The World Cannot Live Without Love

Avatar The Last Airbender

Pairing: Zuko x Orora (Original Character)

The Thread of Fate - Chapter Masterlist

Pairing: Zuko x Reader

It Was Nothing Theatrics I’m Here Beside You Stuck With You (InProgress) Just Me and You (InProgress) No Longer The Enemy (InProgress) Not Possessive At All (InProgress) So Obvious Similar Tangents Not an Ideal Hiding Spot (InProgress)

Pairing: Sokka x Reader

Not The Enemy (InProgress)

Big Hero 6

Pairing: Tadashi Hamada x Sakura Kamiya (Original Character)

Light ‘em Up - Chapter Masterlist

Criminal Minds

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Evelyn Richardson (Original Character)

Mind Over Matter - Chapter Masterlist (Companion piece to Mind Over Matter) A Slight Frustration *

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

Hold Me Closer First Kiss Fire and Water (InProgress) Sparks (InProgress) Don’t Go!

Crossovers

Frozen x Rise of the Guardians

Pairing: Jack Frost x Elsa

One Step Closer - Part One, Part Two (Complete)

Digimon

Pairing: Taichi Yagami x Hidemi Senshi (Original Character)

The Next Adventure Legends Clash (InProgress)

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Pairing: Alphonse Elric x Willow Hawkeye(OC)

The Ties That Bind - Prologue, Part One,

Pairing: Alphonse Elric x Reader

Insomniacs (InProgress)

Pairing: Edward Elric x Reader

The Language of Flowers Homecoming Natural Talent (InProgress) This Was a Date? (InProgress) Head In The Clouds (InProgress) Flustered (InProgress) Just This Once (InProgress) Your Presence (InProgress) You Came Back (InProgress) Our Promise Day (InProgress) It’s Not Your Time Yet (InProgress) You’re Not The Boss of Me (InProgress) Wedding Bells (InProgress)

Pairing: Roy Mustang x Reader

Intentions (InProgress) Road to Love (InProgress) A New Chapter (InProgress) I Will Always Choose You

Harry Potter

Pairing: Severus Snape x Reader

Reluctant Friendship

Justice League DC Universe

Pairing: Superman x Lucky Penny aka Clark Kent x Penelope Pennyworth (Original Character)

Lucky Break

Pairing: Superman aka Clark Kent x Reader

Part One - Convince Me, Part Two - I’m Convinced One and The Same (InProgress) Wedding Drama Accidental Confessions Stay With Me (InProgress) Realization (InProgress)

Pairing: (Platonic) Superman aka Clark Kent x 12-year-old reader

 A New Life, The Family Grows (InProgress)

Pairing: Dick Grayson aka Nightwing x Reader

Come Back To Me (InProgress)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Nothing But a Burden

Pairing: Loki x Reader

Never Leave Me

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

A Pact Renewed Because You’re Mine Not a Waste of Space Just Hold Me

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Rachel (Original Character)

Kiss It Away Stolen Kisses, Stolen Moments - Part One, Part Two

Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader

Confessions Last Night* Empowering Distraction Stay By My Side (InProgress) Drunken Confessions Say You'll Remember Me (InProgress)

Pairing: Dr. Stephen Strange x Clea

Love, A Kind of Magic - Part One, Part Two

Pairing: Dr. Stephen Strange x Reader

Perfection A Surprising Twist Sleep Deprived Bleeding Heart Part One, Part Two What the Wife Says Goes A Love Not Expected (InProgress)

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pairing: Will Turner x Reader

My Heart Calls Your Name Wedding Bells (InProgress) The Other Side Of The Coin (InProgress) Tavern Brawls Do You Love Me? (InProgress) A Different World Because of You (InProgress)

Rise of the Guardians

Pairing: Jack Frost x Evening Star aka The Blue Fairy (Original Character)

Two Spirits Meet

Pairing: Jack Frost x Reader

Born Anew (InProgress) Forgive Me (InProgress) Of Pumpkins and Snowflakes Love of the Unexpected Kind (InProgress)

Sherlock (BBC)

Pairing: Sherlock x Reader

The Consulting Detective and the Serial Killer His Love for Her Your Hand in Mine Drunken Comfort Its All Been Arranged An Unconventional Love Story - Part One, Part Two (InProgress) (Victorian Era AU) Serendipity Sorry, Not Sorry (InProgress) A Marriage Unforeseen (InProgress) An Enigma (InProgress) You Are In.............Love......? (InProgress)

Star Trek(2009)

Pairing: Spock x Kealoha (Original Character)

The Roommate Experiment - Prologue, Part One

Pairing: Spock x Reader

The Little Green Monster Chasing Away The Darkness Here For You Hurting (InProgress) A New Family (InProgress) Trust (InProgress) Love Me Tender (InProgress)

Pairing: (Platonic)Leonard McCoy x Reader

Someone To Look Up To (InProgress)

Stranger Things

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Sharon Henderson (Original Character)

Mixtapes, Monsters & Maybe Love - Chapter Masterlist

Tales of Ladybug and Chat Noir

Pairing: Adrien Agreste x Reader

Do We Belong Together? (InProgress)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Pairing: Leonardo x Amal (Original Character)

Heaven’s Light A Comforting Embrace

The Amazing Spiderman

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

A Nonverbal Confession Falling For Him Heal Together * Drunk on Pheromones Take All The Time You Need Falling for the Enemy * Help Me (InProgress) Why Can’t You be Mine? (InProgress) Something To Live For (InProgress)

The Chronicles of Narnia

Pairing: Peter Pevensie x Reader

An Unexpected Turn Fate is a Funny Thing (InProgress) We Face It Together

Pairing: Edmund Pevensie x Reader

The King and the Commoner So This Is Love (InProgress) Love On the High Seas (InProgress) A Love Meant To Be (InProgress)

The Hobbit

Creepy Crawlies (No Pairing)

Pairing: Fili x Reader

Breathe For Me

Pairing: Kili x Reader

You Are Safe Not Very Ideal Circumstances (InProgress) Perfect Proposal (InProgress) Not In The Contract (InProgress) I Loath You (InProgress) I Would Give My Life For You (InProgress) You’re Perfect (InProgress)

The Inheritance Cycle

Pairing: Eragon x Reader

Meant To Be (InProgress)

The Lord of the Rings

Pairing: Legolas x Annúneth (Original Character)

Love Happens

Pairing: Legolas x Reader

A Little Introduction to Rock Music We Meet Again A Confession Years In The Making My Prayer, My Light, My Fëa A Promise Written In The Stars So Much More (InProgress) Unexpected Outcomes (InProgress)

Pairing: Samwise x Reader

Uncharted Territory (InProgress)

Pairing: Eomer x Reader

Across The Plains (InProgress)

Top Gun

Pairing: Bradley'Rooster'Bradshaw x Reader

But Daddy, I Love Him! (InProgress)

Pairing: Jake'Hangman'Seresin x Reader

Matters of The Heart Have You Ever Thought, Just, Maybe (InProgress) Deserving of Love (InProgress)

Treasure Planet

Pairing: Jim Hawkins x Reader

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder (InProgress) Always Here To Help (InProgress) A Little Competition Goes a Long Way A Love Song Save You A Seat (InProgress) The Adventurer and the Scholar (InProgress)

Young Justice DC Universe

Pairing: Wally West x Artemis aka Kid Flash x Artemis

Chapter One - You have to believe it’s real, or it’s not real

Chapter Two - Inconceivable

Chapter Three - Something is Afoot

Chapter Four - On the Hunt for R.O.U.S.

Chapter Five - Inconceivable Realizations

Chapter - You Threatened People I Care About, Prepare To Die

                                              ————————–

The sun was just beginning to set when they finally reached their destination.

Appa landed in a large clearing, surrounded by tall, thick trees. In the center of the clearing was a building, and from the many open windows and the front door, the sound of laughter, loud shouts and lively music spilled out. As she slid down from Appa, Orora wandered how these people would feel if they knew just what was coming their way.

"Certain doom." She muttered to herself, prompting Zuko to glance at her with his eyebrow raised in question. She shook her head, gesturing for him to lead the way, with everyone else following after him.

They entered the premises, filing in one after the other, the sound of merrymaking and shouting only growing as they did. "And the reason you've brought us to a seedy Earth Kingdom tavern is what now?" Katara asked, looking around, already on edge about Zuko's choice in establishments. She wasn't the only one. Toph had expanded on her seismic sense, ready to attack if anyone made the wrong move. Suki had her hands clenched in fists, eyes darting from one unsavory looking face to the next. Beside her, Sokka had his hand on the hilt of his sword, while just behind him Orora took the cork off her water skin, pulling out the water and creating an ice dagger which she gripped tightly.

Clearly every one of them was on edge.

Zuko, however, seemed unfazed by the chaos around him as he pointed to a the figure of a young girl sitting at one of the tables, by herself, nursing a cup of some beverage.

"June." He stated as they all turned their gazes in the direction he was pointing.

Orora blinked at the sight of the gorgeous girl, holding her cup of tea and taking down attackers that were more then double her size, without a single drop being spilled.

