#v; loose shiko

[inazumashiko-archived]

Do I wanna know?

If Shiko pressed her fingers deeper into her eyes, she’d go blind. She felt the awkward prickling of tears at the corner of her eyes, stress getting the best of her yet again. They didn’t fall though, she didn’t let them, rather they evaporated on her skin, never managing to ruin her makeup. Her fingers were doing a good job of that on their own.

Another paper was pushed on the desk between her elbows. She glanced down, eyes blinking back into focus, and fished a pen to sign it. Niko fished it, and put another one in its place. 

They were well into a week of meetings at Republic City already, and it seemed as if they weren’t going to end any time soon, and with them, her arguments with her husband. Today, they had stretched beyond usual, and the tension within the room- amidst the whole of the Fire Nation party- could be cutted with a knife. It was her fault, she knew it, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. Or to stop it.

“Shiko.” Her husband’s voice was heavy through the silence. She felt her shoulders tense further.

“What do you want me to tell you, Jiro?” Her voice betrayed her of course, it wavered, and told everyone in the room just how she was not keeping it together.

“All I’m saying is that the Northern Chief’s proposal is worth revisiting, Shiko.” The room was suddenly too silent. She didn’t have to look up to know Niko had stopped moving, and the two ministers accompanying them had probably stopped breathing as well.

Her gaze moved up to find him, standing by the tall hotel window. How she wished she could see something other than his lips pressed into a scowl she was far too familiar with already. That she could look beyond his choice in robes; heavy, and adorned beyond reason for their meetings of the day. Shiko wished she could tell the difference between her husband and the other two men in the room.

“My Lord-” Niko’s voice was low by her ear, a hesitant inquiry to leave them alone, but no. She raised a hand to stop anyone from moving, anyone but her.

She’d been almost out of the room, when Jiro’s hand closed around her wrist. “Shiko-” She looked up at him. His voice sounded worried, but his eyes were hard, the same as her jaw. He let go, and she left.

Distinctive clothes, crown and makeup discarded back at her suite, Shiko took to the streets of the bay city. She wasn’t too familiar with them, but had a pretty good idea of where she’d turned, to be able to return. Somewhere at the back of her mind, she was aware that people were probably looking for her, Niko at least was going to be worried. Something sat uncomfortably at her stomach; she wasn’t sure if it was guilt of worrying her friend and assistant, or sadness of knowing she’d be the only one to care. She pushed it away regardless.

Shiko didn’t know how long she’d been walking, when the smell of coffee made her stop, and sit at a table at the back of the small shop. It looked cozy, and the girl behind the counter smiled politely at her. No one knew her here, and that was so relieving, she almost breaks down right on the spot. 

It was okay, she’d rest for a moment, breathe, order something maybe, did she even have money on her? She wasn’t sure. With her hair shielding her from the world, she finally let frustrated tears fall.

| closed starter - @idonthaveabackstory |

[inazumashiko-archived]

Continued with @bitofthisandthat

“Oh.” Shiko frowned. Her mouth opened to answer, but she closed it again, lips pressed tight, brows knitting together in confusion.

She took a look at her outfit, concerned over the fact that her mother had been right after all, and she should’ve worn something a bit more- royal. But she was visiting a workshop, things were bound to be dangerous here? Things where flammable, her dresses the first of them all. And really, she’d take any opportunity she could to use something in the city’s fashion. So a little mishap would hurt no-one.

“Um, I’m-” Her eyes moved from the machinist, to the gadget next to them, trying to find a way of answering, wondering if this had ever happened to anyone in her family before. 

“I’m Shiko, General Iroh’s sister?” She finally settled for what she thought was the best option, and extended her hand to Ms. Sato with a renewed smile.

[inazumashiko-archived]

Everything

because all of this is only possible thanks to @idonthaveabackstory, it is a gift for his wonderful author, the lovely Kara.

Shiko had been several hours well into dull paperwork, drowsing trade agreements from the provinces she had to go over before the meeting at the end of the week, and just the usual onceover of the palace advisors on the things that needed revising, when the door to her office opened. She didn’t look up from the sheet of paper currently between her fingers, though, expecting Niko or any of the advisors to interrupt her if it was something urgent, or wait if it wasn’t.

