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

Changing

Combustion Man tried to send an explosion towards Aang and Katara, but something was off. He raised a hand to his head, and...!

A loud "BOOM" echoed through the temple, smoke and the smell of burning pervading in the air.

A gust of wind and ash blew by, until it all dissipated.

Zuko carefully slid down from the ledge he was on, awkwardly approaching the gaang.

"I never thought I'd say this, but... Thanks, Zuko." Aang muttered.

"Hey, what about me? I did the boomerang thing..." Sokka sighed.

You nodded and pat Sokka's shoulder.

"Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday. I've been through a lot in the last few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth." Zuko muttered.

"I thought I had lost my honor, and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. All I want to do now is play my part in ending this war, and I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world."

Zuko then turned to Toph, bowing, "I'm sorry for what I did to you. It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild, so as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control myself and my bending, so I don't hurt people unintentionally."

You noticed a slight glance at you as he said those last few words.

Everyone was silent for a moment, mostly due to shock. You and Toph were smiling-Toph, because she was relishing in the thoughts of how to get back at Zuko-And you, because of how proud you were of him.

It wasn't too long ago that he was convinced by the words of his sister and father, feeding him lies and altercations of the truth.

During those times, he was, ironically, far colder and harsh towards everyone, including you. After all, you had abandoned him.

"I... I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher. When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara. After that, I never wanted to firebend again." Aang said, regretfully,
"But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people that you love."

Aang bowed, his hands gesturing the symbol of respect in the Fire Nation, "I'd like you to teach me."

Surprised yet contented, Zuko bowed as well, "Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group."

"Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends of it's okay with them." Aang said, "Toph, you're the one he burned. What do you think?"

"Go ahead, let him join, " Toph smirked, "It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet."

"Sokka?"

"Hey, all I want is to defeat the Firelord. If you think this is the way to do it, then I'm all for it."

"Y/N?"

"Do you even have to ask?" You raised your eyebrow.

Aang rubbed the back of his neck and laughed, "Oh, right..."

"Katara?"

Katara glanced at you and Zuko dubiously, "I'll along with whatever you think is right."

Zuko sighed, relieved, "I won't let you down! I promise!"
_______

Sokka was leading Zuko to his new room, while you followed them, saying, "Uh, don't mind me."

"Well, if you day that, I'll have to mind you. Wait, do you even have a room?" Sokka questioned.

You awkwardly smiled, "Uh, no... I was having a fit, so, uh..."

Zuko raised an eyebrow? "Where did you sleep? This place is all stone and debris."

"...The floor." You shrugged.

"That's the second time you've done that, you weirdo." Zuko chuckled.

You pouted, "Don't call me weirdo, Pricko!"

"Pricko?" Sokka nodded, "I raised you well."

"Oh, that reminds me, is it true you used your socks to fish?" Zuko inquired.

"She told you about that!?" Sokka exclaimed.

You laughed, "You raised me well!-"

Sokka crossed his arms, "Don't make me smack you upside your-"
"Your forehead is bigger than mine!" You snorted.

"It is pretty big..." Zuko whispered.

You snapped your fingers, "Ey. Zuko, you were 85% bald headed."

"Oh? Okay, yeah, we aren't sharing a room." Zuko smirked.

You gasped, suddenly regretful, "Wait-"

"Wait, wait, wait... You guys have shared a room before?" Sokka inquired.

"Yeah?" You said, nonchalantly.

After a long pause, Sokka chuckled, "Oh well. It's not like you shared a bed or anything."

Both you and Zuko remained silent.

Sokka stopped in his tracks and glanced at the two of you.

"...You guys have..."
"..."

Sokka gave Zuko a glare, his face like that of a toddler seeing their best friend play with someone else.

"No funny business." He murmured, "I'm watching you two."

"Sokka, we didn't do anything weird! All we did was sleep!" You exclaimed.

"Did you hug under the blankets?" Sokka asked, tapping his foot and raising his chin.

Both you and Zuko remained silent.

"...I'm... Watching..." Sokka whispered, slithering backwards and keeping his eyes on the two of you until he turned the corner and was no longer visible.

You glanced at Zuko, "What do you think he'd do if he found out we've already kissed? Like, multiple times?"

"...Solitary confinement. Shhh." Zuko muttered.
____________//

You and Zuko finally had your room set up! This time, two beds! (Sokka forced Toph to make another one for you so that you and Zuko wouldn't be in bed together.)

Just as you were about to sit down on your bed, you saw Katara walking by. She had a conflicted look on her face.

Earlier, when Aang was asking if everyone was okay with Zuko joining the group, the tension radiating from her was so thick you could only cut it with a six foot wide axe.

You stepped out of the room, "Hey, Katara?" She looked at you, somewhat surprised, "Huh? What's up?" You gave her a smile, "Thanks for giving him a chance."

She nodded, "...Yeah. Just... Be careful, okay?"

"Okay," You hummed, "See you later!"

Going back into your bedroom, you noticed Zuko laying down, hand upon the other. He seemed to be lost in thoughts.

"What's up?" You asked, sitting down on your bed.

"I hope Uncle is alright," He sighed, his voice tired, "I haven't seen him in a while. I... Don't even know if he'd want to see me."

"He really cares about you, Zuko. He'd want to see you, and that's a fact." You said. He glanced at you and furrowed his eyebrows, "...You really think so?"

You nodded, "He's probably sad about what happened, but he truly does love you. We both know that."

"Honestly, after everything, I just want him to be able to relax. I've put him through a lot," Zuko mumbled.

You grinned, "Well, you'd better start teaching Aang some firebending."

Zuko smiled, "Right."

You laid down and your mind began to wander across your assortment of memories.

Oka's plan...

Would everything really be okay after Ozai went down?