#and whatever makes zuko like someone back is a mystery to us all

[mugentakeda]

this is jet with zuko except zuko doesnt care

[blkgirl-writing]

"The One Where They Share" Zuko X Fem!Reader X Jet SMUT!

Summary: You seem to be friends with Jet. Zuko is jealous and slightly confused.

Warnings: jet is basically your dom, zuko is a bit clueless, fingering, but plugs, DPs, obviously characters are aged up, Zuko's called Lee out loud, because that's what the characters know him as.

A/N: Thank you all so much for waiting for this! As you know i took a well needed break, but i’m back with a boom! Any feedback is welcome. 

"Admit it, I'm the best fuck you've ever had" you smirked, eyes glimmering with sin as you stared at Jet. His amused eyes scanned your form, fingering on your chest without any ounce of shame.

"Okay, fine, whatever. You're the best lay I've had." Jet shrugged, a light rose blush creeping to his cheeks. You, on the other hand, held back a big victory screech, settling for a quieter yell and big gestures.

"I knew it!" You laughed, biting down on your bottom lip to keep from laughing. It had taken days to get him to admit it, you'd almost got him to say it while you were giving him a blowjob, insisting that you'd not let him cum unless he said it, but he pulled your hair, and looked at you with that stupid fucking look, and you couldnt keep him from a release.

"You owe me, ya know." He muttered, leaning into the table the air between you suddenly getting thick. His stare was hot, his hand reaching for yours even hotter.

"I do...? Can't think what for?" You smirked, taking Jets hand in your own.

It was shameless, it was nearly all the time. Zuko stood behind the counter and watched helplessly as the woman who he had lusted over since she had starting coming to the shop. Always smiling at him, always kind, always asking if he could take a break and sit with you. He had, a few times. He learned that you were single, worked at night, loved music, and adored tea. Shrowded in mystery, he still fell. So it was a hard hit when you starting showing up with Jet, the man who had wanted him thrown in jail. A smug look on his face every single time he walked in. It was disgusting.

It was only when youd asked to sit with him one day, without Jet, that he asked what was going on between you two. Youd laughed, taking a small sip from your tea, glowing skin contrasting against the pure white of the mug.

"Fuck no. Jet's my friend. I can't bare to be around him for more than 12 hours, let alone be with him." Your eyes glimmered the the dull light, biting down on your bottom lip, a hint of seduction in your smooth movements. "Does it bother you?"

"No." Zuko snapped back, eyes widening at the 'accusation' as he saw it. Much less flirty than anything. Really, he did a horrible job masking his jealousy for the closeness of the pair. "I was just wondering. You just...seem happy together."

"Trust me, the only reason we get along is because we fuck out our problems." Zukos face grew hot, boiling hot. He wasnt used to women being so blunt around him, especially ones he liked. Especially when they stared straight at him, like you did.

Ever since then, youd seen the way Zuko looked at you when you were with Jet. Longing, desire, shyness.

Maybe that's why you sent Zuko a wink when you went to the bathroom, letting him connect the dots when Jet went after you a minute or two later. Maybe you wanted Zuko to discover you and Jet together, in a strange way, maybe you wanted him to join.

"You're filthy," Jet smirked, holding your hips to the wall, lips connected to your neck. "Eye fucking the tea boy. Teasing me. You dont deserved to be fucked."

"It wasnt eye fucking," you reply, suppressing a moan as Jets fingers dig deeply into your soft skin, forcing your skirt up. "And you want your dick wet, Jet. You know youd fuck me anyway."

"Mmhm, you do have a good pussy-" you ran your hands through his thick hair, tugging at the strands at the base of his neck. Jet smiled into the skin by your collar bone, letting out a small, breathy laugh.

"You make it hard for me to keep my mind clean when you talk like that out in public."

"We were having a simple conversation-" you couldn't help the moan that escaped your lips as Jet slapped your ass. "Be quiet." Jet hummed, drawing back to look at you, eyes blown wide from pure lust. His gaze was sinful, wraking over your body read hot. One of his hands followed his eyes, fingertips trailing down your wrapped shirt, untying the front easily, your chest exposed to the cool air. Jet couldnt help but smile.

"I love your tits." Jet brushed his lips across your nipple, licking and nibbling at the skin.

"Shut the fuck up and fuck m-" the creek of a door,

Zuko stood in the door, hand still on the handle, blinking away the surprise, of that's what he could call it. He heard you, he heard him, and zuko couldnt stop himself from bursting in, no plan in hand. Kick Jet out? Ask you to...

"Ah, Lee." You hummed, turning your head to look at Zuko fully. He was taking a step in, eyes never leaving yours. The door slowly clicked shut, and without a word, he took yet another step. Jet had made no move to let go of your form, but he did remove his lips from your nipple, casting a cocky grin to Zuko.

"We weren't quiet enough, huh? Want us to leave? Join?"

"Join." Zuko muttered, rolling his shoulder back, glaring at Jet. You surprised a wide smile, godsz this must have been a dream. The short haired tea boy was finally asking you. Youd thought it would be a date first, but this is just was just as good.

"Finally grew some, Lee?" Jet stepped back from your body, heat still radiating off of you from his touch. Jet settled by Zukos side, nudging his shoulder.

"Isnt she beautiful?" Jet asked Zuko.

"Yeah, she is." Zuko muttered, licking his dry lips. The two men stood there for too long, admiring your body, who you heavily breathed, your open chest.

"Is someone gonna come over here and fuck me? Or do I have to fuck myself." You groaned, crossing your arms under your chest. Zuko looked a bit flustered, like he didnt know if he should be the one to come to you, but he sure as hell looked like he wanted to.

"Go ahead, finger her." Jet nodded to zuko, or as he knew the man as, Lee. Zuko hesitated, buying down on his lower lip as he looked at you, lust rolling off of his body. His cheeks were flushed a light pink. Zuko nudged a bit closer to you, fingers dancing around your skin, trailing down to your bare pussy. A single finger curled into you easily, already wet from when Jet was teasing you.

"She lost a dare, she's already ready to take one of us up the ass. Shes been wearin' her plug the whole day-" Jet reached out, slapping your ass harshly, earning a gasp from you. Jet chuckled to himself and sent you a wink.

"Fuck-" zuko breathed out.

"Guess that's you, then." Jet licked his lips, sinful gaze scanning your half clothed body, watching as you bit down on Zukos shoulder, stifling a moan as he pressed another finger inside you.

"I've wanted to fuck you since you walked into the shop-" zuko muttered, finger fucking you faster and faster, thumb brushing against your clit. He was so quick to jump into you, so warm and pressing all of himself against you. You could feel his hard on flush against your stomach.

"I-wish you would have,"

Everything seemed to go so fast, his lips on yours, soft and calm, not rushed like how his fingers pumped inside you. His fingers were somewhat clumsy, he was clearly new at this, but his lips against yours, and his dick against your skin was enough to make you xum in no time.

"Did you finish?" Zuko asked, breath hot against your skin. His forehead pressed against yours, hands squeezing your thighs.

"Y-yeah, definitely." You replied, placing a small kiss on his lips. A small, intimate moment in a very rough night.

"Hate to break up your love fest, but do you have a bed, or even a couch?" Jet came up beside you, placing a kiss on your shoulder.

After that, Zuko lead you and (reluctantly) Jet to his bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind him. You gleefully watched as the boys shed their clothes,

"Come here, jet. Take off my panties for me." You winked, looking the man up and down, pausing at his well groomed, throbbing dick. Thick, just the right shape.

"Like what you see?" Jet said slyly, stepping towards your frame.

"Mmhm, I think I do." Jet unbuttoned your skirt quickly, taking your underwear with it. His hands traveled back to your breasts, neading and caressing you. Hos touch was always needy, harsh.

"Common, Lee, join in on the fun~" your voice was low, looking zuko deep in his eyes as you ground against Jets hard cock.

Zuko was fast to join, coming behind you to bite at the back of your shoulder, hands traveling from to your stomach, rubbing circles around your pouch, then down to your hips, grabbing them with care. Zuko nudged you to the bed, letting go of your body to lay down on his thin mattress. He propped himself up on his elbows, watching as you walked over to him, swaying hips and all.

Your back pressed against his chest. Your butt plug slowly being pulled out by the man you barely knew, just to be replaced by his throbbing dick, crecum already leaking from his tip. Zukos eyes fluttered shut, taking in the tight, warm feeling of being inside you. He stayed inside you for a few moments, still, worshiping the moment. Jet took his time to admire your open legs, spread wide for him, pussy glinting from your arousal. Be kneed between you, rubbing his cock against your folds, teasing your clit.

“you’re so fucking hot,” Jet moaned as he slipped inside of you, easily hitting the end of your vagina, pressure from his tip pressing against your curvix. 

They both pressed into you, pumping at different paces, but hitting all the same spots. Jets curved dick hitting your G-spot perfectly with every thrust, and Zukos long cock.

"Such a good slut, taking both of us at a time. So fucking good." Jet grabbed at your hair, tugging your head to his, roughly pressing his lips against yours. A wet, heated, sloppy kiss. "How do you like Lee inside of you, baby?"

"He's so good," you gasped, Zukos hand coming from your stomach up to your breast, squeezing and pulling at your skin. "Fuck, yes, keep doing that-you're so good, so so good, Lee."

"You're...really tight-" zuko moaned, his thrusts slowing as he spoke awkwardly. All of his words jumbled in his brain. "n' you're so soft."

Jet stifled a laugh at the other man, his constant blush, his lingering yet hesitant touch. It was clear Zuko had been dreaming of this moment, to be inside you, but didnt quite know what to do now.

Then, Jets hand came down to your clit, roughly rubbing circles around your sensitive bundle. You whined out at the new sensation. You scratched at Jets lower back, leaving a red trail where your nails dug into his skin.

It was a feeling like no other, their dicks brushing against each other inside you, an intense sense of being filled to the brim. Zuko moans quiet and right next to your ear, hot breath leaving a trail of bumps on your skin.

Jet came in a moaning mess, clutching your hips hard enough to leave bruises. He stayed inside you until zuko came, a minute or two later, his heavy breaths and slow strokes being the only reason you knew he had cum. So silent and gentle. Pulling out of you suddenly, pleasing you a bit empty.

"Come on, lee. Step back and look at how we ruined her." Jet smirked, pulling out of your throbbing pussy, white cum seeping out from both your holes. Pure and utter bliss wracking around your body, the after shocks of your orgasm

Zuko moved over to Jets side reluctantly. He still didn't like the other man, but he did just help zuko get the lay of his wet dreams, and now he was looking down at your sweaty form, glowing like a goddess.

It was unreal, the list in your eyes, your weak knees, messy hair, that not even an hour ago was neat and styled to perfection.

Zuko stepped forward, eyes gazing down at your body, butlingering on your lips. You smiled at him, his messy hair, histired eyes. He looked irresistible. His thumb grazing over your bottom lip, wiping away some lip gloss that speared down.

"I hope we can do this again. Maybe alone, sometime?" You whispered in his ear, far too quiet for Jet to hear. You didn't need the boy toy getting jealous.

"I'd... really like that."

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

TAGLIST: @bucky-blogs​ @toomanydamfandoms​ @spookyeclipsecat​ @lexysclubhouse​ @intothebisonsmouth @mayalovesyou @shadowsandcoldwords​ @samvmgh​ @coffee-addicted-writer @veyloveszuko​ @liosilass​ @duh-dobrik​

[slythergirlimagines]

Life Changing Adventures with Zuko

Summary: Zuko and the Reader get into some trouble when they meet a witch who switches their bodies. The Gaang tries to help them switch back. Pretty much fluff, not much angst! (GIF is not mine, but I absolutely love it!) Words: 5,659   Request: Yes Masterlist

****Also, would you guys be interested in me making a masterlist of all my fics? Let me know!

                    Life Changing Adventures with Zuko

  You should have never come here. That’s what you’re thinking as you and Zuko climb up the incredibly tall, dangerous mountain to see what’s in the mysterious cave.

  “I don’t like this.” You say, crossing your arms in an effort to preserve some sort of body heat. Of course, Zuko didn’t have to worry about the cold and he seemed no more bothered with this excursion than he would be anything else.

  Zuko glances back at you, black fringe hanging in his amber eyes.

  “Just calm down, we’re nearly there.” He says, and continues his climb up the winding, steep path.

    You roll your eyes, but hurry to match his pace. You definitely don’t want to fall behind in this place, but Zuko’s long legs are growing increasingly hard to keep up with.

  You can feel it in the air that something’s not quite right. There’s an undercurrent of something undefinable. Like magic. It hums all around you, and gives you goosebumps.

   Up ahead, the wind whips through Zuko’s raven hair. It also blows his tunic tight against his body, and you can just make out the contours of his muscles.

  Mentally, you slap yourself. Why do you care about Zuko’s muscles? He had chased you and your friends for months, and he had been responsible for a myriad of bad things that had happened to you. You had forgiven him, but you guys fought all the time. Your bickering often drove your friends crazy, and had been nonstop since he arrived. 

   “Life changing adventures with Zuko.” Toph had once called the personal journeys your friends had taken with him. You and Toph were the only people who hadn’t had one, and you certainly hoped today wasn’t your day.

   Zuko stops and cocks his head, listening. You slowly approach him, taking care to keep silent. If Zuko was concerned then you should definitely be concerned as well. Your eyes dart around, but you don’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

  The sun is starting to set, and it’s making this damn mountain even colder than before. The trees cast long shadows over the path, and it all feels foreboding. Subconsciously, you gravitate closer to Zuko.

  “Remind me what we’re doing here, again?” You ask. You’re trying your hardest not to show any fear, but everything in your body is telling you to leave.

   Zuko squints and stares in the direction of the cave.

   “Aang asked us to check it out.” He says in his low rasp. This however is partially untrue.

  Aang had asked you to go check it out, not Zuko. Aang claimed that something felt wrong up here, but he was currently trying to the closest village from being occupied by Fire Nation troops and didn’t have time to check. You weren’t a bender, but you were a capable warrior, and Aang trusted your abilities.

   Zuko, on the other hand, had volunteered the moment you agreed to go. He claimed that it was because he couldn’t have Fire Nation soldiers recognize him, but his hastiness made you suspicious. He was always doing that, hovering around you during missions and tasks. It got on your nerves how little he trusted in your ability to defend yourself.

   “I don’t think we should be here.” You reiterate. “It just feels....”

   “I know. I feel it too.” Zuko says. He turns to you and offers a large hand. Sighing, you take it and allow him to lead you closer to the cave.

   Zuko stops behind a tall tree, and peeks his head around to observe. The tree is hardly wide enough to conceal his broad shoulders, but at least you are in the shadows. You notice that you are still holding his hand, and drop it before he can read too much into it.

   In an effort to look busy, you squint into the dark, trying to make out any sort of object that could be important. Without Aang here it is virtually impossible to know what you need to find.

   Zuko seems to be following the same train of thought as you, and scans the area with his eyes. The light is almost dark enough to conceal his scar. Your fingers twitch with some foreign urge to trace over it. You ball your hands into fists. Maybe you just want to punch him in the face.

  “I don’t see anything.” Zuko mumbles, still watchful.

   “Me neither. I say we go back to camp and tell Aang that there’s nothing up here.” The wind has picked up since you got here, and you’re teeth are chattering.

   Zuko notices your shivering for the first time, and rolls his eyes. He flexes his fingers, and you can tell what he’s about to do from the look on his face. You can’t have him firebend here.

   “Don’t.” You say harsher than necessary.

  “You can’t give that away, especially if someone’s here.” You hastily add. You don’t know why you’re suddenly so concerned about sparing his feelings.

    “Yeah...you’re right.” Zuko says, but there’s a strange look in his eyes that you don’t quite understand.

    Suddenly, the cave bursts into life and a bright light pours through it. The hairs on your arms prickle as the hum around you intensifies. You can practically taste whatever it is in the air.

   “We need to get closer, see what’s going on.” Zuko says, “Maybe this is what Aang meant.”

   You swallow loudly, but nod your consent. Hesitantly, you trail behind him, nearing the cave. The light illuminates the wideness of its mouth, and its seemingly never ending depth. Anything could be in there, but what could be of any importance to you?

   However bad you think the idea is, you know you have to go inside. Something is waiting for you in this cave, and you have to face it.

   You look to Zuko to see if he’s come to a similar conclusion, and you find the same grim expression on his face. Locking eyes, you nod at each other, and start the trek inside.

   Zuko lights his fists on fire, and the flames dance around his knuckles in beautiful patterns. Even though you wish he wouldn’t bend, it’s Zuko’s flames that you focus on to keep yourself from becoming panicked. For the first time, you’re truly glad he’s there with you.

   So focused are you on Zuko’s flame, that you don’t notice that someone is sneaking up on you. You hear the sound of their footsteps too late, and then everything goes dark.

                                ————————————————

  You wake up to a pounding in your head. Groaning, you move to lift a hand to your injury, but find that they are bound to something. That something just so happens to be a warm, angry firebender.

  “Y/n?” He asks, and you can’t help but notice that his usually crabby voice is laced with concern.

   “Ugh.” You groan in response. The back of your head is exploding with pain.

   “Are you alright?” He questions lowly.

   “Head hurts.” You mumble.

    You feel Zuko moving behind you, and assume he’s nodding.

   “You got hit pretty hard.” He whispers. You’re appreciative of the fact that he has lowered his voice. “Good thing your head is so hard.” 

    And there it is. You decide to be the bigger person and ignore him.

   “Hit with what?” You ask.

    “Magic, dear.” Says a wheezing voice. All of a sudden, light fills up the cave again, and you squeeze your eyes shut against it.

    Your head pounds viciously in response to the brightness, and you groan again.

   “Sorry about that.” The voice says again, and this time you can tell that it belongs to a woman. An old one by the sound of it.

    You hear shuffling near you, and then something is pressed to your lips.

   “Drink this, it’ll make you feel better.” She says.

    You shake your head, but she pressed the vial through your lips anyways, and forces your head back.

   “Leave her alone!” Zuko snaps.

   “Don’t worry firebender, I haven’t forgotten you.” The old woman says.

    The sweet liquid slides down your throat, and instantly your pain fades. You open your eyes to a wizened woman with a shock of bright white hair. Her eyes are crazed, and instantly you have a bad feeling about her. She winks at you and then moves away, one of her legs dragging behind her.

    You briefly take stock of you surroundings. The room is made of stone, so clearly you haven’t left the cave. That at least would make it easier if you escaped. The room is cluttered with vials, plants, and random torn pages. On one of the make shift tables you see a large cauldron and a mortar and pestle.

    “You’re a witch.” Your voice is flat.

     The old woman let’s out a shrieking cackle.

   “If that’s what you want to call it! Now I think it’s time you answer a few of my questions.” She says, crossing her arms.

    “We don’t owe you anything!” Zuko says through clenched teeth. You can feel his anger heating his body from where your backs touch.

   “No?” She says coyly. “You came to my cave to attack me!” She squeals, one eye twitching.

    “We didn’t come to attack you.” You say, trying to maintain the peace. Maybe she could be reasoned with. You feel Zuko tense behind you, and you know he’s preparing for a fight.

    “Then why were you sneaking into my cave, with this one on fire?” She says nodding in Zuko’s direction.

    This is the tricky part, figuring out how much to tell her. She clearly isn’t a fan of the Fire Nation, due to her reaction with Zuko, but maybe that isn’t true. Maybe she knows who Zuko is, and is a Fire Nation sympathizer.

    “Well?” She questions.

    “We’re traveling with the Avatar, and he sent us up here to check this place out while he went to help the nearby village.” You blurt. It comes out of nowhere, and it was definitely not what you meant to say at all.

    Horrified, you gasp. Zuko tenses begins you.

   “What did you do to her?” He demands.

   “Just a little truth potion.” She hums. “Can’t hurt to know the people around you are honest.”

     You clamp your mouth, biting into your lip hard enough to draw blood.

    “We’re not your enemy.” Zuko says. “You don’t need to restrain us. Or trick us into telling the truth.”

     You watch as the old woman paces back and forth.

    “I am Kara.” She says finally. “Years ago, I made a deal with Fire Nation to protect my people. I would provide them with some magical assistance, if they would spare my village.”

    “You’re helping them?” You cry out.

    “Don’t judge me too harshly girl.” The woman snaps. “I did what I could for my people, just as you try to do.”

    “The Avatar will free you’re village.” Zuko says. “You will be able to prosper without Fire Nation soldiers breathing down your neck. Let us go, and we will be able to help him.”

    Something in his voice makes your heart stutter. Maybe it’s the sincerity in his voice, or the hard edge of determination. You have got to stop thinking about Zuko that way.

