Fire Lord Zuko x Water Tribe Princess
Summary: The reader is Yue’s sister and Arnook’s daughter. She joined the Gaang after losing her sister during Zhao’s attack on the Northern Water Tribe.
Pairings: Firelord Zuko x Watertribe Princess reader
Warnings: none, fluff
WC: 3,4k
His hands were sweating as the North Pole came into view from the ship. The Fire Nation was still hated by many...he understood that. His people had caused irreversible damage for a hundred years. But ever since he joined the Avatar to fight against his father, he had been doing everything he could to make up for it.
“Fire Lord, we’re about to arrive at the Northern Water Tribe. You should begin preparing.”
Zuko nodded and thanked the guard for informing him. After all, they were people, and they deserved respect. He wouldn’t make the same mistakes as his father… right?
A chill ran through his body as he set foot on the ice that dominated the tribe. Ironically, he knew the path to the palace all too well, he had been here before, and he certainly hadn’t been the hero of the story.
The citizens watched him with disdain as he made his way toward the grand ice palace. And there you were, standing at the base of the stairs, just as beautiful as when you had fought by his side to stop Azula during the comet.
He finally reached you and bowed, showing respect. It was his duty as Fire Lord.
As soon as he lifted his head again, he was met with your smile and the calm presence that always surrounded you.
“Fire Lord Zuko, what a pleasant surprise to have you here.”
You smiled, returning the bow.
“The pleasure is mine, thank you for—”
He didn’t finish. You wrapped your arms around his neck in a warm embrace of old friends, one he returned without hesitation.
“I’m glad to see you again, Zuko.”
“Me too, Y/n.”
You pulled apart and were about to guide him to the palace when a young member of the tribe began shouting.
“Boo! Down with the Fire Nation! You’re nothing but cruel murderers!”
Both of you turned in surprise as more tribe members began shouting insults at Zuko. He froze, unsure of what to do. He was aware of the hatred toward his people, especially toward him as Fire Lord because of his father and ancestors... but was it truly this deep? Could they not see he was trying to change things?
You noticed the confusion on his face, and just as you were about to step in, your father’s voice echoed from the stairs.
“Silence! You will show the Fire Lord the respect he is due. We will convene an assembly this afternoon in the Great Hall to address this matter properly.”
The murmuring didn’t disappear completely, but it quieted enough for Arnook to descend with firm authority.
“Any member of the Northern Water Tribe who wishes to express their concerns may do so then. Until that time, maintain order. We are an honorable nation.”
The message was clear: the unrest would not be ignored… but neither would chaos be tolerated at the palace gates.
Zuko swallowed.
He wasn’t used to being defended publicly.
You moved slightly, standing beside him, not in front, not behind. Beside him.
“My father is right,” you said clearly, addressing the people. “This visit is not an invasion. It is diplomatic. And if anyone has something to say, they may do so face to face this afternoon.”
Some people looked away. Others continued watching him harshly.
Zuko finally spoke.
“I didn’t come to demand respect,” he said, firm but calm. “I came to listen.”
That had more impact than any command.
Arnook nodded slightly.
“Then it is settled. At sunset, in the Great Council Hall.”
Once inside the palace, the murmurs faded, but the weight did not.
Zuko exhaled slowly.
“I’m sorry.”
You stopped.
“For what?”
“For… all of this. For what my nation did. For what I did when I first came here.”
He wasn’t looking at you... just at the frozen floor.
You stepped closer.
“You can’t carry a hundred years of war on your own.”
He let out a humorless laugh.
“Feels like I can.”
You shook your head gently.
“No. But you can decide what kind of Fire Lord you want to be today.”
For the first time since stepping off the ship, his shoulders relaxed.
“This meeting…” he said. “Do you think it will go well?”
You looked at him with that calm that always unsettled him.
“That depends on whether you speak as a ruler… or as the boy trying to fix something he didn’t break.”
Silence.
“I’m not very good with speeches...” he admitted.
You smiled faintly.
“Then don’t give one. I might sound like your uncle right now, but if you want to win these people over, win the world, you need to speak with confidence and from the heart. I trust you. I know you’ll do what’s right.”
You took his hand as you spoke, smiling at him reassuringly before walking toward the council hall beside your father. Zuko remained still for a moment in the hallway. His two guards exchanged confused glances behind him. Finally, he made up his mind and followed with determination.
The Great Hall was full.
The polished ice reflected the blue torches lighting the chamber, and the constant murmur of the tribe barely faded when Arnook took his seat.
Zuko stood tall, though every gaze on him weighed more than any armor.
Arnook cleared his throat.
“Our princess will give the welcome.”
You felt dozens of eyes shift toward you. You took a deep breath. You weren’t just Yue’s sister. You weren’t just the girl who traveled with the Avatar. You were the future leader of your tribe.
You stood, forming a small ice pedestal with your waterbending, stepping onto it.
