☆ ATLA : one shot : Future keeps
☆ summary : A small visit of Iroh II was a little bit if a blessing in disguise.
☆ pairing : Zuko x Fem!Reader
☆ word count : 4k (i woke up at 6am , and kept on writing and coming back to it and its now 10pm, the atla brainrot goes crazy until I’m done)
☆ author note : Like all of the internet, you’ve probably seen the leaks for the movie. I think its very important that when and if at this point if comes out, you go support it in any way possible. I myself dont want to just see slop forever and that means we must support the artists that put in the work.
Crashes echoed from somewhere beyond the mountains bordering Republic City. You barely had time to register it before the windows gave a rattle. Still, neither of you moved.
You and Zuko stood over a wide table scattered with blueprints. The city was finally taking shape in a real, tangible way.
You leaned forward slightly, tapping the edge of one page. “You know… it’s kind of amazing how well everything’s actually going to plan.”
Zuko let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s… remarkable, yeah.” His gaze stayed fixed on the plans, but his hand resting near the corner shaked, just barely unsteady. “For something this big, I was expecting at least three disasters by now.”
You glanced up at him, catching the unease he clearly thought he was hiding.
“Zuko,” you said, softer now, nudging the paper toward him, “you should know by now you were a big part of making this work.”
He stiffened just a fraction, like the words caught him off guard. “I ” He stopped, jaw tightening briefly before he shook his head. “I just helped where I could.”
You raised a brow. “You helped build an entire city. That’s not exactly ‘where I could.’”
There was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.
The explosion hit harder this time louder, closer. The building shuddered, a deep, violent tremor that sent a ripple through the table. Papers lifted, some sliding clean off the edges.
Then Zuko moved first. “Outside. Now.”
You didn’t argue. By the time you burst through the doors, the air outside had already shifted. A distant plume of dark smoke curled upward from behind the mountains, thick and wrong against the sky.
“That wasn’t just a landslide,” you muttered.
“No,” Zuko replied, eyes narrowing as heat flickered faintly along his hands, instinct already kicking in. “It wasn’t.”
Another distant rumble followed, quieter this time. You were already moving.
“Race you?” you shot over your shoulder, grinning despite the situation.
Zuko huffed, stepping forward as flames burst from his feet in a controlled jet, lifting him smoothly into the air. “This isn’t a game.”
“Everything’s a game if you’re fast enough.”
“And you’re slow keep up!”
You sprinted ahead, boots pounding against the ground as the terrain shifted from clean stone to rough earth. Behind you, there was a sharp rush of heat as Zuko surged forward through the air, fire propelling him in quick bursts.
“Don’t get too far ahead!” he called.
“What, worried you’ll lose me?” you shot back.
You glanced back just long enough to see the concern in his expression. That… made you slow just a fraction.
“Yeah,” you said, quieter this time. “Me too.”
Another tremor rolled through the ground beneath your feet. Closer now. By the time you and Zuko reached the source of the explosion, the world… didn’t make sense. The ground looked wrong like the earth itself had been torn up, churned, then dropped back down in the wrong order. Jagged ridges cut through what should’ve been smooth terrain, and the soil had that dry, brittle look of something ancient rather than freshly disturbed. Thin streams of smoke curled up from the center, drifting lazily like the aftermath of something far more violent than it should’ve been.
“…Okay,” you muttered, scanning the area. “That’s not normal.”
Zuko landed beside you. His stance was already defensive, eyes sharp as they swept the destruction. “Stay alert.”
You both exchanged a look before stepping forward. That’s when you heard it.
“ I am going to maim Korra…”
The voice dragged itself out of the smoke, rough and annoyed more than anything else.
You blinked. A figure shifted at the center of the wreckage. A man. He was pushing himself upright, clearly shaken, brushing dust from clothing that immediately caught your attention. Sleek, structured, layered in a way that felt unfamiliar advanced, almost. There was something elegant about it, even with dirt smeared across it.
He straightened fully, rolling his shoulder with a wince then noticed you and started walking closer.
Zuko stepped in front of you instantly, one arm out slightly as heat flickered to life in his palm. “Stay back!” His voice cut clean through the air. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?”
