#decemberdrabbles

"Lady Katara," The man bowed deeply in reverence. "I've arrived a bit early, is it possible we could conduct our meeting now, if you're free?"

Katara froze, panic gripping her. She'd completely forgotten about the meeting with the minister. She was woefully unprepared for it. She hadn't organized any notes, hadn't done her proper research. How could she make a good impression if she was a total buffoon at this meeting?

She was the new Fire Lady of these people- she had to make a good impression. She couldn't afford not to. Zuko couldn't afford it either.

Katara hesitated, her mind searching for some reason to turn the minister down.

"I'm sorry, Minister Fao. But I've scheduled a long lunch date with my beautiful bride. Could I offer you a tour through the capital meanwhile?"

Katara tried not to show her shoulders sagging with relief at Zuko's voice. Nice save. She discreetly squeezed his hand in appreciation as he stood next to her.

Minister Fao bowed deeply. "How very kind of you, Fire Lord. Please, don't let me intrude on a newly married couple." He grinned at them.

"Lin." Zuko called, and an assistant appeared seemingly from thin air. "Get Minister Fao a carriage to tour the city, feel free to stop anywhere you'd like for lunch, on me of course." Zuko smiled kindly. "Lin will retrieve you from the foyer when the carriage is ready, please, go enjoy some tea and relax from your travels."

The minister smiled again, thanking Zuko as he left.

"Lin, take the longest tour. Keep him out for two hours minimum. And cancel my next meeting. Blame it on me, that I'd like to spend some quality time with my lovely wife."

Katara flushed slightly, smiling at him. She loved when he said such nice things about her to everyone and anyone, unashamed to show how much he cherished his wife. And how he would always take the fall for her.

Once the assistant had left them, Katara let out a huge breath of relief. "Oh, thank you."

Zuko chuckled, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I could tell from the look on your face that you were panicking. Not ready?"

Katara whined, thumping her forehead on his chest. "I forgot all about it!

"Well then, let's grab some food and go to the library. I'll help you prepare."

She raised on her tiptoes to kiss his scarred cheek. "You're the best husband ever, did I tell you that yet?"

He smirked, his arm wrapping possessively around her thin waist. "Feel free to tell me as much as you'd like."

"Or better yet I could show you." Katara whispered suggestively in his ear.

Zuko pushed her shoulders back reluctantly, "As very tempting as that sounds, we're preparing your presentation first. We can only buy so much time."

Katara winked at him, "You're right... Later then, hot stuff."

For @jedifest! I don’t know if anyone made this already but I can’t say no to a prompt involving my boy Fives!

Fives looked to the never-ending horizon away from Kamino’s base. He was a brilliant ARC trooper, Captain Rex’s second-in-command. He could easily speed away from that nightmare, get a ship, get off the grid, disappear for good. He could scar his face enough for him not to be recognizable as a clone, he could just go. He had lost so many brothers, he had lost Hardcase and Tup and Echo, whose name he didn’t even dare to speak out loud because whenever he did, the image of his charred helmet would appear in his mind. Just go, he thinks, just leave. Leave this senseless war, leave these enslavers, leave it all behind.

It felt like electricity every time their eyes locked. Like he was getting shocked all over again.

She had to feel it too.

He knew that she did. These feelings... this love. It was mutual, he could see it in her blue eyes.

And that's why he has her backed up against the wall, his golden eyes practically piercing her in place. They were going to address this, dammit.

"Zuko... don't." Katara begged.

"No, you don't. Please don't lie to me, Katara." He grazed two knuckles down her jaw. "You feel the same way, don't you?"

Tears gathered in her eyes as she struggled to look away from him, "Zuko. We both know we can't do this."

"Katara, the world has been cruel to us. Shouldn't we be happy? Don't we deserve that much?"

Her hands balled into fists against his chest. She wanted to give in to him, to believe it would be happily ever after. "What do you want me to say? That I love you and I want to be with you?"

"I want you to be honest."

She huffed, "And then what? It's impossible, Zuko. We are not possible. Our nations would never allow this. You're the Fire Lord. You can't be with a Water Tribe peasant like me."

"How long are you gonna hold the peasant comment against me?"

"Forever, obviously."

Zuko groaned, "Look, you're the Chief's daughter. That's basically princess status. We could spin some unity stance."

"A princess of peasants? I'm sure your council will approve of our courting."

Zuko cradled her face. "Screw everyone else, Katara! We can make new rules! If I want to take a bride from another nation then I'll do it!"

Her eyes melted as she clung to his forearms. "You... really want to marry me?"

"I..." Zuko flushed. "Yes. I do."

