Chapter Text
The buzz from the previous night shifted to a dull headache. Zuko could handle hangovers; Jet had taught him that much. “Hi, Uncle.” He said attempting to contain a scream, he could show the old man how loud he could be and what cruel words he could come up with faster than he could walk down the stairs. Azula might’ve become the dust falling off the railing with how quiet and unnoticeable she became.
Iroh smiled, wrinkles around his eyes becoming more prominent and his smile lines deepening. His father lacked those wrinkles. With no strain, he admitted a warmth the sun peaking through the curtains felt threatened by. Similar to the last time Zuko had seen him 5 years ago. “It’s good to see you again nephew.” He replied his smile not daring to falter, it was much too comfortable on his face to leave. Sickeningly genuine and loving for a man who abandoned Zuko. His robes hung off his shoulders, instead of his body filling them up, no longer creating a round shape. Slightly muscle is visible through the thin flowy fabric. He bit back at the thought of what his hug might feel like, questioning if it held the same comfort. Zuko yearned for an escape and it must have been tearing him up from the inside, peaking through his weak attempts to cover it. He needed a hug when he and Sokka fought, he needed a hug last night, and Zuko needed one right now.
Without control of his body, he’d made it down the stairs, as if he finally became conscious. Zuko removed his hands from his pockets and straightened his back meeting his uncle’s eyes. Coughing once in his hand to hide any emotion but when he spoke his voice cracked. Settling on a nod he felt the warning signs crawling through him, if he spoke anymore the tears would give up their fight and would fall into the hole he’d dug for himself. “You’ve grown.” Iroh beamed. Zuko didn’t feel tall in the moment, he felt young again and terrifyingly exposed.
He shifted his eyes to the floor, Zuko felt like his Uncle might see every thought in his head. The sunshine Iroh held suddenly became too much, his truthful smile gripping his heart squeezing out all his lies. His voice came out low and raspy, “A lot changed in the time you’ve been gone.” He sounded pathetic, he looked even worse. Why had his Uncle even bothered to come back?
Iroh nodded, holding Zuko’s shoulder. “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now” Zuko could laugh if he wasn't fighting off a sob and itching panic. After all these years his Uncle’s proverbs still made no sense. Zuko doubted he would ever understand them.
He had so many questions, they burned inside stabbing sharply into old wounds and tearing every stitch he’d nearly died to create. His Uncle’s touch pushed the small feeling. Being 10 and rolling his eyes at his uncle's proverbs. Zuko thought his uncle might challenge him to a game of Pai sho next. His clothes felt too tight on his skin and his throat ached, raw and weak he choked out, “Where did you go?” The question He’d been pondering since his Uncle’s goodbye.
The loud smile dropped growing into one Zuko could manage; he tilted his head, “Didn’t you read my letters?”
“What letters?” Iroh didn’t respond his expression changing into a horrible act of pity. He looked Zuko up and down and came to a conclusion on what his nephew needed. Widening his arms he welcomed a hug, but Zuko had learned to be fast, ducking under his arms he stepped back. What he burned with was not the sun granting closure, no, he burned anyone who dared to look, “Speak to me! Why won’t anyone fucking talk to me!” When had his father ever consulted him or even cared? Iroh was trying to silence him! Just as his father, Zhao, and every stupid acting job did! Anger coursed through his veins, he didn’t need food for he was running solely off rage. Every act and movement is hot with fury “I don’t need a hug or a proverb Uncle. I need answers!”
Iroh’s expression stayed the same. As if he expected this. “You look tired nephew, let me brew you some tea.”
Zuko tightened his fists, when would he get to make his own choices? “No. I’m not a child anymore. I needed you… and you weren't there!” That tea should have been there instead of alcohol, drugs, and hookups with other actors. He should have been drinking tea and talking instead of slowly hating his job. His teeth ground against each other, he needed tea and hugs when he fell in love with a blue-eyed boy. The smell of tea should have been wafting through this house instead of his father's abuse and pushy managers.
His shoulders dropped, his form radiating sincerity “I see you are troubled, learn about your anger and find its source before you’ve burned to your core.” sighing he never dropped his gaze from Zuko, “I’m sorry, I should’ve saved you.” He dissected Zuko, easily seeing past his anger and screams. With no struggle, he crumbled the walls his nephew had worked years to build. Why are you angry? Whispered in the silent house, lingering in the air before it burned from Zuko’s rage.
