Where There Is Smoke, There Is Fire [Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfic]

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Cracking his eyes open and blinking as they adjusted to the natural light, Zuko saw the bare-skinned back of Izara. Since they'd stayed at the guesthouse, he hadn't kept his hands off her for more than a few hours and had kept her awake in favour of other activities. Their foray last night had probably kept the entire Capital awake, or at least the Palace. It wasn't hard for anyone to figure out that he was sharing his bed with someone, and maybe his calling her name at the height of pleasure answered the question.

When he'd finally returned to his chambers after his last meeting of the day, Izara followed a few paces behind and glanced over his shoulder at her. She was focused and didn't notice his gaze for a moment. He smirked at her when she looked at him a second later, and she narrowed his eyes at him in suspicion. She knew him far too well not to know what he was thinking.

"Izara. You finish in an hour, right?" He asked nonchalantly, but she saw right through him.

"I do, yes." Her answer was blank, but her eyes gave her away too.

"Hmm. Will I see you then?" His question was slightly vulnerable, as he wanted to ensure she knew she wouldn't get much sleep if she came to his room.

"What if I have plans?" She asked innocently, playing his game.

"After?" He felt his smirk get bigger.

Instead of answering him, she turned her back to him, returning back to her guard duty. He laughed softly at what he assumed was her being shy and headed inside. Still laughing as he stripped off his formal robes and hung them up for tomorrow's use, he headed into the bathroom. Maybe she would come and see him later, but until she turned up, he wouldn't know for sure.

After he'd cleaned up, one of the staff brought him some dinner, and he ate while he read a book. Enjoying his time to decompress after a somewhat stressful day was great. He had utterly forgotten about inviting Izara to see him later. When there was a knock at his door, he permitted them entry. Still, he didn't look up from his book until he recognised Izara in his peripheral vision.

Remembering that he had asked her to come by, he smiled and watched as she walked over to sit across from him at the table.

"How were your plans?" He asked, genuinely wondering if she had something on after her shift. Judging by how dark it was, it was an hour or two after she'd finished.

"It was nice. I just had dinner with Ming in the cafeteria." She answered and smirked before she continued. "She asked about us."

"What did she say?" He raised an eyebrow, wondering what the two girls were talking about together.

"She just asked about how things were going. Ming is very perceptive." She said through gritted teeth, telling Zuko that Ming knew precisely what was happening between them.

"How long has she known?" Zuko asked in surprise. He met Ming a few times but didn't know her well. He knew she was somewhat reserved, so she probably spent more time observing.

"Immediately," she said, nodding. "She saw me after I panicked and ran away after we kissed. I didn't tell her what happened, but she figured things out. Smart girl."

"Indeed." He said as he got up from his chair and sauntered to stand behind her. "I'd shout it from the rooftops if you'd let me." He put his arms around her shoulders and nuzzled his head next to hers.

"In time." She closed her eyes and leaned back into him contentedly.

He made a noise of affirmation low in his throat and gently ran his tongue along the shell of her ear, enjoying how her breath hitched in response. She squirmed in the chair when he pulled her earlobe between his teeth, a metallic taste coming from her earring. As she tended to do, she swiftly stood up, moving to the left so she didn't have to push the chair back into him.