𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 (Zuko x Reader)

One

Disclaimer: 
For this story to work, I've aged up all the characters as follows;

Zuko: 18 (when banished; 15)
Y/n: 17 (when banished; 14)
Aang: 14
Katara: 16
Sokka: 17
Toph: 14
Azula: 16

Warning: Strong Language that may not be suitable for younger readers.

               Five years later.

𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝓊𝓃 illuminated the palace halls with a vibrant glow, making me smile. I had always loved red. The long corridors were silent as I walked, the only sound being the small clinks from the detailed china resting on the lavish dinner tray balancing in my arms. It was spring in the Fire Nation, and the palace gardeners had decked the place out. Fire lilies graced the outdoor halls, pairing with other native plants to create beautiful arrangements. I continued to admire the scenery as I rounded the corner, smiling wider as the small garden came into view, revealing a figure sitting by the pond. 

He turned as he heard me approaching, smiling when his eyes met mine.

"Y/n! Come, look!" he turned, pointing at the small family of turtleducks gliding through the water. I set the tray down and sat next to him. 

"Wow! They came back!" I reached into my pocket, grabbing the small pieces of extra bread I had snuck from the kitchens. "Here."

I handed him the roll and started tearing pieces off of my own. He did the same, holding the pieces out for the small creatures, but instead of going to him all of the babies flocked to me, greedily taking the bread from my outstretched hand. I smiled. Turtleducks were definitely my favorite animal.

"Ugh, why do they always only go to you," he whined angrily, chucking the bread crumbs into the water. I giggled.

"Zuko, you have to be more gentle." I ripped the remaining bread I had and placed the small pieces into his hand. "Here, like this."

I guided his hand so it was resting in the water ever so slightly and holding it there, missing the prince's slight blush. After a minute, the young turtleducks swam up to him, taking the bread gingerly from his palm. I released his arm, looking up at him.

"See? All it takes is a little practice."

"Thank you, y/n," he smiled down at me. Zuko pulled his now empty hand from the water and turned towards the tray. "Dinner?"

I nodded. "Are you sure you won't get in trouble for not eating in the dining hall?"

He scoffed. "Of course, I'm the prince. After all, the only person who could really get mad at me is father, and he doesn't care about what I do most of the time."

I nodded, remaining silent for a second before pulling the tray in between us. It was quite sad that his father barely paid any attention to him.

"Okay, I brought you your favorite tonight!" I said cheerfully, lifting the lids off of the dishes, letting the wonderful aromas mix in the air. I breathed in sharply, feeling my stomach rumble at the delicious smell.

"Oh man," Zuko's mouth watered. "You're the best, y/n."

I blushed, turning away. "It's nothing."

"Nonsense," he insisted, eagerly grasping the chopsticks and digging in. "Everything you do is meaningful."

Heat rose to my face once more. My limbs felt shaky as I stood, smoothing out my burgundy robes and bowed. The overwhelming urge to kiss him was starting to be unbearable and that scared me.

"Keep me company?" he mumbled, looking away as color invaded his pale cheeks. I hesitated before smiling.

Zuko motioned towards the food. "There's enough for both of us."