#sometimes you gotta go balls off the walls and post a drabble at 4 am

[akadaisical-blog]

This is more effort than it’s worth.

Chasing a body double halfway across the city is not how he’d prefer to be spending his day, but as tiring as it was, he didn’t really want to die, you know? He very much enjoyed living as lazily as possible, not to mention he’d never hear the end of it from the others....

And, well...there’s some people he just can’t leave behind, so slacking is unfortunately not an option.

( it never seems like it’s an option in the first place, must to his chagrin )

Their lives may be different, as well as their histories, their blood, but they are both Akashi Kuniyuki at their core. The dot moves fast as he does, like some sort of sick chase scene from one of those weird ‘cartoons’ that he sees on the TVs in store windows as he goes about his day. The blinking dot is almost seared into his retinas as he darts about the street, avoiding confused bystanders and other scuffles along the way, the unpleasant thought of a slow-acting poison seeping through his veins the longer he waits propelling him forward.

There’s a thin sheen of sweat covering his skin by the time it finally starts to slow down; and he should hope so, considering he’s had a wild goose chase all the way throughout this entire damn place. Around and around they had gone, he’s surprised the other hadn’t darted into one of the newfound areas that he’s only managed to hear about in passing. Through one ward, then two and three, a hand swipes across his forehead and brushes away sweat-soaked strands as he brings up his phone to check to see if his progress has slowed any since the last time he checked.

He’s stopped.

At the edge of Cotes, skirting Golden, the blinking dot sits unmoving, as if taunting him. He doubts someone like himself would think of something truly unpleasant, but despite what he claims, Akashi has seen enough battlefields to know he shouldn’t let his guard down as he pockets the device and breaks into another unrelenting sprint. With luck, knowing himself, that dot won’t be moving for at least a while. And a while is just what he needs.

Man, though...his legs are really gonna hate him for this after this, but what can you do?

The slight burn has reached his lungs by the time he steps foot on the sand. The slight give beneath his feet is a welcome sensation compared to concrete and asphalt, and bright eyes glint in the slight glow on the moon as he slowly makes his way forward. He’s searching, seeking, for the one person he could never mistake for another. The face he sees whenever he passes a storefront, whenever he looks in the mirror in the morning.

Akashi Kuniyuki finds himself sprawled out on the beach, the waves gently lapping at his feet and a tired gaze staring up at the stars. 

From beyond the coast, a slight glow stirs beneath the waves.

“Aaaah...you caught me, huh. Guess that’s that.” 

It’s odd, he’ll admit. Hearing your own voice address you? Yeesh. Still, the other body doesn’t move, closing his eyes as Akashi hones in on the matching sheen of sweat that seems to coat his face ( is it from the running? or is it from the disease that ravages him from the inside out, slowly corroding his brain, robbing him of reasoning? ), and takes a moment to consider his options.

He sits. Right beside the splayed out body double, who’s loose t-shirt seems too cold for the chilly night air that seems to seep through the skin and chill the bones.

There’s silence for a moment, the only sound being the water and the slightest noises of the cityscape. He’s not really a negotiator, to be honest, but at least this guy seems to be agreeable. A hand gently scratches at dark wavy locks, the only action he allows himself before heaving a sigh.

“Man~, when I talked about wanting a vacation, I can’t say this was what I had in mind....”

“...You, too? Hm, seems we both got it hard.”

“You could say that again.” This would almost be relaxing, if one of two Akashi Kuniyukis wasn’t a ticking time bomb that will bring them both down in only a matter of time.

“...Listen, there’s no hard feelings here, yeah? It’s not like I’ve got anything against you, but — “

“ — But you’ve got something you want to protect too, right.”

He wasn’t anticipating being cut off, and it draws his gaze back to the other’s prone form. One hand has pressed against his head, the look in mirrored green eyes...tense. The memories that intermingle with his own tell him what it is, and with an exasperated sigh Akashi returns to staring out over the water.

“You know, they seem like good kids.”

They are good kids. They’re great kids. They’re his kids, and no matter how many times they fling him around and scold him for his laziness, he wouldn’t trade them for anything else in the world. He doesn’t let things get to him usually, but after so long, he’s actually started to miss the childish pouts and complaining that would occur whenever he’d ruffle their hair, or state how he didn’t feel like doing anything.

