Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The ferry cruises beneath a moon-lit sky, as a guard walks along the upper deck with a lantern. Zuko stealthily leads Jet and Smellerbee upstairs and around the corner. They pause to look in the kitchen window, then slip around back. Jet forces the lock while Smellerbee keeps watch, then Zuko and Jet burst into the kitchen. Jet sweeps several hanging bird carcasses into a sack. Zuko uses his swords to nimbly stack eight bowls of food together, securing the stack with a ribbon. Both shoulder their sacks and turn to the doorway.

"Guards coming!" Smellerbee warns. The three of them rush to the balcony edge, while below, Longshot fires a line-strung arrow into the railing. Both bundles slide down the line, followed by the three sneak-thieves. The arrow is pulled free just as another lantern-bearing guard walks past.

.....

Jet and his companions pass out the stolen food to thankful refugees including Iroh. Kali watches them cautious though. She doesn't know what it is about him, but she doesn't like him, or them. Zuko touches the small of her back when he appears at her side. She lets out a breath as she turns to look at him. Zuko holds out an apple to Kali who glances at it and then at him. She takes it and gives him a warm smile. Zuko she can trust though. She knows that. She steps closer to him, curling into his chest. He lets out a soft breath and wraps an arm around her, his other brushing her hair back, tucking it under her hood.

....

Sometime later, Kali and Zuko are now sat together with Iroh, Longshot and Smellerbee. An almost peaceful hum has settled over the refugees with their bellies filled with food. Kali lets Zuko pull a blanket around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his side.

"So, Smellerbee, that's an unusual name for a young man" Iroh comments.

"Maybe it's because I'm not a man. I'm a girl!" Smellerbee shoots Iroh a look, rises and walks off.

"Oh, now I see! It's a beautiful name for a lovely girl!" Iroh tries to defend himself, Zuko gives him a look. Iroh shrugs back. Jet then calmly sits down with them.

"From what I heard, people eat like this every night in Ba Sing Se" Jet comments. "I can't wait to set my eyes on that giant wall"

"It is a magnificent sight" Iroh agrees.

"So you've been there before?" Jet asks.

"Once, when I was a different man" Iroh admits whilst he looks away with regret. Jet glances around and then turns back to them.

"I've done some things in my past that I'm not proud of. But that's why I'm going to Ba Sing Se, for a new beginning. A second chance"

"That's very noble of you" Iroh offers. "I believe people can change their lives if they want to. I believe in second chances" Iroh then shares a meaningful look with Zuko, while Jet studies them both. Zuko then looks down at Kali, drawing his fingers under her chin with a soft look. They aren't the only ones that have been given a second chance. She did too.

....

They have very little space to sleep in. All the refugees confined to one area means that they all have to make do with what they are given. But Kai and Zuko end up with their own little patch of ground to sleep on. Zuko curls his arm around her waist and pulls her back towards him. She shifts a little, turning to face him as he props his head up with his hand. His free hand comes away from her waist to trace the line of her cheekbone and jaw before he pushes her hood back from her face. She hides herself all day because she has to, but it just makes him more appreciative when he does actually gets to see her face. He leans closer to her with a sly smirk. She curls her fingers into his robes to pull herself closer to him. He hums and brushes his lips over hers, delving into the kiss with more heat when she kisses him back. He pulls her leg up and around his waist. Drawing that hand around to her back to press her against him. Pressing his hips against hers. Intent being made. He's giving her the chance to pull away. To stop him if she doesn't want to take it further with him. But the way she is grabbing to his robes. The way she is kissing him back with just as much gusto. Her foot hooked over his leg. They've both been waiting for this. But they are then interrupted by Iroh's loud snoring from behind Zuko and it is a reminder that they are not alone. They are sleeping on the deck of a ship filled with refugees. Zuko sighs and presses his forehead to hers. That does put a damper on certain relationship aspects. Never getting to be alone with one another. It means no getting intimate with one another. He doesn't need that. But he would like to. And he believes she wants to as well. To add another level to their blossoming relationship. The more it sinks in. the more he thinks about it. He doesn't want their first time together to be on the deck of some ship. Not on the ground whilst they are camping on the road. It will be in a bed. And they will be safe. He touches her cheek as she pulls her leg back from his waist. He can see that she understands. He kisses her again. Softer this time before he pulls away. She gives him a small sad smile and he nods. He's sure about this. They don't need to go there. Not until they both feel like they want to. Not on some ship deck. She shuffles closer and curls into his side when he turns onto his back, his arm coming around her waist to adjust the blanket and her cloak around her.