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#but maybe we should less worry about ozai
randomnameless · 3 months
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Hiii I'm the one who sent the crest removal ask ages ago. Had to do a double take when I saw it LOL I forgot I vented in your inbox!
I would like to clarify that the giant word vomit I sent was mainly to explain why I had no issue with Crest removal existing as an option for humans since IMO it never truly belonged to them. That said, I don't believe the procedure should be forced on all crest bearing humans.
I mainly see it as an option for 2 scenarios.
1. Someone wants their own crest removed.
Maybe they hate their crest or maybe their crest is killing them. Whatever their reasons, If they want it gone they should have the option to get it removed. Id argue that people should be allowed to make decisions about their own body and health. Like you can be born with something and hate it and get the option to remove it. More power to ya, harms no one. At best itll piss off the people who think you shouldn't get to decide what to do with your body. Personally I can see Marianne, Sylvain, Lysithea wanting it removed.
2. Someone who blatantly abuses their crests/power.
You could argue that it's blood and that's biological and thus it's always unethical to remove it from someone.
Id argue that In Fodlan, humans view crests as more than just special blood they inherited. It's a tool, a commodity, a weapon , a status symbol. it is tangible power. So it should be treated as such.
Is it unethical to forcibly remove a humans crest when they have shown themselves to be corrupt ? To remove power from those who would abuse it ? to remove a weapon from someone who would harm others with it ?
Perhaps it is unethical, But IMO its even more unethical to let those who blatantly abuse such power keep that power when you know you can remove it.
A similar example would be from Avatar the last Airbender. when Aang chose to remove fire lord Ozai's ability to firebend instead of ending his life, thus ending the hundred year war. You can argue that this is unethical, but IMO it's the lesser evil.
If Edelgard couldn't be killed for whatever reason, the double crests should be removed (among other things ofc! Humans don't need crests to be genocidal assholes, but removing a warmongers superpowers means one less thing for the world to worry about.)
Ultimately, It's not about punishing descendants for the crimes of their ancestors, it's about the crimes they are guilty of commiting and preventing them from doing it again.
Anyways, thanks for taking the time to respond to my ask! it's fun to hear your thoughts on it. And sorry for word vomitting into your ask box a second time ><
No pbs anon!
it's part my fault for taking so long to reply lol
In 1. That would be good, even if bar the ones who have two crests, I wonder who would like to have their crest removed.
Maybe Sylvain, once everything with Sreng is settled so there's no need to keep a military force on the border? But it depends on their good-will and, sadly, with the history Fodlan has I'm not sure a lot of people would like to have them removed lol
Option 2 though...
Bar the usual "who gets to decide", we're back to the "an eye for an eye" stuff, part of the reasoning why some people had their hands chopped when they were found out guilty of thieving is because they used said hands to steal.
But yeah, as a punition for abusing said power, maybe crests could be removed - sorry for not having understood in your earlier ask the fact you meant crest removal as a punition for someone's own crimes and actions, and not payback for what Momo or Goneril did eons ago!
As you said though, removing crests wouldn't solve everything, Supreme Leader would still try to MAGA without her crest, Miklan doing bandit things did them without a crest, etc etc.
We still face the issue of Nabateans - what if they abuse their power for some reason (or are accused of doing so) - and the "crest removal" process results in their death? We would still have this biological difference between Nabateans, and humans.
Granted, I like situation 1 because in an AU where this possibility exists, maybe some characters would have realised they barked at the wrong tree, like, take Sylvain for instance, crying because women want to marry him due to his crest - crest removed, so women won't try to court him, right?
Well, no, because Sylvain is still the son of one of the most prestigious families in Faerghus, so crest or no crest, he has expectactions to met, and will be seen as a higher "prize" by some people than Garfield the cart driver.
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bellatrixobsessed1 · 4 months
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Vicarious (Part 35)
“You remember.” She whispers. “You remember but you didn’t come back.” Surely she knows that Ozai is out of the picture. Esukutai is small but it is not remote nor cut off by any means, there are plenty of trade carts rattling their way down the dirt path.  
The woman who is her mother but also not her mother rubs her hands over her face but the expression on it remains bizarrely placid. It makes Azula’s stomach lurch to see her own mannerisms on another person. She should be used to that by now, all things considered. And so it takes her back double that the similarities unsettle her so much. 
“You remember me. You remember Zuzu. But you didn’t come back for us.” She can’t say that it is a surprise that she didn’t come back for her. But that she did run right back to her precious, sweet Zuzu? She furrows her brows. “Are you that afraid of me?” 
“Azula, no! That’s not—I wasn’t—” Her fingers run through those thick curls. And then her hand reaches out. Azula abruptly, practically jolts, just out of reach. “I was never afraid of you, Azula. I was afraid of your father…” Her gaze shifts. “Perhaps we can do this inside. I can show you my home.” 
“Your home? Your home is the palace.” She hisses. She shouldn’t care. If the woman wants to stay here in this ramshackle little village then it is just as well, she won’t have to worry about the woman’s judging and infringing which is only slightly less bothersome than uncle’s. 
“I know, Azula. I know.” 
“Then what are you doing here? The war has been over. Father can’t…” hurt her, hurt Zuzu, can’t hurt Azula herself  “...do anything.” But Azula can. She can do a lot of horrible things if she so chooses. And why would mother want to deal with any of those things when she can live her simple, charming life in this quaint and cozy village? This village that Azula resents and yearns to stay in.
“I’m trying to figure things out.” 
“What’s to figure out. The war is over, father is in prison. Don’t you want to see Zuzu again? You left to save him but you can’t be bothered to talk to him again?” Agni if Zuko isn’t important enough to go back for then she certainly isn’t enticing in the slightest. 
“You’re talking a lot about your brother…”
Azula sniffs haughtily. “Does it surprise you that much to hear that I might care?”
Ursa manages a sad smile. “It doesn’t.” Another stiff and impatient sniff coxes the woman to come out with the truth. “Perhaps a little. Azula, the last time that I saw you, you were taunting him over your father wanting to kill him.”
Azula swallows. Perhaps she pales as well. 
“Your father, he…” she furrows her brows. “He was such a horrible influence. It terrified me. And you were so attached to him. I didn’t know how to get you away from him. I don’t think that I could have.” 
“So you didn’t try.” She spits. 
“I was afraid.” 
“At least you got to run away.” Azula mumbles. Perhaps it is her turn. Maybe she should run, should take off and let the woman ponder upon where she is and if she would hate her forever and then some. 
“I had to leave.” Her voice lowers considerably. “I killed your grandfather. I was banished. I didn’t have a choice.”
“But you did have a choice when it came to coming home.” Azula gives a pointed sweeping glance at the streets of Esukutai. “You’ve made it already. Zuzu is firelord now, it’s quite safe to assume that your banishment has been lifted and your treason has been pardoned.” She folds her arms across her chest. “You couldn’t be bothered to attend your own son’s coronation.” Nor her daughter’s first stay at an institution. 
“And I am ashamed of that.” Ursa admits. “I should have been there for him. And for you. You haven’t mentioned yourself yet.” 
“Believe it or not, I am here to help Zuzu find you. I could do without you.”
She jerks as though Azula has sent a small spark of lightning straight through her. “I believe that only in part.” 
“Which part?” Azula quirks a brow.
“The part where you said that you wanted to help your brother find me.” Ursa reaches out again. “I hurt you, didn’t I.” 
“Don’t pretend like you care about me!” Azula snaps a little louder than she had intended, a little shriller. Enough so to earn her a few looks. “You left me behind. You left me with him!” Her hands are shaking. Her head is pounding. 
“Azula, I love you.��� 
Azula grips either side of her head. The last time she had heard those words from that woman…
She is practically clawing at her hairline. 
They feel just as fake. Just as unreal as they had then. She might as well be imagining them. They are spoken in her mother’s voice but the face doesn’t match and so disconnect and distress prevails. How could it not? 
“Azula…” this time the woman’s hand does fall upon her arm. 
She swats it away and much harder than she had intended. Both of them jolt back in unison. Ursa fixes her with a horrified look. One that is so familiar that she can recognize it even on this face that isn’t her mother’s. If she had any doubt that she’d found the woman, it has been cleared now. That flicker of terror quickly softens into something else. Something more understanding, something more apologetic. 
But it is too late. 
Azula fixes herself to run. 
Her legs are ready, her mind is already miles ahead of her but as soon as she raises her leg her world flares white.
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chiptrillino · 3 years
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WARNING very graphic visual of Lu-Tens last moments. the footage shows, how prince Lu-Ten son of Iroh second in line. has to fight off on his own, two small hatchlings, both enraged by their pray being stolen. and you can clearly see, how his father, the general, dragon of the west crown prince Iroh, JUST SITS ON THE SIDELINES SIPPING HIS TEA AND LAUGHING HIS BELLY OF!
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firelxdykatara · 3 years
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gods, ok, apparently i’m not done.
atla fandom? we need to have a chat.
(....ok that made me sound pretentious as fuck. and maybe i am, but this needs to be said, cause i’m getting....real, real tired of a Certain Corner of this fandom and as a result, this is gonna be a discourse-heavy post so feel free to scroll past if that’s not your bag. as always, my salt posts all carry the catch-all #salt for ts tag, which you’re free to blacklist/filter at your leisure. i’m Very Annoyed at the moment, which will probably come through in the following post, so just. yknow. be prepared for that. or ignore it, that’s perfectly valid too.)
under a cut bc i do care for my followers and their sanity i swear lmao
there’s a real serious issue in this fandom with not understanding what queer terminology actually means or implies, especially when applied to a fictional narrative.
i’m specifically talking about ‘coding’, here. (if i were in a more meme-y mood, i might have said ‘the atla fandom found out about the term “gay-coding” and haven’t shut up since’.)
to the people who say ‘zuko is gay-coded’, i have this to say: you keep using that word. i do not think it means what you think it means. because he isn’t. i’m sorry, but he’s not! and the fact that this is such a prevalent claim in this fandom is distressing, bc it says to me that none of y’all know what gay-coding is or when and how to apply it! please, i’m begging you, go and look up these terms and what they mean and when they should be used before actually trying to plug them into your critical analysis, because when you misuse them and then call other people delusional for disagreeing with you it casts a pall over the entire fandom and is, i think, the root of some of the worst toxicity this fandom has to offer.
and the thing is, there are cases where gay-coding would apply--for instance, a couple series that are famous for queerbaiting their audience by coding their main characters as being attracted to one another (sometimes even despite their openly stated sexualities) come to mind, but those shows bare no similarities at all to atla and how zuko was written and portrayed! (and it would be funny, if it weren’t so obnoxious and infuriatingly wide-spread throughout the fandom, because the only queer couple we actually seen on-screen in either show wasn’t even queer-coded in any respect, and they’re canonically bi! [yes, i’m shading korrasami, or more accurately i’m shading bryke for refusing to give ka the build-up and development they deserved].)
this absolutely isn’t to say that headcanoning zuko as gay is a bad thing or invalid in any respect. (although the tendency for zukka shippers to do this specifically to keep zuko away from katara and/or invalidate his canon relationship/attraction to girls is more than a little eyebrow raising. especially since sokka is usually allowed to be bi, bc fans have no problem letting sukka stay in the background bc it’s no real threat, while jetko shippers are happy to have both boys be bi. [possibly bc katara is less a threat to jetko bc jetkotara is every bit as valid as any single ship between the three, but zukka can’t exactly let katara join in, and if the potential exists for zuko to be attracted to her then canon giving them the far deeper emotional bond becomes a threat to zukka’s existence? idk for sure--you be the judge.]) i prefer to hc zuko as bi (and always have, long before the atla renaissance), bc i don’t think zuko being attracted to boys is outside the realm of possibility, and it isn’t a threat to my ship since zuko&katara had a deep and emotional bond in canon that is very easy to develop further into something that becomes explicitly romantic--but the headcanon itself isn’t really the problem (although what it’s often in service to can be).
it’s the strange insistence that this is the only way to read his character, bc he was coded that way and so anyone who doesn’t see it must be too straight to understand--and i really shouldn’t have to say why and how that is so incredibly fucking insulting. (the ‘hetero lenses’ comment wasn’t cute when it came from bryke six years ago, and the same sentiment being repackaged and delivered by zukka shippers ain’t cute now.)
calling zuko gay-coded not only demonstrates ignorance as to what the term actually means, and how to usefully apply it in critical analysis, but also validates the frankly bullshit insertion of institutionalized homophobia in the world of atla where it was neither needed, nor wanted, nor ever hinted at in canon. as a queer woman i’m still infuriated by one fucking comic panel shoving institutionalized and systemic homophobia into a world where it was entirely unnecessary (and doing this in the first installment of the franchise showcasing a queer relationship??? making korra and asami worried about ‘coming out’ when they could have just gone on to have cute adventures together and tell people ‘hey we’re dating’ and have everyone else be ‘that’s awesome =DDD’ [because it is, in fact, possible to just have a world without homophobia i promise!!!!!] double yikes, i’m still pissed at bryke about it), and i doubly hate that ‘zuko is gay coded’ has become so widespread that ‘ozai hates him bc he’s gay’ has become a staple in that part of the fandom.
not only does making zuko gay and implying (or outright stating) that ozai hated and abused him because of it completely undermine zuko’s character arc by making his abuse about his sexuality rather than ozai’s toxic pride and anger at seeing himself reflected in his ‘weak’ son, but it comes very close to outright stating that abuse and trauma are inherently gay experiences, and they aren’t!!! they really aren’t, i promise!!!
abuse and trauma narratives exist outside of ‘my dad hates me because i’m gay’. and, quite frankly, there are MORE THAN ENOUGH queer trauma narratives out in the world. we do not need to start trying to retroactively make them canon in a series where they didn’t exist! if you’re gay and see yourself in zuko and project your own experiences on him, that’s understandable and valid. that does not make zuko gay-coded. and honestly, the insistence that he is makes very little sense to me, because you’re essentially trying to give the show credit for work you put into interpreting the characters! why would you want to do that? why not own your own headcanons and take credit for them, rather than insisting they are canon and everyone else is wrong for not seeing them??? like, i’ve said before that i’ve always headcanoned zuko (and katara) as bi, and even support it with my interpretations of evidence from the show, but the difference between ‘i think zuko is bi’ and ‘zuko is definitely gay-coded’ is that i know that bi zuko is my interpretation of canon, and that it is work i’m putting into the show that wasn’t actually intended by the creators/writers, no matter how much sexual tension i read into the jetko swordfight.
and like, zuko’s character arc doesn’t actually parallel a queer one all that well to begin with. it’s easy enough to do the work and twist it sideways just enough to make the general points fit, but the fact is, zuko’s arc is not one of self-discovery. it’s not one of coming to understand something fundamental about himself that he can’t change, that he was hated for, and coming out to his father in a dramatic confrontation where he shows that he understands himself and doesn’t need his father’s acceptance to be fulfilled.
zuko’s arc is actually one of trauma and healing. and those can (and often are--like i said, there are more than enough queer trauma narratives in the world, atla really doesn’t need to be one of them) be part of queer narratives, for sure! but they aren’t uniquely queer. and zuko’s confrontation with ozai during the eclipse doesn’t read like a ‘coming out’ at all. (yes, i’ve seen that post. yes, i rolled my eyes and moved on, bc unlike some people, i’m capable of not clowning on correctly tagged posts i disagree with.) zuko is specifically confronting ozai over his abuse, because his arc wasn’t about discovering anything fundamental about himself (and therefore realizing that ozai was hating him for something he couldn’t change)--it was about realizing that he was not at fault for the way his father treated him. it was also about realizing that the fire nation was broken and corrupt at its core, and that his father was an aspect of that he needed to break away from so that he could help the world begin to heal.
he says it himself:
Zuko: No, I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don't see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it! We've created an era of fear in the world. And if we don't want the world to destroy itself, we need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness.
making this about zuko being gay and rejecting ozai’s homophobia, rather than zuko learning fundamental truths about the world and about his home and about how there was something deeply wrong with his nation that needed to be fixed in order for the world to heal (and, no, ‘homophobia’ is not the answer to ‘what is wrong with the fire nation’, i’m still fucking pissed at bryke about that), misses the entire point of his character arc. this is the culmination of zuko realizing that he should never have had to earn his father’s love, because that should have been unconditional from the start. this is zuko realizing that he was not at fault for his father’s abuse--that speaking out of turn in a war meeting in no way justified fighting a duel with a child.
is that first realization (that a parent’s love should be unconditional, and if it isn’t, then that is the parent’s fault and not the child’s) something that queer kids in homophobic households/families can relate to? of course it is. but it’s also something that every other abused kid, straight kids and even queer kids who were abused for other reasons before they even knew they were anything other than cishet, can relate to as well. in that respect, it is not a uniquely queer experience, nor is it a uniquely queer story, and zuko not being attracted to girls (which is what a lot of it seems to boil down to, at the end of the day--cutting down zuko’s potential ships so that only zukka and a few far more niche ships are left standing) is not necessary to his character arc. nor does it particularly make sense.
(and before anyone brings up his date with jin--a) he enjoyed it when she kissed him, and b) he was a traumatized, abused child going out on a first date. of course he was fucking awkward. have you ever met a teenage boy????)
anyway, uh, that was a lot of words, so have a tl;dr: zuko is not gay-coded. there is nothing uniquely gay (or even uniquely queer) about his character arc or characterization, and he was certainly not coded gay in an attempt to sneak a queer character past the censors. if anyone involved with atla was gonna try that, it would’ve been in lok, and as established, they didn’t even manage to queer-code the actual queer relationship before the last few minutes of the final episode. headcanoning zuko as gay is absolutely fine (though if it’s only done to keep him away from female characters he may otherwise be attracted to, that smells more like misogyny than anything else), but insisting that this reading is the only one that makes sense, and anyone who doesn’t agree must be straight (hello, queer woman here making this insanely long thinkpiece) is very much not.
ship what you like, but stop trying to invalidate other ships and other interpretations of characters just to make your ship seem more plausible. it’s really not a good look.
