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agent-tempest · 2 days ago

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cold comfort - mattheo riddle

summary: mattheo has one rule: any girl can share his bed (and there's been plenty) but none can stay the night. when the unexpected happens, and you're begging to be the first, you find out why he had the rule in the first place.

word count: 4k

soundtrack: between the sheets - imogen heap

a/n: wait this is kind of a saga! it just kept flowing and flowing, but i'm obsessed with it! hope you enjoy!! ♡♡

When Mattheo heard that a first year in Charms cast a spell that backfired so badly it rendered Hogwarts unable to regulate the temperature in the castle, he'd nearly spit out his firewhiskey. The mental image of Flitwick, McGonagall and all of his other professors frantically trying to fix it to no avail gave him sick pleasure as he thought about all the times they'd looked down on him because of his last name. Fuck 'em he thought. Serves them right.

He'd enjoyed his twisted happiness for several days until an unexpected early spring snowstorm rolled off the mountains, leaving the castle a veritable chamber of cold. For two days now it had nearly been cold enough for him to see the white puff of his breath inside. As others scrambled for a place in front of the fireplaces, his mood darkened, making him even more sullen than usual as talk of canceling classes and sending everyone home began to circulate; home wasn't really a place he was looking to go back to.

So now he was sat in the Great Hall in a large sweatshirt with his hood drawn up around his face, the standard dress code long since forgotten, one hand wound tightly around his second cup of black tea in an effort to warm himself while the other rubbed his tired face as he listened to the incessant chatter of his friends.

He was quietly zoned out until he caught a glimpse of you walking through the large entryway. Everyone in the castle looked in disarray: mismatched sweaters, hats and gloves in haphazard layers to stay warm, but not you, you looked like a perfect snowbunny. You were wearing tight black leggings, fur-lined boots, a thick sweater and a headband to keep your ears warm that complimented your hair. Anyone looking closely enough would see the imperceptible tug of his lips into what could almost be called a smile as you made your way to the Slytherin table and slid onto the bench next to him.

It wasn't lost on him that his best friend was beautiful. He was well and painfully aware of the fact and had been for as long as he'd known you. But, despite the thoughts that ran rampant through his mind at the sight of you, he was determined to keep you at an arm's length. Simply put, you were too good for him, too pure. You had a smile that radiated a warmth that he could feel even now, you were caring and compassionate, smart and sweet, quick with a hug and a kind word. You were everything that he wasn't. He told himself, constantly, on repeat, that it was better to have you in his life at all than to fuck it up trying for anything more.

He subtly traced your face through the corner of his eye: your long lashes, the curve of your smile, and your warm, rosy cheeks, and just like no one but you could see his smile, no one but him noticed the tiredness in your eyes. He nudged his shoulder into yours.

"Alright?" he mumbled.

You glanced up at him, his groggy morning voice and the way his curls stuck out from his hood making you feel like you'd swallowed a pixie. You felt yourself flush, your exhaustion wearing down the mask you normally kept up around him, determined to never let him know how you really felt.

"Just tired s'all" you smiled kindly, nudging him back, coaxing what could almost be another smile out of him as you met each other's eyes. "I can't sleep for shit. No matter what I do, I can't get warm, even under a pile of blankets, in my fuzziest pajamas and a jumper" you shivered.

"Skin to skin is really the only solution" Pansy chimed in with a smirk as she sank further into Draco's arms and you rolled your eyes at the two of them. She had snuck out of your room the last few nights, leaving you not only cold, but alone too.

"Couldn't agree more" Theo said, smirking, before lifting an eyebrow at you "ready, able and at your service, babe" he said, opening his arms to you as you swatted him away, laughing at his attempt to flirt with you. He smiled widely and laughed back before glancing over your shoulder at Mattheo whose eyes were narrowed in his direction.

"What, mate, it's not like you're any help, what with your strict 'no sleepover policy'" Theo chirped at him, referring to the fact that regardless of how many girls came in and out of Mattheo's bed, (which was a sizable number) not one had ever stayed the night, always kicked out in the end, despite the fact that they hoped to be the one to break his streak.

You turned to see Mattheo shooting daggers at Theo.

"S'my bed" he muttered, "more than happy to have someone in it for awhile, but a lad's got to get his rest, yeah?" he laughed and the guys laughed back.

You faked a bitter smile, returning your attention to your breakfast in front of you. You weren't naive but that didn't mean you had to sit here and listen to this, you nibbled a piece of dry toast, the mental image of Mattheo with other girls making you nauseous.

Mattheo's smile fell from his face as he watched your reaction, and wished for the thousandth time that he could tell you that he made that rule because of you. Because if he couldn't have you, then he wasn't going to waste time getting closer than necessary with anyone else; the nights he spent alone his bed his punishment for who he was, the fact that he'd never be good enough for you.

