AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 6

Zuko turned back to Athlea. "I guess it's settled then," he muttered, walking to his makeshift bed and setting his bag down. "That pretty much is a daily thing, to be honest," he laughed quietly. "So... What are you watching?" He winced at himself, then glanced at the TV. "I haven't watched much. Not for a while."

Athlea had a smile on her face. A small soft giggle escaped her lips. "You're feisty," she pointed out as she sat there. "Don't blame you though. Hot Head Fire Prince. Suits you." She smiled, looking away for a second, then back at him. "Take the remote and browse; we'll watch whatever you decide on."

Zuko snorted. "Thanks," he muttered. "Glad that nickname is getting around." He cleared his throat and took the remote, flipping through channels. He settled on some action show where a guy was chasing a girl over rooftops. It was pretty lame until they started fire-bending. "Do you think the Fire Nation will ever start showing other bending types on TV?" he asked. "They can't just pretend other benders don't exist."

Athlea's eyes opened as she looked at the screen, watching the action show. "Look at them go." His question grabbed her attention and she raised an eyebrow. "Unless someone else will take over the throne, then no," she said with a sigh. "Your father has us out here really thinking other benders don't exist, and that the Fire Nation is above everything. It's sad really--the mindset and all." She shrugged. "Maybe you'll get the throne and turn things around."

Zuko watched Athlea, leaning on his elbow. "I suppose you're right," he said quietly, letting himself smile a bit. "One time I chased the Avatar over roofs like that," he muttered. "I lost that battle, I'm pretty sure." He shook his head. "My father cares about nothing but power. He'll kill every bender unless they bend fire, and they work for him. And my sister will be the same." He cleared his throat. "I don't want the throne any more," he muttered. Perking up a bit, he said, "Have you seen Toph or Katara bend? Well, obviously not, but they're great for girls! Well, n-not for girls, just... Yeah." He stammered for a moment before going silent.

Athlea looked at him and let out a soft laugh. "Now that's something I'd love to see," she teased. "Maybe I should chase you over the rooftops eventually." She nodded, as if approving that decision.

Zuko played with the sleeve of his hoodie. He chuckled softly. "That would whip me into shape," he agreed.

"Someone's gotta take over eventually. But you're royalty, not me; I don't know the rules. I think your motivation could be showing a change; not necessarily within yourself, but in general." She smiled nervously.

His face sobered. "Technically, my sister is the next in line. But since that isn't an option, it would be either my uncle or I. Although I don't see someone who can't fire bend any more as being Fire Lord," he joked, trying to make some fire and getting nothing but a puff of smoke in response.

Athlea brought her hand forward, and above her index finger a small flame appeared. She smiled reassuringly. "We'll get your bending back, don't worry. Leave it to me. I won't go easy, though!" she warned as the small flame disappeared. She smiled. "Expect hard work."

Zuko shrugged a shoulder. "When your sister and father are the only people you ever cared about up until now and they consistently try to kill you, it can get to you," he joked drily, a smile crossing his face. "But don't worry. I'm willing to work hard. Not that I have it easy already, trying to earn their trust back." He glanced at the bedrooms.

"Sorry, I don't want you to stress about it, nor to stress you about it. It'll make matters worse." She hesitated, then threw a pillow at him. "Idiot." She smiled. "You want a snack?"

He looked at her, narrowing his eyes. Before he could respond, a pillow was chucked at his head. He sat up and caught it, grinning and grabbing it in one hand. He looked down, clearing his throat, grinning. "I'm a 19-year-old man. I always want a snack. Do you have any fire chips?"

Athlea grinned, stretching her arms above her head for a second before letting them down. Zuko stood, looking her up and down a couple times before his gaze returned to her eyes. "A 19-year-old man. Mhm," she teased with a giggle and moved to the kitchen, coming back a second after and placing down a bowl of fire chips on the coffee table. Athlea took a seat on the couch again. "You're lucky I have those; they're my favorite. If it weren't for me liking them my Uncle would never buy any." She rolled her eyes, but a smile crossed her face as she d took a fire chip and ate it.

"I'm glad that he cares for you," he said. "My uncle was really great to me as well, though I didn't appreciate it at the time." He took a handful of chips, trying to eat them neatly. "My uncle likes tea the way you said your uncle likes gardening. I had a tea shop with him for a while." He messed with his hair. "So... where is your uncle?" 

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A/N where do you think Thea's uncle is? what do you expect him to be like? he's a huge part in her life. also, can we appreciate the chemistry between these two? and yet... still so awkward. ah, young love.