#and then one day zuko loses and looks at iroh who just sips his tea placidly

[snifekinner]

i have a friend who told me that when she played with her friends as a kid she would stage manage them, to the point of telling them exactly where to stand and what to say while they were playing that they were at her wedding or something. and im just saying, azula.

[newmoonyue]

Prompt #34- Zuko ~ Smut

34. "You might not like me, but you definitely want me."

(Please take in mind that you must be 18+ to read this, and the character(s) mentioned are all 18+ as well. ATLA/TLOK characters mentioned are all aged up.)

Pairing: Zuko X Female Reader

Word Count: 1.5k

Zuko's P.O.V

It was as if the day couldn't get any hotter. Training in the scorching heat was miserable, especially when you're forced to dodge fire, and your life most certainly depends on it. Sure the suns heat fuels firebenders but, I hated it.

"Again!" My uncle yelled, Fire nation soldiers began shooting daggers, and lashing burning lines of  fire towards me. I dodged each obstacle until I had successfully downed each soldier.

"Good job Fire Lord Zuko. I'm very proud of you." My uncle Iroh said, sipping his tea.

"Thank you Uncle." I grabbed my water and took a swig. The sun was at it's highest, reflecting off of the cement below. These days were my least favorite. I hated the meetings, and I hated all the attention but training was the worst. I spent my teenage years training, I didn't understand why I must train well into my 20s.

"Ahh y/n!" I heard my uncle cheer. I turned to see the first female general y/n walking over. We've never seen eye to eye. Because she was the first female to enter into the highest ranks must have gotten into her head, as she continued to undermine me.

I glanced over to where she was chatting with my uncle. She bowed to my Uncle and walked over to a few of the soldiers and greeted them. She began sparring with them, gracefully dancing over the fire shot at her. Once she too downed the soldiers everyone clapped for her. She bowed smiling cockily. She noticed me watching her and quirked an eyebrow. She walked over and stood next to me.

"Hello Zuko." I scoffed.

"Fire Lord." I corrected. Y/n smirked.

"Mmhmm." I rolled my eyes turning away from her. It must have been the heat, or the fact I was exhausted but she was getting on my nerves a little more than usual. Sure she's gorgeous, and everyone wanted her, but I wasn't a fan of the fact she doesn't listen  

"Aww is someone cranky?" Y/n snickered. I shrugged her off walking towards the training dojo. I needed out of this sun. I motioned for a few of the guards to follow. Surprisingly Y/n followed too.

"Wow, Zuko is really in a bad mood." She laughed. When none of the guards snickered she glared at all of them. They immediately stiffened. One of them laughed, very obviously nervous.

"You all may go." I waved the guards off. Y/n stuck around like the humidity in the air. I huffed turning towards her.

"What do you want? Can't you tell I want to be left alone?" She smirked.

"Well, I can tell that but you know me." She walked closer. "I don't listen." She shot a fire dagger in my direction. Shocked I dodged it, whipping a plume of fire in her direction. She circled her hands, catching the attack and shooting it away. She charged me, aiming for my chest. I blocked holding her hands. She was very mighty, but her only downfall was the fact I was taller.

"Let me go!" She wormed out of my grip, shoving me down onto the mat. I landed on my back.

"What is your issue?" I sat up and glared at her through the lose strands of hair clinging to the moisture on my face. From this angle I could see every curve of her body, the tank top and pants she wore clinging to her body perfectly. Snap out of it you idiot! She must have caught me looking and smirked as if reading my mind

"Aw the poor little Fire Lord has been knocked down. How tragic." She shifted her weight and placed her hands on her hips.

"You know I don't like you, or enjoy your company, so why are you still here? All your doing is getting on my nerves!" She seemed taken aback for a moment before regaining her composure.

"You might not like me, but you definitely want me." My eyes widened in astonishment.

"W-want?" Her usual smirk felt different, the look in her eyes changing as well.

"Oh Zuko, you silly man." Y/n got down on her hands and knees crawling on top of me. I wanted to push her off, I wanted to stand and run out of here but it was like we we're magnets.

"Say it. You. Want. Me." She said inching her lips closer and closer to mine.

"I-" She cut me off closing the space between us, capturing my lips with her own. Her lips were as soft as they looked. She pulled away.

"Sorry, you took too long." I looked up into her eyes. They were full of want and desire. Pure lust. My hands gravitated towards her hips. I gripped them firmly causing  Y/n to squeal in delight.

"Well, even if I did 'want you' like you say, what do you want me to do about it?" I questioned.  Y/n grinded down in response. I could feel the moisture from her core soaking her pants.

"What do you think?" She chided. I grasped her hips tighter, flipping us over so I was on top. She moaned, her face a shade of red matching her clothes. I leaned in and kissed her roughly,  Y/n tangling her hands in my hair. I bit her lip playfully. I groaned as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper into her embrace. She placed her hands gently on my face deepening the kiss. She licked my bottom lip, teasing me. I moved one of the hands that was placed beside her head to the hem of her top.

"May I?" Sure we were in the heat of the moment, but I wanted to be sure she actually wanted this and wasn't going to push me off at any moment and spit in my face.

"Take it off," She whimpered breathlessly. I've never seen her this way, and I liked it. I pulled it off quickly. Her chest still covered by the sports bra. I found the hooks and soon they were undone, her perfect breasts exposed. The room was beginning to heat up, the both of us extremely ready for what was to come. I captured one of her nipples in between two fingers, teasing her gently. A quiet moan escaped her lips in response.

"Oh Zuko." The sound of her moaning my name enchanted me. I decided to switch things up and slowly circled the other nipple with my tongue. Y/n squirmed below me.

"Fuck." I grunted. She moved her hands to her pants, starting to tug them down. I made quick work of taking them off and tossing them to the side.  Y/n's face blushed a deeper shade than before.

"You're beautiful." I said admiring her soft breasts, and the endless curves of her body. I pulled my shirt over my head and began tugging my pants off. My heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't know how badly I wanted this, that is until it was happening at this moment. Suddenly I was hyperaware of everything around me, our naked bodies, the heat of the room, and the fact someone could walk in at any moment and for whatever reason, that made things even hotter. I leaned back down fluttering kisses down y/n's neck and chest.

"Please," She whimpered again. I smirked against her skin, beginning to leave little love bites on her chest. "Just take me." I moved my mouth next to her ear, breathing the warm air making her shiver.

"Only if you say please." I growled. Y/n shivered again.

"Please. Please take me, I'm yours." I captured her lips in a kiss again, this time aligning myself up with her entrance.

"Damn y/n you're so wet. All of this for me?" I smirked. She groaned, ignoring my teasing. Slowly I began pushing my member in. Her quiet moans slowly began to get louder the longer I was inside. She arched her back as I began to rock my hips, slowly gliding in and out of her.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed quickening the pace. Her sex felt like velvet enveloping my dick. Y/n's legs wrapped around my lower back once again, allowing me to reach deeper.

"Please, don't stop." She mewled, eyes rolling into the back of her head in pleasure. I grunted as I pounded quicker and quicker, tension building in my ab. Y/n looked me directly in the eyes, my breath getting hitched in my throat. Slowly, I felt the surge of pressure.

"I'm gonna come." She smirked flipping us over once again. I was extremely surprised as she grinded down on my dick, taking complete control. Y/n's hands grasped my chest, her pussy gliding up and down my length.

"Damnit." I grunted releasing inside her. I watched as y/n smirked.  

"Well, so much for you not wanting me." Y/n snickered, leaning up to kiss me.

"Who said I didn't want you?"

This drabble was requested by the lovely Nereida (@neri26boo)! I hope you enjoyed, it's been awhile since I've written smut! <3

Thank you for reading!

~Grace

[headcanonthings]

Modern Gaang + Drinking

Sokka 

as a right of passage in their family, Hakoda give Sokka his first drink at age sixteen during their annual ice fishing trip

Sokka almost spits it out because its a low end cheep beer and feels a little embarrassed by the way his dad laughs until Hakoda tells him he had the same reaction his first time

Then he pulls out the Good Shit TM and splits a bottle with his son (its one of Sokka’s most cherished memories)

Afterwards Sokka’s your pretty average 20-something when it comes to drinking, a beer or two after a hard day, goes out during the weekend, etc

Katara 

goes through a rebellious phase at like 14/15 which, coincidentally, is around the same time she meets Jet

Jet’s the one who convinces katara to experiment with alcohol

Katara’s the kind of girl to pay attention to PSAs and school assemblies but she’s being rebellious and got in a fight with her dad earlier and Jet’s pushing a drink into her hand so she says fuck it 

except Jet keeps topping up her cup when she’s not paying attention so she gets a lot drunker then she planned on and she’s really starting to feel it and get some weird vibes so she texts Sokka 

she freaks out the next morning because once she gets past the initial hangover she realizes doesn’t remember anything after texting her brother and when she looks at her phone her texts are basically just key smashes

Sokka of course knows his sister and she’s not one to really type like that so he used the find my friend app they both have to figure out where Katara was and picks her up before anything bad can happen (he also broke Jet’s nose when the guy tried to stop Sokka from picking up his sister)

she doesn’t drink again till she’s of age, is very careful to keep an eye on her drink and tries to balance how much alcohol she consumes with glasses of water

Aang

doesn’t drink due to personal/religious reasons

he’s always thankful his friends never push him or make fun of him for not drinking (nearly cries when his friends jump to his defense when some rando gets a little to rude in questioning Aang’s refusal to drink) 

very happy to play designated driver

big fan of virgin cocktails though 

Zuko

has a complicated relationship with alcohol 

Ozai is almost 24/7 verbally abusive but tended to get more physical when he had a couple scotches in him

after getting thrown out Zuko starts hanging out with a bad crowd and they introduce him to alcohol as a coping mechanism because it numbs all his overwhelming emotions 

(Jet may or may not have been part of that crowd)

Iroh figures it out one day when he’s helping Zuko clean up his room after a depressive episode and finds several empty bottles

Zuko recognizes what he’s been doing has been bad by the way his Uncle’s face falls

They sit down with the bottles between them and Zuko tells him everything; Iroh convinces Zuko to start seeing a therapist citing how much it helped him after losing Lu Ten

Zuko mostly agrees because he never wants to see that look on Uncle’s face again

Iroh and Zuko get rid of all the alcohol in the house (if Iroh ever needs something stronger than a cup of tea he’ll go to a friends house)

After Zuko doesn’t really drink again except at special occasions like holidays and celebrations and even then he stops after about two drinks

Toph

Has a naturally high tolerance and can drink everyone under the table

despite this doesn’t actually drink that often because she doesn’t like the way it fucks with her senses

she’ll only get anything beyond lightly tipsy when she’s around people she trusts which is basically just the Gaang

The Gaang are very careful not to mention this once they figure it out mostly because none of them want to deal with the bruises that conversation would cause

Suki

has an almost classic as seen on tv relationship with alcohol

She’s a good kid with a good head on her shoulders with a lot of her free time taken up with her Martial Arts classes

but she’s been to an after competition rager a time or two and has a pretty intuitive sense of her limits

She appreciates Aang being DD since that used to be her role with the Kyoshi Warriors and she likes knowing that if she wanted to she can let loose and not worry about having to drive; she’s always sure to give Aang money for gas or pay for his virgin cocktails

Bonus

Azula actually hates any type of alcohol but drinks wine purely for the #aesthetic at company events

Ty Lee loves the super sweet drinks that taste like drinking candy, because of this no one realizes that because of the multiple spirits used in making these that Ty Lee’s the only one that can keep up with Toph

that is until one holiday party where the whole group is together and someone (Sokka) starts a friendly drinking game and Ty Lee and Toph are the last ones standing

Mai will never admit it, even under threat of death, that she likes those sugar monstrosities that Ty Lee drinks but she’ll steal sips when she can

For appearances when out Mai will order a glass of top shelf scotch and no one realizes that she’ll nurse the one drink for the whole night they just assume that she’s got a high tolerance

[the-badger-mole]

Traditional Part 3

   Zuko woke first the next morning. He stirred the banked fire and set about making breakfast. As he was setting on a pot for tea, he heard someone else emerge from the tent. A moment later, Chief Hakoda settled beside him and yawned. 

“You’re up pretty early,” Hakoda observed. “We have another hour before we needed to get up.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you, sir,” Zuko apologized. Hakoda waved him off. 

“Not your fault,” he said. “I’m a light sleeper is all. Kya used to complain that she had to tie herself down when she slept so she wouldn’t accidentally wake me. She was a really heavy sleeper. I once got out of bed, tripped into a pile of pots and ripped one of the rushes off the wall, and she barely moved.” Hakoda let out a chuckle, but Zuko could see a flash of sadness in his eyes. “The kids take after with that, you know.”

Zuko did know. After he had joined the Gaang, Zuko began observing how the group operated with a growing sense of horror and confusion. How had they managed to evade capture for so long? And how would Zuko keep them safe? He was grateful for Toph’s presence. Her sensitivity to vibrations in the earth made it unnecessary for him to try to implement night watches. Still, Zuko was glad for the guards who stood by Katara’s bedroom door at the palace. If someone attacked her while she was sleeping, she’d never know about it. In the Fire Nation, it was traditional for the Fire Lady to sleep in her own room. Zuko wasn’t sure if all royal couples followed that archaic rule, but once they were married, Zuko was determined never to let Katara sleep on her own if he had a choice. She could sleep as heavily as she pleased as long as he was around to protect her.

“I’m a pretty light sleeper, too,” he told Hakoda. A shadow of a smile passed over the older man’s face. Silence fell over the pair, and Zuko would have liked to imagine it was the sort of comfortable, companionable silence he’d enjoyed with Iroh, but the truth was his mind was racing for something, anything to say to Hakoda that would raise his esteem in his future father-in-law’s eyes. 

“I heard a bit of your conversation with Sokka last night,” Hakoda confessed, startling Zuko from his thoughts. 

“Y-you did?” Zuko went over the conversation in his head. He hadn’t noticed Hakoda or Bato paying any special attention to them. He didn’t think he had said anything that could be interpreted as an insult. He glanced at Hakoda nervously and found the man smiling slightly, but warmly. 

“I know I shouldn’t eavesdrop,” he said. “But honestly, I didn’t have much of a choice. The wind was blowing in my direction.”

“It’s...fine,” Zuko shrugged, unsure of what else to say. If nothing else, at least Hakoda had heard that he loved Katara and wouldn’t force her into marrying him if she didn’t want. He cleared his throat nervously and waited for Hakoda to say something. 

“You know, I wasn’t as surprised as I should have been when you and Katara started dating,” Hakoda tilted his head back and looked up at the stars in the still dark sky. “When I found out, I suppose I should have felt something like anger or fear. And I did, but mostly I felt strangely like I was expecting it.” Hakoda shrugged with a thoughtful hum. “Maybe in a way I was.” 

“You don’t want her to marry me?” Zuko asked. Hakoda was confusing him. 

“It’s not that,” Hakoda said. “I have a lot of the same concerns as Sokka. You have proven yourself to be a fine young man. I think under different circumstances, you would be just the sort of man I always hoped Katara would find. Supportive, but not overbearing. Kind and compassionate. You’re a bit awkward and withdrawn,but no one’s perfect.” Zuko felt his face heat up and he ducked his head. 

“Um...”

“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Hakoda assured him gently. “I only meant that Katara has always been outgoing and forthright. And a bit awkward in her own way.” Hakoda smiled fondly. “I do understand why she chose you. You two suit each other. Maybe that’s why I wasn’t surprised. I suppose all of this has been a very long time coming.” 

The pair lapsed into silence once again. The water Zuko had put on the fire had started to boil. He took the pot from the flame and added the dark, pungent tea leaves  to steep. 

“I think I knew where things were heading at your coronation,” Hakoda continued. Zuko looked up in surprise at that.

“What do you mean?” he asked. Hakoda gestured at him vaguely. 

“I mean I think I knew you two would end up here eventually,” he said. “The day of your coronation, during the celebration banquet afterwards. You two kept finding reasons to be near each other. She wanted to make sure you weren’t in pain, or you wanted to introduce her to some advisor or general. She had accidentally gotten two cups of punch and thought you’d like the other. You wanted her to try some Fire Nation delicacy.” Hakoda shot Zuko an amused look. “I didn’t admit it to myself just then, but it was a bigger shock for me that Katara ended up with Aang and you ended up with...er...the young woman with the knives?”

“Mai,” Zuko supplied.  Hakoda nodded his head, accepting the answer. 

“Well, I was surprised at the way things shook out. Looking back, I think I would have been more unhappy if Katara had married Aang. I’m worried for her now, but she was never truly happy with him. You make her happy.” Hakoda said the words as if it were the first time he’d understood them. He smiled at Zuko again, warm and full. “I know you’ll look out for her, just like I know she’ll look out for you. Still, I worry about this arrangement.”

“Sir, I would die for your daughter,” Zuko said fervently. Hakoda chuckled and motioned for Zuko to settle down.

“Easy on the sir stuff,” he said. “Hakoda is fine. I know you would die for Katara. You proved that already. But I hope that you remember to live for her, too.”

“...sir?” Zuko blinked in surprise. Hakoda sighed and sat a bit straighter.

“Zuko, I know you are the Fire Lord, and that comes with a lot of responsibility. Katara understands that probably better than almost any woman you could have married. She grew up with me for a father, after all. But love is...love is like a flower. If you don't nurture it, it'll die. You make my daughter happy, and, under the circumstances, I couldn't ask for more.”

“I...” Zuko swallowed hard, feeling overwhelmed, confused, and touched at the same time. He was at a loss for words. Hakoda’s smile turned a bit melancholy. 

“Katara is a leader in her own right,” he said. “She puts everyone before herself. She did it for us. She did it for Aang. And, I suspect she does it for you and your people.” Zuko remembered walking into her office late at night to find her poring over proposals for justice reforms and public social programs. There were times she went whole days without sleep. Hakoda was right. Katara did put everyone else first. 

“One leader to another,” Hakoda interrupted Zuko’s thoughts. “One husband to another, I’d like to give you a piece of advice.”

“Please.”

“Even though you have a duty to your country, you will also have a duty to your wife and family. Sometimes those duties come in conflict with each other. When it is your choice- and it will be your choice more often than you think- you should put them first.” Zuko swallowed hard suddenly imagining the family he and Katara would make someday. Someday soon. 

“I will,” he swore. Hakoda clasped his shoulder.

“Good man.” He nodded towards the steaming teapot sitting by the fire. “Now, I think we could both use a bit of a warm up.” Zuko poured them both a cup of the strong brew. Hakoda took a sip and sputtered. 

“That is...bracing!” he declared, coughing a bit. A warm blush spread over Zuko’s face as he murmured an apology. No matter how many times his uncle tried to teach him, he could never get the knack of brewing tea. 

.*.*.*.*.*.

By Bato’s reckoning, they were about a day behind whatever had left the drag marks that Zuko had found. Once everyone was up and dressed, they broke down camp and prepared to continue the hunt. Sokka took folded the blankets and furs, and then he and Zuko broke down the tent while Hakoda and Bato plotted their course for the day. The older man made their way back as they were securing the tent in a pack. 

“You two work quick,” Bato said. “I’ll give you that. Well, that’s camp maintenance. I guess this means you both get a point.” Sokka pumped a fist in the air, until Bato continued, “That still puts Zuko in the lead.” 

“Aw, come on!” Sokka protested. “I did way more than he did! I sharpened all of our weapons.” 

“I made the fire,” Zuko pointed out, more invested in messing with his friend than in winning the point.

“I broke down the tent.”

“I helped,” Zuko said. “I also made breakfast.”

“You should lose points for that tea!” Sokka refused to be outdone. “You could use that to peel paint!” Hakoda and Bato laughed at the pair. The scoring was left  as was, to Sokka’s chagrin. But it didn’t matter. Soon they found fresher tracks and Sokka identified the animal they were after, earning him another point and tying him with Zuko.

Part 1, Part 2,   Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

[radishaur]

What about Zuko having a crush on the reader? Like it’s season 2, Uncle Iroh and Zuko open the Jasmine Dragon and reader is just a regular customer who comes in for the tea. Would Zuko deny his feelings or try to flirt or blush alot 🥺 thank you!

I absolutely love Season 2 Zuko so I’m super excited to write this! There’s just something about “Lee” that makes my heart melt. But then again, that’s just Zuko for you. Anyways, I hope this is what you were looking for!

- Zoe

���••

Jasmine Tea (Zuko x Reader)

Warnings: None

Genre: Fluff

Part: 1/1

Summary: See Request

•••

Working in a tea shop was the last thing I wanted to be doing. Having to force a smile onto my face while serving tea to useless civilians who were likely going to complain about their orders was not the life I wanted. Uncle insisted that this was necessary in order for us to pay for the small apartment we had.

I had to admit that he was right, but that didn’t make me feel any better. I was used to living in the palace like I deserved, not having to slave away all day to barely pass by.

“Lee, there’s a customer at table 2. Why don’t you go take their order?” Uncle said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

He was looking at me with a mischievous smile. I rolled my eyes and went to table 2 as he asked. I grabbed the notepad and pen out of my apron before stopping at the table.

