#Azula's baby thinks Mai and Ty Lee are her mothers too.

[the-genius-az]

I can't get the idea of Azula escaping the asylum with the help of Mai and Ty Lee.

And maybe two years later one person defeated Zuko and took the throne from him, putting everyone in danger because the new Fire Lord was going to declare war again.

While Mai and Ty Lee went to the cabin Azula lived in, only to tell her that she was the only option that could save everything.

But they find her with a baby who is only a few months old and emotionally dependent on her adopted son.

[wilcze-kudly]

I think the reason I'm a bit iffy about most zutara shippers who call themesleves "pro Katara" (and lets be honest the tags pro katara/katara deserved better are mainly people building themselves a moral highground of "if you disagree with me, you clearly dilslike Katara and want her to suffer") is just the hypocrisy of it all.

Katara's consent was violated by Aang, yes. But Zuko threatening her and being a fucking creep in the "I'll save you from the pirates" scene was sexy and not at all the nightmare of any sane woman.

Katara's role as a healer is treated as her acting subservient and her loosing her feminist icon status. Unless she's healing/offering to heal Zuko.

Aang is immature and childish. But we will handily ignore Zuko, a whole ass 16 year old who's heir to a country throwing a temper tantrum because his girlfriend dared to speak to another man. [Frankly, in my opinion, Zuko isn't really ready for a serious romantic relationship, but yall arent ready for that conversation]

Aang is supposedly misogynistic, but Zuko's many instances of actual misogyny are swept under the rug. Aang is shown in canon to be incredibly supportive of Katara defying the patriarchy.

Supposedly Aang makes Katara do all the housework. Despite there being evidence to the contrary. Zuko has just recently learnt to brew tea.

Katara being the Avatar's wife is supposedly degrading. But if she were Zuko's wife, I'm sure she wouldn't be just a baby maker. (What a horribke thing to call a woman btw. Tall call your own mothers baby makers too???) Despite the fact that Izumi's mother hasn't even been mentioned by name in tlok. But yeah. She'd be afforded the respect she deserves I'm certain.

Aang is, on most accounts, supportive and respectful of Katara's opinions, even when he disagrees with them. Zuko openly mocks people who oppose him. I am going to make a longer post on the Southern Raiders episodes and how all of you watched that episode blindfolded or smth.

Aang comparing Appa being kidnapped (his last connection to his genocided people, the last vestige of his happy past) to Katara's anger over her mother is bad. But Zuko comparing mommy leaving his ass to Katara's mother getting brutally slaughtered in front of her ? Silence.

Aang supposedly needs Katara to mother him and that's a bad thing. But Azula, Mai and Ty Lee having to gentle parent Zuko almost everytime they interact is never talked about, despite the uncalled for verbal abuse that trio goes through from him.

Aang and Katara's 2 year age gap is creepy. But Zuko and Katara's 2 year age gap is fine. My bigest gripe with Zutara lovers is them completely erasing Katara's childishness and immaturity, in order for her and Zuko to have this mature, sexy relationship. She's 14, guys. 14.

This post really isn't meant to decry Zutara. I just want people who ship Zutara to get off their high horse of feminism and to accept that they're no better than the rest of us ship loving freaks. Wanting the main girl to bump uglies with the broody emo twink doesn't make you a modern day suffragette. Disliking a main canon pairing isn't a measure of your love for a female character.

Grow up.

Enjoy your ship like a normal person.

[forevermore05]

Let's say you're one of the writer's way back when Atla was first starting. Bryke has stepped back and let the writers do their thing. What are some things you would keep or remove completely? What are things you would have done differently? What would you have liked to explore more of with the story and the characters?

OOOH good question

I would definitely be giving South Asia, Hinduism, and Buddhism their honour back but making Desi main characters not caricatures. I will pay my respects to those religions by using them properly and not discarding them when you don't truly understand their meaning. And better representation will all the cultures.

Likewise, I would make a 4th (or maybe more) book, so we can see the healing of the 4 nations and flesh out the Gaang and other characters properly. I feel like ending it on book 3 was too sudden, and I hate the comic, so I don't even recognize those, since it is so OOC.

I would make Zuatara canon through some slow burn. I would not pair Aang up with anyone, since he is too young but keep him having a crush on Katara for the Chakra arc (which stays true and respect to Hinduism) but to provide a lesson on heartbreak and moving on. Same with Toph, such a cute little baby.

I will REMOVE those nonconsenual kisses entirely. Basically out with Kataang.

I want to see more of the evil politics of the Fire Nation before Aang defeats Ozai and how Zuko deals with it. In contrast, to how Zuko handles politics being Fire Lord.

I WANT more Suki and her backstory. I also want to see her and Ty Lee fight side by side. It would be so cool.

I would actually have Zuko and Katara speak to Azula after the Agni Kai.

I would keep Sokka's sexism arc.

Not only that, but I would love to explore Yue even more and her take on the NWT

I also want to go in depth with Mai, I want to give her some depth.

Have Aang's character understand the Mahabharat scripture before making a choice. (Maybe kill Ozai)

I want to see a healing arc for Azula

I also want Uncle Iroh to face some repercussion of being an activity member of war. I love Uncle Iroh, and I want to write the consequences and him accepting humbly due to his development.

Book 4 and (leading to adulthood) head canons for the Gaang

Katara: Helps the SWT and NWT, then goes on to become ambassador for the SWT in the Fire Nation

Zuko: Fire lord

Aang: Helping all the Nations to heal

Toph: I think she would totally be the creator of the pro-bender, you cannot change my mind, I think she would also become a teacher

Suki: Girlbossing as a Kyoshi Warriors and being known as one of the best

Sokka: Become Chief of SWT and a skilled engineer

I want Katara and Zuko to find his mother together (so we can get good development)

I feel like I have more, but I will add more if I think of any.

[sokkastyles]

When Our Family Was Actually Happy

"Zuzu!" the little girl in the tiny topknot toddled drunkenly through the sandhills, holding her arms out as she ran after him. "Zuzu!"

Zuko, at three and a half, was faster than his sister, yet he still paused to allow her to catch up, his toes curling in the sand as he looked back. When Azula almost reached him, her chubby outstretched fingers snatching for his torso, he took off, dancing away and looking back again. 

His baby sister giggled and hurried after, only stumbling a little. When he finally stopped long enough to allow himself to be caught, she tumbled headfirst into him and they both fell together into the sand, laughing.

"Zuzu!" Azula exclaimed happily, tugging on his ponytail.

"It's Zuko," he said, with annoyance that was only partially feigned, poking her in her chubby stomach with each syllable.

"She'll get it right eventually," said mother. "She's a fast learner."

Zuko poked his sister's belly again, this time in real annoyance, but she only laughed. A fast learner. Dad said that about Azula, too, all the time. He always said the opposite about him.

She didn't get his name right, though, not for years, even though she learned everything else fast. Soon she was running faster than him, too, leaving him behind in the sand. Another time, while fleeing from the incoming tide, he'd turned his ankle stepping into a hole and fell, and Azula looked back at him and laughed.

"Clumsy Zuzu!"

"I do expect better of her," father said to mother, as if the children weren't even there, although Zuko could feel his father's eyes on him even though he wasn't looking in his direction or even speaking about him. He stood up and brushed sand off his legs quickly. "She should have her pronunciation mastered by now."

Azula was watching too, a few feet away, standing very still.

Mai and Azula laughed together as they pushed sand around Ty Lee, buried neck deep and grinning widely. "We need water to make it stay," her disembodied head said helpfully. They were several yards up the beach from where the tide was gently rolling in.

Zuko was a few feet away from the girls, purposefully ignoring them.

"I'm not going," Mai announced. "I don't want to get wet."

"You should do it, Zuzu," Azula called to him, even though he wasn't part of their game, didn't want to be.

"That's stupid," he said, busying his fingers with digging out a shell that was half stuck in the sand.

"You're stupid," Azula shot back. "Dad thinks so."

"He does not!" Zuko was shouting, but something niggled at the back of his mind, and his voice wavered. Their parents were farther down the beach and Uncle was busy catching crabs with cousin Lu Ten.

"Stupid Zuzu!"

"Stop calling me that!"

He only vaguely now remembered a time when he'd almost liked it, when she'd used the nickname. She could say his name now, she just chose not to, a fact which she made obnoxiously clear, especially when their father was around. He remembered when she used to chase after him. He used to worry that she wouldn’t catch up. Then, for a while, when Ozai was watching, it had felt like relief.

She didn't chase after him anymore.

[rubykgrant]

I can't remember if I posted about it already, or if I just can't find it (because searching for something on here is impossible), but I'm thinking about my Avatar story idea from when I was a teenager (literally right after the original series ended, and way before we had Korra or the comics as a continuation), so here it is again-

-Zuko realizes his dad will never tell him where Ursa is, and just keeps using it as a bargaining chip, so decides to ignore Ozai and focus on helping put the Earth Kingdom/Water Tribes back together, and get the Fire Nation out of "war-mode"

-He also tries to figure out how to help his sister; Azula isn't being violent now that she's fully accepted defeat, but she is SUPREMELY depressed (and seems to expect him to "execute" her, which he very much has no interest in doing). Iroh and some others from the White Lotus find a group of Healers, some Waterbenders, who also understand emotional/mental pain, who agree to help her (she does improve eventually, but it is painful for her to even go home to the Fire Nation... finally realizing how badly her father messed her up was a big deal). Eventually, Ty Lee and Mai visit her, sort of trying to have a "new" friendship

-A couple years go by. Things have mostly settled down, but every once in a while there is a problem (a group in the Fire Nation who think Zuko shouldn't be Fire Lord call themselves "Azula's Army". they aren't very powerful, but are definitely annoying, and sow discontent with other people). After an adventure helping a young Fire Sage who is training, Aang and Zuko find some old scrolls about strange "distant islands"

-Sokka recognizes some of the scrolls are from Wan Shi Tong's library (stolen however long ago). The satchel they were in belonged to Zhao; these were other things he found when looking into information about the Moon and Ocean Spirits. One scroll with a map has the island closest to the Fire Nation circled, with notes in the corner about this being a "Secret the Fire Lords keep". Zuko researches a little more, and finally has the answer...

-This island was where a once "disgraced" Fire Lord was sent, and since then, other Fire Lords have used it as a place for banishment. While it is more common to just banish people from the Fire Nation itself, when a Fire Lord wants to entirely erase somebody without actually "killing" them, they are sent to that island. More secrets imply that a few soldiers who were part of Sozin's army secretly saved infants from the Air Temples during attacks. They weren't strong enough to outright oppose the Fire Lord, and there wasn't enough of them to fight the other soldiers, but they wanted to at least save the children. The babies were smuggled away to the island. This is also where Ozai sent Ursa

-The group decides to make a big trip to the island; after all, they have the possibility of not only finding Zuko's mother, but Aang might NOT be the last Airbender! Aang, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Mai, Ty Lee, Suki, and Hakoda are all going out on a ship with a few crew members (it would be too far for Appa to fly over the sea, but he and Momo are still along for the ride). Zuko is leaving behind Iroh as temporary Fire Lord, and Suki asked some of her Kyoshi Warriors to help

-At one point as they travel, they find a small, much newer island, formed by a volcano that has started to grow plant life. They all stay for the night to camp and gather some fresh fruit/do some fishing. Katara has figured out a way to "pull apart" salt water so it can be drinkable. Toph just REALLY needs a good dose of LAND before sailing again. In a small tide pool, Zuko teaches Toph how to swim (suddenly remembering how his older cousin Lu Ten taught him way back on Ember Island, before Azula was even born. she finally gets her own Zuka field-trip!)