"Oh yeah!" Sokka exclaimed, as he recognized the girl. "That weird bounty hunter with the giant mole." His girlfriend blinked, glancing at Sokka confused. "Mole? Her skin is flawless." She gestured towards June who was dodging another of of her attackers as if it were a dance.

Sokka shook his head. "No, she has this giant mole creature she rides around on." He explained. "A Shirshu." Zuko said. "It's the only animal that can track Aang's scent anywhere in the world. It's the one shot we have of finding him."

Just then June threw her drink into the air, threw the attacking thug at a table, before catching her drink and taking a sip. If she had been looking anywhere else, Orora was sure she would've missed the entire interaction with how fast June moved.

"I don't know who this June lady is," Said, Toph, already grinning broadly as she stepped forward. "But I like her." Pursing her lips at her younger sister's ability to be impressed by tough girls, Orora sighed. "Let's go talk to her then." She said, walking across the threshold of the tavern with Zuko falling in step beside her as the rest of their friends followed.

The girl, June, had taken a seat and continued to enjoy her tea as if she hadn't just taken down a bunch of thugs, who were now groaning in pain and tending to several bumps and bruises.

"Hey, I remember her!" Sokka suddenly recalled as they approached her. "She helped you attack us."

"Yup." Zuko nodded. "Back in the good old days." He added as they all came to a stop in front of June. Zuko and Orora stood in the center, with the Water-tribe siblings flanking Zuko's side, while Suki and Toph stood next to Orora.

June looked up from her tea, frowning slightly as if trying to remember something. "Oh great." She said, rolling her eyes. "It's Prince Pouty." Clearly she remembered who Zuko was. Hard to forget him, his scar did make him stand out, though the nickname had Orora pursing her lips to keep from smiling. "Where's your creepy grandpa?"

"He's my uncle." Zuko corrected. "And he's not here."

Sipping from her cup once more, June allowed her gaze to flit between Zuko and Katara, before her eyes locked in on the necklace the girl was wearing. Remembering how insistent he had been about finding the wearer of the jewellery she nodded. "I see you worked things out with your girlfriend."

The effect was instant. Both Zuko and Katara flinched, barely glancing at one another before turning their annoyance towards June.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" Katara stated angrily, hands on her hips, the same time Zuko clarified. "She's not my girlfriend!"

A hand came to rest on his shoulder, pulling him back slightly. "Relax guys. Let's not annoy the person who might be able to help us out." Orora said, her voice soothing as she nodded at Katara, who dropped her defensive stance, while Zuko reined in his annoyance.

"Yeah listen to the girl." June agreed with a roll of her eyes. "I mean, sheesh. I was only teasing." She added in a low voice, before turning away from the teenagers. "So what do you want?" She asked, unable to keep her curiosity at bay when it came to the return of a client.

"I need your help finding the Avatar." The words felt strange on his tongue. Normally when he had said those words in the past, they were full of conviction and desperation, because finding Aang, meant getting his honor back. Now though? The conviction and desperation was there, but the reason behind them was completely different. He may not have shown it, but he was just as worried about Aang's disappearance as the rest of them.

He was his friend after all.

June hummed, looking disinterested. "Doesn't sound too fun." She shrugged, already making her mind to not help the desperate looking group unless they offered her a good enough reason.

Money, obviously.

Feeling his patience snap, which had already been hanging by a thread given the worry and anxiety that had been gnawing at him, Zuko clenched his fists as he leaned towards the girl. "Does the end of the world sound like more fun?" He snapped.

Or maybe that was reason enough.

The Bounty-huntress blinked at Zuko, taken aback by his sudden outburst, before her eyes shifted to the rest of his friends. Their faces held a strange mix of worry and determination as they looked to her.

June had a feeling they would find some other way to make her help them, especially with the way the boy with the pony tail was gripping the hilt of his sword, while the girl with the white patch of hair looked as if she would hurl the ice dagger at her head.

She knew when to pick her battles. And this was one she knew she would loose.

Which is why, not even five minutes later they were all outside the tavern, with June holding up a piece of meat to bribe Nyla into working so quickly after their last job. "Nyla."

Orora watched, partly fascinated, as the creature caught the piece of meat June threw and devoured it in one go. "Who's my little, hmm, Snuffly-Wuffly?" June cooed as she snuggled Nyla's face, only to step aside as it's toxin coated tongue darted out, missing her by inches. "Careful there." She said, arms around Nyla's mouth to keep it from flicking it's tongue again. "Okay." She turned to the teenagers standing around. "So who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?"

Katara, who already had an idea of how things worked, was rummaging through the many items they had packed in Appa's saddle. "I have Aang's staff." She said, quickly sliding down and handing the item to June. Nyla approached it's Mistress, snuffing at the staff, before it began to walk around in circles, nose up in the air, as if it were trying to sniff the scent out somewhere else. It almost felt like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the creature to pick up Aang's scent.

Only to be sorely disappointed when it sat down, covering it's nose with it's paws.

"Well, what does that mean?" Zuko asked, as everyone looked to June. "Means your friend's gone." June explained as she pet Nyla, trying to comfort it.

"We know he's gone." Toph groaned out, unable to keep the frustration from her voice. "That's why we're trying to find him."

June shook her head as she stood up. "No, I mean he's gone gone." She stated as she turned to face everyone. "He doesn't exist."

A moment of silence ensued, in which they all glanced at one another, exchanging looks of worry. Though in Orora's case, it was more disbelieving. "Excuse me?" She asked, frowning as she stepped forward. Sokka seemed to be on the same tangent as his older sister. "What do you mean Aang doesn't exist? Do you mean he's......you know, dead?"

"Nope." June responded to Sokka. "We could find him if he were dead. Wow, it's a real head-scratcher." She hummed, looking just as disinterested as she had back inside the tavern. "See ya." She threw over her shoulder as she started to climb atop Nyla.

"Helpful." Toph muttered under her breath. "Real helpful."

Biting her lower lip, Orora glanced at Zuko. Seeing the thoughtful look in his eyes, she stepped closer to him. "What're you thinking?" She said in a low voice, prompting her boyfriend to glance at her. "Remember that thing I showed you the other day?" He asked, watching as she frowned for a brief second, before clarity washed across her face. Her eyes widened slightly. "You mean......" She trailed off as he nodded.

"Wait." He called to the girl. "I have another idea. There's only one other person in this world who can help us face the Fire Lord. I'll be right back with a smell sample."

As he quickly jumped into Appa's saddle to riffle through his things, Orora turned to Sokka with a stern look. "Not one word Sokka." She muttered under her breath. Everyone glanced at her confused, as Zuko approached the Shirshu, holding out a sandal that had several flies buzzing around it already.

Zuko looked a little embarrassed, wearing almost the same expression he had when Orora had discovered the sandal in his possession a few days ago.

Despite the warning Orora had given him, Sokka couldn't help himself. "You saved your uncle's sweaty sandal?!" He exclaimed, even as Suki and Katara mirrored his action of pinching their noses shut.

Toph smiled. "I think it's kind of sweet."

At the new source of smell, Nyla all but jerked forward, sniffing the sandal almost vigorously. Knowing her pet had already caught on to the scent, with the way it was quivering under her, June gripped the reins. "Let's do this." With a flick of the reins, Nyla took off.

"Hey! Wait up!" Zuko called, as all five of them ran for Appa, climbing atop in record speed. Sokka took the reins this time as the Bison took to the air, following after the Shirshu as it led them deeper into the Earth Kingdom.

                                              ————————–

They flew through the night.

Sokka kept his seat atop Appa's head, while Zuko took a break from guiding Appa the entire day. Minute by minute, as the night deepened, they all began to fall asleep. Katara and Toph huddled close, the cool night air making the latter shiver in her sleep. Catching it out of the corner of her eye, Orora quickly pulled out the blankets they used and covered both girls. She tapped Sokka on the shoulder, handing him his own blanket, which he took with a grateful smile as he wrapped it around his as well as Suki's shoulders. She'd gone to sit up with him, hoping to help him stay awake during the night by talking or even take shifts between the two of them.

Zuko was leaning against the side of the saddle, one eye trained downwards, watching Nyla and June guide them through the Earth Kingdom.

"You should get some sleep." Orora said in a low voice, coming to sit next to him. Almost unconsciously his arm lifted to wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. Her hand came to rest on his leg as her other hand lifted to gently brush at the hair that covered his scar. "You're always saying you can't sleep during the day." She added. "And we all need everyone at their best for whatever it is we're about to face."

Glancing to the front, to reassure himself that Sokka and Suki had everything handled, Zuko finally turned his head to meet Orora's worried gaze. "I doubt I'll be able to sleep." He admitted, his voice just as low as Orora's, not wanting to disturb Katara or Toph. "I'm worried Orora." He continued, his hand reaching out to grip hers, as if he were trying to draw as much comfort from her as he could. "Not just about the Comet, or Aang disappearing, or facing the Fire Lord, I'm worried about-"

"Meeting your Uncle again." Orora finished, smiling softly at the surprised look he gave her when she finished his thought for her. Sliding her hand against his, she intertwined their fingers together, never once looking away from those golden hued eyes she adored so much. "You have nothing to worry about Zuko." She reassured him. "Your Uncle loves you. And he won't hold anything against you for what happened in Ba Sing Se."

