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gladerwolfstarkimagines · 3 years

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Imagine being the reserved quiet niece of Ursa and cousin of Zuko and Azula, a powerful fire bender who catches Ty lee’s attention. You struggle to find a way to show her you return her affection until Azula threatens her....

(Note: this is loosely based on the comic the search which takes place after the tv show ended and follows Zuko finding his mother)

You’d grown up in a village terrified of the fire nation. Your family used to be the proud respected descendants of Avatar Roku....and then Fire lord Azulon showed up and demanded one of the line marry his son Ozai. Your aunt was stolen away just for being linked to a fire bender and so when you developed fire bending your family were horrified. They forbade you from ever using your bending but refused to explain why. So of course you ignored them and carried on working to be the best fire bender ever. You absorbed every technique you could read about and were advancing quickly....until your family caught you. They were furious but you were determined never to stop and so they saw there was nothing else to do but tell you the truth. They finally told you what fire bending had done to their family and urged you never to show your power. Who knew what the royal family would do if they knew you existed, if they’d take you too...and so you stopped. You stopped fire bending but you were restless, so much energy bottled up inside you, and so trained in other physical disciplines. Your family disapproved of your boisterous activities but they were better than fire bending so they allowed it. Even when your aunt returned from the fire nation they didn’t lessen their rules on you an inch. You listened to them dutifully but continuously felt the itch your fire in your palms. You vowed you would get to use your fire bending some day...some how.

8 years later

Your family had socially and physically isolated themselves so much you were unaware the war had ended even months after Zuko had been crowned. It wasn’t until said new fire lord appeared on your doorstep that you realised everything had changed.

You were outside with your little cousin Kiyi when a well dressed man appeared. You immediately identified him as some noble man from the fire nation or maybe even a royal and tensed. The fear instilled in you was strong and you swept your cousin behind you before getting in a defensive stance. "Who are you and what do you want?" you called adrenaline pulsing through you. The man started towards you and you drew the knife you always kept on you "don’t come any closer". The man raised his hands and you realised he wasn’t quiet a man yet, he was about your age and had an odd burn across his eye. "What do you want" you said louder and Kiyi clutched your legs. "I’m looking for a woman, Ursa...does she live here?". "No" you said "go away". "Are you sure?' he asked "please it’s important i find her, here’s a photo of her". He went to step forwards and you raised your hand. "Okay here" he said and put it down before walking away. You picked the photo up and before you could do anything Kiyi frowned "mommy!". "Mommy?" the boy asked confused "so you do know her? She’s here? I have to see her!". He started walking closer and wasn’t slowing down. You didn’t want him to get near you and so used your best attack. Your fire practically leapt from you after being supressed for so many years and hit him square in the chest sending him flying backwards. "Go away" you yelled loudly "now or i will hurt you". "Zuko!" someone yelled and you saw a group come running around the corner. "Kiyi run! Tell Ursa to run!" you yelled and turned to face them. You shot some warning jets of flame “leave now” you yelled trying to feign confidence. A girl dressed in blue threw up protection while a girl in pink worked her way towards you with super human agility. You fired at her but she dodged your flames as easily as if you were a beginner bender. The girl reached you and you switched to close range attacks and the two of you became locked in a close combat. “No stop!” the boy yelled but neither you or the girl stopped. The girl was dodging ever single attack you threw her but you were getting closer. You singed her t-shirt when the girl landed some punches along your muscles. Your body cramped in pain and you flinched clutching your arm. You raised your other arm but nothing happened. You raised both hands but again no flame. Your fire was gone. “My bending....” you gasped and the girl knocked the knife from your hand. “Ty lee stop it!” the boy yelled and the girl in pink simply backflipped back to the group. “I don’t know what you did to me but I still won’t let you take her” you growled. The others matched your defensive stance but the boy pushed past them “no leave her I think she’s my...” when a voice cut him off. "Zuko?". You turned to see your aunt running forwards her eyes fixed on the man. "Zuko!" she cried and rushed past you to throw her arms around him. They were both sobbing by the time the rest of your family arrived and you were utterly confused. "What’s going on?" you asked loudly and Ursa smiled "y/n dear it’s okay, this is my son Zuko, he’s your cousin, it’s okay!".

You family flocked around Zuko and all had similar reactions to Ursa. You watched still clutching your arm as they all headed to the house. The group with Zuko went to follow and you zoned in on the girl who had done this to you. “Hey you” you called at the pink girl. She glanced at you before bounding over “i’m Ty lee, it’s lovely to meet you, your fire bending is really pretty!”. “What did you do to me?” you cried in reply and the girls smile wavered. “Sorry about that, I’m sort of swore to protect your cousin so I had to attack you, i used Chi blocking on you don’t worry it’s not permanent”. “Chi what? That’s not important...what do I do to reverse it? Undo what you did!”. “ I can’t make it come back instantly” Ty lee frowned “it takes a while for your body to repair but it’ll come back soon I promise”. You stared at your hands “you swear it’ll come back”. “Totally” she smiled crossing her heart and you stared confused why she was so happy. Was she mocking you or something? You were about to ask her when your aunt called “Y/n come meet your cousins Zuko and Azula” and with a glance to Ty lee (who was still smiling) you made your way inside.

Ursa introduced you but that was all the encouragement Zuko needed, he seemed thrilled to have a cousin his age and launched into a thorough interogation to work out everything about you while his sister just glared. It was hard not to be caught up in his infectious happiness. He called over his friends to meet you and you noticed how proudly he called you his cousin, a large grin on his face. When the group reached you Zuko smiled “guys this is my cousin y/n! Y/n this is Sokka, Katara, Ty lee, Mai and Aang”. They all shot greetings at you and you blinked in reply. “Aang as in avatar aang....”. “Yeah” the boy smiled awkwardly and you stared “my cousin the firelord is friends with the avatar...the avatar and fire lord are in my house right now...”. “It gets old soon I promise” Zuko’s girlfriend Mai told you and everyone laughed. Zuko was called away by your adoring family but his friends stayed around you. They all began asking you questions excited to get to know you and arrived at your bending pretty soon. "You took Zuko out surprisingly easy" Mai smirked "you must be a skilled fire bender". You glanced at your elders worried but none of them were even listening, they were all staring at Zuko amazed. You’d never seen them look so relaxed before and it dawned on you that Zuko being fire lord would change everything. It would free your family from their fear and you smiled emotional at the thought. “Y/n?” the avatar asked bringing you back and you nodded "sorry yeah i’m a good fire bender" you admitted "well i guess...i’ve never had any training or actually met another fire bender". "Really?" Katara asked and when you nodded she smiled "so you’re a prodigy!" she cried and you blushed when someone started to laugh. You followed the laugh to it’s owner, your cousin Azula who was watching you with a cruel sneer. "A prodigy? How can she be growing up here?". You narrowed your eyes but another girl scolded her "you don’t need resources to be a prodigy that’s the whole point Azula" Ty lee snapped before turning back to you "I bet you’re awesome!" she smiled winking and you blushed.