“My people…” your voice was clear and firm. “Thank you for gathering here with order and dignity.”
The murmuring ceased.
“Today, we receive the Fire Lord, not as an enemy, but as a representative of a new era. I know the pain we carry does not disappear with words… because I am deeply aware of what we have endured.”
A heavier silence fell.
“But we also understand honor, and what it means to listen before we judge.”
Your gaze flickered briefly to Zuko.
“The Fire Lord has come to propose a trade network between the Fire Nation and the Northern Water Tribe. Resources, maritime exchange, support in rebuilding villages affected by the war… an alliance that benefits both our people.”
Some elders exchanged looks.
“Isolation will not make us stronger. Cooperation will.”
You were about to continue when a voice spoke behind you.
“May I?”
Zuko.
The room tensed instantly.
You turned slightly, meeting his determined gaze. Arnook watched him for a moment before nodding.
Zuko stepped forward to stand beside you.
His shoulders were tense, but his voice did not waver.
“I didn’t come here to ask you to forget,” he said plainly. “I know what my nation did. I know what my father did. And I know what I did when I first came here.”
Some people looked down. Others hardened their gaze.
“I don’t expect your forgiveness. It wouldn’t be fair to ask for it.”
A different murmur spread, not anger. Attention.
“But I can offer something different. Reparations. Resources to rebuild any village still suffering from the war. Trade routes that strengthen you, not exploit you. An exchange of knowledge, if you wish.”
He took a breath.
“My goal isn’t to expand power. It’s to repair the damage my nation caused.”
His eyes moved across the room.
“If you choose to reject this alliance, I will accept that. But I will not stop trying to make up for what was done in the name of the Fire Nation.”
The room fell completely silent.
“I can’t change the past. But I can make sure it never happens again.”
His hands were tense at his sides, but he didn’t step back.
He didn’t lower his gaze.
He didn’t defend himself.
He simply stood firm.
Arnook slowly surveyed the room.
“The Northern Water Tribe will deliberate. But today, we have heard something we have not heard in a hundred years.”
He looked at Zuko.
“Accountability.”
The silence lingered, but the hatred was gone. Most faces now showed confusion rather than contempt.
You stepped down from the pedestal with Zuko’s help, and suddenly, the silence broke into cheers.
Both of you flinched in surprise as the tribe erupted into applause.
Zuko let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
You smiled, taking his hand and raising it for all to see.
“We will rebuild what was broken a hundred years ago!”
The cheers grew louder.
You looked at your father. His tired eyes met yours, but there was pride in his smile.
The meeting had ended hours ago. You both walked down the palace corridor toward the ice balcony in comfortable silence until Zuko finally broke it.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” you asked as you stopped at the balcony.
“For defending me… and for that advice. It helped a lot. Though you did sound like my uncle.”
He smiled faintly.
“Speaking of Iroh… how is he?”
Zuko frowned slightly and sighed, rubbing his face as he leaned on the railing.
“I don’t know… I haven’t written to him.”
His voice carried guilt.
“I need him. Everything is so difficult without him.”
“Zuko, why don’t you talk to him? Tell him how you feel.”
“I could… but I want to respect him. He said he wanted to stay away from royal matters. He’s old... I don’t want to burden him.”
You smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You know better than anyone that your uncle would never turn his back on you. He loves you, Zuko. And right now, you need him.”
Zuko looked at you, exhaustion filling his eyes.
Then he gently cupped your cheek.
“But I need you too…”
“Zuko…” You held his hand against your face. “You know it’s not right…”
“Why not?”
“We’re from different nations.”
“Aang and Katara are too.”
“But—”
“Is it because you don’t want this?”
“It’s because I can’t.”
“Then explain why.”
“Because I have to marry, Zuko… someone from the tribe who is worthy of my hand. That’s the only way I can lead properly.”
You sighed, sadness deep in your eyes.
“What if I marry you?”
The words cut through the tension.
“What?”
“You heard me. I want to marry you.”
“The people wouldn’t accept it…”
“Why does it matter what they accept? I love you, Y/n. I always think about you, how you stood by me against Azula, how you trusted me even when I chose the wrong side, how you looked at me in Ba Sing Se… like I was a person, not an enemy.”
You finally met his gaze.
He was resolute.
A soft “please” escaped his lips as he leaned closer.
You nodded.
“Yes, Zu… I want to be with you.”
You closed the distance, kissing his cheek first before wrapping your arms around his neck. Then, finally, your lips met in a soft, tender kiss.
A/N: Heyy, this is a thing i wrote quite a while ago. Honestly, it’s not fully edited and probably has quite a few mistakes, as well as some possible mischaracterization or moments that don’t fully align with the main idea of focusing on Zuko’s relationship with the reader. The truth is, i’m not very good at writing despite how much I enjoy it. I love imagining stories, but I struggle to put them into words. I’m open to any kind of feedback, and I hope you enjoyed this little fic!