pulling on zuko’s hair when you get overstimulated ,,
ever since you met zuko, you were immediately attracted to him.
it wasn’t really because of his overly attractive face, or his captivating brown eyes, or even his caring personality.
While of course all of those traits counted too, the real main attraction was his long, dark, silken locs that framed his chiseled face perfectly.
And when he puts it in a bun, oh my gosh your heart would melt. He’s just so handsome!
zuko would always laugh at your comments about his hair, thinking what you’re saying is just a lighthearted joke,, kind of.
today you and zuko are outside, appreciating the radiant sun beaming on your faces while smelling the crisp air flow towards the sky. zuko’s sitting in your lap while you sit up.
“zuko if you ever cut off your hair i swear i will kill you myself, with or without bending” you mutter as you run your fingers through his soft tresses, observing the way the shadowy treads cascade through your hand back to his scalp.
he chuckles at that, amused and a bit concerned. “ok baby, i’ll keep that noted..” already knowing how you feel about his hair. It’s always the same ‘threats’ from you about his hair, but it never gets old, especially if it’s coming from you the one he loves most.
because of your adoration about his hair, he takes pride in it, and accepts all the praise you give him.
especially when he’s face down in between your thighs, eating you out with a purpose.
you lay in your shared bed, writhing and shaking, eyes hazy with lust and tiredness, for this is the ?th orgasm zuko managed to pull from you from just eating your pussy alone.
“mm fuck zu..” you slur your words, legs pinned down by zuko’s huge arms, while you hands twitch besides your head, needing stability.
zuko circles his tongue around around you clit before sucking on it hard, while he takes one of his thick scared fingers and probes it at your entrance.
“so wet for me..” zuko releases his mouth just to look at your swollen nub, before spitting a fat glob of spit on it. “are you feeling good baby?” he asks still looking down at your folds before diving back into your cunt, not giving you time to respond.
“oh my- yes zu yes” you moan, back arching off the bed trying to wiggle your way out of his grip, it was to much.
“don’t run” zuko holds you, forcing you to sit still. “take it, i know you can, just one more for me? yea?” his voice muffled while he inserts his finger and tightens his grip on your legs.
your moans get louder, and is soon reduced to short whines after his long finger soon finds that mushy spot. “mmh fuck..” you sigh, eyes closing out of intense pleasure.
when zuko adds another long finger of his, the more your soft whines intensifies. you clench around his digits, already feeling your release building again.
“zu.. zuko-mph, i’m about to,,” you gasp, feeling the way his sucks get more intense, and how his fingers start pumping increasingly more faster than a few seconds before.
the only sounds that fill your room is the excessive plap plap plap from your sopping hole getting filled by his fingers, your sweet moans, and his deep groans when he feels you clenching around him.
zuko lifts from his intial spot to look at your face, his chin covered in your essence. he feels his cock throb in his confines when he sees you expression, fucked out and hazy.
“youre about to cum sweetheart?” he asks, already knowing the answer, speeding up his fingers so his palm smacks against your clit. “soak me baby, give me all of it.”
you clench at his words, and his piercing brown eyes scanning you up and down. after one good massage to your g-spot you finally break, whimpering his name while spewing your cum all over his palm, immediately dripping down his vein ridden forearm.
“good girl.. so good to me” he praises, smirking while removing his hand from your insides and observes his hand, before giving it a good lick from his elbow to his fingers, while keeping eye contact.
you shudder at his boldness, and the fatigue from your high. you’re just about to lay down and sink onto your pillow, when you feel something tickle at your entrance again.
You close your legs on reflex, just from them to be met with the same muscular arm from not even 3 minutes ago pinning them down.
whimpers tumble out your mouth before you can even help it. “wait,, im still sensitive..” you croak, voice hoarse from all your whining from earlier.
he laughs at your voice, your so cute. the vibrations sending sparks up your spine.
“let me atleast clean you up, i got you.. it’s okay” zuko reassures, licking a long stripe from your sticky hole to your clit and damn near whimpers at the taste. His thick cock straining against his pants, fuck he’ll need to take care of that after this.
you twitch excessively, clearly overstimulated. one of your hands fly to his beautiful hair and tugs, trying anything to relieve the overwhelming feeling.
zuko groans at the sensation, loving the way your soft tugs sends his eyes rolling back to his skull. "thats right baby-fuck- use me," he moans, deeply inlove with his wife, aswell to the addicting pain that comes from your nimble fingers.
your shouts and whimpers only increase, along with your excessive pulls that has zuko spewing pre cum in his pants. you really do love his hair.
he continues eating you out, slurping obscenely and is obviously pussy drunk.
the only thing you could do is continue tugging on his black locs. his long beautiful hair. fuckkk you love it. and zuko too, of course!
a/n: i watched the new atla movie leaks and omg i had write about zuko he looked good af. this is written around the same time as the movie.
a/n: First fic in a while yayyy 😭 Fun fact: I actually used to run another Tumblr account where I wrote for Katsuki, but I forgot the password ages ago. If anyone somehow figures out what account it was, I’ll literally pay you. (I won’t. I’m broke.) Anyways, this entire fic was basically born from all the romcom edits I’ve been rotting over recently, so expect unbearable amounts of softness.
pairing: Zuko x Reader
summary: After years of loneliness and heartbreak, Zuko finds himself surrounded by the one thing he never thought he’d have: a loving family. In the quiet intimacy of palace life, he learns that home was never a place — it was always you.
risks: dangerously high levels of fluff and enough sweetness to give you cavities.