You stood abruptly and shot him a small smile as you moved to leave. He said your name quietly and reached for your hand, but you were gone before you realized it.

That night you crawled into cold sheets that felt almost damp with a chill. Despite the pile of blankets and your thick pajamas, you couldn't get warm or comfortable, tossing and turning as small shivers ran through your body and Pansy's words echoed in your head. You were desperate for warmth at this point, desperate for a good night's sleep, but there was only one bed you wanted to crawl into, and it was with the only person who refused to share it.

Surely he would break his rule for you, for his best friend? you thought; things were different between you two. But were you willing to try, to embarrass yourself if he said no? You rolled around for another hour before climbing out of bed.

Mattheo was in a fitful sleep, which was not unusual for him; his nights were frequented by nightmares, leaving him constantly groggy and grumpy, but when he heard your voice, he was sure he was dreaming, a good dream, a great dream at that.

"Mattheo" you were whispering.

He turned to see you standing at the other side of his bed and was incredibly confused, until you moved to get in... and then he panicked. He panicked because he had thoughtfully planned every way to avoid this exact situation from the moment he met you, knowing that at this proximity he wouldn't be able to control himself. And he was right. You were close, too close. He could smell your shampoo, like warm vanilla, and his hands moved on autopilot towards you, his fingers twitching to bring you closer to him before he stopped himself, inches short.

"Whatareyoudoing?!" he whisper-mumbled in frustration, the words coming out angrier than he'd intended at the range of emotions he was feeling.

You froze, your heart shattering. He was angry. He didn't want you here, he didn't want anyone here. He was going to kick you out and you'd be mortified, your friendship would never be the same, you'd taken things too far. You felt a scratch in your throat as tears threatened to spring forward.

Even in the thick darkness, Mattheo could see that he'd upset you, able to read your expressions better than his own. He could see the wobble of your bottom lip as your wide eyes looked at him and he hated himself and the situation all the more for it.

"Please Matty, m'just so cold, I can't sleep" you whispered, using the nickname that was strictly forbidden for anyone but you that made him melt.

He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed deeply, trying in his sleepy state to figure out a solution as he felt his strength waning; the figment of his every daydream was literally begging to be in his bed and he was certain he couldn't trust himself, certain that this only ended one way.

You took in his rigid form and his frustration and began to backpedal, moving to leave.

"M'sorry, it's okay, I'll go, maybe Theo—"

And you didn't even get a chance to finish your thought before you felt his large, warm hands wrap around your middle and tug you across the bed and into his chest, quickly but gently.

"C'mere" he mumbled as he settled you against him, chest to chest, your head tucked under his.

Your arms wound around him naturally, your legs intertwining, the two of you fitting together effortlessly, perfectly, like puzzle pieces. You let out a small giggle as you nuzzled into him, making yourself comfortable.

He could feel your warm breath as you let out a contented sigh, the innocent sound somehow sinful to his ears as he willed his mind to stop wandering in every direction it wanted to as he felt every dip and curve of your body against his own despite the layers of clothing between you. He kept his hands at your back, unmoving, for a moment unsure if he was even doing this right, unable to remember the last time he'd cuddled with anyone.

"Thank you" you whispered, your voice already sounding relaxed and sleepy to him as your fingers traced patterns on his back, a lavish feeling that released every ounce of tension he had been holding.

You could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest as his arms hugged you to him firmly and you felt a sensation like melted honey spreading through every inch of you, as he rubbed your back, warming you from your heart to the tips of your toes for the first time in days as you fell into a hazy sleep.

The first thought Mattheo had was that he felt heavy, his limbs felt weighted and his mind felt calm. Rested he realized after a moment. His brain was slowly turning back on, piecing together the dream he'd had, it was a dream, right? You, in his bed, in his arms, pressed against him, nuzzling into him, contented and happy. It felt so real, real enough that he could still smell you, the intoxicating scent of your shampoo, could still feel you in his arms, could still ghost his fingers down your back. You hummed in response and his eyes fluttered open only to realize it was definitely not a dream.

You were here, with him, in his bed, had been all night, your body still wound perfectly in his, neither of you having let go of one another or moved an inch; if anything, it was like you melded together even further. Fuck this is nice he thought as he looked down at you curled into his chest. This was everything, everything he'd hoped it would be. He wanted to stay like this for as long as physically possible, the looming fear of it having to come to an end already upon him.

Suddenly, a pillow came flying onto the bed, askewing the thick curtains that draped around his four-poster.

"Oi wake up, will you, Riddle? Shit, it's almost noon and we've got practice in an hour" came a shout as a cacophony of voices followed behind it into the room.

You stirred in Mattheo's arms just as a hand reached through his curtains to pull them aside.

"Oh. My. Fucking. Days" Blaise drawled, annunciating every word as the others gathered around him.

"I knew it, I fucking knew it"

"Let's gooooooo!!"

