#he learnt lightning bending

[fanonvscanon]

WHY IN THE EVER LOVING GOD IN CHRIST ABOVE IS ZYM FUCKING ZUKO.

I HEARD THAT AND FULLY EXPECTED HIM TO JUST GO-

[pillow-ghost-nan]

VERY LONG wolfstar fic rec list PART 1

I spend way too much time reading fanfictions and wolfstar is the love of my life so yeah. Also most of these are E and M rated cause I just love my smut

PART 2

PART 3

Please let me know if any link needs fixing or if there are any mistakes. Enjoy!

Multi-chapter:

Led by Light of a Star Sweetly Gleaming by wolfpants

Rating: E, 53k words Remus Lupin is a student and temporary sales assistant at Oxford's finest department store when a mysterious, handsome young man by the name of Sirius Black enters his life and introduces him to a world of sprawling country estates, parties, and London's underground bar scene. A 1960s Wolfstar AU with lots of music, smoking, fine interiors, and, of course, romance.

Of Cinema and Sticky Notes by bluepeony

Rating: E, 12k words Remus Lupin is the office bore. Sirius Black is the office sweetheart. They fancy each other, on a purely aesthetic level.

The Road to Sweetwater by EuripidesTrousers

Rating: E, 57k words “Well. They don't call me Mad Sirius Black for nothing”, Black drawls lazily, “Speaking of drinks - you got any whiskey in your pack there or just old biscuits? Caught me talking politics and now my throat's awful dry.” Remus lifts his brow incredulously, disbelief creeping into his voice, “You must think I got a real short memory thinking you're owed a drink after that show back there. You clean forget you're at my mercy, and then go trying to steal my horse-” “Not in the habit of letting a man put me in the dirt without buying me a drink”, Black drawls, his grin turning sly, “Or maybe you got something else that'll make defeat a mite easier to swallow.” Sirius Black is wanted by the law in the state of Wyoming and Remus Lupin, who's still deciding which side of the law a bounty hunter sits on, captures him for the price on his head. It should be simple. But there's something in the air that Fall that sets Remus' compass spinning, and nothing seems simple anymore.

Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings by Soupy_George

Rating: E, 126k words Heirs to the peerage didn’t write rock songs or play bass, they wrote poetry and learnt the cello from the age of five. Heirs to the peerage also got married and continued the family line. They certainly didn't get struck by a bolt of homosexual lightning in the middle of a grotty pub in Sheffield…. * “No doubt,” the barman said easily, handing the card back across the bar, “Just thinking it were nice tha’ posh twats have stupid names too.” He pointed to his chest, “Remus, thanks t’me daft mam.” A story about music and family, the price of fame and finding love somewhere completely unexpected.

Statten Park and Sunshine on Leith (Freedom & Whisky series) by eyra

Rating: E, 32k words He's absolutely maddening. It happens every summer: this dance, this flirting that Remus has never quite managed to get to the bottom of. Either it's a complete wind-up and Sirius is even more of an entitled bully than Remus has always thought, or it's going to end with Remus letting Sirius bend him over the storage crates behind the catering tent one year. It's one or the other. The boys spend a glorious long weekend together at Sirius's family estate in the height of summer.

The Long Way Home by HollyIvyDruzy

Rating: M, 177k words "SEEKING TWO ROOMMATES FOR HOUSE SHARE – SINGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE LOCATED ON EAST SIDE OF TOWN BY CATHEDRAL – CURRENT RESIDENTS FIRST YEARS. NO WEIRDOS PLEASE." Remus never expected to go to Westerbury University, but then he also never expected to meet force of nature Lily Evans while house-hunting, James Potter while replying to a horrendous handwritten advert, or Sirius Black once he had already decided to move in. Soon it becomes clear that even the best laid plans can be thrown out of the window when starting university living with a group of strangers. A university AU with a dash of humour, a sprinkling of angst and some pining for good measure.

Honeydew by lunchbucket

Rating: E, 40k words Healer Sirius Black feels like his life is going through the motions. He is still recovering from the tragic death of his best friends four years prior while doing his best to parent their five-year-old son. However, when a new patient's encounter with a mysterious creature leads him to contact a person from his past, his life gets shaken up into one giant beautiful mess that he isn't sure he knows how to handle. Or, That magic feeling when you find someone who can see you when you can't even see yourself.

Odi et Amo by afieryfox

Rating: E, ongoing Classics student Remus has everything figured out; his courses, his career path, his life — until a mysterious transfer student turns his whole world upside down. Remus despises Sirius Black from day one, quickly set out to beat his new academic rival in any way possible. Angry glares over text translations follow angrier words thrown at the other late at night. All too soon, hate morphs into obsession. And everyone knows what obsession leads to.

Petty (With A Prior) by lunchbucket

Rating: E, 65 words Showing up for his ‘civic duty’ is one thing, getting out of jury duty without losing his shit is another. Tack on an attorney who finds the whole fiasco hilarious, and Remus might as well be in hell. The Courthouse AU of my dreams.

Dunes and Waters by MarigoldWritesThings

Rating: E, 37k Remus is sensitive to changing tides, a part of the moon always with him, and Black is like the sea. He can smell it on him, the way his magic builds up and crackles about the fingertips. *** A werewolf, a convict, and a riddle.

Like an Accident by lurikko

Rating: E, 12k words November 1993: detective Sirius Black has a new case, and a new partner.

Black Diamonds and Moonlit Snow by iamafullyrealizedcreation

Rating: M, 66k words “A marketing manager from Wales, moved all the way to Maine, to work for a ski mountain, and you don’t even ski. Remus Lupin, you just keep becoming more and more mysterious. What other secrets do you have?” There were two paths in front of Remus, one where he flirted back with the beautiful, handsome, dangerous man in front of him, and one where he remembered that Sirius was his co-worker, and more importantly, made his living doing the one thing Remus hated most in the world. “You’ll find that beyond all that, I’m rather quite boring.” Remus said, as he settled on a decision. Sirius sat back in his chair and gave him a doubtful look, and the start of a smirk. “We’ll see.” Remus Lupin starts work at Mount Calset with the goal to bring people to the ski mountain, and has to learn to deal with "face of the mountain" famous ski racer, Sirius Black OR A story about overcoming your fears, and the type of love that makes you feel brave.

Go East by xinasvoice

Rating: E, 84k words Remus has been running for a long time. Eventually, he runs into a strange castle built by a wizard and his young apprentice. The longer he stays, the more secrets he uncovers...and the less he wants to leave. This is a novel-length adventure story that loosely follows the plot of Howl's Moving Castle. It does not require knowledge of the HMC book or movie to enjoy it.

The Horcrux Hunt by lostmy_keys

Rating: M, 143k words He is a Slytherin, a Black, and an ex-Death Eater. Of course he makes it out of the cave. Regulus sets out to destroy the Dark Lord's Horcrux with no one but a house-elf to help, until he realises his task is bigger than he alone can handle. Reluctantly he turns to the only man Voldemort fears for assistance - Dumbledore - who loans out his pet wolf for the job, much to Regulus's dismay. Together they embark on a hunt for Horcruxes - a long and arduous journey that both makes friendships and destroys them. And a few people get hurt along the way. Slowburn Wolfstar, Regulus character development, a very flirty (but platonic) Regulus and Remus friendship, and a canonically manipulative Dumbledore.

Where the Mist Falls by YumeNouveau

Rating: E, 30k words Remus loves being a deputy in the snowy mountain town of Greyback Peak. But when a crazy cult leader escapes in his woods and the FBI is called in, he's not about to just hand everything over to the stuffy know-it-all feds. That is, until he's confronted with silvery eyes, perfect cheekbones and a tailored suit that make his heart beat so loud it might start an avalanche.

Wish You Were Here by afieryfox

Rating M, 70k words Moony and Padfoot are both well-known online streamers that meet in an Among Us lobby organized by Lily. They instantly connect with their quick banter and similar interests, even with a whole ocean between them. Remus is alright with crushing on Sirius from afar. Until fans start shipping them and give them the name Wolfstar. Utterly ridiculous, of course. But why does Remus’ heart make a leap every time he thinks about it? And why, after countless hours on Discord calls, does he get the feeling that Sirius might feel the same?

Currents by lunchbucket

Rating: E, 109k words Remus Lupin and Sirius Black arrive in Sydney to compete in the Summer Olympics, both intent on making these games a better experience than the last. The two swimmers have a tumultuous history and intense rivalry, but can America’s golden boy and Great Britain’s notorious bad boy put their past behind them and find some common ground?

Where There Is Smoke by moongnome

Rating: not rated (oficially but it's actually E), 109k words "If he closed his eyes, he could have been there again, back in the cold river, water rising up to his shoulders, with a beautiful boy who wouldn’t leave him alone." It is 1865. Stuck in his house with his overbearing parents, Remus Lupin cannot shake the feeling that he's missing something. Returning from abroad after the death of his mother, Sirius Black is now the owner of a massive estate and he has the attitude to match. He has everything, including people who are determined to take everything from him. It takes seconds for Remus to know he will never hate anyone as much as he does Sirius Black.

The Homecoming of Sirius Black by lunarlivs, MissAmericanBi

Rating: E, 44k Sirius Black is burned the fuck out. From his high-pressure job, his unfulfilling love life, the concept of existence in general... you get the idea. With what used to be his life now just a smoldering pile of vaguely millennial-shaped wreckage drifting somewhere over the Manhattan skyline, Sirius leaves New York and moves home to Slytherin, Georgia—a wealthy suburb outside Atlanta—in an attempt to figure out what he is really doing in this prison of a meatsuit people call a body. Enter: a smoking hot bartender with big hands, amber eyes, and a stubbornly hardened exterior Sirius is determined to crack.* But with the passing of each month, Sirius starts to see that leaving a place doesn't mean forgetting the loss, returning to family doesn't mean coming home, and while love isn't found at the bottom of a pint glass—he may be the one pouring it.

How Remus Got His Groove Back by RealityShowJunky

Rating: M 43k words After two years of noncommittal sex: Remus tells Sirius that he loves him. Sirius firmly rejects him. Remus tries to move on. Sirius is not happy. OR Remus Lupin becomes king of the cockroaches, Fabian Prewett writes a book, Gilderoy Lockhart is a catfish, and Sirius Black realizes he's a fucking idiot.

Maybe this time is different (I really think you like me) by fiddleleafedfig

Rating: E, 73k words “Because you’re not just writing about Picasso, Sirius. Remus Lupin is a writer and an introvert, he has published a few novels that have been very well received. We want the story of it all, the family estate, his writing process, the decision to display these sketches now.” “And what on god's green earth makes me the best man for that job?” “Because you’re charming, we think he’ll like you.” * Or; The story of how Sirius Black gets a writing assignment, banters his way into the art-elite of London, and ends up falling head over heels in love.

Till We Have Arrived Home Again by prouvairing

Rating: E, 44k words Summer, 1999. Harry comes home with news. Quite a lot of news. Harry takes a deep breath. “I'm quitting the Aurors,” he starts with, which is followed by a moment of stunned silence. “What?” Sirius says. “All right," Remus says. “Do you know what else you want to do? Did you think about it?” Harry blushes, the way James used to—a rosy glow lighting up his brown skin—and says, “I wanted to—that is, I thought I might be a teacher.” Remus, quite suddenly, seems to have something in his eye. "Oh." “What?” Sirius says. “And uh—there's more. I was thinking I might like to. That is. I want to become an Animagus.”

Lines by Krethes

Rating: E, 24k words "As if feeling Sirius’s eyes on him -- and maybe he does, Remus just Knows Things sometimes -- he looks over his shoulder with eyes heavy-lidded and sleepy. “We’re far too old to be having morning sex and you know it, Padfoot,” he warns, his voice still gravely and deep from slumber." OR: DILF Wolfstar getting the happy ending they deserve. Chapters are chronological, but it's largely PWP and we're just here to have some fun.

No Expectations by thisbluepeony

Rating: M, 98k words Remus Lupin is a little-known music journalist working on a little-known music magazine. Blue Stag are his next Big Project - well, his first anyway.

Ever Thus by WrappedUp

Rating: E, 135k words “Right, well I’d say it’s about time to put an end to this nonsense, wouldn’t you?” James nodded sagely. “You’ve obviously still got some things to chat through with him, but he will talk to you about it, Remus. He thinks the world of you, you know that. But the important thing is that you do talk because nothing’s going to get sorted if you just sit cry-wanking in your room.” The world is excruciating and enthralling in equal measure. The gang try their hardest to navigate it as real, legitimate adults.

Language Lessons by MsAlexWP

Rating: E, 150k words September 1982 The war is over. Voldemort was defeated on October 31, 1981. Regulus Black discovered Voldemort’s horcruxes and informed the Order of the Phoenix, which destroyed them. When Voldemort arrived on Halloween to kill baby Harry, the Order was standing by, ready to kill him first. Almost a year later, the Marauders and their friends are rebuilding their lives. Everything is going well for Sirius Black. Everything but love. OR Sirius Black is great at sex but shit at relationships. Remus Lupin is an amazing boyfriend, but not so great at sex. Could these best friends learn from each other? Platonically, of course.

Hurling Crowbirds at Mockingbars by WrappedUp

Rating: M, 41k words “He’s coming home, James. What the hell am I meant to do with that? It’s been eight fucking years and we’re meant to... what? Just meet him at the pub? Buy him a drink like-” He shakes his head. “What will I do with my face?” James takes a sip of lemonade, taking his role as designated driver very seriously as always. He has a smudge of dirt on his nose from ‘wrestling a conifer the size of a bear’, but Sirius doesn’t think to mention it because he’s somewhat preoccupied with his own problems, which, for the avoidance of doubt, are many and insurmountable. “Your face?” “Yes, exactly! It’ll give me away the second he sees me. He’ll know right away that eight bloody years has done nothing at all to dampen it down. Dripping with hurt. As if I don’t still feel-”

One-shots:

Babysitting by A_factorygirl_69

Rating: E, 5,5k words Sirius and Teddy's excellent adventure, or why Remus is a master manipulator.

No Reckoning Made by A_factorygirl_69

Rating: E, 22k words Trying to remain friends but also wanting more while in the middle of a war is far more difficult than Remus ever imagined. Sirius certainly isn't making it easier on him either.

Secrets in the Black of night by TracingPatterns

Rating: E, 6k words It all starts when Remus is paired with Sirius fucking Black in Potions, but Remus didn’t think this was where they would end up.

Buy the Stars by wilteddaisy (taotu)

Rating: E, 23k words Sirius Black, respectable pureblood patriarch and heir to the Black family fortune, has a wife and three children at Hogwarts. Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Remus Lupin wrestles with the aging wolf inside of him. When Black offers him a hand, Remus reluctantly takes it.

Nosebleed by WrappedUp

Rating: T, 8k words “I can’t have a threesome, Lily. I do puzzles for fun. I drink Ovaltine. I have a mug that says ‘I heart spreadsheets’. And it wasn’t even a present; I went out and bought it for myself because I really do. I heart spreadsheets.”

That Old Black Magic by fallovermelikestars

Rating: M, 37k words AU in which Remus, being as he is a werewolf and all, is homeschooled til he is 16. Hogwarts is something of an experience, not least because there's this boy called Sirius Black.

illicit affairs by dykesiriusblack

Rating: E, 8k words They shouldn't. But they do.

The Power Of The Dog by Suchsmallhands

Rating: E, 71k words Sirius thought he left the Black family behind but he is forced to face them once again when charged with the death of his mother. Who do you think will be his defender?

you jump, I jump by grumposaur

Rating: M, 17k words When Remus witnesses a disturbing event walking home one night, it sends him down a twisted path of many discoveries: secret societies, macabre rituals, cloaked figures, and a dark-haired boy who proves to be the most dangerous of all.

Satellites by jennandblitz

Rating: E, 23k words Sirius Black is the guitarist for Starsign, a band on a meteoric rise to fame. One evening in Edinburgh and he finds himself face to face with Remus Lupin, gig photographer an in almost-criminally oversized punk shirt. Perhaps things aren't meant to be at first, but the universe has its ways…

After us, the flood by aryastark_valarmorghulis, bloodsuitsandtears

Rating: E, 10k words “I was hoping you might be waiting for me.” His tone is light and friendly, but Remus isn’t fooled. “I stopped for a smoke.” He wonders, though. Was he unwittingly waiting for Sirius? In the last eight years, there had been countless smoke breaks, quick trips to grab another wine bottle and rendezvous to decide James’ birthday gift that dissolved into a sloppy snog or a quickie. It didn't happen every time Sirius was back in the country, but it was close enough.

bookends by drowsyanddazed

Rating: E, 12k It’s 1995 and the only flat in London that Remus Lupin can afford is one that’s falling apart and riddled with curses. When the curse-breaker comes in to survey the place, it’s Sirius Black who shows up at his door. On Remus’ doorstep, in 1995, they go through introductions. But they knew each other in 1982, back at university, they knew each other quite well, so why are they pretending they don’t have history? He’s not quite sure what’s going on between them, what they’re doing, what this tightrope they’re walking is. He’s not sure it’s a good idea.

Love, Trust and Other Wartime Casualties by BellaBabe

Rating: M, 8k words “Full moon?” Sirius asks, realizing he doesn’t actually know. Remus looks at him oddly. “You know you were always the most attentive. James was too carefree, too unburdened and Peter too forgetful… but you, you always knew.” It’s a well placed blow and it leaves Sirius breathless. “Things change I guess.” Remus says softly. “I’m here now.” Sirius can taste the lie on his tongue. Remus hums noncommittally and pours them more tea.

Lie With Me by mblematic

Rating: M, 12k words Sirius meets Remus unexpectedly, in somebody else's body. Nobody trusts anybody.

Elucidation Practice by montparnasse

Rating: M, 21k Christmas, 1978. Remus, wrestling with the mighty problems of gift-giving on a budget, contemplates life, love, London in winter, and falling off the edge of the world with Sirius Black.

Don't Make Me Beg For You (Because I'll Beg For You) by CuriousMay

Rating: E, 14k words Sirius' head jerks round, eyes wide with shock. Remus is still speaking but all Sirius can hear now is white noise. He stares at Remus, who is carefully constructing his chicken sandwich as he talks, seemingly unaware of the conversational grenade he's just launched into the room. "What?" "You know, Rita Schaffer? She was that 4th year who had that incident with Bleatchley's Beauty Bleach in '75 just after our exams and Madam Pomfrey had to regrow all her hair-" Remus starts as he puts down the tomato but Sirius cuts him off with a sharp wave of his hand. "No, not that, you idiot. The other bit. You said - you said you're in love with me?"

Horoscopes and how they caused the Plague of Frogs by Woldy

Rating: E, 6k words This is the story of the most improbable job Remus ever had, the Chocolate Frog Plague of 1980 and, incidentally, how he first kissed Sirius.

A Series of Sketches Done in Black Ink by mustntgetmy

Rating: E, 57k words Non-magic AU. Sirius had always imagined the aftermath of falling in love would mean lightness, and an escape from all the horrors of his childhood. But the past never leaves, and even love can't stop bad memories from resurfacing. An almost year in the life of Sirius and Remus's first year as a couple replete with art and tangled sheets, and containing the following: filled sketchbook pages from people lost and people found, terrible biscuits from an excellent therapist, mismatched music records, expensive hot chocolate, a lost brother, photographs (some invasive and some invoking terrible memories), a reckoning with the past, a promise of the future, and yet another ridiculously over the top Halloween party.

Within White Space by mustntgetmy

Rating: T, 9k words Non-magic AU. Remus spends his all his lunch breaks the same way: he sits at the university cafe, orders the cheapest thing on the menu, and stares at Sirius. Getting a good long, look at Sirius (and fantasizing about said look) is all Remus expects from Sirius. But Sirius has never been one for fulfilling expectations.

Black Glass by estas_absentis

Rating: E, 4k words Remus already holds Sirius’ heart in his hands, carries it with him through the world, could crush it if he chose. Why not his mind, his self, too?

[starlight-bread-blog]

Zuko had a hard time living up to his sister. She was a firebending prodigy. No matter how good he was, she was always better. And their father favored her because of this.

Ozai's abuse made it seem like he is not a good bender, just because he couldn't match his sister, the wonder child.

But Zuko is a Proficient Bender

At 16, he beat Zhao, a firebending master, at an Agni Kai.

He exercises the original firebending learnt from the dragons.

His firebending is influenced by other bending forms.

He's one of 3 people that at that time could redirect lightning.

After he'd recognized Ozai's cruelty towards him, he also casually recognizes that he is skilled, that he is good at firebending.

He casually recognizes that he is so good that he can teach the Avatar.

[hadesisqueer]

Why does it seem like they teach Avatars the elements but they don't generally bother with the sub-elements though. Like, okay, maybe Aang couldn't metalbend, but no one thought of trying to teach him healing? I mean. Both Kyoshi and Korra learnt how to heal, why did no one try to teach him? Did he not even suggest it?

Korra learnt metalbending, too, but years after she mastered Earth, with Suyin, not during her formal training. I know metalbending became more known but that not every Earthbender had the ability, but I don't know, couldn't the White Lotus bring her an earthbending teacher who at least tried to teach her metalbending too? Like, try, at least? Damn, why didn't they try to teach her how to generate lightning? Or at least redirect it? Aang learnt how to redirect it, why did no one bother to teach her successor how to do so? Mako, you're literally right there???

Yeah, I know that Avatars are already very OP already, but at the same time-- They are the defenders of the world and they're gonna face benders with these abilities, some of them lethal? Teach them the sub-elements, or at least try to, damn it. They should've taught Korra how to metalbend from the start, and teach her how to bend lightning or redirect it. Fuck it, teach her how to bloodbend; yeah, it's forbidden, but there is probably gonna be people who are gonna use it anyway. Teach her. Try to teach the Avatar everything they can learn, damn it.

[outrageousbirb]

I wish ATLA/LOK had added mixed bending to the worldbuilding in a different way

Like, earthbenders bending metal bc of the traces of earth within the alloy? Yea that's earthbending, that passes. Same for sandbending.

