Hello dears! What feels like ages ago a conversation transpired between myself and cablesscutie about how Zuko would be an overcautious dad with his first child, but by the third or fourth he'd be holding them like a sack of flour. It was inspired by an incredible art by the amazing Favlie, and led to a discussion of how Aang, having never known fear in his life, would react. The incredible Hayley Foster made a comic based off it, and cablesscutie also wrote a sequel that is hilarious yet heartwarming. All that to say, here's another addition to the Yeet-verse inspired by Hayley's lovely steambabies.
hereforthezutarastuff My darling. My love. My beta. Thank you for all you do 💜
Before becoming a father, Zuko thought he knew happiness. After all, his wife was an incredible, gorgeous, powerful Master of her element. His Uncle lived happily retired in Ba Sing Se, but still made frequent visits to Caldera to impart wisdom over tea. His friends (well, more like family) visited as often as possible in between their various responsibilities as representatives of their countries. As the years went on, maintaining peace was less of a war and more of a task. Zuko woke each day with a smile, leaning over to kiss his wife before diving into his work.
At twenty-six, Zuko thought he had a solid understanding of what happiness was. Yet nothing could compare to the sheer joy he experienced the first time he held his daughter. As if his heart had stopped and restarted itself, it now beat a new rhythm.
Ky-YA, Ky-YA, Ky-YA
Katara gave him a hard time anytime someone came to meet Kya. "I suffered through eight hours of labor, yet the first time you held her you cried like you had done all the work," she complained, but a smile ghosted her lips. "You looked as proud as if you had given birth yourself." Zuko felt himself blush but decided to ignore his wife's goading.
"Anyways," he said, rushing to change the subject, "Aang, would you like to hold her?"
"Of course!" Aang exclaimed. "I love kids!"
"I know, but you have to be gentle with her," Zuko said. "She's only just starting to hold her head up by herself."
Zuko ignored Katara rolling her eyes and muttering something about, "treating her like a china doll," as he gently passed Kya to Aang. He kept one hand up, making sure Aang's grip was secure, before finally dropping his hands at his side. Aang beamed at Kya, who looked up at the Avatar with wide, trusting, blue eyes.
"Hi Kya," Aang said, "I'm your Uncle Aang! Well, not technically, but your mom said it was ok for you to call me that."
"After everything we've been through, you've more than earned the title," Zuko said as wrapped one arm around Katara's waist.
"She's beautiful," Aang whispered in awe, "and she has so much hair!"
Zuko and Katara chuckled. "I remember a time when you had hair too," Katara teased. Aang shook his head slightly, not looking up from Kya. He started scrunching up his face and sticking out his tongue, laughing when Kya shrieked at his funny faces. Zuko started to relax, his shoulders dropping and his grip on Katara's waist loosening.
That is, until Aang threw his daughter in the air.
Before becoming a father, Zuko thought he knew fear. His tumultuous adolescence left little space for comfort or safety.
If holding Kya for the first time had redefined Zuko's understanding of happiness, then watching Aang toss his daughter and airbend her towards the ceiling completely uprooted everything Zuko knew about fear.
Zuko stood, paralyzed in place, as Kya flew through the air. He ignored how Kya laughed, her safety his only concern as she floated back into Aang's arms. Aang tickled her, laughing still as Katara rushed forward and scooped their daughter in her arms. She looked Kya over, finally nodding to Zuko that she was fine. Zuko whirled on Aang, unable to contain his fury and breathing flames as he scolded Aang.
"What were you thinking?! I just told you she couldn't hold her head up! And what if you had dropped her?" Zuko shouted. Aang held up his hands, his whole head flushing red with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry! The monks used to-"
"We aren't monks," Zuko hissed through gritted teeth, his hands smoking as he raised them. He was half a beat from violating every peace treaty over the past ten years when he felt Katara's hand on his arm, her touch calming even through his sleeves.
"Zuko, Kya is fine. Why don't you take her to see the turtleducks?" Katara suggested, knowing Zuko would force himself to be calm for Kya. He glared at Aang for another beat before sighing. Aang relaxed, dropping his hands.
"Fine," he said, taking in and releasing a deep breath, "but he needs to know-"
"Don't worry," Katara said, kissing his forehead gently. "Aang is about to hear exactly why he will never throw my daughter in the air again," she said, her voice sickly-sweet as she turned to Aang. The Avatar swallowed audibly, chuckling nervously. Zuko felt a smirk tug at his lips as he walked away. He knew Aang was in for the scolding of his life and trusted his daughter would never be tossed around like a rice sack again.
Later that night, after Katara managed to get Kya down for what would surely be a few hours, guilt crept into Zuko's thoughts. He led Katara to their bed, gently pulling her into his lap as he sat on the edge.
"I'm sorry if I overreacted with Aang," he said quietly. Katara laughed, brushing a strand of hair from his eyes.
"On the one hand, he is the Avatar and was one of the youngest to ever earn his Master tattoos." Katara paused, meeting Zuko's eyes. "On the other hand, I told him if he ever did that again I would not hesitate to bloodbend him into the spirit world."
Zuko smiled, dropping his head to Katara's chest. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
After a moment without an answer, Zuko started to raise his head.
"Ba-ba-ba! Wait." Katara said, running her fingers through his hair. He sighed against her, letting himself melt under her touch.
"Zuko…" Katara whispered in the tone she used to calm Kya, both of her hands fidgeting in his hair, "I think you have a grey hair."
"What?" Zuko cried, jerking his head up. Katara pulled a single strand forward until he could see it. Zuko cursed under his breath, recognizing that yes, he had a grey hair.
"This is Aang's fault," he grumbled, "If he hadn't- hadn't thrown my daughter-" Zuko caught sight of Katara's raised brow and corrected himself. "Our daughter! If he hadn't thrown our daughter into the air I wouldn't have a grey hair! I'm only twenty-six!"
Katara snorted and rolled off his lap, walking to grab a brush from her vanity. "You don't know that."
"Yes, I do," he protested, the words dying on his lips as Katara began brushing his hair.
"You know, I'm kind of excited to see you with grey hair," Katara said, trying to sound casual.
"Oh?" Zuko asked, his interest peaked as he recognized the effort she was forcing to keep her tone level.
"I think it'll be sexy. You know, kind of distinguished," she said, and Zuko's breath hitched.
He realized he still had quite a lot to learn about life, but he couldn't wait to learn with his family.
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