The man paused, lifting his hands in a show of surrender though his expression stayed oddly relaxed for someone standing in a crater. “Sorry, sorry,” he said, letting out a short, breathy laugh. “No harm intended. My friend and I were just training and uh ” he gestured vaguely behind him, “ I might’ve gotten hit a little harder than expected.”
You crossed your arms, unimpressed. “That’s a ‘little’ hard”
Zuko didn’t lower his guard. “If this is your idea of training, where’s your friend?”
“Good question,” the man said, turning to look around.
then… he frowned. “…Huh.”
You followed his gaze. There was nothing there. No second person. No signs of a second impact. Just broken earth stretching out in every direction.
“Um,” he said again, slower this time, scanning the horizon. “They should be… around here somewhere.”
His confusion didn’t look fake. “…What the heck?” he muttered under his breath.
Zuko’s stance tightened. You, on the other hand, stepped forward slipping just ahead of him.
“Hey ” Zuko started, annoyed.
You waved him off slightly without looking back. “Relax.”
He did not relax. You tilted your head at the stranger. “What’s your name?”
Zuko made a quiet, irritated sound behind you at your very bold decision making. The man straightened a bit, regaining some composure. “My name is General Iroh. And again deepest apologies for… all of this.”
The moment the name left his mouth Zuko moved. Fast. His hand shot out, grabbing your arm and pulling you back behind him so quickly you nearly stumbled.
“Hey !” you snapped, yanking slightly against his grip.
Zuko didn’t let go. His eyes were locked on the man now sharp, disbelieving, and just a little furious.
“No,” he said flatly. “You are not.”
The man blinked, genuinely taken aback. “I… think I would know who I am.”
Zuko took a step forward. “That name belongs to someone else.”
You huffed, trying to pry your arm free. “Okay wow territorial much ”
“I’m not a houseplant, Zuko.”
“Actually,” you cut in, finally slipping out of his grip and stepping up beside him again, “now is exactly the time for everyone to take a breath before this turns into something stupid.”
You glanced between the two of them. Yeah. This was going great. You lifted your hands slightly. “Okay. Let’s all collectively take a chill pill for one second.”
Zuko didn’t move. The man didn’t move.
You exhaled slowly. “Cool. Love that no one is listening.”
You pointed at the stranger. “You mystery explosion guy are claiming you’re General Iroh.”
Then you jabbed a thumb toward Zuko. “And he knows a General Iroh, so obviously that’s setting off about twelve alarms.”
“I figured,” the man admitted.
“Great. So here’s what we’re gonna do ” you stepped slightly between them now, firmly claiming mediator status whether they liked it or not, “ nobody attacks anybody for at least… five minutes.”
Zuko scoffed quietly. “I wasn’t going to ”
“You were absolutely about to,” you shot back without missing a beat.
“…Stop being rash,” he returned, shooting you a look.
You turned right back to the stranger, unimpressed. “And you I don’t know who you are, but that’s a really stupid claim.”
He winced, just a little. “In my defense… it is my name.”
You clapped your hands once, sharp and loud in the smoky air. “Okay! Great. Love the energy. Hate the progress.”
Neither of them laughed. You exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down your face before gesturing broadly at the wreckage around you. “New question where do you think you are right now?”
The man opened his mouth. “…Not where I was supposed to be,” he admitted.
You nodded once. “Yeah. Same page.”
Zuko didn’t relax an inch. “…Explain.”
The man Iroh, allegedly ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to piece something together. “Well… that’s the problem.” He glanced between the two of you. “I’m not entirely sure I can.”
“That’s not a start,” you said flatly.
“Okay okay, wait.” He lifted his hands again, thinking fast now. “Um… I’m friends with the Avatar.”
Then immediately started walking toward him like you were about to escort him out yourself. “Sure you are, buddy. Come on,” you said, completely dismissing him as you closed the distance. “Let’s get you somewhere that can get you the support you need.”
Somewhere in the back of your mind, though, something nagged at you. The voice. The attitude. The way he held himself. Why does he sound like?
“Oh my god, you must be ” You blinked as he suddenly froze, eyes going wide as he looked straight at you like you’d just solved a puzzle you didn’t know you were part of.
“…What?” you said, immediately suspicious.
But he wasn’t looking at you anymore. He was looking past you. “Grandpa.”