Bloodbending? Yea blood is a liquid and contains enough water (92%) to be classified as water, sure

But like lavabending? Lavabending should have been a skill discovered by the kid of an earthbender + a firebender (or waterbender idm)

Lightning bending? Should have been discovered by the kid of a firebender and an airbender

(ik you're thinking "but then we couldn't have had it in ATLA and anyway IROH says he learnt it from water bending practices!" Shhh hear me out. If bending isn't strictly segregated by race - as we see in both ATLA and LOK, and as we know that benders can be born to non-benders via katara's family, AND we know benders can have non-bending children thanks to Bumi, aang's kid! Then there's no reason why there couldn't have still been people born with the airbender "gene" dormant within them, who could have a kid with a firebender during the war years via the colonies, then THAT person could have become a bending prodigy, who would then have been "gifted" (kidnapped) by the fire lord as a Tutor for his kids to learn it. We also know that everyone born in the air nation was able to bend due to the high levels of spirituality within their culture, so the idea of some of them going into hiding and breeding with other nationalities and losing their ability to airbend due to the loss of future/practice etc doesn't mean that their genetic ability to airbend was lost to the world entirely, just hidden for a few generations)

I'd love to see shit like steam bending (from a Fire and Water bender combo kid - could be used in energy generation like lightning bending is in LOK, could also be a terrifying fight move - turning all the water in the air surrounding you to steam hot enough to cook you alive?), or sound bending from a air and water bender mix (bending air waves with water bending movements affecting what you hear, or a blind air bender echo locating like the Fake!Toph from the stage show!), maybe glass bending from a earth + firebender combo (if earthbending can bend sand, and firebenders could likely make glass (even tho we never see it in-universe) I'm sure we could reason this out lol) combustion bending feels like something that should be a firebender and airbender mix based on vibes but that might just be me lol, earth and water bending kids could BONE BEND? that shit would be insane.

If anyone has any other ideas based off what I've been cooking up here plz lemme know lol, I'm going insane over it myself rn 😅

Idk I just think how cool it would have been, especially in LOK, with republic city as the beacon of the mixing of nations, to actually SEE the changes of that on bending as a practice across cultures. There are so many imaginative and insane possibilities lmao

[bolin-and-pabu]

Avatar Twins

So there’s a few ways this can go and I’ll explain them all as much as I can, you’re welcome to suggest feedback just don’t be rude about it 😕 please.

#1 One Twin

This version is when only one of the twins becomes the Avatar which is probably the most logical since Raava is only one entity therefore only one Avatar.

If I were to choose this way I’d have the other twin be jealous or envious of the Avatar due to all the attention they got, how many friends they made just for being the Avatar, stuff like that.

Then we can have the non Avatar twin either explain to the Avatar how they feel or they can become the villain and we get twin angst.

#2 Both Twins

This version is less likely to happen but it’s when both twins end up becoming the Avatar. One can help with the spirits and the spirit world while the other helps the people or they can do them together.

For rivalry if wanted it can be that one twin learnt the elements faster than the other or that one of them has a stronger spiritual connection.

#3 Vaatu

In this scenario it is destiny that the twins grow to be enemies, one being the Avatar and possessing Raava while the other grows hateful and seeks out Vaatu to become the Anti-Avatar.

And so it becomes destiny that Avatar Twins are destined to fight just like Raava and Vaatu every 10,000 years. Which may end in death of one twin or a pair of twins decide they don’t want to fight each other.

#4 My Idea

Now my idea is probably the most far fetched among these ideas. My idea is that both twins are the Avatar but they only posses two elements each for me to explain this we’re going to call one twin Lia and the other Loki (not the offical names) just so we don’t get them confused.

Lia for example will be able to bend Fire and Air while Loki can bend Water and Earth, making Lia able to talk to the spirits and Loki can heal people as for sub bending Lia will be able to bend lightning and Loki can metal bend, they may or may not have had some accidental zaps.

My idea for the Avatar State is that both twins have to fight together in harmony (get it harmonic convergence) as if they’re fighting as one. Which for Lia and Loki is hard at the beginning since everyone knows siblings have their usual bickers, there could be jealousy involved about which twin got which elements or maybe Lia is reckless and gets hurt a lot causing Loki to have to heal her quite frequently.

My idea for genders is that they were born identical girls but Loki decided he was a boy, so face wise they’re still pretty identical with face shape and all that. I will provide drawings for this whenever I’m able but don’t expect anything good 😭 I’m not that good I just wanna make visuals incase my words aren’t getting my idea across.

Personality wise they’re gonna pretty much stick to canon with Lia being fearless, stubborn, aggressive, strong, reckless and rebellious. While Loki is gentle, sweet, empathetic, caring, worried easily and innocent. Not saying Lia isn’t those things as well, as they face their enemies they may begin to change and adapt each others personality.

Finding out the twins were the Avatar was pretty tricky, their parents are an Earth bender and Fire bender so they didn’t question when Lia was bending Fire and Loki was bending Earth, it wasn’t until the twins were 15 on a particularly hot Summer where Lia just couldn’t stand the heat and decided to cool her and Loki down with Air bending. At this point their parents think that Lia is the Avatar but no matter how good the Earth and Water teacher are she can’t learn them. It’s during one day at practice that Lia gets too frustrated and accidentally throws Fire towards Loki who puts it out with a Water bender move which shocks everybody there.

They travel to see the Air Nomads lead by Jinora and Kai (Who are very grown), Kai is pretty shocked at this discovery but Jinora just smiles having already been told by the Spirits that something like this might happen. The twins are sent to each nation to learn from the best teachers available, Loki learns Water bending from the Northern Tribe, Lia learns Air bending from Jinora and Kai, Loki learns Earth and Metal bending from the Beifong family and Lia learns Fire bending in Republic City by a Pro bender.

Their animal guides are a white wolf and a black wolf (Ying Yang)

Their first time in the Avatar state isn’t for a while since at first they can’t really seem to work together due to how different their styles are. The first time they do they’re 17 years old and are fighting Chi blockers causing Lia to be the right arm and leg and Loki to be the left making them fight together as one.

I think I covered everything?? If there’s anything else you’d like to know about them just ask! 🤗

[rayadraws]

In d&d, there's three main kinds of spellcasters:

- Warlocks, who receive their powers by entering a pact with a powerful being (like a devil).

- Wizards have learned to use magic by learning about it through studies. They have access to a lot of different spells for this reason. For them, magic is a taught skill.

- Sorcerers are born with their magic. As a result of this, they have access to less spells but can twist and bend their magic in ways wizards can't. For them, magic is instinct.

My BG3 character is a storm sorcerer, his magic is tied to the weather in different ways. I imagine that especially when he was young and hadn't yet learnt to control his powers or emotions his moods could influence the local weather (and maybe vice versa?). When he was in a very bad mood, clouds always seemed to appear. When he was happy, the sun always seemed to peak through the clouds.

And gosh, it's giving me drawing ideas... It's always fun to have something particular to associate a character with, in this case we have storms, or weather in general... He uses lightning a lot when fighting, in-game he starts sparking all over during combat.

Man, I need to draw him pouting with a little rain cloud above him lol.

Bonus: iron bars won't hold a sorcerer with access to Misty Step

[a-chuffed-floating-panda]

A love in the eye of the hurricane ch28 (unedited)

(Originally posted 22 November 2022 sleep deprived period. Slightly better edited chapter)

On the late nights she couldn’t sleep, Gawa went out and trained. The burn of her muscles helped calm her anxiety, which had been in overdrive for the last week and a couple of days.

Her friends were okay, but they almost died. Jamyang was healing and Tora was up and walking with the help of Deki and was theorizing what the notes they found meant; Aya-la had her theories and mentioned sensing an unrest among the civilians in the outer rings of Ba Sing Se. If it festered, someone could use it to their advantage and the results would be lethal, going by the rinpoche’s visions of heads being strung along the walls.

She let herself fall from the handstand she was in, taking a weird satisfaction of how the breath got knocked out from her lungs when she landed.

Prince Feishan was unpopular among the civilians, but liked by the nobles. Those two rarely mixed well. He came across as a paranoid bastard that cared, but didn’t care that much whenever she had to travel there for missions. Stringing heads along the walls of his future city wasn’t something she’d put past him. Senior nuns from Kushi temple shared her sentiment on that.

Gawa closed her eyes and sighed, sat up and slowly got up to her feet and dusted herself off. She looked down at her bruised hands and then up at the sky. Cloudy. Dark clouds. A possibility for rain. No one would question a strike of lightning then. One more time’s okay before she went back to Aya-la’s hideout.

She lowered into a horse stance, let out a heavy breath, calmed her mind, and moved her right hand. It always started as something small, she noticed, a tickle on the skin of her forearm. The hairs on her neck stood up when she changed it to her left hand and when she circled it back to her right, the sparks started hissing and crackling. 

A prickling sensation spread over her forearms as the lightning grew stronger. Calm mind, even breaths; the lightning thundered around her.

She watched with fascination as blue lines climbed up her arms, clinging to her skin when she altered hands. It didn’t burn or anything, just tickled. Not the first thing she associated with ruthless fire.

Gawa shot it, not aiming at a particular spot in the sky. The rush as it shot out of her fingers left her winded and her chi thrummed through her chi paths satisfied. The feeling was oddly refreshing. Lightning spread over the sky like blue spidersnake webs, and the resounding boom echoed in the surrounding area. 

“Hm, not bad.” She startled at the voice that had snuck up on her and turned around with a readied fist. Aya-la gave her an amused look, the tip of a fang peeking out when she smirked. Gawa quickly recomposed herself and bowed. “I apologise.”

“Oh, it’s no problem.” Her stance changed, and she gave her a once over. “Your reaction time is good.” Gawa bowed her head at the praise.

“You’re not the first non firebender I’ve met that can generate lightning.” She looked up at that mention. “I’ve met waterbenders who only could bend ice, but were masters of air. Earthbenders who only could bend mud, but were great firebending masters. I’ve even met an airbender who needed help from the heat in the air to float.” Gawa did that too sometimes. She’d win the glider races with Anzan because she used the humidity in the air to her advantage. “You’re certainly not the first I’ve met who could do this.” She said, “You have a strong affinity for it, but few have managed to generate it like you did after first discovering their ability for it.” Aya-la’s eyes sharpened and her look took a more intrigued turn.

“You learnt that.” She pointed to the lightning still dancing throughout the sky out to the horizon. “From a druk, didn’t you?” Nail on the head. Straight on the head. Gawa clamped up, the blanket snatched out from beneath her.

“I… uh…”

“Don’t lie to me. I know what a druk’s lightning looks like. It echoes and thunders violently in the sky and stretches out into the horizon. Humans don’t do that on their first try.”

“… yes.” Gawa admitted after a minute of silence. “Yes, I learnt it from a druk. I didn’t know that I could do this back then, but I did learn it from a druk and I’ve seen their lightning first hand while riding one.” The look in Aya-la’s eyes changed again. 

“Who was it? I know of a few.”

 ���Xie, she lives in an old throne room under Mt. Gyerongsan. There’s more that live there, but I haven’t met all of them yet.” She’d come to learn that they had an annoyingly playful nature to them. 

‘Well, you have to explore more to find more, don’t you?’ Xie always winked after she said that. Raiju, mostly because of Jamyang’s good influences, was kind enough to give her hints as he flew about in the room. Xie’s other children only twirled around in the air and giggled when she asked for hints.

“Throne room?”

“Yeah, it was supposedly a master healer’s room?” The greatest healers of the old would be enshrined there, according to texts that were still intact enough. Untouched by time and cared for whoever pushed the wind at her back; that’s only her theory though. With the amount of spiritual activity and the density of the energy there, she wouldn’t be surprised if the authors of the texts themselves were the ones to care for them. “I’m not really sure yet, but the pools of healing water are at the sides of the room and the walls are covered in murals of dual bending animals.”

“Ah! That room.” Aya-la’s eyes lit up with familiarity and she grinned. “It’s still intact after these years?”

“Barely.” She answered. “There're remnants of humans having lived there, damaged cloth, old bowls and utensils. That kind of stuff.”

Aya-la smirked and crossed her arms. “Interesting.” Gawa looked at her, clueless to what she’s remembering.

“There’s a room behind the healer’s room,”

“What?”

“When I last visited, many druks lived there. And there’s a tunnel- there was a tunnel at least behind the mural of a red Buddha that led to a warm pool of water that many were fond of putting their eggs in-,”

“Wait!” She frantically searched her pockets for that one notebook she carried for situations like these. “Let me get something to write with!” She wasn’t going to let something like this go.

Words from someone who’s been there when all the texts she’s been deciphering were being written were priceless.

A feeling settled in her gut when Dölma sat down beside her in the middle of carving Asahi. “So Jamyang, huh?”

“What about her?”

“The famous Jamyang from your letters,” she nudged her shoulder. “the one of your dreams, she’s the one you like.” Gawa’s face warmed, her stomach twisted into ugly knots and she bit back the retort on her tongue. Nope, she’s better than that. No lashing out. 

She put her knife and wood down. “What do you want, Dölma?”

“Nothing.” she held her hand up in surrender. “I just want to know how long? You’ve not expressed much interest in anyone besides Keiko and Channarong.” Channarong excelled with the dao and shéng biāo, and they gave good advice on how she could improve. They built a friendship based on their interests in weapons. That’s normal. Completely normal. That’s how friendships start. The fact that they were attractive wasn’t the topic. “I know you. You don’t deal with this well.”

The corner of her mouth twitched and Gawa opened her mouth and ultimately closed it after four seconds because she couldn’t come up with anything to say. Swallowing hard, she answered. “I don’t know.”

Her mouth was dry, and she wet her lips. “I don’t know.” She repeated and picked up the half finished carving of Asahi and shrugged her shoulders. “A while, I guess?”

Dölma didn’t answer, opting to watch her intently for any reactions. Damn her eyes that could catch the smallest of facial twitches. She was being honest this time!

After a minute of complete silence, except for the wood she was carving, Dölma broke it. “Dearest Jamyang let it slip that blue was her favourite colour when I was checking her ribs.”

“Many like the colour blue.”

“It’s not just any blue,” and she reached up and pointed to her own eyes, “but this shade of blue.” She knew that.

“She even admitted to staring at you while you’re working because she enjoyed seeing the ways your eyes would light up and make them even more beautiful. Her words, not mine.” Gawa swallowed. She’d noticed that recently, too. “She found it upsetting that you’d brush off her compliments about your eyes.”

“They’re not special. Many others have the colour, just like you do.”

“But those words come from her. That makes them special, doesn’t it?” Gawa didn’t answer. She didn’t trust herself in the current moment to answer properly.

“She’d smile whenever she’d get her hands on a sketchbook and you were the subject she was drawing.” Gawa wasn’t going to say anything about that. She’d be a hypocrite if she did. She’d filled out a book and a half with just paintings of Jamyang. Anzan and Aden had caught her smiling many times.

“What are you trying to say?” 

“… I’m trying to say,” dramatic pause, such a cousin’s thing to do. Eye roll. “That I will not live through another romance novel. I’ve had enough dealing with my classmates and their love stories.” The one with little desire for relationships was the go between for those that wanted them. Apa had laughed loudly when she’d asked him to read the letter for her. 

With her older eyes, she knew that Dölma probably shouldn’t have vented her frustrations to a ten year old with their six-year age gap, but she understood why she did it.

“I will make the seven hells a reality if you even so much dare to make me a go between you and her.”

“I know your safety limit, so I don’t worry.” Two and a half times. She could ask her to be a go between two and a half times before her threat pushed through.

The petulant glare she gave her made her feel a little better.

Yutso slid the door open to Jamyang’s room while carrying a plate of food in her other hand.

She stopped and stared mid action at the scene she walked in on. There on the bed laid her daughter with her face nuzzled into her hair and arm around Gawa’s back, asleep. Gawa was cuddled up to her chest, and a hand gripped absently at her outer robes.

This…. this was adorable.

She’s not going to say anything about this. Her lips will forever be sealed. She might or might’ve not cuddled with Rinzen in the same way once, too. (He had muscles at the prime of his health and his hugs always made her feel protected.)

The motherly urge to separate the two because Jamyang was still experiencing some sight problems was strong. But she wasn’t about to do that. She snuck into her room and put the plate of food on the nightstand, it’s enough food so they could share.

Leaning over them, she touched her hand to her temple and soothed the slight irritation she felt. 

Jamyang’s brows furrowed and her eyes blinked drowsily up at her. “Ama?” Her voice husked with sleep. Yutso retracted her hand after brushing through her hair once. “Sleep Jamyang, you need all the rest you can get.”

Her daughter didn’t need more encouragement and fell back asleep. 

Yutso slowly backed out of the room and slid the door closed behind her. She had to bite her lip to not break out into a grin.

Jetsun, who stayed for longer than she’d thought, eventually asked her what was up when she got to the main room where the others were.

“Nothing,” she shrugged her shoulders, ignoring how her voice pitched and how it was a total giveaway. “It’s nothing.”

First thing Gawa noticed when she came to was that she was comfortable. Really comfortable. And well rested. It felt nice.

… there’s a hand in her hair.… Why was there a hand in her hair? Was there an arm around her, too? There was another person in the bed with her. What had happened?

The grip’s tight, no amount of squirming could get her out and it only held her tighter the more she moved.

“Stop moving.” ?! Gawa froze at the voice. “Ja-Jamyang?”

“Hmm?” Her morning voice was just so- she stopped that train of thought immediately. Her thoughts were already racing a hundred miles an hour. If she thought more about her morning voice, then her braid would short circuit. “Why are we in bed?” Getting the biggest questions out of the way first, smart thinking.

Jamyang shifted and loosened the grip around her. “You fell asleep when I was telling you a story, so I picked you up and placed you on the bed. And then I decided to get a nap in as well because I like to sleep.”

Sleeping was nice, Gawa agreed with that. But like this? With Jamyang’s arm around her and her steady heartbeat in her ear? That was something different.

Jamyang rolled away from her and rubbed her face. Gawa immediately missed the warmth.

“I think ama came in at one point, but I don’t know if I dreamt that or not.” She saw?! Gawa cringed at the possibility. Jamyang sat up and stretched her back and eyes did not follow the arch of her back. No, it did not. Whoever said that was lying.

But it did send tingles down to her stomach.

“I haven’t slept this good in a while.”

“No?” Gawa sat up with her and glanced in the smell's direction of bibimbap; a plate of bibimbap, medicine and a cup of tea sat neatly on a tray on the nightstand. Yutso saw.

“No, I haven’t.” She shook her head. “I always sleep better when I sleep with someone.”

Silence.

Gawa blinked at her, half mortified and half amused.

Her blush reached all the way down to her neck. “That’s- that’s not- I don’t mean it in that way. I meant like having another person in bed with me and just sleeping. Nothing else! Just like we did, y’know.” It’s easier to focus on Jamyang’s embarrassment over her fumble than to focus on her own feelings about this situation.

She ducked her head and swallowed hard. “Good to know that I’m nice to sleep with.” That was okay to say, right? She glanced up at her.

“You are.” Jamyang’s look was a little tentative, but also interested. “You’re small enough so you sorta just fit, you know?” What. What did that mean?

They stared at each other for a couple of seconds and Gawa’s acutely aware of the light tint of pink on Jamyang’s cheeks. She’s not going to read into that. Regardless of what Dölma said or not, she had cousin privileges, and her cousin privileges were rarely wrong. That didn’t count.

“Uh, um,” she looked away and grabbed the tray from the nightstand. “Yutso brought you this.” Jamyang’s smile at the bibimbap was adorable. “So I didn’t imagine it.” She drank the cup of medicine, grimacing at the taste.

“What did she do to wake you up?”

“I don’t know.” She mixed everything in the bowl with a pair of chopsticks. Someone made those out of black walnut wood, a nice wood to carve with.

“I woke up with her standing over me. She brushed my hair and urged me to go back to sleep.” She took a bite of the meal and smiled at the taste. “I think she checked my eyes.”

“You’re still experiencing sight problems?”

“Only some headaches and double vision, but that’s it.” She took another bite of the meal and then scooped up some rice and held it out in front of her. “Want some?”

This time, her brain does short circuit. That’s an indirect kiss. And an indirect kiss with- “I promise it’s delicious, Sister Jetsun mixed some of her spices into this.” Did she think while she acted? No. No, she absolutely did not.

It was delicious. Jamyang was right about that. The spice added a light kick to the rice.

She did not think about how intently they stared at each other when she accepted her spoonful of rice. Gawa tried to look away, but got caught in the depth of her eyes.

Did her pupils just dilate?

Jamyang looked away before she could confirm the observation and smiled to herself.

“It’s good, right?”

Gawa nodded, chewing slowly. “Yeah, it is.”

“Do you want more?”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

Aya-la’s arms crossed, and she gave Sister Jetsun the side eye as Jamyang and Tora came walking into the main room of her hideout.

“See? I told you I could do it in two weeks.”

Sister Jetsun sighed. “I guess you were right.”

Gawa’s eyes were as large as saucers when Aya-la gave her old journals and scrolls about the tunnels at Mt. Gyerongsan.

“I included some techniques I’ve seen people use with their lightning generation for you, and I might visit soon if that’s alright if you.”

Gawa gaped. “Uh, uh, of course. Of course it is! Thank you!” She beamed under the fingers, ruffling her hair.

Uma grumbled when she jumped over into her saddle.

Uma’s grumble also made Jamyang look up from whatever she was sketching, smile and make some room for her to sit.

“What are you focusing so hard on?”

“Oh,” she looked down at the sketch. “Just something I saw while visiting the panda village.” She showed her the sketch.

“You saw a lóng?”

“No,” she laughed. “The Guru Panda said it was a lōng. Lōng. Flat tone.”

Gawa frowned. “I’ve never heard of that before. Is it like a cousin or sibling to the lóng?”

“I think so,” Jamyang nodded. “The one I saw didn’t look any different from the lóng in the murals and the texts, just smaller maybe? I couldn’t tell. He was up in the sky performing a sacred dance to bless those living in the village.”

“A dance?”

“Guru Panda said he does it to repay a debt that’s already paid. He also said that the dance is the predecessor of the sword style of the sun.”

“The predecessor of-?! Jamyang, why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” 

“It didn’t come up?”

She whipped out her notebook. “Tell me everything you saw.”

They landed at the western temple at dusk.

Uma nudged her when she twirled off of her. Jamyang hugged her. “I know. I’m happy to be home, too.”

She heard a ‘woosh!’ A mass of weight landed on her chest and her world turned upside down. “Where were you?!” Pushing past a mop of brown hair revealed Yara’s scrunched-up face. “You’re late!”

“I uh, got injured? And it took two weeks to recover.”

