The Sun and the Moon ☯

     “Tell me the story about how the sun loved the moon so  much, he died every night to let her breathe.” 

Emotional Tether Folklore: Two people, preferably benders, who are connected through spiritual interference. They are chosen at birth by two specific spirits. Throughout life, they both will experience feelings and visions from each other. This is a rare occurrence, it only happens every 100-200 years. Together, the two are powerful. Apart, imbalance will occur.

Summary: Y/N is the older sister of Sokka and Katara. Once their mother died, she step forward and watched over her siblings, even though she was only just ten. Years later, Y/N is travelling with her siblings, helping the avatar master all four elements. During this adolescence adventure, will she discover mysteries about herself she’d never imagined? All her life she has resented and ran from the Fire Nation. Now, could she possibly connected to the Prince of the Fire Nation himself? 

A/N: I’ve really gotten into ATLA in the past few weeks, so this happened. I really couldn’t just sit back and not write a Zuko fic. This will be multiple chapters, and will have semi-slow updates. A masterlist and helpful links for a smooth reading experience will be added. I am going to try to make it as accurate as possible. I hope everyone does enjoy, feedback is always accepted!

Warnings: violence, fighting, death, sad elements, cussing, blood, gore, adult themes (later on, will be warned on what chapter if it occurs) !!

Themes:  relationship developments, self love+hatred, acceptance, forgiveness, friendships, adventure !!

Soulmate AU?/Slow Burn/Connection (Unspoken)/Zuko x F!reader

Chapter One :  Beginnings  ☯

The Southern Water Tribe Village ☽

“My love, you should go to bed,” Gran-Gran whispered across the room. Sokka and Katara cuddled together in peaceful bliss, she did not want to wake them. Their father had left earlier in the morning, it had been an eventful day to say the least. With her father left, she couldn’t shake the fact that he would never return. In some ways, you could say, they were orphans. It only brought her thoughts to one sole person: Kya. It had been a few months since the deadly attack. She could still picture the beastly man looming over her mother. 

“Where is the water bender!” He forced once more. Y/N hid behind her mother in fear. They had been inside doing chores when the ships reached shore. Y/N shut her eyes pretending she was somewhere else, maybe penguin sledding with Sokka. Anywhere but here. He became more hostile, roughly moving closer towards the two.

“Where is the water bender.” They knew where the bender was, in fact she was in the same room, hiding for dear life behind her mother. The other, hopefully still alive, was outside with her brother. 

Y/N felt paralyzed. The big man pried even more, making some blows at Kya. Y/N could feel herself starting to bubble inside, her emotions were something to be reckoned with. She’d almost destroyed the entire village over a temper tantrum years prior. Though she was much older, her bending was not under control. It grew from emotion. Y/N noticed the ice around her cracking at every blow he made, Kya did too. 

He stood tall once more, shadowing over the two. Y/N thought death would be different, that she would die of old age. She hadn’t even lived to see the northern lights. 

“Mom!” Katara ran through the door only to be taken back by the large man in their home. The fire nation solider turned towards her, fury in his cold ember eyes. He seemed like he was getting impatient.

“Just let them go,” Kya finally said desperately, “and I will give you the information you want.” 

“Mom-” Y/N pleaded. She was in shock, would her mother really turn in her own daughters? Y/N wasn’t ready to go, but if it meant saving the tribe, she’d be willing to do it. 

“You heard your mother, get out of here!” the man hissed. Tearfully she ran over to Katara, holding on to her for dear life. Being her big sister, it was her unspoken responsibility to keep Katara safe. 

“Mom I’m scared,” the younger girl cried. Their mother looked at them, and smiled. 

“Go find your dad sweetie, I’ll handle this.” Kya spoke before facing the man once more. Y/N practically dragged Katara away from their childhood home, running as fast as they could to find their father. 

“DAD,” Y/N screamed. The ice she stood on cracked under her feet, yet she couldn’t care. The imagine of her mother’s fearful look swarmed her mind, it made her feel sick.

“Mom is in trouble there is a man in our house,” Katara shouted. Y/N held her hand tightly, making sure she didn’t loose her grip. They were the last water benders in the tribe. The two were vulnerable and easy targets, but she would never let Katara know that.  

“Kya!” their father cried out as he followed them back to their home. Sokka followed close behind. 

Her mother’s dead body laid on the floor. 

She didn’t want to remember the rest. Her father left to fight for their tribe after the devastating invasion. He seemed more, cold. Y/N couldn’t help but notice just how much Kya’s death changed him. Maybe his coldness was directed towards herself. She couldn’t bring herself to ponder that thought.

