Chapter Text
The rays of the sun marked the beginning of a new day in Caldera. After a hundred years of war and destruction, the citizens of that nation could finally breathe in peace. Prince Zuko’s proposal for an era of peace and kindness became a turning point in the lives of his people.
Some, more skeptical about the changes, openly refused and attempted to challenge the sovereignty of the new Fire Lord. Their failure, with the help of the Avatar and his entire team, was inevitable; the era of peace would not go backwards.
Under this new model of life, more than ten years passed, and with a young ruler approaching his thirties, the people began to ask: Who would be the Fire Lady? It was essential that the royal lineage continued, sooner rather than later.
Caldera was not very different from any city in the world. The private lives of wealthy or powerful people were a delicacy for the masses. The Fire Lord had remained single for more than eight years after his breakup with his childhood friend, Lady Mai.
A faithful man? Someone who could not leave the past behind? An unconscious person who did not think about the future of his nation because he was holding onto feelings from adolescence?
No matter the tone or the intention, that was the subject that had kept the Fire Nation awake for months. The same months in which the Fire Lord took care of rejecting any candidate from the families with the best lineage in his nation. Those clans could not complain openly because the ruler had given each one time for an introduction and an initial courtship. Blame went back and forth between families as they recognized that the female candidates failed one after another. All that disgrace and humiliation toward their family titles came to an absolute halt when the official palace offices released the news that a young woman had moved on to the second and final stage of the courtship.
Who was the chosen one? Who had surpassed the rest and was about to pull the ruler of the nation out of his years of loneliness? Those who were more indiscreet managed to obtain information about her, but to maintain caution, the details remained among the elite families of the nation.
Her name was Lady Netsu, twenty-six years old. An outstanding beauty, with a firm posture and a subtle, delicate figure. Daughter of the mining clans from the north of the nation. According to informants, the courtship between her and the Fire Lord had begun at the beginning of autumn after a formal introduction during a commercial dinner at the imperial palace. Small weekly meetings in the private gardens behind the palace gave rise to the assumption that the future Fire Lady already had a name. A centuries-old lineage would once again bless all of her people.
The visits between both suitors never went beyond proper decorum; observing eyes noticed long afternoons with tea gatherings. Extensive walks between meadows and ponds. Apparently, their personalities matched so well that the Fire Lord arranged his own schedule to be free for those encounters. The people were happy; their ruler could have a companion during the difficult moments of his reign. Someone suitable, prepared, refined, who would bring stability and perhaps peace into his life after so many years of effort.
This news eventually spread throughout every part of the world. The era of peace would finally have permanent stability. It became known that Lord Zuko’s friends received the news of his courtship with great joy. Who wouldn’t? They knew better than anyone what that leader had given for peace and unity. It was only natural that they wanted his personal life to follow the same path.
With the arrival of spring, the acceptance of the engagement with Lady Netsu would be officially announced before the imperial court and, if all the heavens wished it, six months later there would be a new Fire Lady with the execution of the imperial wedding. That was how time passed, the freezing nights gave way to the blooming of nature, marking the beginning of a new season. With those dates in mind, the great dinner before the council would take place during the second week after the beginning of spring.
Normaly, according to tradition, that dinner was held in one of the sanctuaries outside the imperial palace. There were advisors, sages, and even some civilians as important witnesses of the engagement announcement. The ceremony itself was simple, according to the standards of the nation. After dinner, where the two potential partners sat facing each other, the elder sage would stand to one side of them, but at a symmetrical distance. There, both parties would give their consent or refusal of the courtship for the official engagement. That answer was public and recorded in the great scrolls as part of history.
And that night that no one ever thought possible had arrived, after so many years. The emotions were intense, with the need to express that something important was happening. If the people were overflowing with feelings, what about those involved?
"Netsu, my daughter, I knew from the day you were born that you were destined for greatness," commented a middle-aged woman while finishing the final touches on her daughter’s brown hair. A small braid would be the perfect addition, neither too simple nor too extravagant.
"Mom, please stop..."
"Can’t I celebrate that my daughter will be the next Fire Lady?"
"The servants can hear you and call us arrogant."
"Let them, my daughter. You will be the lady of this place. Besides, you like him, don’t you?"
"Mom, he is everything I ever hoped for in a man. He is kind, proper, confident, and handsome," she said, remembering how his lips gently touched the edge of the tea cup during one of their many meetings.
