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leana-armen · 1 year

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Destined Families - Part 1: “What are soul marks?”

Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender

Pairings: None in this first part besides a hint at future Mai/Zuko

Summary: A soulmate AU where people are born with marks indicating the people they are destined to love, either romantically or platonically. When they meet one of their soulmates, they can perform a soulbond and be taken to moments from the other person's past, during which they're invisible and can only interact by touch with the person they're soulbonding with.

Part 1 features Zuko and Toph learning about soul marks, and Katara’s and Sokka’s experiences with their soulmates during and shortly after the raid by the Southern Raiders.

Warnings: Mentions of Azulon/Ozai intentionally burning an infant Zuko and a newlywed Ursa; Character death, though nothing is described in detail; Character falls through ice and nearly drowns/freezes; No research was put into how the characters should respond to said near drowning in freezing water so possible medical liberties taken.

Also posted to AO3

****

Zuko always enjoyed when Azula had her friends over. For one, it meant she was less likely to start picking on him out of boredom. For two, it meant he could see Mai. Out of the trio of girls, he always had found Mai the easiest to get along with.

“So, why do you wear those gloves with the fingers cut off?” Zuko asked Mai one day. Ty Lee was teaching Azula some of the new gymnastics tricks she’d been practicing, but neither Mai nor Zuko wanted to have anything to do with it. Instead, they watched the two 8-year-olds doing cartwheels from the shade of a nearby tree.

Mai turned to Zuko, an eyebrow raised in a silent question Zuko didn’t know how to answer. “They cover my soul marks,” she eventually said, voice quieter than usual, and she began to absently fiddle with one of the gloves.

“Soul marks?” Zuko parroted, tilting his head in clear confusion.

“Do you… not have soul marks?” Mai had to lean towards Zuko in order for him to even hear her whisper. Zuko shook his head. He must not have them if he doesn’t know what they are, right? An emotion that Zuko couldn’t quite place flashed across Mai’s face. Sadness? Disappointment? But as soon as Zuko noticed it, it was gone as a thud followed by Azula’s laugh pulled Mai’s attention back to the other girls.

——

“Mom, what are soul marks?” Zuko asked Ursa later that night, tugging on the sleeve of her robe as she came in to tuck him into bed.

Ursa could tell this would be a long conversation, so she slid onto the bed to sit next to her son. “When did that come up, sweetie?” she asked, careful to keep her tone light and curious.

Zuko, however, still frowned, feeling like he somehow did something wrong by bringing it up. Still, he explained to his mother the conversation he’d had with Mai.

“Soul marks are little pictures that people are often born with on their skin that indicate that person’s soulmates. Soulmates are people outside of your family who you’re destined to love and are destined to love you, whether it’s romantic love or an unbreakable friendship,” Ursa explained.

Zuko’s lip began to tremble. “But I don’t have any soul marks. Does that mean nobody outside our family will love me?”

Ursa immediately scooped Zuko into her arms. “Do not tell your father or sister I told you this, but you have six soulmates,” she whispered into the young prince’s hair.

Zuko’s eyes widened. “Six?” He repeated. “Why haven’t I noticed them?” He looked over his body as though the soul marks would suddenly appear.

Ursa let out a sad sigh as she gently pulled up Zuko’s top, looking at the very old burn scar roughly in the shape of a hand on the right side of his abdomen. “Your father and grandfather think that soulmates are a sign of weakness, so when you were a baby, they burned your marks off.” She dropped his shirt, letting it cover the scar once again. “I only got a quick look, but I counted six marks.”

“Do YOU have any soul marks?” Zuko asked, now glancing over his mother.

Ursa sighed again, pulling the sleeve of her robe all the way up to show Zuko a burn scar of her own on her shoulder. “I did,” she explained. “When I married your father, I had to cut all ties to my life before the Royal Family. My soul mark was a part of that.” She let go of her sleeve and she instead reached forward to cup Zuko’s face in her hands. “Tell me, my love, have you felt a presence you couldn’t see? Invisible hands like ghosts giving you comfort, or trying to guide you?”

Zuko thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. “I thought that I was imagining things, or that some spirits decided they liked me. Either way, I didn’t want to ask anyone because I didn’t want them to go away,” Zuko admitted. He felt a firm hand clap onto his shoulder as though assuring him that they’re still here. He suddenly sat up straighter in a mix of surprise and happiness. “I feel one of them now!” Zuko said. “What does it mean?”

Ursa smiled at her young boy. “It means you will meet your soulmates one day.”

****

“Stupid Master Yu and stupid dad and mom,” Toph grumbled, punching the pillow on her bed. “You don’t need eyes to earthbend, you just need arms and legs! My arms and legs work just fine!”

Toph felt a pat on her shoulder and nearly jumped out of her skin. “What? Who’s there?” she demanded, the hand immediately pulling away. She hadn’t heard anybody enter her room, she was pretty sure her door was closed. Gently, as though not to startle her again, the mysterious presence tapped on the back of her left shoulder. She struck out with her left arm, swinging her fist in an arc around her. Surely she would’ve hit whoever was touching her shoulder, but she found nothing but air.

“GUARDS!” she shouted.

The bedroom door flew open. “Toph, what’s wrong?” Toph relaxed slightly upon hearing the voice of her favorite guard, Xiuying.

“I thought I felt someone touch me,” Toph explained. She heard Xiuying move around the room, checking every potential hiding place and entry point.

“There’s nobody here,” Xiuying stated. Toph felt the bed shift with her weight as she sat down. “What did you feel exactly?” she asked.

“It was like there was a hand on my shoulder,” Toph explained, putting her hand on her shoulder where she felt the presence as a demonstration. “And then a poke on the back right here.” She turned away from Xiuying to show her.

Xiuying had a theory, which was all but confirmed when she noticed a light blue arrow poking out from under Toph’s night clothes near where she said she felt the poke. “It seems that Fate has decided you could use some support from one of your soulmates,” the guard stated with a smile.

“I have soul marks?” Toph asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Your parents never told you?” Xiuying asked.

Toph dramatically flopped back onto her pillow. “They never tell me ANYTHING!” she complained. “Especially not about soulmate stuff.”

“Well, you’re supposed to be getting to bed. How about a bedtime story?” Xiuying asked, pulling back the covers on Toph’s bed and helping the blind earthbender settle in.

“Okay,” Toph agreed as she got herself comfortable.

“A long, long time ago, before the spirit and mortal worlds were separated, before the Avatar and benders, spirits of Fate and Destiny watched over and guided the early humans. They saw that humans were social creatures, needing love and connection, and they came up with a plan to ensure that we would get the support we need through our lives and find the people who could give it to us. They gave us marks, little pictures that give us a hint as to who will play an important role in our lives. And when a person finds one of their soulmates, a touch of blood will bring them both into each other’s pasts. Their presence is invisible but felt by their soulmate, and they are brought to the moments throughout their soulmate’s life where either they were needed, or there’s something important they need to see. Through that soulbond, even new friends can instantly understand each other on a deep level and be there for each other throughout their lives.”

Toph had closed her eyes at some point during the story, but she stubbornly refused sleep until it was over and Xiuying gave a whispered “good night” as she left Toph’s room to resume her guard outside the door.

****

Katara stood there, frozen. There was a Fire Nation man in her family’s home, standing over her mother. She could feel all four of her soulmates urging her to RUN. She had one gripping each hand - the soulmate with a feather-light touch was at her right hand and the soulmate who radiated heat clutched her left - both pulling in the direction of the igloo’s front door flaps. The soulmate who had a particularly strong presence was trying to push Katara by her shoulders towards the exit, and the last of the four was standing protectively at Katara’s front, as if trying to be a barrier between her and the man. Despite their combined efforts, however, the young waterbender remained rooted.

“Mom, I’m scared,” Katara said, voice small and wavering.

“Go find your dad, Sweetie. I’ll handle this,” Kya told her, projecting a confidence that neither she nor her daughter actually felt.

Katara was still frozen for a moment, staring into the eyes of the cruel man standing over her mother, until she finally snapped out of it. Turning and running out of the igloo with eyes blurry from tears, she followed her soulmates’ pull, trusting them to guide her to her dad.

“Dad! I think mom’s in trouble!” Katara shouted the moment she spotted him. Once he looked at her, she pointed back in the direction of their home. “There’s a m-”

Katara was cut off when Hakoda winced, groaning in pain as a gloved hand went up to the base of his neck, where Katara knew his soulmarks were. “Kya!” he gasped out, his attention narrowing in on his home as he ran as fast as he could. Katara ran after, not nearly as quick but still entering shortly after her dad, barreling right through one of her soulmates trying to keep her from entering the igloo. She didn’t care what waited for her behind the door flaps, her dad would protect her and she HAD to be there for her mom.

But her mom was already gone. A teary-eyed Bato soon entered the igloo and scooped up the sobbing young waterbender, taking her to his home and setting her down next to her confused brother. She felt all four sets of her soulmates’ arms wrap around her small, shaking form.

“Katara, what’s- The Fire Nation left, what’s wrong?” Sokka asked, pulling his sister towards him. “Bato wouldn’t let me go home.”

“It’s- it’s mom. She’s-“ Katara couldn’t get the last word out without a sob drowning it out.

“Gone,” Bato supplied, barely louder than a whisper as he sat in front of the young siblings. He had taken off the wrappings around his left arm, allowing the Water Tribe siblings to see his soulmarks for the first time. He had two on the back of his right arm, one white and vibrant blue in the shape of the tooth-and-bone necklace their dad wore, and the other now a dull gray pine branch. Sokka had seen the pine branch on his dad, he knew it represented their mom and was supposed to be a deep green. But he also knew what a dull gray soulmark meant, that what Katara and Bato were saying was true. Their mom was gone, and they’ll never see her again.

The instant Bato opened his arms in invitation to the siblings, they jumped at the comfort he offered. The three of them sat on the floor of his igloo, Sokka and Katara clinging to Bato’s sides and to each other as they cried. At some point, Hakoda finally joined them with Gran-Gran in tow so they could all grieve Kya’s death as a family.

——

About a month after the Fire Nation raid, most of the tribe had gone back to normal, though Chief Hakoda still found it hard to find the motivation to go out to fish or hunt. Bato made sure the Chief and his kids had enough to eat, but Katara could tell that Bato wasn’t doing much better himself. So she decided it was time for her and Sokka to lend a hand.

It took some prodding from Katara (mostly to get Sokka to wake up and get out of bed) but the siblings soon found themselves a fair distance from the village, sitting next to a hole in the ice with Sokka’s fishing gear in hand.

A couple hours later, when they’d only caught two fish that were each barely big enough for a meal, Katara and Sokka agreed that they’d try for just one more fish before heading home.

Katara studied the ice hole while waiting for something to bite and frowned. “Is it just me, or is the fishing hole getting smaller?” she asked, holding out her mittened hands to the size she remembered it being when they started.

“It’s freezing back up,” Sokka agreed, reeling the line back in so he could set the pole aside to focus on the ice. “Can’t you melt it with your water magic?”

“Waterbending,” Katara corrected almost out of habit more than anything. She shook her head. “I’m barely able to freeze water on my own, and that’s with everything already being so cold. No clue how to unfreeze it.”

“Alright, I’ll get it,” Sokka said with a dramatic sigh as he stood up and peered into the hole. He placed a boot firmly on the edge, testing the strength of the ice before lifting his foot and bringing it down with as much force on the edge of the hole as a 9-year-old could manage. He was just trying to chip away some of the ice from the side, and was careful not to put too much of his weight so close to the slick edge.

It took a couple stomps but Sokka got a thin piece of ice to drop from the edge and into the water. “Hey, it’s working!” he said, taking a small step so he could begin stomping on a new section of the ice around the hole.

“Sokka, be careful!” Katara warned.

“I am, I know what I’m doing!” Sokka assured her. He, however, paused as he felt a tugging on his arm as though the presence was trying to get him to step back from the edge of the ice. “One of the soulmates is apparently worried, too. It’s fine!” He waved the presence off with a giggle, their feathery touch almost tickling Sokka in its persistence. Ignoring the warnings, he stomped again at the edge of the hole, but instead of just chipping away the ice like expected, the entire chunk under Sokka’s boot fractured and broke off, plunging into the depths. The surprise jolt was enough to throw off Sokka’s balance, sending him tumbling into the polar water.

“SOKKA!” Katara shouted, dropping to her stomach to peer into the water from the edge of the ice.

Despite almost gasping at the shock of hitting the cold water, Sokka thankfully managed to keep from losing the air he had been able to get into his lungs as he fell. Of course, holding his breath was only the first of Sokka’s worries - the hole he had fallen into was likely the only spot for miles around where he could reach the surface and avoid being trapped under solid ice. He had to find that hole and FAST, but he didn’t even know which way was up. He tried to open his eyes underwater, but it hurt and what little he could see was too blurry to be helpful, and Katara’s voice shouting for him sounded like it could be coming from anywhere. But before panic could fully set in, Sokka felt something wrap around him, guiding him as he oriented his body upright, then when it started pulling him, he followed. While quick to trust the help, his mind was much slower at identifying the source, eventually realizing it was a soulmate, and recognizing their touch as different from the soulmate who had tried to warn him in the first place.

The soulmate led Sokka directly to the hole in the ice, but even then, his lungs were burning with the need for air by the time his head hit the surface. His desperate gasp for breath unfortunately brought some water in with the air, making Sokka sputter and complicated his goal of getting out of the dangerously cold water. Katara managed to catch his arms in her hands as they flailed in search of solid ice, and she slid backwards on her stomach to pull him to the edge with her.

“I got you, Sokka. I’ll help you up,” Katara assured, pulling her brother onto the ice with all her strength. “Then we gotta get back home QUICK to warm you up.”

A weak nod was all the response Sokka could manage between the effort of dragging himself out of the water and his lungs trying to expel the water he’d inhaled. As soon as Sokka was firmly on the ice and out of the water, he took a moment to focus on being able to breathe properly. A third soulmate, the one with the strongest touch out of the bunch, decided to help by giving Sokka’s back some firm pats to help guide the water out of his lungs.

Once his breathing was mostly back to normal, it finally registered to Sokka just how COLD he was. More than just feeling cold, his body had gone straight past being numb to the point that the cold felt more like a million sharp knives stabbing through his skin and to his bones. While Katara pushed herself to her feet to start walking back, Sokka instinctively curled into a tight ball, trying to conserve what body heat he had as he continued to sit on the ice.

“Sokka, we need to go back,” Katara stated, offering her hand to help Sokka up.

“Is-cold,” Sokka managed to say through chattering teeth. “Can’t-”

“That’s WHY we need to get back, so you can warm up,” Katara pleaded.

Sokka’s brows furrowed in confusion as, while Katara spoke, he suddenly felt like someone draped a fire-warmed blanket over his back.

“Your shivering slowed. Is it a good-slowed or a bad-slowed?” Katara asked, crouching to try and get a closer look at Sokka’s face.

“I think one of my soulmates is sharing body heat with me,” Sokka explained. He looked to the side to address his soulmate. “Give me a tap if I’m right.” A tap on Sokka’s knee, which was still pulled up close to his chest, and Sokka smiled. “Whichever soulmate you are, you make a good blanket.” He felt the presence shake a little, which Sokka guessed was a chuckle.

Once he was ready to get up, Katara helped Sokka to his feet and held his hand during the walk back to the village. Sokka could still feel the much-needed warmth from his soulmate’s presence as they walked, but he could tell that they struggled with finding a way to keep consistent contact while moving, so he didn’t stay quite as warm as he hoped.

“Dad! Gran-Gran!” Katara called as soon as they reached the village. “Sokka got wet, we need to warm him up!”

Hakoda was running up to his kids in an instant, looking them over for any sign of injury. “Let’s get him over by the fire for the moment,” he suggested, guiding the kids towards a fire near the middle of the village and sitting them down on a couple leather mats that had been placed around the fire pit. “What happened, is everything alright?”

“We went out ice fishing, but when Sokka tried making the hole bigger, there was a thin spot and he fell in,” Katara explained, trying to ignore the small crowd forming as the villagers were checking to see if the kids were alright.

“It’s remarkable you were able to make it back,” Gran-Gran commented as she walked up to Sokka to look him over. “To have found your way out of the water, and still have enough energy to keep you warm enough to make it back here is something of a miracle.”

“My soulmates helped, actually,” Sokka replied with a smile. “One guided me back to the hole while I was underwater so I wouldn’t get trapped under the ice, and another is really warm and was able to share their body heat with me so I could make it home!”

The village was silent for a moment, before chatter returned in nervous murmurings and hushed whispers. Sokka’s smile fell - he thought the tribe would be excited that his soulmates saved his life; he couldn’t figure out why they were reacting the way they were. “What?” he asked, glancing around the tribe before looking between his dad and Gran-Gran for one of them to explain.

“A soulmate’s soulbond presence feels different depending on if they’re a bender or not, and on what kind of bender if they are,” Gran-Gran explained. “Waterbenders have a presence that’s cold to the touch; earthbenders have a particularly strong touch - a very solid presence; airbenders, if memory serves, were said to have a feather-light touch in contrast to the earthbenders.” She sighed, and dread pooled in Sokka’s stomach as he realized what was coming next. “And finally, the presence of a firebender gives off enough heat that it’s said it can be felt even without a direct touch from the presence.”

“So, one of my soulmates is a firebender?” Sokka asked in a small voice. Gran-Gran nodded. “How- why-?” He looked at his dad, hoping for answers to the questions he couldn’t even form.

“I’m not sure,” was the only answer Hakoda could offer his son. “I’m just grateful at least that they very likely saved your life today.” He smiled in a way he hoped was reassuring.

“I’m going to go change into dry clothes and warm up in bed,” Sokka decided with a sigh, standing up to head into their igloo. He’d had enough stares and whispering from the rest of the tribe when he just couldn’t wrap his head around it himself.

——

Katara gave Sokka a good several minutes to change and have a moment to himself before she joined him inside. “Sokka?” she called to announce her presence as she pushed past the door flaps, letting them fall back into place behind her. She spotted Sokka instantly: he was in his bed and laying on his back, with his left arm bare of the wrappings he usually wore and held over his face so he could study his soulmarks.

“Hey, Katara,” Sokka sighed in greeting, glancing briefly in her direction as she came closer. As she sat on his bed by his legs, he didn’t move, still apparently looking for some kind of answers to emerge from the simple pictures.

“I’ve felt the firebender too,” Katara admitted, pulling a foot up to rest on the bed so she could wrap her arms around her knee.

“Well, that rules out the crescent moon as being the firebender,” Sokka stated, finally lowering his arm and sitting up. “The fact we feel them means we’ll meet them someday. That we’ll trust them enough to soulbond. But WHY? After everything the Fire Nation has done to us, our Tribe…” Sokka’s voice cracked and he paused for a moment so he could get his emotions under control. “How will a firebender even be able to gain our trust?”

“I donno. But clearly we’ll find out some day,” Katara replied with a shrug.

Sokka seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking again. “You’ve felt all four of your soulmates, right? I felt four today.” He trailed his right hand down the line of marks on the front of his arm.

Katara nodded as she pulled open the collar of both her coat and tunic so she could look down at her own soul marks. They all matched with four of Sokka’s five, even following the same order down Sokka’s arm as clockwise around the front of Katara’s shoulder. At the top for both of them was a light blue arrow pointing down, followed by an eye with a cloudy blue iris and only slightly darker pupil, a crossed pair of curved broadswords with dark blue handles, and a golden fan. The fifth on Sokka’s arm, below the others and just above his wrist, was a light blue crescent moon, the ends pointing to the right, matching the moon on the Water Tribe’s emblem.

“Besides the firebender, which I’m GUESSING is the fan because it’s the only one not blue… also, can’t fans be used to help make fires bigger? Like when you blow on a fire to get it big enough to cook on?” Katara started, briefly getting distracted by her own logical reasoning until she remembered she actually intended on getting the conversation OFF of the firebending soulmate. “One of our soulmates seems like they hit really hard. Maybe they’re an earthbender, with a solid presence like what Gran-Gran was saying?”

“I half expect to get bruises with some of his friendly punches,” Sokka commented, wrapping an arm around himself to rub near where they had hit his back earlier. “He helped me cough up the water I ended up breathing in.” Even though Katara has insisted on avoiding using gender-specific words for her soulmates until she meets them and knows for sure which to use, Sokka figured there’s no harm in making guesses about his soulmates’ genders and using the pronouns that match his guesses. If he turns out to be wrong, he’ll just switch to the correct pronouns whenever he finds out. “He could be any of the three other marks, but if he bends, he probably wouldn’t use swords. Especially with earthbending. So probably either the eye or the arrow?”

Katara nodded in agreement. “One has a really light touch, like Gran-Gran said airbenders feel like, but that’s impossible. Probably just shy or something,” she guessed. “No clue which mark they might be.”

“She was the one who tried to get me away from the ice hole. I should’ve listened,” Sokka scolded himself.

Katara frowned slightly, but just continued on. “The last one doesn’t have anything notable with how their touch feels, but they seem particularly… protective. Kinda like you, actually.” She smirked as she poked her brother in the chest. “Trying to stand between me and danger, watching my back when I leave the village.”

“Protective enough to get in the water WITH me to make sure I made it back to the surface,” Sokka agreed. “My guess is he’s a strong warrior, probably the swords.” He tapped at the swords on his arm before beginning to trace the crescent moon with his fingertip. “I don’t think I’ve felt whoever the moon represents. With everyone else being there to help today, even Firebender, I’m starting to worry I never get to soulbond with Crescent Moon.”

Katara shrugged. “It’s possible. Or they just might be even more shy than Light-Touch.”

“Light-Touch? That’s the name you’re going with?” Sokka teased. “You should just leave the nicknames to me.”

****

Author’s Notes:

1. Yes, Sokka made assumptions about the genders of three of his soulmates and got them ALL wrong. Also, he and Katara got Zuko's and Suki's marks confused for each other. It should be pretty clear who's supposed to be who, but for anyone who wants a clear list:

Aang - arrow - feather-light touches

Toph - cloudy blue eye - strong presence

Zuko - twin swords - warm

Suki - fan - protective

Yue - crescent moon

2. I was heavily inspired by The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris on AO3 for this fic. The soulmate AU concept is largely taken from that fic (though with a few small changes to how soulmarks work, and a couple characters have different symbols representing them) as are a few plot details, such as Ozai burning Zuko’s soulmarks off.

3. If anyone wants to discuss this AU with me at all, PLEASE don’t hesitate to message me! I have a bunch of ideas in mind, as well as a bunch of details I’m undecided about. I’d love to discuss my ideas and thoughts, and hear about other ideas I might not’ve considered yet~

#avatar #avatar the last airbender #avatar fanfiction #soulmate au #platonic soulmates #avatar fanfic #fanfiction

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leossmoonn · 3 years

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Under the Surface [Zuko]

masterlist

pairing - zuko x fem, fire bender!reader

type - angst, fluff

summary - you and zuko have been friends since you were babies, your mom being best friend’s with his uncle. you both don’t realize that you two are in love with each other until you two get in a fight

warnings / includes - language, oblivious flirting and denying feelings, you and zuko are both 16, zuko is more outgoing and extroverted w you since you have known him for so long, and yes you all are hunting the avatar, oh aaand italics are your thoughts unless i say who is thinking them

————

*gif isn’t mine*

“Y/n… Wake up, Y/n…” a low, soothing voice spoke to you in your dreams.

“Hm,” you hummed, turning over in your bed. “Y/n? Y/n! Stop! God, you’re crushing me! Wow, you smell nice,” the voice said.

You furrowed your brows.

What did I just hear?

You opened your eyes slowly, the sun from the window streaming in. You looked around the room, smiling as you heard the birds chirp from outside. It wasn’t until you realised you were on top of someone when you got up immediately. Who was the person, might you ask? Well, it happened to be your best friend Zuko.

“What are you doing in my bed!” You exclaimed, stumbling out and reaching for your robe that you had set on your nightstand. You wrapped it around your nightgown, turning to Zuko.

“Trying to wake you up. I’m bored, I’ve been up for a few hours,” Zuko explained.

“I was sleeping in. Ever heard of it? Maybe you should try it,” you smirked.

“I can’t do that when I’m hunting the Avatar,” Zuko said.

You went to your dresser to find a hair-tie. “Ah, right. You know, you don’t actually have to do what your father says, right?”

Zuko narrowed his eyes at you as you put your hair up in a messy bun. “You do know that I have to win back my honour, right?”

You chuckled, “You don’t have to do that. Your father is a jerk, full offense.”

“He’s not, he just… he just wants to set me on the right path,” Zuko said.

You sighed and went back to your bed, sitting next to him. You put your hand on his shoulder and looked into his ember eyes. “I know you hate when I say this, but you should listen to your uncle. You know Iroh was right about everything.”

“Shut up, Y/n. Uncle was captured and therefore, not here, so we don’t listen to him anymore.” Azula’s bratty voice sounded from your room. You and Zuko looked to see Azula standing in your door way.

You glared at her. “Don’t talk about Iroh like that, Azula.”

She rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t know what I’m saying, it doesn’t matter.”

You frowned. “Why are you even here?”

Azula crossed her arms against her chest, leaning against the door frame. “Making sure you two are up and ready to train.”

“It’s like, 9 in the morning. Can’t we eat breakfast first?” You asked.

“Breakfast is for people who don’t catch the Avatar. C’mon, Zuzu, Mai wants to see you,” Azula smirked.

Zuko nodded and got up. “See you downstairs, Y/n.”

“See you,” you waved, watching him and Azula walk away.

You sighed in annoyance. You hated seeing Azula first thing in the morning, and hearing about Mai. Mai was one of her accomplices, more or less her friend. Mai had a huge crush on Zuko ever since she met him when you all were kids. She bothered you a little bit, but only because she always got in your and Zuko’s way. Always head butting into your guys’s conversations, climbing all over Zuko, flirting with him by giving him a death glare. It was the worst. You wish she would leave him alone, he was your friend long before her’s.

You got up, putting on a red, short-sleeved tank and black pants. You brushed out your hair, putting it up into a pony tail, brushing your teeth and washing your face before you went downstairs.

As you climbed down the stairs of the beach house, you saw Mai and Zuko on the couch, Mai cuddling close.

God, can she can any more obvious?

“Hello, Y/n,” Mai said in her lifeless, mono-toned voice.

“Hey,” you said dismissivley. You went over to the kitchen, getting yourself a glass of milk and some turtle-duck eggs.

You started making yourself some breakfast, feeling an evil presence behind you.

“May I help you?” You asked, not needing to look to know who it was.

“Stay away form Zuko,” Azula threatened.

“I'm his best friend, Azula. He asked me to come on this trip, so no,” you said.

“You will, Y/n. You will stop reminding him of our fat, depressed Uncle and stop flirting with him for Mai.”

You scoffed, not believing what she was saying. “First of all, Zuko doesn’t need to fall into the dark hole of loneliness and mommy and daddy issues like you have. Second of all, we do not flirt. He’s my friend and we make jokes, that’s what it’s like having a friend, Azula. I can tell you’ve never experienced it.”

Azula narrowed her eyes at you. “Iroh was a big distraction and now that he’s gone, Zuko can focus on the task at hand, but not with you spewing useless nonsense in his ears. And you and Zuko do flirt. Mai is feeling a little sad and jealous because of it.”

“Wow Mai has feelings? That's news to me,” you laughed.

Azula walked up to you, fire sitting in her hand. “You do what I say, Y/n.”

“Or what?” You challenged.

“Or I’ll make sure you lose you bender forever,” Azula spat.

Your eyes widened, but you kept your cool. “We’ll see about that.”

Azula gave you one lasting glare before turning on her heels to leave. You scoffed to yourself, shaking your head.

She is so in over her head. Iroh being a distraction? Us flirting? No way in hell.

You scrabbled your eggs, putting them on a plate and going back to the living room. You only saw Ty Lee there, brushing out her pretty, long hair.

“Hey, Ty Lee, where’s Zuko?” You asked.

“Zuko went on the beach to train with Mai. I think she’s gonna try to kiss him tonight,” Ty Lee said. Her eyes widened. “Oh, uh, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

You smiled softly, “No worries, I won’t mention anything to Mai. Thanks for letting me know.”

“Of course! You know, you should kiss Zuko instead of Mai,” Ty Lee said.

