My AU if atla had been a show catered towards adults & characters aged up (going to separate the light/funny changes from the darker changes, read what is best suited for you) :
LIGHT/FUNNY CHANGES:
Toph would curse like a sailor, sokka would pick up on the habit offending both Katara & Aang
Aang would believe in the use of recreational products & psychedelics, would've resulted in sokka experimenting and having a more in depth catus juice episode
Zuko would have had to deal with uncle Iroh bringing women back to their ba sing se apartments
Mai would've been one of those thirsty for the D don't care bout your feelings gf
Azula was so awkward with that boy at the party bc she's gay, the beach would be her self-realization episode
LGBT representation: Azula-Gay Zuko-Bi Tylee-Bi Mai & Sokka: not all the way straight never had the chance to explore
Azula would've clearly been shown having a crush on Tylee through inappropriate looks
The real love triangle would be between Mai, Tylee, and Azula. Azula in love with with Tylee, Tylee would do anything for Mai while Mai's oblivious
Zuko knows from his experience with Jet that him and sokka have sexual tension, sokka brushes the weird feeling off as gas
Suki and sokka's night of passion would've been made even more obvious than it already was. They'd show scenes of them sneaking around often
Katara would've cursed aang out for his unwanted advances
Aang would be held responsible for his actions and actually have to grow and mature
Katara and Zuko would def end up exploring their feelings for each other not rushing into anything cause they're still young & Katara can't be held down zuko would marry her ASAP though she's been all he can think about since the crystal catacombs
Aang would realize he's lost Katara she was never really interested beyond occasional flirting for her own amusement, she's always seen him as just a cool little guy and post ozai defeat he would sleep around with many "avatar fangirls" as he travels the world bc he enjoys the attention
He would have many different children with many different women. His excuse would be that he is working towards restoring the air nomad community. Sokka would find this hilarious yet somewhat smart
DARKER CHANGES: (TW/mention of abuse & sexual assault)
Light would be shed on the mass sexual assaults caused by fire nation on cities they colonize. This would be noticeable by a large population of mixed race citizens ex: fair skin (fire nation) & blue eyes (water tribe)
Light would be shed on physical abuse endured by Ursa from Ozai
Light would be shed on highly manipulative, borderline inappropriate, relationship between Ozai & Azula
All and all I think this is a crazy great show 9/10 would be a 10/10 if zutara was end game and if Bryke didn't ruin Aang's character s3 to cater to Kataang but it could've been some very interesting topics covered more in-depth and some relationship changes had it been created for adults.
Had to update my profile pic for Black History Month, giving the girls Caribbean Katara cause I need yal to know I am an unapologetically proud black woman while also giving some love to an amazing black artist 🧡
Yal should really check out the artist who made this amazing work, they did an entire series of an African AU of the Avatar: the Last Airbender characters. His @ name is Indaviduall on Instagram and he makes Really REALLY gorgeous artwork.
And no it's not the same thing as whitewashing because animated POC are severely under represented and completely changing the cultural approach of the characters does not claim to be an accurate portrayal of the culture and therefore does not actively dimminish their Asian decents 😘
Summary:
Eight years earlier, Ursa divorced and left a man she thought could not love her or their children and returned to the arms of her first love. Unfortunately, things did not work and Ursa decided to leave Ikem. When the jilted man comes back for her while she is staying with her friends, Ozai - the man she left eight years ago - reappears.
This chapter has mature-ish scenes. -ISH scenes.
A wooden breakfast tray was placed over her lap. Memory foam pillows were piled up behind her, propping her up against the headboard. On the table beside her was a small bottle of water and a travel mug of tea.
“Eat as much as you can, but don’t force yourself.” Ozai had a set of chopsticks, condiments, and a soup spoon around the larger bowl of noodle soup he ordered for her.
“Thanks,” Ursa said. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he said as he headed to a small desk across the bedroom. Her vanity table used to be there. “I have an extra charging cable for your phone.”
“I need to call to Kya,” she said as she spread the noodles around the steaming bowl. “Do you think she can call a locksmith?”
“Even if she can, you’ll still need a key.” He knelt down by the night stand and plugged in a charger. “Phone?”
“In my purse.”
“I left it in the garage. I’ll be back. Can you manage?”
