He's staring again. Zuko knows he shouldn't but he can't help it. They have been living off the back of a flying bison for god's sake, he can stare if he wants. But the thing he's staring at is not the sky or the fluffy clouds. No, it's his best friend (y/n), who is sitting across from him trying not to doze off. Who could blame him, it's rather boring sitting on the back of a ten ton bison and flying everywhere.
Sighing he flops back looking up at the sky above them. (y/n) lets out a sleepy grunt and jerks awake, arms flailing
"I'm up!" He snorts looking around eyes glassy with sleep. Zuko chuckles as he moves to sit next to his best friend who is currently trying to pry a sleeping Momo off him.
"Glad to see someone is able to relax." He comments as he sits down next to the other firebender.
"It's not that hard, you guys just stress out too much." (y/n) yawns as he runs a hand through his fluffy hair making them stand up all over the place. Zuko's heart flutters a bit at the sight of his hair flopping all over the place.
"Zuko, hey earth to Zuko! Hellooooo?" (y/n) asks, waving his hand in front of the scared boy's face.
"Hu, What!?" The prince snaps out of his trance, his cheeks turning a bit pink when he realizes how close (y/n) is. He can see every detail on the other's face when he's this close. The freckles that dance across his skin, how his (e/c) have golden flecks in it or how he has that tiny scar on his lip from when he fell over when they were playing tag. Ho shit he's staring again.
"You good Zuzu?" (y/n) asks worriedly, his (h/c) hair flopping into his eyes, causing Zuko to resist the urge to brush them away and feel those soft locks.
"Mm? Ho yeah i'm fine." The prince squeaks a bit as he backs up. He prays to every spirit above that (y/n) can't hear how hard his heart is beating out of his chest.
"If you two are done flirting it would be nice if you would pay attention while we land." Toph snorts causing the two fire benders to leap back from one another cheeks going pink. Peaking over the side, the Fire prince lets himself enjoy the feeling of the wind ruffling through his hair as Appa comes to a landing hidden behind some rocks. As soon as the bisson stops moving, (y/n) is scrambling down and flopping into the dirt.
"I love flying but nothing beats the sweet feeling of my feet on the ground." He sighs as Toph joins him. Zuko rolls his eyes as he helps Katara down as Sakka stumbles off the bison. Aang gracefully floats to the ground as the second firebender stands up dusting his butt off.
"Okay! Everyone we have about 1 hour before we gotta get back in the air! So potty breaks and get whatever you need. Zuko, (y/n) you two go and get us some new clothes for winter, Aang Toph you guys get general needs, and Katara and I will get food. Ready! Break!" Sakka rushes off with his sister following. (y/n) grins as he steps over to Zuko arms behind his back.
"Shall we go shopping for royal highness?" He teases bowing lowly. Zuko rolls his eyes as he smacks (y/n) upside the head.
"Shut up, I'm not the prince anymore." (y/n) laughs as he follows the other boy. The village is a smaller one on the outskirts of a fire nation colony, luckily they wont need to keep their fiasco up for too long. The war is over, Zuko's father is no longer a threat, and the group is hailed as heroes. But it doesn't stop the fact that for hundreds of years the fire nation destroyed homes, and tore the world appart. And that doesn't just heal overnight. It has taken Zuko years to realize that he was fighting the wrong battle, and joined team Avatar after (y/n). The prince was devastated when his best friend flew away on the bison after Zuko burned his back. Let's just say when they were reunited lots of tears fell and apologies were made.
But the reminder is always there. Thick ropy scars cover (y/n)'s back, constantly reminding them of what mophas happened, but he doesn't hate them. In Fact it's made their bond even stronger than before. And he can't blame Zuko for acting out when he joined team Avatar.... (y/n) was his whole world, his right hand man when he was banished and one of the few people keeping him sane through the days of exile.