Silence filled the room as she finished the reading. A hand moved on it’s own towards her cup, taking a sip only to find the coffee much too cold. She heated it up automatically, as her other hand marked just a few changes that needed to get done, and placed the paper on a neat pile to her side. When she looked up, her lips stretched into a smile over the brim of the now steaming porcelain. One like only her children managed to pull from her.

Everything on her desk was instantly pushed from her mind, as she took in the look of her youngest, Hikori. Hands neatly folded on his lap, the boy was perfectly sitting on one of the chairs across from hers; all the way on the backrest, his feet were on the air, their movement the only note of his impatience. Her chest warmed at her baby’s calm demeanour, so much like his father, like her brother even.

Her children knew they could come to the office whenever they needed of her, and were nothing if not polite with not abusing of it, or waiting for Shiko to finish her work before addressing their concerns, but there were varying levels for it of course. Had it been Raeden on the chair, well- there had been sparks flying around the room in the past.

Shiko made her way around the desk, kneeling in front of his chair, hands taking Hikori’s little ones in hers. He was always so cool, she took a hand to his chubby cheek, thumb caressing over the messy brow that was clearly from his dad’s side. “What are you doing here, baby?”

“We’re having a tea party, and I’m bait.” He announced, proudly, and so very innocently, Shiko laughed. Gold splattered, green eyes, tightened with his grin, when he joined her.

“Is that so?” She shook her head, standing and picking him up to fix at her hip. “I’m not sure you were meant to say that part, sweety, but I’m glad you did. Come, let’s go find that party.” Hikori leaned his head on her shoulder, a hand finding a lock of hair behind her neck, keeping it safely between his fingers.

It would seem his siblings thought he’d get the job done, get her out of the office to play, and they weren’t wrong, work was definitely forgotten for the day. Being the little one, he often got away with a lot more than the other two rascals, that had already found ways to try and exploit their prince and princess condition.

Shiko found Niko waiting out the door, and asked her to put the office in order, giving word not to be disturbed on what remained of the day, unless it was urgent.

It didn’t take long for Shiko to find the spot, if it wasn’t for the lovely blend scent of the tea, for the poorly hushed voices of her kids. Hikori squirmed in her grasp, and she let him down on the floor to run the rest of the way out to the little decked garden. A surprise it was then, good thing she needn’t feign happiness with anything that involved her babies. And yet, she found herself genuinely gasping, a soft, happy sound, when she got to the door.

“Mako.” Shiko’s heart flipped in her chest at the sight of her husband, which was silly, considering she’d seen him less than twelve hours ago. But he had that effect on her still, even after all these years, a wedding, three kids, and waking up to him every single day.

But for one, she thought he’d be out until dinner time, and then- how could she not lose her breath when he was like this; red all around him in the form of his stunning regalia, and their three kids, clinging to him with nothing but love and adoration in their eyes. She’d never tire of this sight.

“Fire Lord, so nice of you to join us.” He greeted her. The kids scrambling to their feet to hug at her middle, Shiko locked eyes with her husband; hers, warm with emotion, his, a dangerous mix of love and fire, and she had to shake her head to clear it from the thoughts that incited. Terrible, terrible man. She’d deal with him later.

“Hello, my darlings.” Shiko stooped to greet each of the kids, a shower of kisses and tickles, until they surrendered, before moving to brush a soft kiss on Mako’s lips, kneeling on the other side of the squat table.

Tea was a lovely and fun affair, as it usually was. Mako served it, the kids filled the air with stories and anecdotes, and their mouths with pastries, and Shiko watched everything unfold around her in a blissful state.

Raeden, already in her last year of primary school, sat cross legged to Shiko’s right, between Mako and her. She was the spark; fire, and lightning, free and confident, and so charming already. Her tutors said she’d get everything she wanted in life, now if she could only manage to sit still for the whole of a lesson… She talked about her training, the last letter she’d received from her uncles, and added a couple of well placed comments and eye rolls at her brother’s stories, so reminiscent of Azula, Shiko could hardly scold her for it.

