The Hardest Choice (malereader x avatar)

Prologue

-Rewritten April 1st, 2024-

Y/N stared out of the classroom window, gazing into the distance, He watched as the sea below lapped gently against the coast, small waves emerging before dissipating and retreating with the tide. Judging by the position of the sun, Y/N could tell that school would soon be over. His teacher, Master Yu, was droning on about the history of the Fire Nation. Y/N usually found history very interesting, but not today. Y/N enjoyed learning about wars and battles, not political alliances between clans hundreds of years ago, which Master Yu seemed fixated on today.

Master Yu: ...and, as it is evident to see, the Yuka tribe allied themselves with the Izami not for power but for... anyone?

Y/N knew the answer, but didn't raise his hand. He hoped no one would, class might end more quickly if it looked like no one was interested. Unfortunately, Y/N had Azula in his class, so that was never the case. Azula raised her hand, a smirk on her face. Master Yu scanned the classroom as if he hoped he could call on anyone else. With a sigh, he finally asked Azula to answer.

Azula: They did it for domination! To show the other clans that they were not to be underestimated or provoked.

Master Yu: [Thinking for a moment] Close, Princess Azula, but not quite. Y/N, why don't you answer?

Y/N: [Annoyed] It was for resources. The Izami, while weak, had access to the most fertile lands on the island, as well as various caves with gold and other metals in them.

Master Yu: Exactly correct! [The sound of a gong rings in the distance] Class dismissed, you may all leave now. Hail Ozai!

The class excitedly repeated the phrase and rushed out of the door. Y/N made his way over to Azula, who was walking out of the classroom. The two exchanged small talk as they traveled to the central courtyard of the Royal Fire Nation Academy, as they did every day. They sat on the edge of a beautiful fountain and silently waited for their friends to join them.

Not long after, Zuko and Ty Lee came rushing down to meet Azula and Y/N, with Mai walking calmly behind. Ty Lee immediately launched into a gossip session with Azula while Zuko began to speak to Y/N.

Zuko: Hey Y/N, how was history class?

Y/N: Boring, something about political marriages and the like. I was considering throwing myself out of the window.

The boys were distracted as Ty Lee broke out into laughter due to something Azula had said. She had a soft, strange laugh, one that Y/N used to find irritating, but it had grown on him. Zuko whispered something in his ear.

Zuko: She looks cute today, doesn't she?

Y/N: [Whispering back] Whoa, slow down there hot shot. I thought you were into Mai?

Zuko: I am! I can think that Ty Lee is cute and still like Mai.

Y/N: If you say so. Speaking of cute, your sister doesn't look half bad herself right now.

Zuko gave Y/N a playful shove, telling him to shut up. The girls looked over with confused looks on their faces, but shrugged it off. Azula stood up and spoke to the boys.

Azula: I hate to leave you two nitwits, but the girls and I are having a sleepover, so we have to get going. Bye!

Zuko: I'll walk with Y/N to his place. I'll see you back at the palace.

Y/N: See you girls, have fun.

The girls walked away, giggling and whispering. Zuko turned to Y/N as Y/N began to walk out of the school and towards his estate. The two walked side-by-side, with nothing of importance being said. When they were not far from the house, Zuko informed Y/N of the war meeting that was to take place tomorrow. Y/N shrugged, unaffected by the news.