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#sokka cries himself laughing at the look on zukos face for hours
elyfonart · 2 years
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Get a best friend who is willing to do anything to help you with your problems, big or small <3
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Imagine the gang realising Zuko has a crush on you and Toph and Sokka deciding to exploit Zuko’s feelings for their own gain.
The group found out Zuko liked you when he was attacking Aang. Upon ditching training to have a beach day Zuko was furious and decide to show Aang this wasn’t a wise decision by attacking him with fire. Then Zuko found out you weren’t even invading the fire nation until after the eclipse and was even more furious...until you appeared.
You’d been inside when Zuko started attacking Aang so were late to the conversation and just saw a very angry looking Zuko. You dropped what you were holding seeing Zuko yelling and rushed forwards "what’s wrong? Why are you angry again?". "Zuko just found out our invasion plans or lack there of" Sokka explained. Zuko was still glaring at them and hadn’t looked up at you. "Zuko i’m so sorry" you said stepping infront of the others and blocking them from his view "it was my idea i should’ve told you, if you’re going to yell at anyone it should be me". You readied yourself for a tirade of angry fire boy but instead Zuko dragged his eyes to you and sighed. "No". "No?" Sokka asked and Zuko twitched but kept his eyes on you. "I understand you were just trying to do what’s best for Aang, you’re thoughtful like that" and walked away to go sulk. You frowned and so did the others. "Ow so he can yell at us but when y/n literally tells him to he doesn’t?" Toph asked "how is that fair?". Sokka narrowed his eyes "it isn’t and it doesn’t make sense....". Sokka watched Zuko and then looked at you, an idea beginning to form in his head.
An hour later
Sokka decided to test his new theory right away and knocked on Zuko’s door. “What is it?” Zuko snapped and Sokka grinned. "Ow nothing just dinners ready and you should probably know Katara broke your tea set" Sokka shrugged and Zuko jumped up "what that was my uncle’s!". "Relax she can buy you a new one!". "It was an antique so she can’t" Zuko pouted and Sokka rolled his eyes "okay okay calm down i’ll go get her so you can yell at her...ow sorry did i say Katara? I meant y/n". "Y/n?" Zuko asked and Sokka nodded "yeah it was y/n who broke it". Zuko looked away and coughed "well i guess it was just an accident". Sokka smirked his theory proven, Zuko liked you. Sokka fully intended to use this to his advantage.
The next day
Sokka learnt that if he hung around you Zuko seemed to lose the ability to be angry and so all day Sokka tested how much this arrangement worked and it was infuriating Zuko endlessly. Sokka was in the kitchen when Zuko realised he hadn’t tidied his mess in the living room like he’s promised and felt his anger rising as he searched for the water tribesman.
“Sokka you haven’t tidied the living room like you said you would” Zuko glared slamming the kitchen door open upon hearing Sokka’s voice inside. He jumped to see you there aswell as Sokka but decided to ignore you and just focus on Sokka. “Ow sorry I was just sat chatting with y/n and lost track of time, you can really get lost in her eyes...but I’m sure you know that” Sokka grinned. Zuko’s frown lessened and a small blush appeared on his cheeks. “Sokka i’m so sorry I probably kept you here all day!” you said missing the last part of his comment to Zuko “Sorry Zuko, Sokka was helping me make dinner but it’s sorted now, I can help you tidy the living room if you want?”. Zuko looked down “no it’s okay, you shouldn’t have to do that it’s Sokka’s job”. “I don’t mind” you smiled “plus Sokka did most of the cooking so it’s only fair”. You left the room with a smile to them both and the door closed. Sokka was laughing to himself at how well his plan had been working when suddenly Zuko yanked him by his collar up against a wall. “What are you doing” he snapped “don’t think i haven’t noticed you hanging around y/n like a leech”. Sokka gupled “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. “You know exactly what I mean! You hang around her so she can protect you from me and it’s pathetic”. Sokka smirked at Zuko’s words and dusted the firebenders hands off his neck “and why do you think I go to y/n for protection huh? If I wanted physical protection from you why wouldn’t I go to Aang or Katara? So why do you think I go to Y/n for you huh Zuko?”. Zuko blushed and Sokka laughed “that’s right I know your secret but don’t worry I won’t tell her...as long as you take up my share of the chores”. Zuko glared and went to step towards Sokka making Sokka yelp “y/n!” he yelled. You appeared in the doorway worried about Sokka “are you okay?”. “Yeah I was just wondering if you needed any help?”. You nodded “that’d be great Sokka thanks!”. Sokka smirked as Zuko moved to let him pass and Sokka patted his shoulder “nice deal we’ve got here”.
3 days later
Zuko was angry again.  He’d been angry a lot lately, Sokka had been deadly serious about their deal and had used it to get out of all sorts of things but it had gone too far. This time Toph and Sokka had snuck into a fire nation event on the island that could’ve had important people present. They easily could’ve been caught and given away the gang’s position but they didn’t care or see the problem with their actions. They just saw it as a fun prank and Zuko was not pleased.
You understood why Zuko was angry, it was a very reckless thing to do but you also hated seeing anyone angry at anyone else so sympathised with Toph and Sokka. Zuko had been pouting since he’d heard what they’d done and had been angrily firebending in the yard since. You figured Toph and Sokka should try talking to him but they had other ideas. “So maybe if you just apologised....” you started when Sokka cut you off.  "That sounds great y/n but I think you should go tell him we’re sorry" Sokka said nudging you forwards and you frowned. "Me! Why do i have to take the yelling?". "You're the eldest" Toph argued and you scoffed "so! That doesn’t mean i deserve to get fire bended by the prince of the fire nation!". “Pleaseeee, we all know Zuko wouldn’t do that to you of all people" Toph replied and you stared at her in shock. “What does that mean?”. “Ow come on y/n” Sokka grinned “you know Zuko has a soft spot for you! Out of all of us he'll be most receptive to you, just bat your eyes at him and he'll be butter". You blushed bright red and pushed Sokka away lightly "i’m not flirting with Zuko just to help you". "What’s your issue with it now" Toph cried "all you do is flirt with each other! We’re actually helping you by giving you an excuse to". "I don’t flirt with Zuko" you stammered “why would I? I don’t have a crush on him”. Toph raised an eyebrow, an unimpressed look on her face "y/n you know i can tell from your heart beat when you’re lying right?". You swallowed "i’m not lying...I mean he’s attractive but I don’t...I don’t like Zuko that way". "Yes you do, we all know you like Zuko so just make like a mountain and go!" Toph said pushing you forwards. "Make like a mountain? Toph mountains don’t move". "Well i’m blind what would i know? Now go talk to him!". You sighed as Toph and Sokka left and you approached Zuko. He was angrily kicking fire at a rock and you supposed his temper should’ve scared you but it didn’t. You’d said you were worried how Zuko would react to Toph and Sokka but you weren’t, you knew deep down he wasn’t cruel or mean and could tell that the first time you’d met him. You trusted him and so approached without worry. "Don’t even try explaining what they did" Zuko said not even turning around. You paused plan exposed so tried denial "i wasn’t". "Ow please" Zuko said rolling his eyes "Sokka thinks he’s so clever sending you to talk to me but even you can’t save him from me". That made you frown “Zuko....". "No y/n" Zuko said sternly but not harshly "please let me be angry at them, don’t try and change my mind". You frowned but nodded "fine but if Sokka asks i tried okay?". Zuko nodded "of course". You smiled at Zuko slightly before realising it had gotten awkward, with what Sokka and Toph said fresh in your mind you found it hard to look at Zuko in the eye. "I’ll leave you to firebend" you said quickly leaving.
2 days later Zuko was still refusing to speak when Toph and Sokka were in the same room as him. He’d answer Katara’s basic questions and talk to you but that was it. You were honestly sick of being the go between but didn’t see a way around it. You guessed Zuko’s anger would just have to ease on it’s own but wow could that boy hold a grudge. You didn’t think you could possibly change that but Katara seemed to think you could.
That night after dinner Katara caught you in the kitchen.  "Y/n" she said closing the door so you were alone "i know this might be really awkward but it’s the only way i can think to resolve this". "Resolve what?" you asked and she gestured to the living room where Sokka, Toph and Zuko were sat together in silence. "I’ve tried that Katara! Zuko can’t be budged on this". Katara frowned "something tells me if you really tried there’s no way Zuko would still be icing them out". "What does that mean?" you asked confused and Katara smirked "well y/n...you’re not oblivious to how he is with you right? I mean Toph’s the blind one not you". You blushed rolling your eyes "not you too...". "Yes me too!" Katara smiled "he likes you y/n and i’m not even asking you to do this for Sokka and Toph, but for Zuko. He’s been miserable these past few days! As dramatic as he is i don’t think he enjoys being the angry guy, i think even he’s sick of it but he can’t back down...not without a reason". Katara looked at you pointedly and you rolled your eyes blushing “I’ll think about it okay”. “Thanks y/n, also it’s totally obvious you like him too by the way”. “You’re not helping your case” you said raising an eyebrow and Katara laughed “sorry I just couldn’t resist” and left you alone with your thoughts.
After the conversation with Katara you decided to talk to Zuko, you didn’t like seeing him sad and thought if you could change that you should try. So when Zuko went out into the yard for some late night training you followed him. You expected him to not want to listen to what you had to say so prepared for resistance and hyped yourself up to make him listen. "Zuko" you said sternly once you reached him "I need to talk to you about Toph and Sokka, and you will stay here and listen to what i have to say". Zuko looked at you and you wondered what he was going to do. He could easily just barge right past you or storm away but instead he sighed and sat down. "Go on" he said gesturing for you to talk and you smiled suprised before going back to being serious.
"So i think you should stop this" you said simply "you must be sick of it too by now and you’ve punished Toph and Sokka long enough". Zuko’s face told you he didn’t agree and you sighed. "I know you’re not someone who wants to hold grudges Zuko, the fact you’re here proves that! Aang’s beaten you numerous times, Katara’s thrown you around with water more times that I can count and I’ve....I did attack you a few times too...” you trailed off awkwardly “but you forgave us for all that now”. “Well that was different” Zuko shurgged “I provoked all those fights”. You shrugged “yeah but it still couldn’t have been easy to go from seeing us as enemies to trusting us. It showed a lot about your character that you were able to. It showed you’re not mean or unfeeling zuko, i know you’re not" you smiled at him. Zuko’s facial expression seemed frozen and you couldn’t read if this was working or not. He looked away from you suddenly "that’s not why i didn’t hold a grudge, you don’t know me as well as you think you do". You frowned, crushed at Zuko’s reply and were lost on where to go next when Zuko carried on.
"I didn’t hold grudges with the fights against Aang and Katara because they were justified, they were only defending themsleves. I joined you all because I knew it was my destiny not because I’d achieved enlightenment or anything and in case you haven’t noticed I still get angry at them all easily. As for the stuff you did...you only attacked me as a last resort and I could tell you hated doing it even for defence, that much was obvious even when we were on different sides” Zuko said softly “I knew you were too kind to have actually wanted to hurt me...and i think that’s the reason I can’t stay mad at you...i don’t know what it is but i felt like I could trust you from the start and i still do, you’re one of the only people i do" Zuko finished meeting your eye "so you see i am someone who holds grudges i just can’t against you". You stared at him confused what to reply or how to interpret what he said. "Y/n?" Zuko asked as the silence stretched and you frowned shaking yourself out of your head "yeah?". "I just said all that and you go quiet, did i say something wrong?". "No" you smiled "that’s just really sweet". Zuko sighed "i knew i shouldn’t have said anything" he frowned. You paused seeing him get angry "Zuko what’s wrong?". "What’s wrong? I just told you i liked you and have for ages and you just say that’s nice! I’m an idiot for expecting anything different" he sighed. "Wait that was what that was?" you asked "when you said you liked me you meant it as....". "Yes" zuko said utterly embarassed by the whole situation now. "Ow" you said awkwardly "aw Zuko that's...". "If you say sweet i swear to god..." Zuko started but you smirked rolling your eyes "no you idiot, i was going to say that’s convenient because i have feelings for you too". "You do?" Zuko asked and you nodded "in case the others haven’t made it pretty obvious" you smiled. Zuko nodded blushing "well they talked but i didn’t take it seriously". "Well you should’ve" you smiled coming to stand infront of him "then maybe this would've happened sooner". Zuko assumed you just meant this in general but as you leant into him he realise he was pleasantly mistaken.
The gang’s POV
Toph, Sokka and Katara had watched your converastion from the window and while Katara awed as you kissed Zuko, Toph and Sokka were not so impressed. "Do you think if she'd just have kissed him days ago we could've avoided all of this?" Toph asked and Sokka nodded. "yes toph i think we could’ve, it’s a shame y/n was so selfish". "Selfish?" Katara cried "Sokka y/n didn’t kiss him to help you, she’s liked Zuko for ages". "Yeah but it’s just a bit annoying she chose now to tell him and not when it was convenient for us all". Katara rolled her eyes at Sokka and looked back to where you and Zuko were stood, hands entwined, standing close together and smiling at one another as you spoke softly. “Well I personally think this was perfect timing” she smiled.
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beifongsss · 4 years
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firebending [zuko]
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Pairing: Zuko x reader
Requested?: Yes! By a wonderful anon: “your zuko fics are all so well-written! I have a request for a firebender reader who hates the fire nation and was never trained in the art of fighting. then she/they join the gaang and learns firebending with aang from zuko. it’s awkward between them at first but cue ~ romance ~”
Summary: If someone told you that you’d end up dating the Fire Nation prince one day, you would’ve laughed in their face. If only you knew how right they were.
wc. ~5.2k
.masterlist.
~
When you first joined the Gaang, everyone expected you and Katara to hate each other. After all, you were from the Fire Nation and everybody knew Katara was the biggest anti-Fire Nation enthusiast there ever was.
They were quickly proven wrong when you didn’t fight against Katara’s harsh remarks, instead agreeing with them and even adding more scathing words of your own to show your distaste towards the Fire Nation. Since joining them, you never wore anything related to the Fire Nation. Nothing that is, with the exception of an elaborate hairpiece that your mother had left you. The hairpiece never left your body, the sunstone in the middle of it shining from its place on your head.
Escaping Ba Sing Se (and therefore the Earth Kingdom) had simultaneously been the best and worst thing that had happened to you. You were glad that Aang was alive, obviously, but being back in Fire Nation clothing was making you anxious.
Ever since the battle in the catacombs, you had been avoiding everyone. You had revealed your firebending in a panic, shooting a strong blast of fire at the banished prince as he snuck up on Katara. He had been taken off guard just long enough for you to subdue him before he realized that you didn’t know what you were doing.
There had been no time for Katara to question you after that. You had all fled and met up with her father, Hakoda, before seizing a Fire Nation ship to use as a disguise. As soon as you stepped foot on the ship, you had scrambled to an empty room and locked yourself inside. You had ignored Katara’s pleas for you to open the door, never once moving from your spot unless it was to use the bathroom or to get the tray of food that you knew had been placed at your door.
No one had known you were a firebender, and the initial shock eventually wore off as everyone found themselves missing your presence. It wasn’t until Aang woke up that you finally emerged.
~
“(Y/N)?” Sokka asked hesitantly, knocking softly on your door.
“Go away!” was the muffled reply that came from your room.
“Nope. I think Aang wants to see you.”
Sokka waited for a few seconds before the door swung open, reveling you standing there. You were wearing your Earth Kingdom clothes, trying to delay the inevitable. You looked up at him, making his heart hurt when he noticed the exhaustion in your eyes.
“Is he really awake?” you asked, your voice small. Sokka nodded.
“Hurry up and get changed. He’s on the deck.”
You nodded softly before closing the door. You opened it again a few minutes later, now dressed in red. As much as Sokka hated to admit it, you looked good in red. The Fire Nation was your home, after all. You followed him up to the deck, your finger nimbly twisting part of your hair into a knot big enough for your hairpiece.
“(Y/N)!” Aang yelled when you came into view. He launched himself at you and you caught him with a small “oof”. You giggled softly as you rubbed his head, making his hair stick up in all directions.
“Aang!” you cried in reply. “You have hair!”
Aang made a funny face at your words before fixing his hair. “Yeah, I guess I was out longer than I thought.”
You leaned down and swept the boy up into another hug, pulling him close as you held tears back. “I’m so glad you’re okay Aang. I don’t know what we would’ve done if you-”
“Don’t worry! Look at me, I’m fine!” Aang said, trying to make you feel better. He led you over to where everyone else was, Katara looking up and smiling softly as you glanced at her. “They also told me about your firebending! How come you never told us?’
You reeled back in shock, looking around wildly as everyone heard Aang’s word. When there were no negative reactions, you relaxed slightly.
“Everyone already knows huh?” you asked drily, being met with nods from everyone on board. You sighed and tapped your foot before speaking. “Okay, yes I’m a firebender. The reason I never told you guys is because I never wanted to use it. I was young when I fled and I never got a chance to learn anything other than the basics.”
Aang nodded in understanding. “But you could’ve built your skills that time we met Jeong Jeong.”
“No. After my family...” you trailed off, thinking about why you never became a master bender. Aang gave you an encouraging look and you breathed in deeply. “I promised myself I wouldn’t firebend ever again. Not after that.”
Aang nodded in understanding as you fell silent, thinking about your past. The Fire Nation was the reason why you had been all alone. They had killed your family with the weapon you now hated: firebending.
The silence engulfed the entire ship, everyone lost in their own thoughts. There was a peaceful atmosphere as the ship drifted along, but of course it didn’t last long.
Soon enough, you found yourself chasing after Aang, eventually being forced to hide in the Fire Nation as the Day Of Black Sun loomed closer and closer.
~
The promise that you had made to yourself to never firebend again was still intact. You hadn’t let any bursts of fire out, not even when you had found yourself surrounded by Fire Nation troops on the Day of Black Sun. The eclipse was a blessing to you, the brief eight minutes just long enough to make you feel normal.
Of course, you soon found yourselves fleeing to the Western Air Temple, silently mourning the loss the rest of the invasion army. Once you all settled in, you kept wearing the red top you had acquired in the Fire Nation. You don’t know why; it just brought you some type of comfort. Aang had grinned when he noticed, wondering if all your adventures in the Fire Nation had lessened your hatred towards the nation.
It had.
But not by much. Wearing the color red weighed heavily on your soul and you spent many of your waking hours debating whether or not keeping the red clothes was the right choice. It frustrated you to no end, how a simply piece of cloth could jumble your thoughts so easily. The red reminded you of the pain and grief you had experienced when you had lost your family, but in a twisted way it also reminded you of them. It reminded you of the days back when you still had them, back when you still had a home and you were happy. Deep down, you knew that you were Fire Nation but that knowledge didn’t stop your inner turmoil. And over the next few days, it only got worse with the arrival of a certain someone.
“Hello, Zuko here.”
You tried to hold back your groan, you really did. But it was as though the universe wanted to test you and had decided to do so by sending the Fire Nation prince your way. Zuko’s soft smile had dropped at your reaction, the corners of his lips quirking downward.
“Hey, I heard you guys flying around down there, so, I just thought I'd wait for you here,” he continued. Appa walked up to the prince and sniffed him before proceeding to lick him. Zuko’s face twisted up in disgust. “I know you must be surprised to see me here.”
"Not really,” Sokka said. “Since you've followed us all over the world!”
“Right,” Zuko said, wincing slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, uh, anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I, uh, I'm good now, and well I think I should join your group, oh, and I can teach firebending to you. See, I, uh-”
“You want to what now?” you asked sharply, exchanging a look with Katara.
“You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you?” she asked, opening her water skin. “I mean, how stupid do you think we are?!”
Zuko’s eyes shifted to you before he answered. “You trust her. She’s a firebender.”
Your eyes widened in anger and you began to march up to the prince, only stopping when Katara held you back.
“I am not, a firebender,” you hissed, staring Zuko down. “And I am not Fire Nation.”
Zuko stayed quiet, his eyes drifting from your red shirt to the hairpiece on your head. You followed his line of sight, eyes widening when you realized he was staring at the sunstone. You yanked your arm out of Katara’s grip, angrily stomping out of the room. You quickly stripped yourself of your red top as soon as you were out of sight before sighing deeply and pulling your hairpiece out. You arrived at the sleeping chamber and sat down on your sleeping bag quietly, holding the hairpiece in your hand tightly.
You stared at it sadly, the sunstone glinting in the dim light. Without hesitation, you pulled your arm back and flung it away, watching the sunstone glint in the sunlight as it rolled towards the edge. It was gone in a second, tumbling over the edge of the temple.
Now you were truly no longer Fire Nation.
~
Your life had just gotten ten times harder now that Zuko had been allowed to join the group. The defeat of Combustion Man had been intense and you had found injured when it was all over. Unlike Sokka, you had never been good with fighting, always relying on your intelligence to get you out of dire situations. With Combustion Man however, that proved to be a problem, and you had found yourself caught in the middle of a fight with no protection whatsoever.
In addition to the pain of your injury, you found yourself dealing with the prince’s presence. You found yourself avoiding the group entirely, taking on the more tedious chores (like laundry) to avoid spending time with the group and even hanging out with Haru, Teo, and The Duke as they explored the temple.
Tensions didn’t rise until a few days later, beginning when Aang approached you with an idea. After your tragic failure with Combustion Man, Aang believed that you needed to learn how to protect yourself and he thought that the right way to do that was by learning how to firebend. You had vehemently refused, accidentally yelling at the Air Nomad as everyone else watched in silence.
The argument was put on pause for a few days when Aang and Zuko traveled to the Sun Warriors’ ruins but when they came back, Toph had sided with him as well. You felt slightly betrayed by the small earthbender but still refused, stating that there was no way you would willingly learn how to firebend. At least you still had Sokka and Katara on your side.
At least you did until Sokka and Zuko took a trip to The Boiling Rock the next day. When they got back two days later, Sokka was on Aang’s side as well. The fight with Azula on the gondola had left him shaken as he realized just how hard it was to fight a bender with just a sword. You didn’t know how to use a sword, but you could firebend and so Sokka became one of Aang’s supporters. Katara was the only one who was still on your side, but that changed when Azula raided the temple.
Everyone had been woken up suddenly, reacting a bit slower than normal as Azula appeared. She immediately lunged at you, shooting blasts of blue fire as she stalked closer to you. Your eyes were wide with fear, dodging her attacks as much as you could.
“Watch out!” Zuko yelled, tackling you from the side, a pillar crashing down where you had been standing as a result of Azula’s lightning. You grunted softly as you landed, the breath leaving your lungs as Zuko landed on top of you. You opened your eyes immediately, meeting bright gold irises before they looked away as Zuko began to scan you for any visible injuries. Zuko’s hands rested on either side of your head as he tried to keep his weight off of you, not that it helped considering you were still struggling to catch your breath.
Or maybe you were struggling to catch your breath because of how close he was.
“Are you okay?” Zuko asked, drawing your attention back to him. Scowling, you threw him off of you before scrambling to your feet, rushing to help Katara when you heard her yelp. Zuko noticed Toph earthbend a tunnel into the side of the temple, and rushed to join the others. His eyes landed on you as you threw yourself to the side, narrowly dodging another one of Azula’s deadly blasts. The princess grabbed you by the hair, laughing maniacally before dragging you to the airships.
“What are you doing?” Aang yelled, noticing that Zuko had stopped in his path.
“Azula has (Y/N)!” Zuko replied, turning around and facing the airships. “I’m gonna go get her.”
Katara rushed to Aang’s side, exchanging a worried look with him before getting on top of Appa. The rest of the Gaang joined them, holding on tight as they tried to maneuver the sky bison through all the debris. 
Zuko ran and launched himself onto the airship, landing safely on top of one. He glared at his sister, noticing that she was still holding onto you.
“Let her go, Azula!” Zuko yelled, his eyes never leaving hers.
“Hmm, I don’t think I will,” Azula replied, the blue flame in her palm growing brighter as she held it up to your face. “I think I’ll get rid of her instead. Then I’ll get rid of you. I can’t wait to celebrate being an only child.”
She inched the flame closer to your face, prompting Zuko to shoot a fire blast near her head. Growling, Azula tossed you to the side before confronting Zuko. The two siblings fought for a few minutes and you tried your best to avoid any wayward blasts. The fight stopped when they both struck at the same time, the resulting blast blowing both of them backwards.
“Zuko!” you cried, sprinting to grab the boy before he fell. You managed to grab onto his hand but his momentum sent you both tumbling into the chasm, a scream getting stuck in your throat as you plummeted. You were so overcome with fear that you didn’t notice Zuko pulling you into him, holding you close as you fell.
The fall didn’t last long, Appa managing to swoop in and save the two of you. You sat quietly on Appa’s saddle, both you and Zuko watching Azula as she kept falling.
“She’s...not gonna make it,” Zuko said softly, his arms tightening around you slightly. You watched with wide eyes as Azula used firebending to propel herself to the cliffside, sliding down a bit further before she took out her hairpin and stuck it into the side of the cliff, effectively ending her fall. “Of course she did.”
The seven of you sat in silence for a few minutes before Katara spoke up, tears in her eyes as she looked at you. “(Y/N), seeing Azula capture you got me thinking. I think...I think that you should learn how to firebend. You need to know how to defend yourself.”
“And I think that you can let go of each other now,” Sokka said cheekily, trying to diffuse the tension that had settled upon the group at Katara’s words. You shimmied out of Zuko’s hold, walking up to the Water Tribe girl and looking at her in disbelief.
“You’re supposed to be on my side Katara,” you hissed, flinching when she tried to reach for your hand. Without another words, you walked away and took Appa’s reins. The rest of the flight was silent, everybody knowing that now was not the time to be chatty.
~
Once again, you had retreated from the group. It wasn’t exactly hard considering the fact that now it was Katara and Zuko who had disappeared, gone on a quest to find her mother’s murderer. After a few days, Zuko reappeared alone and you found yourselves traveling to Ember Island.
Upon your arrival, you made your way over to Katara, who was standing quietly on the deck.
“I heard what you did,” you spoke first. “I’m glad you didn’t kill him.”
“I couldn’t bring myself to do it,” she whispered back, still looking straight ahead.
“Why?”
She turned slightly, facing you before speaking. “It’s not in my nature to kill. I couldn’t bring myself to use my bending for that. I have the chance to prevent other’s from going through what I went through; from going through what you went through. I want to use my bending for good.”
You mulled over her words for a few seconds before sighing deeply and walking away. Aang watched you quietly as he walked over to Katara, his eyes widening slightly when you walked up to Zuko.
“Ok,” you said quietly, looking up at the prince. “Teach me how to firebend.”
Zuko’s eyes widened briefly before he crossed his arms and composed himself. “Tomorrow at dawn. Be ready.”
And ready you were. Every day. Firebending was a lot easier than you expected, and you found yourself breezing though the basics and the intermediate moves. It wasn’t until you got to the advanced moves that you began to have some trouble.
“No!” Zuko barked. “That’s not how it’s done. Again!”
Your eye twitched before you took your stance again, launching yourself into the move that you were currently working on. You sighed deeply when you realized you had done it wrong again.
“Wrong. Again.”