She frowned. “I’m not a child.”
“I just don’t want you to spill soup all over my bed.” She let out a small huff and began to pick up some noodles. Ozai disappeared out the door, leaving it partially open. She raised her eyes and looked around the pale gray room once more.
He must’ve had an interior designer come in, as the room looked different from the last time she saw it. It was very minimalist. She supposed that was his style. Everything always had a place with Ozai.
As she slurped up some soup, she wondered when he replaced their bed. She was sitting on what was his side when they were married. Then again, now, the entire bed was ‘his’ side. She always had the side closest to the windows.
“They’re still wet.” The door opened and he walked in, a disgusted look on his face as he held a plastic laundry basket holding both her purse and tote. “Where is it?”
“The small purse.” She watched while she ate as he dug through and found the little machine the died on her. He plugged it in and left the laundry basket with her belongings beside the night stand.
“What should I tell them?” he asked as he rose to his feet. He was still wearing his dress shirt and slacks, though his sleeves were rolled up and his tie gone. “Kya has been calling and I don’t know how to tell her that I found you curled up like a lost, wet dog on their door mat.”
She shot him a glare. “I’ve had a long day, okay?” she said, an anxious feeling rising as she recalled her day of frustrations, mistakes, and terrible luck. “I had trouble finding parking and was late-”
“Wait.” Ozai furrowed his brows. “Where is your car?”
She felt her eyes begin to water, but willed herself not to cry in front of him. “Impound lot.”
“What?”
“I misread the parking guidelines at the school and didn’t move my car in time. I could only be parked in that spot for four hours and by the time I was done with my meetings, six hours had passed. I didn’t have my car, so I took the bus home, but it started raining and the closest bus stop is a block and a half away. I didn’t have an umbrella and when I got to Kya’s house, I couldn’t find the house key-”
“Okay, okay.” He held out his hands to try to stop her. “I understand.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and looked away. “I’ll let Kya know.”
“No!” Ursa felt a rush go humiliation through her and she swayed in her seat, her hand raising to her head. It was bad enough she lost her friend’s house key, but to have done so after stupidly parking her car in the wrong place and then walking home without an umbrella was too much.
“Ursa.” A hand steadied her arm and the other gently pried her chopsticks from her hand. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. Things happen.”
“I don’t want her to worry.” The house key was an accident, the car being towed was perhaps amusing, but those coupled with the rain and her pitiful trek home was just sad. Kya would likely fly back if she found out.
“I’m sure she’s already worrying about how to get you a house key from Ember Island,” Ozai said in a stern voice. His hand cupped the side of her face. “You’re still burning up. Do you think you can hold down your food?”
“Yes....”
“I’m going to get some medicine.” Ozai rose to his feet once more and took the tray off her lap. He walked to his desk and placed it there before heading into the bathroom. Ursa laid back against the bed and closed her eyes.
“I can get a hotel once I get my car from the impound lot,” she said, talking more out loud than to him. At the very least, she could do that much to take care of herself.
“You can get your car when you get better. Take as much time as you can to rest,” she heard him say from the bathroom.
“No time for rest, Ozai. I have to review the curriculum and papers for class.”
“That can wait.”
“No, I need to be ready by Monday.”
“Monday?” Ozai came out of the bathroom, a small foil wrapped set of pills in his hand. “You don’t start for several weeks.”
“I needed to buy a plane ticket.”
He stopped beside her and paused as he popped out two pills. “To Ember Island?” he asked, without looking at her.
She nodded, unsure why it was all coming out now. “Zuko...Zuko wanted to pay his respects to his grandparents...my parents. I wanted to go with him. I owe them that, don’t I? I haven’t visited since my father passed away. I’m their only child...there is no one to light incense for them or cleans their grave.”
“I’m sure they understand,” Ozai said, rather uncertain. He took her hand and placed the pills in it. She brought it her mouth and put them in before taking the open water bottle Ozai handed her.
“Thank you.”
“Get some rest,” he said, walking towards his dresser. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”
“Tell Kya I’ll be okay and not to worry.”
“I will,” he said, gathering some clothes to change into. “Ursa, you’re free to stay here as long as you need to, all right? Don’t think I’m going to force you out.”