    Kara laughs and shakes her head.

    “No one will be able to defeat them. Not even the Avatar.” She shakes her head, sadly.

    “We have! Many times before.” You say. You don’t like Kara talking badly about Aang. He has almost mastered all of the elements, and you know he has what it takes to defeat Ozai. You all have done so much good for people already. 

    Kara just shakes her head again, and resumes pacing.

   “I’m sorry.” She says finally. “I wish your friend well, but I can’t let you leave without knowing you aren’t a threat to the Fire Nation. If they know that I didn’t do anything I could to help them, they will hurt the people I love.”

    Kara begins muttering under her breath, and you tense up. You hate being completely vulnerable and open to an attack. Zuko must be on the same page, for you can feel him struggling against the bonds.

    “Heat them up.” You whisper as quietly as you can. “Burn them.”

    Kara starts going around and picking out various objects from her jars.

   “I can’t. Your hands are too close, I’ll burn you.” He says.

   “You’ll have to. It’s the only way we’re getting out of here!” You snap.

   “No.” He says, hotly.

    “Zuko!”

    “I’m not going to hurt you, y/n!” He growls.

    To your dismay, your arguing has caught the attention of Kara. She has a bright gleam in her eyes as she’s watching you two.

    “I see.” She says. Then she starts laughing hysterically, wiping tears from her eyes.

    “I know just what to do! But first, young lady, just how much does this boy mean to you?”

    The truth spills from your lips again without your control.

    “A lot.” You say, and then you’re whole face turns red. You’re mortified, but at least Zuko can’t see your face.

   Kara giggle with glee and then nods to herself

 “Oh yes, just the thing.” She comes over to you both, and plucks hairs from your heads.

   “Hey!” You and Zuko both protest.

  She sets the hairs in a bowl, and then starts talking to herself again, this time loudly enough for you to hear. She’s speaking in a foreign language of some sort, and hastily you begin to tug on your bonds again.

   “Zuko, just do it!” You say.

     In a surprisingly fast move, Zuko manages to wrench his wrists away from yours and singe the ropes without burning you. He is up and shooting flames at Kara in an instant.

    The bowl catches on fire, but it’s a pink fire, something magical and not from Zuko.

    “You’re too late!” She cackles gleefully. Then she disappears in a plume of smoke, and you and Zuko are left alone in the cave.

                                  ——————————————

   You  are both on high alert as you make your way back to camp. Every noise makes you jumpy, as you wait for Kara’s spell to start working. You make it out of the woods without so much as a scratch. Though it looks like you’ve avoided her wrath, something feels off.

   “You’re too late.” She had said. Chills race up and down your spine.

   Zuko keeps lighting and extinguishing his fists. You think maybe he’s trying to make sure he can still bend. Possible scenarios play over and over in your head. There were thousands of things she could do to sabotage you and Zuko. She could take away his bending, paralyze you, or turn you into bugs. The possibilities are endless, and yet nothing has happened.

   The Gaang is waiting up for you when you finally arrive back at camp. You tell them about the witch and her curse. Sokka rolls his eyes and seems unconcerned.

   “She’s just a crackpot you guys. Obviously nothing will happen.”

   Toph seconds his notion, but Aang and Katara look wary. Katara makes you and Zuko repeat the story until you’re blue in the face, but she can’t figure it out any more than you can.

  You are too embarrassed from your admission to talk to Zuko, or even bicker with him like you normally would. You quickly excuse yourself to go to sleep, and spend the rest of the evening hiding in your tent.

   You fall into a restless sleep that night. You dream of the horrible things you considered happening to you. In one dream you’re a frog, in the other you’re pinned to the ground unable to move.

   You’re utterly exhausted when you’re woken up by you’re own screaming.

                             ————————————————-

  You sit up in your tent immediately. You knew you heard yourself scream, but it hadn’t come from your mouth. Seconds later, you burst into your tent.

  Your clone stops and look at you, with wide eyes.

  “Y/n?” Your voice asks you.

   “Yes?” You say, but it isn’t your voice that comes out when you speak. Instead, it’s Zuko’s rasp that forms the words.

   All of a sudden the pieces of the puzzle start clicking together.

   “Oh no.” You say horrified, and look down at your body.

   You have muscles now, and you feel stronger, bigger. You reach a hand up and grab a handful of short, ebony locks. Your other hand traces your features, and you feel the rough scar under the pads of your fingers.

   “This can’t be real.” You say in Zuko’s voice. “This can’t be happening.”

   “It’s happening.” Zuko says.

   It’s weird to see yourself objectively like this. You have this horrible out of body feeling, and it’s making your head spin. Anxiety hits you, and you start breathing heavy. You’re going to pass out.

    “Calm down!” Zuko says, rushing over to you. He wraps his arms around you, himself? Ugh it’s too confusing.

  “If you don’t calm down, you’re going to burn this tent down and hurt yourself!” He says. He awkwardly starts rubbing your back. “Breathe with me.” He instructs.

   Slowly, you start to calm down. Zuko lets his, your?, hands linger for a moment longer, before he pulls away and puts some distance between you.

    “What are we going to do?” You ask. Zuko makes a face at how weak his voice sounds.

    “I don’t know.” He says. His mannerisms look so weird on your body. You can tell that it’s him, just by the way he holds himself. You wonder if he’s experiencing the same thing watching you in his body.

  “We need to go back to the cave, demand that Kara gives us our bodies back.” You say.

   Zuko rolls your eyes.

  “I’m sure that will go over well.” He says.

  “Don’t make me sound all crabby.” You snap at him.

  “Don’t make me sound all girly and pathetic!” He retorts.

  “Pathetic?!”

  “Oh Zuko,” he mocks “what are we going to do? Save me Zuko, I care a lot about you!”

  “You’re so annoying!” You shout, embarrassed that he remembered your confession.

   “Can we not fight this early in the morning!” Sokka says, throwing open your tent.

  “Oh.” He says, looking between the two of you.

  You realize in embarrassment that you and Zuko are awfully close together, and you are in Zuko’s body in your sleeping bag. It has to look like Zuko slept in your tent.

   “Sokka, we can explain.” You say.

   Sokka hurriedly shakes his head, raising his hands.

   “No, no. Please don’t.” He says.

   “Sokka listen, the witch really did curse us.” Zuko says. “She made us switch bodies.”

    Sokka looks between the two of you and then bursts into laughter.

    “Ok well I have to say that’s the first time I’ve hear that excuse.” He says, wiping tears from the corners of his blue eyes.

   “We’re serious!” You snap at him.

    Sokka sobers up, looking between you two again.

   “You really did perfect your impressions of one another.” Sokka says, suddenly sounding a bit more unsure.

    “Ugh!” You snap, and push out of the tent in a huff. You need to find Toph. She could prove you weren’t lying.

     It’s cold outside your tent, and to your horror you find that you’re not wearing a shirt.

    “Zuko!” You screech. “Why the hell aren’t you wearing a shirt!”

   “I’m a firebender, y/n. I get hot!” He defends.

   “Get me a shirt!” You snap. Zuko rolls his eyes at your dramatics, but leads you to his tent and throws a tunic at you.

    It smells like him when you pull it over your head. You try not to obviously inhale, but it’s the first time you’ve really noticed how Zuko smells. It’s not the first time you’ve noticed his muscles, but now you have a first hand look. His abs are hard and defined, and you blush quickly finishing dressing.

    “Are you done starting at me?” Zuko asks.

    “I’m sorry, it’s just weird!” You tell him.

  Sokka’s jaw is nearly touching the ground as he watches your exchange.

   “No way.” He says, finally believing you.

  “Yeah, Sokka.” You say.

                           ——————————————————

  Toph confirms your story, and everyone sits in dumbfounded silence. Even you and Zuko don’t have much more to say.

  “Well you have to go talk to Kara.” Katara says helpfully. “We’ll have to make her change you back.”

   “Wow that’s helpful. Thank you Katara, why didn’t we think of that.” Zuko says.

  “Y/n!” Katara says, hurt.

  “Zuko.” You and Zuko both correct her.

  “Whatever.” She mutters, angrily.

  “Katara’s right.” Says Aang. “We’ll all go. Maybe if I can convince her that I can help, she’ll change you back.”

   There seems to be no better plan than this. Sokka and Toph stay behind at the campsite, while the rest of you start the hike up the mountain.

   The breeze isn’t so bad now that you’re in Zuko’s body. He’s right when he says that he doesn’t get cold. He, on the other hand, is openly shivering in your body. You almost feel a little bad, but you remember him telling you it wasn’t that bad last night, and think better of it.

   “How do you survive like this?” He moans when you come to a stop. “It’s so cold all the time.”

   You smirk at his dramatics.

  “That’s what you get.”

   “For what!” He questions, and you can feel the fight brewing.

   “Oh I don’t know, maybe ‘You’re so dramatic y/n.’” You mock. “’It’s not that cold, y/n. Calm down, y/n’”

“I wasn’t telling you to calm down because you were cold.” He snaps. “I was trying to tell you to stop panicking!” He throws his hands up and stomps ahead.

   It’s a little embarrassing, and you think back to every tantrum you’ve thrown. Maybe this is a somewhat positive experience. You’re definitely learning about the annoying things you do.

   You and Zuko bicker all the way up the mountain. Though it’s not unusual for you all, but you can tell it’s driving Aang and Katara crazy.

   “Can you all please knock it off!” Katara yells, eventually. All three of you jump, and she crosses her arms. “I am sick and tired of hearing you all argue. That’s all you do every day! Can’t you all come to some sort of truce?”

   You and Zuko both narrow your eyes at each other.

 “No!” You say at the same time.

   “Ugh!”

                         —————————————————-

  You make it up the mountain alive, but barely. Everyone’s tempers are running high by the time you break through the trees.

  “Alright,” Zuko says. “We need to be careful. She knocked y/n out with one blow. She’ll do it again if we aren’t careful.”

   You���re about to protest the way he makes your ambush sound, but Aang mediates before your get riled up.

   “Just let it go.” He tells you.

   You all enter the cave quietly, heads constantly scanning the area as Zuko leads you down to the belly of the cave. You recognize the room when you get to it. The evidence of Kara is everywhere, still littered around the floor.

   “She isn’t here?” Zuko says.

    “Great observation.” You retort.

   “Guys, guys!” Aang snaps. “Enough. Let’s look through the books around here. There’s got to be something that tells us how to fix this.”

   The four of you spend what feels like hours combing through the books and pages around the room.

    “There’s nothing here!” Zuko cries, slamming a book onto the table.

    “That’s because it’s a spell of my own invention.” Kara’s wheezy voice says.

    You all jump into defensive stances, ready to attack. Kara holds up a wrinkled hand, but otherwise looks unbothered.

    “Please.” She says passively. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

    “Change back my friends!” Aang demands. “It’s me you have a problem with.”

   “Ah the Avatar.” Kara smiles. “You really are here.”

    “Yes. And I promise I will free your village. But first you must free my friends.” He says.

   “I’m afraid I can’t do that.” She says, eyes glittering again.

    “Why not?” Katara challenges.

    “I can’t change them back, because they must do it themselves.” She smiles.

   “What do you mean?” You ask, broad furrowing. There’s a light protesting from Zuko’s scar at the movement.

    “Save my village and I’ll tell you.” She says. “And you better do it fast, because in three days this will become permanent.”

                            ————————————————-

   Freeing the village from Fire Nation troops is going to be a bigger struggle than you anticipated, you realize as you and Zuko stroll down the streets. You currently have a hood pulled way over your head to hide your identity. There seemed to be hundred of them, and there were only six of you.

   “We’re never going to be able to pull this off.” You mutter under your breath. “I’m going to be you forever.”

   “How do you think I feel?” Zuko laments. “I’m losing my bending, my honor, everything.”

    “Well we wouldn’t be in this mess if I had just gone up there alone.” You snap as you approach the center of the village. 

    “Right, if you had gone alone you would’ve been killed!” He snaps back.

    “Why do you assume I’m so incapable of taking care of myself?!” You’re infuriated now. “I took care of myself for years before I ever met you!”

    “Don’t see how!” He growls. “All you ever do is get yourself in trouble, and someone always has to be there to help!”

    “Excuse me?!” You roar. “How dare you?!”

    The Fire Nation soldiers are slowly starting to gather around you, curious about the fight.

   “How dare I?” Zuko ramps up the volume. “How dare you?” He points a finger at your chest.

   So far, your distraction seems to be working. Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph are all getting into position. You just have to keep up the fighting a little longer.

   “You’re always babying me, and acting like I need a keeper! I’m not a child, and you don’t have to take it upon yourself to be my caretaker! I’m just fine on my own!” You yell, channeling his body’s natural penchant for rage.

    “Somebody has to!” Zuko snaps back, and over exaggerates putting his hand on his hip. “You never do it yourself. You’re always doing reckless things for other people, and your not as equipped to throw yourself in danger like everyone else!”

    Suddenly this fight feels a bit too real, and you find yourself getting actually offended. How dare he insinuate that your lack of bending meant you weren’t a good fighter!

   “What so I’m not allowed to care about my friends and do things to protect them?” You screech. “I’m sorry I don’t have all your talents, my lord. Next time I’ll make sure I get your permission first before I try and help somebody out!”

    “You always take everything I say out of context!” He snaps.

     “Hey guys?” Aang says, garnering the attention of the crowd. “I think that’s good enough, thanks.”

     Then all chaos breaks loose. Katara, Aang, and Toph start the fight with their bending. The Fire Nation soldiers, though caught unaware, do not take long to start fighting back. You wish that you knew how to utilize Zuko’s firebending, but you settle on using his physical strength instead.

   Most of the defense moves you know are geared towards you being smaller than your opponent. Not all of them work now that you’re Zuko’s size, and you find yourself struggling more than usual in your fights.

   Zuko seems to be having a similar issue learning how to fight in your body. You notice he has a habit of getting into bending stances out of pure habit. You notice that he’s getting cornered, when you go to help him.

   Together, you fight pretty well, instructing each other on moves as you go. Sokka’s boomerang flies about, knocking out opponents left and right. Your benders are doing well too, and soon enough, you’ve defeated the Fire Nation soldiers.

   You’re sore, body aching from exertion, but the happy villagers make it feel worth it.

   “Thank you, Avatar!” Someone yells after Aang explains who you all are.

    Your eyes find Kara’s in the crowd. It was time you got your body back.

   “Hey!” You yell as she walks away.

    “Y/n?” You hear Zuko call behind you as you take off, pushing through the crowd.

    “Hey! Stop!” You yell at Kara. “You owe us an explanation!”

      Zuko catches up to you, and you both chase after her. Finally, Kara stops in the woods, away from all the people.

     “I thought you’d want some privacy!” She cackles. “I saw your little distraction out there. Seemed pretty real.” You and Zuko shuffle and avoid eye contact, as the rest of the Gaang catches up with you.

  “We saved your village!” Aang says, “Now tell us how to fix this.” He waves a hand at you and Zuko.

   Kara’s eyes sparkle as she looks at all of you.

  “As I said, I can’t change you back. You have to do it yourselves.” She sings.

  “How?” Zuko grounds out through his, your, clenched jaw.

   “All you have to do is kiss!” She says gleefully clapping her hands together.

   Everyone is silent as you all take in this information.

   “There has to be another way.” Zuko says. There’s a desperate edge to his voice that hurts your feelings. Is the thought of kissing you so awful that he wouldn’t do it even to get his body back?

    Rolling your eyes, you stroll over and kiss Zuko’s, your, cheek. It’s a weird experience for sure, knowing that you’re kissing both Zuko and yourself.

   “Not that kind of kiss.” Kara says, smiling like a maniac. “A real one!”

   The color drains from Zuko’s face, and the rest of your friends remain silent. You can feel their eyes watching your every move. 

  Zuko’s disgust is plain, and even though it hurts, you just want your body back and to forget this every happened.

   “Zuko, I know you’re absolutely disgusted, but I’d like my body back before I’m you forever.” You say annoyed. “You can wash out your mouth and vomit when you have your own body back.”

   You can hear the muted hurt in your own voice, and it’s kind of embarrassing that you know everyone else can hear it too.

   “I’m afraid it’s the only way.” Kara adds.

   “If it helps just think about the fact that you’re kissing yourself, not me.” You say. More than ever you want this experience to be over, so you can go mourn your hurt feelings somewhere in private.

    Zuko sighs, and then approaches you.

  “Fine.” He says.

  Awkwardly, you both fidget, unsure how to initiate the kiss. It doesn’t help that literally everyone, including Momo and Appa, are looking at you.

   “Some privacy?” You ask them.

   “Oh yeah sure.” They all mumble, whistling and looking away. The second you turn back to Zuko you can feel their eyes on you. Some friends.

   “Let’s just get it over-” you get cut off by Zuko pressing his lips to yours.

    Instantly, you feel the switch happening. You feel yourself being pulled and re-anchored into your own body. Your limbs feel normal again, and then you really start to feel the kiss.

   Zuko pulls you closer to his warm, muscular body. Everything is exploding around you, and all you want to do is be even closer to him. You bring your arms up and settle them on his broad shoulders. Your hands wind themselves around his neck, and you play with the ends of his hair.

   Zuko’s large hands are also doing their fair share of exploring. One rests on your hips while the other tangles itself in your hair, and both pull you closer. His tongue opens your lips and you let him in, a moan escaping from you. It feels right, kissing Zuko like this. Like it is something that was always meant to happen.

   Somebody clears their throat and breaks up your moment. Slowly, you and Zuko part. You’re thrilled to realize it’s his swollen lips and amber eyes that you see when you pull away.

   “Well that was something!” Kara squeals in delight.

    Heat pools into your cheeks, as you asses your friends’ expressions. Aang looks embarrassed, Katara has heart eyes, and Toph and Sokka both look disgusted.

   “It worked.” You say breathlessly. Already you have the intense desire to kiss Zuko again, but suddenly you’re insecure. What if he hated it? He had seemed so disgusted before.

   “Yeah it did.” Zuko says, and then he smiles at you, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Some privacy?” He asks everyone, tightening his grip on you. Butterflies explode in your stomach as he does, and you’ve never felt so fluttery before.

   Your friends make themselves scarce, telling you they’ll be at camp. Kara scrambles off too, cackling all the while, and then you are alone.

  Your heart is pounding, and you’re really unsure how to tell Zuko how you feel. What if he doesn’t feel the same?

   Suddenly, Zuko presses his lips to yours again, and it feels like he’s devouring you. He’s passionate and fiery, and every press of his tongue against yours makes you feel like you’re on fire. Your body is buzzing when he finally pulls away to catch his breath.

   “I didn’t mean what I said during our fight.” He says, leaning his forehead against yours and wrapping his arms around your waist. “I don’t think you’re incapable or less than because you aren’t a bender. I think you’re one of the most talented people I know, and I also know that you can take care of yourself.” He says taking a deep breath.

   Zuko takes a step back, and removed an arm to put a finger under your chin. He lift your chin so you’re looking into his eyes.

   “I worry about you. All the time.” He says. “I’m so scared that you’ll get hurt and I won’t be there to protect you. My number one instinct is to protect you. That’s why I always ‘hover’ and volunteer to go on missions with you. If something happened to you....”

   “I feel the same way about you, you know.” You say smiling. “I couldn’t stand the thought of you getting hurt either. And I don’t necessarily hate it when you’re around.” You tease him. “Or when you kiss me.”

   Zuko laughs, a deep happy laugh. It’s one of the first times you’ve ever seen him look so buoyant. You take the opportunity to kiss him this time, and he sighs happily into your mouth.

    “What are we going to do now?” You ask him.

    “Probably get back to our friends.” He says, grabbing your hand in his as you start making your way to your camp site.

    “You know, Zuko, Toph’s right.” You say. “You really do take people on life changing adventures!”

A/n: Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this! I’ve been working on my requests so hopefully I’ll have a few more stories out for you guys over the weekend. I’m going to be adding some things to my ‘Fanfic prompts’ post, so be sure to check it out if you want to request something! (also I’m fine with people requesting things that aren’t on that list if you have something specific for me to write!) Have a good weekend, and you can find all my other writing under the tag slythergirlimagines. I think I tagged everyone who asked to be tagged in my atla stuff, but if I missed you please let me know and I’ll correct it!!

Taglist: @galacticamidala​ @a-random-queer-kid​ @taeeemin​ @realimbo​ @samsmultifandomblogs​

@fire1ordzuzu​ @shortmexicangirl​

[breakandbuildfiction]

OP but not a Gary/Mary Sue

Okay so this is more about my personal opinions about writing then anything else, but as far as I see it there are four (4) primary ways to make a character OP without turning them into a Gary/Mary Sue or relying on Plot Armor.