Hotarumaru, Aizen — they waited so long. Amidst the pushing and shoving and small legs kicking him in the middle of the night, they were content together. And he can see it’s the same with this mirror image. His memories are hazy, blurred at the edges, just like the other’s, but despite the downs there’s the ups as well. No matter how much he’d complain about having to do all the work to support his brother, he still cared about him. Why else would he go through the effort in the first place?

Geez...now he’s getting sentimental. 

His phone feels heavy in his grip, like a weighted stone, or one of the baubles Aizen tends to slip into his pockets before he leaves on a sortie. The night is young, but their time is limited — they both know it. Akashi pretends not to notice as he fiddles with the device for a second, only pausing once a voice pierces the silence.

“I’m not gonna hold a grudge or anything, if that’s what you’re wondering. I’m more than willing to get out of here and relax some more.”

“That so? Glad to hear it. Can’t say I’m really interested in having any bad blood with myself, if that makes sense.”

The brightness of the app splashes across his face and casts shadows, a sight that knits the normal Akashi’s eyes together as he tries to push away the sudden apprehension. It’s fine, he’s not thinking straight. Can’t blame the guy, even if he is him, for being nervous. 

“...Sorry to ask, but....can you do me a favor?”

“Mmm?” The phone halts mid-air, and a thumb hovers over the button as the other sits up straight to stare into his eyes with a sharpness that rivals his own. It doesn’t take long for it to click, for the chipped remnants of a history that isn’t his own to give him a hint. The familiar blond face comes to mind, and slots the answer in place like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. There’s a heave of the chest, and with a shrug of the shoulders, the tachi clicks his tongue.

“Well...can’t be helped, can’t be helped. Guess if it’s a personal request, there’s nothing to do about it. Right, consider it done...then I’ll luckily get to sleep for a week.”

The silence takes over again, but that’s not to say he doesn’t get an answer. In the last moments before a bright flash of light fills his vision, he catches a glimpse of a small smile. 

Wherever he’s going, the sword can only hope it’s a better place than this.

And then he’s alone, a lone soul with only the moon for company.

Akashi releases the breath he didn’t know he was holding, flopping backwards with his phone landing idly in the sand beside his fingers. How funny, he looks exactly like how the other had when he’d first stepped foot onto the shore. Probably feels just as tired, too.

Really, he came such a long way. So, even if it’s in a place like this, it’s fine. He worked hard, and even if the Saniwa weren’t here to tell him so, he knows he deserves a reward for his efforts.

With one last final thought to a life that wasn’t his, he lets his eyes close.

Just for a while.

[airiustide]

Phoenix to the Golden Flames

Summary: Katara sets out on her own after dropping out of college to help support her family when her mother passed four years ago. Seeking independence, she moves to the Fire Nation Capital to get a fresh start into adulthood. While living in the Fire Nation, a stranger steals a kiss from her in public and her life shifts in a completely different direction. Based off my most popular tumblr drabble "The Makeout Thief." Modern AU.

Chapter 1 Posted:  AO3 or Fanfiction.net

"Hey, Toph, I'm just about packed." Katara scoured over her belongings, setting them neatly in a suitcase before looking around her room to ensure she had everything she needed. Her heart drumming at the excitement of moving out on her own. Being twenty-three and still living with her father started to become unbearable. While people her age graduated from college or married or even had children, Katara's life never shifted from her day to day routine. Working part time and handling household chores and errands left her with little of a social life.

"You sure you're ready for such a big move? It's not the same here in the Fire Nation Capital as it is in the rural villages of the South Pole. Caldera is swarmed with people and it's pretty expensive."

"It's fine." Katara laughed lightly. "I need some change. Sokka is married and moved to the Earth Kingdom and I'm just here doing nothing with my life besides working a crummy part time job just to get through the day. If it doesn't work out, I can always come back. Besides, I have you there, Toph, so I have no need to worry."

"Well, personally, I would worry less if you roomed with me, Sugar Queen, not everyone in these parts are friendly unless they want somethin'."

"I'll be fine on my own. I haven't had a place to myself, ever. I just want to live on my own and go at my own pace. It'll be a nice change."

"Just so you're aware, if ya need anything, I got your back."

Katara smiled, she knew Toph was understanding despite her father and brother's protest about her moving. She and Toph had previously been dormmates during Katara's first year of college and they've been friends ever since. The younger girl was extremely smart for her age and had graduated high school with honors at sixteen. Her abrasive and crude behavior left Katara with a bad taste in her mouth for the girl but as time went by, she began to discover that Toph's behavior was quite refreshing. In fact, she found out cute ways Toph would mask her affection when they got closer.

