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delusional-angel · 3 years

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a replaced!mc au pt. ii〚Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.〛

"If I cannot bend the will of Heaven, I shall move Hell."

part unus

This series was inspired by the writings of @wafermelons and @pen-ink-therapy whose work showed me how cathartic writing and reading angst could be.

Imagine an alternate universe where the seven avatars who have come to love the MC with everything they have, reject them for another. Old wounds are ripped open and laid bare for all to see. Grudges are brought to light, but with it comes an inner peace MC hasn't felt since they became the emotional support of the seven demon lords of the Devildom. Through trial and fire, MC will begin a new journey and the brothers will lose what cannot be replaced.

Warnings: mental abuse, emotional abuse, acts of violence, suicidal ideation, poor mental health, angst, mentions of past death, MC chose violence.

Note: There will be n/sfw and yandere content in future installments because I am a ✨ w h o r e ✨

The look on Mammon’s face—for lack of a better word—was priceless. One sentence. One response from you was all it took to crack his face in two. Your softly smiling lips and impishly twinkling eyes didn’t betray your emotions like his did, but inside you were just as surprised at yourself. The sentence flowed from your lips like a cool breeze on a warm summer’s day. It should’ve hurt, or been scary, or sent you into a panic attack afraid of all of the things that could be done to you in retaliation for daring to talk back—but it wasn’t and you didn’t. You forgot what this felt like, defending yourself against those who sought to tear you down with their hands or their words. It was always scary at first. The buildup of anxiety that festered the longer you took to defend yourself, but once you did, they almost always backed down because they thought you were an easy target and you proved you weren’t.

It was like how a bully's face crumbled in humiliation when you snapped back. They thought you were prey to make an example of in front of your peers, but they were so wrong. You could recall a relative who thought their blood ties could excuse bad behavior, only to get settled in front of the whole family, consequences be damned. You forgot what this felt like. To care about yourself. To begin to love yourself again. When you defended yourself, no matter the outcome, you were affirming your worth and your dignity was not something that could be taken away no matter how daunting the foe. You stared the second strongest lord of the Devildom in the eye and quirked an eyebrow. If you were to die for this, you sure as hell were going to get your money's worth.

You had always been worth so much more than you ever believed, MC.

While you had been invigorated and ready for conflict Mammon’s face had cracked, but by the grace of Diavolo it didn’t betray the mayhem raging inside. His eyes were wide with trembling pupils as if he was having trouble focusing on the human standing not even two feet away from him. Mouth slightly agape, no sound came out. His brothers, the mighty avatars, were frozen where they were. Asmodeus had been curled up on the couch with a throw blanket, but now his eyes were wide, and lips a wobbly line. Belphegor and Leviathan who had been grabbing for Danielle who had been scrambling towards you, were now frozen with their arms extended.

Satan had been stalking towards you with nostrils practically flaring when your words brought him to an abrupt halt. Beelzebub who had been seated on a chair was now sat upright, confusion and concern marred his features as once again he was at a loss of what to do. Lucifer stood the closest to you and Mammon, but he too had paused. He didn’t register that a mere human’s words had halted his movements and if he realized or someone was suicidal enough to mention it, he would surely combust on the spot. The silence was going on too long for your liking. I mean, you had places to be tonight. They had wasted enough of your valuable time—time a mere mortal like yourself couldn’t get back—and you’d be damned before you let them take a second more. Hurry up and start the confrontation so you can get the fuck on.

“What’s the matter, Mammoney? Cat got your tongue?” You used the old nickname he once wore like a badge of honor. He’d go out of his way to have you call that name in public, wanting the world to know that he was yours. Things had been so good once. You were so happy. Don’t worry MC, you can be happy again. It just won’t be with him.

Mammon had to shake himself from his stupor. He hadn’t heard that nickname in so long, and for some reason unknown to him, his heart ached. However, he couldn’t think over these foreign yet familiar feelings now. His brothers were watching and he wasn’t about to let himself be cowed in front of them.

“What the fuck did you just say to the Great Mammon?” His canines seemed more prominent, and his eyes sharpened with a danger never intended for you before. His fists were balled and shook slightly, and you could see the you of the past throwing yourself out of the way, so terrified of an attack. That was no more.

Your smile never left your lips, you didn’t even hesitate, “You’re a goddamned hypocritical little bitch and caring about you was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.”

He stumbled backwards and the bubble burst. Lucifer was charging at you, drawing up to bring his full form over yours. He was darkness and the odor of burning blood and rusty iron from chains and torture. “MC! How dare you—!”

You turned your head to the left to lock eyes with the furious demon. The fallen. He thought he was so scary, but the flash in your eyes was murderous. He had always thought he was so intimidating. A word from him, and everyone would fall into line, but you weren’t one of them. You looked at him and all you saw was a waste of space. His booming voice that seemed to reverberate in the common room and the hellfire that was his eyes, did nothing to you. Instead, your own eyes were alight with unbridled rage at his insubordination.

“Shut the fuck up!” Your voice was a growl, a beast that long lay dormant inside was awakened and out to protect you. "I am your master and you will obey me."

Every demon in the room was thrown back as strong gales of wind spun with you at its center. All were tossed back from their spots and sent crashing into furniture or the walls around you. Beelzebub was thrown into a display shelf, glass and priceless antiques were destroyed beyond repair. Asmodeus was thrown up where his head hit the ceiling on a tender spot that sent tears blurring his vision. He fell on his side and could immediately feel the bruises forming. Belphegor had been ripped backwards where he skidded across the carpet and bumped into an end table that fell over to crush his thighs.

Leviathan was ripped from his seat and spun in the air where he was thrown at the door where his head collided with the doorframe. His vision blurred and mind raced, unable to latch onto any thought but of terror and confusion and the splinters stuck in his scalp. Satan felt a punch to his gut that propelled him back into the lit fireplace. It took agonizingly long seconds before his body registered the heat. Then, he quickly threw himself on the rug before him and rolled to extinguish the flames, being too stunned to even think of a spell to put them out. Mammon was thrown back where he slid across the carpet and against the wall. Family photos and memories fell from the surface onto and around him. Glass shattered and frames broke and a picture of you and him on a rare trip to the human world caught his attention. You were holding his hand and beaming like it had been the happiest day of your life.

Lucifer should’ve been the one out of the brothers who could stand his ground, but his knees were kicked in by some invisible assailant, and he was tossed aside like a ragdoll. His wings wouldn’t listen to him and appear to catch his flight, so he was cast aside like something insignificant, an indignation he was sure he had never felt in all of his days.

The epiphany came too late. The paltry amount of magic Solomon had leant you at the beginning of your first semester was overwhelmed by your natural talents. You were able to summon the brothers to your side without a formal invocation and they had been imbued with strength they had never felt before from a pact mate. You were far stronger than they had realized, but somehow the fact had been forgotten. Why did they forget? Because you never used your pacts. You treated them like friends and only called when your life was threatened. You never asked for anything, but a bit of their time and they couldn’t even give that. This time, your command wasn’t imbuing them with power, but draining them. While all of this was happening, no demon uttered a single sound, not even a pained groan from their throats, because that was your command: To shut the fuck up. Their bodies listened and obeyed.

You exhaled. You had been afraid for nothing! All this time you held your tongue, bowed out with your tail between your legs and avoided confrontation like it was a fatal contagion because you felt it could kill you. Your life had been threatened in every possible way it could be and you still had panic attacks at night. You would awake unable to move and the air leaving your lungs. You couldn’t breathe or make a single gurgle inside of your throat and your vision would begin to go spotty. Every time that happened you were taken back to your throat being crushed by the hands of someone you foolishly trusted. Your lungs failed you and desperately clawing hands made no scratch on the demon who straddled your weakening form. You couldn’t have done anything to protect yourself back then, and it had hit you long ago how insignificant you truly were.

You could be killed by these creatures who didn’t view you as more than a fly—they had killed you like the fly they saw you as—and every threat may have been filled with truth. Almost eaten in a fit of rage because you were close enough and food. Almost ripped apart because you dared to say 'no.' Almost maimed over a stupid game that didn’t matter. Threatened to be sold or killed or disfigured or tortured until you were actually killed and brought back like exchanging a faulty product for a new one in store. Maybe you had been replaced long ago by a new you who they didn’t bother to ask how you felt. A new you who forgave and forgot.

In the chaos, Danielle was the only one left untouched. There was a slight tremor in her legs as she walked towards you, but it vanished the closer she got. Her back straightened and eyes never left your own. She stopped short, not wanting to invade your personal space, not from fear but from compassion. “MC, are you okay?”

You always looked at her with a softness your eyes had lost towards the brothers, and your smile bloomed into something shy and incredulous. “You’re something else, Danielle. You know that?” She shook her head, worry evident on her features. She pointed towards your hand that glowed with the signature colors of the demons you were in a pact with. The sight soured your expression.

Raising it to get a better view, these colors once gave a feeling of security but now they were a ball and chain you needed to find a saw to cut off. You wiggled your fingers and glanced at her. “Y’know, I was tricked into making these pacts.” She perked up then. She didn’t know how it happened and she never asked because she felt it hadn’t been her place, but she had been waiting to hear your side of things. “I thought I was helping,” you turned away from her, her honest eyes doing something to you, “but I was the only one hurt in the end.” Your throat became sore.

“MC?” Danielle started.

“Yes?”

“I’m on your side.”

You laughed. Come on, now. This had to be a joke, but Danielle stared at you with a resolve that you knew you couldn’t shake. You shook your head as you gazed at her, “I wish that we could’ve been friends.” You smiled and she could feel that same shyness she felt when first meeting you. She had always wanted you to like her, but she didn’t get the chance. “You should go.” You inclined your head to the door. “There’s something I have to do and…I don’t want to scare you.” You couldn’t budge her. “I’m not afraid, MC.” She was already going back to her spot on the couch where she sat crisscrossed. “And I feel like I should be here. Everything needs to come out in the open and I understand if you hate me—.”

“I don’t, Danielle. I could never hate you.” You smiled and she had to look away and clear her throat. Please don’t look at her like that when she’s trying to be serious and supportive here! “Well, no matter what happens here, I just want you to know I’m on your side.” she forced her eyes to meet yours again. You shook your head again, but maybe you didn’t hate the fact that she was here. What was going to happen in this room would sever the ties that bound you to this house and everyone in it, but that thought didn’t scare you like it once did. As cliché as it sounded, you truly could see the light at the end of this tunnel.

Turning away from her, it was time to get started. Your voice was clear and even when you turned your attention to Lucifer who had pulled himself up from the crumbled heap he once was. “Kneel before your master.” Avatars were drawn from their positions and forced to form a circle around you. All were forced to their knees, crashing harshly against the floor and nearly shattering kneecaps. The loudest of the brothers, Asmodeus and Leviathan, weren’t allowed to even make a peep. It was so nice to not hear their shrill voices for once. You basked in the silence, but your attention never left Lucifer whose eyes tried to express every vile intent and curse he could muster, ruby red eyes shaking and mouth drawn tight. You weren’t satisfied.

“Lower.”

Shock appeared on every brother’s face. Even Lucifer’s eyes widened as he was forced down onto his elbows where his fingers laced before him as he faced the floor at your feet in obedience. This still wasn’t enough. “Lower. Face down, ass up.” The smile that adorned your features was salacious. His once proud form prostrated himself in the same humiliating position you had been in not hours before. Forehead pressed against the floor and his ass being the highest point about him as it was raised in the air, he looked like a servant in devotion to their master.

“I’ve called you here for one last family meeting. You will listen to every word I speak and commit them to memory where they will forever be engraved on your hearts. They will invade every moment of silence you’ll ever experience. They’ll haunt your dreams and never let you rest. If I had to suffer from your words, so should you.” They must obey. Their confusion and fear were tuned out in favor of their ears and minds focusing on you and what you had to say. What was going to happen? What do you mean you suffered? You didn’t care for easing their anxieties, instead reaching down to take a fist full of Lucifer’s always perfectly styled hair painfully by the roots to jerk his head up to face you. Your eyes scanned his face looking for something of substance or value. Your eyes were unreadable, and he could feel an anxiety from being judged rise inside of him. Finally, your eyes flashed as you came to your conclusion.

“You look pretty like this. No wonder Diavolo keeps you down here—on your knees where you belong.” If they could’ve there would’ve been audible gasps heard in this room. “Just don’t forget who else owns your ass.” The look on his face should’ve been memorialized, but you didn’t waste time on him as you released his hair—now messy—and his head fell to the floor once more.

You retook your place at the center of the circle and gazed at every face. Every single one you had cared for in some way, but now those feelings had burned to ash, and something new thrived in its place. You needed to quench its thirst. As far as humans go, you tried to be good and kind. You tried to extend the same kindness to others that you wish you had been given at some of your lowest points in life. You never wanted others to feel the same hurt you did, but at the expense of your own health? You should’ve treated others like they deserved to be treated, MC. Don’t be good and kind; don’t be their Lilith. Let that vindictive bitch inside out.

“There are some things I have to get off of my chest.” You started, “Everyone else got to share their feelings, so I should get a turn before I go. Just remember: You unloaded all of this on me to fix and didn’t realize you were giving me ammo.”

You walked towards Mammon, the look in your eyes felt so disconnected to what he was used to as you gazed down at him.

“I guess I’ll start with my first,” you grinned, but he couldn’t feel the butterflies he used to. He felt cold. “Everything you did hurt the most, Mammon, because I loved you.” His eyes widened and he struggled to open his mouth or even whine, but nothing would come out. His throat was numb.

“You always pushed me away, but I couldn’t help but care. I never felt safer than when I was with you, and I trusted you over anyone else.” You searched his eyes, and he could feel the emotion. You were hurting and he was the one who caused it. How did he let it get this far?

“I was so stupid.” Wait, what?

“Everything that your brothers had ever said was true. You’re lower than shit, and not even half as useful. You go on and on about being the greatest but you’re a slave to some fucking witches who’ve made you their bitch and you let them. Either you get trapped in schemes that anyone could see, or you throw yourself into shit chasing coin that you never get to keep. You debase yourself for things or money that mean nothing, and in the end, you’re left used up and empty. You’re the cheapest fucking thing on the market, but no amount of grimm can buy back the dignity and respect you lost. What’s the point of making a pact with ‘the Great Mammon’ if everyone gets a turn? How many people have you had to suck and fuck to get out of debt just to fall into an MLM? You ask for respect, but when have you ever been worthy? When have you ever been someone to be proud of?”

You stoop down to meet his eye level, his trembling pupils and glassy eyes can no longer reach your heart. “The Great fucking Mammon is a delusion to save your shit self-esteem from everything people say because you know it’s the truth. You’re a greedy pest with no sense of self-worth so you take and take from everyone around you to bring them down to your level.” You tap a finger to his heart, “But no amount of grimm will change what you are or what people say. The only thing that can make the change is you, and you gave up a long time ago, right? You tried to play the good guy with me, but that crashed and burned. ‘I’ll protect ya!’ ‘I’m your first man!’ But how long did that last, Mammon? You kept me alive for what—a few months?—And then watched your baby brother kill me. Did you like it?” You leaned forward, voice dropping to a low whisper that sent chills wracking his spine. “Did it satisfy something in you watching that pesky little human being killed? I bet you liked that I couldn’t bother you anymore. If the human was out of the way, you could have more time to chase that grimm! Mammon, you’re the second born and Belphegor’s the weakest. If you wanted to save me, you would’ve. For once, just accept the truth. If you really cared you would’ve done something about it, but you chose you brother over me. You all did. Give me back the time I wasted loving you.”

You gently touched the gold change around his neck, only to cruelly rip it from his throat. A spell in your mind, a reverse alchemy that regressed an item to its basic components had the ‘gold’ chain reduced to mere copper. You stared down at the mineral blankly, then chuckled. “Cheap and tasteless. Typical.” You dropped the ash and grains at his knees and stood up to find Leviathan. When your eyes locked on his, he wanted to shrink in on himself and disappear. His turn was coming.

“Leviathan, you were wrong. People don’t hate you because you’re some yucky otaku.” Your voice was reassuring like the times you talked him down from his self-deprecating tangents. He foolishly let himself relax. “Please smile for me.” You cooed and his muscles drew back to expose his pearly whites to you despite his eyes betraying his fear.

His tense muscles relaxed the moment before your foot collided into his mouth.

Your shoe was a battering ram against his teeth, knocking his head back with a snap and him tumbling backward and on his back. The entire time, he didn’t make a sound. Some teeth loosened while his front ones chipped and broke. His mouth wasn’t allowed to open despite filling with blood and fragments of a broken smile, so he had no choice but to swallow it all down. The blood wouldn’t stop but he choked it down all the same. Tears poured from his eyes pathetically, but he couldn’t even sniffle.

“People hate you because you’re a manipulative, whiny, bitch-ass bastard who sucks the joy out of every place you go. You’re almost as much of a blackhole as Beelzebub, listless and empty, and like your older brother you take, and you take, and you take. You take good will, you take patience, you take the last shred of sanity needed to deal with a pathetic fuck like you! You take more than a person can give and you want more, but Leviathan, I have to tell you—you’re not worth it and you never will be.” Your once low voice when berating Mammon rose an octave, showing how annoyed you had been with Levi all this time.

“The most insecure are always the loudest, and you never shut the fuck up. If you hate being such a bother, why don’t you just disappear? The third born and leader of a fucking navy, but you can’t make any friends or inspire anything but pity. You need your hand held just to leave your room, but at least you’re considerate enough to know that no one wants to be seen with you.” You sneered down at him. He had truly been an annoyance for so long. You found a kindred spirit in him, his raw insecurities mirroring some of your own, so maybe that’s why it hurt so much to be left behind by someone you thought understood you. “Now don’t go withdrawing into yourself now. You’re always so expressive when playing those video games with the other scrotes who only have experience with their free hands. You’re so good at games, that’s the only thing you can be confident in. But when you lose? Everyone loses. They lose a tooth, they lose a friend, they could even lose their lives. Misery loves company because the only company you can keep are those you ruin.

“You’re weak and bitter, and not everyone is going to fall for your shit. What else can you offer than that? What more can you bring to the table, Levi? Nothing and you know it. I'm sure you were as useless in the celestial realm as you are down here." Snot dribbled down his chin as you hissed in dissatisfaction. "That's why you fell, right? Not some grand purpose you deluded yourself into believing like Lucifer— you fell because you had nowhere else to go. If your brothers left you'd be all alone. Heaven knows you're not the best at socializing, and you'd be up there all alone with no one you could talk to. Let's be real, you won't focus on anything that isn't a waifu or shitty otaku cashgrab, because you knew they would see through you as the waste of space, bottom of the barrel, unwanted middle child you are." Your sneer dropped into a flat line and your voice became a grave monotone, "You were right. Shove a loli figurine up your ass, you fucking degenerate, and throw in the fucking towel.”

You were out of breath at the end, but felt so fucking alive. You had cared about him once. The social anxiety was real, and you wanted to help him and grow together, but he let go of your hand. You were just paying back what was owed.

You turned to Satan and frowned. His eyes were like those of a caged animal, parts afraid, but parts ready to rip the keeper limb from limb if they dared approach. “Well, if it isn’t Lucifer’s precious little boy. His happy little accident.” You grinned wickedly and his eyes widened. “An amalgamation of some of his worst parts, but nothing left to stand on your own.” You raised a finger and he rose to his feet without hesitation. “At least you know a few tricks.” You continued, “Maybe show me what you did to me that one time.” His eyes widened, as his body levitated in the air and crashed into the wall behind him. Maybe it was your own influence, but the wall around him seemed to erupt as he went back as far as the wooden and stone beams lining the foundation of the home. Dust and cobwebs and construction fell around him and sent plumes of dust around the room, but you just stood and stared with your hands in your pockets. “Make yourself comfortable.” You said and his body began to grind into the beams and plaster with every bit of harshness and pain you had felt tenfold. You could see the veins straining in his neck and chose to let him slowly grind to a halt. His skin blazed a brilliant red from beneath his shirt, up his neck and to his ears.

“Are you angry?” You raised an eyebrow with a bored tone. “You’re so predictable, but it makes sense. You’re a product of a single emotion so how complex could you really be, right?” You didn’t wait for an answer as you mused over his existence, “Born from rage, you were conceived from trauma, but lots of people were so don’t let that get you down. You were never wanted and never meant to be anything more than a product of the worst moment of Lucifer’s life.” Your smile widened just a bit and the lights were dancing in your eyes. “You’re nothing more than an extension of someone else, and because of that you’ll never be whole. You can read every book from the Great fucking Library of Alexandria, but that won’t teach you what it means to feel. You can read about people’s lives and their dreams, but that won’t give you your own. You’ll never be able to be anything more than what you were after the fall. Wrath and hate and violence. You’re no more than a shade with one purpose and that’s just to be. So fucking controlled by your rage, do you even have a free will or to this day, do you still unconsciously act on Lucifer’s feelings? Could you ever exist without him? Do you even exist now?” For once, it looked like the demon would shed tears from anger, but you didn’t care. The look on his face was kind of cute in a way.

“Also, before I forget, you’re a pretentious prick. Yeah, you’re well-read but how could you not be when it’s the only way you know to live? You try not to be like Lucifer, but you’re copy. Wake the fuck up. Everything you loathe about him you have right in here.” You point to your heart, “And that’ll never go away as long as you live. You could never exist without him, but he can without you, and you know that.” He stared at you from his crucifixion pose in the common room’s wall and it looked like all of the fight had left him. He almost looked like the cute kittens he loved so much. You had bested Wrath.

You turned on Asmodeus and could see the teeth chattering behind his lips. You stood above him and scrutinized his features. Was he beautiful? Well, everyone else said so. What were you not getting?

"The Jewel of the Heavens," you started, "turned public toilet."

The tears spilled from his eyes and that fueled you. You had cried in front of him so many times; His words dressed you down to every insecurity you stupidly shared when you trusted him, and he turned them into knives and spit poison at you. Everyone had flaws, but his fault was acting like he had none. He was a huge slut with no self worth, yet acted like something to be treasured. "Free to use."

"You think people like being around you? You think they love you?" You began, "but people only like what you can do for them or what you let them do to you, Asmodeus." Your voice took on the faux compassionate tone his would take when giving you 'advice' and you even gingerly placed a hand over your chest and tilted your head, eyes boring into his own. "People don't want to hear your opinions. It doesn't even matter if you lay there like a dead fish, because dildos and fleshlights don't need feelings."

"That 'love' is dopamine, sweetie. When people cum, they feel a rush of neurochemicals that trigger pleasure, motivation, and desire. People will say anything before post-nut clarity kicks in and one of the biggest little lies they'll say is that they love you." You looked down at him like you truly pitied him and maybe you did. Even you wouldn't let yourself be as delusional as he is. "People don't love you, but they sure love fucking you, and you're not too picky as long as someone throws a few compliments your way. When you tried to get me into bed after complimenting your hair, I thought: This bitch is a lost cause." You grinned recalling that memory that seemed so long ago.

Your brows furrowed and the smile you sent looked apologetic, as if you were trying to break the news gently, “Y’know, Asmo…” You started—spurred on by his puffy and red face, wet cheeks, snot, and shaking lips—“How your powers don’t work on me?” You stared him deep in the eyes with a smile that he once called beautiful. “Maybe I’m not immune, and maybe you’re just a basic little bitch.” His expression shattered into a million pieces and the tears were back in full force. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’ve always been able to see right through you. So, maybe I can see your disgusting insides on the outside? Something about you was always a little disgusting to me. Everyone and anything could touch you and your touch felt like an infection to me. I washed my sheets at least three times after you slept in my bed." you shivered involuntarily. "Something just made my skin crawl, y'know?” You added conversationally like you were shooting the shit on an average Sunday afternoon.

