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bellatrixobsessed1 · 1 year ago

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Vicarious (Part 12)

Is it him or is it her?

Is he doing something wrong or has Azula just left him with impossible odds?

He is beginning to wonder if she had been right all along; that she has dug herself so deep that she can’t get out.

“It’s a nice day out.” Katara mentions.

He can’t disagree, not at all. Azula skin could use some sunlight. Her lungs could use the fresh air. All of Azula is in desperate need of the outdoors. He can’t imagine that being inside all day had been doing her any favors.

He decides that he will make a new routine for her; he will begin the day with a morning walk. Perhaps when his firebending meets her standards, he will move that outdoors too.

“Looks a bit rainy.” Azula remarks. He follows her gaze.

“Those clouds look like they’re still pretty far.” Aang shrugs.

“Not far enough for my comfort.” Mai frowns. “If you all want to risk getting soaked, be my guests. I’ll be inside.”

Sokka can’t help but wonder if the rain clouds are just a polite excuse to avoid his company. He pushes that thought aside. It’s perfectly reasonable to look at pillars of gray clouds and decide to go back inside. He would.

Azula doesn’t.

Azula seems perfectly content to stuff her hands in her pocket and dodge questions from Toph about getting her ass kicked.

“It was just a dumb sparring match, I’ll win next time.”

Sokka sniffs. “I beat you during the Eclipse. So far the score is two to none.” In his own mind he is calling it one to one.

“Can we not bring up the Eclipse?” Azula grumbles.

“Because you lost?” He pushes.

“Because I don’t want to hear about things that remind me of Suki!” It is a very pointed blow, one that lets him know that somehow, for whatever reason, Azula doesn’t want to be reminded of the eclipse. A pointed blow that lets him know that he should have just dropped it.He swallows down a lump in his throat. He had been fighting to find Suki then. They had been fighting so hard to get back to each other only to grow apart in the end.

“Do you want us to bring up the Agni Kai, Azula?” Zuko quirks a brow.

Sokka is silent. Azula stiffens.

“I figured that you wouldn’t.”

Sokka shrugs. “Well I’m just saying that if you were willing to face me to find your girlfriend then you shouldn’t have a problem fighting for that Jin person.” It isn’t the most graceful save but at least he can say that he tried.

This seems to alleviate some tension. “He told you about Jin?” Katara asks.

“Even if he didn’t tell anyone within a ten mile radius about Jin, I overhear things.” He replies.

This earns him a chuckle from Toph. “He really does talk about Jin way too much.”

“I think that it’s sweet.” Aang smiles. “If she knew how much you talked about her she might be willing to forgive you.”

Azula frowns. “I don’t think so. She was pretty forward about this breakup.

.oOo.

Sometimes Sokka is impressed by his own accomplishments and skills. Today he is impressed, in the worst sense, by his own social skills. In just a few sentences he had managed to turn that conversation around. And with just one action he had managed to ruin it again just as quickly.

Things had taken a shift from the eclipse to Azula pestering Zuko to share a story about their childhood–something funny, something about Ember Island. He is almost certain that she had been trying to steer him towards a certain story.

And so he got to listen to the story of how he and Azula found two coconuts and put them down Zuko’s pants. Of Zuko had declared that he was an evil earthbender named ‘Boulder Bum’ and that Azula was the only one who could stop him from invading the Fire Nation. Of how entirely embarrassed Ozai was to hear both of his children talk for a solid week about this Boulder Bum character. And that they had been banned from touching coconuts ever since.

Sokka hadn’t realized that there had been a time when the two had gotten along. He hadn’t realized that it meant anything to Azula who looks more amused than humiliated. He thinks that she might just cherish this ridiculous memory of hers.

He had done his best to nod along and speak well of the memory on his behalf–mostly emphasizing that Ozai had never been so red-faced in his life and that Ursa had found it simply charming.

And then they had moved to the turtleduck pond and Katara started talking about the Great Divide and the catastrophe that, that almost was. There were stories about the cabbage merchant too and secret tunnels.

“Maybe we can introduce you to the singing nomads!” Toph had suggested giving Sokka a nudge. The nudge that would lead to disaster. The nudge that would make him feel a bit too comfortable.

The nudge that he would mimic in a later conversation after Aang suggested letting Appa give her a good friendly lick to welcome her into the group.

It was a careless mistake. He had been feeling so good that he had forgotten who he was. And now they are all staring at him as if he is going to start throwing fire and lightning. All over one little, but rather solid nudge and the laugh he gave with it.

“That’s not funny, Azula!” Zuko snaps as Katara shouts, “don’t touch him!”

His stomach plummets and Azula grits her teeth. It would have been funny if the playful nudge had come from him. If it had been his own laugh that followed. If everybody didn’t take Azula’s laughter as cruel. It strikes him that he rather likes the sound of her laugh. It is soft and pretty. It doesn’t sound unkind to him.

But they make it seem as though he is wickedly cackling in their faces.

He wants to apologize, he knows that he should.But he also wants him to realize that they are being a little ridiculous. And Azula had made it plenty clear that there would be no apologies made on her behalf.

So he dips his head low and mutters, “I didn’t mean anything by it. You guys don’t mind when Toph and Sokka do it.”

“You’re not Toph or Sokka.” Katara snaps. “Toph and Sokka never shot Aang with lightning.”

He casts a glance at Azula, pleading with his eyes for her to say something on his behalf. Anything. But she doesn’t and he is beginning to think that it isn’t out of spite or malice, but out of stress and anxiety. There is a look in her eyes, a tension in the way that she balls her fists. Maybe she thinks that, even with his body and voice, she will make things worse if she opens her mouth.

“Look, I wasn’t trying to harm the Avatar.” He tries. “I was just…” what, trying to fit in? Would she say that? He doesn’t think so. “Nevermind. It won’t happen again.”

“No. It won’t.” Katara agrees.

For the life of him, he can’t get over hearing her talk so coldly to him. He is beginning to wonder if he will come out of this seeing her the same way or if this will go on long enough to start to blur his opinions of his sister with Azula’s. Long enough to get used Katara hating him whether she knows that she is or not.

If Azula can get used to being cherished then he can certainly get used to drowning in hostility.

“It’s alright, Katara.” Aang says. “Really, she said that she didn’t mean anything by it and that’s good enough for me.”

“Are you sure, Aang?”

He nods. “She’s fine. She’s just trying to figure out how to talk to us.” He smiles.

And the conversations carry on, but they do so without him.

Their walk carries on but he starts to trail behind.

Nobody seems to notice that he is lagging. Nobody but Azula who pauses only briefly before coming to the conclusion that he would probably choose to stay with his friends.

He hates to admit it, but he thinks that she is right. He wouldn’t have broken away from his circle to check on her. He would have been as oblivious to her absence as everyone else.

Whether it is him or her, Sokka concludes that she has, over the years, dug herself so deep that things can’t be mended. At least not with the restrictions she has put on what he can and can’t say.

He supposes that he could try to convince her to let him give some apologies. He could do the hard work for her for the price of the discomforts that would come with listening to herself go through it; a cringe inducing dose of firsthand and secondhand embarrassment bundled uncomfortably together in one package.

But what if they wouldn’t accept apologies anyways.

What if he were to force her to watch herself get humbled and then rejected?

Somehow he thinks that he would take it personally too.

Maybe it would be better to just give up on his friends and give her some of her own. His stomach sinks; how could he think of giving up on his own friends? He knows them, he knows that they are better than this. He thought that he did anyways. He thought that they were anyways.

The lump in his throat grows; he is letting this experience ruin the way that he sees his own friends. Where there was once warmth and compassion he finds only ice and apathy. They have a blindspot for Azula.

For the first time since taking over her life he begins to wonder if he still wants to talk to his own friends once he makes it back to himself.

He finds his way over to a dragon maple tree, slides down the trunk, and holds his pounding head in his hands.

#avatar the last airbender #azula #sokka #sokkla #fanfiction

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bonesbuckleup · 5 years ago

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Lord, this answer got long. I’m a little embarrassed about it, but I wrote it, so it’s getting posted. It’s a literal essay. Sorry but also not?

TLDR: Yes, the show is arguably unfair to Sokka about Kya, but it also follows a pattern where Sokka stays quiet about Bad Feelings and plays by the rules established for his character. Katara, meanwhile, grieves loudly and often, and appears to be under the impression that because Sokka’s grief is silent it doesn’t exist, which also fits her character/interactions completely. Neither of them are right or wrong, but it sets them up on inevitable collisions.

Now. If you want to join me on a cactus-juice fueled descent into madness, proceed below the cut.

Number one. We’re referring to this exchange in “The Southern Raiders,” where the Gaang is talking about Zuko and Katara going after the man who killed Kya, which is vicious and brutal and never reflected on:

Aang: You sound like Jet. Katara: It's not the same! Jet attacked the innocent. This man, he's a monster. Sokka: Katara, she was my mother, too, but I think Aang might be right. Katara (angry, yelling): Then you didn't love her the way I did! Sokka (visibly hurt, softly): Katara.

And that’s it. Upon returning, Katara apologizes to Aang and not, as Anon is absolutely correct in pointing out, to Sokka, who is 100% the more injured party. Now. Is it possible this is one of the rare missteps from the atla writers? Yes. Absolutely. Is that the answer I’m about to write a literal fucking essay about? No. Because it’s more painful fun to take it as face value and talk subtext.

First, a reminder that this show is fucking good at what it does. It teaches you how each character grieves as we go: Aang explodes, often triggering the Avatar state, usually crying or angry, and when he does try to repress his Bad Feelings it rarely lasts longer than a day; Toph either shuts down or gets mad, but either way she doesn’t like people seeing her having Bad Feelings and often storms away, knowing that she can’t control it no matter how much she might want to; Zuko yells at the sky in a rainstorm or yells at his dad in an underground tunnel or challenges Zhao to an Agni Kai or yells at his uncle in a jail cell and generally is an emotive nuclear bomb because the boy has feelings and if he keeps them inside for more than three seconds he might explode okay.

Then we have Katara and Sokka.

Let’s start with Katara, since she has the most textual and straightforward displays of grief. She’s really the only one to talk about Kya’s death in Book 1. If Sokka mentions it, it’s barely in passing. I don’t think we hear Hakoda address her death at all (which I’ll return to in a moment.) Katara’s grief is loud. It’s angry. It’s still very much a living thing for her. She thinks she sees Kya in the swamp and breaks down crying, and tells Aang and Sokka about it with no hesitation. When she’s angry and sad at Hakoda for leaving, she acts out and is visibly upset with him, yells at him, cries at him. She out-loud hates Zuko when she comes to the conclusion that he told her about Ursa and got her to talk about Kya to manipulate her. It isn’t that her grief is performative, because it’s a very real and terrible thing, but it’s a grief that’s to be witnessed.

Then, Sokka. Sokka’s grief is more complicated because it exists almost entirely in subtext, especially in regard to Kya. We really only hear him talk about Kya twice, both in Book 3. First, to Toph, when he tells her that he can’t remember what Kya looks like. Worth noting, however, that even though it is Sokka talking, this is still centered on Katara and Katara’s grief. The next time is when Zuko asks what happened to Kya, and Sokka tells the story that leads into the initial flashback. Sokka doesn’t talk about his mom. This is a fact of the show. It’s such a fact of the show that, in “Southern Raiders,” after the exchange at the start of this post, while Katara and Zuko are on the hunt, Sokka doesn’t bring up Kya again and is messing around with Aang. Like nothing has happened or is currently happening--which I’ll come back to in a moment.

So while we can use Kya as a perfect example of how Katara grieves, we can’t really use her for Sokka. So let’s use Yue instead. Moments we see (or don’t see) Sokka grieving Yue:

In the opening to Book 2, we briefly have a shot of Sokka with the moon imposed behind him.

“The Swamp,” where Sokka’s vision is of Yue accusing him of not protecting her. This one is one of the more textual moments of grief--”I think about Yue all the time”--but what’s awful great about it is how Sokka tells Aang and Katara. Aang, obviously, has no qualms about sharing his vision. Katara openly talks about seeing Kya. Sokka only tells them about Yue when explicitly asked. Even then, he doesn’t mention what she said to him. From this, we can assume that Sokka is still holding onto a lot of guilt over her death--guilt that he won’t let Aang and Katara see. Anyway. Moving on.

“The Serpent’s Pass.” After spending all day panic protecting Suki, he tells her that he lost someone, but doesn’t go much further into detail, just saying that he can’t when she tries to kiss him. Of course, this is all happening in front of the moon. Again, though, Sokka stays vague. He doesn’t tell her any details.

“The Puppetmaster,” Toph posits that maybe the moon spirit has gone mean and is kidnapping people. Sokka snaps at her, in a moment definitely meant for laughs, saying, “The Moon Spirit is a gentle, loving lady. She rules the sky with compassion and ... lunar goodness!” It is a funny moment, but here’s what we can take from it: Toph doesn’t know about Yue. Toph is a Feral Bastard a lot of the time, but she also knows where the line is, and I don’t think she’d’ve said that if she’d known.

“Boiling Rock,” in arguably the most quoted (and well deservedly so!) line in the entire show. “My first girlfriend turned into the moon.” “...that’s rough, buddy.” COMEDIC GOLD. Also, weirdly, the literal only time that Sokka explicitly tells someone about Yue in the course of the show.

“Ember Island Players” which I haven’t hit in my rewatch yet, but I definitely remember a moment where Suki asks Sokka when he was gonna tell her he made out with the moon, and he tearfully shushes her. Again, played for laughs, but the implication is that he still hasn’t told Suki about what happened.

This plays perfectly into the same way that Sokka (doesn’t) talks about his mom. When the Bad Feelings come, Sokka either avoids them and finds a distraction (Goofs with Aang--see, told ya we’d come back to that) or stays silent. When someone explicitly asks him about the Bad Feelings--what he saw in the swamp, what’s eating at him in “Sokka’s Master,” why he’s panic-protecting Suki--he’ll answer, but often talks around the actual issue. (Interestingly, it’s in regard to Suki we see the most explicit manifestation of Sokka grieving as Azula taunts him during the invasion: he cries, he attacks Azula, he yells and questions her despite the fact he knows she’s wasting their time. I think this one hits him because, as this beautiful post points out, Suki’s the protector in the relationship, and Sokka can actually chill out for 2 seconds. But he let his guard down, and Azula got Suki. Anyway. That’s probably a different essay: back to the matter at hand.) We even see this in “Boiling Rock.” There’s a moment where they think Hakoda is not with the other political prisoners. Sokka’s tense, drawn tight, but the only thing he says is, “No.”

Basically, we’ve got Katara, who grieves loudly and rages and is kinda like white-water rapids that churn and churn and churn. And we’ve got Sokka, who, to quote John Mulaney, looks at his grief and says, “I’ll just keep all my emotions right here and then one day I’ll die.” Iceberg grief, to keep the water metaphor going.

And where did these come from? Yup! Water Tribe gender roles! What we know from the show is that, while the South is typically more progressive (women can train as benders and marry who they want, at least) than the North, it’s still very rigid: the men are warriors/hunters/protectors, the women stay home to cook/clean/child-rear.

Now: subtext! And why I think they are this way!

We’ll start with Katara. The last waterbender in the South Pole. She no doubt grew up doted on. If I say she’s most likely a little spoiled, I don’t mean it in a bad way--I mean it in a she’s the last living remnant of this aspect of their culture kind of way. When raiders come, she’s probably the first priority to protect. Kya dies to keep her safe. Her needs are generally put before the community as a whole. (This isn’t to say that Katara doesn’t contribute or care about her community, because she 100% does). But! Especially in Book 1, we see Katara often considering her opinions as facts (trusting Jet, the waterbending scroll) and doesn’t always pause to consider the larger impact that her actions will have (scroll and Jet again, challenging Pakku, dressing up as the Painted Lady despite the fact the factory will hold the village responsible). And many of these actions are good! But we see a lot of Katara being pretty self-centered--what can I do, how does this impact me, how do I feel about this? And this isn’t a bad thing! This aspect of her character makes her complicated and complex! Katara loves her family and protecting people and caring for them! She’s extremely empathetic! But she also struggles to meet people where they’re at when they emote in a different way than she does (see: her clashes with Toph, her initial problems with Zuko joining the group, the above interaction with Sokka). It’s also worth talking about how Katara witnessed her mother’s death, which no doubt makes her grief about it a sharper thing.

Then, again, Sokka. Also loved in his community! But a normal kind of love, I’d assume. He probably was raised on stories of the Fire Nation dragging waterbenders away. No one exemplifies the Water Tribe ride-or-die mentality quite as well as Sokka, or the gender roles of the man as the warrior/protector, so you gotta believe Hakoda raised that kid to look after his sister at all costs, which we see throughout the show (already preparing to go after Aang in the South Pole because he know Katara’s going anyway, “You burned my sister!”) And he isn’t there when his mom dies. He finds out later. He goes from feeling like a victor who helped chased the raiders away to the worst realization of his life. I have to imagine he’s ashamed by the fact that he thought everything was going to be okay, which leads into his worldview of assuming that nothing is okay ever in any circumstance.

Finally, Hakoda. Who never, unless I’ve forgotten something, talks about Kya. All we know is that their family fell apart after her death (per Sokka in “The Runaway,” learning how Katara stepped up to hold everything together) and sometime after he took the warriors and straight up left. He apologizes for leaving but doesn’t address the fact that he left Katara and Sokka with no parents at all, only the war. This is, uh, not exactly echoing a healthy coping mechanism?

My theory: Kya dies. Since the Water Tribe is so embedded in gender roles, Hakoda probably shut down and/or checked out emotionally for a while. This leaves his kids on their own to deal with their shit, and we learn Katara does everything she can to keep her family going. As the most protected individual in the South, Katara’s probably been taught that emotions equal attention, and uses her temper/caring/sadness to help bring her community closer. Meanwhile, Sokka, who hero worships his dad, watches Hakoda go stoic and learns that “real men” shove their shit down. Additionally, Katara’s grief is deafeningly loud, and Sokka’s number 1 role is to keep Katara safe. He’s taught that the Bad Feelings only get in the way and make things worse, and so he learns to be fine no matter what kind of terrible is going down around him. Basically, Katara learns to use grief as a needle and thread, and Sokka learns to bury it as deep as he can and avoid it at all costs. Opposite reactions to the same trauma. Katara gets mad and demands to be heard and listened to and seen, and Sokka gets sarcastic and prepares himself for the day the Fire Nation ships come back for his sister.

So. Back to those above lines from “Southern Raiders.”

From a writing standpoint, I do wish the final moment was between Katara and Sokka versus Katara and Aang. They could’ve had an almost identical interaction, but it would’ve been more nuanced. I don’t think that Katara needed to apologize, but I think we needed some acknowledgement from both of them: Katara continuing the lesson she’s learned about how her pain doesn’t entitle her to hurt other people (including Sokka, who is there no matter what she says or does), and Sokka that Katara’s process of grieving had to involve this catharsis.

Or. Maybe not. Because again--subtext. Their grief works in such different ways that I have to imagine this isn’t a new fight. It was probably brutal and vicious for a very long time. Maybe that’s part of what made Sokka try and go with the warriors. Maybe that’s part of why Katara gets mad so quickly in the first episode of the show. But eventually, unable to find an answer, they just...stop talking about it. Because the two of them don’t talk about it. Katara only talks about her mom with people who aren’t Sokka, and Sokka does exclusively to Toph and Zuko.

The only time I can think of Katara and Sokka talking about it together is the exchange at the top of this post, and it gets ugly fast, and it isn’t brought up again. It’s a fight that will never be resolved, because they fundamentally can’t react to one another in a way that can be universally understood.

“You didn’t love her the way I did!” Katara yells, loudly, because if Sokka loved her then why isn’t he raging? Why isn’t he getting his sword and coming to help her? Why doesn’t Sokka want to burn this firebender to the ground and make him see and hear and look at what he’s done to the world? To their family? He must not understand. He must not care as much or he’d be screaming with her.

“Katara,” Sokka says, much quieter, and adds nothing else. Not because there isn’t anything else to say, but because Sokka can’t talk about this kind of thing. Not doesn’t want to, but can’t, because it’s his job to protect people, protect Katara, and if he lets all those old hurts come boiling up he can’t do that, because that ends with losing focus and losing control and people getting hurt or going away. Why can’t she understand that?

And then they do what they always do. They don’t bring it up again.