Zuko gulped back the sudden lump in his throat, even as his eyes stung with the tears he was struggling against. "How can you be so sure?" He asked, his voice cracking in places, which had Orora reaching up to place her free hand behind his head, before gently bringing it down to rest on her shoulder, his face pressing against her. Zuko didn't resist, his body immediately relaxing as he leaned into her, allowing her scent, her presence to surround him.

Turning her head, her lips lining up perfectly against the shell of his ear Orora spoke in a gentle voice.

"Because you're sorry for what you did." Her fingers gently stroking the hair at the back of his neck. "And you're working so hard to make things right." She squeezed the hand that was gripping his. "You stepped up and faced the consequences of your actions, despite knowing you wouldn't be trusted. That takes a lot of courage Zuko." She felt him shift turning his head so that it rested sideways against her shoulder, reminiscent of the way she always rested her head against his when she was tired. "Now you need to take that courage and just tell your Uncle that you're sorry."

Her words. Her presence. Her touch. Her voice. Everything about her. She was truly his solace. There was no other way to describe it. Where his heart had been aching in his chest, and his mind racing with the thoughts of his Uncle turning away from him just as he had done in Ba Sing Se, they dissolved like the morning mist before the rising sun.

"That's it?" He asked. His confusion must've slipped into his question because he heard her laugh softly. "Worked with me didn't it." She reminded him, and he could hear her smile.

His heart was aching again, though this time for an entirely different reason as his mind clouded with memories of Orora. And of everything that had happened between them since he had left his Nation.

Zuko didn't know how long he stayed that way, his head resting on her shoulder. Slowly his eyes began to feel heavy, and his breathing began to deepen.

He felt the warm press of her kiss atop his head before she guided him to settle on her lap, her fingers already playing with his hair as he began to drift deeper into the throes of slumber.

"Sleep Zuko." She whispered one last time, her voice carrying into his dreams as he finally allowed himself to drift away.

                                              ————————–

He had woken with the sun and the feeling of Orora's fingers in his hair. As the last of sleep dissipated with each blink of his eyes, he slowly turned his head. Only to find Orora smiling down at him, her eyes looking tired as she stroked a finger along his cheek. "Ever the Firebender." She teased, referring to his affinity to wake up with the sun.

"You didn't sleep?" He asked, his voice hoarse as he reached up with a sleepy hand to cradle her face. She shrugged. "Well someone had to make sure Sokka and Suki didn't get distracted with each other."

"It hurts that you have so little faith in us Rory!" Suki called back, having heard what her best friend had said. Orora shook her head, shifting back slightly as Zuko sat up and stretched, feeling guilty that he had slept peacefully while Orora had stayed awake all night. He ran a hand through his already messy hair. "You should get some rest." He urged, nodding towards the empty side of the saddle which wasn't occupied by the still sleeping figures of Katara and Toph. He was touched that she had stayed up watching over him. It probably wasn't comfortable either, having his heavy head in her lap the entire night. "Sorry you didn't get to sleep last night. You should've woken me up." He said, running a thumb along her cheek.

She shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind." She admitted, which sent a pang of guilt through Zuko. "Aang?" He asked to which she gave a silent nod. "And everything else." She admitted, biting on her lower lip. He gave a small nod. "I get it. But whatever happens, we'll all be together for it. And I know that when we're together, everything has a much better outcome." She smiled at his words, tilting her head into the warm palm that rested against her cheek.

"When did you get optimistic?" He smirked at her words before shrugging. "Well when you live with Aang, it starts to rub off on you." A small laugh was her response, and the way it made her pretty blue eyes light up and her shoulders to loose the tension in them, Zuko knew it was enough.

Comforting one another? It came so naturally. Almost seamlessly. She had known exactly what to say last night to ease his mind, and now he was doing the same for her.

Maybe Fate did know what it was doing when it bound their souls to one another.

His lips melded against hers, the kiss searing as she returned the affectionate gesture with a low hum. It didn't last long, they were both aware that they weren't alone. It did, however, have Orora's heart beating wildly in her chest, while Zuko had to force himself to pull back with a reluctant sigh.

Their eyes locked, and Orora felt her cheeks burn all the more with the way he was looking at her.

"Mind changing shifts with me Zuko?" Sokka called out, breaking them out of their little bubble. "I need to catch on some sleep." He continued, holding his hand up as he helped Suki to climb back into the saddle. The Warrior gave Orora and Zuko a knowing smile as she settled onto the saddle.

Zuko glanced at Orora, who hid a yawn behind her hand as she blinked quickly to try and fight away the sleep that was clearly winning. Cradling her face once more, he leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead, the one act of comfort he knew she preferred more then all others. "Sleep Orora." He repeated the same words she had to him just last night. With a smile, the girl nodded.

She was lying down by the time Zuko was pulling Sokka into the saddle, and asleep when he grabbed the reins, settling into his position for the long hours ahead.

                                              ————————–

It was nearing midday when Orora woke up. And a good thing too since just half an hour later, they made a brief stop to allow the animals to drink water and eat. The break wasn't long though, before they were back up in the air, with Nyla and June running across the green landscape beneath them.

"How long do you think it'll take for us to get there?" Sokka asked, refreshed after his long nap and starting to feel fidgety from the lack of action and the amount of waiting as well as sitting around they all had to do while they traveled. "We don't even know where there is." Toph pointed out, to which the boy grumbled under his breath before taking out one of his maps and assessing it with a critical eye to try and figure out where they were.

Glancing behind him from where he was settled atop Appa's head, Zuko called back. "We're just following the scent, we have no idea where we're going." He reminded, before turning his attention back to the front, pulling slightly on Appa's head when June and Nyla began to veer off to the side.

The sun continued to make its way across the sky, before slowly beginning it's descent. Orora watched as the final bit of light disappeared from the sky. "One more day." She heard Zuko mutter to himself. Just as yesterday, she was sitting just behind him atop the saddle. There was no need for Zuko to elaborate what he meant.

One more day till the comet arrived.

One more day until they would either save the world.

Or watch it burn.

                                              ————————–

It was only an hour later that the the sight of a rather familiar structure stretching along the horizon suddenly had everyone, except Toph, sitting up straight.

"Is that.....?" Katara trailed off, her eyes widening at the sight. Toph sat up from where she had been resting on her back. "What?! What is it?" She called, hating that she wasn't able to see with her feet.

Sokka was the one who responded to her frantic questioning. "That's Ba Sing Se."

Or rather the Outer Wall of the once impenetrable city.

Now though, an area of the wall lay in rubble, creating a massive whole that had allowed the Fire Nation army to walk through.

Spying Nyla begin to slow down, Zuko urged Appa to land where the creature was digging at the wreckage.

"We're going to Ba Sing Se?" He asked the bounty-hunter, who gave him a nod. "Your Uncle's somewhere beyond the wall." She informed them as Nyla began to turn away from the wall, loosing interest in it. "Nyla's getting twitchy so he can't be too far."

Glancing away from Zuko, her gaze flitted from one tired face to the next that gazed down at her from where they had been confined to the saddle the entire day. "Good luck." She called, and with a flick of her reins, she and Nyla were gone.

                                              ————————–

It didn't take long for them to set up camp.

Or a halfway camp at least.

They had finished the last of their food, not wanting to risk lighting a fire to make one lest they were spotted. And none of them bothered with tents.

Toph did though, creating one with one kick of her foot. Everyone else settled on Appa. Suki and Sokka laid down on his tail, with Sokka snoring away the second his head hit the soft bison fur. Katara settled atop one leg, turned to her side and fell asleep. Zuko took the leg beside Katara, with Orora settling down next to him.

"Think we'll find him tomorrow?" Orora whispered, already half asleep. A reassuring nod was Zuko's only response, before she too closed her eyes and slept.

Only to be woken what felt like almost immediately by Appa shifting as he let out a loud grumble.

Everyone quickly scrambled to their feet, watching in alarm as a ring of fire surrounded them. "Is it Fire Nation soldiers? Azula?" Sokka called out, mentally kicking himself for not sleeping with his sword by his side. One by one, figures began to appear atop the rubble that littered the ground along the wall.

"Well! Look who's here!" One of the figures laughed loudly, snorting as he did. Orora blinked, her eyes finally adjusting to the sudden influx of light to catch sight of a familiar figure amongst those that were standing above them.

"Is that Master Pakku?" She called as she raced up to stand beside Katara, her eyes wide in disbelief at the sight of the old man standing there. Her sister turned to her and gave her an excited nod.

"What's going on?" Toph asked, sounding confused as the newcomers came to stand in front of them, the circle of fire disappearing with a flick of one of the men's wrist. "We're surrounded by old people."

Katara shook her head as she stepped forward. "Not just any old people. These are great masters and friends of ours." She turned to her old Master first, bowing to him just as he did her. "Pakku." His old student greeted.