“If you’re so good at it then come and show me,” you snapped, fed up with his attitude. Zuko straightened up before walking over to you, motioning for you to take your stance once more. You rolled your eyes, blowing the hair out of your eyes before complying.
“I will,” he said, moving your arms into the right position. He walked around you and you opened your mouth to make another comment, stopping when his hand came around from behind and gently shut your jaw. “Don’t say anything.”
Your breath hitched in your throat as he spoke. He was closer than you thought, his lips brushing your ear as he spoke. You shivered when his hands landed on your back, fixing your posture before they made their way to your waist. He gripped your waist firmly, shifting you into position before leaning forwards slightly, whispering in your ear once more. “Do it again.”
Fighting a blush, you did as you were told. You chuckled breathlessly when you did it correctly this time, a blast of fire leaving your hand at the right moment.
“See? You did it,” Zuko said, a faint smirk on his lips. “You’re a natural.”
You bounced up to him, wrapping your arms around his neck in excitement. His arms immediately wrapped around your waist, enjoying the closeness of the hug. You leaned back slightly, meeting his eyes as you smiled cheesily. “It’s only because I have such a great teacher.”
The two of you walked back to the beach house, joking around after a long day of training. Upon entering the beach house, Katara pulled you aside. “(Y/N)! Thank goodness. I need your help in the kitchen!”
You gave Zuko an apologetic smile as you followed Katara, being met with an understanding nod as he went off on his own. Katara handed you a tray of cups, smirking slightly before speaking. “So, you and Zuko huh?”
“What? N-No,” you replied immediately.
“I’m talking about firebending. How’s that going?” Katara said, filling the cups with watermelon juice as she arched an eyebrow.
A bright blush spread across your cheeks as you realized what she was talking about. “O-Oh. It’s going great. Zuko’s been teaching me some advanced moves now!”
Katara hummed in reply, waving you away now that the cups were full. You headed out of the kitchen in a hurry, loosing your footing when you heard Katara speak yet again.
“I bet the next move he makes is gonna be on you.”
~
The conversation between you and Katara was basically forgotten as the days went by. 
Zuko had informed the Gaang about his father’s plan to destroy the Earth Kingdom, causing you all to worry greatly. In addition, Aang had disappeared overnight and all attempts to find him had been futile.
And that’s how you found yourselves following June and her shirshu as she led you to Ba Sing Se, where Zuko’s Uncle Iroh was supposed to be. You had been warmly welcomed by the Order of the White Lotus and Zuko and Iroh had made up, leaving you with only a day to plan out what you were going to do before Sozin’s comet arrived.
It was quickly decided that the Order of the White Lotus would stay behind and reclaim Ba Sing Se while Sokka, Suki, and Toph would set out to destroy the airship fleet. Zuko had asked you and Katara to join him in defeating Azula and although Katara had agreed immediately, you were a bit hesitant. Of course, Zuko noticed and he decided to confront you about it.
“(Y/N),” Zuko said, coming up to you when you were prepping Appa for the ride. Katara was a few yards away, giving the two of you privacy. You glanced at Zuko before climbing onto Appa’s saddle, the prince following closely behind you. “What’s wrong?”
“Zuko, I,” you paused, breathing deeply. “I shouldn’t go. I just started bending and what is something goes wrong? I don’t want to be a liability to y-”
“Hey,” Zuko whispered, ducking his head to make eye contact with you. “I meant what I said on Ember Island. You’re a natural. You’ll be fine.”
You sighed before hugging your knees to your chest. “I just can’t believe that I’m actually returning to the Fire Nation, even if it’s to help you reclaim your throne. I’m just glad that maybe under your rule, things might finally change.”
Zuko stayed quiet before standing up and reaching for his bag. He shuffled around for a moment before kneeling behind you, his fingers gently grabbing your hair.
“What are you-”
“Shh,” Zuko cut you off. “Give me a second.”
His fingers weaved through your hair, putting it up into a style you were all too familiar with. He was gentle with his actions, letting his hands fall to your shoulders when he was done. “There.”
You reached up, your fingers trembling slightly as they brushed over the sunstone that you had known your whole life.
“M-My hairpiece,” you gasped, tears springing to your eyes as you realized how much you had missed it. “How did you-”
“I found it at the Western Air Temple,” Zuko interrupted quietly. “It was after I came to you guys the first time. Katara sent me away and when I was walking under a balcony, it fell onto the ground. I recognized it so I picked it up. I assumed you would want it back at some point.”
Zuko fell backwards when you threw yourself at him, wrapping him up in a tight hug.
“Thank you,” you whispered, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek. A tiny gasp escaped him and you pulled back, meeting his eyes as he stared down at you. The two of you stared at each other for a few tense seconds before you both leaned forwards rapidly, your lips meeting in the middle.
Maybe it was a spur of the moment decision, kissing Zuko. Maybe it was due to to the anxiety bubbling up in you, your emotions hard to control as you prepared to end of the war in one way or another. Or maybe, it was simply two teenagers too shy to tell each other how they felt, finally sharing a tender moment.
“So, are we ready to go?” Katara asked. The two of you sprung apart, blushes on both of your faces as the Water Tribe girl smirked at you. Zuko nodded and you looked away, taking your place at Appa’s reins.
“Ready as I’ll ever be. Yip yip.”
~
The fight had been a blur to you. You didn’t remember much other than the fact that Zuko had taken a bolt of lightning meant for you. After Zuko had been injured, you and Katara had teamed up to take Azula down. She had challenged you to an Agni Kai after striking Zuko and you had accepted in order to lure her away from his body. To say she had been surprised when you actually fought back with fire was an understatement.
With Katara’s help, you managed to chain her to an old grate before rushing over to aid Zuko. After Katara had done all she could, you helped Zuko into the palace where he had been taken to the infirmary. You hadn’t seen him since.
You had however, met back up with Aang, Sokka, Toph, and Suki. They informed the two of you of what they had done and in turn you had told them about Zuko’s injury. They were all worried about him but after hearing that Katara had healed him, they were slightly relieved.
The next time you saw the prince was on the day of his coronation. Some of the palace guards had come for you, stating that Zuko was requesting your presence. You felt your heart jump into your throat as you nodded, allowing them to lead you through the palace until you came to a pair of gilded doors.
“He’s in there,” one of the guards said. “Would you like us to announce your arrival?”
“No, it’s fine. I can just knock,” you said meekly, causing the guards to smile amusedly. You bowed shortly to them before turning to face the door, gently knocking and waiting for a response.
“Come in!”
The door swung open at your touch and you awkwardly stepped inside, still standing near the doorway as your gaze landed on Zuko.
“Close it,” he said, his voice quiet yet rough. You complied, stepping aside and shutting the door before inching closer. He was shirtless, thick bandages covering his torso. Covering the new scar he had earned because of you. He turned around, his face softening when his eyes met yours.
“Hey,” he said softly, his eyes scanning you for injuries the way he did back when Azula raided the Western Air Temple.
“Hi, how are you?” you squeaked, shuffling awkwardly. You winced at your words, blushing in embarrassment as Zuko’s lips quirked up. He walked over to his bed before picking up the shirt he was going to wear.
“I’m fine. How are you?” he asked, a teasing smile on his lips as he began to put it on. His smile dropped as he moved too harshly, pain shooting through his torso as he struggled to pull the fabric on.
“Spirits! Be careful,” you said, all embarrassment leaving you as you rushed forwards and took the shirt from his hands. “Here, let me.”
You helped him slide one arm in before slipping it over his shoulders and guiding his other arm in as well. You grabbed the belt used to hold it in place before standing in front of him. Your breath caught in your throat as you eyed the bandages, guilt settling in your stomach as you softly placed a hand on his chest. Zuko’s hands automatically went to your waist, pulling you closer to him as he stared at you worriedly.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered, still looking at his chest. “This was my fault.”
“Hey,” Zuko replied, one of hands leaving your waist to lift your chin. You shivered softly at the action, your eyes finally meeting his bright gold ones. “It wasn’t your fault. Azula shouldn’t have done it in the first place. She challenged me to an Agni Kai, not you.”
“You should’ve let it hit me,” you said, looking at him sadly. “I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if Katara hadn’t been there. Zuko, you could’ve d-”
Your eyes widened and your words died on your throat when Zuko leant down, softly pressing his lips to yours. The hand that was still on your waist wrapped around you, pulling you closer as Zuko kissed you gently. He began to pull away after a few seconds, noticing your lack of response. Mentally kicking yourself, you began to kiss back, closing your eyes as you wrapped your free arm around his neck to keep him close. Zuko couldn’t help but smile at your response.
“I took that hit because I love you, (Y/N),” Zuko whispered, finally pulling away and leaning his forehead against yours. “I couldn’t let Azula hurt you.”
“Zuko, I-I love you too,” you confessed, your eyes still closed. Suddenly, you pulled away before gently swatting his head. “But that doesn’t make what you did any less stupid.”
“Hey! I saved your life!” he exclaimed, rubbing his head.
“I know,” you said, rolling your eyes before hugging him close once again. “And I love you for it. But never, and I mean never, do that again.”
“No promises,” Zuko replied, guiding your lips to his once more. This kiss was different, full of trust and love and peace.
You pulled away reluctantly, fixing his shirt and looping the belt around him before taking his hand. “Now let’s go. You have a coronation to get to.”
Zuko stopped for a second, pulling you back to him as he looked at you uncertainly. You looked up at him curiously, prompting him to speak.
“Are you-” Zuko stopped abruptly, trying to get his thoughts in order. “Will you stay with me? Here? Even after everyone else leaves?”
You hesitated for a split second, remembering everything that you had suffered at the hands of the Fire Nation. You opened your mouth to reply, looking up to meet Zuko’s gaze. You faltered for a moment, taking in the way he was looking at you. Here in front of you stood the crown prince, the very symbol of the nation that you had spent the majority of your life hating. But he was also just a teen, and he was willing to put in the work to fix the Fire Nation’s past mistakes.
Your heart swelled in your chest as you thought about the golden-eyed boy , and everything he had done to help the Avatar. Because of him, the Fire Nation now had a chance at redemption, and you knew it wouldn’t be easy to undo centuries of imperialism and pain. Especially not when it was so deeply rooted in the nation. And so you answered his question, confident that you were making the right decision.
“Of course I’ll stay, Zuko. And I’ll be here to help you every step of the way.”
~
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loversamongus · 3 years
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Lovers Among Us - atla smau
masterlist / part 17 / part 18 / part 19
a/n: Zuko and Y/n’s conversation under the cut!
With both crutches under your arms, you made your way to the door and opened it. Sure enough, Zuko was standing there just as he said. You caught a quick glimpse of him leaning against the hallway wall with his arms folded, but he immediately straightened up when his eyes met yours. You felt your stomach drop a little and you had the sudden inclination to worm your way back inside the room where your friends sat still watching the movie. Surely, a man with razor hands and a decaying face who kills you in your nightmares is less frightening than this leap you’re about to take. Zuko must have felt your apprehension though because he held the door wide to help you through it and rested his hand on your shoulder to guide you across the threshold.
“You know, once I get a boot instead of these crutches, this will be a lot easier,” you said, more of an attempt to calm the hurricane of butterflies boarding up in your gut. “I could probably kick Sokka pretty hard with the boot, now that I think about it.”
Zuko didn’t respond; he only smiled. You would not have thought much about such a small smile, but recently everything about Zuko seemed to become a permanent fixture in your mind.
For the first time, you noticed just how small Zuko’s smiles actually were. So small, in fact, that if someone were not looking close enough, they may just assume his face was resting in his typical trademark scowl. How wrong they’d be though, you thought. They’d just be searching for his smiles in the wrong place. His real smile was in his eyes. There was a glow and warmth in his eyes. It was both inviting and comforting like a steady fire on a cold winter day. Zuko quirked an eyebrow, which you noticed immediately as you had just then registered that you had been staring at him through that entire internal monologue. Suddenly the carpeted hallway became very interesting. And the heat on your cheeks? Definitely from the temperature in the hallway. Or the strain of crutching around. Yep. That’s it completely.
You were quiet the rest of the walk to the car. You were quiet for the car ride to the Jasmine Dragon. While you said nothing, your decided to be quite the chatterbox. In addition to noticing and now appreciating all of Zuko’s little quirks, you also began to reflect on memories of your friendship with Zuko. You remembered when you first became friends with him and almost pulling an all nighter just texting each other. You remembered going to the farmer’s market with the gang, and splitting up to cover more group. Zuko stayed with you and carried all the fresh produce you picked out. For months the two of you kept up an inside joke about the man at the cabbage stand. You remembered how much you missed him when he went home to the Fire Nation one summer. You remembered the instant joy you felt when he came back early and being stricken with concern when he said he won’t be going back home for awhile. You remembered when Iroh was sick and had to be hospitalized for some time and Zuko called you at 3 in the morning just so completely lost. You remembered how you did the same thing when your grandmother was died. He rushed over to your room immediately and just hugged you until you felt something again. And you did feel something back then. But what, you didn’t know. So you pushed it aside and carried on.
The car door opened, jolting you out of your thoughts. You turned to see Zuko offering his hand. “We’re here,” he said, and you took his hand which guided you out of the car. He had already taken your crutches out from the backseat and handed them to you.
Silently, you thanked the heavens for giving you a best friend who has his own set of keys to his uncle’s tea shop. It was late and the Jasmine Dragon had closed hours ago. While you still wished Freddy Krueger would just come and kill you now, you were glad that you and Zuko would at least have some privacy. He gestured for you to take a table while he flipped on a few lights and shuffled to the back to brew up some tea. Of course, he returned after some agonizing, nervous foot-tapping moments later with your favorite blend.
“So,” he said.
“So,” you echoed.
“I’m sorry for walking out earlier.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
It was quiet for a moment and you desperately sought to find something interesting to fixate on other than Zuko thrumming his fingers on the table. The tea. The tea is nice. Good, although Zuko definitely added too much honey. You smiled though, knowing that despite his subpar tea making skills, he always remembers what you like. You could have been happy just sitting there, but Zuko broke the silence.
“What are we doing?”
“Well, I’m trying to stomach this overly sweetened tea. What are you doing?”
“Y/N…” This time Zuko’s eye did not smile at your attempt for lightheartedness. Try as you might, this was going to be a serious conversation.
“I don’t know, Zuko.”
“You have to know something,” he scoffed. Looking up, you caught him rolling his eyes and leaning back in his chair so that he could cross his arms again.
“Don’t you scoff at me. You got us into this mess.”
“Me?” he asked incredulously. You could practically hear the yell he was biting back. An opening. He was frustrated. You could convince him that this wouldn’t work. That you’re better off as friends because your friendship has already survived fights and your stupidity. But anything more? What kind of stress could that put on the both of you? What if it created cracks in the foundation?
“Yes, you. If you hadn’t walked out and caused a scene, we’d be enjoying a movie night or killing Sokka again.”
“I just apologized for walking out!”
“And I said you have nothing to apologize for!”
“YOU JUST SAID I CAUSED A SCENE!” His voice rose and his hands fisted through his hair. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he tried again. This time his voice was much softer, gentler.
“Why are you pushing me away?”
A worthy counterattack. You could feel his tugging on your heart strings. But you are a fortress, you will not crumble. This is for the best of your friendship, you reminded yourself.
But then he looked up and you looked away quickly. He moved his head to try to recapture your attention.
“Y/N,” your name on his lips was almost a whisper, a prayer really. You hesitantly looked back at him. “Ask me when.”
“When what?”
“When I knew that I love you.”
You felt your eyebrows shoot up towards your hairline and your jaw slackened in shock. Immediately, that hurricane of butterflies roared again. In your stomach. In your heart. In your throat. Can a fortress withstand an army of thousands of butterflies?
“When?” Your voice was faint, but you heard the simple question fall from your lips.
“I don’t know,” he answered.
“Zuko!” you groaned and facepalmed. “Why would you have me ask you that then?!”
“Because it wasn’t just one moment,” his voice had not changed from that soft tone. “There were so many moments that made me realize I love you.”
You could only gulp down a couple butterflies before he continued in a passion of communication.
“The first time I heard you laugh. When I see you hug my uncle. When you cried snot on my shoulder after watching Coco. I can’t narrow it down to one moment. All I know is when I’m with you, since I’ve met you, I’ve been genuinely happy. Hell, I look forward to just sitting next to you in class—“
“Why?” you interrupted.
“Why do I like sitting next to you in class?”
“No. Why do you love me?” Your voice was so quiet that a pin dropping to the floor would make more noise.
“I don’t think I could pick one reason either.”
“Try. Please.”
He paused for a moment to think, to choose the right words. All through his thinking, his eyes never left yours.
“You know me,” he said finally. “You listen to me and… you care about what I have to say. You know what will make me smile or what to say when I’m upset, even if I don’t want to talk. You know what I’m feeling, what I’m thinking. I love the way you lo—“ he caught himself and looked down at the table. “I love the way you care about me.”
Silence invaded the Jasmine Dragon again. It settled for a while between the two of you and you digested Zuko’s words. He said you know him but you have absolutely no idea what to say next.
“Okay,” Zuko the silence breaker spoke again. “I did all my talking. It’s your turn now.”
“My turn?” It was your turn to ask incredulously.
“Yes, your turn.”
“I don’t have anything to say.” Zuko’s words may have collapsed an area of the fortress but you began rebuilding brick by brick.
“Bullshit,” he almost laughed, but there was no mirth in his voice. “You wouldn’t have come to the door if you didn’t have anything to say.”
“Zuko, I--” you began, only to get cut off again.
“Don’t lie to me,” he said seriously. “Actually, I still have my fifth rule to use. Rule #5 is Y/n has to be honest with me.”
“Really?” you deadpanned. “Of all the possibilities, that’s what you come up with?”
“If it gets us to have this conversation, then yes.”
It was quiet again. Avoiding his gaze again, you look down at the table. Now you were most definitely pushed up against your last wall. A white flag would have to be raised. You were only tried to think up the words for your declaration of love surrender.
“Zuko, I--” you tried again. “I’m afraid.”
“Of me?”
“No,” you had to laugh. “No, of course not. I’m afraid of losing you.” Your honesty suddenly gave you a second wind, quiet and shaken voice be gone. Now you were animated in your best attempt to express yourself. “What if, what if we don’t work out?” you pleaded for him to understand. “What if it doesn’t work and you stop loving me and we start to hate each other and then we don’t want to even be in the same room as each other and then our friends will have to take sides and then the whole group falls apart?”
Zuko took a moment to take in your plea. You could tell her was considering what would be the best response. “Do you think that would happen if Sokka and Suki break up?”
“I already told Suki I’m taking her side no matter what so....”
You both laughed, and seeing Zuko smile again relieved some of your nervousness. It was so easy to talk to him. So easy to be honest with him. 
“I guess it depends then,” Zuko started up the conversation again. “If you maybe... felt the same way about me.” A small smile formed on his lips again but this time there was hesitancy in his eyes. You felt the urge to start rebuilding the fortress again but you promised to follow Zuko’s fifth rule of honesty. There was no turning back.
“I do,” you replied surely and you made it a point to make eye contact with him. You noticed the hesitancy slip away and the warmth and glow of his eyes returned. 
“Then you’re not going to lose me. If it doesn’t work, then fine. I’m your best friend first and foremost and you are mine. But I love you. And I want to see where that takes us.”
It wasn’t the first time he said he loved you during this conversation but for the first time, you felt complete ease overwhelm you. As if this was exactly where you were meant to be. With the person you were meant to be with. Fear and insecurity had washed away.
“Okay,” you smiled. “I love you, too.”
a/n: lol more to come, but back to screenshots for part 19 :) hope you enjoyed!
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Text
laughter/joy
Written for Day 1 of @aangweek! Read here on AO3.
~*~
1. laughter/joy - after the fire, new maps are drawn / nothing to cry for, new dreams are born / out of the ruins, flowers will grow / people rebuilding, stone by stone
Aang had been… unusually silent during their first few hours at the temple. Well, maybe ‘unusual’ wasn’t the right word. A heavier gravity to him was to be expected, seeing as the official reconstruction of the Southern Air Temple was set to begin in upcoming weeks. Which meant their group of friends was currently working together to create basic blueprints of different areas. Katara would never have demanded Aang be his normal, talkative self as he combed through the ruins of his home, because spirits was that an unfair standard to hold him to.
Still. That didn’t mean she couldn’t worry.
But how could they cheer him up? Katara didn’t want to make light of the turmoil she was certain he was going through, and yet she also just - she wanted to comfort Aang. See him smile or hear him laugh at least once while they were here. Katara couldn’t bear to watch the invisible load weigh heavier and heavier on his shoulders any longer.
At the moment, they were all mapping out the weakest parts of the temple, since reconstruction would have to begin with those more fragile areas. Toph and Zuko were one group, so Toph could sense the areas of unsteady infrastructure with her earthbending and Zuko could draw it out. Aang had gone with Suki, as he could reference his memory to compare what had changed from the past to the present while Suki marked down the most significant alterations.
Which had left Katara with her brother. For obvious reasons, Sokka would be the one examining the rubble while she would be the one mapping it out.
The work was long and tedious, though it was more painful than it was boring. While a formal ceremony had been provided for the Air Nomads a few weeks earlier at Aang’s request - a way to send their spirits off in the traditional Nomadic manner - every now and then a slab of concrete would be displaced and reveal a set of charred bones. Which only made Katara worry about Aang more. If it was nauseating for her to witness, she couldn’t imagine what the experience was like for him.
“We need to do something for Aang today,” Katara said when they’d all stopped for lunch. Aang had momentarily left to investigate a particular room in the temple, so she’d seized the initiative to launch a let’s-cheer-Aang-up plan. Their group sat in a circle on a small striped blanket, Appa stretched out comfortably behind them. “I - I don’t know what, but there has to be something we can do to help him feel more like himself.”
Suki nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. He seemed so…” She pursed her lips. “I don’t know how to describe it. He wants to restore the temples, and it’s clear he’s happy to finally start, but…” She shook her head. “It’s just hard for him, I think.”
“He barely said a word the whole time we were eating,” Toph pointed out. “I mean, he didn’t even jump in when we started making fun of Zuko.”
Zuko rolled his eyes as everyone snickered. “Normally I’d be offended, but I noticed how quiet he was, too. That’s… unlike him.”
“Okay, so we’ve agreed we need to do something,” Sokka said, crossing his arms over his chest, “which means now we have to figure out what that ‘something’ is in the two minutes we have before Aang gets back.”
Katara grimaced. Her brother made a good point, disheartening as it was to admit. They needed to work fast. “Everyone. Start throwing out ideas!” Even a terrible suggestion was better than none at all.
“Er, we could make fruit pies for him?” Zuko offered, brow furrowing in contemplation.
Katara shook her head. “Not a bad idea, but it would take way too much time. Anything else?”
“Someone could play airball with him,” Suki suggested. “Didn’t you and Sokka do that the first time you visited the temple?”
Katara made a so-so gesture with her right hand. “Sokka did, yes, but I don’t know if it’s worth the risk of him mentally reliving everything about our first visit here.” She hesitated, returning her hand to her lap. “He… found Gyatso’s skeleton that day, too.”
Suki’s eyes widened. “Oh. Understood.”
“Guys!” Toph hissed, her palms flat on the ground. “He’s coming back!”
Katara cursed under her breath. They’d just have to suck it up and put something together for Aang later -
“Wait!” Sokka exclaimed. “I’ve got an idea!”
“Save it for later, Snoozles!” Toph whispered, but Sokka shook his head.
“Trust me! Just follow my lead.”
Katara resisted the urge to drag her palm down the side of her face. Great. Sokka’s ideas more often than not ended in utter disaster. Tui and La, she was begging for this to be the exception.
As Aang returned to their impromptu picnic area, Sokka jumped to his feet to greet him.
“Aang,” he said sternly, placing a hand on his hip, “I am very disappointed in you.” He gestured to the rest of them still sitting on the ground. “In fact, we are all disappointed in you.”
Aang blinked, taken aback. “You - what? Why?”
“Because.” Sokka shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “How could you not tell us that it was Appa’s birthday?!”
Aang stared at Sokka in total confusion, and Katara didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Of course her brother would come up with something that toed the line of believable and improbable.
“It’s… what?” Aang finally said.
“Appa’s birthday!” Sokka repeated. “C’mon, Aang. Did you really think we wouldn’t find out?”
Katara decided to throw her brother a line. Admittedly, he wasn’t floundering just yet, but she didn’t want to leave him treading water alone. No one could ever say she wasn’t a merciful person. “We had to find out from Appa himself!” she said, standing to move next to the sky bison. She scratched Appa’s cheek. “Isn’t that right, Appa?”
Please play along. Please play along.
Appa gave her a dubious side-eye before roaring, and Aang’s eyes widened.
“I didn’t know you knew your own birthday, buddy!” he exclaimed, airbending over their picnic area to land beside Appa. The breeze blew Katara’s hair back. “I’m sorry!” He gave the sky bison a tight hug. “How can I make it up to you?”
“He, uh, he actually already told us how he wants to celebrate,” Zuko stammered. “He thinks… He thinks we should…”
“Braid flowers in his fur!” Suki finished, and Zuko’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Like - Like when you guys first met those nomads in the… Earth Kingdom, right?”
“Yes, exactly,” Katara confirmed with an aggressive nod. Tui and La, she prayed they weren’t coming off as too emphatic. “And he told us we can - we can make flower crowns for each other, too!”
Out of the corner of her eye, Katara could see Toph pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. She couldn’t blame her friend for such a response.
For a moment, Aang didn’t speak, and Katara was terrified their ridiculous ploy would crumble to pieces.
Then he shrugged. “I like flower crowns.”
Katara was barely able to contain her sigh of relief, and she knew her shoulders had visibly dropped at his words. Ah, well. If Aang was suspicious of their rambling, at least he’d decided not to press the issue.
They spent the next half hour collecting flowers from around the Southern Air Temple. There were more than Katara had expected, especially considering the high altitude. She nearly cried tears of joy to see Aang passing through his home with a gentle warmth to his eyes rather than the previous quiet sadness. When they all began braiding Appa’s fur and weaving a rainbow of flowers into them, Aang smiled, too, complimenting his bison about how stylish he’d look when they were done.
There was nothing more beautiful than Aang’s smile.
It didn’t take long for their group to begin reminiscing about different memories with Appa. In honor of his “birthday,” after all.
Toph talked about how the very first time she’d flown on Appa, she’d been certain death was a more pleasurable experience. Suki recounted the story of when she’d found Appa and nursed him back to health, which prompted Zuko to tell the tale of his own Appa rescue mission.
Aang pulled them both into a tight hug before braiding strings of flowers in their hair, too.
Sokka was the one who brought up the cave of two lovers and his experiences of being trapped with the nomads, and Katara couldn’t resist the urge to tease Aang about his ever-so-romantic I’d rather kiss you than die! compliment. That particular story earned laughter from all, Aang included, who made a teasing remark about how clearly it worked before pressing a kiss to the tip of Katara’s nose. She dropped a pink flower crown on his head as he pulled away.
