Chapter Text
Ozai wasn’t very fond of these visits to the southern water tribe. He hated them in fact. He hated the cold. He hated the stares of anger or fear he got. Truly he didn’t know if they were directed to him or his father. Azulon. Iroh never came with them claiming to be too busy with other duties as general. It irked Ozai. Greatly. The worst part is that regardless if these Agni awful meetings involved him or not he wasn’t allowed to leave his father's side. Not ever. Why was he here if he never planned on taking the thrown anyway? This should be Iroh’s job, not his. Ozai let out a huff smoke coming out his nose before he noticed a boy about his age just staring at him. He didn’t look angry no..he looked bored. Just as bored as Ozai was. If Ozai remembered the boys name was Hakoda and he was the chief's son. Ozai noticed the boy sitting next to Hakoda slap his leg not to subtly before they stared at each other for awhile their eyes finding him front time to time. What the hell where they doing? And why do they keep looking at- “Chief. Firelord Azulon. Can we be excused? And take Ozai with us. It's..important that we talk.” What the fuck was he doing. Ozai turned his head slightly to look at his father only to hear him let out a hum. He surely was going to say no yes? HIs father wouldnt leave him alone with savages- “Fine.” Ozai’s eyes widened slightly before he saw the look on his fathers face. Oh. He wanted him gone. Away from him. Right. Ozai nodded standing up as he headed out what he assumed was the water tribes war room not bothering to wait for the two boys who even got him out of the situation. That was until he felt a hard shove to his shoulder. “You!-” “You’re welcome Ashmaker. You looked half way to dying in there..Koda saved your ass.” “Koda?” Bato pointed behind them with his lips as Hakoda finally mad eit to the two of them. “You left quick.” Ozai glared at the two as he began to walk away only to be tugged back. “So ashmaker why are you here and not your brother?” “Bato..” Ozai felt heat build up in the back of his neck. “I don't know. What I do know is maybe the stories are right about you people. You savage.” Bato glared at him before he was tugged away from the boy by Hakoda as he whispered sharply. It reminded him of Iroh after the many times he had made Father upset. “Knock it off. Both of you. I do not want to be fucking lectured by my dad and neither do you Bato. Ozai I don’t want to know what the hell your father does when he’s angry with you but I suggest that you two relax so people stop staring.” That’s when Ozai looked around and noticed the small crowd they formed. It was pathetic really. Does nothing truly go on around here that they resort to a small argument to gossip about? He felt Hakoda drag him off to a hut pushing both him and Bato in. “Koda what the hell-” Hakoda sent Bato a glare making Ozai let out a laugh earning him a glare as well. “What?” “What the fuck were you two thinking? Bato why would you press his buttons like that knowing how he was going to react?” “I was-” “And you.” Ozai flinched at the tone staring at the boy shocked. “What fucking idiot calls someone who is going to be the next chief's second-in-command a Savage straight to his face? In his land at that!” Ozai could only stutter not expecting to get yelled at. In a hut. “The both of you are idiots!” Ozai watched as Hakoda paced before glancing at Bato who was looking at the boy worried before glancing at Ozai. “..Hakoda.” Ozai was the first person to speak up tired of hearing the boy mutter under his breath. “What.” “I am sorry for my outburst after you helped me..not fall asleep in a meeting with my father and yours.” Hakoda stopped staring at Ozai before his nose scrunched up. “Why do you sound like that? “Like what?” “Like you have a stick up your ass.” Ozai had almost forgotten Bato was here. Almost. “I was raised to speak this way I’m sorry it isn't to your liking Bato.” He smirked seeing Bato’s lip twitch in irritation. “Stop it.” Ozai’s smile disappeared hearing the irritation in Hakoda’s voice. “I don’t know why you thought this was a good idea Koda. He’s clearly not interested in benign our friend.” “It doesn’t matter Bato..listen..if I’m going to need to create bonds with-” “I'm not going to be Firelord so why does it matter?” The two turn to Ozai as he lets out another breath through his nose this time a small flame slipping out. “Regardless having good ties with someone in the