AtLA Modern: Year 1, Gen. 1

Chapter 38

Athlea had snuck out. The wind hit her softly and she took a deep breath, running a hand through her hair. "Finally..." she muttered, glancing around. People were outside, too, drinks in hand, talking.

Zuko had headed outside after Athlea. "Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked quietly, a hand sliding behind her back as he joined her.

Athlea turned her attention toward him, a small smile on her face. "Yeah, of course I am," she said softly. She angled her chin up, looking at the sky. "Just needed a breather."

Zuko chuckled. "Escaping your own idea, hm?" He slid another hand along her back, standing behind her and nuzzling his face into her neck, giving her a few kisses. "I'm not sure if Dai was having a good time before or after she started drinking, but it looks like everyone is enjoying themselves regardless."

"Everyone's enjoying their time. My piece as host has ended," she said, giggling, looking forward and closing her eyes. 

"Fair enough," Zuko murmured, trailing his kisses upward to give her cheek a soft kiss. 

She tilted her head back on his shoulders and let out a sigh, opening her eyes again. "I mean, my idea was a success," she pointed out, smiling.

He slid his arms over hers, holding her to his chest. "Indeed it was," he agreed. "What now?"

Athlea's smiled brightened. "Now...?" She pouted, going silent for a moment. "We relax, or we go get red wine and drive to my spot," she decided. "We could stay and watch the sunrise."

Zuko smiled against her skin. "I like that second one. I'll go steal some wine and we'll go." 

She smiled. "Knew you would."

He was in and out of the dorm in just a minute, coming back to her with a small bottle. "Shall we go?" she asked, her smile returning.

Zuko nodded, taking her hand and walking to her car, his eyes on her. He let go so he could get in, setting the bottle on the floor. "Time for a little trip," Athlea announced, sliding into her seat. She turned on the engine, then the music, before driving away.

"Yes ma'am," Zuko agreed, leaning his head on her shoulder. He closed his eyes for a moment, then kissed up her shoulder to her neck, one hand moving to her thigh. "I like trips," he said quietly.

Athlea glanced at him, then forward again, biting her lip. "Oh, really. Do you?" she asked teasingly. "Maybe we could go on more trips, then," she suggested with a giggle.

Zuko hummed, his head on her shoulder again. "Oh, really?" he murmured. "Where else would we go?" He smiled, tilting his head up to kiss her jaw. 

She shrugged. "Anywhere. Get a plane, go to one of our islands, or the Earth or Water Nations," she said calmly.

"I might just fall asleep the whole time." It was getting late, and the quiet music and sounds of wind were calming.

"Oh, we're getting a plane now?" Zuko asked, smiling. He made a face. "Ech. Water Nation. No thanks. Earth Nation it is." 

Athlea glanced at him, raising an eyebrow before turning forward again. "Not now. Maybe after our exams," she said with a shrug. "Now we're going to m--our spot." She giggled. "Well, you can take a nap until we get there. I'll wake you."

He grabbed one of her hands and leaned his seat back, closing his eyes, kissing her hand softly before drifting off to sleep.

"Zuko..." Athlea said calmly a while later. "We're here." She leaned down, kissing his cheek."

Zuko hummed, his voice low and tired, and grabbed her in a tight hug. She blinked in surprise. "No," he protested softly. He leaned back and let her go, groaning and blinking his eyes open. "Okay. We're here." He pushed his way out of the car and stretched, taking a deep breath before looking over his shoulder toward her.

Athlea giggled, grabbing the wine and a couple of clean water bottles from the back seat. "Come on." She led him toward the water, stopping halfway and sitting on the sand.

Zuko hummed again, glancing at her and following her to the spot she sat in, his shoes and socks left at the car's side. He kneeled next to her, leaning his head on her shoulder. "I'm so excited to sleep," he said quietly. "Now let's get wine-drunk and then drive home." He snickered, kissing her cheek.

Athlea turned toward him, smiling and handing him a glass. "You can sleep when we return in... a few hours," she said with a soft laugh. 

Zuko smirked, leaning toward her. "When we return I don't think I'll want to sleep right away," he said suggestively. 

Athlea looked away, flushing faintly. "Kinky," she said with a small smile.

Zuko snorted, rolling his eyes. "It's not kinky. Just sex... sexy. I don't know." 

She handed him the bottle. "Open it," she demanded, pouting.

He leaned back, the bottle in his hand, raising an eyebrow at her and rolling his eyes before managing unscrew the tight cap. He poured some into the plastic cups, lifting his to her. "Cheers," he said, smiling.

"Cheers, to... our love, or something," Athlea said, laughing and taking a sip.

 He chuckled. "Right... or something." He took a sip, turning and laying down with his head on her lap, his eyes on the stars above. "This is a good spot," he announced. Athlea slid a hand to his hair, messing it up gently. He closed his eyes for a moment, then huffed, grabbing her wrist and gently pulling her down closer to him. "Don't do that!" he protested. "What, do you want me to fall asleep before we're even in the car again?" He gave her a quick kiss, a teasing glint in his eye.

Athlea blinked, eyes wide. "I like your hair. It's soft," she said, leaning down to kiss his nose.

Zuko snickered. He reached up and cupped her cheek with a hand, closing his eyes, leaning his head against her torso. "Okay, fine, I guess I'll allow it," he teased. He wrapped his arms around her, turning and setting his cup down, sitting up with his head on her chest.

Athlea set her cup down, wrapping her arms around him, a soft, genuine smile on her face, her head tilted slightly to the side. "I love you," she said sweetly.

"I love you too," Zuko responded, kissing up her neck. He bit her lightly, hugging her again for a moment before leaning back, pulling her with him so she was on his lap. He extended his legs, his arms around her, his head on her chest.

***

A/N cuties... there's gonna be some fillers coming up to show the relationship dynamics between these two and Sokka with Dai