it's locked, stupid: book three

ch. 7

"Tera." I jumped into her arms, tears streaming down my face. "How are you-"

"You came into my domain, Jay." She chuckled. God, I missed that.

"I'm in the spirit world?" I broke free from the hug. "No, I don't wanna be here."

"You can't avoid this place, Jay. You know that. Plus I'm here."

"I should go."

"Or stay for a little. Talk to me." She smiled. It didn't take me long for me to fold. I missed her.

"Okay." I nodded. She took my hand, walking me through the field. We stopped at a little picnic table filled with all of my favorite treats and foods. I sat down, Tera taking the seat across from me.

"So, tell me. How's the land of the living?" She joked.

"Boring."

"How's Korra?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "I'm assuming you went for it."

"Actually, she did."

Tera gasped. "No way. I thought she was, like, super into Mako."

"She was. Now she's super into me."

"I'm so happy for you."

"How are things here?"

"Great. I feel super free." She smiled wider than ever before. "No royal duties, no complications-"

"No me."

"I don't mean it like that. Of course I miss you. I miss your laugh, your smile, the way you were so passionate about everything. I loved you more than anything, Jinpa. But I'm gone. You're with Korra. Both of us have to move on."

"I didn't want to move on. I wanted you. If I didn't leave you," My tears became a sea and my voice became unstable. "you would've never come to find me. You would be alive."

"You blame yourself for my death?" I nodded, not being able to get the words out. "Baby." She shifted over to my side, pulling me into her so I could cry into her shoulder. "It's not your fault. I made my choice coming after you. I don't regret that at all. Plus, good came out of it."

"What good?"

"You got the girl."

"I wanted you." I pulled away slightly, just to be able to look at her.

"You had me. You will always have me. My heart is yours." She placed her forehead on mine.

"As is mine."

"Not all of it, I hope. Korra deserves some of that."

"She does, doesn't she?" We chuckled, possibly for the last time.

"I love you, Jinpa."

"I love you, Tera. Always."

"You should go. They need you."

"I wanna stay, just a little longer."

Tera kissed my forehead lightly before completely disappearing from my hold. I looked around, trying to find her. I saw her standing in the distance, fading away. "Goodbye, Jinpa."

"Goodbye, Tera." I sighed, closing my eyes.
When I opened my eyes, I was in my room. I ran to my blinds, opening them up. I saw a slightly orange-lit desert. My dad was standing outside with Korra, talking to a large group of people. The airbenders. I left my room with a weight off of my shoulders. I don't know if Tera was real or a dream, but I know that I needed that. I needed her, just one last time.

I made my way down the halls and out of the airship. I joined Korra and my dad outside, weaving through the people getting onto our airship. Korra smiled upon seeing me. She engulfed me in a giant hug, obviously happy about her success.