"Mattttyyyy!!!" each of them shouted as the jumped up and down in excitement at the sight of you in his bed.

"Fuck off" he said, grasping the pillow they'd thrown at him and hucking it back at them, causing them to disperse as they fell apart with laughter and more cheers.

He felt you shift next to him and looked back to see that you had pulled the covers over your head, just the tips of your fingers and the top of your head visible. He yanked his curtain closed before leaning back towards you and gently grasping the blanket near your hands to pull it back.

While not the wakeup you had hoped for nor expected, Mattheo pulling back the blankets with a soft sleep-ridden smile on his face and his rumpled curls to see you was a mental image that you were sure you would think about every day for the rest of your life. You were swimming in a sea of him, engulfed in his smell, like pine and amber, and you were delightfully warm; he was going to have to pry you out of here.

"Hi" he said quietly in his morning voice.

"Hi" you whispered back.

You looked perfect. He may have thought about waking up to you, with significantly less clothing on and significantly fewer onlookers, but he'd never considered how beautiful you would look, your eyes not all the way open yet, your hair spread like a blanket of its own and fuck if he didn't want to kiss you. His eyes drifted lazily to your lips and back again and he swore he saw a flash of something in your expression in response, curiosity, or perhaps confusion.

"I should—" he started, shaking his head clear.

"—Yeah, of course! Sorry, I didn't realize the time—"

"No problem, take your time—" he said as he rolled out of bed to more cheers and shouts as he shepherded his friends out the door to give you some privacy.

You pulled the sheets back over your heard, burying yourself further into his blankets, reveling in the warmth his body had left before squealing with excitement at the way your day had started.

You were afraid that things would be awkward, but surprisingly they weren't, you were in your easy, unbothered rhythm together. Besides the giggles and teasing from your friends, nothing had changed... including the temperature. As the day went on the warmth you had woken up in faded and you felt progressively more cold settling into your bones, already dreading the cold night ahead of you.

Spending the night with Mattheo was a nice reprieve, but not something you intended to make a habit of, certain you didn't want to live through more teasing nor get your hopes up trying to read into how intimate it had felt.

You were leaving dinner, arms wound around yourself at the chill in the air when you heard a voice calling for you. You turned to see Mattheo jogging after you.

"Hey!" he called.

"Hey" you smiled back, glancing up at him as he fell into step with you.

He smiled readily back at you; he'd seemed peppier today, letting the ceaseless taunting roll of his back with a shrug of his shoulders, the unwillingness to turn everything into an argument or fistfight very uncharacteristic of him.

"Yeah, so—" he started to say, as he looked around for a moment and carded his hand through his hair. He took in how cold you looked and all he could think was how badly he wanted to fix it. "—About last night or whatever...I know it's still fucking frigid, if you wanted to come by or sleep with, er, stay with — in my — yeah, you could do it again if you wanted?"

You couldn't hide the smile the spread widely across your face, nor the way your eyes sparkled mischievously as you stopped walking to face him.

"Mattheo Riddle, are you asking me to sleep with you?" you said flirtatiously, leaning towards him.

He stopped breathing. Your proximity and the words coming out of your mouth snatched every last breath and every last thought he'd had.

"Don't fuck around with me" he said through smirked lips, his voice low and measured, holding a hint of playfulness, but also a warning.

You laughed softly back but didn't back down.

"I'll see you tonight" you said as you continued your path back to the common room, leaving him gazing after you.

Your new outfit that night wasn't lost on him. You were wearing a form-fitting pair of soft pants and a matching top that hung slightly off your shoulder, revealing the lace of a bralette. You crawled into bed beside him, smiling contentedly and curling into his arms like you were married, like this was the most normal, easy, simple thing in the world, and yet it still took him a minute to really comprehend the situation, to relax.

He barely had a minute to catch his breath before Blaise shouted across the room, "Goodnight Theo!"

"Night, Blaise!" Theo shouted back.

"Night, Enz!" Blaise said again.

"G'night!" Enzo replied.

Mattheo rubbed a hand over his face at the antic.

"I swear they don't do this every—" he started.

"—Night, Draco!" Blaise shouted.

"And Pans!" Theo chimed in.

"Full fuckin' house in here" Enzo said.

"Goodnight!" she giggled back.

"Goodnight Mattheo..." Blaise said slowly, drawling out his name.

Mattheo didn't reply.

"GOODNIGHT YN" they each shouted.

You laughed, "Goodnight!" you said back and they cheered as Mattheo turned and buried his head into your shoulder in embarrassment, letting his body weight fall on you in exasperation.

You laughed at his reaction, instinctively bringing a hand to tangle in his curls and hold him to you before you could stop yourself. It was decidedly more intimate than anything that had happened between you before, but it had just felt right, something about pulling him into you, comforting him. You paused after a moment, catching yourself... running your hands through his hair should not make you feel this way; suddenly, you were very very warm.