"It is respectful to bow to an old master." He began in his formal tone, before it shifted to one of softness as he extended his arms. "But how about a hug for your new grandfather?"

Overjoyed, Katara ran up to give the old man a hug, leaving her brother who let out a strange noise of surprise that had Suki glancing at her boyfriend in worry.

"You and Gran-Gran must be so happy to have found each other again!" Katara said, as she pulled back from the hug. Pakku nodded, smiling. "I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything."

Sokka, unable to keep his excitement in check, quickly ran up to hug him as well. "Welcome to the family, Gramp-Gramp!" Looking more then a little annoyed, Pakku pushed him back. "You can still just call me Pakku."

But Sokka, wasn't having it. "How about Grand-Pakku?" He suggested.

His suggestion was met with a less then amused look from Pakku who simply stated. "No." Leaving a dejected looking Sokka to walk away to sulk behind Orora.

At the sight of the young girl Pakku's smile widened. "It would seem you have come quite a long way from when I left you Orora." He said, as the girl walked forward, bowing respectfully as she did. "She has!' Katara exclaimed, unable to keep the pride from her face as she looked to her sister. "She's become a Master Waterbender herself."

"Katara." Orora whispered, looking more then a little embarrassed as all eyes turned to her. Pakku simply chuckled, before bowing to Orora in the same fashion as she had done him. "Two Master Waterbenders of the next generation." He stated proudly, placing a hand each on Katara's and Orora's shoulder.

Orora felt her heart swell with pride as she glanced at Katara, who grinned back at her.

Wanting to continue the introductions, Katara then turned to the person standing next to Pakku. "And this was Aang's first firebending teacher." She said, as Zuko walked to stand in front of the man, bowing to him in the fashion of the Fire Nation people. "Jeong Jeong." The man introduced himself.

Having forgotten his brief bout of sadness over Pakku rejecting the nickname, Sokka had turned to his own Master. "Master Piandao." He greeted with a respectful bow, which the man mirrored. "Hello, Sokka." Orora hadn't really met the man when Sokka had gone to study under him, having opted to stay behind with Appa and Momo while she had been battling through her inner turmoil.

"So wait." Suki began, sounding confused. "How do you all know each other?" The only man who had not been introduced yet spoke up with a laugh. "All old people know each other. Don't you know that?"

Not wanting to keep the youngsters confused, Piandao began to speak. "We're all part of the same ancient secret society. A group that transcends the divisions of the four nations."

"The Order of the White Lotus." Zuko said softly, a smile on his face. Suddenly Orora recalled the time her, Zuko and Iroh had been in that little town where they had escaped. And the small tile she was given by Pakku as she was leaving their party, that Iroh had borrowed from her.

Those moments seemed like they had been a long time ago.

"The White Lotus has always been about philosophy and beauty and truth." Jeong Jeong explained. "But about a month ago, a call went out that we were needed for something important."

"It came from a Grand Lotus: your Uncle." Pakku said. "Iroh of the Fire Nation." Zuko couldn't help but smile at the words. "Philosophy, beauty and truth?" Orora laughed softly, nudging her boyfriend with her shoulder. "Sounds like Master Iroh alright."

Toph stepped up from behind the two of them. "Well, that's who we're looking for." Piandao nodded. "Then we'll take you to him."

"Wait!" The one with the strange cackle suddenly called out, pushing Piandao and Jeong Jeong out of the way as his strange eyes jumped from one face to the next. "Someone's missing from your group. Someone very important." He stated, before pushing his face into Sokka's, nose to nose. "Where's Momo?" He demanded.

Suki exchanged a glance with Orora, silently asking if she knew the person, to which the latter shook her head. "He's gone." Sokka answered, before continuing after a brief pause. "And so is Aang." He added.

"Oh well." The man shrugged as he patted Sokka on the chest with more force then at first glance since the boy almost fell back, his arms pinwheeling as he tried to regain his balance. "So long as they have each other, I'm sure we have nothing to worry about. Let's go!" With that he slammed his fist into the ground, launching himself away using a pillar of stone, leaving behind a bunch of slightly stunned teenagers, and exasperated old men.

                                              ————————–

It didn't take long for them to reach their destination. Bumi, as the crazy king of Omashu had been introduced, lowered a rock wall that allowed them to enter the camp.

"Well, here we are. Welcome to Old People Camp." He gestured towards the multiple tents that littered the campsite. It felt safe, prompting Orora to heave a deep sigh as she allowed the last of her guard down.

Zuko, however, had begun to grow tense the moment he stepped through the entrance of the camp. "Where....." He glanced around. "Where is he?" He asked, prompting Piandao to point to a tent on the other side of the camp. "Your uncle's in there, Prince Zuko." He said.

Lips pursed, the boy began to walk towards the tent, coming to a stop at the entrance.

He felt her before he saw her, her hand reaching out to squeeze his. "Remember what I said Zuko. You're sorry for what you did aren't you?" He nodded, having run out of words after the conversation they had last night.

"He'll forgive you." She said with the conviction of a person who knew what they said was true. He glanced at her one last time, before turning to face the tent again. With a deep exhale, he lifted the flap, and Orora smiled softly as she watched Zuko disappear into the tent.

Inside, when he called to his Uncle, all Zuko got in response was a loud snore. There he lay, fast asleep. Smiling to himself, the boy sat down beside the sleeping figure of the man he saw as his true father and waited for him to wake up.

Unbeknownst to him, just outside the tent Orora stood where she was.

It was Katara who patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Give them time." She urged. Orora pursed her lips before nodding, allowing her sister to lead her to the tent that had been set up for all of them to share for the night.

                                              ————————–

Zuko only dozed through the night, yet his body was alert, aware of everything that was around him.

And the moment his Uncle's breathing changed, sat up and stretched his arms over his head, Zuko was wide awake. The man barely glanced over his shoulder, but Zuko knew, his Uncle knew he was there. But he didn't turn around.

He kept his back to him.

And that scared Zuko.

His heart beat faster in his chest, and his hands quivered, but he clenched them tightly, trying to calm himself with a steady breath. It seemed to do the trick as he began to speak, his voice low.

"I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me." Familiar feelings, feelings he had felt when he was apologizing to Orora and begging for her forgiveness began to bubble inside him once more. And just as they had in the past, tears burned his eyes. "But I want you to know," His voice broke as he started to cry. "I am so, so, sorry, Uncle. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did." He looked to the ground, as he continued. "I don't know how I can ever make it up to you. But I'll-"

The rest of his words were lost.

Lost as his Uncle pulled him into a hug.

Zuko didn't return the embrace, shock, confusion and hope coursing through him as he continued to cry. "How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me."

He felt his Uncle shake his head. "I was never angry with you." He admitted, his own voice breaking and heavy with a sadness that had Zuko hurting all over again. "I was sad because I was afraid you had lost your way."

The boy nodded. "I did lose my way." He admitted as his Uncle released him to smile at him, his own eyes full of tears. "But you found it again." Iroh said, the pride evident in his eyes. "And you did it by yourself. And I am so happy you found your way here." He continued before embracing him once again.

Unable to help himself, Zuko let out a teary laugh. "It wasn't that hard, Uncle." He sniffled "You have a pretty strong scent."

Iroh chuckled before releasing Zuko with a pat on the back. "I shall take no offense to that if it means it brought you to me." He promised with a smile. "But tell me, when did you leave the Fire Nation? What have you been up to?" He asked, eager to know of his nephew's adventures.

"I left the day you did. I came to get you out, but you were already gone." He started, wiping away the last of his tears as he began to recount his story. "So I decided to make my own escape, but then I felt my thread tug and I realized Orora was nearby." At the mention of his old student, Iroh couldn't help but lean forward, worry lines creasing his brow.

"Orora? Is she...." He trailed off. Zuko nodded. "She's alright. She was part of the Invasion that Aang and his friends led on the day of the Eclipse. I saved her and we both escaped." He watched the way his Uncle relaxed at the revelation that Orora was safe.

"We went to her friends and I offered to teach Aang Firebending, it was hard, but they finally trusted me and I've been with them since." Details would come later, he wanted to start assuring his Uncle that he truly had changed and was working with his new friends to make the world a better place.

But that was the last thing on Iroh's mind as he gave his nephew an inquiring look. "And what about Orora? I gather as your soulmate it was hard for her to have you around after Ba Sing Se."

He had expected Zuko to admit that there was nothing to be done about it. That the bond had broken beyond repair. Which was why he was pleasantly surprised when the young Prince began to smile.

"It was at first." He admitted, thinking back on those early days of the time they had shared. "But then I kind of told her to take her anger out on me, and she did. Then we talked it out and she decided that she didn't want to fight anymore. That she just wanted to be happy." He shrugged. "It wasn't easy, and it was hard for her getting to trust me again, but I think we're both in a really good place now." He admitted, looking away to the side as a soft smile pulled at his lips, his mind echoing with the sound of her laughter, memories of her smile and the feel of her lips when they pressed against him. "I mean our threads glow constantly now."

Iroh couldn't help the smile that broke out as he watched his nephew lift the finger that had the string tied around it. He couldn't see it of course, but he knew Zuko could, and he could see just how much seeing that blue glow brought joy to his nephew.