“No...” It was a half-hearted protest at best. At that moment, she didn’t want to leave the warm bed with the fluffy pillows and the familiar scent in the sheets. “I can’t...”
“Get some sleep.” He hung his spare clothes over his shoulder before picking up the soup tray and heading to the door.
“I need to call the kids.” She sank into the bed, her head already heavy with sleep.
“I’ll call them and let them know you’re sleeping.”
“Ozai....”
“What?”
“Hakoda’s right. You are annoying.” He paused by the door for moment and she heard a small chuckle.
“You’re welcome, Ursa.”
She closed her eyes, vaguely aware of the small smile on her lips as she drifted off to sleep feeling warm and safe.
When she woke to go to the bathroom, the room was dark. One of the bathroom lights was left on, in case she needed it. She shuffled over, her head still a bit dizzy from both sleep and stress.
The clock by the bed said it was just past one in the morning. She let out a small groan and ran her hand through her hair. It felt damp and she wasn’t sure if it was from the rain or her fever sweat.
She reached for her water bottle and found she’d already finished it off. Ursa glanced to the door. Ozai was probably sleeping already, so she couldn’t call on him for water.
She was steady enough to go get her own and from the dampness on her back, her fever had broken already.
Ursa made her way down the back stairs and to the kitchen. The light from the television was on and she could hear a faint buzz from what looked like a series on travel. As she tip-toed into the kitchen, she saw the large couch where the kids were playing when they first came over was pulled out into a bed.
Laying in the center with a thin blanket pooled around his feet was a sleeping Ozai. The remote was by his head, next to his hand, and he looked like he was wearing a white undershirt and flannel pajama pants.
A small smile reached her face. He looked relaxed, no longer wearing his usual scowl or look of confident, casual indifference. He was less intimidating exposed in sleepwear. She passed the kitchen and moved into the den where he slept. The air condition of the house kept the lower floor cooler than upstairs; she didn’t want him to get sick, too.
Ursa bent down and pulled the blanket up, causing Ozai to shift.
“It’s fine,” he grumbled He cracked an eye open and squinted. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get water.”
“I’m not water.”
“Your blanket was at your feet,” Ursa said, leaving it up to his waist. She got up and headed back to the kitchen.
“Did you take the next dose?”
“Not yet,” she said. “Did you call the children?”
“I had Kya give them the phone when I told her you were staying here tonight,” Ozai pushed himself into a seated position as the light from the fridge filled the room. “I told them you could stay as long as you needed.”
“I won’t trouble you,” she said, taking out a water bottle. “I’m feeling a lot better.”
He didn’t look convinced. Ozai tossed off his blanket and got off the sofa-bed. With calm, even strides, he walked towards her and grasped her chin with one hand as the other pressed against her head. “A bit cooler, but still hot. We’ll see how you are in the morning.”
Ursa pulled away, her face becoming warmer with his hand against her. “I’m fine. I’m sure I’ll be okay in the morning.”
“Hmmm....” Ozai looked her up and down. “Your shirt is wet. Just take the next dose and get some more sleep. If you’re feeling better, we’ll go get your car from the impound tomorrow.”
“You don’t need to come with me.”
“Someone has to drive you there.”
“I can take a taxi.”
“Fine, as long as you’re better.” She was almost surprised he didn’t put up more of a fight. Ozai yawned and took another bottle of water from the fridge. He ushered her back towards the stairs before closing the fridge door behind him. “The back of the shirt is wet.”
“I was sweating. My fever broke.”
“Good.” He marched up the stairs behind her and Ursa couldn’t help but be amused. She was reminded of a sheep being herded by a dog. “I’ll get you another shirt you can change into.” She opened her mouth to dismiss the offer, but he shook his head. “You can’t sleep in a sweat soaked shirt, Ursa.”
She made an annoyed face. Hakoda always said Ozai was annoying and she assumed it was because of his stoic, ‘no time for your foolishness, Hakoda’ demeanour, but this must’ve been what Hakoda was talking about. She tried not to smile. But it wasn’t a bad annoying; Ozai was just worried and she’d be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy it.
