aang x f!reader | modern day
summary: a house party brings out a side of aang he isn't used to.
cw: slight violence, a man is misogynistic creep
The house is packed, crowded from wall to wall with gyrating bodies and plastic cups sloshing sticky alcohol onto an already too-sticky floor. Music blasts through the confined space, its bass loud enough to shake the house's foundation and the bones under Aang's flushed skin. It should be an annoyance—it usually is as loud house parties aren't Aang's preferred spot for a Saturday night. But Sokka's hosting it and he had pleaded incessantly for Aang to come, to the point there had been tears and a surprising amount of snot.
While Sokka's begging had worn down Aang's reluctance, it was you who had driven the final nail in the coffin. You weren't much of a party-goer either, much preferring to spend your free time doing anything else. But you had a weak spot for Sokka—you both did—and had smiled at Aang with a shrug.
"If we go now, he can't ask us to attend any other parties for the next two months," you had said and that had made Aang feel a little better. Even though Sokka had yelled "Two months!?" indignantly which you had easily ignored. "So let's go and do our social duties for a few hours then we can come home and binge-watch nature documentaries."
Aang had grinned. "Blue Plant II?"
You had grinned back. "Would it be anything else?"
Sokka had rolled his eyes. "You're both so old and boring. I'm literally older than both of you and yet—"
Aang had tuned out his rant with practised ease while you had entertained Sokka's loud woes with the purpose of riling him up more and life simply continued.
Which brings Aang back to bass thrumming through his skin and his drink wetting his hand due to the dripping condensation. He nods politely to those who greet him, entertains a brief conversation here and there from passing acquaintances and is coaxed into playing beer pong by a tipsy Toph.
"You'll be my eyes," she delegates as she drags him towards the noisy table lined with strategically placed cups of beer. "Just tell me where to aim and let me work my magic."
"Wouldn't that be cheating?" Aang asks, allowing himself to be situated by Toph's side and already taking his task seriously. "Seems like an unfair advantage."
Toph snorts. "I'm blind, Twinkletoes."
Aang nods solemnly. "Touche."
They proceed to win four rounds of beer pong and Aang wanders away from it, a little high off off their successes. He leaves a cackling Toph stuffing her winnings into her pockets, begins to head towards the kitchen for some water when a thought strikes him—he hasn't seen you in a while.
You had stayed close together when you first entered the house, hands entwined as you navigated your way through a much smaller crowd. Then Katara had appeared, bright-eyed and pretty in her shimmery eye shadow and to pull you away from him. Aang had only blinked in mild surprise as he watched you disappear up the stairs, you just as surprised as Katara yelled, "I'll have her back soon!" before you both vanished around the corner. That was the last time he had seen you and while he knows you're fine, he can't help but feel antsy because, well, he misses you and it's hard to know you're both in the same vicinity and he can't see you.
Aang decides to locate Katara since you'll most likely be with her and starts towards the stairs. But on his way there, he glances towards the room of crowded dancing bodies and stops right in his tracks because right there—you're right there.
You look…ethereal is the right word.
It's like the rest of the room fades away as Aang's eyes focus on you, trained to pick you out in a mass of even a million people. You're dancing to music, hips swinging with the beat as your hands slide over the swells of your chest and down your stomach. Katara's right behind you, sure grip on your hips as she guides you through the rhythm and you're both grinning, lost in the moment of something stronger than friendship and built upon true comfort. Aang watches, his smile growing and heart fond, and is about to turn away to look for Sokka when he catches it.
A man dances towards you with intent, a smarmy grin on his face as he gets closer and closer. You and Katara haven't noticed yet but Aang has and he's already moving, pushing his way through shaking backsides and jabbing elbows. He's still got his sights on you, all of his senses on high and boiling over the moment the man gets to you before he does. Then it's like everything goes into slow motion; Aang watches this man set his hands on your hips and press forward until you're trapped between him and Katara. Immediately your eyes fly open at the intrusion and your hands are quick to push the man away, pretty features twisting with unbridled rage. Katara is right there with you, stepping between you and the man with her own fury front and centre.
