Summary: An unexpected visitor brings news that might stirr up old showings. Fearing Zuko might fall into past mistakes, you must push your fears away and trust in him. Will the return be good or will your doubts remain? [series]
The wind carried gently. Soothing through leaves of trees. Playing a bit of tug till they managed to snap a few leaves off their branches. Colourful leaves dartling down. In graceful spinning and twirling. Swept away in the wind’s breath for a moment. Dartling more down as they brushed past a person. Touching the shoulder briefly before sweeping down.
The movement of feet shoved it more over the ground. Balance finding its way. From your position, you were admiring them. Their sense of harmony and balance. The movements of their bodies strong with chi. Iroh and Zuko moving synchronously. Iroh teaching his nephew for over the past hour the same sequence.
It had to be right, for one fatal movement could bring pain and even death. The bending technique to deflect lightning. To re-direct it through your body to another outing point. Zuko was focused. Not having complained once in the last hour about the duration of it. Curling up a fond smile, you admired this new change of his.
Or perhaps it had always been there, it just needed a little bit of polishing. Remove all the dust to see the glimmer. The rock started to feel a bit rough underneath you, but you didn’t want to move from your position. You could stare for hours at him. Iroh moved his hands down with a deep exhale, bringing his feet together. Zuko did the same a second later.
Iroh’s hand settled on his nephew’s shoulder. “Well done, Zuko. Keep practising whenever you can.” Iroh spoke with a warm smile. “I will, uncle.” Zuko joined his hand on his uncle's. giving it a soft squeeze. Iroh gestured your way with a glance. Zuko chuckling briefly before approaching you. You hopped off the rock, feeling how sore your muscles had become.
Rubbing your upper thighs and lower back. “You could’ve gotten inside, if you wished.” Zuko spoke, moving his hands behind your back. Helping a bit to ease your muscles. “How could I’ve resisted seeing you?” Answering, throwing your arms over his back. Zuko smiled shyly. Returning his smile, your gaze caught his lips. Softening your expression to the tension.
Zuko leaned in, going for a kiss, almost nearing it when his uncle’s voice ruined it. “Anyone up for a cup of tea?” Zuko sighing loud, letting his forehead bump to yours. Chuckling humorously at him. “I’ll have one!” Getting on your tippy toes to overlook Zuko’s shoulder. Giving him a quick peck on the cheek to satisfy him.
Zuko smiled foolishly, touching his cheek in a holy mark. You rushed after Iroh who was waiting by the door. The little housing in the woods that you had temporarily called home. Iroh allowed you first passage, closing in on you. “I’ll put the kettle on.” You began, stopping mid-track. Eyes fluttering with surprise.
“Hello brother.” Zuko’s eyes widened at the presence of his sister. “Uncle…water girl.” Azula added with boredom in her tone. Zuko’s expression hardened, moving a bit closer to you. “What are you doing here?” Bitterness in his tone to his unreliable sister.
“In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello, before asking questions.” The end of her sentence sharp, sharp as her glare. Shoving herself up from the chair, she walked up to him, arms crossed. “Have you become uncivilised so soon Zuzu.” The pity in her face a clear mockery.
“Don’t call me that!” Zuko lashed out in defense. You grabbed his arm to prevent him from lashing out against his sister. “To what do we owe this honour?” Iroh cut in, breaking the tension between the rivalry siblings. Azula hummed loud with a sharp tone.
“Must be a family trait, both of you so quick to get to the point.” The coldness in her eyes remained icy. “I come with a message from home. Father has changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He’s heard rumours of plans to overthrow him. Treacherous plots. Family are the only ones we can really trust.”
Her sharp eyes never leaving Zuko’s. Taking in every detail of his expression. Then she turned her head with sadness. “Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home.”
You squinted your eyes at her. Trying to understand why she had turned her head saying those words. Almost like she would be hiding something. You couldn’t quite be certain, but you had to take it in consideration. “Did you hear me? You should be happy!” The lack of enthusiasm from her brother made her snappy.
“Excited. Grateful.” Stating her point clearly. “I just gave you great news.” Softening her voice once more. Iroh stepped in to break Zuko’s silence. “I’m sure your brother simply needs a moment…” His words barely left as Azula lost her temper. “Don’t interrupt uncle!”
The rudeness in her voice startled Iroh. You glared at her as she moved to join Zuko’s side by the window. “I still haven’t heard my ‘thank you’. I’m not a messenger, I didn’t have to come all this way.” Her usual tone back in place.
Zuko lowered his head. “Father regrets?” Confusion trembling in his voice. “He…he wants me back?” Still baffled by the words he had heard. Those words he had longed for many years now. Ever since he was banished to sail in search of the avatar. He had longed for those words. That he would be welcomed home.
“I can see you need time to take this in. I’ll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.” With those final words she took her leave. A confusing air left behind by her.