To her left, Tatsuya sat properly on his knees, his back straight, and his words much more hand picked than his sister’s, albeit less elaborate, given the five years she had on him. He was the equanimity; focus and thought, poise and traditions, and had his father’s quality to enchant a room full of the most venomous ministers. He was excited about school, about learning more, and having homework, and he was actually excited about his royal lessons.

On her lap, Hikori made active use of his toddler’s half tongue, talking about all and everything, and trying out the words he heard that caught his attention. Every once in a while, he’d get stuck on one of them, repeating it until it lost all meaning, and got them all laughing at his excitement. He was calmness; balance and breathing, freshness and strength. He was their little earth baby, already showing signs of his element being that of his uncle, having little pebbles react to his tantrums.

Soon enough, the tea turned into dinner, and then it was time to go to bed. Mako dismissed the governess for the night, and they prepared the kids for bed themselves, Tatsuya’s room the place to take the party to next.

Raeden and Tatsuya tucked in the middle of the massive bed, little Hikori snuggled to Mako’s chest on one side, and Shiko started to read the story for the night on the other. It was one of spirits and adventures, and every so often Raeden made fire figures in the air to represent the characters. Hikori would squeal each time, Tatsuya scoff something along the lines of ‘show off’, and Shiko would catch Mako’s warm eyes over the cover of the book. Their family, her smile told him, this was their wonderful family.

Somewhere along the way, the day caught up with her, and she fell asleep. She was woken up by her husband’s rich voice, reading the end of the story to her two eldest, Hikori snoring softly between Mako’s arms.

A kiss on each forehead, Shiko stood, Mako doing the same, putting the book back into its place on the shelf. She stayed by the end of the bed, warm arms wrapping around her middle, she smiled and leaned back into Mako’s chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head.

“Can you believe we made them?” She often asked that question, especially when the three were together, and calm. Their faces relaxed, chests rising and falling slowly, a mess of hair, and little limbs all over the bed.

“It is pretty amazing.” Mako’s answer was soft, almost reverential, as if to say he really couldn’t. Soon they’d be too big for this, Raeden would be at least, and yet, it seemed only yesterday, when each had been put in her arms for the first time. It was ridiculous, the amount of love she could fit within herself for her babies.

With a soft kiss to her cheek, Mako laced their hands together, and led her out of the room, to their own, on the other end of the wing. Shiko leaned into his shoulder, her free hand toying with the golden trim at the hem of his robe.

“Wait, don’t-” She stopped his motions when they reached the suite, Mako’s fingers halting midwork of unfastening his robe. The way the right corner of his lips curled up told on her.

“Yes, my Lord?” He teased, a thumb brushing over her cheek, that burned all the way to the depths of her belly. And suddenly Shiko was not the Fire Lord anymore, but a much too shy princess again. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her skin was aflame, blushed all over most likely than not. “Anything I can do for you?”

“Just- don’t take it off just yet.” Shiko liked to believe her voice sounded confident, even when it’d been but a whisper. He just rendered useless.

Her eyes took him in, the fine silks hugging his body perfectly, the darkened tangerine of his eyes, and the tiny lines at the sides of his eyes. Her fingers moved to trace them, and then up, to tangle in his hair, where some graying strands where slowly showing. He let her examine him, smiling with a confidence she had out to the public, but not in a private setting, not with him. Not when a single press of his hand on the small of her back had her gasping.

“Found anything you like, Shiko?” Mako asked, but didn’t let her answer, fingers closing around her chin, pulling her up for a kiss that left her breathless, and alight.

When she gathered her thoughts again, she was in bed with him, warm and contented between his arms, tracing lazy patterns on his abdomen.

“Everything, Mako.” She breathed softly to the skin of his chest, and slowly drifted to sleep.

[inazumashiko-archived]

The Alliance

Continued with @royalbrooch

“Oh, okay. That’s, really nice of you, thank you.” Shiko smiled politely. Tea would follow her to every corner of the earth apparently, but at least he was being nice, and a bit nervous himself by the looks of it. That made her feel less awkward of being sent away by her mother, as if she was a kid ordered to make friends in the playground.