They entered the bedroom and he crossed the room to his dresser once more. She lingered by the side of the bed and picked up the packet of pills, popping out another two. As she took it with some water, Ozai pulled out a large, dark blue shirt with white letters. As he unfolded it with a flick of his wrists, she bit her lips to keep from laughing.
“Ride the big wave down south, huh?”
A confused look filled his face before he looked at the t-shirt and scowled. “I must’ve borrowed this from Hakoda,” he grumbled as he handed her the shirt. It was believable; the symbol of the Southern Water Tribe, which both Hakoda and Kya were members of, was on the shirt. “He has the worst tastes in shirts.”
Ursa chuckled and gathered the shirt in her hands. “A clean shirt is a clean shirt..”
He walked around her and placed the extra bottle of water on the night stand, while she began to change with her back to him. “When you’re done with the shirt, just throw it on the foot of the bed. I’ll collect it in the morning and add it to the laundry.”
She tugged the clean shirt down, over her chest and stomach before letting it drop and fall to her thighs.
“Ozai,” she said as she turned around. She placed the sweaty shirt on the edge of the bed as she looked across the room, at his fleeting back. He was almost to the door and stopped. “Thank you again, for everything.”
His shoulders rose and fell with a heavy breath, but he didn’t turn around. “Think nothing of it. Just get better soon.”
She wanted him to turn around and meet her gaze. She wanted to thank him more, not just for giving her a place to sleep for the night and a clean shirt.
Her chest tightened. She wanted to thank him for being so good to their children. For welcoming them into his home without hesitation and offering his time, as well as his money. For playing with them in the pool and visiting them at Kya’s even when he was tired from work . For catching her in the hot tub. For punching Ikem.
Ursa didn’t realize she was walking across the room until she was a step behind him, her arms extending to touch his back.
She felt him tense under her finger tips and she pulled arm back, jerking to a stop as he turned around. Ozai’s stern face looked almost confused.
“I....” Her voice faltered. What else could she say? She took a deep breath, avoiding his eyes as she gathered herself. Perhaps she wasn’t as well as she claimed. “What can I do to repay you?”
She dared meet his gaze and found him frowning. He turned to look at her, his lips tight. “Ursa, there is no need to repay me. Did you expect me to leave you outside in the rain?”
“No, no...it’s just...” She ran a hand through her hair. Of course Ozai wouldn’t just abandon a friend in need.
“You don’t owe me anything, Ursa. Don’t bother yourself with such a thought.”
Part of her knew that. In such serious cases, Ozai wouldn’t hang his good will over the friends of his head. He’d perhaps do so with Hakoda, but even then, he wasn’t serious and it was more for amusement.
As the realization sunk it, Ursa realized it wasn’t that she owed Ozai. It was that she wanted to show him gratitude. She wanted him to know she was appreciative. She raised her head and studied his face.
The crease between his brows, the downturned lips, and his sharp eyes seemed wary of her as she took a step closer.
“You really are a good man.”
He took in a sharp breath as her hands pressed against his chest and she leaned upwards. Her eyes closed as she moved her lips against his, feeling the rush of air against them as he gasped.
Was he surprised? She almost wanted to laugh.
“Ursa....” He sounded as if he was trying to chastise her. “You need to rest.”
She dared to take a step closer, closing the space between them as she pressed her body against his. “I am resting.”
She kissed him again, with more certainty than the last, and this time, she felt him push back. He responded in kind, lowering his head to meet hers as his hands slid down the sides of her body, separated from her flushed skin by the shirt.
Her arms snaked around his neck, keeping him pulled down as she relished the heat from his body and the enveloping feeling of his arms around her. They were strong and held her comfortably as his mouth moved against her, sliding once more down her jaw and to the sensitive area of her neck.
She let out a whimper as she shuddered. Her fingers clawed into him, enjoying the heat of his body and the scent of his hair as she stepped back. Was she leading him to the bed or was he leading her? She wasn’t sure. She felt a hand slip beneath the hem of her shirt and felt a rush. She wasn’t sure and she didn’t care.
The edge of the bed hit the back of her knees and she gasped as she fell back. She bounced atop of the pile of sheets and blankets, looking up as he stood above her, standing between her legs and taking in the sight of her.
The shirt did nothing to make her feel covered, but none-the-less, she almost enjoyed the feeling of exposure to him. She wanted him to look at her, to desire her as much as she did him, and to respond to her with equal fervor.