royal family would be..good I guess.” Ozai’s nose scrunched up at the thought. Him? HIm of all people? It’s not like the two had any other option his brother was too busy playing war to create bonds with people. “..I suppose you’re right..” Then the front of the tent flew to reveal..another boy. “Koda I hear what happened why the- Oh. He’s in here with you.” Ozai rolled his eyes looking the new boy up and down taking note of the small scar on his cheek and his many freckles. “Panuk. Can you not do that?” Panuk rolled his eyes before standing next to Hakoda with his arms still crossed glaring at Ozai. What a rude peasant. “Why is he in your tent Koda?” “He is going to be our way to..create bonds.” Panuk let out a laugh before stopping noticing none of them are lying. “Oh..you..you two aren’t kidding.” Panuk then turned to really stare at Ozai and oh..Oh Agni. Ozai has never seen a man be..well..pretty? Yes pretty is the word. He could see Panuk talking but he was more focused on the little details of the boy's face. Before Bato rudely interrupted. “Ozai! Tui and La will you not do that? You’re staring at Panuk like he’s a piece of meat.” “I wasn’t!” “You were!” Ozai was going to snap back when he felt the cold air of outside seep in again before looking and seeing his father. “Ozai. Come we have to.. discuss some things.” The room grew tense as Ozai nodded standing up walking past Hakoda and ignoring his worried glance.
.
.
Of course, Father heard of the argument he had with Bato. Why wouldn’t he? Ozai stood behind his father with his head down and his eyes closed. “What were you thinking boy? Trying to argue when I am trying to convince this pathetic nation to start a trade route with us.” That word. It rubbed Ozai wrong. Sure he had called Bato a savage but he didn’t mean it..somewhat. His father though? His father truly meant what he said. “I apologize.” Ozai heard his Father scoff as he brushed past Ozai leaving Ozai to stand in the snow alone. He could feel heat pool into his hands as he bites his bottom lip ignoring the blood starting to run down his chin. “Ozai!” Ozai opened his eyes to turn around and see Hakoda, Bato, and Panuk running towards him. Great. “Dude..you’re bleeding..” “Did your dad do it?” Hakoda clicked his tongue sending a quick glare to Panuk before placing his hand on Ozai’s shoulder. “You ok?” Ozai stared before taking a deep breath and nodding “Fine.” The three smiled before Hakoda properly introduced Panuk. Panuk was their healer. Well..training to be. According to him, there were only 4 healers left. Left. That left a sinking feeling in Ozai’s stomach for a while..the rest of the evening even.
.
.
Ozai and his father stayed in the Southern Water Tribe for a few more weeks. In that time he had actually grown closer to Bato, Hakoda, and Panuk. Much to his surprise. He had also met a girl named Kya. A girl Bato had teased Hakoda about for days which annoyed not only Hakoda but Ozai as well. He was tired of seeing Hakoda play around like a fool like Kya had not liked him back. The night before Ozai had to leave the group of boys sat out in the tundra in silence as they looked up at the stars. “The moon is shining bright tonight..” “Does it not always?” Bato shrugged as he glanced at Ozai. “Does the sun shine brighter on certain days?” Ozai nodded thinking of the many festivals the fire nation has dedicated to Agni. “Well..it is almost the first day of winter..in 2 months actually..” Ozai let out a hum at Panuk’s comment smiling. His lips move before thinking as he mutters. “I’ll miss this..miss all of you.” The three boys shot up immediately looking down at Ozai who was still lying on his back and all of them were smiling. “Oh really now ashmaker?” Ozai chuckled closing his eyes. “Yes really water peasant.” Bato let out a sharp laugh laying back down as Panuk stayed sitting up for a moment before smiling down at Ozai. “I guess..I’ll miss you too.” Ozai smiled softly and closed his eyes again. Before he left Hakoda made a promise to him. “If anything..happened to you. You have a place here. I promise.” Ozai just stared before he nodded quickly joining his Father back on fire nation ship.
.
.
That would be the last time Ozai and his Father went to the Southern Waters. The next time he heard of them was his Father speaking of retrieving all the waterbenders. All that was left. All Ozai could do was pray to Agni in secret. For his friends. Who he hopes would still consider him..a friend.