#(by the way; there are two Sinclairs from BC on this picture technically!)

[shorkbrian]

This isn’t a request (or maybe it is) but would you ever consider writing a part 2 to that aizawa and shinsou family bonding fic👀 and do you have any plans to write more zuko?? Bc I didn’t really see him like that but after your mechanic fic I couldn’t get him off my mind for weeks.

Anyway I love all your fics!!! Thank you so much for writing them and sharing them with us<3

I have several requests for a continuation of that, so maybe!

As for Zuko, I rlly want to write more of him lol he’s just so inch resting.

Very awkward with interpersonal relationships, but has the ability to be suave if he’s not thinking too hard about it and just acting on impulse. Pre-redemption Zuko is entitled, has anger issues, no grasp on healthy boundaries, sadistic, a brat, etc etc.

Like you lose your dog, worried sick about the poor thing. You decide to put up posters around your dingy neighborhood, a picture and your phone number attached below.

Your mood improves when you get a text that night, as soon as you get home from putting up all the “missing” posters.

Hey.

Your dog is missing? I saw you putting up posters.

Immediately you respond, hope blooming.

Yes! Have you seen him? I’m really worried. Thanks for contacting me btw.

There’s a few moments of waiting until the stranger responds.

I’ve seen him around. You need someone to help you find him?

So the stranger doesn’t have your dog. It’s disappointing, but you probably shouldn’t have expected your puppy to be found within minutes of you putting up the posters.

If you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye out, that’d be wonderful. Thank you so much! I’m (Y/N).

I know.

Confusion furrows your brow before the next message dings through.

You put your name on the poster.

My names Zuko.

-----

A day passes without any news, then two. On the third day, “Zuko” texts you again.

Have you found your dog yet?

You tell him (you’re pretty sure it’s a guy) no, and the stranger gives you his condolences. Feeling a bit awkward, not sure if you should respond or let the conversation drop, you turn the questioning back to the stranger.

Do you live in this area?

Yeah. Down by the supermarket on 4th and Sinclair.

That makes sense - that’s one of the first places you’d put up a poster. No wonder this guy texted you so soon.

That’s a nice area. I’m closer to the park... I think my dog might’ve wandered off into there.

You should take some treats with you and walk through that area. Call his name maybe?

Yeah, maybe.

The more you thought about the suggestion, the more appealing it sounded. perhaps it would work? It was barely 4pm, still plenty of daylight left for you to walk around for a bit.

So that’s what you did, wandering through the park with a bag of treats, lowly calling your dog’s name as you kept a sharp eye out for anything furry.

There weren’t many people out, but the ones you did encounter barely paid you any attention.

Except for a man, seated on a bench, his eyes following your movements. It was creeping you out - no matter where you moved you felt the prickle on the back of your neck that someone was looking at you.

Maybe he was just curious as to why you were walking around with a bag of dog treats, a leash, but no dog.

You were paying more attention to scanning the underbrush than the stranger, so it made you jump when he cleared his throat a few steps behind you, having moved from the bench.

“Oh, Jesus Christ-” You whirled around, a hand on your chest as adrenaline surged through you.

The man frowned. “Sorry, wasn’t trying to scare you. Are you looking for your dog?” He looked... unique, a large, angry scar decorating the right side of his face, eye slitted and milky on that side, almost hidden by his shaggy black hair.

You nodded, and the man spoke again. “By any chance, is your name (Y/N)? I saw your poster.”

Perking up, you took a step forward. “Yes! Yeah, that’s me, have you seen my dog? Do you know where he is?”

The man shook his head, clearing his throat again. “No, uhm... I was the person who texted you - Zuko.”

Oh.

It felt a bit... odd, knowing that this man had texted you, sought you out, met you in the park that he suggested you go looking in. Was he stalking you? Or was he just trying to help you find your dog?

How were you supposed to respond to him? 

Zuko beat you to it. “I’ve been looking for him, no luck though. He seems like a good dog.”