The intimacy of finally having a family after years of hurt and loneliness.
Zuko thinks he would have spent his whole life aching for something he could never quite reach. Peace. Warmth. A home that didn’t feel cold the second he stepped inside it.
And yet now, all he has to do is walk through the palace gardens, turn the corner of a hallway, or step into his chambers to find you there.
His wife.
Round with your second child, laughing softly as you guide your four-year-old son through the room, tiny hands wrapped around yours.
Every single time, his heart still stumbles.
Because six years ago, Zuko could never have imagined this life for himself. Not just being loved by a beautiful, patient, gentle woman, but becoming the father of her children. Having little arms throw themselves around his legs when he returned home. Hearing laughter instead of shouting echo through palace walls.
It feels unreal sometimes.
Sacred.
So when he escorts you back to your chambers later that evening, one hand resting carefully against the small of your back while the other steadies you as you waddle beside him, he can’t stop the quiet chuckle that slips from his lips.
“What is it, Zu?”
There it is again—that unbearable softness in his chest.
You tilt your head up at him, eyes heavy with sleep and curiosity. Beautiful even in your exhaustion.
As you reach the door, Zuko gently pulls you against him before bending easily to lift you into his arms, deciding you’ve walked enough for one night.
“Nothing, my love.”
The answer is obviously untrue, but you’re too warm and content in his hold to question him further. Instead, you simply curl closer against his chest as he carries you inside.
“I’ll massage your feet, baby.”
Zuko adjusts the mountain of pillows behind you before settling at the end of the bed, kneeling without hesitation. His hands find your swollen feet with practiced care, thumbs pressing slow circles into aching skin like he’s done this a hundred times before.
You melt instantly, a soft sigh leaving your lips as you sink back into the cushions, one hand absently rubbing over your belly.
And Zuko just watches you.
Watches the woman who turned the impossible into something real.
Because this life—this quiet, gentle life filled with sleepy smiles, warm beds, and children waiting in the next room—was never something he thought he deserved.
But you gave it to him anyway.
So he treats moments like these carefully. Reverently. Like something fragile enough to break if he doesn’t hold it close enough.
His hands continue their slow work against your skin, tender and devoted, more ritual than routine now.
An offering.
Because in Zuko’s eyes, you are nothing less than divine.
The woman who taught him that love could be soft. That home could be warm. That after everything, a heart like his could still be loved so completely.
zuko x reader | when you are having trouble falling asleep, your best friend knows just how to warm you up.
You were surrounded by nothing but trees. Tall branches blocked the stars from your view as you tried to use the little constellations you could see to lull you to sleep. If you looked beyond the clearing you and your best friend, Prince Zuko, had set up camp, darkness was all the naked eye could see.
It was late into the night by the time you decided sleep wasn’t coming to you anytime soon. No matter what, you couldn’t sleep.
Thoughts of the Fire Nation palace you had left behind filled your mind with doubts and second thoughts. You had left behind everything you had ever known just to follow Zuko into the unknown yet again.
You sighed, sitting up from your sleeping bag and leaning against a nearby tree instead. The thin material did nothing to help warm you anyway.
The chill that was in the air was freezing you to the bone, making you shiver from the feeling of coolness that was seeping through your skin. You could see your breath appear in front of you as you rubbed your hands together, trying to get any warmth you could.
This wouldn’t have happened in the palace.
Never mind that, you thought to yourself. You had followed Zuko to the South Pole, you followed him to Ba Sing Se, you wouldn’t stop following him now.
But, why? That little voice in the back of your head kept gnawing at you, egging you on for an answer that, deep down, you already knew.
You would do anything for the Fire Nation boy whom you had grown up with. You trained together, travelled the world together, and you wanted to grow old together.
You shook yourself from your thoughts and stood from your place on the forest floor. The breeze that flew through the Western Air Temple penetrated your bones as you moved to find a better place to watch the stars.
You didn’t even think it possible, but the temperature had dropped sharply once more. You trudged along, searching for a better clearing, only to find the one and only prince sitting by a small campfire, staring into the flames with his usual thoughtful expression you had grown so used to him wearing.
There was something hidden on his face that was new, refreshing. Peace. Since the two of you had returned after the fall of Ba Sing Se, he hadn’t been the same. You admired it. You admired his honor, his dedication to his cause. You admired the way the campfire light lit up his face, showcasing his tender eyes and gentle smile.
Zuko noticed you shivering and wordlessly gestured for you to sit beside him. Having been caught staring, your face is lightly flushed as you sit next to the boy, hoping the darkness would cover the expression on your face.
It didn’t.
The fire crackled softly as he shrugged off his cloak, draping it over your shoulders, his fingers brushing lightly against your skin.
“You should’ve brought a blanket,” he murmured. He was trying to sound stern, but you could hear the warmth in his voice that gave him away.