After spending a brief time studying at Ba Sing Sa University, Katara had to drop out to take care of her sick mother. Once the illness took her, any future plans for herself fleeted, continuing the household duties in place of her mother. That was four years ago. It was definitely time to move on.

"I appreciate it, Toph."

"Yeah, yeah, don't get sappy on me, Sugar Queen. When's your flight?"

"4:15. I got what I could pack so far, the rest Dad's just going to have to send to me. Not that that's much. What money I had, I could only afford two months of rent, so I have no furniture. Luckily utilities are included."

"Are you serious? What about wifi?"

"Well, I was thinking buying a bed first would be more suffice at the moment."

"If you need one that bad, my ex roommate left hers when she got married. It's yours if you want it."

"Yes! I'll take it! I'm not going to be picky."

"Katara, you ready!"

Katara jumped, slamming the suitcase shut on her fingers and dropped the cell startled. "Damn…yeah, Dad, give me a minute!" she called back. Retrieving the phone, she flicked her wrist to relieve the nerve wrecking ache. "Hey, I gotta go. I'll see you at the airport, then?"

"Sure thing, Sugar Queen."

She swung her purse and carryon bag over her shoulder before hauling the stuffed suitcase out of the room and down the stairs where her father was waiting on her.

"Ready, baby girl?"

"Yeah, Dad."

"I can't believe you're leaving me so soon. You sure you wanna move to such a far away place? It was hard enough with you leaving for Ba Sing Sa when you graduated high school."

"Dad…." Katara placed a kiss on his cheek. "I'll be fine. And it's not too soon, everyone my age is living their lives and I feel like I'm going nowhere. I need this, even if it's a mistake." She rubbed a gentle hand on her father's arm before giving him reassuring smile.

Hakoda sighed in defeat, picking up his daughter's suitcase with little effort. "I should've know this day would come since your brother left. You kids sure have grown. Sometimes I wish time slowed down."

Katara bit the corner of her lip, a pang coursed through her heart. It wasn't easy leaving home, especially when all that would be left occupying it was her father and Gran Gran after having his family close to him at all times.

"Don't tell me you're planning on leaving without a hug, now are you." Gran Gran's graced her granddaughter with a gentle smile, lifting her arms to gesture Katara in for a hug.

"Of course not, Gran Gran." Katara hugged her grandmother tightly, taking in her scent one more time so she wouldn't forget the smell of home. "I'm really going to miss you." She choked.

"And I you, my precious granddaughter. Just know that I am only a phone call away. Whatever you need."

Katara nodded in response, clinging to Gran Gran's biceps when they parted. It was just too overwhelming. She knew she'd have to make haste before she really broke down. "I love you, Gran Gran."

"I love you too, Katara."

"Come, love. We have to get there before the snow gets bad." Hakoda held out her parka for her, waiting patiently while she buttoned the heavy furred coat and followed her father out of the front door.

Katara boarded off the plane, quickly shrugging the heavy parka off her person. It was more hot in the Fire Nation than she was led to believe. Or maybe she wasn't used to the weather since she hadn't been surrounded by such temperatures since her first year of college in Ba Sing Sa. Even then, she couldn't say she was used to it for a while. She adapted over time, only to rush back home when she found comfort in the foreign temperatures.

Her cell went off, the unmissable ringtone being that of her college friend. "I'm here. I'm near baggage claims, where are you?" Katara answered, looking around the large area for friend.

"You'd think being taller than me would give you more leverage, Sugar Queen. Right behind ya."

Katara's eyes widened turning around in time to see Toph with her hands on her hips and a mischievous smirk on her lips. "Toph!" Katara grabbed her friend in a tight hug much to Toph's dismay.

"Hey! I could do without the physical greeting."

"Sorry." Katara chuckled, straightening Toph so she wouldn't lose her balance considering how short the younger girl was. "How's it going?"

"Pretty sweet, Sugar Queen. Come, we'll head off to your place once you've got your luggage."

