𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐘 [𝟏] 𝐙𝐔𝐊𝐎

8

UZUME WOKE UP COLD AND ALONE. She quickly sat up in bed, looking around the room for Zuko. She let out a soft huff before lifting the warm sheets from her body and placing her bare feet onto the lush carpet below. She walked out of her shared room and approached the deck, finding her lover watching the stars.

"Aren't you cold?" Uzume spoke softly from behind him, watching amused at the way Zuko jumped at the sound of her voice. He turned and sighed when he saw it was Uzume, before turning back to the stars.

"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed."

Uzume sighed and approached him, lifting a soft hand to his tense shoulder, "I get it... but hey, look at us. We're stargazing without Azula interrupting." Uzume smiled and wrapped her arms around his warm body, taking in his warmth with her heart beating peacefully. "Whatever you do, Zuko... I'll understand."

Zuko looked down at the girl in his arms with love in his eyes, "Same with you."

Uzume grinned her naturally pretty smile that always managed to woo him and stood on her tippy toes, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. She pulled back and put her forehead against his, "Stop worrying. Let's go back to sleep."

-

It was the day after and the group had successfully made it home. However, Uzume had hardly gotten a chance to be with Zuko alone. The second she stepped off the boat, Azula was pulling her away, claiming she needed her help to get presentable for their ceremony home.

Then, when the ceremony was over, she was dragged away by Mai and Ty Lee who wanted to relax at the spa while Azula was busy. Ty Lee claimed it would cleanse her aura and turn it back into the bright green it once was. Mai, after claiming auras were stupid, gave Uzume her rare smile, really wanting her to join them. And of course, Uzume couldn't just deny her friends like a cold hearted monster. I mean, come on, Mai hardly smiles.

Of course, shortly after she walked out of the spa, chatting with Ty Lee about the circus, her arm was grabbed by Azula and her plans to visit Zuko were quickly detoured. But then she was proven wrong when Azula dragged her to the garden they had used to play in.

" You seem so downcast. Has Mai gotten to you already? Though actually, Mai has been in a strangely good mood lately with Uzume hanging out with her more." Azula feigned concern to her older brother, just wanting to antagonize her brother who would overthink every word she said.

"I haven't seen Dad yet. I haven't seen him in three years, since I was banished." Zuko said, as Azula said, downcast. He didn't even bother to look up until Uzume placed a hand on his shoulder.

"So what?" Azula taunted.

"So, I didn't capture the Avatar."

"Who cares? The Avatar's dead. Unless you think he somehow miraculously survived." Uzume, sensing Zuko think about Katara's offer to heal their burn scars, knelt next to Zuko and shook her head.

"You know he's dead, Azula, you did it with your own two fingers."

"No. There's no way he could've survived." Zuko backed up Uzume.

Azula stared down at the couple, frustration growing at her attempt to mess with her brother being ruined by Uzume's calming energy surrounding him.

"Well, then I'm sure you have nothing to worry about." Azula said stiffly. Uzume relaxed next to Zuko and watched the turtleducks.

"Finally, time alone-"