#LITERAL ESSAY BY TUMBLR USER BONESBUCKLEUP #Sokka #Katara #atla #this is what isolation has done to me #this is the nerdiest bullshit that I've spewed in a while #felt good though #writing's been hard recently #I'm working myself back into it through atla shitposts and meta #long post #If I could harness this energy into something other than fandom I might rule a small country by now?#oh well

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whentheynameyoujoy · 4 years ago

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Yup, Sure Was a Finale

I had an epiphany. The reason why I never re-watched the final two parts of Sozin’s Comet even though I’ve popped in episodes at random many times over the years isn’t that I can’t bear the sadness of seeing one of the best, most engaging narratives out there come to an end.

It’s simply that the finale isn’t all that good.

Some honorable mentions of what was enjoyable.

(+) This

Just this.

(+) The Church of Zutara has another convert

“Are you sure they don’t get together?” Hubster, 2020

(+) The tragedy of Azula

And the fact that it’s acknowledged as such. I hope Zuko will do his best to get her help and have a relationship with her…

(+) Sokka being a big bro

And the whole airship sequence in general. It’s wonderfully paced and plotted, with moments of humor, real stakes, Toph being both badass and a scared crying kid, Sokka strategizing and protecting, Suki saving the day, and non-benders being instrumental in thwarting the bad guy firebender’s plans. Would be shame if Bryke never portrayed them this capable ever again…

And now for the main course.

(-) Blink and its over

The wrap-up feels too quick (hashtag Needs More ROtK-style False Endings). A part of this is due to how fast the story goes from the thick of the action to hastily tying up a bunch of loose ends, but the larger issue is how Book 3’s uneven pacing comes home to roost. After spending half a season on filler episodes that at best subtly flesh out established characters while dancing around a huge lionturtle-shaped hole, and at worst contradict the theme of “no one is born bad” with “you’re a hot mess because your great-grandfathers didn’t get along too well”, the frantic “go go go” rush of the second half screeches to a halt with “they won and everyone was happy because now the right people have power and it will be all good from now on yup nothing more to deal with baiiiii”.

Yes, I know, it’s a kids’ show. But goddamn, this particular kids’ show has proven so many times it can do better than the expected tropiness. Showing the characters in their roles as builders of a new world was the least that could have been done.

Oh well!

(-) Ursa

We’ll never know. There will never be a story that delves into this. Yup. Shall forever remain but an intriguing mystery. Is good, though. Mystery is better than a story where Ursa shares her son’s penchant for forgetfulness. Imagine how embarrassing that would be. Speaking of which…

(-) What does Mai see in this jerkbender?

Look, I like to harp a lot on the mess of inconsistent writing that’s Mai but let’s unpack this scene from her perspective, shall we?

Zuko forgot about her! It totally slipped his mind that the one person who prioritized the safety of his dumb ass was rotting in the worst prison in the Fire Nation—because of him! And she was rotting there long enough after the final Agni Kai for the news of Zuko’s upcoming coronation to spread and her uncle to feel sufficiently secure to release her. But then the coronation scene is attended by every single member of Gaang & Friends that was imprisoned?

So what this tells me is that either a) the invasion force had the ability to break themselves out the whole time and for some reason decided not to exercise it until after the war was over, b) Zuko forgot about them as well and no one thought to remind him there were prisons full of POWs until Mai arrived, or, and that’s even better, c) Zuko took care to free every single resistance fighter while making sure Mai would be the one to stay behind bars.

Never thought I’d say this but Mai? Honey? You deserve so much better.

(-) “What does Katara want?”

Asked no one in the writers’ room ever, apparently.

This is not so much anti Cataang as anti romance stories that pay attention to the needs, opinions, and wants of only one partner in general. Over the previous 60 episodes, Katara actively expressed romantic interest in Aang exactly, wait for it,

Once.

And it got retconned out of relevance by the following two interactions where the possibility of a romantic relationship came up, making the Headband dance pretty easy to reclassify as just one of those examples where Aang “teaches” Katara to have fun (as if one of the main obstacles to her having fun wasn’t him constantly fooling around and offloading his duties). And because the writers not only didn’t succeed in portraying Katara’s internal state of mind, but also failed to root her reluctance to pursue a relationship in outside circumstances that could change, her sudden state of unconfused once Aang steps into the spotlight has a single canonical explanation that as much as approaches coherency.

The fact is, though, that trying to interpret canon Cataang from a Watsonian perspective is an exercise in foolishness. Because there is no Watsonian justification for the ship and never has been. Bryke simply conceived of Katara as nothing but a tropey prize for Aang, never saw her as anything beyond that, and were perfectly happy to go on and immortalize her as a passive broodmare for the rest of her life.

And I fully intend to die mad about it.

(-) Iroh dips

OK, it’s been long apparent that the show doesn’t intend to do anything about Iroh’s complicity in AzulOzai’s regime in any meaningful way, and that his sole motivation for doing anything whatsoever is Zuko whom he views as a replacement son which is supposed to be good for some reason. But the finale has him abandon even that, and instead turns him full-on YOLO, idgaf anymore. It really throws Iroh’s supposed love for Zuko into doubt when his last act in the entire show is to take a half-educated 16-year old with no political savvy or an heir to secure a dynastic continuity and plomp him on the throne of a war-mongering imperialist regime where the entirety of the militarist and ruling class is guaranteed to fight him tooth and nail for power.

(I sure hope Mai’s ready to start popping out babies by tea-time otherwise the whole country is fukd in about a week)

Christ, how hard would it be to have Iroh keep the throne warm for a few years while Zuko is getting ready to succeed him? Not only would it make the whole FN reformation bit quite likelier to occur, it would require Iroh’s hedonistic ass to actually sacrifice something for once. And not having Zuko ascend to power, instead spending some time bettering and educating himself first, would be a wonderful message that no matter what you endured and overcame, you never stop growing. A kids’ show, remember?

(-) The conquering of Ba Sing Se

Gee, I feel so blessed to have my attention diverted from battlefields which actually matter to an old dude vanity project I would have been perfectly happy to assume resolved itself off-screen.

The White Lotus in general just bugs me. I was fine with the individual characters and their overall passivity when they were portrayed as lone dissenters living under circumstances where it wasn’t really possible for any single person to mount a meaningful resistance. But as members of a far-reaching shadowy organization that’s left the real fight to a bunch of kids for 59 episodes straight and didn’t turn up until a perfect opportunity presented itself to take control of the largest city in the world and bask in the spotlight?

Yeah, no.

Similarly to the lionturtle-ex-machina, the White Lotus represents a huge missed opportunity for a season-long storytelling. Here’s just a brief list of what they could have been doing throughout Book 3:

orchestrating a Fire Nation uprising;

gathering those directly persecuted by AzulOzai’s regime to help Zuko keep his hold on power once he’s crowned;

establishing themselves as a viable alternative to Ozai;

sabotaging Fire Nation’s war efforts from the inside;

countering Fire Nation propaganda (Asha Greyjoy’s pinecones, anyone?);

running a supply network to alleviate the suffering of Earth Kingdom citizens.

Instead, they sit on their asses until the time comes to claim personal glory.

You know what, good on Bryke for making me conclude that in comparison, the Freedom Fighters were perfectly unproblematic, actually.

(-) Fire Lord Dead-by-Dawn

Yes, a kids’ show, I know! But ffs, this is the same kids’ show that came up with Long Feng and portrayed courtly intrigue, kingly puppets, secret police, spy networks, and information wars. Was it really too much of me to expect something other than “enlightened despot solves everything”? Especially if said enlightened despot has persisting anger issues, no personal support system, no base of followers, and no political experience whatsoever?

If Zuko’s actually serious about regaining the Fire Nation’s honor (i.e. by dismantling the country’s military machine, decolonizing the Earth Kingdom, paying reparations to everyone and their lemur, and funding any and all cultural restoration projects Aang and the SWT come up with), then there is no way, no way in the universe that he doesn’t face a civil war, deposing, and execution within a month.

One reason why his future as a Fire Lord seems rather bleak is that little’s been shown about the actual subjects of AzulOzai’s regime. While we get a vague reassurance that “no Toph, they’re not born bad” (le shockings), they largely remain a voiceless uniform mass of brainwashed clapping seals. What is their view on the Fire Nation’s crimes? Do they associate their condition with their country’s war-mongering? How will they react when Zuko starts dismantling the country piece by piece to rebuild it, bringing it to economic ruin? What will they do when noble Ozai loyalists come out of the woodwork and begin rounding them up under the banner of “Make the Fire Nation Great Again?”

I have no idea, and Zuko doesn’t either because he’s unironically more qualified to rule the Earth Kingdom than his own people.

You know what would have been better? Fire Lord Iroh, White Lotus pulling the strings to maintain the regime, and Crown Prince/People’s Champion Zuko travelling the Fire Nation with Aang and an army of tutors to promote the new boss, only to realize that absolute monarchy is kinda crap for the people he’s one day supposed to rule and gaining their support by ceding some power to them.

I’d laser holes into my TV due to how much I’d enjoy watching that.

(-) All hail Avatar Rock

Literally and metaphorically. Aang doesn’t sacrifice anything, gets everything, and the clever solution of going about getting said everything is handed to him on a silver platter, requiring no active participation on his part whatsoever.

He doesn’t work to unblock his chakras, spiritually or physically.

He only speaks to his past lives to get a pat on the back and a bow-tied solution he could mindlessly follow.

Energy-bending doesn’t require any sacrifice from him, leaves no lasting marks, and only serves for the narrative to praise him as the rare individual that’s unbendable and thus so very very special.

The most infuriating thing is, however, that Aang is clearly shown as being able to beat Ozai without either the Avatar state, or energy-bending.

And he chooses not to. From this moment on, Aang no longer fights to save the world. He fights to preserve his beliefs, going directly against the instructions of his past lives and effectively reneging on his duties as the Avatar.

Again.

It’s not like you can’t portray Aang’s faithfulness to his spiritual beliefs as the key to beating Ozai and saving the world. But that’s not what the show did. There is no link between Aang sparing Ozai and securing a better future, quite to the contrary—Ozai’s survival ends up being a massive problem for the continuation of Zuko’s rule, and consequently a threat to the world at large. His survival benefits Aang and no one else.

Aang’s spiritual purity and his status as a savior of the world are allowed to coexist only due to a deliberate stroke of a writer’s pen.

And I hate it.

Welp, nothing to do about it now except to bury myself up to my tits in fix-it fics I guess.

#atla #atla rewatch #meta #zutara #anti bryke #anti-kataang #anti-aang #anti-maiko

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tea-and-la · 4 years ago

Text

In Ember Island Players we see Katara’s reaction to her on-stage actor’s portrayal of her with three love interests: jet, zuko, and a@ng.

In the scene about Jet:

actor!Katara: oh Jet, you’re so bad.

“Actual” Katara is embarrassed (perhaps even ashamed of?) how her actor is behaving and also maybe her attraction towards him. In any case, she’s clearly uncomfortable and probably wondering “is that what i seemed like?” This reminds me of a post I think @sokkastyles did a while back about how the narrative punishes (or makes it seem shameful) that Katara might have feelings for other boys besides A@ng.

In this scene, her reaction didn’t have to be perceived as negative since Jet is dead 😞 (and no longer in the running for Katara’s “obligatory” potential love interest.) But in the scene with Zuko, it’s obvious that Bryke had their shipping bias all over that scene (due to their petty jealousy of Zutara’s popularity.)

But getting back to the point, we see Katara’s response to how actor!katara behaves towards actor!zuko.

The crossroads of destiny scene:

actor!Katara: i’ve had eyes for you since the day you first captured me! [Zuko and Katara inch away from each other, slightly uncomfortable. Aang narrows his eyebrows.]

Again, another example of the narrative needing to create distance between Katara and male characters because she is theoretically supposed to fall for A@ng. *Note: I don’t see her or zuko’s reaction to this as ‘proof’ that zutara could never happen (this is something teens would do!), but i know that was the point of bryke including this into the scene. and a lot of antis seem to think her reaction depicts disgust at the thought of them being together.

But the next scene? The one that references A@ng? Here it is:

actor!zuko: [Stands up.] Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl! [Aang nods.]

actor!katara: [Laughs.] The Avatar? [Stands up and walks toward Actor Zuko.] Why, he's like a little brother to me! [Laughs.] I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. [Aang grows concerned.] Besides, how could he ever find out about ... this? [Actress Katara and Actor Zuko embrace and hold hands while Actress Katara pops up one leg. Aang gets up.]

Unlike the previous two scenes with potential love interests (Jet and Zuko) we DON’T see Katara’s response to what just happened on screen. Specifically, we don’t see how Katara reacts to being called “the avatar’s girl.” Part of this, I assume is because Bryke wanted to leave it as a mystery or create some kind of bs angst, but I think seeing her reaction here would’ve impacted the story a lot and it’s really telling that it’s not included.

It would’ve provided context going into the balcony scene. Was she upset or embarrassed to be referred to by that title? Or (and I’m not a K@t@ang shipper) even if they showed signs of her having a crush on him here--like blushing or looking contemplative as if she’s considering it. But no, we only see A@ng’s nod (which I hate) and then how the thought of her seeing him as a brother makes him insecure (therefore having the narrative align the audience to feel more sympathy of A@ng at the potential heart-wrenching horror that his crush may not return his feelings.)

Not providing the input of Katara’s reaction to being called “Avatar’s girl” is one of the factors that makes the balcony scene so...let’s just say confusing. Because all of her lines on the balcony do seem as if she’s letting him down gently (coupled with her body language of looking down/away, and arms crossed around herself):

Katara: I didn’t say that. An actor said that.

Katara: A@ng, I don’t know.

Katara: Aang, I'm sorry, but right now I'm just a little confused.

[non-con kiss]

Katara: I just said I was confused! I'm going inside. [runs back inside.]

I just wish we’d gotten to see her reaction to that “Avatar’s girl” scene because it doesn’t make sense to leave that out.

#anti-kataang #i guess?#i just really wish we'd been able to see katara's reaction to that line #because I really hate it #and also bryke's whole shipping agenda makes me nauseous #tw non-con kiss #i just think it would've shown ka through katara's pov #which was severely lacking in the show imo #this had no point other than to say that this is something that bothered me #zutara #i always notice kas always reference this scene from a's pov #like i saw a vid where someone actually LIKED his head nod #and i've seen ppl try to explain or trivialize the kiss as just a small mistake bc of theweight on his shoulders #or they mention how bad he felt about doing it but it's like what about katara?#all those takes just bother me so much

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today-only-happens-once · 4 years ago

Text

clarity

Word count: 5463

Summary: Hakoda had been hearing rumors about the Fire Lord's son for years. That doesn't mean he is ready when the truth finally comes to light... especially when the truth only confirms the worst. Companion piece to “out of focus” but can be read separately.

Warnings: injury/burns, angst, some mentions of trauma and PTSD, canonical child abuse/mutilation, Sokka gets angry protective and yells a little, blink-and-you-miss-it mention of nausea, please let me know if I missed anything.

A/N: Turns out, I really wanted to explore Hakoda’s POV of the events in “out of focus”. So much so that not only did I write this, but’s longer than the original. Woops. Hope you enjoy it!

Read on AO3.

...

His son is good at many things, Hakoda thinks, but his poker face is not one of them.

He’d had never been particularly good at it, if Hakoda is being honest. He’d usually been able to tell with one glance when Sokka was at fault for something breaking and would blame Katara, and Kya had been even better at reading the micro-expressions of their son. Sokka is older now—and in more ways that Hakoda is comfortable with, he carries those extra years around like a weight on his shoulders—but he still hasn’t quite mastered the art of subtlety. It was something he’d need to work on if he wanted to be chief of the Southern Water Tribe one day.

Sokka shifts in his seat across from him, his brows pinched slightly in evident annoyance. Hakoda sees the shared glance between his son and the Fire Lord. Zuko’s mouth twitches in something like amusement.

“I want immediate release of all war prisoners,” the Earth Kingdom ambassador, Bashi, beside Sokka demands.

Hakoda inclines his head. “I second that. I have men in those prisons that haven’t seen their family in a decade.”

Hakoda couldn’t imagine what that would be like. Two years apart from his children had caused him to feel like he’d already missed out on so much of their lives. The idea of going five times that without any news from the outside… Suffice it to say that Hakoda did not envy those men.

“Of course,” the Fire Lord says, but his voice is nearly swallowed by the loud demand down the table, “Absolutely not!”

The hard glare that Fire Lord Zuko sends down the table at the Fire Nation Admiral makes Hakoda grateful that he is not on the receiving end of it. “Admiral, people who were arrested as prisoners of war have no need to remain so after the war has ended.” Zuko meets Hakoda’s gaze, the heat in his glare lifting at the redirection of attention. “I’ll draft that mandate tonight and will ensure its circulation as soon as possible.”

The Fire Lord—dressed in the traditional royal robes and his hair pulled into a top knot—is a stark contrast to the first time Hakoda had met him back in Boiling Rock. At the time, Zuko had been Fire Nation public enemy number 2 behind Aang. The tattered red tunic of Fire Nation prison uniforms had hung off his thin, borderline-malnourished frame. He looks better now, a little. Zuko is still lean, but not quite as gaunt as he’d looked in the Fire Nation prison. Hakoda’s biggest concern when it came to the Fire Lord’s well-being these days was the dark circles around his eyes that, though he tries to hide it, indicate too many sleepless nights.

“This is an outrage!” The admiral slams his fist against the table, leaping to his feet.

Hakoda feels his jaw clench in frustration. He has little patience for men who try to assert themselves through aggression and yelling rather than calm rationality. Even so, it doesn’t surprise him, exactly. Hakoda had been around long enough to know that Fire Nation men had long been taught there was power through anger, and to wield it as they see fit.

Zuko rises to meet his feet, slowly and deliberately. “Admiral--”

“Where is the justice for the Fire Nation families whose sons and daughters were slaughtered by those criminals?”

Hakoda presses his hands together to keep them from curling into fists. Did the Admiral not realize just how many Fire Nation soldiers walked free after slaughtering innocent people, let alone soldiers? Even the person who killed Kya--

“Admiral.”

“I remember a time when you cared about Fire Nation soldiers! And it’s hard to believe you’ve forgotten, seeing as you ought to be reminded every time you so much as look in the mirror--”

Hakoda frowns. The comment rings vague bells in his head, though he can’t remember why…

“Enough!” Zuko snaps sharply. “You will watch your tongue or you will be escorted out. You approach insubordination.”

“You are a child,” the admiral says, spitting the word child like it disgusts him, “though one that ought to know a thing or two about insubordination, given your father’s attempts to brand you with a permanent reminder of its consequences--”

“Warriors!”

“Then again, he always was twice the leader you never will be. Long live the Phoenix King!”

Sokka is suddenly on his feet. “Zuko—!”

“Sokka—!”

Hakoda leaps up just as the admiral punches a fireball at the space between his son and the Fire Lord. His heart jumps to his throat, but Zuko is fast. He shoves Sokka’s shoulder down with one hand and dispels the fireball with the other. Hakoda leaps over his chair as he sees the glint of his son’s boomerang hook through the air.

The admiral’s gaze locks onto him for a moment and Hakoda instinctively ducks, diving underneath a bolt of scorching flames. He feels the ground tremble, hears the roar of dying flames above him. Hakoda risks a glance towards his son just in time to see Zuko step in front of him, bending the burst of flames to split on either side of them, rather than hit Sokka straight on.

The door ricochets open. Two Kyoshi Warriors spill into the room, and in a flurry of quick strikes, the admiral drops to the floor. Limp.

Bashi unbinds his feet with the bending from earlier—it’s only now that Hakoda realizes that tremble in the ground a moment ago had been earthbending—and the admiral hurls insults at Zuko as he’s dragged unceremoniously through the doors.

The silence that follows echoes in the room.

Hakoda takes a quick, calculating sweep of the room. Kovrik, the Northern Water Tribe ambassador, is wide-eyed but appears unharmed. Bashi is panting but standing upright. Sokka is hidden behind Zuko who shifts awkwardly in the silence.

He clears his throat. “Apologies for the, uh, disruption. It won’t happen again.” He looks, for all the world, genuinely apologetic. Embarrassed, even.

Which is foolish, Hakoda thinks. Zuko couldn’t reasonably be expected to have weeded out all of the Ozai sympathizers in a month. Ozai may have been one person but there was an entire ideology and system that allowed his tyranny in the first place. A sixteen-year-old couldn’t be asked to single-handedly dismantle it all, and certainly not so quickly.

