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It had been four years.
Zuko hadn’t seen Sokka in four years—not since it had all gone down. “It all” was generous; “it all” implied they talked about it, that something had happened, when the reality was nothing did.
That was the problem.
It had been four years. Zuko thought of him still—of course he did. He saw him everywhere, in every kind deed and every smiling face. He longed to see his smile in person, but he knew that ship had sailed long ago—and he, stupid, foolish he, had been the one to push it off the dock.
It had been four years. Zuko wrote to Sokka.
It was long overdue, really. It didn’t matter now, not really. It wouldn’t matter now. He wrote him anyways.
…….
It had been ten years. Sokka stared up at the moon. It had been ten years since he’d seen Yue in her human form, since he failed to save her and everyone else.
A letter sat in Sokka’s hand, written in Zuko’s very own. Above the seal, a note: I don’t expect you to reply. I have something I need to say.
“Don’t expect you to reply”? Sokka would be the judge of that. He held the letter as if it would shatter at any moment—maybe disappear entirely, a figment of his imagination. Something that could only exist in his dreams, now.
Carefully, he began to break the seal. Some of the paper came up with it, and he cursed himself for not being careful enough. If this letter was real, it needed to be preserved. It needed to be coveted. It needed to be referenced so he wouldn’t think it was all a dream.
Sokka—
I know it’s been too long, but no time like the present, right?
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I hurt you, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me, I’m sorry I didn’t understand and didn’t try to. If I could go do it all again, I’d change everything—but that can’t mean much now.
This might arrive on her anniversary. I’m sorry for that, too.
I know I hurt you. I loved you—I love you—but I couldn’t get out of my head enough to do it properly. I’m sorry. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to you I’m bringing all this back. It needed to be said. It should have been said four years ago.
No time like the present, huh?
I don’t expect a reply. I don’t expect to see you again. I know now what happened. I’m sorry, Sokka.
—Zuko
…… .
“Zuko—“
He froze, as if hearing a ghost. In a way, he was. Sokka tried again.
“Zuko!”
Zuko turned around. His eyes grew wide. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound moved past his lips. He closed his mouth, reopening it to try again.
“Sokka? I— I—“
“I’m here.” Sokka walked towards Zuko, green grass parting beneath him. Zuko stood under a tree, its branches long and full of spring’s leaves.
Sokka took Zuko’s hand, and they stood under the tree together.
“I’m here.”