Looked at Zuko. Then back at him. Then back at Zuko. then you absolutely lost it. A loud, unrestrained cackle burst out of you as you pointed straight at Zuko. “GRANDPA?!”
Zuko’s face went from confusion to horror to pure offense in under a second. “What no ”
You doubled over slightly, still pointing. “Oh that’s no, that’s perfect. Fire Lord Zuko ruler of a nation reduced to ” you gasped for air, “ grandpa.”
“I am not ” Zuko snapped, flustered now, color rising to his face. “That doesn’t even make sense!”
Behind you, the man looked just as confused. “Wait no, hold on why is he so young?”
You wheezed. “Oh my god, it gets better ”
Zuko dragged a hand down his face, already done with this entire situation. “Okay. That’s enough.”
“Aw, come on, grandpa, don’t be like that ”
“Please stop encouraging this,” he said through gritted teeth, clearly aiming that last part at the universe more than you.
You straightened up slightly, still grinning like you’d just been handed the best joke of your life. Zuko turned back to the stranger, voice sharp again though now carrying a very clear thread of personal irritation.“Alright. That’s it. You’re coming with us.”
“Wait, I ” the man started.
“No arguments,” Zuko cut in, already stepping forward.
You snorted. “Yeah, okay, psycho let’s get you out of here.”
“Hey,” the man protested weakly, “I’m not a psycho ”
“Debatable,” you and Zuko said at the exact same time.
You glanced at him, then at Zuko.
“…Okay that was a little cool,” you admitted.
Behind you, the man rubbed the back of his neck, still staring at Zuko like he was trying to solve a very personal mystery.
“…Are you not together?” he asked carefully.
Zuko confused just said. “No.”
You tilted your head, studying the stranger again, that earlier thought creeping back in. “…I don’t know,” you muttered. “He does kinda sound like you.”
Zuko shot you a look. “Don’t.”
You grinned. “What? I’m just saying if you had a future kid or something ”
“I’m going to start ignoring you.”
“You already try.” A beat. “…It doesn’t work.”
You smiled sweetly. Zuko sighed. behind both of you, the so called General Iroh just stood there, watching the two of you with disbelief.
“…Yeah,” he murmured under his breath. “That tracks.”
Bringing him into the city only made things… stranger. You’d expected resistance. maybe. At the very least, a little attitude. The guy looked like you’d just dropped him into the most impressive place he’d ever seen. His head kept turning as you walked taking in the buildings, the streets, the movement of people, the bending, the life of it all. His eyes lingered on everything just a second too long, like he was trying to memorize it.
You couldn’t help the small flicker of pride that settled in your chest.
“Yeah,” you said casually as you led him along, “not bad for something that ‘wasn’t supposed to work,’ right?”
“It’s…” he trailed off, almost smiling to himself. “It’s incredible.”
You smirked a little. “I’ll take that.”
Now he sat across from you securely locked in a holding room, because you weren’t completely reckless though the way he carried himself made it feel more like he was visiting than detained. Zuko had already stormed off to find Aang, leaving you behind with a firm don’t do anything stupid.
Naturally, you stayed. Because you absolutely wanted to hear more from the “possibly insane stranger.”
You leaned back slightly, arms crossed. “So… Iroh.”
He looked up at you, calm as ever. “You know that’s a very special name to my friend,” you added, watching him carefully.
“I know,” he said easily. “And I’m very grateful for my name.”
That answer… didn’t feel rehearsed. You tilted your head, studying him. “You don’t seem like a bad person. Of course,” you added lightly, “that could be famous last words.”
He let out a small breath of a laugh, quieter than before. “I suppose that’s fair.”
For a moment, neither of you spoke. he looked at you again “I never really got to know you,” he said softly.
You blinked. “That’s because we just met.”
He shook his head faintly, like that wasn’t quite what he meant. “You’re… very kind.”
You stared at him for a second. Then narrowed your eyes slightly. “You say crazier things the longer you’re here.”
That earned a small smile. “Yeah,” he admitted under his breath. “I’m starting to notice that.”
You shifted your weight, leaning one shoulder against the wall now. “So… um…” he hesitated, “How are you and Zuko?”
You blinked at the sudden shift. “What? Him and I? well hes one of my best friends,” you answered, like it was obvious.