“You got injured?! But they said you’d be sa-?!”

“I also found a red panda village.” The fury fell from her face immediately. 

“A village of red pandas?”

“Yup.”

“All red pandas?”

“Yeah.”

“… all red pandas?”

“Yes, everyone was a red panda. I even got to hug one.”

And just like that, she’d diverted her sister’s attention to something cute and adorable instead of her almost dying.

Jaya ran at her, picked her up and spun her around.

“You’re back.” She gasped into her shoulder. “I was so worried.”

“I’m here, I’m here.” She patted her back. Jaya pulled away, and it was only then she noticed the blue arrow on her forehead and her lack of hair. “You-you got your arrows?”

Jaya laughed brightly. “I did. I planned it so that you’d be here, but then Sister Jetsun left in a hurry and I couldn’t delay it anymore.” Jamyang stared at her with her mouth open and took her turn in picking Jaya up and spinning her around.

“I’m sorry for not being there.”

“It’s okay. I heard through the whispers that you got really injured and healing priorities over boring ceremonies.”

“You shouldn’t call them boring.”

“I know, but they were. Good thing is that all of us are tattooed now.”

“All our classmates?”

“Yeah, all of them.” Around 70% of her class had been tattooed before she left. “Dolkar, Norbu, Dölma and Sangye took the ceremony with me and the last group got impatient during the wait and went and got them done at other temples.”

“What?” She pulled back. “No way!”

“They did!” Jaya laughed. “You inspired them.”

“… me?!”

Jamyang side eyed the arrowed monk that stood beside her friend.

Soten, from Karbandi, mainly a non-combatant temple, who also studied at Kinkaku-ji and Senso-ji. He studied many fighting styles from his childhood, but refrained from fighting until they had given every option a chance.

Hm.

Was this the best friend instincts she’s read so much about taking over?

He appeared to be nice and had an attractive face, too. He’d certainly charmed Jaya.

Hmm.

She grabbed her opportunity when Gawa grabbed Jaya by the shoulders. “You were bald before your arrows?”

“Yeah, I was.”

Jamyang hunted him down and cornered him in an empty hallway. “Jamya-,” she grabbed the collar of his robe and held him up to the wall. “Wha-what-,”

“If you ever hurt her,” she held a senbon dipped in poison up to his neck. “I will break all the Vinaya rules, throw away the noble truths and eight precepts, hunt you down and I will personally, make the seven hells your reality. Do you understand?”

He nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, I understand. I wouldn’t dream of ever hurting her.”

“Good.” She let go of him. “Now, let me check if I actually punctured your skin or not.”

“Oh,” he brushed his robes, still shaken up by her threat. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

“I dipped these in poison.”

A messenger hawk sat and waited for her on the desk in her room. It had made friends with Jampo. It perked up when she entered her room later that night. 

“Now who sent you, huh?” She wasn’t expecting anything from anyone. The royal fire emblem stood proudly on the letter tube, Shaohao.

Now, she had received two letters from Fire lord Yosor, one from his younger brother Prince Gonryu and one from Avatar Szeto; it was technically for Sister Tsering, but she got caught up in teaching a class. But this was from Shaohao. The others were rare anomalies that few ever experienced in their lifetimes.

Screwing the lid open, she fished the letter up and unfolded it.

The front of her brows tilted up the more she scanned the letter contents. 

“… I’m scared. My father is sick and the healers say it’s bad this time…”

Jamyang put her outer robe on, grabbed her bag, her pocket of money, her staff and Jampo. “We’re going on a visit.” She tied a headband around her head and picked a pair of black gloves, a gift from Palden. “You can fly with us, right?” The hawk chirped. “We’re going to make a stop on their way there, though. Find somewhere to hide, okay?” The hawk chirped again.

She teleported out to the plaza and landed on unsteady feet -it’s been a while since she’s done that- and took off on her glider with Jampo peeking out of her bag and the hawk soaring beside her.

The hawk flew up to the rooftops. Jampo hid in her bag and she collapsed her staff down before she entered a shop. 

Jamyang picked her two choices and grabbed two cups while she was at it.

“That will be 3,500 yen.” She handed the woman behind the desk the money and put her newly bought items in her bag.

Jampo made a surprised squeak, but the sound was muffled enough so she didn’t hear him.

Jamyang secured her newly bought items in the bag thrown over her shoulders, made sure that Jampo was comfortable and took off on her glider.

The hawk flew in her peripheral vision.

Using the cloudy weather to her advantage, she traveled in one until she reached the Fire nation royal palace, dropping on Shaohao’s veranda.

“Hey,” He yelped and fell off his bed. Jamyang ignored the fact that others could see this as treason and climbed through the window. “I brought alcohol.” The hawk landed on the windowsill with a scratch scratch.

His hair was down from its usual bun, and he was in his sleep wear. His eyes shined in the dark as frowned at her over the side of his bed. “You’re a nun. You’re not supposed to drink alcohol.”

“I’m not,” she pulled out the bottle of sake and shochu out of her bag. “But here I am with two bottles of alcohol.” She went and sat down beside him. “We’re going to drink. You’re going to talk about your feelings and I will keep you company.” 

His stunned expression was hard to make sense of. “But what about your precepts-?”

“It’s okay, I’ll deal with it.” He didn’t look reassured. “I’ve drunk alcohol before.”

“You have?”

“I have, although chang isn’t like sake or shochu from what I’ve heard.” She popped the sake bottle open and poured him a cup. “Sake is more dry and smooth in taste while chang is more bitter, like ciders with a sweet tint to it.”

He took the shot, and Jamyang poured herself a cup. “Sounds interesting. I’m surprised that I haven’t tasted it before.”

“Many visitors are surprised that we have alcohol, but they’re put off by the texture.” She drank her glass and winced at the taste. Stronger than she’s used to.

“What’s the texture like?” He poured himself another glass.

“It sort of looks like fermented horse milk at first glance,” he made a face. “But it’s made of fermented barley.”

He took another shot. “Maybe I could taste it sometime?”

“Bodhi day is coming up at the end of the year. The whole temple smells of fermented barley up toward the day. You can come, if you want. It’s the celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment.”

Shaohao leaned against her shoulder, nodding. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Two bottles of alcohol, many tears and a knocked out Shaohao later.

Moving him up to his bed and tucking him in, Jamyang stumbled on her feet as she cleaned up the bottles and cups. Before she left, she wrote a scribbled note in her drunken haze and placed it underneath his pillow; the corner sticking out.

Jampo stood on his hind legs in her bag and quaked softly at her as she pulled her staff out. “I know I shouldn’t be flying Jampo, but I can’t get caught here.”

If she’s lucky, she could get back in time before the temple woke up. Jamyang took off from his window and flew straight into the nearest cloud. She couldn’t play risky as if she was sober. That was the quickest way to get into trouble.

Jamyang stumbled and promptly face planted when she landed on the temple plaza. It was so tempting to just lay there, but that meant getting herself into trouble.

Dragging herself up at Jampo’s concerned whine, she stumbled into the temple and crashed into someone. So much for trying to stay out of trouble.

“Jamyang?” Arms tightened around her because her legs apparently failed to work and this person was the only reason she was still standing.

“Mmh?” She blinked when the person pulled back to look at her. Ama?

She sniffed at her. “Have you been drinking?” Jamyang laid her head against her shoulder and nodded. That wasn’t the alcohol speaking, that was Jamyang speaking. Lying to ama was just bad, she wouldn’t do that.

“How much?”

“One sake bottle an’ one shochu bottle.”

“Alone?” Were they moving? She couldn’t tell. She shook her head. “No, it was with Shaohao.” Ama went quiet for a couple of seconds. “You snuckinto the royal palace to drink with him?” Jamyang nodded again. “He was sh-sad an’ I thought ‘why not?’ Drinking and talking is good medicine sometimes.”

Ama laid her down on something soft. “That was reckless. You’re still suffering side effects from your injuries, you know. And you flew back in this condition, too?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“What if you got caught, hm?” Ama fussed around her. “What do you do then?”

Jamyang blinked and waved a hand at her. “They haven’t caught me the other times I’ve snuck out and snuck back in.”

“… They haven’t?” Should she have said that?

She shook her head. “I even got poisoned once, and no one caught it.” It wasn’t a pleasant time trying to drag herself back to her room after getting hit with a paralytic senbon.

“Why have you snuck out before?” That’s a trick question, wasn’t it? She shouldn’t answer that. “To train, visit friends and I’ve also visited Gawa whenever she was nearby on her little study trips for the texts she was studying m, but it was mostly to train.”

Ama went quiet again. “… do you like Gawa?” She didn’t know the answer that made sense. These feelings were still confusing. She wouldn’t ask for more if Gawa didn’t want to give it to her and it was okay if they remained as friends.

“Yeah,” a bushy tail touched her jawline. “A lot.” Ama didn’t answer, but she pulled the duvet up to her chin and kissed her forehead.

“I’ll tell the others that you got sick. Sleep well Jamyang.”

“You too, ama.”

Notes:

Heyo, sup. There is an actual admission of feelings here and some tension (I think? I'm still new at writing this) Jamyang sneaks out to drink and does the horrible thing of *Gasp* flying home drunk. How dare she? She then proceeded to do the very stereotypical thing of confessing that she's snuck out other times too and haven't gotten caught. She then confesses to, yes, liking Gawa a lot. I think I'm going to add the idiots to lovers tag on this one, because they are going to be idiots until the confession in later chapters. I think I might add extra scenes because the chapters aren't going to end up even now that I think about it. Jaya's boyfriend is introduced and ahh, I had fun writing that shovel talk scene. Jamyang did in fact puncture skin with that senbon and she spent the next fifteen minutes extracting the poison that had gotten into his bloodstream. Soten didn't mind and they shook hands afterwards. Soten wouldn't be stupid and hurt her friend= Not vengeful Jamyang. All is good.   Words: shéng biāo: Chinese word for rope dart Chang: Tibetan beer Bodhi day: A celebration of Buddhas enlightenment, can be any day from late December to early January

[stickyvoidpaper]

Melli is a dick about torches bc in this au he doesn't need them. He can only make a small amount of fire though. His lightning is insane though. I can't imagine learning from a sphere bending is easy when you have limbs.

Azeru lives to chill and her bending is more like ribbon dancing than tai chi due to lilligant who she learnt it from. It evolves over time to jncorperate more dancing styles. She's got a great understanding of waterbending but she just doesn't really use it as a weapon.

I think both clan leaders would have bare basic healing water bending as they don't really communicate with their pokemon within battles from what I've played so far.

As people become more comfortable with pokemon there are more benders. I think more late game the wardens and Zisu etc would have more than one type of bending to an intermediate proficiency.

As ingo got a head start his bending goes crazy. There isn't bending in the future for reasons I'll get into another time :)

[wisteriashouse]

caged songbird.

pairing: kamado tanjirou x sumiyuri hayami (oc)

genre: genshin!au

word count: 10218

a/n: thank you @hinokami-s​ for trusting me with your commission! i’m sorry that this one took really long to write but i hope you are satisfied with the results!!

The cherry blossoms of Inazuma bloom all year round.

Tanjirou has seen many wondrous trees on his travels through the world of Teyvat, from the great oak growing on Windrise, where the Falcon of the West Vanessa was said to have ascended to Celestia, to the ancient Dragon Queller suppressing Azhdaha’s eroding form in Nantianmen. As breathtaking and beautiful as they have been, however, Tanjirou still finds himself spellbound as he walks under the pink petals falling over the outskirts of Hanamizaka. There’s a soft, subtle fragrance that lingers in the air, tinged with the slightest whiff of lightning and ozone, and when Tanjirou allows the power of Electro to course through his fingertips, the petals gather in the palm of his hand as though drawn to it. A characteristic unique, he has learnt, only to the blooms that flower on the boughs of the Sacred Sakura.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Tanjirou holds up a handful of bright pink petals, the same shade as Nezuko’s eyes, and his younger sister tosses them excitedly into the air to watch them drift down once again. “You always did like pretty things.”

Nezuko responds with a series of happy noises, zooming around his head so fast that he almost goes dizzy for a moment. “Yes, yes, I’ll get you some more to play with later. For now, however, I think we should head to the Kamisato Estate to see how Ayaka is doing after that incident…”

All of a sudden, his younger sister’s eyes light up, before she zooms off in the direction of Hanamizaka’s great cherry blossom tree. She’d always been the faster one between them when they were growing up, but after their encounter with the Unknown God, Nezuko has become too fast for Tanjirou to keep up with. Still, it’s nice to see her so enthusiastic even in this reduced form, Tanjirou thinks, and so follows after her indulgently.

At first, he’s at a loss to what could have captured his sister’s attention this time, but just as he steps into a clearing, stray droplets of water drift through the air and past the tip of his nose. Gathering under the branches, they coalesce together in mid air, turning and twisting, and when they catch the afternoon sunlight just right, they resemble glowing iridescent crystals suspended in time.

“Hydro…?” He’s no stranger to the blue, rippling energy he’s seeing right now. Tartaglia — or Childe, he supposes — had displayed near terrifying mastery over his Vision during their fight at the Golden House. But while Childe’s manifestation of his power had been fierce and unbridled, like a wild, rushing river, the Hydro energy he’s seeing sparkles in the light and refreshes the soul, like blessed rain after a long drought.

When he reaches out, however, the water droplets dart between his fingertips. His gaze follows the path they take, and his eyes come to rest on the small crowd under the giant cherry tree.

The cause for all the attention seems to be a young woman in the middle of the gathering. Even from this distance, Tanjirou can hear her voice ringing out as she sings what seems to be a traditional Inazuman song, her wrists and arms bending while she takes small, fluttering steps, giving the impression that she’s floating over the ground. It’s not quite the same as the dance that Ayaka had gifted him as a performance, but is equally as captivating in other ways he can’t describe. Even Nezuko seems to be spellbound by the sight, finally coming to a rest atop his head as she watches the dance.

As the young lady continues to move to the song she’s singing, blue glimmers — hydro energy! — bubble up from her fingertips to form little animals of all sorts which hop and jump through the air to interact with the audience. One child laughs excitedly as the rabbit leaps over his palms, leaving a small puddle in his hands, while others race after the Hydro birds that flutter above their heads, just out of reach. Their joy and excitement is infectious, and Tanjirou can’t help the smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth as he watches them play and run around in the evening sun.

The young woman performing must feel the same way as well, because her singing is briefly interrupted by the slightest giggle before it picks up in volume once again. Her own happiness is almost as palpable as the children’s, pure and unrestrained in a way that he’s found far too uncommon in the reserved land of Inazuma.

Tanjirou finds himself watching until the sun is dipping behind the horizon, the evening light orange and syrupy as honey. Only when the crowd is dispersing and parents are beginning to pull their children away for their evening meal does he realise just how much time has already passed. With a quiet laugh to himself, he turns to look for his younger sister, feeling more relaxed than he has for a while now.

“That was beautiful, wasn’t it, Nezuko— wait, Nezuko?”

His younger sister is not, in fact, next to him like Tanjirou had last seen. Looking around frantically, Tanjirou tries to spot that familiar pink ribbon and bamboo muzzle, only to see her already flying circles around the lady who had been performing earlier, much to his alarm.

“Nezuko!” He breaks out into a run across the clearing, plucking Nezuko out of the air and into his arms. The young lady looks very shocked at the sight of a flying fairy (which isn’t unexpected, since flying fairies don’t seem to be a common sight around Teyvat), her eyes wide open and hands clasped delicately over her mouth. “I’m so, so sorry for scaring you. Nezuko can get a little excited sometimes, I’m sure she just got too excited after seeing your performance earlier.” He reaches down to pinch Nezuko’s cheek. “You should apologise for scaring the nice lady, Nezuko.”

His younger sister lets out a noise of regret, and blinks up at the lady with those big pink eyes. Nezuko had always been good at charming her way out of sticky situations when she was younger, but after being cursed by the Unknown God, the power of her puppy dog eyes seem to have only increased. It seems just as effective as ever, because the young lady’s expression immediately softens.

“No, no, it was not her fault. I was simply taken by surprise, that is all.” She gives Nezuko a warm smile, long platinum hair falling over one shoulder. Up close, he can see the vision hanging from her hip, glinting like a blue jewel in the evening sun. “So, your name is Nezuko, little one?”

Nezuko chirps happily in confirmation, which draws a quick laugh out of her. Tanjirou notes that her speech is very formal, similar to how Ayaka and Hiiragi Chisato had spoken to him. “It is my pleasure to meet you, Nezuko.” She turns to Tanjirou, lilac eyes sparkling with a hint of curiosity. “May I have the honour of knowing your name as well?”

“I’m Kamado Tanjirou, a humble traveller,” he introduces himself with a bow of the head and a gentle smile. “I’m also Nezuko’s older brother.”

For the second time that day, the lady looks visibly shocked. “Older brother?” She gasps softly, before clapping both hands over her mouth, flustered. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to sound rude. I simply—”

“It’s quite alright,” Tanjirou laughs. The first time he’d told Amber that Nezuko was his younger sister, the young Outrider had thought that Kaeya had put him up to a prank. “My sister was placed under some magic, which is why she appears in the form that you currently see. I assure you that I’m not about to sprout wings and start flying as well.”

At his words, a little giggle escapes her, the line of her shoulders easing ever so slightly. “Well, that is reassuring to know, Kamado-san.” Folding her hands, she gives him a bow, polite and graceful. “Please, just call me Hayami. Is this perhaps your first time in Hanamizaka? I visit the children here every few weeks when my schedule allows, but this is the first time I’ve seen you and your younger sister.”

The way she leaves out her family name does not escape Tanjirou’s notice, but he’s far too polite to pry. Everyone is entitled to their own secrets, including him.

“I’m afraid I’m just a simple traveler.” Tanjirou smiles at her. While the question seems innocent enough, being an outlander in a country under the Sakoku Decree raises far too much suspicion that he’d rather go without. “It was my first time seeing such a beautiful performance with Hydro energy! You must have amazing control over your Vision to be able to create so many animals simultaneously. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

“I realise that you’re a flatterer, Kamado-san.” Hayami looks just a touch flustered, gentle pink spreading across her cheeks — or perhaps that might just be the blush of the setting sun? — but Tanjirou can see the smile she’s fighting back, turning up the corners of her mouth. “It’s a little spin of my own that I put on a traditional Inazuman dance. It used to be a rather common sight until, well…”

The Vision Hunt Decree goes unsaid. Now that he thinks about it, Tanjirou actually realises that he rarely sees anyone using their Visions so openly in Inazuma. Probably because they were hiding them from the Shogunate or carrying about fake glass Visions, just as Yoimiya had said.

Tanjirou has seen the effects of having one’s Vision ripped from its holder firsthand — the empty, hollow eyes and the deadened monotone of their voices — and he wouldn’t wish them on even his worst enemy. Just as Thoma and Ayaka had said, the Raiden Shogun must have her eyes opened to the results of her fruitless chase after eternity, and the Vision Hunt Decree abolished.

But to say so out loud would probably be considered treason against the Bakufu Shogunate, and as pleasant as Hayami has been, he still doesn’t know her well, so Tanjirou settles for a ‘that’s a pity’ instead. For a second, Hayami glances at him out of the corner of her eye, a brief analytical look, and from that alone Tanjirou knows he made the right choice of words.

The lady in front of him is most likely associated with the Tenryou Commission, like Kujou Sara, or at the very least a Shogunate sympathiser. Now that he thinks about it, that would explain why she’s so bold with using her Vision out in the open.

Kaeya would be proud of such a detailed analysis.

“Yes, it’s a pity,” Hayami agrees, and Tanjirou can’t quite place his finger on the tone she’s using. But it doesn’t sound as though she’s too enthusiastic about the Vision Hunt, which throws him off just a little. Maybe he’s misjudged her? “I haven’t been back to Inazuma City for a while though, do you know if there have been any major incidents with the Vision Hunt Deree going on? Or if there’s been any—”

“There you are, Tanjirou!”

Tanjirou has only begun to turn around when an arm slings itself over his shoulders, much to his surprise. Said arm is attached to a sweaty and rosy cheeked Thoma, who looks as though he’s just run here all the way from the Kamisato Estate.

“Thoma? What’s the matter—”

“I’ve been looking for you all day!” Thoma says with a laugh and a brightness that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Milady was thinking about trying out that ‘pizza’ you showed her the other day, so she sent me out to look for you. Apologies for the interruption, General Sumiyuri, but if you would allow me to steal Tanjirou away...”

For a moment, the word ‘General’ confuses Tanjirou — what general is Thoma talking to, is it some sort of code word — before he remembers that Hayami had never told him what her family name was.

Oh. Oh.

“I wasn’t aware of Lady Kamisato’s penchant for making foreign treats,” Hayami — no, General Sumiyuri says mildly, and although her expression hasn’t changed in the slightest, Tanjirou can hear firm steel in her voice that wasn’t there earlier. From the way Thoma’s arm tightens around his shoulder, the two don’t seem to be on very friendly terms. “I must make sure to bring some with me the next time I visit the Yashiro Commission.”

To Thoma’s credit, he maintains his easygoing smile under General Sumiyuri’s piercing stare. “That sounds lovely. Milady loves trying exotic foods.”

General Sumiyuri eyes Thoma for a second longer before she turns her gaze back to Tanjirou, her lilac eyes softening almost imperceptibly. “And Tanjirou, Nezuko, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you around some time, if fate allows it.” She pauses for a moment, and Tanjirou feels his mouth go dry. His sister picks up on his unease, ducking behind his shoulder. “Don’t go around getting into trouble in Inazuma, hm?”

The words sound enough like a friendly reminder, but with the knowledge of her identity, Tanjirou can tell it’s a warning. “The pleasure was mine, Haya— I mean, General Sumiyuri.” He eases the tense line of his lips into what he hopes is a sincere enough smile. “I assure you I won’t go looking for trouble.”

The trouble looks for me, he wants to add on, but decides to keep his mouth shut as Thoma practically manhandles him away, Nezuko flying after the two of them. Only when they’re in the privacy of Komore Teahouse does Thoma slump onto a cushion and let out a massive sigh of relief. “For a second there, I really thought you were gonna get carted away by the Shogunate. You wouldn’t believe how fast I ran when Yoimiya let me know just who you ran into.”

Tanjirou looks around, slightly bewildered. “I don’t see Ayaka here.”

