"I didn't understand the beauty of the world until I saw her."
Summary: After years spent restoring the Fire Nation, Zuko discovers an unexpected wellspring of prosperity in a girl who is his mirror opposite.
Warnings: Smut, F!intended reader, aged up Zuko, soft sex, body warship, implied abuse, poverty
Info: Five-six years after the end of avatar, reader wears glasses cause I dk what I want, aged up Zuko, firelord Zuko, Azula is in her redemption arc, reader is kinda an airhead
yal,need to chill wjth zuko 😮💨 give some room for the others man!!
I give what the people need
My requests are always always always open :3
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It was getting late. Zuko was aware of that, but he had biggest problems than returning to the palace.
She had run off, again. She was naive, at least in Zuko's eyes. The way her gaze always caught onto surrounding things, entrapped her little mind, always intrigued Zuko. Only a few moments ago, she had seen a man walking with a cart full of random items. He couldn't make it out what exactly was in the cart before she ran off behind the quickly paced man.
An now Zuko stood confused and worried, wondering if she was okay,
The hustle and bustle of the Fire Nation plaza wasn't helping Zuko's worried mind. His eyes latched onto groups of children playing and running around, a small boy tugging on his mothers arm towards a fire flakes stand. The firelord messed with the hem of his clothing, trying to make sure he wasn't recognizable. He loved hanging out with (Y/N), but spirits was it a pain getting recognized by fans and enemies alike.
During their little hang outs, Zuko would let his hair down out of the royal bun that usually accompanied his formal attire. It was reasonably long, so his bangs would cover up most of the scar on his face,
Whenever somebody would question the burn though, he had funny excuses that would make the girl he adored laugh,
"You have the same scar as Firelord Zuko!" A young woman would exclaim, and Zuko would act casual, stating,
-"his scar is on the wrong side."
-"Firelord who-ko?"
-"Mines a birthmark."
or, his personal favorite,
-"No I dont."
His quips always made her let out a little giggle, pulling him along to look at the newly opened shops. He wished that she was dragging him along now instead of running off through the thick and busy streets.
As his gaze scanned through the people around him, his eyes caught into something. He felt the breath he didn't know he was holding release at the sight of the sparkling gem that adorned her bun, glistening from the setting sun. It seemed to be the color of maroom; perhaps a fire gem, a ruby, garnet, or some other red jewel Zuko couldn't name off the top of his head.
"(Y/N)!" He called walking forward and breathing in sharply. He turned to the side, muttering out small, 'excuse me's as he passed by a group of giggling women. Zuko reached out, placing his hand on the shoulder of (Y/N).
She turned around, her lips parted softly in surprise. She looked up through the metal frames of her oval glasses. Her lashes flickered as she rendered in the sight of the man next to her.
"Oh, hello Zu-" She paused, looking around. "I mean Lee." (Y/N) always tried her best to make sure she kept Zuko's identity a secret, so she called him Lee. It was the name that his uncle had called him all those years ago in that in Ba Sing Se, and now he had regifted it to himself. It was simple enough, and there were enough Lee's in the city that he wasn't as memorable.
"Where have you been?" He asked, a worried expression on his pale face. His brows were knitted together, a crease between the hills of his brows. He squeezed her shoulder.
"Oh, I saw an old friend!" She smiled, turning back to the man that was behind her. "Lee, meet Yamitsa. Yamitsa, meet Lee."
Zuko's stare flickered up to the boy behind her. He had dark brown hair that was sighed back in a wolf bun, similar to his friend Sokka's. Though, his was more grown out and messier than the water tribe boy's. He was short and had a round face, carrying a satchel while his palms were on the handles of a cart full of what seemed to be relics.
"His family runs an antique store down the road." (Y/N) explain, her hand limply gesturing to Yamitsa. "I used to go to school with him."
Unknown to Zuko, his grip tightened on the girls shoulder. His hand slid down to her bicep, fingers kneading the soft flesh.
