Once Upon A Time

by. Kay Celestine

Go on alone, 'cause I won't follow
This isn't giving up, no this is letting go
I made most of all this sorrow
I tried to brave this discontent, but now I'm through
I'm letting go of you.

He sees the way she looks at him.

That is the first thing he sees when she returns. He does not know where she went, but he knows why she left and what has happened.

Relief. That is the first thing he feels when he sees Naga appear over the snow covered horizon. He runs to the gate, eager and worried. She has returned, but that is not good enough. He wants to know in what state has she returned in.

Hurt. That is what he feels when he sees who she has returned with. He sees the young firebender's arms wrapped around her waist in a loving way that is painful for him to watch — it is loving because it is mutual now.

He moves from behind the gate and further into the obscurity that he will now live in. He is no longer needed. He is no longer her guardian, nor her protector. He is no longer the one who made her blush all those months ago. No longer the one she needs. He has been replaced in the worse way.

He walks back inside, in pain and in love, unable to greet her. She does not notice he is not there to greet her. No she does not notice anyone but the young firebender whose arms she is now in.

Inside he takes out the trinket that she had given to him what seemed like a lifetime ago. He holds in in his hand, the feel of the trinket spurring the memories within him. It speaks to him. It tells of him of better times, of older times. It taunts him.

He walks back outside, but not to her. He walks away from everyone — he needs to disappear for a short time. Short enough to not be noticed, long enough to finish this.

He looks out at the sea of white. The soft feel of it under him, the clarity of it as it spread around him —untainted and untouched. It is pure. It is what he needed. He holds his hand up, taking a final look at the small, fragile trinket. He looks at it, he yearns for it.

He throws it.

He throws it as far as he can. He throws it away, and away with it the memories. It cannot speak to him anymore. He knows this. He wants this. He wants this.

That is what he tells himself. That is what he will tell himself until he is ready to believe it.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own the lyrics mentioned in the beginning of the ficlet. The lyrics belong the awesome, amazing, wonderful, spectacular band Rise Against. (Check them out!)

This has been a brief Howrra ficlet. I don't know if Howrra has any form of following on FFN (though it does have a small fanbase on tumblr). Anyway, they are my favorite crack!ship (heart) I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. This was my frist time trying a type out this particular writing style. I would love to hear your thoughts/criticisms. And of course, reviews are lovely as well :3