𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ➤ 𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐨

ᴄʜᴀᴩᴛᴇʀ ɪx

"It was just a bad dream Zuko." Seraphina tried to explain.

"I don't believe you." Zuko replied. "I have known you since we were kids, remember?"

"I am well aware of that little detail Prince."

"I told you not to call me that."

"Why not?"

"My father isn't here. You don't have to be so formal with me." He replied with his hand on her cheek.

Seraphina felt his hand on her cheek. The warmth fills her thoughts before placing a hand over his. "I like teasing you about it."

"Of course you would." He spoke as he patted her cheek gently. "But really, be honest with me, what was your dream about?" He asked.

Seraphina listened to him speak before shaking her head. "It was nothing. Really."

"You're a bad liar Sera."

"What makes you think that?"

"I can tell when you lie."

"I'm not lying to you." Seraphina spoke lightly.

"The day that I got my scar. I remember seeing that your cheek was red. What happened that night?"

"Zuko. You're overthinking a few things."

"I am not. I know what I saw and I've seen your reaction to seeing me again. I won't let anyone else harm you Sera."

Seraphina felt her cheeks grow a bit warm at the nickname before moving her hand away from his. "I know that I shouldn't have..."

"Shouldn't have what?" Zuko asked.

"I was pissed at your father for what he had done to you. I was fuming. How can a father be so cruel to his son? You were just trying to look after your people. It doesn't make you weak. So I tried to confront him but your sister was the one who I ended up bumping into."

"What did she do to you?"

"She.. I told her that what your father did was wrong but she is a bit like him in character. She told me that you needed to learn. Told me that the reason you were growing soft was because of your mother and me."

"But that's- what did she do?"

"She said that your father had all the fun while she only got to watch. So she raised her hand and tried to burn me. I managed to block but she was stronger than me and got my cheek. However, she knew about my bending in that moment. I knew it was exposed that I could bend more elements so I tried to run but Lord Ozai had seen everything."

"My father.."

"He gave me a warning. I would be changed from tending to you to tending to him and Azula. They believed that they had found their new weapon of fear for the people. Warned me that if I did not comply with his demands that my father would suffer the consequences and that you would too. I had to leave."

"So that's why you wanted to join me?"

"I was honest about my loyalty to you. The fire nation will only have my loyalty because of you. My loyalty is with you, Zuko." Placing her hand over his gently. "But I also knew that leaving that place meant I could finally learn to master my elements. I may not be the Avatar but I will surely learn from him everything I need to."

"I have to go back home and hand him over to my father." Zuko replied.

"Zuko.. I know that this is important to you but I must learn from him to save my family." Seraphina replied. "I have not seen my family in years."

"Seraphina."

"I'm sorry Zuko but even my loyalty for you will not change that."

"You're lucky my father isn't here to hear you say that but the Avatar is mine to take home. He can teach you on the trip back to the fire nation."

"I'm not going back there."

"Sera."

"Once I step foot back there they will capture me and use me for whatever plans they have come up with in the last three years. I am not going to be their toy. It would also mean we would never be in the same room again."

Zuko listened as he paced away from her. He knew that she was right about it and didn't want that to happen. "Fine." He sighed. "You will take the avatar and run. It will make you seem like a traitor though-."

"I'll do it." Seraphina replied as she walked over before hugging him.

He froze in her arms as she held him. Unsure of how he should react before softening his features. "Just promise me you won't be too far this time."

"I won't. I'll leave small hints behind just for you."

Zuko gave a small smile. Realizing as he cleared his throat and dropped his smile. "Someone might see." He lied.

Seraphina giggled at the sight. "We can't have that happening." She played along before pulling away from him.

His hand went around her waist as he stopped her from leaving his side. Keeping her close to him.

Her gaze softened as she grew shy about his stare on her. "Zuko?"

"Hm?"

"I have to get going.."

"Just a bit longer. I have finally gotten you back and now you are leaving again. I don't want to let go of you just yet."

Seraphina listened as she blushed before shifting closer to him and staying in his arms. It felt odd being able to hug freely with him but she wouldn't change it for the world. "Next time we meet..."

"Next time?"

"Yes, next time we meet.. I want your answer to my question."

"What question?" Zuko asked.

"Will you go out with me?"

Zuko blushed as he had to hide his face into her shoulder at her boldness. He liked that side of her though. Placing his hand on her head as he glanced at her. "I will give you my answer when that day comes. I promise."

Seraphina smiled at his response before placing a small peck on his cheek. "I will be waiting then."

"The things you do to me.." Zuko sighed.

"You need me around or else you wouldn't know how to smile."

"I don't need to smile when I can just attack someone."

"Which is exactly why I am needed in your life. Stay out of trouble while I'm away."

"I can't promise any of that."

"Come on. You definitely can. You're quite stubborn."

"You can be too. You're not all sunny and goody two shoes at someone."

"Well, I have you as an influence." She joked.

Zuko glanced at her. He thought that finding her again would be filled with dread but she was still Sera. She was still as bubbly as she was before she had disappeared. If he didn't know any better he would have never known she was kidnapped.

The wounds she had were the reminder of those events and his anger was spiked up again. Feeling a warmth in his hand as he noticed her holding it.

"I know what you're thinking Zuko."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm. I can always tell."

"Then what was I just thinking about?" Zuko asked her.

Seraphina knew the right answer to the question but she also knew bringing it up wasn't something either of them should talk about. "You were thinking about food."

"Food? If you're hungry just say that."

"I-i am not. I was taking a guess!" Sera blushed as she held him. "I'm heading out now. Don't do anything stupid, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am." Zuko replied in a mumble before watching her leave as he sat back down on his bed.