Don't Leave Me (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 33

After a long night's journey, we finally arrived at a cliff overlooking fields of koala sheep. 

Sokka checked his map, "This is it, the official rendezvous point for the invasion force."

"How did you pick this place?" Toph asked.

"Before we split up, my dad and I found this island on a map. It's uninhabited and the harbour surrounded by cliffs seemed like the perfect secluded place."

We all settled down, unrolling or beds and getting ready for the night.

"Nice choice, Sokka. And we're here four days ahead of schedule." Katara commended hi . 

Aang shot up, "Wait, four days?! The invasion's in four days?!"

Ignoring his friends panic, Sokka yawned and relaxed back, "Whatever, that's like four days from now. Let's just calm down and-"

And he was asleep.

"Sokka's got the right idea Aang. We're here, we're ready. The best thing we can do now is get plenty of rest."

Aang groaned, "I guess."

I was grateful that we could finally sleep. Ever since Ba Sing Se, sleeping had, in a way, become my safe space. Sleeping was the only thing that made me feel comfortable any more. Even more so since Hama. It was my way to connect to my real being as a spirit and just briefly forget about all the hurt I'd endured as a mortal. Through sleep, I could get away from any commitments or expectations or tasks placed upon me. And so I didn't have to see or feel that odd glances everyone (save for Toph) was sending my way. 

But instead of my peaceful paradise, I found myself tossing and turning all night. I quickly got upset, it felt like I was loosing what little connection to Sire I had. Also I was scared, scared of waking up and have my pathetic mortal body be used against me, controlled without my permission.

Desperate to sleep, my mind drifted back to what happened with Hama; more specifically, how I'd dealt with her. I'd pricked myself with my own sleeping drought to put myself to sleep. Snatching my bag, I quickly rummaged around, pulling out a dart. I held it in my hand for a brief moment, debating if what I was doing was considered healthy and quickly concluded I didn't care. Be damned what happened to my mortal body, I wanted to be Sire again. 

Gently, I pressed the prick of the dart into my neck. I felt my mind grow heavy and foggy as sleep overtook me. My spirit separated from my body.  I momentarily stuck around, watching Aang have a nightmare, writhe about in his fitful sleep. Deciding not to get involved, I focused my energy on a specific location and when I next opened my eyes, I was there. 

Zuko's bedroom. 

He laid peacefully in his bed, a small smile on his face. Reflexively, my face mirrored his own and the smallest quirk of my lips appeared before I realised what I was doing and forced it into a frown. 

I placed my hand over his forehead, deciding to see what he was dreaming about.

*****

**Zuko's POV**

I sat before my desk, staring down at the Fire Lord headpiece. I didn't hear someone approach me from behind and only realised there was another presence when I felt's someone's delicate hands weave through my hair. 

"You know, at some point you should figure out how to do this yourself."

My eyes snapped up to the mirror in front of me and sighed in relief that it was who I thought it was.