Zuko x Reader: Fire and Ice

Chapter 11: Metamorphosis

// Firstly, I apologize for the delay. T_T \\

Previously...On Avatar... (I'm joking. I just love the way he says that.)

Zuko's POV

My uncle and I had just made it back to our apartment. I actually let the Avatar's bison go...My uncle was right about me. I never think anything through. We walked inside, but something was off. "You did the right thing. Letting the Avatar's bison go free."

"I don't feel right..." Suddenly, I felt dizzy and really ill. My vision was distorted, my ears were ringing, and I could faintly hear my uncle calling for me as I collapsed onto the floor...

Y/N's POV

The next morning, Katara and I were welcomed with a beautiful breakfast in the dining hall. They had every breakfast food you could imagine! I remembered that Iroh said he'd open his new tea shop today, so I wanted to get an early start. I had made it to the entrance of the palace before I was stopped by Katara.

"Hey, don't stay out too late, we need to talk to the King, remember?!"

"Yeah, I'll be back on time! See you!" Then, I was on my way.

 ~~~

When I arrived, I noticed Iroh's new shop still wasn't open, though he seemed so chipper about it. Something must be horribly wrong for IROH, the literal GOD of tea, to not have his TEA shop open. Zuko had given me their new address, just in case I ever wanted to visit. Up until now, I've been pretty shy, but if something's wrong I should be there to help. I ran to where they were staying.

I knocked on the door and was greeted by Iroh. His expression was gleeful and content as always. "Good morning, Y/N!" He let me in and closed the door behind me.

"Morning...Is everything alright? Why didn't you open your new shop? Are you okay? Where's Zuko?"

"Everything is fine, Y/N. You need not worry. I decided to postpone the grand opening. Zuko is...going through a metamorphosis."

"What? He's not gonna grow wings is he?" That question earned a hearty laugh from Iroh.

He took a small sip of his tea before saying, "Of course not. He made a decision that's causing him to question himself. What he did contradicted everything he stood for--or at least what he thought  he stood for."

"Oh...So, he's alright?"

"Yes. After his fever leaves, he should be good as new."

"...Can I see him?" He nodded and led me to the room. "He's asleep now, but when he wakes up again, he may be pretty dazed." 

"Thank you." He nodded and left with his tea in hand, humming a little tune.

I walked up to Zuko on his mat and could see something was off just by his facial expression. He looked so tense and in so much pain. I touched his forehead to realize he was burning up! I noticed the rag beside him must've fallen from his head, so I grabbed it. I bent some of the water from a nearby bucket onto it and frosted it over, making sure it was cold. I placed it back onto his head and sat beside him.

The same fierce Fire Prince now lie vulnerable. The same person who showed such great stamina and strength when we fought couldn't even lift a finger now. A couple months ago, this would have been great news for me and the team, but now...I've grown kind of attached to him in a way? Can I even say that? I mean, I guess I can. All I know is that it doesn't feel right seeing him like this. I can't imagine what he must be going through.

Zuko's POV

I̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶l̶ ̶l̶i̶f̶e̶?̶ I̶s̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶f̶a̶n̶t̶a̶s̶y̶?̶