#the gaang: morning zuko how did you sleep? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tonberry-yoda · 1 year

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A Nice Girl - Zuko

Pairing - Zuko x f!reader

Warnings - none!!

Word Count - 3,211

Notes - I have been pumping out these really long fics lately lmaoooo. i dont mean to i just simply get carried away. i need to stop before i get a block tho lmao. AND IM ALMOST AT 400 FOLLOWERS OMG!!! im like so excited about it tbh. maybe ill open my request when we get there. thank you all and i hope you're all well. stay hydrated!!

You yawned and stretched, the silk from your nightgown tickling you. That had to have been the best sleep you have gotten these past couple of weeks. As the oldest in the “gaang” at 17 years old, you had to act as the mother of the group and felt this awful need to protect everyone all the time, thus granting you several sleepless nights.

Sure, Ba Sing Se didn't feel like home and it didn't feel 100% safe either, but you got to sleep in a comfy bed and wear some really nice clothes. You had to admit that it was nice to be working with the Avatar sometimes.

You pushed your tangled hair out of your face and looked into the full length mirror next to your bed. Yeah, you definitely slept well, that was no question. You could tell by the rat’s nest created on your head and the sleep lines across your arms and face. You definitely needed to wash up before you started your day.

You got out of bed, stretching as the sun kissed your warm cheeks. You were going to make the best out of today. Lots of planning, but lots of downtime too, so that was nice.

As you finally walked out of your room, you were welcomed to cackling laughter from Sokka, his finger pointed at you.

“Ha, ha,” you said sarcastically, Katara handing you a brush. “Very funny, Sokka.”

“Not just funny,” he said through laughter. “It’s hilarious, y/n! You look so stupid!!!”

You rolled your eyes, hiding a smile, and tamed the rat’s nest on your head, looking a little more yourself.

Aang walked in the house holding a bowl of snacks with a smile on his face. “Oh, good morning, y/n! You sure slept in this morning!”

“Slept in?” You tilted your head. “What time is it?”

Katara took the brush from you and set it down on a nearby drawer. “Almost 10 am.”

“What?!” You were shocked. You were usually the first one up always and if not, you never slept past 8.

Katara giggled. “Listen, y/n. I think it's great that you finally got some sleep. We never really see you rest well, so none of us had the heart to wake you up.”

You beamed. “You guys are the best. Well,” you stretched. “I'm gonna get washed up so I don't look like a sleepy monster all day.” Something about Ba Sing Se gave you the creeps, but at the same time, it was nice to be back in a place where you could bathe in warm water and not fear Zuko coming after you. It's not like you had anything against the Fire Nation prince… it's more like… he was an inconvenience to you and the rest of the gaang. Since you and Zuko were about the same age, you understood him. Well, kinda. You escaped the Fire Nation when you were younger, disagreeing with all of their ideals and overall how they treated the world. You did see the prince as Fire Nation scum, but at the same time, you saw him as a kid, just like you. He was banished for god knows what and he just wanted to go home. You didn't hate Zuko. Not one bit. You understood that he may just be in some sort of hidden pain. But you had to admit that it was kinda nice to not have him around to bother you.

You got out of the shower refreshed and ready for the day. It was nice to have a day off, so you were probably going to get some tea and write in your journal about how the past couple of weeks have been. You figured it would be nice to log everything that has ever happened on this little journey just in case you all wanted a refresher in the next twenty years or so. You slipped on some Earth Nation attire and smiled at yourself in the mirror as you braided your hair. Today is going to be a good day, you thought. Nothing better than tea and some late breakfast.

“I'm going out for the day,” you said, placing your bag on your shoulder. “Stay out of trouble today, got it?”

You looked at Aang and he laughed. “I will, I will! Have a nice day, okay, y/n? You deserve it.”

“You’re all too kind to me. Thank you.”

“And let me know if you find Appa!”

“I will, don't worry.”

You smiled and walked out of the house, smelling the fresh Earth Nation air. Luckily, the walls didn't cover the fresh air, so you could still get the almost afternoon breath.

You spent the beginning of the day walking around shops, buying some supplies and new clothes for yourself and the others. The markets were busy, but it was nice to get some of the things you needed without Aang begging for some stupid trinket that you always ended up buying him because you thought it was cool too. That was always your impulse, stupid things that Aang showed you. Those could be the death of you.

As you finally finished your browsing journey, you overheard a conversation while looking over a map.

“I swear their tea has gotten better.”

“Really? I dunno.”

“I'm serious. It has to be the best tea shop in Ba Sing Se.”

“Fine, we can go try it later.”

You turned to the two men a little embarrassed that you were eavesdropping. “S-Sorry, but I was kinda listening to your conversation… uh… where’s that tea shop you were talking about? I've been trying to find a nice place to get some tea all morning.”

The man hyping up the shop smiled at you. “Don't worry about eavesdropping, kiddo. It's right here.” He pointed to the map you were looking at and you were satisfied that it wasn't too far from where you currently were.

You thanked the man and began your journey to the shop. It was a little closer to afternoon and you could feel your stomach rumbling, so you just decided to skip right to lunch.

You walked into the tea shop and saw people smiling and laughing together, the heavenly scent of tea filling your senses. You were quickly seated at a lone booth and given a menu. Everything looked so good, you could swear that you were about to drool just thinking about food.

You decided to order something that the waitress recommended and as she walked away, you flipped through your journal, going over everything that you and the gaang had been through. You quietly laughed to yourself as you passed a page that said: note to self - slap Zuko’s bald head at least once. Imagine the sound that would make.

It’s definitely been a long trip of both laughter and struggle, and honestly, you were really happy. You don't remember the last time you had laughed so hard before you met Aang and the others. It was nice. Really nice.

“Here’s your tea. Is there anything else you need?” Your tea was set in front of you along with your lunch and you tilted your head at the familiar voice that wasn't your waitress from earlier. It was on the tip of your tongue.

“I think I'm alright, thank-” You looked up and the smile you had suddenly dropped. No way. “Zu-”

Before you could say his full name, Zuko covered your mouth and quickly let go, hoping no one saw or heard any of that. “P-Please don't.”

“But you’re-”

“I know,” Zuko’s voice was low. “Just… can we talk… in the back?”

You looked around the restaurant at all of the other people and back at Zuko. He looked so different. Barely recognizable. His face didn't look so pissed off and he had a short head of hair now that looked healthy. The only reason you recognized him was the scar, but honestly, if he covered it up somehow, you wouldn't have a clue that he was the prince of the Fire Nation.

You nodded and stood up, collecting your things. You followed Zuko to the back, almost a little scared. You had no means of defending yourself. You were a non bender, so if he wanted to pick a fight, you were screwed. You didn't even have a simple weapon on you. Maybe you were getting too cozy.

Zuko brushed off a small table and pulled out a chair for you, which you sat in with slight hesitation.

“How did you get into Ba Sing Se?” You didn't mean to sound so defensive. Well, you did, but you weren't expecting to. Especially not on such a good day like this.

“It's… a long story.”

“Why are you here?”

“Listen… It’s not for the Avatar.”

“Huh? Is that so?” You crossed your arms and looked him dead in the eye. “Then explain to me how you always end up where we just so happen to be. That’s suspicious, isn't it?”

“I-”

“If you hurt Aang, I swear to-”

“I don't care about Aang right now!”

The whole room went quiet. You had never heard Zuko say Aang’s name before, let alone not care about what the Avatar is doing.

“Then why…”

“I have my own stuff to deal with. It's none of your business, okay? I do have a life outside of the Avatar, you know.”

You nodded and looked down at your tea. “I'm… assuming your uncle made this?” You giggled softly.

“Yeah. He did.” Zuko’s voice was small and way less frustrated.

“So that’s why this tea shop has hype all of a sudden.” You wondered aloud, your eyes wandering to the ceiling.

Zuko cleared his throat and shuffled in his spot. “So… uh… what now?”

“Promise not to hurt Aang and I won't say a word about you being here. I believe that you have your own stuff to deal with, so prove it to me.”

“I promise.”

Your eyes locked with his and you smiled, shocking Zuko a bit. You smiled at him, the guy that’s been trying to hurt you and your friends this whole time. The guy who would’ve done anything for the Avatar to be in his hands.

“You probably hate me, don't you?” Zuko spat out, rubbing the back of his neck.

You tilted your head. “Hate’s a strong word, don't you think?”

Zuko looked at you, appalled. “I mean, I would understand if you did.”

“It's been a long road for you, hasn't it, Zuko?”

He nodded at you and you pointed to the other side of the table, just realizing that he was standing that entire time. “Let’s share some tea.”

“I-I don't know if that’s a good idea.” Zuko took a step back.

“Ah, I see,” you stood up, scooting your chair back in. “You’re a busy man with a job now.”

He just nodded at you.

“Well, I'll let you get to it then, but I expect to see you at 6 tonight ready to hang out, okay?”

“Wh-What?! Won't your friends notice that you’re gone?”

You just smiled, collecting your things. “Zuko, I do have a life outside of the Avatar, you know.”

Zuko’s face went bright red as you walked out of the room with a smirk on your face. It was actually kinda cute to see Zuko not being some evil kid with his heart set on hurting anyone.

“You’re leaving?” Sokka whined, watching you grab your bag.

“Yes Sokka,” you said for what seemed like the hundredth time. “I'm leaving. I just want to go get dinner out by myself tonight. Maybe go for a nice walk.”

“Aww man,” Sokka pouted, crossing his arms. “Who’s gonna make dinner now?”

You rolled your eyes, trying to hide the smile creeping on your lips. “Sokka, I left some money on the table. You guys should go out and get something to eat tonight.”

“Why aren't you coming with us?” Sokka tilted his head, counting the money on the table.

“I just want to go out by myself tonight, that’s all.”

“So you’re just gonna have a lonely dinner all by yourself?” Sokka questioned, looking skeptical.

“Yes!”

“She’s lying.” Everyone turned to Toph and your face went bright red. You forgot she could tell if you were lying or not, and it definitely didn't help that you were outside on the concrete so Toph could really feel right through you.

Sokka turned back to you quickly. “You’re going to dinner with someone?”

“Fine, yes, I am, so what?”

“Who is it?”

You rolled your eyes, already late. “Just somebody.”

“Is it a boy?” Sokka gave you a mocking look and you pushed his face away.

“Fine, whatever! It's a boy! So what?! Now let me leave before I'm late. Have a nice dinner everyone.” You waved at the group and ran to the tea shop, hoping that Zuko didn't leave yet.

The bell rang as you opened the shop door. “Sorry, we’re not serving tea anymore, we’re closing at the moment,” a familiar voice said. Iroh peeked his head out, surprised to see you. “y/n?”

You smiled, “hi Iroh.”

“How are you?” Iroh set down the broom he was holding and pulled you into a soft embrace. You never told the others, but you spent quite a bit of time talking to Zuko’s uncle when you got the chance. He was a wise man and kind as well. Maybe that's why you understood Zuko so well, you had someone to give you some insight on the boy.

“I'm good, Iroh. How are you?”

“Oh I'm fine,” he beamed at you, pulling away from the hug. “I'm getting to live my lifelong dream of making tea for the people of Ba Sing Se, so that feels pretty nice.”

“Well, you are the best at making tea, Iroh.”

“Oh, stop. You’re so full of flattery, y/n.” Iroh blushed with a smile. “Is there a reason you’re here?”

“Is your nephew here?”

“You’re looking for Zuko?” Iroh cocked an eyebrow at you and you chuckled, surprised that you were even here.

“I am.”

Iroh gave you a skeptical look, but honestly didn't care much. He thought it was nice that someone wanted to visit Zuko. “He is here. Let me go grab him. Would you like some tea in the meantime?”

“Tea sounds great,” you admitted, sitting at a table.

As you got comfortable, Zuko ran into the room, completely surprised. “You’re here?”

You laughed. “Of course I am! I said I’d be here at 6 didn't I?”

“I thought you were bluffing.”

“Well now you know I'm serious. Wanna hang out?”

Zuko gave you a side eye and thought for a moment. “I think I know what you’re trying to do.”

“And what might that be?” Iroh entered the room, placing two teacups and a kettle on your table. You thanked Iroh as he left with a smile.

“You’re trying to get info out of me. About the Fire Nation… aren't you?”

You shook your head. “You’re so defensive all the time, Zuko.”

“Can you blame me?” Zuko shut all of the blinds in the shop and sat across from you, taking a sip of tea.

“I guess not.”

“I'm surprised you’re not a little more on edge.”

“Why’s that?” You took a sip of tea as well, humming at how delightful it tasted.

“I'm a firebender. You don't bend right? I could literally take you down at any moment. And it doesn't seem like you have any weapons either.”

“I trust that you won't do anything. Your uncle would probably be pissed about the mess to be honest.”

For the first time in all of your time knowing Zuko, you heard him laugh. He laughed so hard that he snorted a bit, which made him laugh harder. Because of all of his laughter, he made you laugh too, sending you both into a laughing fit. It felt good. You haven't laughed this hard since you first met Sokka, all covered in Appa’s snot.

Zuko literally had tears in his eyes by the time he stopped laughing. Seeing him happy made you feel… good. Really good. It was almost a relief. It made Zuko more human. You didn't know if you could even remotely call him your enemy anymore.

You two ended up talking all night, Iroh occasionally bringing more tea or just little treats every now and then. You literally couldn't stop talking to Zuko. To hear about what it was like to grow up in the Fire Nation as a prince was interesting. To hear what Ozai was really like in person sent chills down your spine. To hear where that scar on his face came from almost brought you to tears. Zuko didn't even know why he told you all of this, but he could say one thing. It felt nice. It felt this giant weight on his chest had been lifted.

After a few hours, you looked at the clock in the shop and frowned. “Bad news, Zuko. I gotta go.”

“Already?” He turned to face the clock and pouted his bottom lip. “Alright then.”

You stood up and collected your things. “Thanks for the tea, Iroh!” You shouted, which was responded with a big smile and a thumbs up from Iroh.

“Thanks for stopping by.”

“Anytime,” you said, opening the door of the shop. “I'll be back.”

“You will?” You turned to Zuko, who almost looked excited that you said that.

“Of course I will. Goodnight guys.”

“Wait,” Zuko ran up to you, holding the door open. “Let me walk you home, it’s late.”

“Zuko, I don't know if that’s a good idea.”

Zuko frowned, but you were probably right. If Aang spotted him for even a second, both of you would be done for. “R-Right. Well… thanks.”

“For what?”

“Hanging out. That was fun.”

You smiled. “That was fun. Thank you for not killing me, Zuko.”

“Anytime.” He giggled, immediately taken aback when you pulled him in for a hug after dropping everything.

He was so… warm. I mean, duh. He was a firebender. But even so, his hug felt so genuine, so nice, and you didn't want to leave. “Goodnight, Zuko,” you said as you pulled away from the hug.

“Goodnight, y/n.” This time, he shocked you by pulling you in for another hug and pulling away only to pull you in again, but this time, your lips were inches apart.

“Can I kiss you?” His voice was in a whisper, his warm breath dusting over your lips.

You just nodded and closed your eyes as his soft lips brushed against yours. You wrapped your arms around the back of his neck pulling him closer. He smiled into the kiss, wrapping his arms around your waist.

When you pulled away from the kiss, both of you said a quick goodbye, your cheeks dusted pink.

Zuko quickly walked back into the tea shop to help Iroh close and put his back on the door.

“I'm glad you found a nice girl, Zuko.” Zuko jumped hearing his uncle’s voice, his face turning a dark shade of crimson.