Searching his head he could find no words to express it, opening his mouth he looked at his uncle and screamed. The paintings on the wall must’ve shook and possibly the windows would shatter. “Just tell me what you mean! SPEAK TO ME!” throwing his hands in front of him they shook threateningly attempting to convey more words because the anger burned his vocal cords. His uncle wore the same pity-filled guilt. Staring at him with those all-seeing eyes. Goosebumps prickled his arms and his clothing choices suddenly seemed too thin. Details were lost from the house as the sun hid away. Seiring heat sliding off him replaced with ice, he looked down at his shaky hands. Scarring on his knuckles that were laughable in comparison to the ones hidden beneath the not-warm enough clothes. Azula stood in a type of stillness that she could be confused for a statue, silent like the dampening sunlight. Iroh’s warmth retracted to live inside himself and himself only, the large family portrait towering over them. Zuko shifted his gaze back to his own pitiful self, all of them were failures in speaking the truth. Ferocity filled his entire body burning in his feet and scroching in his head. “This house is built on lies.”
“You’re right.” His voice broke but Zuko was too far gone to share his burden. “The first step to improvement is acceptance and that can only happen with truth. This family is full of dishonesty” He took a step back from Zuko, an attempt at some form of respect. “I should have known Ozai would interfere with our communication” Iroh looked to the floor for a few moments, his hand on his chin then his eyes widened, “follow me.” he shifted to an almost sprint.
Zuko had no choice but to go after him for the chance of a solution. After a moment his pace slowed. “My words will not absolve me of my guilt, You don’t have to forgive me but I pray this explanation calms your soul.” Zuko looked at the high ceilings, polished wood floors, and the windows with the returning sun peeking through, anything but his Uncle. “You see Zuko after my son’s death I could no longer bear this life. Everywhere I looked I saw what I’d lost.” He took a moment and stopped in his steps looking back at Zuko. The chandler above them sparkled, the sun bouncing off its glass and throughout the walkway. Iroh’s eyes brightened but the smile did not make it back to his lips. “I needed to leave and I wanted to take you with me, but Ozai disagreed. He explained you had your acting career to focus on. For a foolish reason I had expected him to let me keep contacting you.” he sighed stopping his stride. “But the hunter who sobs after killing is no better than the hunter who doesn’t.” Zuko had forgotten they were going somewhere. This house felt too big for this shattered family and Zuko began to form an idea of why his Uncle fled.
He looked at his uncle in a confused rage, his father’s office? Was this going to be one of his long overcomplicated lessons? Iroh turned to him, a serious expression littering his face. “I suspected your father had something to do with my grandfather's death but by the time I might have figured it out, it was too late. Ozai was the company's owner and…your mother was gone.”
“W-what…I don’t understand.” Of course, he didn't. Zuko wasn't an adult. He yelled at the people he loved, listened to his father, made stupid deals, and kissed pretty boys under trees.
“I should’ve done more” Iroh breathed out, he looked too similar to a sad dog instead of the powerful man that lived in Zuko’s memory. Iroh became many things in his journey but along the way, his Uncle never found a cure to the emptiness that Zuko saw now. Zuko’s common thought of fleeing was already on his mind. To return to the blue-eyed boy he yelled and ran from. “You’re a smart boy Zuko and I know you’ve figured out by now your father is not exactly who he says.”
Zuko’s breath started to come out faster and the stupid nausea climbed up his throat. “Shut up!” he could accept his father hated him, he knew that. Even when he idolized the man. He could accept he was just using his son as a cover-up.
“Ozai had control of Sozon Corp. Acting Agency and in turn had his claws on you and Azula.” he reached out to Zuko’s face. “What happened to you Zuko it…”
Zuko flinched away, hurt spreading across Iroh’s face. Zuko couldn’t stomach looking at his uncle, “Just show me what you brought me here for.”
Iroh nodded dejectedly, opening the door. “It was a horrible thing that plagued your mother she-” Zuko didn't let him finish his sentence before turning around and slamming the door. “Zuko wait just look at this!” Moving faster than any man his age should his Uncle swung the door open again. He grabbed the large painting off the wall, and to Zuko’s surprise, there was a door.
