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Of course, this week is full of two Drabble-a-Thons. So we will return to your regularly scheduled fanfiction afterwards. :)
Anyway, as some of you may know, it is AVATAR FINALE WEEK. And, in celebration, there is an AVATAR DRABBLE REQUEST MEME I have been participating in. These were all written for that.
...What is it, you say? I am going to post gen and het for the first time in this journal!? Why yes, yes I am!
Title: Therapy Session
Prompt: Group Therapy
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Gen; Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko
Rating: PG
Word Count: 459
Sokka had never been more happy to pull out his fake beard and mustache. The rest of the group was really getting on his nerves. Zuko was annoyed with Toph for her continued pranks on him. Toph was furious with Aang for abandoning water and earthbending to focus only on firebending. Aang was upset with Katara for continuing to be suspicious of his new firebending teacher. And Katara was angry at Zuko for pretty much everything he'd ever done in his entire life.
The others didn't even seem to notice he had gone, they were all too busy glaring at each other silently to notice any absences or abnormalities. He took a big breath, preparing his therapist voice, and then cleared his throat loudly. "It seems like you're all in need of a therapy session."
Aang, Katara, and Zuko all turned towards him. Aang simply looked confused. Katara shot him daggers. Zuko seemed to just look horrified at the voice and the fake beard. Toph didn't turn but firmly stomped the ground, and suddenly the rock beneath him stubbed his toes. She was the first to speak. "Don't think for a second that I'll put up with any of that nonsense!"
"Yeah, Sokka... That didn't work so well the last time we tried it, remember? And there's nothing even wrong here, we're all perfectly fine!" Aang insisted, looking to the others for confirmation.
Katara and Zuko looked incredulously at him, but Toph flopped to the ground and leaned against a boulder. "I'm with Twinkle Toes. Everything is fine. Don't talk in that stupid voice."
"Yeah! Toph is right. And lose the beard, would you? You're reminding me of my uncle. This whole thing is just weird!" Zuko exclaimed, waving his arms around. "Who asked you to get into our business, anyway?"
Katara's fury was fueled by Zuko's rhetorical question. "Yeah! Don't you have yourself to worry about!? Leave us alone."
Sokka backed up, holding his hands out in front of him. "Hey, hey. I mean no harm. Just want to smooth everything over, right? And hey! You're my sister, you're supposed to be on my side!"
Katara started, but Aang cut her off. "Katara is an excellent judge of character! She picks her sides well! Just take off the beard, Sokka, and go to bed already."
Sokka sighed, and ripped off the fake beard. "Fine, fine. Pretend you didn't need me!" He turned and began to walk away, sneaking around a long way to hide behind a pillar and watch their talk. The four of them were all being friendly now, talking trash about him together. He frowned, wishing they could like each other without having to use him to ridicule.
"Oh well," he said to himself as he made his way to his bed, "Small price to pay."
Title: Effort
Prompt: "You went to an open door, instead of knocking harder on mine. I would have let you in." from "I Didn't Mean You" by Emilie Autumn
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Katara/Mai
Rating: PG
Word Count: 324
When Mai and Ty Lee joined their group, Katara couldn't help but develop a fascination for the pair. Ty Lee was absolutely wonderful and quickly became a good friend, though her ability to take away bending still made Katara nervous. Mai was quiet and mysterious. She held herself high and radiated a confidence that Katara had never been able to resist. And the fact that she could more than hold her own in a fight did not help matters.
She could tell that Mai was watching her, too. What was she thinking? Did she enjoy the waterbender for who she was, or could she just not get over an exotic beauty? The Fire Nation was mostly pale eyes and skin, but was a darker complexion and bright eyes really that thrilling?
As if she needed any more reason to dislike him, Zuko seemed to share her feelings on Mai. She knew they'd been together before, but she had been beginning to hope that maybe it was all over.
Katara knew that she didn't really have much of a chance. She barely even knew Mai, and she didn't see the older girl ever making much effort to get to know her better. And if she wouldn't do that, was she really worth fighting for?
So Katara made half the effort. She'd start up conversations, try to include Mai in whatever they were doing. But the vocal interest was never returned. Just lingering glances and the occasional slipped smile.
Zuko was willing to make all of the effort. And since he was willing to do the work for the both of them, it seemed it was an easy choice for Mai to choose him.