Katara hesitated for only a moment. "Okay. Screw everyone else."

Zuko was right there by his side when Iroh passed. He stayed there for what seemed like forever, long after the last traces of warmth left his skin.

It wasn’t a shock; Iroh had gotten old. He had a long life, and his time had to come to an end eventually. It was still hard.

Katara stayed with him.

They’d dealt with loss before. They had learned how to grieve. And really- Iroh’s death was not a tragic thing, it was natural. It was easier to grieve with bittersweetness.

The worst part was watching their children experience the death of a loved one for the first time in their lives.

Zuko would smile sadly and hold them close… If we honor his memory, we keep him alive. It’ll be like he’s still here with us. Every time you have a cup of tea- think of Uncle Iroh.

Zuko wished he was half as wise and eloquent as Uncle Iroh was.

Ugh. Was. Not is.

Iroh was his mentor, his true parent. The only one that accepted him, even when he was at his lowest points. The only one that cared when he was thrown aside. The first person to stay.

He didn’t know how to describe this level of grief. His heart was so heavy with loss.

But even with Uncle Iroh gone, he left a legacy behind- a family of royalty that would follow the righteous path and bring peace and unity, just like Iroh always preached. Uncle Iroh always knew it would be Zuko to usher in change for the Fire Nation.

And Zuko would continue that legacy of peace. He would pass it to his young children, who would eventually take over leading his nation. And hopefully, they’ll pass it on to their children, and peace will last for generations.

He would protect Iroh’s legacy, with Katara by his side.

Zuko hurried back to his room. It was nightfall.

He loved the night for many reasons. One, he got to sleep after long, long days. Two, and most importantly, it’s the most time he got to spend with his wife.

He didn’t even mind missing sleep if he could spend hours with her. Sometimes they’d explore each other’s bodies, other times they would just stay up talking past midnight until they couldn’t keep their eyelids open anymore.

Unfortunately, his last meeting went over quite a bit, and he was even later than usual to get to their bedroom. He hoped she was still awake.

He nodded to the guards as they moved to let him enter. Katara’s head shot up, startled, from the large chaise by the fireplace. She must have been dozing while waiting for him.

Katara smiled sleepily at him and patted the couch cushion beside her. “There you are. How was your meeting?”

Zuko sighed and shook his head, answering, “Long.” He stripped the heavy robes from his garments as he walked towards her. She had already changed into a long blue nightgown. He curled around her on the couch and sighed into her hair.

“Mmm, we’ll regret it in the morning if we sleep on the couch.”

“Don’t care.” Zuko mumbled into her neck.

Katara laughed, snuggling closer to him.

They might not have time for exciting adventures and romantic dates anymore- they seemed to barely have time to talk nowadays. But their love was no less strong than before.

Sometimes all they needed was to be close at night.

It was the blind girl on watch today, her ability to feel any slight changes in his body's health making her a great observer. Mostly she just looked after him as he slept.

Now though, he was awake. It was time for him to eat something and have another healing session and bandage change.

"Well, I don't know if I even want to go home." Toph put her face in her hand as her and Zuko talked about what was next for them. Zuko had a path laid out for him, but Toph had no clue what to do now.

Bum bum bum bum

Toph gave him a quizzical look, feeling his heart rate skyrocket. "Zuko, are you-"

She blinked then, and a wide grin stretched her face as she realized exactly what caused him sudden panic- or rather who.

Katara had walked into the room.

"Oooohh. I see." Toph smirked.

"Toph, don't you dare say or do anything-"

"I am offended you'd think I would snitch!" Toph huffed snootily. Zuko narrowed his eyes at her disbelievingly. This was exactly the kind of thing that Toph loved to flaunt and tease about.

"Snitch about what?" Katara asked as she approached the bedside, placing a bowl of rice on the nightstand.

"About Zuko's crush on you!" Toph grinned lazily.

"Toph! I'm gonna-" Zuko started angrily before clutching at his chest. Katara rushed to him, laying him back on his pillows (and pretending she wasn't blushing).

Toph cackled, "Oh man, if you could hear Sugar Queen's heart beat! This is great."

"Toph, you can leave now." Katara snipped.

"I'd rather stay. This is better than that stupid play we went to."

Katara pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. She decided to ignore this whole conversation because there was genuine pain on Zuko's face as he held his hand over his chest.

She pushed him back further on the bed and unwrapped his tunic. He needed another healing and-

"Oh la laaaaa. Sweetness is so forward!" Toph howled, laughing further at their spiking heart rates.

"Toph." Katara growled, her face positively glowing, "Get out! You're causing Zuko stress!"

"Mmm, I think you're the one causing that stress, Sweetness."