You laughed softly, “Don’t act like you don’t care, Zuko.” You nudged the boy’s side, noticing the blush that crossed his face before he turned away, looking anywhere but at you.
After a moment, you slowly leaned your head on his shoulder, and he finally relaxed, letting out a quiet sigh.
Somehow, you always managed to make him forget his worries.
“You’re warm,” you whispered.
“That’s kind of my thing,” he replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The two of you don’t speak after that, letting the night retain its quiet splendor. Just the two of you, the stars, and the crackle of the fire as Zuko finally lets himself be still, his hand finding yours in the flickering light.
Zuko gets some good advice about how to deal with his new feelings but will his revelation go to plan?
Part one here
Part three here
___
That weekend Zuko went to see the one man who could help him with his issue. Uncle Iroh.
He hadn’t seen him in a while and the mention of Ba Sing Sei had convinced him to make the trip. So Zuko arrived to find his uncle waiting to sweep him into a tight hug. Iroh hurried Zuko into his shop eager to catch up and soon had a steaming cup of jasmine tea in front of him. As Zuko informed his uncle of all the recent events Iroh noticed a change in him. For one thing his nephew wasn’t spontaneous but he’d hastily arranged a visit for no apparent reason. At first Iroh worried something was wrong, perhaps the pressure was getting to him or his father was causing trouble again but the second Iroh saw him he could tell this visit wasn’t about escaping something bad back home. Zuko had a certain air around him, a happiness, a lightness and Iroh was very pleasantly surprised and desperate to know what had caused this. So he began prying. “Now nephew how have you been? Not the Firelord or the country but you my nephew?". "Good" Zuko smiled "busy but i’ve had help". Iroh smiled "and you've not been locked away working too hard?". Zuko shook his head "no but i do have something I want to discuss with you, i have a dilemma". Iroh nodded "i will help however i can". "Well see there’s this friend...". Iroh smiled, of course how did he not recognise Zuko was smitten with someone!
"Ow?" Iroh asked smiling and Zuko blushed. "Yes and we've actually known each other a while, we’ve recently become close and....i’ve developed feelings for her. Well they've always been there actually but before she never used to like me. She hated me in school but now we’ve been working together and we’re actually friends" Zuko blushed "she smiles at me, offers to help me and stays with me so I don’t have to face things alone...i like her a lot but i’m also grateful for her friendship. I'm worried that i could push her away if I confess my feelings and she doesn’t return them.". Iroh frowned "it seems like you have a lot of history with the girl...." trying not so subtly to work out who she was. "It’s y/n, Mai’s sister" Zuko said awkwardly and Iroh nodded. He didn’t remember you but could imagine being related to Mai you had made your dislike for Zuko known as a child. From how Zuko spoke it sounded like he may’ve liked you since then and Iroh had no doubt his nephew currently had very strong feelings for you. "I think it’s wonderful that you're friends but i’ve also listened to how you speak about her, there’s always a slight smile on your face...am i right in thinking you’ve liked her since childhood?". Zuko nodded "she was the one i noticed first...Mai was around more but y/n was the one who caught my attention from the start. However she made it clear she hated me when we were kids.... so i figured nothing could ever happen but now...". Iroh nodded "i admire your caution but also think you need to consider your options. Zuko i suspect your feelings for her are very strong, perhaps too strong to ignore. If this was some mindless crush i’d tell you not to risk it, but love is worth risking things for". Zuko blushed vividly “is it that obvious?”. His uncle patted his shoulder chuckling “even Toph would be able to see it”.
The next week
You exited the ship excitedly, the anxiety at visiting the palace had fallen away within your first few visits and it was quickly becoming your favourite place in the Fire Nation. Zuko met you off the ship and he smiled fondly but you could sense he was worried about something. You had a pleasant day together, you spent more time with Druk who was growing rapidly and learning how to fly. You watched the small dragon attempt to get airborne and couldn’t help but laugh at how adorable his attempts to fly were. Zuko tried helping, giving him tips but it just ended with the dragon leaping on him to try and use him as a boost. They both ended up tangled on the floor in a heap while you laughed uncontrollably from a safe distance. You noticed Zuko smile seeing you laugh but then his face went serious as it did when he was lost in thought. You frowned wondering what was wrong but just as quickly as it came his face cleared.