Your family celebrated well into the night and you wanted to join them but something was worrying you...your bending still hadn’t returned yet despite what Ty lee had told you. You walked away from the house and practiced the basic moves you’d known since you were 5 but could conjure a single flame. “Maybe wait a bit longer?” a voice called and you saw the said cause of your predicament. “Sorry I don’t know exactly how long but they will come back I swear” Ty lee frowned. You frowned staring down at your hands “I’ve spent so long having to hide my bending and now I can show it, they’re gone”. “Only temporarily!” Ty lee assured you “but I get it and i’m sorry....it must’ve been hard hiding who you were all this time?" she asked and you nodded "i guess". Silence settled and Ty lee stared at you. "You don’t talk much" she observed and you blushed. “I noticed in the party you’re rather quiet, that does not run in common with your family” she smirked as your family could be heard from your position outside. "Sorry i was always told to never speak about what i can do and so to have an audience just waiting to listen....it’s pretty anxiety provoking". The girl frowned and laid a hand on your hand "i’m sorry i didn’t realise, we don’t have to talk about that, we can talk about something else". You didn’t get why the pretty girl was with you at all but suspected she felt bad for disabling your bending. "Thank you" you said politely and a silence settled again. You winced, fearing this would get awkward but Ty lee seemed to be a cunning socialite. "So what’s your favourite colour?". "My favourite colour?" you asked amused. Ty lee nodded "your aura is hard to read....you’re quiet hard to read actually and that intrigues me so humour me". You blushed as the beautiful chi blocker stared at you intensely and answered her questions.

A lot of time had passed and still the two of you were outside and Ty lee’s constant chattering broke past your nervous nature. "So what’s your life like?" you asked now more comfortable "growing up so high born must’ve been cool, so much power and freedom..." you said wistfully. Ty lee frowned and you were immediately worried you’d upset her. "I’m sorry have i...". "No" she smiled at you "you didn’t say anything wrong, you’re right, i had many opportunities women don’t get but they came with expectations and set backs" she said glancing back at the house "i did things i wasn’t proud of just to be different...you see i have 6 sister who look exactly like me and so i struggled to stand out and be different. I tried desperately to not fade into the background and guess i fell to extreme measures in the process". You frowned and Ty Lee sighed before smiling "but that was in the past! Now i’m a kyoshi warrior hired with the protection of the fire lord!” she cried “my life’s pretty good now”. “I’m pleased for you” you smiled and Ty lee smiled back at you. You noticed she had a habit of staring really intensely and with how beautiful and nice she was it was a bit too much for your tired state “we should go back to the party” you blushed looking down and Ty lee nodded “sure!” not seeming to notice the effect she had on you.

2 days later

Your cousins arrival had certainly shaken things up but things were slowly getting back to normal and your chores were still expected of you and so you took your cart into town to get the shopping like every week. You were almost back to the secluded area of you home when you noticed a group of green women on the path ahead. They all had their faces painted white and had fans. You frowned confused at the entourage your cousin travelled with when one of them popped out infront of you. "Y/n!" Ty lee cried "these are the women i work with the Kyoshi warriors, everyone this is y/n Zuko’s cousin" she said exposing you to the large group of women. "Hi" you smiled awkwardly and they all nodded to you “is Zuko okay?” you asked her. “Ow yeah Suki and the girls are just here to make sure it stays that way...that is a lot of shopping, do you need some help?" Ty lee asked looking at your full cart and you shook your head "i’m fine thanks". "Are you sure? It’s no trouble” she smiled and before you could protest she spun around to her friends. “Suki i’ll be back in a bit" Ty lee called and twirled back around to you. She hopped up beside you on the cart and you blushed as she perched on the armrest of your seat. “Lets go” she smiled.

Ty lee had a habit of finding you and joining you in whatever you were doing. You didn’t mind, she was nice company but that was also the problem. Any time she was around you became a soft slow thinking mess, made worse by Ty lee’s lack of boundaries and intense kindness.

Case in point, Ty lee was quiet for 3 seconds before she began complimenting you. "It’s so cool you can drive one of these things" she smiled and you blushed "it’s not hard really i snap it when i want the horse to go and pull it to stop...". "Well i still think that’s cool" Ty lee cried and you looked away so she wouldn’t see your blush. You’d have to learn to stop blushing around her or she’d realise you liked her. You reached your home and climbed down as Ty lee somersaulted off. You watched impressed before turning to the cart "if we unload it here that’ll be best". Ty lee nodded and watched you pick up three boxes. Ty lee stepped forwards and heaved two but they didn’t lift up. Ty lee frowned and tried again but they wouldn’t budge. "Those are probably a bit heavy" you frowned "try a bag". Ty lee lifted a bag of vegetables and then saw you discreetly lift the two boxes she’d been struggling with. "Wow you're so strong" she cried and you blushed "i’m not...” you stammered but Ty Lee wouldn’t drop it. "No you are i couldn’t move them and you just picked them up like that...i bet your arms are huge". Your blush was painfully obvious and there was no hiding it which made you angry, was she doing this on purpose? Why was she showering you in compliments if not to try embarrassing you? "I...i’m not...you're one to talk" you replied glancing at her toned physique before becoming horrified at what you’d just said and done. Ty lee didn’t seem to mind though she just blushed and carried on helping to unload the cart.

When you’d unloaded the cart Ty lee lingered as you sorted the supplies away and when you’d finished she still hadn’t made a move to leave. You liked being around her but knew you were so obvious with your crush she had to leave or she’d easily work it out. “So that’s all the shopping sorted, thanks for helping” you said and Ty lee smiled “no problem”. You nodded staring at her waiting for her to leave but Ty lee just smiled at you. “So i guess i’ll see you around?” you asked and Ty lee took the hint “ow i’m so sorry I bet you’ve got so much work...i’ll get out of your hair”. Ty lee smiled but you noticed she seemed a bit embarrassed and it killed you that you’d hurt her. So against the sensible part of your mind telling you to avoid the girl if you didn’t want to make a fool of yourself, you called after her. “Ty lee” you called “would you...do you want to stay for dinner?” you asked. “Really?” she asked smiling again and you nodded “we always cook too much so you’d be helping but of course you don’t have to...” you started when Ty lee cut you off. “I’d love to!” she cried and you nodded cheeks pink as you led her into the house. Zuko and Mai were inside already with your family and everyone looked up when you walked in together. “Y/n’s here great we can start” your grandmother smiled “and she brought a guest”. “You all know Ty lee” you said awkwardly as Ty lee beamed beside you “y/n invited me! I hope you don’t mind”. You blushed as your family all told Ty lee she was welcome and made room for her beside you. “Your family’s so nice” she grinned at you and you blushed very aware of said family watching you and Ty lee very smugly...they knew you had a weakness for nice girls.

