#someone give Bumi a hug

[dukeofdelirium]

The sheer scope of Aang's loss is terrifying to think about sometimes (all the time). He didn't just lose the air nomads -tho it's his most personal and devastating loss- he's lost everything. Most plants and animals went extinct, the places he knows are in ruins. He lost the four nations as he once knew them, the friends he made, the festivals he went to, the peace and harmony he lived in. The slang, the references, the dances he knows are something of the past, now scoffed at. No matter how much he remembers, how much is restored, there's still so much lost to time. Aang was taken from a time of peace (before being told he's the avatar anyway, and the war silently brewing) to a war-torn age.

And he has Appa and Momo and Bumi from his old life and all the gaang, of course, but it's just so tragic on so many levels.

The fact he chooses kindness again and again and again in the face of all what was taken from him.... that he chooses life and peace, to make amends, and follow the teachings of his people.... that he forgives.... Aang is actually the greatest character ever, and someone needs to drown him in hugs.

I know 😭😭😭 Aang is such an important character to me and he is so near and dear to my heart. I absolutely adore him and his character arc.

The fact he had unconditional love for the world even tho that same world took everything from him. The fact he did all of the things he did for others never asking for anything in return. The fact everyone tried to get him to give up the last of his culture and he put his foot down and said “no. YOU move” .. who is doing it like him? King

“But he never let it destroy his spirit. He chose to find meaning in his suffering, and eventually found peace.” When Katara said this in TLoK I threw up and died btw. Also when Aang said “It’s easy to do nothing, but it’s hard to forgive.” ten year old me felt that and I never really stopped feeling it.

We should all be a little more like Aang. He is the most special boy ever and he deserves the entire world and also 100 trillion dollars.

[chiefbeifongcanrailme]

For the DVD commentary, from My Brother's Girlfriend:

You see, Tenzin admitted that he was quite the romantic. He had a talk with his parents about it very early on in life. He told them that he didn't want to be the father of the air nation even though that would inadvertently be his responsibility. He wanted to give his children the same childhood he had: one where his parents loved him and his siblings the same: bending, warts and all. He wanted to marry for love: not to repopulate the world of it's airbenders. Aang had hugged his son tightly that night. At the ripe age of eleven, the boy understood what most of his older acolytes couldn't seem to follow. Yes, the world needed more airbenders. Yes, what happened to the airbenders was an atrocity. But it happened in the past. Neither can one dwell in the past, nor must they yearn for a future. What mattered was the present and what one can do with the gift of today. Aang always told his kids to do their best every day and if they did that, the universe had it's ways of rewarding them. That night, Aang promised his son that he'd be free to do as his heart desired. That the universe will settle the unbalance.

And then there were airbenders. His own brother amongst them. 

Tenzin's conundrum between choosing a man, woman, or bender he loved and his legacy was finally resolved. Even though his father and the Avatar had already given him the freedom, this was the universe's way of telling him he was indeed free to make his own choices. He liked to think that everything changed after harmonic convergence, but really nothing had. He still traveled the world and taught the principles of air nation alongside airbending wherever needed. He spent a total of two years at every temple, summoning more and more airbenders and introducing them to their element. Even though he was constantly surrounded by benders and acolytes alike, the experience was rather isolating. Aang and Katara would visit him from time to time, but his only loyal companion was his trusty sky bison, Oogie, who grew up with the young bender. 

No, but this was not about legacies or bending. 

Tenzin was displeased- furious even, at whom, however, he didn't know. But why? Clear as day. Because while he was searching far and wide for the love of his life, his unknowing brother slid right past and won her over with his unequivocal charm. He couldn't even blame her- not that he knew her or her type- to fall in love with someone like Bumi. For the longest time, Tenzin would wonder how he was actually related to this cacophony of a man and to think that now his whole purpose- his soulmate- was the very point of commonality between them. 

Coming to Chapter 2 of My Brother's Girlfriend, where the plot actually begins plotting: I like to think of the first chapter as kind of a prologue, with the second chapter being where to story actually starts.

This whole excerpt here serves as the "We are throwing all of canon into the trash and this is what's up" memo to catch the audience up with what setting this fic/ship is going to take place in.

As you all know better than anyone by now, I love a good "more than one person is in love with Lin and she's oblivious" trope. But, because of canon, I also LOVE a good jealous Tenzin fic. My guilty pleasure is those fics where Lin and Bumi are together and Tenzin is losing his mind from the moment he finds out.

So, it was only fitting to sorta re-do canon from the point where it became a problem for my first ship: Linzin. What if Aang led the Harmonic Convergence instead of it being a random consequence of the actions of Korra and Jinora? What if Tenzin stayed true to being an air nomad? What if the oldest two kids of the legends of the 100 year war got together?

Despite poking holes in the "plot" of canon, I wanted to keep the characters true to as they were written. And enter, Tenzin: a hopeless romantic. Inspired by his own parents' iconic love story, he feels almost entitled, if not blessed to the opportunity of true love. He plays by the book. He does his due diligence. And he knew the universe would reward him. He didn't need to marry and "breed" for the sake of is legacy anymore. In fact, it wasn't just him, he was sharing the weight with Bumi who had gained airbending through Harmonic Convergence (on that note: I also wanted to explore what Bumi would be like had he not had the whole "I am a disappointment because I'm not an airbender" thing going on. Would he still join the United Forces? If so, would he return home once he got airbending?).

In that regard, Bumi and Tenzin surely have a better relationship here than in canon- in the sense that they don't resent each other and their parents for their biases. But there's still some tension due to their polar opposite personalities, and furthermore, there's one-sided tension on Tenzin's side because he falls hopelessly in love with Lin, at first sight. One minute he's thinking of ways to ask Lin out without wasting any time, and the next, he is introduced to her as his brother's girlfriend.

Like canon, Tenzin can be pretty entitled. He strongly believes that Lin's with the wrong man. He doesn't seem care to think about Lin's feelings on the matter. He has this mindset that's like "if she could fall for Bumi, she could definitely fall for me with so much more ease." And because of that mindset, he is convinced at a very shallow level, that Bumi stole his girl.

I hope you enjoyed this commentary!

[lokixcroki]

New Year’s Eve on Air temple island

Walking up the stairs from the docks holding Lin’s hand I can already hear Tenzin yelling at his brother.

“Bumi do you know how dangerous these things are?! And with the kids what if something goes wrong?! You know how they are!”

“Oh come on Tenzin don’t be such a party pooper! Me and Meelo have everything under control.”

“WHAT?! MEELO WILL NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THESE BOMBS!”

I can’t help but laugh at their interaction. I look up at Lin and she’s chuckling too.

“Oh come on Tenzin ease up I’m sure Bumi will make sure that Meelo is completely safe.”

Tenzin seems to relax at his wife’s words and strokes his beard.

“Listen to your wife Tenzin i would never put Meelo in danger. Come on Meelo we have a lot to do.”

And with that he picks up a giant box of fireworks and wanders off with Meelo in tow who’s carrying another smaller box.

“AUNT LIN, AUNT Y/N!”

I look over and see Opal run in our direction before we can react we are embraced in a tight hug by the Airbender. I feel Lin tense next to me and I squeeze her hand for reassurance. I return Opals hug with my free hand and rub her back. Just as she is about to release us someone hugs us from behind.

Lin tenses again.

“Lin, Y/n it’s so good to see you two.”

Su says from behind us and gives us both a kiss on our cheeks.

“It’s good to see you too Su.”

“Yes, it’s good to see you too, but let me go now.” and with that Lin wiggles her way out of the warm embrace.

Before she’s out of reach I grab her armoured arm and shoot her a glance that I hope she interprets as a ‘HELP ME PLEASE’.

She smirks and rips her arm away walking towards Kya, Tenzin, Pema, Batarr Sr., Team Avatar and the rest of Su’s kids leaving me stuck in between Opal and Su.

When Opal and Su finally let go of me I take a much needed deep breath.

“Aunt Y/n, I bought a new dress that looks like your sage green one I have to show it to you.”

Opal grabs my hand and begins to drag me in the direction of the women’s dormitory.

“Oh definitely, but I still have some unfinished business with your Aunt.”

I take a small pebble and bend it with force at the back of Lin’s head. As soon as it hits her head Lin lets out a yelp and rubs the back of her head while turning around to scowl at me. I just smile at her innocently and let the laughing Opal drag me away towards her room.

When Opal and I return the courtyard is almost empty except Bumi, Meelo and Korra setting up the fireworks.

“Do you want to help us Beifongs or are you going to stare at us hardworking people?”

Bumi asks while grabbing Another box of fireworks.

“Uhhh… no I think I’m going to look for Bolin.”

“And you Mrs. Beifong are you going to help us?”

I shrug “Why not?” I walk over to them.

“What can I do?”

“Y/N!”

I turn around at Tenzin’s shrill voice.

“Are you helping them?! You out of all people?! I expected this from Bumi sure, Meelo yes, Korra maybe, but you?!”

“Why not?” I ask a little confused by his second outburst.

“Because you are the most reasonable out of us all!”

“Let her help us Dad! Otherwise your a party pooper!”

I can hear Bumi snicker behind me I look over at Korra and she has her hand clamped tightly over her mouth to stifle a laugh.

“MEELO! BUMI YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TEACH MEELO BAD WORDS!”

As Tenzin yells at his brother I can feel wind from his robes hit my face in waves. I see my chance to slip away into the temple with Korra and leave the still snickering Bumi and yelling Tenzin behind.

I walk into the private dining room of Tenzin’s family and let myself drop on a cushion next to Lin and let out a sigh.

“Are you alright?” Lin asks smiling at me.

I let my head drop onto her shoulder.

“Bumi asked if I wanted to help with the fireworks and you know how much I love fireworks so I said yes. Next thing I know Tenzin is in the process of blowing his arrow of while yelling at me for helping them because I’m usually the most reasonable out of us all.”

Lin chuckles at my choice of words.

At the thought of what occurred after that I let out a laugh.

“Then Meelo called Tenzin a party pooper.”

This causes Lin and I to laugh catching Su’s attention.

“What are you two laughing at?”

“Well Meelo just called Tenzin a party pooper.” I say still laughing at the thought. Su starts to laugh too. After a few minutes we are able to contain our laughter, but then Tenzin comes into the room visibly fuming.

“What’s wrong Honey?”

“Meelo…” he takes a deep breath to calm his nerves. “… just called me a party pooper! A PARTY POOPER!”

Then the whole dining room breaks out into laughter and Kya manages to say between wheezes “Well you are.” Tenzin drops on a cushion in between Pema and Kya and pouts like a toddler.

Then Bumi and Meelo come in.

“The fireworks are all set for later. Wait… what did we miss?”

“Meelo did you call your Father a party pooper?” Pema tries to ask seriously.

“I did.” Meelo looks proud at his Mother causing us all to laugh again.

“Apologise.”

“But Moooommmm.”

“Apologise or no dessert.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Apology excepted.” Tenzin responds with a sigh.

“Good. Well I’ll check on dinner otherwise we will all starve.” She makes her way out of the dining room and into the kitchen. Asami and I follow her to help.

I cut fruits for dessert while Asami cuts vegetables for Pema’s famous Dumplings while Pema stirs a really good smelling soup.

Then the Kids come in to bug Pema:

“Moooommmmm we are Hungryyyyyyy!”

“Dinner is almost ready.”

“But we’re hungry now!”

I grab three small bowls and fill them with the freshly cut fruit and hand them to the Airkids.

“Here and now out of the kitchen you three.”

And usher the three laughing kids out of the kitchen.

“Asami, Y/n would you two set the table I’ll think I have the rest under control.”

“Sure.”

Asami grabs the plates and bowls whilst I grab the cutlery and napkins and we make our way back into the dining room were Bumi is telling one of his stories animatedly.

Lin seems to have zoned out so when I bow down to set her chopsticks next to her plate I give her a kiss on her scarred cheek. When she turns her head in surprise to look at me I give her a short peck on her soft lips and continue to set the table.

When the table is all set I return to the Kitchen to help Pema to carry the plates and bowls filled with food to the dining room.

I try to carry two plates and a bowl and when Meelo runs into my leg almost causing me to trip and drop the bowl Mako jumps up to catch me and the bowl.

“Thanks Mako.”

“No problem.”

“Meelo! You have to be careful when running around!” Pema scolds her son.

“Sorry Y/n.”

“It’s fine.”

When the plates and the bowl are safely set in the table I sit on the cushion next to Lin and Su.

During dinner Lin taps my hand and I turn to look at her and she holdes a gyoza in my face.

“Here.”

I take a bite and make sure to only bite of half of the gyoza then Lin eats the other half.

When I turn back to my plate I see Bolin staring at us confused. And I hear Lin ask “You alright Bolin?”

“Uhh… yeah just confused. Why did you share a gyoza there are plenty on that plate over there.” He says pointing at a big plate of gyoza.

“It’s our new year’s tradition. The first New Year’s Eve we spent together there was only one left so we shared and now we have been doing that for the past years.”

I say smiling at him.

“Oh okay, okay makes sense.”

I chuckle at his reaction and resume eating.

After dinner we all help and clear the table and head out to the courtyard where a beaming Bumi and a giddy Meelo are waiting. Bumi is holding a remote so he can set of the fireworks when it turns midnight.

I look at my small gold wristwatch; it’s almost midnight only ten minutes left.

I take Lin’s hand in mine and give it a squeeze. She squeeze’s back a few seconds later smiling down at me.

“Bumi are you sure these are safe?” I hear Tenzin ask.

“Yes I’m sure you wimp.” Bumi says teasingly laying an arm around Tenzins shoulder and leaning on him.

I look at my watch one minute left.

“Uncle Bumi can I press the button please?”

Meelo looks at Bumi with puppy eyes.

“Sure.” He picks Meelo up and sets him on his shoulders handing him the remote.

“Only fifteen seconds left.” Korra shouts somewhere to my right.

I look at my watch then team avatar shouts:

“TEN.”

Me and the others join them.

“NINE.”

“EIGHT.”

“SEVEN.”

“SIX.”

“FIVE.”

“FOUR.”

“THREE.”

“TWO.”

“ONE.”

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Meelo slams his little finger on the button and the fireworks start to go of.

Lin cups my face and leans down capturing my lips in a soft kiss. I snake my arms around her waist and pull her closer.

I break the kiss and whisper against her lips:“Happy new year my Love.”

Lin whispers back: “Happy new year Darling.”

[ask-misun-and-oc]

Ikemen Warlords sounds like Touken Danshi

Author: Sometimes i can hear touken danshi's voice in warlords voice or vice versa. It's kind of funny yet so strange and 'familiar'. So i always imagine warlord act as Touken Danshi or vice versa. Now let see warlord become Touken Danshi.

Note: Some of seiyuu has roled more than one character which mean i have to choose the closest one.

Sasuke as Minamoto Kiyomaro

Mitsunari: Sasuke-saaan, i failed to make Ieyasu-sama get impressed.

Sasuke: Is that so? I wonder why is it.

Ryuji: Is it just me or you get more chill?

Yoritomo as Goke Kanemitsu

Yoritomo: Ryuji-kuuuuun. //immedietely hugs Ryuji tight// Glad to see you back. I'm a shogun of love will treat you with my best!

Ryuji: Could you give me some space!! You'll killing me. And i'm brushing my cat!

Yoritomo: But you are lovely cat to- HACHUUH!

Yoshitsune: Don't tell me if you are alergic of cat's fur.

Kichou as Hyuuga Masamune

Nobunaga: You come back? For what?

Kichou: This situation makes me come back here.

Ryuji: What scheme that will you do, 'Nohime'!

Kichou: I'm just following what he said.

Ryuji: Wait a second? You changed so fast? I thought you will have your own way to rule Japan- ah nevermind.

Kagetoki as Jikkyu Mitsutada

Ryuji: //playing guitar// Sepertinya... kau memang dari planet yang lain. 🎶 Dikirim ke bumi untuk... orang orang sepertiku 🎶🎶

Kagetoki: What song that you play, Ryuji?

Ryuji: Owh, just a pop song.

Kagetoki: Oh i see. Your hobby sound interesting anyway. May i spend the time by doing it?

Ryuji: I thought you will scold me because wasting the time.

Ieyasu as Kashuu Kiyomitsu

Hideyoshi: Ieyasu, Nobunaga-sama gives an order for scouting around the village. Someone is watching us. Perhaps it's Kenshin's spy.

Ieyasu: Finally Nobunaga-sama count it on me. Leave it to me, Hideyoshi. I will do it as best as i could.

Ryuji: You looks so enthusiastic unlike usual, Ieyasu-san.

Morinaga as Daihannya Nagamitsu

Morinaga: //whistles// Hello, lady. You look pretty.

