Hiiii, could you write a scenario where Zuko is fulfilling some royal duty, then the reader arrives and his attitude softens, completely contrary to how serious he was before? Basically, a scenario with a gap moe.
(Sorry if it wasn't clear, English isn't my first language)
the meeting hall is wide and long, suited to fit up to 600 people plus an army. only about 20 or so people stand by the feet of the stairs, standing in perfect order, backs straight and breaths stiff.
he didn't tell you what the meeting was supposed to be about, but you could tell he didn't want to go from the way you had to threaten him out of bed an hour ago.
even so, most mornings are like that, waking with zuko clinging to your back like a koalaotter. he tries his hardest to convince you to let him stay in bed, as if he's not the one who quite literally controls the entire nation.
you usually don't attend the meetings, but zuko had forgotten a bundle of scrolls that were apparently integral to the meeting. when you enter the hall, it's loud and echoey, courtesy of the pure grandeur of the chamber. zuko doesn't see you— and he's irritated. he doesn't say it; he never says it, but he's the fire lord, and most people can tell when he's about to blow a fuse.
you walk towards the center where the group of people are, and you can see over a few people to the center where zuko seems to be rummaging through a chest of scrolls.
"zuko?"
the hall goes silent. the whole hall turns toward you, and it's more than unpleasant and uncomfortable to have that many eyes on you at once. you have no idea how he does this on a regular basis. you watch zuko's head raise, and you don't miss how every muscle in his body goes slack at your presence, his frustration cracking into a wide, sincere smile.
"my love. why are you here?" he begins to stand, descending the stairs in your direction. his advisors part in a path for him, and you raise tha bag of scrolls in your arms.
"are you looking for these?" you smile softly, tilting your head inquisitively at him. he sighs, gently taking the bag from you.
"yes, this is exactly what i was looking for. thank you, darling," he exhales, holding the bag in one arm and taking your hand in his other. he leads you up the stairs, and suddenly you're aware of how awkward it is to be up here with all these people looking at just you. he turns to you halfway up the stairs, noticing your expression. "can you stay? do you— sorry. i should have asked before."
"i... i was going to help iroh with preparations for—"
"please?"
and somehow, even though you could absolutely say no to the fire lord and get away with it, he's very convincing.
sorry... i lowkey forgot i had these requests... but! i love love love gap moe it's one of my favorite tropes ever of all time... also it’s like midnight and my brain is barely functioning so sorry if it’s not amazing 😓😓 thank you for this req anon i love getting asks so so much <33