I know I only have 4 Chapters (I finished the Epilogue! It will be out on Saturday!) but I wanted to make a Master List, just to make navigation easier for everyone.
Zuko X Fem!Reader
Warnings: Fluff, Slight Aangst(heh), and some implications
Summary: Iroh felt it was time for the Palace to reflect the time of Peace and Love that Zuko promised five years earlier at his coronation. He takes it upon himself to hire an interior decorator to help his nephew out and work together. What he didn’t expect was for Zuko to possibly find his own peace and love in the process.
Chapter 1: Feng Shu
Chapter 2: Tchotchke
Chapter 3: Jacquard
Chapter 4: Trompe l’oeil
Epilogue
I will also be opening up requests after the Epilogue comes out! If there’s anything you want to see between (Y/N) and Zuko, feel free to send it to me an ask!
I just realized, Zuko was the only person around to witness Zhao’s demise
I’m imagining like the gaang is just hanging around the fire a few days before Sozin’s Comet just
Sokka: “We’re really going after the Fire Nation again so soon after the Day of Black Sun… They’ll be far more prepared this time too, I bet. I wonder who they’ll send after us…”
Katara: “Probably Azula. She’s already found us once since the Day of Black Sun.”
Toph: “Maybe the Fire Lord himself? That would at least make things easier for us.”
Sokka: “No that would be too convenient. They’d send someone else. Possibly Zhao. We haven’t seen him in a while.”
Zuko: “????”
Aang: “You’re right. Not since the North Pole.”
Zuko: “??????”
Katara: “That is kind of strange, actually, considering how good he was at tracking us up to that point. Do you think something hap–”
Zuko: “Fish ate him.”
Sokka: “What”
Zuko: “Fish spirit ate him.”
Toph: “Fish what”
Zuko: “Spirit. Ate him. Didn’t wanna take my hand.”
Aang: “…………….The OCEAN SPIRIT ATE HIM?”
Zuko: “Actually I don’t wanna talk about it.”
Holy responses Batman! I did not expect you guys to enjoy Say You'll Remember Me as much as you seemed to!! The feedback has been so wonderful!!!
I've heard your requests and I will be working on a Part 2. Just to wrap it up. It may take me a couple weeks, it may take me a couple days, I'm not sure but I'll definitely post. If you want to be tagged in the 2nd part, let me know!!
Hey guys! I know it’s been a hot minute since I’ve uploaded everything. I’m still so grateful to the reaction I’ve gotten from Interior Décor. I wanted to post another little something I was inspired to write. It’s based off of a Taylor Swift song.
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Zuko X Fem!Reader
Warnings: Aangst, Bit o’ Fluff, Fake Relationship
Word Count: Almost 3k
Summary: (Y/N) would do anything for Zuko. She followed him through his whole journey, so that goes without saying, right? What happens when the council starts hounding Zuko to find a Fire Lady to help him rule, and Zuko comes to her with a plot to pretend to be in love and get married. Nothing could go wrong, right?
When did he get so tall?
How could he have gotten that handsome?
And that smile on his face is so perfect it's bad.
She couldn't help but stare at him as he discussed politics with several council men. He had just laughed at something one of council men joked about, his eyes darting to her with his smirk, causing her lips to naturally smile back at him.
Fire Lord Zuko was the star of every woman's dreams and here he was before her, smiling his best smile, directing it at her. It felt so real.
"I expect to see you all tonight at the festival," Zuko smirked, returning his attention back to the other men. "If you'll excuse me, Lady (Y/N) and I have other matters to attend to." He held out his hand for her, pulling her from her seat and leading her out of the room with his hand on the small of her back.
As they made their way to the living quarters section of the Palace, Zuko couldn't help but let out a sigh and drop his hand from her back, mumbling an apology. "Only a couple more months before we can end this charade and you can go back to your normal life."
She looked up at him, attempting to swallow the lump in her throat by hiding it with a smile instead. The look didn't quite reach her eyes, but he didn't see that.
"It hasn't been so bad," (Y/N) tried to reason, but really she was miserable knowing this whole thing was just a sham.
A several months after Zuko's coronation, the Fire Sages began asking him when he was going to be serious and settle down, find a Fire Lady to bear his children. He would get into serious fights with them about how he didn't need a woman to serve as Fire Lord but they insisted it would be beneficial to the nation if he did.
(Y/N) was his best friend, she had followed him from his exile, hunting down the Avatar, to their escape into Ba Sing Se, then back to the Fire Nation, then in a surprising twist, back with the Avatar.
They were best friends.
Except that she was madly in love with him. It started when they were young and he would run to her when Azula would bully him. She had never gotten along with Azula and her crew like she was supposed to. Instead attaching herself to the Prince. They did everything together. She was the shoulder he cried on when Ursa left, the confidant when he told her, and crushed her, that he liked Mai, and the support when he went through his journey with the Avatar. Her feelings for him never ceased even through all of their trials and tribulations. She would go to the ends of the earth for her best friend.
