The Fire of a Thousand Suns
Book Two: Chapter 5
By Amphitrite II

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Present day, 140 ASC

"I hereby name you Crown Princess Liang of the Fire Nation."

With a smile, Liang rose, dark hair bound tightly against her scalp and new flame-shaped crown glimmering in the golden sunlight. The roar of the crowd cheering below them intensified, people having flooded the Fire Palace courtyard in hopes of getting a glimpse of their future leader. Liang looked majestic and beautiful in her crimson ceremonial robes, and Zuko felt as though he would burst with pride.

Liang bowed deeply. "Thank you, Father. It is a great honor."

Zuko smiled and took her hand before raising the other to wave regally at the crowd. "The honor is mine," he said. "I am so proud of you."

Beaming, she squeezed his hand.

Five months. It took them five months to create a baby that survived the voyage from the Spirit World, and the months after that were fraught with both joy and anxiety.

Shen the magician was patient and never stopped encouraging them, reassuring them that they had come too far to give up. They grew to know the path to that little house in the mountains very well, and though Zuko still treasured the time alone with Aang, the journey began to become synonymous with futile hope in his mind.

They took turns doubting that it would ever work, Zuko wondering if he was fated to never experience fatherhood and Aang confiding that he feared he was paying the price for asking for too much. But the other was always there to make sure they didn't lose faith.

After five months, their patience and hope had nearly run out, but the baby they created survived. And nine months later, he survived to infancy, eyes gold, heartbeat steady, and grip strong. Zuko could scarcely believe it when Shen wrote to them telling them how healthy the baby was, seven months after he had been created.

The palace was in a flurry at the news, staff and advisors alike thrilled at the prospect of a newborn. There had been universal relief when Liang had returned to claim her birthright, but it had been long since the palace had been home to any royal babies. The curtains of the vast nursery were swept open, every surface meticulously dusted off, all the walls repainted and linens replenished. The closets were filled with tiny clothes and shoes and documents drawn up for inheritance purposes. The staff expanded and chattered happily amongst themselves, and Zuko couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement — even as his heart was constantly in his throat at the thought of it all going south.

But his worry was for naught.

On the first day of spring, Aang and Zuko took their child home.

"I can't believe it," Zuko said, the bundle warm in his arms. He couldn't take his eyes off of the baby's sleeping face. "I can't believe this is really happening."

"Watch your step," Aang said as they came across the steps up to the palace. Zuko laughed.

"Sorry, I'm just so happy," he confessed as they made their way across the courtyard.

Smiling, Aang gave him a tender look. "Never apologize for that," he said.

At the doors, Liang rushed toward them, dignity abandoned in her excitement. "Father!" she exclaimed. "Is that him?"

Zuko peeled the red blanket back slightly so Liang could get a good look of her new brother.

"Oh," she breathed, eyes full of wonder. Her smile was open and unguarded. She said to the little bundle, "Hello, little brother. I have waited so long for someone like you."

"You'll be the best big sister he could ask for," Zuko said. Liang's glowing smile shifted toward him, and he couldn't help the sudden surge of love he felt for her.

"I'll do my best," she said, nearly quivering with excitement. It was a good look on her, and Zuko's heart caught in his throat when he caught a trace of his mother in her delighted expression. He was so lucky that she had come to him. Every day, she reminded him how fortunate he was. Peering closer, Liang added, "He's so small. And so beautiful."

"Yes, he is," Zuko agreed. Aang grinned, hand resting on Zuko's back.

"C'mon," he said. "Let's get the sleepyhead to his room so he can rest properly. I'm sure he'll have lots of visitors soon."

As they made their way to nursery, many of the newly hired caretakers offered to take the baby from them, but Zuko turned them all down obstinately.

This was his child. His and Aang's.

He didn't ever want to let go.

Not much later, Mai and Ty Lee came to visit, arm in arm.

Immediately, Ty Lee squealed at the sight of the sleeping baby. Zuko hushed her, hovering over the crib protectively. Giggling, Ty Lee covered her mouth.

"Sorry," she whispered. "He's just so cute."

"He is," Aang said, putting his arm around Zuko's waist. Zuko looked at him and smiled fondly.

Mai peered over the edge of the crib, eyes soft. She said, "I'm happy for you," and Zuko could tell that she meant it.

"Thank you," he said. He meant it, too.

"I remember when Liang was this tiny," Ty Lee said wistfully. "She was never quiet like this, though."

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Mai said.

Aang laughed. "I certainly will," he said. "Even Tenzin was a fussy baby."

"So what's his name?" Ty Lee asked, cooing as Zuko tucked the blankets more snugly around the slumbering baby.

Smiling, Aang looked at Zuko, and Ty Lee's gaze followed his.

Zuko had given this great thought, and he was thankful that Aang was deferring to him. Aang had already had the chance to name three children; it was only fair that Zuko also get a chance.