The man doesn't back down; he even attempts to reach around Katara to touch you and Aang doesn't know when he snaps.
He just does.
"I don't see what the problem is," the man laughs, his grip on your wrist uncomfortably firm. "Can't a guy approach two beautiful ladies and dance with them? Especially if one of them catches his eye?" His wink towards you brings forth a visceral reaction, your face scrunched up in disgust. "And I don't see a man with her so unless you two are scissor sisters, maybe you can tell your bodyguard here to back off. Unless she wants to join—?"
He's promptly interrupted by a swift punch to the face that sends him staggering into a dancing couple. Both you and Katara are startled by the suddenness and are then shocked when they see who caused it.
"Aang," you say softly, as if in a trance as Aang comes to stand in front of you, keeping you and Katara hidden behind his bulk. "Did you just—?"
"He did," Katara confirms, her voice just as soft. "Trust me, I had to double check to see if he was the one who actually threw that punch."
"Ah."
The man stumbles up after being pushed away by the couple he crashed into, touching his nose to see if it's broken or bleeding—it's the latter. At the sight of the blood, his expression transforms into one of a hideous beast as he approaches Aang with vicious intent. But the quickness of his stride slows the nearer he gets to Aang due to the difference of size between them.
"What the fuck is your problem, man!?" He shouts angrily. "You punched me in the face when I didn't do shit to you!"
Aang calmly raises a brow. "You didn't do shit to me?" he repeats. "If I recall correctly, you saw two women dancing peacefully on their own before deciding to force yourself upon them. One who happens to be my girlfriend and the one my best friend. Even if I didn't know them personally, I wouldn't have tolerated such behaviour."
"A knight in shining armour, huh?" The man jeers before leaning to the side to catch a glimpse of you. "I guess it's true that ladies love the nice guys and all that fucking shit but it's whatever. I didn't know the bitch was taken but even if I did, what would have stopped me from taking her for a nice ride? Maybe she would have preferred how a bad guy does it."
The words fall into Aang's mind like rotten wood that shatter upon impact and every shatter further feeds a feeling he tries to avoid. It took over when he gave into the urge to punch and threatens to swallow him whole due to what's been spat at his face. Words that pertain to you, the very meaning to his existence, drenched in the utmost disrespect and degradation. To make you seem like you're only a tool meant for the pleasure of some sick man who dares transform you into something baseless and nonexistent.
This must be that all consuming rage Zuko talks about, the one that used to fuel him when he was young and afraid but so mad at the world. The causes are not the same but the outcome doesn't differ as Aang moves before he can even think.
You call his name urgently, Katara's hand grabs at his shoulder and Sokka appears like a spirit summoned.
Aang doesn't know what happens.
He sinks.
And resurfaces in the sanctuary of Sokka's bedroom with his bloodied knuckles bandaged and his cheek pulsing with a promising bruise. He instantly recognises the scent of your perfume and hides his face into the plush of your lap, calmed by the soothing strokes of your fingers against his scalp.
"…What happened?" He asks tentatively, unsure of if he wants to know.
"Quite a few things," you say quietly. "Firstly, you have a mean right hook and secondly, I can see why meditation is so important for you."
Aang groans softly, closing his eyes. "I'm not an angry person, I promise," he says, needing to clarify that. "I never get into fights. I do my best to talk things out and if that doesn't work, I remove myself from the situation. But tonight…I don't know what happened."
You tap his nose. "I know you're not an angry person," you assure him. "But we all get angry sometimes and that anger can change into something brighter and scary because of how it engulfs us."
Aang sighs, turning his head so he can look at you and the smile you're giving him right now feels undeserving. "You've felt like this before too?" He asks and you nod, slipping your hand down from his head to his cheek.