"That sounds.. nice." Zuko said, trying to sound polite. "Let's go, it's getting late." He suggested, pulling (Y/N) slightly.
She glanced back, her eyes flickering from Zuko's squinted eyes and his brkad shoulders. She smiled. (Y/N) waved at Yamitsa.
"I'll see you around!" She said kindly, smiling as Zukomoulled her along.
His grip never left.
Zuko watched the hustle and bustle of the fire nation as the sun set, stores flipping their 'open' signs to closed. Mothers dragged their children home, husband's tired from their long day of work. Some kids still played in the center of the plaza, running around or playing with a ball.
The grasp on her arm slowly turned into the two having their arms interlinked. (Y/N) dragged him along behind her as they weaved through the streets.
Zuko followed her, letting out a content sigh as he took in the bustling plaza. He never thought he would see the day when the Fire Nation was at peace. "It's amazing, isn't it?" He comments, watching a group of children laughing and playing nearby.
(Y/N) nodded, smiling softly. The golden hour showered over her face, her eyes cascading to the side away from Zuko.
Zuko notices her gaze and looks over to see the yellow-orange sun peeking through the alleys between dark oak buildings, delving beneath the horizon. He can't help but feel a sense of warmth in his chest as he takes in the beautiful sight. "It's so beautiful," He murmurs, stepping closer to (Y/N).
You're so beautiful, his mind says. Zuko wished he had the confidence to make his thoughts into meaningful words.
Zuko's gaze flickered down to her, a nervous heat crossing his face. A strand of hair that had fallen from her bun blew serenely, dancing along the wind. It was beautiful, how human she was. He never realized how much euphoria prospered from the mere sight of watching a sun set on a summer evening, but she did. She knew things that he probably never would.
"Yeah.." (Y/N) whispered softly, looking back at him. Her voice caught him off guard. Zuko was so lost in thought, in the sea of her eyes that shone from just the simplest light, "Let's go, before it gets dark. My aunt won't be happy if I'm home late."
Her arm slipped from his as (Y/N) began to skip forward down the pavement.
Zuko nods in agreement and allows you to lead him towards the palace. The soft clicking of their shoes against the stone brick pavement of the city filled both their ears, accompanied by the simple but amazing sound of life.
"Hey, slow down," He calls playfully, a smile spreading across his face. (Y/N) turns back, her eyes closed as she smiled widely, and the world seemed to move in slow motion for just that moment.
Zuko chuckles and rolls his eyes before picking up his pace to catch up with her. As he reaches her side, he grabs her hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"You're impossible," He teases, his eyes shining with amusement. He feels their hands interlock together, fingers intertwining messily. Zuko felt that familiar flutter fill his stomach, making him smile and turn red.
Then their gaze met in a graceful yet intense stare, wide smiles stretching across their faces.
The shadow of the palace overlooked their stances, almost blending in with the shadows of the night. It was as if there was a magnetic pull between the two, since Zuko felt himself creeping closer to her. He wanted to hold her, take down her hair and run his fingers through it, and wanted to keep her close.
"Zuzu!" A light voice called from above. Zuko turned away from (Y/N), the breaking of eye contact making his heart shatter. He looked around, then up at a high place in the palace. Then he saw her.
"Spirits.." Zuko muttered under his breath, shaking his head and turning to face (Y/N). He opened his eyes, only to be met with (Y/N)'s amused grin.
Azula was leaning out of the window, a cheeky grin on her pale face. Zuko groaned, squeezing his eyes shut in exasperation.
"Oh Zuzu!" She called again, tauntingly waving her fingers. She then leaned her face on her palm, the elbow of that arm leaning on the windowsill.
