#korra x oc

[crowentity233]

Don't Tell Part 1

Mako x Reader (touchstarved and secret relationship)

Part 2 Masterlist

Summary:Mako x Earthbender reader

You being touch starved for years suddenly have an intense crush on mako after he put himself in danger for you and the safety he provides following the attack. You both keep your relationship under wrap from the krew. You both don't want to deal with everything that follows them finding out.

You sat at the table with Opal, Bolin, Korra, Asami, and Mako. You had been friends with the group since the downfall of Kuvira.

You had been an escaped supporter like Bolin. You had escaped shortly after Bolin.

The table was full of chatter from the group and what they had been up to. Korra and asami had been dating for a while. They were perfectly matched. Opal and Bolin were happily dating. You and Mako both just endured the public display of affection from the couples.

"I actually have a date tonight." You spoke happily to the group.

Asami immediately smiled brightly. "Is it the guy from the Pro-Bender tournament?"

You nodded. "It is. His name is Nabi and we are going to the café on airbend Lane. The one with the good pastries."

Bolin gasped excitedly. "We love that café. They have the cutest little paw pastries with a fireferret charm."

Opal pulled out the charm that Bolin had given her. "They do! It's a very nice place for a first date."

You stood leaning against the brick wall. Your nerves were pressing. This date was something you kinda forced yourself into to try. You hadn't been on a date since leaving Kuvira's army. That was well over a year ago.

You stood in your own world, trying to press down the fear. Your heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Nabi again. You lifted your eyes seeing Nabi walking up.

"Hey!" You hugged him casually. You both stood outside the café. "How was the match?" You asked, knowing he had gone to watch the probending match today.

"It was good the team I bet for won." He smirked happily.

You smiled politely when the corner of your eye caught movement. A group of men were lerking closer. "Aww, isn't this sweet. Sorry to break up your date. I'm gonna need your cash."

Nabi immediately started digging through his pockets.

You stomped your foot into the ground, bending the earth as a warning shot. "I suggest you get out of here."

"You and what army?" The gang members chuckled as Nabi was nowhere to be found he had deserted you seeing his chance when you distracted them by bending

You rolled your eyes, taking a fighting stance. "I don't need one." The double meaning in your own mind, boyfriend nor an army. You bended quickly, creating distance between you and the group. You weren't dumb three on one wasn't a risk you wanted to take. You were a great bender, but no toph. You ran off jumping on your motorcycle. You sped off, but the men quickly caught up to you. Sirens blared behind the men as the cops caught up, too. The waterbender shot water your way. You blocked a little late. You got a scratch on your arm. You bended earth trying to get them off your trail. The waterbender then froze over your back tire, causing you to come to a screeching halt. You tried to keep as balanced as you could. The balance finally toppled over, but you were at a safe speed. Your bike turned over, and you hopped onto a rock that you had bending into something to slide into safety with. You watched as a bike caught up to the men. Fire caught on the bike, causing them to all jump off the bike before it exploded in the middle of the bare street. The men were surrounded by the cops and sirens immediately. You leaned against the wall of a closed store. Mako had been the one to apprehend the men and packed them into the cars of his coworkers. Your hand fell to your arm that was sore from the cut.

Mako walked from the car to you. You lifted your eyes to his. He stood much taller tonight. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He lifted your hand from your arm seeing the cut underneath.

"Come on." He placed his arm over your shoulder. You hesitated from walking with him. Your knees were weak from the adrenaline. You took a step with him. Your legs were learning trust in the ground beneath you as you slowly walked with Mako. He held you stable. "Can you ride with me?" He asked as you both approached his motorcycle.

You nodded hesitantly. "Can I ride in the front? I'll feel safer. "

He hopped on the bike and opened his arm for you to get on the front. You sat down in front of him. You placed your hands on the handlebars, and he placed his hands over yours.

"We're going to my apartment." His voice sounded through the helmets.

"You don't have to do that. I'm sure I'll be safe." The bike took off you held onto the bars as mako took control.

"No chance. I know how these guys operate. I'm not risking it. You can stay over. Bolin and Opal will be there in the morning. You can just stay tonight, and we will hang out tomorrow like we planned."

"Okay. Thank you, Mako." Your back relaxed into his chest. He made a few turns and passed some buildings. Each turn calmed you further. Safety was right where you were. The feeling overwhelmed your senses.

The cool air blowing past you. The warmth of makos chest against your back. Your legs pressed against his. The vibrations of the road. You rested in his arms. He parked his bike and, for a moment, time stood still. You remembered this feeling of having a man so close to you was mako. The touch that you had starved for, just the comfort of a man. It was Mako.

The Mako that you know from Bolin. The same Mako that was with you this afternoon. The one that you always sat next to with the group. They had alway sat next to their significant others. you always sat next to mako laughing as you both poked fun at the lovers swooning over each other. This safety was him. It was always there. Tonight was just amplified by the situation.

Mako broke the comfortable silence. "I'm glad you're safe."

His hands fell from yours, and he stood up dismounting the bike. The unwelcome cool air hitting your skin. Even through the layers of clothes, you could feel the cold air of being painfully single and without the warmth of another. "Yeah, I am too." You stood up still a little shook up from the fight, or maybe it was the butterflies. Mako wrapped his arm around you to help stabilize you to the ground.

"Come on. Let's go inside. I'll get a bath for you. You can borrow some of my clothes to sleep in." He helped you step into the building and walked up to his door. He released you again to unlock the door. You could feel the cold again.

You made your way to the couch. As many times as you've been around mako, you've never seen his apartment. He no longer shared a place with Bolin. After Kuvira Bolin followed opal with her airbending, he left mako to figure out his own life path.

Mako was a fish out of water caring for himself, but with you here. He was in his element. Taking care of someone else was comfortable to him. It was second nature.

He walked to the bath and filled it with water, warming it with his bending. He grabbed a towel and picked out clothes for you. Leaving them on the countertop.

"Are you sure you're not hurt?" He called out as he entered the room again.

"No, just sore and a little shaken." You answered.

"The bath will help then. It's ready for you."

"You're the best, mako." You stood up and walked towards the bathroom. You stopped next to him. Your intrusive thoughts win. You wrapped your arms around him, pulling him into a hug. At first, he was taken back, but then he held you, remedying his own touch starvation.

"If you need anything, let me know. I'll be in the living room."

You let go and walked into the room shutting the door. You shed the clothes and a horrible day away. You stepped into the warm water, and it engulfed you in relaxation. Your mind stood still. The warmth of the bath was soothing. His bending was laced with the water it felt as if you were with him. This crush hit you like a ton of bricks.

All at once, the craving sat beside you, taking over every thought. The way his hands held yours on the bike. The way he was so gentle with you. The way he stepped into danger protecting you from the gang. The way he threw the men against the car in an effort for them to feel pain they wanted to cause to you. He was everything you had been wanting. He was right in front of you the entire time. He would fight with you and for you. You had known him for over a year, and every caring thing he did for you that seemed like a kind gesture suddenly made you question if he could feel this shift too. If he maybe felt more for you.

The water was cooling down. You stood up, drying yourself off. You wrapped the towel over your hair. The clothes were baggy but were comfortable. The shirt smelled faintly like spices, cinnamon, and distinct firebender smoke like a relaxing incense. It was both sweet and spicy.

The tub drained, and you walked out. Mako looked up from his book. "Feel better?"

"I do. What are you reading?" You sit on the couch next to him. His arm was thrown over the couch and almost over your shoulder.

"Just some fire nation history." He put down the book on the coffee table.

"I never knew you were a history guy."

"Not normally. I just want to learn more about my culture." He spoke honestly.

"Anything interesting? I don't know much about the firenation." You both sat comfortably on the couch. Your mind wondered back to his touch and how you felt with him. You could feel the electricity in the space between you.

"Just rulers with anger issues and a lot of festivals. There are a few good leaders, though. I just got to where Lord Zuko took leadership. He was so young."

"Maybe he can teach you some about the culture one day. I do know the firelily festival is coming up. You deserve some time off. Chief would probably let you off to go." Your heart was leaping. Your thoughts turned to what it would be like to travel with Mako with this newfound crush. He looked so different in this light. The way his jawline stood out. His bone structure screaming firenation with the hard edges. His slim figure left you wondering what was under the clothes that shielded your view.

"I don't think that's a great idea. I don't think I should go alone to the firenation. I would look the part, but there are so many traditions I would look like a fool for not following them." He was aware of his resemblance to the firenation. Enough to leave you an opening. It was more than enough of an opening for you to take. You battled the thought in your head.

"I could go with you." Your mouth moved too quick for your head to stop it. "I know a little from my parents. They had some friends from the firenation. We celebrated the firelily festival with them a few times."

"If you want to go. I'll ask the chief next time I see her. When is it?" He seemed to want it more for you than himself. Maybe just an excuse to get away with you, just you.

"It's in a few weeks. It will be fun. My parent's friends told us stories about the firelilies and how they were decorated for the festival, and we can try some authentic firenation food." You were excited reading between the lines, hoping you were reading correctly.

"Bolin is going to be jealous." Mako chuckled.

"Let's tell him after we go. This can be a trip for you." You baited.

"For us. You deserve a break, too. Especially after today. What happened? You were supposed to be on that date, right?" He bit down on the hook that you laid out. Us was a simple word, but the heavy meaning was feeding you, leaving you a pure glutton for more.

"Yeah, he had just shown up, and then the gang showed up telling us to give up our money, and he ran."

"He left you alone with them?" He tensed unknowingly, setting it up so perfectly for you.

"I'm not going back out with a man like that. I prefer a man who will fight by my side." You grabbed his hand from behind you and pulled his arm down across your shoulder. You let go of his hand and shifted closer to mako. His fingertips traced your arm where you had just placed his hand. His body released the tension from his anger of you being left in danger. The new sensation of you showing interest was taking over. Your arm tingled from his touch again.

"I wish I would've been there." He spoke softly he sat up from his relaxed position.

"I wish you were there, and the gang didn't show up." You admitted feeling him pull you closer. You wanted desperately to be on a date with him instead of the coward. The way he made you laugh when you were with the krew. The way he was so kind-hearted with that hard external shell. You had cracked his shell before tonight but really tasting his gentle side now. You wanted more. It was intoxicating.

"A trip to the firenation is big first date. Are you sure you want to go with me?" He was leaning in so slowly.

"We have time to plan one before. Then we can take our secret trip together." He smirked, placing a hand on your waist, pulling you all the way into his grasp. Our was another word that wasn't just tossed around. It was something that linked you both as one. His lips met yours. You were free to explore this new beginning alone with him. That's how you wanted to keep it. His soft lips were electric to yours. It was as if lightning was striking the earth. Your lips were tingling with each move. His hand gripped at your waist.

You ran your fingers through his hair. Ethereal feelings rushed around you. Your hands searched for something stable, finding his chest to be suited. Your world was crashing into his. It left you in a daze.

Mako pulled away slowly. His hand released your hip, sliding down your leg comfortably, and his gaze met yours before running down the length of your hair that was unbundled from the towel.

"I don't want to tell the others anything yet. I don't want to deal with the questions and them poking fun at our expense. I want us to figure everything out first." You spoke through the euphoria glazed on your lips.

He nodded in agreement, trailing his fingers on your back. "When they find out we are in for it."

"If they find out..." You trailed leaning back in to kiss him, needing that euphoria back.

#avatar the last airbender #fire nation #mako lok #lok mako #mako legend of korra #mako x reader #mako lok xreader #avatar mako #krew #lok bolin #avatar the legend of korra #legend of korra #mako lok fanfic #mako x korra #anime fanfic #secret relationship #touchstarved oc

[almaadst]

Are any The Legend of Korra fans here? (*￣3￣)╭ I working on my first commission with characters from there ~~ And with WLW themed in it?! Dream job (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ) Commission info Finished art!

#art #wip #kuvira #oc #the legend of korra #avatar #Great Uniter #kuvira x oc #kuvira x female oc #Earth Kingdom #metalbender #leader of the Earth Kingdom #avatar oc #avatar commission #tlok #tlok art #tlok wlw #tlok oc #tlok original character #kuvira x original character #kuvira ship #kuvira wlw #lok #lok art #legend of korra #legen of korra commission #art commission #wlw commission #open commission #anime commission

[deimagines]

Her Falling and Her Legacy *Part 3 ( A ATLA and LOK Imagine)

Been away for so long cuz of college. But I am HERE! and I am not leaving! Part 1/2/

General Iroh II arrives at the Air Temple and Zuko has a dream.

Ba Sing Se

100 AG

Y/N smiles happily that her mooncakes have come out perfectly. It was the first time she had made them, and she was proud of how they turned out. She even gave them a little dragon design on it, circling a jasmine flower.  

She took a careful bite to taste the flavors and smiled.  

“Mmh, not bad!” She says to herself and makes a small plate for her and her roommates. She just wished that Zuko would wake up soon. 

After Zuko released the Avatar’s flying bison, he became sick.  

Iroh said that his aura is changing drastically and was the reason for his illness.  

She sighs in worry but puts on a brave face before placing the plate on the kitchen table.  

Iroh took one and tasted it. A smile was presented on his face. A clear sign that he was happy by the taste. “Incredible! You have outdone yourself, Y/N.”  

“Thank you, Iroh. It’s my first time making these.”  

Zuko entered the room and Iroh presented the mooncakes to him.  

“Look, nephew, Y/N made mooncakes. Try one!”  

Zuko looks at the hopeful gaze on Y/N’s face over his uncle’s shoulder and takes one.  

After taking a bite, he hums lightly. “Pretty good.”  

“Really?” She asked, worry washed away.  

“Yeah. Really good, actually.” He takes another bite.  

“Maybe we should add them to the menu of our tea shop.” Iroh suggested.  

“Okay, but only I get to make them, I don’t want anyone stealing my recipe.”  

“Deal!” Iroh finalizes their ‘business’.  

Northern Air Temple

171 AG

Tenzin watched his pupils, yet again, with frustration.  

It had weeks, but he still has ye tot manage to shape them into the ideal air nomads that he and his grandfather had dreamed of for as long as he can remember. After the close call with the bison herd from getting stolen by animal traffickers, if Kai and the other airbenders hadn’t interfered, he had expected they would at least become more serious about their training. 

He winced as another was hit and out of the spinning paddles. 

Not a lot, but at least a little.  

He sighed once again and continued to watch until one certain pupil caught his attention.  

 At least one of them had expected those expectations.  