She sat down, finding he hadn’t lied about the chairs, they were comfortable. And green. Everything was so green, and gold, her eyes moved around the room, she felt particularly out of place in her red gown. Shiko fingered the elaborate carving on the armrest, as King Wu ordered the tea.

“Um, thanks, it’s been made for this trip especially.” She eyed down to the pattern of the dress, fingers playing with the sleeve. “It’s supposed to match the style of the Earth Kingdom better, or something like that. At least that’s what the seamstress said my mother had asked for.” She shrugged, she really couldn’t get why a dress would make any difference, but- she got a new dress out of it, and it was really lovely.

“I’m sure the Fire Lord would love to see that.” Shiko reached for her own cup, if anything, to have something else to do with her hands, other than worry them on her dress. 

Yes, her mother would just about die, if Shiko was at the very least polite to King Wu. And she guessed, that for the first time since she became Crown Princess, she could follow through with that request. Wu seemed nice, and he was around her age, as opposed to the decrepit ministers, and the disgusting suitors she was mandated to interact with. 

“You know-” She took a sip of the steaming cup. It was nice, soft, it reminded her of her grandfather, and she wondered if they’d still used Uncle Iroh’s blend at the palace. “I think we could make that alliance work actually. The alliance of not being really old, or something like that.” She smiled to the rim of the cup. “Please tell me the first mission of it, would be to rescue one another from the dreadful meetings with the extreme traditionalists.”

[inazumashiko-archived]

Continued with @idonthaveabackstory

She squirmed away from his kiss, smiling. A hand reached out to grab at his, lacing their fingers together, and she bit down on her lip. She would never get tired of hearing that.

“I don’t care, you made it for me.” Shiko said softly, enjoying his blush. “No one ever cooks for me, they cook for the family, or rather, because of the family. This is so much better.” She switched hands keeping his hostage but freeing her right one, to take another bite, the fact that he was the Chef aside, she really did like it. 

“Now, what fun would it be, if I let you know beforehand?” Shiko smiled, and reached over to his bowl, stealing a piece of meat from it. “Then you’d go all preparations mode, and you know it’s much better like this, wild improvisation. Besides, if I come without warning, then the guards outside your house are far less.” She popped the meat in her mouth, grinning playfully.

[inazumashiko-archived]

Continued with @hellreleased

"I could adopt them all, I swear.” Shiko answered, sweet tenderness widening her smile. And it was true, if it weren’t for her crazy schedule, and her constant trips, she’d adopt all and every puppy that crossed her way. But that wouldn’t be fair to the puppies, to leave them alone for the better part of the day, no matter if they’d be in each other’s company.

“It’s a shame I live in an apartment with eleven cats though.” Her lips pressed into a side in a sorrowful gesture. “I could gift one to my grandpa though, he has a massive garden, and he’d like the company.

“Anyhow- here it is.” Shiko clapped her hands together, pulling herself from the puppy haze, and opening her laptop to show Aurora the new page for the shelter she and her team had been working on. 

“The adoption section can be filtered by age, fur color, and size, and there’s a page with advice on how to pick the right dog for your house and family, plus we’ve fixed the issued with the inbox, and imbedded the donations page straight into the page, so no more redirection links.”

She’d known Aurora for little over a month now, and most of the time they’d only spoken on the phone, or through texts, but Shiko was confident that even when dogs adoptions wasn’t what her marketing team worked on, they’d managed to make something appealing for the puppies to be displayed and hopefully taken in a loving home. “So, like it? Everything can be changed, of course. Or we can add whatever you want or if there’s something I might’ve missed...”

[inazumashiko-archived]

Continued with @sonnenliicht

Shiko let her head fall back at Caspian words, craning her neck to catch her friend’s eyes with puppy ones of her own. Was she overreacting over some lavender pastries? Sure. Would she stop? Not in the near future, no.

“Fiiine.” And although the word was just another dragged whine, she let herself be pulled away from the store, not pouting at all, no. She did not pout over pastries, that would be unbecoming of a girl her age. 

“Is it too much for a girl to ask for lavender pastries and get them, though?” Oh, but she was not letting this go so easily, she’d bake them herself if she had to. In fact, that seemed like a very good idea to spend a good time with Cas, and let go of her most recent family confrontation.