“It’s not your fault, Fire Lord Zuko,” he tells him.

“I appreciate that, Chief Hakoda,” Zuko says. Behind him, Sokka sucks in a breath through his teeth and Hakoda feels his chest twinge in concern. He had fought in a war long enough to hear the pain laced through the noise. Zuko turns around to look at him, then turns back around sharply to address the room. “We will adjourn the meeting for today. We will reconvene tomorrow.”

Zuko hides it well, Hakoda thinks, but there’s an urgency to his words hidden behind a carefully constructed mask of stoicism that leaves no room for doubt in Hakoda’s mind. Sokka is hurt.

“But Fire Lord Zuko—”

“I think we could all use a breather, Kovrik,” Hakoda jumps in, not eager for another argument to break out. “Coming back tomorrow with a clear head is a good decision.” Besides, the sooner he can clear the room of other people, the sooner he could check on Sokka who Zuko was—almost protectively—keeping from view.

“Yes,” Kovrick acquiesces, though Hakoda can tell he’s still not pleased. “Yes, I suppose that’s fair.”

Zuko nods his appreciation. Kovrik, Bashi, and the few other dignitaries that had been in the room bustle out the door. Hakoda waits until it’s latched shut behind them before he turns his full attention towards his son. Zuko has already turned his full attention to him, saying something in a low voice.

Hakoda can sees the clench of his son’s jaw and the slight wince as he places his hand in Zuko’s. Hakoda steps up behind the Fire Lord, peering over his shoulder. His chest tightens a little in sympathy when he sees the blistering, angry red skin on the back of his son’s hand.

“Do you have anything that can help?” he asks of the Fire Lord, frowning. He thinks briefly of calling Kovrik back in before he remembers that the Northern Water Tribe’s men, even when benders, didn’t typically learn its healing abilities.

“Yes, sir,” Zuko replies, not taking his gaze from Sokka’s hand as if he could heal it by staring at it hard enough. “Though it’s not quite as immediate as waterbending healers. But it should help with the pain and prevent infection. Follow me.”

Hakoda follows as Zuko guides Sokka by the elbow out the door of the meeting room and through a network of hallways. There’s something almost jarring about it to Hakoda. The image of the Fire Lord leading his Water Tribe son through the palace to get him help, rather than as a prisoner, has a part of Hakoda’s mind reeling. Sokka’s blue clothing stands out against the dark reds and blacks that adorn the walls and pillars around them.

How quickly times had changed.

Hakoda thinks back to the conversation in the meeting a few moments ago as he watches the back of Zuko’s head, moving quickly down the corridor with Sokka in tow. Rumors and propaganda about the Fire Nation, and especially about its leader, flew quickly amongst the ranks of soldiers in the war. It had been difficult to know fact from fiction, especially as it related to the royal family.

A year ago—the memory comes crystal clear to Hakoda now—one of the men on his crew named Horrak had told him what he’d been certain was an exaggerated, hyperbolic story. Something about the Fire Lord and his thirteen-year-old son. On Tui and La, I swear it’s true. Heard it from the mouth of a Fire Nation soldier myself who was actually there.

He’s a tyrant and cruel, Hakoda had said, rolling his eyes because the idea was just… incomprehensible, but there’s no way Ozai would do that to his own flesh and blood. He’s too proud of his bloodline anyway.

Zuko glances over his shoulder at Sokka, and Hakoda sees the angry scar across half of his face. The words of the admiral in the meeting whisper in the back of Hakoda’s mind in a way that makes his stomach turn. Your father’s attempts to brand you… Hakoda had thought that surely, surely, even Ozai had a line in the sand when it came to his own family.

He’s less confident of that now.

Zuko says something to two of the guards stationed at the set of double doors that Hakoda doesn’t quite catch, and then slips through the door. Hakoda follows close behind.

“Wait here,” Zuko says, and then vanishes through a door on the far side of the room.

Hakoda glances around the room. It was a bedroom, but Hakoda had a hard time believing it was Zuko’s. It seemed too simple of a room to belong to the Fire Lord. Then again, Zuko had been full of surprises from the very first time Hakoda had met him.

He looks to his son, noticing the tight grimace to his face and the very slight sway and grabs the chair beside the bed to get his son to sit before he falls face first into the floor.

“You had good reflexes in there,” Hakoda says. He’d dealt enough with injured Water Tribesmen to know that distraction was usually the best way to help them deal with the pain of a burn. He had no doubt that his son was no exception to that.

“Lots of practice,” Sokka replies, obediently taking a seat. He hisses out another breath as his grip around the arms of the chair stretches the skin across the back of his hand. He swears under his breath.

“Easy,” Hakoda says softly, bracing a hand on his son’s back.

The comment from his son makes his chest twist, but he can’t very well deny it. His son had seen more combat in the past year than he’d hoped he’d have to in his lifetime. Hakoda knows that it was an unreasonable expectation for his son to somehow be the exception to generations of pain. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Sokka would be able to handle the fight—Sokka always been able to hold his own—but could you blame a father for wanting to spare his son the experience of waking up from nightmares, haunted by the people he couldn’t save?

Hakoda dealt with that enough for the both of them.

“Wish Katara was here,” Sokka says.

“I know,” Hakoda tells him. “Unfortunately, I don’t think she’s coming to Caldera for a while. She’s still in Ba Sing Se with Aang.” She and Aang were working on their own negotiations of reparations and treatises. Caldera was only one location of many that were in the middle of such conversations.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Sokka sighs. “Her magic water comes in handy, though… Get it? Hand-y?”

Hakoda snorts. That’s the kind of joke he used to make to get Kya to smile.

The door across the room opens again. Zuko emerges with his arms wrapped around a giant tub of water, several vials and rags gripped in his hands. He’d also pulled his hair out of the top knot so that it falls into his face, shaggy and unbrushed. It makes him look younger somehow.

Spirits, he really is only sixteen, isn’t he?

The Fire Lord seems to be studiously avoiding both his and his son’s gaze as he crosses back to him and sets the washbasin at Sokka’s feet. The realization twists uncomfortably in Hakoda’s stomach.

“Can I see your hand?” Zuko says in what is perhaps the softest voice Hakoda has ever heard come from the teen’s mouth.

Sokka blinks. “Yeah. Sure.”

Hakoda crosses his arms over his chest and watches as Zuko examines his son’s hand. The Fire Lord handles it with care, mindful of the injury even as he inspects closely. His brow is furrowed in concentration and there’s a long beat of silence. Sokka is almost uncharacteristically quiet, but Hakoda doesn’t miss the very slight way his shoulders seem to ease. There’s a familiarity between them, Hakoda realizes, and it makes him wonder in the back of his mind if maybe this wasn’t the first time they helped each other.

“I don’t think it’ll have permanent damage,” Zuko says eventually. “But I still need to treat it so it doesn’t get infected. It… might hurt a little. But then it should feel better.”

Hakoda sees his son swallow. “No permanent damage. That’s good.” He nods, evidently steeling himself. “Okay.”

Zuko looks for a moment like he’s about to say something else, but seems to change his mind. Instead, he busies himself with wringing a cloth in the basin of water, into which he had emptied the contents of the vials. Hakoda’s gaze flickers again to the scar on his face and wonders if he might be so intimately familiar with the care of burns from his own experience.

Hakoda wonders if there was someone else to help him and teach him. Perhaps that uncle that he and Sokka had mentioned. Iroh, Hakoda thinks his name is, though that would mean the uncle was General Iroh, as in the Dragon of the West. That seemed unlikely to the chief. No way this “wise old guy” who apparently spent his free time giving advice and making tea was also the same person who laid siege to Ba Sing Se for six-hundred days.

He watches Zuko press the rag gingerly to the back of Sokka’s hand and Sokka yelps, yanking his hand back.

“I’m sorry,” Zuko says immediately with a bit of a grimace. “This part is painful, but it’ll stop hurting in a minute.”

Hakoda listens to the strained breathing of his son, taking a step towards him before Sokka manages, “Right. Right, sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Zuko tells him. “I know it hurts.”

Hakoda watches from behind Sokka as his son places his hand back in Zuko’s, who slowly but gingerly presses the rag back to his hand. There’s a casual intimacy to the way that Sokka willingly gives over his injury to the Fire Lord. An assured immediacy to Sokka’s movement combined with the extraordinarily careful way in which Zuko handles it that surprises him. He’d known, intellectually, that his children had become close with the Fire Lord. But the moments in which Hakoda got to be witness to that friendship sometimes still caught him off guard, even all these months later.

It even folded into the way they fought beside each other. Hakoda had gotten very fleeting glimpses of it back in Boiling Rock, but he’d seen it more clearly in the meeting room a few minutes ago. They watched each other’s back, protecting one another without getting in each other’s way, like it was a rehearsed dance. Hakoda had watched the way Zuko stepped in front of flames to protect his son and had seen the way Sokka had timed his boomerang through to ensure the next fireball directed at Zuko would be kicked wide.

For a long moment, the only sound heard in the room is the quiet splash of water as Zuko submerges the rag again and wrings it out. Hakoda glances at the Fire Lord’s face and wonders if Zuko had always had a habit of facing flames head-on.

“What did the admiral mean,” Sokka blurts out suddenly, breaking the silence, “when he talked about insubordination?”

Hakoda’s lips press into a thin line, his gaze flickering briefly to his son before flitting back to Zuko. Zuko’s eyes had gone wide, the rag in his hand frozen half-out of the bowl. He blinks. “What--uh. I, uh.” Hakoda sees his hand clench around the rag and the way he takes a careful, intentional breath. “When I was younger, I spoke out at a meeting.”

Zuko busies himself back to tending to Sokka’s hand. Hakoda, however, feels something sink like an anchor in his stomach. He goes very, very still.

“After the stuff at Ba Sing Se? When you went home?” Sokka asks, and Hakoda realizes that he hasn’t heard the same rumors he had. Rumors that were at least a little bit true, but surely not all of it. Surely--

“No, I uh.” Zuko coughs a bit. “Before that. Before… yeah. Earlier.”

“What happened?”

Hakoda stays quiet but he keeps his eyes on Zuko, who looks for all the world like a wild snow leopard caribou that had been cornered. His shoulders tense and Hakoda wonders, very briefly, if he might make a run for it. His jaw clenches, and he shifts to the balls of his feet.

Zuko doesn’t run.

Instead, he seems to focus even more on the administrations he’s giving to Sokka’s injury, as if healing something else might be able to protect him from his own old wounds coming under scrutiny.

“My uncle allowed me to attend a war meeting,” Zuko begins after a long beat as he wraps a fresh bandage around Sokka’s hand, “where they were talking about some battle strategies to use against an Earth Kingdom battalion. There was a general that wanted our newest fleet to serve as a distraction while we mounted an attack from the rear.”

Hakoda feels for a moment like he’s standing on cracking ice. He heard about that attack. The few members of that battalion spoke of how victorious they’d felt, decimating an entire fleet of rookie Fire Nation soldiers only to be attacked from the rear. Hakoda had spoken two years ago with one of the Earth Kingdom soldiers that had escaped, had listened as she recounted the bloodbath it had been.

They must have known, she’d been saying with a haunted, far-away look to her eyes, that we’d win against a bunch of newbie soldiers. It was like they were served up as goat-dogs for slaughter. Just a… distraction. Ozai doesn’t even care about his own people.

That conversation had been two years ago. Which meant—

“That’s not fair,” Sokka says. “Your newest recruits? They’d be slaughtered by an experienced battalion like that.” Hakoda feels a brief flicker of pride through the growing tightness in his chest. His son is far smarter than he gave himself credit for.

“Exactly,” Zuko sighs, bitterness dripping from his voice like venom. “And that’s what I told them. I wasn’t thinking. I just… yelled at him.” Zuko secures the end of the bandage to Sokka’s palm slowly, as if reluctant to be done with the process. “My father didn’t… take it well. I was challenged to an Agni Kai, and I thought I would be facing the general in it, so I accepted.”

The steadily growing tightness in Hakoda’s chest snaps around his lungs like a steel band. So even the worst rumors—the ones he’d been certain couldn’t possibly be true, not about that, not even Ozai—had been true. And it was all because he tried to save people’s lives.

Hakoda does not have a weak stomach, but it rolls with the lead weight of realization.

Zuko still doesn’t look at either one of them. Unable to keep his attention on helping Sokka’s injury, he turns his attention instead to gathering the basin of water and the empty vials and used rags. Something to keep his hands—his attention—busy. Hakoda had seen some of the men he fought with do the same thing when talking about stories they mostly tried to forget.

“No…” Sokka says in a low voice, and Hakoda knows from the horror in his voice that his son is starting to put the pieces together too.

“It wasn’t the general,” Zuko confirms, his voice quiet and heavy in the silence around them. “It was my father.”

“You faced your father in an Agni Kai?” Sokka asks.

“Not exactly. I…” Zuko stares down at the bowl, his gold gaze looking a thousand miles away. “I couldn’t fight my own father. Instead, I begged him for forgiveness. I was met with a fist full of flames.” Zuko waves a hand towards his face.

I begged him for forgiveness.

Hakoda thinks of the version Horrack had told him. I heard the kid was kneeling in front of him when it happened—

“He--” Sokka also sounds at a loss of words, his voice choking off.

“I was banished after that,” Zuko continues and his voice is hollow in a way that ricochets like shrapnel. Hakoda watches him meet his son’s gaze. “I was told to bring the Avatar back and all would be forgiven, or to not come back at all. That was before you and your sister woke Aang up from the iceberg.”

He hears what Zuko won’t say. It was before there’d been confirmation that the Avatar was still around at all. He’d been banished from his home and told to chase a ghost. It was an impossible task. Ozai didn’t want his son to come home at all, Hakoda realizes. And from the tight way Zuko swallows, he’s pretty sure Zuko knows it too.

Hakoda clenches his grip into a fist to mask the tremble to his hands. Zuko had done the right thing at that meeting—had tried to spare lives—and had still asked for forgiveness. Begged for it. And Ozai had lit his hand on fire and… and… painfully mutilated his own son and then kicked him out, telling him to chase a legend. In some ways, Hakoda thinks, it was crueler than telling him not to come back at all.

Zuko is sixteen. But he is still a child, though saddled with the weight of righting a century of conflict on his back. And Hakoda knows that the Agni Kai had been three years ago.

“How old were you?” Sokka asks tightly.

Spirits above, he was only—

“Thirteen,” Zuko says, and Hakoda sighs, shutting his eyes against the confirmation.

“Thir--” Sokka cuts himself off, his voice strained. “Thirteen. Tui and La, when I was thirteen--” he breaks off again.

Hakoda knows what Sokka is thinking about. Sokka was thirteen when he’d left to join the war effort. He’d tried so hard to keep Sokka as safe as he could. Protect his childhood from being stolen more than the war and the loss of his mother already had. He’d seen the stubborn set to Sokka’s jaw when he’d chased after him onto the ship gangplank, and Hakoda knew that Sokka was just as protective as he was. He’d asked him to look out for the village, for Katara.

Hakoda would have done anything in the world to keep Sokka safe. He still felt that way, despite all the ways that Sokka had proven he could hold his own. He couldn’t help it. He wouldn’t want to. Sokka was his boy. Not so little anymore, not so innocent. He’d seen and been through too much, and Hakoda had missed most of it. But he’d tried. He’d tried to keep him safe for as long as he could manage.

At thirteen, Zuko had been hurt by a person he’d loved and then thrown out into the world with barely a second thought. The Fire Nation had robbed him, too, of so much. Too much.

Sokka takes a sudden step towards him and Zuko visibly tenses as if expecting a blow. Sokka freezes in place. “Zuko…”

Zuko shakes his head quickly, and there’s a small part of Hakoda that uncoils when he sees the way Zuko’s gaze doesn’t look quite so distant anymore. “Anyway. That’s--that’s what the admiral was talking about.”

“You…” Sokka sounds close to tears. “You were his kid.”

“Yeah, well.” Zuko looks at Sokka again. “He spent most of my life wishing I wasn’t.”

Hakoda’s jaw tenses. He looks at Zuko who looks, for all the world, like a sixteen-year-old kid, with his shaggy hair falling into his face and in Fire Lord clothes that are maybe just a touch too big for him. At thirteen—barely a teenager—he’d spoken up out of an intense desire to keep more people safe. To save lives. In Hakoda’s eyes, Zuko was a hero. Just for that.

How anyone could look at him and not be proud was far beyond Hakoda.

“Zuko,” he says, and Zuko’s gaze flashes over to him almost like he’d forgotten Hakoda was there in the first place. “I… hope you understand that you didn’t deserve that.”

The words fall short of what he wants to say, of what he means. But they feel important to him. Zuko deserved better from his nation and especially from his own father. Hakoda doesn’t know very much about the former royal family, but he doesn’t get the impression that Zuko heard that a lot. And if nobody else was going to make sure Zuko knows that he deserves better, Hakoda will at least try.

Something softens a little in Zuko’s gaze. “I know, sir,” he says. “It… I didn’t at first. It took me a long time to understand that it was wrong of my father to do that. But I know that now.”

Hakoda inclines his head. It is a small mercy against the tremendous pain the kid carries on his back, but it’s something. And as far as Hakoda is concerned, it’s not a small thing, either.

“Where is he?” Sokka demands in a near growl.

Zuko blinks, looking far more surprised by Sokka’s outrage than Hakoda is. “Where’s who?”

“Ozai.”

“Sokka, what are you going to do? Fight him?” Zuko looks completely bewildered. “He already lost.”

“Against Aang, not against—did Aang even know?”

“Um, I guess I don’t know. I never told him. I… never told any of you.”

“Yeah--and what’s that about, huh?” Sokka takes a step forward. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

Hakoda takes a step towards his son. “Sokka,” he warns.

He wants to explain to him that sometimes things are hard to talk about. Spirits know there were things Hakoda had seen in his days involved in the war that he didn’t want to talk about and hoped he never would have to. He wanted to explain that events like that, things that linger on the edges of your nightmares and follow in lock-step with your shadow, had a nasty habit of strangling in your throat so that the words don’t come. That it is easier to carry those things close to your chest rather than lay them bare for the world to see.

But Sokka is fuming and cuts his father off. “What, did you think we wouldn’t care? That it wouldn’t matter?”

“It doesn’t matter!” Zuko hurls back at him, waving a hand towards the bedroom window. “My father already lost to the Avatar, Sokka. The war is over. The fighting is over. Aang took his bending. And that—I don’t know about you, but that’s the best, most justified end to his legacy I can think of.”

There’s a long, heavy moment of silence. Hakoda watches the way his son’s shoulders heave with angry breaths, his non-injured hand curled into a fist. Sokka had always been fiercely, desperately protective. It runs in the family, Hakoda thinks idly. But this wasn’t something Sokka could protect Zuko from. The damage had already been done.

Hakoda thinks, perhaps, that such a truth only makes it harder for his son to deal with.

“Wherever he is,” Sokka growls, “I hope he rots. He deserves worse.”

Zuko blinks, his eyes wide. Hakoda wonders briefly if Zuko has ever had someone be angry on his behalf, rather than angry with him.

Sokka evidently doesn’t understand his surprise. “Don’t tell me you disagree—”

“No,” Zuko says quickly. “I just… nothing.” He offers the barest hint of a smile at Sokka. The reminder of the familiarity between them relaxes some of the tightness in Hakoda’s chest just a fraction.

There’s a long beat as Hakoda hears his son suck in a deep, slow breath. Zuko’s gaze falls from Sokka’s, drifting back to the basin of water beside him. Zuko’s fingers twitch at his side. He looks suddenly uncomfortable, Hakoda thinks. Nervous, almost.

“Thank you for helping Sokka’s hand, Firelord Zuko,” Hakoda says suddenly, and maybe it’s a foolish way to convey to him that this didn’t change their opinion of him. At least, not for Hakoda… and from his surge of protective anger, he’s pretty sure the same goes for his son. Zuko was still Zuko. And if maybe he made sure to call him Fire Lord as a quiet reminder that Hakoda did not think him less of a leader either, then maybe that was okay too.

Hakoda sees the slightly pink tinge to Zuko’s cheeks as he meets Hakoda’s gaze. But he reads the understanding in those gold eyes as well. “Oh. Uh, of course, sir. And… just Zuko is fine.” Thank you, is the unspoken words that flit across the teen’s gold eyes.

Hakoda smiles a little, inclining his head. “Understood.” He turns his attention then to his son. ”I should draft a letter to Bato tonight to update him on the treaty. Will you be okay without me?”