“Don’t just stand there, Rookie! Be the leaf!” Meelo orders her as he pointed at the gates with his chest puffed up.  

She looks down at him and then back at the paddle with a steady gaze. She watches as they spin and spin and then something just clicks. 

“A leaf. . . I get it.”  

She took her position and started moving her feet and walked onto the course, eyes closed.  

Tenzin watched in tense, nobody had done it the first time with eyes closed before.  

Yet she did the impossible, and moved like Meelo has instructed, like a leaf. But it wasn’t just dodging, it was like she was dancing. Like the leaf, she redirected any impacts that she stumbled upon her way through the grates and let the wind guide her to safety.  

She finally arrived at the other side, unharmed and lowers of hands together.  

The others looked at her with amazement and envy as whispers broke out. 

“Wow.” 

“She’s amazing.”  

“She makes it look so easy.”  

Bai-La was an incredible pupil. The most attentive, the most graceful and hard-working student that he has ever had the closest joy to have. 

Other than the poor man that he had to demonstrate to shave, Bai-La was the only one who willingly volunteered to have her hair shaved. Technically, she asked for a half-shaved look to not lose all of her hair. He hesitated, but she was the only one who volunteered.  

She passed every test and breathing exercises as well as understanding his lectures and stories, excluding.  

If she kept it up, she would be at the same level as his children and Korra.  

And . . . another thought had haunted his mind ever since he saw her eyes.  

Y/N. The girl who would’ve been the Fire Lady.  

Zuko’s first love.  

Though he was not sure if it was just a coincidence, Bai-La's eyes and face were the exact copy of the girl who would’ve been his aunt.  

Everyone knew the story. How Y/N The Gentle fought and aided future Chief Sokka, his would-be wife, Suki and future Chief of Police Toph to stop Fire Lord Ozai’s invasion.  

Only Y/N was sacrificed for the cause.  

His mother once told him of how broken Zuko was when he heard of the news of his beloved’s demise, but he had to remain strong as he was the next Fire Lord. He managed to find happiness in Mai, but even she knew that she couldn’t compete with the girl who had stolen her husband’s heart, their respect for each other is unreal.  

In fact, the now Fire Lord, name, Izumi was half of Y/N’s name, Y/N Izumi, to honor her in memory.  

Which brings him to another situation. 

“Alright everyone, that’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow after our morning meditation.”  

Most of them sighed in relief and even went on their separate ways in groups or alone. Bai-La jumps done and lands on her feet gracefully.  

As she was about to leave, Tenzin stopped her.  

“Just a moment Bai. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”  

“Yes, Sifu Tenzin?” She looks up at him.  

“Follow me.” He says, and they made their way out of the training grounds.  

They reached one of many balconies of the temple and he took out an envelope from his robes.  

“Here.” He hands it to her. “Letters from your family. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise of bringing them here, but the letter that you sent to them was most helpful.”  

Bai-La smiles gratefully and bows to him. “Thank you. These mean more a lot to me than you can think of.” She opens one and immediately begins to read.  

Tenzin nods. “I’m glad. . . there is something else that I need to bring up.”  

“Yes?” She looks back up at him.  

“As you know by now, our situation with the world leaders have been a little. . . strained with the idea of airbenders being back to society.”  

“You mean President Raiko?”  

Tenzin didn’t reply. “Our first impression was not . . .impressive, per say. Two days from now, General Iroh will come visit by to write a report on our activities and how fair we are doing.”  

“You mean spying?” She teases lightly.  

“Yes.” He couldn’t help but to comply with her humor. “But General Iroh is a good man. The one he’s working above him, however.”  

“No need for more explanations.” She raises her hand to stop him. “But I still have yet to understand what it has to do with me?”  

“Well, other than Kai and my brother, you Bai-La have the greatest potential out of all the other airbenders. In fact, you’ve become a sort of prodigy. Which is why I want you to be a representative of the airbenders once the General arrives to build his report.” 

“I don’t know what to say.” She says in surprise. “I am . . .”  

“Just don’t get it to your head.” Tenzin teases as he places a hand on her shoulder. “You should prepare, the General will be here next week.” 

“Yes, and thank you, Sifu Tenzin.” She bows with her fist connected to her palm.  

He returns it and they began to walk away until Bai notices something. 

“Is that an old oven?”  

Tenzin looks over his shoulder and sees a familiar oven that brought up wonderful memories.  

“Why yes, the air acolytes use it, but they’re a little old fashion these days. I used to make cakes with my father here once, Bumi did not like them.” 

“Were they that bad?”  

A secret smile made its way up to the corners of his mouth. “Not exactly.”  

“Well, then, can I use it? I would love to make some mooncakes or some sweetbread.” She had sparkles in her eyes as she explained. 

Tenzin raises an amused brow. “I don’t see why not. Here, let me show you a recipe my father taught me.” 

*** 

Bumi was happily taking a stroll until something fell from the sky.  

His head was suddenly covered in frosting and cake bits. He shouted at the sky in anger, knowing exactly who was responsible. 

“TENZINNNNN!”  

Tenzin and Bai-La looks down from the balcony and they both laugh. They then bow to each other. 

“Your aim is perfect, my bright pupil.”  

“Thanks, Sifu Tenzin.”  

*** 

The Fire Nation.  

The winds brushed his hair wildly as he stood there in the courtyard where the fountain lay, the exact one from Ba Sing Sae. The one where she took him there by accident.  

Cherry blossom petals suddenly fall from the sky. Where did they come from? He doesn’t know. 

“Zuko.”  

His eyes widened and he slowly turned. The wind blowing through his hair as the owner of the voice that had called out to him was full in his sight.  

There she was.  

Young and beautiful as he remembered.  

Her dress was the one she wore on their first date. 

He felt his youth coming back as he suddenly morphs back into the young lad he used to be when they were still together.  

He ran to the other side of the fountain, where she was and crashes her into a hug. She let out a giggle as he twirls her around until he settles her back to the ground. Her head burry on his chest as he hugs her.

“I missed you.” He whispers into her hair.  

“I missed you, too.” She muffles into his chest.  

“This is another dream. Is it?” His tone of content did not waver.  

“I’m afraid so.” She confesses. “But it’ll be over soon.”  

His hold on her tightened at those words. This dream always ended the same way. He begs her to stay longer, but she always says no.  

“Please. Just a little longer. A minute even.”  

“You don’t understand, Zuko. It will be over soon.”  

He frowns, this was different. He pulls away to look down at her. “What will be over soon?” 

She raises a hand to cup his cheek, her thumb caressing the edge of his scar.  

This was different too.  

But he didn’t care, he leans into the touch and grabs it to kiss the palm of her hand.  

“You’ll see.”  

He suddenly wakes up.  

He sat up and looked at the morning sky from his open window.  

It has been days since he arrived at the Fire Nation to protect Izumi. She was reluctant to take the decision, saying that she didn’t need any protection, but he insisted. She has only heard of Zaheer and the Red Lotus, never seen them of what they are capable of.  

His hands clutched the silk duvet as he imprinted the words of his first beloved. 

It’ll be over soon.  

But what did she mean by that? 

*** 

Bai-La sighs as she wipes the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand after setting the last batch of mooncakes on tray. She smiled at her grandmother’s signature design on the treats as fond memories began to unfold. She looks at the ready mooncakes that were packaged in boxes. At the sight of it, there was enough for a whole fleet. Which was what she was going for.  

Ikki was there too, sitting near the baker on a rail of the balcony munching on a cake that Bai had given her. “Mmh! This is the best mooncake I ever tasted.” She pauses. “Don’t tell my mom I said that.”  

Bai only smiles. “I’m glad you like them! It’s my grandmother’s recipe, never changed and never left eaten without a single crumb behind.”  

Ikki looks at the number of mooncakes. “But why are you making so much? Is there a party? Are we having a party? Is it someone’s birthday?”  

“Nope,” Bai answers quickly to cut off any remaining questions that the little girl has. “These are for the Air Acolytes as a thank you for helping us settling in the temple and for the Fleet of the United Republic of Nations as a welcome present.”  

Ikki looks at the many boxes. “That’s a lot of mooncakes.”  

“Ooh!” Meelo made himself known. “Mooncakes! Score!”  

He was about to touch the ones that were already packed but Bai lightly taps his hand with a wooden spoon. “Apbububu- No touchy. Those are for the Air Acolytes and our guests tomorrow.”  

Meelo rubs his hand in dismay, but his mood suddenly changed when a plate of mooncakes was in front of his face. 

“These however are for airbenders.” Bai smiled.  

He gladly takes one and takes a bite. His eyes sparkled as his tastebuds sings his mood. “Whoa! It’s like I’ve been taken to Flavor Heaven!”  

He then takes more and more to stuff in his mouth, but Bai pulls that plate away from him as she laughs. “Hey! Save some for the others, Little Sifu.”  

Little Sifu was a nickname she had given him since she started her training, Meelo didn’t seem to mind since the word Sifu is being used directly to him.  

“Alright, since you two are here. Mind helping give these out till’ dinner time? I’ll put in a good dozen of mooncakes for you once we’re done.”  

“You trade in a hard bargain, lady.” Meelo comes by and takes a few boxes with Ikki.  

“But the temple is so big. How are we gonna take these to everyone by dinner? I’ll be tired from all the walking.”  

“Who says anything about walking?”  

Ikki and Meelo shared a look.  

*** 

An air acolyte was done cleaning the windows, when suddenly, he hears the familiar sounds of wind whistles.  

Before he could look behind, three figures passed by him, and he felt something in his hands. He looked down and was surprised to see a white box in his hands with a sweet aroma coming from it.  

He squinted to the culprit that gave him the box and see Bai-La with the airbending children on air scooters with other boxes balanced on the top of their heads.  

“Thanks for your hard work!” Bai shouted.  

The air acolyte raises a brow but opens the box, nonetheless, he takes out a mooncake and smiles to where the benders headed before taking a bite.  

“Mmh!” 

*** 

Like Bai had hoped, they managed to deliver the mooncakes to every acolyte at the Temple by dinner. Some were surprised but mostly happy by the thoughtful treats.  

Everyone finished their meals and the airbenders were surprised by Bai’s mooncakes waiting for them.  

“So, this is what the commotion was about within the acolytes.” Tenzin said as he takes one.  

“I wanted to thank them for helping us settle in the Air Temple.”  

“How thoughtful.” Pema complements as she takes a mooncake as well. She noticed the design and admired it. “What a lovely touch.” 

Bai smiled. “Thank you, it’s my gram-gram's signature.”  

“These are delicious!”  

“I know right!” Ikki was happily eating them.  

Bai sat in her seat as she was being thanked and asked for making mooncakes again from airbenders and acolytes alike. One even asked for the recipe, but she shakes her head.  

“Sorry guys, family secret. My grandmother would haunt me if shared the recipe from outside of the family.”  

The mood in the room changed drastically after hearing the comment.  

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Bai.” Tenzin apologizes. 

The young woman only smiled and shakes her head again. “It is fine, Master Tenzin, it was a long time ago. . .” She fiddles with something that tied around her neck that Ikki seemed to be the only one to notice.  

“What that?”  

Bai pulls it up a bit to show it. It was a half pendant that shined brightly in the light.  

“It’s an heirloom, it belonged to my grandmother once, before she passed away. “  

“Pretty! But where’s the other half?” Ikki tilted her head. 

“I don’t know, my grandmother never really explained it to me.” 

As Bai tries her best explain the mystery, by mere sight of the necklace, Tenzin was suddenly pulled into flashback, a memory that he had almost forgotten.  

When Lord Zuko was telling them the bravery of the only fallen friend during the war.  

Y/N the Gentle.  

The portrait the Fire Nation Palace displays for her honor was made with as much detail as possible, the beautiful smile and kindness showing in her eyes. But what really stuck to young Tenzin the most was the necklace that the young girl was wearing around her neck.  

One that took a similar resemblance to the one that Bai-La has in her hands.  

And if he remembered the tales that Iroh had told him when he became older, Lord Zuko had the intension to marry Y/N after they brought peace to the Four Nations. But that promise was taken away from him when Y/N sacrificed herself to save his uncle and Toph Beifong.  

He frowns at the sight of the necklace as the possibility ran through his mind.  

After dinner, he stood up and announced that he had something to take care of in his study.  

Once there, He rummaged through the bookshelf until he found what he was looking for. He opens it and flips through the pages until he stops at a chapter where the first page shows a picture of the same portrait, he’s seen in the Fire Nation Palace. He takes a small magnifying glass from his desk and moves it around the portrait until it stops to the model’s neck.  

A pendant around the girl’s neck gave him the clue he needed for his question.   

*** 

Tenzin and the acolyte elders watched as General Iroh’s fleet had docked the port on a blimp. The General himself was walking down the ramp and he saluted.  

“Greetings, Tenzin.”  

“General Iroh, it is good to see you.” 

They shake hands.  

“You as well.” 

“I’m sorry you have to be put up with this assignment.”  

“No trouble at all. It’ll be a short visit, but at least me and my men have a time to relax, away from Republic City.”  

“And the President.”  

Iroh smirks. “Especially.”  

They began to walk and catch up, they have not talked since their ordeal with Unalaq. Once they reached the outskirts of the Temple where they were airbenders training on top of the poles. Iroh and Tenzin, and Iroh’s first mate, who was taking reports and writing them down on a clipboard, watched as they all worked through their training, some have fallen but few have managed to stand their ground on top of the poles. 

“As you can see, they have a long way to go until they become proper airbenders.”  

He winces as another pupil falls.  

“Very long. Also, if you have the time, there’s something that I need to discuss with you.”  

“What-” Before Iroh could even finish, a voice call from above. 

“Look out!”  

One of the pupils jumped with a powerful gush of wind by accident and suddenly fell on the General himself with a loud thud.  

“Ow.” Iroh croaks as the pupil gets and apologizes repeatedly and bows many times, knowing who exactly he had dropped on as Iroh turns to his back. 

A gasped was heard from above.  

Suddenly, a sound of soft wind was heard, and a pair of legs was delicately floating down to the ground with airbending and lands in front of Iroh. He looks up to see that it was a woman close to his age. 

The stranger leans and offers her hand.  

“Are you alright?”  

He took it and almost froze when he looked up and caught her eyes with his own. They were so bright and beautiful.  

But his admiration was brief when she tugged his arm up and he snapped out his gaze and stood.  

She was a short woman with long hair, yet the side was shaved off, it was styled in a very delicate way as well as edgy.  

