Love Avatar the Last Airbender? Join The Gaang: An ATLA Discord Server!
Here are some features!
Channels for ATLA and LOK discussion including specific channels just for shipping! (We have channels for Zutara, Kataang, Zukaang, Zukka, Sukka, etc.)
SFW and NSFW options available so all ages are welcome! An inviting and inclusive space for all, and the ability to select your pronouns upon entry!
Places to share your ATLA art and writing with others. Including channels to stream your drawings plus specific roles for writers and artists.
A specific channel just for members to promote your servers, commissions, or products to other members.
Places to vent about real issues, and voice chat options available. Meet lots of friends!
A few discussion channels for other fandoms plus a gaming themed channel.
Specific roles to play Among Us with other members.
Tons of memes and a huge selection of ATLA emojis!
Best of all: super nice and friendly people who love ATLA and the fandom!
ClickJOIN to join the server! If you are having issues with the link, it is also in my bio or feel welcome to shoot me an ask or DM!
Love Avatar the Last Airbender? Join The Gaang: An ATLA Discord Server!
Here are some features!
Channels for ATLA and LOK discussion including specific channels just for shipping! (We have channels for Zutara, Kataang, Zukaang, Zukka, Sukka, etc.)
SFW and NSFW options available so all ages are welcome! An inviting and inclusive space for all, and the ability to select your pronouns upon entry!
Places to share your ATLA art and writing with others. Including channels to stream your drawings plus specific roles for writers and artists.
Places to vent about real issues, and voice chat options available. Meet lots of friends!
A few discussion channels for other fandoms plus a gaming themed channel.
Tons of memes and a huge selection of ATLA emojis!
Best of all: super nice and friendly people who love ATLA!
ClickJOIN to join the server! If you are having issues with the link, it is also in my bio or feel welcome to shoot me an ask or DM!
Some people say Uncle Iroh isn’t as great as the show and fandom make him seem because he used to be a Fire Nation general (and so is responsible for a lot of colonization and war). But like, there’s actually a lot of redemption arc for that?
His redemption arc is Zuko.
He chose to leave his Royal life and (military) status behind to help his abused nephew and raise him to grow in to a good person. Raised him to understand that his father is actually a terrible person and that his own past actions were wrong.
Plus there’s a lot of redemption stuff in the background. The way he lied to save the dragons? The fact that he is a White Lotus member, pretty much the anti-colonization society?
I mean you can argue about whether one can ever do enough to redeem themselves for being an ex-war general on the wrong side of the conflict, but it’s not at all true that the show and fandom are just forgetting about it because he’s a sweet old man.
Also can we talk about the symbolism of how Zuko never learned how to shoot lightning, aka “The Cold-Blooded Fire” for himself while his abusive biological father and sister used it all the time to get their way? Or how about the fact that Iroh taught him how to redirect lightning, a skill that symbolizes not letting their abuse hurt him??
atla is the best show in the world because they let uncle iroh open his tea shop while his nephew the prince of fire nation is procrastinating on becoming a good person so he has no other option but to be a waiter while hes stalling on doing good i hope the writers knew when they wrote this how fucking funny that concept truly is
Customer service was either going to reform him or make him more evil. That was the Ultimate Test.The rest of his arc was just filler.
Master Pakku: It’s not natural for women to fight.
Katara: It’s not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.
Sokka: Trust me, this plan’s going to work!
Katara: Fine. But if Combustion Man kills us all, I’m going to get Aang’s spirit to teach my spirit how to play the tsungi horn just so that I can annoy the heck out of your spirit.”
Sokka: I’ll just hire Zuko’s spirit to kick your spirits’s butt!
Zuko: My spirit won’t associate with your spirit.
Iroh: You are going to… kill the Moon?
Zhao: Tui made the decision to return to the physical world. If she makes herself such an available target, she can further the Fire Nation’s great destiny.
Iroh: Men mock the spirits until they need them, Zhao.
Ty Lee: Spirits, Mai, you actually look happy.
Mai, clearly smiling: Don’t be ridiculous.
