|•|W I T 卄 E R||•| Zuko X Reader ⚠SLOWBURN⚠

Calm Before the Storm

Mitarai led you to one of the ship's exits. "I... Is there anything I could do to make up for what I've done to you?" He asked, guilty. You let out a hum at his question, looking at the vast ocean littered with Fire Navy ships.

You thought back to the day you were stuck on one of those ships. The pain you felt...

"For every person you've harmed, and for every family you've hurt, help even more to heal." You replied, shutting your eyes and diving into the sea.

You swam towards the large wall of ice protecting the citizens of your sister tribe. You had to help them fight somehow.

"Who's there!?" You got out of the water to see... "Zuko? You're hurt...! What happened...!?" You whisper-yelled. "Zhao happened."

He glanced at you, noticing your withered arms now had burns on them. "What happened to your arms!?" Zuko exclaimed. "Zhao happened." You scoffed, clenching your fists.

"He... hurt you...?" A scowl grew on Zuko's face. "I should've put him in his place back on that ship." He growled.

Zhao... You would give him what he deserved.

You knelt in front of a hole within the ice. "I saw a few turtle seals go in. They have to come up for air somewhere." Zuko stated, kneeling down beside you. "You know how dangerous that is, right?" You turned to him. "If it's to capture the Avatar, then I have to do it." He plunged into the pool of water. Sighing, you held your breath and lept in after him.

The two of you swam for a few minutes. You could feel the water pushing and pulling you towards your destination, leaving pockets of air for you to catch your breath.

Soon enough, the both of you swam through another hole of ice. The turtle seals started barking, much to Zuko's annoyance. "Be quiet!" You flicked his shoulder, giving him a look. "What do you want me to do? Bark with them?"

The two of you continued to swim through multiple crevices and chasms in the water. It was an easy swim, due to the strange movements of the water.

Panting, the two of you landed safely inside the North Pole. You stared in awe at the buildings and roads of ice. "Y/N..." Zuko gently nudged you around to face him. "The Avatar is here. Do... You know what that means for you?" He questioned.

You immediately understood.

Sokka and Katara.

"...My siblings are probably here." You muttered, avoiding Zuko's gaze. "If you go," He placed his hands on your shoulders, "I wouldn't take it as you abandoning me. They're your family, and I know how much you love them."

You clenched your fists for a moment, then placed your hand on top of his. "That's what makes this so difficult." You whispered. Zuko let out a hum of confusion. "I... I care about you, too. And now that we've finally reunited, I... I feel conflicted on who I'm supposed to choose."

"I know that feeling." Zuko let go of you, "Maybe you just need more time to think. In the meantime..." You let out a sigh. "You have to try to capture Aang and probably end up making me die to death out of fear you might die to death." He let out a soft chuckle at your words.

There was a strange bittersweet feeling in the air. "No time to lose. See you soon... Maybe." Zuko ran off after a quick wave goodbye.

You decided it'd be a good idea to try to defend your sister tribe, so you began to creep in the direction of the battlefield.

"Y/N?"

You let out a quiet gasp.

You knew that voice.