He clears his throat, remembering his manners. “Thank you.”  

She smiled as Tenzin came to her side. 

“Iroh, this is Bai La, one of the freed airbending prisoners from Ba Sing Se and finest pupil in the temple.”  

“Hello.” She bows. But when she straightens her posture back, she moves her hair away from her face when a breeze passes by. 

Iroh then had a look of realization but was able to hide it from the woman before him. A look that Tenzin had predicted.   

“I hope you and your men are hungry. The air acolytes and I prepared a welcome dinner in honor of your visit.”  

“Yes. Thank you.” Iroh could only answer as his mind was plagued with possibilities because of her face.  

“Hey, Bai!” Kai from above calls for her. “I thought we have a bet going on?”  

“Coming!” She turns back to the General. “See you at the dining hall.”  

She then jumps with the help of airbending to set herself back on top of the poles.  

Tenzin finds himself back at Iroh’s side.  

“She’s. . .” He hesitated, yet Tenzin knew already what the Crown Prince was going to say.  

“Yes. Exactly.”  

Iroh had returned from his military training from the Northern Water Tribe. His mother took him on a walk, and they suddenly found themselves in the hall where all his forefathers and mothers portraits hanged, including the heroes of their nation. 

His mother, who suddenly stopped at one specific portrait that which she had mentioned was one of her favorites because of the story behind the person’s cause and bravery.  

Yet, she had surprised Iroh then with a single sentence.  

“You know. . . I used to hate her.”  

Iroh’s eyes widened a bit as his mother confesses.  

“When your grandmother Mai told me of Y/N, I grew angry at your grandfather, wondering why he could ever disrespect the woman who gave birth to me. Whispering her name in his sleep and she cried every time.” 

She closed her eyes and opened them, filled with wisdom, yet despair. “But she explained to me that on the day of Sozin’s Comet, when Y/N was lost, he became a broken man, almost unrecognizable. That’s when I knew that I couldn’t hold on to that anger anymore, especially on a brave woman who gave her life to save the world.” 

Iroh places a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “I‘m sorry you had to go through that, mom. It must’ve taken a great deal of strength to accept it.”  

She smiles and looks up at him. “Thank you, my son.” 

They both continued to look at the portrait. Admiring the woman who could’ve been Fire Lady. 

The general continued to watch Bai as she jumps from one pole to another circling with Kai to see who can stay the longest.  

“But. . .are we even sure?” He asked.  

Tenzin whispers to him. “Look around her neck.” 

Iroh squints and sees what Tenzin is referring to watch for. It was a pendant, broken in half. A pendant he was all too familiar with.  

“We can’t know for sure. Have you talked to her about this?”  

Tenzin looks at Bai with a conflicted gaze. It was clear that she had become his favorite student. He tried to keep all equal feelings for his airbenders but Bai was a kind and bright being that had the potential to become one of the greatest Airbending Masters.  

“I just don’t want to overwhelm her.”  

“You might now have a choice.” Iroh states in a calming manner. “With things going on at Ba Sing Se and the Red Lotus, there might not be a chance to tell her. Or . . . him.” 

Tenzin looks back and watches as Bai laughs to whatever Kai was saying. Lord Zuko was  

“No, there might not be.” He sighs. “I’ll arrange a private meeting with her. Will you join us?”  

Iroh nods as he continues to gaze Bai. “Of course.”  

Tags:

@treestarrrrrrrr @mayxsx @nani-nani-nani @lifesanenigma @letsthedogpackandthecats @evelyn-4034 @serenityhvl @fandomsfanman @shoxji

#Lord Zuko #Fire Lord Zuko #Avatar: The Last Airbender #katara #aang #gaang #sokka #toph beifong #lin beifong #prince zuko #iroh II #bumi ii #iroh ii x oc #legend of korra #avatar aang #avatar korra #mako #bolin #opal #tenzin #izumi #ba sing se #earth king #earth kingdom #fire nation #air nomads #water tribe #the gaang #atla fanart #avatar: The last airbender

[mjeshana]

Haruka, OC avatar

#art #woman #genshin impact #zuko x reader #prince zuko #fire lord zuko #atla zuko #avatar the last airbender aang #aang the last airbender #katara #zuko #aang #avatar #anime and manga #sokka <3 #atla sokka #sokka fanart #my ocs #atla #legend of korra #korraavatar

[edas-boytoy]

First chapter for my FTH24 fic. Thanks @lilrobinbird for the prompts and the early comments <3

I hope y'all enjoy some Rangshi and Heituat fluff with a side of Zoryu being an idiot!

Chapters: 1/8 Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Zoryu (Avatar)/OC, Atuat/Hei-Ran (Avatar), Kyoshi/Rangi (Avatar), Hei-Ran & Zoryu (Avatar), Hei-Ran & Rangi (Avatar), Hei-Ran & Kyoshi (Avatar), Atuat & Rangi (Avatar), Atuat & Kyoshi (Avatar), Kyoshi & Zoryu (Avatar), Jinpa & Kyoshi & Rangi (Avatar) Characters: Hei-Ran (Avatar), Atuat (Avatar), Kyoshi (Avatar), Rangi (Avatar), Zoryu (Avatar), Jinpa (Avatar) Additional Tags: Fluff, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Fluff and Humor, Some Humor, Humor, Family, Family Fluff, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rise of Kyoshi, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Shadow of Kyoshi, Fire Nation (Avatar), Firebending & Firebenders, Waterbending & Waterbenders, Airbending & Airbenders, Earthbending & Earthbenders, Spirit World (Avatar) Summary:

Zoryu was to be married to Su-Jin, from the Ma'aoki clan, were it not for the intervention of a spirit. In an attempt to have the wedding take place as planned, Hei-Ran invites Kyoshi and Rangi to the Imperial City and asks Kyoshi to negotiate with Ka'ba Ma'alu, the hippo-cow spirit. During their stay in the Fire Nation, Hei-Ran attempts to communicate to Rangi that she and Atuat are in a committed relationship. Things don't go as planned.

#avatar the last airbender #avatar: the last airbender #the legend of korra #the rise of kyoshi #the shadow of kyoshi #post-canon #kyoshi #avatar kyoshi #rangi/kyoshi #rangshi #rangi #rangi sei'naka #hei-ran #hei-ran sei'naka #heituat #hei-ran/atuat #atuat #rangi x kyoshi #hei-ran x atuat #zoryu #zoryu/oc #atla oc #kyoshi novels #wlw #f/f #fluff #humor #fluff and angst #fluff and humor #some miscommunication

[giisip]

My art summary 😊

#giisip #my art #art #korrasami #korra #tlok #asami sato #legend of korra #sketch #lok #poison ivy #harley x ivy #harlivy #harley quinn #vicait #caitvi #piltover’s finest #arcane #dc comics #oc #my original characters #comics #my summary

[nerdycanible1]

Hellos my little lovies!! Jskdjsdksjdksj

Here is some more art of Lin Beifong that I have promised. I do apologize it took me so long but I’ve been. . . Lazy XD

Anyways here is the art of Lin Beifong and my oc Gaia who is a sandbender. I have a few stories coming up with her in them so I hope you guys will be patient!

So here is the beginning of Gaia and Lin’s relationship, though it was not as bright and cheery as it may seem. Below the cut I’ll have a few headcanons so I hope you’ll enjoy them!! And I’m sorry they’re in grey coloring, I sort of got lazy XD.

Alright without further ado, here are the hc’s you were waiting for and minor stories.

Gaia and Lin first met when Gaia was still new to the White Lotus. She was a prodigal sandbender but earthbender? Nope- 💀 You see, Gaia couldn’t bend earth as well as she would have liked. Just barely lifting a rock without straining and being in pain.

Gaia arrived to Republic City for the first time in her life in her early to late 20’s. First time she saw Lin she was fully stunned and was in a gay panic. Never in her life had she saw a woman that was beyond beauty.

First time looked at Gaia she was unimpressed, she didn’t know why they recruited someone so… weak. She couldn’t bend metal much less earth what was the whole deal with that.

Gaia was often times posted where Tenzin was located at. The White Lotus members thinking it would be a good thing for both Tenzin and Gaia to be assigned together. Lin at first was ready to bite Gaia’s head off for trying to flirt with Tenzin until she saw Gaia flirting with one of the older female guards (and terribly fail at it as Gaia was just a baby gay).

Lin also ignored the way Gaia stared at her at times. The way she’d turn her head and watch as Gaia looked startled and her face heat up in embarrassment as she tried to turn and hide her face, pretending she wasn’t just caught staring at Lin. “Do I have something on my face cadet?” And Gaia just turning more red all while the other guards just laugh at Gaia. “N-No ma’am.”

Gaia always acted like a goofball, always found climbing on top of the roof or pranking Tenizin in someway or another. She definitely got along well with Kya and Bumi.

Lin hated to admit it but, she found Gaia cute at times. Loving her care free attitude or the way she’d be a stuttering mess around Lin and tried to invite her out for drinking. Lin always gave her a hard time and never went but it made her heart happy to see how Gaia never took it to heart and always said there would be a next time.

It was one of those times Lin was on one of her fights with Tenzin when she ran into Gaia, Gaia is a pretty sturdy tall build and of course it caused Lin to land on her ass. Lin was still in the rage and snapped at Gaia for being in the way. Choice words were made and Lin commented on her lack of earthbending. Lin leaving before she could see the hurt in Gaia’s eyes.

After that encounter Gaia was seen actually doing her work, no messing about was made and she even made it to her posts on time and her trainings. Lin came by a few days later and it felt like the whole islands vibes were off. She found out why when she saw Gaia standing at her post, not talking or smiling and actually seeming serious for once.

Lin tried to apologize and Gaia just nodded her head and told her it was fine. Lin knew it wasn’t fine but waved Gaia off and left. The next few weeks was awkward and they didn’t make up at all until she found Gaia down at the beach trying to bend a giant boulder.

Lin has never seen Gaia so mad before, has never seen Gaia look so pissed off and hopeless. “Are you okay?”

Gaia just jumped before rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. “Everything’s fine.” Gaia said curtly. Gaia sat down on the and running her fingers through the sand to try and calm herself. “Come here to tease me about not being able to earthbend? Might as well, I can’t even lift a pebble.” Gaia muttered.

Lin felt horrible but she wouldn’t ever admit it. “Well I was wondering who was screaming like a lunatic and being an officer it’s kind of my job to see why.” Lin said with a shrug of her shoulders.

Gaia just hugging her legs while glaring at the sand. “It’s not like I’m not practicing. I’ve been practicing for however long I can remember.”

“Why can’t you… bend. . . earth? I-I mean, I’m not being rude or anything but my sister was able to bend when she was 3.”

Gaia just giving her an annoyed look before she sighed and brought her braid to the side. A long, jagged-ish scar was seen on the back of her neck, straight across and even Lin could tell it was painful. “I was sort of in a bad home when I was younger, you had to steal and do all sorts of stuff in order to survive. I went into a house that was supposed to be a easy score and I was struck from behind.” Gaia just breathing out as rain began to pour down. “And growing up in the deserts, you only ever needed sand bending. I was the best, was supposed to be the best and boom-“

“I almost died, my father was mad and gave me to the old ladies of the village, and left. It took months to recover and all I know I was never the same after that incident. Every time I tried to bend any rock or boulder it would hurt, making it feel like someone was pulling on my nerves and it just hurts.” It was then Lin realized Gaia always rubbed the back of her neck or held her hand there after sparring or practicing her stances.

Lin and Gaia stayed quiet and listened to the rain pour down on them, not even bothered by the chilly rain or breeze. “Have you talked to… Aang? I’m sure he can help-“

“That’s why I’m here. I was going to become a guard for a prison but Kazaa promised me that he’ll help me learn earthbending. Avatar Aang is supposed to help but he’s been busy.” Gaia muttered hiding her face in her arms.

“That’s… shit. I’m sorry for what I said the other day. I was just pissed off at airhead and I took it out on you. Though I was pissed off at you because you looked so happy to see me and you..l confuse me.” Lin muttered laying her head on her arm looking at the boulder of a woman. Lin could feel her cheeks heat up but refused to decipher what it meant.

Gaia could feel the tops of her ears burn red and bit back a smirk. “Sorry, not everyone gets to see the badass Lin Beifong and survive. I like strong women that can basically kill me, arrest me if that’s illegal.”

Lin snorted and shoved the others shoulder gently. “Shut up, flattery gets you nowhere cadet. Now does this mean we’re okay or what?” Lin hoping it was because she missed the polarbear dog expressions and happiness.

“Nope.” Gaia deadpanned. Lin rose her brows ready to apologize more and ask why when the other interrupted her. “Take me out on a friend date and I’ll forgive you.” Gaia wasn’t going to budge or miss this opportunity.

“A date? You know I’m with Tenzi-“

“No not like that. Spirits no matter how badly I want no. I just meant a friend date. Take me to a bar you like, show me around the city. Anything fun, I’m stuck on this island 24/7 unless Tenzin randomly wants to go into the city for something and it’s always work. Let’s do something fun. I want my time here fun and exciting!”

Lin could feel her heart thump, hearing the excitement, the adventurous side of the other struck something inside of her and she couldn’t help but smile at the other. “Fine. But just this one time.”

It was definitely not the one time. They went on many friend dates and Lin realized she loved hanging out with the idiot. She wasn’t as bad as she first thought.

Throughout the next few months Lin and Gaia got closer and Lin even began to train Gaia, teaching her the basics and even made her meditate and learn patience along with discipline.

A year or two later:

Lin and Tenzin broke up and Lin stopped coming to the island. Gaia was missing her friend but she was stuck watching the asshole that broke Lin’s heart. Not to mention she’s heard about how Lin and her family were at odds and Lin was all alone.

One day Gaia decided to take a couple of weeks off and went to see Lin. Lin was a terrible mess. Was drunk, her apartment unkempt which was definitely not how Lin usually was.

Gaia decided to take care of the woman and cleaned up her apartment and nursed her through her drunken state. Of course Lin yelled at her and screamed at her to get out but like a huge idiot, Gaia didn’t listen and went about keeping Lin get better.

While Lin was in a bad mood and said choice words to Gaia, Gaia never took it personally and told Lin they were friends and promised she’d never leave her. It was the first time Lin has ever felt loved for who she was and she ended up crying in Gaia’s arms and slept in her arms. It was the most comforted and loved Lin has ever felt in her life.

It was a month or two and Lin decided she would give Gaia a shot, she wouldn’t exactly date her but more of a test drive, to see if she’d ever be able to date again.

