SYNOPSIS: Aang visits the Fire Nation after some time off wandering around the remaining Air Temples, and the first one that welcomes him are tiny hands, loud energetic voice, and a familiar pair of eyes that are etched on his head.
CONTENTS: Endearments (Reader being called “Darling”), Aang tossing your kid 🫠
WARNINGS: None. No beta, we die like Gojo
The second that Aang mounts down from Appa on the vast courtyard where a humble residence was waiting for him at the Fire Nation—a courtesy from the Fire Lord, his best friend, Zuko—a strong gush of warm wind flows through him.
And a loud energetic voice too.
“Papa Aang!”
Your daughter races after you to greet Aang with a hug tighter than you could ever give.
“Umi!” Aang was quick to accept the little girl’s embrace, then lifted her up to the air just like how she loves being carried when she was a baby.
The little girl giggled as Aang tosses her high up in the air, and even if Aang will never ever let anything happen to your daughter, you can’t help but shake your head and smile as you walk closer towards them.
“What did I say about air tosses again, Umi?” you remind as the little girl gets settled down on the ground but immediately hides behind her Papa Aang.
Umi fidgets with Aang’s yellow robe as she peeks only her head to be visible to you. “That it’s dangerous and that Papa Aang might be tired or injured…” she murmurs.
Instantly and naturally, Aang lifts up Umi and takes her side, defending the kid. “—and! Papa Aang is not injured! Right, Umi!?” he asks to which your daughter nods frantically too.
Both of them displaying an almost identical puppy-eyes-with-pout combo that your daughter definitely got from Aang.
You could only sigh and fight the grin that was inevitably forming on your lips.
These two together just manages to hook you easily.
“Welcome back, Aang.” It was finally your turn to hug him.
The kid that Zuko introduced you to.
The kid that you grew up with.
The teenager that you explored the world with.
The teenager that helped you escape your responsibilities, even if it was just for a little while.
But mostly, the man that loved you more than he could love himself or anyone.
He melted onto the hug—the way you put your arms on his back, the way you wrapped your arms tightly around him, and the way your daughter was in between the both of you and Aang—it was perfect.
“I missed you…” Aang murmurs so that only you could hear. (Umi is a jealous little girl. Not that she was aware of…)
Before you could say it back, Umi grabs Aang’s face with her tiny hands, forcing him to look at her as she grins widely.
For an epiphany, Umi’s eyes that held the same color as yours was all Aang could see.
Pair of eyes that are identical to the woman he loves.
Aang swears the little girl had your entire soul tucked behind those eyes—warm like your laugh and bright like the gentle look in your eyes whenever you smiled at him.
He was pulled out of the trance when the 4 year old taps her small hands onto Aang’s face again.
“Papa Aang, I need to show you something!” Umi hurriedly wiggles her body so that Aang can lower her down the courtyard.
You took a few steps to stand beside Aang and watched as your daughter snuggles with Appa before standing in front of the two of you.
“She’s not gonna do that thing where she imitates a tigerdillo and cry when she doesn’t let out a successful roar, right?” Aang crosses his arms, making sure to whisper his question.
He remembers clearly when your daughter cried in his arms and complained how Auntie Toph and Aunty Katara both found her cute instead of terrifying.
Yeah… Aang had a hard time shushing her, but he’d do it a million times anyway.
Stifling your laughter as you leaned your head sideways to whisper to him, Aang does the same as well. “No, Aang. Umi will show you something she’s been practicing for weeks.”
Aang smiles at that—to the thought of having Umi look forward to seeing Aang whenever he’s away from them.
And exceeding his expectations, little Umi does a few kicks and throws before finally being able to conjure a small fire from her palm.
“See, Mama? I can firebend very good like you and Papa Aang!” Umi shows a proud crooked smile, something that she definitely learned from Aang.
He was at lost for words. Most benders show the ability to bend their elements by the age of 5. However, little Umi was doing at the age of 4.
But what had Aang more speechless was how Umi seems to have her skills from him and you.
Which was true.
You were an exceptional firebender and… even if Aang is an airbender, he is also the avatar, meaning that he can also firebend—very well at that too.
Aang crouches down immediately once Umi creates another tiny spark from her palm, he corrected her stance, her movements, and even having Momo participate how to move to gain laughter from your daughter.
You made your way to the Olive tree and quietly sat down on the grass.
For several minutes, you watched your daughter look up at Aang with eager anticipation, carefully following every movement he demonstrated—not missing a single step no matter how small it was.
For the practice to remain safe, Aang used airbending as an example instead of fire. Gentle streams of wind curled around his arms as he moved across the courtyard with effortless grace.
Aang had always moved like the wind itself.
Weightless.
Free.
Beautiful in the most unfair way possible.
Even after all these years, watching him bend still leaves you breathless sometimes.
A tiny memory resurfaces before you could stop it—
Being teenagers again.
Watching Aang practice beneath the sunset while you sat beside Appa pretending not to stare too much.
Only for him to catch you every single time anyway.
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m gonna mess up,” he had laughed back then.
And maybe he never realized how impossible that was.
Because Aang never stumbled when he moved.
He danced with the world instead.
Now your daughter was trying to follow those same movements, tiny feet shuffling against the grass while her arms copied his motions with adorable determination.
And for a second—
Umi looked less like a little firebender and more like a miniature reflection of Aang himself.
The way she spun.
The way she leaned into the movement instead of fighting it.
The way laughter escaped her so easily whenever the wind lifted around her.
Aang notices it too.
You can tell by the sudden softness in his expression as he crouches down to correct her stance gently.
“No, no.” Aang laughs quietly. “Relax your shoulders first. Air moves with you.” He teaches how an airbender moves, and pretty soon he’d be teaching her how a waterbender flows, and how an earthbender stands.
For Aang, it didn’t seem like he was teaching Umi to be a great firebender in the future—wanting to teach her the ways of bending the other elements to be a better bender rather seemed like a father-and-daughter bond to him.
Umi nods seriously before trying again.
And this time, the wind actually answers her.
A small gust of controlled ember circles around her ankles, lifting strands of her hair as she gasps in delight.
“That’s amazing, Umi!” he breathes out, genuine wonder coating his voice so easily that the little girl nearly combusts from excitement alone. “Do that again.”
“I can do it bigger!”
“Maybe not too big.” You quickly interfere, already knowing your daughter far too well and for being worried too.
“Yes, Mama…” Umi huffs before trying again anyway. Another stream of fire bursts from her hand—slightly larger this time before it fizzles away.
Aang laughs softly and reaches over to steady her stance by the shoulders. “You’re leaning too much on your left foot.”
“Like this?” Umi shakes a little.
Aang corrects her stance while grinning. “Nope. Now you look like your Uncle Sokka trying to dance.”
Umi gasps loudly while you laugh behind them. “That’s mean, Papa Aang! You sound like Aunty Toph!”
“It’s true, Umi.” You mumble to which your daughter widens her mouth at. In her little head, that was already permission to say that his Uncle Sokka dances funnily the next time he visits the Fire Nation.
But Aang was rather focused on something else.
He grins at the sound of your laughter. Spirits— he missed it.
The sound alone always made every exhausting trip around the world worth returning from.
Umi tries again with dramatic determination, sticking her tongue out slightly in concentration before another spark appears successfully. “There!” Umi cheers. “Did you see that, Mama?! Papa Aang!?” Her head whips between the two of you.
“Yes, Sweetheart. I did.” You admit as Umi goes to you, wanting you to kiss her forehead as a praise for doing so well, to which of course you obliged to before she turns to Aang next.
“I did too!” Aang answers instantly. “That one was perfect!”
“Thank you for teaching me, Papa Aang!” Umi’s familiar eyes squints automatically as she smiles from ear to ear.
And right after his praise, Umi was quick to do everything again while Aang makes his way to sit beside you on the grass under the shade of the Olive tree in his courtyard.
Then quietly, almost too quiet for even himself...
"She has your eyes..." Aang murmurs softly while watching Umi struggle to keep her flame steady.
"When I picked her up from the Royal Academy last month, she was surrounded by dozens of other kids and I still spotted her immediately." he laughs at the memory.
Your head turns toward him, heart skipping as Aang just absentmindedly has you and your daughter in his head. You let out a quiet laugh. "You make it sound easy."
Aang doesn't look away from Umi. "It is." He says softly.
His gaze lingers on Umi for another second before meeting yours.
"I could recognize your eyes anywhere."
The confession was genuine and nothing but the truth, and yet it held a meaning that Aang swore he will never bring up again.
Your lips part slightly, caught somewhere between flustered and speechless.
Aang notices how quiet you’ve gotten. Then, he says your name softly. “How have you been?” He asks, quiet enough that it blended too well with the wind.
“Busy. You know how it is, Aang…” You answer. It was a truncated answer, but it was not a total lie. You were indeed busy with all your duties and with also raising your daughter.
It’s just that if you had said more than that… maybe Aang would see your raw feelings that you fought so hard to keep strictly to yourself.
Aang stays quiet for a moment after your answer. Not because he didn’t know what to say... but because he knew you all too well.
Busy was never just busy with you.
His eyes drift toward your hands resting against the grass beside you before slowly lifting back to your face. “You’ve been sleeping enough at least… right?” he asks softly.
The question almost makes you laugh.
Even after all these years, Aang still worried about the smallest things when it came to you.
“Sometimes...” you answer honestly.
Aang's lips pursed. “That means no.”
“Aang.” You exhaled, tilting your head a little bit with an exhausted smile. You wanted Aang to drop the topic, but it seems like him worrying about you was already etched into his brain.
“What?” he smiles lightly. “Your eyebrows are a little flat and your eyes don't shine brightly enough whenever you lack sleep.” He had rambled on and was embarrassed to say that out loud before he could even stop himself.
Your chest tightens unexpectedly.
Because who else in the world would notice something so small and something that does not make any sense? but for Aang... it does.
The wind shifts around the both of you gently, carrying the faint scent of fire lilies from the gardens nearby while Umi continued trying to make controlled flames several feet away. She ditched her practices and was quick to play tag with Momo while hiding behind Appa.
Aang watches her for a second before speaking again.
“She’s happy here.”
The statement was simple and quiet, nearly blending together with the rustling leaves above the Olive tree and the distant giggles of your daughter along with Appa's grumbles and Momo's chirps.
Yet something about the way Aang said it made your chest tighten unexpectedly.
It didn’t sound like casual observation.
It sounded more like reassurance.
Like he needed to know—needed to hear from you—that the life you built here truly made you happy.
Your gaze softens instinctively as you watched your daughter laugh breathlessly while Momo circled around her head mischievously. The little lemur screeched triumphantly once Umi grew dizzy enough to stumble backward and collapse dramatically against Appa’s side.
Appa huffed fondly in response, large tail lazily flicking while the little girl dissolved into another fit of laughter.
“She is...” you answer softly.
And spirits, she really was.
Umi was happy here in the Fire Nation. Happy, especially in Aang's house. Happy running through the gardens and chasing turtleducks by the ponds and falling asleep in the arms of people who loved her endlessly (bonus points if she falls asleep on Appa while hugging Momo).
Aang hums quietly beside you, the sound thoughtful more than anything.
The late afternoon wind brushes gently past the both of you, carrying warmth from the setting sun as silence settles comfortably underneath the Olive tree, not awkward silence...
It was never awkward with Aang.
Just familiar.
The kind built from years of knowing each other too deeply.
“And you?” After a moment, Aang finally speaks again. His question lands softly.
Carefully.
Too carefully.
Like he was afraid the answer might break something in him if he heard it aloud.
Your breath catches almost immediately.
Not because the question was difficult—
But because it was Aang asking it.
Aang, who always looked at you like your happiness mattered personally to him.
Aang, who crossed entire oceans and nations carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet somehow still remembered the smallest things about you.
The way you rub your wrists when you’re overwhelmed.
The way you stop sleeping properly whenever stress consumes you.
The way your smile changes whenever it’s genuine versus when it’s forced for the sake of others.
You slowly turn toward him fully this time.
Only to realize Aang was already looking at you.
Not the palace behind you.
Not the gardens glowing gold beneath the sunset.
Not even Umi laughing loudly nearby.
Just you.
Gray eyes warm and unbearably soft beneath the fading sunlight.
And spirits… maybe that had always been your greatest weakness when it came to Aang.
The way he looked at you like you were still the first place his heart would search for after every journey.
Like you were something precious enough to return home to. Like he was willing to leave everything behind to spend an eternity here with you and Umi.
The breeze shifts again, gentle enough to move the loose strands of hair near your face. For a brief moment neither of you dare to speak. You only stare at each other while the world around you continues moving quietly in the background.
"I am, Aang." You finally admit.
Your answer hung around the air for a little while. Relief settles into his features so naturally that it almost hurts to look at him. Then Aang smiles—the kind of smile that never belonged to the Avatar, the one who ended the Hundred Year War, the one who held so many responsibilities. The smile simply belonged only to you.
Umi comes down from Appa's tail after treating it like a fluffy slide. An idea flashed her mind so she needed to invite you and Aang to it. "Mama! Can we ride Appa to go to the Royal Academy later? Other kids would love him!"
As quick as it came, the moment between you and Aang swiftly dispersed into the air as your daughter sits between you and Aang. "You have to ask Papa Aang and Appa for that, Sweetheart." You poke Umi's nose tip.
And Aang... he has never refused any of Umi's requests, so this one was no exception. "Of course, Umi." He ruffles her dark hair. "I'm sure Appa would love it too. Won't you, buddy?" They all turn to Appa who shifts his head as if nodding.
At the approval from both of you, Umi's eyes twinkle with success, already standing as she couldn't contain the amount of happiness and ideas flowing through her. "I'll show Appa to my friends and we can play with him after studying! And then, we can slide on his tail! And braid his fur!"
As Umi rambled on, you and Aang look at her softly. Both of you simply listened with matching smiles neither of you noticed forming.
"Then we can go home and visit—"
Umi stops talking and widens her eyes as if remembering something.
"Papa!"
Aang's whole attention automatically shifts as soon as Umi called him.
The word had become far too familiar whenever it came from Umi. Familiar enough that his heart answered before his mind could think twice about it.
Or at least... that was what he thought.
Because the little girl wasn’t looking at Aang anymore.
She was already scrambling onto her feet excitedly, tiny sandals pattering quickly against the grass, then the courtyard stones as she ran past the Olive tree, past Appa... past him.
Umi ran towards the man standing near the courtyard stairs.
And when Aang finally turns fully—
Zuko stood there.
Izumi ran towards Zuko.
Zuko’s tired expression softened the second his daughter collided into his arms. “Whoa!” Zuko exhales with a quiet laugh as he catches her effortlessly. “What happened to greeting Papa properly, Izumi?” He asked.
The greeting Zuko referred to was not one of those strict ones that referred to their royal status. What he referred to was the kisses that Izumi was supposed to give him.
The way Zuko called your daughter as “Izumi” and not her nickname, “Umi” brought Aang to the painful reality he so chose to ignore the moment you and your daughter greeted him.
Because with Zuko being here, everything was back to where it belonged.
Izumi being your child and Zuko’s.
And with you being Zuko’s wife.
That’s what it was, is, and would always be.
Izumi grabs her papa's face, smothering him with kisses—one on the nose, two for each of his cheeks, and one on Zuko's scar, then came her hug for her papa. "We were discussing to take Appa on a ride, Papa!"
"That's a good idea, Princess." Zuko returns the hug and carried Umi to go to you. "The Grand Chamberlain wouldn't like it, so it's a good idea." He whispered to his daughter to which she laughs at.
You were already standing by the moment that Zuko reaches you. He bows to Aang to which Aang mirrors his movement. A smile forming on his face upon seeing one of his best friends again.
“I apologize for arriving late.” Zuko says first, adjusting Izumi comfortably on his arm while his gaze briefly flickers toward you and your daughter. “Seems like my wife and daughter managed to welcome you to the Fire Nation before I could.”
Something twists strangely inside Aang’s chest at the words.
My wife. My daughter.
Simple words.
Yet they settle with devastating ease around the courtyard like truths Aang was only now fully forcing himself to face.
Still, he smiles anyway. Warmly. Easily. Like the Avatar the world loved.
“It’s alright." Aang assures him. “Umi was too excited for us to notice you weren’t here yet.”
Izumi gasps dramatically from Zuko’s arms. “Papa Aang said my firebending was perfect! I'm stronger than Grandpa Iroh now!"
The two men laugh quietly at that before Aang speaks again. “Thanks for making time for this visit, by the way. I actually needed to discuss something with you later regarding the non-bender groups forming across the Earth Kingdom and in here.”
Zuko nods once. “Of course. We’ll talk after dinner.”
Then—
The Fire Lord’s attention shifts entirely the second his eyes land on you properly.
And spirits.
Aang notices the change immediately.
The way Zuko’s expression softens in an instant. How every trace of exhaustion lingering on his face disappears the moment he looks at you. Like whatever burdens he carried from the palace halls no longer mattered once you were in front of him.
“Hey, Darling...” Zuko murmurs softly.
Your entire face brightens so naturally that it nearly steals the air from Aang’s lungs.
Not forced. Not shy. Not hesitant.
Just instinctive warmth that only your husband can give.
Like loving Zuko had long since become second nature to you.
You move closer without even realizing it, one hand immediately brushing against his sleeve. “You’re later than usual today...” you murmur worriedly. “Did something happen?”
Zuko exhales through a tired smile. “Nothing serious. The Grand Chamberlain buried me in council work all morning.” He admits, letting his daughter mirror your movements—Umi was fidgeting around the intricate stitched patterns of his red sleeves.
Your brows pinch together instantly. “Do you want me to say something to him?”
A quiet laugh leaves Zuko’s lips at that. Soft and fond in a way that makes Izumi giggle too. “No, darling...” he says gently. “If you did, I’m pretty sure you’d terrify the entire council along with him.”
The sight settles strangely inside Aang’s chest.
Not painful in a sharp way.
Worse.
Because it was warm and real.
The kind of intimacy built over years of shared mornings, quiet conversations, exhaustion, affection, and love spoken so often it no longer needed to be said aloud.
And spirits… you looked happy.
Not pretending to be.
Not forcing smiles for the sake of the Fire Nation or your royal title.
Genuinely happy.
Aang notices it in the way your eyes soften whenever you look at Zuko. In the way your hand remains lightly against his sleeve like it belonged there. In the ease of your laughter beneath the Olive Tree while your daughter rested safely in her father’s arms.
This was your home.
Your family.
Your happiness.
A small part of Aang—the selfish, terribly human part of him—felt something dangerously close to grief at the realization.
Was it treacherous of him to wish, even for a fleeting second, that your answer earlier had been different?
That perhaps somewhere inside you still longed for him the same way he quietly longed for you?
The thought leaves almost as quickly as it came.
Because Aang could never truly wish unhappiness upon you. Never.
Not when he loved you enough to offer the world itself if it meant seeing you smile like this.
Even if that happiness no longer included him.
Zuko shifts Izumi higher against his arm before finally looking back toward Aang again. “I brought Fire Cracker Buns with me. They’re on the airship by the bay since I figured you’d want them before lunch and dinner later on.” He chuckles.
Aang blinks once before smiling softly. “Thanks, Flameo Hotman.” He called Zuko, making Izumi laugh. He then nods lightly before stepping back toward Appa. “I’ll get Appa and Momo settled first then.”
“Papa Aang!” Izumi suddenly calls out, leaning out of Zuko’s hold dramatically. “Hurry up, okay?”
Aang laughs softly despite himself. “I’ll be fast.”
“You said that last time too!” Izumi’s voice was still loud even if you and Zuko already started to walk down the courtyard’s stairs.
And for one fragile moment beneath the bright sunlight, the scene before Aang feels almost painfully beautiful.
“Hurry up, Aang. Or Izumi will finish all the Fire Cracker Buns.” You reminded him before looking back at your husband who was already looking at you.
Aang answers after seeing the warmth in your eyes.
The same eyes Aang knew he would recognize anywhere.
The same eyes he had once foolishly imagined looking at him forever.
Perhaps that was simply how life worked sometimes.
The world did not always give people the endings they dreamed of when they were younger.
And as Aang watches the three of you standing together beneath the daylight—your hand in Zuko’s, Izumi tucked safely in his arms, warmth softening your familiar eyes—something bittersweet settles quietly inside his chest.
Because the goodness in him was genuinely glad that you were happy here in the Fire Nation. Happy as the woman standing beside its ruler. Happy within the family you built far away from war and uncertainty.
Even if a small, terribly selfish part of him still wondered what it would have felt like if your happiness had once included him too.
But Aang says nothing of it. He only looks at your eyes one last time—the eyes he knows he would recognize anywhere—and quietly accepts that perhaps memories were the only part of you the world would still allow him to keep forever.
A/N: I wanna turn this into a series so BAD, but I know I will take too long to keep up with the updates. 🫠 I don't even know why but this kind of angst makes me write so productively LMFAO I have a kind of same-ish one shot with Gojo on my Wattpad account… 🥀
Helloooo can I please request an aang x reader where it’s just Aang being so content with his current family the gaang and thinking to himself that he can’t loose you guys
And he having all these thoughts and he comes down to the conclusion that he cannot loose you, he can manage being the last airbender and not being with his people but he cannot live without you, his beautiful strong intelligent girl
The Only Breath I Take
( Aang x fem! reader )
Summery: the thought of being the last air bender sits heavy on Aang's mind, but the thought of losing you and his friends is heavier. He makes up his mind, deciding he is content with being the last air bender, as long as you're next to him.
Mentions: physical touch, kissing, mentions of pregnancy, fear of loss of loved ones
— one shot ( Fluff )
Being the last air bender was no easy task for Aang. It sat heavy on his mind, the guilt, the constant feeling of having let his people down. It made his days difficult sometimes, making him get in bed late after being lost in thought or being woken up early by the worry that sat heavy on his shoulders, but as time continued to pass, other thoughts began to linger. The thought of knowing he'd have to make up his mind one day and let go of his past in order to live a happy life with those he loved most.
"Someone's up early," you whispered, your voice soft, and your eyes barely open, but you could still make out his large silhouette as he laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling. Something he did often in the mornings while he waited for you to wake.
"I was just waiting for you to wake up." He spoke, His voice smooth like honey, giving you a warm sensation words couldn't begin to describe.
Your lips curved into a smile, and as you moved closer, you stretched your arms up above you, your back arching also as a soft moan left your lips, making Aang chuckle.
" Nice stretch, love, You're probably feeling stiff from yesterday's training ."
"I am.." You'd whine, but despite your body feeling sore, and how you ached as you moved, you still had it in you to move closer, resting yourself against your boyfriend. He gladly took you into his arms, and feeling his large arms wrap around you was enough to make you forget about your soreness. You melt against his warm body, letting out a content sigh. His finger tips ran over your skin, barely touching you but enough to make you giggle.
Silence took over, nothing but soft breathing to fill the room and the faint sound of birds chirping outside. That and the faint sound of voices bickering outside in the garden. Katara and Sokka, toph would occasionally join in too, and It made Aang chuckle.
"What's all the arguing about first thing in the morning?" You'd giggle.
"Siblings banter." Aang responds.
Again, silence, and you began to trace shapes into his skin, running your finger over every muscle on his abdomen, something you did often. He was so carefully sculpted , and you could say his body was perfect. Everything about him was perfect.
"Aang." You started, "something is bothering you. You're never this quiet in the mornings."
Aang was hesitant to respond. He feared she'd question his strange behavior lately. She always did. She was such a smart woman, always catching onto his thoughts and emotions before he even got the chance to properly make up his mind.
"Is it about being the last airbender?" You ask in a whisper, now lifting yourself up from Aang's side so you could properly look at him, maybe even attempt to read his face, try to figure out what he was thinking.
Aang didn't respond immediately. He needed a moment to process his own thoughts and find the right words. He always looked away when she'd ask him this question, but today was different. He was looking at her, and it made it difficult for her to figure out what he was thinking about. She didn't push him, didn't ask again, she gave him a moment, knowing his thoughts must be a mess. And they were, they were a mess, but there was one thing he had clear, one thing he was absolutely sure about. He couldn't lose her, or his friends, but mostly her. She was his everything, the one that made his days easier, the only one who could make him realize that he can live without his people, as long as he had her by his side.
Your face shifted to worry, and Aang's large hand reached up to cup your face. You melted into his touch, your eyes falling shut for a second. "Aang.."
"It's not about that." He finally responds.
"Then what it is, Aang? I don't like seeing you this way. I worry for you, we all worry for you."
"It's not that, love. Don't worry your pretty little head." Aang forced a laugh, hoping it would lighten the mood, but seeing your lips press into a frown, he cut the act and sat up, your eyes following him as he did.
"I can manage being the last airbender, I can manage living without my people.." he whispers, now both hands moving to cup your face, thumbs stroking the plush of your cheeks. "But I can't live without you , that's what keeps me up. I don't want to lose you, if I do, I don't know what I'll do. I couldn't go on without having you by my side. What would I ever do without my girl?" He'd coo.
