A Second Flame: Zuko x Reader

Chapter 21

"Okay good stance.. now try to attack me"

I came at Zuko fiercely and bended a flurry of flames at him.  He dodged all of them and kicked a couple flames back.

I formed Zuko's flames together and shot them back at him knocking him down.

"Nice move (Y/N)... you're getting better"

"Or maybe you're just getting worse" I teased cocking my eyebrow.

I bended a trio of flames and hurled them towards Zuko. He created a firewall blocking them

He then shot some fire jabs at me causing me to lose my balance while avoiding them.

"..nope I'm still better" he jeered helping me up

"Whatever... we should probably go back and check on Iroh anyway."

"We're low on supplies.. we should go into town first"

I walked over to the tree where we had left our masks and swords. I picked them all up and gave a mask and a sword to Zuko.

"Let's go"

For a couple days now, we found ourselves hiding in a forest. Zuko and I were usually training or getting supplies while Iroh relaxed back at our makeshift camp. He hated how we had to steal to get things but what else were we supposed to do exactly? We were outlaws. At first I felt bad but now... now we just need to survive.

Our hunt had been successful and Zuko dropped the stolen goods in front of Iroh

"Where did you get these?" Iroh asked

"What does it matter where they came from...come on (Y/N) let's train some more" Zuko mumbled while storming off

When we were well away from Iroh I took Zuko's hand.

"He's just trying to do what is best for you... he knows your intentions are good he just doesn't like you stealing"

"I know (Y/N).." he paused for a moment "do you hear that?"

I listened.. we were near the road and there was a cart passing. We followed the noise, the cart was huge and probably very expensive.

Zuko looked toward me and nodded as we both put on our masks.

Zuko went to the top of the cart while I knocked out the earth kingdom man who was driving it. Zuko cut into the top of the cart and the rich man gave Zuko the money. Then, just like that we vanished.

"..Iroh's not going to be happy with you stealing money you know..."

"That guy was rich he didn't need it..." Zuko defended himself "and I was going to spend it on him anyway..."

~

We came back to the camp after hoarding tea sets, supplies, and tons of food from the local shops. We then waited around the fire for Iroh. I could tell Zuko was nervous.

"Zuko... it's going to be okay we did what we had to do"

"I just don't want Uncle being disappointed in me (Y/N)..." he replied sharply gazing into the fire.

"He won't be... plus we got him a new tea pot! He'll love it..." I said calmly trying to comfort the firebender.

I hope

"..looks like you did some serious shopping... but where did you get the money?" Iroh asked looking around at all the supplies.

"Do you like your new teapot?" Zuko replied dodging the question.

"To be honest with you two the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porsilin pot or a tin cup" Iroh stood up and came by Zuko and I "I know we've had to struggle just to get by... but it's nothing to be ashamed of! There is a simple honor in poverty.."

"There is no honor for me without the Avatar"

"Zuko... even if you did capture the Avatar I'm not so sure it would solve our problems.. not now"

"Then there is no hope at all..." Zuko muttered beginning to get up, Iroh and I both grabbed him to keep him down.

"No Zuko you must never give into despair... allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts...in the darkest times hope is something you give yourself... that is the meaning of inner strength!"

Zuko walked away leaving Iroh and I.

"Some days I worry he will never listen.."

"He does listen... " Iroh replied "he has too"

~

Soon, Zuko came back and stood before Iroh. I saw the pain lingering in both of their eyes.

"Uncle I thought a lot about what you said..."

"You did? Good...good"

"It let me realize something we no longer have anything to gain by traveling together...I need to find my own way... (Y/N) lets go"

I staggered towards Zuko before Iroh stopped me,
"Wait!"

He handed me the reigns of the Ostrich Horse and Zuko got on.

"(Y/N) let's go..." Zuko muttered bitterly

"One second Zuko...Iroh.. I'm going to miss you.... these years we've spent together I've felt like part of the family..."

"I feel the same, keep Zuko safe (Y/N) that is all I ask of you" Iroh replied faking a smile as I nodded. I was on the verge of tears.

I joined Zuko on the Ostrich Horse and we rode off.

Authors note- hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!! So since this is season 2, Mai is in it and obviously the whole Maiko thing is gonna be a bit of a problem for this Zuko x Reader book... so basically I've decided we just gonna change the plot a bit so Mai and Zuko were never a thing.... so hope that's okay with y'all no disrespect on Maiko though cuz it's my otp XD but we gonna snatch Zuko for ourselves in this one