Mai was also watching and she smiled to see you blush any time Ty lee grabbed you or came close to you, two thing with Ty lee seemed to do to you a lot. Her friend has definitely brought her A-game.

You saw Ty lee around a lot, especially as your family seemed to find any excuse to bring the talented chi blocker anywhere near you. The excuses varied from sending Ty lee to help you with the horse, to calling you in for dinner, to having her bring you spare change on your daily errands. Ty lee seemed more than willing to help and no matter how crowded the room was she’d somehow notice you and make her way over to you. It didn’t matter who she was with she’d drop what she was doing and appear by your side, usually not moving away from you for the rest of the night. At first you found the constant attention and looks from your family embarrassing but you soon realised embarrassment was worth it just to have Ty lee by you. She made you feel special and important in a town and family that had always wanted you to be quiet. Ty lee seemed to make it her mission to get you to open up and you found you liked it. And her of course....a lot. The situation where you realised you couldn’t deny it anymore was when you ran into Ty lee in town. Ty lee surrounded by adoring suitors from your village what she caught sight of you. She called you over but never a fan of the boys your age you waved her away and expected that to be the end of it. Seconds later you heard heavy breathing and Ty lee appeared. "Phew your village has a lot of friendly people sometimes it’s a bit much...can I walk with you?”. You blushed realising she'd ditched all the boys in your town just for you and nodded "sure" and led her away from the group of simmering boys watching. As much as every encounter with her left you feeling dazed and humiliated at whatever embarrassing thing you’d done, you hoped Zuko would never leave so Ty lee could stay. You were well and truly smitten.

1 week later

Your whole family had been anxious for so long that when something did go wrong their response time was impeccable. You were all gathered out of bed minutes after Zuko called and stood around listening as he explained how his sister Azula had escaped his custody and was raising a revolt against him. You listened worried as your cousin explained what Azula was capable of and watched as everyone hurried to set protection plans in place. You wouldn’t be called on for your opinion or skills so you were just listening in the background when someone mentioned Ty lee. You perked up and noticed she wasn’t here. "I’m sorry but what was that about Ty lee?" you called and Zuko frowned "Azula kidnapped her, she took her as a hostage so we wouldn’t follow her". "What? We have to get her back!". Mai nodded "that’s the plan". "Well i want to help, if you need fighters i volunteer, I can leave tonight". "Y/n" your mother gasped but you shook her away "i’m a good fire bender I can help get Ty lee back". Zuko smiled "thanks y/n but were not actually planning on engaging with Azula". "But how will you get Ty lee back?". "Hopefully with a trade she likes those" Mai said dryly "it’s too difficult to sneak into Azula’s base so that’s our only option. She'll offer one we just have to wait". "Just wait?" you asked and Zuko frowned "I know it sounds backwards but we could do more harm than good attacking Azula". “That’s only if we lose” you pointed out and Zuko nodded “that’s true but my sister is hard to beat one on one and a group is too easy to spot, we’ll just have to wait”. You took in what Zuko said and fell silent. You stayed mute the rest of the meeting and may’ve seemed calm or passive to the others but you weren’t. You took in every single thing they said, every detail about Azula’s camp and snook away before the meeting had ended.

Azula’s camp was not as impressive as you thought it would be, just a small compound that was very easy to break into. Ty lee seemed to be the main prisoner and so you listened to some guards and found her location. You arrived outside the house you were sure Ty lee was being kept in and calmed yourself slowing your breathing and concentrating on what you were here to do. You waited for a guard to approach and took his keys before knocking him unconscious. You hid him in a shaded area before opening the door to Ty lee’s prison. You took out the first guard you saw with fire bending and he went down unconscious. A second tried to rush you but you winded him with fire bending and then kicked him over for good measure. The man fell over and went to get back up but your flared your fire "stay down" you yelled and he did. You straightened and looked around when a voice cried out to you. Relief flooded through your body to see Ty lee stood there and you rushed to her. "Ty lee! You’re....please tell me you’re okay?". She nodded "i’m fine! I can’t believe you’re here”. You smiled at her before spinning around to the conscious guard. "Open her cell!" you commend and the man scrambled to get it open. Ty lee swept out as soon as it was open and you pushed the two guards inside locking it and taking the keys. "You saved me" Ty Lee cried and she flung her arms around you. You hugged her back and smiled, going as pink as her top, "well i....we should go" you tugged Ty lee’s hand and noticed as she winced. "What’s wrong?" you asked and she shook her head "nothing lets go". "No you’re hurt...". You noticed how she stood awkwardly putting more weight on one foot and frowned "your ankle, you can’t walk". Ty lee shook her head worried how you’d escape if she couldn’t run "no i’m fine i promise". "I’m not letting you injure yourself more" you told her. Ty lee went to assure you she could exert it a bit more when you suddenly picked her up. Ty lee yelped as you carefully swept her up in your arms. "Is this okay? Does it hurt if I do this?". Now Ty lee was the blushing embarrassed one, you were holding her up so easily and securely, it was impressive. "It’s fine" she smiled "thank you" and you nodded. "Okay hold on" and took off into a run.

You made it back to your town with only minor incidences. It had been a rough night regardless and your arms ached painfully when you put Ty lee down having reached your home. Zuko and the others were still gathered inside and you hooked Ty lee’s arm around your neck helping her to the door. You pushed the door open and led Ty lee in. Mai glanced at you before doing a double take registering who was beside you. "Ty lee, you’re okay!" she cried rushing to hug her friend. You stepped away from her so Mai could hug her but rushed to grab Ty lee a chair. You seated it behind her and tapped Ty lee’s shoulder lightly. She took the seat shooting you a smile as the others all frowned. "But how?" Zuko asked. "Y/n" ty lee said proudly "she was amazing! She stormed Azula’s camp and carried me the whole way back!". Mai noticed how you brushed away Ty lee’s compliments and were blushing vividly. She also noticed how you stood protectively behind Ty lee and how Ty lee twisted in her seat to look up at you. "No it’s the bravest most valiant thing i’ve ever seen!" Ty lee cried and launched into a full blow by blow retelling. Mai watched as her oblivious friend made your blush worse and Mai smiled. It was clear you liked Ty lee but even clearer you didn’t realise Ty lee liked you too. Ty lee may come across as perpetually friendly but Mai could tell when she was just being nice and when she was genuinely impressed. Ty lee was indeed very impressed with you.