“Dad isn’t coming back,” Y/N remarked. Gran-Gran paused, calculating just the right thing to say. Sokka rustled in his sleep slightly, before settling once again. 

“I can’t shake the fact that he’s going to end up just like mom. Besides I am the reason mom is dead. No wonder Dad left, he can’t even look at me.” Gran-Gran shushed Y/N quickly. Sokka and Katara did not know the reason Kya died, and Gran-Gran wanted to keep it that way. It was Hakoda’s wish.

“Come child,” she waved the young water bender out into the crisp midnight air. Y/N followed the elder eagerly. The moon, full and bright, lit the entire village. The stars shined brightly, she thought of her mother. Kya always told her the magic of the night sky, how the moon and stars worked together so gracefully. Gran-Gran stood at the edge of the water, patiently waiting for the young girl to join her side. 

“When you were born, your mother suspected you would be a bender. That was a dangerous thing to be,” she paused with a long sigh. “However, the moon spoke to your mother the night you were born. The moon was the brightest it had ever been that night, the whole village awoke from its light. The moon shinned for you, and Kya knew that.” 

Y/N smiled to herself. She’d never known this much about herself before. It still didn’t make her feel better, why was Gran-Gran telling her this anyway? It didn’t change anything, her mother was still gone and her father still hated her. 

“But,” Gran-Gran continued abruptly. “The sun rose early that morning, bright as ever. It was as if the balance had returned for a day. We thought maybe you were the avatar.” They both sat in silence pondering her last statement.

The avatar? What a joke. Y/N had begun to believe such a thing never even existed in the first place. 

“I’m sorry I’m not,” Y/N muttered keeping her eyes fixated on the moon.

“No child, that is not your destiny. Your mother knew that you would be apart of restoring balance to the world, but just not in the way. The moon spoke to her. The great spirit told her to protect you from all harm.” Y/N’s eyes filled with tears, but she did not dare let them fall. Her mother was protecting her, she knew that the day she met her end. But to protect her over some prophecy a moon spirit said? It made her blood boil. 

“Of course, you won’t be alone in this.” Gran-Gran smiled to herself, leaving Y/N only to formulate more questions.

“Why would the moon find any sort of balance in me? Why would the sun react with the moon? How will I ever find another person to help me? This is so stupid, how do I know If you’re even telling the truth?  Gran-Gran this is ridiculous. No moon spirit cares about me! If they did they wouldn’t let her die or let dad go!” 

The eldest villager didn’t answered. She knew it was impossible to know. It was the truth, but it would take Y/N years to accept that. 

“Do not dwell on the unknown, it will be revealed when the universe allows it. What you do with this information is your choice,” Gran-Gran slowly confirmed before making her way back to her respected residence. 

“Ugh,” Y/N belted. She waved her hand towards the water before her in frustration. The water reacted with her swift movement, sending a wave towards the horizon. The sadness and confusion hit her, almost like a punch to the chest. 

She chose to never speak of the information Kanna gave her. It still plagued her mind every so often, but she ignored every aspect of it. In her eyes, she was a normal southern water tribe citizen.

But in the back of her mind she knew, that was far from true.

That night at the Fire Nation Palace ☽

Ursa had done what she had to. It was for him, her son, Zuko. She had protected him his whole life, just as she was instructed to. The sun spirit made that clear to her on the day of his birth. This incident was no different, just more drastic changes would have to be made.

She quickly made her way through the palace halls, her frail body still humming with adrenaline. Killing the fire lord, what was she thinking? Leaving now would only make it clear just who did it. Was being on the run from the crupt fire nation worth saving Zuko? A million times yes. Stopping to catch her breath, her attention caught by the bright orb in the night sky. It always gave her peace of mind, the moon. 

Azulon had instructed Ozai, her husband, to kill her first born. If only Ozai hadn’t spoken in such a heartless arrogant way, this wouldn’t have happened. To kill his child? It was horrible. He would do it though, if it meant keeping his honor. Ursa questioned why Ozai was so empty and power hungry. It was an answer she’d never know.

Some servants scurried pass her, bowing in the process. Did they know? They would soon, everyone would. She had to make herself scarce before then. The paranoia was sinking in ever so quickly. It was the only way to save herself, leaving. But, Ursa couldn’t help her mind race to Zuko. 

Zuko. 

The room he occupied was dark. There the young prince laid sprawled out on the crimson-colored king sized bed. Snoring slightly, he peacefully slept. The moon light coming from the window lit his raven colored hair perfectly. It felt wrong to wake him, he looked so content. But, it had to be done. For all she knew, it could be the last time she would ever lay eyes on her son. It was a little past midnight, in the morning the whole world would know. 

