An announcement was to be made. The few royal families stood in a perfect line leading to the throne. Lined behind them were families of high military rank – including Lyra's. Lyra shifted uncomfortably between her parents in the deep maroon dress her mother had insisted she wear today. It was long and adorned with a decorative gold-and-diamond belt, and she wore heavy diamond jewelry to match. Her hair had been pulled into a large, tight bun, another large stone set in its center. It was the kind of thing one would wear to a ceremony, not a meeting.

She regarded her parents with a quiet scowl when she noticed her peers were not dressed as formally. Azula, Mai, and Tylee were all in their usual, semi-formal combat clothing. They snickered and whispered when she entered, making her feel even more out of place. She'd never admit it, but she always felt out of place.

Well, except when she's with Zuko.

Zuko, who had also been instructed to wear formal attire, couldn't tear his eyes off of her. The silk dress clung to her hourglass shape, the color complimented her hair and provided a striking contrast to her skin. It tainted his memory of this morning with a hot, unfamiliar desire. The young teen clenched his fists to focus himself.

"It is our unity that gives us strength, our commitment to each other and our nation that makes us superior," Fire Lord Ozai continued his speech. Although he was addressing all of them, heads remained low and bowed, respectfully waiting for their cue to see anything other than the floor and their feet.

Lyra, impatient as ever, side-eyed her mother. The slender, bird-like woman was keeping something from her. She wouldn't tell her why she had to wear such formal clothes, why she had to attend this meeting, or how much longer—

"Admiral Sen," Lyra perked at her father's name, thoughts silenced and ears open. "Your contributions to this nation cannot be understated. Your plan and execution of securing Riole was pivotal in our campaign, and I know you will find equal success in Ba Sing Se."

Lyra barely contained her gasp, her hands balling into fists at the revelation. What?

Anxiety bloomed in her chest at the thought of her fragile old father going back to war.

Shortly after Lu Ten died trying to take Ba Sing Se, her father admitted to her that he wanted to end the war, and he regretted every part he'd played in it. He said war was meaningless, life was precious, and the Fire Nation had somehow forgotten that true strength came from camaraderie, not brutality. His sake-induced rant ended with a deep, tearful apology, one she couldn't quite understand, before taking him to bed. It was, perhaps, the most genuine he'd ever been with her, and so to hear that he would be shipping out again was not only devastating, it was shocking.

Was Fire Lord Ozai forcing him to do this? Why? Surely there were younger, more physically capable men to handle the battlefield while her father consults and organizes from the safety of the Fire Nation. Surely…

"It is our great honor to invite you into our family, officially – to be bonded in matrimony, and eventually, by blood," Fire Lord Ozai continued.

Lyra's thoughts skidded to another abrupt halt. Her heart hammered, her head flying up to look at the king himself with wide eyes. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Her eyes flew to Zuko, at his father's side, who bore a similar shocked expression, mouth agape.

Lyra's mother discreetly, but roughly, pulled her daughter's hair, reminding her to retain her composure. Lyra set her eyes back to the ground but felt her heart tremble with anticipation and confusion.

"Lyra Ryoshi, daughter of Mira and Sen Ryoshi, please step forward."

Lyra, heart hammering and mind trying to wrap itself around this new information, stepped slowly, the dress suddenly a thousand times more uncomfortable than it was before. She stepped into the center aisle, between the noble families, and then took a few more steps towards the throne. Every step felt heavy, a foreign feeling to the light-stepped girl, her legs stiff as she moved into the center of the room. She was acutely aware of the eyes on her, and while that didn't usually matter to her at all, she could feel the weight of it now. Heavy, heavy expectations. Is this how Zuko feels all the time? she wondered.

She snuck a small glance at her parents, hoping for some semblance of comfort or explanation, but their faces were unreadable, locked in the expected stoic expression of nobility.

"Lyra, you come from a long line of innovative, strategic firebenders, qualities befitting a member of the royal family. Today, I declare an intended bond between your family and ours," Ozai proclaimed, his voice cutting through the grand hall. When he gestured for Zuko to step forward, a tight knot formed in the young man's throat.

Slowly, Zuko moved to stand beside her, his face a mask of composure despite the storm of emotions within. "It is with great pride that we announce the intended betrothal of my son, Prince Zuko, and Lyra Ryoshi. May their union, when the time comes, bring honor to us all."

The audience reacted respectfully – clapping and murmurs of approval – before Lord Ozai dismissed them all. Lyra and Zuko had only the time to share an incredulous look, as if asking each other the same question with their eyes – Did that really just happen?

Zuko and Lyra would draw the same conclusion in that moment, staring into each other's eyes – burning gold to stormy blue. That they would marry their best friend – that any new or budding feelings that they'd been afraid to admit or express, would become the natural progression of their relationship. And that they could enjoy their time together as friends, true friends, and when they are ready…

Well, they knew what they would become one day, and there was a safety in that. It was as if a heavy veil of uncertainty had been lifted, replaced by the comforting assurance of a shared future. They knew each other better than anyone else, and the thought of growing together, of navigating life's challenges and triumphs side by side, was not just bearable but deeply reassuring.