“Welcome to the Pao Family Tea Shop. What can I get for you today?” I asked, trying my best to not gauge my eyes out.

The person sitting at the table lifted their head to meet my gaze and I felt my heart flutter.

“What would you recommend? I’ve never come here before,” she admitted, a pleasant smile on her face.

I blinked in shock for a few seconds. The girl sitting in front of me was shockingly beautiful. Her (h/c) hair flowed freely around her face and her (e/c) eyes shone with the light of a million stars. I blushed profusely when I realized that I was staring.

“I uh... W-Well uh, my favorite is the jasmine tea,” I stammered, furiously fighting the blush that was spreading across my face.

“Jasmine tea sounds lovely. I’ll have one of those,” she said, giggling slightly at my sudden change of demeanor.

I nodded and immediately turned around, making a bee line for the kitchen. I shut the door and hit the back of my head against it. It felt like there were butterflies in my stomach. I groaned. Why did this have to happen to me now?

“She’s very pretty,” my Uncle mused, startling me into a standing position.

“Uncle!” I hissed as the blush that had just disappeared began to come back.

“What did she order?” he asked, beginning to heat a pot on the stove.

“Jasmine tea,” I mumbled.

“Ah. Isn’t that your favorite, Prince Zuko?” Uncle asked, smirking over his shoulder at me.

I could feel the tips of my ears heating up. Agni, this was embarrassing. Why did he always have to do this?

“I’m going back outside,” I huffed, glaring at him before going back into the front.

I continued to take orders and bring people their tea, all the while sneaking glances at the girl at table 2. There were a few times when my eyes met hers and I could immediately whip my head around. My blush only grew worse when I heard her giggling quietly after each time.

Uncle handed me the tray of tea and winked at me, causing me to hiss another Uncle at him before walking out towards her table. My hands were shaking slightly as I walked. I placed the tray down on her table, which caught her attention.

“Oh! Thank you, uh...,” she started, trailing off when she realized she didn’t actually know my name.

“Uh, Lee,” I said softly.

“Thank you, Lee. My name is Y/N,” she introduced with a smile.

I felt my heart flutter once more and a small blush once again dusted my cheeks. Her voice was beautiful. I wished she could have said my real name.

Wait, what?

I found myself blushing harder upon realizing what I had just thought. What the Agni was I thinking? This was no time to start crushing on someone. I had more important things to worry about.

“Y-You’re welcome. Nice to meet you,” I mumbled.

I began to walk away when I heard her say my name. I stopped and looked at her, my heart rate increasing tenfold.

“Not that I’m complaining, but I believe I only ordered one cup,” she pointed out.

I was about to ask what she meant, but when I looked at the tray there was two cups. I blinked in surprise for a moment. I had been so nervous about serving her her tea that I hadn’t even noticed the extra cup.

“Oh. I’m sorry,” I apologized, not sure what more to say.

“You said jasmine tea was your favorite, yes?” she asked, smiling slightly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment. My heart was racing so fast I thought I might just croak out nothing if I tried to say anything.

“Why don’t you have it? I’d love the company if you’d like to join me,” she offered, the pleasant smile from earlier gracing her featured again.

“Uh, well I’m actually uh...technically I’m still-“ I began to say before my Uncle cut me off.

“Lee! I believe it is time for your break,” he called out from behind the counter.

I glared at him, not missing the knowing smile he wore. He had totally planned this out.

“So, does that mean you’ll join me?” she asked hopefully, bringing my attention back to her.

“Sure,” I managed to say.

I slid into the seat across from her and began to sip my tea. Our conversation flowed quite easily and I was surprised to find myself genuinely enjoying the company. At the end of my break, I realized that somewhere along the way I had begun to smile.

This became our routine. She would come in every few days and I would spend my break and then my lunch talking with her. Sometimes she would stay late and help clean up.

One day, she came in with an even wider grin than usual. It made my stomach feel all warm and fuzzy.

“Hi Lee. Mushi,” she greeted, leaning against the counter excitedly.

“You seem happy today,” Uncle pointed out, a lazy smile greeting the girl.

“Today’s the first night of the festival! Of course I’m excited,” she exclaimed, clutching her hands to her chest happily.

“A festival?” I asked, curious as to what she was talking about.

As my Uncle brought out her usual jasmine tea, she began explaining to us that the festival lasted all week and was made to celebrate the Earth Kingdom and encourage the peace and happiness of its citizens. There were food carts and street performers and even fireworks at the end of the night. By the end of the explanation, Y/N was practically glowing.

“That sounds like fun,” I said, a nostalgic smile on my face as I remembered the festivals I had gone to back in the Fire Nation.

“It is! I’d love to take you,” she said, a gentle smile on her face.

“W-What?” I stammered.

“He would love to,” Uncle answered, placing his hand on my shoulder with a smile.

“Awesome! I’m so excited. I’m gonna get ready and then I’ll meet you outside the shop,” she said, smiling happily before taking off.

My Uncle insisted on helping me get ready, despite my constant insisting that this was not a date. He mumbled something under his breath about young love and how naive I was and forced me to let him do my hair. I sighed and relented. As soon as he was done, I walked outside the shop and began looking around for her nervously.

“Lee!” she exclaimed from further up the road.

I turned to her and smiled. I felt my heart stop as soon as my eyes landed on her. She was breathtaking. She had done her hair beautifully and she had dressed up for the festival as well. The beautiful greens and browns of her outfit complimented her eyes perfectly. I found myself blushing once more as she came close and hugged me. She pulled away before I could hug back.

“I’m so excited! There’s so many things I want to show you,” she exclaimed, grabbing my hand and dragging me down the street towards the festivities.

I felt my hand light up as soon as she touched it and my heart practically burst. I was desperately fighting a blush as she weaved through the crowd. I held onto her hand tightly so I didn’t lose her.

“First stop, food,” she exclaimed, stopping in front of a noodle cart.

“These are just noodles,” I sighed, knowing they wouldn’t compare to the spicy noodles from home that I was so used to.

“Ugh, just look at the menu and order something. My treat,” she insisted.

I rolled my eyes but did as she asked. To my surprise, they actually did have spicy noodles although I figured they wouldn’t be nearly as spicy as the ones I was used to.

We ordered and I watched as she handed me my bowl excitedly. I was about to start looking around for somewhere to sit before she began dragging me behind her once more.

“Where are you going? Aren’t we gonna eat?” I asked as she held my wrist.

“We are! With a show,” she said, stopping in front of a wooden stage.

“A show?” I asked, tilting my head in confusion.

She yanked me down to the floor, spilling some of my broth in the process. She giggled and apologized as she sat down next to me. She began eating as someone walked onto the stage.

“Welcome to the show ladies and gentlemen!” he explained, throwing his arms out to either side and bowing.

The crowd went wild.

“This is Quinn. He’s one of the greatest performers in the city. He works with fire,” Y/N explained.

“He’s a firebender?” I questioned in shock.

“What? No silly. He just performs with it. Big difference,” she joked, poking me slightly in the side before adding, “Truthfully I think it would be cool if he was.”

“You do?” I asked warily.

I wasn’t even paying attention to the man as he swung around poles of fire. I was fully focused on what Y/N had just said.

“I think it would just prove that not every firebender is bad,” she said softly, the pleasant smile returning to her face as she watched the show.

I let her words sink in as I watched the show. Quinn was twirling and throwing the poles around and masterfully avoiding the fire. He almost looked like a firebender. His final trick was to blow the fire out towards the crowd. The whole crowd burst out into cheers and clapped as he took a final bow and left the stage.

“That was amazing,” I admitted, setting my now finished bowl of noodles to the side.

“I know, right? Now there’s one last place I want to bring you,” she said, taking hold of my hand once more before taking off.

I followed dutifully after her, not that I had much choice. Her grip was surprisingly strong. The sounds of the festival grew quieter and quieter the further we got from the city. Pretty soon, we were on the outskirts of the town and heading up a small hill. It had a tree in the middle of it and a small dirt path leading up to a bench underneath.

She squealed excitedly as she raced up the hill, leaving me to trail behind her. She sat down on the bench and I sat next to her timidly.

“What uh.....what are we doing here?” I asked hesitantly.

“This is the best view of the fireworks,” she grinned, gesturing up at the sky that was filled with stars and would soon be filled with fireworks.

“Oh,” I said, letting myself relax slightly.

“So, I feel like I should admit something,” Y/N sighed, turning to face me.

“What is it?” I asked, the nerves slowly coming back.

“I haven’t been honest about who I am, exactly....,” she trailed off, picking at her nails out of habit.

“Who are you? I asked quietly.

“Remember how I told you I was a refugee from another Earth Kingdom town? Well, that was kind of a lie,” she admitted, turning to look at me nervously.

“Are you from one of the Water Tribes? You don’t look....uh..... like a waterbender,” I mumbled, caught off guard by her admission.

She sighed, letting a painful smile take her face. It made my stomach churn. I wanted her happy smile back.

“I’m.....actually from the colonies. Both of my parents are Fire Nation. And...I know who you are too,” she whispered, tears brimming on her eyes.

I sat, shocked into silence. I could hear her sniffle and begin to stand, muttering something about how she was sorry and she would go. I grabbed her wrist and kept her from leaving. She turned to look at me and I couldn’t help but stand and wipe the tears off her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry,” she cried, regret written across her face, “I didn’t mean to keep lying, I just didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want you to think I was using you.”

“Were you?” I asked quietly, afraid to hear the answer.

The fireworks were now bursting in the air, sending spurts of color across the sky. I dropped my grip from her arm, but she didn’t run. Instead, she looked up at me and took a step closer.

“Not even for a second. I swear. I.....I really like you,” she answered, her genuine smile back on her face.

I brought one hand up to her cheek and glanced at her lips. I felt like they were calling to me. I slowly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to me. I wanted nothing more than to close the minuscule distance between us. I looked down at her for permission.

She gazed up at me and smiled. I took that as a yes.

The fireworks cast a blanket of colored light over us as our lips met. I had never felt happier than in that moment. Kissing her felt like no other kiss I’d ever had. It was special.

I pulled away and rested my forehead on hers.

“Zuko, I- I mean Lee,” she corrected blushing slightly as she spoke.

“No. Call me Zuko. I like when you say my name,” I whispered, blushing as well.

“I love you, Zuko.”

“I love you too, Y/N.”

[forestwhisper3]

Taking a brief break from writing to mess around on picrew. As a result, here’s another entry into the SI/OC series. Say hello to Hiromi, an ATLA SI. 

Rather solemn child, isn’t she? I suppose she has reason for it, given she was born into nobility during the tail end of Azulon’s reign. In fact, her unusual maturity and focus (for her age) caught the Fire Lord’s attention enough for him to decide she would be an asset to the royal family...

Have a story snippet:

When discussing shows or books we liked, my sister and I would often sort ourselves into those worlds- discussing what powers we would have liked to have or where we thought we would fit best (such as Hogwarts houses). Avatar, though we did not speak of it often, was no exception, and we had a fun time deciding what element the members of our family best represented. In the end, we decided she would probably be water, and I would be air. It was all good fun, and after briefly discussing our mom and brother, we moved on to other topics.

It had been an innocent conversation.

"Do you understand what is expected of you, Hiromi?"

One that I now treasured greatly and held close to my heart despite the unbelievable situation I found myself in...or perhaps because of it.

"..."

"Hiromi."

Because by being reborn into a world I'd thought fantasy, to a family absent of love yet unyielding in their traditions and controlling of my every action was maddening. Those memories were all that kept me from losing myself and becoming as cold and uncaring as the rest of the world envisioned those of the Fire Nation to be.

"...Yes, Father," I replied demurely, bowing as I'd been taught.

Inside, the fire raged, fueled by the phantom winds of freedom my heart remembered.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Although I'd associated more closely with air, fire wasn't so bad...if you didn't adhere to the Fire Nation's current philosophies, that is. Fire was life, not destruction. It was warmth, compassion, and inner strength not cruel, burning rage and unyielding power.

It was unfortunate that a majority of the people here didn't think the same...even those who I'd been expecting to understand.

"If you are to marry my son one day, you must let go of those notions, my dear."

I stared in disbelief as Iroh continued to calmly sip his tea, unwilling to believe that those words had just come from him. Looking back, it made sense. This Iroh was the one who still believed he was doing the right thing. The one who believed that his part to play in this war was conquering Ba Sing Se for the Fire Nation. This Iroh was not yet the man who'd lost his son- the same son that I was, somehow, betrothed to in this second life despite him being eight years older than I was.

That didn't make his dismissal any easier to accept, however.

Still, it seemed that there was at least something of the man I expected inside of this Iroh, since his expression softened after a moment. "It is not from personal preference that I ask this of you. On the contrary, I find your view on firebending rather fascinating. However, I ask for your own benefit. If you are to be the wife of the future Fire Lord, there will be certain things expected of you. I know you are strong and skilled- you would not have been betrothed to my son if you were not -but you must be sure that is the only thing the people see of you as well. History has not proven itself to be kind to figures in power who thought differently from the rest, and a gentle heart such as yours would not last long once you are Fire Lady."

I wanted nothing more than to protest, to tell him things could change, but I bit my lip and held it back. Arguing wouldn't do me any good with this Iroh, much less in the current environment. So instead, with a heavy heart, I nodded.

...What else was I supposed to do now that the person I'd been placing all of my hopes on had failed to listen?

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Tell me, whatever happened to that girl? The one who was betrothed to my son. Have you instead promised her to Zuko?"

With Ozai, he couldn't be sure. While it made sense to keep such a strong bender tied to the Dragon throne, it was clear as day how much his brother valued the appearance of power. It would not do to have anyone show up Azula in talent when she was already defeating men over twice her age, as it would undermine his own strength- and Hiromi had never lost to Azula. Still, he prayed his brother had showed some restraint for once and allowed the betrothal to carry over.

It was only now, after he had lost everything, that he realized how much of a treasure that girl really was.

"Oh? So what is fire to you, my dear?"

"Fire...is life."

How foolish he had been to dismiss her words! Words that he had only heard uttered with such conviction in one other place- a place that Ozai would not hesitate to destroy if he learned of its existence. Words that he had heard his son- his dear Lu Ten -murmur thoughtfully to himself on the last night they spent together, confident that he was not meant to have heard them. Words that not even Ursa, kind and brave as she'd been, had ever hinted at believing. Had Lu Ten lived long enough for them to be wed, she would not have been a fire snuffed out- as he had implied to her all those years ago -but a warm, roaring blaze that would have drawn in the scattered fires of their nation and ushered in a new era of firebending.

She still could be, if only-

"Dead." Ozai answered plainly, not a hint of sympathy in his expression to reflect the deep remorse and sorrow that Iroh felt in that moment. "After our honorable father passed, I called upon the girl's family to inform them of the betrothal's cancellation. Word reached the palace some time later from a patrol group that there were signs of a bandit attack. When the palace received inquiries as to the status of the Lord and Lady some weeks after that, it was determined that they were the ones struck."

"I see...it is unfortunate to hear such news."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

But as you know, it wouldn’t be much of a story if the MC were really dead...

...although it remains to be seen how they’ll react when they meet again.

(made using this picrew: https://picrew.me/image_maker/614903)

[airiustide]

forever young. forever you.

chapter 2/day 2: counterpart

A/N: sorry for posting on tumblr late, work kept me. but here it is, chapter 2. Thank you all for the lovely comments and @zutara-was-robbed for her amazing idea vomiting that helped make this fic possible and her ability to make me laugh.

Summary: After reunion comes joy- at least Katara had hoped. When she finally has the opportunity to confront the stranger, she learns a devastating secret that weights heavy on her heart and soul.

also posted on: AO3

“Speak what we feel, and not what we ought to say. Well, I’m forever young, and you're forever you.” -We are Life by Emarosa

She wasn’t crazy. She hoped.

Katara wants to confront the man in black out in the open, only that would prove to be futile if it really happened to be who she thought it was. No doubt, he would run upon seeing her again like her first day here. She had no evidence it was Zuko but he looked at her, and when he did it was clear that he recognized her.

It took about a week before he crossed her, unnoticed to him. He was taller, much taller. His clothes did not hide his muscle definition and she can tell he was intensively active. Much different from the seventeen-year-old buy she knew but there was no mistaking those eyes.

Once she picked up on his routine, Katara was quick to follow, utilizing every chance between meeting Lotus members and rest to make it just an inch closer to Zuko. She stopped every so feet each time, afraid he might pick up on her stalking- other than the off chance of her being wrong weighing in her mind. No point in turning back now , Katara thought, I am officially labeled a creeper .

It was the same every night. He came out just as the sky turned night, stealthy moving in the dark, through alleyways and barely traveled streets. She remains anonymous as well, choosing clothes colored in dark blue and tying her hair in a low ponytail. He appears from behind an abandoned building again, silently prowling through the streets. This time, he’s not making his usual destination. Katara curses when he stops abruptly a quarter mile from his usual path and turns his head slowly over his shoulder.

Katara stills, biting her lip to hold back anticipated breathing and willing her pounding heart to cease beating in her ears. He’s hesitant for only a moment, facing forward again and slipping into the alley. Katara, darts after him, stopping at the corner. Shock flushed her face. He’s gone!

Cement trickles from above and she barely misses the figure swinging onto the rooftop. Blue eyes widen, shocked to find the stranger peering down at her. In the dark his golden gaze seemed to mock her. Come get me, if you dare, they read. Katara always enjoyed a good challenge. 

*** He’s running ahead of her, hoping from rooftop to rooftop. It felt like they were in sync, the way they ran through the night, his movements as flawless as a languid waterbender. The moon was on her side tonight, providing her the much needed energy to keep up with him. The excitement of it all sang in her blood, heightening her adrenaline.

Katara wanted to laugh with childish delight. Lift a hand out to the sky and feel the wind wisp between her fingers. Never mind that she was chasing after a unknown man but something told her he wasn’t intent on harming her.

She halts gracefully in her tracks when he jumps from one of the rooftops, sliding across a tarp and swinging on the structure holding it up just before he lands on his feet. Katara makes a disappointed groan, knowing this was the end of their game. Instead, she stays on his tracks via rooftop, afraid that if she took the time to crawl down, she might lose him.

She crouches low, cursing herself more than ever. How had she not realized she had wondered into enemy territory. Ozai Society members occupied this area, having scouted  here the week before with the White Lotus under guise.

The man made two raps on the door across the street from where Katara hid, a sharp one thrice, then another two. The door cracks open and Katara can’t make out their voices. The man in black removes his glove and lifts the sleeve of his right arm to reveal a symbol tattooed right below his palm.

She wanted to kick herself. This wasn’t Zuko after all, and she had exposed herself to the enemy. Regardless, she was already here and decided to scope out what was taking place, at least, settling on leaving before the stranger or anyone else decided to come out of the house.

An hour went by, and no one’s left or entered. She’ll have to return home and let the White Lotus know her findings, on top of admitting that she followed an enemy without their knowledge. La, she was in for a scolding. Katara kicks the dust under her feet, preparing for a running start.

“Leaving so soon.” A raspy voice brought her to an abrupt stop.

Katara narrows her eyes, examining the figure carefully approaching her in the dark, contemplating whether to take off or use the opportunity to question the man; though it might turn into a physical confrontation, she was ready for both. “Are you going to make it worth my while if I decided to stay?” She inquires, crossing her arms over her chest.

Amusement flickered in those gold eyes, but he doesn’t reply to her question. “Not very smart coming here.” He tells her.

Katara smiles behind the cloth covering her nose and mouth. That voice, so distinct and so much like him. “ Yet, here you are.” She retorts.

“This isn’t a joke.” He dismisses her playful attitude. “You need to return home.”

“I’m not going back to the inn.” Katara argued, hurt that he was pushing her away without an explanation off the bat. “At least...at least tell me you’re doing okay.”

He shakes his head. “Not the inn. Go home, Katara.”

“No!” She yells, closing the fists at her side. Zuko was stubborn but Katara was even more so. She had him here, she couldn’t stand the idea of him disappearing again.,Her voice carried in the dark, and both of them heard chatter below. A group flooded the street, muttering suspicions. Humiliation and worry colored Katara’s face.

“Damn.” Zuko groaned, snatching Katara by the elbow. “We gotta leave.”

***

So this is where he’s been hiding? The apartment wasn’t exactly rundown but it certainly wasn’t spacious either. It was decent as decent could get. A single bed, a small table and a washroom fit for one. A bed was posted at the far side of the wall, opposite the door, right next to a large window. You could see the town far out in the woods beyond it.

Katara wasn’t ready to remove her disguise, watching Zuko intently as he quietly closed the door behind them and had yet to reveal himself. The air between them thickeded, from the tiny room or their awkwardness, Katara couldn’t tell which. Four years had gone by since the last time they’d seen each other.

Zuko only stares. From behind his shaggy hair, he looks mysterious, ominous, dangerous. For all she knew, he could have very well become those things, four years can change a person.

“You working for the White Lotus?”

He blinks, taking what feels like forever to reply. He shakes his head.

“You’re doing this alone.” Katara guessed, more of a statement than a question, rather.

“Yes.” He tells her.

