Graveyard: Early Monday Evening

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

It was her last patrol in Fandom. After that it was over the causeway and then... whatever came next. She'd sent out a *handwavey* e-mail and left notes for various people to let them know if they wanted to see her off, that this would be the place for it.

Sitting on a gravestone, Mel took one last look around. Could someone really feel sentimental about a graveyard?

[Goodbye post for Mel. If you think you got notification then you did. Will be subject to bouts of AFK-ness throughout the day.]

Comments

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure Katara would like to do a lot of things," Mel smirked. "I just wouldn't be doing that in the graveyard. Too many squirrels."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

It took a second for Zuko's brain to catch up. "Don't do that!"

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"C'mon Zuko," Mel teased. "It's my last day here. You gotta let me break your brain just a little."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Why? Do you think I won't need it anymore when you're gone?" he asked.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Nah," Mel said with a grin. "Katara's going to be making all your decisions for you."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

He flustered a little, remembering that he'd asked Katara already on her opinion for when he should be leaving. "I never needed anyone to make my decisions for me."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

Mel smirked. "Oh Zuko. You still need to work on that sense of humor of yours."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko pulled a face and decided to change the topic. "So you're really off?"

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"That's the plan," Mel said with a little sigh. "Gotta go out there and do my thing. That's what graduation is all about right?"

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," he agreed, having his own things to do. "You look..." he paused and studied her. "Well armed."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Taking only the essentials," Mel said with a forced grin. "I figure I can scrounge up everything else I need when I get back."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Apparently," he glanced up at her. "I..." He wasn't sure what he was going to say. "Good luck."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Same to you, Zuko," Mel said with a sad smile. "Kick those firelord asses."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

Zuko nodded and shifted his weight to his other foot. "You'll be alright," he decided.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Aren't I always?" she smirked.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Just making sure you know it!" Zuko hesitated and then, not giving her much warning, he quickly moved to hug her goodbye.

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

Mel was... well a little shocked at first but tentatively returned the hug.

"I'm going to miss you Zuko," she said quietly. "But if you bring this moment up to anyone else there's going to be massive denial about it."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry about it," he said and then he was stepping back again, acting like it hadn't happened either. "I'll um... Until next time?"

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

The words got a little choked from Mel but she nodded. "Yes. Next time."

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

He would have repeated the part where she'd be alright, but he doubted she'd appreciate him saying it twice. Besides, he'd gave her that knife for a reason. But that all meant that he was out of words to say. Except one.

"Bye, Mel."

[cantjossme.livejournal.com]

"Take care yourself, Prince Zuko," Mel said sincerely.

[thebluespirit.livejournal.com]

She got an actual smile in response and maybe she had forgiven him just a little. "You too, Mel," he said quietly, moving back before he'd stupidly linger just because he could.