teamfreewilllover

She was young. A few years younger than him most likely, wrapped up in the drab prisoner clothes that even from a distance he could see were fraying at every hem. Her bright blue eyes were a stark contrast to the darker hue of her skin, watching him intently. Numerous questions danced on his lips, but only one drew sound.

“How did you get up there?” He questioned, as she shrugged her shoulder. His spine stiffened as she raised a hand, and he readied himself for an attack. He was always on alert. He had to be. But instead, it wasn’t him that her interest lay on, but the water slowly simmering away in a nearby pan. His eyebrow shot up as the water flew up into the air, tendrils of transparent liquid whizzing over his head and coming to rest above her waiting palm. His mouth remained slack as her fingers shot out, turning the water into ice in the blink of an eye. Without much thought, she used the ice to slide down toward him, jumping the last few metres as she underestimated how much water she had.

“Shouldn’t you be happier? This should be a wonderful day for you — resolving you of your guilt,” The girl continued, coming to stand right in front of him, far closer than his guards would usually allow. She waved a hand and had the water from the pan swirling in the air for a moment, before dropping the liquid back where it originated from. Some droplets splattered against the surface of the counter, which caused her lips to twitch. Her movements were far more unsure and jerkier than he had ever seen Katara’s. She was new to bending, or at least being allowed to use it, he mused.

“I wasn’t even in the Fire Nation when most of these prisoners—citizens were captured,” He clarified, as the girl’s lips twitched again, looking like she wanted to argue. He found himself wanting her too, none of his advisors ever did. They chose to speak crassly behind his back instead. “I am only trying to do what is right. It’s what I’ve spent the past ten years trying to do,” He insisted.

“Your sister was right. You are melodramatic,” She huffed, even as her gaze drifted over his muscular form, wrapped up tightly in the colours of his nation. His long black hair was tied up, his crown attached atop his head as always, a few wisps of hair framing his handsome features. “You grew up prettier than she thought though,” The girl continued, with an appreciative smirk, her gaze returning to his golden eyes.

“Thank you?” Zuko replied, unsurely, finding it somewhat of a backhanded compliment. His mind began whirring then with interest. “You knew my sister?” He asked, earning a nod, as she started circling him.

“Years ago. When she was still sane,” The girl exclaimed, before pouting her lips, thinking better of her words. “Half sane.”

“My sister wasn’t the type to make friends with prisoners,” He pointed out, attempting to call her out on what he expected was a lie.

“I never said we were friends,” She corrected, a bitter tone to her words, something which left a bad feeling curling in Zuko’s stomach. He knew how cruel his sister had been, and he doubted she had wanted anything good from the imprisoned waterbender.

“My friend, Katara,” He began, having to stifle a laugh at how strange the words still sounded from his lips. A decade ago the thought of even having friends seemed impossible. “She’s a waterbender. A Master. Are there others in your group?” Zuko inquired.

“A few,” She answered, warily. Giving a precise number seemed unwise. She half expected the Fire Lord to grab her and execute her in the street at any moment. “Do you really think just because your friend is a waterbender that we’ll all have some magical connection?” She scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Uh, no,” Zuko replied, though that was a clear lie. Of course, he had to remember the girl was probably from the Northern Water Tribe. He still didn’t fully understand their dynamics or politics, but he guessed he had managed to put his foot in his mouth once again. “I just thought it would be good for your people to have someone other than Fire Nation citizens to speak with,” He explained, as her brow furrowed.

“What do you really plan to do with us all at the end of this ‘rehabilitation’?” She pushed, using finger quotes in the air.

“I don’t plan to do anything,” Zuko frowned, not liking where her words were leading. “I would see you free. To go whether you choose,” He stated, as a sad huff of laughter left her lips.

“Choice? None of us have had any choices in the past ten years,” She muttered, her anger lacing with the sadness in her tone. Guilt started clawing away at Zuko as it always did. “I’m not sure we’d even remember how to make choices,” She confessed, in a quieter tone.

“Only a wise man is capable of asking stupid questions,” Zuko mused, as she gave him a incredulous look.

“Are you calling me a man? Or stupid? Or maybe both?” She retorted, as Zuko began shaking his head vehemently, cheeks burning bright.

“No! No, no, no, I was only…” He trailed off when she saw how her lips circled into a smile, amusement dancing behind her eyes. A similar expression was soon flashing over his own features.

“I appreciate the proverb, but I think my people will need a lot more than that to integrate back into society,” She pointed out, as he brought his hand up to his chin, thinking hard.

“Perhaps I could help. I was banished — for three years. It was difficult when I returned home. I could give some advice,” He continued, as she raised an eyebrow.

“But no more proverbs?” She teased, as this time a genuine smile did spread over Zuko’s lips.

“I think those are better left to my uncle,” He suggested, when there was a knock at the door. It grew incessant in mere seconds, his guards calling out his name. “I should be going,” Zuko said, gesturing to the door, as she gave a firm nod.

“Don’t tell anyone about the vents. I just…need some space,” She sighed, as Zuko gave a nod of understanding. She was then pulling the water from the pan again and using a water-whip to pull herself back up toward the vent. Grabbing the edge of the vent, she shimmied back inside with a few swift movements, clearly having done the same before.

“Wait,” Zuko called up, causing her to go still. She peered over her shoulder, half expecting him to call for his guards. “You didn’t tell me your name,” He pointed out.

“Why do you want to know?” She asked, as he mulled it over.

“You know my name,” He argued, as she pursed her lips, the slight smile returning.

“Kahlee,” She responded, before pressing her finger to her lips and disappearing inside the vents, the sound of her shuffling muffled after a few moments.

Zuko twisted around to reach for the door, ready to let his guards in. But instead his hand hovered in the air, tasting her name on his lips. It felt new, different. And he liked it.