Ryuji: .... 😑 how dare you suspecting me as a girl.

Morinaga: O-owh, sorry. But i admit you look beautiful as flower blooming.

Ryuji: GET OUT!!

Kurama as Onimaru Kunitsuna

Kurama: I can sense... demon everywhere.

Ryuji: Excuse me, you are the demon too.

Yoshitsune: Is that so, Kurama? Can you sense Tamamo's presence? We need to kill him before my brother reach it.

Kurama: You mean fox spirit inside sessho-seki? I guess it's not far from here. I can help you to slash it.

Ryuji: Makes sense i guess, but... to dangerous without a Dojigiri.

Yasuchika as Oodenta Mitsuyo

Yasuchika: I wonder how the world looks like. Will it so threatening or not.

Akihito+Ryuji: 😑

Ibuki: This guy is less boring, isn't it.

Yukimura as Tomita Gou

Kenshin: Nobunaga... next time i will make you pay about what have you done to me.

Yukimura: I know how does it feel. But think about it. Why don't we negosiating once more.

Ryuji: Eeek, what did you say? It's a first time seeing you negosiating.

Shingen: Nonsense, Yukimura. We don't need to- //seeing a lady// Owh, there is a lady crossing.

Ryuji: FOCUS PLEASE!!!

Kennyo as Nagasone Kotetsu

Ryuji: Zzz...zzz...zzz... //got hit by Kennyo's staff// Ouch! Oouch, that's hurt.

Kennyo: How long you will sleep huh?!

Ryuji: It's been 15 minutes i sleep!! Just give me a time.

Kennyo: No, Ryuji. We have to do it by force.

Ryuji: Wait, you will die easily because we're alone.

Nobunaga as Magoroku Kanemoto

Ryuji: //catching a spy// Nyaaaah, this guy is troublesome! I hate a stalker!

Hideyoshi: He needs to be punished-

Nobunaga: No, let him go. I'm sure the spy had regret his choice facing my wrath.

Ryuji: Haha, a good choice for stalking our opponent using this guy- wait, that's not the way you are, Nobunaga.

Ibuki as Sengo Muramasa

Ryuji: Hhhh... i'm so exhausted being Shogunate puppet. I mean... Yoritomo enslaves me.

Ibuki: Is that the meaning for you get 'stripped' and naked in front of him?

Ryuji: OF COURSE NOT!!! Why must i get stripped, idiot!

Yasuchika: He really will do that if you a girl.

Ryuji: You two are pervy!

Mitsuhide as Inaba Gou

Mitsuhide: Seems i have no motivation to do something. I have no goal or something i dream of.

Ryuji: Errrr... Masamune, what's wrong with Akechi Mitsuhide?

Masamune: Not usual he just sitting there alone.

Ieyasu: Does he planning something?

Ryuji: But he looks depressed, Ieyasu!

Tamamo as Ichigo Hitofuri

Tamamo: Ryuji-san, would you take care Rikka while i go? This little guy is a good brother anyway.

Ryuji: Since when he become your little brother!

Rikka: I hate playing with Ryuji. He is not fun at all. I prefer with Unmei.

Morinaga: Then i'm the one who can play with him.

Ryuji: No, thanks! You're too rough!

Hideyoshi as "Mikajiji" Munechika

Nobunaga: Ceeeeh, you failed me again, Ryuji. It's just a single attack!

Ryuji: Sorry.

Masamune: Come on, Ryuji. You can do it.

Hideyoshi: Not at all, Ryuji. You are also good enough in fighting. Yoki kana yoki kana.

Ryuji: Wait- Did Hideyoshi said "yoki kana"?

Mitsuhide: Like an old-man, pathetic.

Shingen as Oochidori-Jumonji Yari

Shingen: //cleaning his sword without saying anything//

Ryuji: Yukimura-san. It's just me or Shingen now become introvert?

Yukimura: I'm not sure. Let's just focus on our mission taking down Masamune.

Mitsunari as Akita Toushiro

Mitsunari: Waaaah, the sunset is very beautiful. The sky looks so wide too. Making me want to fly above it.

Ryuji: Heee, is that so? I don't know how to react it but... it's not usual seeing you look so aware around you.

Ieyasu: Still childish afterall.

Yoshimoto as Buzen Gou

Yoshimoto: //pulls Ryuji from the bed// Come on, Ryuji. Have a race with me now.

Ryuji: //still clinging on the bed// But you said you won't have a battle anymore, Yoshimoto.

Yoshimoto: But today is different! Let's have a battle with me.

Ryuji: YOU BROKE YOUR OWN WORD!!

Sueharu as Hizen Tadahiro

Sueharu: So, your target is Yoritomo huh?

Yoshitsune: Sure.

Sueharu: Killing him as he did to you is a good idea.

Ryuji: Whoa whoa, calm down. We can do just a negosiation. Just remember why Yoritomo let Yoshitsune alive.

Sueharu: Yeah but as we have a chance, why not?

[the-last-cuddlebender]

Bigger Than the Bad Guys

“Bumi, I am very disappointed in you.” “I know…” “You could have been killed. You deliberately disobeyed me. And what’s worse, you put Kya in danger.”

...Even Auntie Toph had told them to stay away from the bad-place in the city. And Auntie Toph never told them not to do something. Bumi just wanted to be brave like Daddy and make his Mama smile again…

********************************

A/N: This is exactly what you think it is because f*ck me if DadMufasa!Aang and ToddlerSimba!Bumi in post-atla/pre-tlok are not so wholesome that I damn well might perish.

(very lightly edited because I was in a mood but mehhhh)

Rating: G (W for wholesome)

Words: 4,572

ArchiveOfOurOwn

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Kya was having second thoughts, and Bumi would be lying if he said he wasn’t, too. 

They’d been walking for forever in the almost pitch-black. It was really stinky, too, even by his standards, and the heavy air pressed against him like it was squishing him smaller and smaller as the tunnel got bigger and deeper. The damp stuck to his skin in a greasy film.

He couldn’t count how long they’d been walking—he couldn’t count a lot at all since he didn’t know all his numbers—but it was long enough to make him hungry. 

It was also long enough for Daddy’s concerned face and Mama’s teary shouts to become clearer and clearer in his memory. The mind-picture made his chest itch like something was stuck there, and he kept swallowing and itching it like he might be able to dig it out.

It didn’t work. But for Kya, he pretended it did. He tried to walk like Daddy.

He wasn’t second-guessing their mission, of course. That was the utmost priority. Mama and Daddy had been worrying over the bad guys from ‘the underground’ for so, so long…

It made Bumi almost as frustrated as it made him sad. 

He didn’t understand for the life of him why their parents didn’t go to ‘the underground’ with Auntie Toph and Uncle Sokka to beat the bad guys up and get it over with. 

They were the bravest heroes ever.

And it wasn’t like ‘the underground’ was hard to find. 

It was underground.

Duh. 

Granted, he and Kya had to go through the old bad-place that Daddy had been helping Auntie Toph ‘clear out’. 

Mama had told him—before his and Kya’s planning phase—that they weren't allowed to follow Daddy to his Avatar-work near that place.

Bumi didn’t understand why she was so serious. 

Her or Daddy.

Especially Daddy.

The even worse part was that their father had smiled while he made them promise not to go to the bad-place. Then he had taken them for ice-cream, and Mama let them jump in the deep end of the oasis to practice their swimming. 

Then Daddy paced throughout the night, and Bumi heard through his door (if he pressed his ear so hard it hurt) that Mama stayed up with him and talked with him in the gentle way she did when he or Kya had nightmares. 

It made Bumi’s heart hurt in the ache-y way his lungs did when Kya dunked him in the water for too long and got in trouble for it. 

He didn’t want Daddy and Mama to hide frowns with fake smiles anymore. 

They were being brave, though. They always were. 

‘The underground’ was a really, really big bad, after all.

But Bumi and Kya could be brave, too. 

And their mission would help their parents way more than the extra hugs and kisses they’ve been giving them. 

Maybe, after he and Kya return as brave heroes, Daddy and Mama will sleep instead of fidget and whisper when he and Kya curl in bed with them.

Bumi sighed. Kya held his arm a bit tighter. His sister didn’t care what people thought; if she was scared, she showed it. 

Bumi wouldn’t admit that he was, though. Mama and Daddy wouldn’t. Especially not to Kya. Especially especially when his Sissy held his arm with both hands as their torch burned to its wick. He was teetering on a razor’s edge between thrill and terror, and he made himself smile at her even when his stomach felt all float-y.

Because even Auntie Toph had told them to stay away from the bad-place. And Auntie Toph never told them not to do something.

But Bumi could be brave like her, too. And Uncle Sokka. 

He will be. 

He and Kya were brave just like Daddy and Mama.

Plus, Bumi had his new knife that Uncle Zuko gave him for his birthday, so he was prepared for anything. 

********************************

Bumi lost his knife and their torch as soon as he saw the first bad guy. His hands shook so much—the bad guy was so big—that he dropped them.

Kya could at least waterbend. He saw her (try to) push and pull the water with Mama the last time they swam in the deep end of the oasis.

If there was any water down here, then maybe she could have made them slip.

They ran. They hit a dead end. Bumi’s limbs were long enough. He could climb up into the next tunnel. 

His sister’s weren’t. Kya’s whimpered panting—her lungs weren’t as big as his, either—broke free her first sob as she clawed the wall and kept slipping down.

She looked at him like Mama had when she watched him fall off the roof without knowing until she raced to the bottom that Daddy was there to catch him.

It made his insides turn to slush, and Kya’s small cry put daggers in his lungs.

His Sissy was terrified.

Bumi was almost just as scared, but he jumped back to the enemy-laden ground and glared like he was about to beat their butts all at once, just like Mama did in the stories Auntie Toph told them when their parents weren’t watching. 

His Sissy’s tight grip on the bottom of his shirt—she had only ever held on to Daddy’s robes, and only if she was really, really scared—gave Bumi the strength to hold on to the last string holding his shaking limbs together. 

His sister was smaller than him. He would not leave her, and he would not let the bad guys hurt her. 

No matter how big the fourth bad guy was. 

Or the eighth. 

Or the twelfth.

Kya’s back hit the wall before Bumi’s did, and she slid to the ground. Bumi stood in front of her. The bad guys painted the wall with the inky cloaks of their shadows. Bumi was a broken leaf between his sister and a pack of devils who jeered new no-no words that, even though he didn’t know what they meant, by the way they said them to his Sissy gave him the feeling that even Auntie Toph wouldn’t use them. 

The bad guys stepped closer. Bumi tried to stand like Daddy did a year ago when the other bad man and broke a hole through Kya’s wall and hurt Mama.

Daddy had stood over all of them in the middle of a storm of stone and fire and arrows and didn’t move an inch. He broke apart boulder after fireball like they were nothing as they waited for Auntie Toph and Uncle Sokka to get there. 

Bumi’s legs shook, and he sucked in a breath and held it like maybe the air would keep him afloat and on his feet when his legs gave out. 

Auntie Toph and Uncle Sokka weren���t coming this time.

Or Daddy and Mama. 

Bumi and Kya were alone.

Bumi’s heart raced so fast that it felt like it was vibrating more than it was beating. He stopped breathing a while ago. His lungs were shriveling up and hiding in his throat like they were even scared-er than his Sissy. 

Kya was crying on her knees behind him. She was shaking, too—he felt it from where she grasped his calf.

One of the bad guys had grabbed her arm the first time they cornered them. Bumi had bitten him and ran as far as he could while he dragged Kya behind him.

Now the bad guy was earthbending a boulder the size of Bumi six-times-over, and they all glared at him and his Sissy with smiles that were hungry to kill them. 

They were big. So, so much bigger than him. Bumi barely reached his head to their mid-thigh on his tip-toes. 

He was small. 

Too small. 

Bumi wanted to cry. His eyes did, too. They were hot and sting-y, and tears made his picture of the bad guys all blurry. 

He couldn’t cry. He made a vow with Uncle Sokka not to cry unless he deserved it. 

Kya was crying because she was hurt. 

He had gotten them into this mess. He had no right to free himself of the sea-prune-sized sob choking him.

Bumi bared his teeth. His voice broke, but he didn’t let his tears fall.

“S-Stay away! I-I—‘M w-wa’rn’ yous!”

Kya held onto him tighter like she was deluded by his voice into some feeling of reassurance. 

“Or what? You gonna throw dirt at us?”

“Daddy’s not here to save you, brat.”

Bumi swallowed. He would have been sick if he had eaten lunch. 

One of the bad guys had his knife. He reached to grab one of them, and Bumi used the last of his strength to move in front of him and puff out his chest. 

He still didn’t cry. 

The wall adjacent exploded in a shower of earth. 

The howling boom and hiss of all elements clashing were terrifying enough to bring more tears to Bumi’s eyes yet familiar enough to keep him from crying. 

Bumi threw himself over his little sister. Kya held him so tight it hurt. Dirt and rocks hit his back, and heat threatened to blister his skin even through his clothes. His Sissy screamed, and it sounded like she was calling for Mama.

He held Kya tight. He closed his eyes even tighter.

He didn’t open them even when Daddy, out of breath and smelling of ash and earth, slid to his knees before them and herded his whimpering, shivering children into the protective circle of his arms with soft coos and gentle assurances. 

Bumi knew it was him; he heard the smile in his voice. 

Daddy’s shadow swallowed them both like a too-big cloak. He patted them down from head to toe, muttering to himself between kisses to their faces and dozens of jumbled concerns before relaxing, a mountain leaving his shoulders as he sagged over them. He smiled like he might cry—Bumi felt it from where Daddy pressed his trembling lips against his cheek. 

Daddy rubbed their backs and kissed their foreheads as he gently, but urgently, pressed between their shoulders to encourage them to his chest. Bumi and Kya were too filled with panicked goo to move on their own, otherwise. 

Daddy crouched closer, as unmoving and safe as an iron shield but inviting like his smile would blind anyone who would do them harm. He curled deeper on his knees and bent around so he had to look up at them. He made himself small, like them, and he was smiling that smile that drove instinct to herd themselves into his arms. 

Bumi still hadn’t opened his eyes, though. He heard the smile in Daddy’s voice. It was safe. 

Bumi clutched his father’s robes, and he breathed again. Daddy was safe. His scent and his voice and his touch wrapped them in a bubble that unwound their grip on each other and massaged away the primal fear that had them flinching wherever he had first touched them. Now they leaned into him like they were trapped in a frozen shell and his hands were torches. Even the air around Daddy bled comfort into them; it was as potent as the sleepy-shots Mama used to help people feel better. 

Bumi and Kya latched onto him like they were built to be there, and Daddy cradled them like he was made to hold them. 

Bumi melted against his chest like he was sinking into warm water. Daddy’s arms were stronger than the ones that had hurt his Sissy. 

Daddy was bigger than the bad guys.

He was stronger and braver, too. 

He was their hero. 

Bumi fisted Daddy’s robes so tightly that his hands shook and his fingers tingle. Beside him, Kya shook even harder and hiccuped little sounds that made his chest hurt and his arms itch to hug her. 

Bumi still hadn’t opened his eyes. He didn’t want to open them and be in front of the bad guys again. He didn’t want to open them and suddenly be out of Daddy’s arms. 

He held his father tight. Daddy held him even tighter. 

Bumi didn’t open his eyes even when he smelled fresh air and heard the sounds of outside again. He tasted metal, sharp and cold, before he heard Auntie Toph. She was yelling so many no-no words that it made him cringe, and metal clanked as dozens of police-people ran by and around them.

Uncle Sokka yelled his relief and then an alert, and Mama’s voice was far away and then in his ear before Bumi took his next breath.  

Her warmth hit his back and wrapped around him in a force heavier and tighter than an iron net. Mama hugged Daddy and pressed Bumi and Kya between them so snugly that all Bumi knew in that moment was his Mama, his Daddy, his Sissy, and the warm-fuzzy feeling that bubbled under his skin and felt like home. 

He and Sissy grabbed tight handfuls of her dress. Mama grabbed them even tighter. 

Her soft coos and million kisses lassoed his heart and broke it tame. Daddy rubbed his back and scratched his beard on his neck as he kissed his hair, Mama’s face, and Kya’s hair over and over again.

Daddy was big enough to hug them all. His voice was soft, even for him. It wound around Bumi like a warm breeze on a cold day. 

Bumi kept his eyes closed. He tried to focus on Mama’s heartbeat. It was fast and light like Momo’s. Her face was wet when it pressed to his, and he tasted salt when he kissed her cheek on instinct. 

Mama’s arms were comforting. Daddy’s arms were safe. Bumi wanted to have both of them again, like when Mama first appeared. 

Kya whimpered. He got his wish.