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captain-azoren · 3 years
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I've been trying to figure out some little inconsistencies with the themes of Avatar and what some fans have taken away, and I think I think I've got something.
Aang's decision to spare Ozai is about Aang finding a third option so that he can save the world without compromising his beliefs. It's more importantly about Aang being able to bring innocence and mercy back to a war torn world. I think this is a great message and I don't have a problem with that.
But it isn't about giving Ozai a second chance. This plot point serves Aang's development. How it develops Ozai doesn't actually matter.
Something very similar happens when Zuko duels Zhao the first time. Zuko spares Zhao and Zhao doesn't change. It's about propping up the protagonist, to show their morality compared to the villain, to make them better heroes.
More egregious examples would come from Ursa. We need to acknowledge that the narrative never actually frames her as a bad mother to Azula, and more often than not seems to blame Azula for being a bad kid who misunderstood or didn't appreciate her mother.
Ursa gives Azula a non-apology at the end of The Search, which only really just serves to make Azula feel guilty. It doesn't acknowledge Ursa's actual shortcomings in a satisfying way and just puts Azula in the wrong.
On a related note, would Zuko have switched sides if Ozai hadn't been such an abusive narcissist? Like, imagine if when Zuko got back Ozai really did treat him with love and respect and regretted burning him, but nothing else changed (just humor me, don't worry about inconsistencies).
Imagine how much harder it would be for Zuko to turn on his father in that situation. I almost get the feeling that Ozai and Azula were portrayed as evil as they were to make it easier to accept Zuko and Mai and Ty Lee turning on them. The cost is that what we have is characters that seem to have chosen sides based on who they like rather than what they think is for the greater good.
Anyway, I think this is why the show has the heroes expous themes of redemption and no one being born evil etc. and yet we still have a fourteen year old condemned to misery; these speeches are just to make our heroes look good, but they aren't actually going to put in much effort to redeem the bad people.
You could say Iroh put in the effort to redeem Zuko, but it's only Zuko. Not Azula, much less Ozai. The Gaang give him a chance, but we don't see them really try to convert Fire Nationals to good. The ONE example I can think of is in The Pirate's Silver, and that proved fruitless.
Maybe I'm being too harsh. I definitely think that post finale stories should be about redemption for everyone now that they have a lasting peace. Yes, even for Ozai.
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zukoszukhoes · 4 years
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Don’t Speak- Part 3
Zuko x reader soulmate au
// warnings: violence and death
// read part 1 and part 2
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"Get up." A voice snapped you out of your dreams. "Get up!" The voice yanked your covers off of you. "Get dressed, and quickly."
"Why?" You frowned, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes.
"Because," your mother said, throwing you a ceremonial robe. "The Fire Lord has requested your presence at the palace."
~~~
The carriage ride to the palace was... uncomfortable, to say the least.
Zuko would never say it out loud, but he was desperate for you to forgive him. Now that his father had requested to meet you- his son's soulmate- he was terrified of putting you off even more. His father was imposing and cruel, and Zuko knew it. He knew that seeing his father would only reaffirm everything you hated about the Fire Nation- and him. He couldn't figure out what to say to you on the ride to the palace, so the two of you sat in silence. That is, until you noticed Zuko staring at you.
"Stop staring at me," you snapped, crossing your arms. You'd been feeling jittery all day; you couldn't stop thinking about your impending meeting with the Firelord. What would you say? What would he say?
"Sorry." Zuko cleared his throat and looked out the window. You followed his line of sight, searching for something to distract yourself from your nerves. Rolling hills and flocks of koala-sheep passed by as the carriage bumbled along. Looking at the fields, you could forget for a moment who you were and where you were going.
"We're going to have to stop for the night," Zuko murmured absentmindedly, looking out at the setting sun. "I'll ask the driver to pull over."
"Pull over? Is there an inn nearby?" You frowned.
"We can't stay in an inn. It's too exposed. We'll set up our own campsite where it'll be easier for the guards to watch us."
Your face paled. "A campsite?'
Zuko smirked, raising an eyebrow. "What, you can't handle a little camping?"
You were the child of a government official with your own estate. You had never been camping in your life!
"Of course I can handle camping!" You lied. "I was just surprised that the crown prince of the Fire Nation would stoop to sleeping on the ground."
Zuko glanced at you. "You're a terrible liar, you know."
You glowered and crossed your arms. "And you're short."
"Hey!" Zuko cried.
Before you could respond, the carriage jolted to a stop. The driver came to the side of the carriage and opened the door. "We're setting up camp for the night. If you would please follow me to your tents." He gestured out.
Looking at the guards setting up tents and a campfire, you frowned. It was going to be a difficult night.
~~~
Shivering in your sleeping bag, you mentally cursed Zuko for making you sleep in a tent.
Needless to say, camping was turning out to really not be your thing.
First of all, it was freezing. You hadn't packed your cloak because it was summer- in the Fire Nation- and you'd naturally assumed you wouldn't need it. Then, Zuko had made fun of you because of said lack of coat, and you couldn't think of anything to make fun of him for. And lastly, your servants had forgotten to pack an extra tent, so you had to share with Zuko.
"Can you please stop moving so much?" Zuko grumbled suddenly, his voice heavy with sleep.
"I'm cold. Maybe I'd be able to fall asleep if you'd bothered to bring any extra blankets," You groused, curling up tighter in your sleeping bag.
"Maybe if you'd remembered to bring your cloak you wouldn't be so cold," Zuko retorted.
"It's the middle of summer!"
"So that means I'm responsible for reminding you it gets cold at night?"
You glowered at the darkness, annoyed that you couldn't think of anything to say in response. Zuko let out a sigh, and before you knew what was happening, an arm was around you pulling you back into a warm chest.
You lurched up, pushing the chest away. "What are you doing?" You hissed, glaring daggers at Zuko. Zuko reached up and grabbed your wrist, tugging you back into his chest. He wrapped his arms around you until you were fully encased- and totally stuck. You went rigid, your heartbeat skyrocketing at the proximity.
"You said you were cold," Zuko replied bluntly.
"Oh," you squeaked out, your cheeks going red. You certainly were feeling warmer; Zuko's body was like a furnace, enveloping you in a cocoon of warmth. You breathed in deeply, succumbing to his scent of cardamom and smoke. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Zuko murmured, his lips brushing your hair lightly. Tingles raced down your spine at the contact.
"Zuko?' You whispered quietly.
"Hmm?" Zuko hummed, already falling back asleep.
"Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because," Zuko yawned. "I'm going to make things right between us."
You chuckled. "Is that so?"
Zuko nodded, bumping his nose against your forehead. "It is."
For a moment, you laid in Zuko's arms, letting his words sink in. Somehow, it was both infuriating and charming that Zuko was so determined to make things right with you- no matter how futile it may be. But, knowing what you did about Zuko, you couldn't say you were surprised; determination was in his blood.
"Zuko? Are you still awake?" You whispered.
You were met with nothing except for the quiet wisps of Zuko's breath over your face. With a quiet sigh, you settled in Zuko's grip. Before you knew it, fatigue pulled you into a deep cardomom-smoke-scented dream.
~~~
After being woken up the next morning by a very flustered guard, you journeyed for three more hours until you approached the imperial city. By the time you reached the palace, you were less concerned with meeting the Firelord and more concerned with getting something to eat. After 3 hours in a carriage, you were starving. But before you had the chance to get something to eat, a fire sage latched onto you and began to pull you towards the throne room.
"Come. There is no time to waste. The Firelord wants to see you immediately." He said, tugging you towards the inside of the palace.
Zuko's hand fell on the Fire Sage's wrist, stopping him in his tracks. "It's been a long journey. I'm sure my father can wait until y/n has had something to eat," Zuko said sternly.
The Fire Sage tightened his grip on your arm, looking at Zuko sternly. "The Firelord demands Mr/Miss L/n's presence."
Zuko glared back, tightening his grip on the sage's arm. "I already told you, y/n is hungry-"
"I'll meet with the Firelord." You cut Zuko off, giving him a pointed look. "There will be plenty of time to eat afterwards."
Zuko glowered at the Fire Sage, but let you leave nonetheless. The Fire Sage smirked and turned, beckoning you down the hallway. "Come. The Firelord does not tolerate tardiness."
Zuko shot you a worried glance, but you were already flanked by two guards, being ushered down the hall towards the throne room. You pushed your shoulders back, hoping to project an air of confidence. Everyone seemed terrified of the Firelord, but you were determined to remain composed. Really, how scary could he really be?
~~~ Very scary.
Thats how scary he could be.
You knelt before the Firelord's throne, sweat beading your brow from the inferno  blazing between yourself and the throne. Every breath you took seemed to echo painfully loud in the large throne room, which held nothing to dampen your sounds besides the large golden columns supporting the roof. There were no lights except for the Firelord's own fire, which burned so bright and high that you couldn't make out any of his features except for the whites of his eyes, narrowed and hardened as they inspected you. A shiver raced down your spine.
"So," the Firelord began, his voice a slow drawl. "This is my son's soulmate?" He paused for a moment, seeming to inspect you up and down. "I've heard quite a bit about you. Specifically, about your hatred of the Fire Nation. What's your name, traitor?"
A bead of sweat slipped down the back of your neck. "Y/n L/n," you replied, making sure to keep your voice even.
"Y/n L/n," Ozai repeated, your name sliding off of his tongue with a sneer. "Quite frankly, I'm unimpressed. Tell me, y/n, what makes you think you deserve to be here? Considering your past, I should have you banished for treason."
"I don't control fate, Firelord Ozai. I just follow it." The words tumbled out of your mouth before you could stop yourself.
The fire in front of the throne spiked. "You would do well to watch your tongue, child. Don't you know who you're speaking to?"
"I was only trying to say-"
"Silence!" The Firelord boomed, cutting you off. "I can see why you and my son are a match. You are both incapable of showing basic respect." He glared down at you, the flames burning so high they almost touched the ceiling. "I will not stand for this! I brought you here to see if you would be a good match for my son. But clearly you would only bring shame and humiliation to the Fire Nation were you ever to enter this family."
Your chest burned with anger. How dare he insult you like that? "I was never planning on joining the royal family, Your Highness-"
"Be quiet!" He snapped. "You have shown me nothing but disrespect since your arrival. First you refuse to meet with me, and now you disobey me! You're lucky I don't kill you where you stand." He leaned forward. "Because you are Prince Zuko's soulmate, I will spare you- but not without conditions. You will leave the palace immediately. And if you ever speak to my son again, I will not spare you a second time."
Your hands shook with anger. Ozai may have been the Firelord, but he had no right to tell you or Zuko who to love or what to do. You may not have wanted to be with Zuko, but you wouldn't stand by while he manipulated his own son's life.
"With all due respect, Firelord Ozai," you replied, blood boiling in your veins. "Your son wants me here. So I won't be leaving. Not until Zuko tells me to go. I appreciate your mercy, but Zuko is not a child- he doesn't need you deciding what is best for him anymore."
The Firelord gripped the sides of his throne so hard his knuckles turned white. His hands burned red with anger, heating up until the metal beneath them melted away. "Get out of my sight!" He roared.
You stood up and scurried out of the room as fast as you could, Ozai's anger echoing behind you. Once you left the room, your hands started to shake as the realization of what you'd just done washed over you.
You'd disrespected the Firelord. Oh, god, you'd disrespected the Firelord!
Your heart began to pound. What were you thinking? He was sure to kill you now! And what about Zuko-
You collided with a torso. A small "oof" escaped your lips and you toppled backwards, but before you could fall, a hand wrapped around your wrist and pulled you back up.
"Are you alright?" Zuko's golden eyes looked down at you with concern.
Great. Zuko. Just who you wanted to see.
"I'm fine," you lied, swallowing nervously.
Zuko narrowed his eyes and dropped your wrist. "You're a terrible liar." He repeated the words from the day before, but without any humor.
You glared. "I'm not lying. I'm fine."
"What happened with my father?" Zuko asked.
A fresh jolt of fear shot down your spine at the reminder of Ozai. An image of his hatred-filled sneer flashed in your mind. "Um... it was fine..."
Zuko cocked an eyebrow. "What did he say?"
"Um..." you began to sweat nervously. "He kind of told me to leave. And never come back. Or talk to you ever again."
"What?" Zuko's eyes widened.
You winced. "Look, I didn't mean for it to go the way it did, it just kind of happened-"
Zuko gripped your arm tightly. "You need to leave. Now."
"What?" You blanched. "Zuko, I'm not going to let him push me around-"
"You don't understand. You just put yourself in serious danger."
"I'm not going to let myself be bullied! I don't care if he's the Firelord- I'm staying." You ripped your wrist out of Zuko's grasp and crossed your arms. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. I've had a long day."
"Y/n, wait-" Zuko reached for you, but you stepped away from his touch, sending him a scowl.
"Goodnight, Zuko." You stalked off to your room, blood boiling. And although you knew staying was the right thing to do (albeit the stupid thing to do), it didn’t stop you from praying to God that your conversation with the Firelord wouldn't come to haunt you the next day.
~~~
A boom woke you up from your slumber.
You bolted upright, heart beating fast. Something was wrong. The smell of smoke filled your nostrils and guards yelled outside. You ran to the window, following the commotion, and gasped at what you saw.
Oh no.
Opposite to your room, the roof of another room was completely caved in, with smoke bellowing out of a jagged hole. A fire raged in the windows. Guards frantically tried to calm the fire, some splashing buckets of water into the smoke and others waving large blankets to try and quell the flames, but it was no use.
"Idiot!" You heard one guard roar to the ones fanning the flames. "You're only making it worse!"
"Well, what else are we supposed to do?!" The other guard retorted angrily. As if the fire was listening to them, it roared up through the hole angrily, sending the soldiers stumbling back.
Suddenly, the doors to your room burst open. Two guards rushed in, brandishing swords.
"Sifu L/n! You need to come with us immediately! You aren't safe here!" One of the guards barked.
All of the blood drained from your face. "What?"
"Quickly, there's no time to waste-" the other guard started, but before she could finish, a hand reached out from behind the door and grabbed her. The guard let out a muffled scream, desperately reaching for her weapon. But before she could retaliate, her attacker pulled out their own knife and plunged it into the guard's side. The guard immediately crumpled to the floor, crimson blood seeping out onto the tiles.
You cried out in shock, stumbling against the windowsill. Your heart began to thump frantically in your chest. The guard- someone killed her-
What is going on?
The other guard leapt for the attacker with a roar. The attacker stepped aside and quickly punched the guard in the side of his head as he landed, sending the guard sprawling onto the floor. The attacker kicked the guard in the stomach, making him grunt in pain. The attacker raised his arm with the knife, preparing to strike-
"Stop it!" You cried, rushing over before you even realized what you were doing. You grabbed the attacker's arm. The attacker whirled to you, eyes burning bright with hatred. "Leave him alone!" You yelled.
The attacker sneered. "As you wish." And before you could register what was happening, the attacker twisted his arm out of your hand, spun, and stabbed the knife directly in your gut.
A scream clawed its way out of your throat, pain instantly blossoming where the knife was. Eyes wide with shock, you fell to your knees. Sound dulled around you, replaced by the dull throb of your blood surging around the knife. You barely registered the roar of the conflict outside of your window; all you could hear was the rush of blood to your ears.
Still sneering down at you, the attacker kicked you in the chest, sending you sprawling backwards. Your back hit the ground and you let out a scream, pain flooding your senses.
The attacker looked over you, his dark eyes glinting with malicious intent. "Next time, show your Firelord some respect." He hissed.
Somewhere in the back of your mind, you realized that Firelord Ozai had done this to you. He wanted you dead.
And he was going to get what he wanted.
The attacker reached down and pulled the knife from your abdomen. You let out a low moan, pain flooding your senses. The attacker raised the blood-covered knife, letting it shine in the light of the fire. "Say goodbye, Y/n L/n."
He brought his hand down, the knife headed straight for your heart-
A hand grabbed the attacker's wrist, holding it just inches away from your chest.
Zuko glared down at the attacker, eyes burning with fury. "Goodbye."
With a blast of fire, he kicked the attacker away, sending him flying across the room and into the wall. Flame shot across the room towards the attacker, the man jumping out of the way just in time before he could be burned. But Zuko was relentless, attacking the assassin again and again until he was cornered.
Zuko advanced on the attacker slowly, fire engulfing his fists. He raised his hand, preparing to strike-
The attacker punched him square in the jaw, sending Zuko tumbling back. Zuko swore, bringing his hand to his chin. The attacker ducked under Zuko's arm and ran to the door. He paused in the doorway, glancing at you. He smirked. "My work here is done." And then, as soon as he came, he was gone.
As if on cue, you coughed, blood trickling down your chin. Your legs started to tingle and the ceiling started to spin.
"Y/n!" Zuko cried. His face appeared above you, contorted with worry. He looked to your wound and went white as a sheet. "Don't worry... I'll get you help... I won't let you die!"
"Zuko..." you croaked. "It's... my fault... I'm sorry..."
"Stop. Stop it! It's not your fault. You're going to be fine!" He said, but the panic in his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
You reached out and grabbed his hand. Even if you were still dying, Zuko had saved you. Lying on the floor, knowing your life was in danger, you had a moment of clarity.
It was true that Zuko had done many bad things. But he'd helped you when you were in your hour of need. You could see now that you’d been judging Zuko two-dimensionally- seeing only his pain, and not his heart underneath. Looking into Zuko’s golden eyes, seeing his bright spirit and honorable soul, you realized you’d been wrong about him. Zuko wasn't a bad person; He was a good man. 