"A few times, yes," you confirm, gently rubbing your thumb over the apple of his cheek. "We all have so don't feel bad, my love. Plus the guy was being a dick so if you hadn't punched him, I or Katara would have done it."
Aang smiles, nuzzling into your hand. "How is Katara, by the way?"
"Good, she's regaling your heroic tale to Toph."
"Oh, wonderful."
You laugh and it's the best sound that Aang can hear right now, along with the sound of your voice. He reaches up to cup your cheek with a touch so reverent that seems to shock you, your eyes widening a bit.
"I'd do it again," he confesses. "To protect you and keep you smiling and happy, I'd do it again."
The corners of your lips curl into an adoring smile, soft around its edges as you turn your head to kiss the inside of his palm.
"I know. I just hope you won't have to."
Aang hopes so too because that means you'd get to exist in a world unbothered and at peace.
just saw a really cute tik tok of an interracial couple where the white girlfriend had brown concealer around her mouth from kissing her girlfriend and it looks like she's been eating chocolate cake. so her girlfriend in the video is helping her clean it off and it's so funny because in the comments, the black girlfriend says she was immediately kissed again after she had helped her girlfriend clean the concealer off. 😭
and my brain just went, "that's very toph and black!f!reader coded."
a/n: this was very self-indulgent and it was so fun.
"Truth or dare?" You ask Zuko, a little tipsy as you sway into Katara's side. You giggle when her arm wraps around your waist, the tip of her nose tracing the line of your jaw as she smiles.
"Er...dare?" Zuko says, uncertain and a little tipsy too. Everyone's currently tipsy, the third bottle of sake almost finished as they head to a fourth. Responsibility deems that the drinking should stop here but recklesness wins—it always does late into the night.
You let loose another giggle, hiding your grinning behind your cup. You then tilt your head towards Katara's ear, whispering something that makes Katara gasp and nod in approval. Zuko briefly wonders what you two are conniving about but gets distracted by how pretty you look into Katara's arms.
He feels like he should be jealous, seeing as you're his wife. But he'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about it before.
With everyone in the room included.
A secret even you don't know.
"I dare you to kiss Sokka!" You whisper-yell conspiratorially and Zuko's eyes widen, immediately looking towards Sokka who appears just as shocked.
"Um?" He tries as Sokka goes, "Whaaaaaaaat?!"
"Yes!" Toph cheers, stomping her feet giddily. "Oh man, I've wished for times like these."
"You have!?" Sokka and Zuko shout in unison, equally stunned.
Aang nods solemnly, splayed across your and Katara's laps. He's busy playing with your fingers, a mischievous smile curving his lips.
"She has," he responds. "We've spoken, in detail, about how we'd kiss everyone in the group."
Toph smirks in your direction. "I'd kiss you with so much tongue, baby girl."
"Promise?" You purr as Katara says, "Only if I can watch."
"What is happening?" Zuko says weakly, overwhelmed and Sokka snorts, his own shock having eased into something calmer. "How did we get here?"
Sokka shrugs. "When you have this many hot people on a team, it's kind of inevitable." He then turns to Zuko, cups his face and grins. "Promise me you won't leave your wife after I give you the kiss of a lifetime."
"You can join us!" You yell excitedly.
"Oh hell yes." Sokka fist pumps and Zuko thinks he may have a conniption. Especially when Sokka's handsome face is leaning in, his plush lips getting closer and...
Ta-dah! I gave myself a birthday gift: Coloring the sketch of Jiang Cheng that I did for his birthday! I had a wonderful time, what an excellent gift \o/
Very generally speaking, when you see a black man in a piece of media, be it tv show, movie, video game, etc. there’s something you often see a lot of writers do. To go against the stereotype of black men (and black people in general) being dumb and lazy, you’ll see this black male character being smart and an achiever. 