You furrowed your brows. “Isn’t Mai like your best friend? Shouldn’t you be telling me to stay away from him?”

Ty Lee shrugged. “I guess, but Mai and Zuko don’t look good together. You two do. You’ve always have.”

Her words made your heart flutter. You and Zuko? Being a couple?

No. That’s wrong.

You laughed off the discomfort you were feeling. “I appreciate it, but Zuko and I are just friends. I have no romantic feelings for him whatsoever.”

Ty Lee turned to you with a small smirk. “You sure?”

You nodded. “Yep. What makes you think otherwise?”

“Just the way you look at each other,” she said.

“What way do I look at him?” You asked intrigued.

“Like you’re secretly in love with him!”

You felt your face get warm and you looked away, hiding the blush that was coming onto your cheeks. “No, I look at him like he's my best friend and a dork, which he is.”

Ty Lee giggled, “Keep telling yourself that, Y/n. Just know that none of us believe that you two are just friends.”

Your eyes hardened at her. “Well, we are. I’m going down to the beach to train with them.”

“Have fun at staring at Zuko shirtless!” Ty Lee giggled.

You rolled your eyes, setting your plate and cup down to go outside. You spotted Mai and Zuko training, Zuko shooting fireballs at Mai. You smirked as you saw her lack a little, obviously being too focused on Zuko shirtless.

“Mind if I join?” You asked, strutting over.

Zuko looked to you, smiling widely. “Not at all. Go ahead and take a break, Mai.”

Mai frowned and look at you. She walked off, keeping a hardened stare at you. You smirked at her, walking over to replace her spot across from Zuko.

“Ready, hotman?” You giggled.

Zuko rolled his eyes. “Don’t call me that.”

“Sorry, no can do,” you said, throwing fire at him.

He dodged it easily, summersaulting and throwing fire your way. You ducked down, backflipping over to him and taking a hold of his arm, throwing him down.

You smirked, “You’re really bad, hotman.”

Zuko glared at you, “Oh, yeah? Watch this.”

He took ahold of your arm, spinning you around and throwing you. You landed against a rock, but you managed to hold your arms out to catch yourself. Zuko looked at you, worried.

“Are you okay?” “I’m okay,” you smiled. “Okay, good,” Zuko said before shooting fire your way.

You moved out of the way, dodging it my just a few millimetres.

“You’re gonna regret that!” You exclaimed, making a huge ball of fire in your hand, throwing it Zuko’s way.

Zuko slid under the fire, standing back up and throwing flame after flame. You dodged each attack expertly, throwing fire of your own at him. You eventually got to where you were only a few feet away from him. You ran up, getting ready to jump up and pin him down, but Zuko was already one step ahead of you. He threw fire at you, making you lose your balance from trying to jump over it, allowing Zuko to take ahold of your wrists, pinning you down in the sand.

You let out an ‘oof’, looking up at Zuko’s face. You couldn’t help but stare. His forehead was lined with sweat, a triumphant and sexy smile overtaking his lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his chest heaving from trying to calm down.

Wow, he looks… so good. Damn, has he always had abs? Broad shoulders? When has his lips ever looked this soft?

“You okay?” Zuko’s raspy voice made your eyes snap up from his chest to his eyes. His eyes were bright gold, his pupils dilated at he looked deeply into your e/c eyes.

“Y-Yeah I just…” your voice trailed off. You struggled to find an excuse as to why you were looking at his body. “I um… was just wondering when you were going to let me go.”

Zuko’s eyes widened and he broke out of the trance he was in. He got off of you, his hands letting go of your wrists.

“Right, sorry,” he said.

“No problem. That was good, though. Aang definitely has no chance,” you smiled.

“I thought you were against my mission,” Zuko said.

You shrugged, getting up. “Well, I am, but you asked me to be here for support so I'm gonna support you, even though I think it’s wrong.”

Zukos smiled gratefully. “Thank you. That means a lot, Y/n/n.”

You blushed at your nickname, shrugging sheepishly. “No problem. Wanna go swim to cool off?”

“Yeah,” Zuko smiled.

“Great!” You smiled back. You two went back into the house, changing into your swim wear.

You put on a pink bikini top and a mid-waist pink bottom. You brushed out your hair, leaving it down. You went outside and to the more public part of the beach, finding Zuko, Mai, and Ty Lee there.

“Hi, Y/n! Oh, I love the pink! It suits you well,” Ty Lee grinned.

You smiled. “Thank you, Ty Lee. I think white looks great on you as well.”

“Thank you,” Ty Lee smiled. “Zuko, how do you think Y/n looks?” Ty Lee nudged the boy who was looking at the sand.

He looked up to you, his eyes widening. The last time he saw you in a swimsuit was when you two were 10, and you were in a modest one piece. He looked over you in your bikini, being surprised at how your body developed.

Wow, she looks… beautiful, he thought.

You noticed his stare, blushing and putting your hands behind your back sheepishly.

“Zuko?” Ty Lee nudged him again.

Zuko’s averted his eyes from your’s, blushing profusely. “You look… good.”

You smiled. “Thank you. Training really has helped.”

“I hear ya!” Ty Lee smiled. “Let’s go in the ocean!”

You nodded, feeling eyes on you. You turned around to see Azula and Mai staring daggers at you. You rolled your eyes, turning back to Ty Lee who was already in the water.

“This is going to be cold,” Zuko grumbled.

You turned to him, smiling. “C’mon, Zu, it’ll be fine.”

Zuko frowned, “I think I’m just gonna stay back and drink lemonade.”

You pouted, “Zuko! This is your time to relax! C’mon, please?”

Zuko looked at your puppy dog eyes and quivering lip, sighing in defeat.

“Fine.” You jumped up and down on the balls on your feet, clapping your hands in excitement. You took his hand, leading him into the water. Your stomach did cartwheels as he intertwined your fingers.

Why am I feeling like this? Pull it together, Y/n, he’s your best friend.

You ran into the water, chills immediately running up your spine. You walked until the water was up to the bottom of your chest. You sat down in the sand, the water then reaching up almost to your neck. You looked to Zuko who was playing with the wet sand.

“See? Not so bad,” you said.

“I guess,” Zuko shrugged with a small smile on his face.

You two sat in silence until Zuko splashed water at you.

“Really? We’re doing this right now?” You chuckled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Zuko avoided eye contact, then splashed at you again.

You stood up, splash a big wave at him.

“You’re gonna regret that,” Zuko playfully glared at you.

You giggled, running away from him. Zuko kept splashing water at you, you turning around to splash him back.

“Your splashes are bigger than mine. Stop!” Zuko whined.

You smirked. “Make me.”

Zuko ran over to you, trying to catch you. You ran away from him, managing to trip over a rock. You landed on the sand, the water going up all the way to your neck. Zuko came at you and you started to splash water at him, only for him to grab your wrists roughly.

Your innocent eyes looked up at his, the feeling of him holding your wrists making your heart drop.

“Can’t splash me now,” Zuko said lowly.

You blushed a little, trying to fight against his hold. You kicked his leg and Zuko went onto his knees in-between your legs, trying to keep his hold on your wrists, but failing. You ended up pinning him down in the water, your legs moving to straddle his waist.

“I can splash you now,” you smirked.

You took one hand off his shoulder, reaching down to the water, but Zuko grabbed your wrist again. He looked up into your eyes, his eyes dark dispite the glaring sun.

You felt yourself lean closer to him, your eyes dragging themselves down his face to his lips.

They look so soft... so kissable.

Your eyes flickered back up to his ember eyes, seeing him doing the same motion you had just done. As your mouths were a few militers from each other, a voice interrupted you two.

You pulled away, looking back to see Ty Lee calling you two over.

You looked back to Zuko, noticing his face was a bright red. You got off of him in silence, running back to the shore, not bothering to wait for Zuko.

“Hey, what were you two doing over there?” Ty Lee asked.

“Just wresting,” you said quickly.

“Didn’t look like wresting. It looked like you two were about to ki-"

“No, Ty Lee!” You cut your friend off. “We did not kiss, we will never kiss. He is my best friend and that’s all he ever will be!”

Ty Lee’s eyes went wide. “Sorry, Y/n.”

You sighed, running your fingers through your wet hair. “It.... It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean any harm. I’m sorry for yelling.”

Ty Lee nodded, offering you a forgiving smile. “Well, it’s dinnertime. Are you hungry.”

“Yeah,” you nodded.

“Great! Let’s go!” Ty Lee exclaimed.

You nodded, following her back to the beach house.

Meanwhile, Zuko stood on the beach, lips in a frown. He had heard your outburst about you two only being friends.

“See, Zuko, she doesn’t like you like that,” Azula said.

“I... I thought she did,” Zuko said.

“Well, you know who does like you?” Azula smirked.

“Who?”

Azula rolled her eyes. “Are you blind? Mai.”

“Oh,” was all Zuko said.

“And I know you have some feelings for Mai. Just forget about Y/n, Mai is so much better.”

Not really. Was what Zuko thought.

“Alright, yeah,” but those were the words that he said.

“Let’s go, big brother. Mai is waiting,” Azula said.

Zuko nodded, walking back to the beach house.

Dinner was awkward. You and Zuko usually were always talking, but the only words you said to each other were “can you pass the rice”.“yeah”. It was awkward to say the least. After dinner was even more awkward.

You all were in the living room, talking amongst yourselves. Well, all of them except you. You were sitting in a chair by yourself, watching Mai flirt with Zuko, and Zuko looking like he was enjoying it.

What does he see in her anyways?

You sighed, taking a sip of your tea. You put your head on the arm rest, not being able to stop thinking about the beach.

How close you and Zuko were. How a million of butterflies were fluttering in your heart and stomach. How your head was a little dizzy and how you were leaning towards Zuko with no hesitation. How you two almost kissed.

You didn’t know what you would’ve done if you two had kissed. You were glad that you were interrupted, but a little part of you deep down knew that you wished you did kiss him. To feel his soft lips on your’s. His hands going over to your waist, holding you closer.

You shook your head. There was no way you two would ever do that, or could. Especially since Zuko seemed perfectly smitten with Mai.

“You know, you could make your move now. Right before Mai snatches him,” Ty Lee said, noticing you looking at Zuko longingly.

You shrugged. “Nah, it’s fine. I don’t want to make a move anyways.”

Ty Lee frowned and sat in front of you. “Y/n, we all know you’re in love with him, and that’s okay. Just tell him, I’m sure he feels the same.”

You groaned. “I’m not in love! He’s just my friend!”

The outburst had the whole room quiet. You looked at Zuko, who had a frown on his face, and Mai who had a smirk in her’s. You grimaced, getting out of your seat.

“I’m going to bed. Screw this,” you muttered before stomping away.

“Looks like Little Miss Perfect is jealous,” Mai smirked.

Zuko looked at your retreating figure worringly.

“I... I’m gonna go and make sure she’s okay,”

“What! Zuko!” Mai exclaimed as he got up and followed you to your room.

Once he got to your room, he saw you on your bed, sniffling.

“Hey, you okay?” Zuko asked softly.

You looked up, wiping the tears off your face. “Yeah.”

“Can I sit down?” Zuko asked.

You nodded, watching as he took a seat next to you.

“Wanna talk about it?” Zuko asked.

You sighed. “It’s just so annoying.”

“What is?”

“Mai.”

Zuko furrowed his brows. “Why?”

You chuckled. “You don’t notice how she is all over you? And follows you around like some love-sick polar-bear dog? It’s pathetic.”

“Well, at least she shows interest in me,” Zuko argued.

“Yeah, but she’s not the right girl for you,” you said.

“Then who is?” Zuko asked. You shrugged. “I dunno. Just not her.”

Zuko huffed. “Well, I think Mai is a good girl.” You scoffed. “Alright, Zuko, if that’s what you think.”

“Why are you so mean towards her?”

You glared at him. “Because, she literally interrupts everything! She holds the most stupid grudges, and she just can’t wait to steal you away from me!”

Zuko frowned, “I don’t belong you, Y/n.”

You groaned. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?” Zuko challenged, looking you in the eye.

You got up, feeling awkward. “I don’t know.”

Zuko got up with you. “Do you like me, Y/n?”

Your eyes widened. “What?”

“Do you like me? Like the way Mai does?”

“I... I don’t know.”

“Why? Why don’t you know?”

You groaned, “I don’t know!”

“I think you do, Y/n. You’ve been sending mixed singals to me all day!” Zuko exclaimed. “What do you care? You’re in love with Mai!” You shouted.

“I’m not!” Zuko exclaimed.

“Yeah, you are,” you chuckled sourly.

“Even if I was, why do you care?”

“Because I’m in love with you, you idiot!” You yelled.

Your eyes widened and you slapped your hand over your mouth.

Oh. Shit.

Zuko’s eyes widened as well, but quickly turned soft and a smile grew on his face. “You do?”

You looked up at him. “Yeah... I... I guess I do.”

“Good.”

“Why is that good? You like Mai,” you said.

Zuko moved close to you, slipping his hand into yours. “I don’t. She’s nice and all, but you’re right, she’s not the girl for me. You are.”

You smiled a little. “Really?”

Zuko nodded. “Really?”

“Oh... wow,” you said.

“Yeah, wow,” Zuko grinned.

You felt his arm snake around your waist, your eyes flickering down to his lips and up to his eyes again. You leaned in, your eyes fluttering shut. Your lips met his and your heart exploded.

Damn. This is fucking amazing.

————

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flameo-firelord-hotman · 3 years

Text

Part 3

Pairing: Zuko x Fem!Reader

Genre: angst

Warnings: panic attack

Words: 1.5k

Summary: to everyone she knew, [y/n] was a peasant, destined to be a servant just like her parents. To Zuko, however, she was his best friend. After losing his agni kai and being exiled, [y/n] was devastated. She thought she would never see him again. Three years later, she almost wished he never came back.

A/N: wasn’t quite sure how to write this part, and I’m not sure how I feel about it...but I’m just gonna post it anyway :)

Part 2 <- Part 3 -> Part 4

Series | Masterlist

This dark, dusty hallway seems to never end. It feels like I've been wandering for hours, yet it feels like no time has passed. It feels familiar, like a fragment of a memory, yet it feels fabricated. It feels like a lot of things, but I feel…nothing. It's so surreal, yet so natural.

I watch myself from above. My body is floating, light as a feather. Am I spirit? No. How do I know? I don't. But I can see myself right there, standing on the floor next to my friend. I think it's him. His face is a blur, but I can see just enough to be sure.

We're talking. Nothing being said makes sense, yet it all makes sense. He's getting closer to me. Now I feel something, an urge, a whim. He's leaning in, closer and closer, and…

[Y/n]’s eyes fluttered open. She was curled up under the covers of one of the guest room beds. It must have been late morning, because the sun was peaking brightly between the curtains.

For a second, everything was okay. Then, she frowned upon realizing what just happened. Kissing Zuko, what a dream. Really, it could never be a reality. Last night, when they got to the beach, him and Mai made up and got back together. They even kissed right in front of [y/n]. It hurt to watch.

Fortunately for her, they were returning home today. [Y/n] could forget about this trip and go back to living her normal, boring life, something she never thought she would miss. As she packed her bag, she once again thought of that moment from last night. The memory was burned into her brain. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, it kept coming back. And every time, she wondered if what she saw was real. She sure wished it was.

Even if he really did, he could’ve been acting in the heat of the moment. He probably would’ve regretted it afterward. Yeah...why would he kiss his best friend? And a commoner at that? And while he clearly still has feelings for Mai? That would be ridiculous.

[One week later]

Knock, knock, knock.

[Y/n] propped herself up on her elbows and wiped her groggy eyes. It wasn’t unusual to have visitors—her family and neighbors often did favors for each other—but it was rather early in the day for one.

“Just a second!” [Y/n] called out. She tossed the covers aside, quickly threw on a robe and put her hair up in a messy bun.

Damn, I was really hoping to sleep in today. I hope it’s not someone important.

She opened the door.

“Hello, [y/n]!” A teenaged boy in a regal tunic with a scar on his face stood before her. He smiled brightly and waved his hand. [Y/n] felt her heart skip a beat.

“Oh! Um, hi, Zuko,” she replied.

“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” Zuko chirped, “I thought we could hang out today, if you want. Your mom told me you have the day off.”

He wants to spend time with me? Just us? [Y/n] was delighted by the opportunity. Then, reality set in: Zuko was still dating Mai and only saw her as a friend. She couldn’t hold his hand, she couldn’t cuddle with him, she couldn’t kiss him, she couldn’t be with him the way she wanted. Clearly, [y/n] hadn't gotten over her crush. If she was going to continue being his friend, she would need to do so. She needed to give herself space.

“Um, I'd like to," [y/n] said slowly, "but...I don’t feel well today.” She placed a hand on her stomach to feign illness. The fact that she had just rolled out of bed helped her cause.

Zuko’s cheerful face morphed to one of sadness. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. Is there anything you need? I could bring you medicine or food.”

[Y/n] shook her head. “No, thanks. I have everything I need.”

“How about I brew you some tea?”

“Er, no, it’s fine. I just need rest.” She scratched the back of her neck nervously.

“Okay. Well, I hope you feel better,” Zuko said earnestly.

“Thanks. Maybe another time,” [y/n] said.

“Yeah.” He trailed off, nodding slowly as he backed away from her apartment. They said their goodbyes and waved to each other. [Y/n] closed the door and leaned against it. She dropped her head into her hands. Already, she regretted her decision. She wanted nothing more than to be with Zuko, even though she knew it would cause her heart to ache.

Why do I have to have a crush on him? Why can't I go back to liking him as a friend? I don't want these feelings. I just want our friendship, I just want what we had three years ago. I don't even know if I can be his friend anymore. It's ruining us. I just lied to him too. It was a stupid lie, but still, what kind of friend does that? Why couldn't I just say no? I’m so pathetic.

A few days had passed since then. Zuko didn't reach out to [y/n], and she didn't reach out to him. Once again, she was back to her day-to-day routine of things…somewhat. There was one day when all the residents on the main land had to be evacuated. [Y/n]'s mother said it was because Firelord Ozai was preparing for an attack during an eclipse, which would weaken our people.

When they returned, they saw the damage. The city's harbor had taken a serious beating, but the palace appeared to be okay. [Y/n]'s parents were quite relieved to know that they wouldn't have any extra work for themselves.

The day after they returned, [y/n] walked into the kitchen to eat breakfast. She saw a messenger hawk sitting on her window sill. Had Zuko finally reached out to her? She hesitantly untied the letter from the bird's leg and read it.

To: [Y/n] Summons Notice to Appear Your presence is required by his majesty Firelord Ozai immediately. Failure to appear in one (1) week will result in criminal charges against you and your family. From: Chief Advisor Xin

A bolt of fear struck [y/n]'s body. She froze. She backtracked the past several days and weeks, trying to think of what she could’ve done to warrant a summons. Nothing came to mind. Then, she wondered if her parents were involved in something treacherous. She couldn’t imagine them doing such a thing...perhaps they were being wrongly accused of a crime. Perhaps she was being wrongly accused of a crime. Her mind jumped to conclusions as rapidly as her heart was beating.

Finally, [y/n] broke free of her paralysis and fumbled for her things. She hastily headed to the palace. Breakfast could definitely wait. On the way, over and over, she begged and prayed to the spirits for her and her family’s safety.

At the palace, [y/n] approached the guards at the gate and presented the summons with shaky hands. They nodded, and one of them escorted her to the throne room. The guard slipped inside to announce her presence to Firelord Ozai. Meanwhile, she waited outside for permission to enter.

This would be her first time being in the presence of the Firelord, let alone talking to him. She was terrified to say the least. [Y/n]’s mom told her all kinds of stories about how scary he was. From the paintings she had seen before, his looks alone were intimidating. Her heart raced faster with every second she waited. Sweat coated her forehead and palms.

The guard returned, making [y/n] nearly jump out of her skin. He gestured for her to enter. And so she did.

The first thing [y/n] noticed was how warm the throne room was. It was massive and wide open with tall, ornate pillars outlining an aisle running down the middle. Straight ahead was the throne, where Firelord Ozai sat surrounded by large, hot, dancing flames. He wore a severe expression, looking just like he did in all those paintings. On his left sat a girl: Princess Azula. The seat on his right was empty.

Where’s Zuko? [Y/n] wondered, but only for a fraction of a second. That didn’t matter right now. She gulped nervously and approached the throne.

“F-Firelord Ozai. Princess Azula,” she shakily dropped to her knees and bowed. She had never felt so small before. “I received your message and came as soon as I could.”

“Why don’t I take this one, father?” [Y/n] gingerly peaked up to see Ozai quietly nodding to Azula. The princess rose from her seat and walked to [y/n]. [Y/n] slowly straightened up.

“Don’t be scared, [y/n]. We just want to ask you a few questions.” Azula patronized her.

“Have you seen or spoken to Zuko recently?” Azula inquired, pacing back and forth. Her heels clacked against the marble floor.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“A few days ago.”

She stopped and turned on her heels to further interrogate [y/n]. “What did you two talk about?”

[Y/n] nervously explained what happened when Zuko stopped by the other day. Azula sighed dramatically and pinched her nose.

After a long, suspenseful silence, [y/n] daringly asked, “Princess Azula...do you mind if I ask what this is about?”

Azula glanced at her with the side of her eye. "Well, since you asked, my dear brother, Zuko…he's been missing the since the attack."

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#zuko x reader #zuko #atla #zuko imagine #y’all I had this in my drafts as ‘part 4’ and didn’t notice until tonight #like right before I posted it #ffh writes

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kdinthecity · 4 years

Text

Love Amongst the Turtleducks

@zutaraweek for Day 1: Reunion. This will be an ongoing story of how Katara thinks Zuko needs a pet. The naming of the turtleducks as characters from Love Amongst the Dragons comes from one of my favorite fanfics, Not Stalking Zuko by @emletish-fish. The Blue Wolf and Dr. Yang also belong to her. Cross-posted on Ao3.

Katara arrived on the Capital island earlier than she expected. The Southern Water Tribe had procured an air ship in their recent trade dealings with the Fire Nation. Katara wasn’t sure who was more excited about the acquisition—her brother or her father. Neither of them were excited to send Katara off in the Iron Wolf’s maiden voyage, though.

Does the Fire Nation name its vessels after animals like we do, she wondered. Her father’s boat was dubbed The Blue Wolf which was also his not-so-coincidental nickname during the war. Sokka followed suit and named his first canoe The Gray Wolf. Points for creativity were apparently not needed to win this particular badge of manhood.

Maybe we just name things after wolves, she pondered. An air ship would be more aptly named something like Eagle Hawk or Buzzard Wasp. No one asked her, though, and she didn’t really care—as long as it got her there.

Traveling by air ship was much faster than by boat. It was even arguably faster than a flying bison, although she would never admit that to Aang. Appa wasn’t just a mode of transportation anyway.

She pushed away thoughts of her recent breakup with Aang. We’re not breaking up, just taking a break, she told herself. But those were his words, said a small voice inside her head. In the wake of their breakup—no, break—she planned to travel the world and study the nations’ different approaches to healing. So far, she hadn’t missed coddling Aang’s feelings or catering to his every whim.

She did miss Appa, though, which was probably pretty telling. Perhaps it was the unfettered companionship that she missed. She’d embarked on this journey alone, but was comforted in knowing she would see many friends along the way.

Where is Zuko anyway?

She’d arrived just after sunrise, unpacked her things in the guest villa, and checked in with Dr. Yang, her mentor during her stay. Her medical training wouldn’t begin until tomorrow, so for now she just wandered the palace grounds aimlessly. Zuko was undoubtedly very busy doing Fire Lord things, but she still hoped to see him today.

It was probably pretty telling how much she missed him. She craved the letters they exchanged—detailed and lengthy, yet never the same as seeing him in person. She allowed herself to admit that she couldn’t wait and then pushed these thoughts away, too. It was best not to complicate things.

The palace courtyard was beautiful. Flowers bloomed along paved pathways, their fragrance catching on the morning breeze. Bumbleflies buzzed between the buds, and the melody of birdsong encouraged a skip in her step. There was only one thing missing, but soon, Katara felt it. She drew water from the pond and settled into the first stance of a waterbending routine.

“What are you doing?”

She’d recognize that rasp anywhere. She’d been expecting him, even. But he still somehow caught her off guard. The only natural response was to splash him… for old time’s sake.

Soaking wet and scowling, Zuko didn’t offer any return greeting. “Katara! You can’t waterbend the pond! What about the turtleducks?”

She gaped at him. The what?

“I didn’t see any turtleducks,” she said, bending the water out of his clothes and back into an empty turtleduck-free pond.

Panic overtook the Fire Lord’s features. “Oh no! Where are they? Did you scare them away?”

He started frantically pacing around the courtyard. At one point, he removed the outer robe of his Fire Lord regalia and wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow. The search was getting serious.

Katara squinted at the midmorning sun. The breeze was gone. She’d forgotten how warm it was in the Fire Nation. She’d forgotten what a turtleduck looked like, too, but she couldn’t just stand there and not help. She got down on all fours to look under a bush, a likely hiding place.

“Zara!” Zuko called out, cupping his hands to his mouth. “Zali!”

Katara sat up straight and watched him with interest.

“Kizu! Tian!” he continued.

She quirked a brow. “You named your pets after Love Amongst the Dragons?”

“Turtleducks are not pets!” he protested. “And since when are you versed in Fire Nation theater?”

Had he always been this grumpy in person? This wasn’t how she envisioned their reunion.

“Ember Island, remember? You used to read it to Toph?” She didn’t mention that she’d read the script herself… a few times since then. She’d drop an occasional reference in their letters, hoping he’d notice. Apparently he didn’t.

“Oh. Right.” He softened. “I forgot about that.”

Katara crawled toward a faint quacking sound coming from behind a rock. “I think I found them.”

“Really?” A smile spread across his face, followed by a sigh of relief. Something inside her squirmed at the sight.

Once the ducks were swimming happily in their pond, Zuko and Katara settled underneath a nearby tree. He pulled breadcrumbs from his pocket and idly tossed them in the water. A chorus of quacks came as thanks.

“It’s OK to have turtleducks as pets,” Katara said softly, wondering if he always had breadcrumbs in his pocket for this purpose.

“These are just… ornamental,” he replied unconvincingly. “Pets are for children.”

True, they weren’t children anymore. Five years had passed since the war’s end.

“But Aang has Appa,” Katara offered.

“Appa is a spirit guide. That’s different.”

“King Kuei has Bosco.”

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don’t want to be known as the world leader who talks to turtleducks. Next thing you know, we’ll be throwing a party in their honor.”

Katara smirked. “It would be fitting. You’re so obsessed with honor.”

“Don’t remind me,” he groaned.

A baby turtleduck waddled out of the pond and nudged Zuko’s hand. Without hesitation, he lifted the little guy to his shoulder. Katara sensed something in his tone—something deeper than sadness. Maybe he felt… alone?

“Hey Zuko?” She leaned into him, trying to pour understanding into the gesture.

“Yeah?”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

Katara reached over to give her friend an awkward-sitting-side-hug. Mama turtleduck scrambled ashore and snapped at her.

Katara flinched, but Zuko squeezed her tightly in response. “Don’t worry, Katara. That’s what moms are like. If you mess with their babies, they’re gonna bite you back.”

She shuddered under his touch, remembering their shared loss.

He pulled away suddenly, coaxed the baby turtleduck back into the water, and gently pat the mother’s head. “Don’t worry, Zali. Katara is a friend.”

She wanted to be more, she realized. But that would be… complicated.

#zutara #Zutara week #zutara week 2020

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bellatrixobsessed1 · 3 years

Text

From Chin To Yon Rah (Part 26)

She wonders why it is that a night of great joy and serenity is always followed by one of anger or depressive overtones. The greater the fun, the deeper the sorrow. Perhaps fortune works in staima and she is fast to burn through it. Perhaps she needs to tread more carefully; make her wonderful days less wonderful so that her dismal days can be more bearable.

This time it is a greater, more profound sense of loneliness in the wake of so much and so pleasant company. That clatter of silverware is replaced by a clatter of items when the ship bobs the wrong way. The sound of pipa music and Hao-Bai’s humming has been replaced by the sound of ship boards creaking and the lively banter is replaced by the crashing of waves.