"Ho! Zuzu look!" (y/n)'s voice pulls the prince out of his brooding. (y/n) is standing in front of a booth that's selling cloaks and he's currently looking at himself in the full length mirror. The cloak is a rich red color embroidered with gold, and Zuko couldn't lie and say that he didn't look good in it.
"Thinking about having a fashion show (y/n/n)( your nickname)?"
The (h/l) haired teen squawks as he takes the cloak off pouting.
"Ho come on that was one time!! We were five!!" Zuko laughs as his bestfriends arms flail like a falling spider monkey.
"Okay okay! I'll shut up!" He cackles as (y/n) gives him a lopsided grin, walking over to the prince and throwing an arm around his shoulders. Zuko's heart speeds up as the warm arm wraps around his shoulders.
(y/n) looks at his best friend out of the corner of his eye. The Fire Lord is the only person who can make the (e/c) boy's heart do back flips.
His slim handsome face looks like it was crafted by the finest porcelain in the nation with a straight nose and perfect cheeks. His scar albeit large and painful looking adds to the natural beauty the young Fire Lord has. His amber eyes are sharp and kind, reminding (y/n) of Zuko's kind mother.
"(y/n/n), look. Pft its the same one you had when we were little!" Zuko laughs pointing at a child size cloak. Chuckling (y/n) takes it gently feeling the soft fabrics under his finger's as he thinks back to those times.
He and Zuko running through the palace halls giggling like they had no worries ever. The cuddle piles they would make while Zuko's mom read them stories as they dozed off to sleep.
"Hey.... You okay?" Zuko's voice is soft and worried as he looks his best friend in the face.
"Y-yeah... Just thinking about the past. And before you go quoting Iro at me I'm not dwelling on it." (y/n) hums as he puts the cloak back. Zuko nods as the other firebender starts to order cloaks for the others.
(y/n) watches as Zuko interacts with the merchant. His amber eyes are soft and he's smiling that awkward smile, cause Zuko is still socially awkward when it comes to people other than (y/n).
"Enjoy your stay Fire lord!" The shop owner says cheerfully as he wraps the cloaks up for them.
"Hu, thankyou sir, you too." (y/n) snorts at that, getting a glare from Zuko.
The two firebenders amble around the market talking ever so often about things they see, but other than that they laps into comfortable silence.
The team is heading to Kioshi Island to visit Sokka's girlfriend Suki and spend some time away from the palace.
"Zuzu, hey wana get some hot tea?" (y/n) asks softly as he points at a tea shop down the way. The young Fire Lord nods. He could use a hot drink and Spending more time with his best friend/Crush isn't a bad thing.
The two young firebenders step into the tea shop, enjoying the warmth it has and the smell of tea in the air.
"Table for 2 please. " (y/n) says to the host. He smiles and guides them to a low table, where they sit on soft cushions.
(y/n) snickers as he watches Zuko try and fold his long legs under the table.
"Need some help baby colt?" He teases as Zuko finaly gets comfortable.
"No, as you can see I'm fine." The other boy snaps, but there is no malice behind his words. (y/n) giggles and hides his face behind the menu.
"Welcome, what can i get started for you?" The waitress asks with a smile.
"Two oolong tea's and a few bean buns." (y/n) says with a charming smile. Thank god for menus or Zuko wouldn't have anything to hide his blush behind.
The waitress nods and takes the menus, leaving the two alone. Zuko smiles as he makes a mental note to get (y/n) a tin of oolong tea for the festival this year.
"Zuzu, I've been thinking... the festival commemorating us on Kiyoshi island is a big deal... um." (y/n) fidgets with his fingers not looking the other in the eye. His cheeks are a soft pink and his hair flop into his eyes.
"Wouldyougowithmeasadate!?'" He speaks so fast Zuko questions if (y/n) even said real words.
At that moment the waitress brings their order cutting the question off before Zuko got a chance to say it... he makes a note to ask (y/n) later, but for now the two enjoy eachothers company sipping their tea and eating bean buns.
owo 1568 words ~ dank memeamari
