#i thought she was airbending to hold the beam back but NO no no no she was bending the energy itself

[icant-speel]

Your Lips, My Lips, Apocalypse 💕

Wing Beifong x Airbender Daughter of Tenzin!Reader ~ Where in the Battle with Kuvira, the reader saves Wing from falling to his death. And when she asks him if he is okay, he just kisses her while the whole place is going to shit. Based on the song Apocalypse - Cigarettes After Sex. 🎧

Little thing to know - I HAVE REQUESTED THIS TO OTHER BLOGS BEFORE BUT DECIDED TO WRITE IT MYSELF. So no one better be accusing me of coping 😟, Thank you 🌷

ALSO THIS CHARACTER WILL NOT BE WEARING THOSE TIGHT RED AIRBENDING SUITS (just no 😀), just pretend you have something else on and a glider or you can fly or something 😭

The world was collapsing around us, dust and ash swirling in an insane dance as we fought for our lives against Kuvira. The ground trembled violently, as if it were writhing in anguish beneath them. All I could think about is if Wing is okay, if he is injured or dead. My mind filled with horrific thoughts, but what if they came true? The first time I witnessed the force of that cannon, I felt horrified. 

Here we are, sprinting throughout Republic City, fighting that metal monstrosity head on. The fight left every road flooded with the wreckage of buildings, and the surrounding air was filled with gas, dust, and pandemonium. 

Korra launched rock missiles, and the other airbenders and I flew about Kuvira's robot like flies, hearing the giant's screeching attempts to hit us. Abruptly, the metal giant raised its hand and pointed the cannon straight toward Korra.

"Create a tornado and attack from the top! RIGHT NOW!" I quickly ordered. 

We all moved fast to get into position, whirling about and aiming at the giant's hand. 

We delivered our blow. When the monster lost its balance, the explosion destroyed the surrounding ground and its body fell onto a building. Laughing to myself, I quickly took off along with the others, watching as my brother Meelo disappear into the cloud of dust. I was about to tell him to get out until I realized it was Meelo. He can handle himself. 

The dust cloud disappeared and revealed the giant reaching to it's face to crush Meelo. He flew fast past us and in our direction. 

I saw the cannon pointed at us out of the corner of my eye. It was going to fire on my sister Jinora and me. I swiftly launched myself forward.

"JINORA, LOOK OUT!" I let out a scream and hurriedly moved forward to grab my sister.

Ikki and Meelo arrived to assist us as we began to descend. When the two of them realized they couldn't support our weight. I quickly grabbed the three of them before bending the air below us to form an air cushion and lowering us gently onto the hard pavement.

I hugged my siblings, not wanting to let go.  

"Are you three okay?" I asked, while clinging on.

"Yeah, don't worry Y/N we are," Ikki smiled in return. 

"Where's your boyfriend?" Meelo interrupted.

"I don't know." I heard my voice hurting, and my vision turned blurry. 

I looked up and watched a large chunk of a building fall upon the giant. Wait, Wing could be there.

"Jinora, bring them back to dad please. I'm going to go find my boyfriend." I instructed her, bending a tornado under me to hurry to Wing.

Behind me, I heard my siblings cheering me on. I chucked to myself. Seeing that the tornado wasn't moving fast enough, I propelled myself forward by bending the air below me. 

I hurried up to Korra as soon as I arrived. Taking hold of her and turning her to face me, I tried to figure out her feelings through her blue eyes.

"Korra, please tell me Wing is okay- where is he!?" I questioned as I recovered my breath from running so fast. 

Wing was attempting to knock down a structure. However, the cannon was then aimed at him. I understood the cannon was about to release. My heart was pounding and my stomach fell. And it let off a blast at that very instant. 

A violet ray of light blasted out. I couldn't tell if the beam struck Wing or his rope. No. NO. Please be fine, please be fine. 

A few seconds later, a figure in green and gray falls from the sky. Wing.

I leapt into action. I used my bending to launch myself to Wing. My body crashed against his, the impact sending shockwaves through my system as I wrapped my arms around him. We rolled along the ground.

Now that Wing is in my arms, he is safe. I lifted him up and allowed him to steady himself with my arms. I touched his face to see if there were injuries.

“Wing, are you okay? Are you hurt? We have to ge-”

Wing's fingertips found my chin, luring me into a gentle kiss. His hands traveled down to my waist and mine moved down to his chest. Wing's lips were soft and warm against mine, his hands tightened around my waist out of protectiveness. Even though we've kissed before, it always feels like our first. Our breathing synchronized, both of us clearly reluctant to let go. I felt the blast's scorching wind, knowing that we would die if we stayed any longer, but I didn't really care.

He softened his features and grinned a little as we both released our grips and stared into each other's eyes. His smile, his olive green eyes, my sweet Wing... He would have left me.

"Yeah, I'm alright, sweet pea."

"Are you sure? Nothing's hurt?

"Yes, my dear... You know you're adorable when you're worried. How your eyebrows knit together and how your eyes soften. I should get hurt more often." 

When he proposed the idea, he grinned. I felt a slight heat on my face. I'm not sure if it was his gorgeous smile or the fact that he thought I was cute.

"Wing, please don't." I answered.

With a smile on his face, he threw up his hands. I couldn't resist grinning as well. This man.

His hands gripped mine.

"Now we gotta go before that thing blasts another beam at us." He states, looking at the metal giant.

"Oh right, right, right, lets go." I reply

[dreamstate4you]

New beginnings.

chapter 0.3

They all finally left the little village. Each of them a bit quiet then when they originally arrived ,but unlike a sad atmosphere it once was now one of peace. They had learned and now they needed time to process things.

Venti seemed to be looking down on the clouds Appa was flying over. Stretching her Hand as if she wants to touch the cloud. Occasionally Katara would ask some questions to the girl and so Would venti.

Aang was flying Appa in his train of thoughts. No one disturbed him. Everyone gave him time to collect his thought. He was the one who seemed to be affected by this the most.

Katara was sewing her clothes that sokka had torn and Sokka. Well... He was looking at venti ever too curious

"So what magic trick can you do?" Sokka finally asked venti. "In your songs you talked about a magice carpet. Do you have it with you." He beamed

"What magic trick do you want me to show you? And no That was just a song, Sokka ,but I can make a carpet fly." Venti pulled her hand back from the clouds and faced the boy with a smile.

"Awesome! how about something that can help with fighting. Can you something like that?" Sokka continued to make some punching sounds in the air.

"Here let me show you." Venti stood up on appa's little mat. Katara leaving her sewing behind and Aang letting go of appa's ropes to look at the girl.

Venti walked over to just about the edge and extended her arms out to the clouds.

"The clouds are made out of air and water. If I can put it under extreme pressure." She put her hand in a stiff and powerful bending position.

Everyone watched as a piece of cloud flouted and placed itself on her hand. She seemed to have a look of struggling as her eyebrows were together and her hand slightly shaking.

Everyone watched as the cloud spun itself in a fast speed before completing stopping and evaporating away. But something was left. It seemed like a ice shard. No more than the size of a tooth pic.

" You can create ice." Venti fished her sentence as she held the ice pick on her hand.

"Wow cool!" Aang walked over to get a closer look. So did Katara.

"How did you do that. Isn't that water bending?" Katar questioned as she took the pick from Venti to investigate further, Aang following around as Katara held it.

" That's it?" Sokka replied bored.

"What do you mean sokka. Venti just did some water bending but she's an Airbender." Aang defended her.

"Well it's not water bending to say. I'm not the Avatar. But water does have some elements of Air and hence why I am control a small part of it." Venti explained to them.

"Wait." Katara opened her water cap to bend a small ball of water out. "Can you bend this?"

Venti extended her fingers out focused on the ball of water that katara was holding.

"Let go in 3...2...1."

Katara let go of any bending she was still holding on her water ball. The water splashed into appa's carpet.

"Ha, nope not a water bender." Venti Chuckled.

"What else do you know?" Aang asked enthusiasticly.

Venti held her hand in a thinking motion as if she was in deep thought. "I can sand bend, but that's not special. Every Airbender can do that."

"Have you meet other Airbenders?" Aang asked again innocently curious about the other Airbenders that mangaered to escape the mass murder of almost all Airbenders.

"Yeah I have! There's Malan. She's great you'd love her she's like an earth bender but with air. She uses the air and surrounds rocks with it and bends it." Venti chuckled at the memory "I remember her using that technique to prove she was an 'earthbender' after the firenation got suspicious as to why there was strong wind on a sunny hot day."

Venti continued to laugh with tears prickling from her eyes. Noticing how Aang had a somber smile on his face as he looked at her laugh.

"I'm sorry Aang."

"Don't be. I'm actually happy to know that I'm not the last Airbender." Aang crossed his leg to sit down on the carpet with a happy smile on his face.

"ARG! Enough about this. Venti you do have money right. We can stop by somewhere and get some food real quick." Sokka said as his stomach started rumbling.

"Sure." Venti crawled over to her bag. Searching before she suddenly stops and slowly turns to sokka. Katara scolding him about how they just ate

"I take back what I said..." She hesitantly smiled. "I don't have my money bag." Venti held her head in frustration "Rohan that earthbending snake."

"NOOO" sokka exaduraded as he slowly slumped down. His growling stomach accompanied him.

"Come one Sokka we can hunt for food like we alway do." Katara set down to pick up her sewing work

"Yeah and I can also help." Venti said enthusiastic but sokka only replied with hungry groans.

"It's not the same~" he moaned out as he faked cried.

Aang stoop up from the mat to go sit on Appa's head. He turned to face us with a bright and beaming smile. "It's also getting late. We should let Appa rest too."

Aang flew Appa down and they landed in an area that was covered in trees. Once they were down venti and Katara started setting up camp to sleep on.

Sokka was the first to go get fire wood with Aang as Katara was taking out their sleeping bags.

Once sokka was back he threw the fire wood in a pile and slouched into his sleeping back.

"Goodnight you all." He said in a sad and lazy tone

"Sokka the sun is still setting."

"No food, No sokka."

Aang deadplaned at him. He moved to go grab something to start a small fire with so they could get warm before night actually began.

Katara stood up to go fetch some water from the rivers. Leaving Aang ,who was zoned out in the fire, and Venti who was going through her bag.

"So what's the plan, Mr avatar." Venti asked while she was still shuffling through her bag. "You mastered every element or?"

"No." Aang pulled his knees closer to his face.

Venti decided to not say anything and wait until Aang was ready to continue.

"Water is next, then earth and then fire."

Aang said still focused on the flickering flame.

Venti nodded at his answer. "And air."

Aang turned to look at her with a confused face. "What do you mean? "

"I may have not been raised in the temples ,but I do know quite a few things you might not know. You could teach me something. "

Katara finally returned from fetching the water. By now the sun had fully set the sky was a deep purple colour.

Katara took a seat next to Aang around the fire while venti was still standing beside Appa.

"Tell me about the temples. I've only heard about them through stories and songs."

Aang seemed to light up at the idea of that.

"Even better we'll take you to the temples."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Katara inturpted. "We need to get you to the northern tribe so you can learn Water bending, remember."

Aang sloched at katara's comment.

"I mean katara's right. We should probably focus on your avatar duty. I can always go visit the temples after." Venti tried to cheer up.

A yawn found itself into venti's mouth.

"I'm gonna join sokka in the dream relm." Venti walked over to her sleeping bag that was on the other side of sokka's bag. Just one meter away from earth other. She patted it down before climbing in to close her eyes.

Leaving Aang and Katara to enjoy the heat from the fire that continued to burn bright.

[blog-for-balance]

Chapter II: Jinora 

“What are you doing, Tsu-dumby?” Shang, one of Tsubaki’s most persistent bullies, said as he approached her in the schoolyard. 

Tsubaki remained quiet: the path of least resistance. She was also incredibly focused on her current trick, which was pulling up weeds and cleaning their roots. 

“Hey! I’m talking to you.” Her classmate bent a rock from the ground and shot it into the back of her head. The weed dropped, completely ruining her focus. 

“Chattering hog monkeys!” The fourteen year old girl stood up and grabbed him by the shirt. Sometimes, the path of least resistance crossed avenues of violence. 

“What are you going to do? Bend dust at me?” 

“Good idea.” Tsubaki ground a pebble into tiny, grainy pieces, and blew it into Shang’s eyes. 

“Tsubaki,” he cried as tears of dirt streamed down his face. “This is why you have no friends.” 

“I know.” Tsubaki pushed him to his butt as she returned to her weeds and roots. 

“Don’t listen to him,” a soft voice muttered from behind. “It’s actually a neat thing you’ve got going on. Are you actually bending the plant itself? I didn’t think that was possible.” 

A young airbender sat beside her. They had never spoken before, but from what Tsubaki had heard, the girl’s father was an Air Nomad. He was not a skilled enough bender to get his arrows, but he taught his daughter everything he knew. On his travels, he fell in love with a wealthy, non-bending Earth Kingdom woman, and the whole world stopped because someone deviated from the normal order of things. 

“I’m Jinora, by the way,” she giggled a bit. “You know, the freak?” 

The airbender sent a gentle blast of air in the direction of Shang, clearing most of the dirt from his clothes. His eyes, he may need a waterbender for. Too bad there weren’t any in school. In fact, Jinora was the only non-earthbender here that Tsubaki knew of. 

“I’m shocked they even let an airbender in,” Tsubaki commented. “I wish I could bend something other than dirt.” 

“Well, I am a wealthy Earth Kingdom citizen, and all wealthy citizens are permitted entry to the illustrious Ba Sing Se Academy,” she flicked imaginary hair behind her shoulders as she mimicked the pretentious attitude of most Upper Ring dwellers. “You know, dirt bending is exciting too. Especially the way you’re doing it. That’s remarkable.” 

“Thanks.” Tsubaki blushed at Jinora’s kindness. “And to answer your question, I am not actually bending the plants. I am bending the dirt that’s attached to the roots. It’s a lot easier after rain. I've also noticed slight restoration after cleaning the roots and replanting. It’s not a cure for a rotten crop, but it could help.” 

Jinora was quiet for a moment, which scared Tsubaki. She was waiting to be belittled, or told what she was doing was stupid.

Instead, Jinora beamed. 

“I think you could do a lot of good with that.” The airbender stroked her chin, appearing to be deep in thought. “You know, we have a great library in Ba Sing Se. Do you want to study bending together? I’m sick of the way we’re taught here. Seeing you bend like this is the first time I’ve felt inspired in ages.” 

“Finally.” Relief poured from Tsubaki. “Someone who doesn’t think I’m crazy.”

“Oh, you’re crazy by Earth Kingdom standards,” Jinora grinned. “But those are the only types of people worth spending time with. So, what do you say? Study buddies?” 

“Sure.” Tsubaki couldn’t hold back her smile. “Study buddies.” 

The girls walked back into the school together, feeling comfortable and understood for the first time in their lives.

[wholesomefluffdaddy]

Azula has made no progress since she was sent back to the asylum. Ty Lee believes she can help her, with proper disciple. Tyzula.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

CH19: Turtle Duck

"-and let go." Katara guided as she and Azula sat across from one another in the training room. Azula exhaled slowly as her chakra broke free. The three chakras flowed together, only stopping when they hit the fourth. "Very good." Katara remarked as she noticed the change. Azula shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want Katara praising her. "Now into the air chakra."

"Love." Azula whispered. "Blocked by grief." She grimaced.

"Do you want to continue or stop for the day?" Katara asked. Azula hesitated.

"I want to continue." She said, steeling herself.

"Lay all of your grief out before you." Katara said, inhaling. "And pick one." Azula swallowed, she didn't even know where to begin. Should she pick her grief that her mother never loved her like she did Zuko? How her father only used her as a tool? That her closest friends had once betrayed her? Or that multiple people since then had betrayed her? What about all the years she lost while couped up in the asylum? Everything felt too overwhelming. Katara watched Azula's face screw up as she struggled.

"What's a small one?" She offered.

"There are no small ones!" Azula snarled as she rubbed her eyes. Katara thought for a moment.

"Maybe one from when you were younger?" She prompted. Azula furrowed her brow. Then the memory floated to the surface. A little wooden toy turtle duck.

"It was the first time she looked at me like a monster." Azula whispered as she could clearly picture her mother's face. "I had firebent for the first time…" Katara watched her curiously. Azula balled her hands into fists as she furiously wiped the tears from her eyes. "My mom had never looked at me like that before. Like she was scared of me. Like she hated me."

