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

Beelzebub Has a Devil Put Aside

"I call this tent! By myself." Sokka said after we set up a few. Well, Zuko, Aang, and Suki set up a few. Sokka and I moreso just acted as if we had helped in some way.

"Suki and I can share a tent." Katara offered.

I looked around awkwardly. Zuko and I were still technically not a thing anymore. But no one knew. I was quite tired of it to be honest. But obviously we couldn't share a tiny tent, that would make things 10x more awkward.  I looked around anxiously to see if someone wanted to partner up with me. I felt like a shy kid in class when the teacher says to pair up.

"I'll just sleep on Appa." Aang said with a chipper smile.

"And obviously, Ashley and Zuko can be in this one." Sokka announced loudly.

I blantantly ignored looking at Zuko on this one, deciding it was best not to see what he was thinking. I suspected he was thinking the same as me. I cleared my throat quietly and looked over at Toph. I was about to ask if she needed a tent, but she had already built one out of Earth. Ok, guess I was stuck with Zuko.

"Alright, everyone. We should probably get some sleep, it has been a long day." Sokka added. He faked a large yawn, and glanced over ar Suki. "Well, time to sleep. Sleepy time."

I looked between them in suspicion. Yeah, something was definitely going on there. "Well, you heard the man, time to sleep!" I insisted. I decided it was best to listen to Sokka and go to sleep as soon as possible.

I went into my tent and placed my bag down. I heard the curtain swish behind me, glancing over my shoulder, I saw it was just Zuko. "Hello, tentmate." I greeted. "What's up?"

"Katara literally hates me, she probably wants to kill me." Zuko spoke bluntly.

I turned around around and processed what he said. "Well, Katara doesn't like me either. Don't take it personally." I finally said.

"..Yeah, but I want to make sure she forgives me for what I did." Zuko continued. "She told me she would forgive me only if I did impossible things, like bringing her mother back."

"Wow, okay." I said, a bit of unease at the end of my voice. "Well, I don't know how to help you there. Unless you have some secret genie magic."

"Genie?" Zuko questioned, not sure what one is. He shook his head. "What even happened to her mom?"

"I'm sure she's told you before. The Fire Nation killed her. I mean, thats her first line in the script when she meets people." I said sarcastically.

"I know, but how. Perhaps if I could find the guy who killed her mom, Katara could get some closure or something."

"I don't know, ask Sokka or something." I replied, not really paying attention at this point. I laid out a blanket and got comfy. Next thing I knew, Zuko was shaking me awake. I blinked a few times and glanced at Zuko, a bit peeved that he woke me up. "Yes?"

"I almost interrupted Sokka and Suki... yknow, making love." He choked out awkwardly.

"Ew gross. What'd you do?"

"I sat down and talked to Sokka first." Zuko answered.

"Ohmygod." I responded, getting second hand embarrassment. "Y'know... that's so-"

"Well I got information. That's all that matters. So, tomorrow we can take Katara and find the guy who killed her mom."

I raised an eyebrow at 'we'. "Oh, am I involved in this?" I asked.

"...Well, I don't know. I just figured since we usually do everything together." Zuko stated.

I was probably being a bit harsh, but I didn't really notice at the time. "Eh. I don't really feel like it." I said honestly.