Azula had been released from the psych ward only a few weeks ago. She had been staying in the palace under the guard of soldiers. She was never left alone, other than in the restroom and in the security of her room. Zuko had many responsibilities as the firelord, and Azula thought it was terribly hilarious to bother him.
some of these will just be toph headcanons but shhhhhhhhhhhhh
-'can't you see that I love you?' 'are you fucking joking-'
-no matter which AU toph is in, she will never stop making blind jokes
-has a service dog but not because she needs assistance but because she wants an excuse to bring an animal with her everywhere
- also, she wouldn't have a German shepherd or a labrador either. She'd have like a bull terrier or a pit bull
-loves it when people learn braille for her
-Toph and you leave each other little love notes in unexpected places, like tucked into a book someone's reading or hidden in the pockets of someone's clothes. It's your guys' way of expressing their love and affection for each other.
-makes you tea, but forgets to turn the stove on almost every time
-'here's a nice hot cup of tea' 'this is below freezing toph'
-loves feeling your face to find your features
-she has Spotify premium for sure
-makes playlists full of songs that remind you of her
-has a WIDE music taste
-one moment she'll be screaming slayer and the next she'll be crying to Faye Webster
-Toph and you have developed a secret system of hand signals that you use in public to communicate silently, whether it's to indicate "I love you" or to secretly make fun of people
-Despite her tough exterior, Toph has a soft spot for cute pet names and secretly calls her partner adorable names like 'pebble'
-loves it when you call her a badger mole
-'damn right I am'
-cussing problem
-Toph and you have a treasure trove of inside jokes that only you two understand, often bursting into laughter at random moments because they remembered something funny
-'and then i dropped a pencil' 'BAHAHAHHAHAH-'
-every Friday, you guys try to make a new meal that is out of your comfort zone and almost fail everything you cook up
hey queen it’s me sawda with another toph ask </3 (im toph content deprived literally crying) but!! can i req a toph x fem!r where toph’s s/o is literally mulan but in the firebending army?? Thank you!!!
YES ILL DO THAT HEHE I LOVE TOPH!!
ALSO just wanna make yall aware my pronouns are they/them
I'm also so sorry for the delay. I've been on the worst writers block due to a lack of motivation. my whole family was sick, and we've been unable to pick up my anti-depressants 😭
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Little Soldier - Toph x F!Reader
Summary: When Toph's lover turns 13, she tells her that she has to fight alongside the fire nation to protect her family.
Trigger Warning: Sexism, Implied racism, Forbidden love
Info: Pre-Book 2, long hair reader
...
'We're not gonna lose anyone else close to us again
We swore that we would always be there for each other
No matter what happens though, I promise that I'll protect you
If you were a boy
I would have actually have fallen for you if you were careful
Oh, c'mon, well maybe I'm the one who should have a crush on you'
...
"Watcha doin?" Toph feet dug into the dirt of the valley's grass, trying to identify (Y/N)'s action. Her delt held a look of confusion as se did so.
"Im just.." (Y/N) began, glancing back at Toph as she thought. "Thinking."
She held a clump of hair in her fingers, combing her digits through the strands. Something was obviously on her mind, like she was stuck in a loop up in her little head.
"About what?" Toph shuffled over, crouching down so she was eye level (if you wanted to say that) with the other. She smiled softly while (Y/N) thought: only if she knew
"You know how theres news of the Avatar returning?" (Y/N) whispered, letting out a shaky breath. Toph hummed a quiet 'yes', letting her feet slip so she would fall on her bottom. "And you also know how they're drafting men from the fire nation?"
Toph wondered where this was going. She modded carefully, feeling the floor to hear (Y/N)'s heartbeat. It was fast paced, causing the earthbender to worry.
"Yeah. Are people in your village getting drafted?" Toph questioned, thinking about all the possibilities. She heard (Y/N) sigh.
"Worse. My dad was given a note specifically by the current general." Toph's eyebrows raised at her words, realization hitting. (Y/N)'s father used to fight a long time ago, starting when he was just a boy. This was before she was born, before he met his wife.
He was regarded as one of the most intense, bloodthirsty, and brutal generals in history - behind the Dragon of the West. Though, he was old now; not fit for war.