“You embody your sin just like the others and you’re good at what you do, but would your fans feel the same if they could really see you? The insecurities and the viciousness are really fucking ugly, and you do not wear them well, darling. You can fluff yourself up as much as you want, but we both know what you truly see in the mirror and it’s not pretty. You take care of yourself, but what’s left? Nothing. Asmodeus, you want love, but the only love you can get is physical and skin-deep. I promise you that no one could stand to be around you for five minutes if they had to do anything with you other than fuck. How could I stand you? Because I accepted it. I accepted the ugly parts because everyone has them, and I didn’t hold you to the impossible standards that you did.” You sighed as if tired with him and it all, “But for a former Jewel of the Heavens and fifth demon lord, you’re pretty fucking bland. Safe and without substance.

“You can fill the holes in your head and your ass, but you’ll never fill the one in your heart. You can’t give love and you can’t get it, sweetie. I pray you never lose that face cause you’ll really have nothing left.” You smiled as if giving heartfelt advice and turned your back to him just as quickly. He was shut out and discarded like last week's trend

Your eyes found Beelzebub but his were looking anywhere, but at you. He knew what guilt felt like, but never did anything about it. “There’s my big strong protector.” You could see his Adam’s apple bob. “Well, you’re good at protecting everyone else. You’ve got Lucifer’s back even though you don’t know what the fuck’s going on most of the time, and you could even back up a murderer over me.” His eyes found yours now. “You try to be the strong silent protector, but you’re more of a bitch-ass hypocrite than Mammon. Clap it up.” You clapped for him with a grin, “You’re as much of a drain as Leviathan and a one dimensional, listless bastard as Satan. You were always good at following the others, after all.

“You hold onto the past and let it tear you up inside and you eat to fill the emptiness for a little bit, but you’ll never be whole, Bumble Bee.” The nickname made his heart ache. “You’re an empty hole that’ll never be filled just like Asmodeus, and the same way you followed Lucifer into Hell, you’ll follow anyone because you don’t think for yourself and you're slow as fuck. If you weren’t a shadow or up Belphegor’s ass, you’d be nothing, and it’s sad you’ve never realized this. You think you’re kind and compassionate? You’re a dumbass that follows the leader, let’s not dress it up as something else.” You pulled out your ace. You didn’t care what would happen to you. After everything that happened, you’d sure as hell take someone down with you.

“Can we talk about Lilith? You should really stop blaming yourself. What else could you have done? I thought that it wasn’t your fault, but the second time you let someone be killed in front of you I started to notice a pattern. When it was my life on the line, you chose your twin—you always choose that trash in the end.”

You knew that your words should’ve gotten you killed, but your powers were too strong as your words penetrated their minds and nestled in deep. “Just admit it, Bumble. You don’t care about anyone else but keeping him alive even if he’s a genocidal maniac. It’s not sibling love, but dependency because you’re too afraid to live for yourself. No matter who it is, or what stake, you’ll always choose him. I did everything I could to help him for you. You cared so much and were hurting and I…” Your eyes got a little glassy and you paused to stare him down. “I wanted to help you forgive yourself, but you never should. You should live with your decisions for the rest of your shitty life and let the regret eat you from the inside out. I hope that at the end there'll be nothing left of you.”

You stood still for a moment before turning. There were no more smiles, but a burning ice in your veins. Violence hadn’t been your first instinct for so long, but gazing at Belphegor’s neck, it looked so scrawny and you could practically feel the bones breaking in your hands. “Belphegor.” You could feel the rage rolling from him in waves. He would have your life for what you said to his twin, but not if you had his first.

“Did you really think it was over?” You wanted to kick him, to crush his throat, to rip every strand of hair from his head, but that could wait. “What was it about you that made me want to help you? You had his eyes so I trusted you. I shouldn't have been so sentimental.” You gazed at him wistfully, but a chill ran down his spine. “Do you really believe I ever forgave you? Every time you hugged me, I wanted to throw up. When I was alone with you, I felt your hands around my neck and I was fighting as hard as I could, but no one came to help me. It took so long to die. I tried so hard but that meant nothing in the end. I felt myself die and everyone just watched. Surrounded by people, but I was all alone.”

They thought you had forgotten. This timeline’s MC had died, so those shouldn’t have been your memories! It should’ve been a clean slate. They stupidly forgot that if you remembered the good times pre death, how could you not remember the most traumatic event of your life? Your throat was growing tight, and you unconsciously touched you neck, “I can still feel your hands. I can feel the blood vessels bursting in my neck and eyes. You were the last thing I saw as I died, and to the end I was wondering what I did wrong. 'How did I make you turn on me? Did I offend you? I thought I had been helping.'

“But it’s okay, Belphegor. I got a second chance to see where I went wrong and I can see that you were always a greasy bastard so caught up in the past and your survivor's remorse sister complex. I wish God had wiped you out of existence before you even landed. You wanted to end humanity, but you should’ve started with yourself. The problem was always with you. Always you. Blaming your problems on others, you even blamed Beelzebub for saving your sorry ass and I hate that he saved you too. Meeting you was the worst thing that ever happened to me, and I wish I had listened to that arrogant bitch about the stairs, but you should know better than anyone that we can’t go back. We deal with the present.

“Do you think Lilith is proud of you?” his eyes were wild, silently screaming to stop talking, but you continued. “I’ve felt her since my first day here.” You said, and that was the truth. You had never been alone when you arrived, but her form was not enough to interfere or protect you. “She had always been watching you all… She saw everything but loved you anyway.” You were looking him in the eyes and the anger turned to pity at his foolishness, “She. Saw. Everything. She was there when you killed me, and she’s been angry with you ever since. When you fell from Heaven, you fell somewhere too low to reach. You’re irredeemable and I wash my hands of you."

You huffed and softly shook your head like a disappointed parent. “Just do one last thing for me, Belphegor." You looked at him now and he recognized that expression. After a long day of coddling the brothers, you would be emotionally drained but he still sucked every drop of attention you had to offer until you had nothing left to give.

"Close your eyes."

His eyes closed immediately.

“Now, fall into a never-ending nightmare where you’ll feel everything I felt."

You didn't second guess yourself.

"Die then revive and die again—"

He deserved far worse.

"staring up at your own face killing you.”

He was lucky you would let him live.

Beelzebub would’ve yelled out, he would’ve ran to catch his brother from falling to the floor in a heap, but he couldn’t do anything for anyone. Belphegor began to twitch and squirm on the floor, then he started to convulse and buck as if trying to throw someone off of him. His hands desperately clawed at his neck, trying to pry something off —perhaps a pair of hands that had a bone-crushing grip on his windpipe?— but he only tore into his own flesh, drawing bright red gashes. He wheezed, and you could see his chest desperately rising and falling as he choked down shallow breaths until his chest couldn’t rise any more. He fell limp for a few moments, and then reanimated again where he started the horrible cycle all over again. Seeing that your work was done, you turned to the last event.

“Lucifer,” you called softly to him like you did before entering his office, “Have you thought about what you’ve done? No, I’m not talking about the lies and the imprisonment. I’m talking about the threats and the violence and everything you’ve ever done to the first human in your care.” His mouth stayed sealed, and you smiled at the back of his head that was facing you.

Then, you raised a foot and stumped his head further into the floor.

One.

“You always acted like you were better than everyone else.”

Two.

“Because you felt like you were the lowest.”

Three.

“There’s a limit to how much you can fake it, Lucifer.”

Four.

“Everyone can see you for what you are.”

Five.

“An angel fallen from glory desperately clinging to a pride he doesn’t have.”

The violence made you feel a little better, but it didn’t help. You could never change a demon and he would never understand how much he hurt you. “Look at me, Lucifer.” He groggily raised his head and although the fight left his eyes, he was still alert and aware, and his body awaited your command. A brilliant red spread from his broken nose and across his face. How the mighty had fallen. “You hated me from day one and it’s always been mutual. You’re a pompous bitch who thinks he can micromanage everyone around him, and be the pinnacle of perfection we should all strive to emulate, but don't delude yourself, the only thing you can be proud of is your place at Diavolo’s feet. You went from being a lapdog for one master to another, and you don’t even see it. Maybe you’re not that smart after all.” You tilted your head quizzically. “I hate everything about you because you’re every trait I’ve ever seen in an abuser back in the human world. Mammon takes, and Leviathan manipulates, Satan rages and hurts, and Asmodeus tries to destroy people from the inside, and Beelzebub betrays, and Belphegor should’ve been destroyed so many times over.

“And you think you run a tight ship? You think you have the right to fucking discipline me, but you can’t even control your damn family! Everything was falling apart, Lucifer. Everyone hated each other and themselves, and everything was on the brink of imploding because you were too incompetent to keep your little brothers in check. One wanted to destroy humanity and you were too much of a pushover bitch that you couldn't give him a spanking—just sent him to his room and called it a fucking day. Excellent parenting, by the way! No wonder the others are goddamned tragedies: They're true testaments to your capabilities as a leader." You hissed through your teeth and looked down at him like an insect too much of a pain to even crush underfoot.

"You’re not superior, reliable or the most capable person in the room. You’re a wine mom trainwreck that’s trying to prettify the disaster that is your life. You're a fucking mess—a walking moral story to never be like you. Never in my life have I ever seen someone ruin everything they fucking touch! In this, you're truly superior." You clapped mockingly. "I may be a human, but you’re a disgrace, and unlike me, you don’t have the capacity to change. Stay bitter and twisted for all of eternity, you melancholic bitch. Every time you look in the mirror see all of the ways you failed everyone you ever cared about. Remember that human who almost trusted you and died for it.”

You stepped back and finally exhaled. Anxiety and self-doubt fell from your shoulders. Every way you thought you were undeserving of love was untrue, and you thanked whatever power was out there that you realized it before something irreversible happened. You had been teetering on the edge of oblivion for so long, and tonight may have been the night you ended it all. Checking your phone may have been the thing that brought you back. You chuckled and tilted your head back with your eyes closed. It wasn’t raining but you felt refreshed. “I wasted so much time here stressing over things that never mattered. Killing myself for nothing.” You sighed again and rolled your shoulders, already thinking of plans for the future. You had far too much to catch up on!

But first…You turned on Mammon once again, “Mammon, retrieve my grandmother’s ring in pristine condition. The same way you found it when you stole it from me. I don’t care if you have to lie, cheat, steal, kill or debase yourself in anyway—I want my fucking ring.” Your lips curled, “Even if you have to humiliate yourself, preferably with video evidence, do what needs to be done to get it back.” His face paled and lips trembled pathetically. You weren’t doing anything worse than what Lucifer would’ve done. Honestly, he should be grateful to have such a kind master.

“You have five minutes.” His wings were already ripping from his back and propelling him in the air. “Oh, and Mammon,” he looked to you, and you lifted the corners of your lips with your fingers mockingly, “Do it with a smile!” His mouth contorted into the pained open-mouthed grin of someone trying to hold back tears. You waved him off and turned around to see Danielle standing behind you.

“Oh! Ah… You saw all of that, huh?” You asked sheepishly. Danielle stepped towards you until you were as close as you two had been when she tried to press you back outside, so close you could almost hear her heartbeat pounding in her chest. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

“You didn’t, though!” She was reaching for your hands and taking them in her own. Her hands were so small and soft and a loneliness you had tried to ignore for months hit you at once. When was the last time you felt such warmth? Even holding another’s hand was now foreign territory and your hands shook with nerves. “I told you I was on your side, MC.” She affirmed like you should’ve never doubted her. “I don’t know all that happened, and I won't pretend to, but did they…were you…” She didn’t know if she even wanted to know, but it would explain so much! The fear and the panic attacks and the signs of PTSD were so familiar to her. She had witnessed similar symptoms from abuse survivors, and she had done her best to not isolate you, but then it came to the point that she had to avoid you for your own safety. She took a quivering breath, not aware that her hands held your own tighter and that she was shaking.

“It’s in the past, Danielle.” You squeezed her hands back and released them, drawing away from her as she desperately wanted to reach out and take your hands again.

“I’m leaving. I don’t know where I’m going, but forget about me, okay?” She was about to argue, but your smile and the tender hurt in your eyes silenced her. “You make everything better just by being. Stay here and be happy." You nodded your head affirming your beliefs, "You deserve to be happy.”

“But where are you going? I can go with you!” She was leaning into you, wanting to invade your space, but holding herself back. You tucked a loose stand of silky hair behind her ear and slipped away before she could grab you and never let go. “For now, just forget I was ever here. I want to disappear, but on my own terms.” You began walking to the room that was never yours and she followed after. You two had left the six remaining demons to kneel in the common room completely forgotten.

Slinging your bag over your shoulder, a strangled whine left her throat. You had already packed! You had planned to leave from the start. “If you don’t feel safe here, just tell me or Diavolo or literally anyone else and we’ll take you somewhere safe.” You looked at her with concern, “Do you feel unsafe here, Danielle?” She couldn’t lie. She knew that things were fine for her here, and she couldn’t lie to you just to follow along. She could tell you needed to be away from everything that reminded you of the pain, and that may have included her.

“I’ll be okay, but I won’t forget you and you can’t forget me.” She commanded and you laughed. You both returned to the common room where Mammon was already waiting with the others. He was out of breath and covered in foliage and sweat, but he had made it in time. Extending a hand, he placed your ring into your waiting palm and you turned your back on him without even a glance. Danielle watched you examine the ring and put it on your finger to admire. Your guard lowered the slightest bit as you gazed at the precious keepsake, and she fought the urge to reach out to you. She didn't want to ruin this moment of peace for you.

Soon, you looked up at her refreshed and ready to depart. “If we had met in the human world, I would’ve been drawn to you, y'know?" Your expression became bashful. "I really would've wanted to be your friend.” You said and that only made her sadder. “I wish we could’ve been friends.” She balked at that. “W-we still can be!” You looked at her carefully and then nodded. “Yeah... Yeah, you're right! I still have your number and you have mine.” An easy smile was on your lips as you were once again thinking of the future. “When I get to where I’m going, can I text you?” “You better call!” You both giggled and for a moment, things felt normal.

It was so nice to finally talk to her, but now that you could you were at a loss at what to say. All you wanted to do was open your mouth and let everything spill out.

“I… Danielle, I’ve died every day since being here. Things were so good for a time if I just forgot everything that happened to me and forgave it all, but I was killing myself to make others happy and I don’t want to die again.” Your eyes were glossy with unshed tears, and you tried to sniffle without her hearing. You could read her thoughts and stepped back before she could advance, “Please don’t. If you hug me, I really might break down.” She held her arms to her sides and tried to look composed. She wouldn’t make you cry.

“Promise to call me and I won’t.”

You sniffled and burst out laughing. “Okay, I promise.”

You stood around and smiled at each other while Belphegor spasmed beside you. Her eyes dropped to his form, annoyed that he was ruining her moment before your left.

“What are you going to do about them?” She pointed at him, but you were already walking to the front door. Turning back, you cast a glance at the wreckage you caused: the room that a literal twister had gone through, the blood and bruises and the broken bones and the demon trapped in a nightmare of his own design.

You smiled a devil may care grin, “That's not my problem anymore!” and shut the door behind you.

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ˚✩ ⋆｡˚ ✩

┊ ┊ ┊ ✫

┊ ┊ ☪⋆

┊ ⊹ ┊

✯ ⋆ ┊ . ˚

˚✩

You were on autopilot tonight. Your steps felt feather light against the cobblestone that once marked impending doom, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves around you and filled your lungs with fresh air. This time, you were leaving the House of Lamentation with no intentions of returning and the taste of freedom was sweet on your tongue.

You trusted your instincts to guide your way and found yourself at the gates of the castle. The iron gates stood tall and foreboding before you, but they opened before you could even stop and consider your options. A svelte silhouette stood beneath the moonlight, pressed uniform catching the light in his polished buttons and buckles. “Welcome MC, it’s a little late for a stroll, isn’t it?”

Another elegant figure stood beside the first, clothes and shawl glowing faintly from a fine material out of this world. Posture relaxed yet regal while the other was perfectly poised, they both felt familiar and safe to you. “Right on time! We were on our way to retrieve you, but you came to us.”

Stepping forward you grasped the outstretched hands waiting for your own, and left the shadows behind.

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ˚✩ ⋆｡˚ ✩

┊ ┊ ┊ ✫

┊ ┊ ☪⋆

┊ ⊹ ┊

✯ ⋆ ┊ . ˚

˚✩

To be continued~

Hey hey hey~ that line about fixing problems and being given ammo? Totally took that from @romancedeldiablo when we were chatting 😘

@romancedeldiablo @magneticwimp @yaboihack @jisoosupremacist @da-sinnamon-roll @idobvibing @kita-sds @neptune-cinths @anotakugardener @tinygremliin @bby-sparkler @crystal-freak24 @road-k1ll @nice-try-time-isn't-real @ghostl1ykisses @riordanversexreader @blacktailedfox @foxlikeeyes @prefesro @sadgirlstuffsstuff @ckapoteinterreson @flareon2005 @rose2889 @wawadraws12 @maessite @loev4eva @mythsofkairos @keshieowo @itsuki-yuuma @noodlesthesimp @galaxy-luvletters @here-queer-and-confused @gayassfuckinghomosexual @itshimbotime @pen-ink-therapy @deltatauri @scfftyy @beef-noodles-with-eggs @imasimpsstuff @books-and-catears @shoukuto @eunn @saintoshi @sunset-murders @gallantys @curatornil @azaleawisterias @sucker-for-angst-and-fluff @kittykitkatstrawberry @gene-san @obeythebutler @thesadpinkclown @smikys-stuff @ryokuu @jiminslajibolala @galactic-anarchy @venixxvoid @fallowdoe @comfydrem @sutsuxan @suunao @bear-likes-mushrooms @moontofuu @ellykralie @fuegy-fuegy @wonder-alien @reveltica @hislittlecumwhore @chosomybeloved @1On31y-1OOn3y-1Os3r @sukunas-cult-leader

#obey me angst #obey me replaced au #obey me replaced mc au #obey me imagines #i think the tone jumped around a lot but here you are~#obey me #tywrites

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jaxsteamblog · 3 years

Text

Glowing

Click here to read the entire fic on AO3

The library felt both cavernous and claustrophobic as Katara thought of the hundreds of pounds of sand above them. It had been lucky that Malina introduced them to Professor Zei, who she had met when they were students at Ba Sing Se University. It had been lucky that Toph was able to feel out the library, despite the sand rendering her truly blind for most of their trip. And it was lucky the weird fox showed up when it did.

But as they started over one crumbling walkway, Katara felt her stomach twist.

The stacks were massive and defied reason as they seemed to hover in empty space. Toph was quiet, only pausing to tap her feet everyone in a while and shake her head. Thuy, having found her group, clustered with the others and whispered among them. Out of all of them, only Mister Whiskers seemed unbothered.

Zuko led the way, holding out a flame.

At an intersection, they stopped at the wide platform and looked around. A breeze picked up and a massive shadow slammed down in front of them. A few of the young ones behind Katara yelped.

A large white face turned to them all and Katara almost lost her breakfast.

“Why have you trespassed in my library?” The titan of an owl asked.

“Wan Shi Tong!” Professor Zei exclaimed, rushing forward. “We’ve come seeking knowledge!”

“The last human I allowed in my library sought knowledge for the purpose of destruction. I will not abide such desecration. Speak your intentions and I will decide if you may enter.” Wan Shi Tong said. Katara’s stomach sank and she grabbed onto Zuko’s arm for support.

“I’m only tagging along since I can’t, you know, read.” Toph spoke up.

Wan Shi Tong tilted his head to a disturbing angle and Katara swallowed a lump in her throat.

“You okay?” Zuko whispered.

“Fine.” Katara hissed.

“We have texts in all forms, including the ones read with your,” Wan Shi Tong lifted his wings and flapped them gently. “Fingers.”

“Oh lit.” Toph said and Thuy groaned. “Then what do you have on metallurgy?”

“Why?” Wan Shi Tong questioned. “I have seen how your kind has weaponized even the meanest of elements in this world.”

“I just like being an asshole.” Toph stated with a shrug. “And I want to know how to make equipment more cold resistant.”

“Aw, Sifu.” Thuy said and Toph waved her away.

“Acceptable.” Wan Shi Tong said. “Now, the rest of you.”

“I am only here to seek as much knowledge as I can.” Professor Zei said.

“A lie.” Wan Shi Tong announced.

“Sorry bucko, but the nerd is telling the truth.” Toph interjected.

“And how do you know that, human?” Wan Shi Tong shot back.

“My bending. I can tell when someone is lying. And how many of those weird foxes you have in here.”

“How many?”

“Fifty-seven.”

“Seven? Ling got out again.” Wan Shi Tong muttered. He then ruffled his feathers and straightened. “Fine, but what of the rest of you?”

“The Avatar and I are looking for information about Energybending.” Katara said.

“The Avatar?” Wan Shi Tong flew past them, an eel of blackness, and coiled around Thuy. Forcing the others back, Wan Shi Tong loomed over her.

“Ah, I see. I am sad to hear of Aang’s passing. I was fond of him.” He announced.

“He did not tell me you were this scary.” Thuy rasped out. Wan Shi Tong’s head bobbled and he laughed.

“My apologies, Avatar.” He said.

“I know the rest of us just came along with Thuy,” Tashi said, grabbing Wan Shi Tong’s attention. “But since this is actually real, I would like to find stuff pre-Avatar Wan.”

“Wan.” Wan Shi Tong muttered.

“I do not need to hear anything further. I will leave you to my attendant, but be aware that I will know what you take. If I think you are attempting to abuse my library, I will sink the whole building with all of you in it.” He said and, before the group’s bewilderment could find a voice, launched himself upward.

“I am done with spirits.” Sokka muttered.

“Alright team, let's go.” Thuy said, trying to sound cheerful.

“I’m going with Toph.” Jae-hwan announced.

“Figures.” Toph said, pushing her student.

“I’d like to go too, if that’s okay.” Aktuk said.

“You’re not trailing after Thuy?” Jae-hwan mocked and Aktuk blushed.

“He’s got the leg you idiot.” Toph said, smacking the back of Jae-hwan’s head. “Of course he’s going with me.”

“If this place really has everything, I’m going for the poetry.” Sokka announced.

“Poetry?” Jae-hwan questioned.

“You know, if you put something other than dirt into that blockhead of yours, you might be a better Bender.” Toph said.

“He’s not a Bender!” Jae-hwan protested.

“And yet he will always kick your ass, dust bunny.” Toph said and then ruffled his hair, grinning.

“I’m not feeling well, so I think I’m going to stay here.” Suki said, sliding down the stone railing and pulling off her backpack.

“Mister Whiskers can stay with you.” Thuy stated.

“Thanks, hun.” Suki said and smiled.

“I’ll stay too.” Tashi spun his closed glider and sat near Suki, laying the apparatus across his lap.

The rest of them split up, following foxes that took them down separate walkways from the platform. Katara and her group were led to a large table to set up a sort of camp. Foxes brought lanterns or else escorted Thuy, Suzu, and Zula off to find books.

From their packs, they pulled out snacks and water, setting into the tomes and scrolls that the fox librarians pointed out for them.

Energybending was a theory Avatar Aang had explored. Airbenders were assumed to be more intune with the energy of the world, but Waterbenders had a stronger connection to spirits. Aang wondered if there was a connecting force after seeing how some Waterbender midwives were able to identify if an unborn child would be a Bender.

That, along with the concept of chi blocking, led him to believe that Bending ability could be locked and unlocked, even in people believed to be non-Benders.

Zuko was hoping to find something that would help him deal with his father. The recent coup attempt was backing him into a corner and neither he nor Katara wanted to see the man executed.