And another realization hit you: you didn't want to die without telling your soulmate that.
"Zuko... I... forgive you..." you rasped. "For everything..."
Zuko shook his head. "Stop apologizing. You have nothing to be sorry for. I was a horrible person-"
"You are a great person," you rushed out, more blood spilling over your lips. "I'm sorry... for what I said... I'm sorry... we don't have more time together..."
Zuko shook his head furiously. "No. No. You are not dying. We're going to have more time, y/n. It's not over..." But looking into your eyes, watching the light slowly fade, he realized he was wrong.
"Sing me... a song..." you smiled, reaching up for Zuko.
A tear spilled down Zuko's cheek and he nodded silently. He began to stroke your hair softly, a broken melody spilling from his lips:
Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow
Like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam
Staring into Zuko's eyes, peace washed over you. Somewhere you were aware of a fire in your belly, but it didn't matter; the feel of Zuko's fingers brushing your head and his voice in your ear took away the pain.
Little soldier boy
Come marching home
Brave soldier boy
Comes marching home
A soft sigh escaped your lips and your eyes fluttered shut. Somewhere, a voice was asking you not to go, but it was too late; you were at peace, floating down a river into darkness until nothing hurt anymore.
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itsmoonpeaches · 3 years
Text
The Ocean Meets the Sky
Chapter 1: Growth
Please note: Every prompt for this Kataang Week connects into an over-arching story.
Prompt: Height Difference
Summary: In the midst of battle, there was not anything else that Aang thought of. There were clashes, debris flying, fear for his life, and he only thought of that. But when the dust settled, his bruises felt, his muscles aching deeply, he could only think of her.
-
Or, after his battle with Fire Lord Ozai, something lingers within Aang's spirit. Katara is the one that pulls the seams back together. No matter what, Aang and Katara find each other.
Written for @kataang-week
Read on ao3 or ffn.
---
Aang boarded the airship with the others as they babbled jokes in the background. Sokka, Toph, and Suki were throwing barbs at the Fire Lord he had just defeated. Ozai, in his utter worthlessness, was a limp puppet with his strings cut. Aang found it, for better or for worse, just a little bit amusing. Probably more amusing than he should have.
The image of a life-sized ragdoll increased when it was Toph who decided that it would be her spirts-forsaken right to drag Ozai onto the ramp and up into the loading dock of the ship.
“What’s that Loser Lord?” mocked Toph as she metalbended Ozai along on a makeshift gurney complete with elongated belts of steel around his torso and limbs. “Were you saying something? I couldn’t hear you over all your whining.”
Ozai groaned something intelligible.
Sokka limped with his broken leg, an arm around Suki’s shoulder. “I think he was trying not to drool,” he added with a grin. “Kind of hard if the Avatar just kicked your butt if you ask me.”
Suki chuckled, urging the rest of them along. “Hurry up, slowpokes. We have a Fire Nation capital to get to,” she said.
They made it on the airship together, collapsing onto the nearest chairs as soon as Ozai was secured. The weariness set in faster than Aang anticipated. He was worn and his clothes were mostly disintegrated into fire. All he had on was a pair of ragged brown pants. He was sure that there were burns all over him, maybe even a few internal injuries he could not feel yet. He was not looking forward to finding out.
After a moment of exhausted wallowing, he and Sokka were directed to a spot in the medical bay. Suki deemed them both the most incapacitated out of the four of them. Minus, of course, Ozai himself.
“Now, I don’t want either of you standing up until we land,” she commanded, hands propped on her hips. Even after a battle well fought, she kept an impeccable stance. Aang could hardly guess she was ever winded. “I’ll get Katara to heal you two, but you don’t want her killing you before she does it properly, got it?”
Sokka sighed. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied as he plopped himself onto a cot.
Aang fought a gasp when he heard Katara’s name, felt it bubble just beyond his reach. He watched Suki leave the room. She shut the metal door behind her and twisted the latch. The echo of the name trailed behind her like a phantom from her lips.
His heart thudded just a little quicker, his chest constricted just a little more. The leftover smoke in the air urged him along, wanting him to choke on the wonder of just the thought.
In the midst of battle, there was not anything else that Aang thought of. There were clashes, debris flying, fear for his life, and he only thought of that. But when the dust settled, his bruises felt, his muscles aching deeply, he could only think of her.
He realized that things suddenly turned from “What if?” to “What now?” Yet, it was so much more than that. They had made it out alive, but there was still the mystery of if she and Zuko did as well.
He could not bear to think that they did not. That she did not.
Aang rested against the cool surface of the wall. He felt the hum of the ship as it came to life, the fluttering butterflies in his stomach as they started to tilt upward and towards the sky. He imagined that if she were there, he would feel something similar.
Sokka cleared his throat and Aang turned his attention toward him. “So,” drawled Sokka, “A lion turtle, huh? You can just take away people’s bending like that? Can you give someone bending?”
Aang laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, a lion turtle. According to legend, they gave the power of the elements to humans a long time ago. I learned that from Wan Shi Tong’s library. Though, I don’t think I could give people something that wasn’t already there, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Sokka looked surprised for a bit, his eyes wide. “Oh,” he said, placing his hands on his lap. “I didn’t mean that you’d give me bending like…as a thing. I was wondering if you could...you know…mess with people. Prank them a little. Maybe even…switch elements with someone? You know, scare people into thinking Toph is the Avatar because that would be terrifying.”
The look on Sokka’s face was earnest, and if Aang was honest with himself, he knew from the moment Sokka went prattling on about messing with people that he was serious about it.
Aang burst out into laughter.
“Hey, hey!” Sokka pouted, raising his arms in a placating gesture. “I wasn’t kidding!”
Aang was able to calm himself down for a moment. “Yeah, I know,” he said, “It just sounded exactly like something you would say.” He paused for a breath, staring at his friend with a soft smile. “It was nice. Almost like coming home.”
Sokka blinked. He opened his lips a few times, but nothing came out. Instead, he placed a hand on Aang’s back, and smiled at him.
It was silent for a while before Sokka asked, “So, how was it when you took away Ozai’s bending?” He gave Aang a pointed look. “It looked pretty crazy from where we were with all the light beams.”
Aang remembered what the lion turtle told him: “To bend another's energy, your own spirit must be unbendable, or you will be corrupted and destroyed.” Instead of sharing this with Sokka, he said, “Yeah, it was pretty crazy.”
The truth was what he recalled in that moment was pure unadulterated terror. Orange clashing against blue, night and day, bright and dark. He could not see what the difference was in all the chaos. All he knew was that he wanted to end the war his way, the way he believed it should be. Because what was peace if not for a peaceful beginning and a peaceful culmination?
It was what his people, his culture, taught him. The memory of Gyatso one rainy spring evening when he was small appeared and reminded him, “All life is sacred…even the life of the tiniest spider fly. You think that its life is any less important than yours? You and I, just like this spider fly caught in its own web, are part of a greater whole…of a greater balance.”
The thought had given him purpose, joy even. But Aang was still a person who had lost everything, and when he was about to tell Sokka about his experience, he could not help but remember one last thing.
A voice had reverberated through him as he felt the battle of wills reach its climax, as he had fought through Ozai’s wishes and dreams of burning the Earth Kingdom to the ground, seeing it in visions and grotesque images of blackened, skeletal people.
And he had thought, just for a second, that that was how Gyatso died. Distorted and unrecognizable and scorched.
A great and terrible voice had spoken into his ear at that point, right before he proved that his spirit was unbendable. To hate me is to give me breath. To fight me is to give me strength, it had said. Deep, ominous. Familiar. There is darkness you have failed to recognize.
Then, just like that, it had vanished.
To Sokka, Aang said, “I’ll tell you more about it when we land. I’m pretty tired.”
Very soon he was dozing off, only to be awakened by the screeching of metal on metal. His eyes snapped open, and he found that the airship had stopped moving. Suki had come for them, telling them to disembark.
“The Fire Nation capital,” she remarked. “I never thought I’d ever make it to this place in one piece.” She nodded at the two of them. “Let’s see if we can get you guys healed up.”
At the suggestion, Aang suddenly remembered his worry. Without thinking, he bolted through the door, sprinting through the maze of the vessel on pure adrenaline alone. He was not sure how he remembered where to go, but he was sure that the prospect of seeing Katara on the other side of it all had something to do with it.
He almost stumbled out the exit, tripping over himself on the ramp that slanted down onto the palace courtyard. He glanced up, and it was silent for the longest time as he spotted Katara’s figure hovering over a propped-up form that leaned against a pillar on the steps.
Aang slowed, and then stopped. She looked up, and as soon as their eyes met, it was as if the whole world was about to collapse in on itself and Aang would never notice.
Zuko, looking worse for wear and with a torn tunic, nudged at Katara’s side and that seemed to urge her forward.
That was the catalyst for everything that came after.
Aang ran and so did Katara. They met in the center between the steps and the airship, colliding into each other’s arms, holding each other so tightly that Aang could feel how hard his heart thud in his chest. He could feel every part of him sigh in both relief and exhilaration.
His chin hooked onto her shoulder, pressing into the soft blue fabric there. She shuddered out  his name, and he was sure that he could feel her tears pool onto his neck as she too pressed her face next to his.
“You made it,” Katara whispered, “You made it.”
Aang sagged into her embrace. “You did too,” he added. “We both did.”
They pulled apart and he could see how pink her cheeks were, how red her glittering eyes were along the edges of them. Her arms remained draped around his shoulders, and his hands rested just above her waist.
Katara smiled. “You’re taller,” she observed, laughing a little. Almost as if in awe. “You’re almost as tall as me. I guess I never noticed until now.” She pulled him close once more, this time without the desperation they both displayed only minutes before. “I’m glad that there’s time for me to see you grow more.”
Aang did not notice as their other friends started to encircle them with their own hugs until they sank to the ground together. Katara did not let him go.
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Alright let's try this Soulmate body switch AU I'm also attempting this whole "make a tag" thing... bare with me, ive only actually used this app for like 4 days now im gonna go with "RayMakesSoulmates" for now... uhm, idk what else to go with uhhhhh yeah, names Ray btw...
Okay here we go. The idea of switching bodies is something a bit strange to me so let me make this work for me.
Basically it happens once a year after you either turn 17 or meet your soulmate. If its the latter then there has to be alot of turmoil and confusion on one side to trigger the first switch because it does not happen at the first encounter. However after the first encounter you'll sometimes have little blurry dreams that are in fact core memories of your soulmate. But theyre always too blurry to point out who's involved and sounds are too muffled to pin point any specific noises words or what have you.
Now, the dreams don't happen every night but they happen often enough that you are made aware that you have met your soulmate at some point recently.
So after Zuko visits the south and they begin their cat and mouse game around the world Zuko often has blurry dreams of white with black falling what he thinks is people screaming and what he knows is muffled crying. While Sokka has random dreams of what he thinks is someone moving away into the darkness and someone screaming out to them but he can't figure out what they're saying. Another dream he has is a blurry glow of bright blue and crying. There's also one that shows up more often than the other two, its when he sees what he believes is someone moving towards him saying something, but its muffled, then a bright light and muffled screaming and crying.
However after Ba Sing Se Sokka has a dream that's clear and vivid, not muffled and not blurry. After he takes a moment from shooting up to a sitting position he realizes that this is not a dream, he's switched bodies. Standing up and moving the blankets off of him he looks around and sees the there are fire nation items everywhere, it looks like he's in a royal bedroom. He elects to keep calm as he moves towards where he thinks is a bathroom, he is correct and when he looks into the mirror he freezes. His heart drops into his stomach. Sokka can hardly believe what he's looking at. Staring back at him is not his face, but Zuko's. He reaches up to touch the scar on Zuko's face. While yes he has control over his body and he doesn't exactly know how to act 'firenation' let alone 'fire nation royalty' he stands straight. "This won't last longer than 3 hours." He reminds himself
"What won't last longer than three hours?" Azula's voice breaks through
Instantly on edge and irritated Sokka- ahem Zuko turns to Azula "what do you want Azula?" He says in a voice thats much less irritated, theyre siblings right? So they have to be chummy right
"Oo! You sound so much less angry!" She muses "disgusting, anyways, Mai wanted me to let you know she's leaving today"
Why would he care about that? Oh they must be friends? Maybe they're dating? Okay, don't screw this up "uh, okay"
"Aw don't be so sad Zuzu~ you two would have never worked out anyways, her and Ty Lee switched bodies just three days ago. It was honestly was kind of amusing watching her string you along" This is not how siblings normally talk to eachother. He just glared at Azula "alright alright sheesh, ill leave you alone" he found something to write on and quickly jotted down the conversation because if he was given that information Zuko would need it.
Meanwhile Zuko shot awake and found himself lying next to appa Katara and Aang, so he is alive huh? Confused he figured he must be dreaming until he realized his vision was clear and nothing was muffled. He was below deck on a fire nation ship. He paused a moment before he stood and noticed Sokka's boomerang beside him. He lifed it and saw Sokka in the reflection. His reaction seemed to mirror(haha get it) Sokka's when he saw Zuko in the mirror. But he dropped the boomerang and it made a loud bang which woke the other two up "Sokka what are you doing, the sun is barely up"
He paused and cleared his throat. Okay, sure he's been chasing them he needs to not blow this "uh, sorry, nightmare"
Katara shifted and turned to him, a genuine look of worry in her eyes "do you want to talk about it?" She asked in a tone that reminded him of his mother. Genuine love.
He forced himself not to tear up at the memory and just shook his head "no, I honestly can't remember it. Just scared me is all" the hesitation in Katara's expression before she responded was strange to him
"Alright, if you say so, do you mind going and asking dad to change the course? We need to stop and get supplies"
His hesitation and expression probably made her realize what happened "okay, youre not Sokka right now are you?" He froze and nodded slowly "alright, you dont have to tell me who you are, but I'll help you through the motions, Aang and I switched back in Ba Sing Se, that was the day when you questioned why I said I'd fly around, er- or that was when Sokka questioned me" okay she was a little more accepting of this than he thought.
"Uhm, okay, yeah, right, uhm, I don't want to blow this so can you just uh show me around? I'm sure Sokka knows all the people he's- oh agni he's gonna meet my dad" zuko internally cringed.
In that moment it seemed to click with Katara "alright, so you're telling me your Zuko"
Zuko flinched and backed up against the wall "look I dont know what you want me to do about this, but I promise you that I'm not going to ruin anything, I know I messed up, hell Sokka's probably noticing that my family doesn't work like yours does. I've been so confused my whole life okay, I'm sorry I betrayed you in Ba Sing Se, my sister has a way of manipulating me. I just hope he doesn't get hurt, he probably doesn't know he needs to keep his mouth shut in my family." Zuko was panicking when Katara reached out
"Zuko, zuko what do you mean?" Her voice shaky
"Look I cant tell you everything, I cant tell you my life story not right now, I need to get through with this. If we meet again, which I hope we do, ill tell you then. But right now, please just show me what Sokka goes through day to day. I know he's not gonna like what happens on the other end, I just hope it doesn't go too bad."
Katara nodded "alright well. Let me walk you around and let you learn the peoples names, ill just say hi to them and say their names." She paused "but first, tell me about your mother, i dont know if I believe it anymore"
He sighed before telling her the entire story.
Meanwhile at the palace Sokka was sitting in a war meeting knowing to keep his mouth shut unless spoken to. He didnt want to set people off or let them know he wasn't actually Zuko. The topic of the earth kingdome came up and Ozai turned to him "Zuko, you've spent time among the Earth kingdom citizens. What information do you have?"
"Uh, the Earth kingdoms citizens are strong willed and hopeful, as long as they have hope they will not yeild"
"Hmmm, I see, we need to crush their hope"
"Well, thats not what I-"
"I think we should take their precious hope and burn it to the ground!" Azula cuts in
"Yes, yes good idea Azula" Oh no
About an hour after the meeting the switch flipped, Sokka made notes about everything that he found important in time before the switch was over.
After they switched back Sokka found his sister and grabbed her shoulders "Katara, I have to tell you something, I just got back from a body swit-"
"And your soulmate is Zuko? I know, he cried when I was nice to him, what happened on your end?"
"Well, his whole family is mean to him"
"Figured"
"I was in a war meeting and found out their plan for the comet"
After relaying the information he found they discussed it with Aang.
Let's skip ahead to after the failed invasion and to the air temple when Zuko shows up.
"Hello, Zuko here"
No fighting it in this one
"Get your jerk bender butt over here" Katara and Sokka said practically in unison.
>im gonna wrap it up here. And yes Katara would notice its not Sokka and would totally pick up on Zuko, she's observant
>and no Azula wouldn't notice at all because she's used to Zuko being stand offish with her. Plus Sokka is so much better at impersonations than Zuko
@chaoticidiott @roman-does-nothing @bisexuallsokka @transzukostanblog
I dont know if I did this AU justice, I tried.
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Can’t Lose You
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Pairing: Zuko x Reader
Summary: Y/N, a servant in the palace, and Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation, never should have been allowed to be friends growing up but after three years, things have changed for the both of them. 
Warnings: Descriptions of burns/ injuries (the scene where Ozai burns Zuko)
Word Count: 7300 (it’s a long one y’all)
A/N: I know that they never once mention cards in A:TLA but I had a hard time figuring out how to do the scene with Azula with something like Pai Sho pieces. 
Part 2 out now! Can’t Get Rid Of Me
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It was a beautiful day on Ember Island, with the sun shining brightly, the waves crashing in beautiful roars, and the lizard-birds cawing overhead. The sun warmed your skin as you carried your basket full of blown glass beaded jewelry into the marketplace, small glass orbs of every color swishing around like liquid almost in the woven basket. The normal crowd bustled around you in three categories: 1) The Rich Kids: These were the teenagers whose parents were generals or socialites in the Fire Nation military. They were either here on vacation or enjoyed living in an exotic place. Their lives revolved around partying, shopping, and drinking. 2) The Merchants and Artisans: Another set of locals, just much less affluent than the former group. These were the people who lived on Ember Island full time and were the only reason things ran. They provided services from cooking to clothing to furniture. 3) The Tourists: These were the citizens from the mainland that came to Ember Island to take in the sights and relax. You were a part of the second of these categories. 
