Freedom And Honor| Zuko x NB!Reader

Chapter 11: Sick of this

"Achoo!"

You sniffled as you sat on the deck. You had a little bit of a cold after the storm but you felt fine.

"You should rest. You seem unwell." Iroh suggested as he poured you your tea.

"I'm fine. The kids I lived with got sick all the time." You say, your voice nasally from the congestion. You took the tea and held it to your face, enjoying the steam from the cup.

"This is nothing. I'm fine." You smiled.

An hour later you were curled up in your bed, nose stuffed, fever, and coughing fits.

Your chest hurt from the coughing, your head hurt from the fever, you couldn't breathe from your nose.

Life hurt to live.

The ships medic checked up on you every hour. Iroh brought you tea every two.

No signs of getting better.

Zuko didn't admit it but it had him a little concerned. No one else was sick and they were out in the rain just as much as you were. So why were you the only one hit this hard?

"Uncle, they still aren't better?" Zuko enters your room as Iroh dabbed your forehead with a wet cloth. Sure there were people for that but he insisted he do it himself.

"Not yet Prince Zuko. I believe it is time to stop and by a market for medicine." Iroh stood up, folding his hands into his sleeves.

"Can't they wait a little longer? We're right on the avatars trail. We'll lose him if we diverge." Zuko argued.

"What's an avatar Mr Turnip?" You chimed up as you looked up at Zuko. He met your gaze with a confused expression.

"Excuse me?" He replied.

"Is it a food? Can I have some Mr. Turnip?" You spoke with a drowsy slur to your words.

"Uncle what's wrong with them?" Zuko looked to his uncle, confusion over taking his annoyed tone. Iroh stood up and brushed off his clothing.

"I believe they are referring to you." Iroh spoke with an amused smile.

That didn't answer Zuko's question. "What? Uncle what makes you think-"

"Ploop. Ploop. Mr. Turnip, did it hurt to be plucked from your home?" You asked, reaching up and miming grabbing his ponytail and plucking him from the ground.

Finally Zuko understood. You've lost it.

Iroh looked at his nephew with an expectant expression. Zuko sighed and reluctantly spoke,
"I'll inform the helmsman to stop for medicine.." he trudged out the room.

"Byeee Mr. Turnip." You called in your sick state.

–

The day passed in a blur. You were cocooned in your blankets all day as people came in and out checking on you, feeding you, and giving you medicine.

Thankfully you didn't seem to be getting worse, but you weren't getting better either.

Zuko was upset that the stop they had made was a waste of time. More so with Iroh being insistent on staying until you were at least a little better.

Though the final straw was the soldiers marching into his ship with Zhao's demands of information on the avatar.

Zuko leaned on the door frame of your room, watching you toss and turn in your feverish slumber. This was irritating. He wasted time and resources and you dare to stay sick?

He was watching everything he worked for crumble in his hands and you're the center of attention. Why? You're just some peasant he took prisoner yet his own uncle is treating you like an honored guest.
He was angry...defeated.