For hours they poured over books, while Katara sucked on various candies to help her nausea. They broke to eat and compare notes, but only Katara and Thuy could even begin to make sense of what was written. The Firebenders had a different connection to their bending.

“Wait, let me see if I understand this.” Thuy said, turning in her seat to face Katara. With a book open on the table, Thuy traced down the page with one finger while her other hand waved in front of Katara’s face.

“If the lines go from…” Thuy murmured, looking at the book for a moment before making the gestures in the air. She moved down Katara’s front and startled at her chest.

“Is that your heartbeat or your bending?” She asked.

“Probably heartbeat.” Katara said with a laugh. “The water chakra is lower down. And the Water Tribe thinks the chi is held in the bladder anyway.”

Thuy lowered her hands toward Katara’s lap and concentrated.

“I think I can feel it, but it’s weird.” Thuy said.

Alarmed, Katara looked back at Zuko for a moment.

“Weird?” She repeated, looking at Thuy, who was frowning at her hands.

“Maybe it’s me, but it feels similar to the energy around your heart.” She said. Then, shaking her head, she sat back. “I must not understand.”

Katara leaned over and looked at the book. Straightening in her seat, Katara made the same gestures over her lower abdomen.

It was a weird feeling and she frowned as well.

“What about me?” Thuy asked.

Katara turned and they face each other. Following the diagrams of the book, Katara scanned over Thuy’s body. There was a strong energy in every major point, but a lot of it was centered at her lower abdomen. She was a native Waterbender afterall.

“Try us.” Suzu offered. Thuy stood and went to her friends while Katara turned and faced Zuko.

With the same scan, Katara could feel the energy in his stomach, right where it was supposed to be. With her bloodbending tied to her waterbending, Katara could feel his pulse and knew the difference. What she had felt inside of herself was, foreign.

“You’re worried.” Zuko stated.

“I just don’t know what I was feeling. I get that I wouldn’t have the same thing as Thuy, but even her’s made sense.” Katara said and rubbed her forehead.

“Suzu and Zula feel really similar.” Thuy stated. “And it confused me for a second too.”

“But I’m-” Katara stopped and the blood drained from her face. Her voice lowered to a whisper. “Not two people.”

“What?” Zuko asked, his voice strained.

“I think I’m pregnant.” Katara said and met his eye.

Zuko blinked and then started laughing. He grabbed her, hugging her as they sat and Katara felt tears in her eyes.

“Pregnant?” Thuy shrieked.

“Baby?” Suzu asked as she inhaled a sharp breath.

“So is that why you and Suki have been trying not to puke up your guts all week?” Zula asked.

Suzu whirled on her sister.

“BABIES?” She demanded.

“Katara, this explains so much.” Zuko said, sitting back and pushing her hair back from her face.

“Like what?” She asked.

“Why you’ve been glowing.” He said.

“Hush.” Katara sniffed and wiped her running nose on a napkin. “Look, now that I know it’s not the flu, we really need to focus on this.”

“I can literally not focus on anything else but the fact that you are PREGNANT.” Thuy said.

“Blazes.” Katara groaned, laying her head on the table. With a smile, she placed a hand on her stomach.

Behind her, Thuy and Suzu started hopping around in celebration while Zuko rubbed circles on her back.

“Can you tell if it’s a boy or girl?” Suzu gasped.

“Why would you seriously ask that question of me?” Thuy asked. “Me?”

“Maybe it’s like chi, Thuy, and not parts. Did you ever think of that? Huh?” Suzu retorted.

“You both are giving me a headache.” Zula stated.

“I love you.” Zuko whispered.

Katara sat up and he kissed her quickly.

“Can we figure out how to deal with your dad now?” She asked.

“We might not need to. I’m pretty sure when he finds out he’s going to be a grandfather, he’ll have a heart attack.” Zuko said.

Katara snorted.

“Still.” She said.

“Fine. I can’t deny you anything now.”

“Like you could before?”

Zuko smiled and kissed her again.

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#zutara #fanfiction #jax writes #modern au #the fic that prompts built #zutara week 2021

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zuzu-firequeen · 4 years

Text

Fire Queen

Fire Queen Masterlist

Tagged: @redryderdesigns @luleck

~Zuko X OC~

-Truble’s End-

Katara walks through the upper ring of Ba Sing Se as Momo lands on her shoulder. “What do you say Momo? A cup of tea before we get back to the king?” She steps inside the beautifully themed gold, and green tea shop. The Jasmine Dragon. “Table for two, please.” She says to the waiter at the entrance. She notices blazing red hair, Truble. As Katar moves to grab her friend's shoulder a familiar voice rings out. “Uncle, I need two jasmines, one green, and one lychee!” Zuko passes Truble with a tray of tea. She looks over her shoulder and kisses his cheek with a smile. “I'm brewing as fast as I can!” Iroh cheers from behind the counter. Katara stands in shock as she recognizes them both. Has Truble known this whole time? No. She said she was dating Lee… Katara ponders before she turns and flees as fast as she can down the front steps of the tea shop.

She races down the long halls of the Earth King's palace, message-scroll in hand. Breathless, she pulls to a stop before the Earth King's throne, where three Kyoshi warriors wait.

“Thank goodness you are here, Suki. Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city. I just saw Prince Zuko and his Uncle! My friend Truble is in danger!” Azula's eyes snap open at this news, and she smiles. “We have to tell the Earth King right away!”

Azula rises to her feet. “Oh, don't worry. I'll be sure to let him know.”

Katara stands dumbstruck as she realizes who "Suki" really is, and Momo leaps away with a frightened squeak. Ty Lee rushes forward with a series of acrobatic flips, striking at Katara's shoulder as she flips behind her. Katara, in the midst of bending water from her reserve, falls paralyzed to the throne room floor. She lies helpless in the pool of water, as the three of them gather around her.

“So, Zuzu's in the city too. I think it's time for a family reunion.”

Inside the Jasmine Dragon, I sit in a chair as Zuko is sweeping up for the evening. Iroh clears a table, as Zori picks up the mats behind him. A man enters and walks up to Iroh. “A message from the royal palace.” He bows and hands a scroll to Iroh.

From the King himself? Why would he send something to us? Does he know Iroh and Zuko are Fire Nation? They’re going to be taken away. I stand up and make the small walk to Zuko, grabbing on his arm in fear. He grabs my hand watching his Uncle intensely. “I...I can't believe it.” “What is it, Uncle?”

Iroh gasps, elated. “Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!” “The Earth King?” Zori asks, placing her mats down. I look at her in worry. “Must be the best tea in the Kingdom,” I mumble searching for answers. Iroh runs off excitedly towards the rear of the tea house. Zuko watches him go with a smile, then resumes sweeping. “Well, Uncle has made this place very popular. The King probably just wants to try it.” He leans down kissing my head and continues to work.

As I tuck Zori in she brushes over my hand, playing with my fingers. “I don’t have a good feeling, Zori.” She sighs sitting up and placing her hands on my cheeks. “You worry too much. It’s tea.”

Is it though? Is that all this really is? Simple tea time with the Earth King? Possibly…

“I thought it was past your bedtime.” Zuko hums at her from the agar doorway. Zori laughs, throwing a pillow towards him which he catches and tosses it back at her. Zuko leans down kissing Zori’s head. “Sleep tight.” He says softly before grabbing my hand and leading us out of the room.

I lay with his arms wrapped tightly around me as my eyes stayed wide, completely restless. Something isn’t right. I’ve felt it for a while now. Maybe I could look into the future and just take a peek of what is to come. Or even into the past for anyone with ill intentions.

I slide out of his arms and walk out into the living space. I sit on my knees, taking my golden pendent in my hands, focusing on the possible futures or past events. I feel the timeline split and I see the oval-shaped hole peering into the past. I can’t see who speaks but only hear their cruel words fueled by hatred. “You take her out. No mercy to bear for the decedent of that rat. Kill all three if you can.” I move closer and lean up to the tear and peer one eye through. “Yes, father.” A menacing voice spiced with venom seeps into reality. I shiver at the tone.

“What are you doing?” Two hands land on my shoulders pulling me out of my trance, causing the breach of time to shut. “I was just… looking.” “Looking? Into what? What was that?” I sigh looking at the ground. Zuko places my chin between his fingertips and gazes at my eyes, studying them. “Why are you worried, Truble? Everything is going so well.” I grab his wrist and nuzzle my head into his palm. “You have nothing to worry about.” He whispers into my forehead, kissing the surface.

“Zuko, something just doesn’t feel right. What if we get caught and then you’ll be taken away. It would all be my fault. I’ve gone with nothing but my family for so long, and now having you I know that I never want anything to happen.”

“Do you know how ridiculous you sound?” He sighs and pulls me to his chest. He starts to hum lightly and sways us slowly. Then in the tiny voice he could muster he sings softly in my ear. “Where the north wind meets the sea. There’s a river full of memory. Sleep my darling safe and sound. For in this river all is found.”

He picks me up and carries me to the room, laying me down in the bed, and holds me to his chest. “You’ve never hurt anyone, Truble. Don’t start worrying about it now. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you.” I mumble into him as I rest my eyes. “I love you, Truble.”

Into the deep hallways underground ancient statues line the walls. In the middle are many Dai Li agents, all lined up in rows. Azula, accompanied by Mai and Ty Lee in their disguises, stands on a statue's pedestal and addresses the Dai Li.

“The Earth King and The Council of Five do not trust the Dai Li. They imprisoned your leader, Long Feng. Soon they will turn on all of you, and eliminate you. Seizing power today is a matter of life and death. The coup must be swift and decisive. The Earth King, and each of the five generals, must be taken out simultaneously. Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government.” Azula walks toward a Dai Li agent with a scar on his cheek and looks him in the eyes. “If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all, I will snuff it out. That is all.”

The agent watches Azula nervously as she walks away. The Dai Li turn and all begin walking away. Azula climbs back up the steps as Ty Lee pours her a cup of tea. “Nice speech Azula. It was pretty and poetic, but also scary in a good way.” She cheers. Mai laughs, “Yeah, I thought you were gonna make that one guy pee his pants.”

“There are still a few loose ends. The Avatar, and my brother and Uncle. Not to mention Savrar and his daughter.” Ty Lee cartwheels around the room. “Is she really as bad as the Fire Lord says?” Mai stifles a laugh. “She can’t be faster than my knives.” Azula nods stifling a laugh. “I agree, but I won’t dismiss my father's warning.”

We four sit patiently at a table. Before us is a small throne set on a raised platform. Iroh pours a cup of tea as we wait for the Earth King to arrive.

“What's taking so long?” Zuko mumbles as he runs his fingers along my palm. “Maybe the Earth King overslept.” Iroh smiles. I look up at Zuko shaking my head slightly. He knows as well as I something is going on. Several Dai Li agents walk into the room from the right and form a circle around all of us. I glare at them, wrapping an arm around Zori. “I told you something’s not right.”

From the entrance a girl with raven hair and golden eyes confidence that can kill, swiftly takes steps towards us. A smirk stretches across her face as she strolls in. “ It's tea time.” She stretches the playful saying. Zuko stands to his feet in a rush.

“Azula!” He moves in front of me, blocking my view.

“Have you met the Dai Li? They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that is so Firebender, I just love it!”

Iroh takes the cup he poured and stands up beside Zuko. I stand behind them with Zori notched at my side. Iroh looks back to me and winks.

What?

He takes a sip from his cup calmly. “Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname the "Dragon of the West"?” Oh no.

Azula examines her nails. “I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle.” “It's more of a demonstration really. Would you mind, Truble?” Her eyes shoot up meeting mine as Iroh speaks my name.

I step in front of everyone. I enter a firebending stance, open my mouth and push out a powerful torrent of fire at the Dai Li, just like a dragon. The agents lower their heads and lift their gloved hands to shield themselves.

“Come on!” Zuko yells as he runs in front of me, grabbing my hand, and taking the lead. He bursts through a wall with a fire blast and runs down the hall. Two Dai Li agents come through the hole in the wall and begin firing the small, finger pieces of their rock gloves like bullets with swift thrusts of their hands.

We run into a dead end, but I blast a fireball at the solid wall making it crumble on impact leaving the view to the outside clear. Iroh jumps out, giving a small shout as he falls on top of a hedge, I push Zori out into the bushes as well. I pull Zuko’s hand, but he retracts it. “What are you doing? We have to go!” I shout trying to pull him away, but he stands his ground.

Iroh stands below with Zori looking at us with panic. “Come on! You’ll be fine.”

I pull on Zuko’s arm again,but fail once more. Heavy footsteps reach my ears, panic fueling my blood. I look up to Zuko, “Please.” His eyes show me more than he could ever say. “I can’t.” He looks down at Iroh and Zoir. “I have to face Azula. I'm tired of running.” Zuko turns around and walks back towards the Dai Li and Azula. Her eyes strike at me. “Well, well, well. You’re tangled up in some real trouble, Zuzu.” Azula takes a step towards me, but Zuko tugs me behind him. “Stay away from her.” He growls at his sister. She simply rolls her eyes at his words. I would’ve cowered at the tone and unforgettable venom laced in his words. She simply smiles. “You’re so dramatic. You don’t even know who she is, but I do.” She shoots her lightning at me and misses my head by just an inch. Zuko looks down at me with apologetic orbs. Before I even take another breath, Zuko pushes me out the window into the shrubs, and not a second after that Iroh drags me away.

-Zuko-

Azula looks at me with unamusement. “I’m not sure that was the best option. Now you’re stuck here… with me. A shame really, I wanted her.” I clench my fist. “You’ll never get her, Azula. It would be over my dead body.” She smirks covering an underlying laugh. “What, are you going to do, challenge me to an Agni Kai?” I yell at her, angry and determined, “Yes! I challenge you!” She stands calmly smiling mockingly. “No thanks.”

I raise both my hands, summoning a large ball of flame, and push it at Azula. In a flash the Dai Li has bound both my feet and hands in stone. I pull at the rock, but struggle and fail to get free. I watch Azula walk away as I struggle, but soon my eyes are covered, and I see nothing but black.

I failed you Truble. I should've listened.

Katara pacing around a cave lit by glowing green crystals. A rumbling noise catches her attention and looks up towards the steep tunnel leading outside. The stone blocking the entrance is slid away by a Dai Li agent. Another agent appears holding Zuko. “You've got company.” The agent pushes Zuko forward and he tumbles to the bottom near Katara.

“Zuko!” She shouts in surprise. Zuko gets to his knees and stares back at Katara as the Dai Li seals the entrance.

Aang, Sokka, and Toph run inside. Upon entry, Momo greets them by chattering excitedly and climbing on Aang's shoulders. “Momo!” Katara is nowhere to be seen...

“There's no one else here.”

Aang potins at Sokka, “Katara is in trouble! I knew it!” Sokka looks over the empty room in confusion. “Oh no.”

Toph raises her head. “Wait, someone's at the door. Actually, I know who it is. It's an old friend of mine and…I KNEW IT!” Toph walks to the door and slides it open to reveal Iroh, Zori, and Truble. “I knew it! I knew there was something about you!” Toph shouted at the girl. Truble steps forward sharply. “I need your help.” Aang looks behind me. “You’re friends?”

“I know this doesn’t make sense, but please, I need you.”

Aang, Sokka and Momo go into a state of panic and shock at the sight of their old enemy alongside their new friend. Toph smiles and gives Iroh a friendly wave of the hand. Aang and Sokka gawk at Iroh. Aang points a finger at him.

“How do you three even know each other?” Aang shouted. “It’s such a long story, but in short. We’re family friends.” I rush wanting to get to Zuko as fast as possible.

“And I met him in the woods once and knocked him down. Then he gave me tea and very good advice.” I nod, “He does that. It’s his signature.”

Iroh smiles from the doorway. “May we come in?” Toph nods opening the door completely. “Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se.” Aang looks to Sokka. “She must have Katara.”

“Katara? She’s gone too?” I ask in shock.

“She has captured my nephew as well.” Iroh says. Aang nods to him with a flat smile. “Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Katara and Zuko.” “Woah there. You lost me at, Zuko.” Sokka agures.

“I know how you must feel about my nephew. But believe me when I tell you there is good inside him. Truble can confirm.” Iroh places his hand on my shoulder. I look at them nodding. “It’s true. He’s such a different person. I’m sure if-” Sokka cuts me off in a raised voice. “Good inside of him isn't enough. Why don't you come back when it's outside him too, okay?” I cross my arms glaring at him.

Aang comes between us, “Katara is in trouble. All of Ba Sing Se is in trouble. Working together is our best chance.” Sokka closes his eyes and nods grudgingly, and Aang smiles. Another problem solved by the Avatar.

“Oh, reminds me. We brought someone along who might be able to help us.” Iroh heads back outside and the others follow. A bound and gagged Dai Li agent is sitting on the porch which I caught, thank you very much. Toph lifts him up by earthbending two stone slabs on either side of him. “Azula and Long Feng are plotting a coup. They're going to overthrow the Earth King.” Sokka pokes at the guard. “My sister! Where are they keeping Katara?” He doesn’t say anything, so I grab his collar and I fight a purple flame in my hand. He struggles against the rocks containing him. “In the crystal catacombs of old Ba Sing Se, deep beneath the palace.” I close my hand smiling. “Thank you.”

I turn around to see team Avatar looking at me in shock (All except Toph). She smirks knowingly. “Katara owes me five bucks.”

-Zuko-

I sit in the crystal cave quietly feeling Katara’s eyes glare into my back. “Why did they throw you in here? Oh wait. Let me guess. It's a trap. So when Aang shows up to rescue me, you can finally have him in your little Fire Nation clutches.” I just look up at her saying nothing. “You're a terrible person, you know that? Always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care? You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood.”

“You don't know what you're talking about.”

“I don't?! How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally.” She turns away from me and crouches on the ground. “The Fire Nation took my mother away from me.” I look further, her tears stay down her cheeks.

“I'm sorry. That's something we have in common.” I make a full turn towards her. She wipes her face and looks up at me, genuinely surprised. She then glares at me again. “What do you want with Truble?” I widen my eyes at the mention. “Truble? How do you know her?” Katara scoffs, only to stay silent.

I look down at my hands. “I love her.”

Katara’s head whips to look at me. “What?”

“She’s… helped change me.” Katara looks at me in shock. “She called you, Lee.” I nod. “Not anymore. The two of us have a lot of secrets only the other knows.”

She looks away. “ I'm sorry I yelled at you before.” “It doesn't matter.”

“It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.”

I touch my scar. “My face. I see.” “No, no, that's not what I meant.”

“It's ok. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, Truble helped me realize I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark. So I chose her.”

Katara smile lightly. “Maybe you could be free of it.” I turn to her in hope. “What?” “I have healing abilities.”

“It's a scar. It can't be healed.”

Katara reaches under her shirt and holds up a vile. “This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I have been saving it for something important. I don't know if it would work, but…” She walks closer to me gazing at the water. I nod and take a breath. My face without a scar… I might be good enough for Truble then. Not a constant reminder of hatred in a future filled with love.

Toph stands on the ground, feeling the stone with her hands. “Well whaddya know. There is an ancient city down there, but it's deep.” Toph waves her fists outward, earthbending a small crater in the ground.

“We should split up. Aang, you go with Truble and Iroh to look for Katara and the angry jerk...no offense.” I giggle in agreement. “None taken.”

“And I'll go with Toph and Zori to warn the Earth King about Azula's coup.” I look down at her, making sure she’ll be okay. She smirks and turns her head. “I’m a strong girl.” I laugh turning to Aang and Iroh.

“Shall we, gentlemen?” I ask, jumping down into the hole. Aang is tunneling down using his earthbending as Irohand I use open flames to light the way.. There is a moment of uncomfortable silence between the two until Aang decides to break the ice. “So, Toph thinks you give pretty good advice. And great tea.” Iroh smiles, “The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?”

Aang pauses for a second to deepen the tunnel with an earthbending movement before continuing.

“Well, I met with this Guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State, and control this great power. But to do it, I had to let go of someone I love, and I just couldn't.” I look at Aamg with a small smile. “Perfection and power are overrated. I think you made the right choice to pick Katara.” Aang’s cheeks light up and he smiles shyly. We stop again and Aang pushes back the earth with a wave of his arms.

“What happens if we can't save everyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if I am not powerful enough? “ Iroh shrugs. “I don't know the answer. Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving…”

Aang pushes both arms forward, earthbending the rocks out of the way. A green light shines through. I smile at the light as it cuts into the dark tunnel. We enter the glimmering catacombs of crystals. “You will come to a better place.”

I nudge Aang with a smile. “Plus you have me.”

-Zori-

Sokka notices the Dai Li agents clinging to the columns supporting the roof, lying in wait as General How walks closer. Sokka grabs Toph and we three hide behind one of the columns. As General How draws closer, one of the other agents drops down and slings a shackle at him, attacking his wrist. Another agent shackles his other wrist. The general growls as they pull the chains, immobilizing his arms. One more Dai Li agent drops in front of General How.

He struggles in his chains. “Arghh! What's going on here?!” “You're under house arrest.”

Sokka looks down at us. “The coup is happening right now! We've got to warn the Earth King!”

We all run towards the throne room.Shift scenes to the Earth King's throne room. The Earth King is sitting on his throne with a bear by his side. Two Kioshi warriors sit at the bottom.

“Thank goodness we're in time!”

“In time for what?” The King asks.

“Yeah, what are you in time for... “ She somersaults forward and lands in front of Sokka, putting her face close to his. “Cutie?” I smile mimicking her actions. “That’s fun.”

“Uh, I'm kinda involved with Suki.” The Kioshi girl pulls back, “Who?” “Uh oh.”

Toph earthbender a rock underneath her. She gives a small shout as she is hurled into the air. She flips backward and lands on top of the badger mole statue in the back of the room. I point at her in accusation. “They’re not the real Kyoshi Warriors!”

I know these girls!

Mai stands in a sigh, as usual. She’s never happy. Not even in this time. “Sorry to disappoint you.” She flings three double bladed daggers at Sokka, but I run in front of him blocking them with my sowards. Toph earthbends a slab of rock then kicks the slab, sending it flying at Mai, who jumps over it. A moment after she lands, Toph uses her earthbending to pop a stone up from underneath Mai, knocking her away.

Ty Lee sneaks up next to him, giggling and with a big, happy grin on her face. Sokka is startled and steps back. Ty Lee proceeds to try to attack Sokka's pressure points in order to disable him, but the Water Tribe warrior is too quick. Every time Ty Lee tries to hit a joint or spot on his body, Sokka ducks, leans, and shifts out of the way, often ending up in an awkward position.

“Ooo, it's like we're dancing.”

In the corner of my eye I see Azula standing behind the Earth King, holding him by the shoulder. The frightened king stares at the blue flame Azula holds close to his head. “This fight... is over.”

Sokka and Toph and I raise our hands in surrender. Ty Lee jumps between the three of us and disables them both with a series of strikes. Momo soars through the air and tries to escape, but a Dai Li agent that had entered the throne room with Azula throws his stone gloves at Momo. They wrap around the lemur, and Ty Lee watches as Momo falls next to her. Azula roughly shoves the Earth King away.

“Get them all out of my sight.”

-Zuko-

Katara places her hand on My scar and examines it. Before she does anything else, the wall bursts open revealing Uncle Iroh, and my Truble… WITH THE AVATAR!

“Aang!”

Aang stares at me and Katara, confused by how close we are, but Truble’s eyes were more the confusion. Anger? Sadness? She runs up to me non the less and hugs me… loosely.

Aang glares at me while still holding Katara as I hold Truble. His eyes travel to Truble in my arms before glaring at me again. Why was he looking at her at all?

