Kiss THIS!

Unexpected

He always imagined he would go home a hero. He always imagined he would come home with the Avatar in tow, with his people watching with glowing eyes and pride. He imagined that he would kneel before his father, and for the first time in years, be accepted in his eyes.

He had long since given up on that dream, but now that it was coming true; he almost wished it wasn't. After all, he wasn't returning home a hero. The Avatar was not here, although his friend had wanted to be for support, it made no difference. By law, technically, he should still be in exile, should still be forbidden to the people of fire.

Yet here he stood, in the crimson hall of the Fire King, his two-year-old son asleep in his arms, and his waterbending wife holding his hand tightly.

In all of his dreaming of going home, this was the one scenario he never imagined.

"Advisor Ling," Zuko spoke finally, after the initial shock wore off. "I'm afraid I don't understand—"

"There really isn't much to it, my Lord." Advisor Ling said harshly, nose held up high towards Katara and their son. "Fire Lord Ozai left you his kingdom. You are now the Fire Lord."

Zuko blinked, holding Koda tighter to him. "That doesn't make any sense. I'm in exile."

"Not anymore, apparently." The Advisor scowled. "Lord Ozai left specifically in his will that you were to take over the Fire Nation after he passed away, all other previous crimes forgiven."

"Why?" Katara asked, gripping Zuko's hand in her own.

The Advisor let out a patient sigh. "Because I think, deep down, Ozai still loved you, and I think he regretted what he did to you." The Advisor scowled once more as Katara smiled, leaning over and kissing her husband's cheek before taking their son out of his arms. "Now, are you going to kneel, my Lord, or should I go get a stool to put this crown on your head?"

No,the Fire Lordthought as he kneeled, he certainly never imagined it would happen like this.

XXX
END

So, I was rereading some of my old fics (yes I go back and reread my own fics stop laughing now.) and I came across Firelight, my very first Avatar fic. I've come a long way since that fic, but I still like it, and after I read it again, this idea for a drabble was born.

Jak