"Of course he is. His father may have been many things, but he was never ugly," the older woman replied, remembering the former Fire Lord. "And you will be able to benefit from his genetics. He has become a great man."
After that intimate conversation between mother and daughter, laughter filled the room. Certainty and hope were a balm after months of uncertainty.
At the imperial palace, this atmosphere was reflected in a different way. The servants continued their routine just like every other day, except for the classic protocol required for social events. They prepared the food, the guest rooms, cleaned the area while the guards polished their weapons in case of any unexpected situation. Everything continued as usual. Why should they become unsettled and lose their composure when their Lord had not left the back courtyard with his uncle for hours?
No one made comments about it, but there was someone among the staff, together with a certain princess, who never took their eyes away from the Fire Lord.
"Today is the second courtship gala and he is very calm, don’t you think?" asked a young Kiyi while adjusting a clothing fitting.
"Your brother has been trained all these years for situations like this, dear," commented Jiki, the lady and main head of the imperial household, while helping her with the hairpins.
"I’m just saying it’s frustrating. He doesn’t even talk about how his friends won’t be here."
"That’s because this event was organized after the announcement in Republic City. Aang and Toph have spent a year working on the city’s police training."
"I know, I just wanted them to be here today."
"You speak as if they won’t be coming here in less than a week," the woman replied gently to the teenage complaint she was witnessing. "Besides, today is also an important day for Toph."
"I know... she worked really hard for that. She deserves it."
After a long sigh, the young princess let go of her straight posture and made a disgusted face. Officially, it was the worst day of her life. She soon felt the light touches on her shoulder meant to comfort her.
Kiyi looked once more at her brother’s profile. He smiled calmly at whatever his uncle was telling him. She couldn’t read him from that distance, and it bothered her. She wished she could develop seismic sense and know if the cotton cloud was real.
Hours later, night fell like a veil over the Fire Nation, and one by one the guests began arriving at the gathering. As host and main representative of the crown, Zuko made his formal entrance once the venue was already full. He raised a glass into the air, blessing everyone present and thanking them for attending.
The whispers began immediately when they saw the leader’s presence. Zuko wore a suit of the highest craftsmanship, accentuating his figure. His hair was partially loose, holding his golden crown high above him. The dark gold and vermilion red only enhanced his features, giving his presence an ethereal aura. Even so, no one could say that the guest of honor, Lady Netsu, was not looking beautiful as well. Her clothes were elaborate without crossing into extravagance. Her exposed shoulders, accompanied by a series of golden jewels, highlighted her sun-kissed skin.
They were, without a doubt, a suitable pair according to the standards of the nation.
After several hours of social interactions and a dinner worthy of the occasion, the moment to announce the official engagement arrived. Both parties moved toward the center of the sanctuary, surrounded by the entire audience. The eldest Fire sage stood behind them to first give thanks for such a historic event and to give those involved the opportunity to speak.
"Reaching this point for our nation is important. Just as it is important to hear the agreement of these two individuals regarding their union."
The room filled with applause, blessed by the joy of the moment. Iroh and Kiyi were in the imperial balcony watching everything from a distance and, even so, smiling while giving their support to Zuko. Jiki and her staff, Zuko’s attendants, were in the section below, looking at each other in an attempt to appear impartial.
Watching the scene through the eyes of someone who had seen life pass by, Iroh poured a cup of classic jasmine tea for his niece. He found it amusing how little Kiyi was hiding her feelings about that night. She wanted her sister to join them out of love, while her nephew only showed signs of comfort. Zuko was facing something important right there; even so, the general’s mind could not avoid drifting toward Republic City, where his Lotus Flower was also dealing with her own decisions. He hoped that in both cases everything would turn out for the best. News from those lands would not take long to arrive in the following hours.
The Fire Lord and Lady Netsu stood facing each other. The sage bowed before his Lord and turned toward the young woman’s face.
"Please, Lady Netsu, tell me if you grant your consent to this and why. We will all be attentive to your response."
"Thank you, Great Sage," she replied flawlessly, impressing the court. "I must say that the Fire Lord has been very respectful toward me during our scheduled visits. He has made me feel respected at all times and our conversations have been pleasant. He is a cultured, responsible man who cares about his people; I have no doubt why his nation approves of him so much. With that being said, I approve of an engagement with his person."
