Vall_Y

In which Genji gives into his dark desires.

tags: NSFW, fem reader? (Genji calls them good girl, pretty girl, etc. but I don't think any pronouns are used idk), knife play, rough! sex, a thing for tears, unprotected sex, filthy, dark, and dirty, "Run, and if I catch you, I fuck you"

A/N: i'm surprised I wrote this as fast as I did, but it combines some of my favorite tropes. It is also a bit darker than some of my previous works, but I do still hope you all enjoy this <3

Genji shouldn’t like this. He knows he shouldn’t, but some dark, depraved part of him adores the way your tears stain your cheeks. You sob so pretty. He’s sure it’d be even prettier if you were sobbing for him. 

“I hate you!” You scream out, the words slicing through the air. You don’t mean them, not even close. Genji doesn’t even flinch at your cruelness. In fact, his mask shifts in a way that almost looks like he smiled. He doesn’t move out of the chair in his room that the two of you are in, but you keep pacing through the room. 

“I know you do,” he says softly. You two had been on a mission together, and you ended up taking the fall for something that was both of your faults. You did it without hesitation, knowing Genji would be kicked out if he fucked up again. And yet, the vicious reprimands from Reyes still stung at your heart. You have always been good, almost perfect, at your job, and it’s something that you take pride in. 

“I told you not to take the fall,” Genji says. You bite out a chuckle, a humorless sound suffocated by tears.

“And what? Let you get kicked out?” You sigh, letting your tears fall again. It shouldn’t sting your pride this much to be yelled at, but it does. 

Genji watches your movements, entranced at your puffy cheeks and red face. You’re a tight ball of sadness and frustration, but your tears look so beautiful. A part of him wants to go to Reyes and break his nose for making you cry, but another part of him wants to bend you over and make you cry for him, the only thing you should cry for. The image in his head is enough to have him hardening in his pants, still in his Blackwatch uniform. He wonders if other parts of your body look this pretty when they’re red. 

A tinge of guilt radiates through his body. He shouldn’t be thinking like this. He knows he shouldn’t, but you seem to take over him. Since the accident, he has had hardly any desire for anybody, but you’re different. Sick thoughts, ones of making you breathless and begging, take over his mind. He wonders if you’d like it rough or if you’d like it soft and gentle, like a lover. He could do both, be both, if that’s what you wanted. 

“Stop looking at me like that,” you mutter when you notice his dark eyes tracing your body. It’s a look you can’t quite decode, and that drives you insane.

“Why not?” Genji’s voice is soft and breathy, and it sends chills along your skin. His eyes slowly drag back to your face, and the look in his eyes makes the hair on the back of your neck stand. It’s dark, twisted, hungry. 

“I don’t know what it means,” you breathe out softly. Genji takes in a sharp breath as your eyes meet his. Yours are still glossy from tears and the sight goes straight to his cock. Maybe it’s best that you don’t know what it means. Maybe it’s best you don’t know he’s thinking about how pretty you would look crying while you come around his cock. He should be more ashamed that he’s getting hard by your sobs, but he isn’t.

“You don’t want to know what it means,” he says. He’s teetering on the edge of pushing you against the wall and pressing his lips to yours. You face him and square your shoulders, eyes narrowing. 

“I think I do,” you say. He’s always been alluring to you, but nothing that you would act on. He seems tortured, like he needs to be the one to make the first move. You spent countless nights hoping he would do just that, but never had your wishes fulfilled. Your heartbeat picks up at the thought of him wanting you. Is that what that look is? “I’m having…twisted thoughts about you,” he says his words carefully, his dark eyes scanning your entire face for your reaction. Your eyes widen slightly in surprise. Twisted?

“Twisted how?” You ask, taking a step forward.

Genji’s resolve snaps when he sees you step toward him instead of away when he says he’s having thoughts. He stands quickly and closes the distance between the two of you. You don’t back away, and that has his skin burning. He needs to touch you. 

“I want to fuck more tears out of you,” Genji says as he stands over you. He’s not incredibly tall, but his presence fills the entire room, leaving it thick with tension and desire. You look at him, feeling heat spread across your body under his gaze.

You smile. 

You fucking smile. The motion has Genji hardening even more. His pretty little thing likes it rough, hm? Oh, he’ll show you rough.

“Tell me to stop, and it ends,” he says, before he leans down and presses a soft kiss against your neck. You shake your head. You’re not stopping him.

“Ten seconds, pretty girl. You get ten seconds. Run, and if I catch you, I’ll fuck you so hard that all those tears will be mine,” he says against your skin. 

“You-” You start, but your words get caught in your throat. Genji gives you just enough time to say no, and you couldn’t even dream of that. You want this, him, badly. 

“Ten.”

He’s serious. Any questions you had in the back of your mind are lost and you turn to the door. You sprint out of it, leaving it swinging behind you. You hear him chuckle softly as he continues counting down. Your heart beats hard as you run through the base’s hallways, but the heat spreading to your core makes it hard to focus. It’s late enough that the hallways are completely empty. You distantly hear his countdown get closer to zero, and you scramble for ideas. You can’t outrun him. He’s faster and stronger, but maybe you could hide. You dart past a few more doors before you reach your room and sneak in, forgetting to close the door behind you. He reached zero a few seconds ago and you can hear his footsteps approaching. He usually moves in silence, so you know he wants you to hear each step he makes. You duck into your closet, closing the door behind you. Surely he won’t find you, right? Though, do you really want him to not find you? The footsteps get closer, and you take a sharp intake and watch through the barely there crack in your closet doors. Genji stands in your bedroom doorway, shaking his head. 

“Oh, pretty little thing, don’t you know to cover your tracks?” He says softly, stepping into the room and pulling the door shut behind himself. He clicks the lock on it, and you hold your breath as he starts to pace the room. He checks the bathroom first, then around the room, until he looks at the closet. Your heart stops as you swear the two of you make eye contact through the crack in the door. He steps towards you, yanking the closet door open. His head tilts as he sees you, and you take your lip in between your teeth. 

“Gotcha,” he says, and you have a feeling he’s smiling under the mask. He reaches out to you, taking a handful of your hair and pulling you out of the closet. His grip is tight, and the slight pain only builds the heat in you. You whimper in his hold, letting him stare down at you. 

He uses his other hand to pull the mask down, then uses his tight grip in your hair to push you closer to him. There’s a moment of hesitation, where he loosens his grip enough to let you push him away. You don’t, instead closing the distance and pressing your lips against his. His kiss is hungry, desperate, feral, and you devour it. He pulls on your hair enough to cause you to let out a soft gasp, which he uses to his advantage to gain access to your mouth. His tongue takes over yours, like a man starved. You whimper against the kiss, his roughness only making you wetter. 

Genji pulls away, his grip gone from your hair. You whine at the lack of any sort of contact, but your eyes widen when he unsheathes one of his blades. It’s a shorter one, nowhere near as long as his sword, but it’s still a blade. There’s a wicked glimmer in his eyes and he looks into yours, an eyebrow raised, as he throws the knife. The blade plants deeply into the hardwood, the handle out. You watch in confusion as Genji sits in your armchair, just a few inches from where he planted the blade. It sticks out in between his feet, and you frown. What is he doing?

“Ride it,” he says, leaning back in the chair. Your mouth hangs open. He wants you to… “Ride my blade,  pretty girl.”

There’s a challenge in his tone, his dark eyes watching you. Heat rises through your body at the thought of him watching you ride one of his knives, and your sex riddled brain makes the decision. You pull your pants down slowly, your wet underwear sticking to your core for a brief second. Genji’s eyes narrow in on that, and you can’t help the smile as he watches you. If he’s going to tease you, you’re going to do it right back. You drop to your knees by the blade, leaning down and taking as much of the handle in your mouth as you can. Genji groans at the sight, but doesn’t intervene. You continue to wet the handle with your saliva, running your tongue up and down the base. You glance up at him through your eyelashes, and he has to shift in his chair. He could touch himself now, but he’s holding back. 

Once the handle is wet enough, you rise and position your hips over it. You sink down onto it slowly, whining as the hard material stretches you. It’s only a few inches, but it’s thick and sturdy, and you need any sort of touch right now. Genji watches you with intent, his eyes on where you and his blade are connected. You take all of it in and sigh, letting yourself adjust to the size. 

Your shirt hangs low on you, and as you start to move up and down the blade, it falls in front of you. Genji growls, upset that his view is being blocked, and another one of his blades is quickly unsheathed. He moves with expert grace and precision, slicing through the material. The shreds of your shirt drop to the ground around you, your bra also in shambles. You shudder as he presses the blade against your throat, using it to tilt your head up. You swallow, feeling the blade against your skin. You’re not in any true danger with him. He’s an expert with blades, and you know you won’t be cut unless it’s intentional. 

