word count // 0.8k words pov // second warning(s) // fluff, slight mention/depiction of panic attack dedicated to thatbitchMiles (thanks for requesting!!)
the reader was meant to be female, but i think i went a bit more of a gender neutral route. sorry! i enjoy writing in the second person, though, and it's a little easier — especially to include all readers.
enjoy!
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Sleeping was always difficult.
The dark worried you; animals could break into your tent and eat you, some bandits could steal your supplies, or if you did fall asleep, your friends could abandon you.
With Zuko here, though, you knew your friends wouldn't abandon you. They took in the boy that chased you guys for so long, and as soon as he grows a decent haircut and smiled all adorably, he's in the gAang.
You liked Zuko — he was more chill now, and you've seen how awful his sister is first hand. You felt a little bad for him.
He seemed to be all right with you, even though he seemed to be all right with everyone.
Sleeping tonight was especially difficult. The night was disturbing and loud and you felt like you were suffocating. You were in your tent, legs tucked underneath your chin and your hands over your head, trying desperately to make the noise leave you alone.
You could feel a panic attack rising in your chest, the tightness bothering you and the sudden lightheadedness frightening you.
Light.
You threw yourself out of your tent, trying to keep your escaping cries quiet. You stood up and rushed to the tent closest to you, knowing Zuko was in there.
He had light coursing through his veins. He can help.
You peeked in his tent, immediately regretting your decision. Even through the dark. you could just see him.
Zuko was curled in a ball, soft snores filling the tent as he slept peacefully. You almost walked away, but your shivering legs have way underneath you and you knocked your chin on the ground.
"Dammit..." You cried out, a choke breaking the word apart.
"(Y/N)?"
A groggy Zuko turned on his side. You glanced back at him and tried to move your mouth, but your cheeks felt slick and you couldn't move. Your body froze completely, a shudder travelling through its entirety and you couldn't help the sobs that escaped your mouth.
You started apologising ove and over and over and Zuko rushed up, pulling you into his tent. It was pitch black and you felt the noises grow louder.
You pushed his arms away from around your torso and you tried to relax, but the dark was too loud. "Zuko," you had managed to stammer out.
"What," he whispered, now taking your hand. He was trying.
"F," you nearly choked on your own tears, "fire."
He must have understood your nearly silent plea because as soon as the words left your lips, a small flame burned brightly from his right palm. He pulled you onto this lap, bringing you as close to the fire as he could without hurting you.
The strict force on your chest seemed to release you, allowing you to slowly start breathing properly. You leaned against Zuko, staring into the fire. Its light danced around, flickering on the burlap of the tent and illuminating the entire tent.
A drowsiness spread through your senses, your fingers tingling and bricks weighing down your eyelids. Your head was lulled to Zuko's shoulder, his left hand now stroking your hair.
You felt a tug at your heart, a slip of its beat when Zuko kissed your head and made the flame grow a bit larger, burn a bit brighter.
"You can go to sleep, now."
You hummed and kissed his shoulder as a silent thank you before settling against him. Your legs tangled with his legs and you wrapped your arms around his waist, keeping him and the fire close.
You watched the flame flicker in front of you in a hypnotic dance. You sighed and shut your eyes, the darkness no longer holding over you and Zuko's light granting you peace.
————
You woke up to a beautiful bright light outside and snoring underneath you. You smiled, remembering last night, and you glanced down at a snoring Zuko.
After you had fallen asleep he must have moved the both of you from your sitting position. Either that, or he fell back from sleep deprivation and you caused him more harm than good.
You shook your head, chuckling a bit, and kissed his cheek before going to stand. You decided to wake Zuko, seeing that everyone else was outside and awake. "Zuko, how much longer do you want to sleep?"
"Ten more minutes," he muttered, trying to stay asleep. You chuckled and leaned down to kiss his head, trying to lure him out of bed and into the sunlight. He almost swatted at you, but you backed away before he could and playfully nudged him in the side with your foot.
"Up, Zuko."
"Why can't I sleep a little longer?"
"Because we have to be functioning humans in society."
"I'm barely functioning."
"Well, we can pretend."
Zuko groaned and sat up, playfully glaring at you. You chuckled and pulled him up, combing his hair with your fingers before deciding that you both looked presentable.
You exited the tent first and Sokka smirked over at you. You glared at the Water Tribe boy and headed to the pool to dip in and wash up, ignoring the playful looks and instead focused on the wonderful night prior.
You'd definitely be sleeping with Zuko more often.
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