Ty lee’s POV

“I can’t believe you got yourself kidnapped” Mai scolded her and Ty lee rolled her eyes. Katara had worked on her ankle but it was a bad sprain so would take some time to heal. So Ty lee was forced to go to bed when all she wanted to do was help with the Azula problem. Mai however was very strict and seemed just as determined as you to make sure she was okay. “I didn’t mean to get kidnapped, plus it’s fine i’m back now!”. “Thanks to y/n” Mai commented and Ty lee nodded “I know, the way she risked everything just to help me...she’s really something” she sighed wistfully. Mai scoffed glaring at her and Ty lee paused “what?”. “You are not this clueless!”. “What?” Ty lee cried and Mai rolled her eyes. “You seriously don’t see that y/n is smitten with you?”. “What!” Ty lee yelled going pink “why do you think that?”. “Ow I don’t know maybe because she’s an introvert who avoids anyone but the two of you are always together, or because she brings you to her family dinner every week, or how whenever she’s around you she can barely look you in the eye without blushing....or how she tore down Azula’s camp risking her life just because you were there and then literally carried you back in her arms”. Mai sat next to Ty lee with a bounce and Ty lee stared “I....I never noticed”. “Figures, you never notice all the people infatuated with you but please tell me you realise you’re just as smitten for her?”. Ty lee blushed profoundly and looked down “i’m that obvious huh?”. “Yup, you’re not fooling anyone with all those excuses to run y/n’s errands with her”. Ty lee chuckled and then paused “you really think she likes me too?” she asked coyly. Mai rolled her eyes at how clueless her friend was but smiled despite herself ”definitely, so go get your girl”.

Your POV

After Ty lee was safely returned home and her ankle seen to by the healer Katara you promptly collapsed into bed. Your mission had been a resounding success but that didn’t mean you weren’t bruised and tired. You had just extinguished the candle when there was a knock on the door. You dragged yourself out of bed angrily and yanked open your door “what is....Ty lee?”. Ty lee stood there smiling at you and for once she didn’t have her signature confident aura. “Sorry were you sleeping? I can come back....”. “No it’s fine come in”. You led Ty lee into your room and hurried to tidy it and relight the candles “sorry for the mess I....wait what are you doing up! Katara said no walking" you cried realising she was on her feet. "It’s fine I have crutches!" she said happily gesturing to them but you shook your head "you should be in bed resting!". "You should know by now i can never stay still" she grinned and you rolled your eyes "fine but please sit down".

Ty lee would’ve argued she was fine but you seemed so certain she took the chair you offered her. You fussed around her, getting a cushion for her foot and one for her back and Ty lee blushed to see how much care you were taking. Maybe Mai was right....

"There" you said finished, satisfied Ty lee was comfy. "Now how can i help?". "It’s kinda the opposite...i’m here to thank you" Ty lee beamed "you saved my life tonight y/n and literally carried me to safety". "It was nothing" you tried to brush it off but Ty lee shook her head grabbing your hand "it wasn’t! Mai told me how everyone told you not to do it and how you actually disobeyed them by coming to get me". You glanced at her hand over yours and relaxed "well i...i was worried Azula might be being harsh to you, i figured even if i got caught i might distract her from you...". Ty lee blushed "that was very sweet of you but you don’t need to risk yourself just for me". You shrugged "i think you’re worth it" and Ty lee frowned "what do you mean?". You shrugged embarrassed "well you’re the nicest person i’ve ever met! I actually thought it was an act at first you’re that nice but it’s not" you smiled "you were so kind to me and for no reason...you just cared" you chuckled "i think we need more people like you in the world Ty lee, you’re very special". Ty lee let out a mini exclamation of emotion and suddenly threw her arms around you. You let her hug you, used to surprise hugs by now but you weren’t used to her kissing you. Ty lee wrapped her arms around your neck and pecked your lips with her own. You broke away immediately thinking it was a mistake but Ty lee just blushed looking at you "was that...was it not okay i did that?". "I...you mean you actually meant to kiss me?". "Yes silly!". "Because i saved your life?". "No because i like you". When you blushed Ty lee smiled "that’s a good sign right?" and when you nodded she leant back in. You were prepared this time but not for how great it would feel. Everything about her, how she felt, how her arms felt wrapped around you neck, how you felt wrapped together just made it bliss. It was a sweet but long kiss and when Ty lee pulled away you blinked your eyes open and stared at the wall in a daze "wow". Ty lee giggled looking up at you before you gasped. "You’re stood up! Ty lee!" you scolded her and she rolled her eyes "i’m fine, plus you realise you’re practically holding me up?" She asked and you realised without meaning to you were, you had your arms around her waist and she was hovering off the floor. "Ow well...i guess this works". "So if i want to stand up i just have to hold onto you ever time i guess" Ty lee grinned and you blushed. "I mean i don’t object to that". Ty lee smiled and stared up at you "good". Ty lee kept gazing at you and you lasted second before you looked away embarrassed. You blushed and Ty lee laughed so you just pulled her into you so you couldn’t see her face. Ty lee chuckled “you’re adorable” and settled her head against your neck. “You’re one to talk” you replied and Ty lee blushed too.

----

So I got Ty lee feels which has honestly never happened to me before but now I am obsessed! So might do a part 2 because I have lots of Ty lee ideas rn 😂

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avatarstories · 4 years

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izumi’s birthday pt 1: bad memories

AN: I had to split Izumi’s birthday up a bit. trying to fit it all in one chapter would have been just stupidly long. I will say this starts sad, and the second chapter is also sad, though more angsty than sad, but part three will be much happier and have a good resolution.

TW: character death in childbirth (in past, but mentioned), noblewomen being sucky to Izumi.

Izumi was never particularly excited to celebrate her birthday. It was a day of mixed emotions knowing that while her family celebrated her coming into this world, they were reminded of the sharp pang of losing her mother on that day as well. Nonetheless, her grandfather Iroh had insisted on throwing a party to celebrate her 17th birthday. Nobles from the outlying islands, diplomats from the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes, and of course her father’s friends and their families who were essentially her extended family. The palace, usually quiet and peaceful (as she and her father preferred) was bustling with guests. Her father had been so busy greeting guests and addressing some Republic City business with Sokka and Aang that she had barely seen him that day. So, she decided to take a walk to his office after she knew he had finished meeting with Sokka and Avatar Aang.