Joy was in the little things, Katara knew. And sometimes, joy was in the things that hurt, that ached, like the ruins of a once-beautiful air temple.
No. It was still beautiful. Because they were here, breathing life into death. Because out of these ruins, flowers were growing. Because out of loss, joy could bloom, too.
Aang laughed at some offhand comment from Sokka, and Katara smiled.
It was their favorite sound.
~*~
honestly this is my least favorite ficlet of what i've written for each day lmfao. but that does mean we can only go up from here! see you tomorrow for day 2 - family/gyatso :)
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Text
The Competition
I’d say oops part 3 but these are so fun to write and bring me such joy that I’m gonna stop apologizing for it haha
The avatar gang competes to see who can get Zuko to laugh first. Adorableness ensues.
word count: 8116
__________________________
“Zuko doesn’t emote much, does he?”
Katara was staring at the young Fire Nation prince as she said it. He was lying against Appa, fully asleep even though the sun had only set an hour ago. She had noticed that, if circumstances permitted it, Zuko tended to rise and fall with the sun, waking at sunrise before anyone else to meditate in the soft morning glow, then nodding off quickly after the last whispers of light had vanished behind the horizon. Perhaps it had something to do with fire benders’ dependency on the sun: the way it fueled their strength and abilities, just as she drew power from the moon. 
Whatever the reason, it was amusing—the way he conked out like a baby polar leopard long before anyone else in the group had even considered turning in for the night. 
Sokka scoffed, tearing eagerly into a strip of salmon jerky. “Are you kidding me?” he said between bites. “The guy yells every other sentence that leaves his mouth. How is that not emotive?”
“He does have a bit of a temper,” Aang admitted, shooting an anxious glance in Zuko’s direction before continuing. “But it’s something he’s told me he’s working on. I think being angry is like his base temperature, so we should try to be patient with him.”
Aang grinned enthusiastically. Katara shook her head. 
“I know he’s good at expressing his anger. I guess I meant emoting in more...positive ways. He barely ever smiles, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh before.” She stared at him sullenly. “Do you think he’s all right?”
The rest of the group followed her gaze to the slumbering teenager. The campfire in the center of their circle rose and fell with his steady breathing. 
“He does have a lot going on, what with the having to betray his nation and leave his home and help Aang defeat his dad and all,” Toph pointed out. “But I think you’re reading this wrong, Katara. Maybe Zuko just doesn’t express happiness the same way we do. Maybe it’s more subtle.” She popped a berry into her mouth. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not enjoying being here with us.”
Katara crossed her arms in thought. “Yeah,” she conceded. “Maybe.” She turned back to the group with a line between her eyes. “It just...makes me sad. It’d be nice to see him be unsubtly happy for a change, wouldn’t it? I know all of your laughs and smiles by heart at this point. I feel like I’ll never know him completely until I recognize his.”
The only times Zuko ever flagrantly expressed himself were when he was shouting angrily about something or shooting awake from another horrendous nightmare, drenched in a cold sweat with tears shining in the corners of his eyes. Happy emotions were restricted to tiny smiles that vanished in a heartbeat and the slightest lift in his otherwise level voice. Katara wondered what kinds of hardships he’d endured to make him this way. What cruel forces had forged him into the teenager that slept by their side—a person who shrunk from joy like it was dangerous, poisonous. 
Aang sprung to his feet suddenly, making the others wince in surprise. “Ooh, ooh!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I know what to do! We should have a competition!”
The group sat in silence for a moment. “A...competition?” Sokka parroted, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah!” Aang cheered, pointing at the still-sleeping Zuko. “Whoever can get Zuko to laugh first wins!”
The gang exchanged a look of confusion and intrigue. It was such a silly proposition. 
“And I mean really laugh,” he elaborated. “Like, Sokka-after-Toph-inhaled-fire-flakes laugh.”
Sokka burst into giggles at the mention of the incident while Toph frowned at her feet. “Oho man, that was the best!” he cackled, wiping his eyes.
“Yeah, like that!” Aang continued exuberantly. “For the next few days, all of us should try to make Zuko do the Zuko-equivalent of that. And whoever gets him to do it first wins!”
Katara grinned at the idea. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t imagine what Zuko’s laugh might sound like. She needed to hear it firsthand, which would clearly require creativity on their end. Her mind was already grasping for potential leads. 
“I like it,” she decided. “Are there any rules?”
Aang tapped his chin in thought. “Hmm. No telling Zuko about the competition or what we’re trying to do. That’ll spoil it. We also have to take turns trying to make him laugh—as in, you can’t try something once then immediately try something else; everyone has to go again before you get to take another stab at it. And everyone has to witness it happening and agree on the winner for it to count.”
Sokka stretched his arms over his head with a smirk. “Well then, the rest of you might as well duck out now. Everyone knows I’m the king of gut-busting jokes and sarcasm. Sokka’s got this in the bag.”
“The Air Nomads are famous for having great senses of humor,” Aang retorted cheerfully. “I’ve got an entire cultural heritage of making people laugh on my side. Don’t count me out just yet.”
Katara rolled her eyes. “You guys are so conceited. Always thinking your hilarious wit is the answer to everything.”
Aang and Sokka shared a puzzled scowl. “What’s your plan then, Miss Anti-Humor?” Sokka asked. 
Katara colored. “Um, w-well—” Her eyes darted around their campsite before landing on Momo. She scooped the lemur off the ground and placed him on her head. “I’ll make him laugh with fun! See? Fun!”
Momo warbled lazily as Sokka shook his head. “You’d best leave this to the experts, Katara. Fun hasn’t ever exactly been your thing.”
Momo leapt off her head as Katara pouted. “We’ll see,” she grumbled.
“What if none of us find a way to make Zuko laugh?” Toph inquired. “What happens then?”
“Those sound like the words of someone who is going down!” Sokka cried triumphantly. Aang shrugged. 
“Then I guess we just keep trying.”
Toph pursed her lips before hinting a smile. “All right. I’m in.” She polished off her handful of berries. “Oh, and I’m one hundred percent winning this thing.”
“That’s the spirit!” Aang said. He pumped his fist in the air. “The competition begins at daybreak tomorrow!”
The group settled in for the night, brainstorming their own series of elaborate, laugh-inducing schemes to test out in the morning. Zuko slept soundly, unaware of what awaited him once he woke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You seem distracted.”
Aang blinked, his focus snapping back to the tranquil cliffside and the scowling fire bender standing in front of him.
“Oh, uh, distracted?” he said, balling his hands at his sides with an innocent smile. “No, I’m not distracted.”
“Then get it right this time,” Zuko snapped, assuming a low stance. “Kick up, recenter, then punch out. Fire comes from the breath, so exhale at the peak of your move, not a second too early or late.”
Zuko demonstrated the action again, thrusting his foot in the air, reclaiming his balance, then jabbing his fist forward, flames gliding and shooting with his movements in perfect harmony. A burst of fire exploded from his knuckles at the end of the move, sending a wave of heat washing over Aang.
Aang winced back and swallowed. “Right. I’m sure I’ll have it down in no time.” A smile seized his features. “But before I do that, I have a surprise for you!”
Zuko’s fierce expression shifted to puzzled. “What?” he said, relaxing out of his solid stance for a moment. 
“Wait right there!” Aang said, then darted away, disappearing behind Appa. Zuko huffed, crossing his arms against his chest. 
“If you’re trying to bribe me out of today’s lesson, it’s not going to work. You still have five sets of fire lunges to get through.”
“It’s not a bribe!” Aang’s voice insisted from afar, echoing down the cliff side. “It’s just a token of appreciation—you know, for joining the group and being such a wonderful firebending teacher.” 
He reappeared with a giant grin on his face and his hands hidden behind his back. The rest of the gang sat around their campsite, looking unusually interested in Aang and Zuko’s training session. 
Zuko scanned the avatar warily as he approached. Aang stopped a few feet back, chipper as always. 
“Are you ready?” he asked, smiling wide.
“I guess,” Zuko deadpanned. 
Aang extended his hands forward, revealing his gift. “Ta-da!” he exclaimed.
Zuko blinked. It was...a cake. Of some sort. A small, round pastry with some kind of red jelly in the center. It was surprisingly professional-looking, especially considering they were out in the woods with no markets or ovens nearby. 
“I baked it for you with firebending!” Aang explained. “I even flavored the center with fire gummies so it’d taste like home.”
Zuko was taken back by the thoughtful gesture. This all felt largely unwarranted. “Um,” he said, scratching the back of his head. “Thanks? I guess?”
Aang held it out eagerly. “Go on, try it! It’s an old Air Nomad recipe. It’s really good!”
“I’ll try it after we’re done training,” Zuko said, re-assuming his power stance. “Now then—show me the move I just demonstrated for you.”
“Aw, come one,” Aang whined. “Just one bite! Please? I promise you won’t—”
Aang staggered forward suddenly, tripping over his own foot. He hoped it didn’t look too staged—like falling with the cake in his hands hadn’t been his plan all along. The alarm that crossed Zuko’s expression indicated his performance was a success. Zuko tried lunging forward to help him, but it was too late—with a yelp, Aang face-planted into his culinary creation, splattering cake and jelly at the prince’s feet. 
A beat passed where Zuko just stood there, mouth agape. Then the rest of the group exploded into hysterical laughter, gripping their stomachs and doubling over themselves.
“Ohokay, that was pretty good,” Sokka admitted between giggles.
“Look at Twinkle Toes, starting things off strong,” Toph agreed.
Aang lifted his face out of the cake, letting the goo and batter slip off for a moment to enhance the effect. At the very least, he expected a smile to cross Zuko’s lips. Instead, he just looked startled. 
“Aw, man,” he said, offering him a hand. “Are you okay?”
Behind the layer of flattened pastry, Aang frowned. “Yeah, of course,” he said. “I just tripped.”
“Sorry about the cake. It, uh, sounded like you worked hard on it.”
The others were still cackling like hyena bats behind them. Aang swiped his hand across his cake-covered face bemusedly. It didn’t make sense. Why wasn’t Zuko laughing?
“But don’t you think it’s funny?” he asked. “That I, you know, tripped and fell face-first into it?”
Zuko narrowed his eyes. “Do you...want me to think it’s funny?”
“Kinda! I don’t know. Everyone else does.”
The firebender wasn’t sure how to respond. “You worked hard on something, and now it’s ruined. That’s already bad enough. I didn’t want to make you feel worse.”
Aang couldn’t believe how spectacularly his plan had failed. Everything had gone perfectly except for Zuko’s reaction. This might be harder than he thought. He dropped his face back into the cake, groaning in defeat. While the others continued giggling, Zuko placed his hands on his hips.
“Let’s, uh, break from training for today. We can pick up where we left off tomorrow.”
Aang gave a halfhearted thumbs up as the prince walked away. Zuko: 1, Aang: 0.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was around lunch time when Sokka made his move. The rest of the group watched in anticipation as the next competitor approached their target. 
“Hiya, Zuko!” Sokka greeted him. The teen sat by the fire pit with the others, eating a bowl of soup. 
“Hi...Sokka,” he addressed him hesitantly, popping the spoon out of his mouth. “Can I help you?”
Sokka jabbed his index finger into the air. “As a matter of fact, you can! I have a very important question to ask you.”
Zuko shot dubious looks at the other members of the group before sitting up a little straighter. “Okay,” he said. 
Clearing his throat, Sokka broke into a grin. “Why are firebenders always the slowest runners?”
Zuko thought on it for a moment. A frown wrinkled his features. “We are?”
“Because they get too easily burnt out!” Sokka howled, laughing wildly at his own joke, slapping his knee and hugging his belly. Zuko just stared at him, blinking his strikingly golden eyes. A few seconds later, the tiniest of smiles lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Oh, I get it,” he said. “That’s funny.”
Toph, Aang, and Katara giggled softly behind their hands—more out of pity than anything else. Sokka gawked.
“Wait—that’s it?”
Zuko tilted his head slightly. “What’s it?”
“I spent all night coming up with that joke!”
“I said it was funny,” Zuko said defensively.
“If you thought it was funny, why didn’t you laugh?”
Zuko downed the rest of his soup and shrugged sheepishly. “I’m...sorry?”
The rest of the gang snickered into their palms. Sokka groaned.
“Wait, wait—one more chance,” he pleaded, more to the others than to Zuko. Zuko had no idea why it was suddenly so important that he found Sokka’s jokes hilarious. Recovering part of his trampled dignity, Sokka coughed, then tried again.
“What do you get when you dunk Momo in a pitcher of lemon juice?” 
Zuko sighed, leaning back with his hands folded behind his head. “Gee, I don’t know, Sokka. What do you get when you dunk Momo in a pitcher of lemon juice?” 
Sokka’s eyebrow twitched crossly. Patronizing, much? “Lemurnade,” he muttered out. “You—you get lemurnade.”
At that, Aang cracked up, his laughter ringing like a bell. “Haha! Good one, Sokka!”
Sokka hung his head. “Thanks, Aang,” he mumbled, then sulked away, heavily chagrined. Zuko watched him go, feeling like he’d done something wrong.
“What’s his deal?” he asked the group. 
“Don’t worry about it,” Toph assured him, stifling a snort. “That’s just Sokka being Sokka.”
Zuko furrowed his brow. Was it just him, or were all of them acting...strange? It felt like they were paying more attention to him than normal, and hanging on his every response to their interactions like it was life or death. Around these guys, he preferred to fade into the background rather than be center stage; they were all such good friends, and they had so much history together, whereas he...well, they had history, all right, but not exactly the good kind. He found he was perfectly content listening to them talk from the sidelines, only joining the conversation when he was directly addressed. 
After lunch, the group headed to a nearby stream to wash off and cool down. Zuko stood at the edge of the riverbank, watching Momo paw at the minnows in the shallow pools between the reeds, when Katara tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey Zuko,” she said, looking artificially high-spirited. “You want to see something fun?”
Zuko gave her a questioning look. “Fun?” he repeated, turning to face her. What is with everyone today? He hunched his shoulders. “Um...okay.”
Zuko didn’t know what he was expecting her to do—propose some kind of group activity, show off a new waterbending move, maybe—but it certainly wasn’t her placing both hands on his chest and shoving him full-force into the river. The prince yelped and flailed, teetering frantically on the edge of the bank before tipping backwards and dropping into the water with a splash. Zuko resurfaced a few seconds later, his wet hair sticking to his face, his eyes wide. Immediately, the group erupted into a chorus of laughter, making the firebender blush.
“W-what on earth, Katara?” he stammered, slicking his hair back so it wasn’t falling in his eyes. “What was that for?”
“For fun, of course!” she exclaimed nervously, as if she was trying to convince herself. “Wasn’t that fun?”
“Not really!” he growled. He clambered up the riverbank, griping and grumbling the whole time, steam rising off his thoroughly soaked clothing. The others continued to giggle at his dripping, disheveled appearance. “What part of that was supposed to be fun?”
“I thought it was pretty fun,” Sokka chuckled from the opposite side of the river. Zuko reddened beneath their stares and quickly turned away, crossing his arms tight to his chest.
“Sorry, Zuko,” Katara said. “Here.”
Using her bending, she pulled the water out of his clothes so he was dry again. Zuko scratched at his wild mess of hair, eyeing Katara thoughtfully.
After a pause, Zuko made a rash decision. His arms jerked forward before he could talk himself out of it, pushing Katara into the river, making her fall faster than she could react. She hit the water with a shriek, sending waves in every direction. The rest of the group gaped.
“Hey!” Katara gasped as she broke the surface, hands balled into fists. Zuko smirked.
“I take it back. You’re right, Katara. That is pretty fun.”
The others laughed again, and Katara eventually joined them, drawing the water from her hair and flinging it playfully at Zuko. Zuko flinched back with a smile, but that was the closest she got: still no progress on the laughing end. Not even the tiniest giggle.   
It looked like The Water Tribe siblings had struck out as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Toph’s decision to strike at night had been her plan from the start. Laughter always flowed more organically after dark, after all. The more tired you were, the more funny things seemed—even things that arguably weren’t that funny in the first place.
The light from their campfire gilded the group in an orange sheen. Zuko blinked sleepily, watching the flames lap toward the night sky, his golden eyes reflecting the glow in an arrestingly brilliant way. She waited until his heartbeat began to slow before executing her plan. While Sokka studied a map of the Fire Nation, Katara charted the stars, and Aang scratched Momo’s tummy, Toph rose to her feet.
“Watch this,” she said out of nowhere. Then she pounded her heel into the ground, causing the earth underneath Sokka to jump up like a spring, shooting him high into the air. Sokka screamed in surprise, bounced between the branches of a nearby tree, then crashed to the ground with a grunt. 
Katara and Aang’s jaws dropped open. Spitting and sputtering, Sokka scrambled to his hands and knees in a befuddled fury. “Toph!” he screeched, leaves and twigs sticking out of his hair.
Toph busted out laughing while everyone just stared. When she realized no one else was joining her, her giggles gradually petered away. 
“What? You guys didn’t think that was funny?” 
“It was certainly...surprising?” Aang ventured to say.
“A bit violent, though,” Katara added.
“A bit?” Sokka cried, wagging his arms through the air. “She catapulted me into a tree!”
Toph snorted. “Well I thought it was hilarious. Zuko?”
All eyes turned to gauge the prince’s reaction. They were stunned to see his body slack and his head lolled to one side. Their resident firebender was out cold, sleeping peacefully. 
With a huff, Toph flopped to the ground. “Are you kidding me? That was some of my best material!”
“Wow,” Aang mused, resting his chin on his kneecaps. “I can’t believe how big of a bust today was.”
“Seriously! I laughed at everything everyone tried with him! All of us are objectively hilarious, but still nothing!” Sokka jabbed an angry finger at Toph before she could respond. “Not you, Toph. I’m going to be picking bugs out of my hair for weeks!” He slumped to the ground, gazing at Zuko through the flickering tongues of the fire. “Man! What’s it gonna take to get this guy to laugh?”
Toph shrugged. “Maybe I was right. Maybe laughing just isn’t the way he expresses happiness.”
“That can’t be true,” Katara stated indignantly. “We’ve just got to keep trying. Maybe in Fire Nation culture, royalty aren’t allowed to laugh or something, and he’s still stuck in that mindset. All we need to do now is find the right way to draw him out of it.”
“First dancing is outlawed, now laughing?” Sokka slapped his forehead. “Why is the Fire Nation so obsessed with destroying all things fun?”
Toph swirled her finger in the air. “Or maybe you’re all just not as funny as you think you are.”
While Sokka viciously protested Toph’s proposal, Aang narrowed his eyes and stuck out his bottom lip. “If we’re determined to make Zuko laugh, we have to find out what he thinks is funny. Perhaps his sense of humor is just different from ours.” Aang smiled at his friends. “Don’t worry, guys. I have a plan.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zuko yawned and rubbed his eyes as he strolled up the quiet hillside. The grass shivered in the cool breeze and the sky was a painting of pinks and purples and blues. 
Morning meditation was a drag sometimes, but it helped him clear his head, reorient his senses, and tame his inner fire. Plus, after his haunting betrayal in Ba Sing Se, it was one of the only ways he could still feel connected to his uncle. Uncle was the person who taught him the value of disciplined meditation—a practice he hadn’t realized wasn’t widely exercised among firebenders until he was older. Rather, it was actually an Air Nomad tradition Iroh had picked up and passed on to his nephew. 
Sticking to his uncle’s mindful regime didn’t make Zuko feel better about what he’d done, but...it was something. A small memento to Iroh’s unconditional kindness and wisdom that he could maintain, even if he never got the chance to redeem himself.
As Zuko rounded the crown of the hill, he was surprised to see smoke rising from their campsite. The others were usually still asleep by the time he got back. He heard chatter and the sound of something hissing over the fire. A wave of smells washed over him that was oddly familiar—warm, spicy, nostalgic. 
“Zuko!” Aang cried once the prince stepped into view. The sleepy prince was shirtless and wore pants that cut off just above his kneecaps. He tended to run hot, being a firebender and all, so it wasn’t an unusual sight. The others popped up excitedly and grinned, as if they’d been waiting for him.
“What’s going on?” Zuko asked, kneading the heel of one hand into his eye. He sniffed the air and frowned. “Are you...cooking jook?”
“Yeah! And ash banana bread!” Katara presented a hefty portion of each for him. “Aang swung by the market at the base of the mountain and found all the ingredients.”
Zuko blinked at the offering then between his four friends. “This is Fire Nation food,” he said.
“Is it!” Sokka agreed. “Well, our attempt at it, anyway.”
“You guys hate Fire Nation food,” Zuko continued skeptically. “Why are you making it?”
“Just because we hate the Fire Nation doesn’t mean we hate all Fire Nation food,” Toph said, wrinkling her nose. “Although, I think I’ll pass on the jook.”
Sokka took a large bite of banana bread. “And even if we did hate it, it doesn’t matter. You like Fire Nation food, right?”
Zuko hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the delicacies of his country until now. After weeks of eating nothing but what they could forage and hunt in the wild, his stomach ached for an authentic taste of home. 
“Yeah,” he finally answered, still unsure what all this was leading to.
“Great! Because we made this for you!” Sokka slurped up a spoonful of jook and smiled wide.
Warily, Zuko accepted the bowl and the bread from Katara. He didn’t know what to say, other than—
“Why?”
Aang cocked his head to one side. “Why what?” he asked. 
“Why...did you make this for me?”
The group exchanged a look, like that was the silliest question they’d ever heard. Toph chuckled. 
“Because we like you, stupid. You're our friend, and we like doing things that make you happy.”
The words floated around his head for a while before seeping into his brain. Once they did, Zuko’s face flushed warm and pink. “Oh,” he said. He gazed into the steaming bowl in his hand. It looked just like the kind Uncle made for him. Where is all this coming from? he wondered. Was it something I did or said? This slew of kind gestures felt so undeserved and foreign, especially coming from the people he’d spent a significant portion of time terrorizing. A few moments later, a shy smile lifted the corners of his lips. 
“Well, thanks. I’m touched.”
“Here, sit,” Sokka said, scooting over to make room. Zuko sat down beside him and took a sip from his bowl. He brightened delightedly. 
“It’s great,” he said. Not as good as Uncle’s, he conceded; Iroh had a much heavier hand with the ginger. But still great—better than he could ever make. He fidgeted beneath all their attentive stares. “You guys didn’t have to do this.”
“It was a lot of trouble,” Sokka admitted, earning a whack from Katara. He winced, rubbing the fresh bump on his head. “But—ow—we were happy to do it.”
Aang floated into a sitting position on Zuko’s left, landing beside him like a leaf drifting delicately to the ground. “Speaking of happiness, I’ve been meaning to ask you: can you remember the hardest you’ve ever laughed in your life?”
It was a very bizarre and random inquiry, and didn’t seem at all like a natural segue in the conversation. But that appeared to be a theme among the avatar gang, so Zuko played along.
“Um,” he began, shifting to cross his legs on top of each other. “The hardest?” He grasped for a memory from his youth, but it was all so distant and fuzzy. Whispers and sprinkles of laughter buried beneath years of fear and obedience. Eventually, he shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe when I was little, with my mom. Or maybe with Uncle.”
He went back to his jook, thinking he’d satisfied their curiosity. Katara leaned toward him impatiently. 
“Maybe that’s too specific. How about the happiest you’ve ever been? When was that?”
Zuko lowered the bowl from his lips and eyed Katara curiously. “The happiest I’ve ever been?” he repeated back. 
“Yeah! Like, what period of your life would you consider the most joy-filled?”
Another unexpected question. This was getting weirdly personal. He could sense there was an end goal to all this prying, but he had yet to pinpoint it. Zuko ran the back of his hand across his mouth. 
“Uh...well...again, I’m not sure.” He thought hard about it for a few seconds, trying to recall an era of his life when he’d felt happy—truly happy, for an extended length of time. “I guess I remember moments of being happy, but...not entire periods. Working at the Jasmine Dragon with Uncle was nice while it lasted. But even then, it felt kind of forced.” He nibbled at the ash banana bread. It was warm and cinnamon-y and tasted like autumn. He swallowed and hinted a smile. “But being here, helping you guys...I’d say this is the happiest I’ve ever been. Because for once in my life, I know I’m doing the right thing.”
The statement was small but sincere. As his words sunk in, the group mirrored his smile tenfold. They shared knowing looks with one another, each with the same thought in their head. So this is Zuko’s version of happy. It’s definitely different, definitely subtle, but it’s him—and it’s genuine.
Maybe Zuko didn’t laugh loudly or smile all the time. That didn’t mean he was sad or broken. He just had his own way of expressing joy. And that was okay. It was reassuring to know that Zuko was in a good place, even if he didn’t show it as obviously as the rest of them did. The competition wasn’t over yet—that was a given—but if they continued to fail, at least they knew it wasn’t because Zuko was upset or discouraged. 
“Aw, Zuko—ya big softy,” Sokka teased, poking him in the ribs. To his surprise, the prince jerked away from his touch, a small yelp escaping him. Zuko turned to him bewilderedly, eyes wide. Oops, Sokka thought. Had he hurt him by accident? Maybe he had an injury he didn’t know about. He’d nearly made him drop his jook. 
“Oh, sorry,” Sokka said. “Are you okay?”
Zuko clenched his jaw. “Y-yeah,” he answered quickly, rubbing at his rib cage. “You—sorry, you just startled me.” 
He appeared flustered suddenly, like he was hiding something. Maybe he’d wounded himself in a really embarrassing way and didn’t want anyone else to find out about it. Sokka looked to the others for insight, but none of them seemed to have noticed Zuko’s weird reaction to his touch. 
“This startled you?” he inquired suspiciously, poking him again, lower this time. Zuko responded the same way as before, flinching and squeaking like he was being electrocuted. But as Sokka watched his expression change, he realized he wasn’t wincing or grimacing in pain. Instead, a grin flashed across his face, bigger and brighter than he’d ever seen, then vanished a second later, smothered by a look of shock and anger. 
“Quit it!” he snapped, hopping to his feet. He pursed his lips to keep them from turning upright. 
Sokka recognized his response. He’d seen it from the kids in their Water Tribe village as they wrestled playfully with their mothers and one another. Katara, too, when they’d played as children. A devious smile gradually spread across Sokka’s face. No way, he thought.
The rest of the group looked at Zuko confusedly but shrugged it off. He yelled a lot—it wasn’t anything new. Now was Sokka’s chance.
“Aang, let’s go. Time for your firebending lesson. We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”
He was talking rapidly, eager to abscond this situation before it escalated any further. Aang let out a disappointed groan.
“Okay,” he murmured, floating to his feet. Sokka stood with him.
Oh no you don’t.
As Zuko turned to leave, Sokka ran up behind him, wrapping his arms around his midsection. 
“Sorry—one more time. This startled you?”
With fiendish glee, he dug into his torso, wiggling his fingers into his belly and sides. Zuko yelped and flailed, not anticipating the surprise attack. He tried to pry Sokka’s hands away, but the Water Tribe teen was stronger than he looked. His flustered sputtering transformed into stifled squeaks. Two seconds later, the dam finally broke.