-They finally arrive at the island; there are a LOT of people here. Some who's ancestors were banished by a Fire Lord generations ago, some who were sailors that got stranded out here after bad storms. A few people who had been Fire Nation soldiers back then decided to stay, not wanting to be part of the war anymore. They all have their own communities... and so many of them are Airbenders! Aang is very excited, and shows off some of his own abilities. The people are amazed, especially because they have never been taught any actual "techniques". Their history and heritage has been lost to them. As everybody walks around, Zuko eagerly looks for a familiar face... when he hears somebody suddenly call his name. He and his mother finally meet again, crying and embracing each other (she sees his scar, and when she touches it and sees his eyes glance down sadly, she knows Ozai did it)

-Lots of catching up, both happy and sad. Some of the people banished here were Waterbenders that had been captured by the Fire Army, in the attempt to have them control whirlpools/tidal waves (searching for some long-lost treasure). The Waterbenders would pretend to be swept away, and escape, eventually finding this island. Now that the restrictions that "banished" them are gone, everybody on the island is welcome to return to the outside world. The ship isn't big enough for everybody, but Ursa and several of the Airbenders make the return trip (more boats will be sent later, both so people on the island can see the other Nations, and so the island can be visited; they won't be alone out here anymore)

-Ursa and Hakoda talk a lot together while sailing back (wishing they could have protected their children better), and Aang shares stories of the Air Nomads with the Airbenders, also teaching some of them how to make an Air Scooter. When they arrive, Iroh is happy to see Ursa again. Zuko takes her to go visit Azula, who at first doesn't believe her mother could return, or EVER love her... but Ursa reassures her daughter; she is real, and so is her love

-Zuko makes one final visit to Ozai; his father has gotten a little "impatient", expecting that Zuko wouldn't be able to resist coming back to ask about his mother for so long... Iroh also walks in, and Ozai tries to mock his brother. Azula walks in as well, finally confronting her father. This throws him, because she looks different (short hair, no make-up), and also because she doesn't care about his approval anymore. He tries to bargain with her, but she refuses his offers. Then, Ursa walks in. Her son and his friends found her, WITHOUT him. Now, she is back with both of her children. Ozai is struck silent. Finally, Aang walks in, telling Ozai that his ancestor failed, the other Airbenders were NOT wiped-out. They will all walk out of here, and have happy lives. He will stay. Nobody wants anything from him anymore. Too late, after they leave, Ozai starts shouting, trying to beg or threaten, but nobody listens (nobody cares)

-In the years that follow, the other islands are eventually located and explored, with more people found there (new people who are Fire/Water/Earth/Air Benders, but with different cultures than the Four Nations. Sokka is sort of the official diplomat for making new friends, and eventually, all the new places are able to travel and communicate with each other). Hakoda and Ursa grow closer, but take a while to act on any romantic feelings (they're worried their children might find it awkward, and Hakoda especially didn't want Katara and Sokka to think he doesn't care about their mother's memory... but the kids are all very happy about it! this makes them all family). Aang helps the Airbenders who want to move back to the Air Temples adjust and recover. People from other nations who have made homes near the Temples are welcome to stay as well, and also help repair the buildings. Hakoda and Ursa live part of the year on Ember Island, and part in the Southern Water Tribe village that was his home (which has also been rebuilt). Azula eventually feels content enough to move on, and she lives on Kyoshi Island with Ty Lee (Azula avoids bending, finally realizing she has PTSD, but she can still help train people with hand-to-hand fighting techniques). Toph makes a home for herself outside of the swamp, where she also begins teaching Metalbending (haha, yes, ironic~). Now that Zuko is very at home being Fire Lord, Iroh stays in Ba Sing Se full time for his tea shop, but returns for special occasions (like when Zuka and Mai get married). Katara surprises Aang with a gift one day; a necklace~

[shrinkthisviolet]

78 for Maiko!

My babies!! Under the cut, since it got long:

Mai had always been punished for being vulnerable. Chiding from her mother, stern words from her father, taunts from Azula...only Ty Lee, Tom-Tom, and Zuko had ever welcomed it, but Ty Lee was afraid of Azula too, Tom-Tom was only a baby, and Zuko...

Well. Zuko was usually busy with his own stuff. Mai supposed being Crown Prince was no easy task.

The point was, by the time she was 12, she'd mastered it to perfection. She no longer blushed around Zuko, no longer let her tone waver or left a hair out of place.

She was the perfect daughter, sister, friend.

And then Zuko was banished.

The first crack in her armor—she hid away, locked her door, and sobbed in the privacy of her own room, for days on end. She faked a headache all the while, keen to avoid her parents' scrutiny...it wasn't totally false anyway, since all that crying did give her a headache.

Then...Azula offered a chance to find Zuko. Up went the ivory walls again, off they went.

In all their misadventures, though, Mai didn't get to see Zuko again until he returned to them, donned his topknot and robes once more. Something had...changed about him, though. He seemed...distant, troubled.

Mai tried to be there for him, tried to be a good girlfriend...but Zuko seemed to get worse by the day, and Mai felt more and more helpless.

And then it all came to a head when Zuko picked a fight with a guy who was just talking to her...shoving him into a table so hard that it broke.

"Zuko!" She snapped. "What's wrong with you?!"

He had the audacity to be shocked. "What's wrong with me?!"

"Your temper's out of control! You blow up over every little thing! You're so impatient, and hotheaded...and angry!"

"Well at least I feel something, as opposed to you!" He snapped. "You have no passion for anything! You're just a big blah!"

And oh, that hurt. That cut right to her core—didn't they always say that the ones you loved could do that best? "It's over, Zuko," she muttered, turning away. "We're done."

She thought they were getting somewhere later, at the campfire, when Zuko bared his soul, and she bared hers ("I know one thing I care about. I care about you.") and they kissed under the stars.

And then, a few days later, he broke up with her via a letter before running off to do who-knows-what. So. Whatever. She was fine.

(If she spent the next few days locked in her room, shaking with sobs, no one else had to know.)

And then...then, at the Boiling Rock, she saw him again. And she was burning with it, with how angry she was...but then he was in danger, aligned with friends of the Avatar, and Azula was the aggressor...and suddenly, she'd never looked more like her father.

So Mai did what she'd wished for years that she'd done before.

"You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you." So leave him alone. Don't you dare hurt him.

"No, you miscalculated!" Azula snarled. "You should've feared me more!"

But Mai had never felt more sure, more right, than here in this moment. Even when she was arrested...she had faith, for the first time in a long time.

Things would get better...Zuko and the Avatar and their friends would see to it.

And, miracle of miracles, Mai survived to see it. When she was released at her uncle's behest, she ran to Zuko immediately, unable to think of anyone else she'd rather see.

“Need some help?”

“Mai!” His face lit up, and along with the sun on his face, he looked so incredibly handsome. “They let you out of prison?”

She found herself blushing, quickly closing the distance between them. "My uncle may have pulled a few strings. And...of course, it helps when your boyfriend's the Firelord."

"Soon-to-be," he corrected.

"Oh, hush. You're basically there already." She smiled up at him.

"I've missed you, you know," he admitted.

"Oh? That's good to hear."

"You have to know...about the note I left—"

"You don't have to explain, Zuko."

"No, I do," he insisted. "Mai...I'm so sorry. I just...I knew what I had to do, and...I couldn't risk you knowing. What they would've done to you...I couldn't let that happen. I'm just sorry I hurt you in the process."

The words touched her deeply. The act she'd thought was selfish cowardice...was really an act of courage and love. “You're forgiven. On two conditions."

He nodded. "Anything, Firelily."

She blushed at the childhood nickname. "Well, first off, don't ever break up with me again! At least…not without talking to me first!"

He laughed. "Noted. And...the second?"

She smiled softly up at him. "Hold me?" And never let me go, she wanted to add, but...she couldn't ask that, knowing that his coronation was starting soon. One thing at a time, Mai.

He smiled in that impossibly soft way he only ever did with her. "You never need to ask. Come here."

And so he held her, and she held him...and for the first time in a long time, Mai felt no shame in being vulnerable.

prompt list!

[zuko-always-lies]

Ty Lee is a Free Spirit, but She Doesn’t Value Freedom

It’s a common assumption that Ty Lee values freedom above all else and doesn’t like being controlled. However, this is heavily contradicted by Ty Lee’s actual actions and behavior.

To start off, Ty Lee is a free spirit.  As Azula’s comments reveal, running away to join the circus is extremely abnormal behavior for a Fire Nation noble girl, and most people in that category would never, ever consider it.

However, that does mean that Ty Lee actually values personal freedom. Although she preferred staying at the circus to joining Azula’s mission, Ty Lee seems to be perfectly happy acting in a subordinate role once she’s forced into joining. There are even a couple scenes where Ty Lee clearly acts in anticipation of what Azula’s orders might be(in “The Guru” and “Boiling Rock, Part II”), rather than waiting for Azula’s orders. Ty Lee only becomes uncomfortable with the control Azula exerts over her and Mai when Mai dangerously pushes the boundaries.

Then we get “The Beach.” I’ll only very briefly mention that in the one scene there were Azula acts in a very controlling manner, Ty Lee seem perfectly happy to comply with Azula’s wishes.  More importantly, this is what Ty Lee says when she airs her deepest issues:

Ty Lee: Do you have any idea what my home life was like, growing up with six sisters (cut to shot of Ty Lee) who look exactly like me? (she stands up) It was like, I didn't even have my own name. (she falls to the ground crying) I joined the circus because I was scared of spending the rest of my life as part of a matched set. At least, I'm different now. (close shot of teary-eyed Ty Lee) Circus freak is a compliment! Mai: (sarcastically) Guess that explains why you need 10 boyfriends, too. (Cut to shot of Ty Lee looking angrily toward Mai and putting her hands on her hips) Ty Lee: I'm sorry, what? Mai: Attention issues. You couldn't get enough attention when you were a kid, so (looking downward) you're trying to make up for it now.

Note that Ty Lee’s issues don’t center around needing freedom or disliking being controlled, they center around needing attention and wanting to be unique.

Finally, Ty Lee ends ATLA’s narrative by joining the Kyoshi Warriors, a hierarchical group of child soldiers, presumably in the most junior position. This strongly suggests that she doesn’t mind being ordered around.

Is there one of the Dangerous Ladies who heavily values freedom?

The Beach:

Mai: (Cut to wide shot of the four of them. Mai lays back carelessly on the rock she is sitting on) What do you want from me? You want a teary confession about how hard my childhood was? Well, it wasn't. (close shot of Mai) I was a rich only child who got anything I wanted. As long as I behaved...(cut to shot of the clouds above) and sat still...and didn't speak unless spoken to. (cut to shot of Zuko listening) My mother said I had to keep out of trouble. (Cut to wide shot of the four of them around the fire) We had my Dad's political career to think about. Azula: Well, that's it, then. (close-up shot on Azula) You had a controlling mother who had certain expectations, and if you strayed from them you were shut down. That's why you're afraid to care about anything, and why you can't express yourself. Mai: (close shot of Mai) You want me to express myself? (she stands and yells) Leave me alone!

Return to Omashu:

Mai: There really is no fathoming the depths of my hatred for this place. (Cut to a wider shot to show Mai walking next to an older woman carrying a baby. They are being escorted by Fire Nation guards down a tunnel or passage.) Governor's Wife: Mai, your father was appointed governor. We're like royalty here. Be happy, and enjoy it.

Later:

Mai: (somewhat surprised) I thought you ran off and joined the circus? You said it was your calling. Ty Lee: (releasing Mai and smiling widely) Well, Azula called a little louder. Azula: I have a mission (she puts one of her hands on each of their shoulders) and I need you both. Mai: Count me in. Anything to get me out of this place.

Yes, but it’s Mai who values freedom and doesn’t like being controlled.

[loopy777]

How do you headcanon Zuko and Azula’s relationship post war is? Is she redeemed in the future?

I like to keep this one open, as I would be very sad if whatever I headcanon gets contradicted by official stuff. Azula is the one element of the story that I think could break either way, but I do have some thoughts on how each could go.

If Azula is "redeemed" (and I admit I don't like that word, as it means too many different things to too many different people), I see it as her recognizing the evils she has done, trying to live a better life, and making reparations to those she hurt as much as she is able. What that doesn't mandate is a continuing relationship with Zuko, Mai, or Ty Lee. Nor does it even hint at a friendship with anyone in the gAang. The process would also involve her recognizing the horrible influences in her life that led to her taking an evil path, including both her father and the militant Fire Nation culture. All that comes together in my head for an Azula who chooses to start a new life in the former colonies, almost certainly with a completely new identity. And because I love the elements in both Westerns and Samurai stories, I see her continually trying to live a life without violence, but circumstances keep forcing her to use her fighting and Firebending capability to protect others. I'm not sure if I want to go full 'Lone Wolf & Cub' with the idea (or "Mando & Baby Yoda" for the kids in the audience), but I think it might be a viable alternative to having a traditional family for making her work through her issues with Ursa's mothering.

So that's my headcanon for redeemed!Azula. A quiet woman who rolls into a remote town that doesn't get much news, where people value community and the simple pleasures. She makes friendships but doesn't share much about herself. There's some speculation that she has a Past, but her classy way of speaking and intelligence make people think she's a noble fleeing an arrange marriage. Then one day a gang of bandits come along who threaten the village and their entire harvest, and that quiet woman calmly walks out to end the threat and afterward no one can look at her the same way again. So she decides to move on, perhaps with the local orphan in tow.