Creating glass beads was never something you saw yourself doing. Especially not several years ago. Artisanal work was something that seemed so far out of anything you could do. See, you’d grown up in the palace… sort of. Your parents had been servants in the palace prior to your birth which led you to a life of servitude yourself. 
It was a miserable life no matter how much your parents insisted it was better than living in one of the poorer villages outside of the palace, where people were treated like they were from other nations. Every day from the age of eleven, you’d been bossed around by anyone who had a title. “Get me water!” “Get me food!” “Wash my clothes!” “Make my bed!” You were nothing. Most of the time, they didn’t even use your name. Most of them didn’t even know your name. But that wasn’t even the worst of it because there was always Azula. 
**
The sun shone brightly in the little courtyard full of flowers and the little pond with turtle ducks that you and Zuko loved to play with. Zuko had been your best friend since his mother had allowed you to play with the royal children. Both of your parents were servants in the palace and, in the early years of your life, you were too young to work around the castle when you weren't in school. When Ursa found out, she insisted that you play with Zuko, Azusa, Mai, and Ty Lee, despite Ozai's insistence that his children should not associate with people below them. It was the one debate that Ursa ever seemed to win.  
Despite her victory though, it didn't mean that your 'play dates' were much fun. At first, you gravitated towards Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai, as they were the girls and who Ursa first introduced you to with the assumption you guys would be friends. While Mai and Ty Lee both loved you and treated you well, Azula took after her father and treated you like scum. She'd feign niceties and then turn on you and do horrible things. She treated Zuko very similarly so the two of you bonded over your mutual dislike of his sister. 
The two of you became best friends and did everything together. You ran around the halls of the palace but always made sure to hide away from Ozai, fearing he'd do something to you or your parents if he found you with his son. Although nothing was outright romantic between the two of you, Ursa saw the little sparks between you two when she was with you. She noticed the way your guys' little cheeks would burn red if your hands accidentally touched or saw the way your gazes would linger a little longer on each other when the other looked away. Unlike her husband, she had no problem with your little unspoken crushes. Thankfully, Ozai was never involved in his children's personal lives much anyways so he didn't notice but it wasn't long until Azula caught on. 
She would corner you and pretend to want to have "girl talk" about boys and crushes. It was never long until she brought up her brother. "I know you like Zuko. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I think it's cute that you think you have a chance. But you know he's a prince right? And even though you get to play royals with us, he could never marry someone of such low class." Even at ten years old, her words stung. You'd always had little fantasies that maybe he'd sweep you away from your predestined life of servitude one day. He didn't even have to sweep you away to a life of royalty, you just wanted him to sweep you away to anywhere. But maybe Azula was right. Zuko was royalty and you were far from it. 
So your friendship continued for the next several years until his banishment. In secret, he taught you firebending from a young age. As a servant, it didn't matter much if you were a firebender, you didn't get training because your parents neither had the money or the time nor were either benders. He taught you the basic moves and, though he wasn't as skilled as his sister, you were greatly appreciative of his teaching and actually knew almost as much as he did.
One day, just days after your eleventh birthday, you and Zuko sat at the edge of the pond, trying to oure turtle ducklings to you with pieces of bread. "I've almost got him!" Zuko whispered excitedly, the baby duck only two or three feet away. 
You couldn't wait to pet him! They were so soft when they were ducklings! 
"Hey, Y/N! Come here!" Azula called from across the grass field. You stood up and looked cautiously at her, already distrusting all of her motives. 
"Why?" You asked skeptically. 
Her eyebrows furrowed, "My mother may let you play with us but I am still a princess and you obey me! Besides, it's just a card trick." Azula's personality switched quickly, which scared you as a young child, but after a quick look of fear to Zuko, you walked over. 
Mai and Ty Lee stood back, both watching as you came over to their group and leaned down to look at the cards Azula lied on the rock. "What's the trick?" You asked, hoping she really did just have a magic trick. 
She sprawled them out, "Pick one and look at it but don't show me. You can show them though." She waved her hand to her other friends as if they didn't actually matter. Without much thought, you picked one that was buried slightly and looked at it. 8 of diamonds. 
"Now put it anywhere in the deck." You did as she instructed and handed her back the deck. She closed her eyes tightly and threw all the cards up in the air before swinging her arms in controlled movements, ropes of fire coming from her hands. One rope singed a single card from midair while the other wrapped around your calves, sending a searing hot white flash of pain through your body. 
"Y/N!" Zuko yelled when he saw the flames wrap their way up your legs and he ran towards you. You crumpled to the ground, tears falling freely as you cried in pain. Mai and Ty Lee gasped at what their friend had just done but didn't say anything out of pure terror of what she'd do if they did. 
Azula reached down and picked up the single singed card, a hole burnt straight through it. She inspected the card, "Eight of diamonds. Was this your card?" She asked as if you weren't on the ground, sobbing in pain with blisters forming up your legs from something she'd done. 
"Mom!" Zuko called out as he sat there beside your crying form, unsure of what to do or say, anger flaming up within him.
"Oh calm down, Zuzu," Azula rolled her eyes, "Your girlfriend is fine. It's a second-degree burn at most." 
"She's not my girlfriend!" Zuko hissed, throwing a fireball at his sister that she easily dodged, "You're a monster!" 
Ursa came running out quickly at her son's plea for help, "What on earth is going on here?!" She crouched next to you and could see the skin on your legs already boiling up from between the seared tears in your pants, "Azula, what have you done!?" Ursa was furious as she picked you up. 
Azula scoffed, "We were only playing, mother. It was an accident." 
"No it wasn't! Azula hurt her on purpose!" Zuko defended you, jumping up to stand beside his mother. 
Ursa looked at Ty Lee and Mai who looked terrified and didn't even make a move but the look in their eyes confirmed what Zuko said. Ursa held you close to her body before gripping her daughter's wrist roughly, "You have no idea how much trouble you're in." 
And she did. Azula had never gotten in so much trouble in her life, though, of course it did nothing but fuel her hatred for her mother and you and make her side further with her father She blamed you entirely and had harbored resentment against you for having the nerve to return the next day (something you did only because Zuko had begged you to since he wasn't allowed at your house.) Since that day, you never feared her again. You hated her. You didn't think it was possible to hold so much resentment for some as you did for her but you swore one day you'd get your shot to firebend her ass into a pile of ashes without receiving capital punishment, the only thing that kept you even remotely professional over the years. 
**
You shuttered at the thought. The scars that crawled up your calves like vines tingled whenever you thought about that day. It was far from the last time that Azula was ever mean to you but it was the worst thing she’d ever done to you physically. Mentally, well that was another story. 
That was why you’d run away to Ember Island. Even though you too were a fire bender, you could never retaliate against Azula, who took a sick pleasure in torturing you. At one point, you thought it would be worth the inevitable death or imprisonment that was sure to come with retaliation but when you got close, so close that Azula could sense that you were about to fire at her, she brought up your parents, and what she could do to them. It was enough to make you stop that day but it was that night that you left the castle, leaving only a note for your parents to briefly explain before disappearing. With the impending war and attacks, Ember Island seemed like a good enough place to set up. It was far enough away from Azula to be safe but vacationing didn’t seem high on anyone’s priorities list. 
So this was your new life and you loved it. 
The trip to the market was a quick one. You only had to drop off the beads to the artisans who made jewelry from them- you were only the bead maker. The rest of the day was open for you. As you walked back, you came to a split in the road. One, you knew led directly back to the house you were staying at. The other, you couldn’t recall having ever taken in all your time here.
“Let’s see what’s down here.” You hummed to yourself, looking for a little something to change up your routine. This was what you loved about no longer being a maid in the palace. Freedom. Freedom to go where you want, when you want, with who you want, to do whatever you want. The road itself was dirt with the occasional rocks around. It was lined with the large tropical plants found all around the island. At first, there were scattered stores which began to mix with houses before becoming entirely residential. These houses were quite a bit nicer than the houses in the residential area you lived in. Fire Nation flags hung from many of them. “Generals?” You questioned aloud to nobody but yourself. 
Down the road just a bit further, maybe a quarter mile down, the dirt road became much less maintained but there was still a path. After a while of walking, you saw that it led up a small hill to a large house that seemed hidden away from almost the entire island. It was large and beautiful, with traditional architecture built up in red tiles. The walls were practically windows, which you figured would be fantastic considering the wonderful view of the ocean from here. 
The road dead ended into this one home so you knew you should turn around now but the curiosity was killing you. This house looked luxurious but abandoned. The windows, though not broken, were dusty and looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in years. You couldn’t imagine anyone who owned such a magnificent vacation home allowing it to get so dirty unless it hadn't been used in a long time. 
Figuring you probably wouldn't get caught, you decided to check out the house and walked around the building. Heck, if it were abandoned, maybe you could even move in and fix it up. That wouldn’t count as stealing right? 
You wandered around the house until suddenly-
“Guys, someone’s coming!” A girl’s voice exclaimed from the side of the house that faced the beach. Your heart stopped and before you could even jump to hide in a bush, there were running footsteps coming towards you. Within seconds, a group of people about your age were staring at you. 
Your hands flew up in defense, “I am so sorry. I thought the house was abandoned and-” As you spoke, your eyes scanned across the faces until you noticed one in particular that made everything stop, “Z-zuko?” You couldn’t believe your eyes. Your best friend in the world, even after all this time, stood ahead of you, looking so different than you remembered but also exactly the same. His hair that you’d always known to be tied up to perfection and his royal clothing always neatly pressed, a desperate attempt to be as perfect as he could for his father, was now ragged and relaxed. His hair was down, grown long and dangling over his eyes in some spots. His clothing was that of commoners instead of royalty but you couldn’t help but notice the taut muscles and small scars that he’d acquired over the time of his exile. 
“Y/N? Is that really you?” Zuko’s eyes were wide with total shock and his skin paled as if he’d seen a ghost. He honestly never thought he’d see you again but there you stood, looking more beautiful than ever. He almost didn’t even recognize you. All throughout your childhoods, you’d always looked the same, day in and day out. Your hair was always down with the exception of the signature Fire Nation bun and you wore off-red servant’s garbs. But now, now you looked exquisite. Your hair was similar to how it was, still flowing down with the bun on top, save for the two small braids that framed your face. Instead of robes, you now wore a crimson crop top that crossed around your neck with an asymmetrical skirt of the same color over black capris. But the thing he noticed most of all was the gold arm band around your bicep that he’d given you for your birthday the year before he was banished. 
You nodded fervently and almost ran towards him but your knees nearly buckled when you collided. Thankfully, Zuko had his arms wrapped tightly around you, hugging you so tightly he lifted you to your toes anyways. You couldn’t help the overwhelming surge of emotions. Somewhere between relief and love and fear and confusion. When Zuko was banished, you were terrified you’d never see him again.
“How is this possible? Azula told me you were dead.” Zuko finally set you down and looked into your eyes. 
Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “What? No… I’m-” You struggled to figure out where to start, “After you were banished, I stayed for another two years but without yours or your mother’s defense, she just got worse and worse. One day, I just- I almost snapped. I could feel the warmth in my hands. I almost attacked her but she began to threaten my parents. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t beat her. I haven’t had a teacher since you left. I didn’t hurt her but I ran away that night. After a while of wandering, I ended up here. I don’t know why she told you I was dead but it sounds like something she would do.” 
Zuko looked away angrily, “She’s always been a monster to you. To both of us. When I went back to the palace, I asked about you and she told me that you’d gotten sick and died shortly after I left. She only said it because she knew I’d be devastated and I fell right into the trap.” 
A part of your heart twinged from the feeling of being loved. Even after all this time apart, in which you were scared he’d forget about you, he just admitted to being devastated when he’d thought you’d died. 
You were unsure of how to respond to the look on Zuko’s face, a strange mixture of anger and relief. Pure bitterness for Azula. After a brief moment, you reached out for him and pulled him in for another hug, again holding onto him like you’d never let him go again. The very thought of losing Zuko another time made your heart jump to your throat in the worst of ways. “I’m here now though. No matter her threats or lies, here we are.” 
“You know her?” A young bald boy with arrows on his head asked from back with the rest of the group. You’d forgotten there were more people there but when you looked back, you noticed the rest of the group. 
Zuko turned to face the group but kept his hand placed on the small of your back, keeping you close to him, “This is Y/N. She was my best friend back at the palace. Y/N, this is Suki, Sokka, Katara, Toph, and Aang. Aang is the avatar.” 
The boy named Sokka looked suddenly distressed, “You’re just going to tell a friend from the Fire Nation palace that Aang’s the avatar?! What if she tries to kill him?” 
You shook your head at the accusation, your eyebrows raised in a desperate attempt to convince them that you were being truthful, “Oh no! I’ve never agreed with the Fire Nation’s goals! If you’re the avatar, you need to stop Ozai.” 
“I can vouch for her. Even when we were kids, she told me in secret that she didn’t believe that there was any superior element and that the Fire Nation shouldn’t be invading the other nations. Even when I did….” Zuko’s face fell with guilt for what his past self believed, “But I promise, if anyone from the Fire Nation would be on our side, it’s her.” 
Suki stepped forward, her face kind and curious, “You said you ran away from the palace? Are you royalty too?” 
You snorted and Zuko actually cracked a small humorous smile as well, “Oh no. A servant actually.” 
“A servant?” Katara questioned, “I don’t mean to be rude but if you’re a servant and Zuko was a prince, how were you friends?” 
Zuko stiffened up a little bit while you tried to hide the sadness you felt revolving around the circumstances, “My parents were the only royal servants to have a child. Zuko’s mother saw that I didn’t have any friends in the palace and allowed me to play with Zuko, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee.” The memories of Ursa were all fond. Aside from Zuko, she was the only member of the royal family who treated you with any kindness. When she disappeared, you and Zuko mourned your loss of her together, even though you never did find out the truth about what happened to her that night. 
“You were forced to play with Azula? That must have been traumatizing.” Toph chimed, genuine apology in her sarcastic tone. 
You shifted awkwardly from side to side, one hand shooting up to rub your opposite bicep as those scars that snaked up your calves seemed to burn with awareness, “Yeah, it kind of was.” Your voice was lower than it had been, as the incident had been somewhat of a sore spot for you. 
Katara followed Zuko’s inconspicuously downcast gaze to where your legs were visible beneath your tight black pants that you wore beneath your asymmetrical red skirt. She was automatically hit with a pang of guilt when she saw the ever so slightly raised red vine-like scars that trailed up your legs and disappeared beneath the pants and immediately had an idea of how you’d acquired them. “I’m so sorry. We didn’t mean to-” 
“It’s okay, you didn’t know,” You insisted sincerely, “Besides, they don’t bother me much anymore.” 
Eager to shift the topic, Aang jumped into the conversation, “Well I don’t know if you’ve got a home here or anything but you're welcome to stay with us.” He offered cheerily. Everyone else seemed in agreement, or at least didn't outright object, and how could you possibly say no to getting to spend time with Zuko again? 
"I'd love to. Thank you." 
Later that night, you and Zuko left the group by the campfire to disappear into the house. "So, this is the infamous summer house you'd always leave me for." You chuckled in remembrance, memories of having to watch your best friend disappear for weeks at a time while having to pretend you didn't care for the sake of keeping your friendship 'appropriate', especially after Ursa disappeared. 
"I always wanted to take you here. It's so much different now. Everything's different…" he trailed off, coming to a stop in the middle of a large, mostly empty room. The moonlight streaming from the windows cast a nostalgic shadow on the room and you couldn't help but remember the last time you saw each other. 
**
It was sickening. The entire arena was filled to the brim with people, mostly Fire Nation elite, all surrounding the main floor. Servants weren't supposed to be permitted but Iroh had snuck you in. Iron had taken you in as much as he could, seeing how important to Zuko you were. In a way, you too felt like he was your uncle. When you'd gone to him, begging him to stop the Agni Kai, he insisted that he'd tried to talk sense into his brother but was unsuccessful and that the most he could do to help was sneak you into the audience. 
So there you stood, surrounded by hundreds of animals who cheered for the murder of their thirteen year old prince by a well experienced war general, all because Zuko thought it wasn’t right to sacrifice hundreds of soldiers. “I’m not afraid to face the general,” Zuko had told you as he practiced his firebending with you all day before the Agni Kai, “I meant no disrespect, but I refuse to take back what I said. If this is what it takes, then this is what I’ll do.” 
When Zuko walked out into the open arena, the room went silent. Nobody would dare boo their prince but you were sure that if he were anyone else, they would have. He knelt down, facing away from where his opponent would take his place, staring at the ground. Your heart was in your throat with fear for your best friend. Although Zuko was your secret firebending teacher and much better than you, he had a tendency to crack under the gaze of people he was desperate to impress. The general he was supposed to fight was definitely not someone you’d imagine was one to take it easy on a kid, even if he was the prince. 
Zuko’s opponent came out in the shadows and shadowed his kneel, facing away from Zuko. When it was time, they both stood up and stepped towards each other. When they did, everyone gasped. Where the general was expected to be stood Ozai himself. An audible gasp and murmur ran through the crowd. 
“Oh no-” You stopped breathing entirely, “What’s happening?” Even from your obscured seat, you could see Zuko’s eyes widen in shock and panic. Confliction was written all over his face. 
The man beside you chuckled sadistically, “By speaking out in the Fire Lord’s war room, he has not only disrespected the general but the Fire Lord himself. This should be good.” You turned away from the man in utter disbelief that someone could say something like that about a literal child about to be harmed by his father. 