The place fell into absolute silence, although it was not uncomfortable after the partial acceptance that had been established. The Great Sage, with a conciliatory smile, guided his hand toward the Fire Lord, indicating that he could now give his own statement.
Zuko stepped forward and, with his gaze, looked across the entire place. Allies, enemies, opponents, partners, everyone was there. Each one of them could believe that his decision could affect their routines and wealth. They were not there because of genuine interest; at the end of the day, everything was about political or commercial agreements. The woman in front of him was a perfect example of what a Fire Lady could be, right?
"I thank you, Great Sage," he commented with a tone that left no room for uncertainty, but was still kind. "Lady Netsu is a lady in every sense of the word."
Those present exchanged approving smiles at the open and public compliment.
"From her etiquette, education, values, and knowledge in different areas such as trade and diplomacy. I can say that our visits were pleasant and filled with diverse conversations."
Lady Netsu slightly strengthened her posture, straightening her back. Not every day did someone receive such praise from the leader of the nation. She could feel the emotion and pride of her family from a distance.
"She is the living example of the values we are trying to build as the foundation of our nation: peace, kindness, and sincerity. Anyone would be honored to spend time with someone like that; her family has done an excellent job raising a person like her."
The court sages nodded at the accurate words of their guide. The chamberlain located not far from his majesty opened his eyes wide while sending a thoughtful smile toward General Iroh. Comfort settled into the atmosphere. Kiyi, seeing her uncle’s diplomacy, almost wanted to stick out her tongue in disgust; she had to settle for serving herself another cup of tea before throwing up. All eyes soon returned to the Fire Lord.
"Lady Netsu has reminded and inspired me with the values I desire and must follow. Sincerity is essential for a great nation, and I must apply it to every area of my life," he said, nodding slowly before looking forward again. "That is why, with sincerity before all of you and before myself, I am going to permanently decline the acceptance of this engagement."
Zuko only had to wait a couple of seconds for the weight of his words to settle in the minds of the guests. Choked sighs, expressions of surprise, complaints, and even outrage were only a small part of the energy he began to feel. At no point did he lower his gaze; he did not run away, because that decision had already been made. The only thing left for him to do was give a slight bow as an apology to the person he had publicly rejected. He did not blame himself for his feelings; he blamed himself for not stopping this entire performance before it escalated further.
He blamed himself for the woman in front of him, for making her a victim of his indecision when she was not at fault for anything.
"Sorry, I owe you an appropriate explanation, and I will make sure to give it," he whispered quietly, trying to make sure only she could hear his words. Even so, it was very easy to say that when he would not be the one carrying the looks she would receive. "This has been completely my mistake, Lady Netsu."
Zuko was aware that the financial compensation for her family would be substantial, to say the least. He was also conscious that he would have to cut the harmful rumors off immediately to save whatever remained of that girl's reputation. His own would be something to resolve at another time.
"What happened tonight is entirely my responsibility. Lady Netsu and her family have nothing to do with this; they respected every line of the protocol," he announced aloud while, with a gesture of his hand, indicating to the royal journalists to create a new statement.
"I know we are all civilized people here. I will not accept the cancellation of trade agreements with Lady Netsu's family. That is unquestionable and unjustifiable. Her honor has not been stained in any way, and she has nothing to do with your business."
Zuko moved away from the center of the room and began walking around, making sure to meet the eyes of the representatives present. The disapproving looks, although useless, slowly lowered their arrogance.
"My current decision is supported by the royal preamble of the Nation's marriage traditions. Private visits, but in public. A final dinner for the acceptance or rejection of the marriage proposal. That is what happened here today," he stated gravely because he knew everyone understood there were no lies in his words.
"If someone believed something that was never confirmed, that does not fall on the parties involved. They are assumptions, and I regret to inform you that they are not facts."
The years had forged him for this, to save or to save himself. Many claimed that the current Fire Lord only shared the physical appearance of his father, Fire Lord Ozai. In Zuko's opinion, he was a very different person from his father and worked every day to distance himself from his ideal of ruling. But he could not deny that he was his son, and garbage was not always solid; sometimes it could be liquid. That day, at that moment, and for the last time, Zuko would be the manipulative reflection of his father.
"Did I ever tell them there was going to be a marriage soon? Was it his responsibility for the conclusions others reached? If the laws of the nation established dates and forms of courtship, was it his fault for rejecting a proposal when he was allowed to?"
"Was he really the snake in this fairy tale created by the desires of others?"