Then there's if Azula remains a villain. While I wouldn't mind a tragic, heartbreaking death with her refusing every chance to save herself, I like the idea of her settling into a comfortable criminality. I see her becoming the Professor Moriarty of the former colonies- she takes a position at a university as a cover and proceeds to become the leading 'criminal genius consultant' in the land, advising every major criminal organization and trading favors to facilitate the rise of her allies and create tremendous gains for herself. I like to think that Sokka tries to take her down, in his position on the council of Republic City, but he soon finds that she counters his efforts in the most unexpected way possible: by making herself a better alternative than letting all those criminals run rampant without control or coordination, and she even comes to an Arrangement with him that she passes on information on mutual threats. She also makes sure that her efforts regularly impede the work of Zuko and Aang, but not to such a degree that they'll tear the United Republic apart trying to find and stop her. She knows how to make herself a maximized annoyance but not quite a threat- not that it keeps the gAang from worry about whether she might decide to become a threat, someday.

So that's an unrepentant Azula to me. She's the charming toast of the professorial social scene, regularly publishing papers on sociology that no one quite understands. Late at night, she regularly accepts callers in dark robes who describe a problem to her and come away with a dangerously effective suggestion. Or perhaps they whisper a name to along with an outrageous price, and then six months later a judge dies in a freak accident and Azula's suite has a new famous painting in it that she couldn't possible afford on a professor's salary. Meanwhile, Republic City's crime prime continues to grow, no matter what anyone does to try to contain it.

[the-genius-az]

You're welcome!

It can have lots of drama before the little pack has their happy ending. I think part of Azula's redemption + healing arc would involve her eventually understanding that they didn't think they had an option + didn't know it could hurt so much. (Original!Azula herself only realized what was happening in the night before she passed away). With the bond still there, Azula tends to be protective, and a little more forgiving once she sees Ty Lee and Mai do love and need her.

I already am thinking about a "Izumi is Maizula's baby" tbh, now that the A/B/O obsession has infiltrated the Azula-centric part of my brain.

Ty Lee needs more fics where she's not the silly, stupid little girl. In the KS AU, I'm making Azula much worse than in canon to make it work with the plot, considering how canon!Azula is a jerk but definitely not a psychopath or anything of the sort. I really don't like the way fandom demonizes her, for a few reasons, and it also makes me feel weird for writing AUs where she is, indeed, a monster.

Yes. Here's the thing, I like the parallel of Oh Sangwoo, a straight man, being SA'd by his mother & Azula, a lesbian woman, being SA'd by her mother (+ I think Oh Sangwoo hallucinates her at some point? So that's a good parallel). Like, something that works into this specific character hating women so much they abuse and kill them in horrific ways.

(I don't like it either, which sounds almost like a hypocrite with the way I have multiple OCs that have SA in their backstory and I do write fucked up content. And because I also have read a lot of fics that have it in them – thankfully they do tend to work it so, so well. Like, not as a torture porn kind of thing, but another layer of her character. Azula x Ozai CSA seems to be almost a must for Maizula fics, and I eat it up every time.)

When I say "everything possible", I do mean it. It's a dragon AU and when Azulon asks for Azula's life instead of Zuko's (because she's Ozai's favorite), Ursa kills Azulon + takes Azula out of the palace (and Azula's hatred comes from how they abandon Zuko in the palace). Like, Ursa up until that point gave Zuko lots of attention, but there's a silent agreement between mother and daughter that goes like "this boy is ours" because they're dragons and all of that. I can talk for days about this AU too.

- Ash 🔥🍌

Thank you for this, Ash!

Original! Azula herself only realized what was happening in the night before she passed away.

I wonder how sad Azula was at that moment, she must have been screwed.

I already am thinking about a "Izumi is Maizula's baby" tbh, now that the A/B/O obsession has infiltrated the Azula-centric part of my brain.

I have an idea about a baby Maizula, maybe I'll post it later!

Ty Lee needs more fics where she's not the silly, stupid little girl.

I needed to bookmark this...

I really don't like the way fandom demonizes her, for a few reasons, and it also makes me feel weird for writing AUs where she is, indeed, a monster.

I know, sometimes the Aus completely change the characters, that makes them interesting or worse.

I like the parallel of Oh Sangwoo, a straight man, being SA'd by his mother & Azula, a lesbian woman, being SA'd by her mother (+ I think Oh Sangwoo hallucinates her at some point? So that's a good parallel).

I see the potential! I still don't like the SA though, but it's because of the plot.

(Honestly, I'm glad that we agree that it is Ursa who commits the act, sometimes everyone ignores that she is not a saint)

I don't like it either, which sounds almost like a hypocrite with the way I have multiple OCs that have SA in their backstory and I do write fucked up content.

Oh, I actually hate that kind of stuff, any fics, novels, manga and more, I'll leave it quick and fly away! I can't stand him, that's why I don't like Bl very much, he always has those things and the fans normalize him.

Seems to be almost a must for Maizula fics.

They are the only Fics that keep me on a leash, there is little content and I am hungry for Maizula.

It's a dragon AU and when Azulon asks for Azula's life instead of Zuko's (because she's Ozai's favorite), Ursa kills Azulon + takes Azula out of the palace (and Azula's hatred comes from how they abandon Zuko in the palace).

You are a bomb from Au's Azula!

(Sometimes my mind spins because of so much information in English, please have mercy next time).

Azula is a VERY loyal girl, it makes sense that she would be a little confused and angry about abandoning one of her own.

Actually, I think I talked something about Azula/Dragon, and her possessions that are people.

Like, Ursa up until that point gave Zuko lots of attention.

What did Ursa change to leave everything for Azula? I'm not saying she doesn't love her, I just don't think she would leave Zuko for Azula.

[turtletimewriting]

Tickletober- Day 14 Holding it in

Summary: Mai brings back a childhood game!

Note: Day 14 was the day I got up to during the last tickletober! 

Day One!

Previous Day!

_._._

The waves gently crashed on to the shore and a few distant birds chattered away. Mai was leaning against his back as she flicked through her book.  Distantly, he could hear Katara and Sokka screeching at each other but they were probably fine. Aang would shout if one of them drowned. The sun felt incredible as he simply laid back and took in the peaceful moment.

 “AH!” Zuko yelped.

 Mai’s sharp nails gently pinched his ribs. Zuko glared over his shoulder, but Mai only looked on with a very proud smirk. She moved so she bracketed him in, her legs on either side of him and her arms circling his waist. “Don’t you remember what we used to play?”

“What?” Zuko managed to get out before he yelped again. Her hand slowly circling around his side. He sat up straight with a wide expression.

“When we were bored kids… You really don’t remember?” Mai asked as boredly as she always spoke. For some reason, that made Zuko all the more nervous.

“No?”

“Well, it was some game we made. I think Azula started it first to make you embarrassed,” Mai explained casually as if she wasn’t now spidering his nails up his sides, past his ribs, and pushed aside his arms to feather up to his pits. Zuko tried squirming, his breathing now very stuttery, but he tried desperately to remember whatever she was talking about. But her words kept slipping from his concentration. “She’d challenge you to see how long you could go without showing you were being tickled. You were too competitive even as a stupid snotty kid.”

Then Mai suddenly snapped his hands to squeeze his knees that were folded up to his chest. Zuko let out a strangled yelp and immediately tried to kick out his legs. His laughter burst from him without much thought.

“Hah, I win,” Mai teased as she scribbled up his legs before dropping it, going back to her book.

 It was then that the memories finally hit him all over again.

 It had indeed all started from Azula. She found it absolutely hilarious that her big brother was very ticklish, even though she was as ticklish! So of course, she was going to show off for her friends. Mai and Ty Lee both giggled like the silly little girls they were at the time as Azula called Zuko over and then immediately pounced on him. He had spun around and tried to kick her, but he couldn’t hold in his laughter. He was soon cackling like a theatrical villain.

He couldn’t remember when it turned into a game for the three of them. It had started with Zuko trying to hold in his laughter so not to come across like a baby to his sister’s friends, but it quickly turned into the four of them tickling one and if they could hold in the laughter and not flinch then they would win. If they exploded into laughter or kept flinching or squirming, then the ticklers won. It was how they passed time sitting during all the boring ceremonies they had to attend or when one of them got bored randomly when they were all playing.

Instantly the memories came flooding back. Mai and Azula tickling his legs under a table and him chewing on his sleeve to hide his smile. Ty Lee blushing neon red when they all tickled her tummy while she was doing one of her circus moves. The first time he heard (that he at least remembered) Mai’s squeaky laughter as she finally lost it. The amount of weird looks his mother would give him and Azula as they both tried to tickle each other during dinner.

 “That’s not fair! You can’t just play that game when I had no time to prepare!” Zuko finally said.

“Uh, that’s the point of the game? If you knew it was coming then you would always win,” Mai replied without even looking up.

“B-but I completely forgot we even did that game! No. Rematch.” Zuko puffed his chest proudly, not at all realising just what he was getting himself into.

“Rematch?” Mai put her book down again.

“Yeah. I’m older now. There’s no way I can lose.”

“You literally did lose just a minute ago…” Mai smirked as she moved back into her position, boxing Zuko in. She laid her head on his shoulder and made a big deal out of chewing her lip and scouring over his body. Zuko cleared his throat but she still didn’t strike. Eventually she pulled her hands up so they were gently wiggling but she still didn’t tickle. “Hmm…”

“W-what!” Zuko tried to ask normally but it came out as a desperate squeak.

“Trying to remember all your good ticklish spots… It’s been awhile. I didn’t think about tickling you when you came back with Azula so it’s been… almost four years. I know your ribs are a good spot. You used to curl up like a little mouse because it tickled so badly.” As she spoke, her hands fluttered near his ribs. Zuko didn’t even realise he was smiling ticklishly already. “Your neck was always a cute spot because you’d scrunch up and your laugh would go all nasally. I remember if I wanted a challenge as a tickler then I would go after your feet as you weren’t as ticklish there. It was much harder to make you break because it was the soft gently tickles that would eventually break you…”

“JUST DO SOMETHING!” Zuko gasped, finally realising he was already close to laughing.

“Here, I’ll do you a favour. I’ll tickle your pits so no one can see your little weakness…” Mai cooed, her breath tickling his ear. Zuko suddenly bit down on his lip.

 He completely forgot that the entire gang were only a bit ahead of them. Aang was now bending water in a huge blob above Sokka who was panickily squealing as he tried to run through the water out of the way. Toph kept glancing over in their direction with smiling confusion.

 “Zuko? You’ll need to lift your arms first,” Mai smirked and Zuko could only gulp. No, he could totally do this! He slowly lifted his arms and Mai happily dived back in. His nails immediately scratching his pits, circling around the top of his ribs back into the very centre of his pits. “Remember, don’t react.”

Zuko tried to regulate his breathing but everything came out as breathy silent giggles. His chest bouncing all over the place. “You said you’d win, you can’t move,” Mai taunted.

“I-I’m just… heh leaning forward…” Zuko ground out, leaning forward while gritting his teeth violently. Mai only giggled and quickly changed her tickling to deep digging. “Mai!”

“Yes Zuko?”

“I-I heh hate you!” Zuko squealed but he managed to never let out a giggle.

Mai leaned forward and nuzzled into his face with a slight smile. “Tickle tickle tickle…”

“Mai!” Zuko didn’t even know his voice could go that high.

“Tickle tickle… Oh this must tickle so badly for you to be blushing this much.”

“MAHAHAHAAHAHAI! AHAHAHA!” Zuko then happily exploded into laughter and practically flung himself away from her, rubbing furiously at his pits and ribs.

 Zuko was bent over still frantically giggling when he felt a hand clasp his shoulder. He looked up and was met with the bone chilling sight of the entire gang staring at him with wide eager grins.

 Looks like the stupid childish game from his childhood was not going to retire any time soon… and gain a lot more players.

[reinerispretty]

rotations. (zuko x f!reader) pt22

hello!!! thank you all for your very kind words i super appreciate you :) happy reading! (u ask i deliver) 

pt1

pt21

pt23

A lot of her time was spent enduring criticism from generals, noblemen, and other advisors on how to run the country. Each idea she had was continuously shot down. She knew they were only taking advantage of Zuko’s absence, but their blind defiance of her made her angry. She was only trying to help! Why couldn’t they see that?

The exciting things always seemed to happen while (Y/N) was asleep. She woke to a commotion happening outside of her door. Blinking the sleepiness from her eyes, she slipped on her robe and slippers and peered her head outside of her room. She watched Azula dart past and Zuko running closely after her. (Y/N) blinked, rubbing her eyes once more to confirm that was what she saw. Sure enough, Azula was running down the halls of the palace, laughing hysterically as she did so. 

Her presence made no sense to (Y/N). Azula was supposed to be in prison, locked away so tightly that she couldn’t bring harm to anyone. So why was she running around the palace?

The event had surprised (Y/N) enough to wake her up. She ran down the hall after the two siblings, following them out of the palace, down through the gardens, and into a side building whose purpose she had never been sure of. She reached the two just in time to see Azula shut herself behind a door that could only be opened using firebending. Silently, she and Zuko used their bending to open the doors. 

