Disclaimer: Avatar does not belong to me. Blah blah blah.
Notes: After seeing two fanarts of Ozai with turtle ducks, I realized they must be total BFFs with each other. This story had to be written. Thanks to the artists who drew the pictures for inspiring me.
Ruling a nation was tiring. Dealing with a war, whiny sons, and just a little bit psychotic daughters were pretty tiring too. And even shooting stray fireballs at servants did nothing for his stress. He was already plucking out grey hairs. He was much too young for grey hairs.
He found the only way of letting out any stress was to talk to the turtle ducks in his pond. Of course, this was supposed to be a secret and if anybody ever saw, well, what was the saying? Dead men never talked?
"Hello, turtle ducks," he greeted, holding some bread in his hands. They liked it when he gave them bread. "How are you this time of day?"
The cute creatures swam towards him and he smiled. Yes, he could admit they were cute. Horrifyingly cute. This was only known by him and the turtle ducks. He could tell them anything. They gave him a grateful quack as he threw them a piece of bread.
"Do you know some people in the Earth Nation are planning a rebellion?" He asked, irritated as he tore another piece of the bread off almost viciously. "I mean, who do these peasants think they are? I should teach them all a lesson. I personally can't, though. I wish I could."
He gave them another piece and they quacked again.
"Do you think they deserve a punishment, turtle ducks?"
"Quack."
"Quack."
Ozai smiled and threw them another piece.
"I will take that as a yes."
Nothing else was said for a while, Ozai finding that just watching the turtle ducks eat and swim was therapeutic all on its own. Some people he knew bought expensive oils and masseurs to help their stress. If only they could have known how wonderfully calming the cute little reptile/birds were. But that was his secret and he felt a little possessive.
"I know my son has been coming down here to visit you," he said, breaking the silence. He frowned in disgust. "I hope he doesn't bother you with any of his annoying whining. How that kid supposedly killed the Avatar, I'll never know. But if he bothers you, tell me. I will make sure he never troubles you again. He still has another side of his face for me to scar. Haha…." He trailed off in mid-laughter, seeing the disproving look in his shelled friends' eyes as they stared in him. "Turtle ducks, it was only a joke. Did my joke bother you?"
"Quack."
He pouted, knowing that nobody else could see. "I am sorry. Truly. Here." He threw then the rest of the bread. "There you go, all yours. Please do not be mad at me. You are the only things I can truly talk to."
"Quack!"
Ozai was sure that meant they were happy with him and he let out a sigh of relief. He decided to leave, though. In case he accidentally made them mad again. His turtle duck friends were the very few he actually cared about. He could not let that relationship be destroyed.
After he left, Azula appeared from a bush, smirking.
"And they think I'm psychotic." She then glared at the turtle ducks that were staring at her. She grabbed a rock and threw it at one. "Don't stare. It's rude."