|•|W I T 卄 E R||•| Zuko X Reader ⚠SLOWBURN⚠

Screams of the Sea

Before Oka could reply, Arnook said, "Have you forgotten your mother, who has already lost her husband? If you pass as well, what then?"

Oka froze, silent.

"Oka..." Yue placed a hand on his shoulder, "It'll be okay."

"No, it won't be." Oka replied.

Arnook glanced out the window and saw Hahn training outside.

"Oka... Your urge to fight is preventing you from seeing the full picture. There has been a question in my mind, and I believe I have an answer for it."

Oka looked up at Arnook, furrowing his eyebrows.

"The question... Of who Princess Yue should marry once she turns sixteen."

Oka's eyes shot open. He gazed into Arnook's eyes, slowly shaking his head.

Yue had a forlorn expression, holding on tighter to Oka's shoulder.

"Can't... Can't she choose? If you won't let me decide what I want to do with my own life, would you at least allow your own daughter..."

"...I'm afraid... The choice she'd want to make is the wrong one." Arnook whispered,
       "Once Princess Yue turns sixteen, she will marry Hahn."

Oka looked over at Yue, shocked. Surely, she would say something?

Yue remained silent and walked away from Oka, hanging her head.

"You won't do a thing, either?" Oka questioned.

Yue didn't respond.

Oka's whole life... He had trained to one day become chief, to fight the people who ended so many lives, to restore the South, to keep his Father's promise.

He had dedicated all of him to that cause.

But... Hahn?

Oka put in more effort, he had more spirit, he had more talent, he had more kindness, he had more love, he was the good guy. He was meant to be chief. He was meant to be with Yue. Ever since they were little...

Oka's heart stung and smarted, "Yue..."

She hung her head and refused to make eye contact with him.

"Oka, let's leave." Kharok grabbed her son's wrist.

Oka could not be moved.
   "I'm doing and saying all of this because I want what's best for the North. For the South... For the world. Why...? Why would you...?"

"You don't know the real world, Oka." Arnook whispered.

"The real world killed my father. I know it pretty well. I could make a change."

"I've already told you, no. This is what's best."

Completely baffled by Arnook's words, Oka trembled with frustration.
     "Hahn isn't what's best at all! He doesn't care about anything but power! He's- Why him!?"

Arnook stood up and narrowed his eyes, "He's more fit for the role or chief than you. You're acting like a child, Oka."

"...Fit for the role?"

It was painfully ironic.

The one who spent absolutely no time considering what was good for the North—Who would rather relish in his status and gain more power—was more fit to be a leader.

Oka felt sick.

Kharok squeezed her son's hand and pulled him out of the room.
_____

On their way back home, Oka stared down at the snow.