So when Zuko came to her and begged her to marry him for the sages, she agreed without hesitation. He planned the whole thing when he brought it to her, they would court each other for a few months before marrying for another few months, to get the sages off of his back, before she was to decide that being married to the Fire Lord wasn't all it was cracked up to be and they both came to an agreement to separate.
What she didn't take into account was the torture she would endure knowing that it was all pretend. Every kiss on the cheek, held hand and whispered "I love you" was just for show. She sometimes forgot that he didn't truly love her like that and everything she had grown used to was to be for nothing.
"Oh, I'm sure it's been the worst, (Y/N)," Zuko teased before pecking her on the cheek and leaving her toward his bedroom to prepare for the festival for that night.
Staring at his door, she placed her hand to where he had just given her affection, and frowned. The one thing she hoped when this was all over was that he'd remember everything she did for him and how much she truly cared for him.
Getting ready for the festival she dressed in her nicest dress, put on her best make up including the Fire Nation red lip paint and red dusted along her cheeks to be rosy.
Playing the part of the Fire Lady was a lot of work, but she really enjoyed spending all her time with Zuko. They were best friends for a reason, always having something fun to laugh about or talk about, just being comfortable in each other's company. When they had to put on a show, it felt less authentic, except when he kissed her. It always felt so real, which hurt her even more. She couldn't imagine what a real kiss from Zuko felt like if what he was giving her was merely pretend.
When they met at the entrance to the palace she couldn't help but admire him again. He was so handsome, his tall stature and his signature smirk really made her a mess.
"You look beautiful," he said, cupping her face with his hand. She was about to reply when several servants walked past causing him to lean forward and capture her lips with his, curling his fingers into her hair, pulling her closer. It was all for show, but it felt so good. He burned her skin with his passionate fire, she couldn't stop herself from being enveloped in his flames and allowing her brain to forget for several minutes that it all was going to end.
When he released her, he stared at her for a few moments before turning to see if any servants remained. She looked down, attempting to hide her disappointment, her blushed cheeks darker at the interaction.
"We should get going," Zuko mumbled, his face as bright as hers. With a quiet nod, she followed him down the steps toward the festival that was already in full swing.
People fawned over them, acting as though they were in the presence of the Avatar or something, which made sense, they were the royalty, but to (Y/N) she felt bad each time a young girl would tell her she was the best Fire Lady, knowing deep down she was lying to everyone. For Zuko though, it was worth it. Knowing he was happy.
They made their way around, enjoying the shows going on, ate the foods that people had prepared especially for the event and played a few of the side games. They laughed and laughed as they enjoyed their time, even stopping at one point to enjoy the sunset. She hugged his arm as they watched, admiring the glowing light as it slowly drifted below the skyline.
Looking up at him subtly, she could only imagine how much better this moment would have been had they truly been together.
Her thoughts were cut short when a voice next to them cleared their throats, causing Zuko and herself to both turn and look at the figure who made the interruption. When (Y/N)'s eyes landed on Mai, her heart stopped.
"Mai!" Zuko exclaimed, removing his arm from (Y/N)'s grasp to embrace the other woman in a warm hug. "It's so great to see you, I feel like it's been ages!" Mai snorted and pat Zuko on the back.
"It's been like a month Zuko," she dryly teased. Her eyes darted to (Y/N) and she nodded slightly, "Hi (Y/N)." With a small wave in return, (Y/N) felt herself sink back as Zuko immediately began talking to Mai about how she was and life and what was going on. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the two before her. They were back to acting like they hadn't broken up, ending the relationship on bad terms. Instead, it was as if they were rekindling the chemistry, right before her.
A tap on her shoulder broke her sulking session and she turned to see a young girl with a bright grin on her face.
"You're Fire Lady (Y/N), right?" She asked. There was a scroll and a quill in her hand. (Y/N) nodded, and the little girl shoved both objects into her hands. "Would you please sign this? You're my hero! I want to be a powerful Fire Lady like you one day! My mom says you're the nicest member of the royal family they've ever had." (Y/N) blushed and wrote her name on the paper before handing it back to the girl.
"That's very kind of your mother to say, I'm glad I can inspire you, I'm sure you're going to be a very powerful woman one day," (Y/N) replied with a smile. The girl beamed and rushed forward, wrapping (Y/N) into a quick hug before pulling away and rushing into the crowd of the festival. (Y/N)'s heart swelled at the thought of being a role model for someone.
Turning back to Zuko and Mai, her good feeling dissipated immediately. The two had already begun walking away, leaving her behind in their trance of each other. (Y/N) frowned as her heart dropped into her stomach. She knew Mai always had a special place in Zuko's heart, but she didn't realize that even after their really rough breakup, which (Y/N) had comforted Zuko during, that the two would come back together like this. Mai had said some truly hurtful things to Zuko and he was devastated by the verbal knives she had used on him.