Gaia seemed hesitant and told Lin she didn’t have to do this and that she didn’t want Lin to hurt or force herself. Lin told Gaia it was fine and they kissed. Lin didn’t feel anything really, maybe a little bit of happiness to have this intimate moment with someone again. For Gaia, she finally felt seen and thought Lin finally reciprocated her feelings.

For the next couple of months they were only kissing a couple of times and sleeping together (platonically you animals =w=) and Gaia felt happy. Lin on the other hand loved the comfort and felt, wanted. She felt like this was a safe place for her, that is until she found out she was pregnant- 💀

Lin was so upset, angry that she finally just got over the jerk that dumped her and she was pregnant. And with Gaia there it made everything more difficult.

Lin did the thing she thought was the best for the both of them and officially unofficially broke them up. Telling Gaia she couldn't handle relationships right now and told Gaia she wasn't the one she could settle for and that she may never get with anyone again.

It was safe to say Gaia was pretty broken seeing as this was her first every "relationship" and Lin straight up broke her heart. Gaia watched as Lin left her and Gaia could only sit there and watch. She didn't hold anything against Lin, she was just sad. It seemed like anyone she had ever loved always seemed to leave her.

Gaia gave up on dating, Lin disappeared from the public and from work and Gaia was now a skilled earthbender. No where as good as Lin or Toph but better than most.

By a couple of months, Toph and Katara brought a woman to the island and put it on the downlow, letting Gaia know that it was a secret and no one should know, not even Tenzin.

It was hours later that Gaia heard a cry of pain from a woman she definitely knew but couldn't put a finger on it.

At the breakfast table Gaia could hear the excited whispers between Katara and Toph and asked them who that woman was. Both the women seeing Gaia as a niece or a trusting family friend, they knew the girl was innocent and wouldn't do anything to hurt the family.

With excited whispers they told Gaia that Lin was pregnant and that she just had a baby. "The Beifong genes still run strong! We Beifong women only have girls!" Toph said like excitedly.

It took everything out of Gaia to not react and gave each of the women. She knew how hard it was on the women, each rooting on Tenzin and Lin to have a child and here the child was.

The next couple of days was torture on Gaia, the two women not knowing the relationship between Lin and Gaia so they didn't expect it. At least Katara did, Toph felt something from Gaia but didn't know if it were jealousy or what.

Throughout the months of the baby growing, Gaia gave the baby a little stuffed animal for her first birthday. Lin and Gaia got passed their little short lived romance but they never brought it up again.

Lin and Gaia had their little kisses here and there, Lin slightly hoping Gaia would pursue her again, hoping Gaia would ask her out officially even though she knew that would be wishful thinking.

Gaia enjoying their little get aways and little romances but knew she wouldn't be able to handle it if Lin kicked her away once more. She probably wouldn't be able to survive this time. Lin was her everything and loved her as if she were her soulmate only to have Lin crush her.

Gaia kept Lin at an arms length but loved her daughter with all of her heart. She absolutely adored baby Daiyu.

When they located the avatar in the south, (Daiyu being roughly 3 or 4 years old idk yet) Gaia knew that it would be the best for both her and Lin to take a break and find other things to do. Gaia promising Lin that she would always love her but knew Lin wasn't ready for romance, at least not now with a new baby.

Lin was hurt but understood where Gaia was coming from. Lin was hurt but she knew she probably deserved worse. Gaia gave her a kiss on her forehead their last day together and told Lin that she was worth the heart break and that Lin was perfect and that she never had to change who she was.

Before they parted, Gaia gave Lin a promise ring and wished both her and Daiyu well. Gaia was going to travel to the south and see just how crazy this new Avatar was.

If you want anymore stories between these two just comment below. I am always willing to write more, and if you want more fanart of these two do not worry because I plan to make more!!

I hope you guys like the babies name. I struggled to find one but finally settled on her. And thank you for reading!! I will definitely start posting more and actually get back to writing. I have many stories to update! :D

And here are the sketches. I hope y’all like this and as always, see you all later.

All art belongs to me, so if reposted please credit. UwU

#nerds #art #queer artist #lgbtq #digital art #fanart #nerdycanible #lin beifong #lin beifong legend of korra #oc x lin beifong #Lin Beifong x Gaia #Gaia is my oc #original character #I’m back :D #one shot #Lin x oc one shot #lok fanart #lok headcanons #lok oc

[pickledpascal]

Killer Queen

Chapter Six: all-american bitch

Warnings: gore, violence, ben being ben (old), swearing, 18+ themes.

Word Count: 1.8k

Killer Queen Masterlist

Previous Chapter |

Walking the halls of Vought felt like a fucking fever dream for Ben. The tower still had the same amount of floors, but it had changed radically. Cleaner floors, screens, and lights were everywhere that it almost made his head hurt. Almost. 

His boots were heavy against the clean, marble floors. He put on a fake smile as he walked past a few employees, well, a lot of employees. If Ben was in his “civilian” clothes, they probably wouldn't have batted an eye, however, he wasn't. He wore his Supe suit—minus the helmet, he always thought the redesign of it looked a little stupid.

Ben simply waltzed right into Stan Edgar's office. He timed his entrance just right, no one else was in the room. That was by design.

“Ah, Soldier Boy.” Edgar sat at his desk, a surprised yet, at the same time, unsurprised look in his eyes. “Or should I say Ben?”

Ben's jaw ticked as he stared at Edgar. Just being in that man's presence was annoying, just like it was back in ‘84. Fuckin’ corporate douchebags. Now, Edgar was Vought, back then he was more of a handler or whatever the fuck. 

“I'm here to… get some of what I deserve.” He said truthfully, eyes narrowed and cold as he stared at Edgar. 

Every single last person involved with Ben's disappearance was dead. Either killed by him or dead due to old age. Everyone except for Mr. Vought himself. 

Edgar chuckled softly. “I'm sure you are.” He glanced off to the side of his desk.

“You think you gonna pop my head open? Fat chance.” Ben chuckled softly. A flash of fear finally showed in Edgar's eyes. It felt good to see that. “Don't worry, she's being taken care of real nice.” He winked, a sinister smile on his face. 

Being with Amber had been a rollercoaster. He nearly envied her abilities. Her resilience. Her need to help him. And she did help him.

 Except, he was the only Supe that could take away a Supe’s powers with a single blast. Rendering him nearly invincible, which went to his head a little. He was a clear threat to Vought and everything it was about. It wasn't about promoting the safety and happiness and prosperity of others, it was about dominating ideals. The company made money simply off of the public thinking it needed Supes.

Ben had known that forever. He was the first Supe after all. 

“Your girlfriend will not survive if you so much as touch a hair on her head.” Edgar stood abruptly. 

Ben cocked an eyebrow at Edgar, impressed that the man thought anyone had a chance against Amber. “What makes you think you could touch her?” He took a step forward, setting his palms on Edgar's desk. “Better yet, what makes you think you'll be stepping outside this room alive to see your daughter again? Hm? After the shit you've done to me? Fuck no.”

In a building nearby, Eden, Amber, and most of the Boys were camped out and listening in on Ben and Edgar’s conversation. After Ben finished his words, Amber cut the sound. 

Butched glanced at her, confused. “What in the Sam-Hell?” 

“Do you want to hear a man getting his guts torn from his body?” Amber countered with a cock of her eyebrow. Hughie cringed at the thought and shook his head. Butcher just shrugged. “That's what I thought.”

Eden sat back in her swivel chair and hummed a little. “I mean, he's definitely getting what he deserves.”

“But what's the plan after this? Killing the CEO won't change much. You didn't really fill us in.” Annie looked at Butcher and Amber. Out of everyone in the Boys, she was the most morally good one, meaning killing someone—as bad as they might be—wasn’t something that pleased her in the slightest.

Eden glanced at Amber, who answered, “Eden will hack everything off of Vought’s servers and hand it over to the proper authorities—namely Grace Mallory.”

“Hey! Douchebags! How the hell am I supposed to use this thing?” Ben's voice filtered back into the room. He glanced over at the decimated heap that was once Stan Edgar. He didn't seem so scary after pounded into a bag of flesh and blood. 

He shook his head, that didn't matter at the moment. What mattered was finding the right hole for this… what did Eden call it? Hacking stick? Amber called it something else… USB stick! That's what it was. 

“Look at the edge of the computer screen for a rectangular hole and put it in.” Eden explained.

Amber let out a small laugh, “That sounded horrible.” 

Ben gripped the monitor, jerking it to the side to see the different ports. He jammed the USB into one of them and pursed his lips. Something was definitely happening. “What now?”

“You see that loading bar?” Eden asked. He made a noise of recognition at the blue bar that was slowly filling. “Wait until it's 100% complete, it should only take a few minutes.”

Ben hummed a little as he watched it. Then he realized he had a fuck ton of blood on his hands, some even on his face as he could partly see his reflection in the monitor. He wiped at his face, smearing a little of the blood. Thankfully, he caught a few napkins at the side of the desk and wiped his face and hands quickly. 

Once the bar was full, it completely disappeared. He was still incredibly confused as to how modern technology worked but, if Amber trusted Eden, he would too. “Everything good?” He asked as he grabbed the USB back from its port. 

“More than good, mate.” Butcher answered this time, a smug air to his voice. 

“Now, get the fuck outta there.” Amber ordered before her voice softened, “Please?”

Ben pocketed the USB and left the office, not minding how an assistant or something would probably find Edgar's body. A lot of people who worked at Vought were bad people, maybe they weren't when they first joined, but they would eventually become similar to Edgar. Horrible for the sake of glory and profit. Ben knew he was like that once too. 

Once. 

He could still feel his sins crawling on his back but, god, he was trying. Trying to be good. For Amber. For himself, too. 

———

Weeks have passed since Vought's downfall and subsequently, many more laws have been passed to monitor Supes. They were on their own now, no company trying to cover up any wrongdoing or casualties. It felt… better. And scarier for a lot of Supes who decided to fuck around for so long. Now, they were going to find out what happened when they were so careless. Consequences. Like they deserved. 

Seeing as the Soldier Boy was part of Vought's downfall garnered a lot of attention. A lot of people wanting to know more, asking questions.

Once things started to settle down, that's when Mallory advised to answer questions. But she also wanted Amber to be there too… just to wrangle him in case he said too much. Amber wasn't exactly sure why, Ben had media training all the way back in the fifties, maybe even earlier than that. 

“So, Soldier Boy!” A reporter called out to him. “You represent good-ole American Family values, what do you think of America nowadays?” 

Ben cocked an eyebrow at the question and plastered a smile on his face. “Well, it's certainly different. I mean, I didn't know what GPS was until a few months ago. Or who Cardi B was.” He forced a chuckle. 

“But what do you think about the state of America? The gay trend?” The reporter pried further. 

Ben took a few moments to keep from answering, looking at the reporter with a blank stare. Years ago, he probably would've said some ignorant shit but not today. Especially since he could hear the ringing of a bell in his head. “Well, I think gay people, whether it's a trend or not, should be treated fairly under the law as all people should. Y'know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and all that shit.” 

“Is that what you really think?” The other man kept trying to get some sort of reaction out of Ben.

So he let him get what he wanted. The bell rang louder. Ben grabbed the voice recorder and spoke into it directly. “My girlfriend has a dick and I like it in my mouth, so yes I believe queer people should be allowed all the fuckin’ freedoms non-queer people do.” His smile was poisonous as he looked at the reporter. He pushed the recorder back into his hands and walked away. 

Half the time, Ben wondered why he even bothered with all this. The media and all the shit it came with, but he did sign up for those Vought trials. And it worked. Worked so well he was practically invincible.

“Do you really like my dick in your mouth?” Amber's arms were crossed, he was leaning against the wall as Ben walked to the back of the building. 

Ben glanced to the side before he pulled Amber close and kissed her deeply. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist while he buried a hand in her hair, messing it up in his favorite ways. Amber always found a way to take over him, even if it was an action he started. He was slammed against the wall as Amber deepened the kiss more, his breath knocked out of his lungs for a moment. 

He pushed Amber away slightly. He knew what he looked like. Pathetic. With flushed cheeks, pleading eyes, and red lips. “Does that answer your question?” He breathed. 

Amber let out an amused noise and raised an eyebrow at him. “Sure.” She paused, then took a breath, “I'm proud of you for not completely losing your cool there.” She whispered. 

“Yeah, well, that motherfucker deserved worse.” Ben grumbled. 

Amber shrugged and nodded with a light laugh. “Yeah, probably. But it wouldn't look good for you.” She pointed out softly. “Even if it would be satisfying.”

It was weird to think about just how much Ben had changed because of Amber. Emotionally, he was more open, though he was still working on that with people who weren't Amber. He didn't resort to violence as much, although there were some exceptions. Like Edgar. Not to mention, his ideals have changed. He didn't focus so much on himself anymore but started to care about others and the things that meant the world to them too. 

“C'mon, Eden is making spaghetti and meatballs to celebrate.” Amber gave Ben a light smile, lowering a hand to hold his. 

Ben simply nodded and followed her to the car. 

———

taglist: @aleemendoza2425-blog @yoyoanaria

#jensen ackles #jensen ackles x reader smut #jensen ackles x oc #soldier boy fanfiction #soldier boy #soldier boy x reader #soldier boy x oc #soldier boy x amber cali #oc: amber cali #avatar the last airbender #atla #tlok #the legend of korra #avatar #the boys amazon #the boys #the boys tv

[itsyourvalerie]

LEGEND OF ZHANG

summary: After Korra's death, the new avatar came to the world know as Zhang Kaito, born to a not so rich earthbender family. His mother Alia was a very powerful earthbender a great grand daughter of Toph herself. His father Li was a non bender, as well as his younger sister Jing.

Follow a joureny of Zhang and his friends as they climb their highest goals.

CHAPTER INDEX: PINNED POST

CHAPTER 1

"So you're telling me... You might be the Avatar?" a young ginger boy asked his best friend.

"Yes, Kai, I already told you two times," Zhang answered, his fists pounding against the tree. Kai leaned against another tree, observing his frustrated friend.

"I don't want this! I want to be a normal teen!" Zhang yelled in frustration. "Mom stormed off at the dinner table, Jang went out with her boyfriend, and I haven't seen Dad since yesterday," he added, punching the small tree.

"Maybe you should take a breather, huh?" Kai suggested, offering a slight smile as Zhang took deep breaths in front of him. "It can't be that bad, right? I mean, what if it was just a coincidence?" he proposed, attempting to calm his friend.

