𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕

𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕

Chapter Fifty one

Elora

My mind was a chaotic mess of a million thoughts as I lay on Aang's bed, surrounded by my friends. Aang, Katara, and Toph were all nestled close, their peaceful breathing the only sound in the room. They had all drifted off to sleep, but sleep eluded me. I was too restless, too troubled. I was so used to Sokka's warmth, the comfort his presence brought, the familiar scent of him that always calmed me. The sound of his breathing as he slept, his face always pressed against some part of me—whether it be the crook of my neck, my chest, my stomach, or even his lips against my forehead—was what I was missing the most.

I felt like I couldn't function without him near me. My chest ached with the longing to get up, find him, and let him hold me until the hurt was gone, even though he was the cause of it. Now that my anger had subsided, clarity began to seep in. I knew that he hadn't meant for this to happen. It was an honest mistake. The boy I fell in love with would sooner stab his own heart than hurt mine.

The ache of missing him was unbearable. I knew I needed to confront him, to understand, to forgive. But for now, I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to find solace in the quiet rhythm of my friends' breaths but it was no use.

I sighed softly, moving carefully out of the bed to avoid waking my friends. Each movement was deliberate, my breaths shallow as I tiptoed across the room. The door creaked slightly as I eased it open, slipping into the hallway.

The palace was quiet, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the windows casting long shadows on the floor. I padded silently down the hall, my feet cold against the stone, the only sound the faint echo of my steps.

I made my way to the library, hoping that some reading might tire me out enough to finally find sleep. The familiar scent of old books and parchment greeted me as I entered. The room was dim, the moonlight providing just enough illumination to navigate the shelves.

I wandered over to one of the large, plush chairs by the fireplace, selecting a book at random from a nearby shelf. I sank into the chair, curling up with the book in my lap. The words blurred together at first, my mind still too restless to focus, but slowly, gradually, the steady rhythm of reading began to calm me.

As I read, I let myself get lost in the story, hoping it would offer a brief escape from my tangled thoughts and the ache in my heart.

Sokka

Is this what it meant to truly loathe oneself? To despise your actions, your thoughts, and the pain they inflicted on someone you loved? I think it is.

I was on the verge of waking up every damn person in the South Pole just so they could suffer this lack of peace with me. The solitude was unbearable, the silence a constant reminder of my torment.

I sighed, rubbing my temples, feeling the burn of my heart as it ached with regret. It was a fire that scorched me from the inside, a relentless punishment for hurting her. Or maybe it was a longing cry, a desperate plea to be near her again. Perhaps it was both. The lines were blurred, and
the anguish was all-consuming.

Both Zuko and Inara had headed to sleep hours ago, but I couldn't find rest. Our room, our bed, felt alien without her near me. I'd been sitting in the same chair for what felt like an eternity, my joints aching from the lack of movement. Even stretching no longer brought relief.

With a sigh, I got up. Maybe a walk around the halls would tire me out enough to pass out, but I doubted it. Only she brought me the kind of peace where I could easily close my eyes and let go, falling into nothingness because she was there beside me.