Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

07 | The Boiling Rock

It seems that Arlington only leaves her room when it's time for dinner. She still hasn't talked to anyone other than Katara and Aang.

As of now, Arlington sits furthest away from the group with Peanut. While they're all relaxing around a campfire and cracking jokes, Arlington keeps to herself with her head held low.

Zuko goes around with a tray full of tea cups and a kettle. He walks toward Arlington to give her a steaming cup of leaf juice. Out of a protective habit, Arlington nudges Peanut behind her. She doesn't want Zuko to hurt him again.

The Prince hands her a cup. Arlington nods a 'thank you' and Zuko hesitates before walking away. He wanted to drop to his knees and apologize, but again, he knows it isn't the right time.

"No one can make tea like Uncle. But hopefully I learned a thing or two. Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?" Zuko hands more cups of tea out.

"Sure."
"I like jokes."
"Bring it."

"Okay. Well, I can't remember how it starts but the punch line is, 'Leaf me alone, I'm bushed.' Well, it's funnier when Uncle tells it." Zuko looks down in embarrassment. He knows that joke was a complete fail.

Arlington smiles at the epic fail. And of course, she doesn't remember how the joke starts either.

"Right. Maybe that's because he remembers the whole thing." Katara jokes.

Aang laughs and helps himself to a cup. The rest of the group laughs as well. Zuko shyly smiles.

"It's nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens." Toph props her feet up and takes a swing of tea.

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After dinner, Zuko decides to talk to Arlington. He walks towards her room. 'What if she doesn't want to talk? What if she hates me?'

Zuko pauses outside her door before entering. 'Alright, don't be a wuss.'

He sees Arlington sitting on her bed absent-mindedly petting Peanut. When she notices him, she moves Peanut closer. Zuko sighs and slowly takes a seat on the end of her bed.

"I know you probably never want to speak to me again." Prince Zuko starts. Arlington remains silent, but listens.

"I want to know if you're mad at me.. Who am I kidding? Of course you're mad at me! You probably hate me too.. I may as well have been the one to throw you in prison.." Zuko's golden eyes glisten with tears.

Arlington recalls the vile experience in the Fire Nation prison. It makes her skin crawl. 'I don't hate you. I was disappointed in you.' These words want to flow out of Arlington's mouth, but she just doesn't have the strength to speak without choking up.

"In Ba Sing Se, you said you lov-"

"Leave." Arlington cuts Zuko off in a quiet, almost inaudible, voice.

"Arlingt-" Arlington doesn't let Zuko finish. She shoves him out of her room with a gale force wind. She slams the door shut.

Arlington falls to the ground and silently cries. Peanut bounces off the bed and curls up in his best friend's lap. Arlington hugs him tightly.

"Is it wrong that I still have feelings for him?"

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