"If it is true... I won't be able to have a normal life, Kai. So no, it's not okay," Zhang lamented.

As Kai prepared to respond, a group of teens from a wealthier family approached them.

"Well, well, well... If it isn't the wannabe Avatar," a girl with blonde hair pulled up into two buns remarked, wearing a light green Earthbender dress.

"Go away, Yue," Zhang muttered. "I don't need you and your rich brat minions invading my space right now," he retorted, turning to face her.

"Are you going to bend me away, Avatar?" she taunted, while her friends chuckled. "I'm so scared," she faux-pouted, provoking an angry glare from Zhang.

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you," Zhang warned.

"What are you gonna do, you weakling?" she laughed, stomping on the ground, causing it to shift and a boulder to hit Zhang, sending him flying.

"Zhang!" Kai yelled, rushing after his friend.

"Next time, make sure not to mess with me," Yue sneered, turning to walk away. Suddenly, she was lifted off the ground, surrounded by water, as she screamed in fear. Kai and Yue's friends froze in terror.

Zhang stood there, his eyes glowing bright blue, indicating he was in the Avatar state. "Zhang, stop!" Kai shouted, approaching the boy. Placing his hands on Zhang's shoulders, he pleaded, "Please stop it. It's scary." Slowly, Yue was lowered back to the ground as Zhang collapsed into Kai's arms, tears streaming down his face. Yue ran away in fear.

Alia paced back and forth in her room, her son sitting on the edge of her bed. "How could you do this to the Chen family?! This is going to ruin our reputation!" she yelled angrily. Zhang hung his head in shame.

"I don't know how to control it," Zhang whispered. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

Seeing her son's remorseful expression, Alia sat down beside him, enveloping him in her embrace. "No, it's me who should apologize. I'm sorry for yelling," she admitted.

"I don't want this, Mom. I just want to be normal. What is Dad going to say?" Zhang sniffled, wiping away his tears.

"Your dad is going to be proud of you. I know that," Alia reassured him, gently rubbing his shoulder.

"I could have hurt her if it wasn't for Kai. He brought me back from it," Zhang said, a small smile forming at the memory.

"He really is your best friend," Alia agreed, smiling warmly.

"He is," Zhang nodded in agreement.

Jeng strolled beside her boyfriend Chen, hand in hand, through the bustling city square. The area was teeming with people, children darting about, and a man shouting about cabbages. For Jeng, it was a familiar and ordinary scene.

"Wanna grab a drink?" Chen suggested to his girlfriend.

"We could head to that quaint tea shop around the corner. I've heard they serve amazing jasmine tea," Jeng replied, flashing a smile up at her boyfriend.

"Lead the way, love," Chen chuckled, allowing her to guide him along.

Jeng pushed open the door to the crowded shop, finding a free spot by the window towards the back. The waitress promptly approached their table.

"I'd like some jasmine tea, please," Jeng requested politely.

"I'll have the same, thanks," Chen added with a smile. The waitress left, leaving them alone again.

Suddenly, the café door swung open forcefully as Fire Nation soldiers stormed in. Fear gripped the patrons and staff alike.

"I am Damien, leader of the Fire Nation army. We need to know the whereabouts of the Avatar," Damien demanded, sending whispers rippling through the room. Jeng's heart raced with fear for her older brother.

"We need to leave," Chen whispered urgently, and Jeng nodded in agreement.

"We mean no harm, but Fire Lord Otami demands the Avatar, dead or alive," Damien reiterated, signaling for his soldiers to search the premises.

"Chen, I'm scared," Jeng confessed, her voice quivering. Chen took hold of her hand under the table as the soldiers scoured the café.

"Please, come for us, Zhang," Jeng whispered, her plea barely audible amidst the chaos.

#avatar the last airbender x reader #avatar aang #avatar the last airbender #atla x you #atla x reader #male oc #male reader #original character #original post #legend of korra x reader #legend of korra

[catr4dora]

PLEASE READ!!

ok so this is for any wakfu, hazbin hotel, etc. fans HERES MY LINK TREE SO U GUYS CAN EXPLORE MY ACCOUNTS IN OTHER PLATFORMS

#tmnt 2007 #wakfu #hazbin hotel #trollhunters #legend of korra #tmnt leo x reader #wakfu fanart #wakfu season 4 #tmnt fanart #hazbin hotel fanart #hazbin hotel x reader #wakfu x reader #wakfu oc #alastor x reader #hazbin hotel oc

[kataraseye]

Writing contest: Stars in your mind

Hello!

(The application is at the bottom)

So I've decided to make a small writing contest, where you'll have to complete an application (ofc everyone is welcomed). I'm not sure yet of the prize, so if you have any suggestions, leave them down bellow.

Basically, this is a contest where you can let your creativity flow and have fun, there is no pressure. There is no commitment, if you just one to use the themes, you're more than welcomed.

There will be 5 themes and you can participate in at least 3 of them to win the contest (if you participate in all of them, even if you don't win, you’ll get a bonus prize).

You can join anytime you want, the contest will last until June. For example, if you want to participate in May, you will complete the application then and if you do 3 of the 5 themes, you can still win.

If anybody wants to be a judge with me, you can text me in private or in the comments. BUT, we won't give much negative feedback nor will we stress out the participants because the whole point of this writing contest is to help people get out of their writers' block and/or have fun.

You don't have to write only romance!!!

Romance is just one of my preferences, but any genre is welcomed.

You can participate in the contest with:

your own OCs (own characters)

it can be OC × any character from a show

Characters from any animated show (animes or cartoons)

I'd rather have you all chose between these shows, to make the grading objective:

ATLA

Avatar Korra

SHERA

Fullmetal Alchemist

Monster

Naruto

Demon slayer

Attack on Titan

But you can choose from any show you want.

Other things:

(be aware of the trigger warning that will be at the end)

You can add explicit content in your fiction

You can add gore elements or violence of any way

If you have any questions, you can text me anytime

There will be a time limit, but if you're late, it's OK, you'll get 5 points off. If you're on time all of the contest, you'll get another special prize.

English is not my first language, so I will not take off points for grammatical mistakes or stuff like that.

Post it on AO3 or Wattpad with the title of the book: The Writing Contest: Stars in your mind. Each chapter should be a theme. For example, instead of chapter one, you will name it the theme name: (then you can add anything you want for a title) .

Tw:

NO!!!: pedophilia, SA, CSA, anorexia, bulimia, incest or zoophilia

Prizes:

(I'll only do one of the options):

1st place

I'll read and promote all of your books. I'll also leave a comment on all of them.

In case you have only one book and you think it's unfair, but you plan on writing more, you can always @ me and I'll read it and give you comments related to the content of your book.

If you don't plan on publishing any books, I'll give you reviews and comments + repost any 8 pieces of writing you'll make (outside of the contest, of course).

2nd place

I'll do the same, but for half of your books

or if you only have one, for the next two books you'll write, I'll comment on them, just @ me.

And for the third option, I'll give you reviews and comments + I'll repost any 4 pieces of writing you’ll make (outside of the contest, of course).

3rd place

I'll read one of your books (you can choose which one) and I'll give you a comment on your website of choice. I'll promote it on my Tumblr account.

If you don't have any published books, I'll give you reviews and comments + I'll repost any 2 pieces of writing you’ll make (outside of the contest, of course).

Bonus prizes:

Thank you

@fragrant-stars and @coconutsaiyan for your reply to the original post💕

The application:

Please repost and tag people 🙏

#atla #aang #katara #zuko #kataang #zuko x mai #catradora #ladybug #mlb #avatar the last airbender #shera #fmab #fma oc #monster #demon slayer #korrasami #tlok korra #atla and tlok #tlok #korra #writing contest #writers #fanfiction #fanfic #oc #oc x character #own characters #ships #ship #please repost

[crowentity233]

The Dragon's Keep (part 4)

*Finished*

Fire Lord Zuko x (Fem!) Reader

Part 1

Part 5

Masterlist

You are a firebender named Ayushi, who has been accepted to guard over the royal family. You end up guarding Zuko through his travels to visit the sun warriors. The mission, protecting the newest dragons, begins.

You let go of Zuko's arm and set your clothes down on your bag. "If you want me to find a different place to sleep, I can go to the ship. I'm sure the girls have room ov.."

"No, it's fine. I don't mind."

"Okay..." You trailed looking at your bag, not daring to turn around to look at him. "I'm sorry about grabbing you. Suki was just being a lot for me to handle. She knows how to get on my nerves." You walk back towards the door, still your eyes on the ground. "Thank you, Lord Zuko, for the clothes."

"Dont worry about it. We better get out there, or kiyi is going to be upset." He said simply.

"Zuzu! Yushi! Come look at the turtle ducks!" You followed Zuko around to a fountain. Kiyi was kneeled in front of the fountain with Ursa.

Zuko sat next to Ursa, and you sat next to Kiyi. The turtle ducks floated around, and Ursa handed food to Kiyi. Kiyi split the food and handed some to you. "Thank you, Kiyi." You spoke softly. Ursa handed some food to Zuko, too. Kiyi tossed some food at the turtle ducks she giggled at the turtle ducks swimming around. You smiled and giggled with her. She was such a cheerful child it was so infectious. You tossed some food to the turtle ducks. They bobbed around at the food.

"More food! More food!" kiyi smiled brightly, watching them. You laughed with pure joy. Zuko tossed the food he had, only causing more laughter from the girl. The turtle ducks eating was the funniest thing in the world to the young girl. Your gaze caught Zukos. His laugh was slowing. There was a moment in time that seemed to belong with you two. You have seen him with his sister this whole time, but something about the look in his eye was meaningful. It washed away any worries that he was upset about the walk back.

You pulled your eyes away, shifting them to Kiyi. "I want to play in the water!" She stood up and ran to the beach. The group followed her. You walked beside Ursa. She wrapped an arm around you and Zuko, guiding you both to the beach.

You sat down on a towel that was laid out. Zuko sat beside you on the other towel. "I'm going to go inside. I will see you both at lunch." Ursa called.

Ursa passed through the halls. She motioned to suki to follow her. "I saw it went to plan... It's a little better than I expected." Ursa smirked.

Suki peered out the window, seeing the pair talking and watching the girl play. "I didn't believe you when you told me he liked her, but ever since I had her guard near Kiyi's room, they have been inseparable."

"I'm his mother. I know when something is going on it that head. He just needed a push. Zuko is very shy. He grew up in the castle as the only boy." Ursa spoke quietly.

"Hua said Ayushi doesn't believe that he likes her." Suki looked up at Ursa.

"She will see it eventually. What were they doing when you found them at the shops?" She asked

"Walking out of the store. He was holding her hand. I got her to hold his arm." Suki answered, giggling.

Ursa chuckled. "Good girl." She pulled suki into a side hug.

"I can't believe you put them in the room together." Suki hugged her.

"That wasn't really my choice. I didn't think he was going to invite her as a guest. I'm not as good at guessing his next moves anymore. Iroh was supposed to be in that room. I had to do some rearranging."

"It worked out in your favor." Suki started to walk to the door. "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"No, I think they have it from here." Ursa sat down on a chair in the room and opened a scroll to read.

The sun started to fall in the sky. You had gone back inside to get ready for the play. You put on an outfit that best fit for the occasion.

Zuko had entered the room. he was wearing his FireLord formal wear. It was a visit that was political, so he had to overdress for the occasion.

"I feel underdressed." You met his eyes.

"I brought you something." He pulled out a golden head peice. "You won't feel so underdressed."

"Zuko, I can't accept that. I'm not high-class. I can't wear such a statement."

"You're with the firelord. I would say that's high class." He sat you down on a chair, and zuko placed the headpiece on your hair. You looked in the mirror. Disapproval shot through your veins. Firenation Gold had never touched your body. It was foolish to see such a display on your head.

"Thank you, Lord Zuko." You spoke, not lifting your eyes from the gold in the reflection. Zuko believed you to be middle class from an honorable family, not high class, but this blew the smoke of lies into your face. Middle-class families would wear a smaller peice on the most important days. You had never been close enough to touch one, much less wear one.

You stood up. Zuko could see the sadness in your eyes. He moved his hand to reach for you.

"Come on, kids." Ursa called. Zuko walked out of the room, unsure of what he had done to upset you. He thought you would be happy to have something that spoke highly of yourself.

You took one last look at the decoration on your top knot before walking out of the room.

"Ayushi, you look beautiful. Come follow Zuko. You two will be going in together at the play." Ursa held your shoulder, guiding you to the carriage. Zuko had told his mother , after lunch, you would be coming. She had already made the arrangements, assuming you would be there.

You sat silently in the carriage. You placed a smile across your lips that didn't reach your eyes. Zuko sat beside you. The ride to the theater was quiet. You watched the trees pass by. They eventually turned into crowds of people that surrounded the theater.

A servant opened the door, and zuko got out, extending his arm to help you. You took it, and he guided your hand to his arm to hold it as crowds surrounded. Seeing the Firelord with you, they saw royalty, you saw lies surrounding you. The higher end of middle class family's looked as if they were holding mirrors to you. A small poor girl covered in dirt looked at you through the mirror gleaming. The girl was you. You should be happy that you have climbed the impossible latter, but the ground under it was unstable, built on top of lies.

You held the smile that was desperately trying to fall from your lips. Zuko led you into the royal room that overlooked the stage. The door shut behind you. You sat beside Zuko. You noticed the absence of other seats. You saw Iroh and Ursa sitting on another balcony.

"Thank you for coming with me. I'm sorry. I know that was a lot of attention and questions." He paused. "I actually wanted to come here in disguise, but my mother said it was best to be here in the public eye so I can be one with our people."

You were so caught up within your mind that you couldn't hear all the questions of who you were? Were you going to marry the Firelord?

"Lord Zuko, thank you for inviting me, but I feel like I shouldn't be here." Tears were threatening to surface. You were alone in the room. Guards were behind the door, but no one else was inside the walls.

"Of course you are. I invited you." He smiled in an attempt to calm you.

"Yes, but Lord Zuko... This is so much. I never would have imagined being here... with-with the Fire Lord." A tear slipped down your cheek. Your smile was long lost into sadness. "Lord Zuko, I have no honor. I was born into nothing."

"I know this is a contrast to middle class -" Zuko interrupted.