“Look at me while you read my blade, baby,” he says. You nod, not trusting yourself to form words, and he lets the blade fall away. You’re close enough to touch him, so you brace yourself on his thighs as you start to move up and down on the handle of his knife. You whimper softly as you take it all over and over again, your nails digging into his thighs. It stretches you so nicely, and the fact that it’s a knife, his knife, makes you even wetter. This is a blade he has taken on more missions than you can count, and here you are riding it while he watches. 

“Does it feel good?” Genji asks above you. 

“So…good,” you say. He reaches to your chest, grabbing your nipples and rolling them between his fingers. A sharp whine sounds from your throat when he pinches both of them, and you clench around the blade. 

“Genji, please,” you mutter. You need more. 

“Please what?” Genji says, pinching so hard that it starts to hurt. The pain mixes with the pleasure, creating a delicious building heat. You’re so close, but you need more. 

“More…” you shudder out, your orgasm building as you continue to ride the blade. “Please. More. I need-”

Your voice catches in your throat when he leans forward and reaches in between you. His metal fingers graze your clit softly, and you buck your hips toward his hand. A light burns in his dark eyes. He pushes into your clit harder, rubbing circles into it. The motion, the blade, all of it has you falling apart. Your head falls into his lap, but his other hand balls your hair into his fist and pulls you back up. 

“You’re going to look at me while you come on my blade,” he commands. His dark eyes are full of hunger and it sends chills down your spine. You start to snap something back, but he pushes down on your clit. The sensations overcome you and you scream out his name as your orgasm rocks through you. Your head starts to sway from the strength of it, your eyes seeing stars, and Genji lets you rest your head in his lap to regain yourself for a few seconds. 

“Can’t wait to kill somebody with that blade knowing what you did to it,” he says, softly petting your hair. You clench around it. Perhaps it’s sick, dark, twisted, to be so attracted to the thought of him using the blade that’s currently several inches deep into you to kill somebody. If it is, then you are sick as well. 

“You’re going to use this blade after this?” You find yourself asking. 

“Of course. It’s my favorite blade now,” Genji says. He lifts your head up softly, cupping your cheeks. “Can you go for another one?”

It’s a stark contrast to the depraved roughness, but you nod. You want more, need more. 

“That’s my girl,” he whispers, his thumb running along your cheek. He helps you off the knife and stand up, even if it’s only briefly, before he pushes you down onto your bed. You land softly, and he’s on top of you quickly. He brings his lips to yours, peppering a soft kiss on them. He pulls back and you whimper at the loss of contact. 

“That desperate, hm?” He smiles as he stands. He pulls his sheathes off, letting all of his gear drop to the floor around him. 

“Don’t tease me,” you beg. Genji just smirks at you. He pulls his shirt over his head and drops it to the floor. His lithe frame is intoxicating, his lean muscles flexing as he moves. You could watch it for hours, but you know Genji has other plans for you. 

He hooks his fingers into his waistband, pulling his pants and boxers down. Your mouth waters at the sight. He’s certainly bigger than the handle of the blade, and flesh. Your core clenches at the sight, and he lets you look your fill.

“Nobody has looked at me like that since the accident,” Genji says softly, a laugh sounding through the air.

“You’re beautiful,” you say, and you hope it sounds as genuine as it is. “Truly.”

“Ah, don’t stroke my ego,” Genji says as he leans back over you. You start to say something back, but his lips connect with one of your nipples and it has you gasping. He chuckles against your skin, pressing his tongue against your nipple. You moan out his name, but it’s more of a  plea than anything else. You need him. 

“You sound so pretty,” he says. 

“Please, Genji, don’t tease me,” you whisper out in between soft breaths. He shakes his head, his dark hair tickling your chest. 

“I’ll do as I please, baby,” he looks up at you, keeping his eyes on yours as he takes your other nipple into his mouth. He takes it in between his teeth and the ragged feeling has your back arching into him. He reaches down in between the two of you, and you gasp as he drags his fingers along your core. The touch is gone as soon as it was there, and you squirm under him at the loss of contact. He brings his fingers up to his mouth,  dipping them behind his lips and sucking you off of them. 

“Fucking incredible,” he says. You hold his dark gaze, and you know you look pathetic.

“I need you inside me. Please,” you whimper out. Genji snarls, actually snarls, and pulls away from you. He’s back on you almost immediately, lining himself up at your entrance. He sinks into you slowly, the room filling with soft moans from both of you. His hands grip your hips tightly, tight enough that it hurts, but your brain is too focused on the feelings he’s giving you now. Hell, you like the pain. 

“God, you’re so fucking perfect,” he says as he pushes further in. He stretches you so perfectly, the sting melding with the pleasure. He barely gives you any time to adjust before he’s pulling back and thrusting back in. You scream out, your hand balling up the blanket under you. 

“You look so good like this. At my fucking mercy, pretty girl.” His vulgar words mixed with the praise has you clenching around him, which makes a sick smile appear on his features. He’s got you in the palm of his hand, and he knows it. His metal hand finds its way to your clit, rubbing circles in it, rougher as he thrusts in. Your back arches into him at the combined sensations, and he uses the opportunity to press a soft kiss against your throat. You fall back, heat starting to build in your stomach. 

“Genji,” you say softly.

“I know, baby,” is all he replies. He keeps working you with both his cock and his hand, until you’re whimpering and falling apart under his touch. Your orgasm rattles over with you a force unmatched by anything you’ve experienced before. Your vision dots with black as you scream out his name. He continues thrusting into you, continues rubbing on your clit, continues his harsh grip on your hip. The overstimulation makes your body shake, and tears start to prick your eyes. One of them falls down your cheek and you go to wipe it away, but Genji’s hand catches your wrist.

“Let me see those tears, pretty girl,” he says. You nod, and he releases your wrist. Your hands somehow find their way to his back, and you dig your nails in hard as he continues to overstimulate you. You know your nails are probably hurting him, but he doesn’t say anything. Tears pour out of your eyes now, tracing the lines they made earlier. 

“You’re doing so good for me,” Genji mutters, his voice raspy. You look past your teary eyes to see him, his dark hair falling over his face. You reach to him, cupping his face and running your finger along one of the bigger scars. The gesture is tender, and it catches him off guard, but he loves the way you look at him. His thrusts start to get sloppy, and you can tell he’s getting close. Another tear falls out of your eye as your body reaches another climax. It rocks through you and has you clenching down on his cock, which is enough to send him over the edge. You keep clenching around him as he goes through his orgasm, his head falling to the crook of your neck. 

It takes the both of you a bit to calm down enough to move. He moves first, pulling away enough to kiss the tears along your skin. You smile softly at him. He’s the perfect mix of dark, twisted desires and soft, gentle love. He eventually helps you get cleaned up and gets you some water to drink before pulling you into bed with him. He cradles you so gently, his hand running along your hair as you rest your head against his chest. Your hand traces connection between metal and skin, sleep starting to take over. 

“Thank you for taking care of me,” you say softly. Your voice sounds groggy with sleep.

miks x gekko

I have a new favorite ship..

sketch miks

(Handsome men who are completely crazy but completely hot😏)

I NEED ZUKO FICS NOWWW PLEASE

i need this Back since his back now ima need all of you to wake up

IM SO HAPPY THE AVATAR FANDOM HAS BEEN REVIVED

Synopsis... While on vacation at Ember Island, your two best friends discover that you struggle with low self-esteem, and decide to cheer you up in the best way.

Pairing: Sokka x reader x Zuko

Warnings: Smut MDNI; FEM!Reader; threesome; size kink grrr; cervíx kíssing; p in v; pet names, swéaring; matíng presses; multiple positions; oral (m & f receiving), kissing both Zuko and Sokka; If you squint, the characters have a crush on the reader; dirty talk; fingering pssy; unprotected s; tummy bulges; creampiess; hEADLOCKS; hair pulling; squirting. —this is for the girls, the bi and their wifes (reader).

[ 🌸 ] brrr--my spirit animal is Toph because she also fall in love with the hot guy

Firelord Zuko x reader

Chapter 7: Fire Lilies

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Summary: He is still willing to do everything right.

A/n: ugh idiots in love. And sorry for so many time skips again! And I hate the title again😓

3.6k words

—***—

DAY 7

"So where is she….?" Sokka whispered.

Zuko's friends, Aang, Katara, Toph and Sokka were previously and personally invited to his wedding. He sent the letter a week ago, saying that he 'can't wait' and hoped his friends would be there to celebrate.

"She's not here," Toph deadpans.

Katara turns to Azalea. "What happened?"

Azalea stares ahead, "Maybe you should ask him yourself," she replies, looking at the group. "I brought you here early to help make things right. He needs you, but more importantly, he needs her. And he can't do that without a little nudge."

They all turned back to watch Zuko, who sat on the bench, holding something in his hands with a glum expression. Aang smiles softly. "let's go see what he needs."

