Falling For the Prince

Standing Up

Zuko's POV

I watched as Crystal got up and left the table. It honestly looked like she was about to cry. I turned my gaze to my Azula, who had a smug grin on her face, as if she just did the most wonderful thing in the world.

"Are you kidding me? None of that was necessary. Especially the thing about her parents. You know, she was your mom, too. I can't believe you would talk about her like that." The rage was slowly beginning to grow within my body with each word I spoke to her. It felt as if I would catch fire if it grew any more.

"She may have been my mother as well, but she always loved you more." Azula put both hands on the table, leaning forward. "How do you think I felt, constantly hearing 'Why can't you be more like your brother?' or 'If you only had manners like your brother.' It was terrible. She always loved you more, and you know that." Her eyes were shining, tears threatening to fall, but I couldn't tell if they were genuine or not.

"That's enough, you two." My father interrupted us, glaring. "Sit down, the both of you, and finish your dinner. Our guests don't need to be hearing this."

I frowned and shook my head. "I've lost my appetite. Enjoy the rest of your meal." I pushed my seat in and headed for the door, not giving them a second look, just as Crystal did. I figured I would go find her. Just to make sure she was okay, nothing more. I know how it feels to have your family insulted.

I made my way toward her room, but stopped when I turned the corner and saw Mai standing against the wall, her arms crossed, staring at the floor. She looked up when she heard me, a deep frown set on her lips. 

"Did you come to find me or that servant girl you seem to care so much about?" The anger in her voice was clear, but I could also hear a hint of jealousy. Jealousy? Towards what or who, Crystal?

"Azula was trying to make a scene, so I excused myself. I wans't looking for anyone," I lied. I could see the disbelief in her eyes, but I was relieved when she chose to let it go.

"Well, whatever. I wanted to be alone for a while, so I'll be in my room." She pushed herself off the wall and walked away, not looking back. If she didn't want to talk, then fine. Now I'm able to go talk to Crystal, I guess.

I continued down the hallway, nearing her room. I could hear someone singing. Was that her? As I got closer, I noticed her door wasn't completely shut, and I could hear her voice from within, singing a song I had never heard before. Her parents probably taught it to her, more likely her mother than anyone else. I leaned against the wall and listened as she sang, not wanting to interrupt. 

Her voice was beautiful, but I could tell she was crying as well. I still didn't want to walk in, though. I was probably one of the last people she wanted to see; Azula, Mai, and my father being above me.

I heard her shifting around on her bed, and the singing slowly came to a stop. She sniffled a few times before I heard the steady sound  of her breathing. She had fallen asleep, which I was slightly glad about. It was better than crying.

I turned toward the door and peeked in through the small opening. She was facing away from the door, on her side, knees pulled close to her chest. I debated in my head whether or not I should just shut her door the rest of the way, or step inside.

As much as I wanted to give her privacy, I also wanted to make sure she was okay just as much. I quietly pushed her door open just enough to let me slip through and walked toward her bed. 

Her breathing was steady, and I could see that her arms hung loosely around her knees now. I leaned over her body and looked at her face. Her cheeks were still wet with tears. 

"Azula, I can't believe you find amusement out of this.." I whispered to myself. I sat down on the edge of her bed and carefully reached my arm over her sleeping body. I rested my hand on her cheek and wiped away the tears with my thumb, careful to not wake her.

She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. I wanted to let her go. I really did. I wanted to take some of our money and give it to her and help her escape this place. She didn't deserve any of this.

I thought about my mom; how my father just banished her and how I might not ever see her again. She always cared about me. What did she do to deserve being banished, never to see her family again? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

As I was thinking about her and remembering all of the things she's done for me and this family and all of the things we used to do together, I felt something warm run down my cheek. Was I... Crying?

I reached up with my free hand, the other still stroking Crystal's cheek, and touched my own. A tear. A single tear had left my eye and run down my cheek. I shouldn't be crying. I should be over this by now.

Crystal stirred slightly. Her left hand lifted from her knee and moved to her cheek. Her hand covered mine, and I fought back a gasp. Should I be letting this happen? I shouldn't, but I was.

I stared at her face, seeming more calm than when I had first saw it. I smiled. Sleeping was the only place she could escape reality. Sleeping was the only place most people could escape reality. 

I looked around her room briefly. It was small, just enough room for a bed and dresser. 

'Well, I'm not going to leave her while she's like this,' I thought to myself. Turning my body toward the door, I reached out and shut it completely, isolating the two of us in this room together. I looked her her one last time, a half smile forming on my lips. 

"I'll help you out of here. You don't' deserve this, any of this. Don't worry, Crystal," I whispered to her sleeping body. I laid down beside her, hand still on her cheek, her hand still covering mine.

Yes, I will help her out of this place. Maybe I'll even leave with her, who knows? What I do know is I'm beginning to feel something for her that I shouldn't be, and I didn't mind.

With one last thought of my promise to her, I let my eyes drift shut, sleep slowly taking over.