"How old were you?" Katara asked as she thought about her first time waterbending.

"I don't know. Four? Five?" Azula shook her head.

She could see her younger self holding the toy and staring at it with wide eyed fascination as the little flame that erupted on its back grew and shrunk to her will. She heard a gasp and looked up. It was her mom.

"Azula, what are you doing?" She said sharply. Her expression was something she hadn't seen before. Was she mad? She quickly extinguished the flame and hugged the toy to her chest.

"You were firebending." Ursa said in a strained voice. Azula felt scared. Why did her mom sound like that?

"She was firebending!" Ozai exclaimed with delight as Ursa looked away. He squatted down and scooped Azula into his arms. "She's a prodigy to be bending at such a young age! This is wonderful, Azula!" He said proudly. Azula beamed and giggled. Dad was happy. He was hugging her. Everything was fine. She looked over at her mom again. She still had that strange look on her face. Her smile faltered and Ozai glanced back at his wife. "Tell your daughter how amazing she is, Ursa. Tell her how proud you are." Ursa said nothing but forced a weak smile.

"Mom?" Azula asked. Something was wrong but she didn't know what. Ozai kept his smile but his face hardened as he glared at Ursa. She closed her eyes for a moment.

"You are your father's daughter, Azula." Ursa said, opening her eyes and looking past her. Azula started to frown. Mom didn't sound happy. She kissed her on the forehead but it wasn't like her usual kisses. It felt cold.

"Mom?" Azula asked, reaching out. Ursa avoided Ozai's eyes and walked away. "Mom!" Azula called as her eyes started to water.

"Now, now." Ozai said, bracingly. "None of that. You were firebending! This is something to celebrate!" He said, setting her down. Azula quickly wiped her eyes. "Show me what you did." He said, picking up the toy and handing it back to her. Azula nodded and concentrated on the turtle duck. Flame erupted on its shell again. "Wonderful!" Ozai clapped. Azula felt a surge of pride. "With this level of control we can start your training immediately."

"Training?" Azula asked. "Like Zuzu?" Ozai scowled and she shrunk back slightly.

"No, not like Zuko." He said disdainfully. "Because you're already better than him." Azula wasn't sure what to think. Dad looked mad now.

"She never treated me the same after that… She hated me. She feared me." Azula cursed and sniffed. "My mom hated me because I was a firebender." Katara looked at her pityingly. She couldn't imagine what it would have been like if her mother had distanced herself from her just because she discovered she was a waterbender. "It's not fair!" Azula shouted. "Zuko's a firebender too but she didn't stop loving him because of it!"

"What was your mom like before then? Before she knew you were a firebender?" Katara asked. Azula was taken aback by the question.

"She was my mom…" She said slowly. "She loved me. She hugged me. She read me and Zuko bedtime stories." She grit her teeth. "But after, after that, she didn't have time for me anymore. She only had time for precious Zuko. Her favorite child. She didn't give me attention anymore." Azula scowled. "She only gave me attention if I did something wrong. Like setting the roses on fire in the garden."

"When you and Zuko found her again, didn't she-?" Katara began. Azula opened her eyes to glare at Katara.

"Apologize?" Azula snorted. "Anyone can use words they don't mean. I used to do it all the time. No, she said she was sorry for not loving me enough but she didn't mean it. I could see the look of vindication in her eyes, like she was right not to love me." She wiped her nose. "She only said what she thought she needed to. To make me leave."

"Have you seen her since?" Katara asked.

"She visited me once. Once!" Azula said, grabbing her chest. "It was shortly after you recaptured me and placed me back into that dreadful asylum."

"And what happened?" Katara continued.

Azula started to hug herself. "We… talked." There was a pause.

"Why are you here?" Azula demanded in a low hiss as she glared at her mother while sitting slumped in her straitjacket.

"I came to apologize again." Ursa said somberly. "I-" Her lip trembled at the light that danced between her daughter's eyes for a split second before dying.

"How are you still so weak?" Azula spat. "The monster you bore into the world is restrained before you and no longer a threat."

"You're not a monster." Ursa said softly. She reached out to touch her cheek but hesitated. That was all the confirmation Azula needed. She lunged at her hand, snapping her jaws. Ursa withdrew quickly.

"Your actions don't match your words mother." Azula sneered. Ursa took a breath.

"When I was given my old face back-" Her eyes searched Azula's. They shared a striking resemblance that she couldn't deny. "-Kiyi withdrew from me."

"How terrible." Azula said in a bored tone.

"To her I wasn't her mother anymore." Ursa said, looking down at her hands. "She said my hands were cold."

"They always were." Azula said.

"She wanted nothing to do with me." Ursa said as her eyes began to water.

"Good for her." Azula said with a sense of bittersweet victory. Ursa let her tears fall openly.

"I felt the pain of a mother rejected by her child and it was too much to bear." She said, putting a hand to her heart. She shook her head. She had to face her daughter. She owed her that much. She looked up to see the years of pain etched across her daughter's face. Pain she had put there so carelessly.

"So?" Azula said as her voice began to shake. "What do you want from me? Sympathy for your own incompetence?"

"Azula, I never meant to hurt you like that!" Ursa said desperately.

"But you did!" Azula said as her eyes widened with rage. "I was a child!"

"It wasn't you, it was your father-" Ursa tried to explain.

"Do you know what it feels like to have your mother stop loving you one day?" Azula interrupted. "For her to turn cold?"

"Azula-"

"But you weren't cold to Zuko!" Azula yelled as she tensed up. Tears were already streaming down her face. "Do you know what it feels like? What it felt like to watch you keep loving Zuko when you hated me?"

"I never hated you." Ursa said honestly.

"Liar!" Azula yelled. "You hated father. And do you know what you said to me every time I tried to earn your love back? 'You are your father's daughter.' You could have just said you hated me to save your own breath!" Azula shouted.

"Azula I'm so sorry!" Ursa pleaded. "Please understand-!"

"How is a child supposed to understand that their own mother hates and fears them?" Azula demanded. Ursa buried her face in her hands. Azula huffed. Her heart was beating as if she were in the middle of an Agni Kai. She slumped back down into her seat and looked away. She had nothing left to say to the woman before her.

Azula's eyes widened in surprise and horror. Katara was hugging her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. Azula wanted to recoil, to lash out, to push her away and yet…

Ty Lee entered the training room as quietly as possible and was greeted by a strange sight before her. Azula was sobbing as Katara held her. They must have made it to the fourth chakra.

"Azula?" Ty Lee asked as she walked over. Azula sniffed and pulled back. Katara shared a look with Ty Lee.

"C-Camomile." Azula begged.

"Here or-?" Ty Lee started but could see the distress in her amber eyes. She sat down at once and pulled her into her arms. Azula clung to her and buried her face in her shoulder.

"Azula." Katara said seriously. "Now that you've accepted part of your grief we can move to the next step."

"Is this really the time?" Ty Lee snapped as she hugged Azula protectively.

"What's the next step?" Azula mumbled as she lifted her head slightly.

"Letting go." Katara said. Azula stared blankly ahead.

"How?" She whispered as Ty Lee petted the back of her head.

"Accept that you can't change the past. Accept that you never had the mother that you needed. Accept that your mother is flawed and limited. That you can't change her." Katara guided. Azula closed her eyes. She would never have the mom Zuko had. She had to let go. Her fourth chakra swirled around like sludge. It wasn't free but it wasn't stagnant any longer. It was progress.

"Thank you." Azula said quietly and closed her eyes again as she buried herself into Ty Lee. Katara nodded and smiled sadly. She got to her feet and exited the room.

"I'm so sorry Azula." Ty Lee said softly. There was a stretch of silence.

"Can I ask you something?" Azula said, getting comfortable.

"Of course." Ty Lee said before giving her a kiss.

"What did your parents do specifically to make you run away?" Azula asked. Ty Lee shifted uncomfortably.

"They didn't do anything terrible. They just didn't do anything."

"What do you mean?"

"Seven identical daughters." Ty Lee sighed. "We might as well have been just one." Azula frowned and tilted her head to the side. "Like I said before, I didn't feel like I was my own person. Just one of a matching set. My parents didn't bother to get to know me or my sisters. We were just a single unit. If something was good enough for one of us it was good enough for all of us."

"That would explain the shared naming conventions." Azula mused.

"But like I said, they weren't cruel or mean or anything, just…" Ty Lee tried to explain.

"Neglectful?" Azula offered.

"My sisters and I all tried so hard to be different, distinguishable from each other, because our parents always compared us to each other." Ty Lee said. "Anyway, I didn't think they'd even notice or care when I ran away. I mean, they had six other sets of me."

"Don't you dare suggest such a thing!" Azula growled suddenly. "There is only one Ty Lee." She said, straightening up and fixing her with a look. Ty Lee blinked in surprise.

"Azula…" She said, feeling touched.

"Had there truly been six of you, do you think I wouldn't have recruited them to join me?" Azula huffed and started to blush. The idea of six more Ty Lee's was making her feel hot. Ty Lee smiled and kissed her tenderly.

"You're so sweet." She said, pulling her closer.

"So your parents were negligent." Azula said, trying to pull her mind back from her wandering thoughts.

"Yes but I was wrong about them not caring. Turns out they had discovered that I ran away sooner than I expected. They sent my sisters to find me and bring me home." Ty Lee said. "But I had joined you by the time they found the circus."

"And after-? After everything, then what?" Azula asked uncomfortably.

"Well, I went back home and talked to them." Ty Lee said with a small smile. "I was able to say everything I needed to and they listened."

"And your sisters?" Azula asked.

"Oh, they joined the circus." Ty Lee said, as her eyebrow twitched. "I mean, it makes sense. The circus was really fun."

"Hmph." Azula snorted. "Clearly they were trying to emulate their superior sister." Ty Lee giggled.

"It's fine, really." She said, waving a hand. "We resolved all that. We can each be our own person and be part of a matched set too."

[chiefbeifongcanrailme]

Codenames

In case you thought I forgot, I still am doing the Love Realization Prompts. However, I am no longer accepting new ships for them.

Based on an incredibly adorable headcanon I received from @ilovelin I came up with this little fic. According to Maya, Bumi refers to Lin as Topside because they shared their first kiss on the topside of a ship. And naturally, I fell in love with the idea. If you enjoy this fic, be sure to thank Maya! Without much ado, here's #9: Being worried that these new feelings might ruin their friendship:

There were very many jaded modes of travel in Lin Beifong’s books. Airships and sky bisons always fought for first place and outdid the other by a measly amount based on her overall experience. But one mode that she happened to loathe just a little less than flight was water.

It wasn’t so much that earth was right beneath the water that comforted her. It had a tiny bit more to do with the company that she felt safe with.

And no, it wasn’t the Firelord whose ship she was aboard. It certainly wasn’t Tenzin and his rambunctious family or the Avatar and her nuisance of friends. It was the last person one would think to find her dead with. He was loud, boisterous, and a total jest of a person. But spirits, this friend was special to her. She had soft spot for the man. They'd been friends for years after all, until one day, she noticed a spark between them. She wished she hadn't- she wished he hadn't noticed it either, but they were but victims to their own attraction. Afflicted by an affection so strong, neither wanted to give a name to. They truly hoped and believed that friendship sufficiently encapsulated their relationship.

Lin stood by the railing, watching the waters crash against this behemoth of a vessel as it cruised through. She needed a breather from all the ruckus. To be alone with her thoughts for a while, the same thoughts that were totally governed by him. So much so that despite her aversion to her personal space being invaded, she craved his silent presence beside her.

“Lin?”

As if he could hear her mind, he appeared on the deck from behind. She had to bite the inside of her cheeks to stop herself from smiling before she spun around.

Bumi was wearing his United Forces uniform. He looked like a million yuans in it. And she didn’t just think that because of the obnoxious airbending suits he’d been sporting for the past year. Fine, she admitted in her head before shocking him with a little grin, the uniform was sexy on him.

“What are you doing standing and smiling here by yourself?”

“Nothing.” She replied softly with a shrug, “It got a little too noisy in there for me. I just needed some quiet time.”

Bumi waltzed up by her side. After exchanging an awkward smile of sorts, having previously agreed that nobody on the ship needed to learn of their involvement, they skipped out on what could’ve been an innocent kiss on the lips and turned back around to watch the water below.

“Do you like being out on the sea again?” She asked.

“Chief Beifong is making small talk?” He snorted, nudging her elbow with his teasingly until she gave him a cool glare. He beamed and when she eased off with a hint of a smirk, he answered in earnest, “I do. Even if it’s just a spin around the bay.”

Lin snickered softly, making Bumi aware of how private a sound it was coming out of her mouth.

“I thought it was ridiculous to just spin around the bay on such an expensive boat. That it was ‘insulting’ to the ladyship.” She highlighted the word ‘insulting’ with air quotes.

“Tenzin told you, huh?” He asked.

“Ikki.” She replied with a slight smile.

Bumi took a quick glance behind to confirm if they were still alone and then carefully ran an arm around Lin’s waist to tug her closer. She slowly rested her head against his shoulder and let out a comfortable sigh.

“I came because I heard you’d be coming too.” He confessed, “And as it is, you’re pretty hard to get a hold of.”

“I am?” She gave him an incredulous look, “You’re the one running off the shore at the drop of a hat.”

“Hey!” He chuckled, “If you stopped dropping all those hats, you wouldn’t be able to get rid of me.”

Lin gave him a tight smile before looking away into the distance, “You remember the last time we were on a boat together?” She asked.

Bumi gazed down at her to find her still staring into the horizon, “Obviously. There's a reason your codename is Topside.”

She tilted her head upwards to look at him. Her wide-eyed gaze filled with allure like that was crippling. He wanted to lean in, press his forehead against hers, tickle her nose with his, and kiss her like he did all those years ago. But he had to resist it and, in the bargain, he poured out his heart instead, “I'm in love with you and I can't stop thinking about you. I can’t keep being your friend. I can't be the person who kisses you topside when we're at sea. I want more. I need more from us.”

Lin moved away from his grasp and turned around to face him. The wind was blowing wildly, pushing her kempt hair in all different directions. Her expression told him that she was surprised. He bit his bottom lip nervously and nodded, standing behind his proclamation. “Well, then.” She swallowed, “Would you like to kiss on the deck instead?”

Bumi eyed her suspiciously.

"I would like more too." She confessed softly. Her eyes moved from the wooden floor up to his slowly and longingly.

At that, Bumi’s jaw fell open with joy. Lin maintained a smug smile as Bumi traversed into a cackle of laughter. He placed both his hands on her waist and smacked his lips on her scarred cheek in between words, “Yes. I want to kiss you on the deck, the portside, in the engine room, the-”

Lin giggled softly, before guiding his mouth onto hers, cutting him off for a short kiss.

"I too am in love with you, Bumi." She whispered against his lips, "I just don't want this to ruin what we have."

"What fruit tart has ever been ruined with a little more of cream?" He winked at her.

Ignoring the innuendo, Lin blushed slightly and bit her bottom lip. If she was being honest, not acting on these feelings had been far more menacing than confessing them to him just then. He gave her a nod as if actualizing her thoughts and then leaned back down, sweeping her into his arms before kissing her senselessly.

“Shall we go back to our party now?” She asked, breaking away.

“I was thinking I could show you the hull, maybe.” He quipped.

Lin bit her lip playfully, gesturing him to follow along as they made their way toward the bow. She wasn’t worried about getting caught on the open ship because she knew the alterations in their relationship would remain a secret. After all, no one other than them liked codenames anymore.