The heavy wood parted, revealing a secret study that obviously belonged to Ozai, if the portrait of him above the fireplace was any indication. Azula was at the back of the room, rifling through a chest before popping back up with an, “Aha!” She clutched thin pieces of paper in her pale hands. Turning around, she flashed a smile at (Y/N). 

“Oh, Zuzu, you didn’t tell me (Y/N) was going to be here! I’ve been looking forward to catching up with her.” 

“What are you doing, Azula?” (Y/N) demanded. Azula ignored her, instead focusing on Zuko. 

“Father and I have been getting along very nicely since we’ve been in prison. He even told me about these letters,” She fanned herself with the pages. “That Mother wrote before she was banished. They might be the key to you finding her.” 

“Give them to me.” Zuko stretched out his hand, practically begging his sister. “Azula, please.” The girl stared at him for a moment before the letters went up in blue flames. She laughed as she saw the horrified expression on their faces. 

“Relax, I know everything that was in these letters. Which is why if you want to find our mother, you’ll have to do it on my terms.” 

“No,” (Y/N) said immediately. Zuko stared at her, his face contorted in confusion. “All she wants is to play games, Zuko, don’t let her. We can find your mother another way.” 

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be able to,” Azula drawled, leaning against the large wooden desk of the study. “Not from what Father told me.” 

“Azula always lies!” (Y/N) hissed at Zuko. He looked from (Y/N) to Azula, then back to (Y/N). 

“I have to trust her,” Zuko said quietly. “Just this once.” 

“You won’t regret this, Zuzu,” Azula smiled. “Now, my stipulations. I must accompany you, of course, unbound. No restraints whatsoever.” 

Zuko ground his teeth. “Fine.” 

(Y/N) flung her hands into the air and let out an exasperated sigh before leaving the room. She passed Suki and Ty Lee, who were no doubt on their way to restrain Azula for the time being. Zuko quickly chased after her. 

“What’s wrong?” He asked once he had caught up with her, grabbing her by her forearm. 

“She’s playing you, Zuko!” She exclaimed. “She doesn’t really care about you, or finding your mother.” 

“I have to give her another chance.” 

“Why? It’s not like she deserves it! She almost killed the both of us the last time we saw her!”

“Azula’s my family, (Y/N). You gave me another chance. I have to give her one, too.” 

(Y/N) stared up at him. His amber eyes glimmered in the moonlight. He had shown her that everyone was capable of great change. But she couldn’t bring herself to award the same sympathy to Azula. The last time they had seen each other, Azula had nearly killed Zuko. If Katara hadn’t been there to heal him, he would have died. She wasn’t sure if that was something she could forgive. 

“Come with me to find her,” Zuko pleaded. (Y/N) looked past him to see Suki and Ty Lee leading Azula back into the palace. She remembered Zuko hitting the ground and Azula’s wicked laugh. She shook her head. 

“I understand and support you finding your mother, but I can’t be around her. It wouldn’t end well and I don’t want to ruin the reunion.” 

“I get it.” She could see the disappointment lingering on his features. It made her feel incredibly guilty, but she new she had to protect herself. It wasn’t a good idea to put her and Azula together after everything that had happened. 

She gave Zuko a half smile before returning to bed. 

---

Zuko left a few days later, accompanied with Azula and their friends. (Y/N) was saddened that she might miss out on another adventure, but she knew it was for the best. After all, someone had to run the Fire Nation in Zuko’s absence. 

A lot of her time was spent enduring criticism from generals, noblemen, and other advisors on how to run the country. Each idea she had was continuously shot down. She knew they were only taking advantage of Zuko’s absence, but their blind defiance of her made her angry. She was only trying to help! Why couldn’t they see that?

After a particularly grueling argument with another general on the state of the world, (Y/N) had decided that she would like to spend the rest of her day sitting by the turtle duck pond. She brought a book and read under the big tree while eating an apple. Perhaps it was the physical and emotional distance between them, but (Y/N) missed Zuko when he was gone. Meetings flew by easier with him at her side. She had more patience for the old men that tried to argue with her. 

A shadow appeared, blocking the sunlight from shining on (Y/N’s) book. She squinted up at the figure and recognized it as Ren, the son of one of the Earth Kingdom noblemen that had been particularly difficult with her today. Diplomats tended to bring their children along with them on important meetings so that they would better understand how they went when it came time for them to attend on their own. “Can I help you?” She asked. 

“I’m Ren,” He said, extending his hand to her. She shook it slowly. “I just wanted to introduce myself to you and apologize for the way my father behaved today.” 

“It’s alright,” She said with a shrug, taking another bite of her apple. “He wasn’t the first to be mean to me and he certainly won’t be the last.” 

“May I sit?” He asked, gesturing to the grass beside her. She gave a noncommittal shrug, which he took as a yes. “I really liked your idea about holding a festival to promote unity in the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom.” 

(Y/N) tilted her head. “How’d you get into the palace?” 

“I’ve been here since the meeting. You left too quickly for me to talk to you, so I asked the servants where you were until one of them led me to you.” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I promise I’m not trying to be weird, I just really wanted to let you know that you have someone rooting for you from the other side.” 

She let out a small smile. “Well thank you, Ren, I appreciate that.” He smiled brightly at her before standing. 

“I should probably get going, but I’ll be at the meeting tomorrow if you’ll be there?” 

“When the Fire Lord’s out of town, I’m at every meeting.” He gave a quick nod before bowing and walking off of the palace grounds. She watched him as his figure retreated into a small blip on the horizon. What a weird guy. 

As weeks progressed without Zuko’s return, Ren found more and more ways to worm his way into (Y/N’s) time. He would talk to her after every meeting and reassure her that the points she had made were smart and discussed very eloquently. He seemed genuine in his compliments, which made (Y/N) feel nice on the inside. She felt her confidence in meetings improve, as long as Ren was there to give her a big smile and thumbs up when no one was looking. 

She liked to think that she helped him out, too. When they weren’t in meetings, they discussed ways to make their nations better. She let him know what might be well received by the other diplomats, which allowed him to come out of his shell a bit more during meetings. Some days, when they weren’t supposed to meet, she would invite Ren to sit under the big tree with her and feed the turtle ducks. 

“If I’m being honest, I’ve never really hung out with anyone from the Fire Nation before,” Ren admitted one day as he tossed a slice of bread into the pond. The turtle ducks and their babies all swam toward it, instantly devouring it. 

“I’ve never really hung out with anyone from the Earth Kingdom before, other than Toph. But she’s her own special brand of person.”

“Really? Not even when you were sent there?” She shrugged. 

“My parents never wanted me to go outside of our house. I had to sneak out to see what the city was really like. But I never got to hang out with anyone and just be myself.” 

“So they just kept you locked in all day?” She nodded. “Man, I didn’t think being engaged to the Fire Lord would stink that bad, but I guess so.” 

(Y/N) stared at him, her brows furrowed. “I’m not engaged to the Fire Lord.” Ren stared back, confused. 

“Really? You’re always in all of our meetings, I just assumed that you were preparing to be queen.” (Y/N) scoffed. 

“I guess you’re not too far off. Zuko and I used to be betrothed or whatever, but that all got thrown out the window when he was banished. I’m just his friend that helps him handle all of his Fire Lord duties.” 

“Oh,” Ren said, tossing another piece of bread into the pond. “Just to confirm, you and Fire Lord Zuko aren’t together?” She shook her head. “Then it wouldn’t be a problem if I asked to take you out on a date this weekend?” 

(Y/N) analyzed him for a moment. Her heart had told her for the longest time that it belonged to Zuko, but maybe she just needed to find someone who could change that. And here was a cute, funny guy that she enjoyed spending her time with. She should take a chance. 

“I don’t think that’d be a problem at all.” 

---

Tag List!

@afxndommess , @xapham , @thanosismybitxh , @outerxorbit , @thenerdiverse , @himawarichild , @welovediaaxx , @justahockeylover , @loganrwebb , @awesomelupe , @cirtruss , @eridanuswave , @aroyaldarknessblr , @theinfernalmemes , @akariblue , @julietvsanchez05 , @harryisthesunshine , @prospekt-42 , @kindxrjcy , @lunariasilver , @lovepsychicbitch , @mcallmestiles, @simply-stanning , @helbreajs , @shephard17895 , @astroninaaa , @leiaofthestars , @miskwaadesiwag , @art-flirt , @musicalkeys , @aangsty-sokkasm , @we-lucky-few , @vgirl-10123 , @ella-solei , @davnwillcome , @valiantprincessthea , @errrrca , @hahaimstoopid, @kamahriii , @michelletc , @unseasoned-emo-bitch , @maybe-a-fangurl , @niramoon , @hyluas , @jvghead-jones-iii , @youneedmemanidonotneedyou , @luleck , @toasted-crispy-emo27 , @lolaywrites , @swagdaddycam , @itsivyberry , @royahllty , @ramen-hair-denki , @bucky-blogs , @damianwaynerocks , @beew , @lozzybowe , @anonymousbambi , @duh-dobrik

[sokkastyles]

There's this thing where I have to constantly learn about the comics through bad Azula stan takes accompanied by completely out of context screenshots to prove Azula is being wrongly persecuted by either the writers, the fandom, the characters, or all three combined, somehow. I've previously only ever seen a cropped picture of Azula eating the mochi talking about how cute she is and "how could anyone say she's cruel and ruthless, look at how cute she is?"

Which is ironic considering both that ATLA literally parodies this idea with the gaang commenting on how cute Ozai was as a baby, and the actual context of the scene, which I was horrified to learn because of seeing these images taken so often out of context.

What Azula does in this scene is incredibly manipulative. Azula casually brings it up as if it's no big deal but Mai instantly remembers, and when Mai accuses Azula of making her do something that she felt extremely guilty about, Azula denies it and says it was all Mai's idea, that Mai "insisted" on it, and that conveniently, Azula just HAD to eat all of it herself, while her friends watched on guiltily. Even though we can guess, by the context of Azula and Mai's relationship, that Azula very well has the means and ability to make Mai do something she doesn't want to do. So what you have here is Azula manipulating Mai into doing something against her mother that made her feel guilty, and Azula reaping the benefits of it because not only does Azula get the mochi, but she gets the satisfaction of gaining control over Mai through making her do something that she knew Mai would feel bad about and also making her feel like she was the one in the wrong and that it was all her fault. What most likely happened is that Azula probably told Mai to do it and then said something like "unless you're too scared," and then Mai "insisted," i.e., did not want Azula to think she was scared or weak, because we - and Mai specifically - know what happens when Azula knows your weakness. We also know that Mai had a controlling mother and that Mai felt stifled by her, which would only increase Mai's feelings of guilt over the whole incident. Azula also could have convinced Mai by playing on those feelings of resentment towards her mother, because again, we know that Azula, even as a young child, was good at sussing out people's weaknesses and how to manipulate them.

Azula also denies that she knew that eating the mochi was something they were specifically told not to do, "your mother might have said something like that...it was so long ago..." when Mai confronts her with the feelings of hurt she still has over what happened, but we know that Azula remembers this event very well because she was the one who brought it up to Mai in the first place. The language Azula uses here is pretty classic gaslighting to describe an event where she talked her friend into doing something that made her feel awful about herself.

Now, do I think Azula was consciously thinking "hehe, how to gain control over my friends Mai and Ty Lee?" No. Azula was a young child and she most likely just wanted the mochi, but the context here implies that this was a repeated pattern of behavior and that Azula knew very well even at a young age how to manipulate her friends in order to get what she wanted, even if it meant hurting them, and justifies it in her mind as an older child because she has learned that she can get away with it and knows how to twist the narrative to make herself seem innocent and put blame on others for the things she did.

[hello-yue-here]

📓📓📓

THANK YOU

this time: zuko and kiyi and azula

look. ive never read the comics. i dont intend to. ive seen ppl say good things and bad things and im honestly too scared to even read them at this point. but i do know that there is a half sister named kiyi and DAMMIT IF IM NOT GONNA FUCKIN RUN WITH THAT.

think of it: middle child azula.