Ursa raised her arms once more, beckoning him down to join her so she could enjoy the weight of body pressing down against hers. The bed dipped as he moved, his knees on the edge of the bed as he crouched over her, kissing her forehead, her nose, and her lips in succession.
HIs hands reached under her arms and she was pulled upwards with one quick tug. One leg was between hers and she felt his thigh brush against her as she tilted her head back. Her breathing was shallow and every sense was aware of the man on top of her, running his finger tips against her skin and lifting her shirt higher and higher in the process.
She couldn’t thinking of anything else that she wanted more at that moment than to be part of him and enjoy the sweet afterglow once more.
Her fingers raked his back and ran through his hair, silently encouraging him to continue as he moved her shirt over her breasts and moved his attention to them; tugging and teasing them before dragging a hot, wet tongue down her stomach.
Further, her mind demanded of him. Go down lower. Like you used to. Her legs began to bend, willing him to please her.
“Ursa....”
“Don’t stop.” Her voice was tight. She grasped one his hands in hers and cupped it against her. She pressed his hand down. “Please.”
He looked uncertain, as if torn between gladly proceeding and his own reservations. His hand pressed down against her and a finger slipped between the wet folds. She suppressed another shudder as she bit a corner of her lip and finally released him.
He moved his body over hers, slowly and steadily moving his hand against her and his fingers slipped in and out. She felt him against her and her heart sped up at the acknowledgement that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him.
She moaned, arching her hips as she pulled her head back, panting. Sweat gathered at her temples once more and her skin was hot to the touch. Her arms wrapped around his body and in the back of her mind, through the heady daze, she felt him pull away.
“Ursa.”
“Don’t stop.”
“You’re heating up.”
“It’s fine.” She didn’t care.
“I don’t think you’re thinking straight.” He slipped from her arms and she looked up, her face still flushed.
“I am.”
He still looked hesitant, but she could feel him against her; his body wasn’t.
“Ursa, we can’t do this when you’re like this.” Ozai hung his head, his hair brushing against the side of his face as he held himself above her. “Maybe when you’re better and thinking clearly.”
“I am thinking clearly.” Her voice shook, but it wasn’t because she had doubts. Rather, she wanted him to believe her. “You’re a good man. Kya and Hakoda always said that and they always spoke to you like that, but never saw it. Now that I finally do it feels like it’s too late and I don’t want it to be.” Her pale hands cupped either side of his face. “Please don’t say it’s too late.”
“Ursa....” His was was strained, almost as if in pain. His hand stroked her hair back as his eyes looked down at her with a melancholy glint. “It’s not that it’s too late.” He pushed himself off of her. “Can’t we talk about this some other time? When you’re not delirious with fever.”
“I’m not delirious!”
He sat on the edge of the bed and gave her a look of disbelief. “You want me to sleep with you.”
“You were kissing me earlier, what more is sleeping with me?”
“A lot more!” Ozai shot up from the bed. “When you wake up in the morning, without a fever and fully conscious, do you really think you won’t regret it?”
“I won’t.”
Ozai’s eyes softened and she could almost see how much he wanted to believe her, but wouldn’t allow himself to. His knelt down in front of her and raised a warm, gentle hand to stroke the side of her face. His voice was tight and she wondered how long he’d held such a belief. “That’s unlikely, Ursa.”
She watched his lips move as he spoke and moved closer. “Unlikely,” she said as she raised her eyes and searched his. “But not impossible.”
Once more, her heated lips sealed over his, almost hoping her affection for him was conveyed through the action. Maybe this was her - their - chance to make good on a marriage they both once thought unwanted by the other.
Perhaps it did all those years ago, but now they were older. Different. She was just late with falling in love with him.
“Ursa, please.” His breath was hot against her flushed skin as he pulled his head back. “If this is going to happen, I don’t want any regrets or second guesses. I won’t risk it while you’re still recovering.”
Her fingers curled into his shirt, refusing to release him as pleading gold eyes bore into his. “Then can you at least stay with me? Nothing more, just stay.” Her voice weakened. “I spent years with Ikem and I truly believed I was safest and loved most in his arms, but even when I believed that, it didn’t feel like it. But with you, it’s the opposite. Kya says you love me. Lu Ten says you love me...After everything I’ve done and has gone on between us, I can’t believe it, but it feels like it. Why does it feel like it?”