[elvesofnoldor]

i mean people discussed this thousands time over but lok was definitely a bumpy ride. i like where they MIGHT have been trying to shape korra’s arc into, which is one about korra growing from a naive, sheltered and a little bit hot headed but nevertheless incredibly kind-hearted and good-natured teen to a level headed and seasoned warrior who has come to understand the complexity of the world through her struggles. i love that Korra’s story was all about self-discovery and it was all about learning what it truly means to be the avatar. despite how bumpy her arc was, i do come to love how unique it was meant to be. she started in a very different place than aang. aang never wanted to be the avatar, but korra wanted more than anything to be the avatar. it’s no wonder that korra had trouble airbending even though her most recent past life was an airbender. but one thing she had in common with aang was capacity for compassion and kindness. Even though their journey was so different, they are similar in that both aang and korra had to survive and struggle with tremendous pain and trauma other people has inflicted upon them and came through the other end learning that their pain and trauma did not have to define and change them as people. with aang, this manifested in the narrative as him struggling to control his avatar state--often triggered by the fear of losing people he loves and cares about. because the pain he has to struggle with comes from trauma of losing his entire people to genocide. At the end, he found a way to defeat fire lord ozai without killing him, staying true to himself while achieving what he must achieve to restore balance to the world. i think they tried to have korra go through a similar process, what with sympathizing with kuvria and saving her and in the process opening a whole new spirit portal. And the infamous “i need to suffer so that i can be more compassionate” line in the last couple of minutes of the show is probably referring to her sympathizing with kurvria, as korra said to her earlier that she knows what she feels because she knows “what it’s like to be afraid”. now, idk if “being afraid” has anything to do with the war crimes kuvria has committed and about to commit, i think they were just trying to have korra sparing kuvria to take on the same sort of significance as aang sparing ozai even though that wouldn’t work very well because these two fights SHOULD have played different roles in the two avatars’ respective development/story. And, let’s put aside the fact that anybody could become more compassionated--even people who already are compassionated in the first place, i have to say that the last season or so still give off this “we don’t really know what to do with our female protagonist anymore so we are gonna have her tortured to ‘take her down a peg’ so that she has something to struggle with” stench. because with the way things ended at the end of s1, it didn’t seem like they had a concrete plan from the get go. even if they worded things better and changed that line into something about growing from her pain and not letting it define and change as a person and learning through her mistakes and her pain that being a hero and warrior doesn’t always mean punching her way through her problems (which was what her arc was supposed to be about anyways) instead, that stench may not go away anyways. sometimes i wonder if her arc across four seasons would have been so erratic if she was not a dark skinned female protagonist, after all, i doubt it was her being a female protagonist alone that caused the nickelodeon to be so against production of lok from the very beginning. sometimes i wonder if the fan base can be so nitpicky about her behaviours if she wasn’t not a dark skinned female protagonist. no. the fan base would definitely not be as unkind had she not been a 1. woman 2. dark skinned woman, but i do wonder about how the production of the story arcs would have gone. idk. it’s not the best show ever, that’s for sure. but i expected to love korra and i love her still. Overall, im just glad i watched this show and experienced the story at last. 

[satuguro]

impulse

IN WHICH: zuko’s fire dies.

PAIRING: zuko x reader

INSPIRED BY: sparks — coldplay, in this shirt — the irrepressibles

NOTES: i’m writing for avatar now! i’ve been wanting to for a while but i was never in the right headspace to start writing for a while. feel free to request some avatar: the last airbender ideas <3

WARNING: angst :(

you were known to be a fairly impulsive person.

you often went into battles blind, relying solely on your spontaneity and skills in order to survive. you hopped around your opponents, knives in your hands as you taunted them with your words. you loved seeing their anger, watching them slowly unravel and lose all sense as they were driven by your insults.

it was how you ended up with the gaang; they saw you, a mere pickpocket in ba sing se, jump in to help them fight against the dai li. to you, it was all a game. you fought with a teasing grin on your face, and thrived off of the rush fighting gave you.

they took you in, and for once in your boring life, you were given a chance to fight.

you gained their trust immediately. katara scolded you when you were being too honest, sokka spoke to you about fighting techniques (as two nonbenders, your relationship was stronger), toph became the little sister you never had, and you taught aang how to steal (just in case). for the first time in a long time, you had a family.

when zuko came along, you didn’t know how to feel. you were indifferent towards him — you claimed that it was only his introduction which had made you suspicious, not the fact that he was a firenation prince. you called him ‘unnecessarily attractive’ when you threatened him with a dagger to his neck.

it only grew from there.

fleeting glances from across the campfire, playful nicknames that became more endearing the more you said them, and deep conversations that you often carried. you were nothing like him; you were loud, blunt, and expressive. and yet, he found himself loving all of you and more.

but you could never love him back. zuko was sure of that. so, he stayed silent on his feelings throughout your endeavor, blind to the feelings you reciprocated.

you were an impulsive person, but of all the last second choices you had made, this had to be the biggest one.

you insisted that you would accompany zuko and katara with their fight against azula. you called yourself ‘the distraction,’ hiding your nervousness behind bright smiles and stupid jokes.

but as you watched azula ready lightning in her hands, her crazed eyes staring zuko, you weren’t smiling anymore. it was as if it was all happening in slow motion right before your eyes. each spark of energy, each huff of breath— everything was moving slow.

you were an impulsive person that never knew the outcome of your choices. but as you began to run, you knew what would become of you.

your legs screamed in pain, your feet slamming against the stone as you pushed yourself closer to zuko. he saw you, you knew he did, but he couldn’t stop you. no one could. the sounds around you faded into white noise, and all you heard as your breathing and your heart beat.

azula threw her hand down in rage, blue flames bursting from from her fingertips. she wanted it to kill him, to be the final blow that finally let her win. she wanted to win.

but just as the flames moved, so did you. you jumped in front of zuko, and the electricity hit you.

you didn’t even hear him scream.

your body fell on your side with a sickening crack, skidding on the stone before your back hit a pillar. you couldn’t hear anything but ringing, your eyes fluttering as your vision became blurry. all you could make out was the deep red of the sky, the colors melting over each other.

then you felt him. his calloused hand grabbing your body, and as he came closer, your vision was clear. you saw him — zuko, on his knees next to your weakening body. he looked like he was experiencing too many emotions at once; anger, betrayal, shock, and sadness. he didn’t know how to feel. he felt so numb.

“you’ll be okay.” his voice was like a breath of fresh air, and as he spoke, the whole world came back. you felt the pain that blossomed all over your body. you heard rushing water mixed with crackling lightning, but most of all, you heard him. his heavy breathing, the shaky exhales he was breathing out. a single drop of water fell onto your face as you gazed up at him.

nearly your entire body was burned, practically smoking as you laid in his arms.

zuko was crying. you didn’t even feel the tears streaming down the sides of your face until you saw him cry. you both knew how this would end. you could feel your spirit start to pull away, but some part of you held onto it.

just a few more moments.

“zuko,” you breathed, and you saw him shake his head stubbornly, his breathing picking up.

“don’t. katara will heal you, just hold on,” zuko rambled, his words coming out as a sob as he pulled you closer. “you’ll be okay. we’ll be okay.” half of your face was burned, but even with your wounds, you were beautiful. zuko had always thought you were beautiful. “you’ll stay, right?” he found himself asking, and it pained you both to hear the crack in his voice as he pleaded with you. he could see you start to slip— each blink started to last longer than normal, and your breathing was slowing.

his question only brought more tears to your eyes. you only raised your hand to his scar, wiping the tear that was ready to fall. you touched him as if he was the last fire flower on earth, and he held you as if you were his world. you didn’t speak, but your actions meant more than words. he knew what you were saying as you reached out for him one last time.

zuko saw the light leave your eyes. the usual brightness, the gleam of mischief you carried with you everywhere was gone. your hand fell from his face, but he caught it, putting it back onto his face— he didn’t believe it. you weren’t hitting his shoulder and beaming at him, you weren’t taunting him and jumping back into the fight. your fighting spirit left your body, and zuko saw it all. he witnessed it, and the air was knocked out of his chest.

“y/n? this isn’t funny anymore,” zuko swallowed the lump in his throat, wanting you to respond, hit him, anything. he refused to believe you were gone so easily— you were too stubborn to leave. but when he stared into your blank eyes, he knew you finally succumbed to your wounds. “c’mon,” he whispered, pressing a trembling kiss to your forehead. your were cold. you were so cold.

he let out a cry, holding your body close to his as he cried into your shoulder. he could hear his sister’s broken wails from across the courtyard, but he couldn’t bring himself to look. zuko’s hands gripped your earth kingdom clothes desperately, his sobs wracking his body as he held onto you like you were his last breath of air. he didn’t even get to say those three words he once dreaded to say out loud. he was so sure that you would both survive, that he would get to kiss you and say how he really felt.

but he didn’t.

he felt katara’s hand on his shoulder, but he didn’t look up. he was cold to the touch, practically freezing compared to the heat that surrounded them.

his fire died alongside you.

┈┈ 𑁍༅ཾ༚ ┈┈

NOTES: sorry for any typos! ily all <3

[hotpinkrathian]

The Dinner

(Kyalin) Cannon to The Box series.

Tenzin took a seat, sitting Rohan on his lap, bouncing his soon to be toddler.

"Oh, Bataar isn't he the cutest thing?" Suyin said fawning over the little.

"He's adorable." Bataar replied. "Any signs of bending yet?" Bataar asked.

"Well, I can't be totally sure, but I think we have another airbender on our hands!" Suyin cheered, drawing attention to herself.

"I would do anything for another one." She said, causing her husband's eyes to widen in fear.

"No. Please.""oh come on, one more honey." Bataar scoffed, moving to sit with his sons. Su frowned returning her gaze back to Rohan. She was caught off guard when her sister took a seat beside her.

"Lin! You made it!" She smiled, Lin nodded, setting down a place full of food Kya sat next to her and Suyin reached over to shake her hand.

"Its been too long, Kya."

"Much, there's so much to catch you up on, Su." The waterbender said, looking to Lin who ignored her. It wasn't long before Mako and Bolin stumbled into the room, heaving and leaning on each other.

"Hey! Take it outside!" Pema shouted, nearly spilling a tray of beverages.

"Sorry its just- Korra?" Mako asked.

"Shes outside with Asami, they'll be in as soon as Korra gets a whiff of this fish." Tonraq said, eyeing up the dish.

"Can't wait." They pushed past the crowd and Su rolled her eyes.

"Remind me so much of the twins." She remarked and Lin snorted.

"Worse." Her older sister said and Suyin laughed.

"Lin, I'm going to the kitchen to get a drink, want something?" Kya asked.

"Hmm? Something strong." Kya looked at her doubtfully and Suyin glanced toward Tenzin, who seemed to pick up on the energy.

"Come with me." Kya said, pulling her arm.

"Alright, fine. I'll be right back Su." Lin said being dragged away by Kya. Su looked to Tenzinsho put Rohan in his uncle's lap.

"Did you-" they said in unison.

"Sorry, you go." Tenzin said.

"That was weird, right?" Su asked, looking at her sister and Kya from the table. The two were leaned against the counter, Kya pouring a waterbenders portion of wine, engaged in conversation.

"They arrived together." Tenzin said and Su pursed her lips.

"Do you think Kya's living with her?" Su asked.

"Its possible. She's been staying in the city for a while now, I assumed she had her own place or an ex's to crash, maybe she's been staying with Lin." The two woman came back, returning to their seat.

"Sorry," Lin laughed as she sat down. Su looked to Tenzin again.

Is she laughing?

I think so?

"So, Kya, where have you been staying?" Su asked, flattening her robe. Kya took a long sip of her wine, finishing nearly a third of it before answering.

"With Lin. She's um... been letting me stay with her. Just to be closer to the hospital and all."

"Thats very kind of you Lin," Tenzin said, "I didn't know you were so fond of the homeless." Kya flung a spoonful of mashed potatoes off her spoon at her brother who blew it against the wall.

"Ha. Ha." Tenzin smiled, proud of himself.

"Beifong!" Su and Lin looked at the use of their last name, to see Korra, Asami, Mako and Bolin standing at the door. Lin rolled her eyes and Kya patted her on the shoulder, smiling.

"Yes?" Lin asked, standing up and spreading her arms.

"You... you lied to me!" Korra argued. Su looked between the two of them. It didn't seem hostile but.. playful wasn't in Lin's nature. At least she didn't think so.

"Actually I just didn't tell you the truth. Besides, you didn't ask me."

"You told them before us?"

"No, I gave you guys the key to our apartment, and I even gave you the box. You just didn't look in it." Korra's eyes met Asami's a look of realization dawning on them.

"Why... why did you-"

"Wanted to know what you thought. And maybe rub it in a bit." Korra furrowed her brows and Lin smirked. Su looked back to Tenzin when Kya wrapped an arm around Lin's.

Oh my god. She mouthed as the bald airbenders face lit up a bright red.

"Were you in on this?" Asami asked.

"Oh yeah, this whole operation was my idea." Kya replied. "I just thought it'd be funnier coming from Lin. And as always, I was right."

"You're not always right-" Lin began, she was shut down with a look from the waterbender.

"Does someone care to explain whats going on here?" Bumi asked, bouncing Rohan. "I'm getting the sense I don't have all the details."

"Beifong and Kya are getting married!" Korra said and the unanimous gasp in the room was followed by silence.

"Suprise." Lin said, a grin on her face.

"Kya, whats the meaning of this?" Tenzin asked.

"Tenzin, its pretty straightforward..." his sister replied. Su was too busy looking at Lin, and then to Kya, who now at a second glance did have a new betrothal necklace. One that had Lin's impeccable bending skills all over it.

"Lin are you... oh my god!" Su cheered, jumping up to hug her sister. "You're getting married?" Lin stood stiff in her sisters grip, patting Su on the back until she was released.

"Yeah, I mean I thought that was obvious." Su ignored her passive aggression, smiling at Kya who winked at her older brother across the room.

"Kya you... how?" Kya laughed, placing a hand on Su's shoulder.

"It just happened. These last what, fourteen, fifteen years, have been the-"

"FIFTEEN YEARS?" everyone shouted and Lin plugged her ears.

"Ow. Spirits you don't have to be so loud."

"You've been together for fifteen years?" Pema asked, finally setting down the beverage tray.

"Yeah. Honestly, I don't know how no one picked up on it." Kya said, "except Bumi."

"How'd Bumi know?" Kai asked.

"Thats... not for young ears to hear." Kya replied, causing the two of them to blush. Su sat down, her head rushing with thoughts. Her sister had been seeing someone for fifteen years and she had no idea. Some sister she was. She wasn't sure how she felt about the secrecy, but she shoved whatever feelings those were aside and focused on how happy she was for her sister.

___________________________________________

Kya flopped onto the sofa next to her fiance, the effects of the wine fading and leaving her feeling tired.

"That was a lot." She said to Lin, who was already half asleep next to her.

"Agreed, way to much."

"But it feels good, doesn't it?" Lin opened her eyes, looking at the beautiful girl beside her.

"It feels amazing, Kya." Kya kissed her her lips tasted like wine, she didn't mind totally, but she preffered the authentic Lin.

"Lin, I can't wait to marry you." She whispered.

"I can't wait either."

"We should do it. Tomorrow?" Lin looked to her.

"What?"

"Lets go to city hall, and get someone to do it."

"You don't want a big wedding? What about your mom?" Kya sighed, leaning back.

"Mom will understand. Besides, after today I realized that I just want it to be the two of us. Like its always been." Lin leaned over, kissing her.

"Okay, but we're not getting married in city hall. I have a plan."

"How could you possibly have a plan?" Lin shrugged, flexing a hand out in front of her.

"I wanted to make sure we had our bases covered." Kys chuckled, kissing her again."

"Thats why I love you, Lin Beifong." She said before nuzzling herself into Lin's shoulder, the two of them falling asleep on the sofa.

Thought it was done? Hehehehehe

"The spirit world?" Kya asked, staring into the beam.

"Yup. Korra recommended it once she got back. I figured we'd honeymoon, but this is better." Kya smiled, and the two stepped into the beam. On the other side was a green field, flowers stretched across for miles, and in the middle, a cottage. Spirits gathered around a table, sipping tea.

"They're here!" The spirits called and Kya looked to Lin, whos face revealed nothing. The door of the cottage swung open and an old man, carrying a tea pot and a saucer smiled at them.

"You're early!" He said over the spirit chatter.

"I'm punctual." Lin replied as the two walked up to him.

"Iroh?" Kya asked, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

"Its been a long time, Kya," he said, "the last time I saw you... you were this high." He put his hand next to his waist.

"Lin did you-"

"Korra mentioned he was here, during harmonic convergence. I had to see for myself."

"And she couldn't stop coming to see her uncle!" Iroh added, pouring two more cups.  Kya looked at her wife to be, who smiled in a way that made her look ethereal. Lin had a connection to this place, different then Jinora's or Tenzin's, but a connection. The one time Kya had been here, it had been whole fully unpleasant. She was starting to think her opinion of it was going to change.