“Once when Ozai and I were young we snuck into our father’s office. Ozai was messing around and hit my father’s painting off the wall. Behind it was a door and being the children we were, we snuck inside. Inside held thousands of papers of every crime, secret, and plan our father wanted no one to see.” He stared at Zuko awaiting an answer. When Zuko didn’t speak, still fiery with anger. Iroh cleared his thought, “I suspected Ozai would do something similar.”
Zuko stared at the door, it was locked. His father’s discovery of his grandfather's secrets must have taught him to not only hide your darkness but lock it away as well. “I’m not sure where the key could be but whenever you’re ready. I will help you.”
“I don’t need your help! You speak of your guilt and try to compare yourself to my mother but you and her are not the same. You had the power to choose! She did not!” He stared down his Uncle, thinking of all the rage that burned inside him. “You should never have come back.” He spits out, “It’s not fair you get to stand here alive, not when she can’t.” still seething, worse words jumping on his tongue he kicks his father's office chair to the ground. Finally, he turned to the door but was stopped by Azula with an unreadable expression. Had she been with them the whole time? Pushing past her he left his family behind him.
~
Toph stretched her hands in the air shaking herself awake. She felt the bedsheets under her and the blanket with a striped texture. She’d fallen asleep in June’s bed again. Sometimes June would join her, other times she’d let Toph have the bed, or Toph slept on the couch. Moving her hands to the other pillow she touched the headshapped slump. June had slept here. Her hair was still smooth but began to loosen. Toph thought of asking June to do her hair again but immediately felt embarrassed. She wondered if she’d ever escape the shame of wanting.
The footsteps moved closer to the door, they were soft and fast. Junes’, Toph noted. Another louder set of steps followed by loud panting: Nyla. The old door hinges creaked, cold air hitting her and Nyla swung onto the bed licking Toph’s face. It reminded Toph of Aang’s dog Appa. She let out a breath, she would see everyone today. None of this felt real yet. She laughed petting the large ‘dog’. “Morning Nyla,” Toph said.
June plopped on the bed, “Ready for the fight today? How’s your leg feeling?” Before Toph could answer June was already pushing water and meds towards her. Toph could already feel June’s anxious eyes checking her over for any problems, she needed to accept that her leg was fine. She needed to stop being so dramatic. “Listen you little shit take the meds, it's the last round.” Toph let her win this one taking the antibiotics from her hands.
“The blind bandit is always ready,” Toph responded gruffly.
June laughed then quickly got up and left the room with no warning. She went far enough that Toph couldn’t hear her footsteps anymore. Getting over her confusion she got up and went after her. By the time she found her, her flip phone clicked closed. “What was that for?” June’s lighter clicked and she began to walk outside. Wanting an answer and starting to get pissed off, Toph followed. June let out a drag. Toph had started to enjoy the smell of cigarettes. “Who were you talking to?” Toph hoped this question would be answered differently than the others.
“No one,” June said shortly, her breath smelled of alcohol, another smell Toph had become accustomed to. After Toph was shot, June avoided talking about the dangerous aspects of her job. She once yelled at June about it but June had shrugged it off not bothering with a response. She took a long drag this time. Toph wondered if her mother had ever smoked like June did. Maybe she wouldn't be so uptight if she did. “Toph, do you like living with me?”
Serious conversations had become more common with June lately. More often than not June was looking off into the distance thinking of issues beyond herself. Toph thought over her response, punching June in the arm, “What’s with the mellow dramatics? I have one the biggest fights of my career and you're being emo.”
June grumbled pushing Toph enough to make her stumble, “jackass,” she mumbled. “I’m being serious. Do you like your life here?”
Toph leaned against the railing, she couldn’t joke her way out of this one. “It’s better than my parents,” she said.
“What if you lived here permanently?” she asked, seemingly unsure of herself.
“Like adoption?” then it all hit Toph. The secret phone calls, the odd seriousness, the shift from manager to parental figure. June loved Toph like some sort of daughter.
June said nothing, lighting another cigarette. Toph had missed that she finished the first one. “Forget it. We need to get over to the arena.” she turned to Toph taking her head in her hands, “The only thing on your mind tonight is winning. Got that?”
Toph nodded, for a moment Toph believed June might kiss her on the forehead. Like she did the night of the accident or when she thought Toph was asleep. Then her hands left Toph’s face and she began her walk to the fight.