"No... Lord Zuko, my parents died of starvation during the final year of the war. I have no honor, I grew up in the streets until a middle-class family helped me to survive. They took pity on me. Your father took all the money from my little town and used it for war expenses. Then, he took our resources to fuel the soldiers. He was scraping everything we had to try to beat the Avatar. I do not belong here. I'm sorry, Lord Zuko. I lied to Suki to become a warrior so I could better my future generation, but posing as a royal with great honor that is too much." The tears rolled down your cheeks. You clutched onto your knees, and you held them close to your body, pulling them into the seat, trying to bring yourself comfort.

"I'm so sorry for what my father did to your parents." He wrapped an arm around you in the only way of comfort that he knew. He did just as his uncle and mother had done for him, Held you, and let the tears escape.

"You do have honor, you have risked your life to save others, you have chosen to do the right thing everytime I've seen you, you look after my little sister and comfort her when she is scared. Honor is something you choose. No one can give you your honor or take it away." Zuko spoke softly. "The times of war took many peoples lives, but it never took their honor. I don't care how much money your family had. You deserve to be here wearing the crown of royals."

The tears slowed. You wiped away the remaining tears from your cheeks. "Lord Zuko, I'm sorry for being a mess in front of you." You chuckled out. Zuko's arms relaxed but never fully pulled away.

"Zuko... just call me Zuko."

"Zuko." You said softly. His gaze was so intimate. Your eyes had connected into this bond. The acceptance was liberating. Everything felt so new. His strong arm around you, his golden eyes laying this gaze on yours, your eyes slipped down to his lips. How could you have been so blind at how incredible of a man he was? your hand touched his cheek. You met his eyes again. Music blared startling you. You pulled back as the curtains raised with the music.

"You were right, Ursa. This balcony is much better." Iroh watched as the performers started their performance.

"Did you see that, iroh?" Ursa mused at the couple in the royal balcony.

"Huh," he looked over to Zuko with his arm around you. "Oh my dear nephew. You were right, Ursa."

"Who's the wise one now?" She giggled at iroh.

Iroh chuckled deeply.

The play was just as terrible as Zuko had said. You laughed quietly with Zuko. The scene was of a young couple. dragons were surrounding them. they had tried to steal an egg. They stood surrounded and turned to each other, confessing their love for each other.

Zuko chuckled. "That's not how it happened in the scroll. Look at him he looks like he doesn't even want to kiss her."

"They are funny. Are you sure this isn't a comedy?" You laughed, being sure to speak quietly not to draw attention to the royal balcony.

"Definitely not a comedy." He laughed. "You know, my mother was an actress before she married my father."

"I'm sure she was better than this." You grinned.

Zuko still comfortably had his arm around you. "I'm sure she was, too."

The play ended. Zuko stood with you. He held the small of your back on the way back to the carriage. Your mind reeled, unclouded on the way back, hearing the questions of the people.

You ignored them to the best of your ability. You blushed as people referred to you as Zuko's girlfriend.

You sat in the carriage, Zuko sat next to you. "Did you like seeing the dragons?" Zuko chuckled.

"The papermache was an exact replica, I'm sure." You giggled out. It seemed so natural to be next to him and talking to him. Your emotions hit you like a ton of bricks. All of a sudden, the entire world seemed to be around you, holding you into this feeling of bliss. There was absolutely no way an incredible leader would feel any emotions towards you, but his hospitality and kindness were so enticing.

"I want to take you to see the real dragons." Zuko spoke softly.

"Yes, one day. You said you would take me when you could." You glanced out the window so nonchalant.

Zuko gently placed his hand over yours, gaining your full attention. "We can go tonight. Come with me."

"Zuko... that's insane. You have responsibilities here."

"No, I will tell my uncle. He will cover for me. I can take you to see them." He reached for your other hand.

"We can't just leave, Zuko." You tried to reason with him.

"Yes, we can. It's not going to be the first time I've traveled alone."

"Okay." You agreed. "So I get to meet the dragons?" Your eyes filled with delight.

"Yes." Zuko answered.

You wrapped your arms around him. "You're the best! Zuko, can you believe it. I'm gonna see dragons." Your hug was tight and full of happiness.

He wrapped his arms around you. "You have to not tell anyone. we are going to sneak out tonight, but you have to stay quiet. You can't tell anyone. I will tell my uncle before we leave."

You nodded your head excitedly. "Okay." Against your better judgment, you agreed to his plan.

Taglist:

@mochminnie

@i-put-the-ass-into-sass

@lylyysz

#zuko #prince zuko #firelord zuko x reader #fire lord zuko #zuko x y/n #zuko x katara #zuko x oc #zuko x reader #firelord zuko #fire nation #firebending #aang the last airbender #atla fanfiction #zuko angst #atla zuko #atla fanfic #avatar the last airbender #avatar fanfiction #avatar gaang #avatar the legend of korra #atla gaang #adult gaang #the gaang #atla aang #avatar the legend of aang #alta aang #adult zuko #zuko x you #young adult #zuko fanfiction

[almaadst]

Finished the comic page for my lovely @emilystaysgold (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ) I already did one artwork with Kuvira (TLOK) and Seyi (OC) but now I have done a confession love scene (❁´◡`❁) Kissing poses are always hard for me but I try to teach myself how to draw it properly! (*￣3￣)╭ Also, I can't stress enough how I LOVE drawing WLW artwork ✨ Other: Kuvira and Seyi JJK cover Commission info

PLEASE DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT MY or OWNER PERMISSION

#art #commission #wlw #kuvira #tlok oc #seyi #comic page #digital art #illustation #commission art #open commission #wlw commission #tlok commission #the legend of korra art #avatar commission #kuvira x oc #kuvira art #kuvira commission #Great Uniter #original character tlok #wlw art #my art #almaadst

[captainstormborn]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Avatar: Legend of Korra Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Lin Beifong/Original Female Character(s) Characters: Lin Beifong, Original Female Character(s) Additional Tags: Soft Lin Beifong, Bisexual Disaster Lin Beifong, Romance, Drabble Collection Summary:

My entries for Lin Beifong Week 2023. All drabbles Obligatory english ist not my first language, but i tried my best.

#lin beifong #linbeifongweek #avatar #avatar legend of korra #linbeifongsweek #lin beifong x oc

[olivetreehugger]

introducing: dispatches from republic city

Hey any and all Bolin fans! I recently rewatched LoK and it reignited my love of this universe. About 10 years ago, I sort of latched onto a side character and shipped her with Bolin, but it never became anything until now. I have started writing this story, "dispatches from republic city" about Bolin and this side character, who I have named Tanana or "Nani" for short. I will place a link below for a separate post regarding this character and why I am shipping her with Bolin.

But for story's sake, I headcanon that Nani sounds like Susan Egan (she played Meg in Hercules and Rose Quartz in Steven Universe! Her singing voice is similar, but I also headcanon that she sounds like Annapantsu on Youtube-she's INCREDIBLE!). In the show, her height isn't well established, in some gifs she's the same height as the other girls, other times she is the same height as Tahno? So I'm dubbing her a solid 5'7, while Bolin started the show at a nice 5'8 and seems to have grown a bit taller? Just look at him compared to Mako in Book 4 and tell me he hasn't gotten taller! In my fic, he's 5'10.

anyways, moving on. This story takes place post-Book 4, but I've made some changes. I've always been a Makorra gal, don't get me wrong we love the gays in this house but frankly I never got the appeal of Korrasami. I won't get into why right now, I just always loved Makorra and that will never change. Oh, and call me bitter but in this world, Zuko and Katara got together *cough*. It really won't be mentioned, but it is my head canon and I'm sticking to it.

in this story, Mako and Korra have recently gotten back together, but the actual narrative doesn't focus on them too much. The story is strictly from Nani's perspective, with only one possible chapter dedicated to Bolin's POV. We'll see how it fleshes out!

See below for chapter one of "dispatches from republic city"!

dispatches from republic city

chapter one: once a wolfbat

rating: M for sex and violence, language and eventual S/A

The sound of the lunch gong split through the air like a cannon, just as Tanana barreled into the kitchen of Mama Chen’s Dumpling Joint. She hurriedly tied her apron around her waist.

She glanced up at the clock and winced. 15 minutes late!

Any minute now, Mama Chen would burst through the swinging door, ranting and raving about her repeated tardiness.

The scent of sizzling pork fat and vegetables wafted through the air, making Tanana’s mouth water. Her stomach growled knowingly. She hadn’t had single thing to eat today.

Slyly, she ducked past the fry cooks and swiped a bun from the platter next to them and stuffed it into her mouth so no one would see. She then glided towards the back of the kitchen, near the freezer, and spent a few quiet moments savoring her stolen meal.

This was now a daily routine. She’d work from noon until midnight—at least, that’s what her timecard would reflect. Tanana, or Nani, as she preferred--was usually at Mama Chen’s from about 12 pm to 2am the next day, spending an extra two hours clearing out the drunks, teenagers and straddlers while simultaneously helping to close for the next day. She would then stuff her bag with whatever leftovers (whatever she could hide, anyways), and walk to The Bookkeeper’s apartment where she stayed. She’d eat, leave the rest of in the ice box for the old lady, and then collapse wherever she could before waking up and starting the day all over.

All for two yuan a day, though if she charmed the right customer, she might get lucky and score a decent tip.

Ever since Kuvira’s mecha-weapon destroyed the downtown area, people moved in droves to the outer neighborhoods, meaning there was less of everything to go around-including work. For many, it was a struggle just to keep their heads above water. For Nani, it was an ice cold wake up call.

As she chewed and swallowed the rest of the salty dough, the brunette wiped a dribble of oil from her chin with the corner of her apron. Without missing another beat, she picked up a tray of discarded dirty dishes and began her work.

The mix of steam, oil, and body odor marinated in Nani’s hair and skin as she worked alongside the other unfortunates around her. She didn’t bother to learn their names, why would she? After all, Nani wasn’t here to make friends. And none of these people were “friend-material”, anyway.

They all seemed to have a silent agreement, though-as long as no one snitched on the other, they all kept to themselves.

Well, some of them did, anyway.

As another invisible fixture of the kitchen, Nani usually got a front row seat to the hushed confessions of the degenerates around her: the ones who cheated on their spouses, the ones who stole money from their parents to buy opium, the ones who got pregnant and left their babies in the woods.

Hearing such tantalizing gossip would leave a person reeling, bursting at the seams as they waited to regurgitate the story to another person, but not Nani.  She’d learned a long time ago that being a snitch was a stupid form of suicide, and she had the scar to prove it.

Her life was otherwise an exhausting blur—what was a little gossip to pass the time? She would be lying if she said it didn’t give her a delightful thrill of power to know what made people stir at night, what made them ache from the inside out. To know that others were awful human beings meant she wasn’t as awful as she thought. And that was nice to believe, if only briefly.

The hours seemed to fly by quickly as Nani scrubbed, wiped and swept every inch of the kitchen. She wiped a few drops of perspiration from her brow as Mama Chen shoved through the doors.

“You!” The older woman pointed angrily at Nani. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your tardiness today. This is the last day you dishonor me. You’re fired!”

Nani felt her face instantly turn red as the other workers turned to stare at her.

She didn’t expect that.

Biting back a nasty response, she tore her apron off and let it fall haphazardly at her feet. She pushed past Mama Chen and ignored her when the older woman screeched something about “making sure she never worked in another restaurant again!”

The cool autumn air slapped Nani harder than Mama Chen’s words, but it was a welcome reprieve from the congested, sweaty air of the kitchen. She sighed and inhaled deeply, her nerves on edge as she suddenly realized that she was once again out of a job.

How could she explain herself when she showed up at the store early and empty-handed?

She started down the block, racking her mind with excuses to tell the Bookkeeper, who would undoubtedly assure Nani she was doing her best and to not worry about a thing. Still, the young brunette knew the elderly woman would have to worry about her next meal and the concerning lack of customers.

Another sudden gust of wind burst forth, smashing a flurry of discarded newspaper and ads into her face.

Nani stumbled back, the wall of stray papers temporarily blinding her. She sputtered as she ripped the sheets from her face, only for one of them to catch her eye.

It was a flashy advertisement, adorned with gaudy colors and symbols, calling hopeful talents to appear on Shiro Shinobi’s new radio channel 54. The advertisement promised the potential winner a chance at hosting their very own show on the channel!

She reread the last sentence over and over, her grayish-green eyes widening at the prospect.

Could it be?

Suddenly, Nani was on a stage, a crowd of mesmerized onlookers chanting her name as she crooned into a microphone for them. The camera flashes caught the glitter of the jewels on her dress so perfectly,  momentarily blinding her, but it didn’t matter.

She was star.

For a moment, Nani dared to dream about a future that seemed impossible just moments ago. This… had to be a sign. This opportunity quite literally slapped her in the face!

Feeling giddy, she hurried back to the shop.

----

Taking one last glance at the mirror, Nani grinned with satisfaction.

She looked good, really good, like that poster of Cherry Wong hanging in Mama Chen’s. She even emulated the famous singer’s makeup, dark red lipstick and sultry cat eyes to bring out the green.

One of the first, and most influential, performers in the United Republic- Cherry Wong wowed audiences with her stunning features and incredible voice. She had a talent that no one had seen in those times. She was known for taking old Earth Kingdom poems and transforming them into melodious harmonies. Her music was enjoyed by both old and young audiences alike.

As a child listening from the partially open windows of the clubs, Nani marveled at her talent and was utterly inspired by her passion. She spent most of her free time practicing her sonnets and ballads, hoping to find her voice like Cherry Wong found hers.

A crash sounded in the room next door, followed by a cry of pain.

Nani jolted, rushing to the sound. In the hallway, a massive grandfather clock had toppled over, pinning the Bookkeeper under its impressive weight. Shards of glass and wood lay scattered around her. Blood trickled from the elderly woman’s mouth.

“Oh…oh…” the woman whimpered, shaking as she struggled under the gargantuan fixture.

Nani gasped, nearly frozen by the grisly sight. She fell to her knees, cradled the woman’s head in her hands and cried, “I’ll call for help!”

She wasn’t sure if the woman was shaking from pain or simply nodding her head, but she spent no time discerning the difference. The brunette gently laid the Bookkeeper’s head down and jumped over the sea of glass shards that littered the floor. She sped outside and flung the door to the store open, shouting for help.

The rest of the morning was a blur of people, police sirens, ambulances and cleaning up glass. Nani breathed shakily as the medics strapped the Bookkeeper into the stretcher. She reached out and squeezed her hand.

“Don’t let them take my shop,” the Bookkeeper moaned, her bandaged face soaked in tears.