The Black Nerd. A common character type, the nerd will always be very interested in all things nerdy: science, video games, mathematics, etc. In an continued effort to combat stereotypes, the Black Nerd will be lack athleticism, probably being asthmatic (the nerdiest of conditions). The Black Nerd will dress smartly, suspenders and bow ties. They’ll always talk smart too, using proper English with complex words.
Now, I don’t have a problem with a black character being a nerd, indeed black people are a people; we aren’t all the same and we all have varying personalities. The problem I have is that too often we see a distinct disconnect between Blackness and the Black Nerd. The Black Nerd doesn’t listen to hip hop or rap, only classical music. The Black Nerd only has white friends, the only other black characters are into not nerdy stuff. The Black Nerd never ever uses AAVE at any time in any context.
And again I must say that Black people, not being a monolith, there are no hard fast rules to being Black. I’m more than sure there are Black people like what I’ve described above, I’m not saying it’s impossible; what I’m getting at is that the only Black Nerd we see. There are Black Nerds that play basketball, that bump Kendrick Lamar, and use AAVE since it’s an ever changing dialect. I’m just saying there’s no one way of being a nerd and no one way of being Black.
And then we have the Quirky Biracial Black Girl that at this point I feel is just the Black Girl version of the Blerd
Of course there are Black girl characters that are nerds. They just don't show up as often like other women nerd characters in media. Maybe because nerd/geek culture actively gatekeeps women out of these intellectual fields and/or fan spaces? Look at Childish Gambino and other nerds that throw a tantrum seeing Megan Thee Stallion into (the most mainstream) anime titles. That certainly will reflect on tv somehow someway🤷🏾♀️
But yeah, the Quirky Biracial Black Girl has been coming about a lot more lately. They are usually biracial because the idea of a monoracial Black girl into nerdy/alt/geeky interests doesn't sound realistic to writers. So clearly they have to be mixed with a nonwhite identity to justify their quirkiness 🙄 8/10 they usually are mixed white cuz that's the only kind of mixed identity available these people can write. Or I guess its more accurate to say they can only write whiteness as that's the default in everything.
Also the reason Black nerd boys don't really face this treatment is cuz the industry still views dark skin as an inherently masculine trait. So it's fine for the boys to be darkskinned or just monoracially Black. The girls, however, gotta be lighter in comparison to still emphasize that whole they are out of ordinary, they're still feminine 😬
That's why I like shows like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
A Black nerdy teenage girl who wheres her fro out with love. She's surrounded by a diverse group of friends and family. And she's got a unique nerdy geek side to her that some people don't really get, not even her friends. That's ok, she got friends who are into the same stuff as her, many of which are other Black women!
Clearly she doesn't have to sacrifice her Blackness for the sake of being nerdy. She is a nerdy Black girl. She can be into the roller skating scene (which she incorporates in her Moon Girl alter ego). She can be into cassettes and Black genres of music (which she incorporates in her fights and sources for inspo). Like it ain't hard yall
All of these things are because most of the white people being given budgets to create toe the line of the two minorities that they think of to write - the villain or the model minority.
Depending on where society is, they will more often than not choose one of these. They used to go heavy on villainous. A few years ago, they decided to see racism and started writing all of these respectables, to show that they, too, were an "ally." And companies keep giving them money to make stuff with people whose humanity they're not familiar enough with to make caricatures and stereotypes.
Too many people think that as long as its not somebody ghetto or sassy or mean that it is "good" representation.
Because in those minds, Black people (and I guess Asians as well) are characters in their heads while the made up white characters in their head are actual people that they created.
Summary: Pet names and nicknames the Gaang would have for you in a relationship
Warnings: Some swearing, slightly suggestive stuff
Aang
Your Name
Aang doesn't really use nicknames with you (with some exceptions of course), but generally speaking, Aang prefers to fluster you with his words and actions, not necessarily by calling you by some nickname. He might shorten your name or give you a nickname based on some variation of your name but for the most part, he just calls you by your name.