1) Raw Power: The OG OP aspect, raw power is a tried and true method to make a character overpowered as hell and is easy to do. All it is is taking the basic abilities already present in a setting and dialing it up to 11. Examples are Superman, Saitama, Aaang, and Hulk. They don’t have any unique powers per-say, but they have the ‘standard’ powers at a much higher level then practically anyone else in the setting. To avoid Gary/Mary Sue and Plot Armor territory it is common to have those with Raw Power to have a distinct weakness or to be kinda dumb compared to others in the setting, otherwise its important to show growth or a reason behind them having this Raw Power. For examples Superman has Kryptonite, Saitama and Hulk are known as ‘simple’, and Aang has three seasons of intense training and loses several fights before becoming the True Powerhouse he ended up as.

2) Hacks Abilities: This is one of the ones that often straddles the line between normal OP and Gary/Mary Sue or Plot Armor territories. Its having a power or ability that is either very rare or unique to them that gives them advantages over others. Examples are Constantine always being in ‘The Right Place At The Right Time’ and using niche rituals or artifacts to deal with demons, and the Zenkai Boost ability from Dragon Ball Z. To avoid Gary/Mary Sue and Plot Armor territory its important to remember that these types of characters often lack Raw Power and can often find themselves in situations were their Hacks are meaningless such as the recent Constantine showcase short film The House of Mystery where the demons keep killing him or the start of every DBZ arc where Goku gets wrecked by someone more powerful than him and has to heal and come back to fight in round 2.

3) Skills: This I think is the hardest to use without turning the character into a Gary/Mary Sue or giving them Plot Armor. Skill based OP is just being more technically and practically skilled than those around them allowing them to exploit openings in their opponents styles or controlling the flow of the fight so that the physical advantages of their opponents are mitigated. Examples include Master Roshi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Task Master, and the theory of Waterbenders in Avatar The Last Airbender. To avoid Gary/Mary Sue or Plot Armor territory its important to remember that these people don’t have the Raw Power or Hacks of the other characters, leaving them vulnerable to direct overwhelming force and fights that don’t involve their primary skillset. For example Roshi loosing to Frost, Obi-Wan losing to Dooku, Katara loosing to Sun Boosted Zuko at the North Pole, and putting Task Master up against people like Iron Man or Punisher who have tech and fighting styles that work around his copying ability.

4) Tech: This one was only pointed out to me recently and isn’t something I originally considered as an OP category so bare with me if it doesn’t come off as well as the previous ones. Tech is an OP variant that has some overlap with other forms of OPness such as Resources and Prep Time. Being OP thanks to tech means whatever situation you find yourself in, you have unique tools that give you an edge, pretty much saying your OPness comes from your diversity of abilities. Examples include Batman and Ironman, both of whom often lack the Raw Power of others and while Batman has Skill he is often put in situations where that Skill’s usefulness  is minimized. To avoid Gary/Mary Sue and Plot Armor territories it is often customary to turn their tech against them, make it inaccessible, or put them up against someone who has a hard counter to their usual loadout so they have to remake their entire arsenal. This includes hacking Ironman’s armor to avoid a direct fight, surprising Batman when he isn’t expecting a fight, and having foes who adapt to their situations.

A common point you may have noticed in all of these is that there is always a way to work AROUND a character’s OPness if they are not a Gary/Mary Sue and don’t have Plot Armor. This is because nothing should be absolute and if someone is known to be a fighter it would only make sense for people who plan to go against them to try and find some way to beat them. There’s a reason half of Superman’s enemies use Kryptonite or Red Sun radiation as often as they can get away with it, there’s a reason Iroh said attacking the Northern Water Tribe during a full moon was a bad idea, and their’s a reason the entire Justice League is always suspicious of Batman.

But, that’s just my opinion on the concept of the OP character and how to avoid making them Gary/Mary Sues or giving them all the Plot Armor. I’m sure there are things I missed and I’m sure there are people who view the concepts differently than I do so by all means please continue this discussion and lets see if we all can get to the heart about what makes a GOOD OP character.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Untitled - 4

(Continuation of Untitled Linzin fanfic, pre-canon AU, wip)

The thing about going on trips with kids that his parents did not prepare him for is the occasional stops to go to the bathroom and the incessant questions.

“Are we there yet?”

“What is that flower?”

“Why is that man smoking that stick?”

“Why is that lady’s clothes so short?”

“Are we there yet?”

“How long is it before we get there?”

Oh, the questions indeed.

---

After the overnight stay, they were back on the road. This time in an automobile that went through several towns that Tenzin could not be bothered with. Until finally, it stopped at this unassuming dirt road where, to his astonishment, Lin proclaimed that they need to walk to get to their destination.

She made it sound fun for the kids – an adventure, a vacation.

He gave a small snort at that and she glared at him, asking if he had any problem.

He wanted to have a witty retort but the way she was bending their luggage across indicated she was not in the mood for some repartee.

 The dirt road was quite narrow and he noticed that Lin made sure to use earth bending to cover their tracks. No one would know which way they went.

Tenzin lost track of time that they were walking.

And before long, Lin slowed down.

 “Are we near?”

Tenzin frowned. There were still in the middle of nowhere - surrounded by vines shrub and various greenery.

Using earthbending, Lin moved what appeared to be tall tree trunks.

“Wow.” Ikki’s wonderment was very much obvious.

Even Jinora who is usually unimpressed was wide-eyed.

Behind the gargantuan trunks was a sprawling estate.

Granted, the surrounding area and its lawn was overrun with wild plants. But it was a sight to behold.

Once they all got in, Lin once more slid back the tree trunks which was, actually, connected to a surrounding wall that ran along the perimeter of the estate.

He did not notice the wall earlier as it was covered by vines and other plants.

The path to the house was uneven and while the greens had gone wild, it was charming in its own sense.

“Daddy, are we staying here?” Jinora tugged at his sleeve.

“It would seem so.” He softly replied, still taking in their surroundings.

Lin unlocked the door, and they carried their baggage inside.

For what wild charm the garden had, the interior of the house was quite clean and, as Lin led them on a tour of the house, well stocked. He recalled that she had left Republic City for a couple of days before the wedding. It was probably to get the house tidied and fit for living for an undetermined time period.

As Lin went about it in a brisk manner, Tenzin supposed there was enough time to explore later anyway. They did not know how long they will have to stay here anyway.

The girls were quite excited to pick their own rooms. Lin directed him to the master bedroom, and she commandeered one which was probably in the most strategic location in case of emergency.

---

“Where are the acolytes?”

“It’s just the four of us, dear.”

“Who will cook our food? Or wash our clothes?”

He could feel Lin's glare at the back of his neck.

“The four of us would need to share chores, Jinora.”

His daughter’s face scrunched up. “No. Way.”

He heard Lin’s disbelieving sigh from her corner.

“Ah, but we do. We have to.”

---

They had decided to restrict the people who will join the trip to themselves. Lord Zuko and the rest said it was not safe and to add an external person could put them into jeopardy. Toph remarked if they will have someone else join them then why shouldn’t they get someone else to be their bodyguard instead of Lin.

It was a fair point he admitted.

---

Lin kept to herself. The place was secure enough and she had gone out earlier to do a perimeter check and was apparently satisfied with her findings. Not that Tenzin had any doubts if the metalbender herself had arranged for the safe house.

Both of them told the kids of some ground rules however- if they were to go out, they need to let an adult know; fix your own bed (or not, it’s really up to them); help set the table or wash the dishes, etc.

Tenzin realized that as much time he spent with his daughters after his wife passed away, the acolytes did contribute a lot in other aspects of household management. This was good practice in helping the children grow up removed from their privileges which, if left unchecked, would have ended up with making them quite spoiled. Tenzin knew that he was well on the way to spoiling them, in an effort to compensate for whatever perceived inadequacies he may have in raising them.

Watching Lin now teach Jinora how to wash dishes (he vaguely tried to remember if someone did teach him the proper way to do it as a child), he wondered what else has he been missing in raising his children.

---

They eventually settled into a routine, not unlike the last few weeks they spent engaged in Republic City.

She would sit in her own favorite spot to read and he would keep to his own space, reading or writing.

It was a comfortable silence that they shared every night after the children’s bedtime.

---

But sometimes, Tenzin would confess, he missed the easy way they used to banter long ago.

---

In time, Jinora found the library too and declared it to be her favorite room.

She would, more often than not, be found ensconced there, curled up with a book.

---

He wondered about the house.

It was furnished tastefully. And yet… there was an air of neglect. Of something forgotten

The house seemed like it was built years ago but remained unlived.

He tried to ask Lin about it but one way or another was usually brushed off.

It was a mystery.

---

Lin was away for market day.

It was on every nth day when she would go out to buy supplies. She had a contact who was discreet who could help them in acquiring their supplies. Lin had also explained to Tenzin how no one would tell on them if there were inquisitive strangers. They will be warned as well.

He knew better than to ask and get details on how she had established herself in this rural town in the Earth Kingdom. It was probably because of the nature of her job anyway.

That particular market day, his daughters cajoled him to accompany them in exploring the grounds behind the house. It was a pleasant day after all, and he figured a little sunlight would not hurt.

Bright smiles answered him at his acquiescence and the two girls ran off to the explore.

He was basking in the warmth and being circled by nature. Republic City and the island were both quite artificial in a sense. It was nice to see the girls get to experience the untamed nature.

“Daddy, what are those?”

Tenzin squinted at what Jinora was pointing at.

Is that…?

He blinked then clutched the hands of his daughters as they went nearer.

“They’re airbending gates.”

Why were there airbending gates in this secluded Earth Kingdom estate?

Like the other furniture in the house, it was unused. He gently pushed his hands forward and a burst of air rotated the gates.

They may be unused, but they were in good working condition.

Jinora excitedly asked him to teach her and he was more than willing to do so.

And yet, as Jinora and Ikki giggled their way, Tenzin could not help but wonder…

===

Note: Where are they? How long will it be before they get to leave their domestic bubble? Why did they break up anyway? Any thoughts or guess? Feel free to share them :) Let me know what you think.

[fire-lady-ilah]

Sideburn Squad + June Headcanons

(Under the break, because there’s a lot.)

All

Lu Ten have been friends since they were children. Lu Ten was 5 and Zhao was 7 when they first met and became friends at the Royal Fire Nation Academy for Boys.

Zhao became friends with Cadet Jee when he joined the military at 18. At that point, Jee was 3 years his senior at 21, though he had joined only the year before. They met in firebending training, where Zhao had already been moved up in level by the second day under Admiral Jeong Jeong’s appraising eye.

Zhao is a much better firebender, but Jee absolutely demolished him at pai sho. And poker. And mahjong. And any game, really.

Lu Ten remains in the palace until he turns 18 but at 17 he meets a young bounty hunter of the same age at a bar he snuck out to. He arm wrestles her (loses) and challenges her to a drinking contest (loses again) before deciding to acquire a second best friend.

At 18, Lu Ten is assigned to the same training camp as Zhao (which is very nice for the two young lovers) and, well, if a bounty hunter is found in the neighbouring town’s inn more often than not, who’ll complain?

Lu Ten becomes fast friends with Jee (who is now 23 and very much feeling Too Old For This Shit) after a few games of pai sho. Jee and June enjoy having company while Zhao and Lu Ten are doing their disgusting couple thing.

Lu Ten

Lu Ten loves to paint and paints portraits of each of his friends for their birthday, along with whatever other obnoxiously expensive gift he gives them.

Zhao’s depicts him in some, er, rather passionate situations. (Their friends see one with him doing firebending training in the middle of a kick. The other one is given in private and leaves him a blushing, stuttering mess). He also receives a book of poetry written in the Water Tribes, something that’s definitely banned in the Fire Nation.

Jee’s depicts him deep in thought, sat at a pai sho board with a cup of coffee steaming in his left hand. He receives a bag of very high quality coffee (wait, wasn’t this type only grown in Air Nomad temples at very high altitudes?).

June’s depicts her with a slight smirk on her lips as she let a man think for a moment that he was winning their arm wrestle. She receives Earth Kingdom perfume of the highest quality (and if her arms shake as she takes it, remembering faint memories of a noblewoman holding her to her chest, Lu Ten doesn’t mention it). She makes a remark about Nyla hating perfume but she doesn’t reject it.

Lu Ten is also fiercely loyal and protective of his friends. He’s the first to rise and physically put himself between them and the threat, fire curling around his fingers as he restrains himself from clenching them. He never throws the first punch (his father taught him better than that), but he isn’t above using his sharp tongue to make them throw it (Azula may have been encouraged by her father, but she looked up to her older cousin as much as Zuko did).

He also acts as an older brother figure to June specifically, despite being the same age as her. No one is good enough for his bounty hunter adoptive little sister, except maybe... maybe someone he trusts.

Zhao

Zhao is a poet and it surprises everyone and no one. Strangers, should they somehow find out, cannot imagine it. His friends can’t imagine him not constantly pouring over books of poetry, scrawling his own in the corner of tactical notes, and quoting it endlessly in conversation and impassioned speeches. Thus, they’re also unsurprised to find out that he has a set of poems (some from the greats, some from smaller poets, even some of his own) dedicated to each of them. Not only their surface personalities (Lu Ten, brave and loyal. Jee, tired and always watching. June, cunning and sharp.) but who they are underneath (Lu Ten, crying at his first kill. And his second. And his third. Jee, losing all composure the moment someone smelling of sake grabs June’s wrist, a hand leaving a pink— mild but threatening— burn on their throat. June, curled tightly up to Nyla after a rough day, hair always gelled in front of the side of her face).

He isn’t protective, not in the way his friends are. In the face of danger head on he shrinks back. But he is vindictive and more than friendly with the concept of revenge. He sees the way an up and coming lieutenant eyes his Lu Ten greedily and braves his feat of ladypedes to fill the lieutenant’s bedroll with them on their next expedition. A commander yells at Jee and lunges fast enough to make him flinch and oh no, did his house really burn down overnight with all his gold stolen? He didn’t know he lived so close to base. Every man that brushes up against June a little too long finds his coin purse mysteriously missing by the end of the night.

Jee

Jee is quiet and has the patience of a saint, most days. But even he can only stand babysitting royalty in silence so long. So what if he’s the one that sneaks alcohol onto base and drags his friends into the storerooms, drinking the two younger men under the table? They need their egos a little beaten and Jee needs a drink.

As the oldest, and also the only member from complete peasantry, Jee has to teach his friends a lot of basic skills.

How Lu Ten didn’t even know how to make his bed in the barracks properly, Jee didn’t know, but he taught him anyway. He didn’t laugh at him, he just guided his hands into making the crisp fourth-five degree angles the inspector wanted.

He taught Zhao how to throw a proper punch (no, not like that. Sure, the form is perfect for firebending and for martial arts, but if you want to really win a brawl you have to do it like this). The boy was a little too obsessed with honour for his liking. He understood the status that being born “honourless” gave him, but he was from the lowest of the low. They didn’t care for honour, they cared about survival.

June is most similar to him, but he sees the nobility in her facial structure and the way she doesn’t hesitate to spend most of her money on drinks. She may work for it, but she’s never known the ache of an empty stomach. Still, he teaches her how to barter (no, not threaten, barter) and how to find the best cut of meat for Nyla. The shirshu takes a shine to him almost immediately.

He may be the Dad Friend (he rejects the title verbally and yet wears it with pride), but he isn’t the first to jump in their defence at the slightest insult. He only reacts when he sees something truly dangerous, even if he knows his friends can handle themselves. And if he’s quicker to lash out on drunks that touch one of his friends, they don’t comment.

June

June proudly proclaims herself the primary holder of the group brain cell. She spends the least time with the rest of them, but she’s also uncannily perceptive. She sees the way the already tipsy teenager held himself with a straight spine and clothes made of a little too fine of fabric. She sees the way he leans in at the slightest hint of friendship and she can’t help herself from doing the same. She recognizes the way Zhao’s eyes glint whenever someone insinuates that he’s inferior, even if he bows his head as a subordinate. She watches from the top of a building she shouldn’t be on as he chases Jeong Jeong like an eager child, desperate for approval and love. She makes eye contact with Jee, the only one that sees her watching, and something like an agreement passes between them.

She takes her bounties all while she hangs around the training camp. It’s longer than she’s stayed in one place since she was just a child and her life was a lot more stable. She takes her first life when someone confuses bounty hunter with assassin and tries to pay her a near boatload for her Prince’s life (she takes their gold too. She isn’t above robbing a corpse).

She’s protective too, though she would never admit it. She mocks Lu Ten with a smirk on her lips at his temper, but she slips into the shadows to drag the very man that threatened their group into the alleyway, a poisoned dagger to his throat. Someone may threaten her family, but they only get that chance once, she makes sure it never happens again.

Even after Lu Ten dies and her group fractures, she keeps tabs on them. She finds a stowaway on Prince Zuko’s ship and she finds a friend again in a bar soon after. They have a drinking contest and an arm wrestle but it isn’t the same, just the two of them. And in the end, it’s just June.

[crashingmeteorz]

post-war ba sing se bimbo headcanons

so zuko becomes the firelord, and jin and jet think it’s hilarious. he’s so good at it. he’s so charismatic. they’re like “who the hell is this guy? when did he get mature and responsible???” and song’s like “when zuko wasn’t doing stupid shit, he was stopping you two from doing stupid shit, i saw this coming a mile away.”

jin joins the kyoshi warriors, and is overwhelmed by all the pretty girls she’s working with, but for the most part it becomes a sisterhood. she will forever and always have a severe crush on suki, however, and really, can you blame her? so when suki reciprocates, jin writes song a four-page essay about it.

anyway, when zuko asks the warriors to come to the capital, obviously jin’s there, too. jet and song show up almost immediately after jin does.

“what, you two are hanging out without us now?” song asks them accusatorily. “it’s not fair that only you get to see jin, zuko.”

“yeah,” jet says. “and i used to see zuko shirtless a few times a week. and i thought i was lucky! now jin’s a kyoshi warrior and she gets to see it every day?”

“she does not!” says zuko. “yeah,” says jin, while shaking her head the opposite.

attempts on zuko’s life are about as common as rain showers, so song starts testing basically everything he eats with some of her chemicals. every time she finds something insidious, she tracks down every link in the chain that got the food to him, and finds a way to rectify the situation. she doesn’t trouble zuko with this, because he’s got enough going on. also, he probably maybe wouldn’t approve of her methods.

(song is not inherently violent, but when it comes to her family, she’s downright vicious).

jet wants to get in on the action, but between song’s disarming sweetness and the kyoshi warrior’s intimidation, zuko’s basically protected. what he isn’t, is good with people.

zuko can make grand dramatic speeches all day long, but when it comes to the council, or local government officials, or merchants, or literally even jet, he’s the same awkward kid jet met on the boat to ba sing se.

“you are never going to make it as firelord.” jet tells him from the couch he’s lounging on while he watches zuko practice a very basic interaction in the mirror.

“okay, fuck you, too.” zuko says miserably.

“sorry, i wasn’t clear,” jet says, standing beside zuko. “you are never going to make it as firelord without me.”

jet tries in vain to get zuko to lie better, to present himself differently, to deceive just a little bit, but it just isn’t happening. zuko doesn’t even want to lie, he doesn’t want to be like his father and azula, so they take a different approach.

instead, jet teaches him how to spot liars, and how to play the game. it’s basic stuff, like let silence linger because they’ll want to fill it if they’re afraid you don’t believe them. ask them bizarre questions so they overcorrect. if they’re complimenting you too much, they’re trying to deceive you.

to jet, it’s survival. to zuko, it’s like a whole world has opened up he never knew about. he hangs on to jet’s every word, and at the end, he asks that jet join him in council meetings, naming him an ambassador from the earth kingdom.

this is how jet discovers that he’s AMAZING at politics. he can’t believe how easy it is. he considers taking it up as a hobby when he gets back to the earth kingdom.

“you can’t do politics as a hobby,” zuko says.

“why not?” jet says. “it’s just fun. it’s not what i’m meant to be doing forever though.”

“do you have a mysterious job back in the earth kingdom none of us know about?” asks jin.

“yes,” says song, irritable from today’s batch of poison discoveries, “he’s working full-time as a little bitch.”

the more meetings jet attends, the more he wonders if politics really is for what he’s meant. arguing and debating delights him and, unlike the exhausted zuko, he leaves the debates feeling energized. but it just feels so bureaucratic, so useless compared to what he did during the war.

he’s so torn about it that he finally asks song for advice.

