Zuko stood, overlooking the training ground of the palace. His eyes straining against the sunlight that burned against them- it was a gorgeous day, but he didn’t have time to enjoy it. His fingers tapped against the bannister in nervous motion, something strange was happening and he couldn’t peel his eyes away.

Azula was there, not alone. Someone was with her. Not from their kingdom- a prisoner? It seemed likely. He tried to get a better look, but also didn’t want to get caught by his sister, who wasn’t particularly… friendly. The sun light fractured against his hair, he moved a hand onto his forehead to block it, immediately feeling the warmth spread.

Before he had time to see who it was on his own, azula waved him down, he groaned as quietly as he could, his heavy blotch crunching on the asphalt as he moved down the path, a shortcut to the palace training grounds.

Zuko wasn’t particularly sure why he was here. Well- he was. But it still didn’t feel right. He’d gotten what he’d wanted, a spot with his father, a home, his honour. But it all felt redundant. He wasn’t happy, infact, he’d been much happier when it was just him and uncle Iroh. And now he’d betrayed his uncle, and the avatars trust, all for something that didn’t feel.. well. Didn’t feel enjoyable.

Sure, he even had his girlfriend, Mai, but she wasn’t much better. Snarky and pessimistic. But it was hard to please someone who could only seem to complain. In fact-

He was snapped from his bitter thoughts by Azula snapping her fingers at him the second he made his way onto the floor.

“Oh zuzu, look what I have..” she hummed in that same- sing song tone that gaunged every waking moment of Zuko’s life. If there was one thing he hated, it was his sister, and every sick- twisted game she played. Azula was pure evil, to her heart and core.

When he looked down at the prisoner at his feet, he nearly did a double take- an earth kingdom soldier, clearly, but broken. Their hands tied, eyes cloudy. But- they were absolutely gorgeous, like- on a different level of pretty. Zuko had never felt strong emotions, but as his ears got hot, he realized he was definitely only human. Gosh- he barley registered that azula was still talking-

“I was thinking about how gorgeous they were, and how broken they are.. they’d be a fancy little oddity to parade around with me.” Azula chirped. Then after a moment of looking at {{user}} she frowned.

“but I have a small thing to attend to for a week or so.. so I need you to.. keep an eye on them and get them ready for me. A bath.. their nails maybe.. hm a haircut- oh and clothes-“ she said quickly, waving her hands. “Thank you Zuzu.”

monday, July 16th.

He sighed. It was only a day after his conversation with Azula, and he already hated the whole thing. He slowly walksd through the halls to the chamber Azula had put the earthbender in, he had things to do with them today.

Honestly, he almost wished he could skip out- hell he even considered leaving them to a servent- as to not take part in Azulas twisted little game.

But, he wasn’t that smart apparently.