dadriusstan

Latest Posts by dadriusstan

Princess with an empathic link to her sworn protector but she has severe anxiety so her door keeps getting thrown open and someone in full armor runs in yelling I'LL PROTECT YOU MY LADY, WHERE'S THE DANGER? and she's just got outlook open and there's two (2) emails she needs to reply to

Everyone makes headcanons about joel and ellie, so I'm gona give my hcs about tommy and ellie this time around...

I think joel and ellie's relationship is canonically clear. I mean, they're one of the most iconic duos out there, but you look at them and you know who's the adult and the child, who's in charge. And unilke that, I think ellie would be tommy's sidekick. One and half spies. He would call her his little partner in crime, and their bond would be so chaotic it would take a second for new people to realize thy're uncle and niece, because sometimes they give off big brother and little sister energy.

Another headcanon I have for them is tommy quietly firguring ellie's sexuality before joel. I mean, joel is not a bigot, but he's also just a clueless man when it comes to romance and that is such a funny detail lol but tommy? It's already a headcanon for everyone that tommy was a party monster in his teens and always has been this social puppy, so I believe that he has so many experiences with different people and friends that he can spot some social clues better than joel. So yeah, I can totally imagine that tommy would always quietly notice that ellie blushes a bit to hard around some girl in jackson, but keep quiet because is none of his business. Joel would tell something about thinking that ellie likes jesse, and tommy would just chuckle and think 'yeah maybe if jesse grow a pair of boobs'.

I feel like tommy is also tue type of person that messes with ellie a lot but doesn't really like when other people do it to the point of making her unconfortable. I mean, just because tommy is a golden retriever it doesn't mean he is a people pleaser: not when it comes to his family. So yeah, sometimes he will do something repeatedly around ellie to the point she will be whinning like "joooel make him stop or I will kick his fucking balls!!", but if someone who's not on their inner circle feels entitled enough to do that, he will politely tell then to stop bothering his niece.

I also feel like joel's love for ellie can sometimes blind him a bit, and that's when tommy's uncle behaviour comes to balance. I mean, ellie and her friends would be solded by jackson's adults for smoking weed inside jackson's curch, and when ellie tells joel that she's sorry and she will never do it again, geez - Joel would accept it and move on. Tommy on the other hand will wait for joel to leave and be like "now, your old man might think you're a little angel but I'm no fool, where did'ya hide the rest of it?".

OH, MY FUCKING GOD. I am so in love with these!

She will (and he'll let her)

parental caretaker and kid writing prompts

- younger kid standing on their caretaker's shoes and rocking around. almost like they're dancing or waltzing.

- the thing where the caretaker pulls the kid closer to them by like wrapping their hand around their head and covering their ear and tucking them against them.

- kid sitting on caretaker's shoulders. always a good one.

- "shh, shh, I know, I know"

- any sort of "take me instead" situation, said by either character. devastating.

- dealing with sickness. like obviously the kid getting sick and accidentally calling their caretaker mum/dad/parent in their feverish delirium is super cute and top tier.

- BUT ALSO. hear me out. caretaker getting sick but trying to push through to look after their kid and their kid works super hard to make their job easier or look after them in small ways.

- kid hiding for some reason (minor anxiety or major trauma or anything in between) and the caretaker comforting them or trying to coax them out.

- caretaker sweeping kid up in a big ole bear hug and spinning em around.

- kid hiding behind caretaker.

- "you should be in bed" "I can't sleep" "...alright, get over here, you can stay up for five more minutes"

- caretaker and a maybe slightly older kid arguing and making up.

- caretaker picking up slightly older kid from a party that's gone wrong in some way.

- caretaker who's maybe less like a parent and more like an older sibling. they take their kid to abandoned buildings and eat cheap takeaway/takeout with them.

- caretaker teaching their slightly older kid life skills that they maybe didn't have the chance to pick up on when they were younger.

- or yk just caretaker teaching their younger kid life skills. like trying to get them involved with cooking and lifting them up to help grab things and letting them watch things get cut up and prepared.

- caretaker indulging their younger kid in tea parties with their stuffed animals.

- caretaker looking after a kid's comfort items (bonus point if the kid is older, and double bonus points if the kid is too embarrassed to care for their comfort items themselves).

- younger kid curled up by their caretaker while their caretaker plays videogames. bonus points if the caretaker lets them play like baby mode co-op (like luma in mario galaxy). bonus bonus points if the caretaker is like an older sibling and gives the kid an unplugged controller.

- older kid playing co-op with their caretaker and getting way too invested. bonus points if it's mario kart. bonus bonus points if they're showing each other their favourite games from their respective childhoods (because yk different eras).

- caretaker carrying an exhausted kid to bed.

- better yet, the kid pretends to fall asleep in the car so they can be carried inside (caretaker knows their game but is more than happy to carry them).

- caretaker having a hard day working late and coming home to their kid sleeping peacefully on the couch, clearly having waited for them to come home.

- kid having a hard day at school and caretaker is in the middle of making dinner for them.

- caretaker shielding kid from danger with their body.