“Truble?” Katara’s voice breaks us away. Truble runs to her and laughs as they hug. When were they so close? She’s been working with them this whole time? There isn’t any other reason. She’s betrayed me. Lied to me this entire time.

Katara lets go of me before pulling Aang into another hug. I back up watching them with a fading smile.

Why were Katara and Zuko incredibly close upon arrival? What would’ve happened if we were seconds late? I turn back to him with a smile, but he glares at me causing me to stop in my tracks. Stopping in the very middle between Zuko and Aang.

“What are you doing with the Avatar!?” Zuko points a finger at Aang. Before I answer Aang smarts off, “Saving you, that's what.”

Zuko snarls at Aang and tries to lunge at him, but I press my hand to his chest. He looks down at it as if I burned him.

Iroh places a hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “Zuko, it's time we talked.” He turns to Aang, Katara, and I. “Go help your friends. We'll catch up with you.” I give one last glance to Zuko in hopes I would see his eyes change, but he just sends me hateful eyes.

I turn away with Aang and Katara, leaving to help the others.

-Zuko-

She walked away. Even more so, uncle sent her with them. I look at him. “Why Uncle?”

“You are not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good!”

I shut my eyes, absorbing uncle's words. Before I can process this wisdom, I am startled by a violent quake. A trail of crystals shoots out of the ground until they reach Iroh, trapping him. I readied myself for an attack. Azula and two Dai Li agents slide down from the tunnel I had entered through. Azula advances towards me until I am directly between my uncle and my sister.

“I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but Zuko, Prince Zuko...you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?” She taunts.

“Release him immediately!”

“It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself.”

“The kind of redemption she offers is not for you.” Iroh struggles from his caged state. “Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history. And the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have your father's love. You will have everything you want. All I need is that girl's head with the necklace attached.” Truble?

“Zuko, I am begging you, look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want. She’ll kill Truble.”

I glare at Azula. “What has she done to you?” Azula acts shocked. “Not to me. To mother.” “W-what?” Azula nods with a sorrow smile. “Her father was the one who killed her. Sent her off in a place to fend for herself. She died.” I shake my head. “You’re lying!”

“Why else would she be here manipulating you? She’s going to do the same to you!”

I look back at Iroh, unsure of whom to listen to. I shut my eyes and hung my head, trying to come to a decision.

“You are free to choose.” Azula stares at me.

Azula waves a hand to the Dai Li agents, signaling them to leave. Both earthbend a stone cube under their feet and slide back up the ramp. Azula departs through the tunnel Aang, Katara, and Truble had gone through.

“We've got to find Sokka and Toph.” Katara says as we stand on the ground. “Watch out!” I scream tackling Katara from the stream of blue fire that rockets towards her. Aang turns around and earthbends a wall of stone to protect us.

Katara runs around the smoldering wall and bends the water in the channel. She charges at Azula and brings the water crashing down on her. Azula deflects the attack with a short blast of fire. Katara keeps her momentum and spins the water around her, smashing it into the floor and creating a large wave. Azula stomps the ground and flings her hands out, making a wall of fire that evaporates the wave coming at her. The resulting steam hides Azula from view. Aang and I look left and right, preparing for a sneak attack.

A moment later, Azula jumps out of the steam from one of the larger crystals high above. She attacks with two blue fire balls which Aang and Katara extinguish by bending the water from the channel into a shield while I shoot blasts of purple fire towards her.

Azula lands on a piece of rock jutting out from one of the large columns. Aang shoots his fists forward and brings his palms down, sending a shockwave through the ground and into the column, destroying it.

Azula gasps and drops down just a few feet away from me. I ready my stance waiting for her to make a move. Suddenly, a blast of red fire lands between me and Azula, skimming my arm and burning the flesh. I gasp dropping down. I look over my shoulder to see the new opponent, Zuko...

He draws closer to us, poised in his firebending stance. He looks to Azula, who gazes back at him harshly. He looks at me, his glare faltering slightly, but never breaking.

Zuko then looks at Aang. The airbender gasps just before Zuko punches forward, shooting a fireball at him. Aang reacts just in time and protects himself by airbending a spiral of wind around his body. He jumps back to gain distance as the flame is dispersed.

Azula grins at Zuko and then turns to me. She waved her arm in an arc and threw a jet of fire at me. Before I even get a chance to defend myself Katara bends the water from her flask and extinguishes the fire. I take this chance, turning to Azula sending several sharp ended flames her way. She avoids all but four. She screamed as they cut a burning slice on her skin. She pushes her hand in her leg and gasps at the blood. “Oh, I like you.” Azula laughs, throwing more lighting as I avoid it and retaliate knocking her off her feet.

Azula stands on the floor, a puddle of water beneath her. I nod at Katara and she runs towards Azula. Katara stops and bends the puddle, lifting it up with one arm and thrusting it at Azula with the other.

I shift my gaze to Zuko, who is spinning his fire whips over his head. He swings the burning tendrils at Aang, who is clinging to a stalactite. Aang jumps away to another stalactite and the fire whips cut through the one he was just on.

Aang pushes off the stalactite with his legs and kicks another one, causing its tip to break and fall off. Aang grabs the upper part still attached to the ceiling, swings down under it and kicks off, hurling himself down. Aang turns himself right side up and slams his fists down into the falling stalactite, plunging it downward. The stone hits the floor, kicking up dust and creating a crater. Zuko is blown back by the shock wave and his body hits a crystal cluster.

Katara bends puddle on the ground and lobs it at Azula, knocking her to her knees. As Azula starts to get back to her feet, Katara bends the water all around her body. The waterbender creates two long tentacles of water where her arms are and lifts them high into the air. Well… She certainly doesn’t need my help.

Azula leans forward and thrusts out her fists, releasing a blast of fire, but it is quickly extinguished as one of the water tentacles wraps around Azula's outstretched arm. Katara controls the water, swirling it around with her hand, and swings the other water tentacle down at Azula. Azula tries to counter with a straight thrust kick, but the blue flame shot out is also extinguished and the tentacle wraps around her leg. Katara raises her arms and Azula is lifted into the air, shouting in fright.

Just when it seems Azula is finished, Zuko performs a leaping overhead kick, punching downward to gather energy before hopping into the air and bringing his leg up, creating a large arc of flame. Zuko lands and brings his foot down, hurling the flame forward. I run straight forward into his flames pushing them away and extinguishing them. He looking at me, rethinking before hardening his stance. “Zuko stop this!” He throws a fire whip at me causing me to do the same, knocking him down. “I love you!” I scream at the top of my lungs. The banished prince looks at me with conflic before he throws an arc of fire above me. Missing me on purpose. It passes over the channel and slices through the water tentacles, freeing Azula.

I stare back at Zuko opening my hand for him. “Please.” I beg.

He takes a single step towards me but I feel every inch of my body on fire. Every vein, every cell, burning as Asula’s blue lighting strikes me on the back of my neck. I scream falling to the hard ground. I see her boots on the ground as she kneels down. She lifts my head up by my hair. Zuko’s blood curdling screams distract me from Azula’s smile. She breaks the chain on my neck and lets my head fall to the ground causing my last seconds of sight to end.

-Katara-

Azula’s lightning strikes Truble on her neck. She fell to the ground so quickly. Zuko’s screams as she hits the stone. “Azula, NO!” Azula breaks her necklace away and takes it into her hands. She lets Truble’s head bang on the ground as she lays lifeless. I cover my mouth letting tears fall. I have to get to her. I can heal her.

I crawl to her before Zuko reaches her. His fingertips reach for her before I whip him away with a stray puddle. I drag her away from him as he watches in tears. I place my hand on her cheek crying. “Stay with me, Truble. Stay with me.”

Zuko throws two lances of fire at me as I lay with Truble in my arms. I quickly extinguished it with my water.

I let Truble’s body lay alone, standing up and running towards Zuko. “I thought you had changed!”

I swing my water down at Zuko. His tendrils of fire against my tentacles of water clash together over the channel, both equal in strength. Zuko’s emotions are unreadable. “I have changed!”

As I counter attacks, Azula leaps from the top of a crystal cluster and shoots a blast of fire down at me. I deflect the attack and another blast of fire from Zuko by bending water into a wall. Zuko swings an arc of fire and Azula shoots a blue fire ball. The fire ball makes a direct hit and I am blown back, colliding with a cluster of crystals beside Truble. Everything growing black.

Azula and Zuko turn their heads towards a rumbling noise. Aang launches dozens of feet into the air, kicking up and enormous dust cloud. Aang slams his body into the floor, cracking the stone ground, and a moment later comes charging at the firebenders by riding on a rolling mound of rock. Zuko and Azula ready themselves for the attack. Aang is furious and determined, but just as he gets close, a Dai Li agent jumps in front of him and lifts his arms, destroying the mound with his earthbending and sending Aang to the floor. Aang wearily picks himself up and looks around. Many Dai Li agents jump down from the cliffs above, forming long rows behind Azula and Zuko.

Katara gains consciousness just as the Dai Li surrounds her and the unconscious time bender. Katara bends the water from the channel and forms a ring of water around them. The water sprouts eight tentacles as she enters the octopus stance. Aang enters his fighting stance and prepares to face his many opponents. He then looks to Katara, who is desperately fighting off the Dai Li agents.

“There's too many.”

Aang remembers what Guru Pathik told him at the Eastern Air Temple. “The only way is to let her go.”

Aang looks down sadly. “I 'm sorry Katara.”

Aang turns around and earthbends several crystals out of the ground to form a tent over him. Aang sits down and begins meditating. We enter inside of Aang's mind, where he once again comes face to face with the avatar spirit residing inside him, high above the world and surrounded by the starry heavens.

The avatar spirit surrounds Aang in a swirling orb between its hands, and Aang's arrow glows. Shift back to the physical world. Aang's arrow begins to glow here as well, illuminating the crystals that surround him. Zuko and the Dai Li are frightened but also enchanted by this light.

Finally, Aang opens his eyes, which glow with great intensity. An incredible explosion of spiritual power destroys the crystals. The Dai Li agents shield themselves from the blast. Aang rises from the ground in a bright pillar of cosmic light. Katara looks up at Aang, hope returning to her.

Aang levitates in the air, until suddenly, a bolt of lightning strikes his body. Aang's body is also falling to the ground. His clothes are charred, and there is a terrible wound on his back where he was struck.

Katara stares shocked and horrified, tears rolling down her face. She turns her body and swirls the water around her. Katara creates a large wave and rides on top of it towards Aang, arms spread behind her. The wave rolls over Zuko and the Dai Li, washing them away. Katara catches Aang and lands on the ground, the water flowing away from her. She holds Aang's unconscious body and looks up hopelessly.

Zuko and Azula begin advancing on Katara and the fallen Aang when a fire blast hits the ground in front of them. Iroh jumps down from a cliff and lands between Katara and his niece and nephew, entering his battle stance. “You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can!” His eyes take in the sight. “Where is Truble?” Katara looks back to the body and summons her, drifting her body in the water towards them. Iroh eyes her as the color drained from her face. He glares at his nephew. “GET HER OUT OF HERE!” Zuko’s panic shows his conflicting thoughts. He had just seen his love potentially die.

Iroh punches left and right, shooting fire blasts at any potential attackers, as Katara makes her escape with Aang and Truble. He lowers his stance and defends against the stone gloves the Dai Li agents throw at him. Iroh waves both hands forward and flings a powerful blast of fire from his fingertips.

Katara goes to the waterfall and bends the water. She forms a rising and twisting current that lifts her, Truble, and Aang upward. Iroh ceases his attack and quietly surrenders once they are out of danger. Two Dai Li agents bend a ring of crystals around Iroh and trap him. Zuko stares blankly at his uncle. Iroh stares back at his nephew for a moment and turns his head down sadly, saying nothing.

The Earth King, Bosco, Sokka, Zori, Toph, Momo, Truble, Katara, and Aang all riding on Appa. It has reached nightfall and the sky is dark. Katara lays Aang and Truble down on Appa's shoulders and takes out the oasis water. She removes the top of the container and bends the small amount of water out of it, splitting it in half for the two individuals. Katara holds it over her palms and makes it spin in small circles until it begins to glow with energy.

The others watch as Katara places the water over the wounds on each bender. It lowers into their wound and enters the body. Zori holds Truble close, crying.

Azula is sitting on the throne while Zuko stands next to her emotionless.

“We've done it Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se.” He looks down shamefully. “I betrayed Uncle. I-I betrayal, Truble. She-“ “was going to kill you.” Zuko shakes his head. “She was never going to do that.” Azula runs her finger over the golden pendant, stolen from Truble’s body. “Uncle betrayed you. Zuko, when you return home, father will welcome you as a war hero.”

“But I don't have the Avatar. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?”

Azula stands up and places a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko looks at her sadly. “He doesn't need to, Zuko. Today, you restored your own honor.” Zuko turns away from Azula and looks down.

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thesoftdumbass · 4 years

Text

sincerity is scary ~ 2

Lance Tucker x reader

word count: 1,400

warnings: language, mentions of sex, jealousy and a tiny bit of angst

summary: Lance makes a promise to himself, then. If you want to keep this relationship the way it is, then he’ll leave it alone and take you in any way that you allow him. But if you’re willing to become more, Lance would love to show you that he can be vulnerable and affectionate, reputation and callous pretense be damned.

this is the song that inspired this fic

> masterlist

part one

You arrive home from work, taking off your shoes at the entrance and moving toward the laundry room to take off your work clothes when there’s a knock at the door.

But I just got home.

Sighing, you take the few steps back to the front door and peer through the peephole, a little surprised to see Lance standing on the other side. It’s been two weeks since your last hookup that ended in you practically running from his place and you’ve not spent any time together since. You’ve seen each other in the building and exchanged hellos, and it’s not that you’ve been avoiding him but, well, you’ve been avoiding him. Still unsure of whatever changed between you the last time you were together, you’ve all but decided that the little bit of tenderness that Lance showed you was a fluke. He was tipsy and sated and he must have just cuddled you because you were there still. That’s it. That’s all that happened.

Flipping the locks, you open the door and walk away, giving Lance the freedom to walk in and close the door behind him. “Hey Tucker, what’s up?”

He’s no stranger to making himself comfortable in your place, so while you’re once again on your quest for comfy clothes, he walks over to your couch and plops himself down dramatically. “I’m starving!”

You snort to yourself, coming to a stop in the middle of the living room, but go with it. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, let’s go out and get some food. My treat.”

“You know, I would, but that would be cutting into my ‘sit at home in pajamas’ time. It’s a real shame…” Your reluctance is only half for show, but you always feel the need to give him at least a little bit of a hard time.

He laughs, seeing through your act. “Come on, we haven’t hung out in forever!” You avert your eyes, humming noncommittally.

Lance stands from the couch then, walking until he’s in front of you and ducking his head until he can look you in the eye. “Hey, we don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. We could order in and watch that show you love. I just wanted to spend time with you cause it’s been a while.”

Sincerity shines through his voice, and you can’t help but bend to his request. A smile slowly works its way onto your lips as your eyes brighten at the thought.

“Yeah, okay.” Lance celebrates with an excited little shout, happiness making itself known in his usual dramatic fashion, and you laugh. “But you’re taking me to Thai Smile, I’ve been craving my usual.”

“Deal!”

“I’m gonna go get changed, I’ve been itching to get out of my work clothes,” you mention, moving to walk past him and into your bedroom when Lance leaves a playful smack to your bottom. The offended scoff you let out sounds fake even to your ears, but you shake your head and narrow your eyes at him anyways.

“I’ll wait for you.”

Lance cringes at the unintended deeper meaning behind his words as you disappear behind your bedroom door. It’s completely true, but you don’t have to know that. He had made it home at a good time today, and since neither of you work tomorrow, he’d decided to try and spend time with you. He can tell you’ve been keeping your distance, but he couldn’t handle if the two of you let your friendship become awkward. When Lance heard you walk past his place to your own, he jumped up, grabbing his wallet and shoes and rushing to greet you. Luckily it went in his favor and now you are spending the evening together. Lance doesn’t have plans beyond dinner, but he’ll be happy to follow your lead.

“My mouth is still burning,” Lance complains as he reaches for the Thai iced tea that you’re sharing, sucking down a few big gulps before you stop him by pulling the drink away.

“You’re supposed to sip this, you’ll make yourself sick if you chug it,” you laugh. “Besides, that’s what you get for ordering an 8 on the spice scale.”

“Well last time I got a 4 and it wasn’t spicy enough, so this time I upped it,” he tries to defend himself.

“Aw sweetheart,” you coo in a teasingly sweet tone, “you’re dumb.”

Lance’s lips, still tingly from the outrageous amount of chili flakes in his food, pull up at the sides at your teasing. He reaches for the drink again with his right hand as you walk back home, transferring the tea into his left, and you allow it. With his right hand now free, he reaches down and entwines his fingers with yours.

You continue walking the way that you were, though now trying to will your face not to turn hot at this new turn in events. As Lance starts to talk about work and how it’s going with one of the new trainers he’s hired at the gym, you try to listen, but your mind wanders away from you. This is not the first time that Lance has casually shown you affection, and this time you can’t help but get your hopes up. If this is a sign that the dynamic between you is changing, you’ll take it. You decide that when you get back home, you’re going to try and broach the subject with Lance and get at least an idea of how he feels. Your mind made up, you tune back in to what Lance is saying, mind clear and focused on the man beside you.

It’s a few minutes later when you hear your name being called by a familiar voice that you look up, coming to a stop in front of someone you know from work and dropping Lance’s hand.

“Oh Avery, hey! How are you,” you ask, a picture of politeness.

“I’m good. Wow, it’s been a while, huh?” The man looks you over, seemingly noting any changes in appearance since you’d last seen each other. He catches the glare that Lance is sending him out of the corner of his eye, turning his eyes back to your face quickly after that.

“Yeah, I’ve not seen you since you got that transfer, right?”

“That sounds about right,” he chuckles.

The two of you chat for a couple minutes before Avery glances at his watch, eyes lingering on the time. “I’m gonna let you get back to your evening, but we’ll catch up later, okay?”

“Sounds good, I’ll talk to you later.”

You resume your walk home, sensing Lance moving with you, though he remains silent. You try to make conversation a couple times, but Lance’s responses are either nonverbal or short and clipped. One time when your hands accidentally brush, he wrenches his hand away as though he’s been burned. It hurts, the way he’s withdrawn, and you don’t care to examine your feelings about it too closely. You only know you won’t like what you find.

By the time you reach your shared floor in your apartment building, you’re still unsuccessful in getting him to talk to you, so you try one last effort to get things back to normal. “Do you wanna come in and watch something? I’ve got Avatar: The Last Airbender queued up on Netflix,” you offer, stopping in front of your door.

“Nah, I’m good.” Lance continues on to his own door further down the hall and barely turns his head to speak to you, his response once again cold and makes your heart sink further in your chest.

“Aww c’mon Tucker, I thought you wanted to hang out tonight,” is your last attempt at getting the night back to the light-hearted nature you’re used to.

Stopping in front of his door, Lance finally turns to face you after practically pretending you don’t exist for the past fifteen minutes. “I just remembered that I’ve gotta work tomorrow, so I should head to bed.”

“You never work on Saturdays, except during tournament season.”

Lance’s jaw ticks in irritation at you calling out his bullshit and your eyes harden at the disdain that you see on his face. “Yeah, well, I’ve gotta run some errands. Pick up new mats and such. But we’ll catch up later, okay?”

The sarcastic overture in his voice turns your head as you start to wonder what in the hell is wrong with him, with the two of you, but the words register just in time for the sound of his door closing to echo through the hallway.

Lance won’t admit that he might’ve shut his door with a little more force than was necessary, the noise likening to a slam resounding through his pounding head. He also won’t admit that he’s being petty, jealousy surging through him like a river. But that’s not right, right?

He has no business being jealous. It’s not like you’ve laid a claim on each other. You’re friends with benefits, and even though Lance would like to become more than that in your eyes, it hasn’t happened yet. He can’t help it, though. That man was eyeing you like you were a prize and all the same you were making a nice conversation, unaware or maybe uncaring about the way that “Avery” obviously wanted you. Lance’s blood was boiling, but now that’s been reduced to a simmer, his bones aching with the feeling of not being good enough, not being wanted by you. What if his reluctance to be in a relationship up until now has put you off any feelings you might’ve had for him, and he’d lost his chance?

Lance moves further into his apartment, placing his keys on the table and shaking his head of those thoughts. If you didn’t care about him at all, you wouldn’t have tried so hard to keep the night feeling normal. And what had Lance done? Act like an asshole, that’s what. He needs to apologize. Tonight he would give himself time to cool off further, and in the morning he would go to your place and apologize. Maybe if he brought coffee and muffins it would go even better and you both could have a conversation, clearing the air. His mind made up, Lance walks into the kitchen to throw out the remnants of the Thai iced tea, making his way to the bedroom as he solidifies the plan in his head.

He’s interrupted by several loud knocks on his door, brow furrowing as he looks through the peephole and finds you there, mouth set in a firm line and eyebrows drawn low in irritation. Well, there goes that plan.

Lance twists the door handle, apologies spilling from his mouth before he could even get it all the way open.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I’ve been a jerk tonight and-”

“What crawled up your ass and died, Tucker?”

part 3

author’s note: So it looks like I’ve found it in me to write some more for this! Be on the lookout for at least one more chapter coming soon. I know a lot of authors are participating in a fanfiction blackout during June (which I support), and there’s a lot of fucked-up stuff happening in the world, but if I don’t post this now, then I’m honestly going to forget to. Like always, I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to stick around and read when I post the next part!

Thank you for reading! Please leave likes and comments/reblogs and let me know if you liked it 🖤

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#lance tucker x reader #lance tucker fic #lance tucker angst #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan fic #the bronze fic #lance tucker #sincerity is scary

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luna473 · 4 years

Text

Water Attracts Lightning // Zuko X Kasami (OC) [FF]

Kasami’s P.O.V

It’s been about 4 days since Zuko brought me in. It’s a good thing his healers are of high level experience, if not I’d probably be a lot worse off right now. I still get sharp pains in my side at the site of my cut, but all of my bruises and burns have been healed.

“Kasami?” Zuko opens the door and peaks his head in. “Are you up?”

“Yeah, just give me one second.”

I finish brushing my hair, along with braiding one loose strand on the side. I put my hair behind my shoulders as it falls down to my waist in slightly curly waves. I put on my water tribe outfit, but I quickly realize that its way too hot in the firenation to be wearing these fleece covered North Pole clothes.

“Actually, give me a few minutes.” I laugh sheepishly as I grab the scissors.

I cut off one of the long sleeves of my white water tribe top. I crop it and put it on, the bottom resting a few inches above my belly button. I take the warm fleece off of my blue and white skirt and cut a slit up the right side. I put on my necklace and my traditional tribe bracelets, one on my upper arm and two around my wrist.

I put on my most prized possession, an Air Nomad bracelet that Aang gifted me for my birthday. He knew how much I loved Air Nomads and their culture. I guess thats why Aang and I formed a really special bond. I love all of my friends but he was there for me when no one else was. I consider Aang my best and closest friend. I spent almost all of my childhood reading ancient Nomad scrolls, scriptures, and books. Besides training with water and swordsman masters, of course. It was amazing to have someone else, a real Nomad, to be best friends with.

I hope Aang and the others are okay.

Suddenly, an idea pops into my head.

I walk out to see Zuko waiting outside my door, he studies me, glancing up and down before speaking.

“Took you long enough.” He says, leaning against the wall.

“Well I wouldnt of had to remake all of my clothes if it wasnt like 90 degrees here.”

I cross my arms across my chest and blow a strand of hair out of my face.