Though if he was being honest, he was glad he found a nice girl too.

~~~~~

atla masterlist --- pinned post

@tonberry-yoda

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#i hope you guys like it #i got carried away and wrote too much lmao #writing #fanfic #fanfiction #my writing #<3 #atla #zuko #atla x reader #zuko x reader #avatar the last airbender x reader #avatar the last airbender #avatar #prince zuko #the gaang

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kaatara · 1 month

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CHAPTER 1

Summary: The Gaang is celebrating the end of the war in Ba Sing Se, but Mai is lost in her own thoughts.

Warning: amateur writing by 15 year old me.

"Zuko, can we talk?".

He looked at her for a second, a bit taken aback; what was so important that she needed to talk to him about now? He tried to read her eyes, but not unlike the other times, he could not read her thoughts. He admitted his defeat and nodded, impatient to hear her out, he put his tea cup down and let her lead the way.

He followed her step as they walked through the corridor of uncle Iroh's house, where they celebrated the end of the war. Mai opened the door to the guest chamber which was drowning in the warm colors of the sunset, shining through the window. He closed the door behind them, and as he watched her sit down on the bed, her hands grabbing at it’s edge, Zuko felt his cheeks starting to burn. She was wearing a beautiful dress, so light and delicate, just like her body; her shiny black hair smelling of fire lilies. He looked up at her face, expecting to see a smile, but Mai was serious. She dug her eyes on to the floor. .

"Remember..." She began, looking to the side, stopping herself for a moment. "The night before you left?".

He felt a sudden twist in his stomach. He did remember. The war meeting, his decision to leave, their first and last time. And after that, the only thing he left her was a piece of paper.

"I remember" He said, the words barely passing through his throat. She took a deep breath and sighed.

"I'm pregnant".

The words hit him harder than that lightning, and for a moment, he wasn't completely sure of where he was, his heart pounding. He stared at her in silence, lips parted, processing what she has said a dozen times. And then a dozen times more, just to be sure; his blood somewhere between boiling and frozen.

"Mai" He heard his own voice, softer than ever. She raised her eyebrows to look at him.

"Are you happy?" Her voice gentle and calm as always, the voice that made him feel so light. He knelled beside her and still shaking, he buried his face in her lap.

"I'm going to be a.. a father?" He couldn't believe it. He let out a laugh, but it quickly turned into a shaky inhale. He couldn’t help but think of his own father, his mind racing through the moments.

As if hearing his thoughts, she put her hands on his head reassuringly “Yes, a great father.” She caressed his hair “Just like Iroh”.

He paused for a second before lifting his head to look her in the eyes.

“You really mean it?”

“Of course Zuko” she answered without missing a beat, before looking to the side again and sighing. “But... do you think he will approve?”.

The thought of telling Uncle immediately shot an excitement through his body, knowing how happy it will make him.

“This is what he always wanted for me!” He put his arms around her waist and lifted her, pushing her up in the air.

"Let me go, you idiot!" She hissed with her cheeks slightly blushing, but he silenced her with a kiss, his warmth so familiar to her like the warmth of the rising sun each morning.

"Stop smiling!" She whispered through the kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers, and looked into her hazel eyes but their moment was interrupted by knocking.

"Zuko? Are you in here?" It was Katara. He let go of Mai and walked over to slide the door open.

"We were just... talking" He explained awkwardly as Katara looked at him suspiciously, but he quickly added "What's wrong?".

"We're preparing for tonight; I'll sleep with the girls, but it’s a bit tight with space for everyone. Would you guys mind taking this room?".

"It's fine" he heard Mai's voice behind his back "We'll manage".

"Alright then, goodnight!" As Katara turned to walk away, Zuko closed the door and rushed back to his girl.

"Is that so?" He smirked at her.

"What, you don't want a sleepover?" She smirked back, and he chuckled. He has noticed a slight change in Mai since the prison, she was more open and free, and he wondered whether that's the consequence of spending weeks in the same cell with Ty Lee.

"I'll go change" She said, and he was forced to let her go. He lay down on the bed and stared onto the ceiling. Despite the befalling of the night, the chamber was glimmering from the lanterns on the sidewalks, the music playing somewhere in the distance. The war ended a few days ago, but Ba Sing Se still celebrated.

Zuko was far away from Ba Sing Se though. He began to think whether they will be a firebender or not.. Even if not, he thought, he'll teach them to fight with the duel swords... Perhaps it’s a girl..

Suddenly he got up and sat on the edge of the bed, realizing something he hadn't yet. “If Mai got pregnant before his departure that meant...” that meant that she was already pregnant when they met in the Boiling Rock. Did she know? Why didn't she say anything? She risked her life for him. If something would've happened to her, he wouldn't even know it. His thoughts raced seemingly without an end, until eventually, his monologue was interrupted by her voice.

"What's wrong?" She asked, standing by the bed. Her black hair down on her arms, a long, silky, green robe on her body.

"I'm a fool".

"Oh I know" Mai smiled with the corner of her mouth.

"Why didn't you tell me in the Boiling Rock?".

She sighed "I wasn't even sure. And with the guards everywhere, there wasn't much for me to say" she said shrugging.

"She could have hurt you!" He rasped.

"It's fine, Zuko. I'm fine". How could she be so calm? Zuko felt the blood in his veins boiling with rage and pain at the thought of someone hurting her. If he only knew, he wouldn't have left, he'd return and fought Azula, he'd end it right there.

"I'm the worst boyfriend ever" He whispered after a moment.

"I know" She sighed.

click for prologue. (at own risk)

#this fluff is for hardcore fans only guys #maiko #mai #zuko #mai x zuko #fanfic #atla #mine #zumai

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justsomewritingblog · 2 years

Text

Avatar:TLA (Part 3)

Request: None

Requested By: Nobody

Pairing: Zuko x reader

Summary: Jet part 2

Warnings: mentions of violence, mentions of blood, mentions of injury

A/N: Buckle up boys and girls. This series is gonna be a long one.

Word Count: 1K+

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You traveled through the woods, trying to find your way out so you could head to the North Pole by yourself. As much as you loved Aang, Sokka, and Katara, most of the time, they were troubling you, and you couldn’t take it. You had left the things you’d carried so that the gaang could use them. It was rightfully theirs, after all. You were lost in thought, traveling down the cliff when you tripped over something, and rolled most of the way down. You landed on a flat rock that was sticking out of the earth, bringing your quick method of travel to an abrupt stop.

The wind got knocked out of you and you gasped for breath. It was then you noticed something may have happened to your ribcage. Breathing was very hard, and it hurt….a lot. You groaned and fought the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes. The pain was almost unbearable. The pain in your ribs, and the pain in abandoning your friends. You hadn’t known them for very long, but you’d grown attached to at least some of them rather quickly.

Tears rested on the edges of your eyes. You could taste blood. You’ve no doubt cut your lip on the edge of the rock that so helpfully stopped your rolling. You groaned and let out a strangled sob as you pushed yourself onto your knees. You wanted to roll into a ball and cry, but you figured that would only make the pain in your ribs worse. You grunted as you stood, the pain still constant. You looked around to try to get your bearings when you saw it. A village, not far off.

You started making your way down the remainder of the hill, being very cautious this time. You got to a particularly steep part so you paused, looking for a safe solution. You stepped over to a tree, and walked a little bit down the hill. Your momentum carried you further, and you leaned into another tree, smacking against it. You did this down the remainder of the hill and dropped to your knees once you’d finally reached flat land. You crawled over to a flow of water and you bended some of it so it rested against your ribs. You cured some of it with what little knowledge you had of healing. You stood, the pain still noticeable, but no longer unbearable. Your eyes trailed the stream and you saw a dam. You didn’t see anything strange, so you made your way into the town.

Everyone watched you as you entered. You were still wearing your watertribe garments, though they were torn in a few places. You wandered around, looking for a place to sleep, as it was getting dark. You walked up to an elderly man.

“Is there a place I can stay? Just for the night?”

The man smiled. “There aren’t any inns around here, not many people come through, you see, but you can stay in my guestroom.”

“How can I repay you?” You asked. The man smiled again.

“Enjoy a meal.”

Your eyes widened in shock. “Surely there must be something-”

He held up a hand. “There is no need.” He led you inside.

You had a lovely supper, and enjoyed talking to the man and his wife. Their only son had moved out, many years ago, and they were thrilled to have the company. When you were getting ready for bed, you healed your ribs a little more, the pain mostly subsiding.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, you woke up late. You sat up and healed yourself a little more before getting ready for your journey home. You had told the nice couple of your upcoming adventure, and they insisted on giving you supplies. You refused it several times, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer.

You were saying your goodbyes, tying the supplies around your waist, when you heard panting. You turned and spotted blue. You squinted to see better, before your eyes widened in surprise.

“Sokka?” You whispered. Sokka came to a halt, looking at you.

“Hey, Y/n.”

“What are you doing here?” You asked.

“I came to warn everyone.”

“Warn? About what?”

“Jet’s planning on blowing the dam. He’s going to flood the town.” Sokka informed.

You glared. “I knew there was something fishy about him.”

“We don’t have much time. They tied me up. I managed to get away, but Jet doesn’t know.”

You nodded before turning to the couple. “Can you help us gather everyone together to make an announcement?”

They nodded, before hurrying away. You and Sokka watched them leave.

“Who were they?” Sokka inquired.

“They gave me a place to stay, dinner, and supplies for the road.” You muttered. Sokka’s shoulders slumped.

“You’re still planning on leaving?”

“We can discuss it later. Right now, we have bigger problems.” You said quickly before running off.

~~~~~~~~~~

You managed to get everyone together. Sokka was standing in the middle of the crowd, telling them about Jet’s plan. A firenation soldier stepped forward.

“He’s a spy. We can’t believe him.”

You were about to step forward and defend your friend, but an old man, dressed in red beat you to it.

“This man tried to help me when I was attacked.” He explained. You looked up at Sokka, a smile on your features. “Please listen to him.”

You stepped forward as well. “He’s my friend. He only has everyone’s best interest at heart. I’ve met Jet, and I know that Sokka’s telling the truth.”

Hushed murmurs filled the air. You cast a worried glance at Sokka.

“Evacuate the city!” Everyone started shouting, making their way out. You let out a breath of relief.

“Uh, uh. You can be relived once everyone’s safe.” Sokka told you. You nodded in understanding. Everyone rushed around for the next couple minutes, grabbing the things they needed. You picked up a kid and ran out, Sokka behind you. You just managed to get everyone on a hill when the water flooded the town.

You watched in horror as everything was washed away. The child you were holding let out a yell. You set the girl down on the ground and watched as she rushed to the water and grabbed a doll.

“Mrs. Pretty!” She exclaimed. You smiled softly. You turned to Sokka.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For what. Saving the town.” You explained, smacking his arm softly. He smiled.

“I had to. Jet-”

“-is a monster.” You finished. “Unlike you. The hero.”

Sokka flushed red for a few seconds before it died down. “Are you still going to leave?”

You sighed. “Do you want me to stay?”

“Kinda.”

“Do Aang and Katara want me to stay?”

At this, Sokka grew quiet. He was silent for several moments until he came to a conclusion. “I’m sure Aang would.”

You let out a tiny laugh before grimacing slightly, bringing your hand instinctively to your ribcage. Sokka reached forward.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just-” you pulled some water out of your canteen and healed yourself a little more, “I did something to my ribs.”

Sokka opened his mouth, but you held up a hand, silencing him. “It’s getting better.” You assured. “You should probably get back. They’ll be looking for you.”

“I’m not leaving without you.”

“Sokka-”

Now it was his turn to silence you.

“You’re coming with me, and that’s final.” He grabbed you by the hand and drug you along behind him. You jogged to keep up with his long paces and when you tried to rip your hand free, he only gripped onto it tighter. You sighed and caught up, deciding you weren’t going to win this fight, and walked with him.

You had climbed- correction. Sokka had practically thrown you into Appa’s saddle, so he was sure that you wouldn’t leave. You rolled your eyes as he took the bison’s reigns, flying over to where you heard voices.

“It will be safe. Without you.” He said, as he flew Appa into view.

“Sokka!” Katara exclaimed.

“I warned the villagers of your plan just in time.”

“What!?” Jet asked, furious.

“At first, they didn’t believe me. The firenation soldiers assumed I was a spy. But one man vouched for me. The old man you attacked. He urged them to trust me. We got everyone out just in time.”

“Sokka, you fool!”

“We?” Aang inquired. Sokka leaned to the side, revealing your figure. You gave a small wave. Aang looked overjoyed, but you couldn’t place the expression on Katara’s face.

“We could have freed this valley!” Jet complained.

“Who would be free? Everyone would be dead.” Sokka clarified. You smiled up at him, proud of his actions. Aang airbended up onto the saddle, and crushed you in a hug. You winced slightly, but a smile overtook it as you hugged him back with just as much force.

“You traitor!” Jet replied.

“No, Jet. You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people.”

“Katara, please. Help me.” Jet pleaded. Katara closed her eyes.

“Goodbye, Jet.” She said his name like it was a bad taste in her mouth. She climbed into the saddle just as Sokka said,

“Yip, yip.”

Appa flew into the air. It was silent for a few moments until Aang spoke up. “We thought you were going to the dam.” He told Sokka. “How come you went to the town instead?”

“Let me guess…..your instincts told you.” Katara teased, she was smiling this time, though. Sokka shrugged.

“Hey, sometimes they’re right.”

“Um. Sokka? You know we’re going the wrong way, right?” Aang asked.

“And, sometimes they’re wrong.” Sokka said, turning Appa around. You smiled at the interaction before climbing to the front of the saddle.

“Sokka, I’m very proud of you for what you said back there. It was very mature of you.”

Sokka smiled softly. “Thanks, Y/n.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/n: Repost! (UGhh, this is such cringe. XD )

#Avatar: The Last Airbender #Avatar: The Last Airbender x reader #x reader #reader #reader insert #Zuko x reader #my works #Mara's Works #fanfiction

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whatisreggieshortfor · 2 years

Text

Bending Swap (AKA Why You Never Listen to Sokka’s Idea)

Sokka convinces Aang to swap bending abilities to screw with Zuko. It’s fun until it’s not.

Came up with this idea with @legallyspawned

The Gaang sat around their fire, quietly snickering to themselves as they watched Zuko do more of his fire bending stretches. The past few days, they’d been busy playing pranks on him, Aang was transferring bending abilities between their friends, starting with giving Sokka the ability to fire bend. It had lasted nearly an hour before Zuko finally stomped off and Aang took it away, and upon Zuko’s return they’d convinced him he imagined it. Toph had used Katarra’s water bending, Katarra had used Aang’s air bending, even Momo had briefly used Toph’s earth bending.

And while originally Aang was going to give him a break from the pranks, Sokka was being very convincing.

“Just imagine it with me!” Sokka said enthusiastically, gesturing to where Zuko was too far to hear them, “He’s never even imagined bending something else.”

Toph snorted, “I’ll gladly switch with Sparky for a few hours to see this chaos ensue.”

Sokka snorted in response to her statement, but didn’t comment that she wouldn’t see anything, “Come on, please! Just one time and then we’ll stop.”

Aang looked over at Katarra, wanting her opinion before he voiced an agreement or not, and she looked amused at the idea. The bald boy sighed with a smile, “Fine. But everyone has to be up in the morning when he wakes up, because he’ll notice right away!”

“So no going to sleep tonight, got it.” Sokka nodded seriously.

“That’s not what I-“ but Aang was cut off as Zuko made his way back to the fire, “Hey Zuko! How- uh, how you feelin’?”

Zuko raised an eyebrow at him, “I’m fine? Are you okay?”

Sokka just elbowed Zuko, “Just ignore him, you know how he gets when my sister smiles at him.”

“I do not!” Aang protested, but quickly fell into a love sick look when Katarra laughed at the statement. Suki snorted where she sat nearby.

“So, Sparky,” Toph announced loudly, “Since your imagination has been running wild with the idea of us bending different elements-“

“I’m still saying you guys are screwing with me!” Zuko cut in.

But Toph continued undeterred, “What element would you choose if you couldn’t do fire?”

Zuko shook his head, “I think I’d rather not have any. And I don’t mean that none of them are as good, I just mean…the fire is a part of me. Without it I wouldn’t be the same person.”

Sokka softened a little bit, “You know that’s not true, right?”

“You guys became my friends because I started teaching Aang. If I hadn’t taught him-“

“Whoa whoa, there’s another possibility there. Without your bending, you might not have fought so hard to prove to your dad that you were-“

“My father would have cast me aside a lot earlier in life.” Zuko told him softly, staring into the fire as his hands gripped the log they sat on, “And maybe being gone earlier would’ve made me a better person, but I have the life I’m happy with now because I had it.” Sokka reached out, squeezing Zuko’s shoulder before watching him get to his feet, “I’ll see you all tomorrow. I’m gonna turn in.”

Sokka watched him, waiting til he was gone before turning to the others, “Now we’ve really gotta do it. Show him that fire bending doesn’t define who he is.”

“I never thought I’d say this,” Katarra responded, “But I think Sokka’s got a good idea.”

When the sun breached the horizon the next morning, Zuko moved to the nearby river to begin his stretches, as he did every day. But even he had to admit, his body felt odd. He felt like he was being watched, but couldn’t find the eyes, so he shook it off.

Until he got to the stretches that used his bending.

As he thrust his hand forward, a rock the size of a small dog flew across the river and he jolted, looking around for Toph as he continued. Then it happened again. And again. Until he started to panic. His fire wasn’t coming out, but he was shoving around rocks that he wasn’t even sure he could lift, and then he couldn’t control it.

Sokka thought it would be funny. He really did. But as he watched from his perch in a tree, he would admit he miscalculated. He could see the unease turn to actual fear on Zuko’s face, as no matter what move he made a rock bigger than him went sailing through the air. He turned to where Katarra ducked for cover a distance away, “This might’ve been a bad idea!”

“This was YOUR idea, Sokka!” She called back without missing a beat, trying to get a clear shot to the water so she could whirl a rope of it around Zuko’s body until he calmed down.

“You guys never listen to me! Why would you start now!?” Sokka felt heat on his skin and turned to see Toph engulfing the boulders in flame with a maniacal grin.

“I FULLY SUPPORTED THIS IDEA AND I FEEL LIKE I’M RIGHT!”

“What the HELL is happening to me!?” Zuko screamed, trying to lower his arms, but every twitch through his anxiety ridden body sent another piece of earth soaring.

Suki snuck up from behind, smacking her fan into the base of Zuko’s skull, effectively knocking him out. She blew a strang of hair from her face as she caught, “Brainiac! Come help me carry your boyfriend!”

Sokka squawked as Aang glided to the ground, and the avatar just looked sad, “I need to stop being talked into things.”

Before anyone could reply, they witnessed a glow overtake the young air bender’s eyes and he spoke again, with a different but familiar voice, “I have told him time and time again. You must be one with your bending. Do not panic.” There was a sigh before they saw him smile, “I am glad he has found you all though.”

Then Aang was back, and Sokka was admittedly teary eyed, “I miss that old man. But no one mention that to Zuko. He misses Iroh enough without knowing that he popped in for a second.” The others nodded as Sokka hoisted his ‘not-my-boyfriend-thank-you-very-much’ onto his back.