~
“Zuko, he’s useful why are you acting like a child.” Azula chided Zuko, she’d been doing this since they stepped outside. “You know he didn’t have a phone for those five years. He couldn’t have known Father would take the letters.” She rolled her eyes, tired of her brother’s antics.
“I can’t believe you’re defending him!” He shouted, walking over to the car. “Our lives would be so much better if he could have been there for us.” his voice broke as the sentence went on.
Azula questioned if it was wise to hang out with his friends after such an emotional event. Azula thought of what her therapist would say. Instead of the remark she wanted to do. She could take all the firstborn rights from him if he kept being so stupid. “Our?” she questioned. “Leave me out of this. Boo hoo, you're so sad and angry. Uncle is handing you the key to your problems.” That probably wasn't what her therapist would say. She couldn’t stop thinking about the door or the fact once Zuko was in the picture her Uncle forgot about her completely. “Literally.”
He yelled an angry annoyed scream, identical to the one he did when he was younger. He loved to scream these days. “You don’t know how easy you have it. You get to be millions of miles away doing whatever you want. Father’s favorite. You don’t know anything about sacrifice”
Azula might yell if she lacked critical thinking skills like her brother. He was blabbering nonsense. “I have it easy? You spend all day drinking and parting. Yeah, Zuko I’m sure that's so hard.” Her tone dripping in sarcasm. Where did he get off talking about sacrifice?
“You think that's what my life is like?! The first time I went against father is a permit reminder on my face!” he yelled even louder. “So yeah drinking and smoking every day was so fucking fantastic!”
She sighed knowing if they kept fighting like this they would never get to his friends. Azula couldnt care either way if they went, but she knew If Zuko missed his friend's silly fight he’d never forgive himself.
She snatched the car key from his hand. “You’re not driving like that.” She looked him up and down. From his looks, she couldn’t tell he’d been drinking but Azula wouldn't be taking any chances.
Her brother needed to calm down, a change of conversation was needed. She hopped in the driver's seat letting him follow. “Do you um drink like that all the time?” She asked. She was a gifted child, easily skipping grades and moving excelling in everything she tried but when it came to conversations she came out short.
He got in angrily, slamming the door closed. “Most actors do. Or the ones I used to hang around.”
“Actors like Jet?” Zuko nodded looking out the window, the regret of his actions settling in. “You’re killing your body you know,” she added once she realized he wouldn't speak. He seemed to shrink in his seat as the seconds passed.
He glared at her showing little interest. “I don’t do it as much as I used to. Just when I need it.” Azula guessed there was more than just alcohol. She always stayed away from those things, not only to avoid the risk of her perfect body but what might happen if someone like her did that.
Speaking to Zuko more and seeing him in person made her realize what little she knew about him. What had happened to him? What had really happened to him? “What’s going on with you Zuko?”
“Just drive the car Azula.”
The ride was boring, even after Azula tried to insult him to get any reaction from him, it resulted in boring stiff silence. After all the work Azula had done for Zuko and his little friends. The area for Toph’s fight was suffocating. She didn’t want to sit down anywhere afraid of what diseases she might contract. The people looked borderline homeless as well. Taking out her phone she sent Jin a quick text. “Zuko is being dramatic as usual. Now we’re at his friend's fight. They need to disinfect this entire place.” She missed her friend. Slipping her phone back into her pocket she looked for the blind girl.
Suddenly a crowd surrounded her. She recognized one girl from an article Tylee showed her. She grinned, the fake girlfriend , “Hello Suki,” She shook her hand. Her head turned, the bad influence , “Jet.” She greeted. The next girl she knew she had seen somewhere, looked oddly familiar. “Katara, nice to meet you.” The Katara girl attempted to hug her but Azula quickly avoided it. Seriously who did these people think she was? It wasn't like her brother was pleasant. Why did they expect her to be?
The next one she identified immediately, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, “Aang. I see you’re doing well.” He gave her the same stiff greeting. She’d met Aang before, once at some acting event for Zuko. He hit her with chocolate cake and she threw an entire strawberry cake on him in revolt, since then they avoided each other. Then a face she’d grown tired of researching. “Toph Beifong.” She was aware of the girl’s well-known family, they were great allies of the Sozins. Despite never formally meeting the girl she decided she liked her. Then finally the last one, Azula smiled devilishly, the sketchbook boy. “Sokka,”
Azula smiled one last time before she stepped out. Pressing her contact, Jin picked up on the first ring. “Hey ‘Zula” Jin’s soothing voice spoke.