Ozai stepped forward, hands up and ready to deflect any attacks from his son but the way he moved showed that he didn’t expect his son to make any move. He was testing him and Zuko had failed to impress. Zuko fell onto his knees, shaking in fear. He hung his head low, “Please, father! I only had the Fire Nation’s best interest at heart. I’m sorry I spoke out of turn.” 
“You will fight for your honor.” Ozai continued to step towards him, an unyielding expression on his face. 
“I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son.” Zuko begged, laying all of his dignity on the line in front of the nation’s most influential people. 
Ozai wanted no part of it, “Rise and fight, Prince Zuko.” 
Zuko’s forehead laid on the ground as Ozai came to stand above him, “I won’t fight you.” 
His father stood tall and loomed over his small child, “You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.” 
When Zuko looked up, tears streamed down his cheeks, knowing that his father had no consideration of mercy. All you could hear were Zuko’s screams and the roar of flames leaving Ozai’s fist as you watched your friend be brutally burned. Your tears were unstoppable and unconsolable as you genuinely thought he killed Zuko. When the flames stopped, he was on the ground, holding his face and sobbing in pain. Ozai turned his back, something between pride for winning and embarrassment for the way his son reacted to the duel on his face. 
“The way you have behaved during this Agni Kai was more disgraceful than speaking out of turn. You have brought shame on yourself and the royal family. The punishment is banishment. Unless you can capture the Avatar, you are no longer welcome in the Fire Nation.” You gasped at what Ozai had said before he turned away and left, head straight and lips tight.
You began to run and push your way through the crowd, thanking goodness for your smaller stature compared to the adults all around. You had to find Zuko and make sure he was okay. You didn’t care if you’d get caught or in trouble, you just needed to find him. Being a servant had its perks in knowing the palace inside and out. It became obvious that nobody was going to help the prince until, while on your way through the halls, you ran into Iroh who too was looking to help the boy. 
Finally, you’d made your way to him and Iroh carried him to a washroom. You quickly ran over and retrieved a bowl of cool water while Iroh leaned him back. “Pour the water on the burn.” He instructed. 
“Close your eyes.” You told Zuko, although his eyes were already shut tight in pain. The cool water flowed from the bowl and onto his face, which looked red and blistered already. This was by far the worst burn you’d ever seen. Zuko struggled slightly against the liquid but stopped crying and calmed down when the water became soothing. 
Iroh had located bandages and began to bandage his nephew’s face. 
“I-I can’t believe what happened.” Zuko stuttered out, “He banished me.” You weren’t sure you’d ever seen him so pale. “Where do I go, Uncle? What do I do?” He began to work himself up again as the weight of the last hour really settled. 
Iroh turned to put down the gauze, “You must leave the Fire Nation, Prince Zuko,” He began and Zuko looked panicked again, “But I will go with you.” 
You both turned to Iroh, “Uncle, no! You’re whole life is here.” 
“The world is no place for a boy to wander alone. And there is not much here for me in the Fire Nation palace anyways.” You all knew he was referring to the rumors of him being the weaker brother, the disgraced general. “I will accompany you.” 
Zuko placed his hands on his knees and braced himself as he thought through the situation, “I must find the Avatar. It’s the only way to regain my honor.” 
Both you and Iroh looked apprehensive but you were much more vocal, “Zuko, what your father did you today was not what fathers are supposed to do. Someone behaved shamefully today but it was not you.” You insisted, heart aching for him. 
“I need his respect. My honor is the most important thing. I’m going to find the Avatar and when I do, my honor will be restored and I will regain my rightful spot as prince.” Zuko looked pained and troubled. It was clear he knew what he wanted to do but had no idea how he would do it, not that he’d let that stop him though. 
You got quiet, looking down at where his knuckles were turning white from the tight grip on his own knees. Gently, you placed your hand on his and waited for him to look up just enough for you to make eye contact, “I’m going with you then.” You said finally. 
Zuko’s uncovered amber eye met yours before he shook his head, “I can’t let you do that. Your parents are here.” 
“I hate it here.” You insisted desperately, “I’ll come back for them some day but I can’t leave you. You’re the only person that cares about me here.” 
Iroh placed his hand caringly on your shoulder, “Zuko is right, Y/N. This is his journey but I do not think it’s yours. It’s best if you stay.” 
“But… but…” The tears were threatening to spill over as you managed to choke out, “I can’t lose you.” 
There was barely a moment between when the words left your mouth and when Zuko’s lips met yours. At first, you were taken off guard and almost pulled back but when your brain registered what happened, you leaned into the innocent kiss. Your brain ran wild. Was this heat of the moment or had he really felt the same way you did? When he pulled away, you felt cold, “I’ll come back for you one day. I promise.” 
** 
“So, speaking of different, you sure look like a different Zuko than the one I knew. Last I heard around the palace, you were super intense and obsessive about finding the avatar.” You asked, teasing towards the end. 
Zuko inhaled awkwardly, his hand coming to rub behind his neck, “Yeah… I was. Until I realized that my father was a monster and that the Fire Nation had caused nothing but harm and destruction. It took a lot of convincing but they actually let me join them and become Aang’s firebending teacher.” He gestured back to the group who was all laughing, most likely at something Sokka said. 
“Well, he’s got the best teacher around.” You giggled, hitting his arm gently. 
Zuko turned to look at you, “What about you? Things look pretty different for you too.” 
A boulder sat just ahead of you, perfect for the two of you to use as a seat. You leaned back against the stone and Zuko did the same beside you. “Well, when I left the palace, I didn’t know where to go. But then I remembered you telling me about Ember Island and figured that it was far enough away to get me away from Azula but still in the Fire Nation so I wouldn’t have to create a whole new identity. When I got here, I saw an old lady struggling to make it to the market and asked if she needed help. Turns out she’d been making glass beads for years and needed an apprentice. After spending the day together, we ended up striking up a deal. She’d teach me how to make the beads in exchange for room and board. So this is where I’ve been for the last year.” 
Zuko sighed, “I really did mean to come back for you.” 
You exhaled heavily. It had been a sore point for you for a while. You waited for him for two years, over which Azula told you lies about him being killed or disappearing. It was just another fuel for her mental abuse. “I honestly was really angry about it for a long time. But-” 
“No, you had every right to be. But believe me when I tell you it was probably best that you didn’t come. Searching for the Avatar made me someone I didn’t recognize. I became a monster.” He looked away from you, most of the last three years worth of misdoings coming back to haunt him. 
You squeezed his hand, “I doubt you were as bad as you think you were and I’m sure Iroh would tell you the same. Where is Iroh anyways?” 
He sank even deeper, “Another one of my many mistakes.”
Your heart immediately dropped, “Is he…?
Zuko shook his head, “No, no. He’s alive. I’m just sure he hates me.” 
“Zuko, I don’t think you could do anything that would actually make your uncle genuinely hate you. That man holds so much love and respect for you.” Iroh’s love and devotion to Zuko was undeniable and you weren’t lying when you said that there was probably nothing that would make Iroh’s feelings change. 
“I hope you’re right.” Zuko looked off into the distance before looking back at you, “But for what it’s all worth, I’m really glad to see you again.” 
A smile blossomed on your face, “I’m really glad to see you too. I missed you so much.” Even after all the years, it felt as if no time had passed. He was still your Zuko. 
You hadn’t realized that the gap between your bodies had closed to just a mere inch or two until you found yourself leaning your head onto his shoulder without thinking about it. Zuko stiffened up a little bit at the contact, looking around paranoid. He knew logically that there was nothing saying you two couldn’t be friends - or more - anymore. But his gut reaction was to be on his guard, just like when you were children, trying to hide your frowned upon friendship. 
Zuko had always looked back fondly on those memories while he was banished and not one day went by when he didn’t think about you.
**
Iroh walked onto the deck of the large ship to see his nephew standing against the railing and staring into the distance over the ocean. It was like he had the sixth sense for his nephew, always able to see what was going on in his head better than Zuko did. Iroh approached the prince and stood just behind his shoulder, “You’re thinking about Y/N again?” He asked, though it really was more of a statement. 
Zuko looked back over his shoulder towards his uncle, “I just wish I knew she was okay. She’s stuck there with Azula and you already know what she’s done to her! But now I can’t protect her. I should have let her come so I’d know she’s safe.” He looked away angrily, hanging his head, upset with how he’d handled everything. 
“You care for her, Prince Zuko.” Iroh began before getting interrupted by the eager and emotional prince. 
“Of course, I care for her! She’s my best friend.” Zuko had never really had any other real friends. Sure, Mai and Ty Lee were cool when they weren’t around his sister but none of them were you. 
Iroh could see the conflict in the boy’s eyes, “But you care for her as more than that, don’t you?” 
Zuko’s eyes widened. It shouldn’t have come as a shock to him but hearing his secret feelings spoken aloud finally felt like it was actually real. With anyone else in the world, he would have denied it but Iroh was different. “We can never be together.” Zuko confessed, heartbroken all over again. This was why he didn’t admit it to himself. 
“Why’s that?” Iroh asked, as if the answer weren’t obvious like it was to you and Zuko. 
His face scrunched with distress, “Because I’m a prince and… well she’s not even the daughter of a general. I don’t care about her wealth or status but it’s not allowed.” 
“Well, lucky for you, for once, you’re banished. I don’t think anyone would care much if you were to be with her now.” Iroh pointed out. 
Zuko groaned, “I’m not even allowed into Fire Nation territory let alone the palace. I’d never be able to take her away like this. I need to find the Avatar, have my honor restored, and then I’ll find her again and I’ll never let her go.” 
“True love will find a way, Prince Zuko. Remember that happiness and love is more important in this world than titles.” 
** 
Now, you were beside him, your head unashamedly laying on his shoulder and was it his imagination or was your leg touching his now? Zuko cleared his throat, “Y’know, I can’t help but think about how we left things off three years ago,” You shifted to look up at him when he spoke. 
You knew he was talking about the kiss - that one forbidden kiss that had haunted your lips since he left. It had consumed many of your nights as well. “I think about it too. A lot.” You confessed, much less embarrassed than you ever would have imagined. 
Zuko tried to hide the little jump in his chest when he heard the way you agreed, like it wasn’t a bad memory but far from it. “You do?” 
You nodded with a warm smile on your face (or maybe it was just your cheeks burning from the confessions), “I liked you for so long, of course it was something to remember.” 
“Liked?” Zuko questioned nervously, “As in past tense?” 
“Yeah, as in past tense.” You began and Zuko’s heart dropped. 
“Oh…” 
“��Cause now… I think- I think I fell in love with you a long time ago.” You looked up directly into his eyes, heart in your throat as you waited for a response. 
Zuko’s jaw dropped in disbelief and he stuttered over his words, “There wasn’t a single day I didn’t want to come back and take you away so we could be together.” 
You and Zuko stared into each other’s eyes as the weight of what was being said sunk in. Everything felt heightened right now, like else in the world mattered but Zuko. All you could see and hear and feel was him from his scent of woody spices and smoke to the way the moonlight reflected off his perfect skin - scar included. You could literally feel the warmth radiating from his body, a warmth you had a feeling hadn’t been there in a long time. 
“What’s there to stop us from being together now?” In all the futures you’d imagined with Zuko, this wasn’t really a scenario you’d thought of. The two of you sitting on a rock at Zuko’s family summer house after years of not seeing each other- Zuko, a banished and disgraced prince and you, a former servant runaway- but now seeing each other without the shroud of all the barriers of titles and statuses. 
Your lips had already been dangerously close when you were talking, making the ever so slight move inwards to close the gap feel effortless. The question you’d posed was responded to with a long, deep kiss. Zuko’s lips had changed so much since the last time you’d kissed them. The smooth soft lips that had lingered in your memory were now rougher and slightly chapped, weathered from years of hard work like the rest of him, though still soft enough to be familiar. 
Zuko’s hand came up to rest on the point where your jaw met your neck to guide your lips to his just ever so slightly deeper. He was lost in you, in your lips, in your scent, in your tase, in your touch. This moment was everything he’d dreamed about almost every night on his quest for the Avatar. Like everything else, this felt so different yet so familiar. 
Finally, you pulled away and this time you didn’t feel guilty or immediately look over your shoulder. You got to just be with Zuko. It was as if you were entranced by him, unable to take your eyes away. If you could’ve picked one moment to last forever, this would be it. 
That was until Zuko sighed and turned his face away, “There’s a war.” 
“So we’ll fight together.” Your hand that was still on his squeezed tightly. 
Zuko turned back to you and gripped your other hand, holding them close to his body, “Losing you the first time was hard enough. I can’t lose you again, Y/N.” 
You swallowed hard, “I know I’m not the most skilled Fire Bender in the world but that doesn’t mean I can’t hold my own. I don’t plan on dying in this war and you better not be planning on it either.” 
“That’s not what I mean. I just… I love you Y/N,” He confessed, his typical Zuko-esque flusteredness creeping into his tone, “But now after knowing you feel the same way and knowing what we could be, I just don’t know if I could handle risking losing my best friend and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.” 
Your breath abandoned you when those three words left his lips, I love you. They were the three words you’d dreamed of hearing him tell you for years. But now he was using them as an excuse to not be with you. “I love you too, Zuko. I’ve loved you for so long. But what difference does it make if we fight this war as a couple or as friends? If we love each other, the pain of losing the other would be the same.” 
Zuko’s gaze fell to where your fingers were interlaced and he brought them up to his chest, looking at the contrast of his larger calloused hands to your smaller, slightly softer ones. “I can’t lose you.” He repeated, closing his eyes, but this time it sounded like a final decision. 
You pulled your body closer to his, your intertwined hands pressed between your chests, as you looked up at him, “Then don’t push me away.” Your plea was low, barely above a whisper, but by the way Zuko looked, you could tell it had some affect. “Please, let us do this together.” 
Zuko found it difficult to argue with you because it was like arguing with himself. You were the vocalization of everything he wanted deep down. “Okay,” He answered finally, “But only if you help me rebuild the Fire Nation when it's all over. Together.” 
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bellatrixobsessed1 · 1 year
Text
Ten Into The Fog (Part 33)
"Apologize!" Sokka demands, "apologize to Chomp right now."
"For what?" Azula clutches the dragon to her chest. 
"For abandoning her!"
"I didn't abandon her, I simply went away for some time."
"Without telling her! As far as she was concerned you were never coming back!"
"The poor baby." TyLee pouts. "Poor wittle Chompy."
Azula rolls her eyes. "Shes fine and she doesn't need an apology. "Azula strokes the dragon's little scales. In her absence she Chomp has grown bigger. She no longer fits in Azula’s palms. Rather she has to sit on Azula’s lap.
"She thought that you were never coming home!" Sokka says again.
"Chomp thought that i was never coming home or Sokka thought that i wasn't coming home?" She quirks a brow. "Because Chomp seems perfectly chipper."
"She’s not the only one." Aang remarks.
Azula looks up from the dragon. She supposes that her mood is good enough; she is alive for one thing. For another she is back at home and resuming her spa routine, resuming routines in general. She has also settled into a new habit or visiting the palace physicians who detail what she should be prepared for with her pregnancy. They tell her that this month she can expect a achiness and itchiness and increased appetite. Granted she had already figured out the latter two on her own. As for the achiness, it is hard to gauge how mu h she should attribute to the baby and how much to Yakone.
She scoops Chomp into her arms and stands up. "I spoke with Teo the other day. He mentioned a project that we were working on…"
"You met Teo?"
She nods. "I would like to fill out the forms so that he can move forward with the process."
"Those forms are at our apartment on Republic City."
"Those are important documents, we shouldn't just leave them on an unguarded apartment!"
"Toph frequently makes sure that everything is secure."
"We should be in Republic City right now." She mutters. But she wanted to personally oversee father’s transfer. Admittedly she just wanted to come home as well. 
"You like learning new things right?"
Azula quirks a brow. "Yes, why?"
"Well here's a little fun fact; you can just relax sometimes! You don't always have to be doing some task or another."
She gives him a good swat. "I know that! I've been using the spa." And yet she finds herself itching for less down time. Her mind runs amok when she has too much time to herself. Pouring over forms would help her take her mind off of father and the sense of deeper betrayal and confusion that has set in now that she has the time to think about it.
Those thoughts and doubts that have been troubling her sleep lately. Thoughts that jump between a building anger that conflicts with a habitual yearning for father's approval and the what it's. What if she had followed father down his path? What if no one had tried to help her the first time around, before her amnesia? What if she had continued to reject their attempts to make accept her amnesia? And sometimes she dreams of being in a cell next to Ozai.
"There's a new sushi place that opened up! Mai has been wanting to try it. Maybe we can pick some up for her?" TyLee suggests.
"I haven't had sushi in a while…" Azula ponders. Which might be partially due in part to Chomp snatching it up before she can actually take a bite. "Let me just speak with Zuko for a moment." She invited herself into his room and with a devious grin she announces, "guess what, Zuzu?" She tosses Chomp at him. "You're dragon-sitting."
"I've been dragon-sitting since you left…"
"Wonderful!" She claps her hands together. "Then you know what you're doing." She pauses in the doorway. "Let Mai know that we're bring sushi for her."
With any luck, it will be a seamless venture. Word hasn't gotten out yet that there had been any sort of unrest or near deaths so she shouldn't have to worry about invasive camera flashes and unwanted attention.
.oOo.
Sokka knows that he should be happy. He has every reason to be. Azula is home, she has been home and safe. Not just safe but safe and in good spirits. She is smiling again and making effortless conversation again. In some ways it is like his Azula is back. At minimum she has gotten used to everyone treating her like a friend. But it is more than that; she seems like she is rather enjoying being in their company again so long as she can keep getting away with her blunt, off color, and sarcastic remarks.