“Ahahaha!” Zuko belted out, grappling at Sokka’s hands as they clawed at his tummy. “S-Sohakka! Whahat are you doohooing?”
“Winning this competition, that’s what!” Sokka exclaimed. He poked and prodded at his ribs, making Zuko thrash and giggle. 
“Hahahagh! Gehet off me!”
Zuko broke Sokka’s hold and wrenched out of his grip, staggering forward so fast he fell to the ground. He rolled onto his back and scrambled a few more paces away, staring up Sokka in disbelief, blushing violently.
“W-what is wrong with you?” he stammered, hugging his stomach protectively.
It took a moment for everyone to register what had just transpired. But as soon as it did, shock and delight sprawled across all of their faces. 
“You…”
“Did he just—?”
“Oh man! You did it!”
“Yeah I did!” Sokka cheered, striking a pose. “Told you I was gonna win this thing! Bow down to your champion!”
“Win what thing?” Zuko growled, his face still tinted pink. He stood up nervously, scowling between them. “What’s going on here?”
“We’ve been playing a game to see who could get you to laugh first,” Aang explained. “None of us had ever heard you laugh before, so we wanted to try to make you do it. And now we finally have!”
“You mean I have,” Sokka corrected him smugly.
The idea that they’d spent the past twenty-four hours committed to hearing his laugh puzzled him. Why did it matter what it sounded like? It wasn’t particularly important or helpful information to have. Why did they care so much about something so trivial? The situation was odd and embarrassing yet strangely heartwarming. But mostly embarrassing. Zuko hunched his shoulders crossly.
“That’s what all this weirdness has been about? Why didn’t you just tell me what you were doing?”
“Because we wanted it to happen naturally!” Katara said, throwing her hands in the air. “But apparently none of us are funny enough for your taste!”
The group giggled. Zuko wasn’t sure what to say. A smirk touched Toph’s lips.
“Huh. I never would’ve thought to try tickling you.” She placed her hands on her hips. “I guess I just didn’t expect the Grumpy McGrouchy Pants prince of the Fire Nation to be ticklish.”
“And that laugh!” Sokka snickered. “Have you guys ever heard anything so adorable?”
Heat boiled to the surface of Zuko’s skin. “I’m not…!” he began, but he had no idea where he was going with this. For people who claimed to be his friends, they sure liked humiliating him and making him blush a lot. With an angry huff, he turned away. “Whatever. I’m going fishing.”
As he started to leave, Katara, Aang, Sokka, and Toph shared a wicked grin, locking down their next course of action without exchanging a single word. Sokka moved first, dashing after him and hooking his elbows underneath Zuko’s armpits, making the prince start.
“Hey!” he cried, struggling against his hold.
“You’re not what, Prince Zuko? Not ticklish, or not adorable?”
Zuko burned inside and out. He tried to throw Sokka over his shoulder, but the other teen planted his feet and hoisted Zuko off the ground, taking all of his leverage with him. He kicked and floundered, feeling small and ridiculous.
“Let me go!” he demanded.  
“Either way, we’re obliged to prove you wrong.” Sokka beamed at the others, voice laced with mischief. “Get him, guys!”
Zuko opened his eyes to find Katara, Aang, and Toph approaching him, smirking with fiendish delight. This cued the prince to fight even harder to escape, his legs flailing through the air. 
“Besides, we only got to listen to you laugh for a few seconds,” Katara pointed out, curling her fingers into claws. “I’ll need to hear it a little longer than that to memorize it.”
“And to determine just how adorable it really is!” Aang added. 
There were a lot of things Zuko had dreaded facing after joining the avatar’s gang. His dark past, the Fire Nation’s tyrannical cruelty, his plethora of failures and mistakes. This, however, had not been one of things he’d had in mind. 
Zuko considered heating up his hands just enough to make Sokka release him, but he didn’t want to betray the trust he had only just recently earned from all of them. If he accidentally burned another person on their team, he’d never forgive himself. 
Though perhaps that’d be worth avoiding the mortifying predicament he currently found himself in. 
“W-wahait!” he yelped, giggly dread amassing in his belly. He kicked in their direction to keep them from getting any closer. “Stay back!”
Sokka wrestled to keep the squirmy prince still. “Toph, a little help?” he called. 
Toph grinned and thrust her palms toward the sky. Two hands made of earth rose up from underneath Zuko and grabbed hold of his ankles. As she lowered her hands back down, the earth hands moved with hers, dragging his legs toward the ground then morphing into a pair of rock bonds encased around his feet, keeping them firmly trapped in place. 
Oh no. Zuko wriggled and wrenched, but there was nowhere for him to go. Unless he firebent his way out, he was defenseless. 
Before he could voice any more protests, Katara closed the space between them, her hands reaching his torso and scuttling up his bare sides. Zuko jolted and gasped, a giant smile lighting up his whole face despite his attempts to squash it.
“Ahahaheehee!” he giggled, squirming and shifting to try to get away. It was no use. Her fingers needled his exposed midsection freely and mercilessly, driving the sensitive prince absolutely nuts. The blush in his cheeks bled down his neck. “Wahait—mmheh—ehahaha!”
“Not ticklish at all, I see,” Katara said smugly. “And certainly not adorable, no.” She scribbled her nails all over his belly, parroting his endearing smile. It was so big and radiant and happy—a hundred times more so than she ever could’ve imagined. His laugh was another matter entirely—bright, bubbly, hysterically shrill. Far too cute for the human language to articulate. Plus, outrageously contagious.
“Stahahap it!” Zuko cackled, tugging uselessly at Sokka’s arms. The boy’s grip was like iron. Katara ignored him, testing and teasing every inch of his twitchy torso, kneading his tummy and pinching his sides and fluttering her fingers underneath his rib cage. He couldn’t believe how much it tickled, or how wild his own laughter sounded. None of them had realized how loud and uncontrollable Zuko’s laugh could get until now—including himself. 
Two hands on his ticklish belly were already enough to drive the giggly prince out of his mind. Of all days to meditate shirtless, why did he have to choose today? But then, to his horror, two more hands joined the fray, drilling into his hip bones with diabolical intensity and precision. Zuko bucked and squealed, his laughter reaching an entirely new caliber. 
“Ahahahaha!” he bubbled, shaking his head from side to side. “NohohahahAang!”
Zuko thought out of everyone present, the avatar would be the one to approach this situation with the most mercy and compassion. Boy, was he wrong. The airbender attacked his weak points like he’d been trained in the ancient art of tickle torture—as if tickling was a fifth element, and he’d already more than mastered it. 
“I can’t believe we went a whole day trying to be funny to make you laugh when all you needed was a little tickling!” Aang chirped cheerfully. “I also can’t believe you made us go this long without hearing what your laugh sounds like. It’s so cute and happy! Why don’t you do it more often?” 
If Aang expected Zuko to reply, he wasn’t making it easy. He furrowed his brow and stuck out his tongue as he explored the prince’s sensitive midsection, working in tandem with Katara so that every tickle spot on his torso got a turn being poked and squeezed and stroked. Zuko couldn’t stand another second. 
“Guhuhuhuys!” he howled. This was a nightmare. Things couldn’t possibly get any worse. He had to make them stop.
“Try tickling his ribs!” Sokka suggested suddenly, grinning with malicious glee. “He was super jumpy when I poked them before!” 
“Ooh, good idea!” Aang said. He skittered his hands up his sides then shook them viciously into his rib cage, making the poor teenager squawk.
The universe just loved proving him wrong, didn’t it?
“NOHOHAHA!” he bellowed, throwing his head back, nearly hitting Sokka in the face. “Gaha! Youhou—jerherherherks! Ahahaaa!”
The gang giggled along with him without slowing their attack. “Hey, there’s the Zuko we all know and love,” Toph chuckled. She sat on top of his buried feet and began skating her nails against the backs and caps of his knees, drawing feathery circles into the sensitive skin and causing goosebumps to shoot up his legs. It was gentler than Aang and Katara’s cruel tickle tactics—a fact he had to be grateful for—but still contributed significantly to his overall state of flustered, twitchy hysteria. 
“Aw, look at you, Prince Zu-Zu! So smiley and giggly and squirmy!” Katara bunched up her hands and spidered her nails against his belly button, making Zuko shriek and thrash like a little kid. “I can’t believe we were ever afraid of your adorable little face! If only we’d known back then how easy it is to defeat you! Just a couple tickles here, a few pokes there…”
She moved her hands across his tummy while she spoke, wiggling her fingernails as they dragged along his skin, cooing at him the entire time. Meanwhile, Aang was absolutely wrecking his ribs, grinding his knuckles ruthlessly into the bone. 
“Right? He’s cuter than a baby turtle duck!” 
“No wonder his uncle adores him so much,” Toph agreed.
Zuko wanted to disintegrate. The relentless teasing was just as cruel as the six hands tickling him to pieces. He’d never been taunted or tickled to this extent before, and the only thing he could do about it was blush tomato-red and laugh himself silly. He didn’t consider himself to be that sensitive of a person, seeing that no one had really tickled him since he was a child, but the avatar and his crew were doing a pretty good job convincing him otherwise. At this point, his entire body was bright pink and sizzling like a space heater. 
“PLEEHEASE STAHAHAP!” Zuko begged, hiccups leaping from his throat and puncturing his endless giggle fit. No point in trying to retain some shred of dignity—every last drop had already been spent. “I CAHAN’T TAKE AHANYMOHOHOREHAHAHA!”
“Aw, but this is so fun,” Sokka pouted playfully, poking at his neck with the fingers that could reach. “You sure you can’t take just a little more?”
“We haven’t even tickled your armpits yet!” Aang protested, immediately shoving his hands under his arms and wiggling his fingers against the hollows. It was a welcome break for his ribs, but also gave him giggly whiplash.
“AHAHAHACK!” Zuko squirmed helplessly, tears welling in the corners of eyes. He barely had the strength to even writhe in place anymore. “IHI’M—GOHONNA—DIHIHIHIE!”
Katara’s hands slowed to a halt against his sides, granting him a sudden rush of relief. “Okay, maybe we should stop,” she said, smiling sympathetically. “He does look pretty wiped.”
“He’s not going to die,” Toph assured the others with a chuckle. She took her hands off his knees. “Still, that’s probably a good idea.”
The absence of Katara and Toph’s tickling gave Zuko the chance to catch his breath a little. The relief was astronomical. Aang, however, had yet to let up, keeping the prince twitchy and giggly with his rib cage and underarm torment. 
“EhahahAang!” Zuko wheezed, wriggling helplessly. “Pleehease!”
Aang smiled wryly. “All right, I’ll stop,” he conceded, worming his fingers between each individual rib. “But first, you have to admit out loud that you’re adorable, because I’m still not convinced you believe it. Say that, and I’ll stop.”
Zuko thought it impossible for things to get any more embarrassing than they already were. Wrong again. Being disowned by his father and banished from the Fire Nation hadn’t been as humiliating as the past five minutes. Now this?
The group grinned at him expectantly, waiting. Zuko shook his head.
“B-buhut—I—” he stuttered out between giggles. Then Sokka dug his hands into armpits, making him squeal with laughter and shrink into himself.
“No excuses!” he demanded playfully. “Go on! Say it!”
Zuko tried to thrash out of Sokka’s grip now that it wasn’t so tight, but Sokka still had a strong enough hold on him to keep him trapped—even while he was tickling him. He buried his face into his shoulder to hide his goofy smile and flushed cheeks. 
“Ahaha! Youhou’re—s-soho—meahean!” To think that he used to be the one considered cruel and evil. Ponytail Zuko had nothing on these diabolical tickle monsters and their degrading requests.
A moment later, Katara started squeezing his sides again, causing Zuko to twist and yelp. “We’re mean? But look how happy we’re making you! If anything, you should be thanking us.”
Toph wiggled her fingers against the middle of his tummy. “We’re waiting, your highness.”
It was too much. He couldn’t bear it any longer. He needed this to end.
“OHOKAHAHAY!” he cackled, squirming and hiccuping and craving the sweet escape of death. “IHI’M—I ADMIHIHIT IT!”
“You admit what?” Aang asked, grinning innocently as he revved up his rib tickling to a maddening ferocity. Oh, he was so getting them back for this.
“GAHAHA! FIHIHINE! I’MAHAHAHADORHORABLE!” He ducked his head, blushing brighter than their campfire. “NOHOW STAHAHAHAP! PLEEHEEHEASE!”
The group laughed and cheered at his miserable defeat, then finally ceased their attack. Katara and Aang stepped back as Toph freed his feet and Sokka released him from his grip. Zuko was left standing in the center of the team, panting and giggling dazedly, guarding his torso with his arms held tight to his skin. His whole body tingled and burned. His face hurt from smiling so much.
“Well, you heard it here first, folks—Zuko is adorable, and he knows it!”
“And he can laugh! Like, actually laugh!”
“I guess he can express happiness the same way we do. You just have to push the right buttons.”
“Was that emotive enough for you, Katara?”
Zuko was at his wit’s end. Again, with the teasing? Couldn’t these guys give him a break? He was never going to hear the end of this for as long as he lived. Giggling breathlessly, he sunk to his hands and knees, making his friends flinch. 
“Whoa,” Katara exclaimed. “You all right there, Zuko?”
For a moment, the team worried that they’d gone too far, that they’d somehow broken Zuko by making him laugh for what might’ve been the first time in his life. Zuko doubled over himself, wheezing dazedly.
“Uhuhugh…” he whimpered, voice muffled. “Y-you’re...gohonna...pahay for that…”
The group let out a sigh of relief. If he still had the strength to threaten him, that was a good sign. 
“Don’t worry, Prince Zu-Zu,” Sokka said, patting him on the back. “Having a cute laugh doesn’t make you any less intimidating.”
“It’s nice to know that you can laugh though, even if you don’t do it very much.” Katara smiled somberly. “I was worried something was bothering you, or that you weren’t happy here with us. That’s why we started this whole silly competition in the first place.”
After a pause, Zuko slowly lifted his face from his lap. His cheeks were still rosy, but he was beginning to tame his breathing. 
“But if that’s just not how you normally express yourself, that’s okay.”
The prince sat back on his haunches, still seething with humiliation, but to a semi-reduced degree. He didn’t think he’d ever fully understand the way this group functioned, why they garnered such delight out of poking fun at him and each other, why they were so concerned and endeared with his behavior and emotional expressiveness. But it was clear they cared about him, however bizarrely they chose to demonstrate it. 
“I...I am happy here,” Zuko eventually ventured to say, his voice still shrill and brittle. Hearing it out loud made him blush some more, but he continued. “I wasn’t trying to make you think otherwise. I’m just…” he swallowed. “Weird. And bad at...stuff.”
The gang snickered. “Yeah you are,” Toph said, hugging his arm. “And we love you for it.”
The firebender blinked and hinted a bashful smile. Aang placed his hands on his hips. 
“Who knows! Maybe you just forgot how to laugh for a while, but now we’ve reminded you!”
To everyone’s disbelief, a chuckle escaped Zuko, short and authentic. “Maybe,” he said. 
Then, an instant later, he shot to his feet. “But don’t ever do anything like that to me ever again! I’ll burn down this entire hillside and run back to the Fire Nation if you even think about it!”
Flames rose from his clenched fists as he glared daggers into each of them. But Aang just laughed.
“Sure you will,” Aang teased, fluttering his fingers against his side. Zuko winced and smiled, then whirled on him with a growl. 
“Touch me again, and I’ll have you doing fire lunges until you puke.”
Aang shrunk away with a nervous chuckle, folding his hands behind his back. “R-right. Sorry, Sifu Hotman.”
If anyone noticed that Zuko started laughing more after that, whether it was at Aang’s antics or Sokka’s jokes or Katara’s ridiculousness or Toph’s sass, they thought it best not to point it out. Now that he’d started emoting more positively, they didn’t want to shy him away from it. It was still small and fleeting, but it was progress from absolutely nothing. Perhaps they had helped the Fire Nation prince rediscover his laugh after all. 
But that didn’t stop them from poking and teasing him whenever the urge hit. While his everyday chuckles and giggles were great, nothing compared to the sound of Zuko’s wild, bubbly, tickle-induced laughter. And unless he firebended at them to get them to quit, they didn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. 
455 notes · View notes
not-all-dead · 3 years
Text
angstpril day twenty-three, part one: bedside vigil
CW: dying death dead dying yeah that, also sad sad sad, most of them have some sort of not explicit mental health issue going on, and lastly its so so so so so so so long like i’m actually so sorry how did it get to be this long i-
first half under the cut, second half here !!
He could feel the end coming. He could also feel that the time was right. It wasn’t too soon, though he did wish he could have more time. It wasn’t too late either, he felt, it really was right on time. It was his time.
He was glad he knew this, because it meant his family and friends could gather around him. It meant he’d get to properly say goodbye to all those he cared about. He knew they’d miss him, and he’d miss them too, but he’d see them again soon. And he’d never really leave them, not as long as they kept him in their memories, in their hearts.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a faint knock on the door.
“Aang?” Katara called quietly, not wanting to wake him if he was asleep.
“Come in,” he replied, his voice hoarse.
She opened the door and came in, carrying a small tray of food. The smell filled the room up and Aang smiled, looking lovingly at his wife. He didn’t get all that hungry anymore, but her cooking was a comfort he tried to enjoy in his final days.
“Bumi, Zuko, and Izumi got here this morning,” Katara said and she set the tray on Aang’s bedside table.
“And Sokka left last night to find Kya. Toph, Su, and Lin finally agreed to stay on the island for a little bit, and Suki and Ty Lee should be here by tonight,” she sat on the wooden chair that now sat by Aang’s side at all times, reaching forwards and taking his hand.
She watched him for a moment, paying close attention to his breathing as his chest rose and fell steadily.
“Thank you,” he said after a time, turning his head slightly to see her better.
“You don’t need to thank me, sweetie,” she responded, smiling and squeezing his hand.
It was after another while of sitting like that in silence that there was a hesitant knock on the door. It opened slightly and Izumi’s face peeked in.
“I’m sorry, I don’t want to interrupt, but, uh…” she trailed off, glancing at Aang and then looking at the floor.
Katara squeezed Aang’s hand again and stood, leaning over to place a soft kiss on his forehead. Then, she walked over to the door, opening it fully.
“You’re not interrupting anything, dear,” she said, placing a hand on Izumi’s shoulder.
“Take all the time with him you need,” she finished before stepping around the younger woman.
Aang followed Izumi with his eyes as she made her way to his side, taking the chair Katara had just been sitting in.
“This feels so unreal,” Izumi started, clasping her hands together and leaning forward with her elbows on her knees.
“I know logically everyone has to die at some point, but it just…” she trailed off and looked up at Aang with tears in her eyes.
“I wish it wasn’t true,” she blinked and a few tears slipped down her cheek.
“You’ve always been like a niece to me, Izumi,” Aang reached a shaky hand out to wipe her cheek.
“Just because I’ll no longer be here physically doesn’t mean I’m leaving you,” he added before drawing in a raspy breath and coughing slightly.
Izumi’s eyes widened in panic and she pushed out of the chair.
“Should I get Katara?” she asked, inching back towards the door.
“No, no, I’m alright,” Aang reassured her, giving her a weak smile.
“I’d like to speak to your father, though,” he said, to which she nodded before turning and leaving him alone.
He turned his head back so that he was looking at the ceiling again, watching as the shadows shifted almost unnoticeably. He didn’t look at the door when he heard it open, his eyes remaining fixed on the shadows above as Zuko made his way to the chair and sat down.
“This feels so unreal,” Zuko muttered, causing Aang to let out a small laugh.
“That’s exactly what your daughter said,” he said quietly, finally turning to look at his old friend.
“Of course it is,” Zuko let a smile creep onto his face.
He let out a sigh, his smile disappearing after a moment. His gaze turned to his feet for a long moment of silence before he forced his eyes up to meet Aang’s.
“I’ll miss you,” he took in a deep breath.
“We all will. But I’m glad for the time we’ve had. Ah, the memories of chasing after you as a delusional teenager,” Zuko let out a small chuckle and Aang smiled, his eyes crinkling around the edges.
“But really,” Zuko continued, his face turning serious again.
“There’s so much I wish we’d had the time to do, but there’s even more that we did have time for. I’ll cherish those memories, I promise I won’t forget a single thing, until I see you again,” Zuko finished, stopping himself before he had the chance to cry.
“Until I see you again,” Aang responded quietly.
There was another knock on the door and Aang chuckled.
“It’s like a round robin of people coming in here,” he joked as Zuko stood and moved to open the door.
Bumi stood there, his head hanging down and his hands fidgeting in front of him. He looked up when Zuko pulled the door open, first looking at the Firelord and then to his father. He gasped slightly and looked back at Zuko, who placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t have to say anything to the young man, instead simply stepping around him to give him space to be with his father alone for a while.
Bumi hesitated at the door, staring at Aang for a second, before walking in and closing the door behind him. When he turned back around, he couldn’t help but run to the bedside.
“Dad,” he cried, falling to his knees in front of the chair.
“Bumi,” Aang said, lifting his hand to gently stroke Bumi’s hair.
“I don’t- you can’t- dad,” Bumi stuttered, putting his arms up on the bed and resting his chin on them.
“You’ll be alright,” Aang said looking sadly down at his son.
“I’m sorry,” Bumi whispered, hiding his face in his arms.
Aang watched him for a moment before saying anything, his hand still repetitively smoothing his rowdy hair.
“Sorry for what?” he asked.
Bumi looked up at him tearfully, opening his mouth and closing it again before shaking his head. He sat there for a minute more before pushing up from the ground. He steadied himself against the bedside table, the sudden change in altitude sending a rush of blood to his head. Once he could see straight again, he leaned over and kissed his father on the forehead.
“I love you, dad, and I’ll miss you, and-,” he inhaled sharply and closed his eyes.
“I really am sorry,” he finished, leaving the room before Aang could question him again.
Aang let out a sigh and watched the door. His eyelids were heavy and he soon found himself drifting off to sleep. He was vaguely aware of Katara coming at some point, taking away the tray of uneaten food and checking in on him. It was in the early hours of the morning that he woke up again.
He opened his eyes to Suki pacing quietly back and forth behind Ty Lee, who was asleep in the chair. When Suki noticed Aang trying to prop himself up slightly more, she rushed around the bed to help him. Once he was seated comfortably, a pillow behind his head, she walked back around to wake Ty Lee up.
“Let her sleep,” Aang rasped, then clearing his throat.
Suki looked down at him and hesitated before nodding. She sat herself on the edge of his bed and rested her hand on his leg, looking at him with a sad smile on her face.
“You’re looking rough,” she joked, smirking at Aang.
“I’ve been better,” he responded, glad that Suki was being lighthearted about it all.
“You’ve also been worse,” Suki added, shaking her head and chuckling.
“Last time you died, Katara brought you back,” Aang couldn’t help but laugh as Suki continued to speak.
“Guess that won’t be the case this time, but hey, at least you’ll get to see Gyatso again,” Aang felt his eyes filling with tears for the first time since he’d taken ill just as Ty Lee finally woke up.
She opened her eyes groggily, turning to Aang as soon as she noticed Suki sitting on the bed.
“Aang,” she said quietly, her usually very bubbly demeanour completely abandoned.
“Your aura, it’s so…” she trailed off and looked sadly at the ground.
Suki hated seeing her like this and grabbed her hand, pulling her slightly towards the bed.
“Hey, let’s not sulk,” she said to her wife, glancing back at Aang.
“I’d rather see you happy in my last days than sad to see me go,” he added, smiling as Ty Lee peeked up at him.
“You’re right,” she said, the corners of her mouth pulling up ever so slightly.
“I’m so glad I got to know you, Aang, you helped me learn so much about myself, and have been one of the best friends I’ve had,” she added, squeezing Suki’s hand as she spoke.
“I feel the same, you taught me a lot and I always knew I could count on you,” Suki agreed, squeezing Ty Lee’s hand back.
“We’ll miss you,” Suki finished, looking back and forth between her wife and Aang.
“I’ll miss you too,” Aang replied. “But I’ll never be far.”
Ty Lee smiled at him warmly, and had just opened her mouth to say something when the door slammed open.
“Kyoshi nerds, out, now,” Toph said loudly as she stomped over to the chair Ty Lee was sitting in.
Nobody in the room could stifle their laughter as Ty Lee gave the seat up to Toph. She and Suki both bid adieu to Aang as they left the room, leaving him with a seemingly very pissed off Toph.
“C’mon, Twinkletoes,” she said, crossing her legs and leaning back against the chair.
“Dying? Now? Don’t you think that’s a little…”— she gestured messily in the air in front of her —“petty?”
“Is my timing inconvenient for you, Melon Lord?” Aang laughed.
Toph frowned and crossed her arms, suddenly overcome with the reality of what was happening. She sat quietly for a moment, her head turned down, until the door creaked open just slightly. A single tear fell from her eye as Su walked silently into the room, hesitating behind her mother before Toph shoved up from the chair.
“Whatever, Twinkletoes,” she said, roughly wiping her cheek as she stalked out of the room.
Su stared after her mother for a few seconds before looking at the floor.
“She just… needs some time,” she muttered, taking the seat by Aang’s bed.
“I see you, Toph, and Lin decided to get along for a weekend?” Aang ventured, cocking his head to one side.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. Lin hasn’t said a word to me since I got here, though, and mom’s been really distant the whole time too. I didn’t really expect any different, though, which is why I didn’t bring Baatar or the kids. They shouldn’t have to deal with my family drama,” she leaned forwards, resting her chin in her hands.
“How are Baatar and the kids doing?” Aang asked, watching Su’s face while she answered.
“Baatar’s been sick on-and-off for a few years, but he’s seeing a healer who says she can give him a lot longer to live with a number of healing sessions and some daily medication. The kids are all doing well, Opal was just born a few months ago,” she paused and looked up at Aang.
“I wish I could’ve brought them here at least once, to meet you, and everyone, but…” she trailed off and looked down again.
“It’s alright, Su. I’ll get to meet them eventually, and when I do, I’ll have all of eternity to get to know them,” Su couldn’t help but smile up at Aang at his response, her eyes stinging just slightly.
“You’re right,” she said rubbing her eyes lightly.
She shifted her feet on the stone floor and sighed, feeling Lin pacing just outside the door.
“I should, uh, let Lin come in here. She’s been… worried to say the least,” Su said standing and giving Aang one last glance before leaving the room.
Lin already had a frown fixed on her face when she walked in. She stood near the foot of his bed with her arms crossed, not letting herself look Aang in the eye. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before huffing and glancing at Aang.
“Lin, sit,” he said, making a small gesture towards the chair.
She shook her head and looked away again, tapping her foot on the cold floor.
“Do you really have to die?” she asked hoarsely.
“Lin, please sit,” Aang repeated, looking at the young woman with concern.
“I mean- you’re the avatar, right? Kyoshi lived for two hundred and thirty years, couldn’t- couldn’t you just not die? That would make a whole lot of stuff a whole lot easier, and I mean-,” Aang cut her off by blowing a small burst of wind in her face.
“Lin, you look like you’re going to collapse. Please sit,” he said, slight amusement on his face.