He wished he hadn’t.

His Sissy was hurt.

Daddy’s arms were shaking when they held him again. His lap was warm as they rode Appa home.

Bumi’s eyes were still closed.

He only opened them when he tripped.

Mama tried to help him up, but Daddy lifted him to his feet before she could. 

Bumi looked up and wished he hadn’t.

Mama was sad.

She looked hurt.

Sissy was in her arms—she looked a bit better, but she held her arm close to her chest and bit the inside of her cheek.

She was hurt, too.

Daddy’s hand was on his back and between his shoulders when Bumi could hear again.

“Katara, take Kya home.”

Bumi flinched. He’d never heard Daddy talk like that. His voice was hard and flat and forced like a piece of measured timber sawed out of the corpse of an ancient tree. 

“Aang, sweetie, maybe right now isn’t—”

“Katara.” The hand on his back urged his shoulders to turn away from Mama. “Please. Take Kya home.” His voice lowered to something even more foreign. “I need to teach our son a lesson.”

His tone struck Bumi like a whip. Mama didn’t say anything. It was quiet for a while. Bumi wished he could see her, but he couldn’t think enough to even move his eyes off of the grass and setting sun that framed the ocean opposite the city. 

The soft crunches as Mama walked away made the silence even heavier. The hand on his back didn’t move until she was far beyond the courtyard. 

Bumi wished it wasn’t so quiet. His Daddy stood behind him, and the awareness of where he stood increased gravity ten-fold. 

His father ground his teeth so hard that Bumi heard it, and he exhaled a breath that burned the air and poured smoke over the back of Bumi’s tongue. 

The hand left his back. Daddy walked ahead of him. His shoulders were raised like a bristling tigerdillo, and waves of heat leaking from him and rolled over and into Bumi like thick licks of lava.

Daddy clenched his jaw and didn’t look at him.

The Avatar was mad.

“Bumi.”

His spoken name wound around him and tugged him along like a leash. The sky was pinker now, bordering on purple. Daddy’s face was bordering on red.

Bumi swallowed, but his throat wouldn’t move. The wind whipped around them and bent the tall grasses in an amber-green wave. It was cold. He hugged himself, wishing for his parents’ arms again. 

The wind blew harder as they neared the cliff. Bumi slowed down. He had to lean into the wind. He had to fight it. 

Daddy was unmovable even when a violent gust hit them. He didn’t even break his stride. Bumi had to crouch to keep from being blown over.

He looked up. Daddy was so much bigger than he was. 

Bumi’s chest rang hollow, and something cold blossomed from his stomach and crawled into his chest like creeping fingers of ice. It curled around his heart in an unforgiving fist. 

His limbs ached, filled with frozen webs. Even his breath came out cold from his closing airway. 

His Daddy was a hero. 

Bumi couldn’t protect his own Sissy.

“Bumi.”

Bumi flinched. He hugged himself tighter and walked towards his father, who was sitting facing the ocean with his arms and legs crossed.

Bumi swallowed. His throat burned. He crept around Daddy, passing through his shadow, to curl up beside him. The few inches between them yawned like a few oceans. 

He hugged his knees and tried to think he was bigger than he was, but he had to tilt his head all the way vertical to see his father. 

Daddy was tense like a loaded bow and drawn to his full sitting-height like he was ready to jump up into a fight. His arms were still crossed, but his face wasn’t bordering on red anymore. The sky had settled on a navy velvet, and Daddy’s eyes looked up instead of at him. 

But then he looked down.

And Bumi wished he hadn’t.

He wished his father would have kept looking at the sky.

He wished his father would have stayed angry at him.

Because the laughter and warmth in Daddy’s eyes were muted by something sad and caged behind something upset. A frown had moved in where his smile should be—where it always was.

The hot coal in Bumi’s throat made his eyes wet, and it threatened to sear a hole in his neck. 

“Bumi, I am very disappointed in you.”

His words were arrows, and Bumi hugged his legs so hard that the bony bits of his knees hurt his chest. 

“I know…”

“You could have been killed.” Daddy got louder, and his words bellied something like he was choking on a hot coal, too. “You deliberately disobeyed me. And what’s worse, you put Kya in danger.”

Bumi’s tummy flipped. The night had swallowed up the day, and his father’s shadow blended into the inky night that covered Bumi and all that he saw and knew.

“I—I-I wa’...w-wa’ ju’t—” Bumi’s lip trembled, and he wiped his eyes in hurried swipes, rushing to speak his defense before Daddy yelled at him. 

Daddy had never yelled before. 

But Daddy had never been this angry before.

Bumi wanted to wake up already so he could sneak into Mama’s bed and fall asleep in his parents’ arms.

The Daddy beside him curled over, just a bit, making himself smaller. He waited for Bumi to catch his breath and his words; though the searing heat of his stare burned his head, his shoulders, and everywhere else he looked. 

Bumi’s voice was little more than a gasp, a leak of air from a broken pipe. 

“I-I was just trying to be brave like you.”

Daddy uncrossed his arms. He looked down at him in every sense and meaning of the words. He was so much bigger than Bumi. His eyes looked down at him as distant and as powerful as the stars beyond him.

“I’m only brave when I have to be. Bumi...” Daddy sighed, and he suddenly looked like he had been beaten to within an inch of his life and slapped into manacles heavier than mountains. Bumi looked away. Daddy’s eyes were still upset and sad, and the gentle bass that leaked into his voice—the deep sound that cooed him after bad dreams and whispered their inside jokes behind Mama’s back—as he said his name nearly made Bumi break his warrior-vow to Uncle Sokka to never to cry unless he deserved to. “...Bumi, being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.”

Bumi looked up and couldn’t look away. Daddy’s eyes had locked onto his own and held him like a too-tight hug. 

Bumi couldn’t curl up anymore, either. His knees were bruising his chest. 

He wished so badly to crawl into his father’s arms. 

“B-But you’re not scared of anything.”

Daddy hesitated. Bumi didn’t notice that the wind had long since died until his father’s voice became quiet. It was hardly above a whisper. 

“...I was today.”

Bumi hesitated, too. He looked at his father, who had curled over a bit more and made himself a bit smaller. Their eyes were almost on the same level. The tension in Daddy’s shoulders unwound into an almost relaxed position, and Bumi would have thought they were just sitting there and talking like they always did if not for the lack of smile on Daddy’s face. 

“You...You were?”

Bumi’s voice cracked, and the small break of his words shattered the cage holding Daddy’s eyes prisoner. They were clear grey and rippled with a thousand unspoken words.

Bumi almost cried for him.

“Yes.” His father bent down some more. The hand Bumi hadn’t realized had been wrapping behind him gently curled around his shoulders. His father kissed his hair. He held there for a few seconds while he rubbed his arm. 

Bumi unwound and leaned into the touch on instinct; his father lifted him into his lap. He was small, but Daddy was big, and Bumi grinned and hugged his father’s light-y-blue-arrowed arms as they pulled him close to his chest. Daddy curled over him like he was trying to mold himself into armor around him. 

His warm voice was soft and small, like Bumi, and rumbled like smooth stones against Bumi’s back when he spoke. “...I thought I might lose you.”

“Oh…I’m...’M sorry, Daddy...” 

Bumi dared to glance at his father. Sunshine curled across Daddy’s face in a small grin that called Bumi’s lopsided one out to greet it. His Daddy smiled wider. Grey eyes softened to a wordless ‘I love you’. He touched his brow to his and held him even tighter.

Bumi’s squirmed like he was tickled. He fiddled with one of his father’s hands like it was taking the place of his habit of twisting his shirt. Their grins fed off of each other until they were both smiling stupidly. A giggle bubbled into Bumi’s next breath and shyly bled into his words. “I guess even Daddys get scared, huh?”

“Mhm.”

Bumi sank dramatically into his father’s robes and hugged tighter the arms that were curled around him like shields. “But ya know what?” he whispered, glancing about like he was hiding behind enemy lines.

Daddy looked around just as dramatically, matching Bumi’s theatrics step-for-step like he always did. (No one else ever did, and no one else ever could.) “What?” he whispered back.

“I bet those bad guys were even scared-er.”

His father laughed, and color came back to Bumi’s world. The night felt less like a shadow and more like a blanket, especially when Daddy pulled him closer and smiled like playing with Bumi would be the only thing that would ever matter. 

“That’s because nobody messes with your dad.” He laughed evilly. “C’mere, you.”

Daddy roughed his already roughed hair, but Bumi wiggled away. They were both on their feet, and the chase was on. His father’s laughter was loud and airy like happy thunder, and Bumi’s choppy giggles raced after him like sheets of rain. 

The cold night became so bright with his Daddy’s smile and so warm with his father’s hugs that Bumi thought he might cry without breaking his warrior-vow to Uncle Sokka. 

“Gotcha!”

And even though his Daddy was bigger—much bigger—Bumi somehow managed to catch him. He rolled him over with his little arms and sat on his shoulders like a lionbear over its kill.

They laughed some more. They laughed until it hurt to breathe, and they kept laughing until it ached to move their faces into anything but a smile. 

Bumi hugged his father’s neck and smiled like accidents could never happen. He forgot why he was ever upset. There was no reason to be upset—to ever be upset.

He had his Daddy. 

Bumi was small, but his Daddy was big.

And when Daddy was with him, Bumi didn’t feel small.

He felt big.

He felt bigger than the bad guys.

And besides, he had won! He had captured the Avatar and winded an airbender! 

He couldn’t wait to tell Mama and Kya and everyone else this story.

“Hey, Daddy?”

Daddy caught his breath, and Bumi could hear his smile. “Mhm?”

Bumi plopped his head on his father’s and hugged around his chin. His beard scratched his hands in a familiar way. “We’re pals, right?”

Gentle thunder rumbled beneath him. “Right.”

“And we’ll always be together, right?”

His father hesitated again. 

Daddy pushed up on his arms, making Bumi slide down his back. A gentle hand reached around and found the scruff of his coat, and Bumi, all-to-familiar with this maneuver of theirs, climbed around his father’s torso while Daddy sat cross-legged again. He curled his arms around his neck and tried to wind his legs around him even though they were too short to reach across his chest, let alone meet up behind his back. He was too small.

But Daddy held him close and held him up, all with one arm. His free hand rubbed his back with a few swirling scratches before hugging him close.

Bumi hugged him even closer. He pressed his face into his father’s neck and smiled into the robes that smelled like home and felt safer than a steel wall. Bumi heard his heart just like he’d heard Mama’s heartbeat earlier. Daddy’s was slower and harder, though. Like Appa’s. 

“Bumi, let me tell you something that Gya—that my father once told me.” He nudged his head up. They both looked up at the sky. “Look at the stars. The bravest heroes of the past—like Mama’s mama and Uncle Zuko’s uncle—look down on us from those stars.”

“Really?” Bumi shifted his weight and held on tighter.

“Yes.” 

Bumi looked at the shiny brave people. He liked the stars before. They were pretty. 

Now he loved them. They were safe.

And they were always there. 

They would always be there.

...But they were also so far away. 

“So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those brave heroes will always be there to guide you…” Daddy held him tighter and gently rocked them. 

Bumi’s eyes drooped. Daddy’s breaths were slow and strong and lifted him against his chest like the beats of large wings.

He smiled through his yawn.

Something sad moved into where the smile in Aang’s voice should be.

He kissed his son’s hair again.

“...and so will I.”