Azula feels like she will go mad; alone with her thoughts and with nothing to keep her entertained. Her days have grown as agonizingly monotonous as the scenery; blue sky and blue water, each wave the same as the next. There is nothing to watch, every now and then she sees a fin or two but they are never there long enough to cut through the boredom. At any rate, she doesn’t like staring at the open water for extended periods of time. It is too yawing, too expansive, too unclear and unpredictable. She no longer knows if she is talking about the sea or her own future once she leaves the ocean’s grasp.

She spends most of her days in her cabin, hands clasped over her belly, head propped up, and staring at the ceiling. Every now and then her cabinmate will pop in. The girl is just as quiet and private as she. Mostly they just exist in the same space.

Every now and then the girl will greet her with a good morning and Azula will nod. Rarely they exchange words and when they do it is mostly during bouts of bad weather when the ship seems fragile. When conversation with a stranger is less daunting than whatever is raging on deck.

Today she is alone with her thoughts. Unsurprisingly, that is worse than the storm.

Today she can’t bring herself to get up and get breakfast. Today she regrets having survived. There were plenty of good people in Wujing, people who have never hurt a soul and never would have. She is not one of them. Perhaps she is alive because she is a bad person; she thinks that the world has been made for bad people. That most of the time good people don’t last--they are too pure for the sick games and evils of the world.

She drapes her arm over her eyes. She wishes that Hajime were here to convince her otherwise. She rolls onto her side and curls herself up. She wishes that she were a good person so she could be with them.

She wishes that she could think well of herself on her own. Deep down she thinks that she knows that she isn’t so horrible as she sometimes feels. But right now she can only seem to think on the surface level. She is so terribly tired.

That day she learns to savor the unexpected.

.oOo.

He should be used to her shifting moods by now, used to the bouts of self-doubt and uncertainty. Granted she has been handling things quite well up until this point. He is almost certain that she has been hiding the tempest within for the sake of Caihong.

She’s a hyper child, prone to rude and blunt remarks but she is a good kid. TyLee adores the girl and Mai keeps her distance. Azula often carries her around on her shoulders.Even so, he can tell that a part of her breaks away each time the girl shouts ‘Rikka’ instead of ‘Azula’ or ‘princess.’

He is certain that that is only a small fragment of her distress. He watches her tuck Caihong in again. The only person who finds it harder to grow accustomed to than he is Zuko. She has been tucking the girl in for only three days now, so he supposes that he hasn’t exactly had enough time to get used to it.

She brushes Caihong’s hair back and tucks the badgermole under her arm. And when she turns around he can see that she is thoroughly exhausted.

“What’s wrong?”

He watches the wheels turn in her mind before she finally answers, “me. There’s something wrong with me.”

Sokka furrows his brows, “Azula, what are you talking about?”

She leads him out of the room and closes the door behind her. Leaning heavily against it, she replies. “Why can’t I just be a good person?”

His expression only becomes that much more quizzical--she has been nothing but delicate and loving with the child.

“You just saved Caihong from a slave trader. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s a really good thing.” He can’t help but wonder if Hajime had ever had to have this talk with her. “You’ve been…”

“I was going to kill him, Sokka. He’s only alive because Caihong was watching.”

“Well maybe he deserved to die.” Sokka shrugs.

“What?”

“He sells and trades children. What kind of person does that.”

Azula shrugs. “What kind of person kidnaps children and tries to kill their own mother?” “The kind of person who is raised on war and hurting on the inside?” He shrugs.

.oOo.

And that’s just the problem. She has been raised on war and she can’t shake what it has warped her into. It’s always there and itching for a chance to come out. And, spirits, if that man hadn’t given it a reason to come out.

“I can’t get rid of it, Sokka.” She isn’t staring at him but rather at the floor.

“What can’t you get rid of?”

She rubs her lips together as she tries to piece together exactly what she wants to be rid of. At first she thinks that it is anger or hatred, but she isn’t angry anymore. She is only sad. Sad and haunted. “I don’t want to be a soldier anymore.” She loves the battle but she doesn’t want to fight. She doesn’t want to love the battle. She doesn’t want to be at war with her own mind anymore either.

Sokka wraps his arms around her. “Are you a soldier or a guardian? There’s a difference between a soldier and a guardian, Azula.”

“And what’s that?” she murmurs.

“A soldier fights for glory and pride--sometimes to protect people they love--with a guardian it’s pure love.”

“I’m not a loving person…”

She has never seen the man look so skeptical. “Do you even pay attention to how you interact with Caihong?”

She nods.

“You’re a loving person.” He swears. “You just have your own, prickly way of doing it.” He gives her a small squeeze.

“That doesn’t mean that I’m…” She gestures to her head, “that there isn’t something wrong with me. It doesn’t mean that I’m not fully capable of killing someone.”

“But it does mean that you have people that you love enough to kill for.”

“I wanted him to suffer.” And she is certain that she would want the man who’d killed Hajime and Atsu to suffer as well. The anger might have faded but the hatred is still there. There and waiting to flare up once more. There and thrice as deadly as the anger.

He holds his silence for a very long time. Long enough for her to begin to speculate that he is disgusted with her and is trying to find a way to put it diplomatically. “I killed someone before.”

She furrows her brows. “What?”

“I killed someone before. Your brother sent an assassin after us--he could explode things with his mind. He almost killed Katara so I threw my boomerang at him and…” He cringes. “I guess I hit the right spot at the wrong time. He...uh...he ended up exploding himself.” He stops messaging her arms. “Do you think that I’m an evil person?”

She shakes her head. “You did what you had to do.”

He spins her around to face him and carefully tilts her chin up. “Then why are you evil for doing what you have to do?”

“I…” she trails off. She doesn’t think herself to be an illogical person. So exactly how can she refute logic that is quite impeccable. “I didn’t have to kill him…”

“So you didn’t. It doesn’t matter if you wanted to, you decided not to.” He pauses again. “Katara wanted to kill…” for some reason he chuckles. “She wanted to kill a man named Yon Rah.”

Azula can’t help but roll her eyes.

“He killed our mom and so she almost killed him. Do you think that Katara is…”

“No, Sokka. She’s not a bad person.” Frankly, next to TyLee, she has to be one of the most morally sound of the bunch.

He squeezes her hands. “Neither are you. You’re more like us than your father or Zhao or any of them.”

“I could have been.” She mutters.

“But you aren’t. And you’ve had a whole lot of chances to be like them.” He ruffles her hair. “Can you stop calling yourself a bad person now?”

Azula sighs, “for now.” Until her demons return to tussle with her another day. Until the pieces in her mind align the wrong way again. But for the time being, his logic makes sense. For the time being, it is rather obvious that she is, at the very least, a decent person. “Good night, Sokka.” She places her hand on the doorknob.

He smiles, “good night.” He accents his words with a small kiss and another hand squeeze.

She turns the knob and makes herself comfortable next to Caihong. The girl grumbles something and scootches closer, bunching her little fists around the fabric of Azula’s robe. She isn’t a bad person. A bad person would have left the girl to her fate. A bad person would have never talked to the child at all.

Sometimes she needs reminders. Sometimes she needs to be fought with to be reminded. Most of the time, the reminders last for a good long while.

#Avatar The Last Airbender #Azula #Sokka #Sokkla #Fanfiction

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hexx-bunny · 3 years

Text

if you keep moving, you will come to a better place

zukka, abo, omega!Zuko, alpha!Sokka, slow burn When Zuko presented as an Omega, he knew Ozai would find the worst possible way to get rid of him. He is to be married off to anyone who wins a stupid tournament. Zuko has other plans though, which include escaping and living his life however he wants. But it proves harder than expected. Cue Sokka enters his life, a non-bending Alpha unlike any he ever met. A marriage that may or not happen. And a long, weird roadtrip that shows Zuko the rest of the world is not as cruel as his Father made him believe.

AO3

Chapter 1:

Zuko was ten when he presented. Earlier than expected, and worse than anyone could predict. He still remembered those days vividly. After a visit to the doctor, he was scolted back to his rooms, which he was forbidden to leave. Nobody would look at him. The guards, usually gentle sometimes, avoided him. He could hear his mom and dad screaming at each other from the other side of the Royal Wing. Was he sick? Was he going to die? He didn’t feel like he was dying. He just felt alone, and scared.

When the door finally opened he almost jumped from the bed, waiting to see Uncle Iroh. His uncle never lied to him. But Azula waltzed in with a smile that never brought anything good.

“Guess what I just found out, Zuzu~”

“Go away, Azula. I’m not in the mood.”

Since their last presentation of Firebending progress to their grandfather, she’d been more smug than usual. Azula ignored him, tapping a finger to her lips as she studied him. She knew how to press his buttons.

“What?!” Zuko snapped.

“Hm… nothing. Just, I thought Omegas were prettier. But you still look the same.”

The boy’s heart froze.

Omega. Omega?

“You think it’ll make it harder to marry you off?” she continued, “Since, you know, that’s all you are good for now. Maybe they’ll give you to some old, gross man. Actually, I’m kinda sad. I really wanted to keep seeing you embarrass yourself in front of grandfather, but Omegas aren’t allowed to Firebend and all,” Azula chuckled, “At least it explains why you are so bad at it. Omegas are just… not made for that stu- Hey! I’m not done, come back!”

But Zuko wasn’t listening anymore, he was running before he noticed. Omega. He was an omega. Dad may not like him very much but he wouldn’t… he couldn’t right? Ursa and Ozai’s screams were too close, and before the guards could stop him, Zuko was opening their door.

“Dad!” he cried. He was an Omega. He was crying. He felt like the smallest thing in the world, yet he gathered all his courage for that moment. Zuko’s tiny fingers grabbed the red robes of his dad, his mom was trying to pull him away but he refused to budge, Dad, please! I- I don’t care that I’m just an omega, I promise I’ll try harder. I’ll get better! I’ll… I’ll train more, and master Bending, please, please don’t give me to an old man. Please, I pro-”

That part he remembered in flashes: Ozai’s pure look of disgust. His hand moving. Zuko braced for a slap. The heat, the unforgiving heat, he didn’t expect. It burned. It burned. It burned. Something smelled bad. The bright light died, and as everything went black, he heard his mom crying.

“Look at what you’ve done,” was the first thing Ozai spat when he woke up. The pain almost made it hard to hear. Actually it… was kinda hard to hear. Why was his face covered up? What had happened? “Do you know how hard it’ll be to find you a mate now? Nobody wants a weak, scarred Omega.”

Ozai didn’t visit him again. Neither did Azula. Those days were spent in silence, in pain, Ursa cradling his body. Zuko wondered which of them was shaking.

He had ten years, still Zuko never got fully used to the scar. The way people turned their faces when they saw it was maybe part of the problem. He knew what they whispered about him, about how ugly it was, nobody would want a mate like that. Any partner he managed to find would certainly be just after his position. Correction: any partner his Father managed to find.

Zuko guessed he would find out in a few hours.

He stared at his reflection. Maids and servants only prepared married Omegas, Prince or not he was supposed to get ready by himself. It didn’t look so bad. His long dark hair half secured on a high ponytail with the Fire Nation symbol. The red robes also fitted him well, even though they were a pain in the ass to walk in. Zuko would gladly kill whoever had decided Omegas needed to wear so many layers of clothing. The most important part, the makeup, was missing. He didn’t exactly despise that part, but he despised how the paint would only bring more attention to his scar. He had angrily scrubbed it all off, better to endure his Father’s anger for one more day than to be mocked for walking around like a half-painted clown.

Mothers were allowed to help their unmarried Omega kids. Ursa probably would’ve managed to paint him well, she would’ve looked over his shoulder to their reflection and said Zuko looked beautiful. But she was gone.

Zuko let his fingers touch the golden earrings. They used to belong to her. That was when the door finally opened.

Uncle Iroh gave him a half-hearted smile.

“Are you ready?”

He had been the only person Zuko could count on for a decade. When he was banished from learning Firebending for being an Omega, Uncle Iroh would sneak him out of the palace late at night and teach him. When Zuko was prohibited from fighting, Uncle Iroh gave him double swords as a secret birthday gift and taught him how to master them. And when Zuko told him he was going to run away after today’s celebrations, it was Uncle Iroh who hugged him tightly and promised to help. Even though it would break his heart, Uncle Iroh always helped.

Zuko often thought his Uncle was probably the only decent Alpha in the world.

“Yes.”

Here is how an ideal life for an Omega would take place in the Palace: they would learn just enough to manage a household and attract a mate. After sixteen, Betas and Alphas would start courting them. By eighteen, it was normal to be married off to a mate that could bring status to the Omega’s family.

Here is what Ozai decided: Zuko would learn enough to manage a household. Nobody wanted to court him, he was too damaged, too much of a black sheep. Instead of marrying him to some foreign Prince or Princess, he decided to host a mating tournment. He invited nobles from all the world to fight for Zuko. Dogs fighting over a scrap of meat.

The marriage wasn’t even going to be officiated in the Fire Nation if a foreigner won. Zuko was theirs, and therefore no longer Ozai’s problem. Azula, who to nobody’s surprise presented as an Alpha at twelve, was his heir and all he cared about. Soon there would be high status Betas and Omegas begging for her hand and Zuko would only be on the way.

As always. Always on the way. A blemish on his plans, reflected by the one on his face.

Ozai didn't even spare him a glance when Zuko arrived at the podium, sitting on the smallest throne right next to Azula. The Palace courtyard was bursting with excitement. It was impossible to figure out which of those people came to fight or to watch. The complete lack of respect for the noble participants was unlike the Fire Lord, who would plan even the tiniest detail, showing there was a hierarchy and his place was at the top. It was just another sign of his disinterest, that tournament was not for him, it was to humiliate Zuko. And now, surely with any high ranking nobles leaving for what they would consider an insult to their status, he was left with…

“The rabble is very interested in your hand, Zuzu.”

He had an escape plan. It was not a question of if, but when. He had it all ready. He could firebend, he could fight, he had the money and supplies Iroh smuggled to him. Still, seeing how many old, terrible Alphas and Betas were in line to mate him was terrifying. Zuko’s biggest fear for years stared back as dozens of eyes: being forcefully mated off, raped and diminished to a baby-making machine until his death.

Happened with his mom, why wouldn’t he have the same fate?

A warm hand gripped his shoulder. Uncle Iroh sat on the last throne.

The drums begin playing, a mimeckry of his heartbeat.

No. No panicking. Zuko was gonna get out. A few hours, and he was out.

“By the way,” Azula whispered by his ear, looking as bored as ever, “Your runaway kit is ridiculous.”

Her hand grabbing his arm was all that stopped him from jumping away. The pit on his stomach grew, it felt about to swallow him whole.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he croaked.

“C’mon. You are not that dense,” she relaxed her grip, “Father doesn’t know about it. Yet.”

“What do you want, Azula?”

The first nobles stepped on the makeshift arena. Zuko couldn’t care less.

“A deal. Father just wants to get rid of you, but General Zhao has other plans. He thinks if he wins, you’ll give him some political leverage. He’ll probably try something stupid like killing me and putting one of your… spawn on the throne. I know, a complete idiot. I’ll kill him by the end of the year, I swear he is so boring…”

“What are you talking about,” his throat felt dry. Zhao was never part of any of his plans. Azula clearly knew that.

“Well. He set some of his agents on you," she shrugged, as if those were old news, "Here is what’s gonna happen: If he wins, you are on the heart of the Fire Nation, surrounded by his men and legally mated. There is no way you could escape.”

“Yes, I can,” Zuko gritted his teeth.

One of the contestans was knocked out. People cheered. The second round began.

“Be realistic, Zuzu. Now, if he doesn’t win one of the two things will happen: either some low-level Fire Noble wins. You are still stuck here. And his agents will probably try to make a widow out of you and he'll sweep in, oferring to take you. Daddy will agree, of course, you know it. Or, some Earth Kingdom nobody wins. Zhao is too much of an idiot to know how to infiltrate the Earth Kingdom, but he is set on making his agents follow you to the borders. Maybe he’ll try to make it look like an accident on the road. Who cares. The thing is, you will be out, then you can run. Unless… someone tells daddy dearest of your little plan.”

Zuko’s scar throbbed. He thought he was being so smart. But at every corner, Azula seemed to take pleasure in proving him wrong. He looked angrily at her with his good eye.

“What do you want ? Spit it out.”

If he weren't so immersed in his own desperation, Zuko would’ve been shocked at the way her face changed. Few people could see when her mask of cruelty slipped, and then, for a moment, Azula looked heartbroken. It was gone as soon as it appeared. He briefly wondered if he had imagined it.

“I won’t tell on you if you find Ty Lee for me. She is on Kyoshi Island. Tell her,” she forced the next words out, low and too sincere, and making sure Ozai wasn’t listening, “I wish there was another way.”

Zuko was taken aback.

“But- how would you even know I did it?”

“I know all about your stupid concept or honor. You would do it. And you wouldn’t use it to blackmail me,” Azula faked a yawn “Deal?”

Not like you are giving me a fucking chance here, Zuko thought. Yet, he muttered:

“Deal.”

He stared at the sea of green and red uniforms that made the crowd. Air Nomads would never participate in such a ritual. And the Water Tribes never seemed to care much about their business. The arena was already marked by Earth and Fire bending, each disgusting Alpha trying to out-Alpha the other. For a moment he spotted General Zhao and Zuko forced himself to take a deep breath. He thought he saw a flash of blue clothing, but it was probably a trick of the light.

Those few hours suddenly felt too long to endure. The third round was about to start.

#zukka #zukka fanfic #zukka fic #atla fic #abo zukka #abo #My writing

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zuzu-firequeen · 4 years

Text

Fire Queen

~Zuko X OC~

Fire Queen Masterlist

~Jet Causes Trouble for Truble~

A week of settling into Ba Sing Se and endless nights of memorizing each of Iroh’s journal entries. Zuko is about to fall into the forces of evil in the upcoming weeks. After Zuko helps defeat the Avatar, both him and Iroh are thrown in prison. I sigh reaching the last page where they just stop mid-word. “Poor Iroh.” I frown at the worn pages.

I stir the soup and flip the roasted duck before chopping it up and laying everything out on the table for when the three of them come home. I go to my room to hide the book away. As soon as I close the closet, the front door opens and they usher in.

“What is that smell?” I hear Zuko ask as I pull my hair in a bun. I walk out smiling at them. “I made you dinner.” Iroh gawks at the table. “Oh, darling! You spoil us.” He rushes to stuff his face as I giggle. “You did this?” Zuko asks from behind me. I watch as his eyes rake over the food upon the table. “Why?” I nudge his arm lightly. “I wanted to. Now come on.”

I sit across from Zuko filling my plate. “Mhh. Just like mom used to make it.” Zori hums closing her eyes. “How was everything today? I hope it wasn’t too busy.” Iroh slurps his soup. “It wasn’t bad. Most of the younger fellows asked where you were.” Zori giggles stuffing her face. “They love you.”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

She finishes and opens the topic again. “How many do you think came looking for her, Lee?”

“I don’t know.” He mumbles sourly. “Two? Three? Four? Five? Six?” Zuko sighs, “I said, I didn’t know, Zori.”

“You didn’t let me finish! Seven? Eight?”

“Okay, you’ve had too much sugar today. Finish your food in your room, please.” Zori slams her hands on the table. “What?” “You heard me.” Zori grabs her plate and stomps to the bedroom.

“Six,” Zuko says quietly. “I’m sorry?” “The number of boys looking for you today.” Iroh states grinning. I blush, shaking my head. “Oh.” I push my food around on my plate searching for a subject change. I look up at Zuko and find him already looking at me. I avert my eyes in a haste and stare down at my plate.

He was fine when he came in. Why is he so off-putting now?

I push myself up and take my plate to the counter. “Have you finished already?” Iroh asks looking up at me with confusion. “You know how it is. You spend the time cooking it and then your appetite is gone once it’s done. I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back soon.” I grab my bag and walk out the door without another word.

I trail the lone streets of the city and come upon a fountain with lanterns lighting up the surrounding square. I sit on the edge and trail my fingertips on the surface.

“I see how you fool everyone you meet. It’s in your blood.” I look up to the darkness and notice a lanky figure leaning against the wall. “What do you want, Jet?” He walks closer, smirking.

“I’d like to know something. You’ve heard the stories of the couple that vanished from thin air years ago. Mighty General and his wife. She was pregnant. The General went against the King and well… you know the story. Don’t you?”

I mindlessly hum hearing little of his words. “Not really.”

“Interesting.” “Is there a reason you’re so interested in me? Or do you have nothing better to do?” I bite back, tired of his unwelcome glare.

Jet clanks his two weapons together. “Just trying to make my fellow refugee welcome. We’ve all had it rough. Have to stick together.” I hum standing up to walk away. “Well, you’re not doing a good job.”

I trail down the stone street once more before Jet’s voice chills my burning blood. “Truble Kamie. Daughter of the wanted Fire General, Savrar Kamie. I demand you to stop!” I turn around slowly, glaring my eyes at his stance.

“That got your attention, huh?”

I phase through the seconds, jumping through the barrier and appearing inches from him, with my hand on his throat. Jet’s eyes widen as he raises his weapon, but I disarm him allowing his steel to fall to the stones in a clank.

“I told you, you shouldn’t make accusations. You’re going to get hurt.” I open a small portal. Jet struggles against my hold in fear of the swirling purple hole under his feet. “What are you?” He asks in a panic.

“You don’t want to find out.” I sneer pushing him through the portal. I open another one 10 feet away and he falls to the ground. He stands to clutch his fists. “You don’t scare me, Truble.” I smile feeling the power envelope me. “I wasn’t trying to, but since you want a show. I’ll give you one.” I pushed my hounds out in front of me before spinning and blaring violet flames towards him.

The slim flames wrap around his body taking him down once more. Tying him up and keeping him secure. I walk over with my hand aflame. I kneel to his form. “If you want to live, you’ll answer this correctly.” I lean to his ear. “Who am I?”

“You’re Truble… that’s all I know.” He says breathlessly and fearful. I close my hand smiling. “Keep it that way.”

I walk away before turning to him once more. “And stop following us.” Leaving him alone I make my way deeper into the cold cobble streets.

-Iroh-

Truble closes the door leaving me in question. “Where did she go?” Zori asks, peeking around the corner. “A walk.”

Prince Zuko mutters. Zori takes her place at the table again. “Shouldn’t you go after her?” “Me?” Zuko asked in confusion.

I sigh patting his shoulder as I pass him. “I will go.”

Where could she have gone to? At a time like this most of the criminals lurk in the lower ring. As I round a small shop, I see flashes of a purple hue. Such a familiar thing.

I lean around and see Truble above the young man from the ferry on the ground. She leans down to him with a violet flame sparked in her hand.

“Who am I?”

“You’re Truble… that’s all I know.”

“Keep it that way.”

She turns around, almost catching my eye. I gasp quickly running home. Another fire bender? No. I have only ever seen something of that talent from one other man. I look up at the moon in the sky. “Savrar?”

I open the door and see her sitting at the table writing in her journal. “That was fast.” How did she get here so quickly?

She smiles at me and continues writing. “I took a shortcut.” She walks into her room muttering under her breath. She shuts the door and stays hidden away. Zori walks out with a frown. “Was she okay when you found her, Moshi?” “Found her? I didn’t see anything she did. Where she was… I don’t know.” I rush getting the side-eye from both Zuko and Zori. I chuckle nervously and turn around to make way to my room.

-Zuko-

I near the door raising my hand to knock before Zori stops me. “I wouldn’t. She’s going through a lot.” I look down at my hand and sigh. “So am I.” I simply slide open the door and enter the room. She sits on the bed fiddling with the crimson instrument. “Are you okay?” She looks up meeting my eyes and forces a small smile. “I’ve been better.”

I make my way to sit next to her as she strums the strings lightly. “Do you want to… talk about it?”

She smiles at her hands and puts the instrument away. “Yes. I really do. But I can’t. There are so many things I can’t say.” Her face heats up and I can see her internal struggle.

“Then tell me what you can, Turble, and I’ll do the same.” She holds up her pinky and smiles. “Secrets for now and truth later.” I take hold of her pinky in mine and lock them together smiling at her. “Deal.”

“My dad has always pushed me. He told me I’m made for a great purpose. He had a memorized event line for me to go by. Now that he’s… gone… and I’m seeing everyone here… it’s a lot harder to keep on my path to my destiny.” “What’s your destiny?” She scoffs, “Basically save the world. Can you believe that?” I show her a sad smile.

“I understand.” I look down at my hands, toying with the ends of the robes. “I was forced away from my home. I’ve been searching for something for a long time now. I can’t return home without it.” Her hand brushes over mine. “I’m sure you’ll find it soon. Then you can… continue on your destiny.” I look in her eyes and lace my fingers between hers. Her skin is warm to the touch in the breeze of the apartment.

Her dark eyes seem to draw me in and in seconds I’m inches from her. “It used to be so clear, now it’s getting harder to see what I’m doing. Choosing if it is the right thing or not.” She nods her head. “And you keep trying but it doesn't change.” She squeezes my hand, sighing. “We’re not so different, Lee.”

I find myself unconsciously leaning towards her, but the sliding of the door halts my motive, bringing me back to reality. I stand up seeing my uncle at the entrance. “Goodnight, Truble.” I walk away in a hast.

I lay on the bed groaning. “Stupid! Why would you even do that? Kiss her? Just like that? Dumb!”

The next few days were quiet. Zuko avoided me at all costs and of course with us working side by side his plan works out oh so well.

“Lee, I need 3 jasmines, please.” I hand him the receipt and he nods. I stand there after he starts working on the brew. “Anything else?”

“Why aren’t you talking to me?”

“What do you mean?”

“You haven’t even looked my way since you came in my room the other night.” His cheeks grow red at the mention. I’m sure he wasn’t going to kiss me. I’m sure of it. We were both opening up our own books and it was an emotional moment.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I roll my eyes scoffing. “You’re a bad liar.” I walk away with my tray to the back as I hear him. “How could you say that?”

I put the dirty cups next to Zori and kissed her head. Suddenly I hear a commotion from the shop. “I'm tired of waiting. These two men are firebenders!” I rush out to see Jet pointing at Zuko and Iroh.

I glare at him and step forward. “You’re nuts! You keep coming after us for no reason!” Jet lowers down to my height glaring. “You want me to toss you in with them too? Huh, Firebender?” He yells in my face.

A hand clasps on my shoulder pulling me back behind Zuko. “You won’t be doing anything.” Jet looks at Zuko and smirks. “Oh, I get it. Protecting your little girl, huh? Do you even know what she is?”

Zuko steps up to Jet, backing him to the door. “Leave.”

Jet turns to the citizens watching the interaction. “I know they're firebenders! I saw the old man heating his tea!”

An officer shrugs, “He works in a tea shop.”

“He's a firebender, I'm telling you! And the girl, she’s-“ “THIS BOY IS CONFUSED!” Iroh rushes to cover Jet’s words. He groans and pulls out his weapons.

“Drop your swords boy, nice and easy.” The two officers sitting at one of the tables stand up and prepare to take care of Jet. “You'll have to defend yourself. Then everyone will know. Go ahead, show them what you can do, Truble!”

Jet possesses his hook swords and slowly walks towards me. I clench my fist and go to step out but Zuko keeps me grounded behind him. “Stay here.”

One of the officers prepares to draw the swords at his waist when Zuko steps in front of him and grabs the hilt instead. “You want a show? I'll give you a show.” Jet scoffs, “She said it better.”

Zuko unsheathes the officer's double broadswords and enters his fighting stance. He then pulls a table in front of him with his foot and kicks it at Jet. Jet slices his hook swords into the table and jumps over it. Jet swings one sword through the middle of the table, slicing it in half.

Zuko steps to one half of the table and balances on one foot. Jet follows up his attack by cutting through the legs on the half of the table Zuko is standing on. Zuko quickly hops on to the other half that is still standing and lands in a crane stance.

Jet knocks this half to the ground, but Zuko jumps into the air and swings both broadswords at Jet's feet as he lands. Jet somersaults away and lands in a crouching position before charging forward at Zuko again.

Zuko swings both of his swords at Jet. Just as both pairs of weapons clash together. Zuko bursts through the door and tumbles into the street. Jet runs after him and does a few spins before striking at Zuko with both swords. Zuko manages to block the strike and both combatants lock swords.

“You must be getting tired of using those swords. Why don't you go ahead and firebend at me.”