When they got back to camp, Aang immediately changed out the bending, hoping that they didn’t emotionally scar Zuko any more than he already was.

When the young fire bender finally awoke later, Sokka had to duck to avoid a plume of flame when the first thing he did was try to access his fire. But then he admitted what they’ve been doing.

“Why?” Zuko asked.

Sokka gestured uselessly, as the others had scurried away, “It was just a joke at first. But then I wanted to show you that you were more than your power. I got carried away.”

“Why does it matter to you?”

Sokka cocked his head at that, confused expression almost making Zuko snort a laugh, “What do you mean? If I had to describe you, fire bender wouldn’t exactly be the first thing on the list.”

“Well, no,” Zuko gestured to his scarred face, “It usually is the second.”

“No,” Sokka was being uncharacteristically soft with the way he spoke, taking Zuko’s hand away from his scar, “I’d say you were brave. Smart. Reliable. Funny when you don’t try, but unfunny when you do.” Zuko glared at that but Sokka gave him a smile and continued, “You’re confident, but not cocky. Independent. Hot.”

Sokka felt his face heat up at the last one, but Zuko didn’t seem to notice, “Well, yeah. I run hot. All fire benders do.”

“That’s…” Sokka could leave it alone. He should leave it alone. But he’s never been known to leave it alone. “That’s not what I meant. I meant that you’re hot, like attractive. Handsome. Beautiful. Sexy.”

Zuko’s eyes got wider with every word, the sun reflecting in the golden irises, “You…you think I’m attractive?”

“Unfortunately, I have since the moment I met ya.” He tried to joke, “Do you know how frustrating it was to think the guy trying to kill me was hot? That in itself was a turn off but-“

“I thought you were too.” Sokka froze as Zuko blurted it out. But the fire bender wasn’t done, “It was annoying. You were wearing that face paint but I could tell. Seeing you without it didn’t help. I tried to focus on Mai, but she knew.”

“I- Zuko- Are you gay?” When he got a jerky nod in response, Sokka smiled, “I’m bi. Just so you know.”

“That’s…that’s good to know.”

Sokka snorted, knocking his shoulder into Zuko’s, “When you can forgive me for freaking you out the last couple days, how ‘bout ya let me take you out.”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

Masterlist

#avatar the last airbender #zuko x sokka #pranking zuko #No bets we die like air benders

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bard-llama · 1 year

Text

WiP Wednesday: New Year’s Kisses

Okay, so right after midnight, I had a thought as I was going to bed of how the Gaang would kiss Zuko for New Year’s. So I wrote that down, went to sleep - and then the next morning, started a 10-part series based on that lmao.

So here’s part 1

“They say you start the New Year with a kiss, right?” Sokka slurred, clearly trying to appear less intoxicated than he was.

Zuko, whose tolerance was stupid and made it hard to cut loose with the others, grunted a vague yes. He poured himself another shot of fireball whiskey. It burned all the way down, just like it was supposed to and his lips tingled as he savoured the cinnamon flavor.

“I got a challenge for ya,” Toph said suddenly. “How many of you have thought about kissing someone in this room, but have never done so?”

Zuko frowned, “how is that a challenge?”

“The challenge is doing something about it,” Toph said. “C’mon, raise your hand if there is at least one person in this room who you have never kissed but have always wanted to.”

Aang chewed on his bottom lip. “No consequences?”

“Do we all agree?” Toph held out her hands in question. “We ring in the New Year with a kiss and a victorious challenge. That’s gotta be a good omen.”

Katara and Suki shared a look that Zuko couldn’t read, pursing their lips. Then they nodded to each other and raised their hands. Then Suki elbowed her boyfriend and Sokka’s hand went up. Aang belatedly raised his.

Zuko was the only one without his hand up. “Wait, what?”

Outside, they could hear the countdown beginning, starting from ten.

“Deal’s on,” Toph announced and Zuko still didn’t really know what was happening, which was a feeling he was quite familiar with, but not particularly one he enjoyed.

If they couldn’t hear the crowds outside in the streets shouting, “zero!”, they would absolute have heard the explosions that began not long afterwards. But Zuko didn’t have time to think about whether he needed to regulate exactly how explosive things got, because Sokka was suddenly in front of him, grabbing his face and pressing their lips together.

Zuko froze.

Then Sokka was pulling back and the sensation was over – except no it wasn’t, because Suki was right behind her boyfriend, cupping his jaw and pulling him into a kiss. He let out a soft sound in confusion and she sucked on his bottom lip.

She pulled away and Toph was somehow right after her, standing on a pillar of earth so that she was tall enough to grab his collar and haul him in for a kiss. When his lips parted to say something, Toph’s tongue slipped in without hesitation, exploring his mouth. Zuko was too surprised to really do anything, but there were shivers traveling down his spine for each moment this lasted.

After Toph came Katara and Zuko’s lips were already parted when she took them, and when she bit down lightly on his bottom lip, Zuko couldn’t help the sound he made.

Then she was gone and Aang was taking her place, his gentle hands brushing over Zuko’s face. By now, the shock had faded some, enough to let him hesitantly respond, sucking on Aang’s tongue. Aang hummed low in his chest, rumbling against Zuko’s and when had they gotten so close? When had his hands come up to clutch at Aang’s shoulders?

When Aang stepped back, Zuko didn’t want to let him go, but he did anyway because what was even happening!?

“Not fair,” Sokka pouted. “I didn’t even get tongue.”

“Good things come to those who wait,” Aang said in his ‘I am wise’ voice. “Patience is a virtue, you know.” His cheeks were pink, but his smile was wide.

Zuko blinked rapidly. What – had – had that really just happened!? Why!?

Before he could figure his thoughts out enough to say something, the others had moved on, talking about hopes and goals for the new year.

Zuko was very, very confused, but apparently they were just… going to act like that hadn’t happened?

He swallowed hard, feeling an odd kind of hurt in his chest.

If this was an omen of how this year would go, then he was not looking forward to it.

He stuffed all those feelings down deep and rejoined the conversation. He hoped no one noticed that he was unable to meet anyone’s eyes. He just… he didn’t understand what the joke was, but he knew he was the punchline, and he used to have a thick skin against such things, but in the years since the war ended, he had come to expect that here was somewhere where he wouldn’t have to worry about that.

But it was, and it made Zuko want to cry. He stubbornly shoved those thoughts away. It didn’t matter. His friends would only be in the Fire Nation for another day or so. He had to enjoy what time he had with them, even if it hurt.

#atla #gaang x zuko #wip wednesday #new year's kisses

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zktop10 · 2 years

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Best NEW Rated G of 2021

Note: Scores represent its place in ALL fics, not just the specific rating

Title: Away We Go Author: TexasBean Summary: Katara gets separated from her friends while fleeing from Azula and her cronies. The only way she can think of ever seeing them again is hopefully meeting up in Ba Sing Se. --- Zuko is alone; Uncle is gone; and he’s a fugitive with no hope of ever returning home. He’s been wandering with no real destination in mind. --- Katara and Zuko of all the chances, run into each other in some nameless Earth Kingdom town. They come to a sort of truce and from there, things gradually begin to shift. Score: 9.7 / 10

Title: Rules of Diplomacy Author: lettersfromnowhere @lettersfromn0where Summary: In which Ambassador Katara takes the Fire Nation by storm and its leader, it must be said, is not even remotely displeased.

(A Secret Santa gift.) Score: 9.7 / 10

Title: The Tales of the Paperback Dragon Author: gemgirl28 @gemgirl28 Summary: A receipt from the Jasmine Dragon is good for 10% off one book at the Paperback Dragon next door.

Katara's an overworked nurse in the city by herself. Zuko's just trying to work on his relationship with his family.

Iroh just wants them both to be happy. Score: 9.5 / 10

Title: Katara's Bad Day Author: Rachel_Carter Summary: Katara has been having the worst morning - and it only gets worse when she bumps into her ex-boyfriend Aang and his new girlfriend getting coffee. Luckily, the handsome business major Zuko is there to rescue her. Score: 9.3 / 10

Title: Healers make the worst patients Author: UnCoquelicot Summary: “Master Katara, with all due respect, I think you should sleep the rest of the day.”

“I can’t, I have to take care of Zuko,” she answers weakly. Her head is still spinning and she can feel a bruise already forming on her backside, where she’s sure she hit the floor harshly. “I can’t leave his side,” she implores before the servants get the idea to carry her away.

The girl holding her shoulders gives her a look, but is stopped from protesting when Zuko says, “Put her on my bed. I’ll make sure she rests.”

-------- Katara overexerts herself healing Zuko from his lightning wound, and ends up being the one needing taking care of. Score: 9.2 / 10

Title: I Wanna Have A House Like They Did Author: liketreesinnovember Summary: "The Headband" AU. Zuko joins the gaang early and he and Katara pose as Aang's parents. Only Zuko has some hangups about parents. And sons. And school. And teachers. And disguises. Score: 9.1 / 10

Title: Entangled in Your Touch Author: moonchild1998 Summary: Overcome with the sensation of love for the boy in front of her, Katara placed a chaste kiss on his lips, then flung herself into him so she could bury her head in his neck and hair. They stayed that way for a while, Katara draped over Zuko, petting his hair while he peppered kisses on her clothed shoulder. It was good to be together. In those quiet moments with no advisors, or chaperones, or even friends present, they didn’t have to be Fire Lord Zuko and Master Katara. They could just be Zuko and Katara, how it was meant to be.

Fire Nation nobility are quite particular about their hair. Such coveted locks are not to be touched by anyone, much less the peasantry. Zuko doesn't let anyone touch him at all for fear of being burned. Katara is Zuko's exception to both of these conventions. Score: 9.1 / 10

Title: Blessed Marks Author: kaoruhana Summary: That night, Ursa confirmed her thoughts when she prepared her young son for bed and saw the two fish entwined in a tight circle resting on her son’s chest. It was a soulmark, a mark so rare, because it was said the Spirit World only allowed the most special to bear one. To be given one was not only a blessing, but a sign that the Spirits were using the marked individual to achieve something in the world.

*********************************************************************

Kya was astonished when her day old babe sported a visible mark on her chest in the shape of two entwined dragons. She leaned back against the wall of the igloo to think through the implications of the mark. It was something she had heard about from the elders, that the mark of a soulmate was something to be cherished, that whoever bore the mark was blessed by the spirits.

It was frankly a little frightening to know her daughter had one.

*********************************************************************

In a world where soulmates are blessed by the Spirits and the ones who bear soulmarks feel their mate's strongest emotions. Score: 8.9 / 10

Title: Caught Author: SooperSara @soopersara Summary: On a trip to the South Pole, the lack of sunshine takes a toll on Zuko, and Katara makes some time for snuggling.

Based on the Day 7 prompt from Zutara Week 2011: Caught Score: 8.9 / 10

Title: in the last place i look Author: owedbetter Summary: One of them has never been on a date before. Score: 8.8 / 10

#zutara #zutara fanfiction #fanfiction recommendation #fanfic rec list #zk fanfic #rated g

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aprettyweirgirl · 2 years

Note

3, 8, and 13 for Linzumi please

3. Most common argument?

their safety and health

by that i mean: Lin willing, and repeatedly, sacrificing her safety and even her life in her job. And Izumi being a workaholic without repair who tends to neglect her health until her body can't handle it anymore and gets sick

now that they are older, they rarely are big arguments, usually just a small thing they work out quickly, and even if they are big arguments they also solve it quickly

8. Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate?

Linny and Izuzu or Zumi

they don't use them a lot, they like call the other by their name BUT sometimes, when they let themselves joke around and/or be soft, they'll probably use them

"Linny" was Lin's family nickname for her, and only them could use it, but since we know Lin doesn't have the best luck nor gets a break, Izumi and Kya found put about it and started calling her that when she was 14 (they were 18) to tease her until she once snapped and they stopped. when they grew older and they became a couple Izumi once called her Linny and she just blushed and scoffed, bc no one had call her that in years but with that she was also letting her know it was ok

for "Izuzu" is more simple. when she was a toddler Azula started calling her that, to mess with Zuko, of course. the Gaang kids and some of the Gaang all call her "Zumi", although no one is sure how they started calling her Zumi. Azula once called her "Izuzu" during a family dinner and Lin choose to take it. Lin calls her "Izuzu" when they are feeling soft and when no one is around, and Zumi when they are not in formal settings, like in the Beifong state in RC still believe they mostly call each other by their names

13. Who wakes up first?

Lin. definitely Lin

Lin was raised by Toph, you know that household didn't start functioning until 1pm on a normal weekend. Izumi's family are all sleep deprived and no one likes mornings, but Lin trained herself to wake up early and either way after Su left, between the pain of her heart and her face she didn't get that much sleep

i too believe she's the kind of person to wake up and not be able to go back to sleep, while Izumi just turns around and goes back to sleep like if she didn't have AN ENTIRE NATION under her command she doesn't do it... most of the time

otp question meme

#lin beifong #fire lord izumi #linzumi #lin x izumi

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unfriedough · 3 years

Text

‘Delusional’- Zuko x fem!reader (waterbender reader)

Part 1 II Masterlist <3

An: GOOD DAY FRIENDS. Today I present to you: Lightning part 2! This one ends in fluff so be excited yall. Oof this one's a long one-. Anyways, if you want to read this, I recommend reading the first part beforehand. Love you all so much, enjoy!

(p.s: a part of part 1 was edited bc it made no sense, so maybe go check that out lol)

Summary:

It’s been 2 months since they ended the war, and since Yn passed, yet Zuko still hasn’t been able to move on.

Warnings: Crying, nightmares, passing out.

“Yn?” Zuko called out.

He was in a void, nothingness. Nothingness, except for Yn, who stood before him. She clutched her stomach as she shivered.

“You did this to me.” she cried.

“Yn.”

“YOU'RE THE REASON I’M DEAD, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU!” she yelled as she stumbled towards Zuko.

He was paralysed in fear, unable to do anything as she came right up to him.

“It should have been you,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face, before pushing him into the void.

He screamed as he fell, a black spike cutting through his body. Blood dripped from his stomach and when he looked forward, he saw Azula, and Yn - both eyeing him manically. Azula laughed before shooting lightning at Zuko.

“AHHHHH-”

“AHHH-” He screamed, frantically looking around.

He was in his room, not in the void, not being murdered. He was safe. He sighed before rubbing his head, attempting to calm himself.

“Just another nightmare, Just another nightmare. It’s not real. It's not real.” Zuko mumbled slowly.

That was the third time he had that nightmare, and that’s just that week. In fact, Zuko estimates he experienced it more than 20 times so far - and it’s only been 2 months.

2 months. 2 months since he lost her.

Sighing, he pulled himself out of bed, and onto his desk. He pulled out a sheet of paper and began writing.

“Dear Yn,

I had another nightmare. My days are becoming more unbearable by the second, I can’t hang on for much longer. I miss you. So, so much. I miss your laughter, and your face, and your kisses, your hugs, even your witty comments. I miss the feeling of you holding my arm, and sometimes catch myself doing it, to fill the void. I have never felt more empty. I can only hope that somehow, I’ll be able to see you again. I hope the spirit world finds you well.

Lots of love,

Your loyal boyfriend,

Zuko”

He carefully set the pen down, and placed the paper in his drawer, a pile of letters for Yn sitting inside. It was how he coped, but lately the amount of letters has been growing quite rapidly. He tucked the papers into the drawer, before getting ready for the day.

That day was supposed to be fun, his friends were visiting! But Zuko felt really out of it, especially because of the troubles he endured that morning.

After spending a whole day with the gAang, he retired to his room, where he stood on the balcony. Zuko chose not to sleep, in fear of his dreams, and so here he was. All alone.

The firelord flinched as he heard ruffling from inside his room. He quickly turned around and ran into the room, only to be met with his letters all over the ground. He almost sprinted out of the room to catch the intruder, but something caught his eye. A letter. But not in his handwriting, and not directed at Yn - but at him. He furrowed his brows and walked over to the letter, gently moving the pen off of the paper.

“Dear Zuko,

I miss you more than you could ever imagine. Life in the spirit world has been great, and I managed to speak with some knowledgeable spirits. Somehow, my body isn’t fully transferred in, and so, we found a way for me to be brought back. Y-”

“NO THAT CAN’T BE IT! NO NO NO!” It appears Zuko walked into the room before the writer could finish their message.

But the young firelord knew one thing, that handwriting was Yn’s - somehow.

The next night, Zuko stood out on the balcony again, this time full of excitement. He had set up a pen and a paper for Yn to write on, and now had to wait patiently. After two hours, he heard soft humming and rustling, she finally came! He bounced back and forth on the balls of his feet, and listened to the melody that was her voice.

He felt a tap on his shoulder, and he whipped his head around. Only to see his door open, and the letter complete. He ran over to it, sliding onto his knees and picked it up, continuing where he left off.

“You need to be in a place which holds the wonders of spirits, dangerous yet tranquil, sweet yet poisonous. And to a sky lit pond where the animals drink for prosperity, only then will you be given further instructions.

Lots of love,

Your faithful spirit-girlfriend,

Yn”

Zuko gasped, he needed to tell his friends!

The next morning came relatively slowly, because Zuko couldn’t sleep. They were all seated at the dining table, and the gAang had surely noticed a change in his attitude. He carefully slid the letter on the table, Katara raising a brow as she pulled it closer.

“Zuko what?” She read, “Wait this is Yn’s handwriting.”

Sokka snatched the paper from Katara, and examined it himself.