She looked up at him and huffed, but relented and moved to sit in the chair. She slid down slightly, her arms still crossed and her legs sprawled in a very unladylike manner. She glared at the floor as she began talking again.
“I just think it’s kind of rude of you to die right now, that’s all. I just-,” her voice broke and she let out a small sob, slapping her hand over her mouth.
She squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
“No. No. I’m not crying now,” she muttered, taking a few deep breaths and then looking up at Aang.
He gave her a sad smile before saying anything, reaching his hand over and putting it on her knee.
“You can’t push everything down all the time, Lin, but I can’t force you to cry,” he said, bringing his hand back and putting it over his stomach.
“Do you want to talk about something else?” he asked, to which she nodded.
“Tell me how Tenzin’s doing, I haven’t seen him since I’ve been sick,” Aang shifted so he could see Lin better, though she was staring at the floor again.
“He’s… he’s not doing great,” she started, shuffling slightly back in the chair so she wasn’t so slumped over.
“He’s been pretty much locked in his room since you got sick, barely letting anyone in other than for food and such. I’ve gotten him to talk a couple times, though not much. He says it’s too much, that he doesn’t think he’d be able to handle talking to you now… but he does want to. He said he’d come in when he’s ready, but that it might not be for a while… he’s just really scared of losing you,” she paused for a second, twiddling her thumbs in her lap.
“I- I’m scared to lose you too, we all are,” she said in a near whisper.
“You’ll never really lose me,” Aang started, but stopped when she scoffed at him.
“Bullshit,” she said, looking up at him with a mix of disbelief and annoyance on her face.
Aang sighed, smiling softly at Lin.
“Again, I can’t force you to believe anything, but I will stick around,” he reached out and took her hand weakly in his.
“I promise,” he said.
Lin’s eyes started to tear up again and she stood, pulling away from him and moving towards the door.
“You- you should sleep,” she said, looking back at him one last time before exiting the room.
He let out another sigh, but figured it best to follow her advice. It didn’t take long after he slid back into a lying position before he was sleeping deeply once more. His sleep was undisturbed, though he didn’t dream of anything. He was far too tired to dream, far too tired for anything really. Even so, he grinned widely when he woke up to Katara’s face by his side.
“I love you,” he whispered, trying not to startle her.
Her eyes snapped up from the brown yarn she’d been furiously knitting into a blanket. They softened when they saw his smile, her own lips pulling into a quiet grin.
“I love you too, sweetie,” she said, setting her yarn and needles on the bedside table.
“Have a good rest?” she reached over and ran her hand over the short hair that now grew thinly over Aang’s usually bald head.
“Mm, mmhmm,” he closed his eyes again as she kissed his forehead like she did every time she left the room now.
“Sokka and Kya are here,” she murmured, standing slowly.
“Should I bring them in?” Aang opened his eyes again at Katara’s question, nodding and shuffling back just slightly against the headboard.
Katara made sure he was properly situated before stroking his hair again and leaving the room. Aang looked down at his pale, shaky, bony hands while he waited for someone to come in. He wasn’t afraid of dying, but it was still off putting to see his own body so frail and destructible.
“Hey,” he heard Sokka say outside the door.
“Kya, hey, it’s alright. Let me go in first, okay? It’ll be okay, you’re okay, just… sit here for a minute.”
There was the sound of a metal chair being placed by the door and then the squeak of the door’s rusty hinges as Sokka came in.
“Is she alright?” Aang asked, looking past Sokka at the door as he took the chair.
Sokka rubbed his hands over his face before leaning forward on his elbows, staring into space as he spoke.
“Yeah, she’s not been doing the best, but she’ll be alright. She…we’ll make sure she is,” he looked at Aang for the first time since before he’d taken ill.
It was impossible to not notice the difference. Aang’s eyes were more sunken, his eye bags bigger and darker now. He actually had hair growing on the top of his head, but he was skinnier than ever with how little he’d been eating. His eyes were duller than they used to be, their sparkling excitement and energy simply missing.
“Fuck,” Sokka whispered.
“You really are dying, aren’t you,” he muttered, examining Aang’s face.
“It’s my time, Sokka. I can feel it,” Aang responded faintly.
Sokka nodded and took a deep breath. Aang could hear how shaky it was, how desperately he was trying not to cry. He pushed slightly away from the headboard and held his arms out to Sokka with a slight smile.
“You can cry,” he said, to which Sokka responded with a quiet sob.
He pushed himself out of the chair and onto the edge of Aang’s bed, accepting the hug and returning it fiercely. They hugged for a long time, Sokka crying on Aang’s shoulder, until Aang noticed Kya’s face peeking through the doorway. He pulled slightly away from Sokka, who wiped his tears with the palm of his hand before following Aang’s gaze to Kya. He smiled at her and nodded, standing to leave but hesitating first.
He put his hand on Aang’s shoulder and squeezed, smiling down at his old friend.
“I’ll miss you,” he said before walking from the room.
Kya dragged herself over to the chair by Aang’s side. She paused for a second and looked at her father, huffing lightly before sitting down. Aang could tell immediately that something more was wrong, something other than just his passing, but had no clue as to what it could be. He turned his hand so his palm was up and looked at Kya’s expressionless face, his brows drawing together.
“Hold my hand?” he asked, prompting Kya to at least look up at him.
That she did, also lifting her hand and curling her fingers in with her fathers. He continued to watch her face, noticing that she really was showing no emotion whatsoever as she stared blankly ahead.
“Kya, what’s wrong?” he tried to tighten his grip on her hand but didn’t succeed.
She opened her mouth to respond and took a deep breath, but then still said nothing. Finally, after what felt like hours to both of them, she found her voice.
“Dad,” she whispered, looking up at him again.
He looked back at her sadly, not knowing how to comfort her without knowing what was wrong. He tried to suck in a breath but started to cough, getting himself under control after a moment but still wheezing slightly. Kya’s face was more concerned after the coughing fit, but still quite neutral. He could see how empty her eyes were, but knew there was nothing much he could offer her now.
“Tell…” he trailed off, trying to muster up enough strength to finish his sentence before continuing.
“Tell everyone I love them,” he said barely louder than a whisper.
Kya furrowed her eyebrows as Aang slid down in the bed just barely, his eyes watching her with sadness.
“Dad,” she whispered again.
“Dad,” she said louder as he closed his eyes, his face relaxing.
It was the last thing he heard.
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slythergirlimagines · 4 years
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What’s A Date Without A Little Adventure?- Aang x Reader
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Summary: After the war, Aang is desperate to ask you out and he enlists the help of his friends. Things don’t quite go to plan. Fluff and some angst! (GIF is not mine)
  Words: 3,232      Requested: yes!
Masterlist
         What’s A Date Without Some Adventure?
    Aang was completely and utterly in love with you. It was a deeper and truer love than he’d ever experienced before. He knew now that his love for Katara has been a child’s crush, a product of being a young starry eyed kid. Not that Katara wasn’t lovable or that he still wasn’t starry eyed. It was just different now that he was older.
   Aang had met you after the war. He had been somewhat lost after defeating Ozai. His purpose had been fulfilled, and all of his other friends had gone off to find their own purposes. Aang had decided to do the only thing that made sense and traveled, looking for any place he could lend a helping hand.
   Your village was one of the first he had come to. It had been nearly destroyed by the war, and your people were desperately trying to repair it. Aang had a good feeling about helping, something in his spirit told him that this was an important place for him. Appa landed right outside of the village, and Aang had instructed his friend to stay there. Using his glider, he had bended himself right into the center of town, and right to you.
   There was a fire blazing in one of the buildings. The villagers had been desperately trying to keep it contained to the one building, as they tried to fight it. You were front and center, giving orders and commands. Aang had been instantly taken with you, and the fierce determination on your face as you lead your people.
   Aang had been so transfixed by you, that he hadn’t noticed the young girl trapped inside the burning building. In fact, it was your horrified expression that alerted him. Before he had even had time to act, you were rushing in yourself. Aang instantly jumped into action, trying to follow you. By the time he got to the top window, you were already there, tying a cloth around the girl’s nose.
    You had locked eyes with Aang, and recognition seemed to pass over your features. His stomach had fluttered at the idea of you knowing who he was.
    “Ana, go with him. He’s the Avatar, he’ll get you down safely.” You had told the little girl.
   Aang had quickly taken the little girl down to her waiting parents. After making sure she was ok, he turned to come back for you. He had heard the building cracking, signaling that it was about to fall, and there you stood at the window’s ledge. You locked eyes with him, and then you jumped.
   Aang got to you in no time, cradling you in his arms as you both landed.
    “Good catch!” You had told him breathlessly.
  And that had been it for him.
   Aang had cultivated a deep friendship with you as the years went on. He had begged you to accompany him on his travels, and you had accepted. Together, you made a huge difference in the world. Appa, Momo, and the rest of the Gaang all loved you. Even Toph, who didn’t particularly like anybody, thought you were amazing.
   Aang knew he couldn’t deny his feelings for you any longer. He wanted to ask you out, but he knew it had to perfect. You deserved perfect. He just didn’t know where to start. This week you guys were going to the Peace celebration, hosted by Ba Sing Se. All of his friends were going to be there, and he could think of no better time to ask you out. All he needed was a plan.
           ———————————————-
    Aang’s plan was simple. You loved flying, and there were really pretty sunsets over Ba Sing Se. Aang decided he would take you up on Appa at sunset, and confess his feelings to you then.
    When Aang asked you to go flying with him later that day, you enthusiastically agreed, throwing your arms around him and kissing his cheek. Aang blushed for the next few hours as he tried to make sure everything was perfect.
    You showed up looking prettier than anyone ever had the right to. Your hair hung loosely over your shoulders, and you had been wearing a beautiful emerald green dress with golden arm bands. The color was perfect on you, and Aang could hardly form words or coherent thoughts as you approached.
     “Let’s blow this joint!” You said by way of greeting. Aang watched starstruck as you hopped up on Appa and looked back down at him.
   “Coming?” You asked, eyes sparkling in the evening light.
    Aang nodded dumbly, and then climbed up after you like a puppy.
    The night went well. You cooed over the sunset, and the colors had bathed you in a soft light. Aang opened his mouth to tell you his feelings when you interrupted.
    “Aang, what is that?” You pointed down at something. A beam of light was shooting towards you guys. Aang sat puzzled for a minute, and then it clicked.
    “Firework!” He cried. Appa got the hint, and dodged just before the thing exploded. Appa weaved through the various fireworks and managed to get you all to safety. You both had soot on your faces, and your hair was messed up from the sharp dives Appa took.
   You and Aang just stared at each other for a minute in shock, and then you started laughing.
   “Wow!” You said when you finished. “That was kind of awesome.” You had a beautiful grin on your face, that made Aang smile too.
    “Yeah..” he said. “Awesome.”
    “Next time we do that, let’s not try to get blown up.” You laughed. “But it does kind of remind you of how we first met doesn’t it?”
    You eyes were soft in the starlight, and Aang had felt himself melt. He should have said it, but he just couldn’t. It wasn’t perfect.
          ——————————————-
   Aang went to Sokka next. Sokka was like a brother to him, and anytime Aang had ever needed advice, it was Sokka he sought out.
   Aang burst into Sokka’s room bright and early the next morning, ready to come up with a plan. Sokka was snoring, and drool collected on his pillow.
    “Sokka wake up!” Aang yelled. He didn’t have time to wait patiently for Sokka to wake up. He needed a plan now!
    Sokka jerked awake and screamed.
    “Aang! What are you doing?!” Sokka cried, pulling the sheets over his body to cover himself. Aang rolled his eyes.
    “Sokka I need your help, it’s about y/n!” He said, and bounced up and down on the balls of his feet.
    “Oh I see.” Sokka said. His face changed from anger to a smug grin. “You’ve come to Ol’ Sokka for some advice on the ladies.” Aang rolled his eyes at the way Sokka pronounced “ladies” as “laydays.”
    “I tried to ask y/n out yesterday, but it didn’t go so well, and I want it to be perfect!” Aang cried.
    “Oh Aang. You’ve come to the right place my friend.” Sokka patted the spot beside him on the bed. Aang sat, shoulders slumped.
    “Aang, let me tell you a little thing about the ladies. They love food!”
      Sokka’s plan was a picnic. It seemed simple enough, and Aang had seen the perfect spot when you had flown in. There was a large tree on a grassy hill that looked inviting and romantic. Aang packed up the food and flew it out on Appa to set up.
    Aang whisked you away on Appa with the excuse of a fun lunch. Everything had gone according to plan. The food had been good, Aang had been coherent enough to keep up a normal conversation. All was well. Again, Aang built up the courage to ask you.
    “Y/n...” and then it started pouring.
     You all were soaked by the time you got back, and you were shivering.
     “Too bad about the rain. That was really fun!” You said. You stood there for a second longer waiting for Aang to say something, but he stomped off, huffing. If he hadn’t been so frustrated he would’ve seen the way you deflated as he left.
     He should’ve known not to take advice from Sokka. What did he know about girls anyways? It’s time he asked Katara.
        ———————————————-
    The next morning, Aang woke up determined to find Katara and get some real advice. He stalked through the hallways, on a mission. He remembered that Katara always practiced her bending in the mornings. You intercepted Aang in the hallway.
     “Morning, Aang. Would you like to-“ you started to ask.
    “Sorry, I can’t!” He said quickly. “I’ve gotta practice bending with Katara!”
     Aang again missed your sad face as he hurried away.
     Katara was practicing her bending like Aang had expected, and he quickly interrupted her.
     “Katara I need your help!” Aang launched into the full story, and caught Katara up to speed on what was going on.
     “So you see, Sokka’s idea didn’t work and now I need your help!”
     “You went to Sokka for advice before me?” Katara asked hurt.
     “Ugh, Katara please!” Aang practically shouted.
     “Alright fine. Hmmm.” Katara said, one hand on her hip. “Oh I know! You should take her on a boat ride! Girls think that’s really romantic!”
      “Katara that’s perfect!” Aang said, throwing his arms around her. “Thanks!” Again, he failed to see you watching them outside the window.
      It was surprisingly easy to find someone with a boat, and Aang had you all out in the middle of the water by mid-afternoon. It was calm, and he was convinced that this time nothing could go wrong.
     He noticed that you looked less excited than usual, and he started to feel insecure.
    “Aang, are you in love with Katara?” You asked him hesitantly.
     “With Katara?? No!” Aang said, laughing hysterically. It came out more panicked than truthful, and you began to read into it.
     “It’s ok if you are.” You whispered softly.
     “No no! Seriously, I don’t love anyone! Psh!” He said.
      “Oh.” You said, face falling. Aang instantly wanted to take back what he said, but then you changed the subject.
     “Aang what are those people doing?” You questioned. You pointed in the direction of a boat not too far away from you. The people on board were waving their hands and shouting.  
      “I think they’re saying hi.” Aang said, and as soon as he did, a giant sea serpent shot out of the water. Aang jumped into action, using his bending to get you away from the monster.
     You all barely managed to make it to shore in one piece.
     “Ugh!” Aang cried. “Let’s just go home.”
    ——————————————————-
     Zuko was the next person Aang sought out for help. Zuko had been in a long term relationship with Mai for some time. He clearly had to know how to ask a girl out.
    Zuko was at Iroh’s tea shop when Aang found him.
    “Zuko! I really need your help.” He said, out of breath from running.
    Zuko listened stoically as Aang explained his troubles.
    “I need you!” Aang begged when he finished. “No one else has been able to help!”
    Zuko sat in thoughtful silence for a long time, and then answered.
    “If you ever tell Mai this, I’ll kill you.” He warned. Aang nodded eagerly so he continued.
    “Once Uncle forced me to go on a date here, and there was a really pretty fountain that lights up at night. My date kissed me there. You may have to light it with your firebending though. The lights didn’t work on their own.” Zuko says thoughtfully.
    “Thank you!” Aang cheered, and rushed off in the direction of the fountain to check it out.
    That night, you were nearly asleep when Aang tapped on your window.
    “Aang?” You ask him.
   His heart was instantly in his throat as he took you in. You were sleepy and rumpled, but so so beautiful. His heart stuttered, and skipped a beat as his brain tried to remember what he was doing there.
   “Y/n! Up for a little late night adventure?” He asked, holding out his hand.
    You looked hesitant, but ultimately you nodded.
   “Let me change really fast.” You said, hurrying back into your room.
    Aang blushed and turned around to give you some privacy. Your tap to his shoulder nearly made him fall off of the window ledge.
   “Ready?” He managed to ask you, swallowing hard. It just wasn’t fair that you were so beautiful.
    “Ready!” You said, smiling widely.
     Your walk through the streets of Ba Sing Se was beautiful. Streetlights casted a hazy, yellow glow over everything, and Aang was really starting to believe that Zuko nailed it.
     When you arrived at the fountain, everything was dark. Zuko had been right about needing to start the lights then.
     “Close your eyes.” Aang said, winking at you.
     You did as he told you, and covered your eyes waiting.
     Aang quickly threw a few balls of fire at the lights, casting the pond in a beautiful glow.
     “Ok open!” Aang said proudly, arms open wide.
     “Oh my!” You said. Aang was confused about the horrified expression on your face. He turned around to see what you were looking at.
    A banner had been hung off of one of the lights and was burning.
    Aang quickly doused the fire with waterbending, and the tatters of the charred banner floated to the ground.
     There was nothing to say as Aang doused the remaining lights and lead you back home.
      —————————————————-
     Toph was the last person Aang considered going to for advice about love, but now she was all he had left. Aang found Toph under a shady tree on the back lawn. Her toes were digging into the ground, and she was lazily tapping a foot.
    “Twinkle toes.” She nodded in his direction.
   “Toph!” He started.
    “Save it. I know just what you need to do.” Toph said. “A girl like y/n enjoys the wild things in life. You need to take her to earthbending fight. She’d love it.”
     Aang thought this over. He didn’t really know what was romantic about bending, but at this point there wasn’t much else he could do to screw it up further.
    “Ok, maybe you’re right! Thanks Toph!” Aang said, rushing off to find you.
     You had woken up with a raging headache. Everything was making your head pound.
     Aang knocked on your door, and you winced as the sound reverberated through your skull.
    “Y/n!” Aang said, excitedly. “Wanna come on a walk with me? I know something fun we could do!”
    “Oh, Aang that’s really sweet but...” you started to tell him about your headache.
    “Please!” He begged, giving you the puppy eyes.
    “Alright.” You smiled. You couldn’t say no to him, even with a headache.
   The bending tournament was packed. Everyone was cheering for their favorites, and the air was rife with excitement. However, you weren’t doing so well.
   Every cheer brought on a new wave of nausea and pain, and everything was too bright. Aang was absorbed in the fight, doing his own cheering.  You wanted to be strong for him, because it was obvious that he was enjoying himself, but you just couldn’t handle it any longer.
   “Aang.” You said quietly next to him. Aang turned his attention to you, and was immediately aware something wasn’t right. You were pale, and your cheeks were flushed. Someone close to you booed loudly, and you flinched. Aang understood then what you had tried to tell him this morning. And he had ignored you like a jerk.
    “Oh y/n, come on let’s go!” Aang said, trying to keep his voice low.
    “I’m sorry. I know you were looking forward to coming..” you started apologizing.
    “No seriously, don’t worry about it y/n. I’m so sorry, you tried to tell me.” Aang winced.
    “It’s ok. I think I’m just going to sleep it off.” You said.
      Dejectedly, Aang hung his head as you left.
      ——————————————————-
    “You all suck!” Aang yelled the next morning at breakfast. Everyone was here eating but you. Aang figured you were still upstairs sleeping off your headache.
     “I tried every single one of your suggestions, and every single one failed. Every. Single. One.” Aang snapped. He didn’t really mean to project his anger on his friends. He knew that he was the one who messed things up on each date, but still their suggestions hadn’t even been things you would like.
       The group eyed Aang nervously. Katara started shaking her head as if she was trying to tell him something.
    “Aang.” She muttered.
    “I shouldn’t have listened to any of you. All you all did was tell me things that you all wanted to do. I know y/n. She’s funny, kind, and brave. Not to mention beautiful, and I know her better than anyone. All I should’ve done was look her in the eyes and say ‘y/n will you go out with me?’” He finished, pounding his fist into the table for emphasis.
     “Aang?” You said from behind him.
    Aang froze, looking at all of his friends’ faces.
    “We’re just going to go.” Sokka said, grabbing Toph by the elbow and leading her out. Katara and Zuko followed close behind them, and then you two were alone in the kitchen.
    “Aang, did you really mean it?” You asked.
    Aang turned to face you, blush and all. It was time for him to just admit it. Even if you didn’t feel the same, it was time to get it off of his chest.
   “Y/n, I’m sorry.” He said. “This whole week I’ve been trying to ask you to go out with me, but I wanted it to be perfect and I messed it up each time.” He sighed, slumping his shoulders.
     “Aang, why didn’t you tell me?” You asked him.
     “I just wanted it to be perfect.” He said sadly.
    “Aang, you didn’t have to go to any big effort to ask me out. I love you.” You chuckled.
    Aang whipped his head up faster than you thought possible.
    “You love me?” He asked, completely astounded.
    “Of course I do!” You laughed. “And for the record, every single one of those dates was perfect.”
    “But we almost died, and fought a sea monster, and I caught something on fire!” He exclaimed, throwing up his hands.
    “Yes, but you were there and we were together. That’s all I need. And what’s a date without a little adventure?” You said, eyes sparkling.
    Aang didn’t wait a second longer, pulling you into a happy kiss. He was so thrilled that he subconsciously started floating the two of you into the air.
    It felt right, kissing you. Like every dream he’d ever had came true. Aang was so happy he could sing. And you loved him.
    “Y/n!” He said, breaking the kiss. “I love you too! What I said on the boat, I was just trying to say I didn’t love Katara. Obviously I love you-”
    You laughed at his antics, and simply shut him up with another sweet kiss. Aang was truly the happiest man alive. Then a terrifying thought hit. When the time came, how would he ask you to marry him?!
A/n: I’m slowly making my way through these requests. I’m really happy with what I’ve gotten done so far. Make sure to check out my masterlist to read my other work! Requests are open! I think I tagged everyone who wanted to be tagged in my ATLA stuff, but if I missed you please let me know and I’ll correct it.
Taglist: @galacticamidala​ @a-random-queer-kid​ @taeeemin​ @realimbo​ @samsmultifandomblogs​
@fire1ordzuzu​ @shortmexicangirl​ @wingeddemonclub​ @mangoberry34​ @marvel-ing-at-it-all​
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rosey-letters · 4 years
Note
May I request headcanons for enemies to lovers for zuko and a gender neutral member of the gaang? and, if it’s not too much, can the reader be aang’s older sibling (16, zuko’s age) and also an airbender? thanks a million!
I might’ve gotten carried away with this, but I hope you like it! Sorry for the delay, love!
protective was a complete understatement when it came to your brother Aang. not only was he the Avatar, he was also the last family member you had left - until you two met Katara, Sokka and eventually Toph
throughout your journey, you encountered a very cute annoying firebending Prince of the Fire Nation who tried his best to capture your brother. you were fed up to say the least
does he know how to take a hint? obviously not since he keeps finding all of you
when Katara and Sokka got sick, you went with your brother to find some kind of cure. turned out to be frozen frogs
but you two got captured admiral dickhead Zhao. you thought it was the end for you and your brother. if you didn't come up with a plan, both of you would be handed to the Fire Lord on a silver platter
you were being tortured by Zhao himself. he didn't want Katara or Sokka coming to rescue you two. he kept trying and prying for information, but you never gave in. you would never rat out your family
barely breathing, struggling to see, you were a sight for sore eyes to Zuko the Blue Spirit. you didn't deserve to be treated like this, even if you were his enemy
after taking out the guards with ease, he inspected you for anymore injuries. for some reason his blood boiled. how could he have done this to you?
he caught himself almost Firebending in anger. sure you were almost unconscious, but he couldn't risk his cover being blown
as he carried you on his shoulder, your brother almost tore Zuko's head off
"WHO ARE YOU??? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY- wait... did you save my sibling? Cool, thanks dude" Aang is a special but protective boy
after you three escape, you find out who the Blue Spirit was and it confused you so much???
there was no way that was Zuko. I mean, the way he carried you, held you close, protectively to his body to keep you safe, moved you away from any attacks... why was your heart beating fast when you thought of the scarred Prince?
tbh, it confused Zuko too. he didn't realize he was doing it until he replayed the events in his head. your face lingered in his mind longer than it should have when he went to bed that night
when the Fire Nation began attacking the North Pole and your brother went into the Avatar State, you and Katara did everything you could to protect him. however, your powers weren't affected by the sunrise
he captured Aang and you went after him. you struggled through the harsh snow but eventually found the two. both of you were too exhausted to fight and instead, you sat with him. you listened.
Zuko was more than surprised. "For once you don't want to kill me... why is that?"
you were shocked yourself but you couldn't bring yourself to attack him. especially since his fire was the only thing keeping you three turning into an icicle. "I think there's more to you than meets the eye."
Sokka, Katara and Yue easily found you and Aang but instead of leaving Zuko, you and your brother convinced your friends to save him
you held Zuko close, making sure he was warm. you wiped the snow away from his face, being careful of his scar
after everything he's done, you shouldn't be showing him any kindness. you should've tossed him over Appa into the freezing snow. but you couldn't bring yourself to do it.
not only would it go against everything you've learned from the Air Nomads but he spared your life... and whenever your skin touched his, you couldn't help the butterflies that erupted in your stomach...
when Zhao flees after killing the Moon Spirit, you watch Zuko go after him. your heart was torn between helping your brother or helping Zuko, who didn't seem like your enemy anymore.
you decided against your heart and stayed with your family, silently hoping to the Spirits that your Firebending Prince would be okay
after Zuko left his Uncle and traveled alone through the Earth Kingdom, people showed him unfamiliar kindness. the same kindness you had shown him. he thought about you a lot during his time alone
you gave him butterflies, made his cheeks pink and warm, his head fuzzy. surely you had done some mystic controlling Air Bending to get into his head, right? wrong Zuko, you're just in looooovvvveeeee
while you're being chased by Azula, you reunite with Zuko again, but not the way you pictured. you imagined you'd both be blushing and nervously stumbling over your words, loving his newly grown hair. instead, you fought side by side to defeat his sister, Azula
you two moved together in harmony, bending right after each other, almost like you were dancing a dance that you two have practiced millions of times. it was strange but beautiful
until Azula struck his Uncle Iroh with a frightening blast of fire
you tried to help Zuko, your heart hurting for him and Iroh, but he lashed at you and your family to leave. you stayed a little longer than everyone else and watched how he cradled his uncle
"he'll be okay... I'm sorry..." you whispered before leaving. little did you know, your kind words meant a lot to Zuko. he thought about them a lot
in Ba Sing Se, you end up wandering around the city looking for Appa. Aang was so stressed and you wanted your furry best friend found. you didn't expect to run into Zuko
"Oh my Spirits! I'm so- Zuko?!" he almost looked at peace with himself and was he smiling??? no, there's no way this is Zuko. he never smiles. gotta be a clone
"(Y/N)... it's uh, um... great to see you." he's happy to see you??? for sure a clone
you end up visiting Zuko and his Uncle at their tea shop. your favorite tea is oolong, with honey and sugar
it's weird hanging out with Zuko like he hadn't tried to kill you and your family for a while. but it was a nice weird. his adorable hair was a plus too
you end up talking for hours and hours about everything. you tell him about the Air Nomads, your old friends, and how annoying Aang was growing up.
he opened up to you about his mother, and your heart broke. he told you about how he got his scar
"Oh Zuko..." you brought him into a tight hug, "I'm so sorry... you didn't deserve that."
he wasn't used to affection like this, but it was sweet. something he hadn't experienced in a long time. he hugged you back. he realized you smell like vanilla.
slowly, he got used to how affectionate you were. holding hands, hugs... he missed your touch when you left.
he doesn't understand his feelings towards you. but he does know that you mean a lot to him. you understand and listen like his Uncle. not to mention, you're adorable when you smile
you are one reason why he sets Appa free. he never told you it was him but he loved how bright your smile was when you said you and Aang found your furry companion
during Zuko's "sickness" your face is constantly in his mind, telling him that he'll make it through. he struggles between the Zuko you know and the Prince he thinks he's supposed to be
when Zuko betrays you and your family in the cave, your heart broke.
betrayal, hurt, anger, sadness... you felt it all.
the look in your eyes as he choose Azula and shot a blast of fire towards you and Aang... it killed him inside. but this is where he was supposed to be. with Azula. not helping you, his enemy. that's all you'll ever be
after Aang wakes up from his "coma" he notices instantly how torn you are inside. you cave in and explain everything. he sees that look of adoration in your eyes. it's the same one he holds for Katara
"Out of everyone you could've picked... you pick him, huh? Good one."
