𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 (Zuko x Reader)

four

A/N: I hope this chapter isn't boring :( I had to set some things up for later and I thought that Zuko was being a little OOC in the last few chapters so I'm trying to fix that :) I swear it gets better towards the end!! next chapter will have more interactions with the gaang and other fun stuff!! enjoy!

𝐼 𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓌𝓁𝑒𝒹 out the red window of my room, watching the land inch closer over the horizon. Rage and annoyance swirled in my stomach as I wrapped my arms around my knees. For a firebender, Zuko could be so cold sometimes. It had only been three days after the tense moment in his chambers and he suddenly acted as if we weren't friends. He barely spared me a glance, ignoring me if I was near him and ordering me around as if I was just a regular servant. It left me feeling sad and confused. What had I done wrong?

I stretched as I stood, turning around and surveying the room. All this time on the ship and I had barely even decorated it. My eyes flickered to the small bag lying next to my dresser, unopened, and untouched.

 Huh? Since when was that there? Did I ever pack a bag?

I lifted the bag and took it to the bed. It didn't feel too heavy. I turned it over in my hands, my eyes landing on a small embroidered pattern on the back. And then it hit me. The bag was mine, I had sewn it years and years ago while trying to teach Zuko how to sew.

"Ow!"  Zuko yelped, clutching his thumb and dropping the needle. "Ugh, I can't do it!"

"Are you bleeding?" I asked, taking his hand and surveying his pricked thumb. "It's not that bad. Does it still hurt?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Try again," I urged, picking up the needle and handing it back to him. "Do it like this."

I scooted closer until our hips were touching and grabbed his hand. "Let me help."

I guided his hand and soon enough, he was sewing on his own. 

"Done!" Zuko announced triumphantly, holding up his back for me to see.

"Yay!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands. "It looks so good!"

"We should sign it, or... mark it or something," he suggested. "Like, with something only we know."

We both sat in silence, thinking.

"I got it!" I smiled. "Why don't we put a fire lily on it? Since it's our favorite flower?"

"That's a great idea!" Zuko agreed. "It's like a secret club!"

I nodded. "We should call it... the Fire Lily Club! Or... the Fire Lily Masters!"

I thought hard for a second. "I got it! What about the League of the Fire Lily!"

"That's so great!" Zuko grinned. "A club just for us, where we can fight bad guys!"

"Yeah!" I punched the air. "They won't know what hit 'em!"

"Take that!" Zuko punched through the air, little bursts of fire flowing from his fists. "The League of the Fire Lily shows no mercy!"

We collapsed to the ground with laughter, feeling like we could take on the world.

I hastily opened the bag, tipping it over my bed, and let the contents spill out. My eyes widened. My bundle of paintbrushes, ink bottles, a scrap of paper, and a small wooden box. Someone must have packed this for me. I took the art supplies and set them on my desk, excitement washing over me. I haven't painted in years, and I really missed it. I gingerly picked up the box. It was plain on the outside, nothing but a small carving of the White Lotus Pai Sho tile on the top. The hatch opened easily, revealing a necklace and a pair of earrings nestled in a red cloth. I gently pulled the necklace out, the silky fabric soft to the touch.