Katara stared out the window of Toph's luxury SUV. She almost forgot the younger girl came from a noble background. She could only imagine what her apartment looked like. What fascinated her more was the city. Caldera was much bigger than she imagined. The buildings reached higher than the one's in Ba Sing Sa. The city was lively. A world filled with many people of different backgrounds, culture, and styles. She couldn't wait to take part. Katara wanted to meet new people, make friends. Maybe find a decent paying job so she could afford a car of her own. But first things first, she needed to settle.

"Say, Toph, where do you live."

Toph tapped the touchscreen on her dashboard, turning down the music. "I actually live in the opposite direction. Around the upper west side of the city."

"Wow, I bet it's really nice."

Toph only shrugged in response, narrowing her eyes and leaning over the steering wheel. "You sure this is the right way?"

Katara looked at the piece of paper with her address and then Toph's GPS attached to her windshield. "Yeah, you seem to be going in the right direction."

Toph's face contorted into a face of concern when the reached the graveled parking lot behind a family dentistry. They both got out of the car carrying Katara's things towards a brick building. Katara pulled out a dingy key to open the building's entry door, gesturing for Toph to follow her until they walked through the hall, up a set of stairs that reached the second level.

"Um…this is it!" Katara exclaimed, giddily turning the key in the knob of an off-white door leading into the apartment titled 216. She set her things in a pile by the hallway leading to the front door and entered the room of her studio apartment. The small kitchen was to the left, dusty wooden shelves built into the wall on either side of the archway leading into it.

"It's nice? Although, maybe you should reconsider staying with me." Toph blinked.

"Why? I think it's perfect." Katara sat on the floor, taking her sneakers off and placing them next to her. "I know it's not the best-looking place…"

"No kidding." Toph mumbled, accidently pulling the rusty knob to the coat closet she observed and hiding it behind her back.

"It's just, it's nice to have something that's mine. For someone starting out on their own, I think it's a good boost to entering adulthood."

"Always the optimist…Well, if you like it, guess I can't complain. If worse comes to worse, you can always stay with me."

"Of course, Toph."

Toph made her leave after talking for a couple hours with her friend, stating she'd be back after work the next day with the bed. Katara told her she didn't mind sleeping on the floor for the night.

Pulling out a fleece blanket and her alarm clock from her suitcase, Katara settled on the brown carpeted floor and balled her parka out to lie her head on. It was still early in the evening, but jet lag had her lids drifting. She set her alarm for 7:00 am, making sure she was up early enough to search for a job in the morning.

Lying in the darkness of her apartment, the street light streaming in from the parking lot, Katara lazily reviewed the text her father sent her after she let him know she arrived from the airport. A tear surfaced at the pit of her eye.

She was scared, no doubt. Katara had never moved so far away from the comfort of friends and family. Hell, even Sokka attended the same college as her, so she never felt alone in that aspect. But she was willing to do something different. It was painstakingly depressing after her mother left. She secluded her time and effort doing the things her mother did on a daily basis, thinking it was her job to take over tending to the family.

What struck her out of her funk was seeing Sokka happily marry his longtime girlfriend, Suki. That's when Katara knew she wanted that. Not so much the marriage part but having something she truly cherished with all her life. Her brother looked content and at peace when he stared into the beautiful dark blue eyes of his lovely bride. A sense of hope settled within Katara, she knew that she had to take action, even if it was small.

Setting down her cell, Katara blankly stared at the red numbers of her alarm clock until the digits faded and sleep took her.

(two weeks later)

Katara watered the flowers displayed inside of the shop she had been working at for the last week. It was convenient that the shop hiring was only two blocks from home. It meant more money she could save without paying for commute. It was a suitable job, simple, and the shop owner was genuinely nice.

The bell to the front door rung, alerting the staff that a customer had arrived. Nima, her coworker, brushed her hands on her apron, ready to assist the customer when Katara stopped her with a gentle touch on her shoulder. "I got it."

"Thanks, Kat." Nima walked to the back while Katara made her way to the front of the shop.

Reaching the register counter, she set the watering can she held on top of it to properly greet the customers. "He-Toph!"

"Hey, Sugar Queen, never imagined you in an apron, looks good."

"Well, I wasn't aiming to please, so…" She stopped, finally noticing the man standing behind Toph. He was tall and lean, wearing a casual orange button up shirt with light blue jeans. The smile on his face made him look childish and his eyes sparkled as though he carried a taunting secret. "Uh, I don't think we've met."

"No we haven't." The gray eyed young man took hold of Katara's hand and shook it. His touch was as light as a feather, causing a wave of cool air to run through her back. A noticeable blush heated her cheeks. "My name is Aang."