Toph didn't know what to say. She wasn't particularly fond of the fire nation, but she was fond of (Y/N).
The girl across from her sighed, continuing to comb her digits in her hair. How would she tell Toph?
(Y/N) looked up, her face flushing red at the sight of Toph's oblivious face. She looked so calm in the moment, the valley wind ruffling up her hair. During these secret meetings, Toph would let her hair down. The soft locks ran down her back, some falling over her shoulders.
(Y/N) thought she was beautiful.
"Well, I was thinking," (Y/N) let go of her hair, moving to pick at the nail of her index finger. A sickness caused from nervousness settled in her stomach. "of pretending to be a boy."
Toph laughed, not quite knowing what she meant. "Why would you want to do that?" She smirked, before the smile faltered.
Oh.
"Wait, you're not saying-"
"I'm going to take my fathers place as his eldest son." (Y/N) interjected, her breath hitching at the words. Saying it out loud made the reality hit her light a train - realizing that it wasn't just an idea. This was happening.
Toph stayed unusually silent. She wasn't too expressive when it came to her face, but even now (Y/N) couldn't read her. Was she angry? Happy? Scared? What. was she feeling?
"How?"
(Y/N) raised a brow, confused by the question. "What do you mean?"
Toph pursed her lips, her eye brows knitting together. "How are you going to pretend to look like a boy?"
Even though Toph couldn't see her, she knew that boys and girls looked different.
(Y/N) let out a shaky breath, gripping at her hair lightly. Her family always forced her into the ideal of a perfect, feminine woman - but in secret, she was strong, aggressive, and messy. Even though her personality was changed, her looks were still influenced by her family's wants. Her hair was long, and she wore fancy clothes and makeup.
"Oh, uhm.." (Y/N) was hesitant. She knew, but she sounded like she was protecting herself from her own words. "I'm gonna cut my hair.."
Toph raised an eyebrow, intrigued by (Y/N)'s response. "Cut your hair, huh? That's a bold move. How short are we talking?"
(Y/N) swallowed nervously, fidgeting with a loose thread on her sleeve. "I-I don't know... Short enough to pass as a boy, I guess."
Toph nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, let's do it."
Later that day, the two sat in her bedroom, Toph listening to the sound of (Y/N) snipping her hair. The locks fell onto the floor, sticking to clothes and to skin. After some time, (Y/N) found herself spaced on on Toph's bed, watching her every move.
As Toph unraveled her hair, the room was filled with the sound of gentle brushing, the rhythmic motion soothing in its familiarity. She worked through each tangle with practiced ease, her movements fluid and deliberate.
(Y/N) watched in silence, mesmerized by the way Toph's fingers danced through her hair, untangling knots with effortless grace. There was something intimate about the moment, a quiet exchange between friends bound by unspoken understanding.
"Your hair is beautiful," (Y/N) said softly, breaking the silence.
Toph glanced up, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thanks. It's a pain to manage sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."
(Y/N) hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Do you ever wish you could cut it short, like mine?"
Toph paused, her expression thoughtful. "Sometimes, yeah. It would be easier, especially when I'm training. But... it's a part of who I am, you know? Cutting it would feel like losing a piece of myself."
(Y/N) nodded, understanding flickering in her eyes. "I get that."
Toph set down the brush, turning to face (Y/N) fully. "I get that you're worried. I can sense it. Your heart is racing." Toph walked over to her bed where (Y/N) sat, sinking into the mattress. "I'm gonna miss you, but I also believe in you, (Y/N)."
(Y/N) felt a weight lift off her shoulders, a sense of freedom washing over her. With Toph's unwavering support, she knew she could embrace her true self, messy hair and all. And as they sat together, basking in the warmth of their friendship, (Y/N) realized that sometimes, the most beautiful thing about a person isn't their appearance, but the authenticity of their spirit.
(Y/N) turned her head to look at toph, her face going red at the sight of her graceful face, She wanted to kiss her. Yeah, she did.