Katara tried to convince herself she was glad, that she didn't want a relationship that would be so difficult on all levels. But she was upset, because apparently she wasn't worth the extra energy. If Mai had initiated connection, even just once, Katara would have gladly been hers.
Title: Pride
Prompt: "Do I make you proud?"
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Gen; Iroh and Zuko
Rating: G
Word Count: 612
Zuko thought he'd gotten over needing approval when he left home to join the Avatar. He thought he'd found his own destiny, and that he was the only one he needed to impress with it. But with the war over and being back in the Fire Nation, Zuko found himself needing validation from the Fire Lord once more.
He still trembled as he approached those large doors, fearing who was inside. He tried to shake the feeling, but after fifteen years of fearing the Fire Lord, he just wasn't able to. The guards, recognizing him, instantly opened the entrance to him, and he began his long walk between large pillars to approach the Fire Lord's throne.
There was a tightness in his abdomen that he tried to quell, and he swallowed thickly as he came to the end of the path and bowed before his ruler. "Fire Lord, I would like permission to speak with you. It's Prince Zuko."
His nose was still to the ground when he heard the booming, mirthful chuckle. "Zuko," he said, voice smiling, "Please. Get up and join me. And don't call me that."
The prince did as he was told, and the fire around the throne died down to allow him to jump up and stand next to it. "Sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to show you proper respect." His head was hung, but he had a look of determination on his hidden face. Iroh stood from his seat and touched his nephew's shoulder gently.
"I appreciate that, but it makes me feel as if we are distant when you act so formally. But it's alright, no need to apologize. Tell me, what did you wish to speak to me about?"
Zuko looked up and his uncle was still smiling warmly at him. He began to speak, wanting nothing but to get the weight off his chest, but faltered. "I... We..." The hand on his shoulder squeezed tightly. "Don't be so nervous, Zuko. It's just me."
He smiled weakly back at Iroh, and continued. "We just haven't talked a lot. Not since I... I did some horrible things, Uncle. I betrayed you. And I can't do anything to take it back. But I've changed! I've really changed this time. I finally listened to you, and things worked out. I wrote my own destiny. I gave myself honor by helping Avatar Aang learn firebending, and helping to take down my father. I thought I was done needing approval from others. But I've realized... I need it. I need it from you. I can't tell if that makes me weak or not. But you were the real father to me. I hope I've made you proud."
His head dropped again, fearing to make eye contact as if it would make this all the more real if his uncle was disappointed in him. He grew nervous as he got no reply. Holding back nervous tears, he asked, "Uncle, I think I have to know... Do I make you proud?"
Before he knew it, large arms were surrounding him, holding him tightly. "Yes, Zuko. I have watched your growth, and I have seen what a large change you've made. After all my brother put you through, you emerged a good man. If I could only be proud of one person in my whole life, it would be you."
Zuko sighed and smiled in relief, and as the tension left him he let the tears fall. Iroh released him, and looked him in the eye. "However, I really wish you wouldn't have sided with your sister back then. I always warned you she was crazy." The stern eyes were contrasted with a bright smile, and Zuko could do nothing but laugh.
Title: Operation: Azula
Prompt: The rain is falling, falling so hard, and I'm sitting here watching, the earth begin to flood ~kaibasgirl
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Azula/Sokka
Rating: PG
Word Count: 702
It had been raining for days now, as if the sky was trying to do its part in putting out the Fire Nation. They were mostly protected underneath the cliffs of the Western Air Temple, but the earth was saturated and all the excess rainwater was falling into the temple.
It was nearing the end, now. Sokka could feel it. After a century of oppressing the rest of the world, the Fire Nation was going to fall.
It wasn't that hard to figure out, really. He knew it the moment Azula came to them. He knew he shouldn't trust her, not after everything she'd done, but even Zuko was baffled at this new Azula before them. Things were going badly on the Fire Nation's side, and she said that she just wanted to be on the winning one.
"Her hopes are on the throne," Zuko told Sokka in private, looking away with nervous eyes. "She thought that Father would win. But now that she sees he probably won't, she's come to our side in hopes of attaining it anyway. I can't let that happen." The warrior nodded, thinking Zuko was probably right, but feeling weird about the whole situation anyway.