Katara licks her lips, nervous now that she truly knew it was her missing friend. “Are you the one who’s been anonymously sending tips to the White Lotus.”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve spent all four years infiltrating the Ozai Society? Because you knew your Uncle and Koji were their new target?”

“Yes.”

“...Your Uncle misses you.”

“Don’t.” He says sternly, eyes darting sharply at Katara. “I should’ve taken you to the inn.”

Katara doesn’t know why but that hurt more than she thought. Zuko was known to push people away but he was flat out trying to get rid of her. If she hadn’t lured those members out, he might have left her without a second thought.

Changing the subject, Zuko announces he’ll make them tea, finally removing the mask from his face and revealing paler than normal skin. Being away from the Fire Nation must have made it so.

Feeling more relaxed in his presence, Katara takes a seat on the bed, studying the place, though there wasn’t much. Zuko kept it simple, probably in case there was risk of his true identity being revealed. Or he cared little for anything other than necessities.

She was anxious to know the reason behind him leaving, a million questions hanging on the tip of her tongue. Katara knows if she blurted out a single inquiry, he’ll shut her out immediately. Zuko comes back with their tea in two wooden cups, sitting beside her and taking a quiet sip of his cup.

Katara does the same before proclaiming. “I’ve missed you too.” Hoping it wouldn’t make him retreat.

A furious blush colors Zuko cheeks, his hard features softening. He looks away, clearing his throat and Katara notices his Adam's apple bob. She blushes too, aware just how much he had grown.

“I-I missed you. All of you; Aang, Sokka, Toph. It’s been hard…” He admits.

Progress? She only hoped. “Really?” Katara soothes, hesitantly reaching out to enclose his hand with hers. Zuko doesn’t shake her away.

“Come back.” Katara whispers softly. “After this, come back with me. If not to the Fire Nation, there’s always a place for you in Republic City. Aang can-”

He slips from her grasp, standing on his feet and trudging across the room. Zuko slumps against the wall, crossing his arms and shaking his head. “There’s no place for me. Go, Katara. Back to Republic City, back to Aang.”

“And what will happen if I leave, after you and the White Lotus take down the Ozai Society?” She wasn’t going to leave, of course.

Zuki shrugs. “Why do you care?”

“Because you have family who are worried about you. Iroh is going out of his mind, concerned about what happened to you, he’s not the same.” And because I want you back , she wanted to say, burrowing down her confession.

“I’m doing this for my Uncle.” Zuko clarified.

“No, you're being selfish and doing things on your own again. Keeping everyone who loves you at arm's length, telling yourself you’re protecting them, when in fact you’re only hurting them-

“Stop!”

“You stop!” She promised herself she’d keep her cool, she promised herself she would give Zuko the much needed time to come around. That flew out the window real fast. “When will you grow the hell up! I swear, I thought you matured after joining Aang but silly me for thinking that you’ve evolved from the childish, egocentric, spoiled prince-” She was on her feet, flying at him. Katara couldn’t contain the outrage, the audacity at how he lacked any consideration.

“I said, stop .” Zuko seethed, cuffing her wrists and pressing them to her chest.

“Not until you fix this! Not until you make things right by everyone who has been worried sick about you!”

“It’s none of your damn business!” He shouted, releasing her wrists and reeling back.

Katara’s left speechless. It doesn’t hit her that a single tear escapes down her cheek until her vision is blurred and a ball forms in her throat. She swallows, the ache failing to subside, and she turns away from Zuko in a daze.

Inhaling sharply, Katara regains her composure, wiping the stray tear with the palm of her hand. “I’m worried about you.”

There’s a moment of dead silence, beating darkly in the room. The weight came down heavy on Katara’s limbs like chains. She can hear Zuko’s feet shuffle on the wooden floor, a slow creak like that of a desperate cry. Then he sighs, footsteps retreating to the front door.

“Don’t be.” 

***

She didn’t know when he returned. Dreary, swollen eyes fluttered open to the aura of his presence right next to the bed she borrowed. The inn was across town and the thought of leaving didn’t sit right with her, aside from the exhaustion of their discourse last night.

She sits up quietly, looking over his slumped figure; a mere shadow in a darkened room. Zuko’s hands were clasped together, elbows to knees and his forehead pressed to his fists. He seems to be asleep, until...

“I thought I had a purpose.” Zuko broke the silence. “I had so much to offer at the time, now that I had found my way. You, uncle, aang, everyone...you all gave me a reason to push forward. And though it took me so long to change, to finally realize the man I needed- no, wanted to be, in the end the universe decided I still wasn’t worthy enough.” He paused, Zuko’s breath shook with every attempt to gather himself. “I was so happy. I didn’t deserve it but I was so happy to have met you all. My only regret was that I didn’t make you part of my life sooner, that I didn’t make things right with my Uncle sooner, that I didn’t take the opportunity to truly examine my bad behavior early on in life and make better decisions- because then I’d have more of those precious moments to hold onto.”

Katara doesn’t like this. He’s pouring his heart out but she doesn’t like where this is going. A black hole formed in the pit of her stomach, noting the way Zuko clung roughly to the front of his tunic, at the very center where the evidence of his sacrifice lied. She doesn’t want to meet his eyes when he finally turns his gaze to her. She doesn’t want the memory of those amber eyes glossed with fear and sadness staring back at her with utter defeat.

Please, Yue . Katara prays.

“Katara,” He says softly. Any other time she would have loved to hear him call her name so softly- like a flutter kissing her cheek- but not like this, never like this. “I’m dying.”

[is-that-another-soulmate-au]

Zukka Soulmate AU part 7

@mypureessence

@chaoticidiott

@ari-shipping-stuff

@knightedbot

@idkhowbutimgayer

@swampy-beans

@angrylittleintrovert

"Get away from. Him Azula" Zuko said while standing between his sistet and Aang

"Aw, do you really think you can capture him first Zuzu" she mocked

"No" he narrowed his eyes at her but turned his head to the right just a bit to see that Aang looked exhausted, of course he was. He was tracking his sister while her Mai and Ty Lee terrorized the group. He sent Jee and Iroh after the others to make sure they were safe while he want after Azula

She gave a huffed laugh "come on Zuko, why turn against fathers orders now? You could still get his love back yo-"

"Has it ever occurred to you that I've realized he never loved me in the first place?" He growled out "do you honestly think that two and a half years at sea wouldn't open my mind to the reality that a family isn't supposed to burn half your face off?"

"Come on Zuko, you know you deserved it, he had to teach you a lesson-"

"Shut up!" He fired a blast that she easily lept over and the chase was on once again, Azula chasing Aang and Zuko trying to stop her.

When she almost had a grip on Aang, Zuko picked up a large rock and chucked it at her managing to hit her in the wrist and send her spinning to an alley. She turned to glare at him while clutching her wrist while Aang managed to hide behind Zuko like he was Aang'solder brother or something "so your aim has gotten better I see, mommy's little assassin"

He held tight to a wooden plank he managed to grab as well and glared daggers back at her "no, youre just an actual target now"

"Is that so" she took a stance and went to fire a blast but was launched away by a block of earth under her feet revealing Toph, Katara, Sokka, Iroh and Jee.

"Toph!" Aang shouted and Zuko managed to relax just a bit

"Hey twinkle toes, we figured you guys could use some help with crazy over here" Toph jabbed her thumb in the general direction of Azula

"She's not crazy, she's just stuck and stubborn" Zuko pointed out

"Two very bad traits that lead to crazy Zuko" Aang said while elbowing the older teen in the side.

[Not a scene shift but a pov shift from Zuko to Sokka]

The group circled around Azula with their weapons at the ready and Sokka glared at this girl they had cornered, the way she looked mockingly at Zuko and the look Aang was giving him told him everything he needed to know. This girl had hurt Zuko in some way or maybe many ways.

Perhaps she's part of the reason they share so many scars. Regardless he knew she was a threat. "Alright, you got me" Sokka narrowed bis eyes, she was lying. "I know when I'm beat" she turned her back to them and started to kneel but shot a blast, at Zuko's Uncle. The expression that twisted Zuko's face was heartbreaking, it was as if Iroh was the only thing he had to hold onto and it was just ripped from him in an instant.

Filled with an almost unimaginable amount of rage Sokka threw his boomerang at Azula mere seconds before the rest laid on the bending and Azula disappeared

[And now we shift back to Zuko because I said so]

As soon as Azula was out of sight Zuko was at Iroh's side, he leaned his head down and pressed his ear to Iroh's chest listening for a heartbeat. After hearing one but noticing it was weak he let out a breath he didnt notice he was holding. Though the moment of slight relief didn't last long. He should have protected his Uncle, he's younger and faster, besides its him and Aang that Azula has quarrel with not Iroh.

Iroh was the only family he had left and now he might lose him too. All because he couldnt protect him. He felt his palms growing hot, like they were about to burst into flames so he clenched them in an attempt to suppress the fire. Jee sat beside him with a look of both fear and sympathy on his face.

"Zuko" he heard Katara softly call out behind him

"Leave us!" Zuko cried out over his shoulder

"Zuko I can help!"

"I said Leave!" He went to swing his arm back and release the flames begging to escape but Jee caught his hand halfway there and gave him a hard glare. Zuko stared at him with confusion but then his gaze shifted over to see Sokka staring at him with tear filled eyes and his heart sank.

He gave a sigh and Jee let go of his hand. "Oh... okay" he said in a soft voice before moving to let Katara take a spot beside Iroh so she could heal him. "Just... dont hurt him please" he whispered

"I would never" Katara reassured as Zuko watched her closely. He watched mesmerized by the glow in the water around her hands, he didnt even realize Sokka had moved beside him until he heard the dirt beside him scatter from the slump Sokka did.

Turning to Sokka he found himself pulled into a half hug and stiffened, he wanted to cry but didn't want to let himself until Sokka reached up and played with his hair as a comfort touch. It was like the floodgates opened, he held onto Sokka holding back sound but letting his tears flow with a few small whimpers.

It wasnt until three hours later when they were all huddled up in a small earth town inn that Zuko managed to bring himself to check on Iroh. He walked into the room and found Iroh sipping a cup of tea with Katara and Jee who all turned to him with smiles. "Zuko, how are you feeling?" Iroh asked with a grin

Zuko gave a snort and a stifled laugh that quickly devolved into a full belly laugh "me? How am I feeling?" He leaned against the wall with his hand and tried to catch his breath "you ask that like I was the one shot with a blast of blue fire!" He gave his uncle a grin "stop doting Uncle, its my turn for a while, okay?"

Iroh gave a hearty laugh and sigh "alright Prince Zuko, but I have one more question" he raised his brows with an unspoken question

"Oh no" Zuko slapped his face in a face palm motion, hearing a loud 'ouch!' From the other room

"Oh yes, that is the exact question" Iroh, Katara and Jee all snickered

"Not right now, they haven't even accepted us into the group, she's healing you and they might just up and leave us after that so Im not giving my hopes up"

"First of all mister gloomy!" Katara said while standing up and jabbing her finder into his chest "we have accepted you guys, and Second! You already have" she flicked his now very much out in the open blue ribbon tied around his forearm given his change of clothes into short sleeve earth kingdom clothes

Zuko flushed and turned away "thats.. uh... I have an explanation about that"

"I'd love to hear it" she put her hands on her hips and gave an expecting look.

"Uuuuhhhh... well you see... uhm..." he paused for a while and then just sighed while sagging his shoulders "okay fine I got it because Sokka's eyes are blue.... and really pretty...."

Katara clasped her hands together and inhaled with a big grin plastered across her face "Oh my gods thats so cute!"

"Shhh! Just... dont tell him okay? I know he doesn't like me so I'm just gonna wait for him to ask me to attempt to tell him okay?"

"Ugh! Fine!"

"Thank you" and with thst he snuck out of the room and back into the shared bedroom where Sokka and Aang were pressed against the wall. Shooting them a glare he made a 'tch' sound and walked out and sat outside the Inn on the small steps in front of the building.

Agni this day was a rollercoaster.

[randomfandomimagine]

Shared Secrets (Zuko x Reader)

Characters: Zuko, Iroh

Fandom: Avatar The Last Airbender

Tags: Reader Insert, Male Reader, Earthbender Reader

Warnings: None (a bit of awkwardness)

Word Count: 1,9k words

Requested by anon: hello! i was wondering if you would write an imagine or ficlet for a male!reader x Zuko. i was thinking that Zuko is working for his Uncle Iroh in a tea shop in an town that is being controlled by Fire Nation, but almost all residents are Earth tribes. And the reader is an earth bender but has to hide it and Zuko grows and interest to the reader and wants to save the reader when he gets captured by fire nation because he’s an earth bender? i hope that makes sense! :) 

Zuko x Male Earthbender Reader

-

You took a deep breath as you stopped at the corner and only once you knew you were safe. Being an earthbender in a Fire Nation controlled town wasn’t easy, especially not when you were constantly showcasing your skills.

When your accelerated heartbeat finally regained a normal pace, you continued walking, trying to pretend like nothing had happened and you hadn’t just escaped from the Fire Nation army. Finding a refuge from that stressful moment, you arrived to that familiar tea shop you frequented.

“Ah, my boy!” The owner, an older man named Mushi, gave you a warm welcome as always. “It’s good to see you again!”

“Thank you” You tried to hide your restlessness and exhaustion as you sat down.

“Get comfortable, we’ll be right back”

“Great”

As Mushi left, you exhaled another deep breath. Your racing heart had almost completely calmed, yet it picked up its quick pace at the sight of someone else. Lee, the young man who was also in charge of the tea shop, was heading your way.

“Y/N” He gave you a polite smile as he stopped by your table. “The usual?” 

“Yeah” You thought for a moment, leaning back in an attempt to rest your tired muscles after so much bending and running. “And something to eat? I’m starving”

“Sure” Lee nodded his head at you. “It’ll be a moment”

You smiled back at him, watching him as he walked away. 

He had always caught your attention, and it wasn’t the first time you thought about asking him to take a walk with you some time. You wanted to get to know him, to see him outside of the tea shop. It must have been the adrenaline still cursing through your veins, but for the first time you suddenly felt courageous enough to do it. Your fingers impatiently tapped on the table as you waited for him to return. 

After one minute or so Lee came back, carrying your tea and a small plate with apetizing snacks. With the corner of your eye, you saw his uncle looking your direction with great curiosity and no subtlety at all.

“Here you go” No matter how moody you had seen him, Lee always seemed to be the nicest to you. He put your order on the table and smiled when you hungrily reached out to pick up a bread roll.

“Mmm...” You happily hummed, already feeling better when the warm food spread the delicious taste on your mouth. 

“Is it good?” Lee asked, watching you closely and still smiling a little.

“Yes, and I bet so is the tea” To confirm it, you took a sip and nodded your head to assure him you hadn’t been wrong to believe it. “Give my compliments to the chef”

Much to your surprise, Lee laughed. You had never heard him laugh, and he seemed quite flustered by his small outburst as well. His cheeks tinted with pink.

“Hey, are you... doing something later?” You suddenly asked him before you could think too much about it. 

“What? Uh...” He lowered his head, hiding behind the short tufts of dark hair that didn’t quite cover his eyes. He soon looked back up and shrugged, giving you a soft smile. “I don’t know, why are you asking?” 

“Maybe we could take a walk later” Noticing how he watched you in shock, you tried to play it off a bit. “So... so you can tell me about Mushi’s recipes”

“I... heh...” He awkwardly scratched his nape, too bashful to hold your gaze. “Well, I... uh...”

“He would love to” Mushi was suddenly beside him, giving you the biggest smile you had seen him compose, which was saying a lot. “You boys have fun!”

“Uncle...” Lee muttered under his breath, hanging his head low. That didn’t help to cover the blush that reached his ears and his neck.

You exchanged a quick glance with Moshi, who eagerly nodded his head to give you his blessing. Giggling a little, you tugged at Lee’s wrist until he looked up at you again.

“Meet you here after lunch?” 

“Really? I-I...” His uncle nudged him in the back, pushing him out of his stuttering. “Sure!”

-

You wouldn’t have expected the moment to be so awkward. You had spoken with Lee many times before, and conversation used to flow naturally, but now that you walked together, complete silence reigned. Was it because you were alone? Because you liked each other too much? Because you couldn’t let your voices lose themselves amongst the chattering of the tea shop?

“Um...” You took a good look at him as you rummaged through your head in search of something to say. “The weather is nice today”

You had to supress the urge to slap your forehead in embarassment. Talking about the weather? You really couldn’t think of anything else to say?

“Y-Yeah...” He hesitantly replied, gazing up into the sky. When he looked down again, he averted his eyes and twiddled his thumbs. “It’s warm”

Hoping to come up with a better thing to ask him, you stared at Lee. His scar was very noticeable, and although you were curious you didn’t want to bring attention to it. It surely was a reminder of a very painful and tragic past. Quite possibly, Lee and his uncle Mushi had escaped the Fire Nation after paying a big prize. Another family destroyed by them.

“How long have you been here for?” You asked instead, hoping that created more conversation.

“Uh... not long” Lee nervously answered. “We are refuges”

“I see” You smiled at him, being endeared when he smiled back. “Are you liking it here?”

“It’s kind of dull, but...” He took a deep breath before finishing his sentence. “It’s been better ever since you started coming to the tea shop”

You laughed a little, equal parts surprised and endeared. Lee blushed slightly, and you squeezed his arm fondly to reciprocate his kind words.

As you continued to walk the peaceful streets, something caught your eye. Lee’s voice faded in the background as he continued rambling, but you weren’t paying attention anymore. 

Not far from you, a group of children were playing with a ball they tossed between them. They were laughing and running, but a couple of Fire Nation soldiers were far too close to them. Knowing their kind, you assumed only the smallest spark would be enough to send them into an explosive fiery rage.

“Y/N?” Lee asked when he noticed you weren’t listening.

You turned your head slightly, still watching the soldiers, and opened your mouth to reply. As you feared, though, the children’s ball flew out of their reach. Forgetting about replying to Lee, you headed their direction.

“What’s wrong?” Lee asked you just as the ball hit one of the soldiers in the head. Seeing this, your companion followed after you. “Oh, no...”

The soldiers were already shouting at the children, who clumsily apologized while the scary men faced them. You weren’t going to wait any longer, even if this was your second encounter of the day. Throwing all caution out the window, you extended your hands towards them. The earth under their feet shifted, elevating them as your arms rose and dropping at your command, sending them to the ground with a violent thud.

“What the...?” One of them exclaimed, searching his surroundings.

The other one soon spotted you, pointing a finger at you as he rushed to his feet.

“He is an earthbender!” He announced to his partner, and the both of them hurried your way. You stood your ground.

“Run!” Lee yelled, reminding you of his presence after his awed moment of quietness. “Move, Y/N!”

Seeing that you were determined to face the soldiers, he took you by the wrist and tugged at it until you were following after him. The two of you ran as fast as you could, trying to lose them. 

They were on your tail, however, and refused to give up. Trying not to fall or slow down, you used your bending to throw boulders at them and try to hinder their advance. It wasn’t working, as they retaliated with their fire. 

One of their attacks was suddenly directed at you, making you gasp.

“Watch out!” Lee pushed you out of harm’s way, with so much force that you fell to the floor. You instantly tried to stand to your feet, but before you coud move something froze you in place.

Your companion was throwing fire against them. That awkward but sweet boy from the tea shop was from the Fire Nation. Your hands turned into fists as you watched how he successfully held them back and made them retreat.

Gawking at him, you let him pull at your arm until you stood once more. 

“Get up” Lee said, although that probably wasn’t his real name. “We need to keep moving!”

He didn’t let go of you as you took advantage of their moment of hesitance to escape. You ran in silence for what felt like hours. The sound of your feet against the ground, your racing heart and breathless panting made your ears whistle. Somehow, though, your thoughts were louder than any of that. 

He was a firebender. His uncle probably was as well. He had been lying to you.

Just as you dwelled on those discoveries, he carefully pushed you against a wall and took refuge there with you. Hidden in a lonely alley, the soldiers ran right past you. You barely noticed this. Your mind worked faster than it ever had as he set his amber eyes on you. Ready to confront him, you opened your mouth.

“I know what you’re gonna say” He quickly said. “I am a firebender. I’m sorry I lied to you”

“Why did you?” Your voice came out weaker than you wanted it to be.

“We are refugees, that part is true. We’re hiding from the Fire Nation...” He took a deep breath, breaking the eye contact. “My name is Zuko. Now you know who I am”

“Prince Zuko?” The pieces clicked in your head as you realized he was saying the truth. The scar, his uncle, how secretive they were about their past... It all made sense now.

That changed everything, however. He wasn’t just an escaped firebender, he was the banished prince. And he seemed to truly care about you to some capacity.

“You... put your secret at risk just to save me...”  You found yourself saying, earning a cautious look from him. “Why did you help me?”

“I know what it’s like being rejected by what you are... by who you are” He absently looked at his hands, weapons just like yours. Then he shrugged a little. “Besides, I like you... you’re nice”

You paused for a moment, realizing that his secret wasn’t bothering you as much as you thought. Not anymore.

“Lee?” When he opened his mouth to correct you, remind you that his name was Zuko, you shook your head and smiled at him. You had accepted him as Lee, not as the person everyone else saw and rejected him as.

