7 Days of Taufan

Healer

Chiron reminds us that only through recognising and accepting our inner wounds can we find true healing.
-Lisa Tenzin-Dolma
(I have no idea about the Chiron-)

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It was way past midnight and the whole town was catching some zizz, save for a single parent materiel.

Gempa sat on the roof with his arms wrapped tightly around his knees, holding them close to his chest.
His chin rested on his crossed arms as his eyes gazed at the starry sky.

The cold winter breeze was cruel, sending chills down his spine as he wasn't dressed appropriately for the weather.

However, it was the least of his concerns.

These simple things could never surpass his inner turmoils.

Gempa exhaled through his mouth, burying his face on his knees.

Tears pricked the corner of his eyes, yet he refused to cry.

He inhaled deeply, many thoughts racing through his mind.

He sighed.

"You don't always have to put up a bold front, you know."

"Eh?"

The geokinetic looked up to find Taufan sitting casually by his side with his leg stretched and his hands resting on the tiled roof, behind his back.

"Taufan? You're awake, I thought you were asleep. Hm... Why are you awake at this hour!?" mused the gold eyed boy, going on full mother mode.

"I could ask you the same thing." said  Taufan with a close eyed smile, enjoying the chilly zephyr.

The earth bender sighed knowing it's difficult to convince his windy brother.

"I couldn't sleep." He stated bluntly.

"Is there something on your mind?"

The earth elemental gawked at the aerkinetic, shocked by the question.

Was he really that easy to read!!?

"Yes, you are~" giggled Taufan.

"Did I say that out loud!?" Gem blinked.

"Yup!" The air bender laughed, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

It worked.

Gempa soon joined him since Taufan's laughs were highly contagious.

After few long minutes, the duo calmed down and silence blanketed the environment.

"Wanna talk about it, Gempa?"

The said elemental sighed.

If the boy in blue uses his full name, he means business.

"T- there's just too many things in my head.." he began.

Taufan nodded encouragingly, beckoning him to go on.

"I have to do the chores, make food for you guys, go on missions, come up with plans, protect you guys.. it's just- tiring. I don't even have time for myself."
At this point Gempa started to rant without even realizing it.

"It's hard to pretend everything is alright and pull on a cover so that no one notices or worries." the earth manipulator sighed, gazing at the sky.

"Mama Gem, you don't always have to put up a bold front." Taufan repeated his previous statement.

"I can't. I can't stop worrying about your safety! I have to stay strong so that I can protect you guys! Afterall, I'm the leader.. It's my duty."

"Are you calling us weak?" Tau questioned.

"What!? No!! It's just-" Gempa panicked.

"Are you underestimating us? Do you think we can't take care of ourselves?" Taufan asked, his face serious.

"I-I didn't say that-"

"You might as well have said that." He smiled with his eyes closed, his face held no remorse.

The boy in brown was at a loss for words.

"Seriously Gempa, you don't have to bare this burden alone. We're here for you, I'm here for you." Taufan placed his hand on his chest, to prove his point.

"If you can't take it anymore, just tell us. If you feel like crying, go ahead!! Crying is not a sign of weakness but of strength!!"

"Tau.."

Gempa reached his breaking point and wailed softly as he had no intention to wake up the others.

"I- I- what if I fail as the leader!!? I'm just too scared of losing you all!! And the fact that I almost did lose you guys to Retak'ka haunts me till this day!! I cannot imagine a world without you guys!!"

Taufan hugged the motherly boy, gently rubbing soothing circles on his back.

The earth elemental hiked, choking on his own tears.

"There, there. Let it all out.. you do not need to hide your feelings. I'll be here for you."

Gempa nodded in Taufan's embrace as the latter continued to comfort their leader.

The clouds covered the moon, devoiding the earth from it's light.

×××

A figure huffed as it turned away from the scene and closed the window.

"Such big words coming from you, Taufan. Trying to play a healer, I see. Why don't you just apply the same things to yourself and wipe that fake smile off your own face."

Ais left the room to go to his own.

He pulled the blankets over Blaze's sleeping form and laid down on his own bed.

However, he couldn't sleep as his mind was filled with strategies to break the fake happy go lucky for the betterment of all.

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