They both struggle to gain control and walk off to the side. Iroh is standing in the doorway and watching, worried. Zori tugs at his sleeve in fear of her friend. I tap my foot waiting the first moment I can dash forward and assist.

“Jet, You don't know what you're doing!” I scream trying to halt the fighting. Zuko swings at Jet, but Jet catches Zuko's broad sword with the ends of his hook swords, spins around, and deflects it to the side.

Zuko spins with it and tries to counter-attack, but Jet hooks the ends of his swords together and begins them at Zuko in large circular motions. Zuko retreats a few steps to avoid the bladed hilt.

“Bet you wish she’d help you out with a little fire blast right now.”

As Jet swings at Zuko's feet, Zuko stabs one of his broad swords through the hilt, pinning it to the ground. Jet looks at it with annoyance before focusing back on Zuko.

“You're the one who needs help.”

Both fighters are down to one sword each. Jet lets go of his pinned hook sword and retreats a step. He turns in a circle and tries to swipe at Zuko, who is unaware of his quick movements. I quickly advance, taking Zori’s sword and swinging it at Jet in a horizontal motion.

Jet pulls his attack just in time to bend backward and avoid my blade, cutting the wheat straw sticking out of Jet's mouth in half. Jet regains balance and jumps backward on to the edge of a well. By now several people are in the street watching the fight. “I told you to stay,” Zuko says through grit teeth. “And I don’t take orders.” I spit back.

“You see that? The Fire Nation is trying to silence me. It'll never happen.”

Jet hooks his sword on to a wooden beam above the well and swings forward at me, attacking with a flying kick. “Truble!” Zuko pulls me away from the target and rolls over on the ground as Jet misses. I groan as we hit the ground together. “Stay down. Please.”

Zuko stands, growling as he swings his sword at Jet. Jet parries the attack and steps to Zuko's side and the two end up back to back.

A Dai Lee Guard shouts upon arrival, “Drop your weapons!” Zuko steps away rushing to me on the ground and helping me up. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” I shake my head giving him a small smile.

Jet points at Zuko, Iroh, Zori, and I. “Arrest them. They're Firebenders!”

Iroh shakes his head. “This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees.”

The shop owner points at Jet. “This young man wrecked my tea shop, and assaulted my employees!”

“It's true sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city.”

Iroh gushes as he blushes, “Oh, That's very sweet.”

The two Dai Li walk up behind Jet, who looks at them angrily. “Come with us son.” Jet swings his hook sword at the Dai Li guard, but he catches the sword with his hand covered in stones. The guard then disarms Jet and both guards pull the boy's arms behind his back, binding his wrists together using the stones on the palms of their gloves. They drag Jet away towards a wagon designed for holding captured criminals.

“You don't understand! They're Fire Nation! You have to believe me!”

I look up at Zuko to find him looking down at me. “Are you sure I didn’t hurt you?” “Lee, I’m tougher than I look.” He smiles and removes his hands that I now noticed we’re on my waist. “Seems so.” I lean up kissing his cheek. “Thanks for saving me.” He blushes and smiles, "I wouldn't let him hurt you."

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evilcharming18 · 4 years

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Azula Week Day 4: Night

In which Azula likes to lurk around the palace tunnels at night and two times where she runs into someone unexpected.

Once the sun set, Azula knew she had free reign over the palace. It was almost like a puzzle she had to figure out. The countless secret passages that led to hidden tunnels and doors. She knew that her mother would throw a fit if she caught her lurking around the hallways during the night. It was unladylike and not something a princess did. Like she would know.

The girl had already found the tunnel that led to her father and her mother’s chambers. Not that she needed to go back there. All they did was boring adult stuff. She had since found the tunnels that took her to the library and the kitchen. She typically avoided the servants quarters, she didn’t want to risk anyone letting her mother know. The tunnel that led to Zuko’s room was often her favorite place to torment him. Making spooky sounds and moving things around while he was asleep was her way to get screams from the seven year old and she always stayed behind the current to watch her terror unfold.

The one place she couldn’t find a tunnel to is Azulon’s war room. She had been all over and still hasn’t figured out which tunnels connect to lead her there. She wanted to sneak and listen to war meetings, she wanted to know what was happening so she could be prepared. She didn’t want to let anyone down when it was finally her time to lead. She wouldn’t be like Zuzu who couldn’t keep up and needed to be babied.

The princess continued her joinery through the tunnels until she reached a door that she hadn’t seen before. She instantly became giddy at the thought of finally finding the tunnel that led to the war room. She pushed the secret button that was on all of the doors to the tunnels below the palace and hoped that her search was over. Instead of seeing the large table with a throne at the head, she saw one of the main doors that led to the palace entrance. She frowned and walked out into the normal hallways and was even more shocked to see Ursa right in front of her.

“Azula! What are you doing?” Her mother asked in a tone that told Azul she was in big trouble.

“I was just looking for father and I got lost,” Azula tried her best to sound sad and lost but her mother wasn’t buying it.

“You know where his room is Azula. What were you doing?” Ursa grabbed Azula’s arm and quickly began walking towards Azula’s room.

“Why does it matter, it’s not like you care,” the princess muttered and her mother stopped, looking down at her.

“Of course I care. I don’t want you getting lost or hurt. This palace is big and there’s more here than you could ever know,” Ursa told Azula who just scoffed and rolled her eyes.

“What? Like the tunnels?” Azula sneered and Ursa shook her head.

“Yes and other things that aren’t meant for you, you’re a child. You shouldn’t be worried about these things,” Ursa tells her as they near Azula’s room.

“I have to be ready. One day the throne will be mine,” Azula says with pride swelling through her voice. She knew what her destiny was and she wanted to be ready to fulfill it. Her father told her that she would be his heir and she knew that she would be, she’d do whatever it took.

Ursa looked at her daughter with curious eyes. She was always a strange one, nothing like her and Zuko and everything like Ozai. She should be playing with dolls and racing with her brother, not concerned with war and being a leader of a country. She was only five, not even in the royal academy yet and you would think that Azula was well into adulthood. She didn’t think she’d ever be able to understand her daughter.

“Well even fire lords take breaks. It’s okay to go outside and have fun for a while. Or go to sleep at a decent time,” Ursa explains to her daughter who rolled her eyes again.

“Zuzu might believe that but I’m not him. I’m not stupid,” if it wasn’t for her fierce glare, one might have thought that Azula was pouting.

“Your brother isn’t stupid and neither are you. You’re anything but stupid Azula,” the pairing had finally made their way to the door of Azula’s room. Ursa pushed it open and followed Azula in. Ursa quickly went to the wardrobe and pulled out the girls night clothes. Azula took them from her mother and quickly changed. The faster she changed and got to sleep, the faster her mother would leave her alone. All she did was tell her what she was doing wrong. Once her clothes were changed and she was in bed, she hoped her mother would go and leave her be for the night. The thought crossed her mind to leave later in the night and finish her journey but her mom would already be onto her. There’s no way her mother won’t be waiting for that to happen and she won’t give her the satisfaction of being right.

Azula got into bed and closed her eyes hoping her mother would leave her be. Instead, she felt the end of her bed dip and a sigh filled the room.

“You know I love you Azula,” Ursa was met with silence and another sigh left her mouth. “I only want what’s best for you. Always,” Ursa emphasizes as she looks directly at her daughter. Azula’s piercing eyes gazed back at her mother, the same frown gracing her face as it always does. Her brows clenched together as she stared back at her mother, trying to find a lie in her words and it made her uncomfortable that she couldn’t find one.

“Goodnight mother,” was all Azula said before turning over and burying herself under her thick covers, anything to get rid of her mother’s words and stare. It took a few moments for Ursa to leave the room and once her door shut, tears fell from Azula’s eyes.

It only took Azula a week to find Azulon’s war room after that.

Another week had passed and Lu Ten was dead.

A few days later and her mother was gone in the night without even saying goodbye.

So much for always loving her.

That night stayed in the back of her head as she roamed through the palace at night. It was the only thing that kept her calm after a nightmare. She rarely left her room since returning from the Asylum, especially now that her mother had returned. She knew better than to be tempted by the false pleasantries and hope for a reconciliation that would never happen.

She went walking through the tunnels, her robe tightly wrapped around her thin frame. Somehow she felt cold when in the tunnels now, something had changed and it didn’t hold the same novelty it did when she was a child. Still it was familiar enough to ground her, keep her sane.

She was turning a corner to head back to her room, feeling comfortable enough to go back to sleep when she saw someone on the other side.

Ursa.

The woman was standing there, just as shocked as she was to see her. Ursa nervously wrung her hands together as she stepped to approach her eldest daughter.

“Having trouble sleeping?” She finally asked and wasn’t surprised to see that her glare hadn’t changed since she was a child.

“Not like you care,” Azula responded, her voice filled with ice and Ursa flinched. The response was expected but still caught her off guard nonetheless.

“Of course I care,” Ursa quickly replied. The woman looked at her daughter and frowned. It was clear that Azula was not okay. Maybe better than she had previously been but still far from fine. Deep dark circles painted her under eyes and her fair skin had a sickly, almost grey color to it. “You know, this has happened before,” Ursa starts and Azula’s eyes widen. She hadn’t expected her mother to remember. Had it been Zuko, her mother probably would have cherished the memory until she died. She expected it to be gone from her mother’s thoughts as soon as she left her room.

“You remember that,” Ursa has never heard Azula’s voice so soft. Gentle almost.

“Of course I do. You were always adventurous, from the moment you could walk. I could barely keep up with you. Always one step ahead,” Ursa smiles softly at her daughter.

Azula stares at her mother, shock freezing her thoughts. The woman has never talked about her like that. She had never looked at her like that. Almost every memory Azula had of her mother had a frown or sad look attached to it. Never a smile.

“You said you loved me that night. I thought you were lying,” Azula’s voice trembled as the words spilled out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“I would never lie to you Azula. I meant it, I always have and I always will. I love you,” Ursa took steps forward, placing her hands on her daughter’s face. She used her thumb to wipe away the single tear that ran down Azula’s cheek and suddenly she had a tight pair of arms wrapped around her frame. Azula’s sobs shook both of their bodies as the girl cried in the embrace of her mother for the first time. “I realize now that I didn’t know how to love you the way you needed me too. But I want to do better now,” Ursa murmurs and the princess’ cries grow louder at the realization that her mother did in fact love her.

That she always had.

@azulaweek

#azula week 2020 #azula #ursa #day 4 #night #azula week #angst

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jaxsteamblog · 4 years

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It was weird having other people pack her things. Granted, Katara had absolutely no free time, but it was still odd to be in the middle of a meeting and know that other people were sorting through her clothes and packing up her books.

For the fall, she was going to stay at the Avatar’s residence in Republic City with Thuy’s instructors. While Thuy was still firmly entrenched in her earthbending training, it had been common practice that all of the instructors would live together to oversee all aspects of the Avatar’s training.

Having spoken directly to Kyoshi, Thuy understood that Kuruk’s companions had been very close, so at first she had enjoyed living with them. Katara was optimistic about the situation, since she was at the very least friendly with everyone that would be there.

She was less excited about Thuy’s animal guide though. A giant catgator was not ideal to keep around.

When everything was packed and ready to go, Katara met with Rohan in the library. They still had their head shaved, but wore normal clothes. It was odd to see the blue tattoo run up the back of their head, but mostly it was due to the climate and less to do with their fashion.

“Are you ready to go?” Katara asked. Rohan turned, holding up a heavy tome.

“Can I take this?” They asked.

“Sure. But what is it?” She replied.

“A philosophy book. I think Meelo would like it.”

“Meelo?”

“Hey, me and my siblings are all complex and nuanced.” Rohan tucked the book under their arm with a smile. “Let’s head out.”

Since riding on Dawa months ago, Katara actually preferred it to normal flight travel if she was the only passenger. There weren’t a lot of flights in or out of the Poles, so the environmental cost was hefty each time. So when she could, Katara often asked Rohan for a ride. It helped since they were going in the same direction and Rohan had been staying in the Northern Air Temple.

As they walked out of the palace, Katara watched them in silence for a moment.

“Rohan?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you ever get to meet Aang?”

Rohan’s eyebrows shot up but they still looked forward.

“Well yeah. I was seven when Pop-Pop died.” They answered.

“Is it weird, being around Thuy?” Katara asked.

Rohan sighed and tilted their head from side to side.

“Sometimes. Like at her birthday party and seeing Pop sad. But he was my grandfather, you know? And he was busy with the war. Well, so was Pop. But anyway, my mom says I’m a lot like Pop-Pop so mostly I’m just glad that Thuy likes me.” They explained.

“Does Thuy talk to him?”

“Yeah, but we don’t ask.” Rohan said with a laugh. “That’s just a little too much.”

They then sighed again and rubbed the back of their head.

“Honestly, I miss my aunt Yangzom. She idolized Avatar Kyoshi and married a Kyoshi Warrior, using the excuse of protecting her spouse as a way to wriggle around her monastic vows. She kicked serious Fire Nation butt.” They said.

“Did she?” Katara asked.

“Yeah, she and aunt Jun died when the Fire Nation was taking a mining town.” Rohan cleared their throat before continuing. “Jun’s fans had been wrapped in orange robes.”

“I’m sorry Rohan.” Katara said softly.

Rohan finally turned to her and smiled. “It’s fine. It’s good to speak of the dead. It lets them know we still love and honor them.”

Katara touched her necklace and smiled back.

“Did I tell you that I think Suki and I are related because of aunt Jun?” Rohan asked excitedly. Katara laughed and shook her head.

Rohan talked about their family for the whole trip, and it was interesting to hear. They definitely had a different perspective on the Air Nomads than Tenzin, and it amused Katara to think of the future council meetings.

When they arrived at Avatar Island, Thuy was there to meet them. She had grown since her party and was as tall as Katara now. As they hugged, Katara could smell the dirt in Thuy’s hair. But as she smiled she heard a threatening hiss from the ground.

“Oh stop that.” Thuy turned and put her hands on her hips, glaring down at the catgator. “You’re old friends by now.”

“Mister Whiskers.” Katara greeted with a flat tone.

“Avatar Roku’s dragon was named Fang.” Rohan remarked playfully. “Very intimidating.”

Thuy rolled her eyes and held out her arms as she faced them.

“I was four, okay? And I didn’t have any fancy Fire Nation pride or fun Air Nomad names.” She stated. “She has whiskers and she’s dignified. Her name is Mister Whiskers.”

“How on earth did a toddler befriend a catgator?” Katara questioned.

“Let’s just say if I wasn’t the Avatar and Mister Whiskers was a regular catgator, then she would’ve gotten me and not just Uncle Farid’s arm.” Thuy replied.

“This is bizarre.” Rohan said. Thuy pouted and knelt on the ground, wrapping her arms around Mister Whiskers’ flat head.

“Hey, Mister Whiskers ate two Fire Nation soldiers for me!” She said. Both Rohan and Katara held up their hands.

“Fair enough.” Rohan said.

“Katara!” Zuko called and Katara lifted her head.

Of course she knew that her priority was in handling Thuy’s affairs, but she had been looking forward to this most of all.

“Zuko!” Rohan yelled and ran to intercept him. Katara and Thuy laughed as Rohan launched themself skyward, only to have Zuko crabwalk to make sure he caught them. Landing lightly, Rohan put their arms around Zuko and said something. Zuko only shook his head and continued walking, still carrying Rohan.

“Pop-Pop would’ve really liked you.” Rohan stated when they were all together.

“The Avatar?” Zuko asked, dipping down to let Rohan free.

“I already do like him.” Thuy said and then stuck out her tongue as Rohan rolled their eyes.

“Shouldn’t you be training?” Katara asked.

“Sifu Toph is still asleep.” Thuy said.

“We all know that’s not a real answer.” Zuko countered. Thuy stood still, trying to maintain her bluff, but finally let out a breath and ran off. Mister Whiskers moved frighteningly fast after her.

“That thing terrifies me.” Katara announced.

“Oh yeah. You do not want to run into Mister Whiskers in the middle of the night.” Zuko said and shuddered.

Their days were spent in a leisurely routine. Toph dominated most of Thuy’s time with rigorous training. Earthbenders usually split their time between strengthening their bodies and controlling their bending. Toph, a stout but slender woman, definitely had Thuy lifting weights, but spent more of her time teaching Thuy how to see with her feet.

That was what made Toph an extraordinary Bender, more so than the metalbending. She was so completely in tune with her element that she didn’t need to be a bulk of muscles to do impressive feats of strength. Thuy excelled very quickly and was excited by the prospect of being able to see in the dark.

Zuko still hovered during a lot of those training sessions as he argued with Toph about chi and specific points in the feet and hands that were important to Firebenders. As Thuy ran around without shoes, Zuko worried that she was blocking off part of her chi circulation. Toph argued that Thuy couldn’t continuously have tenderfeet, as that would lead to more injuries. Katara, always having to step in as a mediator, created a simple compromise; after every training session, Thuy had to go to undergo acupressure.

Oddly enough, the best practitioner Zuko could find was one of Azula’s former friends, and there was a bit of awkwardness when Ty Lee arrived. Luckily, she, Thuy, and Rohan were all kindred spirits and she assimilated quickly.

Ty Lee and Rohan got on remarkably well in fact. When they started to disappear, Katara tried not to ask questions.

Katara’s role hadn’t changed much from the duties she had as a queen. Instead of managing the finances and policies of the three tribes, she instead was taking a break to manage the finances and schedule of the Avatar. Gifts had to be sorted, invitations answered, and documents proofread. In the evenings, she, Zuko, and Thuy would sit together and go over various things.

Every single city-kingdom within the Earth Kingdom was upset by this arrangement. Having two heads of state directly advise the Avatar was a terrible concept on paper. And Katara would admit that there were times that she wished she could always act in the best interests of her people instead of constantly being diplomatic. But that was what always rose to the top, for both Katara and Zuko; they wanted to guide Thuy into being the best Avatar she could be.

In this rare time of peace, it was the best opportunity, and they both felt like they had earned this from their time in the war.

Also, the only thing that made Thuy actually sit and listen for the whole time was their promising to talk about their wedding plans with her.

At night, Zuko and Katara had to go their separate ways. Their unification could be a euphemism but was always a very real, tangible thing. If they were going to sleep together, it had to be approved by their people, as it would - on the stage of global politics - be two kingdoms that went to bed.

It took Katara longer and longer to fall asleep the longer she stayed on the island. When the fall ended, she would be taking Thuy on her political visits while Zuko went back to the Fire Nation. Katara would have to visit the Swamp Tribe and leave Thuy there with Toph while she continued onto the South Pole. Then, before the spring equinox, she would have to return to the North Pole.

Never would it feel like going home.

With Katara’s new position, Sokka felt more comfortable closing the shop. It was actually preferable as his business had exploded; many wealthy patrons were obviously trying to buy access to the Avatar but Sokka was smart. He and Suki had visited a handful of times already and brought piles of gifts for Thuy; all of which had been distributed to various organizations or charities and the presenters had been sent a lovely thank you note from Thuy.

Still, all in all the palace was a lonely place. It made Sokka feel weird and he made a point of avoiding the Spirit Oasis. But at the South Pole, everyone treated her differently. Katara had wanted what Sokka had, a quiet life doing enjoyable work. Instead, she ruled a kingdom split over three continents.

With a heavy sigh, Katara threw off her blanket and got out of bed. The light of the full moon trickled in from her blinds and light enough of a path for her to make it to her door.

The hallway felt the same way her body did; dry, warm, and in need of a tall glass of water. But as she made her way down to the kitchens, she heard someone clattering around.

Expecting to find Rohan rummaging through the pantry, Katara leaped into the doorway with a yell.

Zuko dropped a teapot and swore colorfully.

“Oh no! I’m sorry, I thought you were Rohan.” Katara said and rushed into the kitchen. Zuko knelt down and picked up the pieces of the teapot.

“It’s okay. I know how to repair this.” He said and stood up, holding the large pieces in his hands. He looked at them, tilting his hands slightly to catch the light in the outer glaze.

“What I love about Kintsugi is that the beauty comes from the fixing, not from the damage itself.” Zuko looked up at her and Katara suddenly felt embarrassed.

“So, want some tea?” He asked as he walked over to the counter.

“Sure, but why are you up so late?” Katara replied and followed him.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

Katara pushed herself up onto the counter and watched Zuko make tea. There was an electric kettle with settings for different types of tea, but Zuko chose a metal kettle and heated it himself. It was a slow process and Katara flicked her gaze from his face to his hands.

“Why do you bend like that?” She questioned. Zuko looked up at her, confused.

“Like what?”

“Like you’re not a Firebender. You don’t do a lot of, you know,” Katara paused to make quick, jabbing punches in the air. “Firebender stuff.”

“I absolutely still do a lot of that.” Zuko retorted, clearly offended. “I am and will always be a true Firebender.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant, you’re very,” Katara struggled to find the right word and strained over it. “Adaptable?”

Zuko looked down at the kettle, staring at it intensely. After a moment, he decided the water was hot enough and set it on the stove to prepare a new teapot.

“I am going to tell you something I have never told anyone.” He said as he opened up a cupboard.

Gripping the edge of the counter, Katara stayed quiet. Zuko rummaged through the cupboard and pulled out a tea tin, examining its label before replacing it.

“I met Avatar Aang.” He said.

Katara still stayed quiet and Zuko pulled out another tea tin, approving of its label and prying open the lid.

“It was just before he died. He came to the palace to speak to my grandfather. I was nine, so obviously I wasn’t allowed to officially meet him since he was trying to persuade my grandfather to stop the war.” Zuko scoffed and scooped tea into the teapot’s strainer. “I was only the son of the second born prince of the Fire Lord. I was a nobody.”

“And now you’re the Fire Lord, making his own tea in the Avatar’s house.” Katara interjected. Zuko chuckled and pointed the tea scoop at her.

“A vast improvement to be sure.” He said. He then continued making the tea and with his story.

“I snuck out that night while they were all at dinner. I remember my main reason for doing so was because we had to eat vegetarian since Aang was and I didn’t know what that meant.” Zuko poured water into the teapot and slid on the lid.

“Well, they had all been arguing and suddenly out comes this really old guy. I mean, he looked better than my grandfather, but ancient was ancient. He looked really angry and I wasn’t supposed to be out of bed, so I was terrified. I thought he was going to drag me into the dining hall or something.” Zuko shook his head and leaned against the counter next to where Katara sat, crossing his arms over his chest. “But instead, when he saw me, he just smiled. He knelt down and introduced himself to me, looking very interested in what a nine-year-old nobody had to say. And then, I’ll never forget this, he put his hand on my shoulder and looked directly at me and said, ‘Zuko, be better than them.’ And then he got up and walked away.”

Zuko paused for a moment, staring off into space, and then turned around to pour the tea. He spoke as he handed Katara her cup.

“He sent me a gift for my tenth birthday a few weeks later. Aang had written on the inside of the wrapping paper, saying he hoped I’d be friends with the next Avatar. He had died while the gift was in transit.” He concluded.

“How did that impact your bending?” Katara asked, rolling the teacup gently between her hands.

“Azula was always a better Firebender than me. But I could be a better Bender. I could be like the Avatar and respect all of the elements and use their teachings to live a more harmonious life.” Zuko brought his teacup to his lips but hesitated, suddenly laughing. “I mean, as a kid it was all because I thought I had some grand destiny and was a self important idiot. But during the war, my uncle really helped me get my head sorted and I was able to put it together.”

They drank their tea and Katara sighed in contentment.

“What are you going to do when you go home?” She asked.

“What do you mean? I am home.” Zuko replied. He set down his teacup and held Katara’s hand as she set hers down before sliding off the counter.

“I’ve put out the fire wall in the throne room, dismantled statues, and closed up other manors. I have the palace, and I have you. One for work, and one for home.” He continued softly, holding onto her chin. He kissed her and Katara’s breath fluttered in her chest.

A door opened nearby and Katara jumped, making them both laugh even as voices approached. Rohan and Ty Lee walked into the kitchen and stared.

“It’s about time you two got back.” Katara snapped. Ty Lee looked mortified while Rohan just laughed.

“What are you old farts doing up so late? It’s way past your bedtime.” They retorted.

“You’re three years younger than me.” Zuko said.

“And yet you act like my Pop.” Rohan clicked their tongue while shaking their head. “What a waste of youth.”

“Did you want any tea?” Katara asked.

“Sure!” Ty Lee chirped. Rohan went around to rummage through the pantry and found a bag of cookies, turning the quiet moment into a midnight tea party. That woke up Thuy and Toph, making the whole thing an event. They laughed and chatted, mostly about a new video game Rohan and Thuy were playing. At one point, Zuko took Katara’s hand and squeezed it. A gentle reminder that they were home.

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#zutara #fanfiction #jax writes #modern au #zutara month 2020 #the fic that prompts built

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failedfirebender · 4 years

Text

Sad Prince - ZUTARA AU

Genre: Drama, Romance.

Words: 4809

Timeline: The Hundred Year War never happened, Zuko and Katara are eight and eleven years old.

Place: Fire Nation

_______________________________________________________

I looked up at Dad and frowned, wanting him to take us back. I hated these visits to the Fire Nation. They took forever and when we arrived, it was always too hot and too red.

Everything was red. From the outside of the Fire Lord’s castle to the inside of every room, every piece of furniture, every robe and every pair of shoes. It was too much red, almost an aggressive amount. I didn’t like it. In fact, I hated it, and it was because it reminded me of a particular person.

The same age as Sokka, the young Prince and him just loved to pair up and prank me. They’d take my books, pull from my hair loopsies and call me names. Zuko was a bad influence on Sokka, and I’d made it clear to mom and dad. Of course, none of them really took me seriously. I was just eight-year-old Katara and I had no idea about grown-up matters.

I’d like it if they heard me every once in a while. If Sokka had, he’d probably be by my side now, and not back at home with a broken arm. I told him he was going to get hurt chasing the penguins between the slippery iceberg peeks, and guess what? I was right. I laughed when he fell, but the moment he started crying, I run to him, with the same recklessness he’d shown chasing the penguins through the ice, falling to my knees to check on the wound. We walked the long way home with his complains and my scowling.

Now, he hadn’t been able to come, and I was supposed to entertain Prince Zuko. I was Glad that at least his little sister wouldn’t be here. Azula had been studying in the Earth Kingdom for the last three years and I didn’t remember her much. Only that she wasn’t mischievous, like her brother, she was just mean. She didn't want to laugh , she wanted to make me cry, and when she achieved it, she’d go on and on until she got bored and passed on to another victim. Sokka and Zuko rarely made me cry, and they always apologized immediately and made up for it, even when they did it with frowns on their faces and calling me a crying baby.

...

Rest of the story in AO3!

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24690823/chapters/59704765#workskin

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mystic-kitten-writer · 5 years

Text

Limerence [M] ︳26

Pairing: Zuko x OC

AU: Adult-Verse

Genre: Romance, mainly fluff with smut, and if you squint hard enough - you’ll find some angst.

Rating: SFW

Words: 5900+

Notes: IMPORTANT NOTE: My writing schedule is being thrown into a loop. I’m still be posting once a week, but for the time being, instead of a set date of posting (Friday), I’m going to post as often as I can. That way I’m not stressing about posting at a specific date. You’re still getting a chapter! It just may take longer. I hope I don’t upset anyone with this change.

Besides that, I hope you enjoy the chapter and don’t be shy to leave a comment, like, or reblog! Thank you for your love and support, and take care~!

Masterlist ︳25 ︳ 27

❤ Buy me a coffee? ❤

Limerence: (English/n.) the state of being infatuated with another person. The moment their eyes locked they knew - the flames within him twisted while the water within her turned. It was a connection, a connection that would lead to love, adventure, and drama.

Nefarious

(Latin/adj.) Wicked, villainous, despicable.

~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

Zuko didn’t seem to clue in to the fact that I was watching him.

A frown painted that handsome face of his, dashing from corner to corner, overturning every single box, cream, and lotion that laid on our dresser and vanity. I could tell he was trying to remain calm, being as quiet as possible as he still thought I was asleep.

But despite his attempt to remain calm, I could see the flickers of fire wander around him, every deep huff of his just emphasizing that he was flustered. I looked at the window, rubbing my eyes tiredly and slightly annoyed. The sun was starting to rise, the air crisp and dewy.

