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

Lanterns

You pointed at the stranger, deciding a small bluff wouldn't hurt.
"I've been traveling with the two of them for some time now. I would know if they were firebenders!"

"That burn on your arm and the fact you're defending them..." The stranger dashed towards you, holding his swords close to your neck, daring to slit your throat.

There wasn't much you could do. If you fought back, then your abilities would be revealed. You could be taken away by the strange agents you met!

A customer was about to pull out their swords, but Zuko took them and glared at the unwanted guest. "Let her go. Now."

"You're keeping her alive for some reason, aren't you!? I'll put an end to whatever plans you have!" The intruder slid his swords closer to your throat. At that point, you couldn't even struggle to get out of his grasp.

Zuko stared at you. You knew what he was trying to say. You had to take a risk.

Your shaky legs became firmly planted on the ground. You took a deep breath.

You shot your gloved hand upwards through the space between the intruders swords and your neck, successfully kicking him backwards and protecting yourself from injury.

You lept away from the stranger and over to Zuko's side.

The intruder stood up and clutched his swords, glaring at Zuko.

"You want a show? I'll give you a show!"
Zuko dragged a table in front of him using his foot and kicked it at the intruder, who sliced it in half and tried to land a hit on Zuko.

Jumping onto another table, Zuko avoided the intruder's blade. However, the table he was standing on was sliced in half by the stranger. Seeing that Zuko could still remain balanced on the table, he slashed off the table's legs.

Zuko lept off, but not before swinging his swords at the stranger's feet. The intruder hopped backwards, but held his knee and hissed. Your kick appeared to have done quite a bit of damage.

Zuko swung his broadswords at the intruder, who tried to block them, but got sent rolling backwards out of the tea shop.

Knowing he would come back, Zuko dashed outside. You and Iroh followed after him, along with a few customers who were interested in the ordeal.

The intruder and Zuko locked swords, glaring at each other with immense hatred.

"You must be getting tired of using those swords. Why don't you go ahead and firebend at me!?" The intruder taunted.

More and more people came to watch the two battle. You noticed two people staring at the scene with concern. "Jet... What are you doing...!?" One of them muttered. "Please son, you're confused! You don't know what you're doing!" Iroh cried.

Jet spun around, sending one of Zuko's swords onto the ground. Jet put his swords together, whirling them around. Zuko took a few steps back. "Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast." Jet scoffed.

You furrowed your eyebrows, annoyed. You hid your hand behind your back, about to do something to make Jet trip. Iroh noticed and shook his head at you.

As Jet continued his circular pattern, Zuko pinned one of Jet's swords into the ground. "You're the one who needs help." Zuko sighed.

Jet tried to launch an attack, but was no match for Zuko's agility. He swung his sword at Jet, who narrowly avoided a nasty injury.

You watched in awe as Zuko's broadsword sliced clean through the piece of wheat in Jet's mouth.

You were shocked and astonished by his abilities. You could still recall training with him, back when he wasn't as experienced. He had definitely improved.
Thinking back to his fight with Zhao, you realized that... There something you had missed.

The determination in his eyes.
His fierce movements.
How the arena lit up as flames cast their light upon his figure.

The way those orange flames danced... You couldn't help but remember the picture of dozens of lanterns drifting across the midnight skies.

The warmth they provided...

For some reason, your heart was beating faster.

"Drop your weapons." The low voice drew you out of your trance. The agents...

Zuko lowered his sword, but didn't loosen his grip on it. However, Jet pointed his weapon at you, Iroh, and Zuko. "Arrest them! They're firebenders!"
Iroh stepped up, "This poor boy is confused. We're just simple refugees."

Pao pointed to Jet with an angry expression, "This young man wrecked my tea shop and even harassed and assaulted my employees!"

"It's true sir. We saw the whole thing. This crazy kid attacked the finest tea maker in the city." A customer announced. "Oh, ho, ho. That's very sweet." Iroh smiled.

You stared at Jet, unsure of how to feel about him. The Fire Nation might have hurt him, but he held a sword to your throat, even when he believed you were innocent.

You sighed and entered the tea shop, doing your best to clean up the mess the battle caused.

You looked up at the ceiling, gazing into the yellow lights.

Where had all those lanterns gone?