AtLA Modern: Year 1, Gen. 1

Chapter 18

Sokka watched him for a moment, then looked at Dai. "Who the fuck was that?!" he demanded, his voice low and firm. She was glaring after Lei, her head tilted slightly, her face flushed.

Athlea took a deep breath and looked away. "I need some air." She turned her faze to the ground, frowning.

Zuko let go of Athlea, nodding. "O-okay," he said.

Sokka blinked, watching Athlea go, then turned and put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Come on. Let's get a drink."

Aang spun back, clearly clueless. "What'd I miss?"

"Who is he?" Zuko asked Dai, rolling his shoulder away from Sokka's hand.

"Her abusive ex. Can't you fucking tell?" Dai muttered.

"Oh, shit," Sokka muttered.

She grabbed Sokka's wrist, dragging her with him. "We're going to practice. Come on."

"Right now?" Katara called after them.

"What, now?!" Sokka asked at the same moment, his eyes wide.

"If I stay here I'm going to kill the next person who breathes too loudly," Dai replied over her shoulder, pushing through the door. Toph shook her head, crossing her arms.

"Pray for me!" Sokka called out desperately.

Athlea brushed past them as they left, looking across the room and finding Zuko. She approached him, her gaze blank. "Can I get a ride home?"

Zuko stood from his seat. He frowned, tilting her head up so their eyes met. She blinked, frownign. "Of course. Come on." He grabbed her bag, leading her to the door. She followed, a hand gripping his shirt.

Athlea got into the passenger seat of his car as he opened the door for her, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Zuko sat in his driver's seat for a moment, glancing at her. "You don't have to tell me anything." He faced forward and started driving. "Do that on your time. Not his." She glanced at him, then forward, frowning, her eyes filling with tears. A moment later, they started falling, and she sniffed quietly.

Zuko parked the car, and he didn't realize that Athlea was crying until he opened her door. He blinked awkwardly for a second, then kneeled next to the car. "Hey," he said softly, pulling her toward him. "What is it? Did I say something?" His voice was atypically soft, and he unbuckled her before pulling her to his chest, one hand on her back, the other on her shoulders.

She rested her head against his shoulder, blinking, her hand gripping his shirt. She shook her head slightly. "Thank you," she finally said softly, using a finger to wipe away her tears. "You're just so kind and caring. I don't deserve that."

"Okay. Okay," Zuko said. He pulled away, frowning, lips parting slightly. "Of course you do," he said gently. "I think you just had to listen to Lei too long. You defended Dai, and that involved standing up to my sister, and you're a great friend to her and the others." He used a thumb to wipe her cheek while she looked at him, frowning. "Come on." He slid his arms under hers, hugging her and at the same time pulling her from the car. He leaned in again and grabbed her stuff. "Let's get you inside."

"Okay..." She walked with him towards the door, opening it with her keys and leading him down a hallway to her room. There, she plopped down on the bed, letting out a soft sigh and facing the ground.

Zuko pressed his lips together, sitting next to her and lifting her chin with a finger. "What do you need?" he asked softly. The chatter of her dormmates came from their rooms, quieter without Sokka or Dai. His head was turned to look at her, his eyes round and patient, his hands in his lap.

Athlea looked away, brows furrowed, before returning her gaze to him. "Spend the night with me? If you can, that if." She moved her attention to her shoes, pulling them off.

Zuko nodded, scratching the back of his neck. "I can give you privacy...?" he said awkwardly, gesturing at the door with one hand. "While you change?" He jumped up. "Shit, I need to go steal pajamas from Sokka. Be right back." He slid out of the door. When he came back, he knocked.

She smiled slightly. "Come on."

Zuko peeked in, walking into her room. He nodded, sitting on the bed behind her and pulling her close, arms around her waist. He nuzzled his head into her neck. "How are you?" he asked quietly.

She glanced over her shoulder, both of her hands moving to his, closing her eyes for a brief second. "I'm alright," she responded in a low voice. She leaned her head against his and opened her eyes again, a small smile on her face.

"Okay," he said quietly, smiling and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Good." He slid over to the pillows, pulling her with him and tugging the blanket over them. "We should get some sleep."

She blinked a few times. "Yeah... I think it'd be good," she said in agreement, closing her eyes.

***

A/N in this AU with Ursa around, Zuko would be so much better socially, and because he is wealthy he would have to go to many of the events you'll see later. he actually is quite a charmer in this one. i think Ursa tells him about how his father was before she divorced him and insists he be better, and lil mama's boy is doing a great job of it uWu