All day the same thing would happen and you became more and more convinced something was wrong. Thankfully after dinner Zuko was ready to tell you what it was. "Y/n i have something i need to confess" Zuko said suddenly and you felt the mood of the room shift. You paused taken back at Zuko’s formal tone and managed a small "okay". You were worried Zuko had something awful to tell you and watched him pace anxiously. Finally he sighed and stopped "okay i’m just going to be honest. My uncle suggested i be subtle and test the water but i’m not good at that and I don’t want to trick you or anything". "Okay..." you said again and stared at Zuko. Zuko sighed and looked up "i like you". You blinked as Zuko carried on "and not just as a friend....i like you a lot and was wondering if you by any chance felt the same way?". You breathed rapidly trying to process what Zuko had just said. "Are you sure you like me?" you asked unsure if Zuko was certain "maybe you're just lonely and i’m here?". Zuko shook his head "i know that’s not it but if you...you don’t seem happy, do you not return my affection? If so that’s fine!". "No that’s not the issue" you admitted and Zuko jumped "what? So you do like me? That’s great". "No it’s not" you said your panic rising, taking your breath away with it. Zuko blinked "it’s not? Why on earth isn’t it? This is better than my wildest dream!" Zuko cried and you rushed to show him why this wasn’t a good thing before he got too excited. "It’s not because this doesn’t mean anything Zuko! What I feel doesn’t matter, I don’t get nice things. I don’t get to have the guy i want and even if i do it’s not in the way i want or that i need" you babbled and Zuko frowned "y/n what do you mean?". You began to go into full-blown panic, how could you explain all this to Zuko? He’d never understand. Your fight or flight was triggered and you were about to bolt when Zuko gently touched your arm. “Y/n take deep breaths okay, there’s no need to panic or worry, we can talk about this and I promise I’ll do whatever you feel comfortable with, so just breathe. Take slow breaths with long exhales and don’t panic. You’re not in danger everything is okay”. Zuko continued coaching you through your panic attack and when it subsided you sighed and looked up at him “I’ll try my best to explain but let me know if i’m not making sense. My parents and I recently had a large argument....they told me i have to accept a suitor by the end of the year or they’ll disown me. The problem is i don’t like anyone apart from...well you" you said blushing. Zuko smiled "well i like you too so why can’t we just tell your parents that we...". "Zuko my family want me settled down immediately, this whole campaign to reform the prisons has them worried. They want me married off immediately but I don’t want that and it’s not fair to put that expectation on anyone least of all you...i know this isn’t long term so you don’t have to pretend it is....". Zuko paused "why isn’t it long term?". You hesitated "well i...isn’t this just a rebound? I thought maybe it’s a way to get back at Mai or...i don’t know because we see each other a lot it was for convenience? Either way it can’t be serious". "Who says?" Zuko asked "y/n can i confess something? I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids". Your jaw dropped "but you couldn’t have i....you and Mai!". Zuko lowered his eyes blushing "i guess i have a type...I did like Mai don’t get me wrong I wasn’t lying to her but you were the one who caught my eye first. I dated Mai because she liked me and i was sure you hated me". You stared at the floor "because i stopped speaking to you when we were 12?". Zuko nodded "i was always so unsure what i did to upset you. I tried to make it right but after a while I just accepted you didn’t like me". "Zuko that wasn’t the case..." you started but Zuko shook his head "it’s okay y/n i get i’m not going to get on with everyone, i’m just glad you don’t hate me anymore". "Zuko i never hated you it was more of the opposite...Azula told me i upset Mai by being friends with you. She claimed everyone could tell i liked you and i was horrified because it was true and I was scared i’d been too obvious with that". "You liked me too?" Zuko asked and you nodded "since we were kids but i...i’m used to stepping away from what i want because my family told me to. You were Mai’s and you still are in their eyes. You could never be mine, i don’t get good things". Zuko shook his head "y/n you deserve the best and i’m in no way saying that’s me but i do think you should put yourself first. If what you’ve said is true and you like me more than anyone else then why can’t we...why can’t you go for it? I’ll support you in any way i can and i...". You started breathing rapidly again at what Zuko was offering you "Zuko i’ve never committed to anything before I...". "Then don’t" Zuko said softly taking your hand "it’s okay, i came on too strong. Let’s just focus on this moment okay?". You nodded and looked at him "okay". "Stop thinking about what anyone else will think, your parents, Mai, anyone except for yourself. Stop thinking about what will happen tomorrow or next week or any duties you have. What do you want?". You blinked and felt your heartbeat "what do i want?". Zuko nodded "right now, what do you want?".
You realised Zuko was the first person to ask you that. All your life you’d tried to do what other people wanted. To be the perfect daughter, sister, prison guard...you never acted on your own dreams or desires. You always acted for other people and nobody had ever tried to stop you but here was Zuko telling you the opposite. He was the only person to encourage you to put yourself first and you wondered if that was why you liked him so much.
“Y/n?” Zuko said after you’d been quiet for a while and you smiled slightly “sorry I just...nobodies ever asked me that before and I’m not sure how to answer”. “Well it’s simple” Zuko shrugged “right now what do you feel?”. "I feel overwhelmed as if i’m going to explode. I feel terrified, excited and also bewildered that you felt the same thing I did all those years ago. I’m scared and I can’t shake everyone’s voices from my mind and I’m trying to work out how this will affect every inch of my life and it’s actually laughable because out of all that the one thing I keep thinking about is I really want to kiss you...which I guess tells me what my answer is” you blushed looked down but Zuko gently raised your head back up so you could look him in the eyes. "What a coincidence...." and he leant in to kiss you. The minute he kissed you all those repressed feelings came back. Everything that had been missing with other people was magnified by how kissing Zuko made you feel. You couldn’t believe you were actually kissing him, it didn’t feel real. Overcome with the sensation you gripped Zuko harshly and he smiled against your lips. Zuko picked up the intensity and kissed you harder. You matched his increase and let your hands roam over him as if you weren’t even present in this moment. It felt surreal but that was okay, it gave you the confidence to make the most of it and you did.