The Fire Nation Princess was an absolute mess. She wouldn't really talk to anyone, though that came as no surprise. She remained in her room for what seemed like days at a time. Sokka couldn't contain his curiosity, he had to find out what she was doing.
It was easy enough to sneak over there. Her room was separate from the rest, by her choice, but it wasn't that odd to go past in on the way to his own chambers. Sokka looked around, making sure nobody else was there, and stepped closer to her door.
It turned out that it was open a crack, the sound of rushing rainwater echoing from her room into the hallway. He tried to peek through, but couldn't really see much of anything. It was enough, however, to determine that her back was to the door, and that he was marginally safe to inch it open further.
He proceeded to do so, tense with anxiety and praying that the hinges weren't squeaky. He went as slowly as he possibly could, and he got the opening a few centimeters wider before the door began to creak. If he had been smart, he would have run to hide, but he stood frozen in the doorway, hoping upon hope that she hadn't heard.
Azula did hear it. She cocked her head, the first movement he'd seen from her. But she got up to look out the window, struggling to make out any sound but the draining water, apparently wrong about where the sound had come from. Sokka's breath rushed out of his nose in relief.
As she was standing at the window he could see her a lot better, her head turned so he could see her profile. She looked awful, really. It was clear she'd been crying for a long time, as if she and the storm clouds were one. There was a permanent look of confusion and frustration on her face. Golden eyes were narrowed, but her lips were fixed in a sad frown. He felt like he shouldn't think of her as so tragically beautiful just then, but he couldn't help himself.
What would she do if he entered to comfort her? Would she be receptive, let him hold her and soothe her pain? Could he smooth her brows and light up her eyes?
No. He knew exactly what she'd do: she'd try to kill him. He'd be on fire or electrocuted before he knew it. He couldn't just waltz in there and expect her to be a different person.
But he could work on it. He could slowly become nice to her, try to get her to open up. He wanted to heal her, he wanted to help her become someone she'd never been. For a moment, he thought maybe if he made her better again, the rain would stop.
Okay, Sokka, he thought to himself, That's just stupid. She doesn't control the weather.
But he smiled to himself as he made his way to his own room, ready to set out a course of action for Operation: Azula.
Anyway, as some of you may know, it is AVATAR FINALE WEEK. And, in celebration, there is an AVATAR DRABBLE REQUEST MEME I have been participating in. These were all written for that.
...What is it, you say? I am going to post gen and het for the first time in this journal!? Why yes, yes I am!
Title: Therapy Session
Prompt: Group Therapy
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Gen; Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko
Rating: PG
Word Count: 459
Sokka had never been more happy to pull out his fake beard and mustache. The rest of the group was really getting on his nerves. Zuko was annoyed with Toph for her continued pranks on him. Toph was furious with Aang for abandoning water and earthbending to focus only on firebending. Aang was upset with Katara for continuing to be suspicious of his new firebending teacher. And Katara was angry at Zuko for pretty much everything he'd ever done in his entire life.
The others didn't even seem to notice he had gone, they were all too busy glaring at each other silently to notice any absences or abnormalities. He took a big breath, preparing his therapist voice, and then cleared his throat loudly. "It seems like you're all in need of a therapy session."
Aang, Katara, and Zuko all turned towards him. Aang simply looked confused. Katara shot him daggers. Zuko seemed to just look horrified at the voice and the fake beard. Toph didn't turn but firmly stomped the ground, and suddenly the rock beneath him stubbed his toes. She was the first to speak. "Don't think for a second that I'll put up with any of that nonsense!"
"Yeah, Sokka... That didn't work so well the last time we tried it, remember? And there's nothing even wrong here, we're all perfectly fine!" Aang insisted, looking to the others for confirmation.
Katara and Zuko looked incredulously at him, but Toph flopped to the ground and leaned against a boulder. "I'm with Twinkle Toes. Everything is fine. Don't talk in that stupid voice."
"Yeah! Toph is right. And lose the beard, would you? You're reminding me of my uncle. This whole thing is just weird!" Zuko exclaimed, waving his arms around. "Who asked you to get into our business, anyway?"
Katara's fury was fueled by Zuko's rhetorical question. "Yeah! Don't you have yourself to worry about!? Leave us alone."
