Don't Get Burned (OCxZuko avatar fanfic)

Chapter One: Fire

'Be careful, don't get too close,' was something I was used to hearing. I was growing tired of it very quickly. I reached for the handle on the faucet and turned it all the way to the left, and as hot water poured out I took a deep breath.

Bathing has always been an escape for me. It's freedom from prying eyes, freedom from the expectations I'll never live up to. People disappoint, but the warm water is always there- waiting to heal. Unlike fire.

Fire destroys. Fire is alive, but unlike other living things it burns and lashes with no remorse. Fire doesn't care if you're a child, an adult, an old woman, it's all the same to Fire. Nothing good comes of it, and those who control it are the worst of all. Those who know the pain it causes yet still wield it yearn for power and control. Fire will not stop until it rules the world.

I turned the faucet off and looked at the ceiling, thinking and feeling nothing. My hands started to wander across my toned body and my breath hitched as I found the spot I was looking for.

On my left shoulder blade was a handprint, left there by him. Burned into my body to show that I was his for life. As my fingers traced the newly burned image, I let out the air trapped in my lungs as tears struggled themselves through my long abandoned ducts. Crying isn't something that usually happens to me.

My eyes were focused on the ceiling, my mouth partially opened, surprised at the emotion my body was forcing me to show. I wiped my face quickly, pulled the plug and stepped out onto the cold floor.

I stepped tentatively towards the mirror, unsure of how I felt about the person staring back. Average weight for an 18 year old boy,  standing at 5 foot 5 inches. I grunted in disapproval as I examined my almost girlish figure. My body was smooth and toned due to the years of combat training, but my butt popped out more then most boys.

I flipped off the full body mirror and moved towards the dresser to put on my royal outfit. I slipped into form fitting black joggers, with a red robe on top. I finished my outfit off with a pair of traditional fire nation shoes, and a tight black choker adorned with the fire nation insignia.

I walked back to the mirror to fix my head piece. The face pictured on it made me feel empty inside. My hair was black and shaggy. My piercing amber eyes looked cold and emotionless as ever as I pulled my hair out of my eyes into a small bun on the top of my head. The three pronged headpiece that crowned my head was usually reserved for the royal family, but as the hand-servant to the Firelord I was forced to dress the part. I swiped a clear gloss over my plump lips to finish the job and swiftly walked away from the reflection I dreaded so much.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile before opening my door and stepping into the courtyard.

*

"Good morning Mochi," I said in a song-song voice, "Tea will be ready in 10."

The lavender scented old guard assigned to my room whistled as I walked by, "Looking good as always Kaito, I'll come and sneak a cup on my break."

I chuckled and waved to him without turning around, our morning ritual never changed. I walked towards the main castle with my head held high, being extra careful in masking my emotions. I let the smile drift from my face as I opened the door to the kitchen.

A small flame burst from my hand into the stove and I flinched at the flash of light. The water already waiting in the kettle slowly started to warm and my body robotically drifted to the cupboard to get the honey.