not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter fifty six |

Saki woke up to feeling hot breath gently tickling her neck and ear, making her smile, which wasn't what usually happened so early in the morning.

She moved her hand to play with Zuko's hair, making him hum into her neck happily.
"Morning hothead." Saki mumbled after realising Zuko was awake.
"Good morning." He quietly answered, his voice raspy and deep after only just waking up.

Saki rolled over slightly in their bed, the sleeping mat making a shuffling noise, and put an arm around Zuko's back to rest a hand in his hair. Zuko buried his head into Saki's collarbone, gently kissing it before putting his hands on her back.

"I love mornings like this." She said into his ear, playing with his hair gently.
"Me too, I like it being just you and me." He said, his voice sending vibrations through Saki's chest.

Barely a second after his words, their bedroom door burst open and the sounds of small pounding feet met their ears. Suddenly, a weight was on the other side of the bed and a young boy's voice yelled at them.
"Saki! Zuko! Breakfast time! Breakfast time!" Yelled The Duke, jumping up and down on their bed.

Zuko groaned into Saki's chest and held onto her tighter, not wanting to let go.
"Come on! Stop hugging and let's go!" The Duke yelled.
"Alright The Duke, we'll be there in a minute." Saki gently told him.
"No! Come now or it'll be cold." He protested.
"I'm sorry The Duke, but we'll be there soon." Saki tried to reason.

"No! Now!" He yelled, pouting.
Zuko's patience snapped and he sat up, turning around to face the whining little boy.
"Me and Saki said we'd be there in a minute, go and we'll see you there!" He almost shouted at him.
The Duke stared at him for a few seconds and then burst into tears, making Zuko look guiltily at Saki for help.

Saki got out of bed and walked over to The Duke, gently putting her hands either side of his face and wiping his tears.
"Zuko didn't mean to shout at you, he's just sleepy, okay?"
"Okay." Sniffled the boy, moving forwards and hugging Saki's legs.
"Let's go get some breakfast." She said to him, gently stroking his head.
"Okay." He said again, pulling away and taking her hand in his. She smiled and turned to Zuko, nodding at him to join them.

He got out of bed and walked over to Saki, putting an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek.
"Do you want a sweater? Will you be cold?" He asked, frowning slightly.
Saki wore a pair of Zuko's green track suit bottoms and a green vest top.
"I'll be fine." She smiled at him and the three of them walked out of their room and through the corridors until they got to the open area.

Katara was leaning over a pot of something that had a familiar scent.
Zuko and Saki sat down with The Duke to Saki's right, each with a bowl in their hands that Katara had given to them with their labelled spoons.

"Thank you Katara." Saki and Zuko said at the same time over the chatter of the others.
Saki ate a spoonful and memories instantly flooded back to her.

"Actually uncle, it smells delicious, I'd love a bowl!"
...
"You look gorgeous today Saki."
...
"Alright, who is this person and what have you done with Zuko!?"
"I promise it's me."
...
"You two stop flirting and eat your breakfast before it gets cold."

Saki snapped out of her trance and realised there were tears in her eyes and she quickly wiped them.
Zuko looked at her in concern when he saw her staring at the bowl and he got even more concerned when he saw her wipe her tears.

He put his bowl down next to him and gently took Saki's out of her hands too so he could take her hands in his. She looked over at him and realised what had happened.
"I-I'm sorry. I just..." She trailed off, frowning.
"Remember when Uncle made us this jook?" She asked, smiling sadly at Zuko.
"I remember." He nodded, sharing her smile.