Nani couldn’t say anything with the massive lump in her throat, so she mustered a nod and watched as the medics took her away in a flurry of sirens.

The tumultuous morning events had shaken Nani terribly. A jagged feeling of guilt dug into her abdomen as she returned to her room, her gaze fixated on the poster she hung above her bed. She peeled it off the wall and folded it gingerly, setting it on the mattress.

She turned away, prepared to give up this dream once and for all.

Unless…

Nani’s eyes tracked round to the bed where the poster sat. After a moment, she reached for it and unfolded the paper, gazing at it intently.

Guilt be damned. She would be stupid to waste the opportunity.

Betrayal accompanied the sound of the clanging keys as Nani locked up the store and darted up the street, her purse and the poster in her arms. Waving wildly, she was able to flag down a taxi and hurled herself into the backseat.

“To Studio 54, please.”

----

Traffic was actually quite agreeable that morning. When the cab finally reached the studio, Nani tossed what little money she had left into the greasy palm of the cab driver and pounced from the backseat onto the pavement. The sound of the cab speeding away barely registered as the brunette gazed up at the building.

The studio itself had undergone quite a transformation. It used to be a simple office building in Harmony Park, but with Shiro Shinobi’s attention (and money), it quickly became the hub for all radio-based creativity and communications. People from all over the world could be heard from this very building. Their stories, their songs, their lives…spread across soundwaves and flowing indiscriminately to anyone who could turn a dial, only to become a daily, integral part of that person’s life. It was magical, really.

Bright red, towering doors were cast open, inviting Nani inside with their promise of fame and freedom.

When she walked in, she noticed the line for auditions was quite short. Only a handful of people were in the queue. Directly in front of her stood a broad-shouldered individual who was just tall enough to obscure her vision of the ticket desk at the front of the line. Hopping onto her tip toes, Nani got a brief view of the desk and noticed the alarmingly short stack of tickets.

Her stomach turning to stone, the brunette reached up and twirled a strand of curls between her fingers. It was something she’d done since childhood, whenever she was intensely anxious.

With every auditionee, the stack got shorter and shorter. She watched in despair as the ticketer handed over the very last one to the man in front of her. Nani took a defeated step forward, the last glimmer of hope extinguished as the ticketer merely shook his head.

“Sorry, toots. Gotta be quicker next time.”

Her shoulders sank and her eyes stung as the failure dragged her under water. Her gaze traveled to the group of auditionees filing into the audition booth, the forbidden space meant only for the most auspicious, blessed individuals favored by the spirits.

Nani, as usual, was not such a person. The spirits must’ve really gotten a kick outta this one.

She chewed on her ire and hurt as she trudged back to the shop. The stone in her gut had turned into a burning lump of coal. What was worse, the humiliation of being turned away from the one thing she’d always wanted, or the immense guilt of closing the store and setting the Bookkeeper back for a stupid pipedream doomed to flop?

When she reached the decrepit little book store, she hastily let her self in and slammed the door behind her. Her eyes caught the broken grandfather clock, now shoved into a corner where it could no longer fall on frail old ladies. She locked her jaw in indignation.

Marching through the shop, Nani found the tiny radio she shared with her elderly roommate. She tore it from its perch on the counter and chucked into the trash outside. She ripped the poster from her purse and tore it to bits, letting the pieces fall around her like confetti. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

There she was, once again in a hapless celebration of her own failures and delusions.

“You’re never gonna learn, are you?”

----

It was an unusually warm autumn morning as Nani walked into the Bookkeeper’s hospital room. Clasped between her fingers was a large bouquet of petunias, the old woman’s favorite flowers.

“What a surprise,” the Bookkeeper murmured, lifting her head from the pillow to see the young woman at the foot of her bed. “Come, come sit.”

A sad smile tugged on Nani’s lips. The Bookkeeper looked so much smaller than she remembered. Her face had become jaunt and skeletal, her eyes barely open slits, her lips cracked and bleeding. Her neck was so weak she could barely lift her head.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Nani offered.

“What lovely flowers,” the Bookkeeper said, as if not hearing Nani’s apology. “Find a vase for them, and put them in the windowsill. They like the sun.”

The brunette did as she was told and took a seat next to the old woman’s bed.

“I heard the most beautiful lady sing on the radio last night,” the Bookkeeper mused. Her eyes glittered with tears. “What a star she was. Did you hear her?”

Nani clenched her jaw. The audition was last week, so the stinging feeling of disappointment was still fresh. The Bookkeeper had unknowingly thrown salt right into her wounds.

The old woman turned her head weakly to smile at Nani. “I have no idea where she is,” she whispered, her tears falling down the side of her face. “She said she would be back, but I think she got lost.”

Concern set in as Nani watched the Bookkeeper’s face relax into silent, pleasant confusion. Her eyes settled on the ceiling, as though watching clouds in the sky.

It was later revealed that the Bookkeeper had cancer, and it not only ate through her bones, but it was actively chewing through her brain, too. Nani had thought it was simply senility easing its way in, a normal part of aging.

But this wasn’t normal aging. This was dying.

Nani sat at the Bookkeeper’s side for several days, comforting her as she cried out for people who weren’t there, moistening her lips with cool water, and mustering a brave face as she watched the woman who took her in waste away.

As the end drew closer, Nani knew what had to be done.

The woman deserved a proper burial at the very least. To sell the shop felt like betraying her, but what else could Nani do? She had no job, no support, and the shop hadn’t made a sale in months.  

That’s what Nani told herself when she found a buyer. The guy was skeezy, but he paid a decent amount that would cover the Bookkeeper’s funeral and then some. He seemed rather excited to take the shop off of Nani’s hands, and frankly, she was eager to wash her hands of it.

The exchange went well, leaving her with a hefty envelope of cash under her arm and one less guilt trip to carry around.

Still, her eyes filled with tears as she watched the flames flicking at the funeral pyre. The Bookkeeper was kind and generous. She never badgered Nani for rent. She never judged or shamed her when she lost a job. She was just there…a trustworthy, safe fixture that Nani could rely on.

When the last of the flames died and the old woman’s ashes were collected, Nani walked to her grave site and placed the urn in the ground before piling a mound of loose dirt over it. She sighed, wiping her hands on the hem of her dress and sat back on her heels.

The sky was gray as she dipped her head and pressed her palms together, murmuring a final prayer for the old woman’s soul.

“Well, ain’t that a pity,” a male voice drawled behind her.

Nani tensed. She must’ve not heard the footfalls coming up behind her. She used to be good at that.

A disappointed clicking noise left the man’s lips. “Can’t say hi to an old friend?”

Nani’s heart pounded in her chest as sweat began forming on her brow. Reluctantly, she turned her head to see the tanned, curly haired man looming over her. His hands rested on his hips as he stared her down.

“M-ming.”

Her voice betrayed her as it cracked. She didn’t mean to, but the very sight of him had her frozen to the ground where she sat.

The earthbender smirked at her, his soulless gray eyes boring through her body.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, sweetheart. Tahno had us looking everywhere for you. After a while, we just assumed you died with the other poor souls in the tunnels,” he said, his voice devoid of any concern.

Nani gulped as he lent down  on his knees, meeting her eye to eye.

“Turns out, you’re just good at hiding,” he cooed, reaching out to caress her cheek.

The young woman gasped sharply as she jerked away, glaring at the man with a mix of terror and disgust.

A few moments passed as she tried to compose herself. “W-what are you doing here?” She questioned.

Ming glared at her intensely. “What do you think?” 

A shiver ran down her spine as she digested his question. Wolfbats were known for being possessive of their mates.

Nani’s hands wandered behind her, grabbing fistfuls of grass before finally finding a rock. She swung her arm around, clocking Ming in the jaw with it.

“I’m not going back!” She screamed.

He went down with a loud grunt, and Nani took off. She didn’t dare look behind her as she darted away, lurching over tombstones, urns and dead flowers, desperately running away from the life she left behind last year.

As she zig-zagged through the cemetery, she could hear the sound of heavy stones whooshing past her, some just barely grazing the tips of her hair.

“You chose the wrong place to pick a fight with me, baby!” Ming taunted, his voice echoing not too far behind.

Nani’s heart pounded against her ribcage. Her eyes fixated on the iron gate at the entrance, hoping to clear its threshold before her attacker could reach her. Her legs ached as she pumped forwards, her breathing ragged. With every distressing step, the gate grew closer.

Suddenly, two tombstones came flying from opposite sides, sandwiching Nani between the slabs of rock, slamming her into the ground.

Ming was right. It was stupid to challenge an earth bender in a cemetery.

“Agh!” She cried out, her ribs cracking under the weight.

She could hear the sound of grass being trampled and winced when Ming’s face came into view. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

She squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear.

“You were always such a stubborn broad,” he lamented.

Like an act of mercy, the stones fell away and the pain swiftly disappeared with them. Nani blinked, staring up at her old compatriot.

“Just kill me, then,” she panted. “I’m not going back to Tahno!”

Ming dropped to her level again, this time cruelly yanking her forward by her hair. She yelped in pain.

“You knew that shop was drowning in debt, didn’t you?” He questioned, quiet but threatening. “The bank sent a letter threatening foreclosure four months ago. You let my uncle buy a foreclosed business!”

Nani wasn’t sure how to respond. Since when did Ming have an uncle? Was this not about Tahno?

“I didn’t know!” It was true, she didn’t know just how bad the debt was. All she had were a few bills and the deed to the shop. And, damn, if she’d known San Ho was Ming’s uncle, she would’ve never sold the shop to him. Now, she’d really done herself in.

Ming pulled harder on her hair, and Nani cried out, clawing at his forearm as she squirmed under his grip.

Eventually, he released her. Nani fell back, gasping for breath as she watched Ming, petrified.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Normally when someone pathetic and nameless crosses San Ho, they get whacked. But, we’re old pals-wouldn’t you agree?”

Nani diverted her gaze from him. ‘Pals’ was a strong word.

Ming flashed her a sinister grin. “When I heard about your little transgression, I had the option to send my uncle’s goons out to find you. But those guys, they aren’t exactly known for their self control, if y’know what I mean.”

Instinctively, Nani pressed her legs together tightly.

“Believe it or not,” the earthbender continued, “I was real down when you left us, Nani. I don’t think Tahno ever gave you credit for how talented you were, but I saw it.”

Drops of rain kissed the top of Nani’s head, soon becoming an overpour. The heavens above seemed to pour out their disfavor of her, thunderously crashing down like a typhoon in the spring. If she even dared to run again, the mud would only make the chase more difficult. Ming would capture her again, and would likely break a few bones to drive home his point.

She’d lost, Nani told herself.  If tears rolled down her cheeks, Ming didn’t see them.

“Once a Wolfbat, always a Wolfbat,” she murmured, echoing Tahno’s words.

Ming shook his head, snickering. Nani snapped her head up to look at him through a curtain of sopping wet curls.

He chuckled at her confusion, replying, “Like I said, Tahno was a fool to ignore your talent.”

Apparently, he had other plans.

Nani would have to sell her body again, but not in the way most girls on the streets did. San Ho, Ming’s very rich and very corrupt uncle, owned a lucrative brewing company as well as a few dozen opium dens throughout the United Republic. He had quite a few connections with the Terra Triad, of which his nephew was an avid participant. His customers were often high-profile businessmen and women who liked getting drunk and high while being, well, serviced. Everyone appreciated good music and dancing, and Nani would provide. It was abnormally merciful, but who was Nani to refuse?

After all, Ming teased, there were worse ways to put her mouth to use.

----

Nani sighed as she picked up the cheap, shimmering silver fabric of the dress laid on the chair of her “dressing room”, i.e. a dimly lit walk-in closet with a futon on the ground coated in mysterious dried fluids.

She slipped out of her old maroon dress, undid her brassiere, and slid the new dress over her head. She shimmied and danced a bit until she was able to get the cloth over her hips. Eventually, the dress was on, and it actually fit pretty well, considering it had belonged to someone else. Nani’s breasts and back were very much exposed , however, leaving very little to the imagination. Even the most salacious lingerie wasn’t this provocative, but Nani knew her “audience” would appreciate it. Even more so, Ming and his uncle would be pleased.

As Nani rummaged through the box of costumes in front of her, she pulled out a feathered, boa-like head piece with a glittery band that matched her dress. She wrapped it around her head, careful not to disturb her curls which she’d smoothed down with gel earlier.

A heavy-handed knock startled her.

“Come on now, let’s see it.” It was Ming.

A deep sigh left her lips as Nani threw open the door. The earthbender was leaning against the frame, his eyes trailing up and down, a stomach-churning grin of satisfaction on his lips as he drank in her appearance.

“You look good enough to eat,” he muttered.

Nani didn’t look him in the eye as she walked past him, the look of disgust apparent on her face. She made her way to the long mirror in the hallway and stared at her reflection. The ridiculous headpiece, the exaggerated makeup, the scandalous outfit.

She was a show girl. An indentured show girl.

A mirthless laugh left her mouth without warning. You want fame? The spirits asked. Here’s your fame.

Ming sauntered into frame and put a cold hand on her shoulder. It took everything in Nani’s being not to recoil from him.

“The madame wants to meet you before you take the stage,” he said.

In another room, one more decadently decorated and much cleaner, sat the Madame. She was a tall, middle aged woman with a heavily powdered face and nails like knives. She was dressed in a silk red and pink kimono and a glossy black wig. She was pouring tea into a small cup.

“Madame Yoshino, I’ve brought your newest act, as promised,” Ming announced, keeping his fingers tightly curled around Nani’s shoulder as he led her into the room.

The exquisite woman stood from her cushion, cup in hand. She approached Nani with narrowed eyes. She barely looked at her before turning away in disgust.

“She’s dark,” she spat.

Nani’s eyes widened at the unexpected jab. Her hands balled into fists, nails digging into her palms.

Ming patted her back, replying confidently, “You’ve got plenty of porcelain dolls, why get another one when you can have a bronze beauty instead?”

Madame Yoshino glowered at Ming for a moment before turning her attention back to the young woman. She raised an inquisitive brow at her. She studied Nani’s figure,  pausing over her chest and then her face, where she lingered for a long time.

Nani gulped as she tried, and failed, not to look the frighteningly intimidating woman in the eyes.

The madame grasped her chin and forcefully jerked her face from side to side.

“Open your mouth,” she demanded.

Nani gave her a hateful stare but complied when Ming slapped her ass with stinging force.