“Hey!” Shiko stopped dead in her tracks, tugging Caspian’s arm to make the girl halt as well. “What if we find a recipe online, buy the stuff, and make them at my place? That ought to be fun, and we’ll be doing the whole aligning of the stars. What do you say?” Her eyes closed in a wide grin.

[inazumashiko-archived]

Chasing unicorns

Somehow, whenever she was at a party with her friends- a party for one of her friends in this case- Shiko ended up alone. Jie would “take just a moment to mingle”, and disappear all night, draping herself to the arm of the richest boy in the room, until the next one came along, and Wen- she just, had a thing for Chefs. Shiko wouldn’t doubt for a second that the girl was now at Jie’s kitchens, playing coy to whoever was wearing the top, white hat; asking questions about the dishes, what type of olive oil was best, and which garnish was their favourite.

Shiko sighed, and her eyes moved around the room, but she was not really looking. She knew people here, of course she did, but had next to no interest in playing the part today, being polite. She’d had little interest when she arrived- her week had been a disastrous one- and she had even less now, after her run in with an idiot she knew from a college party, that had gotten touchy.

She moved around the room, watching the people, playing with her mobile, stopping for a moment on the gifts table, letting her fingers caress the shimmery wrapping papers, and trying to guess what each of them could hide; a new gold iphone- or three, several designer bags, small boxes that surely had diamonds or some other jewelry, a couple of bigger boxes that were likely to hold dresses worth what a small apartment did. She let out a sigh, eyes moving over the obscene car in the middle of the room, and landing- rather unfortunately- on the guy from earlier.

Turning on her heels, Shiko traced back her steps, looking for an out, the guy- evidently drunk by now- following her. It just had to be her luck, to meet this imbecile here, the douchebag to be 'interested', completely wasted, and have no respect whatsoever.

The party was already a mess, the dancefloor impossible to maneuver through, and most of the wings closed off by security. For a moment Shiko considered going to the kitchens, Wen would be there, and she was sure her friend would not let the idiot get away with one word, of the colorful array he had to say to her. God, she hated being useless like this.

Shiko reached the end of the only corridor she found unguarded, and turned right, she frowned, looking around. She was not familiar with this side of the manor, she figured it had to be Jie’s parents’ wing, but it had probably been redone. Suddenly a tipsy couple was ushered away from one of the rooms, and her shoulders dropped, she knew it futile to try and get past the guard. If there was one condition for this insanity of a party, was that the private wings of the manor remained untouched.

But as Shiko began to retrace her steps once more, the guy caught up with her, his lips twisting to a lewd grin that made her shiver, and she turned back to the guard, eyes pleading that he helped her.

| starter - @idonthaveabackstory |

[inazumashiko-archived]

❝You’re really brave.❞

Shiko looked up from her coffee- her lovely on-the-house unicorn frappuccino- to the boy next to her, and back down to the plastic cup. She bit down a smile, her cheeks had been colored ever since the spat that started it all, so she didn’t have to worry about blushing to the compliment.

“Not really.” She shrugged, turning the drink between her fingers until her name with the happy face drawn underneath was showing, and rising it so that it stood in front of the lovely artwork on the wall. Pulling her phone from her purse, Shiko snapped two pics of it. She turned to her countertop neighbour, plucking the lid of the cup. It had cream, and syrup, and she probably shouldn’t, but Shiko poured some- a lot- of sugar in it anyways.

“I just really, really hate people being mean, you know.“ Her lips pulled to a sided frown, she stirred her drink until the pink, lilac and baby blue were only a mass of purple. "It’s not the cashier’s fault the man had a shitty day, or a shitty life, and she shouldn’t have to put up with that. I’m sure she doesn’t get paid enough for that to be in her list of duties.”

[inazumashiko-archived]

Time off

Continued with @idonthaveabackstory

Her lips stretched to a massive grin, and she had to bite them not to screech of joy. For one, because well- she supposed she tried to behave when she was out with him. And also, because she had the helmet on, so she’d leave herself deaf, and would be the only one to blame for it.