As if he could sense your reaction, he lifted his head just slightly to meet your eyes, his face inches from yours.

He had to feel your heart hammering in your chest at this proximity, right? As he searched your face, it felt like a veil had come down between the two of you after a night spent together on top of years spent dancing around one another like you didn't know exactly what this could be. On cue, the room around you fell deeply silent as the others settled into sleep.

Your hand slowly dropped to trace his cheek.

"YN" he said in a low voice, cautious, guarded, his tone roughly translating to "Don't".

"What?" you whispered.

"I can't" he said.

"Can't what, Matty?"

The nickname made his heart beat double-time, an impossible feat based on the way it was already drumming loudly in his ears.

"You know what" he said sternly.

"Why?" you asked, innocently, the tips of your fingers moving to trace his jaw, nearing his lips before his hand grasped yours firmly, stopping you, making you jump slightly.

His body was rigid and taught, his expression was serious, maybe even threatening to anyone but you, but all you could see was the look in his eyes that were burning with something else, something much more passionate than anger.

His words were strained, like it was a physical effort to form them.

"I. Can't. Alright? Just let it go" he said as his eyes continued to beg otherwise.

Your next words were so soft, he almost didn't hear them, might have missed them if his entire being wasn't fine tuned to hear the exact phrase.

"Kiss me" you said, somewhere between a plea and a demand.

He caught your eye and his breath caught in his throat at the way you were looking at him: your eyes wide, soft and focused on him, your chest visibly rising and falling underneath him, your body pressing against him as you wiggled your hand out of his grasp to trace his cheek. Surely he couldn't have heard you right?

"I'm not—I can't— that's not a good idea. I can't just kiss you" he said, stumbling over his words uncharacteristically.

"Why?" you asked quietly, sadly.

"No—not—fuck—" he started and stopped, trying not to upset you again.

He paused, trying to collect himself.

"Why do you think no other girl has slept in this bed?" he said seriously.

You pulled your hand back at the mention of other girls at a moment like this, but he responded by reaching to cup your cheek, to force you to look at him.

You were shaking your head.

"Because if I couldn't have you, then I didn't want anyone else. You're fucking it for me, always have been, but girls like you don't end up with guys like me and it's best I don't waste your fucking time and ruin our friendship in the process, alright?" he said resolutely, with finality.

"Matty—" you started

"—Please stop calling me that, please" he said, slamming his eyes closed, "I'm trying to maintain a semblance of self control here."

"Stop holding back!" you whisper-yelled, which caught his attention, causing his eyes to flutter open. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. I want you. I've always wanted you, ask any of our thickheaded friends, they've all known for a long time."

He blinked slowly like each individual word had to register in his head. You could see him swallow, could see the sentence process in his brain as the pad of his thumb traced your cheek and you leaned into him, pressing further against him.

"Kiss me, Matty" you said.

And the last thread of his self control snapped. He leaned in, hovering close enough that you could feel the faintest touch of his lips as they ghosted against yours, teasing you.

"If I kiss you, that's it then, you're mine" he said, like it was a threat, an ultimatum, and not the best thing that's ever happened to you.

A smile spread across your lips and you nodded against his.

"All yours" you whispered back and he caught the last of your words with his mouth, his lips taking yours as both of his hands came to grasp your face firmly but gently, pulling you into him.

You could barely suppress the hum of pleasure that left you at the sensation, the relief of the feeling of his lips pillowed against yours, the tenderness and softness so opposite of everything that he was, the duality of it all had your body tingling. One of your hands grasped at his sweatshirt while the other wound around his neck, attempting to pull him impossibly closer to you as he moaned into your mouth. His tongue tangled with yours and you swore there wasn't anything in the world but this moment, this feeling with him as you tasted the lingering flavor of cigarettes and peppermint that you would come to associate with him.

It was all grabbing, desperate hands and crashed lips at first, trying in moments to catch up on years of wanting, until it was tantalizingly slow, languid, purely achingly perfect and intimate. You were certain you would kiss him like this every single day, given the chance.

It could have been minutes or hours that you were lost in each other before he pulled back, and the whine that left your lips at the loss of contact nearly had him throwing you over his shoulder and marching you to the first broom closet he could find.

"I've spent just about every day for the last 5 years thinking about this, and I cannot believe I'm about to fuckin' say this, but I'm not gonna rush it. At the very least, I'm not gonna hook up with you in a room full of people" he said, before tilting his head, "Well, at least not the first time... after that, no promises."

You laughed quietly and swatted at his shoulder.

"C'mere" he said, pulling you into him.

You curled into his arms, head nuzzling into his neck, your head resting on his chest as he held you tightly, brushing soft kisses to your temple as you fell asleep.