“That was a cover, Tanjirou.”

“Ah.”

“But seriously,” Thoma lifts the teapot and pours out three cups of steaming tea, before pushing one over to Tanjirou. “How did you end up with General Sumiyuri Hayami, of all people? Did she come to question you, or something along those lines?”

“She was playing with some of the village children at Hanamizaka,” Tanjirou explains, taking the cup. “And she didn’t exactly seem like a General when I met her. I think she might have been trying to pry for information, but I didn’t let anything slip.”

Thoma exhales, the tense line of his shoulders easing. “That’s good… The Tenryou Commission has been busy lately, and my inside contacts tell me they’ve been trying to identify the person who broke into the Police Station. If she and General Kujou were just a little closer, we would have to ship you off to Watatsumi tonight.”

Tanjirou swallows, wrapping both hands around the porcelain. The warmth of the tea seeps into his fingers, taking the anxious edge off his nerves. While he’s used to dealing with the unexpected on his travels, both Liyue and Mondstadt had been so welcoming that he’d grown used to letting his guard down. “I’ll be more careful next time around strangers.”

Thoma looks at him for a long while, before he sighs and raises his teacup again. “Look, don’t get me wrong. General Sumiyuri is… a good person, so I don’t want you to have a bad impression of her. She’s lost people she cares about to the Shogun’s Vision Hunt Decree as well. Personally, I think that her loyalty to the Shogunate is because of her family’s position, but I’m in no position to assume anything. Just… keep that in mind.”

Tanjirou looks down into the tea cup in his hands, and remembers the laughing, dancing woman under the cherry blossoms of Hanamizaka.

“I will.”

The boat ride to the resistance stronghold is a quiet, sombre affair.

The resistance stronghold on Yashiori Island is a considerable distance and accessible only by the sea, so Ayaka and Thoma sneak him out of Narukami Island under the cover of darkness on a moonless night. As the small waverider pulls away from the shore, Tanjirou gazes up at the shadow of Tenshukaku looming over the waters. Somehow, it feels as though the Shogun’s gaze hasn’t left him at all, even when Narukami Island disappears from sight.

Tanjirou can still feel the electricity crackling through his body, and smell the singe of charred hair and skin. When he closes his eyes, the blood red sky of the Raiden Shogun’s domain appears in his mind, the pressure of an ever watchful gaze on him.

The eyes of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God are empty and unfeeling as they watch him lie limp on the ground, and Thoma’s yells of panic are hoarse with desperation. Tanjirou cannot muster the strength to open his eyes, but the sharp scent of ozone chokes the air from his lungs and the crackling of lightning accompanying footsteps only seems to grow louder. There’s a hand on his shoulder shaking him, and he cannot die here, because he has a sister to protect and to turn back, but the lightning is only drawing closer and—

—he startles awake to see Nezuko hovering above him, her pink eyes filled with visible worry.

Right. He’s on board a waverider, its course set for the stronghold of the Sangonomiya Resistance, Fort Fujitou. When he looks out of the window, the only thing he can see is the eerie purple glow of Tatarasuna in the distance as the boat skims over the waves. Returning to his seat, Tanjirou wraps himself back in his travelling blanket, trying to keep his nerves at bay. He can still feel that eye on his back, still watching, still waiting…

“Mmm!” Nezuko waves her arms to catch his attention, brows furrowed. “Mmmhmm!”

Tanjirou translates that into ‘are you alright?’ It’s no surprise that Nezuko is still on edge as well. After what happened at the Vision Seizing Ceremony, he’d be more surprised if his sensitive younger sister weren’t affected by it.

“Yes, I’m quite alright, Nezuko. Just a bad dream, that’s all.” He reaches out and rests one hand on top of her fluffy hair, both to comfort her and calm his own racing heartbeat. “No need to worry, we’ll be at the resistance stronghold soon, where the Raiden Shogun can’t reach. We’ll be safe there.”

Nezuko buries herself in his arms, and Tanjirou strokes her hair until she falls asleep there. Lulled by the steady rocking of the waverider, Tanjirou drifts off after her as well. When he rouses once more, the sun is already starting to rise over the water’s edge, and Nezuko seems to have already pilfered his bag for her favourite snack, stuffing her mouth with konpeito.

“That’s not a proper breakfast food, Nezuko,” Tanjirou chides lightly, but decides to let it go just this once in view of yesterday’s events. Instead, he pulls out his own breakfast — a simple umeboshi onigiri — and turns to watch as the waverider continues to speed over the waves

He disembarks the waverider at Nazuchi Beach, intending to continue to Fort Fujitou on foot as per Thoma’s instructions, but the second the tip of his shoes touch soft sand, he hears a cry of help.

Whipping around, Tanjirou turns to see a young man in a uniform he doesn’t recognise, and more importantly, being kicked to the ground by two Shogunate soldiers with his weapon a few feet from him. Although he doesn’t know who the victim is, no helpless person deserves to be treated in that manner, so Tanjirou draws his own sword.

“Nezuko, hide,” is all he says before he flies into action, launching himself against the soldiers.

A burst of anemo sends the two of them flying back. Before either can react, Tanjirou presses up with his sword, not giving them any time to gain their bearings. One crashes to the ground, while the other manages to block the hit with his own sword.

“Another of the resistance?” He snarls through gritted teeth, and Tanjirou sucks in a gasp when he catches sight of a Hydro Vision on the man’s hip. He ducks sharply when a slash of Hydro energy comes his way, but the second strike he blocks.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Tanjirou tries to say as reasonably as possible, but the man doesn’t seem to want to listen. Instead, he lunges again and aims for Tanjirou’s neck without holding back.

Sighing, Tanjirou allows Electro energy to crackle over his palm, spinning out of the way of the attack before putting his hand on the soldier. The towering mountain of a man collapses in an instant like a puppet with its strings cut.

Tanjirou turns to look for the other soldier. “Now, as for you…” His eyes widen when he sees that the other soldier has drawn a bow from somewhere and already has an arrow nocked. It’s not aimed at him, but instead at…

The arrow flies towards its target, straight and true. The young man on the ground scrambles back, eyes squeezing shut as death approaches, but Tanjirou throws his arm out, and a pillar of condensed Geo energy bursts out of the ground to take the projectile instead.

“T-thank… Geo… Electro… h-huh?” The man gets out between gasps, but Tanjirou immediately whirls back to look at the Shogunate soldier, who’s already drawing back another arrow. Before he can release it, however, a massive flaming blade comes out of nowhere and cuts the soldier’s bow clean in half.

Tanjirou doesn’t even have time to feel surprised when a hand follows up with a strike to the neck, and just like his fellow comrade, the soldier crumples to the beach with a gasp. Behind him stands a man with fiery red and yellow hair, dressed in armour and a haori with flames patterned at the hem. In his hand is a claymore, which he’s wielding as easily as a single-handed sword, the steel a glowing gold from the heat of the flames. The thing that stands out to Tanjirou the most, however, is the effusive smile on his face, completely out of place on a battlefield such as this.

“General Rengoku!” The man he’d saved struggles to stand, and Tanjirou moves to help him to his feet. “What are you doing here at the front lines?”

The man he’d called General Rengoku just laughs merrily as he strides over to them, extinguishing his claymore with a flick of the wrist. Now that Tanjirou has a proper chance to look, he can see the fiery Vision glowing crimson on his hip.

“General Gorou heard that some commotion was going on at Nazuchi Beach and asked if I could investigate, but I didn’t expect to see you running into trouble like this, Teppei!” Teppei flushes all the way up to his ears, while Tanjirou takes a step back. The General’s voice is loud, but not in an unpleasant way. “Thank you for saving one of my men!”

Tanjirou startles when he realises that the General is talking to him. He allows his sword to fade away to show he means no harm, inclining his head politely to the man. “It was no problem at all, really. I just did what anyone else would have done in my position.”

Teppei shakes his head vigorously. “No, no, you practically saved my life back there! If you hadn’t come, I’d probably be turned into sliced sashimi right now.” He squints at Tanjirou, frowning. “You’re not dressed like one of the resistance, though. Have you come looking to sign up?”

Tanjirou nods. “I have. I was heading to Fort Fujitou to meet with the person in charge when I ran into you.”

“That’s great!” Teppei looks like he’s about to burst out of his armour with excitement. “Just yesterday, I heard General Gorou complaining about how desperate we are for more people. With the support of such an amazing fighter on our side, you’ll definitely make a huge difference. Let me escort you back to our camp, I—”

General Rengoku cuts in with a hand on his shoulder. “Your arm is bleeding, Teppei!”

The soldier lets out a yelp when he catches sight of the shallow cut on his arm. “Oh, ouch! I didn’t notice it, I…” He glances back at Tanjirou, and then at his general.

“See yourself to the field hospital, Teppei!” The general says with a booming laugh, amusement in his eyes. “Your health comes first, I’ll bring him to our camp once I’m done confirming some things with him.”

At that, Teppei relaxes, smiling brightly again. “Then I’ll leave you to it, General! And thank you once again for saving me, mysterious saviour!”

“My name is Kamado Tanjirou!” Tanjirou calls after him as he sets off at a quick pace. General Rengoku turns to look at him with a smile. “So, Kamado-shounen, you’ve come to join the resistance?”

Tanjirou is a little taken aback by the man’s enthusiasm, but it’s not something he doesn’t like, especially in such a solemn and reserved country. “I have some… disagreements with the way the Raiden Shogun chooses to pursue eternity,” He explains, and General Rengoku nods empathetically. “So I thought I’d lend a hand to the resistance.”

“I saw that you have great control over the elements! It’s very impressive, considering how young you look!” Tanjirou feels a warm hand rest on top of his head. The touch is so reassuring that Tanjirou feels as though all his troubles have just vanished for a moment. “Still, I do not think I’ve ever seen someone wield more than one element, let alone three different elements. Do you have multiple Visions on you, Kamado-shounen?”

Tanjirou’s cheeks flush slightly from the praise, but shakes his head. Most of the time, he’d prefer not to tell people too much about his ability to resonate with Statues of the Seven, but it feels all too easy to tell everything to this warm general. “I have an ability to use elements when I touch Statues of the Seven. So far I’ve only been to three countries in Teyvat, so I only have three elements at the moment.”

He says this as easily as possible, but watches General Rengoku out of the corner of his eye. Tanjirou isn’t too sure how he’ll react — most of the people who know that he can manipulate more than one element are either friends he’s known for awhile (or just battle-hungry Tartaglia who wouldn’t care if he had three arms as long as it made the fight more entertaining) — it could be both positive or negative.

“That’s fantastic! I think you’ll be a wonderful asset to the resistance.” General Rengoku smiles so brightly that Tanjirou almost questions whether the sun in the sky is embarrassed by it. He can’t help the shy smile that forms on his face. So, a positive reaction. That’s a relief… “Would you mind having a fight with me?”

Tanjirou’s smile turns a bit nervous. “Fight with… you, General Rengoku?” Archons above, not another Tartaglia, please…

General Rengoku lets out another one of those loud, booming laughs, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be nervous, Kamado-shounen. Since you’re looking to join the resistance, I’d like to assess your martial capabilities through a spar. Besides,” he gives Tanjirou a large grin, “how a person fights tells you a lot about their character. Since we don’t have a lot of time to get to know each other, let’s do that by crossing blades!”

So he’s not another Tartaglia. Tanjirou breathes a quiet sigh of relief, before drawing his sword. While the request might seem a little eccentric, Tanjirou doesn’t see anything that he disagrees with. “You’re not wrong,” he gives the General a smile. “Let’s do it, then.”

General Rengoku grins broadly, as his claymore materialises in his hand. “It’s my honour, Kamado-shounen!”

Five duels later, Tanjirou is flat on his back in the sand and panting for breath. General Rengoku puts away his claymore and approaches him wearing a huge grin, reaching down to offer him a helping hand. “Four to one! Not bad at all, Kamado-shounen!”

Tanjirou looks up at him incredulously as he takes his hand. The general’s palm is scarred and calloused against his own. “Four to one is not bad? General Rengoku, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. I clearly still have a lot to learn.”

General Rengoku is a warm, friendly man, but Tanjirou has seen just how easily that warmth had turned into scorching heat. Aside from having seemingly limitless stamina and enough strength to wield a claymore like an ordinary sword, he’s surprisingly nimble on his feet and makes rapid decisions even in the heat of a fight. Adding on to that, his control over his Vision was stunning to watch.

“Surely you will do better against me once you travel to Fontaine and obtain mastery over Hydro,” General Rengoku smiles, not looking the least bit winded. “And it is not often I get to spar against someone else near my skill in swordplay. General Gorou is a strong fighter, but prefers a bow. It was a most satisfying experience, and I think that we will get along like a house on fire”

He squeezes Tanjirou’s shoulder with a grin.

“Welcome to the resistance, Kamado-shounen.”

Tanjirou’s showing a few recruits archery when their little training session is interrupted by the smell of roasted sweet potatoes.

“Senjurou!” Tanjirou greets the younger boy brightly as the soldiers race to devour the food that Senjurou has brought. The ever thoughtful boy has also prepared cups of green tea for them to wash down the snacks that he’s brought. “Thank you for the food, it’s really kind of you.”

Just like his older brother, Senjurou’s smile is radiant. “It’s no problem at all!” He chirps brightly, watching the hungry soldiers stuffing their mouths. “I’m really no good at anything related to fighting, so this is how I can contribute my part to the resistance effort, even if it’s not worth a lot.”

“Don’t say that,” Tanjirou begins to scold, but before he can say anything more, a large hand settles atop of Senjurou’s head.

“Are those sweet potatoes?” General Rengoku asks, eyes bright as he reaches for one. “Thank you for making these, Senjurou. I’ve been hungry for the whole day now.”

“Brother!” Senjurou looks up at his older brother with adoring eyes. Tanjirou smiles fondly at the two of them, eyes instinctively searching for Nezuko until he spots her trying to tug arrows from the training dummies. Tanjirou holds back a small laugh. In her own way, Nezuko is trying to help as well.

The lighthearted atmosphere is soon broken, however, by the arrival of a resistance soldier hurrying to the training grounds.

“General Rengoku! General Rengoku!” His uniform is drenched with sweat, and there’s a note of panic in his voice. “The Shogun’s Army is attacking, led by General Kujou Sara herself! General Gorou is requesting your assistance at the front lines now!”

The rest of the soldiers immediately break into frightened, hushed whispers. The thought that the Shogun’s Army has already made it all the way here, with General Kujou Sara leading the confrontation no less…

“Understood!” General Rengoku rises to his feet. Although the situation is tense, the General’s smile has not faltered one bit, and it gives confidence to the rest of the soldiers with them. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“G-general, we can fight too!” One of the soldiers he was teaching to shoot earlier — Masashi, if he remembers correctly — steps forward. “If we get our weapons now, we can assist you, General Rengoku!”

Tanjirou knows that most of them are relatively new recruits, still wet behind the ears, and not at all ready for a confrontation with the Shogun’s Army. The recruits are brave, courageous, yes, but they would only get hurt if they go onto the battlefield now. Still, trying to dissuade them would cost valuable time…

“I need reliable soldiers to guard the fort while I head down to the front lines! If both Generals are at the battlefield, I do not know if the Shogun’s Army will attempt an attack on our stronghold while I am away!” General Rengoku says with a bright grin. “Masashi, I need you and the rest watching over the fort. Understood?”

Masashi looks like he’s caught between wanting to protest and sighing in relief, but eventually nods with a quick bow and runs off to organise the rest of the men. “Kamado-shounen, you will come with me! Your skills would be more useful on the battlefield.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Travelling by foot would be too slow, so the two of them glide across Musoujin Gorge with their wind gliders before running over to Nazuchi Beach, where the front lines are stationed. Fortunately for them, it seems that the battle has not begun, both parties with their weapons at the ready in a tense standoff on the sandy strip of beach.

Unfortunately for them, however, even from this distance Tanjirou can see that the Shogun’s forces outnumber the resistance’s. And they seem to be demanding for him.

“I’m sure you’ve seen the arrest warrants,” Kujou Sara is saying. “I trust that the Traveler is somewhere among your forces now. I will make you a deal. Hand him over and you’ll buy yourself some time for your forces to heal. A respite from this bloodshed would be advantageous to both sides, would it not?”

Gorou sounds like he’s about to start snarling. “So that’s why you brought reinforcements. So that you could—”

“He’s expendable to the resistance, is he not? He’s barely been among you for a few weeks.”

Tanjirou makes a face (that’s not a very nice thing to say, General Kujou), and General Rengoku catches sight of it. “I’m fine,” Tanjirou mouths, but the man takes none of it. Before Tanjirou can convince him otherwise, General Rengoku steps out to the front of the resistance troops to stand beside Gorou.

“That’s where you’re wrong, General Sara!” He laughs, looking not the least bit worried about the situation that they’re currently in. “Kamado-shounen is a resistance member through and through. We won’t be surrendering him to you, I’m afraid.”

General Kujou presses her lips into a thin line, but to Tanjirou’s surprise, she doesn’t look too displeased at General Rengoku’s sudden appearance. Instead, she just looks… tired and exasperated. “Rengoku-san, I must ask again that you refrain from calling me by name after you defected from the Shogun’s Army.”

Tanjirou’s eyes widen at that. General Rengoku defected from the Shogun’s Army?

“General Rengoku is right,” Gorou adds, folding his arms across his chest. “Kamado Tanjirou is a comrade. The resistance never betrays its own, and Her Excellency has made that clear to everyone from the very beginning.”

The tengu general lets out a sigh at their words, but before she can say anything else, Tanjirou decides to announce his presence by stepping up next to the two generals. “And I’ll be sure to fulfil my responsibilities as one of the resistance.”

To Kujou Sara’s credit, she doesn’t look surprised to see him there. “The fact that you choose to show up here proves that you have more bravery in you than I originally thought. And now that you are here, I have a proposal… why not represent the resistance in a fight of honour?”

Gorou shakes his head. “You’re just trying to create an opportunity to capture him!”

“But it would be a huge boost in morale to your troops, wouldn’t it?” Kujou Sara shrugs, looking completely unbothered by Gorou’s accusations. Her piercing golden eyes come to rest on Tanjirou. “So, what will your choice be, Traveler?”

Tanjirou considers this very carefully. He can hold his own in a fight, and it’s true that the resistance troops could use a boost in morale. They’ve been doing their best to hold off wave after wave of soldiers from retaking Tatarasuna, and many of their friends or comrades are lying in the field hospital, injured.

“Don’t worry,” Tanjirou murmurs to Gorou. “I won’t lose.”

“That’s not really what I’m worried about,” Gorou begins to say, but Tanjirou has already stepped out from the ranks to face Kujou Sara. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Tanjirou steels himself and summons his blade into his hand.

“Face me, then.”

Kujou Sara, however, shakes her head. “I am not the one who will be facing you. Instead…” she steps to the side, and Tanjirou’s eyes widen to see a vaguely familiar face standing behind her, “General Sumiyuri will be the one to challenge you instead.”

A pair of lilac eyes meet his, cold and bordering on emotionless, unlike the warm, friendly woman he had met in Hanamizaka just a few weeks ago. General Sumiyuri’s long platinum hair is done up and out of her face with an ornamental hairpin, her armour and pauldrons stamped with the insignia of the Raiden Shogun’s army. And with the massive claymore in her hand, she looks every bit a warrior ready for battle.

Still, there’s a subtle downward turn to her mouth and a slight pinch to her brows that makes Tanjirou just a little hopeful. What she says next, however, makes it feel like cold water is being dumped down the back of his shirt.

“I did warn you not to go looking for any trouble while you were in Inazuma, Kamado-san,” General Sumiyuri steps forward, lifting her weapon with ease. The Hydro energy that had once been used to bring joy to the village children now swirls around her blade, imbuing it with a rippling blue glow.

“The honour of the Almighty Shogun is in your hands now, General Sumiyuri,” Kujou Sara calls, taking a step back. Just like that, only the two of them are left in the narrow strip of beach between the two clashing forces. The weight of all the gazes on the two of them is suffocating, but in that moment, it feels as though they are the only ones who exist in the world.

Tanjirou swallows, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. “I’m afraid trouble is the one that comes looking for me,” he says. Both of them are circling each other without attacking, like some sort of tango, but the way their gazes meet in the middle is piercing enough to cut through stone. “General Sumiyuri— no, Hayami, I can see that you don’t want to do this.”

For a moment, Hayami’s eyes falter, but before Tanjirou can even breathe a sigh of relief, they instantly harden once again.

“You see wrong,” is all she says, before she lunges at him.

The way General Sumiyuri Hayami fights is as captivating to watch as her dance, in how her claymore swings in perfectly controlled arcs as her feet dart over the ground. Each step is graceful and elegant, as though the massive weapon she’s hefting is weightless in her hands, and the fierce determination burning in her eyes does not waver.

Tanjirou blocks a slash of Hydro with his sword and ducks beneath another, throwing out just enough Electro energy to stun, not incapacitate. Much to his surprise, however, the General almost seems to vanish in the blink of an eye right before him. Tanjirou is still looking around for a sign to where she could have gone when she reappears behind him in a flash of blue, the edge of her claymore already dangerously close to his neck.

If Tanjirou’s battle reflexes were just a little less well honed than they are, he would have received far worse than the shallow cut on his cheek. Retreating back a few steps, Tanjirou compresses the Anemo energy within him until it’s on the verge of bursting free. When he releases it, the Anemo energy takes on the form of a twisting tornado that throws the General off balance.

He follows up with another attack. General Sumiyuri dances out of its path and lunges. Tanjirou spins, narrowly avoiding the huge blade, and slashes with his own sword.

Sparks fly as their blades lock, steel grinding against steel. Normally, no sword would be able to hold out against the full weight of a claymore, but this dull blade has been a trusty companion on Tanjirou’s travels across Teyvat. Digging his feet into the ground, he presses back, arms stiff with the strain.

Caught in a stalemate, Tanjirou’s eyes meet General Sumiyuri’s, their gazes as immovable as their blades. Neither are willing to budge an inch.

“General,” Tanjirou whispers under his breath so that no one else can see, “surely you know that even your own Vision will be taken in the end, don’t you? Why do you still continue to fight for this cause?”

