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The first major annoyance for Zuko was the pile of irritating old men he had as advisors who refused to see him as a proper «Fire Lord» (not that he needed the approval of all those ancient relics) because apparently his only daughter with Mai wasn't recognized simply for being a girl and not a boy. There were old traditions stating that if the firstborn wasn't what was expected, he couldn't properly access his people's full support, because he wasn't leaving behind a true lineage capable of taking command of the throne when he inevitably aged.
But they were archaic laws he couldn't tolerate and had attempted to abolish with what authority he held. However, it had been useless because it was something written long ago as law — if you weren't "capable of fulfilling it," you weren't ready to lead an entire nation. That he needed to mature more.
As if he were a piece of fruit with an expiration date stipulated. what the hell?
He had tried everything until he inevitably couldn't do anything more than bow his head, spit an insult at one of the particularly annoying elders, and turn around accepting the condition without hesitation if he didn't want more problems than he already had on his hands. One problem after another that seemed to have no end. Great.
He had spoken with the whole Gaang when he had some free time, giving them the news of exactly why he hadn't been able to attend the small party for Katara and Aang's daughter — because he'd been bombarded with documents and truly hadn't been able to attend even though he genuinely wanted to. Being the leader and having everyone's eyes on him had never felt so suffocating.
Sokka had arrived days later because there were giant scrolls that required Zuko's signature — for what purpose, he didn't know — and also because he was taking a small trip, since looking after children every day had led him to discover his passion for being an inventor. Because the "Great Sokka, Avatar's hero, who had saved Aang himself from the clutches of a crazed bald Zuko years ago"— when Zuko remembered it a little... differently. But he had decided to stay quiet in the end to preserve his fantasy.
The brunette's blue eyes watched the Fire Nation king with amusement as he leaned against his shoulder with considerable confidence, as if he had every right to do so, watching him sign things with seriousness and dedication. Then he had looked at his nails with disinterest, bored of watching him be so... himself. And then he had let himself fall fully into the chair across from the desk, because those were a lot of papers.
"Sooooo..." he drew out the word as he crossed his legs, finally receiving a glance from Zuko after all the time he'd been there. "Buddy, let me tell you. That pretty face of yours won't hold up much longer under your won't last much longer with that scowl, you know?"
Zuko blinked at him through narrowed eyes with a silent "Pretty? Seriously?" and then sighed, irritated, because everything annoyed him at the slightest moment now. "None of your business. Relax," he assured. Then he gestured to the table. "Is that everything? Because I have things to do—"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Sokka made him sit back down with a sharp look as he took off those ridiculous glasses he was wearing and put them on top of his head, shaking his face in disapproval. "I didn't come here for nothing! I thought it'd be a good time to pick up where we left off. You know?" He gestured between them. "Sokka and Zuko? Best friends forever? You remember that? Like when we were young chicks?"
Zuko didn't exactly remember it that way — he believed Sokka was actually the member of the group he'd spoken to the least — but if the other saw it like that, what could he do? Still, he did feel a small pang of guilt for brushing Sokka off so quickly and going back to his obligations now that he'd expressed wanting to spend time with him.
"I suppose so. We can spend some time together."
"Ye—"
The door being opened — rudely, no one asked permission — sounded, and two council members in their black robes and white beards down to the floor walked in like they owned the room, stopping right at the entrance to the office.
"Lord Zuko and..." Ozaru looked at the newcomer, his distaste for foreigners from the Water Tribe plain on his face. "...company."
Zuko intelligently ignored the very offended sound Sokka made (because it wasn't the moment, it was never the moment) and looked up, pinching his temple with irritation, feeling like the high bun he wore to keep his hair out of his face was squeezing his skull hard enough to give him a headache despite being loose. "Please, not now. Can't you see I have guests?"
Sokka looked between the two of them, his hand lowering in a silent "Nahhh, ignore me," genuinely entertained by what was unfolding before his eyes.
The second elder shook his head. "No, my lord." The three exchanged glances in silence before fixing their gaze on him without a trace of guilt. "In fact, we have been speaking — all of the council — on behalf of your... situation."
His situation? Had his life truly become a circus of decisions governed by other people, or what the hell?
