Disclaimer: Nickelodeon and Bryke own ATLA. I don't.
Innocence
By Abby Brickler
***
Zuko sat in the courtyard with his little girl, just enjoying some quality father-daughter time. He was glad he was able to order that they not be interrupted unless it was absolutely necessary. He found himself half-wishing that he could go back to seeing the world as she did—through a child's eyes: when everything around you was a beautiful wonder to behold—when suffering, anger, cynicism, pessimism, every negative emotion—was a stranger. It was all innocence and optimism.
It hurt Zuko to know that he would not be able to shield her from all disappointment. She would have downs in her life as well as ups. Some days she would be happy, other days she would be sad. Sometimes things would go her way, sometimes they wouldn't. He was sure the road to her destiny would be filled with challenges, with obstacles. That's how it was for everyone. He was sure she would take after Katara—she wouldn't go astray as he had.
As he watched her sit down at the edge of the pond, feeding breadcrumbs to the turtle ducks out of the palm of her hand, he knew he couldn't shield her from everything. But what he could do was be there to support her—and he planned to do exactly that.
***