I feel like Zuko gets homesick after becoming firelord. Of course, he was always destined to be the heir to the throne. While in exile, he wanted nothing more than to go back home and regain his honor and his country.
But he never felt so loved there as he did when traveling with his Uncle, or the Gaang. For the first time in his life, he knew who he was and didn't feel guilty for just existing. In a way, the palace was never really a home to him. And even with a thousand servants, enough esteem and honor to fill him with pride, and work to fill him with purpose; there was nothing that could truly compare to setting camp with his friends and listening to the idle sounds of the fire burning to ashes while his friends slept safely in their tents.
It was annoying at first, hearing Sokka snore, or Tophs weird sleep talking, or even how Aang can't stay still in his sleep to save his life. But over time, it became a comfort, hearing them all while he fell asleep at night.
It's too quiet in the palace.. He doesn't see his uncle as much, and he misses the tea shop. He misses not being a 16 year old ruler who can barely manage his own trauma, let alone an entire nation. He has heart, and he pours the entirety of it into his country, and the Fire Nation prospers. There is peace for the first time in over 100 years. But how long until he learns to be truly happy? Will he ever?
And for the most part, he can ignore it. Because, of course he can. But sometimes, his friends need him. Sometimes, he can visit his uncle.. And see his best friend again. And what happens when he's back in that bedroll for the first time since becoming the esteemed Firelord Zuko, and it's the first time he's felt safe in only the spirits know how long?
Picking a hairstyle for Zuko took more effort than it should've. The topknot with sidelocks looks not so great, but the little low ponytail is working out nicely.
For all the comic readers wondering where the Kiyoshi warriors are (since they're Zuko's bodyguards) . . . maybe they have the day off too? I went with more basic Earthbenders because they are easier to draw, blend into the background better, and I also made up a little head-canon that Iroh employs retired Earth Army vets as his teashop security.
This is a Tale of Zuko reunion comic. I will be using their ship tags, but did my best to allow for romantic and platonic interpretations. If you ship it, you can see this as a possible beginning to a further relationship. If not, you can see this as two people getting a small bit of closure.
My favorite thing to do when writing hcs or my own canon in AUs is make the previous generation of EMs mirror their children. Have some specifics:
- I hc libber and lily as bffs. this is self explanatory i love bruise platonically and romantically
-Ray and Duke (Hannah's dad) were in a short lived relationship that the latter never really got over. Hannah has an unrelenting crush on Kai that she tries desperately to ignore for a while because she's worried she'll get hurt
-Garmadon and Mei (Jackie's mom) were not only best friends but practically whatever the platonic version of a soulmate is. Jackie and Lloyd are in a relationship and would not only die but kill for each other.
-Julien (or former master of ice in canon since ik Julien wasn't part of the Alliance) was always the odd one out, very cold and aloof and lost in their own world
-Naomi (Jasmine's mom) and Maya were close friends until a falling out. When they first meet I always felt like Jasmine and Nya's relationship would fluctuate between getting along alright and admiring each other's work to their personalities clashing and causing them to bicker and argue
It just leaves so much potential not only for "haha just like your parents" but also "oh fuck. Just like your parents" because listen I just reworked the entire elemental alliance for the sake of ~ drama ~ and let's just say that for the ones who betrayed their friends some people (especially Wu) worry that history is going to repeat itself