“Yeah,” you said slowly, narrowing your eyes again. “What about it?”
“Nothing nothing,” he said quickly, but there was something off about the way he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “This is just… weird.”
You pushed off the wall slightly, stepping closer to the bars.
He exhaled, glancing back at you hesitating like he was deciding how much to say.
“Because where I’m from,” he said carefully, “that’s… not exactly how I would’ve described it.”
You stared at him. “…Okay,” you said slowly. He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head.
His smile softened again but there was something behind it now. Something heavier. “…You matter to him,” he said. You didn’t answer right away. He continued, quieter this time. “A lot more than just ‘friend.’”
You held his gaze, trying to decide if he was messing with you, guessing, or… something else entirely.
“…You’re very bizarre,” you said finally,
That was the last you saw of him. Aang showed up not long after with Katara close behind and between the two of them, things moved quickly. You’d tried to linger. Zuko had given you a look.
Not harsh but firm enough that you knew when you were being gently pushed out of the room. So you left it. The next morning, when curiosity inevitably dragged you back, he was gone. You stood there for a moment longer than you needed to, staring at the empty space like it might give you something if you looked hard enough.
“…Huh,” you muttered to yourself. that was that. Just another strange, unexplainable thing to add to the growing list.
it didn’t stay that simple. Because as the day went on. you kept catching yourself drifting back to it. You leaned against a railing overlooking one of the busier streets, arms folded loosely as your gaze tracked the movement below without really seeing it.
“…Weird,” you murmured again, softer this time.
Your fingers tapped absently against your arm as your thoughts shifted unavoidably to Zuko.
To the way you’d answered without thinking: He’s one of my best friends. You exhaled slowly through your nose. “Yeah,” you muttered under your breath. “That’s normal.”
It was normal. You and Zuko fought. Constantly, sometimes. You pushed, he snapped back, you ignored him, he got annoyed it was just how things worked. There was nothing strange about it.
Your jaw tightened just slightly. Then why did that answer feel… incomplete?
You shifted your weight, straightening a little as your gaze drifted upward toward the skyline toward the palace where he was probably still dealing with whatever Aang had uncovered.
The memory slipped back in whether you wanted it to or not “Friends?”
You huffed quietly. “Well, what was I supposed to say?”
You weren’t wrong. Zuko was your best friend. One of the most important people in your life. The one you ended up next to in every situation without really thinking about it.
Your fingers curled slightly against your sleeve. “…Okay,” you said under your breath, “We’re not doing that.”
Doing what, exactly, you didn’t clarify. You pushed off the railing, starting to walk again just to have something else to focus on.
You frowned slightly, your steps slowing despite yourself. “…People matter to people,” you muttered, like that settled it.
Right? Zuko cared about a lot of people. His uncle. His friends. The city. His responsibility. You weren’t… special in that way. Were you?
Your stomach did something uncomfortable at the thought, and you immediately scowled like you could bully the feeling into going away.
“Nope,” you said quietly. “Absolutely not.”
You dragged a hand down your face, exhaling. This was ridiculous. You’d faced worse than confusing strangers and their cryptic comments. Way worse. This shouldn’t be the thing that stuck.
“Hey.” Your shoulders tensed just slightly at the sound of his voice behind you.
“I brought you some ginseng tea.”
You turned and immediately broke into a laugh. “You did not.” There he was Zuko, standing there, holding what was very clearly a vase.
He frowned slightly, glancing down at it like he was only now reconsidering his choices. “It holds liquid.”
“That’s not the point,” you laughed, stepping closer anyway. “Where did you even get that?”
“…It was there,” he said, like it explained anything.
He held it out toward you, just a little more insistently now. “Careful. It’s hot.”
Your laughter softened into something quieter as you reached out, taking it from him carefully despite yourself. The ceramic was warm against your hands too warm, really and you adjusted your grip quickly.
“Yeah, no kidding, did you boil the ocean?”
He huffed. “You complain a lot for someone who hasn’t burned themselves yet.”
You looked down at the tea, watching the faint curl of steam rise from the surface.
“…I appreciate it,” you said, more sincerely this time.
Zuko didn’t answer right away. He was already watching you. Your grip tightened slightly around the vase.
“…What?” you asked, a little too quickly.
“Nothing,” he said, just as fast.