Zuko, at the Agni Kai: What’s the matter today, no lightning? Afraid I’ll redirect it?
Azula: Oh, I’ll show you lightning!
Katara: Zuko, this whole ‘shoot lightning at me’ thing is starting to concern me.
Sokka: Aang, maybe the monks didn’t cover this lesson, but you do not negotiate with a powerful firebender with lightning crackling around him during Sozin’s Comet.
alternatively,
Sokka: Zuko, maybe your fancy tutors didn’t cover this lesson, but you do not argue with a guy who can start glowing and harness all the power and skills of his past lives at any time.
Sokka: You were early, Toph!
Toph: I was on time!
Sokka: For you, that’s early. Next time you plan to impress me give me some warning!
Toph: The animals are free, and I found you a boat. This is when a thank you would be in order.
Suki: Thank you, Toph.
Toph: Hey, no problem, Suki.
Toph: See, Sokka? That’s how the civilised folk do it.
Sokka, to Zuko, at the Boiling Rock: Well, we’ve managed to get ourselves locked into the most secure prison in the world. We’re either geniuses or the dumbest sons of bitches to ever breathe air.
Aang: We’re all gonna die!
Sokka: Well, statistically speaking, only SOME of us are going to die.
Sokka: It was a calculated risk.
Zuko: It was cross-your-fingers-and-hope-for-the-best. Believe me, I know the difference.
Sokka and Aang: *doing their spirit magic impressions, i.e. waving their arms and making vaguely creepy sounds*
Zuko: What are they doing?
Katara: Performing an ancient Spirit-summoning ritual.
Zuko: Really?
Katara: No.
Aang: Sure, I’m skinny, but I stay drier in the rain.
Sokka: How?
Aang: Less falls on me.
Sokka:
Sokka: You can WATERBEND.
Hakoda: Good luck hitting a skinny little Water Tribe boat, cutting through the waves and staffed by a crew of men who’ve spent their whole life dodging obstacles in boats.
Bato: I’ll quote you on that when a fireball lands in my lap.
Random Boiling Rock guard: Please, have mercy!
Suki: I like it when men beg. But this isn’t the time for it.
Chief Hakoda: How are you finding our country?
Toph: It’s a magical place. If you like ice and more ice.
Sokka, about Zuko: Would it kill him to smile every once in a while?
Katara: Very possibly.
Toph: Katara and Zuko? Far be it from me to doubt anyone’s determination to get this done, but is that really the ideal pairing?“
Sokka: Zuko knows guard procedure, and Katara can handle any guards without a noisy fight. Your job is to keep them from killing each other.
Toph: Because I’m definitely the diplomat of the the group.
Sokka: Aang is the diplomat of the group. But he’s busy, so you get to do it.
He’s adorbz, firstly. First impressions were that he was this cheerful, wholesome, bumbling papa figure—and I thought it was pretty dope he was on the antagonist’s side. Switching it up, amirite?
Second impression: Oh, aw, but he’s a wise mentor figure, too! (And again, antagonist. This be cool, I like!)
More things I love:
His priority was Zuko. It was clear Iroh loved him, both to the viewer and to Zuko. His support, his guidance, he followed Zuko through everything.
The whole scene with Toph. So cute. Awww.
He looked and acted like a bumbling fool, but not only was he NOT, it wasn’t mostly an act, either. He was genuinely calm, positive, and wise, but he was aware of others’ perception of him and took advantage when needed. He was actually badass. Much more depth than the trope.
He’s a funny character. Make me laugh, I like you, in fiction and IRL.
Summary: The reader is a skilled firebender despite her young age which allows her to become Zuko’s firebending teacher. When she feels an instant click between them, but Zuko keeps avoiding her until one day he gets into some trouble that threatens his life.
A/N: This was really fun to write, but it’s not as good as I’d like it to be, I still hope you like it nonetheless, as always feel free to leave feedback, I appreciate every like, comment and reblog
Your eyes widened as a ball of fire barreled towards your face. You leaned backwards watching the flames swirl above you, the heat slightly singing your eyebrows. Then the fire slammed into the wall behind you and dispersed.