Sokka rolls his eyes, but the corner of his mouth is tilted up in a half-smile. “Yeah, dad. I think I can manage.”

Hakoda gives Sokka’s shoulder one last squeeze and a nod to Zuko before he ducks out of the room to give them both a moment to talk more. He closes the door behind him, pausing long enough to take a breath.

Generations of conflict had been ended a few months ago by a bunch of kids with too much weight on their shoulders and too many shadows clinging to their edges. But at their heart, they were good people trying to do good things. Spirits know they all had plenty of reasons to be otherwise. War had a nasty habit of bringing out the worst in people, of demanding sacrifices to who you are. It could latch onto the darkest parts of you and pull until it was all that remained. He’s grateful that the group of kids that ended the Hundred Year War managed to keep the best of themselves despite everything, and that they continued to do so.

Hakoda had learned a long time ago that goodness is a choice. And he’s grateful that the world was in the hands of people like his kids, like Aang, like Zuko. Kids who, despite everything and all the ways people tried to pull their darkness out of them, continued to make that choice.

#atla #zuko #avatar the last airbender #atla fanfiction #hakoda #zuko fanfiction #hakoda fanfiction #injury #argument #child abuse #mutilation #please heed warnings #ptsd #trauma

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ezpezlemonsquez · 4 years ago

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Sukka's wedding headcanons because why not

Zuko as the best man

“Mai: Zuko, are you crying? Zuko: No, of course not, there's just something in my eye. Why would I be crying? These are just my two best friends in the world getting married.”

Sokka's boomerang and Suki's fans being included in their first dance

Toph going around and telling everyone embarrassing stories about Sokka until he tells her to shut up or he'll lock her in a block of ice

Suki dancing with Hakoda while Sokka's dancing with Katara

Aang delievering the best speech, moving nearly everybody to tears

The Kyoshi Warriors performing a special sequence made just for Suki and Sokka

big gaang hug

everyone telling Suki she looks beautiful and Sokka going “I know she's gorgeous bUt WhAt AbOuT mE??”

Sokka referring to Suki as “his wife” on every occasion possible

Suki answering “this is the happiest day of my life” to every “how are you feeling?” question

Sokka insists that Toph has to dance with him and Toph at first refuses aggressively but eventually gives up, realising she'd probably regret that forever, so they dance and Sokka doesn't even care she crushes his feet constantly

Sokka, with all his dorkiness, being actually an amazing dancer and Suki walking up to random people while he's dancing, pointing at him and going “look at him, that's my husband”

but when Sokka dances with Suki people sometimes just stop what they're doing and look in awe because this is so beautiful

Sokka eating every dish because there's absolutely no way he wouldn't try everything at his own wedding (inspired by @amiti-art lmao, tho he's a responsible eater so he doesn't get sick this time, since Suki threatened she'd kill him if he got sick at their own wedding)

Suki dragging Zuko to the dance floor because he owes her at least one dance and Zuko agreeing with a smile but only because she's his bff

Suki and Katara being all excited and referring to each other as “sis”

Suki and Sokka sitting by the table watching their friends having fun while holding hands

“Sokka: you're stuck with me forever now, you know that? Suki: *laugh* I'll do you one better, I love that.”

Aang being so proud of them and saying that all the time

there's the full moon that night

Katara and Hakoda crying just a bit

Momo having a contest of how many heads he'll land on so sometimes somebody randomly screams “ahh, lemur!”

Momo sitting on Sokka's shoulder and Sokka feeding him during meals

Katara hugging Sokka and going “I've never suspected any girl would want you” and Sokka stone-cold responding “yeah, my wife Suki's crazy”

the wedding is #1 topic for the next month

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reinerispretty · 4 years ago

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rotations. bonus! team avatar 2.0 meet y/n

hello!! this was requested a while ago by @purple-cloud18 before rotations was finished and lok was on netflix so now i am so excited to actually write it!!

Hi i love your rotations and I wanted to ask for like a one shot of how korra’s team avatar would react to meeting y/n (like if she was apart of stopping the 100 year war and is alive to meet the new team avatar). And who they (y/n) did/didn’t end up with etc.

Despite her age, (Y/N) still loved to travel more than anything in the world. Whenever Zuko went anywhere, she forced him to let her join. Sometimes he worried, because of the dangers of whatever mission he would be going on, but (Y/N) wasted no time in reminding him that she had proved time and time again that she could take care of herself.

“I know, love, but we’re not as young as we used to be,” He’d say with a sigh as he would help her get on the back of their dragon, Druk. (Y/N) would furrow her brows and scoff.

“Maybe you aren’t! I feel as spry as a baby turtle duck.”

Even after decades of being queen of the Fire Nation, (Y/N) still wasn’t accustomed to the behavior that was shown to her. When she and Zuko landed at the Misty Palms Oasis, Chief Tonraq rushed to help her off of the dragon. Lin Beifong, her beloved goddaughter, bowed as soon as (Y/N’s) feet stepped onto the sand. She opened her mouth to give a retort about how she didn’t need special treatment, but Zuko gave her a playful pinch at her elbow that told her to just accept the kindness.

(Y/N) smiled wide, walking toward Lin with her arms wide open. The woman cringed when the hug was first initiated, but she eventually relaxed into it. Lin Beifong was one tough cookie, but she had always had a soft spot for (Y/N). When Toph was off giving her daughters their independence, (Y/N) was only a phone call away to provide Lin with any advice she might need.

Tonraq, Lin, Zuko, and (Y/N) all waited within the pub until Avatar Korra and her friends, Mako, Bolin, and Asami walked through the door. (Y/N) gasped, gripping Zuko’s arm. She had never met the Avatar before this moment and was surprised at how her heart reacted when she walked into the room. It swelled with love, like an old friend had just walked into the room.

The groups exchanged introductions and Korra bowed in Zuko and (Y/N’s) presence. “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Lady (Y/N),” Korra said with a grin.

“You as well, Korra,” (Y/N) said with a soft smile. “I love reading about your adventures in the paper. Makes me want to go back out and kick some butt myself.”

“I’m sure you could firebend circles around any of us,” Mako said. He blushed once (Y/N’s) eyes were directed at him. “Ma’am.”

(Y/N) cracked her knuckles. “We could always find out!” Zuko rolled his eyes, placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Try not to encourage her. Our grandson has been knocked on his butt too many times to count.”

“You’ve beaten General Iroh?” Bolin asked, stifling a laugh.

“Who do you think made him into the firebender he is today?” (Y/N) smirked.

Tonraq and Lin pulled Korra away, which disappointed (Y/N). She enjoyed talking to the Avatar and her friends. It reminded her of her youth. Many years had passed since the death of some of her most beloved friends and meeting these kids brought up feelings (Y/N) hadn’t felt in years.

“I read about you and Zuko’s love story when I was a kid,” Bolin said to her, his eyes wide and his hands clasped together. (Y/N) laughed.

“That interviewer got everything wrong!”

“So you weren’t really burned trying to save Zuko from the Agni Kai with his father?”

“Nope!”

“You and Zuko didn’t take down Azula together?”

“It was a team effort, but I pulled most of the weight.”

“And you didn’t give birth to Fire Lord Izumi on Appa’s back?” (Y/N) hummed.

“That one is actually true, but Zuko thinks it’s embarrassing that he fainted, so I don’t really tell it much.”

“Your memory’s fuzzy from old age,” Zuko called to her from across the pub. “Sokka fainted, not me!”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes and shook her head at Bolin. “He fainted.”

---

After learning of Zaheer’s plans, (Y/N) had to go outside. She felt sick to her stomach at the thought of someone trying to take out her daughter. Izumi was fully capable of protecting herself, but she was not a bender. (Y/N) needed to get back to the Fire Nation immediately.

Korra walked out of the pub and found her sitting beside the giant block of ice that the spirits cooled themselves on. “Are you feeling alright?” Korra asked. She took a seat beside her.

“Me? Never better!” (Y/N) smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Are you? You’ve been dealing with villains back to back for months.”

Korra shrugged. “I can take it. I’m sure you and your friends faced a lot worse than I have.”

(Y/N’s) mind flashed to a memory of long ago, of Zuko being shot by lightning. She gave Korra another smile. “I don’t think it’s an easy comparison to make. The times are different now.”

“You’re worried about your daughter,” Korra said quietly. (Y/N) chuckled.

“That’s the Aang in you. Always knew what was wrong, I never had to tell him. When you get to be my age, there are very few things that are important anymore. It all becomes so trivial, you know? But one of the most important things to me is my family.” She placed her wrinkled hand on Korra’s. “I know we’ve just met, but you are my family. You know that, right?”

“I feel like I’ve known you forever,” Korra admitted.

“You definitely have. Say, how’s Katara? It’s been a few months since I’ve seen her.”

---

Tag List!!

@beifongsss , @aroyaldarknessblr , @musicalkeys , @thefandomimagines , @blondie0458 , @kairiririri , @awesomelupe , @zukosvice , @tomshollandz , @lavendercrystals , @astralsaf , @realimbo , @mycollectionofnuts , @wingeddemonclub ,

#legend of korra #lok #atla #avatar #the last airbender #zuko x reader #zuko #aang #katara #sokka #toph #korra #mako #asami #bolin #writing #fanfiction

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babypandawrites · 4 years ago

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Allies, Pt. 10

The Waterbending Master

Pairing: Sokka x F Reader Warnings: None Word Count: 3,827 Summary: The Northern Water Tribe, you've finally made it! It's certainly not the trip you thought it would be though.

Note: Like I mentioned in the last part, I do have a little outfit thing going on with the story- Brought that in a little late tho and we are changing it up in this chapter heh

-Navigation- | -Atla Masterlist- -Last Part- | -Allies Masterlist- | -Next Part-

Taglist: @boomeraangin | @brokennerdalert

“I’m not one to complain but,” Y/n’s attention lazily turned to Sokka as he started to speak, her eyebrows raising. “Yes you are.” He ignored her and continued. “Can’t Appa fly any higher?” The bison drifted a bit lower, his paws brushing against the water. Aang turned around to face them, looking at Sokka with a mix of annoyance and anger. “I have an idea, why don’t we all get on your back and you can fly us to the North Pole?” “I’d love to! Climb on everyone-” Sokka wiggled his butt in the air. “Sokka’s ready for takeoff!” Momo jumped up on him, in response to the sarcastic remark. “Look, we’re all just a little tired and cranky-” Katara got cut off by Y/n. “And cold.” She added, hugging herself as she shivered. Sokka looked at her with a blank expression. “Yeah I’m sure you’re freezing over there in my coat!” “Hey! Don’t complain when you offered it to me!” Katara breathed out a sigh. “Like I was saying- It’s just because we’ve been flying for two days straight.” “And for what? We can’t even find the Northern Water Tribe. There’s nothing up here.” Suddenly, splashing noises sounded up ahead, as ice rapidly shot across the water towards Appa. Aang screamed, yanking the bison’s reins causing him to bank right and avoid the ice. Though, Y/n, Katara, and Sokka nearly fell off the saddle, having to hold onto it for dear life. Appa jerks to the left as another ice attack comes from the waves, the ice slams into his underside making him fall into an uncontrolled spin into the water. The water around Appa solidifies, trapping him and the group in place. From behind the icebergs, several wooden skiffs float out to surround Appa, manned by people in Water Tribe clothing. Katara looked at the people with joy, Sokka and Y/n pausing their reach for their weapons as she spoke. “They’re waterbenders! We found the Water Tribe!”

Once Appa was freed from his icy prison, he swam through the water in formation with the Water Tribe boats. Aang stood up, and pointed ahead. “There it is!” Y/n shuffled to the edge of Appa’s saddle, and leaned over it to look where Aang had been pointing. “Woah…” “The Northern Water Tribe…” Katara spoke with wonder. “We’re finally here…” The crew on one of the skiffs start to waterbend in unison, opening a circular slot in the ice gating around the tribe, revealing a short tunnel. One of the waterbenders motioned forward, telling them to go on. Appa swam through the tunnel, which led into a lock system controlled by waterbending. Several waterbenders worked the system, allowing them into the city. “I can’t believe how many waterbenders live up here!” Katara commented, watching the benders working the lock system. Aang looked at her with a smile. “We’ll find a master to teach us, no problem!” Appa followed after a skiff that led them through the canals in the city. People gawked at them as they went through the town, clearly in awe. Though the people of the Northern Tribe weren’t the only ones in awe, The Northern Water Tribe was really a sight to see. With its beautiful ice buildings and scenery, Y/n found herself in complete awe of the city. Katara was in awe of the city as well. “This place is beautiful.” Y/n nodded in agreement, as Sokka spoke up from behind them. “Yeah, she is.” The two girls turned to look at him, seeing that he was balanced on Appa’s tail, staring at a passing boat that a girl sat in. They shared a look, rolling their eyes at Sokka.

Awkwardly, Y/n shuffled to take a seat between Katara and Sokka as Chief Arnook addressed everyone attending the festivities. She would have been there sooner, if not for the women who ushered her away for new clothes. Of course it was nice to be in appropriate clothing for the weather, but they’d been a little... difficult. “-rrival of our brother and sisters from the Southern Tribe, and they have brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now. The Avatar!” The crowd cheered at his words. “We also celebrate my daughter’s 16th birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age.” He stood aside to show Yue, his daughter, as she approached the table accompanied by two attendants. Now, Princess Yue spoke. “Thank you, father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times.” “Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!” The chief motioned towards three men who stood on a dais in front of the fountain opposite of where they currently sat, who began to bend water from three enormous amphorae in front of them. The crowd cheered and clapped at the display. Aang, Katara and Y/n watched in delight, as they all clapped as well. Y/n’s attention was pulled from the waterbending show, when Katara rested a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. “Say, Y/n. Have you ever tried to waterbend before? Cause I mean, your partaly from the tribe and if you happened to be a waterbender, this would be the best place to learn it.” “I tried as a kid, but to no result. I think I can say I’m not a waterbender with pretty high confidence.” Katara’s expression fell from hopefulness to disappointment, as she nodded in understanding. “Oh, I see.” Part of Y/n wondered why Katara was so hopeful that she might be a waterbender, and just how long she’d been waiting to ask that. She offered her friend a sympathetic smile, slightly tuning into Sokka’s conversation with Princess Yue. “-I’m kinda like a Prince myself!” Scoffing, Y/n glanced over at him. “Prince?” Katara let out a laugh. “Ha! Prince of hat?” Sokka turned to look at them, angrily. “A lot of things! Uh, do you mind? I’m trying to have a conversation here!” “My apologies, Prince Sokka.” Katara offered a mocking bow as she spoke, causing Y/n to laugh. “Ah, yes, sincerest apologies.” She barely got the sentence out, before she started to laugh again. As the girls laughed, Sokka turned back to Princess Yue, both Y/n and Katara trying to sush each other's laughter to continue listening in. “So it looks like I’m gonna be in town for awhile. I’m thinking maybe we could.... Do an activity together?” “Do an ‘activity’?” Turning away from the Princess, Sokka stuffed his mouth with food, clearly embarrassed from his poor flirting attempt. Katara watched her brother in amusement. “Very smooth.” Y/n, also watching in amusement, nodded her head softly. “The smoothest.” He glared at them, as he swallowed down the food. “Shut up.” She raised her hands in defense, as Katara moved her attention to eating. “By the way, loser-” Sokka looked at Y/n, exasperated. “Hey!” Ignoring him, she picked up his coat which had been resting on her lap, and shoved it towards him. “Here’s your coat, thanks for letting me wear it so I didn’t freeze to death earlier.” He took it, looking somewhat relieved. Probably because he wouldn’t have to be without a coat in the North Pole anymore. “Yeah it wasn’t a problem.” He paused for a moment, to pull on the coat. “Actually, that was a lie. It was a problem, do you know how cold it is around here?” “Yeah, I do know how cold it is around here. But sorry, do you want me to make it up to you Sokka?” She paused, grinning. “Maybe I could take you to do an activity sometime.” “You. You are the worst.”

Breathing out a sigh, Y/n stared blankly at the ceiling. It was the next morning, and everyone had gone off to do something, leaving her alone with Momo- who was currently curled up on her chest. “Is this how you and Appa always feel, when we have to leave you two behind to be stealthy?” The small lemur chittered. “I am so sorry. This is really the worst.” It’s not like she wasn’t accustomed to being alone, before meeting Aang, Katara and Sokka she didn’t have anyone. Maybe over the past however long it’s been since they met, she’s gotten a little two attached. Another sigh pushed past her lips. “What happened to me, Momo? I used to be fine on my own. I thrived being by myself, now look at me, staring boredly at a ceiling because everyone is busy!” She lifted one of her hands to the ceiling as she spoke, before letting it fall back to her side. When Momo chittered, she gently patted his head. “Well, Katara and Aang have their waterbending practice and well, we can’t really do anything about that. Maybe we could go watch? We might be seen as some kind of distraction to them though. Then Sokka… I don’t know what he’s up to.” She paused for a moment. “What is he doing?” Another pause. “Ugh, why do I even care?” Momo chittered once again, causing her to look at him offended. “Momo! How dare you! I was going to invite you to come to town with me but know I’m not so sure.” He chittered again, causing her to breath a sigh. “Okay, okay, you can come with me. But it’s cold, so you might wanna hang out in my coat.” Y/n picked the lemur up, to move him from her chest so she could get up and pull on her coat and boots. After letting the small animal snuggle into her coat, she headed out for a day on the town. She walked along the streets of the city, occasionally petting Momo’s head when he popped it out of her coat. “Isn’t this nice, Momo? We can go around and do whatever we want, without a care or worry in the world.” Her steps slowly came to a stop. “Hmm. It’s kind of… boring, actually. Never thought I’d say that.” Shaking away her thoughts, she decided to go into one of the shops she was walking past, a quick look around told her it was a clothing shop. A quiet bell jingled when she opened the door, which seemed to alert the older woman who came from the back room. “Oh! Welcome, how can I help you?” The woman offered a kind smile, the contagious kind.” Offering a smile, Y/n stepped more into the shop, looking around a bit more closely. “I’m honestly just here to look around- Um are animals allowed? I have a lemur in my coat.” As if on cue, Momo popped his head out. “As long as he doesn’t mess with anything, I don’t mind.” “Alright, you heard her Momo, don’t go messing with anything.” She paused, turning her attention back to the woman. “I promise he’ll behave.” The woman breathed out a laugh. “I’ll take your word for it. Let me know if you need any help dear.” “I will, thank you.” Y/n started to walk about the small shop, looking at the clothes and accessories that were being sold. Since she’d just gotten the clothes she was wearing yesterday, she didn’t intend on buying something new in the regard, but maybe she would purchase one of the accessories in the shop. Everything here was beautiful after all, it might feel like a crime to not get anything. “These pieces are gorgeous..” “Thank you.” She turned to look at the woman when she spoke up, watching as she moved to stand next to her. The woman carefully picked up the bracelet she was looking at. “May I see your wrist?” Offering a nod, Y/n pushed up the sleeve of her coat some, holding her wrist out to the woman. She tied the bracelet around her wrist. Most of it was woven, with soft brown materials, though in the center of the bracelet was a beautiful blue stone with the water tribe insignia carved into it. “All our products are hand made, we put care and love into each one. My son crafts most of the jewelry we sell, this was actually the last piece he crafted before taking leave.” Y/n looked closer at the bracelet, slowly twisting her wrist to watch the

stone glint in the light that came through the windows, as the woman continued speaking. “You seem very enamored, are you going to buy it?” “I definitely want to. I’d have to talk to my friends about it though, we have a shared budget.” “Understandable.” The woman started to untie the bracelet. “I can keep it on hold for you, so if you’re able to you can just come right back and it’ll be ready for you.” She paused for a moment, as she took the bracelet over to the counter to wrap it in parchment. “Though, my son didn’t just craft jewelry. He also worked out here and helped customers so I could focus on making my orders in the back room. If your maybe interested in getting some more money for you and your friends, I do have an opening.” “I think, I just might be interested.”