OH MY GOD. middle child azula. this is her chance to be free.

its an azula redemption fic because yeah she did some fucked up shit but at the same time she was an abused child. she deserved a chance at a better life. so fuck yeah. azula redemption.

azula had been going to therapy and speaking with zuko and iroh and trying to rebuild her relationships with them. mai and ty lee came by to see her a couple of times over the years but it was still hard. its been a few years after the war, but she finally feels ready to return home. zuko is waiting for her at the palace with mai ty lee and iroh.

as well as ursa ikem and kiyi.

azula knew the three of them would be there. but she has no idea how yo respond. she is stiff and awkward and people are concerned that shes angry because her face is doing that weird thing where she crunches her eyebrows (let it be known that in my head azulas confused, conflicted, anxious, and angry faces are literally all the same face. she has one facial expression and its 🤨)

look idk shit ab yhe comics so for this fics sake this is the first time azula and kiyi ever meet. idk if thats right or not in canon but fuck canon this is mine.

kiyi is VERY excited to meet azula. azula is like who tf is this kid.

azula and kiyi bonding. azula reconnecting with her mother and trying to rebuild a relationship with her. azula interacting with ikem and finally having a real father figure (she just didnt connect with iroh the way zuko did)

but the best part: kiyi is her younger sister.

which means everyone still babies her. azula thought shes be the one getting babied because of her past, but nope. they know shes an adult now and they believe in her progress. so everyones always paying attention to little 10 year old kiyi (idk her age go away nothing matters)

on the flipside, if they arent worried about kiyi theyre worried about zuko. zuko is now in his 20’s or whatever and is still trying to dissolve the monarchy but bla bla bla ppl are giving him a hard time so everyones concerned that hes too stressed.

sure they still care about axula. they dont ignore her. but no one is there to criticize her imperfections anynore. no one expects her to come up with flawless invasion plans anymore. no one expects her to look perfect at all times. no one expects her to keep her mouth shut unless asked to speak. no one expects her to be perfect.

and azula finally feels free. she feels free to do her little sisters hair and laugh about her silly crushes at school. she feels free to paint with her brother and not let herself compare whos art is better. she feels free to just have fun with mai and ty lee by seeing plays and going out and having fun instead of hunting down avatars.

azula isnt in the spotlight anymore. and she couldnt be happier.

[jaceyneedsabetterusername]

Can’t Lose You

Pairing: Zuko x Reader

Summary: Y/N, a servant in the palace, and Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation, never should have been allowed to be friends growing up but after three years, things have changed for the both of them. 

Warnings: Descriptions of burns/ injuries (the scene where Ozai burns Zuko)

Word Count: 7300 (it’s a long one y’all)

A/N: I know that they never once mention cards in A:TLA but I had a hard time figuring out how to do the scene with Azula with something like Pai Sho pieces. 

Part 2 out now! Can’t Get Rid Of Me

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It was a beautiful day on Ember Island, with the sun shining brightly, the waves crashing in beautiful roars, and the lizard-birds cawing overhead. The sun warmed your skin as you carried your basket full of blown glass beaded jewelry into the marketplace, small glass orbs of every color swishing around like liquid almost in the woven basket. The normal crowd bustled around you in three categories: 1) The Rich Kids: These were the teenagers whose parents were generals or socialites in the Fire Nation military. They were either here on vacation or enjoyed living in an exotic place. Their lives revolved around partying, shopping, and drinking. 2) The Merchants and Artisans: Another set of locals, just much less affluent than the former group. These were the people who lived on Ember Island full time and were the only reason things ran. They provided services from cooking to clothing to furniture. 3) The Tourists: These were the citizens from the mainland that came to Ember Island to take in the sights and relax. You were a part of the second of these categories. 

Creating glass beads was never something you saw yourself doing. Especially not several years ago. Artisanal work was something that seemed so far out of anything you could do. See, you’d grown up in the palace… sort of. Your parents had been servants in the palace prior to your birth which led you to a life of servitude yourself. 

It was a miserable life no matter how much your parents insisted it was better than living in one of the poorer villages outside of the palace, where people were treated like they were from other nations. Every day from the age of eleven, you’d been bossed around by anyone who had a title. “Get me water!” “Get me food!” “Wash my clothes!” “Make my bed!” You were nothing. Most of the time, they didn’t even use your name. Most of them didn’t even know your name. But that wasn’t even the worst of it because there was always Azula. 

**

The sun shone brightly in the little courtyard full of flowers and the little pond with turtle ducks that you and Zuko loved to play with. Zuko had been your best friend since his mother had allowed you to play with the royal children. Both of your parents were servants in the palace and, in the early years of your life, you were too young to work around the castle when you weren't in school. When Ursa found out, she insisted that you play with Zuko, Azusa, Mai, and Ty Lee, despite Ozai's insistence that his children should not associate with people below them. It was the one debate that Ursa ever seemed to win.  

Despite her victory though, it didn't mean that your 'play dates' were much fun. At first, you gravitated towards Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai, as they were the girls and who Ursa first introduced you to with the assumption you guys would be friends. While Mai and Ty Lee both loved you and treated you well, Azula took after her father and treated you like scum. She'd feign niceties and then turn on you and do horrible things. She treated Zuko very similarly so the two of you bonded over your mutual dislike of his sister. 

The two of you became best friends and did everything together. You ran around the halls of the palace but always made sure to hide away from Ozai, fearing he'd do something to you or your parents if he found you with his son. Although nothing was outright romantic between the two of you, Ursa saw the little sparks between you two when she was with you. She noticed the way your guys' little cheeks would burn red if your hands accidentally touched or saw the way your gazes would linger a little longer on each other when the other looked away. Unlike her husband, she had no problem with your little unspoken crushes. Thankfully, Ozai was never involved in his children's personal lives much anyways so he didn't notice but it wasn't long until Azula caught on. 

She would corner you and pretend to want to have "girl talk" about boys and crushes. It was never long until she brought up her brother. "I know you like Zuko. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I think it's cute that you think you have a chance. But you know he's a prince right? And even though you get to play royals with us, he could never marry someone of such low class." Even at ten years old, her words stung. You'd always had little fantasies that maybe he'd sweep you away from your predestined life of servitude one day. He didn't even have to sweep you away to a life of royalty, you just wanted him to sweep you away to anywhere. But maybe Azula was right. Zuko was royalty and you were far from it. 

So your friendship continued for the next several years until his banishment. In secret, he taught you firebending from a young age. As a servant, it didn't matter much if you were a firebender, you didn't get training because your parents neither had the money or the time nor were either benders. He taught you the basic moves and, though he wasn't as skilled as his sister, you were greatly appreciative of his teaching and actually knew almost as much as he did.

One day, just days after your eleventh birthday, you and Zuko sat at the edge of the pond, trying to oure turtle ducklings to you with pieces of bread. "I've almost got him!" Zuko whispered excitedly, the baby duck only two or three feet away. 

You couldn't wait to pet him! They were so soft when they were ducklings! 

"Hey, Y/N! Come here!" Azula called from across the grass field. You stood up and looked cautiously at her, already distrusting all of her motives. 

"Why?" You asked skeptically. 

Her eyebrows furrowed, "My mother may let you play with us but I am still a princess and you obey me! Besides, it's just a card trick." Azula's personality switched quickly, which scared you as a young child, but after a quick look of fear to Zuko, you walked over. 

Mai and Ty Lee stood back, both watching as you came over to their group and leaned down to look at the cards Azula lied on the rock. "What's the trick?" You asked, hoping she really did just have a magic trick. 

She sprawled them out, "Pick one and look at it but don't show me. You can show them though." She waved her hand to her other friends as if they didn't actually matter. Without much thought, you picked one that was buried slightly and looked at it. 8 of diamonds. 

"Now put it anywhere in the deck." You did as she instructed and handed her back the deck. She closed her eyes tightly and threw all the cards up in the air before swinging her arms in controlled movements, ropes of fire coming from her hands. One rope singed a single card from midair while the other wrapped around your calves, sending a searing hot white flash of pain through your body. 

"Y/N!" Zuko yelled when he saw the flames wrap their way up your legs and he ran towards you. You crumpled to the ground, tears falling freely as you cried in pain. Mai and Ty Lee gasped at what their friend had just done but didn't say anything out of pure terror of what she'd do if they did. 

Azula reached down and picked up the single singed card, a hole burnt straight through it. She inspected the card, "Eight of diamonds. Was this your card?" She asked as if you weren't on the ground, sobbing in pain with blisters forming up your legs from something she'd done. 

"Mom!" Zuko called out as he sat there beside your crying form, unsure of what to do or say, anger flaming up within him.

"Oh calm down, Zuzu," Azula rolled her eyes, "Your girlfriend is fine. It's a second-degree burn at most." 

"She's not my girlfriend!" Zuko hissed, throwing a fireball at his sister that she easily dodged, "You're a monster!" 

Ursa came running out quickly at her son's plea for help, "What on earth is going on here?!" She crouched next to you and could see the skin on your legs already boiling up from between the seared tears in your pants, "Azula, what have you done!?" Ursa was furious as she picked you up. 

Azula scoffed, "We were only playing, mother. It was an accident." 

"No it wasn't! Azula hurt her on purpose!" Zuko defended you, jumping up to stand beside his mother. 

Ursa looked at Ty Lee and Mai who looked terrified and didn't even make a move but the look in their eyes confirmed what Zuko said. Ursa held you close to her body before gripping her daughter's wrist roughly, "You have no idea how much trouble you're in." 

And she did. Azula had never gotten in so much trouble in her life, though, of course it did nothing but fuel her hatred for her mother and you and make her side further with her father She blamed you entirely and had harbored resentment against you for having the nerve to return the next day (something you did only because Zuko had begged you to since he wasn't allowed at your house.) Since that day, you never feared her again. You hated her. You didn't think it was possible to hold so much resentment for some as you did for her but you swore one day you'd get your shot to firebend her ass into a pile of ashes without receiving capital punishment, the only thing that kept you even remotely professional over the years. 

**

You shuttered at the thought. The scars that crawled up your calves like vines tingled whenever you thought about that day. It was far from the last time that Azula was ever mean to you but it was the worst thing she’d ever done to you physically. Mentally, well that was another story. 

That was why you’d run away to Ember Island. Even though you too were a fire bender, you could never retaliate against Azula, who took a sick pleasure in torturing you. At one point, you thought it would be worth the inevitable death or imprisonment that was sure to come with retaliation but when you got close, so close that Azula could sense that you were about to fire at her, she brought up your parents, and what she could do to them. It was enough to make you stop that day but it was that night that you left the castle, leaving only a note for your parents to briefly explain before disappearing. With the impending war and attacks, Ember Island seemed like a good enough place to set up. It was far enough away from Azula to be safe but vacationing didn’t seem high on anyone’s priorities list. 

So this was your new life and you loved it. 

The trip to the market was a quick one. You only had to drop off the beads to the artisans who made jewelry from them- you were only the bead maker. The rest of the day was open for you. As you walked back, you came to a split in the road. One, you knew led directly back to the house you were staying at. The other, you couldn’t recall having ever taken in all your time here.

“Let’s see what’s down here.” You hummed to yourself, looking for a little something to change up your routine. This was what you loved about no longer being a maid in the palace. Freedom. Freedom to go where you want, when you want, with who you want, to do whatever you want. The road itself was dirt with the occasional rocks around. It was lined with the large tropical plants found all around the island. At first, there were scattered stores which began to mix with houses before becoming entirely residential. These houses were quite a bit nicer than the houses in the residential area you lived in. Fire Nation flags hung from many of them. “Generals?” You questioned aloud to nobody but yourself. 

Down the road just a bit further, maybe a quarter mile down, the dirt road became much less maintained but there was still a path. After a while of walking, you saw that it led up a small hill to a large house that seemed hidden away from almost the entire island. It was large and beautiful, with traditional architecture built up in red tiles. The walls were practically windows, which you figured would be fantastic considering the wonderful view of the ocean from here. 

The road dead ended into this one home so you knew you should turn around now but the curiosity was killing you. This house looked luxurious but abandoned. The windows, though not broken, were dusty and looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in years. You couldn’t imagine anyone who owned such a magnificent vacation home allowing it to get so dirty unless it hadn't been used in a long time. 

Figuring you probably wouldn't get caught, you decided to check out the house and walked around the building. Heck, if it were abandoned, maybe you could even move in and fix it up. That wouldn’t count as stealing right? 

You wandered around the house until suddenly-

“Guys, someone’s coming!” A girl’s voice exclaimed from the side of the house that faced the beach. Your heart stopped and before you could even jump to hide in a bush, there were running footsteps coming towards you. Within seconds, a group of people about your age were staring at you. 

Your hands flew up in defense, “I am so sorry. I thought the house was abandoned and-” As you spoke, your eyes scanned across the faces until you noticed one in particular that made everything stop, “Z-zuko?” You couldn’t believe your eyes. Your best friend in the world, even after all this time, stood ahead of you, looking so different than you remembered but also exactly the same. His hair that you’d always known to be tied up to perfection and his royal clothing always neatly pressed, a desperate attempt to be as perfect as he could for his father, was now ragged and relaxed. His hair was down, grown long and dangling over his eyes in some spots. His clothing was that of commoners instead of royalty but you couldn’t help but notice the taut muscles and small scars that he’d acquired over the time of his exile. 

