𝑭𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 (Zuko x Reader)

five

𝒞𝑜𝓃𝒻𝓊𝓈𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓈 etched into my face as I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I had thought that after our happy reunion in Zhao's harbor, things would go back to normal. But I was wrong. Zuko was still cold as the Southern Water Tribe seas as he was before, if not more so. Prior to the skirmish with Zhao, he had been distant, but now he was straight up avoiding me. 

"Ughhh," I groaned, rolling over on my stomach. This is so infuriating.

There was a knock on my door.

"Come in," my voice was muffled. The metal door creaked open.

"Join us for dinner, Y/n?" Iroh asked kindly. 

"Sure," I pushed myself up off of the soft bed and followed Iroh down the hall to a small dining room. Zuko was already there and I met his gaze before he looked away quickly. I lowered my head, disappointment washing over me. 

Mere moments later, the server entered with the plates of deliciously roast fish. I licked my lips. Earth kingdom fish was always super good. 

"You know, I heard the Avatar was on Kyoshi Island," the server said as he set the fish on the table. My eyes widened. 

"The Avatar's on Kyoshi Island?" Zuko exclaimed, jumping up from his seat. "Uncle, ready the Rhinos. He's not getting away from me this time."

I jumped up too. "I'll go get ready then," I muttered.

"What? No, you're not," Zuko scowled. 

"Excuse me?" I looked at him with disbelief. "Why not?"

"You're going to stay behind," he grumbled, pushing past me. 

"What? Why?" I followed him out. "Zuko, you could at least tell me why!"

"Because I don't need you!" he snapped. "I don't need you getting in my way! I could have caught the Avatar by now if I didn't lose his trail because I was stuck fighting for you in Zhao's harbor!"

I looked at him with wide eyes. 

He doesn't... need me?

Angry tears welled in my eyes as I stared back at him. "Do you seriously mean that?"

"Yes. I do."

"W-well you know what? I don't need you either! All I have ever done is help you! I was banished with you because I saved you from getting the entire left side of your body burned off! I am blind in one eye because of you! I sacrificed everything my parents left for me for you!" I shouted back, the back of my throat burning.

A few tears escaped my eyes and I wiped them away with the back of my hand. "So I'm sorry for trying to help."

I spun around and stormed down the hall back to my room before he could say anything else. I slammed my door and covered my face with my hands, silent tears streaming down my cheeks. 

How could he just say those things?

Does he know how much that hurt?

I wiped the tears away, sniffling. 

I need to get away for a while.

I took my cloak from my closet and tied a black scarf around my nose and mouth. I tied my hair back, letting a few loose strands hang alongside my face. I snuck out of my room and crept to the cargo bay, taking as many shortcuts as possible and avoiding all of the staff. 

Once I made it there, I checked to make sure there was no one inside. Lucky for me, no one was. I looked out of the launching deck. The land was barely visible along the horizon, which was concerning. I couldn't take a boat, as it would be too obvious that I had left. I thought for a moment and looked around, my vision landing on a smaller crate of rocks.