Of course he was, at least partially. However, he could not allow that truth to stain his crown. He would work so that, somehow, the shame would not affect that family and the subject would never be spoken about again. At the same time, he knew perfectly well that after the performance everyone had witnessed, fewer marriage proposals would arrive at his table. Because of that, a part of his twisted self was at peace.
"Having said all this, the evening is over. Court activities will resume in three weeks. I ask everyone, and above all Lady Netsu and her family, for my sincerest apologies."
As a final gesture of reconciliation, he instructed the imperial guards to personally accompany the young woman and her relatives to their carriages, in an attempt to prevent them from being overwhelmed by indiscreet questions.
Once that group had departed, Zuko walked firmly toward his family's balcony. He approached Kiyi, and the girl immediately offered a small courteous greeting. She took her brother's arm, and both left the place alongside their uncle.
The moment they sat down in the privacy of the carriage, the family's sighs were released without any restraint. Zuko looked at his sister and his uncle. The warm and understanding smiles on their faces were unbearable. Especially his uncle's; that man closed his eyes happily as if he had won the greatest prize of his life. The arrival at the palace was... normal. No one from the staff had prepared anything like an unusual welcoming gesture. Zuko felt pathetic. Was it possible that all his people had known his answer before he did?
"You know... there will not be a new Fire Lady," he announced solemnly with his final decision. All the staff straightened their posture and looked at each other, which was a direct blow to his pride. He cleared his throat in frustration and continued walking toward his room. He needed a good bath and some time alone.
"We will see you in an hour and a half in the dining room. I prepared minced meat pie; I will cook it on the stone," Iroh announced with his hand near his mouth, wanting to make sure his creature heard his instructions clearly. The response he received was Zuko turning around and releasing flames from his nose; clearly the child was not in the mood, but he never refused food.
"You can do it, Zuzu. I love you even when you mess up!" Kiyi shouted encouragingly before feeling a small hit on her head, courtesy of Jiki. Everyone let out the air from their lungs when they saw his majesty disappear through the wide imperial corridors.
In the privacy of his chambers, the Fire Lord let himself fall onto the sheets of his bed. The weight of guilt and shame toward himself had not left him alone for a single moment since he gave his verdict. Despite everything, he did not regret it. If he had continued, he knew better than anyone that he would have failed. He would have dragged an innocent person into the chained life of his mother Ursa, and he could not allow something like that to happen again in that palace. His heart had been calm for years after his breakup with Mai. He would not say that he had not enjoyed certain physical pleasures, but he had never left any trace. Under his position, more than love, what was expected was a commitment with advantages, but accepting something like that would have been a sentence for himself.
Lady Netsu was a beautiful woman, with a kind personality and vision; it would not be strange for any man to feel attracted to her or even fall in love with her. Zuko knew, with his complicated nature, that he would not be able to love someone like that. Their conversations and meetings, surrounded by public scrutiny, had not been bad, but they lacked substance. She was like a glass doll, preparing every subtle word that came out of her mouth. It was nothing new to him; in fact, he knew that high society expected exactly that. But why was he getting married? For descendants? For the peace of people he did not even know? Where did what he felt fit into all of this?
He simply could not accept that reality and, if he wanted to convince his society even further that the path of a good life was peace, kindness, and sincerity, he had to begin with himself before trying to change the world. He felt like a failure in a certain way, but he was absolutely free. In the morning he would invite the young woman to have tea, to properly end their courtship and at least give her the certainty that the problem was not her. For the rest of the night, he would dedicate himself to spending time with his family and preparing the rooms for his friends.
After taking a deserved bath in the hot springs of his private wing, Zuko returned to his room wearing a red silk robe. He dried his hair with one hand while searching the nearest dresser beside his bed for a comb to untangle his long strands. He soon sat on the mattress and began to feel how his body thanked him loudly for the treatment. The tension in his shoulders, back, and neck began to disappear. A smile appeared on his face at the temptation. He used a little of his firebending in the palm of his hand to remove the remaining moisture from his body. Soon after, he searched through his clothes for something to wear, since he still had to have dinner. His uncle's food was always the best, and that night was no exception. Despite everything, it had been a good night for him; the table was filled with his sister's jokes and his uncle's stories. They also discussed Republic City, and perhaps within the next few hours of the coming day they would have news about Aang and Toph's announcement.
Perhaps the circumstances had not been the best, but the Fire Lord slept peacefully that night.