You came back up and smirked at Zuko, his eyes narrowed and more flames dancing between his fingers. “Come on, you can do better than that” you taunted and he yelled before rushing at you aiming a punch, his fist ablaze. You reached up with your left hand and knocked his hand to the right of you. He used this momentum to move his torso to the side so his right leg could come up to hit you in the face.
You ducked under his leg and then came up kicking your left leg to hit him in the chest, however he reacted faster than you thought he would and he was able to grab your leg in the air. He pushed your leg backwards and you stumbled back, able to keep yourself from toppling backwards but when you fully regained your balance a wave of fire came crashing towards you. You were just able to put up a wall of fire to block the wave but the force knocked you backwards onto the ground and you slid back a couple of feet.
When the flames finally disappeared Zuko was standing above you, this time he was the one smirking, “How’s that for better?” You answered by swiping your legs into his making him fall to the ground, you then got up and assumed a defensive position over him, your fists aflame.
“Your better could do with some work, first of all, never assume that your opponent will give up when they are on the ground.” Zuko rolled his eyes and you extinguished your flames, extending a hand down to him to help him up.
Zuko just grunted in annoyance and waved away your hand before pushing himself up off the ground.
The sound of clapping came from behind you and you turned to see Iroh standing by the helm of the ship smiling and clapping.
“Wonderful performance you two” he praised and you put your fist under your open palm, bowing to the man.
“Thank you, General Iroh” you said.
Iroh just shook his head, “I am not a General anymore, please just call me, Iroh.” You nodded your head and turned back to Zuko to commemorate him but he was already at the door that led to the downstairs of the ship, slamming it closed behind him.
“Pay no mind to my nephew, he just…has a lot to learn” Iroh said, walking up to stand beside you.
You turned to face him, “I know, thank you Ge- I mean, Iroh,” you corrected yourself and Iroh smiled, “but I’m feeling a little tired and I think I’m going to retire to my room for a while."
He nodded and you made your way to your room. You passed Zuko’s room on the way and you raised your fist to knock on his door but then let your hand fall, deciding it was better to leave him to himself for a bit. You then walked into your room, shutting the door and then collapsing on the bed.
You stared up at the ceiling and began thinking back to when you first met Zuko. You had excelled in your classes as a firebender and as a soldier, and, despite your young age you were able to rise in the ranks of the fire nation army.
Although Iroh had been retired as a General by the time you met him, you still called him General Iroh out of respect, though he argued against it. He began mentoring you and helped you train to be one of the finest warriors Iroh had seen.
That’s why, when Zuko was banished and Iroh planned to leave with him, he asked you to come with him. You declined at first, wanting to stay in your home nation, but when Iroh sent a letter a couple of years later that Zuko had found the avatar and would need a firebending teacher you decided to take him up on that offer.
When you met Zuko for the first time you remembered looking into his fierce, golden eyes and it was like something inside of you clicked, like a piece of a puzzle.
"Zuko, this is y/n, she is going to be your new firebending teacher” Iroh said, introducing you to Zuko. Zuko stared at you with a puzzled look on his face but then he caught himself and his face regained a more neutral expression.
“Nice to meet you, y/n,” he said and then he turned to his uncle, “I have some avatar business to attend to.” He turned to you again, nodded and then he walked away.
“Does he not like me or something?” you asked.
“Of course not, my nephew just takes a bit to warm up to people, I’m sure in a couple of days you two will get along swimmingly."
It had been a couple of weeks since then and Zuko still hadn’t warmed up to you, in fact you rarely ever saw him unless it was when you were training him, even then he still would barely look you in the eyes. You wondered if you had done something wrong and just wished Zuko would talk to you about it.
You were brought out of your thoughts when you heard a knock on your door, you sat up in your bed, "Come in."
Iroh opened the door, "We were going to stop soon and go to the market to get some more supplies, did you want to come with us?"
"No, thank you, I think I’ll stay behind and get some more firebending practice."
Iroh raised one of his eyebrows, "Are you sure? I hear they have delicious hotcakes there."