- kid refusing to leave caretaker's side when they're both in danger.

a zooks doodle for my Spirit Blessed (Derogatory) fic where he gets bending swapped with waterbending 8^)

trans dudes and their useless cis boyfriends

sorry if you've posted something like this before and i just can't find it, but how & when do you think suki &/ toph learn the full story of what happened to sokka in the north pole?

this is a great question because sokka is truly such a repressed little freak and so his friends (and girlfriend) will probably never learn the full story unless they explicitly dig for it. like, let’s think about what we know:

katara was there in the spirit oasis when yue became the moon spirit. she saw aang go koizilla mode, she saw yue sacrifice herself, she saw yue become the moon and kiss sokka. i doubt she knows about what exactly was going on between yue and sokka before that moment, but after that, she has a pretty clear picture of the nature of their relationship. the only other person who witnessed it in full is iroh.

aang turned into koizilla before yue became the moon. he probably vaguely knows that she’s the moon spirit, but i don’t think he really registers it, or understands why it matters to sokka. he seems downright confused the few times sokka talks about her, so presumably katara never told him about their relationship.

zuko knows that sokka’s first girlfriend turned into the moon. technically, he was also there that night, but i don’t think he was paying attention to anything other than capturing aang and beating zhao’s ass. so he actually has more information than aang does, because he’s actually aware that sokka considered her his girlfriend (although i would contest that claim, if anything sokka was yue’s mistress), so that’s like. something.

suki knows that “something happened at the north pole” and he failed to protect someone he cared about. she does immediately connect the dots and realize that a girl he liked died and he failed to save her. but she doesn’t know that she was the princess or that she became the moon spirit until watching that play on ember island. at which point sokka gets really mad that she dares to tease him about it, and she gets mad that he’s refusing to talk about it (or she playfully pretends to be jealous? unclear). either way sokka clearly thinks he’s opened up enough and has no need to further discuss it with her.

toph just straight up has no clue about any of that. if katara wouldn’t tell aang, she certainly wouldn’t tell toph, and sokka obviously isn’t telling anyone. although perhaps at some point zuko is like “yeah, sokka’s ex girlfriend the moon, everyone knows about her” and toph, aang, and suki are just like WHAT. why did he tell this to YOU of all people 😭😭

when your day is through and so is your temper you know what to do im gonna always be there

Zutarians i lowkey wanna see some of your responses and debunks by this post 😭😭💀

my loser boy gets his notebook back and immediately gets back to work 🌊

ZUTARA AGAIN! :D!

It's been a while I didn't share something here on tumblr so... Hi hi!

I forgot about zutara week and when I remembered I was sketching this and realized it didn't match with any day theme. q_q

So here it is! A day later, a momtara and dadko argument with poor Sokka in the middle! LOL

If someone it's interested, here is my art process:

have i ever mentioned how genuinely happy i am that zuko ended up with a daughter. he'd be a great dad even if he had a son but theres no character in atla with stronger girl dad vibes. he just needed a daughter

Fic Snippet!

“Are you out of your mind?” Zuko rushed across the courtyard and bore down on Aang with an intense, almost palpable fury. “Do you know how badly you could’ve hurt her?”

“I was just…I didn’t mean to-“ Aang stammered.

“Fire is not a toy!” Zuko bellowed at him. He turned to Katara, examining her for injuries. “Are you okay?”

“I’m alright,” she assured him, her voice shaking. “I’m fine.” She was trembling visibly, and there were singe marks on her clothes, but she otherwise seemed unharmed. Zuko turned back to Aang, how was looking down at his feet in shame.

“What were you thinking?” Zuko demanded.

“I don’t know,” Aang mumbled, kicking at the ground. “I was…mad.”

“About what?” Zuko was absolutely bewildered. “What could Katara possibly have done that you thought it was a good idea to do that?”

“Nothing,” Aang admitted sullenly. He didn’t say anything after that. Zuko glowered at him, took a few deep breaths to quell his own anger.

“You’re going to clean this mess up,” he said gesturing to the torn up stones, dirt and cooling lava. “Then you’re going to do 100 fire squats. Then you’re going to work on your forms for an hour. And I don’t want to see so much as a curl of smoke out of you. You’re not responsible enough for fire. Understood?” 

“What? That’s not-“ Aang’s protests died on his lips when he saw Zuko’s expression.  He huffed, kicked at stone, and finally nodded.

“Get started,” Zuko ordered through clenched teeth. He turned back to Katara, who was watching the exchange. She was still shaking a bit. Zuko draped his arm protectively around her back and guided her away. He glanced back once more at Aang, and almost rolled his eyes when he saw the younger boy still moping at the ground. It was hard sometimes to reconcile the awesome might and eminence of the Avatar with the reality of Aang, the child.

“I’ll be back,” he warned Aang. “Have this mess cleaned up. And don’t even think about asking Toph to help.” 

I know canonically, the Lava Fissure Incident takes place while Zuko and Sokka are rescuing Hakoda, but I wanted to have Zuko see and react to it. Personally, I think it was another accidentally accurate depiction of how unready Aang is to be the Avatar. And it is also another incident that the narrative decides not to call Aang out for, so the chances of him growing from it are...well, we all know how things turned out in LoK.

Fic Snippet!

“Are you out of your mind?” Zuko rushed across the courtyard and bore down on Aang with an intense, almost palpable fury. “Do you know how badly you could’ve hurt her?”

“I was just…I didn’t mean to-“ Aang stammered.

“Fire is not a toy!” Zuko bellowed at him. He turned to Katara, examining her for injuries. “Are you okay?”

“I’m alright,” she assured him, her voice shaking. “I’m fine.” She was trembling visibly, and there were singe marks on her clothes, but she otherwise seemed unharmed. Zuko turned back to Aang, how was looking down at his feet in shame.