“Let’s go.” He begins, “We have a lot to do today.”

“Actually, I need to do something first.”

Zuko groans and runs his hand through his hair.

“What is it?” He snaps harshly, clearly annoyed.

“I need to enter the spirit world.”

“The spirit world?!” He shouted, an exasperated expression on his face. “Why do you need to go into the spirit world?”

“Okay well, first of all, calm down and stop shouting.” I started, unamused by his behavior. “Since Aang and I are the only ones out of our group who can enter the spirit world, we promised to find each other there if we ever got separated.”

Zuko massaged his forehead and sighed deeply.

“Kasami, we don’t have time for this!”

“I’m going to do it either way, Zuko.” I glanced away sadly and looked at the floor. “They probably think I’m dead. I have to let them know I’m here and that I’m coming for them.”

“Fine, but make it quick.” He began walking away. “If your not back to the ship in an hour, you can find your own way back.”

Asshole.

I jogged back into his villa, and decided to go sit on the beach to meditate. I sat down, closed my eyes, and pressed my fists together. I focused on my breath for a while, and in a few minutes I notice the landscape around me was beginning to change. My soul felt like it was lifting out of my body, although it seems scary, it always felt the most amazing during the transition from the real world, to the spirit world.

I opened my eyes to see that I wasn’t at the beach anymore. The sound of waves turned in to the sound of leaves and branches flowing peacefully in the wind.

“Come on Aang, where are you?”

I made my way over to our favorite spot, a flower garden beneath a giant bonsai tree. The four nations’ symbols carved into it’s trunk. I sat and waited, until suddenly, I heard footsteps nearing. My eyes shot over to the sound, a familiar face with blue tattoos making his way towards me.

“AANG!”

A huge smile plastered across my face, I ran as fast as I could over to him. His arms already open, waiting to receive his hug.

“Im so glad you’re alive, Kasami.” He peered down at me with a concerned but elated expression.

“Are you guys okay?” I walked around him, searching for cuts or bruises. “Are any of you hurt?”

“We aren’t hurt too bad, don’t worry. If Sokka would just shut up once in a while maybe he wouldn’t get in trouble so often...” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.

I balled my fists and my jaw clenched.

“Aang, please don’t lie to me. Tell me what’s happening to you guys.”

He sighed and glanced down at the floor.

“Katara can barely stand and Sokka’s got bruises all over him.”

“And you?” Tears well up in my eyes as I look up at him.

“They keep me chi blocked. I can’t reach the Avatar state.” He began, his voice quivering and tears beginning to fall down his face. “I’m the Avatar and I can’t even save them.”

“Aang, please. Do not blame yourself.”

“How can I not? I’m supposed to bring balance and peace to the world.”

“Everything is going to be okay. Thanks to you I made it out of there alive. Well, just barely, but Zuko found me and-“

“Wait, Zuko?”

“I fell off of Appa trying to escape and I fell in to the woods on Ember Island.”

“Where does Zuko fall into this?”

“Well he was on vacation and he happened to be out at the time. He found me and brought me back to his villa. Zuko and his healers basically nursed me back to health.”

“Fire Lord Zuko? The one gave you your sca-“

“Yes Aang.” I interrupt his sentence, not wanting him to finish it.

“Speaking of Zuko, I have to go.” I wrapped my arms around Aang and squeezed him tightly. “If Im not back at the ship soon, I’ll get left behind.”

Aang hugged me back and squeezed me even tighter.

“Im coming for you guys. I’m going to get all of you out of there,” I let go of him and put my hand on his shoulder. “I promise.”

We said our goodbyes and I returned to the real world. I opened my eyes to see Zuko sitting right in front of me.

“Z-zuko?”

“Oh, uh, sorry! I was just making sure nothing happened to your body while you were in there.”

“Like how Katara was protecting Aang the night of the North Pole invasion before you showed up and stole him?” I remarked sarcastically.

“Hey! I said I was sorry for that!”

A slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips, before I started laughing at him.

He got up, dusting the sand off his clothes. He reached his hand down to me, offering to help me up.

“I can get up myself, thanks.”

I rose up off the ground and dusted my own skirt off.

We stood in silence for what seemed like forever, just staring at each other.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat and broke eye contact. “We should probably, uh, get going.”

“O-oh, yeah. We have a lot of preparation to do.” He gestured at me to walk with him as he started making his way back to the ship.

“Lets go.”

Zuko’s P.O.V

Kasami stands in front of me, the sunset perfectly hitting her face. I never noticed how beautiful her eyes were. She’s got two different colors. Her right eye a light shade of blue, matching the Water Tribe insignia on her necklace. Her left, a vibrant and light shade of green, like the leaves of a white dragon flower. My favorite. The sun only enhancing their color, they continue intrigue me. Sadly she looks away. I seemed to have gotten a little lost in her eyes, but I quickly return to reality when she clears her throat.

“We should probably, uh, get going.”

“O-oh, yeah. We have a lot of preparation to do.” I add as I begin walking back to the ship, Kasami trailing close behind.

We’ve been on the ship for a couple hours now. We haven’t spoken a single word to each other. I go out on the deck to find her playing around with some water. I catch her smiling as she whips it around her body, the water flowing gracefully wherever she points her hand. I make my way over to her spot on the floor, but as soon as she notices me her smile fades.

“Have you heard of blood bending?” I asked, taking a seat right in front of her.

“Yes.” She raises her brow. “Why do you ask?”

She glances at me with suspicion.

“I’m only asking because It could help us a lot. You know, when we’re trying to save our friends.”

“I’ve only ever tried it once, but I’m still trying to figure out if it was a dream or not.” She answers, rubbing her temples.

“Why don’t you try it?”

“Well, I don’t really have anyone to try it on.”

“Try it on me.”

“Zuko, are you crazy?” She looks at me, clearly distressed. “I’m not going to blood bend you!”

“Kasami, do you have any idea how powerful we could be together? You have to try!”

“T-Together?”

“I mean, uh, when we rescue the others. Ya know, you with your blood bending and me with my lightning?”

I point my finger up at the sky, a tiny bolt of lightning sprouting from it, buzzing sightly with electricity. The color immediately drained from Kasami’s skin and terror overtook her face. She backed up, her eyes wide with fear.

“K-Kasami? What’s wrong?”

I get up and walk over to her. I reach my hand out but she stumbles back till she hits the railing of the ship.

“Don’t!” She yells, turning away from me and putting her face in her hands.

“Please..Please don’t d-do that again.”

“Don’t do wh-“

“The light...the lightning.”

Her voice and her hands were shaking, she sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

“oh.” I whispered as I peered down at my hands, ashamed that I had just scared her so badly.

“I promise you, I wont ever do it again.” I said in a hushed tone. “I know you might not believe it, but I am so, so sorry for hurting you, Kasami.”

She looked back at me, her eyes were glossy and full of tears. She was too full of pride to ever let them fall in front of some one else.

“I’m so sorry.”

My own tears threatened to fall. I looked down at my feet. Suddenly, I hear her walking towards me. Kasami stood only a couple inches away from me. She looked up at me and smiled. I took in the beautiful sight in front of me. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight as she looked right into my own.

“I want to believe you, I really do.”

“It’s okay if you don’t now. I’ll prove it to you.”

Immediately after finishing my sentence, she flung her arms around me pulling me into a tight hug. I wrapped my own arms around her and pulled her in tighter, letting a tear fall from my cheek.

“I guess I can give you chance, figuring how you saved my life and all.” She whispered into my shoulder.

I pulled away slightly as we held each other. She raises her hand to my face and caresses her thumb across my scar.

“I know I’ll never be able to make it up to you, but I’m going to try my hardest.” I whispered softly between the two of us, our faces only inches apart.

“Fire Lord Zuko, we have arrived.”

The captain snaps us out of the moment we shared, and we let go of each other.

“O-oh, Thank you Captain.”

“Its been an honor serving you, Fire Lord.”

He bows to me and walks off.

“Well, we better get going.” I turn around to see Kasami still staring at me with a slight grin on her face. She nods and we make out way onto the mainland.

“Welcome to the heart of the Fire Nation.”

The moonlight shone down upon the Fire Palace as the light of torches all across the nation could be seen for miles. The music playing and people dancing certainly piqued Kasami’s interest. This is the biggest smile I’ve seen on her yet. She really is beautiful.

Sokka’s P.O.V

“Katara how long is this gonna take?!” I pace around my cage, staring at Aang.

God, I feel like an animal.

Ever since our cages were moved into the same room, he’s been trying to contact Kasami in the spirit world. After being told she was “taken care of” a couple nights ago we’ve all been frantic about trying to contact her. Unfortunately, none of the attempts have worked. Im starting to believe his words.

“Sokka! Shut. Up.” Katara growled at me. “Stuff like this takes peace and quiet!”

Suddenly, we hear Aang groan as he comes back into consciousness.

“Guys,” Aang beamed at us with a grin. “She’s alive!”

Katara and I both let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Shes with Zuko, she said she’s putting together a small team of elite people to help her rescue us.”

“Woah, woah, woah. She’s with Zuko?” I looked at him, clearly shocked. “She always said she hated him.”

“Well, he actually saved her life when she escaped that night. She was almost dead when he brought her in.”

“Shes okay now though, right?” I ask, my face of shock quickly turning into concern.

“She’s perfectly fine now. We’re getting out of here soon, don’t worry.”

I took a deep breath, the first one I’ve been able to take in days.

“I’m just glad she’s alive.”

Kasami’s P.O.V

As much as I want to trust Zuko, part of me is terrified. I know in my heart that I need to hear him out and give him a chance, but a small part is screaming at me to run. I’ve never allowed myself to be this vulnerable with someone, ever. I better play it safe. Keep a safe distance, don’t get too close. I won’t allow myself to get burned again. Never again. Not like last time.

Zuko walked me in to the Fire Palace. Despite its dark and dreary appearance, it really was beautifully crafted and designed.

“I think we should assemble a small team.” I begin, walking around the room. “I’m thinking Suki, Ty Lee, Mai-“

“Mai will not be joining us.” Zuko interrupted sternly.

“What? Why? Shes one the best fighters I know!”

“She will not be joining us, thats final.”

I glared at him. What was that all about?

“I’ll bring my good friend Kahn. Hes an excellent fire bender,” Zuko stated.

“Are you sure we can trust him, Zuko?”

“Would I bring him along if we couldn’t?” Zuko gave me a slight smirk.

“Alright Zuko,” I replied, putting my hands up defensivly. “but if he screws up, its on your ass.”

I smile up at him. Zuko gives me a small chuckle. I think that may have been the first time I’ve heard him laugh. It was a cute one, slightly raspy but nonetheless wanted to make me laugh along with him. I hoped I could make him laugh more often.

“Lord Zuko?” A familiar voice spoke out from the doorway.

“Kasami?!”

“Suki?!”

I ran up to the Kyoshi Warrior and wrapped my arms around her.

“I missed you so much!”

She plants kisses all over my face, causing me to scrunch up my nose and giggle. Even though me and Suki had a rocky past, we always managed to pull through together. She’s an amazing friend, extremely loyal, and will fight with me to the end.

“So I heard were going on a little mission, correct?”

“Thats right.” Ty Lee chimes in, stepping delicately as she makes her way across the room. She spots Suki and I, squealing as she runs over, engulfing us in a huge group hug.

“Its so good to see you girls!” Ty Lee beams as she releases from our hug. I give her a small smile.

“I can’t believe were all together again, It’s been far too long for my liking.”

“Well yeah! You’ve been traveling the world with the Gaang and that hottie Sokka!” Ty Lee gushes, earning a glare from Suki.

“Hehe, sorry...”

I notice Zuko from across the room, his face looks exactly like Suki’s. Angry...with a splash of jealousy. I quickly shake it off and focus my attention back to my friends.

“Hey, did I miss the party?” My eyes shoot over to the deep, unfamiliar voice. His tall silhouette gaining my attention. The shadow steps into the light, revealing his face. Which is not too bad in my opinion. I’m not one to blush, let alone gush over a boy I just met, but when he made eye contact with me I could feel the heat from my cheeks growing red.

“You must be Kasami,” He grinned, walking over to me. “I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”

He shoots a glance at Zuko, winking at him. This earns a glare from Zuko but I can still notice the red on his cheeks before he turns away.

“Oh you have?” I ask, glancing over at Zuko with a brow raised.

“Only good things I hope.”

“Very.” He smirks.

His dimples are so cute.

I’m snapped out of my infatuated stare by Ty Lee and Suki’s giggles.

I laugh it off and walk over to the conference table, closer to Zuko.

“Alright guys, let’s get down to business.” I state, everyone picking a seat.

“How can we be of service?” Suki inquires, fanning herself.

“Aang, Katara, and Sokka have been kidnapped and are being held hostage.” I begin, earning shocked looks from the girls and Kahn. “What we do know is they’re being held on a small piece of land close to Ember Island.”

“The only island close enough to Ember Island is Yangchao Isle. It only has a couple tall buildings, mostly warehouses.” Kahn adds.

“Great,” I close my eyes and remember the events of the night I escaped. “The place where they’re being kept is heavily guarded. I almost died trying to escape.” Zuko glanced over at me, shooting me a reassuring smile.

“We were attacked by four men in masks, I’m guessing they’re the masterminds behind the whole thing.”

“Do you remember anything significant about their appearance?”

“Sadly, No. Just that there was an earth bender, a fire bender and a water bender.”

“What about the fourth one?” Ty Lee added.

“He just...stood there.”

After the meeting was over, we all agreed to meet at the rendezvous point the next day at 12 AM. Its the dock of a small island right next to Yangchao Isle. We decided to split up and prepare for sneaking in with our teams. Zuko and I, and Suki and Ty Lee. Kahn decided to work alone. He said he was going to dig up all the information he could on the Isle and the four masked men who took us. With everyone gone, that just left Zuko and I.

I notice the beautiful pool in the back, just waiting for me to jump in. I sprint to my room in the Fire Palace and quickly pull out a bikini from one if the drawers. Red and black...not quite my style but It’ll have to do. I slip it on and grab a towel, throwing it over my shoulder.

Making my way to Zuko’s room, I notice the door is slightly open, giving me a great view of Zuko. There he stands, shirtless, bouncing in place while pretending to play the guitar and humming a song. A song that seemed all too familiar.

“Secret, secret, secret, secret, tunnelllll!!”

He sings the last part of the tune out loud, causing me to let out the laugh I’d been holding in for far too long.

“HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STANDING THERE?!”

“Long enough.” I muster out as I’m doubled over, unable to contain my laughter.

When he starts giggling along with me, I can’t help but look up at him and smile.

There’s that laugh again.

“Wait, why don’t you have any clothes on?” Zuko asks, trying not to stare.

“Well, I came over here to ask if you wanted to go in the pool with me?”

His straight face turned into the biggest smile I’ve seen on him yet.

“We might as well have some fun before we, ya know, possibly die.” I said, laughing between my words.

“Don’t say that.” Zuko chuckles.

He splashes me, soaking my hair.

“Oh you’re gonna regret that!” I shout at him, bending a huge bubble of water right above his head.

“Wait wait, Kasami NO-“

He shrieks as I release the water, soaking his entire body, clothes and all.

He looks over at me with a devious smirk, but before I realize what he’s up to, he swiftly runs up behind me. He goes to push me in the pool, but not before I can grab him and pull him in with me.

We spend the rest of night swimming and laughing. Forgetting the events of the past week and the plans to come, we enjoy each other’s company. Who would have thought I’d be here, with the Fire Lord.

After getting out of the pool we lay on his couch, in front of the fire. Despite being in the Fire Nation, the Palace was extremely cold. Unlike the Airbenders and Firebenders, I am unable to warm myself with my breathing. I shudder, goosebumps rising along my tan skin. Zuko takes notice and pulls my body closer to his, wrapping his arms around me. His body was warm to the touch, mine was cold, freezing, even. Soon enough, we both fell asleep. My head resting on his shoulder and his head resting on my own

#avatar fanfic #sokka fanfic #avatar fanfiction #enemies to friends to lovers #avatar zuko #zuko x oc #zuko #aang #suki #slow burn #enemies to lovers #love triangle #zuko fanfic #avatar au #team avatar

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vnderoos · 5 years

Text

game rage ✧ emmett cullen

warnings / language, minor injury.

word count / 3.2k

(gif is not mine, credit to the owner) masterlist in bio ↴

⠀⠀⠀⠀"OKAY, I think we're good if we just wait here, Em. You watch for dudes coming from the left and I'll shoot whoever comes from the right," Y/N suggested, hoping that if she added some sort of battle strategy to their Friday afternoon game session, it would push them towards victory. She could see Emmett nod understandingly out of the corner of her eye and she pressed down on the joystick of her controller, putting her avatar in a crouching position. She pushed down one of the back buttons, opening up her scope, and she used the other thumb control to check their surroundings, surveying the fields of tall, animated grass through her gun lense.

There was a soft chink as someone, Emmett she figured, opened up a grenade. "Which way are they coming from?" She asked, her voice quiet as she spun with her scope, but the realization of what her best friend planned on doing dawned on her when she heard his digital grenade clatter against the ground. "Really, Emmett? Again?" She exclaimed, trying to move her character away from the explosive, only to realize that her scope was slowing her down. She frantically pressed the circle button, hoping that it would close but nothing was happening except for the quickening beeping coming from Emmett's side of the television screen. "This isn't— damn you," she hissed as the grenade detonated, knocking her character down into a crawling position as it had taken down her health bar immediately.

Emmett erupted into laughter, throwing his head back as he did, and his bulky body swayed into her own. She scoffed as his shoulder knocked against her, causing her to lean beneath the temporary burden of his weight, and she wasted no time pushing him off of her. "It gets easier every time," he pointed out in reference to the act of blowing her character to smithereens and how this was, unfortunately for Y/N, his fourth time doing so.

She huffed and turned to look at the beefcake beside her, narrowing her eyes at him as he flashed his sparkling white teeth in return. "And more annoying," she countered, enunciating to emphasize her frustration but it only made the smug smirk on his face spread.

Emmett pressed one of the rear buttons of the controller and another chink sounded through the television speakers, his person equipping another grenade from his utility belt and holding it up in the air. "We'll see about that," he mumbled, tucking his tongue beneath his bottom lip as he concentrated on aiming.

"Don't you dare," Y/N scolded as the bright red arch, indicating the path of trajectory his bomb would follow, ended right over her lady. "Emmett Cullen, just put that thing away and revive me, already. We could win this," she protested, smashing the joysticks ruthlessly in the direction that she wanted her person to go. Frustration built up inside of her as her avatar moved painfully slowly around the Jeep that they'd been using as cover. She'd gotten around the hood of the car, but since Emmett's character was much faster than hers—having the advantage of, you know, not being knocked out—he was following her with no trouble at all. "Are you serious right now?" She blurted as her woman somehow glitched and ended up between the two Jeep tires. She tried to get her unstuck, but without being able to jump and without Emmett reviving her, she was royally screwed.

Emmett, that son of a bitch, swerved his guy in front of her own and she watched helplessly as he rolled the grenade in front of her. "This is so much better than winning," he explained and then, Y/N's character died in a fiery explosion.

"Screw you, Cullen," she muttered before setting her controller in his lap. "I'll see you on Monday." Y/N stood up from her place on the couch and started towards the front door without even sparing Emmett another glance.

She could hear the vampire's frustrating little chuckle as he stood up, as well, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floors as he trailed behind her. "You're not seriously leaving right now, are you?" He taunted, throwing his arms out in a gesture even though she was hellbent on not paying him any more attention. When Y/N reached the front door, she roughly twisted the handle and swung it open as hard as she could. She trudged out of the house and tried to close the door on Emmett—to give herself some sort of head start since she knew he was as persistent as anything—but, being considerably taller and impossibly stronger, he bypassed it with no trouble at all. "Y/N/N, stop. This is ridiculous," he called after her but she shook her head and picked up her pace. Emmett groaned, but he kept after her anyways.

At that point, she was practically storming down the steps to the Cullen's driveway. "Oh, almost as ridiculous as blowing me up for a straight half an hour?" She retaliated, but she refused to look at him, determined to keep walking.

Emmett let out a noise that was somewhere between a chuckle and a groan and he kept after her anyways. "C'mon," he said, reaching out for her but she evaded his touch just in time. He rolled his eyes. "Swan, you can't throw a hissy fit just because you suck at combat games," he tried to tease and, finally, she whipped around to look at him. Her face wasn't lit up with the bright, mock-offended grin he was hoping for, but instead, it displayed a glare that she was trying extremely hard to make intimidating.

Instead of backing down like he knew she wanted, he laughed at the sight of her angry expression.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me, Emmett," she snapped. "Can't you see that I'm pissed at you right now?" She asked, crossing her arms almost challengingly over her chest.

"Please," he scoffed, tilting his head down at her and dismissing what felt like every ounce of confidence she had in herself. "I don't care how pissed you are, you'll never be as scary as you think you are," he confessed.

She knew that Emmett hadn't meant it as an insult and that he was just trying to get a rise out of her in the moment, to get a little chuckle out of it, but that didn't change the fact that his comment made her blood boil. Her fists clenched at her sides, so hard that they started to vibrate, and she stared blankly into the swirl of amusement that pooled in his blue eyes. "Can you stop acting like a dick for two seconds, please?" She asked, too heated to even think about softening the harshness of her tone.

Emmett, although slightly taken aback by the flare of fire that she expressed towards him, let out a dry laugh and he nodded slowly. "Alright, fine," he agreed, lifting his hands up in surrender and forcing his lopsided grin off of his face. "Why don't we just put this behind us and head back inside, huh?" He asked. "And, since you're acting like such a baby about this, I'll go ahead and fix you a bottle, too," he added, his sneaky little smirk slipping right back into his lips. The eyeroll that he got from Y/N was one of the grandest he'd ever witnessed and he could see the flushed pigments of her skin grow hotter as her annoyance started to get the best of her. Emmett chuckled at the sight, crossing his bulky arms over his even beefier chest.

"This isn't funny," she snapped.

Emmett shrugged his shoulders and flashed her a crooked smile. "Well, not to you, because you don't know how to take a joke, but—"

"That's it, Cullen," she growled. Y/N didn't know what came over her after that. It was like some sort of white hot rage, fanned by her low tolerance for Emmett's bullshit, clouded her vision and propelled her towards him. She balled up the fingers on her right hand and, before her brain had a moment to process what she was about to do and tell her to knock it off, Y/N drew her arm back, ripped her fist through the air, and slammed it, with as much strength as she could muster up, against Emmett's cheek. There was a soft crunch, like stepping on broken glass, as a hairline fracture split over his crystalline skin, but Y/N hardly registered it. Her mind was reeling with nothing but pain as every bone in her hand felt like they'd shattered upon impact. "Fuck," she hissed immediately, stumbling a few steps away from the diamond-skinned vampire and cradling her injured hand in the palm of her free one. She dropped to her knees. She rocked back and forth on the ground, trying to distract herself from the searing pain in her hand and the burning tears in her eyes, which she screwed shut. "Fuck you and your stupid fucking vampire shin," she cursed, shaking her head profusely and gritting her teeth through the pain. "Fuck you, Emmett," she seethed.

She could hear the snaps of dry twigs and the crunch of dead leaves beneath the soles of his shoes as he took the few steps towards her. He knelt down at her side. "Are you fucking stupid, Y/N?" He asked, his words ridden with disbelief and frustration as he placed a hand on her shoulder. When Y/N, despite being in the worst pain she'd been in since she broke her leg in the seventh grade, still found it in herself to shrug his hand off of her shoulder, Emmett rolled his eyes. "You know, I was gonna ask why the hell you'd risk your own safety to punch me, but I think 'stubborn as fuck' sums it up pretty well," he said and she opened her eyes to shoot him a look.