“Where did you get this?”

“Actually I think her spirit wrote it, in my room.”

Everyone stared at Zuko, wide eyed.

“I’m sorry, WHAT?”

“Surprisingly, he isn’t lying.” Toph assured.

“Well, give us a few more details,”

“Um, well, basically. I was on my balcony and I heard someone in my room. When I went to look, there was an incomplete letter with her handwriting addressed to me. The next night I did the same, and I heard her humming a tune as she finished the letter, then she tapped me on my shoulder to signal she was done, and now we’re here.”

“I don’t know Zuko, this all seems very weird, maybe someone broke into your room?” Aang said.

“I’m not crazy! I know what I heard!” the firelord snapped.

The gAang all looked at him worried, and he realised what he looked like - an insane widower clinging onto any hope of his girlfriend. He sighed.

“Well, we don’t even know what this means, ‘a place which holds the wonders of spirits, dangerous yet tranquil, sweet yet poisonous’?”

Zuko stormed out of the room, angry at his friends' behaviour. DIdn’t they miss her? Or care for her? Or even like her? He heard Aang calling to him, but all Zuko could see was red. He would have to do this on his own, somehow.

Nightfall came, and the young firebender couldn’t decode the riddle.

“C’mon Yn, couldn’t you have made this a little easier!” He huffed as he threw his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Knock knock!

Zuko stood up and slowly walked towards the door, to find Katara on the other side.

He raised a brow as Katara slid into his room, closing the door behind her.

“I solved it.”

It took a second for Zuko to understand but when he did, his jaw fell slightly. She sat on his desk, pulling out multiple papers.

“Look,” she said, signaling for the firelord to come near.

Once he was at his desk he scanned the sheets and sure enough, she came to a conclusion.

“Wisteria Valley, at the fluorescent pond,” Zuko muttered.

The waterbender smiled.

“Get ready and meet me on Appa, in 10.”

He nodded, and she slipped out of the room. He frantically ran to his closet, pulling out a fully black outfit, and packing a simple bag.

He sprinted out of his room as quietly as he could and made his way to the Bison - quickly climbing up with the subtle assistance of the disguised water bender.

“Yip Yip, Appa!” Katara whispered as she took the reins.

“There, let’s land here.”

Zuko nodded as they landed. Once they grabbed all their stuff, they opted to leave Appa outside. Katara had a few connections and was able to safely keep Appa with a friend of a friend.

“Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The duo walked through the valley, admiring the surrounding nature. Friendly chatter filled the air every once in a while.

“So, Katara, why exactly did you choose to help,”

She forced a light smile before replying:

“Well, I can’t help but feel partially involved in her death. Maybe if I was a little stronger.” She bit down hard on her lip.

“I’m sure she doesn’t blame you Katara,” he smiled at her.

She offered a smile back before looking ahead.

Rustling could be heard near them, both of the young adults on high alert. A small fairy like being emerged from the trees. It neared them slowly, the two of them suddenly mesmerized by the creature.

“What do you think it is,”

“I-I’m not sure.”

As it played on Katara’s shoulder for a bit, Zuko looked around.

“Illusionist wasps,” he muttered, after seeing the hive, “WATCH OUT!”

He pushed Katara away, and the wasp began to chase them, however now it was in a pack, and in its natural form.

“Of course!” Katara face palmed.

They continued to escape it, but not too long after, they got cornered. They both instinctively tried to bend, but it wouldn’t work - this was really the end. They held onto the tree behind them, and braced for impact.

Zuko kept his eyes shut tightly, and little by little, he heard the wasps evade. When he opened his eyes, he was met with a confused Katara.

“They just left? H-how is that possible?”

“Maybe because,” he racked his brain for a possible reason.

“Maybe because a spirit invited us!” Katara yelled.

Zuko hummed in agreement.

“Is that the pond?”

The waterbender’s face lit up as she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the small body of water. They both stared at it in awe as it began to light up.

A spirit emerged. Just as it opened it’s mouth to speak, a catdeer disturbed the waters. And just as fast as it came, it disappeared.

“NO NO NO,” Zuko yelled in frustration.

Katara simply fell to her knees, staring at her reflection.

“We failed,” she said slowly.

Zuko began to sob, his knees gave up, sinking him to the grass below. He was shaking and crying, unable to fathom the fact that they were so close.

“Uhh Zuko, what’s happening?”

The firebender’s eyes shot up as he looked around. All sorts of spirit animals gathered around. A young saber tooth moose lion spirit carefully went into the water, splashing around. Just then, it was picked up by the water. Zuko looked at Katara, but she shrugged.

“That wasn’t me,”

Their attention was brought back to the pond, as a figure began to form. Figure made purely from water. The being picked up the small moose lion and set it on the land, before walking up to the pair. It moved from between them and signaled for them to follow. They exchanged looks but ultimately followed. She led them to a more secluded part of the forest.

She looked at Zuko and motioned lighting with her hand.

“I think she wants you to shoot lightning at her.”

“But why though.”

“Is that really the only question you have. If I were you, I would just do whatever walking water here wants.”

The spirit seemed to find that nickname funny, as bubbles emerged from her laughing mouth. Of course they couldn't hear her, but it was quite obvious.

“Uh okay.”

She signaled for Zuko to wait as she sat down on the ground. She motioned an ‘action’ slice with her hand, and Zuko shot. He didn’t expect for lightning to emerge (his bending hadn’t worked earlier) but it did, and the lightning was purple. The spirit began to glow, and glow, and glow, until she was so bright that the duo couldn’t see. They passed out.

They awoke hours later, the sun directly above. Zuko looked around, locating Katara and Yn.

Wait, Yn? Wait Yn! He nudged Katara, effectively waking her up, before running over to Yn.

“Zuko?” She whispered.

He nodded and pulled her into a tight hug. She pulled away slightly, and wiped a tear that fell from his eyes, before moving to Katara.

“Yn...”

Yn ran into Katara, holding her tight.

“It’s not your fault,” she said.

Katara smiled and nodded.

“And it isn’t yours either,” she turned to Zuko again, giving him a bright smile. Somehow, she knew they both blamed themselves for her demise.

“Okay let’s go home, this forest is creepy,” Yn said, finally breaking that ethereal spirit voice.

Katara and Zuko burst out laughing. She was finally back.

“Ya know, Zuko,” Yn started.

“Mhm,” He smiled.

“The letter you wrote was so cute, I didn’t know you were so poetic.” She teased.

Zuko immediately blushed and she pulled him in for a short and sweet kiss.

“I love you,” He said.

“I love you too,”

Katara smiled after hearing this conversation, the guilt she felt could finally be released.

An: I FINALLY FINISHED IT. Sorry this took forever, I have a short attention span ig. This story is all over the place LMAO. Anyways, AS ALWAYS, hope you enjoyed this story, SEE YA!

Taglist: <3

@shadyruinskryptonite

127 notes · View notes

smellss · 4 years

Text

after all these years - zuko x reader

gif credit: @forgotten-or-unknown-truestories

a/n

I love the concept of the gaang interacting with all there children and i haven’t seen to many oneshots about it. I hope you enjoy this one because i think it’s my favourite one yet. keep requesting

- smells x

the laugh of children could be heard echoing through the hallways of the palace, the patter of feet coming closer and closer to banquet hall were y/n was helping organize decorations for the banquet this evening

uh oh here we go

“your highness the children are here to speak with you” the guard explained, trying to suppress his grin

“thank you enzo, let them in please” y/n smiled kindly to the guard, knowing what was coming next

the children all came in dressed in there best clothes for the feast they all huddled into a group,all whisper shouting until lin and kya pushed tenzin forward to speak

“um hello auntie y/n, we were wondering if we could ask you something?” little tenzin asked very shyly, looking down towards the ground trying not to make eye contact with y/n

“of course what can i help you all with?” y/n smiled to the children

“well um-m see we where...” tenzin stuttered his face becoming redder by the second, the children beginning to giggle behind him except for lin who scowled at all of them for teasing tenzin

instead izumi took over instead pushing tenzin back to the group

“well mum, you know how we are all supposed to sleep in our separate rooms after the feast tonight. we were wondering if instead we could bring all our sleeping mats into one room and stay together?” the young girl spoke very quickly to her mother drawing out the last part, looking at y/n with pleading eyes

“like a sleepover” bumi added stepping forward to stand with izumi

“we promise to be extra, extra good aunt y/n don’t we guys?” kya said turning around to the kids, all of them nodding their heads and giving cheesy smiles

spirits how am i supposed to say no

“well if all of your parents say it’s alright, then i don’t see why you can’t” y/n exclaimed making eye contact with each of them giving them a warm smile

a wave of cheers erupted from the group, all of them running to y/n to wrapping there little arms around her legs yelling thank you over and over again

“now all of you run along the feast will start soon” y/n smiled to the children as they ran off happily discussing who was going to sleep next to who

izumi ran back one last time throwing her arms around y/n’s waist and squeezing it tightly

“you’re the coolest mum ever!” izumi exclaimed smiling widely, before running back to her friends

y/n smiled to herself, before walking over to help one of the guards hang up a picture frame

after hours of hanging up artwork, lighting candles and setting the table the feast was ready to begin. the children all sat at there table while all the gaang sat together, the people of the fire nation began to enter as zuko gave the opening speech to allow the feast to commence.

“it is not true” y/n exclaimed crossing her arms and pouting at her friends all teasing her

“love it’s true, they asked you because you can’t say no to them” zuko chuckled amused, placing a arm on his wife’s chair smilingly at his wife

“no it is not!” y/n exclaimed flabbergasted at her husbands comment, throwing her hands in the air

“sure it isn’t buttercup, i’m sure that if they you asked you something you could say no” toph teased the woman, taking a sip of her drink looking staring at y/n knowing she would crack under her hard stare

“there just so many of them and they always make tenzin talk for them and he has these little pleading eyes so i can’t say no” y/n rambled out before, snuggling her head into the crook of zuko’s neck out of embarrassment

the group laughed loudly at y/n, katara and aang nodding agreeing with knowing of there son’s bargaining capabilities

the rest of the feast was a roaring success, everyone leaving with full stomach’s and droopy eye’s. the children all ran to the large room filled with sleeping mats, cushions and blankets the adult’s followed behind laughing at the children’s antics. the children all changed into there sleeping wear and began to settle for bed, y/n volunteered to stay with the children until they fell asleep.

“be good for aunt y/n okay guys” aang said nodding at kya,bumi and tenzin all lying on there sleeping mats

“we love you” katara whispered placing a kiss on each of there heads before walking out of the door arm wrapped around aang’s waist smiling

“be good you two, okay?” toph exclaimed to lin and su, the girls smiled giving toph a quick hug before running back to there sleeping mat, sokka also winked at the beifong sisters from the door making both the girls giggle before walking out with toph

“izumi, i’ll see you in the morning okay?” zuko whispered into the girls ear giving her a tickle before walking over to y/n

“i’ll see you later love” zuko exclaimed kissing y/n on the head before walking out waving to all the kids before shutting the door

the children erupted with loud voices and shuffling of mats now moving them around after there parents had gone lin and tenzin sheepishly moving there mats next to one another, kya and izumi moved so they would be next to su and bumi.

y/n shook her head and smiled at the children, lin and tenzin reminding her of herself and zuko when they were travelling with the rest of the gaang

“okay, now that you have moved and gotten all of your talking out it’s time for sleep” y/n exclaimed to the children, resulting in a wave of groans and sighs

“but mum we aren’t tired yet!” izumi whined flopping dramatically back onto her sleeping mat, y/n rolling her eyes at her daughters antics

she really is so much like zuko

“could you tell us a story please?” lin asked hesitantly a chorus of yes and pleases following lin’s question

“well i suppose so, what story would you like?” y/n questioned to the children

they all turned to each other and huddled little snippets of conversation could be heard like “no that’s boring” or “weird”, finally su and kya turned around with a squeal

“could you tell us the story of how you and uncle zuko met please?” the girls giggled and the boys groaned

“it’s going to be all gross and romantic” tenzin sighed in annoyance placing his chin in his hand

“what’s wrong with romance tenzin?” lin raised her brow at young air bender with a smirk plastering her face

tenzin let out a muffled nothing blush dusting his cheeks as he looked away from the young beifong girl

“well zuko and i didn’t get a long at first actually, we met at the northern water tribe when we fought against each other.” y/n began to explain to the children

“stop, leave him alone” y/n yelled as she jumped in front of aang and sent water crystals flying at zuko’s head, the fire prince shielding himself with a wall of fire

“i don’t think we have met yet, prince zuko soon to be capture of the avatar” zuko mocked the girl, sending back a ball of fire which y/n gracefully dodged

“i wish i could say it was a pleasure to meet you but it isn’t” y/n yelled sending a wave of water over freezing zuko in a block of ice

“by the way the names y/n” y/n smiled running over to help katara with aang

“woah you trapped dad in ice” izumi gasped looking at her mother with wide eyes

“yes well he was trying to capture aang” y/n explained to her daughter, making the other kids giggled at the thought of the two men trying to capture each other

“i met zuko again when he joined our group at the northern air temple, i didn’t trust him at first i was still convinced he was trying to capture aang. so he tried to convince me that he wasn’t.” y/n smiled at the memory

“spirits y/n what is it going to take to get you to trust me” zuko yelled at the girl throwing his hands in the air out of frustration

“i don’t know zuko, all this time we have been running from you and i’m not sure if i can trust you” y/n yelled back tears beginning to form in her eyes

“please y/n just give me a second chance” zuko pleaded, showing y/n a side of himself that she had never seen before

“okay i will give you a second chance,if you hug me” y/n said smirking at the boy

“what why would you want that” zuko exclaimed stepping away from the girl exasperated at the idea

“come on zuko one hug and i’ll give you a second chance” y/n teased opening her arms and wrapping them around zuko

the fire bender turned a bright shade of red as the girl squeezed him tightly, zuko reluctently wrapped his arms around the girl

y/n smiled contently, quickly placed a kiss on his cheek and skipped away yelling a “thanks zuko” over her shoulder

zuko stood there in shock placing a hand on his cheek were y/n has kissed him

“auntie y/n why did you hug him” kya asked tilting her head

“yes why did you hug me?” zuko questioned leaning against the door smirking at his wife before walking over to her, scary all the kids and y/n

“zuko spirits, how many times have i told you not to sneak up on me” y/n scolded the man whacking him on the chest causing him and the children to chuckle

“sorry love but i wanted to see what was talking you so long but now i want to know why did you hug me” zuko questioned his wife

“well i know how much you hated being hugged or anything involving another person touching you ,it made you feel like you were trusting them which weren’t really open too. so i knew that if you let me hug you and you accepted it that then you truly trusted me and i could trust you.” y/n explained to her husband smiling at him as the kids awed at the couple

“also i had a bit of a crush on you then” y/n laughed before zuko hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear “i love you”

“now i think that is enough stories for tonight so goodnight everyone” y/n exclaimed waving to all the kids blowing out all of the candles, before walking out the door

“thanks for that zuko i don’t think i-mph” y/n was silenced by zuko’s lips pressing against her, still after all these years it sent fire works through her body

“thank you for trusting me love” zuko whispered tucking a stray piece of y/n’s hair behind her ear earning a loving smile from his wife.

“i would do again it a thousand times” y/n gleamed embracing zuko tightly just like she did all those years ago.

638 notes · View notes

passable-talent · 4 years

Note

Part 7 of the Dai Li series please!!! Excellent work again, as usual- I'm DYING XD

guess how long it took for this request to come in?

eleven minutes!! thats a new record!!

and so we return... ANOTHER whole month later!

“I need you to tell me what happened to Iroh.”

Zuko kept your gaze, his eyes almost wide. You didn’t look away, couldn’t let yourself. A few heartbeats passed, and he looked away, shame clear on his face.

“He was put in jail,” Zuko said, closing his eyes. “I visited him often, but when I went to help him break out during the eclipse, he was already gone.” Slowly, his gaze returned to you. “I wish I could tell you I knew where he was.” It made sense, what he was saying, and you knew he wasn’t lying. You had hoped something else had become of Iroh, that day, that maybe he’d escaped after securing yours, but some part of you knew that he was likely jailed in the Fire Nation, if not dead.

Broken out, though. He had made it out- just like Zuko. Maybe, someday, they’d see each other again.

But for now, you were satisfied. Zuko, though responsible for Iroh’s imprisonment in an odd way, was ashamed of it. And you wouldn’t hold against him actions that he was paying for. Your heart beating, yet stinging like a raw wound, you fell back into his chest, spending any long moment you could in his arms, the sky darkening around you and revealing its stars.

The days before Sozin’s Comet just felt odd.

Four days from the comet, you went to a play, which didn’t mention you at all. That pissed you off- you were instrumental to their escape from Ba Sing Se! Who the hell else would’ve protected Katara from Azula if not you? Not to mention Zuko died in it, which surprised all of you, most of all, Zuko.

His upset from the night before bled into the next morning, when he attacked Aang. The terror in your chest, when you saw the fire struck toward the avatar again, was thick and visceral. You never thought you’d see him attack Aang again, not after Ba Sing Se, and you didn’t understand what had happened that made him so violent, so suddenly.

But when you attempted to come to Aang’s aid, and stood between the avatar and the prince, you caught his gaze. That malice that you’d seen in Ba Sing Se, that you’d hated so much, that you expected to see now, in a prince gone mad- it wasn’t there.