"Thanks Aang, so supportive."
"You love me."
you and Aang both agree that Zuko isn't who everyone thinks, that there is some good in him somewhere
Zuko should be living the life he's always wanted but every time he closes his eyes, he sees your hurt face in his mind. did he really do the right thing?
he finds out more of his heritage and things begin to click into place. the final straw was how he didn't feel like himself at his father's side at the war meeting. this wasn't his destiny
he finds himself at the Western Air Temple after confronting his father. he rehearsed what he would say to your family, especially you. would you even take him back after what he's done? would you Airbend him off the temple?
"Hello... Zuko here." when he meets your eyes, he almost forgets how to speak. Spirits, how did they make someone so beautiful?
As your family prepares themselves to attack the Prince, you outstretch your hands in front of them.
Zuko gulps. This was it. You were going to Airbend him off the cliff. He closed his eyes and prepared for the worst.
You rushed forward and threw your arms around his neck. He almost cried as you whispered the words, "I forgive you." he truly didn't deserve you. he was going to thank the Spirits every night for having you in his life again
he holds you, relaxing at the vanilla scent
it takes a little convincing to let Zuko into the family. Katara was the only person not on board to have him in the gang until he helps her find her mother's killer.
everyone, besides you and Toph had gone on their Zuko adventure but it didn't bother you. you were just happy to have him back
everyone, besides Aang, is surprised when they see you and Zuko holding hands, laughing and smiling without a care in the world
"Zuko, I thought you said you were never happy."
"They're my only exception."
You giggle and kiss his cheek, making him blush as red as his clothes
when he reunites with his Uncle, his tells him how important you are, that you given him courage and strength
the day of Sozin's Comet was probably the most stressful day of your life. not only was your brother missing, you really wanted to kiss Zuko. it might be your last day but you had to think positive. you had to tell him how you felt
you go with Katara and Zuko to face Azula. you try your best not to interfere in their Agni Kai but when Azula bends lighting towards you two, Zuko jumps in front
"ZUKO!" you catch him in your arms, looking to Katara for help. he's gonna be okay, she brought Aang back from the dead, she'll heal him... he'll be okay... he has to be
both you and Katara took down Azula, not caring how unfair the odds were. she was the one person you did not see any good in
you brought Zuko's head into your lap as your Waterbending sister healed him. you were crying as you stroked his hair.
"You dummy... why would you do that?"
"I... I love you."
you were crying happy tears now before finally kissing your Firebending Prince. this was a long time coming
when you pulled away, you pressed your forehead against his. "I love you too dummy. Never do that again, please."
"No promises."
as they appoint Zuko the new Fire Lord, he asks you to be by his side
"As your (Queen/King)?" you teased and giggled as his cheeks turned pink. he took your hands in his and pressed a soft kiss to your lips. "Yes but... not yet." it was your turn to blush
"Not yet? I'll hold to you that."
your relationship might not have started off the greatest, but you wouldn't change it for the world. you loved your Firebending dummy with all your heart and he loved you just as much, if not more
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toweroftickles · 3 years
Text
Toph and the Badgermoles (ATLA Tickle Fic)
Requested for @gigglebendingg on behalf of @the-atla-specialist
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Team Avatar groaned. They had unceremoniously trudged through the scorched forest around Gaoling for over an hour, seemingly without direction or guidance, and the unfamiliarity with their surroundings, not to mention the midsummer heat, started to weigh on them. But they rationalized their decision: it was for Toph, they told themselves. Supporting friends was more important than sore ankles. Or getting lost and possibly eaten by platypus bears.
At the head of the pack, Toph Beifong showed a certainty absent from her friends. The rest of Team Avatar knew full well how capable she was, but following the directions of a blind girl still made them kinda nervous. Toph took her strides firmly and grazed her fingertips against slabs of broken grey rock.
A tremor, imperceptible to all but the most heightened senses, vibrated up from underneath Toph’s feet. It almost tickled.
“Hmm...we’re getting closer.”
“Look, Toph, I’m sorry, but that’s what you said forever ago,” Suki blurted out, while attempting in vain to cool herself with a fan. Wearing her traditional Kyoshi face paint that day had been a bad decision.
Katara lazily unfurled a tiny snake of water from her flask, and it swam through the air into her draped-open maw.
“Are you sure we couldn’t have flown here? With Appa it would’ve taken two minutes,” the Avatar suggested, trying to seem helpful.
Toph looked as if she’d been slapped in the head by a raw steak.
“...I wouldn’t be able to see where we were going, Aang.”
Sokka involuntarily snorted.
Suddenly, Toph froze and pressed herself against a boulder.
“Yep! Here we go.”
With a vicious kick the boulder soared into the distant air, revealing a cavernous opening in the rock wall behind it. Zuko lit a torch for the rest of the group, and with a smirk, Toph led them inside.
The cave was a dry, rusty earth tone, sloped downward and only growing larger the deeper it went. A skittering noise occasionally slipped through the walls. Momo jumped and frantically curled himself around his master’s bald head like a coonskin cap.
“Are you sure they’re still here, Toph? What if they’ve moved on? Seven years is a long time,” Katara asked.
“Of course I’m sure, and I want you to meet them! Stop being such a spoil-YAHH!”
Out of nowhere, the rock floor in front of Toph became a slope of clay, and she found herself sliding on her heels down into a tiny alcove. With a high-pitched shriek, she managed to grip the fissure’s edge. Before any of the group could react, the young earthbender found herself dangling into a hole.
“Toph, are you ok?!” Katara called out. The others carefully started inching their way down the slope, toward the hole’s edge. Toph spit some dirt out of her mouth and struggled to pull herself up. She attempted to press her feet against the wall of the pit, but felt no vibrations.
“Ugh. I can’t bend this. The ground is too soft. I can’t see anything!”
But she did, however, hear something. Low rumbling, the collapsing of rocks, and a strange mammalian grunt permeated the space beneath her.
“Hey! I think they’re in here! Um...” Toph attempted to make a low-frequency squeaking noise. It sounded terrible.
“Uh, what is she doing?” Zuko asked.
“Communicating with her native species?” Sokka suggested. Suki smacked him.
Toph wasn’t prepared for the sensation she felt next. From behind her dangling body reached a fuzzy snout, the size of human torso, raised until its massive nose pressed into her lower back. Every muscle in Toph’s body tensed.
“Ok, hang on, we gotcha,” Aang said, offering his hand.
Warm gusts of nostril air struck Toph, and the nose rapidly sniffed and wiggled on her side.
“AHH!” Toph shrieked. “HAHA-HAHA HA! Ha-Ha Ha-Ha! Stahahop! Wugou it’s me! AH!” She burst into hysterics and began pounding her fist on the ledge. Her fragile grip was barely maintained, and she almost slipped down the hole.
“Toph what are you doing? Stop flailing!” Aang said with growing concern. He kept trying to grab her wrist, and she kept involuntarily swatting him away.
“I think something’s tickling her,” murmured Suki.
“HA-HA HA-HA HA!!” Toph roared at the top of her lungs. Her laugh threatened to shake the stalactites loose. No matter how much she squirmed and kicked the mysterious animal below her kept tickling her sides with its curious nose.
“Haaa Haha; HA-HA HA-HA! Cut it OU-HOWT!!!”
“Should we help her?” Sokka interjected.
“Nah, I wanna see how this plays out,” came Suki’s curt remark.
With a loud thud, Toph kicked the animal’s head away, and it grunted. For a moment, it seemed as if she would be able to catch her breath. But that was before she heard a slurping click. A thick, fleshy tongue, sticky and adapted to pulling insects from cavern walls, stretched out and licked across Toph’s dangling foot.
“GYAHAHA!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! N-HO-ho! That TIHICKLES!!” Tears burst from Toph’s wide, grey eyes. Every moment her fingers dug into the clay around her, or she pounded her fist against the dirt, massive shards of rock jutted out of the cavern walls. One threatened to stab Zuko in the head.
“Remind me never to tickle her,” Katara whispered to Aang.
The Avatar tried once again to grab Toph’s wrist, but with one final glass-shattering squeal, Toph finally slipped into the darkness below.
“Toph!” Suki cried.
Momo’s eyes bulged.
Team Avatar leaned forward and glanced down into the pit. There below them was Toph, grinning from ear to ear, sprawled out on the fuzzy back of an enormous badgermole, like some hairy mattress.
“Hey guys! This is Wugou!” she laughed. “He taught me everything I know!” The creature beneath her squeaked triumphantly.
Everyone just stared.
“Uhhh, hi! I’m Avatar Aang! It’s an honor to meet an Earthbending master like you!”
“Aang, that’s a badgermole,” Zuko sighed.
“You’re really not used to him talking to animals by now?” retorted Katara.
Aang glided down on a ball of air and enthusiastically tried to hug the massive creature. It let out a confused squawk and licked him from stomach to forehead arrow. Aang giggled.
It was an awkward day, hanging around in the dark with a group of massive earth-scented rodents. But the team couldn’t help but smile watching Toph reconnect with her Earthbending teachers. Before the Gaang, the badgermoles were the closest Toph had to a family. She was happier than the others had seen in quite some time. And soon, they all came to silently agree that the sweltering hike had been worth it.
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Not my greatest work, but I hope you like it.
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trashmouthnerd · 4 years
Text
Cactus Juice - Zukka
Fandom: Avatar, Zuko x Sokka
Summary:
Part 1/1
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The heat was suffocating, every minute felt like an eternity. The group took a second, arms coming up to block the wave of sand the wind had sent pelting their way.
Zuko sighed, wiping away the beads of sweat from his forehead. It was becoming increasingly hard to breathe by the second. He knew blindly following these idiots around the world was a bad idea..
If it was this excruciating for him, he didn’t dare to think of how it felt for North Pole natives. Personally, he’d grew up surrounded by fire and heat and this detour was painful enough for him.
"Why are we doing this again?" Sokka groaned from beside him. Fists clenched at his side as he tried his best to keep from falling straight onto the heaps of sand that were devouring each step he took.
"Blame Appa! He's the one that landed here for no good reason!" Toph exclaimed, nobody hated the desert more than she did. She couldn't see a single thing here and the guilt she felt from the last time hadn't faded - even if she and everyone else knew there wasn't much else she could've possibly done.
"He was exhausted! We've been flying for days alright, he needs rest and so do we" Aang pitched in, explaining he'd find them shelter for the night and to keep walking north before flying off in to the distance.
"I'm so thirsty" Sokka complained moments later, hoping his remark would be enough to tug on his sisters heart strings but he’d be a fool to truly believe that.
"Sokka, no! If I keep giving you all the water we're going to run out" Katara stated firmly, shaking her head at her brothers annoying complaints.
"He can have my ration" Zuko said, offering Sokka a small smile. The smile was returned ten fold, a wide thankful grin plastered stupidly on Sokka’s face.
"You'd really do that for me?" Sokka stopped, his eyes dangerously flirtatious but Zuko knew this was just how he acted. Though god bless him for the period in time where he hadn’t quite understood Sokka and his playful nature. He’d never been closer to dying in his life and that’s saying something.
Katara shook her head. Zuko was an idiot to offer up his share, this journey was about to get unbearable if Aang didn't find shelter soon. They couldn't sleep in this heat and Appa needed rest if they ever planned on getting out of here.
Zuko nodded sternly, not understanding what the big deal was. Sokka was his friend, he'd helped him understand kindness in a way only his uncle had ever done so previously. He didn't mind returning the favour once in a while.
"I'm moved prince Zuko, but I must decline.. you're gonna need it trust me" Sokka started his sentence with a teasingly light tone but ended it with anguish. Oh how he longed for a drink.
"Alright, but the offers there" Zuko finishes, his mind having not being changed in the slightest. In truth he'd do the same for any of his friends. They'd all helped him grow in ways he'd never thought possible.
Momo chirped, jumping from Sokka’s shoulder before flying off to the west of the group.
"Momo, dearest momo.. wait where is he going?" Sokka pondered, wondering if perhaps he should follow. They all stopped momentarily, awaiting their friends return.
"Alright you two stay here, Toph and I are going to go to the top of that hill and see if we can find Aang" Katara said, Zuko nodded but Sokka wasn't paying much attention. He'd already fallen to the floor with his hands covering his face from the sweltering sun.
"You're gonna make me climb a hill? I can't see you know!" Toph exclaimed, hoping that for once this card might work on Katara.
It didn't. She just softy grabbed Toph’s arm, muttering something about how dumb it would be to leave Toph and Sokka unattended together. It really didn't have a good track record.
"This. Is. Hell." Sokka cried out. Zuko tried his best to block the sun from his friend but realised he couldn't do much else. Momo returned soon after with a strange looking cactus, flying a little lower and sloppier than usual. Zuko frowned, something was wrong with him.
"Oh momo! I knew there was a reason you were my favourite!" Sokka beamed.
"What is it?" Zuko asked, trying to examine the strangely juicy cactus in Sokka’s hand.
"This my friend, is drinkable and I'm going to drink it.. So what if maybe it didn't go so well last time I'm sure not every cactus here is as weird as that one" Sokka says, he looks as though he's talking himself into that. Looking at it hesitantly for a second before taking a sip from the top of it and offering it to Zuko.
Zuko went to take it, unsure as to weather or not he would drink it yet when it was suddenly knocked from Sokka’s hands.
"Sokka! You have got to be kidding me!" Katara screeched, standing on the cactus that had fallen to the ground.
"I'm sorry Katara, I'm just so thirsty" Sokka said before falling back to the floor, his pupils dilating as he giggled at nothing.
"What was that?" Zuko pondered, looking down at the crushed cactus he thought he'd be getting a taste of.
"Cactus juice, last time we were here those two idiots drank some of it and were out of it the rest of the day.. I guess you'll see" Katara sighed.
"Anyway, Aang is just up ahead and I think I see structure’s so let's keep moving" Katara instructed, taking Toph’s arm as the two took the lead. Zuko followed close behind, trying to keep an eye on Sokka who had become rather slow and distracted. He was jumping up and down like an idiot trying to catch Momo’s tail.
"What is he doing?" Zuko asked, completely bewildered by this entire day and how calm everyone was being about it.
"Oh just leave him, it's his own fault and he'll be fine by tomorrow, Momo too"
Zuko sighed, looks like it would be his responsibility to look after the idiot. Great. As if he didn't have bigger things to worry about than the cute boomerang lunatic.
Zuko went to grab Sokka’s arm to guide him in the right direction but stopped when Sokka reached straight past his offering hand and directly for his face.
Zuko felt his cheeks heat up considerably as his friend's fingers tugged at them.
"Hmm, scary fire prince guy" Sokka said and Zuko stepped back a little. Perhaps he'd forgotten the last few weeks in the state he was in. Or perhaps he’d messed up so much in the past that he’d always be known as that person to Sokka and many, many others.
"Always trying to catch us"
"Yes, I'm truly sorry for all of that" Zuko frowned, he'd thought everyone had forgiven him, he'd thought Sokka had forgiven him.
"Yup! Now pretty fire prince is on our side! Momo did you hear that? We've got the best looking fire bender on our team!" Momo chirped and Zuko hid in his hands. Katara laughed.
"Sorry, guess he's very lose lipped when he's drugged" She smiled. A gust of wind hit them suddenly, Zuko parted his hands slightly, peaking through his fingers he watched as Aang came into view.
"There's a group of earth benders not far from here, they said we could stay the night in their barn" He exclaimed. Flying happily on an air bubble.
"That's great Aang, I'm not sure Sokka could last much longer" Katara said, motioning over to her brother. Her bother who's arms were wrapped around Zuko’s neck as he smiled up at him.
"Oh.. okay then. Let's make our way there then" Aang laughed, he'd known about Sokkas feelings for a while now so this was far less of a surprise to him than it seemed to be for Zuko.
The group made their way straight towards the earth benders, following behind an excitable Aang.
Katara shared the last of her water around when they were about ten minutes away, figuring they could stock back up once they arrived. Sokka, on the other hand, continued making flirtatious comments to Zuko all while chasing Momo around and paying far much attention to every single thing.
"I found this rock, it's hard around the edges but look the inside is smooth!" Sokka beamed, handing the newly discovered rock to Zuko.
"It reminded me of you, pretty boy" Sokka winked and Zuko blushed, rubbing his finger over the rock before placing it in his pocket. He kept telling himself to ignore Sokka, he was high and he didn't really think any of this. But still, he couldn't force his heart to stop fluttering.
Soon after and they'd safely made it to the earth benders. A man dressed head to toe in beige clothing and bandages stepped forward. Slowly unwrapping his face protection as he smiled.
They were greeted warmly, given food and water and told they were free to stay as long as they'd like.
"We'd be honoured to house the Avatar" The man had said, bowing his head before showing them to their spare barn. It was nice enough. Piles of hay, a roof, lots of water for Appa and that's all they really needed. They just had to wait for Appa to sleep then they could get out of here and onto land where breathing wasn't as hard a task.
Though Zuko thought the desert air was fine to breathe through in comparison to Sokka’s remarks and sudden close proximity.
They all did their part in setting up the base, no fire was necessary for once but still, sitting on the floor was never comfortable.
Aang disappeared momentarily before returning with some blankets for everyone to sit on, smiling though a story as he placed each one down in a circle formation.
Sokka’s blanket had originally been placed between Aang and Toph, everyone thinking it a good idea to keep him as far from Zuko as possible. Zuko tried not to sulk, it was annoying Sokka had to be so far from him after being stuck to him for the last hour.. But it was definitely for the best.
Sokka on the other hand didn’t like this arrangement at all…
"No! I wanna sit with Zuko!"
"Sokka no! You're being weird you're going to make him uncomfortable!" Katara said, gulping down some water before using the rest to fill up her water bending pouch.
"Oh.. I don't want him to be uncomfortable.." Sokka frowned, looking down at his hands and Zuko felt a pang in his chest. He picked up his own blanket and placed it ridiculously close to Sokka’s. Who needed logic when your incredibly cute best friend was pining over you.
"Hey, I'm not uncomfortable" He smiled and Sokka beamed. His hands reaching for Zuko’s own and lacing them together.
"hmm good.. you're the best!" Zuko’s chest tightened, oh how he hoped Sokka actually meant this.
"But make sure you drink this alright? It'll make you feel better" Zuko said, placing a water bottle in Sokka’s free hand.
Aang smiled at how carefully Zuko was treating his friend and felt his heart warming at how much Zuko had become a member of the group. At how much he'd changed. There was a point where he'd wanted nothing more than to hunt them all down, now he was smitten with the boomerang guy.
"Uhhh no! I already feel great, you're here!"
"Gross! Why's he so soppy when he's high" Toph fake gagged. Sokka’s face was enveloped in a pout and Zuko frowned.
"Don't listen to her. Drink this and I'll stay here all night all right?"
"With me?!" Sokka bounced when Zuko nodded. Gulping down his water as though his life depended on it. Then he threw the water bottle, looking towards Zuko for his praise.
"Ow" Aang frowned. "I see, no regard for your other friends then!" He joked and Sokka glared at him.
"Hey! I love you all, but Zuko is hot! Ahh! Don't tell him I said that" Sokka shouted towards Aang. Whisper shouting the end part but it wasn't even close to being an actual whisper, and even if it was Zuko was still going to hear it, what with being right next to him and all.
"Oh! Fire prince! Didn't see you there... How ya doin'?" Sokka winked when he turned to face Zuko again.
"You think I'm hot?"
"Did Aang tell you! No loyalty I'm telling you!" Sokka shouted. Earning a small "heyy" from Aang.
Zuko smiled, newly found confidence seeping into him. He'd never felt like this before but Sokka’s sincerity made him feel safe and secure enough to do anything.
He pulled at the hand he was holding, Sokka’s face flying forward and he caught it with ease, his mouth grazing Sokkas ear as he whispered.
"Not so bad yourself" Sokka screeched, nearly taking out everyone’s ear drums on his way before wrapping his arms around Zuko’s neck, his legs overlapping Zuko’s own.
"Guys!! Hot stuff likes me back!" Sokka smiled.
“Um.. What exactly does he mean?”
“He means he’s been trying to get your attention for weeks and apparently it hasn’t been working” Katara says, shrugging.
“Now he thinks you do feel the same, which we all knew of course but he’s an idiot” She finished and Zuko quite literally felt as though he could explode.
“Will he even remember this?”
“Probably not”
“Oh” Zuko looked down, Sokka’s head was in his lap, fingers tracing along his jaw and Zuko caught them.
“Hey! Lemme touch youuu” Sokka whined and Zuko knew he couldn’t exactly say no to those eyes. He let go of his hand expecting it to go back to his jaw but instead it fell and hit Sokka straight in the face.
“Ouch” Everyone laughed at that, everyone except Zuko and sokka.
“I’m so sorry, I thought you’d-“
“Shh, you’ll get worry lines on your perfect face!”
“I’m sorry, I really did think my brother had a little more integrity than this.. A little but not a lot..”
Sokka huffed, his arms crossing on his chest.
“I think it’s brave. He’s very open, takes a lot of courage” Sokka smiled again, tugging on Zuko’s shirt and going up to kiss him.
“Okay no kissing me while drugged” Zuko stated, he definitely wanted it more than anything, but not when Sokka wouldn’t even remember it…
“I’m sure it doesn’t take any bravery when you’re that high” Toph scoffed, shoving some of the food they’d been given into her mouth.
“I’m super brave! Me and boomerang could rule the world!” Sokka yelled. His hand slamming into the air as he made a throwing motion.
“Aren’t I invited?” Zuko frowned down at the head on his lap, which gasped and sat up, just barley avoiding a collision on his skull Zuko readjusted.
“Of course! Zuko, sokka and boomerang! Dream team”
“Sure, dream team of doing nothing! It’s the three of us that have kept us alive this long..” Katara says scoffing.
“Ahh let him have it Katara, I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time” Zuko smiles at that comment. He doubts it has anything to do with his arrival but a guy can dream.
Hours had passed and Sokka still wasn't regaining any form of normality, he'd been attached to Zuko all night. Everyone had found it all very amusing, but Zuko hadn't felt this alive before. He'd never have thought that the water tribe boy would've liked him back, never mind this much.
Sokka hasn't gone ten minutes without calling Zuko pretty or beautiful in some sort of way, he felt a little guilty about it but Zuko really didn't want this to stop. He didn't want Sokka to wear off from the drug and say he didn't mean any of it, he was just high.
It hurt too much to think about that, so he shook his head. Besides if that really were the case then wouldn't it be best to make the most of tonight?
"Hey hot stuff? What ya thinking about? Is it me.. are you thinking about me?" Sokka smirked, resting his head on Zuko’s shoulder.
"It's a little hard not to when you're all over me" Zuko replied, earning only a "hmm" from Sokka - who had seemed to take this as a request for him to get even closer. He pushed Zuko down onto his blanket, then fell down onto it himself. They were face to face and Zuko swears he hadn't actually had any oxygen in an hour.
Sokka smiled, moving closer and burying his head in Zuko’s neck. The rest were all asleep now, luckily for sokka as they would likely tease him about this for weeks.
"Sleep with me" Sokka mumbled and Zuko jumped, pulling his head away.
"What?!" Zuko sat up, stunned. It had came out a little louder than expected but there were only a few stirs.
"I'm tired and you're warm.." Sokka smiled, pulling Zuko back to him and pushing a leg under Zuko’s - who had just been brought back down to earth in realising Sokka didn't mean what he thought he meant.
"Goodnight Sokka.." Zuko smiled, his hand holding Sokka’s head as his breaths got slower and deeper. Zuko didn't want to sleep, he wanted to cherish this moment incase he never got another like it.
Yet the warmth and the safety was more than he'd ever felt and soon enough sleep was overtaking him.
———
"What the -" Sokka screamed, jumping out of Zuko's grip, legs taking him as far away from the sleeping Firebender as they possibly could. He turned to look at his friends who were all staring at him with raised brows.
Then he whispered.
"Please tell me why I just woke up entangled with the fire prince!" He whisper shouted and Zuko stirred. He walked closer to his friends so as not to wake the very subject of his confusion.
"Because, you idiot, you decided to drink cactus juice again.. you know, because it worked out great last time" Katara scowled. Sokka shook his head, wanting an actual answer.
"Yeah, then you clung to fire fingers over there the entire night. It was gross, you kept calling him pretty" Toph turned up her face.
"It was cute, Zuko looked after you the whole time.. but you're gonna have a lot to talk about when he wakes up" Aang smiled warmly and Sokka felt his insides churning. He was mortified, no way had he fallen asleep in Zuko’s arms.. no way had he spent the whole night calling him pretty..
"Please someone just kill me now" Sokka whined. He was about to step outside for some air before remembering they were in a giant desert and decided against it. Clearly he didn't mix well with the desert.
"Morning sleepy head" Toph said when a eerily quiet Zuko came towards them. He was rubbing his eyes and his hair had fallen in front of his eyes.
"What are you staring at? Aren't you going to call me pretty today?" Zuko teased, unaware that the cactus juice had most definitely worn off.
He certainly caught on to this development when Sokka’s face was overcome with horror. Zuko’s own cheeks reddened and he let out a quick "oh" before returning to his blanket to wake up properly. Sokka looked between his friends and Zuko, each of them pointing with their heads to talk to him.
Sokka took a deep breath and ventured forward. Taking a seat beside Zuko, smiling cautiously when Zuko looked at him.