“Y/N? Is that really you?” Zuko’s eyes were wide with total shock and his skin paled as if he’d seen a ghost. He honestly never thought he’d see you again but there you stood, looking more beautiful than ever. He almost didn’t even recognize you. All throughout your childhoods, you’d always looked the same, day in and day out. Your hair was always down with the exception of the signature Fire Nation bun and you wore off-red servant’s garbs. But now, now you looked exquisite. Your hair was similar to how it was, still flowing down with the bun on top, save for the two small braids that framed your face. Instead of robes, you now wore a crimson crop top that crossed around your neck with an asymmetrical skirt of the same color over black capris. But the thing he noticed most of all was the gold arm band around your bicep that he’d given you for your birthday the year before he was banished. 

You nodded fervently and almost ran towards him but your knees nearly buckled when you collided. Thankfully, Zuko had his arms wrapped tightly around you, hugging you so tightly he lifted you to your toes anyways. You couldn’t help the overwhelming surge of emotions. Somewhere between relief and love and fear and confusion. When Zuko was banished, you were terrified you’d never see him again.

“How is this possible? Azula told me you were dead.” Zuko finally set you down and looked into your eyes. 

Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “What? No… I’m-” You struggled to figure out where to start, “After you were banished, I stayed for another two years but without yours or your mother’s defense, she just got worse and worse. One day, I just- I almost snapped. I could feel the warmth in my hands. I almost attacked her but she began to threaten my parents. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t beat her. I haven’t had a teacher since you left. I didn’t hurt her but I ran away that night. After a while of wandering, I ended up here. I don’t know why she told you I was dead but it sounds like something she would do.” 

Zuko looked away angrily, “She’s always been a monster to you. To both of us. When I went back to the palace, I asked about you and she told me that you’d gotten sick and died shortly after I left. She only said it because she knew I’d be devastated and I fell right into the trap.” 

A part of your heart twinged from the feeling of being loved. Even after all this time apart, in which you were scared he’d forget about you, he just admitted to being devastated when he’d thought you’d died. 

You were unsure of how to respond to the look on Zuko’s face, a strange mixture of anger and relief. Pure bitterness for Azula. After a brief moment, you reached out for him and pulled him in for another hug, again holding onto him like you’d never let him go again. The very thought of losing Zuko another time made your heart jump to your throat in the worst of ways. “I’m here now though. No matter her threats or lies, here we are.” 

“You know her?” A young bald boy with arrows on his head asked from back with the rest of the group. You’d forgotten there were more people there but when you looked back, you noticed the rest of the group. 

Zuko turned to face the group but kept his hand placed on the small of your back, keeping you close to him, “This is Y/N. She was my best friend back at the palace. Y/N, this is Suki, Sokka, Katara, Toph, and Aang. Aang is the avatar.” 

The boy named Sokka looked suddenly distressed, “You’re just going to tell a friend from the Fire Nation palace that Aang’s the avatar?! What if she tries to kill him?” 

You shook your head at the accusation, your eyebrows raised in a desperate attempt to convince them that you were being truthful, “Oh no! I’ve never agreed with the Fire Nation’s goals! If you’re the avatar, you need to stop Ozai.” 

“I can vouch for her. Even when we were kids, she told me in secret that she didn’t believe that there was any superior element and that the Fire Nation shouldn’t be invading the other nations. Even when I did….” Zuko’s face fell with guilt for what his past self believed, “But I promise, if anyone from the Fire Nation would be on our side, it’s her.” 

Suki stepped forward, her face kind and curious, “You said you ran away from the palace? Are you royalty too?” 

You snorted and Zuko actually cracked a small humorous smile as well, “Oh no. A servant actually.” 

“A servant?” Katara questioned, “I don’t mean to be rude but if you’re a servant and Zuko was a prince, how were you friends?” 

Zuko stiffened up a little bit while you tried to hide the sadness you felt revolving around the circumstances, “My parents were the only royal servants to have a child. Zuko’s mother saw that I didn’t have any friends in the palace and allowed me to play with Zuko, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.” The memories of Ursa were all fond. Aside from Zuko, she was the only member of the royal family who treated you with any kindness. When she disappeared, you and Zuko mourned your loss of her together, even though you never did find out the truth about what happened to her that night. 

“You were forced to play with Azula? That must have been traumatizing.” Toph chimed, genuine apology in her sarcastic tone. 

You shifted awkwardly from side to side, one hand shooting up to rub your opposite bicep as those scars that snaked up your calves seemed to burn with awareness, “Yeah, it kind of was.” Your voice was lower than it had been, as the incident had been somewhat of a sore spot for you. 

Katara followed Zuko’s inconspicuously downcast gaze to where your legs were visible beneath your tight black pants that you wore beneath your asymmetrical red skirt. She was automatically hit with a pang of guilt when she saw the ever so slightly raised red vine-like scars that trailed up your legs and disappeared beneath the pants and immediately had an idea of how you’d acquired them. “I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to-” 

“It’s okay, you didn’t know,” You insisted sincerely, “Besides, they don’t bother me much anymore.” 

Eager to shift the topic, Aang jumped into the conversation, “Well I don’t know if you’ve got a home here or anything but you're welcome to stay with us.” He offered cheerily. Everyone else seemed in agreement, or at least didn't outright object, and how could you possibly say no to getting to spend time with Zuko again? 

"I'd love to. Thank you." 

Later that night, you and Zuko left the group by the campfire to disappear into the house. "So, this is the infamous summer house you'd always leave me for." You chuckled in remembrance, memories of having to watch your best friend disappear for weeks at a time while having to pretend you didn't care for the sake of keeping your friendship 'appropriate', especially after Ursa disappeared. 

"I always wanted to take you here. It's so much different now. Everything's different…" he trailed off, coming to a stop in the middle of a large, mostly empty room. The moonlight streaming from the windows cast a nostalgic shadow on the room and you couldn't help but remember the last time you saw each other. 

**

It was sickening. The entire arena was filled to the brim with people, mostly Fire Nation elite, all surrounding the main floor. Servants weren't supposed to be permitted but Iroh had snuck you in. Iron had taken you in as much as he could, seeing how important to Zuko you were. In a way, you too felt like he was your uncle. When you'd gone to him, begging him to stop the Agni Kai, he insisted that he'd tried to talk sense into his brother but was unsuccessful and that the most he could do to help was sneak you into the audience. 

So there you stood, surrounded by hundreds of animals who cheered for the murder of their thirteen year old prince by a well experienced war general, all because Zuko thought it wasn’t right to sacrifice hundreds of soldiers. “I’m not afraid to face the general,” Zuko had told you as he practiced his firebending with you all day before the Agni Kai, “I meant no disrespect, but I refuse to take back what I said. If this is what it takes, then this is what I’ll do.” 

When Zuko walked out into the open arena, the room went silent. Nobody would dare boo their prince but you were sure that if he were anyone else, they would have. He knelt down, facing away from where his opponent would take his place, staring at the ground. Your heart was in your throat with fear for your best friend. Although Zuko was your secret firebending teacher and much better than you, he had a tendency to crack under the gaze of people he was desperate to impress. The general he was supposed to fight was definitely not someone you’d imagine was one to take it easy on a kid, even if he was the prince. 

Zuko’s opponent came out in the shadows and shadowed his kneel, facing away from Zuko. When it was time, they both stood up and stepped towards each other. When they did, everyone gasped. Where the general was expected to be stood Ozai himself. An audible gasp and murmur ran through the crowd. 

“Oh no-” You stopped breathing entirely, “What’s happening?” Even from your obscured seat, you could see Zuko’s eyes widen in shock and panic. Confliction was written all over his face. 

The man beside you chuckled sadistically, “By speaking out in the Fire Lord’s war room, he has not only disrespected the general but the Fire Lord himself. This should be good.” You turned away from the man in utter disbelief that someone could say something like that about a literal child about to be harmed by his father. 

Ozai stepped forward, hands up and ready to deflect any attacks from his son but the way he moved showed that he didn’t expect his son to make any move. He was testing him and Zuko had failed to impress. Zuko fell onto his knees, shaking in fear. He hung his head low, “Please, father! I only had the Fire Nation’s best interest at heart. I’m sorry I spoke out of turn.” 

“You will fight for your honor.” Ozai continued to step towards him, an unyielding expression on his face. 

“I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son.” Zuko begged, laying all of his dignity on the line in front of the nation’s most influential people. 

Ozai wanted no part of it, “Rise and fight, Prince Zuko.” 

Zuko’s forehead laid on the ground as Ozai came to stand above him, “I won’t fight you.” 

His father stood tall and loomed over his small child, “You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.” 

When Zuko looked up, tears streamed down his cheeks, knowing that his father had no consideration of mercy. All you could hear were Zuko’s screams and the roar of flames leaving Ozai’s fist as you watched your friend be brutally burned. Your tears were unstoppable and unconsolable as you genuinely thought he killed Zuko. When the flames stopped, he was on the ground, holding his face and sobbing in pain. Ozai turned his back, something between pride for winning and embarrassment for the way his son reacted to the duel on his face. 

“The way you have behaved during this Agni Kai was more disgraceful than speaking out of turn. You have brought shame on yourself and the royal family. The punishment is banishment. Unless you can capture the Avatar, you are no longer welcome in the Fire Nation.” You gasped at what Ozai had said before he turned away and left, head straight and lips tight.

You began to run and push your way through the crowd, thanking goodness for your smaller stature compared to the adults all around. You had to find Zuko and make sure he was okay. You didn’t care if you’d get caught or in trouble, you just needed to find him. Being a servant had its perks in knowing the palace inside and out. It became obvious that nobody was going to help the prince until, while on your way through the halls, you ran into Iroh who too was looking to help the boy. 

Finally, you’d made your way to him and Iroh carried him to a washroom. You quickly ran over and retrieved a bowl of cool water while Iroh leaned him back. “Pour the water on the burn.” He instructed. 

“Close your eyes.” You told Zuko, although his eyes were already shut tight in pain. The cool water flowed from the bowl and onto his face, which looked red and blistered already. This was by far the worst burn you’d ever seen. Zuko struggled slightly against the liquid but stopped crying and calmed down when the water became soothing. 

Iroh had located bandages and began to bandage his nephew’s face. 

“I-I can’t believe what happened.” Zuko stuttered out, “He banished me.” You weren’t sure you’d ever seen him so pale. “Where do I go, Uncle? What do I do?” He began to work himself up again as the weight of the last hour really settled. 

Iroh turned to put down the gauze, “You must leave the Fire Nation, Prince Zuko,” He began and Zuko looked panicked again, “But I will go with you.” 

You both turned to Iroh, “Uncle, no! You’re whole life is here.” 

“The world is no place for a boy to wander alone. And there is not much here for me in the Fire Nation palace anyways.” You all knew he was referring to the rumors of him being the weaker brother, the disgraced general. “I will accompany you.” 

Zuko placed his hands on his knees and braced himself as he thought through the situation, “I must find the Avatar. It’s the only way to regain my honor.” 

Both you and Iroh looked apprehensive but you were much more vocal, “Zuko, what your father did you today was not what fathers are supposed to do. Someone behaved shamefully today but it was not you.” You insisted, heart aching for him. 

“I need his respect. My honor is the most important thing. I’m going to find the Avatar and when I do, my honor will be restored and I will regain my rightful spot as prince.” Zuko looked pained and troubled. It was clear he knew what he wanted to do but had no idea how he would do it, not that he’d let that stop him though. 

You got quiet, looking down at where his knuckles were turning white from the tight grip on his own knees. Gently, you placed your hand on his and waited for him to look up just enough for you to make eye contact, “I’m going with you then.” You said finally. 

Zuko’s uncovered amber eye met yours before he shook his head, “I can’t let you do that. Your parents are here.” 

“I hate it here.” You insisted desperately, “I’ll come back for them some day but I can’t leave you. You’re the only person that cares about me here.” 

Iroh placed his hand caringly on your shoulder, “Zuko is right, Y/N. This is his journey but I do not think it’s yours. It’s best if you stay.” 

“But… but…” The tears were threatening to spill over as you managed to choke out, “I can’t lose you.” 

There was barely a moment between when the words left your mouth and when Zuko’s lips met yours. At first, you were taken off guard and almost pulled back but when your brain registered what happened, you leaned into the innocent kiss. Your brain ran wild. Was this heat of the moment or had he really felt the same way you did? When he pulled away, you felt cold, “I’ll come back for you one day. I promise.” 

** 

“So, speaking of different, you sure look like a different Zuko than the one I knew. Last I heard around the palace, you were super intense and obsessive about finding the avatar.” You asked, teasing towards the end. 

Zuko inhaled awkwardly, his hand coming to rub behind his neck, “Yeah… I was. Until I realized that my father was a monster and that the Fire Nation had caused nothing but harm and destruction. It took a lot of convincing but they actually let me join them and become Aang’s firebending teacher.” He gestured back to the group who was all laughing, most likely at something Sokka said. 

