Bloopers And Directors Cut - Accidental Avatar Edition

Sunflowers

A/N: This is only a recent addition to the canon for Amaya, which is why it doesn't show up during their travels - but I felt like it was an important aspect of who she is/was.

My eyes lit up as we passed a field of yellow and green.

"Zuko! Stop Mangey," I called out, wriggling to try slide off the large bird-horse.

"Woah!" Zuko hurriedly stopped the creature, while Iroh chuckled and helped me off.

"Sunflowers!" I chirped, poking one of the lower ones. "And big ones, look at how tall they are!"

"Most things are taller than you," Zuko drawled.

"This is true, but still!"

"I take it you like these flowers?" Iroh said warmly.

"They're my favourite!" I smiled back. "Did you know, they only bloom to follow the sun, but when the sun is hidden by clouds or gone, they turn to each other and help one another bloom."

"Flowers often possess a language of their own," Iroh came up next to me. "Flowers given to another can carry a meaning all their own."

"I know," I chuckled. "Some people believe that they symbolise positivity, strength, loyalty, admiration..."

"Happiness and good luck," Iroh said warmly.

"That too!" I smiled. "And I love all those meanings."

"I thought you liked lilies," Zuko commented, his expression confused.

"Well yes, they're pretty and delicate looking, and smell amazing," I said. "But Sunflowers are my absolute favourite. Once when I... when I found it hard to see the sun, I planted a little garden of them. They grew so big and so beautiful. I love sunflowers. They remind me to keep looking up."

Iroh carefully picked one of the smaller ones and handed it to me with a smile.

"Because a sunflower will turn to another, to help them bloom," Iroh said. "And of all the blooms in this field, yours is the brightest when you smile."

I felt a deep blush heat my face up like hot sauce.

"Th-thanks..." I stuttered, taking the flower. "Damn Iroh, if you were 30 years younger, I might've swooned."

Iroh laughed boisterously. "Come, we should continue."

Zuko helped me back onto the bird, and I smiled into the petals of my little sunflower.

"Coming out of a dark place, seeing you stretching for the sun... Yes, Sunflowers are my favourite flower. Nothing else comes close."