Watch it Burn

Chapter 32

It took about a day and a half but Aang and Zuko finally came back. Aang seemed very giddy and even Zuko was smiling. Based on the stuff Aang was talking about they found some sort of ancient race and also dragons are still alive. Not to mention they found a new way to fire bend.

Aang started explaining the full story in detail to everyone. They all gathered around him or by him. I, however, stayed leaning against one of the stone beams. Zuko noticed this and looked over at me. I motioned for him to come over and he did, hesitantly.

"We need to talk," I whispered and grabbed his hand, leading him away from everyone.

We walked in silence back to my room, far away from everyone. When he walked into my room, I shut the door behind me.

"So-uh what do you want to talk about?" He asked stupidly.

"I am so sorry that I was so mean to you I am just really hurt after everything that happened and also I may or may not have also taken my anger out on you for other things bothering me-which isn't ok but I kinda had a mental breakdown." I rambled, trying to fit everything in, "Also for the record the reason I forgave you is because Kyoshi's girlfriend, Ragni, has actually vouched for you. Oh yeah Kyoshi had a girlfriend-anyway, I just want whatever happened to be behind us and I can see now that you truly feel guilty so I am so sorry that you went through everything-"

"Amara calm down," Zuko said, slightly smiling. I looked at him with wide eyes, realizing how long I had been rambling. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

"I- I- I know things have been weird between us," I started.

"More than just weird," he joked slightly.

"Yeah-" I said and giggled a bit before turning serious again, "but basically, I want to... I'm sorry and I want to have something with you. Something more than just a one night stand and I want us to be happy, even in this kind of fucked up world."

He looked at me for a moment, examining my face. I worried he was going to reject me and say that he didn't actually like me that way. Looking back that was stupid, but I couldn't tell in the moment.

"Amara... wow," he said, "you don't need to apologize- your anger was justified.. a bit I guess. I want to be with you too."

I let out a sigh of relief at his words. I didn't know what to do, but I rushed forward and pulled him into a hug. Nestling my head into his shoulder I felt myself start to cry.

I didn't know why I was crying, maybe because I was happy or maybe it was just so much to process. Our lives were anything but simple and this whole thing with Zuko was so complicated it felt nice for something to finally seem.... normal.

Zuko shushed me softly as I cried, finger treading softly through my hair. We stayed like that for a few moments before pulling away, wiping at my eyes.

"Oh dear, if Kyoshi saw me crying over a boy like this-"

"She'd probably understand," Zuko assured me in a soft tone, "I'm sorry for what I put you through Amara and if I could go back and change it I would."

I smiled at him, eyes still watering, and he smiled back. For a moment I felt something that I really hadn't felt in a long time....

A glimmer of hope.

*******************************************************************

I woke up to warm arms wrapped around me. Last night's events ran through my head as I remembered how I had insisted Zuko stay with me. He happily obliged and stayed the night. I turned around to face him and I nuzzled into his collarbone. He wrapped his arms tighter to me and sighed.