"Sorry, I thought you were still... You know" Zuko said, looking down at the water in his hands and taking a quick drink of it.
"Yeah about that.. the gang just told me what I did and I'm so sorry"
"No! I mean.. it wasn't bad.." Zuko said, trying with every fibre of his being to keep a straight face but get his point across properly. Sokka raised a brow, realisation dawning that perhaps Zuko felt the same. After all, he had let Sokka sleep with him..
"oh.. well in that case, you look adorable this morning" Sokka smiled, reaching over and pressing his lips to Zuko's cheek. Laughing fondly when he saw the heat rising to them.
"Yup, definitely adorable"
228 notes · View notes
koala-otter · 4 years
Text
a little gaang modern AU
more (zukka!) prompts coming but for now have some modern AU silliness featuring the gaang as a bunch of goofy young adults on a road trip
might write another part to this but also might not :) (so lmk if you like it)
that’s all i have please enjoy 
2k words
Aang rings the doorbell of the small, white house only for the door to swing open as soon as he pulls his hand back. Katara stands in front of him with a dazzling smile, immediately grabbing his arm to pull him into the foyer. 
“I watched you walk up,” she explains. She lets him go and starts up the stairs to her room. “I just have to finish packing, and I’ll be right down. Two seconds.” At the top of the stairs, she turns and calls back down to Aang, “Sokka’s in the living room!”
Aang smiles as he watches her go and tugs on the straps of his backpack on his shoulders. He hears someone walking toward him, but where he expects to see Sokka, Hakoda appears in the archway leading to the kitchen and dining room.
“Aang,” Hakoda says warmly, coming forward to clasp the young man’s arm. “It’s good to see you.”
“You, too, Chief Hakoda,” Aang replies, grinning broadly. 
Hakoda stands back and looks down at the empty space next to Aang. “No Appa?” he asks of the dog normally at Aang’s heels.
“Appa hates long car rides, so Gyatso offered to take care of him for the week,” Aang explains. “Now that he’s getting older, we just want to do what’s most comfortable for him.”
“Makes sense,” Hakoda says with a sympathetic smile. “How is your grandfather?”
Aang shrugs, but keeps the smile on his face. “He’s managing. I keep asking him to lower his hours at the bakery, but he won’t let up.”
Just then, Sokka walks in bearing a duffel bag over his shoulder. “Hey, Dad, have you seen—Aang!” Sokka rushes over to rub his bald head, even though Aang has grown taller than him in the last year. 
“Hi, Sokka.” Aang laughs good-naturedly as he pulls away. “Are we ready to go?” 
“Almost.” Sokka turns back to his father and asks, “Have you seen my keys? I can’t find them anywhere.”
“Are they not on the hooks?” Hakoda asks, gesturing to where they’re mounted on the wall. 
“My car keys,” Sokka clarifies. 
Hakoda’s face betrays his complete ignorance of their location. “Maybe you should ask—”
“They’re in the pocket of your blue hoodie.” 
The three men look up to find Katara coming down the stairs, a large tote bag tucked under her arm, and her wavy hair loose and bouncing around her shoulders. She points out the hoodie in question, tossed on a bench under where the family hangs up their jackets, while she steps into a pair of white sneakers. 
“You left them after we got back from dinner last night,” she explains as Sokka fishes through the sweatshirt. 
He holds the keys up triumphantly. “Finally, men, our journey begins!” he cries. He lowers his arm, tossing the keys in the air and catching them, and then flinging the hoodie over his other shoulder. “All right, let’s go.”
They each take turns hugging Hakoda and promising him to drive safely, and then pile into Sokka’s car, a fifteen-year-old SUV, sporting big tires and a fairly high ride height, handed down to him by his father.
“Aang, you sit in front,” Sokka says as he pulls open the driver’s door and climbs up into the car.
“Why does Aang get to sit in the front?” Katara asks even though she’s already seated behind them.
“Because Zuko’s actually going to sit in front,” Sokka replies matter-of-factly, checking his mirrors, “and I don’t wanna fight with you when I have to tell you to get in the back.”
Katara scoffs. “We wouldn’t have to fight.” She grabs the backs of their seats and leans toward Aang. “Aang, trade seats with me.”
“Okay,” Aang says readily. He unbuckles his seatbelt.
Sokka puts his arm out across Aang’s chest to keep him where he is. “Aang, don’t move,” he says. “Katara, he’s 6’3”, you’re going to make him sit in the back where there’s no leg room?”
“You’re about to make him sit in the back where there’s no leg room!” Katara exclaims. 
“Uh, guys,” Aang says uneasily, “it’s really no big deal.” The fight is typical of the dynamic he’s been managing since they were all kids.
“See?” Sokka says, finally pulling the car out of the driveway and out onto the road. “Aang says it’s no big deal.”
Aang hears Katara retreat to the backseat with a little huff of breath. 
“Don’t worry, Katara,” he says, craning his neck to look back at her. “I’ll be in the back with you soon.”
Katara smiles back at him despite herself.
It doesn’t take long for them to arrive at Zuko’s house, and as soon as they do, Sokka gives two short blasts on the horn. Almost immediately, three figures emerge from the house. Zuko and Suki wave goodbye to Iroh and begin walking toward the car, while Sokka jumps out and runs over to help grab their bags.
“Hey, Iroh!” Sokka calls out to the older man. He kisses Zuko’s cheek and grabs his boyfriend’s black leather backpack. 
“How wonderful to see you again,” Iroh says kindly. His expression turns analytic as he scans the space between Sokka and the car. “Where is your sister? I thought she was going with you.” It’s no secret that Katara is a favorite of his.
Katara rolls down her window and thrusts her upper body through the new hole in the door. “Hi, Uncle Iroh!” she calls.
He waves at her enthusiastically. “Have a fun trip,” he tells her. “You must be very excited; you are practically glowing, like an early summer moon flower.”
Aang cannot help smiling and agreeing as he watches Katara brighten. 
“Thank you,” she says sweetly. “You look wonderful, too! I hope Zuko’s help at the shop is giving you the chance to get more rest.”
“He didn’t say I was glowing,” Suki hisses to Zuko. After going over to Zuko’s to wait for their ride, she’s just spent an hour bonding with Iroh herself.
“You don’t write your thesis and buy three pots of tea at the shop every day,” Zuko whispers back with a shrug. In a louder voice, he says, “We should hurry. We don’t want to be stuck in traffic.”
“Zuko, where are your manners?” Iroh stops him. “You haven’t asked your friends if they’d like any tea.”
“But, Uncle, we’re about to leave,” Zuko says in a slightly exasperated tone.
“So? It’s no excuse not to offer them a refreshment. You’re in for a long drive.”
Zuko turns to his friends with a sigh. “Would anyone like a cup of tea?” he asks, clearly conscious of his uncle watching expectantly from behind him. 
“I’d love one,” Aang says, popping his own head out of the car, “but Toph just texted me asking if we were on the road yet, and I really don’t wanna see what she’ll do to me if I tell her no.” He waves his phone in the air. “Sorry, Iroh!” 
Iroh raises his hand in the air as a greeting. “It is no problem,” he says with a smile. “You mustn’t keep her waiting.”
“We’ll come by the shop as soon as we get back,” Aang promises, gesturing between himself and Katara. 
“Well, you heard him, team,” Sokka says, leading the charge back to the car. “Let’s not keep Toph waiting.”
Aang gets out of his seat so Zuko can sit next to Sokka, and Katara moves into the middle so Suki and Aang can sit on either side of her. They all wave goodbye to Iroh as the car pulls out of the driveway and heads for the highway. 
“How far is it to Toph’s house anyway?” Suki asks after a while.
“Well, I wouldn’t really call it a house,” Aang says thoughtfully. “It’s more like an estate.”
“It’s the old Beifong summer home,” Katara clarifies, “built over a hundred years ago with their mining fortune. ‘Estate’ might not even cover it—it’s not quite a palace?” She looks to Aang for confirmation. “But it’s as close as you’ll get to one today.”
“And the real question,” Sokka adds, removing his hand from Zuko’s thigh to raise it in the air, his index finger extended to emphasize his point, “isn’t how far it is, but where it is.” 
He puts his hand back, and Zuko smiles contentedly.
“Wait, what?” Suki asks. “Did you just say we don’t know where we’re going?”
Sokka shrugs and glances in his mirror before moving his eyes back to the road. “Don’t worry, I put together the directions,” he says. “Zuko?”
Zuko pulls something out of the glove compartment and unfolds it to reveal a laminated map of the western Earth Kingdom. Roughly-drawn red arrows point to blue circles sketched on top of mountain ranges and lakes, and a looping dotted line has been thrown in, too, seemingly to throw the viewer off any sort of trail. Suki tries to study the markings. Katara sighs when she sees them. Aang takes one look and chooses instead to stare out the window.
“The Beifong summer home sits in a valley between two mountains an hour outside of Gaoling,” Zuko explains. He points to the map. “Here.”
He waits for Suki’s nod before continuing. 
“And we’re all the way over here,” he says, pointing again. “So, we have to go through—huh.” He studies the map. “Oh, we have to go through here. But wait, that’s not right. The Serpent’s Pass? Oh, no, what I meant was here. Or, hold on.” He stares at the map and its markings again, and the only sound in the car is the rush of the wind coming in through the windows. 
“Sokka, this is impossible to read!” 
Sokka gasps. “You called it ‘meticulous’ before,” he says with an accusing tone. 
“Yeah, before I actually tried to use it.” Zuko shakes the map. “How the hell are we going to get there with this?”
Suki leans in close to Katara to whisper, “Boy, am I glad it’s not me up there.”
Katara stifles a laugh into her hand.
“Look, I made the map, so I can read it,” Sokka says with finality in his tone. “It’ll take us right to the Beifongs’ front door.”
“But Sokka, you’re driving,” Zuko almost complains.
“So? I can look over if I need to.” Sokka starts craning his neck to view the map on Zuko’s lap. “I can even keep one eye on the road while I—”
“Sokka,” Katara says sharply.
“All right, all right,” Sokka says, focusing back on the stretch of road in front of them. “Sheesh.”
“Come on, guys,” Aang says cheerfully, “I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“I asked if you were prepared this morning, and you said you were,” Zuko continues arguing.
“I was! I made the map!” Sokka cries indignantly.
Zuko shakes the map once more. “How is this prepared?”
Sokka sighs in aggravation. “Look, if you’re so worried, Wan Shi Tong it.”
“What?”
“I said, just look it up!”
“Are you crazy? The Beifong summer home is not going to be on Wan Shi Tong maps,” Zuko says almost condescendingly.
A loud beep sounds from the backseat, followed by an automated, wise-sounding voice monotoning, “Starting route to the Beifong Summer Villa.”
Everyone but Sokka whirls around to look at Aang. 
“Hey, look at that,” he says. He holds his phone up with a grin. “They have it.”
Katara laughs out loud as Zuko begrudgingly looks up the address on his own phone. Everyone settles into companionable silence, allowing the sounds of the wind and the automated voice giving directions to replace any conversation. After a while, Suki even begins to drift off, her temple pressed against the glass of her half-open window. Aang watches the trees and the other cars on the highway pass by them, until he feels a tug on his arm. 
He looks down to find Katara looping her arm through his and leaning her head on his shoulder. She tilts her head up when she feels his eyes on her. 
“Is this okay?” she asks. 
Aang nods. “Yeah, of course.”
“Good.” She smiles lightly and lets her head drop back down to his shoulder. “It’s a good thing you’re here,” she says quietly to him, amusement in her tone.
A light blush rises in Aang’s cheeks, and he cannot help grinning. When Katara’s this close, he can smell the jasmine of her perfume. 
“Yeah, good thing,” he agrees. 
The smile stays on his face as he looks back out the window.
235 notes · View notes
milkypompon · 4 years
Text
𝕋𝕠𝕠 𝕃𝕒𝕥𝕖 Pt.2 | Reader x Sokka x Zuko | ℤ𝕌𝕂𝕆'𝕊 𝔼ℕ𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾
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𝕐𝕆𝕌 ℂℍ𝕆𝕊𝔼 ℤ𝕌𝕂𝕆'𝕊 𝔼ℕ𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾
< ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤 || 𝕊𝕆𝕂𝕂𝔸'𝕊 𝔼ℕ𝔻𝕀ℕ𝔾 >
𝕀𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕖 | Y/N and Sokka crushed on each other for the longest time, but neither of them had the guts to tell about their feelings. Sokka tried to ignore how he felt by flirting and dating other people, which left Y/N confused. Until, Y/N met Zuko, firing up something within Sokka.
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣'𝕤 ℕ𝕠𝕥𝕖 | Okay, cutie Zuko is here! I took the opportunity and answered a request as well, I hope this will suffice for your flaming hotman needs!! Thank you to everyone that’s waited!
WARNINGS: Angst! Fluffy! Smut! Few cussies??
𝔼ℕ𝕁𝕆𝕐
Sounds of whispers and giggles were carried by the wind of the night. The Gaang sat around a flickering flame, shuffling their hands together near the fire to keep warm. Each one of them leaned their backs against a tree to support their dropping frames. There was still tension from the interaction between Sokka and Y/N, which neither of them returned yet. 
Their heads whipped to the approaching sounds of leaves crunching under quick boots. 
It was Y/N. 
Y/N released wavering hiccups and occasional sniffs. The fire illuminated their wilting features. But, it wasn’t a lasting sight for the worried friends because Y/N ran further into the dark forest, only guided by the dotted stars.
Toph dusted off her tunic from dirt as she stood up, “I’ll talk to Y/N-”
Zuko was already walking towards Y/N’s direction, “It’s alright, I think I know what this is about… But, I hope I’m wrong.” He muttered the last part to himself.
Zuko began to feel Y/N’s presence in a different way everyday: The sight of their eyes lighting up with the sunrays and hearing their laugh jingle like happy bells softened his heart. But, he didn’t want to intervene between Sokka and Y/N’s established relationship. Zuko hoped that he didn’t break their bond just because he happened to be there. The tears that streaked their face was an image that he could not forget because Zuko caused that.
“Y/N! I… I think we need to talk this out!” He yelled into the towering trees and the sky above. 
Zuko walked for what seemed like miles, or maybe it was his mind playing tricks on him because he was anxious about the thought of having to let go of them when it was time to relay his thoughts onto Y/N. 
A feeling of warmth washed over his anxious thoughts when he was greeted by Y/N’s back. They mindlessly dangled their legs over a clifftop, picking at blades of grass that tickled the palm of their hand. Y/N was well-aware of the voice that’s been carried by the wind, but they didn’t want to face them with such a horrendous face and incomplete thoughts.
Zuko slowly approached Y/N, careful not to startle them. “Can I sit next to you?” He tried to catch their eye, but they only turned a way and hummed a yes.
Y/N picked another blade of grass, rolling it around between their fingers. 
He leaned back with his arms supporting him, looking into the dark sky decorated by flecks of glowing stars. “Y’know Toph wouldn’t be so happy if you treated her element like that,” Zuko turned his head and offered Y/N a small smile.
Still looking into their lap, Y/N retorted with a wavering voice, “Speaking of Toph, I bet she was gonna talk to me, huh?”
Zuko ignored their comment, not out of ignorance, but his mind was running a thousand miles per hour. “I… I’m not sure if this is the best time to tell you-” He paused when Y/N’s eyes began to gloss over.
Y/N said in a dangerously low voice, “What? That you like me or some shit? I don’t even know what love means.” Tears began to slide down their cheeks.
Zuko was taken aback by what they said. Then, he was startled by the onslaught of rain that began to sprinkle onto them. Slowly, but surely, the stars were covered by heavy, water-filled clouds. His mouth gaped, “I knew that Y/N was a waterbender, but being able to control the weather with their emotions…”
Zuko quickly recovered from his discovery. “Y/N, please. At least head into camp with me,” he pleaded as he shielded his eyes from the rain.
Y/N’s tears were beginning to mix with the salty drops of rain that became larger. “Just leave me alone!” Y/N threw their hand out towards Zuko’s chest. 
The clouds clapped and emanated grumbling sounds of anger. Zuko’s eyes widened when a rope of lightning approached him. He couldn’t catch it in time to scoop it with his fingers, down towards his stomach, then shoot out to the opposite direction- Just as Uncle Iroh taught him. 
It all came too quickly.
Y/N was stunned at the sight of electricity dancing around Zuko’s quivering frame that fell harshly to the dirt. 
His eyelashes batted slowly. 
“Y/N…” Zuko groaned.
Darkness enveloped him.
-
Soft cushions supported Zuko’s body and a thin blanket layed over his legs. He looked up only to be greeted by the fabric of a tent.
Zuko attempted to prop himself up with his elbows, but he came down with a loud thud and a pained moan. He scanned his body for any visible pain and not to his surprise, was a crawling scar on his chest, specifically on the skin above his heart.
Zuko squeezed his eyes shut in agony, memories of last night came flooding into him, which made his heart wince even more.
“How could I be so stupid?” He thought. Zuko was pulled back from his trance of blame and sadness with the sound of the tent’s entrance being pulled open. Quickly, he shut his eyes, quipped up a calm face and pretended to be asleep. 
Y/N shouted behind their shoulder, “It’s alright Katara! I’ll take this shift.” They held a bowl of glimmering water, collected from their rainy rage last night.
They carefully set down the bowl next to Zuko’s head and slipped off their boots, careful not to track in any mud. 
Y/N didn’t make a single sound, no sighs escaped their lips as they wrapped their hands with water. It languidly slid between their fingers, glowing a little brighter each time a droplet joined their hands. 
They brought the healing water onto Zuko’s scarred chest that angrily glowed red, contrasting the cool blue hue. To Y/N’s dismay the wound didn’t diminish, not even by the slightest.
Zuko pried his eyes open, knowing Y/N was too concentrated on healing his wound, just enough to see their luscious lips whisper, “I hate it when Katara’s right about waterbending and my damn emotions…”
He shut his eyes again when Y/N slowly trailed their eyes up to his face. “Zuko, I…”
Zuko’s ears warmed up, already feeling the embarrassment he’d have to face when they told him that they knew he was awake this whole time. 
Y/N released a heavy sigh, “I’m sorry…”
He was stunned at Y/N’s words.
“I’m sorry that I led you on and hurt you like this!” Their eyes began to dampen. “You stayed with me when you could’ve left, instead you dealt with my dramatic ass last night,” Y/N laughed a little at the end. 
“I wanted to share the stars with you last night and see your face light up, instead I lit you up, literally…” They confessed.
Zuko couldn’t help, but tear his eyes open just a little. Y/N’s tears came down like rainfall, it splashed into their hands, joining the preexisting water on his chest. 
Y/N’s lip quivered, “You make me feel warm everytime you look at me with those amber eyes of yours. What I’m trying to say is… I love you too…” They were bawling at this point.
Suddenly, the once languid pools of water surrounding Y/N’s hands and Zuko’s chest, swirled up to Y/N’s arms and covered their upper body. 
“UHMM!” Y/N’s mouth gaped open in surprise and uncertainty. They tried to pry their hands away, but it stuck onto him like glue. 
“ZUKO!” They yelled, now in fear. 
Zuko’s eyes immediately shot up at the blue hue of water glowing brightly, not to mention Y/N’s hands pressing lightly on his scar. He would be blushing profusely at the contact, but that was the last thing he had on mind at the moment. The water swayed and flicked faster, releasing sounds similar to ocean waves crashing onto rocks.
No one outside seemed to hear the raging sounds that occurred in the tent. They didn’t even hear Y/N’s cries of help.
Zuko and Y/N were stuck. 
Zuko propped himself up with his arms, frantically scanning his eyes at the situation. His eyes were blown wide, “Y/N! YOUR- YOUR CHEST!”
Y/N felt their ears heat up. “MY WHAT?!” Out of instinct, they attempted to lift their arms to cover themselves from Zuko, forgetting they were glued onto him. 
Realizing what Zuko implied, he replied with a stutter, “N-No! I mean look down!”
When Y/N did, their chest glowed, no-
Y/N’s heart illuminated blue through their chest. The sensation was unexplainable. They felt warmth and comfort, though there was a mixture of power that surged throughout their body. The energy would have been unbearable, if it weren’t for the contact that they and Zuko shared at the moment.
Y/N was sharing something with Zuko through his own glowing heart.
“SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!” they yelled back.
When Zuko looked at his chest, underneath Y/N’s hands, there were blue flares. It resembled the flickering flames of fire, but it was cool to the touch like ocean water. 
The flares were kept at bay by their hands.
They both realized this, causing them to look up and lock eyes.
The brilliant light that emanated from their elements coming together became unbearable, causing them to close their eyes. The sound that followed it was a deafening pop!
Zuko was the first to comment on the situation after the rageous situation died down, “Look…”
Y/N noticed the water dissipating into mist, floating away calmly as if nothing at all had happened. Their nose scrunched up and their mouth turned up in a small smile.
There was wonder that twinkled in their eyes, Zuko noticed.
He cleared his throat, “You can, uh, let go now.” 
“Sorry!” Y/N’s cheeks flushed in embarrassment as they felt his toned chest under their light fingertips. They couldn’t look away from Zuko’s state: His usual tousled black hair was pulled back with occasional strands meeting his forehead. His pupils dilated in the tent that was no longer illuminated by Y/N’s water. Y/N lingered on a little longer at the sight, until they slowly looked down.
The pair sat face to face now: Y/N’s legs were tucked in under their knees, while Zuko’s was pulled close to him in a criss cross fashion. They both gasped at the sight of Zuko’s once scarred chest, now it was a small tattoo that resembled the Water Tribe crest. 
“YOU MARKED ME?” Zuko’s hands scrambled up to touch the mysterious tattoo. 
Y/N flinched at his voice and made their cheeks puff, “That’s what you ask after all that emotionally driven magic?”
“And if you’re so angry about it, then maybe I can make more marks to match it,” Y/N muttered to themself. 
Zuko wasn’t sure if they heard them right, but his interpretation made his cheeks blush profusely. “I… okay,” he looked past Y/N not wanting to meet their eyes. 
“You- you mean it?” Y/N was absolutely stunned.
“I mean it if you do as well,” Zuko timidly scratched the back of his neck. 
“I’m not really sure where to start,” he admitted.
“Don’t worry, I'll take care of you,” Y/N propped themself up on all fours and crawled closer to Zuko. They brought a gentle handle to his jaw and kissed the corner of his lips. 
Y/N placed their lips near his ear, “...because I love you so dearly.” 
Zuko’s hair stood straight at the sound of Y/N’s sultry voice. 
The feeling was short-lived as they pulled away and asked him to position his legs in a way that would allow Y/N to straddle his hips comfortably.
Y/N felt Zuko’s unsure hands trying to get a hold of them, his eyes were a little lost, but there was a sense of satisfaction at the way they connected together. Y/N carefully grabbed his wrists, guiding his hands to their hips.
Once again, Y/N whispered into the shell of Zuko’s ear, “Grip them here. Don’t worry, I won’t break.” Their little giggle made his spine tingle. Y/N slowly trailed their feathery-light fingertips along Zuko’s toned arms. The sensations that he felt were electrifying, it made his hairs stand on edge and toes curl. 
Y/N took their time on drinking up Zuko’s unraveling state. But they knew that he needed more. They snaked up one hand to his shoulder, while the other cradled the nape of his neck. Y/N licked their luscious lips and began to press soft kisses along his jawline. Slowly making their way to Zuko’s neck, Y/N began to nibble, receiving whimpers. They swirled their tongue on the little marks that they promised to leave. 
Zuko was ecstatic with this new feeling of warmth quite different from fire. He couldn’t help but groan as Y/N began to grind their hips onto his, each touch made him want to beg for more.
Y/N saw Zuko bite his reddening lips, he was holding back.
“Zu… just let it out,” Y/N said into his bruising collarbone.
Zuko moaned, “Ah… Y/N, that feels so good. Don’t stop doing that-” 
“Doing what?” they thrusted into him quickly. 
“Hnnngg… Fuck,” he groaned in delight. “Keep going!”
Y/N smirked and stopped. “Keep doing what? You gotta use your mouth of yours, baby,” they said innocently. 
“Thrust into me l-like there’s no tomorrow!” Zuko managed to gasp out.
Of course, Y/N did because just as much they loved teasing Zuko, they wanted to feel their body grind and connect in a different way. Y/N leaned into Zuko’s swollen red lips and latched onto it. He gasped and gapped his mouth open when they tugged on their hair roughly, allowing Y/N to slide their wet muscle in.
Y/N weaved in and out of his mouth, then allowed Zuko to explore theirs. His tongue was shy, but sure enough their saliva mixed leaving it to string out on a long strand between them when the pair pulled away. 
Y/N’s eyes dilated and looked deep within Zuko’s, “I love you with my whole illuminating heart.”
“And I love you with my little tattooed heart.”
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕖 | I’m sorry loves that we didn’t get a Sokka and Zuko interaction! This had way more words than I intended with a whopping 2.4k-ish, which is more than Sokka’s ending.
Anyways, gimme your LOVE AND THOUGHTS!!
