The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

Spare Him His Life

"Are you excited to meet your father?" Zuko asked as we were walking to the doctors office. We had gotten back from Ember Island the day before, and I was so nervous.

"No, I'm a nervous wreck." I replied. "I don't want to speak to him."

"Something you just have to do." Zuko reminded.

"I know. I'm glad you are here." I said with a slight smile.

He grabbed my hand. "So, what are we going to do?"

"Let's pretend its a normal checkup and see what happens." I stated. "I'll just pretend I'm still having side pains."

"Okay," he said as we walked into the clinic. Immediately, the woman at the front desk looked at me in anger. When she saw Zuko, she completely relaxed.

"Prince Zuko! How may we help you today?"

"Ashley needs to see the doctor." Zuko stated.

"Of course! Lei Liang is ready to see you right now!"

I rolled my eyes. "Not so busy anymore, huh?"

She responded by glaring at me as we walked into a room. I was fidgeting with my thumbs anxiously as we waited.

"You're sure you want to see him?" Zuko asked.

"I need to." I responded.

Someone knocked on the door, and I nearly flinched in anticipation. He stepped inside and glanced at me. He seemed to do a double take, but ignored whatever he was thinking.

"Prince Zuko," He said. "What's your reason for today's visit?"

Zuko folded his hands in his lap and glanced over at me. "Ashley has some side pain."

Liang stared at me, dumbfounded.

I glared back at him, trying to hide my fright.

"Yeah, she's been just having some pains recently." Zuko said awkwardly to break the silence.

"Okay. I need to ask a few questions." Jiang said slowly. "Age?"

"16." I responded dryly.

"And are you a bender?" He said, clearly most interested in this question.

"No." I lied.

He seemed sightly disappointed by this, and started to take my temperature. "You have the temperature of a firebender."

"I've heard that before." I stated uncomfortably.

"I can give you this medicine, come back tomorrow if the pain continues." Liang said. I assumed he clearly just wanted us to leave, he seemed really confused.

I grabbed the bottle he gave me and rolled my eyes. "I'm not taking opium."

"They help." Liang responded.

I threw the bottle back at him. "They won't."

Zuko stood up and grabbed my hand.

I thought of something to say, but I decided not to get ahead of myself. "I'll come back tomorrow like you said." I gave a tiny nodded, and we walked out.

As we left my clinic, my composure clearly fell. "That was so awkward I wanted to die."

"You guys only talked for like 2 minutes." Zuko replied.

"I know. I need to make a bunch of good comebacks in my head before I talk to him again." I stated.

"What are you going to do before then?" Zuko asked.