now or never || an atla fanfic

𝔪𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝐈𝐈𝐈 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔲𝔢𝔡

The Earth King lifted a steaming bun to his mouth, ready to devour his lunch when his bear, Bosco, knocked over the tray of steamed buns sitting precariously on the edge of the table.

"No! Bosco!" the King cried, watching in horror as the buns squashed and toppled on each other on the silk carpet. His appetite was ruined as he witnessed such a food crime.

Aang cleared his throat. "So, your majesty, are you in or not?"

Next to him, Toph stifled a snort.

The King looked up from the fallen steamed buns, almost teary-eyed. "Hmm? Yes, yes of course. I would think that the official militia would be happy to join your cause."

Thus far, they had proven to the King of the corruption in Ba Sing Se that was kept underground--literally. He was shocked, and finally coming to his senses, thanked them for their effort and would be indebted to them.

"Not just the militia, but your support would be vital to our cause," Zuko persuaded. "There's only so much the six of us can do, but with the King's support and militia backing us, we have a real standing chance against the Fire Nation."

The King nodded. "Absolutely. And I assure you, Long Feng will stand trial for his crimes. Based on what you've proven to me, it is clear that he will no longer have a place among Ba Sing Se politics."

"We're certainly glad to hear that," Suki smiled, folding her arms.

"As for the Fire Nation princess, she and her friends have left," Toph informed. "It's like they disappeared. I would suggest increasing security to the highest standards until everything settles down."

The King nodded again, stroking Bosco's dark fur. How he managed to befriend a bear would be a mystery to them.

But that was the least of their concerns. It looks like their work here was officially done.

- ♚ -

"What the hell were you thinking?" Toph demanded, almost fuming. It was bad enough that he'd been following them. But to get involved with royal politics? It was almost a death sentence for him.

"I'm so sorry, Toph," he apologized, adjusting his glasses. "I never meant to put anyone in danger. I was just following orders from--"

"From who?"

At last, Toph could finally talk to Satoru in private. The pair stood at arm's length in her tent, candles perched on every ledge in order to illuminate the space.

Satoru shifted warily in his place.

Toph seized his collar. "Satoru, I swear on the Earth King--"

Outside, Sokka walks past their tent, holding a pile of fresh towels, overhearing snippets of their conversation. "Ah, a lover's quarrel," he remarked, earning a jab from Suki.

"Your parents," he blurted. "Your parents were the one who sent me."

Toph froze. "You're joking, right?"

Satoru shook his head. "They were worried about you when you ran away from home, and they sent me to watch you and give them updates."

She released his collar, but her hand still rested on his chest. "Well? What'd you tell them?"

"That you're taking a wonderful vacation on ember island and hooking up with some hot fire nation dudes--"

"What? Satoru, my parents are going to kill me!"

"I'm only joking," he admitted, a deep laugh rumbling from his chest. "I wouldn't rat you out like that, after all, we are friends. They think you're still vacationing at Lake Laogai, living independently and on the hunt for a stable job."