********************************

Hope you enjoyed!:D

~~~~~EL FIN~~~~~

[19panophobia16]

How to write kyalin :

Note to everyone: I loooove your fanfics! Don't stop writing them, please! They are amazing and your ideas are sooo coooool!!!

Lin is depressed, lonely, grumpy old woman. Kya is the cool gay aunt that traveled the world. Kya left her family to travel, because she was in love with Lin and Lin was with Tenzin. Lin and Kya eventually meet after 20-something years. Lin is secretly gay and in love with Kya. They end up together and Kya is the one to make Lin go from the grumpy person she is to a more relaxed version of herself (Toph).

Hahah, #weallneedemotionalsupport. Oh, and also Lin still hates her mother and Suyin and is also scared to come out, but they are both okay, cuz they have good sex and love each other.

Some fanfics include Kya being annoyed by the fact that Lin hides their relationship and sexuality and somehow Lin is the one to accidentally (or on purpose) reveal their relationship.

If you want to write young kyalin make sure to include the disaster of a family the Beifongs are. Kya being a lil gay weed-smoking hippie and Lin fighting with herself. Also, don't forget to say at least 6 times in one paragraph that Toph is a bad mother and Su a bad sister, also Tenzin a bad boyfriend, but like -really bad. Also, don't forget about the part where Lin is crying- that's important.

[sokka-with-his-hair-down]

Cabin Leader Zukka AU

Credit to @im-a-sokka-for-you, @waywarddork, @king-bumi-for-president, @sokkaseboyhair, and @crying-at-ikea for helping out with this monstrosity of a post!! Stupid Squad™ ily ❤️

This is long af but I promise it’s worth it 🥺🥺

Sokka and Zuko are rival cabin leaders at a summer camp

The camp has sort of a 4-elements theme because I say so

Eight Cabins. Two Water-Themed, two Fire Themed, two Earth-Themed, and Two Air-Themed.

Sokka leads the Southern Water Cabin. Yue the Northern. Aang leads one of the Air Cabins, and Suki leads an Earth Cabin. Zuko and Ty Lee lead the Fire Cabins. (Ty Lee shamelessly flirts with the assistant camp director, Mai...)

Sokka and Zuko’s cabins, along with all the other cabins, are competing in the yearly camp competition. There are different challenges, like water balloon fights (water), mud runs (earth), zip lining (air), and s’more roasting (fire).

Zuko’s cabin wins most years, and Sokka’s like “not this year. This year WE take the trophy” and he’s got his heart set on it.

Sokka thinks Zuko’s obnoxious. He sees him as hot-headed and snippy and arrogant. And he’s almost militaristic with his cabin kids. (And yet they love him. Even more annoying.)

Sokka wants to be the ✨fun cabin✨, he usually does, but he starts pushing harder to advance to the next round of the competition and win.

Sokka and Zuko have multiple confrontations. They’re snarky and sarcastic “good luck out there😈” kind of things (which Sokka HATES)

The two cabins pull pranks on each other all the time. Very Parent-Trap-esque. Sokka and Zuko plan a lot of them, but that doesn’t stop the kids from doing a few on their own (I imagine some very lovable OC campers).

Sokka wakes up with a shaving-cream beard more than once.

Zuko wakes up wearing makeup once...

Then, as the story unfolds with whatever subplots a writer may put in, Sokka catches more and more glimpses of Zuko acting more human... and hey... Zuko’s sort of sweet when he’s like that...

No. This is a competition. Zuko bad. Winning good.

Sokka confides in Aang and Yue one night after a staff meeting.

“You don’t understand, guys! He’s—he’s infuriating! He’s good at everything, and the kids all like him, and I know I’m supposed to hate the guy but I don’t anymore! And I don’t know why! And part of me feels like he deserves to win every damn time even thought it’s ridiculous that he does-”

“Sokka.”

Aang looks at him almost sympathetically. Sokka tilts his head in confusion.

“Have you considered that maybe you just have a little crush on him?”

“WHAT?!”

“...”

“Oh. Shit.”

Anyway Sokka has a bit of an awakening and is like “OH NO I LIKE ZUKO I’M SUPPOSED TO HATE ZUKO.”

After panicking about that for way too long, Sokka winds up telling Suki about this revelation and Suki is like:

“Well... I don’t know if I should be telling you this, but I think Zuko’s had a crush on you for years.”

“WHAT THE FUCK.”

Suki sort of awkwardly admits that she’s picked up on it. She and Zuko are friends (something Sokka could never fathom why but he left it be) and she tells Sokka how Zuko talks about him... an absurd amount. And how Zuko, on more than one occasion, has accidentally called Sokka cute.

(i.e “just because he’s Mr. Cute and Friendly doesn’t mean he can walk around like he owns the place!” “You think he’s cute?” “What? Uh-”)

Leading up to the final face off where Zuko and Sokka’s cabins will compete against each other, Sokka leaves his campers with Suki for a few minutes and approaches Zuko’s cabin one night and asks to speak with him. Alone.

There’s a unanimous “oooooooooooh!” from the campers.

The two step outside, and Sokka’s freaking out, but he’s gonna do it anyway.

He’s really awkward about it and keeps beating around the bush.

“Just get to the point, Sokka!!”

“Um. Do you like me?”

That. Was not what he meant to say.

In all honesty, Sokka meant to say that he likes Zuko, and THEN ask him if he liked him back, but he panicked, give the guy a break.

Zuko’s face goes completely blank.

“Wait, what?”

Sokka, now suddenly convinced he and Suki were wrong, chickens out and bolts, Zuko calling after him. (He can’t chase him because he can’t leave his campers unattended.)

Sokka freaks out silently as he leads his campers back to his cabin for the night.

He doesn’t get much sleep.

Day of the big competition. The campers are getting ready for the final showdown. Zuko’s team is a few points ahead of Sokka’s, but not ahead by many.

Sokka avoids Zuko all morning. Aang, Yue, and Suki are worried about him but he brushes it off, saying it’s no biggie (it is).

Right before the first challenge he overhears one of his campers talking to someone from Zuko’s cabin. The kid from the opposing cabin says “Zuko was in a bad mood last night. He didn’t wanna tell us why, though.”

Oh no. It’s worse than he thought. Zuko is angry at sokka. More than usual.

The games begin. Both teams tally up points after each round of whatever they’re doing (three-legged race, canoeing, etc).

The final score is kept secret—the camp director (accompanied by Mai<3) says the final score will be announced that night at the campfire.

Sokka makes sure he doesn’t run into any scar-faced boys on the way to his cabin. Or at dinner. Or on his way to the campfire.

Everyone is gathered around outside, fire blazing, hot-cocoa and s’mores present. Sokka doesn’t even care about winning anymore. In fact, he hopes Zuko wins, so he doesnt get any more angry.

But

The Southern Water Cabin wins.

Sokka’s campers jump up and scream with excitement. And though he isn’t feeling quite himself, he still offers hugs and high fives and congratulates them all on their hard work.

Then, suddenly, while kids are mingling and cheering, Sokka feels a tap on his shoulder and spins around.

Zuko.

“Hi.”

Sokka can’t find words to say. He just stares. Is... is Zuko gonna yell at him?

“Good job.” Zuko’s holding out his hand for Sokka to shake. Sokka does so, hesitantly.

“Uh... thanks.”

After a moment too long, they end the handshake. There’s a beat of awkward silence and Sokka’s heart is racing.

“Look,” Sokka begins. “About last night. I-”

“Don’t. Me first.” Zuko looks really uncomfortable, but he still keeps talking. “You were right.”

“Huh?”

“I like you. I have liked you, I mean. For a long time. Like, three years.”

Sokka’s dumbfounded. “I thought you hated me.”

Zuko sort of nervously admits that he’s not very good with people (and that he takes great enjoyment in riling people up). And he apologizes like:

“Sorry I was a dick. Me being a fucking gay idiot who can’t ask people out doesn’t excuse me being mean. So I’m sorry.”

Sokka’s sort of touched by all of this. Zuko apologized for being an ass and he has a crush on Sokka?

Sokka figures he should apologize too, since he was pretty much just as mean to Zuko as Zuko was to him. “I’m sorry, too.”

Eventually, the stilted conversation gets sort of quiet and even more awkward, and Sokka realizes he still hasn’t confessed. And, well, better late than never.

“I like you, too.”

“Huh?”

“I like you. As in. Like. I have a crush. On you. So there.”

Zuko has no idea how to react, but eventually a giant grin makes its way into his face and it looks beautiful in the firelight and he just sort of goes:

“Um... do you wanna get coffee or tea with me? Or something? Now?”

“You mean the shitty camp coffee and tea?” Sokka quips.

“Hot Cocoa it is.”

They walk up to the kitchen building and hang out at the counter and actually get to know each other for the first time in years. And Sokka thinks that becoming a cabin leader is the best decision he’s ever made.

(They may or may not have kissed sometime during the rest of their stay. A couple of times. A lot of times. Okay, they made out in the pantry a ton, but that’s nobody’s business but theirs.)

If anyone wants to write this, lemme know!! And again thank you Stupid Squad™ <3 @chaoticidiott @appa-bottom-jeans @soft-zuko you’re also Stupid Squad™ so this is your child as well now. Enjoy.

[melzula]

hi ! i don’t know if this counts as a whole prompt, but could i request some iroh ii ? maybe their reunion when kya’s daughter went back with bumi to the fire nation and their whole reunion to wedding story ?

a/n: I just did the reunion part of this because it would be hard to cram the whole timeline into one piece aha but nonetheless enjoy!

*based off of these hc’s

The cool breeze of the ocean air does little to calm your nerves as you fidget with the beads that wrap themselves neatly around your wrist and stare out into the open water. The Fire Nation docks are fast approaching, and you foolishly wonder if everything will be the same as it was when you left it behind all those years ago. You wonder if he is still the same, fearing for a moment that perhaps he has forgotten you after being apart for so long, but you don’t have time to dwell on your anxieties when a firm clap on your shoulder breaks you from your thoughts.

“Why the long face, kiddo?” Your Uncle Bumi grins. “I thought you’d be happier to be back here.”

“I am,” you reassure him, “it’s just I’m a little nervous is all. I haven’t been here in so long...”

“Well I’m sure the royals will be happy to see you,” he says. “You were Lord Zuko’s star student after all, and General Iroh is always asking about you.”

“He is?” You gasp, doing your best to quell the excitement that bubbles up inside of you at the news. You always brushed off your infatuation with the General as a silly childhood crush, but if that were the case then the mere mention of him shouldn’t have made you as cheerful as it did.

“Of course! Why do you think I brought you out here with me? Some good old nostalgia would be perfect for you!”

“Uncle,” you say with a pointed look. Bumi grins sheepishly.

“You could use a friend, y/n. And so could Iroh.”

You don’t get the chance to argue or insist that you’re fine, that you’re perfectly okay with the fact that your best friend is your Gran Gran, as the ship pulls into the docks and Fire Nation guards arrive to escort you to the palace. None of them are familiar to you, most of the men you’d known as a child having retired by now, but they still greet you with the same kindness as always, a perk of being the Avatar’s granddaughter and the Commander’s niece.

“I have to prepare for the meeting,” your uncle says as you reach the front gates and are permitted entry to the palace, “but if you want to head off and look for some old friends or even just explore your old playing grounds go right ahead.”

“Good look with the meeting, Uncle Bumi,” you reply before gifting the man a kiss on the cheek and parting ways with him for now.

You find yourself wandering into the gardens, admiring the blooming fire lilies and enjoying the refreshing breeze that blows cooly against your face as you reminisce on the memories you hold in this very spot. If you look hard enough you can almost see yourself sitting underneath the shade of the tree with Zuko and his grandson studying fire bending scrolls and enjoying cups of tea. Life had been so quiet and simple then, so peaceful. Maybe Bumi was right about needing a friend; you’d never felt lonelier in your entire life than you did now looking upon old childhood memories.

“Y/n?” A voice calls almost hesitantly, void of the confidence he’d always held, and despite the fact that your heart catches in your throat at the sound of his voice you will yourself to turn around and face the man you never stopped thinking about.

You can’t help the way your mouth hangs agape at the sight of him; he’d always been a good looking boy, but over the years Iroh had grown into the handsomest man you’d ever seen. He was beautiful with his strong jaw and shimmering gold irises, and despite how much he’d changed over the years he still held that same boyish grin you’d taken comfort in many times before.

“Iroh,” you finally say, heat crawling up your neck as you smile shyly. He’s rushing towards you in an instant, pulling you into his chest for a tight hug and laughing with pure unadulterated joy.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he admits with a sheepish grin, hands resting on your shoulders as he pulls away and looks you in the eyes. You don’t know it, but he’s just as taken back by your beauty. He was used to seeing you running around in your pigtails with your wide smile and a few teeth missing; you were absolutely radiant, your features maturing with the time that had passed, but your eyes still held that same twinkle they always did.

“It’s so good to you, old friend,” you say, smiling fondly as you rest a hand upon his cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

“So have I,” he replies, and you don’t miss the way he seems to melt into your touch. “I have a meeting to attend to, but perhaps you’d like to accompany me to dinner tonight? I want to hear about all of your adventures.”

“Dinner sounds lovely.”

“Perfect,” Iroh grins, “I’ll see you then.”

He parts from you then with a kiss on the cheek, leaving you with a dazed smile alone in the gardens as you watch him walk into the palace.

“We’re having dinner,” you murmur quietly to yourself, an excited smile pulling at your lips as you rush towards your assigned quarters to prepare.

~~~

“A date with the General, huh?”

“It’s not a date, Uncle Bumi,” you remind him as you sit before the vanity and slip on your favorite pair of earrings, a pair your mother had bought for you once during your travels, “it’s just dinner.”

“Sounds like a date to me,” he teases with a knowing grin. “You know, I always had a feeling about you two.”

“You said the same thing about Uncle Tenzin and Aunt Lin,” you retort only for Bumi to grimace.

“I never said it was a good feeling.”

“It’s not a big deal,” you shrug nonchalantly. “We’re just two old friends who want to catch up with each other.”

Oh, but it actually is a very big deal for you. You can’t remember the last time anyone has taken you out to dinner or the last time you had actually dressed yourself up for someone else, and frankly you don’t know why you’re so nervous. It’s Iroh, after all, your childhood friend, why should you be nervous?

“Oh, I’ll walk you out!” Your Uncle exclaims excitedly once you put the finishing touches on your ensamble, and before you can even get up from your chair Bumi is yanking you onto your feet and dragging you out of the room towards the front gates where Iroh is presumably waiting for you. “I only wish your mother were here to see this!”

“Uncle,” you groan in quiet embarrassment, “you seem more excited than I am.”

“What? That’s nonsense!” Bumi scoffs. “Can’t I just appreciate the romanticism that comes with seeing old friends?”

“I see you’re a poet much like your father,” a third voice intrudes, a smiling Iroh startling both you and your uncle. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No, not at all!” Bumi says before you can so much as open your mouth to reply. “In fact I was just leaving. You kids have fun! Oh, and uh, bring her back home safe and sound and all that protective Uncle junk I’m supposed to say.”

“Of course, Commander,” he says with a slight laugh before turning to you. “Are you ready?”