E P I L O G U E

You had been so caught up in the events of the evening, you hadn't really stopped to consider what happens next, namely, how would you tell your friends? Just make an announcement at breakfast? Put on enough PDA that they drew their own conclusion? Take off the scarf you were wearing that was covering the innumerable hickies on your neck? Your mind was in a heady fog about it all as the group of you wandered towards the Great Hall.

You were glued to Mattheo's side, but that wasn't really unusual; his fingers brushed against your own as he shot you a look out of the corner of his eye, a mischievous smile on his face.

"YN!" a voice shouted behind you.

You turned to see Cedric Diggory jogging towards you and you slowed your pace, as did everyone around you. Boys had to be either brave, stupid or naive to approach you when you were with your guy friends, and you weren't sure which category to put Cedric in as his eyes met their unwelcome stares but addressed you anyway.

"Sorry— yeah, I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to—" he started.

Oh no you thought.

"—Cedric, really, that's so kind—" you interrupted, trying to prevent a scene from breaking out as you felt Mattheo tense beside you.

"—You didn't even hear what I was going to say?" he said with a laugh, somewhere between offended, annoyed and amused.

"Well, think that makes the message pretty clear then, mate" Mattheo said, the anger palpable in his tone.

"Excuse me?" Cedric replied. "I was talking to—"

Oh no you thought again.

And you weren't quick enough to intervene before Mattheo had Cedric pinned against the stone wall of the hallway, his forearm at Cedric's chest, nearly lifting him off the ground as his feet dangled for purchase.

"I don't fucking care who you were talking to. From now on, you don't talk to her at all, alright?"

"What are you, her bodyguard?" Cedric sputtered as he gasped for breath.

"No" ... a pause... "I'm her boyfriend" Mattheo growled.

You tried and failed to hide the huge smile on your face behind your manicured fingers as your friends shouted behind you.

Well, that's one way to do it you thought. ♡

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agent-tempest · 2 days ago

Note

Zuko x reader

"That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Betrayal

Hurt prompt #11: "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

Pairing: Zuko x F/Gn!reader

Warnings: Angst, No comfort, Established relationship, !!SPOILERS¡¡, Takes place in Book 2. Ep. 18

Notes: Oh boy, I have so many avatar requests, it's amazing. Thank you guys for participating in my event it makes me so happy! Tell me if y'all want a part 2.

Prompt Event Part 1 Part 2

All you felt was pain, deep inside your chest. Watching your boyfriend take sides against the avatar once again was brutal. What made it even worse was Iroh was to be imprisoned, you would hold the same fate if you were captured.

You stood next to Katara and Aang, Azula and Zuko on the opposite side of the cave. Azula held the same malicious grin on her face, watching the three of you with smugness.

"My, my Y/n. You seem so down, how sad." She mocks you with a slight chuckle. Zuko gives her a glare, his eyes wandering back to you. They are full of guilt, pleading for forgiveness from you. Practically begging you to understand why he did it, to come with him.

"Leave Y/n alone, Azula." Zuko grunts, getting in a fighting stance with his sister. Azula clicks her tongue and rolls her eyes at her brother.

"They're the enemy now, Zuzu. Can't protect them forever." Azula laughs, blue fire erupting from her fists.

The blue flurries of fire woosh past you fastly. Katara quickly blocks the fire with her water. Using her octopus arms she slashes and whips at Azula, both going back and forth. The ground beneath the five of you shakes and cracks.

Aang and Zuko are going at it hand to hand. You watch out of the corner of your eye as Zuko takes a hit by Aangs wind, sending him flying back into one of the crystal pillars. Your heart stops, skipping a beat as Zuko groans.

You curse under your breath and run towards him, Aang is calling your name frantically. You slid against the rock surface and get the few rocks that landed on Zuko off. He lets out a huff of air, the weight of the rock off of his chest allowing him to breath.

He's quick to sit up, using his hands, he does a walk over away from you. Your heart felt like it was stabbed, watching as he gets in a protective stance. He knows you'd never hurt him on purpose, and he'd never hurt you.

"Why are you doing this, Zuko? Why are you so desperate to gain your honor back?" Your voice is meek, tears gathering at your waterline, blurring his figure.

"You know why I have to, Y/n. This is my chance to prove to my father I am worthy."

Zukos heart physically aches, seeing your tears making him question everything. He never wanted to hurt you, never wanted to put strain on your relationship. You're his everything, you've been with him since the beginning along with Iroh. Loving him even when he didn't love himself.

"But Zuko, when you get home and see your father, will he even except you? What if he hurts you again, or what if he tries to kill you?" You plead, knowing this isn't him. He's just confused and fighting himself.

Zuko stays quiet, thinking over your words carefully. You have a point. His father could easily do all of those things, Azula to. Does he really want to go through with this? Having Uncle imprisoned, possibly you too?

