zuko x reader: light angst, growing old together
and what you once believed to be impossible, unatteinable, turned into minutes and hours and days and years spent by his side. moments filled with the warmth of a fire that learned not to burn; hushed whispers of flame between two people that refused to go out.
you grew old with zuko and you only realized it on a bleary morning, dusty sun rays filtering through your chamber, the sound of rustling filling the room. you were going over some old stuff, some junk you needed to throw out when your husband emerged from the balcony, holding a butterfly on his middle finger.
the years had been kind to him, perhaps the latest kinder than the first twenty. his long hair was now white and maybe it should have worried you that the sight of it inspired you to no hard feelings about old age and the passing time. you resumed your work until you felt his presence at your back.
"what is this?" you turn around and see him pointing to the little creature on his finger. you let out a scoff.
"it's a butterfly, dear." your hands find a leather-bound book ans you open it to be met with yellowed pages and scrawny writing. no entry, no title, just a date so long ago it felt like lifetimes.
it was zuko's journal from when your first child was born.
before you can start reading, zuko's voice fills the room.
"what is this?" again, pointing to the being on his finger.
"a butterfly." the creature takes off just then, startling your husband who flinches. he follows the pattern of the butterfly's flight with his eyes and then, puzzled, turns to you.
"zuko, it's a butterfly!" you almost sound irritated now, but that is not it. suddenly the weight of time presses down on you like never before.
"oh." your husband furrows his brows and glances at the book you're holding. "can you read that out loud?" you smile and nod, clearing your throat.
"it's the first day my daughter learns about her fire. i took her out on a walk and told her that fire only comes to you when you realize it's not your enemy. she didn't care."
you laugh, hand covering your mouth. your eyes start to water just the tiniest bit.
"she instead chased a butterfly around. and she asked me 20 times what that is. and 20 times i told her that's a butterfly, loving her more with each syllable."
the entry ended but there was a twisting feeling in your gut. you dropped the book and hugged zuko and wondered...
"it's a butterfly, love." his arms wrapped around your middle, his head falling into the crook of your neck. he told you he loves you countless times over the years, yet everytime he reinvented himself, reignited something that would have been long lost.
"right. thank you for reminding me. i'll make sure i don't forget again."
a/n: GUYSSSS FML IM SO FUCMJNG BACK MY LIFE IS A MESS RN BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE ATLA COMING BACK ALSI NATURALLY MY VERY FIRST FIC FOR THIS FANDOM IN A LONG TIME IS ANGSTYYY