“I am,” you smile, making sure to give your Uncle a chaste kiss to the cheek before taking Iroh’s outstretched and following him out the front gates. Your Uncle watches your retreating forms with a faint smile and a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Phase one of my matchmaking plan is complete.”

~~~

The royal plaza is beautiful at night. Lanterns hang from the skies and bathe the streets in their golden hue. The restaurants and shops are bustling with customers as lovers, families, and friends all spend their evenings out on the town. No one seems to notice your presence— Iroh had insisted that no guards were needed to escort you both— and for that you are grateful.

“Hungry for anything in particular? I know you were especially fond of dumplings when we were children,” Iroh notes with a chuckle.

“I’d love anything spicy. As much as I enjoy sea prunes and seal jerky, nothing in the south really has that same kick to it that Fire Nation food has.”

“I know the perfect place,” Iroh says, and you have to fight against the way your stomach seems to summersault when he takes your hand in his own and weaves you through the streets.

You end up in a quiet little restaurant together where the food is fresh and the hostess is the sweetest little old lady you’ve ever met, though she brings you way more food than you ordered. You’re eager to scarf down the spicy noodles and steaming buns, so eager in fact that you don’t notice the love stricken way in which Iroh watches you practically inhale your food.

“How’s your family?” He asks behind his cup of tea.

“Good. Gran Gran has been training the new Avatar and my mother helps where she can. My Uncle Tenzin and Aunt Pema just had a new baby not too long ago, a son named Meelo.”

“That’s amazing,” Iroh smiles, “congratulations on your new cousin.”

“Thank you. Our family is certainly growing,” you say with a slight laugh. “And how are things with you and your family?”

“I have to admit, I haven’t really been home much to know,” Iroh chuckles. “This visit is also my first time back in a while. Mother is a gracious ruler and the people love her, my sister is still living her quiet life with her husband out on the farm, and my grandfather comes back and forth all the time. Everyone seems to be happy.”

“And are you happy?”

“I like to think so. I’m the youngest General in the United Forces which is a great accomplishment, and I’m having dinner with a friend I thought I’d never see again, so yes, I’m very happy,” he notes with a wink. You can’t help but roll your eyes at his slyness, a small huff blowing past your nose.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” you tease.

“Really, y/n,” Iroh says, all features void of his previous humor as they morph into a more tender nature. He reaches across the table and rests a hand across your own, a faint smile on his lips. “I’ve missed you, and I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too,” you admit with a tiny smile. “It’s been hard without you, friend.”

“Friend,” Iroh repeats with a small sigh, but his smile never falters. He pays for your meal and offers you his arm to guide you back to the palace; you talk about old memories and new ones, your adventures during your time apart, and your excitement to create new ones together. You’ve never been happier, and for the first time in a long time the loneliness that normally gnaws at your spirit is nowhere to be found.

“Can you find your room okay?” Iroh asks as you reach the front doors of the palace.

“I can,” you nod with a smile. “I’m actually staying in the room I had when I was a kid.”

“Go figure,” he laughs softly before gracing you with a sweet smile. “Thank you for accompanying me to dinner tonight. Will I see you tomorrow?”

“You will.”

“Good. I look forward to it,” Iroh says. “Sleep well, y/n.”

“Goodnight, Iroh,” you utter with a small smile, making sure to gift him a kiss on the cheek before disappearing inside. Stunned, the General stands frozen in place with a dazed smile on his face. He hasn’t felt this way about anyone in such a long time, hadn’t felt such genuine excitement and joy, and he had to admit that it somewhat intimidated him. He’d always seen you as the girl he’d grown up with, the one he’d spent his time with stealing desserts from the kitchen and running through the hallways, but now...

“Spirits,” Iroh exclaims with a breathless laugh. “I think I’m in love.”

In the gardens sits the trio of adults who watch the scene unfold before them, knowing looks exchanged among them as they sip their tea and watch Iroh disappear into the palace.

“They make a handsome pair, don’t they?” Zuko notes offhandedly to his daughter. “I give them a month.”

“A month?” Bumi snorts. “No way! Three weeks maybe, but not a month.”

“I have more faith in my son than that,” Izumi says with the shake of her head. “One week.”

“One week?!” The Commander exclaims with a laugh. “Oh, you’re on!”

“Betting over the love life of my grandson and my former student was not how I pictured spending my retirement,” Zuko sighs, but there’s a smile on his face as he considers his grandson courting the granddaughter of his best friend. Life has a funny way of working out sometimes.

And it was going to work out for you and Iroh.

| iroh/atla tags: @nataliahaslosthershit @zukh03s @rainteslerrrr @simpinforsukka |

[thatsgay-writes]

Would you mind writing a Jinora x Reader fic? Jinora tells about reader to her uncle and aunt who interrogate reader!! Thanks a lot!!

Sorry this took so long!

(I am aging Jinora up to 16 for season 1 references and 17 for season 2/3 references.)

You didn't meet Jinora until you got sent to Air Temple Island, while your sister and her new friends dealt with Amon. You were Asami's younger sister and a fire bender. No one other than yourself knew that you could fire bend because you kept it a secret after your mother died to a fire bender when you were a baby, you still learned as much as you could about it though. It hurt to learn that your father was an equalist and held such a negative vendetta against benders. You thought multiple times about telling Asami but it just never seemed to be the right time.

---

"This is Y/n Sato, she will be staying with you while we go handle things with Amon." Tenzin says as he places a hand on your shoulder and introduces you to his kids. You give them an awkward wave while Meelo bellows a loud and proud, "Hello pretty lady!" Causing his sisters to smack their foreheads. After recovering from second hand embarrassment, Ikki is her more energetic self and starts asking tons of questions, that you could barely keep up with. "Ikki calm down." Jinora says and you give her a grateful look causing her to blush. "Why don't I give you a tour of Air Temple Island?" Jinora asks shyly and you nod your head, a little too enthusiastically. You follow Jinora out of the room, missing the smirk Ikki and Meelo share.

---

After everything with Amon was dealt with, you split time between helping Asami fix Sato Industries and traveling to Air Temple Island to hang out with Jinora and the other air bending kids. Of course, you both claimed friendship whenever someone asked why the two of you spent so much time together, missing the way the other would blush or get teased behind each other's backs.

---

You and Jinora start dating after everything with Vaatu and Unalaq happen. You were so scared that Jinora's spirit was going to be lost forever in the spirit world and that you never go the chance to tell her how you felt. You were the first person Jinora hugged after her family and spent weeks on Air Temple Island with her as she regained her strength. When the two of you did start dating, you kept it a secret from everyone.

You kept it from her siblings because both of them liked to talk and sometimes couldn't hold secrets if it made them too excited. You didn't tell Tenzin because he scared you, you knew he and Pema would accept your relationship because air benders saw love as love and claimed that it was when two spirits connected and spirits didn't care for gender. On the other hand, while the fire nation was becoming very progressive, it still had some close minded opinions on things.

You didn't think Asami would have a problem with you and Jinora's relationship, seeing as you think she is starting to feel something for a certain Avatar, but you didn't want to risk it and find out. You didn't tell any of the "Krew" because you wanted your sister to hear about your relationship from you personally and not any of her friends. The first people you did tell though, was Jinora's Aunt and Uncle.

---

You and everyone else decided that taking a vacation before having to deal with the repercussions of harmonic convergence was ideal. So you all took some bison and headed to the Western Air Temple to clean it up some. You and Jinora had talked a lot on the trip, both of you sharing a bison with all the luggage, and decided that you would slowly start telling your friends and family about your relationship. You both agreed that Kya and Bumi would be the best to tell first because they were the most chill out of everyone.

---

You were wrong, they were way more over protective than you thought. You had asked them to meet you at a water fall that was near the temple and away from prying eyes. "What did you want to talk to us about kids?" Bumi asked as he rested against a rock, Kya standing next to him with her arms crossed a worried expression on her face. You and Jinora were both extremely nervous and could barely make eye contact with each other let alone Kya and Bumi. "Well... Jinorahassomethingtotellyou!" You yell out, feeling like you could combust at any moment. Jinora looks at you for a moment before giving you a swift punch to the shoulder, semi-annoyed that you just threw her under the bus. "Their your aunt and uncle, not mine!" You say in defense and Jinora just rolls her eyes at you before turning back to Kya and Bumi.

"Aunt Kya, Uncle Bumi, y/n and I have been dating for the past 6 months. You guys are the first people we've told so please don't tell anyone else." Jinora says and you both wait for a reaction. At first, Kya and Bumi send smirks to you and each other before their expressions go neutral. "Jinora, why don't you head back to the temple." Kya suggests and Jinora gives you a nervous look and a quick of your hand before heading back towards the Western Air Temple.

You watched Jinora until she rounded a corner and you couldn't see her anymore and turned back to see Kya and Bumi staring at you with hard expressions. You let out a audible gulp. "So, you think you can just date our niece?" Bumi asks as he continues to lean on the rock while Kya walks circles around you. "'I really love Jinora, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize what we have." "Hmmm." Kya stops circling you and walks balk to her spot next to Bumi. "We'll see about that... Bumi." Kya says as Bumi stands up and she takes his place leaning against the rock. "Let's get started kid."

---

6 hours... It had been 6 hours since Jinora left that you finally returned to the Western Air Temple, completely exhausted. Bumi put you through multiple United Forces workouts and punishments. Then, once they were sure you were tired out, Kya practically interrogated you until they were both sure they could trust you with Jinora's heart.

"You ever been in a relationship before?" "No ma'am."

"What would you do if you both got attacked by a armadillo bear?" "Trust that Jinora knows how to protect herself and help her take the animal down."

"Have you had sex yet?" "Eww! Bumi I wasn't going to ask that!" "What I need to make sure they wait till marriage!" "Their only teenagers!"

You literally collapsed onto your bed as soon as you reached your room, almost missing Jinora sitting in a seat in your room. "That bad?" She asked as she stood up to sit next to you on the bed and started to rub your back. "It was terrible, I used some muscles I didn't even know I had." Jinora's gained an amuse smile as she leaned down to give you a kiss on the cheek. "Why don't you go take a shower to get all that sweat off of you, while I go get you some ice bags?" She suggested, causing you to nod your head.

You let out moans and groans as you slowly lifted yourself off of the bed. "I passed though." "Huh?" Jinora asked as she turned around while she opened the door. "I passed their test, practically part of the family now." You jest and send Jinora a smile. Jinora returns the smile, "Never had a doubt."

[nerdycanible1]

Kya's Confusing

A small one shot. It be one sided love, have hurt and of course broken hearts. But of course a sexy Lin Beifong and a sexc Kya Water Tribe.

I hope you enjoy OwO

Lin suddenly leant in and kissed Kya, her hands clasped around her shirt tightly. Kya had frozen under her touch and Lin had her eyes squeezed shut.

The feeling of finally being able to tell Kya she liked her and the way her heart raced when she kissed her all felt perfect. She could feel Kya grab her shoulders and Lin's heart raced wondering if Kya was going to deepen it.

Slowly Kya pulled away from the kiss pushing Lin away slowly. Lin opened her eyes, her eyes dark and her face flushed. It took her years to finally tell her and what more perfect way to tell her then under the cherry blossoms on the island.

Kya looked at her and several emotions flashed over her face. Surprise, shock confusion, hurt, pain and even a small bit of... disgust. Lin swallowed roughly as she saw Kya slowly peel her hands away as she pressed a hand to her own lips.

"Kya?" Lin asked with a tremble in her voice. Her heart was pounding and she began to feel anxious. She would have thought Kya would have kissed her back or even smile but now she saw millions of things fly through Kya's mind. "Kya." She said more firmly.

Kya flicked her eyes to Lin finally seeing her again and she watched Kya rub the back of her neck. "Lin." She grimaced as she felt her eye brows furrow together. "I'm sorry but... I-I don't feel the same way."

Lin could feel her eyes water and she clenched her jaw lightly. Her gut twisted and fell to the ground, her heart constricted and her breathing began to grow heavier. "W-What?" Lin said with a choked voice.

"Lin, I've met someone on the road. I-I'm sorry but I can't." Kya watched as Lin's lower lip wobbled. She reached out to touch her but Lin stepped back and wiped her tears away hastily. "Lin-" Kya began.

Lin shook her head and held her hand up. Embarrassment, rage, anger, hurt flashed over her face. All emotions Kya has never seen before.

"It's fine." Lin said clenching her fists. "Really." Kya watched her best friend break and she reached out again and Lin smacked her hand away. "Please just go." Lin said as her voice cracked.

Kya swallowed roughly not knowing what to do. Torn between comforting her friend or running away from this awkward encounter. Just how did she not notice Lin's crush on her? With one last look at the woman Kya turned and left.

Lin's mind began to race as well as her heart. Just where did she go wrong? She thought that Kya had liked her. All the hand holding, the late night talks, the drinks and the secrets, even the soft look in her eyes as they stared at each other? Just everything. Lin felt her tears continue to come and she growled as she hated it.

A sob slipped slipped through her lips as she didn't expect this to happen. She thought-- just why couldn't-- why didn't she see this coming?! Lin sat on the ground and stared off towards the ocean and at the setting sun. Her heart was ripped out and destroyed.

All she can see in her mind was Kya's face of disgusted face and how her words echoed through her mind. The way she looked at Lin with pity. Lin hugged her legs and sniffled as her fingers were pulling at the grass.

After hours and hours of thinking and replaying everything in her mind she began to notice that they were friend things to do. She never saw the way Kya would pull her hand away after a couple seconds, or the way she would stare at the ocean with dreamy eyes.

Lin shouldn't have ever tried. The sun was down and the moon up, the moon only half filled so everything was relatively dark. She sighed heavily as she wiped her tears away and shook her head. She shouldn't have never listened to Saikhan.

After awhile she could hear the crunching of footsteps coming and the vibrations of their footsteps through her fingers. "Hey." Bumi said carrying a tray filled with food and tea, even a small candle.

Lin didn't look up as she turned her head and faced away from him. She didn't want to see the pity in his face. "H--Hey." Her voice cracked. She coughed lightly to try and clear it out.

Bumi sat down next to her and smiled softly. "Beautiful moon ain't it? Kinda looks like half a pizza if you ask me." The sounds of him pouring tea made Lin slowly look at him.

He was in his uniform, probably meaning he'd leave in a few hours. His jaw line to kill for, the straight teeth he had not to mention his handsome face was sure a lady killer.

His smile friendly and inviting and his hair brushed back but wild in the back. He was rather a goofy and a comforting man.

Her face on the other hand was different. Her jaw softer, her nose small and face shape fox like. Her eyes puffy and red but still holding the sharp look all Beifong's have.

"You always say the moons pizza." She said as she took the offered tea. She held it in her hands as she stared down into the cup, feeling her eyes water once more. "Was I the only one that... didn't know she had someone?" Lin asked softly. "I thought... I thought she liked me too."

Bumi looked at her and sighed softly. "I didn't even know she had a girlfriend." His tone deep but true. It held hurt for his friend. "I always assumed she liked you."

Lin sniffled and wiped her nose as she sipped her tea. "I thought so too." She murmured. "She was my best friend." Lin whispered. "Aren't I supposed to know important things like that?" Lin asked took another drink.

Bumi began to pile Lin's plate up with food and handed it to her. "I don't think she was ready yet." He reached over and gently squeezed her knee. "Please don't hate Kya." He said softly. "I don't think Kya would live with herself if you did."

Lin stared at him and then at her food. A small sad laugh left her lips as she shook her head. "I could never hate her." Lin whispered. "She's my friend."

She looked up at him and gave him a watery smile while tears slid down her cheeks. "I'll always be there for her." Snot began to glide out of her nose as she began to break and she covered her mouth. "Why couldn't she like me?" She cried.

Bumi immediately wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "I don't know." He whispered into her ear. "I just don't know."

•••

Lin stared at the ring in her box as she ran her thumb over it. The ring obviously being larger than her actual size. Years ago she was going to ask Tenzin to marry her but of course that relationship didn't work out.

Lin was currently in her office looking over paper work. She sighed softly as she placed the ring back and stood up. She stared out the window and looked across her city.

After years of heart break Lin called it quits and gave up on dating. It was no biggy really. She loved her job, loved scaring rookies and jailers and even liked the Avatar gang.

They were growing on her. She would listen to Korra's relationship problems, Asam's new inventions and thoughts about the city, Bolin's random chatter and even Mako's awkward moments.

These kids were all under her watch and she had a soft spot for them. She looked at the picture she had of all for of them, they were her responsibility. Even if she didn't want it in the first place.

Lin looked at the time and furrowed her brows seeing that it was 4 o'clock. She swore she didn't have anything planned but her instincts told her other wise.

She furrowed her brows and walked to her desk to look at her calendar. Then her eyes zeroed in down at the date and she could see the familiar scrawl of Kya.

The message, "Don't forget our date! 4:15 p.m. sharp!"

Lin could feel herself panic for a second seeing that it was 4:05 now and traffic was heaviest during rush hour.

She cursed under her breath and gathered her papers and rushed out. She locked her door and placed the papers down on Mako's desk. "Take care of these." She ordered as she hurried out.

How can she forget that Kya was back in town and most likely wanted to go out fo a drink with her?

•••

Upon arrival she realized she was 15 minutes late. She only hoped Kya didn't leave with some floozy. She entered inside, was met with the waiter and soon was brought back to Kya.

Kya looked bored and appeared to be on her fourth cup. "Kya?" Lin called as she thanked the waiter and sat.

Kya perked up and smiled as she waved. "Linny. I didn't think you were coming." She said looking away from the woman she was obviously ogling.

Lin nodded and sat down as she placed her coat down. "Sorry. Was working." Lin said as she flagged down the waitress.

Kya snorted and rolled her eyes. "When are you not working?" She mumbled. It appeared Kya was a bit too relaxed due to her drinks, meaning Lin would probably have to drive her back to the temple.

"Sadly that's what people do when they have jobs Kya." Lin grabbed the clip in her hair and pulled it out. Her hair soon flipped down and unfurled and soon her curls were free.