“Yes?” He whispered, even if a hint of a smile grew on his lips as well, touched by your response.

“I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine” You held your hand out for him to take.

Zuko... Lee stared at it for a moment. Then he sighed in relief, and as his smile grew bigger, he nodded his head.

“Deal” You shook hands in mutual understanding, the gesture implying many thank yous and a secret expression of your fondness for each other. Especially so when you two lingered a little bit in the touch.

-

Tag list: @call-me-harley-quinn​ / @lotsoffandomrecs​​ / @lotsoffandomstoimagine​ / @undercanonthots​ / @bubblebars / @coldlilheart / @inkai-ghost / @xionroxas / @emmacata​ / @bucky-blogs​ // If you want to be added or taken off the tag list for these fandoms or characters, let me know!! // Reblogs and comments are appreciated!

[gloves94]

Sunburn [Prince Zuko] 20

Warnings: None   Rating: PG-13   Pairings: Zuko/OC   Summary:  “You have everything you’ve ever wanted.” “No.” He said softly. “Not everything…”  His golden eyes looked at her with a melting intensity she had never witnessed before. “I guess not.” She responded with glassy eyes as tears welled up threatening to break the dam of her eyes.

My fanfiction: M A S T E R L I S T

Things were certainly looking up.

Zuko smiled as and his uncle stepped out of the carriage that had brought them to the Earth Kingdom Palace, he helped his girlfriend down of it like the gentleman he is and the three walked towards the palace together. All wearing their finest Earth Nation robes. Iroh wore green, Zuko wore a reddish brown shade and Tsai's wore her trademark golden ochre.

"Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace." Iroh commented as he held the basket of his tea supplies, "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are here as the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing."

Tsai always pictured herself here, but in her head she was welcomed as an honored guest and assigned personal guards amongst other luxurious goods. This wasn't quite what she had in mind, but it would do for now. She was excited to talk to the King. Maybe he'd listen maybe he wouldn't but she wouldn't lose anything trying.

"It sure is, Uncle." Zuko agreed with a slight smile.

Moments later Zuko sat quietly beside his uncle as he poured a cup of tea in the King's meeting room. The throne was elegantly decorated with golden figurines and a mural depicting Ba Sing Se in traditional ink brush art.

"What's taking so long?" Zuko asked warily. They had now been waiting for a while.

"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" Iroh suggested.

"No," Tsai said suddenly. "It is not customary of Earth Kingdom people to be unpunctual."

What kind of royal reception was this supposed to be? Tsai shook her head if her mother was in charge of this Royal Reception none of this would've been acceptable.

Tsai stood up and dusted her palms on her dress.

"That's it," she announced in a bored tone. "I'm sick and tired of waiting. This is unacceptable. I'm going to go find the Earth King myself."

"Have you lost your mind?" Zuko reached for her arm holding her in place.

"I'll be back soon," she simply said shaking his light grip off. "You don't even know where he is." He added crossing his arms over his chest in disapproval.

"Don't worry, I know my way around a palace." She said cockily before exiting the room.

Or at least attempting to. She was pushed back into the room when several Dai Li agents came into the room and surrounded the three.

Iroh's brow furrowed in suspicion.

"Something's not right." Zuko whispered.

Azula suddenly stepped into the room and she walked past the Dai Li agents, coming to standing in front of her brother just outside the ring of agents.

"It's tea time!" She chirped joyfully, however her tone was malicious and held a sharp edge to it as per usual.

Zuko jumped to his feet in surprise and anger, "Azula!"

Azula wore a uniform similar to the Dai Li agents including a matching emerald green bow at the top of her head.

"Have you met the Dai Li?" Azula asked lightly as she smirked, "They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's soFirebender. I just love it."

Iroh calmly picked up his cup of tea, now standing up. “Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'the Dragon of the West'?"

Azula rolled her eyes at her uncle, "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle."

"It's more of a demonstration, really." Iroh replied and he calmly took a sip of the tea.

Tsai had heard this tale before, she knew what was coming. The three of them stood together backs pressed against each other. Zuko glanced over at his uncle in surprise then he smirked slightly and spun behind Iroh, Tsai quickly ducked and summoned her trusty hidden blades ready to attack if needed. The older man jumped to his feet and began breathing fire, scattering the Dai Li agents. Zuko quickly ran and kicked a fire blast at the wall, blasting a hole in it as Iroh continued to breathe fire as he walked backwards, then he ran down the hallway after his Tsai and his nephew.

Iroh ran in front of Zuko and threw his hand out, blasting another hole in the wall at the end of the corridor with a lightning bolt then he jumped out of the hole making a runaway opening and, landing in the bushes below. Tsai followed landing on a similar bush landing painfully on her bum.

"Come on!" Iroh shouted looking up when he saw Zuko had stopped at the edge of the hole in the second floor of the palace. "You'll be fine!"

"No! I'm tired of running!" Zuko shouted back in defiance and he turned slightly to glare down the hall with a determined expression, "It's time I faced Azula."

"Has he lost his mind?" Tsai said jumping to her feet and running towards the palace. Iroh smacked his head in exasperation at his nephew. He reached for the impulsive auburn-haired girl's hand and pulled her back.

"There' no time!" He said dragging her away with him.

xxx

"You're so dramatic." Azula sighed mockingly as she stopped between several Dai Li agents in front of her brother, "What? Are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?"

"Yes!" Zuko snapped back and he shifted into a bending stance, "I challenge you!"

"No, thanks." Azula replied haughtily and she smirked evilly at her older brother.

Zuko growled and shot a fire blast at her, but two Dai Li agents intervened and deflected the blast by pulling up a section of the floor, creating a wall. The agents dropped the wall then shot their rock gloves at Zuko's feet, causing him to lose his balance and place one hand on the ground, which was quickly trapped by another rock glove. Azula smiled cruelly at her brother and turned around as the Dai Li agents captured him.

xxx

Katara scowled as she paced back and forth inside the Crystal Catacombs, stopping a moment later when she heard the hole above her open up.

"You've got company." A Dai Li agent stated then he threw someone down the hole and the person rolled forward until he landed in front of Katara.

"Zuko!" Katara gasped and her eyes widened in shock before they narrowed in anger when the scarred teen looked up at her just as the hole closed above them.

xxx

"Let's go and take Azula down once and for all!" Tsai stretched her arms dramatically ready to go and cut down Zuko's sister.

"I think if we are smart, we can take her!" She said aggressively clenching a fist against her chest. Iroh remained pensive as he processed his own very complicated plan.

"Besides," She spoke after a moment. "There's something of hers I'm itching to give back to her." She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She always kept Azula's knife hidden on her person and was more than eager to return it to its rightful owner. "Come on! What are we waiting for! There's no time to lose!"

"Tsai," Iroh said impatiently. "I thought you less impulsive than my nephew," he flashed her a rare glare that was borderline a scold. She lowered her head. She hated to disappoint him. "You're right," she sighed accepting her mistake. If they were going to do this it had to be done right.

It was then that both made eye contact and saw two Dai Li agents standing guard outside of the palace.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He said stroking his beard.

Xxx

"Are you sure they'll help?" Tsai questioned as they approached a nearby apartment. "How do you even know that they're in there? Have you known all along?!" She said tossing the body of the terrified Dai Li guard that was tied up to a corner of the hallway’s balcony.

"Those who are quiet and attentive can see all, even what may be hidden right before them." Iroh spoke wisely. She fought the urge to roll her eyes. He really did sound like her grandfather. If Zuko knew that Iroh had known that the Avatar was in Ba Sing Se all along he would go fire bananas angry over this.

Iroh knocked on the wooden door and a moment later that onyx haired blind girl that they had encountered in the forest that one day opened the door.

"Glad to see you're okay," she said.

"We need your help." Iroh beat straight to the point. Tsai watched from a couple of feet away keeping watch over the Dai Li guard. Iroh went into the apartment and didn’t come out until sometime later.

“I brought someone along who might be able to help us.”

The door opened and outside stepped Iroh, Toph and Aang and Sokka who looked horrified when they saw the auburn-haired girl standing next to a kidnapped Dai Li guard with her arms crossed over her chest an annoyed look on her face.

“Sup,” she greeted casually not particularly pleased to see any of them.

“Tsai!” Aang exclaimed his tone was more alarmed than pleased. She didn’t flinch when the earthbender stomped on the ground and made two pillars rise from the ground and raise the agent up to eyelevel. He grunted and his breathing quickened. Tsai wasted no time in yanking the rag that kept him silent. He was sweating bullets and already had a cut on the side of his face that she had worked on him.

“Alright, sing,” She threatened flickering her wrist and exposing her shiny blade again. The tip was still stained with his fresh blood.

He gasped and spilled all the information they needed. The guard spoke about how Azula and a man named Long Feng were plotting a coup to overthrow the Earth King. He also said that Katara was being kept in the crystal catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se deep beneath the palace. Which was probably were Zuko was being kept as well.

Moments later the gang had split up into two groups and Tsai was making her way with Aang and Iroh walking through a makeshift tunnel into the crystal cave. She had never regretted wearing a kimono dress more in her life.

Azula… She was truly vile. All this time she had been in control. Playing them like their little pawns. She wondered how long she had known that the three of them had been living in Ba Sing Se.

She wouldn’t put it past Azula to betray the man she was working with and singlehandedly conquer the Earth Kingdom. Whatever was going to happen next was not good. She was much too distraught to listen to what Iroh and Aang were conversing about when Aang made a hole in a tunnel revealing a chamber filled with gleaming crystals.

"Aang!" Katara shouted happily and she rushed forward, hugging the bald boy tightly.

Aang smiled then glared at Zuko over Katara's shoulder, his eyes narrowed slightly in annoyance and distrust. Zuko glared back at him over his uncle's shoulder as Iroh and Tsai embraced him in a tight family sandwich embrace.

"Aang, I knew you would come." Katara said and she hugged Aang again.

"I don't understand." Zuko said in confusion as he looked from the Avatar to Iroh and Tsai and then he pointed at Aang, "What are you two doing with the Avatar?"

"Saving you, that's what." Aang replied snidely and Zuko growled, taking a threatening step towards him, but Iroh stopped him.

"Zuko, it's time we talked." Iroh said lowly then he looked at Aang and Katara, "Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you." He said.

"Tsai?" Aang called for her. "We'll be there soon-" she flashed him a small smile “-And ready to save the Earth Kingdom.”

Aang smiled at her and Iroh and bowed down his head respectfully before exiting the chamber.

“Why?” Zuko observed the whole interaction between his uncle and the red head and the Avatar perplexed.

"Right," Tsai added softly. "You've grown so much and believe me when I say we are both extremely proud of you, but catching the Avatar is not your destiny and you have to accept that." She said in the most caring tone she could muster.

"You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been." Iroh stated seriously as he looked at his nephew. “And now you have come to a crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good."

Zuko's eyes went slightly wide as he gave a step back. His golden orbs bounced between Iroh and Tsai until they focused on her. He would expect this kind of thing from his uncle, but from her? He shook his head. He always forgot that they were both basically the same person. Tsai would always pick his uncle over him. Even now.

"What?" He repeated his eyes turning into slits and narrowing in anger.

"It's for the best," she reached for his hand, yet he stepped away defensively.

"You're supposed to support me Tsai."

Ah, there it was. That hot headed prickly side of the temperamental prince. She looked at him with hurt in her eyes.

"I am," she responded. Her mouth suddenly going dry, she didn't like where this was going. He shook his head rapidly from side to side in denial. She really didn’t like were this was going.

"Why can't you be more supportive? Why can't you see this is the only way that we both get what we want?" He shot back angrily.

"Zuko!" Iroh growled out not liking the angry tone in which he spoke to his girlfriend.

"Not now Uncle!" He barked back rudely.

Even Tsai raised a low hand in an attempt to be polite in telling Iroh to momentarily shush and stay out of their conversation. She had a feeling that this was about more than his inner demons.

"I am trying to be supportive!" She tried to reach for his hands once again. Yet he pulled away again. Stepping away from them. Creating a small distance that suddenly seemed so great.

"I don’t support this obsession because it is going to consume you alive," her tone kept increasing as her temperament reached the borderline of her already split thin patience.

Silence was his response.

"Fine!" She snapped angrily. Her head was pulsating with anger. Blood boiling.

"Fine!"She repeated. Both of her fists were tightly clenched at her sides.

"You know what?” She taunted. “The only reason your father sent you on a fool's errand to capture the Avatar was because he didn't want you. He sent you because the Avatar hadn't been seen in the past one-hundred years and he wasn't expecting you to see him for another one-hundred years- but you got lucky. You got really lucky and it spawned this unhealthy obsession that is consuming you alive!" She finished with more anger than concern in her straining voice.

"The past week- ever since you let go of-of all of this? Don't you realize how happy you were? How happy we were? Didn't you just feel a huge weight lifted off your shoulders?"

Zuko face twisted into a nasty scowl his hurtful tone now matching hers. His tone just as strained, chest heaving as he felt the anger boiling inside of him ready to unleash his infamous temper.

"What about you?" He lashed out stepping forward in a threatening matter. She wanted to stand back yet managed to stand her ground proudly.

"You come down and judge me from your high ostrich-horse. You literally abandoned your family and for what? Why? Because a stranger asked you on a lame adventure?" He tossed a stretched-out arm to his uncle. "Because your grandfather kicked the bucket?" He scoffed ridiculing her life’s story.

She felt a pang on her already aching chest. She fought so hard against herself to stand tall and proud. Her nostrils flared as she gave him a dark hurtful look. Her eyes dull and empty.

"And what about your plan?" He pressed on. "Your dream plan is never going to happen, and you know it," he paused for a moment and scoffed. "Not unless the war ends, and you know that soon everything the light touches will belong to the Fire Nation. The truth is you left because you were bored of your unassumingly dull life in the colonies and that's why YOU were so happy here. Because you could blame our current circumstances as your excuse to tell yourself why you are never going to accomplish anything extraordinary. That's why you abandoned your dream!"

"ENOUGH!" Iroh uncharacteristically roared stepping in between the two arguing teenagers. Both of his hands stretched out as he separated them.

Her eyes were dark, lips parted, her eyes welled up with hurtful fat tears as his words sank into her thick skin ripping into it like painfully dull knives. He had been more than mean. He had been cruel. It took Zuko a moment to realize just what he had done, the horrible things they had both said to each other.

A sudden explosion resounded in the crystal cave when Iroh was suddenly encased in a prison of crystal being unable to move. Zuko and Tsai were divided by a row of crystals with Iroh in the middle. Without a moment to react both quickly spun around and shifted into offensive stances. Zuko's eyes narrowing when he saw two Dai Li agents and Azula jump into the crystal cavern chamber.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle." Azula commented drily then she tsk'd, "But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?"

"Release him immediately." Zuko snapped in reply.

"It's not too late for you, Zuko." Azula continued persuasively, "You can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you." Iroh said firmly as he looked at his nephew.

Tsai had been standing very still. Her heart aching. As she tried to stand her grounds both physically and emotionally.

"Why don't you let him decide, Uncle?" Azula barked then she looked at Zuko imploringly, "I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want and have ever wanted."

It was completely the opposite of what his girlfriend and uncle had just said to him. He was stuck in the middle of two opposite ends. Stuck between good and evil. Right and wrong. Pinned between a wall and a sword.

"Don't listen to her!" Tsai suddenly stepped up. "You can't trust her!"

"Zuko, I'm begging you." Iroh pleaded from where he was trapped by the crystals and Zuko looked at him, "Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want." Iroh pleaded.

"Zuko please!" Tsai begged him. Literally pleaded to him her voice cracking "Please don't do this!"

Her voice wasn't the only thing cracking.

"You shut your mouth you colonial mongrel. Dare you speak to my brother like that!" Azula barked. "Your mere existence is a disgrace to the Fire Nation!" She made a gesture and before Crystals around her moved trapping her in a glass prison similar to Iroh’s. She kept her neck raised up afraid that if she lowered it would puncture.

Azula gestured at the two Dai Li agents, who then Earth bended themselves out of the chamber while Zuko contemplated his choice.

"You are free to choose." Azula stated with a small smirk and she turned, following after Aang and Katara.

It took him a moment but Zuko lowered his eyes his eyes as he walked out of the chamber. A single tear slid down Tsai's face as he walked out. She felt all the air leave her lungs as if she had been punched to the gut. Her heart shattering at his betrayal. She swallowed her pride and her breathing became aggressive before her limbs went numb and cold, suddenly feeling as if they were made out of cinder and stone. Her heart shattering on the spot alongside any illusions of dreams of happiness in the future. She had lost everything.

Zuko had just abandoned the chamber betraying the two of them without turning back.

There was a moment of heavy silence in which the only sound that could be heard were the weak sniffles and cries of the broken-hearted girl.

"So that's what you're going to do," Iroh spoke after a minute of heavy silence.

"Just stand there and cry," he commented sadly. She tiptoed being able to speak properly. "N-No," she let out a weak howl.

"Let him walk away." He continued pressing on like her conscience.

She was quiet for a moment as she sniffled the incoming angry hot tears.

"You didn't ask me to come with you with the promise of adventure," she said. "You asked me so I could fall in love with him. Change him." The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She almost felt broken. A part of her shattering under the crushing cruel reality.

Iroh was silent for a moment.

"I thought he could change. That he would choose good. That he would choose you." He said, his voice soft.

Tsai nodded her head slightly, "Right…" She trailed off for a moment. "I have lost everything," she confessed. "My family, my brother, myself and most importantly my dream and for what?" She cried. Her voice louder angrier dripping with frustration.

"You have your own destiny to fulfil Tsai and it may or may not be alongside my nephew, but it you must keep fighting."

There was a heavy silence between them and Iroh lowered his head. Everything really was lost... It took her a moment for her tears to cease.

"You're right." She said determined. She rolled her eyes to look at Iroh who simply nodded at her, his eyes closed a faint smile on his face.

Feeling a sudden surge of inner empowerment and snapping out of her momentarily depression, a determined look blazed in her eyes. Iroh saw how she came back to life from her depressive wilt. She flashed a blade and began angrily chipping at the crystal that kept her prisoner. Some moments later she was free.

"Alright," she opened her palm stretching out her fingers they each let out a satisfying pop as she did. "Ready? Move aside," she said with a sly grin raising both of her hidden blades. Today they were going to take down the Fire Nation.

“Tsai,” Iroh said her name sagely. “After you free me… I’m afraid I still have to ask more from you.”

xxx

Iroh reached a clearing which was destroyed. Shards of crystal, rock, water and rock and other debris coated the clearing. At the end of one side opposite to a stream right under a prison of gleaming crystals kneeled a defeated Katara. Her eyes reflected a broken soul as she held the Avatar's limp, pale body in her arms. Zuko and Azula rounded her as they got ready to strike without mercy.

Suddenly, a burst of orange fire flashed before them shielding Katara and Aang from Azula's fire blast. Katara, Zuko, and Azula all turned to stare in surprise as Iroh leapt off a ledge on the chamber's wall, landing in front of the Avatar protectively.

"You've got to get out of here!" Iroh shouted at Katara who was struggling to carry Aang to the waterfall, "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

"Very moving uncle," Azula said mockingly. "And your accomplice?" She looked around and did not realize the girl from the colonies was standing so close to her. Right in between the two siblings.

“Right here.” She said darkly.

The siblings turned to face her, ready to attack. Her blades gleaming in the dim light reflecting off the crystals. Her eyes were swollen from crying and angry as she instead ran forwards towards the Dragon of the West. Behind them Katara carrying the Avatar in her arms climbed the waterfall in a body of water in an attempt to escape.

Zuko’s jaw loosened when he saw her raise a blade at his uncle

“Go get her!” She cried out as she dodged a fire ball Iroh shot in her direction and ducked before sliding across the floor cooly and easily reaching her target.

Zuko’s eyes went wide when she grasped Iroh’s robe in a tight fist and brought the sharp blade to his neck. His Uncle opened his mouth and breathed a fierce stream of flames out from his mouth. Azula noted how she shiftily kicked one of his feet from underneath and using her weight pushed against his opposite shoulder while somehow ungracefully dodging the flames making the man quickly collapse on his back.

She had him pinned to the ground a foot stepping on his chest a sharp blade tightly pressed underneath his fat chin.

The Avatar had gotten away.

“Traitor!” She let out a heart splitting roar. Her shout echoing and resounding the nooks of the Crystal Cave. Her breathing hard as she painfully heaved over the older man. Her bottom lip trembled as a lost tear slid down the bridge of her nose. The pain almost too unbearable. Her hand holding the shaky blade trembling slightly.

She was hurt. His eyes were cold as they looked into her dark ones. Tears threated to once again spill from the windows of her soul.

“What are you doing?” Azula laughed cruelly.

“M-My best…” Tsai said in a whisper more to herself eyes wide in disbelief at what she was about to do. It took her a moment to compose herself before she stepped off the man’s large body.

“He’s a traitor!” She said louder finally turning to look at the Fire Nation siblings. Azula suddenly began to laugh and clapped her hands. “Very, very dramatic.” She said with humor.

“He’s a traitor to our Nation and must be punished!” Tsai spoke through a strained breath.

