Photograph (Tahnoxreader) Songfic

The waves were crashing against the shoreline as let your legs dangle into the waters of Yue Bay. You took a deep breath and reveled in the salty air. It had been a few hours since you had walked out on a raging Tahno, and the moon had taken the sun's place in the sky.

Although you were a bender yourself, it had been a challenge to truly sympathize with Tahno. As a talented firebender, you had unfortunately been cursed with the rare ability to produce blue flames (some people actually dared to say it was a blessing).

Even now as you watched carefully watched the beautiful blue flames dance in your palm, you could still hear the disapproving remarks of your parents.

You came from a family that was and still is deeply rooted in nobility so appearances were a huge thing, plus the last firebender who could produce blue flames had been the not so mentally balanced Princess Azula. Years may have passed since the princess' disappearance, but you still remembered countless times of being shut out by the other children, whose parents did not want to associate their children with you. Of course your parents decided to go along with public opinion, and they  forbade you from firebending ever again.

And yet not being allowed to bend was a surprisingly dull emotion compared to the one you felt right now.

Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know

Tahno was someone who took great pride in his waterbending, and you knew he found it unfair that someone like you, who in his opinion never truly appreciated their bending, kept their bending while his had been taken away.

It was also unfair that Tahno had, albeit surprisingly, stuck by your side as you struggled to accept those simple blue flames you had come to despise so much. But now that Tahno needed you, you weren't by his side.

You had walked out yourself, but you could feel your stubborn will melt away just at the thought of Tahno being alone. You had never wished for him to be alone in his pain, but that is exactly what you had done.

When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

Still, the thought of walking back to him was something you hesitated to do. You were saved from your indecision as the sound of footsteps interrupted your thoughts.

"You shouldn't be out here at this time of night. It's dangerous" Tahno stated. The blue flames on your hand instantly winked out of existence.

"You're not my parents." you softly said. You both knew it was a halfhearted reply.

"I'm not, and yet even when you're a million miles away from them, they still somehow controls you."

It was a cheap shot, but it rang true. How many times had your mother lectured you not to bend anymore. There was the family reputation to uphold, and God forbid it went to shambles just because of those cursed blue flames. It doesn't matter whether equating blue flames with becoming a monster was right or wrong. If you're told something enough times, you'll begin to believe it.

You still had that irrational fear, that dark shadow hanging over your head. It hadn't completely faded yet, even if Tahno had pointed out that listening to your parents on such a ludicrous matter would most likely drive you crazy faster than almost anything else in this world.

"I only ever wanted to please them. To make them proud." you explained. You still refused to look at Tahno, and gazed at the moon.

"That makes two of us." Tahno replied and sat down beside you.

The fight had gone out of you both. There was nothing but the sea and the white clouds both your breaths made in the air.

"I forgave you ten minutes ago." you said and leaned your head on his shoulder. His arm automatically came to wrap around you.

Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul
And it's the only thing that I know, know
I swear it will get easier,
Remember that with every piece of you
Hm, and it's the only thing we take with us when we die

"I forgave you an hour ago." he said.

"Never in a million years would I have thought you would have admitted to such a thing." you smiled.

"Me neither...You know, you're the only firebender I know that is obsessed with the sea." he continued.

You playfully smack his arm in denial even though you inwardly agree with him anyway.

"It calms me." you said and turn to face him. He lifts you into his lap. Using your fingers, you brush your fingers across his jawline with a sense of urgency.

He looks at you and you swear your heart skips a beat as his dusty almost silver hues met yours. Undoubtedly the moon was giving Tahno's pale eyes an otherworldly glow.

You breath catches in your throat and Tahno chuckles. He gives you his signature smirk and you thump him on the chest in response.

So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone

"I need you to know that I won't leave you. No matter how many times I walk away. Even though you infuriate me, even though this time you had to be the one to find me. I swear it won't always be like that."

Somewhere in the middle of your impromptu speech, your eyes had suddenly filled with tears.

"I guess I have you wrapped around my finger then?" he joked.

"If it's any consolation, I'm not letting you go any time soon either." he added quickly.

You simply kissed him in response and felt your heart swell as you felt him smile.

And if you hurt me
That's okay baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go
Wait for me to come home