Kya looked her up and down, going unnoticed by Lin whom was currently looking at the menu. "Sorry for not being employed at the moment cranky pants." She giggled and crossed her leg, her foot sliding up Lin's leg.

Lin gave her a weird look and scooted her legs back a bit to give the woman with longer legs more room and then looked back at the menu. "Did you order yet? Think I'll get the teriyaki beef and misu soup. Maybe even dumplings."

Kya frowned feeling Lin pull her legs away. "I didn't order yet. You can order me something." She said as she hand reached over and began to play with Lin's fingers.

Lin let her be and felt Kya intertwine their fingers together. Lin read over the menu and nodded as she looked up at the waitress.

Lin smiled at her and pulled her hand away to point at the menu. She made the waitress blush and Lin laughed softly. Kya could feel the jealousy burning inside of her. She's been flirting with Lin for months now. Lin soon nodded and soon the waitress was walking away.

Lin looked over and watched as Kya pouted. She raised her brows and looked at the waitress and then behind her. "What? Something on my face?" She asked as she rubbed at her face.

Kya sighed and shook her head. "Nothing's on your face." Kya said holding her hand out to Lin.

Lin looked at it and furrowed her brows. "How drunk are you?" Lin asked looking at the cups. "Did you order a strong drink or something."

Kya huffed and grabbed her hand. "Noooo... hold my hand." Kya whined.

Lin rolled her eyes and intertwine them again. She grabbed her drink from the same waitress and the waitress placed down a paper with her number and Lin blushed. And before she could grab it, Kya grabbed it and placed it in her mouth.

"What the heck Kya." She snapped. Kya began to eat the paper and stuck her tongue out.

"Oh please you'd thank me. She probably wanted a one night stand." Kya said rolling her eyes.

Lin frowned and pulled her hand out of hers. "You don't need to be a jerk." She muttered. She grabbed her soda and angrily sipped it.

Kya stared at her and sighed softly. "Sorry. Want me to ask her for her number for you?" Kya began to raise her hand and Lin grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Its fine Kya. Just numbers." She looked at her and crossed her arms. "So how have you been? I've heard you went to the Fire Nation to see Izumi. Is she okay? How is she?"

Kya waved her off. "She's fine, just said shes tired of the meetings and such."

She smiled up at Lin. "So how about you Lin? Any girlfriend or boyfriend?" She prodded.

Lin rolled her eyes and waved her off. "You know me." She mumbled. "Not looking forward to dating and such. I find it useless. After all I'm 54, I should start looking forward to retiring or something." She muttered knowing she won't be retiring soon.

Kya beamed at the news and smiled as she gently squeezed her hand. "Anyone you have your eye on?"

Lin furrowed her brows, she just told her she wasn't looking for a relationship but she felt her eyes wonder over to the waitress. "Well if someone didn't eat the paper I would've been seeing someone tonight."

Kya tightened her hold on Lin's hand and clenched her jaw. "Well sorry. I'll be sure to ask her."

All throughout dinner it was Kya asking Lin her favourite colour, her favourite hobby to do now, how was she and the kids. All sorts of things. By the end of the night Lin and Kya were stuffed with the delicious food and both buzzed, well Kya drunk.

Lin and her were stumbling to Lin's apartment since both were too drunk to drive and Lin not having the energy to deal with Tenzin.

She plopped Kya on the couch and groaned as she stretched her back. She bonded her armour off and stumbled to her room to change and get ready for bed.

She began to brush her teeth in the bathroom and mindlessly brushed them. Suddenly a pair of arms snaked around her waist and kisses began to align her neck. Lin jumped startled and quickly turned around to be met with the pout face of Kya.

"Kya?" She asked with furrowed brows. She pressed a hand to her neck and watched as Kya grabbed her and tried to kiss her again. Lin frowned and pushed her face away. "Kya." She snapped.

Kya paused and looked at her hurt. "What are you doing? You're drunk. Go back to bed." Lin said as she tried to fix her shirt.

"I don't want to." Kya huffed. "Please Lin let me kiss you." Kya whispered as she reached out to her.

Lin smacked her hand away, her eyes flashing in anger. "I'm not going to tell you again. Go to bed." Kya tried to fight the pain she felt knowing the only reason Kya is trying to kiss her is because she's drunk and doesn't know what's she's doing.

Kya placed her hands on her hip and glared at Lin. "No." She said clearer this time. "Can't you see I like you Lin?" She stepped forward and pressed her agssint the counter. "I've liked you for awhile." She said with a smile. "You don't know how hard it was watching you flirt with her tonight." She whispered.

Lin watched as anger and hurt flash over Kya's face. A red hugh over her nose and cheeks meaning she was buzzed. Lin grabbed her hands and pushed her away.

"You don't know what you're talking about Kya." She grabbed her hand and began to lead her to bed trying not to blow a fuse at her friend who didn't understand what she was saying.

Before Lin could pull her out of the bathroom she felt Kya pull her hand out of Lin's. "I know what I talking about!" She yelled. "Lin you have no idea hoe long I've been having these feelings. You're all I think about, I can't get you out of my head. The way my heart races when I see you, can't you feel it?" She whispered.

Lin furrowed her brows and shook her head. Her heart began to speed up as she began to feel overwhelmed. "Wait Kya hold on-"

"Lin I love you." Kya stressed as she shook her head. "I want to spend my life here with you." Lin tightened her hands on her door frame, the metal slowly warping under her hand. "Lin I-"

Kya didn't understand as suddenly the door was tore wide open and splinters of wood flew all over the place. "Get out." Lin growled. Her face in anger, her eyes closed and her scowl on full display.

Kya jumped and she shook her head. "Lin I don't understand." She whispered. "Didn't you like me-"

"Agni! Kya!" Lin said looking up at her. Her eyes watered but were filled with rage. "What's not to understand Kya?" She breathed still trying to control her temper.

She looked up at her. "That was more than 3 decades ago." Lin said with a strained voice. "Over 30 years ago!" She pressed a hand to her chest, splinters in her finger tips along with small cuts from the metal.

"Don't you remember?" She snapped. "I kissed you, you looked at me as if I'm gross and then tell me you don't like me!" She laughed breathlessly and shook her head.

Kya winced and stepped forward and tried to touch her. Lin smacked her hand away and stepped aside. "Please Kya just... sleep before I hit you." She clenched her fists. "I can't deal with you when you're drunk."

Kya looked at her sadly and stood her ground. "I was a kid Lin. I thought that I met the love of my life." She breathed. "Surely you can't hold that against me."

Lin looked at her and looked away. "You're not the only to say you loved me and you won't be the last." She whispered. "Can't you see I'm tired?"

"Lin please, let me prove to you how much I've changed. I swear I love y-"

Lin reached over and covered her lips. "Stop saying that." She grabbed her arm and began to pull her towards the couch. "Go to bed before I toss you out on the street." She pushed her down on the couch.

Kya gripped onto her hand before she was able to leave. "Give me a chance." She whispered hoping Lin could give her it.

Lin didn't look back at her and closed her eyes. "Goodnight Kya." Lin's voice thick with anger and sadness. And with that Kya let her go and watched as the woman tiredly walked to her room. Tossing the door into the bathroom and closing her bedroom door behind her.

Kya swore to the spirits she'd try her absolute best to be there for Lin. She had to be.

[chiefbeifongcanrailme]

25 for linumi but with the fraze used, pls

You can read it below the cut or on AO3! There's an interesting character in here.

"Come on, Lin." He restlessly followed her from the kitchen to the living room.

"There's nothing to tell." She maintained for the umpteenth time.

"Fine."

He finally relented, stopping against the wall as she made her way over to their bedroom. Getting anything out of Lin was nearly impossible and Bumi was growing tired of asking.

"Thank you!" She scoffed from inside.

Now that ticked the Airbender off.

Unconsciously rolling his sleeves up his forearms, Bumi stomped into their bedroom. He was not going to quit. He'd press at it all night if that was what it took: but neither of them was leaving the bedroom until he finally got his answer.

"No." He declared, slamming the door shut behind him.

Lin turned around, eyebrows raised by a touch.

"No, what?"

"No, you don't get to keep secrets." He clamored on, "I need to know where you've been going. I don't care about boundaries and personal space and-"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean-" He exhaled sharply, finally giving up his actual worries, "Are you cheating on me?"

Lin's eyes blew wide open.

Bumi didn't even notice, "Because if you are, just tell me." His voice wavered slowly, "I'll be able to take it, and if you're through with us-"

"Bumi!" She stopped him before he could say anything more and made her way towards him, "Why in the world would I cheat on you?"

"I don't know!?" He shook his head frantically. Lin tried to calm him down by cupping his cheeks in her hands as he continued, "I don't know why you've been lying about your whereabouts. I know you've told your office that you're having lunch at home, but you're not, are you? Have you been coming home every day for the past month just when I happen to be away? Have you instead not been at that bar in the fancy hotel downtown?" He soldiered on, "If there's someone else just tell me. I'll learn to-"

She cut him off by getting on her toes and planting a soft kiss to his lips. 

"Meet me there tomorrow and I'll tell you everything."

Bumi agreed as she fell back on her heels slowly and kissed her palm. 

"I love you." She whispered softly.

The next day at lunch, Lin waited patiently until her boyfriend arrived in the hotel lobby. Anxious, with his heart sinking in his stomach, Bumi followed her to the bar down the corridor. His mind was running wild at the possibilities- was she really going to introduce him to the person she was having this tryst with? Why was she so nonchalant about it? Could it be Tenzin?

Bumi swallowed on his dry mouth now.

Once they approached the bartender, Lin's voice broke him out his spiral, "Have you seen my-"

Another voice from the back called out at the same time, "Lin! Over here."

Bumi turned around in a frenzy, face sweaty and eyes watery while Lin spun gracefully in the direction of the sound.

And there he sat, gray-headed and bearded with the widest of smiles. He looked somewhat familiar, but as far as his mind searched, Bumi couldn't place this stranger. Sure, Lin may have had a thing for older men- Bumi was about seven years her senior, but this age difference appeared straight up asinine.

Lin pulled him by the wrist in the direction of the older man, who now stood up to receive her with a hug. In an instant, this person had swept his lady up in his arms and had pressed a kiss on top of her head.

She was still holding onto his wrist though, even while ensconced within this other man. Bumi wasn't sure whether he should clear his throat to remind them of his presence, or just run for the hills, for this was starting to get uncomfortable. He wanted to twist his arm out of her grasp but at the same time, there was something grounding about the way she was holding onto him while letting another man wrap her up with affection.

"I'd like to introduce you to my boyfriend-" She began.

Bumi swallowed nervously. I am the boyfriend, aren't I?

"-Bumi." Lin said with a smile as she pulled away from the stranger.

"So you're the big bad boyfriend-" The stranger teased. He extended his arm out for Bumi, who grabbed and shook it limply against this man's perfectly gripped handshake.

He glanced to Lin's side to see her cheeks slightly flushed from embarrassment before she quickly returned to her face of neutrality.

"And Bumi," She interjected with a smirk as if she had been able to read his mind this whole time, "This is my father, Kanto."

FATHER?

Father.

Bumi eased up and dropped his shoulders. He was surprised- shocked- never in a hundred years would he have guessed that Lin was having secret meetings with her own father- the man whose name she only learnt about a month ago.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kanto!" He said genuinely.

"Likewise," He beamed in a manner akin to Lin's, "My daughter has told me so much about you."

"All good things I hope." He said as all three of them took their seats around the table. 

"On most days." He smirked.

"On most days?" Bumi snickered at the way in which it was the most Lin-like thing he could've ever said, "I think she rubbed off on you." He said eyeing his girlfriend affectionately. 

"Or maybe," He placed an arm around Lin's shoulders, "She just got it from me."

"Seems likely enough." The Airbender chortled with glee.

Seeing Lin look as happy as she did at that moment did wonders for Bumi's previous apprehensiveness which by now, was long forgotten. He was beaming at the pair and filing in all the noticeable traits of her he found on her father. 

"Tell me, Bumi." Kanto began, "How'd you two meet?"

"Now that's a long story," The Airbender chortled in Lin's direction, "How about a shorter one for now?" 

"Fine." Kanto brought his hands together, "What are you intentions with my little girl?" 

At that, a roar of laughter erupted from the table. 

[reinerispretty]

rotations. (zuko x f!reader) pt17

there’s a lil easter egg in here :) wonder who can find it first!! thanks so much for reading i lov u

pt1

pt16

pt18

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?” Zuko asked. His amber eyes were transfixed on the tent before him.

“I think you know that isn’t true.” (Y/N) took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “I’ll be with the others if you need me.”

When the group awoke the next morning, Aang was gone. Each member searched high and low for the young Avatar, but to no avail. “I don’t really think this is the time for him to go on one of his special Avatar journeys,” Toph grumbled, to which (Y/N) hummed in agreement. As the group reunited after their searches, Zuko proposed the idea of utilizing the bounty hunter June and her shirshu Nyla in finding Aang. 

“Isn’t she the one who paralyzed me?” (Y/N) asked bitterly.

“And me?” Sokka chimed in. 

“And me?” Katara added. Zuko shrugged. 

“Her shirshu can track someone down from across a continent. If anyone can find Aang, it’s her.” (Y/N) was not interested in the idea of procuring a bounty hunter to find Aang, but it was their only hope. 

And that hope was quickly squandered. When they found June and convinced her to help them, her shirshu couldn’t locate Aang.

“Is he dead?” (Y/N) asked. June shook her head. 

“Nyla would be able to smell his body. Your friend isn’t in this world anymore.” What that meant exactly, the group had no idea. Even when Aang traveled to the Spirit World, his physical body remained in the physical one. How could he have just disappeared? 

“Try this, then,” Zuko said, holding up a piece of clothing to Nyla’s nose. The shirshu sniffed and immediately turned in the opposite direction, ready to dart off into the woods. 

“Whose is that?” Katara asked. 

“It’s my uncle’s. If anyone will be able to tell us what to do, it’s him.” 

Nyla led the friends to the outer wall of Ba Sing Se, where they were met by King Bumi, Master Pakku, and the other great masters they had met over their travels. 

“How do you all know each other?” Sokka asked. 

“We are all part of the Order of the White Lotus,” Piandao explained. “An organization that transcends loyalty to our nations and instead comes together to fight for the common good.” 

“Does that mean my uncle is here?” Zuko asked. Piandao nodded. The six friends were led into the main camps, where many tents had been set up to house other members of the Order. As (Y/N) passed, she recognized a few of the members as people she had known during her time traveling the three nations. Citizens of the Fire Nation that were also part of the Order seemed to be few and far between, but (Y/N) supposed their numbers deteriorated after nearly a hundred years of pro Fire Nation propaganda. 

The biggest tent of them all belonged to the Grand Lotus: Iroh. The rest of the group dispersed to discuss battle plans, leaving (Y/N) and Zuko paused just paces away from the entrance of the tent.

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?” Zuko asked. His amber eyes were transfixed on the tent before him. 

“I think you know that isn’t true.” (Y/N) took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “I’ll be with the others if you need me.” Her fingers slid from his and Zuko turned to watch her walk away before taking a deep breath and entering his uncle’s tent. 

(Y/N) sat between Sokka and Katara as they listened to Master Pakku describe the Order’s plans to liberate Ba Sing Se. He paused as she joined their group. 

“Ah, (Y/N). Glad to see you’re back in the clothes of your home nation.” It was a joke of course, a nod to the last time they had seen each other. 

When the Fire Nation was attacking the Northern Water Tribe, (Y/N) had felt defenseless while fighting off the Fire Nation soldiers, so she had unleashed her firebending on them. Soldiers from the Water Tribe had captured her as a spy and it had taken a lot of convincing from Katara that she really was trying to fight against the Fire Nation. It was an embarrassing misunderstanding that led to (Y/N) to choose hand-to-hand combat over her own firebending if she could help it. 

“Evening, Master Pakku,” (Y/N) said with a smile.

“Do you really think Iroh and the other firebenders will be powerful enough to take back the city?” Sokka questioned. Both Pakku and (Y/N) nodded. 

“His power as a firebender is unparalleled,” Pakku explained. 

“He might look like a sweet old man, but he is one of the best firebenders in the entire nation,” (Y/N) added. “I learned some of my best techniques from studying how he fought. Plus the comet will only make firebenders even more powerful.” 

“Yeah, but you’re fighting against Fire Nation soldiers,” was Sokka’s rebuttal. “Won’t they be more powerful too?” 

(Y/N) nodded. “I don’t mean to sound like a snob, but people like Iroh and I spent a lot more time training than those lousy soldiers. It’ll be a long fight, but not a hard one for Iroh.” 

Almost as if he had been summoned, Iroh exited his tent with Zuko as his side. (Y/N) recognized the glistening trails of tears on Zuko’s face, but also saw the happiness in his eyes. 

“(Y/N)!” Iroh cheered. She smiled widely and stood to run over and give him a hug. “It is very good to see you again.” 

“And you the same,” she said, giving him a bow. “It feels like just yesterday that we broke out of the Fire Nation prison.” 

“This is who broke you out?” Katara asked. Iroh chuckled. 

“You think I would let the only other sane person in the Fire Nation stay in jail?” They returned to the campfire to further discuss their plans for the comet. Iroh poured them all cups of tea as Zuko and (Y/N) sat next to each other. Katara was the only one who caught the look of surprise on his face and she returned it with a smile as she accepted her cup of tea. 

“Katara,” Zuko said. “How would you like to come to the Fire Nation to help (Y/N) and I take down Azula?” 

“It would be my pleasure,” Katara said with a grin. The situation still gave (Y/N) a heavy feeling in her stomach, but sometimes the right thing was the hardest thing to do. 

Eventually, (Y/N’s) friends and the other members of the Order dispersed from the campfire to retire for the night. Only (Y/N) and Iroh remained, finishing off the pot of tea. 

“I see you and Zuko reconciled,” Iroh hummed as he sipped his tea.” 

“For the most part, yes.” Iroh was the easiest person to talk to, (Y/N) found. When she was younger and had not even her own parents to turn to, if Iroh was visiting, he would lend her an ear. “I think I’ve forgiven him. Part of me still gets mad thinking about the things he’s done to me and my friends.” 

“That is only natural. The heart cannot forget the wounds that it has endured, but it can heal from them.” (Y/N) nodded. 

“I’m trying to.” 

“I always thought you and Zuko were the most interesting pair.” 

“How so?” Iroh sat in silence for a moment as he pieced his thoughts together. 

“You are strong in your beliefs. You are not afraid to be defiant if it means doing what is right. I remember when you were younger, I heard you arguing with your mother about why you should continue your firebending training. You told her that you did not care what she wanted you to do, because you knew becoming a better bender would make you stronger.” Iroh chuckled. 

“Zuko had told me to say that, so I could stay in training with him. She gave me the punishment of a lifetime after I said it.” 

“I am sure. But Zuko was not granted the same strength as you. He is loyal to the people he cares about, which is why it was so hard for him to choose what was right and wrong. He loved you and I but loved his father and Azula as well.” 