You laughed, "I’m sure, Iroh, go, enjoy yourself.” Iroh then shrugged and left the room, closing the door behind him.
It had been a couple of hours and Zuko and Iroh still weren’t back, you were beginning to worry and you wondered if you should go out and look for them. You walked up from your room to the deck of the ship and were surprised to see two figures in the distance walking towards the ship.
You squinted and realized that it was Iroh and Zuko, but Zuko has leaning against Iroh for support and as he got closer you saw his face was drained of any color and his hand attempted to cover his stomach which was steadily oozing crimson blood.
“Shit” you muttered to yourself.
You ran down the ramp that was extended off the ship and raced towards the hobbling figures.
“What happened?!” you exclaimed.
“There was a fight, we were outmatched” Iroh explained, . You tried to loop your arm under Zuko’s other arm but he cried out in pain so you quickly let him go.
“We won’t be able to make it to the ship, lay him down here.” You put your hand under his head and laid him gently down on the ground. You took off your over-shirt and balled it together removing his hand and quickly pressing it to his wound to stop the bleeding.
From the quick glance at Zuko’s wound it did not look good and he had lost a lot of blood. Zuko groaned, his eyes fluttering open and closed as if he were fighting to stay awake.
“Come on, Zuko, you’re going to be okay, I promise” you said, trying to think of something, anything to do to help him. Zuko gave a small exhale, his breathing then stopping and his eyes stopped fluttering and completely closed.
“No, no, no, no! You can’t leave, wake up!” you cried, grabbing Zuko’s limp body and holding him close to your body in a tight hug. You rocked back and forth, tears streaming down your face.
Suddenly there was a painful burst of energy that erupted in your heart that began to spread down your arms and to your hands. A bright, yellow glow shined from your hands. You tried to pull your hands from Zuko’s back but it was like they were glued to him.
Then the glow faded and the pain stopped. Zuko inhaled sharply, coughing hoarsely and he pulled away from your embrace, a puzzled look on his face.
“Zuko, you’re okay! But..how?” you said, looking at your now normal hands and then at Iroh who gave you a look that said, I’ll explain later.
“What do you remember, Zuko?” his uncle asked. Zuko blinked, thinking for a moment before starting to answer.
“We were at the market, there was this man.. he was getting robbed, I tried to help him, but there were too many of them and I got stabbed!” he said with revelation at the end. He immediately reached down and searched his abdomen for the wound.
He looked up at you, his eyebrows furrowed, “What happened?"
"I..I think I healed you” you said.
Zuko opened his mouth to ask another question but Iroh interrupted him.
“I think that’s enough questions for now, I’ll explain later, right now I’m just glad you’re okay.” Zuko looked gratefully at his uncle and went to stand up but his knees buckled and he almost fell backwards but you caught him.
“Be careful, even though you’re wound is healed, you still lost a lot of blood and I don’t think I was able to heal you all of the way, you’ll need to take it easy.” You and Iroh helped Zuko onto the ship and you got the ship moving again, you wanted to be far away from that place.
It had been a couple of hours and you were able to clean the blood off of you and change, but you felt an immense amount of fatigue. Your curiosity of what happened earlier staved of your tiredness and you went to go find Iroh.
“Ah, y/n, how are you feeling?” Iroh remarked when he saw you walking up to him. He was sitting at a table on the deck with a cup of tea.
“I don’t know, I feel..drained. In fact that was what I was going to ask you about, what happened earlier?” You asked.
Iroh set his tea down and gestured for you to sit in the chair that was directly across from him.
“The moment I saw that glowing light I knew exactly what had happened.” He paused, pouring you a cup of tea and setting it in front of you.
“What do you know about soulmates?” he asked.
“Not much really, do you think Zuko and I are soulmates?” you asked, your face gone practically slack with the incredulity of Iroh’s theory.
He nodded at you solemnly, “Yes, I do. Soulmates are essentially two halves of a whole, they are two people that complete each other like puzzle pieces fitting together."
Suddenly that feeling that you felt when you first laid eyes on Zuko made sense and you wondered if Zuko had felt it too, which would explain why he looked at you so weird the first time he saw you.