"Well, are we going to stand here all day or is there going to be a wedding?" Iroh asked.

It didn't take them long to get ready, the spirits put a veil of light around them, decorating Kya's hair with flowers and giving Lin a panda lily to give once their vows were done.

"Su's going to loose her mind." Kya said aftwrward, when they sat on the grass.

"She got married without me." Lin argued.

"Fair enough." Kya laid in the grass and Lin joined her.

"I could stay here forever," the waterbender said.

"Me too," Lin replied, holding Kya's hand in hers.  "Me too."

Thanks for all the love on this miniseries everyone!!! I really enjoyed it! Anyway, this is the finale, however I will have a bonus short in an upcoming chapter on Watty with strictly Bumi's reaction. As always, thanks for reading!

[reinerispretty]

rotations. (zuko x f!reader) pt12

hi!! sorry i’m posting so late, i had a super busy day today! but i’m here now and i hope you guys are all having a wonderful time :) thank you so much for reading and being so supportive!! pls share if you can 💕

pt 1

pt 11

pt 13

Every time she saw him, the memories of all of their fights and the times he had made her cry over him came flooding back. But she also felt relief in knowing that he was safe and seeing that he was trying to make a change. Needless to say, (Y/N) spent most of her time avoiding Zuko, because her head spun every time she was around him.

To say that (Y/N) was happy to be back with her friends was an understatement. She was absolutely ecstatic. As they flew away from the Fire Nation and to the Western Air Temple, they caught her up on all the adventures they had had while she had been in prison.  

“We were hunted by this guy that can shoot, like, supersonic beams from his head,” Toph informed her. 

“I call him Combustion Man!” Sokka cut in. 

“Toph and I got thrown into jail!” Katara said. 

“And I went to Fire Nation school!” Aang called back as he steered Appa. 

“I learned to swordfight from the best Master in the Fire Nation,” Sokka said, flexing his bicep. “Pretty impressive, huh?” 

“Oh, you met Piandao? He’s so nice! He came to my birthday parties every year when I was younger.” Sokka pouted and leaned back into the side of Appa’s saddle. 

“I forget that you lived in the Fire Nation.” 

It took days until they reached the temple. As much as she loved Appa, (Y/N) was so thankful to be back on solid ground. She hadn’t worn real shoes in weeks and it was so nice to feel the stone and grass beneath her feet. 

This Air Temple was just as breathtaking as the first one she had seen, back when she and her friends had traveled to the North Pole. It was built into the mountain, making it virtually inaccessible from any other way except airbending. It extended across the mountain range. The temples themselves looked as if they had been built upside down. 

While her friends set up camp on the main level of the temple, (Y/N) had decided to walk down to the woods where she had seen a river as they flown over. They hadn’t been allowed to shower in their area of the prison, so she had weeks worth of grime and dirt caked onto her skin. She was surprised her friends had held her so tight when she reunited with them. She smelled horrible. 

Sokka was hesitant to let her go by herself. “I’ll be fine,” she reassured him. “I can protect myself.” 

“I know, but...” He let his sentence trail off, but he didn’t have to finish it. The last time Sokka had left her alone, she had been captured by the Fire Nation and tossed into a prison. He hadn’t been sure if she was alive for weeks. She understood his worry. 

She kissed him quickly before smiling. “If I’m not back in an hour, then you can unleash you fury,” she said with a wink, walking away. 

She sat in the river for a long time, just scrubbing her skin and combing her fingers through her matted hair. The water felt so nice on her skin. If she could, she would stay in there forever. But she knew Sokka would seriously come swinging down the hill with a sword if she was late, so she dried herself off and put on the Fire Nation clothes that Katara had given her. 

(Y/N) slipped on a red, long-sleeved cropped shirt and matching flowy pants. The whole outfit felt light and airy and she couldn’t wait to firebend in it. Kneeling down at the edge of the river, she stared at her reflection as she put her hair into a traditional Fire Nation top knot, but this time with the flame bobby pin she had worn in her old life. She had kept it wrapped in fabric, tucked away in the bottom of Katara’s clothing bag. She hadn’t worn it for almost an entire year, but as soon as she stuck it into place, she felt whole again. There were some parts of her that would always be Fire Nation, and that was okay. 

She traveled back up the hill, her hair still wet, but decided she’d just ask Aang to dry it for her. She hoped that Sokka had caught something for them to eat because it had been weeks since she’d had an actual good meal. Fish, rice, and maybe some mashed berries for dessert if they could find some? Her mouth watered at the thought. (Y/N) laughed at herself for a moment. Her palette had drastically changed since she had been traveling with her friends. 

Instead of a nice, hot meal, (Y/N) walked back into the Western Air Temple to find all of her friends looking ready to attack. Confused, she turned her head and there he was. The boy she wanted to see least at the moment. 

“(Y/N)!” Zuko exclaimed, running over to her. He grabbed her hands in his. “I’m glad you’re okay. I went back to the prison to break you out when I left, but you were gone by the time I got there.” 

She pulled her hands out of his as Sokka walked up and shoved Zuko away. “Hey, don’t touch her!” He said, his voice low and threatening. 

“Watch it!” Zuko snapped back. He looked at (Y/N) confusedly and she hated that she could still tell exactly what he was thinking at that moment. What’s going on here? He seemed to silently ask, and she averted her gaze as quickly as possible. 

“You can’t just show up here and ask for forgiveness after everything you’ve done,” Katara snapped. (Y/N) looked up at Sokka. 

“What’s happening?” She asked. 

“He wants to join us,” he said, his eyes still narrowed at Zuko. 

“I’ve changed,” Zuko said, but this time he directed his words at (Y/N). She tried hard to avoid his gaze. 

“Are you crazy? You’ve tried to kill us, multiple times!” Sokka yelled at him. 

“And capture Aang!” Katara pointed out. 

“Please,” Zuko said. “I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done. I’m sorry for trying to capture you, I’m sorry for trying to kill you, I’m sorry for sending that bounty hunter after you--” 

“You sent Combustion Man after us?” Toph questioned. 

“I mean, that’s not his name, but yes.” 

“The answer is no, Zuko,” Aang said decidedly. “There’s no way that we can trust you.” 

“(Y/N)...” Zuko said to her quietly. She crossed her arms and walked away from him. 

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“I think you guys are just holding grudges against Zuko,” Toph said that night at dinner. “Aang needs a firebending teacher.” 

“You don’t understand, Toph. You weren’t there for all the destruction he caused,” Katara said as she sipped on her soup. “He betrayed me in Ba Sing Se and he’s hurt (Y/N) more times than I can count.” 

“Besides,” Sokka cut in. “(Y/N) can teach Aang firebending!” She shook her head quicky. 

“I’m too much out of practice. My family wouldn’t let me get training while we stayed in the Earth Kingdom. I know a couple advanced moves, but definitely not enough to help Aang beat the Fire Lord.” She smiled at Aang apologetically. 

“On the one hand, it’s hard to forget everything that Zuko has done to us. But the monks taught me that everyone deserves a second chance,” Aang said. 

“And a third and a fourth?” Sokka muttered. 

“What do you think, (Y/N)?” Toph asked. “You were pretty quiet when he was here today.” 

She stared into her soup to avoid everyone’s gaze. “The truth it, I don’t know how I feel about it. He’s done some pretty awful things. But you need a firebending teacher, Aang. A good one. And as much as I hate to say it, Zuko’s good.” 

Sokka stood, his bowl clattering to the ground as he stormed off toward the bedrooms. Katara moved to go after him, but (Y/N) put her hand up. “I’ll do it,” she sighed, setting her bowl down. She walked briskly down the hall to Sokka’s room, where a sliver of light filtered through the door. She slid it open. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked. He looked at her, his brows furrowed in anger. 

“What’s wrong? You’re out there defending him!” 

“I wasn’t defending him, Sokka.” 

“Well that’s what it sounded like! After everything he’s done to you, you still want to just forgive him by letting him into our group?” 

“Letting him in the group doesn’t mean that I forgive him! It just means that I’m willing to push past my own emotions so that Aang has a chance at beating the Fire Lord!” 

“He can do it without firebending.” 

“We both know that’s not true.” Sokka sighed and turned away from her. 

“I don’t want to constantly be around the reason that I didn’t know whether you were alive or not.” She smiled sadly at him. She walked to his side and intertwined their fingers. 

“Technically, Azula’s the reason I got thrown in jail.” She smiled at him until a small smile formed on his own lips. “We don’t have to like him, but we can put up with him for a few weeks until Aang beats Ozai.”

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Once Zuko had defeated Combustion Man, the four friends begrudgingly let him join their group. It was a difficult decision for everyone, especially Katara, because she still held on to the memory of Zuko betraying her in the underground palace of Ba Sing Se. (Y/N) was also very uncomfortable with Zuko joining their group. Every time she saw him, the memories of all of their fights and the times he had made her cry over him came flooding back. But she also felt relief in knowing that he was safe and seeing that he was trying to make a change. Needless to say, (Y/N) spent most of her time avoiding Zuko, because her head spun every time she was around him. 

She had been laying out the sleeping bags for the night when Zuko approached her. They were completely alone, so there was no one she could run towards as a distraction. She knew he was there but refused to look up at him. He cleared his throat to get her attention. 

“I wanted to thank you,” he said. “For letting me join your group.” She raised her eyebrow at him.

“It was Toph’s idea,” she said simply as she unfurled Katara’s sleeping bag.

“I also wanted to say that I’m really sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I didn’t say that when you came to the shop in Ba Sing Se, but I wanted to. And I wanted to apologize for everything else that happened there.” 

“Like betraying both me and your uncle after we both had thought you changed? Like letting me rot in prison while you played house with your family?” She saw him physically wince from her tone. “You’re here to teach Aang, Zuko. I have no interest in being your friend.” She laid out the last sleeping bag and walked away in search of literally anyone else. 

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It took Zuko a while to actually start teaching Aang firebending. Because he had lost the anger he had toward the Avatar, he lost the source of his bending. (Y/N) laughed as she watched Zuko create little puffs of fire with his hands. 

“How do you do it, (Y/N)?” Aang asked. She shrugged. 

“My firebending teachers always told me that I was very headstrong and determined. I guess that’s where I get the source of my bending from.” She walked away from the conversation just as Zuko opened his mouth to say something else. 

He and Aang traveled to the Sun Warrior civilization and (Y/N) would be lying if she said she wasn’t glad to have him gone. Not being around him gave her room to breathe. Every moment he was there, she was thinking of what quip she would give when he tried to talk to her, or the nearest way she could escape if he roped her into a conversation. It was nice to be able to walk around freely without having to worry if Zuko was around. 

When Aang and Zuko returned, they both excitedly told the group of their discovery of the two last dragons in existence. (Y/N) was shocked to learn this because in school she had always learned that Iroh had killed the last dragon. She wasn’t surprised to discover that he had done it to protect them. Iroh was conscientious about things like that. 

Slowly but surely, Zuko’s relationship with everyone in their group (except (Y/N) and Katara) was starting to improve. Toph had never had anything against him and quickly forgave him for accidentally burning her feet. Zuko was incredibly rough around the edges, but Aang learned to like him during their time with the Sun Warriors. Even Sokka would take Zuko down to the river sometimes and fish with him. They did it mostly in silence, but it was still an improvement from their previous interactions. 

Every time Zuko tried to talk to Katara, she shut him down with a harsh comment. (Y/N) either did the same or completely avoided him altogether. He cared about becoming Katara’s friend as well, but it tore him apart inside whenever (Y/N) brushed him off like he didn’t exist. Every night, he lay in bed and thought of the good times they had had together. He thought about building sand castles with her at Ember Island, about attending boring etiquette classes and making silly faces at each other from across the room, and about sneaking into the kitchens on his tenth birthday and stealing fruit tarts for her. 

He knew he had caused her a lot of pain, which is why he was trying his best to be patient. But every morning he woke up wanting to talk to her and when she wouldn’t let him, it was like a painful jab to his heart. Whenever he saw her toss her head back and laugh loudly at something one of her friends said, his heart swelled because he loved the noise and sank because he wasn’t the one making her laugh. 

Zuko watched from the bank of the river as (Y/N) and Sokka wrestled each other in the water. They couldn’t stop laughing and sometimes Toph would create mounds of earth to come up and knock one of them off of their feet, furthering their laughing fit. He watched as Sokka wrapped his arms around her waist and tossed her into the water. 

“So...” Zuko said slowly, his eyes cutting to Aang. The young Avatar sat on the ground beside him, feeding Momo berries and rubbing his belly. “Sokka and (Y/N) are together.” It was phrased as more of a direct statement, but he hoped that Aang would provide him with more information. 

“Yeah!” Aang said as he scratched between Momo’s ears. “They’ve been going out for a few weeks now. About time, if you ask me.” 

Zuko felt the anger growing inside of him and took three deep breaths to calm himself down. He had had a feeling that the two were more than just friends for a while now. They sat closer together at dinner and if one of them was alone, they always found the other. They acted the way (Y/N) and Zuko had, long before all of this had happened. He had known it at the back of his mind, but refused to believe it. Hearing Aang confirm it just made him angry. Aang must have sensed this, because he turned to him. 

“Everything okay?” 

“Yeah!” Zuko said, just a bit too forcefully. “It’s just very different being around her now.” 

“You mean how she doesn’t want to talk to you at all or have anything to do with you?” 

Zuko narrowed his eyes at Aang, who gave a sheepish smile. 

“I guess you’re not wrong,” Zuko admitted. Sokka had lifted her over his shoulder and tossed her into the water. She resurfaced giggling and threw herself into him to knock him over. 

“When she first joined us,” Aang said quietly. “We could all tell that she missed someone a lot. It wasn’t until after Sokka rescued her from your ship that we realized the person she was missing was you. I think she really cares about you, Zuko, which makes this a lot harder for her than the rest of us.” 

Zuko smiled softly at his friend. “Thanks, Aang.” 

“No problem!” 

---

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[flameo-firelord-hotman]

Part 4

Pairing: Zuko x Fem!Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: depression

Words: 2.2k

Summary: to everyone she knew, [y/n] was a peasant, destined to be a servant just like her parents. To Zuko, however, she was his best friend. After losing his agni kai and being exiled, [y/n] was devastated. She thought she would never see him again. Three years later, she almost wished he never came back.

A/N: here it is! I finally got it out after a busy few weeks :)

Part 3 <- Part 4 -> Part 5

Series | Masterlist

[Y/n] clutched at her chest. Her breathing suddenly became short and shallow. Her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest.

“W-what?” [Y/n] croaked. Her face contorted in confusion and shock.

“I know. It’s just horrible, isn’t it?” Azula lamented.

[Y/n] was speechless, but her mind rambled rampantly. What happened to him? How did he go missing? Was he taken? By who? Where would he be? She had so many questions, but it wasn’t her place ask any of them.

“But it’s strange,” Azula continued, putting a long, sharp fingernail to her chin, “the day Zuko disappeared, he wrote Mai a break up letter. It’s almost like he left on his own accord, like it was planned...”

But...why would he leave? [Y/n] was puzzled, and Azula, as perceptive as she always was, knew exactly what she was thinking.

“We called you here because we hoped you knew something that we didn’t. You are his best friend, of course. But, according to what you said, he didn’t give you any notice that he was leaving. What a pathetic way to treat his best friend,” she remarked.

“I’m so sorry, Princess Azula and Firelord Ozai. I really wish I could help.”

Azula turned her back to [y/n]. “Father, is there anything you’d like to say?”

Firelord Ozai silently shook his head. He never spoke a word, yet [y/n] felt terrified by the man, and the silent gesture sent shivers down her spine. Azula turned back around to face [y/n]. “You’re dismissed.”

On her way home, [y/n] did her best to hold herself together and remain calm. Some tears managed to escape. But once she got home, she collapsed. Streams of tears coated her face and neck. She choked on her sobs. She felt so many emotions, but, most of all, she was in utter disbelief.

Zuko was gone. Again.

This time he left on his own. But why? Was he really that unhappy? He had so many wonderful things: royalty, honor, prestige, riches and wealth, his lavish home--a royal palace--and a beautiful girlfriend among so many other things. Was it not enough?

Regardless of the reason, [y/n] felt just as devastated as she did three years ago. Only this time she blamed herself for being so upset. Not only did she push him away over something completely stupid, she also took their friendship for granted.