But he hasn't been right since his panic attack. Hasn't been right since seeing Azula’s face all swollen and blotchy. Since seeing those scratches on her throat, the ones that are still present as small scabs.
He yearns to cup his hand against her cheek and brush his free thumb over them. Longs to kiss the bridge of her nose and feed her sushi. Anything at all that is more than just hand holding. 
He needs the closeness right now. Needs to hold her the way she always let him after one of them had gone through something terrifying.
Now he has to settle for her smile and that laugh. The laugh that everyone expects to be small and dainty but isn't. 
She has a loud laugh, a happy laugh.
He wonders if she can tell that he is not doing so well. He thinks that he might just have gotten as good as she is about hiding it. These days, maybe he is better at it than she. And it dawns upon him that, just as she had ten years ago, Azula has realized that they all have seen her cry, they have all seen her vulnerable. And just as she had ten years ago, she has come to find that no one is taking advantage of that, no one is belittling her for it.
She is warming up to the idea of taking her walls down again.
They have her trust again.
She is moving forward once more and he is regressing.
He wants to tell her. Tell her that he is constantly on edge and worried. Tell her that he is missing Yue and Suki again and that he is still so worried that he is going to lose her too. It would ease his mind but he doesn’t want to ruin the first good mood that she had had in ages.
Just as much as he itches for the comfort that she used to offer, he doesn't want to push her away again. Not now that she is only just starting to get more affectionate with everyone again. With him again. He doesn’t want to push her away. Not when she is finally letting him bring her breakfast in bed again. Not when she is finally asking him to go on walks again.
She doesn't let him kiss her yet but now and then she lets him touch her belly and try to feel for the baby's kick.
Not to mention that he wants her to be able to relax. She already has so much to worry about without his resurfacing problems. 
But that's just it, even before the loss of her memories, it always seemed like his problems came second to hers.
And, as much as he tries to supress it, there is a part of him that is jealous of her and maybe even angry at her. Envious of all of the love and support that she gets and angry that she always seems to have some problem that comes before his. Angry that he is almost always the one who has to offer comfort even though he is hurting himself.
And today, sitting in a cozy little sushi shop it all crashes down upon him. Surrounded by people he loves and delicious foods that delight his senses, he realizes that he has never really healed at all. Not when new new mishaps bring old mishaps back to his mind with just as much vividness as and potency as when they'd first occurred. 
Azula can't remember enough and he remembers too much.
Sometimes he wishes that he could forget just as she had. Wishes that he could go back to a time before death. Before moons and drowning ship crews. Before the Suki's last words and the world's first satomobile accident.
In the warm and serene ambience of a little family run sushi shop, the rich and delicious aromas fade and Sokka breaks down.
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talas-starlight · 3 years
Text
Scarred Spirit - Zuko x fem!reader (pt.4)
SUMMARY: *queue beebo* ladies and gents this is the moment you’ve waited for  
WORD COUNT: 2.8k
WARNINGS: swearing, australian spelling (not a warning just letting you know)
OTHER PARTS IN THE SERIES:  pt1   /   pt2   /   pt3   /   pt4   /  pt5   /   pt6
MASTERLIST: Here!
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As the Cherry Blossom trees were in full bloom, Iroh was basking in the peace he hadn’t felt in weeks. Zuko on the other hand, sat next to the entryway sulking. Of course, Iroh, being the caring uncle he was, wished to relieve him of all the angst within him on this beautiful day and approached him with a solemn expression on his face. “I see, it’s the anniversary isn’t it.”
Beneath his straw hat, Zuko scowled agitated his uncle brought it up, as if it wasn’t the first thing he thought about when he woke up this morning. “Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the avatar. I want my honour. My throne. I want my father, not to think I’m worthless.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t! Why would he banish you if he didn’t care?”
Wordlessly Zuko rose and walked away from his uncle, frustrated and terrified of what else his uncle might say. Finding a cherry blossom tree far, far, away from Iroh, he sat down beneath it angrily. He hated this day. He hated what it did to his life. He hated how the memories of you consumed his mind more prominently today than any other day of the year.
He never said it out loud, but he wanted you just as much as he wanted his honour. He wanted to see you alive. Breathing right in front of him. And he’d be damned if he admitted it to his uncle. Why, he wanted you? He wasn’t sure. You have always lingered in the back of his mind, not constantly, but every once in a while, it always seemed to come back to you. Or at least what was left of you in his mind.
This annoyed him endlessly. How could someone, who he barely spoke a word to, stay in his mind for so long? He didn’t even know what you looked like! He let out a groan of frustration. He wished he could remember what your voice sounded like. Then, at least he would have something to hold onto. He tried desperately to cling onto the memory of you. The way your baby hair stuck out of your top knot, your posture as you shielded him the best you could, the feeling of your robes on his fingertips. But it was no use. There was no point in it all. None of it would lead him to you. For all he knew, you were probably dead.
That prospect terrifies him so much that he refuses to utter a word about you into existence.
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After countless days of following the giant fire nation ship from a considerable distance behind, you were grateful when they finally docked. You were beyond starved, stupidly underestimating how long Azula would be at sea. It seems you got a little too cocky in your abilities over the years. Shaking your head, you put yourself into a more focused mindset, now more than ever, you couldn’t afford to be sloppy. Tying your small boat to a dock which situated behind some rocky mountains and far away from any view from where their ship was, you began your search for robes to blend in.
Swiftly moving about in the shadows to avoid any interaction with people off Azula’s boat, you manage to ascend the stairs leading up to an Earth Kingdom village. Upon seeing the first clothesline with clothes that look like you could fit into, you grab the pink robes. Grabbing some extra cloth, you make a makeshift mask to shield your face and neck, and wind small pieces around your hands completely. Finally, and most importantly, you double checked to ensure that all of your weapons were strapped securely underneath.
Satisfied with your disguise, you decide to head near the dock to check if Azula’s made any advancements in her plan to get her brother and uncle back. However, you faltered, hearing a small argument break out a few huts away. Initially, you dismiss it, although just as you were about to journey back down the mountain, you felt something… like a crack of lighting waiting to go off.
Azula.
You follow the sounds of the argument and Azula’s inner fire. Hiding within a bush near an open window; you listen in on whatever was going on inside.
“What are you doing here?!”
“In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions. Have you become uncivilised so soon, Zuzu?”
“Don’t call me that!”
Eyes widening at the realisation, wait… that’s Zuko?
“To what do we owe this honour?” You quickly assume that’s their uncle.
“Hmm, must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point.” Azula’s voice is harsh, almost as if she’s ready to strike.
Must she be so dramatic?
“I’ve come with a message from home. Fathers changed his mind, family is suddenly very important to him. He’s heard rumours of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment; he wants you home.”
At Zuko’s lack of response, you grew worried. No Zuko don’t-
“Did you hear me?! You should be happy. Excited. Grateful! I just gave you great news.”
You felt Zuko come closer to the window. He felt more muted… less angry.
“I’m sure your brother simply needs a moment…”
Azula snapped at Iroh. “Don’t interrupt uncle! I still haven’t heard my thank you. I’m not a messenger. I didn’t have to come all this way.”
“Father regrets? He… wants me back?”
Fuck! Don’t listen to her you coal brain!
“I can see you need time to take this in. I’ll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.”
As Azula left back to the ship, you cursed under your breath. Yes, you knew your job. And yes, you knew what would happen to Zuko and Iroh if they foolishly believed the princess. You needed a plan.
Maybe if I could just… steer him in another direction, help bring light to the situation. Maybe they’ll listen. Quietly retreating away from the hut, you walked into the town, looking for a way to talk to them without being obvious.
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A few hours later, the best you could come up with was to deliver them some food for the evening, pretending you worked for the owner of all the huts. It wasn’t your best plan, but most people openly welcome free food, so it was good enough. But for the first time in your life, you felt nerves, unlike any other. Sure, you were nervous when you jumped to save Zuko, but this was different. Then, your nerves activated your fight responses, but today? These were the kind of nerves that made you want to run away because you’ve already gone over the multitude of possibilities that might occur. But of course, you dismissed the thoughts of running away, because once again, you were on a mission to save his life despite the threats Ozai made you.
Did he forget about me as I told him to, all those years ago? Hopefully, he did. After all, he is alive.
Just as you were about to enter, you heard his voice inside. “We’re going home! After three long years. It’s unbelievable!” Your eyes widened at the excitement in his tone. That wasn’t a good sign considering what you were about to do.
“It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything.”
“Did you listen to Azula? Fathers realised how important family is to him. He cares about me!” Now you began to seriously contemplate on walking in there right now, and beating him until he came to his senses.
It seemed Iroh wasn’t having it either. “I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine.”
“You don’t know how my father feels about me. You don’t know anything!”
“Zuko, I only meant that in our family things are not always what they seem.”
“I think you’re exactly what you seem. A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who’s always been jealous of his brother!”
Okay, I’ve heard enough coal brain.
You let out a deep, shaky breath. It seems no matter how hard you try to keep your cool, you’ll never be entirely ready for what you’re about to throw yourself into. Balancing the tray of food in your left arm, you round the corner to the front of the hut, emitting a firm knock onto the side of the entryway.
Zuko whips around at the sound. “Who are you? What do you want!”
As he looks at you with his harsh and angry glare, you feel like you’ve been smacked in the face multiple times. Ironically, you also knew it had been precisely three years since you jumped to save him, and now you finally get to witness the full extent of your failure. Heart tightening at the severe contrast to how he sounded all those years ago, you take in his pain. His anger.
Feeling the intense fire burning inside of him from his anger and rage, it almost takes you back. It seems that the years he spent away from his old home has damaged the afraid, innocent boy you once knew. As you wear your stolen robes and mask shielding your neck, a nasty feeling forms in your gut. You have always been able to cover your extensive scars with clothing, but him? His scar is almost too much of a visual representation for you to bear.
I should have moved to the left a bit more; then he wouldn’t have it. If I just aimed better when I jumped, he wouldn’t have to live like this. Maybe if I succeeded, he wouldn’t be so bitter.
Not letting how frustrated you feel towards yourself show, you bow to him and his uncle.
“My apologies, I did not mean to disturb you this evening. I am only here to deliver you some food, it’s on the house.”
This only fuels his anger, irritated that you weren’t anyone of great significance. “Fine. Just place it over there and leave us!”
Iroh sighs, walking towards you. “Zuko, that is no way to treat a young lady. My apologies for my nephew’s behaviour Miss, he has recently received some unexpected news today. Thank you for your services.”
You give a light smile, even though he can’t see it. “No, it’s alright. I understand how hard it may be to truly know what is the right choice when brought with unexpected circumstances.”
“I’m sorry who are you? Who do you think you are?! You know nothing, not even anything remotely similar to the situation I’m in. So don’t go around assuming you understand anything! You have no right coming in here and thinking you can help me in any way.”
His hostility begins to feel normal; you knew you should have expected him to be like this. “Of course my apologies sir, how could I be so senseless. I don’t mean to overstep. I only wish you relieve you of some of your stress. I meant no disrespect.”
At that moment, you almost slapped yourself. Idiot, why did I say that?
Zuko faltered, overwhelmed with the words you just slapped him with. And you said them on today of all days?
“What did you just say?”
Iroh who was intently watching you throughout the interaction snapped his attention towards his nephew, “Zuko, please, she only-“
“I’m sorry I meant no disrespect sir I-“
“Get out.”
Understanding that he wasn’t ready to take any guidance or advice from you, you silently bowed, turning to leave.
Just as you were about to walk out completely, you glanced back at him looking him in his golden, raged filled eyes, “pain doesn’t leave you forever Prince Zuko. It lingers. You should take the past and let it guide your future journey, not let it control you.”
As you stepped out into the unforgiving cold air, Zuko was frozen, gaping at the doorway where you once stood. How you knew of his true identity was beyond him, yet there was something hidden, masked beneath your final statement that didn’t sit right with him. The hair on his skin is standing at the entire interaction that just occurred. Of course, he had no idea who you were, so why did it feel like you knew more than you let on? Did you know anything about his past? Shaking it off, he continued to pack in silence. Even Iroh didn’t say a word.
Descending the mountain back towards your ship, words that you had memorised and locked away for years, suddenly resurfaced.
Maybe Azula was right after all.
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Early the next morning, you rose with the sun. Soon after eating some breakfast made out of the fish you hunted last night, you decided to make your way near the massive ship. As per Ozai’s orders, you hid behind some greenery into a position that left you unseen to everyone.
Eventually, they showed up to the docks, and honestly, you were upset that Iroh was unable to get through to his nephew. But there was nothing you could do about it right now.
Due to the distance, you weren’t able to make out what they were saying, leaving you to have to read Azula’s lips, as she was the only one you could clearly see. Yet that didn’t seem to matter because soon enough, a fight broke out.
That’s not looking too good.
Knowing better than to expose yourself right away, you waited. Telling yourself that if they needed help, then and only then, would you help them.
After a few minutes, you watched lighting make impact with one of the rocky cliffs, sending rocks all around. With Zuko and Iroh running off the ship to escape, you knew it was time to run after them. Help them find a way to get away from Azula for good. Although, as you stood, you suddenly felt lightheaded and your vision got blurry, sending you straight to the ground.
What the heck?
Struggling to gain any body strength, you tried to get up again, but it was useless. The hair across your body stood up, but you weren’t cold, you were sweating. Looking down, you saw that your hands were alit in fire.
W-what?! What’s happening to me! Stop it y/n. Stop. Turn it off.
Panicking you tried to shake it away, but nothing was working, and your breath began to quicken.
What’s happening?! No. Stop. No!
Suddenly, you lost all sight of what was in front of you, and a blinding white light encompassed your mind. You closed your eyes, but it didn’t go away. When you reopened your eyes, you were faced with scenery you had never seen before. In the distance, high above you, there was an older man in what appeared to be old Fire Nation robes, and a young boy dressed as an Air Nomad on a dragon.
Is that the Avatar?
Due to the distance, you couldn’t make out what they were saying, and they seemed so engrossed in their conversation, they didn’t see you. This prompted you to do the only logical thing anyone could do; you screamed.
“HEYYY! DOWN HERE!! I COULD USE A LITTLE HELPPPPP!!!”
Instead of hearing you, your surroundings began to change. First, there was a lady dressed in Kyoshi attire. Then suddenly, you were in the middle of the ocean with a man from the Water Tribe about to send a massive wave towards you.
Holy shit.
Before you could react, your surroundings changed once again, and you were in the middle of a field with a female Airbender, soon switching to a Firebender erupting volcanoes around him.
Okay, what in Spirits name is happening to me.
You tried to scream again, but it was no use. It was like an awful dream, unable to move and watching events happen before you. No matter how much you screamed or flailed your arms around, neither person on the dragon seemed to be able to notice you. Letting out a final scream of desperation, you were ready to give up.
Where the hell am I? Is this a dream? Am I trapped here? WHAT EVEN IS HERE?!
Nothing made any sense anymore; you were almost ready to admit defeat. But then you saw it. It happened so fast, and you nearly missed it. Yet as your body became frigid in shock, you knew it happened.
The dragon looked at you.
Is… is that dragon fucking smirking?! Ohmyspirits it’s going to eat me. Who would have known, death by spirit dragon.
Enough with your blabbering y/n. I apologise, but it’s not time yet. You were taken aback, shocked that you received a response from the dragon.
How did you get in my head?! And time? Time for what! For you to eat me?!
Completely disregarding your concerns, the dragon’s eyes turned to stare back at you. Almost as if it were peering into your soul. The people upon him didn’t even notice the dragon’s current focus. Look at what they’ve done to you… if only they knew. We will meet again y/n, when it’s time.
The white light re-entered your mind, blinding you once again. Only this time, you were met with darkness.
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A/N: Thank you for reading!! What did you think of the lil reunion??
GAHAHAHA we lowkey on some kdrama energy out here but anywaysss! please don’t be shy,, let me know what you think or send a message! i feel like this series is going downhill a lot faster than i expected :// idk anyway! even if its not related to my fics,, homie gets a lil lonely so id love to chat 😊
TAGLIST:
@slythergirlimagines​​ @mangoberry43​​ @eridanuswave​​ @whiskeywinter89​​​ @kaylove12​​ @simplyfandomish​​ @khaleesi-of-assassins​ @callums-keith​ @ilovespideyyy​ @calciumcow​ @blackhood5sos​ @nnon-it-up​ @lozzybowe​
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thoughtsbynyx · 3 years
Text
Part 2 of Why I Ship Zutara
(and why Kataang took the short way out)
*this time with pictures* (it’s longer than the previous but worth the read, bare with me)
part 1
GAang Dynamics 
(see Katara and Zuko’s portions I couldn’t figure out a way to incorporate them fluidly)
RoyalTeaLovingKookiness explains the GAang’s dynamic as well 
Katara is (the G)Aang’s Mother/Older Sister Cont. (and character develpment)
In the GAang. Katara “adopts” Aang almost as soon as she bends him out of the ice
She almost always looks after Aang, keeping him on task, helping him learn, being the rational voice they all need to hear sometimes
With Toph she’s less of a mother and more of an older sister that tries to steer their junior in the right direction (they bud heads and have a couple fights, but manage to have fun together and help with what the GAang needs)
She has to unlearn how to be a kid/teen because she learned to be a mom first
She bears a lot of the emotional work and trauma for the GAang, even before Zuko appears in Book 3
In Book 2 & 3 (mainly) she learns that she is allowed to be fun, immature, and selfish with what she needs/desires (which was something she’s been made fun of & had to apologize for)
She realizes and embraces the fact in Book 3 that she can be an individual person that follows what she wants without having to worry or care about what the others thing she should do (this also happens in the NWT, Ba Sing Se, and various places in the Earth Kingdom) (she becomes more assertive in what she needs/wants)
Zuko: the dad the gAang needed
He’s obviously educated (both in & out of banishment)
(Leadership skillz) He’s commanded a ship at 13
Has worked for a living wage at 16 (as seen by Jet, he can (barely) handle customer service)
When he was accepted into the group, he channels the only responsible adult he knows-- Iroh
making tea, reckless outings to help others, thinking ahead of oppnents and obsticles, letting them vent, providing shelter when they needed cover, dad jokes (”leaf me alone!”), and being a human shield
Look at FrostGaurdian’s post for more
Zuko’s Nature
In the Zuko Alone episode we can epsically see that he’s been in the shadow of his younger sister Azula
Throughout Book 1 he threw tantrums left and right
With his obession (read: hyperfixation) on honor, he was stuck in his “failure” against Ozai when he was 13
/\ \/ he relapses into this thinking when he joins Azula in Book 3
He took advantage of Iroh before they separeted, and even then he searched for his approval and validation
The Warped perception of Love and each other
It may not be obvious but Aang has an idea of Katara in is head that is not like her in the SLIGHEST (see Southern Raiders section)
He even points it out in the comics 
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*13 and 12 year old Aang and Toph are discussing what it’s like having a crush* 
Aang: “Believe me, Toph, I know what it’s like to have a crush on someone, it can blind--” *Toph is unamused*
Aang: “ Yeesh, Sorry. What i’m trying to say is, sometimes you can like somebody so much that it affects your perception of them.”
