Memories from Western Airtemple
Dreams of the Damned
Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter 13
Dreams of the Damned
It was about time Haru admitted to feeling at least a little bit worried about the latest addition to their group. Why else would the earthbender have found himself waiting for Zuko outside his door on the morning following the night he had confronted the prince at the fountain?
Zuko rose late that morning but Haru still thought the other teen should have slept some more when he saw the firebender’s ragged appearance when he stumbled out of his room, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. As soon as Zuko’s eyes fell on Haru, however, the prince looked a lot more alert and aware and questioned without any trace of a slur in his voice: “What do you want?”
“What was that about last night?” Haru spoke immediately, not wanting to delay this matter any further. The firebender had been acting beyond strange last night and he wanted answers.
A throaty hum was the only sound that came from Zuko at first. Then the teen brought his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose like he was fighting off a headache and finally replied: “It was just a nightmare, nothing more.”
“You’ve been having the same nightmare for a while then”, Haru commented and crossed his arms. “What is it about?”
“I don’t know”, Zuko answered a bit too defensively for the answer to be truthful. “The thing with dreams is that we forget them when we’re awake.”
“You were pretty awake last night”, Haru insisted. He was not going to let the other dismiss him so easily and it seemed that Zuko understood this as well, judging from the displeased frown on his face.
“I dream of sins, earthbender”, Zuko growled out finally, his voice carrying a warning tone. “I have a lot to be blamed for and that tends to wear on one’s sleep at night.” The prince lifted a hand and poked Haru into the chest with his fore- and middle fingers, the gesture pushing the taller boy back and out of the firebender’s path. Zuko then stepped forward to walk past him but stopped briefly, as if hesitating, and spoke: “Guilt is what sets reformed villains apart from the incurable ones.” And with those parting words Zuko disappeared behind a corner.
“Guilt, huh?” Haru repeated softy when he had been left alone, staring at the wall in front of him. He had to wonder just who it was that had died.
To be continued...
Ending Notes: I'm happy to hear that you people don't mind the Haru POV. There are a couple of points in this fic when I use minor character point of view to get a different angle on the events.