“What were you thinking?” Zuko demanded.

“I don’t know,” Aang mumbled, kicking at the ground. “I was…mad.”

“About what?” Zuko was absolutely bewildered. “What could Katara possibly have done that you thought it was a good idea to do that?”

“Nothing,” Aang admitted sullenly. He didn’t say anything after that. Zuko glowered at him, took a few deep breaths to quell his own anger.

“You’re going to clean this mess up,” he said gesturing to the torn up stones, dirt and cooling lava. “Then you’re going to do 100 fire squats. Then you’re going to work on your forms for an hour. And I don’t want to see so much as a curl of smoke out of you. You’re not responsible enough for fire. Understood?” 

“What? That’s not-“ Aang’s protests died on his lips when he saw Zuko’s expression.  He huffed, kicked at stone, and finally nodded.

“Get started,” Zuko ordered through clenched teeth. He turned back to Katara, who was watching the exchange. She was still shaking a bit. Zuko draped his arm protectively around her back and guided her away. He glanced back once more at Aang, and almost rolled his eyes when he saw the younger boy still moping at the ground. It was hard sometimes to reconcile the awesome might and eminence of the Avatar with the reality of Aang, the child.

“I’ll be back,” he warned Aang. “Have this mess cleaned up. And don’t even think about asking Toph to help.” 

I know canonically, the Lava Fissure Incident takes place while Zuko and Sokka are rescuing Hakoda, but I wanted to have Zuko see and react to it. Personally, I think it was another accidentally accurate depiction of how unready Aang is to be the Avatar. And it is also another incident that the narrative decides not to call Aang out for, so the chances of him growing from it are...well, we all know how things turned out in LoK.

Whoever said this obviously hasn't seen the original 🤣

its so funny how katara stays being the only person zuko doesn't yell at when they're rightfully mad at him.

zuko with everyone: 🤬😤😡🙄

zuko with katara: im sorry 🥺 thats something we have in common 😔 what can i do to make it up to you queen i waited outside your tent all night 😕

[ID: A drawing of Season 1 Zuko with the label "Prince Does His Work Lying On Bed Like Schoolgirl" where he does as titled. He's laying on his front on his bed, sticking his tongue out while drawing Aang in his notebook. End ID]

so the live action huh

Deep deep deeeeeeep down, buried under layers of "DONE" and existential crisis, I'm sure our lieutenant cares about the teen toddler. I mean tyrant. I mean---

[ID: digital sketch of zuko and jee form avatar the last Airbender. jee is lying on his bed, frowning up at a small child version of zuko that sits on his chest and holds a wet sock in jee's face.End ID.]

I know it's not… something anyone of us expected…

but I want you two anons to know that you set in my head, thoughts and ideas in motion, and now Zuko's a bit too big sock is wet and lt. jee has to fix it because uncle is sleeping!

and… jee never expected to have kids… but here we are…

sorry jee… (at least you have the bunk bed with the porthole!)

The fire nation after finding out their fire lord is dating both sokka and Suki: so um...who’s gonna be the fire lady?

Sokka, immediately: ME!

Everyone: um, sokka...

Sokka: what?! Suki is already a kyoshi warrior AND the captain of zuko’s personal guard, so I get to be the fire lady! When’s my coronation and who’s gonna get me my tiara?

everyone is like “zuko is the dad of the gaang” and “Katara is the mom!” But consider- you are wrong. Open your eyes, folks. Katara is the dad and ZUKO is the mom.

I mean, overprotective? Tries to Relate to the kids and be the Fun Parent but ends up worrying and nagging anyway, terrible sense of humor but tries so hard anyway? “Let’s have a beach party, you’re working them all too hard? gentle encouragement, you’re doing great buddy!” All Katara.

Stressed, trying to get everyone to take things Seriously™️, constantly sleep deprived, first one awake (rises with the sun) and also the last one to sleep? Excellent glare, great scolding skills, good at finding stuff? Zuko is the mom and y’all need to transcend gender and really see the possibilities.

No, but what if Zuko is adopted by the Avatar Spirit? Not Aang, but the World-Spirit-that-resides-in-him specifically. Just imagine: the Avatar state is said to strip away all semblance of self but Aang can't help the disbelief as his mouth form the words "GO TO YOUR ROOM"

I feel like this is a hilarious addition to the "someone adopts Zuko" trope. @muffinlance, this is funnier if it's Zuko-pre-redemption, right? Everyone would be SO confused.

Quirkless support course deku my beloved <3

*crashes through ur ceiling* can we have dad joel n ellie caring for the horses and/or going on a horseride,,,,maybe ellie challenges him to a race n zooms off,,,

* you crash right onto my work table * ah ! right on time . here's a funny ! i accidentally spilled a dash of panic attack into it btw my bad !

ps : i watched that spaceship museum scene 18 TIMES while writing both this and the larger fic abt joel n ellie OOHMHJGOD pls tell me if i got their characters right IM SO BAD . IMSO BAD AT THEM . also rip callus my beloved but dw ellie gets a new horse :-] ! (* said horse dies later as well * we can't have SHIT in seattle)

...........................................................................

There’s only three things that Joel had told her when it comes to horses; one, she never, at any given time or situation, should stand behind a horse. Two, that one charged kick from its hind legs is enough power to kill a grown man, especially a tiny teensy girl like she is (much to her dismay). And three, don’t kiss the horse, Ellie, it’s dirty.