Despite being more fit than he had been a decade ago, Iroh was having trouble keeping up with his nephew that morning. The sun had barely begun to rise in the sky when Zuko had suggested they take a walk for quiet contemplation. Something that was far out of the ordinary for the anxious Fire Lord. Iroh let out a loud puffing sound, as he forced his feet to keep up with Zuko’s pace, noticing their walk was leading them toward the Prison Tower he had once spent the months trapped inside.

“There appears to be a purpose behind your steps this morning, nephew,” Iroh stated, earning a slight shrug from Zuko.

“I just wanted some time away from the Palace,” Zuko explained, as Iroh nodded slowly.

“The pressure on your young shoulders weighs heavy. It would be better shared,” Iroh pointed out, as Zuko all but rolled his eyes, knowing what was coming next. “Perhaps you should reach out to Mai—” Iroh started, when he cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“Mai broke up with me, Uncle. And she was right to do so,” Zuko murmured, with a downcast expression.

“As your advisers continuously remind you, Zuko, there are more than enough ladies in this nation waiting for a chance with their esteemed Fire Lord,” Iroh stated.

“And a life of duty,” Zuko mused, when his feet came to a halt, much to Iroh’s relief. His forehead wrinkled when Zuko turned to the newly erected rehabilitation building close by to the prison grounds. “I think I will visit our new citizens this morning. To see how they’re settling in,” Zuko announced.

“The Earth Kingdom representatives will—” Iroh said, as Zuko started nodding, though he was hardly listening.

“Be arriving this afternoon. It’s barely sunrise. It will just be a quick visit,” Zuko retorted, a swell of excitement growing inside him as he picked up his pace and set off in the direction of the building.

Iroh watched his nephew’s hurried footsteps, shaking his head fondly, simply hoping he knew what he was doing.

Kahlee brushed her spoon over the sludge they were being fed that morning. It was a slight step up from the inedible stews they were all but threatened to consume in prison. But not much. She couldn’t remember much about the food she had eaten at the North Pole, but she was certain it tasted better than the beige paste on her tongue. Just as she was about the bring the spoon back to her lips, a shadow was cast over her. She glanced up, both eyebrows shooting up when she found the Fire Lord standing beside her. She had to push down the urge to laugh at the awkward wave he sent in her direction before slipping into the seat opposite her. He stood out immediately, not only because of the red and golden colours he wore, but his shoulders alone were broad enough to shield her from the view of everyone else in the room. Not that it was a bad thing.

“Back so soon, Fire Lord?” She exclaimed, as he pulled the bag away that had been clasped over his shoulders. Some of his dark hair fell free from the topknot he wore, distracting Kahlee for a moment, before she shook herself out of the odd trance.

“I said I wanted to help. And my uncle always says that food is the best olive branch,” Zuko explained, as he pulled out a tray of Fire flakes from the bag, still steaming slightly.

“You’re uncle sounds like a wise man,” Kahlee snorted, as Zuko then slid one of the pouches toward her. He didn’t miss how she flinched a little, but she was quick to mask her reaction, her cheeks reddening a little. He doubted any of the prisoners had been treated well by the Fire Nation guards, and muscle memory was a hard thing to break.

“It’s not poisoned,” Zuko said, as a teasing smile grew on Kahlee’s lips.

“I hadn’t thought to ask, but thanks for the heads up,” She sniggered, before picking up a handful of the Fire flakes, her eyes going wide. A surprised huff escaped her, as she was quick to grab another handful and drizzled the flakes over her bowl.

“Where have you Firebenders been hiding these?” She gaped, picking her spoon back up and all but devouring the spiced sludge.

“I thought you might like it,” He exclaimed, voice tinged with amusement when he noticed her bowl was finished.

“You know, you don’t need to bring me gifts to find out more about Azula,” Kahlee murmured, slurping up the last bites of her food.

“That wasn’t my intention,” Zuko said, as blue met with golden, both studying each other for a moment. When Kahlee’s gaze seemed to drift to his scar, he allowed the loose pieces of his hair to press further against his cheeks, attempting to hide that part of himself.

“Really? Then why come back?” She pushed.

“Apart from me, you seem like the loneliest person in this city,” He pointed out, worried that he had taken a step too far when he saw how her face twisted.

“…Third,” She argued, as he cocked his head to the side in confusion.

“Who’s first then?” Zuko inquired.

“Your sister,” She mused, as Zuko’s face fell, imaging his sister bundled up in a straitjacket, muttering to herself in her cell at that very moment. “She wanted me to help heal her mind ten years ago. That’s why she came to see me,” Kahlee informed him.

“And?” Zuko frowned, not having expected those words.

“Some people…they’re just too far gone,” She replied, as Zuko grit his teeth together when he felt his eyes starting to sting. Without his parents, Azula should have been the closest family he had. But he had her locked away from the world, drowning in her own hatred. She would forever feel he had betrayed her.

“I know,” Zuko mumbled, suddenly standing up from his chair, tugging at the neck of his shirt, the fabric seeming too tight against his skin. He gestured to the other pouch of Firs Flakes, attempting to steady his breathing. “For the others,” He told her, before twisting around, ready to sprint out of the room.

“This helps,” Kahlee began, as his feet came to a sudden halt. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as she ran her teeth over her bottom lip for a moment. “If you have the time, you could come back,” Kahlee continued, as a proper, genuine smile grew on Zuko’s lips.

“Even if I am Fire Nation scum?” He suggested, as Kahlee rolled her eyes.

“Fire Lord scum. There’s a difference,” She corrected, standing upright and sauntering over to him. The guards on the other side of the room stood to attention as she came to stop right in front of him, close enough she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “Besides, I could use some entertainment around here,” Kahlee smirked, as their eyes met.