Covering her mouth to hide the grin “Hello Jin, how are you?” Azula asked. She thought of the times they’d all enjoyed together a few days prior, something swirled inside her. Her father would call it weakness. Her lips pulled up and she would never tell a soul she missed them.
She could hear Jin’s happiness through the phone. “It’s good, me, Mai, and Tylee got hair tinsel! We all got pink.” a photo of their new sparkly hair is sent. Azula chuckled at the thought of them convincing Mai to get it.
Azula decides not to mention its childish nature and instead says, “I’m guessing that was Tylee’s idea?” she says failing to contain the laugh. They look like K-pop idols.
Jin giggles, “Yeah, she saw some celebrity do it. Anyway, enough about me. What about you?”
She sighed remembering all that had occurred. Jin was a good distraction but when she was home she was reminded this is what she was and nothing would change that. “Well Zuko is being dramatic but he’s an actor so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. My father isn’t here yet but when he is I’ll be sure to greet him as soon as possible.” A devilish grin spread across her face. When he sees how she’s been excelling in school he’ll have no choice but to give her a major role in the company.
Jin says nothing for a few seconds, “That's um nice, yeah I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you home.” Azula can see her fake enthusiasm from a mile away.
“Yeah well Toph is about to fight so I have to go. Tell Tylee and Mai I say hi.”
“Of course, and I hope the thing with your brother works out.”
“Me too,” Azula said her goodbyes and turned to go in, catching sight of the women she’d tracked down her eyes narrow. A part of Azula doubted the criminal's existence, all her research flashed before her eyes. Spinning her body around she couldn’t go inside yet, she needed to make one last call.
Back inside, she pushed her thoughts away and watched Toph, Aang, and Katara fight over something stupid. “Calm down sugar queen me and Aang are just going to spar a little.” turning away from Katara she faces Aang. “okay so you’re going to jump off the wall to the side and then kick forward at me alright?”
“He is not doing that! You’re going to break his leg!” Katara yelled at Toph.
“And it’s not physically possible.” Sokka pointed out.
“Shut up Sokka!” Katara and Toph yelled. Their one moment of agreement was short-lasted before they returned to their squabbling. Azula didn’t think Katara had the same fighting skills Toph did but that didn’t stop her from challenging the other girl.
Sokka put his hands in the air stepping back, “I’ll leave you girls to you’re dancing.” that earned him more yelling and a punch to the arm. Grumbling he stepped off the sparring zone. He looked through the area and stopped when he laid eyes on her. She could tell who he was looking for, his glances held enough hurt and yearning that the whole area must have felt it. Whatever he originally planned to do he stopped. His gaze meeting her’s he strode over.
Acknowledging him she nodded a greeting, “Sokka”
He threw up a small wave, “So you're Zuko’s sister. We didn’t get a chance to talk before.” from his nervous energy and how he spoke of her brother's name, something had happened. Zuko and her were never close but he at least told her some things. Sometimes Azula hated how well she could read people, the way she could find all their weaknesses and insecurities in a glance.
“My reputation proceeds me,” she responds, proudly smiling when he laughs. “Zuko talks about you a lot, too much for my liking.”
He perks up, “He talks about me?” after the words leave his mouth his face changes as if he just remembered he was upset at Zuko.
She rolls her eyes, “You two are clearly infatuated with each other so whatever fight you had just get over it. Truly this thing you guys have going on is getting exhausting.” If they weren’t going to say it she would. She also wouldn't mind more information on Zuko’s life.
A deep blush betrays his face. Crossing his arms he glances over to Toph and Katara still fighting. “It’s not that simple.”
“I will never understand you actors.” She says actors like a slur and doesn't miss how Sokka glares harder at her. “I suppose my brother would find a way to overcomplicate every situation, always ruining life for himself.”
“It not all his fault.” he fights. “He’s got a lot going on so go easy on him. He cares about people and he doesn’t always find the right words but cares.” quieter than his last words he says, “Even if he doesn’t show it how other people do, he loves with his entire heart.”