"My situation," he repeated in a dangerous voice to avoid throwing them out of the room, no longer even caring that Sokka was entertained eating popcorn beside Momo (who had been hidden the whole time in the leather bag that Sokka was carrying and had refused to give to the guards, whom Zuko could see out of the corner of his eye — his ears every time he raised his hand, and part of his eye), watching the scene. "Is not up for debate. I have already given my word that it must be removed. If you'll excuse me—"
"Azula has been released from her mental containment facility after records from her history indicated she is more than fit to continue with the honor of our nation," they answered without hesitation. Zuko froze in shock. What This had to be a bad joke. "And bring us glory," the elder concluded. Then he produced a scroll and let it fall to the floor — bearing 6 signatures from all council members in golden ink — dictating something Zuko wasn't entirely sure of. "If you do not keep your word as alpha, perhaps it is time to change leaders. Which is a shame. The nation seemed to love you."
They seemed genuinely saddened by this, which only fanned the flames of his irritation. How dare they?
"You have at least one year to bring your second child into the world. If not—" his voice was clear. "Your sister gains the right to what was once yours." And with that, all three left Zuko standing there with his mouth open, their footsteps fading from the room with complete serenity, as if they hadn't just thrown him into an enormous mess.
"Woah, that was intense." Sokka wiped his mouth and tossed the popcorn bucket aside as he approached the other, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Zuko? That sounds really serious." He discreetly wiped his hand on Zuko's robes.
And Zuko didn't even care. He stood paralyzed, and after shoving Sokka's hand away, grabbed the paper between his hands, crumpling it far more than necessary in his knuckles.
«Miss Azula, having been declared mentally sound by highly private investigations of the sovereign Earth kingdom government — upon receiving her request to return — is hereby permitted to reintegrate and attempt to reclaim the throne, should the stipulated condition be met. A male heir for the crown.»
His fire reduced the paper to ash in seconds, indignation burning through his veins. They had dared to do all of this behind his back? Behind the «Fire Lord's» back? Seriously?
"Don't worry." Sokka — after having read everything before the papyrus was completely consumed, over his shoulder, which Zuko had momentarily forgotten was there — gave him a confident pat on the back with a feline smile. "I can help you!"
At that, he hesitated. How exactly was he supposed to pull a baby out of thin air and solve his problem...?
"It's fine." Zuko shook his head. It was his problem. Not Sokka's. He was a guest. "I'll find a solution. There's no need for you to get involved."
Sokka snorted. "Nonsense!" He grabbed his shoulders and shook him side to side. "Zuko! Think. Think."
"What?" he muttered, irritated, wanting to get him off but willing to listen if there was actually a solution.
"I'm an omega. Right?"
Zuko nodded as if being told that water was wet — it was clearer than plain paper. The guy had been a beta not long ago, but had recently presented as an omega (an adult presentation, something unusual) and was fairly unstable. Zuko didn't really notice differences in Sokka mostly because Sokka was on suppressants and scent patches, and Sokka had presented outside of his radar entirely, so he had no idea what he'd smell like.
"I see... and?"
"What do you mean, and?" Sokka looked annoyed at the lack of interest, but then smiled and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him up so both of them swayed around the room like they were drunk. "I'll lend you my womb, genius!"
Wait. Wait. What?!
[...]
And that was exactly what had led him to this situation, some time later — to consummate their «love?» And essentially do it for the sake of bringing a child into the world. Nothing more. Sure. Yes.
"Do you want to do this?" Sokka questioned with conviction as he sat on the bed, watching as the uncomfortable prince of the exuberant Fire Nation looked like a very prickly little rabbit frightened in the presence of the great and 'fearsome' Appa. "I don't bite. Well." He smiled sideways while winking, with a rose between their lips. "I can, if you want. Sure."
Zuko nodded uncomfortably, standing like a statue, even as he watched how Sokka's legs, seated on his — his— bed, spread further apart for him as if waiting for the warmth of his literally flaming body. "I... don't know how to do this," he confessed.
"It shows," Sokka commented offhandedly. "Relax, I'll teach you."
And with that, Zuko burned. Not in the sexy sense. In the literal one.