“Well, he’s got the best teacher around.” You giggled, hitting his arm gently. 

Zuko turned to look at you, “What about you? Things look pretty different for you too.” 

A boulder sat just ahead of you, perfect for the two of you to use as a seat. You leaned back against the stone and Zuko did the same beside you. “Well, when I left the palace, I didn’t know where to go. But then I remembered you telling me about Ember Island and figured that it was far enough away to get me away from Azula but still in the Fire Nation so I wouldn’t have to create a whole new identity. When I got here, I saw an old lady struggling to make it to the market and asked if she needed help. Turns out she’d been making glass beads for years and needed an apprentice. After spending the day together, we ended up striking up a deal. She’d teach me how to make the beads in exchange for room and board. So this is where I’ve been for the last year.” 

Zuko sighed, “I really did mean to come back for you.” 

You exhaled heavily. It had been a sore point for you for a while. You waited for him for two years, over which Azula told you lies about him being killed or disappearing. It was just another fuel for her mental abuse. “I honestly was really angry about it for a long time. But-” 

“No, you had every right to be. But believe me when I tell you it was probably best that you didn’t come. Searching for the Avatar made me someone I didn’t recognize. I became a monster.” He looked away from you, most of the last three years worth of misdoings coming back to haunt him. 

You squeezed his hand, “I doubt you were as bad as you think you were and I’m sure Iroh would tell you the same. Where is Iroh anyways?” 

He sank even deeper, “Another one of my many mistakes.”

Your heart immediately dropped, “Is he…?

Zuko shook his head, “No, no. He’s alive. I’m just sure he hates me.” 

“Zuko, I don’t think you could do anything that would actually make your uncle genuinely hate you. That man holds so much love and respect for you.” Iroh’s love and devotion to Zuko was undeniable and you weren’t lying when you said that there was probably nothing that would make Iroh’s feelings change. 

“I hope you’re right.” Zuko looked off into the distance before looking back at you, “But for what it’s all worth, I’m really glad to see you again.” 

A smile blossomed on your face, “I’m really glad to see you too. I missed you so much.” Even after all the years, it felt as if no time had passed. He was still your Zuko. 

You hadn’t realized that the gap between your bodies had closed to just a mere inch or two until you found yourself leaning your head onto his shoulder without thinking about it. Zuko stiffened up a little bit at the contact, looking around paranoid. He knew logically that there was nothing saying you two couldn’t be friends - or more - anymore. But his gut reaction was to be on his guard, just like when you were children, trying to hide your frowned upon friendship. 

Zuko had always looked back fondly on those memories while he was banished and not one day went by when he didn’t think about you.

**

Iroh walked onto the deck of the large ship to see his nephew standing against the railing and staring into the distance over the ocean. It was like he had the sixth sense for his nephew, always able to see what was going on in his head better than Zuko did. Iroh approached the prince and stood just behind his shoulder, “You’re thinking about Y/N again?” He asked, though it really was more of a statement. 

Zuko looked back over his shoulder towards his uncle, “I just wish I knew she was okay. She’s stuck there with Azula and you already know what she’s done to her! But now I can’t protect her. I should have let her come so I’d know she’s safe.” He looked away angrily, hanging his head, upset with how he’d handled everything. 

“You care for her, Prince Zuko.” Iroh began before getting interrupted by the eager and emotional prince. 

“Of course, I care for her! She’s my best friend.” Zuko had never really had any other real friends. Sure, Mai and Ty Lee were cool when they weren’t around his sister but none of them were you. 

Iroh could see the conflict in the boy’s eyes, “But you care for her as more than that, don’t you?” 

Zuko’s eyes widened. It shouldn’t have come as a shock to him but hearing his secret feelings spoken aloud finally felt like it was actually real. With anyone else in the world, he would have denied it but Iroh was different. “We can never be together.” Zuko confessed, heartbroken all over again. This was why he didn’t admit it to himself. 

“Why’s that?” Iroh asked, as if the answer weren’t obvious like it was to you and Zuko. 

His face scrunched with distress, “Because I’m a prince and… well she’s not even the daughter of a general. I don’t care about her wealth or status but it’s not allowed.” 

“Well, lucky for you, for once, you’re banished. I don’t think anyone would care much if you were to be with her now.” Iroh pointed out. 

Zuko groaned, “I’m not even allowed into Fire Nation territory let alone the palace. I’d never be able to take her away like this. I need to find the Avatar, have my honor restored, and then I’ll find her again and I’ll never let her go.” 

“True love will find a way, Prince Zuko. Remember that happiness and love is more important in this world than titles.” 

** 

Now, you were beside him, your head unashamedly laying on his shoulder and was it his imagination or was your leg touching his now? Zuko cleared his throat, “Y’know, I can’t help but think about how we left things off three years ago,” You shifted to look up at him when he spoke. 

You knew he was talking about the kiss - that one forbidden kiss that had haunted your lips since he left. It had consumed many of your nights as well. “I think about it too. A lot.” You confessed, much less embarrassed than you ever would have imagined. 

Zuko tried to hide the little jump in his chest when he heard the way you agreed, like it wasn’t a bad memory but far from it. “You do?” 

You nodded with a warm smile on your face (or maybe it was just your cheeks burning from the confessions), “I liked you for so long, of course it was something to remember.” 

“Liked?” Zuko questioned nervously, “As in past tense?” 

“Yeah, as in past tense.” You began and Zuko’s heart dropped. 

“Oh…” 

“‘Cause now… I think- I think I fell in love with you a long time ago.” You looked up directly into his eyes, heart in your throat as you waited for a response. 

Zuko’s jaw dropped in disbelief and he stuttered over his words, “There wasn’t a single day I didn’t want to come back and take you away so we could be together.” 

You and Zuko stared into each other’s eyes as the weight of what was being said sunk in. Everything felt heightened right now, like else in the world mattered but Zuko. All you could see and hear and feel was him from his scent of woody spices and smoke to the way the moonlight reflected off his perfect skin - scar included. You could literally feel the warmth radiating from his body, a warmth you had a feeling hadn’t been there in a long time. 

“What’s there to stop us from being together now?” In all the futures you’d imagined with Zuko, this wasn’t really a scenario you’d thought of. The two of you sitting on a rock at Zuko’s family summer house after years of not seeing each other- Zuko, a banished and disgraced prince and you, a former servant runaway- but now seeing each other without the shroud of all the barriers of titles and statuses. 

Your lips had already been dangerously close when you were talking, making the ever so slight move inwards to close the gap feel effortless. The question you’d posed was responded to with a long, deep kiss. Zuko’s lips had changed so much since the last time you’d kissed them. The smooth soft lips that had lingered in your memory were now rougher and slightly chapped, weathered from years of hard work like the rest of him, though still soft enough to be familiar. 

Zuko’s hand came up to rest on the point where your jaw met your neck to guide your lips to his just ever so slightly deeper. He was lost in you, in your lips, in your scent, in your tase, in your touch. This moment was everything he’d dreamed about almost every night on his quest for the Avatar. Like everything else, this felt so different yet so familiar. 

Finally, you pulled away and this time you didn’t feel guilty or immediately look over your shoulder. You got to just be with Zuko. It was as if you were entranced by him, unable to take your eyes away. If you could’ve picked one moment to last forever, this would be it. 

That was until Zuko sighed and turned his face away, “There’s a war.” 

“So we’ll fight together.” Your hand that was still on his squeezed tightly. 

Zuko turned back to you and gripped your other hand, holding them close to his body, “Losing you the first time was hard enough. I can’t lose you again, Y/N.” 

You swallowed hard, “I know I’m not the most skilled Fire Bender in the world but that doesn’t mean I can’t hold my own. I don’t plan on dying in this war and you better not be planning on it either.” 

“That’s not what I mean. I just… I love you Y/N,” He confessed, his typical Zuko-esque flusteredness creeping into his tone, “But now after knowing you feel the same way and knowing what we could be, I just don’t know if I could handle risking losing my best friend and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.” 

Your breath abandoned you when those three words left his lips, I love you. They were the three words you’d dreamed of hearing him tell you for years. But now he was using them as an excuse to not be with you. “I love you too, Zuko. I’ve loved you for so long. But what difference does it make if we fight this war as a couple or as friends? If we love each other, the pain of losing the other would be the same.” 

Zuko’s gaze fell to where your fingers were interlaced and he brought them up to his chest, looking at the contrast of his larger calloused hands to your smaller, slightly softer ones. “I can’t lose you.” He repeated, closing his eyes, but this time it sounded like a final decision. 

You pulled your body closer to his, your intertwined hands pressed between your chests, as you looked up at him, “Then don’t push me away.” Your plea was low, barely above a whisper, but by the way Zuko looked, you could tell it had some affect. “Please, let us do this together.” 

Zuko found it difficult to argue with you because it was like arguing with himself. You were the vocalization of everything he wanted deep down. “Okay,” He answered finally, “But only if you help me rebuild the Fire Nation when it's all over. Together.” 

[living-on-kyoshi]

worthy

anon: Could you do an Azula x fem or neutral reader. And they’re both pining for each other and Azula’s all in denial. And she witnessed reader create a ball of fire between their hands to keep themself warm. And Azula blurts out her feelings it smt cute like that!??

pairings: azula x f!reader

warnings: none, maybe kind of angsty ? i’m not so sure lol!

a/n: THANK YOU SO MUCH ANON FOR THIS I LOVE THIS PROMPT SO MUCH! i’m sorry it took long to write, i just really wanted to do this prompt justice because it’s such sweet one. azula is one of my favorite characters and i wanted to really pour my heart into this, especially since she’s so complex. also this is a long one, i didn’t expect it to be but it just happened lol. i hope you still like the ending; it ends on kind of a strange note but i felt like this fit her character more. i just feel like azula would need more time to figure stuff out before she seriously commits to this (baby has commitment issues okay take it easy on her). if i conclude it i’d want to do it over a time span so if you like this and want another part of it (to kind of make it a mini-series) let me know! i’d love to write more hehe!

Being back on Ember Island after so long felt different. Y/N always remembered how she used to come when her and Azula were younger. Azula would always force her to come, even though Y/N hated the beach. Something about her infatuated Azula, but Y/N never understood what it was. They met at the Royal Academy for Girls. Azula liked Y/N because she never showed any fear against Azula, despite Azula’s status and behavior. Since then, Azula never let Y/N leave her side. The two were very similar, assertive and craving control. Sometimes this caused them to bicker and argue. But for the most part, they were oddly caring and sympathetic towards each other. 

Y/N was always confused about her feelings towards Azula. Y/N always admired Azula; but Y/N never thought she’d be confused about her romantic feelings toward her. With Zuko banished, Mai with her family and Ty Lee in the circus, Y/N was the only one left with Azula. Azula was strangely a lot nicer to Y/N during this time, which further fueled and confused Y/N’s feelings for her. But with the war going on and Azula practically being Ozai’s right hand woman, there was never any time to explore what could have been of them if they dated. 

And now they had finally gotten somewhat of a break at the beach, a chance for Y/N to make her move. But when Y/N saw the way Azula looked at Ty Lee at the party, it crushed her spirit. There was no way Azula had any romantic feelings towards Y/N, so she didn’t mind the random boys from the party walking up to her. 

“So you from around here?” the tall Fire Nation teen asked her as he leaned on the wall next to her. Y/N didn’t look at him.

“Sure,” she replied blandly. She took a sip from her watermelon juice and looked over to see Azula. Ty Lee had her arm leaned on the wall beside Azula, while the two talked and laughed together. Y/N sighed as she put her glass on the table beside her, next to the bench where Mai and Zuko were sitting.

“I’m going to go get some air, this party is stuffy.” she said to the couple as she began to walk past the Fire Nation teen. 

“Let me join you,” the teen said as he began trailing behind her. Zuko grabbed his wrist, halting him.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Zuko said as he sent a sharp glare to the teen. “You better leave her alone.” Y/N gave a thankful nod to Zuko as she began to head out of the party. 

The cold air hit Y/N’s skin sharply, sending goosebumps all over her bare arms. She held her arms close to her as she headed down to the shore. She looked around at the empty beach around her, the memories of her and Azula had flooded her mind; when they used to tease Zuko and Mai or when they used to bury each other in the sand. Even though she hated being at the beach, it reminded her of a simpler time between her and Azula. It reminded her of a time when the war wasn’t their problem and her romantic feelings weren’t in the way of things. Y/N sat down close to the shore and looked up at the moon high in the sky. She pulled her knees into her chest and sighed. Shivering, she made a small ball of fire in her hands to keep herself warm.

“Mind if I join you?” a voice said from behind her. Startled, Y/N dropped the ball of fire and spun her head around to see Azula. Y/N dropped her shoulders in relief and patted the spot next to her. As Azula made her way over, Y/N admired how beautiful she looked. Azula had most of her hair down, still keeping her signature top knot pony. She wore a red, silk two piece Fire Nation outfit with gold jewelry. In the moonlight, Azula looked angelic, causing Y/N to blush.