There was a sad pain in is eyes as he looked at her. He was leaning forward, his arms raising just slightly, as if to hold her, but stopping before they could wrap around her.
Ozai didn’t answer.
Ursa waited. Her eyes searched his, hoping to procure an answer. With each passing second, her chest tightened with dread.
The ‘love’ she found herself hoping for...was it all in her head?
“It feels like it,” Ozai said in a helpless voice she almost couldn’t place. “Because it is.” She couldn’t breath. “Hakoda and Kya told me about you, but that night we came to pick you up...you were dancing in and out of the shared bathroom, singing in tune with the show music, so expressive and bright. I know the exact moment it happened...” The corners of his lips began to curl up in a slight, nostalgic smile. “You turned around, your hair down and flying over your shoulders as you sang into a hair brush. You looked so happy...even in that poor bathroom lighting, you took my breath away.”
She couldn’t speak. That long ago? The moment they met. Ursa began to tremble as she struggled to wrap her mind around it. “You never told me.”
He looked at her with a confused expression. “How could I? You had a boyfriend. You didn’t even like me.”
“What about when we were married?”
He shook his head. “I know the marriage trapped you,” he said, his voice holding a hint of bitterness. “I know you only married me for the sake of the island. Emotions would’ve only complicated it --”
“Complicated it?” She pulled away, upset by his assumption. “I thought you didn’t love me. I thought you weren’t capable of loving me, let alone Zuko and Azula! I thought you only married me because your father told you to!”
Ozai looked away and move back. He rose to his feet, putting distance between them once more. “It was my fault for putting you in a position where you couldn’t refuse the marriage. I told my father about you and he was always a shrewd man. He saw opportunity in the marriage: he’d get invest in Ember Island and his last son would get married to a respectable woman. I didn’t want him to pursue the marriage proposal, Ursa. I knew it would trap you, but the more I protested, the more pressure he put on you and your family.
“When I realized he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted, I gave up and accepted it. Part of me both hoped and feared that you’d refuse, but it was too much. I took you from the man you loved, from your home and your family. What did I give you in return? Awkward negligence. Little contact. Even less affection. I didn’t know how to treat a wife who was forced to marry me.”
“But you loved me,” Ursa said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Didn’t you?”
He furrowed his brows, looking as if he were trying to find the right words. “I loved you then and I love you now,” he said, facing her with a much conviction as he could show. “But I want you to be happy and our marriage didn’t do that. I couldn’t do that. How could I continue to hold you back if you wanted out? I wasn’t going to subject you to such a life when you meant the world to me. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to break it off. When you said you wanted a divorce, the only solace I had was knowing you’d be happy.”
Hot tears were streaming down her face. “I thought I’d be happy. I thought the children would be happy, but....” She shook her head as she lowered it, wiping at her eyes. “I wanted my family to be happy and safe.”
“And you’ve done what you could to do so, Ursa.”
“How can you say that?” She choked back a cry. “The whole reason we’re staying at Kya’s is because of the fire and the accident and my own negligence. Our children are hurt and I could do nothing for them.”
He was kneeling in front of her again, reaching for some tissues on the nightstand to try to give them to her.
“We all make mistakes, Ursa. I’m as guilty of them as you are.”
“We’re terrible parents.”
She almost didn’t catch the small smirk on his face. “We simply have room for improvement and now we have that chance to,” he said as she took a tissue from his hand. “Dry your eyes for now and get some rest. We can discuss this tomorrow, after you get your car back.”
Ursa nodded, still crying. “Can I stay here?”
“As long as you want to.” He stood up and eased her back against the pillows. He reached for the blanket at her side and pulled over her chest.
She felt the tissue box taken from her hand and placed back on the nightstand before he soothed her hair back. His hand slipped away and she looked out at him as he crossed the room to turn off the light. She began to feel anxious at the sight of him leaving.
“Ozai....” She didn’t want him to go.
Without a word, he closed the door. She felt her heart quicken as he remained inside and watched him round the bed. The mattress sunk as he sat down on what was once “her” side of the bed, then slid his legs beneath the blanket.