"Well I do hope she's here." The Master Firebender stated as he stood up, riffling through a chest to take out his clothes for the day. White Lotus robes, the same as the other Elders. "She is." Zuko reassured him, as Iroh disappeared behind a screen to change his clothes. "She was so sure you would forgive me." He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he remembered what Orora had said to him just last night. "She was right." He muttered to himself as Iroh appeared from behind the screen, dressed for the day.

"Well then!" He stated smiling. "Let's not keep my former student waiting, and the two of you can tell me what you've been up to." Grinning, Zuko quickly exited the tent, leading the way to where he knew Orora was with the way his thread tugged.

                                              ————————–

It was refreshing to wake up on solid ground after spending nearly two whole days in the air.

Once she had placed her bed roll aside, and stepped over the sleeping figures of her friends, Orora emerged from her tent, dropping the flap once she exited. Stretching her arms, she leaned back to work out the remnants of sleep from her body before looking around, trying to catch a familiar face.

Spying Jeong Jeong, the girl quickly walked over. "Good morning Master Jeong Jeong." She greeted with a friendly smile. The man turned in her direction with a pleasant smile. "And to you Master Orora."

A startled laugh fell from her lips before she shook her head, feeling just as flustered as she had yesterday. "Please, just Orora." She insisted. The man only smiled back in response. "What is I can do for you?" He asked, to which Orora gave a sheepish smile. "Is there anywhere I can wash up. We've been traveling for nearly two days." She watched as the older man nodded, turning to wave at a grove of trees just beyond the edge of the camp. "There is a stream in a clearing just that way." Thanking the man, Orora quickly crossed the camp, cutting through the trees, and smiling when she heard the sound of rushing water.

Her water skin was the first thing she dropped to the ground, before she removed her shoes, gloves and her comb. She didn't bother with her clothes because honestly, they needed a wash. And she wasn't about to take them off to do so since anyone could walk by from the camp. One of the plus sides of being a waterbender, she could simply dry her clothes by extracting the moisture out of them and be just as dry as she was before she stepped into the stream.

Her toes curled in the soft grass, tickling the sensitive soles of her feet before she walked into the gently flowing stream. The stones along the bed were smooth for a few steps before she began to swim in the deeper part of the water body.

The cold water felt amazing, and though her clothes were weighing her down slightly, she simply adjusted herself in the water, allowing her body to float, her face turned towards the open sky as the water flowed around her.

Orora had no idea how long she was there, her mind blank, a first for her, given who she had her friends were about to face in the near future. She had always thought perhaps her abilities was what made her have such a reaction to any water body, but she had slowly realized that wasn't so.

Water simply had that effect on her because it was meant to sooth. A parched throat. A hysteric individual. A soldier on the battle field. A burn. A scratch. An agitated animal. A wilted plant.

A little water was all that was needed to provide relief.

Sighing to herself, she slowly moved to the bank. Finding her footing she stood up, before allowing her hands to run along the length of her body, pulling the water from her clothes and hair, leaving her just as dry as she had been before.

She didn't let go of the water though. Instead she created a spear of ice from it. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she pursed her lips, an idea forming in her head. Humming to herself, the girl dropped her stance, pulled her arm back and threw the lance in the air. Orora watched as flew across the stream for a second, before she threw her arms out.

The spear exploded. Shattering in a uncountable shards of sharp ice, embedding in the ground, the trees and bushes, even cutting through the leaves of some shrubs.

"I see you have learned some new moves since I last saw you my young Pupil."

The familiar sound of her old Master had Orora spinning where she stood, her hair flying around her with the momentum.

There stood Iroh, wearing the smile she had come to associate with fatherly love and comfort. Her own smile was wide as she raced towards her teacher, tears of happiness pricking her shining blue eyes.

He caught her, his arms already held aloft as she had run towards him. She buried her face in his chest. He smelled the same as she remembered. Jasmine Tea. "I missed you so much Master." She admitted, tightening her arms around him, feeling him reciprocate the gesture with one of his hands stroking her hair lovingly. "I missed you as well my Pupil." He admitted as Orora slowly pulled back, wiping at her cheeks even as new tears clung to her lashes.

Iroh beamed at her, leaning back slightly even as he held her hands, giving them an affectionate squeeze. "You have grown so much my dear." He observed, not really talking in the physical sense as she smiled at him. "I guess I have." She agreed with a shrug. Over Iroh's shoulder she caught sight of her boyfriend approaching them.

Orora couldn't help but smirk. "Told you you had nothing to worry about." She said as Iroh turned to stand next to her. Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Yeah. You were right. Again." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Is this going to become a habit? You being all smug every time you're right?" He asked raising an eyebrow at her, to which she grinned and lifted her shoulder in a teasing shrug. "Of course. Did you expect anything else?" He let out a soft laugh, as he reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

The way the both of them were looking at one another, their eyes so full of love and trust. Iroh couldn't help but smile, his heart bursting with pride and happiness as he watched the two of them interact with one another. Orora quickly pulled on her shoes, while Zuko gathered her things, handing her that all too familiar blue dragon comb which she fit in her hair.

As they walked back to the camp, Orora kept a hand resting in the curve of Zuko's arm. The boy didn't seem to mind, his hand lifting every now and then to pat the hand that she rested against his forearm.

Iroh remembered how they had been just a few months ago. Barely trusting one another, and hardly talking. Even in Ba Sing Se, when things began to shift, they were unsure around one another. Hesitant and uncertain.

It almost made him wander if.....

"Have you two accepted the bond?" He asked, once the three of them had sat down for breakfast inside his tent. It was probably the suddenness of the question that had the two teenagers blinking at Iroh in surprise. The blush creeping along his nephew's skin was obvious, as he glanced at Orora. She looked just as flustered as Zuko, as she shook her head, gripping the bowl of broth that was their breakfast. "No, I mean." She glanced at Zuko, who shrugged in response. "We decided that after everything that happened it would be best to just let things play out on their own." Orora said, recalling the conversation she and Zuko had back at the Western Air Temple.

Sitting next to her, Zuko nodded. "Everything seemed to work against us from the start. Being from different Nations. Our statuses. Our bending abilities. Not to mention I was on the wrong side of this war." He glanced at the girl beside him before continuing. "Once I switched sides, we decided why don't we not think about all that and just let things be."

Iroh nodded, taking a sip from his cup of tea. "A wise decision." He said, watching the two of them over the brim of his cup. "For too long people have allowed social constructions to stand in the way of a Soulmate bond. I had often noticed how those were the very things holding you back from acknowledging what you meant to one another before." He smiled. "I am just happy to see the both of you happy." The old man admitted, the pride evident in his wise gaze as he looked from one young face to the next.

Perhaps, Iroh mused to himself. The two of them would serve as an example to the rest of the world.

A Prince of the Fire Nation, and a Noblewoman of the Water Tribe.

A Waterbender and a Firebender.

Bonded for life.

Each of them one half of a whole.

Yin and Yang.

Seeing there was a need for a change in subject, Iroh set down his cup of tea and smiled at Orora. "I have been hearing rumors that you are a Master yourself now." He said, raising an eyebrow when she shook her head. Though Zuko took over when Orora tried to downplay her achievements, talking animatedly about how strong she had gotten and how well executed her moves were. She, in turn, mentioned him learning firebending from the Dragons. That particular piece of knowledge had Iroh nearly dropping his bowl of broth, listening in utter fascination as Zuko recounted the tale.

One of many.

The entire early morning, the three of them sat together inside Iroh's tent, simply catching up and exchanging stories. There were a few points where the atmosphere turned a little heavy, as Zuko and Orora both took the time to reveal what had happened to them after Ba Sing Se.

Though the happy moments certainly outweighed the sad ones, as their tales shifted to the time they had spent on Ember Island. Iroh was more then eager to hear about their first date, which the couple spoke of with as minor details as they could, highlighting mostly on the rest of their friends spying on them which had Iroh laughing.

Which brought them to the present moment, with Zuko revealing Aang's disappearance and his reluctance to kill the Fire Lord. Iroh hummed in thought at the news, nodding.

"There are some rather distressing news we received just yesterday from our spies." The man revealed, slowly standing up. "I shall share them when we are with the rest of your friends. It is time we make plans for our future."

He had moved towards the opening of the tent, but then paused at the last moment. Turning he smiled at the two teenagers who were growing up to be mature, sensible and wise in front of his very eyes.

"I am so proud of the both of you." He couldn't help but repeat what he had been saying multiple times since that morning. And he was. Iroh truly was. "You have both come so far, and I only hope I will be there as you continue to do great things." So saying, he stepped out into the afternoon sun, leaving the young couple to glance at one another, wearing similar expressions of joy before following after Iroh.

                                              ————————–

They had been inside the tent for most of the morning. It was nearing late afternoon when they emerged. Iroh greeted the rest of the newcomers, giving each of them a word of encouragement, before they all, finally, sat down for lunch to discuss what was to be done next.