Zuko wasn’t doing this out of hatred for Aang.

It stunned you enough that the prince slipped past you, continuing his attack. You watched as a spectator, until they dove into the attic, your mind swimming. What could Zuko be thinking?

Okay, so he was confused at Aang’s complacency. Real interesting decision making process there, Zuzu, attacking him to resolve such an issue.

Three days from the comet. You run a drill- which didn’t make much sense as an actual plan, you had to say, but not many of these other teenagers had the benefit of actual military training like you. Your job was to draw fire with Sokka and Suki- and, though Sokka didn’t admit it, to be an earthbender who could throw up a shield at any time. It was fun training, which you hadn’t really gotten to be a part of for a while.

Two days from the comet, and Aang is missing.

Which is really, really, really bad.

Like, sure, the kid wasn’t exactly super ready to face Ozai, but he’s still the avatar, right? That’s still got to count for something. And he’s missing, leaving a very gifted and still extremely underqualified gaggle of teenagers to face the Fire Lord.

So you went to the Earth Kingdom. Zuko took you to an old friend named Jun, who seemed to go way back, back to before you’d met Zuko. She seemed like she’d be helpful, but then revealed even more deeply unsettling information- Aang was gone. Which was much, much worse than missing.

So, facing the Fire Lord without the Avatar. How fun.

And yet, there was a glimmer of hope, in the form of an old, smelly sandal, which really made you wonder why the hell Zuko still had it. And, really, now that you thought about it, how Zuko even got it. The Shirshu could definitely catch a scent from that- anyone with a half working nose could.

One day from Sozin’s comet, and most of it was already gone, spent chasing a shirshu across the Earth Kingdom. Appa was the best, letting you sleep on a massive paw, and though he was itchy, it was much better than taking the time to set up your beds. Though, your rest didn’t last long- quickly you were ambushed, a ring of fire surrounding you. Four men looked down upon you, and though you didn’t recognize three of them, you did know King Bumi, and assumed that the others must be friends, if he were in league with them.

“Well, look who’s here!” Bumi said, a snorting laugh following his words. You saw relief and joy on Sokka and Katara’s face, and so you knew that your assumption was true. It seemed like, for the first time in a few days, you were about to catch a break.

“What’s going on? We’re surrounded by old people.” A smile cracking your face, you had to be grateful for Toph, and her outlook on the world.

“Not just any old people. These are great masters, and friends of ours!” She bowed to an old man with long white hair. “Pakku.”

“It is respectful to bow to an old master,” he said, returning her bow, “but how about a hug, for your new grandfather?” You raised an eyebrow as the siblings reacted with surprise, but not too much, like that was a normal thing to say, if exciting. Following their conversation, though, you picked up enough details to figure out a bit of the history that they must’ve had.

“And this was Aang’s first firebending teacher!” Katara explained, and Sokka went on to explain the name of the third.

“Master Piandao,” he said, and you smiled brightly, even if it was to yourself- this was truly a lucky day.

“So, wait, how do you all know each other?” Suki asked.

“All old people know each other, don’t you know that?” Bumi said with another snorting laugh.

“We’re all part of the same ancient secret society,” Piandao explain, causing your gaze to shift to the matching uniforms they each wore. “A group that transcends the divisions of the four nations.

“The Order of the White Lotus,” Zuko interjected, and you looked sideways at him, wondering how he knew that. He had a smile on his face- he looked hopeful.

“That’s the one!” Bumi answered.

“The White Lotus has always been about philosophy, and beauty, and truth,” Jeong-Jeong began, and as you crossed your arms over yourself to protect them from the wind, you were glad that such a society exists in such a war-torn world. “But about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important.”

“It came from our Grand Lotus,” Pakku said, diverting his eyes to Zuko. “Your uncle. Iroh of the Fire Nation.” While Zuko’s expression softened, yours brightened- Iroh was as trustworthy as you had always known him to be. You were glad to know that he kept peace just as much as he preached it.

“Well, that’s who we’re looking for,” Toph said.

“Then we’ll take you to him.” Reaching Jun and her shirshu, it felt sure that you were going to see Iroh again. But when you followed her for a day, the inevitability of it dribbled away. Yet here, again, your hope renewed, that you could see him again, and be reminded that there was at least one adult in the world that you could really, deeply trust.

“Wait,” Bumi shouted, shoving himself to the midst of the conversation, “There’s someone missing from your group. Someone very important... where’s Momo??”

“He’s gone,” Sokka said, clearly deeply troubled by having Bumi’s nose pressed to his face, “and so is Aang.”

“Oh well, so long as they have each other, I’m sure we have nothing to worry about!” Bumi said, prompting you to wonder what the king had seen and experienced to allow news such as a missing avatar to not startle him. “Let’s go!”

It was a surprisingly far walk to the Order’s camp, in which the old masters caught up with their friends, and filled each other in on details. You kept quiet, having not personally known any of them.

The sun came up as you reached the camp, and Zuko entered his uncle’s tent, to wait. You sat outside with Toph, but decide not to practice your seismics- whatever was happening between Zuko and Iroh deserved to stay between them.

A nice stew was your breakfast, the gaang all sitting around its pot, with Iroh sitting at the head of the group. You’d sat between Zuko and Toph, one leg propped up on its foot with the other extended in front of you. Iroh had given you a long hug when he saw you- delighted that you had continued your path alongside the avatar, and secretly even more delighted that Zuko’s path had also lead him back to you.

“Uncle, you’re the only person other than the avatar who can possibly defeat the fatherlord,” Zuko said, and though you heard his mistake, you only smiled into your stew.

“You mean the Fire Lord.” Because you could count on Toph to do it for you.

“That’s what I just said,” Zuko snapped, but it was merely his temper, not true anger. “We need you to come with us.” Iroh seemed to consider for a moment.

“No, Zuko, it won’t turn out well,” Iroh began, and you lifted your head, ready to hear true, unfiltered Iroh wisdom.

“You can beat him,” Zuko insisted, before looking sideways across the rest of the group. “And we’ll be there to help.” You gave him a smile, but ultimately turned your attention back to Iroh.

“Even if I did defeat Ozai,” he began, “and I don’t know that I could, it would be the wrong way to end the war. History will see it as more senseless violence: a brother killing a brother to grab power.” Slowly you brought another bite of your stew to your lips, but once you had, your chopsticks slowly maneuvered around your fingers, finding a way to fidget as you considered. “The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the avatar to defeat the Fire Lord.” You let out a quick breath, recognizing the sense in his words, but feeling worry reveal itself. Wasn’t Aang... gone? Off world?

“And then... would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?” Zuko asked.

“No,” Iroh said, quickly, like he’d been prepared for such a question. “Someone new must take the throne- an idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor.” He was speaking directly to Zuko, and you understood before he’d had to say it. “It has to be you, Prince Zuko.”

In all the time you’d known Zuko, you had known him as a lot of different things. Refugee. Waiter. Friend. Crush. Traitor. Enemy. Prince. Fire Nation. And in all that time, you’d realized his lineage, as the eldest child of the Fire Lord, and certainly most sane. Yet, in all that time, you’d never considered what he was poised to become: the Fire Lord himself.

In that moment, you nearly felt the need to bow, or scoot away, as though you were reminded of his royalty, the true meaning of the term ‘prince’. Wasn’t the bloodline of the Fire Nation royals considered to have been made royal by the spirits?

Inferiority didn’t even begin to cover it, but you’d worry about that another day.

“Unquestionable honor?” He asked, looking away from his uncle. “But I’ve made so many mistakes.” At long last, days after you felt like you had finally forgiven the prince, you were put in a position where you could accept or deny the way he had hurt you in the past. But you weren’t just an earth kingdom citizen, not anymore. You were world-travelled, a soldier, a warrior, a friend to the future fire lord and the avatar alike. You knew the mature and good and right thing to do. And in that moment, it wasn’t to hold above him the things he’d done to you, but instead to recognize the way he’d overcome them. You shuffled closer to him.

“Yes, you have,” Iroh admitted, his gaze briefly meeting yours. “You’ve struggled, you’ve suffered.” Gently, you took one hand from your bowl, and laid it on his, where he’d left it on his knee. He didn’t look at you, but his fingers slid around yours slowly. “But you have always followed your own path. You have restored your own honor. And only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation.”

“I’ll try, uncle,” he promised, and you knew he would make good on it.

“Well, what if Aang doesn’t come back?” Toph asked, and you once again thanked her for saying the things you couldn’t seem to get past your tongue.

“Sozin’s comet is arriving, and our destinies are upon us,” Iroh declared, using his chopsticks for emphasis. “Aang will face the Fire Lord. When I was a boy, I had a vision that I would one day take Ba Sing Se. Only now do I see that my destiny is to take it back, from the Fire Nation, so the Earth Kingdom can be free again.”

“That’s why you’ve gathered the members of the White Lotus,” Suki said, her words prompting you to look around at the dozen other old masters, who would be more than capable of pulling your mighty home city from the grasp of a few Fire Nation soldiers.

“Yes,” Iroh agreed, turning his gaze back to the prince. “Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation, so that when the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne, and restore peace, and honor. But Azula will be there, waiting for you.”

“I can handle Azula,” Zuko said, malice written across his face, but this time for your first real enemy.

“Not alone,” Iroh insisted, “you’ll need help.”

“You’re right,” Zuko admitted. “Katara, Y/N. How would you like to help me put Azula in her place?” A devious smile spread over Katara’s face.

“It would be my pleasure,” she said, and you couldn’t help but smile as their gazes turned to you.

“She’s had it coming,” you said, cracking your knuckles of your free hand into your thigh.

“What about us?” Sokka asked, from between Toph and Suki, “What’s our destiny today?”

“What do you think it is?” Iroh asked, halfway to his next mouthful of stew, and for a moment you saw Mushi again, being cheeky back at the Jasmine Dragon when he suggested you do something that would put you in Zuko’s path.

“I think that,” Sokka began, considering, “even though we don’t know where Aang is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet.”

“And that means, when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we’ll be right there if he needs us.” Toph’s attitude, as though she would take on the comet herself, and win, filled you with a sense of hope. You could win the day.

You rested your back against Appa’s saddle, leaning over the side to say your goodbyes to the Order.

“So if I’m going to be Fire Lord after the war is over,” Zuko said, once again reminding you of such an insane fact, “What are you going to do?”

“After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I’m going to reconquer my tea shop!” You couldn’t help but laugh, remembering the place you’d fallen in love with Zuko, back before the world had fallen down around you. You could imagine going back there, when it was all over. “And I’m going to play Pai Sho every day!” His happiness, his hope, was infectious.

“Goodbye, General Iroh,” Katara said, and you leaned down on your elbow, as though you could give him one last hug before you left. You already had- but that didn’t curb the impulse.

“Goodbye, everyone. Today, destiny is our friend. I know it.” You could believe him. For that moment, you were filled with strength, and the feeling that though the day would be hard, it would be won. It had to be.

Appa kicked off from the ground, and you crawled to the front of the saddle, closer to Zuko.

“Hey, Zuko?” You asked, taking a deep breath.

“Yes?” he didn’t look away from Appa’s path, but turned his head toward you.

“When this is all over, I...” you swallowed, hard, but kept yourself from putting it off any further. “I’m ready to love you again. I think I already do.”

And then, in that moment, for Zuko, there was a thousand more reasons why he needed to win the day.

-🦌 Roe

stay tuned (aka request) for the series finale...

edit: | part 8 |

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pearlsephoni · 2 years

Text

This Crazy Youth, Chapter 2: The Chase

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T (for language)

Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Pairing: Zutara (Zuko/Katara), background one-sided Aang/Katara and Toph/Sokka

Characters: The Gaang (Zuko, Katara, Aang, Sokka, Toph Beifong)

Word Count: 5,015

Summary: Zuko is unofficially welcomed into the group as chaos ensues with their arrival at the base of Mount Mahendra.

A/N: Thank you once again to @thebansheeandherboy for beta-reading and editing this, and to @south-asian-zutara for organizing Zutara Dhamaka 2021!

They arrived at the base of the mountain early the next day. A chorus of relieved sighs rose from the group when Joo Lee revealed that they had rooms ready for them at the local inn, and they wouldn’t begin the hike until the following morning.

“Thank the spirits,” Sokka groaned as he, Zuko, and Aang filed into their room. “I’m not gonna be conscious for the next 24 hours.”

“I thought you wanted to try the food-”

“24 hours!!” he declared over Aang’s timid words. And with that, he flung himself onto his bed and was out within seconds.

The silence in the room was broken by his snores as Zuko and Aang stared at each other. It was the first time they had been alone, and Zuko now realized that he had no idea how to talk to a young airbender. Who also happened to be the Avatar.

“So, um—”

“Katara mentioned—oh.”

“Ah.”

They lapsed in silence again, before Zuko sheepishly gestured for Aang to go first.

“Katara told us that you’re a, uh…” Aang looked over his shoulder to confirm the door was closed. “You’re a firebender?”

“She didn’t waste any time, did she?” Zuko sighed. “I am, but…no one’s supposed to know. I swear I won’t tell anyone you’re the Avatar, so please…please don’t tell anyone about my bending.”

Aang’s eyes grew wide. “I won’t tell! None of us will! You can trust us, and you seem pretty trustworthy yourself! But, um…” The uncertainty that flitted across his face looked strange. It didn’t look right on someone with such a charming, bubbly demeanor. “Well, you’ve probably heard about…the Fire Nation searching for me?”

“I have.”

“Then you can probably guess that finding a firebending master has been…difficult.”

“I can imagine.”

“But now we’ve met you! And we already know we can trust each other with our secrets! So—”

“Hold on,” Zuko stammered, his hands flying up as though he could physically hold back Aang’s suggestion. “I’m not a firebending master.”

“You don’t have to be! I just need a teacher, someone who can help me get started, y’know?”

“I…I…”

“You can think about it. I know you didn’t come on this trip to train someone in firebending. But maybe when I master waterbending and earthbending, I can come back to Ba Sing Se and find you!”

The uncertainty was gone, replaced by an eager gleam in those grey eyes and bright smile. He was looking at him as though Zuko held all the answers to his questions. Zuko couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen such faith directed at him, and it made his refusal die in his throat.

How could he tell Aang that the next time he was in Ba Sing Se, Zuko and his family would likely be long gone? How could he explain that he was working to master firebending for the same reason Aang likely was: to face his father and remove him from the throne of the Fire Lord?

He couldn’t. He couldn’t do it. But he couldn’t think of a lie, either. He could only stare at Aang, lips parted around words that couldn’t seem to form in his mind.

The next thing he knew, the door to their room was being slammed open, revealing a grinning Toph. “Wake up, sleepyheads!”

Katara appeared behind her, already looking a little tired by her blustering energy. “They’re not sleeping—”

“Sokka is!” Toph barreled between Zuko and Aang and threw herself on top of Sokka, forcing a groan from the boy. “Wake up, sleepyhead!”

“24 hours…”

“What?”

“He said he was going to be unconscious for 24 hours,” Aang explained with a grin, his attention thankfully diverted from Zuko.

“24 hours?!” Just like that, Katara’s exasperation at Toph was redirected at Sokka as she stalked to the side of his bed, hands on her hips. “We made it to the home of Avatar Kali, and you want to sleep? For 24 hours?!”

“I’m tired, Kat.”

“You slept on the train!”

“It’s not the same!”

“Sokka, I’m going to strangle you!”

“Good, then I’ll get some rest.”

Katara looked up at the others with a look of defeat on her face. “Well...are you guys ready to head out?”

Zuko opened his mouth to respond, but he was beaten by Toph, who had an unnervingly smug look on her face. “Oh, I dunno, Sugar Queen. I can think of one thing that’ll get Sokka out of bed.” She grinned at Aang. “Remember his favorite song?”

“Wha—oh.” The grin that stretched across Aang’s face matched Toph’s, though it looked a little less unsettling on his pleasant features. “Yeah, I think I remember it! What about you, Katara?”

“He’s going to murder you,” Katara snickered, a small smile making its away over her lips. “But at least he’ll be awake.”

“Um,” Zuko finally interjected, “what song?”

“Just sit back and enjoy the show, Sparky.”

“Sparky?”

“Two lovers,” Toph suddenly burst out, “forbidden from one another!”

“A war divides their people,” Aang warbled with a wide smile.

They looked at Katara with wide, expectant eyes, and she could only hold out for a second before she sighed. “And a mountain divides them apart!”

Toph let out a whoop before continuing, “Built a path to be together!”

Their voices were shaky and off-key, and their singing was loud enough to be a nuisance to their neighbors, but Zuko found himself smiling with them as they sang. He recognized the song, partially because the trio’s off-key singing somehow matched Uncle Iroh’s performances in their small apartment, but he was happy to sit back and enjoy, as Toph had suggested.

But then their singing faltered to a stop, and they stared at each other in disappointed confusion. “What comes next?”

“I dunno.”

“Can’t remember.”

“Secret tunnel!” Zuko burst out before he could stop himself. Three sets of eyes landed on him, and his voice choked off in his throat.

The smile on Katara’s face was blinding as she hurried to his side and gave his shoulder a gentle shake. “Keep going, Lee!”

“S-secret tunnel,” he continued, cheeks burning under their smiles.

“THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN!” Toph and Aang bellowed at the top of their lungs. “SECRET, SECRET, SECR—”

“That’s it!” Sokka shot upright in the bed and promptly wrapped his arms around Toph, sealing a hand over her mouth before she could continue singing or let out a shout. “You guys are dead!”

