#If only she weren't so dense we would still be the perfect match

[ask-ozai]

You seem like you're jealous of Ukano because Michi married him and not you

Jealous of Ukano? It was me who told Ukano that he should marry Michi.

Despite all his shortcomings, Ukano always had an innate passion for geography. He memorized the names of all the cities in all the regions not only in the Fire Nation, but the whole world. Knowing that my father had never been very good at geography, Iroh made him my private instructor when I was 12, so that I would be an expert in geography. He showed me where all the cities were, even the ones full of stinky theater-loving peasants like Hira'a. (Why did not any of our enemies ever try to destroy Hira'a? It's a sacrifice I was willing to make). He is not very bright, but he was wealthy and patient, so Iroh must have thought he wouldn't be smart enough to be intimidated by me.

Then, at the Academy, when Zhao and I were fifteen, Michi was nearly expelled because her father had lost all of his family's money. Her older sister, Mura, fell ill shortly after. The youngest brother had to leave the Academy to go work as a guard at the Boiling Rock. But Michi managed to graduate because her obsession with her perfectionism caused her to have the highest grades in the class. Her family was still broke, however, and her older sister was still ill, so instead of pursuing the political career she wanted, I recruited her and Zhao to join me on my expedition to search for the Avatar. (I still had not realized that 'searching for the Avatar' actually meant 'your father thinks you're useless and wants you out of his sight' in our family). Being a teammate of the royal prince is one of the nation's highest honors. Her older sister could get the best healer, and I ensured her efficiency and obsessive perfectionism for my purposes. From then on Michi was always loyal to me. I heard many times in court that she is too strict and cold (I think Azula once mentioned that even her daughter Mai thinks so) (Azula gossiped too much when we washed our hair at the spa, I wish I knew less about Mai and Ty Lemon's teenage drama), but actually her weakness was always her complete terror of poverty. A pretty basic weakness, it was always evident.

When we returned from the expedition, Ukano was looking for a wife, because his previous fiancée had left him for 'incomprehensible reasons', so it occurred to me to suggest him to court Michi. It was a master move. She would not have to worry about money anymore, and would always be in debt with me. I would have her loyalty for the rest of her life.

So no, I'm not jealous of Ukano. He was useful and fulfilled his function. I won't say that the possibility of courting my former teammate never crossed my mind, but I decided against it because marriage, even one of convenience, was never compatible with my ambitions: winning the war. To be recognized as the most powerful firebender in the world. And then when Lu Ten passed away, being the Firelord. I deserved it more than Iroh. Iroh and my father dragged out the war for decades, and I nearly won it in just three years.

A good Firelord needs efficient people, to be his tools by which he wields his power. And I always knew how to distinguish between the best tools, and those that needed to go on a trip for a couple of years to look for the Avatar.

[e1igius]

if snow wants a spectacle let him have one , the mockingjay had been the star of the show so far. coin's perfect little promotion piece , but there was this utter lack of genuine nature that stemmed from pretending that a teenager was leading the revolution. it was an absurd idea , one that made his skin itch as he learned more and more how uninvolved the girl was as he slowly got brought into the fold. it had taken months , they hadn't trusted him at first , but between the information they had provided together and the fact beetee had insisted on the fact that he needed another district three individual helping out with the technology , here he was. a tool for the rebellion , the very one he had sworn to destroy not six months back. but things change , people don't , but circumstances do. and he was at least glad he wasn't alone in it all. cora was by his side. a gift from coin for agreeing to give them information. one he was currently paying for in front of a live studio audience.

it had been her idea , their so called future president. as she had watched the fact that the connection between snow's two favorite weapons. it was like taking candy from a toddler she'd said , it was a requirement for him to keep cora. she'd threatened to send one of them back and considering he was keeping keep the lights on he knew it wasn't him that the woman would be sending to their deaths if they didn't cooperate with her. and what was the harm really ? they already lived together. spent every waking moment by each others side , not in the gross lovebird way that finnick and annie did but in their own way. in their own words. they weren't like the others , they had been remolded by the devil himself and then had to build themselves up from the scraps. they were too sharp around the edges for most others , and too dense in their intensity for some. and yet the people of thirteen had come to love them. their insider knowledge saving the destroyed district form various attacks. they were the perfect story for the evening news. especially with katniss and peeta still working through some issues.

he's unsure where coin found the white dress that his bride-to-be wore but the white sheath hung on her body loosely , too simple to ever be worn by the capitol. the man thinks she looks stunning. the cameras and crowd that surround them are all for coin and snow. the only two people that needed to be here were seated in the front row. he doesn't think he'd ever seen the look of hope on enobaria's face , he is sure that the look of pride he sees on beetee's is a first. the vows they speak are made for them , they don't match no stupid panem rules. it was their only request to coin when she demanded the little stunt. that they at least get to say what they want. she's so confident in her words as , cora's voice projects past the cameras and lights he knows exactly who she's talking to. snow's not in the room , but her threat is evident in her tone. thankfully those that don't know her well could easily mistake it as love.

it's his turn afterwards. he has to clear his throat a little , as he flips her hand over , tracing the palm with his fingers , softly caressing it. before blue eyes meet hers. he has no need for anyone else. ❝ i would follow you to the ends of the earth if you asked me to , i would wait a thousand lifetimes for you , we never thought that this would be in the cards for us , that the world we existed in would ever allow an ounce of joy. but haven't we lost enough ? people ? time ? i'm yours. yours alone. in this lifetime , and the next. ❞

@hijckcd sent “ you. i’ll always and endlessly fight for you. “