As (Y/N) gazed at Toph, her cheeks flushed with a warmth that had nothing to do with embarrassment. She was captivated by the gentle curve of Toph's lips, the sparkle in her eyes that hinted at hidden depths. And in that moment, a realization washed over her with startling clarity – she wanted to kiss her.
The thought sent a shiver down (Y/N)'s spibe, her heart pounding in her chest as she wrestled with her emotions. It was a risk, she knew, to confess her feelings, especially when their friendship hung in the balance. But the longing in her chest was too powerful to ignore, a flame that refused to be extinguished.
With trembling hands, (Y/N) reached out, cupping Toph's cheek gently as she leaned in, her heart pounding in her ears. And then, their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, a silent affirmation of the emotions that had been brewing beneath the surface.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they savored the sweetness of the moment, their hearts beating in perfect synchrony. And when they finally pulled away, their breath mingling in the air, (Y/N) found herself smiling, a sense of peace settling over her like a warm blanket.
Toph blinked in surprise, her lips curved in a soft smile. (Y/N) chuckled nervously, her cheeks still tinged with pink. And as they sat together, their fingers intertwined, (Y/N) had already started to realize what she was committing to. She's leaving. She's leaving to fight in a war that seemed as if it was never going to end to save her family.
As the reality of (Y/N)'s impending departure settled in, a somber silence descended upon the room, casting a shadow over the warmth of their shared moment. Toph's smile faltered slightly, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
(Y/N) squeezed Toph's hand tightly, her own heart heavy with the weight of her decision. She had made up her mind to fight in the war, to confront the forces that threatened her her homeland. But with each passing moment, the prospect of leaving Toph behind grew more daunting.
"I... I have to go," (Y/N) murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Toph nodded slowly, her expression a mixture of understanding and sadness. "I know," she said softly. "And I'll be here waiting for you when you get back. No matter what."
Tears welled up in (Y/N)'s eyes as she leaned forward, resting her forehead against Toph's. "I don't know what I'd do without you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Toph wrapped her arms around (Y/N) in a tight embrace, holding her close as if trying to shield her from the harsh realities of the world outside. "You won't have to find out," she promised, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart.
And as they held each other in the quiet of the room, (Y/N) found solace in Toph's arms, knowing that no matter how far apart they may be, their bond would endure.
Toph was her best friend, Toph was her girl. Toph was, well, Toph, and how could anyone forget someone like her?
IMPORTANT: I wanna apologize for all of the requests I haven't been able to complete due to writers block. Im literally only writing this to get motivated, I'm so sorry gang
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.☘︎ ݁˖ anything - adrienne lenker (a song based one-shot)
playlist I listened to while writing this ~
Summary: The tranquil summer afternoon, a brief but blissful time, when he journeyed up the hill to witness the sight of her. Zuko harboured a secret yearning for those precious moments from the past, when her mere presence warmed his cold heart.
Warning: Tooth rotting fluff, a tad wee bit of angst
Info: Takes place before the agni kai and after the defeat of Ozai, a female intended reader, no use of (y/n), and I skipped some lyrics cause it didnt apply..........
...
'Staring down the barrel of the hot sun
Shining with the sheen of a shotgun
Carol has a little if we need some
Joyous rays, we wanna come'
The young prince felt the sweat of the summer trickle down his loosely robed back. He wiped his forehead with his bare, pale arm, beads of salty sweat sinking into the thin brows sat upon his face.
It was mid afternoon, presumably around 12:34. Zuko usually abandoned his duties of summer schoolwork around this time every Thursday, taking his long awaited treck up the hill not too far from the palace.
As mid-summer crept up, Zuko decided to wear less moisture-inducing clothing. His uncle Iroh offered him some old shorts of Lu Ten's, though they were a tad bit too small for the prince's frame. Zuko was big for his age - 10 - around 4'10 and skinny limbs. He remembered when his mother used to call him her 'little foal'. At the time, he hated the nickname. It made him feel clumsy, ridiculous, and insecure about his skinny limbs. But now as he looked back, he cherished every little detail, every memory, every signal of his mother.