You finally separated both gasping for breath and immediately you lowered your eyes but you could still feel Zuko’s eyes glued to you which made you blush. "I can’t believe we...I just kissed you” you whispered and Zuko nodded grinning "I know! This was something child me gave up on a long time ago". "Me too" you agreed and Zuko smiled "y/n you felt that too didn’t you?". You nodded your head "that was the best thing I've ever experienced...i don't want it to go away. I want to be selfish Zuko". Zuko smiled "it’s not selfish to allow yourself to be with someone you like, you deserve to be happy y/n". You closed your eyes and rested your head against Zuko’s. Nobody had ever told you that and it made you emotional. Sensing this Zuko wrapped his arms around you and hugged you. You let him hold you and ignored the voice in your head about your parents and Mai...you relaxed into Zuko until he pulled away. Zuko wiped away your tears softly and cupped your cheek "i like you, a lot...and i’ve waited over 10 years just to kiss you and it was totally worth it. So i’ll wait however long you need to continue this but we don’t have to go fast. Y/n i’ll wait until you’re ready and you can set the pace". You blinked ”I can?". Zuko nodded "completely, all i want is to be with you". "To date me?" you asked and Zuko blushed "yes, but if you don’t want to use that label...". "No i’d like to...to date you" you smiled "but i don’t want my parents using this to control me". Zuko paused "wait but their proposal...". "I’ve kind of come to terms with them disowning me and honestly i think it’s okay. My parents always had a claim to me as long as I was acknowledged as their daughter but this way they won’t. Sure i’ll have no surname but i also won’t have people who claim to love me just so they can use me...you don’t have to love someone just because they're your parents right?". Zuko knew that better than anyone "not at all, y/n if you want to be disowned then i’ll support you". You smiled "thank you...i’m aware i might lose my job but other than that...". "You won’t lose it' Zuko said firmly and you paused "how?". "I’ll speak to the prison for you". You blushed “Zuko it’s sweet of you to offer but i don’t want to rely on your power to gain things...i don’t want to depend on you". Zuko shook his head "it’s not depending on me, you got that job on your own and you deserve to keep it. You’re good at your job and if they fire you just for separating from your family that would be unjust so i am merely correcting that". You frowned and Zuko sighed "please y/n let me do this. So many injustices happen in this world and now i have the power to stop them. The best perk that comes with being firelord is i get to protect the people i care about...let me do that for you". You sighed "what would you say?". "I’ll be honest. I’ll say how impressed i am with your work, how your mindset is exactly what the Fire Nation needs right now and so you’re too valuable to be let go". You blushed and Zuko smiled "which is all true and exactly how i feel". "I suppose....as long as you’re not threatening them". Zuko nodded "of course not". You smiled "thank you" and Zuko tucked a piece of hair behind your ear "no problem so...does this mean, we should keep us a secret until your parents ultimatum expires?". You nodded "yes please". Zuko smiled "done, it’ll be hard not telling absolutely everyone you like me back but for you i’ll do it". You blushed and Zuko laughed before going serious "i also think you should start staying in the palace". When you looked up Zuko went to explain "i remember weeks ago when you said you’d stay at your parents how worried you looked. Staying with them isn’t helping and you can have your own wing here or can stay at your own apartment nearby...whatever you want just put yourself first" Zuko smiled "start telling your parents no". You nodded your head "you’re right i don’t ever want to go back there". "Then you never have to" Zuko said "you’re always welcome here no matter what". You stared up at Zuko "i..don’t even know what to say you’ve fixed my whole life in 3 minutes". Zuko shook his head "it’s like I said, I have the power to help and I intend to use it. It’s scary how much influence i have but i’ll willing embrace it for you anytime". "This doesn’t feel real" you smiled and Zuko nodded. "I know i still can’t believe you like me...". "Well i do a lot and that kiss..." you blushed and Zuko smiled "i felt it too...but it’s now really late, I can’t keep you to myself the whole night" he said smiling "but please tell me you’ll stay here tonight?". You nodded your head "i will" and he smiled "i’ll have a room prepared for you" and he gave the orders and walked you there. Once inside you turned to him. "Zuko thank you" you smiled and he nodded taking your hands "you don’t gave to thank me”. Zuko stepped away and you hesitated "no kiss goodnight?". Zuko paused and spun around "if you want absolutely anything from me y/n just ask" and he kissed you. It was just as good the second time but that made it harder to pull away. When you did Zuko stared at you breathing deeply "i’ll never get sick of that" he smiled and you blushed "me either". Zuko kissed your cheek and pulled away "as much as I’d love to test that theory it really is late so i should go". “Okay” you nodded and Zuko stared at you “good night y/n, thanks for tonight I know it was hard for you but I’ve never felt happier”. “Me too” you smiled “thanks for everything”. “No problem” Zuko smiled back “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, we could have breakfast together if you wanted?”. “I’d love to” you grinned and Zuko nodded blushing “perfect see you then!” and left the room. You smiled to yourself and jumped on the massive royal bed. You knew you should probably be preoccupied with all the important practical things about today. How your life would change now you were dating the Firelord, how the world would react to you after your parents cast you out, how Mai would react but you didn’t care. At this moment Zuko wasn’t the Firelord just Zuko. The boy you’d liked since childhood and he liked you back. That thought alone made everything else insignificant. No matter what had happened or what the future held you’d finally found each other and you weren’t giving him up without a fight.