“How’s warrior training going?” In response to his sister's question, Sokka kicked a bag on the floor in anger, before falling to his knees and dropping his head on the bag to use as a pillow. Y/n watched him with a raised eyebrow. “That bad?” “No, it’s Princess Yue. I don’t get it. One minute she wants to go out with me and the next she’s telling me to get lost!” He paused for a moment. “So how’s waterbending training?” Katara flopped onto her sleeping bag, causing her hood to flip over her head. “Master Poophead won’t teach her because she’s a girl.” Aang explained. “Why don’t you just teach her, Aang?” “Why didn’t I think of that?” Katara got up. “At night, you can teach whatever moves you learned from Master Pakku. That way you have someone to practice with and I get to learn waterbending. Everyone’s happy!” Sokka crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not happy.” “But you’re never happy. Come on, Aang.” Katara left the room, Aang following close behind, leaving Y/n with a very sulky Sokka. Momo chittered at the male, but was given no response. Silence lingered in the air for a few moments, before Sokka spoke up. “Hey, Y/n, you're a girl. Maybe you can help me with this.” He sat up, and moved to face her. “Why do you think Princess Yue is acting like this?” “Um, well…” Y/n stumbled over her thoughts, really unsure on what to say. “Maybe… she’s just scared of liking you?” Sighing, his head slumped forward. “Am I really that bad? Would it ruin her reputation as a Princess or something to date me?” “No! No, that’s not what I was trying to say! What I mean is that- The only reason we’re here is so Aang and Katara can learn waterbending, right? So eventually we’re gonna have to leave and Princess Yue is probably aware of that.” “Oh. Yeah… Yeah that makes sense.” Sokka breathed out a sigh, falling onto his back, before rolling onto his side. “I think I’m gonna just go to bed. Goodnight.” “Goodnight, Sokka.” Breathing out her own sigh, Y/n moved to lay on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling. Why does he care so much? Why does she care so much?! For a moment her thoughts lingered on the day they went to that fortune teller, but she shut that down really quick. Nope, not going there. Another sigh escaped from her, as she drapped an arm over her eyes. Maybe she just needs some sleep. Yeah.

Apparently, Aang teaching Katara what he learned from Master Pakku didn’t do well. That was pretty obvious to Y/n as she stood in front of the tribes council, Chief Arnook, Princess Yue and Master Pakku alongside her friends the next day. “What do you want me to do? Force Master Pakku to take Aang back as his student?” “Yes- please!” “I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow your pride and apologize to him.” Katara glanced at Aang for a moment, before looking over to Master Pakku. “Fine.” She was clearly not happy with this development. “I’m waiting, little girl.” Pakku spoke with a smug smile. “No! No way am I apologizing to a sour old man like you!” As she spoke, a crack started to form in the floor beneath her, a show of her bending getting a little out of control. “Uh, Katara…” Ignoring Aang, she pointed her finger at Pakku. “I’ll be outside- if you’re man enough to fight me!” Princess Yue gasped in surprise, as the man in the room stiffened. Katara turned, and stalked out of the room. Aang watched as she left. “I’m sure she didn’t mean that.” “Yeah, I think she did.” Sokka disagreed. Y/n offered a nod. “Oh, she definitely did.”

The three followed after Katara, walking down the long steps of the citadel with her. “Are you crazy, Katara? You’re not gonna win this fight!” Katara took off her coat, and threw it at Sokka in response, hitting him in the face. “I know! I don’t care!” “You don’t have to do this for me. I can find another teacher.” “I’m not going it for you! Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy!” “You're right Katara, I think you can do it. Kick his butt.” “I will. Thank you Y/n.” Sokka looked at Y/n exasperated. “Don’t encourage her!” She elbowed him in the side. “If not for your idea, we wouldn’t be here, so maybe you should be a little more encouraging. Especially since you’re her brother.” As they all reached the bottom of the steps, Pakku appeared at the top. Katara turned to look at him. “So, you decided to show up?” He just walked right past her. “Aren’t you going to fight?” “Go back to the healing huts with the other women where you belong.” He… he did not just say that. Visibly raging, Katara bent a water whip from the ground and used it to whip Pakku on the back of the neck, causing him to freeze his steps. Slowly, he turned to face Katara. “Fine. You want to learn to fight so bad, study closely!” Pakku pulled the water from two large pools, bending them around himself. Katara ran at him, but was flung backwards by the water Pakku was bending. He starts to bend the water around both of them, making it spin faster and faster to create a whirlpool type effect. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you!” He spoke mockingly, as the water constricted around them. Before it could constrict enough to knock her down, Katara swung her arm, changing the trajectory of the water. The water flung away from her, but ended up hitting Sokka and sending him flying backwards with a loud “OW” exclamation. Watching him get knocked back like that, Y/n shuffled to stand behind Aang in case more water was shot their way. Attention turning back to the fight, she watched as Katara ran at Pakku from behind with a water whip. He raised a ramp of ice in front of her though, which she slid up onto before flipping off and landing on the guardrail of the citadel steps behind him. Pakku liquefied the water, and threw it at Katara, but she bent it out of the way. “You can’t knock me down!” The small crowd that’d gathered to watch the fight cheered. “Go Katara!” Aang cheered out, as Y/n cheered “You got this!” Katara ran at the man again, liquifying the sheet of ice he put between them. She threw several punches at Pakku, which he was able to dodge pretty well. Bending a large glob of water, he threw her into a nearby pool. When she rose from under the water, some people in the crowd cheered again. She raised a circular pedestal out of the water, before shooting thin discs of ice at Pakku. He broke most of them with quick movements, but the last one just narrowly passed by his head. Katara bent a stream of water around her, then threw it at Pakku, who caught it and began to bend it around himself. Katara ran at him again, but was quickly knocked back from a wave of water Pakku sent at her. She was fully knocked to the ground from the force, landing just a bit aways from the staircase. Despite her heavy breathing, she was quick to get on her feet again. She moved her arms, bending the two ice pillars that were behind Pakku, causing them to collapse, just barely missing him. “Well, I’m impressed. You are an excellent waterbender.” “But you still won’t teach me, will you?” “No.” Katara raised the water near her feet, freezed it and sent it in a rolling wave along the ground at Pakku. He raised himself from the ground with a pillar of ice when it reached him, before liquifying the base of the column and bending it to glide forward. She raised a stream of water and used it to knock Pakku down, but he was able to manipulate her water into an arc around her, which he slid across. He knocked Katara down as he passed her, causing her hair to fall loose and her necklace to fall onto the ground. Pakku bent a huge column of water from one

of the pools near him, making it whirlpool in the air before freezing it into shards that he shot at Katara. None of them seemed to hurt her, but they did trap her. She struggled against the icy prison, but to no result. “This fight is over.” Master Pakku said as he walked past her. “Come back here! I’m not finished yet!” “Yes, you are.” He abruptly stopped, looking in surprise at Katara’s necklace. He bent down to pick it up. “This is my necklace!” “No it’s not, it’s mine! Give it back!” “I made this sixty years ago- for the love of my life.” The ice holding Katara in place suddenly liquified. “For Kana.” “My Gran-Gran was supposed to marry you?” “I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. I thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her.” “But she didn’t love you, did she? It was an arranged marriage.” Katara walked up to Pakku. “Gran-Gran wouldn’t let your tribe’s stupid customs run her life. That’s why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage.” Princess Yue, who’d been tearing up at what Katara was saying, started to cry- before running off. Aang leaned closer to Sokka. “Go get her.” When Sokka chased after Yue, Y/n watched, breathing out a quiet sigh. So, this is how this visit is going to be.

#avatar the last airbender #atla #avatar the last airbender x reader #atla x reader #reader insert #sokka x reader #sokka x y/n #sokka x you #team avatar #slowburn #book one allies

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muertawrites · 5 years ago

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Two Halves - Chapter One (Zuko x Reader)

Word Count: 3,700

Author’s Note: I decided to set this a few years after the war, when Zuko is Firelord. I didn’t want to stray too far from what was canon in the series - what with Katara being the only bender left in the Southern Tribe and also trying not to add extra family members because that always feels weird to me - so the reader in this story is a girl from the village who lost her parents to a raid and was essentially adopted into Sokka and Katara’s family; she stayed behind to watch after the tribe when they left to help Aang, and now, as the chief’s surrogate daughter, is arranged to marry the Firelord to help bring the two nations together. Chaos and sweet, tender romance ensues. This is also going to be a mini series! I have no real plot and no idea how long it’s going to be, but that just adds to the fun of it all. Stay tuned.

~ Muerta

“You can’t be serious.”

Sokka, seated beside you, instinctively offers you his hand, which you willingly, eagerly take, gripping it tightly in your lap. You can’t decide if you feel anger or fear; the two mix sourly in your stomach.

“I am,” Chief Hakoda says. His tone is even, and infuriatingly understanding. It makes you want to scream. “Your presence in the Fire Nation will be key to unite the nations in peace once again. They’ve been closed off from the rest of the world for too long - you’ll be an ambassador for our people.”

“Then make me an ambassador,” you snap. “Marrying me off to the Firelord is no better than letting him come here and colonize us.”

Hakoda glowers sternly at you. You shrink back, Sokka giving your hand an assuring squeeze.

“Firelord Zuko has made great strides to restore what his ancestors destroyed in the years since the war,” Hakoda scolds. “He’s an honorable, respectable man. I expect you to treat him as such.”

You look back up at him, letting out a heavy, defeated sigh.

“I don’t have a choice in this, do I?” you ask softly. Your voice quivers, revealing the terror behind your rage.

Hakoda’s expression softens as he stands. He helps you onto your feet, holding you gently at the elbows and looking apologetically into your eyes, one of his hands reaching to brush your hair behind your ear.

“Just because the war is over, it doesn’t mean the need for sacrifice is,” he tenderly says. “You’ll do great things as the queen of the Fire Nation. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t trust Zuko to treat you well.”

In Hakoda’s eyes, you see the man you knew as a child, the man who brought you into his family when you lost your own to a Fire Nation raid. You love him as much as you loved your own father, and know he loves you as much as his flesh and blood children; you trust that he would never put you in harm’s way.

Hakoda leans forward and kisses your forehead, holding you close for a long moment before letting go, breaking contact with you completely. The pain on his face tears a gaping hole in your heart.

“You leave in three days,” he tells you. “You’ll be in good hands - I promise.”

Though you know it isn’t for the last time, leaving the Southern Water Tribe hurts so much you think it might kill you.

You cruise across a calm ocean in a Fire Navy ship; luckily Sokka was allowed to come with you as emotional support, as well as to represent the tribe at your wedding. The presence of Zuko’s uncle is also calming to you, despite how little you know him, and how not long ago you would have considered him an enemy. There’s just something about Iroh that makes you feel safe, and you only hope the same holds true when you meet your husband to be.

“Zuko sent me to ensure your safe passage,” Iroh told you when you first boarded the ship. “Think of me as your guardian spirit.”

You stand on the deck, basking in the newly warm weather and taking deep breaths of fresh ocean breeze. The peace of the moment helps you lose yourself, forgetting your fate entirely, if only for a moment.

“How ya feeling?”

Sokka sidles up next to you, placing an assuring hand on your shoulder. You reach up and curl your fingers around his, sighing.

“Awful, now that you’re here,” you tease.

Sokka chuckles.

“I could still make good on that promise I made when we were kids,” he offers, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you into the side of his sturdy, familiar body. “I don’t think Suki or Dad would be really happy about it, though.”

You let out a huff of laughter, remembering all the times you used to play together before the war brought you closer; you used to have intense crushes on each other, and Sokka always promised that he would marry you when you both got older - plans that changed when you effectively became siblings. You lean your head into his shoulder, finding comfort in his presence.

“I’m just scared,” you tell him. “I always planned for great adventure in my life, and to help people, but… this doesn’t seem like the right way. It feels like I’m being taken prisoner.”

“They say that having too many plans for one’s life keeps one from finding their true potential.”

You turn, meeting Iroh’s gaze as he crosses the deck to where you stand. You part with Sokka and bow respectfully, trying to hide the embarrassment that heats your skin.

“I apologize, General Iroh,” you greet him. “I didn’t mean any offense.”

Iroh tuts at you, placing a hand on your shoulder to gently straighten you up. He meets you with a kind gaze and a soft smile.

“Fear is to be expected, my dear,” he says. “You can’t have a great adventure without also facing a great fear.”

He turns and peers out across the water, inhaling and releasing a deep, contented sigh.

“The weather is lovely today,” he notes. “Why don’t we all enjoy it together, with a pot of tea?”

And so a tea set is brought, along with a table and cushions, and you and Sokka join Iroh as he demonstrates how to brew the perfect pot of jasmine green, generously serving each cup. He toasts to your being together, and you drink heartily, savoring the exquisite taste of his famous tea.

“I understand how you must feel,” Iroh addresses you once you’ve all settled. “Coming to a strange country, among people responsible for so much of the pain you’ve experienced; you’re exceptionally brave for doing what is best for your people.”

Iroh takes your hand, cradling it between both of his.

“I am sorry for how my nation - my family - has hurt you,” he says. “My nephew and I only want happiness for you with us, and we will do all we can to ensure it; I give you this vow among his.”

He squeezes your hand tightly, and you grip back, accepting his promise. You bow again, lowering yourself so that your face is almost level with the deck of the ship.

“Thank you, General Iroh,” you reply. “Your generosity means everything to me.”

When you sit up, Sokka places a hand at your back, giving you a comforting smile.

“Zuko’s a good guy,” he assures you. “I really think you’ll learn to like him.”

Your arrival in the Fire Nation, much to your surprise, is met with celebration. As your ship pulls into port, army and navy officers in full ceremonial regalia perform displays of their bending, a traditional band playing cheerful, joyous music to welcome you to shore. A procession of military vehicles escorts you through the streets of the capital to the palace, citizens emerging from their homes and businesses to catch a glimpse as your carriage rolls by. The people who manage to see you are elated, if not curious, staring at you with wide eyes and rapt attention; Iroh explains that many of them have never seen a foreigner, as travel to the nation is only just starting to become somewhat commonplace. You’re confronted by the beauty and grandeur of the city - the tall, elegant buildings with their ornate details are far from anything you’ve ever seen in person, even with the rapid development of the Southern Tribe.

In the palace, you’re immediately whisked away to your own wing, your quarters designated to a set of quaint buildings circling a scenic courtyard. Tradition dictates that, from the time of your engagement, you aren’t allowed to see the man you’re meant to marry until you’re both at the alter; the first few days of your time in the Fire Nation are spent in seclusion, resting off the fatigue of travel and acquainting yourself with the new culture you must now call your own. Though you have to keep your distance, you’re relieved when, on your first morning in the palace, you find a letter on your doorstep, scrawled in a refined, graceful hand and addressed from the Firelord himself.

Hello, it says, Zuko here.

I wish I could introduce myself in person, but unfortunately, this will have to do for now. Sokka has told me much about you in the years we’ve known each other, and he always speaks of you highly. My uncle is also already enamored with you, and tells me he already considers you family, so I hope this brings as much comfort to you as it does to me. I don’t think I could have chosen a better woman to rule at my side.

I have to admit that I’m nervous about getting married. I still feel like I’m too young, and still just figuring things out. But I guess if I can lead a country and make peace after a hundred years of war, I can have a wife and make her happy. I hope I do make you happy - I hope we can be close friends and lead the nation strongly together, for the better of both our homes.

Please write to me if you need anything. Sincerely yours, Firelord Zuko.

The candidity and awkwardness of his writing makes you smile, your mind at ease being able to put a voice to his name. You decide to write him back immediately.

Hello, Zuko, you write.

Your letter has already made me feel much better. Your uncle is a very sweet, very wise man, and I’m thankful that you sent him to watch over me - he makes me feel like I already have a little piece of a home and a family here. Meeting the man who raised you, I have faith that you’ll be a good husband to me.

I’m very scared because, unlike you, I’ve never led a country or had to negotiate peace - getting married is the biggest responsibility I’ve ever had. I want to help people, though, and if I can help people by leading them out of the darkness of war, I’m very happy to do it. It isn’t as terrifying knowing you’re also nervous; I’m glad we can be nervous together.

Please write to me as much as possible until the wedding. It would be nice to get to know my husband before I marry him. Sincerely yours, the bride.”

For the following days, you and Zuko exchange multiple letters; you have one waiting for you every morning, receive a reply by midday, and end each night wishing him pleasant dreams. You learn that he’s very intelligent and, though quite subdued, has a sense of humor much like your own. He has a passion for weaponry and the art of combat, as well as for storytelling and music (he tells you that dancing has recently been unbanned in the Fire Nation, and wonders if you’ll be able to teach him any Water Tribe dances; you promise to help as much as you can). The more you write to him, the less daunting the idea of your marriage seems, and you find yourself feeling excited by the idea of finally meeting him.

The day of your wedding starts early. You’re woken at dawn, fed a breakfast of tea and jook (both prepared by Iroh, and sent on a tray beside a polished wooden box - inside is a traditional hair comb and a note from the old man, explaining that the comb was given to his mother by his father on their wedding day; the gesture sends you to tears), then sent to the palace baths to be buffed and primed for your wedding attire.

You’re stripped down and steeped in multiple perfumed liquids, scrubbed with an array of soaps and exfoliants, and washed so thoroughly you think your handlers might have exposed an entirely new layer of skin. They wax every single hair from your body as well; you only attempt to draw the line when they reach your nether area.

“Please don’t,” you request, firm but not commanding. “I don’t think I’ll need it.”

The beautician scoffs at you, pushing you back onto the waxing table and forcefully spreading your legs apart.

“Foolish girl,” she huffs. “Of course you will. Royal marriages must always be consummated on the wedding night - the Firelord will want as many heirs as you can give him, as soon as possible.”

Her brute words make you sick to your stomach, and as she rips away the hair between your thighs, tears roll down your cheeks from both pain and horror. You want to believe the man who’s been writing to you for the past five days would never force himself onto you in the name of tradition, but it dawns on you once again that you don’t truly know him, and can’t anticipate his actions.

Once you’ve been wrung out from your time at the bath house, you’re sent back to your sleeping chambers, where you’re pleased to find not only lunch waiting for you, but visitors as well.

“Katara!” you cry, flying across the room and into her arms. She laughs, hugging you so tightly you can hardly breathe.

“Oh, I’ve missed you!” Katara cries, whirling you around a few times before setting you back onto your feet. “You already look so beautiful! How do you feel?”

“I’m terrified,” you tell her, “but so much happier now that you’re here.”

“Don’t forget me!”

Aang waves from behind Katara and you shout with glee, greeting him in the same manner you did her. He also crushes himself against you, and when you pull away, you cup his face between your hands.

“You look older!” you exclaim, squeezing his cheeks. “You grow every time I see you!”

Aang laughs, pushing your hands away with a pink blush creeping over his nose and ears.

“I’m a grown man, and the avatar,” he says, teasingly poking your shoulder. “You can’t keep treating me like I’m still twelve.”

“I can and I will,” you jest, lightly punching him in the stomach. He cackles and puts you in a (gentle) headlock, rubbing his knuckles into your skull to tangle your freshly washed hair.

“Hey, kids, that’s enough,” Sokka scolds playfully as he enters the room. “Let’s eat, otherwise I’ll be way too tempted by the spread at the reception tonight.”

Lunch with your siblings is the last moment of relative calm you have before the wedding and its reality truly start to set in. After the meal, Sokka and Aang leave to help Zuko with his own preparations, Katara staying to help you with yours. Your handlers navigate you into your dress, a traditional gown and robes made of many layers of fine silk and embroidered with dragons and native Fire Nation flowers; the train and sleeves fall so far behind you, you worry about tripping or scuffing the fabric. Once you’re dressed, your face is painted white, your features then outlined as if they were being drawn anew into your skin. You hardly recognize yourself once the handlers are finished with you, the anxiety you felt upon learning of your engagement returning with newfound ferocity.

Katara is the one to style your hair. Keeping with custom, she knots a portion of it atop your head in a tight bun, using the comb Iroh gave you to hold it in place. She then takes the remainder of your hair and braids it into two sections on each side of your face, the way it would be worn in the Water Tribe; she laces each braid with a string of beads from home, crystalline blue totems to ensure happiness and long life hanging at the end of each, contrasting beautifully with your gown. She cries when she steps back to look at you, carefully dabbing at her tears so as not to ruin her own makeup and dress.

“You’re so gorgeous,” she tells you. “I’m so glad Sokka never married you like he said he would, he would look awful at the alter next to you.”

You laugh, opening your arms and hugging her tightly, forcing your own tears back for the sake of the effort that’s been put into your costume.

For the last few minutes before the wedding, you’re alone; you stand outside the doors of the palace’s grand courtyard, flanked on both sides by guards, listening nervously as Iroh (who’s officiating, per his nephew’s request) praises you and recites a poem in your honor. His sentiments are exceedingly affectionate and should move you, but all you can think of is Zuko; what will he think of you? Will he like you as much in person as he did in writing? Was he just pretending to like you for the sake of your union? What if he didn’t think you were pretty? What if, like the beautician said, he forced you to sleep with him tonight, simply because it’s what’s meant to be done? You chew at your nails, biting them so hard that some of them start to bleed.