“i don’t know anything about politics,” she says tiredly. he’s playing idly with her hair after she’s had a long day of Keeping Zuko Alive. “why are you asking me?”

“because you don’t hold back,” jet tells her. “because you let me know when i’ve gone too far.”

song’s glad it’s dark in the lounge, because she can’t believe she’s blushing.

“well,” she says finally. “what would you be in it for?”

“what do you mean?” he says. “i just like it.”

“do you like the attention?” song asks. “are you just interested in the drama of it all? or do you want to make a difference?”

“i want to make a difference,” he says confidently. “i want to help the earth kingdom.”

“well, then, there’s your answer,” song says.

“yeah,” jet agrees. “no politics for me.”

“wait, what?” song asks him, because how did he reach that conclusion?

“it’s just smooth talking and paperwork. it’s not gonna help the earth kingdom,” jet tells her. “i’m not selling out.”

“is that what you think zuko’s doing?” she asks.

“of course not,” jet says, rolling his eyes. “but he’s also the firelord. that’s different.”

“and he’s your best friend,” she reminds him. “and you also happen to be on good terms with the avatar and the leaders of the southern water tribe, so you know you have influential people who will hear you out. if you want to make a difference, this is probably the best way.”

he’s quiet for a while. he almost looks disappointed.

“not every battle is on the battlefield, jet,” song says gently. “it’s not as glamorous, or as dangerous. it’s tedious and difficult and boring. but it’s what’s left, after the war.”

“i guess that’s the thing,” jet says sadly. “i don’t know who i am without the war.”

“i do,” song says with so much sincerity jet almost blushes. almost. he’s still, like, cool.

if they fall into a routine where song fixes his hair into something presentable for council meetings and jet forces her to take a break and enjoy the sunshine once in a while, zuko and jin don’t feel it’s necessary to comment.

for like three days.

“you stole my boyfriend,” zuko accuses song after catching her and jet kissing. the fact that sokka’s napping with his head in zuko’s lap as he says so doesn’t seem to faze him.

“you stole my ostrich horse,” she says, for the last time ever, “so now we’re even.”

“what’s with you and guys with weird facial hair?” jin asks as she stuffs her face with fire flakes, her new favorite treat. “first haru and now jet?”

“haru?” jet squeaks.

“i liked haru’s moustache,” song says thoughtfully. “i thought it made him look mature.”

“at least if jet grew a moustache i’d understand what everyone sees in him,” sokka says sleepily. “no offense.”

“you’re just mad i kissed zuko first,” huffs jet.

jet stops shaving that week. everyone notices.

when song and jet finally prepare to go back to the earth kingdom, jet privately asks zuko if it’s true that he and aang are considering founding a city that unites the nations. zuko tells him it is.

“well, i want in. whenever that is,” he says, and jet and zuko hug.

song and her mother open up a hospital and sanctuary that specifically caters to displaced families. jet reunites with longshot and smellerbee, and they drift around but tend to come back to the sanctuary. they often go out on missions to try and reunite families. it’s not quite fighting, and it’s not quite peace, so it’s a good transition for jet and his freedom fighters.

eventually, things slow down and so does jet. he starts walking around the village they’re located in without his weapons. a child asks song where she got the scars on her leg, and when she explains it was a firebender, the child says “oh, did he get in trouble?” song laughs and laughs, because for the first time in years, there are children who don’t know war.

jin doesn’t stay as a kyoshi warrior forever, but she does decide to settle down on kyoshi. she never really wanted the dangerous life, she just wanted some adventure and sort of stumbled into the chaos of jet and song and zuko. the quiet island is perfect for her. she still stirs up trouble once in a while though.

“COME GET YOUR IDIOT SHE TRIED TO RIDE THE UNAGI.” suki writes in two identical letters, one to jet and song and one to zuko.

“okay, whatever suki tells you, i want you to know she’s lying. i DID ride the unagi and it was SICK. sokka was here recently and said someone invented an image-capture thing is that true? because if it is i want you to bring one and come here ASAP so i can do it AGAIN.” says the fervent letter from jin that arrived three days after suki’s.

jet and song arrive promptly, song laden with medical supplies and a sternly-worded letter from her mother to jin. jet brings a camera.

zuko shows up a few days later with the latest in camera technology and a photographer, as well as his one-year-old daughter. he goes all-out because this is his and izumi’s first trip together. jet grumbles about being one-upped.

“you’re the firelord, you’re gonna encourage this?” song asks him, eyes furious but voice sweet as she plays with izumi. “excuse me, song, but the war is over, i have no jurisdiction here. if an earth kingdom citizen wants to exercise her right to be a dumbass she’s more than welcome to,” says zuko in his most diplomatic voice.

“and,” he adds more gently, “i missed you guys.” song still thinks he’s being ridiculous, but she gives him a big hug anyway.

zuko has to firebend at the unagi to stop it from eating jin and song is left to mend jin’s broken arm. jet takes pictures throughout the entire thing, from her climbing onto the creature, to getting thrown, to being bandaged up and laughs the whole time. song produces a second letter written by her mother which she was instructed only to give to jin in the event she rode the unagi.

all it says in neat hand-writing is, “i told you so. now come home so i can feed you, you ridiculous child.”

“i’m 24,” pouts jin, but since she’s the youngest, the group agrees heartily with song’s mother.

the five of them go to the sanctuary, where iroh is drinking tea with song’s mother and trading stories about their new respective lives.

zuko has to return to the capital in three days, iroh’s got his tea shop to run, and jin isn’t planning on staying long because her “super hot girlfriend is doing something extremely sexy” and she has to get back soon.

“jin, please, just talk normal for once in your life,” zuko begs her, bouncing izumi on his lap. “fine,” she says, “she’s being voted in as the leader of the island and i want to be there for the ceremony.”

jet realizes it’s not often he’ll have all the people he loves in one place, and quietly asks song something important.

they get married the night before zuko and jin leave, in front of jet’s freedom fighters and song’s mother and iroh. jin and zuko stand as their maid of honor and best man. zuko cries.

for the first time in almost two decades, all of them start to feel at peace.

ty so much for this au @azenkii writing about it is one of the most enjoyable experiences haha. is this update softer than usual? yes, of course, it’s what they deserve.

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  masterpost

[4acoffee]

To Anyone Else But Me

Happy Birthday to my actual prince

ADJEIHSY I LOVE MY PEPPERMINT

Also requests are stillll opennnnn

Summary: Y/n reminiscences about how Shoto has affected her life. 

Thoughts plagued her as she walked.

To anyone else, she might have been walking around aimlessly with little purpose, hands shoved inside her jacket pockets and face blank as she swerved between people here and there, ignoring the shouts from the people inside the car she had just walked in front of on a red light. 

But she kept walking with the sole idea of getting to the Todoroki household. 

The directions were basically muscle memory to her now, after repeated trips to the place since she was little more than a child, regardless of the time or day. 

A small smile danced across her lips as a memory found it’s way to the surface of her mind. 

.

Endeavor and y/n’s parents, deep in conversation with each other about matters that neither of the children could comprehend at the time.  

Small hesitant e/c eyes stared into the cold, seemingly empty gaze of the multi-hair colored boy seated on the other side of the room. 

Not that she wasn’t familiar with the look herself, especially after having to hide her emotions so often from her own parents who had their own mold they tried to fit her in. 

“Why don’t you two go play outside for a bit while we talk some more.”

The voice of your parents broke you out of whatever little staring concentration you were both partaking in. 

“Yes, Shoto, take the girl to the gardens.” Endeavor said.

The girl in question decided immediately that she didn’t like the commanding tone the pro hero used on his own son. 

‘I thought heroes were supposed to be kind and gentle?’ She thought to herself. 

Then again, she had learned a long time ago that titles and personalities didn't always align. 

The boy — Shoto, stood up and walked away without even sparingba glance her way. Y/n shot a look at her parents once more before getting up after him and following him out wordlessly. 

.

She soon found herself in front of his house. 

She looked up and took in the large building in front of her that screamed wealth and of highest class.

She opened the door which was already left unlocked in the mornings when she was more than expected to visit. To anyone else the quiet air of the house may have been peaceful, but to her it was painfully suffocating at times. 

.

They walked to the gardens in complete silence, neither saying a word.

She sighed and walked past the dining table where Fuyumi was seated, doing her schoolwork. She smiled and offended her a hello and raised a hand in greeting to nice girl. 

Out in the gardens she was the first to break the silence. 

“You’re eyes are really pretty!” she blurted without thinking. 

Shoto turned and blinked confusedly at the little girl who suddenly felt flustered. 

“You...you don’t think, my scar looks weird?” He asked quietly, like he was afraid of scaring her. 

Y/n had of course noticed the scar adorning his left eye, but in all honestly the reddened skin of the scar blended in with the colors of the sunset. The two had been standing in the warmth of the sunlight, and even though the atmosphere was anything but, she couldn’t help but think that he looked lovely with the dull orange and red hues of the sun painting his skin, making his eyes almost sparkle, as if the light was trying to give the lonely boy something of a warm and welcoming hug.

She shook her head

.

She walked up the stairs to where she knew Shoto’s room was. 

To anyone else, the few steps to where she knew he would be were nothing special, but to her, those few steps felt like coming home. It really was.

She opened the door to his room and was met with those same heterochromatic eyes that she knew so well by now. 

.

“You’re scar looks really cool! It’s like Zuko’s from Avatar!” she said excitedly, being remained of her cartoon hero. 

Shoto looked bewildered by her second strange outburst of the day. He was not used to being praised for his scar, or be compared to a fictional character. 

.

Y/n couldn’t stop the smile she had been suppressing from turning into a much larger one as she thought of the first time she had shown Shoto the wonders of the Avatar universe. 

.

He scowled all off a sudden and looked away from her. 

“Stop lying. No one thinks that about my scar. It’s a scar and it’s weird.” 

She frowned. 

“That’s not true.” 

Y/n reached out to gently touch the scar, Shoto flinched slightly when her warm fingers met his rough skin.

“Your scars not weird, it’s awesome!” She narrowed her eyes. — “And you’re really stupid if you don’t think so.” 

His eyes widened, from his conflicting feelings that were telling him not to believe her, or for being called stupid, he wasn’t sure but he looked down at his shoes and pouted.

“Well, anyone else would think it's weird.” 

She grinned brightly.

“Anyone else but me.”

.

Her smile only widened as she made her way to Shoto who was seated on his ridiculously neat bed. She didn’t miss the way his eyes brightened just a bit at her sight even if the small frown on his face didn’t cease. To anyone else, the little action was nothing special, but knowing that the mask he constantly wore to hide what he was feeling could be awfully tiring, and the fact the she could be a bit of relief was rewarding in it’s own way.

Making her way next to him she moved closer until their shoulders were touching and nudged him.  

“Your dad?” she asked. 

He nodded and somberly looked away.

Y/n tch’ed at him and rolled her eyes. 

“Come on peppermint, you should know better by now than to get upset over some Garbage Fire throwing a fit.”

He looked up at her through his eyelashes and pouted, resembling something of a little puppy after being refused treats. 

She sighed fondly and held her arms open invitingly to the touch starved boy who eagerly wrapped his arms around her back and buried his face into the crook of her neck. 

To anyone else, it could just be a normal show of affection, but to her, it was a show of trust, she knew that there was no one else he felt comfortable laying himself out to like this. The moment was special, to each the other was a solace, a place to put the troubles of their lives aside and bask in knowing there was nothing to hide. 

He dragged his face down your chest and gazed up towards the smaller girl in appreciation and contentment that you equally reciprocated. 

Shoto 

To anyone else he was an enigma,— mysterious, indifferent and an unbelievably powerful hero to be. 

But to y/n, he was a relief, a comfort, someone you could confide in, your little bit of peace in the intense grueling weight of all the responsibilities and expectations in your life. 

To anyone else, he was Shoto Todoroki, an amazing hero to be, who would bear the responsibility of protecting thousands of civilians every day.  

But to y/n,

To you,

He was Shoto Todoroki, the shy, awkward little boy who hugged her delicately for the first time when she scraped her knee during training. The same kid who didn't let you kill a spider that crawled into your room because it has a life of it's own too. The boy that you were convinced deserved the whole world but never got the half of it. He was Shoto Todoroki in all his glory.

Your Shoto. 

[mycomfortblanket]

Written in Ink

Chapter 1.

The burning Toph felt on her inner wrist made her stomach drop in dread. She runs her finger over the area as if she could feel the name that was being etched into her skin. Thrusting her arm in front of Katara’s face she leans over and whispers, “What does it say?”

Katara takes her eyes off the professor for a moment to glance at Toph before looking at her wrist, her eyes growing in shock, “Oh my gosh! Your name!”

“I know what it fucking is Katara, but what is the damn name?”

“Uh,” she grabs Toph’s wrist and brings it a little closer to her so that she can make out the small lettering, “It says ‘Aang’. That’s an unusual name; doesn’t sound like it’s from here.”

“Goddammit. Why can’t I be one of those few lucky souls that don’t get a name?” Toph mumbles sinking low into her seat.

Katara pokes her cheek with her pen, “Come on, you don’t really mean that.”

Ignoring her, Toph reaches out and fumbles with the lanyard on her tape recorder. The thought of a damn soulmate dropping into her life in the next few weeks sounded like literal hell. She was fine on her own, and preferred it, honestly.

She has heard horror stories about soulmates meeting and them being completely incompatible. Or like Lin Jung’s dad who was actually a serial killer and wasn’t found out until he attempted to kill Lin’s mom. It all just seemed like a giant headache.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?” Toph whispers. When she doesn’t receive a reply she nudges Katara’s side, “Hey, don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“What, why?” she asks, her brow furrowed.

“Because, if I do meet him or if someone in the group meets him, I want to scope him out first, make sure he isn’t a fucking weirdo.”

“Whatever. I think you’re thinking too hard on this,” Katara says and turns back to the lecture.

--------------------

Aang feels a small burning sensation on his ribs just under his left pec. Itching the spot, he excuses himself from his current table and heads to the restroom to look. Lifting his shirt up, he sees a name almost 4 inches across his ribs, Toph.

He lets out a deep breath and drops his shirt; he’s been dreading this day for years now. Normally, people getting their soulmates name on their skin is a joyous occasion, something people use as an excuse to throw massive parties.

Staring at himself in the mirror, Aang runs a hand over his short hair. The bathroom door opens and the owner’s nephew walks in.

“Hey man. You okay? You basically ran back here,” Zuko asks with a smile.

“Yeah, I just got the name,” he says a little dejected.

“Why do you sound so upset about it? Isn’t this supposed to be a good thing?” Aang just shrugs and moves towards the door that leads back to the restaurant. “Well, hey. I’m having a party at my apartment tonight. You should come, I’ll text you the address, okay?”

--------------------

“I have to pee,” Toph says, excusing herself from the boy who has been hitting on her constantly throughout the night. Making her way over to the bathroom, she locks herself in and turns the sink on. She leans against the counter running her hand under the steady stream of water wasting time. Hopefully, when she goes back out there, the guy will have found a new target for the night. She hated coming to these parties; the music was always too loud, never enough food or alcohol, and some sleez trying to feel her up in hopes of taking her home.

She hears the doorbell and then a round of cheers as the person is introduced to the crowd. She waits another five minutes in the restroom before unsnapping her cane and walking back into the living room and towards the couch.

She plops down and hears a, “Oof, hang on.” She feels the side of her hip land on someone before they moved. She mumbles out an apology and leans back into the couch, her eyes closed and holding her cane between her legs.

“Are you okay?” a man asks.

Toph turns her head to the voice, “Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Just hoping that same loser doesn’t come and try to seduce me again. I hid out in the bathroom for twenty minutes in hopes he would lose interest and move on.” The man laughs in response which she can’t help but smile at. He has a really nice laugh, velvety smooth and warm.

“Well, I’ll protect you against the losers of the room. Do you want me to get you a drink?”

“Oh, you’re just my knight in shining armor aren’t you? Get me some chips while you’re up,” she says, gesturing in a vague direction of the kitchen.

Toph listens to the party around her while she waits for the guy to return with her drink. Everyone seems to be in various stages of drunkenness. She can feel the couple on the other side of the couch getting a little handsy and making very obscene noises with their mouths.

“Here,” the guy says, nudging her hand with the drink.

“Mmmm. Thanks. You didn’t spike this did you?” Toph asks, taking a sip of the drink and looking in the direction of the guy.

He laughs good naturedly and she hears him dig into a bag of chips, “Now, why would someone admit to spiking someone's drink? That would just ruin all the fun. I got the bag of BBQ chips,” she feels the bag brush her shoulder and she reaches out and grabs a handful of chips and stuffs them in her mouth.

“Urgh, I always forget how good these fuckers are. Some of the most underrated Lays chips,” Toph says, brushing the crumbs off her shirt and shorts.

--------------------

The two of them have been talking for what seems like forever. The party around them continues to rage, but they somehow manage to block it out and just talk to each other. Aang couldn’t remember the last time he was able to talk to someone this easily.

She had turned on the couch, pulling a leg up to lay on the couch with them and pressing her shoulder and side into the back of the couch and Aang is practically mimicking her position. He had yet to ask her name, but he kind of liked not knowing it, added to the slight mystery that hung around her.

He was currently describing the party scene to her in exaggerated detail and making her laugh. He spotted Zuko across the room with his arm draped over a girl with a dark skin complexion and long brown hair. Once they made eye contact, Zuko’s face light up and seemed happy to know that Aang was enjoying himself.

“Hey man, you guys having fun?” he asked after him and the girl under his arm made their way over to them.

The girl on the couch with him managed to get her giggles under control and turned to face Zuko, “Yeah, yeah, we’re doing fine. No need to check up on us,” she said, waving her hand at him.

The girl underneath Zuko’s arm smiled at the pair of them, “I’m Katara, Toph’s roommate.” The smile on Aang’s face immediately drops and he looks over at Toph.

Zuko sees the quick change of emotion and it slightly worries him, “You okay, Aang?” From the corner of his eyes, he sees Toph whip her head over in Aang’s direction.

There's a lull in the roar of the party and he just barely hears Toph mutter, “Fuck.”

[cablesscutie]

ZKDD Day 9: Lock and Key

One thing Zuko realizes soon after he and Katara have truly become friends is that she keeps most of herself so contained.  It doesn’t really make sense to him when Toph says, “She’s so bossy all the time,” or when Sokka warns him, “I love her, but my sister can be a bit much sometimes.”  Even Aang, who seems to look at Katara as though she is part mother, part goddess, and the answer to all life’s problems seems to believe these things too.  At the very least, when these things come up, he does not point out to the others that Katara is generally made responsible for the care and keeping of the entire group.  Zuko thinks that if they want her to be less bossy, they should be dumbasses less, and he tells them so.

“She’d also probably be less...whatever ‘too much’ means, if she actually got to relax sometimes.  If she’s not training Aang or cooking us all dinner, she’s washing your socks,” he points to Sokka, “or keeping you from getting arrested again.”

“You know I can’t see you pointing at me, right?”  

Zuko opens his mouth, realizes that whatever he’s about to say at the moment is something he’ll probably feel guilty about saying to a child later, and forces his jaw shut.  Turning on his heel, he stalks off down the beach in the direction Katara had departed in a similar huff not long ago.

“Great, now there’s two of them,” he hears Toph mutter behind him.

He finds her throwing shards of ice against a rocky cliff face at the nearby bay.  They look deadly sharp, glinting in the sun, only to shatter so finely it’s almost snow upon impact.  At the center of her imaginary target, he sees several pock marks surrounding a small gouge in the stone and flinches reflexively at the thought of how hard she must be throwing.  As the ice fragments spray outward, she reaches out to call it back to her as water, her other hand reared back with a water whip, frozen point at the ready.  She flings it, other hand already summoning a new whip, stance shifting fluidly.  

“So this is how you put up with those guys?” he asks.  Katara botches her next throw, and shard pitches into the sand where it buries itself deep.  She whirls to face him, already scowling.

“If you need something from me right now,” she says, and it is not lost on him that she is maintaining a grip on her remaining water whip.  “I suggest you don’t.”  Zuko holds up his hands in surrender.

“I’m good, you have more than enough on your plate.  As I just finished trying to explain to them, but clearly they don’t wanna listen to reason.”

“Got that right,” she mutters, dropping the water.  He sits down on a flat rock, and faces the waves, patting the space beside him.  After a moment’s hesitation, she joins him.  For a long moment, they sit in silence, just listening to the rhythm of waves crashing on sand and smelling the salt on the air.  Under the sun’s rays, Zuko can feel himself centering again, and he hopes the tides are having a similar effect on her.  