The group walks over to Zuko, though he does not move an inch. He knows his friends are there but feels no hope if they can help his heartache.

Sokka is the first to sit down next to him. "Watcha got there, flameo?" Sokka looks at Zuko's hands and finds a broken pendant, now two pieces.

Zuko remained silent for a moment, simply in a daze. "It's her pendant."

"Your bride-to-be?" Toph guessed.

"Yes." Zuko nods.

Katara places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You can tell us what's going on Zuko. We're here for you." she smiles.

Zuko looks at her and sighs. "Fine… it all started…"

He told them from start to finish. From when he first met you, from when you last left him. The same place, around the same time. His heart breaks with each passing second whenever he says your name or just talking about you in general. He was losing it, spiraling knowing he's just sitting here doing nothing but venting his previous events.

"And now she's gone…" Zuko brings your pendant close to his chest.

"Wow…" Sokka sighs sadly. "That's rough buddy, OW—" he whips his head towards Katara, glaring at her.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! You make it seem like she died!" Katara shouts.

"You're lucky that I can't burn you up or else my work here would go to waste," Zuko mumbles in frustration. But he relaxes after some time. "What should I do?"

"Uh, you know? Go after her!" Sokka glares.

"But I hurt her feelings. I'm trying not to make it worse than it is…" Zuko replied, rubbing your pendant gently with his thumb. "Who she wants is Zuzu, not Zuko."

Toph blinked in surprise. "Wow, I'm surprised that you used that nickname. You used to hate being called that."

"Yeah well, now I do. I clearly can't take it when she calls me Zuko."

"Well she might not want you right now," Aang finally spoke. "Things like this take time. She needs to cool off before she's ready to face you again."

Katara agrees. "If you love her, you'll wait until she's ready. Because now it's her choices that matter. What she wants."

"But what should I do in the meantime? I can barely go into the meeting room now since all they ever talk about is finding someone else." Zuko huffs.

Toph uses her earth bending skills to pick up your pendant. "You can start by fixing this." She smirks.

—***—

A/n: Some songs to choose from for this very moment. Steady by Bella Kay, ghostin by Ariana Grande, Do I wanna Know (Hozier cover), ummm… your favorites! But I suggest Steady or Ghostin bc omg I saw this remix of these two songs and they literally speak for these two idiots in love.

Although it was the next day, you remained in your room this entire time. You haven't left it since yesterday after you raced home, having your father send a servant over for your clothes and food.

You didn't want to talk to anyone, though you never talked to many people to begin with. And you haven't told your father about what happened for the past 7 days. Great. Just great—

You heard the sound of a carriage, horses, a huge crowd and your mother banging on your door. "(Y/n) get dressed now! The Firelord is here!" She panics.

She couldn't believe it. The Firelord is asking for your presence. Though you can, cause you know that prick loves you.

You groaned in frustration, putting the covers over your head. "Tell him to go away!"

"You are asking for death with that attitude!" She growls in anger. "I don't know what he wants, but you better get your butt out of this room and greet him or else I'll burn you and your little room to the ground, you unforgivable useless of a child—"

—***—

Zuko places a few bits of gold into a stone cup before using his hand to melt the gold into bright yellow liquid. Before this, he made sure to put your broken pendant into a mold, holding it in place.

Once the gold is fully melted, he brings the cup and pours it into the mold. The heat around him got too intense, so he takes off his sleeveless shirt, now only in his red pants. His hair is in a bun, his bangs sticking to his forehead due to the sweat he produced.

Toph recommended fixing your pendant, but he wanted to prove something. He wanted to prove that he can do anything for you, even if it means learning or doing something new just for you. He was willing to, to win you back. So he refused Toph, including his own skilled blacksmiths and jewelry repair techs.

His friends said he was doing too much. But he thought otherwise, he still has the world to give to you.

His body glistened with sweat and grime as he took out your pendant that now had gold in the middle into a cool bucket of water. It sizzled and cooled off before he quickly moved onto the next step. He needed to saw parts off, sand it down, shape it to fit the circular shape, and to polish to make it shine.

two hours later, he rubbed the final product a few more times, before putting it up to the sun. He smiles softly at his friends. "What do you think?" he asked, showing it to them. It was like seeing a child give a drawing to their parent.

"It's beautiful!"

"She'll love it!"

"Oh you're so gonna win her heart back!"

"What they said," Toph shrugs, chuckling.

He smiles like a puppy has finally gotten his treat. He starts walking past them, already enthusiastic and hopeful. "Now I just gotta… get some fresh flowers and I'll be off—"

"Woah woah woah!" Sokka stops him, waving his hands. "You're gonna leave like that?!"

"I don't have any more time to waste, Sokka! I have to see her," Zuko defends.

"No! No no no!" Sokka shakes his head. "Not like that though!"

Toph starts to burst out in laughter. "She's not going to want you back if you smell like shit!" She points at Zuko.

Zuko glared at all them, seeing them trying not to laugh. "Fine."

After he got showered, Azalea provided him with newly sewed clothes. The outfit is a current trend that is supposed to help men get more female attention, quoted by Azalea herself. Even though, he was handsome enough, it was just for good measure.

Then his friends escorted him and Azalea to the carriage, where they will be riding their way to your house. He holds the bouquet of fire lilies, using your pendant to tie them up together. He clutches the bouquet gently, while sitting across Azalea. "You know what to say?" she asked. "You need to be fully before for this moment. Wants you or not, you need to understand her decision."

Zuko nods, a determined look on his face. "Yes, I'm ready…." he pauses for a moment, before admitting something. "But I still won't marry anyone… there's no one like her and I would rather waste my life without her than with any other woman."

The carriage ride was filled with silence. What swam in Zuko's mind was the many possibilities, the outcomes and the scenarios. But he only has one cause to give, that is to show the world his determination and devotion to you.

And if this nation were to harass you after you reject him, he'll do all he can to keep you safe. Even if it means, he has to stay away from you as well. His people would start to consider you their nation's unmarried queen in the end.

When he arrived to your house, your parents were already waiting outside. Probably from his grand carriage that was afar, made them realize he was coming this way.

Your father was calm, like he knew Zuko would arrive. And as for your mother, she was paler than a ghost. Her face filled with disbelief and confusion. Like she's surprised that her own daughter had brought their Firelord to her house.

Zuko gets out of the carriage, with Azalea following close behind. He holds the fire lilies in his hand nervously, walking towards your parents. "Hello." he stops in front of them.

"Afternoon, my Lord." Your father bows.

Your mother bows as well, her eyes still wide. "Afternoon… my Lord."

Zuko could feel the tension already, but clears his throat. "Is your daughter home?" he asked.

Your mother whips her head back up. "Is her presence needed for you?"

"Yes, but I prefer to have our conversation private."

"I'll fetch her right away and doll her up, my lord." Your mother quickly leaves, leaving the three alone.

Your father glances at the crowd outside the gates of their home before looking back at Zuko. "My daughter came more disappointed than I thought."

Zuko's eyes widened in horror, bowing as an apology. "It wasn't my intention to hurt your daughter, sir."

"I don't know all the details. She came home without telling anyone anything." Your father frowned. "She's not someone who talks to many people, but as her father I would like to know what upsets her."

"She's is the winner but…. I don't think she wants to be," Zuko says sadly. "I've hurt her greatly and made her suffer."

"Whatever it is, fix it." Your father starts walking towards their home. "Come, I say you should come to her. Her mother isn't convincing enough to get her out of her room."

Zuko turns to Azalea, signaling her to wait near the carriage with the guards. He then follows your father into the house, where your room is at.

He heard the sounds of banging ruckus and shouting.

"Tell him to go away!" you said through your bedroom.

Zuko then moves faster behind your father, until they both see your mother banging on your bedroom door.

"You are asking for death with that attitude!" Your mother growls in anger. "I don't know what he wants, but you better get your butt out of this room and greet him or else I'll burn you and your little room to the ground, you unforgivable useless of a child—"

Your father clears his throat.

Your mother whips her head towards your father. "She—" she froze, seeing Zuko there. "My Lord, I—"

"Move away from the door," he orders, his face etched with irritation at her. He realized there that your mother is the reason for your insecurities. How could she treat her child like that? In impulse, she moves, now standing with her husband, who drags her away.

Now it was just you and him. The only thing blocking you two was the door or so, the heartache. Zuko walks to stand in front of the door, very close. He smelt your scent in that room. He doesn't even try opening the door, hence it's your choice if you even want to open up to him.

He inhales and then exhales, relaxing his muscles. "What I did was wrong," he states. "As the man you once loved, not your Firelord, I should've known better than to hide things from you."

He hears some shuffles in your room, probably still cooped up in your bed. He continues further. "I knew I had all this time, to hold you and tell you everything. To tell you that I'm someone else." He doesn't even try to defend himself. He smiles softly as he talks further, "But when I'm with you, it's hard to concentrate on the difficult things. We don't talk about war, finances, people's opinions or whatever the Counsels say… our focus was entirely on us."

