Silence | Zuko

.26 The Waterbending Master

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5 years ago

Iskra slumped off the ship, her insides screaming for food after remaining in her cell the entire trip back. She was tired, she was upset.

"Training in 2 hours, don't be late," Zhao said as she walked past.

She nodded, practically falling down the ramp towards the docks made of pure metal. The wind kicked her hair off her bruised shoulders, revealing the cuts in her shirt and shoulders.

As everyone returned home from the shop their families greeted them, embracing each other in hugs. Normally tears would've rimmed her eyes, but she was too tired. Too tired to cry.

Iskra walked alone to her home, if one could even call it that. It was a small house with no windows or fence. It could be mistaken for a storage unit if they didn't already know. The door creaked with rust as she opened it.

Her eyes were practically closed as she made her way to the bed, just wanting to lie down before she had to become the avatar again. The hard mattress hit her back as she stared at the ceiling, biting her lip to stop the quivering.

A soft sob broke the silence in the room, only it didn't come from her.

Iskra sat up instantly, spotting Zuko with his head in his hands, seated at one of her chairs and crying.

"What are you doing here?" She asked reluctantly; really wanting to ask if he was okay.

He looked up, revealing the large, white bandage across his left eye that no doubt covered a painful burn.

"Zuko," Iskra gasped softly, standing up and walking towards him.

He stood up, eye level with her. Iskra had always been taller, most girls her age were but Zuko was beginning to catch up.

Her hand reached up, attempting to offer him some comfort but she retracted it due to the fact they hadn't spoken in years.

"My father challenged me to an Agni Kai because I disrespected him," Zuko began, tears in his eyes. "When I refused to fight him, he, um, well this is what happened."

Iskra didn't know what to, she'd never been good at comforting people because no one comforted her. Except Zuko. Zuko was always there for her.

Her hand rose, cupping his side of the face the bandage didn't cover. He leant into her touch, tears falling down his eye as he looked into hers.

"I burnt down a earth kingdom village, they all died because of me," Iskra tried to offer support through they're shared trauma.

She moved closer, her other hand pulling him into a hug as she rested her head on his shoulder. Zuko smiled softly, hugging her back but he couldn't fight the tears.

"We have to go."

"What?" Iskra pulled back.

"We have to leave, now, before-," Zuko stuttered. "We have to escape."

"Zuko we've been here before, my answer is still the same," She whispered.

"But had they made you burn down a village the last time I asked?" Zuko reasoned.

"I- I don't know," She avoided eye contact.

"You hate it here, I know you do and I have to leave now," His rush alarmed Iskra.

Her eyes rushed between his and the bandage, they were such a contrast; almost representing the situation. She could either stay in the fire nation or leave with Zuko. She wanted to leave with Zuko. She denies it but truth is she's falling in love with him, has been for 6 years.