“What’s wrong? You’re blushing.” Azula said as she sat down next to Y/N. Y/N turned away from Azula’s face shyly. 

“Nothing, I’m okay,” Y/N said as she looked at the lapping waves. “Why’d you leave the party?” she asked the Fire Nation Princess.

“Well I couldn’t find you, and Chan was acting weird. Besides, that party was no fun anyways.” Azula replied as she looked up at the moon, “You’re lying to me. You know you can’t get away with it.” Y/N looked at Azula in confusion.

“I said I’m fine, Azula.” Y/N said huffing, causing Azula to smirk.

“Zuzu told me about the boy who was bothering you, we can go teach him a lesson if you want.” Azula said as she turned to face Y/N. 

“No it’s okay, he’s not worth it anyway. Unless you want to get back at Chan too?” Y/N asked. Azula shrugged and looked away.

“He’s not worth it either,” Azula said. Y/N hummed in response and looked back at the waves. They sat there in silence before Azula heard Y/N’s shivering. 

“Spirits, you’re shivering so loudly,” Azula laughed at Y/N, causing Y/N to laugh and made another ball of fire in her hands. She rested her head on her knees as she looked up at the moon. Azula swore she had lost her breath at how beautiful Y/N looked, the light from the fire perfectly highlighting her face. Her eyes sparkled with the light of the moon, causing Azula to smile at her beauty.

Azula had been in love with Y/N since she first met her. Azula just didn’t recognize it as love. Y/N was always there for Azula, especially when her mother, Ursa, had left. Y/N understood Azula on a level that no one else did, which made Azula fearful and confused of Y/N. Why does she treat me like this? She’s a good person, I’m a monster. I don’t deserve this. As Azula’s feelings became stronger for Y/N, so did her fear of Y/N leaving her like everyone else. But now, in this moment, Azula’s fear was diminishing as her feelings of love increased.

“You look beautiful,” Azula blurted out in a small whisper. Y/N froze at her words, causing Azula to realize she had said that out loud. Azula choked as she began to try to play it off, still flustered. “I mean, of course you are. All the guys at that party would agree, the way they drooled over you.”

“I don’t care about them, I didn’t want their attention,” Y/N said dryly. Had Azula not meant that in a romantic way? Y/N felt her heart pounding in her chest; for a moment she felt like Azula meant that in a more-than-just-friends way.

“What do you mean by that?” Azula questioned, furrowing her brows. Y/N sighed, realizing she spoke too much. But now she couldn’t lie to her, Azula would find out eventually.

“Well, I was trying to impress someone I love tonight but,” Y/N hesitated. “I don’t know, I guess I just read the wrong signals.” 

“They’re clearly incompotent and not worthy of you, you deserve better than that.” Azula replied. Y/N hid a giggle at Azula’s remark.

“No it’s the other way around, I am not worthy of them. They like someone else and they deserve better than me.” Y/N said defeatedly. The words she said struck a nerve with Azula, they deserve better than me. Azula sighed at how well she related to Y/N.

“Y/N,” Azula began. “Anyone is lucky enough to be in your presence, let alone talk to you. If they aren’t intelligent enough to realize what a beauty they have sitting in front of them, then they truly do not deserve you.” Azula looked at Y/N, who was now smiling at her.

“Well, then I guess you aren’t that intelligent.” She said to Azula as she bit the inside of her cheek. Azula’s eyes widened at her. Y/N quickly turned to face the beach, avoiding eye contact.

“This is about me?” Azula said as she straightened herself. She felt her cheeks get warm as her guard began to come down. Did Y/N just admit to liking her? Azula was having trouble grasping what had just happened. Y/N simply nodded in reply, still facing the beach.

“You’re making a mistake,” Azula said, shaking her head. “I’ll just end up hurting you somehow. I’m a monster. I’m not worth it.” Y/N turned to face Azula, who was looking down. She took one hand off her ball of fire and used it to turn Azula’s face to her.

“Azula, you are worthy of all the love and affection the world can offer.” Y/N said, stroking her thumb on Azula’s cheek. “And if you love Ty Lee then I’ll be happy for you. Always.” Azula released herself from Y/N’s touch.

“Ty Lee? What about her?” Azula questioned, tilting her head at Y/N.

“I saw the way you looked at her at the party. I know you like her, not me.” Y/N said quietly as she dropped her hand. Azula nearly laughed.

“I was getting tips from her for how to confront you, silly.” She replied lightly smacking Y/N’s arm. Azula bit her lip in worry. “I just didn’t think you’d want to be with a girl like me.” She turned her head to the side. Y/N held her face again and brought it closer to her to kiss Azula’s forehead.

“That’s not true, Azula. I love you, I always have loved you.” Y/N said softly. Azula looked into her eyes, still filled with worry. “What’s wrong?” Y/N pulled herself back from Azula, confused at the worry in her expression.

“I’m,” Azula began, turning her head away in shame. “I’m just afraid.” She blurted out in frustration and stress. Azula was afraid that because Y/N didn’t fear her, this would cause Y/N to eventually abandon Azula. Y/N rested her free hand on Azula’s, causing her to look back at Y/N.

“It’s okay to be,” Y/N said reassuringly. She understood exactly what Azula meant. The pair had an unspoken understanding of each other that caused them to be so compatible. Azula rested her head on Y/N’s shoulder. Y/N’s shoulders relaxed at her touch and she rested her head on Azula’s as they both watched the evening shore. The sounds of the waves lapping from the shore back filled the silence as the two sat there together, warm from each other’s touch and the ball of fire.

thank you for reading!

[natequarter]

the maiko tangled au several people asked for

There are rumours of a missing baby, of the Crown Prince in absentia.

It's been years - sixteen years, to be precise - and nobody has heard a word.

The Fire Lord is a hopeful sort of man, and lights lanterns every year in order of a boy most people don't know the name of. Mai, a cynical girl on the run, doesn't give a damn about possibilities when there's cold hard cash to be stolen and rich assholes to cheat out of all their money.

-

She doesn't strictly mean to steal the ostrich-horse, the same way she doesn't strictly mean to break into a tower in the middle of a forest because she was trying to keep Azula's cronies off her tail.

(How long have they been in the criminal underground, children trying to escape their horrible parents? She doesn't recall, and has no nostalgia for their childhood.)

-

The boy with the firebreathing thing on his shoulder knocks her out cold.

-

"Huh-"

"Don't touch me!" The boy - what even is his name? - darts around the room. Fucking lightweight. He wouldn't stand a chance against old Azulon's spies, or Azula and Ty Lee if they ever stopped trying to kill each other.

"I wa-"

"You have knives up your sleeves."

She glares. "And you know that how...?"

He winces.

"Oh no. What did you do."

"I kind of... stole all your knives?"

She tries to lunge for her knives, but he flies out of the way like some sort of acrobat (like Ty Lee), evading her grasp. Her weight pulls her over, and it's that that forces her to realise she's tied to a chair.

"Unhand me!"

"I mean, I could cut off your hands," he says, "but that seems kind of overboard."

It's then that she realises his hair, tied in a high ponytail, extends not down to his black hanfu as she'd previously thought, but down beyond his legs, winding around the room like a bizarre pulley system.

In fact, the room is extremely tall, and narrow, and climbing up here was definitely a mistake.

Funny, he looks like Azula when he squints like that.

Asides from the scar, what's up with his face?

"Don't do that, actually."

He still looks spooked. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"Mai. I'm, uh..." She tries to think of an acceptable lie. "I juggle knives. With my friend, Ty Lee."

He believes it, thank Agni.

-

"Who are you?" It's accusatory. She doesn't care.

"Zuko." His name, his features... they should remind her of someone, but she has no idea who.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you, I don't know... have parents."

He shrugs. "I have my grandfather. Sometimes he goes out for a few days."

"Don't you ever go with him?"

"No? I've never been outside. It's dangerous." He pauses for effect. "I could die."

She snorts. "You? You could die? Please, any attacker would die of shame. You're far too pretty to be killed."

"Um, thanks?"

"I could show you outside, you know. Nobody murders kids like you out there."

"Really?" He looks thrilled. "But... my grandfather."

"You'd be back in time," she lies.

"Then why not?" He practically jumps out the tower.

Mai likes him.

-

"Whoa! What's this?" Zuko grabs a handful of plants. "It's so soft, and... green." The animal on his shoulder breaths sparks, and the leaves combust.

"That's leaves. And plants." She runs a hand through her short hair. It still sticks up an inordinate amount.

"Plants are cool."

Not all of them. She sighs. "if you insist."

The ostrich-horse she tied to the tower beckons; Mai gestures to it. "Fancy a ride?"

"'Course!"

Mai lifts him on, and rides.

(She pretends not to notice how her breath hitches at his touch.)

-

"Get her!"

Yelling, Azula's gang probably. Mai ignores it, steering the animal as fast as she can towards an inn. This bunch are Ozai's territory. Neutral territory, at least as far as Mai is concerned.

"Why does that weird girl with the knife want to get you?" Zuko yells in her ear. She'd forgotten she'd stolen Azula's crown. Oh well.

"Long story!"

"Are you a criminal?"

"Not the time!"

-

What can save you from a gang of criminals, if not a boy with a dragon and a good singing voice? She makes a note to ask the name of the damn thing before it burns her clothes off.

"-And I have a dream!" she finds herself yelling with the crowd. It's true. She does have dreams, buried under her mother's disapproval though they may be.

"What's your dream, Mai?" Zuko asks.

"I want to be..." The truth is, she once wanted to be a princess. Ridiculous. "Free."

"That's boring and doesn't have any lanterns involved though!"

"Lanterns?"

"Long story. Some other time?"

"I guess."

She looks away from Zuko (Agni, was she staring?) to find a pub of angry villagers.

Whoops.

-

"Are you, like, a murderer?" he yells.

"No, I just publicly betrayed and consequently got humiliated and disowned by everyone who knew me."

"Well who in all of Oma and Shu did you know to get such a bad reaction?"

"A princess!"

"You're a princess?"

"No, the girl I betrayed was. I'm just a noble. Well, ex-noble. If we're doing life stories, can I ask why you have a horrible scar on your face?"

"Druk burnt me."

"Druk?"

"Yeah." He lifted up the lizard thing.

"It's called Druk? I was calling it Lizzie." Zuko shot her a look. "Short for Lizard?"

"No?"

Zuko just stares.

-

Being on the run is hard. Being on the run from Azula's forces with a boy with ridiculously long hair is harder. Nearly drowning in a cave is definitely hardest.

Events move too fast for her to count; before she knows it, she's sitting in the Caldera braiding Zuko's hair. It's struck through with gold, she notices, and when he sings the strands glow. Some people would find this romantic. Mai finds it weird.

But he looks pretty in the sun, and he looks even prettier with his ridiculously long hair braided to perfection. She threads firelilies through it. Zuko grins.

"You like that, huh?"

"It looks cute!"

"It does."

"Just like you, Mai."

She blushes furiously, trying not to stutter. "Th-thanks."

-

Mai quickly regains her composure. "Anything you'd like to do tonight? Other than the festivals."

"I'd like to see the lanterns. Grandfather says they're on the same day as my birthday, so I like seeing them."

"I can do that, I guess."

"Thanks, Mai."

Anything for you, she almost says.

-

The man holding Mai by the wrists is a creep, she knows that. "What do you want with me? With him?"

"I want to live forever!" He snarls. "His hair keeps me young, see."

"No, I don't see."

"Enough with the sass." The ropes dig into her hands.

"Let me go!"

"Not until I get Zuko back. Come out, come out, wherever you are..."

Nothing.

"The nation is waiiiiting! For their prince!"

A series of things click into place, all at once. The lanterns. His absence. Who her captor is.

Zuko.

Prince Zuko, who looks like Azula and has been missing for exactly sixteen years...

What luck.

Mai doesn't have the chance to entertain fighting back before she's falling to the floor, from her precarious position. The man below her hits the ground with a thud, and she feels something break both within her and below her.

"No!"

Agonised screams, Zuko, hair and glowing and singing and-

Darkness.

-

"Mai!"

She wakes up, head aching. "...Zuko?"

"You were - you were dead-"

The first thing she notices is his hair. "Was I?"

"Yes! You were! Don't do that again."

"Sure," she says. "I won't."

-

"These are the lanterns, Zuko."

"My lanterns." The bastard is smug. Then again, he did give up some damn good hair to save her life. Fair trade.

"They look beautiful."

"I have to agree. And," he says, illuminated by moonlight, "so are you."

She stares, and then snaps out of it, and leans in to kiss him. Now that will wipe the smirk off his face.