𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ➤ 𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐨

ᴄʜᴀᴩᴛᴇʀ ᴠɪɪ

Zuko was pleased with the response from her as he placed a hand on her head. His gaze was soft compared to the hard expression he carried on his features.

"Zuko.." Her voice rang in his ears like a long-lost melody he feared he would never get to hear again.

"Hm?" He asked with a simple hum. Mainly lost in his thoughts about her. It was odd being able to see she had grown and was still somewhat lively.

"Zuko. You haven't answered my question." Her voice filled his space once more. "Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Oh.. um.. yeah sorry. I just-." He tried to explain himself before jumping slightly at her hand touching his cheek.

The small giggle it managed to pull from her made it even better for him. If it had been anyone else he knew he would've exploded on them.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked him once more.

"More than okay seeing you again. You've changed." He spoke. Reaching lightly for her as he held a strand of her ginger hair. "Your hair was shorter back then."

"I'm not the only one who has changed. You've become a bit harsher with people but I know you don't want to." Seraphina lightly spoke. Her eyes trailing the strand of hair he held in his hands to his eyes.

"Your heart is as pure as ever Sera."

Seraphina shyly turned slightly pink at his words towards her. "Since when were you smooth with words?"

"Since I first laid my eyes on you." He joked.

Seraphina listened to him as she couldn't stop the small giggles he managed to draw from her. It felt like their moments when they were still back at his home.

"I don't want my dad to get his hands on you."

"Zuko. He would never-."

"If he found out that I fell for someone like you-."

"Someone like me? What's wrong with who I am?"

"No, that's not what I- you know what I mean." Zuko tried to explain. "What I am trying to say is that he would do anything to get his hands on you and try to use you against me. He knows you and I have bonded over the years."

Seraphina listened to his explanation before holding his hand as she moved away from the door and sat back down on his bed.

"Please don't take it the wrong way. You mean a lot to me." Zuko continued.

"Zuko. You aren't hated by me for that. You're trying to look out for me and that's more than most people who I used to know. Right now you're the only person I know and who I know would really keep his word." Laying back on his bed.

He gazed at her before laying down and joining her. "I like who you are by the way. Even if you can be a bit more.. out there at times."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Zuko chuckled a bit before clearing his throat to hide it. "So... You must be tired from your long trip." Turning his head to face as he admired her.

Seraphina had her gaze on the ceiling as she thought about it. It had been a while since she had last gotten to take a break. Having to always constantly look over her shoulder and make sure she wasn't being followed by those bandits.

"Sera?" Zuko asked. Getting no reply as he sat up before hoovering above her slightly. Gazing into her eyes. "Hey. Earth to Sera." He mumbled.

Snapping out of her thoughts she noticed how close he had gotten to her. Turning red as she looked away. "What is it?" She asked in a flustered tone.

"You didn't answer me this time. What's going on?" He asked.

"Sorry. I just spaced out thinking about something."

"Was it about what happened?"

She wanted to lie to him to avoid making him upset or worried but she found herself being honest with him as she nodded. "Yes."

"Tell me what they did to you. What they looked like. I will burn every single one of them for you."

"I-. I remember being hit in the back of the head when I was going back to you. He told me that if I yelled he would hurt you so I stayed quiet. There were three of them there at first and they mentioned they got the girl they needed.." She started with what happened once.

Zuko was fuming as he let her continue with her story.

"I removed my ribbon and air bending was a bit hard but I sent it your way. I knew you would know I wouldn't leave. They would keep me tied in some cage in the middle of nowhere." Glancing at his face above hers before her gaze ended elsewhere as she remembered those days as clear as day. "My hands were chained to the sides and never together. Same with my feet." She lowered her voice a bit at the memory.

Zuko noticed as he moved back a bit and laid next to her once more.

"He would get his buddy and I would get some bruises and cuts here and there. They would torment me day and night and all I could do was stand there and take it. I had no food or water and I didn't even have good control of my bending at the time."

"How did you escape?"

"One of them was nice. He would let me have water if he had any on him or some food. He freed me and I acted like I had escaped on my own to keep him alive.." Turning in her spot on the bed as she laid on her side. Facing him as she scooted closer. "I'm so tired, Zuko. Of running away from them and having to look after my shoulder a lot. I am so tired."

His hand hesitated before going to her as he held her to him. Feeling her cheek against his chest as he pressed his cheek to her forehead. "I will have someone find them and bring them to me. Leave them in my hands and you will have nothing to worry about."

Seraphine quietly listened to him before raising her hand as she gripped the fabric of his clothes. Tearing up as she nodded. He made her feel safe. Safer than she had ever felt. Even if she was able to control her bending now. "Thank you Zuko." She gratefully spoke. Moving her head back as she placed a gentle peck on his cheek.

Zuko grew flustered by her and nodded in response. Silence filling the room but it wasn't a heavy one. It was more light and full of peace for the two. His gaze trailing down a bit from her eyes.

"May I-?" He asked shyly that he was about to ask such a question.

"You may." Seraphina replied as she placed her hand on his cheek. Giving a small kiss and feeling him immediately kiss back.

Closing his eyes as he kissed her as gently as ever. Still getting used to the idea that he had had his first kiss with his crush and still couldn't officially give her his answer yet.

Remaining soft and respectful with one another during their kiss as their hands intertwined with one another. Only pulling away to catch their breath.

"You should get some rest, Sera."

"I'm not tired."

"You say that but your eyes are trying to close. I won't be going anywhere so take a little break. Please."

After thinking about her choices she gave a small nod. "Alright. I'll take a quick nap as long as you don't leave me alone here."

"I'm not going anywhere." He promised her and got them both comfortable.

Her arms immediately hugged him like he was a teddy bear. Closing her eyes and placing her head on his shoulder. It didn't take her long until she finally dozed off.

"Sweet dreams." Zuko whispered to her quietly. Closing his own eyes.