Toph: “Kind of like how your perception is affected by your fuddy-duddy traditions”
With Katara in the comics it points out the “right kind of love” but referencing Zuko’s sacrifice in protecting Katara
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*Hakoda talking with Katara about love*
“So you know that the right kind of love-- the kind that’s real, that sacirfices--that kind of love doesn’t blind you. It actually helps you see“
In both instances it shows that Aang is putting Katara in a pedestal and doesn’t see her for who she is because of the crush he has on her.
The Fortuneteller
*Also even though Aunt Wu tells Katara she’s to marry a powerful bender it could’ve been anyone, not just Aang. Zuko, Azula, or Toph (maybe even be single forever and reject it all together because she’s a master bender) were also candidates. She didn’t get any more specific besides powerful bender*
a lot of the information that I gathered is from wednesdaywildheart’s post
This episode shows how Aang’s crush is just a crush, using Meng as an example
Meng points out how both their names rhyme “that rhymes with Meng!”
The Parallels
Like Aang is with Katara, she’s 2 years younger than he is
The “sparkles” show up when they both see their crush and plays the same music
They have tried to flirt the same way with their crush (and were both brushed off when their crush showed disintrest and indifference)
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The Differences
Towards the end of the episode, Meng realizes and acknowledges that Aang doesn’t return her feelings and advances. She even tells Aang that she supports his feelings towards Katara
(This doesn’t happen until Book 2) When learning more about the Avatar State, and the Spirit World from Guru Pathik, Aang had to open all 7 chakras, however he couldn’t open the seventh (the Thought Chakra), refusing to let go of is attachment to Katara, blocking himself from the Avaatar State (which bit him in the butt (or back) when he faced Azula) 
(of course this could be because he’s 12, and hasn’t learned the difference between between, lust and Iove, platonic and romantic attraction yet) 
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Ember Island Players
Catie-does-things goes in depth with analysis of this episode
You can’t tell me this wasn’t one the most Anti-Kataang, Pro-Zutara, Anti-Zutara, Anti-All three of them episode (besides Fortune Teller and Southern Raiders)
Even though the play is a mockery retailing Books 1 & 2, it does give a possible reason why Katara would choose Zuko instead of Aang, (“the Avatar? He’s like a little brother to me!”) and she even used a similar phrase in Book 1 (“he’s a cute little guy like Momo!”) 
Aang was lowkey OOC here, when it was stated by Actor!Zuko to Actor!Katara “aren’t you the Avatar’s girl?” to which Aang nods, a grim/serious look on his face (because of this he literally confuses canon with fanon, and at the intermission confronts Katara on a statement she never said herself, instead taking to heart what an actress portraying her said)
Literally one of the very few episodes where these two talk about their feelings toward each other (and it ends terribly)
Because Aang is 12 (and frozen for 100 years), he may not (completely) understand romantic and platonic boundries, getting upset at Katara, and not reading her (uncomfortable) body langauge before kissing her
Direct conversation from the episode: 
Aang:“But it's true, isn't it? We kissed at the Invasion, and I thought we were gonna be together. But we're not.” Katara: Aang, “I don't know.” Aang: “Why don’t you know?” Katara: “Because, we're in the middle of a war, and, we have other things to worry about. This isn't the right time.” Aang: “Well, when is the right time?” Katara: “Aang, I’m sorry, but right now I’m a little confused.”
To be continued in Part 3.....
some of what will be featured:
Southern Raiders (supposed to be here but this is wayyyy long)
Parallels
(Blue Spirit & Painted Lady, All Book Endings, Red & Blue ships, Lightning and Blood Bending, Oma & Shu)
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5lazarus · 3 years
Text
Cages: an post-canon ATLA fic
Mai visits Azula. It is not easy. Read on Archive of Our Own here.
They’ve left her in the care of chi-blockers less merciful than Ty Lee. Mai takes the palanquin to the barge and then another carriage to a small palace in the tea mountains. She is tired by the time she arrives, sick from the jostling of man and sea and horse, but determined to put a brave face on it all.
Katara said she’d come with her, since Ty Lee won’t; she doesn’t have to go alone. She didn’t have to go at all, in fact, and Mai worries leaving Izumi alone through the dizzying journey up the tea mountains, though she consoles herself knowing that Zuko is a more than capable parent. But in the long years since Zuko’s coronation, no one has been to seen Azula. Zuko is too busy, though he wants to go. Ursa, or whatever she calls herself, refuses. Mai goes, not out of mercy, but for her own need. She does not want Azula to remain a mystery, not for her, and certainly not for Izumi.
“Take me to my sister,” she tells the palace guard, a dead-faced burly woman with bandages wrapped tightly around her neck. That is what Azula is and has always been—her sister, more blood shared and shed than her own little brother. Izumi is her niece. They have the same dragon eyes. Azula is her sister.
The guard bows and says, “She’s been sedated for the high sun, my lady. The doctors advise we wait ’til night before rousing her.”
Mai says, “I’ve dealt with her in a temper during a comet. I can handle her at noon.”
The palace is not made of wood, that is the first thing Mai notices. Its walls protrude from the limestone cliffs almost like an Air Temple terrace. The household has been carved into the mountains themselves. The walls are richly painted, of course, and there is some charming animal sculpture, made of stone. Mai stops at a meditation garden made of sand and stares at the center, a piece of blasted obsidian.
The guard says, “My lady, be careful. It’s hot to the touch.”
Mai almost smiles, and follows the guard into the caves. In the anteroom of the princess’ personal rooms one of Ty Lee’s sisters stands guard, carrying a fire-proof robe. She bows. Mai inclines her head.
Ty Wu says, “It gets colder in here. For her own good. Wear this, just in case.” The guard shifts uneasily. Mai sniffs. She smells aloe vera, calendula, gotu kola. It’s familiar, Ty Lee’s own herbal remedy for Azula’s temper tantrums. She had always been careful not to leave scars; the ointment was always enough to make sure the burns didn’t fester.
Mai says, “Thank you,” and puts on the robe. She can still get her throwing knives, if need be.
Azula is kept in the dark in the brightest time of the day, away from the sun. The manmade cave is cool. Water beads through the limestone walls; Mai pauses and studies a dying fresco in the hall. A figure with long hair, profile partially obliterated, balances on a ball, hand in a teaching pose. With a start she realizes why this place looks like an Air Temple-style terrace: it was one. She reaches with her finger and touches where the master’s arrow should be. It seems appropriate that Sozen’s granddaughter should be kept in a prison of the Fire Nation’s own crimes. Doubtless Aang would disagree. She wonders who this is: Yangchen? Or another Air Temple sage, whose name has been burnt away?
Grimly she turns away from the wall. There is one more door, a heavy stone specially imported by the Earth Kingdom: cold granite, which could not be blasted as easily as the Fire Nation’s limestone. Ty Wu and Mai relax into a fighting posture. The guard, grunting, pushes the stone away.
At the center of the room, in the darkness, Azula drowses in her sedated sleep. They’ve dressed her in white—morbid, she looks like the corpse Katara should have left her. Mai wishes she had taken Karata up on her offer, to accompany her here, but she does has her pride, and Zuko would be upset that she brought her rather than him. But Zuko should not see his sister like this; what his mother did is bad enough. Mai can carry this for both of them.
Ty Wu says flatly, “I don’t recommend waking her. You should’ve waited ’til night. She’s safer then.”
Mai says, “Why did you dress her up like a corpse?”
Ty Wu shrugs.
Mai steps into the room. Azula opens one lazy dragon’s eye and says, “I’m not dead yet. And if I were, I’d have better taste than to haunt you.”
Involuntarily Mai smiles. Azula undulates, twisting herself into a sitting position. Mai fingers her knife. They’ve cut Azula’s hair short, but according to the reports that cross her desk before the Fire Lord’s, she asked for it to be done. She wants to look less like her mother. She cannot stop seeing Ursa in the mirror, and it was either that or a face tattoo.
Mai says, “It’s been a long time.”
“Oh yes,” Azula says. “Yes. So they tell me. You’ve settled in nicely as Fire Lady, I’ve heard. Newsletter from the capital.” She smiles sword-sharp. Ozai’s faction briefly attempted to rally around Azula’s legitimate claim, but they have been thoroughly discredited. Mai knows, she had the most stringent voice assassinated last week. They have not been in communication with the mad princess. No one is. Azula says, voice rising, “Well? Aren’t you going to sit?”
Mai waits for her eyes to adjust to the dark. A table hewn from stone sits before Azula’s bedroll. There are few decorations.
Azula says, “Oh, this is just where I sleep. Away from the light, like a badgermole. But I haven’t gone blind yet.”
Mai sighs. “How boring,” she says. She sits down and withdraws one of her knives. “You talk the same. Everything’s a threat, with you. Shame you can’t back it up.”
Azula says, “And you came here to gloat. How kind of you. Does my brother know? Tell little Zuzu I know his tricks. Sending you to…check on me isn’t going to work. I’m not like our mother. I’m not weak. I know who I am, and I’m never going to ask to take that away from me.”
Mai says, “I’ve heard Iroh came to visit. Did he make you tea?”
Azula scowls. “He brought his own. Chilled. I threw it in his face!”
Mai thinks, good for you. Drily she says, “He really does push those redemption narratives.”
“No,” Azula says. “He thinks I should be put down like a dog, and told me so. He’s stronger than Zuzu. He should’ve let that waterbender bitch do it, if he couldn’t do it himself. Or you.” She looks at Mai expectantly. “Have you finally come to put me out of my misery?”
“You don’t seem that miserable to me,” Mai says. “I’ll wait until you beg. And then, maybe.” She smiles as Azula begins to laugh. “Maybe, if you’re nice to me.”
Azula says peremptorily, “Where’s Ty Lee?”
“Far away from you,” Ty Wu says behind them. Mai shoots her a warning glance but she looks unrepentant, staring at Azula with an ugly look on her face. When Mai told Ty Lee she was visiting Azula, Ty Lee did not even respond. She just continued to chatter on about the tea Iron had sent the Kyoshi Warriors, which they had ceremoniously burned in front of the statue of the Avatar as a sign that they will never submit to Fire Nation flattery. Even though they had taken Ty Lee in.
Mai says, “I had a daughter. Your mother refused to see her, of course, and I won’t bring a baby to see you. But when she’s old enough to travel and think for herself, I’m going to bring her to look at you. To remember what the Fire Nation did to you. And I’m going to bring Katara too.”
Azula says, “Oh, now who’s talking threats? How good for you. What do I care about some mewling brat—I take it Zuko brought her to our father, too? I hope he spat on her! He was the runt of the litter and all he can produce is runts, he is leading our nation to ruin and you—“ She lunges at Mai, but Ty Wu darts in and stabs at her sixteen different chakra points. Azula’s face twists in anguish.
The guard says, “Ty Wu!” She rushes to catch Azula before she falls over the stone table, and places her back on the bedroll.
Mai has not even moved. Face stoney, she stares down at Azula, paralyzed in the dark.
Ty Wu says, “You should have waited ’til night to see her, my lady. She gets nasty in the afternoon.”
Mai says, “Oh, I know.” Pale she stares down at her. She says, “You don’t have any hold on me anymore, you get that? And your ghost isn’t going to haunt my daughter. What Ozai did—what Ursa did—it ends here. I won’t let this family fuck up my daughter the way they fucked up you.”
Azula’s eyes widen but she cannot move her mouth. Ty Wu grabs her roughly and leans her against the wall, and shoves a cloth into her mouth.
“So she won’t choke,” she says. “Or bite her own tongue. Not like she ever showed Ty Lee the same kindness.”
Mai snaps, “Be kind anyway.” She pivots, leaving Azula with that silent scream in her throat, and walks into the heavy sun.
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tvandenneagram · 4 years
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Avatar the Last Airbender: Azula - Type 3w4
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Azula is manipulative, narcissistic and power-hungry. She is duplicitous and willing to take whatever means necessary to achieve her goals.
At her worst, Azula lost control of herself and her emotions. She became manic, paranoid and delusional. Azula became highly dangerous and erratic acting out at any perceived threat.
At her best, Azula was a disciplined and talented prodigy. She was hard-working and displayed a great sense of self-control. Azula was a smart and skilled tactician who was able to remain composed in tense situations.
Ever since she was a child, Azula showed little compassion and empathy for others. She would treat friends, servants and family all with a sadistic aggression and would show little remorse for how she hurt people. Azula would also approach situations from a stance of how it would benefit her (or her father) with little regard for others. For example, when Lu Ten died Azula’s immediate reaction was to think about how Ozai could now become the heir. This made even her mother wonder if something was wrong with her.
Azula is grandiose and exhibits a need for attention and admiration, especially from her father. She would often try to emulate him and his values to gain his respect. Azula would often humiliate people as a show of her power. For example, in one of her first appearances she threatened the captain of the ship she was on and made a show of emphasising that she was in charge.
Azula is able to lie with little to no emotional reaction and is able to (for the most part) keep her emotions in check. This helps Azula to direct lightening, which  requires complete and total control of emotions. Often we see Azula telling lies to get what she wants. For example, she tells Zuko that he will be welcomed home so that he and Iroh can be captured.
Azula is never satisfied with what she has and always wants more. She is power hungry and is constantly trying to increase her power (be it politically or with her bending abilities. Azula has had an inflated sense of ego and believes she was born to rule. She craves the power of the Fire Nation throne and wants people to fear her. 
Despite all this, Azula seems deeply wounded by the fact that her mother thinks she is a monster. Deep down, Azula regrets what she has done but tries to control it. By the end of the show, these regrets manifest themselves as delusions of her mother showing her the love and empathy she craved. Azula is pushed further down the brink, by the betrayal of her lifelong friends Ty Lee and Mai. Type 3s often want total and complete loyalty from those they care for and when this is broken they often lash out, which we see in Azula. 
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Similarly, Azula is also shown to have a great deal of insecurities behind her calm and cool facade. For example in the Beach, she is shown to want to have a relationship with Chan, but does not know how to socially present herself. While she tries to flirt with him, she cannot hide her domineering personality leaving Chan uninterested. Azula is visibly hurt by this, but tries to pretend that she does not care about it, which is very typical of type 3s. 
Azula shows her 4 wing as she is more aloof than a wing 2. Additionally, 3w4s are also more controlled and restrained which we see in Azula. Lastly, 3w4s are more concerned with achieving their own personal goals, whereas wing 2s have a greater need to be liked by their peers.
Tri-Type: 3w4 - 8w7 - 6w7
Some quotes to describe Azula’s traits and motivations:
"Well what choice do I have? Trust is for fools! Fear is the only reliable way. Even you fear me."
[after a game of volleyball] “Yes! We defeated you for all time! You will never rise from the ashes of your shame and humiliation!... Ah! that was fun.”
“Well, yes, I guess you're right. I don't have sob stories like all of you. I could sit here and complain how our mom liked Zuko more than me, but I don't really care. My own mother... thought I was a monster... She was right, of course, but it still hurt.”
“Are you sure? I'm a pretty good liar. I am a 400 foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings.”
“Please Zuko. What ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar. Unless somehow the Avatar was actually alive. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness. But you said yourself, that was impossible. Sleep well, Zu-Zu.”
Zuko: “Azula always lies. Azula always lies. Azula always lies”
Azula: “You said "the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." Do the tides command this ship?” Captain: “No, Princess.” Azula: “And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about having you smashed against the rocky shore?” Captain: “No, Princess.” Azula: “Well, then, maybe you should worry less about the tides, who've already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me, who's still mulling it over...”
Mai: “You miscalculated; I love Zuko more than I fear you” Azula: “No you miscalculated; you should have feared me more”
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missturtleduck · 3 years
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idk if this can be triggering but can you maybe do a sokka x reader who’s struggling with mental health? those fics make me feel less alone <33
Hey, anon! I hope you enjoy this oneshot, and know that my DMs are always open <3
The After
Sokka x Reader
TW: Descriptions of panic attacks + mentions of canon realistic injuries
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Firebenders rise with the sun. Taking from the power its primal energy, they stayed as close to it as they could get, like child to mother. Waterbenders gained strength under the moon, changing and shifting with its phases as easily as the tides flowed. Earthbenders and airbenders were luckier as they were constantly surrounded by the source of their power, and yet it could be taken away.
Y/N rose when all others were asleep.