Gorgeous
Exception case #1, sometimes Aang is so in awe of you that he just sits there and admires you in order to appreciate how lucky he truly is. In these cases, it's quite common for an off-hand "gorgeous" or "wow" to slip out when addressing you since he doesn't really realize that he's speaking out loud. Whether you call him on it or not is up to you though.
Sweetie
Exception case #2, usually employed when you're behaving abnormally or he's being kind of a little shit. For example, if you aren't acting like yourself, he'll pull you aside and ask privately, "Sweetheart what's wrong?" Other times, he knows exactly what's wrong with you and he's only asking you what's wrong to tease you further.
Katara
Cutie
When Katara's in more of a teasing or flirtatious mood, she'll sidle up to you and greet you with a charming, "Hey cutie." Beware of Katara when she's in this state though, as "cutie" usually means that she's in an affectionate mood and she will become the slightest bit grumpy if you don't let her cuddle you.
Babe
Usually used in her day to day vocabulary, especially if she's calling out for you or trying to get your attention. Babe and baby are just the standard ways that Katara addresses you and you're going to just have to get used to it.
Precious One
Most of Katara's terms of endearment are going to come from her native language. Some of the terms she uses so often that you'll pick up their meaning relatively easy (not that she would keep their meaning a secret from you). Precious one, dear heart, and my love are all terms that she will whisper to you in her language. She loves using terms in her language as they create a sort of private barrier around the two of you, excluding any non-Southern Water Tribe residents from the intimate depths of your conversation.
Sokka
Snookums
Sokka unironically calls you his Snookum Wookum Bug A Bear and he has zero shame about it. It's almost like a challenge for him to come up with the most embarrassing combination of pet names in order to generate the maximum amount of embarrassment and cringe for everyone in the room. Katara has tried to make fun of him in the past but he simply reminds her that he knows exactly how sappy she is in their native tongue.
Hon'
When Sokka's not min/maxing cringe, he does just refer to you normally, either calling by your name or 'Honey'— hon' for short. Though not as common, he does enjoy proclaiming "my honey would never" in varying shades of disbelief depending on what random thing you've been jokingly accused of.
[Insert Complimentary Adjective]
I mean what is there to say? Sokka is your #1 hype man, one moment he's calling you a genius, the next, you're the most creative person he's ever met! It doesn't matter what you do, Sokka's always ready with a well-thought out nickname to highlight your best qualities.
Suki
Cutie
Another person who calls you cutie when teasing you, she does mean it genuinely though. You're just so cute that she can't help but to verbalize it, lest she combust from anticipation.
My Hero
This is usually a bit more sarcastic. If you do anything for Suki, even something as small as handing her a pen when she needs to write, she'll smile and say "my hero", placing a kiss on your cheek before continuing on with her business.
My Love
To Suki, there's nothing that means more to her than letting you know that you're loved. She loves you so much and to her it's a shame that she can't just beam the love she holds for you straight into your heart. To her, saying "my love" in between kisses is nothing but a cheap reminder compared to the depth of affection she feels for you.
Toph
Nerd
Toph is a lot more emotionally in tune than most people would give her credit for. She can feel the intensity of certain emotions through her seismic sense, so having a level of awareness for the feelings of others is almost second nature to her. Unfortunately, her awareness of others and their feelings plummets when it comes to Toph and her feelings. Because of her nature and general emotional repression, Toph expresses her affection for you in...unique ways. Though she doesn't call you this to be mean, nerd is definitely a regular part of Toph's vocabulary, alongside a number of joke nicknames about you.
Baby
Mostly used when she's flirting with you and laying it on thick. She loves to feel the way your heart pitter patters when she calls you baby. A whistle and a murmured, "Damn baby" usually sends you into an embarrassed frenzy, which always puts a smile on her face.
If you turn the tables on her and call her baby, she'll be putty in your hands.