You felt your face heat up at his words, a smile crept onto your lips, and a soft giggle erupted from your throat. "Is that what all this is about ?"
Aang nodded, his own lips curving up into a soft smile. "I love you all so much, but I love you most, and I worry I'll lose you all like I did my people. " His hands dropped from your face, but you quickly took them into your own. His gaze also dropped, watching as your hands held his. Yours were small, his much bigger, but they seemed to fit so nicely together.
"Aang, you don't need to worry yourself so much. We'll be fine, all of us. " You give his hands a gentle squeeze, leaning in to press a kiss against his lips. "We'll always be with you, through thick and thin."
Aang seemed to chase your lips as you pulled away to speak, and from the look on his face, you can gladly say he seemed content with your words. "I love you, Aang. We all do." You'd giggle, moving to wrap your arms around his neck and got yourself comfortable in his lap. Something you did often.
Aang wrapped his arms around her,fingers pressing into the small of her back, and his face buried in the crook of her neck as he took in her scent. The scent of her skin, her hair. Lips brushed over the skin of her neck, then down to her shoulder. "I love you more than anything." He whispered against her, then moved to capture her lips for a quick kiss she gladly accepted.
You sighed, shivering at his gentle touch as your fingertips gently massaged the back of his neck and head. Something that seemed to help him relax. You both sat in this quiet, intimate silence, enjoying the morning for a little longer before you'd need to get up from bed.
"You know.. Maybe you won't be the last airbender." You blurted.
"What?" Aang asked, confused by your sudden words.
You pull away with a sheepish smile, hesitate but laugh . "Well... what if we get lucky and.. perhaps have a little airbender one day?"
Aang's face seemed to lighten up like a million stars, the thought was enough to almost bring tears to his eyes. "You think that'd be possible?" He exclaimed, and with no time to react, he pulled you into a hug that felt a little too tight, causing you to groan. "Aang!" You complain, but he laughed, and you couldn't help but laugh with him.
"A little airbender." He whispers, "yes, our little airbender." You whisper back, taking a moment longer to enjoy the hug before you gave his chest a gentle push. He let go, but not completely, just enough for you to bring him in for a kiss.
"I love you so much." You'd whisper, lips brushing over his.
pairing(s): jacob black x fem!reader, slight mention of bella swan x jacob black
summary: short fic where bella swan realizes jacob isn’t orbiting her anymore and she soon finds out you’re the reason why.
warning(s): reader is a rich girl and a little bit of the spoiled type, bella lwk has bi-panic, obviously not fully canon to the og storyline #thisismyworldnow and unedited work.
a/n: this idea formed while watching new moon, i hope you like it and thank you for your time if you do read <3
bella couldn’t place where exactly things between her and jacob changed. that was the worst part.
there wasn’t one big moment she could point to, no dramatic fight or heartbreaking goodbye. it felt smaller than that. quieter.
like one day jacob was there the way he’d always been, warm and loud and impossibly devoted to her in ways she’d stopped questioning a long time ago and then suddenly… he wasn’t.
he left for the summer almost out of nowhere.
some small town a few hours away that bella barely remembered the name of because at the time she hadn’t really thought it mattered. jacob had always been restless in this boyish sort of way, always talking about wanting to leave forks for a little while, wanting to see something bigger than rainy roads and broken trucks.
so bella hadn’t looked too deeply into it.
she remembered standing outside his house while he threw bags into the backseat of his truck, smiling at her like he always did.
“you’re seriously leaving me here alone with the vampires?” she teased lightly. jacob laughed instantly. “you’ll survive a few months without me, bells.”
and maybe that should’ve felt strange.
the way he said it.
because usually jacob acted like the idea of being away from her for even a few days physically pained him. usually he looked at her like she was the center of every room he walked into.
but bella had been distracted then.
edward had come back.
and whenever edward came back into her life, everything else blurred around the edges.
including jacob.
at first she barely noticed the distance growing between them because it happened in pieces too small to catch immediately.
his texts stopped coming first.
bella would send him something in the afternoon and not hear back until midnight. phone calls became shorter. quieter. sometimes she’d catch background noise she didn’t recognize behind his voice, laughter and music and once what sounded suspiciously like a girl teasing him about something before he abruptly hung up.
she remembered staring at her phone afterward feeling strangely irritated by it.
which was stupid.
jacob was allowed to have a life outside of her. wasn’t he?
except some ugly selfish part of bella had grown used to jacob revolving around her no matter what happened. no matter how many times she ran back toward edward, jacob always stayed. always waited.
until suddenly he didn’t and by the time bella fully realized it, summer was almost over.
their friendship had turned awkward somehow. conversations that once came naturally now had gaps inside them neither of them knew how to fill anymore.
then jacob came home.
except even that felt wrong immediately.
bella remembered pulling into la push after almost three weeks without seeing him, expecting things to settle back into place the second she did.
instead she found him distracted. he felt different yet still the same but there was something calmer about him now, something less desperate. the constant pull he used to have toward her had dimmed into something quieter and bella hated how quickly she noticed it.
he smiled when he saw her but it didn’t light him up anymore and for some reason that bothered her far more than it should’ve.
after that things only got stranger.
jacob started disappearing randomly again. sometimes bella wouldn’t hear from him for days at a time and when she did, he always sounded busy.
happy.
that part unsettled her most.
because jacob used to tell her everything. every stupid thought that crossed his mind, every little thing that happened during his day now it felt like entire pieces of his life were happening somewhere far away from her.
once bella called him late at night out of habit and he answered on the third ring sounding breathless.
“bella?” he said distractedly.
then softer.
muffled away from the phone.
“baby, hold on.”
baby.
bella remembered going completely still at the word.
her stomach twisted so sharply she almost felt embarrassed by it.
“are you with someone?” she asked before she could stop herself.
there had been silence for a second too long before jacob answered carefully.
“i’m on a skype call on my laptop.” he spat out quickly and then said noththing else.
bella told herself she didn’t care. she absolutely cared and after that, curiosity started rotting at her slowly because jacob never brought the girl up directly. not really. if bella asked vague questions, he’d shrug them off or change the subject entirely but somehow that only made her more irritated.
because why was he hiding her?
and worse.
why did it feel like he was protecting whatever this relationship was from bella specifically?
eventually the distance between them became impossible to ignore entirely. bella noticed it most whenever edward wasn’t around because jacob stopped trying to fill the space.
stopped chasing her attention. stopped looking wounded every time she chose someone else over him.
and maybe that should’ve made things easier.
instead it made bella feel strangely… untethered like something she assumed would always exist suddenly didn’t anymore.
so one rainy afternoon she found herself driving toward jacob’s garage without fully planning to.
she told herself she just missed her best friend. he barely looked at her when he saw her “hey, what’s up?” he asked working on the engine to this car, leaned over under the hood. that made her more annoyed, how could he be so nonchalant? did he even miss her. “you tell me” she sounded bitchy.
she knew she did but it didnt stop her from saying it as she dropped her bag onto one of the old chairs near the wall harder than necessary and the sharpness in her voice made jacob glance back up immediately.
confused.
“what?”
for a second bella just stared at him.
he looked the same.
same broad shoulders hunched over the car. same dark hair falling messily into his face. same grease smudged across his cheekbone from working all afternoon.
but somehow he felt different now.
quieter around her like there were pieces of him she no longer had access to and maybe she was reading too much into it but she couldn’t shake that feeling.
“you’ve been weird,” she finally said.
jacob blinked once before letting out a small breath through his nose, almost amused.
“weird?”
“yes, weird.” bella crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “you disappear for months, barely answer your phone anymore and every conversation feels like i’m interrupting something.”
his expression shifted slightly at that. “bella…”
“no, seriously.” she cut him off quickly before she lost momentum. “did i do something or are you just over being my friend now?” that finally made him stop working entirely.
the wrench clinked softly against the counter as jacob straightened up slowly “i’ve been busy.” the statement only makes her more upset, she ran a hand through her hair huffing at him “busy? with what?” he shrugged “life. i don’t know.” his laugh is dry like he wants to avoid this conversation more than anything but bella won’t let him off easy.
“jacob, you used to tell me everything..” she sounds genuinely hurt when she walks closer to him and for a moment jacob feels guilty. guilty for abandoning the girl that needed him but this girl… she wasn’t his and he had been sick of doing the boyfriend job for a girl who chose someone over him every time. “bella.” he didn’t know what to say “come on, aren’t you tired?”
she looks confused “with what?”
“you know..” he doesn’t wanna say it, because saying it makes it real. makes it final. makes it something he can’t take back. this whole thing between them, this cycle, this thing that kept looping back into itself no matter how many times he tried to step out of it.
him.
her.
edward.
a triangle he never agreed to be in but somehow always ended up standing inside of anyway.
the truth was, jacob had fallen in love and it wasn’t with bella. and it wasn’t complicated anymore the way it used to be in his head, it was just simple now, clean in a way that hurt less than staying tangled in something that never really chose him back.
and that clarity made everything else easier to walk away from.
“i’m not doing this anymore,” he says finally. bella’s face tightens immediately “doing what?”
his jaw clenches slightly, like he’s trying not to make it sound harsher than it already is. his hands flex once at his sides, a small restless movement like his body is already stepping out of the conversation before his feet do.
“all of it.”
a pause.
it hangs there between them, thick and unfinished, like he’s refusing to dress it up into something softer just to make it easier to swallow.
“i’m not waiting around for you anymore, bella.”
the words hit bella far too hard than she expects, like they land in her chest before her mind even catches up. she can feel it immediately, that slow, sinking realization that this isn’t him being emotional, this is him being certain.
she hates the way it sounds decided.
her breath catches slightly, and before she can stop herself she steps closer, placing a soft hand on his chest.
not forceful, not angry, just instinctive like she can still anchor him there if she tries hard enough. her palm presses against the warmth of him like that alone could rewind whatever has already started unraveling between them, like skin-to-skin contact is enough to undo distance.
“jacob…” her voice comes out quieter than she means it to, almost careful now, like she’s afraid of pushing him further away just by speaking too loud.
“you’re my best friend.” jacob almost wished the words sounded true from bella’s mouth like if they felt true he’d feel better about himself and this friendship. it wasn’t even about the romantic aspect anymore, jacob had found love but it was just about the fact that bella didn’t treat him much like a friend when edward was around. like their friendship only existed in spaces where she was lonely.
that’s when he steps back away from her hand, he’s quick to create distance between the two of them like she had some disease “you should go, bella.” he wiped his grease stained hands slowly against the rag hanging from his back pocket, avoiding her eyes for a second because looking directly at her right now just made something ugly twist in his chest.
she blinked at him immediately, hurt flashing across her face too fast to hide. “what?” but her being hurt didn’t hit him the same way it used to; he didn’t run to fix it, protect her because she was no longer his priority, his priority was on her way here and a part of him didn’t want bella to meet his new girlfriend.
bella only stared for a moment.
girlfriend. he says it casually but with this unusual about of love, it was only the idea of what bella imagined she sounded like when she talked about edward. she didn’t know why she felt jealous, maybe because she did love jacob and in her heart she knew she also loved edward. she was just confused and before she was to make that decision within herself jacob already subtracted himself from the situation.
“my girlfriend’s a little of the jealous type.” he chuckled to himself softly but bella doesn’t find anything comical. maybe because some ugly part of her assumed jacob would always be there waiting. orbiting around her no matter how many times she pulled away from him. she hated herself for hating the idea of him with someone else.
“since when do you have a girlfriend?” bella asked too quickly, pretending not to already know the details he had been fighting to keep to himself every time she had asked but jacob almost shyly shrugged at her like a boy with a crush as his lips curved into a soft smile. “a while.”
a while. bella could only assume he meant months.. months that they hadn’t talked besides awkward texts and ignored phone calls, months of him slowly disappearing while she’d been too wrapped up in edward and her own confusion to notice it happening in real time. suddenly, she felt left out like she was on the outside of a locked door of a room she was desperately fighting to get into.
“you could’ve told me.” she hates how her voice comes out weakly and for the first time jacob looks at her like actually looks at her and suddenly she can see how different he is. still the same jacob but with a different look in his eyes, that very specific light in his eyes that was once reserved for her had gone out. he just looked almost content.
“yeah, i guess i could’ve.” it didn’t sound like he meant it in a bad way but she felt it that way, her jaw tightening at his words because he seemed to have already made peace with the distance between them months ago while she was only now noticing it existed.
she knew she didn’t have a right to feel wronged but it didn’t stop her from feeling it. uncomfortably she crossed her arms over her chest suddenly the room felt too warm, thick with the smell of motor oil and rain drifting in from outside while jacob leaned back against the workbench watching her carefully and for the first time, bella couldn’t read him.
jacob used to look at her like every emotion sat directly on the surface.
now the space between them was too strong and she knew she was at fault for it but a part of her was to prideful to admit it, admit that she had been too busy chasing after edward to see jacob’s distance. “you didn’t think i deserved to know?” his eyebrows furrowed at “it wasn’t like that.” he sputters back quickly.
“then what was it like?” silence fills the area as he struggles to answer for a moment because the truth sounded bad out loud.
because there was no version of this conversation where bella walked away without realizing she had missed something important while she was busy looking somewhere else.
jacob looked down briefly, outside, tires crackled softly against gravel somewhere down the road and Bella caught the smallest change in him instantly. His attention flickered away from her without thinking, subtle but automatic, like part of him was already waiting for someone else. like he could sense his other half arriving.
her. bella comes to that conclusion very quickly once he stands up fully, his whole emotions changing from this awkwardness to nervousness, his hands wiping at the grease stain on his jeans as if it’d disappear if he rubbed hard enough. he suddenly cared about how he looked.
and that hurt bella in a way she wasn’t prepared for because jacob had never been nervous around her.
not like this.
never quietly anticipating someone’s arrival like his entire body recognized them before they even appeared and for a moment bella just watched him the realization settling ugly in her stomach as he began adjusting his clothes to look perfect in his own way.
“jacob?” bella called quietly when he stopped listening halfway through the conversation entirely.
he blinked once like he’d forgotten she was standing there before clearing his throat quickly. “sorry, i just…”
another crunch of gravel echoed closer this time then came the flash of baby pink through the trees.
bella turned instinctively just as the convertible rolled into the driveway smooth and shiny against the dull reservation roads. it looked expensive. out of place, almost like someone had dropped a barbie dreamhouse accessory into the wooden area by accident.
her eyes dragged to jacob when the car came to a halt just to see the jacob’s entire expression changed instantly.
it was subtle but devastating.
his shoulders loosened first then came this unconscious softness around his mouth, his eyes warming in a way bella hadn’t seen directed at herself in a very long time.
the gravel hadn’t even finished settling when you stepped out of the car. you were beautiful, you looked far too expensive for a town like this. your body looked beautifully drawn from an old greek painting and your clothes looked out of an expensive magazine and your face... god, you were just perfect in a way that almost made bella’s heart race.
your car looked far too out of place for the reservation roads, sat there like it didn’t belong and knew it. like it was already offended by the idea of dirt existing. the door shut behind you with a soft, expensive click that felt louder than it should’ve been.
you paused the moment you settled into the gravel, your shiny expensive heels getting dirty with it. you looked down, particularly slowly.
then up again at the wet grass like it had personally wronged you.
“jacob,” you called, already unimpressed, voice carrying that soft bratty edge like you were trying not to be annoyed but failing anyway. “why is everything always… damp here?”
jacob huffed something under his breath that almost passed for a laugh. “it rained.”
“i can see that,” you said immediately, like he’d insulted your intelligence by stating it. you lifted one foot slightly, staring at your shoe with open betrayal. “this is ridiculous.” this time jacob laughed again openly and bella watched him, watched the way jacob moved toward you without thinking.
no hesitation or awkwardness. he was a complete different person than who he was in this whole conversation.
like a switch had been flipped the second you existed in his space. he grabbed your waist softly when your knees wobbled from almost slipping, bella watched the way your manicured nails held onto his bicep and for a second, she didn’t know who to be jealous of. “i told you,” jacob said softly, now closer to you than he had been to bella all afternoon, “don’t wear those here.”
his chuckles were borderline giggles at this point.
you scoffed, but it didn’t land harsh, it sounded more like affection disguised as annoyance. “you didn’t say it like that,” you corrected him, gripping arm immediately like you had every right. like you’d done it a hundred times. “you said it like you were joking.” he was careful the way he guided you into the garage before settling in with you. hardly acknowledging her presence or perhaps in your love you hardly even registered her being there.
jacob didn’t move away, he didn’t even look like the thought crossed his mind and that was the part that made bella’s stomach tighten. she hated how closely she watched jacob lean down to press his lips against your perfectly glossed ones, she felt like a perv for how closely she watched your lips perfectly mesh together like you were meant to fit together. like you had been jacob’s missing piece.
finally, bella cleared her throat and you had to basically push jacob away from you because he kissed you like he was starving for your lips. you finally looked at bella, your eyes scanning her like you were dissecting every piece of her, jacob was careful wiping the smeared lip gloss off his lips “this is-”
“bella” you finished for him with a soft nod at him, you pulled away from him creating the tiniest bit of distance between you and your lover with a soft kind smile that seemed oddly real but with a hint of something else. bella snorts trying not to seem threatened by you but on the inside she was screaming. you were insanely beautiful. “you know me?” she tries to sound strong but the words die off at the end.
“yeah, he talked about you.” jacob was quick to cut in the second he caught the edge in your tone. “y/n,” he scolded softly, the warning gentle more than anything, but you only shrugged one shoulder like you didn’t really care.
“not in a weird way,” you corrected smoothly, glancing at him with a small roll of your eyes like you already knew exactly what he was trying to prevent. then your attention slid back toward bella again. “just… mentioned.”
bella hated that instantly.
mentioned.
like she was some passing story jacob casually brought up between conversations instead of the person who used to take up entire pieces of him. as if she had been reduced down into a few harmless anecdotes told to a pretty girl between kisses and late night phone calls.
“right,” bella answered quietly before the bitterness slipped out anyway. “i’m sure i come up a lot.” she hated how catty she sounded about it and it didn’t help the way jacob’s expression changed instantly.
his shoulders tensed and bella caught the brief flash of exhaustion across his face because he knew her well enough to recognize exactly what she was doing. poking at something just to see if it still hurt.
but you only looked mildly amused by it. if anything, bella’s reaction seemed to confirm something for you.
slowly, you stepped away from jacob then, heels hitting softly against the floor as you moved closer toward bella. far too confident for bella’s liking. the kind that came naturally to girls who had never needed to question whether they were wanted.
up close somehow you looked even prettier, expensive perfume mixing with the smell of the rain in the air while your glossy lips curved slightly at the corners.
“yeah…” you said softly, eyes dragging over bella slowly enough to make her chest tighten. “i expected you to be a lot prettier.”
silence.
bella physically felt the insult settle into her stomach because your tone wasn’t loud or dramatic. if anything, you sounded almost thoughtful about it.
like you were genuinely underwhelmed.
“y/n.” jacob’s voice came out sharper this time, disbelief flashing across his face as he caught your wrist gently and tugged you back against him before you could say anything else.
the movement was automatic.
practiced.
bella noticed that too.
the way your body folded back into his without hesitation, his hand settling against your waist instinctively while you tilted your head up at him with wide innocent eyes that didn’t match the smug little smile threatening your mouth at all.
“what?” you asked sweetly, like you hadn’t just insulted her to her face. “she started it.” but jacob shook his head at you, the two of you practically having an intense conversation with just your eyes. unspoken yet effective from the way you rolled your eyes again but leaned further into him once more.
and suddenly bella became painfully aware of herself standing there in the middle of it all like an outsider interrupting something intimate. there was history here she couldn’t touch, small habits and looks exchanged without thought, conversations happening silently in glances alone.
she didn’t fit into this space anymore.
maybe she hadn’t for a while.
“i’m gonna go,” bella said suddenly, the words coming out quicker than intended as she reached for her bag before either of them could stop her.
jacob looked up immediately. “bella”
“bye bella!” you shouted over him waving “drive safe!” though from the way bella was out of there jacob wasn’t even sure jf you beard.
then the second her truck disappeared past the trees, jacob slumped slightly beside you like the last ten minutes had physically exhausted him.
you looked up at him immediately, unimpressed.
“no more history, my ass.”
jacob let out a tired groan at that, dragging one large hand down his face before covering his eyes completely. “y/n,” he mumbled through his fingers already sounding defeated.
“mmhmm.” you crossed your arms over your chest, one heel tapping against the concrete floor impatiently. “because that looked super over.”
his hand dropped slowly and immediately found your waist again like it belonged there. “it is over,” he promised quickly, voice softer now. “i swear.”
you stared at him for another second then laughed directly in his face. “oh, baby,” you murmured sweetly, reaching up to smooth your fingers lightly through the ends of his hair where the rain had curled it slightly. “i’m not worried about you.”
jacob’s expression softened instantly at the nickname alone, completely gone for you in a way that almost looked embarrassing.
“then what’s the problem?” he asked quietly. you tilted your head slightly toward the driveway bella had disappeared down moments ago, lips curving with something dangerously amused.
“she seems to think it’s still happening.”
jacob blinked once then sighed hard enough to make you laugh again because the worst part was he knew exactly what you meant.
bella hadn’t looked jealous because of history. she looked jealous because she still thought she had a place here.
and maybe once upon a time she did.
but that space was no longer hers to fill, you were here now and honestly, he wouldn’t want it any other way.
a/n: hi! omg thank you so much for reading if you made it here!! i’m very happy you chose my fic and i really would love if you gave me your thoughts in the comments and hearted if you liked the fic! ❤️
context: sunghoon introduces you to his med school friends because he thinks you’d enjoy it, but you have a bad time with them because one of his female peers clearly doesn’t like you and makes it obvious. Also, sunghoon letting you get it off your chest in private.
includes: age gap, established relationship, med student!sunghoon, undergrad!reader, use of “baby”,
rant: I couldn’t decide if I wanted Sunghoon to be a law student or a med student, but he gave major wants-to-specialize-in-neurology vibes. The ending feels too rushed for something kinda long 😅
♱⋆ཐི˚₊‧⁺⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱𓆩^._.^𓆪♱⋆ཐི˚₊‧⁺ ⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱
It’s a little late when Sunghoon realizes how quiet you are and has to look over to find you with your head pretty low.
None of his friends seem to notice because they’re too busy with their own conversation or their drinks, so he uses the opportunity to talk to you more privately.
“Tired?” He asks softly, pressing a kiss into your temple as he wraps his arm around your shoulders.
Everything seems to happen at once, so you lag behind on an answer that sounds convincing.
“Yeah…I am…” you lie, finally picking your head up to meet someone’s gaze.
But instead of finding his first, you find the eyes of the exact person who’s making you feel out of place.
She’s a newer friend of his, goes to the same school, and is obviously in the same program, but more importantly, she’s a little too invested in what you and sunghoon are doing.
You can tell she probably didn’t know about you and Sunghoon.
It’s probably why she makes the oddest comments about you and your age or shoots daggers at you when no one else is looking at her.
But instead of thinking about how childish she acts at an age you’d kill to be, her behavior is working to make you uncomfortable in a place you’ve never felt 100% in.
And either because he’s a man, or because he’s secure in his relationship, Sunghoon doesn’t notice.
Doesn’t notice how she’s making you feel.
Doesn’t notice how sweet she is to him compared to the other male classmates they have.
“Just a little longer now, I want to make sure I pay our half.” Sunghoon explains, keeping his arm around you as he rubs your shoulder gently.
And then he turns back to his friends, who are now discussing their summer volunteer plans and want his own.
You’re left to entertain yourself again with the charm on your phone because it died not too long ago and you have absolutely nothing else to do.
That “little longer” takes nearly an hour to come, and there’s an extra 15 minutes spent on deciding how the bill will be split.
You’re already over the entire thing, but then she speaks up again and directs most of her words to Sunghoon and not their entire group.
“I’m so embarrassed…I forgot my wallet.” She says, hands coming up to cover her cheeks in shock for a moment before she reaches for her phone.
As if it didn’t annoy you that everyone at the table had already been stingy about their halves of the bill, it irritated you more that no one could help cover her and simply ask her to pay them back another time.
And then your boyfriend—your kind, ignorant, borderline blind boyfriend—couldn’t sit and watch as the group awkwardly sat and waited.
He had to do something.
“It’s okay, I’ll take care of it.” Sunghoon assured, holding his hand out for her to give him the little paper she’d written down her things on.
“Really? I’ll pay you back, I promise.” She said, but she handed her paper too quickly and too enthusiastically for it not to have been deliberate.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s just a few drinks.” Sunghoon assured, mentally adding her total to yours and his.
Even then, he rounded up and ended up paying the most since he was technically paying for three people.
At least it meant she couldn’t stay longer; with everyone’s halves paid, there was no reason to.
You felt drained, both socially and physically, something he began to notice when you didn’t care for his little jokes as he opened your door for you.
