The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

Just Gotta Get Right Out Of Here

I threw on a set of Zuko's robes (perhaps for good luck), and went off to my father's house. My top priority was getting Gaku somewhere safe. He would only be used as leverage in my father's favor if I didn't. I ran down the several alleys in the capital and was surprised to find there wasn't much going on. I guess people were scared about the comet. It also made sense since Azula practically fired all the imperial firebenders who would usually monitor the streets.

As I was walking, I casually made a flame in my hand, and quickly extinguished it as it rose basically twice as tall as it usually did. I didn't even realize the comet made that much of an effect. I came across my father's house and took a deep breath. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I never made a plan or anything. Hopefully my anger wouldn't get the best of me.

I threw open the door and glanced around. "Liang, where are you?" I shouted into the house.

"Hold on, I'm in the bathroom." My father's muffled voice said.

I rolled my eyes and stepped into the kitchen. I grabbed a knife and put it in my pocket, just in case. I spun around as I heard a door open and my father stepped out into the kitchen.

"I was expecting you." He said casually.

I glanced around the room at everything but him. "Where are you hiding Gaku?"

"Why don't we have some tea?" Liang asked.

"I'm kinda in a hurry, actually." I replied dryly. "So, where's Gaku?"

"I see your time in the Fire Nation has made you impatient. Typical. I thought you'd at least want to complain about me as you always do."

I crossed my arms. "Well, as I said, I'm in a hurry. I'm afraid complaining would take too long."

"So, you can't only be here for Gaku. Sit down, and I'll give you some answers."

I glanced over at the kitchen table and obeyed. I sat down and crossed my fingers together in annoyance as he took the time to prepare some tea.

"I love tea." Liang said, not sounding very honest. He glanced over at me. "Mind heating up this water? Since you're in such a hurry."

I sighed and gave a tiny nod. I focused on the water in his pot and raised the thermal energy within it. The water started boiling and he winced as some of the water bubbled over onto his hand.

"That's a neat trick you learned." He stated as he sat across from me. "I thought firebenders had to use fire."

"There are a lot of things here that not many people know about." I replied. I glanced down as he placed jasmine into the boiling water. "Should've waited for the water to cool down a bit, you can't make a good jasmine with boiling water."

"Oh, so you are a tea connoiseur? What, did you work at a tea shop while you were here?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I did. I've done a lot of things, actually. You wouldn't know any of it." I watched as his shaky hand poured tea into two cups. He placed one in front of me, as if I was actually going to drink it.

"A doctor with a shaky hand." I noted.

He sighed and showed me his palm. It had a big burn mark across it. "That twit burned me." He stated.

"Gaku? Good for him. I hope it never heals properly. And by the way, I know how to get home. I didn't need your help." I said with a tiny smile.

"Well I was going to tell you either way." He stated. "Month before the solstices." He added casually.

I gave a tiny nod. "And I'm going home. Mom needs me."

"Your mother doesn't need you. She's so resilient, she's probably fine." Liang said after a sip of tea.