Now that they’re in Jackson, though?

“They’re not dirty anymore, Joel,” she snipes, tongue stuck at him while the man rolled his eyes from across the stable—and then she resumed her cooing, stroking the fur of one of the horses unlucky enough to find herself at her hands. “You’re all clean and pretty, aren’t you, big girl?”

Somewhere behind the other stables, Joel lets out a laugh. “I thought you came along to help me clean up.”

“I did!” Ellie says in defense, holding a hand up, “I just really like this horse!”

“Any particular reason why?” He teased.

“Nah,” Ellie frowns lightly with a shrug, “I don’t—”

She felt something stuck at the back of her throat.

The cannibals closing in. Her thoughts going Joel Joel Joel, grabbing on the reins and leaping on, bullets flying everywhere, a ledge, a sharp gasp, a fistful of brown fur—

Her chest tightened.

“Ellie?”

There’s a large hand pressing on her shoulders, her back. “Hey, hey—what happened?”

“I,” Ellie tries to breathe, but it came out all gasped and shaky and pathetic, “I’m—”

“Hey, hey. S’ okay. C’mon,” Joel shushes, low and reassuring, guiding her to slide down against the wall and sit on the dirt floor of the stables. “Breathe. You’ve got this. You’re okay.”

She lets out a dry sob, and Joel rubs on her back, gentle and grounding and her fist tightens on his jeans instead, trying to shake the feeling of fur from her hands. “I’m—M’sorry.”

“Hush,” he says, “I don’t need apologies, El. I need you to breathe.”

“Okay,” she nods, barely a whisper, inhaling shaky breaths one after the other. And then, like it was supposed to make sense to Joel, “he—Callus.”

“Oh,” he exhales softly.

“They—they shot him.”

Joel reaches out round his arms over her shoulders, pulling her closer. “I know.”

“I didn’t even get to bury him.”

“I know, baby girl,” he murmurs, calloused fingers stroking on her baby hair, “I know. I’m sorry.”

Ellie finally gives up, leaning against his side with another shaky breath. Joel feels strong and sturdy on her side, like an anchor—the crying comes slowly, this time; the thick pain in her throat, rising up and up until it forms a choked-out sob, and she stares into the distance, letting the tears burn its way down her cheeks. And Joel didn’t wipe them away. Not this time.

Her lungs ached, hands grabbing on Joel’s jeans tighter, and he lets out another soft shush before he holds her hand for her, squeezing it back just as tight. As his other hand rubs her arm up and down, the feeling in her ribs begin to lighten. Another sob lightens it, and then another, and there’s a small smile on her face when she looks up at Joel again.

“Okay?” He whispers, and she nods at him.

“Okay.” It hurts, but it’s okay to hurt. She’ll let it hurt. And then, maybe, one faithful day when her hair is as gray as Maria's—she'll finally learn how to grow around it, like wild vines that grows all over the remnants and ruins.

“I’m sorry,” there’s guilt in Joel’s voice when he spoke up again, patting on her shoulder gently, “I didn’t mean to make you remember things like that. When I asked “any particular reason why”, I meant as in that girl Dina you’re—”

“Oh my god, Joel,” Ellie groans with a laugh, throwing her head back before pushing him away. “I told you we didn’t break up, we’re just friends!”

“Well, she’s been scowling whenever she sees you and Cat around, and I’m sensing there’s some kind of triangle between—”

“—Joel!”

“Alright, alright,” Joel laughs gruffly, raising both hands in defeat, “although, Dina’s got a particular liking to horses too, don’t you think?”

“Fuck you,” Ellie laughs, returning to stroking the horse’s fur gently. This time, the feeling calms her again. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore.

“So,” Joel says, gently again, nudging his head towards the horse, “you naming her Callus junior?”

“Nah,” she shrugs lightly. “I was thinking… Shimmer would be nice.”

He gave her a look. “You’ve got a horrible taste at naming horses.”

Ellie smirks at him. “She still likes me a lot, though, so suck it.”

Joel huffs out another laugh at that, leaning back against the wall with crossed arms. “You look like the kind of gal horses would like.”

“The fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

Found on pinterest. Credit to the artist.

Ellie can have 2 girlfriends. As a treat.

matching icons for you and your worstie ✨ (+ miscellaneous enemies –> reluctant allies –> ??? doodles)

I may just be your parent.

Being surrounded by 'none biological family but might as well be' trope has me in choke hold, and honestly ima enjoy myself. Dialogue and prompt mix!

Card!

Angst:

Cradling the crying child that is not theirs in their arms after being either invalidated or abused by their actual parent/s, wiping away at their tears, and whispering gentle promises in their ear.

Fighting for the custody/adoption of a said child from incapable parents.

"WE MAY NOT BE RELATED BY BLOOD! BUT THEY ARE MINE, lay a single finder on them I will personally drag your ass to hell!"

"Where were you when the kids needed you? and NOW you want to be present?"

"No baby, I swear to you, they will not lay a single hand on you ok? go up to your room, we'll just talk, it'll be quick ok? pick the book you wanna read"

Rocking the kid back and forth after having a panic attack, both doing the breathing exercise they found online when they first witnessed their kid have their first panic attack.

Fighting and legalizing for the kid's custody or adoption because their parents aren't fit for the parental role.