But he waits until the car starts moving before bringing it up at all.
“So…what did you think?” He asks, reaching over for your hand.
“Hmm? About what?” You ask, more distant than anything else.
Sunghoon has to look at you twice; you’ve always been eager to get ahead, so it’s surprising that you didn’t enjoy talking and interacting with his med school friends.
“Nothing…uh…” he trails, trying to stall as he decides if he should push.
“Did I do something?” He asked, taking the chance to look at you properly at a red light.
You know he’s looking, that’s why you don’t turn.
The last thing you need is to see that adorable look he gets when he’s trying to figure something out while you’re trying to be upset.
“No,” you say, but it comes out too quickly, a little devoid of your usual tone.
The light turns green, and he has no option but to turn away to start moving again.
He leaves it here for now so he can focus on getting you both home; and he holds your hand the entire way to try and subtly soften you up by the time you do.
It doesn’t do much in his favor; you’re still quiet and keeping to yourself up until you’re lying in bed beside him.
In the time it took for you both to make your way up the building, get ready for bed, and actually get into bed, you’ve looked at him maybe twice?
And no matter how hard he tries to think about it, he can’t remember anything that went wrong at the restaurant.
It takes you to bring something up for him to even consider it a possibility.
“The girl you paid for, how well do you know her?” You ask, and he can tell you’d previously been holding yourself back from asking the way you turn to face him suddenly with this.
“We met during orientation, but I didn’t start talking to her until recently. Why?” He says, giving you everything you want to know so you can’t say he’s hiding anything from you.
“No reason.” You say, an attempt to turn your back on him again is made, but you’re held in place by just one of his arms.
“Nope. We’re not doing that.” He says firmly, but not rudely.
“I didn’t think it would bother you that I did that.” He begins, and when you sigh and close your eyes for a moment, he thinks he guessed correctly.
“I would have done that for anyone.” He adds.
Part of you wants the reassurance, the other doesn’t want to lie and make him feel like this is on him; so you decide to tell him the truth.
“That’s not why I’m upset.” You admit, not wanting to look at him directly when you go into detail.
“She kept making comments about me all night…didn’t you hear her?” You ask, looking up for a moment.
“All I remember is her calling you cute…is that so bad? You are adorable…” he says, one hand playing with the ends of your hair.
“When you told her I also wanted to go to med school, she laughed and said I wouldn’t survive.” You reminded him.
Sunghoon wants to laugh because he sees it as you taking a comment too seriously, but he doesn’t want to make you feel like you can’t tell him these things.
“People do that, isn’t it a trait of all doctors that they’re all pretentious?” He says, trying to lighten the mood, and he can see how that was the wrong approach almost immediately.
“If I list everything she said that I didn’t like, are you just going to continue making excuses for her?” You ask, nudging him gently so he’d scoot away from you.
“No, I’m sorry,” he quickly apologizes, giving you your space but holding his hand out so you’ll take it.
And when you do, he brings it up to place kisses on your knuckles.
“And I’m sorry you had such a bad time. If I had known, we would have left early.” He continues, kissing up your arm when he sees how the first few kisses did much to get you back.
“I can make it up to you…do you want that?” He asks, the gap between you closed again as the trail he made led him to your shoulder and then your neck.
“You’re just trying to make me overlook the fact that you had no idea why I was upset…” you say, your voice softer because of how this affects you.
“A lot can be true at once, baby…” he says, voice slightly muffled as he settles between your legs and on top of you.
fighting the urge to write a fanfic about arranged marriage reader x zuko, but zuko is getting over loving katara or mai / is uninterested in reader while reader is in the unrequited love phase, happens until one day after years of self-sacrificing she gets caught and he realizes how much he needs her.
SYNOPSIS ⟢ Park Sunghoon can easily be described in three words: stuck-up, picky, and overly critical about everything and everyone. That was until he met you, who ticked off everything he liked in his head. One problem, he's got too much pride and ego to do anything about it. The other problem? His best friend, Jake, swooped in and took action before he could even build up the courage––and Sunghoon really hates when people take what's his.
pairing ⟢ grumpy downbad! sunghoon x fem! reader
genre ⟢ written, friends to lovers (?), university au
content warnings ⟢ smut with plot (18+), humour, profanity, use of alcohol, reader is with jake for a certain period in the story, sunghoon has a one-sided rivalry with jake, mutual pining but they don't know, sunghoon is stubborn in the beginning but should lowkey be prescribed xanax later on, everyone in the story kinda makes poor decisions (depending how you view it), homie hopping lol, softdom! sunghoon, unprotected p in v sex, multiple rounds, overstimulation, fingering, oral (m & f. receiving), mild ass play, nipple play, bulge kink, dirty talk, squirting, use of petnames (just baby), sunghoon is downright filthy in bed.
featuring ⟢ all of enhypen (7), giselle of aespa & anton of riize cameo(s)
word count: ~12k
author's note: official bambiens comeback with my first EVER full-length fic!! (please be kind to me), i genuinely didn't think i'd ever post a full-length fic –– let alone this one, like i thought this shit was gonna get sent straight into the basement. anyways, i hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing this!! also i haven't proofread this yet let me know if there are any mistakes please!
MR. POSSESSIVE PLAYLIST ⊹˚♬₊⋆
reblogs appreciated ♡
PARK SUNGHOON was always a hard guy to please.
Exhibit A (extracted from age 5): As a child, he’d make a fuss whenever his mom forgot to cut the crusts off of his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
To this day, he still tells his mom that he didn't throw tantrums over bread crusts because he was “picky,” but simply because he had “food sensory issues.”
Exhibit B (extracted from age 10): He liked his toy figurines organized in a certain kind of way –– aligned on his shelf, standing upright, facing forward. Nothing else, no exceptions.
One day, he found his limited edition Superman action figure fallen face flat on the shelf.
His parents earthquake-proofed all of their furniture.
…he later found out that his sister was secretly playing with his toys while he was at school.
Sunghoon didn’t come out of his room for three days after that.
Exhibit C (extracted from age 15): There were even instances in high school where he would get his grades appealed if he believed they were “marked incorrectly,” which, by the way, always got re-corrected in the end. Even if he really was wrong in the first place.
It was either his way or the highway.
In other words, Park Sunghoon was a complete perfectionist, and this fastidious behaviour followed him well into his adulthood.
Somehow along the way, he managed to score himself a scholarship and landed himself a place in a prestigious university.
But even when he got there he was sensitive about the minor details. He was extremely particular about his class timetable, stuck to a tight-grit schedule, and even had certain criteria of who could be his friend and who couldn’t.
And when it finally came down to choosing his university friends, he managed to pick people who were all in the same major, shared the same humour, had the same hobbies, and followed similar daily schedules as him –– but before you think of anything, no, they definitely weren’t as hypercritical as he was.
Don’t get him wrong though, despite his meticulous and seemingly strict nature, he still found time to fool around and have fun whilst in school.
If anything, Sunghoon considered himself as… quite the witty guy.
He kept a mental list of things he likes. He likes watching funny cat memes on his feed, playing games on his computer during his free time, going clubbing with his friends every weekend, and he also really likes how the shawarma shop beside his place always had a buy-one-get-one deal on Thursdays.
He also had a list of things he hates. He hates when he has to share his food, or anything, really; he hates when people chew with their mouths open, he hates when freshmen walk too slowly on campus, he hates when his roommates “forget” to clean their dirty dishes –– honestly, the list could go on and on.
But, for the past couple of months, what he hated most was his best friend, Sim Jake.
Sunghoon didn’t always hate him though. If he hated him from the beginning, one, he wouldn’t have befriended him in the first place, and two, he wouldn’t have asked him to be one of his roommates –– which, this entire living situation soon became an issue with him. An extreme issue, he would call it, even.
So, what was the catalyst to the start of Sunghoon’s immense hatred towards Jake, you may ask?
Well, it was you.
At this point, Sunghoon’s heard it all. With people constantly calling him “nit-picky” and “extremely demanding,” always complaining that he has these crazy high standards for everything and that there’s nothing — better yet, no one — he ever liked from the get-go.
How exhausting does that sound?
Though he can admit, they’re all right about him being nit-picky, extremely demanding, and right about him having those “crazy high” standards. But, they were a bit wrong about that last part.
Park Sunghoon wasn’t sure about a lot of things, but he knew he was sure he liked you.
He guessed he always, at least, subconsciously knew he liked you from the second the two of you met during freshmen orientation –– he hadn’t realized it back then, but you kind of just checked off all the boxes in his mind.
With his personality though, he had never admitted it out-loud –– even if it was pain-stakingly obvious to all of his close friends.
It honestly really was just a little crush to him at first. He started looking for your face around campus, teasing you whenever you were around, occasionally texting each other. You know, doing the usual shit slightly delusional people always do to cope with their minor infatuations who don’t like them back.
Surprisingly over time, the two of you eventually became a lot closer and hung out with each other more.
…and also became a little more flirtatious with each other (at least that’s what Sunghoon thinks, but he’s not too sure).
It got to the point where Sunghoon’s friends could tell whether he was in a good mood or not depending on whether he got a text from you that day.
You and Sunghoon were good, he thought things were going well –– he’s got game… right?
Until one day, Sunghoon’s fairytale-princess-dream of living a life with the two of you together all came crashing down.
To be honest, you’d never met Sunghoon’s so-called “best friends” the past two years you had been friends. You started to wonder whether they were real or if Sunghoon was just faking it and actually has no friends.
Eventually, you came to meet them –– Heeseung, Jay, Sunoo, Jungwon, Riki, and Jake.
Sunghoon really hated that. He never even wanted to introduce you to his friends, you guys just bumped into each other by accident.
In his mind, he kind of just wanted to keep you as his little secret. After all, he met you first, befriended you first, and liked you first. And again, Sunghoon really hated sharing.
And, it sounds a teensy bit toxic but he’d always been competitive to the bone, maybe a little too much. So when he saw you started getting a lot closer to Jake than you were with him, it honestly felt like a two-faced betrayal. But he couldn’t say anything –– his ego and stubbornness wouldn’t let him.
Sunghoon kind of just watched and let it happen, so he honestly shouldn’t even be that mad. At first, he tried to bury the thought of you and Jake being “best friends” in the back of his head. But it didn’t help when you started coming over to his shared apartment to hang out with stupid, freaking Jake.
He always wondered why you chose Jake and not him.
All of Sunghoon’s friends had just adjusted from the fact that they thought he liked you... to Jake being the one pursuing you instead.
You and Sunghoon never “fell out,” however, the friendship felt a bit more distant. But what was Sunghoon supposed to do about it? Beg you to become best friends with him instead? Whenever he thought this way, he’d always feel like he reverted back into a kid.
When you’d come over, you would say “hi,” and engage in like, three-minute small talk with Sunghoon, and then go into Jake’s stinkin’ room and giggle with him and probably have so much fun with whatever the fuck Jake is doing.
Sunghoon wouldn’t really know though, he couldn’t bring himself to ask what the two of you did when you left their apartment.
The most information he could get was when his other roommates would tease Jake about you. There was one particular time, however, where Sunghoon was royally pissed off over the two of you. According to him, this conversation was just so juvenile and hard-to-listen to this day.
Sunghoon was in the kitchen fixing their coffee machine while silently eavesdropping on his roommates by the couch. Jay lightly nudged Jake’s shoulder, “So, you and y/n, what’s up with that?”
The second Sunghoon heard Jay drop the first vowel of your name, his ears immediately perked up.
Jake chuckles, staying focused on the game in front of him, “Nah man, chill. It’s nothing like that.”
Liar.
Heeseung tsks, tossing his controller down after losing a match against Jake, “If it was just ‘nothing’ then you wouldn’t be texting her all day and hanging out with her more than your own roommmates.”
Right? Heeseung’s so right. If it really was just “nothing” then he wouldn’t have caught Jake kicking his feet up and down while on the phone with you.
“Guys, leave it, we’re just best friends.” Jake laughs.
Yeah right, that’s such bullshit cause Sunghoon had found out you two started dating, like, exactly a month later.
That was essentially the beginning of his own hell, agony, and his pure hatred towards Jake.
Sunghoon would see you waltz into his –– their, sorry –– apartment almost every day with a huge smile plastered on your face like shit was all sweet and rainbows and butterflies when he was suffering every waking minute.
Daily he’d see your annoyingly gorgeous face, hear your stupidly adorable laughter through the walls, and watch you and Jake be all lovey-dovey right in front of him. Sunghoon didn’t even know he could like a person to this extent, you just made him like this.
It actually made him sick in the stomach. That should’ve been him.
One morning, he genuinely contemplated jumping off of their balcony when you stepped outside of Jake’s room wearing his clothes. He wanted to shout, he wanted to remind you that you were his friend first, he wanted to ask you, “what do you see in him that you don’t see in me?”
But all he managed to spit out was, “Morning, you want coffee?” while gripping onto his penguin-shaped coffee mug so tight that it was on the brink of shattering into pieces.
Now, Sunghoon knew it was wrong, and that you’re now quite literally his best friend's girlfriend but what ever happened to “dibs?” He knew you way before than dumbass Jake did.
One night, Sunghoon couldn’t fall asleep. He had been tossing and turning for the past two hours trying not to lose his mind over the fact that you were sleeping over at their place, again.
He thought some tea might help soothe his worries and ease his anxiety a little bit, eventually bringing him to sleep, so he got up and made his way over to the kettle in the kitchen. He got his favourite mug out and had the peppermint tea bag sitting nicely inside when he heard a small pip-squeak coming from the rooms.
At first he couldn’t actually tell if that sound was coming from the rooms or if it was just the steam from the kettle, but then a pip-squeak turned into a muffled gasp –– a seemingly sexual sounding one, he believed.
Sunghoon couldn’t bear to stick around longer to figure out whether you and Jake were having sex. That was enough for him to abandon his cup of tea and trudge his way over to Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki’s place in his house slippers and pajamas.
He even bought ear-plugs at the convenience store on the way there.
Sunghoon honestly doesn’t really remember much after he bolted out of his apartment that night. But according to them, he got to their place and sat in the corner of their living room with his knees to his chest –– refusing to tell any of them what the matter was –– eventually falling asleep on the floor.
Riki also did keep mentioning how Sunghoon started rocking back-and-forth while whispering to himself quietly, but everyone knows Riki has a thing for theatrics.
While yes, Sunghoon had thoughts about you that were most definitely against the bro-code, he never actually acted on them.
Like, yeah Sunghoon hated his best friend for stealing the love of his life, but that’s still literally his best friend –– whom he hates. It’s complicated, he can’t really explain it.
Over the course of a couple months, Sunghoon thinks he’s seen and heard it all, especially the arguments you and Jake would have. On those nights, he prayed he’d wake up to news that you guys finally broke up –– which never happened by the way.
Those arguments were usually petty and small, but a particular argument was unlike the rest.
One day, you ran out of Jake’s room in tears. Sunghoon was on the couch watching the evening news with the volume turned up so high at the time, he couldn’t even hear you guys arguing anymore.
But this was just usual protocol whenever you and Jake would argue, it felt almost invasive so all of the guys agreed to blast the TV and drown out the yelling sound.
At first, Sunghoon didn’t notice you crying hysterically –– not until he looked up and saw your face.
Sunghoon’s body reacted by itself. Without even meaning to, he found himself chasing after you to make sure you were okay. You two were still friends regardless of the fact that you were in a relationship with Jake, so he thought this was totally justifiable.
When Sunghoon finally caught up to you, he grabbed your arm, “Hey,” he spoke softly, “I can’t let you leave until I know you’re okay. What’s wrong?”
You finally turn to look at him, and he sees you: mascara running down your rosy cheeks, eyes all puffy, your nose running a little. It wasn’t long till you shrugged Sunghoon’s hand off your arm.
“Stop acting stupid,” you spat, “you guys are best friends, I know you that you know already. Really, what are you even here for? To seem like some good-guy-hero? Like, what, you’re gonna go on a whole tangent about how Jake is a great guy, that this is just some miscommunication, how he’ll apologize or that, maybe even I should be the one to apologize––”
Maybe Sunghoon shouldn’t have said what he said next, because it just made things worse.
“Is that really what you think of me, y/n? Like I’m just Jake’s loyal fucking lapdog running after you so I can take his side? He’s my friend, yeah, but why would you ever think that lowly of me?”
At this point, you started to feel really bad for snapping on him when in reality, he was just trying to help.
Sunghoon speaks in a tiny voice, “I don’t even know what’s going on in your relationship. I don’t even ask about it because it hurts.”
Your face of dishevelment slowly turns into confusion as you keep listening to Sunghoon, “What are you talking about?”
Sunghoon knows he probably shouldn’t be talking about this right now, that he should just end the conversation there and maybe try to gaslight you into thinking that he actually said something else –– but it all slipped out.
He lets out a frustrated sigh accompanied with a quick eye-roll, almost like he can’t believe the words that he’s about to say, “I met you first. We were friends first. I liked you first. But I just let you slip away and now you’re his –– and I can’t do anything about it. I’ve been forced to just watch you with him. You don’t even know how bitter I get seeing you guys together. He knew I liked you first, and he took you away from me. You were supposed to be with me instead.”
You have a boyfriend, this is your boyfriend’s best friend. This whole situation is fucked up. All you do is shake your head in disbelief, “What are you trying to say, what’s the whole point of this Sunghoon?”
A pause of silence passed by, and in those seconds of quietness, Sunghoon really tried hard to think, what is the whole point of him telling you this now? What did he think would even happen?
“I–I don’t know,” he stutters, “just– nothing. Just forget everything I said please, just forget about it. Let me get you an Uber home.”
The truth was, you understood what he meant completely and you couldn’t just simply forget about it.
But you had to pretend.
Just in time, you saw Jake jogging towards you two in your peripheral vision. It wasn’t long until Sunghoon noticed.
The second Jake came to you, Sunghoon took a step back and left.
You honestly forgot about your argument with Jake until he apologized and insisted he drove you home. The drive back to your place was silent. Your head was leaned against the car window with your hands between your thighs the entire ride.
Jake turned onto your street, eventually pulling up to the entrance of your apartment. The two of you sit there for a while, the only sound coming from his fingers lightly drumming on the console. Your gaze stays fixed on a tree outside, too embarrassed to break the ice first.
He moves his hand onto the steering wheel, “y/n, I’m really sorry.”
You turn your head slightly to look at him before pushing the car door open, “It’s fine, just don’t let it happen again.”
Jake watches you slam the car door shut, making your way inside and up the elevator before he drives away.
That night, you had a lot to ponder about –– not just because of the argument you and your boyfriend had, but also because of what his best friend had just confessed to you...
Fuck, why are you even thinking about Sunghoon again? Jake’s right here. Jake is your boyfriend… yeah.
⋆˚࿔
Mondays were always the worst for Sunghoon. At 8 a.m., he has Theory of Computation, then once that ends at 10, he has an hour to himself before he’s got three back-to-back classes till 4 p.m. On top of that, he also told Sunoo and Riki that he’d meet them at the library at 6:30 p.m. to get a headstart on their group project.
Great, he thought, so now he’s able to schedule an hour-long nervous breakdown before he has to compose himself like a normal citizen and attend to his responsibilities again.
Once he got home after his final lecture of the day, he sat on his desk chair (not his bed, he had his outside clothes on) and pulled out his phone from his backpocket.
“Google am I a bad person?”
Sunghoon’s staring at the searchbar waiting for the results to load on his phone, the floorboards creaking loudly because of how much he kept bouncing his legs out of anxiety.
All he’s done the past 24 hours was replay the conversation he last had with you, and the more he kept thinking about it, the more he started to feel like he really fucked up this time.
His first worry was you possibly telling Jake that he had just confessed his undying love for you –– but when he heard Jake say good morning the next day while making an omelette, he crossed that fear off the list.
'Cause like, what guy who's mad would make omelettes in the morning?
His second worry was that he might actually be a horrible person. Sunghoon always understood he was insufferable since birth, but never once has he thought he was a bad guy… until now.
Like, it’s a really fucked up situation right? He put you in a difficult position, and if Jake finds out then that’s goodbye to his best friend too –– oh god, what about his roommates? Will he have to find a new place to live next year?
A plethora of different worries began to plague his mind until he realized the search results had finally loaded on his phone. He saw countless people asking the same question on different forums, where he eventually found himself on r/AmItheAsshole, reading excerpts from literally Lucifer(s) themselves in attempts to make him feel better about his own situation.
At that moment Sunghoon came to the realization that, yeah there are definitely a lot of worse people in the world with way more questionable morals than him –– and that if he was considered a bad person, then the people of this Subreddit must think he’s made out of unicorns and sunshine.
Before he left his apartment again, he took a deep breath, tried to push his feelings down and go about his day.
When he finally arrived at the library, he found Jungwon and Riki at their usual spot. Jungwon spots him walking towards them first, prompting him to move his backpack on the seat beside him to the ground, “Hey, we saved you a spot.”
Sunghoon falls into the chair, “Thanks man.”
In front of Jungwon, Riki lays his head flat on the table, “Guys, can we rethink this. We have a month till this project is due. Isn’t doing this real early almost unnecessary?”
Jungwon continues typing on his keyboard, not once looking up, “It’s just in case, and there’s nothing wrong with starting early.”
Riki rolls his eyes and releases a big sigh before raising his head to look back up at his JavaScript for the nth time today.
Once Sunghoon had opened up his computer, Jungwon left no time to waste, “I forgot to ask, have you ever used a graphical interface for designing SQL queries before?"
“Yeah, have you?”
Riki looks up at the two of them like they’re speaking a completely different language, when in reality he’s supposed to be in the same major as them –– therefore he probably should know what Sunghoon and Jungwon are talking about.
“No,” Jungwon shakes his head, “But, that’ll aid us while building this thing.”
“I’ve had enough of this,” Riki groans and shuts his laptop, “Sorry Won, but I’ve been busting my ass learning this code for the past three hours we’ve been here –– I haven’t even eaten anything yet!”
He pulls out his phone, face immediately lighting up green, “Fuck it, I’m ordering UberEats, y’all want something?”
Sunghoon declines, “Nah, I’m good I ate before I left.”
Inside his backpack, Jungwon pulls out a tupperware filled with fruit and a bag of half-eaten beef jerky, “It’s fine, I packed myself some food.”
“Dude, what the hell,” Riki exits from the app, “Why didn’t you tell me you had food, my stomach has been grumbling for a whole hour.”
“Yeah, I know, I heard.”
Riki snatches the bag of opened beef jerky as a form of opposition against Jungwon, stuffing a handful into his mouth.
“Wait,” pausing mid-chew to swallow his food, “Anton just texted me, apparently his frat’s hosting a houseparty, mixer-thingy –– whatever the fuck –– on Friday.”
Sunghoon holds back a laugh, “Hell nah, remember what happened when their frat threw a party last semester?”
Unlike Sunghoon, Jungwon has no shame and bursts out in laughter causing the rest of the people on the floor to hush him, “Yo, we gotta go, Jake was legendary that time.”
Riki’s face falters as if he were recalling a traumatic memory, “Man, I don’t think Jake’s gonna act out, he’s been a different guy ever since he got a girl. Kinda miss the old him.”
After hearing your name being brought up in the conversation, Sunghoon looks up from his computer, fully immersing himself in the topic –– yet, he can’t bring himself to speak.
“Don’t make assumptions that he’s boring yet, I don’t think this guy has gone out since then, the guy’s a beast when he’s fucked up. Ya never know. Maybe he’ll surprise us.” Jungwon chuckles.
“Do you still have that video of him from last year?”
“Bro, of course I do. Chill, let me find it on my camera roll.”
At this moment, all of Sunghoon’s thoughts began racing.
He can’t help it but those feelings of resentment towards Jake are all coming back again. Maybe he really is a bad person after all, because the only thing he could say was, “I think we should go.”
This is the reason why Sunghoon thinks that he might actually be a horrible person –– because why would he want to see his best friend potentially fuck up?
From then on, Sunghoon decided that this was the last time he would be selfish ...he thinks.
⋆˚࿔
It was around 10 p.m. when Sunghoon had gotten home from the library. All of the lights in the apartment were turned off, which was kind of odd to him but he didn’t really pay much attention to it. He figures his roommates just went somewhere –– he honestly doesn’t care where.
In fact, he liked it when he was the only one home. It gave him some peace and solace. He never liked to admit it, but sometimes being with other people is exhausting.
Not that he doesn’t like being around his roommates, he does. It’s just a little daunting for him to be around people for extended periods of time. He really hates the way he thinks. He finds it a little embarrassing that he thinks it’s anxiety-inducing and overwhelming to be around other people sometimes.
He thinks his logic is flawed, and almost wishes he wasn’t like this. Look at Park Sunghoon, uptight, picky, critical, no-good-for-anyone –– yet he can’t stick around long if he’s surrounded by people or else he’ll freak out?
Whatever, he doesn’t have time to host his own pity party when he’s got bigger fish to fry.