The tears stung at her eyes, a few escaping, burning droplets falling. Whipping around quickly, she began to push through the crowds back to the Palace. Her red robes flowing in the haste. As she rushed up the steps, she was stopped by one of the guards.
"Fire Lady (Y/N) are you alright?" He asked, noticing her now soaked cheeks. She nodded her head.
"Yes, I had some fire flakes that were just a bit too warm for my taste, if you'll excuse me, I think they made my stomach uneasy and I am going to go relax."
"Shall I tell the Fire Lord where you'll be?' He asked.
"No!" (Y/N) snapped back a bit too quickly. The guard leaned back slightly at the retort. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to interrupt his evening. It's a wonderful festival and the people worked hard for him. He should get to enjoy it." Stepping away before the conversation continued, (Y/N) rushed to her bedroom and sat at the desk that Zuko had put in there for him to work on.
Pulling out some parchment and her quill, she began writing her letter. She tried to wipe her tears away quickly before they fell to the paper, but several slipped and smudged the words.
After finishing her message, she gathered her belongings in her pack and slipped from the room toward the back of the Palace. Dodging every guard she could see, as she escaped the building, she rushed toward the docks nearby which held the Fire Lord's private fleet. Heading toward the closest ship, (Y/N) greeted one of the Captains who had just finished re-fueling the ship.
"Good evening Fire Lady (Y/N), what can I do for you?" He asked, doing the symbolic bow.
"My presence is required at the Southern Water Tribe, I need to depart immediately," (Y/N) lied. The Captain nodded his head and signaled his men to start the boat.
Looking back at the Palace, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel the ache in her heart grow. She knew this was for the best. Zuko needed to stop using her as a shield and find himself a wife he actually wanted. He needed to stop lying to the people and himself. If that meant leaving without him knowing, that's what she had to do.
"My Lady, we have your room inside the ship ready if you would like me to put your stuff down." (Y/N) shook her head.
"I'll take it myself," she smiled. Turning back to the Palace, she internally said one final goodbye, before following the Captain down into the ship.
Zuko turned to look for (Y/N) after telling Mai goodbye. It had been nice to see his old friend and hear about her new relationship with someone who gave her everything she needed. When he couldn't find his wife anywhere, he began asking the guards scattered around where the Fire Lady had gone off to. They motioned toward the Palace, saying she had fallen ill from some fire flakes. Zuko found that odd, as he didn't recall either of them getting fire flakes for the evening.
Rushing into the Palace, one of the guards said that she was inside their room resting. This was even weirder to Zuko, as they didn't normally sleep together in their room, he had a separate chamber attached. Opening the door, he lit the candle on the wall to reveal the emptiness.
"(Y/N)!" Zuko shouted as he walked further into the bedroom. He checked all over, his room, the closet, the wash room, anywhere she could have been and found her nowhere. Frowning, he sat down on the bed, only to feel something roll and hit his thigh. Looking down, he saw a scroll addressed to him in her scrawl.
Something in his chest tightened. He had a feeling this note was about to destroy him and he wasn't sure he wanted to read it. If he ignored it, he could find her and pretend that nothing wrong was happening.
He opened it anyway.
It was exactly what he expected and he couldn't help but feel his entire world crashing around him. He could see where her tears had smudged the paper and couldn't help but watch his own meet the same fate.
She was gone.
My dearest Fire Lord,
Writing this will possibly be the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, including being forced to watch you nearly die to your sister.
When I agreed to be your wife, I did it for selfish reasons. It wasn't because I wanted the Fire Nation to be better, you to get the council off of your back, or to gain fame and glory from all of this, it was because I had hoped that one day it wouldn't be fake.
As time passed though, I knew that wouldn't be the case. Our pretend relationship wasn't benefitting you, the Fire Nation, or even me. It was hurting everyone. I couldn't lie to people anymore but I couldn't lie to you especially. I had to stop pretending that I was pretending with you. Every touch, kiss, and "I love you" was real for me. I know it wasn't for you and that's okay but for my sake and yours, it's time we end this façade.
I need you to take care of yourself Zuko. I'm not going to be there to do it anymore. Find yourself a woman who you love as much as I love you. Worship her, do anything for her. Whether that be to follow her through a tireless journey across the four nations, watch her find herself even though you know the whole time that she's meant for good instead of what she was raised to believe, or even if it means pretending that you're pretending to love her for the sake of the Fire Nation, whatever it is, make sure that she's everything you've ever wanted. You deserve nothing but the best.
Promise me that you'll at least remember everything I did. Remember tonight, remember me, standing in my nice robes, red lips and cheeks. Remember the sunset and the quiet moment we shared together. Remember that kiss we shared not realizing for both of us that it would be our last. Maybe you'll see me again in your dreams, I know I'll be seeing you in mine.
I love you.
(Y/N)
I’ve toyed with a second part to this, just because sad endings always make me... well...sad? I haven’t written anything but if people want it, I can possibly cook something up.
Please let me know what you think! Also don’t hate me if you hated it!