The general attempts to sweep his feet out from under him with a burst of Hydro, but is firmly blocked by a Geo formation Tanjirou summons from the ground. “I am loyal to the Shogun,” General Sumiyuri snaps at him, but there’s a hint of frustration in her eyes — whether it's regarding this battle or something else, Tanjirou doesn’t know. “I will obey her orders without question, no matter what they are.”

“No matter what they are?” Tanjirou questions, remembering what Thoma had told him in Komore Teahouse. “Even if they get people you care about hurt?”

Thoma really hadn’t elaborated much about how the General had been affected by the Vision Hunt Decree, but whatever Tanjirou says seems to cut straight to the General’s heart. For a second, General Sumiyuri’s mask of apathy almost cracks down the middle, her expression crumbling, before it’s replaced with what looks like fury.

“You dare?” General Sumiyuri hisses, forcing Tanjirou back with an explosion of Hydro energy that sends him stumbling back. “As if I have not tried to resist, and escape the shackles of my duty? As if I have not lost what was most dear to me already?”

Tanjirou manages to regain his footing and block the next slash coming his way. “And now, you’re doing the same to others, General?” He does feel bad for saying things like this, but it’s the truth, and the General needs to realise that.

Their blades clash in the middle again, both locked in an impasse. Before the General can reply, however, Kujou Sara speaks up.

“Stronger than I anticipated, Traveller… this contest has served its purpose.” Before Tanjirou can ask what purpose she’s talking about, she raises her bow into the air with a rallying shout. “Soldiers, attack! Glory to the Shogun, and her everlasting reign!”

“Everyone, to me!” He hears Gorou call from behind him, before the battlefield plunges into a whirlwind of violence and chaos. His eyes search for General Sumiyuri, but all he manages to catch sight of is the end of her long platinum hair before she vanishes into the ranks of the Shogun’s forces.

A heavy hand squeezes his shoulder, and he looks up to see General Rengoku looking at him later with a complicated expression on his face.

“Later,” is all he says, before he enters the fray as well in a blaze of fire. Nodding, Tanjirou pushes aside all thoughts of those vulnerable lilac eyes and leaps into the fight as well.

There are more important things at hand right now.

After the battle on Nazuchi Beach, Tanjirou is helping General Rengoku with a shallow cut on his forearm when the man speaks up, completely unprompted.

“So, what do you want to know, Kamado-shounen? I can feel your stare on me, you know.”

Tanjirou looks up at the man in surprise. “I didn’t know I was being so obvious,” he says, embarrassed, but the General only laughs. “I’m not sure… I feel like I might have said some hurtful words to Haya— I mean, General Sumiyuri that might have opened up some old wounds, but at the same time, if they help to convince her that the Shogun’s path is not right, then…”

General Rengoku pats him lightly on the head. “You’re a good person, Kamado-shounen, to worry about the feelings of even your enemies. I do agree with you — Hayami would be far more liberated if she were to defect and join the resistance like I did! Deep down, I believe that she wants to.”

He calls Hayami by name as well? “Right, I forgot that you defected as well, Rengoku-san.” Tanjirou finishes tying off the bandage and takes a seat next to the General, both of them watching over the fire in the middle of the fort. It’s rather quiet here, the rest of the soldiers either tending to their wounds or passed out from the tiring battle. “What happened to you that made you want to defect?”

The fiery general considers this for a moment, poking at the logs with a long stick. “The Rengoku family has been serving the Shogunate and the Tenryou Commission for generations. Our lineage has produced the finest Pyro wielders in this country since the days of the Archon War, and our loyalty is unshakeable. However,” he trails off, and it's the most contemplative Tanjirou has ever seen the general. “When the Sakoku Decree and the Vision Hunt Decree were put into place, we were forced to choose: our loyalty to the Shogun, or our loyalty to the people of Inazuma?” He tosses the stick into the fire, watching as it’s swallowed by the flames. “To me, the answer was obvious. It took a while to convince my father, but eventually we defected to the side of the resistance. Her Excellency and the people of Watatsumi have been nothing but kind to us.”

“The Vision Hunt Decree really does hurt the people of Inazuma, doesn’t it?” Tanjirou mutters quietly. General Rengoku nods.

“Hayami, on the other hand, is not as fortunate as I am,” he continues, expression more grave this time. “The Sumiyuri family is a clan with immense power and a lineage that runs as far back as my own, but their means to the influence and wealth they possess is something that I would never be able to abide. Their matriarch practically forced Hayami into her role as one of the Tenryou Commission’s generals to earn more favour in the Shogun’s eyes.”

Tanjirou blinks in shock. “That’s terrible, and no parent should ever do that to their own child. Can’t she refuse?”

The general shakes his head. “As powerful and highly ranked as General Sumiyuri is, she is still considered the daughter of the Sumiyuri family above that. If she were to go against them, tongues would wag. Not to mention that if she were to defect, there would be consequences for those involved with her, and…” he lets out a sigh, “Hayami has already lost enough people who are dear to her.”

So this is what Thoma had meant. That explains why she had reacted so strongly to his words during their duel earlier. “What happened?”

General Rengoku hesitates for a moment, but eventually speaks. “When I was still in the Shogunate, I knew Hayami well. She had a friend in the army just like her, named Gushiken Akari. In fact, they were so close that they were like sisters… if not something more. When the Vision Hunt Decree began, Akari challenged the Shogun to a duel before the throne.”

This story is starting to sound all too familiar. “And she lost,” Tanjirou mutters, now realising why General Sumiyuri had felt so reluctant yet so hopeless. General Rengoku’s silence is confirmation enough. While Kazuha had broken free of every bond and fled Inazuma with the Crux, Hayami had resigned herself to the situation.

The two of them sit in silence for a moment, before General Rengoku sighs. “I’d like for her to defect as well, but to ask her to go against her parents and her family… I don’t want to put her in a more difficult spot than she is already. Still…” he reaches into his sleeve, before slowly drawing something out. In the flickering light of the fire, Tanjirou recognises it as a splintered piece of wood, the edges singed black.

“... this is?”

“After I heard of Akari’s challenge, I headed straight to Tenshukaku to plead clemency on her behalf. By the time I got there, it was too late, and all I managed to find was this,” he places the piece of wood in Tanjirou’s palm, “a broken piece of Gushiken Akari’s naginata. The night I defected, I tried to convince Hayami to join me, but she staunchly refused. I didn’t want to hurt her any more than she already was, so I didn’t give this to her.”

Tanjirou looks down at the splintered piece of wood in his hand, fingers curling around it hesitantly. “So, why give it to me now?”

“Because you have a kind and pure soul,” General Rengoku says, and before Tanjirou can protest, continues, “and because I believe that you’ll be able to rescue Hayami. You’re an outlander, a traveller, are you not? While the rest of us may be bound by culture or to this land, you don’t have to submit to anything or anyone, and that’s exactly what Hayami needs.” He squeezes Tanjirou’s shoulder tightly.

“If you see her, please give that to her and ask her to listen to reason… and to her own heart.”

Kannazuka is eerily silent at night.

Kokomi had requested that Tanjirou head to the site of the Mikage Furnace to check some strange fluctuations, and as the only one with resistance to Tatarigami energy, he’s obligated to go. The trek across Nazuchi Beach and uphill to the Tatarasuna takes a while, but he’s grateful for the time to think and clear his mind in solitude.

While what General Rengoku shared tonight had made him rethink what he said during the duel, he’s only more determined than ever to put an end to this senseless internal conflict going on within Inazuma. But although the country would be a far more peaceful place with the Vision Hunt Decree abolished, Tanjirou realises that General Sumiyuri would still be trapped under the thumb of her parents and her clan.

“I believe you’ll be able to rescue Hayami.”

Chewing on his bottom lip, Tanjirou sighs as he makes his way up to Tatarasuna. He’d like to help her too, but how can he possibly do that? And while they are both on opposing sides of a hostile war…

The moment he crests the hill, Tanjirou is met with the Statue of the Raiden Shogun and instantly gasps when he catches sight of the person standing before it. General Sumiyuri Hayami’s arms are crossed over her chest in thoughtful contemplation as she gazes upon the carved visage of the Raiden Shogun, although Tanjirou’s appearance causes her to whirl around.

“Kamado Tanjirou,” General Sumiyuri says calmly, although the claymore materialising in her hand is anything but. “You’re a wanted fugitive and charged with defying the order of the Almighty Shogun. I will be arresting you now.”

“You’re on resistance territory,” Tanjirou points out, Anemo energy gathering in his palm behind his back. If she attacks, he’ll have to make a quick getaway and report back to Kokomi. But just as Rengoku-san had said, there is a chance that she just might listen to reason.

General Sumiyuri gives him a look. “All of Inazuma belongs to the Raiden Shogun. Those who oppose her will soon be crushed by the Shogunate forces. Their resistance is hopeless.”

“And yet they fight on,” Tanjirou answers calmly, taking one step forward. General Sumiyuri does not move to attack, her lilac eyes trained on him. “Even though they have lost much, and know that they might lose more in resisting, they continue to do so. And you should too, Sumiyuri Hayami.”

Her eyes narrow. “You know something about me,” she says at last. “Did Rengoku-san say something that he shouldn’t have?”

“No, only what he should have.” Letting the Anemo energy in his hand dissipate, he reaches into his pocket slowly, General Sumiyuri’s eyes following every action. “He also entrusted this to me, and asked me to give it to you.”

For a moment, she simply stares at the fragmented piece of wood in Tanjirou’s outstretched hand, before recognition dawns on her. A myriad of emotions, despair, pain, grief, follows on its heels. “That’s…”

“What’s left of Gushiken Akari’s weapon,” Tanjirou explains. “And I’ll give it to you if you listen to me speak, just for a while. Whether you agree or not in the end, I’ll return it to you. It should belong to you, after all.”

General Sumiyuri’s eyes harden. “Or I could capture you right now and take it from you by force.”

“But you won’t.” Tanjirou’s playing a dangerous gamble here, but part of him believes that the laughing, dancing girl he saw beneath the cherry tree wasn’t an illusion. “Let’s talk, and I’ll return it to you.”

Seconds stretch out into minutes, and minutes stretch on into what seems like an eternity, before finally, General Sumiyuri allows her claymore to dissipate with a flick of the hand. Breathing a quiet sigh of relief, Tanjirou returns his sword to where it came, leaving the both of them unarmed for a moment.

“Speak.”

Her eyes are still hard, unwavering. “I know that you don’t really want to obey the Raiden Shogun’s orders,” Tanjirou begins hesitantly, waiting for the General’s reaction. To his surprise, she does not deny this, just keeps watching him with those eyes. “You don’t want to take others’ Visions. I talked to some of the Resistance members who ran into you when fleeing from the Tenryou Commission, and some said that you turned a blind eye to their escapes. Why didn’t you defect together with Rengoku-san when he asked?”

General Sumiyuri crosses her arms over her chest, but her mouth is pulled into a tight line that reveals her true emotions. “The resistance has no chance of standing up to the might of the Shogun. As much as I hate to admit it, Kujou Sara is right. They’ve only held out for this long because of Sangonomiya Kokomi’s tactics and strategy, but they won’t be able to resist much longer. It’s a losing battle, Kamado-san.”

“You can’t be sure of that,” Tanjirou points out. “Besides, while the Shogun’s Army might be stronger, is it a side you want to support? If it’s what you truly want, then I’ll hand this to you and leave. But it isn’t, is it?”

Her stare weighs heavy on him for a long, long while — Tanjirou counts that almost a full minute passses before she speaks again. “You presume much for someone I’ve only met once under non-hostile circumstances,” the general comments tonelessly, although her eyes say everything that her mouth doesn’t. Tanjirou is just about to make a run for it when she suddenly lets out a sigh. “Although, I suppose Rengoku-san always did say that if one is a good enough swordsman, just clashing blades once would be more than sufficient to learn about a person’s character.”

Tanjirou blinks in surprise at her bringing up General Rengoku, but that seems to put her a little more at ease. Her shoulders relax just the slightest, and she reaches up to tug at the end of her long hair — the first sign of discomfort or unsurety he’s seen from her.

“Sure, the resistance might succeed in getting the Raiden Shogun to abolish the Vision Hunt Decree, but will that prevent the Raiden Shogun from being the archon that presides over Inazuma?” The platinum blonde locks slip between her fingers. “There will surely be consequences for those who have defied the Shogun’s orders, and my family…” her fingers fall to twist so tightly into the fabric of her sleeves that her knuckles go white, “they will surely punish me for rebelling against the Shogunate.”

For a battle worn and staunch general to be so worried at the thought of her parents’ anger… Tanjirou can’t help the frisson of anger that runs through him. No child should ever fear their parents like this, and no parent should ever give them reason to.

“I know this might sound selfish, and even cowardly for a general. But these are my worries, Kamado Tanjirou. What exactly am I supposed to do after the war ends?” This time when General Sumiyuri’s eyes meet his, those lilac eyes are filled with sorrow, and a hint of vulnerability. For a moment, Tanjirou wonders if asking her to defect is the correct choice. “It’s not as simple as just defecting as and when I wish.”

While the rest of us may be bound by culture or to this land, you don’t have to submit to anything or anyone, and that’s exactly what Hayami needs.

He has an idea. It sounds preposterous, almost ridiculous to ask this of someone he’s barely met, but if it will set her free, then…

“After the war ends, regardless of which side wins…” Tanjirou begins, hesitant. “How does the idea of travelling across the Seven Nations with me sound to you?”

For a second, General Sumiyuri simply stares at him, unblinking, and Tanjirou worries if she might just remain unmoved by his offer. “Travelling across the Seven Nations… as your companion?”

“If you came with me on my travels, you’d never have to be under the control of your family ever again. You would be free to do whatever your heart desires.” When General Sumiyuri still doesn’t respond, Tanjirou continues, a little more desperate this time.

“You’d have to leave Inazuma, yes, but there’s so much to see in other nations.” He’s aware that he’s rambling, but if rambling would free this trapped songbird from her cage, then… “Mondstadt has a really amazing specialty wine that you can’t get here in Inazuma called Dandelion Wine, sold at this pub called the Angel’s Share. And there’s this cathedral and a huge statue of the Anemo Archon, Barbatos — you could stack up three Statues of the Seven beside it and it would still be taller! And—”

“I accept.”

“—Liyue has this festival every year called the Lantern Rite Festival, which is really really beautiful to see. They put hundreds, no, thousands of floating lanterns out to sea, and it looks as if all the stars have fallen to earth for one night!”

“Kamado-san, I accept—”

“And I’m sure that I could use an amazing fighter like you by my side. Things would have been so much easier if you had been there the last time I fell into this strange realm called Enkanomiya. I had to fight all sorts of strange beasts, and every time I needed to activate a Hydro totem, I had to—”

“Kamado-san!” General Sumiyuri’s shout catches him by surprise, and he immediately cuts off his rambling to stare at her with wide eyes. “I said, I accept your offer!”

“Oh.” All of a sudden, Tanjirou can’t help but feel a little embarrassed, not to mention confused. “To be honest with you, I thought that it would take a lot more convincing for you to agree… It’s quite the spur-of-the-moment plan, isn’t it?”

For the first time since their first meeting, Tanjirou catches sight of General Sumiyuri’s slight smile again, illuminated by the purple glow of the Tatarasuna. “It is,” she agrees, which confuses Tanjirou all the more. Shouldn’t she be more resistant towards this idea? “But for some reason, I can’t help but want to trust in your promise, Kamado-san. The resistance is at a disadvantage here, I’m sure you know that. Yet you still fight with them because it’s the cause you believe in. You’re brave enough to make that choice, even if it means going against an the full power of an Archon, and it’s… well, it’s inspiring, Kamado-san.”

He hopes that it’s too dark for the general to see the flush burning his cheeks. “You’re a flatterer, General Sumiyuri,” Tanjirou mutters, and reaches out to hand her the polearm fragment. She takes it almost reverently, gazing down at it for a long moment, before she places it in the folds of her garments, tucking it securely next to her heart.

“Since the two of us are to be travel companions in the future, just call me Hayami.” General Sumiyuri — no, Hayami — smiles at him, and Tanjirou almost feels his heart stumble in his chest. “Then, Tanjirou-san, I’ll trust you to change the mind of an unchanging Archon.”

The blank eyes of the statue watches silently as the two part ways — one heading west to Fort Fujitou while the other leaves for the Kujou Encampment. Just before Hayami steps back into the trenches of war, she pulls out the polearm fragment and stares at it under the light of the moon. The last remnant of an ambition that had burnt bright, and a love that had burned even brighter. Quietly, Hayami brings it to her lips and smiles.

“I’ll live the life that the both of us dreamed of,” she whispers. “That’s my eternal promise to you, Akari.”

[fire-lady-ilah]

Hey Angie, do you have more headcanons about Ilah or her relationship with Azulon?? Have a great day

Oh boy, do I

Ilah is a waterbender and from the Northern Water Tribe. This means a) she runs on a moon-based day cycle, and b) she is Not Prepared for the heat of the Fire Nation.

Fire Nation timekeeping is as such: sunrise is the start of the day and each subsequent hour after is entitled 1st Hour, 2nd Hour, etc. Sunset occurs and then it switches to 1st Hour After, 2nd Hour After, until sunrise again. Water Tribe timekeeping is instead based off of the moon and the tides. Ilah is late to a lot of meetings in her first few years as Fire Lady.

She also has a tendency to sleep very late into the night and wake up in the late morning. This is hell for Fire Nation nobility and government officials, who tend to schedule meetings for the early morning and take afternoons off since it's hotter. She suggests evening and night meetings and they balk

She can't heal worth shit. Not just "can only do simple healing", she can't heal at all. For a female waterbender from the North Pole, this means she had a very rough time in her childhood. I like to think benders need to bend and if they don't their emotional regulation deteriorates. As a woman and a princess she absolutely couldn't do combative waterbending. At least, not publicly. In the end, her waterbending brother started teaching her and her temper mellowed significantly.

She also dresses very scantily, especially for a Fire Lady, because she can't handle the heat. This, of course, leads to new fashion trends and makes it acceptable for even the nobility to wear a little bit less.

She visits the Northern Water Tribe every year before Iroh is born, spending time with her family. She loves her tribe a lot and in many ways wishes the Fire Nation was more like it (more emphasis on family and community as opposed to individual ambition). As Fire Lady, she tries to push the Fire Nation in that direction, while also preserving a lot of the aspects she has learnt to love about her nation.

After Iroh is born, she takes him to the NWT every few years as he grows up. She teaches him her language and culture, showing him waterbending moves even after he turns out to be a firebender. She's the waterbender he took inspiration from for lightning redirection. She would've done the same for Ozai, had she lived past his birth.

She hates sitting for portraits and there is only one portrait of her hanging in the palace-- most of the FN citizens don't know what she looks like, unlike other Fire Ladies. Iroh and Azulon have personal portraits of her, but the only one Ozai had growing up was the one in the Hall of Royal Consorts

It's really a wonder that Azulon and Ilah didn't have more children. They used birth control up until they decided to have Iroh, but after that point it was pure chance that they didn't have more. Ozai was a surprise and Ilah was recommended not to go through with the pregnancy due to her age, but she decided she wanted to. She was really excited to have another child in the palace and Azulon, though worried for her health, was as well.

Sunsets were their time. They would watch the sunset together as often as they could, often with Azulon falling asleep with his head on Ilah's lap, Fire Lord headpiece on a desk in his office.

Ilah, instead of having the customary gold detailing on her robes and sun motifs, chose to go with silver and moon motifs. It was just one of the ways she represented the Northern Water Tribe while being Fire Lady.

Don't think she was some kind, perfect person though. While Ilah supported her husband in making peace in the Earth Kingdom, believing it to be the best choice, she was of the belief that the Southern Water Tribes should be fully under the thumb of a greater nation like the Northern Water Tribe or the Fire Nation. She personally created and led the Southern Raiders, believing that the best person to fight and subjugate waterbenders was another waterbender. She was the one who made sure that the prisons for waterbenders were as foolproof as possible.

Both her and Azulon were rather religious. Azulon was partially raised by his older sister, who had a vested interest in spirits, and Ilah was able to see the mortal forms of Tui and La as often as she liked. It was one of the things their relationship formed around, and one of the reasons the peace talks in the North went so smoothly. They have shrines in their bedroom to Agni, Tui, and La.

Azulon made a betrothal necklace for Ilah. He used his firebending to make the pendant out of gold, and used his hair ribbon from the day he killed his older brother as the necklace itself. She wore it for the three years they were betrothed but hadn't yet married. She kept it in a box of her belongings that were given to Iroh when she died (a box he had never had the courage to open).

Ilah was like... 90% of Azulon's impulse control and humanity. Which is astonishing considering she herself had next to no impulse control and would regularly insult ministers and officials she thought were idiots, while Azulon actually had political skill.

In the end, things would've been a lot better if Ilah had lived. But she didn't, she died giving birth to Ozai and things just went downhill from there. She is incredibly mad in the spirit world.

[hadesisqueer]

Your posts about Korra reminded me of an interesting interpretation I saw back in the day during season 1: That bending as a whole was generally depicted with less power in Korra's era, because Korra's era was a time of peace that generally didn't need big bending while the original series everyone was fighting in a war.

Of course, there's a bit more nuance than that, as we see that Lightning bending as gone from being the sign of a prodigy to being something an average firebender does as part of a nine-to-five.

It is a point. War was done, technology quickly advanced and closed some of the gap between benders and non-benders and also, globalization was huge and techniques became more well-known. For one, lightning generation was not exactly the sign of a prodigy but more of an extremely unknown bending technique. The first known lightningbender was an outlaw named Xu Ping An that Kyoshi herself had to deal with, and lightning generation was so strange and unheard of that the Fire Nation government studied him. By ATLA, it is still a very rare technique that only the Fire Nation Royal Family members learnt how to use. However, after the war was over and globalization, the knowledge went from only the Fire Nation Royal Family to being more well known. But to be fair, still, even though it's not as rare anymore, not all Firebenders can do it; some can and some cannot, I suppose. It is also a lot about your mental headspace, too, Iroh explained it and why Zuko —who was top 5 more skilled Firebenders in ATLA— couldn't do it.