In hopes of seeking relaxation after the day he’s had, he grabs a towel and heads toward the bathroom. Waiting for him was a nice, steamy-hot shower, preferably one that’s a little too hot that it makes his body physically produce steam.
What he expected to see when he walked into the bathroom was a fucking toilet, shower, and sink. But when he opened the bathroom door, he was greeted with a fucking toilet, shower, sink, and you who just happens to be brushing your teeth oh-so conveniently at the same time Sunghoon wants to shower.
Truthfully, you almost scared the shit out of Sunghoon when he saw your face, cause first of all, no one’s even supposed to be home right now (allegedly).
Your eyes widen when you come face-to-face with Sunghoon. This was the first time the two of you had seen each other since last night. He didn’t rehearse this meeting happening and now he’s internally freaking out.
Instead of the awkward encounter Sunghoon had anticipated, you spit out your toothpaste, finish brushing your teeth, and flash him a smile, “Hey, sorry I was just quickly brushing my teeth, you can use the bathroom now.”
A smile that almost convinced Sunghoon that maybe last night was all just a dream and didn’t actually happen in real life.
Straight-faced, he nods, clearing the doorway for you to step out. He watches you walk past his bedroom door and go into Jake’s room before he steps inside the bathroom.
Under the showerhead, Sunghoon lets the water run down his head, staring down at the drain. He had numerous thoughts running through his mind, but what stuck out most was why you just acted like nothing had happened between them?
When he looks up to grab his shampoo, he sees all of your shower products in the corner with Jake’s toiletries –– which made him come to the realization that actually, maybe nothing had happened between you two at all.
At the end of the day, you’re still Jake’s girl. Nothing changed that. Not even his stupid confession of love for you.
When he stepped out of the shower, he concluded that what really happened was: he shared his feelings for you on a whim, you basically rejected him, and now you’re probably just being nice to him, acting like everything is fine because he’s still Jake’s best friend after all.
Fuck, now he’s embarrassed. He should just forget about this whole ordeal –– right?
⋆˚࿔
For the rest of the week, Sunghoon was lucky enough to not bump into you anywhere –– not even inside their apartment. There were days where he knew you were over, but you never came out of Jake’s room whenever he was around.
All Sunghoon had been looking forward to all week was Anton’s frat party. It was basically an excuse for him to abuse alcohol and make bad decisions.
Once he came home from his last lab at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, he found his quiet sanctuary (his shared apartment) filled with all of his friends, quickly grabbing a beer from one of the cartons before ducking into his room to change.
Sunghoon tried to act nonchalantly, pretending like he didn’t actually care about what he was gonna wear to the frat party. It’s not even like he has clothes that would upstage anyone’s outfit, he was really overthinking it for no reason.
Knock knock.
“Yo, just come in, why’d you have to fucking knock?” he yells.
A small voice spoke through the crack of his door, “Oh, sorry, um, it’s just me, y/n, the guys need help picking up the keg stand.”
Sunghoon almost got whiplash from how fast he turned his head around to look at you; you hadn’t stepped a foot into his room, the door was slightly creaked open, and your head was down –– which he soon realized it’s because he doesn’t have a shirt on.
He swiftly grabbed the first shirt that was within vicinity and threw it on, “Oh sorry, I thought you were one of the guys, you caught me off guard.”
You flail your hands, finally looking up now that he’s fully clothed, “No! It’s okay! They told me to go and get you –– wait.”
Sunghoon furrows his eyebrows, wait for what?
All he could hear was your laughter, one that he recognized all too well, “Maybe you should change your shirt, Hoon.”
He immediately dropped his head down to look at what he was wearing.
…of course the shirt he had to grab happened to be the stupid t-shirt Heeseung gave him for Christmas that says “Mike Who Cheese Hairy” in bold.
Great, could Sunghoon’s life get any worse?
That night, he had a little too much to drink, actually maybe way more than he anticipated. But Sunghoon wasn’t the messy type of drunk –– at least that’s what he thinks.
He was never the type of guy who let himself get too intoxicated. He usually knew what his limits were. Oftentimes, he thought that overly drunk people in public settings were making a fool of themselves and that maybe those people just had a humiliation kink.
But as of right now, Sunghoon’s kinda having trouble holding his balance at Alpha Epsilon Phi’s mixer.
In his defence, he only got this fucked up because him and Jake were going back-to-back on that keg stand trying to outdo the other –– which only got the both of them hammered.
What made things even worse for Sunghoon, however, was the fact that 15 feet away from him were you and Jake.
Sunghoon was consumed in jealousy. How could he not? He can’t bring himself to look away from the painful scene in front of him, Jake wobbling against the island table with his hands wrapped around your waist while you fix his scruffy hair.
All he could think was: I’m drunk as fuck too. Where’s my help?
He scoffed and decided he’s had enough and went up the stairs. Using all of his strength, he managed to lock himself in a bathroom and finally took a deep breath out.
Sunghoon kept blinking his eyes while staring at his reflection in the mirror –– trying to desperately convince himself he’s not seeing double right now.
Thinking that he might be able to sober up, he turned on the faucet, cupping his hand and drank from the sink (he also splashed a bunch of water on his face, slapped himself 10x, and tried to pull trig, which he failed to do).
After 15 minutes had passed by and a hundred knocks later, Sunghoon decided to finally come out of his lavatory dungeon –– and of course the first person who he sees is Jake.
At this point, he’s just silently preparing himself to see you and him be all flirty and couple-y again.
Except, when Sunghoon gets closer, he realizes that Jake isn’t with you –– but another girl?
He immediately paused in his tracks, watching what was happening in front of him. Sunghoon was confused, where were you? Why weren’t you with Jake? And most importantly, what is Jake doing with another girl?
Should he say something? He should go up to him and stop him, right? But is that the best thing to do? What even is Jake doing?
The longer Sunghoon looks, the more uncertain he becomes. Jake seems a little too close to the girl, even if they aren’t kissing or doing anything… but why doesn’t this seem right to him?
Would this be considered cheating? Nothing sexual seems to be happening, just a bunch of teasing arm grabbing and touching.
But that wasn’t you, and you’re his girlfriend. If it wasn’t cheating, it still had to be fucking weird. Sunghoon was infuriated. Jake got the girl but can’t even treat her right?
He knew then that he had to leave before he made a scene.
When he came back downstairs, he couldn’t help but feel suffocated. There were too many people, the air was stuffy, it reeked of alcohol, and the soles of his shoes were too sticky to stay inside any longer. So he decided to step outside instead.
Sunghoon sat on a curb a couple of feet away from the fraternity, but still far enough that he wouldn’t be disturbed by booming bass or intoxicated party-goers. He figured he’d stay outside till his friends decide they’ve had enough with partying –– he wasn’t really feeling the vibe of the function anyways.
At one point, Sunghoon decided to just lay down on the pavement because he was drunk and he can. Out of boredom he began counting how many streetlights ran up and down the street, eventually dozing off in the process.
Coming out of a hazy state, all Sunghoon could hear was his name being repeated multiple times. When he opened his eyes, he came face-to-face with you.
You give a big sigh of relief, “Oh thank god, I thought you died for a second dude. Don’t scare me like that!”
“What? …y/n?” Sunghoon rubs his eyes, “Sorry, I accidentally um, fell asleep I think.”
You laugh while Sunghoon fixes his posture and sits up right again, “Can I sit beside you?”
To be honest, Sunghoon still kinda feels foggy in his half-woken drunk state, so he can’t really think properly, “Yeah, yeah, go ahead.” He pats on the ground beside him. You take a seat, bringing your chin to your knees, playing with the gravel beneath you.
“Are you not having fun?” You ask.
Sunghoon looks straight ahead and shakes his head, “Not really feeling it today.”
You nod in agreement, continuing to collect pebbles with your right hand.
After a beat, Sunghoon turns to look at you, “Hey, I, um, need to tell you something important.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
He lets a deep exhale out before bringing himself to speak again, “I saw Jake inside with another girl. They weren’t like, doing anything but it’s just weird –– I don’t know if this is cheating but I thought I should tell–”
Your eyes stay fixed on the ground, “I know.”
Sunghoon furrows his eyebrows at you, “What do you mean?”
“That’s why we were arguing last week. This has always been an issue with him, even if it isn’t physically cheating.”
Sunghoon didn’t know this. All he could hear during your arguments with Jake was the volume of the TV on max. Carefully, he asked, “Is this… not the first time?”
“No.”
You almost feel ashamed that you’re confessing this all to Sunghoon. You’re scared of what he’d think of you. You already know what he’s like, what he’s probably thinking of you at this moment. You’re aware of how pathetic you sound right now.
Before he could even think about what he was saying, he blurted it all out, “I don’t get it, then why don’t you just break up with him? Isn’t what he’s doing bothering you?”
That night, you and Sunghoon found out something about each other: the two of you probably shouldn’t be together while drunk.
“...I don’t know. Wouldn’t breaking up with him mean that I won’t be able to see you anymore?”
“What? Why are you saying that?”
“If me and Jake end on bad terms, does that mean that you won’t be there for me anymore?”
⋆˚࿔
After Jake had dropped you off at your apartment that night last week, you realized you were more angry than sad. All of those tears had dried up, and now you were yelling on the phone.
“Why would he do this now when he had all that time last year and make a proper move! It’s not my fault he didn’t man up sooner!” You ranted on the phone.
You didn’t know what else to do except call Giselle and ask for some advice.
“I don’t get Sunghoon, he never did anything about us for so long and now he wants to tell me that he wanted me first?”
“Well, what are you going to do about it? You’re with his best friend now,” Giselle asks on the other side of the speaker.
You wipe your mascara-streaked eyes with a cotton pad, “I would have loved it if he told me all of that a year ago, that’s what I wanted. He missed his chance and now I’m just stuck in a sticky situation.”
“But, you love Jake right?”
“Yeah...” you murmured, “Right.”
Before you were with Jake, Sunghoon was the one you wanted most.
To you, Park Sunghoon was like this shiny, perfect Ken doll that you wanted so badly but couldn’t get no matter what.
Contrary to popular belief, you had made your advances towards him –– just in different ways. So you actually never knew if he caught on or not. Over time it seemed like Sunghoon really had no interest in you at all, and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t heartbroken over it at all.
You decided to move on after being sure that nothing would happen with you and Sunghoon. In all honesty, you were never that interested in Jake at the beginning.
It was always him starting conversations, making plans. And after a while, you started getting used to Jake’s company.
But for some reason, the closer you got with Jake, the further Sunghoon seemed to get. At the time, you knew not to think any more about you and Sunghoon –– it wasn’t happening and that’s final.
You came to learn that Jake was a pretty outgoing and talkative guy, the complete opposite of Sunghoon.
When Jake finally asked you to be his girlfriend, you won’t lie. You were taken aback. It’s true, you do like Jake… but what about Sunghoon? Were you really over this crush? Are you going to have to be around him all the time because he’s Jake’s best friend? You didn’t know if you could do that.
You snap back into reality when you remind yourself that Sunghoon just doesn’t like you like that.
And it wasn’t like you didn’t like Jake at all. So, you gave him a chance.
Sim Jake was extroverted, polite, and friendly –– maybe a little too friendly. Being in social settings with him almost felt exhausting sometimes. He was the kind of guy that was able to go up to anyone and be able to talk to them.
The first time he ever got too friendly with a girl, you tried to ignore it. You made excuses for him like, that’s just the way he is, maybe I’m being an overbearing girlfriend.
But then it happened a second time, then a third time, then it just kept going.
This was the main reason for most of your arguments.
The start of your arguments often looked like this: the two of you would go somewhere, Jake would get a little too close, a little too talkative to a girl, and you had to wait till you guys were alone to bring up your concerns.
“Jake, I just really don’t like how overly friendly you are with other girls. It makes me feel weird as your girlfriend.”
Jake doesn’t seem to be taking the conversation seriously, “C’mon, y/n you’re the only girl I have eyes for.”
You shrug, sitting on the edge of his bed, “Can’t you just, I don’t know, not… do that? I really don’t like it.”
He tenses his forehead, fixing his position on the bed, “...do you not trust me?”
Your eyes widen in shock, “No! That’s not what I’m saying at all!”
And that’s essentially how you and Jake got into that huge argument last week.
What a mess.
⋆˚࿔
When Sunghoon woke up the day after the frat party, he was met with constant panging in his head. He only remembers little bits and pieces of the night and genuinely cannot, for the life of him, remember how he even got home that night.
It was only till after breakfast that he found out Sunoo had called him a Uber home after he spotted him crying alone on the curbside.
Why was he even crying? He can’t remember, no matter how hard he tries to pull it out of his memory, nothing comes out.
Sunghoon’s roommates were usually out and about on Saturdays, so he decided to dedicate his Saturdays to self-care –– which in Sunghoon’s case, means watching cute videos of animals and yelling at his teammates over the mic that they suck ass all day.
He couldn’t even do that because of all that banging inside his head. Even after taking some Tylenol, it just wouldn’t stop pounding. So Sunghoon decided he should try to sleep it out on the couch.
After a couple of minutes of tossing and turning, Sunghoon finally found some tranquility –– but this was ruined the second he heard their apartment door slam shut.
Sunghoon almost fell out of the couch due to the sound, “What the fuck are you slamming doors for in the afternoon?”
When he looks up to see which one of his roommates almost broke their door down, he sees Jake –– his expression annoyed and Sunghoon’s presence totally ignored. Jake slams his own door shut without saying a word.
Sunghoon always knew not to bother Jake when he was upset and to just wait for him to feel better, so instead he sent a couple texts to Heeseung and Jay asking what’s up with Jake.
SUNGHOON
What’s up with Jake
He just came in slamming doors looking pissy and my head fucking hurtssss
JJONGSAENG
think he and y/n broke up
HEESEUNG
U being deadass?
JJONGSAENG
yeah but jake didn’t tell me tho
heard thru the grapevine
u know how fast rumours spread on campus
but pretty sure they did i’ll ask him later
Upon reading these texts Sunghoon sat up immediately. All those times he prayed for you and Jake to break up finally came into fruition. But was it right for him to be celebrating like this? Jake’s still his best friend after all.
His thumb hovers over your contact on his phone –– but what was he even going to do? Say, hey heard you and Jake broke up, I’m sorry. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, I'll be waiting?
He felt incompetent and stupid thinking about this, so he just turned off his phone and kept trying to sleep.
Later that night, Sunghoon found out that you broke up with him and not the other way around. Sunghoon tried really hard not to smile when Jake was explaining what had happened between the two of them to their roommates.
They found out that you had broken up with him after he said, quote, “...she saw me with another girl at the frat and got so fucking upset about something and the fact that I was ‘acting out’ at the party, then she left without a word. It wasn’t until this morning she texted asking me to come over to talk. I didn’t know she was gonna break up with me?!”
At the frat? Was it the one Sunghoon had seen him with when he left the bathroom?
Truthfully, Sunghoon had been waiting for a text from you even though he knew it wouldn’t happen. After a week went by without hearing from you, he gave up on waiting.
Jake was up and running again in no time. He was the kind of person that could easily bounce back from adversities. He did admit, however, that he tried reaching out to you multiple times but never got a reply.
Sunghoon kept getting deja vu, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what’s so familiar –– until it clicked. Remnants of the night slowly started popping up again.
“What do you mean ‘I won’t be there for you anymore?’” Sunghoon asked you on the curb.
You turn your head on your knees to face him now, “I mean, would I lose you for good if Jake’s not in the picture anymore?”
Sunghoon didn’t know if he was absolutely plastered or if these words were actually coming out of your mouth right now.
“No,” Sunghoon shook his head, “No you won’t.”
The corners of your mouth turn upward, “Okay.” You stand up and brush off all the gravel from your clothes, “Are you going to be alright?”
His eyes stay fixed on you, nodding.
“Well,” you sigh, dusting your hands off, “I have to go back to the party. Text me, okay?”
Sunghoon was even more confused now –– on top of already being drunk and overly emotional –– so he burst out in tears. He tried his hardest to keep the tears from spilling out but the floodgates just wouldn’t close.
It wasn’t even just the whole him, you, and Jake situation that caused this –– it was also all the emotions that he had been building up for years.
Being Park Sunghoon –– stuck-up, critical, nitpicky, and insufferable since birth –– was hard.
⋆˚࿔
Sunghoon found himself stuck in a dilemma. On one hand, he has Jake, his best friend, and on the other hand he has you –– but he wants both.
It seems like an easy decision, right? Jake’s his best friend, so ultimately he’s gotta kick the girl to the curb –– except Sunghoon doesn’t want just anyone, he wants you.
He knew trying finding someone like you would be impossible.
It was truly a newfound feeling when he had experienced butterflies for the first time. He’s honestly never felt this deeply about a girl before.
So what else can he do but text you when you ask him to? …two weeks later after mustering up the courage to open up your messages on his phone.
SUNGHOON
Hey
How have you been?
YOU
hey!!!!
u finally texted me
i’ve been good thanks for asking
Sunghoon taps his foot on the ground, biting his nails, thinking about what else he could say to you to keep the conversation going.
SUNGHOON
That’s good
I know a lot has happened the past two weeks
You assume he’s referring to you and Jake breaking up. The two of you haven’t seen each other since Alpha Epsilon Pi’s mixer.
Admittedly, the last conversation you had with Sunghoon really cleared a lot of the looming thoughts you had stuck in your brain.
It’s been two weeks since you broke up with Jake.
It’s also been two weeks since Sunghoon told you that you wouldn’t lose him for good.
YOU
yea
we should catch up
let’s have a drink together like old times :))
⋆˚࿔
Like old times.
Sunghoon sat in a booth at his local university pub, just like he would last year. Waiting for you all the time.
In truth, Sunghoon couldn’t shake off the nerves of seeing you again after a while –– so to curb his anxiety he ordered two beers. One for you and one for himself. Well, at least that’s what he intended at first, but after he finished his bottle he still felt nervous so he drank “yours.”
You aren’t even late to meet him, he’s just way too early.
Ah fuck, he thought. If you still weren’t here and he’d already drank his own beer and “your” beer, and the two of you were meeting for drinks –– wouldn’t that suggest they were going to get multiple drinks?
Sunghoon covered his mouth, murmuring to himself silently, “Oh my god, how drunk am I gonna get. I can't embarrass myself” (Spoiler alert, he wasn't actually that drunk throughout the night, definitely just the placebo effect).
You actually arrive 10 minutes before your meeting time thinking you’d be early, but you were surprised when you saw Sunghoon sipping beer by himself, “Hey! You’re really early.”
“Yeah,” Sunghoon grins, “I guess you are too. How have you been?”
You seat yourself on the other side of the booth, “Well,” you sigh, “you already know what’s been going on with me and Jake.”
Sunghoon flinched at the mention of Jake’s name. Oh god, now he really was going to have a nervous breakdown. In the midst of this all, Sunghoon actually forgot about Jake in the equation.
Is it appropriate to be meeting his now ex-girlfriend for drinks? Like, just two of them? But wait, Sunghoon was friends with y/n way before him so would this be justified? Whatever, he needs a drink.
“Uh, yeah. Sorry about that.”
You figured you probably shouldn't have brought that up and sheepishly smiled, “Why would you be sorry? Let’s order some drinks!”
After three more beers, a long island iced tea, and a mojito later, it was safe to say you and Sunghoon had all the alcohol courage you could get.
The two of you were laughing about, god knows what, for the past two hours –– but the topic of conversation never mattered between you and him. You could talk to him about anything.
You stretch your arms up, “Do you think we should leave?” you and Sunghoon turn to look around the pub and realize they’re getting ready for closing.
Sunghoon ended up paying for all the drinks which made you feel giddy and thankful because your drinks were $15 each and you weren’t planning on going broke that night.
Outside of the pub, you and Sunghoon kept the laughter going. God, it’s been so long since you’ve hung out with him like this. You never realized how much you missed him.
“So…” Sunghoon drags out, “is this goodbye?”
You fish for your phone in your purse to check the time, “Wanna keep talking and have drinks at my place?”
He smiles at you, gesturing to the sidewalk ahead, “Lead the way Missy.”
When you finally arrive at your apartment, you push the door open and welcome him in, “My humble abode.”
Sunghoon had never been to your apartment before. Back then he thought it would be creepy and invasive if he asked to hang out at yours instead. He always knew you were a nostalgic and sentimental person, but your apartment unit really personified it. You kept all of the cheerleading medals you had stacked up in high school years ago, your fridge filled with photos of you and your loved ones, you even had a pile of every birthday card you’ve received in the corner of your desk.
Without meaning to, Sunghoon found himself meddling around your apartment inspecting everything you possessed. He wanted to know what you were like before he met you –– he wanted to know everything he could about you.
A finger taps on Sunghoon’s shoulder making him jolt, “You snooping around?” you tease.
He stammers, “No– sorry, I– I was just curious.”
You chuckle and walk towards the kitchen to grab some more drinks, “I’m just kidding, Hoon.”
Exactly like a loyal golden retriever would, he followed behind you quietly. You pass him a bottle of beer and take a sip of your seltzer. You prop yourself up the counter, legs lightly swinging from the ground, “So…”
In front of you, he puts a hand in his pocket and takes a swig of beer with the other, “...so” he repeats.
At this point, the alcohol wore off from the walk back to yours. Both of you were the right amount of buzzed –– giggly drunk.
“But seriously, how have you been? Like truthfully.” you ask.
Sunghoon tries to think hard about it –– but he’s always stuck to the same routine he’s had for the past three years. He scratches the back of his neck, “I dunno, life’s been the same as always. Wake up, eat, sleep, repeat all over again.”
You tilt your head, “Same old Sunghoon, doesn’t it get tiring sometimes?”
“What does? The routine?”
“No,” you fiddle with your fingers, “bottling everything up.”
Sunghoon’s surprised by your answer. He wonders what makes you think that, “What do you mean?”
You chug the remaining of your seltzer, “It’s just– it seems like you had a lot on your plate recently.”
At first, he wonders what you’re referring to. If he thinks hard about it, all he does is study, go to the gym, and play games. But when he finally realized what you were talking about he started getting flustered.
“...are you asking me this because of the conversation we had three weeks ago?”
He still remembers that night vividly. It had rained during the day, releasing the smell of petrichor and wet grass. The pavement hadn’t dried up yet where they stood –— he remembered because he kept his head down after Jake came to console you. He also remembers how he felt when he heard Jake come back from dropping you off. Straight guilt.
He laid in bed that night wondering what kind of “best friend” he was to say all of those things to you as if you weren’t dating Jake then.
But now he’s standing in front of you, at your apartment, in your cramped kitchen, a little too close to each other.
“...yeah, sorry,” you apologize, “it seemed like you had a lot on your mind then.”
Sunghoon steps a bit closer, slightly wedged in between your legs, “I did have a lot on my mind then.” he confessed.
Not once breaking eye contact with you, he takes a final swig of his beer before he lightly places the empty bottle on the counter.
“Would you tell me if I asked?” you let him slide in between your thighs.
He boxes you in when he places both hands on the counter beside you, “I’d do anything you ask, y/n. You know that.”
You could hear the water drip from the kitchen faucet with how quiet it was.
“What about now? Do you still have a lot on your mind?”
Sunghoon pretends to ponder about it for a second before answering.
“Yeah.”
“...what are you thinking about right now?”
He only looks at you, fixing your hair before tucking a strand behind your ear.
“Whether this is a good idea or not.”
Sunghoon slowly leans in, almost as if he’s asking for permission before making a move –– and when you wrap your arms around his neck, he takes it as a green light and presses his lips against yours.
He thinks he’s dreamt about this moment his entire university career; what it would be like kissing you. Well now he knows. He knows that your lips taste like the cherry chapstick you always wear, that you kiss him softly, and that you get all handsy while making out.
You drag your hand gently down Sunghoon’s chest and you assume he liked that considering you can feel him smiling on your lips.
So you begin to outline his entire body. You trace your fingers along his jaw, the curvature of his abs, his biceps. You gently tug on his hair which elicits a small groan from him. You’re everywhere, you were ravenous.
All that time back then, when you’d pine over ice prince Park Sunghoon and throw hints at him here and there –– he never got the message though.
But now you’re here, kissing Sunghoon, and you just can’t get enough –– and it seems like he can’t either.
Sunghoon caresses the outline of your waist, fingers slightly skimming up your skin, when he pulls away to pepper light kisses on your neck, “you know,” he mumbled, "I've been waiting for this moment ever since we first met.”
A small moan escapes your lips when he starts licking behind your ear, “Hoon,” you breathe out, “...do you want to go to my bedroom?”
He swears he can see stars now from how lightheaded he feels right now. He can’t even process that what’s happening is actually happening.
Is this real life?
Instead of exchanging words, he lets his body talk, picking you up from the counter walking towards your room, where he lays you down with the utmost care –– like you were his most prized possession.
Cautiously, he asks, “Do you really wanna…”
“Yes. I do.” You shut him up with a kiss, fidgeting with the hem of his t-shirt. You knew he understood the memo when he pulled away to throw his shirt to the ground.