"Will you stop making jokes and just fucking get Carlisle, already?" Y/N snapped at him. There were hot, pain-induced tears streaming down her pink cheeks, but Emmett wouldn't have even noticed that she was crying if she hadn't turned her head to face him.

"I'll do you one better," he promised, before hooking one of his beefy arms beneath the bend of her knees and moving the other to support her back as he lifted her up off of the ground.

Y/N pressed her free hand against Emmett's taut chest, pushing against it as she squirmed to try to get out of his arms. "Emmett, I said to—"

"Shut up and let me carry you, okay?" He shouted at her and her eyes went wide, hand retreating back to its injured equal and she hung her head slightly. "I'm sorry, I just... it's faster this way," he admitted and she nodded, deciding it was better to just stay quiet before she broke something else.

Emmett sped forward and they were standing before Carlisle before Y/N even had the chance to blink. The blonde vampire studied the two carefully, eyes flitting between the injury she'd sustained and his son, and he shook his head. "Emmett, you should know not to tease the girl so much," he chastised and Emmett huffed in response, rolling his eyes in the man's direction. "She is a Swan and the Swan sisters have proven to make irrational decisions."

Y/N would've laughed if she wasn't halfway between crying and trying to catch her breath. "Look, if we're gonna talk irrational decisions, that's gonna take a while. So, can we wait until I'm not about to pass out?" She asked in one breath, getting the words out as quick as possible.

Carlisle laughed and nodded his head. "Of course."

"Very bold of you to sucker punch a vampire," Carlisle commented as he finished adjusting and buckling the fabric splint he'd slid onto her wrist, an amused smile playing on his lips as he brought up the situation. The device covered her wrist, as well as the ring and pinky fingers that she was almost certain she'd broken. It was also wrapped tightly around her hand, but not enough to where it might cause a problem. "Does that feel alright?" He questioned, tapping his fingers lightly on her covered wrist.

Y/N nodded, glancing over at the closed office door, where she knew that Emmett was waiting for her out in the hallway. She looked back at Carlisle. "It's fine, thank you," she told him, managing a small smile. "And, yeah, my sanity kind of got swept away in the moment and this," she paused, gesturing to her hand with her head, "is the result," she finished.

Carlisle chuckled softly, gathering whatever medical supplies he'd used to help with her hand and placing them back in his first aid kit. "I understand," he told her, glancing up at her with a small smile as he returned the kit to its rightful place in a desk drawer. "Emmett tends to have that effect on people," he added and Y/N immediately scoffed.

She nodded her head, standing from her place in one of Carlisle's office chairs. "You could definitely say that again," she agreed with a hint of playfulness in her voice, despite the temporary annoyance she still harbored for the doctor's son. "I know he means well, though."

"Especially when it comes to you," he pointed out, a grin making its way onto his face as he adjusted the cuffs of his blue button down and crossed his arms over his chest. Y/N's cheeks flushed at the comment and she shook her head slightly. "Oh, I mean it. He really cares about you, even if he has a strange way of showing it," he promised.

Y/N glanced down at her knees and back up at Carlisle. "As much as I hate to admit it, I know," she confessed, smiling sheepishly. Of course she knew that Emmett cared about her. She loved that boy with the entirety of her being and even if he drove her crazy with pranks, teasing, and the occasional argument, he'd proved to her on more than one occasion that he would give his life to keep her safe. She looked towards the door. "I think I need to..." She trailed off, nodding towards the exit.

Carlisle followed her gaze and a knowing look flashed across his face. "I believe so," he hummed.

Y/N moved forward to give the man a hug and he happily draped his arms around her. "Thank you for helping me," she told him and he squeezed her shoulders affectionately.

When they both pulled out of the embrace, they shared gentle smiles. "Of course, Y/N. You're family," he assured her. "Now, your wrist and fingers are only sprained, so they shouldn't take too long to heal, but let me know if you come across any complications," he instructed.

She nodded her head and after bidding her farewell, she made her way to the door and stepped out into the hallway. For some reason, before she'd even laid eyes on Emmett, her heart was thundering in her chest. Maybe it was the thought of admitting she was wrong or the fear that he wouldn't accept her apology, but she was nervous as she shut the door behind her.

Before Y/N could even process the fact that Emmett had been waiting outside of the door for her to come out, he was making his way over to her with a guilty expression settled on his face. "Hey, Y/N/N," he addressed her quietly, his head hung slightly and his arms crossed over his chest as he came to a stop in front of her. "You gonna be okay?" He asked, nodding to the brace around her wrist.

Her eyes followed the jerk of his head and she laughed awkwardly, holding it up briefly. "Oh, yeah," she replied softly. "Carlisle said it's just sprained, so I should be fine in a few weeks," she added, shifting awkwardly as Emmett continued to look at her hand. "I'm fine, seriously," she promised.

Emmet glanced up at her and she could see the regret swimming in his eyes. "Maybe you are, but you have to understand that I'm so sorry, Y/N," he said, reaching out to take her injured hand delicately in his own. "I never meant for you to get hurt, you know that right? I was just being stupid and I—"

Y/N shook her head up at him and she brought her other hand to his, sandwiching his hand between hers affectionately. "Don't apologize, Emmett," she said. "You were just messing around, I get it. It was stupid of me to blow up at you like I did because I know that you were just trying to goof around and laugh with me. I'm sorry that I got so mad at you and I'm sorry that I punched you," she confessed sincerely, her eyes mulling over his features as she looked for any form of forgiveness.

Of course, she found it when he flashed her a small smile. "It's fine, Swan, I'm perfectly okay. You're the one who's stuck with that stupid splint on for the next few weeks," he teased and she rolled her eyes playfully, managing a lighthearted grin. "Seriously, though, I'm not mad at you or anything, but promise me you'll leave the punching the supernatural to your sister next time," he told her.

"I promise," she agreed with a small laugh and she took a step closer to him, wrapping her arms around his torso and pulling him into a hug. "Thank you for caring about me so much," she hummed, letting her eyes fall closed as she felt the warmth of his arms embracing her in return.

She could feel him nod against the side of her head and he pressed a gently kiss against her temple. "Of course. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you," he admitted, pulling away from her just slightly so that he could make eye contact with her. "I love you, Y/N," he said quietly.

Her heart skipped a beat at his confession and a giddy smile rugged at the corners of her mouth. "God, you're making me feel really bad about punching you," she joked and he chuckled. "But I love you, too, Em," she reassured him.

Emmett simply grinned and he hooked one of his fingers beneath her chin, tilting her head up so he could give her a kiss. Y/N nearly melted into a puddle when his soft lips met hers and she was almost certain that her insides had turned to mush.

"Anyways," he muttered when he pulled away, literally radiating happiness. "Do you wanna go play our game again?" He questioned.

Y/N scoffed with amusement, but she nodded all the same. "Fine. Just as long as you don't blow me up this time," she negotiated.

Emmett only smirked. "No promises, sweetheart."

↴

author's note / sorry, this is terrible haha, it was cute in the beginning but i'm horrible at endings. thank u for reading though! xx

#emmett cullen #emmet cullen x reader #emmett cullen imagines #kellan lutz #kellan lutz imagines #kellan lutz x reader #twilight #edward cullen imagines #jasper hale imagines #twilight imagines

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haikyuu-scenarios-drabbles · 5 years

Text

anonymous asked: How would you feel about an Avatar AU? I’d love to see what element, or if a character is a non-bender, you feel would match your favourite characters in HQ!

oh-HO. i am unsure if you know that Avatar is one of my all-time favorite shows so when i saw this ask i was pumped!!! without further ado: i finally had some inspiration. i took this a bit farther than just my fav characters (i did as many as i could think of) and although i say in my rules i don’t do hc’s i felt this ask was best answered in that format so i did my best! i hope you enjoy 😁 im nervous as hell about headcanons 😬 some i have reasons for (serious or funny) and others i just...have a feeling

special shoutout to my discord fam that i love so dearly and especially to @animelake13 and @justoverseas for helping me out 💕💕

Karasuno:

Daichi:

Alright with those thighs and that dependability?? Earthbender through and through

He is a rock solid, all-around player that holds Karasuno all together

he is their BASE, stable as fuck

he didn’t get those thighs from nothing he got them kicking around some boulders

didnt get those arms from nothing either, punching rocks out of mountainsides

Suga:

Waterbender for sure

Hello? Mr. Refreshing

Very calm and level-headed, but like Katara: DO NOT. FUCK WITH HIM.

He’ll fuck you up

again like Katara, mom friend, supporting the whole team, caring a lot about them and getting ready to fight and ready to jump in and help at a moments notice

Asahi: (Thanks Louie!)

ok so this boy was hard to decide bc, he’s a nervous bean but also the motherfuckin ace so he ain’t playin around

so i decided on earthbender because, he’s a big boi; a powerful and all-around player that has the respect of his teammates

and although he’s nervous, so maybe he doesn’t use earthbending to the extent of other benders but when he needs to, he will

and when he does it has impact and he is a pretty strong earthbender to boot

he can move fucking mountains when he wants to

member of the white lotus bc he only uses his immense power when he absolutely has to

noya: “asahi!! show us your bending”

asahi: “oh im not much of a bender”

MOVES A CONTINENT

Noya:

While my first instinct was firebender

the more i thought about it the more airbender made sense

air is the element of freedom and Noya is the definition of wild and free

not only that but his position too! airbending is almost purely defensive

sounds like our guardian diety to me

also can u imagine

Noya and Hinata racing like maniacs on air scooters

Daichi throwing up barriers all over the place to stop them but they just nyoom around them like obstacles

airbending is all about circles too and roooooolllliiiinnnng (hehe) thunder!!!

Tanaka:

alrighty well here is Karasuno’s firebender

Firebending is known for its intense and aggressive attacking style and literally

Tanaka yells like a maniac anytime he goes in for a spike

and firebenders can be hotheaded (dont have to be, Iroh for example) BUT say anything about Kiyoko, Karasuno or really anything and he’s ready to throw down

it might be all talk but he still gets fucking triggered

he fires up two flames in his palms and makes that face “ehhh what did you say about our lovely Kiyoko-san?!?”

Enno:

airbender

he has such patience and probably mediates or something

or else he’d go crazy from Tanaka and Noya doing stupid airbender/firebender shit and burning down the entire town

deals it out when he needs to, sometimes blowing Tanaka and Noya to opposite sides of the room and pinning them there until they calm the fuck down

anytime Tanaka gets too heated, Enno just shows up and blows out his fire

Hinata:

ok so i kinda spoiled earlier

but airbender

i know airbending is defensive and Hinata sucks at that aspect, but his personality man, airbender all the way

again imagine him and Noya zooming on air scooters around

they would be a MENANCE

but also in the same sense, airbending is all about finding a way around the “normal” way of fighting (they refuse to harm anything is what i mean)

Hinata had to find his own way of fighting in volleyball and yeah…airbender

possibly bc he’s a bit of an airhead too

Kageyama:

WATERBENDER BUT WITH BLOODBENDING BACKGROUND

ok hear me out

he used to want to control people and make them do what he wants, otherwise get rid of them bc they’re useless and who needs ‘em

but then he meets this stupid, bounce off the walls, airbender who he doesn’t need to control bc this kid already does what he couldnt find in anyone else

and he slowly learns to stop using bloodbending, sometimes slips and lapses, but for the most part has left that part of him behind

also water is the element of change and Kageyama certainly goes through a major change in character throughout Haikyuu

everytime Hina and him fight, they make a snowstorm that nobody can stop and it pisses Tsukki off bc he can’t do anything about it

Tsukki: (props to Lake for this one)

tsukki why are you an enigma

nonbender and is a sword master

with his ability to analyze and control, he would heckin destroy

sword fights are a lot about watching your opponent and being able to make a quick decision to block or counter attack

he can definitely make decisions at the drop of a hat and his strategies work and work well

Yamaguchi:

THIS BOY

IS A WATERBENDER BUT SPECIALIZES IN HEALING

when Karasuno needs him most!!! he’s there!! ready to help and get his team back on his feet, in this sense by healing them

and also like Suga, mirroring Katara, don’t fuck with him. especially when it comes to Tsukki

AGAIN like Katara/Suga, mom friend, there to support all the time and bust in and help when needed

More teams under the cut!

Aoba Johsai:

Oikawa:

so there’s a bit of a trend here i see

but Oikawa would also be a waterbender, i guess it’s a setter thing

water is the element of change and Oikawa adjusts his setting style and approach for each of his team members to bring out the best of them

waterbenders let their defense become their offense turning their opponents own forces against them which i think fits Oikawa to a T

can make ice spikes he can throw long distances with scary accurate precision

like, one can just zip past your ear, and you dont see him anywhere where tf is he?!

Iwaizumi:

i couldn’t decide between firebender and earthbender

so i went with the lovely mix, lavabender

just like Toph, Iwa shows his affection through some sort of violence, but thats just cause he cares a lot

oikawa has mastered the art of distinguishing flaming hunks of smoldering rock thrown at his face

also stubborn unmoving like a rock

and when he gets heated, he is fired up

and finally, arms. where did he get ‘em? throwing boulders around.

Shiratorizawa:

Ushijima:

metalbender, bc he’s definitely an earth bender but there’s something special about him

he’s a little dense (ok maybe not a little)

Earthbenders are generally muscular, tough and direct AND HELLO. thats Ushijima in a nutshell

Tendou:

our guess monster is definitely a non-bender

like ty lee specializes in chi-blocking

he can disrupt someones chi pretty easily making them completely helpless

sometimes he does it to be funny

like make Ushi’s right arm useless for a day

and Ushi is like “Tendou. I don’t use that arm anyways.”

“i knoooooooow Wakatoshi thats the point!”

which for some reason Tendou thinks is hilarious cause now he really cant use it

Semi:

firebender

mainly bc of his hotheaded and competitive behavior

his desire to show his abilities in his words is “uncontainable” and that kind of made me think of Azula

wants to show off and be the best

Shirabu:

so although Shirabu is also extremely hot-headed, he hits me as a waterbender too

maybe just because every single setter so far has been a waterbender but its just my gut feeling 🤷

Nekoma:

Kuroo:

firebender but can lightning bend

dont ask me why it just seems right

he has the concentration and flow it takes to lightning bend, i mean he has that whole speech he gives to his team before every game

“We're like the blood in our veins. We must flow without stopping. Keep the oxygen moving and your mind working.”

and while this may lead to possibly thinking he could be a waterbender, he uses his knack for fluid motion and deceptive strength for a different purpose

not only can he lightning bend, he can redirect lightning which takes an immense amount of skill and is drawn from waterbending techniques

maybe its also the hair cause it looks like he got hit by lightning

Kenma:

ill be honest, i dont think Kenma would be a bender

what he would be ilike is Sokka, super smart, the strategizer, the man with the plan

who people look to for the next step, the brain of the operation

and i dont think he’d necessarily have a speciality besides overwhelming ability to observe and make decisions

so basically…he’d be the same LOL

Yaku:

earthbender

being small (dont kick me Yaku) means nothing (uhh have you seen Toph?)

super dependable and not gunna take anyone’s shit

Yamamoto:

Tanaka’s counterpart

his homeboy

his fellow firebender

both ready to throwdown at a moments notice

Fukurodani: (wow i suck i dont know anyone well enough but these two)

Bokuto:

did someone say airbender??

i just keep imagining he was the one to teach Hinata the air scooter and they fuckin zoom around while Bokuto is hollering at the top of his lungs

his hair already looks winblown, like he just stepped off his glider and doesn’t bother to fix it

also im cackling bc airbenders prefer evasive manuevers and…i keep thinking about that time he ran away from a block and Akaashi called him out for it

Akaashi: (ily Lake for helping)

so apparently setters are waterbenders

bc this boy is definitely one

he has nice fingers (weird i know) but i can see him just making these beautiful hand motions to bend water and hnngg yes

ok but in a more real way, waterbenders have strong fluid motion and understand those around them, they believe in very strong connections between individuals

so even when Bo is out of the game, Fukurodani doesn’t fall apart because they have strong connections and can survive without him

#haikyuu avatar!au #haikyuu #haikyuu!!#haikyuu headcanons #haikyuu writing #haikyuu blog

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advocaado · 5 years

Text

Day 10: Heat of the Moment

@thirtydaysofzutara

Find the whole collection on Fanfiction.net User: Advocaat

Katara squealed as a sandball went sailing past her, narrowly missing colliding with her midsection in an explosion of grainy particles. Not that it would’ve mattered anyway. She, along with the other members of Team Avatar, was already caked in the stuff. Their beach break had quickly devolved into a sandball fight and each and every member was in it to win it. Sand flew left, right, forward, and backward as the group mercilessly pelted each other with hastily formed globs of rock and shell.

Katara laughed and ran at top speed across the beach as sandballs continued to be chucked at her with dangerous accuracy by Suki who had a nice trail of sand down the front of her swimsuit courtesy of one of Katara’s own sandballs.

Several meters away, she saw Zuko watching Aang engage in a sandbending war with Toph and made a beeline for him. She took advantage of his distraction to grab hold of his arm and swing him in front of her just as a sandball came flying right at her. Zuko had no time to react and was walloped straight in the chest.

Katara and Suki both burst into laughter as Zuko made a disgruntled noise at being used as a meat shield and wiped off his chest to the best of his ability. It wasn’t very effective. He turned around to glare at her and Katara responded by dumping sand over his head and beating a hasty retreat across the beach.

She glanced back over her shoulder to watch him splutter and shake himself off with a self-satisfied grin. To think that mighty and powerful Zuko would be such an easy target. Now that they were friends, she often had to remind herself that he was the same belligerent jerk who had once chased them clear across the globe. He wasn’t anywhere near as scary as she’d always thought him to be.

And speaking of differing later impressions, Katara would never admit this to any of her friends, but Zuko was also much handsomer than she’d initially given him credit for. He’d never been a bad-looking guy, but that horrible maroon armor and dumb ponytail had done nothing for him. This new, softer Zuko, however, was awfully easy on the eyes and Katara found herself gravitating toward him more than she probably should. She blamed this on being a healthy teenaged girl with normally functioning biology. It wasn’t like she was romantically attracted to him, she assured herself. No, certainly not. He was Zuko, after all.

Although, day by day, it was steadily becoming harder to convince herself of this. Particularly because he had such a gosh darn good personality on top of it all—another unexpected facet of his character. He was honest and easy to talk to and could actually be pretty funny even though he never tried to be. All these things combined drew her to him like a moth to a flame, and even though she tried not to, she found herself occasionally stacking him up against the other males in her life for critical comparison. This too, she blamed on biology.

Katara’s attention was pulled away from Zuko when she heard Suki’s voice call out to her. “Katara! Watch out!”

It took Katara a moment to figure out what Suki was referring to and by the time she did it was too late to avoid it. Toph had put a pause on her battle with Aang to send a wave of sand rolling across the beach directly toward her and Katara could only “Eep!” in surprise as the wave knocked her onto her butt and then proceeded to swirl around her, encasing her up to her neck. “Hey! No fair!” she called only half-seriously to the grinning earthbender.

“All’s fair in sand and war, Sugar Queen!” Toph shouted back smugly.

Knowing that was an argument she would never win, Katara simply focused on freeing herself from her sand prison. By the time she was finally able to pull herself from the wet mound, Suki and Zuko had wandered over and were watching her with amused expressions. “You reap what you sow,” Suki said with a snigger as Katara emerged from her entrapment completely coated in yellow sand.

Katara tried in vain to brush the sand from her skin, only succeeding in dislodging the first layer. “I think it’s time for a swim,” she said, admitting defeat.

Suki and Zuko vocalized their agreement and the three of them began jogging for the water.

Katara couldn’t have been more surprised when right as they reached the water’s edge a pair of arms hoisted her up and suddenly she was speeding into the water. She barely had time to register that Zuko was the one who grabbed her when she was being tossed bodily into the surf. She yelped in surprise and indignation as her body hit the water and when she resurfaced she found Suki doubled over laughing and Zuko wearing a smug look that rivaled Toph’s.

When Suki recovered from her laughing fit, she turned back to the beach to call to the rest of their friends to join them in the ocean. Katara wasn’t paying attention to her, though. Using her waterbending, she grabbed a wave and flung it over Zuko, soaking him like a drowned pygmy puma. Before he could recover, she retreated out into deeper water where she would have an edge if he decided to retaliate.

Apparently Zuko wasn’t scared of a waterbender in the ocean—that, or he had a stubborn streak as wide as hers—because he followed her without a second thought.

What followed was an all-out water war with her and Zuko at the center. Zuko, as it turned out, was fantastic at holding his breath and he used this skill frequently to torment her from under water. While Aang or Sokka attempted to get splashes in up top, Zuko would launch his assault from below, grabbing her legs and pulling her under.

After several repetitions of this, the next time Zuko went under, Katara dove beneath the waves as well to meet him on his own ground. Rather than looking surprised at finding her there, Zuko locked eyes with her and spread his arms in a ‘come at me, bro’ sort of gesture. Katara wasn’t about to ignore that. She swam straight at him and the two became locked in an underwater wrestling match, both attempting to make the other surface first.

Katara could’ve easily used waterbending to make an oxygen bubble around her head, but she was determined to beat Zuko on his level. He would regret challenging her to a duel in the water. She would make sure of it.

Zuko, however, was persistent and he very clearly had no intention of admitting defeat. His hands roamed over her sides, attempting to tickle her into surrendering, a tactic which was very cheap in Katara’s opinion as she was incredibly ticklish. She squirmed in his grasp, trying in vain to bat his hands away. At this rate, she might actually lose.

That was something she would never allow. She needed to counter; do something back that would ensure her victory. She was running out of air quickly and if she gave in none of her friends would ever let her live it down. Waterbenders didn’t lose to firebenders in the ocean.

She wasn’t really sure what gave her the idea. Maybe it was the determined look on Zuko’s face or the feel of his hands on her bare skin. Perhaps it was just the high of engaging in a competitive battle. Katara couldn’t say exactly what it was, but something drove her to grab Zuko’s face in both her hands and pull him into a fiery kiss.

The plan worked better than Katara could’ve imagined. Shocked, Zuko exhaled through his nose, clouding both their vision with bubbles, and was forced to break away to kick desperately to the surface for air.

Katara followed a moment after, surfacing just a few feet away from him. Zuko found her with wide eyes and seeing his absolute shock at what she’d done caused her own actions to properly register. Blood rushed to her face and she quickly attempted to save face by directing his attention to his loss. “T—that’ll teach you to mess with a waterbender on her home turf!” She let out a somewhat awkward-sounding triumphant laugh. Before Zuko could ask about the incident, she added, “Well, I’m beat. I think I’ll go inside early and, uh, get started on dinner. Later!”

Not wasting a single second, she used her bending to propel herself quickly back to shore. Without looking back, she bent herself dry and began jogging back to the house. Her cheeks were still burning and she had to stop herself from touching them to feel how obvious her blush was. She was never going to mention this to anyone. Not ever.

If Zuko knew what was good for him, he wouldn’t either.

#zutara #Zutara Month 2018 #zk month 2018 #30 days of Zutara #Another short one #Short but fun

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thekrazykeke · 6 years

Photo

Title: Not Over You

Fandom(s): X-Men, MCU

Relationship(s): Erik Lehnsherr x reader

Summary: Love doesn’t erase the past but it makes the future different.

Warning(s): Time travel, angst

Y’all, the Rogue Cut and the alternative versions seems so much more brutal and realistic, relatable, than the actual version of DOFP we saw in theaters; it certainly highlighted how scary and invulnerable Sentinels are to mutants and we got to see much more interesting scenes.