____
Wow this was wayyyyy longer than I intended but Zuko’s just such an easy character to get carried away with. If you read allll that and somehow still want more I have some ideas how Mai, the gang etc would all react so could write something along those lines?
summary: zuko tries to break things off for your own good, but you won’t give up that easily.
using prompt #41 from angst on my prompt list.
a/n: WOO THE DEH LINE BUT ROMANTICALLY
wc: 1k
warning(s): angst, yelling
Things had been going swimmingly for you and Zuko; the new and very busy Firelord. You had met him in Ba Sing Se when he went by Lee after stopping by Iroh’s reconquered tea shop. There was an instant click, and without your friends knowing, the both of you went on a date.
After his betrayal and finding out who he really was, you felt so hurt. Who could blame you? You really thought Zuko was a good person, but he stood by and watched as your friend, Aang, got shot by lightning by his own sister.
After joining the group at the Western Air Temple, you had absolutely refused to talking to him. Even Sokka, your best friend, couldn’t get you to shimmy out of your grudge and forgive him. After Zuko helped Aang and Sokka, you did seem to lighten up on the indirect insults. You seemed to.
You and Katara had both threatened him, separately, of course. You felt relieved to have someone on your side. But after he took you to go find your chi-blocking master, and consoled you after you were with him when he passed, you found it in yourself to begin forgiving him.
And that’s how the feelings started blooming.
It started with you finding it quite endearing how he seemed bashful around you, always cracking jokes to pull a smile out of you, how he always made sure your tea wasn’t hot enough to burn your tongue, and how he trusted you enough to cover him in battle.
You had confessed to him before leaving for the airships with Sokka, Suki, and Toph, pulling him aside and blurting them out through your nervous goodbye.
He had smiled so brightly when he heard what you accidentally spewed out in the middle of your anxious rant. He nudged you out of it, and said he loved you too, then kissed you.
So, if things were good, why the hell is he trying to break up with you now. He seemed reserved, accepting of the anger you felt, but was surprised at how patient you seemed as well.
He was opposite of you, curled onto the couch while you stood beside your shared bed.
“Why?” You asked, voice raw from the tears that you had spilled. “We’re doing good. We’re better than good. Where is this coming from?”
Zuko shook his head. “I just… I can’t do this anymore!” He exclaimed, rubbing his forehead as his lips tugged into a grimace.
You placed your hands on your hips. “After everything?” You scoffed. “I have been so patient, Zuko. I’ve tried everything to get through to you. I want this to work and I know that you want it to also. But you need to talk to me.”
Zuko shook his head, tears welling in his eyes again. “I can’t, (Y/n). I-I cant do that.”
You sauntered over to the couch, taking a seat a decent length away from him. “You don’t have to tell me everything at one. I know it’s easier said than done.”
“(Y/n), you don’t get it!” He shot up from the couch, walking over to the window.
“Then help me understand!” You shouted back, gesturing your hand to yourself.
He hated thinking that he should say the words that ran through his head, it was harsh. But if it got you to back off from him — his baggage that he didn’t want to burden you with — than he had to say it. “I don’t love you anymore!”
You flinched, tears blurring upon vision as you gripped your pants tightly, the tears lightly falling onto your hands, dripping off. A pit formed in your stomach.
It can’t be true. After everything he’s done for you, said to you. The sweet words he’d whisper over the top of your head in the morning, the secret hand touches under the table during meetings, the way your ankles would hook together while you read together in your spare time. It had to mean something. It had to. He did care. You knew he did.
The rain from outside lightly danced and hit the windows as you slowly stood, not bothering to rub your eyes of the fresh tears. “You’re lying.” Your voice cracked as you whispered the line, eyes narrowing at the man who looked back in shock.
“I-I’m not.” Zuko stuttered out, cringing in fear as you slowly started to walk over. “Why can’t you just listen to me?!”
“Because I don’t give up on the people I love, Zuko!” You cried out, finally wiping your eyes and wet cheeks with your forearm. “I know you’re hurting, and I’m not telling you to lay all of your pain on me.” You finally reached him, and dotingly stared up at him. “Just let me lighten the load. Please. I want to help you.”
Zuko sighed, finally turning back to you. “I’m so sorry I did this, I—“ He began ranting but upon meeting your gentle gaze, that reminded him so much of his mother, he broke down. His head fell onto your shoulder, nuzzling into the crook of your neck as the both of you slid to the ground. “I’m sorry.”
You gently pulled his hair out of the topknot, caressing your hands through it. A hot, shuddering breath hit your neck and you felt a chill run through your back.
You pulled away after a few more moments, gingerly raising a hand to cup the scarred side of his face. He slowly leaned into the kind touch, tears streaking down, hitting your thumb and forefinger softly.