He paused, hesitating as he remained sitting up beside her. “Do you still want me to stay?”
For a moment, it felt as if a weight was lifted off her shoulders. Closed her eyes, her lips in a small smile of their own as her body relaxed into the bed. There was uncertainty in his voice, but she could’ve sworn she heard a bit of hope.
“I do.”
The bed sank further as he moved closer and lay beside her. She felt her body heat up once more as an arm crossed her stomach and she was pulled closer, against a comforting, firm body. She buried her face against his chest and grasped on to his shirt.
For everything that had happened, part of her couldn’t help but repeat that she was lucky.
“Really?” Zuko looked absolutely excited on the screen of her phone as Azula jumped up behind him. “You’re really coming?”
“Yes, and we’ll go to visit your grandparents grave the next day. Have the others given you a tour of the island?” Ursa asked. She sat on the long couch in the den beside the kitchen, her voice louder than usual to talk over the sound of the overhead stove fan as Ozai cooked some stir fried dish behind her.
“Just the boardwalk and the beach,” Zuko said. “And we’ve been spending a lot of time in the water.”
“He’s not very good at snorkeling, Auntie Ursa!” Katara’s voice shouted form somewhere in the background. Zuko’s slightly tanned face turned red.
“I’m still learning!”
“Gimme the phone!” Azula rushed forward and plucked the phone from her brother’s hand. “Mom, is Dad really coming?”
“Yes, he is.” She couldn’t really hide the fondness in her voice. Now, fully recovered from her fever and with her car parked securely in the driveway of her ex-husband’s house, she was able to focus on her work and it was an enjoyable challenge. She was brimming with accomplishment. Ursa moved her phone to the side so that it could capture Ozai cooking. He wore a dark colored apron to protect his polo shirt and khaki pants and appeared skillful in the kitchen. “Do you see him?”
“Hi, Dad!” Azula screamed, as if calling out to him.
“Hello, Azula,” Ozai said, turning slightly to give the phone a nod. “Are you behaving for your uncles and auntie?”
“Yes, of course!”
“She tried to drown me!” Zuko protested.
“I didn’t! He’s just really bad at snorkeling!”
“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Ursa sighed. “We’ll be arriving tomorrow night, so we’ll see you then, all right?”
The two siblings agreed, looking so excited for their arrival that Ursa almost felt guilty for having to set her high energy children on her best friends. She told them to be good and held the phone up so Ozai could repeat her words and bid them a good night before she ended the call.
“They won’t get any sleep tonight.”
“I know.” Ursa chuckled as she put the phone down and slid her legs off the sofa to stand. Not only was Ozai coming, but she was going to make it as well. She was sure the children weren’t ignorant of the fact that they were arriving together and it could spark some interest in whatever was going on between the two of them.
In all honesty, she wasn’t sure herself. The tension that was between them since he arrived at Kya’s house was far less and the more...intimate tension she had when she was around him was reduced. That may have been because whatever thirst she had was quenched the last two nights, yesterday afternoon, that morning...and when she got home from the store an hour ago.
Ursa felt light on her feet, almost serene as she walked to the kitchen, wearing a comfy set of shorts and a shirt she picked up on the way home. With her clothes still at Kya’s house, she spent much of the last few days after she arrived at Ozai’s house going through her class work, and buying more clothes and toiletries for the trip.
Ozai was left at the house to finish up any additional work. He was surprisingly good at reading the hints to be left alone so she could work and even better at the hints that she wanted his attention. She almost felt arrogant admitting it, but she had not been denied since and was almost spoiled in his awkward affection. He wasn’t very verbal; professing undying love or flattering her. That wasn’t Ozai at all, but a small kiss on the head, a hand on her hip, and a stroke through her hair were more than she got from him before and they filled her with joy. She almost couldn’t believe he was the same man.
She couldn’t believe the attractive, kind, and attentive man was all hers - “as long as she wanted”, she recalled him saying. She wanted him as long as she could have him, as far as she was concerned. She felt content around him and was at ease. Just hearing him from the other room while he spoke on the phone made her tingle and smile.
She always did like his voice.