"I had heard stories about people with a soulmate bond so strong that they are able to heal each other by giving each other some of their life force. Even I didn’t think it was true, until today. That’s why you were able to heal Zuko, that light was you transferring your life force to Zuko. That’s probably why you feel so drained"
You sat there, in complete shock, you didn’t know what to say. "Well, uh…thank you, Iroh, I think I’m going to go talk to Zuko now."
He gave a single nod and you went to go talk to Zuko. You had no idea what you were going to say, you had barely talked to Zuko and he had made sort of a habit to avoid you so you didn’t even know if he was going to listen. You sighed, finally deciding to just knock on his door. You raised your fist and knocked twice on his door.
"Come in” you heard him say.
You walked in to see him sitting on his bed, the map of where the avatar was spotted was sitting in his lap.
“Are you, um, feeling better?” you asked.
He gave a half-smile, “Uh, yeah, thank you for healing me."
You nodded, "You’re welcome."
It was silent for a moment, awkwardness practically filling the room. "So, did Iroh tell you that we’re-"
"Yeah, well, no, he didn’t tell me, but I knew from the moment I met you."
"Oh,” you said, you didn’t know what to make of that statement, he knew and he didn’t tell you? What if you never found out, was he ever going to tell you?
“Yeah, my uncle had talked about soulmates before and so I just put two and two together."
You crossed your arms and glared at Zuko, "Were you ever going to tell me?"
Zuko looked up at you sheepishly, "Well, I was eventually going to bring it up, but my number one priority is finding the avatar and I didn’t want the whole soulmate thing to get in the way."
Your look softened slightly. You could understand where Zuko was coming from, his father had banished him and his only hope at getting his life back to how it was was to capture the avatar.
"So that’s why you avoided me."
"Yeah, uh, sorry about that, I promise I won’t do it anymore."
You gave a small nose exhale and you smiled and shook your head slightly.
"What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing, I just never thought that the Fire Lord’s son would be my soulmate."
He smiled slightly before retorting, "Well, I never thought my soulmate would be my firebending teacher."
You laughed and Zuko’s smile widened and his usually fierce eyes seemed to sparkle with a small hint of humor.
Summary: Reader is walking home when they are attacked by thugs, then a mysterious stranger in a blue mask saves her, leaving without a word.
A/N: This is my first Zuko fic so I hope you guys like it and don’t be afraid to show it some love, I appreciate every comment, like or reblog I get, hope you enjoy
You pulled your arms closer to your body as the wind blew stronger sending chills down your spine. It was nearing midnight and so the streets of Ba Sing Se were eerily empty, spare for the dim glow of lanterns that lined the walls.
You were walking home from the antique shop where you worked, closing up shop had taken a little longer than you anticipated. One particular customer simply needed to stay past closing time to pick the perfect antique table for their bedroom. You hoped their table was worth you walking home, in the dark, alone.
You were almost home when you heard footsteps coming from behind you. Your heartbeat began to thump in your ears, your breathing became more erratic.
You walked slightly faster, trying to assure yourself that they weren’t following you, you were making this up.
The footsteps sped up with your pace.
You glanced over your shoulder to see three guys following you, one of the guys was holding something that glinted slightly from the glow from the lanterns, it was a knife. That sent a jolt of fear rippling down your body and you quickened your pace even more, hoping that you could make it to your house before those guys made it to you.
You glanced back again and they were gaining on you, fast. Then, you ran. You only made it a few feet before one of the men grabbed your shirt and yanked you back.
You tumbled onto the hard cobblestone, your head colliding with the unforgiving ground. Your vision gathered black spots and your thoughts slowly became overtaken by a loud buzz. You could feel yourself being dragged backwards and as your vision slowly began to clear you realized you were being dragged into an alley.
Through the drone that clouded your thoughts you managed to realize that you needed to act now. You began to scream but were cut off by someone’s hand to your mouth and a knife to your throat.
“If you scream again, I will slit your throat” they hissed harshly.