Zuko said I was crazy for saying that he didn’t know how to relax, but this was just another example to prove my point. Who in the world wakes up early to go for a morning jog during a vacation? I huffed, sitting upright and pushing the warm blankets off my body.

So entranced with finding whatever he sought after, Zuko didn’t even hear my huff or the way I slipped out of bed and put on my robe. He wore casual clothing this morning, and I found myself smiling. How I wish he dressed as relaxed as he did now more often.

It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate his royal attire, trust me – he was a snack when he was dressed to the spirits. But it was also lovely seeing him comfy. Not with a tight bun, body-hugging clothing. He was always on his toes – but seeing him like this made me smile.

The way his long locks fell along his shoulders, loose T-shirt and baggy pants…

Without warning, I wrapped my arms around Zuko - humming softly and feeling his warmth along my skin. As much as I enjoyed the heat of Ember Island – I wouldn’t trade it for Zuko’s natural warmness.

Zuko’s breath hitched, hugging my arms and looking over his shoulder with a frown, “I’m sorry, did I wake you, love?”

“Mhmm.” I giggled, stuffing my face into his back, feeling the way his muscles shifted as he chuckled. “Sorry, uh, now that you’re awake though…have you seen some creams?”

I pulled away, looking at Zuko with confusion. My head tilted, pondering to myself as to what creams Zuko could want. I waltzed over to my vanity - gazing, “What type of creams?”

“Uh…just plain white bottles.”

I turned around, noticing how hesitant Zuko was to speak, his voice wary. A small pout formed on my lips, crossing my arms as I looked at him, “Spill Zuko.”

“It’s nothing, forget it.” He grumbled, ready to walk away, but before he could, I grabbed his arm, pulling him close. And it was then I realized – his scar.

It was dry, ashy; the skin pulled tight around his face. There was no way in the world that it wasn’t irritating him. His eye was slightly veiny, red. Probably from him rubbing the skin during his sleep without realizing and I frowned, “Zuko-”

“Don’t worry, I probably forgot it at home-”

“Zuko stop!” I hissed, grabbing his arm more forcibly and making him stay put. Gosh, the skin was so irritated. I need to do something.

But Zuko scowled, “It’s fine, don’t worry-”

“Stop acting so damn tough! I care, I worry. So sit down on the bed while I figure something out.” I shouted, and for the very first time in our relationship, I snapped at him.

The way Zuko’s eyes widen in shock, never hearing my voice raised, especially towards him. But what could I say, I was annoyed. Not only did he wake me up early, now he has to act all ‘manly,’ unable to admit that he was in pain - and that drove me nuts.

I shoved him towards the bed, huffing under my breath as I dashed towards the washroom, not giving him the time of day to argue with me. He’s lucky I didn’t freeze his damn ass to the ground and leave him for days.

My eyes scanned about, searching for what I needed…a towel…a cup…

I dashed towards the sink, filling the glass with some cold water before walking out of the bathroom. I swear if he’s not there sitting on the bed-

A small smirk flickered on my lips.

Zuko sat on the bed, pouting like a child with his arms crossed, evidently ticked off at how I yelled at him. I pushed back the giggle that wanted to erupt because I still had to play the part of being angry – or else this man will never listen to me. Although I had to say – he looked adorable sulking like that.

My feet obnoxiously stomped on the ground, trying to play the part that I was still upset, but the moment my eyes lined up with his face I softened.

His scar was a blistering red. Usually, the skin was muted, although red – and it wasn’t as rash or vibrant. But today, it was different. A shade of red I’ve never seen before.

I sulked, stepping forward and outstretching the cup towards him, “Hold it for me please…” Zuko gazed at me wearily, hesitance written all over his face, “What are you going to do?” He huffed - a bit more bite in his voice than usual. But I ignored it, Zuko may look like a lion, but he was just an adorable cat.

“Trust me,” I said softly, letting my hands cup his face as he held the cup of water. His eye twitched, struggling to see, and I pouted.

Zuko was in pain, I could tell.

The way his jaw clenched, forehead pinched together, a hand of his digging into his leg. And in a bold move, I let my hand gently caress the wound. The hiss he released, but he didn’t make a move to pull away.

I could feel it.

The way the blood fought to pump around the skin, struggling to carry the necessary water to keep the skin hydrated. He needed moisture, water.

With a flick of my fingers, I could feel the water rise from the cup, Zuko twitching from the cold liquid sliding across his skin, “Shut your eyes…” I muttered softly, letting my hand brush over his eyes, his lids fluttering close.

My eyes shut, trying to figure out the sore spot.

‘Focus on the way the blood pumped,’ my mom always said when healing. It was a trick she adopted, instead of conducting the regular check up on patients, she used to feel the way the blood flowed in one’s body – and from that, she could tell what was wrong with patients. Discovering health concerns that no doctor had figured out until she mentioned it.

My brows pinched together, letting my water freeze slightly over his scar while allowing the water that directly touched his skin penetrate. Zuko gasped from underneath me, wincing slightly and my eyes opened, “Am I hurting you? Let me stop-”

“No-” Zuko huffed, a hand tightly gripping my wrist, “It feels…good. Relief.” He shyly murmured under his breath. I couldn’t help but smile, noticing that the skin was muting in colour, no longer throbbing angrily.

I let my fingers dance along the skin around his eyes, feeling the majority of the damage there. A sad smile painted my face; I could only image how much it hurt. What person would do this to a child? To Zuko? No wonder Zuko always feared the thought of having a family, being a father – he didn’t exactly have the best experience besides Iroh. And it was then I decided to make a mental note to thank Iroh – for being the rock Zuko needed all his life.

The water was almost completely absorbed, and I began letting whatever ice I formed to start melting away and hydrating the skin as well. “You can open your eyes now…” I muttered softly, and when Zuko did open his eyes, my heart fluttered.

His eye was no longer red, strained or dry, but the usual vibrant gold I admired, “Better?” I hummed, grabbing the towel I let lay over my shoulder to tap whatever water remained.

I could see it, Zuko’s lip slightly curved upwards, cheeks crimsoned as he nodded, “Thank you…” He whispered, voice lacking his usual spunk. I pouted, realizing that my sudden outburst must have affected him.

He seemed torn - between wanting to argue and thanking me, “Sorry for getting upset with you.” I blurted, cheeks flushed as I pulled the towel away and grabbed the cup from his hand.

“No, don’t be. I shouldn’t have pushed you away like that.” Zuko spoke, shaking his head as he stood from the bed. His hand gently rose to touch his cheek, amazement in his eyes, “I thought you weren’t a good healer?” He mused, giving me a look of disbelief.

My cheeks coloured, shaking my head bashfully as I walked over to the vanity to set the materials down, “I’m not, my mother was though. I can only try…” I muttered. But a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, feeling Zuko’s chin resting on my shoulder. The sudden warmth, feeling him so close made my shoulders relax, “I didn’t mean to upset you, Yue.”

I smiled, shaking my head, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have forced you to tell me; I was just worried-”

“You have every right to worry and know what’s going on, and I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you?”

With that statement, I turned around. Letting my arms wrap around Zuko’s waist as he grinned, “You like being spoiled, huh?” Zuko chuckled, watching the way my eyes lit up at the mere thought of getting something. I giggled, shrugging my shoulders as I fell into his embrace, “It’s your fault; you spoil me too much.”

“Pinning it back on me – I see what you’re doing.”

“Oh, you love me.”

“I do. So how about…I make you tea?”

I jumped, looking at Zuko with a big smile, “Tea?”

Zuko worked at a tea shop, and he told me that he learned a few tips and tricks about tea making back at the Southern Water tribe – boy does time fly by. And given that Iroh is an avid tea-drinker, I had high hopes. It was small things like this, him making me tea, waking up in the morning to his sleepy face that made me so happy.

I skipped away, opening the door and tightening the stash on my robe, “Let’s go!” I chirped, only to earn a laugh from Zuko.

Elbows on the counter, chin on my palms, I sat with full attention to Zuko.

I knew that the man was just making tea, but in my eyes – it was the most magical thing in the world. I watched keenly, studying his every move. Zuko finally poured the hot liquid into two cups and slid it towards me, chuckling, “You’re watching me as if I’m going to quiz you after.”

“Well I gotta say, I got a cute teacher.” I teased, only to earn a flick on my forehead. A small pout formed on my lips as Zuko rolled his eyes at my words, but he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.

With a tiny spoon, I stirred the milk and honey, watching the hot liquid stir around in the cup. And once satisfied, I lifted the cup to my lips, sipping - thistle. The floral tones, with a pinch of sweetness from the honey and creaminess from the milk - I smiled.

“You like thistle?” I hummed, taking a sip of the tea as Zuko drank, staring through the window and watching the sun rise over the crystal waters of the beach. “Never really drank it till today,” Zuko said, scratching his neck sheepishly. I giggled, shaking my head at his response before stealing another sip, “For some odd reason, Kima and Lia packed a bunch of it. Same with ginger root and stone seed root.” Zuko spoke, opening a cabinet and proving his point.

I brought the cup down from my lips, pouting as I studied the teas. Thistle…ginger root…stone seed root…

“They have some sort of herbal properties – I remember my mom telling a few locals to drink those teas,” I answered, tilting my head to the side. “And now that you mentioned it, ever since I came to the kingdom, Lia always gave me a tea in the morning, and it was always between those three.”

“Maybe high in some sort of vitamins? Now I’m slightly jealous. It’s like she takes better care of you than me.”

“Well, she’s my maid after all.”

“And I’m the Fire Lord.”

I rolled my eyes, stealing another sip, “I’ll ask the maids when they come, maybe they know. Are you going for your jog now?”

Zuko nodded, placing the dirty cup in the sink before leaning over the counter, “And don’t you dare think for a second that I forgot.”

“Forgot what?” I asked, confused by the glare he gave me, “That you still need to train. So get changed so we can go for a jog.”

“Oh, come on!” I whined, letting my body fall against the marble, huffing like a child. There was no way in the spirit world; I would be training during my vacation. But Zuko’s hands ruffled my hair, pulling on my robe and making me look upwards, “Come on babe, either we run or we train tonight with your bending.”

“A run it is!” I sheepishly grinned, pushing the empty teacup to him. Zuko chuckled, shaking his head before a knock on the door caught my attention. I hopped off the stool, “Probably the workers and maids, let them in, love.” I nodded my head, opening the door with a bright smile, “Good morning!”

The workers and maids smiled, watching how cheery I was, bowing as I moved to the side.

“Good morning Imperial Consort, Fire Lord Zuko.” They all muttered, bowing before walking off to their work. Zuko let out a soft smile, nodding his head as he began washing the cups. “Oh, Fire Lord Zuko let me-”

“It’s fine; I got it,” Zuko spoke, letting the water splash over the dishware. The maids anxiously gazed at each other, and I let my hand fall over their shoulder, “It’s fine. It’s nice being…normal.” I whispered, watching Zuko wash the dishes.

The tiny things in life…

“I have a question!” I jumped, tugging the maids towards the kitchen, and pointing at the teas, “What are these teas for, do they do something?”

The way their cheeks flushed, looking at themselves with stifled giggles, “A-are you really asking us?” A maid cheekily blurted, giving me wide eyes. I looked back at Zuko, who was still seemingly oblivious to the conversation, “I have no clue…”

“I-it’s to prevent, uh…how do I say this…a natural form of birth control.”

My cheeks flushed, utterly rosy as I quickly shut the cabinet and timidly smiled at them. My mouth formed into a giant ‘O,’ tugging any loose hairs behind my ear, “T-thanks for the clarification.”

“So, what is it? Vitamins?” Zuko asked from behind me, his hands gripping my hips. I tensed, looking up at his face, a face filled with curiosity. “You know, it’s nothing. Just forget about it.”

“But I want to know.”

“Let it go Zuko!” I grumbled, walking away with rosy cheeks, and that just seemed to fuel him more. The maids giggled behind us, watching the way I actively avoided his pestering. So when the older man from yesterday walked in front of me, bowing and started talking, I gave him a massive mental thanks.

“Did you go through the box I gave you yesterday? There were a few photos; I figured you might want to hang some throughout the home.” He smiled. My eyes widen, shaking my head, “I forgot! How about you go for the run Zuko while I organize what’s inside the box.” I said with a grin.

The look Zuko gave me, a frown as he huffed, “You just don’t want to go on the run.”

“I really don’t…”

Zuko’s hands wrapped about my waist, grumbling into my messy bedhead, “Fine. Put the things into piles while I go for a run. When I come back, we can pick and choose, okay?”

I skipped, hugging Zuko happily before pecking his lips, “You’re the best.”

Zuko laughed, pulling away before walking towards the entrance, “See you la-”

“Fire Lord Zuko!”

The front door swung open, a flustered worker panting heavily. They gazed over me briefly before their eyes fell upon Zuko with urgency, “Mihir, he requests your audience.”

And just like yesterday, Zuko tensed.

The way he walked towards the door, a grimace on his face as he hesitantly looked over his shoulder to me, “I-I’ll be back. I should be quick.”

I pouted, wanting to ask what this Mihir person could possibly want two days in a row, but Zuko left in a flash. The door shut behind him, disappearing as quickly as Aang does, like a breeze itself. What in the world is going on with Zuko?

“Imperial Consort Ying Yue…?”

I turned around, gazing at the construction manager with a sad smile, “It must be tough…” He spoke softly, scared to over-step but wanting to comfort me. My hands pulled on my robe, bringing it tighter to my body as I nodded, “Fire Lord first, Zuko second.” I hummed, the saying I’ve repeated to myself the moment I accepted that seal back at the Southern Water Tribe.

“As a husband, a father, I can tell he loves you.”

“I know…good thing I’ve learned a thing or two about patience.” The man chuckled, nodding his head, “You’ll make a brilliant Fire Queen.”

Fire Queen.

I shyly smiled, blushing at the comment, “Thank you. I should get sorting.”

“If you need help, let me know, I could get some of the workers to help out.”

“Thank you! I will.” I sang before dashing into the bedroom. I slid the door behind me, enjoying the fresh breeze, the sunlight lighting up the bedroom. And it was then I spotted it, the box at the end of the bed.

Not bothering to change out of my pyjamas, I sat down on the floor, scrunching my nose as a bit of dust danced in the air as I pulled the box closer. It wasn’t a big box, or heavy, mostly filled with old stuffed animals, and photos. I wonder if they’re any embarrassing baby photos of Zuko…oh my gosh - imagine a naked baby photo of him?

I couldn’t help but giggle at the thought, Ursa seems like the type of mom that would do that, and I grinned.

The first goal; organize the box.

The second goal; look for any embarrassing photos of Zuko to use as blackmail.

I pulled out the first photo and already started giggling – Zuko in an adorable sailor suit. This is going to be a great day.

~ Fire Lord Zuko ~

The sound of the door slamming shut echoed in the theatre, bouncing off the walls, and projecting piercingly down the empty halls. It was the only place where I knew I could get privacy, able to speak about guarded matters without eavesdropping. And although the local theatre was small, it would suffice.

I stepped forward, and I could see him - Mihir.

Like usual, he wore black clothing, not leaving an inch of skin exposed, including his fingers. He tug his red scarf closer to his face, the only skin visible in his entire attire. Just seeing him wearing such dark colours and tight fitting clothing made me sweat, the man must be boiling alive. But I pushed the thought away, because even if he were sweltering – Mihir would never say a word.

His dark eyes aligned with mine, wrinkles peeking through and showing his age. I finally spoke, “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to come back in two we-”

“I think he’s alive.”

“What?”

My breath hitched, stepping forward with a look of disbelief, searching for any sign that Mihir was bluffing. But his stern eyes never wavered, and if there was one thing I knew, it was that Mihir never lied.

He was an informant, always searching and retrieving information regarding every single thing and being in the Fire Nation. If he said something – it was never less of the truth. With outstretched hands, he held out the papers, and I grabbed them.

My eyes scanned the documents, General Axe.

A giant x and skull decorated the name, and in an instance I flipped open the papers, looking for any new information. But a frown soon appeared on my face, looking up at Mihir with confusion, “Why are you giving me this? I gave this to you; I already know what’s inside.”

“Look again; we missed something.”

I frowned, walking to a free desk and letting the papers rest. Eyes frantically searching for that piece of information Mihir wanted me to see. General Axe was a traitor, due to leaking information. I already knew this; fuck even Yue told me that. So what is it?

“Her mother’s body - they found it, burned it, and destroyed all evidence that she even existed. But they never found his.”

“What are you trying to hint at?”

“What if General Axe never died? What if he managed to escape?” Mihir said, flipping the papers back, pointing at the red skull that loomed over his name, “What if this mark, shouldn’t be here. Because the job was never completed.”

I pulled away, looking at him in disbelief, “Are you saying they failed the assassination? We are talking about skilled warriors-”

“Ying Yue got away, a child. Why couldn’t he, a trained warrior?”

My mouth shut, lips pressed tight as I ran my hands through my hair. I should be happy, happy that I found something. All I wanted was to find some long-lost family of Yue’s.

Aang, Sokka, even Toph, told me how much Yue longed to reconnect with family. Regardless if they’re distant members, but this was more than I bargained. I wouldn’t be introducing her to some distant uncles or cousins; I would be bringing her dad back from the fucking grave.

“It would explain…a lot.” Mihir spoke, watching the way I fought with myself. “We know for a fact that General Axe had no siblings and his parents died years ago. But whenever I asked colleagues or friends about him, they all seemed hesitant. As if they were hiding something.”

I groaned, slapping my hands on my face.

Why. Is. Life. So. Difficult.

“But why? Why hide? Why not find Ying Yue? He left her alone all those damn years; it broke her.”

“Because while you and I know that what he did was for the greater good – he’s still a traitor to the Fire Nation.”

“He’s scared that he’ll endanger her...”

“Fire Lord Zuko, this is bigger than the both of us. All of his colleagues and friends who supported him have either retired early or weren’t aware of his secret love affair. But some of them do know about Ying Yue. And they know that your consort is his child.”

“You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing.” I hissed, and Mihir nodded, “It can be. Because someone years ago leaked that information to your father, someone who was pro-war. And if word goes out, that you’re dating the daughter of a traitor, they could use that against you – get your father back to the throne.”

Fuck.

I huffed despairingly, leaning against the desk with a range of emotions. This was supposed to be a cute fucking surprise. Hopefully, introduce Yue to some extended family, have a lovely bloody dinner – the regular stuff. But instead, I dug myself into another scandal as if the council wasn’t already struggling to wrap their heads around the fact that Yue was a damn Waterbender.

“We can fix this, before news of this breaks. If we find General Axe, lift his ‘traitor status,’ scandal goes poof.”

“How? If Yue’s father is alive, and that’s a huge fucking IF - he’s hiding. And if he’s been able to go under the radar for this long, there’s no way we can find him.”

“Don’t underestimate my skills,” Mihir smirked, and for a split moment, I relaxed. Mihir crossed his arms smugly, “I’ve been doing this for thirty years, I worked for your Uncle, and now I work for you. And I didn’t pledge myself to you to fail.”

“Mihir, if you’re right, we need to be smart.” He nodded, grabbing the scattered papers on the desk and putting them away neatly. But as his hands brushed along the documents, he paused, “You never told her yet, have you?”

Silence.

I looked away, gazing through the windows and watching the motion of the distant water. The way sun reflected off the waves, birds flying high into the sky, “No…I can’t do that to Ying Yue. Give her false hope. It’ll hurt her if we find nothing, and I can’t do that.”

“And what if her father is alive? Then what?”

"I guess I can finally ask General Axe.”

“Ask what?”

“His blessing in marriage.”

Mihir smiled, tugging the folder into his shirt before walking towards the door, “I’ll do my best; I haven’t been to a wedding in a while. See you soon.” I nodded, the sound of the door opening and closing, and my soft breathing echoing.

My head spun, sighing as I rubbed my face in defeat. This was supposed to be a nice vacation, some time off for just me and Yue. But more importantly, a chance to get her to safety, away from whoever the snitch at the kingdom was, and just thinking about it made me groan in annoyance.

I was tired, so damn tired. And as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I needed a damn hug – her hug. Her hair in my face, her soft giggles, just her.

I straighten, rolling my shoulders back as I cracked my fingers, “Maybe I could pick up some biscuits-”

“I haven’t had cookies from the town in such a long time Zuzu, thanks for offering.”

My blood ran cold, turning on my heel at the sound of that voice. It was a voice I’ve long forgotten, put away and left for dead. My fists rose, feet planting on the ground as I twisted. But my mouth dropped as I saw a slender body easing its way out of the shadows, a wicked smirk playing on her face, “Long time no see Zuzu.”

“Azula.”

She didn’t change a damn bit.

Her black hair still up in a ponytail, bangs framing her face as she waltzed around the room. I let the flames in my fists build, watching her every move, but her eyes flickered over to me once again, fingers dragging along the old theatre props with a gaze of boredom, “Relax, I didn’t come to fight.”

“And we both know you didn’t come to make friends.” I hissed. Azula grinned, tapping her cheek in amusement, “I wouldn’t worry too much about her father. That’s not where the secrets lie.”

My eyes narrowed, matching her footsteps, keeping myself at a fair distance; trying to keep cool all the while staying alert. How many years has it been since I’ve last seen her? Two, three? More.

And no matter how many years have passed, nothing but dread filled my heart. Because the truth was, I would’ve rested better knowing she was just dead.

“What do you want Azula?”

“I’m going to say this once Zuzu, so listen carefully.” She hissed, and I cringed at hearing her stupid nickname for me, a nickname I’ve only heard come from Kiyi’s lips. The closest thing I ever had to a little sister, and she wasn’t even entirely related to me.

Azula’s lips twisted to that of a smirk, “Your girlfriend isn’t what she seems. She’s hiding a secret. Forget about the father – research the mother. We both know the mother’s side is far more interesting.”

“And makes you think that I’ll trust you – of all fucking people,” I growled. She’s still insane – that’s for sure. But Azula rolled her eyes, flicking her wrist as if to dismiss my words. “Fine, don’t listen. But if she starts to control you from the inside out, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“What?” I gasped, trying to decipher her words. But Azula leaned against an old prop, crossing her arms, “She’s a Bloodbender, you idiot.”

“You’re fucking insane Azula. There’s were two Bloodbenders in this whole world; Katara and Yakone.”

But the way her grin lit up hearing Yakone’s name, “Make it three now. And ask her about Yakone; I bet the name will ring a bell in that girl's head.” I frowned, because memories of that night, the dinner party with the Earth King flooded my mind. The way Yue flinched at the mention of Bloodbending, the name Yakone…Could Azula-

“These accusations – it’s insulting, we both know that.”

“What’s more insulting is that you plan on getting married and I haven’t gotten a wedding invitation. Although I understand why - it’s not like you’ll go through with it. A Waterbender, a Bloodbender, plus the daughter of a traitor. You really know how to pick them Zuzu.”

“Insult her one more time-”

Azula smiled, licking her lips as she leaned forward, “Bloodbender.”

~ Ying Yue Jiang ~

A soft smile flickered upon my lips as my fingers trailed along the photos. They were beautiful, and it was a shame that most of them were wrinkled or burnt. Whatever photos were at the top were of Zuko and Ursa. And Ursa looked gorgeous, so proud of her son, bearing the sweetest smile, the smile of a mother. Gosh, I hope I can age like her – gracefully.

And the more I studied her soft features, her stunning smile; it made more sense where Zuko got his looks. They were so much alike, and as I flipped through the pictures, I saw more.

Zuko getting older - crawling, standing, walking, going up the porch stairs. And despite his physical changes, hair getting longer, more sturdy, there was one thing that remained the same - that captivating twinkle in his eyes. He was adorable, and the smile on me grew more. I was a sucker for Zuko, but more so for a baby Zuko.

But as the pictures got older, I noticed something change with Ursa. Her belly was getting bigger…face a bit puffy. She’s pregnant in these! Zuko’s sister.

I knew that Zuko had a sister, a sister other than Kiyi - Azula. The infamous Fire Nation Princess, the prodigy. But that was all she was to me, rumours. Katara told me how strong she was, what a skilled fighter she was, and her blue flames – a rarity in itself. But not once had Zuko mention her to me. And for the first time in my life, it was something I wasn’t all too curious about asking.

My brows pinched together, seeing a few baby photos, evidently her. Ursa was smiling, Zuko looking over Azula with curiosity. Should I hide these from Zuko? Would he even want to see them? I frowned and found myself putting down the images; I shouldn’t

I felt like I was overstepping suddenly.

It felt dirty looking at these pictures. I have to put them away; I can look at these when Zuko comes back, I can’t-

And as I leaned forward to make a separate pile for the private photos, the film shifted, spilling over and scattering across the ground. I hissed loudly, scrambling to put them away. Why must I be such a bloody clutz? And as my hands frantically grabbed the photos, I stopped.

Because I was met with a pair of eyes that pierced through my heart.

The same eyes that haunted me from the moment I got to the Fire Nation, and last night. I reached forward, grabbing the photo. Her black hair, narrowed eyes, that smirk – it was the maid from last night but-

She was young in this photo, a child, and is that...Mai?

I sat back, studying the picture. It had to be Mai. But…why would a maid be playing with royalty? The clothing she wore was not of a maid, but of royalty – no. Even more magnificent, outshining Mai. Wait a minute…is that Ty Lee in the background too?

My head shot upwards, looking at the rest of the scattered photos that lay on the floor, my heart beating. Because realization hit, a dirty reality snuck under me with such force I stopped breathing altogether. It can’t be- gosh no.

Another picture – she was sitting with Ursa and Zuko.

Another one – they were at the beach, Mai blushing beside Zuko.

Her Zuko and Mai. Her Zuko and Mai. Her, Zuko and Mai-

No, no, no-

“A royal bed warmer.”

I stood up, my stomach in my throat, running to the door. “Imperial Consort Ying Yue?” A maid gasped, looking at me with fear. But I didn’t care.

I didn’t care that my hair wasn’t done, that I was still wearing my damn pyjamas because my worst fears were coming true, “Where’s Zuko?” I gasped, tears threatening to spill over.

The maids frowned, looking at one another, a few construction workers stopped and seeing my fear, “W-we don’t know, are you alright, sit down-”

“No, I need him now.” I cried, and right away, their eyes widen. My head spun, blood cold and palms sweaty, I feel like I’m going to be sick. “Ying Yue, you’re as white as a ghost, what’s wrong?” They begged, grasping my hands as I shook like a leaf, “I just need Zu-”

“Yue.” My head shot upwards; front door flung open.

“Zuko.” I gasped, running forward. His brows pinched together, seeing me all frazzled, but I also noticed he looked disorganized.

“My sister – you’re in danger.”

“I know the snitch – it’s Mai.”

Both of your eyes widen.

Welp…this vacation went to shits.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Avatar characters portrayed in this story besides Ying Yue Jiang, Lia, Kima, and any future creations.

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wiseabsol · 4 years

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WA Reviews “Dominion” by Aurelia le, Chapter 12: The Seal

Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6383825/12/Dominion

Summary: For the Fire Nation royal siblings, love has always warred with hate. But neither the outward accomplishment of peace nor Azula’s defeat have brought the respite Zuko expected. Will his sister’s plans answer this, or only destroy them both?

Content Warnings: This story contains discussions and depictions of child abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and incest. This story also explores the idea that Zuko’s redemption arc (and his unlearning of abuse) is not as complete as the show suggested, and that Azula is not a sociopath (with the story having a lot of sympathy for her). If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, I would strongly recommend steering clear of this story and my reviews of it.

Note: Because these were originally posted as chapter reviews/commentaries, I will often be talking to the author in them (though sometimes I will also snarkily address the characters). While I’ve also tried not to spoil later events in the story in these reviews, I would strongly recommend reading through chapter 28 before reading these, just to be safe.

Now on to chapter 12!

CHAPTER 12: THE SEAL

Alright, on to chapter twelve, “The Seal,” my favorite chapter of “Dominion!” This is going to be a much longer review than the others, so do be warned in advance.

In regards to the author’s note, I do not envy the amount of research and posing you need to do to handle fight scenes in this story, but I admire how much work you put into it. I think the fight scenes really shine! The other points of discussion here are also interesting, namely regarding Iroh, who we’ll be seeing more interiority from as time goes on.