It had started at the beach house. Before Ozai was thrown to rot in a jail cell, she couldn’t let herself sleep. Something about staying right under the enemy’s nose made her skin crawl, let alone in one of the beds once occupied by them. The nightmares were horrendous that first night, leaving her to wake in a cold sweat, stifling a scream for everyone else’s sake. Her chest had tightened, throat constricting as if she were being crushed by a python. Y/N’s head went light, and her breathing shallow. Spirits, what was happening?
She needed to get out of there. The white sand under her bare feet grounded her, the salt-scented air opening up her airways. Even Momo, who snuffled from under the duvet to follow her out, licked the tears off of her cheeks, staring at her with those massive, inquisitive eyes. Giggling, Y/N scratched his head, focusing on his purrs.
A solution came to mind; she would stay awake whilst her friends slept. If she was awake, she could prevent them being ambushed, ensure their survival and victory. So, every night, Y/N and Momo sat on the stairs to the beach house, weapons in hand. Under a blanket of starlight, illuminated by Yue’s gentle glow, she would stay until Zuko awoke where she would creep back to bed and catch an hour or two. The beach was lovely to sleep on too, Y/N convincing her friends she was just relaxed.
The oncoming battle was insane, but they made it.
Y/N came out mostly unscathed. Her only physical scars were the burns along her forearms, trophies from her glorious victories against Fire Nation soldiers. Everything was fine – great, even. However, when it came to staying within the walls of Zuko’s palace, other scars came to light.
“Y/N?”
She looked up from her seat on Zuko’s doorstep, eyes glazed over and not quite focused. Taking a moment, the blue in her vision and the low, concerned voice was all she needed to work out who it was.
“Hey, Sokka.” Y/N quirked a smile, resting her cheek against the heel of her hand. “What’re you doing up?”
“I could ask the same of you,” He said, raising an eyebrow.
Patting the floor next to her, Y/N welcomed him to join her. As soon as Sokka was sat by her, her head tilted until it rested on his shoulder, her body relaxing in a sigh that took with it all of her energy. Frowning, he wrapped an arm around her, chin atop her head until they were practically tangle.
Sokka was warm, warm enough to sooth her into something close to sleep. Beneath closing, fluttering lashes, Y/N watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, moving past his still broadening shoulders to look at the gardens. It was later than she had thought as she looked at the turtle ducklings snuggled up with each other on the grass, their mother close by. The way the turtle duck stayed only inches from its children, half-awake and protective.
Y/N shot up. “I can’t fall asleep.”
“What do you mean?” Sokka yawned, nuzzling his head against her neck. “I could fall asleep right here.”
“No!” She shoved off of him, unsheathing her blade. “I can’t fall asleep, because if I do, Zuko’s in danger! The Kyoshi Warriors aren’t here yet, and I’m not risking his safety again!”
Sokka’s eyes widened as he rose slowly to his feet, hands out. “Okay, Y/N. We can stay here if you want, but you don’t need your sword out.”
Breathing hard, she absorbed the emotions on her friend’s face, realising the fear in it. Clattering to the floor, the sword slipped from Y/N’s hand as she began to tremble. As tears began to pour, Y/N couldn’t reach for the Ember Island sand, nor the open sky, and not even Momo. A crushing pressure pushed on her chest, leaving her gasping for breath that seemed stolen from her. Seeing how her hands shook, she looked at Sokka.
“I’m so tired, Sokka.”
Stepping towards her, he tested the waters, placing a hand on her shoulder. With no outwardly negative reaction to it, Sokka engulfed Y/N into a hug. Gripping his shirt into her hands, she shook out shallow breaths, trying to ground herself as she focused on the feelings around her. Sokka’s gentle hand threading through her hair was rhythmic, methodical even, and the shirt on his chest was soft in her grip.
As her breathing levelled, Sokka pulled away from their embrace, taking a gentle hand to cup her cheek. Brushing away stray tears with his thumb, he studied her face with such care. Y/N stifled a giggle.
“What?” He grinned at her. “You don’t laugh at my jokes, but you’ll laugh now?” Leaning into his hand, Y/N gave him a watery smile. “I’ve never seen you so careful with something that isn’t your boomerang.”
Sokka gasped, scandalised. “I am very careful, I’ll have you know.”
“I’ve seen you walk into a canal because you were too busy impressing a girl.”
“That was different,” He huffed, crossing his arms and leaving her cheek feeling suddenly cold. “I can be careful whilst impressing a girl.”
Y/N sniffed. “Oh, yeah? Prove it.”
His grin made her wonder whether she should have challenged Sokka, but it was too late as he hoisted her up into his arms, protests or weight be damned. Since his broken leg had healed, and he had more time to grow into his shoulders, he had only gotten stronger, and Y/N had only gotten more bashful about the fact it was harder to see him as just a friend.
The guards seemed unwavering at the sight, Y/N only catching a single smirk as she was carried away from Zuko’s quarters and towards the kitchens. Only when Sokka had decided the coast was clear did he finally put her down, placing her up on one of the countertops.
“What are we doing here?” Y/N asked, going to slide down to the floor.
Sokka’s hand stopped her, firm on her knee. “You haven’t been sleeping properly, so I’m gonna make us some tea!”
“You? Tea?”
“Yeah,” He said, hand still on her as he rummaged through shelves of dried herbs. “Iroh taught Zuko, who taught Katara, who ranted to me a lot about some medical nonsense, but I picked some stuff up.”
“Please don’t poison us,” She laughed, placing a daring hand over his.
He looked up at her, deadly serious. “No promises.”
Snorting a laugh, Y/N pushed down the clingy need to whine as he moved away from her, watching Sokka begin to heat tea. In the water, he strained some brown roots and dried purple flowers into the water. It didn’t look like poison, and it certainly didn’t smell like it. Nevertheless, she found some joy watching him focus on the tea, tongue stuck out to the side as he did.
After a few minutes, Sokka had served the tea in cups he had swiped from another cupboard. Tapping their cups together, they both took a sip.
“It’s certainly...” Y/N grasped for a word, “Memorable.”
“It’s not as good as Iroh’s, that’s for sure,” Sokka frowned, but still sipping at the tea.
“I like it,” She beamed, basking in the warmth of the herbal blend.
The smile on his face made her comment worthwhile. Tentative, he took a step towards her, placing his cup down at her side. “Do you feel better?”
“A little bit,” She said, looking down into the remains of her tea.
“I know you haven’t been sleeping properly for a while, but I didn’t know it was this bad.”
Y/N startled. “W-what do you mean?”
“Y/N, I’m not just a pretty face,” Sokka smirked, though it fell into concern near immediately. “Do you not remember ending up in your bed every time you fell asleep on the beach?”
Huh. She did remember that.
“I’d always assumed I had made my own way there and was too tired to remember.”
There was that hand again, soft against her cheek. “I’m not gonna leave my best girl to sleep on sand.”
“Oh.”
“Hey.” His voice brought her gaze to his eyes. “Can I kiss you?”
She nodded. His lips ghosted hers. The kiss tasted of bitter valerian root and was all the sweeter for it. She leaned into the warmth of his touch, feeling more content then than she had in months. Smiling against his lips, Y/N snaked her hand up the back of his head to untangle his hair from its wolf tail, running her fingers through it. Sokka only seemed more enthusiastic as he pulled her closer until she was flat against him on the very edge of the counter.
For a moment, he pulled away, and she couldn’t help the small whine that escaped her lips. “You need to sleep.”
“What?” She barked out a laugh. “You go from kissing me to saying I should go to sleep? I wasn’t that bad.”
“No! No, no, no,” Sokka said, panic overtaking his face. “I just worry about you, Y/N.”
Nuzzling into his neck, she grinned. “I could sleep right here.”
“Could we at least move to somewhere comfier?” He whined, wrapping his arms around her. “My room has a sofa I could take.”
Y/N looked at him. “And a double bed.”
With a low laugh, Sokka pecked a kiss on her nose. “Sure.”
Despite the laughs - and the kisses - Sokka made it known that he could be her safe space, and was happy to be it for her.
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dahliax · 4 years
Text
Goddess of the Sun
Chapter Two
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Description : Zuko x oc Dahila, Goddess of the Sun who was sent by the spirits crosses paths with Ursa, who changes her life forever.
Note : I started this fanfic for fun but now I like it. I haven’t posted fanfic in years but I thought it would be fun to start again. It’s obviously not amazing but I’m hoping to improve with practice. I’m also open to requests in my ask box preferably just Female!Reader x Zuko or Sokka (fluff, smut, oneshots, and headcannons are welcome). Right now I’m character building for the first few chapters soon we will get to the good parts :) Let me know what you think so far! 🌸 (im real soft so pls try not to be too mean)
Warnings : fluff, angst, eventual smut (in aged up chapters).
꧁𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑛𝑒꧂
꧁𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑇𝑤𝑜꧂
꧁𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒꧂ Coming Soon
10 years later
“But Zuko, what if I want to be the hero this time!?” Dahlia’s voice echoed through the palace gardens.
With a sigh Zuko turns “I guess you can play the hero this time. But I am NOT playing the princess,” Zuko finally said yes to the little girl standing in-front of him. She gasped and squealed and ran as fast as she could to give her best friend a big hug.
“Yay! But who will play the princess?”
“I will”
Dahlia and Zuko turned around to see where the voice was coming from. Azula.
Dahlia’s stomach dropped. Azula never played fair and someone always got hurt by the time she was ready to quit playing. “Zuko, maybe we should just play with the turtle ducks,” Dahlia whispered so only Zuko can hear but she was wrong. “Well it would only make sense.. I am a princess in real life.. I would be perfect for the role!” Azula slyly slips closer to them igniting the fear in Dahlia she was all too used to here at the palace.
“Okay then I can play the villain!” Zuko faked being excited. He shot Dahlia a soft look seeing in her eyes that she was scared. He hated seeing her this way, she was his best friend after all. This always made Azula jealous seeing her brother constantly playing with Dahlia instead of her like Ty Lee and Mai. Azula knew there was something off about Dahlia, why would her mother bring a random peasant baby into the palace? This made Azula’s blood boil even hotter, mapping out her attack plan quicker than Dahlia could even blink. She’s been dealing with this for too long. She had to end Dahlia.
Azula smirked and pushed out a huge ball of fire at Zuko and Dahlia. Zuko’s heart stopped, “hey! You know we don’t use fire outside of training and around Dahlia you know it’s not fair!” Zuko squeaked after diverting the fire. Dahlia’s heart sank, another reminder that she could never stand a chance against Azula without bending.
“Well Dahlia, you wanted to be the hero, now be one” Azula’s words were like venom in Dahlia’s heart, everyone knew she couldn’t stand a chance. “Don’t hurt anyone Azula” Zuko said lowly. “Now what makes you think I’d do that Zuzu? It’s just a friendly game” Azula smirked and threw another fireball at the two children. It was always fun and games until Azula showed up. Zuko diffused the fireball while Dahlia ducked only to see Mai and Ty Lee coming through the entrance of the gardens. She was in big trouble now.
Zuko was trying to make a plan in his head. But he knew he wasn’t as strong as Azula, she was so much farther in training than him. Before Zuko could think another thought Azula sent another blast knocking Dahlia and Zuko on their butts.
“Guards! Arrest this man!” Azula yelled at Ty Lee and Mai. They ran to Zuko before he could get up and wrapped his wrists with Mai’s hair ribbon. A blush crept up on Zuko’s face from Mai’s touch, he had a crush on her. Dahlia watched, she felt so helpless. The boy she had a crush on was entranced by another girl and her bully was standing right in-front of her waiting to attack.
Deep in Dahlia’s heart she’d hope Azula would show mercy to the little girl sitting there with tears welling up in her eyes. She had no way out. And Azula never showed mercy, she seen it as weakness. And as soon as Zuko looked over from Mai’s eyes a crack of lightning came from the sky and the most disturbing scream rang in Zuko’s ear drums.
Everyone’s heart stopped. But Dahlia continued screaming. Tears immediately hit Zuko’s eyes.
“Finally! My best move yet! Daddy will be so proud” Azula squealed and kicked Dahlia over on her side. Zuko was almost positive she was dead. There’s no way a regular 10 year old could survive but somehow she was still screaming. The fire in Zuko’s heart made him see red and he immediately destroyed the ribbon around his wrists, running over to Dahlia and cradling her head in his small hands.
“Dahlia are you okay?” Zuko managed to speak even though he could barely hear himself. Dahlia thrashed in pain, blood trickling out of her side. Zuko noticed the lighting marks crawling up her hip under the destroyed part of her kimono. His heart sank. She’d have this scar forever if she survives. Soon they could hear frantic foot steps coming from inside the palace. Zuko pushes up from his feet fuming, “Why would you do this?!”
“Azula!” Iroh and Ursa scream in unison seeing Azula above Dahlia giggling. “Look mom you’re going to be so proud! I can use lightening now!” Azula smirked brightly but Iroh and Ursa were less than impressed. Iroh had been visiting and Ursa wanted the kids to be on their best behavior but obviously Azula couldn’t let that get in the way of her plan.
“Get the healers immediately and prepare the royal hospital room,” Ursa quickly said to the guards. “The royal hospital room? She’s a peasant!” the guard talked back. Iroh’s eyes widened, “I don’t think it’s your place to be questioning her royal highness in such a situation. Now go.” Iroh said coldly. Ursa ran to the children trying to ignore the tears threatening to spill over. To say the least Dahlia was the daughter Ursa wished Azula was.
“Azula. Go see your father.“ Ursa had enough of Azula’s antics. And everyone knew if Ursa sent anyone to Ozai that they were in big trouble.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
Dahlia’s eyes finally fluttered open to see Ursa sleeping on the chair aside her. Dahlia panicked, she didn’t recognize where she was. Her eyes adjusted to see its the royal hospital room. She grabbed Ursa’s hand startling her awake. Tears lining Dahlia’s eyes as she remembered what happened. “I-I” she could barely speak, her throat felt like it was on fire from screaming, “I tho-thought I was going to die” she finally said with tears flowing down her cheeks like a waterfall. Ursa pulled her into a gentle hug minding her wounded side. “You’re safe now darling, I promise” she croaked out exhausted from crying and all the emotions the day brought.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
“You know Zuko would like to see you,” Iroh says to Dahlia while she scans the book he brought for her to read during recovery. “Oh no Iroh.. I look so terrible right now” the redness in her cheeks told Iroh all he needed to know. “Don’t worry ladybug, he told me he thought you’re the most beautiful girl in the palace” he said in hopes to lift her spirits. Somehow Dahlia’s face got even redder, “You’re only saying that to be nice” she said as she crossed her arms.
“Well he’s got a present waiting for you and I’m sure you’d like to see what it is,” Iroh teased. “That might be true but I know he doesn’t think I’m the most beautiful girl in the palace” she said stubbornly. Iroh chuckled, “How are you so sure?” he says challenging her stubbornness as usual. “He told me he likes Mai and that Ozai thought it was a good idea”
Iroh sighed, realizing how quickly these kids were growing up now that Ozai was preparing a wife to marry off to his son when he turns 18. He knew Ursa would have none of it. But now Iroh was confused, Zuko really did tell him that he thought she was the most beautiful girl in the palace. “I’m not lying to you Dahlia, I’m not sure why he would change his mind” but they both knew why. Even if he chose Dahlia the nation believes she’s a simple peasant with no bending abilities who just got lucky. But Iroh knew one day the secret would come out.
“Ladybug, how things are now are not how they will always be. Your destiny is your own not Ozai or Azula can change it. Now, would you like some jasmine tea?” He says getting up to grab the pot. “Yes please! Can you mix the camomile in?” she says excitedly. “Zuko will be out of training soon. I told him to stop by” Iroh said and Dahlia just let out a loud huff, too tired to argue any further.
ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
"Zuko! You're in luck..the tea just finished..How was training?” Iroh said getting the cups ready for them “Fine I guess. It’s weird not having Azula there though,” 
Dahlia almost questioned why Azula wasn’t there but then she saw that Zuko was hiding something behind his back. A blush rose to her cheeks. ‘He really did bring me something’ she thought. Iroh nodded at Zuko and said, “Oh I must have forgotten my cup. Excuse me for a moment.”
Dahlia wanted to crawl in a hole. She knew Iroh did that on purpose.
“So how are you feeling?” Zuko said walking closer to the hospital bed. “Fine I guess. I can’t walk yet.” she said sadly which made Zuko feel a pain in his heart. “I’m sorry I didn’t do better. I failed at protecting you. But I hope these fire lilies make you feel better” he said sweetly. Dahlia’s jaw dropped, the only place you can get pink fire lilies near the palace was to hike the the Eagle’s Volcano. Her lack of response made Zuko falter, “Do you hate them? I-I’m sorry it was stupid-“ “No no! I love them! They’re perfect..” she trails off admiring their rare color.
Zuko was feeling pretty used to rejection. All the gifts he got for Mai she hated. He was tired of trying to impress her for his father even if he had a tiny crush on her because he had a bigger, deeper crush on Dahlia that’s been lingering in his heart for as long as he could remember. She was the most beautiful, fun girl he knew and now that he was alone with her he was going to do something about it.
“You know where they would look perfect?” he said touching the soft petals “Where?” she replied looking into his honey filled eyes as he pulled a flower out of the bouquet. “In your hair,” he said as he pushed her hair behind her ear and placed the flower in her long brown hair. Just as she relaxed into Zuko’s touch, the door opened. “I brought an extra guest for tea, I hope you don’t mind” Iroh announces as Ursa follows in behind him.
The smiles on their faces were priceless, they knew exactly what was going on. “Well don’t you look just like a beautiful doll,” Ursa gushed and pressed a kiss to both the children’s heads. Both of them blushing like mad.
I hope you guys liked this chapter!! idk how I feel about it yet! Requests are open! I wanted to let everybody know that any suggestions are welcome!! Totally helps out when I get overwhelmed with ideas!!
Taglist: @darkskin-buttercup @marvels-gurl @haylaansmi
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