At long last, she breaches the quiet to say, “Sorry I kind of lost it earlier.”

“I’m not,” he says immediately.  “And you shouldn’t be either.”

“Hm?” She turns to him, surprised.

“If they don’t want to be treated like children, they shouldn’t act like it.”

“Someone has to do it.”

“Not you.  Not all of it. You should be mad.  I’d be mad if I was you - I’m mad for you.”

She sighs.  “I feel like I’m beyond anger now.  Like I’ve just reached this point where I’m so tired, and I wish I could stop, but I don’t know what happens if I do.”  Her voice has gone a little rough at the end, like she might cry.  “Sorry,” she says again, wiping her eyes quickly.

“You don’t have to hide that from me, Katara,” he tells her.  Zuko doesn’t want her to feel like she needs to start coddling him as well.  “You don’t have to keep everything you feel under lock and key; I want to know you.”  She bites her lip.

“I want to know you too.”  They both look out to sea again, watching where the setting sun has just started to touch the ocean, each of them unsure of how to actually go about knowing anyone.  Zuko is the one to break the silence this time.  “You know, there’s some stalls that sell food a little ways up the beach.  Want to go get dinner?” he asks, standing up.

“But what about-”  Zuko shrugs.

“There’s food at the house.  They’ll figure it out or they won’t. Not your problem today.”  He holds out a hand to pull her up, and she lets him.  

She lets him lead her to the little marketplace, and explain what all the dishes are.  She lets him order for her when she can’t make up her mind about what to try first.  She lets him buy her a bag of candies, given with the condition that she won’t share a single one of them, not even with him.

When they get back to the house, he cuts through the garden to the side entrance, and soundlessly lets them in.  She understands the implicit instruction not to speak as she follows him to her room.  He opens her door, again mysteriously silent, and she steps inside.

Thank you, she mouths.  His lips quirk up in a tiny smile, the last thing she sees of him as the door slides shut.

@zkdrabbledecember

[sukifans]

PET • RI • CHOR

[n] a pleasant smell that accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather

ZUKO X OC SERIES

SUMMARY: a captured waterbender and the fire prince may sound like an unlikely pair, but kena never much cared about others’ expectations and zuko, well… he was just along for the ride

A/N: we have read more cuts, bitches. also iroh is the ultimate wingman lmao. enjoy this pt it is very soft and fun ~

⏎ MASTERLIST // PART I « PART II » PART III

Zuko found himself walking down the seemingly endless corridors of the Fire Nation palace. He caught sight of his reflection in a window pane and stopped to look. He quickly reached up to touch his face when he realized he no longer had his scar. The skin that was usually rough and dry and cracked was now as smooth as the rest of his cheek. His hair was longer, pulled half-up in a top knot that held the Fire Lord’s hairpiece. He moved his fingers away from his face to touch the golden flame but stopped when he heard a voice.

“Hey, over here!” the voice called. He turned and saw the familiar girl from the tea house standing at the other end of the corridor. She giggled before running off, rounding a corner.

“Wait!” he shouted, chasing after her. He was only barely keeping up, just catching glimpses of her long braid or her clothes whipping around a corner before she disappeared again. He stopped when he saw her standing still in front of a doorway, smiling. “Who are you?”

Her face immediately fell and her eyes filled with tears. Guilt squeezed his chest, making it hard to breathe. “You mean, you don’t remember me, Zuko?”

“I- I’m sorry. You’re so familiar, I just can’t place you-“ he stammered.

“You forgot me!” she roared, face contorting with anger now. He took a step back, frightened by her distorted features. “You killed me, and now you forgot me! How could you?”

“I d-didn’t kill anyone,” he whispered. The girl opened her mouth wider than should’ve been possible and let out an inhuman wail, running into the dark room beyond the doorway. Against his better judgement, he followed.

Zuko’s heart raced when he looked around and found himself in the Agni Kai room he’d been burned in. Three figures stood in the middle of the room with their backs to him, one on their knees between the other two. Cautiously, he approached. He felt sick to his stomach when he saw his father and Azula were the two standing figures. On her knees was the waterbending girl from the infirmary he’d known as a child. Ozai was holding her by her hair as silent tears rolled down her cheeks, forcing her to hold her head up.

“Let her go,” Zuko demanded. Ozai and Azula both laughed.

“Or what, Zuzu? You can’t fight both of us and protect the snow savage,” Azula purred. She crouched down and grabbed Kena’s face roughly, her sharp nails digging into her skin. Kena whimpered helplessly and Zuko felt like he’d been hollowed out. The poor girl’s whole body was trembling with fear.

“Zuko, help me. Please,” she whispered desperately. He tried to move to reach her but his feet were rooted to the spot. Ozai yanked her hair and Kena swallowed a yelp.

“Look, little girl. He’s not going to save you. In fact, he gave you to me.” He forced her head back up to make her look Zuko in the eye.

“I didn’t! Kena, please-“

“Beg, savage, and maybe he’ll help you,” Ozai snarled, throwing her onto her face at Zuko’s feet. No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t move. He felt like he might fall apart when he and Kena made eye contact just as she started sobbing openly and loudly.

“Zuko, please! Don’t hurt me! I’ll do anything, just please don’t hurt me again!”

“I- I would never-“ he started but was cut off by Kena’s desperate cries as she dropped her head again. “I’m trying but I can’t move.”

She tilted her head up and suddenly she was older — the girl from the tea shop again. With a rush he realized he could move again and immediately dove down to scoop her up. As soon as he touched her, she screamed like she’d been burned and scrambled away from him, looking terrified. Ozai laughed again and grabbed her by the throat, lifting her up off the ground so her feet barely skimmed the floor. She desperately clawed at his arm but Ozai was entirely unbothered. She was struggling to breathe, chest heaving while she choked and sputtered.

“You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher,” his father said and Zuko’s blood turned to ice in his veins.

Azula approached Kena with her hand engulfed in blue flame. The waterbender thrashed and fought but couldn’t get free, not before Azula brought her hand to her face-

“Kena!” Zuko sat bolt upright in his bed, drenched in sweat and his heart racing. His blanket was tangled and twisted around his legs and his pillow was somehow across the room. When he realized what he’d seen had just been a nightmare, he started trying to calm himself down with deep, uneven breaths, holding his head in his shaking hands.

Kena. She was here. She spoke with him. Hell, he had a date with her in less than twenty four hours. Sana had told him that she and her mother had escaped from the palace before being executed, but he had never been sure whether or not she was lying to spare his feelings. To see her here, alive and seemingly happy... he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to speak to her again without blowing his cover. She didn’t seem to recognize him, what with the scar and all the time that has passed. He didn’t know if he preferred that over her knowing it was him or not.

Sighing, Zuko slipped out of bed and started to dress himself. He needed to get out for a bit and take a walk, maybe pick a fight, to clear his head. He slung his swords in their sheath over his shoulder and tied the ribbon of his mask around his head before creeping out of the apartment, careful not to wake Iroh. He wandered down the empty streets, sticking to the shadows cast by the shoddy buildings of the Lower Ring in the moonlight and slipped into small alleyways to avoid running into any late-night stragglers.

His breath caught in his throat when he turned into an alley see someone else at the other end. There stood a woman in a flowing white dress with a large black bag across her body. Most peculiarly, she also wore a mask — a black base painted with white detail to depict a smiling koi face. She cocked her head curiously as they studied each other silently. He briefly considered pulling out his swords, believing he’d found his fight, but changed his mind when he realized she didn’t seem to be carrying any weapons. If she had, surely she would’ve drawn it by now.

Slowly, she nodded to him in acknowledgement before turning and disappearing around the corner. He hurried to follow but she was nowhere to be seen when he poked his head out of the alley. Maybe she really was a spirit of some sort. Ba Sing Se was certainly weird enough for it.

Kena woke up late in the morning, sunshine streaming in through her small window and directly across her closed eyelids. She sighed and turned over, burying her face into the pillow to maybe sneak a few more minutes. That, is until whoever was at the door started banging on it again like they had been when they’d woken her. She continued to lay there, listening for Fera. They knocked again. Clearly Fera wouldn’t be answering this morning. She had probably already left for her job as a maid for a wealthy family in the Upper Ring. Groaning, she pushed herself to her feet and wrapped her robe around her body.

“I’m coming, I’m coming! Spirits, just stop banging on the door before you break the damn thing!” She yanked the door open only to immediately be trampled by four raucous girls rushing into the apartment.

“Morning, sunshine!”

“Are you okay? You just left us yesterday!”

“Yeah, you looked like you’d run into a spirit or something!”

“Did he reject you for some reason? Do we need to go knock him around for a bit until he finds his sense?”

“Because we totally will.”

“Yeah, we can take that skinny kid, easy.”

Kena laughed at her friends. “Guys, it’s fine. Last night I just remembered that Fera had asked me to pick something up for dinner from the market and I’d totally forgotten so I had to hurry. Sorry I didn’t say anything, you know my one-track mind.” She went to the kitchen to put on some tea while the rest all settled down in the living room.

“But you did ask him out, right?” Jin pressed and Kena rolled her eyes, cheeks heating up.

“Yes. You guys shoved me back in there.”

The girls looked at her expectantly. “And? What did he say?” Mona gestured for her to continue, raising her eyebrows.

“He said yes,” she answered quietly and her friends immediately started hooting and hollering. “Shut up! The neighbors are gonna make a noise complaint again!”

“Aren’t you excited, Sola?” Kyali sighed dreamily, clasping her hands. “I don’t think you’ve been on a date in the entire time we’ve known you and now you’re going out with this hot, brooding, mysterious guy.”

“I bet he writes poetry,” said Oma. “Maybe he’ll write something about you!”

“You guys are insane,” Kena laughed, shaking her head. “All of you need to stop reading those garbage romance books.”

“Look, we all already know you’re Miss Independent and you don’t need a man or whatever. You can be excited about your date tonight,” Jin said pointedly. Kena rolled her eyes as she carried over the pot of tea and five cups.

“Fine, okay; I’m a little excited,” she said, pouring everyone a cup before sitting on the mat next to Mona. She was more than a little excited, but for different reasons than her friends thought. She was also incredibly nervous, unsure of whether or not to confront her childhood best friend.

Mona took a sip and smirked. “Is this jasmine?” Kena shook her head exasperatedly, hiding a smile, as her friends all laughed.

Zuko sat on the floor in front of his uncle, who by all appearances was attacking him with a small comb. He winced when the teeth pulled through another knot, grumbling.

“Nephew, when was the last time you combed your hair?” Iroh tsked as he gave another mighty pull.

“I’ve had bigger things to worry about recently, in case you forgot,” Zuko responded. Iroh sighed dramatically.

“Often, we only feel inside as good as we look outside,” he said. Zuko rolled his eyes.

“This seems like a little much.”

“It’s your first date with this girl! You need to make a good first impression.”

“I’ve already made a first impression. She knocked me over and cut her hand open.”

“And that was very kind of you to help her!”

“You kind of gave me no choice.”

“I could tell you liked her, I was just pushing you in the right direction,” Iroh said smugly and Zuko grimaced. “But you’re still working on your first impression. A first impression only ends when the relationship does.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Uncle.” Zuko made a strangled noise of protest as Iroh started slicking his hair down with some sort of slimy paste.

“I used to be very popular with the ladies in my prime. I can give you some tips, if you’d like.”

“I would not,” Zuko interjected quickly but his uncle steamrolled ahead anyways.

“First, you should compliment her as soon as you see her. Tell her she is more radiant than the first fire lily of spring.”

“Talking about fire lilies seems like a bad move,” Zuko said. His cheeks tinged pink, however, remembering the fire lily he gave her that night in the palace — the last time he’d ever seen her until the day before.

“Perhaps you’re right, Nephew,” Iroh mused, looking thoughtful. “Instead, tell her that her eyes are more captivating than a moon flower during a lunar eclipse. Or, perhaps that her presence is as warm and comforting as a fresh cup of tea on a winter night! Remember, this could be your future wife!”

“That’s enough, thank you.” Zuko stood quickly, having heard enough to be sufficiently embarrassed. “You’re going to make me late if you keep messing with my hair.”

“I suppose that will be as good as it’s going to get, then. Do a turn so I can see you properly.”

“Uncle, honestly-“

“Turn, Prince Zuko.” Exasperated, Zuko turned in a quick circle, shoulders tense as Iroh scrutinized him. “You look very handsome! But you would look much better if you smiled.” Iroh beamed as if to demonstrate and Zuko gave him a sour look. “I said ‘smile,’ not ‘scowl.’ Don’t do that in front of her.”

“I’m leaving now,” Zuko said flatly, walking towards the door.

“Be nice! Pay for dinner! Don’t frown! Stay out as late as you want, I won’t wait up,” Iroh called after him as he hurried out.

Kena felt her heart start racing when she caught sight of him outside the Pao Family Tea House, hair combed and flattened into a middle part that she had to swallow a laugh about — surely Iroh’s work.

“Hey, Lee,” she said as she approached. “You look so cute.��� She laughed and she ruffled his hair. He gave her a pained look and caught her wrist in his hand.

“It took my uncle ten minutes to do my hair.”

“That’s sweet,” she said with a soft smile, surprising him as she laced their fingers together. He willed himself not to go red in the face. “Come on, the festival’s already begun!”

She dragged him through the streets, talking excitedly about the food she wanted him to try and a few performers that would be on the stage in the middle of the Lower Ring later. He didn’t say much, just enjoyed her presence and the fact that she was alive and here and somehow with him. Any chance he got he stared at her, analyzing every detail of her face and comparing it to what he could remember from childhood. She still had the same medium-brown skin, dark hair, and grey eyes of course, but it all felt new and exciting again; her hair was longer and flowed freely down her back and her eyes, though still kind and sparkling, held something deeper that had not been there before. He also noticed a long, thin white scar that trailed down the left side of her face from her forehead, through her eyebrow, and down to the corner of her jaw. The thought of someone hurting her made him angrier than he’d anticipated, but he tried not to focus on it. Instead he fixated on how she was almost always smiling or laughing, how casually and comfortably she touched him when she held his hand or grabbed his arm when he made her laugh or brushed her fingers against his forehead when she put a goofy hat she’d won in a game on top of his head. It had been a long time since he’d let himself just be around someone, and it felt incredible. She was still, despite everything, so unabashedly Kena that it made his heart squeeze in his chest. He didn’t know how he hadn’t recognized her as soon as he laid eyes on her, because it seemed overwhelmingly obvious now.

Kena, meanwhile, was trying her hardest to get him to slip up. Something had happened between that night and the day before, because she saw immediately from the way he looked at her that he knew. She figured it was only a matter of time before he misstepped somewhere.

“Lee is an interesting name,” she’d mentioned casually as they watched two contortionists on stage twist themselves into impossible positions.

“I really have to beg to differ on that one,” he’d said in response.

“It’s just a very common name in the Fire Nation, you know? Before I came to Ba Sing Se, there were at least a dozen people named Lee in even the smallest villages. But oddly enough, I’ve never met anyone named Lee here except for you.”

He’d simply shrugged and said, “my village was colonized by the Fire Nation decades ago. I guess the name bled into the local culture.” She’d hummed noncommittally at that and went back to square one with a new plan.

“So, you mentioned you and your uncle traveled around a lot,” she’d started. “Why?”

He hesitated just a beat too long. “We were... uh, part of this traveling circus.” She couldn’t believe he didn’t have a better lie ready.

“Really? What did you do? Actually, let me guess.” She tapped her chin for dramatic effect as she considered something Zuko would likely be awful at. Her face split into a wicked grin. “You juggled!”

He looked at her, slightly annoyed. “Yeah, you got me. I juggled.”

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle. Can you show me something?” She handed him a couple small fruits from a cart they were standing near, looking up at him expectantly. He looked ashen as he slowly took them from her. Awkwardly, he threw them up in the air and they flew in wildly different directions, one landing directly on his head.

“I haven’t practiced for a while.” He cleared his throat, a deep red creeping across his cheeks as she laughed.

“Ah, I understand.”

When they stopped for food at a noodle cart, she’d mentioned they offered supposedly authentic Fire Nation fire flakes. He’d nodded in acknowledgement and then ordered the blandest thing on the menu. The prince was certainly going to give her a run for her money.

Zuko didn’t understand why she kept bringing up the Fire Nation throughout the night. Did she know? He didn’t think she did. She hadn’t at the tea shop, why would she now? Did he do something to tip her off? She’d been in Ba Sing Se for many years; she most likely had heard nothing about his banishment or his hunt for the Avatar and had yet to bring up anything about his scar. He hoped that she didn’t think he was here to hurt people — surely she wouldn’t have asked him on a date if she thought that, right?

Night had long since fallen, but the streets were still bursting with light and life from the festival. He had a small grin on his face while he watched Kena start an argument with a man running some rigged betting game. She accused him of cheating and he shouted at her to leave immediately or he’d call in the Dai Li. Grumbling, Kena grabbed his hand again and stalked away. He was still smiling as she pulled him along and she sent him a (mostly) playful glare.

“What are you grinning at? I just lost ten silver pieces!” she huffed.

“You,” he responded without thinking. Realizing what he said, he quickly shut his mouth. They both flush and looked away from each other.

She took in a deep breath to regain her composure before turning her head to look at him again. “Do you want to see something cool?” There was no way he would’ve been able to refuse that excited look in her eye, even if he’d wanted to.

Zuko followed as she lead him into an alley and started climbing up a fire escape. He watched as she nimbly maneuvered herself higher and higher. “Are you sure this is... legal?” he asked hesitantly.

“It’s not,” she called down to him, peeking her head over the railing, “but it’s alright! We’re crafty. Now hurry up or we’ll miss it!”

“If you say so...” he trailed off as he gripped the side of the ladder and started making his way up. When he reached the top, he found her sitting with her legs dangling over the edge of the flat roof and staring at the city skyline, holding her chin in her hands. He sat down next to her and took the opportunity of the quiet moment to examine her profile illuminated by the festival lights below. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. At first he tensed but then he slowly relaxed, slowly wrapping his arm around around her waist. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, taking in the view. Well, she was taking in the view; Zuko was trying to ignore the goosebumps running across his skin from her warm breath dancing across his neck.

“Lee,” she started quietly, “I know we just met yesterday, but I think I really like you.”

“I really like you, too,” he agreed, surprising himself a little. He rested his cheek on top of her head and closed his eyes. She still smelled the same — something fresh and pleasant and clean that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Kena was tired of dancing around what they both knew. Throwing caution to the wind, she cleared her throat and spoke. “You know, I used to be a servant for the royal family in the Fire Nation.”

He cursed himself for the way his whole body flinched. “Yeah? How was that?”

“Terrible. I was taken from my home when I was young and kept there for years. It was just my mom and I.”

“No friends?”

“They don’t exactly let the help just make friends all willy-nilly. That’s a good foundation for a staff revolt.” She rolled her eyes. “I did have one friend I managed to make though.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“Yeah, except he was the prince.”

She heard his breath hitch. “Oh. That’s rough.”

“Yeah. That’s why we had to leave, actually. Ozai found out and was not happy his firebender son was making nice with someone like me. Apparently he wanted to execute us to make some sort of point, but Ursa and the other servants helped us sneak out of the palace before we were taken to be killed.”

“I’ve heard a lot of good about Ursa,” he said softly, tenderness in his voice.

“She was a wonderful woman. There was a lot of her in the prince, too. I guess that’s why I liked them so much.” He said nothing, so she continued. “It broke my heart to leave. I never even got to say goodbye even though I pinky-promised to see him again the night before Ozai found out.” She thought for a moment. “I always wondered if he ever thought of me, because I thought of him all the time.”

“I- he did. Probably. I don’t know,” he huffed. “I mean that I think, if it were me, I would’ve thought about you every day.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They were quiet for a long time before Kena finally spoke, smiling faintly. “You and your uncle stick out like two sore thumbs here.”

His shoulder shook under her cheek when he chuckled. “I know. I think it started out as a joke, and then we actually couldn’t think of anything better.”

She sat up straight now and cupped his face in her hands. Gently, she brushed her thumb over the rough, gnarled skin on his cheek. She wasn’t sure why, but a few slow tears rolled down her cheeks. “We match,” she said softly, meeting his eyes when he used his fingertip to trace the scar that ran down her face.

“It looks much better on you,” he joked and she gave him a watery smile. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Suddenly, she lunged at him to squeeze him in a tight hug, knocking them both backwards into a pile. “It’ll take a lot more than your awful father to kill me,” she murmured into his chest from her position on top of him. Hesitant at first, he wrapped his arms around her. It just felt so right to be with her again. He couldn’t help tightening his grip and burying his face into her cascade of hair. In the background he could hear fireworks going off, but he didn’t care about anything that wasn’t her.