Katara huffed, continuing her task and unraveling the dressing around Zuko's chest and abdomen. "I'm gonna kill her." She mumbled under her breath.

Zuko smiled at her, small but genuine. Katara wished it hadn't made her breath hitch- she was sure Toph could sense that too.

"So are you guys gonna make out or what?" Toph asked nonchalantly, picking at her nails.

Both of their eyes widened in shock. Zuko stuttered, "What?! I- we aren't- why are you here?!"

"Is that a no?" The blind girl pouted at them.

Katara turned to the younger girl with all the patience she could muster, "Toph, I'm just here to heal his injury. We aren't going to make out."

Toph groaned, standing from her chair. "That's so boring. I'm leaving."

"Finally." Zuko hissed under his breath. Toph sent him the bird as she left his bedroom.

The water bender sighed heavily, gathering water from the basin to start working on his weakened heart. "She's something else. Just ignore her."

Zuko nodded, breathing deeply through the pain like Katara taught him. But he couldn't help but wonder if Toph's words had any truth to them. Did she know how he felt? Did Katara maybe feel the same way? Did she want to make out with him?

Katara raised an eyebrow at him as she felt his heart beat hitch against her glowing hands. "You're supposed to be ignoring her."

"Right." He hissed between his teeth, clenching his eyes closed and trying to put thoughts of the water bender's feelings out of his mind.

She sighed and returned the water to the bin. She would only cause him more pain if he wasn't calm during this process. "Alright, I guess we're talking about this."

Zuko groaned and threw his arm over his head in embarrassment. Katara laughed at him and took ahold of his hand, smirking at him, "Come on, feelings aren't that bad."

He took a deep breath, "Okay... I think that I... like you."

Katara smiled, blushing prettily. "And I think I like you." She boldly declared.

Zuko's face burned hotly. "Oh."

They both knew that 'like' wasn't a strong enough word for what they were feeling.

Slowly Katara knelt down, her eyes on his to gage if this was okay. His eyes kept darting between her blue eyes and her soft lips.

She tilted her head and softly pressed her lips to his, gently prodding his lips.

Zuko reached his hand up to the back of her neck, pressing her closer to push their mouths together more urgently.

Katara gasped softly at the passion, her arms almost not holding her weight over him. She put a knee up on the bed to help steady her as she tilted her mouth against his for a deeper angle.

Zuko groaned suddenly, wincing and pulling away from her sharply as he clutched at his torso. Katara frowned, placing her hands on his chest. "Toph's right, I'm not exactly helping your stress levels. I shouldn't have done that when you're like this, I'm sorry."

"I want that in writing, Sugar Queen!"

Katara's eyes widened and she whipped around, screeching, "Toph! I told you to go away!"

The earth bender leaned against the doorframe, grinning evilly at them. "And I told you so. I knew you guys were gonna make out!"

"GET OUT!"

December Drabbles

Dec. 10: Sweet tooth today's prompt: food and drink

*

One reason John likes Christmas: it’s infinitely easier to get Sherlock to eat. That reliable sweet tooth flames into eager appetite with the thousand treats of the holidays, and by some good spell this activates Sherlock’s hunger for everything else John could dream up.

Cream of butternut soup with grated ginger or orange peel.

Roasted vegetables of autumn hues, flavours transformed in the oven to something earthy and rich.

One precious game hen raised in the country and sent down by Sherlock’s parents with the dire warning not to forget to eat it.

John kisses Sherlock’s minuscule belly and beams.

*

December Drabbles is a mini-project inspired by anywen, who writes entire fics in drabbles—between the lines, between the words.

In December I’ll be posting Johnlock drabbles daily, here and on AO3 (The Holly and the Ivy: December Drabbles) Mine are comfort snacks, not a proper storyline, just practicing here!

Thank you bluebellofbakerstreet for this lush, ravishing cover. AND @missdaviswrites for the holiday prompts.

Tell me if you want to be added or untagged! I'm pretty random about tagging, but will remove your name right away if you tell me to :)

Hey yo my dudes!!!!!

So, you may be aware that I’ve been absent from posting stories for a while... for which I apologize. But anyways, I’ve decided that since tomorrow is Fili Friday, Fluff Friday, the Day of Many Names, basically a Good Day to Post a Fic Friday, I am going to use it to start posting my December Drabbles!!!

There will be a new one every couple of days between tomorrow and Christmas, just some fun little stories full of fluff and your favorite characters!

I’ll use the tag #DecemberDrabbles on all of them so you can find them more easily.

Also, if you want to be tagged in this set of drabbles, shoot me an ask, a message, or reply to this post!