not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter thirty four |

Saki woke up to the intoxicating smell of food. It smelt amazing and Saki could feel her stomach yearning to be fed.

She opened her eyes and saw an open book being held above her head by a pair of hands.
Saki frowned and looked around, to survey her surroundings a little more.
She saw that the pair of hands belonged to Zuko, who was obviously also reading the book.

"Zuko?" She asked, her voice slightly groggy from her nap.
"Saki." He nodded at her. "How was your nap?"
"Mmm, it was good." She said, sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

She was sat in Zuko's lap, her head was rested on the couch arm rest, and her legs were on the rest of the couch. Zuko had been stuck like this for a while and had to ask Iroh to get him a book. Iroh had suggested moving her to her sleeping mat, however Zuko said he didn't want to risk waking her.
Besides, Zuko liked the way she laid in his lap.

"What's that smell?" She asked.
"Dinner." Zuko said simply.
She sat up with a jolt and sniffed. He quickly moved his book out of the way before she head butted it on her way up.

She sniffed the air and looked over at the kitchen to see Iroh.
"Uncle!" She exclaimed happily.
"Hello Saki, glad you had a good nap. I heard what happened, and I am very sorry. Even I didn't see it coming." Iroh told her sadly.

Everything came flowing back and Saki felt something inside of her drop.

"Oh yeah, it's okay. It's not your fault." She said, her tone turning back to melancholy and her head dipping slightly.
Zuko's comforting arm went around her waist and pull her back to his chest. She obliged and leant back on him, looking up at his face.
He looked back down at her and smiled warmly.

"You'll get over him soon enough, I promise." He told her quietly, gently moving his thumb on the hand that was on her waist, comfortingly stroking over her skin.
"Thanks Zuko. I already feel better. It was just the shock of it I think." She told him, raising a hand and putting it on the side of his face.

"Dinner is served!" Said Iroh from the kitchen, bringing over two bowls of noodles.
Saki took one, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the delicious food like a child.

Zuko chuckled and Saki felt it vibrate in his chest as she quickly began to devour the food with her chopsticks.

"Someone's hungry." Zuko chuckled.
"Yeah, all that crying and sleeping really works up an appetite." She said, between mouthfuls of food.

He smiled down at her and his grip around her waist tightened as he very lightly kissed the side of her head. He could tell that the usual more cheerful Saki was returning.

They chatted happily as we ate the food that Iroh had prepared. Not being with Banko anymore meant that Saki could spend more time with her family.

She paused for a second, thinking about her "family". She'd never called them that, but she didn't know what else to call them.

Her and Zuko were literally cuddled up together as he comforted her when she felt her lowest. Iroh was always here for her to talk to and he looked after her and Zuko when they couldn't.

Zuko noticed that Saki was in a trance, staring down at her empty bowl.

"You ate that fast. Want some more?" He asked, pointing at her bowl.
"Oh yeah. No thank you." She murmured.