I Want My Honor

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH

Maiko Week 2026.

Day 6: Fire Lord Zuko / Fire Lady Mai.

The monarchs are resting.

Maiko Week 2026.

Day 3: Weeding / Arranged marriage.

Izumi and turtleduck Jet again!

Continuation of this, this, this and this.

● — || 𝐊atara kept her eyes locked on him as she felt the fire within him simmer away at her words . A soft wave of [ [ guilt ] ] washed across her insides as her eyes fell to the right . Slowly , she placed her right hand on his shoulder as her thoughts rolled through her mind .

❝ Zuko , we've spent our entire [ [ lives ] ] carving our own peace , and what feels like an [ [ eternity ] ] chasing hope . At what point does it become our turn to have someone else carve it out for us ? ❞ Katara let her question linger between them for a moment , then shifted her gaze to settle on his features once more .

❝ Your Uncle was right , though — about hope . ❞ Her thumb rubbed his shoulder in subtle circles . ❝ Even if the reality of the situation is grim , if you give up hope , then what else do you have ? ❞ Katara's lips [ [ gradually ] ] pulled into a tender smile . ❝ We'll have peace , in Hira , Zuko . . . I know we will . And if you are sure about it , then I know we'll have it . We'll have mornings away from all of [ [ this ] ] - ❞ she vaguely gestured to the surrounding area , ❝ - and nights where it's just you , me , and the sanctuary that we've made for ourselves . It won't be perfect , but it will be home , and it will be [ [ ours ] ] . ❞

“That’s just the thing,” he replies as he leans into her gentle touch, those soothing motions calming his upset. “No one is going to do this for us. Our destiny, our hope, our peace is something we have to create for ourselves because if in one hundred year no one fought for it for the world, they sure as Agni aren’t going to start now just because we're asking nicely.” He exhales a frustrated breath as he lets the rest of her message cool the ire in his heart.

“I do believe it—I believe Hira`a is where we're going to be happy for the rest of our lives. I know it’s going to be hard. I have to travel for council sessions. People are going to complain and call me selfish. I am being selfish. I’m entitled to be when it comes to my own peace. I’ve already given this nation all of myself. I need this, Katara. We need this.”