AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 63

The next day, Dai got up and put her crown and the necklace on, anxiously adjusting it after one of her personal staff members helped her get dressed. She made her way to the dining room where Aang, Katara, and Athlea were already seated. "I guess I'm the first hungover person to arrive," she said, wincing as she sat down.

"Good morning, Dai," Aang greeted her.

"Good morning." Dai nodded at Aang. Her voice was a bit quieter and softer than normal.

Zuko entered a moment later. "I guess Avitus and Sokka did more drinking than us," he joked, "and we all know Toph beat us all."

Katara shook her head. "I don't understand it," she laughed softly, her eyes on Dai warily. They stopped at the necklace and she looked away, brow furrowed. Dai let out a soft breath of amusement, looking down herself.

Athlea was already at the table with Katara and Aang, being rather picky this morning about her food, which frustrated her, causing her to pay no attention to anyone else. She finally found something she liked and a satisfied, pleased smile crossed her face. Aang noticed and chuckled, nudging Katara. "Toph always beats us." He glanced over at Zuko.

Zuko nodded, a hand on his head as he seated himself next to his wife. "Yeah, she drinks more and functions better the next day." He shook his head.

Athlea raised her head. "I told my dad not to drink. He didn't listen; he's stubborn."

Aang chuckled. "I wonder who else is stubborn. Anyways, Sokka will be joining us probably around when lunch is served."

Athlea giggled. She glanced at Dai, noticing her necklace and raising an eyebrow. "Interesting necklace, Dai," she said calmly.

Dai glanced at Athlea, looking down again, using one hand to tuck the necklace into her clothes and armor. "Thank you," she said, her voice still quiet.

Athlea smiled, tilting her head a bit. "It's very nice. You should leave it out, not hide it." She glanced at Zuko.

Dai bit her lip. "I'm not hiding it," she said, pulling it out again, her cheeks pink.

"Are you okay, Dai?" Aang asked. "You're a bit... quieter today," he pointed out.

She looked up at Aang, nodding. "I'm fine." She looked down at her food.

Toph arrived, looking fine. "Morning, everyone."

"How are you feeling, Toph?" Athlea asked.

Toph shrugged. "Like every day. Alcohol has no effect on me." She grinned proudly.

Katara rolled her eyes. "That can't be healthy," she told Toph.

The earth bender giggled and rolled her eyes. "Not my fault you can't handle alcohol, Katara," she teased, taking a bite of her food.

Katara pouted. "I just don't like it," she argued.

Zuko leaned his head against Athlea's shoulder. "I'm going to die if I eat," he announced.

Katara leaned forward, saying teasingly, "Aww, Zuko's getting morning sick for you, Thea!"

"Are you okay, Zuko?" Athlea poured him some tea, frowning and handing him the cup.

Zuko nodded. "I haven't had more than a couple drinks in a while," he pointed out.

At the same time, Sokka entered the dining room, still in his pajamas and hugging a pillow, his hair down and his eyes closed as he plopped down on the floor pillows. "Someone's still sleeping," Aang said with a chuckle. Sokka simply started putting food on his plate in silence.

"Good morning, princess!" Toph greeted Sokka. Katara and Dai giggled.

Dai smiled softly as Sokka started putting food on his plate, half-asleep. She looked away, glancing at Athlea. "What's the plan for today? I suppose you have to instruct the cleaning of the palace?"

Zuko nodded. "And I'll be outside in the heat, dealing with all that glitter," he muttered.

"And by dealing with it, you mean telling people how to deal with it?" Katara teased him. Zuko nodded, humming.

Athlea looked at him with a giggle. "You'll be fine, honey, don't worry," she reassured him.She looked over at Dai and took a deep breath. "It shouldn't be too bad. Zuko has it worse. Having to deal with glitter; imagine if we have strong gushes of wind today." She kissed Zuko's forehead.

"Zuko's like a vegetable, how cute," Toph teased with a laugh. "Can't even properly talk or move."

"No," Zuko rasped dramatically. "I'm dying."

Dai turned back to Athlea. "Oh, that'd be a shame," she muttered, her voice closer to its normal low tease as she glanced at Zuko. His eyes were closed, and he flapped a hand at her weakly. "Poor man's exhausted."

Katara giggled again. "I think he'd be a good carrot," she suggested. Athlea giggled.

Zuko nodded. "I would be." He opened his eyes and took a drink of his tea.

Athlea looked at him and blinked. She shook her head. "You should go rest. I'll take care of the cleaning duties around the palace," she said calmly as she ate and closed her eyes in peace.

Sokka finally opened his eyes fully and looked around. "Why does Zuko look so... shit?" It was silent for a moment, and then the others burst out laughing. Athlea's eyes widened and she looked at Zuko for a good second.

Zuko perked up, kissing her on the cheek. "I'll be up at noon and get outside," he promised. As he dashed off, he smacked Sokka in the head.

"Don't worry about it!" Athlea called, smiling. "Rest!"

"HEY!" Sokka protested, leaning away and rubbing his head.

Dai finished eating and stood. Katara had already finished her food and was leaning against Aang, her eyes half-closed, still a little sleepy from the long night. Dai smiled at her. Her eyes flicked from Katara to Sokka, then to the floor and back up to Athlea. "I'm gonna go give Isa a brushing. Katara, do you have plans?"

Katara glanced up at Aang. "Maybe we could go for a swim," she suggested.

Dai lit up. "Yes! We can go around one, when Zuko wakes."

Katara laughed. "Yeah, because he loves swimming. He won't miss out if we leave earlier."

Dai smiled. "I'll be back before then," she said, shrugging and turning around, leaving.

Athlea finally stood up, "Well, I'm going to go get started on cleaning. The earlier, the better and faster I'm done," she said as she walked off.

***

A/N our cute couples getting some peace