I’m so salty rn.

As for the reader’s powers and abilities, you can think of her as the slightly less powerful Toph from Avatar the Last Airbender.

There will be a second part to this.

Part I, Part II

@keya168 @lovelylittlekittn

The next time that you opened your eyes, you expected…

You didn’t know what to expect. You’d hoped to be reunited with [insert student’s name], to apologize for your inability to protect them.

Maybe the others that had fallen too: Storm, Bishop, Kitty, Piotr…

You didn’t expect to wake up in an infirmary. Or is it a hospital?

Either way, you’re not comfortable. Sitting up, you throw the thin sheets off of your legs and then swing them over the side of the bed, palms flat on the bed while you pushed yourself up and off. As you stood up, you experienced a brief moment of disorientation and reach out to grab something to steady yourself, anything. Fingers caught on the edge of a table and you knocked down the contents in your inattention. The sound must have alerted somebody because soon the door is being thrown open and you shake your head, akin to a dog with water in its ears, and your vision rights itself, zeroing in on the person standing there.

And it’s… Erik? Not the adult, grey haired version you remembered, but his younger self, in his late thirties or early forties. What the hell?

‘Don’t get familiar. You’re not friends with him, he’s just a necessary evil.’ A voice hissed in your ear, spewing it’s negativity, while the angel on your shoulder tried to remind you of what he’d last said before…Before….

Shifting in a defensive position, hands clenched into fists, right leg bent and left in front of you, you faced him.

“What do you want, Magneto?” Keeping your voice calm and hopefully aloof, you stared him down, keeping him in your sights while mentally wondering what the fuck was going on.

You thought you saw a brief flash of hurt in his eyes before it’s gone and he raised his hands in front of him, the classic, ‘I surrender’ stance. “Magneto? I thought we were past that, my dear.”

Incredulous, you’re about to lob a chunk of plaster at his head for being so casual with you, but then you pay attention to his hand when a glint catches your eye and…

Is that a wedding ring?

‘Who would be crazy or stupid enough to marry Magneto?!’

“Stay where you are.” You warn, a little reluctant to do serious injury to him because he’s married, probably to Raven, but fully prepared to do damage if necessary. So many times he’d hurt you in the past(?) while all you’d wanted to do is protect the youngsters and keep innocents out of Charles’ and his petty fighting.

You didn’t trust him, couldn’t think of trusting him, letting your guard down.

“I’m not joking.” You promise, shifting your right leg forward, left bending even more, prepared to spring into action and defend. The ground reacted to your feelings, shifting into a malleable substance before eventually twisting and bending, a thin rock blade forming from the floor and you broke it off neatly, easily.

You raise it in front of you, pointing it directly at him.

“Stay where you are.”

Erik swallowed, the only sign that he’s wary. He stopped subtly moving towards you when you pointed your weapon at him. “I just wanted to check your bandages. A nasty spill you took, my dear.” The metal user explained. Hoping to provide clarity but only succeeding in confusing you more. “You fell down the stairs, hit your head very hard, there was blood everywhere. I was so afraid for you.” He added, probably seeing the confusion your face.

“I…I think I remember falling, but…” Shaking your head, you glare at him slightly. “That doesn’t explain your familiarity and what’s going on here. You were afraid for me? Ha!”

Erik’s face went slack and his hands fell to his sides. “You don’t remember.”

Before you could open your mouth and question him about what you’re supposed to remember, suddenly, Charles’ voice is in your head.

{Y/N, old friend. Please don’t say another word.}

And then Charles is there, in his infamous wheelchair, and he’s slightly younger than you remember too, or at least, he has less stress lines and wrinkles. Glancing between both males, much younger than you’d remembered after, after—

“What the fuck is going on?” You breathed, pressing a hand to your head, and yes, you did feel bandages. Pulling your hand away, you belatedly realize that you’re young again too, with lesser physical scars. And then you see the ring on your finger. “Oh God, I’m married.” Breath picking up, you look at Charles. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Language.” Charles said offhandedly. “This is a school, Y/N, and you’re still a teacher, and yes, even as a substitute, it counts. So please put away your weapon.”

“I’m a teacher, a substitute teacher at a school? Ha! Good one!” A hysterical laugh fell from your lips, though you do as he’d asked out of habit. Only no one’s laughing. “…Oh, you’re serious.”

“Charles, she doesn’t remember…She doesn’t…”

Charles held a hand up and Erik went silent. "Y/N, what’s the last thing you recall?”

A twinge went through your heart. Falling, falling, falling after being punched by a Sentinel, only to be impale–

{It’s alright.}

You don’t even realize that someone had taken your hand until the last second. Blinking, a tear fell down your cheek and Charles patted your hand comfortingly, his smile both sympathetic and gentle.

“Old friend, please go retrieve Logan for me and meet me in my office. We’ve much to discuss.”

Erik shot a glance at Charles but the latter never took his eyes off you. After a second or two, he reluctantly, very reluctantly, left the room.

You wiped at your eyes, trying to get it together. “What’s going on?”

Charles shook his head regretfully. “Nothing bad, I don’t think, but better to be explained at once. Let us go to my office, yes?”

What other choice did you have if you wanted answers?

#erik lehnsherr #mcu #erik lehnsherr imagine #black reader #erik lehnsherr x reader #mcu imagine #xmen #marvel #xmen imagine #magneto #marvel imagine #magneto imagine #thekrazykeke

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shewhowasbornlucky · 5 years

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thunder

Azula remembers. That is enough.

ao3

Azula runs. Her heart is beating hard against her ribcage – she can feel it running as wild as she is. Azula runs, and no longer cares about her heartbeat. She’s no longer angry at its existence. There is no time for regrets. Azula has mourned just enough.

To her ears come the shouts of guards, of worried doctors and their broken façade. They shout her name. They shout orders against her, and she runs faster. Fools. They are never going to catch her again. A princess is not one to be held captive. A princess is no servant, and fire does not bend for whatever ridiculous soul. She’s too much of a flame to be tamed. Fire cannot be controlled. Even in ashes, it rises and rises, and it flies with the wind. Just like Azula. Fireless, but warmth still.

A sleeping dragon is no less a dragon.

Azula runs, and she is one with the night. A bunch of useless idiots is not going to catch a cunning warrior as herself. She worked too damn hard to make sure of that.

The woods are not scary. They are her home now – as much as she can call someplace hers. She has not belonged anywhere in a long, long time. Her heart no longer aches for something it cannot have. When she planned for countless afternoons there was not a single home occupying her mind. She saw no throne, no long-lost brother waiting with his arms open and his heart changed. There was not a doting, loving father too proud of his offspring he could not stop smiling. There were no friends with soft smiles waiting at the side. There were no gold and no crowns. There were no drills and no conquests. There were only woods and an open sky kissed by the sun. There were only birds extending their wings and flying to never be seen again.

She was sure she’d be one of them, someday.

Cunningness became her. They shouldn’t have given her too much time to think. Her mind was her sharpest weapon, after all. Bending was simply an elegant touch. An extra addition, if one could call it that. Fancy, yes – but she was more than that.

The woods open humbly to their queen. She needs to find shelter –somewhere away from the trees, somewhere she can’t catch lighting. Azula laughs at the irony of it – a joyful sound that still feels foreign, an echo of a time she was hurt to remember and delighted to let go. The princess feels her long, long hair dancing, and she misses not the elegant knot she fancied. She misses being one with lightning. It’s been long enough.

She knows she needs to think fast. So she does.

At the corner of her eye she sees the mountains, and she is reminded one again of the ghost tales her soldiers used to share between the few, sacred fire sake bottles they saved. She used to listen intently to them—until they bored her, of course. But she remembered. How could she forget? A mountain is always shelter to the souls she considers worthy. Azula is worthy of that and more.

She runs, and runs, and runs until her feet hurt, until the mud stains her slippers and they rip apart in a mess of silk and uselessness. Azula runs, and she cries when she feels the earth against her skin. It’s been long enough.

The sharp sound of thunder pierces through the sky. She feels it vibrating in her bones. Electricity runs on her fingers – and she misses it, misses the emptiness and the wholeness, and the infinite power that never before dared to leave her. The Avatar’s blood. The flesh of the dragon. A cry of the storm. There is no time to mourn for what was taken from her, not when she can feel its longing caress. Not when her body reacts in what can only be yearning. The storm missed her too, and that knowledge is just what she needed.

Lighting will never harm her. Fire cannot be controlled, and it cannot be forgotten, either. It’s been long enough. One could wander, but not all wanderers have lost their way. Her destiny was covered in velvet, but the veil has slipped. Night has never been clearer for the princess’ eyes.

Azula smiles, lets her head fall back. Fat drops of rain fall all around her, and the sound of their song is all that is heard in that lonely, dark woods. A roary laugh flies –she breaks the sacred silence because it is hers – and the cold droplets of rain are an icy reminder of her recovered freedom. Of her ultimate conquest. A victory that is hers and hers alone.

She does not feel cold. She never has, and she is not going to start now.

She’s had enough slips already. If Azula has a say in it, she’s never going to have one again.

She’s the true phoenix. The rightful queen. The feared general. The cunning warrior. She’s the true phoenix, and she’s free, and as long as she has a say in it, not even the stars are safe from her.

#princess azula #azula #atla #avatar: the last airbender #avatar fanfiction #azula fanfiction

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redrobin-detective · 7 years

Text

Hide and Seek

Eek okay, first Avatar story, first story told with almost an entirely one person cast, first story that deals with some nasty child treatment that made me feel a bit ick writing it. But the thought came to me and it just exploded out over a few days. So here it is, please let me know what you think and how I can improve!

Warnings: Child torture/abuse, mild blood and gore, Zuko is very, very unhappy

"You will learn to firebend, Prince Zuko," Ozai said with a smile. "Your life depends on it."

Zuko knew today was going to be a good day.

It started with Father asking them if they would play a game with him. Father never spent time with them, never showed any desire to see them unless necessary. Azula saw him more than he did since Father was currently supervising her firebending training while they looked for another teacher. She’d run off the last one and the one before that. Zuko thinks she’s doing it on purpose, because she enjoys hurting people, because it makes their father proud, maybe both. Since Zuko wasn’t firebending yet, Father never wants to see him. It seems every time he does, Father spends all his time glaring at him, as if that would make him any less worthless. Seven was a little late for someone to start bending but it wasn’t impossible because he had to be a bender, Father and Grandfather said so.

“What sort of game, Dad?” Azula asked cheerily, wide awake and ready for the day as usual. Zuko was still a bit sleepy, it was pretty early in the morning, but Father has dragged him out of bed before the sun had even risen. There was no one else around the small courtyard, save for a few turtleducks quaking quietly in the pond.

“Hide and seek, my dear. It’s the only game to play in a palace this size. There are so many wonderful spots for one to burrow in.” Father replied genially, giving Zuko an appraising look. Despite the attention, Zuko felt uncomfortable. Father was anger and cunning and a raging fire barely controlled, this calm and patient man before him was unfamiliar and a bit intimidating. He found himself missing his mother, who was away at Ember Island for a few days with come other noble women or even Uncle Iroh who was set to arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon.

“Your mother tells me you’ve mastered your numbers Azula, why don’t you begin counting while your brother and I hide?” Father’s hand, warm and strong, rested gently between his shoulder blades and Zuko felt a rush of happiness go through him. Father wanted to be with him! He grinned up at his parent and saw that Father was smiling down at him, but it wasn’t warm like Mom’s smiles. It was sharp and cold, like how Azula smiled when she was planning on burning small animals or firebending teachers.

With a small huff, Azula covered her eyes and began counting. Father grabbed his wrist and strode back into the palace, his large steps forcing Zuko to practically run to keep up.

“Are we hiding together?” Zuko asked but Father kept marching forward, acting as if Zuko had never spoken. He bit his lip and tried again. “Azula is very good at this game but I know a few places she’d never think to look.”

“No, I have a very special spot in mind for you.” Father said simply, continuing to half drag Zuko along. He noticed that they were walking into the older section of the palace, the remnants that hadn’t been destroyed when Avatar Roku had attacked Fire Lord Sozin over a hundred years ago. Zuko swallowed nervously; he never liked being in this section, it always felt like he was being watched. “Did you know the ancient Fire Sages built a network of tunnels throughout the Palace and Capital City, Prince Zuko?”

“Yes, of course,” Zuko added, still hurrying to keep up and avoid getting dragged. “We learned about it from the tutors, I heard that most of the tunnels have been closed off to prevent anyone from getting through after an attempted assassination on Grand- um Fire Lord Azulon.”

“Correct,” Father answered, “there are still a few open tunnels in case the royal family needs to escape but while the tunnels have been sealed, that does not mean their doors don’t open.” As if making his point, Father stopped abruptly and pointed at a stretch of wall just like every other. “Most of these tunnels have been forgotten, lost to history, but I discovered this one when I was about your age.” Father said, moving aside a small candle holder on the wall and forced flame through a tiny opening. Zuko was amazed when a small section of the wall opened with a creak revealing a secret door. “These doors are opened by firebending, nothing else short of a battering ram can get through. Even sound can hardly travel through the thick stone.”

Zuko peeked inside the cold, dark tunnel. It was very small, he noted. He and Azula would be shoulder to shoulder if they both were in it. It clearly used to be larger at some point but he could see where more recent stone blocked what led to the rest of the tunnel. His brow furrowed.

“Father, I don’t think the both of us will fit in here.” Father’s genial smile turned menacing and Zuko froze in fear as his father’s larger hands clamped down on his shoulders.

“No my son, but you will. You see, the best games are the ones in which we learn lessons and your lesson today is to learn firebending.” Father began to push him forward into the dark tunnel but Zuko planted his feet and tried to resist. “Your mother has been far too delicate with you; it’s why you’re such a pathetic excuse of a son. Unfortunately for both of us, you are royalty and the Fire Nation cannot tolerate princes that can’t bend.” Despite his best efforts to struggle, Father was much stronger and Zuko was almost inside.

“Father, wait, I don’t want to go in there.” Zuko whimpered, grasping his hand on the wall but Father gave a final push and Zuko stumbled into the dark tunnel. The light streaming in cast his father’s entire face in shadow so Zuko couldn’t see the expression on his face.

“Listen carefully, this door will only open with a flame; if you are unable to conjure any fire then you will die in here a useless failure. If you scream and escape with the help of someone else, I promise you I will strike you and your rescuer down where you stand.” Zuko froze at the brusque statement and almost missed his father slowly closing the door on him. “You will learn to firebend Prince Zuko, your life depends on it.” Father said with a cruel smile, almost looking pleased at his son’s horrified face. “And for what it’s worth son, I hope you succeed. Your mother would be simply awful to deal with if you went missing.” And with that said, the door clicked shut leaving Zuko trapped in the most terrifying darkness of his life.

Panic hit him like an ocean wave; he threw himself against the door and pounded.

“Father!” He pleaded, not caring how pitiful he sounded. He was scared and alone and he wanted his mother. “Father please! I can learn! I’ll practice all day and all night if I have to! Just let me out, I promise I will redeem myself! Father!” He shouted, wondering if Father could even hear him on the other side. Or if he was even there anymore. Zuko could feel himself trembling, he looked down at approximately where his hands should be and found he couldn’t see anything beyond the black. Terror lodged in the back of his throat, choking him and making it hard to breathe. In his desperation, he started clawing at the walls as if that might get him a glimpse of light. He could barely tell which way was up or down in here, it was so dark he couldn’t get any sense of depth or direction.

“Father please let me out!” His eyes were wide and he can feel tears pouring freely out of his eyes. He continues to claw and scratch and pound away at the tough stone door, not noticing or caring that his hands were become ripped and bloodied. His nails had been worn down instantly and he could feel his skin grinding on the ancient stone leaving bloody trails. He continued to scream. “Mother! Mom please! I’m scared where are you?” On Ember Island of course, Father had insisted she take a break. She’d initially wanted to take him with her but… Uncle Iroh’s letter said he would be in town and he’d begged Mother to stay so he could see Uncle. That trip has been planned for weeks, how long has Father been… The thought of this being planned that far in advance took his strength; he fell against the back wall and slipped down until he awkwardly hunched on the floor. It was uncomfortable and his knees were knocking together but he could sit at least.

It was then that he heard a noise down the hall and Zuko was about to scream some more when his Father’s parting words came back him. ‘If you scream and escape with the help of someone else, I promise I will strike you and your rescuer down where you stand’, Zuko gulped at the implications. It was scary enough that Father would do that to him but Zuko couldn’t drag someone else into his punishment. He heard footsteps drawing closer and, despite every instinct within him that told him to scream and beg for help, Zuko bit down on his bottom lip to keep quiet.

“Junko? Stop wandering off, we still have the whole Eastern corridor to clean.” An older lady, probably one of the servants, was dimly heard through the thick walls. Zuko wanted to scream instead he closed his eyes and covered his mouth with his bloodied hands, trying desperately to keep quiet. He wanted to be free more than anything but he wouldn’t risk other people’s lives to do so. After all, Father always kept his promises.

“Sorry Kame, I thought I heard something. It almost sounded like a child was screaming.” Another younger voice added, Zuko thought she maybe sounded a little bit like Mom. He let out another low level whine at the thought but forced himself to be quiet.

“Don’t go chasing after voices foolish girl. I tell you these old walls have seen many despicable evils and this place has more ghosts than a battlefield. Let’s move along now, leave the restless dead to their own devices.” Zuko couldn’t tell if the women had anything else to say for they’d walked too far away from the secret entrance. He still kept his fingers tightly sealed over his mouth because if he lets go, he’s sure he’ll start screaming and then he’ll be in the same mess all over again.

He’s less scared by the idea that these halls are possibly haunted and more terrified of the fact that he soon might become one of those unhappy ghosts. He started shivering again and gently released his hands from his mouth to dig into the fabric of his clothing. What would happen, if he died here? Father said he would tell Mother he went missing, so did that mean they would just leave his body in here? No final rites or funeral pyre to lay his spirit to rest, just his bones gathering dust in the dark while Mom and the others had no idea what became of him? No, he can’t think like that, he’s going to get out of here. More tears drip down his face and splatter soundlessly onto the cold floor. He doesn’t get up for a long while.

ii.

After what feels like hours of terror beating through his heart, Zuko finally feels rational again. He thinks he might have dozed off for a bit after he stopped crying but now that some of the fear has left him, he’s finally able to acknowledge the pain. Father… just threw him in here, without care or concern and told him it was for his own good. Zuko knows his father is a hard man but to sentence him to death feels like such a betrayal. But he’s not dead yet; he still has a shot of getting out of here and maybe getting some of his father’s respect. Firebend or die, those are his options and he knows what he’s going to pick.

“No, I’m not going to die in here,” he whispers quietly under his breath and picks himself up from his huddle and wipes the tears from his face. Zuko folds himself awkwardly into the lotus position like his teachers taught him. His hands are still shaking slightly and his breath is coming in ragged bursts but firebending is his only way out of here, even if all his previous efforts amounted to nothing.

He was only in here because he was a failure of a Fire Nation prince. Grandfather said there hasn’t been a non-bender royal in recorded history. In a way, he should be grateful that Father has spared him this long. Father once told him that he was lucky to be born which he understood; things have never been easy for him. Azula has been bending for almost 2 years already. His baby sister had conjured her first flames at 4 years old while at 7, Zuko couldn’t even make smoke.

The Fire Sages said when he was born; his eyes didn’t have the ‘spark’ that most firebenders have. Father had told him he’d nearly killed Zuko right then and only Mom’s interference had saved him. He clenched his fists; no, things have never been easy for him, not like Azula who was born with luck and talent. But Mom told him that his struggles made him stronger, that the Fire Sages weren’t always right and there was still a chance he could summon fire. He had to hope there was some inside of him or else he’d really end up dying in here.

“Find the sun’s power within your soul,” he quoted quietly from memory. The sun was just rising when they began their little game. He vaguely wondered how much time has passed and if Azula was still looking for him... He shook his head; thinking of Azula certainly wouldn’t get him out of here. It was hard to visualize the sun in this dark, threatening room but he tried anyway, picturing the magnificent fiery orb in the sky and trying to match it with the fire inside of him.

“Come on,” he muttered impatiently after countless minutes, maybe more, of grasping for things that weren’t there. He kept trying, over and over again just like he did every day but, as always, he never felt that rush of heat and power that people tried to explain to him. “Why won’t you work!” He raged to himself, kicking out his foot in frustration only for it to hit painfully on stone wall. He hissed and dragged his leg closer to him. His ankle hurt, he gingerly tested it and found the foot painful and aching but not impossible to move. He grimly wondered if he’d ever be walking again for it to matter.

iii.

Zuko’s stomach growled painfully, he grasped at the unhappy organ and wondered again what time it was. He and Azula hadn’t even had breakfast when Father approached them about his game. There was an unfair bitterness in his chest at the thought of Azula eating her meal worry free while he was trapped in here, hungry and alone. But of course that wasn’t fair, it’s not her fault she was a better bender or that her older brother couldn’t seem to do anything but disappoint.

He sighed and rested his forehead on his knees, wiping away some of the sweat gathering on his forehead. Despite the fact that the stone was bitterly cold, the small tunnel was getting uncomfortably warm. He thinks it might be from his breathing heating up the small space. If only he could turn some of that heat into flames.

A crazy idea formed in his mind and he figured he might as well give it a go. It’s not like he didn’t have the rest of his life to try things out. He slowly stood up, awkwardly bumping into the walls in the endless darkness and stretched out his bad ankle. It still hurt and he could feel that it had swollen a little bit but at least he could stand on it. He knows it’s been at least a few hours so it’s probably healed a little bit but this probably isn’t going to help it much.

He blindly reaches out, feeling along the walls for the notch he’d found and ignored earlier in his panic. His fingers land on the small circular hole, almost too tall for him reach if he isn’t on his tiptoes. He visualizes how Father had effortlessly lit up the secret chamber and opened the door. Zuko would need to do that too if he wants to get out of here alive.

He settled into one of the many firebending stances he’d learned and tried to focus on the heat in the air, the heat his body was letting out. He punched out his fist forcefully, careful to avoid hitting the wall this time. Nothing. Again, he let out another series of punches; mimicking the moves he watched Azula practice all the time.

He was panting after a few minutes of punching, feeling the heat in the air increasing even more as his strength started to fade. He stopped, leaning forward on his knees for a few moments and feeling anger well up inside of him. “Come on Zuko,” he chastised bitterly, “your body is making all this heat, firebending comes from the flow of chi inside your body. You should be able to make that heat work for you.” He thought of his uncle who was probably still on his way to the palace from whatever Earth Kingdom town he’d last conquered. Uncle was the Dragon of the West, one of the most powerful firebenders around, maybe even better than Father. His nickname came from his signature fire-breathing move which Uncle repeatedly refused to demonstrate because he said it was too destructive. His eyebrow quirked, that would certainly open the door.

He readied his stance again, closing his eyes and concentrating on his breathing. Fire comes from the breath and, after a few tries, he settled into a strong, calm rhythm. He focused on the heat in the air, the sweat clinging to his brows and his clothes, hanging limpidly in the air. He breathed in deeply, drawing that heat into his lungs, into his core trying to stoke his inner fire. He held his breath and concentrated as intensely as he could on the air within him.

If Uncle was here, he would quote proverbs and make a weird, confusing joke but mostly he would tell Zuko to channel his strength and use it to beat down the enemy. While it first appeared that the enemy was the door, really it was his own failure that he had to overcome. Just when he felt his lungs would burst with the effort of holding in such a big breath, he breathed out harshly, trying to imagine heat and fire and freedom. Instead, all he got was a lot of hot air and a good amount of spit decorating the stone door. He shouldn’t have been surprised that he failed such a delicate and high level firebending move but the disappointment only fueled his anger.