“We have to-” She started talking before remembering the helmet once more, and pulled it off with a chuckle. “We absolutely have to do something, Mako! I can’t believe you have a whole week off!” Shiko hugged his neck, pressing her lips to... they fell near enough Mako’s own to call it a kiss.

“What do you say we go with my brother’s on their boat somewhere?” She asked to his skin, nose pressed to his cheekbone. She pecked him once more, and pulled away, excitement making it hard for her to stay still on the bike.

[inazumashiko-archived]

"I'm here to take you out," Kalden said when the door swung open, Iroh's little sister all smiles and pink. "Our idiots are off fishing... I thought pedicures and tea to be far more appealing."

"Oh, thank the Gods!” Shiko’s arms wrapped around Kalden’s waist, head buried in his chest for a moment, before pulling away with a sheepish smile. She fixed hair behind her ears, knowing she was probably all blushed already, and moved aside to let the man in.

“Sorry, I just been studying all day, and probably all week too- I can’t really remember- and I missed humans so much.” A hand waved for Kalden to follow her further into the apartment, cats already running up to him to smell the newcomer. “I swear it, whenever those three are together, it’s like they forget about me, especially two of them.” Looking over her shoulder knowingly, Shiko caught Kalden’s gaze with a smile.

“Not that I would’ve liked to go fishing, of course, but still.” Shiko led them to her room, where evidence of her less than entertaining week was sprawled all over her desk, books piling up on the chair next to it, and a couple of notebooks on her bed. Her looks weren’t all that far from her room’s; messy ponytail that was a bun at some point of the day, her pink Hello Kitty pajamas, and what she was sure was the face of someone who hadn’t seen the sun in a long while. She went around fixing everything back into neatness, before moving to dig into her closet. 

“In any case, I’m spent, and you are my saviour. Will this do for tea?” She pulled a dress out, head cocked to the side with her question; it was an azure blue summer dress with yellow flowers on it. “I’ll wear it with a shirt under probably.”

@kanosak

[inazumashiko-archived]

Someone shine a light

"All I’m saying Wen, is that- whenever- wait.” Shiko propped herself up on an elbow on the middle of her bed, the phone forgotten next to the laptop, as she glared at the screen.

“Shikooo” Wen’s voice came from the other side of the call, and she picked the mobile up again, getting up to grab pen and paper.

“Yes, sorry. Can you believe Iroh’s in town and I’m finding out by a Facebook post?” She glared at the picture once more. 

Her brother and some guy hugging him by the shoulders, drinking at a bar by the docks. With my favourite person in the world, was the photograph’s caption, and she was seething, who the fuck was that guy, and why hadn’t Iroh told her he was in town?!

“I know! What do you think I’m doing? Going out to find him, of course!” Shiko scribbled down the address from the location tag, put on some ballerina flats, and grabbed a light jacket. 

“Oh, Wen what are they going to do? Send me to boarding-boarding school? Besides you should be on my side!” She checked her appearance on the mirrored doors of her closet, overall pleased with her emerald Audrey mini dress, and decided to let her hair off the ponytail. There, oh wait, lipstick! Okay, all done.

“Yes, I’ll let you know how it goes. Of course I’m taking the chauffeur, like I’m going to walk all the way there. I’m reckless Wen, not idiot.” Shiko lowered her voice as she exited her room, and made an easy way around the penthouse, and down to the garage. “Stay on for a moment more, I might need you.”

As she arrived to the guard’s cabin, the door opened, and she smiled sheepishly at Michael, who was already shaking his head. “No Shiko, you know how it goes, last time you got into a lot of trouble.”

“But Michael.” Shiko whined, pouting at the man. “I just got a text from Iroh, he wants me to go meet with him, he’s here!” She grinned widely, batting her eyelashes in her best cute face. The man seemed hesitant, and she just needed one final push to convince him, she knew. Her phone vibrated.

“Look, it’s true.” She opened the messages, and showed Michael the last one, nevermind that it had just arrived, she knew the man wasn’t going to check that, as long as the sender said Iroh. It did. Wen’s second mobile changed names on Shiko’s agenda according to what they needed it to be. 