“And so are you.” Azula snapped her fingers and both Iroh and Tsai were once again encased in two giant crystals prisoners of the Fire Nation. Iroh surrendered with honor lowering his hands while Tsai struggled.

Zuko’s eyes darted from Iroh to Tsai in shocking disbelief. Iroh had his eyes closed and turned his head away from his nephew. The red head did the same not wanting to meet his perturbing gaze.

Xxx

"We've done it, Zuko." Azula said gleefully as she plopped herself done on the Earth Kingdom throne, Zuko standing quietly to her left, "It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has finally conquered Ba Sing Se.”

"I betrayed Uncle ..." Zuko commented quietly as he stared at the ground blankly. "And Tsai…" he said a little more quietly to himself. He was… confused.

Her actions. It didn't seem like her. It went against everything she stood for.

The way she threw herself and attacked his uncle like some wild animal. He still found it hard to believe.

It wasn't her. Something wasn't right…

His heart clenched in pain when he remembered the pained look in her eyes as she stared him with a ghostly expression on her face.

"No, he betrayed you." Azula replied coolly as she stood and she turned to look at her brother, "Zuko, when you return home, Father will welcome you as a war hero."

"But I don't have the Avatar." Zuko stated in confusion and he glanced at his sister skeptically, "What if Father doesn't restore my honor?"

"He doesn't need to, Zuko." Azula said in almost nice tone and she put her hand on Zuko's shoulder, "Today, you restored your own honor."

Zuko looked away from her, his lips pursed with uncertainty.

"So," Azula said suddenly intrigued. "Your girlfriend-" She began.

"She's not my girlfriend." Zuko growled out through gritted teeth. At least not anymore. At least not after that fight… That betrayal.

Azula chuckled being the vile creature she was. "The way she came after Uncle. I really thought the fat man was done for."

Zuko remained silent. He didn't want to see her. He didn't even want to think about her.

"So what's her deal? Did she follow you around like a lost puppy from her pitiful colonial life? Hm?" Azula continued to press that hot red button.

"…Yeah," Zuko agreed after a moment. Half of him agreed in anger. The other half lied through his teeth. Despite their fight - he couldn't let Azula hurt her.

It was best to have her believe whatever she wanted.

"Pathetic." Azula scoffed cruelly.

Again, he responded with a heavy silence.

"At least she's got a good head. For a time, there I had her pegged as a traitor, just like uncle."

He'd had heard enough. It made him sick. His stomach twisted with ill feelings before dramatically storming off.

Xxx

The two most infamous traitors to the Fire Nation were being kept in separate cells in the Fire Nation's Royal Navy ship. Both of their hands and feet had been cuffed with Earth cuffs and Tsai's hidden blades had been taken away from her making her feel more naked and vulnerable than ever.

Because of this she kept her body pressed against one of the prison's walls making herself small. She knew that Iroh was doing the same on the other side.

Neither had said much throughout the entire night.

"Iroh?" Tsai suddenly asked.

She kept on replaying the events of the day in her head. Today had started as such a perfect day and had now ended… well like this… She didn't think she could reach an even lower, rockier bottom. “Are you sure what we did… Do you think we made the right decision?” She asked hesitation in her voice.

She remembered the little plan they had crafted in the spur of the moment.

Xxx

She raised an eyebrow, half not paying attention as she chipped away in an attempt to liberate his body from the crystal prison.

“I’m going to ask you to betray me.” He said ominously.

“What?” She questioned an aghast expression of disbelief on her face.

Iroh was suddenly free from the crystals and calmly stepped out. She looked beyond confused and he pulled out a white Pai Sho chip from the inside of his sleeve. Suddenly it felt like they hadn’t played in ages. She took her hand and placed it inside of her palm wrapping her fingers around it. It was the White Lotus, one of the rarest chips in the game of Pai Sho. A strong game chip that could change the entire outcome of any game if played well.

“I need you to return to the Fire Nation…”

“What?” Somehow, she hadn’t been able to wrap her mind around the idea. Part of her felt as if she was hallucinating. Her mind and heart racing. This went against everything she stood for now. All of her growth, everything she had learned about the vile origins and horrible crimes that her people had done. How could she return back to that? She also doubted that they would receive her with open arms.

“What-but- how- I… I don’t want to!” She cried out and suddenly felt like a very small child. “I don’t want to!” She protested in a childlike matter. “I give up! I’ve lost everything already!” The hot rivers of tears began to once again spill down her face.

Breaking him out of a crystal prison was one thing but this-

"I-I can't do it," she spoke, her voice cracking.

“You have nothing to lose then…” he said sternly with a serious expression on his face. One that made her feel as if she had no choice.

“Do you want them to win?” He leaned in.

“N-No,” she sobbed and began to aggressively wipe her tears again.

“Then listen carefully and do as I say…”

Iroh leaned in and together they concocted a plan to sabotage the Fire Nation. However, their meeting was interrupted by a horrifying scream echoed the chambers of the cave.

"That sounded like Katara!" She said and looked at Iroh with panic.

He gave her a knowing look and he sprinted out of the chamber leaving her truly alone.

Xxx

“Tsai,” Iroh said ominously.

“There’s something else you should know.” He said quietly.

Again, he was silent for a moment. She heard him open his mouth and croak out two simple words.

"Your hair..."

xxxx AN: Wow.... This was more painful than I expected 🥺😭 I’ll admit I debated whether Tsai should runaway with Team Avatar and go rouge but it was too predictable. I also considered making her turn evil but it goes against all of her growth so- here we are. We have a spy amongst our hands. Things should be interesting... 👀

FIRST https://gloves94.tumblr.com/post/621142853126602752/sunburn-prince-zuko-1

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CHAPTER MASTERLIST

[akiris]

Some Mailee fluff

This fic is for the 1k writting challege from @fromthewatertribe. I had so much fun writing this and it’s my first finished fic in 2 years. This fic plays in an Modern University AU, I hope you don’t mind. And sorry if the characters are a little out of character, I tried my best.

Prompts used: 9. and 11 (in bold)

It was finally the long awaited summer break. In the last weeks of the semester Mai couldn’t concentrate on anything besides on how to work up the courage to ask her crush out. “Summer break is the perfect time to hang out with Ty Lee without the stress of college”, Mai thought to herself, at least that’s what she thought happened. Azula overheard what Mai said and smirked, “Should I help you? I’m sure Ty Lee would like to hang out with you too.” Mai sighed and answered coldly, ”If it’s real help and not something for you to take advantage of, sure.” Azula laughed and pouted at the same time, “Damn, you caught me. Just kidding! I overheard Ty Lee talking about how she wants to go to that new bubble tea place, you should invite her there.” Mai, typical of her, didn’t react to Azula’s laugh and pouting. “A bubble tea date, huh? Doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I will message her today.” Azula grinded, “Good Luck, even if you don’t need it. I’m glad I could help you!” Azula waved Mai goodbye, as she had her own business to take care of. Mai took out her phone and messaged Ty Lee.

“Hey, do you have any plans for summer break?” Ty Lee replied instantly. 

“Hi, Mai! No, I’m totally free.”

“Good, when would you like to hang out with me at the new bubble tea place?”

“OMG! YES! How about directly tomorrow, at 4 pm?”

“Sure, let’s meet directly there!”

“Got it! I look forward to it!”

Wow, that went better than expected, Mai thought to herself and texted Azula. 

“Ty Lee agreed to go to the place with me”

“Congrats! I told you, she is also into you”

“Maybe. We will see how it will go.” 

The next day…

Mai got ready and put on her makeup. Her cat eye was so sharp it could kill a man, and the darkest lipstick, she owned, could scare off anyone. Maybe not the most fitting for a date, but it made Mai feel the most confident. She threw all the necessary stuff in her purse and put on her bad bitch heels. At 3:55 Mai was already at the meeting spot, so she decided to call Ty Lee: ” Where the fuck are you?” “Space doesn’t really exist, so I’m nowhere. Life is built on social constructs and, since there’s no way to know if we’re really alive or if it’s just an illusion, I can’t be anywhere.” “Ty Lee.” “Yeah, sorry, I got caught up but I’ll be there soon.” “Good. I will wait for you.” 10 minutes passed by and Ty Lee rolled up to the bubble tea cafe on her roller skates. Typical Ty Lee, Mai thought as she smiled slightly. It wasn’t common for Mai to smile, so Ty Lee appreciated every moment she saw the smile of her crush. Mai scanned the bubbly girl with her sharp eye from head to toe. Ty Lee was wearing a crimson red sleeveless crop top. Matching to the top was the white skater skirt with small pale pink and rose colored polka dots on it. Her roller skates were a pale pink as well. The smile on the face of Mai slightly increased, causing Ty Lee to blush. “You look beautiful”, Mai complimented her crush. “Thanks! You also look great”, Ty Lee replied. Mai wasn’t the type to reciprocate compliments, but as Ty Lee was her crush a weak heat spread itself across Mai’s cheeks. Still blushing Mai opened the door to the cafe and indicated for Ty Lee to come in, “After you.” Ty Lee smiled and did a small curtsy, which caused Mai to giggle. The two girls found a table in the corner and took a seat there. Mai couldn’t stop looking at Ty Lee while she was inspecting the menu. “I will take the Mango Milk Tea, what about you?” Ty Lee reached out the menu to Mai. While blushing Mai took the menu and looked at it “The Yuzu Matcha tea sounds interesting, I will take that.” “Noted.” A familiar voice interrupted the two love birds. Ty Lee looked up shocked to see Zuko, who was in an apron holding a notebook with a pen. “Zuko? What are you doing here?” Mai asked nonchalantly. Azula’s brother sighed and replied “I work here, if you haven’t noticed it. It’s Uncle’s cafe after all.” Ty Lee processed all the things Zuko said “Oh my god, that’s so cool!” “Yeah, you could say it like that. Your tea will be ready shortly” and with these words Zuko left the two lovebirds alone. “Azula never told me that Zuko works at this cafe, well whatever, she probably has her reasons,” Mai said something after listening to Ty Lee’s and Zuko’s chit-chat. After 10 minutes of waiting Zuko brought Ty Lee and Mai their bubble teas. Ty Lee was super excited and instantly started drinking it. “Wow, it tastes delicious! I didn’t expect anything less from Uncle Iroh.” Mai smiled at excited Ty Lee and also took a sip of her Yuzu Matcha tea. Her eyes widened at how good it tasted. “You are right! It’s really good.” While enjoying the teas Ty Lee and Mai talked and laughed. Zuko took a glance at the table, where they were sitting and noticed that he never saw Mai smile so much. She must really like Ty Lee, he thought. In that moment Mai noticed Zuko and sent him a death stare, which caused the boy to shift his focus back on the bubble tea he was preparing. It was starting to get dark and the girls were ready to leave. Ty Lee pulled out her wallet, prepared to pay for her tea. Mai placed her hand on Ty Lee’s and with a smile on her face said “Don’t worry about it, it’s on me.” Ty Lee grinded back and nodded. As soon as the girls exited the cafe, Ty Lee hugged Mai and whispered in her ear “I enjoyed today a lot! I don’t mind hanging out with you again.” Mai hugged Ty Lee back and smiled. “I know one more thing which could make this day ever better.” Mai released her crush from the hug and slowly placed her dark-colored lips on Ty Lee’s pink ones. Ty Lee, initially shocked about Mai’s forwardness, let herself lose in the embrace of the kiss and felt the warmth rise to her face. Ty Lee placed her hands on Mai’s neck and broke the kiss for a moment to catch a break. She looked up into Mai’s eyes and said shyly “You were right, it did make the day better.”

[panda-noosh]

Best Kind of Medicine {Zuko x Reader}

  Words: 5k 

  Summary: All you wanted was for Zuko to take better care of himself. 

  Genre: angst

  Warning: mentions of blood and death 

  Notes: another one for my main man.   

  ---

    “Stupid, stubborn, idiotic little prince!”

   Iroh merely grunted at your profanities, his arms still wrapped around his nephews shoulders – his unconscious nephews shoulders.

   You were angry. Yet another plan had been completely destroyed all because Zuko couldn't keep his greedy hands off of his prize for a second; everything had to be moving quickly. Everything had to be granted to him within a moments notice, or else he got impatient. He started making stupid choices, and now it was all truly coming back to bite him.

    He was limp between you and Iroh, his head ducked down so his shock of black hair dangled in his face and over his closed eyes. You resisted the urge to reach out and stroke it away from his forehead; he didn't deserve that kind of hospitality right now. He had brought this upon himself. You and Iroh had told him on multiple occasions that he needed to get some rest, that running himself into the ground was going to have more downfalls than benefits at the end of the day – but the prince hadn't listened, and now he was ill.

   Ill to the point where he had collapsed.

   You and Iroh dragged him into your home in Ba Sing Se, letting him slip onto the covers already laid out on the floor. It wasn't much, but you had done what you could with the resources you had; a few old quilts stolen from the house next door, a flea-infested pillow that you knew he would not be happy to discover whenever he finally woke up.

   He'll have a lot more than fleas to worry about when he wakes up.

   “I'll brew us some tea whilst you get him comfortable,” Iroh said once the door to the house was closed. “Tea is the best medicine.”

  “So you've said,” you mumbled. You dropped to your knees beside Zuko, grabbing onto his arm and arranging him in what you hoped was a comfortable position. His skin was warm to the touch, beads of sweat dotting his forehead despite the slight tremble racking through his body. He was shivering, and yet he was warm – he was definitely very ill.

    You pushed your hands through his hair, brushing it back. His pale skin was taut against his bones, but it had been like that for weeks now. He hadn't been eating well, what with his work trying to find the Avatar plus his new job at the tea shop Iroh was running.

    You wanted to pummel him, wanted to scream at him for doing this to himself. He had been changing – there was no doubt about it. Only a few days ago you had witnessed him hugging his uncle, an action which you had never believed Zuko would ever do in a million years – but he was happier, and he was smiling, and you had truly believed he was making progress.

   And yet here he was, lying in a shivering heap at your knees purely because he refused to take care of himself in the way normal human beings should.

   Iroh finished brewing the tea and came to join you. He settled on his knees on the carpet, folding his legs over one another before gently handing you your cup of jasmine tea, taking a small sip of his own.

   You held the cup between your fingers, refusing to take your eyes from Zuko's unconscious body.

   “You should not worry about the prince, my dear,” Iroh said.

   “Why does he do this to himself?” you asked. “He surely would have felt himself getting sick. He should have stopped.”

   “Zuko doesn't know his own limits. He never has.” Iroh shook his head, casting a glance down at his nephew. Though the old man was trying to keep up a front of confidence, it was obvious in the way his hands gripped the pottery of his cup that he was very far from calm. “Whenever he was a boy, he used to think he was so much better at fire bending than his sister – it took him getting beat to make him realise that he wasn't.”

   “I remember,” you said. “He used to get mad at me whenever I would tell him that Azula was better, that he shouldn't risk getting into a duel with her.”

   Iroh chuckled. “Zuko never got mad at you, Y/N. He couldn't.”

   You closed your eyes, inhaling deeply through your nose in any attempt to bring your nerves down. You had heard those words on multiple occasions – that Zuko was different around you, that he cared for you like he cared for no one else. There had been a few times where that statement rang true. Whenever you and Zuko were alone together, it was as if the world truly didn't exist. He would laugh and throw his head back, forgetting about the wretched state his life had been left in after his exile from the Fire Nation – you had always believed that it was only because ou had refused to let him deal with life on his own, and he was just showing his gratitude.

   But then there were times like this where you believed that Zuko didn't give a shit about you, because that was the easiest excuse to come up with. If he truly cared for you, why was he always so willing to throw himself into danger, always so willing to risk his life? Did he not understand what his death would do to you?

   “I know why you are worried,” Iroh said. You slowly looked over at the elderly man. “You and Zuko grew up together, have seen each other become the people you are today. You are scared of losing the one tether you have to your own childhood.”

   “Zuko isn't a reminder of my childhood.” You looked at the unconscious man. “Not this Zuko, anyway. Not the Zuko who just wants revenge.”

  “Zuko has always had a vicious streak. You know this.”

  “But I haven't seen it get this bad.” You curled your knees into your chest, giving up on trying to find the will to sip your tea. You instead abandoned the mug at the side of you, letting it get cold as you wrapped your arms around your legs and gently rocked back and forth. “All he wants is the Avatar.”

   “He only wants the Avatar so he can impress his father.”

   “That's just sad,” you said. “His father burned him, Iroh. His father scorched the side of his face and exiled him – why does he still feel the need to impress somebody who was so terrible to him?”

   Iroh was silent for a moment. He didn't sip his tea, didn't move. He simply stared at you, the cogs working behind those wise eyes of his.

    He then lifted the cup to his lips, took a long and loud sip before saying, “That is the mindset of a man who has no mind of his own. He doesn't do anything for the sake of himself – he wants to impress others. That's all he thinks he's good for.”

   You bit down on your bottom lip. It shouldn't have hurt to hear the truth like that, but it did. As often as you insulted him and as often as he annoyed you, Zuko was one of your closest friends. He had given you everything after your parents had been killed. He had given you a friendship, and eventually allowed you to feel love for someone else. He was a landmark in your life, and hearing that he thought himself unworthy of anything made your heart ache.

    And so you sat by his bedside, listening to the sound of Iroh's soft humming as the night drew on. The old man eventually fell asleep, but you stayed awake and watched over the stirring, unconscious body of the man you hated to love.

   ---

   “You're awful for putting me through this. You know that, don't you?”

   The only response you received was a brief flicker of his eyelids.

   “Yeah, you're not even gonna reply. Not even gonna wake up to tell me to be quiet.”

    This was met with an even smaller response. Not even his eyelids flickered. For a second, the room was so still that you very nearly convinced yourself that he had stopped breathing entirely.

   You closed your eyes and laid your head against your knees, trying to fight off the urge to cry. You blamed it on your exhaustion. You hadn't slept very well the night before – hadn't slept very well for a number of weeks now – and staying up all night was draining you. But the world wasn't letting you sleep. You couldn't close your eyes without thinking Zuko had somehow slipped into death the moment you became unaware. You needed to stay awake to ensure he stayed alive, and that was all there was to it.

    “I hate you so much sometimes, Zuko,” you whispered into the fabric of your robes. You didn't mean it. You knew you didn't mean it, because the words tasted acidic coming from your mouth, but you wanted to mean it. You wanted to come to your senses and realise that somebody who would willingly put you through all of this stress could not possibly want the best for you.

    “Why can't you just learn to leave things alone?” you said. “It would be doing us all a favour, but you're so god damn stubborn that you don't see that. You just see what you want and screw what everyone else thinks.”

   You paused. It was your own voice echoing back at you. Zuko wasn't replying. Not even Iroh was shifting from his slumber. You were talking to yourself.

   You closed your eyes and bundled yourself into an even tighter ball, as if doing so would somehow help you disappear from view completely; the past few weeks had been difficult, and Zuko's sudden change in health had done little to help.

   You gently placed the back of your hand against his forehead. His fever was definitely disappearing, but he was still far too warm for you to feel comfortable leaving him unattended. Perhaps you could wake up Iroh, get him to sit and keep watch for a little while whilst you got some rest.

   As soon as the thought entered your mind, you were banishing it.

   You weren't staying awake to keep watch. You were staying awake in case he died. If Zuko died, you didn't want to be sleeping when it happened.

    So you stayed awake, patting at his sweat-soaked forehead every now and then, hoping and praying that he would somehow feel your presence beside him, that he would wake up just because it was you there and nobody else; a stupid thing to hope for, but one that replayed in your head nonetheless.

   ---

   The room had shifted.

    Looking around, there was very little to give away your whereabouts. You recognised a few artefacts from the room you had once been sat in – Iroh and Zuko were still with you, and there was still a pile of cloth upon a wooden floor that you were using as a pillow. The walls were decorated with black tapestries, giving the room a darkened effect that weirdly reminded you of Halloween night back at the fire temples. How the moon would glow through the windows, the sound of laughing children drifting in from the open windows.

   That was a pleasant experience. This gave off a more sinister aura.

   You slowly sat up and looked around. Iroh was still sleeping on a pile of cloth in the corner, his back to you. Zuko, on the other hand, was wide awake, sat bolt upright in the quilts he had once been unconscious beneath. His golden eyes were dark, darting around the room. Sweat still dripped off of him, and his hands were trembling.

   You were by his side in seconds. You grabbed onto the back of his neck, inspecting his face for any sign of damage – and there was so much of it. His expression was littered with the stuff, a harsh and stern glower that greatly put you off. You kept a grip on his neck, though, refusing to look away until you could deduce what was wrong.

   Because something was wrong.

   “Zuko,” you said. Your voice didn't sound like yours. It was distorted, echoing in your head. “Zuko, you shouldn't be up. What's wrong? What do you need?”

    His hand reached out, trembling as it gripped your throat. You didn't move. You simply stared down at him, mouth open, words dying at the curl of his fingertips. He didn't add any pressure, his fingers simply staying limp by the base of your throat, glittering over your flesh like butterflies.