Kinda the same with Metalbending. It was believed to be impossible until one day Xin Fu said to Toph that she could call herself the best Earthbender in the world but that not even her could bend metal and she took it personally and discovered it just out of spite in a couple of hours. Toph managed to metalbend, and created a school in the comics where she taught some earthbenders how to do so; they weren't random, though, they were Earthbenders who were capable of metalbending; not all Earthbenders could do it. Eventually time passed and it became a well-known ability, with the Metal Clan at Zaofu or Lin's squad. Though still, not every Earthbender could do it; the Dai Li are very good Earthbenders and they couldn't bend metal. Toph never taught Aang and he couldn't do it, but Korra could. Bolin is a very talented Earthbender and he couldn't bend metal either and man if the guy didn't try. It's the same with lightningbenders; it's less about talent and more about the fact that with globalization it became more common but still some can't and some cannot even in the future. Hey, Bolin couldn't metalbend but the guy was a Lavabender, and Lavabending is one of the rarest bending sub-types right along Combustion bending, Flying and Bloodbending. Though with Bloodbending I wonder if it really would be that rare if it wasn't forbidden and that's why the vast majority of people don't even try practicing it.

[southslates]

Zutara head canon: When their newborn starts to stir at dawn, Zuko takes them to the balcony to watch the sunrise

Zuko has lived his whole life with a certain set of guidelines; he has rules he must follow as a member of the Fire Nation's royal family.

When he was a child he had enjoyed playing with the palace servants. Azula always had Mai and Ty Lee, but he was too awkward to make friends and too kind to find subjects of his own. He had learnt, at age seven, facing his father's burning, aurelian gaze, that princes do not hang around with the common folk - he had learnt that all must abide to his whims, to the whims of Prince Ozai.

He had remained friendless, quiet, had sulked his way and grown with only his mother as company. He was only adhering to his birthright.

Then his father had burnt off half his face for speaking out of turn in a meeting. The Agni Kai is sacred to the Fire Nation and he had refused to fight his father and suffered an ineffable amount. He had learnt, at age thirteen, eyes of the entire court upon him, that you must always stand your ground - he had learnt that pain and suffering are the only teachers half of his bloodline knows.

He had shaved off half his head afterwards, had been an insufferable captain and sailed the seas. He was only adhering to his birthright; he was only facing horrors he had created.

As an adult, Zuko is still held to a strict code; a moral code, one written in blood (in lightning scars). But some rules are almost enjoyable to follow. Some guidelines are formed from love and not propriety, from mutual respect.

Katara lies in bed next to him. They sleep together - this is a rule he likes to follow. Izumi lies in their room, close enough so that they can always protect her - this is a rule he likes to follow.

When his eyes open in full he first glances to the window, a sky still slightly blackened. He can feel the fire in his veins rejuvenating itself and pulls himself out of his wife's tight grasp, sliding her posessive hand off of his waist. She moans and he stills. There is one rule in his household that Zuko, at age twenty-five, is absolutely terrified of breaking -

Katara is not to be woken until hours after sunrise. He rises with the sun, she with the moon; she bends and heals far later into the night than he does, and she rages when she is roused early. She is always adorable with the vestiges of sleep written across her features, but Zuko . . . he knows that look is not really worth the consequences of awakening her before her time.

At that same moment Izumi gets up, like she can also feel the flames. He wonders if this means she is a firebender almost briefly before his gaze turns back to Katara, who is rising with him, and looks almost - almost so close to consciousness. Oh, no.

In a burst of confidence he turns her off of him and jumps across their cool floor, barefoot, and takes Izumi out of her crib. Her features are red and she looks like she's on the brink of tears before she takes him in, gurgling and reaching out for his face. There are only two people in this world he trusts to touch his scar so easily.

"We are not," he hefts her up, placing her face over his shoulder, "going to wake up your mother. Do you understand?"

His tone is teasingly serious, and his daughter calls him out on it, gurgling against his side. He sighs in complacence and happiness before side-eying Katara once again, relief smothering him when he realizes that she's out again, lightly snoring against their pillow. "Let's go outside. I think that'll be fun. We can look at the sun. Do you like the sun?"

Izumi obviously can't respond to him but when he looks down he sees her bright smile and feels his heart fly out of the window he opens. When he steps outside, stone against his feet, his daughter in his hands, the sun is still climbing into the sky. It paints a gorgeous picture at this moment, showering them in pure gold; he feels its energy in his veins.

"That's firebending, Izumi. That's energy. Can you feel that?" She turns around in his hands and looks out at the horizon, her blue eyes wide.

He can lose himself in this moment; his daughter in his arms, Katara in his bed, fire in his veins. It feels so intrinsically correct, and he thinks that rules can't be so bad if they've landed him in this life.

/

I’m accepting all prompts right now! Drop a headcanon/request in my askbox and I’ll get to it. Thanks for asking this one @thegreysunflower-blog!

[gaeilgeoirgay]

Whumptober Day Four

“Do You Trust Me?” 

Ao3 Link

Hope you enjoy!

misguided notion of glory

Zuko is relaxing beside the turtleduck pond with Izumi and Sokka when everything goes horribly, horribly wrong. It’s a beautiful day, one of the perfect summer mornings that the Fire Nation is renowned for, and both he and Sokka have a rare day off to spend with their daughter. Mai and Ty-Lee are due to join them for lunch and Azula had asked Zuko to train with her, without a trace of malice in her voice. It’s a good day.

Izumi is lying on her front, drawing the turtleducks, her little tongue poking out the corner of her mouth as she focuses intently. She’s the mirror image of her father, who’s doing the same thing over a blueprint. It’s one of Sokka’s personal projects, and he gets so little time to work on them nowadays. Zuko is content to watch them, meditating peacefully as he gazes upon his family.

The fire dancing between his hands is full of riotous colours, purple and orange and pink and red. It’s dragon-fire and the very heart of it pulses with life as it beats in time with Zuko’s heart. It’s one of the best meditation sessions he’s had in a while.

That’s why it catches both him and Sokka off-guard when a figure simply hops the low wall of the garden pond and grabs their daughter with a fistful of flames to her throat. He and Sokka are both on their feet within seconds of the assailant’s appearance but Zuko’s own fire dies in his hands as he sees how close the attacker’s flames are to Izumi. Any movement he makes won’t be fast enough to stop them before they burn her.

Sokka has evidently realised the same thing as while his sword is gripped tightly in his hand, it’s not pointed towards Izumi and her captor. The bastard is smirking as he holds fire to a seven-year-olds throat and Zuko is abruptly reminded of a duel fourteen years ago and a man who had smiled as he burned his own son.

“Let go of our daughter. Now.” He growls, threat in his voice, but the man doesn’t move.

(There are tears in Izumi’s eyes but she doesn’t let them fall. There will be time to fall apart later but for now, Izumi keeps herself calm. She knows her fathers will save her.)

“No, I don’t think I will. My name is Yoshi Sentaku and I am Fire Lord Ozai’s faithful subject. You have him imprisoned beneath this palace and I demand his release. Otherwise, I will kill your daughter where she stands.” Sentaku says confidently, assured that Zuko and Sokka will follow his directions.

Zuko… doesn’t know what to do. If he releases his father, the world will be wreathed in flames once more, and thousands will die. If he doesn’t, it’s his daughter that will burn. Questions like this always seemed so easy in the abstract. Let one person die in exchange for millions, but the person is Izumi and he loves her. He loves his people too though. How can he choose one?

He sees the same indecision in Sokka’s eyes. They cannot place a single life above the fate of the world, but Izumi is their daughter. Ozai no longer has his bending but that won’t matter to his followers, as consumed by hatred as they are. They will set the world alight for some misguided notion of glory and It will be Zuko’s fault.

But he can’t let Izumi, their miracle child, die because of her familial sins. The clock is ticking though, and Sentaku is waiting for an answer. It’s not a choice at all, but he never wanted to have to do this.

Zuko takes a deep breath and feels his chi paths come to life, sparks racing through his blood. He catches Sokka’s gaze, electricity in his eyes, and Sokka understands instantly, the brilliant genius he is. Sokka turns to Sentaku, trusting Zuko to watch his back and Zuko silently says a prayer to Agni to ask Them to look after this family for him, because he has been denied too much love to lose it now.

“Ozai was a failed king, who was beaten by a twelve-year old. He’s not fit to lead those turtleducks, let alone a nation. He’s a monster who deserves to be left to rot in the hole we threw him in.” Sokka says, taunting Sentaku until his only focus is on Sokka. It leaves Zuko free to enact his plan.

After many years of experimentation, Zuko has finally learnt the firebending forms that work for him. They’re bright and full of energy, and they complement his sister’s bending which is all power and precision. But he hasn’t forgotten how he got there in the first place and he draws on all his knowledge for this final move.

Bending is structured into forms for the precise reason that chi needs to move if you want to use it. Even earthbenders, planted rock solid in the earth, use movement in their artistry. Fire especially, needs to move, needs to seek out oxygen to fuel it and life to sustain it.

Lightning though. Lightning only needs sparks of negative and positive energy to connect and create a bolt. Benders are still used to moving though so a form was created. But it’s not the only way to make lightning and Zuko is determined to use another.

“Izumi, sweetheart.” He says, meeting her frightened eyes. “Do you trust me?” He asks and she nods, absolute in her conviction. The sky is blue, firebenders rise with the sun and she can always trust her dads to catch her. It makes Zuko ache for the child he was at her age but he pushes the emotion away. He can cry later.

“Then close your eyes please, darling.” Zuko tells her and Sentaku laughs. “I want my leader freed of course, but I didn’t think you would have the guts to condemn your own daughter to death just to keep him locked away.” He cackles and Zuko grins.

“Oh, I’m not. The only person dying today is you.” He says and lightning strikes.

[nightshade-minho]

-Nightmare- (10)

Warnings: Um, like always, get tissues ready, I guess.

He hated this.

Being in the same room as five other people, three of which he hated, wasn’t how he wanted his evening to go. He wanted to be home with you, watching movies and cuddling under about ten blankets. He regretted ever going to that party and meeting the insufferable redhead. God, he couldn’t believe he’d fucked up this bad.

Even now, as he ate dinner, he tuned out the conversation around him. From time to time, he would glance up at Rina, jaw clenched, hate coursing through him.

It was her fault. Right? It had to be. 

Whatever. He just had to get through this dinner, and then he’d be able to go home with you. And...maybe, maybe he would confess to you. It was scary to think about...he could feel his heart thumping, and his palms were sweaty. But he knew it was what he had to do. You probably didn’t like him back...but he couldn’t keep it in. He’d kept his feelings locked in for so many years, and now that they were finally out, he couldn’t reel them back in. He felt like an emotional wreck.

He didn’t care if you didn’t feel the same. Seeing you with the necklace around your neck had only solidified what he already knew- you were meant to be his, and he would do anything to make sure that would happen.

When Rina had accused you of changing him, that was the last straw.

Fuck Rina. He probably shouldn’t have snapped at her like that, but he couldn’t help it. He made his way to the bathroom, not wanting to be in the same room as her anymore.

Splashing water on his face, he wiped it clean and sighed, running his hands through his hair. He couldn’t wait to get out of here, couldn’t wait for this to be over.

As soon as he stepped out of the door though, he was met with her face, uncomfortably close to his as she caged him against the doorway, expression furious.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m really not having it.” 

“My problem is you. Why the fuck can’t you just leave me alone?” He snapped.

“I know you’re not dating her. I know it. I tried giving you the benefit of the doubt but...it’s so hard. I almost believed it at first...but now, it’s just so laughable. You two, trying to fool everyone into thinking that you’re dating. It’s pathetic.” She spat.

He remained silent.

“What I wanna know is why you left. Is there something wrong with me? Am I unfuckable or something?” Her voice quivered a little, a sprinkle of vulnerability before it regained its usual confidence. “There were millions of guys falling over themselves to want me, to fuck me that night.. Have you ever paused to consider how it would have affected my reputation? You running out of the room just minutes after we entered together?”

“Look, Rina...you’re being unreasonable-”

His brain almost short-circuited when he felt her lips on his. He was consumed with the need to push her away...the acute awareness that you were in the other room.

But for some reason...he couldn’t. He was tired of the game they were playing. Maybe if he just gave her what she wanted, she’d finally stop. She’d stop bothering you two, and he could live his life with you in peace.

So he kissed her back. She pulled away after a few seconds, panting and looking at him with shining eyes. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

He shook his head, eyes widening. “My girlfriend’s literally in the other room-”

She scoffed. “Seriously, Minho, drop the act. I know you two are in a fake relationship. You make it blindingly obvious.” She stares curiously up at him. “Do you...actually like her?”

Minho didn’t say anything, averting his eyes and trying to breathe normally.

She let out an incredulous snort. “Jesus...you’re such a cretin. That bitch doesn’t like you back, you do know that, right?”

“I...”

She pulled away completely, grabbing his wrist and pulling him forward a little bit, peeking around the wall. Minho felt the dread rising in him as she did so, his throat going dry. His eyes took in Juyeon and you on the couch, him leaning closer to you, his hand on your inner thigh. He couldn’t see your expression as your back was facing him, but he’d seen enough. He felt anger pulsing in him as he looked away, scowling. 

He hated the way his legs and fingers felt shaky. There it was again, that weakness you caused. He’d been prepared to submit, prepared to accept the weakness as a part of him...but you clearly didn’t feel the same way. So what was the point? 

He grabbed Rina, dragging her to the side and whispering in her ear. He’d had enough. 

“Where’s that asshole’s bedroom? I wanna fuck you on his bed.”

She grinned, pulling him in for another kiss as she led him to the bedroom, pushing him onto the bed and straddling his lap. 

Somehow, Minho didn’t feel anything, not even arousal, as she moved her hips against him, unbuttoning his shirt rapidly. He felt blank, vapid...his body moving as if it were a robot.

Even as he kissed her furiously, he could feel his actions fueled by his frustration and anger. How he wished you were the one on his lap right now...but you’d made it increasingly clear that you didn’t want him in that way. He could make peace with that. 

“Fuck you.”

As soon your shaky voice hit his ears, he pulled away like lightning, his eyes landing on your face. The shocked, devastated expression on your face breaking his heart.

Before he could even say anything, you ripped off the necklace, throwing it at him and running away. 

He felt tears prick his eyes. That expression on your face...it was now etched in his brain, the memory of it making him nauseous. Why did you look so horrified, so heartbroken? You didn’t like him, so why were you so angry, so sad? The implications of it scared him. What if...

He pushed Rina aside, bending down to pick up the chain, his eyes filling with tears. It wasn’t broken, thankfully. He tucked it into his pocket, turning to the girl on the bed, who was glaring up at him.

“Are you really walking out, again? You do realize-”

“Shut up. I’m done with you. Do whatever you want, I don’t fucking care, okay? I’ve hurt the person who means the most to me multiple times, and you’re to be blamed for some of it. I know I’m the one at fault...and I also know I would have never recognized my love for her if you hadn’t thrown your little tantrum, and forced us into this fake relationship. But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from all this, it’s that my feelings for her definitely aren’t fake.” He rambled, breathing hard. For some reason, her dumbstruck expression gave him a weird sense of satisfaction.

He ran out of the room, walking to the door as fast as he could and trying his best to avoid Juyeon’s eyes.

***

Minho found you walking down the street. Your back was to him, but he could almost sense the hurt in the way you walked. His heart ached, especially because he knew he was the reason you looked so defeated. He opened his mouth to call out...but he couldn’t.

You deserved so much better.

He inhaled again, working up his courage.

“Y/n!”

You stopped in your tracks, slowly turning around at the sound of his voice. He walked closer, sighing and running a hand through his drenched hair. “Y/n...please...”

“What?” You snapped, crossing your arms. “What could you possibly have to say to me?”

“I...um, I’m s-”

“No.” You scoffed, holding your palm up. “Don’t you dare apologize. You’ve done enough of that.”

He tilted his head to the side, his sadness slowly transforming into anger.

Actually, why was he apologizing? What right did you have to pretend like you were the victim here? You had no idea about his feelings. You didn’t know what he was going through. You were the one who’d started it, flirting with Juyeon.

“Why the fuck should I be the one to apologize?!”

Your eyes widened. “Wha...Minho, you were literally making out with the girl who wants to send you to jail just a few minutes ago! It was just...irresponsible.” In all honesty, you could care less about the immaturity of the action. You couldn’t tell him the real reason after all, could you? That you were jealous.

“Do you ever not think with your dick?” You asked, feeling your emotions burn. “You know...they were right. You are just a  fuckboy without any substance.”

The words hit him like a knife. He opened his mouth, closing it as he felt his heart burn at the words, partly because somewhere deep down...he was scared they might be true.

He felt his anger boil over as he took the necklace out from his pocket. “You know what, Y/n? It’s true, what you said in the letter. This friendship was a mistake, after all. I wish I’d never fucking met you, never wasted all these years on someone as boring and mundane as you!” He threw the necklace on the ground, swallowing. The slightest streak of hesitation ran through him, his inner voice telling him to stop and think...before he shook his head, snapping out of it and crushing it under his shoe. 

You let out a small gasp, swallowing your tears as you stared at his feet.

“I knew we’d be breaking up tonight. I just never thought it’d happen this way.” He whispered. He was glad for the rain right then, thankful that they were masking the tears running down his face. He hated the lies he’d just spewed. 

You paused, hiccuping as you felt fresh tears run down your cheeks. You were sure you looked like a raccoon, mascara dripping down your face.

“Minho...you were right. I’m the one who should apologize. I’m sorry.” You took a deep breath. “Sorry I ever fell in love with you.” You choked out, lips quivering as you watched his face slowly twisting with shock. You turned around, not wanting to see it anymore, walking away from him as fast as you could, your heart pounding and legs shaking.

Your dress was sticking to your body and your hair was plastered to your head. The cold rain was making you shake, wishing you’d brought a jacket. Your heart felt colder, though.

They say confessions in the rain are supposed to be romantic. This felt anything but.

***

You cried into your pillow once you reached home, feeling empty. You were a muddle of emotions, your entire body still wet from the rain. 

He didn’t even run after you. Didn’t even care.

Then again, what reason did you have to be angry? He wasn’t really your boyfriend. But...you also had to accept that he wasn’t your best friend anymore. It had come straight out of his mouth. 

Your best friend had disappeared a few years ago. The guy you lived with now wasn’t that Minho, wasn’t the Minho who gave you the necklace, the one who cared about you. He was different. Maybe he did belong with Rina.

At least, did this mean that Rina wasn’t pissed at him anymore? You were glad that he wouldn’t have to go to jail, at least. You didn’t hate him that much...no, quite the opposite. You still fucking loved him. And you hated yourself for that.

By the time you felt the drowsiness settle in, the sun rays were already poking through the curtains.

***

Minho felt like he’d just been struck with a hammer. The sound of thunder was all he could hear apart from your words repeating themselves over and over in his head.

You fell in love with him.

When? How? Why?

He couldn’t comprehend it. He’d watched dumbly as you left, even after you became a dot in the distance. It had felt like he was rooted to the spot, his legs having lost the ability to walk and his brain, the ability to think.

He ran his fingers through his wet hair as it slowly dawned on him. The realization that he hadn’t been alone in pining for his best friend, that you’d also been going through the same thing as him. You were in love with him…

He let out a shaky sob as he realized just how badly he’d fucked up.

***

The sound of the doorbell ringing woke you up. It was still pretty early in the morning, and you groaned as you dragged yourself out of bed, having had only 3 hours of sleep.

You hated your heart for hoping it was Minho, coming to apologize…even though you knew an apology wouldn’t be enough for you to forgive him. It was hard…but you had to stay away from him. You needed space, time to think. Seeing his face so soon would be too raw to handle. You’d forgive him immediately, even if he said nothing. And he didn’t deserve to be forgiven.

It still disappointed you when you opened the door to see Juyeon standing there with his hands in his pockets.

“What are you doing here?”

He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I just…wanted to say I’m sorry. And after what happened, I wanted to comfort you.”

You nodded expressionlessly, trying not to show how broken you were. You wanted to be strong.

He tilted his head, and the look of sympathy on his face made you want to cry even more.

“Can I…come in?”

When you remained silent, he quickly cleared his throat. “I mean…I just want to explain.”

You thought for a moment and shrugged, stepping aside as you went back in, sitting on the couch. He came inside, hesitantly sitting next to you.

“Look…I have a few things to admit. First off…I like you.”

Your eyes widened. Yeah, he flirted with you…but you didn’t know he actually had feelings.

“Rina-“

He shook his head, interrupting you.

“Rina and I aren’t together. We’re literally cousins. Everyone on campus knows that.”

You wrinkled your nose. They were? “Um, ew. Then why did-“

”She doesn’t talk to me much. Just a week ago, she approached me telling me about the whole situation, about Minho running away and humiliating her. I’d already kind of heard about it, but the way she was talking about it painted him in a much more vindictive light, you know? And then she told me about how she thought that maybe you two were faking your relationship. Which I found pretty absurd at first, but I quickly realized it could be the truth.”

He took a deep breath, glancing at you to make sure you were still listening before looking back at his hands, folded in his lap.

“She knew I had a tiny crush on you. So, she made me help her carry out her plan to get you two to break up, saying that she’d be able to get you to like me.”

He looked up at you, his eyes sad. “It was wrong of me to help her. She’s just deranged and obsessed with her ‘reputation’. I understand if you never want anything to do with me ever again. I just have one question.”

He looked at you, asking for permission. You nodded, signaling him to go ahead.

“Do you actually like him? Like, as more than a best friend?”

You paused, trying not to let the tears spill as you nodded. He sucked in a sharp breath, nodding with his lips tightly pressed together.

“Oh.”

You rubbed at your eyes, turning to face him completely. “Look, Juyeon…what you two did was pretty messed up. I never thought one person could be so petty to the extent of wanting to send someone to jail just because they refused to have sex with them, but here we are. A series of mistakes and misunderstandings are what got us here…but, whatever.” You scoffed.

“I’m sick and tired of all this. I don’t like Minho anymore.” Lie. “It isn’t just this situation that changed my mind…Minho changed way before Rina stepped into the scene. And..I think this was just a wake up call, letting me know that he’s no longer the person I thought he was.”

Juyeon took your hand, holding it gently. “You…you deserve better.”

You shrugged again, avoiding eye contact. There was silence for a few minutes.

 “Y/n…?”

“Hm?”

“Give me just one chance, please? A chance to show you I can make you happy?” He asked, biting his lip as he looked at you hopefully.

You paused as you observed his face. Juyeon was…actually quite good looking. And besides assisting Rina in her shenanigans, he seemed to be a genuinely nice guy. He’d always been kind to you. Your mind was screaming at you, telling you this was a bad idea…that you didn’t have feelings for him, that you were still not over Minho...but the word already came out of your mouth before you could stop it.