"I fought for you, you're not getting rid of me that easily whether you hate me or not because I love you no matter how ugly things get"

Breaking down after arguing with the kid and hearing them scream how much they hate them and wish they were anywhere but near them.

Fighting and pushing for their kid's justice when the authorities turned a blind eye.

Serving their kid's justice themselves no matter how bloody and ugly it gets.

"Oh sweety, we didn't sacrifice everything just to build you up for someone to just bring you down. come on. I'll make sure they regret every tear that you cried"

"You don't deserve this wonderful kid! you don't see the mess you're putting them in!" "And you think you're deserving eno-" "AT LEAST I'M BETTER THAN YOU'LL EVER BE!"

"Tell me, how come they don't ever call? they're so ungrateful, after all I've done for them?" "Maybe a self-check would humble you, at least before I do"

Fluff:

Sunday routines of ice creams and park visits!

Fun sleepovers because they can stay past their bedtime with stories of their parent's earlier years.

Being accidentally called mom/dad while in the moment.

School visits and pickups when their actual parents can't! And they can get food on the way!

Being the kid's scapegoat when the kids sneak out of the house doing kids' stuff and they totally got the kid's back

"oh come on! Let the kids live a little! Not like you weren't their age once! You were far worst! Don't deny it!

Taking the kids shopping to spite their killjoy parents.

Wearing the kids creation with pride, clothes, jewelry or anything the kids gave them and countless pictures.

Parading around the streets with matching kids fashion, large sunglasses, tutus, skirts, bangles and dangly necklaces, and matching tiaras and fairy wings.

Running errands with or for the kids when they need anything.

"Oh come on kiddo, cheer up, you know you're mom can be a bit too much, I can assure you she means well"

They're practically on speed dial on every occasion there is.

Doing mani pedies with the closeted child and creating their safe environment for them and being their comfort if their parents show homophobia.

Chaos:

"NO! drop it! Don't put it in your mouth!!!"

"Where did you get that?! didn't I tell you not to snoop around where you shouldn't be snooping at?" "But come on! it's so cool! it's a self-destructive rocket ship! it's vibrating and all!"

Playing in the playground with the kids, screw being a grown-up, and sitting on the bench, if they can fit and slide in the kiddie slide they will join the kids.

Bumping every kid on-site in bump car rides, they are surrounding the kids and targeting any suspected enemy.

Dressing up as chickens taunting the kids' bullies' parents after having a meeting about it and the bullies' parents get away scot-free, they came dressing up as chickens and clucking out of the bullies' house before throwing hands.

"Geez! when I told you to hurry up I didn't want to slingshot yourself out the door." "It's effective though!" "KID YOU HAAVE A BROKEN NOSE!"

"I swear you are the reason I don't want kids!" "You love me though right?"

Picking the kids up in the middle of the day when they're requesting a pickup after cutting classes.

Playing tea parties with the kids with actual food and experiment/concoctions the kids made and they would eat that shit like it's bussin bussin.

Using their kids as partner magnets on play dates but utterly fails when said kids either pull them away or cause some type of chaos to get them home.

Egging bully houses and TPing their yards.

Camping out in the woods to try to live both of your fantasies of being fairies and or witches in the woods only to be attacked by mosquitos, bugs and no proper bathrooms

Be Just As Sweet

Because @electronswrites and @muffinlance keep on breaking my heart with Dark!Lu Ten I needed fluff to balance it out.

….

Lu Ten was thirteen when Usha was born.

It was a surreal experience. He had gone to sleep with only four family members and woke up to five. His Father had already seen her, having been told the second she was born.

Having grown out of his desire for siblings Lu Ten didn’t feel jealousy at the news. He did feel annoyed that his plans for that afternoon were canceled to visit his aunt and new cousin. He especially didn’t want to have to exchange pleasantries with his uncle, the absolute frigid man.

Prince Ozai wasn’t in the room when they arrived. Instead it was just the midwife attending to his aunt and the Fire Sages saying rites over a crib.

“Oh, you’ve brought Lu Te-Prince Lu Ten,” his Aunt quickly corrected herself, switching from her coastal peasant accent to that of Caldera nobility, bowing her head quickly. Father gave her a friendly wave of his hand. There was no need for courtly manners right now.

“It’s good to see ya, Auntie,” he said, trying to imitate the slang she sometimes dropped when they were alone. It always cracked him up when she first arrived. The staff and servants were always careful to speak formally whenever he was in earshot.

Not sure what else to say Lu Ten glanced over at the crib. This was the first birth that he couldn’t just send a congratulatory letter and be done with it.

His aunt smiled sweetly in turn. “Would you like to like hold her?”

Lu Ten looked back at his Aunt in surprise. Why would she ask him first instead of Father? Why isn’t she waiting for the Fire Lord to arrive and grant him that privilege?

“If that’s okay,” he said, glazing at his Father in case a faux pas was taking place. Father just smiled and nodded at the mid wife.

Before he knew it a small bundle was carefully placed in his arms.

Lu Ten looked down at his cousin. A tiny face, almost impossibly so, greeted him. She was pink and a little wrinkly but with long lashes and a patch of black hair.

“Hey, baby, I’m Lu Ten,” he said. Her eyes blinked open sleepily. She yawned, tiny and precious like a kitten. Lu Ten couldn’t help but coo, gently stroking her soft cheek with his thumb. She wiggled her arms out of her blankets. A little hand grabbed his thumb, fingers barely able to wrap around it, gripping it with all her might.