As she walked down the hallway, she overheard two of the noblewomen, a governor’s wife and her daughter, visiting for her birthday festivities talking with each other in the portrait gallery.

“I just hope she won’t be like her forefathers, with the Fire Lady curse,” the mother says.

“Fire Lady curse?” the daughter questions.

“Haven’t you noticed, dear, that all of the Fire Ladies who gave birth to bad Fire Lords have died in childbirth,” the mother answers. “Fire Lord Sozin’s mother died when he was born, as did Azulon’s. Lady Ilah died when she gave birth to Ozai. General Iroh’s wife died when Prince Lu Ten came. Princess Ursa barely made it through Princess Azula’s birth, and of course you know that Lady Mai died when the Crown Princess was born.”

“It seems the spirits had it out for the Fire Ladies that brought bad men into the world,” the daughter replies.

“Indeed,” the mother says “For our sake, let’s pray it’s not an omen about our next Fire Lord.”

Izumi’s breath hitches. The mother turns and sees her. Izumi recognizes her as Lady Niko and her daughter Ichika.

“Your highness, I hope you are well,” Lady Niko says with a bow. Izumi clenches her fists. What an asshole she thinks to herself.

“Good evening,” she says bitterly.

“We were just off to retire,” Lady Niko states. If she has any suspicion that Izumi overheard their conversation, she does not show it. Izumi says nothing. “Well, good evening then.” The women bow again before walking down the hallway.

Izumi is left alone in the portrait gallery. Her father had the portraits of the imperial Fire Lords removed long ago, before she was born. Instead, they were replaced with paintings of more favorable parts of Fire Nation history. There was one of Avatar Roku, one of her grandfather taking back Ba Sing Se, of her father redirecting lightning, and most recently of her Aunt Azula discovering the true nature of fire and being gifted a dragon egg. Even still, there were not enough new paintings to replace the old, and black curtains hung in their place.

Izumi finds herself reaching out to touch the heavy dark fabric and remembers the first time asking about them when she was maybe 8 years old.

"Why are there dark curtains on the walls in the portrait gallery?” Izumi had asked at dinner

“There used to be paintings there, but I had them taken down,” Zuko explained.

“Why were they taken down?” Izumi asked.

“They were of bad men, and I did not want them on display,” Zuko explained. “I didn’t need the reminder of their poor examples. And I did not need them setting an example for you to aspire to,” he answered.

“Well, I will not be bad. Girls are not bad like boys are,” Izumi said cheerfully.

“Girls can be bad, Izumi,” Azula says.

“But I’m a girl and I’m not bad. And so are Aunt Kiyi, and Aunt Katara. They are all very nice,” Izumi states, somewhat defensively. “You are not bad.”

“I used to be bad, very bad,” Azula responds.

Zuko looks at her across the table. “You don’t have to now-”

“She’s going to have to know sooner or later” Azula cuts him off. Azula didn’t talk much about her past, and for Izumi, Azula had always been one to chastise her for being mean. Izumi could not imagine Azula as anything other her stern and wise aunt.

Azula and Zuko are having a conversation with just looks, like only people with secrets can. Izumi looks between the two of them. “Know what?”

“Izumi, I know we have not taught you much about the war yet, but during the war, I was a bad person,” Azula starts. “I hunted down your father and grandfather to try to bring them back to the Fire Nation as prisoners, I chased Bumi and Kya’s mom and dad, Sokka, and Toph across the earth kingdom, I burned Uncle, I put Suki in prison, I tried to drill a whole in the walls of Ba Sing Se, then I actually took over Ba Sing Se, I killed the Avatar, well briefly, I had your mom and Ty Lee locked in the Boiling Rock, and then when my dad tried to take over the world and told me I could be Fire Lord, I tried to kill Zuko and your Aunt Katara when they tried to stop me. Even before the war, I was never nice,” Azula finishes. She sighs “Don’t believe anything is the way it is about you because you’re a girl, Izumi. Anyone is capable of destruction.”

Izumi is quiet. She looks at her aunt, her fire bending teacher, her fiercest protector, the woman who walks her home from school every day, who brushes her hair every morning, who tucks her in at night when her dad has too much paperwork to do, who is the closet thing this motherless child has to a mother. She cannot reconcile Azula’s confession.

“Dad is that true?” Izumi asks.

“Izumi, where else would he have gotten the scar on his chest? That was from when I tried to kill him,” Azula responds before Zuko can.

Izumi does not want to believe these things about Azula. “Well, if you were so bad, then how did the family pass the People’s Approval every year?”

“We did not have People’s Approval before me. That was something I created,” Zuko explains.

“So there used to just be uncontrollably bad Fire Lords and Fire Families?”

“Yes” Azula and Zuko say in unison.

“But we’re different, we learned from their misdeeds,” Zuko finishes. Izumi pulls her hand back from dark velvet. A door opening down the hall pulls her from her thoughts, and she starts towards her father’s office. As she walks down the hallway, she cannot shake the thought that she might be predestined for destruction.

“Is he with anyone?” She asks the guard at the door when she arrives.

“No, your highness. Master Katara, Councilman Sokka, and Avatar Aang just left. Would you like me to announce you?”

“Thank you, but no need. It’s just me,” she tells him.

“Of course, your highness,” he says with a polite nod.

When she walks in her father is staring, with a wistful but melancholic look, at a small ink portrait of himself and Mai that was commissioned shortly after they were married. Her entrance pulls him from whatever thought or memory he was lost in. The thought of him sitting in here alone and thinking of her mother only augments her anger and unease, and it quickly settles in her as sadness.

“Hey, turtleduck,” he says softly and with a smile when he sees her.

“Hi,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Sorry, I missed dinner. Sokka, Aang, and I were working on something. And then Katara came in here to tell us off for working too late.”

“That’s ok,” she says, trying to cover the sadness in her tone but Zuko notices.

“What’s wrong, turtleduck?” he says walking over to her.

“I’m almost 17, don’t you think I’m a little old for that?”

“I don’t care how old you are, you’ll always be my little turtleduck.”

Izumi smiles softly. Zuko was sweet father. “You were looking at that painting of mom when I walked in.”

“I was, yes.” He pauses, "I was thinking about what I would tell her about you if I could.”

“What would you tell her?” a few tears well up in Izumi’s eyes, and she tries hard to keep them in.