Azula stares at him unable to read his body language. She hadn’t expected him to fiercely defend her brother's honor. She wanted to complain about her brother and hopefully listen to another share that grievance. Before she could respond a loud announcer tells people the fight will start soon.
Sokka turns away from her all his anger washing away as if it never existed, he smiles at Aang and then makes a horrible pun. She couldn’t wrap her head around him at all. Taking her seat she spots Zuko and Suki walking out of a shadowed corner, to any other person it would look like they were any normal teenage couple sneaking off to make out. But Azula knew they were having a similar subject of conversations she and Sokka just had.
Katara sat beside her, glancing between her and Sokka. Sokka gave her a look saying he would indeed tell her everything and probably complain about Azula as well. Aang quickly took his seat beside Katara before Sokka could. With a glare and an eye roll, Sokka sat beside the bald boy. Zuko and Suki made their way to the group, Zuko and Sokka were able to make everyone feel the tension in there no staring-staring. “Can you and your boyfriend just kiss and make up this is getting exhausting.”
Zuko ferociously turned to her his whole face turning a crimson red, she assumed Sokka had a matching blush. “He’s not my boyfriend.” He whisper-yelled. “And it's none of your business. Stay out of my life.”
“You seem pretty happy to have me in your life when it benefits you.” she fought back. She would fight with him in public, she didn’t have an image to protect.
His face softened in kindness or too exhausted to yell at two family members today, “Azula it’s not like that.” he dropped his voice to a whisper only she could hear. “I know I’ve been..”
“Rude? Unpleasant? An asshole?”
“Yeah, I have. I have a lot going on.” He glanced over to Sokka who was trying too hard to act like he didn’t care. “I thought I was ready to see you and when Uncle showed up I just-” His face scrunched up as if it physically hurt him to speak his feelings without anger. “You know I have my issues with Father.” that seemed like the most Zuko was willing to talk about him. “I’ll start being honest with you from now on.”
“I appreciate that.”
“But,” he said, Zuko could never let things end on a good note. “You haven't been perfect either and-”
“The fight is about to start,” Azula said shushing him.
The arena filled with loud rock music, everyone's eyes widening and some covering their ears. Black and white strobe lights attacked their eyes. As the song went on each word sounded more like gibberish turning into something demotic. The group looked at each other wondering if they had accidentally taken a wrong turn into the pits of hell instead of their friend's hobby. Jet cheers looking at home in this loud smelly place. Sokka leaned forward in his seat, his eyes glued to the arena.
Black fog pours out on the stage revealing Toph with a black cloak and staff. The closer Azula looks she realizes she’s dressed as the Grim Reaper. “Oh my god.” Katara manages to say. Gasps and cheers go out through the crowd.
She flips off her cloak throwing the scythe to the side. Normally it would make a loud noise but it's nothing compared to the shock and uproar of the people. The music has slowly faded and Azula would never admit this but Toph looked terrifying. From all the blurry photos she’d seen Toph wore a green fight outfit, occasionally something white. Azula couldnt make out the details of anything outside of where the fighter stood and in a blinding light Toph wore all black.
“She died that night.” “Killed from a gunshot.” “The girl who can’t die.” “She takes souls” “Born from the ashes.” “she’s not blind.” the theories and worries all merged slowly quieting. The next opponent appeared on the other corner but Azula only looked at Toph.
~
Her hands didn’t shake, her feet firm on the ground. Her name is a curse amongst the crowd. Some whisper it, others cheering. She grins hearing her opponent’s introduction. The shift of his feet, the tapping of his fingers, she stares him down.
Before the fight starts they turn to their managers getting one last word. June always shined in this aspect, her ability to give Toph the power to win, a perfectly worded piece of encouragement. Yet today, She held a weird energy, “Remember all our training. You keep a firm stance and let them make mistakes.” Toph nodded. Grabbing her shoulders she expects a squeeze, maybe a punch but instead, June presses a kiss to her forehead. “I love you.” momentarily Toph is thrown off. She’s the blind bandit. The girl who can’t be killed. She shouldn't be stunned so easily. “Get in there. You have a fight to win.”
Toph nods her mouth in a firm line. Facing the challenge she gets into a wide stance with arms beside her and hands in fists. Mind clear.