The shock did not shake from Zuko's face as the guests began to swarm them with in a sea of congratulations and compliments. But Zuko's mind was a tempest, and as the noble families and high ranking military officials – the ones he secretly knew to be cold and vicious men, in good company with his father – his mind slipped into the darkest, poisoned parts of his heart—

He worried this would change everything between them, that things would be different now. That their friendship, the best thing in his life, would be damned in making it more complicated. That with his father's influence in it, they would be ruined. Could Lyra handle the stress and pressure of being a part of the royal family? God, what if they corrupt or break her? She is too innocent, too optimistic, to play the chess game of everyday life. Did she even want this? Could she be happy with him? Could she be happy as Queen of a nation at war? Because if he's being honest with himself, that's just not her –

Lyra, who knew him all too well, saw the fall in his face through the sea of congratulations and pleasantries, and as if reading him like a book, she reached out and took his hand, fragile and cool within his warm and strong one. They were in public, a formal setting, so it was subtle. "Everything will be okay," she told him silently. He read her lips as intended, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "We'll talk tonight," she assured him, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. The sensation, her promise, immediately relaxed him.

Zuko felt the tension drain from his body. Lyra's touch was a tether to reality, grounding him amidst the chaos of his thoughts. In her eyes, he saw the unwavering belief she had in him, and it dawned on him that the privilege to find comfort that gaze would be his forever. Her tender touch was nothing short of a promise, a silent vow that their bond was stronger than any external pressure.

For Lyra, the announcement's initial shock had given way to a profound sense of relief and happiness. She had always cherished Zuko, and as they grew older, she wouldn't deny her feelings grew stronger. That is what time does, after all. But this new formal arrangement seemed to give her heart permission to feel what she had been adamantly avoiding. But she didn't need to worry about any of that anymore – they were free to let their love grow naturally, without the fear.

Curt and courteous, Zuko excused himself quickly from the onslaught of conversation As he left the common area, many guests followed. When her parents finally collected her, it took every ounce of self-control not to explode on them in that moment. "Ba Sing Se?" she hissed, confusion and betrayal written all over her face.

Her father scowled pointedly, in response. "We will talk later," he replied, coldly and led them away.

. . .

The minute they made it home, the questions and frustration poured out of her. The silent walk home had been agonizing, amplifying every feeling, multiplying every question. Her father hadn't even had the chance to remove his shoes before she was berating him.

"Ba Sing Se?" she demanded, her tone reflecting the horror and fear she felt in her heart. "Why? Why you?"

He opened his mouth to speak, to respond, but her mother interrupted. "Speak to your father with some respect, young lady," she barked.

"At least I'm speaking!" she retorted, equally hot with her mother. She should not have found out from the Fire Lord. "You should have told me!" she shouted, directly at her father. Finger extended, she accused him: "You said you don't believe in the war, that you regret what you've done. Why would you go back to it? What changed? Is Fire Lord Ozai forcing you to do this?" The questions flooded out of her with all her tears. Her heart breaking – she didn't want her father to leave for war again. She didn't want him to die in Ba Sing Se.

When he finally spoke, he first wrapped his arms around his daughter, holding her in a warm, strong hug. In only a whisper in her ear, he confessed: "I made a deal with Fire Lord Ozai. Your betrothal to Prince Zuko for my experience in Ba Sing Se. But I do not plan to take the city – I plan to stall it."

Lyra froze, eyes wide in shock at this new information.

"Wait… so you're… you used me?" Her head spun, trying to put everything together. "…as a tool in your negotiations to…" her mind frantically searched for the right words to describe what he was suggesting. "To…commit treason?" She pulled away from him, looking her father deep into his onyx eyes. "Father, are you… a rebel?"

He returned her gaze with one of conviction and guilt. And he confessed his sins.

How 13 years ago, he had gone out of his way to bring his brilliant attack strategy of Riole to Fire Lord Ozai. How he was young and ambitious and wanted recognition. And how he had killed her real family, and slaughtered too many innocents for the sake of false honor. How when he saved her, he vowed to redeem himself.

"Maybe I will stall long enough for the Avatar to return," he chucked weakly at the prospect. They all knew that was a false hope – the Avatar had been gone for nearly 100 years now. "Or maybe I can stall long enough for the Earth Kingdom to make a real stand. Or… for you and Zuko to bring a new reign of peace with your leadership."

Lyra felt her heart seizing, her body shiver. Her father – and he had always been a good father to her. A little strict, but loving and understanding, encouraging even. She loved him. And he… he just stole her? Killed her real family, stole her away and just lied.

A crushing realization washed over her. She is not Fire Nation.

All that time trying to learn fire bending, feeling like such a failure, feeling like she didn't belong. Because she never could. And they just let her believe something was wrong with her. They never told her the truth –

Oh god. Zuko. Her stomach twisted. He can't marry someone who isn't Fire Nation. He can't marry her. If anyone found out, she'd probably never be able to see him again –

Lyra's breathing quickened and her chest tightened, feeling panic wash over her, her entire reality crashing down. And still, despite the crushing betrayal she felt towards her parents, she still didn't want him to go. She still feared for his safety in Ba Sing Se.

"I am so sorry, my child." He reached for her. Every emotion came crashing through her, and when she pushed him away, he went flying through the back door.

And then they all froze. In shock.

Lyra pulled her hands closer to her, still trembling. She had felt the wind move through her – felt that powerful gust that pushed her father several feet into the air. How did… how did I…? She couldn't even finish the thought. She couldn't draw that conclusion.

"Oh god," her mother whimpered, falling to her knees. "You're an airbender."

Lyra couldn't take anymore. She rose to her feet and started running. Out the front door, out the compound, out as far as her feet and fears could take her.

. . .

That night, Zuko waited for her. We'll talk tonight, she'd told him.

But she never came.