He falls back into you, moving his knee between your thighs when he cups your face to kiss you again. This time, it’s messy, it’s desperate. Sunghoon wants to explore every inch of you, learn how your mind works, what you’ve experienced in life, what you haven’t, what you want to. He slides his tongue like he’s going to devour you.
Slowly, he peeled off all your clothes one-by-one until you’re left in your undergarments. You wish you had known what your plans were gonna be tonight otherwise you would’ve surely put on some better lingerie.
Sunghoon doesn’t give a fuck though, you were laying in front of him undressed and beautiful, how could he focus on something so miniscule when he has you all to himself? …but he also didn’t care because it’s going to come off anyways.
He unclasps your bra, exposing your bare chest. His kisses trailed from your throat all the way to your inner thighs. Now he was perched in between your legs next to your clothed pussy. He smirked when he saw how soaked your panties were, “You get this wet for me?”
You cover your eyes using your forearms out of embarrassment, “Just stop teasing, Hoon.”
“Hoon.”
God he loved hearing you call him by that nickname, he could feel his dick getting impossibly hard in his boxers. He’s going to absolutely destroy you.
Sunghoon delicately took off your panties before spreading your legs wider. He could see the slick from your pussy drooling onto the sheets already, and he swore he almost moaned.
You bite your bottom lip when he starts to place light kisses onto your pussy. He dragged his tongue from your fluttering hole to your clit. Park Sunghoon was a starved, starved man. He attaches himself onto your clit. He works his tongue until he gets you moaning, and when he’s decided he wants to hear you moan louder for him, he plunges two fingers in without warning.
Now he was knuckle deep inside of you, and those moans just kept escaping from your mouth, gradually getting louder and louder –– you pray you don’t get a noise complaint by the end of tonight. He pumps his fingers with vigor, eventually finding your most sensitive spot.
He’s still lapping at your pussy while he massages your spongy G-spot. Sunghoon assumes he’s doing a great job since your legs are shaking …and also because you keep cheering him on like he’s a D1 athlete, “Ffffuck… Hoon– Please just– don’t stop. K–keep going!”
When you start to thrash around he tightens his grip on your plush thigh, continuing to work his tongue and fingers inside of you. He could tell you were about to cum from the fact that your pussy kept pulsing while his fingers were in deep.
“W– Wait,” You grab onto the sheets, “Hoon wait, I think– I feel like I’m gonna pee.”
“So what? Just relax and let it out.”
You do what he says, your juices coating his tongue. You watched him suck up every drop. The squelching sound was filthy, his fingers still scissoring you open. He brings himself up to lick at your neck while his fingers stay buried inside of your pussy, “You like that?”
What a freak.
You never expected Park Sunghoon of all people acting this way in bed.
Your mouth drops open, nodding in agreement, “Uh huh…” Your breathing pattern still off from your last orgasm, “I fucking love it.”
He sucks at your neck, “Atta girl,” his fingers finally pull out of your cunt, dragging his hand up to one to fondle with one of your titties, “You gonna let me fuck you then?”
“Please.”
His lips curled into a devilish smirk, pulling out his cock out from his sweatpants. Teasingly, he raises his eyebrows at you, hand holding his cock –– silently curious about whether you could take the dick or not.
Saliva started pooling on the corners of your mouth and he hasn’t even fucked you yet. Sunghoon takes one good look at your swollen clit and puffy lips before he aligns himself at your entrance.
You’re horny and throbbing, you can barely hold your patience while Sunghoon seems to look extremely entertained taunting you by slightly pushing the head in before pulling out. He grabs ahold of your hips, bringing you closer to him.
You laid there biting your nails wondering if he’s ever going to actually fuck you when he slides his cock inside your pussy inch-by-inch without warning. He starts thrusting in and out, grabbing your face to sloppily kiss you. All that drool you’ve accumulated from your past orgasm had been licked clean from your mouth to your chin.
Sunghoon was insatiable. He started kneading your titties, his dick still fucking you nice and open. You probably still don’t know that he hadn’t even put the entire thing in yet. He starts rolling your nipples in between his knuckles before pinching them –– bottoming out completely at the same time.
You just had to lay there and take it. Everything hurt but felt so good at the same time. You hear the schlick-schlick-schlicking sound coming from his dick relentlessly pounding into your drenched pussy.
“Mmphf! Wait, Hoon it f– feels ssoo… good.” You manage to whimper out.
He was inside so raw, so deep. You thought he was inside of you to the hilt, but when he pressed your thighs against your chest, he found a new angle and somehow managed to fuck you even deeper. You could feel his fat tip battering up against your cervix with every pump –– genuinely becoming scared at one point that his cock would slide into your womb. Your moans echoed throughout your apartment unit. It honestly sounds like pornstars having sex in here.
When Sunghoon felt your walls clamp down on his dick, he knew that you were about to cum soon. He began to really pound into you now, using his thumb to rub on your clit. It felt like he really did stretch you out. You look down at where the two of you connect and you cum at the sight of his cock plunging into you, forming a ring of milky white cum during the process.
Sunghoon groans at how tight your pussy walls squeeze him in as he fucks you through your second orgasm. You were already so overstimulated; his pelvis rubbing against your sensitive clit, his cock deep inside you, your nipples being rolled and pinched. You couldn’t take it anymore.
Your whole body is quivering at this point and Sunghoon is still spearing you in half. You push at his chest, “W– Wait, hold on.”
He pulls out and looks at you with a cocky smirk on his face, “What’s wrong, baby? Can’t take the dick?”
You pant out, “I just…” You bring your hands to your legs, attempting to stop them from shaking, but it’s no use, “...I just need a second.”
“You tapping out?” he tuts.
Despite having to take a quick breather, you quickly shake your head no.
You crawl towards him now, wrapping your warm hands on the base of his cock. He groans at your touch and revels in it. You lick the tip like it’s candy.
You wait till he lets out a couple more groans before you finally wrap your lips around him and slowly slide his cock down deeper into your throat, stroking the rest with a hand.
A sense of satisfaction washed over you when you looked up to see Sunghoon with his hair tussled, head thrown back, mouth agape. It only pushed you to do more. You relax your throat to prepare for the intrusion, gliding his cock down lower and lower. Sunghoon gently grabs a fistful of your hair enough to keep his balance. All you could hear were his groans of pleasure.
You try to keep all of him in your mouth for as long as you humanely could before pulling away from his shaft, sucking a big breath of fresh hair in.
You could see his eyes darken, “Turn around for me.”
Confused but still compliant, you follow his orders and turn your back against him. He places his hand on your lower back, moving it up your spine to delicately push you back onto the bed. He grabs ahold of your hips, perching them up.
Now you were face down, ass up on your bed.
Sunghoon smoothed the arch of your back with his calloused palm, finding its place at the nape of your neck. He growls lowly in your ear, “You gonna be good for me?”
“Uh huh,” you manage to get out.
He removes his hand at your neck, giving your ass a squeeze before entering inside you again. He hammers into you with the same drive and vigor, steadying your legs when he feels them start to tremor again.
You melt under his touch, the curve of his dick hitting that sensitive spot once again. The sound of your moans pushed him to go even further. He lands his two hands on the moons of your ass, spreading them wide open to see his wet dick pound into your dripping pussy, sliding deeper till he feels the resistance.
“Aargh,” he groans, swiping his thumb over the rim of your other hole.
“Fuuuck…” you whine out loud.
Sunghoon watches himself disappear in between your glistening pussy lips. The sheets beneath you two were pooled with your slick, you couldn’t control your moans anymore –– you knew you were about to give out and cum again any minute now.
Your pussy just squeezes him in right, he could keep fucking you all night. You push against him, fucking yourself on his cock when he starts laughing, “How bad do you want it, baby?”
You roll your hips on him, “I want it… bad.” you mewl.
He presses himself balls deep inside of you just to watch you struggle and grind on him to desperately reach your nth orgasm tonight. He caresses your asscheek when he’s decided he’s had enough fun watching you use him like a fuck toy.
Sunghoon starts thrusting into you again, slow and deep this time, jolting your body forward on the bed with each pump of his dick. When you feel him twitch inside of you, you knew his release was close –– his groans getting louder.
He starts pounding into you again relentlessly, feeling your gummy walls hugging him tight. You could feel him chasing his orgasm. His hand snakes its way to your lower stomach, brushing against the bulge of his bulbous cockhead before he presses down on it. The added pressure made your eyes roll back, gripping onto anything you could.
“Hoon… I’m gonna– I’m gonna cum.” you cry out.
“Then do it.”
You let yourself go, cumming so hard on his cock, you swore you were about to blackout from the feeling of immense pleasure.
He fastens the speed of his thrusts; you feel them become messy and sloppier. You hear his breathing getting ragged when he pulls out, stroking himself as thick ropes of sticky, white, cum spill onto your ass. You lay still on the mattress, still panting when Sunghoon finishes milking out every drop of cum.
Sunghoon uses the back of his hand to wipe off the sweat dripping down his forehead, “Wait,” he breathes out, promptly leaving the room to come back with a towel. He cleans you up when you start chuckling out loud.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, moving your hair out of your face.
“No, it’s just I haven’t had good sex in a while.” you giggle.
Confused, he asks, “Wait but, haven’t you…”
“Me and Jake never had sex.” you confessed.
Sunghoon’s eyes widened, “But– I heard you… in his room–”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you look at him, face puzzled, “Maybe we were watching a movie?”
He decides to drop the topic and just be glad instead. He wraps his arms around you and pulls you closer to him, “I wish I’d done something sooner.”
Snug against his arms, you chirp, “Well, why didn’t you? I was throwing hints all the time!”
Now Sunghoon didn’t know this, “...what do you mean ‘throwing hints?’”
You playfully slap against his chest, “Freshman and sophomore year I was waiting for you to make a move but you never did! So I just assumed you didn’t like me like that and tried to move on…”
One thing about Sunghoon was: he wasn’t really good with social cues. He was always in his own little bubble doing his own thing. But now that he thinks about it, you were pretty obvious –– it just didn’t click to him back then.
The two of you ended up dozing off after talking for hours, and before you knew it, the sun was up again.
Both of you were awoken by a couple of hard knocks at your door.
Sunghoon yawns, “Who’s at your door this early?”
Half-awake, you slip into some clothes you find scattered on the floor, “I’m not sure, maybe a package I ordered?” You rub your eyes, “These FedEx guys always deliver packages so early.”
You quickly leave the room to see who’s at your apartment door. While waiting, Sunghoon props himself up against your headboard, reaching for his phone. He placed a hand behind his head while he started scrolling through his missed notifications. For some reason, Sunghoon felt like he was forgetting something –– he wasn’t sure what.
Something was off, but he couldn’t quite pin what it was. Was he just being paranoid? He bagged the girl of his dreams, he just had amazing sex, and now he’s waiting for you in your bed shirtless, boxers on.
He tries to run through his mental to-do list in his head: he already submitted his assignments, it’s the weekend so he doesn’t have any classes, his rent isn’t due till next month, he did his laundry yesterday –– so why did he feel like he was forgetting something?
Sunghoon hears your voice echo throughout the apartment, “Jake! What are you doing here?”
Oh shit.
kay's note: r/amitheasshole which one of them do you think is the biggest asshole: sunghoon, jake, reader, or all of them, cause i was lowkey thinking about it myself but i'm not too sure either
summary: zuko watched iroh grow weaker with each day, guilt settling heavier in his chest knowing he couldn’t fulfill his uncle’s final wish: to see him married. but between rebuilding a nation and his royal duties, marriage felt like another burden — until, after countless sleepless nights, zuko finally came up with a solution that would keep iroh smiling a little longer.
warnings: mdni, 18+ content, smut, fem!reader, morally questionable!reader, inexperienced!zuko, experienced!reader, fake marriage, awkward intimacy, “you said this was fake so why are you looking at me like that” typa fic, jealousy, touch starvation, flirting, banter, palace drama, zuko has issues, reader also has issues, together they become everyone else’s problem.
author notes: zuko deserves romance, emotional support, therapy, peace and unfortunately i am giving him none of those things for now ✌️my bad gang.
❝ in which, you underestimated just how deeply you still felt for the hot-headed fire lord.
( or where you're both idiots and you've finally gotten a potential chance. )
pairing : adult!zuko x reader
genre : a little angsty, yearning "friends" to ??
warnings : your honour they are both idiots, talks about marriage, maybe very ooc because it's been years since i watched atla and this was purely fueled by seeing adult zuko and my #thirst for him...this arose after me being in the trenches on not opening a draft since YEARS.....i am not even sure abt this one pls read with a grain of salt </3 also inbox is open for ideas and thirsting :D
w.c : 4k
You contemplated whether or not you’d made the right choice showing up at Republic City.
It totally wasn’t because you were obligated to show up, having been personally sent an invitation by the Avatar himself.
The Avatar who was one of your closest friends, along with the rest of them. And honestly, a huge part of you wanted to see them in person once Aang had mentioned how everyone else was also going to come. It had been years alright, since you saw any of them, since you’d last seen him.
Your friendship went back to your pre-teen years, when you’d met them at the tender age of twelve back when they were passing by your village. It was not like you were some extraordinary kid, in fact, you were a non bender. But somehow, friendship struck with Katara when she stumbled into you at the market looking lost and soon enough, the rest of them even warmed up to you.
Needless to say, you knew you were always the type to want to travel and never settle in one place, that part of your life still being evident when even after you finished the whole journey of bringing peace into the world, you still had the desire to continue going beyond and learning more from everywhere.
And maybe perhaps, this was one of the reasons, you never really acted on your feelings.
“You made it!” It wasn’t even a few minutes since you’d step into the city, which flourished with all kinds of things happening all at once, perhaps it was because of the occasion of the ‘reunion’ but nonetheless, you had a hunch this was just how it was even on the tamest of days, when you heard her.
You didn’t even try to stifle the wide grin on your face as you spun around to face Katara. Before you could even say anything, she embraced you in one of her hugs. Still the same, you thought as she hugged you tighter which made you giggle as you both stumbled a little.
“ ‘course I did, you did threaten me afterall. But always a delight to see you Tara.” You pulled away gently, standing a tad bit taller than her, even though there was a time she was taller than you. She looked as beautiful as ever, the years really making her even more beautiful than you remembered as you scanned her face. She had that glow on her face which made you grin even more when you realised who might have caused that.
“Where’s your little boyfriend hm? Didn’t even care to come and welcome me?”
The blush on her cheeks made you chuckle even more, these two had been together for years and yet you could still tease her about it and she would still be blushing, it was cute.
“Of course you expect that of me.” You heard him before you saw him, as you turned around to face Aang who had a playful scoff on his face. No longer stood the scrawny short boy who was just a few inches below your shoulder. Aang looked as if puberty decided to reward him in the best ways possible as he now stood taller than you, and somehow looked broader as well? Maybe it wasn't just that, perhaps a certain someone *cough* Katara *cough* also was a reason he'd aged gracefully.
“I wonder how you are taller than me now, shorthead.” The nickname still stuck as he also embraced you in a hug and despite knowing he had definitely matured, the mischievous sparkle in his eyes showed that there was still that Aang you'd known within.
“You know, the nickname doesn't really work anymore? Considering I am now WAY taller.” To add to his statement, he pointed out the difference by waving his hand above your head to which you rolled your eyes and flicked his forehead, “Yeah not happening, you're still the same to me.”
Katara chuckled at your antics and shook her head. She was just glad she could finally meet one of her best friends who she had been wanting to meet for so long. Even when she remembered, trying to make you stay behind with her and Aang, deep inside she knew you were someone who wanted to go way beyond. She had that sense since the minute she met you. And more so, when you agreed to come with them during that time so readily.
“How's gran doing?” She recalled your grandmother, the one who actually was the reason behind the way you were. It was in fact, her stories of the world and the very many tales of people and places that made you want to go and see these fantasies in real life.
“Oh you know, same old, same old. I told her to come with me here but she insisted that you all come and visit her.” Katara nodded at your words and chuckled again, knowing how the conversation probably played out.
“Is that who I think it is?!” The scream already said enough as to who it was and before you could even look at him, he jumped right onto you. “I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU'RE ACTUALLY HERE.”
And classic Sokka, who completely forgets that he's not the same as he was when you could handle his hugs without toppling over. So, as he did come to hug you, you both toppled over to the ground. Groaning you tried your best to wrap your arms around him, but again it seemed puberty also somehow managed to make him even more buffer.
“Oh Go- can’t- breat-” You could hear Aang and Tara laughing as you glared at the two when you could feel your neck getting wet from Sokka…crying?
“Are you crying??”
“n-No!”
“I'm still alive and here and I feel that might just change in a few moments.” Your last few words came out in groans as you tried to not feel crushed.
Sokka was probably the one who you got along with the most, one of the main reasons being of course, that you two were both non-benders. So a lot of your own thoughts and feelings are aligned in those matters. But despite that, you'd still have your own differences, even then so you managed to get along the most with him.
“You're literally crushing her, stupid.” And there were only two people who you knew that would sound both rude and concerned at the same time.
“Sorry!” You looked at him as you both got up, dusting off whatever had stuck to you in the process and somehow, you think that he was the one who remained the most unchanged.
“It's fine, I missed you too idiot.” You laughed as you pulled out a handkerchief that was tucked in your pocket, which he gladly took and you shook your head. The other two came over and helped him compose himself as though he truly couldn't find better words. It had been way too long since he talked to you, and somehow he couldn't find the words.
“Nice to see you too Toph.” You grinned even more as you stopped closer to her, and even knowing how much physical touch was a bit of a hit or miss with her, you went near her, to which as she could sense you closer, she showed one of her rare smiles and opened her arms.
Damn I did really miss out on their glowups huh?! And where did mine disappear too?!
Despite Toph also being shorter and way lankier as a kid, she has gotten quite buff and now stood at a similar height to you.
Even though you didn't feel that different physically, the rest of your friends thought quite the opposite. Afterall, doing something you truly desire and doing it for a long time does change you mentally but physically as well. You glowed and carried that sort of confidence that only comes when you're truly someone who's grounded within yourself. It came off from your whole body language and even as Toph hugged you, she sensed a whole different yet same being from the skeptical but brave little girl she'd known.
You pulled away and finally looked at all four of them, their happiness radiating as they finally got to see everyone back together. Well not everyone. At least not to you yet.
Having met the four of them, there remained only one. And somehow, you had very mixed feelings for this one. Not because you didn't like him or so but it bordered on quite the opposite actually.
Even after all the years of being away, it seemed you were back in your pre-teens, harboring the crush that bloomed over time for Zuko as even the mere thought of him, even at that very moment, seemed to quicken your heartbeat more than ever.
This time, you saw him before he even said a word, your eyes scanning over the others and landing on him before he saw you.
The rest of them were talking, to you, to each other but your attention was forcing you to find him and then you finally did.
And Oh Dear God.
Back when you were that daydreamer, you thought your crush was solely on the fact that Zuko was probably one of the most attractive guys you'd ever interacted with. Sure, he had his own fair share of…issues, yet somehow as you grew up with him in that time, you could see him change. And that change itself made him more and more attractive to you.
You didn't think it was possible for him to get even more fucking attractive but there he stood.
He looked way taller, broader, more well kept with his hair even longer. His scar added just more awe to his whole being as you scanned him head to toe. He always had that authoritative aura and it seemed being Fire Lord was really working out for him, after all he was born for this. It didn't really go unnoticed as Aang and Katara gave you a side-eye to which Toph only raised her eyebrows in amusement as she picked up your racing heartbeat.
“And did you finally spot your true love?” Your attention turned to Toph as she held that knowing smirk on her face to which you glared and side-elbowed her.
It wasn't exactly hidden, your feelings for Zuko, at least not from everyone but him. Somehow you had been able to disguise them whenever he was around but the others did figure it out eventually. Even Sokka for that matter.
Speaking of, he came up next to you and immediately pulled you in another side hug, “I still cannot believe you finally came. We all thought you were probably somewhere very far away considering you didn't reply to any of our letters in the past few months.”
You let him be clingy, because well, really you missed it a lot. Nodding you replied, “I do have all your letters, and I figured it would be better to surprise you instead.”
Over time, you'd send them letters with the places of where you'd be staying so they could also send theirs and you kept every single one of them.
As you turned to face Sokka as he rambled on about how much you'd missed out on, while Aang and Katara filled in between the conversation with Toph also giving her inputs occasionally, you didn't notice another person walking over.
Zuko stood a few feet away and just waited. As he waited, he really looked at you. It had been so long since he's seen you, he didn't even realise just how much he…missed you.
You'd changed. You'd changed in ways he didn't even think you would but you were still as…beautiful as ever. You looked happier and it was very much visible with the twinkle in your eyes as you spoke and gestured.
His own heartbeat picked up in pace as he realised the stupid infatuation he felt for you as a teen, wasn't actually ever gone. Over the years, he felt it likely faded away, despite the fact that whenever he did get a letter for you, he treasured them and kept them in a box hidden away in his chambers. Despite the fact that it was what he always looked forward to and made sure they were given to him privately. Despite the fact that he never took off the necklace you'd gotten him as a departing gift from before you all split, because it felt you were always there with him.
Oh he never really got over it.
“Ah you creep, stop staring and come greet her.” It was Toph who sensed him first, everyone's attention going to Zuko while you looked up and slightly froze.
Embarrassed to have been caught like this, he walked a few steps and glared at Toph, scoffing, “I was coming over.”
“Sure you were, you were totally not star-”
“Hi.”
You didn't think one word would have such an effect on you but you blinked twice before clearing your throat.
“He-hey.”
“How have you been? It's uhm- great to see you again.”
In that moment, you cursed at yourself internally for not being able to simply speak. You were mortified because it felt like all the feelings that you'd been harbouring were clogging up your throat and really you wanted to just go to him and ki-
“Great. Good. I've been well. And you?”
I can't believe I am seeing you again, I didn't realise I'd been wanting to see you this badly and now that you're in front of me, I cannot find the words.
“I've been great too.”
I wish I told you everything, but I couldn't because it would mean making a choice and I can't do that to you. I thought I was over you, I thought I could be over you, but I simply can't. I missed you.
Honestly to an outsider it was very much obvious. Your flushed faces, the awkward body language, the darting eyes. You clearly never got over each other and indeed, in idiocy, never even told each other.
Sighing, it was Sokka who broke the 5 second awkward silence, “Alright you two love birds-” Standing beside him, you also gave him a hard hit to his side with your elbow while Zuko glared at him hard enough to almost send a fireball at him.
“Right! So now that we've all met! Why don't I show you your chambers so you can rest a bit before dinner?” Of course, the ever considerate host that she was, Katara grabbed your hand and pulled you away, your luggage already being taken care of as she took you to your temporary chambers.
As you walked away. Zuko stared off in your direction while Aang came closer to him, "I've never seen you so speechless. It's kinda hilarious.”
Rolling his eyes, he folded his arms and looked at him, “Shut up.”
“You sooo still have a crush awww, wittle Zuko never got over his teenage crush awww~” Sokka ducked as he laughed when a fireball was thrown in his direction. He knew the risk of teasing the ever so hot headed fire bender but he took it.
It wasn't like they didn't try to set you both up. In fact, it was a major agenda once they all figured out everything was mutual. All they had to do was set the final stone. However, it was rationally decided that you were both adults (Katara and Toph mostly.) and there was only so much a third party could intervene. Clearly whatever it was, it would be up to you both to figure it out.
“You're still not over him, are you miss ‘I left it all in the immature years of my life.’?”
You couldn't even find yourself to feel annoyed, still in a haze at having encountered him.
And oh boy was this gonna be tougher than you thought.
[ time skip to dinner ]
You didn't want to admit you'd gotten a bit more dressed up than usual. It was definitely for the occasion of celebrating and not because of well. Yeah, the symbolic colours of different shades of red and orange weren't…a sign, you didn't exactly pick it out yourself. It was more of Katara.
“I hope I'm not too late.” You stood beside your reserved seat, in between Toph and Sokka with Katara beside Aang and Zuko in front of you. You greeted everyone with a skeptical smile, trying not to let your nerves get the best of you, sitting down and pulling your gown along.
And as usual, he looked finer than ever. His hair is styled perfectly with his gold emblem on top. You didn't think long hair would ever suit a guy this well but then again this was Zuko.
And the colours didn't go unnoticed, Katara beaming at you as you sat down with Aang and Sokka side eyeing you in suspicion as they looked between you and Katara. It was definitely her idea alright. Zuko couldn't keep his eyes off you the moment you walked in, having to blink several times to make sure this wasn't some dream, because it indeed felt like the ones he had when the small part of him that always yearned for you, that he tried to suppress, was vividly imagining you being in front of him.
He never truly appreciated red, until he saw it on you at that very moment.
“Now that you're here, we should eat!” Clapping her hands, she pointed out the various foods, plenty of them being everyone's favourites. Your eyes lit up even more when you spotted your favourite foods, Zuko who hadn’t looked anywhere else also smiled a little as he pushed the dish in your general direction.