“Was the luggage big enough for your things?” Ozai reached across the stove to turn it off before taking the wok off the burner. He continued to move around the noodles and vegetables and meat as he turned to the counter and the awaiting serving dish.
Ursa watched him expertly move their dinner on to the dish before putting the wok on na unused burner. She sat on a stool in front of the island.
“It is.”
“All right,” Ozai placed a plate in front of her and a set of chopsticks. He lifted his apron off and hung it over the side of the island. “Let’s eat.”
“Looks good,” she said.
He nodded. “It’s a simple dish to make.” He stood across from her and bent down, chopsticks in hand to eat.
“Can I at least wash the dishes since you cooked?” Ursa asked, picking up some noodles.
“If really must.” Ozai shrugged. “Did you finish packing? Our flight leaves early tomorrow.”
She wasn’t looking forward for such an early flight, but they needed to get to the Fire Nation, then switch planes for the islands, then take a the ferry to Ember Island from one of the larger ones that had an airport. It was a day long trek.
“For the most part, yes.” She began to eat and went through a mental list of thing she’d back. “Are you finished packing?”
“I finished while you were out today,” he said. “Do you want these mushrooms? You like them, don’t you?”
He didn’t wait for her to answer and picked off the larger pieces and placed them on her plate. She raised her chopsticks and put them over his to stop them.
“Here.” She opened her mouth expectantly. Ozai raised a brow, but plucked a mushroom from his plate and placed it on her waiting tongue. She smiled wide as she ate it.
“Let me have some of your peppers, then.”
“This was a trade, was it?”
“It’s only fair.”
Ursa let out a little snort and picked up a piece of red. She lifted it up, about to put it on his plate when he leaned forward and opened his own mouth. He was smirking as she felt her face heat up.
“Fair is fair, I suppose.” She was careful in placing it in his mouth. She watched with secret pleasure as he closed his mouth and chewed. She licked her own lips and looked down at her food, hoping to focus.
“Ursa,” he said, after a few moments of silence. “What will we tell the children?” She lifted her head, her eyes wide.
“What do you mean?”
“We both agreed that we want to continue...this,” he said. “But surely the children, and Hakoda and Kya, will notice if we spend the night together or if I hold you, perhaps even stand beside you.” He looked almost hesitant to ask. “Do you wish to...keep it a secret?”
“No.” Her answer was immediate and she sat up straight on the stool. “No, for the first time in a long time, everything feels right. I don’t want to hide that.”
She could see relief flash through his face. “Then what should we tell them? We don’t know where this will lead. I don’t want the children to expect too much.”
“Like what?” Ursa asked, she furrowed her brows as she ate some more stir fry.
“Remarriage.”
She looked back up at him. Her chest tightened at the thought marrying Ozai, but it was not a negative reaction. Rather, for a moment, butterflies filled her stomach and she imagined herself exchanging vows in the sunset on a beach with him across from her. Heat rose to her face as a distant expression filled her.
“Ursa?” Ozai frowned, unsure how to take her reaction. “Ursa?”
“Remarriage.” She snapped out of her daze; the word sounded odd to her. “You thought about it?”
He paused, measuring his words as he often did. “It crossed my mind.”
She held her breath. “Are you against it?”
His shoulders shrugged. “I think it’s too early to tell. We’re just catching up after all these years. My feelings haven’t changed, but I don’t want to rush into things nor do I wish to force you into another marriage. If Zuko and Azula ask, we can say we’re trying to work things out to establish a stronger relationship between ourselves.”
It was a valid answer, but it wasn’t the one she was looking for. She suddenly needed to know: if it came to it, would he be willing to marry her again? She felt at ease with him now; wanted and cherished in his company. She just got it and she didn’t want to lose it.
As if noticing the panic rising in her, Ozai softened his gaze and reached across the counter. He took her free hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Ursa,” he said in a low, calm voice. “If you really must know: no. I’m not against remarrying you.”
Notes: I feel uncomfortable writing anything more smutty than this on tumblr. Maybe I should make a supporting entry on ff.net or AO3? I think I may do that. What would you guys recommend or like to read? I don’t know. I feel there should be more tension; I need to bring back Ikem for more drama, as per writing arcs go, but I don’t want to drag it on. :T
Thank you all for reading!
