Fic: Caught & Released

[c3childs]

 banner by attackfish

Title: Caught and Released
Author: c3childs
Rating: K+
Words: 500
Genre: I have no clue
Char/Pair: Zuko, Ozai, Toph
Summary: Five years after the war, Ozai is released on probation.
A/N: I’ve been kicking this idea around for months, and I’m still not sure if I’ll turn it into a full project or not. Edit: General consensus, they want this one done. Maybe…

The laugh of one who hasn’t done so in years is frighteningly hoarse. It is a sound like sandpaper running over metal, and there is the concern that the person might choke from it. When he could breathe again, Ozai a little tear from his eye as Zuko stood, stoic and calm in the face of such afunny situation.
“After all that trouble,” he couldn’t help snickering a little, “after all of my ‘evils against the world’…you’re just going to let me go.”
“It’s more like an experimental probation. Uncle said something once about my struggle between right and wrong being because of my conflicting ancestry. He’s your brother, and you both come from Sozin. Uncle Iroh’s not like you though. I want to know if you can change.”
“And if I can change, then you think Azula…?”
“Maybe.”
Ozai stared at his son for a long moment. While the years of confinement and questionable diet had weakened him, Zuko had grown into a man fit to be Fire Lord. If not for the scar, Ozai could imagine that he was looking at a mirror of his younger self. If not for the scar, Zuko probably never would have clung to his brother’s words. He’d never have dared go against him. Ozai would still be Fire Lord.
“Your bleeding heart will be the death of you.”
“My heart has nothing to do with this. My time away from the Fire Nation changed me for the better. Before the comet, when was the last time you’d even left the capitol?”
He didn’t even try to think of an answer. It was before Lu Ten had left for his first battle. Before Ursa was his wife. It was too long ago.
“I’m curious to find out how you’ll cope. Besides, it’s not like you’re a threat to anyone now.”
“So am I to understand that because I have no bending, you think it perfectly fine to set me loose on the Earth Kingdom? Not even shackles or a muzzle? I am insulted.”
“Well,” he shrugged, “those things will be left up to your probation officer.”
“My what?”
“Do you remember Toph?”
The door creaked open, and a diminutive teenaged girl sauntered in. Earth Kingdom green and gold clothed her. Why would Zuko think he’d know her?
“All hail the Loser Lord of Getting His Butt Kicked by Pre-adolescents!”
Oh. So that’s who it was. And all these years, he’d thought that child had been a boy.
“I’d like to go on record saying that you are a fool, but I still intend to enjoy myself.”
“Duly noted. See you both in a year. Toph.”
“Sparky.”
After Zuko left, the girl sent him a wicked sort of smile. Ozai wasn’t impressed.
“Why exactly have I been left in the care of a blind, little girl who –“
The blind, little girl reached and yanked out the metal bars of his cell.
“Any other stupid questions?”
“I think that covered it very nicely.”