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

... and the honeymoon [part 2]

You sat quietly on the beach house's steps that overlook the ocean. Since Fire Lord Zuko had married today, people were out celebrating the union by lighting fireworks on the beach. You both decided to watch from the house, but it was eerily quiet and tense.

After watching the play, you began to second-guess your marriage. Did you force him to marry you? Did he even like you? What about Mai?

"Here."

You glanced up to see Zuko handing you a snow cone. You accepted it with a quiet 'thanks' and began eating it slowly. Your eyes remained on the ocean view as you waited for the fireworks to begin.

"Is everything alright?"

You shook your head. "Not really, but you sound as if that play didn't affect you."

He sat beside you on the steps and let out a heavy sigh. "It did, but not as much as you." He took a bite out of his snow cone and continued, "When I first saw the Avatar play, I was heavily affected by the truth. There were a lot of points that were wrong, but there were some qualities that were true. The point is that no matter what the play showed, it is up to us to uncover our own truths."

A pout forms on your lips. "Fine then." You devour the entire snow cone then turn to face him. "Do you love me?"

His eyes widen. "That's an odd question, though I feel like we've been through this."

"I know we're married and that this relationship is finally cemented. I just wonder if we really are a match made in hell."

"In hell?"

"Or... that you belong to Mai," you quietly added.

There was a long pause of silence until it was interrupted by the fireworks. It grabbed both your attentions, and you watched as the night sky brighten up with colors. The beautiful display had you in awe, and you didn't notice Zuko return his attention to your face.

Neither of you spoke throughout the entire display with the fireworks' beauty outshining any current matters. At the same time, it would be difficult to speak with the loud bustling noises.

Once it was finished, Zuko held your hand tenderly. "You wonder a lot about my feelings."

You scratched your blushing cheek. "I know we both suck at saying things out loud..."

"Then I'll be frank with you this time."

You closed your mouth, your eyes focused on his face. You were hesitant with what he would say, and you wondered if you wanted to hear his true feelings. 'What could he possibly say with that expression?'

"You are the most unusual woman I have ever met. I knew since the day I met you," he proclaimed. "Although Mai and I were similar in character, it was the unbalanced relationship that led to our failure... I needed somebody to balance me out, make me better, and the universe decided that person to be you."

"You think that I make you better?"

The corners of his lips rose. "You make me feel different levels of emotions that I never knew were possible. There is a love inside me that I wasn't aware of until I saw you again." He let out an embarrassed cough. "And so, yes... Yes, I do love you, and I think we are meant for each other."

You sat there in shock, your jaw lax from his words. "Y-Your cool factor went down by like 100 points," was all you managed to say.

"W-WHAT? I seriously---"

You pressed your lips against him for a moment, silencing his anger. "But I'm really happy being with the most uncool man in the world."

He smirked, "You're so weird." His lips returned to yours, kissing you passionately. Your heart hammered inside your chest as the kiss became more and more aggressive. His hands cupped your face, deepening the kiss in the process and leaving you breathless.

After what if felt like an eternity, he broke the kiss and huskily muttered in your ear. "Why don't we... consummate our marriage?"

You felt your cheeks burn at his question. "As long as you call me 'my queen' in bed, I think I can manage."

He scoffed at your comment as he scooped you up in his arms. "I suppose that can be arranged."