“Okay.” You squeezed his hand.

***

Minho woke up with a yawn. The first thing he noticed was how the bed he was in definitely wasn’t his. He was used to this kind of situation, but usually there’d be a naked girl sleeping next to him. This time, though, the bed was empty.

He got out of bed, heading for the door and seeing Chan sat at the breakfast table.

“Oh, good. You’re up. Breakfast?”

He shook his head, groaning as last night’s memories came flooding back. Your disturbed expression when you caught him with Rina, your tears as you confessed, the broken necklace.

He’d picked it up after you left. It was ruined, the little diamonds chipped and the clef cracked. He’d put it in his pocket, going to his car and driving straight to Chan’s. After what you’d said, he’d thought it would be better to give you some space.

“How long will you be staying here?”

“A while. I just don’t think I can face her again after yesterday.” He mumbled.

Chan nodded understandingly. The first thing Minho had done when he reached Chan’s place was cry, telling him the whole story from beginning to end. He’d felt slightly better after letting it all out.

“You know, you should get your clothes. I don’t have enough spare ones.” He chuckled, turning to look back at his plate.

“Oh fuck..I don’t think I wanna see her again so soon…”

“Just for a few minutes. You need your stuff after all.”

“I can’t just talk to her so soon! How can I act nonchalant and aloof when she confessed to me the other night? When we both hurt each other?”

Chan shrugged. “Hmm, you’re right. Fine, then. I’ll go get your stuff, and also inform her that you’re going to be staying with me for a while. Okay?”

“Okay.”

***

Chan made his way out of his car and to your apartment. He knocked on the door, waiting as he whistled a tune under his breath.

The door opened.

“Oh, hey, Chan. What are you doing here?”

Chan frowned as he stared at Juyeon, looking him up and down.

“Um..I could ask you the same thing.” He thought about how Minho had told him about what he’d seen on the couch.

Juyeon shrugged. “Long story. Y/n?” The man turned around, calling out for you. A few minutes later, you appeared beside him, and he put his arm around your waist. 

“Oh, hi, Chan!”

“Hi, Y/n.” Chan spoke slowly. “Um…Minho was wondering if he could get some of his stuff.”

“Why? Is he going to be staying at yours?”

“Mhmm. For a while.”

You shrugged. “Yeah, okay. Wait here.”

As you left, Chan turned to Juyeon with a glare. “What the fuck is going on between you two?”

“What do you think? We’re together now…sort of.”

Chan’s eyes widened. “B-but…”

“But what? I’ve always liked her.”

“Minho likes her too, you know.”

Juyeon stopped, raising an eyebrow. “He does?”

“Uh huh.”

“Well, it sure doesn’t look like it. I don’t care if he has feelings for her. All I know is that I could treat her better than he ever could.”

You came back, handing Chan the bags with a smile on your face. Chan returned your smile. “Thank you, Y/n. Have a nice day.” He glanced beside you. “Juyeon.”

“Wait, Chan…tell Minho I said Hi.” You said slowly, playing with your fingers as you felt your tension grow.

Chan paused, nodding with a fake smile as he went back to his car, his mind swimming with thoughts.

How would Minho react when he tells him this? He had a hunch that it would not be pretty.

[gladerwolfstarkimagines]

Azula x female reader series: Part 6

Azula learns details about your relationship with Zuko and is furious leaving you isolated in a dangerous situation with few allies. You learn Zuko’s plan to escape during the eclipse and are torn between telling Azula or escaping with Zuko. Azula feels betrayed and no longer trusts you but do you give up on her that easily?

Tag list: @saucy-sapphic @justastranger-passing @azulasprincess @888-rising @sighsam @theblueslytherin @lucyrocks86 @halcyon-arts

Part One here

Part Two here

Part Three here

Part Four here

Part Five here

----

Your POV

"So that was a good effort" Zuko said breaking the awkward silence that settled as soon as you walked into his room. You managed not to roll your eyes as you moved about the room readying it for the night. Your training sessions were usually okay but today you'd done particularly bad and you were feeling hopeless you'd ever get better. "Seriously" Zuko said offering you a small smile "you're a new bender it will take time". Your practice sessions had been numerous, Zuko was suprisingly enthusiastic about training you but you hadn't been showing much improvement. He tried teaching you how his uncle taught him but the technique wasn’t compatible with you or something because you’d barely been able to match any of his stances. "Maybe I’m just not that good" you shrugged "you and Azula are royals it makes sense you’re such strong fire benders". Zuko went quiet at the mention of Azula and you scolded yourself for bringing her up, you weren’t meant to do that but you were seeing her tonight so she was on your mind. "Yes well..' Zuko started when there was a knock at the door. "Dammit I was supposed to meet Mai a while ago" Zuko frowned "y/n hide". "What?" You asked confused. "Things with Mai have been difficult lately" Zuko said awkwardly "she’s still not happy you’re my maid and if she sees you she’ll know we’ve been training and it will make her mad, so can you hide?". You nodded ignoring the blush on Zuko’s cheeks and looked for a spot. "Under the bed?" Zuko offered and you frowned "why don’t you just tell her what happened? We were training and lost track of time, maybe if you tell her the truth she won’t be mad". Zuko was thinking it over in his head when she knocked again and he jumped. "She won’t understand so please just hide y/n, I’ll tell her I’m coming soon and get her to leave". You sighed but nodded and rolled under the bed. Zuko sighed with relief and turned the door handle "I'm so sorry Ma..." he started but he stopped abruptly and you heard a voice that was certainly not Mai's. "I dont know what youre apologising for but im sure it's justified”.

Azula's POV

Azula loved catching her brother off guard and it seemed she had done just that. She waited until she was sure you'd have left the training room and came to Zuko's room. Azula wasn’t really sure why she was here, she hadn’t arranged this with you and it wasn’t that she didn’t trust you or anything. She just wanted proof nothing was going on, to see you two together in a non formal setting and see for herself what your relationship with her brother was like. Azula walked into the room amused Zuko looked so angry. She looked around for you but noticed you weren’t here, she imagined you were hiding and that sparked doubt in her mind. If Zuko was hiding you from Mai he must have a reason....

"Azula what do you want I'm late to meet Mai". Azula smirked turning to face him "she's already angry at you zuzu I doubt being late can make matters much worse between you, I don’t think anything can really". Zuko turned red in anger and embarrassment and Azula continued "how was your training session by the way? You’ve been having a lot of them lately haven’t you?". "None of your buisness" Zuko snapped "now get out". "My my not in a good mood" Azula replied "I’m only here for y/n". "Y/n?" Zuko asked and Azula nodded "yeah you know your maid..that's her name". "I know who she is!" Zuko snapped "but what do you want with her?". Azula smirked but she noticed another thing she didn’t like, the suspicion and anger Zuko showed at the mention of your name. "None of your buisness" Azula mimicked Zuko "have you seen her or not? I was sure she'd be here for some reason...seems she's been spending a lot of time with you according to the servants, I’m glad you've made a friend Zuko but if she works for you does it really count?". "You’re one to talk" Zuko spat and Azula frowned confused "I am?". "The way you've treated y/n, is it no wonder she likes me better?". Ow that hit a sensitive spot. What did he mean? Azula wondered. How dare he insinuate you liked him more. It wasn’t true and Azula knew that but it still made her nervous. "and how have I treated the maid brother?" Azula asked her temper already growing. "She told me all of it" zuko explained "how you blackmailed her to be loyal to you! How you lied and manipulated her, used whatever emotions she had for you for your own gain, how she never did any of it because she wanted to but because you made her! Honestly you're a monster". It wasn’t the first time Azula had been called a monster but it was the first time in relation to you so it stung. "And i’m supposed to believe y/n trusted you enough to confess this all?" Azula asked. Zuko nodded "i promised her i’d keep her safe from you and she confessed it all, everything I said came from her lips directly, she hates you Azula but she’s not scared of you anymore, because you can’t touch her now, she’s my maid and you can’t boss her around anymore". Azula was so shocked it took her a while to think of a witty response. You'd really told Zuko all of that about her? Did you really feel that way? How could you say it to Zuko of all people? All Azula wanted to do was run away but she couldn’t, she spun to Zuko and decided to let her anger out on him. "You think she’s untouachble? Nobody is" Azula spat "I am the best fire bender this nation has seen in aeons, you know i can beat you zuzu, speak to me like that again and I’ll give you a scar to match the one father did!". Zuko grunted and lunged for her but Azula was ready, lightning danced on her hands and she aimed. Zuko ducked and it hit his wall instead narrowly missing him. Zuko stared as the spot he’d just been stood on now smoked and Azula smiled satisfied. "Next time I won’t miss" and slammed the door.

Your POV

You made your way down the coridoor still shocked from the events in Zuko’s room. You couldn’t believe the horrible things Zuko had said but for Azula to fire lighning at him. She could have killed Zuko, murdered her brother over an argument. You reminded yourself she missed on purpose, she would never actually kill Zuko...not over something so petty as this anyway. Azula surely didn’t really believe you meant all the things you’d told Zuko, she surely knew it was all for the mission she’s assigned you and understood. You pushed open the door to your room and saw Azula stood there. The look she gave you told you, you’d been wrong. Azula turned to face you her face showing anger as she looked at you. It intimidated you and weeks ago you’d have been terrified but this was Azula, your Azula. You could reason with her and explain everything. She’s listen to you.

Azula’s POV

Azula felt she’d been very understanding. She’d allowed the private training sessions, she understood letting Zuko teach you fire bending and she hadn’t even got angry when you’d accidentally shown Zuko your abilities. What Azula couldn’t get over however was you creating this bad relationship for Zuko’s benefit. Azula watched as you stepped into the room and waited to see if you’d speak first. She was suprised you looked her straight in the eye as you went to speak “Azula I know you’re angry...”. “Of course I’m angry” Azula burst “how long have you been telling Zuko horrible stories about me”. “Well since the day he found out I was a firebender but they were all lies Azula”. “They’re not lies to Zuko, he thinks they’re true...you must’ve been pretty convincing, maybe they weren’t all lies”. “Of course they were Azula! I just made him think i disliked you so he’d trust me, he wouldn’t trust me any other way” you argued. “You couldn’t think of any other way besides bad mouthing me to my worst enemy? To someone I’ve despised since being a child?” Azula asked. “You wanted me to get close to Zuko” you cried “you asked me to do this and so I did, it’s clearly worked”. “No, I seem to recall telling you I could find another way y/n, that I’d use another plan, after your...slip up. I didn’t ask you to carry this on, you carried it on y/n and this is the way you chose to do it”.

The worst part was Azula could actually see the logic to your plan. Zuko hadn’t thought fondly of Azula since she’d learnt to walk, it was instinct for him to blame and hate her, to believe she was a cruel person. And yes Azula had been rude and cruel to many servants so the story would been easily believed but she had been nice to you, nicer than she was to her own friends! She’d protected you, trusted you and even grown to care for you more than she ever had for anyone else. You didn’t need rescuing from her, least of all by zuko but that was the story you’d sold him. As everyone did, even your mind made Azula the villan and Zuko the hero. Azula was snapped out of her rumination when you spoke. "Azula..." you tried again "please I was just doing it for the mission, I didn’t want to have ruined your plan, I wanted to salvage it by any means necessary, it’s working really well but I will stop if you want me to, I won’t keep up this act with Zuko anymore". “I think it’s a bit late for that” Azula snapped “you’ve already convinced Zuko I’m a monster to you and you’ve convinced me that what you really think of me”. “But Azula..” you tried but she cut you off aware she had to end this conversation now while she had control over her emotions. “No” she said raising her voice “the deal is off”. As Azula said those words she felt them hang in the air and saw your face change as you registered what she was saying. “I no longer want you to try and learn Zuko’s secrets, I don’t want you to report back to me, I don’t want to see or hear from you again” she yelled.

Your POV

Azula’s voice rang in the air and you stared at her. You felt scared, shock and sad but mainly angry. Azula had been fine with complicating your job by making you a spy, by making you lose the respect of your colleagues, by making the royals all despise you as a servant girl trying to sleep her way to the top and was only annoyed when Zuko believed a lie about her. "But it’s not true" you cried "Azula you know that! I know that! Who cares what zuko thinks? You’re throwing all this away because of him?". “This is not about Zuko y/n this is about you and I no longer trust or want to be around you”. Azula turned to leave and your anger turned to desperation.  "Azula you don’t have to do this" you said reaching for her but she spun around brushing your hand away "who are you to tell me what i have or don’t have to do? I am the princess of the biggest kingdom in the world and you are a mere servant! You don’t speak to me that way ever!". You lowered your eyes and tried not to show how upset her words left you. A mere servant? How many times had Azula told you that you were more than that? And now she was pulling that all away, she was leaving you with Zuko in the middle of a web you’d spun on her orders, you’d manipulated Zuko and almost ruined his relationship on her orders and now she was abandoning you to it. Again as always Azula seemed to read your mind “have fun with zu zu y/n, he’s all you have left” and she stormed from the room.

1 week later

Your POV

"The room is prepared Prince Zuko" you declared. Zuko looked around shocked, you hadn’t been working long but it was true you’d done all he’d asked. He looked around for another job for you to do to make you stay but couldn’t spot any. You been cold and distant as of late and Zuko didn’t like it. "Is there anything else you require?" You asked. Zuko shook his head "no that is fine y/n" and you nodded going for the door. "Wait" Zuko called as your hand touched the door handle. Your shoulders slumped but you turned around passively "yes?". "Y/n are you okay?" Zuko asked. You wanted to scream that question seemed so stupid. Instead you just nodded your head "yes Prince Zuko". You were itching for him to leave you alone but Zuko wasn’t giving up that easy. "No you’re not" he replied. You shrugged not having the energy to argue and Zuko sighed "is it Azula?". You wanted to tell anyone it hurt so much but instead you met his eyes and calmly shook your head "no". Zuko frowned but you didn’t look away from his stare and he sighed "so what is it? You cancelled our training sessions for a reason! And i’ve noticed you’ve been sad y/n, I do notice other people besides myself you know!". You swallowed scared to comment and Zuko frowned again "is it the rumours about us?”. Again you were unsure how to comment, you didn’t want to encourage him or at the same time offend him, he was your employer and the only friend you had left now. "Rumours?" You asked playing dumb and Zuko rolled his eyes "i know you’re aware of them I think everyone is, they all think my interest in you is physical and unprofessional, is that why you’ve distanced yourself from me? If so y/n yo don’t have to I can stop the rumours and we can go back to training". "It’s not about you" you burst before you could stop yourself "I’m not worried my colleagues all despise me or think bad things about me, I dont care the nobels all think I am seducing you for power, I don’t care what they whisper about us as we pass" you burst. You wanted to add the most important one, that you didn’t care Azula didn’t like you anymore but knew that was a lie. Zuko stared at you shocked and you realised you’d just shouted at the heir to the throne and your only ally. "Prince Zuko i’m so sorry..." you started but he cut you off. "No it’s okay I pushed you it’s I who should apologise...but we are friends y/n you can tell me these things". You nodded your head “thank you” but made no move to carry on talking. "You are not happy" Zuko said thoughtfully and he turned to face you. You shrugged in response not seeing the point in denying it anymore. “what if i told you I could help get you away from this? From here?" Zuko asked. You looked at him shocked but truthfully you’d been expecting to be dismissed now Azula didn’t want you here but still it hurt. Regardless you handled it with composure and nodded "where will you resassign me?". "Reassign you?" Zuko asked surpised "y/n i don’t want to send you away!". "You don’t? Then what would you do?" you asked frowning. Zuko paused looking around to make sure his door was closed and lowered his voice “I’m planning on leaving soon and I could take you with me if you wanted". You paused shocked at this statement "you’re deserting the fire nation?” Zuko flushed "well i wouldn’t call it that but yes i guess i am but I never should’ve come back here, it was a mistake, I have to get out of here". "And you’d take me with you?" You asked "why?". Zuko paused "well we know the rumours aren’t true but my family doesn't, if I disappear they will interrogate all those close to me and they’ll turn to you, when I think of what they’ll do to get answers from you, my father alone will...." zuko trailed off before shaking his head "I don’t want to leave you behind to deal with the consequences of my actions, I could sneak you out with me...you could get away from this all if you came with me...what do you think?" Zuko asked. “This is a very kind offer Zuko” you frowned. “But...?” he asked sensing you weren’t totally on board with this plan. Leaving with Zuko would get you out of your situation but something was stopping you. Azula. If you left that would be it for your chances of reconciling what you had with her, you would prove to her she was right and you’d be another person who chose Zuko over her. You’d ruin all you’d had and maybe even Azula. You sighed and looked at Zuko "can i think about it?". Zuko nodded "of course, think it over but don’t take too long y/n the escape is in 2 days".

Azula’s POV

The day of the eclipse was fast approaching and the whole palace was busy  finalising plans. Azula too was rushed off her feet ensuring the barracks were sufficient and she’d liked to have said it distracted her from what happened but it only put it off. Azula could go all day without thinking about it or wondering what was happening right now between you and Zuko but as soon as the silence settled or the planning was done it all came back. She’d hear your voice as you told her you didn’t mean it, how you tried to explain your actions away by blaming them on her. It still made her angry. She heard Zuko’s voice as he told her all you’d said and his promise to keep you safe from him. Azula would give up trying to sleep as the voices got too loud and go back to planning whatever she had left to plan. She double checked, triple checked everything but still she found an excuse to keep her mind from thinking but there were some ocassions she couldn’t help. Azula entered the dining room expecting to see her father and Zuko but saw Mai and Ty Lee instead. To be fair Zuko had been avoiding Azula so she didn’t expect him to be here but she thought her father would want to see her before the move to the barracks. “Where’s my father?” Azula barked and Mai shrugged but Ty Lee tried to smile “we’re not sure but we we’re summonded here instead. Nobody else has shown up so guess this is all ours” Ty Lee smiled looking at the food. Azula grunted but took a seat, she had nowhere else to be, she hadn’t realised how much time she’s spent with you until she cut you out of her life. “We were just talking about the move tomorrow” Ty Lee explained although Azula hadn’t asked “I was saying how I’m jealous Mai’s family got such a good spot! Then again I guess it’s understandable, Zuko probably put a good word in” Ty Lee said making Mai smile slightly. Azula had heard things had improved with Zuko and Mai, she guessed now you were no longer making things difficult Zuko had been forgiven and it was like it had never happened. That made Azula angry, she had lost her plan, her favourite maid, her only confidant, her well...whatever you two had been to one another all because of Zuko and he was happy while Azula was alone and miserable as always. Well not if she could help it, Azula was guessing Zuko hadn’t told Mai everything....

“Yes I’ve heard Zuko’s been keeping his favourites close to his chest lately”. Ty Lee shot Azula a wary look but Mai narrowed her eyes “what does that mean?”. “Ow nothing” Azula smirked “I mean you and Zuko have moved passed that whole buisness I’d hate to drag things back up...”. “Tell me” Mai snapped and when Azula raised an eyebrow she sighed “please”. Azula smirked “well it’s nothing really just that night you and Zuko went to go watch the ember island players and he was late...well he was with the maid. I went to his room to tell him father needed to speak with him and he thought I was you, he had her hid under the bed so you wouldn’t see her. He was late for your date because he was busy with another woman”. Mai slammed her cutlery down and stood up so suddenly the table shook. She threw her chair back and strode out of the room. Azula grinned watching and Ty Lee frowned at her. “Did you have to do that?” Ty Lee asked. “I think she should know my brothers cheating on her, would you rather I lie to her like he’s doing?”. “No but you didn’t have to tell her like that” Ty Lee sighed “it was just mean” and she stood up going after Mai. Azula brushed of Ty Lee’s comment, everyone thought she was mean, evil, a monster so why shouldn’t she act like one? Azula savoured her win over Zuko and smirked thinking about what Mai would do to him but the happiness was short lived. Azula looked around the now empty room and felt the familair pang of loneliness she’s felt growing since she’d dismissed you. It just seemed to be getting worse and if ruining Zuko’s happiness couldn’t even get rid of it could anything? She swallowed hard and stood up, she should get back to work.

