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

Book 3: Evaluation

You stood up, took the plate in his hands, and placed it on the table. "I should be asking you that question. Is it because of Oka? What's wrong?"

Zuko tensed up as he stared into your concerned eyes with guilt. "I-..."

He said he wanted to make you and Iroh proud, but he failed.

He failed, he always failed, he disappointed his uncle,                              he always disappointed people.

"I-I..."

He had done terrible things. He had relapsed to his old behavior. He had made terrible choices. He hurt his uncle, who had stuck with him through thick and thin...

"I..."

He really was weak. Not for the reasons Azula and Oka mentioned, no...

He didn't keep his word on making sure you and his uncle were proud. He feared himself, because of how much pain he had caused for the people he loved the most.

"..."

He had to change.

"...Y/N." He whispered.

You nodded, stepping closer to him, "Yes? What's wrong, Zuko?"

He glanced at the ground before looking you in the eyes.

"...I... I'm sorry. I don't think we should stay together."

×X×

You stumbled backwards in surprise, "Wh... Huh?"

"I can't be with you if I can't even handle being with myself. I..." Zuko clenched his fists, "I have to change. I have to."

"I want to learn to be better. Better than I've ever been before. That way..." A flame of determination shone in his eyes, "That way, I can make you proud."

"I'm already pro-"

"You shouldn't be," He retorted, "Not until I make things right. Y/N, until I've fixed the problems I've caused, I... I can't be with you."

Your breath hitched, and your body was frozen with shock.

"I want to be good on my own—–Not that I don't appreciate what you and Uncle have taught me—–I went back to the way I acted before. And I'm ashamed of that. You shouldn't have to worry about me anymore. I shouldn't have to worry about hurting you." Zuko stated.

"I want to learn to love myself, so that I can love you all the more. I don't want to be afraid of hurting you again. So... This is the final time. This is the final time I'll ever hurt you. I want to change."

You were stunned into silence. You felt your eyes get wet with tears, but you shut them as soon as you did.

A bittersweet smile appeared on your face as you looked Zuko in his golden eyes, "That's good. It's good that you want to improve."

"Y/N..." His expression softened.

You wanly laughed, "Don't worry. Just those words alone make me even prouder of you."

"If you really think this will get rid of your pain—And mine—then let's try it." You whispered.

"...Then, for now... Until I can right my wrongs..." Zuko muttered.

You finished his sentence and stepped nearer to him, "...W-We'll just be friends. But..."

"Could I... Just one more time..."

Without hesitation, Zuko pulled you closer with one hand resting on your hip and the other holding your dominant hand. He spoke in a hushed tone,
"Yes..."

Your lips met, and both of you shut your eyes. A warm sensation pervaded through you and you felt the tension in your body deteriorate into tranquility. His lips and touch were gentle and light like the feathers of a dove, yet evoked strong emotions from within your heart.

You were hopeful, sad, and proud. He had spoken with such a great resolve and determination, you didn't doubt him. Especially since you knew how he could get when he had strong goals.

Zuko raised his hand to your head and tenderly ran his fingers through your hair. He had a nostalgic smile, recalling how he held you close years ago when you were crying out in a storm.

Everything changed so much since then, and he made mistakes he deeply regretted, even a few recent ones. But things could continue to change for the better.
           He knew that was a fact—especially after the two of you properly reunited on his old ship—and he intended to make sure he improved as well.

The two of you pulled away from one another, faint blush on both of your cheeks.

"I don't think I could ever stop loving you, so this will be quite the hard challenge." You smiled.

"Don't worry, I can take care of that." Zuko smirked, walking over to your food.

You gasped, "Gosh, you seriously are a prick!"

"The prickliest." He chuckled, about to take some of the meat on the plate.

You pushed him away and absolutely demolished the plate.

"Make sure you finish everything. Something big is going to happen tomorrow, and you need as much energy as possible." Zuko warned.

You licked your plate clean, "Huh?"

Zuko sighed and shook his head with a smile before a more serious expression appeared on his face,
"...There's going to be an invasion tomorrow, and that's when you and I will get out of here."

"An invasion...? You... You're choosing to leave the Fire Nation?" You whispered, surprised.

He nodded, "Yeah. I've learned a lot of things. This isn't the right path. My uncle... Tried for so long to get me to realize that."

"I bet he'd be glad you've figured yourself out. I know I am," You mumbled, "Make him proud too, okay?"

"You don't need to ask me twice." Zuko muttered.