“Why can’t I get this?” He raged, not caring at the volume of his voice. “What is wrong with me? Why can’t I do anything right?” He shouted, striking his fists out furiously in mock punches as if that would force the flame between his fingers. But his form was sloppy and there wasn’t enough room for error. He overbalanced in one of his strikes and ended up slamming one shoulder into the wall which upset his bad ankle even more. The pain jolted him out of his temper tantrum. He groaned in frustration and was rewarded with another painful cramp from his stomach. Great, now he’s used up even more energy and was going to starve to death even quicker.

iv.

Zuko was sitting again, leaning up against the stone door with his legs pushed up against the opposite wall. His bottom was getting sore from sitting on this cold uncomfortable floor, he kept changing positions but it never seemed to do him much good. At least his ankle felt a little bit better, he couldn’t really say the same for the rest of them.

His fingers aching from the scratching he’d done earlier and the dried blood on his hands made him feel sticky and uncomfortable. There were dozens of other little bruises and scratches all over his body from his various bumps and difficulties maneuvering in the tight space. His whole body was generally sore from his ill-fated firebending and positioning no matter how much he tried to loosen himself up. His stomach had stopped growling hours ago, or it seemed like hours ago anyway, it was hard to tell when the whole world was black. The hunger was still there, constant and present but it had to have realized food wasn’t coming anytime soon and quieted down. His lips were sore and chapped without water, his tongue feeling dry and heavy as it moved around his mouth. Mostly he felt tired, both in body and spirit.

It was hard to tell time in here but he had a feeling the sun had set already. That means it’s been countless hours since he’s been missing. He wonders if anyone has even really noticed. Father, obviously, knew since he’s the one who put him here. Uncle Iroh would be arriving tomorrow or possibly later today. Azula had been counting in the courtyard last he saw but she was probably at dinner or getting a bath or maybe already in bed. Zuko never disappeared like this but he imagined if it was Father telling her it was alright she wouldn’t worry, if she had been worried at all. Mom was still at Ember Island and wouldn’t be back for another 3 days. Zuko wasn’t experienced in such things but he imagined that if he didn’t get out before then, he wouldn’t be alive by the time Mom returned.

That was such a scary thought, one he couldn’t even touch a few hours ago but now that he’d been trapped in here for so long; tired, hungry and afraid, it was much easier. He tried to think of what Mom would say if, when, she came home to find him gone. She might not even know he was dead, just that he wasn’t around anymore. Would she look for him? Would Father be able to look her in the eye and tell her he didn’t know where Zuko was even though he’d thrown him in here? How would Azula react to being an only child? Would anyone even care at the loss of a non-bending royal?

Shame rushed through him and seemed to burn him from the inside out. Father and Grandfather used to pester him all the time over his firebending, asking question and rigorously testing him. Since Azula developed her skills, the questions have dropped off somewhat and it seemed they’d stopped acknowledging him anymore. He squeezes his eyes shut as he remembers that there hasn’t been a Fire Nation royal that hasn’t been a bender. He wonders if that was because everyone else had simply been more talented than him or maybe, just maybe, some of the ghosts in these hallways were non-benders like him who’d been locked away to die in shame. His heart aches and he wants to cry some more but he’s too exhausted and instead curls up into an uncomfortable sleep.

Zuko wakes up suddenly without quite knowing why. He’s struck immediately by how stiff and sore his body is and how, even with his eyes wide open, all he can see is never-ending darkness. Hide and seek, comes unbidden to his mind and the events of yesterday flood back. He’s trapped in a sealed off tunnel, stuck in a space barely big enough to hold him, until he is able to firebend open the door. Or he dies. He leans forward carefully, wincing as the bones in his back pop and jerk after so many hours of clustered up against the cold stone.

He yawns and rubs at his eye with the palm of his hand as he staggers to his feet and continues to stretch as best he can in the cramped space. He’s pleased to note his ankle feels better; at least something is going his way. The tunnel is still as dark and miserable as it was yesterday so he wonders what pulled from sleep so abruptly.

He’s still wondering some amount of time later when he hears voices coming down the hall. Instinctively, he squats down, almost as if he’s hiding, forgetting the fact that he’s literally trapped behind a wall. He’d heard many people walking by yesterday, servants mostly, talking amongst themselves. The walls were thick with no exits that he’d been able to find so he could only hear small bits of conversation. But his ears carefully picked up the voice he knew almost as well as his own as he huddled closer to the door to get a better listen.

“I look forward to training with you Masaki,” a deceptively sweet little girl’s voice said cheerfully. “I trust you’ll be able to teach me more than my last firebending teacher.” Zuko could have rolled his eyes. If the voice wasn’t enough; Azula’s blatant disrespect for her new master was a dead giveaway.

“I hope to live up to your expectations, Princess. Your father tells me that you are quite the skilled firebender, early morning training sessions are the only way to develop one’s connection to our element.” The teacher, he sounded old and boring and would most likely be burned and banished within a fortnight, intoned.

His fists curled up against the stone with sudden longing. He and Azula had always had a troubled relationship, even before she started outshining him with her bending abilities. But he used to walk her around the palace and she’d call him Zuzu before she could fully pronounce his name. She would always be his little sister and he cared for her even if she was mean to him most times and not interested in being a nice person in general. Or maybe he was just lonely after a day locked up by himself and would take anyone’s company right now.

“Azula,” he breathed out not sure if he wanted her to hear him or not. He wasn’t sure if his sister would free him if she knew about his situation but the potential consequences still loomed over his head. Mom had told it was his job as her big brother to protect her; he would never put her in a situation that could potentially get her hurt. “Please be safe,” he added almost as an afterthought. He didn’t hear their footsteps anymore and imagined they were already gone.

“Princess?” the teacher asked suddenly from right in front of the door, Zuko’s head lifted from the stone. They were still here? He heard the sound of fingernails running along the stone near his hidden door.

“I thought I heard something, Masaki.” The girl remarked casually but Zuko could hear her feather light footsteps gently circling the area. “It sounded like someone was calling my name.” Zuko held his breath, his mind stuttering to a halt as a thousand different scenarios played out in his mind. Did she really hear him? Was she lying to mess with her teacher? Did she think it was a spirit? Another awful idea made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Did Father tell her about his plan? Did she know he was trapped behind this wall and was tormenting him? No, Father wouldn’t risk it by telling her and Azula wasn’t that cruel, was she?

“This palace is hundreds of years old, it’s more than likely there are spirits within these walls but that’s not something for a young lady such as yourself to worry about. Come along, the sun is just starting to appear over the Capital City and firebenders always greet Lord Agni.” Heavy footsteps began walking away but Zuko found himself listening for his sister’s softer footfalls.

“Hmph,” Azula huffed, “just so you know, I don’t believe in spirits.” She chirped before Zuko heard her sister striding off, sounding no different than normal. Zuko stayed frozen like that until he could no longer hear her footsteps, or anything, outside of his little tunnel. It wasn’t proof, not really, but there was enough doubt to leave him chilled to the bone. He knelt down and curled in on himself as if to ward off the ache in his heart. Azula wouldn’t want him dead, wouldn’t mock his position and then skip off like nothing was wrong. At least, Zuko wouldn’t have thought so before now but underestimating his family is what put him in this position in the first place. He settles back on the ground and tries to get more rest even if he knows sleep is going to be impossible.

vi.

Unbelievably, Zuko has almost become used to the constant darkness. It no longer terrifies him to see nothing every time he opens his eyes or turns his head. He still finds he gets vertigo every now and again when he loses track of direction but overall he’s learned to adjust. His eyes may be fine but the rest of him feels like he’s slowly suffocating, like a plant wilting and withering away when taken out of the sun. He thinks it’s going to be even more difficult to bend the longer he’s disconnected from the source of all firebending.

Little Dragon, a soft, gentle voice says coming out of nowhere, what is a child of the sun doing here in the dark?

Zuko’s breath catches in his throat and he pushes himself up against the door, feeling panic rise in him again. He’d been wondering if the spirits would be visiting him, alone and vulnerable with no chance of escape, but he’d been strongly hoping against it. He couldn’t even firebend his way out of this miserable situation, how could he possibly hope to best a spirit? But he has to try at least.

“I’m not afraid of you,” he stumbles out awkwardly, shaking so badly he can hardly keep his balance but he staggers into a fighting stance. He’s probably going to die where he stands for even pretending to oppose a spirit but he refuses to accept his fate sniveling like a child. He may not be a very good one, but he’s still a Fire Prince. “Show yourself spirit,” he says this time with a bit more force.

There’s a soft presence on the top of his head, almost like how Mom will gently run her hand through his hair. Against his better judgement, he finds himself relaxing slightly at the touch. He winces when an ethereal light dimly illuminates the small tunnel. It’s a pale light, barely visible, like the small bits of sunlight that trickled past closed curtains. A shape takes form in the hazy light and he sees a pretty looking lady clad in flowing robes. She has a beautiful face, soothing like a warm fire, with her ghostly hand still resting gently on his head.

Why are you here, the voice asks again and he notices the spirit’s lips don’t move in time with her words.

“My name is Prince Zuko, son of Prince Ozai and Lady Ursa, grandson to Fire Lord Azulon.” Zuko introduces from long practice, “My father says I need to learn to firebend, he put me in here and told me I could only leave if I could use fire to open the door.” He responds calmly, feeling his earlier fear fading in the spirit’s gentle presence. He couldn’t explain how, but he was certain that she would not harm him. “Who are you?”

I am a spirit of the eternal flame, her unmoving image says through her soft smile. I have walked these lands since the children of fire became united under one Lord. That was… a very long time ago, so long it was hurting his head just to think about it. Agni’s chosen ones draw strength from the sun and the sun cannot be found in such darkness.

“I know, I’m trying to make a flame but I’ve never done it before and I’m so scared and tired and I don’t know if I can even do this. Everyone says I’m supposed to be a bender but I can’t even make a spark.” He looks down shamefully at his hands, vaguely able to determine the damage he’d done to them yesterday. He could see the dark stains of old blood and torn skin in the spirit’s pale light.

Fate has destined you to suffer Little Dragon; she said is a soft, sympathetic voice. But in suffering you will be tempered and burn with the brightest of stars.

“Huh?” Zuko blinked, the spirit sounded like Uncle; he shook his head in confusion. “What does that mean? Am I a bender or not?” He asked but before his eyes the spirit began to disperse and darkness began to creep in once more.

I will keep the more malevolent spirits at bay, the spirit said, once again seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere. Find your fire, Little Dragon. And with that, she was gone. He wasn’t sure what she meant or why she had even appeared but she had clearly tried to help in her own way and hadn’t hurt him even though he’d probably deserved it. Besides, all great spirits deserve humanity’s respect. He as bowed low and reverently as he could manage in the small space and whispered a prayer of thanks. He thinks she appreciated it.

vii.

Zuko was leaning up against the wall, panting softly in the darkness from his latest failure to firebend. His encounter with the spirit had reinvigorated his hope but even that wouldn’t be able to keep him alive much longer. His hunger continued to pull at him, painful and all-consuming and his muscles ached from the practice and cramped spaces. His thirst was beyond compare, his mouth as dry as sand making every breath a struggle. He knew that things were beginning to look bad but he had to keep trying. A part of him just wanted to be done with all, catch the attention of one of the many servants bustling around and accept whatever punishment Father had in store for him. But at this point he wasn’t even sure if he had the strength in him to scream.

His ears, newly sensitized since his sight had been removed, picked up the sound of approaching footsteps and automatically quieted himself and waited for them to leave.

“Two days! Your son has been missing for two days and you don’t even bother to look concerned! I can’t believe this! What a welcome to come home to!” Zuko’s eyes widened a fraction as he recognized his Uncle Iroh’s voice booming from somewhere nearby. He leaned forward and listened in rapt attention as his uncle continued to rage. “Why haven’t you contacted the Royal Guard or Ursa for Agni’s sake! Zuko could be hurt, dead for all you know, and you’re just lounging about as if nothing is wrong!”

“I’m sure Prince Zuko is around somewhere,” Father’s smooth voice says not too far from Zuko’s prison. He unconsciously bristles at the tone, lingering fear from his last encounter with his father now two days ago. Agni, it’s been two days already? “Azula tells me she and her brother were playing in the courtyard yesterday morning; he ran off to go hide somewhere and hasn’t been seen since. He’s likely still playing around.” There is an ominous double meaning in Father’s tone that leaves Zuko feeling smaller than he already felt. Clearly he was just ‘playing around’ with firebending or else he’d be out already. He suspects Father paused right here to remind Zuko of that.

“Ozai,” Uncle hisses in a frightening tone Zuko has never before heard from him. “It is difficult but far from impossible for an assassin or kidnapper to get into the palace. You don’t seem the least bit troubled that Zuko, your heir, hasn’t been seen in days. What kind of father are you? If Lu Ten-”

“Yes Iroh we all know about your precious crown prince will soon be off helping you with your endless conquests and making our nation proud,” Father spat out bitterly. “But you see brother, Zuko isn’t your son. He’s mine and what I feel for him or do to him is none of your concern. I’m sure the boy will show up sooner or later, if not, then clearly he wasn’t strong enough and doesn’t deserve this life.” Zuko felt like his heart was going to break, right then and there. Father couldn’t really think that, this was all just a test, a way to push Zuko towards the greatness he was destined for. This… situation, it was all for Zuko’s sake, because his Father did care about him and wanted him to succeed.

“Spirits Ozai,” Uncle whispered in a hushed tone. “Do you feel anything at all?” Father doesn’t answer and instead Zuko hears the swishing of robes indicating that someone has moved again.

“You’re the one who insisted we search for the boy; we’d better continue if we hope to make it back in time for our meeting with the Fire Lord. After that, if my son still hasn’t shown up, you’re welcome to keep searching on your own.”

“Yes, of course, I’m sure our Father would be very interested to hear that one of his grandchildren has gone missing while he was in your care,” Uncle says in a low voice. “When we find Zuko, and believe me I will find him, I’m going to have some questions for the young man about where he’s been. And let me tell you brother, if I find that boy dead, then we are going to have a long, unpleasant talk.” The halls became silent as Zuko listened to his Father and Uncle walk away, leaving him trapped in his prison. Even once they had been long gone, Zuko found it hard to breathe. How could he when his Father didn’t seem to care whether he lived or died? Too exhausted to even think of firebending right now, Zuko flopped painfully to the floor and treasonously wondered in the very back of his mind why Uncle couldn’t have been his father instead.

viii.

Zuko has no sense of time in here but he feels like it’s night already. He doesn’t think of a hot meal, he doesn’t think of a comfortable bed and he doesn’t think about the aches and pains in his body. He doesn’t think of the disappointment in Father’s voice or the anger in Uncle Iroh’s. He doesn’t think much of anything. Instead, he tries to sleep and is only vaguely interested if he wakes up again.

ix.

Again Zuko wakes up suddenly, as if something inside him suddenly was lit. He’s not bothered by the blackness anymore; it’s almost comforting in a way. Pretty soon he’s going to be heading for that eternal darkness and he won’t have to worry about his firebending or the fact that he’s never been good enough for his father. He’s curled up in a tiny ball on the floor, feeling empty and hollowed out as he never has before. Failure has been a constant companion in his life but he’s always fought against it; worked hard and struggled to be better. And it’s all led him here; lying in dark with barely enough strength to move, preparing for his inevitable death. He can feel his own life flickering precariously, there’s no way he’ll be able to make fire now, if it was ever even possible.

“Mom,” he croaks through cracked and unfeeling lips. He would give everything he had, every remaining breath in his body just to see his mother’s face one last time. “I’m sorry,” he says soundlessly as he imagines her face in his mind; warm and safe and always kind no matter how much he messed up. She’d come home in a few days and find him gone, vanished from one moment to the next. She will be… sad.

He frowns at the thought but it’s true, Mom would be really upset if he was dead. She would cry for days, stay in bed all day and refuse anything to eat or drink. Father would tell her he didn’t know what happened but he thinks Mom would know; she’s always been so protective of him because Father has made threats against his life before. They would fight; Father might hit her like he sometimes does and maybe even put her in the same situation that currently killing him.

The thought of his mother feeling like this: cold, hungry and alone, stirred something in Zuko that he couldn’t really describe. His wonderful mother didn’t deserve this torture and she especially didn’t deserve to return to a home with a dead son and a lying husband. And truthfully, neither did he. He’s done nothing wrong, nothing to deserve this level of punishment. Uncle Iroh cared about him and so did Mom; even Azula probably liked him a little bit, if only to make fun of him. If he died now, they’d never see him again and they’d all be sad. He’d die in here, the failure his father always claimed he was.

The indignation of it all, the thought of his loved ones suffering because of his stupidity sparked something. It made him want to get up and knock down that wall that dared to try and keep him from his family, from his destiny. There’s a flood of warmth in him, like a blanket being draped securely around his shoulders giving him comfort and strength. He needs to get up right now, he needs to get that door open however possible because he’s not going to spend another minute in this-

His fists, curled up by his head let out a bright spark, temporarily driving away the darkness of the tunnel. The light fades quickly but the warmth stays with him as does the feeling of complete astonishment.

Zuko is scrambling to his feet as quickly as he can. His muscles are weak and he hurts all over and every breath tears at the dryness in his throat but that’s all forgotten in his amazement. He can firebend! He can get out! He can see Mother again, Azula, Uncle Iroh, even Father. Surely he’ll accept him now that his son is a bender. For the first time in who knows how long, Zuko’s spirit buoys with pride. He is a Prince of the Fire Nation and he is a firebender. The warm weight settling in his chest is a comfort, a reminder of all that he is capable of now. He scrambles over to where the latch is, standing as tall as he can just to reach the keyhole.

“Come on fire, I know you’re there.” He mutters, trying to recapture that feeling that had ignited the flames earlier. He’d been sad and angry and feeling sorry for himself and just wanted to see his mother again, just one more time. “Please bend, I need you to work this time.” He brought his hands down to his face and furiously snapped a few times to produce something. He was pleased to see small sparks forming on his fingertips but nothing substantial enough to open the door. “I’m not going to die in here just because I can’t make a stupid little fire.” He growled, pouring out his frustration until there was a small fire, about the size of a small candle flame, in the palm of his hand. He takes a moment to just stare at the delicate glow; it was so pretty, nothing like the harsh blazes he sees from Father and Azula. He held it up to the keyhole even knowing the flame was too tiny to open the door.

“Please,” he muttered, once more trying to find the feeling that had produced the flame. “I won’t die in here; I don’t want to make everyone sad.” He thinks of his mother, of the grief she would feel and suddenly the power is there. With a grunt of effort, he feels the flame burst forth from his hand into the lock. He thinks for a second that it hasn’t worked, until his vision is overcome by intense brightness as the door slides open. He doesn’t walk out so much as fall out. Zuko hits the marble floor of the palace hallway with a dull thud but that doesn’t matter, nor does the persistent ache in his body or sound of his one-time prison closing behind him. All that matters is he is alive and he’s going to see his mom again.

He lets out a strangled little sob but there are no more tears to be had. He’s too dry, his body has no water left to spare. Zuko ought to be getting up right now, using what little strength he has left to make his way to the kitchen and get something to eat after all this time. He needs to find Uncle, let him know that he’s alive; maybe even thank him for caring when it seemed everyone else had given up. He had to show Father his fire, show him that he wasn’t a complete failure. And he will, but right now, he is lying there on the floor, letting out quiet little sniffles because all he can muster is a bone-deep feeling of gratitude for his own life.

xi.

They are breakfasting when Iroh first hears the shuffling. Ozai takes no notice to the sound but Iroh sees little Azula looks up from up from her plate in curiosity. He’d been disappointed, but not terribly surprised, to see that his niece hadn’t acted overly concerned about her older brother’s whereabouts. But then again, Azula had always taken after Ozai a little more than Iroh preferred. His brother is sitting across from him, completely at ease as if his firstborn’s disappearance was not something to concern himself with.

Iroh had never troubled himself with Ozai and his family before; he’d had bigger things to worry about like managing his army or keeping his son out of trouble. But this experience has been enlightening in the most terrible way; he had never imagined his impish little brother, anyone really, could be so heartless. He couldn’t imagine not caring about Lu Ten, especially when he could be hurt or worse. It makes him wonder just what happens in Ozai’s happy little family when people aren’t watching and how Zuko may be paying the ultimate price for his uncle’s ignorance. The shuffling comes closer until even Ozai is looking up in aggravation, especially when the specter finally appears.

“Zuko!” Iroh shouts in horror as the young boy comes into view looking every bit like a living corpse. Only the boy’s strangled breaths tell him that this was Zuko and not his vengeful ghost before them. Iroh runs forward and is immediately on his knees taking in the young child’s ghastly appearance. Zuko has always been fair skinned but his face now is completely bleached of all color, save for the streaks of dried blood decorating his cheeks. Iroh finds the source of the blood on the boys mutilated hands, his fingernails almost completely torn away from what looked like clawing. There’s a fine layer of dust covering him from head to toe making him look even more like a ghost in addition to his ripped and ruined clothes. His cheeks are sunken in starvation and his eyes dull from suffering.

“Uncle,” Zuko gasps out hoarsely, his voice barely audible from his cracked lips. Spirits, where has this boy been? Has he not had any food or water since he’s been gone? Iroh is shaking with the knowledge that Zuko is standing before him on the edge of death. He gingerly lifts the boy into his arms like he did when Zuko was younger.

“Azula!” He barks, “Go fetch the healers at once, as many as you can get. Tell them to bring back warm water, bandages, purifying medicine and some blankets too.” Azula is still sitting there, staring wide-eyed at Zuko though he can’t tell if it’s due to Zuko’s horrifying appearance or his presence altogether. “Now girl!” At this, she scrambles out of chair and races out the room, turning around to look at her brother one last time before darting off. Iroh sits back in his chair with Zuko held securely against his chest. He rubs the boy’s back and whispers some soothing words into the boy’s dusty, disheveled hair.

For the first time, Iroh looks up to see Ozai’s reaction to his son’s miraculous reappearance. Iroh wasn’t sure what he had expected but he certainly didn’t expect his younger brother to look so unimpressed. Ozai didn’t show the slightest worry for the boy shaking in Iroh’s arms; he merely raised an eyebrow when Zuko looked up at him, like he was asking a silent question. Zuko seemed to understand regardless and weakly held out a bruised and bloody hand from which a weak flame sprang to life. There was something disturbing about the scene. Ozai had complained for years about Zuko’s inability to firebend and now, of all times, Zuko learns? Ozai’s face changed suddenly, his mask of indifference melting into an almost kindly smile.

“That’s very good Zuko, I’m proud of you my son. It would seem you’ve been through quite an ordeal but I’m pleased to see you were strong enough to overcome it. You may rest now.” And the look of adoration in the boy’s eyes is a terrible thing to behold. Because Iroh knows now that he’s never going to learn the truth of what happened. Zuko would smile and lie and do absolutely anything for more of his father’s empty praise. Because even a fool could see that something unspeakable has just occurred but neither father or son will ever admit to it. Instead, Iroh does the only thing he possibly can do. He holds his nephew close and pretends, for a moment, that he is safe.

#I wrote this #Avatar The Last Airbender #Prince Zuko #fire lord ozai #Ozai is a terrible parent #alternative titles: Zuko Cries A Lot or The Last Time Ursa Let Ozai Watch the Kids #this is highkey terrible but it was an interesting experiment #I hope you enjoy?#let me know how the charcaters feel #always weird trying to write them the first time #Zuko was so innocent at this point #I tried to show his innate courage and stubbornness but he's also still a baby #poor boy :'( I'm sorry

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