Music swells from inside the courtyard, and suddenly the doors before you swing open. You hold your head as high as you can, stepping forward with as much grace as you can manage and beginning to traverse the impossibly long aisle to the wedding altar. You breathe deeply, scanning the group of people standing before it - you see Katara first, and she nods encouragingly, looking like she’s about to cry all over again. Your eyes sweep over to Sokka, standing beside her, and he seems somewhat shocked by your appearance - not that you blame him, seeing as you look like a complete stranger, even to yourself. Iroh gazes at you from the center of the altar, wearing the expression of a proud father that makes you wish Hakoda were there. Aang stands beside Zuko, and you can tell from his face that he was bored by this whole display until you emerged from hiding; you stifle your laughter at his predictable, endearing disposition.

Finally, your eyes fall on the groom. The first thing you notice is his stare, cutting into you as he watches you approach; his chiseled, angular features have fallen into an awed expression, one that causes a giddy tickle in your chest. He’s tall, slim, with broad shoulders that carry his wedding robes proudly - his clothing matches yours, the only difference being the armored sheath across his chest that signals his status as ruler of the Fire Nation. You’re reminded that his father wore it before him, and a shudder runs through you as you recall all you suffered at his hands; you push it from your mind, climbing the altar steps to stand beside your betrothed. He gently takes your arm, a warm, timid smile breaking across his lips.

“Spirits,” Iroh addresses the crowd, “we gather before you to join this man, this woman, and our two great nations in a union of peace and prosperity. With your blessing and guidance, their souls will form two halves of a great whole, coming together to foster a new era of love and commitment not just for their people, but for each other. The bride and groom will now recite their vows.”

Iroh nods towards you, and you lower yourself onto your knees, bowing before the Firelord. You clear your throat, hoping that the entire country doesn’t hear the quiver in your voice.

“My lord,” you begin, “I give myself to you as completely as I give myself to my tribe. I swear, from this day forward, to walk confidently by your side in all your endeavors, to uphold the honor of our nations and families, and to be a guiding light into the future for every citizen of the Fire Nation. I will be your support, your comfort, and your ally in all aspects of our life together, and will serve you as loyally and dutifully as you serve me.”

You stand, taking one of the rings that sits upon the altar and slipping it onto Zuko’s finger; his skin is warm, his palms rough, and he shakes as violently as you do.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of our union, to represent the bond that holds us for all our days.”

Once you finish, thankful you didn’t stumble over your words or forget them completely, Zuko kneels, mirroring the way you bowed to him.

“My lady,” he recites, “by my word, I will serve you honorably and affectionately for all our time together. If you should ask for my compassion, I will give it; if you should seek after my heart, I will offer it willingly; and if I should stray from my path, I will follow you back onto it. I vow to you my devotion, and to bring you happiness and freedom. I trust in you the power to lead and govern my people as justly as I do.”

He stands and takes the other ring, delicately placing it as you did his.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of our union, to represent the bond that holds us for all our days.”

In most weddings, this would be the moment when the bride and groom embrace each other in a devoted, passionate kiss; instead, Zuko takes your arm and you face the court of respected leaders and diplomats from across the four nations, gripping each other tightly - you hold each other as if you’re the only support the other has to keep standing. Iroh’s typically soft, pleasant voice booms from behind you:

“I present the lord and lady of the great Fire Nation.”

Everyone in attendance folds onto their hands and knees, bowing as the band once again begins to play. You descend from the altar, your head feeling like it’s floating miles above your body, and exit through the doors you’d been shivering behind only minutes before - this time, with your husband beside you.

#muerta's works #two halves #zuko #zuko x reader #zuko x you #prince zuko x reader #prince zuko x you #prince zuko #prince zuko fanfic #zuko fanfic #zuko fanfiction #prince zuko fanfiction #atla fanfic

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leossmoonn · 4 years ago

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mind games [part thirteen]

masterlist | part twelve | part fourteen

zuko x fem!reader fluff, angst smau (it has the social media elements, but not as much as the last series)

avatar: the last airbender

summary - being zuko’s best friend is the easiest thing in the world. until he gets a girlfriend and you realize you’re in love with him

warnings / includes - (this counts for any/all chapters) - fighting, suggestive, language, crying, alcohol, cheating, talk about injuries, making out, alluding to sex, talks about sex. you are sokka and katara’s older sister. you, mai, and zuko are seniors in college, sokka and suki are juniors, katara, aang, and toph are sophomores

note - this is a long one!!

————

“here’s to the next graduating class! good luck in the new chapter of your life, guys!” katara exclaimed.

you smiled and went over to katara, wrapping your arm around her shoulder. “and here’s to my little sister katara. you are amazing and never cease to amaze me. you've been through so much and have survived. mom would be really proud. happy birthday!”

katara grinned, “awe, thank you, y/n. i love you.”

“i love you, too,” you giggled, kissing her on the cheek.

“alright, let’s get this party started!” toph exclaimed. sokka turned on the boombox, music filling the silence of our background.

“you sure the neighbours won’t care?” katara asked nervously.

“for the last time, no! they’re the same age as us, not 80,” toph groaned.

“be nice to the birthday girl,” i scolded. “sorry, katara. you’re acting like you’re 80, though,” toph grinned.

katara rolled her eyes, “yeah, yeah, i know. anyways, where’s jet?” she turned to you.

you took a sip of your sprite and looked around, wondering the same thing. “i don’t know, i texted him that the party started at 7.”

“maybe he’s picking up a birthday gift for kat,” suki joined in the conversation.

“maybe,” you shrugged. “oh, he doesn’t have to do that,” katara said.

“please, you love gifts,” suki scoffed playfully. katara grinned, “a little.”

you chuckled, walking over to aang, sokka, and haru.

“hey, haru!” you exclaimed. haru looked to you, a smile lighting up his face.

“’sup, y/n! nice to see you again,” he greeted.

you smiled, “likewise. excited to be graduating?” “as much as the next person,” he shrugged.

“fair enough,” you nodded. “so, y/n, where’s your boyfriend?” sokka asked.

“i have no idea, sokka. has he texted you?” you asked.

“nope,” sokka shook his head. “you’re no help,” you rolled your eyes.

“i think i saw him at mai’s,” haru interjected.

you furrowed your brows. “why would he be at mai’s?”

“they’ve been hanging out a lot recently,” aang stated.

“and you know that, why?” you asked. “well, mai’s house is on my way out of the neighbourhood, so i see jet’s car there a lot,” he explained.

“huh,” you pursed your lips.

was he at mai’s house last week?

“oh, here they come!” sokka exclaimed, pointing to zuko, mai, and jet.

a small smile rested on your face as zuko looked at you. he held up a six pack of beer, gesturing to mai and making a crazy face. you giggled, walking up to them. you opened up the fence gate and let them in.

“oh, great! more beer,” you chuckled.

“yeah, well, it’s a party, right?” mai said flatly.

“right,” you chuckled awkwardly, stepping aside to let them in.

“i’m just gonna set these down,” zuko said. you nodded and let him pass.

jet turned to you with a big smile, but a frown spread across your lips at you met his eyes. jet’s hand reached out for yours, but you pulled back roughly.

“you’re late,” you sneered. you turned on your heel and walked away to where zuko was.

jet’s eyes widened and his heart raced. he took a few strides, catching up to you with ease. he put his hand on your wrist, pulling you back.

“hey, what’s the matter?” jet asked. he prayed that you didn’t find out he cheated on you.

“you’re late,” you repeated, giving him a hard glare. “i-i’m sorry. i went to go to mai’s,” he explained.

“why? aang says you’ve been hanging out with her a lot recently,” you frowned.

“oh um….” jet averted your gaze, looking everywhere but you. “well, we used to be friends, but we kind of fell off. we both have just connected recently.”

“why didn't you tell me you have been spending time with her?” you asked.

“because i know you don’t like her,” jet answered.

“you’re right, i don’t, but you don’t need to lie to me.”

“i know, i’m sorry,” jet sighed, now looking you in the eyes.

“i thought we said no lies,” your frown got deeper. “i’m not going to be with someone who-”

jet took your free hand in his. “i know, i’m sorry, i am. no more lies, i promise. i don’t want to lose you.”

you stared into his dark eyes, deciding on whether to believe him or not. you just wanted to ask him one more question before giving in.

“last week when you came home in the morning with donuts, were you at longhsot’s or mai’s?” you asked.

jet’s eyes widened slightly. you stared at him, raising your brow as you noticed his reaction.

“c’mon, jet, answer the question. it’s not that hard,” you taunted.

“i was at longshot’s,” jet said confidently. you eyed him, “hm… so if i called longshot, he would say the same thing? if i asked mai, she would agree?”

“yep,” jet smiled. he made sure to slow his breathing and keep his eyes on you the whole time.

“alright, well, if i find out there’s a different story, you’re dead,” you warned.

“don’t worry, i would never lie to you,” jet nodded, pressing a loving kiss to your forehead.

“i know,” you sighed, closing your eyes and leaning into him.

well, you at least hoped.

“i’m gonna go and say hi to everyone, alright?” jet said.

“yeah, sure,” you nodded. jet gave you a smile, letting go of your hand and walking towards the boys.

zuko came over to you, frowning as he noticed you looking sad and irritated.

“what’s got you down?” he asked.

you sighed and took a sip of your sprite, “oh, just some relationship drama.”

“ah, i see. i understand.”

“i know you do,” you chuckled. “hm, i need something stronger than just sprite.”

“suki is playing bartender,” zuko tilted his head to suki who was shaking a mixer.

“oh, this is gonna be a long night,” you chuckled. “i am so glad i don’t live with them anymore,” zuko stated.

“oh, me, too. god, sokka and suki can be really loud,” you shuddered from past memories.

zuko grinned, “so can you.” you choked on your drink. “w-what?”

“i’m just kidding. i um, i don’t know anything,” zuko looked down, realising he had embarrassed himself.

“you better know nothing,” you nudged him. zuko smiled, “trust me.”

“i’m starting to not like trusting people,” you remarked.

“why not?” zuko furrowed his brows. “just a part of that relationship drama i was talking about,” you shrugged.

“has jet done something? do i need to talk to him?” zuko suggested.

“no, no. well, i don’t think he’s done something. have you um… did you know that mai and jet have been hanging out together?” you asked. you hoped to he would say no so you weren’t alone.

“um… kind of?” zuko answered. “oh, great,” you muttered.

“mai never told me, though. we’ve been pretty distant lately,” zuko added.

“oh. how is that going? ready to break up with her yet?” you asked.

“actually, yeah,” he nodded. “hey, that’s good!” you nudged him excitedly.

“yep. i’m thinking about doing it next week. it’ll be summer and i can just move out quickly, and never see her again,” zuko explained.

“nice plan,” you smiled. “thank you. i could’ve have done it without you,” zuko said.

“oh, well,” you shrugged sheepishly. “you came up with it yourself.”

“yeah, but you’re the one that helped me really decide if i wanted to do it. you let me rant about my relationship and gave me advice when i needed it. it means a lot to me,” zuko smiled sincerely.

“oh,” you chuckled and looked down shyly. “it’s not problem. that’s what friends are for.”

“and you’re my best friend.”

“you’re mine, too,” you grinned. “well… you’re second best to sokka,” zuko smirked.

you gasped, feigning hurt. “so rude! i take back what i said, you’re not my best friend anymore.”

“no, i was kidding! i’m sorry!” zuko apologised.

“nope, i’m not accepting your apology, mister,” you shunned him.

zuko set his drink down, putting his hands on your sides. “will you if i do this?” he moved his fingers along your sides, tickling you.

“zuko!” you shrieked, giggling loudly.

jet and mai looked at you two from across the backyard, groaning and scoffing.

“they are so oblivious,” mai sneered.

“yeah,” jet frowned, staring at you with jealousy and hurt.

“why don’t we sneak up to zuko’s old room?” mai suggested.

jet turned to her, “no.” mai rolled her eyes, “c’mon! no one will notice.”

“y/n will. i’ve already lied to her so much. i can’t do it again,” jet protested, looking down at the ground in shame.

“ugh, you’re so soft,” mai spat. she then left him alone, strutting over to the bar.

jet sighed loudly, leaning against the fence, looking at you and zuko. he didn’t know if it was mai’s words toying with his brain, or if it was real, but you looked so much happier with zuko. your eyes lit up and you had the biggest smile on your face. he looked to the ground, trying to think of anything but you and zuko.

“hey, you okay, jet?” aang came over to zuko.

jet looked back up, “yeah, just tired is all.”

“same here. i’m so glad i won’t have to take another final again,” haru smiled.

jet smiled back, nodding in agreement. “hey, uh, you still dating that one girl?”

“mira? no, we broke up a few months ago,” haru answered. “why?”

“just wondering,” jet shrugged.

sokka and aang narrowed their eyes at jet suspiciously.

“you know you’re dating my sister, right?” sokka asked.

jet’s eyes widened and he nodded, “y-yeah, of course. why wouldn’t i?”

“just checking,” sokka shrugged.

“hey, can i ask you guys something?” jet prompted. “sure, what’s up?” aang asked.

“have y/n and zuko ever dated?” jet asked.

sokka and aang looked to each other and burst out laughing.

“what?” jet furrowed his brows, now feeling embarrassed about even considering the question.

“nothing, nothing. it’s just… man, you are setting yourself up for a broken heart,” sokka chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye.

jet frowned, “really? it’s that bad?”

“oh, c’mon, i bet it’s not,” haru smiled comfortingly at jet. “haru, don’t even try. you know,” aang said. “know what?” jet asked, getting more anxious by the second.

“well, y/n and zuko have never dated, but they’ve always had a thing for each other,” haru explained.

“more than a thing. man, i swear they are in love with each other,” sokka chuckled.

jet’s eyes widened. “t-they are?”

sokka stopped laughing, realising he said the wrong words. “uh… uh…”

“not anymore!” aang exclaimed. “trust me, y/n loves you. even if she did like zuko, she would never act on those feelings. she’s better than that.”

jet nodded, looking at you and zuko who were still talking. “right, yeah.”

then suki came over and grabbed sokka by the arm, pulling him away form the conversation.

“you guys come and dance with us, too!” suki exclaimed to haru, aang, and jet.

“see you guys on the dance floor,” aang smiled, going over to katara who was waiting for aang.

haru went over to toph, taking her by the hand and swaying with her. you noticed everyone dancing and walked over to jet.

“accompany me?” you asked.

“of course,” jet smiled.

you took jet’s hand and led him to the middle of the yard, getting in-between everyone. you put your hands around his neck, entangling your fingers in the hair that was at the nape of his neck. jet’s hands snaked around your waist, his fingers sliding themselves under your top. he caressed your skin as you swayed your hips together.

you pulled him closer to you, your chests touching. you looked at him through your lashes, biting your lip with a smile. butterflies swarmed in jet’s stomach as he noticed the look on your face. he mirrored your seductive smile, his hands roaming down to your ass.

his eyes met zuko’s for a split second. zuko noticed jet’s hand placement and stared at you two with jealousy and longing. jet smirked at zuko and grabbed your ass roughly, eliciting a gasp from you.

“touchy tonight, are we?” you teased.

jet turned his attention back to you.

“you know you love it,” jet winked. you giggled and nodded, “you’re right.”

a new song started to play, one more up-beat. you grabbed jet’s hand that was on the small of your back, taking it and spinning yourself around. jet’s lips sported a boyish grin as you returned to facing him.

“i’ve always wanted to do that,” you admitted sheepishly.

“you looked pretty,” jet complimented. you grinned, “thank you.”

you, jet, and everyone else jumped around to the music. katara and suki found you, taking your hands and spinning you around. you laughed as suki grabbed your neck, pulling you close. you two swayed your hips together, you throwing your head around to the beat. katara came up behind suki, putting her arm over her shoulder, dancing with you, too. soon, toph found her way to you three. katara took ahold of toph’s hand, spinning her around.

jet, sokka, and aang watched you four dance together. it was like a scene out of a teen drama movie.

“we are so lucky,” sokka breathed out, eyeing suki as she rolled her body to the music.

“that we are,” jet grinned at you.

you caught jet’s eye, giving him a flirty smile. you lifted your hand and made a come hither motion with your fingers. jet walked over to you and you sneaked out of the group. you grabbed jet’s arm, pulling him close to you. your bodies met together and you leaned up to his ear.

“wanna go into my old room?” you whispered.

excitement filled jet as he thought of the things you two would do. he nodded furiously, licking his dry lips in anticipation. you smirked and took his hand, leading him back into the house.

zuko noticed you and jet going back into the house. he watched with painful stare, wishing that that was him and you going up to your room.

mai noticed zuko’s gaze and scoffed to herself, she took zuko’s neck, pulling him close to her.

“why don’t we go and have some fun ourselves?” mai suggested.

zuko averted his gaze from you and looked into mai’s eyes. his own eyes filled with guilt as he know he had just been caught staring at you. he knew he didn’t have any other choice but to say yes to mai, otherwise they would end up in a fight.

“sure,” he nodded.

mai smiled and took his hand, leading him into the house. they walked up to zuko’s old room. as they passed your room, zuko heard you giggle loudly. he wished he was the one making you happy now instead of jet.

————

Like and Reblog!

taglist is open, just lmk if you wanna be on it for this series by messaging me, commenting, and/or send me a message!

@theblueslytherin @thatarthistorynerd @coldlilheart @akiris @serenitytomothings @zukoslosthishonor

#atla #avatar the last airbender #zuko #zuko x reader #zuko x reader smau #atla smau #atla x reader #prince zuko #prince zuko x reader #zuko smau #jet x reader #atla jet x reader #atla zuko x reader

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slythergirlimagines · 4 years ago

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Just Us With Some Hugging - Part 2

Let me just say how incredibly nice everyone has been?? You all are amazing and I really hope you like Part 2 as much as Part 1. Speaking of, if you haven’t read Part 1, read it first! Masterlist

Summary: Zuko asks you to be his fake girlfriend to stop his Uncle’s matchmaking. Angst and fluff

(GIF is not mine and has nothing to do with the story. Zuko just looks fine;))

Just Us and Some Hugging- Part 2

There were a few moments of perfect silence as you kissed, the calm before the storm. The music of the party faded away, and it was just the two of you. This is what people write about, you think. This is what all the girls talk about. Kissing Zuko is as powerful as his fire. The energy around you sizzles, and maybe you are burning.

You pull away, slightly breathless, eyes still closed.

“Y/N...” Zuko whispers.

And then reality hits you like one of Ba Sing Se’s trains.

“Oh no.” Flies out of your mouth before you can help it. “No, no.” How could you be so stupid?

You knew he didn’t feel that way about you. You knew this would all blow up in your face. All those feelings had just been burning under your skin, ready to combust at a moments notice. And the soft way he had said your name solidified it all. That’s the voice people used when they were about to reject someone.

Zuko’s eyebrows pulled together over his amber eyes.

“Y/n?” He asked, as you backed away from him.

Tears filled your eyes. You knew he was working out what to say to you, how to let you down the easiest. You couldn’t bear to hear it.

“I’m...I’m sorry.” You choke out, and then you are running.

_________________________________

You barely make it back to the house when you break down. Luckily no one is there, so you pound your way up the stairs and slam your door shut. How could you kiss him?

You had single handedly ruined the best thing in your life by being a complete idiot. You could have lied, said you were doing it for the show. You could have spun it so you could both brush it off and pretend nothing happened.

Instead, you had ran, telling him exactly what that kiss meant to you. Did you really have no self control, or did you just like being a masochist?

Slowly you head to the small bathroom to change out of your simple green dress. With a groan you remember that tonight wasn’t even the real party. Tomorrow is the honorary ceremony, and the reason you came. It’s the one that you brought your best gown for. The one that you thought would make Zuko fall madly in love with you. What an idiot.

Wiping the rest of your makeup away, you make your way miserably to your room and pull the soft bed covers over your head. What were you going to do about tomorrow? You couldn’t face Zuko after what you’d done. How could he even still want to pretend to date you after that?

You could try and catch a train. There wouldn’t be one tonight, but surely there would be one early tomorrow. Then you could go quietly and avoid making this situation any worse than it already was. You try to plan what you’ll do after that. You had lived at the palace your whole life, and you really had no where else to go. You knew that Zuko would never kick you out, his honor would forbid it even if you weren’t friends any more. Even so, you didn’t think you could stand it.