Sokka backed up, holding his hands out in front of him. "Hey, hey. I mean no harm. Just want to smooth everything over, right? And hey! You're my sister, you're supposed to be on my side!"
Katara started, but Aang cut her off. "Katara is an excellent judge of character! She picks her sides well! Just take off the beard, Sokka, and go to bed already."
Sokka sighed, and ripped off the fake beard. "Fine, fine. Pretend you didn't need me!" He turned and began to walk away, sneaking around a long way to hide behind a pillar and watch their talk. The four of them were all being friendly now, talking trash about him together. He frowned, wishing they could like each other without having to use him to ridicule.
"Oh well," he said to himself as he made his way to his bed, "Small price to pay."
Title: Effort
Prompt: "You went to an open door, instead of knocking harder on mine. I would have let you in." from "I Didn't Mean You" by Emilie Autumn
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Katara/Mai
Rating: PG
Word Count: 324
When Mai and Ty Lee joined their group, Katara couldn't help but develop a fascination for the pair. Ty Lee was absolutely wonderful and quickly became a good friend, though her ability to take away bending still made Katara nervous. Mai was quiet and mysterious. She held herself high and radiated a confidence that Katara had never been able to resist. And the fact that she could more than hold her own in a fight did not help matters.
She could tell that Mai was watching her, too. What was she thinking? Did she enjoy the waterbender for who she was, or could she just not get over an exotic beauty? The Fire Nation was mostly pale eyes and skin, but was a darker complexion and bright eyes really that thrilling?
As if she needed any more reason to dislike him, Zuko seemed to share her feelings on Mai. She knew they'd been together before, but she had been beginning to hope that maybe it was all over.
Katara knew that she didn't really have much of a chance. She barely even knew Mai, and she didn't see the older girl ever making much effort to get to know her better. And if she wouldn't do that, was she really worth fighting for?
So Katara made half the effort. She'd start up conversations, try to include Mai in whatever they were doing. But the vocal interest was never returned. Just lingering glances and the occasional slipped smile.
Zuko was willing to make all of the effort. And since he was willing to do the work for the both of them, it seemed it was an easy choice for Mai to choose him.
Katara tried to convince herself she was glad, that she didn't want a relationship that would be so difficult on all levels. But she was upset, because apparently she wasn't worth the extra energy. If Mai had initiated connection, even just once, Katara would have gladly been hers.
Title: Pride
Prompt: "Do I make you proud?"
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Gen; Iroh and Zuko
Rating: G
Word Count: 612
Zuko thought he'd gotten over needing approval when he left home to join the Avatar. He thought he'd found his own destiny, and that he was the only one he needed to impress with it. But with the war over and being back in the Fire Nation, Zuko found himself needing validation from the Fire Lord once more.
He still trembled as he approached those large doors, fearing who was inside. He tried to shake the feeling, but after fifteen years of fearing the Fire Lord, he just wasn't able to. The guards, recognizing him, instantly opened the entrance to him, and he began his long walk between large pillars to approach the Fire Lord's throne.
There was a tightness in his abdomen that he tried to quell, and he swallowed thickly as he came to the end of the path and bowed before his ruler. "Fire Lord, I would like permission to speak with you. It's Prince Zuko."
His nose was still to the ground when he heard the booming, mirthful chuckle. "Zuko," he said, voice smiling, "Please. Get up and join me. And don't call me that."
The prince did as he was told, and the fire around the throne died down to allow him to jump up and stand next to it. "Sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to show you proper respect." His head was hung, but he had a look of determination on his hidden face. Iroh stood from his seat and touched his nephew's shoulder gently.
"I appreciate that, but it makes me feel as if we are distant when you act so formally. But it's alright, no need to apologize. Tell me, what did you wish to speak to me about?"
Zuko looked up and his uncle was still smiling warmly at him. He began to speak, wanting nothing but to get the weight off his chest, but faltered. "I... We..." The hand on his shoulder squeezed tightly. "Don't be so nervous, Zuko. It's just me."
He smiled weakly back at Iroh, and continued. "We just haven't talked a lot. Not since I... I did some horrible things, Uncle. I betrayed you. And I can't do anything to take it back. But I've changed! I've really changed this time. I finally listened to you, and things worked out. I wrote my own destiny. I gave myself honor by helping Avatar Aang learn firebending, and helping to take down my father. I thought I was done needing approval from others. But I've realized... I need it. I need it from you. I can't tell if that makes me weak or not. But you were the real father to me. I hope I've made you proud."
