One-shot XXII: Time together [pt. II]

Zuko & Izumi.

Izumi was walking in the library, she was going to leave a book that she had just read and of course she was going to discuss it with her father, she thought he was a good critic, and it was interesting to debate with him.

"Have you finished it?" Zuko asked approaching to her, he was carrying a book in her hand that Izumi did not see very well.

"Yes, it wasn't heavy. It's always nice to read a little of magic, but there's one thing that bothers me a little..."

"Come in" Zuko pointed to one of the tables and they sat down to talk more comfortably.

"Why are all women with powers the villains?" she asked as she sat down in front of her father.

"I think there were a couple that weren't."

"Even so, it always seems that there's a certain proximity to evil and the 'darkness' but a man with the same power can be a hero. I don't see it very logical."

"No, it isn't. But will you punish characters from a book written so many years ago?"

"Of course not, it would be something silly not only because they didn't exist, but also because they did not handle the same morality as now. But it's good to look to the past so we try to not make the same mistakes."

"It seems very mature what you have said."

"Going back to the book, I wish the witch had been his aunt… you know? because of what they told him about his mother and that he was like a half-witch?"

"It would have given more depth to the mother and the witch. Everything was solved very easily in the last book."

"I would have liked more drama in that book, that someone died or had to sacrifice something, as in the previous book."

"Maybe you're a little drastic, he had just lost his father."

"That put a lot of tension, there could even be a great final battle, I just hope the next one will be better."

"There is no sequel."

"What?"

"The author did not write anything else about this story, it stayed as a trilogy."

"Seriously? I was expecting more books" Izumi complained leaning her face on the table.

"But I have something else for you" Zuko said and handed her a blue book with golden letters.

"The Lightning Thief" Izumi read the title aloud before taking it and sitting down again "it sounds interesting"

"I hope you enjoy it too and that you could bring me something interesting. But keep telling me what you liked about the other book."

"Of course, my favorite character was..."

Aang & Tenzin.

Aang would bring out some jams that he had made, and Tenzin would help with some other ingredients, it was baking day and they would make a couple of fruit pies like the ones Aang ate when he was a child, one of the few recipes he kept.

"Can we make pear cake?"

"Sure, but I also want to make blueberries one."

"Sounds good" Tenzin replied, mentally taking note of the ingredients he needed.

"I used to bake this with my father, I made them when he was discouraged" Aang said with a hint of nostalgia "I think it was his favorite pie."

"How was him?"

"He was a kind person, very wise and responsible but he also knew when he needed to be a child and have fun, he was very good to play with me."

"Do you think I look like him?"

"No, you don't look alike. And that's fine, you mustn't be like him or me to know that you do the right thing, because you only have to be the best version of yourself" Aang explained to his son and then kissed his forehead "but this is not the time for philosophical things, we have to start"

"Good" Tenzin faked a military salute "what do I start with?"

"Start with the dry ingredients, you know, flour and sugar first"

Tenzin made his mix carefully and a little nervous because they had decided that each one would take care of the flavor of the pie that they preferred, so, although it was not Tenzin's first time making the recipe, he was a little nervous. When the mixture was ready, Aang set up the oven, showing his son how airbending could also be used for something like that, Tenzin looked at it with excitement and Aang could not help showing off a bit.

"How wonderful!"

"Now we will wait until it's ready, and you will lift the cream."

"It's not going to come out."

"I trust you" they waited a while talking and making silly jokes until Aang decided that it was time to take out the pies "ok, honey. This has to be done quickly. remember, do it with confidence" Aang took out the pie and Tenzin took a deep breath, as firmly as he could, he did the airbending movement he had practiced, although the cream did not rise up as much as when Aang did it, it was much more than he expected "I told you that you will do it well"

That day they had fruit pies for lunch in the garden with some tea, while Tenzin showed off how good he was in airbending, Izumi excitedly talked about the new book that her father had given to her.