And as usual, it was unnoticed by you but noticed by all.
“So, what have you truly been up to?” It was said by Aang after a while, when you had a somewhat flow of eating and coordinating the food around.
“Oh you know, going from here and there, learning, seeing mostly.”
“Seeing others, hm?” Sokka nudged you, wanting to know the actual tea that he’d been anticipating, but also wanting to slightly stir things up.
Slurping the noodles, you turned towards him and narrowed your eyes, “No…not exactly but also like,”
Pausing, you realize maybe it wasn’t truly the best idea to spill about your…existent slash none existent love life in front of the one who unknowingly caused it to be all over the place in the first place.
Zuko tried to act normal, but if looked at a bit more closely, you could see the discomfort in the usual composure he had going on. He definitely needed more alcohol for wherever this conversation was heading towards.
“Like?”
“Well..you see it’s just,”
Toph insisted in between, picking up your spike in your heart pace, now suddenly even more intrigued.
You contemplated if this was truly the right point to say what you didn’t mention to them, even in your letters and since you met them. It wasn’t exactly all of them the problem, the problem was in front of you, as he gazed at you in curiosity which you tried to ignore.
Sighing, you figured it was better to let the cat out of the bag sooner than later and from you rather than anyone else, “I wasn’t exactly dating, it was more of me seeing…suitors. So I wouldn’t really count that as you know, dating.”
You avoided eye contact with everyone as Sokka gasped in his weird dramatic way as if you just told them life changing news. In a way it was, because this was never mentioned to any of them. You didn’t notice how Zuko suddenly got tense, his lips twitching into a slow frown.
Clearing out your throat once more, you explained, “It is more of gran’s wish really, she insists I settle down and get married, because she somewhat wants to see me getting married before eventually her age catches up to her. And i- i mean i guess I sort of agree? I- i am not gonna get any younger anyway.”
Marriage wasn’t something you considered a goal, it was more of something you would do in life once you felt like it. And over the years, you decided you wouldn’t settle for just about anyone. Hence, you also didn’t see any harm in seeing the type of suitors that existed, most of them being thrust upon by your grandma.
But also, it felt even more like a joke seeing that you looked in them for traits that were his. Too arrogant, too scaredish, too shy, too boring. None of them till date fit any of the so-called standards you mentally had. None of them were Zuko.
If you couldn’t have him in this lifetime, maybe you could have the closest version to him. Yet, no one was even close. This was a feeble attempt to actually get past it but it failed severely.
He took another shot of whatever alcohol was in front of him, the burn in his throat going in parallel with the burn that slowly crept in his chest. Meanwhile, you continued to avoid his line of sight. Katara’s eyes darted between you two, and had an…idea. Maybe it was finally time to push you both somewhere.
“Oh, ooh, I know- you can totally see suitors from here!”
“What?” “What.” “Uh-”
“Oh come on, this city has plenty of great guys! Heck, probably better than whoever you have seen so far, so what’s the harm?” Okay, maybe a bit of a stretch. But she knew if she wanted to kill two birds with one stone, she’d have to exaggerate perhaps a little. Or a lot.
With a questioning gaze, you momentarily forgot about your food, “Really?”
“Duh of course! In fact, I shall gladly introduce you to a few tomorrow.”
You did not really like the scheming that was going on, you could tell it was scheming just by looking at her. You narrowed your eyes further in suspicion.
Before you could speak up, Zuko cleared his throat loudly, “I- I uh think, I’ll call it a night. It was good catching up but I think I should go now.”
It was very abrupt as he stood up, one of his fists clenched up as if he was trying to control himself. His emotions.
It wasn’t just the alcohol getting to his head, it was also how his stupid thoughts drifted off to imagining you with some other guy, getting married and all that stupidness. He needed to breathe.
And with that, he left the table and wandered off, preferably somewhere he didn’t have to hear about your potential husband, or whatever.
How could you even prefer him? He was…difficult. He had several issues and it took him years just to accept that it just made him into who he was. And it wasn’t like you could ever look at him in that way. He was one of your close friends. He had a chance to spill it all, way long ago but alas his own cowardness got in the way, and he came to a realization that he did not want to ruin your friendship for a fickle crush.
You continued to look in the direction Zuko went. It was so spontaneous and even more weird that you felt…guilty about it.
“Go!” You didn’t even grasp that you’d been frozen until Toph shook you. “You should go after him.”
You turned to face them, Katara looking at you with encouragement as Aang and Sokka also got a realisation that this was somewhat a set-up. Well by Katara atleast.
Taking a deep breath, you stood up. Wondering if you were making the right choice.
How easily some moments could change the simple trajectory of your existence.
a/n : THERE WILL BE A PT 2 I PROMISE THERE IS A CLEAR VISION TO IT. IT IS THERE AND IT WILL BE POSTED. i cannot lie, i have gone through all stages of grief as i wrote and contemplated publishing this so if this is ass pls do not tell me <3 (im kidding hahahhaahah) pls lmk if this made any sense tbh because once again, this is purely fueled by me thinking about zuko on a daily basis once i saw the leaks of the movie and ohmygosh they all look so fine i cannotttt. i have an idea for a modern au but i have never really even written for this fandom so....urm lmk what you think now i shall go back to studying for my finals which is legit in 3 days mind you :D kay bye love you <3
all written works as well as images and edits (unless credited) belong to pri. do not plagiarise, repost, re-edit or claim as yours. pics mostly found on pinterest.
when FIRELORD ZUKO takes a liking to AVATAR AANG'S mysterious new BRIDE.
TORN BETWEEN TWO ROADS ! — aang x reader x zuko
PLOT. republic city is finally at peace, and for once, katara allows herself to hope—maybe now, after everything, she and aang can finally become something real. but when aang returns after eight months, he isn’t alone. he comes back with you at his side, introducing you as his wife. suspicious yet helpless, his friends do their best to welcome you, even as nothing about this sudden marriage makes sense. but while everyone else keeps their distance, one person doesn’t. and perhaps Zuko gets a little too comfortable with the avatar’s new wife.
CHARACTERS. AANG and ZUKO.
CHAPTER WARNINGS. 18+, mdni, smut, angst, hurt with comfort, small argument (i don't think it even counts), penetration sex, no protection (do they even have protection?), my own version of plan b used, pregnancy talks, slightly insecure reader (regarding katara), takes place 10 years after atla, age gaps, reader is 21, established relationship, fem reader, atla spoilers, no spoilers for legend of aang, kinda proofread.
(please check the story masterlist for the story warnings.)
WC. 6.3k.
masterlist : story masterlist
chapter three
a/n: i did end up splitting the chapter, so this one is alllllllll aang <3
p.s: was my ass too dramatic and delusional in this chapter. or am i just a sucker for a yearning aang?
"Hahh ! Hahh !"
A frantic jerk of his hips met every mewl that escaped your lips. His palms, warm and desperate, pressed against you to anchor you to him, driving himself upward.
Your thighs ached, muscles straining as you pressed your legs tightly around his abdomen to maintain your balance. You moved atop him with a swaying grace, your palms flat against his chest.
"Ahh! Aang!"
Your voice was a plea. Reaching down, you caught his hands, guiding them from your waist to your breasts. You squeezed the soft weight of yourself, imploring him to keep his touch there.
"Does it- does it f-feel good?"
Your question broke in the air as you easily found a rhythm, your body struggling to accommodate the fullness of him, the heat of his presence soaking into you.
"Yes! Ahh! Please!"
His response was just as fractured, his composure long since surrendered to the warmth of you.
His hands weighed down on you, smoothing over the swell of your breasts as his fingers rolled rhythmically around the peaks. The friction was searing and intense; it felt as though it were burning through your very bones.
Then, as his hands left your skin to brace firmly against your hips once more, you understood clearly. Aang was on the precipice, teetering on the very brink of his breaking point.
"Are you close? Hahh! Ngh-! Please! Please tell me- Ah! tell me you're close!"
Aang is beseeching, his groans turning mindless as he slurs.
"N-no, my love. Not y-yet."
Your answer only makes things worse for Aang, seeing as how he was close to exploding, the fire within him getting smaller and tighter till the space could no longer contain the heat.
"Please! I can't-! Can't hold on- Ohh!"
His warnings were futile the moment his head was thrown back into the pillow, legs folding up as his thighs came up, letting you support yourself on them, back arching momentarily.
You could feel him crammed inside you, his release warm as his whines grew, eyes begging as they opened again, meeting yours in desperation.
"Ohh! Oh! T-too much!"
You continued your movements, the muscles burning in your legs as you doubled your force, your fingers quick and nimble as they reached between your thighs, aiding you in your own release by adding pressure to your nerves.
"Oh spirits! Please! I can't!"
Aang groans, eyes screwing shut as his fingers dig into your flesh, gripping tighter than the coil currently building in your stomach.
"Just one more...please, my love..." you gasped, your voice trembling with the weight of your impending climax.
"Give me j-just one more."
Aang couldn't find words; he could only offer a frantic, desperate nod as he heaves. He let out a low, guttural moan, his hips stuttering upward to meet your descent even though he had already spent himself.
The friction was overwhelming as you rode the peak of your desire, seeking the shattering release against the velvet warmth of him.
Then finally, the world splintered into light. You arched your back, crying out his name, the waves of pleasure crashing over you.
In the wake of your release, the heightened sensitivity of his body betrayed him; caught in the throes of your ecstasy, Aang felt the pull of a second wave.
With a choked sob of pleasure, he surged into you once more, his body shuddering as he surrendered to another release.
Silence eventually reclaimed the room, save for the ragged synchronicity of your breathing.
As the haze began to lift, you leaned forward. Looking down, you saw him flushed a deep, beautiful crimson, his chest heaving beneath you. His eyes remained blown wide, dazed and exhausted.
A soft chuckle escaped your lips as you lowered your head to rest on his chest, remaining perched atop him in the quiet aftermath.
"Wow," you murmured, tracing the line of his collarbone, "you held out for a lot longer this time..."
"Ouch," Aang breathed, sounding as though you had delivered a stinging rebuke rather than a compliment, though a lopsided grin tugged at his mouth.
You chuckled again, lifting your gaze to meet his dazed expression.
"This takes me back to our first time." You teased, shifting your weight to sit upright once more, your silhouette framed by the dim light.
A groan vibrated through him, and he brought his arms up to shield his eyes from your playful reminiscing.
"Ugh...do not remind me..."
You chuckled at him, leaning forward to place a brief kiss to his cheek.
"Come, let us get cleaned up," you commanded gently.
But Aang merely sank deeper into the pillows, his limbs seemingly made of lead.
"Need a minute..." he pleaded, his voice thick with the lethargy.
"Very well," you conceded.
As you pulled yourself free from his embrace, a small, wounded whine escaped Aang at the loss of your warmth.
But before you could retreat, his arms snaked around your waist, pulling you off balance as you sit once again.
"Rest for a while," he muttered into your skin.
You gave a mock huff, leaning back against his strength.
"I cannot! I have to clean myself and have my tea."
"So many rules..." he sulks, though his grip loosened, allowing you to slip away.
From the tangled sheets, he watched you walk away, his eyes trailing the graceful lines of your bare form.
He noted with a flicker of bewilderment how steady your gait remained, entirely unbothered by the exertion.
Pouting faintly, he let out a huff, unable to understand how you could remain so effortlessly composed while he felt utterly undone.
Once you had finished cleaning up, Aang had followed after you once you vacated the bathroom, moving to clean himself as well. You had quickly asked a maid who was walking past your room to have a hot water and a cup delivered.
As you waited, you retrieved the box of tea leaves, opening it with practiced ease before measuring out a small portion into the infuser. The delicate sphere clicked shut just as a soft knock sounded at the door.
The maid entered without delay, placing the tray upon the table across the room, and you offered her a brief word of thanks before she excused herself just as quickly.
Crossing the room, you set the infuser into the cup and lifted the kettle, pouring the steaming water over it, watching as the color slowly unfurled into the liquid, deepening with each passing second.
You brought the cup to your lips after a few minutes, turning to rest back against the table, the edge pressing lightly into your lower back while you took a careful sip.
The bathroom door opened behind you, and you glanced over your shoulder to find Aang stepping out, a towel secured around his waist as he smoothly walks over to you.
"Does that thing really work?" he asked with a quiet curiosity beneath it. His hand rose to brush a stray strand of hair away from your face before he leaned in to press a kiss to your forehead.
"We have avoided pregnancy thus far," you replied, a faint smile touching your lips. "There is little reason to doubt it now."
Aang only hummed, moving as his shoulder coming to rest beside yours against the table.
"I don't know," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, his thoughts already moving ahead of him.
"Sometimes it feels like...if something is meant to happen, it just will. No matter what you do."
You turned your head slightly toward him, a hint of amusement in your gaze.
"Oh? And you have come to this conclusion just now?"
He huffed a quiet breath, almost sheepish, though his face remained thoughtful.
"Not just now," he said.
"It's just...the way things work sometimes. Like the Avatar."
Your brows drew together faintly. "How so?"
Aang shifted his weight, turning a little more toward you, caught in the trail of his own thoughts.
"I don't think the spirits decide when the next Avatar is born," he said slowly, choosing his words with care and trying to frame his idea correctly.
"I think they wait for it to happen. And when it does...the only thing left is to end the life that came before it."
The words were a lot more heavier than his tone suggested, and you took a few moments to your self to understand what Aang meant.
"So the spirits cannot create life," you said, watching him closely now, "only take it?"
Aang gave an uncertain shrug, his gaze coming to you.
"Maybe," he admitted.
"I don't know if that's the truth...it just feels that way sometimes."
You did not respond immediately, choosing instead to observe him, watching carefully as he turned toward you fully. He looked as though he wanted to say more, a restlessness that had not been there a moment before clear in his eyes.
Before you could make sense of it, he moved, stepping closer until he stood directly in front of you.
You watch him as you lifted the cup once more, intending to take another sip, but his hand came up without warning, stopping the motion midway.
He took the ceramic from your fingers with gently and set it aside on the table beside you, the faint clink of it sounding louder in your mind than it actually did.
"Aang?" you asked, looking up at him, your head tilting as your brows drew together in quiet confusion.
He did not answer.
Instead, he sank to his knees before you, the movement unsuspecting. His arms came around your waist with a weight that felt heavier than his frame allowed one to believe.
His head dropped forward, resting against your stomach, his cheek pressing into the soft fabric of your robe as though seeking refuge within your warmth.
"Why stop life when it is inevitable?" he murmured, his voice almost lost against you.
You inhaled carefully, your hands hovering uncertainly before settling on the edge of the table behind you, bracing yourself against it, both for balance and for thought.
"What are you trying to say, Aang?" you asked, and even though your voice was quieter, it wasn't any less steady.
"I'm not trying to say anything," he replied quickly, though the contradiction lay plainly within the words.
He shifted slightly against you, his grip tightening just a fraction.
"Just...would it be so bad...?"
The implication did not escape you.
You exhaled, your posture easing to allow your weight to rest more fully against the table, your fingers curling against its surface.
"Aang....it was your idea to wait two years."
"I know— I know," he insisted, the words tumbling out, his voice muffled as he pressed closer, hiding his face further against you, avoiding the weight of his own words.
A quiet laugh escaped you despite yourself, your hand lifting to rest on his head.
"What has gotten into you?" you asked, keeping you tone gentle on noticing his hesitant nature.
At that, he pulled away.
The movement was abrupt, and he rose to his full height once more, his hands still stationed at your waist as he looked down at you.
"Everywhere I go," he began, "I see parents with their kids. Teaching them things, guiding them, showing them how the world works. Here, in the Fire Nation, in the Earth Kingdom... everywhere."
For a brief moment, he looked younger. Not the Avatar, just Aang, speaking aloud a dream he had clearly carried for a while.
"And I just think...I'd love that. I'd love to teach someone Air Bending."
The words were out for interpretation, and you nodded slowly, understanding not just the meaning, but where in his heart it had come from.
Then, just as quickly, his expression shifted as his composure faltered, a nervous jitter taking over his face.
"That's not the only reason of course!," he added, his hand rising from your waist to cup your cheek.
"I really do want that life with you."
He was sincere, and you couldn't help but a smile grace your lips.
"I know. But you said you wanted to wait," you reminded him gently, trying not to appear dismissive.
"You said you wanted time for us. To travel, to live, for it to be just us, before anything else."
You continued, anchoring him to his own words.
"And I agreed."
"That is...a reason," Aang admitted, his voice faltering slightly.
"Not the only one..." The rest of his words left unspoken, unsure whether to continue.
You did not let the silence stretch.
"What is the other reason?" you asked, and there was no mistaking the intent behind it, you wanted a clear answer.
Aang sighed, his palm still resting against your cheek, his thumb brushing faintly against your skin.
"I knew that once we settled in Republic City...I wouldn't be able to stay," he said slowly, afraid his admission might offend you.
"Not for long, though. I thought if I gave us those two years, I could figure things out. Make more time and learn how to be around more."
Your expression shifted at that, the weight of a single word settling deeper than the rest.
"What do you mean, you wouldn't be able to stay?" you repeated softly, focusing on the only words that mattered to you.
Aang's gaze flickered, the answer already there, though he hesitated before letting it come.
"Being the Avatar...it doesn't really stop," he said.
"Not after everything that's happened. The world is still healing from the war, and there's always something that needs fixing, somewhere I need to be." His jaw tightened faintly, more so in acceptance and not frustration.
"I knew the time I spent with you...those months away from everything...it would mean I'd have a lot to catch up on."
He paused, the words seemingly no enough for what he was trying to say.
"But I don't regret it," he added firmly.
"Not for a second. It was the first time in a long while that I didn't feel pulled in a hundred different directions. I got to just...be with you."
You listened without interrupting, trying to search beneath the words.
"Were you afraid you'd be an absent father?" you asked after a moment.
Something vulnerable crossed his face then, your words seemed to have pulled at a fear he had already spent far too much time thinking about.
"That's part of it," he admitted, his tone low.
"I thought if I gave it time, that in two years I could sort things out, make sure that when we finally..." His voice trailed off again, words stuck behind his nerves.
His lips pressed together as color rose faintly along his cheeks, betraying the rest of his thought before he could finish it.
Aang stepped closer without a word, his hands bracing against the table behind you, trapping you gently between his arms as he lowered his face into the curve of your neck, hiding the warmth that had crept into his face.
"When it happens..." he murmured against your skin, his voice softer now, less certain but no less sincere.
"...I would be able to take time off, and be there throughout your pregnancy. I want to be there. For everything."
Your breath hitched faintly at that, the words making your heart lurch in your chest before you could steady it.
"Aang..." you whispered, touched by the weight of what he had considered, what he had planned without ever saying it aloud before.
Your hands rose slowly to his shoulders, applying just enough pressure to guide him back. He responded immediately, pulling away, though he did not move far, stopping just enough for your eyes to meet his again, his arms still braced on either side of you.
You lifted your hands to his face then, cupping his cheeks with a gentleness that matched his own earlier touch, holding him there before leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his lips.
You did not pull away immediately, remaining there to feel his warmth linger against your skin while the question you had buried for months finally rose to the surface.
Slowly, you drew back just enough to look at him properly again, your hands still cradling his face.
“How can you love me so much?” you asked, the words leaving you with a tremor you could not conceal.
Aang blinked, very obviously caught off guard by it, and for a moment, he simply shrugged. The gesture was almost boyish with its uncertainty, offering no answer where one was so clearly needed.
Something inside you tightened, the old fear you had tried so desperately to bury beginning to rise again.
"You know," you continued, the undercurrent remaining sharp, "I saw Katara in the city."
The name settled between you, and Aang stilled under its weight, the warmth from moments ago draining quietly from his face.
"I think I understand why you cared for her so deeply."
His expression faltered, the joy draining from it as he searched for a response that just did not come.
And you did not give him time to find one.
"No," you corrected yourself, your voice tightening. "That is not right."
Your eyes held his, unwavering now.
"You love her, don't you?"
He straightened at once, your hands slipping from his face as he reached forward instinctively, his voice breaking through with urgency.
"My love—"
You stepped away before he could finish, the movement cutting him off just as surely as your words had, creating space between you. The table was no longer at your back, nothing to anchor you now except your own resolve.
"I do not understand it," you said, your voice weak as you spoke.
"Back then...I was content. More than that, I was grateful. The man I believed would remain as unrequited love, the one bound to me in a marriage without love, had turned to me and said otherwise."
The words left your lips with difficulty, each one tasting bitter, though you did not stop, the chains circling around your heart loosening in tandem.
"I did not question it." You went on, your composure thinning at the edges.
"I did not allow myself to. I thought if I did, you might remember...where you once stood. Who you once stood beside."
Aang did not move.
"But now," you said, your voice dropping, quieter, more fragile despite your effort to keep it steady, "I know better. I know that you love me."
Your breath came slower now, doing little to steady the rising tension.
"So tell me..." You continued, meeting his gaze fully, refusing to look away, "Why do you love me?"
The question had finally left, feeling as though the weight of it had been physically stripped from your being.
You had felt breathless by the end of your words, despite having spoken so softly. You weren't sure if he had heard you.
Aang had heard every word. Loud and clear.
And he didn't have an answer for you.
"I don't know."
The words landed with a quiet finality, a ringing building in your ear as you fought to keep your expression from breaking.
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"My love..." Aang began, hesitating, the words breaking before he could fully form.
"What?" you cut in, the restraint slipping, your insecurities bleeding through.
"Just say it. Just—" You stopped yourself, feeling yourself falter in spite of your efforts. "Be honest."
Aang held your gaze, and nodded.
"I will be," he said.
"I will be honest and tell you that...for the longest time, when I thought of my future...I saw Katara."
The words landed exactly where you expected them to, yet your jaw still tightened.
This was not new information. You had known it long before this moment, long before you had ever allowed yourself to stand beside him. And yet, hearing it spoken aloud, hearing Aang say it carried a different kind of pain.
"I would think about everything," he continued.
"What our life would look like. How many children we might have. Whether they would take after me, or her. I wondered if they would be Air Benders...or if they would carry her bending instead."
The life he described sounded painfully familiar to him, each word carrying the weight of something he had once wanted with complete certainty.
"I imagined it all. A home, a family...a legacy."
You tried to hold yourself together.
You truly did.
But the tears gathered despite your effort, slipping free before you could stop them, betraying the composure you had fought so hard to maintain.
You saw him shift forward, one step, instinct pulling him toward you, but he stopped himself the moment he caught sight of your expression, the firmness in it enough to make him opt to stay put.
"I can't say those feelings disappeared the moment I met you," he went on, his honesty unwavering even now.
"That wouldn't be true."
You braced yourself, though for what, you were not entirely sure.
"But somehow...they changed," he said, something solemn lined through his voice.
"I didn't notice it at first. But after a while...it was your face I started seeing instead."
Your breath caught again, your gaze lifting back to him, surprise breaking through your sullen face.
"I didn't understand it," he admitted, a faint crease forming between his brows.
"It didn't make sense to me. I felt guilty. I thought...I thought I had betrayed her somehow."
Saying it aloud appeared to unravel him slightly, guilt threading deeper through his words.
"I knew what she felt. I knew she cared about me in the same way, and I couldn't stop thinking that choosing you would hurt her."
He exhaled slowly, the sound heavier than before, his thoughts gathering again before he continued.
"I never figured out when it changed. Or why..." his voice was more subdued now.
"I wish I could say it was something simple...that I saw you once and just knew. Like it was love at first sight. But it wasn't like that." His lips curved faintly, but there was no humor behind it.
"I didn't even realize it was happening until it already had."
He takes a step forward, still hesitant in approaching you, even after you had evidently let your guard down.
"For a while, I thought something was wrong with me," he added, the memory clearly carrying equal parts guilt and fondness.
"I kept finding reasons to be around you. Every moment I had, I wanted to spend it with you." A faint breath escaped him, almost a quiet laugh at himself.
"I even thought maybe you had done something to me. Some kind of...spell. That I couldn't stop thinking about you no matter how hard I tried."
"Aang..."
"I can tell you the truth," Aang said at last, the hesitation gone.
"I can't stop caring for Katara, or any of my friends."
The admission did not waver.
"But I can also tell you this," he continued, taking a step toward you, closing the distance making you draw your eyes upward.
"I love you."
You felt it then, not just by the words alone, but in the way he said them as he stood before you, stripped of everything except what he felt.
"I tried to deny it."
The words continued spilling from him now that he had finally allowed them out.
"Back then, I kept telling myself it was still her. That I just needed time, that I was confused. That we were only married in name, that it would pass." His gaze dropped, unable to hold yours.
"But it didn't. It was already too late."
He drew in a breath, though it did little to steady what came next.
"I'm sorry I can't give you a straight answer," he admitted, the helplessness in his voice sounding crueler to himself than it ever could to you.
"I wish I could explain it properly. I wish I could make it make sense."
