#melalot

< The warden nodded and stepped forward. “Everyone kneel and show respect for your Fire Lord!” he barked out. 

The inmates’ expressions twisted, and a few began to bow before Zuko held out a hand. “No,” he said sharply. 

The warden looked at him in surprise, but Zuko’s attention was on the people. Zuko gaze shifted to Sokka. In his eyes was the same grief and hurt that Sokka felt. Sokka nodded encouragingly. 

Zuko stepped forward. “First, I’d like to apologize for the pain my family has brought you. For the fear you had to live in for so long.” Zuko took a deep breath. “I cannot ask for your respect when you were shown none by my father and those before him.” Sokka watched the people carefully, gauging their expressions. They seemed wary, suspicious. “Secondly, I’d like you all to be the first to know that the laws regarding same-sex partnerships and what has been considered gender rebellion will be repealed.” 

As the crowd began to murmur, the warden turned to look at Zuko in shock. “My lord-” 

< But something changed the day he watched his brother get married. As he danced with Lance, he could almost imagine for a second that it was their wedding. And suddenly marriage was a life of facades. It was a life of waking up to freckles and a bedhead and hot chocolate, of poetry books on the dinner table, of loud laughter and passionate music and a family more than three times bigger than he was ever used to. It was consent and gentleness and bright blue eyes that seemed to know him to his very core.

It was a fleeting thought, but it was the first time marriage was something to yearn for. 

Then Lance had gotten too drunk one night in their apartment and had made an offhanded comment. I'm gonna marry you one day. It dug itself into Keith's mind and took root. From then on, every shared shower, every petty argument, every quiet night, every morning of reaching out to find warm skin, every grocery run was a beckoning finger. He found himself looking down at his ring finger, imagining a band around it to match Lance's. 

< His husband sat him down and knelt in front of him, looking at him with worried eyes. “What’s going on, love?” Lance tried to sort it out in his head as Keith took his hands. “We’ve been good about not arguing. Since we told Violet about her application.” 

“Yeah. A whole month. It’s a record.” Keith’s gaze fell and Lance shut his eyes. “That sounded funnier in my head.” 

“It’s okay,” Keith said. He stayed quiet for a second before saying, “I changed my work schedule. Solid Monday to Friday from eight to four.” Lance opened his eyes and stared at Keith in surprise. “That way I can help you with the kids in the morning. I can take Vi to school. And I’m home earlier to be with you.” 

“Really?” Lance asked. Keith nodded and gave him a small smile. Lance sighed and looked down at their hands. “I know. I know, and I… I’m glad we haven’t fought. It’s just….” It feels fake. It feels fragile. It’s all going to fall apart. Like we’re on a timer. “Violet’s still upset with me. It feels like…. Like I broke her trust or something and I don’t know how to fix it, Keith.” Suddenly, he was crying. He hated the distance that had sprouted between him and his daughter. All because of those stupid permission papers. It was only part of what was bothering Lance, but it was a big part, and it hurt. “She used to come home and hug me and we’d joke over lunch and she’d always come watch TV with me or just sit on my lap so I would hug her and now… Now she won’t even let me get near her without pulling away, Keith.” Keith sighed and shifted up to hug him tightly. “What do I do? How do I get her back?” >

Sus lmfaooooo 

yeah! Remember he got placed in advanced math which is how he got around to tutoring kinkade in high school!