He closes his eyes tightly, fists clenched at his side. He lets out a long breath, salty tears slide down his cheeks as he looks back up at you again.

"He won't. I'm sorry Y/n. You can't change my mind. I'm going home." He lifts his fists back into a defensive stance, hands trembling.

"Please...Please forgive me."

You let out a strangled sob at his words, heart clenching and shattering. Zuko grits his teeth, holding back his own cries.

"Get out of here, before Azula realizes I haven't killed you." Without realizing it, Zuko was beside you. Taking you into his arms, he holds you as close as he can. His lips pressing multiple kisses to your head. His nose buried in your hair, taking in your shampoo scent one last time.

"Does this mean you don't love me anymore? Since you're leaving?" You asked, face hidden in his neck, tears hitting his skin like rain. Zuko squeezes you softly, kissing the apples of your cheeks.

"That not what I meant, Y/n. And you know it." He pulls away from you, taking a few steps back to create distance.

Water then wraps around his waist sending him flying. You scream his name as Katara takes you in her arms. You sob holding onto Katara as she sees you down.

"It'll be alright, Y/n. I promise." She hugs you tightly, the sound of wind echos in the cave as Aang enters the avatar state. Suddenly lighting cracks, blue electricity shoots towards Aang. Shooting into his back like a spear.

"AANG!" You and Katara race towards him, watching as he falls, his body is lifeless. Katara catches him, tears falling from her eyes. You use your bending to keep the three of you protected as Katara holds Aang and bends up the waterfall.

Zuko watches as the love of his life disappears. He lets out a sob, his fist pounding the ground.

He's sorry. So, so sorry. He never wanted to hurt you, cause you this much pain. Yet he has, and he might never, ever be able to fix it.

He hopes you're safe, and he'll come and find you when the time is right before it's to late.

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agent-tempest · 2 days ago

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the way I can hear this in his voice,,, free Tadius

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agent-tempest · 2 days ago

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needed to recreate the meme this moment at the end of cc reminded me of

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agent-tempest · 2 days ago

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when the function so boring you gotta pull out this combo

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agent-tempest · 3 days ago

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of love & destiny || zuko

can be read alone, or a part of this series.

"Would you care to hear your fortune handsome?" You heard what sounded like an old woman saying as you were squished between Iroh and Zuko on the adorable yet deadly shirshu.

Your eyes lit up at the words as you nudge your head to the side to catch a glimpse of her.

"At my age there is only one big surprise left," Iroh responded.

"And I would just as soon leave it a mystery," he ended poetically, and although beautiful you didn't share the same sentiment.

Before you all could go bounding off you began waving your hands theatrically from behind the older man.

"I'd like to hear about my fortune!" You said, catching the older woman's attention, as well as the attention of the boy behind you.

As if it's ever left you.

Zuko scoffed at your words. "We have no time for stopovers."

At that a pout played on your lips, a pout the black haired boy couldn't see, but could definitely feel with how your shoulders slumped ever so slightly.

He was so close to bending to your will, but June saved him the embarrassment.

"Actually, Nayla does need a break. Her sense of smell gets weak when she's hungry." The bounty hunter spoke, already hopping off her shirshu, leaving no room for protest.

"See, we have more than enough time," you said, your mood changing almost immediately. And Zuko scoffed to cover up a sigh.

"Fine," was all he could say.

You then cheered, jumping off of the animal to pet her.

"Thank you Nayla," you smiled, patting her side and she let out a huff as if to say thank you.

With that you turned to the fortune teller who greeted you all earlier.

"I'd love to have my fortune read if that's okay with you Ma'am," you smiled at her, raising your hands at chest level and giving her a bow.

"Why of course, young one," she smiled and bowed back.

"And please call me Aunt Wu," she said, before turning towards Zuko.

"How about your friend ponytail over there?"

Zuko scoffed at this, crossing his arms and looking away.

"I don't waste my time with something as trivial as fortune telling."

This had you gasping.

"Zuko, don't be rude," you scolded, slapping the back of his head.

"Don't mind him, he's just not as spiritually inclined as I," you quickly bowed to Aunt Wu in an apology while he nursed the back of his head, looking at you with a glare.

"I see that now," Aunt Wu nodded, giving Zuko an unimpressed look before turning to smile at you once more.

"Well come along," she beckoned you towards her.

You gave Zuko one last look of disappointment before walking away, not feeling his eyes following your figure as you did.

You followed Aunt Wu to a large wooden building, and into a dimly lit room with an elegant table in the middle with two plush pillows on either side.

"Wow, this place is so spiritual," you said for lack of a better term, eyes flicking between the various knick-knacks scattered around the room.

"That it is," Aunt Wu chuckled at your amazement, gesturing you to sit as you did.

"What type of incense would you like dear?" She asked once you were both settled.

"Ooh, Jasmine please," you answered after skimming through her selection.

