The Water Bender and the Fire Prince//Zuko Fanfiction

17 ~ Illness

"He's not doing well,"

Enyo watched Iroh step out of Zuko's bedroom. They had just managed to move into the upper ring when Zuko had fallen sick. The main living space-- where Enyo was sitting at the low table-- was sparse. There was no doubt that Iroh would be decorating it once the Jasmine Dragon opened. All three of them had their own bedroom though. Enyo hadn't put much thought into her bedroom. She was determined to decorate it this time. It wouldn't be like her bedroom on the ship.

"Do you know what is wrong with him?" Enyo asked. She grabbed the water that Madame Nata had given her.

Iroh shook his head. "I think it is a spiritual sickness. Releasing the Avatar's bison had a profound impact on him."

Enyo nodded. She only knew a few basic moves, all to help heal cuts and fever symptoms.

"I can try to ease his symptoms," Enyo offered. "It might make it easier."

Iroh gestured towards Zuko's door and Enyo stood, walking towards the door. She pushed it open and frowned.

Zuko was asleep-- albeit weakly-- on a mat on the floor. A blanket covered his legs and lower chest, which was bare. She could see that he was shivering, despite the sweat on his forehead.

Enyo crouched next to him, sinking to sit cross-legged. There was a pot of drinking water next to them.

Enyo popped the lid on the water bottle and paused as she pulled it out. Where did she even start? The spirit was spread throughout the body.

Ease the symptoms, that's what Enyo had to do.

She started at his head, ignoring his bare chest. He was sick, after all. She pressed her hands gently against his forehead, letting the water's healing energy cool his body.

It took a few moments, but the fever broke. Enyo exhaled, a sudden wave of exhaustion flooding her. Nata had said that the healing would get easier the more she did. If she could only heal herself.

Enyo stood up, and her head swam. She made it to the door and slid it shut, leaving Zuko to sleep.

"I broke his fever," Enyo spoke to Iroh, who was settled on a cushion, fiddling with parchment. "It should be easier for him now."

Enyo turned to walk up the stairs, heading for her room.

"Enyo?" Iroh spoke.

Enyo turned to look back at him.

"Thank you for caring about my nephew."

~~~

Enyo's room was the only one with a balcony. It wasn't large, but it was big enough that she could sit on it and dangle her legs through the slats that held up the railing. Below her, a small backyard stretched. There was plenty of room for a garden. Maybe she would plant some flowers.

Her head ached slightly, and she glanced up at the moon. It was full tonight, and she could feel it tugging at her. The upper ring was quieter than the lower ring at night. Most of the golden-roofed buildings had no light in the windows anymore.

The door to the balcony popped open and Enyo glanced back. Her eyes widened slightly. "I didn't know you were awake."

Zuko nodded. He wore a loosely tied robe and pants. "Iroh told me that you healed the fever. I came to thank you."

Enyo nodded in response. Zuko stood for a moment, shuffling awkwardly.

"You can sit," Enyo commented. She leaned back, bracing her hands on the smooth stone.

Zuko exhaled and settled next to her. Enyo glanced down. Their hands were only a few centimetres apart. If she shifted, they could brush fingers.

"I also wanted to thank you for what you said to me underneath Lake Laogai," Zuko's voice was gentle. "About chasing people who care about me."

Enyo frowned, glancing forward and then back at him. "How come?"

"I don't want to spend my life chasing people anymore," He spoke. "I don't want to chase people looking for my honour."

Enyo raised an eyebrow. He must've really gone through a spiritual transformation if he was saying things like this.

"I don't want to spend my life chasing you if you leave."

Enyo's eyes widened. What did that mean? She twisted to look at Zuko, her heart pounding. He was closer than she remembered. Their faces were close.

There were far too many feelings inside of her now.

"Are you going to stay in Ba Sing Se?" He asked.

Enyo nodded, too nervous to say anything.

"Then I am staying,"

And his lips were on hers.

It was light, just a faint brushing, but enough to have Enyo's heart pounding in her throat. She could taste lingering mint and suppressed a smile. He must've brushed his teeth.

Ba Sing Se was starting to become more like a home than Enyo could've ever imagined.

~~~

The Jasmine Dragon had only been open for two weeks and it was already the most popular tea shop.

Two weeks since the kiss and neither of them had said a word. Every now and again, Enyo would glance up to find Zuko staring at her, only for him to duck his head and turn away. He had been in a far more pleasant mood. If Iroh thought anything suspicious was going on, he hadn't mentioned it. He was far too excited about the success of his tea shop to say anything.

The sun had begun to set and the doors were propped open to let in the warm breeze into the shop as they tidied for the evening. Enyo moved her hands, using her bending to clear the tables and followed behind with a cloth. She was due to start training for healing in a few days with Madame Nata and would be reducing her hours at the Jasmine Dragon because of it.

Life was finally starting to come together.

There was a knock at the open door and they looked up. A man stood there, holding a scroll. He wore a robe with the royal emblem on it.

Iroh moved from the counter to the man.

"I have a message from the palace."

Iroh took the scroll and opened it. His eyes slowly widened and Enyo stepped closer.

"I don't believe it!"

"What is it?" Zuko asked.

"I've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!"

Zuko smiled, once at Enyo and then at Iroh. "That's wonderful news, Uncle. You deserve it."

Ba Sing Se was finally becoming a home.

~~~

Hello lovelies,

I'm so sorry about the delay on this chapter. I had a stressful Thursday and it totally slipped my mind, but here it is! I will try not to let that happen again.

Until next time,
Indigo