"Uncle." Zuko began. "You're the only person other than the Avatar who can possibly defeat the Father Lord." Next to him Orora blinked, glancing at him in confusion. "You mean the Fire Lord." Toph corrected, pointing at Zuko with her chopsticks.

"That's what I just said!" The boy shot back, before turning his attention back to his Uncle who had closed his eyes and was humming in thought. Katara glanced at Orora, her gaze anxious. The girl gave her sister a reassuring nod as her boyfriend leaned forward.

"We need you to come with us!" He urged.

A brief moment of silence followed, before Iroh opened his eyes and shook his head. "No, Zuko, it won't turn out well." He said, before taking a bite of his food. "You can beat him!" Zuko stated with conviction, the surety in his eyes obvious as he gestured to all his friends sitting around them. "And we'll be there to help."

"Even if I did defeat Ozai." Iroh said, speaking in that same calm voice he always used when he would be giving them lessons in the past. "And I don't know that I could, it would be the wrong way to end the war. History would see it as just more senseless violence, a brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord."

The teenagers glanced at one another, seeing the wisdom behind his words. It was true. If Iroh were to take power by killing his brother, it would only cause more chaos. The world would be divided still, with some sympathizing with the killed Fire Lord, seeing him as a martyr and Iroh as a murderer, while others, like them would have to spend their entire lives defending what had happened.

"And then......" Zuko began, pausing before continuing. "Then would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?" He asked, wandering what would happen to his Nation with it's leader dead.

"No." Iroh shook his head. "Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor."

Wait........... Orora's brain stalled as she exchanged surprised looks with her best friend who gaped at the scarred boy sitting next to her.

"It has to be you, Prince Zuko."

Zuko.

Prince Zuko.

Fire Lord Zuko.

Even Zuko looked surprised at his Iroh's revelation, looking away finding that the words the man spoke hardly applied to him.

"Unquestionable honor?" He repeated. "But I've made so many mistakes."

"Yes, you have." His Uncle responded, fixing him with a stern look. "You've struggled; you've suffered, but you have always followed your own path. You restored your own honor, and only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation."

It didn't seem fair, burdening a teenager with such a big task. Iroh had full confidence that his nephew would give it his all.

And the response he received was all that he needed. "I'll try, Uncle." Though it was unsure, and there would be more then a few obstacles even after the war would end, Iroh knew his nephew had all the strength and support he needed to do what was right.

"Well." Toph spoke up, uncertainty coloring her tone. "What if Aang doesn't come back?

"Sozin's Comet is arriving." Iroh stated. "And our destinies are upon us. Aang will face the Fire Lord. When I was a boy, I had a vision that I would one day take Ba Sing Se. Only now do I see that my destiny is to take it back from the Fire Nation, so the Earth Kingdom can be free again."

Suki nodded in understanding. "That's why you gathered the members of the White Lotus." Orora glanced around, taking in all the powerful figures that surrounded them. "You were calling your friends to come and help you." She added, thinking how even at his age and with all his experience, Iroh still relied on others to help him.

Just like their group did each other.

"Yes." He affirmed with the two girls said, before turning his attention to his nephew. "Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation, so that when the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But," He added, his tone full of warning. "Azula will be there, waiting for you."

Zuko's eyes narrowed at the mention of his sister. "I can handle Azula." He said, already thinking of ways to outsmart his sister. His Uncle's next words did surprise him. "Not alone! You'll need help."

Beside him, Zuko felt Orora sit up, and knew what was coming. She would offer to come with him, to help him take down Azula.

And the thought scared him.

Before his girlfriend had a chance to speak, he quickly looked towards the other Waterbender sitting across from him. "Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?"

The girl looked surprised, having expected the same as everyone, that Orora would be the one going with Zuko. She glanced briefly at her older sister, who looked just as shocked, but was still able to give her little sister a small nod.

Allowing a confident and eager smile to pull at her lips, Katara nodded. "It would be my pleasure."

Sokka, who had been quiet so far, a miracle in his case, finally spoke up. "What about us? What's our destiny today?"

Iroh smiled softly. "What do you think it is?" He asked, glancing from Sokka, to Suki, to Toph and then to Orora. "I think that." Sokka started. "Even though we don't know where Aang is, we need to do everything we can to stop the airship fleet."

"And that means," Toph continued. "When Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there if he needs us."

"Then," Iroh said, smiling. "You all have your paths."

                                              ————————–

"So I guess I'll see you then."

Orora glanced up from where she had been pulling on her gloves. Zuko approached her, the smile on his face giving away how nervous he really felt.

"You wouldn't have to." She said, her voice making him gulp. "If you were taking me instead of Katara with you to face Azula."

This was certainly not the time to be mad about something that seemed so trivial, not with the fate of the world hanging over them, but Orora couldn't help herself. It wasn't the anger that was getting to her, it was the hurt that Zuko had picked Katara to take with him and not her.

Call it childish, but they were still teenagers, so it was a rather normal reaction.

Zuko sighed, before reaching out and taking her hand. "Come with me." He said, slowly guiding her behind one of the tents, not wanting to discuss anything out in full view of the camp. She refused to look at him, but she did follow after him, so that was a good sign.

"Look Orora." He began, dropping her hand as they both stood in front of one another. "I'm not asking you to come with me because I'm scared." He admitted. "I'm scared that Azula would do everything in her power to try and hurt you."

His girlfriend scowled, clenching her hands as she fixed him with a glare. "I can take her." She stated, to which Zuko nodded, his hands coming up to cradle her face. "I know. I know you can." He said, knowing she could. "But I don't want to risk it. I want to keep her away from you." He shook his head. "If anything were to happen to you...." He trailed off, his golden gaze full of fear. But not for him.

For her.

Orora finally saw his reason for what it was. He was scared. For her. He was afraid that his sister would do something that he wouldn't be able to stop.

Her heart clenched, and she felt ashamed for being angry about something so stupid. Closing her eyes, she exhaled deeply, covering his hands as they held her face. "At least you're smart enough to not order me to stay behind and not fight at all." She said, to which he rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smirk. "I don't have a death wish Orora." He said, his hands sliding from her cheeks to her shoulders as he pulled her closer, forehead resting against hers.

The two of them stood there silently, simply taking in the moment before they were to go their separate ways. They tried not to think of it. That this could be the last time they were together. That Fate could still be cruel.

"When all this is over." He whispered softly. "I'll meet you at the Fire Nation Palace for my coronation." She couldn't help the shocked laugh that escaped her. "Spirits, you're gonna be the Fire Lord." She shook her head. "Fire Lord Zuko." The title sounded fitting.

Zuko shook his head. "I'll think about that when the time comes."

"You were the one who brought it up." She shot back to which he grumbled. "I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Smiling, the girl pulled back, taking back the hands that had come to rest on his chest. "Before you go." She began, reaching for the blue sash that was tied around her waist. Zuko watched as she gripped a corner of it. "What're you-?" He trailed off as the sound of ripping fabric filled the air between them and she held up the ripped piece of blue sash, before stepping forward and wrapping it around his bicep.

"In the Water Tribe." She explained as she tied the fabric. "When the men go off to war, the women always give their Soulmates a token of luck, to make sure they come back." The knot she tied wasn't tight, but it was firm. There was no way it would be coming off. "I don't have anything fancy so......" She trailed off, glancing up at him, her gaze unsure, though that feeling dissolved to nothing as he reached up to touch the blue fabric.

"Well, in that case." Reaching for his inner shirt, which was all red, as opposed to the outer robe which had a golden border, Zuko mirrored her actions, ripping away a small amount of fabric, and tying it around her bicep just as she had done him. "So that the luck goes two ways." He said with a satisfied nod.

They stared at one another, their eyes speaking what they didn't want to say to one another just yet.

What they had promised to say once the war was over.

Feeling it wasn't enough, Orora lifted herself on her toes to kiss him. Pulling back after the initial brush of her lips against his.

His golden eyes found her blue gaze.

Zuko leaned forward to capture her lips again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Their kisses grew frantic and urgent. Where normally their hands would be exploring, they were barely moving, with Zuko wrapping his arms around Orora, holding her close, and Orora with hers around his shoulders. Their eyes were closed, as they sunk into one another, both of them wanting nothing more then to commit the moment to memory and carry it with them into battle.

"Ahem!"

That all too familiar clearing of throat was what brought the two of them back to reality. Their lips paused, yet neither of them pulled away. "Uncle?" Zuko called, his voice deeper then usual, as he opened his eyes to look at Orora, who still had her eyes closed. They were both panting for breath, having barely drawn any since the first kiss.

"It is time Zuko. Orora. Your friends are waiting for you."

Iroh had only seen their shadows beyond the tent, which had prompted him to approach. He had no desire to intrude on their moment, so had lingered at the corner that hid them from his view. With the message given, he turned away, allowing them time to gather themselves.

"Guess it's time." Orora whispered, once she had caught her breath and opened her eyes. He nodded reluctantly.

Though when she pulled him out of their little hiding space, he followed.

                                              ————————–

While Piandao explained to Sokka where to find the Fire Nation airship fleet, Orora turned to Katara. The two girls embraced one another. "Promise me you'll look after him." Orora whispered, feeling Katara nod. "I will. I promise. And if you see Aang, just, please, help him." She added in turn, pulling back from the hug and grasping her older sister's hands in desperation.