Zuko was [y/n]'s only real friend, and, despite being royalty, he was always so kind to her. She wanted to kick herself for not spending time with him that one day. She should've accepted the offer. She should've gotten over her dumb feelings.

Now, once again, [y/n] didn't know if she would ever see him again.

Days passed. Then, days turned to weeks. And weeks to months.

Like three years ago, it was hard to get out of bed, it was hard to eat anything, it was hard to focus on simple tasks. Some days, she felt sadness. Other days, it was anger. On rare occasions, she felt content, until grief would knock her down like a tidal wave.

[Y/n] kept the letter Zuko wrote to her under her pillow. It was the only thing she had left of him...a relic of a recent past, a brief reunion, that felt so long ago. At night, she would gingerly trace the paint brushed characters with her finger. And when she cried, she made sure her tears never touched the ink so that she could trace them again the next day.

Like three years ago, [y/n] faced reality and came to terms with what happened. Maybe her and Zuko were never meant to be. Or maybe the universe gave her what she wanted all those months ago: distance from the prince to kill her love for him.

Another evacuation of the city was ordered. This time, [y/n] had no idea why. She didn’t speak to her parents as often as she used too, and, with what happened recently, her mother was extra cautious about gossiping around her. [Y/n] didn’t expect anything crazy to happen anyway. They would leave, they would come back, and that would be it.

But when [y/n] and her parents marched through the streets back to their apartment, they saw something incredibly unusual. Messenger hawks were cawing and soaring all across the skies, and people in different colored clothing were bustling about all over the city. It was like they stumbled into a whole different world.

Groups of people wearing shades of green were earthbending to repair burned buildings. A few people in shades of blue were gently waterbending on people who appeared to be injured.

[Y/n] was amazed. She had only heard about other forms of bending; this was her first time seeing them with her own eyes. She had also never seen such beautiful garbs either. All of her life had been spent living in the Fire Nation, which was like living in a bubble. She genuinely had no idea what the rest of the world was like aside from what her parents had told her, which was not a lot.

[Y/n] was also confused. What’s going on? Why are they here? What happened? She wasn’t the only one who was puzzled. Her parents and all the other Fire Nation citizens looked just as confused as her. Particularly, the nobles seemed frustrated. Perhaps it was best not to question it.

As [y/n] and her parents quietly made their way to the apartment, they overheard lots of chatter...

“...Ozai imprisoned...” “...Sozin’s comet...” “...burn down Ba Sing Se...” “...Avatar Aang...” “...Azula should be next...” “...the last airbender...” “...just a group of kids...” “...this is treachery...”

And when they reached their home, they were met with a messenger hawk perched on their window. Her father removed the letter from the hawk’s leg. After a quick glance, he smiled widely and handed the letter to [y/n].

“It’s for you,” he told her cheerfully. [Y/n] raised an eyebrow and took it. She unrolled the parchment and, immediately, her eyes widened. She recognized the handwriting.

Dear [y/n], I hope you’re well. I’m so sorry for disappearing without saying anything. I can explain, in fact, I have so much I want to tell you! Before I do, I want to invite you to my coronation ceremony. Yes, you read that right! I’m going to be the next Firelord! If anyone should be at the ceremony, it should be you. I hope to see you there! Your friend, Zuko

[Y/n] stared at the letter, jaw slacked.

“[Y/n], sweetie, are you okay?” [Y/n]’s mother delicately placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I can’t believe it...” she shook her head at the letter. “Zuko is back, and he’s going to be Firelord!”

A long, scarlet red tunic draped over [y/n]’s body. The ends of the fabric trailed behind her through the air. Her shoes clacked on the marble flooring, sending echoes down the hallways of the palace. Her [h/c] hair was coiled into a bun and held together with a single, long, gold colored pin.

For the first time in a long time, [y/n] held her head high and stood straight when she walked. She did a complete 180. Her best friend had returned and she was more than excited to see him again. Today was Zuko's coronation ceremony, as well as a second chance to tell him how she really felt.

Sure, Mai and Zuko had a brief relationship when he first returned, and maybe that break up letter was just a way out. But what if it wasn't? And besides, [y/n] was tired of being sad and pathetic. She wanted to tell him. No, she needed to tell him, she had to get it off her chest, and she was not going to waste this opportunity.

The reception was held in the palace ballroom. It was a grand room, perfect for the size of the large crowd that appeared at the ceremony. Paper lanterns and drapes of all colors hung from the walls and ceiling, giving it a festive atmosphere. A small band played soft, up-beat music in the background. Some people danced, some mingled and others ate food that [y/n] could smell from the moment she walked in.

[Y/n] searched the sea of green and blue for red. It wouldn't be hard considering how few of her own people attended the coronation (so few, they stuck out like sore thumbs). Then, she spotted him, the new, young Firelord, speaking to a group of people that appeared to close in their age.

“[Y/n]!" Zuko called, waving his hand. "I’m so glad you could make it!”

“Of course, I made it. I would never miss your coronation,” [y/n] said, hugging Zuko before continuing more quietly, “especially after you disappeared again.”

“I know. I’m sorry, [y/n], I had to do it. But I should’ve told you. You of all people deserved to know,” he quietly responded in her ear.

Zuko tightened his embrace before pulling away and looking at [y/n] apologetically. She gave him a nod and small smile. [Y/n] didn't have the full context of what happened, but she knew her friend was sincere in his apology (though, that didn't diminish the pain she had felt).

“There are some people I want you to meet. These are my friends.”

Zuko gestured to the group of teens and kids he was just talking to. A Water Tribe boy and girl who were siblings, two Earth Kingdom girls—one with lots of makeup on and one who was blind—and, of course, the Avatar himself.

“It’s so nice to meet you all, especially you, Avatar Aang. It’s an absolute honor,” [y/n] said, bowing respectfully. Aang beamed and bowed in return.

“Soooo, Zuko, is this the girl you were talking about?” The Water Tribe boy, Sokka barely whispered, nudging Zuko with his elbow.

Zuko chuckled, “yeah, this is [y/n]. We've known each other for years. Now, if you'll excuse us,” Zuko spoke to his friends before turning to [y/n], “I believe we have some catching up to do.”

“Oh, yes we do!” [Y/n] said with glee.

Together they departed the group and walked out onto the balcony.

Outside, the sun was setting, radiating gold and orange hues, which merged into the deep blue sky up above. Only a few of the brightest stars in the sky sparkled. Down below, Caldera City glittered with lanterns, outlining the streets and houses of their people.

[Y/n] admired the view. It certainly wasn't often that she got to see the city like this. Then, Zuko began talking.

Three years was a long time, and this conversation proved it. It was long overdue. Neither of them realized how much time had passed, but, to them, it felt like they talked for hours outside.

Zuko explained everything as promised: the hundred year war, what banishment was like, what the outside world was like, how he really felt when he came home, when he realized that his father was an abusive, cruel leader and that his destiny was to help the Avatar, how he escaped, and all of the incredible adventures he had with his new friends, including the historic defeat of Azula and Ozai during Sozin’s comet.

[Y/n] was flabbergasted. “Wow...that’s...just...I-I don’t know what to say.”

“I know. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?” Zuko asked, leaning his forearms on the balcony railing.

“Yeah. I had no idea we were such a horrible country. We've been lied to and sheltered this whole time. It all makes sense now.” Zuko hummed in agreement.

“You’re so brave for leaving and going against your family. It must’ve been hard and really dangerous.”

“You have no idea.” Zuko looked into the distance and slowly shook his head. “But it all worked out, and I’m back—for good this time!”

"Well, you have no idea how glad I am about that!"

Zuko smiled and placed his hand on [y/n]'s shoulder, giving it a gentle rub.

"So, there's something I want to talk to you about," Zuko continued in a more serious tone. [Y/n]'s head perked up.

"Okay. I actually have something I want to tell you too, but you go first," [y/n] said. Her heart already began to race in anticipation.

"Well, I was thinking. You've been my best friend for a really long time…"

Suddenly, [y/n]'s palms sweated and her heart picked up the pace. She gulped.

"So, I was wondering if you'd like to—"

“Zuko! There you are.”

[Y/n] turned toward the doorway. She felt Zuko immediately retract his hand from her shoulder at the sight of a woman. A tall woman wearing a beautiful, wine colored, silk robe, whose dark hair was bunched up into two buns.

Mai.

“I’ve been looking all over for you.” Mai walked up to Zuko’s side and wrapped her arms around his bicep.

“Sorry, Mai. I was just catching up with [y/n],” Zuko replied.

“I see.” Mai turned to [y/n]. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Yeah, um, it’s good to see you too.” [Y/n] couldn’t tell if Mai was being genuine or not. Likely, she wasn’t.

“Well, I hope you don’t mine me stealing Zuko from you. He promised to dance with me tonight,” Mai said, cupping his cheek. The two smiled at each other.

“Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten," Zuko said. "[Y/n], we’ll talk later, okay?”

“Yeah...”

And she watched the two walk away, arms linked.

[112aang]

Kataang Week 2021: Day 1- Reunion

7 days filled with 7 prompts, all about Kataang. Here is my first submission for this year’s Kataang Week, ‘Reunion.’ 

Words: 1,836

You can find my ff.net page here, where each day’s entry will be posted, as well as my other stories.

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Katara stood, staring blankly out of the window into the dark, night sky of the Southern Air Temple. She watched as a few air acolytes walked the grounds, tidying up before going to bed.

She had been alone, without him, for two months and was feeling withdraw take over. They had been married for almost two years, and had decided to settle down in his childhood home after the wedding. She had to repeatedly remind herself that he was the Avatar, therefore he wouldn’t always be around; he belonged to the world, not to her. But that didn’t make it any easier on her heart.

Aang had been helping Sokka and Zuko plan and build Republic City off and on for about a year. But two months ago, he was called to the city and hadn’t returned. Katara had guessed that something came up- something that required assistance that only the Avatar could provide. She had received a message by hawk a month into his absence, stating that he would need to stay longer than originally planned, but nothing more- no explanation, and no prediction of exactly how long. She became worried; terrified that something had happened to her husband.

As she looked out into the darkness, her gaze rose, falling on the almost full moon. She thought of Yue, and of her brother. Katara’s mind hadn’t gone that direction in years, but in that moment, she wondered how much Sokka missed the white-haired woman. Of course, he had been married to Suki for almost five years, but did he ever think about Yue? About his first love- the woman whom he couldn’t have.

She sighed, lowering her gaze again, setting it on the stars. Katara loved the Southern Air Temple and the views it provided, especially at night. Their bedroom was at the top of a tower, overlooking the entire temple. From her window, she could see everything- from the courtyard, to the bison resting platform, to the air ball court. The waterbender smiled wistfully, thinking of Aang, and of the first time she had seen the temple.

At first glance, it looked shattered, forgotten in time. But as her eyes fell on the young airbender, she could see the liveliness that had once been, laying under the rubble. His energy radiated off the fallen walls and broken concrete, almost patching them up completely.

When he had asked her if they could settle in the home he once knew, she didn’t even have to think twice about her answer. The air acolytes had been occupying each of the temples, restoring them to their former glory as they learned about the nearly forgotten Air Nomad culture.

Katara could see Aang’s beaming smile in her mind and wished she could go back to that moment, just to see his face again. She absentmindedly placed a hand over her lower abdomen, still staring into the sky.

Aang didn’t know- he couldn’t have known. She had only learned of the baby a month ago, and chose to leave the news out of the returning letter to her husband. They had spoken about children many times throughout their relationship, even before the wedding. Katara knew, as well as Aang, his duty to the world regarding the Air Nation. Being the last airbender, he was responsible for restoring the lost civilization. This task had been looming over his head like a dark cloud since the end of the 100-year war, despite his young age at the time.

The world leaders, including his best friend, Zuko, had been on his case about the subject for years. They had even gone as far as to suggest having multiple surrogates carry his children, in hope of enhancing the chance of producing an airbending child. Aang had shot down that idea immediately, not wanting the idea even on the table. He had chosen Katara and was not going to have children with anyone else, nor was he going to have children solely for the restoration of the Air Nation.

Katara knew what was expected of Aang, but it didn’t turn her away. She loved him and was willing to do whatever it took to help him fulfill his duty to the world.

After telling him, he had put the idea out of her head as quick as it left her lips.

“I want to have children with you because I love you, not because I have to,” he had told her, making her smile.

She had protested slightly, but after much conversation with Aang, she had eventually given in. After all, she also wanted to have children with him for the same reason.

Katara looked down, eyes on her stomach and smiled tenderly, placing both hands on the barely noticeable bump.

She spoke softly, “you are already loved more than you know, my little one.”

Growing up in the South Pole, she had helped her Gran Gran deliver many children, and being a master healer, she had assisted many women with their pregnancies over the years. But feeling a child within herself was a different sensation altogether, and she relished in every facet of it. She didn’t mind the morning sickness, or the cravings- not even the beginnings of swollen ankles and the forgetfulness that she knew accompanied some pregnancies. She only wished Aang were there to share the moments with.

Katara found herself missing him more than she thought she would, but inevitably blamed it on the hormones accompanying her new pregnancy. She had gone months without him before, but had never felt as alone as she did in this moment.

She would often lay awake at night, turning sideways in their bed, imagining him there, next to her. At one point, she had decided to sleep in a guest room, thinking that maybe a change of scenery would help her fall asleep. Sadly, it was all in vain; each time she would close her eyes, Aang’s smiling face was the only thing she could see.

Tonight, however, Katara had decided to give into the insomnia. She remained by the window, staring into the darkness, imagining Appa flying in the distance. She imagined Aang finally coming home to her after two long months.

The waterbender watched as the few remaining acolytes made their way inside, making Katara wonder whether they missed their teacher as much as she missed her husband.

He had been teaching them Air Nomad customs and ways of life for years now, and was relishing in it. She adored seeing him in his natural habitat, educating others about his people.

Katara smiled sadly as a single tear streamed down her face. The waterbender closed her eyes, hugging herself gently. She silently prayed to the spirits for them to bring Aang home- to bring him back to her.

As if they heard her silent pleas, her airbender walked into the bedroom a moment later, utilizing his light footsteps as not to frighten her. His eyes were soft as he watched her form in the window, her back to him. Aang smiled longingly and walked up to her, stopping a few steps short.

“Katara?” he spoke softly, making her eyes open slowly.

She turned around hesitantly, hopeful that it wasn’t an imagination. As her eyes fell on him, she placed a hand over her mouth, tears beginning to cascade down her face. Katara lunged at him, throwing him off balance for a split second until he stood firm, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.

The waterbender clung to him, digging her face into Aang’s chest, holding on for dear life, as her tears flowed. His own tears began to fall as he hugged her tighter, not wanting to ever let go.

They didn’t speak- they didn’t need to. The two benders clung to each other, eventually sinking to the floor, never letting go.

After what seemed like an eternity, the sobs calmed to slight whimpers between the two, and she kissed him. He returned her kiss with much fervor, holding her face in his hands while she gripped his robes and pulled him closer. After a few moments they reluctantly pulled away, resting their foreheads together. Katara was catching her breath, smiling uncontrollably as Aang did the same. He looked into her blue eyes with his grey ones, tears still slowly falling.

Katara kissed him again, this time short and sweet. He pulled his face from hers and rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks, love emanating from his eyes into hers.

“Aang…” she started, placing her forehead against his once more. “You’re back.”

He smiled, “I am.”

“I missed you,” she pecked his lips. “So much.”

“I missed you too.”

They remained on the stone floor, locked in each other’s embrace for what felt like hours, before finally moving to the bed.

Aang sat in the middle of the bed, leaning against the wall, arms wrapped around Katara as she sat between his legs, her back against his chest. Their cheeks were stained with tears, but still they wore smiles. The waterbender softly traced the arrow on Aang’s hand as he kissed the top of her head lovingly.

“Katara,” he started, quietly. “I’m sorry I was gone for so long; Zuko- “

“No,” she cut him off. “I don’t want to know.”

He started to speak again, to explain the reasoning behind his long absence, but she sat up and turned around in his arms, now facing him.

She caught his lips with hers, one hand cupping his cheek. She pulled away delicately and smiled.

“All that matters is that you’re here now.”

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. They stayed that way for a few moments before she pulled away, ready to tell him the news.