Dummy
Another name that Toph calls you because, well, she's Toph. Usually reserved for the times that you behave recklessly, causing her to panic when she can no longer sense you in the midst of chaos and commotion. When it's all over, and her heart finally calms down, she'll go up to you and say, "You're a real dummy you know that?"
Zuko
Your Name
Like Aang, Zuko is someone who doesn't really use nicknames. He prefers using your name because it's yours and though he may not be the only person blessed with the privilege of knowing and saying your name, the reverence in his tone when he say it sets him apart from all others.
Darling
Zuko is very private with his affection, his preference for using your name isn't just because he loves saying it so much. He's not that big on PDA, and part of that is keeping nicknames and pet names between the two of you (the sappy way he always says your name makes his stance null and void, but let's let him be delulu). In those quiet moments he's able to steal with you, he's so gentle and affectionate. A kiss on your hand accompanied by a, "Hello my darling, how has your day been?", is all he can afford to give in these moments, but, his affections are cherished nonetheless.
My Love
Zuko calls you his love like it's a sacred vow—for him it probably is. Usually reserved for the late nights when neither of you can quite find sleep and your conversations consist more of half-baked thoughts than the intelligent repartee you both are capable of. Zuko, half-asleep, tells you of how you're the greatest thing that's ever happened to him, "You are the greatest blessing, my love."
Firelord!Zuko x ambassador gn!reader x Fire empress!Mai
Life as an ambassador is a constant cycle of paperwork, duty, and more paperwork. Yet, there is no resentment only pride and honor. The trust placed by both husband and wife is sacred, and it is the ambassador’s solemn duty to restore the Fire Nation to its former glory. Every document signed, every treaty written, every historical record restored is a step toward redemption. Ink stains mark the hands like badges of service, each stroke of the brush helping to rebuild the Earth Kingdom and mend the wounds left by old the Fire Lord’s reign.
Sleep could wait. The warmth of the bed, the comfort of beloved arms, the soft touch of gentle fingers all of it called like a siren’s song. Zuko’s strong arms could easily pull anyone into a peaceful slumber, his body radiating heat like a living furnace. Mai’s delicate fingers could soothe away any lingering tension, her quiet presence both calming and commanding. But duty came first. The nation came first. Love could wait until the ink dried.
“Firefly, how long will you keep us waiting?” Zuko’s soft, husky voice broke through the haze of concentration. “Please come to bed. It’s cold without you,” he murmured, his tone carrying a hint of playful complaint. The sight of his tousled black hair and tired golden eyes almost made you falter. Almost.
“Just a couple more documents to sign, beloved,” came the weary reply, a hand raised dismissively toward the king.
Then swoosh! A dagger sliced through the air, embedding itself in the wall mere inches from your hand. The ink jar trembled. The ambassador froze.
“My dear ambassador,” came Mai’s cold, firm voice, “it is an official order from your Empress to come to bed.”
You didn't dare turn around. Zuko sighed, attempting to defuse the tension. “Mai-flower, don’t you think that’s a little cruel?”
But Mai’s mind was made up. “I won’t call you again, Ambassador. Next time, I will not miss.”
A gulp. A quick extinguishing of the lantern. “Yes, my beloved,” came the shaky response. Terrifying, yes but also utterly captivating.
Robes slipped away as you climbed into bed, settling between the two of them right where you belonged. Zuko’s arms wrapped around you both, his warmth enveloping you and Mai completely. Mai’s fingers found their way into your hair, her touch softer now, though her eyes still glinted with mischief.
“How come you listen to her and not me?” Zuko grumbled, his lips pressed together in an almost pout.
“Because you’re far too soft,” Mai replied smoothly. “A delicate hand is no match for a sharp blade.”
Zuko chuckled, pressing a kiss to your temple. “At least stop trying to murder our love.”
Mai only stuck out her tongue playfully. “They’re into it.”
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