"Jasmine," she hummed, giving you a teasing look. " I see that someone would like a love reading."

"Heh, I would if you don't mind," your cheeks heated up as the scent of Jasmine filled the room.

You have read many books of fortune tellers and how they may help lead you to your true love.

But you also read they could help you when you were lost.

Clearing your throat, you composed yourself for a moment.

"But, I would like another thing read first," you gave her an almost pleading look. And she understood immediately what you meant as she held out her hand.

"Very well, your palm please."

You placed your right hand in her slightly softer one, despite you being the younger party.

You almost stiffened as she ran her fingers along your palms, especially when her fingers grazed the many calluses and scars that had made their home on you.

But you quickly calmed yourself, reminding yourself that this woman meant no harm.

"What would you like to know?" Aunt Wu then asked, pulling you out of your thoughts, which you were ever grateful for.

You took a second to compose yourself with a slow sigh, and she gave a small smile of support.

"I'm very far from home as you can see," you began, gesturing to your crimson and gold armour that you hated in comparison to your flowy robes.

"And I want to know if I can ever go back," you ended, looking Aunt Wu deep in the eyes, almost begging for an answer.

And answer she did.

"Indeed you are far from home," her fingers continued to trail across your hand.

"On mission no less. But your mission is different from the one you have even assigned with," she went on before giving you a look.

"Ponytail, I presume," she quirked a teasing brow and you felt yourself easing up a bit.

"Zuko, yes," you nodded, remembering the promise you made to his mother all those years ago.

The older woman continued her movements across your hands.

"You both have suffered so much," she lamented, and your mood soured once more as you felt the scar on your shoulder sear as if it was new.

"You have both suffered alone and for each other, and you both miss home dearly," Aunt Wu's tone became solemn as she locked eyes with you again.

"But you already know that," she said and you could only nod, your throat becoming drier by the second.

"To answer your question," she said, with a sigh, making you lean towards her.

"Even the spirits have no clear answer."

This had you scrunching your eyebrows, your stomach churning at her words.

"What does that mean?" You questioned, voice becoming agitated.

"Nothing negative dear, don't fret," she tapped your palm gently, noticing how the candles in the room seemed to grow in flame.

"Just because there is no clear answer, doesn't mean there's no answer at all. On your way home, you'll be approaching a crossroad. A crossroad of destiny, and your choice there will determine whether or not you go home," she explained, and your brows only scrunched more.

"A crossroads of destiny," you repeated under your breath.

"But what if I pick the wrong choice?"

"There are no wrong choices, only your choice," Aunt Wu answered.

"But how will I know what I choose?" You asked again, your voice raising, the flames in the room doing the same.

"What if I never get home?"

"Calm down now," she tapped your palm again, eyes cautiously glancing at the growing flames.

You noticed this and immediately took a deep breath, just as Iroh taught you.

"I'm sorry," you say as the flames begin to calm down.

"It's quite alright," she comforted.

"Not many take to their fortunes kindly, and not to worry, the spirits say more."

You nodded for her to go on.

"The choice is already deep in your heart, and it will reveal itself once you are ready," she explained.

"And as for getting home. Home is not a constant my child."

This had you scrunching your eyebrows again.

"What?"

"Home is what we believe it to be," she answered

"And our beliefs can change overtime. So in a way, you'll reach home no matter what path you choose. It is just a question of what is your home when the time comes and if what you consider home now will remain in the future."

This had your eyes softening. You never thought of it like that. But a question fell off your tongue at her words.

"But will I be happy? With my choice I mean." You almost whispered.

"Not in the beginning, but you will be," she said simply.

"I see," you nodded, finding interest in your lap before your thoughts found their way once again towards the boy who also yearned for home.

"But what about Zuko?" You asked. "Will he be able to go home?"

"That I cannot answer," Aunt Wu shook her head.

"He must be here for me to read his fortune."

"Oh." You said, tone the most solemn it has been.

This did not go unnoticed by the wise woman.

"What I can say however, is that with someone like you on his side, he'll surely find his way," she said with a smile, turning your hand over to grasp it, soft, yet firm.

"Thank you, thank you so much," you finally returned her smile, albeit a bit forced after all you heard.

"It is nothing, I am only doing my job," her smile grew.

"What about that love reading?" She then asked to try to lighten the mood further.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," you said, making her chuckle.

"Give me your left hand, it is where your love line is." She gestured, and you placed your left hand in hers.

She took her time tracing the lines this time, and as she did you tried to calm yourself more.

The prospect of a love reading was definitely helpful, although you hated the idea of marriage in the traditional sense. Thoughts of love have always warmed you like no other.

"Oh, the answers are very clear here," Aunt Wu said, pulling you out of your thoughts.

"Your path towards love will be a difficult one, but once you reach it, it will be nothing but everything you've dreamed it to be."

This piqued your interest.