You narrowed your eyes. “youre so weird.”
He exhaled sharply, looking away for a second like he was deciding whether this was worth it.
“…You’ve been quiet,” he said finally.
“That’s your big observation?”
You glanced back down at the tea, buying yourself a second. “I’ve just been thinking.”
“About him.” You tilted your head slightly. “Among other things.”
Zuko’s jaw tightened just a fraction. “Aang and Katara thought he might be telling the truth.”
You snorted softly. “Of course they do.”
“They also thought he might not be from here.”
That made you look up again.
“…Define ‘not from here.’”
Zuko hesitated. “As in not just another place. Another… time.”
You looked down at the tea. Then back at him. “…You’re joking.”
A small silence settled between you. “…Huh,” you said. You shifted your weight, leaning back slightly against the railing again.
“…He said some weird things,” you admitted.
Zuko’s eyes flicked back to you. “Like what?”
You hesitated. Then shrugged, aiming for casualness and missing it slightly. “Nothing important.”
Zuko didn’t buy it. You could tell. “Nothing?” he pressed.
“Nothing,” you repeated. “…He asked about us.”
The words slipped out before you could stop them. Zuko stilled. “Us?” he echoed.
You immediately regretted everything.
“Not us, us,” you said quickly, gesturing vaguely with the vase and nearly sloshing tea over the edge. “Just you and me. As people. Existing. Near each other.”
“That you’re my best friend,” you said, a little more defensive than you meant to.
Zuko blinked. That answer caught him off guard. “…Oh,” he said.
You frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he said, a little too quickly again.
You narrowed your eyes. He looked away, jaw tightening slightly. “It’s just”
He stopped. “…What?” you pushed.
Zuko exhaled slowly, the words were heavier than they should’ve been. “…Is that all it is?” he asked.
Your heart did something very unhelpful in your chest. You stared at him. “…What?”
He didn’t look back at you this time. “Nothing,” he said again, quieter now.
You let out a short, disbelieving laugh. “Oh, now you don’t get to do that. You asked the question.”
Silence stretched between you again but this time it felt different. You shifted your grip on the vase, the warmth of it suddenly a lot more noticeable.
“…Why does it matter?” you asked, softer now.
Zuko didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was low. “I don’t know.”
“…Yeah,” you murmured. “Me neither.”
“I, um… I think that you’re very kind.” You blinked, looking up at Zuko like he’d just spoken a different language.
He frowned immediately, like that wasn’t what he meant. “No, I”
“I think you’re a very tolerable person,” he added awkwardly.
“Zuko, I’m going to hit you.”
“Stop,” he said quickly, holding up a hand like you might actually follow through. “I’m trying to say something.”
He exhaled slowly, he was bracing himself.
“I also think… that that person means what he says.”
Zuko swallowed, jaw tensing before he forced himself to keep going.
“He made me think of a future with you.” His voice dipped lower, “And then I thought about a future without you and it” He stopped, shaking his head once like he didn’t even want to finish the thought. “It made me sick.”
Something in your chest twisted hard enough that it almost knocked the breath out of you.
“Zuko” you started, but he didn’t let you stop him this time.
“I don’t know when it changed,” he said, more firmly now, like he’d finally found the thing he was trying to say. “Or if it always felt like this and I just didn’t realize it… I want to create that future with you.”
You stared at him, your mind trying and failing to catch up with everything that was said.
“…You’re really bad at this,” you said quietly.
His expression faltered. “I”
“But,” you added just as quickly, stepping a little closer, “thank you.”
“That guy whoever he is” you continued softly, “he didn’t just see something that wasn’t there.”
Zuko’s breath hitched just slightly.
You tilted your head, a faint smile pulling at your lipsnot teasing this time, but something softer. “He might've just helped us change everything”
Your gaze dropped briefly to the vase still in your hands before you carefully set it down on the railing beside you, freeing your hands.
“…So,” you said, a little lighter, even if your heart was still racing, “this future you’re planning”
Zuko stiffened slightly. “I didn’t say I planned it”
“am I still allowed to call you grandpa in it?”
He stared at you. “…Absolutely not.”
“Then I’ll think about it.”
He groaned quietly, dragging a hand over his face but there was a smile there now, breaking through despite himself.
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