    “Dying,” he suddenly gargled out. “I'm dying.” Blood pooled from his mouth, dripping into your lap. You wanted to scream out, wanted to pull away and run as far from this nightmare as you possibly could, but there was no movement in your limbs, no feeling at all. You could only stare at him with wide and terrified eyes, watch as his skin seemed to melt away from his bones entirely, as if he had been dipped in acid and this was what was left behind.

   His fingers stilled on your throat all of a sudden. There was a tiny pinch of his fingernails, but not enough to cut off any air.  

   And then he was gasping, crying your name to the high heavens, thrashing his free arm around like it had a mind of its own. Your eyes widened further. You tried to reach out and grab for him, tried to get him to calm down, but there was no feeling. You could barely breathe, let alone move to help him.

    His eyes rolled into the back of his head. His grip slackened on you completely. Your name fell from his lips one final time before he was thumping back against the pile of quilts. Without even touching him, you knew his pulse now ceased to exist.  

   You knew Prince Zuko now ceased to exist.

  ---

    “Y/N!”

  “Zuko!”

   His name was ripped from your lips forcefully. You shot forward, following them into reality. Sweat beaded the back of your neck, made your hair stick to the flesh in a way that had you cringing, but it was the least of your worries at the moment.

   It had been a dream, a nightmare. Zuko was okay. He had to be okay.

   Your head snapped around. Iroh was kneeled beside you, one hand pressed to your forehead whilst the other held a mug of jasmine tea that he immediately tilted into your mouth. You choked against it, but managed to swallow past the panic rising in your throat.

   “Is he awake?” you asked, being unable to see the prince past Iroh's bulk.

   “I'm awake.”

   His voice came out weak, barely there. He always had a scratch to his tone, but this time he sounded almost unrecognisable.

   You cried out, pushing past Iroh to slide to Zuko's bedside. He was awake, eyes open and staring at you in both a mixture of shock and confusion; you would explain everything to him later, you silently promised, but for now, you needed to make sure he was okay. You needed to make sure that the nightmare you had just experienced hadn't somehow come to life.

   Before the prince could complain, you pressed your fingers to the base of his throat and felt for a pulse. It was clear he wasn't dead, but you wanted to be safe, as if his open eyes and heavy breathing wasn't evidence enough of his well state.

    “Oh, thank god,” you whispered when your fingers brushed against the thumping in his throat.

   He reached up and grabbed your wrist, snatching it down to press against his chest. ��What were you yelling about?”

   You ignored his question, instead choosing to unbutton his sweat-soaked shirt and get to work with stripping him off. “Are you not boiling?”

   Zuko spluttered when your hands brushed against his freshly-bared chest. “I'm fine, Y/N, but you didn't sound fine whenever you were-”

   “I was asleep,” you scoffed. “I couldn't have been better if I was in a medical ward. Now, let me take this shirt off before it starts sticking to you.”

   “You're lying to me.” He tugged on your wrist, forcing you to look him in the eyes. “I can always tell when you're lying, Y/N.”

   You pried your hand out of his grip, glaring right back at him. “It was nothing, Zuko. We have bigger things to worry about than my nightmares.”

   “You had a nightmare?”

  “Just a small one.”

   “That included me?”

   You raised a brow, fighting the heat that was rising to your cheeks. “What makes you say that?”

   “You called out my name.”

  Your hands stilled on the button his shirt. He looked up at you, knowing full well he had caught you. You swallowed and slowly started trailing your hands down the buttons again. You didn't speak until you were shoving the shirt off of his shoulders and gripping it tightly, him now sat bare-chested in front of you with that stupid grin appearing on his face; oh, how you wanted to smack him. You wanted to put him in his place, remind him that just because he was prince, didn't mean he was special.

   You wanted to kiss him even more, though.

   You refrained from doing so with the presence of Iroh just behind you, watching over the two of you with a fond smile on his face.

    “My name, Y/N,” Zuko said, snapping you back to reality. “Was I the main focus of your nightmare?”

   “You usually are,” you grumbled. “You certainly give me lots of material to have nightmares about.”

   Zuko chuckled shortly. His throat still sounded raw. “Is that a compliment?”  You gritted your teeth and pushed at his forehead, shoving him back into the quilts. He smiled up at you, but didn't make another move to follow when you stood up and started across the small living room. You tossed his shirt into a bag, zipped it up and said, “I'm gonna go down to the lake to wash some clothes. Iroh, make sure he doesn't follow me.”

   Iroh nodded. “He will not be let out of my sight!”

   With one final glance in the princes direction, you grunted and walked out the door.

   ---

    The lake was peaceful, a good change of scenery from the depressing atmosphere of the house you had just escaped from.

   It wasn't crowded today. There were a few children playing with boulders on the other side of the lake, but that was all you could see. You settled down on the riverbank, tugged the clothes from your bag and started the washing, thinking about everything that had just happened.

   You didn't want to think about it, of course. Zuko was just trying to wind you up, probably couldn't care less about what it was you had dreamed about; he was just trying to get a reaction out of you and, as always, you had given him one.

   But the nightmare had startled you, whittled your willpower down to nothing. You needed to yell at somebody, and if Zuko was giving you a free pass to yell at him, you were going to take it the first chance you got.

   You didn't hear the approaching footsteps over the sound of the swishing water. It was only whenever a hand was placed on your shoulder did you snap up, winding around with the reflexes that the Fire Nation had raised you to have. Your elbow slapped against the culprits throat, knocking them to the ground before they had a chance to say anything, before you even had the chance to see who it was.

   You were on top of them in seconds, one hand wrapped around their throat whilst the other held their arm in the air, stopping them from attacking you.

    But then you looked down and met the golden eyes of Prince Zuko.

   It didn't matter how close you were to the prince, or how long you had known him – he was still the prince. You had still been raised on the rules of respecting royalty; to see that you had just injured the prince of your home land was startling enough for your eyes to widen and for you to scramble off of him in a matter of seconds.

   He grunted, gripping his ribcage. “I didn't mean to scare you.”

   “What are you doing out here?” you hissed, scrambling onto your knees. You refused to touch him; you had only left him a few minutes earlier, and he hadn't been in good shape then. “Did Iroh actually let you leave?”

   “I don't need my uncles permission to do anything,” Zuko hissed. He propped himself up on his elbow and winced at the movement. “God, you winded me.”

   “Apologies,” you grumbled. “But it's what you deserved. Now what are you doing here?”

   “Is it not obvious?” You didn't reply. Zuko sighed. “I was looking for you.”

   “Well you've found me!” you chirped. “Now you can go back to the house and get under the covers like you're supposed to.”

  “Are you trying to give me orders, Y/N? The prince of the Fire Nation?”

  You quirked a brow. “You're gonna pull the power card on me?”

  “If it works.”

   You scoffed. “What do you want, Zuko?”

   “For you to tell me the truth.”

  “About?”

    “That nightmare you had.”

   You blinked. The nightmare. He was still thinking about it.

   “I've already told you the truth,” you lied. “It wasn't a big deal. You don't need to keep going on about it.”

   “Yes, I do. You're my friend.”

   “I'm the help.”

   Zuko's eyes darkened. He had never liked hearing you put yourself down like that, never liked it whenever you claimed you were nothing more to him than an advantage to his plans. A part of you knew it wasn't true. Zuko showed he cared about you on numerous occasions through numerous different methods, but there was still that part of you that lived in the slums of the Fire Nation, whose parents had been killed, who had been dragged to the palace to live a life where they did nothing but serve the people above them; whenever you were locked in that mindset, it left little room to think of yourself as anything other than that – help. A prop for other people to use.

   “You called out my name in your sleep,” said Zuko. “What was I doing in the nightmare?”

   “Nothing.”

    “Was I hurting you?”

    “No.”

   “Was I annoying you?”

   “No. That only really happens when I'm awake.”

  Zuko tilted his head. “Was I pleasuring you?”

   You choked on air. “Absolutely not.”

    “And yet you're getting incredibly flustered at the idea.”

  “Yes, because you've just suggested-”

   “What was your nightmare about, Y/N? What was I doing?”

  “You were dying, Zuko!”

   Again, the words were ripped from your lips, only they echoed this time. Repeated in loose spirals as they bounced off of the trees around you, repeated in the squawks of the birds flying high above your head – you couldn't take them back now. They had been said, and Zuko knew the truth.

   “You were dying,” you repeated, softer this time. “There was nothing I could do about it, either. You were saying my name, asking for help, and I couldn't do anything.”

   Zuko blinked. His skin had paled even further, his mouth open only slightly. You clenched your eyes shut, dug your fists into your temples in any attempt to get the horrific image of Zuko's dying form out of your head, but it was no use. Every time you looked at him, that was all you could see; the blood draining from between his teeth, landing in your lap as your body went static.

   “Dying,” he parroted. “You dreamed about me dying?”

  “I had a nightmare about you dying,” you corrected. “You may annoy the hell out of me the majority of the day, Zuko, but I would never wish you dead. You're my best friend.”

   “I'm quite disappointed that you thought I was weak enough to die at the hands of a mere fever.”

   You rolled your eyes. “I'm not kidding, Zuko. It was scary.”

 “It wasn't real.” He slid closer to you. His knee hit against your own, and you could feel the warmth of his fevered skin mingling with your cold aura. He very rarely did this – showed any form of care for another human being, but you had prided yourself on the fact that you were one of the few people with whom he didn't entirely mind being touchy with.

    “That's not what I thought when I was dreaming about it,” you grumbled.

   His hand was on your leg before you could comprehend he had even moved. You stiffened beneath his touch, didn't pull away. “I truly appreciate your concern for my well-being, Y/N, but it's going to take a lot more than a fever to kill me. Much, much more.”

   “Good.”

   He raised a brow. “That's all that happened in your dream? I just died?”

   “You tried to strangle me but you were too weak to do it.”

  “Another unrealistic thing – first of all, I would never strangle you. Second of all, if I did, I wouldn't be too weak to do so.”

   You scoffed and nudged his shoulder with your own – this was nice. The air around you had settled into one of serenity, leaving you feeling ten times lighter now that Zuko had been made aware of the nightmare you had had about him. If he found it strange that you had pictured him dying, he wasn't showing it. In fact, for the first time in weeks, Zuko almost looked amused.

   “I'm serious,” he said. “I really do appreciate your concern. But I'm okay.”

   You swallowed thickly and glanced over at him. He was looking directly at you, a small smile adorning his face – such a rare expression for him to wear, but one that had your heart racing whenever it was there.

   “Please keep yourself out of trouble from now on. For my own sanity.”

  “I don't know,” Zuko hummed. “I quite enjoyed hearing you yell my name out like that – but I suppose there's other ways to make you do the same thing without getting myself hurt.”

   Your eyes widened. Zuko slowly leaned forward as if he were asking permission – what had happened? What had suddenly switched to make him say such a thing?

   Oh, you didn't care.

    The way he leaned in so slowly had suddenly driven you crazy, and before you could stop yourself, you were winding your hands in the fabric of his robes and tugging him towards you with a ferocious pull. He stumbled slightly, catching himself on one hand to avoid crushing you. His other hand curled around your middle, gently lowered you onto your back in the grass so he was hovering over you, his lips pressed against yours, his body even closer. Everything was ablaze. You were Fire Nation, a prince and a victim forgetting about the world around you as you basked in each others presence after so long of dancing around one anothers advances.

   But he was here now. You had him. Your hands were tangled in his sweat soaked hair. You could see down the low neck of his shirt, and didn't waste a single moment in letting one hand fall from the back of his neck to travel down and run along his collar bones.

   He grunted against the sudden touch, his grip tightening on your waist to draw you closer to him. You obliged, wanting nothing more than to feel his body crushing against yours at last.

   The kiss was broken only when you needed air.

   Your head fell back against the grass, a pant escaping you that Zuko mimicked as he stared down into your eyes. You wanted to pull him back towards you, savour this moment of peace once again, but he looked so ethereal right now, so unlike the Zuko you were used to – and it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. His hair was dishevelled, that perfect prince look thrown out of the window, his lips swollen in a way that you knew would get him a warning if he were back at the Fire Nation palace.

    You smiled up at him. He smiled back.

    “Well, Prince Zuko-”

   “No,” he said, stopping you in your tracks.

   “What? Did I do something wrong?” You started moving beneath him, trying to sit up, but he pressed his chest to your own and ever-so-gently eased you back into the grass.

   He let his forehead drop forward, clipping with your own. “Not Prince Zuko. Say my name properly.”

    You inhaled deeply, wound your arms around his neck and whispered, “Zuko,” into his ear. He closed his eyes, shuddered and pressed a feather light kiss to the space just below your ear, sealing the moment forever.

[grither55]

The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic) - Chapter 36 - A Talk Between Family

The commandeered airship soared over the oceans waters while chaos was underway in the bowels of the ship.

Sokka and Aang were seated a distance away from Katara while they watched with fury in their eyes as Katara released a sorrowful cry while they treated her maimed arm.

"They're gonna pay for this!" The tactician yelled out with tears in his eyes while the monk placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Please Sokka. I am just as angry as you. But we need to try to stay calm right now. For Katara!" The Avatar reasoned with tears in his own eyes while his friend hid in the palm of his hand.

"I know Aang. But it's not that easy." Sokka mumbled with a hand over his face while Aang nodded in agreement.

'I have failed once again! Toph is missing! Iroh lost an eye! And…and Katara! I swore on Bumi's name that I would stop the Fire Nation! I can't…I can't let this girl prevent me from defeating Azula and the Fire Lord! There must be something I can do to defeat her!' Aang thought with his palms clasped in his lap while his fretful eyes stared down at his feet.

All the while Pakku sat across from them slumped over in a chair watching the scene with pain-stricken eyes.

After many weeks of Zoe's torture, he wanted nothing more to pass out in a warm bed.

But he couldn't!

Not until he knew that his granddaughter would be okay!

The medical team worked furiously at their task while Zuko gazed in from the glass window with enraged golden eyes.

His disabled arm was now in a bandaged sling and he could only clench his fist in his anger at the sight before him.

'Azula! If you hadn't had struck Katara in the shoulder she wouldn't been torn apart by the landmine!' The former prince thought with his fists tightening at his hip before turning to storm down the hall.

Mere moments later he come to a stop before another room to see his uncle seated in a chair with a bandage wrapped around the left side of his face.

"Uncle…are you…" Zuko trailed off with the words dying in his throat while Iroh turned to smile back at him.

And seated before the wounded man was two steaming cups of tea.

"I will be fine Prince Zuko. It's just only an eye." Iroh assured only for his nephew to stare at him incredulously.

"Just an eye!" The former prince shouted with flames burning at the fingertips of his good hand while the older man reached out to grasp his cup of tea.

"Look at the bright side. Now we share the same location for our battle scars." The Dragon of the West stated before taking a sip of his tea while his nephew glowered down at him.

"You're quite carefree. Considering that Azula now has the power to not only rival Aang…but completely neutralize him whenever that girl is in her presence! On top of that we now have to deal with Azula's bloodhound chasing us everywhere we go! And that isn't even getting into what she did to Katara!" Zuko exclaimed in a furious voice with his fist balling up in his anger while Iroh now gazed down solemnly into his tea.

"I…am aware of the gravity of our situation. I am just…relieved to see have you back." Iroh commented in a softer voice while Zuko stared down at him with guilt ridden golden eyes.

"I…apologize Uncle. Both for losing my temper now and…before." The former prince muttered with shame in his eyes once more.

"And I will say once more that there is nothing to forgive." The Dragon of the West assured while he stared at his nephew taking a seat opposite of him.

"Once my father realizes what that girl can do…" Zuko spoke in an unnerved voice while Iroh nodded glumly.

"There will be no stopping my brother then." Iroh agreed with a heavy sigh before taking another calming drink of his tea.

"Where…did she come from? Why would such a power reappear now after so nearly two thousand years? It's…like she just popped out of nowhere!" The former prince lamented with frustration in his voice while his uncle gazed into his tea.

"It does certainly seem that way. I have a hunch…that the only person who would know of her origins would be your sister." The Dragon of the West replied with another sigh while his nephew scowled at the steel flooring.

"And now that Azula is aware of it. You can bet that she is going to keep that girl by her side at all times. There won't be a single chance to remove her from her side." Zuko spoke with a sliver of fear in his eyes before he found himself reaching out for the spare cup of tea.

"From the sound of it…this Elle has already spent a great deal of time with Azula…much more than most would care for." Iroh remarked with a frown while Zuko nodded in agreement.

"Toph told us that she met her a few weeks ago…wandering the Fire Nation. And then we saw her again that village without Azula. After this…Azula won't allow her to walk free anymore." The former prince grunted before taking a relieving drink of the tea.

At the mere mention of Toph the two gazed down into their teacups with worried expressions on both of their faces.

"Uncle…about Toph…. how will we…?" Zuko inquired with a tilt of his head while Iroh met his gaze.

"Appa left in search of her just moments ago. It's far too risky for us to attempt to approach the island when we're all this injured. We can't fight another battle. Not today." The Dragon of the West declared in a serious voice.

"Now that Zoe survived…what is going to happen to Mai?" The former prince pressed with urgent concern for his former fiancé.

"One can only hope that Azula cares enough for her to protect her from Zoe." Iroh answered with a flinch while Zuko stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.

"Azula? Care about anyone but herself? That's a good one." Zuko scoffed with his injured arm falling into his lap while he glared down into his drink.

Although he won't deny that it almost seemed as if Azula felt something for Elle.

But…that couldn't be!

He scowled while he shook his head all the while reminding himself that Azula always lies.

That girl is astoundingly naïve.

His sister has been manipulating her for quite some time now.

Azula put her claws in deep and removing them will be almost impossible.

But maybe…if he gets another chance to talk to Elle without Azula around…

There may be a chance that he can convince her to stand against Azula.

He was snapped out of his musings when he heard his uncle hum thoughtfully with a contemplative countenance.

"I recall the first…and only time where I heard of this 'Component'." The Dragon of the West began with a thoughtful look in his remaining eye.

"Was it…in ancient records?" The former prince found himself asking only for his uncle to shake his head.

"The dragons once spoke of it. I went to speak to them…in search of the Avatar several years before Aang was found in his iceberg." Iroh confessed to the astonishment of Zuko who now gazed at him with surprised golden eyes.

"What…did they say?" Zuko pondered with inquisitive golden eyes while Iroh's golden eye turned to him grimly.

"They did not say much. They said that the Avatar's purpose is to balance the Spirit World. They claimed that the Avatar would return in time…and they were not wrong." The Dragon of the West explained to his entranced nephew.

The older man took a deep breath before gazing up from his cup of tea into his nephew's curious yet concerned eyes.

"The dragon claimed that there was once an opposite of the Avatar…that existed thousands of years before he was even born. This power…was called the Component. The Component's purpose was to serve as a check over the Avatar, to prevent an Avatar from stepping past their bounds." Iroh informed with his eye gazing back at Zuko's stunned face.

In a strange way Zuko supposed it made sense for there to be a measure to prevent an Avatar from becoming a tyrant.

But Aang wasn't a tyrant!

That's the part that didn't make any sense.

His father and his sister are the very thing that the holder of this power would seek to stop and yet this girl is going to assist his sister in conquering the world!

"You see Prince Zuko. The Avatar's power comes from the Spirit World…and according to the dragon I spoke to. The Component's purpose is negation…the holder of this power possessed the ability to tear through the spiritual plane." The Dragon of the West revealed with a grave countenance while Zuko sunk bank into his chair after hearing those words.

"Tear…through the spiritual plane." The former prince repeated with unnerved golden eyes gazing down in rapidly rising alarm.

This is horrible!

Never in a million years should Azula ever be in possession of such a power!

And even more horrifying.

Elle didn't even seem to understand the nature of what she held in her very hands!

His sister will effortlessly shape and mold her to her will!

This poor girl was naively in love with his selfish sister who was quite clearly toying with her emotions.

She was literally putty in Azula's hands!

"It is a grim, grim day. But there is good news." Iroh sighed while his nephew stared at him in disbelief.

"I find that hard to believe." Zuko snorted with his tea cup in hand while Iroh set his empty cup down.

"The girl is young, very young. She doesn't seem to know her own power yet. This gives us time…to come up with a plan." The Dragon of the West explained while the younger man numbly nodded in agreement.

"She may not know it yet. But I can guarantee that it won't take long for Azula to decipher it." The former prince insisted with a glower on his scarred face while his uncle turned to face him once more.

"All true. But for now. Let's handle one problem at a time. For now, let's not worry about your sister…my brother or this young girl. Let's…focus on Zoe." Iroh began with a hardened countenance while Zuko's eyes still lingered on his bandaged face.

"I'll defeat her…somehow. I swear I'll make her regret all of the people that she killed today." Zuko growled with his fists clenching once more in his rage.

"To do that…you're going to have to alter your fighting style." The Dragon of the West spoke with a hand on his bandaged cheek while he cringed from the pain.

"Alter my fighting style?" The former prince pondered in an attentive voice with his blood beginning to boil once more while he watched his uncle hold his head in pain.

"She truly is deserving of her reputation. I…must admit that I underestimated her. Her fighting style is incredibly deceptive…ingenious even." Iroh responded with a frown while Zuko listened in closely.