“Take a good look at my face because I want you to remember the best fighter this place will ever see. I hope you said goodbye to your family. I am the blind bandit.” He angrily grunts and throws the first punch, Toph grins with her teeth avoiding his hit and easily slipping behind him and slamming her her two fists down on his back.
~
Sokka watches the fight intensely, they’re evenly matched but Toph carries a certain feeling with her. One that sends shivers down his spine. He was just as interested as he was terrified of her. The fight goes on, the man shoves her and to the crowd, it looks as if Toph has fallen. Sokka has seen her practice this move, she falls back turning to her stomach pushing off her arms, and sending a kick to his jaw. Flying back he lands on his back. Trying to get up Toph goes to finish him off then… the lights go out.
Screams and angered shouts echo through the arena. Terror fills his body, he can’t see his friends but when a hand grasps his forearm something in him calms. He would have known who it was from the sound of his breath or his presence next to him, but with his hand holding on to him now. He knew with no doubt, it was Zuko.
Pulling him forward he rushes them down the stairs, he hears the jangle of something and Zuko pulls out a lighter. “what’s going on?” Sokka asks, he stops finally seeing Zuko’s face in the small flame, they haven’t been this close since that night. The night Zuko told him he loved him. He feels Zuko’s breath against him and his hand holds him tightly. Despite the screaming voices and confused yells, Sokka thinks of forgetting the fight and Zuko’s stupid words and leaning in instead.
Then a much worse sound erupts, it echoes throughout, and it's unmistakenly Toph’s scream. The lights flicker back on. A woman and man grab Toph, one with handcuffs in their hands. Sokka looks to find the others but among the swarm of people they are lost.
Toph’s manager yells something at the detectives. They don’t listen, pushing Toph to the ground and attempting to cuff her. Zuko and Sokka try to push through the people, “it's no use.” He sighs, “We’ll never make it in time.” it doesn't stop them from trying.
Zuko stands, staring at what’s unfolding, June runs at the detectives pushing them off and slamming her fists into the man's face. He stumbles back blood dripping from his nose, Sokka can’t hear what they're saying but Toph kicks the women's chest and get away even with the cuffs on. Sokka pauses for a moment frozen with amazement. Shaking back to reality, he ignores his brain's attempts to focus on something else. Finally making their way through the crowd they follow her.
“Ok so Toph and June just assaulted officers of the law and now Toph is running from them.” Zuko lets out.
“And we're following her and have been helping them,” Sokka replies, speaking his and Zuko’s thoughts.
“Were accomplices of their crimes,” Zuko says now realizing what he’s gotten himself into. Ducking into an ally they breathe heavily. Toph and June are eariily calm. Zuko runs a hand through his hair. “Shit this is bad. This is so fucking bad.” his breath quickens dropping to the floor with his head in his hands.
“I can’t go to jail I was supposed to help direct one of the episodes,” Sokka says just as panicked.
Zuko lifts his head, “you want to be a director?”
“Yeah, sorta I think.” Sokka is glad for the change in conversation. He wants to forget about this and distract from the terror vibrating through him. He breathes heavily, his heart loud in his chest.
Katara, Azula, and Aang pile into the ally. “What was that!” Aang yells before Azula shushs him.
“Calm down this isn’t my first run-in with law enforcement we’ll be fine.”
Katara speaks up first, “You call that fine! Toph you’re putting all of us in danger!”
“Sh! Someone will hear you.” June says. She pulls a hairpin out of her bun and begins to pick the lock on Toph’s handcuffs.
His sister’s voice cuts through again, “Oh I’m sorry did the bounty hunter want to say something? We don’t need your opinion on what we should do, because guess what? this is not fucking fine.”
Toph goes to speak but Azula cuts her off. “Katara’s right. That’s Victoria and Torin the detectives assigned to Toph’s case and they are close.” She narrows her eyes at June. “how did they find us?” The handcuffs click off Toph’s hands, June softly runs her hands on the red marks left on Toph’s pale arms. The way she squeezes Toph’s hand seems like an action one would do when they leave. Sokka knows goodbye touches well.
Dusting off her legs June returns to her full height sending a glare to Azula. “We all knew they were close. Poor timing when they decided to find her.”
Azula steps forward, “Poor timing?”
Toph quickly gets between them, ready to fight. “What are you suggesting?”
“I just find it interesting is all.” She hums, Azula examines her nails as if she couldn’t care less.