(Y/N) furrowed her brows. She wasn’t quite sure where Iroh was going with this, but then again, was anything he said ever straightforward?” 

“You pushed Zuko to make the right choices and he pushed you to stand up for yourself. As I watched you grow up, I noticed how you rotated around each other. Like the moon and tides, you and Zuko were always the driving force behind the other.” 

“Until he was banished.” 

“Zuko fought so hard to capture the Avatar because he wanted to restore his honor and return home to you. He will never admit it, but that is all he wanted.” 

“And I guess here I was, fighting against my home for doing horrible things and taking someone I cared about away from me.” 

“We are all connected, but no matter how hard you or Zuko tried to cut the thread that tied the two of you together, it is indestructible.” Iroh finished the last of his tea and stood. “You must rest. We all have a big day ahead of us.” 

(Y/N) watched as Iroh returned to his tent. She squashed out the dying fire. and made her way back to the tens she and her friends had been given. Katara and Toph slept in the first one, Suki and Sokka in the next, and Zuko lay fast asleep in the last one. 

(Y/N) crawled into the spot beside him, feeling the exhaustion of the day weighing heavily on her body. She lay on her back and instantly fell asleep. 

Katara woke the next morning and decided to rouse (Y/N) and Zuko first, since they would be traveling to the Fire Nation together. She pulled open the door to the tent to see (Y/N) snoring on Zuko’s chest, with Zuko’s arm wrapped tightly around her waist. 

Katara dropped the tent door and walked away. She could give them a few more minutes. 

---

Tag List!

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[softluci]

atla hcs

i’ve been thinking about this for a minute, and i wanna do a set of headcanons for how i think the brothers (and eventually the undateables) would feel about certain avatar: the last airbender characters, or something along those lines. i actually just wanted to talk about lucifer and azula, so everything else here is a bonus. this doesn’t matter, but for what it’s worth: wherever the mc pops up, they will be gn, enjoy!

also: this kinda goes without saying, but there are most definitely spoilers in here. for which seasons? i don’t remember, i watched this show when i was nine, but proceed with caution if you have yet to watch it.

lucifer

if it’s one thing you are not gonna play with him about, it is princess azula. this man is an azula supremacist, and while he might not say those words exactly, anyone would be able to tell that’s the case if they talked to him about the show for longer than two minutes. he actually wasn’t even interested in the show until azula showed up, and he will readily admit this to anyone who inquires about it. what makes it funny is the fact that her first appearance is literally, like, ten seconds, so that means he saw her and immediately knew she was the best, which, like—real recognize real. is he projecting? am i projecting? yes, no. in that order. shut up.

he actually almost couldn’t hide how proud he was when azula almost killed aang, this man is deranged. the same way he takes her wins personally, he takes every loss of hers personally as well, so when she lost that agni kai? 🚶‍♂️ 

the average azula enjoyer believes azula should get a redemption arc, lucifer believes azula should simply get whatever she wants, and the difference between those two things is striking.

average azula enjoyer: i believe azula deserves to heal and redeem herself. it isn’t fair that she was left with her tyrannical, abusive father during formative years of her childhood, with no one to help her or show her what it means to be good. she cannot be blamed for the way she turned out. it especially isn’t fair that she gets no redemption for evil things she did at age fourteen, for a year, while the entire show is iroh’s redemption arc, and he was doing evil for decades—he is literally called “the dragon of the west” because of it. additionally—

lucifer morningstar, resident azula supremacist: everything azula did, she was right to do, because i would’ve done the same. there was never a point at which she was wrong, it’s just unfortunate that nobody could keep up with her, her father included. the only reason why she ended up losing, ultimately, is because this is a children’s show, and good is supposed to win out. it was plot armor. if this were realistic, she would’ve beaten everyone—at the very least, she would’ve beaten zuko in the final agni kai, it’s just that he broke the rules and brought backup. at the time of the agni kai, she was literally the strongest firebender in the show. that’s actually the only part of this lucifer is right about, but you can’t tell him that.

if you ask him what his favorite quote in the show is, he’ll immediately say, “i can see your whole history in your eyes. you were born with nothing, so you’ve had to struggle, and connive, and claw your way to power. but true power? the divine right to rule? is something you’re born with.” and he will do it so well that it’ll give you the chills. 

in actuality, his favorite quote is, “i’d really rather our family physician look after little zuzu, if you don’t mind.” it’s just that it doesn’t have the same chilling effect as the first one. 

does he like any other characters? does he even care about any other characters? he has a deep fondness for sokka because he reminds him of mammon.  yes, and they are katara and suki, with honorable mention to avatar kyoshi. 

does he hate any characters? no, but if you mention avatar kuruk or uncle iroh to him, he might get annoyed. is mildly frustrated by aang, but has the sense to cut him some slack for being twelve and the last of his kind. never speak of ozai.

mammon 

toph supremacist. frequent user of the phrase, “toph is just fucking class.” knows for a fact that toph is the best and strongest bender in the entire show, and no one has ever managed to convince him otherwise. mainly because nobody really disagrees. like, have you ever even seen toph slander?

just like lucifer with azula, he wasn’t invested in the show until toph showed up, which, once again, is funny, because technically her very first appearance is only a few seconds long, so that means he saw her for a literal second and just knew. you can’t even be mad at that, real recognize real. 

no one will ever see him more proud than when he’s talking about one toph beifong. he can’t get over her raw, unbridled talent, and he really never should. if you let him (so, if you’re levi), he will spend so much time analyzing her character and every single one of her strengths, from the fact that she’s the only one who knows when azula is lying, all the way down to the fact that even though she projects a tough persona, she can still be vulnerable, AND—

not only is she strong, but her personality is simply untouchable. this girl grows on literally everyone; like, even lucifer likes her, even though he’ll die before saying it out loud. 

he gets so smug whenever someone asks him who his favorite is and it’s because he knows his taste is top tier, and what makes it worse is that no one can even disagree because toph is just that good. 

will never admit it, but he was shaking and crying during the scene where it looked like toph and sokka were literally gonna die. was also gonna cry when toph almost drowned. basically: he is eternally grateful to suki. 

his favorite line in the entire show is, “i am the greatest earthbender in the world! don’t you two dunderheads ever forget it.” it’s just fucking class.

does he like any other characters? he sees himself in sokka, he’ll tell you that much. he also knows that satan and lucifer like sokka because of him, and he found out because he heard them talking about it. to their joint dismay, they turned to see him standing behind them, grinning like an idiot, and they couldn’t even scare him into leaving them alone when he hugged both of them at the same time because, one, they didn’t really want to, and two, they couldn’t turn off their fondness for him fast enough ^_^. did they reciprocate his hug? did they stay like that for a little bit? did lucifer kiss the tops of their heads? maybe so🤨

does he hate any characters? not really, but he doesn’t particularly like azula because she scares him and makes him sad, like lucifer and doesn’t see her appeal. once tried to make a case for why she shouldn’t have a redemption arc and felt painfully human from the way he almost died. do not mention toph’s parents to him. the name ozai should also never be on your tongue.

levi 

resident sokka enjoyer and suki appreciator. do not ever call sokka dumb in front of this man unless you want a proper lecture. unlike a few of his brothers, he doesn’t like sokka just because of his similarities to mammon. he also likes sokka because he relates to him on a personal level. 

levi absolutely knows what it’s like to feel inadequate and outshined by people younger than you. he absolutely knows what it’s like to feel like your competence is overlooked. while he might be unfamiliar with how it feels to strategize for a war and lose a battle, but it is one of his biggest fears and it absolutely crushed him to see sokka go through that. 

on a lighter note, levi has a deep appreciation for sokka’s comedic value, despite the fact that it can overshadow his intelligence. levi would actually venture to say that he likes sokka’s funnier side because it overshadows his intelligence to the point that it throws the opposition for a loop. this is the aspect of sokka that reminds him of mammon. 

it also seriously warmed his heart to see how everyone missed sokka while he was away for sword training; he especially liked that episode because it was just an affirmation of the fact that sokka is an integral part of team avatar, which he really needed to see. 

you know who else is an integral part of team avatar who needs to be recognized as such more often? suki. do you know how much pain levi is in every time he thinks about the lack of suki screentime . it’s a lot . suki is just too good for the amount of screentime she has, he’s sorry, but it’s true. this is evidenced by the scene of her literally running across prisoners’ heads to apprehend the warden of boiling rock. that scene speaks for itself—she and the other kyoshi warriors end up as zuko’s body guards for a reason. 

he will never let anyone forget that if it weren’t for suki, sokka would still be a misogynist. she was an essential element to sokka’s growth as a character and everyone had better remember it or so help him. also , he is a firm believer in the fact that suki was the best love interest for sokka, with zuko as a close second. don’t ask questions. rip yue but argue with the wall.

his favorite line in the series? 

“zuko’s gone crazy! i made a sand sculpture of suki, and he destroyed it! oh, and he’s attacking aang.” 

it’s not profound or cool or anything like that, but it makes him smile and giggle every time he thinks of it ^_^. 

does he like any other characters? he has a lot of love for toph and azula for the sole fact that the series improved exponentially after both of their introductions; he thinks both of them are in leagues of their own and seeing them in action just puts a smile on his face. he’s also inexplicably fond of king bumi. 

does he hate any characters? not particularly, actually! he pretty much respects and appreciates everyone, except the guy who mutilated his thirteen year old son for speaking out of turn.

satan 

just pick a girl. any girl. and from the way he talks about them, you’ll think they’re his favorite. he can and will go on about the girls of atla for the rest of eternity.

but since we’re being specific:

katara appreciator. azula enjoyer. basically, between him and lucifer, no tongue raised against azula shall prosper. he has a deep respect for each of their wraths. he also really must have a thing for angst because both of these characters just break his heart. 

if you let him (in other words, if you’re levi), he will go on about how it’s not fair that people call katara annoying when, in reality, she just hasn’t healed from the trauma of seeing her mother’s corpse at age eight, followed by having to take care of her village, meaning she got literally no time to grieve properly, and—

call katara annoying in front of him and you might actually have to meet god for your shallow views of such a deep, complex character. 

he will also go on and on about how katara would be the best bender in the show, if it weren’t for toph, who is untouchable. instead, he’ll talk about how katara almost killed pakku for being misogynistic and how she single handedly beat azula during sozin’s comet. you will frequently hear this man say, “katara aang’s master for a reason,” and he’s right. 

similar to if you call katara annoying, if you call azula scary in front of satan, he’s bullying you. he’s sorry, but it has to happen. no way you’re scared of a traumatized fourteen year old, what are you, eight? or do you have no understanding of azula’s depth? both are unacceptable. 

satan is the average azula enjoyer, times about seven. you simply won’t get away with speaking poorly of azula in front of this man, so if you’re like mammon and don’t like her, you better tread very carefully. 

one time mammon tried to be like, “azula is too far gone to deserve redemption anyways,” and satan literally reverted to his demon form as he said: “if i were abandoned with my terrible father as a child, with literally no one to help me, and then my friends betrayed me, and then, as i was about to be crowned ruler of my country, my dumb fucking idiot brother showed up with his dumb peasant friend for backup, which isn’t even allowed, i might be mad forever too, actually—” and then he threw the nearest chair at mammon for his criminally bad take.

another reason why satan loves azula so much is because he’s convinced she’s a lesbian and satan is the most “let’s go lesbians!!!” person you will ever meet. you actually can’t convince him that she isn’t a lesbian. forget chan. nobody gives a fuck about chan.

what’s his favorite line in the entire series? 

“trust me, zuko—it’s not going to be much of a match.” 

like, come on. katara is just too good. 

does he like any other characters (other than the girls of atla)? he’ll never admit it, but he has a lot of respect for sokka and a soft spot for him because he reminds him of mammon. he also has a lot of respect for aang because he reminds him of beel of how well he handled literally everything despite being twelve. 

does he hate any—yes. never speak of avatar roku. or iroh. or ozai. for good measure, don’t mention general zhao either. 

asmo 

what lucifer is to azula, asmo is to ty lee. like do i even have to say anything else. but for what it’s worth, he also love, love, loves azula because she reminds him of lucifer, from her strength and class, all the way down to her descent into madness. and even though she breaks his heart just as much as she does satan’s. he may or may not have cried over azula in satan’s room while they were talking about her. unlike lucifer and satan, he can respect it if you don’t like her, but it’ll make him so sad. 

but enough about azula. ty lee is where it’s at for him. her subtle strength and unwavering love is something to die for, and he will defend it against anyone, up to and including lucifer, and he’ll win too. asmo is not to be trifled with and neither is ty lee; he can make a strong argument as to why ty lee is the strongest character in the show, and you will have a very hard time trying to refute his points. (the main point being: it’ll be really hard to win a fight against someone who can paralyze you in a few seconds, bender or not.)

the fact that ty lee ran away from home because she was tired of the fact that nobody ever saw her as her own person is just something that tugs at asmo’s heartstrings. he thinks ty lee’s bravery is just something that can be so personal. 

also—he has a massive appreciation for the fact that, even though there’s a war going on and ty lee is in near-constant danger, she still has the sense to maintain her appearance and worry about the skincare of not just herself, but also people she’s close to. that is a detail he will never let anyone forget. 

never mentions it in front of lucifer but one of his favorite scenes is when she paralyzes azula to save mai. once again: ty lee’s bravery is just something that can be so personal. 

he doesn’t have a favorite line in the series, but his favorite exchange of dialogue is between ty lee and azula, wherein ty lee is trying to teach azula how to flirt. he thinks it’s the cutest thing in the world.

does he like any other characters? of course! he likes everyone ^_^ . you’d actually be hard pressed to find someone he hates. ozai. it’s ozai. he has a real soft spot for mai because she reminds him of belphie. something about their shared aversion to affection is just so cute to him!

beel

aang supremacist, will hold steadfast to the fact that aang is the best character in the show and you will struggle to figure out how to convince him otherwise. 

if you ask him why aang is his favorite, the first thing he will do is gesture to a picture of him and say, “look at the material,” like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, before diving into a ten minute in depth character analysis for this boy. 

come on. he shouldn’t even have to explain himself. not only is aang one of the strongest, most competent avatars to exist, ever, he also mastered all four elements in a year, when he was twelve—he’s literally a different breed. and he managed to beat ozai in his own way, without killing him, as a means of staying true to a culture that could have literally died with him at any point in the show. aang is just fucking class.

he also admires aang for his near unwavering kindness and lighthearted nature. and for never going berserk and killing everyone he sees, especially after finding out his people were killed while he was in ice.

you have no idea how much pain beel was in when he found out that the air nomads were just gone. seeing a child find out that not only their family is gone, but also the entirety of their people and culture, just absolutely broke his heart. and that guilt aang was feeling? hit way too close to home for him. 

he also thinks it’s really nice that aang was so quick to forgive zuko after everything, and the two of them ended up being really good friends. it just puts a smile on his face. 

after some reflection with levi, he would’ve liked to see the full scope of an airbender’s power in the series; as in, he would’ve liked to see someone suffocated, but it’s okay, because aang wasn’t like that.  and he heard it happens in the next series over.

anyway, beel’s favorite quote in the show...well, it isn’t really a quote, as much as it’s a dialogue between two characters. it’s the scene where toph asks, “do you really think friendships can last more than one lifetime?” and aang says, “i don’t see why not.” it could bring a tears to his eyes just thinking about it; and in the next series over when it’s proven to be true, he absolutely cried. 

does he like any other characters? he’s actually really fond of zuko and mai because they both remind him of belphie. he also likes sokka for the same reason lucifer and satan like sokka. he has a deep appreciation for katara because aang would literally be dead without if it weren’t for her.

does he hate any characters? well, he doesn’t really like azula. he feels bad for her, but he doesn’t like her. but as for who he hates? take a wild guess. 

belphie 

zuko makes him sob is his number one. yes zuko is his favorite because of his redemption arc, yes he sees himself in zuko, no he will not explain any further than that, what’s your point🤨

in actuality, he will never be able to properly articulate how important it is for him to see that redemption is, indeed, attainable, if you put the work in. in a similar vein, he will also never be able to give words to how important it is for him to see that forgiveness is also attainable.  it means the world to him. that is why it makes him cry. the feeling is overwhelming. i’m gonna cry if i think about it for too long.

he will cling to the fact that zuko is the best character in the show, and he will cling to it even when zuko embarrasses him by saying stupid shit like, “no lightning today?” and even when zuko is so awkward it causes him physical pain. that’s his number one and he’s not changing on it!

firm zukka supporter. will not argue. that’s all.

what’s his favorite line in the entire series? it’s one of the two you’re thinking of. make that decision for yourself.

does he like any other characters? he positively adores aang and will readily admit that it’s because he reminds him of beel. bonus points for aang because he also loves the dynamic between him and zuko. toph is a distant third, mainly because he just really likes her attitude. he looks at her and thinks, now this is someone who would not hesitate to kick lucifer’s ass. 

does he hate any characters? you better believe it. he hates iroh because he reminds him of dia. he can’t really bring himself to like azula because she makes him a different kind of sad. and if you know what’s good for you, you will never mention ozai. 

[hotpinkrathian]

The Dinner

(Kyalin) Cannon to The Box series.