There was only one other man in the world who meant as much to him as Aang did, one who he had missed every day since his passing so many years ago. One who had stood behind Zuko from the very beginning, who had offered Zuko his loyalty when he had been an exiled disgrace to the Fire Nation and an enemy to the rest of the world. One who had guided Zuko when all had seemed hopeless, who had always reminded him that he could be a better person than his father and sister chose to be. One who had spent too many years of his life mourning the death of his son in war. One who was the most undercelebrated hero of the Hundred Year War.

"Iroh," Zuko said quietly. Then louder and more firmly, "His name is Iroh."

"Hey, handsome."

Eyes bleary, Zuko looked up from the trade documents he was studying in preparation for a meeting with the Northern Water Tribe ambassador the next morning. Aang hovered in the doorway, expression soft and a smile playing at the edge of his lips. He looked tired but happy.

"Hey," Zuko said softly as Aang closed the door behind him and came over to lean on Zuko's desk. "Is he sleeping?"

"Yup," Aang said, plucking up one of the papers Zuko had finished with. "And Jin is watching him. So we have some time to ourselves."

Zuko leaned back in his seat. "Oh?" he said innocently. "I don't know… Isn't the chemistry supposed to go away once we have kids?"

Aang made his way around the desk and looped his arms around Zuko's shoulders, pulling him back against his front snugly. Instantly relaxing, Zuko tilted his head back to kiss him, sweetly at first but heated and enthusiastic in no time.

When they pulled apart, Aang said breathlessly, "Don't count on it."

Without another thought, Zuko clambered to his feet, and Aang's arms slid around his middle with familiar ease. They met in a kiss as if drawn together by supernatural force. This was something Zuko could never get enough of — Aang's warm embrace; hot, talented mouth; and determination to kiss him senseless.

"I love you," Zuko gasped, hands working furiously at Aang's sash.

"I love you, too," Aang answered with a tender smile, though the sincerity of his words contrasted sharply with the dirty way he was sucking on Zuko's neck. Not that Zuko minded — he was sure Aang could feel his enthusiasm through all the layers of fabric. It was astounding that after all these years, this man could still make his knees weak and every nerve in his body vibrate with desire.

"Come to bed," Aang whispered, breath hot against his ear.

"Gladly," Zuko said and tugged him toward their bedroom.

It was a busy month. Many foreign dignitaries paid house calls to meet both the crown princess and the Fire Nation's new prince. For Zuko, the novelty of showing off his children began wearing off after a dozen visitors. He knew his duties, but he couldn't help but resent royal protocol for robbing him of precious time he would have preferred to spend with Aang and Iroh alone. Most days, Aang fell asleep waiting up for him.

By the time Zuko got a break, he was exhausted and ready to sleep for a century if that was what it took for his head to stop hurting. Aang took pity on him and offered a massage, working his dexterous, wonderfully talented fingers into Zuko's aching muscles with just the right amount of pressure.

"So Mai and I talked today," Aang said, waging battle against one of the more stubborn knots in Zuko's back.

Zuko's pleasure immediately turned into concern. Frowning, he said, "And?"

Aang shrugged. "And nothing. I told her I didn't want things to be weird anymore, and she agreed. Then we had tea."

"That's it?"

"Well, she's not exactly a spirited conversationalist," Aang pointed out, kneading Zuko's shoulders with the perfect amount of force. Zuko absently wondered if giving good massages was an Avatar thing. Or maybe an Airbender one.

"You had to have talked about something," he said.

"Yes, Zuko, we spoke for three hours about you and dished up all the dirty details — is that what you want to hear?" Even without seeing it on his face, Zuko could hear the eye roll in Aang's voice.

"Oh?" He rolled over to face Aang and yanked him down for a kiss. "What kind of dirty details?"

Laughing, Aang smacked his shoulder. "Quit it, I'm trying to do something nice for you."

"Mmm, I know," Zuko replied. "I'm showing my appreciation."

Tantalizingly, Aang leaned over him and said playfully, "I thought you were tired."

"Never too tired for this," Zuko said, rolling them over so he was the one straddling Aang. Then, he promptly yawned.

Aang burst out laughing, and it was Zuko's turn to shove him with an undignified pout.

"C'mon," Aang said, patting the tousled covers beside him, "lie down with me, old man."

Sighing, Zuko obeyed him even as he muttered, "Who are you calling old?" He really was exhausted. He turned on his side to face Aang, who echoed his motion.

"Hey," Aang said, draping his arm across Zuko's middle. Zuko shifted closer, basking in Aang's comforting presence.

"Hi," he answered. He treasured simple moments like this between them, when the rest of the world fell away and all that mattered was that Aang was finally here with him, truly his partner in every way that mattered. When he felt confident that he could speak freely and just be himself — something that he was not allowed the luxury of very often.

"Joking aside, I'm glad you and Mai had a chat," Zuko said. "And speaking of that, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about…"

The playfulness vanished from Aang's expression. "What is it?" he asked, his thumb stroking the marred skin of Zuko's eye affectionately.