Into the chapter itself! Oh lord, cricket wasps—I hate the insects in the ATLA world, I really do. So in this flashback, twelve-year-old Ty Lee has snuck over to Azula’s quarters and is watching her through the window, while hanging upside-down from a tree. God, I miss being young and able to climb trees like that with ease. But anyway, Azula is wearing one of her mom’s old robes during the hottest part of the summer, because symbolism and because Azula is sick as a dog. Ty Lee doesn’t know that yet, though.

“Not at lessons, or meditating, or any of the other stuff Li and Lo said every time Ty Lee had tried to call on her in the past two weeks.”—This indicates that Li and Lo are aware of what is going on with Azula, and haven’t done anything to intervene on her behalf. Not that that would be easy, since Ozai is the Fire Lord, BUT—and this is key—in this continuity, they were Azulon’s concubines. Given that there hasn’t been mention of them having Azulon’s bastards in the main story (unlike with Iroh in “The Road”), this implies that Li and Lo had access to birth control. So they could have given some to Azula in the form of tea, or—since they haven’t revealed that they know what is going on to her—to Ozai to give to Azula. They would still be accomplices to Ozai’s abuse, but they could have done some damage control. They didn’t, though. Nor did Ozai. Maybe they all gambled on Azula being too young to conceive, which, A.) Is really gross, and B.) Is ignorant of them, since teenagers who grow up with good diets tend to have their first periods between ages 11-13. They should have taken more precautions. Or, you know, NOT forced Azula to have sex.

I’m getting ahead of myself. Ty Lee is under the impression that Azula is trying to ghost her, and thinks something about Mai that I’m puzzled about: “Something about, they never said anything before—” I feel like this is about Zuko, somehow. Did he not say anything to Mai before he went into exile? I think it’s implied that they already had something going on before he left, given how quickly they got together after season two, but there might have also been a comic that went over how Azula got them together, and used their relationship to secure Zuko’s return home?

“But those old ladies were Azula’s servants, right? So if they were lying to her, it was like Azula was lying to her….”—I think Ty Lee shows a touch of classism here, because she doesn’t consider the possibility that Lo and Li might be lying to her for their own reasons, or that they might be trying to drive a wedge between the girls. Heck, they might even think that Ty Lee is annoying and are just messing with her. She assumes that Lo and Li and Azula are all aligned, because she was taught that that’s what’s proper from servants—that they will align themselves with values of their employers and carry out their wishes. This might even be true in a healthy household, where everyone values each other and are pitching in to make their household a good one. But the Royal Family’s household isn’t healthy, and Lo and Li have more agency than Ty Lee gives them credit for.

Also, it boggles my mind that Lo and Li, the concubines, are Azula’s servants. What in the world did the court think that they were teaching her? I can only assume it was things like cosmetics, fashion, and feminine arts like tea ceremonies, but goodness, weren’t there actual instructors for those, both in the capitol and at the Academy? Possibly Azula chased those teachers away, since Mai says in one chapter that Azula bullied their instructors at the Academy. But still, I can’t imagine no one raised an eyebrow at Lo and Li being assigned to Azula.

“The other girls at the academy said Azula was a liar, even Mai did, but Ty Lee knew she didn’t lie about that. When Ty Lee was being annoying or childish or empty-headed, Azula told her so, she didn’t just invent excuses not to be around her. Mai said it was because Azula didn’t care what she thought. That was the only reason she was honest with Ty Lee. But Azula didn’t care what anyone thought except her dad, and she still lied to all of them….”

We know that Azula lies and that she’s quite good at it, BUT I suspect that what was happening at the Academy was more a case of Azula being bluntly honest, and the people she was talking to not wanting to believe what she was saying. Also, with Ty Lee’s ability to read auras, she—unlike Toph—might be able to catch Azula in a lie, even if she can’t discern what the truth is based on her readings. So I think that Ty Lee has a better grasp on Azula than Mai does, while Mai is less likely to excuse Azula’s toxic actions out of sympathy for her.

“She shouldn’t say goodbye to her friend while she was thinking all these unkind thoughts that probably—definitely—weren’t even true.”—She’s such a sweetheart. This is the chapter that swayed me to the Azula and Ty Lee ship.

“Azula didn’t even know she was out here, Ty Lee realized. But she was practically impossible to sneak up on—“—Because she’s sick, Ty Lee. But also, it’s depressing that Azula is constantly on her guard.

“Azula must not know Li and Lo turned her away, or she wouldn’t ask that.”—Told you, Ty Lee. They have their own agendas.

Ty Lee discusses how Azula’s aura has appeared to her in the past, including this sad line: “Even forest green when she used to watch her mom with Zuko.” Azula has always been jealous of how close Ursa and Zuko were. I suspect that she wanted that closeness with both of them, especially her mom, but none of them knew how to connect with each other.

“Her shadowed eyes were fever-bright, and only stood out more starkly for being lined with kohl.”—Azula, if there’s a day to not bother with make-up, it’s today. I know your little perfectionist heart won’t allow you to skip your routine, but if you’re spending your day vomiting and sweating, throw those cosmetics into the back of the drawer and don’t bother.

“Ty Lee couldn’t remember the last time she saw Azula with her hair down….”—So no sleepovers lately, eh?

It turns out that Ty Lee’s family are having her followed because they’ve made a match for her, and Ty Lee isn’t into it. Azula is similarly not into it and is confused, because it doesn’t seem to make much sense—Ty Lee is very young and has older sisters that still need to be married off, so this seems out of the blue.

“Ty Lee hesitated at that. If she told her the whole story, Azula might try to stop her. She always agreed with her dad.”—There we are, it’s not her family’s idea, it’s Ozai’s. It’s sad that Ty Lee thinks that Azula will automatically side with Ozai on the issue, but it’s also a commonly held belief about Azula, and something that Ozai has cultivated. I don’t think that anyone has tested what might make Azula break from Ozai—the closest she’s gotten to doing so was when she lied to her father, namely for Zuko after Aang’s “death.”

Ty Lee tries to deflect Azula’s questions by saying that her family wants to get her hitched before she runs off and joins the circus. And because Azula does, in fact, care about Ty Lee, she doesn’t laugh at the idea, but is instead hurt that Ty Lee is planning to leave—specifically, that’s she’s planning to leave HER. Azula is terrified of being left alone, now that Zuko, Ursa, Mai, and even Iroh have all left her behind without a backwards glance.

“Ty Lee just glimpsed what looked unbelievably like panic on her wan face”—Ty Lee has never seen Azula panicked before. Or heard her curse before, which is what she does after vomiting into a vase. Ty Lee holds her hair back like a true friend. Somewhere, there’s a college AU of these two having a drunken night out and Ty Lee making sure that Azula doesn’t get vomit in her hair.

“‘You’d think it’d stop after—’ She stopped then, like she only just remembered something.”—Azula nearly slips here, and I do have to wonder what she almost said. After the potion took effect and the cramping and bleeding started? I’m assuming that the expelled fetus would be too small to see at four months, but I don’t know enough about fetal development to know if that’s correct, and I don’t want to look it up.

Ty Lee tries to ask her what she’s sick with, which Azula deflects. When thinking about what Azula could have said that she was sick with, I did wonder if Azula would have gone through a poison training regime at some point—been exposed to increasing doses of X and Y poisons to build up an immunity to them? Of course, this would have to be done under the supervision of a trusted doctor, and who knows if Ozai would trust a doctor enough for that.

“A pulpy mash of what might have been crushed leave, shredded stems, and petals lavender and yellow”—I believe Azula has a double-dose of tansy and pennyroyal here. She also heats up her own tea, which I believe Iroh does too, suggesting that she has equally fine control over her firebending. Zuko, I think, is implied to overheat the water, making for bitter tea.

“‘Just a miscalculation,’ Azula said almost to herself, and Ty Lee heard how she paused over the world, like it wasn’t her own.”—This plays into a couple of things. Azula has a deep fear of making mistakes, in large part due to being raised by an abusive parent who wouldn’t accept anything less than perfection, but also by the trauma of how own his mistakes have physically and psychologically affected her. It also adds another trigger to why Azula blew up at Mai at the Boiling Rock. Not only was she betrayed and abandoned by Mai, but Mai unintentionally reminded her of the pain from a past miscalculation.

“dumped a heaping spoonful of some off-white powder into the cup and stirred”—I wonder what this was?

When Ty Lee points out that Azula’s medicine doesn’t seem to be working, Azula says, “‘It just needs time,’” and I want to sit her down and discuss the sunken cost fallacy, and how you definitely don’t want to apply it to medication. Azula mentions that she wonders if she’ll ever get the taste out of her mouth, and I’m pretty sure she’d get nauseous if she tasted it again, given how aversions work.

“‘I’ve been taking it every few hours, by Fa—by our physician’s orders.’”—This is an ugly little detail. It’s possible that Azula’s “reaction to the herb” later in the chapter isn’t due to it having an unexpected side effect, but because she had way, way too much of it because she followed Ozai’s orders, rather than her doctor’s instructions. Which isn’t her fault, by the way—it’s Ozai’s.

“Ty Lee wondered if Azula could heat her hand to make it a hot compress, like the warm washcloth her Nana would drape on her forehead when she was sick. That always felt so good.”—I doubt that Azula has ever had someone give her a hot compress, so she wouldn’t think to do this.

“‘Listen, you don’t have to run away.’ She drew a deep breath, as if bracing herself for an unpleasant undertaking. ‘I’ll talk to my father. He might get your parents to back off.’”—It’s so telling that Azula isn’t looking forward to asking her father for help.

Ty Lee admits that Ozai suggested the match, and follows it up with others way that Ozai has tried to elevate her family that they’ve declined. Azula puts two and two together and realizes that Ozai—who presumably already got rid of Mai by putting Mai’s family in charge of Omashu—is trying to do the same to Ty Lee. He’s trying to isolate Azula from her loved ones, both because it lowers to risk of their secret coming to light, but is also a classic abuse tactic: make sure the victim has no one but the abuser in their life, and thus no one else they can turn to for help and support.

“‘They’re a cadet branch of your family, from back before Fire Lord Sozin.’”—I’m surprised that Ozai hasn’t found a way to get rid of them. Also, Aurelia, you need to read the Kyoshi novels, because I think you would dig the Fire Nation politics in book two.

“She didn’t start talking again when she saw the look on Azula’s face. It was like someone walled off the last window into her prison cell…. Ty Lee couldn’t guess where that came from, when the princess was the most powerful person she knew. But it fit. Somehow, it fit.”—This hurts so baaaaaaad. But yeah, Ty Lee, you were literally the only bright spot in Azula’s life, and probably the only one who loved her for who she was. Azula is looking at a future where she’s alone with her abuser.

And what does Azula do in response? She puts Ty Lee first. “‘Then you have to go,’” she says, because if Ty Lee doesn’t run now, Ozai is going to find some other, crueler way to get Ty Lee out of the picture, and Azula knows it. When Ty Lee hesitates, Azula lashes out, trying to drive her away. But what she says is rooted in her own insecurities about being abandoned. In her moments of doubt, I think Azula genuinely thought that Ty Lee was looking for an excuse to leave her, too. Even though it’s apparent that Ty Lee cares about her.

“‘Do you think I don’t know we were only introduced because your parents were trying to betroth you to Zuko?’”—That is audacious of a minor noble family, not going to lie.

“her fingers clenching like they always did at the mention of her banished brother.”—Proof that Azula is upset about Zuko being banished, even if she can’t admit it to herself.

“This was the first Ty Lee heard of it, but she guessed it might be true. It was beside the point anyway. ‘That’s my parents, Azula. Not me,’ she insisted, approaching the white-faced princess. ‘You’re my friend, and I care about you. I’m here because I want to be here.’”—Ty Lee is so precious and Azula should date her. Alas, queer relationships are illegal in the Fire Nation, at least during the time this story is set in.

Azula continues to break down and is close to outright crying, which makes Ty Lee’s heart sink. We get this bit of info: “‘Don’t you remember how you felt when your grandad tried to arrange a marriage for you? I mean, I know you were younger, but…you wouldn’t want that for me, would you?’” So Azula was not pleased about having to marry her cousin, Lu Ten. I don’t think that info has quite been revealed yet—I think Ursa thinks about it later—but that’s what’s being referred to here.

“She climbed the shallow steps to sit beside Azula, as close as she dared.”—Even back then, Azula didn’t like being touched. That or Ty Lee is afraid that Azula will hurt her, but I hate that reading.

“‘What I want doesn’t matter,’ the princess spoke with an awful finality. ‘It never did.’”—Holy HELL does this break my heart. I’ve also been there, so I want to wrap Azula up in a hug, even though I know she’d hate that. Also, does Azula know what she wants? What SHE really wants, and not what the people around her wants from and for her?

“��It matters to me,’ Ty Lee said gently, and reached out to lay a hand on her arm in reassurance.”—Ty Lee is trying to kill me with this sweetness. She’s such a good person!

Azula continues to rant poisonously at Ty Lee, and what Ty Lee doesn’t realize is that there’s a strong undercurrent of self-hatred in what Azula is saying: “but it wasn’t worth putting up with me anymore [ . . . ] was it?” She fully expects people to leave her, and is now actively trying to push Ty Lee away, because then at least she can tell herself that she was the one in control of how their relationship ended, rather than feeling helpless.

And why is that trauma there? Well, because of Ursa. “‘You act like you’re doing me some kind of favor, saying goodbye when my mother didn’t.’” Ursa didn’t say goodbye to Azula. That would have left deep scars on her, even if the rest of her family and friends were supportive of her.

Azula then says something that would be unforgiveable for most people: “‘You act like you’re my friend, when the only one stupid enough to believe that is you.’” Azula knows she went too far, because a few seconds later, “the princess had taken one step closer to where [Ty Lee] still sat at the end of the bed, something like regret written on her bloodless face.” I suspect that Azula would have apologized here, but then she collapses onto her knees.

“Ty Lee was on her feet and down the shallow steps in an instant, her own hurt all but forgotten.”—Ty Lee is such a good friend. She asks Azula what’s wrong, but Azula can’t even think up a convincing lie.

It’s mentioned that one of Azula’s hands go into her robe to clutch at her stomach, and when she draws her fingers away, there is blood on them. She’s bleeding badly at this point, but the heavy clothing is covering it up. At this point, a servant comes in and tells them that Ozai has summoned Azula, despite the fact that she’s very sick. Ty Lee is appalled, but Azula insists on going. Azula orders Ty Lee away, but of course Ty Lee isn’t about to go now.

“She didn’t even get to hug Azula goodbye! And what she said about—about not being her friend…. Azula didn’t mean that, right? If Ty Lee just gave her time, she’d take it back, she’d apologize like she always did before.”—I think it’s undeniable that Azula behaves toxically towards her friends at points. Hopefully this will be something that she grows out of, but that is probably going take a lot of time and effort.

Ty Lee, hearing Azula struggling to get ready, goes to check on her. “[Azula’s] shoulders slumped hopelessly, and she bit her lip so hard she drew blood.”—This really makes you feel for her. She feels like she has to look perfect in front of her own father while she’s severely ill. It makes me want to punch Ozai in the groin. Ty Lee helps her with her hair, which shows that she’s also very brave, as well as a true friend. Ty Lee is so underrated as a character, I swear.

“The blood was gone from her fingers, and Ty Lee started to wonder if she’d only imagined it.”—Ty Lee is going to have the worst time when she puts two and two together that she was there when Azula was having her abortion. Also when she learns what Ozai was doing to Azula. It’s going to break my heart when it happens.

Azula then gives Ty Lee her royal seal, which the chapter is named for. Azula gives it to Ty Lee so that Ty Lee will be able to get whatever she needs on the road. This will also let Azula keep track of where she is, but Ty Lee doesn’t think of that in the moment. Ty Lee tries to glomp Azula, but Azula braces herself as if expecting to be hit. “‘We’re not little kids anymore,’” Azula says, and I’m like, “Girl, you’re thirteen, yes you are.”

Azula’s rejection of the hug hurts Ty Lee, but Ty Lee nonetheless stays in Azula’s room to wait for a real goodbye.

“And sometimes when Azula’s dad sent for her, she came back upset. She might want to talk about it…. She wouldn’t want to talk about it, Ty Lee admitted [. . .] But she might want someone to talk at her, about stupid meaningless stuff to distract her. Azula acted annoyed when she did that, but sometimes Ty Lee thought she secretly liked it.”—This is so sad, given that we know why Azula comes back upset. I also relate to the distraction tactic. My friends and I use it on each other all of the time when we’re upset.

Ty Lee considers staying a few extra days to make sure that Azula is feeling better, which definitely goes against Azula’s warning—but then, Ty Lee doesn’t know that she’s in danger. Ty Lee continues to wait for Azula, even after it gets dark. “Every time she looked up into that dark immensity, Ty Lee thought it looked like a giant mouth. Like Azula slept in a dragon’s maw.”—Oh look, a metaphor!

In the middle of the night, Ozai comes into Azula’s room in a rage and starts destroying her changing screen, which is another abusive action—ruining her belongings in his anger, rather than anything belonging to him—and is probably also a metaphor, since the screen could represent her privacy.

Ozai quickly realizes that Ty Lee is in the room and reigns himself in, though he’s still radiating rage, and Ty Lee knows that he could hurt her: “And Ty Lee knew a moment of blinding terror, when she imagined his big hands doing to her what they did to the screen….” She actually does think that he’s going to hit her at one point.

He interrogates her on why she’s there, and Ty Lee thinks about how he and Zuko have the same eyes. It draws to mind that Zuko actually has the same explosive anger as Ozai, though he, at least, has the excuse of youth. Ty Lee, brave as she is, questions Ozai about where Azula is, and doesn’t buy the explanation he gives her.

“‘She is a prodigy [ . . . ] My perfect girl….’ Something in his voice made Ty Lee’s eyes go wide. He talked about Azula like—like maybe she wasn’t those things anymore. Like something bad happened to her….”—Woof. First, she shouldn’t have to be perfect. Second, what’s happening to Azula is your fault, Ozai, not hers.

“‘She will sit the Burning Throne one day, with the world for her dominion.’”—Title drop! “‘Nothing will divert her from that goal. Nothing [ . . . ] and no one.’”—What if Azula has different dreams, Ozai? What if she does something wild like fall in love? What is SHE wants to join a circus? Cirque Du Soleil, maybe!

In any case, Ty Lee doesn’t get the hint that Ozai is talking about her, or that he sees Ty Lee as a distraction to Azula. Namely, a distraction from him and his ambitions.

“Ty Lee spotted two servants halfway down the length of it. They scrubbed at a dark stain on the tile floor, working on hands and knees with their heads together, whispering. They fell silent immediately on spotting the Fire Lord, and redoubled their efforts, eyes fixed determinedly on their work and not on the young girl he led by the arm down a side passage.”—Oh, they absolutely know what’s going on with Azula. That he’s dragging another young girl down a hallway is not a good look for him, either.

Ozai shoves Ty Lee off onto a guard to escort out of the palace. The guard, to his credit, is gentle with her. Once outside, Ty Lee considers trying to go back inside, wanting to prove to Azula that they’re friends. However, she heeds Azula’s warning instead, which likely saves her life, since Ozai would done something terrible had she ignored his threats. She would have become a security risk once she knew the truth, after all, and it’s not like she’s her family’s heir.

We flash forward to the present day, with Ty Lee reminiscing on what happened afterwards. Ty Lee wrote to Azula, but I strongly suspect that Azula burned the letters after reading them, and didn’t send letters back because she was worried that someone might use them to track Ty Lee down. That and she was pretending that Ty Lee had stolen from her, so no sense in acting too chummy. Also, Azula is Ty Lee’s “first and oldest friend,” which is cute and probably implies the same thing right back at Ty Lee.

Ty Lee thinks about how Azula’s aura was different when they met again, and how Zuko’s was the same color for a while. She noticed that Azula was cold and lying all of the time (her aura colors meaning, “fear of the future, self-expression, or telling the truth,” “struggling to maintain control,” “anger,” and “survival-oriented”), and was getting worse and worse mentally, especially after Zuko left again. Eventually, it was so bad that Ty Lee was scared of her….

But because Ty Lee is a saint, they reconnected at the asylum. When Ty Lee shows her the seal, Azula has doubts that she’ll put her name to anything again, and I’m like, “Please, there is no story if you don’t.”

“Azula didn’t think she would ever get out of the asylum [ . . . ] Zuko refused to even consider releasing her. He would see she wasn’t crazy anymore if he just talked to her, but Zuko wouldn’t even see her. Yeah, Ty Lee knew they had a bad history, but wasn’t it a Fire Lord’s job to take care of all his subjects, even the ones he didn’t like? It made her mad just thinking about it, about him. Why wouldn’t he listen? Didn’t he care?”—Well for one thing, Ty Lee, if Zuko lets Azula out of the asylum, she’ll have to stand trial. She’ll also no longer be under his control, which he cares about much more than Azula herself.

“Azula said not to come back for her birthday, but she didn’t say when to come back. And Ty Lee was left wondering if the answer was, well…never. No. Azula was her friend. She was as much, and meant it.”—So good to see someone having faith in Azula! You go, Ty Lee!

In the present day, the other Kyoshi Warriors all know that Azula has escaped the asylum, but no one has told Ty Lee.

“her skirts falling to cover the linen pantalettes most Kyoshins hadn’t even know were part of the uniform, until Ty Lee arrived.”—This is very funny, given what it implies about Ty Lee’s love of acrobatics.

Aww, Azula is wearing her hair in a braid like Ty Lee taught her. I know it’s more practical for her long hair, but it’s also sweet (and smart, not wearing it in the traditional Fire Nation topknot).

Ty Lee, our sweet summer child, thinks that Zuko let Azula go. “Azula frowned, and a guardedness stole over her face. For once, she looked more sad than angry at the mention of her brother.”—That stings. But the two go inside to discuss Azula’s escape more, since Azula quickly establishes that she broke herself out.

Ty Lee’s house is a mess, because of course it is, but Azula doesn’t actually mind—probably too tired to. “Ty Lee stared. Since when was Azula fine with messy surroundings? She was such a neat-freak even when they were kids that she cleaned Ty Lee’s room unprompted practically every time she came over. One of the lesser-known benefits of having the princess for a friend.”—This is rather funny. I would also not be surprised if, in a modern setting, Azula was diagnosed with some form of OCD, given this sort of behavior.

Azula is very chill and polite during this visit—you can see how much she’s grown when contrasting this to how she treated Ty Lee in the flashback—and perks up at the thought of food. Ty Lee starts to make breakfast, thinking about what Azula’s escape might mean. We get more about how the Kyoshi Warriors are still bitter at Azula, and how Ty Lee sticking up for Azula drove a wedge between her and the others. “Four years, and it was like they didn’t trust her at all!”—Probably because they don’t, where Azula is concerned.

“And she would do just about anything for Azula. Anything but hurt another friend. She drew that line at the boiling Rock, and for all her doubts, Ty Lee didn’t think the princess would cross it again.”—Good, Ty Lee, I’m glad that you’ve set a boundary. Though you might want to be more worried about Mai now, since she would benefit from Azula being hurt or killed, and is still in demonizing Azula mode.

Apparently, back when they were travelling together, Azula would start the campfire and then do firebending practice, rather than helping cook or set up camp, which was self-centered of her. There’s a faint echo of this set-up here, though it’s happening in Ty Lee’s home, and Azula stays put this time.

Ty Lee asks when Azula escaped, and Azula admits that it was on her birthday—Ty Lee had visited two days before—and Ty Lee asks her a piercing question about why she didn’t want Ty Lee there for it: “Was it because—you didn’t want to make me choose again? Or because [ . . . ] you didn’t think I’d choose you?”

Azula admits that there was some of both reasons in there, which Ty Lee is hurt by. “Azula had issues with trust, she knew that. But she still couldn’t help thinking, It’s like nobody trusts me at all! All she wanted was for everyone to like her. Was that so much to ask?”—This is self-centered of Ty Lee, but I’m amused by how this quote ends. No, Ty Lee, not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay. It sucks, but that’s just how life is. But she’s what, eighteen, so of course that will take some time for her to internalize. Even though I, personally, do think everyone should like her, because she’s great.

“‘I would have chose you,’ Ty Lee said softly, seating herself beside the princess to put them on equal conversational footing. She reached across the table and their empty plates to grasp Azula’s arm. ‘It was wrong of Zuko to keep you there. I told him so, lots of times.’”—This is such a sweet moment and strikes a great contrast to the conversation they had in the flashback. Whereas Azula lashed out in the flashback and Ty Lee wasn’t sure what to do, now Azula is being vulnerable and accepting Ty Lee’s comfort. It’s really nice.

“Azula looked up with a sad smile. ‘I know you did.’”—My heart!

Azula then surprises Ty Lee by asking about her mother, Princess Ursa, and where Zuko searched for her. Mostly he searched in the colonies (have those reverted to the Earth Kingdom or are they still Fire Nation-owned?), but lost the trail at the Great Divide. That place is such a curse to our heroes, isn’t it?

Ty Lee thinks that this is a new adventure to go on with Azula, which on the one hand, I would love, but on the other hand, I’m offended on behalf of the Kyoshi Warriors. Is she just planning to ditch them? Also, from a meta standpoint, she’d be third-wheeling later on. Azula gently shoots the idea down, but proposes that Ty Lee be her ally among her enemies. Not a spy, but a safety net. Ty Lee initially thinks about how Azula once burned her own safety net, but then thinks, “She’s not that person anymore [ . . . ] She’s changed.” Which I do think is true. Azula has a lot of lingering problems, but she does seem genuine about making things up to Ty Lee. So Ty Lee agrees to the deal.

And then the eggs burn and Azula vomits at the smell. Azula reveals that she’s been getting sick a lot lately, which she chalks up to the Earth Kingdom’s food being too heavy. Ty Lee is skeptical of this, and then puts the pieces together before Azula does: Azula is pregnant! Ty Lee is pretty adorably excited about this, not noticing that Azula is quietly panicking, and asks who the father is, which is a line of questioning that Azula shuts down: “‘He’s married [ . . . ] and even if he weren’t, completely worthless.’”

Ty Lee’s exuberance will not be deterred, but Azula is very much not excited: “I’m on the run from the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom both. This can only slow me down, and make it harder to hide. I should—“—Get rid of it. But Azula isn’t going to, even though she knows that it’s not strategically sound for her to be pregnant, let alone have a baby. At the same time, abortion carries its own, potentially deadly risks.

“And an awful thought occurred to Ty Lee, one too terrible to put to words even. This whole time, she had imagined Azula falling in love with some handsome guard who spirited her away in the middle of the night, or a brave young general who always loved her from afar and broke her out of the asylum to restore her crown…. But she was pregnant, and alone. That should have been Ty Lee’s first clue something was wrong.”—Woof. She doesn’t think that Azula might have been assaulted here, but she does sense that there was nothing romantic in what happened. Also, her fantasies for Azula are so saccharine! XD

When Ty Lee asks for more info, Azula, blushing with shame, says, “‘I don’t—even remember most of it. It might have happened to someone else.’”—Confirming that she was disassociating in chapter seven.

Azula starts crying and Ty Lee hugs her. Azula returns the hug and rambles about how this is another way for “him” to control her, and how much she doesn’t want him to have power over her, which Ty Lee doesn’t understand. But she’s supportive of Azula and tells her that she’ll get through this, because Azula always figures something out.

Ty Lee takes Azula back inside and notices that her aura is a mix of colors, including lemon-yellow, which she thought happened when Azula was lying, but actually represents the fear of losing control. Which, you know, makes sense coming from Azula. The white with white sparkles is the baby.

“Wow, Azula with a baby. It was hard to imagine. But he’d be next in line for the throne, after Lu Ten and Azula herself. Unless—did illegitimate children still inherit? Ty Lee should know this, she used to be a noble.”—Oh Ty Lee, sweetie. No, bastards don’t inherit unless they are legitimized by royal decree. Granted, it’s possible, even probable, that this child will be legitimized, though Zuko would have to be the one to do it. Unless Azula claimed the throne, in which case, she could do it herself. Which would be great. Upset that monarchal system, Azula, it’s terrible!

“Or maybe she would have a girl! Ty Lee hoped she had a girl, one who looked just like her. Ty Lee wondered what the father looked like.”—Pretty dang similar, Ty Lee! Pretty dang similar!

