Just for You

Broken

I was walking down the halls of the Royal palace at midnight. Why I'm needed in Zuko's room at this time? I don't know. But I got out of my bed and went to find out.

I get called out at least six times a week, a lot of the times it's more. Then we have some of the other servants in the quarters why haven't been called up in a year. That's a low amount obviously, but still.

I approached Zuko's door. "Zuko." I whispered and knocked quietly.
"Come in." He said from the other side of the door.

I opened the door and walked in. Zuko was sitting at his perfectly organized desk with a small candle that made his face slightly shadow.
I looked to the ceiling and folded my hands together. "Zuko? You called me here, I don't know if that was a accident or-"
"No, it was on purpose." He stayed in his chair and lightly moved his fingers over the fire of the candle.

The light danced across his face gently. "Okay, what do you need me to do? Your room looks pretty clean to me." I slid one of my feet on the floor in front of me, I felt very uncomfortable. He was very still a quiet and seemed upset, but relieved. Very odd mixture but I understand the feeling.

"Not my room Katara, I need you to do something else." It looked like he was about to stand up but he grunted and sat back down. I ran quickly to his side and leaned down to inspect him.
I started to reach for his back but he grabbed my wrist. I looked down at his face, his eyes were locked shut and he was trembling. I reached my other hand to his cheek.

"It's okay." I whispered softly and his grip loosened. I reached to touch his back.

He flinched. "What happened?" He stayed quiet. I started to pull off his robes, he still made no noise but let me pull off his clothes.

When his shirt came off I turned him around  so I could see his back.
When I looked down it his skin I saw circular burns all around his back they were bright red from irritation and some had blood slightly spilling.

I gasped and almost fell back. I turned back to face Zuko who had his face in his hands. "When did this happen?!" I scrambled forward and tried to look through his fingers to see his face. His face was emotionless.
"A hour ago. I didn't want to disturb you so late at night but I think it might be best if you heal before this scars." He tried to stand again, this time I fished my arm under his shoulders and guided him to the bed.

"So you are going to force me to heal you?" I raised my eyebrow while setting him on the bed.

"No I- I'm sorry, I really meant- ugh!" He stumbled.

"It's okay, I would heal you wether you ask me or not." I looked down at my thighs as I squatted down to sit on the floor.

He sighed and handed me a glass of water. "Besides your servant couldn't ignore a demand." I mumbled. He tensed when I said the word servant.

"Katara, I hope you know I don't think of you like a servant." He said softly.

The voice he used was families to the one in my dream, very velvety.
"Oh I know, I'm just confused on what I am to you." I stood up and walked to get a cloth.

"I told you that already." He said. I faced his dresser and grabbed rag.

"But you obviously have something with Mai, so where do I stand." I wondered out loud. "No, you know what, don't answer that. Because I don't want to know." He sighed and shook his head.

"You can't accept that I love you. Or you just don't want to." I dropped the rag on the ground and rolled my eyes.

"Stop, we're done with this conversation." I sighed and motioned for him to turn around. "How about we talk about how you go these burns. I know it wasn't firebending practice, the last time you burnt yourself during that was when Azula did it her self, so don't try that excuse. And don't say 'nothing' either." I started dabbing the rag on his back, collecting he blood in the white rag making it red.