“I missed you, Kena,” he said, so quietly the wind almost carried the words away. His lungs ached because her name on his lips felt like a long, full breath of fresh air after years underwater.

“I missed you too, Zuko.” Her cool skin against his warmth felt like a wave of water over the flames inside of him. He finally, for the first time he could remember since losing his mother, felt safe. He clutched at her clothes to pull her in as close as possible, breathing her in deeply. She smelled like the first monsoon after a lifelong dry season; she smelled like petrichor.

A/N:

TAGS: @beifongsss @the-lva-way @lammello @llorom6nnic @idkdude776 @aangsupremacy @royahllty @mamooska8 @bucky-blogs @youneedmemanidonotneedyou @eridanuswave @rosetheshapeshifter @fantasticchaoticwho @bwndito @dancerslovelife @justab-eautifulmess

[theowriteswhatever]

Zuko Story That Has No Title Part 2

So I already wrote most of this story, because my friend asked me to. But I’m just going to release it in chunks so I don’t overload your dash.

-Your pal, Bubbles

I told no one that I had saved Zuko all those months ago. I knew they’d probably be pissed at me for saving the life of someone who repeatedly tried to kill us. 

But I couldn’t just watch him die. He was still human.

Now we were in Ba Sing Se and everyone was bored of waiting to talk to the prince and was still trying to figure out the mysteries of this weird town. 

Katara had taken Toph, a new member of our group, to a makeover day. Aang was helping with some kind of zoo. And Sokka was wandering around probably thinking about Suki. 

I had heard of this nice tea shop in the poorer area of Ba Sing Se, but I wasn’t really allowed near there. So I devised a plan.

I put my (Y/H/C) hair in a braid and then into a bun, which I had never done before. I did my make up differently too. I then found a knee length green dress with flowers in my closet and put it on with a black cardigan. I looked completely different and knew Joo Dee wouldn’t be able to stop me. 

I poked my head into the hallway and made sure no one was there. Everyone was gone. Even Momo. I made my way out of the house and onto the monorail system. 

Once I had arrived at the immigrant slums of Ba Sing Se, I made my way to where the supposed tea shop was. When I arrived at the opening to the tea shop, I practically gasped. I ran to hide outside the shop.

Zuko, with no ponytail, was working with his uncle around the tea shop. He seemed angry to be helping, which wasn’t out of character. 

I wasn’t recognizable, so I knew I could go in. But I wasn’t sure I should. But I took another look and the tea looked so good. And Zuko didn’t look as focused on regaining his honor, but more focused on helping his uncle and forcing himself to be upset about it. 

I came out of my hiding spot and walked into the building to sit in the front corner so I could make a quick escape if need be. Zuko approached me and I could tell he was forcing a smile. It took all my effort to not laugh.

“Hi, welcome to our tea shop. What can I get you?” He said in the most bored voice imaginable.

“2 chamomiles please.” I responded with a smile.

“2?” He asked, “But you’re alone.” 

“I thought maybe you could sit with me for a second. Unless you don’t like chamomile. Then I’ll take 2 of whatever you like.” I said as if it was no big deal.

He obviously thought it was a big deal. He practically stumbled backwards at the offer and his face went red. Even though half of it already permanently was. My face grew a little red too, but I stayed calm. He was still kinda in shock and it was a little adorable. Just a little bit.

“You don’t have to.” I said through chuckles.

“N-no it’s ok. I w-will. And um. . .chamomile is fine.” He said while stumbling over his words. He then rushed off to the back and started to make our tea. 

I could tell from where I was sitting that his uncle was laughing at his awkwardness and nudging him teasingly. I laughed a little bit, because not only was it sweet, it was unexpected. We had always seen them as ruthless people that were practically evil, but I had to remember they were still humans with emotions. All humans could love, except Azula. 

He headed back and set the tea in front of me and the chair opposite mine. He sat down and almost fell in the process. I giggled at it, but covered it with my nad. He smiled awkwardly and looked down at the table in what looked like shame.

I took a sip of the chamomile to hide the continuous laughter and my eyes went wide. “Is it bad?” He said in a panicked voice.

“No! No no no. It’s delicious. It’s probably the best tea I’ve ever had.” I said quickly so he wouldn’t worry. Lord knows this boy doesn’t need more worry in his life.

He cracked a near invisible smile. I had never seen him even come close to curling his lip, but right now I could tell that he was actually. . .happy. Which was weird. But nice.

“What’s your name?” He asked while scratching the back of his neck nervously. I had almost forgotten that I didn’t look like (Y/N) anymore. I hadn’t thought of what I would say my name is.

“Leeane.” I stammered out. He chuckled a little bit and I got scared for a second. What if he knew it was actually me? What if he knew and was about to give me a burn identical to his? “Wh-what’s funny?” I whispered in fear as I looked down at the table like Zuko had done just seconds ago.

“I just thought that was funny, because my name’s Lee.” He said with a smile. I completely forgot that he would be in disguise too. Although it was hard to not recognize his scar. Not that I would mention that. I let out an unintentional sigh of relief, but turned it into a laugh to play along. I looked up and became more confident. He smiled more when he saw me look up.

“I thought you were going to make fun of my name for a second there.” I lied. He chuckled a little bit and I did too. 

“No. It’s a um. . .it’s a beautiful name.” He said nervously before clearing his throat. I smiled and put my hand on his while I leaned forward.

“Why are you so nervous?” I asked with concern in my voice. 

He was honestly worrying me with how awkward he was. The group had always seen him as heartless and evil, but evil people can’t be like this. He can’t be so worried about messing up without caring a little bit. He had to care about me just a bit if he’s so shy and awkward. That or he doesn’t care and we just never realized how quiet he is. I guess when he isn’t talking about honor, he doesn’t have much else to say. 

“I’m not a people person.” He stated quietly and in an ashamed voice. I felt bad for him. Which while it’s normal for me to care for people, I doubt he was used to being cared for. Except Iroh always treated him like a son. But Zuko needed someone to treat him as something else. A friend.

*   *   *

Zuko and I sat for what felt like hours and talked, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for not telling him who I really was. But he wasn’t honest with me either, so I guess we were equal.

I eventually had to leave before the group got worried about me and had two missing group members to look for. I politely excused myself and promised to come back soon. Zuko stood at the door frame and waved goodbye before his uncle wrapped his arm around him and led him inside. 

Once I made it onto the monorail, I let my hair down and brushed through it to look remotely normal. I would probably look weird to them in green compared to my usual blue and my makeup was still a little different, but I doubt they would care. Katara might, but that wouldn’t be unusual. She always found something or someone to worry about.

I got back to the house quickly in an effort to avoid Joo Dee and any Dai Li. I finally made it without anyone stopping me and saw everyone gathered in the living room. They all looked exhausted and sad. Whether it was Appa, the impending war, or whatever happened today, I couldn’t guess. Katara looked up and smiled before running towards me to engulf me in a bearhug. “(Y/N), where have you been? I was worried sick!”

“We were worried sick.” Toph corrected in a sassy tone. Katara rolled her eyes and let go. 

“Why were you worried? I was fine.” I reassured all of them. But I could tell Katara wasn’t buying it. My change in clothes and make up also hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“We didn’t know that. Now where were you?” Katara demanded. 

“I just explored town a little bit, like all of you did.” I said in my “as-a-matter-of-fact” voice. But Katara still didn’t seem convinced. She raised one eyebrow and took another look at my personally unique outfit.

“Then why are you dressed like that?” She pressed.

“I wanted to explore the slums and didn’t want Joo Dee stopping me. So I disguised myself as someone else.” I admitted sheepishly. I knew she’d be mad that I went where I wasn’t supposed to go, especially in such a mysterious city. But I wouldn’t regret what I did. 

“You can’t do that! The Dai Li could find you and we would have no idea. They could’ve captured you or hurt you or. . .killed you! You have no idea how dangerous that was.” She screeched with her hands placed firmly on her hips.

I wanted to run off in an effort to not upset her. The last thing I wanted to do was make it worse. I wanted to maybe stay silent and not make her more mad. Everyone was watching and waiting for what I would do and I didn’t want to let them down.

But I couldn’t this time. I love Katara. I do. But she was being ridiculous. She was acting as if this was the worst thing in the world. And she was looking at me like I was the scum of the Earth. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to say something and this time I would not just apologize.

“Really? I go across town to go and explore a town we have nothing better to do in and then I’m in danger! We’ve been traveling the world going from one life-threatening situation to the next and the one day I can do something fun or nice or even remotely enjoyable, I come back to be told that I was in danger? I’ve been in danger from the second this all started and now’s the point where you decide to mention it? I had my first day in months today where I didn’t have to worry about getting burned, or crushed, or drowned, or being hurt by some kind of crazy freak and you decide to tell me I was in danger!” Katara was taken aback by my anger and looked like she felt bad. I took a deep breath and continued with more of a calm tone. “I appreciate that you care about me Katara and I know you mean well, but I finally had one day that I legitimately enjoyed. Please don’t ruin it for me.” 

Katara looked down and kicked some kind of rock around on the floor to distract herself. I sighed and made my way to my room. 

I shut my door and locked it and then began to wipe my makeup off on my sleeve. I took off my dress and looked at my old southern water tribe gear. I didn’t want it right now. It didn’t feel right. I crawled into my bed into just my undershirt and shorts and sat there staring at the ceiling. 

Soon enough I heard Katara knocking on my door, but instead of answering the door like I know I should have, I rolled over and forced myself to sleep.

[royalblue-star]

opening up- sokka

Pairing: Platonic! Sokka x Earthbender!Reader Summary: The Gaang begins to question the reader about their personal life because she never talks about herself. Luckily Sokka is there for them when the memories are too much.

(Gif not mine)

~ "So (Y/N), you never talk about your family," said Aang. 

This caught me by surprise. I thought that it had been some unsaid thing that I never talked about my family, and the Gaang never asked.  My head snapped towards Aang in mild shock.

"Pardon?"

"Your family. You never talk about them."

"Yeah, you're right, I don't." I looked back down at my journal, hoping that the subject would be dropped. But when I snuck a glance up from it, it was clear that that wasn't an option.

"So, talk about them." Said Toph offhandedly. I would've thought that she, out of all people, would understand not wanting to talk about parents, another wrong assumption on my part.

"Pass," I said, returning my gaze to my journal. I had started a lovely sketch of a fire lily that I really wanted to complete.

"Oh, come on (Y/N)!" exclaimed Toph. "You know everything about all of us! Even Zuko opened up to you!"

"What Toph means is," started Katara, glaring at the blind girl, "That we want to know more about you."

"You never talk about yourself. You're a complete mystery," added Zuko.

 I sighed, if no one was going to give up willingly, I’d just do it for them. "How about we don’t discuss them. That’s always an option? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going on a walk."

I made my way away from our little makeshift camp and into the forest surrounding us. I had barely made it into the woods before tears started to pour down my face.

"Pull yourself together, (Y/N)," I coached. Unfortunately, my efforts of calming myself down failed.  Soon what was once only a few tears became a full-fledged ocean. Tears started to cloud my vision and stopped by the nearest tree. I had no idea how far I had wondered, but that wasn't important at the moment. 

I slid down to the base of the tree and pulled my knees into my chest. Quickly, the tears escalated into full-on sobs. I hadn't thought of my family for so long. Old memories and old wounds were starting to resurface.

I had almost succeeded in hiding my memories from remembrance. But Aang had to come in, all concerned for my well being, and ask me about my past. I get that they care and want to ensure that I'm okay, but they don't understand. I don’t want to remember. Not remembering helps me know I’m okay. But how could they know? I never gave them a chance. But would I want them to understand? How would they react if I told them? I don't want pity, and that's what I would get. Especially if they found me right now, sitting on the forest floor sobbing into my knees. 

"(Y/N)?" someone questioned from behind me. I froze, this couldn't be happening. Naturally, the Gaang sent someone after me. I should've expected it. They all care too much. And now Sokka stood behind me. Well, at least it was him. Sokka was like a brother to me, out of the whole Gaang, he was the one I was closest to. We had an odd bond, it was kind of like a mutual understanding of one another. We had found someone who was always there, whether that meant seeking advice, listening to rants, or just sitting in a comfortable silence. We understood each other and what that person needed, making it easy to talk about almost anything. 

"(Y/N) don't lie to me and tell me that you're okay or that you don't want to talk about whatever's going on. It's not okay to keep things bottled up like this. I don't care if you talk to me, Katara, or even Zuko! But let us be there for you, let us help you." 

He moved to sit next to me at the base of the tree. We made eye contact, and something inside of me broke. More tears came crashing down, and he instantly pulled me into him. 

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this." I managed to get out between sobs. He just rubbed my back said, "You don't need to apologize for anything."

It felt like hours that we sat there, me crying and Sokka holding me. Eventually, the tears stopped, and once they did, I realized I was going to have to open up to Sokka.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I didn’t know how to begin, I had never talked to anyone about anything that had happened to me. 

"Are you ready to talk?" He asked quietly, releasing me from his grasp. I nodded. I guess I would just have to start from the beginning. "I don't talk about my family because I don't have one."

“What do you mean?” He asked. It’s like he could read my mind and knew I was just going to leave it at that. Curse him and his good friend instincts.

"I don't know who my mom is. It was always me, my dad, and my brother. The three of us used to work in the Earth Kingdom mine. It was oddly pleasant, working with them. We didn’t ever have much, but we got by. And I liked life with just the three of us. Of course, the second I showed signs of earth bending, I started lessons to improve my bending. I did still work in the mines, just not as frequently. 

"One day, I had an earth bending lesson, just like any other day, except that I really didn't want to go. I begged my dad to let me skip the lesson to spend time with him and my brother in the mines. He said no of course, and told me that training to be a proper earth bender was more important. Boy, was he wrong.

"The one day he didn't let me come and help out was the day the mines collapsed. I could've stopped it if I was there. Sure, I wasn't as strong of a bender as I am now, but I could've saved someone. Everyone who was in that mine died. The entrance collapsed first, leaving everyone trapped. Next went the ceiling and it-" I cut off quickly, trying to suppress a sob. 

"(Y/N).." Sokka started but I cut him off.

"As soon as I found out, no one in our village would help me. I wasn't the only one with such a loss, I know. So I left. I fled to a neighboring village and turned to lying and stealing as a way to survive. I would perform songs and dances for people in the streets and pickpocket them during the day. Sometimes I’d tell stories. At night I’d head out of the village and practice my bending. I'm not proud of what I’ve done, and I know for sure that my dad is disappointed in me, but I couldn't see another way. When I met you guys, you showed me that other way of life. 

"I never told you guys because I was embarrassed. All of you have someone that cares about you, and I have no one. I didn't want to become a charity case because I've been on my own for so long. I've done so much to hurt so many people."

"(Y/N)" Sokka said, this time cutting me off. 

"It doesn't matter who you were in the past. What matters is who you've become. And that girl is one of the strongest, kindest, funniest, and the most independent people I know. That girl is my best friend, and I wouldn't trade her for anything. And I think your dad would be more than proud to see who you've become."

"Thank you, Sokka," I said quietly, pulling him into a hug. 

"Anytime."

[cottage-babe]

Burning Scars part X

Previous | Chapter 10 | Next

Masterlist

whoops i missed two weeks of updating, sorry, concussion stuff :) im all good now tho so more! updating!

I changed the original story up a bit :)

Summary: Y/n, a werewolf from a hidden village, comes across Zuko and Iroh after being exiled. How has fate intertwined the wolf into the avatar’s destiny?

___

Zuko’s been acting a little... weird lately. 

Well, let’s clarify something; Zuko always acts weird. But ever since the trio went into work that day, the boy had been on edge. 

Y/n was standing at the tea station, just leaning against the wall and spacing out. Iroh was beside her, humming a small tune as he prepared the next batch of tea. Then, the boy quickly walked up to them in panic. 

“Guys, we have a problem.” He said as he set the teacups he was holding onto the table. “One of the customers is on to us. Don't look now but there is a girl over there at the corner table.”

Y/n snapped out of her daydream and looked over to the person Zuko was talking about. It was a pretty girl; she had long dark hair pulled into two braids and a sappy smile on her face. Instantly Y/n knew that she wasn’t suspicious of anything. 

“Didn’t I say don’t look?!” Zuko whispered and dragged both of his companions arms to turn away. 

A laugh almost escaped Y/n’s mouth as she shared a look with Iroh. “You know Zuko, I think you’re right, I’ve seen her here a lot.”

The clueless teen nodded his head and furrowed his brows. 

“Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you.” Iroh laughed and went back to whatever it was that he was doing. 

Zuko let out a ‘what?’ and Y/n sighed in response. She had to keep reminding herself that she and the other boy were nothing remotely close to romantic. If anything was learned from last night, they were just friends; family, at most. And she was okay with that, honestly. She had so many issues with him that it probably wouldn’t even work out. But still, she couldn’t deny the fact the Zuko might’ve been the topic of her daydream just moments ago. 

Y/n resumed her position of leaning on the wall. She watched as the ‘mysterious’ girl walked up to the counter and began to talk to Zuko flirtatiously. The girl introduced herself as Jin and payed for her drink. 

“Thank you and ... well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?” Jin asked with a hopeful gaze. 

Zuko paused in bewilderment and it almost made the poor girl regret her request. Y/n wasn’t going to butt in, she really wasn’t, but soon she decided that it was for the best. Maybe if she helped him get in a relationship, it would help her get over her slight (once again, very very slight) feelings over him. 

“He’d love to.” Y/n responded for Zuko. 

The boy looked around his shoulder and sent the wolf a questioning glare, but she just sent him a smile and turned to help Iroh make some tea.

My job here is done. 

Jin and Zuko talked a bit more and ended with her saying that she’d meet with him at sundown. That meant that for the rest of the day Zuko chatted nervously with Y/n and Iroh, giving off mixed feelings between ‘I don’t want to go’ and ‘should I dress nice?’. Y/n let Iroh do all the talking, she wasn’t too much of an expert in that area.

When she was in her pack, Y/n wasn’t exactly popular among the boys. They mainly drifted her to strong, beautiful sister and the girl wasn’t bothered by it too much. She had a few crushes here and there, but that was about it. Nothing was ever acted on. 

So hearing that this was Zuko’s first date relieved her to an extent; at least she wasn’t the only one who’d gone this long without being in a relationship. But there was the other part that nagged her a bit, the fact that Zuko was having his first date; with a stranger none the less. 

Quit all this feeling stuff, it’s getting annoying. 

Y/n may or may not have been giving Zuko a form of silent treatment for the day. If he ever asked her anything, she answered, but other than that, she never intimated any conversation. There wasn't any particular reason (lies), but it certainly didn't go unnoticed by her roommate.

"Hey, uhh.. if you don't think that I should go, I won't." Zuko said randomly on their break.

Y/n's eyes furrowed in confusion. "I literally answered her for you, Lee. If anyone is being hesitant, it should be you."

"So," he began. "Your not bothered? At all?"

There was this weird look in the boy's eyes, something of... Hope?

That's weird.

"Listen, if you need advise or something, Iroh will probably be your best bet." The werewolf laughed awkwardly.

He just sighed and went back to work.

When closing time was coming and there were hardly any customers left, Zuko and Iroh went to the backroom to prepare. Y/n didn’t really pay attention to what they were doing; she just assumed that they were cleaning up any dirty bits he picked up or making him smell better. 

That was why when Zuko walked out into the dining room with his hair slicked back ridiculously, Y/n couldn't hold back the snort that escaped her. Why would Iroh do this to him? Some revenge she didn’t know about or something?

Zuko glared at her and she just masked up her laughter as a cough. “You look great!” She even put a thumbs up to try an convince him of her lie.  He just rolled his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly opening the door of the restaurant. By that time, the few remaining people had filtered out and it was just the three of them. 

When the view of Jin came, even Y/n couldn’t hold back her gasp. 

The young girl was really quite beautiful. Her braid was fixed and she had a youthful enthusiasm to her features. It was a beautiful contrast to the adult life that Y/n and Zuko were thrown into. 

Jin’s eyes widened at the boys new look and laughed, saying something clever to him. Zuko just shut the door so his two roommates wouldn’t listen in on their conversation. 

“He’s growing up so fast,” Iroh jokingly sniffled and wiped a fake tear. 

Y/n laughed and nodded her head. I hope he’s nice to her. 

The werewolf turned and returned to the backroom so she could put her apron away. She assumed that Iroh was following, so she didn’t bother waiting. 

“So,” She began, “what should we do tonight?” Y/n began to wave her arms around dramatically. “Get some food? Watch a play?”

