atla one shots

31 - tears

Zuko turns and starts away, the shadows taking all color from him, but his outline is still see able when Katara stands, and despite both Hakoda and Aang's efforts, she stays standing, defiantly wanting to make sure she got in last word. No way was this asshole, going to make her take all the blame for their mistakes.

"I may be a hypocrite, but as least my mistakes don't result in everyone leaving or dying."

Zuko freezes, Toph gets worried for a second because she feels his heart actually stop for but a moment, and then he takes off, a choked off sound - a sob? a scream? - echoing back to them as their friend - as least some of theirs friend - races away, leaving an awkward silence and an urgent need for an explanation.

"We need to send someone after him. Who should go?"

"Not Katara, and probably not either of the male adults. So, that leaves me, Aang, and Toph. Maybe all three of us should go?"

"No, Sokka you stay back. I need an unbiased account of everything Katara's about to tell me. Aang, Toph, why don't you two go help him out? He really needs it."

They both nod and take off, Toph leading since she can track him. She's worried, despite everything, since the erratic heartbeat is worrying. What could he be doing? Aang is worried as well, cause he can hear the sounds of sobbing, choked and dying, with an occasional whimper intermixed.

They race around a corner and both stop, surprised and confused, but still worried. Zuko is sitting in front of them, his back to them, and something in his lap. He's bent over it, and they can tell he's crying, both heartbeat and the shaking of his shoulders giving him away. As they cautiously approach, Aang realizes what he's holding.It's an old guitar, something the monks and fire-benders played on when they visited each other. Did the Prince know how to use it?

"Zuko?"

He starts and turns to face them, the moonlight making the tears path shine in the light, while his shoulders shake and his fingers tremble against the strings on the guitar. They both approach, and settle on his side, setting a head on his shoulder or a hand on his knee.

"You going to be ok,Sparky?"

"Maybe later, but not right now. I'm sorry I took the guitar, but my Mom used to play, and so did Uncle, before I was banished. It's something of a comfort to know that they still exist somewhere, since Father burned all that he could find anywhere in the palace. Sure we kept a few hidden, but we can't take them out without him finding the rest or the one we use."

"Does that mean you know how to play?"

"It was a required Princely duty, because Grandfather loved the guitar and was in the spirit of keeping things from other nations that were unique or interesting. He had one given to him by a monk, and he loved the thing, was so sad that he would never hear another Air-bender play a tune on it. A lot of people didn't understand Grandfather, but he was happy."

"Would you be willing to play for us?"

"A...are you sure? It's not only a part of your culture, but I haven't played in many years, and I'm not sure how much I really remember from the classes, wouldn't it better for you to play?"

"No, I want to hear someone else playing something that shows my culture still lived, even after I was frozen away and them massacred. Please?"

Zuko hesitates, it really had been years since he'd played, but Aang was giving him puppy eyes, and a glance at Toph shows even she wants to hear this, so he sighs. He settles the guitar more comfortably against himself, and set his dominant hand on the strings.( I don't know a fucking thing about playing guitar, excuse any mistakes I make.) He gently strums each string with a shaking hand, knowing it will affect the play, but not really caring. He's still emotionally not ok right now and if the song shows that, fine.

He starts playing a song his mother used to play softly, something she did when she was talking of her old village and family, whom she never saw. He briefly wonders if she's with them now, but shakes the thought away as he focuses on the guitar and the song he's playing.

It brings up more memories, but he focuses only on the soothing song he's playing. The music echoes along the walls, down to the fire far below, and everyone goes silent to hear it. There's something about the song that resonates deeply with each other person, something that touches their cores and shakes them. Tears spring to their eyes for reasons none of them wish to infer, and they simply bow their heads, accepting the song and listening to it.

Aang knows this is a Fire-nation song immediately, but it's still on the guitar, and the simple acoustics bring back soft, gentle memories. Toph is just enjoying the sound of vibration of something new and soothing that she's never heard. She didn't even know there was an instrument she didn't know of, but she's glad Sparky is showing her this one, it just doesn't feel like anyone else would've given this instrument as much meaning as he did.

The song isn't very long, but everyone appreciates it, and then Zuko ends it. There had been no words, but there hadn't been a need for words. Honestly, the entire thing felt almost surreal. However, the three on the terrace where completely and totally ok, even if still a bit emotionally unstable right at this very moment.

"That was beautiful. Thank you so much, Zuko. I'm happy to know my culture continued on after everyone was gone... even if it was in the hands of another culture. Thank you."

"Sparky, I wasn't even aware there was an instrument I hadn't heard, but I'm glad you were the one to play this, because I don't think anyone else could've given it enough of a justice. I think you were meant to play this instrument right here and right now, whether for a reason or not. I think you were meant to be with us right here and I don't regret my decision."

Zuko ducks his head, blushing. He hadn't gotten actual praise from anyone in so long, he was no longer sure how to accept to it. He could accept reprimands, he could take an insult, a cruel remark, a jab, but a compliment? He just didn't know how to respond.

"Thank you..."

The others below at the fire are trying to get control of themselves, when the other three rejoin them. No one is really surprised to see the guitar in Zuko's hands, even though none of them had ever seen him play an instrument, let alone as well as that. The silence starts to get to him, and the staring as well, and Zuko starts to fidget, messing with a few of the strings on the guitar. The resonating chords punch the others in the core, and they almost double over from the mental, spiritual, something not physical hit they had just taken.

"How long have you known how to play that?"

"A few years. My Mom was teaching me, taught me up until the day she disappeared."

"What song was that? It was so..."

"Majestic?"

"Thank you, Sokka. Majestic."

"It was something my Mom played when she would tell me about her old village, and her family. She loved them very much, but I only ever heard stories about them."

"I guess your tears were good for something. We got a lovely song out of it."

"...Are you mocking me?"

"...No."