Maybe you could just say you were drunk. So drunk that you acted like a complete lunatic. You’d only had one drink, but maybe Zuko didn’t know that. Ugh. You were a disaster.

Someone opens the door and shuts up your inner monologue. You hadn’t heard any drunken stumbling, so you knew it wasn’t Toph or Sokka. Katara and Aang were too preoccupied to come check on you. Suki would undoubtedly be wherever Sokka was, and anyways you weren’t close enough to check up on one another. That left one person.

You freeze, grateful that you’re under the covers and he can’t see your face. You try to breathe as evenly as possible to make him think you’re asleep. Zuko stands there for an immeasurable amount of time, and you can feel that same energy from before connecting you. Now it’s even more magnetic, and all you want is to go to him. You forcefully lock your muscles into place. You will do no more harm tonight.

“I know you’re awake.” He says lowly, and you clench you’re eyes shut. You are not leaving this bed.

He stands there a little longer, giving you the chance to acknowledge him. When you make no effort to speak to him, Zuko leaves with a sigh and shuts the door quietly behind him. You don’t hear his footsteps as he walks away, but he’s always been a silent walker.

When enough time has passed, you let your body relax. Your pounding heart is loud in your ears, and you fall asleep replaying the exchange over and over.

—————————————————

“Spill.” A voice wakes you up.

Toph lounges leisurely on your bed, one leg underneath her and the other planted firmly on the floor.

“Toph what are you doing?” You groan, rolling back over. It’s too early to be dealing with this.

“I want to know why you and lover boy are pretending to date, and I also want to know why he’s depressed as hell this morning.” She snarks.

You sit straight up in bed, heart pounding.

“What time is it?” You ask frantically! If everyone is awake downstairs then you’ve missed you’re opportunity to leave.

“9. Why?” Toph flicks her loose hair over her shoulder. You had never seen her hair down before.

“Doesn’t matter now.” You say moodily.

Toph’s face lights up like she’s figured something out. Not good.

“You were going to leave!” She says jumping up. She’s being way too loud, and you know if she keeps it up everyone will hear her.

“Toph! Hush!” You admonish, scrambling out of bed and slapping a hand over her mouth to keep her quiet.

“Tell me everything or I’m telling.” She says, words muffled by your hand.

You quickly try to debate your options. You didn’t want Toph to tell anyone that you were going to run away, it was too embarrassing. Especially because they’d ask why, and Zuko would have the answer.

“Ugh ok, ok!” You remove you hand from Toph’s mouth and cross your arms. Toph mimics you and raises her chin.

“Well?” She asks. And then you spill.

It all comes out like word vomit. You tell her about the fake dating, about your feelings, and then the kiss.

“You kissed him, ran away screaming ‘no’, and you think he’s the one that doesn’t like you?” She asks incredulously.

“Toph it’s not like that. He was about to reject me, ok? He was using that voice, and his expression. You would understand if you had been there.” You defend.

Perhaps you could see what she was saying. Maybe it did look like you kissed him and ran away screaming, but he was seconds away from doing it himself. You were just saving him the embarrassment. Your argument sounds pathetic even to yourself, but you know you’re right about his feelings. Zuko could never feel that way for you. You weren’t a badass bender or even someone with a noble title, like Mai. You were just you, and you weren’t good enough for Zuko.

“So that’s why he’s sitting downstairs, depressed as hell, pretending to eat breakfast while he watches the door.” Toph sasses you.

“Toph he’s not depressed. He’s.... grossed out.”

Toph rolls her eyes for effect, and shakes her head.

“Idiot.” She mumbles. You aren’t even offended because it’s the truth.

“Toph, I don’t know what to do. I can’t keep this up anymore. That’s why I was going to leave early this morning.” You tell her.

Toph considers it for a minute, and then takes a seat on your bed.

“I think you should talk to him.” She says at last.

“No!” You shake your head vehemently. “I can’t. No way.”

“He’s probably scared and nervous too you know.” Toph says, and it may be the most gentle tone she’s ever used.

You try to imagine a nervous Zuko. You’d seen it a few times, when he came back from exile, or before a really big council meeting. That wasn’t the Zuko you had seen last night.

“He isn’t.” You say with finality.

“I still think you’re an idiot.” Toph says, getting off your bed and adjusting her green tunic. “But if you aren’t going to talk to him, we’ll just have to keep you apart as much as possible.”

——————————————————

Toph’s idea of keeping you and Zuko apart came in the form of a girls’ day. She had even convinced Katara and Suki to come.

Toph had given you some time to change, and then she had whisked you all away to a spa that she and Katara liked.

“We might as well get pampered before our big night.” Toph says, sarcastically. Katara rolls her eyes, and starts leading the group through the cheery streets. Ba Sing Se is even more decorated today then it had been yesterday.

“Are you feeling better, y/n?” Suki asks. “Zuko said you felt sick last night and had to go home early, before he left to check on you.”

Color flushes your cheeks as the wide eyed girl smiles at you kindly.

“Y-yes.” You say. “I’m feeling much better.”

“I bet Zuko helped with that.” Katara giggles, and all the other girls join in.

“Ok, ok knock it off.” You say, laughing uncomfortably. A flash of heat tears through you as you remember Zuko standing at your door.

“Come on ladies, we’re here!” Toph says, ending the Zuko conversation. You would feel more grateful if she hadn’t laughed at you.

The spa day turns out to be rather fun. You enjoy spending time with the girls, and the spa workers are excellent at their jobs. They have you all in tip top shape by the time you leave later that afternoon.

You’re on pins and needles as you near the house. Will Zuko be waiting? You bad barely managed to avoid him this morning, and now you didn’t know how to act around him. Did he still want you to keep up the act? Maybe Toph was right, you should have talked to him.

The house is empty when you all return, and you don’t know why it’s both a relief and a disappointment. Katara teases you for looking for Zuko, and you make a jab back at her about Aang.

There still a few hours left before you have to get ready, so everyone goes their separate ways for a nap.

You just make it through the door of your room, when it slams shut behind you.

You let out a shriek, and whirl around to find Zuko blocking the door. His arms are crossed, and his dark hair is down, strands falling over his eyes. His face is blank, and that’s how you know he’s mad. He also looks unbelievably sexy.

“Zuko? You gave me a heart attack!” You whisper shout at him. “What are you doing here?”

“You’re ignoring me.” Zuko says, icily.

“I am not.” You say, and you wish that you could come up with something better.

Zuko arches an eyebrow in response.

“I’m not!” You flush. “What are you doing hiding in my room?” You try and deflect.

“Oh? Well let’s see. I was dancing with my best friend and then she kissed me. And then to make everything better, she ran off screaming. Now she’s ignoring me when I try to talk to her about it, so I have to ambush her to get her to speak to me!” His chest is heaving when he’s done ranting, and your heart is pounding.

It makes everything different, speaking it out loud. Hearing him tell it. He wanted to talk to you about it, and you hadn’t the slightest idea what to say. You open and close your mouth a few times, trying desperately to find the words.

Zuko watches, eyes boring into yours mercilessly. You know he’s not going to leave until he gets an answer.

“I don’t know what to say.” You admit, blushing. “I was drunk.”

You decide to give the excuse a try. You know he doesn’t buy it, because he pushes off of the door and moves to stand in front of you.

“Drunk? Off of one glass of champagne. Come on y/n, I’ve been out drinking with you. I know you aren’t that much of a lightweight.”

That damned electricity is there, humming again.

“I was drunk.” You repeat again. You heard somewhere that it’s better to stick with the same lie than try to alter it.

“Really.” Zuko says, moving even closer. He’s too close, and your breaths mingle. You’re craning your neck to keep eye contact with him. If he bends down even a little..... No! That kind of thinking got you here in the first place.

“Drunk is really what you’re sticking with?” He murmurs, leaning down just a fraction more. He’s immobilizing you with his eyes.

“Uh huh...” you say, getting caught up in it all.

“Fine.” He says, abruptly. “I hope you can hold your liquor tonight.” He says angrily, but his eyes are telling you something else, something you can’t quite decipher.

He gives you a final searching look, and then marches out the door. This time he lets it slam shut.

—————————————————-

It takes all of ten minutes for you to burst into Toph’s room. She’s asleep but you shake her awake, giving her no time to wake up before you tell her what just happened.

When she wakes up enough to understand what you’re telling her, her face twists into an evil grin.

“Don’t worry y/n. I know just the thing to do.”

The thing to do is apparently get you ready for the celebration. Toph gets Suki and Katara, both of whom look like they’ve been doing something other than sleeping. Toph instructs them that they have to make you look pretty for Zuko.

“We have to make her irresistible, ladies. I’m talking the works. Y/n, go get your dress and bring it in here. Suki, Katara go get your stuff too. Bring all the makeup girls, we’re in for a night.”

The girls do an impressively good job getting ready. You all help each other with make up and hair, but they leave you for last. Suki tackles your makeup, while Katara weaves your hair into a masterpiece. They spend what feels like hours pressing various powders into your skin, and wrapping your hair around the curler.

When they’re finished, you look absolutely stunning.

“Oh my!” You say, turning your head at every angle. Your makeup highlights all of you features, and your hair is in an intricate updo. You feel like crying, never in your life have you felt so desirable. You force your tears away before they can ruin all of Suki’s hard work.

“You look gorgeous.” Toph says, and then laughs at her own joke. You roll your eyes, but hug her all the same.

“Ok, enough mushiness.” She says, punching you in the arm. “It’s time for the dress.”

You unzip the garment bag, and show them the brilliant dress. The ballgown is a deep crimson, embroidered with gold and red gemstones. They twist and turn around the bodice, patterned after flames.

“Oh wow.” Katara says as they help you step into it. She zips you up and spins you around to face the mirror. Everyone is speechless as they look at you.

“Zuko is going to lose his mind.”

———————————————-

Your stomach is in knots as you descend the stairs. You don’t know if your anxiety can handle this. After the bedroom incident, you don’t know if you can control yourself around him. He had been there, so close, and you had wanted to kiss him again. You clearly hadn’t learned any valuable lessons.

The boys are goofing around downstairs, when they notice you all. Aang airbends to Katara, lifting her into a hug.

“You’re gorgeous.” He says, kissing her boldly.

Sokka’s mouth is on the ground as he takes in Suki, and Toph snaps it shut for him helpfully. Toph looks incredible too, her green dress accentuating her usually hidden curves.

You look at Zuko last, unsure of what expression you’ll find there. When you finally see him, you think you’ll combust right then and there.

Zuko is devastatingly handsome. You know this, you’ve always known this. But it’s different tonight, when he’s dressed in a traditional firebender suit that matches your dress perfectly. His hair is away from his face, and even though you like it better wild, when it’s up he looks like a man. No, he looks like a Firelord.

His eyes are nearly golden when he looks at you. His expression is no longer guarded or angry, in fact you would say he looked awed.

“Breathe, dude.” Sokka reminds him as you approach. Zuko is still not saying anything, so you take it upon yourself to make the first move.

“Zuko.” You smile softly at him. You aren’t sure where the tenderness comes from, especially because you’re still embarrassed and a little unsure. But when he looks at you like that, it makes it all seem like nothing.

“I think you killed him, y/n.” Sokka accuses you. Toph laughs but shakes her head.

“Oh no, he’s very much alive.” She says, wiggling her eyebrows.

That seems to snap him out of whatever trance he is in, because he shoots Toph a dirty look. He turns back to look at you, and blinks again.

“Y/n. You look....” he starts, but is cut off by Iroh bursting through the door.

“Is everyone ready?” He asks, excitedly. His eyes land on you and Zuko, and they fill with tears.

“Oh my. You’re all so grown up!” He says. “We should have a painting done.”

“Uncle, the celebration will be over by the time the artist finishes.” Zuko says. His voice is raspy and low and it’s doing incredible things to your nerves, like internally lighting you on fire.

“You’re right, you’re right. Come on everyone!”

As you shuffle out of the door, Zuko offers you his arm. You try not to read into it as you wind yours delicately through his.

—————————————-

The celebration is bittersweet as always. The Gaang is honored for their heroism, and then there is the traditional moment of silence for those lives lost. Zuko grabs your hand during this, and you give it a squeeze. Talking about the people lost to violence gives you a new perspective on things.

Life is fleeting, and every moment should be made to count. You watch Zuko out of the corner of your eye, and start to think. Maybe you should be honest with him about your feelings. If he rejected you then at least you knew. Maybe it was time you really started living.

Your musings are broken by the cheers of the audience, and then the music begins playing and the party is officially in full swing.

———————————————

You’re smooshed around the same table again, and it briefly feels like fate is giving you a do over. Or it’s being cruel. You can’t really decide.

Zuko hadn’t touched you since he grabbed your hand. No one notices with all of the excitement, but you notice. And it’s bothering you.

Toph and Sokka are currently rematching their previous drinking game, and this time Suki is joining them. Katara and Aang are still making eyes at each other, engaged in a whispered conversation. Zuko is stiff beside you, looking at everyone else but you.

You think back to what you told him when this all started. “We both know I’d have to make the first move.” Zuko means everything to you, and his friendship does too. But now that you personally know what it’s like to kiss him, to dance with him, to hold his hand, you can’t let it go. You can’t go back to the way things were, and it’s time you do something about it.

“Let’s dance.” You say, and you grab Zuko’s arm leading him to the dance floor. It’s funny how the roles have reversed.

Zuko doesn’t protest, but he doesn’t seem overly enthused either. You’re not nearly as graceful or trained as he is when it comes to dancing, so you don’t quite integrate as smoothly with the other dancers. After a few bumps and apologies, Zuko rolls his eyes and takes the lead.

You let him whirl you around for a minute as you build up your nerve. His hands send tingles through your body everywhere they touch.

“Zuko...” you start. His eyes find yours and then you finally right your wrong and spit it out. “I wasn’t drunk.”

Ok so it was less poetic than you intended. You’re still doing better than before.

Zuko stares at you, and you know he’s waiting for you to finish.

“I kissed you, because I’m in love with you. I have been for a really long time, and I know you don’t feel that way about me. That’s why I ran. I was so scared that I had ruined our friendship forever.... but it doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t matter?” Zuko asks, brows pinching together as he tries to decipher your meaning. His eyes are doing that thing where they pin you in place, but this time you let yourself feel it all. You’re done fighting.

“It doesn’t matter, because I can’t pretend anymore. I’m done fighting it Zuko. I love you, and I can’t pretend that I don’t.”

Slowly, Zuko’s lips curl into a smile and he starts leaning in.

“Are you drunk right now?” He asks. You shake your head, biting your lip to keep from smiling.

“No.” You say.

He leans even closer, and connects his forehead to yours. “How about now?”

“N-” but Zuko cuts you off with a kiss before you can finish your sentence.

This kiss is as passionate as the one before, except this time you fully lose yourself in it. Zuko kisses like he firebends, with an intensity and passion you’ve never experienced from anyone else. He pulls you to him, holding you there as he explores your mouth with his tongue. One of his hands sneaks up to cradle your face, and his thumb gently caresses your cheekbone.

When you finally pull away for air, you’re grinning. Zuko laughs a little breathlessly and rests his forehead on yours. He resumes your swaying.

“I’m case if that wasn’t clear, I love you too. When you ran away, I thought you were disgusted.” He laughs. You let your fingers trace over his face, his scar, and they finally stop on his lips.

You raise your eyes to meet his.

“Definitely not disgusted.” You say, and then kiss him again for emphasis. This kiss is sweeter and shorter. It’s a promise.

“So where does that leave us?” He asks, and it’s adorable how timid he sounds.

“Just us.” You tell him smiling. “And some kissing.”

A/N: Hey everyone, I know that this was super long but you all loved it so much I felt like you deserved it. I hope this lived up to everyone’s expectations:) Don’t forget to hit me up for requests, I do write for multiple fandoms. I’m going to get to my other requests this week, so keep an eye out for those. You can find everything I write under the tag slythergirlimagines. I hope I tagged everyone who asked, but if for some reason I missed you please let me know and I’ll add you!

Taglist: @darthsokaaa @a-random-queer-kid @astralsaf @myqueennadia @marvel-ing-at-it-all @galacticamidala @royahllty @whatthef-ckisupkyle @taeeemin @realimbo

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passable-talent · 5 years ago

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Hi! Do you think that you could write an atla scenario where the gaang finds out how Zuko got his scar? Maybe, he was ranting about how his life was hard back at the fire nation and ends up opening up about it?

I’ve always wondered how this convo would go down.... let’s find out, shall we?

Zuko didn’t particularly enjoy going through the photos and artifacts left over from his childhood in the royal vacation home, but that didn’t stop the other members of Team Avatar. Sokka in particular seemed to be intent on digging through for anything he could find. Zuko would’ve thought that he’d been deterred after finding that ‘cute’ picture of Ozai, but it seemed not. He was on his knees in front of a pile of parchments and little trinkets left behind by the royal family, on their last vacation to Ember Island. The rest of the group had gathered around, waiting to see what he found, or keeping each other company.

“Why does it matter so much?” Katara asked, sitting just out of range of the objects that Sokka was flinging behind him as he dug.

“I’m determined to find an embarrassing picture of Zuko,” he said, pausing to examine a drawing of an eight-year-old Azula before tossing it over his shoulder.

“Why?” Toph asked, her arms crossed, voice unimpressed. It’s not like any of this mattered to her- she couldn’t see the pictures anyway.

“Because he’s the only other person in our little group who scares me, other than you and Katara,” he answered Toph, “and at least I’ve seen you guys half asleep or something. I’ve never found any flaw in this jerk and I’m determined to find one.” Zuko rolled his eyes and leaned back, happy that at least the group was busy.

Sokka pulled up a parchment of Zuko when he was about twelve, and upon seeing it clearly, tossed it aside. Katara picked it up slowly from the floor, and looked at it for a moment before deciding to speak.

“You don’t have your scar in this one,” she said, making Zuko’s eyes lift up to her, “and you’re pretty old. When did you get your scar, anyway?”

He wondered, briefly, how she could ask that question so easily. It was a massive scar over his eye- obviously he had suffered something horrible. How easy would that be to explain?

“When I was banished,” he answered, his gaze taken back to the ground in front of him. Sokka stopped digging and turned to look at him.

“What happened?” Aang asked, likely not realizing the gravity of the question, and Zuko let out a hard breath through his nose. He realized he’d never even had to tell this story- the only person he was candid about it with was Iroh, who was there when it happened.

“I spoke up in a war meeting when it wasn’t my turn,” he said, the words flowing quickly. He didn’t want to dawdle on a single one, and so let the honest truth fly quicker than he normally spoke. “My father decided that my disrespect needed to be punished, and I was challenged to an Agni Kai.” It occurred to Zuko that they might not know what that was, and so he added on “-it’s a firebending duel.” There was a somber silence over the six of them, and Zuko paused before continuing. It wasn’t a nice memory- he could still feel the heat of the flames. Sometimes, when he was too hot, his left eye teared up, like it was remembering that day.

“I didn’t realize that the duel was with my father himself, not the old general I’d interrupted. So when the day came, I wouldn’t fight my father, and that showed even further disrespect and, supposedly, cowardice. My punishment was my banishment- and this scar.” For a moment, no one said a word, until Suki spoke up quietly.

“Your father burnt you?” She asked, putting together his implication, and Zuko nodded.

“If I thought that jerk was evil before,” Sokka muttered, abandoning his search. Still Zuko stared at his shoes, letting the group discuss amongst themselves. It had been three years, and still he was terrified of fire coming too near his face. It had been three years, but still he could see the look in his father’s eyes when he stood above him.

“I can’t even imagine,” Katara said in angry disbelief, “how could he even do that?”

“And you were fourteen?” Toph asked, oddly somber.

“Thirteen,” Zuko corrected, and silence once again settled over them.

“That’s evil,” Suki whispered, “I kinda don’t blame you for being so angry.”

“I don’t get how no one stood up to him,” Katara said, clearly filling up with more anger. “You were a child!”

“And he was the Fire Lord,” Zuko said, bitterness in his voice. “He’s a maniac, who had never been told that he’s not as great and amazing as he thinks he is. No one would dare speak up to him. After all, I did, and look where that got me.” Zuko snapped the last sentence with a bit of a snarl on his lips, and looked away from the group again when he realized his hostility. He wasn’t angry at them- of course not. He just wanted the memories gone, his father defeated.