She was really looking forward to tonight. Now they didn’t have Zuko here constantly breathing down their necks (”We don’t have enough money for that!!” “Why buy that when you can buy this!” it got a little redundant at times). 

Iroh slid his apron off and chuckled. “Oh no no... I’m far too old to have fun at night.” 

Y/n deflated. To be fair, the sun hadn’t fully set yet. “I mean... I guess we could read at home?” 

He shook his head once more and turned toward the werewolf. “Just go have fun, meet new people. Don’t let someone like me slow you down!”

She pouted. Why does he think that time spent with him is wasted? She has plenty of fun hanging out with the sweet uncle! Y/n looked at his happy, aged face and observed his truthfulness. She knows that he just wants her to have fun, but still...

“Just go, Y/n, and I’ll see you back home tonight.” Iroh smiled. 

Y/n sighed, looking at Iroh one last time, before turning around and heading out the same door that Jin and Zuko left through. When the brisk air hit her, it felt different somehow. Maybe because this was her first time being out alone. She means this quite lightly, of course, but something about it still irked her. 

The sun was sorta bright out, but not much. 

It had set halfway, so the small beams were jutting out the tops of the building and the sky was painted the scene of fire. Oh, her and her love for sunsets. 

Y/n decided to pick a direction and walk. Honestly, in this part of the city, there weren’t many sights to see; everything interesting rested in the higher Rings since they could afford it. 

After a few minutes, the girl saw a stand selling sweets. She patted her pockets and brought out her tips from work. It wasn’t much, but definitely enough for the night. 

She paid for some iced treats; Popsicles of some kind. She wasn’t entirely sure which flavor to pick, so she went with her childish side and decided to buy two that she was interested in. 

As she continued her trip, Y/n stopped at a few places to watch things. Since night was approaching, shows were starting on random parts of the streets. People performed odd talents for money and it excited the girl; maybe she should do something like them, it seems fun. 

At some point, Y/n ended up at the entrance of a zoo. 

She was almost finished with the first ice cream in her grasp when she decided to enter the park. It seemed deserted and there was only one person at the front desk. 

“Umm, excuse me? Are you open?” Y/n asked since the worker was almost half asleep. 

The man jumped awake and looked around, startled. Then, his eyes landed on the girl’s curious figure. “Yes. Is it just you? Where’s your friends?”

Y/n pouted in response. “It’s just me, how much is it?”

She began to ruffle through her pockets, hoping that it was enough to see the animals, but the man waved a hand in the air.

“It’s fine, you can just go ahead. Just don’t feed the animals.” He said while looking suspiciously at the girl’s popsicles. 

Y/n nodded her head and smiled in thanks. Then, she went inside.

She wasn’t entirely sure why she wanted to be here; it would be hard for her to see captive animals when she herself was one (well, not caged, but you get the point). Her pack elders had informed her of zoos and used it to scare the kid wolves so they wouldn’t go and try to find humans. Of course, that never worked on Y/n and her siblings. She honestly just thought that it was fake up until this point. 

The werewolf walked around to each cell to observe the animals. It almost made her cry; they all just looked so lonely. Y/n couldn’t imagine how trapped they must feel in this small cage; a part of her was happy that she wasn’t in that situation, though. 

“They all look so sad.” 

Y/n turned around and was met with a young boy, possibly about twelve years old. He was bald with a blue arrow tattooed across his forehead and arms and held a long stick in his hands. The orange of his clothing made him standout against the dreary greys of the zoo. 

The girl looked at the animal across from them. It was a Rabaroo, an animal with long ears and bouncy legs. Y/n could hear small chirps coming from the pouch in her front, but she decided not to say anything. 

“She’s really hungry too, I can tell.” Y/n said as she walked up closer to the cage. 

The poor animal was almost pleading for help. She had a thought that the Rabaroo knew what she was, a predator, but still asked for help. These animals must be really desperate. 

The boy joined her. “I wish there was something I could do, but I’m not sure how to help.”

Y/n nodded her head in agreement. When she got this feeling in the past (before they entered Ba Sing Se with their Ostrich-Horses), she found a solution; to just let them go and be free. Now, however, she just felt helpless.

Instead, she just looked at the boy and held out the other ice treat in her hand. “Do you want one? I can’t finish both.”

He got a childish excitement in his eyes and grabbed the treat. Y/n smiled back at him, maybe something good can come from today. 

“I’m Aang, I’m looking for my lost Sky Bison.” Aang said as he began licking to Popsicle. 

“Y/n,” she introduced herself while thinking, what the Spirits is a Sky Bison? “I'm just wandering the city; thinking."

“Really?” He asked. “What are you thinking about?”

What was she thinking about?

There’s so much that should be on her mind right now; her future, how her family’s doing, how she’s doing, but for some reason the only thing that’s been scattered around her brain recently was Zuko. Something about him just seemed so.. spirits, she couldn’t even find the word for it. But it seemed like she was seeing him differently now.

“Oh, you're still here?"

Y/n and Aang turned to the voice that spoke. It belonged to the man at the front desk, the one that let her in for free.

"Do you know what's wrong with the animals?" Aang asked the owner, ignoring the rude phrase that he said.

"Well, the Dai Li won't give me any money because the kids stopped coming. And the kids won't come because my zoo's nasty and broke." The owner sighed. "I wish I could give all these animals the big, open space that they need."

Y/n frowned. He must have really good intentions, it's just the situation that makes him seem bad.

She met eyes with the younger boy to her side and was surprised to see the... Joy?

"Let's do it!" Aang yelled out, surprising both people beside him. "There's a big open space right outside the walls of the city!"

"But how do we transport them?" Y/n asked.

She was totally on board with the idea, it's just that it seemed a little... Impulsive. But she was talking to a child, though, and they always have such big ideas.

"Oh I'm really good with animals." The boy smiled. "Do you want to help me?"

The werewolf paused, thinking that maybe she shouldn't get involved in this event. But one look at the poor Rabaroo peering up at her with it's wide eyes made her cave in.

"You know... I'm pretty good with animals too."

--

She was not as good as she thought she was.

Aang and Y/n separated because they needed to find a way to calm the wild animals running loose. The boy (spirits bless him) thought it was a fantastic idea to let all of the animals go at once; from the biggest animals to the smallest rats. It was wild.

And so here the werewolf was, chasing down a pair of Raccoon-Crows. Since the sun had set long ago, there weren’t a lot of people out. Most who enjoyed the liveliness of the night has had their fun and returned to the welcoming embrace of their beds. Oh, if only I stayed home to sleep.

“Get back here!” Y/n yelled as the birds flew off once again.

They seemed to look at her with a mischievous gleam in their eyes; waiting for her to get close before bolting off once again. It was getting very annoying.

She didn’t regret helping the young boy, especially since she might’ve gained a friend out of this. She only regretted not coming up with a better plan; or at least to wait until morning.

“AHHH!” A voice screamed off in the distance.

Y/n groaned and turned toward the yell, knowing that some animal was probably attacking some random citizen. What she didn’t expect though, was to run face first into Zuko and Jin’s date.

Jin had a hog-monkey climbing on her dress and Zuko was in full panic mode. He tried to help her push the animal off, but it seemed to have a steel grip on her. Luckily, they were alone in some fire lit plaza.

Y/n felt really awkward, especially with how private the area was. What would they need privacy for? She quickly pushed that out of her head though and whistled loudly to catch the Monkey’s attention.

The animal and the two teens looked at her in surprise. Y/n took out a treat that the Zoo Keeper had given her and waved it to catch the eyes of the Hog-Monkey. When it loosened it’s grip, she threw it as far as she could away from the group. Luckily, it jumped away in excitement.

“Y/n?!” Zuko exclaimed. Sighing in defeat, the werewolf slowly joined the duo.

Jin was still slightly frightened and was grasped onto the boy’s arm. Y/n pretended not to see it.

“Hey Lee. Fancy seeing you here?” She tried miserably as she scrunched her face up in discomfort. Maybe they’ll be able to cut this conversation short.

“Why aren’t you back home with Uncle?” Zuko said as his eyebrows squished together in anger. “What are you even doing out here?”

“I decided to go out too,” she explained quickly, “but listen, I met this boy and we’r-”

“A boy?!” He seemed to be fuming now. “You can’t just go around talking to random people.”

This made the werewolf (and Jin, but we’re kinda ignoring the sweet girl for a moment) raise her eyebrow in disbelief. He’s really out here, scolding her for making friends when he’s on a date with some girl he’s never met before. Does he ever think before he speaks?

“I-” Y/n paused and took a deep breath to calm herself. “You know what? We’ll talk about this later. I think we’re both busy at the moment.” 

Zuko glanced at his date and the werewolf used that distraction as an excuse to leave. She ran off in the direction of the Hog-Monkey, hoping that it hadn’t run too far and purposefully ignored the boy who yelled in protest behind her. Stupid Zuko and his stupid anger issues. 

When she got far enough, she slowed to a walk and looked around. The monkey must’ve gotten away because it was nowhere in sight. 

“Hog-Monkey.... c’mere monkey, I have treats.” Y/n spoke loudly out into the dark streets of Ba Sing Se. 

She hoped that the animal would hear her words and come barreling toward her, but she was only greeted with silence except for the soft footsteps coming from a lady walking down the street. Besides for the lady, the entire street was empty and no other animal was in sight. 

That was when she heard it. 

A high pitched ringing noise that rattled her bones and made her brain shrink in protest. It was louder than anything she’d ever heard before. It wasn’t the noise that was painful, no no, it was the feeling of being ripped apart that did. 

The noise, for some reason, caused the werewolf in Y/n to go absolutely crazy. It was fighting the girl; desperately trying to shift into its natural skin so it could run toward the ringing. 

Y/n hunched herself over and groaned out in pain. She looked at her hands and saw it shifting between claws and human hands; she could only imagine what the rest of her body was doing. 

“Are you alright, sweetie?” 

The transforming-girl looked up to meet the eyes of the lady who was on the street. Her eyes were filled with worry, but slowly changed into something of fear.

Before the werewolf could do something to hurt the kind woman, Y/n bolted down an empty alley. Spirits, what is happening to me?

She leaned against the dirty wall and tried to catch her breath, but her wolf just kept clawing at her, desperately trying to escape. She punched the wall, leaving a fist-sized dent (her mind just brushed it off as her wolf power, but that was weird, right?). Then, while the ringing noise still blasted through her ears, she felt her snout slowly grow out of her face; a growl of effort roaring through the alleyway. 

The young girl wanted to cry. Why couldn’t she control herself right now? She was used to the pain of transforming, she had done it all of her life, but she’d never experienced the pain of her two natures battling. It was something entirely different.

The seconds that were passing seemed like hours.

All she could think was, when will the ringing stop?

Soon, she didn’t have the power to hold it back anymore. Her human body was weak and she hated herself for it. She let her werewolf grow into its natural size, towering above her normal height. She felt her clothing rip until it was just strips of fabric on on the floor. 

The ringing stopped, but her wild mind remembered where the sound came from and began its run there. 

Fortunately (although, its also very unfortunate), her journey was ended when something sharp pierced through the skin on her neck. Her dark eyes jumped around until it landed on the fearful lady from the street shaking beside a group of men.  

Y/n felt a sudden drowsiness come over her and her large body fell limp to the floor despite it’s fighting. Just before the unconsciousness came over her, though, the green circle on the men’s chest became prominent in the moonlight.

Then, her world went dark.

__

Dai Lee >:(

also Aang’s whistle thing >:(

 i know that this is a VERY slow burn, but maybe some... couple-y stuff in the next few chapters? we’ll see ;)

Previous | Chapter 10 | Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @bucky-blogs @hopefuloperaangelnerd @simplyfandomish @oddlypointlessescapes @lozzybowe @woohoney @whalerus @cece-lives-here @bwndito @kiaoizz @lrmilikepie @ohmigooosh

[katcadecascade]

Reuniting Strings (Zuko’s Scar oneshot)

Summary: 

Toph asks, “What were you in for?”

“You can’t just ask that!”

“I just did, Sugar Queen.”

Chit Sang laughed over them, “Are you sure you all want to know? It’s a long story.”

An array of emotions is on everyone’s faces. Toph, Aang, The Duke, and Teo are genuinely curious. As fellow ex-prisoners, Hakoda, Haru, and Suki don’t seek an explanation but like Sokka and Katara, they want the topic to get away from Azula. 

Zuko knows that the people who end up in the Boiling Rock are people the Fire Nation wants to ignore. It could be for any reason, politics or crime or revolts be it violently or nonviolently, he doesn’t know where Chit Sang categories into.

“Oh that sounds intriguing,” Toph answers for them, “Yes please.”

Chit Sang looks around the circle, mentally preparing his story. His eyes land on Zuko. The older man doesn’t appear nervous but there is something hesitant in the way he unlocks the tension in his jaw.

“I used to be a guard in the royal palace, tasked with escorting generals in and out of their meetings.”

Immediately, Zuko freezes.

Because they used a fishing trip as their cover story for doing a prison break, Toph bullied Zuko and Sokka into actually fishing for dinner.

Toph was craving fish.

She also punched both boys’ arms because she cares.

Fortunately they have Hakoda, an expert fisherman, to help. Unfortunately Katara tagged along because she wanted family bonding. She shooed Zuko away as the family headed to the nearest river.

He doesn’t complain about that so he reviews Aang on his homework.

Zuko never really imagined himself as a teacher, that was Uncle’s role and honestly Zuko was not the best student. While Aang would occasionally whine or stumble through a kata, the kid wasn’t as near temperamental as Zuko once was, thank the spirits.

It’s a bit relaxing to focus on Aang’s training after the adventure Zuko and Sokka just did. Zuko just needed to get his mind off of Azula. There was a lot to unpack there, especially her supposed case with Suki, but Zuko believes a good hour of not thinking about his sister is deserved.

The Water Tribe family gets to have time together, being happy that they’re all alive. Zuko can’t help but notice that only the siblings have ever talked about parents. 

So after Zuko ends Aang’s bending review, the Avatar does his cool down stretches and says, “I wonder what number of prison breakouts this is. We did a lot.”

Zuko doesn’t blink at this fact, too used to the hectic stories they vaguely explained.

“Well, be prepared for Sokka to retell this break out or maybe the Chief will?”

“Yeah, Hakoda and also Bato are great storytellers,” Aang nods enthusiastically. As they leave the temple’s training grounds, Aang comments, “Gotta say, Sokka’s the last person I thought would spontaneously do a prison break.”

“What. Is Katara more revolutionary?” Aang just stares at Zuko. “Okay yeah, she is but Sokka really wanted to do this. He risked it all to save his dad.”

“Sokka really loves his dad, Katara too of course, but for him it was about proving himself as a warrior.”

“Yeah, he told me something similar,” Zuko said.

“They’d do anything for their family,” the young boy smiles. In the slow sunset, a shadow lingers over Aang as he glances over to a temple mural of nomads. “The first time I went into the Avatar State was back at the Southern Air Temple.”

A huge amount of dread burns low in Zuko’s gut.

“Oh Aang,” he trailed off, thinking of the century old skeletons.

Aang stood in front of the mural. It depicted monks shaping clouds. “Katara calmed me down, said that I was a part of their family now. And when we met Bato, he said I was a part of the Tribe too.”

Zuko moved to Aang’s right side, “The Water Tribe is all about community, right?”

He nodded, “Monk Gyatso and the others were my people but they taught me that anyone could be my family.” A conflicted expression flickers over Aang. “I met a guru. He said that in order for me to master the Avatar State I have to let go of my love. I couldn’t accept that. All I had was love and I don’t want to give that up.”

There is so much about the Avatar that people will never know. Their sacrifices and decisions and mistakes, it is influential to the world and the spirits. Only a selected few will be able to see how each Avatar lives and dies.

Zuko is lucky to know the depths of two Avatars.

“If there’s one thing I know,” Zuko places a hand on Aang’s shoulder, “is that the Avatar will always find love and family. Like Roku.”

Aang smiles brightly, “Yeah, like Roku. He showed me his past.” The smile dips into a loopy hopeful tone, “He got married to a girl he had a crush on.”

Zuko knows that he’s thinking about Katara but Zuko can’t help but latch onto something else, “Was that all of his family that you learned?”

“Pretty much, yeah,” Aang questioningly stares at Zuko with that Avatar wisdom, “Why, is there something you know, Zuko?”

Feeling targeted, Zuko quickly weighs the consequences of telling Aang.

Is he prepared for dealing with an energetic all-powerful kid?

In the corner of his eye, the sunset shines fading pinks and oranges on the faded murals of a nearly gone nation.

Yeah, there’s no harm in telling Aang he has a bigger family than he thought.

“So Roku is my mom’s grandfather.”

Immediately, Aang is hugging Zuko. No doubting, just clear acceptance and joy. In return, Zuko slowly hugs back, gently butting his head against Aang’s. Whatever is going on in that bald noggin, Zuko hopes that this helps him.

When they reach the main temple area, the sky is still that warm orange tone. Everyone has rounded up for the hefty amount of fish the Water Tribe has brought. A fire is already up with fish skewers roasting.

Sokka waves Zuko over for the empty spot next to him and Suki. As for Aang, he normally sits with Katara who has a vegetable meal readied but Aang takes his sweet time before that.

The Avatar’s super big grin is the only warning of Zuko’s misery.

“We have another family reunion!”

“I regret telling you.”

Zuko covers his eyes, not ready to see everyone’s confusion shift into amusement.

“What are you on about Twinkle Toes?”

“Aang stop.” Zuko is ignored.

“I’m Zuko’s great-grandfather!”

Unlike Aang, there is casted doubt and confusion so Zuko explains shortly, “Uncle told me that Avatar Roku is my ancestor.”

“The Dragon of the West?” Chit Sang, their impromptu prison break escapee, specified in the only context he knew.

“Yep.”

Back to the main topic, Sokka laughs, “So wait that means Aang has parental authority over you.”

“It does not.”

“Come on Zuko,” Aang elbows him jollily, “Learn to respect your elders.”

“Maybe after you master firebending I will,” he huffed, moving away to sit by Sokka.

“Don’t turn your back on me mister!” Aang poorly used an old man impersonation.

At least the jest ends there as dinner gets served.

That’s when Toph points out, “That also makes you Azula’s great-grandfather.”

Everyone gets quiet, preferring to chew on their fish kabobs.

“Huh,” Aang says around his fried eggplant, “I’m not ready for that family reunion.”

“I think she’d be elated,” Suki said, “Azula loves drama.”

“She loves reactions,” Zuko specified, “thrives off it really.”

“Oh and then she’ll do that scowl before forcing a smile.”

“It’s not forced. She’s just instantly thinking ten steps ahead where she’s winning.”

Suki taps her chin, “Okay, that makes a lot more sense.”

Being in the middle, Sokka was constantly whipping his head back and forth. Eventually a look of recognition passes through Sokka, Toph, and Aang. Yet out loud, someone else comments on this.

“It’s you who the Princess always visited,” Chit Sang concluded as if he solved a big mystery. “We heard rumors that she was interrogating a prisoner but no one really knew who.”

“Well she can’t visit me anymore,” Suki chirped and bit fiercely into her fish. She probably senses Sokka’s distress because she automatically leans into his side.

“What about you?” Toph asks, “What were you in for?”

It’s like Toph knows she’s the only one who can appall Katara without any consequences.

“You can’t just ask that!”

“I just did, Sugar Queen.”

Chit Sang laughed over them, “Are you sure you all want to know? It’s a long story.”

An array of emotions is on everyone’s faces. Toph, Aang, The Duke, and Teo are genuinely curious. As fellow ex-prisoners, Hakoda, Haru, and Suki don’t seek an explanation but like Sokka and Katara, they want the topic to get away from Azula.

Zuko knows that the people who end up in the Boiling Rock are people the Fire Nation wants to ignore. It could be for any reason, politics or crime or revolts be it violently or nonviolently, he doesn’t know where Chit Sang categories into.

“Oh that sounds intriguing,” Toph answers for them, “Yes please.”

Chit Sang looks around the circle, mentally preparing his story. His eyes land on Zuko. The older man doesn’t appear nervous but there is something hesitant in the way he unlocks the tension in his jaw.

“I used to be a guard in the royal palace, tasked with escorting generals in and out of their meetings.”

Immediately, Zuko freezes.

He escorted generals to war councils. That detail lights something on fire in Zuko as Chit Sang continues.

“These old generals get a little too comfortable in the palace, thinking that they’re rubbing elbows with the elites. One day I escorted a group of generals out. One starts badmouthing something that went down in the meeting, how his speech or whatever got interrupted.”