She sat on the corner of the bed next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Zuko had never been a heavy sleeper, especially with Azula as a sister. Her unless torment made him keen and aware of his surroundings, a good habit. 

“Mom,” he muttered groggily. Why was she here? His mind was still fuzzy.

“Zuko,” Ursa urgently spoke. Ursa quickly grabbed him by his sides, lifting her son up to face her. He blinked a few times, trying to focus with his tired eyes. 

“Please, my love, listen to me,” this made him try to focus more. Her voice was hoarse almost like she had been crying.  

“Everything I’ve done, I’ve done to protect you,” with this statement she pulled him into a hug. The last hug. She squeezed tighter than normal, he did not question it. 

She finally pulled away after what seemed like minutes. He was such a beautiful boy, how could she leave him? Would he parish without her? Would he be taken advantage of? Only the spirits could know. Footsteps could be heard in the hall outside his chamber. 

“Remember this Zuko,” she started facing him once more. Her voice was more stern this time, like she wanted to send a message. 

“No matter how things seem to change, never forget who you are,” her voice said in a whisper tone. Ursa hoped he’d listen, and take those words to heart. It was all she could do for him. From now on, Zuko would be on his own.

The prince watched her in tired confused as she turned towards the door. He wanted to say something, question why she had come, but he couldn’t. The tiredness was overwhelming, taking over before he could object. She sadly looked back once more, before pulling her cloak over her head. 

Hastily she ventured back trough the halls, leaving swiftly without a trace. By the time the fire nation caught word of their deceased leader, she was long gone. Just a memory. Ursa’s life she once knew was far behind her.

She looked up to the two spirits in the sky. The setting moon and the rising sun. Their harmonious relationship was on display in the sky. How wonderful the colors of the night collided with the morning sun, she thought to herself. 

“Watch after him,” the woman pleaded to the two spirits that occupied the sky.

“He will make you proud.” 

no goodbyes...

Carl Grimes x Reader

Warnings: saddddddd, cussing!!

-Visiting Carl’s Grave after his untimely death. Will Y/N come to terms with the death of her best friend. To The boy she loved so much...

- this is sad I cried writing it :) 

       It was a simple grave. Just a sloppy cross over top some not yet settled dirt. A gun laid on the poorly made grave sight. It had no name, no simple label, but she knew. Here lay Carl Grimes. 

     The air was bitter, too cold to stand out in that long. The sun’s warmth was not felt. Just cold and numbness. Carl Grimes. How could you? His makeshift grave was a source of reality. She wasn’t going to believe it. She was just waiting for him to come around the corner, and engulf her in a big hug. She just wanted him to hold her, comfort her, make her laugh. There wasn’t much of that anymore. Laughing.

      Her feet dragged towards the sight. This wasn’t real. Just a few days prior they were playing in the garden with Judith. A few days ago, he was still here. He breathed, his heart beat. Now that was all some sort of echo. He was here.

      “Good god,” she stopped. Her thoughts were too loud. Too heavy. He should be here. She should see his face one last time. Brush her hands through his hair. Give him a hug. He should tell her everything will be okay. Okay? Things were far from okay. She shook at the thought. He’s gone.

       Regaining her strength, she pushed her way over to his grave, only to fall before it. The earth was cold on her knees, cold to the touch. Maybe that was some force saying this wasn’t natural. Carl Grimes was too young, and too pure to just die. Just like that. Yet, six feet under he lay. Gone. It was all too fucking much for Y/N, that was for sure. How could someone so beautiful on the inside and out go? How was that okay?

       Digging, she sat on her knees. Her breath was heavy. The silent tears started to roll down her face once more. “No,” she whispered to her self over and over again. Some sick joke. He should be here. But, he wasn’t.

       “Why,” she asked the sky, as if it could give her answers. “WHY,” she screamed.The birds in the trees flew, startled at her outcry. Fuck you birds.

       “You asshole,” she pointed at the cross in front of her now. “You asshole Carl Grimes, you don’t get to leave me like that. You just, don’t.” Her face was red with so much anger. She started to bawl into her dirt covered hands. 

         “You fucking asshole. I hate you,” she said, more calmly than before. She played with the dirt in her hands. Digging. That was the only thing she could do anymore. Her best friend, the boy she loved so much, was down there. Maybe she wanted to be there too. She stopped to something. A piece of paper was discovered in the midst of all the dirt. That was odd.

        “What,” she said, as she stopped her aggressive digging. It was protected by a tiny plastic bag. She observed it closely. ‘Y/N’ was labeled on the front of it. His horrible handwriting, my god. He was the worst.