“He is.” You agree. Your dog was the best, always made you feel safe whenever you went out for walks, guarded your apartment, stayed alert and ready while you slept. “Thank you for looking for him, you don’t have to.”

“I don’t mind.”

More awkward silence.

Shifting your weight on your feet, you sealed up the bag of treats. “okay, um, well it’s getting dark, I think I’m going to head home now.”

“I can walk with you.”

“Nah, I’ll be fine.” You assured the strange man, flashing a smile. He was too... friendly for your taste. You weren’t sure you felt comfortable with him knowing where you lived.

When you got home, your phone dinged as you locked your door. it was Zuko.

Sorry for scaring you tonight. I didn’t think you’d actually go to the park. I like to sit there and feed the ducks, so I’ve seen you and your dog a couple of times. I’m not trying to be weird.

That was honestly almost kind of sweet. You could visualize it, the tall man sitting on the bench and throwing seeds to the ducks that lived in the park, minding his own business as people passed by.  Maybe the man was just a bit socially awkward? You could understand that. 

No worries. Nice meeting you!

-----

He kept texting you, checking in, asking about your dog, asking about you.

Zuko seemed like a nice guy, if not a little awkward. Maybe a little lonely, but wasn’t everyone?

You learned that he lived by himself, had moved here a couple years ago, and that he liked the town. Friendly people, good weather, nice shops and local stores.

Weeks had passed since your dog had gone missing, and you found yourself getting more and more sad, sinking into the feeling like goop.

And then Zuko texted.

You should come over.

Your mind raced - he wouldn’t be texting you unless it was important, it was nighttime, you had learned the man wasn’t overly fond of visitors.

Zuko? What’s up? Have you found my dog?

A pause, two minutes before his next text came through.

Just come over.

You huffed, frustrated, excited. 

Please just tell me, do you have my dog?

Five minutes of silence.

Yes.

-----

The excitement you felt was making you jittery, hands almost shaking as you climbed up the stairs to Zuko’s apartment.

It wasn’t what you were expecting. You thought he lived by the supermarket, and technically he did, but it was a ways away. Zuko lived in a run down, dingy complex a few streets over, and you tried not to judge, but it wasn’t exactly the most savory of neighborhoods.

Really, you weren’t super jazzed to be coming to his place, not so late at night, not alone. But he had found your dog, said he didn’t have a leash nor a way of getting him to you. Said he didn’t mind you coming over so late.

You didn’t feel comfortable, but it’d be okay. 

Except your dog was nowhere in sight when Zuko welcomed you inside.

It was dark, only the light of his laptop illuminating the small living space - a studio apartment.

“Zuko? Where’s-”

“Your dog’s probably been dead for weeks.”

You froze. 

“You’re focused on a lost cause. I don’t think he’s coming back.”

What’s going on? Why did he have you come-

“Zuko, you’re scaring me.”

The man in question is between you and the door - the door he’s just locked. Your heart starts to beat faster in your chest.

“I’ve watched you walk him every day for the past year, you always take the same route in the park. How have you not noticed me? It’s not like I’m trying  to avoid your attention. It’s insulting. Do you not like my scar? Is that why you always, always ignore me?”

His voice is level, but you can feel the irritation seeping from him, feel it infect you with fear.

“What? I don’t know what you’re talking abo-”

“I’ve noticed. You’re very absentminded, aren’t you? Is that why you need a dog  with you to protect you? I could’ve snapped you up at anytime since he’s been gone.”

Zuko crossed his arms, leaned back against the door. You didn’t like this, didn’t like how dark it was, what Zuko was saying, how his one good eye was gazing at you with a smug aura.

“I really wasn’t going to even bother you. You’re just some pretty little eye candy I get to see everyday. But then you put up those posters, and your number and name were right there. Couldn’t stop myself.”

The man rolled his eyes. “Plus, you’re real easy.”

He hadn’t moved from the door, but now he straightened, rolling out his neck, taking a step towards you. “This’ll be fun. Hope you don’t scream too loud and get me another noise complaint.”