Burning Pile (Prince Zuko Book 1)

*fourteen*

"Wow you're really hot!" Aurora said before even realizing what she said. Zuko raised an eyebrow, smirking down at her. "Excuse me?" He chuckled softly. "I mean warm! Warm..." A deep blush spread on Auroras face as she hid her face behind her hand.

"I told you, I'm never cold. It's a bonus to being a firebender." The prince responded arrogantly playing with a small flame in his hand. Aurora looked up to him, rolling her eyes before blowing out the flame. "You're very full of yourself." She teased him slightly. The prince ignored it and turned his gaze back to the water. "We should continue your training today..."

"Wait really? After me loosing, you still want to teach me?" Aurora looked up at him with big eyes and a confused look on her face. He nodded slightly. "Of course, you did well during your fight, she used you being distracted against you." A small smile formed on her face. "It looked cool, huh? I almost won!" She got excited over small things like that a lot.

Zuko liked seeing her excited, it was a lot of times and each time he enjoyed it. Even if it's about something useless like her books. "You have to tell me one thing though, Aurora." He turned back towards her. "What is it with you and those books?" Aurora giggled softly. "I enjoy reading in them, as much as you enjoy firebending. They give me a sense of peace."

He still wasn't able to understand. How can something so small give her peace? Hell, he barely knew what peace was these past years. "I could borrow you my old one, maybe you'd find a liking on it?" Aurora fidgeted with the sleeves of her long sleeve lowering her gaze. Sharing something so private as the book in which she wrote her own thoughts seemed like it was inappropriate, but she wanted to make him understand.

The Prince thought about it for a second. "Fine, I guess." He finally said, making the girl next to him smile up to him. Her eyes sparkling. "I'll go get it quickly!" With that she took off only hearing Zuko say. "Bring your sword with you!"

As she came back with the book and the sword in her hands she saw Zuko waiting for her sitting on the ground, already having his own sword with him. She popped down opposite him, watching him slightly. He was attractive, very attractive, she had to admit that.

"Stop starring it's rude." His voice broke her out of her stare. "I wasn't staring, I was waiting. Maybe you were meditating again." She shrugged leaning back, holding herself up with her arms, she almost could feel his eye roll, grinning slightly as he got up. With a pout she got up as well.

"We're gonna work on your propositions today, you stand way to stiff while fighting. You need to keep your back straight, but your moves smooth." He placed a hand softly on her lower back pushing it slightly, so she would stand straight. "There you go..." He mumbled softly. "Try to move now, remember smooth." Zuko didn't take his hand away from her back, moving with her as she started stabbing and fighting the air.

"Good, you're doing better." As his hand left her back, she felt the coldness come back, making her stomach feel weird. He walked a few steps away from her, she got ready knowing what he wanted. "Attack me." His hand pulled his sword smoothly making Aurora look at him in awe. She still had a slight problem with not getting stuck while trying to pull the sword out.

A deep breath. In and out. Aurora got ready, she knew she could beat him, or would at least try her best. "I'm waiting." His voice was teasingly and she could hear the smirk out of his voice. Overthinking her options she decided for one and attacked him, her directly attacking him took him off guard, but he quickly concentrated again.

She was good, it honestly didn't surprise him. He watched her closely as she fought. Small details making him almost laugh, her tongue sticking out slightly as she bit onto it, she always did when she was concentrating. Her eyes holding determination. As she licked her lips, he got distracted. He fell over her leg, which she tripped him with and fell to the ground.

A giggles escaped Aurora as she blew her hair out of her eye, pointing her sword at him. „Ta-da." She grinned down at the sweaty and heavy breathing boy. His eyes roaming over her entire body, memorizing every little detail as she hovered over him. „Nice work, but..." He tripped her and straddled her. „You get distracted way too easy, firefly." The smirk plastered on his face, made Auroras cheek grow warm.

This time, he said the nickname intentionally. Knowing what effect it had on her.