"She doesn't fight like most firebenders do." Zuko muttered in understanding while Iroh nodded gravely.

"She uses tools that one wouldn't expect of most firebenders. Bombs, grappling line, and swords. Before witnessing her in combat one might think that she is compensating from a lack of skill in firebending. But that couldn't be farther from the truth!" The Dragon of the West exclaimed while leaning forward with his hands on his knees.

"Obviously. Only a fool would think otherwise." The former prince scoffed with a scowl still gracing his lips.

"You would think Prince Zuko. But she attacks rapidly and without warning. In terms of strictly hand to hand combat she may well be even more dangerous than your sister. And as you have seen by the time her enemies realize just how dangerous she really is. It is already too late." Iroh lamented while they vividly recalled the men that Zoe cut down in her vicious boarding of the airship.

"That tool of hers…it's not something I've seen before." Zuko commented before taking another drink of his tea.

"That's because it was likely custom made for her own use. And therein lies the problem. She is purposefully conserving the use of her chi by using every tool that she can to fight without her bending. I suspect that her firebending is no doubt stronger than what we saw. She wants her enemies to think that she is nothing without her weapons." The Dragon of the West remarked with his back against his seat while his nephew nodded grimly.

"She's…hiding the true power in her bending." The former prince breathed with his hands trembling in his fury.

"Precisely. This way if she should ever be stripped of her weapons…her enemies will let their guard down." Iroh concluded with a sigh while his hand slid down from his face.

"So…what do we do?" Zuko asked in a frustrated voice while Iroh held a thoughtful finger to his chin.

"There's only one person who may possess the solution we need." The Dragon of the West replied with a small grin on his lips.

"Who?" The former prince questioned in a curious voice while he gazed at his uncle's smile in bafflement.

But as strange as it may be. It relieved him to see his uncle returning to his usual self.

"Her former instructor…who just so happens to be your former teacher as well." Iroh stated slyly while Zuko stared back at him with surprised golden eyes.

"You mean…she's a student of…" Zuko trailed off with realization in his voice.

His mind was already flashing back to the days when he first learned how to use his dual broadswords!

"Yes. We must consult my old friend…Piandao." The Dragon of the West admitted with resolve in his voice while he raised his eye to meet his nephew's speechless gaze.

"I…can't believe he taught her." The former prince murmured while his uncle nodded in agreement while they gazed back at one another.

Iroh certainly couldn't blame his nephew for his shock.

He himself…to this day doesn't understand what his old friend saw in Zoe to deem her worth his teachings.

He honestly didn't have the faintest idea.

And he likely never will.

[judecak]

Maiko Fluff Week - Day 2

@idonthatemaiko

He inhaled profoundly one more time and tried to remember the correct notes with his fingers, this part was difficult for him, he kept forgetting the notes. The last part came rushed and he made several mistakes. He sighed and a low pitched sound filled the garden.

"Take your time" Her mother told him. "Don't rush it, it sounds better if you maintain the sound instead of change it too fast."

He nodded and tried again. His mother hummed before he started, she smiled and he relaxed. He closed his eyes and listen, he was doing it good, the song sounded calm and sad but the notes were strong. He started to play the difficult part and he focused in his mother hum, trying to sound as she did it. He didn't made a mistake, he opened his eyes while still playing, his mother clapped slowly and told him to keep playing. He did it until he finished.

"That's great!" She tried to hug him but the tsungi horn got in the way.

"Mom" She laughed while see him in trouble.

"We can try together." She took her shamisen and prepared to play. He smiled and waited for her signal.

"Princess" A servant called her from the other side of the door. His mother raised from her place and opened the door. The servant bowed. "I'm sorry to interrupt, princess Ursa, but Minister Katsuragi is here to talk to you."

Her mother frowned, it's odd for anybody to call without invitation. And usually the Ministers came to talk with father.

"I'll come back soon." She told him and walked to the rack with the music scrolls "Keep practicing and we can try something new soon." She showed him a scroll, he didn't knew what song was but probably he was going to enjoy it.

He nodded and went back to face the garden, she always played looking at the nature, she said it help her to do it better. He took a sip of his tea, she took tea to refresh her throat too, once he finished, he took a deep breath and started to play again, replaying his mother hum in his head. He moved his feet to keep the beat. He was doing good, the difficult part was approaching soon.

"You should show that to father, Zuzu" He stopped playing.

"What're you doing here, Azula?" He got annoyed and leave the tsungi horn in the floor.

"Why we can't admire your abilities, dear brother?" Azula didn't liked music she thought it's a waste of time, so he knew she was mocking him.

"I like it" The weird girl who always made acrobatics said. "It's a very nice song." He didn't know how to answer.

Azula cocked her brow. "See, you should show father that at least you're good at this." She always had to remind him that he was not as good as her in firebending. "Maybe he will let you play at Court."

He blushed.

"That'll be fun!" Her friend made a cartwheel.

"You could perform while he plays, Ty Lee." Azula entered the room with her friends without asking permission, almost kicking the tea pot.

"And you can play the koto." Ty Lee suggested to the silent one.

"You play?" He asked her. She denied with her head.

"She does." Azula confirmed and her friend seemed irritated. "Ty Lee plays sakuhachi."

"I'm not good." She the silent one murmured, he got disappointed.

"You can play the shamisen, Azula" Ty Lee said pointing the instrument in the floor.

"I don't need to waste my time with stupid things." She commented but she took the tsungi horn in her hands.

"They're not stupid." He barked, she knew their mother loved music.

"You see the Fire Lord playing some instrument?" she challenged him. His grandfather didn't like music but he liked Noh.

"Uncle plays tsungi horn! Lu Ten Sakuhachi! Grandfather is proud of both" He replied exasperated "and they're better firebenders than you!" Her friends gaped.

"For now!" She replied with angriness "And father it's better than both, he doesn't waste his time with instruments." She threw the tsungi horn to her right, her smiling friend quickly avoid it doing a somersault, however she didn’t calculate the space and hit the rack with her feet while landing, the rack and the scrolls came down over her. The silent girl and he tried to help her but collided with their shoulders, he stomped on something and someone screamed while he tried to stop the rack falling down over the girl. Something kicked him from behind and he almost lose his balance. Azula helped him to keep standing before push the rack to its original place.

The smiling girl was hunched and she whined while rubbing her hand. The silent girl had felt on her back and she had a painful gesture in her face.

"Look what have you done!" Zuko scolded his sister while kneeling near the silent girl. Azula opened her mouth to retort. "Go for the healer!" He helped the girl to roll on her side. "Are you alright?" He asked to the smiling girl. She still was opening and closing her hand.

"You step on my hand." She complained.

"I'm so sorry." He apologized.

"I know you didn't meant to." She smiled "And you stopped the rack."

"I helped too." Azula chimed.

"Go, Azula!"

"I'm fine" The girl on the floor said, still she keep her eyes closed and her hand in her back.

"You..." Azula started.

"Go!" He order her, she looked at the girl in the floor then the smiling girl rubbing her head and grunted before going out.

"Fine!" She pouted.

The smiling girl stood up and followed her, he didn't try to stop her.

"I said I was fine." He helped her to sit with her back in the nearest wall. She looked at him with an irritated expression.

He sighed. "I'm sorry" He apologized. She wrinkled her nose. "I hurt you."

She rolled her eyes. "It's an accident." She shrugged. He sat beside her.

She looked at the garden.

"Where does it hurt?" He played with his hands. She inhaled air and slowly blinked. Perhaps it's a place she couldn't tell him. "Are you still in pain? I..."

"It's beautiful" she suddenly said and he felt at loss. "The song was beautiful." She side glanced him.

He smiled.

"Sad but beautiful."

"It's" He told her, she turned her attention to him. "Mom says the song is about a man that remembers when someone took away the one he loved."

"Why he didn't stop them?"

He shrugged. "I don't know" She blinked. "Maybe he was overpowered" To tell the truth he had never really thought about it.

"Did he find her?"

"I never asked." He confessed feeling a bit stupid under her gaze. "You play koto then?"

She sighed. "Mother says it's what a lady should do" she answered dispassionately.

"I like it, mother does too." He smiled at her. "But she prefers to play the shamisen." She raised a brow and she moved some of her fingers. "I know it's not an ordinarily selection." Some people considered the shamisen and instrument for the common people.

"I think I hear it once" She told him.

"I can ask Mom to play it, we could play" He got excited by the idea. "You could play too."

"I don't like it" She stated, he was confused, he had the idea that she liked music. "I'm not good." she confessed looking at the floor.

"Neither do I" She frowned and grunted. "Mom says it's just practice."

"I hate to practice" She pouted.

"I thought you liked music." She shrugged. "You said you liked the song." She was confusing.

"I do" She stubbornly insisted. "But I don't like to play and I haven't hear a lot of songs."

"That's sad." She grimaced and moved her lips as she wished to said something. "I mean it's sad you haven't heard more songs and that you don't enjoy playing" Now that he thought it, he had never seen her smile, it's difficult to know what she enjoyed.

She stared at him for a while then she looked at the instruments.

"Mother says music is just to please your husband" He made a disgusting face "Otherwise is not proper and shouldn't be allowed, just a low class could consider it as a way of fun."

He was going to retort but she wasn't saying something wrong, the only kind of music his grandfather heard was the one played at Noh's theatre and his father didn't even considered it. He thought that it's a waste of time because it's not useful for his firebending nor his career.

Both became silent.

"I liked your song." She insisted and her lips didn't seemed as severe as usual.

He twitched his lips and almost smiled at her. "Mom likes music, Uncle Iroh and Lu Ten loves it. They have play together." Her eyes lighted or to him they looked like that. "Maybe one day you can come when they play."

"I don't think the princess likes it."

"She did" He avoided her surprised eyes "She liked to sing" He saw her mother and sister coming their way.

"What happened?" she asked watching him at the eyes.

"She firebended"

[thewokewordsmith]

Out of the Lightning Dream

Please enjoy this Zutara one shot that was written as a direct result of my not being able to sleep. 

“You had the nightmare again didn’t you?” Iroh asks.

“Yes! I was too slow.” Zuko says out loud. “Too slow.” He repeats almost to himself this time. It was only a nightmare, but it felt so real. He was a step behind, only a step behind and he was too late. One step behind and he was unable to stop Azula's lightning. He tries to catch his breath but it’s a task that feels next to impossible when his rapidly beating heart will not go back to it’s normal pace and the sound of the blood rushing in his ears makes his head feel as if it’s ballooning in and out. If he didn't know any better he would swear that he was having a heart attack. The thin layer of sweat that covers him almost feels like acid burning away at his skin. Stripping him of all comforting and rational thoughts. It isn't real. It isn't real. It isn't real. He repeats to himself over and over in his mind. It isn't real.

The image of Katara being struck by lightning while he could only stand there and watch plays through his mind over and over. Whether his eyes are closed or opened he can see her lifeless body falling to the ground. He can hear the thud as her body makes impact with the pavement. The sound in his head makes him feel sick. Makes him want to vomit but his stomach is too tight too knotted up for anything to come out. Not real. It's not real. None of it is real. It's just a nightmare.  

Not once since the day he fought his sister has he ever had a nightmare about the lightning hitting him. Even when he tries to think about it all he can recall is a bright flashing light and the pain, and then Katara's hands on him softer than a butterfly. As soft as the day she touched his scar in the crystal catacombs.

When he thinks about Katara on that unforgiving day it's different. At night when he closes his eyes he knows it won't be long before the nightmare begins. The memories of Katara saving him are soft warm and fuzzy. The thoughts about him saving Katara are cold, hard, and sharp. Like Azula's lightning. Like her laughter. That shrill high pitched maniacal laughter that loops endlessly through his mind. “I'll show you lightning.” Those words may as well be burned across his chest right along with the scar his sister gave him. “I'll show you lightning.” She had shown him all right. She had shown him the price of his own arrogance. He knew that his sister was unbalanced that day. Still he had to mock her. Had to go for the hurt instead of the take down. He'd goaded her even though he knew her history of striking out at the very people that he loved most in the world. She'd done it first with their uncle and then with Katara.

“Drink this.” His uncle says and hands him a cup of jasmine tea. “You will feel better.”

He would feel better if he could see Katara. He knew she was all right but he still needed to see that she was all right not just physically, but mentally. What kind of scars that he couldn't see had that final battle with his sister left on Katara? If he asked her about them would she tell him, or did she resent him as  much as he resented himself for putting her in the position where a split second decided whether she lived or died.

He took the cup of tea from his uncle and the cup rattled against the saucer as his hand shook. He was still wound up and nauseous as the memory of the dreams worked their way through his system like a bad infection.

“She is safe because of you not despite you.” His uncle says. He always seemed to know what toxic thoughts were turning over and over in his mind.

“I shouldn't-.”

“The war is over there is no need to still try and fight the battle.”  

He wants to tell his uncle that it's easy for him to say. He isn't the one who has the image of holding a dying Katara in his arms. Her eyes looking up at him full of pain and sadness as she wonders why he didn't save her.

“Why didn't you save me?" Katara says to him in his dreams. "I thought you would protect me. I thought you would save me the way that I saved you.” In the background his sister is still laughing.

“Strike me too!” He yells at her in his dream. “This isn't fair. You have to strike me too!”  

She doesn't. Of course she doesn't. This is a nightmare. His nightmare and to live in a world where Katara dies as a result of his carelessness is of course a nightmare.

“Have you ever talked to Katara about what happened that day?”

“No uncle.”

“Perhaps your nightmare and Katara's nightmare are one in the same.” His uncle suggest. “Getting your feelings out in the open might do both of you good. You wouldn't want her to keep feeling the way that you are feeling right now would you?”

“No. Of course not uncle.” He takes a sip of tea. It's heated to the perfect temperature like always. His uncle knew he would have this nightmare again and was waiting near by and ready to deal with the aftermath. What would he do without his uncle? Besides his mother no one else had ever loved him unconditionally. He was an uncle only in name. In every other way he was a father.  Zuko closes his eyes as the warmth of the tea flows through his body. It reminds him of a hug from his mother. From Katara. The thought about her having the same nightmares about not being able to save him unsettles him. He doesn't want her losing sleep over something that is his fault.

“I think I'll go for a walk.” He says. “Maybe it will help me clear my head.”

His uncle has set out a bucket of water for him. Probably to ladle out a glass of water for him should he need something to drink, but he takes the bucket and pours it over himself to wash away the sick sweaty feeling. To wash away the memories of his nightmares.

“Thank you uncle for always being here when I need you.”

“You are welcome Prince Zuko.”

He slips into his dress robes and shoves his feet into his boots and steps out into the cool night air. No one save for him is about the palace grounds and for that he is extremely grateful. He doesn't want to be seen by anyone right now. He enjoys the way the shadows swallows him up whole. Nothing to see. He makes his way towards the Royal Gardens. The Royal Gardens were always a favorite place of his. His father thought it odd that a boy his age would want to spend so much time among the flowers, but his father never learned to appreciate the beauty of the world. His father didn't care for art beyond collecting it as a show of power and wealth. The Royal Gardens were no different. He only tolerated them because they were home to some of the rarest flowers in the world but beyond that he could careless about them.    

Zuko on the other hand appreciated every single flower in the gardens and the skill and care it took to grow them all. The gardens weren't just a display of power and wealth. They weren't  merely a display of beauty either. The gardens were also a display of love. Just the smallest touch could have the biggest effect upon a flower. One touch could cause a flower to wilt or bloom. Every time Katara touched him Zuko felt like he was blooming because every time she had touched him it had been with the utmost care. It shamed him that he could not claim the same. He thought about all the times he'd handled her roughly not caring if she wilted or not. He had tried to do everything in his power to make up for the times he had not handle her with care but he offend wondered was it enough?

He had risked his life to save hers but he felt it was the very least that he could do. She owed him nothing but still she stayed here in the Fire Nation to ensure that he healed from his wounds properly. Was it duty keeping her here or perhaps something more? Stop it. Zuko said to himself. It was foolish and selfish to even think that way. She was here to heal him and nothing more. Aang was the one she wanted to be with and he couldn't fault her for that. Katara would never be his girl and he had no one but himself to blame.  

He sighed. This walk was supposed to be clearing his head but it was doing anything but.  He should have been focusing on the flowers. He walked along the rose section of the gardens. The fire ember roses were the first to be displayed. They were a favorite of his. The huge blooms were double ruffled like angel face roses, but their petals glowed like burning embers that sparked a fire. Azula had like to step on the roses. Crushing the head of the flowers so she could watch them stop glowing like that of the embers of a dying fire. Like Katara's eyes in his nightmares. When he held Katara in his nightmares it was her eyes he could never tear himself away from. Watching the light go out of them was like having his soul slowly being siphoned from his body. In his nightmares her eyes stared at him but he knew they couldn't see him. There was nothing behind them. No signs of life in them.  Her mouth still open asking the eternal question.

“Why didn't you save me?”

It isn't real. It isn't real. It isn't real.

“She is safe because of you not despite you.” Why couldn't he just listen to his uncle's voice? It had never lead him astray before. Somewhere on the palace grounds Katara was alive and well. She was safe and that was in some way ;even if was the smallest way, was because of him. He sighed if only he could get his mind to fully commit to the idea.

He walked further into the garden trying to shut his brain down so that maybe he could get a few hours of sleep. For a moment he pondered which way he should go left or right when he heard someone weeping. It was faint but it was definitely weeping. Who was out in the garden this time of night? And why were they crying? Zuko turned left towards the sound of the weeping.

“Why did I freeze? If I didn't freeze he would have never had to-.”

“Katara?”

Katara jumped startled by the sound of his voice. “Oh, sorry.” She says. “I didn't think anyone would be out here this late.” Quickly she wiped her tears away.

“You rise with the moon.”  Zuko says under his breath. “Are you all right?” He asks out loud.

“Its nothing. I couldn't sleep.”  

“Oh, well that usually doesn't lead to tears.”

“What are you doing up?” Katara ask ignoring his question completely. She pats the stone bench she's sitting on.“You can sit down if you want to. I don't mind the company.”

“Bad dreams.” He says before he can think to stop himself.

Katara looks up at him. Her face is beautiful etched in the moonlight. Her white nightgown stands out against the back drop of the dark red ember roses. Her blue eyes seem darker but they are still full of light full of life. She's like a master piece painting. She is a work of art. Her hair is down free from it's usual constraints. It cascades down her shoulders in soft ripples. Zuko resist the urge to reach out and run his fingers through her hair.

“I've been having bad dreams too.”

“Want to talk about it?” He asks remembering his uncle's advice.

Katara shrugs. “I don't know if that's such a good idea.”

“Why not? I mean if you don't mind my asking.” He amends.

“It's about that day.” She says. “The day we fought your sister. We never really talk about it so I just figured that you wouldn't want to.”

“Oh. No.” He says.  

“I understand.”

“No! I meant I do want to talk about it. It would be OK if it's OK with you.”

Katara swirls a strand of hair around the ends of her finger and then lets it go only to repeat the whole process again. “I keep having dreams, she shakes her head, no nightmares, they're nightmares about not saving you in time.” Her voice is so quiet that Zuko has to lean in to hear her. “In my dreams you- I have to watch you-.” She shakes her head again. “I can't.” She says and gets up from the bench. “I can't talk about this out loud.”

“I've been having the same nightmares.” He says. He walks up to Katara and puts his hands on her shoulders. “I think it means something that we're having the same nightmares. Bottling up what we're feeling isn't helping. It might even be what's causing our nightmares.”

“The nightmares are just so awful.” Katara says. He feels a shiver pass through her and he shivers himself. “If I hadn't of froze you would have never had to take that bolt of lightning for me.” She breaks down into wracking sobs.

“It's not your fault Katara.” Zuko says and pulls her into his arm. “It's mines.”

“What?” Katara ask. Her eyes are still full of tears. They remind Zuko of forget-me-nots after a rainstorm.

“I taunted Azula and to get back at me she went after you. She knew it would kill me if anything happened to you.” It was on the tip of his tongue to say that he loved her but he couldn't. She was the avatar's girl. What kind of friend would that make him if tried to come in between their relationship?

“That still doesn't make it your fault Zuko. Azula's plan from the start was to separate us.”  

“And I let her.” Zuko said. “You said she was trying to play me and I let her.”

“Only because you were trying to protect me, Zuko and you did.”  

He was still holding her and her arms were still wrapped around him. He may have been the firebender but she felt warmer than him. He never wanted to let her go. He wanted to whisper in her ear how much that he wanted to be with her. Every time they were together they worked so well  together.  

"You protected me too." Zuko reminded her.

"So your sister failed. She didn't separate us she brought us closer together."

“Maybe too close.” Zuko said and stepped out of Katara's arms.

“What?”

“I'm sorry.” Zuko said and stared at his boots. He could feel a blush creep up his face and he hoped that the darkness of the night would cover it up. “I should go back to my room.”  

“Why? If I upset you I'm sorry.”

“It isn't you Katara it's me. I like you. A lot. More than I should. More than a friend.”

“Oh.” Katara says and sits back down on the bench.

Zuko can't bring himself to turn around and look at her. He feels so embarrassed and ashamed. This is not what she came out here for.  

“Zuko.”