Zuko stands up meeting Azula’s gaze, “Azula?” he says like a challenge.
With a glare that could cut diamonds and a presence that commanded power Azula spoke, “June knows more than she’s letting on.”
“I don’t have time for this.” June walks past them peering out, “We need to get out of here, I know this place and know people who can help.”
“June Espinoza or that’s what it says on your license. On various documents, it says different names, even faked your death a few times. The only true thing about you seems to be your real name is June. Your mother would love to hear from you by the way.” Azula informs her. Sokka is shockingly now aware Azula didn’t tell them everything and she’d kept it as leverage, he turns to June and her similar calculated stare.
“Your threats don’t scare me. Do you want to say something? spit it out.” June bites back, both are very sure of themselves. Sokka can’t tell who he should listen to.
“You have a lot of nerve Azula. We barely know you. Why should we believe a word you say? The Sozins aren’t known for their honesty.” Toph interrupts.
Tensions were high, either they were fighting or waiting to see what the next person would say. All with the over-looming threat of getting caught. Zuko found Sokka’s hand, he didn’t mind how tight he squeezed it.
The fight shifted into something else, “like your family is known for being upstanding citizens? Your family grovels at my family's feet!” Azula says louder than she should. “You think you're important? Your greatest accomplishment is standing near me.” Toph swings at Azula but with all Toph’s ability, Azula is faster. Swiping her hand up she snatches Toph’s red wrist pushing her back.
Faster than all of them combined June steps in front of Toph, looking like a mother bear protecting her young. “I get it. you don’t trust me and I don’t trust you.” June’s scarily calm voice breaks in. “But if we stay here they’ll find us, we have to try.” turning away, June begins to run not watching to see if they’ll follow or not.
Turning back to them, Toph’s white eyes face the group. She hesitates as if she might say something then she runs after June. Looking around Azula meets their faces, “it’s already too late. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Azula speaks before following in pursuit.
Spotting a cop near them, One after another they ran. “Now I can get a tattoo since I’ll be in prison. Though orange was never my color.” Sokka says to Zuko.
Covering his mouth he lets out a chuckle. If they weren’t trying to escape the law Sokka might’ve kissed him in that moment.
Sokka looked around, the walkway went on for a long way, its width far as well. With all that space there should have been more people. There should be loud conversations, people sitting at the tables against the walls, and it shouldn’t be so… quiet.
Bringing his hand out in front of Zuko he stops his run. “Stop!” he shouted. Everyone whipped their head to stare at him. Zuko made himself aware of his surroundings as well.
Their eyes met and Sokka could nearly read Zuko’s thoughts, “something’s off,” he spoke, sharing what they both thought. Angry accusatory eyes shoot at June but it’s too late.
“June…” Toph's voice breaks, tears brimming her eyes. “You didn’t. Please tell me I’m wrong. Please.” she begged. Sokka had never realized how young Toph looked, only seeing her as a fighter and one of the scariest people he knew. He saw his sister in her, young and hopeful.
Police cars fill in behind them, and before they can make a run, they're blocked. Law enforcement trapping them in the no longer silent area. Toph’s lip wobbles and she does what a kid would do and pulls June into a tight hug muttering confused betrayal.
“I’m sorry,” June confesses.
Sokka watches Toph pull away as every fear of hers comes true. No cops are coming at them, they just watch. Zuko looks at him with uncertainty, he looks to him for a plan and Sokka can only look at the detectives. They know they’ve won.
Toph shifts from one foot to another tears now falling down her face. None of them try to run, except Toph. She tried to fight them off and at first she’d been able to do it but there were too many.
“Stop! You’re hurting her! You said you wouldn't hurt her!” June yells, her voice always sharp or monotone. Hearing this pained desperation come from her seemed unreal.
“I like living with you! I should have said yes! I love you June please don’t leave me.” Toph now sobs falling to the floor. The swarms of cops let her go. “Please don’t make me go back.”
Katara is the first to go up to Toph. She doesn’t say anything she just sits beside her waiting for what will happen next. Sokka finds Zuko’s hand, Even Azula has placed a hand on a distressed Aang.
After they decide it’s enough they usher the teens into the back of the officer's car. This wasn’t supposed to happen, he was just supposed to get his break-out acting job it was never meant to turn into all this. Squeezing Zuko’s hand no words find him.