Hey again hehehe, if you can do it too, I'd like headcanons of Zuko from the new leaked movie, as an adult, as an omega + with him pregnant, what he would be like and stuff... I downloaded the Tumblr app again, I'll get the notification this time, my apologies 🥹 (take all the time you need, I love your writing 🫶
zuko as a preg!omega ive never written for this before so i had to read some stuff before hand + a short blurb at the end
He'd be incredibly stubborn about slowing down
Pregnancy would not magically make Zuko any less stubborn. If anything, it would probably make him worse. The moment a healer suggested reducing his workload, he'd immediately insist that he was perfectly capable of performing his duties as Fire Lord. It wouldn't matter if he was exhausted, sore, or visibly struggling to stay awake during meetings—he would continue pushing himself because he genuinely believes his responsibilities come first. His advisors would spend months trying to convince him to take it easy, only to discover that Zuko had secretly slipped away to inspect a harbor or attend a diplomatic meeting anyway. The frustrating part would be that he isn't trying to prove anything to anyone else; he's trying to prove it to himself. Deep down, he would fear appearing weak or incapable, so accepting help would feel far more difficult than simply enduring the discomfort.
He'd secretly worry about being a good parent
This would likely be one of the biggest emotional struggles of his pregnancy. Zuko knows firsthand how deeply a parent can affect a child's life, both positively and negatively. He would spend countless nights lying awake with his hand resting over his stomach, wondering if he would know how to give his child the love and support he never consistently received. Sometimes he'd catch himself remembering painful moments from his childhood and immediately become terrified that some part of him might unknowingly repeat those mistakes. He'd likely overthink every decision, from what kind of education the child should receive to what values he should teach them. The irony is that his constant worrying would actually be proof that he's already determined to be a far better parent than the one who raised him
He'd become surprisingly protective
Zuko has always been protective of the people he loves, but pregnancy would amplify that instinct dramatically. Every situation would suddenly feel more dangerous than it did before. He'd insist on stronger palace security, personally review protection plans, and constantly think several steps ahead whenever he traveled. While he normally throws himself into danger without hesitation, now he'd find himself pausing before taking risks because there was someone else depending on him. If anyone made even the slightest threat toward his family, the calm and diplomatic Fire Lord would disappear immediately. Beneath all his growth and maturity, the fierce protector has always been there, and pregnancy would bring that side of him to the surface more often.
He'd hate being fussed over—but secretly appreciate it
One of the funniest aspects of a pregnant Zuko would be his relationship with being cared for. Every time someone asked if he needed to sit down, drink water, or take a break, he'd probably respond with irritation. He would insist that he was capable of handling things himself and act as though everyone was treating him like he was fragile. However, the moment nobody checked on him, he'd notice. He might never openly admit it, but the small acts of care would mean a great deal to him. Growing up, affection was often conditional or inconsistent, so being surrounded by people who simply wanted him comfortable and healthy would quietly touch him. He'd complain the entire time while secretly feeling loved.
His emotional side would show more often
Adult Zuko is much better at handling his emotions than he was as a teenager, but he's still someone who tends to keep vulnerable feelings hidden. Pregnancy would make that considerably harder. His worries, excitement, fears, and hopes would all sit much closer to the surface. Some days he'd find himself unexpectedly emotional over small things, like receiving a handmade gift or hearing someone speak kindly about the future child. He might become embarrassed whenever his emotions slip out publicly, immediately trying to regain his composure. The people closest to him, however, would likely appreciate seeing this softer side. It would remind them that beneath the title of Fire Lord is someone who loves deeply and feels everything intensely.
He'd be fascinated by every little milestone
For all his attempts to remain composed, Zuko would absolutely become captivated by every stage of the pregnancy. The first time he felt movement, he'd probably freeze completely, staring down at his stomach in stunned disbelief. He'd spend several minutes simply sitting there, trying to process the fact that there was actually a tiny person growing inside him. Afterward, he'd immediately want to tell the people he trusts most. As the months passed, he'd become increasingly fascinated by each new development. He'd ask healers endless questions, read whatever information he could find, and quietly treasure every milestone. Despite all the stress and anxiety, moments like these would make everything feel real in the best possible way.
As the due date got closer, he'd become increasingly anxious and excited
The closer the birth came, the more restless Zuko would become. His natural tendency to overprepare would go into overdrive. He'd review plans repeatedly, make backup plans for those plans, and then create additional backups just in case. Palace staff would constantly reassure him that everything was ready, only for him to find something else that needed checking. Beneath all of that nervous energy would be genuine excitement. Every day would bring him closer to meeting his child, and that thought would fill him with anticipation. At the same time, he'd be terrified of anything going wrong. The combination of excitement and anxiety would leave him feeling emotionally exhausted and eager for the waiting to finally be over.
Once the baby arrived, he'd be completely devoted
The moment he held his child for the first time, something inside him would shift completely. All the fears, worries, and uncertainties would still exist, but they'd become secondary to the overwhelming love he feels. Zuko would quickly become the kind of parent who checks on the baby constantly, convinced that every little sound requires immediate investigation. Sleep would become a distant memory because he'd spend hours simply holding the child and watching them. Every smile would feel like a major achievement. Every milestone would be celebrated. Most importantly, he'd make a conscious effort to ensure his child never doubts they are loved. Having grown up longing for that certainty himself, he would be determined to provide it without hesitation. His child would never need to wonder where they stood with him, because Zuko would make sure they knew every single day
hearing the heartbeat for the first time
The first time you heard the baby's heartbeat, it wasn't supposed to be a particularly important appointment. The palace healers had assured both of you that everything was progressing normally, and Zuko had spent most of the morning grumbling about being pulled away from his duties for yet another check-up. Even sitting on the examination bed, he looked mildly irritated, arms crossed over the swell of his stomach as he complained under his breath about paperwork piling up on his desk. You stood beside him, listening with a smile that made him roll his eyes. "Don't look at me like that," he muttered. "I'm allowed to be annoyed." Before you could answer, the healer carefully positioned a listening device against his stomach. The room fell quiet. For a moment, nothing happened. Then suddenly, filling the silence, came the rapid, steady rhythm of a tiny heartbeat. Zuko's words died instantly. His entire body went still as he stared at the healer, then at you, his golden eyes wide with disbelief. The heartbeat continued, strong and unmistakable, echoing softly through the room. For perhaps the first time since learning he was pregnant, everything became real. This wasn't a distant future anymore. There was an actual little person in there, growing stronger every day. You reached for his hand without thinking, and Zuko gripped yours so tightly it almost hurt. When you looked at him, there were tears gathering in his eyes, though he seemed completely unaware of them. "That's... them?" he asked quietly, his voice suddenly much smaller than usual. The healer smiled and nodded, but Zuko barely seemed to hear. He couldn't take his eyes off the device. His thumb rubbed nervously against the back of your hand as the heartbeat filled the room again and again. The Fire Lord who faced down armies and world leaders without hesitation looked completely overwhelmed, and honestly, you had never loved him more. After the appointment ended, he remained unusually quiet all the way back to your chambers. It wasn't until the two of you were finally alone that he sat beside you on the bed and leaned into your side, resting a hand protectively over his stomach. "Did you hear how strong they sounded?" he asked softly. The vulnerability in his voice made your chest ache. You wrapped an arm around his shoulders and kissed his temple. "I did." Zuko looked down at his stomach for a long moment before a small smile appeared on his face, one so gentle and full of love that it hardly seemed like the same person who once carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. "I can't wait to meet them," he whispered, and for the first time, all the fear he'd been carrying seemed outweighed by excitement.