His hand lifted unconsciously, pressing against his chest, fingers curling into his skin of his left side.
"All I know is...when I thought about leaving you...I—"
The words faltered as his breath hitched, his hand tightening against himself.
"When I tried to forget what I felt for you..." he continued, though the sentence strained, breaking under its own weight.
You stepped closer without thinking, your concern rising faster than you could contain it.
"Aang...?"
He swallowed hard, his voice breaking as he forced the words out.
"I thought it would kill me."
The confession broke something open.
"Aang!" you cried, the restraint shattering entirely as you closed the distance between you, your arms wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him into you without hesitation.
He bent into you, his posture folding slightly, his arms tightening around your waist as he held onto you with a quiet desperation, his breath uneven against your neck.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, the words rough and strained beneath everything he had been trying to hold back.
"I'm sorry I can't assure you more than that..."
"No," you said quickly, your voice trembling.
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry." You pulled back enough to look at him, your hands rising to his face, wiping at the tears you had not noticed until now.
"I'm sorry to have doubted you. I'm sorry, Aang."
Your touch softened as you held him there, your gaze steady despite the tears still clinging to your lashes.
"I love you," you said quietly.
His breath steadied just enough to answer.
"I love you," he replied, with no hesitation, as he leaned forward, closing the space between you in a kiss that carried everything he had failed to explain.
When you pulled back, the tension that had filled the room had softened.
"Thank you for being honest," you said, your composure returning with a smile.
Aang only nodded, the motion simple as his gaze remained on you a moment longer before he noticed the way your eyes slipped away, a faint shyness settling over your expression.
"What is it?" he asked, curious at your sudden timidness.
You hesitated for a second, then spoke bashfully.
"It seems my way of speaking has begun to influence you," you said, a small smile forming despite everything that had just passed.
"I must admit...it was rather nice to hear you speak like that."
Aang's lips curved into that familiar grin at once, flashing his teeth at you.
"Oh?" he teased, his arms slipping around you again, drawing you closer with an ease that returned as naturally as his breath.
"But if I keep talking like that, I won't be the same guy you fell in love with, will I?"
"No," you replied, looking up at him, your chin resting lightly against his chest as your smile tenderly. "You won't."
And then you perk up as you remember something, leaving his grasp as you held onto his hands.
"Were you serious about us...trying for a child?" you asked at last, the uncertainty in your voice betraying how carefully you had been holding the question back.
Aang's grin appeared instantly.
"Nahhh."
You stared at him flatly.
One look at your face had him straightening immediately.
"I mean—no! Wait, that's not what I meant." He laughed nervously, hands lifting in surrender before he hurried to explain himself.
"I was serious. I swear I was serious." His voice softened after the brief panic, honesty slipping back in easily.
"It's just...something I've been thinking about a lot lately, and I wanted to tell you instead of keeping it in my head forever."
You watched him carefully, waiting for the rest.
"And," he continued, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "I do hope that someday we'll have a lot of kids."
Your brows lifted slightly.
"Really?" you asked. "And how many exactly is 'a lot' to the Avatar?"
Aang considered it with alarming sincerity.
"Maybe five."
The silence that followed was almost laughable.
Slowly—very slowly—you turned your head to look at him properly, disbelief written so plainly across your face that even Aang began to look uncertain.
"Are you serious?"
The worst part was that he still looked completely genuine.
"Yeah," he answered simply.
You stepped away from him at once, crossing the room in long strides until you reached the abandoned cup of tea resting on the table.
Behind you, Aang blinked in shock before scrambling after you.
"H-Hey!" he called, half laughing already.
"You have finally managed to frighten me," you say with a sharp exhale, lifting the forgotten tea and drinking the rest in one go despite how cold it had become.
At that, Aang broke into loud laughter, following after you without hesitation.
"Isn't that cold by now?" he asked between amused breaths.
"It still serves its purpose."
That only made him laugh harder.
"Seriously though," he said, still smiling as he came to stand beside you, his fingers moving thoughtfully against his chin, "is five really that crazy?"
You looked at him in complete disbelief.
"You have my full permission to take a second wife."
Aang gasped dramatically.
"Wow," he said, placing a hand over his chest. "That's so considerate of you, my love."
The teasing barely left his mouth before your palm smacked against his chest.
He only laughed louder as it settled between you, fading naturally, the warmth of it lingered in the room even after the sound itself disappeared.
Aang's smile softened first, eyebrows knitting together before he finally spoke again.
"I can't give you a child right now," he admitted, his voice low once more. "I'm sorry."
Your gaze lifted to him immediately, the apology catching you off guard.
"It's alright, Aang," you assured softly. "I want to wait."
"I know," he said quickly, though there was still strain beneath the words.
"It's just..." His shoulders dropped slightly, exhaustion surfacing through the cracks again.
"I don't know how long you'll have to wait."
You frowned at that.
"What do you mean?"
Aang hesitated for only a second, deciding in that moment to come clean to you and share matters that he definitely shouldn't be speaking of.
"The reason I've been here for the past month is because..." He exhaled slowly, rubbing at the back of his neck yet again forcing the words out.
"The Fire Nation is getting close to a civil war."
The cup nearly slipped from your fingers, and you set it aside before it actually does.
"What?"
"I didn't know how bad things were before I brought you here," he continued quickly.
"If I had known sooner, I never would've asked you to come." His expression tightened, his own regret seeping through.
"Yesterday's meeting was the first time I realized how serious it actually is."
"How serious?" you questioned, your attention entirely fixed on him now as your worry became obvious.
"There hasn't been violence yet," Aang answered, the reassurance coming with little comfort.
"They're still trying to negotiate, and that's a good sign. I'm hoping it stays that way."
"And how long will it take to resolve?"
Aang shook his head.
"I honestly don't know. There are groups rising against Zuko's rule, and every time one issue settles, another pops up somewhere else."
"What do they want?"
Aang let out a breath through his nose.
"He won't tell me."
Your brows pulled together sharply.
"What do you mean he won't tell you? You're the Avatar."
"I know," Aang replied, running a hand over his face.
"I'm supposed to keep balance between the nations, but this..." He paused, struggling to articulate it properly.
"This is different. It's not one nation threatening another. It's a rebellion growing inside the Fire Nation. I don't know how far I'm supposed to step in. And it's harder because Zuko's my friend."
"If you cannot help directly," you said carefully, "then what have you been doing here for a month?"
Aang leaned back against the table, weariness finally becoming visible in full.
"I've been helping him gather allies," he admitted. "Meeting old friends. Talking to leaders across the nations."
You stared at him in disbelief.
"He has the Avatar running errands?"
That earned the faintest huff of laughter from him.
"It sounds bad when you say it like that," he muttered.
"But people trust me. They trust what Team Avatar built after the war. I'm just trying to use that trust to help him."
"And then what?" you pressed softly. "How does any of this end?"
Aang went quiet.
For a long moment, he said nothing at all, his eyes lowering toward the floor before his hand came up to clutch at the side of his head, exhaustion creeping into his countenance.
"I don't know," he admitted honestly. "Right now, I really don't know." Then his eyes lifted to yours again.
"And honestly? I don't want to think about it tonight."
"Aang..."
"I'm just glad you're here," he interrupted gently, the tension in him easing the moment he looked at you properly.
"Where I can see you. Where I know you're safe."
Your chest ached, but you smiled nonetheless.
"I'm glad I'm here too," you answered earnestly.
The heaviness lingered in the room still, just as suffocatingly, and after a brief silence, you decided to pull him away from it before his thoughts start to spiral.
"Aang?" you hummed lightly, your voice carrying something sweeter now.
"Hm?" he answered absentmindedly.
"Do you realize..." Your smile widened slowly. "You are still standing here in nothing but a towel?"
Aang blinked.
"Oh yeah—"
His sentence cut off abruptly into a startled yelp.
"Hey!"
Your laugh rang through the room the moment your fingers tugged at the knot, the towel loosening instantly beneath your hands.
Aang barely caught it in time, clutching the fabric to himself with both hands while staring at you in complete betrayal.
You were already halfway across the room laughing, and Aang's gasp echoed behind you.
"That was evil!" he shouted after you, horrified and amused all at once as he scrambled to keep the towel in place around him before chasing after you.
You moved to the bed, settling yourself with your legs stretched out before you as you watched him.
"Why are still holding on to it? You won't be needing it here..." You suggested, your voice lulling with amusement.
With a slow, deliberate motion, you reached for the knot of your robe, loosening it until the silk fell away, baring yourself to his gaze.
Like a lemur caught in the open, Aang freezes.
His eyes fell to your chest by instinct, only to avert his gaze in that very heartbeat, his cheeks flushing.
"We just took a shower." He reasoned, though his voice lacked the conviction of a true protest.
"Are you saying no?" You tilt your head as folded your knees toward your chest, an invitation that left little to the imagination.
The towel slipped from his hands.
Your giggles became uncontained as Aang moved toward you. The mattress dipped under his weight, his shadow engulfing you.
"I believe..." he began, his voice dropping an octave, his eyes glazing over as they remained fixed on your lips.
"It is my turn to take the lead."
"Is it?" You tease, his eyes meeting your at that.
"Mhm."
"Then," you whispered, a challenge in your eyes, "best of luck to you."
The sky had not yet begun to lighten when Aang woke you up.
The world outside remained wrapped in darkness, the palace still and quiet in those early hours where even the wind seemed to tread softly. A faint chill lingered in the air, though it never quite reached you beneath the warmth of your blankets.
Aang was already awake.
He had been for a while.
Kneeling at your side, he leaned over you slightly, careful not to disturb you too quickly, his thumb brushing slowly across your forehead, moving strands of your hair away from your face tenderly.
"My love..." he murmured gently, barely breaking the silence. "Wake up."
You stirred at his touch before you did to his voice, your nose scrunching faintly as you shifted beneath the sheets, turning instinctively toward him.
Your eyes barely opened, still heavy with sleep, as your body responded first, your arms lifting to wrap around him, pulling him closer to you as his knees hit the side of the bed.
Your cheek pressed against his shoulder, your bare skin warm against his, and you let out a quiet hum of protest, caught between sleep and waking.
"I have to head back to Republic City," he said softly, one hand settling at your back.
"Do you want me to bring you anything from home?"
The word rung in your mind, briefly waking you up more.
Home.
You didn't answer the question, opting to tighten your hold on him, your face pressing further into him as a quiet complaint slipped from your lips.
"You're going back?" you mumbled, your voice soft and slurred with exhaustion.
He only nodded with a hum.
"How unfair. Now that I'm here...you have to leave."
Aang exhaled quietly.
"Yeah, I know." he admitted, almost apologetic as his fingers traced slow lines along your shoulder.
"We just have to be a little patient," he continued, "I'll be back in three days. I promise."
You nod, pulling back to see if you could trace out his face in the dim room.
"...Come back safe," you murmured, not having any requests.
Aang smiled, though you couldn't see it properly.
"I will."
Reluctantly, he eased himself out of your hold, and the loss of his presence was immediate leaving you to feel colder than it had any right to be.
He reached for the blanket, pulling it back up over you properly, tucking it around your shoulders with care.
Then he leaned down and a soft kiss was pressed to your forehead
"Go back to sleep," he whispered. You barely stirred in response, already drifting again.
Aang watched you with a smile, picking up his glider that was leaning against the nightstand, before he quietly made his way out.
chapter five coming soon...
a/n: writing smut for this is so difficult. cause tell me, why am i getting flustered using the usual smut lingo for this story?
[taglist open] (please mention under the latest chapter or the story masterlist)
erm yes i indeed am in the process of drabbling/dreaming about another unrequited love series this time reader x aang because this new movie combined with rewatching the avatar series has me hooked.
like literally give me sacrificial reader x "i'm in love with katara" aang where they realize too late they've loved one another; reader is a non-bender but aang literally treats her like a convenience or a sounding board bc he's in love with katara, and it hurts her too much so she leaves the group quietly because she realizes she's not enough.
only after reader disappears but are now reunited to defeat the new villain (the awkwardness? the second chance romance? hello?) and aang is in realization that he's loved her all this time; that with her he doesn't need to be the avatar but completely himself and omg just let this fic exist like yearning hero who admires and comes home to someone they love pls.
featuring: pining!zuko, aang x reader, pre poly, drinking, dialogue heavy.
notes: ah so man dem, i love polyships so it was only a matter of time before i got my grubby little mitts all over the gaang and did this. now, this could be left as is but i lowkey may make a second part but idk, so lmk if you'd want one please abeg ! and enjoy !!
"You're being kinda obvious there, man." Sokka nudges Zuko, who startles before quickly averting his gaze from the two in front of him.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He huffs, picking up his cup and draining the last of the wine.
"Sure, you don't." Sokka nudges him again, his cheeks warm from his own drinking. "You've been drooling a steady puddle for the past twenty minutes just staring at them."
"I don't drool!" He hisses, weakly shoving the other man who had been about to lean against him.
"I can smell his desperation from here, and I hear his widdle heart going haywire." Toph comes to sit beside the pair, crossing her legs as she leans against the wall. "So that must mean he's watching Mr. and Mrs. Twinkle Toes be all lovey dovey again."
"Keep your voice down!" Zuko snaps, though his words slur a bit.
"Ah ha!" Sokka points at him, and if Zuko were a lesser man, he'd have bitten him. "Admittance."
"I didn't admit shit." But his eyes are flitting to the two of you again, unable to look anywhere else for long. At least you've stopped kissing and are just talking quietly, heads dipped close. Yeah, he can work with that.
"Didn't have to; you being jumpy is all the confirmation we need."
"Confirmation for what?"
Zuko groans as Katara comes over to join them now. "What is this, a sharing circle?"
"Aw, is the fire baby all touchy cause of his big, fat crush?" Katara coos in faux sympathy, and Zuko's face flames red as the other two start hyucking it up like obnoxious little gremlins.
"I hate you all and I don't have a crush." He grabs Sokka's drink, downing two thirds of it in one go.
"I really don't think you should be mixing wine with cactus juice." Katara voices, adjusting her legs so Toph can rest her head on her thigh.
"I'm a grown man; I can do as I please." He scoffs, righting his posture so it hides the fact that he's this close to swaying on the spot.
"Okay, so go tell them how you feel." Toph stretches her legs across Zuko's thighs yet he only glares at her for her words.
"He's giving me the 'Firelord Frown' isn't he?"
Katara giggles at that, and Zuko knows he should've just turned in early for the night; maybe if he bribes Appa with food, the bison will fly him back home once everyone's passed out.
"It's not as bad as you're making it out to be, man." Sokka slaps his back in a way that's meant to be comforting, but it only makes Zuko shrink in on himself. "Everyone has crushes; yours just happens to be on the Avatar and his wife."
"Sokka, you're being too loud!" Katara yanks at his ponytail.
"You always were a 'go big or go home' kinda guy, hot pants'." Toph chuckles and the siblings go to reciprocate but stop short at the troubled pout on their friend's face.
"Is it more than just a crush, or are you overreacting because you're drunk?" The question is posed, and Zuko hates Katara's pitying expression plus the sudden silence from the two chuckling chickens when he chooses to keep quiet rather than respond.
The mood turns somber then, and Sokka wordlessly goes to refill his friend's cup, but with water instead, and the latter doesn't realize until he takes a big swig.
"Bleh!"
The girls snicker as the famous frown is now pointed at the cup of clear liquid.
"You've had enough, buddy." Sokka pats his back. "You're done."
Zuko sighs. "One more?" He shakes his cup as if he were a beggar and Sokka snorts.
"Drink that first." Katara compromises and Zuko groans before he's chugging the water down in one go and thrusting the cup to Sokka.
"I want cactus juice."
"Yes, your highness."
Zuko watches him leave for a moment before returning his lidded gaze to the two of you, his heart nearly dropping out of his ass when he notices you both looking back.
☆Fire Lord Zuko x Fem!reader x Avatar Aang ☆CW: There is no plot lol. Pure Smut. Light Spanking. Unprotected sex. Oral sex. DVP. Mutual masturbation. Hair tugging. Acliteration. I think that is it lol. MDNI ☆Word Count: 2.1K ☆AN: I will be writing more of this because this is who I think I am now.
Masterlist Aang masterlist Zuko Masterlist
A Rainy Night
You find yourself between Aang and Zuko on a rainy night. The three of you sat on the balcony looking out at the city. The two of them had been competing for your attention since you met them. Aang scoots a little closer brushing your shoulders together.
“Hey,” he murmurs softly.
“What?” You turn toward him instinctively.
“…Is this okay?” he raises his hands to cup your face and you nod. Aang exhales like he’s been holding that breath for a while and then he leans in. The kiss is gentle and soft. When he pulls back, he’s checking your face like he’s still making sure you’re there with him. You are but then you feel a shift, a heat. Zuko. You turn and he’s already looking at you.
“You don’t have to—” you start.
“I know.” He cuts you off, quieter than usual.
“…I just don’t know if I should.”
“Didn’t take you for a scaredy cat,” you tell him as you shift closer to him.
“You’re sure?” he asks.
You nod and lean in first. Then his hand comes up, almost instinctively, resting lightly at your side. His kiss is different, hotter, harder, a little more intense. When you pull back with Aang’s hand in yours and Zuko’s hand resting at your side, you feel Aang's head lower to kiss your neck.
“Aang…” you breathe out.
"Mm?" Aang hums, his lips pressing soft kisses against your neck. Zuko's hand slowly slides up your side, his fingers curling around your waist.
"We're yours," Aang whispers against your throat, one hand tangling gently in your hair. Zuko's mouth finds your shoulder, pulling the fabric aside with his teeth, a low sound escaping him.
"Always have been,” Zuko agrees, his lips pressing open-mouthed kisses along your collarbone and his hand slides down to grip your hip firmly. He stands and lifts you up from your seat on the balcony taking you inside the bedroom. Aang follows behind peeling the clothes off his body as he watches Zuko peel yours off your body.
Zuko's eyes flash with desire as he pushes you gently down onto the bed, kissing you before flipping you over to your stomach, positioning himself between your thighs. Aang kneels on the bed beside you, his erected cock in front of your face. Aang gently cups your face as he gently guides his cock into your mouth. His hips jerk forward slightly as you wrap your lips around him.
"Fuck..." he whimpers. Zuko, meanwhile, pushes his cock inside you without warning, causing you both to moan loudly.
Aang starts a steady pace, fucking your mouth while Zuko thrusts into you from behind, both of them gripping your hips and hair tightly. The room is filled with the sounds of skin hitting skin, muffled moans, and wet sucking noises from your mouth on Aang's cock.
The pace quickens as they both become more desperate. Zuko wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you back onto him harder with each thrust. Aang holds your head in place, his cock slipping deeper into your throat. "You like that?”
“Yea” Aang lets out a loud groan as you pull him out of your mouth, his cock glistening with your saliva. You start jerking him off vigorously while licking the tip, making him shudder. Zuko takes this opportunity to grip your hips tighter and pound into you even harder and gives you a hard slap on the ass.
You moan around Aang's tip at the sensation.
"And you love his big dick, don't you?" Aang adds, his voice strained as he watches you play with his dick. Zuko reaches around to play with your clit while continuing to fuck you. Aang suddenly pulls your head back to his cock, forcing himself back into your mouth. "Suck it like a good girl.”
You obediently wrap your lips around Aang's dick, sucking him hard as Zuko continues to pound into you from behind. The combination of being filled in both holes and the overwhelming pleasure causes you to moan loudly around Aang's dick, vibrating his length.
Both of you let out frustrated noises as Zuko pulls out suddenly.
"Why did you stop?" Aang complains. Zuko leans down to kiss you harshly, his fingers snapping back to your clit to tease you.
"I just wanted to switch things up." He looks at Aang while flipping you on your back.
Aang nods, and immediately kneels in front of you and pressing his face between your legs. Zuko watches as Aang's tongue replaces his own and he groans against you.
"You taste so good." He lays his lips on your clit, sucking hard while sliding two fingers inside you. Zuko grabs a fistful of your hair, tilting your head back.
"What do you need, baby?" He asks, stroking your cheek with his free hand while Aang continues to eat you out from below. "Do you want my dick?”
You nod and Zuko releases your hair immediately, bringing his cock right up to your face. Aang moans against you as he feels you reach out for Zuko's dick, your fingers wrapping around the base.You stroke Zuko's length slowly as Aang's fingers curl inside you.
"Fuck, just like that..." Zuko hisses, as you start to jerk him faster. Aang suddenly sits up and presses the head of his dick against your entrance and he pushes inside you, making you gasp and let go of Zuko's dick. Zuko watches and his hand replaces yours on his cock and he starts to stroke himself as Aang begins to fuck you. Aang sets a steady pace, his hips moving forward and back as he fills you up. His hands grip your thighs, spreading you wider. Zuko's hand moves faster on his own dick, watching Aang's cock disappear into your pussy over and over.
"You like that," Aang grunts, leaning down to kiss you softly. Zuko moves in closer, brushing his wet tip against your cheek before running his fingers over your jaw. You relax into their gentle touches ans they adjust slightly, focusing on making you feel good.
Aang fucks you deeper, and Zuko smiles against your chest as you reach for him, pulling him closer. He spreads his legs slightly, bringing his dick back between your fingers without pushing it towards your mouth. Aang wraps his arms around your waist, spreading your legs wider. You wrap your hand around Zuko's dick, squeezing gently. He groans and leans his head against your shoulder, letting you play with him.
Zuko notices the change in your breathing and starts jerking his dick faster in your hand when Aang's cock hits your G-spot perfectly and you scream out. Your pussy spasms around his dick as you come hard. Zuko feels your hand tighten around his cock and he shoots hot cum all over your stomach and tits. "Fuuuck,”Aang keeps fucking you through your orgasm. When your pussy finally stops convulsing, he buries himself deep and comes too, groaning loudly as he does so.
Aang watches with a smirk as Zuko pulls you on top of him. He wraps his arms around your waist and you can feel his stick already poking at your entrance. Aang leans down to suck one of your nipples into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue.
"I want to fuck you slowly like this." Aang agrees, moving behind you to kiss your neck and back. Zuko slowly pushes himself into you, filling you up inch by inch. You moan softly as he enters you and he wraps his hands around your waist and starts pulling you down onto him slowly and deeply. Aang moves up to kiss you passionately, his hands squeezing your tits gently.
He wraps one arm under your shoulders, pulling you down for a sweet kiss. Aang caresses your back and ass, his fingers occasionally dipping between your legs to touch your clit.
Zuko kisses your neck gently before he suddenly pulls out completely before slamming back into you hard and fast. You cry out as he starts fucking you roughly, hitting your sore spots on purpose. Aang grins and moves to kneel beside Zuko, grabbing your hair gently and leans down to brings one of your tits to his mouth, sucking on it hungrily. Zuko reaches up to play with the other one, pinching and pulling on your sensitive peaks.
Aang groans around your nipple, sucking hard. Zuko's hips slap against your ass loudly, filling the room with wet, dirty sounds. Zuko's hand on your clit becomes more insistent, rubbing faster and harder as he fucks you. You can feel another orgasm building quickly, your pussy clenching around Zuko's dick. Aang releases your tit with a pop, watching your face as you cum again, your mouth hanging open and eyes rolling back. You scream out loud, your pussy squirting juices all over Zuko's dick and balls as you come apart. Zuko slowed his thrusts but did not pull out.
Aang presses against your back, his cock sliding between your ass cheeks and groans as he pressed his cock against Zuko's inside you. They both start pushing in slowly, stretching you impossibly wide. You moan loudly as they enter you together, their dicks rubbing against each other inside your pussy.
Zuko hisses as you bite his shoulder, the pain mixing with pleasure. He groans, thrusting deeper and Aang wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you back onto him as he pushes in completely, both fully sheathing themselves inside you. Aang pants, buried to the hilt in your pussy alongside Zuko. You're so stuffed that it's almost painful, your body shaking uncontrollably between them.
They start moving together slowly, pulling out and pushing back in as one. The sensation is overwhelming, their two cocks sliding against each other inside your pussy. Zuko buries his face in your neck, sucking hard marks while Aang kisses and bites your shoulders.
"That's it, baby girl," Zuko whispers harshly in your ear. Aang grabs a handful of your hair and pulls your head back.
“I cant…” You mumble.
"You can," Zuko growls, not slowing down. "You're taking both our dicks like a good girl. Come on, baby, you can handle it." Aang adds, his voice strained with effort as he pounds into you alongside Zuko. Aang pants, feeling your pussy starting to flutter around them. Zuko bites your earlobe hard and groans as you clenched tightly around both of their cocks. They don't slow down; instead, they fuck you even harder through your orgasm,
Zuko reaches down to start rubbing your clit and Aang pulls out slowly, his dick coated in your juices and their combined cum. Zuko stays buried inside you as he reaches his climax. He holds you tightly against him as he empties his balls deep inside you. Zuko pulls out slowly, his dick slapping against his stomach as it emerges from your pussy. You reach out and start rubbing yourself against his shaft, moaning softly at the sensation.