“Well, I think she’d be happy to know you look just like her,” he starts. “And that you like to read and learn, and there’s nothing that you can’t teach yourself how to do. She’d be amazed that you can make your Aunt Azula laugh. And,” he says tipping her chin up so that she has to look into his eyes, “she’d want me to tell you that you could confide in your father with anything just like she did.”

“I don’t want to celebrate my birthday,” she whispers. A tear rolls down her cheek, and Zuko wipes it away.

“Why not?”

“It makes me feel guilty,” she barely manages to get out. She leans forward, and Zuko pulls her into an embrace.

“Zumi, sweetheart, we’ve talked about this. You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

“What if I just haven’t done the thing I’ll feel guilty about yet?” she strains.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Zumi?”

She doesn’t want to talk about what the noblewomen were discussing in the portrait gallery, and she diverts from her last question.

“I took your wife from you. You’ve been lonely for a long time because I came into the world.”

He holds her tighter against him. “That’s not true, Izumi,” he says firmly.

“Yes, it is.”

“Sit down, Izumi.” He guides her to the red and gold couch in his office and kneels in front of her. He takes one of her hands in her lap between his own, her gaze fixed downwards.

“Look at me,” he says softly.

She swallows and looks up, a tear rolls down her cheek.

“It has been, and still is, the greatest privilege of my life to be your father. The first time I ever saw you, I didn’t think I could ever love anyone more. I would have rather died than see you get hurt.” He pauses and wipes a tear off his cheek with his sleeve, and then does the same for Izumi. “And you’re right, I am lonely sometimes, but it’s not your fault, Izumi. In fact, when I see you smile or do something that brings you joy, I wonder how I could ever have wanted anything else. So don’t you ever think that you took anything away from me because you are the greatest joy of my life.”

She cannot stop the tears at his admission. She wraps her arms around his neck and he hugs her tightly to him. He doesn’t seem to mind that his robes are getting wet from her tears. Let’s pray it’s not an omen about our next Fire Lord plays again in her mind, and now with her father’s words, she only cries harder. He had so much faith in her, and she hadn’t proven anything yet about her ability to lead.

A few minutes later when she had stopped crying, Zuko loosens his embrace.

“I hate when my little girl is upset. You know Azula used to laugh at me because I’d cry when you got hurt or when you were sick. Then one time while I was in a meeting and Azula interrupted it clearly distraught because she found out someone had picked on you at school and she wanted the swiftest punishment imaginable, and I told her, 'now you know how it feels.'”

Izumi lets out a little laugh against his robes.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Want me to make some tea?”

“You’re turning into grandfather,” she quips, pulling out of the hug.

“I’d consider that a very nice compliment, Zumi,” Zuko jokes.

A short while later they are in the kitchens, each with a cup of tea in hand, but a darkness still sits heavy in Izumi’s heart. She knows she won’t be able to shake it off anytime soon.

AN: I love soft Dadko and protective Aunt Azula. I think it’s cool to explore Izumi’s understanding of her family and their past, especially in a way that it mixes with her own insecurities and fears. Next chapter, we get Bumi (who is actually of my favorite of the Gaang Kids, even though I tend to harp on Izumi.)

#avatarstories #fire nation royal family #izumi #zuko #azula

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nights-legacy · 4 years

Text

Over Time- Eventual!Zuko

+ Kira is an airbender a few years ahead of Aang in training. Her and Aang are as close as siblings. She goes with him into the storm and is there when they are forced down, joining Aang in his journey 100 years later. Unlike Aang, Kira notices there is something different the moment she gets her barrings outside the ice. The first kicker to be something wrong is the size of the Southern Water Tribe. The second being a prince of the Fire Nation was certainly not Azulon.

Note: This will be a slow burn romance. This was a scenario that has been in my head for a bit and the name stuck when I was imagining it, so the reader (you! lol) is Kira.

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

Kira’s POV

“Aang!” I ran through the halls looking for the boy. “Aang, please! Where are you?” I called. I stopped, exasperated. I sighed after catching my breath but paused halfway through. On a feeling, I look right and saw a running figure. I followed until I saw Appa and knew it was Aang. I ran and vaulted myself onto Appa’s back.

“Kira! What are you doing?” Aang turned toward me surprised. He looked like he had been crying. “Go back!”

“No, I am not letting you do this alone.”

“You’re…you’re not going to make me go back?” I shook my head and hugged him.

“No I know you need to get away but I won’t let you go alone.”

“Thank you, Kira. I don’t know what I would do without you. Get settled, a storm is coming.” I nodded and settled myself in the saddle. We flew and the rain came. We kept going until it was too dangerous.

“Aang we need to land! It’s getting too dangerous!” I yelled over the wind. Aang looked back at me and I saw worry and fear in his eyes. He nodded and tried to land Appa but a lightning strike scared Appa, him to jerk and stall.

“Appa! Kira!” I heard Aang yell barely over the ringing in my ears. I couldn’t see anything but all of a sudden, I felt the cold of the water below before I didn’t. Air surrounded me before I blacked out.

*Time Skip brought to you by Katara and her Water Magic*

“Kira! Kira! Wake up please!” I groaned before opening my eyes. I quickly moved my hand to block the sun. “Thank the spirits.”

“Aang?” I saw him and two other people standing over me. I sat up slowly. “What’s going on?”

“We crashed into the water. I was able to create a bubble that froze and we fell asleep.” He scratched the back of his neck in guilt. “I’m sorry, Kira.”

“It’s okay, Aang.” I hugged him. “Where are we?”

“You’re in the Southern Water Tribe. I’m Sokka, this is my sister Katara.” The boy held out his hand for me and helped me up.

“Are you an Airbender too?” Katara asked. I smiled and nodded.

“Yes. I am Kira. I am 16 years old. We are from the Southern Air Temple.” I held out a hand to Katara. She smiled and shook it.

“Kira is like an older sister to me. She is the closest friend before Monk Gyatso.” As they talked, I looked around. Something felt different. The air felt different around me, heavier. Not long after, we made way to their village. It was a lot smaller than I remember.

We were greeted warmly. I was enjoying the tranquilty and the people. The food not so much but it was alright. It was nice until the Fire Nation showed up. The feeling I got from earlier intensified.

“Something is not right.” I said as Aang boarded the ship. He turned and shared a look with me before disappearing into the machine. I held Katara back by the hands so she wouldn’t use her bending. She looked at me surprised. “You are not trained enough to fight them yet.” They left on the ship

“Why did they not take you two?” Sokka looked at me confused.