He grips the bouquet of fire lilies, more nervous now. "The deeper we got, the more I didn't want it to end. Where I listen to you talk while I water the fire lilies. Everything in… our garden, was our sanctuary, our secret place to wind down." He quickly wiped a tear. "I just want to be your Zuzu, but I know I can't ask for anything back now."

He kneels to the floor, placing the bouquet of fire lilies and newly pendant at your door step before standing up. "I'm not asking for forgiveness…. I just want you to know that I'm truly sorry for what I've done." he adds another part. "As for the people, I'll make sure no harm comes your way. Not even your mother. If you wish I can have your mother cast out or have someone pick you up to live somewhere far, then so be it."

"A-and if…" His lips quivered, knowing he's not getting you back. "that's what you wish and you don't want to speak to me. Your father or anyone else can come to me and I'll answer them. You don't have to see or hear from me ever again."

He takes a step back, sniffing. "I'll be off now. Please keep yourself healthy and well, for your own sake." He turns and leaves.

He could've told you that he wasn't going to marry anyone else. But he didn't, he worried that it might put pressure on you to become his wife. So he didn't and left it at that.

He made his way down the stairs, walking past your parents. His footman opens the door of his carriage for him, also letting Azalea in. He remains silent in the carriage, while Azalea orders the rider to the Palace.

She turns back to see nothing but pain and longing on Zuko's face. She frowns sadly and gently places a hand over his. "You did your best."

He looks up at her. "I never felt like this for anyone else…. she struck me in just a few days." He laughs to cover up his sadness. "It's incredible, she's incredible…."

—***—

"You can't be serious! You rejected him?!" Your mother shouts in disbelief. "You could've been Queen!" She paces around your room, while you sat on your bed. Your hair is a mess, eyes puffy, and lips chapped.

Your father glares at her. "Aki! Stop yelling at her! You don't know what happened."

"I don't care what happened! For all I know, she decided to be an entitled brat!" Your mother spat out, staring at your father with much more hatred for taking your side. She then goes back to you, grabbing your clothes and lifting you up your feet. "You think you're above everyone else? Even the Lord himself?!"

Your eyes stayed almost lifeless. You didn't really care. You just wanted everyone to leave and leave you to rot—

You blinked for a moment, seeing something sparkle on the floor. What is that? You thought.

You keep your eyes on it while your father gets your mother's hands off you. They keep arguing, more focused on each other now while you're left alone.

You stood there, looking at your doorstep. It was your pendant wrapped around a bouquet of fire lilies. You picked it up, seeing the gold that held your pendant together now. You didn't even know it was broken.

Zuko must've— He must've—

Your shoulder shook, crying out of comfort. He did all of this to personally bring back your comfort. He knew that he couldn't provide it, but he knew that this will. Maybe something inside of you lifted your spirits up. Maybe the realization hit hard.

But for you knew, you needed to go after him.

Immediately, papers of your poetry flew around the place as you raced down the stairs, clutching onto the bouquet like your life depended on it. Which it did.

And for what mattered most is that he's trying his hardest to do everything right, for you. But you're not going after him because it would make you queen, but because you loved that man. And he proved himself enough already.

"Open the gates!" You order your servants. When it was just opening, you slide through quickly. With no shoes, but only yourself and the bouquet, you raced down the streets.

For once, you found something for yourself. A choice you can make without any pressure from anyone else.

You look from left to right, trying to find a large crowd following a luxurious carriage. You gasped softly once you saw it. Zuko's carriage was so far already, but you didn't care. You'll run if you have to.

"Zuko!" You cried out, your voice quivered.

Others turned your way out of confusion as you ran after the carriage. "Zuko! Zuko, wait!" You reached your hand out, running as fast as you could.

Your breathing picked up and your heart raced with adrenaline. You were desperate. But you know that if you refuse or don't take a risk, there is no chance you'll ever come across these moments ever again. With him, you're happy and to turn him away has become unbearable to you now. You wanted him back.

You sobbed and kept up. It wasn't working. So you tried something else. "Zuzu!" your voice echoed down the crowded streets.

Zuko brings his head up at the sound of his name. "Did you whisper to me?" He asked Azalea out of confusion. Though, he didn't know why he asked her, when that voice doesn't sound like her. Yet, the voice was very familiar to him.

She shakes her head. "No?"

Zuzu! He hears it again. It was coming from outside. His eyes widened the third time he heard it. "Stop the carriage now!" He orders harshly.

The carriage comes to a hard stop, the horse neighing that the sudden fright. "What are you doing?"

It's (Y/n), He thought, grabbing onto the door handle and opening the carriage. "(Y/n)!" He scans the area around him but he finds nothing, until he spots a small figure from afar running to him.

The sight of that familiar figure almost made his heart stop. You're running after him. He gets out of the carriage and runs after you as well.

"Zuzu!" You cried out again, almost losing your breath.

He runs after every time you say his name. Don't worry, I'm coming, he says to himself.

His people parted away for him to run, giving him more space.

And eventually, at your side, they did the same. They let you through when they realize you're the one that Zuko is chasing after. "(Y/n)!" he calls your name again, making you cry in happiness, seeing him coming after you.

Once you two were a few feet apart, you stopped first. Then he does.

You were out of breath, your cheeks a bit pink. You stared at him with wide and desperate eyes. He was just the same, ready for your answer.

What should you say now? In front of all of these people?

You take a step forward, gripping your bouquet hard. "I—"

In a split second, he embraces you. His body is warm and inviting, engulfing your trembling form. He closes his eyes, tears falling as he buries his face against your shoulder. His large arms, wrap you like a blanket. And when you felt his warmth, you sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm sorry for the way I acted! I'm sorry!" You muffled your face against his broad shoulder. "I'm—"

Before you know it, he pulls his head back and kisses you right on the lips, in front of everyone. You wrapped your arms around his torso, kissing back with much need. You feel his arm wrapped around your waist, pulling you impossibility closer. His other hand, cradled your head, which you realized he loves doing to you.

And he did. His heart flared in happiness when you kissed back. He loved you. And he wanted you back just as much as you do.

But that soon came to an end when you heard clapping from your now audience.

You were the first to pull away from the kiss, watching him chase your lips eagerly. You looked around with a bit of embarrassment, while Zuko…. kept his eyes on you the entire time.

His eyes go down to your hand, which was holding the bouquet. He takes it from your hands, which brings your attention back to him. Then he takes your pendant off the bouquet and puts it on you, which you left him.

Once the pendant is settled nicely on your chest, he cups your cheek. "(Y/n), may—" he starts, but he breath is taken away when you look up at him. "May I marry you?" he asked, his voice in a whisper, only for you.

You sighed in happiness, smiling before jumping to kiss him again. He wraps his arms around your waist in response. "Yes…" You cried in joy. "Yes you may."

A/n: we’re still not done yet!

Part 3

Pairing: Zuko x Fem!Reader

Summary: Reader is in love with Zuko, but sadly, he is very much in love with Mai.

Warnings: Angst, Grief/Mourning, like one curse word lol

🔥

It had been years since your passing. 

Zuko had long since, joined Team Avatar. Helped them defeat his malevolent sister, and father, and taken the throne as Fire Lord. He was engaged to be married to Mai, and the planners were putting together a big wedding, set for the fall.  

Now, at twenty years old, ruling in a new era of peace, and love, the young Fire Lord seeked something else; inner peace and understanding. He was starting to question a reccurring dream that he’d been having for years now. At first, it’d only happen once, maybe twice a month. Then it became once every week. As of late, it was happening almost every time he closed his eyes, he didn’t understand it. 

“Thanks for agreeing to tea, Uncle” Zuko says as he carefully pours the hot beverage into the cup closest to Iroh, then pouring one for himself. 

“Anytime, young Zuko. Are you alright? Have you been eating?” Iroh says, noticing his nephew’s slightly sunken cheeks.  

“I haven’t been in the mood to eat much lately” Zuko answers truthfully, looking down at the hot tea cup clasped between his hands. 

“You need your strength. You must take care of yourself. If not for yourself, then for your people” The older gentleman says, making his nephew sigh. 

“I know, Uncle. I just-“ Zuko takes a moment to try and find the right words. “I’ve been having these weird dreams, and they feel so real, but I don’t know what they mean” He explains, slightly relieved to finally tell someone about it, someone he knows won’t judge him. 

“Weird dreams, you say?” Iroh strokes his facial hair, a quizzical expression on his face. 