Kaede, one of the Kyoshi Warriors, comes knocking on Ty Lee’s door to tell her about Azula’s escape. You know, only a month late. Ty Lee yells to try to wake Azula up, because Azula is a light sleeper. Yeah, abuse trains you not to sleep too deeply.

Kaede catches on to the fact that Ty Lee might have Azula around when she sees there are two plates set out, though Ty Lee tries to throw her off the scent by suggesting that she’s waiting for Shan Mo, her newest suitor. Oh Ty Lee, if only you were bi and dating girls too, then Kaede couldn’t catch you out on this lie. Apparently, the men take long fishing trips. Kaede insists on going in and checking the house out, but fortunately, Azula has already fled.

Kaede and Ty Lee follow her into the woods. Kaede is shocked to see Azula looking like such a mess, and Azula, being a quick-thinker, loudly accuses Ty Lee of betraying her. It takes Ty Lee a second to catch on, and her response is hilarious: “You’re mean, and I hate you for ALL TIME!” Even if Ty Lee was an amazing actress, I’m pretty sure Kaede wouldn’t have bought this. Not when Ty Lee has been visiting Azula for years now, with her last visit being a scant two days before Azula broke out. The Kyoshi Warriors might even think she helped somehow, even if Ty Lee didn’t accompany Azula off of Ember Island.

“Kaede had drawn her katana, but actually lowered it along with her fan to glance at Ty Lee in disbelief.”—Your distraction, Kaede, is why you’re about to get your butt whooped.

There is some fighting, which is dynamic and exciting, but this cuteness is what sticks out to me: “Ty Lee couldn’t help grinning up at Azula, when the princess flipped overhead. It was always cool to see her combine firebending with the acrobatics Ty Lee taught her. It made her feel a warm glow of accomplishment inside, as if she were the one to pull that off.”—I blame you entirely for making me ship them, Aurelia. Stuff like this makes me want them to take over the palace and raise Azula’s baby together.

Azula knocks Kaede out, and when Ty Lee goes to check on Kaede to confirm that she’s okay, Azula makes a sarcastic quip about what a relief that is. Ty Lee isn’t upset by this—she’s happy that Azula still has her sense of humor: “Most people didn’t realize Azula had a sense of humor, ‘cause it was kind of a black humor. But when she lost it, that was always a bad sign.”—Contrast this later to how alarmed a certain someone is by Azula’s dark humor, and how Azula reacts to it.

“‘Listen, you’re going to be fine [ . . . ] You’re the most beautiful, smartest, perfect girl in the world!’”—First, be more bi, Ty Lee. Be more bi. Second, Azula just nods in response to this, as if she’s humoring Ty Lee’s views of her. She doesn’t actually seem to believe these things about herself anymore, if she ever did.

Azula suggests that Ty Lee needs to be knocked out when the other Warriors find her, and Ty Lee reveals that she can do that to herself: “Ty Lee had ended up practicing that move on herself and volunteers of varying willingness a lot of times, before she got it right.”—Never change, Ty Lee.

Ty Lee doesn’t let Azula leave without a hug this time. Azula hugs her back, and also gives Ty Lee a backwards glance goodbye as she goes. How they’ve both grown since the flashback! Loving the parallelism here!

As Azula heads out, she focuses on the negatives of being pregnant. She then has this truly depressing series of thoughts: “Azula took a moment to wonder if this was how her mother felt about her. If Ursa ever considered ending it, ending her before she ever came into the world. Her mother hadn’t wanted another child, Dad told her. Their marriage had already soured by then, and she was happy in her precious son. But Zuko was a weakling, her father knew it even then. So he demanded another, and her mother complied. She might have acted in secret to prevent him, maybe even did a few times before Azula…. But she could not deny him forever. So Ozai got his wish. And Azula got a mother who hated her existence.”

First, Ozai had no business telling Azula any of that, and almost certainly did it to turn Azula against her mother and draw her closer to him. Second, this paints a very dark picture of Ozai and Ursa’s marriage—a picture we will later learn to be true. It shows the ugliness of a society where divorce isn’t permitted, and where wives are obligated to have their husbands’ children, regardless of what they themselves want.

Azula then starts to consider herself as a potential parent. “Could she do that to a child? [ . . . ] Even if it lived—and with such unfortunate paternity, there was every chance it wouldn’t—could Azula give it that kind of start?”—The fact that she’s wondering this is a promising sign, even if Azula doesn’t realize it yet. It’s also relatable to any victim of child abuse who worries about mistreating their own children, someday.

“You had a father who loved you [ . . . ] How many times did she tell herself that was enough? Enough that he wanted her, enough that he saw her worth?”—Azula, sweetie, if you have to tell yourself this, then it means you don’t have enough emotional support in your life, even from him.

“This baby, if it lived, wouldn’t have even that. Her brother had been happy enough to take advantage, but he didn’t ask for this either. And Zuko never took responsibility for anything, unless it made him look good. His failings were always someone else’s fault. Usually hers.”—This is ugly, but also true about Zuko. I do think that he made progress in the show, between apologizing to Iroh and helping the Avatar. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t slip up and fall back into old habits sometimes, especially where Azula is concerned. After all, how would she know that he’s grown as a person, when he’s never showed empathy towards her?

“She blamed the hormones. She blamed her brother, damn him. Damn him. Halfway around the world, and still managed to ruin her life….”—I should note that while I’m not a fan of Zuko’s behavior, Azula is just as poisoned against him. She’s not wrong about this. But she’ll have to deal with her bitterness towards him too, someday.

Azula runs into another group of Warriors and thinks, “They fancied themselves as defenders, not aggressors. Azula counted that about as smart as fighting with one hand tied behind your back.”—This might be a viewpoint shaped by her being a part of a colonizing force, rather than a defending one. I also notice that as she gives them a speech, she goes into a stance where one arm is shielding her core. That could just be a part of the form, but it could also be a subtle, unconscious way of protecting the baby.

During the fight that follows, Azula uses Ty Lee’s techniques against the group, but never aims to kill them—something that can not be said of the Kyoshi Warriors, since they’re using live steel.

“Azula considered them coolly when they fell back to regroup, failing to see the appeal. But then, Ty Lee always did have bad taste when left to her own devices. It was probably inevitable this would extend to her chosen companions.”—Somewhere, Mai is snickering at Azula’s expense. But also, have a little more faith in Ty Lee, Azula.

“A minute’s swordplay, and they forgot that she could firebend. It might almost be funny, if it wasn’t just sad.”—LOL.

“The rain of blows was almost more than Azula could keep up with, her training with blades being nowhere near as extensive as, for example, her brother’s.”—I’m shocked. Azula is admitting that Zuko is better than her at something!

“Never bring a sword to a firefight [ . . . ] Sokka’s little tart might have told you so, if she ever bothered to learn.”—I think this might be the first time that Azula has referenced a member of the Gaang (sans Zuko) by name. It implies that she has a little more respect for him than the others.

One of the downed Warriors says that the Earth Kingdom is planning to take Azula’s head off, to which Azula sarcastically remarks, “‘Trusting to the competence of others [ . . . ] Always a sound strategy.’”—I see Azula’s point that trusting strangers to do a job for you probably isn’t going to work out. However, she should know the value of teamwork, given her journey with Mai and Ty Lee. Possibly she’ll really embrace the concept down the road, but we’ll see.

“And for all that Azula could probably blast enough of them to ashes to make an instructive example, that would hardly contribute to her friendship with Ty Lee.”—Ah yes, making up excuses for why you don’t want to kill people, Azula. Ozai would not have hesitated.

As Azula passes through town, I’ll note there are many men in the crowd, so perhaps Kaede’s comment earlier referred to a specific group of them. Also, as they start to chase after her, Azula does something very cool: “Azula [ . . . ] punched the sand. And blue flames flared from her fist like phoenix wings, surging to twice her own height when they seared down the beach in either direction, drawing a line of fire in the sand. Her attackers scrambled back with gasps and a few yells, when her fire fused the grains to glass and leapt high to hide her from view, fed by her chi. Even those who fought the Fire Navy would not have seen this kata, taught almost exclusively for exhibition firebending. Azula herself hadn’t practiced it in a few months, and was gratified that she remembered it so well.”

It shouldn’t surprise me that Azula knows firebending moves that are for exhibitions, rather than combat, but I love the thought of her tackling these moves just for the joy of it. In a different universe, I could see her taking great satisfaction in winning firebending competitions, possibly while in disguise so as not to sway the judges with her royal status. In fact, Aurelia, let’s maybe add that to the Aunt Tam AU. Tam wants her to join an extracurricular at the Academy. Trophies ensue, which may or may not end up in Tam’s china cabinet (which, knowing her, never actually contained china).

Azula took a tourist boat from Chin Village to get here, which is a fun mental image. She makes a joke about hoping that the villagers can swim, but of course they can. Fortunately, she manages to get away on another boat, but thinks, “Was it going to be like this in every town that recognized her? How tiresome.”—I don’t want to say that’s what you get for being part of an imperialist regime and conquering the largest city in the Earth Kingdom, but…that’s kind of what you get when you do that! XD

Ty Lee wanted to be an actress at one point. I think she made the right call by joining the circus instead, since it’s much more suited to her talents.

“It had been six years to the day Ty Lee ran away for the circus”—That’s interesting. Ty Lee left a month after Azula’s thirteenth birthday.

“An invisible weight seemed to settle in her stomach when she thought back to that, the worst day of her life until she lost the Agni Kai….”—This is very sad. Also, she admits to losing the Agni Kai here, rather than Zuko cheating by having a second.

Now we return to the flashback we began the chapter with. This time, it’s from Azula’s perspective, and she isn’t doing well. She’s dizzy, in pain, and she’s bleeding heavily, enough so that her thighs are already covered in blood, right after she’s changed clothes. She’s worried she’s going to leave a trail before much longer.

“No one could know, no one could ever know, she remembered, forcing herself to take one step, then another. He said, never tell….”—This is horrifying.

“How could there be anything still left inside her? He said that this would end it, he said that it was safe. Their own court physician handed her the prescription, and told her how to brew the tea.”—But did he say how much to take? Also, why in god’s name weren’t you kept in the infirmary? Sure, that would risk someone finding out what’s going on, but if Ozai hadn’t summoned Azula, Azula would probably have bled to death in her bedroom. The only reason that she didn’t die was because a servant went to get a doctor. Alternatively, Ty Lee probably would have gotten a doctor, but either way, sending her to her room alone was a bad idea. You need to observe someone who’s going through this in case something bad happens. Which, you know (gestures wildly at the blood).

“It was too late for these doubts [ . . . ] The time for doubt, if it had ever been, was gone.”—Azula, I’m going to be straight with you. You’re dying. It’s natural to have doubts now.

“Her father was waiting for her, and she couldn’t disappoint him. Especially now…. He had said it was his fault. He miscalculated. She couldn’t have known. He spoke so softly when he said it, he didn’t even sound like himself. But that it happened at all suggested a lack of control. She had to prove she was still in control, always in control. She had to prove he could depend on her in anything—”—Or, maybe, and I know this is wild, Azula, but hear me out: YOU DO NOT NEED TO MAKE UP FOR YOUR FATHER’S FAILINGS. YOU ARE A CHILD. HE SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF YOU, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. IF HE WAS TAKING CARE OF YOU LIKE A PROPER PARENT, THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED.

Of course, I’m talking to a wall of text right now, but sue me, this part makes me emotional.

Azula collapses, much to the alarm of the servant. Azula grabs her wrist and orders her to get a doctor, but the servant is “staring with eyes wide as saucers at something near Azula’s feet.” Which is blood, by the way—a spreading pool of blood. Best case scenario, the palace staff assumes that someone stabbed the princess. But in all likelihood, it’s clear to the servant what this is and what it means. If the servant is smart, she’ll say nothing. But I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a staffing purge after this, and I mean that in a very permanent sense.

“A cold heaviness settled over her like a blanket of snow.”—I wonder how Azula knows what that feels like?

“It was only when she was gone and the abandoned hall grew dim round her, that Azula let her tears fall. It was only then she let herself wonder, if her father intended this all along….”—Ooof, this hurts.

“It was all training. She knew that, he knew that. But he had been very clear. No one else could know. They wouldn’t understand. It would mean the end of his reign as Fire Lord, the end of her place in the line of succession.”—Then why, in god’s name, did you do this, Ozai? Why take on this much risk? I daresay it’s overconfidence, since he didn’t foresee what’s happening to Azula right now, but good lord, he’s really something else.

“He could always have more children [ . . . ] With someone who isn’t his daughter.”—God, I hate this. This poor kid!

“But then…why send Ty Lee away? Azula grasped at the possibility. He must not want her to know what they did, but—But why bother to hurt you, when what he really meant was to kill you? She shuddered, bending in on herself. It occurred to her in that moment that there was something profoundly wrong with her life, if this was the only explanation she could find for it.”—There it is. For just a moment, Azula realizes what how nightmarish her life and her relationship with her father are. She’s going to bury this truth, but deep down, she knows that this is wrong. Even if it’s going to take her years to face it again.

“She wished she hadn’t sent Ty Lee away. She wished it until the same image came unbidden to her mind, as when her friend revealed her father’s hand in this. Ty Lee with a scar like Zuko’s, smiling, still smiling until she winced. And the same pain blossomed in her chest as before, surpassing what she felt now as the sun surpassed the moon. She couldn’t let it happen.”—Azula loves Ty Lee so much, even if she’s bad at showing it. I think that if Azula had to chose between Ty Lee and her father, this tells us who she would pick, even if no one, even Azula, would believe it.

Azula blacks out and wakes up intermittently in the infirmary over the following days. “She was in [ . . . ] the same bed they put her brother in when Dad scarred him, ironically enough.”—Yes, that sure is ironic, considering that Ozai’s abuse towards Azula is what landed her here, just like with Zuko.

“Her father was never there when she woke. She wondered if he came while she slept. She wondered if she even wanted him to.”—Good. Be disillusioned with him. Don’t want him around. I think if you were in any shape to run away from him, I’d encourage you to do so. Catch up with Ty Lee and show off your firebending at the circus. I mean, I know Ozai would track you down soon afterwards, but I just want good things for you, Azula. Staying with him will not accomplish that.

“He drew a chair up beside her bed and took a seat as if this were an invitation. Not that he needed one.”—I hate monarchies and patriarchies so much.

Azula can’t even sit up from the pain, which Ozai frowns at. What a dick.

“It was disrespectful not to look at him when he was speaking, but she couldn’t seem to do it.”—I wouldn’t want to look at him either, Azula. He’s awful. “And she closed her eyes at this, feeling as if the longer he sat there, the less air there was in the room.”—This is a bad sign, Azula, on top of all the warning klaxons and flashing danger lights.

“She raised her eyes to his face and traced the line of his jaw, the arch of his brows, the slant of his eyes. All features he passed on to her.”—Ugh.

“This was kinder than she could remember him being in a long time. It should have made her feel better. But it didn’t.”—She is so defeated here, and I don’t blame her for it.

Ozai, being a despicable person, says that this never needs to happen again—not because he’s planning to stop her training, but because he now realizes that using birth control would be a good idea! Azula is understandably horrified. “She almost died, and he wasn’t going to stop.”—Run, Azula. Run away as fast as you can. You will die if you stay in this relationship. I suspect the only reason you didn’t was because of how the events in the show worked out.

“He must have felt her hands jump under his, because Ozai tightened his grip, his hand grown hot enough to sear her skin. A warning of what she could expect if she failed him. Azula knew better than to betray any sign of discomfort.”—Aang, maybe you should have killed Ozai. I get why you didn’t. I get why the writers of the show didn’t want to go in that direction. But Ozai is a monstrous person. Even if he wasn’t trying to conquer the world and willing to burn whole chunks of it to accomplish that goal, how he treats his children is heinous.

Ozai gives her a speech about why her training is important, and I’m sitting here like, “Cool motive, still sexual abuse.” There were other ways Azula could have learned this material—books, lectures from courtesans, maybe some experimentations of her own when she was old enough for it. Instead, the trauma from this abuse is going to haunt her well into adulthood. None of this is making her stronger, either. If anything, it’s left her vulnerable to inappropriate sexual advances, and has made it so that she dissociates during sex, rather than being present for it.

“‘There will always be those who underestimate you, because you were born second, or born a woman.’ She knew he spoke from experience, and felt the same warm glow she always did inside, when he shared that with her. ‘Do not let it gall you as I did, my dear.’”—This would almost be sweet if Ozai wasn’t an emotionally manipulative jerk.

“He stood then, and surprised her by bending to place a light kiss on her forehead, his big hand cupping her chin. He hadn’t done that since she was a little girl”—I hate him so much. This is also manipulative, though I’m not sure if Ozai realizes that that’s what he’s doing.

“Your reaction to the herb was…unexpected. And Lao will pay dearly for it, once your recovery is complete.”—Lao vanished soon afterwards, never to be seen or heard from again.

“I do not mean to harm you [ . . . ] I hope you never doubted that.”—But do your intentions matter when you DID harm her, haven’t apologized for it, and won’t change your actions to ensure her safety in the future?

“‘I never did,’ Azula said quietly. That almost-smiled tugged at the corners of his mouth then, and she knew that he was pleased. It was the first time she succeeded in lying to her father. Azula felt hollow inside.”—Azula has lost her faith in her father. This isn’t a bad thing, though. What’s unfortunate is that she can’t and won’t leave him, even after all of this trauma. I suspect that she’ll think that she has to take care of him, because he’s a flawed human being who “needs” her. But something has broken here, and I hope that someday, she’ll be able to leave him behind. But it’s probably going to be a long time before that happens.

And that wraps up chapter twelve! As always, thank you for the read, Aurelia!

Sincerely,

WiseAbsol

#Dominion by Aurelia le #Azula #avatar: the last airbender #Fanfiction #Review #WiseAbsol

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ethod-reo · 6 years

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Zutara Week 2018, day 4: Turtleducks

So hi. I had a hard time writing this one, but it’s here, so i’m a bit proud. Link is here, text is under. And i’m way too tired for 9 PM.

@zutaraweek

1st August: Turtleducks

"Dad? Dad! What are these?" a giggling five years-old turned towards a smiling man dressed in long red robes.

"Well Kya, these are turtleducks, don't worry, they're harmless"

"Well of course they are, they're adorable." The child stated, ogling her father with a disabused smirk on her face. The little girl was waterbending little waves in the pond, toward the poor turtleducks. Her yellow robes empathized her airbender-like energy as she ran across the garden for the fourth time.

"You'd think she would be quieter, with such buzz-kill parents am I right?", teased the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe with an expecting look on his face.

"Let it go Sokka, I'm done parenting other adults, I've got enough on my hands with this one…" as the Fire Lord answered, another silhouette slid between the two adults."Well look at that, she's beautiful Zuko, and I am loving these robes"

"Thanks Toph!" Zuko smiled for a few seconds the, his smile fell, "Oh, right"

"Yeah you'd think after twenty years you might get used to it eh?" Zuko didn't answer, he just smiled and looked back at his daughter. She was gently patting one of the turtleducks. She had her mother's long brown hair and tanned skin, she only got his amber eyes. Outside from that, she was her mother's spit image. A boy walked up to the girl, he was a few years older and he had a mischievous smile on his lips, when he was close enough, he created a small wind, enough to scare away the small animals.

"Tenzin!" Said Tenzin quickly ran away, only to be stopped by an earth wall.

"Mom, come on, that's not fair"

"Got to work on your reflexes kid, but if I were you, I'd get out of here" Toph lowered the wall that she created, sensing a furious waterbender walking towards her son.

"Come on Kya, it was a joke!"

"Tenzin are you bullying my daughter again?" The little airbender seemed to shrink on spot, the Fire Lord was a scary man, for a seven years-old at least. Luckily for the child, another man entered the already crowded garden.

"Zuko! Sokka! And Kya! It's so good to see you all! Where's Katara? And Suki?"

"Well hello to you too, dear" said Toph with a sarcastic smile.Aang smiled and walked towards the little group. He put his arms around Zuko's and Sokka's shoulders and teased them:

"So, guys, lost your wives again eh?"

"Really Aang," replied Sokka, "I think you're spending too much time around Toph, you even use her mimics! It's frightening."

"You can talk, mister 'I wear my wife's dresses' also, I do as I want, I'm the Avatar after all" joked Aang, sticking out his chest, but he quickly added "I'm serious though, I want to talk to them, where are they?"

"Suki was looking for something on the boat and I went ahead, she should be here any minute now… I don't know about Katara. And for the last time, they were fighting robes!" Both men turned to Zuko expectantly

."Katara's been away for a week, she is coming back today but I don't exactly know when"

"She's been away? Did you guys have a fight or something, because you know, if you hurt my sister…"

"It's nothing like that," interrupted Zuko "she wanted to go somewhere with Iroh, well, he nagged her to go on a field trip, you get the idea. Anyway, since Kya really misses her brother, I'm glad that Tenzin's here, it'll keep her distracted." Suki finally came in, and the group settled inside the palace for more space, as they did so, Zuko stayed behind with his daughter.

"So, Dad," started Kya, "Mom's coming back today right? With Iroh?"

"Yes sweetie, they'll be here before sunset, I promise you."

"Okay… I'll go look for Tenzin, you’ll tell me when they get here right? It's not fair, it's always Iroh that gets to go away on trips!" She muttered, walking away. It really was unfair! Just because he was older! She was already five, and what if he's a firebender? Everybody knows that waterbending's way cooler. Kya was kicking small rocks when she finally found her friend. They spent hours playing in the gardens, Tenzin had just got his glider and he was falling almost every time, but it was still funny.

When they got back, the Fire Lord was no longer alone, Kya shushed her friend and watched her parents from behind the corner of the wall. The palace was quiet. The sun hid behind the mountains, but still the sky burned of the blazing colour that it left behind. The garden was perfect as always, even in the dark, a few lanterns lit up a path to the pond in the middle.

There, was standing the reigning couple, both wearing red robes, both hugging the other as if they had been apart for years.

Katara was a very beautiful woman, and through the eyes of her daughter, she was the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Kya always loved her mom's eyes, so blue, like the water they bended. If Kya hid, it was because of how sad her father had looked, this past week. She knew that her parents her in love, it showed in their voices and their eyes, sometimes she would see her father looking at her mother waterbending, with sheer admiration and love filling his eyes. She loved to see them together. They looked so happy.

She turned to Tenzin and slowly backed away, pointing her finger towards the room where the other adults were.

"We should tell them that mom's back right?"

"No, not yet, come on Kya, let's find your brother instead" The two kids slid away into the dark.

"I've missed you Katara"

"I've missed you too Zuko"

Thanks for reading!

#zutara week 2018 #zw2018 #turtleducks #zutara #au

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firelxrdsdaughter · 6 years

Note

What if Iroh had died during the war instead of his son and Ozin became fire lord that way?

Oh HO! :OOO

“I will not help you with this!”

Her mother’s voice drifts through Azula’s sleep and catches her attention despite how lightly she has addressed her father. Azula keeps her breathing even, eyes open only to slits. She can tell that it is him by the pattern at the hem of his robes.

“Lu Ten is an innocent boy. He’s young, and he’s healthy, and he is in mourning. Not to mention your father is in good health.”

“I have taken you for many things,” Ozai says in return, voice a honeyed hiss, “but never a coward, Ursa.”

She hears her mother’s scoff, feels it even where her face is pillowed against the woman’s thigh. Azula’s brow furrows of its own accord, and her mother’s cool palm smoothes over it. The two adults pause for a moment, obviously waiting for her to awaken. Azula continues to feign slumber.

When she begins again, Ursa’s voice is far softer.

“What if harm were to come to our children. How would you feel then? In fact, what if your roles had been reversed, and Iroh was encouraging his wife to help him take the throne out from under Zuko?”

“I can’t say I would be sad about it. I know that Zuko is incapable of keeping a throne for himself.”

“He is ten.”

“He is a weak little boy. More like a girl than his sister.”

“Ozai!” They pause again. Azula can feel their eyes on her. She wishes they would stop looking. “I would think that you could at least muster up some compassion for your own flesh and blood. Especially when he is so much like you.”

Now mother’s voice is a hiss.

“That child is nothing like me,” Ozai says, “He’s like his mother.”

“You wish that were so.” Mother’s voice is unfriendly. Azula doesn’t think she’s ever quite heard that tone of voice from Ursa.

“Let me put this more simply for you, Ursa.” Ozai’s smooth words sluice through the air toward them. Azula is familiar with this tactic. She fights to keep her breathing even, still. Not to clench her fingers in her mother’s skirt. “If you do not help me, I shall make certain that you are separated from our children. That you never speak to either of them again, nor see them. I will make certain that you disappear for good and waste away alone and forgotten.”

“Make all of the threats you want, Ozai. What are you without me? Azulon’s second born, unwanted, son. The disappointment. He mourns over Iroh’s death so thoroughly because he knows that his other son is not man enough to do what it was that Iroh performed for the Fire Nation’s sake for all of these years.”

“You dare speak to me this way?” Father’s voice cracks like a whip in the space between them.

“You dare threaten me,” she returns in question. “Remember that your marriage to me, into the line of Avatar Roku, was a boon to you. Your father started to notice you because of me, and because of the children that we have sired together. Without my presence in this palace, you are less than nothing. Lu Ten is young, and engaged. No doubt soon he will have heirs of his own running about the place, and you and your progeny will be relegated to princely status alone for the rest of your lives.”

“I am going to walk away,” her father growls, “because you have one of said progeny in your lap, but do not think that this conversation is over, Ursa.”

“I wouldn’t dream of thinking that it was. Goodnight, Ozai.”

“Goodnight.”

Azula watches as her father sweeps from the room, her eyes coming fully open when he is far enough away that he cannot realise that she has been listening.

“Mom…please do as dad says. It’s for our own good.”

There’s a hitch in Ursa’s breathing, and her hands are on Azula a moment later, turning her over to look at her.

“Azula! You were listening to that?” She looks horror struck.

“I don’t want you to go away.”

“Oh darling, I’m not going away. Your father is merely posturing, trying to get me to do something that I do not wish to do. Sometimes a wife cannot be obedient to her husband’s will. You’ll know that some day.”

Azula sits up sharply.

“You’re being silly,” she accuses her mother, standing up almost clumsily, still weighted down with the vestiges of sleep.

Ursa catches her hands in her own, anchoring her to the spot.

“Why won’t you do as he says?!” Azula tries to wrench her hands from her mother’s grasp, but Ursa holds firmly.

“He wants me to hurt someone, my love. Your cousin Lu Ten!”

“You’re just being selfish! If you do what he says then he won’t hurt us.”

“Azula I know that it’s scary to think about but I promise you, my love, I’m not going anywhere. If your father sends me away then I will take you with me. I promise you.”

“You can’t make that promise! Dad’s going to keep us here and he’s going to hurt us!”

“Your father loves you, Azula. He would never hurt you.”

“No he doesn’t! I heard him, he wouldn’t be sad if cousin Lu Ten hurt Zuko and took the throne from him.”

“He didn’t mean that, darling.”

“Yes, he did. He always means it!”

“Your father loves you,” the older woman repeats, “and would never, ever, hurt you.”

“Why are you so stupid?!”

The words silence their conversation for a moment, and Ursa searches Azula’s pinched expression, her hands still anchored firmly over the little girl’s.

“Azula. I want you to answer me very honestly now; has your father ever hurt you?”

Her heart beats rapid fire in her chest, a buzz in her ears, and Azula looks down and away from her mother, feeling the ache as her blood drains from her face. Breathing shallow, she shakes her head quickly, wide eyed.

“N-no.” Her voice isn’t nearly as strong as she would have wanted it to be. Her usual cocksureness is gone, replaced by something that Azula cannot name, and does not like.

“Azula!”

She continues to look away from her mother, but she can see the woman peering at her face from the corner of her eye.

“Has your father ever hurt you?”

The words want to come out. She wants to tell her mother that he’s hurt her and Zuko plenty of times before. That she’s frightened of what he’ll do when he hears that she’s told on him.

It was training. Always training. A blow that was just a little too hard when her stance wasn’t right, or a shot of fire too hot for her to handle as yet when she’d said something he does not like.

That isn’t really hurting her on purpose is it?

Instead of an answer, Azula can feel hot tears pooling in her eyes and the coming down her cheeks in rivulets to cool in the night air. Ursa frees one of her hands to reach up and wipe at the trails of wet on her full cheeks.