She bit back a yelp and let the Madame inspect her teeth.

“Hm…a few cavities, but overall not bad,” the older woman commented. She tapped Nani’s jaw as if to signal her to close it.

Shrugging, Madame Yoshino took a sip of her tea and settled her gaze on Nani again. “Where are you from, little miss? North or South?”

Nani understood her question, as many had asked the same. And she answered the same as she always did.

“Neither,” she replied boldly. “I’m from Republic City.”

Ming cleared his throat and pinched the back of her arm. Nani squeezed her eyes shut to keep from crying out in pain.

Madame Yoshino set her teacup down, waving her arms in the air with disdain. “No, no, no! That won’t do. From now on, you’re a Northern girl, you see?”

Another slap to her behind from Ming, this time less vicious. “Our little arctic fox,” he teased.

Nani bit her tongue until it bled. Hatred burned in her veins as the two continued to talk about her as though she weren’t in the room. To them, she was just a piece of meat to be devoured later, then regurgitated and devoured again…until she was completely unrecognizable.

Madame Yoshino dug her dagger-like nails into Nani’s arm as she dragged her onstage.

The brunette’s eyes darted around the room. The atmosphere was thick with the familiar scent of opium and sweat. The dim lights were a blood-red hue, blanketing everything in a sort of sensual, dangerous anonymity.

Her gaze turned to the door in the very back of the room. If she tried to make a run for it, Ming could easily block off the exit with his earth bending, or smash a rock into her head with a swipe of his hand.

Madame Yoshino took the microphone and introduced her as a “Northern Snow Princess”.

A stage light shined jarringly in her face, blinding her for a few seconds. As her vision adjusted, Nani took in the environment around her.

Various paintings and portraits of people engaged in lewd sex acts decorated the walls. Well-dressed men, and a few women, sat on various couches and cushions, pipes and sake glasses in their hands as young courtesans fawned over them. Their clothes were still on, but a few had their shirts unbuttoned, dresses turned askew, shoes missing.

This was nothing like her daydreams.

The clientele hummed in surprise and intrigue, a few even clapped. Nani couldn’t stomach looking at them directly, instead focusing on a portrait to the right of her. It was a photograph, blown up on a poster, of a naked woman, her large breasts like two moons shining bright in the night sky, with a green and pink folding fan splayed out between her legs, just barely covering her sex.

Somehow, that woman was using her sexual prowess as a form of power. Somehow, she was able to take hold of the narrative that she’d been sold into. It was in her eyes. Her body was hers, and no one could take that away.

Nani longed to be half as brave as the woman in the photograph.

An upbeat, jazzy tune began playing behind her and her hands trembled as she took the microphone.

Just sing, she told herself. It’s like riding a bicycle.

The words tumbled from her lips on cue as she timed herself to the music. It was a song about falling in love, or something silly like that. It wasn’t the most appropriate song for a brothel, but somehow it got people going.

As the song continued, Nani sashayed her hips to the melody, waving her arms in a rhythmic swaying motion.  

The crowd was pleased, clapping along and cheering. Their enthusiasm would’ve been intoxicating had it not been for the fact that she could see them getting grabby with some of the courtesans.

She did her best to keep singing, to pretend it didn’t bother her. She murmured out a few more notes, humming along and dancing away, but then she saw it:

An older gentleman had his hands around a girl’s throat as he straddled her, his knee forcing its way between her legs. The girl was around Nani’s age, but her face was caked in geisha makeup to make her look older. Her eyes were wide with panic and terror, until they rolled back into her head. Her body went limp in the man’s grasp, but he didn’t let up.

All the while, the cheery cacophony of saxophones, trumpets, bass and drums continued their happy tune as Nani watched this man choke a dead body. Her voice had long been drowned out by the music. Or maybe she’d stopped singing altogether, she didn’t actually recall.

Her eyes were glued to the man’s hands. He just kept going.

The music got louder, the cheers got louder, everything sort of blurring together in the chaos.

It was in that moment that something buried deep inside Nani exploded.

A wordless, enraged shriek tore itself from her throat. She leapt from the stage, grasping the microphone stand in her hands. As she charged at the man, she held the pole over her head and brought it down on his face with a sickening crack.

He crumpled to the floor.

Nani’s hands shook as she dropped the microphone stand. The music came to a screeching halt. The looks of awe and wonder morphed into terror and disgust. Nani could feel Ming and Madame Yoshino’s eyes burning into her back, but all she could do was watch the man stir, trying to push himself up with his hands. Nani brought the pole over her head again.

But before she could deliver another blow, the thick scent of sulfur and ammonia filled the air.

Smoke seemed to pour from every orifice of the building, creating a cloudy miasma that rapidly replaced the oxygen in the room. Panic settled in, screams tearing through the atmosphere as everyone scrambled  to escape.

Nani coughed as she tried to fight the smoke, stumbling over the bodies of the clientele as they dropped like flies around her. Her eyes and lungs burned as the smoke seared into her mucus membranes. She gasped into the crook of her elbow, but the fumes were too much. She staggered towards the exit, when something caught her ankle, causing her to lurch forward.

She was unconscious before she hit the ground.

----

The sound of jingling keys and steel-toed boots woke Nani up. Or maybe it was the raging, fume-induced migraine boring into her skull. She wasn’t quite sure, yet.

“Wake up, miss,” a deep voice beckoned.

Nani groaned as she opened her eyes. She slowly lifted her head, squinting as the figure of a uniformed man came towards her. Behind him, she could see a set of bars. Her mind quickly registered the cuffs around her wrists and ankles.

Eyes snapping open with alarm, Nani jerked away from the officer. She held her arms up to shield herself, but that, unsurprisingly, did nothing to stop him.

“Let’s go,” the officer said, grabbing hold of her arms and pulling her up.

“No, no, no,” she begged. “Please don’t do this!”

She writhed against his iron-grip as he dragged her out of the jail cell and through the halls of the precinct. In her peripheral vision, she saw Ming being carried away by two officers, except his cuffs looked different, like they were wooden—probably so he wouldn’t try to metal bend his way out of them.

Relief washed over her for a second, but only for a second. She then realized she was in a showgirl’s outfit, in a brothel, surrounded by opium, prostitutes and rich people who were above the law.

“I-I don’t belong here!” She said nervously. “You have to believe me.”

The officer scoffed at her. “You know how many times I’ve heard that before?”

She ended up in an interrogation room, sitting across a young detective with enigmatic amber eyes and dark hair.  He had his arms crossed as he leaned back in his chair. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes; he just looked at her.

She covered her chest with her arms, suddenly very self-conscious of her very exposed body.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” Nani finally muttered, her voice hoarse.

The detective leaned forward, his elbows on the desk in front of him, as though eager to hear more. “Well, a statement, for starters,” he responded.

Nani shook her head, her glittering headpiece tilting down to one side. “What is there to say?” She retorted. “You found me in a brothel. I know what you do to women in brothels.”

The man raised one sharp brow at her. “Oh?” He replied, as though inviting her to continue.

A tickle started in Nani’s throat, reminding her that she was quite dehydrated. “Can I have some water?” She asked.

Nodding, the detective left the room. In seconds, he was back with a glass of lukewarm water, but Nani didn’t care. She threw her head back and gulped down the whole thing.

When she was finished, she placed the glass in between herself and the detective.

“I’m not some skirt,” she said flatly.

The detective nodded. “I know.”

“How?”

He swiftly laid out several photographs across the table. Nani leaned forward to examine them. There were photos of San Ho, Madame Yoshino, Ming, and several young women and men she did not recognize. Evidence of drug, alcohol and sexual paraphernalia was wantonly displayed in the images.  There were also images of the brothel and other buildings within the Red Light District. Nani was surprised to see those pictures had been taken some time in the morning. They didn’t look so frightening in broad daylight.

The detective explained, “We’ve been watching this group for years-even had a few of our officers infiltrate their ranks to find information that could help us bring them down. They knew every face that walked into that bordello, except yours.”

Nani glanced at the detective and then back at the photos. She couldn’t stop looking at the faces of the young sex workers.

“We did however hear about an unsavory purchase that San Ho had made,” he continued. “Something about a foreclosed book shop?”

Her knee jerk reaction was to scream, “It wasn’t my fault!” but Nani held her tongue. Instead, she looked away.

“The woman I was staying with died,” she muttered. “She owned the bookstore. On her deathbed she asked me sell it.”

That little lie stung. Nani knew it was wrong, but it was better than the truth. The Bookkeeper had begged her not to let anyone take away the shop. Perhaps in her demented, cancer-ridden brain she knew the bank was going to take everything.

Leaning back in his chair, the detective appeared to take this in.

“Okay,” he started slowly, as though he was working out a puzzle in his mind. “So you sold the deed to San Ho, and then he somehow found out it was foreclosed. Then what?”

Nani sighed loudly. “Do I really have to walk you through every little detail?”

Reaching into his coat, the detective pulled out a yellow notepad with one hand and clicked a pen with the other. “Yes, please,” he responded. “Let’s start with your name.”

“Tanana, my friends call me Nani…at least they would if I had friends.”

“Is there a last name?”

“No.”

“Where are you from?”

“Born in Republic City.”

“Ok. Do you have any family we can contact?”

Curls shook furiously. “No family. Just me.”

The detective nodded. “How old are you?”

Nani bit her lip, hesitant. “I-I’m not 100% sure. Between 20 and 23, I think.”

His eyes flew up to her face, filled with confusion and possibly even concern.

“You grew up on the streets,” he responded, as though filling in the blanks. Despite her not asking him to.

The brunette’s expression was stone-like. After a while, the pity gets old.

Clearing his throat, the detective asked Nani to give her statement as truthfully and clearly as she could.

Eager to be done with it, Nani explained the events in the cemetery and the brothel, up until she met Madame Yoshino.

“I thought I was doing a show,” she explained. “But then I looked around, like really looked around, and I realized where I was.”

As she spoke, the detective scribbled furiously onto his notepad.

“Were you asked to perform any sexual acts?” He asked, his eyes not leaving the pad.

“Oh, no,” she responded nonchalantly. She noticed a dusting of pink on the detective’s face as he paused writing for a second. “But I saw quite a few people getting their rocks off in the audience.”

The writing paused momentarily, and then resumed. Nani watched the detective quietly as he wrote. His features just screamed with familiarity, but for some reason she couldn’t place it.

Seconds later, the man looked up and noticed her watching at him. “…I’m listening,” he prompted.

Nani shrugged, “I don’t have much else, sorry.”

Pursing his lips, the detective clicked his pen before stuffing it and the notepad back into his coat. He scooched his chair back and stood.

“Thank you for your statement,” he said curtly, resuming an air of professionalism. “My officers will be in here shortly to undo your cuffs and bring you your belongings.”

Nani nodded in response, watching him as he turned to leave. She almost let him go, but something nagged at her incessantly.

“Detective?”

He turned his head to look at her. “Yes?”

Rubbing the inside of her palm, Nani stared at the files in his hands. “What happened to that girl? Did she make it?”

A look of recognition flashed across his face, followed by somberness. Nani grimaced knowingly.

“No….she was one of ours,” he admitted soberly.

“Spirits….I’m sorry.”

A few seconds of uncomfortable silence lingered in the air.

“Me too,” he responded, closing the door behind him.

----

Less than thirty minutes later, Nani was freed. She wasted no time fleeing downstairs to the front lobby with her purse in hand, covering her chest. As she made her way down, she noticed a group of officers crowded around a radio, howling with laughter.

 She paused, simultaneously amused and annoyed, wondering what they were listening to that was so funny.

“Turn it up, will ya?” A stout officer exclaimed, shoving one of his companions.

The taller, thinner one obliged, chuckling as he playfully punched the first officer back.

Nani lingered in the lobby of the precinct, her ears perked to the sound of Shiro Shinobi’s voice:

--“AAAANNND welcome back ladies and gentlemen to Channel 54 Radio. I’m your host, Shiro Shinobi, and tonight do we got a program for you!”

“Tonight, I am pleased to announce the premiere of our newest program, ‘Dispatches from Republic City’, hosted by the one, the only…

“MISTER BOOOOOOLIIIIIIN!!!! ALSO KNOWN AS NUKTUK: HERO OF THE SOUTH!”--

Nani’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Her mind went back to the day of the audition. The man in front of her….did she ever catch a glimpse of his face? Then she remembered, he’d said his name to the ticketer.

Bolin.

A festive, over-the-top jingle played over the soundwaves as the officers whooped and hollered in front of Nani. A tiny, likely overworked and underpaid intern scrambled behind her, spilling a week’s worth of paper shreds around her like a burst of confetti.

It would’ve been comical...if it weren't absolutely maddening.

Nani didn’t bother to listen to the rest of the program. She stared blankly ahead of her as she marched out of the precinct and into the chilly night air. She was burning with so much rage the cold actually felt good on her skin.

For a few seconds, she watched a slurry of satomobiles pass her by and contemplated walking into traffic. And she might’ve done it if she hadn’t looked up and saw a faded Nuktuk poster plastered on the wall of the building beside her.

No, she told herself. You’re not going out like roadkill.

She glared at the actor’s face, memorizing the face of the man who’d stolen her dream from her. Oh, she knew him. Maybe not personally, but she remembered him from her days with the Wolfbats.

He was a cocky Pro-Bender with a pet rat, big whoop. He got his fame when he starred in the movers, even bigger whoop. Who was he to steal audition spots? Didn’t he get his fifteen minutes?

Nani took one last look at the poster before tearing it down and ripping it to bits. People walked past her in the streets, staring at her like she was crazy, but she couldn’t give a rat’s ass if she tried.

She was furious, mostly at herself for giving up so quickly after the audition but also at the universe for favoring that big, dirt-pushing lug over her when it knew how badly she needed this.

Well, no matter. If the spirits could play tricks….then so could she.

She hurried towards the nearest hotel, intent on getting some decent beauty rest. She’d likely have to dip her fingers in some poor sap’s pockets to fund an outfit change. She wasn’t sure about the hair and makeup, but she would find a way. She always did.

After all, she had to look good if she was going to meet Nuktuk, hero of the South.

#legend of korra #bolin #makorra #lok #bolin headcanons #bolin x reader #bolin x oc #wolfbats #whitefalls wolfbats #probending #korra

[leviiackrman]

OTP: JUST LIKE BEFORE - “I have always loved you… ever since we were children…”

@nokstella - “ziri x iroh, a3” || @indorilnerevarine - “3D for the dears ziri and iroh” || original post

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