The next morning, well into the beginning of the day, Lady Netsu arrived at the imperial palace for breakfast. Unlike previous times, curious eyes were not present; everyone already knew the story, they were only witnessing the consequences.
"My Lord, I only want to know why you continued with the courtship if your answer was going to be negative."
Zuko raised his eyes and looked at the woman in front of him. Impeccable, even under circumstances where she would have every right to throw a glass bottle at the man who had publicly rejected her.
"As I mentioned last night, you are a wonderful person, Lady Netsu. Please, do not doubt that for a single moment."
"Then? I do not understand, sir," she replied with a hint of contained anguish.
"You are wonderful, but wonderful is not what I am looking for."
"If you allow me, sir, I believe we could get along," she said with uncertainty, fearing a possible outburst.
"I do not doubt that, but getting along is not the same as forming a bond. And I know I will not be able to create that with you."
The tension, confusion, and resentment could be felt in the air. But Zuko did not give in. Jiki, his experienced companion, had explained to him in detail everything the woman in front of him would attempt in order to persuade him. It was dramatic how every word was exactly the intention his nanny had predicted. He could not blame her; that was the foundation of her existence and the upbringing of many families around the world. As if they were dolls without a will, where following the plan was the only correct path.
It was inevitable, his mind drifted toward the image of a certain noble woman who was part of the Avatar's group and also his best friend. Toph; if Toph had not escaped with Aang years ago, perhaps she would be living a similar situation or, worse, she would be full of children from a husband who only saw her as a means to an end and who would also be surrounded by lovers. His stomach turned at the thought, and he thanked the spirits that she was in Republic City fighting her own battles. That reminded him that he needed to look for the latest news from the place; he hoped that her and Aang's plans had gone well.
"I will always have your support and gratitude for the tea sessions we shared, but my decision will not change, Lady Netsu."
After several endless minutes, the woman had to breathe deeply, lowering her head before him and accepting, whether she wanted to or not, his decision.
"May I say something else, sir?"
"Go ahead."
"For a long time, I have heard stories, and I must say that meeting you changed my perception of you. That is why I accepted the engagement. But, despite myself, I must admit that you are right about one thing."
"Tell me," he asked with genuine curiosity.
"I could not coexist with the idea of spontaneity that surrounds you every single day," she stated with devastating calm. Zuko could feel that she herself was lifting a weight off her shoulders in that moment. "I need certainty, sir, and you, being an ally and close friend of the Avatar, lack a great deal of it. You live in a different time than the rest of us."
Zuko tried to escape that line of thought and understood it. It was not the first time he had heard it. His entire family on his father's side was dark and dramatic. On the other side, they lived through constant changes; their routines were full, but empty at the same time whenever any event threatened the safety of the nations. It was not strange to him that a normal person could not endure that pace of life. Not to mention his absences due to his adventure travels disguised as diplomatic missions. Truly finding a woman who understood those circumstances and, on top of that, could fulfill her role as Fire Lady would be a monumental case of study.
"I apologize, sir, if I have gone too far by also pointing out your inner circle."
"Do not worry. We are aware that we are..." he thought of the best possible word so he would not describe them as a group of unconscious, flying hippies hungry for situations that brushed against death, "...particular, and not everyone has to accept that."
Despite the firmness in his gaze, he could see how Lady Netsu relaxed after his comment. On her face was the expression of someone understanding a fact that made no sense.
"That explains many things... everyone must be similar in certain aspects," she commented with a slight smile. Seeing Zuko's confused expression, she dared to explain herself better. "I mean, that is the only way you could understand and support each other. Last night you canceled our engagement, and early this morning it became known that your ally, Miss Beifong, rejected her position as chief of police in Republic City. A conventional group of friends would not endure something like that in such a short time, would they?"
Zuko felt the cold run down his back. They truly were a tribe of insane misfits pretending to be functional people. He used all his willpower not to smile and, secondly, not to run straight to the royal communication chamber.
"We do the best we can. Thank you, Lady Netsu, for your understanding and appreciation."
"Thank you, Fire Lord. I hope our paths find what they need."
"May it be so. It is a mutual wish," he replied at the woman's sincere gaze. He nodded one last time as a farewell and, with one hand, called one of the guards to escort her toward the front exit of the palace. She gave him one final bow and followed the guard with a confident step and raised chin. For his part, Zuko remained seated for a reasonable amount of time, finishing the pastries the bakers had prepared. When he calculated that enough time had passed, he stood up and, with a firm but quick pace, went to look for his uncle.