You nodded and they took their hand and the knife away. They picked you up by your shirt and stood you up on the wall, the brick rubbing harshly against your exposed skin. A tear fell from your eye and one of the men wiped it away with their thumb.
“Now don’t cry, little girl” he said and the other two men laughed.
You squeezed your eyes shut, you wanted to be anywhere but here, anytime. Please, you begged to whatever higher power was listening. Your eyes flew open when you heard the sound of metal falling onto the pavement.
“Who’s there?” called one of the men, brandishing his knife. No one answered but the swirling of the wind.
“I’ll go and check, you two keep an eye on the girl.” He walked out of the alley and turned the corner. It was silent for a moment but then you heard a faint yell and what sounded like metal clanging on metal.
Then you watched as the man was thrown into the wall, screaming as he flew through the air. He crumpled onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.
One of the men gave a battle cry and began running down the alley and turned the corner sharply. All you could hear was the sound of repeated punching and the occasional grunt.
Your eyes widened as you saw a beaten and bloodied version of the man you just saw running down the alley trying to crawl away but was dragged back. There was a dull thunk that sounded like the hilt of a sword hitting someone’s head and then the sound of a body falling to the ground.
The last man left pulled out a knife, grabbing you off the wall and pulling you in front of him. He pressed the knife firmly to your neck but you could feel that his hand was shaking.
“Come out now and I won’t hurt her” the man said, his voice shaking more than his hand. From around the corner walked a man with a blue mask that grinned almost eerily. He was holding two swords, flecked with blood.
The blue-masked man moved forward but stopped when the man pressed the knife harder into your neck. You inhaled sharply through your nose and bit your lip to keep from crying out.
“Don’t move any closer, and drop those swords.” The masked man gently laid down his swords. Before you could even register anything the masked man threw a knife, hidden in his boot, and struck the man holding you right through his temple.
He toppled backwards and the knife he was holding clattered to the ground. You looked back at his body in shock and then back at the masked man.
“I- thank you” you said. The masked man simply bowed his head at you and then he ran off into the darkness and you were alone, again. You managed to stumble all the way back to your house and laid right down on your bed.
You stared at the ceiling as the night’s events replayed in your head over and over again. You tried to think of something else but it was like it was blocked off, you were stuck. You lay awake the whole night, every time you closed your eyes you saw their faces and their laughs echoed tauntingly in your ears.
The sun drifted through your curtains, the light shining onto your bleary eyes. Groaning you pulled yourself up into a sitting position on your bed, your head was pounding and your whole body ached. All that you wanted was a good cup of tea to settle you down but when you got up to look you had none left.
You decided that you would go to the place down the street which you heard had great tea. You got dressed and tried to make yourself look as presentable as possible before you made your way to the tea shop.
Even with the sun hanging in the sky the streets still appeared ominous to you. Each basket could hold an armed man and each alley reminded you of the night before. You shook your head, squeezing your eyes shut and breathing out to calm yourself down and then breathing in while opening your eyes again.
You just have to make it to the tea shop, you assured yourself. With more self-pep talking you were able to make it to the tea shop, The Pao Family Tea House.
Just breathing in the aroma made the tenseness in your body melt away. You stepped in the shop and were greeted by a nice old man who led you to your table.
“What kind of tea would you like?” he asked cheerfully.
“Ginseng, please."
He grinned and said, "Good choice, ginseng tea is my favorite, my nephew will be back with your tea soon."
"Thank you” you said and he left to go prepare the tea. Soon after a young man came out of the kitchen with a tray of tea in his hand. He handed out the tea to all of the other tables, the last cup of tea being you.
When he came up to your table he looked slightly surprised for a moment but then caught himself and his face went back to a relaxed position.
“Here’s your tea” he said, placing the tea on the table and then he quickly turned around and began walking the other way.
“You kind of seem familiar, do I know you from somewhere?” you asked, he did remind you of someone and you just couldn’t place it and, judging from his reaction of his surprise when he saw you, he probably knew you too. He turned around again to face you.
“What? No, I’ve never met you before, what are you talking about?” he said in a nervous voice that got suspiciously higher than it was before.
