INACTIVE

“Sokka’s right,” Aang agrees. “There’s no way we can trust you after everything you’ve done. You have to go.”

Despite his plea to be taken as prisoner your friends scare him off, leaving you behind to watch his retreating figure. Though he has left Sokka is still tense from the interaction, and it isn’t until Zuko is no longer in sight that he turns around to face you. He begins to check you over fretfully, ignoring the annoyed look on your face as he does so.

“I’m fine, Sokka.”

“You can never be too careful,” he warns. “Remember the last time?”

“You only mention it every other day,” you retort with annoyance. Sokka stares at you for a moment before deflating.

“Look, I know I can be overprotective sometimes, but last time was a close call and I can’t have that happen again. You know how much you mean to me, y/n. If anything were to happen to you...”

Sokka doesn’t like to think about that day nor does he ever like to look at the burn scar that’s wrapped around your leg. It had happened back in Ba Sing Se, you had been too focused on the Dai Lee surrounding you to notice the prince sneaking up behind you. A quick blast that had only been meant to knock you out of the way had ended up striking your leg. You hadn’t been able to walk for a week, and though Katara had alleviated the pain she hadn’t been able to stop the scarring. It was a reminder to Sokka of his failure to protect his one love, and as long as he still had a say about it he’d never let anything like that happen to you again. Not on his watch.

“I know you mean well,” you comfort, reaching up to rest a hand upon his cheek, “but it was a long time ago. I’m okay now and I can defend myself.”

“That’s what you said last time.”

“Sokka-“

“No, I just don’t understand how you can forgive him after what he did to you!”

“Anger is ugly, and I don’t want to feel that way. Not when he’s obviously trying to be better,” you explain emphatically. “Please try to understand, Sokka.”

“I’m sorry y/n, but as long as I’m around Zuko isn’t coming anywhere near you,” he declares much to your dismay. “That’s just the way it has to be.”

“It’s stupid,” you grumble before walking back into the temple. With a sigh Sokka stays behind, allowing you your space for now. He knows you’re upset and he understands why, but he wishes you could see that it’s for your own safety. He’s just trying to protect you, and he can handle you being upset with him if it means you’re safe.

Momo appears beside Sokka, looking up at the boy with a curious chitter before flying up to sit on his shoulder.

“You’re a water bender, can’t you heal him?” You beg Katara through your tears, cradling Jet’s head carefully on your lap. “Please, you have to save him.”

“I’ll be fine, y/n,” Jet consoles you with a weak smile. “But you need to go.”

“Go? I’m not going anywhere, not without you,” you sniffle. “I’m your girl, remember?”

“You’re the toughest girl I’ve ever met,” he says thoughtfully, and you watch through tears as he carefully slides his hook swords towards you. “You’ve gotta help Aang defeat the Fire Nation once and for all.”

“I couldn’t.”

“You can, and you will. You’re meant for something bigger than this, bigger than Ba Sing Se, I know it.”

“Oh, Jet,” you weep, your tears landing on his paling skin.

“I made a lot of mistakes and hurt a lot of people. I know you’ll do more with my swords than I ever could.”

“I won’t let you down,” you vow quietly. “I promise.”

You lean down and press your lips against his own for one final kiss. You can almost feel the life draining from him and tears fall steadily down your face as you say goodbye.

“I won’t forget you,” you whisper after finally pulling away.

“Think of the stars when you miss me, sweetheart,” Jet grins before letting out a small groan. You’re reluctant to pull away, but with reassurance from Smellerbee and Longshot you carefully take Jet’s swords and hurry out of the tunnel to catch up with the group.

Tears stream delicately down your cheeks as your heart already begins to ache for Jet, and like he said you think of the stars.

“If I could, I’d give you every star in the sky to make you happy,” Jet said as the two of you sat on the roof of your house. You had to sneak out in order to see him, and the rooftop seemed to be the safest place to go for your date. With his arm slung around you keeping you securely tucked into his side, you knew it would only be a matter of time before you fell in love.

“You don’t mean that,” you blushed.

“Sure I do,” he winked. “You’re the only good thing about this place. The stars aren’t even a good enough gift to show you how special you are y/n.”

He stole a kiss from you then, and everything felt right.

You pushed yourself to run faster, calling after Aang and his friends.

“I’m coming with you!” You yelled.

“Oh, right,” you had blushed sheepishly.

“I’m guessing this is your first time breaking the rules,” he pointed out thoughtfully. “Strict parents?”

“That’s an understatement,” you sighed. “Just being here right now is ‘tainting the family name’ according to them. But I just got so sick of being in that house.”

“Well if you need someone to help you navigate the outside world I’d be happy to help,” he winked. “The name’s Jet.”

“Y/n,” you replied with a small smile. “And I’d definitely appreciate a guide.”

From then on you found yourself sneaking out almost daily to spend the evenings with Jet exploring Ba Sing Se. He kept you safe, he made you laugh, and he treated you like an actual human being rather than some sort of show pony like your parents did. With him you felt like you could finally breathe, and Jet felt the exact same way. You were different, a nice change of pace to what he was used to, and he found that you balanced him out.

It was a beautiful night in Ba Sing Se as you sat on the rooftop of a random building, enjoying the peacefulness of each other’s company as you stared out at the night sky. Your fingertips brushed against each other’s often, slight blushes and content smiles on your faces at the closeness. You were in love with someone your parents would greatly disapprove of, and it was hard. You had to be careful sneaking around with Jet; if word got to your parents that you were not only sneaking around the lower rings of the city but also galavanting with someone like Jet they’d surely keep you locked up forever.

“It’s so pretty,” you murmur softly as you gaze up at the sky.

“Sure is,” Jet replies, his eyes trained on your profile. Then, as blunt as he can be, “I want you to be my girlfriend, y/n.”

“What?” You blush, gaping at him in shock.

“I like you a lot, more than I’ve ever liked anyone, and I really want to be with you,” he admits with a slight redness to his cheeks.

“Jet, I... I really like you. But my parents...”

“They don’t have to know. It can be our little secret,” he says with a wink. “C’mon, sweetheart. You can’t let them control you forever.”

A small smile etches itself across your features. He’s right, why are you going to let your parents stop you from being happy? You really like Jet, and if they don’t approve of him that’s not your problem.