“Aang,” she said, sitting in front of him, looking down slightly. “I have... news.”

He became slightly worried, waiting patiently for her to explain further.

She moved a hand to her lower abdomen and looked at him, love apparent in her eyes. His eyebrows raised slightly, mind wandering.

“I’m having a baby… you’re going to be a father.”

Aang eyes filled with tears and he gave her a lopsided grin, making her giggle softly as her eyes became glossy.

“You’re pregnant?”

Katara nodded and he pulled her into an embrace, holding her snug against him. Aang didn’t speak for a few minutes- he just held her close, tears streaming down his face once more as he smiled into her hair.

“I found out shortly after you left and wanted to wait until you got back to tell you.”

She pulled away and he held her face in his hands before pulling her into a passionate kiss, to which she responded with much intensity. They each smiled into the kiss as tears of joy ran down their faces.

He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed, still holding onto her face softly.

“I love you,” he breathed.

She smiled and pecked his nose tenderly.

“I love you too.”

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

Next will be ‘Home.’

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my submission for day 1 of Kataang Week 2021.

[ca-8]

Sokka x (Y/n) Scenario (How You Meet: Part 1)

It was cold. No, it was freezing. (Y/n) wanted to cuddle up in a bisons' fur while watching the sunset. But first, she wanted to open her eyes to see where she was. She tried moving her eyelids, then her shoulders, and then the rest of her body; nonetheless, she remained as still as a statue.

Was she sleeping? She didn't remember collapsing on her bed and dreaming about the usual giant lemurs and bison the size of mice. The only thing that occurred to her was yelling at someone and falling into something deep, and the darkness took over from there.

Yelling at someone...pleading them to calm down and think...negotiating with them to at least let her go with them...

Aang!

All of a sudden, a bright light filled (Y/n)'s vision and her body fell from a great height, collided with something cold and hard, and then rolled onto the floor. She heard a high pitched yelp, and her head and back we're elevated by a pair of hands.

Muffled voices played in the back of her head as she tried to regain consciousness. It was when her best friend's voice called out, "(Y/n)!" that made her eyes snap open. Though, instead of seeing a young boy with large blue arrows on his bald head, a brown-skinned boy with suspicious blue eyes was staring down at her.

(Y/n) smiled weakly. "H-Hey, handsome..." she mumbled. The boy shrieked, she was suddenly out of his arms and dropped onto the hard icy floor. "Ow!" she yelled out, sitting up and rubbing her back. Her (e/c)-grey eyes glared at the boy, who was holding his staff in a defensive position.

"Sokka! You can't just drop someone like that!" a female voice scolded loudly. (Y/n) whirled her head to where the voice came from. Not too far from the boy was a girl with similar features as him. But, what (Y/n) immediately noticed was she was holding-

"Aang!" she yelled, scrambling to her feet. Aang was already wide awake and staring at her with a bewildered look. He got out of the other girl's arms and ran over to (Y/n), wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.

"Are you okay?" he asked when he pulled away.

"Thanks to you, I am," she said. Aang grinned.

"...Okay, this is nice and all, but WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU GET IN THAT ICEBERG?" the boy yelled, pointing his staff at the two of them.

They both whirled their heads toward him. "Um...I'm not sure," Aang replied, scratching his head. (Y/n) tried to recall what happened before the deep sleep, but she can only hear her voice and Aang's arguing.

All of a sudden, something softly growled behind them. (Y/n)'s heart leaped as she knew who it was.

"Appa!" Aang cheered.

The two kids laughed as they climbed the ice wall. Once they reached the top, a cute sleeping bison was in their view. Aang and (Y/n) floated down to him, landing on Appa's white fur.

"Wake up, buddy!" Aang said. (Y/n) softly pulled his fur, hoping it would cause some sort of reaction, while Aang lifted his eyelid, revealing a large brown pupil.

Aang jumped down to Appa's mouth and lifted his giant lips. Appa groaned and opened his eyes, then hoisted Aang up in the air with his tongue. (Y/n) floated down to the ground. "You're okay!" Aang laughed.

The other kids appeared around the corner of the ice wall. Their eyes widened, and the boy's mouth practically fell to the ground.

"What is that thing?" the boy asked, carefully walking towards them. (Y/n) put her hand on Appa, and he leaned against her touch, groaning affectionately.

"This is Appa, my flying bison," Aang answered.

The boy raised an eyebrow. "Right. And this is Katara, my flying sister," he said, motioning to the girl beside him.

Appa abruptly inhaled a large breath, and then another, and another before a large ball of snot flew out of his nose. It flew over and hit the boy perfectly, covering half of him in snot.

He panicked and frantically tried to wipe it off, bending down and rubbing himself in the snow. "Don't worry, it'll wash out," Aang said casually.

(Y/n) covered her mouth as she giggled, and the boy glared at her. "Hey, do you guys live around here?" she asked, walking up to Aang.

"Don't answer that," the boy said to his sister, pointing the staff at them. "Did you see that crazy bolt of light? They were probably trying to signal the Fire Navy!"

"Oh yeah, I'm sure they're spies for the Fire Navy," Katara said, shoving past him. "You can tell by those evil looks in their eyes."

Aang grinned while (Y/n) blinked innocently. "The paranoid one is my brother, Sokka. You guys are Aang and (Y/n), right?" Katara said.

"Mmh! Nice to meet you guys," (Y/n) said. Her eyes wandered around the area. The vast ocean sprinkled with icebergs gleamed exquisitely. "It's so beautiful here..."

Katara smiled. "We're near the Southern Water Tribe. Where are you guys from?" Sokka watched them carefully but stayed silent as if he wanted to know as well.

"We're from-...ah, ah, AH CHOO!" A huge gust of wind swirled around them as Aang shot himself up in the air. The three of them snapped their heads up to where he was. (Y/n) snickered as he slid across the ice wall and landed where he was before, whereas the water tribe siblings stared at him wide-eyed. "We're from the Southern Air Temple!" Aang finally said, wiping his nose.

"...You just sneezed and flew ten feet in the air," Sokka stated, pointing at the sky.

"Hm, I'd say it was higher than that," (Y/n) guessed. Quickly, Sokka turned his head to her. "Can you do that too?!" he asked loudly.

"Well, I'm not as good as Aang, but I had my fair share of air bending," (Y/n) answered, shrugging.

"Oh! You're airbenders!" Katara concluded, her blue eyes glimmering with excitement.

"Sure are!" Aang said.

"Giant light beams, flying bison, airbenders--I think I got midnight sun madness." Sokka started to walk to the edge of the ice. "I'm going home to where stuff makes sense."

He stopped suddenly, probably realizing that he can't swim in the freezing cold water. "Well, if you guys are stuck, we can give you a lift," Aang said, then jumped onto Appa's head.

"We'd love a ride. Thanks!" Katara replied. She and (Y/n) ran to the bison's side, and (Y/n) flew on top of his back. She held out a hand for Katara, to which she gladly took.

"Oh, no! I am not going on that fluffy snot monster!" her brother declared. Once she was on top, Katara glared down at him. "Are you hoping some other kind of monster will come along and give you a ride home? You know, before you freeze to death."

Sokka opened his mouth to say something, then gave up and approached Appa's side. (Y/n) bent down and held out a hand. He reached for it, then retracted his hand, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Come on, I don't bite," (Y/n) joked. Sokka sighed and grabbed her hand. She hauled him up to the main seat on the large saddle seat and sat behind the siblings once they got settled in.

"Okay, first-time flyers, hold on tight!" Aang announced. (Y/n) and Katara smiled widely with excitement. Sokka, on the other hand, had an irritable face with his arms crossed.

"Appa, yip yip!" Aang gently patted the bison's head with the reins. Appa groaned and growled, then lifted his round tail in the air. He walked to the edge of the ice and thrust himself high up into the air.

The cool air gently pushed against (Y/n)'s face, bringing a soft feeling of nostalgia in her chest. She unexpectedly missed the feeling, despite the fact that it was only yesterday that she was riding her own bison.

But the sentiment didn't last long. Instead of flying through the air like he usually does, Appa fell into the water and started to swim.

"Come on, Appa, yip yip!" Aang urged, and yet Appa refused.

"Wow, that was truly amazing," Sokka remarked in a flat tone.

"Aw, poor thing must be tired," (Y/n) pointed out, rubbing Appa's fur. "Do you guys have any apples in your home? Or maybe some hay?"

The water tribe boy scoffed. "Oh of course we have those things in the freezing south."

Katara glared at her brother. "Don't worry. After he gets some rest, he'll be soaring through the sky in no time," Aang said.

(Y/n) laid down on her stomach beside Sokka and glanced up at him. "You know, it's an amazing experience to ride such majestic animals. Maybe you and I can ride him together sometime?"

Sokka glimpsed down at her for a second, raising an eyebrow. "Pass."

She frowned. 'So cold. He must still think we're working for the Fire Nation,' (Y/n) thought. She looked down at the back of her hands where the blue arrows partnered with her (s/c) skin. 'But how could he? We're obviously airbenders. What do the airbenders have to do with them anyway?'

The night sky was filled with stars when (Y/n) and Aang sat on the empty side of the Air Temple. "Aang? What's wrong?" (Y/n) asked.

The young airbender was tracing his finger along the dirt ground with a gloomy face. "It's nothing," he replied.

"You sure?"

He glanced to the side. (Y/n) scooted closer to him until she was right by his side. "I don't want to force you to say anything, but I'm here if you want to talk about it."

The sound of crickets and distant screeches of Lemurs filled the air for a moment. "I'm the next Avatar," Aang finally said.

(Y/n) eyes fluttered open. She rose up in her sleeping bag and looked around. She was in some sort of tent with Aang still sleeping across the room, then remembered that they arrived at the Southern Water Tribe last night and offered them to rest here. It was cold, but bearable.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes. 'That dream...' Her eyes landed on Aang. 'He's really the Avatar?'

"Oh, you're awake."

(Y/n) turned her head to the entrance and saw Katara peaking in. She smiled. "The village is excited to meet you guys," she said, entering the tent.

"I guess not many airbenders travel to this place, huh?" (Y/n) said jokingly.

"Um, you could say that," Katara replied, fiddling with her thumbs. "So how did you guys get here anyway?"

(Y/n) hesitated for a second before saying, "All I remember was there being a storm, and we just ended up here."

The brunette furrowed her eyebrows, letting out a quiet "Oh..." while looking like she was in deep thought. She sat beside her, eyeing Aang. "So you guys are from the Southern Air Temple?"

"Mm-hm! Even though boys were only allowed to live there, I did too. That's how I met Aang."

Katara's eyes widened. "Really? Why were you able to live there?"

"My father hid me. I think it was because..." (Y/n) stopped. She couldn't remember anything else other than staying inside the house most of the time.

"Hey, if you don't want to talk about it, that's alright." Katara's hand inched over to (Y/n)'s. "I'm actually glad you guys came here."

"AH!"

The girls snapped their heads to Aang when he sprang up in his sleeping bag. "Aang? Are you okay?" (Y/n) asked.

He sat there for a moment, then replied, "I guess."

"I'll wait for you guys outside." Katara got up and exited the room. (Y/n) crawled over to Aang and put a hand on his bare shoulder.

"I remember what happened," he admitted. "I was flying Appa in a storm, and you were on his back, yelling something. I couldn't hear you. Then we landed into the ocean, and I made an iceberg around us." He looked at her, and she recognized guilt in his grey eyes. "I was trying to run away."

(Y/n) embraced him in a hug. "So you remember being the Avatar?" she asked, and felt him nod. "I know you have to face the Fire Lord someday, but I also know you should spend more time being a kid first."

They pulled apart and Aang held a tiny smile. "I hope I do. Come on, let's go meet the village."

After Aang put his clothes back on, he and (Y/n) got out of the tent after grabbing their airbending staffs. The first thing they saw was Katara and a large group of people. (Y/n) scanned the area and saw Sokka sitting beside the entrance, staring down at a boomerang. He glanced up at her, and she waved with a grin. He narrowed his blue eyes and instantly gave his attention back to the boomerang.

"Aang, (Y/n), this is the entire village. Entire village, meet Aang and (Y/n)," Katara introduced. The airbenders bowed as their greeting. The villagers had uneasy expressions; some even pulled the children towards them.

"Uh, why are they all looking at us like that? Did Appa sneeze on me?" Aang asked Katara.

"Well, no one has seen an airbender in one hundred years, much less two of them," an elderly woman from the crowd pointed out. "We all thought they were extinct until my granddaughter and grandson found you."

The airbenders sat there, stunned, and (Y/n) thought her heart had stopped.

"'Extinct'?" Aang echoed.

"Guys, this is my grandmother," Katara said.

"Call me Gran-Gran," the woman advised.

"What is this, a weapon? And why do you have it?" (Y/n) jumped slightly when Sokka suddenly appeared beside her. He grabbed the staff from her and observed it carefully. "You can't even stab anything with this!"

"It's not a weapon," (Y/n) explained, quickly drifting the staff back to her hand. "It's an instrument used for airbending." She pressed the button near the bottom, and the red fan popped out of the sides. Sokka jumped and shielded his face as if it was supposed to be an attack.

"Magic trick! Do it again!" a kid said enthusiastically.

"Not magic, airbending," Aang clarified, doing the same to his staff. "It lets us control the air currents around our gliders and fly."

"You know, last time I checked, humans can't fly!" Sokka argued.

(Y/n) smirked. "Really?"

"Yeah, so how can you possibly-" (Y/n) and Aang held onto the handles of their gliders, and they soared up into the sky just as if they had wings on their backs.

They swirled around the village with its people gazing up at them in awe. The winds gently pushed against (Y/n)'s face, and she felt she was back home.

"Hey Aang!" she called to her friend. "Remember this?"

Once Aang's eyes were on her, she let one hand go off one of the handles. She swung back and forth, and she flipped over on top of the glider, using the winds to boost her up. With the air mostly helping, she was perfectly balanced on the thin back of the glider.

"Oh yeah!" he said, then proceeded to do the same.

(Y/n) glanced down at the ground and saw that she was almost over Sokka. He, as the rest of the village, was bewildered. An idea popped in her mind, and dove off the glider and plummeted towards him.

"AH!" Sokka shouted, raising his arms to shield his face. The very last second before (Y/n) could touch him, her glider swooped down below her, and she dashed right past his head.

"Hey! You almost hit me!" Sokka called, and his little sister only laughed.

"But I didn't, did I?" (Y/n) called back. She couldn't hear him, but she knew he was growling through his visibly clenched teeth.

Aang cracked up, but his joy didn't last long when he plowed into a tall snow tower. (Y/n) snickered and watched as he tried to get his head out of the side. When he succeeded, he tumbled down to the ground with a pile of snow following him, covering him once he landed.

"My watchtower!" Sokka said. He ran towards his precious snow building while Katara went to Aang.

"That was amazing!" she said, helping him up.

(Y/n) landed beside them and saw Sokka get dumped with another pile of snow while trying to observe the damage. She ran up to him and held out a hand for him to grab. He stared at it for a moment before frowning and getting up on his own.

"Great. You two are airbenders, Katara's a waterbender. Together, you can waste time all day long," he said.

The airbender perked up. "You're a waterbender?" she and Aang asked at the same time.

"Well, sort of. Not yet," Katara answered.

"All right. No more playing. Come on, Katara, you have chores," Gran-Gran said, approaching them. They walked off, leaving Aang and (Y/n) on their own. She looked over her shoulder and saw Sokka in the distance.

"Hey, I'm gonna go catch up with Sokka," she said.

"Alright," Aang replied, and the two departed.

"Hey! Wait up!" (Y/n) called, jogging up to the Water Tribe boy.

Sokka turned around with narrowed eyes. "Um, hi?" he said.

"Did you need help rebuilding your..." She trailed off, forgetting about what Aang had accidentally destroyed.

"Watchtower," Sokka finished, continuing to walk to the tower. "And no, I can do it on my own, thank you."

"Are you sure? It looks pretty high up."

"I can handle it."

(Y/n)'s smile faltered. "Oh, okay. Hey, how did you make that anyway? It looks really cool!"

Sokka whirled around. "Why are you acting so nice? Are you trying to get information out of me? Because it won't work!"

(Y/n) flinched. "'Get information'? You don't mean for the Fire Nation, do you? Last time I checked, Fire Nation soldiers don't have these." She held up her hands to show him her blue arrows.