It is worth mentioning that he ran through the halls as if his soul depended on it. He searched through the different rooms until he found him in his kitchen and personal wing preparing tea.
"Uncle! Toph rejected being Chief of Police!" he shouted suddenly as he opened the door in front of him dramatically.
"I already know, my son," Iroh replied while feeling the essence of green tea enter his nostrils.
"And why didn't you tell me?!" he asked exasperatedly, closing the door with his leg and entering the room. He approached the counter where his uncle was preparing his infusion and gave him his legendary reproachful look.
"Because it was your duty to speak with the young woman our house humiliated. Besides, it would not have changed the fact that my Lotus Flower made a decision. You could have found out tonight and everything would have been the same."
Zuko was horrified upon hearing his uncle's words. What did he mean everything would have been the same? Given the hour of the day, he was surely the last person in the entire palace to learn the news. Why did he always have to wait to know things? The worst part was that his uncle's vibrant laughter did absolutely nothing to help.
"Although I must give you both credit, you were coordinated. Both of you rejected something important in less than a day. The Avatar Team will be the talk of every nation in the coming days."
"Uncle..."
"Nephew, something like this does not happen every day. It is like a solar eclipse."
"Uncle, you are not helping me, are you?"
"Zuko, difficult days are coming."
"More?" he asked, annoyed.
"More, and you will have to face them. But at least your friends will be here, and you will not be alone. There is someone who has muddied the board as much as you, if not more; you can share that fact."
There were days when the Fire Lord wondered if his uncle was there to guide him, reprimand him, or laugh at him. His answer was a clear sign that, in that moment, all three options applied.
"I will handle it, we will handle it," he replied while sitting upright, as if he were looking at the horizon through the wall.
"Of course you will. I trust you."
After a pleasant moment with his uncle and considering that he would be free for the next few days, Zuko decided that it would be a good time to go flying with Drunk. His beloved dragon could already make long flights, even though he was still growing. Thinking about him brought happiness to his soul. Most people saw him as a giant fire-breathing lizard; Zuko saw one of the most beautiful and noble creatures he had ever known in his life. Not to mention his level of tenderness, which was ridiculously high and dangerous for his heart.
That was why the negative emotion hit him hard when he remembered that Drunk had gone on a trip weeks ago and he had no idea when he would return. He knew it was a natural process for the species, but he regretted that it happened exactly at that moment, when he needed to clear his mind. He thought about doing different activities to distract himself and ended up going with Kiyi to the local market of Caldera in disguise. He did not know if it was a good idea, but at least he knew that the people themselves had not taken his canceled engagement too badly. The night helped his disguise of torn clothes give him a more anonymous appearance.
When they returned to the palace well into the early morning, he accompanied his sister to his uncle's kitchen, where they stole some dumplings and considered the night finished. There were moments when Zuko inevitably thought about Azula. Where could she be? What was going through her mind? Had she found some peace within her torment? His relationship with Kiyi was a blessing and, at the same time, a constant reminder of everything that could not be in his relationship with his sister.
In the vastness of his room and in its solitude, he allowed himself to cry freely. He was not happy knowing that part of his family had been built on misery and resentment. As a consequence, most of them lived separated, and despite the pain, he knew it was for the best. Alone with himself and knowing no one could hear him, he took out from among his belongings some letters he had received from Azula throughout the years.
Most of them said: "Zuzu, behave yourself and don't be so weak" or "Zuzu, this area of the country is poor, we need to fix it." Some were longer, some were shorter, but they always started with "Zuzu," because even from a distance, Azula knew that he was the idiot who still loved his sister. The idiot who could still be twisted with a single word and who, as was true, allowed both of them to feed on that longing. Zuzu received a fleeting hope that she also cared about him and that someday she would change. Azula would feel and know that she still had a little control over him. They would all be happy momentarily when that knowledge and memory connected them.
And so, the sadness and exhaustion of an impossible desire carried him into the world of dreams. Normally, Zuko would wake up to the hurried sounds of his companions preparing him for a new day. Since he had no activities, that made no sense. He opened his eyes abruptly at the beginning of dawn, not because of the sun or a servant. He felt Drunk in the air; he could sense his dragon's excitement at returning home. He did not expect it, and when he confirmed he was not dreaming, he jumped out of bed to look for something warm to wear.
