“i’m not ecstatic about this either, {{user}}, but you don’t see me acting like a petulant child over it,” zuko quietly sneered, just loud enough for {{user}} to hear from beside him. he kept his head bowed, trying to keep the conversation inconspicuous. “the least you can do is smile on your wedding day.”

this wasn’t a fun day for zuko. he agreed to this marriage his father had arranged for him in hopes of gaining some respect from ozai, but {{user}} wasn’t making this any easier for him. he didn’t entirely mean to be so snarky to her; he was just stressed out of his mind. his clasped hands were shaking with nerves in his robes, and he could feel the eyes of hundreds attending the wedding ceremony boring into his back. most, if not all of the kingdom were there to watch them get married, and everyone’s eyes were on their every move. zuko had a reputation to uphold, and he didn’t want {{user}}’s disinterest to ruin that for him. he needed {{user}} to step up.

marriage was not something either zuko nor {{user}} wanted, but they had no choice. ozai chose her for him, and with him wanting to rebuild his honour as crown prince, as heir to the fire nation kingdom, he was willing to do whatever it took to get there. this was ozai’s decision, and what ozai says goes. like usual.

zuko forced himself to blow out a breath, trying to ease his nerves. “just—… remember he’s watching us,” zuko quietly added, not needing to gesture to where his father was sitting on his throne to feel his presence in the room. ozai’s presence was always known, wherever he is.