“Yes, I have the same dream almost every night. Sometimes, I even find myself daydreaming about it. It always starts out the same.. peacefully. I’m in a field, filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, and I can hear faint laughter. Then, those same flowers, end up catching on fire. But the flames are always too big for me to handle, so I catch on fire as well. The laughter quiets because I can only hear my own screaming, and then I wake up drenched in sweat” Iroh listens carefully, sipping his tea, as Zuko explains his strange dream. “Although, the last few times I’ve had the dream, instead of ending in a fiery blaze, a heavy rain puts everything out. What do you make of that?” Zuko asks, and puzzled look that mirrors his own, is etched on his uncle’s face. 

“Sometimes, recurring dreams are born from something in your life you’ve not yet acknowledged. Usually something that is causing stress of some sort. The dream repeats because you have not yet corrected the problem at hand. Recurring dreams also surface, when there is some sort of trauma in your past you are trying to deal with, most times it is something you need to heal from” The Fire Lord sips his tea as he takes in this information, fore he knew exactly what would be causing him such strife.

“Y/N” Zuko puts his head in his hands, “It’s been four years since she’s been gone, and that day still haunts me.. I never even got to say goodbye” He immediately feels a lump in his throat, eyes stinging as they threaten to release a floodgate. 

“You are still holding onto that pain, young Zuko. You must learn to let go, or you will continue to have these dreams” Let you go? He couldn’t do that, he wouldn’t ever let himself forget about you. 

“I can’t let her go, I loved her!”

“Zuko-“

“I loved her, and I was too scared to tell her! I’m a coward! The least I can do, is never forget her!” Zuko exclaims. 

“I didn’t say you had to forget her, Zuko. But you must find a way to let go of such unresolved feelings, or it will drive you mad” Iroh says, trying to calm the younger man. 

“I already feel mad” Zuko says quietly, “I was supposed to be her best friend, and she didn’t even feel comfortable enough to tell me she was dying” He sniffles, “One of the last things she said to me, was that she didn’t even know if we were friends at all” He can still remember that sad look on your face. 

“Does our friendship mean nothing to you anymore?” 

Zuko’s heart ached to see you so dejected that day. He hadn’t meant to hurt you with his actions, truly. He just thought distancing himself from you, and dating Mai would help him forget his feelings for you. 

But it didn’t. 

It was true that Zuko loved you, but it wasn’t a love one would have for a family member, like he tried to say.

He was in love with you, and he had been ever since the two of you were young.

He wanted you in every way. 

To kiss you, to hold you in his arms, to take you on romantic dates, and spoil you with his riches. He wanted to be the one you shared your innermost thoughts with, to wake up, and end the day with you. Although he felt this way, he could never bring himself to confess to you. 

Zuko’s mind would always wander, thinking of the worst case scenario; what if you didn’t feel the same way? He could only imagine the pure awkwardness between you two, if his love was not reciprocated. He couldn’t bear to lose you in his life, so he settled for Mai. Mai was pretty as well, although Zuko didn’t think she held a candle to you. But most importantly, he knew for a fact that she liked him. 

Mai was his safest bet. 

That way, he could still have you as his friend, and in his life. Even if he had to settle for loving you from afar, that sounded better than the risk of losing you. 

It seemed like a great plan, until Mai started becoming increasingly more jealous of you. “You don’t need a girl best friend, when you have me. It’s literally in the name, girl-friend”, Mai would tell him in her usual humdrum voice. She knew just how close the two of you were. Often times she would start spats with Zuko for even being near you, so he chose to distance himself. 

“Your friendship will always mean everything to me. I mean, honestly, you’ve always felt more like family to me than Azula, and she’s my sister” He’s still wants punch himself when he remembers that conversation. Like family? Why the hell did he say that?

And before he could say anything else, that’s when you’d started that damned coughing. Zuko definitely thought it was suspicious when you immediately pushed him out of the room right after. And he remembers how his balled up fist, was meres inches away from the door, but at the last moment he decided against knocking.

A decision he would come to realize, was a huge mistake. 

“There were so many signs that day. Signs that something was wrong. But still, every one of them, I ignored” Zuko grits his teeth as he speaks, trying not to cry. “I should’ve went back in there and got her to tell me what was wrong” The Fire Lord stares down into the teacup placed in front of him. The beverage has cooled down, but is still producing warm steam. He’s suddenly reminded of the way you blamed Li and Lo’s tea, for your odd behavior. 

“It sounds to me, like you are feeling guilt. Is it because you believe you could have prevented her death?” Iroh questions after carefully taking another sip of his beverage. 

“I could have!” Zuko’s on his feet now, palms pressed to the table as he screams his frustration to his uncle. The outburst makes Iroh’s eyes widen, but it only takes him a quick moment to realize Zuko needed this release. 

“I could have helped her! I-I should’ve walked with her back to the beach house! My gut told me I should, but I ignored it!” The young fire lord is hysterical by this point. Angry, hot tears stain his cheeks, and his throat feels like he’s swallowing gravel. All these years, all these feelings he’d not worked through, and now he felt like a pot boiling over. He felt like he was reliving that day all over again. 

“She died, scared and alone, because of me!” In the heat of his anguish, Zuko smacks his teacup into the wall. The cup loudly shatters on impact, the jagged pieces clatter, as the hot contents drip down the wall, and pool to the floor. 

Zuko drops back into his chair, his body buzzing as he sobs. 

Iroh gently rises to his feet, calmly circling the table to grab his nephew, pulling him into a much needed embrace. “I wasn’t there for her!” Zuko sobs into his chest. Iroh envelopes the younger man’s frame, holding him firm, as tears threaten his own eyes.

“I failed her, Uncle” Zuko’s voice says, muffled, and quiet. Iroh’s right hand rubs gentle circles into Zuko’s back as he speaks. 

“You cannot hold all of the blame for this, young Zuko” He says, voice as soothing as rain.

“How can I not?” The fire lord sniffles, “I wasn’t there for her when she needed me. She’s dead because of m-” The older gentleman shakes his head, as he cuts Zuko off. 

“She died because of an awful disease, one of which, she did not seek the treatment she needed. I am sure you never imagined something like that would happen to her” The words seem to comfort the young man, the tears flowing from his eyes slow down slightly, as he takes a deep breath. “Had you known something fatal was wrong, you would have done everything in your power to help, correct?” Zuko mumbles a small yes, and his uncle pulls away from the embrace a bit to look at him. 

“Then you cannot blame yourself for what you did not know” Iroh says, squeezing Zuko’s shoulders with his large hands. 

“Even if I try not to it, doesn’t work. I don’t know what to do anymore, Uncle” He admits, his voice sounding completely defeated. 

“Perhaps you could start by giving her a visit. Have you done that at all since her passing?” Iroh questions. 

“No” Zuko sounds ashamed as he responds. What a hypocrite he felt like to be mourning you, yet he’d not visited once in all these years. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He still didn’t even want to believe you were gone, let alone go visit your burial site.

“Try it, let some things off your chest”

————————————————————————————

It had been four days, and Zuko still hadn’t made his way to your grave. As the Fire Lord, he was a very busy man, but a big part of him used those duties as an excuse not to see you. Although you were long gone, it still hurt him to think of your name being written on a tombstone; a hurt he did not wish to bear. 

Zuko’s reoccurring dream had not ceased, and it seemed like they were getting more intense each night. This caused him to skip out on sleeping entirely some nights. It was slowly taking its toll on him, and while writing a very important letter to the Northern Water Tribe, the young fire lord begins to doze off. 

In a field, surrounded by bright, and beautiful pink cherry blossoms, Zuko stands alone. The smell is heavenly, and the sight of such beautiful flowers, makes his heart feel warm. When the breeze sways, a lone blossom lands in his palm. And he swears he can hear, what sounds like your laugh, ringing through the field. A small, sad smile spreads across his face. 

Damn he missed your laugh.

His eyes close, enjoying the moment of peace this always bring him. That is, until the moment tragically passes. 

When his eyes open again, it’s a stark contrast from before. The entire field is in bright flames, smoke filling his lungs and making him cough violently. The pink blossom around him, burn into black ash, as the bloom he held in his hand drips with crimson blood.

He sweats profusely as the flames prickle at his skin, a scream of agony leaving his lips. He drops to his knees after futile attempts at batting the flames off his clothing. Just as his body goes limp and hits the ground, and it feels like he will succumb to a fiery death, the storm comes. 

It’s a gentle rain at first, but it picks up faster, harder, after a moment; effectively quelling the wildfire. Zuko welcomes the feeling of the cooling water droplets on his hot skin, pushing himself up to be on his hands and knees. When he lifts his head, he can make out something in the distance.. or was it, someone? He squints as the steady raindrops blur his vision.

It’s looks like a woman, and it looks like.. you?

The figure’s back is to him, but Zuko watches as the feminine silhouette crouches down gracefully. They touch the ground with their palm, and soon the field begins to bloom back to life. The figure stands to their full height again, and Zuko can’t help but to call out to it. 