It was rare what they were both asking one another to do.

For the other to watch their Soulmate's backs.

And if that wasn't trust and the true meaning of sisterhood then what was.

With a final nod of affirmation that seemed to reassure Katara, the girls separated, with Katara climbing atop Appa and Orora making her way towards the eel-hound that stood waiting for her, Toph, Suki and Sokka.

"You should be able to intercept the fleet within a day's journey." Piandao said as Sokka sat up front and took the reins, the creature carrying all four of their weights easily.

Orora bit her lower lip from where she sat behind Suki, her arms wrapped around the girl's waist. Her heart constricted in her chest as she glanced towards Zuko who was speaking to his Uncle from where he sat atop Appa's head.

"Wait!" She suddenly called out, causing everyone to pause in their goodbyes and well wishes. Zuko, who had been trying not to look at Orora lest his grip on his resolve break, finally allowed himself to look.

He watched as she jumped off the eel-hound, racing towards him and he knew what was coming. He slid off Appa as well, and had barely taken a few strides when Orora collided into him.

Her arms came up to lock around his shoulders as she embraced him. Zuko didn't waste any time returning the gesture, arms wrapping around her waist as he held her close, lifting her from the ground as he buried his face in her neck.

"Come back to me." He heard her whisper against his shoulder, to which he nodded. "Only if you promise to come back to me." She nodded as well, before pulling back, knowing they didn't have time to linger.

She kissed his scarred cheek.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Before they both parted.

As they both walked back to their respective mounts, a few of the Elders of the White Lotus could not help but notice the very significant symbol of their bond that was tied around their arms.

"You okay?" Suki whispered to Orora as she climbed back behind her. The girl responded in a shrug, prompting Suki to pat her hand reassuringly where it was resting against her waist.

"Goodbye, everyone." Iroh said, his voice grave, and yet full of hope. "Today, destiny is our friend. I know it."

With a strange sounding screech, the eel-hound began to move. On the other side, with a familiar grumble, Appa thumped his tail against the ground before taking flight.

                                              ————————–

"Sorry Stevie." You sniffled, the alcohol in your system heightening your emotions as they ping ponged between adoration for your boyfriend, and guilt at having to wake him up. "You can pick me up next time." You promised, sitting up straight as your mind cleared slightly, though remained hazy. You tried to blink it away, to no avail.

"I'll be sure to do that sweetheart." Came his voice, warm and gentle as the door opened behind you. You turned, your phone still pressed to your ear as your eyes traveled up a pair of worn looking grey sweatpants, and a bare chest.

Which is where your eyes stalled.

Somewhere, you heard the call end, and a chuckle sounded as Steve crouched down in front of you. "Honey?" He called, waving his hand playfully in your face.

You blinked and suddenly the mouth-watering, kissable, bare chest was replaced by the equally kissable face of your boyfriend.

A bright smile pulled at your lips as you threw your arms around him with a cry of his name.

Now Steve was a super-soldier, which meant that he was very good with physical acts. However, when one is balancing on his toes, and his drunk girlfriend all but hurls herself at him at three in the morning, anyone would fall flat on their back. His arms came up to wrap around you, bracing you to his chest as his back met the cold marble floor of the main hallway. You were kicking your feet in the air, giggling as you nuzzled your face in his neck.

Steve was a little distracted, pushing the door shut with his foot, once he had made sure you were both safely inside. The door clicked shut, and a beep sounded as the alarm slipped into place automatically. With that done, Steve turned his attention back to you, where your face was still hidden against his neck.

Smiling slightly, he tilted his head down to press a kiss to the top of your head. "How was the party?" He asked, not at all bothered by the hard floor underneath as he cradled you to him. You sighed, the warm exhale brushing against his skin. "I drank a lot." You admitted in a whisper, as if you were telling him something secret.

Steve hummed. "Doesn't seem like it. You're not acting anymore unusual then you normally are." A half-truth. While you were serious and had a game face that could rivals Nick Fury's when it came to working with SHIELD, Steve had learned long ago that you left that version of yourself at work. Something rather hard to do with the line of work you both shared. He certainly had difficulty.

Maybe that was one of the reasons he was so drawn to you from the start. That you were able to just be yourself, without letting the ugliness of the world effect it. Sure there were bad days. You had them. He had them more then you. But that was normal.

What mattered was getting through those bad days, and looking forward to the next good one.

Lost in thought, Steve didn't notice how you had shifted, moving your forearms to rest across his chest, bringing your chin to press atop them as you observed him in the dim light of the hallway. When his thought bubble finally popped his gaze shifted towards you.

Only to be taken aback by the sheer look of intense concentration that creased your features.

There was a significant height different between the both of you, so seeing him at eye level was always a delight for you.

He had only ever seen you make that face when you were going through statistics. Though with the way you kept blinking your eyes, still trying to fight the haziness from the alcohol, you looked cute.

"What?" He asked, unable to help the smile that formed on his lips because honestly, when you looked that adorable, it was hard not to smile.

You tilted your head, your legs stilling as they came to a rest in between his slightly parted legs. "Nothing." You shook your head. "Just thinking how ridiculously handsome you are."

Steve chuckled, and you could feel the laugh as it vibrated in his chest, a sensation that had you smiling because, well, you loved to hear him laugh. "Thanks Doll." He said, reaching up to push back several strands of your hair that had come to frame your face when you had jumped at him.

He watched, surprised, as your cheeks slowly flushed with color. "Stop calling me that." You whined, hiding your face in his chest, squeezing your eyes shut as you did. "What? Doll?" He asked, curious why you would react that way. You peeked up with one eye, and gave a nod. He raised an eyebrow. "Why?" Maybe he was missing some social cue or something?

"Because it makes me love you even more which is stupid because I already love you so much."

Steve blinked, his mind stalling briefly, before replaying what you had just said. "You...what?" He asked, his voice hoarse, as if words failed him. And for someone who was known for giving heartfelt and uplifting speeches, it was a rather new feeling.

You frowned, looking confused as you slowly slid back to sit on the floor. Steve followed after you, sitting up, your gazes never once wavering. The new position put you between his legs.

"It's just, when you call me Doll, it reminds me that you're not from here." You began, your hand reaching out to trace your finger along his jaw. "That you're a man out of time. And that only reminds me of everything that you have missed. A whole life you left behind, people you loved, people you sacrificed. Just because you didn't want thousands of innocents to die."

Your gaze never wavered from his gorgeous blue eyes as you continued, your hand simply resting against the side of his cheek as you did. "And after all that, despite the war you had initially fought in being over, you're still fighting to make the world a better place. A safer place." You lifted your shoulders in a shrug in a helpless manner.

"So yeah, I may be a little bit tipsy." You brought your thumb and forefinger together to indicate how much. "And I know it's stupid, but when you call me Doll it reminds me that you are this selfless, kind, sometimes clueless, ridiculously loyal, stupid brave and just amazing man." You shook your head, before you leaned forward, your arms wrapping around his shoulders, your forehead pressed against his as you sighed in utter contentment, as if his very presence brought you comfort. Which it did.

"How could I not fall in love?"

To say he was taken aback would be an understatement. Because really, what Steve was feeling in that moment could not be described. He simply sat there, stunned, his arms having come up to hold you. His heart was pounding in his chest, and a strange warmth that he had not felt in a long time, unfurled in his chest, slowly spreading through the rest of his body, prompting him to smile, one arm tightening around your waist. His hand gently pressed under your chin, slowly tilting it up, watching as your pretty eyes fluttered open.

You smiled at him.

"And here I thought." He began, pausing as he cleared his throat before continuing. "That I was setting myself up for heartbreak with how quickly I was falling for you."

Your mouth parted, words already forming on your tongue. He pressed a gentle finger to your lips, shushing you teasingly. "You gotta let me finish Doll." His smiled widened in delight at the flush that crept along your cheeks. Just as you had done to him, his hand cradled your cheek.

"It took me awhile to find friends in this new world, but I always felt like I was missing something." He chuckled softly. "And then I met you at Tony's party. You were just standing there, laughing. And I heard that laugh and I found myself thinking I wanna hear that laugh again." Your lips pulled in a smile, as you gently nuzzled against his warm palm.

"Since the day I met you, everyday I get up eager to see you. To be around you. And then we started going out and I thought I was the luckiest guy in the world. But then you proposed that we move in together, and I just couldn't believe my luck, that I got to wake up next to you." Whatever wordless stupor your confession had put him in, clearly he had jolted himself out of it with the way he was talking now. You could feel the sting of tears behind your eyes as you sniffled.

One of the tears escaped, trailing down your cheek where it was brushed away by a tender swipe of his thumb. "You are my light Y/N." He leaned his forehead against yours, just as you had done a few moments ago. "It was so easy for me to fall in love with you."

A laugh escaped you, mixed with a sob that was muffled as you pressed your lips to his in quick kisses. You felt his smile as you continued to kiss him, barely allowing him the chance to get the last few words out as you continued to shower him with affection.

