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

♡ And Of That Love/The Kiss♡

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"There is a another meaning to it, though." Zuko placed the lantern in your hands. You looked into his eyes, surprised.

"These can represent unbreakable connections, affection, and trust. Acknowledging feelings of appreciation and of..." Zuko shifted his head the slightest bit to the right with a tender smile, his hair swaying along with his movements.

"...Of love."

A quiet sound of shock escaped your lips. Your cheeks flushed with a soft red, reminiscent of the pink-orange gradient of the sky.

Wait, no! What were you thinking!?
Your childhood friend was merely explaining something to you. You had no reason to be reacting the way you were!

...But...

Zuko's eyes widened as he realized what he had said. He hid his face from you, which you couldn't notice due to being lost in thought.

There was a strange feeling in his chest; one that he'd felt before.

"But that was years ago!" He thought. It suddenly came back after what you had told him.

Although you hadn't said anything with an obvious second meaning, when you told him you wanted to try to learn and love his nation, the nation that had been ridiculed almost everywhere across the globe, the nation that had lost its way, the nation that had hurt you so horribly...

As the prince of it, and as someone who had dedicated so much of himself towards it, he couldn't help but feel as if you were speaking to him.

It gave him hope. It helped him believe that even though he was seen as a monster to the rest of the world, even though he had hurt so many people, there was hope for a better future.

And for you, he was the one who had been by your side for so long. Through your laughter, tears, and frustrations, he was there.

He somehow always found a way to take away your pain, would be a shoulder to lean on, a source of happiness and comfort...

You wanted to be the same for him.

Zuko's focus drifted onto your sunkissed features.

The way the outdoor lights always looked even brighter in your gorgeous eyes, that gentle smile that graces your face, your melodious voice and continously caring heart.

He managed to advert his gaze from you, covering his puce cheeks.

As his gaze traveled away from you, yours went to him.

Illuminated by the sunlight, his stunning starlit eyes which resembled a dancing flame, his determination, strength, and kindness...

Watching his hair flutter as a zephyr breeze blew past, you found yourself mesmerized. Your eyes couldn't be torn from his milky skin, mellow expression and blush.

"...A-Are we going to light it?" You beamed, tilting your head to the side.

The corners of his lips turned upwards as he chuckled, "Of course we are."

He carefully placed his hands on top of your scarred ones, a soft breath freed from him smooth lips. Warmth flooded from your fingertips to your palms, and into the lantern.

The lantern drifted up into the peachy sky and out into the distance.

"Hey, Y/N?" You turned to Zuko, humming at the sound of your name.

"I have another idea for the day." He smiled, "Follow me."

----

You and Zuko went around to a few shops to grab a few items. While the two of you did that, you couldn't help your bewilderment at how you had enough to afford all of that, but not a bed.