Zuko liked the sounds of wood pigeons. Many of them occupied this grassy region of the fire nation. It held a feeling of calm nostalgia, like he was just a little boy once again, playing around in the gardens with his mama, teasing Azula and her friends.
As he neared the top of the hill, he heard the soft 'coo-coo' of a wood pigeon. He glanced up at a nearby tree, trying to see if he could spot the small brown winged creature. Before he could correctly inspect the tree, he was knocked to the ground.
Zuko glanced up, smiling as her toothy grin filled his sight. Her hair messily fell over both of them, all frizzy and crazy.
She yelled his name in glee, holding Zuko tight in her small arms. Zuko smiled back, patting her backside with a gentle hand.
'Hanging your jeans with a clothes pin
Skin still wet, still on my skin
Mango in your mouth, juice dripping
Shoulder of your shirtsleeve slipping'
The two sat on a ruffled blanket, watching as the breeze ruffled up the hair-like leaves of the willow trees in the distance. Her bare toes messily poked the dirt, tracing small figures and images in the grass in front of him.
Zuko watched as she chewed on the flesh of a mango, humming a soft fire-nation tune as she watched the hustle and bustle of nature below. A few droplets of the juice fell onto her lap, seeping into the dark red fabric of her skirt. She didn't seem to mind. Her stature and way of livelihood was much different compared to the strict life of a fire nation prince. It was a calming pace compared to his life back home - and maybe that was why he loved hanging out with her.
Her hair was loosely tied in two ponytails, which was obviously put up by her own hands. One was bigger than the other, mostly because half of the right ponytail was falling out and the hair was resting on her shoulder. Her haircut was choppy, and Zuko could see the gap between her two front teeth as she sucked on the fruit.
Everything about her seems so human, so carefree. Every single waking moment Zuko spent with her made him feel like a normal child.
The two spoke about ridiculous things, like how she saw a woman and her husband fighting in the middle of the nation's plaza. She told him about what the wife was wearing, how she pointed at her husband, how her husband was balding in some areas.
Her little stories helped Zuko get a glimpse of the outside world.
'Grocery store list, now you get this
Brunch, had calls and messages
I don't wanna be the owner of your fantasy
I just wanna be a part of your family'
Her eyes widened as a glimpse of remembrance filled her big, child-like eyes. She reached up, grabbing the mango out of her mouth and placing it on the blanket beneath her. Zuko chewed on his lip as the juices of the fruit rolled down the side of it.
She reached into her back pocket, shifting slightly so she could fully reach into it. As she pulled it out, it was a haphazardly folded piece of paper. Some of the corners were crumpled and ripped off, and Zuko saw crayon peeking out of one of the sides that were folded inwards.
Zuko asked what the paper was for, but only got a chest full of paper. She giggled, smiling as she awaited for Zuko to look at the note.
He unfolded the paper, looking at what was hidden inside. A small doodle of a red stickman with a crown and a smaller one of a girl (which was obvious from the triangle dress) next to him. In messy handwriting, there was text that said 'Yu as firlord' pointing to the man.
Zuko looked up with a smile, his cheeks chubby and full. He felt overjoyed seeing this, especially since he lost sense of his worth. Zuko assumed the girl was her, and she also had a crown on.
'And I don't wanna talk about anything
I don't wanna talk about anything
I wanna kiss, kiss your eyes again
Wanna witness your eyes looking'
The moonlight crept over the lip of the hill, illuminating the dew-covered grass blades around her and Zuko. Her head rested on his lap, and Zuko's hand supported his weight while he leaned on his arm.
Zuko had mentioned that he would be going to one of his father's war meetings tomorrow for the first time. He was overjoyed, all the while she wasn't very strong on the idea. She was on the left side of the war. Even though she was Fire Nation, she wasn't proud of her nation's actions.