"Wait. Wait. Will you even remember all of this tomorrow?" He finally managed to ask, laughing to himself at the appalled look on your face, before you frowned at him. "I may be drunk Steve, but I doubt I'll forget your words." Suddenly you grinned. "You should've been a poet! You're really good with words." Steve rolled his eyes as he smiled at you. "Why don't we continue this conversation while we're not sitting on the cold floor?" He suggested, already moving to stand up, grasping your hand and gently pulling you up as well.

Not wanting to be away from him, even for a moment, you made an innocent face at him, one that you had perfected once you realized how much of a sucker he was for it. "Carry me?"

Steve knew exactly what you were doing, but that didn't stop him from obliging. A quick chuckle from him, before he wrapped an arm around your waist, with the other tucked under your knees as he lifted you up easily.

"Remembered you were drunk?" He asked, smiling as you made yourself comfortable in his arms, sighing in content. "Hey, when one has a super-soldier for a boyfriend, one should take advantage of the situation."

"And what if I was still my old skinny self?"

"Then I would carry you, obviously."

The two of you continued to bicker and tease, throwing quips and playful taunts as he carried you up the stairs to your shared bed.

It was normal, it was routine. Yet there was more to it then what it had been before.

Every smile meant more.

Every sweet nothing whispered left an imprint on both your souls.

Every touch lingered with an intention that had two hearts beating in unison.

And every kiss?

You blinked, not having expected his call. Nevertheless you pressed the accept icon, a soft smile gracing your features as the familiar face of the First Officer filled your screen. "Mr. Spock." You greeted, as you shifted to lie down on your back rather then your side. "Ms. Y/N." He greeted back, with as much eloquence as was becoming of a Vulcan.

Well, half-vulcan.

"Dr. McCoy sent me a rather concerning message. One ascertaining to your need of medical assistance." Even through the screen, you could see his eyes observing you. An act that would unnerve most people but allowed you to see the careful way he considered your face to try and discern the cause of your need to ask for medical assistance.

Your frowned in confusion. "Why did McCoy forward the message to you?" You asked, to which Spock's response came quickly. "He is currently occupied elsewhere, and asked me to check on you." The First Officer informed you. Closing your eyes, you heaved a deep sigh, wincing when the stretch to your lungs had another cramp frying your nerves.

"What is wrong, Y/N?" Came Spock's question, his sharp gaze catching the minuscule shift in your facial muscles when you reacted to the pain. Sighing once more, albeit only slightly, you shook your head as you slowly sat up.

"I just wanted to ask for some painkillers. My cramps are especially bad today." You informed him, to which his brows furrowed in a slight frown. "Why would you be experiencing cramps? Did you happen to pull your muscles during a training session? Though I do not recall you training yesterday."

You shook your head again. "These cramps aren't from training." You reassured him. You bit your lower lip, before reaching the decision you had been battling with. "Remember what I told you about last month? About human women having a rather bad week every month." You watched the frown crease his forehead as he recalled what you had told him, before he gave a firm nod. "I understand. You are experiencing your menstrual cycle."

A small laugh left your lips. "I still cannot get over you saying that without reacting as most men do." You said, your smile widening slightly before you nodded. "Yes, I am experiencing it." You flinched. "Very painfully I should add." You said through slightly gritted teeth before you shook your head.

"And you wish to take the pain medication to try and alleviate the pain from the cramps." Spock asked, saying the words almost cautiously, as if even his voice could cause you pain.

You nodded. "Just ask McCoy to send some. Heavy on the sedative. I'll try to sleep it off." You said, closing your eyes and completely missing the way the Science Officer looked concerned for a split second.

There was silence on Spock's end, prompting you to open your eyes and blink at him. "Spock?" You called out, thinking that perhaps the connection had lagged.

The man simply nodded. "I shall see what I can do." The call ended, leaving you a little confused, but you brushed off the feeling as you set the PADD aside and buried yourself back into your nest of warm blankets and soft pillows.

Only to raise your head from where you had laid it down, not even twenty minutes later, as the door to your living quarters slid open and the First Officer entered, holding a large tray.

"Wh-what're you doing here?" You asked, your legs sliding off the bed as you moved to stand up. Spock walked through the threshold, the door sliding shut behind him as he quickly set the tray on your desk, coming to lay a gentle hand on your shoulder just as you had pressed your knuckles into the soft bedding to help push you up to stand.

You paused. "Stay in bed Y/N." He urged, his voice gentle. A trait that was rather uncharacteristic of him. However, when it came to you, he had begun to show his emotions a little more openly.

Obeying him with a sound of slight confusion, you pulled your legs back up to sit cross legged at the edge of the bed, watching him as he walked back to the tray and picked it up again, bringing it to your bed and setting it down next to you.

"After our talk last month I went ahead and did a little research." Spock began, watching as your eyes widened at the rather impressive display that decorated the serving tray. "And I made a list of things that have been proven to help with the pain. Though I was made aware, recently, that effects and preferences varies from female to female, so I took some liberty with a few items."

You barely heard his explanation. Your attention was caught by the tray that held a cup of still steaming tea, the aroma smelling faintly of ginger and was that chamomile? Then there was an entire slab of dark chocolate. A bottle of painkillers. What looked to be several bottles of essential oils, one of which you picked up to investigate further. Small patches of pain relevant that McCoy used for minor bruises.

It was then that you noticed that Spock had stopped talking. Your gaze lifted to find him looking at you from where he stood beside your bed. Over the past few months, you had gotten rather good at reading even the minuscule of facial and posture shifts that he could never hide. And you could see the slight apprehension in the way his hands were hanging by his sides, his fingers clenched slightly. The way his gaze never wavered from yours as he tried to read you, to conclude if what he had done was a success or not.

You couldn't help but smile, reaching out to take his hand and grip his fingers. "This was so thoughtful of you Spock." You said. "Thank you."

Immediately the fingers of his other hand unfurled and the corner of his lips pulled up in a slight smile as he nodded. "You are welcome Y/N. Now would you prefer to take a warm bath or will another heating pad suffice?" He asked, his gaze darting to the one that you had set aside earlier.

Pulling him down with a tug so he could sit opposite you, you took the still warm tea and took a sip, humming softly at the warmth that coated your mouth, and the aroma that seemed to relax you even further. "Actually," You glanced at him over the rim of the cup. "I have another idea. You might have come across it in your research, or you might not have. It depends on what you have read."

His brow creased in an inquisitive frown as he gestured for you to continue. "What did you have in mind?"

You smiled.

----------------

"This did come up in a few articles but there doesn't seem to have been a lot of research on it."

"Probably because women wouldn't want to discuss something so private with other people."

"Understandable, it does feel rather........intimate."

You smiled where your head resting against your pillow, feeling his arm wrapped around your abdomen, better then any hot water bottle in your opinion. His bare chest pressed against your back, and you could feel the faint brush of his nose against your neck from where you had pushed your hair out of the way so it wouldn't bother him. Your legs were tangled with his underneath the blanket.

The sudden comfort of it made you want to bury further into your now even more cozy nest, prompting you to let out a sigh.

"Judging from your reaction, am I correct in assuming the painkillers have taken effect?" His voice came from behind you, his warm breath brushing against your skin. You clenched your shoulders slightly to keep from shuddering at the enticement of it. "It's not just the pills." You admitted, before slowly shifting as you turned to your side so you were facing him.

His ever observant eyes didn't leave your face as you smiled at him. "Having you close? And being so attentive and bringing me all those things." You gestured towards the tray which now held the empty mug, and the now opened chocolate bar. The painkillers and essential oils had been put away for later use. "It made me happy." You admitted, playfully bumping your nose with his.

You saw his eyes light up, the spark that always came to life when he understood something. "When a person is happy it releases endorphins, which elevates a person's mood and physical health as well." He narrated what he had read during his research.

"Exactly." You agreed, to which he nodded. "Then I suppose I will have to be at your service every month to help you." He stated with such conviction that you blinked, slightly taken aback by the determination in his eyes. "Spock, you don't have to neglect your duties for me." You said, to which he shook his head. "It is not about neglecting my duties Y/N. I wish to help." He said, pausing briefly before adding. "It is a privilege to take care of you now that we are courting."

Despite the blush that colored your cheeks, and traveled all the way down to shoulders, you couldn't help but laugh. "You can just say we're going out Spock. It's what the cool kids say." You chuckled as you reached out to grasp his hand, bringing it up to press your lips to his fingers.

"And by cool kids, I presume you mean Jim." He responded with a teasing smile, which had you rolling your eyes, smiling as you watched him reciprocate the kiss to your own fingers, before leaning forward and pressing his forehead against yours.

Unable to help yourself, your head tilted forward, closing the last few breath of space between his lips and yours. The kiss was tender and unhurried, a rarity since both your jobs barely allowed you the chance to take your time and savor each other.

You felt his lips move against yours, your hand sliding up to gently rest against his chest while his arm tightened around your waist, pulling you closer. There was no notion of taking the kiss any further, it was a simple press of lips against lips, yet it carried the affection, care and gratitude that you both had for one another.