Afterward Adventures (ATLA Zuko X OC)

Chapter Twenty-Five - Death and Despair Pt. 3

"Iris, dear, how are you?" Ursa's voice heard from behind.

Iris turned around. She was on her way to Zuko's room. Aang and Katara hadn't returned yet but she was sure they'd be fine. Ursa walked towards her pulling her into a tight hug.

"Ursa, so good to see you..." Iris said pulling back and giving her a smile "...I'm sorry I didn't come at you when we arrived, it's just..." Iris said and sighed "...thing's been a mess,"

"No reason to apologize," Ursa said chuckling "...you'll be staying for the whole two weeks, I hope?"

"Yes, of course..." Iris answered and she smiled "...it's Zuko's Nineteenth birthday,"

"It's been hard for me not to see him growing..." Ursa said sadly, her smile disappearing. "...I'm at least here now," she said.

"That's all that matters, He was having a hard time when he ascended the throne but when we found you, everything in here seems much brighter," Iris said.

Ursa smiled widely at her. She really liked her, and from what Zuko had told her from their adventures, she knew Iris would be ideal Fire Lady for her son.

"So what about your wedding, when are you going to announce it?" Ursa asked.

Iris's eyes widened "Wait, you know he proposed to me?" she asked surprised.

"Of course, I helped pick the ring," Ursa answered.

Iris took the thread with the ring out and she said "Ursa, it's wonderful!"

"Oh, no need to be so formal, I'll answer to nothing but 'Mom' from now," Ursa said and Iris smiled at her widely. "Well, I should leave you, now. Zuko said you two had a date,"

Wow, he leaves nothing untold to his mother. "Yes, but it's okay, there's always time to talk with you, Urs- er, Mom," Iris said, she didn't know if she'd even get used to it.

"See? It fits perfectly," Ursa said and she pulled Iris in a tight hug. "Goodnight, Iris," she said and she pulled back turning around and walking away.

Iris stared blankly at the hall. Wow... It felt so strange. Iris had never called anyone 'Mom' she couldn't recognize the feeling. She snapped herself out of it and she walked towards the Fire Lord's room. There was none of the Kyoshi Warriors outside which surprised her on some way. She just knocked at the door. A few seconds later it opened revealing Zuko without the Fire Lord's crown or extra heavy outfit. He was wearing his red pants and robe with sash keeping it up around his waist.

"You came!" He said surprised.

"Of course," Iris said giving him a smile as he opened the door further and she walked in.

The table with the food was set out in the balcony, night was close and two candles on the table were enough light at the half set of the sun behind the mountains of the horizon. She had never imagined herself in all these... romantic, girly stuff. After all those years of killing and living in conditions of war, she had forgotten how it felt to worry about nothing than the people you care about.

"Why are there not any Kyoshi Warriors outside?" Iris asked.

"I thought it was better if we'd be alone. Besides, we're the Fire Lord and the Defender, we know how to fend for ourselves," Zuko said shrugging. They walked out on the balcony "Do you like it?"

She gave him a wide pleased smile "Zuko, it's wonderful. You didn't have to do all this," Iris said looking at the table filled with food and silver plates.