“Y/N?!” The figure stops in its tracks, as if startled by Zuko’s voice, before looking over its shoulder. He pushes himself to stand up with what little strength he has, before calling out again.

“Y/N? Is that you?” The rain has dwindled down to a calm misting, and he wipes his eyes finally able to see. The silhouette has turned to face him now, and his heart skips a beat at the realization. 

It is you!

“Please, wait-“ Zuko feels himself getting choked up, as he runs towards the silhouette. You don’t move, but it feels like the more he runs, the further away you seem to get. 

“I miss you so much, please stay!” Once Zuko is finally close enough, he reaches out. He wants to touch his dream goddess, wants to pull you into a hug and never let go. Yet, once his hand reaches out, you disappear completely; fading between his fingertips like smoke. 

Zuko jolts awake, face covered in salty sweat, just like every other time he’s had this dream. Although, this was the first time he had seen anyone else in the fantasy, let alone gotten close enough to almost touch them. 

Maybe this was a sign. 

He was going to see you tomorrow. 

———————————————————————————

After insisting he didn’t need a palanquin, and lying to Mai about where he would be going, Zuko makes his way to your burial site. 

Once there, he notices how neat the site is. He knows Ty Lee, and your family come by constantly to talk to you, and make sure everything is tidy. It gives him a bit of relief to know he wasn’t the only one still mourning you after all this time. That he wasn’t the only one that adored, and missed you dearly.

Zuko hesitates for a moment, before getting on his knees in front of your grave. After taking a shaky breath, he bows his upper body in front of the tombstone for a long moment. It made him sick to his stomach to be here, but maybe his uncle was right. Maybe he needed to get a few things off his chest. 

“This wasn’t supposed to happen to you” The jagged rock like feeling in his throat hits him immediately. You had been gone for a while now, but you were still such a sensitive subject for him.

“I miss you.. so much” Zuko says, squeezing his eyes shut. “I keep dreaming about those damned cherry blossoms. A-And I could have sworn I saw you in that dream last night. I couldn’t see too clearly but it.. it felt like you” He takes a deep breath, remembering the figure in his dream.

“I’d give anything to be able to see your face again, to hear your voice, to tell you-” The fire lord is so swept up in his words, he doesn’t seem to notice the footsteps coming up behind him. 

“Zuko?” His breath hitches, heart almost beating out of his chest. He could recognize that voice anywhere. 

Mai. 

Zuko turns to the sound of her voice. She sits primly in a palanquin, held by four servants. Her arms cross over her chest, and annoyance is etched into her features. 

“What are you doing here?” Zuko asks, Mai was the last person he expected to see. 

“I could ask you the same thing” She says, rolling her eyes. 

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m paying my respects” Zuko’s harsh tone, and biting glare, leaves Mai taken aback. 

“After all these years you finally decide its sooo important to visit her? And to lie to me about it?” Mai scoffs, “Gosh Zuko, I thought you were obsessed with her when she was alive, but fuck, she’s dead! Don’t you think-” 

“I know she’s dead, Mai! I fucking know that!” Zuko’s voice booms throughout the quiet graveyard as he cuts his fiancée off. The servants nearly drop the entire palanquin from his sudden volume. “You’ve always been jealous of her” Mai’s shoulders slump, a look of defeat plastered on her face. 

“Because I knew you loved her” She says, her voice small, and barely audible. Zuko’s eyes widen, almost like he’s been caught red handed. 

“Why do you look so surprised? I’m not stupid Zuko! Anyone could see it! You say her goddamn name in your sleep!” Mai sighs. “I knew you loved her, and I knew you settled for me. I just-“ She turns her head from his gaze, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to escape her eyes. 

“I thought once we got together, you’d forget how you felt about her, and fall for me. Obviously I was wrong. Even in death she still torments me” Mai says the last part more to herself than aloud. 

“Mai, I’m-“ 

“Save it” And before Zuko can say another word, Mai is ordering the servants to carry her back to the castle. 

Zuko is left there in silence, his fiancée’s words ringing through his head. 

Mai was aware of the love he harbored for you. She knew she was the second option. She knew, yet, just like Zuko, she thought his feelings would subside after he settled. 

Oh how naive they had both been to believe that. 

Although he’d come here to speak to you, to get some type of closure; after this back and forth with Mai, his brain was muddled. He’d have to return to you some other time when his head was clearer. 

“I’ll come back to you” Zuko says to your tombstone, bowing one last time.

“I could ask you the same thing” She says, rolling her eyes. 

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m paying my respects” Zuko’s harsh tone, and biting glare, leaves Mai taken aback. 

“After all these years you finally decide its sooo important to visit her? And to lie to me about it?” Mai scoffs, “Gosh Zuko, I thought you were obsessed with her when she was alive, but fuck, she’s dead! Don’t you think-” 

“I know she’s dead, Mai! I fucking know that!” Zuko’s voice booms throughout the quiet graveyard as he cuts his fiancée off. The servants nearly drop the entire palanquin from his sudden volume. “You’ve always been jealous of her” Mai’s shoulders slump, a look of defeat plastered on her face. 

“Because I knew you loved her” She says, her voice small, and barely audible. Zuko’s eyes widen, almost like he’s been caught red handed. 

“Why do you look so surprised? I’m not stupid Zuko! Anyone could see it! You say her goddamn name in your sleep!” Mai sighs. “I knew you loved her, and I knew you settled for me. I just-“ She turns her head from his gaze, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to escape her eyes. 

“I thought once we got together, you’d forget how you felt about her, and fall for me. Obviously I was wrong. Even in death she still torments me” Mai says the last part more to herself than aloud. 

“Mai, I-“ 

“Save it” And before Zuko can say another word, Mai is ordering the servants to carry her back to the castle. 

Zuko is left there in silence, his fiancée’s words ringing through his head. 

Mai was aware of the love he harbored for you. She knew she was the second option. She knew, yet, just like Zuko, she thought his feelings would subside after he settled. 

Oh how naive they had both been to believe that. 

Although he’d come here to speak to you, to get some type of closure; after this back and forth with Mai, his brain was muddled. He’d have to return to you some other time when his head was clearer. 

“I’ll come back to you” Zuko says to your tombstone, bowing one last time, “I promise”  about it. It always starts out the same.. peacefully. I’m in a field, filled with beautiful cherry blossoms, and I can hear faint laughter. Then, those same flowers, end up catching on fire. But the flames are always too big for me to handle, so I catch on fire as well. The laughter quiets because I can only hear my own screaming, and then I wake up drenched in sweat” Iroh listens carefully, sipping his tea, as Zuko explains his strange dream. “Although, the last few times I’ve had the dream, instead of ending in a fiery blaze, a heavy rain puts everything out. What do you make of that?” Zuko asks, and puzzled look that mirrors his own, is etched on his uncle’s face. 

“Sometimes, recurring dreams are born from something in your life you’ve not yet acknowledged. Usually something that is causing stress of some sort. The dream repeats because you have not yet corrected the problem at hand. Recurring dreams also surface, when there is some sort of trauma in your past you are trying to deal with, most times it is something you need to heal from” The Fire Lord sips his tea as he takes in this information, fore he knew exactly what would be causing him such strife.

“Y/N” Zuko puts his head in his thands, “It’s been four years since she’s been gone, and that day still haunts me.. I never even got to say goodbye” He immediately feels a lump in his throat, eyes stinging as they threaten to release a floodgate. 

“You are still holding onto that pain, young Zuko. You must learn to let go, or you will continue to have these dreams” Let you go? He couldn’t do that, he wouldn’t ever let himself forget about you. 

“I can’t let her go, I loved her!”

“Zuko-“

“I loved her, and I was too scared to tell her! I’m a coward! The least I can do, is never forget her!” Zuko exclaims. 

“I didn’t say you had to forget her, Zuko. But you must find a way to let go of such unresolved feelings, or it will drive you mad” Iroh says, trying to calm the younger man. 

“I already feel mad” Zuko says quietly, “I was supposed to be her best friend, and she didn’t even feel comfortable enough to tell me she was dying” He sniffles, “One of the last things she said to me, was that she didn’t even know if we were friends at all” He can still remember that sad look on your face. 

“Does our friendship mean nothing to you anymore?” 

Zuko’s heart ached to see you so dejected that day. He hadn’t meant to hurt you with his actions, truly. He just thought distancing himself from you, and dating Mai would help him forget his feelings for you. 

But it didn’t. 

It was true that Zuko loved you, but it wasn’t a love one would have for a family member.

He was in love with you, and had been ever since the two of you were young. 

He wanted you in every way. 

To kiss you, to hold you in his arms, to take you on romantic dates, and spoil you with his riches. He wanted to be the one you shared your innermost thoughts with, to wake up, and end the day with you. Although he felt this way, he could never bring himself to confess to you. 