“Okay. But Shiko.” She cut her happy dance short, to stare up at Michael, her hands properly placed behind her back, and a tiny smile on her lips. He sighed, and waved his hand dismissively. “Nevermind. Give me the address, and hop on.”

Shiko handed Michael the paper and got on the car’s front seat. One of her favourite things of travelling alone with him, was that she got to ride shotgun, and put her music on. Much better than going on the back seat, next to her mother and the deafening silence she needed to work on the phone.

They took to the streets, and Shiko returned to her conversation with Wen, enjoying the view as the city’s buildings slowly made way to warehouses and finally the docks, and its nightlife, with bars, clubs and food trucks. Michael’s hands tensed on the steering wheel, and he raised a brow to Shiko, who shrugged cheekily at him in turn.

When they got to the tagged address, Shiko hopped off, thanking Wen for the favour and assuring she’d stay out of trouble. She rolled her eyes as she did so, there was no way she was not going to get in trouble, but it would be worth it, if she got to see Iroh.

Standing by the car, and within Michael’s sight, she sent out a text.

*I’m outside, come meet me!*

| @generaliroh-ii - starter |

[inazumashiko-archived]

sms: Sorry it's taking me so long. Start without me if you want to.

sms: It’s okay, I can wait. Bumi on the other hand… well, he might bite your brother. 

sms: Or Bolin might bite Bumi. It’s unclear. 

sms: Iroh and I are making bets. Want in?

[inazumashiko-archived]

“You are just fueled by spite and chai tea lattes.” - Mako

Shiko glared at her husband over the cup, perfectly aware of how irrational she was being, but unable to stop and relax. She could only do so much to manage her anger on a regular day, there was no way she’d tame her fire while seven months pregnant, much to the Healers’ chagrin.

“You should be glad I still have a hair of sanity left, and a great deal of respect for the piece of gold in my head and how much it took me to get it, because otherwise I would’ve just- I just-”

She really didn’t know what she would’ve done, if anything at all. Shiko knew her anger was blown out of proportion by the hormones, and her own childhood memories, and this had hardly been an issue at all for Raeden. The girl had listened to their reassuring words- well, Mako’s, because Shiko had been tongue-tied the whole time- brushed it all off, and gone out to play. Her baby girl was already stronger than Shiko, and she couldn’t be prouder.

“I just can’t believe little kids can be so mean to each other.You would think at least they’d wait until they go to school for such things.” She sighed to the cup, taking another resigned sip of the tea. Just two more months, and she could have her coffee back. 

Shiko looked out the opened door to the patio, Raeden happy squeals could be heard from where they were, even if she couldn’t see where they came from. Probably the pond. “I don’t want her to have to fight for what is rightfully hers, that’s all. Not unless she wants to.” There were too many awful memories in her family tied to the crown and the ways of acquiring it to last them ten lifetimes. To add one more so early on, just because a little kid had repeated what he heard at home...

She reached out to grab Mako’s hand. He was her lifeline, and her sanity at moments like this. “Do you want to firebend a little? This one is getting restless, and I could really stretch my legs.”

[inazumashiko-archived]

"How are you feeling? The two of you."

“Mako!” Shiko crossed the office in a second, and launched herself to his arms. “You dumb, stupid, man, I’ve missed you!” She pulled away to look at his eyes, and down at her ever growing belly. “We’ve missed you. You came back early.”

[inazumashiko-archived]

Continued with @stellanomine

Shiko’s downright mortified when the stranger reaches out to hand her a tissue, which only makes her cry harder. Because she’s ashamed, and then upset because she’s always ashamed over one thing or the other, and that makes her sad, which piles up with her current issue, and it’s only when she’s hiccuping in the library table, Gods know how long afterwards, that she realises she’s not thanked the boy.

“I’m sorry, I don’t really know what’s gotten into me.” She’s barely looking up, her face burning from the furious scrubbing of her hands, embarrassment and tears. “I’d like to say I’m not usually like this, but that’s not exactly true.”

When Shiko finally looks up, she tries not to think of how much of a mess she must look like, and instead gives the boy a grateful smile. “I think that has to count as enough for a couple more weeks, right?” She jokes, nervously.