Fighting Fire with Fire ~ ☼ ZUKO X OC ☼

Chapter 6

We returned home without another word to each other, all too frightened and disturbed by the turn of events we encountered at the King's party. I remember falling asleep with my makeup still on, too terrified to look in the mirror after seeing Joo Dee's devilish smirk before she escorted us out of the palace.

Groaning as I sit up in bed and rub the sleep out of my eyes.

"Morning sleepyhead." Sokka chuckles from the sitting area on the ground floor. I groan again, stumbling out of bed and dragging my feet down the steps.

"Where is everyone?" I ask through a yawn, looking around the empty house.

"The girls went out for a- "girl's day" and I think Aang is out looking for Appa." Sokka sighs while fidgeting with the handle of his boomerang.

"Oh-" I mutter, the thought of Katara, Laia and Toph all spending time together hitting a little too close to the nerve. "Okay." I smile trying to seem unbothered as I wander over to the kitchen.

"They'll come around Virra." Sokka hums watching me as I walk past him.

"It's fine, I don't mind." I laugh it off, taking an apple-mango from the bowl on the bench before leaning against it facing Sokka.

"Virra-" He chuckles, calling my bluff.

"No really it's fine. I didn't expect us to become friends overnight, I understand their hesitation and I respect it. It's not my first time being left out or ignored." I trail off, the memories of my childhood flashing in my head, even some of the good ones I had with Zuko.

"Okay, if you say so." Sokka mumbles relaxing back down on the couch. I smile when he doesn't push me for more information.

With that, I make my way back to the sleeping area to fetch my shoes and dress.

"Can I ask you something though?" Sokka's voice calls behind me. I stop half way up the last step turning back to face him.

"Yeah?" I shrug.

"What was it like- growing up with Mai and Z- All that?" He stops himself from listing the others, unsure how I'll respond to their names, smart idea. I let out a small huff as I retrace my steps back down the stairs, standing by the couch he sits on.

"Not good." I laugh, "They never really liked me, we all went to school together but they never made an effort with me. They were only really friends with Mai and I only had a relationship with them because of her." I explain before taking a bite of the fruit in my hand. I quickly wipe away the juices as it drips down the sides of my mouth. "They are pretty terrible people as I'm sure you know- They would always give me a hard time, pushing me around, playing tricks on us, stuff like that." I mutter while taking another bite.

"Us?" Sokka asks with a tilted head making my eyes widen.

"What?" I mutter with a full mouth.

"Just then you said they'd play tricks on us. Us, who?" He questions me.

"Oh- Well, me and Zuko." I trail off looking away while scratching the inner corner of my eye. Sokka tries to meet my gaze, but realises how uncomfortable he has made me.

"Okay." He shrugs, returning his attention to the boomerang in his hand. I'm surprised by how quickly he gives up, how he respects my want to not discuss my past, it's weird.

"Okay." I repeat turning back around to go back to my bed. I quickly slip on my shoes and dress before doing my hair in its usual style.

"Are you sure you don't want to come for a wander?" I ask Sokka while opening the front door.