Your POV

“Those boxes need going to Prince Zuko’s private room in the baracks” you told the servants who had come to help you move Zuko’s belongings to the bunkers for safety during the eclipse. It was all for show really, Zuko was planning on leaving during the eclipse so wouldn’t really need a room in the baracks but you had to pretend he’d be there the whole time. You’d organised all his possessions and managed to save the few he would need on him when he made his escape without arousing suspicion. You still hadn’t decided if to stay or go and time was running out to put it off any longer. The servants all got to work helping you automatically but none of them would look at you. You knew most were scared of you, they figured you had Zuko’s ear and they weren’t wrong you supposed but it was in a different way than they thought. You picked up a stack of boxes too, determined to show them all you weren’t just Zuko’s accesory and led the way to the barracks. You hadn’t gone far down the coridoor when someone came around the corner. Mai and Ty Lee appeared and they seemed to be arguing or atleast Mai was, she was walking ahead as Ty Lee tried to keep up and seemed angry. You hoped they wouldn’t look up and almost made it past them when Mai’s eyes fixed on you you felt your heart stop. “Stop” she called and all the servants halted. Ty Lee was saying something to her, sje seemed to be begging her not do this but Mai didn’t seem to be listening. She looked at the boxes you were carrying clearly marked as Zuko’s things and that seemed to make her angrier. You always found the girl terrifying but now she looked plain evil. The look she sent you told you she wanted you dead, no worse than dead. “Leave us” she spat at the servants. They were all too happy to leave and rushed off, even plucking the boxes from your hands as they passed leaving you very much on your own. You instantly feared what Mai was going to do to you. You thought her and Zuko had made up since you’d distanced yourself from him but apparently Mai wasn’t ready to move on. Ty lee watched Mai stare at you and frowned “Mai don’t...". Ty Lee go" Mai said her voice flat "i wish to speak to the servant alone". Ty Lee looked at Mai but sighed seeing Mai’s eyes were fixed on you unmoving. Ty Lee looked upset but obediently turned and walked back the way she’d come. Mai stared at you and then moved forwards soundlessly and you instinctively went to step back. “Does Zuko often hide you in his room everytime I visit or just when he’s already an hour late to our date?” Mai asked. You paused confused why Mai was bringing this up now, that night was ages ago why was she angry about it now? Mai didn’t seem to care what you had to say though and carried “do either of you think you’re fooling anyone? Do you think the rumours of the two of you haven’t reach us all? That we don’t know you’re together?”. You stared at Mai not wanting to move, breath or do anything to anger her any more.  "Do you deny it?" she asked stepping closer again and you backed up into the wall. You looked at her helplessly, what could you say? You couldn’t tell her you were just training with Zuko, she’s definitely tell Ozai to have you thrown out of her life for good. "You should speak to Prince Zuko" you told her shakily "I don’t know what I’m allowed to say". Mai gripped you so suddenly you would’ve flinched but her grip didn’t permit it. She had a hand of your throat and the other on a knife you hadn’t even seen her draw. "Not allowed" she spat "acting now like you’re someone who follows all the rules! What being Azula’s pet wasn’t enough to make you feel special you had to have Zuko too? Bet you brag to all your little servant friends, think you’re going to secure your place here through Zuko and some bastard child?". You shook your head "no Mai! That’s not what I want!". Mai only hissed slightly pressing on your neck harder "I should kill you both for the insult to me!". "Mai it’s not what you think" you couldn’t help saying "please talk to Zuko!". "Zuko?" she spat "you dare be so casual about him to me!". You paled more "no Mai i’m sorry, I just meant...". "I always had my doubts, i knew you couldn’t be trusted, i knew Azula did this on purpose, I bet she told you to do this didn’t she? You think you have no choice but we all have choices y/n and you made yours". Mai raised her knife and you closed your eyes ready for her to kill you. Seconds passed and nothing happened. You opened your eyes to see Mai staring at you hard, her face unreadable. You could barely breathe, she was deciding what to do with your life. Finally she let go and you collapsed back against the wall gasping. You looked up at Mai shocked and saw her fist just as it came down and punched you straight in the face. You cried out and fell down against the wall as blood trickled down your face. Mai straightenned looking at you with disgust "you can tell Zuko i gave you that, if he thinks i’ll allow him to keep doing this to me with you he’s wrong, tell him we’re done, I think it should come from you" she said with a twitch of her lip "also tell Zuko to make sure I don’t ever see you again, if I do I won’t be so forgiving, you’ve both been warned" she spat before she turned and left. You breathed haggerdly your heart pounding as you pressed your sleeve to your nose. You were terrified of Mai but also couldn’t help feel sorry for her. If Zuko had just trusted her with your secret or found a less provocative cover none of this would’ve happneed. Now you had an assassin ready to kill you the next time she saw you and your only escape was with Azula’s brother. The bleeding stopped and you stood up slowly. You either stayed and got killed or left with Zuko abandoning Azula here. You wiped away the blood and carried on walking. If you were going to be killed by staying here for Azula you’d atleast do what she hired you to do.

It was early in the morning and you moved through the palace taking back routes so nobody would see you. You didn’t want what you were about to do getting back to Zuko. You went to knock on the door to Azula’s room when it suddenly opened. You’d been prepared to see Azula but still after not seeing her for a week you felt your heart speed up in anticipation but it wasn’t Azula behind the door. “Ow” Ty Lee frowned seeing you and you stared at her. Azula never entertained her friends in her own room and especially not at this time in the morning. You got suspicious and jealous as your mind worked overtime to work out why Ty Lee was there in Azula’s room at this time of day but you couldn’t think of a plausible solution. “Can I help you?” Ty Lee asked and you heard Azula ask who she was talking to. Azula appeared beside Ty Lee and stopped midsentence when she saw it was you “ow”. Shaking away your jealousy you remembered why you’d come here "I need to speak to Princess Azula" you spoke clearly and slowly. Ty Lee looked to Azula whose face was a mask. "Well i'd love to chat about laundry or mopping floors but I’m busy" Azula said going to shut the door. "Please" you said forcefully meeting Azula’s eye "it’s important”. Azula’s face changed as she met your eye and you saw her nervously look to Ty Lee as if making sure her friend wasn’t getting suspicious there had been any sort of relationship between you. "Go" Azula told Ty Lee "I’ll just see what this is about?". Ty Lee nodded “Okay” and Azula watched until she was gone and turned to you.

Azula’s POV

"Well I suppose you should come inside" Azula snapped "I won’t do this is the hallway, what were you thinking coming to be so publically?" She scolded you as the door shut behind you. "I had to" you said annoyed "it’s urgent". Azula rolled her eyes "what’s so urgent?". Azula had been expecting an attempt to get back together or confession of how much you’d missed her. Instead it was nothing about her. "I know what Zuko’s planning". Azula paused unsure if she’d heard you correctly "what?". "I know what Zuko’s planning" you repeated. So she hadn’t imagined that, you’d actually said what she'd dreamt of you saying for ages. Well true more recently she dreamt more of you giving a grand apology that justified forgiving you but that wasn’t going to happen. "Well what is it?" Azula asked as silence settled and you frowned at her. Azula was aware she'd been the one to pause but she hadn’t seen you in a while and you seemed annoyingly fine. Sure you hadn’t looked at her when you first spoke but you’d practically demnded to speak with her, even infront of Ty Lee too. You’d grown confident and Azula could even tell now by how you snapped back at her or only just caught your eye rolls, you weren’t afraid of her anymore. That both annoyed and pleased her. Caught up in her thoughts Azula almost missed what you’d said. "Zuko’s escaping?" she repeated "tomorrow?". You nodded your head "during the eclipse, that’s what he’s been planning". Azula noticed you looked guilty and her jealousy rose again "so why tell me and betray your precious Zuko?" Azula asked aware she sounded childish but she didn’t care. You actually did roll your eyes this time "I know you don’t believe I didn’t mean the things I said to Zuko but i didn’t Azula, I did all of this to get you this information and well it seemed pointless to not tell you so here i am". Silence settled and Azula felt miffed, your answer hadn’t been what she expected at all. "Well if that is all you can go" Azula said coldly turning away. You fixed your eyes on her in disbelief and Azula felt a mixture of anger and guilt. How dare you look at her like she was the bad guy here. She had told you to drop this and didn’t owe you anything. But as you turned to leave Azula got a sinking feeling, this felt final...you’d said this was happening in 24 hours, that was so soon. Why had you told her? Azula knew her brother, he wouldn’t leave you behind. No he’d take you with him and yet you still told her. Was it just because of loyalty to her or had you wanted to see her? To prove you were on her side? Azula frowned, if she told her father Zuko would be imprisoned or killed and you would be dragged down with him, especially when she was forced to reveal where she got this information from. Azula was still angry and confused at you but she didn’t want to be the cause of your death. She couldn’t be even if it did mean bringing down her brother...could she?.

Your POV

The talk with Azula hadn't cleared anything up for you it just made you feel guilty for betraying zuko. You been split by your loyalty to both of them but your feelings for Azula won you over and all for nothing. Azula hadn't responded how you'd wanted her to and now Zuko was going to suffer for your lapse in judgement. You decided you were going to tell him, apologise and maybe convince him to leave early while he still could and so has been waiting in his room for him to return all morning. You were unpacking the last of his belongings while you waited when the door suddenly opened. "Zuko we need to talk" you started but stopped dead in your tracks to see Azula stood there. “Azula? what are you doing here?”. "Well i heard Mai’s got a bounty out for your head so figured you'd be hiding out in here". You paused but realised she hadn't really answered your question “That still doesn’t tell me why you’re here”. Azula huffed at your tone but carried on “I don’t have long the war meeting starts soon so just let me talk”. You pouted but nodded for Azula to go on. “This escape plan?” Azula asked “the one taking place tomorrow, my brother has extended the invitation to you hasn’t he?”. You paused and Azula nodded “I knew it”. “He has” you tried to explain “but i...” but Azula wasn’t listening. “I am not bothered about Zuko being here or not” Azula explained “I will do you this one thing y/n, I will not tell my father about Zuko’s plan to give you the chance to escape, but as soon as you are out of here I will have to hunt down my brother". "Azula" you tried to explain but she cut you off "no just listen, i will have to do that y/n whether i want to or not so my advice to you is to escape and get away from him, leave Zuko as soon as you can and head for the colonies, you can get away there and be safe I won't follow you there”. “Azula” you said annoyed but she carried on “of course you'll need to find work and money to survive, you could steal some of Zuko’s possessions to help start you off, or even ask him for them I’m sure he won’t mind and use the money to build a life in the colonies...”. “Azula” you yelled and she stopped looking at you clearly annoyed “what?”. "I’m not going with Zuko" you told her and she frowned.  "Well why not?" She asked exasperatedly and you sighed "I’m not leaving with zuko, I can’t, not after all I’ve done to him” you sighed and saw Azula roll her eyes. “And I know you think that's stupid” you said noticing her expression “but Zuko isn’t as bad as I thought he’d be and don’t take that personally Azula just because I don't hate Zuko doesn’t mean I dislike you”. Azula pouted and you shook your head ”I feel gulity for what I did to him but that’s not the main reason I’m not leaving” You told Azula “I’ve lied and manipulated Zuko and yes i feel bad for doing it but I did all that for you  because you needed me to do it and well I’d pretty much do anything for you". Azula paused taken back and unsure how to respond just blurted "so why does that mean you can't leave?". You smirked slightly at Azula's blunt response and smiled "because if I leave I‘ll be leaving you here alone, and i know you don’t trust me or even like me but I don’t want to do that Azula, I won’t leave you here alone, I promised you I’d be here for you Azula and so there’s no way I’m leaving you, I won’t, not even if you command me to". 

Azula’s POV

Azula was taken back by your confession and all the emotions it made her feel. She felt scared, vulnerable, angry at you for not saying it sooner, suspicious, confused why you still felt this for her but mainly she felt hopeful. What you said made her excited, it made her feel warm and happy, something she hadn’t felt since she'd parted from you. She felt safe. Azula stared at you softly and you paused "so yeah...you don’t have to reply but i just wanted you to know that". You looked down and turned away “you should go, the meeting will have started now”. Azula reacted too slowly and when she went to call your name tell you not to leave you’d already gone. Azula moved to follow you but the door behind her opened and her father appeared "Azula?" Ozai asked "what are you doing in here? Are you ready for the meeting?". She nodded although her eyes kept flickering to the door you'd just walk out of and she itched to follow you. "Azula!" her father snapped and reluctantly Azula followed him.  

All through the meeting Azula couldn’t concentrate, all she could think about was what you said and how much that meant to her. And more importantly how she couldn't let anything happen to you. As soon as the meeting was over Azula grabbed zuko "i need to talk to you". He glared at her pulling his arm away and it took everything in her body not to just yank his arm and force him to speak to her. "please" she said through gritted teeth and Zuko raised his eyebrows but followed her out of pure shock. As soon as he shut the door Azula started to talk. "You have to take y/n with you" Azula told Zuko and he paused eyes wide "what?"."When you leave tomorrow" she explained. "How do you..." zuko started but Azula cut him off "it doesn't matter, what matters is I know y/n doesn’t want to go but you have to make her! By any means possible". Zuko glared "I’m not forcing her to do anything Azula". Azula sighed angrily he didn't understand. "Zuko if you disappear and she stays do you have any idea what will happen to her? Can your small brain even comprehend what father will do to get information out of her?". "I know that" Zuko snapped and Azula glared "so what's the problem?" She snapped back "she doesn't leave with you then she gets hurt! Or worse! You think your life is worth more than hers! That you can run away and be happy knowing you did that to her?". "No..." zuko frowned and Azula nodded "then make her leave with you! Get her out of the palace and away from here, you have to! Scare her, pay her, guilt her! I don't care what it is just save her!". Zuko stared at Azula shocked to see his sister so desperate. In all his life he'd never seen her so scared, so worried about someone who wasn't herself. "You care about her?" Zuko said shocked "like really care for her". Azula rolled her eyes annoyed it had taken her family this long to notice "just do as i say Zuko, if she get's hurt because of you i'll...". "Got it" Zuko nodded "I'll try and get her to safety Azula I promise". Azula nodded her head suprised she was once pleased with Zuko and grateful for him. "Good" she nodded "i guess it's a good thing I didn't kill you when we were kids". Zuko frowned "thanks?". "You're welcome" Azula nodded before walking away.

Your POV

Zuko knew you wanted to speak to him by the way you kept fiddling with the sleeve of your uniform. Zuko had grown suspicious of you since his meeting with Azula and figured he’d just start the ball rolling. "You told Azula about our escape plan didn't you?" Zuko asked and you froze. Guilt overcame you and you spun around "Zuko I’m so sorry". Zuko nodded his head in recognition but wouldn’t look at you "I suppose it’s okay, she's not going to stop us so it hasn’t changed anything...".  "I know but i feel so bad, I could’ve got you caught or worse by telling her, i don’t know what I was expecting to happen when I told her...I don’t know what I wanted from it" you sighed but zuko frowned. "I think i know why you did it, i think Azula does too...I never realised you were...you're close aren’t you?". You sighed but nodded "I mean I thought we were but I’m not so sure anymore". "That’s why you don't want to leave isn’t it?" Zuko asked "you don’t want to leave her". You were terrified to admit it but also it felt so good just to confess your feelings. "Yes, I can't leave her Zuko, i know you don’t like her but she's not like you think she is...I can't leave her behind to deal with this this all alone". Zuko frowned "well she actually asked me to get you out of here". "She asked you that?" You said suprised Azula went to Zuko for help of all people! Zuko nodded "I’ve never seen her care for anyone before but she was certain I had to get you to leave with me, I think she’s scared of what will happen to you once im gone and I am too y/n". You were grateful and touched Azula and Zuko both cared about you so much but it didn't change your mind. "I can't Zuko" you sighed firmly "I guess Azula won’t be happy but I haven’t changed my decision I can’t leave her behind I...I just can’t". Zuko nodded "I understand, well I don’t but I won’t force you". You smiled sadly "thank you for helping me though I never thought i’d grow to count you as a friend but I did, I just hope i haven’t ruined everything". Zuko shook his head "I don’t like what you did but i get it...you did it for Azula because of how much you like her". You blushed but nodded "still it doesn’t excuse what i did and I’m sorry". Zuko smiled softly and placed a hand on your arm "you're forgiven y/n". 

The escape had gone fairly smoothly. You wanted to see Zuko off so waited by the airships for him when sure enough he appeared out of breath and shaken but he looked fine. “It went okay with your father?” you asked noticing the smell of burning on him. “As well as I expected” Zuko nodded as you passsed him his supplies and the keys to the airship. Zuko took them from you and paused “You still won’t come with me?” Zuko asked and you shook your head smiling sadly  “no”. “You know what they’ll do to you?” Zuko warned you “are you sure you’re willing to accept that?”. You nodded your head “just hurry up and overthrow your father”. Zuko smiled but it was a sad smile and he sighed “y/n...”. “Go” you said hearing the sounds of someone approaching “now!”. Zuko nodded and turned to the airship when Azula appeared. “Honestly I ask one thing of you and you even fail at that” Azula snapped. Zuko looked just as suprised as you that Azula was here. “Azula why are you here?” Zuko asked as if unsure if she was here to help or stop him from leaving. “I came to make sure you got y/n to go with you but as usual you failed”. I won’t force her” Zuko glared “unlike you I don’t just ignore what my friends want”. Azula rolled her eyes “this isn’t a difference in opinion Zuko this is her life you’re letting her throw away” Azula snapped and you stepped inbetween them. “Azula stop, you can’t blame Zuko for this it’s my decision”. Azula finally looked at you and her expression confused you because she genuinely looked scared, something you’d never seen on her face before. “But it’s a stupid decision, do you know what my father will do to you? What I wont be able to stop?”. “I know” you nodded and Azula groaned “so go!” she yelled “run now! disappear! I won’t blame you y/n you have my blessing to do this”. “Sweet as that is I don’t care” you replied. Azula glared at you “you’re going even if I have to put you on the ship myself!”. Zuko watched amazed as you stepped towards Azula and she didn’t back away or push you back. "I told you i’m not leaving" you told her "there no way you’ll get me on that ship atleast not without you". Azula shook her head, you couldn't be serious. "Y/n you have to leave because you’re in danger i’m not" she told you “please go”. Azula stared at you willing you to say yes but you couldn’t. You gently touched her arm and lowered you tone “Azula you know that’s not true, you’re not safe here none of you are”. "You don’t know what youre talking about" Azula glared and you frowned feeling her tense. “Azula your father burned Zuko for speaking out of turn as a child! He’s neglected you emotionally since you were an infant! He sent you out alone across the world to capture the avatar and pitted you and Zuko against one another just because he could! He uses you because you’re valuable not because he values you, you are in danger here Azula just like me and that’s why I’m not going anywhere unless you’re with me". “That’s ridiculous” Azula muttered “my father would never harm me...Zuko was wrong to do what he did...I won’t make a mistake like that ever”. You smiled sadly “you don’t know that Azula and if you do how would your father react?”. Azula flinched away from you and turned so her back was to you “no I can’t”. Azula walked away from you and stood cradling her arms, the sight almost broke you but you had to do this, you were so close.  “Azula” you said softly and she shook her head “stop it y/n”. “Azula please come with me”. She didn’t reply so you walked closer "Even if you think you’re safe here you’re not happy here Azula" you told her "i know you’re not, and that’s not fair Azula”. Azula looked at you and you could see there were tears in her eyes. “I know you’re scared and so am I” you nodded “this life is all we know but it isn’t all thats out there Azula, there’s more for you...for both of us besides this” you said gesturing to the palace “you deserve better than this Azula, you deserve to be happy and loved and appreciated and if we leave we can find all that, we can have all that! All you need to do is come with me" you said standing inches away from here. “Please Azula come with me” you begged hand outstreteched. The silence stretched out and the tension was thick in the air. You held your breath waiting for Azula’s reply, not even contemplating what it would mean if she said no. You lowered your eyes figuring Azula didn’t want to come with you when she moved so quickly it made you jump. Azula grabbed your hand and nodded softly her eyes fixed on you “Let’s go”. 

Epilogue 

You, Azula and Zuko fled the firenation and helped Zuko find the avatar as he planned. From there though you seperated from Zuko. Azula was still torn by her decision to abandon the life she’s knew and joining the rebels didn’t help her process that decision so together you left. You followed Azula’s plan of traveling to the fire nation colonies. It was a rough journey but together you avoided detection and made it to a quiet village where you could lay low. The news from the war was continuous and not easy for Azula to hear. She was struggling to come to terms with what she had done, she’d always planned every inch of her life but now she was without a plan, without a role, without a clear path. Azula considered going back numerous times, not because she missed her father or felt guilty for what she’d done but because she couldn’t see how she could just be Azula and not the firenation princess or a prodogy bender. But each time the thought of leaving you stopped her and you helped her adjust the best you could, reassuring her it was going to be okay and it would all work out. Once the war was won you didn’t have to hide away and Zuko helped you aquire the help Azula needed. Azula started trying to work on herself and you helped her unpack all her unconscious beliefs and traumas. It was hard work and there were many arguments and bad days but you were there for every breakdown, every outburst, every insecurity and you worked through them together. You never wanted Azula to feel alone ever again.  As the months passed azula adjusted more to the idea of just being herself, not a weapon, not a firebending prodogy, not an opponent to her brother, just Azula. And you helped her see being just Azula was good enough, brilliant actually.

10 years later

You sat down in your garden on the bench you'd made a few years ago and smiled. The summer was coming to an end and while it was still warm it was a more relaxed heat you could happily enjoy. You closed your eyes feeling the sun on your face and enjoyed the smells of your garden when you felt someone sit next to you. Azula eased into the bench beside you and rested her arm around the back of your chair as she always did. You smiled placing your hand on her knee out of habit and looked at her. "We've been living here for 10 years now but the view still gets me on days like this" Azula smiled "it’s beautiful". You nodded just watching Azula and admired how content she looked. Azula was still the same strong willed confident woman but she was different now. She was no longer terrified of not being good enough, no longer chasing approval or using manipulation and anger as her weapons. Azula felt your gaze and looked over at you "what?". "Nothing" you smiled lowering your eyes. You both knew you'd been caught admiring her. Azula smirked and rested her head against yours "moments like this feel perfect" Azula smiled "and they only happened because of you". You shook your head "not just me, you chose to come with me, you made that leap not me". "Well yes but I did it for you mostly" Azula shrugged "so it was...inspired by you?" Azula asked and you smiled. "Fine I’ll accept that" you rolled your eyes making Azula grin. "Thank you" Azula said softly watching the turtle ducks in your pond "I don't think I say it enough". "You don't need to thank me" you smiled "I did it for you and being here seeing you be happy and grow as a person...that’s all the thanks I need". Azula blushed, something you still found adorable after all this time, and smiled "well still thank you, you saved me and made me the person i am i'll never forget that...ever" she told you holding your face. You blushed too and Azula smirked. She leant in to kiss you when your gate screeched and you heard a small voice. "Aunt azula! Aunt y/n were here!" Izumi yelled and Azula grinned. "About time!" Azula called "did you dad get lost again?" she asked scooping Izumi up into her arms making her laugh. "Yeah" Izumi giggled "mom’s angry he wouldn’t ask for directions just because he’s the firelord". You chuckled and waved to Zuko and Mai who were in sight at the bottom of the path. "Did you miss me?" Izumi asked and you smiled resting an arm on Azula's back "of course we did" you grinned "our favourite niece". "I'm your only niece" Izumi smirked jumping from Azula to you and you laughed "true but you're still our favourite" and tickled her. Izumi laughed and Azula smiled at the two of you. Izumi ran off to her parents and Azula followed. You stood watching your family and smiled as Azula and Zuko greeted each other warmly and Azula hugged mai like the old friend she was. The sun caught Azula’s face as she laughed at a joke Mai made and her eyes glowed as they had years ago when you'd first started dating. You smiled just seeing her smile and felt the familiar warm happy feeling in your chest. You were both safe, happy and together, still in love after all these years and you couldn’t picture it any other way, your life with Azula was perfect.

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So that’s it!!! Sorry it was suppppper long I just had so much to write about Azula! I know the ending might be a bit optimistic or idealistic for Azula but I want Azula to be happy and loved so don’t really care. Plus with help support and therapy I think Azula could totally live a healthy happy life and overcome all her past trauma so wrote that. Thanks for all the likes and support!! I’ve really enjoyed this series and it’s been great to see so many Azula fans are out there. Thanks again!!