“They didn’t think I was a bender. I do not have the tattoos and I dress with a different color then the normal Air Nomad colors.” I said motioning to my blank skin and the purple wrap around my waist. “Not tell me…” I looked at them intently. “How long has it been since Avatar Roku disappeared?”

“It’s been over a hundred years.” Sokka told me while rubbing his arm. I closed my eyes and took a big breath. “How did you know? That more time had passed then Aang thinks?”

“I could feel a change in the air. I have had more spiritual training then Aang and I have always had a knack for sense on a different spectrum. Also, when we feel asleep, there were a bountiful amount of benders in the Southern Water Tribe and the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation’s name was not Zuko.”

“Oh…” Katara and Sokka shared a look. I ran towards Appa as he grew antsy. I turned back and saw the two were gone. I sighed and set my head against Appa.

“Those two are going to go after him.” I looked over my shoulder at Gran Gran. “They are good kids and they will go try and save him.”

“They won’t be going alone.” I turned completely toward her.

“Please watch over them I know they won’t be back for a long time. Their destinies have intertwined with yours and the Avatar’s.”

“I give you my word.” She smiled before she pulled something out of her sleeve. It is small trinket with a small white lotus. I gasped.

‘This was given to me by my mother. She said her friend from the Southern Air Temple gave it to her just before she disappeared. Her friends name was Kira.”

“Mira…you’re Mira’s daughter.” She placed the comb in my hair before she hugged me and sent me on my way. I wiped the stray tear from my eye as I found the two. “What do you to think you are doing?” I said, spooking them.

“Ummm…” Sokka looked down at the canoe and them back up at me on Appa. “Going after Aang?” He said unsure. I chuckled and looked ahead where the ship was a ways away.

“Not in that you’re not. You would never catch them.” I clicked and told Appa to land. “Get on. I’ll give you a lift.” I smirked as a smile spread across both of their faces.

*Time Skip*

“Who even are you?” Zuko asked me harshly. I sat with my arms tied behind my back on the ground. He was currently circling me like a predator. I had stayed behind, stalling Zuko so Aang and the others could escape. Aang didn’t want to leave me but I gave him no choice. “You dress in the clothes of the Air Nomads. You act like one and you are protective of the Avatar as if you know him.”

“Because I do.” I said simply. Also, he didn’t know I was Airbender.

“He is over a hundred years old. You can’t!”

“But she does, Zuko.” The older gentleman I came to know as Iroh stepped up. I smiled and bowed my head. He did as well. “Because she is as well. If my guess is correct, you’re older then the Avatar.”

“Yes.” Zuko was looking at me intently. I sighed before standing. He got into a ready position. I jumped and flipped around to bring my hands in front of me. “I’m sorry.”

“What?” He asked confused. I brought my hands up before kicking into the air, forcing a gust straight towards him. He flew back. “You’re an air bender.”

“That I am.” I flipped a dropped blade from the ground and caught the ropes, cutting them. Zuko darted and shot a blast of fire at me. I pushed it aside before grabbing his arm, blocking him. “Why do you fight?”

“To regain my honor. To regain my father’s favor.” He pulled out of my hold and fought me. I blocked each attack.

“The only person who can give and take you honor is you. No one else has that authority over your life but you. Not your father, not your sister, not even your uncle, only you!” I told him before I hit him in the chest. He flew back into a tree, getting knocked out. “I am sorry, Iroh.”

“It is okay, my dear. If only he would listen.” Iroh handed me my staff.

“He will over time.” I smiled at him. I bowed and so did he.

“The White Lotus. A flower of beauty, truth, and philosophy. People who bare the flower usually ones who share ancient knowledge despite divides.” I reached up and brushed my fingers across the comb. “Maybe we can speak over tea sometime?”

“I would love that.” I said. I walked over and knelt beside Zuko, brushing a finger across his scarred cheek. “One day things will fall into place.” I stood and walked to the edge of the cliff. “Good evening, Iroh.”

“Good evening.” I dove off the cliff and fell through the air. I opened my staff just a few yards from the ground flying off into the night.

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prncezukos · 4 years

Text

time: the first council meeting & aftermath mentions: aang, mai soundtrack: freakin’ out on the interstate, i don’t want to watch the world end with someone else, wc: 2133

morning came and zuko rose with the sun. the schedule for the day was made and it was becoming startling clear that his time was no longer his own. he was surprised to realize he didn’t mind. this was truly the beginning of his era: the reign of zuko. it had come with immense pain and fanfare, but it was finally here. it was thrilling and scary and — he was going to do this, and he was going to do it well.

time bled by slowly, and in the little he had, he wrote his ideas and thoughts out on a piece of parchment that rested on the writing desk in the corner of his room. there was so much he wanted to share — pieces and ideas that were fragmented and half-thought out — and he wanted to be sure to remember them later. first and foremost, he would discuss them with aang, but he knew it his ideas would eventually have to be discussed with the council.

he couldn’t help the stricken feeling that gripped his heart when he thought of the council. they were all once loyal to his father. that couldn’t be overlooked, and yet, they were citizens of the fire nation, as well. they had been taught and lied to, indoctrinated with false beliefs to further the goals and ambitions of sozin, azulon, and ozai. he wasn’t quite sure what to do with them yet — time would tell.

a servant knocked on the door to his room, stepping inside with her head bowed. he greeted her simply as she told him what he already knew: it was time for the meeting. he thanked her before she was dismissed. he put on his own robes, he needed no help, and he fixed the ornament that rested atop of his head.

he knew that some of them were sure to dislike him for the nature of his own being. he would do what he could to not give them fuel to add to the fire. his chin was raised slightly, his shoulders were back ; he walked with a confidence he’d known only within his foolish youth. he took his seat and took a breath, his lips parted and then —

he was given no chance to talk. immediately, someone else began speaking. his mouth shut quickly, and a muscle clenched in his jaw. he had never imagined being talked over, not at his council meeting. he had a plan of what to say and what would happen, and suddenly it was being thrown away. he wouldn’t allow himself to become flustered.

underneath the table, his hands were clenched into his fists. his fingers and palms were uncomfortably hot. it was a display that would scream he had a lack of control, that his emotions were unchecked. he took a breath and flexed his hands. they came to rest on the table where everyone could see, long fingers tapping unorganized rhythms.

the man in front of him kept talking and zuko turned his head, his good ear closer to him. he was trying to place where he knew him from — then it hit. this was mai’s father. his words rang in zuko’s ears and suddenly something else became clear. while he knew they would try to shirk the blame from them to his father, he was almost dumbfounded to think they could manipulate him into feeling pity. he could and he would show mercy, but only when it was well-deserved. right then, in the moment, he could only feel disgusted.

