Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 14

Our travels had landed us in some random Earth Kingdom village. Sat in the streets like beggars, Iroh held out his hat to passers-by who'd be willing to help us out. While I was growing accustomed to our new way of life, it was still slightly humiliating to be begging for money like this. My little fire ferret was lounging in the sun happily, not a shed of dignity to be threatened. 

"Spare coins for weary travelers?" Iroh asked. 

Thankfully a man threw a few coins in with a pitiful glance. 

"This is humiliating!" Zuko sparked, "We're royalty. These people should be giving us whatever we want."

"They will if you ask nicely." He put on an old weary voice as a woman walked by, "Spare change for a hungry old man?"

She smiled, "Aw. Here ya go."

As she dropped a coin in, Iroh smiled, "The coin is appreciated. But not as much as your smile."

Zuko slapped his palm to his forehead. I took his wrist and gently moved it away from his face. A man came to a stop in front of us, placing his hand on his hip. 

"How 'bout some entertainment in exchange for...a gold piece?" He offered. 

"We're not performers." Zuko spat. 

Iroh eyed up the gold coin, "Not professional anyway."

I got up, "I can dance."

If it meant some money to help us out, I could set aside my pride and humility for the moment. Zuko, however, could not. He grabbed my hips and pulled me back down into his side. 

He whispered into my ear, "Do not dance for him, Muri."

Iroh decided to take the hit and stood up to since, "It's a long long way to Ba Sing Se~ But the girls in the city they look so pretty~"

The man was not satisfied and produced his sword from it's sheath, "C'mon! We're talking a gold piece here! Let's see some action! Dance!"

He started slashing at Iroh's feet, making him jump about, appearing to dance while he continued to sing. 

"And they kiss so sweet that you've really got to meet~ The girls from Ba Sing Se~"

The man laughed maniacally as he stopped, Zuko clenching his pant legs tightly. I held onto him to calm him down but it didn't seem to work. 

"Nothing like a fat man, dancing for his dinner. Here ya go." He tossed the coin at us and left. 

Iroh sat back down, "Such a kind man."

My neck started to itch from the scratchy fabric that Earth Kingdom clothes were made of. 

"What's wrong?" Zuko asked. 

"Nothing. I'm just not used to this kind of fabric. It's a little scratchy."

He looked at me in despair, cupping my cheek, "You should be dressed in the finest silks and decorated with jewellery, not looking like a peasant."

Jewellery. 

I had an idea. 

"I'll be right back." I said, pressing a kiss to Zuko's cheek and racing off. 

After searching for a while I managed to find a pawn shop and nervously heading inside, going straight to the till. 

A spindly old man stood there with judgmental eyes. 

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

Though he clearly meant me, I responded by grabbing every bit of jewellery in my bag and dumping it on the desk. His eyes widened as he started to inspect each one before looking at me carefully. 

"50 gold pieces." He offered. 

"Each."

 The look of disgust n his face said it all, but this was all I could sell so needed to get as much as I could. 

"They have some of the finest craftsmanship in the entire world. They are worth a lot."

He glanced down at my hand, "Throw in that ring too and you've got a deal."

I looked at my ring. The ring Zuko had made me, by hand, to prove our engagement. 

We needed money. 

But I couldn't. 

"No. Sorry. It means too much to me. 50 gold pieces for each." I demanded. 

The man looked down at me annoyed  but relented. "Fine."

He counted up my total then handed me a bag filled with that amount. I bowed in thanks then quickly made my way back to Zuko and Iroh. Nalo came running over at my return, sniffing at my feet. 

Zuko stood up to greet me, "Where've you been?"

"I sold my jewellery." I said simply. 

He stared at me in disbelief, "You what?!"

I didn't think he'd be angry with me but he seemed to be. 

"We need the money and I got a lot for them. I couldn't sell my ring though, it means too much to me." I held up my hand to show the hand-crafted onyx ring still on my finger. 

Zuko seemed calm down and grabbed my hand, "You didn't have to do that. I never wanted you to resort to selling your possessions. But I'm glad you kept the ring."

He kissed my finger which made me smile, "I just don't want Iroh begging in the streets like that. he's too old to be humiliated like that."

"You're too good." Zuko pressed his forehead against mine. 

*****

That night I woke up to the sound of rustling outside our camp. 

"Zuko." I whispered to wake him up and alert him to the intruder. But he was gone, "Zuko?"

"I'm here." 

It was him that was making the noise. He walked back into camp, clearly having been out. 

"Where did you go?"

He laid down beside me, kissing my head, "Never you mind. Now rest."

I wanted to argue but couldn't when Zuko held me like that. 

"Good night."