“Run!” Aang zoomed out of the room, and Katara grabbed Zuko’s wrist before she followed, tugging him down the hallway with Toph’s indignant “You jerks are leaving me?!” echoing behind them.

When Toph finally appeared outside of the inn with Sokka in tow, the boy looked deeply disgruntled and defeated. “C’mon, Snoozles, let’s get some food!”

“I hate you guys,” Sokka deadpanned, eyes hollow, “so much.”

The town was quaint, with architecture that flowed with the emerging slopes of the mountain. It was clear that the tour group was the main source of activity in the area, but the locals still greeted them with bright smiles and fair prices. There was a spot just a short walk away from the inn that looked like the tourist center of the town, or the closest thing to a center a town that small could have.

A large statue of Avatar Kali stood in the middle, standing tall over a small fountain with lilies and burned-down candles floating on the surface. Sokka and Toph headed straight to a food stand selling noodles, and Katara got distracted by a cart selling jewelry. Only Aang stood at the fountain, staring up at the statue with a solemn expression that made him look far older than his age.

“Do you know anything about her?” Zuko asked as he came to stand next to him.

“Not really. She’s from about two cycles ago. Almost a thousand years. Not much is known about her anymore, except in the areas around here.” A small, sad smile pulled at Aang’s lips. “I guess at the end of the day, your home is where you’ll be remembered.”

Home. If all went according to Uncle Iroh’s plan...if Zuko was able to become a firebending master and confront his father...then, and only then, would he be able to call the Fire Nation his home again.

Of course, that was on the assumption that the nobility and general populace of the country would accept a runaway prince as Fire Lord. But Zuko couldn’t think about that, didn’t want to think about that. Not right now.

“Where’s home for you?” he asked, pulling his thoughts back to the present.

“The Southern Air Temple.” Just uttering the name of his childhood home made Aang’s shoulders visibly relax, a look of serenity falling over his face. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back, but I’m not supposed to return until I become a master bender of...well. Everything.”

Zuko bit back a smile. It was good that Aang was being more careful about not revealing that he was the Avatar, but he still wasn’t very good at hiding it. “That seems like a lot for a 14-year-old.”

“It can be, sometimes. Traditionally, I wasn't supposed to find about...who I am until I turned 16. But with the threat of the Fire Nation trying to create an empire, the monks thought it would be better for me to begin my training now. That way I can carry out my duties of maintaining balance before they become too strong.” His smile slid off his face as he spoke, until weariness settled over his features. “If it wasn’t for the others supporting me, I don’t...I dunno if I could…”

Zuko didn’t know what to say. He could recognize the pressure that weighed on the young Avatar, the appreciation for the support he had and the loneliness he still felt in his duties. But he couldn’t say that, not without drawing more suspicion to who he was, especially now that they all knew he was from the Fire Nation.

“You’re a good kid, Aang,” he eventually said. “I know it’s a lot of pressure, but...you’re handling it well, from what I’ve seen. I think the world is lucky that someone like you is...well. You know.”

“I know.” A smile, a real, happy smile, spread across Aang’s face. “Thanks, Lee.”

Just then, Toph and Sokka hurried over with dishes balanced precariously on their hands. Toph’s timing for interruptions was uncanny. A distant thought crossed Zuko’s mind that maybe she had an added sense for timing on top of her seismic sense.

“Lunch is served!” she crowed, holding up the dishes with a proud grin.

“Ooooh, what’d you guys get?” Aang asked eagerly.

“The local specialty! Hakka noodles with goat meat!” Sokka’s proud smile faltered when he met Zuko’s gaze. “Wait, Lee, you eat meat, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, good, cuz I only got one vegetarian dish for Aang. Alright, let’s eat!”

They set aside a dish for Katara before digging in, the younger two sprawled on the ground while Zuko and Sokka balanced on the edge of the fountain. Zuko missed the spice of Fire Nation food, but the hakka noodles had more than enough flavor to make up for the lack of burn. The group was silent, focused entirely on devouring their food, until the sound of approaching drums made their eyes jerk up.

It was a parade of some sort, or maybe a procession. Everyone in it was dressed in what looked to be formalwear, but Zuko couldn’t figure out what the procession was for until he saw a palanquin being carried by four men. Through the thin, golden gauze draped over the frame, he could see a girl around his age dressed in ornate, gold-embroidered red silk and heavy jewelry. Her eyes were lowered, and a shy smile curved her lips.

She was a bride, and the parade was a wedding procession, made up of friends and family.

“Wow!” Aang gasped. “A wedding! What are the odds we’d get to see it?”

Toph’s frown was a perfect contrast to Aang’s wide smile. “Where’s her partner? Thought you needed two people for a wedding.”

“It’s probably an arranged marriage.” Zuko flushed under the eyes that landed on him. He still wasn’t used to groups actually paying attention to him when he spoke, especially positive attention. “In more isolated areas like this, arranged marriages are more common than love marriages. It’s more traditional. She probably won’t meet her spouse until she reaches the altar.”

“Wow…” Sokka murmured. “What a way to get married.”

“Wha?” Toph mumbled around her mouthful of food.

“Picture it! Getting married to someone you’ve never met before, from a distant land! You’re scared of who they could be, but as time passes, you get to know each other, and that initial fear and shyness turns into love!” Sokka’s eyes were wide and unfocused as he spun his tale, completely missing the way Toph’s cheeks were dusted with the lightest shade of pink. “It’d be a love story for the ages!”

“You’re kinda like the prince of the Southern Water Tribe, right?” Aang asked. “Maybe something like that could happen to you.”

“Oh, yeah! Wow…yeah…”

Sokka’s face looked positively dreamy at the thought, a sharp contrast to the heavy furrow between Toph’s brows. Aang somehow didn’t notice how upset she looked, leaving Zuko the only one who hoped she wouldn’t channel that stormy mix of emotions into...anything else.

He wilted in relief in his seat when Katara appeared with a tray of drinks in her hands and the declaration, “That poor girl is throwing away the rest of her life, and you’re fantasizing about doing the same?”

“What do you mean?” Sokka asked, nearly drowned out by Aang’s shout of “Juice!”

“Look at her! She can’t be more than, what, 17? She should be learning new things, discovering herself, looking forward to the rest of her life, but now she’s going to be stuck keeping house and taking care of an overgrown manchild. And spirits forbid, she’ll be expected to take care of children when she’s still basically a child herself.”

It was an ironic moment, hearing Katara rant about the responsibilities of married life while handing out drinks like a mother to her kids, but the earnest anger in her eyes still drove her point home. She sat down next to Zuko once the juices were distributed, and as he handed over her lunch, he couldn’t help asking, “You don’t want to get married?”

A soft scoff left Katara, though Zuko thought he could spy a hint of wistfulness in her eyes as she watched the procession pass. “Maybe one day, but…I don’t think I’ll meet anyone who I’d want to marry.”

“Really?”

“All the men in the Southern Water Tribe want a wife who will wait for them, raise the kids for them, and make a home that will be ready for them when they return.”

“What do you want?”

Katara looked surprised at the question, a wry smile quirking her lips when she looked at him. “I want to do this. Travel the world, meet people from everywhere, become a waterbending master. One day I’d like to have a family, but for now, I want to live for myself.”

“And that includes traveling with Aang and helping him get trained?”

A laugh burst out of Katara, and Zuko could feel a warmth spread through his chest at the sound. “If I get to help save the world along the way, then I can’t complain, can I?”

It was a little startling to hear it so bluntly said, but when Zuko considered the group, he realized that Katara was right. Here they were, a group of teenagers, all prepared to do whatever they could to stop the Fire Nation—his father—before it was too late.

But saving the world would have to wait a little longer. After lunch, they spent the day wandering along the hillside, making their way between small homes and down rough paths. As they walked, Zuko spotted a few kids peeking out at them from behind windows and bushes, occasionally stopping their playing to stare wide-eyed at the strangers. He didn’t know what to do besides awkwardly wave, but that only earned him nervous giggles and maybe one returned wave.

He heard a soft laugh next to him, and looked over to find Katara watching with a fond smile. “Let me try something,” she whispered, her smile turning conspiratory. As Zuko watched, she uncorked her water pouch and drew out a small stream of water. The water shook as she bent it, but it all stayed intact as she turned it into two globes, then a globe with a ring around it, and even a silly little smiley face. She walked as she worked, giving a waterbending show to every child they passed and earning them cheers and small claps.

“What’s going on?” Toph asked when she heard the soft applause. “Why are they clapping?”

“Katara’s bending.” There was a longing in Aang’s eyes as he watched over his shoulder, but thankfully he held himself back from bending with her.

Eventually they left the homes behind and found themselves at a bustling market just as the sun began setting.

“Coooooool,” Aang and Toph said in unison.

“How far did we walk?” Sokka looked significantly less excited by the discovery. “Did we get to a whole other town?”

“No, Sokka, this is Mahendra Market. The main tourist destination around here?” Katara once again looked deeply exasperated with her brother. That’s twice today, Zuko idly thought. Who knew what the tally would be by the end of the trip?

“That’s here? I thought that was up in the village!”

He was answered by three blank stares and one confused look, before the group split up to the sound of his complaints. “Wait, guys! Guys, c’mon!”

This time, Zuko and Katara were on dinner duty, while Aang and Toph looked at some sweets and souvenirs. There were more hakka noodles, but Zuko was more intrigued by the curries served with warm roti. Between him and Katara, they were able to balance four plates over to the rickety wooden tables that made up the dining area. “Nice choice, Lee,” Katara hummed as they looked over their meal. “These curries smell amazing.”

“Thanks.” It was simple praise, and not even necessarily directed towards him, but Zuko could still feel a pleased flush rise to his cheeks. “Should we go get something to dr—?”

“Hey, boomerang!”

The shout made them whirl around, just in time to see a hulking figure loom over Sokka at the desserts stand. Sokka looked like he was doing his level best to stand tall and steadily meet the man’s gaze, but his hunched shoulders weren’t selling a picture of confidence very well.

“Yes?”

“You look at my girl funny?”

“What?”

“I saw you, pipsqueak, you were looking at my girl!”

Sokka’s eyes flickered to the woman hovering at the man’s elbow. “She was standing in front of the stand! I didn’t want to bump into her!”

“What are you saying, that you wouldn’t look at her? You calling her ugly?”

“What are you talking—”

Before Sokka could finish talking, the man had grabbed him by the collar with his meaty hands, and pulled him up until his toes were barely skimming the ground. “Apologize.”

“Hey man, I don’t want any trouble—”

“Apologize.”

“Hey!” For someone so small, Toph had a huge voice. “Leave him alone!”

“Oh no,” Katara murmured, already moving forward to intervene.

“Stay out of this, kid.”

“I said,” Toph growled, “leave him alone.” Zuko saw her foot twisting in place and her fingers crooking, and the next thing he knew, the man was slipping on dirt that was shifting under his feet, sending him landing roughly on his ass. In the next blink, his hands were trapped in two earthen shackles sunken into the ground, keeping him from getting back to his feet. Then Toph loomed over him, grabbing his collar in one hand and jabbing a finger in his face with the other. “Now you apologize.”

“You little—”

“Apologize!”

There was a tense moment of the man glaring into Toph’s eyes, before he finally grumbled, “I’m sorry.”

“There. Was that so hard? Now you and your girlfriend run along and leave us alone.” Toph waited an extra beat for her words to sink in, then released the man from his shackles. She was already turning away when he scrambled to his feet, her focus turned to a wide-eyed Sokka.

Zuko couldn’t hear their hushed words from where he stood, nor could he hear what Katarahissed when she reached their side. He could only watch as Sokka rubbed the back of his neck and Katara started herding them away with a frown.

Then his eyes wandered over to where the large man and his girlfriend had retreated to, and he felt his stomach drop; the man didn’t look large compared to the group he was rejoining, and he didn’t look all that intimidating next to the glares that the group sent their way as the man gestured angrily at them. “G-guys,” Zuko choked out, just loud enough to get his friends’ attention. “There’s more.”

“What?”

“There’s more of them!” he managed to shout in a steadier voice, finger pointed at the men rising out of their seats. “We need to go!”

There was a moment of tense silence as the two groups’ finally looked at each other. And then—

“SCATTER!” Sokka bellowed, before grabbing Katara by the arm and dragging her back to Zuko. Behind him, Aang and Toph wasted no time disappearing in the other direction, already out of sight by the time Katara grabbed his wrist and tugged him along.

For the second day in a row, Zuko found himself running as hard and as fast as he could, too focused on keeping up with the siblings to pay much attention to where they were leading him. The marketplace was nothing more than blurs of bright fabrics and golden lights, until he was tugged around a corner and practically slammed into a wall.

“Shoot, sorry!” Katara gasped. “Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah,” he groaned, carefully peeling himself off the stone. “Did we lose them?”

“Some of them are getting closer.” Sokka was peering around the corner, trying and failing to keep himself concealed. “I don’t think we can get away undetected.”

“I have an idea.”

“Katara, no.”

“Just a little ice slick, enough to slow them down!”

“That never works the way you think it will!”

“We won’t know unless we try!”

“Except we do know! We do know, Katara!”

She ignored her brother’s protests and nudged him away from the corner, focusing on turning the stream of water from her waterskin into a smooth plane of ice on the path. “And now, we wait.”

Through the bustle of the market, Zuko could pick out one set of heavy footfalls getting closer...and closer… “Katara, are you sure this will work?”

“Don’t you start doubting me too, Lee.”

“I’m not, I just—”

Suddenly there was a shout, a thud, and the sound of metal falling with the biggest clatter Zuko had ever heard. “What in all the spirits’ names?!”

They jumped out of their hiding spot and found a middle-aged man with his back on the ice, with golden dishes and cutlery strewn all around him. Zuko didn’t know who he was, but he knew he wasn’t one of the thugs.

“I’m so sorry!” Katara cried out. “Sir, I am so sorry!”

“I told you,” Sokka hissed. Then his hands were around their wrists, and they were off again, just as one of the thugs rounded the far corner. Somehow, as they ran, the siblings were right back to bickering, while Zuko was trying to suck in enough air to keep going.

They only stopped when they ran into an alley with a cart blocking the way. “Okay,” Sokka wheezed, bending over to grab at his knees. Apparently the running really had taken a lot out of him. “Okay, alright, we just have to find another way.”

“SOKKA!” They whirled around to see Toph and Aang barreling towards them, a group of thugs lagging behind them but still determined in their pursuit. “GET ON THE CART!”

“WHAT?!”

“JUST GO!”

Zuko was quick to obey, and he kept the cart balanced as Sokka and Katara climbed on. Within seconds, Toph and Aang were scrambling after them. As soon as they were securely in, Aang called out, “Hang on!” and swept his airbending staff in a wide arc. A gust of wind billowed out, which was enough to get the cart rolling.

They were moving, but so was the group of men, and Zuko had the sinking feeling the cart wouldn’t gain enough momentum to outrun them. “We’re too slow!”

“Not for long!” Aang called back. “Toph, make a big ramp five feet ahead of us!”

“You sure about this, Twinkle Toes?”

“Trust me!”

That was all Toph needed. To Zuko’s surprise, she stopped arguing and focused on following Aang’s instructions. Sure enough, a smooth, steep ramp rose from the ground up ahead, making the people around it spring away with surprised shouts. Somehow Toph had managed to create it exactly in the path of the cart, which kept clattering forward, continuing to gain speed...but still not enough.

Zuko didn’t think of himself as being quick on his feet, but in that moment, they rolled past a man standing on a ladder to hang up a large banner over the street, and he had an idea. Before he could talk himself out of it, he grabbed Sokka’s boomerang and hooked it against the ladder, using their momentum to yank it out from under the man.

It worked. The ladder fell with a clatter, and with it fell the man, bringing the banner fluttering over the street and on top of the men pursuing them. “Sorry!” Zuko called over the shouts and cries of the pile-up of people he’d caused.

“Nice, Lee!” Sokka yelled, just as Aang shouted, “Here we go!”

The cart was moving fast, so fast that the upward slope of the ramp did nothing to slow it down. Instead, it barreled up the slope, sending the group soaring over the street and the wide-eyed locals.

We’re flying, Zuko thought as he looked down over the market. And they really were. The cart stayed airborne for much longer than he would’ve thought possible. But with every ascent came a descent, and theirs was a bumpy one. His hand immediately shot out to grab the back of Aang’s robes, worried the slight airbender would get flung out of the cart when it bounced back onto the street. “Thanks, Lee!”

“Just be careful!”

“Guys!” Katara’s voice pulled their attention to the road ahead...or the lack thereof. They had left the market behind with no sign of slowing down, and the path was broken up by a stream up ahead. “Move!”

Zuko moved with her shoving hands, letting her take his place at the front of the cart. With a scowl of concentration on her face, Katara pulled a swell of water towards them from the stream. As she worked, the water flowed under the cart and around the back, forming a bowl of sorts around them.

By moving the water around them, she was somehow able to slow their speed. When the cart finally hit the stream, it was with an unceremonious tipping over, and not the disastrous collision into a wall of water that it would’ve been otherwise. But it did still hit the stream, and it did still dump them all into the water in a bundle of limbs.

For the first time in what felt like hours, silence filled Zuko’s ears, first with the stream’s water, and then with the stunned quiet of the group when they all resurfaced. It was nice, even though he was freezing as he sat there soaked to the bone.