Tenzin took a seat, sitting Rohan on his lap, bouncing his soon to be toddler.

"Oh, Bataar isn't he the cutest thing?" Suyin said fawning over the little.

"He's adorable." Bataar replied. "Any signs of bending yet?" Bataar asked.

"Well, I can't be totally sure, but I think we have another airbender on our hands!" Suyin cheered, drawing attention to herself.

"I would do anything for another one." She said, causing her husband's eyes to widen in fear.

"No. Please.""oh come on, one more honey." Bataar scoffed, moving to sit with his sons. Su frowned returning her gaze back to Rohan. She was caught off guard when her sister took a seat beside her.

"Lin! You made it!" She smiled, Lin nodded, setting down a place full of food Kya sat next to her and Suyin reached over to shake her hand.

"Its been too long, Kya."

"Much, there's so much to catch you up on, Su." The waterbender said, looking to Lin who ignored her. It wasn't long before Mako and Bolin stumbled into the room, heaving and leaning on each other.

"Hey! Take it outside!" Pema shouted, nearly spilling a tray of beverages.

"Sorry its just- Korra?" Mako asked.

"Shes outside with Asami, they'll be in as soon as Korra gets a whiff of this fish." Tonraq said, eyeing up the dish.

"Can't wait." They pushed past the crowd and Su rolled her eyes.

"Remind me so much of the twins." She remarked and Lin snorted.

"Worse." Her older sister said and Suyin laughed.

"Lin, I'm going to the kitchen to get a drink, want something?" Kya asked.

"Hmm? Something strong." Kya looked at her doubtfully and Suyin glanced toward Tenzin, who seemed to pick up on the energy.

"Come with me." Kya said, pulling her arm.

"Alright, fine. I'll be right back Su." Lin said being dragged away by Kya. Su looked to Tenzinsho put Rohan in his uncle's lap.

"Did you-" they said in unison.

"Sorry, you go." Tenzin said.

"That was weird, right?" Su asked, looking at her sister and Kya from the table. The two were leaned against the counter, Kya pouring a waterbenders portion of wine, engaged in conversation.

"They arrived together." Tenzin said and Su pursed her lips.

"Do you think Kya's living with her?" Su asked.

"Its possible. She's been staying in the city for a while now, I assumed she had her own place or an ex's to crash, maybe she's been staying with Lin." The two woman came back, returning to their seat.

"Sorry," Lin laughed as she sat down. Su looked to Tenzin again.

Is she laughing?

I think so?

"So, Kya, where have you been staying?" Su asked, flattening her robe. Kya took a long sip of her wine, finishing nearly a third of it before answering.

"With Lin. She's um... been letting me stay with her. Just to be closer to the hospital and all."

"Thats very kind of you Lin," Tenzin said, "I didn't know you were so fond of the homeless." Kya flung a spoonful of mashed potatoes off her spoon at her brother who blew it against the wall.

"Ha. Ha." Tenzin smiled, proud of himself.

"Beifong!" Su and Lin looked at the use of their last name, to see Korra, Asami, Mako and Bolin standing at the door. Lin rolled her eyes and Kya patted her on the shoulder, smiling.

"Yes?" Lin asked, standing up and spreading her arms.

"You... you lied to me!" Korra argued. Su looked between the two of them. It didn't seem hostile but.. playful wasn't in Lin's nature. At least she didn't think so.

"Actually I just didn't tell you the truth. Besides, you didn't ask me."

"You told them before us?"

"No, I gave you guys the key to our apartment, and I even gave you the box. You just didn't look in it." Korra's eyes met Asami's a look of realization dawning on them.

"Why... why did you-"

"Wanted to know what you thought. And maybe rub it in a bit." Korra furrowed her brows and Lin smirked. Su looked back to Tenzin when Kya wrapped an arm around Lin's.

Oh my god. She mouthed as the bald airbenders face lit up a bright red.

"Were you in on this?" Asami asked.

"Oh yeah, this whole operation was my idea." Kya replied. "I just thought it'd be funnier coming from Lin. And as always, I was right."

"You're not always right-" Lin began, she was shut down with a look from the waterbender.

"Does someone care to explain whats going on here?" Bumi asked, bouncing Rohan. "I'm getting the sense I don't have all the details."

"Beifong and Kya are getting married!" Korra said and the unanimous gasp in the room was followed by silence.

"Suprise." Lin said, a grin on her face.

"Kya, whats the meaning of this?" Tenzin asked.

"Tenzin, its pretty straightforward..." his sister replied. Su was too busy looking at Lin, and then to Kya, who now at a second glance did have a new betrothal necklace. One that had Lin's impeccable bending skills all over it.

"Lin are you... oh my god!" Su cheered, jumping up to hug her sister. "You're getting married?" Lin stood stiff in her sisters grip, patting Su on the back until she was released.

"Yeah, I mean I thought that was obvious." Su ignored her passive aggression, smiling at Kya who winked at her older brother across the room.

"Kya you... how?" Kya laughed, placing a hand on Su's shoulder.

"It just happened. These last what, fourteen, fifteen years, have been the-"

"FIFTEEN YEARS?" everyone shouted and Lin plugged her ears.

"Ow. Spirits you don't have to be so loud."

"You've been together for fifteen years?" Pema asked, finally setting down the beverage tray.

"Yeah. Honestly, I don't know how no one picked up on it." Kya said, "except Bumi."

"How'd Bumi know?" Kai asked.

"Thats... not for young ears to hear." Kya replied, causing the two of them to blush. Su sat down, her head rushing with thoughts. Her sister had been seeing someone for fifteen years and she had no idea. Some sister she was. She wasn't sure how she felt about the secrecy, but she shoved whatever feelings those were aside and focused on how happy she was for her sister.

___________________________________________

Kya flopped onto the sofa next to her fiance, the effects of the wine fading and leaving her feeling tired.

"That was a lot." She said to Lin, who was already half asleep next to her.

"Agreed, way to much."

"But it feels good, doesn't it?" Lin opened her eyes, looking at the beautiful girl beside her.

"It feels amazing, Kya." Kya kissed her her lips tasted like wine, she didn't mind totally, but she preffered the authentic Lin.

"Lin, I can't wait to marry you." She whispered.

"I can't wait either."

"We should do it. Tomorrow?" Lin looked to her.

"What?"

"Lets go to city hall, and get someone to do it."

"You don't want a big wedding? What about your mom?" Kya sighed, leaning back.

"Mom will understand. Besides, after today I realized that I just want it to be the two of us. Like its always been." Lin leaned over, kissing her.

"Okay, but we're not getting married in city hall. I have a plan."

"How could you possibly have a plan?" Lin shrugged, flexing a hand out in front of her.

"I wanted to make sure we had our bases covered." Kys chuckled, kissing her again."

"Thats why I love you, Lin Beifong." She said before nuzzling herself into Lin's shoulder, the two of them falling asleep on the sofa.

Thought it was done? Hehehehehe

"The spirit world?" Kya asked, staring into the beam.

"Yup. Korra recommended it once she got back. I figured we'd honeymoon, but this is better." Kya smiled, and the two stepped into the beam. On the other side was a green field, flowers stretched across for miles, and in the middle, a cottage. Spirits gathered around a table, sipping tea.

"They're here!" The spirits called and Kya looked to Lin, whos face revealed nothing. The door of the cottage swung open and an old man, carrying a tea pot and a saucer smiled at them.

"You're early!" He said over the spirit chatter.

"I'm punctual." Lin replied as the two walked up to him.

"Iroh?" Kya asked, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

"Its been a long time, Kya," he said, "the last time I saw you... you were this high." He put his hand next to his waist.

"Lin did you-"

"Korra mentioned he was here, during harmonic convergence. I had to see for myself."

"And she couldn't stop coming to see her uncle!" Iroh added, pouring two more cups.  Kya looked at her wife to be, who smiled in a way that made her look ethereal. Lin had a connection to this place, different then Jinora's or Tenzin's, but a connection. The one time Kya had been here, it had been whole fully unpleasant. She was starting to think her opinion of it was going to change.

"Well, are we going to stand here all day or is there going to be a wedding?" Iroh asked.

It didn't take them long to get ready, the spirits put a veil of light around them, decorating Kya's hair with flowers and giving Lin a panda lily to give once their vows were done.

"Su's going to loose her mind." Kya said aftwrward, when they sat on the grass.

"She got married without me." Lin argued.

"Fair enough." Kya laid in the grass and Lin joined her.

"I could stay here forever," the waterbender said.

"Me too," Lin replied, holding Kya's hand in hers.  "Me too."

Thanks for all the love on this miniseries everyone!!! I really enjoyed it! Anyway, this is the finale, however I will have a bonus short in an upcoming chapter on Watty with strictly Bumi's reaction. As always, thanks for reading!

[the-last-cuddlebender]

(Thought inspired by the lovely @queerahim)

Katara proposed to Aang, BUT...

Aang, being a dork, had a master plan to propose, but Katara beat him to it. HOWEVER, airbenders didn’t really do material things in general, and when it came to proposals, they did it with a wordless song, via airbending, or a dance, a la the spinning airbending movements (puts new meaning to the headband dance👀).

So when Katara proposes, Aang accepts by pulling her into a dance and singing a wordless song to her (that he had been holding secret for years).

Bonus points: The song he sings becomes his ‘coming home’ song that he greets Katara with when he comes home after being ‘the world’s Avatar’ for more than one day.

Bonus bonus points: Katara proposed not with a necklace but with a ~ring~. She carved a few dozen tiny engravings of an otterpenguin lying next to another otterpenguin and rubbing heads with it/something sweet like that. The ring can spin (like it was a ball-bearing), and when it spins, the engraved pictures create an animation. Aang is both a fidgeter and an airbender, so if he isn’t manually spinning it, then he is passively airbending it. Always.

Bonus bonus bonus points: Aang leaves Bumi his ring after he passes. Bumi is confused because he isn’t an airbender and therefore can’t passively spin the ring like his dad could. But, being a big fidgeter just like his dad, Bumi manually spin it all the time, anyways. ...He also quietly cries, either internally or externally, every time he makes it spin after he discovers he’s an airbender.

[chitsangenthusiast]

good afternoon i bring with me a (slightly rough) wip of zuko getting to see his daughter for the first time after she's born <3

(featuring some zuko teasing bc the gaang can't help it even at his daughter's birth, and sokka also getting to hold her!!)

—

She’s born in the middle of a scorching summer, under the gaze of a shining moon and on a bed covered in caribou-hare pelts.

Zuko knows when she’s arrived; he’s already crossed the length of the reception room by the time the clamor behind the separating screen abruptly cuts into a breathless silence, and his heart beats in expectation when Suki pokes her head out. She’s exhausted, she’s excited, and she’s dragging him in before he can even fathom any kind of thought.

He comes in just as the midwife finishes in clearing her nose and mouth, to reveal a tiny face and the full sound of his daughter’s fair wail.

Daughter.

Zuko stumbles.

A bubble of absolute glee spills from his mouth as he’s pushed into a chair next to the bed because, from here, he has an even better view. Poking out above her little arm is a head covered in a wet smattering of dark hair and already full eyebrows, with impossibly round cheeks showing off pouting lips and red gums while she cries. She’s loud, she’s announcing her presence, she’s so small.

Zuko chokes on an exhilarated gasp. That’s his daughter.

He reaches out, then falters. As he watches her settle into the soothing warmth of bare skin, all he wants is to fall forward to her, to tuck her into him and rest his hand on her small back to feel how she lifts the entirety of her body as he cries and breathesin her first moments. But he’s not sure who he can touch or even what he can touch on the bed, and he instead throws an absentmindedly desperate hand out to stop himself from grabbing at the furs as he works to remember how to properly take in air.

Someone grabs it—Sokka, he can tell by the calluses on his fingers—and directs it down. Instantly, instinctively, Zuko splays his fingers to cradle her head and strokes his thumb over his daughter’s ear.

His hand curls perfectly around her, and he chokes on another exhilarated sob.

“Katara—”

“She’s beautiful,” Katara immediately returns. Her eyes flit up to Zuko’s, just for a moment, before sliding back down to the baby resting on her stomach. She’s holding a tiny fist in her own hand, running tired fingers up and down a forearm, and she can’t look away either. She’s crying, Zuko realizes, tears just like his own, and she shakes out little relieved sniffles when he and Sokka quickly clasp her heaving shoulders. Katara’s head falls back to the pillows—from the exhaustion, from the relief of their touch, from those strong, healthy cries—and her hand joins Zuko’s on his daughter’s head as she lets out a breathless laugh. “Oh wow, she’s really perfect, Zuko.”

“Thank you,” he gasps out, and then no other words come. His face is a reservoir of open gratitude even when he can’t get anything else out, he knows Katara understands him when she lightly runs a thumb against his hand in response to his spasming grip on her shoulder.

Thank you.

Aang is let in shortly after, buzzing out of his body as he rushes to Katara’s side, with Azula jumping at the chance to barrel inside too. He’s been through this before with Bumi, but his hands still shake slightly as he cups her face and leans down to kiss her forehead with a long, deep inhale. Katara reaches out a free hand to hold onto him, and just smiles at the comfort of his happiness.

Her other hand is still in Zuko’s grasp. He hasn’t been able to bring himself to let go just yet, even after moving to the other side of the bed so that his good ear could better pick up her murmuring, or after her careful transfer of his daughter into his his bare arms, and now together they hold onto an exposed arm left out of the blanket.

Snatches of conversation happen around him, slight jostling occurs as everyone works on the after care, but Zuko is captivated only by the bundle in his arms. Their eyes are locked—she looks up at Zuko, and he stares right back. When Katara has to let go, he takes over to admire his daughter with his thumb, tracing it across her plump jawline, smoothing down the soft hair on her head and over her eyebrows.

Toward the end of the pregnancy, when Aang and Katara came to stay at the palace to prepare, Zuko used to sometimes stare at her. It was hard, trying to imagine what a child between them would look like, and a niggling thought that circled in the back of his mind—quietly, in a determined attempt to not let it fester too much—had him wishing, hoping that his daughter would have more of Katara in her than him. Beyond possibly gold-tinted eyes, what worth did his ancestry have to offer in the face of so much goodness from Katara’s?

(He got scolded for ruminating over this, then given an extremely long hug, and then scolded again for his incessant doting over a Katara who did not need to be doted over, much to Aang’s cackling amusement and Zuko’s embarrassed chagrin.)

But his daughter looks so much like him, and in such a breathtakingly sweet way that leaves him stunned. He can see the small flicks of her eyes moving as they roam over his face; they’re so light in color, tawny almost like how Azula’s were when she was born, and he wonders if they’ll be bright like his or darken into a strong amber like Uncle’s. She also has his nose, a wide little thing that he can’t help but bop a finger against, and her cheeks may be big but Zuko thinks she has his chin.

“It’s crazy how alert she already is,” Aang says, smiling as he peeks down at her across the bed. “I hope her cries get louder though, she needs those firebender lungs so she can shout like you can, Zuko.”

“Don’t do that to me,” Azula instantly scoffs, taking her place next to her brother, then smirks at his lukewarm glare. “I can only handle one loudmouth at a time, and Zuzu is plenty already.”

“Hey—”

Sokka snorts, and responds faster than Zuko can continue. “Well, when she’s right, she’s right.”

Suki overtakes their snickering with a bright burst of laughter, and his daughter’s head rolls toward the noise. “I thought blessings for babies by airbenders were supposed to be good-natured?”

“Oh, sure,” Aang laughs as he takes a cool cloth from her to wipe at Katara’s neck. “She will have a loving heart, an inquisitive mind, and a steadfast head on her shoulders that will push her through anything she sets herself to achieve. But I also hope she gets a set of good strong lungs, just so Zuko can see what we’ve put up with over the years.”

“Can you all be nice to me for five seconds,” Zuko grumps lightly. “I’m literally holding my child right now.”

“I think Aang’s gonna be right too,” Sokka happily jumps back in, dropping a heavy hand on Zuko’s shoulder as he leans over him to coo into her space. “She’s already got his frown.”

“Sokka!” Katara chides, but her laughter is still the loudest above everyone else’s at the falsely disgruntled scowl they receive—which is indeed replicated perfectly on that little face. “You know you can’t say things like that, or she’s going to end up looking like you!”

Sokka just chuckles, and the happy sound thrums through Zuko’s nerves. He’s pulled back already, giving him room to curl around his daughter like she’ll be able to protect him from the teasing—and Zuko forcibly swallows down the heavy desire to pull him back in.

“If that happens, it’ll only be because we look like, Katara.”

“Alright, move over punks!” Toph is as gleefully brash as ever when she steps into room with Lin on her hip and Iroh following close behind her, but Zuko can see the excitement lighting up her face as she beelines over. “Stop hogging the kid!”

Suki makes quick work to take Lin from her while Aang moves to pull Bumi from Iroh’s arms, and the four of them maneuver themselves onto the bed around Katara. She grouses lightly, but still looks incredibly contented to now have her son within arm’s reach. Iroh moves to take up residence on Zuko’s free side next to Sokka, and rests his hand on Zuko’s other shoulder.

“Oh, nephew,” he breathes out in deep admiration, and Zuko can feel his elation all the way down to his bones. “What a remarkable little beauty you have there.”

“Do you want to hold her?” he asks, after Iroh has showered Katara with a slew of his own sincere appreciation. Katara shies a little at the praise, but her smile remains firm even as her eyes droop slightly, and Zuko has a feeling Aang may soon kick them all out into another room to let her sleep.

Iroh’s steady joy though is infectious, and the room alights with an even more blanketing warmth from it. He reaches out eagerly to gingerly take her into his arms, and his eyes shine as he coos down at his granddaughter.

“Welcome to the world, little one,” Iroh hums, “There are great things in store for you here, just you wait and see.”

Azula gets to hold her next. Not for as long as their uncle, too nervous to hold something so tiny yet also noticeably too unwilling to give her up, and Zuko feels his eyes start to prick as sheer happiness crashes over him at the sight.

Sokka is the third one, composure fully cracked and delighted tears flowing as he wetly hiccups between stunned laughter.

“What an awesome little kid,” he says, his watery grin is as wide as his eyes. He then carefully cradles one of her hands into his palm, and welcomes her with a gentle handshake.

“Hello, Izumi,” he murmurs, and Zuko’s heart sings. “It’s so good to finally see you.”

Zuko doesn’t have anything to say in response, burstingly overwhelmed.

Instead, he quietly marvels at how well Izumi fits into his arms as he brushes a finger over one of her eyebrows. He glances up, to commit to memory the full picture of them together—their eyes catch, and his breath hitches at the deep adoration he spies in those blue eyes.

Sokka shakes himself a beat later, and looks back down at Izumi with a blazing grin.

“Man, you really do look just like your dad, don’t you, little princess?”

She does, but she undeniably has pieces of Katara in her too. Her complexion is slightly darker, and there’s already a slight wave to her hair that Zuko idly traces in amazement. He’s somewhat certain she has Katara’s lips too, and she hasn’t smiled yet but the thought that she could also end up with that same spirited smile makes his chest ache in private joy. It’s thrilling, the notion that even when his friend isn’t around, Zuko will still be able to see her signature grin light up the Fire Nation.

Zuko glances back up while Sokka continues to look down at his daughter.

He allows himself a moment to stare.

And carefully, very carefully, he thinks about how Katara and Sokka have the same smile.