“Zuko…” You slowly approached him. Not sure how he would react to your voice or touch. Moving your hand back down, you resisted touching his shoulder for comfort. Grabbing for the windowsill, you occupied your hands.
Not sure what to say to not trigger an outburst. He had been doing well, but news like this, his sister’s presence could easily poke the fire. Your hands flopped surprised up when his arms wrapped around you. “We can finally go home.”
Settling for a smile, you embraced him in return. “You can go home.” Responding with a waryness, but not wanting to show him. He seemed so happy, you didn’t wish to speak your concern about his sister's sincerity.
Sentimente was never her best trait. He let go of you, turning to his uncle. Keeping his hand in yours. “We can finally go home after three years!” Speaking with excitement. Iroh glanced your way, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “It’s unbelievable!” Zuko called out.
“It is unbelievable.” Iroh answered. “I have never known my brother to regret anything.” Brushing his beard, deep in thought. “Did you listen to Azula?” Zuko pitched in, letting go of your hand.
“Father’s realized how important family is to him. He cares about me!” The tone in his voice getting sharper. “I care about you! Y/n cares about you!” Iroh called back, making a statement.
You casted your gaze down, not wanting Zuko to find any signs on your face that you had doubts about this too. “And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine.” Iroh finished.
“You don’t know how my father feels about me!” Agitated, he turned away. “Zuko.” You began, but couldn’t go any further without being attacked by him. “Is that also what you think?” A bit of rudeness surfacing back.
“I was just…” Trying to mend things with your words. “You don’t know anything.” Head slowly tilting down, a bit of confusion in his voice too. “Zuko, I only meant that things in our family aren’t always what they seem.” Iroh spoke in the hopes to ease Zuko’s mind.
“I think you are exactly what you seem, a lazy, mistrustful, shallow, old man who’s always been jealous of his brother!” Losing his temper as it couldn’t have been mended.
“Zuko!” You shouted loud. He turned sharply at you with a finger point. “What? Are you going to insult me too?” Calling out before he could throw one your way. Your words caught him off guard. Making him blink a few times, lowering his point on you.
Grunting loud, he stormed off. Sighing soft you went to Iroh. “I apologize for him, Iroh.” Pitiful that Zuko had insulted him without good reason. Knowing he didn’t mean it deep down… or at least you hoped that. That night you barely caught sight of Zuko. Returning in the dead of night without a proper say.
The sun caught soon. A few shakes made you move restless, slowly waking up. Gasping startled at Zuko by your bed. Shushing you to keep quiet. “What’s going…” Asking in a hushed voice.
“We’re leaving.” He answered clearly, interrupting your following words. He helped you up, ushering you to the door. “What…what about your uncle?” Questioning as Zuko hadn’t woken him yet. “He’s staying behind.” A bit of bitterness came back in his voice.
His response made you take a step back. “Will you leave me behind too when I go too much against you?” A serious question that had been swirling around your mind all night. Zuko sighed loud, grabbing you by the arm.
Pulling you outside in the morning glow. Resisting his pull, you broke your arm free. “I can’t leave him.” Defending him and his right to come along. “Go back inside then if you want!” Zuko lashed out.
Immediately regretting his outburst upon seeing the sadness in your eyes. “I’m…sorry, sorry Y/n.” Coming nearer. Pulling you closer to him by your skirt. “Please…come with me.” Tugging at your skirt in desperation.
Exhaling soft, you gave in, but hated every bit of it. It didn’t feel right to leave Iroh behind. Getting in motion, you joined his side. Zuko taking your hand, guiding you down the path to the harbour.
Below on the sea, the ship in sight. Zuko squeezed your hand soft, feeling closer at home with each step. “Wait!” Turning your heads to the sounds. Iroh came hurrying down the stone steps. “Don’t leave without me!” Waving his hand for recognition.
“Uncle, you’ve changed your mind.” Joyness in his words as Zuko expressed them. “Family sticks together, right?” Iroh neared, placing a hand on Zuko’s shoulder. Zuko smiled heartily. “We’re finally going home.”
The BEST thing Live Action ATLA has done is make Zuko keep a diary. Like that is far too in-character. You know it is filled with the most angsty reflections ever, there are tear stains and burn marks on the pages, like "I am losing my sense of humanity" with glitter pen levels. He saw a turtleduck once and it was effervescent. There are flowers pressed in there, terrible awful poetry.
The most important part is he does not call it his diary, it is his super cool war journal that is NOT about feelings it is (supposedly) about the war, the Avatar and his bending progression.
the atla fandom's Great Divide over whether the netflix adaptation is the worst thing ever or actually enjoyable and satifying is seriously distracting us. like I have yet to see anyone meme about zuko's notebook. our emo prince has been writing in a diary for 3 years and we've said NOTHING?