"Nice to meet you Aang, I'm Katara."

"Wow, Toph never told me how pretty you were." He laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head, brushing his fingers through his short black hair to try and fix it discreetly.

Katara was unsure how to respond. Compliments were rare for her since she barely interacted with people outside her own circle. "Oh, thank you, Aang…"

"You having lunch anytime soon? I came to take you out, so if you plan on continuing to flirt with Twinkletoes here, then we can do it over food."

"What?! I wasn't-" Aang started.

"Calm down, Twinkletoes, no need to get flustered, we get it, you like her. So, food?"

"Yeah, give me a bit, I just have to let my coworker know I'm heading to lunch." Katara picked up the watering can from the register counter and headed towards the back of the shop.

"Cool. Don't keep us waiting, Sugar Queen."

Katara went to inform Nima that she was going to lunch and would be back in an hour. She hung her apron on the door rack of the shop's back patio where they had their breaks and stepped outside the front of the building to meet with her friend and Aang. "You guys ready?"

"Yup. There's a place not far from here that seems decent. My treat."

Katara was grateful for the offer. She had been preserving what she could of her savings until her next check. They walked half a block before stopping at a quant café with an animated decal of steaming coffee on the window.

They ordered their lunch before picking out a booth to sit. Toph ordered a roast beef on rye, Katara a ham and swiss and Aang a small salad.

"Geez, Twinkletoes, never took you for being a lady." Toph teased, taking a bite out of her sandwich aggressively, 1000 island dressing dripping onto her plate. Aang cringed, slightly playing with the cherry tomato in his bowl.

"You know I'm a vegetarian."

"Pfft, that nonsense again. I'm sure Sugar Queen doesn't find that the least bit impressive. Do ya, Kat?"

Katara looked between the two while her mouth froze open to take a bite out of her own sandwich. Setting it back down on her plate, she cleared her throat before giving Aang a smile. "I think it's wonderful, Aang. I don't have that kind of willpower." She chuckled nervously.

Seeing his expression perk up, Aang waved his hand. "A-Actually it's not all that hard. If that's something you're interested in, I would happily give you some tips. I even have some pretty empowering books you could read."

"Um, thanks, Aang but I-"

"She's not interested, Twinkletoes, she was just being nice."

Katara narrowed her eyes at her friend. Why must she be so blunt?

Aang blushed furiously out of discomfiture. "I'm sorry, Katara, I got ahead of myself."

"It's okay, Aang." She placed a gentle hand on his arm, reassuring him that he didn't offend her in the least and his facial expression gave Katara the impression that she shouldn't have done that. During her brief time with Aang, she had come to notice he wore his heart on his sleeve. She could read him like a book at this point and jerked her hand back, hoping he didn't take that as a sign of flirting. The last thing she needed was to lead him on.

"Well, I for one am looking forward to hearing how things are going for ya, Sugar Queen. How have things been the first couple weeks here in city?"

"Oh, Toph, it's going great." The goofy smile she had plastered on her face was hard to dismiss. "It was wonderful to find a job so fast and so close to home at that. It doesn't pay much but it's enough to get me by until I buy a car in order to find a better paying job."

"How about you quit that crummy job, move in with me and we can carpool to one of my parents many cooperate offices in which I would force them to hire you in?"

Katara frowned. Toph had not given up on her taking her offer. It wasn't that it wasn't nice. In fact, it was beyond amazing but Katara didn't want everything to be handed to her. She wanted to grow in her own way and she couldn't do that if everyone was doing it all for her. This was a journey she sought to overcome on her own terms. "As much as I appreciate it, Toph, this is my choice. I only ask that you respect it. If worse comes to worse, I know I can turn to you. I know you mean well, just let me do this, okay?"

"Ugh, fine. But don't think the first thing that goes wrong, I won't be there pressing you about the offer."

"Haha, Toph, then how do you expect me to grow? There are no exceptions in life, I can't help if I run into bumps along the road."

"I think it's amazing that you're choosing to be independent. The monks back home believed only the person themselves can find true value within themselves. You're certainly going on the right path." Aang chimed.

"Yeah, yeah and all that mumbo jumbo. I get it, Kat, I'll back off."

"Thanks, Toph."

"Alright, enough girlie talk, let's eat before your lunch is over."

.