He furrowed his eyebrows again. "That could be paint!"

"Alright, try to take them off." (Y/n) held out her hands.

Sokka's eyes widened, and he stood there for a moment before putting on a stern expression. "Fine!"

He marched up to her and grabbed her hand with his cold, snowflake-covered glove. First, he tried furiously rubbing the arrow off, which left a red mark on her skin. When that obviously didn't work, he raised an eyebrow and spat on her hand. (Y/n)'s face crinkled with disgust but held her ground. He rubbed her hand harder than before, but it refused to come off.

Sokka growled, and she sneered. "You're just lucky it's strong paint!" he yelled, then stomped off.

"Right. Also, if we're working for the Fire Nation, how do you explain our airbending? Or Appa?" she questioned, following him.

[nanaminsonyfans]

Between Worlds; Chapter Two

Prologue, Previous, Masterlist

A/N: Heyhey! I got this chapter finish in six hours. i didn't remember the episode that well so i used a transcript of the episode. But with my own spin as well.

Words; 2178

!!TW!! Mentions of blood and a 'F' bomb being used

gif does not belong to me

h/l = hair length

A beautiful sunrise peeked up through the mountains and some cliffs. You felt at home...even though something felt wrong about it. You landed Appa safely on the ground and yawned. It was a long journey, traveling by day and all through the night. You sighed softly hearing Sokka snore, it was comforting yet annoying sound. “Y/n, could you help me with the luggage?” Katara’s kind and gentle voice asked. You smiled and nodded, using your airbending to lift up the bundles from the saddle. Katara gave you a thankful smile while Sokka glared at you. “I need my beauty sleep!” He hissed with a voice crack. You giggled and looked away. “C’mon guys,” You waved them over to you, “I wanna show you one of the most beautiful places on Earth.”

“Y/n, are you sure it’ll be the same as you remember it? You’ve been gone for a hundred years.” Katara said cautiously. “I know, but I am still excited to see it.” You felt a childish like joy and wonder as you approached the path to the said temple. “Woah...y/n it’s beautiful!” She said as you approached the temple.

Zuko’s Fire Nation cruiser: 10:25 am

“By the years end the Earth Kingdom should be under our rule.” The room at an aura that was dark and gloomy. Zuko sat at the table with his uncle standing at his side, as Zhao spoke. “The Fire Lord will finally have victory in this century-long war.” He said smirking menacingly. “If my father thinks everyone and thing will bow down to him, then he is as much as a fool as you...Zhao.” Zuko said that name with such bitterness and anger in his voice. Zhao gave Zuko a stern look whilst glaring, “Two years at sea as tainted your tongue. Brat.” He spat with the same bitterness as Zuko. “Do tell, how is the search for the Avatar going?”

That question set Zuko’s stomach and heart ablaze. The room became hot and humid, it would have been suffocating to anyone that wasn’t a fellow Firebender. Iroh felt the anger rising in his young nephew, so he placed a hand on his shoulder as if to calm him. “We have found her yet.” Zuko answered, his mind wandering to you. Those rosy cheeks, the pink tip on your nose complementary by the cold. He gripped his pants, knuckles turning white. “Her? The Avatar is said to be a male.” Zhao spoke, narrowing his eyes at the Prince, an evil fire and objective behind them.

“My nephew has misspoken. He has other things on his mind. Please keep that into consideration.” Iroh defended, giving Zhao his loving smile as he chuckled softly. Zhao glared and sat down in front of Zuko, staring into his golden orbs. “Then tell me, Prince Zuko, how, exactly, was your ship damaged?”

You smiled as you lead Appa and your new-found friends to the outside of the air temple.  “When can I get food?” Sokka whined and rounded the corner, the temple now fully in view. “You’re kidding right?” Katara said angrily, with her arms crossed while glaring Sokka. “You are one of the few outsiders that have ever seen the airbender temple and all you think about is food?” Sokka looked at Katara with a blank expression, “What? I’m a growing boy.” He teased as he followed you.

You sighed softly taking his the fresh air and the sight. Memories started to fill your head, childhood-like memories. It felt comforting yet...scary to you. “This is where we used to play airball...this is where the bisons slept.” You explained pointing to everything. Your eye fell onto scorch marks on the walls and weeds. Your face turned into a sulking expression. “Y/n? Are...are you okay?” Katara asked, placing a loving hand on your shoulder. You flinched, moving away from her as tears filled your eyes. “I’m sorry, I just need a moment alone.” You mumbled, running off into the temple, your footsteps echoed and soon faded away.

You let the tears finally flow when you got to a room you recognized. This was your room, right? You leaned your back against a wall, slowly sliding down to the floor. You hugged your legs close and placed your forehead on your knees. You started to cry. These memories weren’t yours. They were his. You stole his life, and it felt wrong. You feel so conflicted. This was suppose to be a dream, a good dream. It started to feel like a nightmare. You can’t remember what happened in the show now, and you were using that knowledge as a guide. Now you just had Aang’s memories and a few of yours. You knew your name, your sibling’s faces, your parents, but not their faces. The thought of never seeing your family scared you to no end. You let out a sob and tried to catch your breath. You felt lost and you didn’t know what to do.

Fire Nation cruiser: 11:05 am

“A girl bested all you Firebenders?!” Zhao yelled in disbelief then started to laugh. “I should have known you were too pathetic to capture an Avatar let alone a woman.” He hissed still laughing though. “I underestimated her once! It won’t happen again and I can promise you that.” Zuko growled, slamming his fist down on the table, denting it. “That is highly unlikely, young Prince. You are not getting another chance.” He said, now standing up and smoothing his robes. Zuko’s eyes widened in shock, “Commander Zhao, I’ve been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-” “And you failed. The Avatar is much of importance for any more failures.” Zhao hissed, fire spreading from his feet. “The Avatar is the only person that can stop the Fire Lord, you failed to capture her.”

“Her name is y/n!” He hissed and shot fire at the Commander before being restrained by a few guards. “Why would you know or care for her name?” Zhao questioned walking over to Zuko. “Are you becoming more of a traitor by becoming interested in the Avatar?” He asked with a dark tone. Zuko’s eyes widened again and he kicked the guards away. “Of course I am interested in her. She is the Avatar and my ticket back home.” He hissed walking out, after shoving past Zhao.

He can’t be actually...liking the Avatar. She was pretty, anyone can appreciate beauty without being attracted to the source of beauty. Right?

“Y/n! Y/n! Where are you?” It felt like a familiar voice, getting closer and closer. Your mother’s voice. You opened your eyes, squinting as they adjusted to the darkness. ‘Did I fall asleep…?’ You thought as you looked around. There was the sound of something moving, it was quick but there. “Wh-Who’s there?” You asked with a slight waver in your voice. 

You held your staff out and poked the cot where you saw the movement. You poked something soft and it screeched jumping out. “Momo?” You asked walking closer to the creature. The creature tilt it’s head while looking at you. Your cheeks turned red in embarrassment. “Sorry, I just feel like I know you. Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you. Wouldn’t even dream of it.” You smiled holding out your hand for him to climb into or sniff. He did both of those, perching on your shoulder happily.

You smiled, you had a new friend. “I should go find the others huh?” You asked giggling softly as he chirped in response. You started to walk down the halls, you saw a soft twinkle of fire and the end of the hall. You hummed softly and followed it, feeling the bison and the two water tribe siblings. “Sorry, I must’ve fallen asleep.” You said guiltily, scratching the back of your neck looking at the two. “Oh thank goodness you’re okay!” Katara said teary-eyed and hugged you. You stumbled back but hugged her as well. “Sorry, memories just came back and I needed to alone.” You explained looking down. “I understand, you must be overwhelmed. Sokka found some fish for dinner.” She said gesturing to the campfire, with three fish rotating from a stick Sokka was turning with a bored look on his face. “Okay, well this is Momo.” You smiled gesturing to the lemur sitting on your shoulder.

“I rather have him for dinner.” Sokka grumbled under his breath, still turning the stick. “Don’t be so negative.” You glare and crossed your arms. “I’m going to explore more, it’s been a while. Katara would you like to come?” You asked sweetly. She nodded and started to follow you as you walked away. You had to move some vines away from some hallways as you walked. Then you fully saw the damage done to the monks and airbenders.

Your eyes widened at the damage. Fire Nation soldier armor was littered everywhere. Burned and scorched monk robes. Your heart shattered at the sight, reality setting in. Then it was set on fire with rage. “Y/n...are you okay?” Katara asked feeling worried, Momo felt it as well and jumped off of your shoulder. You clenched your fist tightly, digging your nails into the palm of your hands. You broke the skin and drew blood. Your tattoos started to glow as wind circled you, slowly turning into a tornado around you. Your h/l h/c hair whirled around as well. Your eyes glowed blue as you turned into a beaming light. You seemed to be watching yourself from the outside. You weren’t in your body.

Katara’s worried voice seemed so far away. You were swallowed whole by the darkness. “Who are you?” A familiar voice asked, causing you to turn around looking for the source. You were in a pitch-black room, the voice echoing. It was his voice. You started to panic and finally, he came to view, dressed in the same monk robes as yourself. It was Aang. “I-I am y/n.” You said with a shaky voice blinking back tears. “Why did you take over my life?” He asked in an irritated tone, which scared you. “I don’t know, I didn’t mean too. I went to sleep and then I woke up here and-” “Well leave!” You flinched and backed away. “I-I don’t know how!” You cried

Katara was trying to snap you out of it. “Y/n! Y/n snap out of it!” She yelled and tried to get closer to you but the wind blew her away. Sokka caught her thankfully. “Katara! What’s wrong with y/n?!” He yelled as the wind blew more angrily.

There was a Fire Sage temple in the mountain above where you were. An old man was watching the situation unfold and then he saw the beam of light. “The Avatar is alive and back! Contact the Fire Lord immediately!” He yelled at some other sages, causing them to flinch and runoff in different directions. You started to cry in your Avatar state. Tears flowed down your cheeks like a river as the glow slowly started to fade, as well as the wind. You fell to the ground on your knees and started to cry. 

“She’s out of it.” Katara said breathlessly and scrambled to her feet, running over to you. Sokka followed with Momo on his shoulder. You were still crying, but your face was blank as you stared at the grassy patch you landed in. “What happened?” She asked softly hugging you tightly. “I-I’m sorry Katara. I don’t know what came over me.” You whispered wiping your cheeks while sniffling. “Hey, it’s okay. We understand.” Katara said soothingly, “You must miss them.” “Uh, we do not understand! You just went full-” Sokka started then stopped after Katara shot him a glare. Sokka ended up feeling bad and got down on the ground, hugging you as well. “I-I do…” You whispered and looked up at them, but you noticed a hawk. With a Fire Nation symbol, oh fuck. 

“We have to go. I put us in danger. I’m so sorry.” You said grabbing your staff running to Appa. “But we haven’t eaten dinner!” Sokka whined but followed you with Katara. “We don’t have time. We have to go now.” You said with urgency in your voice. The two siblings picked up on that and started to grab their things. Sokka made sure to grab the three fishes as he climbed onto the bison. “Momo c’mon!” You called for the lemur, who flew to your side immediately.

“Appa! Yip tip!” You said while gripping the reins with your trembling hands. Appa groaned in response and started to fly. You glanced and saw the Fire Sage temple. How could you have been so stupid?! You don’t belong here. “Hey y/n, eat something.” Katara said, holding out one of the fishes for you. “No thank you…” You responded, “I’m vegetarian.” As if on cue, Momo snatched the fish and started to eat it. “By the way, where are we going?” Sokka asked.

“I-I’m not sure.”

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[chiefbeifongcanrailme]

Saying this once again— I know you're gonna get a lot of prompts, but here it is.

Linumi at their... deathbe- SURPRISE PARTY THAT THE AIRKIDS HELD AFTER THEY SAW THEM KISSING!

Hi friend, this in no way is a one word prompt but you were cute about wishing me and all so I'll use the whole thing. ALSO you scared me there for a second so er OUCH? But here's your share xD

14days to go🌼 Need to plan and order my cake omg!

"Bumi, are you sure about this?" Lin asked nervously as she stepped off the ferry trudging arm in arm, behind her boyfriend.

"Yes, I'm sure! I wouldn't bring you all the way here if I wasn't!" Bumi scurried on towards the main house.

"This is too risky. What if someone comes home?" Lin lurches at the threshold of the house.

Bumi catches her other hand and leads her through the dark entrance, “Well, that’s the thrill, right? We’re always shacking up at your place and I have never seen you naked at Air Temple Island. That needs to change. Now.”

Lin couldn’t feel for anyone through the wooden flooring as she skeptically looked around, seeing nothing but black. Bumi could sense how she was feeling: nervous and vulnerable. He could read her perfectly nine out of ten times and that's what made them work so well as a couple.

“Lin, nobody’s here." He placed his hands on her shoulders and chuckled, "I made two rounds just the way you would, the entire house was empty. I shut all the lights before coming to get you and look, they're still off. Even if someone does pop in, you can just say you needed to speak with Tenzin- you work together, after all. It’s that simple!" He shrugged as if he had the perfect alibi.

"Bumi! I can't say I needed to speak with Tenzin while I'm naked in your bed!"

"Who said we're doing it in my bed?" Bumi smirked as he pulled her in his arms.

Lin gave him an aghast look- that of course he couldn’t see in the dark so he continued grinning.

As soon as they entered the dark living room from the entryway, Bumi pushed her up against the wall closest to him to kiss her breathlessly, one hand holding her jaw, pushing her hair behind. She responded just in kind as she ran her hand in his wild hair and pulled him closer.

When suddenly, the lights came on followed by a too-loud-for-that-moment, "SURPRISE!" 

Alarmed, Lin immediately pushed Bumi off her, he too used his own force and sprung all the way across to the other wall. 

When they fearfully scanned the room they thought was empty, they saw no traumatized, but beaming faces. This was pre-meditated. It was a trap and they were caught red-handed. Lin was baffled- if it weren't for Bumi, she would’ve seen right through this simple rouse. 

Lin exhaled, face flushed, and looked at Bumi who was just as flushed as her. Their faces were red from the adrenaline from that short, yet powerful kiss and then the sheer horror of having an audience that thankfully didn’t see and hear everything.

Slowly, together they started to register the faces of the people around them. All the airbenders (That knew all too well how to trick Bumi and evade Lin's seismic sense), both their nieces, nephews, and their friends, including the Avatar, Tenzin- ugh the whole clan really!

Meelo's singing broke the silence, "Uncle Bumi and Chief Lin sitting in a tree-"

"No no no- it's not- no-" Their eyes widened at the young boy.

"Are you two dating?" Bolin winked at the embarrassed couple.

"K-I-S-S-S-"

"Daddy, I TOLD you I saw them kissing!" Ikki smacked Tenzin's back harder than she meant to.

"How did you-" Bumi began.

"S-S-S-S-S-S-"

"This is such great news!" Jinora and Opal were jumping with joy, "If they get married, we'll be related!"

“Okay okay enough, all of you.” Bumi walked around to the center of the room to attract everyone’s attention, “No one’s getting married. Let us talk about this like adults,” He turned to face Meelo who was still spelling out the word ‘kissing’.

“Of course! Care to explain what’s going on, Bumi?” Tenzin smirked at his brother. 

“You’re up, Linny.” Bumi quickly pulled her by the hand to the center of the room and hid behind her, hoping the walls would suck him in. 

“Well, umm- Bumi and I are.. umm.. friends. And we’re-” Lin was at a loss for words. Some instincts this friend had, “And sometimes, as friends we, umm- Why is there cake?” She joined her eyebrows in confoundment, now noticing the decor. 

That’s when Jinora spoke up, “It’s for you and Uncle Bumi! We’re very happy that you’re together and so we planned this party.”

The couple looked at each other, trying their best to have a wordless conversation in a room full of people. Sure it was a party, almost everyone they knew was there, the house was even decorated. And nobody seemed to care how they defined their relationship, just their happiness. They must've set this up in the short time it took Bumi to bring her here, which was impressive and well thought out. It all really was very sweet. The least the couple owed them was honesty.

Lin nodded at Bumi, their wordless communication ending seamlessly. And as if Bumi had fully understood her he yelled, “LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!” 

And the whole room cheered in joy and Asami even popped a bottle of champagne. 

