𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

Chapter twenty two
Inara

Three months. It felt both like a lifetime and a blink.

Three months since that day—since I'd shoved Aang out of my life with words sharp enough to cut us both. Since I'd told him to leave, believing it was the right thing to do. My grip on the ship's railing tightened until the metal groaned beneath my fingers, but it did nothing to quell the storm that had brewed inside me ever since

That day shattered me. I hadn't even made it to the privacy of my room before breaking down. I'd collapsed in the palace corridors, where anyone could see my tears, where my pain was raw and exposed. One of the maids saw me and ran to get Zuko. He was there in an instant, scooping me up like I weighed nothing, concern etched deeply into his face.

He didn't ask me what happened. He didn't need to. He carried me, silently, to my room, where I cried until there was nothing left but a hollow ache. Zuko knew without a word that it had something to do with Aang. He never pushed for details, never demanded explanations, though I could feel the worry radiating off him every time he looked at me.

Everyone knew something was wrong. Even Ursa had stopped trying to gently ask, and the palace staff gave me wide berth, and Kiyi, sweet Kiyi, was the only one I tried to hold it together for. But even she sensed the weight I was carrying.

The weeks that followed were dark. I drifted through the days, each one blurring into the next, caught in a fog of guilt and pain. Zuko kept an eye on me, but even he couldn't stop the spiral. I was sinking, and everyone around me could see it.

But it had to end. It had to stop.

Today was the day we were arriving at the South Pole. There was no more running, no more hiding from the reality I'd been avoiding for months. Aang would be there. The one person I'd hurt more than myself. I had no idea what I'd say, or how I'd face him, but I knew one thing: I couldn't crumble again.

The ship's horn bellowed, signaling our approach to the Southern Water Tribe. The icy landscape came into view, the white expanse stretching out in all directions, glittering under the pale sun. My heart pounded harder with each passing second, a steady rhythm of dread and anticipation. The cold wind whipped at my face, but it did little to cool the heat of anxiety building inside me.

I could make out the figures on the dock now—small at first, but growing clearer as we drew closer. Familiar faces. Katara, Toph, Sokka, Elora, hakoda, Bato. And somewhere among them, Aang.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to stand tall. My hands, still gripping the railing, finally released their hold, the stiff ache in my fingers a reminder of how long I'd been clinging. I ran my hand over my dress, smoothing the fabric as if it would somehow calm the chaos inside me.

Zuko appeared beside me, his silent presence grounding me. He didn't say a word—he didn't need to. He had always known when I needed him close without asking. His hand hovered near mine, a quiet offering of support. I didn't take it, but I appreciated it more than he knew.

"You ready?" he finally asked, his voice low, as if afraid to disturb the fragile moment.

I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I was convincing either of us. Ready? No. But it didn't matter. I had to do this. There was no avoiding it anymore.

The ship slowed to a stop, and the crew lowered the ramp onto the ice. The cold air hit my face, but I barely noticed it—my mind was elsewhere, nerves twisting my gut tighter with each step. Ahead, I could see the crowd waiting for us. Elora was the first to spot us, her face breaking into a wide smile as she dashed forward, her joy unmistakable. Sokka followed close behind, just as energetic.