He squeezed his eyes shut. “If you knew who I was. J-Just how broken I am…” He wiped his nose with the back out his hand, gaze locked onto your lap. “You’d hate me.”
Your frown got deeper somehow, but you managed to put on a brave smile. Placing your index finger under his chin, you slowly lifted his head up.
“I already know you.” You nodded slowly, placing your other hand on the side of his face, rubbing your thumb over the deep purple eye bags tenderly. “… And I love you.”
Zuko’s lips quivered, and he collapsed into your warm and secure embrace. You pulled him closer, resting your cheek on the top of his head as silent tears fell down your face as well. And for the first time since his mother left, he felt safe and loved in someone’s embrace.
request/summary: all the times zuko said he loved you, without actually saying it.
prompt: this post inspired me
warning: some angst, mostly fluff
a/n: this is my first time writing zuko and i'm kind of in love with him :') feedback is much appreciated
as a hello
"hello, zuko here." there was a slight smile on his face as he waved gently.
your breath caught in your throat and you found yourself taken aback, expecting anything but that. he greeted you with such familiarly, as if you were old friends reuniting. the way he reminded you of his name– as if you could ever forget the identity of the person who'd been hunting down you and your friends for nearly a year.
zuko didn't try to fight, he didn't prepare himself in a stance to even protect himself as your friends readied for an attack. he simply stood, as if he posed no threat.
he looked to you– the only one who hadn't brought your hands up and prepare whatever defense you had at your disposal. you were stunned, as you tried to analyze the firebender in front of you, until sokka nudged you with his elbow. only then, did you unsheathe the sword kept in the holster at your side.
"hey, i heard you guys flying around down there, so, i just thought i'd wait for you here."
and then, the strangest thing happened– appa licked him.
over a cup of tea
sweat beaded upon your forehead and fall to flow down the sides of your face as you writhed in the sheets of your bed. you weren't hot, you were freezing, but no amount of blankets could help you maintain any warmth. you bunched them around your shoulders and threw yourself on your side, looking for some comfort.
the blinds to your room were closed, creating a stuffy environment. they had been shut since that morning when you'd woken up feeling as if you'd been a victim of bloodbending, again. your muscles were tight and aching, it felt like a great weight on your limbs as you tried to move.
katara's healing didn't have the power to take away the fever or the strain, it wasn't a physical wound to be stitched back up. there wasn't much your friends could offer, besides leaving you alone to wallow in your own helplessness.
suddenly, the door opened. instinctively, your head turned towards the figure. he entered shyly, as if hiding behind the tray in his hands. you narrowed your eyes in curiosity, and propped yourself up against the wall. you moved to get off the bed, but his voice stopped you.
"don't get up." it was an order, but zuko's voice was soft.
he pulled up your desk chair next to your bed, his knees pressed against the soft fabric of your comforter. he laid the tray in his lap, a bowl and a cup, both full of tea, sitting on top.
"hey, zuko," you smiled.
"i, uh, i made your favorite," he offered, handing you the cup.
you took it gratefully, glancing inside the cup. the concoction was murky, with scattered bits of leaf left inside he apparently had paid no attention to. you grimaced, but it fell when you looked back up at him to see a hopeful grin on his face.
offering a tight smile, you brought the cup to your lips. you couldn't bring yourself to face his excited expression as you struggled to keep your composure. oh, spirits, it tasted much worse than it looked. as if it was mud, but acrid. it was hard to ignore the pungent smell as you brought it closer to your nose, tipping the cup as far up as you could to let the liquid run down your throat as quickly as possible.
"how does it taste?" zuko raised his eyebrows, clearly nervous as he found your expression unreadable. "is it okay?"
"yeah!" you said, a little too joyously. for a moment, you forgot how people reacted to good tea. you reminded yourself of iroh, but took it down a few notches. "it's– it's great, zuko."
"do you want any more?"
"i'm okay, actually," you squeaked, placing the cup down on his tray before he could try to insist.
zuko nodded, setting the tray on your desk before turning back to you. he was unsure of himself, what to say or how to react. he just wanted to be there, with you. his eyes lit up with a realization and, hesitantly, he brought the back of his hand to your forehead.
"what're you–"
"my mom used to do it when i got sick... i don't think your fever is going down, you're still warm."
he began to pull his hand away, but you stopped him
by pulling at his wrist.
"actually, i'm freezing," you corrected. the longer he kept his hand against your skin, the better it felt. the contrast of his warm hand against the coolness you felt blanketing your body came as a relief. you placed his hand against your cheek, and for a moment, your eyes fluttered shut.
zuko's eyes widened, and he rubbed his thumb against your cheekbone experimentally. his touch was gentle, offering comfort in his warmth.
the moment between the two of you lasted a few seconds, and zuko leaned closer. but the sudden, obnoxious knocking on your bedroom door tore the two of you apart. he quickly ripped his hand away back to his side, and the two of you turned towards the entrance.
sokka pushed open the door with a careless expression, that quickly turned into a wide smirk as he observed the scene before him. he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe.
"zuko, aang's asking for you down on the training grounds. something about some jerkbending practice," he shrugged, ignoring zuko's glare that could burn through him, if he so desired.
zuko stood from his place and pushed your chair back into it's place, then picked up the tray. he cast a glance back towards you. "feel better y/n."
