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

Decision II

You sighed and glanced at Sokka, who was still hurt by Katara's sudden comment. "I hope she doesn't cause more pain by her decision."

Zuko looked over at Sokka and hummed softly, before following after Katara.

"Y/N, does it really seem that way?" Sokka mumbled. His voice sounded so light and frail you thought it might shatter.
     "I love our mom, I really do, but... But I honestly can't even remember her face. Does it really seem like I never cared about her?"

Your expression softened and you sat down beside Sokka in the grass. "No, all of us care about her, and it shows. Katara's hurting right now, she's saying things she doesn't mean."

"But what if she's right?" Sokka whispered. "She's not." You replied, gazing at the foliage and the various flowers.

"I remember how you'd always try to help Mom out when she was cooking, or give her design ideas whenever she was sowing. Some nights, when you couldn't fall asleep, you would move your sleeping bag and guard the four of us in case the Fire Nation came."

Sokka's eyes widened, "You remember that? I thought you were asleep!"

You laughed and shook your hear, "I was wide awake, I was faking. You made like ten snowballs to throw each night."

Sokka scoffed and covered his face, "It's so embarrassing to think about. Any firebender could easily evaporate those."

"Oh, shuddup, it was sweet," You smiled. "You love Mom, just like me and Katara. We all love her, and she still loves us."

Sokka's expression shifted to a calmer one, his blue eyes drifting towards the grass. Y/N..."

He pulled you into a fierce bear hug, nearly suffocating you, "Thank you, little sis! Mwa! Mwa! Mwa!"
      "Sokka, I'll hug you around your neck if you don't stop squeezing me!" You exclaimed, laughing.

When you sat back down in the grass, you couldn't help wondering how Katara and Zuko were, and what choice Katara would make.
________________//

As the day went on, the sky became a darker, dreary gray. It was a dramatic shift of scenery, especially since the sun was out not too long ago.

Despite the signs of a potential storm, you decided to go out on the dock and take a page out of Zuko's book. Who knew brooding and being gloomy could be so relieving?

        You couldn't help recalling the night you left the Fire Nation, and how similar the dock you sat upon was to the one from back then. The feel of the material was the same, too.

Katara's decision was hers to make, and your decision was yours, as well.

         You couldn't take a life—You just couldn't. Whispering to Lso, you placed a hand on your necklace.
       "I'm afraid. But this time, I'm not scared of the person or their power. I'm terrified of the outcome. Of myself."

   "I know, Y/N," Lso replied. "I know."

Nobody could help you. The choice was yours. And the consequences would be yours, too.

Katara and Zuko came back from the expedition after some time. By the time they did, the sun was shining once more, and you were resting in your tent.

You heard Appa's grunts and perked up, exiting your tent. Katara was walking absent mindedly towards the dock, and Aang and Zuko were talking. You saw them arrive and you immediately tensed up. "Katara..." What choice did she make?

You followed after Katara, and Aang went along with you.

"Katara? Are you okay?" Aang inquired, walking over to her as she sat down on the dock. "I'm doing fine." She replied.

      You sat beside her as she paddled the water below her with her feet, gazing at it with a perplexed expression.

      "Zuko told me what you did—Or, what you didn't do. I guess... I'm proud of you." Aang said, sitting with her too.

     "I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't," Katara whispered. "I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it, or strong enough not to."

     You placed a hand on her shoulder with a proud and relieved expression. "It might not feel this way, but you aren't weak at all. You've come a long way, and I'm proud of you. You made your choice, and that's what matters."

Katara embraced you and shut her eyes. "I need to apologize to you and Sokka for the things I said." She looked you in the eyes, "Thanks, Y/N," Then she looked over at Aang, "Thank you, too."

Aang smiled at her, "I didn't do anything, it was all you. You did the right thing, forgiveness is the first step to begin healing."

     "But I didn't forgive him." Katara said, "I'll never forgive him." She stood up and walked over to Zuko, hugging him as well, "But I am ready to forgive you."

     Katara began to make her way back to the tents, and Zuko approached the two of you. "You were right about what Katara needed. Violence wasn't the answer."

"It never is." Aang replied, his tone sure and certain. "Then I have a question for you." Zuko began, "What are you going to do when you face my father?"

Aang's eyes widened, "I… can't kill him. I can try to find a peaceful outcome."

You and Zuko exchanged glances. Both of you knew the only thing Aang would find was a fistful of fire.

Zuko began to speak," That's... stu–"
You gave Zuko a look.
He cleared his throat, "That's not going to work."

"I'm not going to kill anyone." Aang stated. "I'm not saying you should," You stepped in, "But you'll have to make a plan."

"What else can I do, though?" Aang inquired, placing a hand on his forehead nervously.

     "My father won't go down easily. It's your battle, so I can't say too much, but... you won't be able to use peaceful tactics against him. You're going to have to fight." Zuko said, narrowing his eyes.

      Aang looked worried, and a pang of empathy shot your heart. You were lucky your powers were so versatile—There were more options for you. But most of what came with being the Avatar was for fighting.

     You got the feeling his past lives wouldn't be of much help, either.

     You weren't sure you could help him, because the kind of issues that could come from you helping him in defeating the Firelord could start something against the Water Tribe.

    Momo flew to Aang's shoulder, as if sensing the boy's inner conflict. "I'll think of something... I'll figure this out." Aang whispered, walking away.

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A/N:
Thank you for your patience.

I've been working on two other stories, so I haven't had a lot of motivation or time for this one. Lately, I've been unsure whether or not write another chapter lol
Again, thank you for your patience, and thank you for reading Wither!

💜🔥❤️