Zuko x Reader: Fire and Ice

Chapter 13: Rainy Days

Y/N's POV

I walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Of course we won't. I'll see you tomorrow." With that I left. After a few steps, I turned around again and noticed he was smiling really big. I waved at him, and he waved back. Then, I was on my way back to the palace. Hopefully Katara and I can recover from this.

~~~

While walking, I couldn't help but replay our fight in my head. I feel awful. I didn't mean to hurt Katara's feelings, I know she only wants what's best for me. I just didn't wanna tell her or anyone anything because I knew this is exactly what would have happened. Would it really have made the slightest difference if she found out sooner? I mean, she hates Zuko either way. I can't imagine if it would have been Sokka to find out first...

Anyway, Zuko was right. It's probably best to give her some space and talk it over tomorrow. I made it to the bathroom and got ready for bed. It's been a long day.

~Time Skippy~

I woke up to thunder. Yep, it's really cloudy outside, too. It wasn't raining, yet, but it definitely will later. I got up and looked outside my window. It was really dark, though, something about the absence of light made it all quite peaceful. It was easier on the eyes, that's for sure.

Anyway, I got ready for the day and head downstairs for breakfast. Katara sat across from me, but neither of us said a thing. I don't think we even made eye contact. She seemed much calmer, sure, but I could tell that she was still very upset and vice versa. After I finished eating, I left without a word.

~Time Skippy Again~

I made it to work and changed into my uniform. I came back out and saw Zuko sitting at a table reading something. Hey, that book looks familiar. I think that's the one Iroh handed me back when Zuko went through his "metamorphosis."

I sat across from him. "Morning, Sunshine."

"Hey, Y/N. What's up?"

"Nothing much. What are you reading?"

"A Hundred Ways to Make Tea."

"Did your uncle give you that, by any chance?"

"Oh, what ever could have given that away?" Then, he closed his book. "Anyway, how'd things go with your cousin? Did you make up?"

"About that, I kind of decided to wait to talk to her until today. I wanted to give her space, like you suggested. Let her cool off and stuff."

"Ah, I understand. I'm really sorry for coming between you two. I didn't mean to-"

"Oh, please. Katara's just really motherly. She means well, but sometimes, she goes a little far."

"I see...Anyway, what's got you here so early?"

"You, actually." I could see his eyes widen. "I remember you really wanted to talk about what happened between us last night, so...let's talk." I noticed his posture become really stiff all of a sudden. Someone's shy.

"Oh, alright, good. So, last night, huh?"

"Yeah, that was something else. You asked me to kiss you."

"And then you told me to kiss you."

"And I kissed you."

"And I kissed you back."

"..."

"Do you see how this is weird? We're friends, but we keep doing things 'friends' obviously don't do."

"Then, are we friends or...?" Then, he placed his hand on mine. "We can be whatever you want us to be."

I looked into his eyes and saw that he was smiling. We heard the door ring as a customer walked in. "Ugh, duty calls."