Zuko’s mind would always wander, thinking of the worst case scenario; what if you didn’t feel the same way? He could only imagine the pure awkwardness between you two, if his love was not reciprocated. He couldn’t bear to lose you in his life, so he settled for Mai. Mai was pretty as well, although Zuko didn’t think she held a candle to you. But most importantly, he knew for a fact that she liked him. 

Mai was his safest bet. 

That way, he could still have you as his friend, and in his life. Even if he had to settle for loving you from afar, that sounded better than the risk of losing you. 

It seemed like a great plan, until Mai started becoming increasingly more jealous of you. “You don’t need a girl best friend, when you have me. It’s literally in the name, girl-friend”, Mai would tell him in her usual humdrum voice. She knew just how close the two of you were. Often times she would start spats with Zuko for even being near you, so he chose to distance himself. 

“Your friendship will always mean everything to me. I mean, honestly, you’ve always felt more like family to me than Azula, and she’s my sister” He’s still wants punch himself when he remembers that conversation. Like family? Why the hell did he say that?

And before he could say anything else, that’s when you’d started that damned coughing. He definitely thought it was suspicious when you immediately pushed him out of the room right after. And he remembers how his balled up fist, was meres inches away from the door, but at the last moment he decided against knocking.

A decision he would come to realize, was a huge mistake. 

“There were so many signs that day. Signs that something was wrong. But still, every one of them, I ignored” Zuko grits his teeth as he speaks, trying not to cry. “I should’ve went back in there and got her to tell me what was wrong” The Fire Lord stares down into the teacup placed in front of him. The beverage has cooled down, but is still producing warm steam. He’s suddenly reminded of the way you blamed Li and Lo’s tea, for your odd behavior. 

“It sounds to me, like you are feeling guilt. Is it because you believe you could have prevented her death?” Iroh questions after carefully taking another sip of his beverage. 

“I could have!” Zuko’s on his feet now, palms pressed to the table as he screams his frustration to his uncle. The outburst makes Iroh’s eyes widen, but it only takes him a quick moment to realize Zuko needed this release. 

“I could have helped her! I-I should’ve walked with her back to the beach house! My gut told me I should, but I ignored it!” The young fire lord is hysterical by this point. Angry, hot tears stain his cheeks, and his throat feels like he’s swallowing gravel. All these years, all these feelings he’d not worked through, and now he felt like a pot boiling over. He felt like he was reliving that day all over again.

“She died, all alone, because of me!” In the heat of his anguish, Zuko smacks his teacup into the wall. The cup loudly shatters on impact, the jagged pieces clatter, as the hot contents drip down the wall, and pool to the floor. 

Zuko drops back into his chair, his body buzzing as he sobs. 

Iroh gently rises to his feet, calmly circling the table to grab his nephew, pulling him into a much needed embrace. “I wasn’t there for her!” Zuko sobs into his chest. Iroh envelopes the younger man’s frame, holding him firm, as tears threaten his own eyes.

“I failed her, Uncle” Zuko’s voice says, muffled, and quiet. Iroh’s right hand rubs gentle circles into Zuko’s back as he speaks. 

“You cannot hold all of the blame for this, young Zuko” He says, voice as soothing as rain.

“How can I not?” The fire lord sniffles, “I wasn’t there for her when she needed me. She’s dead because of m-” The older gentleman shakes his head, as he cuts Zuko off. 

“She died because of an awful disease, one of which, she did not seek the treatment she needed. I am sure you never imagined something like that would happen to her” The words seem to comfort the young man, the tears flowing from his eyes slow down slightly, as he takes a deep breath. “Had you known something fatal was wrong, you would have done everything in your power to help, correct?” Zuko mumbles a small yes, and his uncle pulls away from the embrace a bit to look at him. 

“Then you cannot blame yourself for what you did not know” Iroh says, squeezing Zuko’s shoulders with his large hands. 

“Even if I try not to it, doesn’t work. I don’t know what to do anymore, Uncle” He admits, his voice sounding completely defeated. 

“Perhaps you could start by giving her a visit. Have you done that at all since her passing?” Iroh questions. 

“No” Zuko sounds ashamed as he responds. What a hypocrite he felt like to be mourning you, yet he’d not visited once in all these years. He just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He still didn’t even want to believe you were gone, let alone go visit your burial site.

“Try it, let some things off your chest” 

————————————————————————————

It had been four days, and Zuko still hadn’t made his way to your grave. As the Fire Lord, he was a very busy man, but a big part of him used those duties as an excuse not to see you. Although you were long gone, it still hurt him to think of your name being written on a tombstone; a hurt he did not wish to bear. 

Zuko’s reoccurring dream had not ceased, and it seemed like they were getting more intense each night. This caused him to skip out on sleeping entirely some nights. It was slowly taking its toll on him, and while writing a very important letter to the Northern Water Tribe, the young fire lord begins to doze off. 

In a field, surrounded by bright, and beautiful pink cherry blossoms, Zuko stands alone. The smell is heavenly, and the sight of such beautiful flowers, makes his heart feel warm. When the breeze sways, a lone blossom lands in his palm. And he swears he can hear, what sounds like your laugh, ringing through the field. A small, sad smile spreads across his face. 

God he missed your laugh. 

His eyes close, enjoying the moment of peace this always bring him. That is, until the moment tragically passes. 

When his eyes open again, it’s a stark contrast from before. The entire field is in bright flames, smoke filling his lungs and making him cough violently. The pink blossom around him, burn into black ash, as the bloom he held in his hand drips with crimson blood.

He sweats profusely as the flames prickle at his skin, a scream of agony leaving his lips. He drops to his knees after futile attempts at batting the flames off his clothing. Just as his body goes limp and hits the ground, and it feels like he will succumb to a fiery death, the storm comes. 

It’s a gentle rain at first, but it picks up faster, harder, after a moment; effectively quelling the wildfire. Zuko welcomes the feeling of the cooling water droplets on his hot skin, pushing himself up to be on his hands and knees. When he lifts his head, he can make out something in the distance.. or was it, someone? He squints as the steady raindrops blur his vision.

It’s looks like a woman, and it looks like.. you?

The figure’s back is to him, but Zuko watches as the feminine silhouette crouches down gracefully. They touch the ground with their palm, and soon the field begins to bloom back to life. The figure stands to their full height again, and Zuko can’t help but to call out to it. 

“Y/N?!” The figure stops in its tracks, as if startled by Zuko’s voice, before looking over its shoulder. He pushes himself to stand up with what little strength he has, before calling out again.

“Y/N? Is that you?” The rain has dwindled down to a calm misting, and he wipes his eyes finally able to see. The silhouette has turned to face him now, and his heart skips a beat at the realization. 

It is you!

“Please, wait-“ Zuko feels himself getting choked up, as he runs towards the silhouette. You don’t move, but it feels like the more he runs, the further away you seem to get. 

“I miss you so much, please stay!” Once Zuko is finally close enough, he reaches out. He wants to touch his dream goddess, wants to pull you into a hug and never let go. Yet, once his hand reaches out, you disappear completely; fading between his fingertips like smoke. 

Zuko jolts awake, face covered in salty sweat, just like every other time he’s had this dream. Although, this was the first time he had seen anyone else in the fantasy, let alone gotten close enough to almost touch them. 

Maybe this was a sign. 

He was going to see you tomorrow. 

———————————————————————————

After insisting to the guards that he didn’t need a palanquin, and lying to Mai about where he would be going, Zuko makes his way to your burial site. 

Once there, he notices how neat the site is. He knows Ty Lee, and your family come by constantly to visit and talk to you, and make sure everything is tidy. It gives him a bit of relief to know he wasn’t the only one still mourning you after all this time. That he wasn’t the only one that adored, and missed you dearly. Once there, he notices how neat the site is. He knows Ty Lee, and your family come by constantly to talk to you, and make sure everything is tidy. It gives him a bit of relief to know he wasn’t the only one still mourning you after all this time. That he wasn’t the only one that adored, and missed you dearly.

Zuko hesitates for a moment, before getting on his knees in front of your grave. After taking a shaky breath, he bows his upper body in front of the tombstone for a long moment. It made him sick to his stomach to be here, but maybe his uncle was right. Maybe he needed to get a few things off his chest. 

“This wasn’t supposed to happen to you” The jagged rock like feeling in his throat hits him immediately. You had been gone for a while now, but you were still such a sensitive subject for him.

“I miss you.. so much” Zuko says, squeezing his eyes shut. “I keep dreaming about those damned cherry blossoms. A-And I could have sworn I saw you in that dream last night. I couldn’t see too clearly but it.. it felt like you” He takes a deep breath, remembering the figure in his dream.

“I’d give anything to be able to see your face again, to hear your voice, to tell you-” The fire lord is so swept up in his words, he doesn’t seem to notice the footsteps coming up behind him. 

“Zuko?” His breath hitches, heart almost beating out of his chest. He could recognize that voice anywhere. 

Mai. 