        “You clever ass,” she shook her head. He knew she would be here. He knew she would do this. Hell, he knew her so well. She smiled at the small piece of paper that laid her her hands. He wrote this. This was him. One of the last things he ever did. 

  ‘Dear Y/N,

      Don’t be mad. Don’t. I know you are probably cussing me out, saying I’m an ass. That’s true. I know you don’t mean it. I didn’t tell you, I knew how much it would kill you. I got bit..it happened. It just happened. I don’t know I lost control. That’s a rare thing isn’t it? 

We had such a short few years together, but they were some crazy years together. You made it great, and that’s a lot to say due to the fact we’re in the fucking apocalypse. I fell for you a long time ago. I didn’t want to address it, too much was happening. I thought then that surviving was more important than living. That was not true. Make the best of what you have. And, I did, I really did Y/N. You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I know we didn’t get to do all that we wanted, but we did enough. You are the reason I made it this far.

 Mom told me, a long time ago, that one day you just fall for someone so much. So much. You just feel so happy, so in love with them. You’d do anything, be anything for them. I think she knew. I know we were only kids, but I think she just knew you’d be that one. I loved you, and I will always love you. You were my first love, what a happy love it was. It was legendary. Don’t forget that. I wanted to marry you. I asked you so many times, I know it was all good and fun, but I meant it. I really did. The ring I gave you, keep it. I’ll always be with you with that on. The one you gave me, I’m going to die with it on. It will always be with me.

 You are the most amazing person Y/N. You are strong. You will get through this. I wish I could see you, give you a hug, and tell you it’s gonna be okay. That can’t happen. I wish I could. You need to move on. You have done it before you can do it again. I know you didn’t get a proper goodbye. Now this is the time you can. Move on, but don’t forget me. My eyes, my hair, my hands, my jokes. Don’t forget our memories, our time together. It was the best. 

Judith needs a proper sister. You need to be there for her. I wanted so bad to see her grow. Just to see what kind of person she will become. You will. Be there for her, just like I would if I was there. Tell her about me, tell her about us.Tell her everything Y/N I want her to know me. I know someday she’ll forget my voice, it’ll fade in her memory. That’s okay. She will know I was here. She will know, I have faith she will. 

Say goodbye. Please. Don’t let this hold you back. Live. Make the most out of the bad. Fall in love, fall out of love. Have those sweet memories of life carry you. I will see you before long, again. I promise. I will always be with you, with Dad, Michonne, Judith. I love you so much. Goodbye Y/N see you later.

          love, your asshole dumbass (basically husband) boyfriend, Carl :)

   Sobs. That’s all she could muster. Just loud, messy, cries. It was a awful sight. Y/N lay, dirt covered, crying over a grave. God, why did he leave.

    “I really need to get myself together, don’t you think,” she said in a breathless chuckle. “I’m not good at this.” That was true, she really wasn’t good at goodbyes. But, goodbyes are part of life. Just why were they so hard?

     “You are a big asshole. I look like an idiot because of you. I mean look at me. I’m supposed to be a bad ass,” she persuaded, with a sigh. He wasn’t here. No one was. Who was she talking to? Who was listening? Yup, she was going crazy.

     “I hope you’re listening, cause I look like a fucking idiot,” she said. The tears still rolled down her dirt covered face.

      “I guess this is therapeutic. I don’t know,” she sighed catching her breath. “So here goes nothing. Um, so you died. It’s been a few days. Damn it’s crazy how life bites you in the ass. Just a few days ago you were here. We were happy, even though things were shitty. I was happy. You know? I guess I’m not anymore,” she huffed. This was too hard, even if she was talking to nothing.

      “I-um, I read your letter. Judith she’s doing okay. She plays with your hat a lot. I guess it brings her comfort, I don’t know. We had such a short time Carl, just a few years, and that’s bullshit. We deserved more. I wanted more. Things change so much, so fast. Feels like just a few days ago we were on the farm, learning how to shoot a ‘22. We were kids then, I guess not so much anymore. Then, we were shooting automatics. I loved you then,” the tears, god they were unless.

       “I love you now. The amount of shit we went through together. It was unbelievable. Truly. The one thing that was real to me was, well, you. The only consistent thing that kept me together. Now, that’s gone. Crazy. I didn’t get to-get to-,” The place was to empty, so silent. Yet, her sobs filled that silence.

       “I didn’t get to see you go. I had this fantasy that we’d make it. We’d live together, have a family. Be in charge of Alexandria. That’s just a pipe dream now. I really did love you. I was so crazy. Love makes you do crazy things. Maybe that’s what go us into so much shit. All that trouble, all those lectures. Judith is my responsibility. I will be there, you don’t have to worry about her. I was there when she was born, I will make sure she beats this world.” 