@aidela​ @mochminnie​ @boxofteenageideas​ @hakunamatatayqueen @a-hopeless-fan​ 
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going off my previous post here but i wrote a mini fanfic/headcanon about zukos nightmares? this is really long but if yall like it im willing to actually write it from zuko’s pov and add dialogue. maybe even put it on ao3 maybe? anywho, id love to hear feedback! enjoy!!
it wasnt uncommon for zuko to wake up in such distress that he started frantically firebending. one time iroh saw his nephew quite literally wake up breathing fire. concerning, but very impressive. since joining the gang, he had worked on not doing that (as much as was in his control), as he had accidentaly burnt down a tent or three. but the nightmares themselves didnt subside.
not uncommon, zuko woke up gasping for breath. his head and heart were pounding, sweat dripping down his chest. he headed outside, planning to go to a nearby stream in hopes of finding some relief and peace, only to find sokka was sitting outside and very much awake. they both stared kind of awkwardly at each other before sokka ushered the older boy over. neither asked why the other was awake. they just made mindless chitchat before falling into a surprisingly comfortable silence. sokka got up to leave, but not before offering his company next time zuko needed it. when asked if the offer was genuine, he laughed. to be honest, he had said, he was just being polite, and didnt expect zuko to actually believe him. what a dick move, they both thought.
he woke up in a similar state a few nights later. he tossed and turned, begging for sleep to claim him again before ultimately grunting and accepting his fate. he wandered outside, once again finding sokka awake. zuko greeted him and explained he was going swimming. it was his silent way of offering his company, which sokka took. what started as idle conversation eventually progressed, and they found themselves floating in the stream talking about their youths. at some point they even talked about how they had both lost their moms due to the war (despite katara thinking she was the only one who had ever experienced any sort of emotional pain.) they hadnt even realized the hours that had gone by until the chirping of bugs was replaced by the chirping of birds and the sun put the stars to sleep.
this pattern continued. while sokka never asked what zukos nightmares were about, zuko learned that despite being a sleep enthusiast, sokka lost many hours of precious shut eye to anxious planning. sometimes they went on a walk, sometimes they were sparring, and sometimes they simply watched the stars. it was nice company, just to the two of them. no offense to aang, but sokka and zuko were closer in age and much more similar than they had originally realized. sokka offered his late night company. before zuko could question him, sokka placed a hand on the firebenders shoulder. anything for a friend.
on one occasion, zuko woke up and stumbled outside without thinking about it, only to be greeted with the faint glow of where the fire was, no man in sight. still groggy and disoriented, he rubbed his eyes and blinked a couple of times before shuffling back to bed, blaming the ache in his chest on the painful memory of his nightmares and not on the absence of a certain someones company. it took a long time before he could fall back asleep.
after becoming firelord, sokka decided to stay in the fire nation. mostly for political planning and engagement until zuko got himself on his own two feet. who else to help than the guy who had spent the past few months travelling the world trying to save it. the avatar, katara had said cooly. which wasnt wrong but sokka was offended that she hadnt just agreed. besides, sokka would assure zuko, its not like he could leave zuko alone. who would be his comedic relief?
since returning to the palace, zuko had gone back to handling his dreams alone, the way he used to. while his bedding was definitely made to withstand the panicked firebending, he figured there were better coping mechanisms. he quietly walked through the halls. the young firelord wasnt paying attention, rather just letting his body go on autopilot and he tried to clear his mind. after a solid 15 minutes of rights and lefts, he found himself a hallway away from sokka’s quarters. after some hesitation, he turned around and went back to his bedroom.
the next time, after much delay and pacing, he knocked on the door. its not like be hadnt’t done this before. it would be just like before. that reasoning didnt stop zuko from immediately turning around and walking away. fortunately. sokka opened the door before he could get too far. zuko awkwardly began to explain his situation, but sokka just interrupted him and told him to wait before shutting the door. zuko stood there mouth still half open from when he was talking before sokka emerged two minutes later, clothed and ready to go. they wandered to the kitchen and talked for what seemed like minutes but must have been hours, as they were politely shooed out by the staff beginning to prepare breakfast. zuko walked sokka back to his quarters before they parted ways. sokka reminded his friend that though things may be different, the option still stood.
many night rendezvous later, zuko showed up particularly shaken. much to sokka’s surprise, it almost looked like behind the curtain of now long dark hair, the mans face was wet. when sokka asked if he was crying while brushing dark hair behind a pale ear, it was confirmed that he was in fact crying. it started as silent tears, and slowly but surely turned into a violent sob. you know, the kind of gross one with hiccups and snot and general incoherence. at this point, they had known each other for years, and they had definitely surpassed the point of friendship (though they were both too dense to realize it themselves) meaning they had seen each other vulnerable. but never had sokka seen zuko cry like this, and definitely not because of a nightmare. now the same height, the watertribesman wrapped his arm around his friends shoulder and guided him to the bed. zuko wasnt big on giving physical affection, but he never pushed sokka away. not when the friendly slap on the shoulder became a tender shoulder massage. nor did when sokka went from tussling the mans dark hair to running his fingers through it to just simply playing with it. sokka sat and cradled zukos head into his own neck. zuko cries lessened into sniffles and then a gentle snore. sokka gently moved zuko, placing his friends head on the pillow and tucking him in.
zuko woke up the following morning, confused as to where he was. as he gained his bearings, he turned to find the source of what sounded like snorimg. he stared at the tanned man for a couple beats, processing what was in front of him. the firelord tensed when the snoring stopped, fearing some sort of negative reaction. zuko breathed out in relief when sokka simply rolled away from him and the snoring began again. zuko quietly slipped out the bed and out the room, but not before smiling fondly to himself in the doorway.
a couple days later, sokka and zuko found themselves caught up in late night shenanigans, a concept that wasnt foreign to them. they were sitting on the foot of sokkas bed when zuko stood up to dismiss himself for the night. sokka stopped him, and when zuko raised his eyebrows in question, sokka spluttered out a not so smooth joke that was just a weak attempt at asking for zuko to spend the night. for protection of course. zuko, who at this point was experiencing severe symptoms of polar bear-puppy love, said yes of course, and ended up spending the night.
when he woke up the next morning, he felt truly rested for the first time in years.
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muertawrites · 4 years
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Two Halves - Chapter Ten (Zuko x Reader)
Part Nine
Word Count: 2,750
Author’s Note: We’ve had enough sad. Like, in general. So I wrote some happy for this week’s update. This chapter was originally going to be longer, but I decided to save the rest of it for next week since it ended pretty nicely where it is.
I feel like now is a good time to mention that I haven’t read the comics (I didn’t even know there were comics until like two months ago) so if you’ve been wondering why this story diverges so much from them, that’s why. I see the canon and I think it’s great, but it’s just so much more fun to write my own interpretations of what happened to everybody after the war. Sorry not sorry. 
I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things. I felt pretty okay yesterday, and I’m starting to not immediately hate everything I produce and am remembering how to talk myself up again after forgetting that anxiety and depression don’t rule my thoughts when it comes to my creativity. Things are still gonna be weird for a while, but we’ll be fine eventually. That’s how the human condition is - we always swing back at some point. 
~ Muerta
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“What do you know about Fire Nation prisons?” 
You expect Rina to falter at the question. She doesn't even flinch, continuing to dress you as if you asked her what she’d had for breakfast. 
“What do you want to know?” she wonders in return. 
You gaze off, allowing your mind to roam as you consider her question. 
Since your return to the Fire Nation, Zuko’s attentive attitude hasn't changed, and your fondness for him has grown in ways you never expected it would. During council meetings, it’s become a habit to hold his hand under the table where your advisors can't see (though Yong has caught you once or twice, smirking as if you were two school children passing love notes during class). You spend more time together in the evenings before bed, and some nights you invite Zuko to sleep beside you, missing his presence since returning to separate rooms - he’s always gone before sunrise to discourage any scandal (despite the fact that you're married), never leaving without a kiss to your forehead and a murmur of, “See you soon.” It’s also become routine to meet him by the turtle duck pond when you each have a moment to spare, the little creatures getting so used to your presence that many of them freely approach you, pecking at your palms in the chance you have a treat for them. 
“My mother and I used to do this,” Zuko confides during one of your breaks; it's the first cool afternoon since the beginning of summer, a few leaves from the overhanging maple tree floating on the pond’s placid surface. “I remember throwing a rock at one of the ducklings when I was a kid. Its mother bit me.” 
You giggle, opening your hand so a young male can nibble at the apple peel you hold out to him; you attempt to scratch his head while he eats, and he squawks at you. 
“Good for her,” you jeer. “Serves you right for being a dick.” 
Zuko chuckles, the curl of his lips framing a hazy sadness in his eyes. 
“Azula did stuff like that all the time,” he sighs. “I always felt… bad. Our mother knew what she was when she was really young. I was the one who got all her kindness. Sometimes… I think it's my fault Azula ended up the way she did.” 
“It isn't,” you assure him. You tuck your hand into his. “Your parents played favorites. It wasn't fair.”
Zuko hums absently, his gaze drawn out across the courtyard. After a moment, he’s pulled back to you, a playful grin tugging at his mouth.
“You remind me of a turtle duck,” he states. “You look harmless. You're cute. But you could really fuck someone up if they provoked you.” 
You laugh, slipping your hand from his to teasingly shove his shoulder; the turtle ducks around you scatter as he mirrors your reaction, doing little to defend himself against your loving attack. 
“Did you just call me ‘cute’?” you tease, reaching to pinch at his cheek - he grimaces, taking your hand away from his face by recapturing it in his. “Are you going soft on me, Hothead?” 
He chuckles, mirthfully flicking an apple peel into your hair. You notice the blush that colors his neck, unable to deny your own.
“Oh, Turtleduck,” he says with mock pity. “Is Sokka so bad at flirting that you never learned to pick up on it?” 
He's used his new pet name for you almost every day since he coined it; every time he does, your heart soars out of your throat and into the clouds. 
Through your bedroom window, you can see Zuko on the porch behind your chambers, leaned casually against the railing as he chats with Aang. 
Aang says something that makes the older man laugh; your innards seem to melt as the lines around the corners of Zuko’s eyes and lips wrinkle like folds in a bedsheet. Something in the scene riles you - you’ll slit a hundred men’s throats to protect that smile and the feeling it gives you. 
“This is about Azula,” Rina observes. 
One thing you've learned in your short time with her is that you can't keep secrets from her - chances are she already knows all of them. 
“I just want to know what her living situation is like,” you tell her, “how powerful she could actually be from inside a prison cell.” 
“You have a merciful husband,” Rina sighs, somewhat dreamily . “Azula doesn't live in a prison; he put her in a compound in the Si Wong desert. She's heavily guarded and follows strict schedules and rules, but he didn't want her to live the rest of her life in a cage.” 
“What about Ozai?” you ask. 
“He’s in a prison. I said your husband was merciful, not that he doesn't hold a grudge.” 
You smirk, momentarily eased from the worry that strains your mind. 
“Do either of them have access to the outside world?” you press. 
Rina shakes her head. 
“Azula has very little; the last she heard of anything outside the compound was your marriage announcement. Ozai has absolutely none. All the guards that keep both of them are from the unoccupied Earth Kingdom, so they have no allegiance to them, and only a select few guards are allowed to speak to Azula.” 
“So… there's no way they could be the masterminds of any of this?” 
Rina lifts her gaze from the sash she cinches at your waist, her dark, round eyes meeting yours; her expression is blank, but she speaks in a determined hush. 
“I can't say for certain. But Azula’s intelligence is violent and cunning; she sees things from a different perspective that isn't entirely human. She has insights that more empathetic people would never consider.” 
You nod slowly, understanding. 
“I'll talk to Aang.”
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Katara arrives from the Southern Tribe a few hours before the banquet you're hosting in Aang’s honor is scheduled to begin. You accompany her husband and yours to the imperial docks, a massive grin breaking across your cheeks the moment you spot her on the ship’s deck; she sends you a large, sweeping wave, catching you in her arms as soon as she's close enough to do so. 
“I'm so glad you're okay,” she cries into your ear. “How do you feel?” 
You nod, holding her by the waist as she pulls away. Her grip doesn't loosen, her arms still coiled around yours in an affectionate embrace. 
“I'm good,” you assure her. “I'm tough.” 
She smiles, pulling you in to kiss your cheek before turning to Zuko, greeting him with a warm hug. When she reaches Aang, her gestures are much slower, more tender. He takes her chin between two fingers and kisses her gently, his other hand positioned low on her waist as it presses her tightly against him; the action is so out of character for the two - typically so lively and averse to such kinds of public affection - that you and Zuko share an instinctive, curious glance. 
“Did we forget their anniversary or something?” you whisper, fear jolting through you when a look of panic crosses his features. 
“... I don't think so,” he says after a pause. “Maybe… he just missed her?” 
The confusion on his face is endearing - he's more emotionally intelligent than most people, but he's the last person who knows it. 
“Could be,” you agree. “This is the longest they've been apart in years.” 
The two of you watch as Aang assists Katara into Appa’s saddle, another strange behavior considering how used to flying Katara is. Neither of them seem to notice your staring, Aang leaning in for another lingering kiss before taking his place at the reins.
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You return to the palace and are met with commotion, servants and high-level diplomats scrambling this way and that in a flustered frenzy. Everyone immediately alerts, prepared for yet another catastrophe. 
“What's going on?” Zuko demands as Rina approaches you; she doesn't hide her sneer at his brash tone, and you smirk as he apologetically shrinks back. 
“You have visitors, come to give their congratulations for your marriage,” Rina explains. 
“Who?” Zuko wonders. 
“Sun Warriors. They're waiting for you in the throne room.” 
Zuko and Aang exchange a look of shock. As you're ushered through the halls of the administrative wing and into the throne room, you take Aang by the arm, pulling him close so you can whisper to him. 
“Who are the Sun Warriors?” you ask. 
“They were the first fire benders,” Aang tells you. “They were supposedly wiped out, but Zuko and I met them when we visited their island at the beginning of my fire bending training. Their existence is supposed to be a secret.” 
“Then why would they come here?” 
“Your guess is as good as mine.” 
The throne room is silent - empty save for your entourage and guests - but a constant, electric buzz seems to hang in the air. Zuko falls into step beside you, taking your arm in his as you approach the group of visitors gathered before the throne; their clothing suggests Fire Nation, but from a different world, ancient to the point of almost primal. Each person present is decorated in baroque jewelry, glimmering gold and laced with vibrantly colored beads placed in intricate, deliberate patterns. Their faces are painted in stark lines of red and white, some across their noses and cheeks and under their eyes, others over their chins and foreheads; the makeup is so similar to Water Tribe markings that your eyes widen, unable to stop yourself from leaning in as you attempt to get a better look while also remaining dignified. The warriors are also much more robust than their mainland counterparts, with stocky builds and robust features - they remind you of your own people, leaving you in awe. 
“Chief Sunan,” Zuko addresses the leader of the group, bowing low as he speaks; you follow suit, leveling your gaze with the floor. “To what do we owe the honor of your visit?” 
The chief smiles faintly, warmly at the two of you, bowing in return. 
“We are not so cut off from the outside world that we have not heard of your marriage,” he says. “News has traveled to us of the strength of your union, and the tenacity of your bride. As Firelord, you have protected us, and made strides to restore the ancient ways of the element - we have come to give you our thanks, and offer our blessings to the both of you.” 
Chief Sunan steps aside then, making way for a man and woman carrying a basket between them; they lower it at your feet, bowing as they step back to rejoin their people. 
“A gift,” the chief proclaims. His muted grin morphs into something more knowing, almost mirthful as he watches Zuko approach the offering. 
You rest a supportive hand on Zuko’s back as he leans forward, lifting the lid of the basket to reveal its contents; he raises a bundle of blankets from the vessel, his eyes growing wide as he peels the fabric back. 
Inside the package is a dragon, just small enough to be cradled in his arms. Its scales are a gorgeous crimson, glinting and shifting between hues of gold and turquoise in the light cast from Zuko’s bended fire that surrounds his empty throne. The little beast peers up at its new parent with amber eyes that mirror your husband’s. Zuko lets out an astonished breath, raising his gaze to meet Chief Sunan’s. 
“I can’t accept this,” he states, so quietly that only you and the chief can make out the words. 
“You must,” Chief Sunan counters, his smile never faltering. “The masters insisted.” 
Under your palm, you feel Zuko’s body tense. He nods, cautiously settling the tiny dragon into your arms; you hold the bundle tightly, reaching in to stroke gently at the baby’s nose. It purs appreciatively, and your heart swells. 
Zuko bows, lowering himself to the floor in the ultimate display of respect. 
“Thank you,” he says. “I vow to protect him with my life.” 
When he once again stands, he looks to Rina. 
“Accommodate them however they need,” he commands. “Send a group of our Kyoshi Warriors to the island to guard it from outsiders.” 
Rina nods, scurrying off immediately to delegate the tasks. Chief Sunan then approaches you, resting a hand on your shoulder; you meet his eyes with slight fear, but find only kindness looking back at you. 
“We are grateful our bloodlines will merge once again,” he tells you. “The origin of our people is a history that has been lost to time, long before the war was even a speck on the horizon. You see, the Sun Warriors are descendents of migrant peoples from the earliest ancestors of the Southern Water Tribe as well as the Fire Nation - what our mothers and fathers knew of water bending shaped our understanding of fire. Your union brings our people together once again, as they should be.” 
Zuko wraps an arm around your waist, proudly pulling you against his side. You draw in a shaky breath, leaning into him as you nod, tears pooling along the lines of your lower eyelids. 
“It’s an honor to finally meet you,” you say. “I’ll do everything to make sure we regain our lost history. I promise.” 
Chief Sunan smiles temperately and nods, his fingers contracting around your shoulder in an appreciative grasp. 
“Thank you,” he whispers. “We are proud to call you our queen.” 
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You invite the Warriors to stay for the night, Aang eagerly informing them of the banquet you have planned; by the time your reception of the unexpected visitors is finished, there's little more than an hour before it begins. 
Zuko brings your new ward back to your quarters, keeping him tucked protectively under his arms until you shut the sitting room door securely behind you. He then unravels the blankets the little creature is wrapped in, allowing him to explore his new home. 
“I thought dragons were extinct,” you marvel, watching as the fabled reptile twists and turns his body around every piece of furniture he encounters, inspecting everything he sees with humanlike interest. You smile, endeared by his wonder. 
“There are two still living,” Zuko explains. He kneels down beside the dragon, offering him a bit of a rice cracker from the box you keep in a side table for your nightly tea. “Three, now, I guess. The other two are the fire bending masters Aang and I had to seek approval from after I joined their team. Honestly, I thought they were both males.” 
“You must have made a good impression for them to trust you with their kid,” you remark, stifling a bit of laughter at his confession. “Maybe this’ll get Yong to stop bugging us about getting me knocked up.” 
Zuko chuckles, glancing up at you with an impish grin; the suggestive expression makes you blush, and you try to not admit to yourself that the excitement it sparks isn't unwelcome. 
The baby dragon lets out a mewling growl as he wraps himself around Zuko’s shoulders. He blows a minuscule jet of flame into the Firelord’s face, which Zuko mimics. You feel like squealing. 
“What should we call him?” you ask, lowering yourself onto the floor beside your husband. You hold a finger out to the dragon, which he curiously takes into one of his clawed hands. 
“Druk,” Zuko answers. “He looks like a Druk, doesn’t he?” 
You nod, your cheeks pinkened by the smile that’s plastered itself across your face; Zuko’s eyes meet yours with the same joyed expression. He maneuvers himself closer to you, resting his hand atop yours in your lap. As his fingers curl around your palm, you become achingly aware of just how near to you he is, and in a way that’s no longer friendly - the tension is heavier now, strained under the weight of a giddy, fluttering mania that leaves you dizzy. You don’t have to wonder if he feels the same. 
“Guess we’re parents now,” Zuko jokes, his voice barely above a breath. 
You giggle, taking the chance of leaning in to brush your lips to his. Your skin hardly touches; you’re too nervous to dive in and taste him, and for a moment after you pull away, you fear you may have imagined the glancing kiss. The fire that flares across Zuko’s cheeks tells you you didn’t. 
“Yeah,” you smirk, speaking in a murmur. “Guess we are.” 
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Imagine Sokka and Azula getting stuck babysitting together and it being chaos.  
Azula entered the room she was instructed to by Zuko’s note and looked around. The room was empty and silent and she frowned, Zuko’s note had been so brief and panicked it just asked her to come and help Katara with something and he’d owe her a huge favour in return but the water bender wasn’t here. Azula got ready to leave when she heard voices. “Sokka I have to go but you won’t be alone okay, Zuko’s coming to help”. “Zuko? well atleast i’m not alone”. “Exactly” the voice said before opening the door. Katara was stood there a bag on her back and noticed Azula. “Azula?”. “Obviously” Azula said dryly “Zuko asked me to come and help you with something”. “He can’t make it?” Katara asked and Azula nodded “obviously”. Katara’s eye twitched and Azula sighed “he had a last minute fire lord meeting so left this note for me” “Well i’m grateful he sent someone” Katara smiled “look I really have to go but Sokka’s in there and Mai will only be a few hours at most, okay?”. Katara rushed off and Azula frowned going into the room. Sokka was stood leaning over something and Azula coughed so he’d know she was there. “Hey Zuk.....AZULA?” Sokka gaped. Azula rolled her eyes at this family’s need for announcing the obvious “duh, now why are we here? Your sister didn’t tell me”. “Ah that explains it” Sokka nodded to himself “I didn’t think Mai would want you babysitting her brother”. “DOING WHAT?” Azula cried. Sokka pointed to the basket and Azula stepped forward to see a sleeping Tom-tom. “No way am I doing this! I don’t care if Zuko will owe me a favour I am not doing this!”. “You have to I can’t do this by myself! I only agreed because Katara said I’d have help, you can’t leave me alone!” Sokka whined. “Watch me” Azula shrugged when Sokka blocked the door “I didn’t want to do this but...you’re gonna need that favour with Zuko soon”. “What? why?” Azula asked and Sokka shrugged “I’d love to tell you but why would I when you’re going to leave me here?”. “Because I can do this” Azula said lighting her hand on fire and Sokka rolled his eyes “ow yeah so you’ve resisted the urge to torch all those boring council members and idiot nobels at parties Ty Lee drags you to just to attack me and get sent back to prison? I don’t think so”. Azula rolled her eyes “so if I stay and help you will tell me what Zuko is planning for me that I need to stop?”. Sokka nodded “i promise”. “Fine” Azula sighed and Sokka grinned at how well his plan to force Azula to help had worked before he paused “wow I never thought I’d be happy you’re spending time with me, weird huh?”. “Very” Azula agreed as Tom-tom started to cry.
Sokka and Azula looked over at the basket with fear and approached it slowly. They looked in to see Tom-tom red faced and very angry as he screamed his lungs out. “I think you woke it” Sokka commented and Azula glared “me? you were the one talking so much!”. “Well it doesn’t really matter who did it the fact is it’s awake and very loud”. Azula and Sokka frowned at Tom-tom and then glanced at one another. “Very loud” Azula complained “is it meant to be that red?”. "I don’t know” Sokka shrugged staring at the baby. “Well...pick it up" Sokka nudged Azula and she glared "me why me?!". "Because well, don’t girls like babies or something". Azula’s glare intensified and Sokka realised his mistake "okay not all girls! Not all girls!" he cried as Azula squared up to him. Azula smirked as Sokka raised his hands above his head and nodded to him "and don’t you forget it, now you pick it up". Sokka cautiously approached Tom-tom and picked him up gingerly. "No not like that" Azula commented "you'll drop it". Sokka turned Tom-tom around and Azula frowned "no not like that either!". Tom-tom squirmed and cried again and Sokka panicked and thrust him into Azula. "Take it i’m losing my grip". Azula instinctively grabbed the baby and Sokka laughed pulling his hands away "ha ha your problem now". "You filthy...." Azula started when Sokka shushed her "don’t yell! It’s stopped crying". Azula halted and looked down at the thing against her and saw what Sokka said was true. Tom-tom was giggling touching the gold buttons on her shirt. "Ow..well what do i do?". "Do?" Sokka asked. "Yes how do i make it stay like this?". "Erm im not sure do whatever you’re doing now?". "But I don’t know what i’m doing now" Azula cried panicking and Tom-tom started to cry again as Azula gripped him too hard. "Well you did something right before...don’t you know this kid?". "I know Mai but I don’t hang out with her baby brother for fun too! I don’t know what he likes, aren’t you an older sibling, shouldn't you know what babies like?". Sokka frowned "no, I kept well away from Katara until she could walk so I don’t know what to do!". "Well i don’t know what to do either" Azula said raising her voice to be heard over Tom-tom’s crying. Sokka took that as a challenge and raised his voice even higher "well what are we going to do then?". “I don’t know” Azula screetched and they both glared at one another.
3 hours later
Mai pushed open the door and sighed she couldn’t wait to just get back home and relax. "Thanks for looking after Tom-tom guys" she started and stopped abruptly to see Sokka and Azula. "What are you doing?" She yelled. Sokka and Azula froze but shrugged "what?". Tom-tom was strapped to Sokka with what looked like tape and Azula was waving fire infront of the baby. The room was a mess, toys, nappys, baby food and basically all belongings thrown everywhere. Mai was speechless "what? Why is my brother strapped to you and why are you trying to burn him?". "Don't be so dramatic Mai if I wanted to burn him I could do it easily" Azula said rolling her eyes "he likes it". True to her word Tom-tom was giggling trying to reach for the flames which Azula kept out of his way. "We were doing it to make him fall asleep but i think it just excites him". Mai stared "you used fire to make him sleep?". Azula shrugged "it seemed like a good plan". Sokka nodded "yeah babies like fire right?". Mai glared and strode to them, she pulled Azula back and unstrapped Tom-tom from Sokka "and why was he strapped to you?". "He kept moving" Sokka said straight faced and Azula nodded just as seriously. "So you strapped him down?" Mai asked angrily. Sokka shrugged “what were we supposed to do? He was too quick when we put him on the floor so Azula found some tape and started sticking and he seemed to like that too! Atleast this way we couldn’t lose him”. Mai rolled her eyes “idiots! Just put him in his cot or something”. “Tried that and he cried, why do children do that it’s just awful” Azula sighed and Sokka nodded sympathetically. “I think we did pretty good aswell” Azula said defensively “neither me or water boy wanted to baby sit but he’s alive and well isn’t he”. “Barely” Mai said dryly and Sokka raised an eyebrow “hey I think Tom-tom really liked us! Right Azula?”. Azula shrugged “he did seem to warm to us, I think it was when we stopped screaming and passing him to one another”. Sokka nodded “or when we stopped calling him an it”. Azula nodded thoughtfully and Mai groaned “both of you get out now you’re banned from babysitting ever! I’ll kill Katara and Zuko for this”. “Gosh fine! We know when were not wanted” Sokka pouted and Azula nodded “no respect for anyone these days” she muttered and Mai glared slamming the door on them both. “Well that was rude and after we did it as a favour” Sokka commented and Azula nodded “I know, some people are just difficult”. Sokka nodded and it only just dawned on him who he was talking to. “You know Azula you’re not so bad” Sokka thought outloud “sure you tried to kill me a few times and you sacraficed Tom-tom that time remember? Anyway the point is the three of us got along well so there’s hope for anyone!”. Azula nodded “yes I suppose you’re not too bad for a p..” she’s been about to say peasant but saw Sokka’s face and changed it quickly “person” she finished “you’re not as annoying as the others...suprisingly” she added and Sokka smirked. “Anyway I must be going” Azula said standing up straight “so goodbye”. “Bye Azula” Sokka waved smiling and Azula tensed. It was weird having someone smile at her and say her name so happily. Weird but not bad, it actually felt nice to have...well a friend. The thought of making a friend embarssed Azula so she hurried away but she smiled slightly to Sokka as she passed. After years of thinking she was unlovable and incapable of forming natural friendships Azula couldn’t believe how easy it had been to befriend Sokka. She’d made a friend all on her alone and barely trying too! Azula grinned to herself hurrying to her room. Ty lee was going to be so impressed when she told her!  
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So this could be interpreted as Tyzula or Sokkla because I ship both and do think Sokka and Azula would be a very good couple. I mean they’re both intelligent sarcastic tacticians with resentment towards their siblings and both had extreme pressures on them from a young age from their families (for Azula it was to be a prodogy firebender and Sokka to protect his whole tribe and become a warrior). Plus even in the series Azula recognised Sokka as a threat and in the comics they share a couple of really cute canon moments. The combination of their brain power and personalities would be the literal defenition of a power couple (just imagine them as a team for pictionary or something). Also just imagine everyone’s reaction to them announcing they’re dating, everyone expected it was Katara and Zuko who had something going on when Sokka and Azula have been together secretly for months (Zuko and Katara’s reaction alone I would pay to see!).
But even if it’s not as a couple I still think Azula and Sokka would be amazing friends too! They’re pretty similar in that they’re both stuborn which would make for very interesting interactions! Azula needs someone like Sokka that isn’t afraid to call her out on her bad behaviour but can also relate to her traumas and be there for her!  So anyway I just want more interaction between my two favourite characters thats all!! :) 
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