Aang watches with a hungry look in his eyes, stroking himself slowly. You climb off Zuko's dick and lay back on the bed, your chest heaving as you catch your breath. They start touching and kissing you gently, their hands roaming over your body..Aang leans down to capture your mouth in a deep, passionate kiss while Zuko starts sucking on your neck, marking you. Their hands explore your curves, squeezing your tits, pinching your nipples.
Zuko disappears to get a rag to clean you up and Aang leans in to press a soft, loving kiss to your lips, holding you close against him. As Zuko returns with the warm, wet rag, Aang pulls back slightly to give him room to clean you up. Zuko gently wipes the sweat and cum from your body, cooing softly at how gorgeous you look.
"You okay, baby girl?" Zuko asks softly, brushing a strand of hair from your face.
Aang strokes your back gently, "That was amazing. You holding up okay?"
“Yea” you nod.
"Good," Aang smiles, pressing a kiss to your forehead. Zuko nods, tossing the used rag aside. Zuko smiles softly, holding open the blankets for you. Aang slides under the covers on your other side so you're sandwiched between them both. Zuko wraps his arms around you while Aang spoons behind you, pressing soft kisses to your shoulder.
“Love you” You whisper.
"Love you too, baby," they both whisper softly, holding you tighter. Zuko presses a gentle kiss to the top of your head while Aang nuzzles into the back of your neck. The room is filled with warmth and contentment as they drift off to sleep with you safely between them.
Disclaimer: I don't own Rights to any characters mentioned nor do I consent to plagiarism of any kind. Thankyou for reading loves ;)
☆Fire Lord Zuko x Fem!reader x Avatar Aang ☆CW: Emotional themes. ☆Word Count: 1K ☆Summary: Reader makes a decision to move to republic city for a teaching job. Although it was hard leaving your family, it is time for a new beginning.
☆Masterlist ☆Zuko Masterlist ☆Aang Masterlist
Republic City only existed as an idea in your head. It is a place people spoke about like it was the future; crowded, evolving, full of possibility. A city where benders and non-benders lived side by side, where the old world and the new one were learning, slowly, how to exist together.
You wondered what it would be like to experience it for the wonder it was. The letter had arrived weeks ago, edges worn from travel, ink slightly smudged. They were building something new. They needed school systems and stability. And they needed teachers.
You had read it once, then again and again.
“You’re still looking at that thing?”
Your mother’s voice came from the doorway. You glanced up, the paper still held carefully between your fingers. “I’m just… thinking.”
She stepped further into the room, wiping her hands on her dress out of habit, her gaze settling on you in a way that made it impossible to hide anything.
“You’ve been thinking for three weeks.”
You huffed a quiet laugh, looking back down at the letter. “…It’s a big decision.”
“It is,” she agreed. “So what’s stopping you?”
You hesitated before speaking up.
“I’ve never lived anywhere else,” you admitted. “What if I get there and I hate it? Or I’m not good enough?”
“You were asked,” she cut in gently. “They chose you.”
“That doesn’t mean they were right.”
“It usually does.” You didn’t respond to that because part of you wanted to believe her and part of you was afraid to.
“You don’t have to go.” A quieter voice spoke from behind her.
Your father leaned against the frame, arms crossed, expression more difficult to read, but his eyes gave him away.
You swallowed slightly. “I know.”
“And if you stay,” he continued, “you’ll still be fine. You’ll still have a life here.”
You looked down at the letter again.
“I don’t think I want ‘fine.’”
The words surprised even you and the room went quiet. Your mother smiled first.
“…Then you already have your answer.”
Packing didn’t feel real at first until your room started to empty. Clothes folded into neat stacks. Books carefully chosen, some left behind, some too important to part with. Little pieces of your life, sorted into what would stay and what would follow you somewhere new.
“…You’re really going.” Your father’s voice came again.
You peered over your shoulder. He hadn’t moved far in but something about him felt different now. The uncertainty and reality of it had finally settled in.
“…Yeah,” you said softly.
He nodded once, like he didn't like it.
“Republic City’s far.”
“I know.”
“You won’t be able to just come back whenever you want.”
“I know that too.”
“…You’ll write?” he asks quietly.
You smiled a little. “Of course I will.” Your chest tightens as you speak.
He exhaled, something in his shoulders easing just slightly. “Good.”
Your mother appeared behind him, gently nudging his arm before stepping forward and pulling you into a hug.
“You’re going to do something important there,” she murmured. “Don’t let fear convince you otherwise.”
“I’ll try.” You closed your eyes for a moment, holding onto her.
“Don’t try,” she said softly. “Do it.”
You laughed weakly against her shoulder.
“…Okay.”
The morning you left, the sky felt like it was going to break open and fall on you. Your bags were lighter than you expected. Your father loaded the last of them in silence as your mother stood close to you, hands wrapped loosely around yours.
“You have everything?” she asked.
“I think so.”
“If you forgot something, you can always come back for it.”
You smiled faintly. “I don’t think that’s how moving works.”
“It is for us,” she insisted.
You hugged her again, tighter this time, then your father. His arms came around you after a second’s hesitation, firm, and grounding.
“…Be careful,” he said.
“I will.”
“…And don’t let people take advantage of you just because you’re kind.”
You pulled back slightly, giving him a look. “I won’t.”
“…Alright.”
It wasn’t goodbye in the way you expected. You took a step back and then, you left.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
The first time you saw the city, it overwhelmed you. Steel and stone rising higher than anything you had ever known. Streets that stretched endlessly filled with people who moved much quicker than you were used to. You wondered, briefly, if you had made a mistake. But this was your purpose right? It had to be.
Across the city, others had arrived for reasons of their own, by responsibility.
Aang had stood at the edge of the harbor only days before, watching ships come and go as the weight of the world settled on his shoulders. Republic City was meant to represent balance and balance didn’t come easily. Tensions lingered beneath the surface, between benders and non-benders, between tradition and progress. Small conflicts, easy to dismiss individually, but together they formed something more fragile than it appeared.
He had come to help stabilize it. To listen and guide where things were shifting before they broke.
Zuko had arrived with less patience for uncertainty. Where Aang saw imbalance to be understood, Zuko saw problems to be handled. There had been reports of disruptions along trade routes, whispers of organized groups forming in the outer districts, testing boundaries the city hadn’t fully established yet. Nothing large enough to call a crisis. Yet.
He had come to assess, to ensure that what was being built here didn’t collapse under its own ambition.
And then there was you. Unaware, settling into a small room that didn’t quite feel like home yet, unpacking pieces of your life into a place that hadn’t learned you. You stacked your books carefully on the new shelves, adorned your walls with paintings you made by the river, and placed embroidered cushions on the couch.
You told yourself this was enough, for now at least. This was a new start. A purpose you meant to fulfill to make yourself proud.
Found this banner on pintrest btw
Disclaimer: I don't own Rights to any characters mentioned nor do I consent to plagiarism of any kind. Thankyou for reading loves (^.^)
︵ ೀ Kiss It Better, My Fire Lord. angst to fluff. Zuko almost loses you :(
The dust from the impact hung thick in the air, tasting of iron and pulverized stone. You didn't even have time to register the Earthbender’s movement before the boulder was there—a blurring mass of gray death. You had met it with a desperate, twin-fisted blast of fire, shattering the projectile, but the kinetic force was undeniable. The explosion of rock and heat sent you spiraling backward, the world spinning into a dizzying smear of blue sky and brown dirt.
When you hit the ground, the air left your lungs in a silent, agonizing rush.
"(Name)!"
Zuko’s voice was a jagged tear through the ringing in your ears. You felt the vibration of heavy footsteps—Aang and Toph moving forward to hold the line, the sound of bending combat resuming with a fierce intensity—but your world had shrunk to the patch of ground you occupied.
You couldn't breathe. Every attempt to draw air felt like swallowing broken glass. Shadows fell over you as Katara and Zuko dropped to their knees by your side.
"Stay with me, (Y/N) look at me," Zuko urged, his hands hovering over you, trembling with a rare, naked terror. His golden eyes were wide, searching yours for a spark of focus.
Katara was already moving, her movements clinical and swift as she pulled water from her flask.
Your vision flickered. The edges of the world curled into blackness, the sunlight fading as your brain signaled a temporary shutdown from the shock. For a few heartbeats, there was only a cold, heavy silence.
Then, a cool sensation began to radiate from your chest.
You gasped, a ragged, wheezing breath finally breaking through the paralysis of your lungs. Your eyes snapped open. The first thing you saw was the shimmering blue glow of Katara’s healing water. She had pulled back the front of your kimono, her hands steady as she knit together the bruised ribs and torn tissue beneath the surface.
To her left, Zuko looked like he had aged a decade in those few seconds of unconsciousness. A single, choked sob escaped him—a sound of pure, unadulterated relief—as he realized you were breathing again. He didn't care about the battle raging twenty feet away; he only cared that the light hadn't left your eyes.
You coughed, a small wince crossing your face, but the crushing weight on your sternum was lifting. You looked up at the Fire Lord, seeing the dampness on his lashes and the way his jaw gripped tight to keep from breaking down further.
Even in pain, the sight of him so rattled tugged at your heart—and your sense of humor.
"Hey," you croaked, your voice small and raspy. "Don't look so... gloomy."
Zuko let out a shaky laugh, reaching out to brush a stray hair from your forehead. "You almost died. I’m allowed to look gloomy."
You offered him a weak, lopsided smirk, glancing down at where Katara was finishing her work. "Well, if it hurts that much..." You looked back at him, your eyes dancing with a bit of the old fire. "You could always kiss it better."
Katara paused, offering a faint, knowing smile before pulling the water back into her flask and giving Zuko a nod. "She's stable. Keep her down for a minute."
Zuko didn't need further instruction. He didn't hesitate or offer a witty comeback. He leaned in, his hand cupping your cheek with infinite tenderness. When his lips met yours, it wasn't the playful gesture you had teased him for; it was deep, fervent, and filled with the desperate gratitude of a man who had nearly lost his world.
"Anything," he whispered against your lips, his forehead resting against yours. "Whatever you want."
Summary: Reader is in love with Zuko, but sadly, he is “very much in love with Mai”
Warnings: Angst, Hanahaki Disease, Grief/Mourning
Author’s Note: Thank you to everyone reading and showing love 🩷 Please check out the masterlist for parts 1-3, if you haven’t read them already 🩷
🔥
Things had been tense between Mai and Zuko ever since their spat at the burial site, which had been almost two weeks ago.
Luckily, the palace was large enough that they didn’t need to be around each other at all. Mai could send a servant to deliver messages to Zuko if anything needed to be said, and vice versa. They slept in separate rooms, ate their meals at different times, anything to avoid the other completely.
“My lord?” A servant’s voice calls out formally, after a brief knock.
Zuko was currently on the balcony of the palace, staring out into the sunset, peacefully enjoying the view. He turns around at the sound of the voice.
“A message for you” They say respectfully as they bow, holding out a tightly rolled scroll in their hands. Zuko accepts the scroll, and the servant scurries off quickly.
I am moving back into my parent’s manor. I don’t care about rules, or prior engagements. I can’t live like this anymore.
-Goodbye Zuko
The young fire lord reads over the message a few more times, before setting it ablaze in his fingertips.
He should feel something right now, shouldn’t he?
After an uneasy couple weeks, his fiancée was leaving him. But no, he wasn’t shocked by the decision, or even hurt by it. Something like this was bound to happen sooner or later. Either that, or living together all while being unhappy, much like his childhood. With a father who didn’t love him, and an evil younger sister who always seemed to surpass him in skill, he found himself gravitating mostly towards his mother.
That was, until you came along.
Ursa had three young girls brought to the palace; wanting for Azula to be around some girls closer to her age. She’d hoped company would quell her daughter’s wicked spirit.
That’s when Zuko saw you for the first time.
The sun glowing off your skin. A bright smile on your face, as you cartwheeled with another girl he would later find out was named, Ty Lee.
“Close your mouth Zuko, a bug might fly in” Ursa says, which catches the young prince off guard, making him jump slightly. He scowls up at his mother.
“I’m sorry, honey, I’m only teasing” She says, with a lighthearted giggle. “She’s cute, isn’t she?” Ursa quips, nudging his side with her elbow gently.
“Mom!” Zuko groans as he pushes her arm away, crossing his own arms over his chest. The last thing he wanted, was to be talking about something like this with his mother.
“What? There’s nothing wrong with thinking a girl is pretty, dear” She continues to tease her son, and he groans in response.
“Mommm” Zuko whines, “Can you not?” He begs, and Ursa smiles fondly in return.
“Alright, alright. Let’s head inside then, yes?” She says, ushering him in the direction of the nearest palace entrance.
As they walk, Zuko makes sure to keep his eyes off you, not wanting to be endure anymore of his mother’s teasing. His eyes are glued to the ground, which leaves him defenseless when something crashes into him.
A grunt escapes his lips, as he’s knocked down to the ground completely.
“Azula!” It’s only when he hears a voice yell his sister’s name, that he realizes it wasn’t something, but someone, that had bumped into him. Zuko’s eyes widen when he sees you on the ground as well, his breath hitches in his throat from being so close to you. When you’re done pouting at Azula, you turn your head to look at him.
“I-I’m sorry” You mumble shyly, and you turn your head away from him in embarrassment.
She‘s even prettier up close, he thinks to himself.
“I-It’s okay” Zuko says before rising to his feet, and holding his hand out for you. “Gimme your hand” There’s a light pink tint dusting his cheeks, as he looks down at you expectantly. You stare at his outstretched hand, only for a quick moment, before reaching out and grabbing it. Zuko pulls, while you push off the ground with your free hand, rising to your feet. You’re just a bit shorter than him, and your eyes seem to glitter as you look up at him.
“Are you okay?” He asks, and you nod your head.
“Yes” The two of you don’t take your eyes off one another. In that moment, it almost felt like no one else was around.. Almost.
“Aw, you guys are soooo cute!” Azula teases. It makes Ty Lee giggle, while Mai pouts, and folds her arms over her chest. It was only then, that you two realized you were still holding hands.
Immediately you both pull away, and you run back over to the girls, standing next to Ty Lee.
Leaving Ursa behind, Zuko begins to quickly walk toward the palace doors. His mind dead-set on hiding out in his room until you, and the other girls were gone. His mother soon catches up to him, a sly smile on her face.
“You two did look very cute, dear” She says in a whisper so only he would hear.
“Mom!”
Not too long after, you and Zuko were almost inseparable. You still hung out with the other girls, but the two of you were always drawn to each other.
Growing up in Azula’s shadow, Zuko expected you to leave him behind once you started perfecting your bending, but you didn’t. You helped teach him the things you’d learned, and he loved to watch how gracefully you moved. You were one of his first bending teachers in a way. Even though you’d always downplayed how good of a bender you were, Zuko had witnessed for himself just how amazing your skills were.
Your technique, power, and form, were truly impressive. Every once in a while, your flames would even come out blue, just like Azula’s. You’d even pissed the princess off one day, by knocking her on her butt while sparring.
Even still, you weren’t one to brag, or act better than others because of your skills. That was something Zuko had really grown to admire.
The more he thought about it, he realized Mai was right.
He had always been obsessed with you.
A cold breeze breaks him out of his thoughts, and Zuko decides to go back inside. He was planning on laying in bed for a while, that is, until he makes eye contact with another servant.
“Fire Lord, sir? My apologies for not knocking” They say before quickly bowing, then standing upright. “The representatives from Ba Sing Se, are here to speak with you” The last thing Zuko wanted to do was conduct business at the moment, but he couldn’t refuse his responsibilities. Zuko sighs, nods to the servant and they begin to make their way toward his throne room.
As they come upon the old library room, there’s a tight feeling in Zuko’s chest, but he ignores it. He was stressed out after all, of course his chest would ache.
Once he gets closer, Zuko notices the door is ajar, which immediately infuriates him.
“No one is allowed in here! Why is this door even-“ He bursts inside, ready to chew out the guilty party, until he notices no one is there.
When you were alive, you loved this library.
You both did.
So many memories had been created in this room. And because of that fact, absolutely no one besides himself was allowed inside.
It’d all began after you, Ty Lee, and Mai began coming to the palace more often. Everything was fine, until Zuko started noticing your absence.
You’d get to the palace, play with the other girls for a while, before completely disappearing. One second your laughter could be heard ringing through the courtyard, the next, you’d be gone.
Curious, the young prince decided one day that he would follow you.
Were you a thief? Maybe some sort of secret spy sent by your parents to find his family’s weaknesses?
You walk innocently through the halls. Passing guards without a problem, before you happen upon the library’s large, wooden door.
For a quick moment, you look left and right to check your surroundings.
The action causes Zuko to jump behind a pillar to avoid being sighted. His heart beats wildly in his chest at almost being caught, unbeknownst to you. You push the door open, and your figure disappears into the room.
Zuko stealthily makes it to the door, catching it before it closes completely. He watches you through the tiny sliver, as you inspect the spines of a row of books. Your head tilts up, and you must find the title you’re looking for, since your arm begins to reach for it. Your fingertips brush the object slightly, and he can hear your annoyed groan.
You’re too short.
“C’mon” You whimper to yourself, stretching your arm, and getting on tipped toes.
Zuko looks on as you struggle. A small smile spreads across his face when you frustratedly huff, putting your hands on your hips as you stare up at the book.
Cute, he thinks to himself.
Wait!
He was letting you distract him! His mission was to get to the bottom of whatever you were doing! To defeat you, if you were evil, and protect his family’s honor!
“Why are you sneaking around in here?” Zuko says sternly as he pushes open the door, and his voice, understandably, startles you. You nearly jump out of your skin as you turn around to face him. He sees your guilty expression for only a split second, before your head and upper body lower into a bow.
“Your highness! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t-” You stammer before he cuts you off completely.
“Are you stealing from us?” His arms are crossed over his chest as his eyes narrow at you.
“What? No! I-“ You stand up, and the guilty look you had, seems to fade into something else.. shame.
“I’m happy to be in your family’s palace. I don’t have siblings, so I like coming here to play, but..” You take a deep breath, “The girls are a bit overwhelming sometimes. Azula is very competitive, and sometimes she’s mean. I like Ty Lee a lot, but she’s a bit too energetic at times. And honestly, I don’t think Mai even likes me at all” A pout settles on your face at those words. “I just like to come here to read. To.. breathe” You explain.
Zuko hadn’t expected that answer, and he’s quiet for a moment as he looks you over. You stare down at your hands, playing with your fingers nervously, and Zuko can’t help but find your shy nature endearing.
“I can go if you want me to, this is your home after all” It’s only then, he realizes he hasn’t responded, and that you’re waiting for him to say something.
“No. You can stay” Zuko finally says as he walks closer. As someone who constantly had to be around Azula, and so many other people, he completely understands where you’re coming from. To just want to be alone for a while.
You watch him intently as he stands next to you, and reaches up. With his limbs being longer than yours, Zuko pulls the book down from the shelf with ease.
“Was this the one you wanted?” He holds out the novel toward you, a light blush creeping up on his cheeks.
“Yes” You bow gratefully, “Thank you” Much like your first meeting, the two of you seem to entrance each other. Like a staring contest neither of you are willing to lose.
“I’ll uh, let you be alone” Zuko is the first to break the silence this time.
“You can stay” The words leave your mouth before you even realize you’re speaking them.
“I mean, of course you know you can stay. It’s your home, not mine.. I just meant-” You ramble. “I-I’d like it, if you stayed” You murmur, and your eyes bashfully trail down to the book in your hands, instead of looking at the young prince.
If you had been looking, you would have noticed how hard he’s fighting the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Or how the red blush on his cheeks has reached the tips of his ears..
From then on, the library became a place for both you and Zuko to escape to. You would read scrolls, and folklores aloud, as Zuko’s head rested upon your lap. Sometimes your calming voice, and nimble fingers stroking his hair, would even lull him right to sleep.
“My lord?” The confused servant calls from behind, bringing Zuko back to reality. “Are you alright?” They ask genuinely, but the fire lord ignores them. His eyes are glued to the book laying on the table in front of him.
The Legend Of Sakura
The name sounds so familiar.
Had you read it to him before?
You’d read so many things to him, he couldn’t remember most of the titles. His callous fingers run over the spine of the book, before picking it up to take a closer look at its cover. There’s a woman in a long, flowing gown, with a peaceful look on her face. Her eyes are closed, and there’s a gentle smile on her lips, as she leans up against a large cherry blossom tree.
For Zuko, it was easier to come here, than it was to bow at a grave. So every once in a while, he came into this library, your library. He’d light candles, and enjoy memories of you. Some nights, he would even fill a chalice, and let his mind wander about how life would’ve been if you were still alive. But it had been many weeks since he’d done that. And he definitely hadn’t taken this book from its place on the shelf, let alone left it out on the table.
“Who has been in here?!” Zuko yells at the poor man, and the servant’s eyes widen.
“I-I-I don’t know my Lord” They stammer, “E-Everyone knows not to even set foot in this room, your highness!”
“You’d better not be lying. If I find this door open again, there will be consequences. Got it?” Zuko grits the last two words out angrily.
“Y-Yes my Lord” The servant gulps, and nods quickly as he stands up.
Just as they’re about to walk out of the library, something bright catches Zuko’s eye. Squinting slightly, he’s finally able to make out what it is.
A cherry blossom petal..
———————————————————————————-—
Zuko could barely pay attention to anything that was being said. His hand kept snaking down to his pocket, thumbing at the tiny flower petal he’d found.
He even lied to his counsel, blaming his odd behavior on exhaustion. He was the fire lord, so it made for a very valid excuse, but his duties were not the cause of his growing fatigue. Nor was it the reason for him acting so strangely.
Zuko has gotten himself out of this meeting, and now all he wants to do, is get back to the library. He was desperate to read through the book he’d found on the table.
As he nears the library, an anxious thought rears it’s head. Was someone trying to trick him in his vulnerable state?
Maybe Mai? Could this be her way of getting back at him one last time before she left?
No.. Mai wouldn’t do something like that.. would she?
Zuko shakes the thought from his head as he sits down, opening the book to the first page.
It was a relatively short folklore, the tale taking place hundreds of years ago in Japan.
At that time, there were many wars. A world full of sadness and desolation. There were very few moments of peace, and often a new war would start just as one ended.
In spite of all this, there was a beautiful forest that even war was not able to touch; filled to the brim with beautiful plants, trees, and wildlife. However, there was one tree that never seemed to blossom. Although, full of life, it’s branches would never bloom any flowers. For that reason, the animals wouldn’t go near it, in fear they’d ‘catch’ it’s strange evil. Even the grass would not grow around it, making the tree’s only company, loneliness.
When a magical fairy happens upon the tree, she immediately wants to help; using her powers to cast a spell that would last twenty years. During this period, the tree would be able to feel what human hearts felt, and maybe that way it’d feel happiness, and blossom. The spell also allowed the tree the ability to change between its plant form, and a human form whenever it so pleased. However, if it wasn’t able to recover its vitality by the time those years were up, it would die immediately.
At first the tree tries it’s hand at being human, which fails miserably. It was disappointed, seeing nothing but lies, war, and hatred. That is, until years later when it happens upon a clear stream. There, it saw a beautiful young lady. The tree was taken aback by the woman’s beauty, and decided to approach her in its human form, using the alias, Yohiro.
The woman was very kind to Yohiro, and reveals her name to be Sakura. Soon they were conversing like they’d known each other for years. They expressed their sadness of the wars that went on, and spoke of the many dreams they had for a brighter, more peaceful future.
The pair become very close, and the more the tree gets to know Sakura, the more it wants to be by her side.
When Yohiro finally confesses it’s love for Sakura, it also tells her what it truly is. A tormented tree that was soon going to die because it couldn’t bloom. Sakura is shocked by this information, and parts ways with Yohiro, not returning the next few days like she usually would.
This sends Yohiro into a downward spiral of sadness, turning itself back into a tree, and deciding to wallow for its last few days of life.
One afternoon, when Yohiro least expected it, Sakura showed up beside it. She hugs the tree, and tells it that she feels the same way, and how she doesn’t want it to die. At that moment, the forest fairy appears, and proceeds to give Sakura a choice.
If she wanted Yohiro to remain human, the fairy would grant that. Or, if she so chose, she could merge with Yohiro in tree form. Sakura ponders the decision for a moment, but then remembers the sadness, death, and depression the war had caused all around her. Sakura chooses peace, and happiness, merging with Yohiro. The two fuse together to become one, making an even bigger tree. Then finally, finally, the tree blooms with the most beautiful cherry blossoms in the entire forest.
Zuko closes the book once he finishes the last page, a yawn escaping his lips. There he sat in the library, contemplating what this book could mean. As he looks over the cover, a cough erupts in his throat, a painful, almost dagger like feeling piercing his chest. Falling out of his chair, Zuko lands on the ground on hands and knees, coughing violently. His heart is pounding, and his ears are ringing, but he can still make out a light voice.