Lu Ten felt his heart clench, forcing tears to well up in his eyes. “You’re the cutest little baby in the world, why are you so tiny?”

His Father chuckled, stroking his head. “There, there, it’s not uncommon to be moved by the love of one’s family. Come, let me see the little one.”

“No, I barely had her. It’s still my turn!” Lu Ten pulled away, angling his cousin away from his father’s greedy hands. His Aunt laughed freely behind him.

…

Today was Usha’s Hundred Day celebration. And everyone who was anyone was invited. Noble families, important merchants, and high ranking military personnel. The invitation list was almost as long as when Prince Ozai and Lady Ursa got married.

It made sense, Usha was the first Princess born to the royal family since before Fire Lord Azulon was crowned. Grandmother Ilah had suffered an assassination attempt that made it near impossible for her carry to term, both his father and uncle being the only survivors of a dozen pregnancies. His own mother died in childbirth trying to bring his brother to this world. Any new royal born was a blessing.

Even if they cared little about the festivities and were more interested in their own hands.

“No, darling, don’t do that,” cooed Lady Ursa, gently pulling Usha’s fist out of her mouth.

“Keep her still, her robes are going to get filthy,” warned Prince Ozai, smiling and nodding at the guests.

Lu Ten didn’t roll his eyes because that was unbecoming of a Prince. He did place a teething toy in Usha’s hand, smiling wide at his uncle when Usha immediately started gnawing on it.

It was something Prince Ozai hated, how Usha would chew on anything she could fit in her mouth. Fingers, toys, clothes, and sometimes hair. Her face and clothes would get all sticky and she was always drooling.

Still it was his own fault for wanting the celebration to start so soon in the day. If he had waited until after Usha’s feeding then she would’ve been sleeping and perfectly still for him to parade around like a doll. Then again the constant chatter would’ve woken her up.

None of the guests seemed to mind her less than perfect appearance. (Or at the very least kept it to themselves.)

“Look at that face,” cooed Lady Ji-Hye. “She’ll outshine the moon itself before long.”

Usha smiled around the toy, her legs kicking in excitement. She always knew when adults were talking about her.

“I would be honored if Your Highness would allow Princess Usha to be educated in The Royal Academy for Girls when she is of age,” continued Lady Ji-Hye, bowing at Prince Ozai.

“Of course,” he nodded, smile sharp and satisfied. “I can trust Lady Ji-Hye to keep a close eye on her once the time comes?”

“Gladly, Your Highness. Lady Ursa, Prince Lu Ten,” with a finally nod she sashayed away to mingle with the other nobles.

Another person soon took her place.

“Oh, what a truly lovely child you’ve been blessed with, Your Highness,” bowed Lord Wei. “My own girls are not to far in age, should the Princess desire a playmate I would be honored to volunteer them.”

“That’s a most generous offer, Lord Wei.”

It seemed to Lu Ten that the event was less to celebrate Usha and more as an excuse to network and politic. He couldn’t help but wonder how many of his old playmates were thrown at his parents during his own Hundred Day celebration.

At least none of the guests were so bold to try to cozy up to him in front of their hosts. And every heir gave up trying to coax him from Usha’s immediate vicinity.

Lu Ten was brought out of his thoughts by a sudden chill down his spine.

Prince Ozai immediately stood straighter and his smile lost its satisfaction. Lady Ursa herself subtly tried to smooth down her clothes. The background chatter of the guests became hushed and tense.

Walking towards them was an old regal woman. Her robes were of high quality silk layered with ceremonial armor and her white hair was bound up in elaborate style. She used a cane to walk but there was no weakness in her stride. Her eyes dark and sharper than any predator.

“Lady Lehua,” they greeted, bowing low to their higher ranking elder.

“Prince Ozai. Lady Ursa. Prince Lu Ten.” She bowed back. “I’d like to see my great niece now.”

It wasn’t a question.

Usha was promptly lifted from her cushions and placed in Lady Lehua’s arms. Lady Lehua traced a finger over the infant’s features while Usha stared wide eyed at her stoic expression.

However, the moment Lady Lehua’s finger touched her chin Usha grabbed it tight, gumming on it.

“Cutting your teeth already,” smiled Lady Lehua. “What ferocious little dragon.”

Usha smiled back.

“Oh, you have Ilah’s smile.” Lady Lehua pulled her hand back, tickling under Usha’s chin. Usha laughed, wiggling and kicking her feet happily.

“You should’ve named her Suzu at the very least, that was what Ilah had wanted to name a daughter.”

Prince Ozai’s smile grew stiff. “I’m afraid I don’t understand what Esteemed Aunt is trying to say.”

Lady Lehua gave him a bored look. “I highly doubt that, but I’ll be clearer. If you couldn’t be bothered to honor your mother by granting her only granddaughter her name, then a name beloved by Ilah would have sufficed. I’m sure Fire Lord Azulon would’ve been pleased as well.”

“I deeply apologize for the grave oversight,” Prince Ozai, bowed low.

Lu Ten could see his scowl from the corner of his eye. But whether it was from anger, humiliation, or regret at a missed opportunity to curry favor he didn’t know.

Lady Lehua just clucked her tongue. “Well now, I’ve seen what I’ve come for. May Agni’s light shine bright on the Royal Family and it’s newest princess.”

They bowed in turn and with a low bow she turned to leave.