       “God-,” she held the dirt close to her heart. It was comfort. “I miss you. I’m just waiting for you to be there at the gates when I come back from runs. Engulf me in a hug. Kiss me. I see you everywhere, you know. I see you in Rick. in Michonne. I especially see you Judith. Everywhere. It’s some sick reminder you aren’t here. It’s killing me. I want this to be over. I want to stop hurting.” It was getting colder, night was breaking soon.

        “I love you Carl Grimes. I think about you. All the things we did, the good, the bad, the stupid. We were kids. We were real. You were the most normal thing in my life. My first love. We were a great team. You’re right, about saying goodbye. I have to do it. The hardest thing is the goodbye. It’s almost unnatural.”

        The sky was a pretty orange now, mixed with a deluded yellow. The clouds departed a while ago. The earth was settling. It was almost peaceful. She experienced one of the most beautiful things living on earth could offer. First love. What a gift that was. What a gift Carl Grimes was..

       “It’s not goodbye,” she stated, still looking at the beautiful range of colors the sky was offering. “We had a rule, no goodbyes. They suck. Remember,” she smiled at the memory. It was brought up in one of their infamous roof-top talks. The ones they got in trouble for. A lot. 

      “I’m sorry. You couldn’t be here. But, I’m here now. I know you’re okay,” that was a good thing to think about. Carl Grimes was okay. She at least hope that he was. “And hey, I’ll be okay too. Eventually.” The ring on her right hand. He gave that too her one night on the rooftop. It was a few days after he lost his eye. She gave him his a few days after the line up. He always has his, she’ll always have hers. That was a good thought. It made him seem more real. Like he wasn’t going to disappear.

       “Y/N!,” a voice came from behind her. She couldn’t forget that little voice, Judith Grimes. The little light of the dark apocalypse. She ran towards the girl, engulfing her in a hug, not caring about the dirt that covered her. Kids are like that. God, Y/N loved her. She was so much like him. 

        “You ready?,” another voice came from the distance. She looked to see Michonne standing tall. She was like her mother, such a warrior she was. Y/N loved her so much. Michonne gave her a smile of understatement. She took you here today for a reason. It’s what Carl wanted. He wanted Y/N to get her goodbye.

         “Yeah,” nodded. He dried tears still stained her face, but she didn’t care. Judith didn’t either, giving her kisses and all the hugs she could muster. “Alright, alright, time to get going don’t you think Judy,” Y/N faked a smile to the little one.

         “Sad?,” her tiny fingers traced the tear stains down the cheeks. Weird how smart some kids can be. “I am sad, but I’ll be okay.” Judith smiled. Y/N didn’t noticed until now, the hat. It laid side ways over her blonde head of hers. It was hers now. A Grimes family tradition.

         “Where did you get this,” Y/N said adjusting the dirty hat. Damn, how much this hat has seen? So much. The young Grimes only smiled. That was it. That smile along with the hat. It was her time of letting go. 

         “Let’s head out,” picking up Judith, she moved along. “I’ll start the car up,” Michonne said. They were heading back to Hilltop, before it got too dark. Y/N moved along, maybe she was going to be okay. It would take time. But, she could do it. He thoughts were so rapid, she didn’t hear the child’s whispers.

        “What honey,” Y/N asked the child who sat on her hip.

        “Wave,” Judith whispered in Y/N ear. Her heart stopped for some reason. Wave? She turned slowly. The grave, it was still in tacked. But, behind it there stood someone. Who? Her eyes slowly adapted to the sunlight. She couldn’t breath. “Good God-,” she whispered to herself.

        Carl Grimes stood in the light rays of sun. He was beautiful. All his wounds were gone. His hair, still long, shinned in the sun. Hell, all of him shinned. No blood stained clothes. He was clean, carefree almost. He looked at them, directly. He was so beautiful. Amazing. His blue eyes both shinned, with his signature smile. Y/N studied him. He was there. The ring, he wore it still on his right hand. He smiled even more, looking down at the piece of metal around his finger. He nodded at her. It was time, she knew it. She was getting her goodbye, the one she deserved. She looked down at her hand, where her ring stayed. 

       “Wave,” Judith said with so much joy. She did, she waved at him with a smile. A big smile. “See you later, Carl Grimes,” she said, with so much relief. She was okay, and he was okay. Everything was going to be okay.

       “See you later,” he said to himself, as he watched the two girls he loved so deeply march on. Everything was going to be okay...