“No, please don't say it. I already know. I just hope I haven't ruined our friendship.” Just because things hadn't worked out between him and Mai didn't mean that Katara and Aang weren't working out. If she was happy with Aang then he was happy for her. The truth was that he'd  rather see her with someone else than not see her at all. It didn't matter to him if she was the avatar's girl. He'd still risk his life for hers in a heartbeat. Even if he knew he wasn't going to make he'd take a bolt of lightning for her again and again and again.

“I'm not with Aang. I told him I was confused.”

“Confused?”

“About my feelings. For you.”

“Oh.” Zuko says and sits down next to Katara. “Aah. What uh w-would those feelings be?”

“I like you as more than a friend, but I'm scared. We're so much alike but were also very different. Our cultures. Our families. Our status in life. I like you but I have to think about more than just my feelings."

"Of course you do." Zuko felt his heart unravel like thread and fall somewhere in the vicinity of his boots. He stared at his feet as if he could see his heart lying there. he might was well kick it across the garden floor for the good it was doing him to have it. "You should. We both should, but we also shouldn't live our lives with any regrets. If there's one thing almost dying taught me it's that. I don't want to make up your mind for you Katara and I couldn't even if I tried."

"But you wouldn't. I know you wouldn't because I know you, Zuko. The same way you know me. Every part of me. Even my darkness."

"No I wouldn't. I wouldn't change a single thing about you, Katara. My feelings for your aren't going to change, but that's not your burden to bare it's mines. I'll respect your decision, and I hope after all of this you'll still want to be my friend."

“Good because I want to be your friend and I want to be something more. I want to be your one and your only. I don't want to live with any regrets either, and if I don't take this chance with you I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“It's weird isn't it? How the universe keeps putting us together after every time we get pulled apart. It's like were magnets once we stopped facing off against each other and turned around and actually faced each other we came together.”

“I never knew you were so poetic Zuko.”  

Zuko found himself turning red again. “I'm not. Not really. Just when I'm around you.” He would hardly call comparing a relationship to magnets poetic but he was glad that Katara thought so.  

Katara stood up and Zuko did to. “We should go back now before someone discovers we're missing. She slipped her hand into his. “Walk me back to my room?”

Zuko swallowed hard but nodded. He would have walked her all the way back to the South Pole if she had asked him to.

They made their way out of the garden stopping occasionally to look at the flowers. Katara's long gown came down to her toes and gave her the illusion that she was floating on air when she walked. He could relate. He felt like he was floating on air and might never come back down.

The couple came upon Katara's door way too soon for Zuko's liking. He didn't want this night to end.

“Will you be OK?” Zuko asked.  

Katara nodded. “I don't think I'll be having any more nightmares.”  She stood up on her tip toes and kissed him softly on the lips lingering there for a moment. They were still holding hand and he gave hers a squeeze.

“What about you?” Katara asked. “Will you be OK?”

“Yes. I won't be having any more nightmares either.” Zuko said. “Because my dream just came true.”

[seyaryminamoto]

Yeah why does Zuko treat his sister like that when his entire character and development revolves around him learning compassion and sympathy?

Because that’s what his entire character and development SHOULD revolve around, what most people think they revolve around… but it’s actually not the case.

There are many instances where the show tries to press on that Zuko has become a kind and compassionate man, and those instances are mainly dialogues and quotes. I’ll list several ones that the fandom seems to cry about back and forth, and then we’ll break everything down bit by bit, so I can explain why I think Zuko’s development isn’t about any of these things…

Examples: The Guru

“It’s a new day. We’ve got a new apartment, new furniture, and today’s the grand opening of your new tea shop. Things are looking up, Uncle.”_____________Iroh: “Who thought when we came to this city as refugees, that I’d end up owning my own tea shop? Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you.”Zuko: “Congratulations, Uncle.”Iroh: “I am very thankful.”Zuko: “You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city.”Iroh: “No. I’m thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know.”Zuko: “Now let’s make these people some tea!” Iroh: “Yes, let’s make some tea!”

Day of Black Sun Part 2.

“No, I’ve learned everything! And I’ve had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don’t see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it! We’ve created an era of fear in the world. And if we don’t want the world to destroy itself, we need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness.” 

Ember Island Players

Toph: “Geez, everyone’s getting so upset about their characters. Even you seem more down than usual, and that’s saying something!”Zuko: “You don’t get it, it’s different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself, taking down ten bad guys at once, and making sassy remarks.”Toph: “Yeah, that’s pretty great!”Zuko: “But for me, it takes all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, and shoves them back in my face. My uncle, he’s always been on my side, even when things were bad. He was there for me, he taught me so much, and how do I repay him? With a knife in his back. It’s my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself.”Toph: “You have redeemed yourself to your uncle. You don’t realize it, but you already have.”Zuko: “How do you know?”Toph: “Because I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you.”Zuko: “Really?”Toph: “Yeah, and it was kind of annoying.”Zuko: “Oh, sorry.”Toph: “But it was also very sweet. All your uncle wanted was for you to find your own path, and see the light. Now you’re here with us. He’d be proud.”

Sozin’s Comet: The Old Masters

Zuko: “Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I want you to know, I am so, so, sorry, Uncle. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did. I don’t know how I can ever make it up to you. But I’ll-… How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me.”Iroh: “I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way.”Zuko: “I did lose my way.”Iroh: “But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. And I am so happy you found your way here.”

There’s even a hilarious thing going around in a popular post these days, about his “Father Lord” slip of tongue, interpreting that as Zuko being so aware of the fact that it’s his FATHER who has to be defeated/die… while of course, ignoring the rest of the context. Just the kind of posts I love, as you’ll imagine.

Anyways, with these quotes in mind… what is the main takeaway the general public gets? That Zuko learned kindness! That Zuko learned the Fire Nation was wrong! 

And now I ask… if he learned it all, as apparently he did, where’s the proof of it in his actions? When does Zuko show genuine kindness and empathy towards other characters and people, post-redemption?

First of all, the Guru gives us the creepy Zuko who’s happy and chill after getting out of his emo coma. What bothers me about Zuko in these episodes is that his transformation doesn’t feel genuine to me AT ALL. Zuko made the right decision, he let Appa go, after Iroh encouraged him and told him to do that. But reasonably speaking, did he really understand what Iroh was telling him? Iroh scolds him for not thinking things through, and tells him that it’s time for him to think about what he wants, and who he wants to be, basically. Zuko’s answer to that is letting Appa go, and then fainting, and then coming back to life as a happy boy. Which… eh? He should have changed, no doubt, after this experience… but to this extreme? And this fast?

The reason it feels fake is because you can’t really see him pondering Iroh’s words properly. He had a bunch of nightmares and even then we have no idea if he learned anything from them. If there was any reflection on his part over what he was experiencing. Where he SHOULD HAVE asked Iroh for advice, where he should have taken his seat and sipped his tea while asking Iroh about his own experiences, hoping to unravel what his own path should be… Zuko just got happy. That’s that. That’s how he learned kindness and empathy and sympathy and all that. So he becomes a very supportive nephew, but Iroh doesn’t really understand where that came from, and from the looks of it, neither does Zuko because as soon as the stakes are high again, what did he do? Pick his old life over the new. And that, again, reinforces my interpretation that his “change” was him trying to behave the way Iroh would approve of, rather than him actually trying to understand ANYTHING from Iroh’s words in lake Laogai. Rather than him learning a single thing about kindness and peace and good will towards men.

Second, DOBS Part 2. Zuko gives Ozai a funny speech about how they’ve been indoctrinated in the Fire Nation to believe they’re great and spreading greatness through the war. What an amazing lie it was, he says. A lie he believed in and fought for, directly, during at least 3 years. Yet also a lie he set aside for his own benefit, whenever he so wished (see the Blue Spirit, for instance). A lie he apparently stopped believing in when Azula shows up to drag him home as a prisoner. He cuts his hair and discards his ties to his nation…

… And yet still tries to fight Aang in the Chase. Because he’s got to get the Avatar, despite he knows the Fire Nation has listed him as a wanted criminal.

And he still tries to use Appa to bring Aang to him in Lake Laogai, because this way he’s going to get the Avatar for real and still go back to the horrible nation that issued out a wanted poster for him.

When you look back, all the way to episode 3?

“If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool!”

Point and case being: Zuko, for one thing, wasn’t as blind to Ozai’s war at every point in the show as most people would have you believe. If he was aware of how Ozai wasn’t going to get the world to follow him, to the point of calling his terrifying father A FOOL??? Then clearly Zuko didn’t buy into the propaganda entirely. His actions during the war are NOT for the Fire Nation’s sake, or for his father’s sake, but for the sake of going home already and putting an end to his banishment once and for all. Nothing in the entire show has ever lead me to think otherwise, and I know for a fact that I’m not the only person who sees it this way. So Zuko didn’t really care about the lies and the greatness: it was NEVER what guided his actions, because what he truly wanted was to stop being banished.

So, now that the whole lie thing is out of the way, he tells Ozai that the rest of the world hates them! And yes, they do! He sees that for himself in Zuko Alone… you know, that episode that comes after he’s been out there, stealing from Earth Kingdom people, OUT OF A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT. So sorry, I will always bring this up because Zuko NEVER owned up to this and I have no reason to believe he even regretted it. So… ugh. Anyways, point being that Zuko is telling Ozai all about how the Fire Nation deserve the Earth Kingdom’s hatred… which of course, Ozai knows. He’s not THAT stupid, he just doesn’t give a crap about being despised xD But the thing is… Zuko talks about this like he’s seen the world, like he’s watched how Fire Nation people treat Earth Kingdom people horribly, like he’s learned how messed up his own people can be. 

But…  when did we see Zuko standing up to Fire Nation people who were oppressing Earth Kingdom ones?

The answer is a grand total of zero times. Zuko stands up to a group of Earth Kingdom bullies who are harassing other Earth Kingdom people, and then after revealing who he is, he discovers they hate him even more than they hate the bullies. Zuko also helps Jet steal food on their ferry ride to Ba Sing Se, but who’s he stealing it from? Earth Kingdom people who are oppressing Earth Kingdom people. Zuko didn’t actually see how the Earth Kingdom people hated the Fire Nation, he saw how the Earth Kingdom people hated HIM, all through Books 1 and 2. 

Now, why did Zuko help the people he helped? The bullies bothering Lee’s town had bothered Zuko too, the people hoarding food bothered him as well because he was eating crap while the good stuff was kept elsewhere. Zuko NEVER acted the way Aang did, spontaneously deciding to help the oppressed and downtrodden who needed help out of the good will of his heart. Nope, Zuko worked with others when it was convenient, most of all. Lee only gets Zuko to stay after the bully soldiers steal Zuko’s food, convincing him when he offers to feed Zuko’s ostrich horse at his house. Without that offer, Zuko would have just left and done nothing for these people.

In short, Zuko apparently learned that the Fire Nation is despised… when, as I said, going by his experiences, the one he should have learned was despised was HIM. He’s holding the Fire Nation as a whole responsible for his actions, for his wrongdoings, for everything bad he ever did in the Earth Kingdom. I repeat, the only time Zuko saw Earth Kingdom vs. Fire Nation in the flesh was when it was Earth Kingdom people mad at him for whatever he was doing, be it setting their villages on fire, stealing their food or treating them like lesser than him. The only exception I can think of is when the Earth Kingdom soldiers captured Iroh, and what happened there? Zuko and Iroh fought them, didn’t even reflect on how rightful or not these people were to pick a fight with them, and moved on. That simple.

We never get to see Zuko reflecting on how the Fire Nation has harmed these people so badly. We don’t get him reflecting on his own faults and mistakes often, but he certainly never seems to give much thought to how messed up things are and how the Fire Nation has no right to destroy everyone else. His showdown with Ozai, so very awaited by so many people? It, again, feels forced and hard to believe. It comes after we’ve seen Zuko talking to Mai about how he was his father’s perfect son but then he wasn’t HIM… and aside from that? What else did we have throughout the first half of season 3 to show us why Zuko is seeing the world differently than how he saw it before? He heard a story about his ancestors and was told he had good and bad inside him? Well, gee, that didn’t stop him from displaying his entitled side again by boasting to Mai that he can make anything she wants happen because he’s a prince, only a couple of episodes later. It didn’t stop him from wanting to be part of a war meeting desperately, with the attitude of a tantrum-throwing child.

There are SO MANY CHANCES the third season could have taken to portray a Zuko who ponders things, who pays attention to the world around him and realizes that he’s part of the Fire Nation, that he wants to respect everyone different from him too, that he doesn’t care about nation division but about doing what’s right by the world. Instead, he’s out there sending murderous cyborgs to kill the Avatar, he’s yelling at his imprisoned uncle, he goes to the beach and just picks fights both with his friends and with complete strangers, and throws more temper tantrums than anyone ever should.

And that brings up the really essential question: where, in all three seasons, did Zuko learn that peace and kindness were the answer? He says as much to Ozai, no doubt. But HOW is this his conclusion? Why would Zuko think that everyone should be kind and get along when the first person who always jumps into violence/conflict mode is him?

His field trips do nothing to prove he actually changed in this way, if you think about it:

Aang’s field trip: Zuko is aggressive and angry over losing his bending. He’s not very kind and peaceful about it, as far as I can remember. When they reach the Sun Warriors’ place, he’s clever for 10 seconds and stupid right after again, and when told that they have to be deemed worthy by Ran and Shaw? His immediate response to Aang’s doubts and uncertainties is “Well, we’re the Fire Prince and the Avatar. I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are”. Again, responding with violence to a situation that he didn’t even know understand fully. What’s Zuko’s instinctive response to everything? Violence!

Sokka’s field trip: Zuko may know a thing or two about political prisoners, who knows, I certainly don’t know because the show never touched this subject. Tyrants like Ozai can and will imprison people who don’t deserve to be in jail… but as far as we saw? That might not have been the case in the Boiling Rock. We learn no stories of any of the people in this prison. We don’t have any clue about who they are. We don’t know if they deserve to be in there or not. But Zuko not only agrees to help Sokka break out his dad and girlfriend… he also agrees to helping Chit Sang, a complete stranger, who may just be hella dangerous for all they know (the wikia claims he’s been accused for murder and he says it’s not true: if he’s lying that means Zuko helped release a murderer from prison!). While the Boiling Rock is Zuko’s best field trip by far, it still makes you wonder if he gives his actions proper thought. Does he really want to release Fire Nation prisoners without knowing who they are or what they did to end up in there? How does this count as “peace” and “kindness”? Granted, the kind part is letting the guy go, sure, and what about the part where, if he were a murderer indeed, he might just go out there and kill again? How is that still kind, still peaceful?

Katara’s field trip: I barely even need to talk about this because Zuko absolutely condones Katara killing Fire Nation soldiers, who are/were acting UNDER ORDERS OF THEIR SUPERIORS, all because he wants to be her friend. Zuko, Mr. I’m-going-to-be-the-Fire-Lord-of-peace-and-kindness, standing by and even encouraging a girl who’s mad with grief and who wants revenge for her mother’s death, regardless of the cost. Again… is this Zuko’s peaceful doctrine? What sort of kindness do these actions reflect? When Aang says they shouldn’t do this, Zuko SCOFFS, he MOCKS him… and yet six episodes ago he was rambling about peace and kindness to his father, who of course, LAUGHED IN HIS FACE THE SAME WAY ZUKO WAS LAUGHING IN AANG’S FACE NOW…?

My point… Zuko learned some very pretty words that he can’t seem to put into actions. Heck, who knows if he even understands their meaning. But maybe what he meant was that everyone else should be kind and everyone else should be peaceful, and only when they all are nice and peaceful will he become nice and peaceful too. Maybe.

Carrying on after his speech to Ozai, though: as usual, his conversation with Toph only strengthens my belief that his development was about becoming exactly what Iroh wanted him to be rather than growing on his own and genuinely learning to better himself for his own sake. He says that the play rubs his worst mistakes in his face: what did the play show him doing? Yelling at Iroh, sending Iroh away, and I suppose having a weird affair with Katara (is this somehow implying that having a moment with Katara was one of his worst mistakes? Well, okay then, Zuko… x’D)? I can’t remember the play portraying anything else. Oh, well, growing out his hair. I guess he didn’t like his hair much either. Ah, and breaking Aang out of prison, I’m guessing he’s really sorry for that now, for… some reason?

Point is… the play didn’t show a Zuko who was hurting strangers, the way he often did in Book 1. It didn’t show a Zuko who was treating Earth Kingdom people like they owed him stuff just because he was Fire Nation royal, as he did in Book 2. We were shown a Zuko who, above all else, was mean to Iroh: THAT is his biggest mistake. Or so he believes. His remorse, his guilt? It’s all about Iroh. And that he’s acting the way Iroh expects of him is what makes him a worthwhile person now, basically. Instead of Zuko questioning what deserves to be questioned, we get a Zuko who adopts Iroh’s beliefs blindly, and who doesn’t even act on them entirely. He just tries to talk the way Iroh would, but as I said above? His answer to every problem is STILL violence. He STILL doesn’t think things through, he may have set a murderer loose in the Fire Nation on his trip to get out of prison, he thinks murder is fine and dandy in general… but because he will recite Iroh’s creed he’s somehow all good now?

And when Iroh takes him back, everyone’s happy, everyone’s moved, that’s what he deserves! Well, no doubt Iroh was going to accept him as he did, why wouldn’t he? Zuko modeled himself after his uncle, entirely. He wants to be Iroh 2.0, and he’ll do whatever he has to do to earn his approval. 

But being Iroh 2.0 doesn’t mean having mercy for everyone, it doesn’t mean believing in peace and kindness as the answers to every ordeal. No, it means stopping the war, at any cost, and by doing whatever needs to be done. And that would be fine, but it also means that BOTH Iroh and Zuko don’t care, ultimately, if their other relatives live or die. Iroh never suggested Aang could find another way to defeat Ozai other than killing him, meaning he probably didn’t think there was another one and, meaning, he didn’t care that his brother had to die. He must have seen it as a necessity. Likewise, Zuko sees his sister unhinged and broken, and his reaction is simply to take advantage of her loss of sanity, and after her defeat, to stand by watching her writhing on the ground. Iroh has already told him Azula needs to go down, and that he shouldn’t get along with her. So he doesn’t even try. He doesn’t really need to freak out about whatever his sister’s future will be, because as long as she’s not standing between himself and the throne, he can easily just discard her.

I brought up that I found that “Father Lord” interpretation ridiculous to no end, but I’ll expand on why now: Zuko isn’t “painfully aware” of the fact that it’s his father who has to die. He’s not shown hesitating, instead, he’s shown hoping Aang can get it done, basically. Zuko isn’t particularly worried about Ozai’s fate, and it shows not only an episode before, where he’s actively scolding Aang for trying to find a solution other than murder. And it shows, again, in the finale when he confronts Ozai in his prison cell by telling him: 

“You should count yourself lucky that the Avatar spared your life.”

Does this SERIOUSLY sound to anyone like a guy who was conflicted and sad that his father had to die? I can’t see it. I really can’t. If he was worried about Ozai, if he felt bad about his potential death? That feeling was buried SO DEEP that Zuko wasn’t even conscious of it. And as a reminder.. he has accepted Iroh as his actual father. He outright tells Ozai that Iroh is the one who was a real father to him. So… I don’t know if he’s really that conflicted about Ozai dying. Not when the person who’s most eager in the show to get Aang to kill Ozai is Zuko.

… Anyways.

In short, Zuko’s story was not about kindness, despite what the show would want everyone to believe. Zuko has ALWAYS suffered from a severe disconnection between his actions and his words. It’s something many people have criticized about his character before, and this ask really just ended up turning into a criticism about that, too. Zuko can talk about goodness and honor and kindness and peace all he wants, but when he stands watching his broken sister, with a look on his face that suggests Katara is more affected by Azula’s broken display than he is? You get the feeling he’s really just all talk. That a guy who preaches peace and then goes out to help his new best friend on her vengeful killer spree actually doesn’t care about peace or kindness unless it’s convenient to bring it up. Sure, he poured tea for people once in a while. Sure, he has taken up Iroh’s example and he may become an even better person in the future.

But the Zuko we saw in the show? He’s not changed nearly as much as people want to think he has. His redemption was supposed to be about how he learned better, how he became a good person, and how he’s the ideal Fire Lord for a Fire Nation headed for peace: do excuse me for questioning that, considering that the comics got their start with a trilogy where Zuko was charging against the Earth Kingdom all over again, as if his speech to Ozai had been hollow because here we are again, Fire Nation vs. Earth Kingdom. Who learned anything from the 100 Year War? Not Zuko!

All talk about Zuko’s kindness and good heart isn’t completely unfounded, but the show never developed his best traits the way it was supposed to. And the thousands of times where he shows no kindness, no mercy, where he chooses violence over peace, speak much louder than the handful of times where he decided to do the right thing, for a change. Especially when the merciless, violent stuff happens after he’s supposed to be all redeemed. Zuko’s growth was nowhere near as brilliantly executed as so many people would like to believe. Switching sides while barely changing your behavior and responses to situations is merely switching sides. It’s not a full-blown redemption, let alone is it one based on how compassionate and nice he’s become.