The Unpredictable Fire Queen [Fire Lord Zuko x Reader]{ATLA}

... and the nostalgia

"Are you mad at me?"

During an hour of suffocating silence, those were the first five words said. Fire Lord Zuko wore a look of disappointment or annoyance, you weren't sure, and it ate at your conscious. Because of Azula's destructive visit, all events for the night were cancelled. To pass the time, Zuko decided to take the time and bandage your wounds. Although the act was intimate, he was rather cold and unresponsive as he performed first aid on you.

"No," Zuko finally replied.

It was straight to the point and also ended any conversation you planned on initiating. However, you weren't one to take a hint and continued prying for information. "Are you upset that we ruined the resort?"

"No."

"Are you mad that I fought?"

"No."

"Are you disappointed you didn't see your sister?"

He flinched but recovered his expression to continue bandaging. You waited it out, knowing that the silence would make him talk. When he finally finished tending to your wounds, he made eye contact with your curious orbs. "I... What did she say to you?"

"The usual stuff that in-laws would say," you shrugged.

Zuko bitterly laughed, shaking his head with disbelief. "You know, I've completely forgotten how strong you are. How nothing ever seemed to bother you."

"Oh?"

"When we were young, I was so horrible to you, but I realized that too late. I just never knew that my words were hurtful because you never showed any distress. You just took my verbal beating."

"I just don't let the bad things get to me much," you laughed as your cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Yes, but there are times that they do," Zuko knowingly stated.

"... What are you trying to get at?"

"What did Azula say to you?" he reiterated his previous question.

Your smile slowly formed into a frown as you gazed at the floor. It seemed that he knew you were just laughing through your troubles, and he wasn't buying your optimistic facade. You weren't fluent in expressing your emotions and neither was he, but he was willing to listen to you.

"She said that Mai was supposed to be here, not me."

"But Mai and I aren't together anymore."

"I know that, but I just always thought it would Mai and you as well," you explained. "When we were kids, I just had the biggest crush on you, but all you ever did was talk about Mai. So everyday, I had to lie to myself and say that Mai was perfect for you, because I wanted to see you happy."

"And you're with me now," Zuko softly said.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that you love me."

He didn't know how to respond to your bold statement. He wasn't expecting you to blatantly point out what was missing in this union, and it left him speechless for a good while. It wasn't until you began to stand did he speak up. "Do you love me though?"

Your eyes widened as you started stuttering. "I.. Uh.. Well, the thing.." You took a deep breath to recollect yourself, find some way to avoid the question, but with the way Zuko was looking at you, you didn't think you could run from it.

With a heavy sigh, you directed your gaze away from Zuko. "The only thing that hurt me the most was when you pretended not to know me. It's something that has always bothered me."

"[Name]..." Zuko breathed out as he reached out to grab your hand.

"Like, I really wanted to burn you to a crisp and dump your ashes in the sewers. That was when I felt true rage. It was because of you," you sweetly ended your 'heart-felt' moment.

Zuko stopped his hand before it touched yours and backed away slowly. He couldn't tell whether you had confessed your love for him or your hatred for him. Whatever it was, he felt a little frightened of your temper just like when they were young.