His head dropped again, fearing to make eye contact as if it would make this all the more real if his uncle was disappointed in him. He grew nervous as he got no reply. Holding back nervous tears, he asked, "Uncle, I think I have to know... Do I make you proud?"
Before he knew it, large arms were surrounding him, holding him tightly. "Yes, Zuko. I have watched your growth, and I have seen what a large change you've made. After all my brother put you through, you emerged a good man. If I could only be proud of one person in my whole life, it would be you."
Zuko sighed and smiled in relief, and as the tension left him he let the tears fall. Iroh released him, and looked him in the eye. "However, I really wish you wouldn't have sided with your sister back then. I always warned you she was crazy." The stern eyes were contrasted with a bright smile, and Zuko could do nothing but laugh.
Title: Operation: Azula
Prompt: The rain is falling, falling so hard, and I'm sitting here watching, the earth begin to flood ~kaibasgirl
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Airbender
Pairing: Azula/Sokka
Rating: PG
Word Count: 702
It had been raining for days now, as if the sky was trying to do its part in putting out the Fire Nation. They were mostly protected underneath the cliffs of the Western Air Temple, but the earth was saturated and all the excess rainwater was falling into the temple.
It was nearing the end, now. Sokka could feel it. After a century of oppressing the rest of the world, the Fire Nation was going to fall.
It wasn't that hard to figure out, really. He knew it the moment Azula came to them. He knew he shouldn't trust her, not after everything she'd done, but even Zuko was baffled at this new Azula before them. Things were going badly on the Fire Nation's side, and she said that she just wanted to be on the winning one.
"Her hopes are on the throne," Zuko told Sokka in private, looking away with nervous eyes. "She thought that Father would win. But now that she sees he probably won't, she's come to our side in hopes of attaining it anyway. I can't let that happen." The warrior nodded, thinking Zuko was probably right, but feeling weird about the whole situation anyway.
The Fire Nation Princess was an absolute mess. She wouldn't really talk to anyone, though that came as no surprise. She remained in her room for what seemed like days at a time. Sokka couldn't contain his curiosity, he had to find out what she was doing.
It was easy enough to sneak over there. Her room was separate from the rest, by her choice, but it wasn't that odd to go past in on the way to his own chambers. Sokka looked around, making sure nobody else was there, and stepped closer to her door.
It turned out that it was open a crack, the sound of rushing rainwater echoing from her room into the hallway. He tried to peek through, but couldn't really see much of anything. It was enough, however, to determine that her back was to the door, and that he was marginally safe to inch it open further.
He proceeded to do so, tense with anxiety and praying that the hinges weren't squeaky. He went as slowly as he possibly could, and he got the opening a few centimeters wider before the door began to creak. If he had been smart, he would have run to hide, but he stood frozen in the doorway, hoping upon hope that she hadn't heard.
Azula did hear it. She cocked her head, the first movement he'd seen from her. But she got up to look out the window, struggling to make out any sound but the draining water, apparently wrong about where the sound had come from. Sokka's breath rushed out of his nose in relief.
As she was standing at the window he could see her a lot better, her head turned so he could see her profile. She looked awful, really. It was clear she'd been crying for a long time, as if she and the storm clouds were one. There was a permanent look of confusion and frustration on her face. Golden eyes were narrowed, but her lips were fixed in a sad frown. He felt like he shouldn't think of her as so tragically beautiful just then, but he couldn't help himself.
What would she do if he entered to comfort her? Would she be receptive, let him hold her and soothe her pain? Could he smooth her brows and light up her eyes?
No. He knew exactly what she'd do: she'd try to kill him. He'd be on fire or electrocuted before he knew it. He couldn't just waltz in there and expect her to be a different person.
But he could work on it. He could slowly become nice to her, try to get her to open up. He wanted to heal her, he wanted to help her become someone she'd never been. For a moment, he thought maybe if he made her better again, the rain would stop.
Okay, Sokka, he thought to himself, That's just stupid. She doesn't control the weather.
But he smiled to himself as he made his way to his own room, ready to set out a course of action for Operation: Azula.