It wasn’t until she was halfway across the room did they realize that Lady Lehua never gave them Usha back.

“Esteemed Aunt,” called Lady Ursa walking briskly, not running, after her. “Please wait, it seems you’re taking Usha with you. May This One have her back?”

Displeased, Lady Lehua clucked her tongue, making a show of handing the infant back to her mother. As if the request was some sort of personal inconvenience.

“We need to get a bell on her,” said Lu Ten the moment his aunt returned. “This is the third time that’s happened.”

…

“Come on, you can do it. Come on, baobei.”

Usha grunted, rocking back and forth on her arms and legs. Trying to see if the momentum will help her move. Lu Ten waved a toy drum, enticing Usha to cross those three feet between them.

Babbling Usha launched herself forward, barely keeping herself from overbalancing and tipping over. In a few short seconds she was at Lu Ten’s lap.

“You did it! Absolutely wonderful, baobei!” Lu Ten made a show of clapping. “Wasn’t that wonderful?”

The nannies instantly agreed, clapping and sharing their own praises. Usha ate it up, happy smile showing off her five little teeth.

“Tired of princely life that you’ve decided to become a wet nurse now?”

Lu Ten could barely keep his expression placid. Rising to his feet he passed Usha to the closest nanny. “Good afternoon, Prince Ozai. What brings you to this part of the palace?”

Ozai smirked at him. “Surely it’s not so strange for a father to visit his own daughter.”

‘It is when it’s you. Especially when this is technically the courtyard of the Crown Prince.’

Lu Ten just nodded, not trusting himself to keep his mouth in check.

Usha shrieked, reaching for her father, upset that he wasn’t paying attention to her. The moment she was given over Usha babbled and reached for his face, absolutely enamored.

Lu Ten tried to keep the bitterness that filled his stomach from showing on his face. It was only natural that Usha would prefer her father. Children are supposed to be loyal to their parents.

‘But she’s my baobei.’

With barely a nod to avoid obvious disrespect Ozai, strode out of the courtyard. Off to whatever parents did with their children on their spare time. Lu Ten barely noticed the nannies pick up all of Usha toys off the grass, making his own way back to his rooms ignoring the ghost of vinegar on his tongue.

…

Lu Ten was beginning to worry.

Usha’s first birthday had been over a season ago, but she still hadn’t said a single word. This wasn’t like when it took her months to go from crawling to walking, or how it took a year for her eyes to go from newborn grey to royal gold. Usha babbled constantly as a baby, but now she barely made a sound. Well to people, Lu Ten had seen her whisper at her toys when she thought no one was in the room.

Everyone said that Usha was just a late bloomer but what if it was worse than that?

“You have no one to blame but yourself,” said Fire Lord Azulon, when Lu Ten brought up his worries during a dinner with both him and his father.

Lu Ten hadn’t a moment to defend himself before his grandfather continued. “You spoil and coddle that child beyond reason, you and everyone else. She wants for nothing because everything is given to her. A single pout or teary eye is all she needs to have her way.”

Lu Ten looked down at his food. “I don’t coddle her.”

His father laughed. “Need we remind you of the turtleduck pond incident. And New Year’s dinner. Or that time with the mochi.”

Fire Lord Azulon gave Lu Ten a firm look. “You do her a great disservice if you continue to so do. A child who is given everything their heart’s desire without having earned it will only grow into an envious and scheming adult. Our nation is at war and the people look to us as a pillar of strength. Usha must be taught to be strong, for both her sake and our nation’s. Let the girl struggle and solve her problems herself.”

“But she’s so small, and she might not be a bender.”

“Both things apply to your Great Aunt Lehua. Do you question her strength?”

That shut down Lu Ten. There’s no way he could deny Lady Lehua’s fortitude.

“No, sir. You’re right, sir.”

Azulon took a long sip from his tea, watching his grandson try not to sulk. “Besides, Usha is perfectly capable of talking. Why not too long ago she said ‘Hello’ to me.”

Both Iroh and Lu Ten looked at him in surprise. “What!?”

“That girl has you both pegged as a soft touch. She knows if she says nothing you’ll keep all your attention on her in case she needs something. Like I said, it’s your own fault.”

…

“Lulu, my baby!” Pointed Usha at the bundle Aunt Ursa had in her arms.

“Yes, that’s your new garden baby.” He laughed setting her down next to his aunt on the bed.

“Please don’t call her that.”

“Auntie, she was born in the garden, she’s a garden baby. When she’s older we can say she was found in the flower beds.”

Aunt Ursa gave him a flat look.

Usha tugged at her mother’s sleeve. “Mama, mama. Give baby. My baby, please.”

“Alright, my love, just a moment.”

Carefully arranging the pillows around Usha to support both children, Ursa placed the newborn across her lap.

“Hello, baby,” cooed Usha. “Usha Jie. Lulu Ge. Baby xiao mei. Yes?”

Xiao mei could only gurgle in response. Usha nodded seriously. “Yes, good xiao mei.”

“What is her name? Or has Prince Ozai not decided yet?” Asked Lu Ten.

“Oh, he’s decided.” Shrugged Ursa. “Her name is Azula, I’m sure Fire Lord Azulon will be flattered.”

“La?” Usha seemed confused.

Ursa smiled gently, stroking Usha’s hair. “Yes, darling, we’re going to call her Azula.”

Usha pursed her lips looking between her mother and the newly dubbed Azula, contemplating the name. Finally, she nodded. “Baby Lala.”