Nine out of ten times, remember?

Lin slapped her forehead. She wanted him to repeat the three words he had said to her a week ago. While she couldn't quite say it back, overwhelmed, she risked kissing him at the Island and now there was a party thrown in honor of that.

But she smiled and went beside him to grab a glass of champagne.  If her man wanted a party, a party is what he’d get. And if this didn't clue him in, perhaps she'd tell him she loved him later that night when he finally gets to see something he never has at Air Temple Island.

[strangeradventuresofp]

colors (sokka x reader)

You were walking down the streets in Ba Sing Se in your casual Fire Nation attire, when you suddenly spotted four people who looked horrifically out of place. Two of the four were wearing blue uniforms, a girl and a boy. Water Tribe. One of them wore an Earth Kingdom outfit with messy hair and the other possessed a yellow and orange tunic, accessorized with a blue arrow pointing to his nose. An airbender? Gasping to yourself, you realized that the young boy must be the avatar. You walked over to them, in hope to spark some sort of a friendship.

“Hi! I just saw you and I was hoping if I could ask you a question?”

“Sorry,” The taller, older boy said. He was quite attractive. His skin was dark, and his hair had been pulled back into a ponytail. He was well built and tall, carrying what looked like a boomerang on his back. “But we really have to get going.”

“Sokka, I’m sure it’s fine. She seems nice.” The girl in blue uttered, attempting to be quiet.

“Shhh! Don’t say my name! Trust no one. Plus, she’s wearing Fire Nation clothes. She’s probably with Zuko.”

You giggled. “Oh, no, don’t worry.  I’m actually a part of Southern Water Tribe. The Fire Nation raided there a while ago. Six years ago, when I was eight. And I was stowaway on their ship. I’ve been travelling around the world ever since. I’ve had to throw away my Water Tribe clothes. Wearing clothes from the Fire Nation basically gives you automatic protection.” The girl who had spoken before smiled at you.

“We’re from the Southern Water Tribe too! Well, me and Sokka, my brother, are. I’m a waterbender, just like you. Oh, and This is Aang, the avatar, and Toph. She’s an earthbender.” They each gave a pleasant ‘Hi’. You were grateful for how friendly she seemed, whilst her brother slapped his forehead in annoyance.

“I’m Y/N. I promise I’m not a part of the Fire Nation. I’m actually a water bender.”

“Prove it.” Sokka spat, sounding a lot meaner than he intended to.

“Well, I-” You sighed. “I’m really not very good.” You took them to a secluded area near a body of water. Taking a deep breath, you drew your arms up from your sides and began twisting your hands. A sphere of water followed your hands, making a little spin, only to drop and land back into the water. You sighed. “I-I told you I wasn’t any good.”

“No, that was good! You just need a little help making the right shapes is all.”

“Actually.. That’s what I wanted to ask. Since you’re a waterbender, would you teach me?”

“Absolutely not. Sorry but we’re actually on a very important mission to help Aang and we just don’t have time.” Your face dropped at Sokka’s words. You couldn’t keep your disappointment from flooding your entire body. Your head bowed low as you barely muttered an ‘Oh’, until you heard the younger boy speak up.

“Come on, Sokka. Katara still has stuff to teach me, why can’t she teach Y/N at the same time?” The older boy groaned at the arrow-headed boy’s request.

“Aang’s right, Sokka. We know she’s not actually a part of the Fire Nation, so what’s the big deal?” You were exceedingly grateful for the two, and the other girl, who agreed without saying much. 

~~~

After a few months of training with Katara, you had gotten very good at waterbending. You often participated in sparring matches with all four of the others and were forever thankful that all of them ended up accepting you, especially Sokka. You had both become very close since you had joined Team Avatar, and you had developed strong feelings for him. He was always sweet to you and made sure you were okay. He even made sure you ate before he did, to make sure you had something.

“Y/N!” Katara called out to you as you all had set up a new camp for the day, or at least for a few days. You stopped unpacking for a moment and turned around to see her walking up to you, holding something in her hands. “I found this as I was unpacking. I completely forgot I had it! I brought a few spare outfits and.. Well, I just thought you would like to start wearing Water Tribe colors again.” She held the blue cloth out to you, smiling. You grinned widely.

“Katara, thank you so much!” You hugged her tightly and gently took the clothes from her. “Are you sure this is okay?” To which she nodded and pushed them towards your chest.

“I want you to have them.”

“Thank you, Katara.” You rushed off to find somewhere to change and hurried back. You stood and beamed, finally in your home colors once again. Giggling happily, you twirled in your new outfit.

“Y/N, you look great! I should have given you that a long time ago.” Katara smiled. As you teared up, you thanked her again.

“You have no idea how much this means to me. I appreciate this so, so much.”

“Hey, Katara have you seen- Y/N, wow.” Sokka’s jaw dropped, earning a smile from you.

“Do you think it suits me, Sokka?”

“W-Well, yeah, of course.” He gulped and walked away, you assumed to get some more fire wood. You sighed.

“I don’t know if he likes me in this.” Looking down, you fiddled anxiously with your hands, hoping he would’ve liked it.

“Believe me, Y/N. He does.” Katara giggled, and you were confused, but you decided not to say anything.

As time went on, you all found yourself sat around the fire, like you all did every night. Toph and Katara were already asleep, and Aang was only barely awake, leaving you and Sokka. You hummed softly, gently, as you stroked the fabric of your new clothes. Sokka cleared his throat.

"You know, Y/N... What I meant earlier was that-"

"Sokka, it's okay. I get that it's weird seeing me in blue since you've seen me in red for so long."

"It's not that. It's just.. I guess... W-Well, you just look..." He cleared his throat while you tilted your head, confused. "You look pretty in my colors. Well.. Our colors." A deep blush flushed his cheeks and you couldn't stop from smiling.

"You really think so?" He nodded, earning a blush from you as you hugged him tightly. "Thank you." As you smiled, you felt him intake a deep breath before returning the hug, placing one hand gently on the back of your head and one on your back, around your waist.

"You know, you're not too bad yourself." You rubbed the back of your neck nervously, unaware of how he would react. He smiled; not what you were expecting, and you were happy. "I've always found you attractive." Sokka almost choked.

"What? Are you being serious?"

"W-Well.. Yeah. Even when you broke my heart and told me Katara wouldn't be my teacher. I've always thought you were cute but I just didn't know how to say, or when to say and I don't even know if you like me back but I just wanted you to know anyway because-"

You were interrupted by the feeling of soft lips pressed against yours. You smiled at the feeling and kissed back gently. The feeling was indescribable; hearts racing, fingers intertwined, mouths moving with each other in sync. As you both pulled away, you smiled at each other.

"Sorry if I'm a bad kisser."

"Y/N, stop. It was amazing. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

"Believe me, I do." You gulped. "I think I might love you, Sokka." Your face flushed a deeper red than before. The boy moved closer to you, putting his arm around your shoulders and pulling you into his chest.

"I think I love you too, Y/N." He sighed contently. As you rested your head on his shoulder and felt his body heat, your eyelids began to feel heavy. He gently played with the ends of your hair, sending you off into a sound sleep.

my masterlist (requests open!)

A/N : had a bit of writers block for a few days lmao sorry loves :( another sokka imagine cus i absolutely adore him with my whole heart but anyway my requests r open and im happy to write anything for anyone i luv u all thank u for reading and i hope u have a fantastic day xo p

[queenmagnusao3]

Rescue & Recovery: Part Two

And some dramatic angst. Not a happy ending. Major Character death warning

Tenzin, Jinora and two other airbenders landed quietly behind her, taking in the current situation. There was a fire raging in what was thankfully a mostly unoccupied apartment building. Mako and several other firebenders were working diligently to try and calm the out of control flames but were not having much luck.

The wind was vicious and it was taking all of their concentration to keep it from spreading to neighboring buildings. Lin was feeling particularly useless as she supervised their efforts, barking orders every once in a while in attempt to keep her mind busy. Tenzin was back on Air Temple Island for the month and she had sent word to him hoping maybe some of the airbenders would be able to help.

Tenzin seemed to assess the best course of action and the four of them carefully spread out and began directing a controlled flow of air around the building and its surroundings until the whole street block was encased in a sphere of swirling air.

Lin noticed the difference immediately. With the supply of oxygen under the control of the airbenders the flames became more receptive to being told what to do. Mako and the others seemed to almost sag in relief as their frenzied hand motions became more methodical as they finally regained control. They moved in to find the source of the fire.

Tenzin approached Lin and she gave him a soft smile.

“Thank you. They’ve been struggling with this for nearly an hour now. The wind made in impossible.”

“And who better to tame the wind than a group of airbenders.”

“Exactly.”

Their conversation was interrupted by several loud shouts as her officers and the firefighters ran from the building.

“Everybody back! It’s gonna blow!”

Most people were running for cover but Lin was counting heads. People ran past her, everyone accounted for except one. Mako. She took a step towards the building just as Mako appeared in the entryway, an injured man’s arm draped over his shoulder as they shuffled towards the door as quickly as possible. He looked up, meeting her eyes, his mouth shifting to a soft smile as he started to call something out to her…

She didn’t even have a moment’s notice to react. One second she was feeling an immense sense of relief at the sight of Mako reappearing and the next she was staring up at the sky, her ears ringing and the world on fire.

She started to sit up and someone was at her side. Lin turned to look and recognized Tenzin through her blurred vision. He was saying something to her but she couldn’t hear him, her brain trying to catch up with what was happening as she struggled to remember where she was.

The building. There was a building on fire. But they got it under control. Except there was something wrong. She turned to look and her head started to throb in confusion as she looked at the spot where a multi-story building had stood, intact, moments ago.

But now. Now the whole thing was on fire again, much of the lower levels gone save for a few sturdy support beams. There were no windows left and the front door was completely gone. Lin’s brain finally caught up as the sound of the world around her came rushing back. People were screaming and the building was groaning, the integrity of the structure compromised and ready to collapse at any moment. But she didn’t care as she got to her feet, too quickly then she should have been able to, the adrenaline coursing through her veins giving her more strength than she had a right to have.

 Where was he?

She started to walk towards the building but someone had grabbed her hand, pulling her back.

“Tenzin, let me go. We need to help Mako. I need-“

“Lin, you can’t-“

“Like hell I can’t! Let me go!”

She pulled her hand out of his grip, moving towards where Mako had just been. He had just been there. She had seen him. He was just there. He was almost out.

She was stopped again as Tenzin wrapped his arms around her, holding her arms down by her sides as she continued to struggle against him.

“Lin! You have to stop. Please. He’s… he’s gone.”

“No! He’s fine. I just saw him. He got out. I saw him.”

She continued to struggle against Tenzin, slamming her foot down as she sent out seismic waves to sense the remains of the building. She refused to acknowledge the truth that was boring into her very soul. Her seismic sense wasn’t always right. There had been plenty of times where it had been wrong. If she could just get closer. She bucked her head back before driving a pillar of earth between her and Tenzin. He let her go with a yelp and she sprinted to the building.

“Lin!”

As her foot connected with the first step leading to the building it gave a shudder, the whole thing collapsing in on itself with the sound of grinding metal and creaking wood. Lin’s body was encased in air as she was dragged back, out of harm’s way.

“NO! Mako!”

The tears came then. She sank to her knees, hugging her arms around her torso as tears streamed down her face, her breathing coming in great heaving sobs. Tenzin was there again, kneeling down next to her, laying a gently hand on her arm. The others were watching but she didn’t care.

Mako was gone.

Memories flashed across her mind. Mako’s surprised face the first time she invited him to dinner with her and Kya. Her own proud smile that she hid until he was out of sight the day he had stood up to her. She had been completely pissed off but spirits she was proud of how much he had grown. He had regularly left a bag of food on her desk those nights she worked far too late than she should have. He always claimed he had gotten extra and didn’t want it to go to waste but she knew he was lying to cover the fact he had gotten her favorite, specifically because he knew she hadn’t eaten. He and Kya had developed the annoying habit of teaming up to keep tabs on her well-being.

 Kya.

She was going to have to tell Kya. She had already been through so much. How was she going to tell her that Mako was gone? How was she going to live with herself knowing she hadn’t protected him? That was her job. She was always supposed to keep him safe. Keep them all safe.

Breathing became harder and Tenzin moved to completely engulf her in his harms. She didn’t fight him, pressing into him while he murmured empty words of comfort in her ear.

He was gone.

And it was all her fault.

  ///////

Jinora was crying silently as she watched her father holding onto someone she had always seen as unbreakable. The entire group had gone near silent when her scream had echoed through the somber scene. Jinora had never seen her show such raw emotion, watching as the older woman sank to her knees in complete defeat.

She looked around and saw that others had noticed too, a few them wide eyed while others averted their gaze as if intruding on an intimate moment. None of them had ever seen their Chief break. She was solid, a steely demeanor and cold exterior. She was stone. Unwavering in her strength.

There had been a time when Jinora would have thought that nothing could break her. Lin had been through so much throughout her life but she had also changed so significantly in the time that Jinora had known her. She knew how much she had come to care for Mako, how much he meant to both Lin and her Aunt Kya. They had all teased him incessantly for basically becoming their adopted son. He had always put up a good show about denying it but Jinora could tell he secretly liked the idea.

As she watched Lin grab onto her dad’s robes, her entire body shaking, Jinora knew the fierce some warrior had been broken. One too many blows and even the strongest steel will bend.

He was murmuring something to her now and Jinora caught his eye over Lin’s head. They shared a silent moment and Jinora nodded, wiping her face as she turned to the gathered crowd.

“We need to secure this area and make sure that none of these nearby buildings were affected by the blast. Someone call for some healers and we’re going to need Assistant Chief Saikhan.”

/////

It was hours later as Lin approached the pile of rubble. It was no longer a danger, the flames gone and a steady rain falling from the dark sky. She looked up for just a moment, closing her eyes as she let the cool water hit her dirty and tear stained face.

Sucking in a deep breath she shifted her stance before slamming her foot into the ground, seeing everything the earth had to offer. It was easier to manage this particular job when there was a heartbeat to detect, much like that day nearly two years ago when she had been in a similar position. Only that time had been a search and rescue.

Today there was nothing left to rescue.

Today her job was recovery.

She knew someone else could have taken it on. She’d been told by so many others that she should let someone else do this. And she supposed they were right but she couldn’t bring herself to let anyone else do it. He was her responsibility. And no matter what any of them said, this was her fault.

Lin moved to a new position, stomping her foot again as she searched for him. It was only after the fourth time that she felt something different from the rest. She moved her arms, shifting the metal and earthen debris away to reveal a set of unmistakable human remains.

She stopped breathing for a moment as she took them in. The body was charred and mangled but there was a small fragment of green fabric unburnt stuck to it. The body was also smaller than Mako. This wasn’t him. It must be the man he had been trying to get out of the building. He was the reason Mako hadn’t gotten out in time. Lin suddenly felt angry at the man, her heartrate increasing as she silently wished he was alive just so she could scream at him for his stupidity. But it wasn’t this man’s fault.

It wasn’t even her fault.

Mako had been doing his job. It was a risk they all took with their line of work, the risk of never going home.

She steadied her breathing, bending the dirt from beneath his body into a solid slab before raising it up and resting it off the side. She finished and looked into the hole left behind, feeling her heart stop as she saw a burnt hand sticking out from the space next to it. There was a small bracelet around the wrist. A bracelet made of meteorite. Su had gifted it to Lin on her birthday and Lin had re-gifted it to Mako on his.

She carefully bent the debris out of the way.

It was just a body. It wasn’t really him, not anymore. She knew what to expect and it still hit her like a load of bricks. She stepped into the space near him, not sure what to do. She had to get both of the fallen men out but she also needed just one moment with him. Alone.

Lin had always told herself she didn’t want kids. Or rather, she kept pushing off the idea of having kids until was too late. She had certainly never expected to be blindsided by a young firebender who reminded her so much of herself. She had embraced her role as “Aunt Lin” but it was different with Mako. Kya had teased her at first but she had soon fallen for him as well. They never formally labeled the relationship but in every sense of the word she had become like a mother to him.

And now she was here. Searching through the crumbled remains of random building for a body that no longer held the soul of someone she had grown to care for so much.

Closing her eyes again she took just a moment for herself. Just the two of them, one last time.

“I’m so sorry, kid.”

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