head in his shoulder and started to bawl her eyes out.

"I'm sorry!" She said between sobs, "I just don't know what to do... I don't want to hurt any of you guys again, it's better me die than you." She told him, her small and frail form shaking.
"If you die, then I don't know how I'm going to live without you." Zuko said in her ear.

Saki sniffled and pulled her head away from his now wet shoulder, looking at his sad Amber eyes.
"How did you know?" She asked him.
"I found your note to me." He told her quietly.
"You weren't meant to find that until after..." She murmured.
"It's good I didn't." He said back.

Saki wiped her eyes, but Zuko pulled away her hand and did it for her, making her smile slightly even in the horrible situation.
"I'm sorry." Saki said again, placing each of her hands on his shoulders and letting more tears fall down her cheeks.
"You should be, you scared the crap out of me. I thought I was too late." He looked at the ground and then back up at her.
"Was it something that I did?" He asked quietly. So quietly Saki barely heard it.

Saki's eyes widened and she felt her heart drop.
"No! No no no no!" She put both of her hands on the sides of his face and moved his head so he looked up at her.
"Of course it wasn't! It's just because...I'm a danger to everyone, even myself. Whatever it is that's inside of me probably planned to throw me off the cliff after killing all of you." She said reassuringly.
"Okay...I just wanted to make sure." He mumbled.
"I'm so sorry." Saki apologised again.
"Stop apologising, it's all okay now." He kissed her quickly on the forehead.

"Now tell me everything about what's inside of you." He said, his expression turning serious.
Saki nodded and looked around.
"Sure. But can we go back to our room?" She asked.

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"This all started a few weeks ago, before the invasion when I was travelling around the fire nation. I had a... horrible dream. I couldn't control my body, and I-I...."
Zuko took Saki's hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze, telling her it was okay and that she was safe with him.
"I killed you. And then everyone else...and my parents..." She put a hand over her mouth, reliving the dream she hated so much.