…

“Hello, this Lala. My baobei,” Usha gestured to the infant sitting on her designated cushions.

Lu Ten bit his lip to keep from laughing. Judging from his aunt’s raised sleeve it seemed that she was barely holding it together too.

General Hatsuo barely even blinked. “And what a perfect baby the newest princess is.”

Usha nodded, slow and serious like her great aunt. “Yes, Lala best baby.”

Azula barely paid them any mind, too fascinated by her own fingers.

After the general left Lu Ten crouched down next to the toddler. “Usha, why don’t we go play with the other kids? Bet that’ll be more fun than standing around greeting guests.”

Usha gave him an annoyed look. “No, Usha stay. Lulu go play.”

She waved her little hand, shooing him off. This time Lady Ursa couldn’t contain herself, throwing her head back with a laugh.

…

Personal Headcanon that Ursa had a very quick labor with Azula. Which is sometimes something that happens to mothers when they have multiple children. Of course every birth is different but anecdotally all the mothers I’ve talked to always mentioned that their second births were extremely short compare to the first.

So yeah, in case it wasn’t obvious Ursa had gone into labor in the morning and thought she had several hours before informing anyone. She didn’t. The contractions progressed extremely rapidly until it was too late. Many guards and servants were traumatized.

here's a thing

Universal Truth

In the past three years the Wani crew clung to the few constants in life. Lt. Jee’s armour failing to not creak. Cook Dekku taking the Princess’ side in an argument. General Iroh drinking questionable plants if it had the slightest possibility of being a good tea. Princess Usha making Bad Decisions regarding her safety if it had the slightest possibility of leading her towards the Avatar.

But the biggest constant was that Zhao was The Worst and they had to kill him.

They’re not kidding, well, not anymore.

In the beginning it was just an off handed comment. A response to seeing him push and push and push the buttons of their recently banished commander. A catopus toying with a mouseguppy.

Later, as Usha grew and developed, they became serious. Zhao’s gaze lingered, his smile grew sharper, and his words gained double meaning. And he touched, casual and fleeting, careful enough to seem innocent but with intent.

They never left Usha alone with him. Not after the Hair Incident. If General Iroh wasn’t available then it was Natsuo, who could earthbend, or Hanako, quick and precise with a knife, or Minh, large and stern faced.

...

So when they finally found the Avatar, they knew it was their chance at finally keeping Usha safe.

They pushed down the guilt of chasing after a child. A cackling, baby faced boy who was easily swayed by the smile of a pretty eye patch wearing girl and the promises of sweet cream and cakes.

They pushed further down the guilt of fighting a gangly limbed boy and a fierce faced girl struggling to control her bending.

Usha came first.

(Princess Usha already apologized for the whole ship to ice wall misunderstanding, so they were absolved.)

...

Lips were pressed tight and tongues were bitten when they docked at Zhao’s port. The Avatar was Usha’s to capture and not for the ladder climbing leech that was Zhao.

...

He still found out. You can’t accidentally set Kyoshi Island on Fire and not have the world find out why.

Nice going, Daishi.

...

What kind of asshole challenges a teenager to an Agni Kai?

The same one that gets beat by a teenager who’s still practicing her basics.

...

Normally one would discourage wearing jewelry found on the floor of a prison. But the Princess pulled it off quite well.

...

Natsuo really deserves a promotion or a raise or both. Cause it’s one thing to save General Iroh from a group of Earth Kingdom soldiers, but it’s a completely different thing to save a naked General.

Thank Agni none of them had any Fire Nation ancestry else they might’ve figured out Natsou’s little lava trick.

...

Fuck Zhao. And fuck Roku too, worst ancestor ever.

Who makes a volcano erupt on purpose!?

...

They really needed to talk about Usha’s habit of pinning people to flat surfaces. Poor Waterbender is getting redder than their uniforms.

It’s Minh’s fault to be honest. The moment he showed her how to wrestle larger opponents they had lost the battle.

They could’ve gone without the unexpected ambush by the pirates. But it did give them an excuse to punch people in the face.

They lost the avatar, again. But they did end with a boatload of treasure. So, win?

...

WHY IS THERE AN ARROW ON YOUR SHOULDER!?

...

They’re not getting a Shirshu. No matter how much Usha and Genji beg.

Sure they can afford one now. But they’ll need to train it. And Satomi isn’t very optimistic about General Iroh’s blood pressure if June continues to interact with the Princess.

...

Music night.

Music night was safe and relaxing. Where they could unwind and take a breather. Maybe even have a little drink or two. If they were lucky Usha might even sing.

Nothing can go wrong on music night.

...

Bad news, Zhao was Admiral now.

Worse news, he was commandeering them to be part of an invasion force against the Northern Water Tribe.

Good news, Zhao will now be too busy and too far away to make moves on your still very much underage commander.

Fun news, you get to watch the Princess blow holes in the logic of planning to attack a polar city full of waterbenders during winter.

Weird news, instead of blowing his lid like usual Zhao is instead inviting Usha to be part of the invasion.

Horrible news, she said yes.

Worst news, you later find out that her rooms are close to Zhao’s.

Good news, no one will ever suspect foul play if Zhao dies during the invasion. They just had to keep Usha way from Zhao until they reached the North Pole.

Nothing but smooth swimming from then on.

...

Was gonna write a Drabble but it basically turned into a mini outline. So, yay(?) structure.