nothing to lose | zuko x oc

28

"I can't believe he did that! sending an assassin of all things after my friends? why would he do that?"

minako merely stared at vada as she freaked out.

"that's- that's attempted murder! what was he thinking?!"

the water in the nearby cup (which minako had gotten for vada to calm down) was swishing uncontrollably with every single angry, laboured breath that the waterbender took.

it was a bit concerning.

"vee? I think you should take a breath and calm down." the archer suggested awkwardly, causing the blue eyed girl to swiftly turn around and scowl at her.

"i am calm!"

minako rolled her eyes, "sure you are," she said, walking closer and placing her hands on both of vada's shoulders, forcing the angry girl to sit down on the stone bench.

she then picked up the cup of water and shoved it into vada's gloved hands.

vada took a sip, removing the dryness in her mouth and throat. "I'm sorry I freaked out. I just... i can't believe zuko would do that. my zuko."

she sighed, raking her fingers through her soft, moon white hair. minako sat down next to her and looked at the clouds for a moment.

"don't get me wrong, what zuko did was messed up and wrong. but keep in mind that he went through a tough time back home. he was conflicted and lost and he didn't really know what was right or wrong." she told the waterbender.

vada let out a sigh.

"but," minako said, turning to her friend, "I do know that whenever he was with you, none of that mattered. even though he didn't know where his path lead, he knew that it would lead to you."

"you don't know that for sure."

"i grew up with the guy. I know him and I know when he really loves someone."

the archer offered the waterbender a smile, and the latter returned it gratefully. the two then hugged, "thank you, mina. for always knowing what to say."

"i get it from my dad."

~

"agh! what was I thinking?!" zuko grunted, "telling them I sent an assassin after them? why didn't I just say Azula did that? that way more believable!"

aeri stared at the fire bender strangely and let out a quack. she was so sick of him and his antics.

Zuko groaned. "I'm talking to a turtle duck. I'm going crazy."

aeri quacked again, affirming that he was indeed insane, but not so much as his sister or father.

maybe it ran in the family.

~

the next morning, vada was giving everyone their portions of rice with the help of katara.

"hey, has anyone seen toph?" she asked, looking around for the blind earthbender.

sokka shrugged. "I haven't seen her since she stormed off yesterday afternoon." he replied.

minako, who was brushing her hair with a bamboo comb, raised an eyebrow, "why'd she storm off."

"she yelled at us for not accepting your brother into the group because aang needs to learn firebending."

"sokka, I told you that zuko isn't my brother, he's my cousin." she rolled her eyes, causing the warrior boy to shrug, "same thing."