Of course Toph was the first to break the silence. “That. Was. AWESOME!”

“Lee, holy shit, that thing with the ladder was genius!”

“We’d be screwed if you didn’t warn us about those guys!”

“Katara, what were you thinking with the ice?”

“I just saved our necks from breaking, and you’re still mad about that?”

“Twinkle Toes, nice thinking with the ramp!”

“You’re the one who made it!”

“We were flying.”

Somehow Zuko’s quiet words were noticed by Katara, drawing a thoughtful gaze from her that made him flush. “We really were, huh?” She smiled, her whole face warming with it, and his lips automatically curved to match her smile. “You feeling okay?”

“As ok as I can after that.” The others had finally noticed their quiet conversation, giving him the chance to shoot a wry grin at the group. “Traveling with you all feels like a constant safety hazard.”

“You can’t judge when you nearly killed a guy out there!” Toph crowed with a splash at him. “You’re part of the madness now, Sparky!”

He expected to feel annoyance prickle through him at the nickname and seeming lack of accountability. But instead of annoyance, he felt acceptance and happiness spread through him, warm and slow like honey. Maybe he should’ve felt suspicious of being accepted so easily, but he only felt content. Like he’d finally found a group that he could really belong to. “Well...I’m glad to be here.”

“And we’re glad to have you,” Katara hummed, draping her arm around Zuko’s shoulders with a bright smile. “Now...as the resident firebender...how about you get us dried off?”

They trudged their way back into the inn, warm, dry, and exhausted after Zuko’s careful work by the stream. He passed out the moment his head hit his pillow, and for the first time since he’d fled the Fire Nation, his sleep was deep and dreamless. No visions of his past haunted him that night. Just...peace.

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pinetreeinlatin2 · 4 years

Text

Zukka: "At The Party"

Modern highschool au

(I can make a part two)

the gaang, Suki, Azula, Zuko, Ty lee, Mai and Yue, all are in the same highschool in Ba Sing Se,

Sokka is a Junior and Katara's a Sophmore,

Aang and Toph are Freshmen,

Zuko is a Senior,

Azula and Ty lee are Sophmores,

Suki is a Junior, Mai and Yue are Seniors

(Kyoshi warriors are cheerleaders (everyone refers to them as Kyoshi warriors)),

Sokka and Katara still live with their father- Hakoda, and with Bato (2 years after Kya's death Hakoda and Bato started dating and now they're engaged),

Zuko lives with his uncle Iroh, who runs a great teashop- the Jasmine dragon, Zuko works there so he can have money for collage,

(Zuko's has a scar because his father- Ozai after years of abusing him throw hot water onto his face, so he ran away to his uncle),

Azula, still lives with her (and Zuko's) father. Ty lee lives with Azula in her house (she sleeps in Zuko's bedroom (she actually sleeps in Azula's bedroom, she only have her stuff in Zuko's bedroom)) since she ran away from home,

Mai's parents are rich, Mai, Azula and Ty lee are the highschool meangirls,

Toph lives with her parents, she argues with them a lot, but she loves them (they're overprotective because she's blind). Toph also is the first person who has ever stood up to the highschool meangirls (she done that defending Sokka because they were making fun of him),

Aang lives with Monk Gyatso since he's parents died, he has a white dog named Appa and a white lemur named Momo,

Yue is a daughter of a very rich businessman, before she went to a private school but she decided she wanted to be like other kids, and now she's in a public highschool of Ba Sing Se,

Suki lives with her mother, she's a leader of cheerleaders in highschool and she do martial arts,

Sokka comes to Jasmine Dragon everyday after school to get some tea and do his homework, sometimes he comes here with Katara, Aang and Toph,

Zuko has a lot of school so he can't work at the Jasmine Dragon everyday, so he don't see Sokka there often (but he has a little crush on this boy becase his smile is so pretty),

one saturday the gaang is at the Jasmine Dragon, Zuko notices them, and he remembers Toph, she's the one who stood up to his sister in school, which means Zuko and whole gaang are probably in the same highschool,

Zuko's too shy to ask them if it's true,

a day after that, at lunch Zuko notices gaang at a table with leader of Kyoshi warriors, she was sitting next to this boy with a beautiful smile, he assumed they're a couple,

Zuko sat with Azula, Ty lee and Mai because he doesn't have any other friends.

Zuko instead of eating lunch stares at Sokka totally zoomed out, Ty lee notices it, it was obvious that Zuko has a crush on Sokka so she starts to make a plan how to help him,

she knows that Sokka's a Kyoshi warrior, so she decides to one too, so she can have some informations about him (Ty lee also tried to make Azula and Mai join the Kyoshi warriors but they didn't want to),

after Ty lee joins the Kyoshi warriors, she becomes friends with Suki, Suki tells Ty lee that Sokka is single, and after talking with Sokka a few times she knows that he's bi,

one day Ty lee mentions to Sokka about Zuko and that he's single, turns out that Sokka has a crush on Zuko too,

now Ty lee needs to figure out how to get these two dummies to start dating. She came up with an idea to make a party in Azula's house (technically it's her house too), she invates Sokka and the rest of the Kyoshi warriors, Mai, Yue, gaang and Zuko (he didn't want to come at first, but after Ty lee told him that his father would be out of town he changed his mind),

at the beginnig of the party everyone was dancing but then someone brought alcohol,

Aang refused to drink alcohol, Katara drank a little but then stopped and strated dancing with Aang (Katara was visibly drunk),

Azula drank A LOT of vodka and started complimenting Ty lee, everyone was suprised (not because Azula liked Ty lee (everyone knew that already) but because Azula was nice),

Toph drank a little but then she stopped because alcohol was messing with her senses,

Yue and Mai get a little to drunk and they end up making out in the bathroom,

Sokka is freaking out in the living room's corner, because he let Katara get drunk, but then he noticed that Zuko isn't here so he started look for him,

after finding Katara and Aang dancing in the kitchen and Mai and Yue making out in the bathroom he finally found Zuko sitting in his old bedroom holding a mask and staring at it,

Sokka sat next to Zuko:

-"Why aren't you at a party?" -Sokka asked

-"It's too loud there" -Zuko answerd

-"What's that?" -Sokka pointed at the mask

-"This? Oh.. It's the Blue Spirit mask" -said Zuko

-"You're Zuko right? I'm Sokka"

-"How do you know my name?"

-"Ty lee told me about you"

-"How do you know Ty lee?"

-"Well.. I'm a Kyoshi warrior. Just like Ty lee"

-"You're a cheerleader? I thought they were only girls"

-"I'm the only male Kyoshi warrior.. Do you know who's room this is?"

-"It's Ty lee's room"

-"Really? It doesn't look like it's her room"

-"Well.. it used to be mine"

-"Your? But you don't live here"

-"I ran away.. Because my father done that to me" -points at his scar- "Now I live with my uncle"

Sokka was muted, he didn't knew how Zuko got that scar, he thought maybe it was an accidient, but it wasn't, Zuko's father done this to him..

-"And this mask.. It belonged to my mother. She gave it to me before she died" -said Zuko

-"I'm really sorry.. I know how it feels.. my mother, she's dead too" -Sokka noticed that Zuko looks really sad- "I know what would make you feel better.. playing 20 questions!"

they started playing 20 questions, and both realized how many things they have in common,

it was Zuko's turn to ask a question, his last one:

-"C-can I kiss you?"

Sokka was visibly shocked, he didn't expect that question,

-" I.. uhh.. y-yes"

so Zuko kisses Sokka, it was a short kiss, but after the kiss they stare each other in the eyes and Sokka just says:

-"Wow"

-"How did your mom died?" -Zuko asked Sokka

-"What? Ohh.."

and Sokka told him the whole story about his mom,

they were talking until 3 am when both fell asleep still sitting on the floor,

in the morning Suki and Ty lee found Sokka sleeping with his head on Zuko's shoulder

You can use it for you're Zukka fic, but if you do please give me some credit I've spent 5 hours writing this, thank you <3

#zukka #tyzula #bakoda #kataang #atla #zukka au #atla gaang #ty lee atla #sokka of the southern water tribe #prince zuko

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strawberrymilkyumyum · 3 years

Note

Do you hc Zuko as autistic? Just because of the stimming.

If so what other things does he do? How does it affect his life?

Something serious and/or fluffy?

Also add in a bit of zutara if you want 😊

hi anon! thank you for the ask! im sorry it took me so long to get this but i hope you enjoy!! (i do hc zuko as autistic, i think it makes sense with his character)

Zuko always felt that there was something... different about him. He didn’t understand the rules and always felt like he was drowning under the pressure of his father. It frustrated him when he saw Azula doing so well when he could never understand or follow his father’s commands.

Ursa was his best caretaker. While she never knew exactly what to do, being around her always helped calm him down. Since he started reading, he was obsessed with old plays that his mother used to perform. When he was small, Ursa would read him and Azula the old plays written with old grammar. Though it was hard to understand what the words meant, Zuko started using more of those words in his own vocabulary. He also started doing his own research in the library, he found old spirit myths and had every story memorized. Azula used to like that about her big brother, she looked up to him and wanted to be like him. But Ozai would get mad whenever he saw Zuko do something ‘weird.’ She grew to resent Zuko for being like that. Not only did Father hate him, but his little book club kept Mother away from her.

Iroh was never really around for Zuko’s childhood. He cared for Zuko has a baby, sure, but once he became a toddler, Iroh was forced to start taking his military career seriously. He didn’t really see Zuko again until he was 12.

Zuko was very different then. Since Ursa left, his anxiety was over whelming for him. He covered his ears at any and all loud noises, he was unlocking his jaw when he was bored, and he never looked anyone in the eyes while talking to them. When Zuko was banished, Iroh went with him to try to help him.

But... Zuko didn’t like the sea. He loved water and swimming, but being on a boat was terrible. Ozai knew that his son didn’t respond well to loud noises and assigned him the loudest ship available. It was difficult for Zuko to get through his banishment because he could never get over the sounds of sea life. Metal would clang, engines would roar, and his crew chatted among themselves. Iroh thought music night would help and it kinda did, but not in the way he thought. All Zuko did was bury himself under his covers as he treasured the few moments he got to be by himself.

When he joined the gaang, Zuko finally felt understood. At first, he couldn’t stand to be around Toph, she was always so loud and Zuko didn’t want to get mad at her. They had a conversation one day where Toph agreed to keep the volume down if he made an effort to hang out with her more. She was the person who understood this part of him most, she was blind and understood not liking loud noises. They were distressing for her so she decided as a child that she would be the loudest in the room so it could never scare her.

Aang was also easy to get along with. The avatar was a boy out of his time and was very happy that there was someone else who used old fashion words (though Zuko still hated ‘Sifu Hotman.’) Suki was also able to connect with Zuko as one of his obsessions on the sea was the avatar’s past lives. One of his favorites was Kyoshi and was dying to try Suki’s fans.

He and Sokka were quick friends. They balanced each other well. Zuko was impulsive and impersonal and Sokka was the plan guy and bubbly. Zuko didn’t show much emotion on his face and Sokka made it his personal mission to try to get Zuko to smile.

Once he and Katara became friends, she became his favorite person. She loved to hear about the old myths and plays he read, she thought his vocabulary was sweet, and she wasn’t draining to be around. The first time Zuko stimmed, he freaked out. Father always punished him when he did at the palace. He moved his jaw up and down, squeezed his eyes shut and wiped his hand in his scar like it would be gone if he used enough pressure. She didn’t understand why he was freaking out about her seeing him stim.

She never pressured him to talk to her, but he opened up to her about his life. Because he had trouble sleeping, he would often be awake with her during the night and they talked until the morning. Touch was still weird to him, but he found he liked it when he held her. He also liked to take care of a lot of simple house chores, which Katara was extremely thankful for.

Katara never babied him, nor did Zuko ever want her to. They were both grown, mature people and understood that Zuko was very much a functioning adult. Katara loved him because he was fun and thoughtful and good. Zuko loved Katara because she was kind, smart, and strong. They were as perfect for each other as two people can be. While the crying of their children could be overwhelming for him at times, he never gave up on himself and became the loving father Ozai never was.

#zuko #katara #autistic zuko #zutara #atla #hc #atla hc #zuko hc #zk #zutara headcanon #steam babies #aang #toph #sokka #suki #the gaang #strawberry tag

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vee-is-a-writter-now · 4 years

Text

The way you said “I love you”

Summary: All the times you and Zuko said I love you to eachother, sometimes without even actually saying it.

A/N: I was feeling a little uninspired while trying to write pt.4 of Fools, so I decided to write something else in the mean time. I saw someone did this and I found it so adorable I decided to do it too. Sadly I only saved the original post and not the hc that was inspired in it, so if you know who came up with this pls @ them so I can credit them.

Side note, I had more ideas for some of the other prompts but didn’t want to make this excessively long, so maybeeee I’ll make another one of these but we’ll see.

original post

-IF YOU HAVE ANY REQUESTS DONT HESITATE TO ASK-

As a hello

It was late on the night the gaang had finally agreed to let Zuko join them. They hadn’t been specially trustful or accepting of him, but they let him join, and that was what mattered to Zuko, he’ll work his way up to everything else.

He couldn’t sleep, thoughts about everything that had happened and everything that would happen running around in his mind. The stars above him glimmered in wonderful harmony, the time of the year where the sun would be more forgiving at day and the nights would gain a growing coolness to them came around.

Lost in his head, Zuko was startled when he heard you take a sit next to him. You were the only one in the group who Zuko didn’t know that well. He’d only seen you a handful of times before that night and couldn’t really tell on what ground he stood with you.

You handed him a blanket with one hand while you held your own around your back and over your shoulders with the other. “Didn’t want you to freeze to death on your first night.” You explained when you saw the confused look of his face.

“I’m a fire bender, I don’t get cold.” He replied taking only a couple of seconds to mentally slap himself for being rude. This being a good guy thing was gonna take some practice.

“Oh” you said, the realization of his words hitting you, feeling a little dumb for not thinking about it before.

“But thanks...anyways” Zuko tried to redeem himself, hoping he didn’t make a bad impression on the one person who didn’t hate him already.

“Yeah, no problem.” Your eyes drifted up to the stars too. They were prettier tonight, maybe it was because of how peaceful things felt for once. A deep sigh forced you to turn your attention back to the dark haired boy. “Are you ok?” You asked him, hoping he wouldn’t feel like you’re intruding.

“Yeah, just...worried. Katara still hates me, Sokka doesn’t trust me and Aang only keeps me around because he needs me. I’m not complaining, I just... don’t know how to show them I’ve changed.”

“I’m sure Katara is gonna come around eventually, she has too much of a big heart to stay mad at anyone for too long. Aang is the one that convinced everyone to let you join, so I think he does like you, and Sokka is...well, Sokka, I wouldn’t worry about it” you reassured him.

Zuko gave your words a thought. You were right, but things were still complicated. He looked at you and asked. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

You looked away from his gaze, his golden eyes were a bit intimidating if you were honest. “I...don’t know. I guess I just believe you when you say you’ve changed. I see good in you... I always have, even when we were running away from you. All of us have done things in the past we aren’t too proud of, some of them may be worse than others, but we’re all here now, and we’re all trying to do the right thing. I think that on its own makes you worthy of a second chance.”

Your words shocked Zuko. No one besides his uncle had been that kind to him in a long time. He felt hope inside, if someone as kind and good as you could forgive him, think that he could be redeemed, then he hoped everyone else would too. “I...thank you. I promise I won’t disappoint you... any of you.”

“You and I can start on a blank slate, as a matter of fact” you extended your hand to him. “Hi, I’m Y/N, very nice to meet you.”

Zuko chuckled very lightly at the weird way you had decided to show how it was a new beginning for the both of you, but played along. “I’m Zuko, it’s very nice to meet you too.”

When the broken glass litters the floor

It was your first day on the Ember Island’s house. Katara and you had been cooking with the groceries Sokka and Suki brought from the market. You two weren’t experts but you had gotten so much better by then. Katara decided to go outside with a basket of cabbages to feed Appa and told you to stay and check on the food so it wouldn’t burn.

No more than a few minutes passed before you heard Zuko coming inside from where he had been training with Aang. He took his shirt off at some point during the training, leaving his naked and muscular torso was exposed.

You tried your best not to stare but you couldn’t help the blush that took over your face when you looked up to his eyes and found him staring right back. His cheeks were blushed as well and you decided for your own sake to assume it was from the physical activity.

“Hey...um, do you mind pouring me a glass of water, please?” He asked softly, his voice a tad raspier from him being out of breath.

“Yeah sure.” You managed to say.

When you turned around to get a glass for him your arm bumped into a glass vase that was incredibly bad placed, throwing it off from where it had been resting. One of your feet was already lifted when the vase crashe onto the floor and into a million pieces, which made you nearly lose your balance and step right on the fragments. In a fraction of a second you felt Zuko’s hand grabbing your wrist and pulling you back, which made you very strongly land on his chest. His other hand instantly moved to the small of your back, as if he was scared you would fall without his support.

His eyes met yours as you raised your head to look at him, your faces closer than they’d ever been before. Both of you held your breath for a few seconds before you broke the silence. “thank you.” You muttered softly not wanting to move a single muscle.

“You’re welcome” Zuko replied in the same tone, softening the grip on your wrist.

The moment would’ve lasted way longer had Katara not stormed into the kitchen after hearing the sound of breaking glass.

“I left you in the kitchen alone for ONE SECOND!”