he glanced around the room towards faces he only knew from a distant past. he wondered how many had been there for his agni kai ; he wondered how many had cheered when his father struck that damning blow. despite the anger he felt, he wonder how many were only complicit because they had to be. he had no knowledge to judge them right then.

but he decided he would have to. if nothing else was sure to zuko right then, that was. these people — his people, his equals — had allowed atrocities to occur without nary a blink. once, he would have done the same, but he had come to see the light, agni had guided him to a better path. how many of these men would have realized that the path they tread was the wrong one were they given enough time and the opportunity to choose something else ?

he swallowed. their judgement would come.

they repeated their oath — we are your humble and loyal servants — and again, just as he was preparing to speak, zuko found himself unable.

the door was thrust open with a fervor and his gaze narrowed on the offending party. before he could ask of the interruption, the councilmen found it in themselves to speak on his behalf. he thought briefly that surely they would have never spoken over ozai. should they continue to serve as his advisors, they would learn that he had right to speak and he would surely have his turn.

his fingers stilled once he heard what was happening. he stood up without pause and headed to leave the room. the guard said he was tasked with escorting zuko back to his room, back to safety. his youth was clear when he scoffed and shook his head, saying he would meet them face on. he had promised them peace and harmony. he would not hide in the face of question. pride and duty ensured that.

he walked through the halls of the palace with confidence, not stopping despite servants’ and guards’ protests alike. he would face his people openly, unlike all of the men before him.

the mob in front of the palace was larger than he had first imagined it to be, but zuko couldn’t call himself surprised. there were a lot of people hurting, a lot of people who had their voices silenced for the better part of a century. unlike the men before him, he understood their pain, at least partially. in the earth kingdom, he existed as a refugee with little more than the clothes on his back, his uncle his only confidant and companion. he understood nothingness more than he would have ever wanted to.

but he also understood luxury ; he could not forget nor forgive his privilege within all of this.

he stood in front of them, quiet for some time as they shouted and screamed their demands at him. it was hard to catch all of the words — the cacophony blaring, a ringing in his ear beginning — but he heard what he needed to. they yelled for justice and for change. they were clear in what they wanted

it’s what he wanted, too.

but how could he give them that so quickly ? it was assuredly impossible.

revolutions were born in the wiles of the night, but change came with many sunrises. it could not be rushed. this world they currently lived in was born of one hundred years of his ancestors’ rule. if he could change things for the better immediately, zuko surely would. still, he knew that wasn’t in his abilities. quick changes would only act as temporary fixes ; the flood of problems would break the dam they created in the blink of an eye. he wanted permanent change and repairs that would withstand his lifetime. he wouldn’t do wrong by his people by ruining them further.

zuko wasn’t surprised to see aang already there, and a part of him was certainly relieved to see that the avatar was doing his best to quell the crowd. he walked over to his friend, standing shoulder to shoulder before leaning over to say, “ i think no matter what i say right now, they’ll still remain until yell themselves hoarse. ” he didn’t blame them.

perhaps he should have addressed the crowd before speaking to aang, but he had heard that aang had said they were to speak.

his voice was still low as he continued. “ do you think there is anything i can say right now ? i can assure them that change is coming — i just can’t promise what exactly, not quite yet. i’m not sure that’ll be enough. ”

aang looked at him, ever so earnest, wide-eyed and serious. “ you have to say something, zuko. it’s your place as the fire lord. i mean, i’m the avatar, but you are the one who is changing the legacy of their father. ”

the younger boy was right — as he seemingly always was — and zuko gave a curt nod.

the roar of the crowd had reached a peak since zuko arrived, seemingly intensifying with every passing moment. finally, he cleared his throat and looked out over the sea of people. “ i want you to know i hear you. i am listening. ” he wondered briefly how many could hear him, only able to hope that those who did would share his message. “ i give you my word that the fire nation we have known for the last century will cease to exist soon enough. things will be different. things will be better. not just for you who have suffered here — but for the entire world who has seen pain wrought on it by our forefathers’ error. ”

he stood, staring out at his people. he wanted them to believe him — he wanted them to believe in him. he would be honest, he would do right by his people if it was the last thing that he did. he watched as some of the crowd left, seemingly soothed by his small placations. that left a good feeling within him. there was nothing more he could say, he knew this. if he had certainties to give, genuine promises, he would have. but fear of misspeaking or offering something that he couldn’t fulfill caused him to bite his tongue.

the time would come for him to give full answers. it just wasn’t now.

it was time to go back inside

he gave the crowd a nod of his head before dipping into a bow. he turned on his heels and headed back towards the palace.

he still had a council meeting to finish.

he sat at head of the table, patient, as he waited for the councilmen to fill their spaces once more. when they all had arrived, he stood to start the meeting for the second time. almost immediately, someone jumped to start talking — chaos and dissenters and ill-positioned feelings —

zuko's voice was not a roar, but the conviction it held was clear : “ silence. ”

the noise in the room fell to a still hush. surprise coated the features of some of the men.

“ these people — our people — are right. “ looks were shared between the councilmen but he paid them no mind. “ their anger isn’t misplaced. if anything, it’s — it’s more than justified. we have spoken over them for the better part of a century while they starved and suffered. it isn’t fair. ” some of the men looked down, rightfully embarrassed, but the faces of others remained stoic ; he kept a mental note of who had the decency to look abashed. “ let it be known that they will be represented soon enough. how that happens, i cannot say yet with surety. “

whispers begin to be passed between men. he tolerated it for the time.

“ you served my father well-enough during his reign. whether that was out of loyalty or fear, i cannot be sure. but i will be honest when i say this: i will need to forge bonds of trust with all of you that will remain on my council. ” he was steely-eyed and serious ; some of the men suddenly noticed a stark resemblance between the boy king and his father. “ if you did not catch the meaning of that, let it be known that this council will not remain as it currently is. ”

shouts began to ring through the room. zuko raised his voice and spoke over them.

“ be sure that i heard what you said earlier. ” his gaze landed sternly on mai’s father. “ and i completely understand. ”

they were quick to think he could be easily manipulated. they would soon realize, if they had not already, they were undoubtedly wrong. what they saw in front of them, who they saw, was this: a new leader, unlike any they had known previously.

zuko was not ozai, and he was certainly not like azulon.

he was his own man, and an unknown force was more frightening to them than one they understood.

#self para.#m. aang.#ALSO i hate this #i had ??? 75% of it typed #then i accidentally deleted it #so this is rushed and ugh #also aha this is twice the legnth of my first one oops

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