Zuko hurried toward the palace's back courtyard with the worst appearance possible; not far from there was Drunk's cave and the place where they usually landed together. Happiness traveled through his body as he heard, not far away, the beating of his creature's wings. As soon as he opened the courtyard door, some guards who had just changed shifts wanted to accompany him, but he told them no; preparing food for Drunk was enough. With his spirits high, the Fire Lord positioned himself near the area where the dragon would land and began searching the sky to see if he could already spot him from a distance. Despite the clouds, it did not take long for him to see him and he began calling him with his hands.
"Drunk, I'm here!" he shouted into the air, moving his arms. A roar escaped from the creature when he saw his companion in the distance. It was unusual to see so much emotion from the Fire Lord, and those present always took the opportunity to witness his displays of affection toward the creature. Drunk began circling the palace area for his landing when a sound broke the silence, freezing Zuko in place.
"Good job, boy! We already arrived, right?!" expressed a young and wild voice, surprising all the witnesses of the scene. It was unusual for a dragon to allow anyone other than its owner to ride it. It challenged all logic of animal training and bonding. But the person riding on the back of that creature was the woman who represented nature itself. Toph Beifong would go against any logic imposed on her as a rule.
The Fire Lord was left speechless while watching Toph hold onto the ropes and the saddle of his dragon. If there had been a painter, he would have made them capture that image at that exact moment. How was that possible knowing she was unstable if she did not have constant contact with the ground? After a few seconds that felt eternal, but magnificent, the dragon landed in the main courtyard, ending his journey. No one dared to say anything, simply because they could not.
Drunk lowered his body enough to allow Toph to climb down with a bag serving as luggage. Quickly, when the girl touched the ground, Zuko noticed that her feet were covered with fabric. With her palms and hearing, she guided herself toward Drunk's head and held onto his side.
"Thanks, buddy. You did great. Nothing less could be expected from the most attractive guy I know," she commented while patting him and he responded with slight movements, making her burst into laughter. "The practices paid off, huh?"
The scene itself was a spectacle, but above all, one of tenderness. Few people could say they had seen the greatest earthbender display such affection and sweetness. Zuko began doing mental calculations and concluded that, perhaps, Toph and Drunk had a beautiful relationship where he was the third person involved. In any case, that discovery filled him with so much joy that he could not help but approach them. Drunk alerted her of his arrival with what Toph defined as the raw sound: "Papa Zuko is here."
"Oh, Sparky, I thought you would be sleeping at this hour," she commented while holding onto Drunk's scales. It did not take long before she was trapped between him and an energetic Zuko. Something alerted her: her stressed friend did not feel stressed.
"Hey, Zuko, you're killing me. I need air," she whispered quietly while he gave her some space so her lungs could survive the moment. "I know we haven't seen each other for a month, but a little respect toward your fiancée. If they want to beat me up, I'll fight back."
After the silence that followed her comment, Toph raised an eyebrow in confusion; something was wrong. Zuko's silences meant trouble. She quickly removed the useless shoes covering her feet and, once she touched the ground, everything made sense again. But what caught her attention the most was that the idiot in front of her was happy, suspiciously happy.
"What did you do, Sparky?" she asked, expecting at least another war.
"The same thing you did," he replied, petting Drunk one last time before standing in front of her. Toph could feel it: every open pore, every racing heartbeat, how his blood moved quickly through his body. She knew those symptoms; someone who had done something bad and felt good, selfishly good.
"No... no..." she commented, bringing one of her trembling hands to her mouth. "Zuko, just imagine..."
"Katara must be preparing to hunt us down alive," he replied while shortening the distance and taking her hands in his. Toph immediately felt the energy pass into herself and began making small jumps in place. The happiness of causing chaos moved through her, and Zuko saw himself reflected in her, finally understood in his twisted concept of joy. He soon pulled her into a hug and lifted her into the air with his strength. It was no surprise to anyone in that palace that he was one of the few human beings with that existing privilege.
At that moment, they were not the saviors of the world, the Fire Lord, or the great Master Beifong. They were two young people with a dark sense of humor, satisfied with creating chaos for a brief moment in the world.
"These two really share the same brain, don't they?" commented a tired Jiki who had just woken up. With those two wild creatures loose, she knew the days ahead would be complicated. That much was certain, entertaining.