Not said to me

Zuko had clearly been avoiding you the past couple of days. Was it the war that was starting to gain weight inside his head? Was it how close you two had started to get all of the sudden? Was it something you did? You didn’t know for sure, but you knew you didn’t like the feeling of it, at all.

He told everyone one morning he wasn’t feeling great, so he would stay inside instead of spending the day at the beach like the rest of you had planned. This was your chance to get him alone and try to talk.

You decided to make him a special tea recipe you’d picked up from Iroh at some point, he said it was a miracle when it came to curing illness. When you tried it you were surprised from how good it ended up tasting. You poured it into a teapot and grabbed a couple of cups, proceeding to take them upstairs where Zuko’s room was.

You were about to walk right in when you heard Sokka voice coming from inside, realizing the door was only half open.

“You can’t do nothing, dude. What kind of dumb ass plan is that?” He said whisper-screaming.

“I’m not telling her.” Zuko replied in a voice so low you almost couldn’t hear him.

“Why not? She clearly likes you back, you know that, I know that, and everyone else does too. The two of you are the only ones who keep acting like it isn’t obvious.”

You wonder who they could possibly be talking about, a small pit of jealousy forming inside of you.

“You don’t know that for sure, and I’m not losing Y/N’s friendship just cause I was dumb enough to crush on her. Trying to get over it is better than getting rejected and ruining everything, I like her too much to do that.” as soon as you heard your name your heart stopped.

Zuko... liked you. He liked you and was scared you didn’t like him back. How could he ever think that? Sometimes you felt like you were too obvious about it, but it was hard not to. It was his golden eyes, probably the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen, how they looked like growing flames when the sun hit them, the little dark spots around the rim of his irises, how they looked at you intensely like if when you talked everything else faded. It was the way he would throw his head back when he laughed, but only when you made him laugh really hard, how his face glowed with a youthful tint, like he was a normal teenager even though you were in the middle of a war, and how when he stopped laughing he had to take a deep breath before letting the laugh die down. It was the way he talked about his mom with such love and adoration, or how he talked about the future with a little bit of fear but mostly hope. It was the way he was always ready to run to you if you needed him to, making sure you were ok, protecting you. It was him, all of him, it had always been him.

You were shocked at the words you just heard but glad you’d heard them. Before either of them walked out and found you there, you walked back downstairs as quietly as you could, praying they wouldn’t hear the creaks of the stairs. Once you were back at the kitchen you decided to wait for Sokka to come down, he had to eventually, and you hoped he would leave Zuko alone when he did. It didn’t take him much longer to do so, to your relief coming down the stairs alone. He looked at you and smiled.

“Hey, Y/N. Watcha doing?”

“Making tea for Zuko, is he feeling any better?”

“Oh, no. He’s terrible, the poor thing. You should definitely go check on him.” He tried to say this without smiling so you would take him seriously but the corners of his mouth were already starting to curve up.

“Will do, thanks Sokka.” On the surface, you were thanking him for the information he was giving you, but deep down you were also thanking him for being the reason why you found out Zuko also liked you.

You walked back upstairs, not even thinking of bringing the tea up with you. You took in a deep breath before opening the door, and you when you did, you saw him laying there, eyes closed at first but opened quickly when he heard you come in.

“Y/N... hi.” He said sitting up.

“Hey, wanted to check up on you, Sokka said you were feeling terrible.” You told him knowing he would kill Sokka afterwards for sabotaging him.

“I’m not feeling terrible, I’m much better actually, but thanks for coming to check on me.” You took a sit on his bed, close enough to be able to do what you were planning your next move to be.

“I’m glad. We need you up and in your best shape right now.” You waited a few seconds trying to gather all the bravery you had inside before saying. “Zuko?”

“Yes?”

You didn’t warn him before closing the space that separated the two of you, one of your hands went up to cup his cheek while your lips pressed softly against his. You could tell he was shocked by how his body stiffened under your touch, your lips moved softly and slowly trying to figure out wether he wanted to kiss you or not. You were about to pull away when he started kissing you back. His own hand sliding up to your neck, holding you firmly while his lips devoured yours, like he had been waiting for this moment for way too long. When the two of you finally pulled apart to fill in your lungs again, your eyes connected with his, there was a new kind of light in them. A smile took over his lips when his eyes drifted back down to your lips.

“Were you eavesdropping when I was talking to Sokka?” He asked softly and teasingly.

“What in the world would make you think that?”

Over and over again, till it’s nothing but a senseless babble

You were under the covers in Zuko’s bed. Your eyes deeply staring into his, your fingers running up and down his jaw, sometimes getting distracted and playing with his hair. The moonlight leaked through the window and the only sounds that could be heard were the ones of trees swaying with the wind.

Zuko looked at you intensely and profoundly. He was sure you were a dream sometimes, something so perfect couldn’t be real, so he touched you to make sure you were actually there, and he held you gently but firmly to make sure that even if you were a dream, he wouldn’t lose you.

“We should sleep” you muttered in a whisper

“We should” he replied his lids already looking a little heavy.

“Good night, Zuko.” You planted a little short peck on his lips before starting to turn around.

“Good night, Y/N” he replied getting comfortable. “I love you.”

Your heart stopped at this words, a warm feeling started to crawl up your body and your eyes that were already closed opened abruptly.

You turned back around to find him staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open while holding his breath. “What did you just say?” You asked him.

“I-... I’m sorry it just...slipped.” He explained.

You knew he could be a little insecure sometimes, always thought he was unlovable so you had to constantly make sure he knew how much you liked him. This was one of those occasions. You crashed your lips against his roughly, pulling him so he would be on top of you. This kiss was a declaration, a promise and a revelation all at the same time, your lips moved hungrily and passionately trying to show him how much you loved him back.

Once you separated you looked at him sweetly and said “Say it again.”

“I love you.” Zuko was more sure of himself this time, a warm smile took over his face.

“Again, please.”

“I love you.”

“One more time.”

He took your face into your hands and kissed your forehead first. “I love you” then he went to your right cheek “I love you” and to the left “I love you” and to your nose “I love you” and finally took in a deep breath before looking to your lips “Y/N Y/L/N you have no idea how much I fucking love you” he kissed you again.

Maybe you couldn’t understand how much love he felt for you, how it burned inside of him like a wild fire, how when you were with him all his worries faded and the rest of the world was put on pause, maybe you’d never even grasp the way you were his first thought in the morning and his last at night, but he could try showing all of it to you with a kiss.

You pulled away to look at him one last time and said “I love you more, I will always love you more.”

#zuko x reader #zuko fanfic #atla zuko #zuko x you #zuko imagine #avatar zuko #prince zuko #zuko #zuko x y/n #fire lord zuko #zuko x oc #atla au #atla fandom #atla fanfic

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azucanela · 4 years

Note

being sokka’s s/o would include hcs?

BEING SOKKA’S S/O HEADCANNONS [GENDER NEUTRAL!READER]

being zuko’s s/o headcannons | being korra’s s/o headcannons

SUMMARY: being sokka’s s/o from the confession to the marriage

WORD COUNT: 2.3k

WARNINGS: mild lok spoiler, fluff, kissing, do these count as warnings, yeah this is pretty pg man, blood, stab wound, sokka being sokka

A/N: im sick and dying h e l p, but also interact with me im lonely, become and elusive anon idc <3 also wow i have 500 followers??? idk why you all followed me?? but thanks?? hi??

getting into the relationship

oh god

i see him with a friends to lovers thing where he either flirts with you from the moment he meets you or progressively begins to fall for you and is far to flustered to flirt because woah there why are you so beautiful

if its the former, then he’s probably gonna be ‘joking’ for the most part and you know this, so you two are just playfully flirting all the time until one day he realizes that he wants this to be REAL and panics

when you flirt the first time he’s flustered, because he’s really just not used to the same level of forwardness that he has himself, but after a while Sokka is gonna get used to it and he’ll just roll with it

but when he realizes he wants more? he’s gonna be flustered all over again, and he’s probably gonna flirt with you signifigantly less, which is gonna cause you to confront him, much to his dismay, because oh no he’s alone with you-

“oh! haha.. hey y/n. yeah i need to go sharpen my boomerang-”

“sokka that’s not something you can do.”

when you confront him, he’s probably gonna be honest with you and tell you how he feels because he really cares for you and just wants you to calm down because no he does n o t hate you

“do you hate me or something now?”

“uh.. it’s the opposite actually you see-”

if its the latter, he’s gonna go from really calm and chill around you, because of the friendly vibes and such like cracking jokes and such, to a complete and utter mess

you two are really close as friends and that isn’t something he wants to mess up but he’s definitely gonna confess at some point because he’s not one to bottle his emotions up and hates how weird things are between the two of you now that he’s realized he likes you

in general i see sokka as a mess around whoever he likes, until he comes to terms with the fact that he likes them, and this likely won’t take long, he’s pretty in tune with his emotions

he’s not gonna wanna ask you out at first, in all honesty, i see sokka’s whole confidence thing as a facade, because in actuality he has really low self esteem and genuinely sees himself as the “extra” member of team avatar because he lacks bending and everyone around him is so talented that he sometimes forgets he is literally super smart and makes all the plans that save their lives on the daily

just things you are too good for him, especially if you are a bender

if you start hinting that you like him too, he is initially gonna think it is a joke until you start getting bold and then it’s gonna hit him like everyone hits the cabbage man’s cart

i can see either of you confessing first, if Sokka does, he’s probably gonna be really bashful and flustered about it, but he’s also gonna try and act cool because thats like his trademark

if you confess first, he’s gonna be in shock temporarily, but then he’s gonna jump right into things because you like him BACK omgomgomgomg

he’s gonna wanna kiss you right after the confession, and it’ll probably backfire because he got really excited and ended up headbutting you and now you have a bruise forming on your head and a very apologetic sokka oops

in general, quickly recognizes his feelings and confesses shortly after, because he just hates the weird tension even if he thinks he’s the only one feeling it, even though hes NOT

during the relationship

a really attentive boyfriend, you will never feel neglected, he’s a very clingy person who gets intimate with you all the time, so if you like affection you got it

kissing him is nice, he’s good at it 10/10 recommend, always wants to hold you as close as possible, prefers a hand on your hip/lowerback and another on your face or neck to pull you closer

if you don’t like affection, he’ll express his love in other ways

for example, cooking, i see sokka as someone who can either cook REALLY well, or not at all. there is no in between.

genuinely just really wants to make you happy

the type to bully you if you’re in a relationship, pls bully him back, humble this man. he’s gonna roast you but he doesn’t really mean it okay, he’s just doesn’t want things to change between you

loves that his best friend is his lover, would not want it any other way

probably forgets to tell the gaang you are dating and like aang and toph are gonna catch you two kissing or smth and sokka’s just gonna be like oh hey guys and they are both like ???

"when did this happen?”

“wym lol”

if you two are together during the war, he’s gonna wanna be by your side like 24/7 because he does not want you to die, like this lowkey stresses him so much that he will subconsciously, when developing battle plans either put you in the safest possible spot or by his side, and its because he has literally lost so many people he’s care for and now he’s distressed

remind him that he matters and is important to the team, because he forget that sometimes and falls into a mood, where he’s all sad and stuff and it just makes you sad so like

tell him he matters, because he does, tell him he’s great even if he can’t bend, and tell him he is a fantastic and brilliant leader, this will serve as an ego boost though so be prepared to humble him

steal his hair ties and do all of us a favor okay, just steal them, burn them because no littering, just make sure he cannot find them! he will walk around with his hair down in confusion, searching for them before he starts the day

speaking of starting the day, you always wake up first, this man is not a morning person and needs his beauty sleep, definitely have a 17 step skin care routine, change my mind, he is big on self care and will make sure you participate with him because he cares about you

speaking of care he knows you so well since you are his s/o so if he notices something is up he will not hesitate to confront you, and will ask if you want solutions or just someone to listen to

prefers solving the problem though

back to mornings, um have fun waking up to sokka with his hair down that sounds HEAVENLY um

mild lok spoilers but sokka ends up chief, and gets involved in politics over time, so he kinda runs out of time for you a bit until he figures out how to organize his time better, then he gets kinda sad, but he still wants to take you out on dates as often as possible ok no more spoilers

so speaking of dates, sokka wants weekly dates, this is a must, does not care if it is a fancy restaurant, cooking at home, or a picnic. he loves picnics most though, and please notice how food is the common factor here

sokka would never cheat on you but if he did he would cheat with food

arguments aren’t rare, but they are mostly over dumb stuff and you both know its dumb stuff so for the most part its a joke, but sometimes someone takes things too far so then apologies are necessary

like actual argument arguments are mostly rare because sokka doesn’t wanna pick fights with you and he’s fairly passive unless he feels really strongly about something

he can be REALLY MEAN THOUGH AND PETTY like wow sokka will go days without talking to you because of a fight

he can and will apologize first when he realizes the toll its taking on your relationship, probably will apologize first

if you catch him being a misogynist put him in his place :)

he thinks you are hot when you are angry and might pick a fight with you just for that reason, pls make out with him

marriage n’ stuff

im still waiting for someone to explain what weddings are like guys please

anyways he’s gonna realize he wants to marry you when he nearly dies and is like wow life is really short also lets discuss him losing all the important people he’s loved in his life one more time, he does not want to lose you!!!

ever!!!

so he’s gonna nearly die and then be like i need to propose, like now, i cannot die without being married to the literal love of my life so i should do that literally the moment i get home instead of getting medical attention first

yeah he is the smart one, but he lacks common sense, so i hope you got a LOT of common sense. y’all do be sharing a braincell

stops by a ring shop place, and the moment he just feels like he saw the one, price does NOT matter he has purchased it and is now heading home to you

you on the other hand are PANICKING because what do you mean sokka just ran out of the hospital with no explanation and is nowhere to be found katara

what do you mean you thought he would be h e r e

yes katara went over to your house to see if sokka was there and he is not!!!

yet ;)

there is like a manhunt for sokka and he has yet to notice because mans has tunnel vision and as he opens the door to your shared apartment he does not expect to see a crying katara and oh no-

“SOKKA! YOU’RE NOT DEAD?!”

hes like of course im not dead what the hell

you’re seated standing next to Katara trying to console her when you see sokka and wow you are relieved to see he is not dead or kidnapped

“SOKKA DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW WORRIED I WAS-”

lol he’s kissing you to shut you up how cute, now leave katara you are infringing on an extremely pivotal moment of this relationship

honestly seeing you comforting his sister just makes him love you more and he kinda just wants to marry you 10x more now

you pull away from the kiss looking at him like what are you doing, and katara is like, “Sokka where the hell were you??? you have a stab wound???” and now you’re like WOAHWOAHWOAHWOAHWOAH

“stabbed? sokka you need medical attention-”

“to answer your question dear sister, i was getting a ring for your hopefully soon to be sister in law.”

“EXCUSE ME?” you are so confused, katara is confused and is now realizing that she was probably not supposed to be here

sokka is already dropping down onto one knee and pulling out the just bought ring as saying, “marry me!” now he’s high on adrenaline and pain has yet to hit him and he’s kinda just sitting there beaming up at you despite the blood seeping out of him at a rapid rate

“im sorry what?” thats katara girl be quiet they are trying to have a MOMENT

anyways you’re like, “sokka. hospital.”

and he’s like, “answer me first” and he’s giving you a weak lil smile as he realizes how stupid he was and he’s about to stand back up but you put a hand on his shoulder and just nod.

now he’s back to beaming so brightly, and he’s putting the ring on your finger and oh no- he’s passed out. is it from excitement or bloodloss? idk

he also might pass out before hearing you answer and then at the hospital you’re kinda sitting there like, “ARE YOU DUMB STUPID OR DUMB. YOU COULD HAVE DIED.”

and he’s like, “not without hearing your answer” <3<3 heart eyes emojis everywhere

alternatively, he is one of few people i could see having a public proposal, with lots of flowers, a band, fireworks, the whole nine yards

he’s gonna want it flashy

something probably goes wrong and he nearly cries but you say yes anyways and he throws a party after

anyways the actual wedding is preferably public, but if you want a more private one then he does what you want because he loves you most

he is gonna be very active in wedding planning, wants to try the foods and desserts and appetizers and everything especially. wants to do the weird stuff like picking napkins with you and flower arrangements and all that stuff i think this happens idk someone please inform me

this stuff just makes him fall in love with you more tbh, and he’s just so so sure he wants to marry you

his vows will make HIM cry, like he is going to cry when he sees you walk down the aisle, he’s going to cry when he reads his own vows, and he’s going to cry when you read your vows, it doesn’t matter if they are lowkey bad

makes jokes in his vows because he is a nerd but can barely reach the punchline because he is in tears

fr though he is just so happy to be marrying you and wow you look REALLY GOOD in whatever you are wearing um damn okay you really went off

married life with sokka is elite ngl, mans cooks for you, he probably cleans sometimes, but otherwise chores are fairly divided

he spoils you

overall sokka is a real great s/o and he gives you everything you deserve and yeah marry sokka 2020 everyone deserves a sokka

taglists[lmk if you wanna be added or removed via askbox or replies]

atla: @bubblebars @jada-cleo @Art-flirt @the-deli-meat @wemissyou3000 @ajediherowitchrunner

sokka: @iammello

#sokka x reader #sokka x y/n #sokka x you #sokka #sokka atla x reader #atla sokka x reader #atla x reader #avatar the last airbender #lok #legend of korra

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