i'm fifteen, you jerk! (a:tla, reader insert)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

You could barely suppress your yawn as the general was droning on about a plan that wouldn't work. "Listen, you need to make some changes." you moved the pieces around the board, making them surround the Fire Nation. "The plan needs to be more specific. I know my country, and even with no powers, firebenders can fight like hell. So, there are..." you started to talk about where to attack specifically, jotting down coordinates here and there.

"What could hurt you so much that you fight against your own country?" you snapped your head to look at the man who spoke. "Do you really want to know?" he nodded, stroking his beard. "My father murdered my grandfather in cold blood. He stole the throne from my uncle, who would've been a much better leader, by the way. Fire Lord Ozai was the reason my mother was banished, and it was all to save my brother from certain death. And let's not forget the icing to the cake. He married me off to a commander who wanted nothing more than to exploit my kids for their bending. Is it really even a question anymore?"

"I'll take the scroll. Y/N, you go rest. You've had a long night, I can tell." you smiled, bowing to the general and the council. "Thank you for informing us of your plan, men. It will be an honor to overthrow my father with you."

You walked into the tea shop with Katara. She gasped, hearing your brother's voice. "Katara, you know that this is just a lookalike-" but she had already run off. Fuck. "Mushi, Lee!" you greeted. "I'm pleasantly surprised to see you running a high-end tea shop, but it was to be expected. You're both talented teamakers."

"Y/N," Zuko hissed, gripping his tray. "Excuse me?" you played innocent as you sat down. "What are you doing here?!?" any serenity in his aura had disappeared, the gentleness being replaced by anger. You steeled yourself, awaiting a nasty comment as he stomped towards you. "You're not supposed to be here! Get out!" there it was.

"What do you mean? This is a tea shop, Lee." even Uncle Iroh had to come see what was the problem as the other patrons stopped to stare at you. "Go back to Zhao! Go back home, we don't want you here!"

"Zhao is dead."

"What?"

"My husband drowned in the North Pole. Zhao's been dead for a while. I'm sorry, Lee. Were you close to him?"

"Now, let's all calm-"

"No! Uncle, she needs to leave!" you sighed, standing up. "Apologies. I'll leave immediately. It was nice to see you, both of you. I'm sorry if I disturbed anyone." you bowed, leaving the shop. You could faintly hear your uncle and the other patrons scold your brother for his foolish actions.

"I'm sorry that that's your uncle, my little loves. He isn't very nice on the outside, but I promise you that he has a good heart on the inside. Now, let's go back home. Katara's probably waiting for us."

Night had fallen, and Katara still wasn't back. "Maybe she went out with a friend? Smellerbee and Longshot are still here. Yeah, that's it." you assured yourself, but you were still nervous. "How about this?" you started to sing a nursery rhyme, your voice gravelly and croaky from years of unuse.
"Ah, ah, ah!" Zuko screeched, tugging on your dress. You had managed to snag some new clothes since your last... whatever that Kyoshi thing was. "Are you trying to say something, my love? Go on." you encouraged as he struggled with his words a little more.

"Ma...ma!" he finally managed the words, and tears sprung to your eyes. "Mama!" he said again, and Azula chimed in. It was two little voices shouting "Mama! Mama!" over and over again. Still, you wouldn't have it any other way.