“Good thing Aang’s gonna tell him that, right?” Toph said, as though trying to bring the mood back up. It received only a few chuckles, but it was a start.

“Hey, at least I know that I’m recognizable. Really memorable, isn’t it?” Zuko said, trying to will a smile onto his face.

“I don’t know,” Sokka said, “I think the ponytail was better. I could see you coming from a mile away when you still had that thing.”

“You couldn’t handle the ponytail,” Zuko responded dryly, which seemed to catch Suki’s humor and send her into a fit of giggles. The laughter caught on the with the group, and soon enough their somberness was all but washed away into the sea.

-🦌 Roe

#imagines #short fic #avatar imagine #avatar imagines #avatar: the last airbender #avatar #atla imagine #atla imagines #atla #atla gaang #gaang #team avatar #zuko #aang #katara #toph #suki #sokka

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hotpinkrathian · 4 years ago

Text

20 Years Ago Pt2

(Kyalin)

Kya stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her hair and body, leaving the warm bathroom to go to her wardrobe. She held the towel with one arm while searching for something comfortable to wear. Her head still throbbed, her mother insisted it would take a few hours for the pain to fade. She had no plans until then except to sleep. When she finally found a flow gown that would more than suffice she dropped her towel and slipped it over her head.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She paused, turning to see Lin standing in her bedroom doorway.

"No, come in, it's fine if was just getting changed." Kya explained, hanging her towels on the rack before grabbing her hair brush.

"Your mom said I could use the shower in here."

Right because its not like there's a dozen other showers on the island.

"Of course. Take the time you need. I'm just going to lay down."

"Yeah of course, I'll wake you in a couple hours."

"Thanks." Kya pulled back her covers and closed all the windows, making sure it was as dark as possible before crawling into her bed. It was a big step up from the sofa, and the gym floor. She rolled so her eyes faced the bathroom door. It was open, just a crack, and through it she could see Lin taking pins out of her hair. She smiled softly, she couldn't believe she had harnessed such a grudge for Lin for so long. She didn't even know the entire story.

I feel like an idiot. She must hate me for this.

She sighed, about to roll over when Lin made a move to remove her shirt. Kya's eyes widened and she blushed, turning away.

Have some decency woman!

She turned around, her face hot with embarrassment, and a little turned on, to face the wall. Her mind was moving faster than she could, but withing a few minutes, she was sleeping again.

Lin dried her hair with the towel, looking at the wet mess in the mirror. Her hair was stringy when it was wet, creating defined lines from years of being in the same placement. She didn't have a change of clothes so she put back on her formal wear from the night before, hoping no one would mention it.

I guess I could go home now and change...

Kya was asleep, Katara was here. There was no reason for her to stay.

Well, no logical reason.

She had to admit, seeing Kya again was nostalgic. Her childhood best friend, the girl she looked up to and played with from the time she was a toddler to the time she was a junior. She kicked herself with her foot, something she did often when thinking of regrets. She hated that she never told Kya how she felt, that she never explained her reasoning behind prom night. Lin had skipped her own prom because the memory hurt so much. She hung her towels next to Kya's and exited the bathroom, smiling at the sight of the sleeping waterbender. The sun trickled in wherever it could, but the room was cool. She and Kya had both proffered a cold room to sleep in, she remembered that from sleepovers. It made the blankets feel so much cozier when the temperature was cold. She was about to leave when Kya sat up abruptly, her eyes wide.

"Whats wrong?" Lin asked.

"Bucket-" Kya managed before holding her mouth closed. Lin reached for the small trash bin next to the war drove, handing it to the water bender who proceeded to vomit into it.

"I'll get Katara." Lin said before running to the hall. "Katara!" She called down the stairs. The healer appeared at the base of the steps with a quizzical look.

"Shes puking." Lin explained and the elder waterbender followed her up the stairs. Kya was slouched over the garbage can, her face pale and a little green. Katara felt her face again with a look of concern.

"Lin can you get me more water dear?" Lin nodded, heading back to the bathroom and returning with a cup used for mouth wash. Katara pressed the liquid to her daughters head and Kya seemed to relax a little.

"This is a good sign," Katara said, "you're body is just trying to reset you. You're brain is a little confused by the injury. Perhaps I healed it too fast... just lay down dear." Kya did as she was told, laying back into into pillows, grasping one of the fluffy ones in her hands. Lin took the bucket, taking out the garbage bag and tying it closed.

"I'll go switch this out." She said before making her way back downstairs. Katara followed her soon after, flopping on the couch.

"You know," the waterbender said, "Kya getting a concussion was the most realistic thing to happen last night. You carrying her to the door, now that was a surprise." Lin chuckled, getting a new bag and setting it in the trash bin.

"I was trying to make up for past mistakes and well... she was too. Only I was a little more discreet with it."

"Right. Total accident." Katara said. "Although, I should let you know Lin, she was hung up on you for a long time." Lin bit her lip, anxious about where this was going. "When she came home from that night... well I was mad. I called your mom and asked where you were. She had no clue so I asked your sister. It didn't get much for Suyin to say you were at home." Lin sighed, holding the waste basket and making her way over to Katara.

"I had a lot baggage back then," she started, "I was comfortable with myself and that got in the way of my relationships. I'm sorry I did that to her. If it means anything, just know It's bothered me for twenty years." Katara pursed her lips, standing up to embrace Lin.

"Just be here for her now." Katara whispered. "And feel free to crash in any of the rooms. You've been up longer than I have." Lin nodded, pulling away.

"Of course, I might just take you up on that." They parted ways, Katara went out to the balcony with Aang and Lin made her way back up the stairs to Kya's room. The waterbender was burrows beneath more pillows and blankets, wrapped like a baby Bison in the winter. Lin set the waste basket down by the bed, brushing Kya's cheek gently.

"Lin." Her quiet voice called.

"Hmmm?"

"Can you sit with me, just for a bit." Lin nodded sitting next to the waterbender.

"First concussion?" Lin asked, wrapping an arm around Kya while the waterbender position herself next to Lin.

"Yes. You've had one?"

"Heh, I've had three."

"Three?"

"Turns out, earthbending isn't so much fun when you're the one getting blasted by rocks."

"Oh no."

"Oh yeah. I was sicker than you, that first one. It was my third real day on the job. I still remember my mom telling me to be careful. Some robbers tried making a quick buck at a flower shop, dumbass 20 year old me thought she could stop them. Mom likes to say she 'peeled me off the concrete',"

"Oh, Lin," Kya laughed. Lin looked down at the older girl and smiled, brushing a finger through her hair. Kya's breathing evened out and Lin thought the waterbender had fallen asleep on her, but Kya shifted and looked up at her.

"Lin we kissed last night right? Or was that a concussion dream?"

"That was real."

"Was it a kiss for the past or a kiss for the present?" Lin thought about it for a moment. She had to decide what she wanted, right here, right now.

"For the past." She replied. Kya looked disappointed, but didn't press further. Lin placed her fingers below her chin, having the waterbender look up at her again.

"But this is for now," Lin said, kissing her again. This time Kya was ready, outperforming her last kiss and settling into Lin's grip.

"Get some sleep." Lin said, taking a whiff of her hair.

"You too."

"Alright, only if you do first."

"Fine. Wake me in an hour so it's your turn."

"Two hours."

"Deal." Lin grinned as Kya sank back into the bedsheets. She had promised the waterbender two hours, but as the room cooled and Kya's sleepy breaths lured Lin in, soon she too, was asleep. She held Kya in her arms, cradling the older woman in the air temple bed. Like she should have, twenty years ago.

#legend of korra #lin beifong #kyalin #avatar the last airbender #kya ii #kyalin ff #pt 2 #enemies to lovers #soft #cute

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beifongsss · 5 years ago

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princess yue [sokka]

Pairing: Sokka x reader (one-sided)

Requested?: no and i’m so so sorry but i really needed to just write this bc this idea had been nagging me for the longest time and im really really sorry but the reader is the Yue’s older sister it just works with the idea im sorry they’re related to a character. also i’m sorry that the reader is female. Also, do they ever say what happened to Yue’s mom? I don’t think so, so in this fic she’s dead.

Summary: You’re the crown princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Yue, your sister has just turned 16 and is already betrothed and although you are slightly older, you are not. That changes when the avatar and his friends arrive, but not in the way you think.

In this story, Yue is her normal sixteen, Sokka is fifteen going on sixteen, and the reader is sixteen going on seventeen. So you’re a year older than Sokka. also this is short and not happy but i really needed to write this.

i’m sorry :(((

.masterlist.

You had struggled with your position as crown princess for as long as you could remember.

You were Chief Arnook’s oldest daughter, just one month shy of your 17th birthday when the Avatar and friends arrived. You had greeted the group upon arrival, welcoming them to your home.

As the future Chief, you had taken it upon yourself to give the Avatar and his companions a tour around the city and you had been immediately taken with the Southern Water Tribe boy. He had made many sarcastic and witty comments throughout the tour, causing his sister to continuously smack the back of his head. You had found them endearing, even teasing him back sometimes and causing his face to break out into a blush.

To say that he had been thoroughly surprised when you were introduced as the crown princess during Yue’s birthday dinner was an understatement, panic clear on his face as he remembered his earlier behavior.

He had later apologized for his language, only to be surprised when you laughed it off, finding his honesty and humor refreshing. As crown princess, and as a woman, you found it hard to interact comfortably with the members of your community. You were constantly battling with the Council, always trying to prove that you were worthy of the throne even if you were a woman.

The moment you knew that you were fond of the Southern Water Tribe boy was when he quite literally crashed into you one night as you took a walk around the city.

“(Y-Y/N)!” Sokka had yelped, cheeks blushing and eyes wide as he realized he had addressed you in a less than formal way. “I mean, Your Highness.”

You stared at him as he bowed. “Good evening Sokka. Please, bowing isn’t necessary and (Y/N) is fine.”

Sokka smiled as he stood up straight, an embarrassed blush spreading across his face. “What are you doing out here?”

“I find that taking long walks around the city helps to clear my head,” you admitted, looking away from the boy. “Would you like to join me?”

Sokka blushed brightly before speaking. “I’m actually on my way to meet with y-your sister.”

“Oh?” you replied, your eyes widening at his words. You felt your heart drop slightly and you found yourself silently chastising yourself for your feelings. You forced a smile onto your face before continuing on your way. “You should hurry then. Make sure to stay out of sight and have a good night Sokka.”

“Good night (Y/N)!” the handsome boy replied, already making his way to the bridge where Yue was waiting for him.

Your heart felt heavy as you walked back to the palace, both from knowing that Sokka was interested in your sister and because you knew that even if Yue liked him, she was now betrothed.

Your eyes burned slightly as you sat as your desk, shuffling through various Water Tribe scrolls. The council had been giving you multiple tasks to prove your worth as the next Chief and this week they had you learning about the way Water Tribe currency had changed over the centuries.

You leaned back in your seat, rubbing at your eyes before your door slammed open. You jolted up, relaxing when you noticed it was only Yue.

“Yue, what are you doing here?” you asked, standing up and walking over to greet her. You grew concerned immediately when you noticed her sobbing. “What happened?”

Yue threw herself into your arms and you immediately embraced her, guiding her over to your bed and sitting down.

“I-It’s nothing,” Yue hiccuped, trying to calm herself down. “It’s s-stupid.”

“It can’t be stupid if it’s making you upset,” you chided softly, getting up and closing your door. “Now c’mon. What is it?”

Yue didn’t speak, instead reaching under her coat and pulling out her betrothal necklace. You nodded in understanding before sitting back down. “I take it Sokka found out?”

“How do you know about Sokka?” Yue gasped, looking up at you.

“He told me!” you cried, raising your hands in defense. “I bumped into him on my walk and I asked him to join me but he declined and said you were waiting for him.”

Yue looked at you for a few seconds before crying out. “You like him!”

“No I don’t,” you replied, feeling a blush creep on to your cheeks. “You like him.”

“Fine, I do,” Yue stated, crossing her arms as a smile spread across her face. “But so do you.”

“It’s not a big deal,” you said, trying to tell your sister that you didn’t plan on making a move on Sokka.

“Yes it is! You never like anyone!”

You winced lightly at her words, knowing she was right. “It doesn’t matter Yue. We are not talking about me. We are focusing on you.”

Yue’s face fell as she remembered why she had come to you in the first place. “You’re right. He found out I’m betrothed and I really like him but I can’t be with him.”

“That’s unfair,” you said softly, your heart breaking as you looked at your sister. “He really likes you, you know?”

“He does?” Yue asked, looking up at you. “Aren’t you upset? You like him as well.”

“I’m not,” you replied, wrapping your sister up in a hug. “I care about you so much more than I’d ever are about some boy. And yes, he really does like you.”

Silence engulfed the two of you as Yue quietly let our her tears and you thought about how to help her. You closed your eyes as you came to a possible solution, tightening your grip on Yue.

“It will all work out. I know it.”

The next day, you found yourself in the Council’s chambers, dressed in your formal Water Tribe clothes. Your father, Chief Arnook, stared at you uncertainly as he thought about what you had told him the night before. To his right sat Hahn, Yue’s betrothed.

“Why have you called us here?” Anheir, the Council’s leader, asked.

“I have come with a proposition,” you replied, walking up the Council and bowing deeply. “One that I think will please everyone.”

Anheir looked at his fellow members before glancing at your father, who simply nodded once. “You may continue.”

You didn’t get a chance to speak as voices filled the hall.

“...and here is the Council’s hall,” Yue spoke. “This is where they give their judgement whenever anyone needs to settle something.”

The hall went silent once again as Yue turned away from the group she was with and faced you. You nodded at her before glancing at her companions, bowing when you noticed Aang, Katara, and Sokka.

“I’m sorry father,” Yue said, bowing as she faced the Council. “I wasn’t aware there were any proceedings going on today.”

“It’s quite alright my dear,” Arnook replied swiftly. “I’m afraid this was something very last minute.”

“What’s going on?” Aang asked, eyes wide as he looked around the grand room.

“We are settling an important matter concerning the crown princess,” Anheir said before motioning to the empty seats beside Hahn. “Perhaps the Avatar would like to sit and observe how our Tribe’s Council operates? Your companions are more than welcome to stay.”

You closed your eyes and inhaled sharply as they agreed. You shook your head slightly as Yue sat down, shooting you a confused glance. You hadn’t wanted her here during your proposition.

“Now Princess (Y/N),” Anheir addressed you once more. “You may proceed.”

You nodded once, glancing at your sister before speaking. “As you know, I am next in line for the throne, and in a little more than a year I will be ascending and taking my father’s place.”

The council exchanged disapproving looks, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Gaang.

“What’s their problem?” Sokka grumbled almost imperceptibly as he leaned closer to Yue. The princess didn’t flinch but acknowledged his words with a whisper of her own.

“Our tribe is very traditional and they do not believe that a woman, much less one who isn’t betrothed or married, should lead us,” Yue replied, her eyes shifting towards Sokka. “They don’t want her to be in charge.”

“That’s dumb,” Sokka replied, shooting a glare at the Council. Yue smiled softly at his response.

“I am also aware that you disapprove of me leading the Tribe. Please don’t deny it, I’ve heard what you’ve said to my father,” you continued, your lips twitching when you heard Aang and Sokka try to choke back their snickers. “That is why I have come to you today to offer you a solution to ease your worries.”

You took a deep breath before continuing, “I believe that the Council will feel much more at ease if I have a husband ruling at my side; someone to help me when making important decisions that pertains to the good of our Tribe. I do not think I will be able to find a husband within a year, especially not with my duties as crown princess. This is why I am here today to ask you to let me take my sister Yue’s place in her betrothal.”

The room erupted into gasps at your words. The Council looked bewildered, exchanging surprised looks with one another. Katara was also surprised at your words, letting out a gasp. Aang and Sokka’s jaws dropped and Yue stood up, making her way over to Arnook.

“Father! You can’t possibly allow her to do this. It’s my betrothal,” Yue cried out. All her life she had looked up to you for being independent, claiming that you didn’t need a man by your side and refusing every betrothal that had been proposed by the Council. You had always told her that you would be the first single, female Tribal Chief. You were everything she had ever wished she was.

“Sit down Yue,” Arnook said, his face remaining impassive. “This is the Council’s decision.”

Frowning, Yue walked back over to Sokka, but didn’t sit.

“What happened to being an independent, powerful leader?” Anheir finally asked, a mocking edge to his voice. Your jaw clenched at his words and you tried to control your temper. Meeting Anheir’s gaze, you threw yourself to your knees.

“Forgive me Council,” you stated, keeping your head bent down as you forced the words out. You were doing this so Yue could be happy. “I was wrong. There could never be a powerful female leader and I was foolish to think I could change that.”

“(Y/N), you can’t possible mean that!” Yue cried out, beginning to step forwards before she was held back by Sokka, who gave her a subtle shake of his head.

“Indeed you were,” Anheir said, agreeing with your statement. “We agree with you. You don’t have what it takes to rule alone. We approve your request. From here on out, Princess Yue’s betrothal to Hahn is no more that is, if the men agree as well.”

You shifted your gaze to your father who still remained emotionless. He met your gaze and you nodded your head, sealing your fate.

“I have no objection,” Arnook said. “I wanted her betrothed to Hahn when she first turned sixteen. I am proud to see she has finally come to her senses,”

“Father, don’t do this,” Yue begged once more. She was promptly ignored.

“What about you Hahn?” Anheir questioned, turning to face the handsome young soldier.

Hahn walked over to you and bowed deeply before straightening, a proud smirk on his face. “It would be my honor to marry the beautiful princess.”

He picked up your hand and pressed a kiss to it. “I will get started on your necklace right away.”

“What about me?” Yue cried out. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

“Be quiet Yue,” you cut in sharply, your face set in a harsh glare. “Your opinion doesn’t matter.”

Yue’s face fell immediately at your words, tears springing up in her eyes. She turned away from you, running from the hall as the Gaang went after her.

~ “I don’t understand.” Yue spoke sadly as Katara gave her a hug. “Why would she do that? She never wanted to be betrothed and if she did she always said that she wanted it to be on her terms.”

“Maybe she did this for you,” Katara said softly, trying to calm the girl down.

“I did.”

Everyone turned to face the door, where they found you leaning against it. You were still dressed formally, having followed Yue immediately after the Council had dismissed you. You walked closer, sitting on Yue’s other side and wrapping an arm around her when Katara stood up.

“What?” Yue asked, looking up at you through her tears. “Why?”

“It was the best logical course of action,” you commented with a shrug. “At least this way the Council is satisfied, I am no longer at risk of losing the throne, and Hahn gets to live out his weird power hungry fantasies.”

Yue chuckled at your words. “But now you’re engaged. To Hahn! You hate him!”

“I don’t hate him!” you exclaimed, earning a challenging look from your sister. “Okay he’s not my favorite person but at least he’s nice to look at. That’ll make being married to him somewhat easier. Besides, you would’ve been miserable with him.”

“But you had a chance at happiness,” she countered. “You could’ve had a chance with Sokka!”

The boy in question choked on his spit at Yue’s words, looking at you with disbelieving eyes. Katara’s jaw dropped, not believing that his brother had somehow managed to woo not one, but two princesses. You blushed as you swatted Yue, silently berating her for exposing your feelings.

“No, he likes you. Even if I had a chance with him I would never forgive myself for being with him when I knew you liked him,” you spoke softly, your gaze not leaving Yue. “That’s why I had to do this. Without Hahn, you’re free to be with whoever you want. I already cleared this up with dad. Your happiness means the world to me Yue, and as long as you’re happy, I will be the happiest woman in the world.”

Yue looked up at you with glittering eyes before engulfing you in a hug. “Thank you. I just wish you had told me before you did it.”

“You would’ve told me not to,” you laughed, hugging her close. “But this is the happiest I’ve seen you since mom died.”

The two of you hugged tightly, Yue finally understanding why you had gone ahead and butted in to her engagement. The silence didnt last long however, as Sokka spoke.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” he began, a small smile spreading across his face. “But both of you like me?”

Katara rolled her eyes and smacked the back of his, causing everyone to laugh. “Shut up Sokka.”

“Ow!”

once again i apologize a million times for making the reader yue’s sister but this idea had been bugging me for so long and i really had to write this out.

taglist!

@mywigglybaby, @musicalkeys

#sokka x reader #atla sokka x reader #avatar #avatar: tla #avatar: the last airbender #avatar x reader #aang #katara #sokka #yue #princess yue #zuko x reader

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