Zuko turns to the sound of her voice. She sits primly in a palanquin, held by four servants. Her arms cross over her chest, and annoyance is etched into her features. 

“What are you doing here?” Zuko asks, Mai was the last person he expected to see. 

“I could ask you the same thing” She says, rolling her eyes. 

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m paying my respects” Zuko’s harsh tone, and biting glare, leaves Mai taken aback. 

“After all these years you finally decide its sooo important to visit her? And to lie to me about it?” Mai scoffs, “Gosh Zuko, I thought you were obsessed with her when she was alive, but fuck, she’s dead! Don’t you think-” 

“I know she’s dead, Mai! I fucking know that!” Zuko’s voice booms throughout the quiet graveyard as he cuts his fiancée off. The servants nearly drop the entire palanquin from his sudden volume. “You’ve always been jealous of her” The words slip out of him in anger. Mai’s shoulders slump, a look of defeat plastered on her face. 

“Because I knew you loved her” She says, her voice small, and barely audible. Zuko’s eyes widen, almost like he’s been caught red handed. 

“Why do you look so surprised? I’m not stupid Zuko! Anyone could see it! You say her goddamn name in your sleep!” Mai sighs. “I knew you loved her, and I knew you settled for me. I just-“ She turns her head from his gaze, not wanting him to see the tears threatening to escape her eyes. 

“I thought once we got together, you’d forget how you felt about her, and fall for me. Obviously I was wrong. Even in death she still torments me” Mai says the last part more to herself than aloud. 

“Mai-“ 

“Save it” And before Zuko can say another word, Mai is ordering the servants to carry her back to the castle. 

Zuko is left there in silence, his fiancée’s words ringing through his head. 

Mai was aware of the love he harbored for you. She knew she was the second option. She knew, yet, just like Zuko, she thought his feelings would subside after he settled. 

Oh how naive they had both been to believe that. 

Although he’d come here to speak to you, to get some type of closure; after this back and forth with Mai, his brain was muddled. He’d have to return to you some other time when his head was clearer. 

“I’ll come back to you” Zuko says to your tombstone, bowing one last time, “I promise”

By: @nneilarmstrongg

CW: NSFW (18+) MNDI, smut, con!sex between married adults, dom/sub dynamic, edging, overstimulation, dirty talk, emotional neglect, angst with resolution, firebending during sex, p in v, fingering,

Synopsis: For months he fulfilled every duty the Fire Lord demanded of him. He forgot the ones that mattered to you. You said nothing, until the night you couldn’t anymore. And Zuko, your husband, finally looked at you. Really looked. Now the candles are burning low in the royal chambers and he is determined to remind you of everything he let you forget.

His sweet assassin - Zuko x reader

Part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6

tropes : slow burn romance REMEMBER SLOWBURN!!!, assassinxfirelord (lol) grumpy x grumpy - This all takes place after the movie loll

POV: As part of the secret group of assassins you've been ordered by your father to infiltrate republic city's celebration after the Aang and his friends defeated the Taga. You must kill the fire lord and his allies due to his affiliation with the avatar and bring a new order to the world without the avatar. However things don't all go to plan as you navigate your ways through republic city disguised as one of Zuko's council, will you kill him... or will useless emotions get in your way of revenge.

You knew what you had to do. You also knew that a month wasn't enough time to gain the trust of the Firelord. However your scheming father had already figured a way for you get close enough to the fire lord as one of his government officials, even going as far to give you a fake family and alias; Raika. You walked through the bustling streets, new automobiles, were bumping through the cobble stone streets. You crossed the road, the sound of your heels tapping was drowned out by the hustle and bustle of The lit streets. Although it was late at night, celebrations were taking place with stalls selling warm goods. Fire bending kids running along with earth benders.

Republic city.

The city that held the false dreams of an equal nation, city which forgot about the struggle that the non benders faced against the benders. Where wwas this great harmony when the avatar wasn't here? There wasn't. You knew first hand as your mother was killed by the fire nation. Good. A reminder of why you were sent here in the first place.

Your Father wanted to bring real freedom to the those who couldn't bend, through ending the rule of the avatar, you weren't allowed a say in him sending you here. You sighed as you made it to the building, you had to seem somewhat likeable to Zuko and his comrades, you'd give him grace when you killed him since it was a night of celebration. You walked into the council building. You looked to find the other fire nation officials representing the fire nation. Ahh. Old men. You'd have to be around these stinky rags.

You scanned the room trying to find Zuko, he didn't look like he was the Firelord Ozai, from what you'd heard he seemed to be fair. Not that it mattered to you. His father was why your mother was dead, you kept looking until you found him. His hair was in a neat bun, he laughed brightly with what was unmistakeably the avatar. He looked kind almost as he laughed, nose wrinkled, eyes dancing with humour. It's too bad he had to die. Just in that moment you caught eyes with him, you quickly smiled, politely, malice unidentifiable between your wide smile. He took a moment to look at you before nodding calmly. Least he could do was smile you thought. But you continued along your way, you'd spotted him now and that was enough for the night. You stayed throughout the speech of the avatar, impressed by his way with words. But after a while you decided to leave, tonight you would complete your first task.

You walked away calmly before you were stopped in your tracks, Zuko held your wrist firmly, you were ready to kick him in the shins.

'Raika was it?' A voice questioned calmly, you turned back to see the firelord, he let go as you bowed,

'Firelord. How are you doing this evening?' You asked your tone a bit too sweet.

'It's fine considering a day before I almost died twice' He deadpanned, laughing tiredly. Weariness hung on his brow, however it didn't take away from his looks. Objectively of course. You felt your father cursing at you. You were wasting time. you quickly thought of a distraction.

'Sorry Firelord, I have business to attend to, I'll see you tomorrow at the councillors meeting.' You bowed, moving rapidly to create distance,

'Wait- ' but you had already walked far enough, you left the council building and made your way swiftly to the nearest alley before you changed into dark grey commoner cloak and a mask. Hair tied neatly.

You rushed through the shadows and cracks of the beating heart of republic city before you found yourself at the Firelords apartment. Of course it had to be the highest one. You looked around catching only three soldiers pretending the north , south of the apartment which meant you could perfectly climb up through the blind spot, you climbed through the tower effortlessly, as an assassin your father had to train you from acrobatics, knife wielding to chi blocking, making you train for hours, and if you weren't up to standard, you were thrown into a cell for the night with no food until you did the next day. A great man. But not father. He was nothing like your mother... You almost slipped on the cobblestone of the roof below, you quickly grasped the rail and lifted yourself onto the apartment, you snuck into the house and looked around for any places to hide poison, anywhere you could hide to get him in his sleep, you kept looking around as well for any information on his comrades, as you looked through his draw the front door opened.

The firelord stood in the hallway, you both exchanged stares under silence.

'I didn't expect any guests' he smirked.

'I'm here to deliver something...' you said as you carefully took the knife at your back before throwing it at his face.

'What a lovely gift' he dodged, before he swiftly shot fire into your face, you dodged again as he kept going, reaching to block his chi, so he could stop stop shooting this stupid fire at you. Does he even know he's setting his own apartment on fire? This idiot.

'You idiot. You benders only know how to destroy don't you, Just like your father.' You spat not knowing where the sudden spike of emotions came from.

He then slammed you then against the wall face inches away from your own, his eyes truly were that of a fire bender, passionate and angry.

'Too busy talking in a fight, you must be the real idiot' he grinned.

You tried to escape but his heavy body taking the wind from your lungs, You tried to move out of his grasp but apparently the Firelords only skill wasn't to blast fire. He could fight. He reached for your mask, but you used that chance to swipe your knife across his face causing him to back away while you escaped the building.

That idiot almost burned his whole place down and got stabbed so easily, he's lucky you escaped in time or else he would have met his untimely end much sooner.

You shifted quietly into the shadows of republic city, as the remaining whispers of night fall dead with the sun rising.

-THE DAY AFTER-

You grabbed your arm, certain it was bruised from last night's failed task, remembering how the Firelord used his whole weight to slam you into the wall, you sighed as you walked into the city hall. A meeting after last night was just what you needed. You walked into the meeting room where all the other officials sat waiting. Waiting for the Firelord to arrive. Not long after you were seated he arrived, a fresh scar on his face, The other officials stood up, all of them gasping and bowing

' Firelord Zuko! We heard about what happened' the first offiical Kaizen said. Although he didn't seem to upset about it. You felt a tinge of humour from his tone almost. Seemed that the Firelord has many enemies. You smiled at that.

'Rakia? What's so amusing ' Firelord Zuko questioned bitterly.

'Nothing, Firelord,' you bowed graciously, you couldn't get caught. Not this early. 'We will find whoever did this to you immediately' You smiled.

'I'm sure you all will' he saidthoughtfully. ' We will now start the meeting, sit.' he ordered.

PART 1 DONEEE.