Searching (Zuko x OC)

Chapter 17

Zuko's POV:

I had been avoiding Sora as much as possible since that night. We usually went the entire day without seeing one another and then we slept back to back. I couldn't get my words out of my head.

"I'm so happy I could kiss you!"

What an idiot! How could I possibly be more awkward. I don't think I could if I tried. I was just so excited that she figured it out I said the first thing I could think of.

Why was that the first thing I thought of?

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the boat making a sharp turn. Even after 3 years, I still found myself being caught off guard sometimes by the sudden movements. I gripped onto the railing and gritted my teeth.

I didn't have time to stop and worry about what U said to Sora. I needed to capture the Avatar. We both did. That would solve both of our problems.

"Prince Zuko, you should lighten up. This is a beautiful town we're stopping in. We'll only be here for one day," Uncle said from behind me.

"Lately we seem to be making more stops than progress. We still haven't seen the Avatar and it's been almost 2 weeks!" I said, trying my best to keep my anger under control.

"The crew is just getting over being sick. We need new food or else they might get sick again," a familiar voice said.

I turned around to see Sora. She was crossing her arms and standing next to Uncle, making direct eye contact with me. This was the first time we had spoken since the incident.

"Fine. Whatever," I huffed before turning around, desperate to break my eye contact with her.

I heard Uncle walk away and I begged to hear Sora's footsteps follow, but instead she walked right up next to me. We always seemed to find ourselves side by side at the railing. It was somewhat comforting to know that despite it all we still always ended up in the same spot.

"You've been avoiding me," she said with a hint of hurt in her voice.

"I've been busy," I lied, making sure that my eyes never met hers.

"Alright fine. If that's how you want to be I know I can't make you talk. But whatever it is I did, I'm sorry," she said with a sigh before turning to leave.

"Wait," I said, grabbing her wrist before she could leave.

I finally met her gaze and my cold exterior melted instantly. She always had a way of making me lose my barrier.

"I'm just confused. I needed time to think," I confessed.

Technically, that was true. It wasn't lying if I didn't tell her the whole truth. I doubt it would help for her to know what I was confused about anyways.

"You could have just said that," she argued, my hand dropping her wrist as she spoke.

Before I could respond I was cut off by Akemi running up and interrupting.

"Hey Sora! I was looking for you," he said with a smile.

He was wearing a bathing suit and had a towel draped over his shoulder. I had to hand it to him, he was undeniably handsome. He was taller than I was and he had similar muscle definition. I clenched my fists slightly at the interruption, but I knew Sora wouldn't react kindly if I told him to go away.

"Oh! Um, what's up?" she asked, turning to face him as he stood before us.

"Me and some of the other guys are gonna go swimming in our free time. We all wanted you to join us," he said, glancing at me quickly before returning his gaze to Sora.