No…

Oh no.

Everyone around the campfire is quiet. Zuko can’t run off without any of them noticing. Spirits, Sokka is right next to him too. Zuko tries to ignore Sokka glancing at him, likely sensing the distress Zuko is keeping at bay.

“The general complained about the naivety of a kid. How if soldiers enlisted for war, they should be prepared to die for whatever plan they and the Fire Lord approves of.”

Subtly, Zuko takes a deep breath.

No, he decides, he has to stay seated. Zuko owes that to the victims of this story. He also ignores the numb feeling in his legs, shackles of shame rooting him.

Somehow Chit Sang is a part of this three year old tale. It feels alarmingly similar to another man Zuko knows.

“That’s when I recognized this general.” He rolled his eyes with fond amusement, “My brother complained all about him in his letters.”

Hakoda laughed, instantly getting it, “New warriors just love to rag on their captains, don’t they?”

“It’s the best way to make friends in your fraction,” agrees Chit Sang but his lighthearted tone is gone as he states, “My younger brother and cousin were of the 41st Division.”

(“I have a daughter, a little older than you. She joined the army and hoped to later transfer over to the navy unit. She really wanted to serve under my command but first she was sent off to with the other new recruits.”)

A weight drops in Zuko’s stomach as two conversations are overlapping, one around the temple’s fire and another from the past. It brings back cold sea air with its words.

“Anyway, the general keeps yapping. The interrupter is sentenced to fight for his honor. In my head I can’t understand why this went to such extremes. That is until the day of the Agni Kai match.”

“What’s an Agni Kai?” Teo asked.

“A traditional firebending duel of honor,” the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe answered much to everyone’s surprise. “I always heard stories but it’s usually about soldiers, not generals.”

“It used to be a just soldier thing,” Chit Sang nodded, “or maybe you’re thinking about something we called the Ten Duel Commandments. Anyway, Agni Kai fights eventually became a political power move. This one is different. Only the top elites and highest ranking officers were allowed access. But this was the royal arena, there were guards stationed at the doors outside.”

“Is this where you come in?” Aang leaned in, both impatient and eager to learn more. “You got arrested for stopping the fight?”

“No,” he said with shame, “I didn’t know who was up to fight. I’m not sure anyone really knew until it happened. Even then, I don’t know if anyone had the guts to stop this match.” Chit Sang drew in a deep breath and the campfire mirrored it. “How could a simple guard stop the Fire Lord from burning his… young subject.”

Zuko bit his lip. The need to plead and beg Chit Sang to stop talking is at the forefront of his mind.

Instead when Chit Sang meets his gaze, Zuko nods subtly.

He wants to hear the end of this.

“We all wondered why this happened, how something so disrespectful occurred in the front of the Fire Lord for this Agni Kai. The guards and I tried to piece it together the day after. One guard heard it was a dispute in the war meeting, I knew it was about a plan for the 41st, and another guy remembered how that general was notorious for losing his youngest troops.”

The firebenders could all see everyone trying to piece this together but they needed one last jigsaw to truly understand.

A part of Zuko wants them to never understand, to never know the end of this tale. He has a feeling if he asks Chit Sang to stop he will but Zuko actually prefers his narration over whatever Zuko could attempt.

Zuko nods again. He ignores Sokka’s inquisitive glance.

“Then two guards spoke up, said that General Iroh let the Crown Prince into the meeting.”

He had seconds to prepare himself so Zuko chose to stare at the fire and not the many eyes targeted on him.

“It wasn’t a pretty picture even with the scattered information I had,” Chit Sang filled up the silence, recounting the details, “The Prince spoke against a plan that would send the 41st Division to death. He participated in an Agni Kai for his beliefs but chose to not fight against his father.”

Zuko doesn’t look up, his eyes too captured by the bright whites and oranges dancing. He thinks his eyes are tearing up from the heat.

“I sent it all in a letter to my brother. I had no clue if it reached him.”

(“Months passed and I haven’t received any letters from my daughter. I got worried. She sent me so many letters during her basic training. I thought for sure I’d get a letter about her traveling through the Earth Kingdom.”)

“We don’t know what happened to them and it wasn’t long before I got arrested for leaking news about a royal scandal that could be detrimental for the Fire Lord’s image.”

“That’s why you were arrested?” Sokka barked with so much scorn, “You warned a troop that their general was sending them to die and Zuko, he…”

Zuko wills himself not to look at Sokka. He can’t imagine what is on everyone’s faces.

“Yep,” Chit Sang popped, “I got shoved into the next prison transport and haven’t heard any news of the outside world ever since.”

(“Instead I and other families got silence or were told to wait for any reports. I pulled some favors to get answers but it was unsuccessful.”)

In a small voice, Toph asks, “You don’t know what happened to the division?”

That fact has haunted the prince for years. It automatically had Zuko hopelessly say, “No one does.”

(“An official report said that the 41st Division reached the Earth Kingdom and that was it. Nothing else. No letters ever came back from the general in charge.”)

“Actually,” Chit Sang began and this time, Zuko tears his eyes away from the fire to meet the other bender, “My buddy landed in the Boiling Rock a year later and told me something. At some point, my mom got a letter. It was from my brother. The 41st didn’t believe my info and by then they were already docked at the Earth Kingdom, headed to secure a hill near Ba Sing Se.”

It’s like Zuko’s tongue can’t decide if it’s too heavy to move or impatient to spew words. “And then what?”

He meets Zuko’s eyes, a fateful determination flaring up, “My brother and cousin vowed to keep their division alive, whatever it takes. They didn’t write back what they planned to do. They did mention that they’ll do it for the Crown Prince because he saw honor in them.”

“I don’t, what I did,” the former prince shook his head, his voice raw and cracking, “Are they even alive?”

“I have hope,” he said, “That’s all I got left.”

There’s a heavy emptiness in the temple ruins. Zuko tries his mightiest to not make a noise as tears well up in his eyes.

After all these years, Zuko gets new information. It’s not the best one, a vague confirmation at best, but it’s still something. A burning part inside rip apart the hovering sentence of the 41st Division seeing honor in their Prince.

Now if only Zuko and the soldiers’ family knew if those kids are alive or not.

Sokka broke the solemn silence, “Hey Chit Sang, what did your brother looks like?”

The Water Tribe boy gets a lot of raised eyebrows but Chit Sang shrugs.

“He looks kind of like me but bigger eyebrows,” he described, “and my cousin, she has a mole under her nose.”

Now that sends an alarmed look between the original trio.

“Wait Sokka, you don’t think,” Katara trailed off.

“What,” Zuko rushed, his body shaking, “What are you talking about?”

“My first firebending teacher,” Aang answered with a peace that Zuko envies, “Jeong Jeong the Deserter. At his camp there were a lot of people, both young and old.”

“One of them, she had a mole right here,” Sokka tapped under his right nostril.

“That’s my cousin,” Chit Sang breathed out heavily. In fact his whole body nearly collapses with that breath.

This man got his resolution but others have not.

“Did you learn any of their names?” Zuko asked with an intensity he can’t contain.

Three heads shook no.

(“What’s your daughter’s name, Lieutenant?”)

(“Jiang.”)

“Jiang,” Zuko repeated, not that any of them knew he was repeating the name, “Did you hear that name at all at that camp?”

Again they shake their heads but Chit Sang tilts his.

“Jiang, right? Wong and Kari mentioned her in a letter,” the older firebender smiled reassuringly. “She’d be with them. They’re all good friends.”

Hope, it’s hard to believe in hope alone because most of the time it is shapeless. At this moment in a temple ruins, surrounded by people who were originally known as his enemies, they gave Zuko hope.

“They’re alive,” he utters between trembling lips.

“Because of you,” The former guardsman stood up and walked over to him. “You stood up for them, burned for them,” Chit Sang bowed to Zuko, his hands in form of the symbolic flame, “You have my gratitude, My Prince.”

(“Thank you for seeing the value in their lives, My Prince,” Lieutenant Jee bowed, his hands formed the symbolic flame.)

Around Zuko there are a million other conversations. Shocked and processing this all, appalment at the war council, disbelief the horrible reality of who the Fire Lord is, and how this is the life that shaped Zuko.

It all burns Zuko. The origin of his inferno was his honor, a subjective identity he burned into his soul. He may have regrets for speaking out of turn, for disobeying his father’s order to fight, and for a thousand other things but Zuko does not regret speaking against the planned death of the 41st Division.

The price of that was not the burn or the scar or the banishment but the unknown if his efforts meant anything.

Zuko stands with shaking knees, still registering the massive amount of information, and bows to Chit Sang, his hands formed as the respected flame.

“Thank you,” Zuko’s throat is beyond dry, his core knocked out of orbit only to rush back to into place.

The silence returned to hear his small words, vulnerable to their sudden new light of Zuko.

Now that Zuko is paying attention, most of his friends look sick as they stare at his scar. He doesn’t mean to avoid their eyes but he faces Toph, her blindness taking the edge away from all of this.

Yet again, Toph is the one to initial the heavy topic, “Your father and your scar…”

He doesn’t want to say it out loud, it would be easier to just nod or do nothing but it’s Toph, Zuko doesn’t want to leave her in silence. “Yes, he gave me my scar.”

That is the first time Zuko has ever verbally acknowledged the rawest truth of that event.

For years he worded around it with verbs of rightly punished, branded as dishonor, or a million other self-loathing ideologies that burned angry, pride, and shame throughout Zuko.

He takes a deep breath and on the exhale, Zuko feels a little lighter.

-

This is chapter ten of my fic Petals in a Storm. It is an abo au of Avatar and I know that isn’t really everyone’s cup of tea. But this chapter is one my favorite things I have ever written since it is my take on the whole Zuko’s scar trope. So I edited out the minor bits about abo and this could be read as just another oneshot about the scar. 

Thanks for reading! 

[silentfcknhill]

AtLA + LoK Villains Evilness Rating

(If you wanna dispute my ratings I’ll be happy to tell you why.)

ATLA:

Ty Lee - 0.5 /10

Cinnamon roll. Too pure for this world. Naïve and will put her faith in you 100%. Kind of ditzy but can take you down with no hard feelings. Needs to be liked by everyone. Is very flexible. Can strangle you with her legs and giggle while doing it. Chooses bad friends. Has frustratingly good luck. 

Uncle Iroh- 1/10

Actual angel but could still open up a can of whoop-ass if necessary. Too supportive and forgiving. Loves tea, sitting around, speaking in proverbs and leading by example. Probably considers you a friend. Surprisingly powerful but mostly peaceful. Hard to provoke but if you do, just run. Fear the nice ones. 

Jet- 3/10

Misguided and extreme but also traumatized. Don't get in his way. Kind of twisted and obsessive af. Ends justify the means, until they don't. Needs a proper role model and has potential. Can be unreasonable and is still kind of a jerk. Will gaslight you. 

Prince Zuko- 3.5/10

Conflicted, violent and angsty but mostly needs a lot of reassurance. Has a major boner for his honor. Will freak out over nothing. Has been through a lot and will not be underestimated. Grumpy and willful af and won't listen to you until it's too late, then will blame you for misleading him. 

June- 4/10 

Might beat you up or kidnap you for money but it's nothing personal. Might insult you as a way of flirting. Looks pretty and delicate but don't be fooled. Can beat you up in a split second and not break a sweat. Will probably take all your stuff and never give it back. Lives for the tough girl aesthetic. 

Mai- 5/10

Is just bored and over it all. Throwing knives is something to do. Apathetic and will probably just follow along with whatever including murder but will complain the entire time. Emo af. Would risk it all for a quick nap. Prone to bite your head off. Too smart for you and will let you know. 

Wan Shi Tong- 6.5/10

A total dick. Tired of your shit and is judging you. Thinks humans are garbage and won't get involved with them until it suits him. Don't touch his books or he will literally eat you. Nerdiest bastard. Doesn't trust you so don't try any shit with him. Sees through your pathetic lies. Kind of an elitist.

Combustion Man- 7/10 

Thinks blowing shit up is a form of art. Doesn't believe in communication. Very serious and focused. Do not fight him. Probably gets crapped on more than he deserves. A mystery wrapped in a bald head. Probably has a tattoo of the names of all the people he's killed and he's ready to add yours. 

Hama- 7.5/10

Traumatized old hag. Created bloodbending but too crazy to do much with it now. May kidnap you and keep you in a dank hole forever. Seems sweet at first but is hiding a lot of secrets. Don't eat her cooking. Thinks sitting at home scheming is a job. Hates you for whatever small thing you did to her 57 years ago. Forgets nothing. 

Long Feng- 8/10

Conniving af. Will brainwash you, lie to your face and maybe make you disappear. Wants everything and will plot to take it all. Perfectionist and control freak, will stab you in the back and you won't see it coming. Is tired of taking everyone's shit. Thinks he deserves better but he doesn't. Kills children. 

Admiral Zhao- 8/10 

Explosive temper. Huge egomaniac and narcissist. Hates the moon. Has probably killed a lot of people and fish and you're next. Will do whatever it takes. Won't listen to anything you say. Punch first, ask questions never. Jumps to a lot of conclusions, is usually wrong. Frequently embarrasses self. 

Koh the Face-Stealer- 8.5/10 

Terrifying and will probably steal your face. Do not approach. Too indifferent to chase you but can be sneaky af so watch your back. Doesn't handle emotions well. A total loner. The guy who knows everything but nobody wants to talk to. Fear him. To know him is to hate him. Makes you question everything. 

Firelord Azulon- 9/10 

Will order your execution on a whim and maybe a relative or two first for the appetizer. Do not question him. Will play favorites and call you out on things that are his fault. Overreacts and you should probably not be around when it happens. Disapproves of all your choices and is very vocal about this fact. Forces parents to kill their children. 

Firelord Sozin- 9/10

Will commit genocide and take over the world while yelling at you for minor shit. Kind of a petty and jealous asshole. Even if you think he is your friend he isn't and is going to attack you. A big old bully with bad breath and a wonky beard. The original starter of all drama and certified instigator shitlord. 

Princess Azula- 9/10 

Unstable and manipulative. Sadist who thrives off of your fear and suffering. Will hurt you badly in all the ways. Avoid at all costs. Acts cold and calculating but really has no chill. Demands your respect but won't earn it. Trolling you gives her pleasure. The spawn of satan and loving it. Mommy issues to infinity. 

Firelord Ozai- 9.5/10

Second worst dad ever. No soul. Will burn every tree and face to a crisp. Child abuse for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Actual sociopath. Will kill someone and banish you for it. Goatee comes first. Will project all his insecurities on you. Will tell everyone your secrets. World's biggest megalomaniac. 

LOK: 

Varrick- 3/10

Will probably lie, try to con you out of money, order you to do things for him and tell bad jokes but that's as far as it's gonna go. Eccentric and annoying af. Doesn't know when to shut up. Needs to learn some lessons in life. Attracts more trouble than he's worth. Has all the good gossip somehow. 

Bataar Jr.- 3/10

The guy that nobody likes because he tries too hard and ends up ruining everything. Enjoys being a bitch. Wants to rebel but is bad at it. Do you love me now father? Tries to act like he doesn't care what you think but cares way too much. Will not kill you but might get engaged to your ex to spite you. 

Police Chief Saikhan- 3.5/10 

Will do anything you say for a price, except give a fuck. Doesn't really care about anything. Might arrest you just because he doesn't like you. The type to pretend he didn't hear you just to avoid responsibility. Likes to yell into things. Hates helping people. Is actually a giant rock in disguise. 

Tahno- 3.5/10 

A total prick. Has nicer hair than you and won't let you forget it. Very flamboyant and arrogant. Will gloat over being better than you at everything even though he cheated every time. Talks mad shit but can't walk the walk. Ultimately a big baby. Lowkey protect him. Wants to be the cool kid but isn't cool. 

Desna- 4/10

Couldn't care less. Actual inanimate object. Lurks around for no reason. Hates everything and that includes you. Listens to his elders and would probably leave you for dead. Just wants to sleep. Secretly goth. Might actually be two small robots in a trenchcoat pretending to be human. 

Councilman Tarrlok- 4.5/10

Attention whore with a savior complex. Smol bean who wants approval. Acts arrogant but is secretly depressed and self-loathing af. Stubborn and clingy emotional wreck with impulse control issues. Needs a hug. Will probably manipulate you through guilt or charisma. Wants to be Lucius Malfoy, but cries at night. 

Hiroshi Sato- 5/10

Has lost sight of what's important. Total extremist. Will get revenge on you for something you didn't even do. Well respected and seems innocent but is plotting your downfall. Can build a whole army and take you down. Kind of a traitor. Loyalty is volatile. Thinks he always knows what's best for you but doesn't know shit. 

The Lieutenant- 5/10

In way over his head. Wants to make a difference but has let bitterness take over. Will probably electrocute you. Puts his faith in the wrong people. Kind of snobby and will hold a grudge. 99 problems and benders are about 98 of them. Tired of being pushed around but still lets himself be pushed around. FLOPPY MUSTACHE. 

Aiwei- 5.5/10 

Thinks he's better than you and probably isn't. Wants to be sneaky but really is just too predictable. Boring af and tries to be unique but fails miserably. Lets everyone take advantage of him. Don't lie to him. Will harbor resentment and take it out on you at a random point in time. Discount Long Feng but not as smart or ambitious. 

Eska- 5.5/10

Will stalk you aggressively. Thinks slavery is a relationship. Eyeliner sharp enough to kill. Never betray her or she will destroy you. Might use you as a footstool. Seems emotionally dead inside, but don't test her dormant waters. Uses everyone and feels no guilt. Hipster trash. No concept of boundaries or social interaction. 

Ghazan- 6/10

Sarcasm game strong enough to fatally wound you. Doesn't say much. Has tree trunks for limbs and will probably use them to throw lava and rocks at you. Lowkey protective af. Don't get on his bad side. You can't get on his good side. Would rather kill everyone including himself than let you win an argument. 

Zaheer- 6/10

A wannabe hippie but will still fight the system and you too. Don't try to control him. Gets annoyed when people breathe too loud. Is kind of a contradiction. Will literally blow you away. Anarchy equals freedom. Fuck the police. Can sit in the same spot for a really long time. Probably a flat earther. 

Ming-Hua- 7/10

Has a significant disability but can still easily slaughter you. Innovative and sneaky af. As fast and agile as an actual lemur. A natural disaster wherever she goes. Doesn't listen to your advice. Overcompensates a lot. Probably her own worst enemy. Is quiet and likes to eavesdrop on your business. 

Kuvira- 7.5/10 

Wants to control everything. Who invited her to poop the party? Highkey evil and just plain mean. Will use your corpse as a decoration if you get in her way. Secretly petty and superficial af. Thinks social bonding is trying to seduce you in order to take charge of your life. Individuality punishable by death. Even other villains hate her. 

P'Li- 7.5/10

Can explode you with her mind. Her gaze will pierce you to the core. Strong independent and violent woman who don't need a man but chooses to have one anyway. Will shave you off just like the sides of her hair. Has no problem fucking shit up. Boss bitch. Loyal to only a select few, so too bad for you. 

Amon- 8/10

Charismatic but scary and mysterious af. Huge hypocrite. Will silently judge you. Powerful, selfish and cruel. Manipulative as hell and uses intimidation to get you to comply. Pretends to have empathy but really just wants control. Will cripple you physically and emotionally without warning. Knows all of your weaknesses but none of his own. 

Earth Queen Hou-Ting- 8.5/10 

The actual worst. Eats your pets for supper. Her yelling is the #1 cause of deafness worldwide. Will keep you prisoner and then have you killed for looking at her. The bossiest Drama Queen ever. Will be the cause of all your misery and will be proud of it. Bark is the same as her bite. Lots of daddy issues. 

Chief Unalaq- 9/10 

Religious extremist. Actually batshit insane. Wants to destroy the entire world. Has ascended from this pathetic plane of human existence. Loner whose only friends are invisible. Wants you to think he's just shy and misunderstood but NOPE. Knows what you want to hear and says it. Will sell you to satan for one cornchip. 

Yakone- 9.5/10

Worst dad ever. Will either bloodbend you, try to live vicariously through you or both. Absolutely no redeeming traits except for being physically human. Abuse equals tough love. Might beat your ass for no good reason and expect your gratitude for it. Criminal mastermind with no conscience and all of the entitlement. 

Vaatu- 10/10

Actually the devil. Literal incarnation of darkness and chaos. Ultimate troll and force of disaster in the world. Doesn't know any better, but still an asshole by choice. Will use you until you're no longer of value. Has a hard-on for destruction. Likes to play the victim. Will consume your soul and burp loudly.