“Oh Agni, I’m so sorry…” Her mother’s voice is brittle. Before Azula can look to see what has caused it, the woman has dragged her into a tight embrace, her arms nearly crushing against Azula’s slight form.

At first she doesn’t want it. She stiffens, remembering what father has said about being soft or weak.

She’s eight years old and she cannot bring herself to care for much longer than a moment before she is returning the hug, wrapping her arms tightly around her mother’s neck, and burying her face against the long curtain of her amber scented hair.

“Please my darling, don’t worry. I won’t leave you and Zuko behind. I promise you.”

#ooc #drabble #what if meme #abuse tw #abuse mention #Anonymous

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wiseabsol · 5 years

Text

WA Reviews “Dominion” by Aurelia le, Chapter 7: Redirecting Lightning

Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6383825/7/Dominion

Now on to chapter 7!

CHAPTER 7: REDIRECTING LIGHTNING

Alright, this is it. I have hit chapter seven. I have hit the first benchmark chapter in this story; the one that makes or breaks “Dominion” for readers. Because this is the chapter where Zuko rapes Azula. And I am going to stand by and defend that interpretation, because regardless of how ambiguous the situation seemed to Zuko, I think the authorial intent here is clear if the reader is paying attention. So expect this to be a lengthy review, because I plan to go into depth with that. As for the rating of this story—you upped it to an M rating a long time ago, which I think was appropriate, given that “Dominion,” due to what it’s exploring, really is more of a story for adults than for young teenagers. And you’re completely right about the decision to depict what happens in this chapter, rather than tell us what happened later. No one would have believed it otherwise. Also, I’m curious, but what tropes specifically are you deconstructing where Azula redemption fics are concerned? I haven’t read enough of them to be knowledgeable about that. But onwards with the chapter itself. So Zuko and Azula are facing each other after four years of separation. Zuko notices that Azula has grown up to look like Ursa, which I love, even though this passage is incredibly creepy: “It was that resemblance that struck him most, to see Azula standing there in his mother’s robe. He recognized the elegant swirls embroidered at the neck, the hem she was too short to keep from dragging in the dust. And even if she inherited their father’s sharp chin and slanted eyes, she had Ursa’s hair and painted mouth, and lined her eyes with kohl. It barely occurred to him to wonder where she found cosmetics, when Azula hadn’t stayed here since she was a little girl. His mother’s robe, his mother’s paints…. How in eight years had he never noticed, that she tinted her lips the very same shade?” Let’s unpack that. So the least creepy interpretation of Azula using the same makeup as her mother is that their hair/skin/eye colors are the same, so Ursa’s paints are the ideal shades for Azula to use as well. However, this is clearly meant to unsettle readers, so I do have to wonder if Azula was encouraged to use the same makeup as Ursa by Ozai (or perhaps by Lo and Li) to make her a mini-Ursa in appearance. That or Azula did it unconsciously to emulate her mother/to appeal to her father’s tastes (gags). On the flip side of this, Zuko’s…interest…in Azula looking like Ursa feels Oedipal, which makes something already disturbing even worse. “‘You…came to see me?’ she spoke slower, almost tentatively. ‘Why?’”—Oh baby you’re so hopeful that Zuko came to visit you because he cares about you. “‘I hardly think that /matters/ now, after what you’ve /done/!’ Zuko reproached her, angry not just at her escape anymore, but something he couldn’t even name….”—I don’t know, is it maybe because she grew up to look like your mom and you’re weirdly turned on by that? “‘It matters to me,’ she said simply. And looked sincere as she always did, when she lied.”—Maybe because she’s not lying to you, dumdum. They argue about whether he was helping her or not by putting her into the asylum (he wasn’t), and she definitely wouldn’t have left there if not for her own cunning. Zuko liked having her under his control too much. Zuko then starts patronizing her, telling her she’s dangerous to herself and to other people, which he really isn’t in any position to be saying, since he didn’t see her for years and has no idea what kind of progress she’s made. “He blinked once at her defiance, reminded uncomfortably of another confrontation, one he stood on the other side of.”—You’re more like Ozai than you know, Zuko. Okay, it’s amazing that Azula “banished” her hallucinations. I love how you borrow dialogue from the show and use the repetition for effect like this. I noticed it in “The Road” and in the most recent chapter of “Dominion,” too, where Iroh was concerned. “And suddenly, her letters made a little more sense. Not much, but a little more. ‘You really think,’ he said slowly [ . . . ] ‘I’d keep her from you?’”—You’ve given her no evidence to the contrary, Zuko. “‘You’ll see what you want to see. You always have.’”—Azula’s got your measure, Zuko. Then Azula reveals that she wants to find Ursa, because she thinks that will help her get better (there are strategic reasons for this, too, which we’ll learn later), to which Zuko thinks in response, “And [he] had to make a conscious effort to crush the hope that surged like fire in his veins. The tiny voice of truth that said if anyone could do the impossible, it was Azula.”—Just let her go, Zuko. What do you have to lose from this plan besides Azula? Oh wait. “‘You /hated/ her! You didn’t even /care/ when Dad sent her away!’”—Zuko, did you ever ask how your sister felt about your missing mom? Or did you get so caught up in your own grief that you didn’t? I’d bet money that the latter option is what happened. “Zuko advanced on her in growing anger, but she held her ground. ‘You’re in no position to make demands!’ he reminded her, with a sweep of his hand for added emphasis. ‘A /disgraced/ princess with nothing but an /empty/ title to her name! No money, no power, no friends—’”—Be more of an ass, Zuko, why don’t you? Also Ty Lee exists, in case you’ve forgotten. Azula has a friend in her, even if she has nothing else. “‘It doesn’t /work/ like that anymore!’ he said hotly, fists clenched to match her own. Zuko was nearly close enough to lay hands on her now, and two steps away from trying it. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, /I’m/ not the one who landed in an /asylum/!”—Zuko’s hostility is starting to edge uncomfortably close to violence, in part because he feels like he’s losing his control over the situation. “But the thought of apologizing to Azula was as foreign to him as bending water. He didn’t owe her anything.”—Given later events, this may be the crux of Zuko’s character development: learning to tell Azula that he’s sorry for how he’s treated her and thanking her for the things she’s done for him over the years. Because she has helped him, at risk to herself. “‘So much better to be cruel than crazy, isn’t it?’ she whispered, close enough that Zuko could just glimpse something sad and secret behind her eyes. ‘I should know.’”—Oh baby, you need so many hugs from Ty Lee. So Azula makes a break for it and Zuko thinks, “He made a promise to Mai. And he was a father now, he forced himself to recall.”—It’s interesting to me how detached Zuko is from Lu Ten emotionally at points, while he later desires to have a certain child with him. It occurs to me that his feelings aren’t dissimilar to Ozai’s in that respect. “‘That’s not what you came here for,’ she chided, a familiar promise written in the arch of her brows.”—Well that’s not creepy at all. “‘You never should have turned you back on me.”—Channel Scar more, Azula, why don’t you? Also, I think Zuko misinterprets what she said here—he takes it as more of a threat than it probably is. Azula then asks him why he’s here. “‘To bring you to justice,’ Zuko replied automatically, because he’d said it to himself and other people enough times that that must make it true.”—That’s not how the truth works, Zuko. “‘You need to be tried for your crimes in the war,’ he insisted, ignoring how her teeth ground at the suggestion that what she’d done was wrong. ‘And as soon as you’re sane, you will be.’” Alright, so I looked up what our society defines as war crimes for this. Azula has done the following: “Depriving a prisoner of war of a fair trial,” “Unlawful deportation, confinement or transfer,” and “taking hostages” where the Kyoshi Warriors and the head of Dai Li are concerned. Now here’s what Zuko has done: “Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property,” “directing attacks against civilians,” and “taking hostages.” Azula’s crimes probably wouldn’t be considered unlawful during the time that ATLA takes place—capturing and imprisoning enemy combatants happened on both sides of the war. In addition to this, none of her victims died (presumably the Kyoshi Warriors were hurt, but that happened in combat). Zuko, on the other hand, destroyed peoples’ homes and probably did hurt civilians in the process. It’s little wonder that Azula grits her teeth when Zuko suggests that what she did was worse than what he did. “‘Well if /that/ isn’t an incentive to recover, I don’t know what is.’”—I laughed. “‘Our nation owes it to the world to hold people like /you/ to account.’ ‘People like me….’”—Yeah, I’d be disappointed in my brother, too, if I was Azula. “her voice low and silky”—Azula, this is what people mean about you talking to men in an inappropriate way. I realize you don’t know any better, but this is dangerous for you to be doing, especially to someone who is being aggressive towards you. “And Azula smiled. It was not a nice smile. ‘Five points for good parenting, Zuzu,’ she condescended, turning quite casually to leave. ‘Kids are scared enough of imaginary monsters at that age.’ Her voice fell as she moved off down the hall. ‘How soundly would he sleep, if he knew about /me/?”—So I think she actually felt hurt that Zuko hadn’t told Lu Ten about her yet. His decision to do so probably makes her feel even more isolated from their family. Her trotting out the comparison of herself to a monster is also something Azula tends to do when she’s having moments of insecurity and self-hatred. “her back to him like an invitation”—An invitation to what? Hit her? You’re so gross, Zuko. “‘So why don’t we make a deal? [ . . . ] Leave me alone to find Mother, and I will have nothing more to do with you. Or yours.’”—Take that deal, Zuko. It’s the best offer from her you’re going to get, and at this point, it’s probably the healthiest option for both of you psychologically.

"'If the best I can expect from you is /neglect/'"—It's telling that Azula uses the word "if" here, because it suggests that she would be open to having a better relationship with him, if he was willing to be a better brother to her. "'the best you can expect from me is neglect. Not quite as nice as having me under your /thumb/, to be sure [ . . . ] but don't pretend you wouldn't rather I was gone.'"—She both understands his desires here and doesn't. Zuko wants her close, but he wants her close on his terms. Zuko, in any case, shuts this conversation down by calling her crazy and rejecting her offer, which sets off the fighting between them. "Zuko had the advantage here. And the black look Azula gave him said she knew that he knew."—Let's keep this in mind as we get farther into this altercation. "Azula tumbled painfully end over end through the dust, her short, sharp cries punctuated by the dull thuds of her repeatedly striking the gray stone floor."—And Zuko claims that he doesn't want to hurt her? You'd think the pained noises she's making would pull him up short if that was the case. "'Of course you do'"—See, Azula agrees with me. "'You just don't want to admit that you /can't/!'"—Azula, I get that you're trying to get him to slip up, but if you goad him like this, he could seriously hurt you. "She wanted to knock him unconscious? he considered."—Her plans don't work if you're dead, Zuko. And I don't think she actually wants you dead, either. "Could she mean to take him hostage? [ . . . ] She had to know he would never go along with that."—Because hostages totally get a say in their captivity. Zuko thinks that Azula has a "near-perfect memory," which may be true when she's lucid, but I can't imagine it's true when she's not. "[He] thought back to that one time he'd searched her room"—for hints to where their mother had gone? Then they collide. This is where their fight starts to go off the rails. First, we get the "hug" that isn't a hug, keying us into the fact that something isn't right about the physical contact between them. Then it keeps buildings: "lifting her head so the tip of her nose just brushed his chin." "He stiffened at her closeness. Her body was pressed right against him, leaving little to the imagination. He was probably about to die. So he really should be thinking of anything other than how very thin her robe was." "Her voice was low and almost seductive, her breath hot in his ear."—In short, Zuko is very turned on by this. Random note: Azula is left-handed. I love it. "And Zuko struck her hard across the face."*—Remember when I said I had a theory I was going to get into in this chapter? This is a part of it. Also, Zuko, you are a terrible human being. "Zuko stared in horror first at her and then at the hand he still held before him, as if he suspected it of acting against his will. He hadn't meant to do—How could he—/Why couldn't she just be/ normal? the old resentment drowned out his shock."—Zuko deflects the blame for his violence towards Azula onto her, with the implication being that she deserves this for not being exactly what he wants her to be. This is classic victim-blaming from the abuser. "Zuko grabbed her wrist to jerk her back, and didn't know he burned her until he felt the heat beneath his fingers [ . . . ] and Azula fell against him with a sharp cry that choked off too quickly, as if she were afraid to make a sound."*—We're starting to get hints here at how Azula has been conditioned to respond to abuse. "He barely had time to register this, his hand still gripped her hot and blistered skin"—OUCH!—"when Azula pressed a soft kiss against the side of his neck"*—(Horrified moan.) "His stomach lurched like he stepped off the edge of a precipice, fallen into the gap between who he was before she did this, and now."—Great line. "He still stood in that attitude when her free hand slid under the crossed collar of his crimson shirt. Her fingertips on his skin were electric, and Zuko exhaled a shuddering breath when he remembered to breathe again. She was—Why was she—/What/? [ . . . ] he leaned into her next kiss, and her teeth pulled at the soft skin where his neck joined his shoulder. Her nails began to scratch, he could feel her tense against him…."—She's being physically intimate with him, but her body is tense and she isn't making any verbal indications that she wants this. "/No./ The word cut like morning light through the fog that settled on his mind. He gripped her arms hard to throw her off."—Zuko could have asked her what she was doing here. He doesn't. "If he could catch her gaze, he would know why—He would know what to do. But her eyes were tightly closed as a child's who pretends to be invisible, just because she cannot see. Tears struggled at the corners of them, and she turned her face away when Zuko brought his mouth too close to hers."—SHE IS NOT INTO THIS. SHE IS IN DISTRESS. STOP! But Zuko doesn't stop. "/Such a fucking tease,/ the ugly thought burst into his mind like a damn breaking."—Please excuse me while I throw up at how disgusting that is. "There was nothing she could hide from him, whatever she thought."—Zuko thinks this as he strips her, and I can't help but think that he's never sounded more like Ozai. "Her fingers grasped his collar, and she pressed closer, as if to hide herself against him"*—Again, she's not into this. She's scared. "But Zuko refused her, tore the shirt impatiently from his shoulders and cast it to the gray stone floor, like throwing down a gauntlet."—Another great line. Zuko demands that she look at him (probably like his father has) and this happens: "But Zuko stopped at the face she showed him. Her dark brows drew low over amber eyes that were impenetrable as two stones. The curve of her mouth was as fixed as a painted smile on a porcelain face. She didn't feel anything. /She never did/."—Azula is deep into a dissociative episode at this point. Instead of realizing that something is wrong with her mental state, though, Zuko persists in his belief that something is fundamentally wrong with Azula /as a person/, which dehumanizes her. His lack of empathy for her contributes to what he does next. "Zuko hated that smirk at once, wanted nothing so much as to see it gone. It was wrong, as wrong as everything about her. That was the only motive he could think of to explain why he pressed his mouth to hers."—No. You're doing it because you're turned on. "But the only thought that broke through his haste was that she tasted like blood."—This adds to the association of violence with their intimacy. "He grabbed her arm reflexively and pulled her along, vowing she would not escape him."—We see possessiveness on Zuko's part again. When they actually start to have sex, we also get Zuko's creepy line, "to hold so much power in his hands…," which adds to that feeling of possessiveness and to his objectification of Azula. "He felt her whole body tense up around him, her arms closed about his neck to pull him into the closest thing to a hug they'd shared since there were children."—First, this body language is still screaming that she's not okay with this. Second, that is so, /so wrong/! "Something coiled in his chest and threatened to break, when her breath came so hard and fast he thought she might be having a panic attack."—It's interesting to me that while you noticed this, Zuko, you still didn't STOP OR SAY ANYTHING TO HER! You could have done both of those things, and probably would if you were with anyone but Azula.

"Azula looked over his shoulder, her face turned into the headboard so he couldn't see the awful concentration in it, her breathing strictly controlled. As if she were performing some complicated kata. Her eyes were closed, her mouth set in a pained grimace."—Ugh, "performing some complicated kata" is right. That /is/ how she would think of it. But again, what we're getting here is a conditioned response from her, rather than something she genuinely wants to be doing. Also, as far as her…"performance"…goes, I feel like most people would realize that she's forcing herself through this. She's not acting like she's enjoying it, which I feel would be necessary for Ozai's "honeypot" plan to work. I'm surprised he wouldn't have been more critical of her lack of "passion"…or maybe he was. Azula does think that he was "demanding" in their "training," so maybe he was trying to make her more convincing in the act. That definitely isn't coming across here, though, since she's clearly in pain. "He thought he saw his own anguish in her mouth drawn tight."—What are you talking about, "your anguish," Zuko? "They were the same. They were the same…."—No you are fucking not, Zuko! "'Now you've taken everything from me,' she whispered harshly. 'Is it enough? Will it ever be?'"—So she's snapped out the disassociation for the time being. "'Never,' Zuko breathed."—God, he's such a terrible person. They start struggling again, and we get this incredibly telling passage: "He moved hastily to pin her down, grabbing her arms to restrain her [ . . . ] Without time even for conscious thought, he crushed his mouth against hers, and stole her breath before she could ignite. Azula jolted with surprise and a frantic noise of protest that died in her throat, without voice. Zuko only deepened the kiss, and she wrenched in his grasp, arched beneath him in a last desperate attempt at escape. But he clamped an arm around her waist and gripped the damp hair at the nape of her neck, holding her so tightly against him he left her no room to move."—She's protesting and trying to get away from him. He won't let her. "As if this had been a signal*, she shuddered once and went still, without explanation. If felt enough like surrender that Zuko broke from her, breathing hard, and laid his head against hers, his harsh exhalations stirring dust from the faded covers. He could feel her heart beat much too fast behind her ribs, like a bird breaking itself on the bars of its cage. Zuko wondered, distantly, if there was even more wrong with her than he knew."—First, yes, there is something very wrong with Azula that you aren't aware of at this point, Zuko. Second and much more importantly, /this is where Zuko could have stopped/. Azula is no longer fighting. He could have pulled back and tried to assess the situation. He could have tried to say something to her or tied her up, to capture her like he'd intended. I could almost forgive him for the first rape (you know, despite the fact that he knows what a healthy sexual relationship looks like and should have realized that something was wrong with how Azula was acting), but then this happens: "It was the last coherent thought he managed, before he found himself again in her midst." He rapes her a second time. And he realizes that that what's he's doing, too, even if he doesn't call it rape: "She cried out once, and his stomach twisted with guilt"—he knows what he's doing is wrong—"but he didn't stop, couldn't make out what she screamed before she strangled the sound in her throat, as if she were scared of getting caught."—He keeps going anyway. "She didn't speak again and only held tighter, as certain as Zuko, it seemed, that letting go would mean her death…."*—That has to be one of the most depressing things I've ever read. She felt that way about Ozai too, didn't she? "Her eyes were empty of recognition. Her lips moved silently, forming the same word over and over again. But he couldn't read it."—We know from future chapters that she's saying "father" here. "A deep and visceral horror filled him. She was never this bad before. He did this, he /did/ this…."—Yeah, people don't tend to respond well to being raped, Zuko. So this next section is arguably where Azula rapes Zuko: "Her vacant gaze lit with a predatory gleam, a look he'd seen her wear before, but one he caught more often from his father." "'Aaah-ah! Ngh…' was all the objection Zuko could manage, when she thrust herself aggressively against him. It was too much. He had nothing left to give, and she was hurting him."—He's not into this anymore. He's in physical pain. At the same time, though, I don't think Azula has any control over what she's doing. Her dialogue heavily suggests that she's in another dissociative episode and reliving an encounter she had with Ozai: "'You're mine. You'll /stay/ mine,' she breathed, and her voice sent a shiver down his spine. She didn't even sound like herself. 'You will /bend/ for me, you will /obey/ me.' She punctuated each command with a thrust of her hips, and Zuko's hands on them did little to deter her. 'You'll never tell. /You'll never tell./ And even if you tried,' she faltered here, and had to choke out, 'who would believe you?' Her tears fell on his chest, so hot they almost scalded, when she whispered haltingly, 'Azula always lies. /Azula always/—lies…'"* I'm going to get back to this dialogue in a minute. I'm going to cover the rest of this chapter before I discuss my theory about this. "Frozen with the shock of realization, she looked down on him as if she'd just woken from a nightmare, to find it followed her into the waking world. 'No…' she whispered brokenly, her voice edged with panic."—Yeah, she absolutely wasn't in control of herself the third time they had sex. "But she tore [her hands] from his fingers, her teeth clenched in disgust." "The rest of her trembled with rage."—So here's the thing. While Zucest happens in "Dominion," I don't think that Azula feels any sexual or romantic desire for Zuko. I don't even think that Zuko feels romantic desire for her either (sexual desire, though, absolutely). What they've done obviously disgusts Azula, and Zuko even acknowledges later that what they did was an act of hate. It was also an act of dominance, with both of them, but mostly Zuko, taking the dominant role at different points. But Zuko—who wasn't drugged and who wasn't disassociating—bears more of the responsibility for what happened. Azula wasn't cognizant of her behavior. Zuko was. Which isn't to dismiss the trauma Zuko will feel from this incident later, but I am much less inclined to sympathize with him than with Azula, given the above. And as far as the blame for this encounter goes…while it ultimately leads back to Ozai's abuse of both of his children, I don't feel comfortable saying Zuko that had no agency in this. He made choices here—and one of them was the choice to have sex with his sister when the opportunity arose. And since Azula didn't want him when it happened, that makes Zuko a rapist. "'I missed you,' he offered weakly, too exhausted to realize this was the first time he had admitted it to anyone. Even himself."—That might be one of the saddest things I've ever read.

Zuko falls asleep after this, but Azula does not. This is technically our first scene from Azula's perspective and it is /heartbreaking/: "Azula took five halting steps into the dusty room before she succeeded in tying the sash of her robe with shaking hands, so tightly she could barely breathe. It wasn't nearly tight enough."—She feels violated from what happened. "She had done worse than this, she reminded herself. She had done worse, and lived. She would survive this too."—This makes me wonder just how extensive Ozai's "training" was and I don't think I actually want to know the answer. "Her mouth bent into something resembling a grimace, and her sight blurred with tears. She clenched her hands into fists to forget how Zuko tried to hold them, when she panicked. He was just trying to save his own worthless life, she told herself, bitterly. /It had nothing to do with you. It never did./ Azula had to look down before she realized she had drawn her fists to her chest, as if to shield herself from a blow."—Oh baby I am so, so sorry. I wish I could give you a hug. "The dagger their uncle gave Zuko from his abortive conquest of Ba Sing Se. How much she coveted this once, Azula recalled. But he never meant it for her. And she contemplated putting it to a use he never intended."—I'm pretty sure no jury would convict her if she killed Zuko here. I'm not even sure I would, given the extent of the violence he inflicted on her. But of course, I also know that she won't do it, because, A.) Azula isn't keen on the whole murder thing, B.) The note she wrote was obviously meant for him, and C.) That would end the story too soon. So Zuko gets to keep breathing and I get to keep glaring at him through my computer screen. Alright, so now to get to that theory I've been listing *s for. Here are the specific points again: "And Zuko struck her hard across the face." "Zuko grabbed her wrist to jerk her back, and didn't know he burned her until he felt the heat beneath his fingers [ . . . ] and Azula fell against him with a sharp cry that choked off too quickly, as if she were afraid to make a sound." "He barely has time to register this, his hand still gripped her hot and blistered skin, when Azula pressed a soft kiss against the side of his neck." "Her fingers grasped his collar, and she pressed closer, as if to hide herself against him." "But he clamped an arm around her waist and gripped the damp hair at the nape of her neck, holding her so tightly against him he left her no room to move. As if this had been a signal, she shuddered once and went still, without explanation." "She didn't speak again and only held tighter, as certain as Zuko, it seemed, that letting go would mean her death…." And most importantly: "'You're mine. You'll /stay/ mine,' she breathed, and her voice sent a shiver down his spine. She didn't even sound like herself. 'You will /bend/ for me, you will /obey/ me.' She punctuated each command with a thrust of her hips, and Zuko's hands on them did little to deter her. 'You'll never tell. /You'll never tell./ And even if you tried,' she faltered here, and had to choke out, 'who would believe you?' Her tears fell on his chest, so hot they almost scalded, when she whispered haltingly, 'Azula always lies. /Azula always/—lies….'" I'll start with the dialogue. When I was first reading "Dominion," I thought that this was something that Ozai had said to Azula while he was "training" her. Then I realized just how hostile this dialogue was. "You're mine. You'll /stay/ mine."—This implies that when this was happening, there was a question about whether or not Azula would try to break away from him. Her loyalty, in short, was under question. "You will /bend/ for me, you will /obey/ me."—Azula's obedience was also under question. But what's most telling to me is this: "You'll never tell. /You'll never tell./ And even if you tried, who would believe you?" This, combined with the predatory expression and the aggressive thrusting, gives me the distinct impression that this sexual encounter wasn't "normal" by Ozai and Azula's standards. "You'll never tell" indicates that it's something that Ozai knows Azula will want to do afterwards. As far as the timing goes, this means that there was someone around who she could potentially turn to, which suggests that this happened either before Mai and Ty Lee left originally, or after the trio were reunited. And then there's the /purpose/ behind this—because if Ozai is addressing the possibility that Azula will want to tell someone about what happened afterwards, then he is also acknowledging that what he is doing to her is wrong. Which means that the intent behind this encounter wasn't to "train" Azula—it was to /hurt her./ Why else would he taunt her that there was no one she could go to for help, because no one would believe her? So this is my theory: what we're seeing here isn't a general episode of abuse, but how Ozai punished Azula after Zuko defected. For lying to him, he struck her in the face and split her lip, then burned her. Then the violence turned sexual in nature, though it's unclear who initiated it—it could have been Azula doing it as a defense mechanism, or Ozai doing it to enforce his power/control over her, or a mixture of both. Azula definitely obeyed him, in part due to her conditioning—the grip on the back of her neck is a trigger to get her to comply—and in part due to her genuinely fearing for her life during this encounter. That is what Ozai meant when he said he "made sure [Azula lying to him/disobeying him] would never happen again" and what Azula keeps alluding to when she thinks about the aftermath of Zuko's defection. It also, I suspect, was a contributing factor to the deterioration of her mental state in the last few episodes of the show, because her father not only assaulted her (without any ambiguity about that being was what he was doing, unlike during the other parts of their "training"), but then abandoned her not long afterwards. And here's thing: I only realized the significance of this exchange recently. It's not obvious on the first read through what is happening here, and it's not obvious the fifth time either. Which suggests to me that you, as a writer, were purposefully trying to obscure the contents of Azula's flashback to the readers. The fact that Ozai and Azula alike both avoid going into detail about it later on only adds to this deflection. Which suggests to me that you're planning to reveal the aftermath of Zuko's defection in full later—and that if there is one scene you include that depicts Ozai raping Azula, that scene is going to be it. And why/when would it come up? When Azula is finally being confronted about what Ozai did to her. She will try to defend their "training," but I think this assault will be in the back of her mind, arguing that there was actually something deeply wrong and evil about what Ozai did to her. And as far as your writing style goes, its inclusion would also further your use of "echoing" scenes and dialogue, deepening the impact of chapter seven upon re-read.

Now I'm of mixed feelings where showing Ozai raping Azula is concerned, if it in fact happens. On the one hand, you have never shied away from depicting disturbing material before in "Dominion," and it feels as if not seeing that abuse from Azula's perspective would be a notable absence. On the other hand, showing the aftermath of the abuse is much more important than showing the abuse itself, and showing it risks feeding into reader voyeurism as well. Ultimately, it's up to the writer to decide how much to show or only allude to, but I trust you whichever way you go with this. Now if it turns out I'm wrong about this theory, I'll feel both surprised and embarrassed. I /am/ confident that my interpretations of the sex scenes in this chapter are correct, though. I've been wanting to dissect those scenes for a while now, because there are readers who find the issue of consent in them to be ambiguous (I'm thinking mostly of icewhisker21's discussions of "Dominion," which seem colored by Zucest shipping googles). However, I think it's clear that there was no mutual or positive consent where the sex between Zuko and Azula is concerned, and as such, Azula's later claims that Zuko raped her are completely justified. So that's my lengthy analysis of chapter seven. This will probably be where I leave off until the summer, unless my homework load lightens and I get some time before May. As always, though, thank you for the read! Sincerely, WiseAbsol

#WiseAbsol #Azula #avatar: the last airbender #Dominion by Aurelia le #Fanfiction #Review

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