The two spoke about the upcoming future, what Zuko's 14th birthday would be like. It was over 8 months away, but being a kid meant that day was everything. Everything.
His fingers tangled in the messy length of her hair. Her mother refused to let her cut it ever since she messed it up. 3 years later, it almost reached her back.
Zuko didn't know what was between them. 13 was a weird age, especially when your best friend is a pretty girl. She wasn't 'perfect pretty'. She was reckless, unladylike, clumsy and didn't care what she looked like, but maybe that's why Zuko admired her so much.
The two had shared a kiss. Just one. It was a singular peck on the lips, and it was only because the two wanted to know what it felt like. The boys at school didn't like her, and she was the only girl Zuko knew besides Azula.
Zuko wasn't aware what would awaken between them. It was gradual, but he started to become nervous around her. Simple things they always did like hugs, cuddling, and her laying on his lap like this soon felt like there was a secret incentive under every little detail and action. Zuko felt as if he was suffocating under his own mushed up emotions.
Though, behind all of the nervous glances and red tinted cheeks, Zuko never wanted to be away from her. Despite the new feeling, everything else felt the same. Everything felt like they were little again. Like they were still human.
'I don't wanna talk about anyone
I don't wanna talk about anyone
I wanna sleep in your car while you're driving
Lay on your lap whеn I'm crying'
Zuko watched the crowd on the beaches of the fire nation get farther and farther away as the boat slowly drifted from shore. The wind whipped his pale skin, red marks from the lack of warm temperature forming on his cheeks. Half of his sight was blocked by the bandage on his eye, making Zuko feel blind and vulnerable.
He felt as if he was ripped apart, all of the good things in his life dripped out of his wounds and seeping into the floor beneath. He couldn't cry. He couldn't feel. The world around him felt numb.
In the midst of his sulking, he hadn't even thought about her.
Zuko heard a screaming from the deck, bringing him back to reality. He glanced down to the land he just left, his eyes drifting over to the commotion below. Two guards struggled to hold back a screaming girl, her body tempted to jump into the cold ocean and swim over to Zuko. He realized who it was when she screamed for the guards to let her come with.
Her hair had come undone, falling in front of her tear-filled eyes. Her face was red from all the effort she put into trying to escape from the grasp of the soldiers. Snot ran down her nose as she sobbed, choking on the sound of her own tears.
Zuko wanted to tell the captain to stop, to turn around and bring her with, but he knew it was for the best. There were to be no distractions. His mind had to be set on capturing the Avatar, and restoring his honor.
Whenever he was with her, he felt alive. He felt human. Zuko always thought that feeling was good, not having to be a perfect robot constantly. Now as he watched the girl he once admired scream and cry just to see him one last time, he finally wished neither him or her felt human.
'Circle of pine and riddle
Circlе of moss and fire smoke
Fan on the ceiling like a wheel spoke
Push the clutch in and I pull the choke'
Three years, three long years thrown over the cliff and into the gaping hole of Zuko's tragedy.
Finally, finally, he found the Avatar. He found his meaning, he found the key to the lock that was his father's trust, his honor. Even with the determination of a thousand guards, he let the opportunity slip from his thin fingertips.
Zuko trashed his bedroom, throwing books to the ground and Knocking dressers over. A low growl echoed from his throat, followed by the choking of sobs. He didn't know how to feel, so these sudden emotions were so frightening.
The urge to stake his skin off, to scream and cry like a child, was all too much for him.
Zuko reached into his desk, grabbing loose papers and notebooks as he threw them to the floor. He cursed under his breath, biting at him bottom lip.
As he trashed every item in his desk drawer, he crumpled up another paper, throwing it onto the floor behind him. Though, before he did, he saw a glimpse of what was on the paper.
Zuko stopped his tantrum, turning to look at the paper. He saw red crayon.
