Avatar Imagines

Zuko ~ Sacrifices Part Two

     By the time Zuko found you, you were in your chamber in front of a vanity hanging on the wall. He stood in the doorway and before he could say anything, you spoke.

     "You know, I don't regret saving you Zuko. I really don't. And if it were up to me, I wouldn't have let you get burned," you said as you looked at yourself in the vanity. You saw Zuko in the frame and he was behind you. "I know that your father can do pretty much anything, but he can't take away anyone's honor," you said. You turned and looked him in the eyes. "Especially yours."

     "You keep saying that but... I don't feel like I have any honor," he said as his gaze hit the floor. You put your hand to his cheek and he looked up.

     "That's because your father made you believe otherwise. You have more honor than anyone I know. The sad thing is that you don't see it." Zuko put his hand over yours, sliding his fingers under your hand. 

     "Even if that was true, without the Avatar, we can't go home." You dropped your hand it slid out of Zuko's. You must have made a look because Zuko asked, "What's with the face?" You looked at him and lifted an eyebrow.

     "What face?"

     "That face," he said as he pointed at you. 

     "Nothing it's just... do you really want to go back there," you asked as you crossed your arms. Zuko lifted an eyebrow.

    "Yeah, why wouldn't I? I mean that's my home," he said. "It seems like every time I mentioned home, you seemed to get tense on me and then make that face." You turned away from him and looked back into the mirror. You sat there quiet and just looked at yourself. You thought about the day of your banishment. When you told Zuko that you lost everything, you really meant everything. Zuko put a gentle hand on your shoulder. "Come on Nattie. Talk to me."

        "I just don't want to go back there," you said finally. Zuko made a face in the mirror. 

        "Why? Nattie out here we are treated like criminals because we are Fire nation. " He let out a sigh and turned you around, gripping your arms. He turned your head by your chin to get you to look at him. "If we do this, everything will go back to what it was before. Don't you want to go back home and not feel like a freak or a criminal," he asked. Tears started to form in your eyes.

     "What home Zuko?! What home," you cried. You moved your face from his hand and you backed out of his grip. "Zuko I have no home to go back to!" You walked toward the center of the room and just stood there.

     "Natasha, what do you mean? Of course, you have a home. You have a family that loves you." You looked over your shoulder and just looked at Zuko. You could tell that he started regretting what he said.

     "I have no home Zuko! The moment I was banished my family disowned me! They said I stained the family name!" Tears then started to run down your cheeks. Zuko let out a sigh. He was getting slightly irritated because of the way that you claimed to have lost more than him. 

     "I get that you lost your home and family. But I lost my eye, my honor, and my birthright!" You turned sharply to Zuko and stepped to him.

     "Zuko I lost everything the day I saved you! My home, my family, everything! Your father was going to burn you again but I wouldn't let him! I couldn't walk for months before I was healed," you shouted at him. His gaze soften. He stepped closer to you and closed the space between you. You were too angry to realize your stomach turning because of how close he was. He placed his hands on your upper arms and just rubbed your arms. "You suffered a lot Zuko. And you know that I am sorry for you. But don't think that for one moment, your pain can compare to mine," you said as you looked him dead in his eyes. His hands slid down your arms and he gripped your hands. His thumb brushed your knuckles as he spoke. You didn't know what he was doing to you, but you were slowly calming down.

     "I am sorry Natasha," he said. he pulled you into his arms and you just broke down. 

        "This is why we need the Avatar. He's the only one who can make things right between the nations," you said into his shoulder. He ran his hand down your hair. Then he kissed the top of your head. Your face heated.

        "Okay. We'll do things your way. And I promise you that no one will hurt you again," he said. You lifted your head and looked at him. He cupped your face in his hand, leaned in, and kissed your lips. When he pulled away he had a small smile on his face when he saw your shocked reaction. "And don't worry. I'll be your family now."

        "Wh-what was that for," you stuttered. He smiled as he placed his hands on your hips after wiping tears from your cheeks.

        "That was me just sealing the promise." You smiled at him and he pressed his forehead to yours.

        "You sneaky son-of-a-gun."