Play With Fire ~Zuko X Reader~

-30- The Ember Island Players Act 2

"Well, here we are in the Earth Kingdom!"

Fake Aang opened her glider, "I'd better have a look around to see if I can find an earthbending teacher!"

Toph was almost jumping with excitement, "This is it, this must be where I come in!"

Fake Aang landed, "I flew all over town, but I couldn't find a single earthbending master!"

"Here it comes..."

A large, buff man ascended onto stage with a rock prop that he immediately threw away, "You can't find an earthbending master in the sky, you have to look underground!"

The team laughed as Zuko was just... stunned. I would happen to fall into the laughing category.

"Who are you?"

"My name's Toph," The actor flexed, "because it sounds like tough, and that's just what I am!"

You know I never thought about that...

"Wait a minute, I sound like a guy. A really buff guy."

Katara turned smug, "Well Toph, what you hear up there is the truth. It hurts, doesn't it"

"Are you kidding me?" I didn't know Toph could get any happier, "I wouldn't have cast it any other way! At least it's not a flying bald lady!"

On the stage, Fake Aang waved her hand in front of Fake Toph, "So, you're blind?"

"I can see you doing that. I see everything that you see, except I don't 'see' like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth," He screamed, giving me back my old headache, "There. I got a pretty good look at you."

"Zuko, it's time we had a talk..." Fake Iroh stood at one end of the stage, with me behind him, "about your hair, it's gone too far!"

Fake Zuko wore a long, wavy wig, "Maybe it's best if we... split... up!"

My actress followed Fake Iroh offstage, posing as she left.

We were now at the part where we cornered Azula. My actress had joined them with absolutely no explanation as to why.

Fake Zuko yelled with my actress at his side, "Azula, my sister, what are you doing here?"

"You caught me. Wait, what's that?" Fake Azula pointed to a spot offstage, "I think it's your honor!"

"Where?" All the actors turned away while Fake Azula walked off through a door.

Fake Katara looked back, "She escaped, but how?"

"I have to admit Prince Zuko, I really find you attractive!"

I spit out, standing, "What!?"

Fake Katara and Fake Zuko sat in an imitation of the crystal caverns.

Fake Zuko looked away, "You don't have to make fun of me."

"But I mean it! I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me!"

I had to steady my breathing so I wouldn't bend. I closed my eyes as the two actors leaned in.

"Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl!"

I opened my eyes.

"The Avatar?" Fake Katara laughed, "Why, he's like a little brother to me! I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way. Besides, how could he ever find out about... this?"

Aang stood up.

"Oh, you're getting up? Can you get me some fire flakes? Ooh, and fire gummies!"

I started walking after him, "I'll get them for you."

I let Aang go his own way. I was too busy finding the nearest bridge to jump off of to help him.

~3rd person POV~

Back on stage, the actor playing Iroh and the actress playing Azula stood on opposing sides of a beam, the actors playing Zuko and (Y/N) stood in between the two.

Actress Azula spoke, "Well, my brother, what's it going to be? Your nation, or a life of treachery?"

"Choose treachery, it's more fun!" Actor Iroh winked, giving a thumbs up.

Actor Zuko started walking towards Actor Iroh, Actress (Y/N) didn't move.

"No way!"

Actor Zuko then pushed over Actor Iroh, running back to Actress Azula, " I hate you, Uncle! You smell, and I hate you for all time!"

Actress (Y/N) spoke for the first time in the entire play, "Prince Zuko! I am hopelessly in love with you, but I must join the side of treachery! It is what my sister would have wanted. Goodbye my lover!"

They all exited stage.

Sokka whispered to Suki, "I knew it."

Katara looked at Zuko, "You didn't really say that, did you?"

Zuko looked down, a slight blush on his face, "I might as well have."

His mind drifted back to when the real (Y/N) said those same three words to him. The thought distracted him the rest of the act.

The third act was about to start. Toph had already had a quick conversation with Zuko, then Zuko went to find (Y/N).

~(Y/N)'s POV~

"Agh!" Bright red flames danced along my finger tips, "I can't believe them!" I was suddenly aware of a presence behind me, I calmed the flames.

"(Y/N)..." Zuko stood in the doorway. We were on a balcony. I had seen Aang go to the balcony on the opposing side, but I kinda wanted to be alone.

"Yes Zuko? Is something wrong?" I had the fakest smile plastered onto my face, "What's up?"

"Are you okay?" He rubbed his neck, he kept his eyes just off to the side of me, "You seem... upset..."

"Oh no," I laughed, "I'm fine. I'm just showcased as a low-budget bikini model."

He mumbled something, then cleared his voice, "but, I don't think that's what you're upset about."

I moved my eyes to the sky. Yue was shining over us brightly.

I placed my arms on the wall keeping us from falling off, "I don't know what else I would be mad about. It's not like I've said anything."

He joined me, "I don't think it's anything your character did. What's the problem?"

I avoided his eyes, "I guess... I didn't like the crystal cavern scene. Was that close to what happened?"

"No," Zuko placed his hand on my shoulder, "Nowhere close."

I smiled, my eyes looking down, "I guess that's good."

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

I looked at him surprised, "Huh? What... what are you talking about?"

"Why did that bother you?"

I sighed, then pulled him into a hug, my voice came out in a whisper, "I don't like the idea of someone else loving you."

We stood in the embrace for a while. I could hear our breath as kids inside ran around laughing.

I finally let him go, keeping my eyes on the floor, "I'm sorry."

"What?" He kept his hands on my shoulders, "You don't need to be sorry."

I could hear my heart pounding in my chest. Part of me feared that he could hear it. But that's just stupid.

I looked off towards the door, "Let's just... get this stupid play over with."