"When will I meet him?"

"You mean you don't know who he is yet?" She quirked a brow.

"Should I?" You returned her confused tone.

Surely you'd know if you've already met the love of your life

"Well, he will be a powerful bender, a fighter with both strength and heart," she described.

"A bit stubborn, but your stubbornness will balance him out well enough," you both chuckled.

"It will be a great love, one that will be spoken about in centuries to come. But the greatness will come with a price of course," her tone darkened a bit as did your gaze.

Why did bad things always happen to you?

"As I said, the way to your love will be filled with sadness, even darkness," Aunt Wu went on.

"A great conflict will arise before you can reach him. But after all that, it would have been worth it."

What was it with your life and conflicts?

"But who?" You asked again, wanting so badly to know your future husband.

All Aunt Wu did was chuckle.

"The thing about being a fortune teller is to not reveal everything at once," She turned your hand over and clasped it in both her hands.

"You will know who he is soon enough."

She gave you a wink.

"Please, I really want to know," you begged again.

"The time will come beautiful one, I don't want to spoil the surprise."

She then stood up, leading you up with her, leaving no room for questions.

"Alright," you finally relented, albeit forcefully.

"Thank you so much for the reading."

"It was a pleasure."

With that, she led you back to the town square where Iroh and Zuko were already waiting.

"Thank you again Aunt Wu," you finally let go of her hand and bowed at the fortune teller one final time.

"It's no problem," she bowed back.

"I wish you nothing but the best on your journey."

You quietly watched Aunt Wu leave, head filled with thought of your upcoming crossroads of destiny, and your seemingly almost impossible love. It was only when someone tapped your shoulder where you were finally brought back to reality.

"Here, it's getting really hot," you turned to see Zuko, who had a canteen of water in his hand.

"Thank you," you said, your smile only becoming wider as you took a sip and handed the canteen to Zuko who promptly put it away.

He looked at you for a second, taking in your slightly off expression. He couldn't quite put his finger on what you were feeling, but he knew it wasn't good.

"What was that all about?" He asked, now trying to coax it out of you.

"Oh nothing," you brushed him off, giving him a smile that you didn't know made him melt.

You were always so good at masking your emotions, as evidenced by Iroh's interest in your conversation.

"By the looks of it someone just got a love reading," the older man said, moving to stand beside you.

"How can you tell?" You questioned, feeling slightly bashful now.

"Talks of love often leaves a glow on a person. And you're practically radiating right now," he commented, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder

"Well it was an amazing talk," you played into his words.

You were sure the so-called glow was frazzlement from your anticipation of a slightly disastrous yet rewarding future. But you had to admit, the prospect of such a great love left you swooning a bit.

Iroh's eyes told you to say more, and you did.

"Aunt Wu said I'd marry a strong and powerful bender, and that he'd be everything I've wanted and more," you sighed dreamily, keeping out the part about the great conflict, and the other turmoil that came before it.

The older man echoed your dreamy sigh, while Zuko scoffed from your other side, making you turn to him.

"I didn't know you were so gullible."

"Excuse me?" You put your hands in your hips

"Fortune tellers are a scam, she probably just told you what you wanted to hear," he took your challenge, rolling his eyes

Oh, if he only knew.

Still, you decided to fight with him, as you always did.

"You're just jealous Zuzu," you rolled your eyes back, moving to pinch his cheek lightly as June and Nayla stalked the three of you.

Zuko had no time to protest your actions as June spoke.

"Come on, the sun will set in a few hours," She yelled, now perched upon on her steed, and you all scrambled to follow her.

Iroh got up first behind June, and before you could even raise your arms to hoist yourself up, Zuko pushed you out of the way.

"Let me," he said, holding out his hands as an invitation of help, and you couldn't help but tease him again.

"I didn't know you were such a gentleman."

"I'm not," he growled.

"I just don't want you to fall and cause another delay,"

It was your turn to scoff.

"I'm gonna pretend you never said that because I would like to accept your offer."

Zuko only rolled his eyes at your words, taking your waist in his hands so he could lift you upwards. He then quickly got behind you so as to not waste any time.

"If only my future husband would be as much of a gentleman as you Zuzu, I'd be the happiest girl in the world," you clasped your hands together and placed them against your cheek in an exaggerated swoon to annoy him.

And annoy him you did, so he spat back

"I pity the man who marries you."

You gasped, but before you could push back at him, your voice was pulled out of you by the sudden jolt that was Nayla bounding off.

You grasped at Iroh's robes In Front of you to keep from falling, and Zuko followed suit by wrapping his arms around your waist, pulling you towards chest.

As you held on for dear life, you were left completely unaware of Zuko's reddening cheeks behind you.

And he was unaware of whether the heat radiating off of him was annoyance from your teasing, or jealousy towards your future husband.

more of a reader character study honestly, but eh.

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