Title: A Fairy Tale Romance
Disclaimer: I do not own
It was just like the fairy tales. One of those tales all children hear when they're still very young. A fairy tale of an innocent person under the influence of a dark and evil power. The only way to break such a trance was by a kiss from a handsome prince.
It was exactly what Bumi thought. Jeong Jeong was the innocent. His mind was always only focused on one thing: a certain pupil of his. A cocky full-of-himself student named Zhao. To him it seemed like every word out of Jeong Jeong's mouth was about the lad. How ungrateful he was, how he never obeyed, and things like that. It was like White Lotus Society did not exist.
Bumi tried, and tried, and tried to get Jeong Jeong's attention but it always felt that this student, many miles away, was always there. This Zhao did not allowing the king's words to reach the Fire Master. Bumi felt an obligated to do something about it. It was important to him.
He knew exactly what had to be done. He must take it upon himself to play the role of the handsome prince. He would be the one to rescue Jeong Jeong from the grasp of Zhao the Exhibitionist. Then the rift between them could finally shrink.
He thought deeply about what plan would be best. A grin formed on the face of old crazy king when an interesting idea dawned on him. It was the most brilliant idea he had ever thought up. Executing his plan would be the hard part.
-*-*-*-*-
"Very good," Jeong Jeong told his young student. The student showed good discipline.
"Come on," whined the upset teen who was irritated that his master was paying attention to someone who wasn't him. "I can do better than that!"
"Please show me," cheered the student who the master praised.
"We do not need a demonstration," the Fire Master barked irately.
Teenage Zhao smiled impishly at his master's reaction. He started making a pose which he believed to be manly and began to show off to the younger students. Jeong Jeong frowned.
"You think I don't know why you limit my training?" Zhao asked his master in an arrogant voice. "It's so obvious. I'm better than you, and you just can't handle it."
"You should respect your master," Bumi said gently. He had convinced Jeong Jeong to let him stay for a few days. He was disguised as a Fire Nation citizen, of course.
Zhao eyed the old man and then eyed Master Jeong Jeong, as if he could visually compare the two. He saw that his mentor was uncomfortable with the man. Young Zhao figured that meant that the stranger must be a rival of his master.
"Are a master bender?" Zhao asked, in hopes of finding out if that was their rivalry.
"Why, yes I am," Bumi said with a grin that showed the gap in his teeth.
"I'm in search of a new master," Zhao stated respectfully as he bowed to Bumi. "Can I train under you?"
"If you want," Bumi shrugged, finding the youth to be rather boring. "But you probably find the training impossible."
"Nonsense," Zhao blurted out as if he were insulted. "I'm destined to become a great bender, maybe even the greatest."
Jeong Jeong could hardly restrain himself from laughing. Zhao, who took pride in being a know-it-all, didn't know the man who stood before him was the most well-known King of Omashu. Not that anyone would expect to run into King Bumi in the Fire Nation. But that was the typical Bumi, to be completely and utterly unpredictable.
Bumi caught Jeong Jeong's smile. He then knew that he had done it. He had broken the evil grasp Zhao had on him. He wasn't scowling or worrying anymore, he had smiled. Bumi was sure that their relationship would only strengthen from then.