“No, I’m sure I recognize you from somewhere and you looked like you recognized me when you first saw me."
The young man smiled awkwardly and said, "Sorry, you must be mistaken, enjoy your tea!” Then he quickly walked away before you could even open your mouth to respond. You then shrugged and began to enjoy your tea, which was better than any tea you had ever tasted before.
Once you had finished your tea you were feeling much better than you had last night, in fact you were beginning to think going back to bed wasn’t such a bad idea. You paid your bill and then left the tea shop feeling much more relaxed than when you came in.
You were beginning to walk home when you heard the old man and the young man from the tea shop talking from the window that led down the alley. You would have ignored it but then you heard two words that piqued your interest, blue mask. You began walking closer so you could hear their conversation better.
“I’m telling you, uncle, the girl knows, she was in the tea shop, the one I saved last night from those thugs” the young man said in a worried voice.
“I wouldn’t worry about it, you were wearing your blue mask so she can’t have possibly actually known who you are” the old man reassured him.
“Do you really think so?"
"Yes, now go get that tea that table three ordered, that woman is not going to be very happy that it’s taking this long.” The young man sighed,
“Yes, uncle."
You were left stunned in an alley, again.
That man saved you and he wanted to hide it? Why? About a million thoughts were racing through your head. I need to go back into that tea shop and thank him, you rationalized. You walked back into the tea shop and were greeted by the old man again.
"Back for some more tea?” he asked.
“Actually, I’m here to see your nephew” you said and the man’s expression changed to a more sly look.
“Oh, I see” he said, winking at you. You’re face lit with realization at what this man thought you meant and you began to explain yourself when he cut you off.
“No need to explain yourself, he’s in the back organizing some shelves.”
You opened your mouth to tell him why you were actually here but you decided against it, closing your mouth and nodding your head at him thankfully and then you made your way to the back.
Iroh sighed and shook his head as walked away, “Young love."
You walked down the hallway to where a door was open, you walked inside to see rows of shelves and the young man on a ladder putting more boxes on a shelf.
"Hello?” you asked and the young man jumped, dropping the boxes he was holding and they came tumbling to the ground.
He turned to see you and said, “What are you doing back here, this is for employees only."
"Well, your uncle said that I could find you back here."
The young man muttered under his breath some choice words about his uncle. He then climbed down the ladder and started picking up the boxes, once he had them all in his arms again he turned to you and said, "Sorry, but I’m really busy, maybe you could come back later and ask me your question then."
He started to climb the ladder again when you asked, "Even if it’s about last night when you saved me in that blue mask?"
He dropped the boxes again and whipped his head around to face you, completely in shock.
"I- I didn’t save you last night, who told you that?” he said as he desperately tried to come up with an excuse, his face turned more serious, “whoever said that was lying."
You looked up at him dubiously, "Well, you need to get your facts straight because that’s not what you told your uncle just a couple minutes ago."
His shoulders fell and he looked defeated, "You heard that?” You nodded and he climbed down the ladder again.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was you?” He looked around the shelves as if looking for an answer.
“Well.. not everyone agrees with what I do and I don’t want to ruin the life me and my uncle have built for ourselves here. I’m sorry for not telling you."
Your look softened and suddenly you felt very guilty. "No, I’m the one who should be sorry, you saved my life and here I am trying to ruin it."
He smiled halfheartedly at you and picked the boxes up again, "Well, I guess I have to get to work again."
"Oh, right, um, of course, and don’t worry I won’t tell anyone about your secret.” He nodded and began climbing the ladder again. You began leaving the room when you turned on your heel to face him.
“Sorry, one last thing” you said and he turned around again, looking slightly exasperated.
“Thank you."
He smiled and nodded his head to say you’re welcome. You then walked away, a small smile tugging on your lips and you couldn’t see it but Zuko had one as well.
You were finally able to walk back to your house and you collapsed onto your bed, falling asleep almost immediately. It was going to take a lot of time and healing but you felt you were going to be alright, and you had almost all of it owed to one Blue Spirit.