"I was thinking of asking them to stay, permanently," Zuko blurted out, nervous about Aang's reaction would be. "I mean, Liang is staying, and I feel bad tearing her away from them, and Ty Lee seems to be enjoying herself, and Mai doesn't seem any grumpier than ever, and they're good with Iroh, and—"

"Zuko," Aang said gently. "It's fine. I was going to ask you to do the same thing."

"Oh," Zuko said, pleased. "Really?"

"Yup. Come on, you don't have to look so surprised; it's not that big of a deal. I always knew they were here to stay."

"It's a big deal to me," Zuko said earnestly.

Aang smiled, eyes bright with affection. "You're cute," he said, lacing their fingers together and kissing Zuko along his jawline.

"Yeah?" Zuko said, tugging him closer. "Prove it."

Springtime brought with it a sense of ease and freedom, of rebirth and new chances. Iroh grew slow but steadily, and Zuko loved him more and more every day. Sometimes he snuck away between meetings to visit him in the nursery, even if it was just to watch him sleep or briefly hold him in his arms. Zuko could already tell that he was going to be destined for great things, just like his sister.

With the nice weather came opportunities for the Fire Lord to take a break and bring his son outdoors, and Zuko and Aang found themselves frequently relaxing by the pond. Oftentimes, Liang joined them, and on occasion Mai and Ty Lee did as well, especially now that they were officially permanent residents of the royal palace. It was on one such occasion that Zuko finally broached a topic he had been pondering for some time.

"So I was thinking," he said, valiantly trying to appear casual as he leaned against the patio steps. He could feel Aang's elbow resting against his own, its easy presence reassuring. "Maybe this summer, if everyone's schedules line up… You could invite your family to visit? I mean, I would understand if you don't want to — or they don't want to — but I… I would be okay with it. I just wanted to let you know that."

He wasn't sure how to take Aang's silence or the disbelief writ plainly on his face. Spirits, he hoped he hadn't insulted or upset him. Keeping his head down, Zuko quickly busied himself with refilling their teacups.

"You mean it?" Aang said. He sounded tentative, but Zuko didn't know how to read that, either.

"Yeah, of course," Zuko replied. "Like I said, only if you want to—"

He flailed helplessly as Aang suddenly flung his arms around him, nearly knocking the teapot over.

"Of course I want to," Aang said. "I want everyone to meet Liang and Iroh, and I want to laugh as Bumi and Kya drive you nuts, and I know Tenzin will want to discuss his coursework with you." He pulled back to look Zuko in the eye. "But I don't want you to do anything that puts you in an awkward position."

"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it," Zuko said. He pushed away his instinctual indignation at Aang's skepticism. Quietly, he said, "When you first came here, I was terrified. It was all too surreal. I couldn't help but worry that you would leave again…"

"I won't," Aang said firmly.

"You did once, Aang," Zuko said and held up a hand to stop Aang when he opened his mouth to protest. "No, it's okay. That's what I'm saying — it's okay. The past is the past, and it should stay there. My parents — all of them — were so haunted. And my family was so cold. I don't want that for Iroh. I want to be better. And that means recognizing that I can't hold what happened before against you. Any of it. All of it. Situations are what they are, and we can only make the best of the time given us. And I'm so grateful for this time with you."

Aang's eyes looked suspiciously wet and his voice was uncharacteristically wobbly when he replied, "That means a lot to me, Zuko. Thank you."

Zuko smiled and wordlessly swiped his thumb across Aang's right cheek. "You're very welcome, sweetheart."

"And Zuko?"

Zuko looked at him, curious.

"You're my family, too," Aang said, squeezing his thigh. "You and Iroh and Liang and —

all of you."

Zuko laid his hand atop Aang's and laced their fingers together. He looked around the courtyard. Liang was practicing katas with Ty Lee by the pond, and Mai watched them with a mild smile, fingers nimbly knitting a baby-sized hat. Beside Zuko and Aang, Iroh slumbered peacefully in a wicker bassinet, rocked gently by the breeze. Zuko felt warm and happy.

"Family," he repeated, and he could hardly contain his smile. He wrapped an arm around Aang and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'm glad you're here," he said.

"Me too," Aang said softly and kissed him, deep and true.

And in that moment, Zuko knew this was who he was meant to be: emperor, father, partner, lover, friend. Part of a sprawling family that was anything but ordinary — yet would never be short on love. After all this time, all the ups and downs, all the long, winding roads, this was what was meant to be. This was his destiny.

And he couldn't be happier about who he got to share it with.

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END OF BOOK TWO

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Notes: A few days after Legend of Korra's Season 1 finale, I had a random thought: What if Iroh II were Zuko and Aang's son, rather than Zuko's grandson? Was there a way to reconcile this with canon? This story is the result of that stray thought.

I want to thank everyone who's gotten to this point for following along. I write slowly, but always with feeling, and it's wonderful to have readers who stick around.

The third and last "book" in this series addresses Zuko and Aang's twilight years and offers some closure for Zuko and Katara. Keep your eyes peeled!