"thanks, zuko," you said softly, already missing the feeling of his hand against your cheek.
he left the room quietly, knocking his shoulder subtly against sokka's. the water tribe boy held back his yelp, and his eyes followed zuko as he disappeared around the corner.
"so..." his grin was smug. "how was the tea?"
"shut up, sokka," you grumbled, sliding back underneath the blankets.
"no, really! i narrowly avoided being the taste-tester, and that's a fate worse than death."
as an apology
watching zuko firebend had become part of your daily routine, his body moved so effortlessly as he trained, it was hard to tear your eyes away from. it started as passing through the day, taking a quick break to pause and look through the trees. but now, you happily took a break from your duties and watched– sometimes joining in for some sparring.
at first you thought he didn't notice, too focused on his bending and quite eager to ignore whatever nonsense was going on around the camp. but, then, he spoke up.
"are you going to stare the entire time?"
you fumbled the laundry basket in your hands, feeling your cheeks warm up.
he stopped his bending, turning to face you. a blush dusted his face as he scratched the back of his neck. "you can sit down– you know, if you want."
a few weeks passed and you couldn't bring yourself to drop the tradition, no matter how much katara begged for a girls day out or aang wanted someone to show his new tricks to. it was nice for you and zuko to be alone.
sometimes, when he would train, he would rant. talk to you about the things weighing down on his shoulders or insulting the very specific way sokka would get on his nerves.
you sat on the bench of the training grounds, your knees drawn up to your chest and your back against the armrest. you were knitting a sweater, once finished it would be for momo. you listened absentmindedly as he punched through the air, every few moments averting your gaze back to him.
a plume of smoke whizzed past your head and your eyes widened, looking up. "watch where you're aiming, zuko."
"sorry," he mumbled half-heartedly, catching the teasing tone in your voice. but he complied, turning his back to you as he continued to practice. "i'm trying to get used to this whole not-angry-bending thing."
"i think you're doing pretty well there, handsome."
the nickname slipped out before you could stop yourself, surprising both of you. your eyes widened and you stopped knitting immediately, snapping your gaze up to him.
the firebender spun around mid-flame, his shock disrupting his bending abilities. the fire whizzed out towards you like a crescent wave, swarming the air.
you had a split second of reaction time. fear washed over you, and you brought your arms up to protect your face, there wasn't anything else you could do. the fire singed your skin, your forearms and all the way to your hands.
"i'm sorry, y/n! i didn't mean to!" he apologized frantically, dropping his arms to his sides, the fire died with that. he made his way over, towering over you with worry. "i– i just lost control! i don't– i don't know why, i–"
your face was contorted in pain as you brought your arms to your chest, the friction against your clothes only making the sensation worse. "it's– okay, zuko," your voice was strained, and stood up. "i just have to get to katara."
though you brushed past him, he followed at your heel. "i'm sorry, y/n," he said again, ignoring how you dismissed him.
you found katara on the patio with aang, both concentrated on their poorly done game of pai sho (they made the rules up as they went). their attention was drawn to you when you skidded to a stop, zuko running into your back.
before you could even sputter it out, or katara could ask what was wrong, he spoke up.
"i– i was bending, and i lost control. i burned her– but i didn't mean to!" he fumbled with his hands, leaning forward as if pleading for them to believe him. "it was an accident!"
"it'll be okay, zuko. calm down," aang stood up, gently facing his palms outward as if zuko was a wild animal he was approaching. he needed to calm down. "katara can heal her."
you walked forward towards katara's open arms, she coaxed you towards the beach. you closed your eyes tightly and ducked your head to the floor, the pain is was excruciating. you didn't want them to see you cry, you didn't want zuko to feel more guilt than he already was.
"i'm so sorry."
stepping off the patio, you glanced over your shoulder. "it's not your fault, zuko."
aang tried to usher him inside the building, but his feet were stiff, as if he was stuck in concrete. he was hesitant to follow, his sad gaze following you as you reached the edge of the beach where katara could heal you. then, he left with aang.
"i've never seen him like that," katara whispered to you.
with no space left between us
the moon was full, and hung high amidst the deep blue hugging every inch of the sky. your eyebrows furrowed subconsciously as you glared up at the stars, lost in thought. the grass was itchy against your skin and the wind brought a cold sweep through your hair.
there was a campfire on the beach you'd pulled yourself away from not too long ago. in the distance, you could still hear sokka's painful singing as he danced around the flames with momo as his partner (after suki refused).
zuko was somewhere over there, fueling the fire and probably shooting the occasional flame at sokka's feet for his and toph's entertainment. you knew you were right when you heard sokka's squeal and then accuse him of sabotoge.
for a brief moment, your attention was drawn away from the sky and you looked over. your expression softened. zuko had a proud smile on his face, doing his best to keep it down. it alerted a fleet of unruly butterflies in your stomach, begging for you to return to your friends.
you wanted to sit beside zuko again but you couldn't, too busy mulling over how to handle whatever it was you felt for him.
he met your gaze, and you offered a soft smile in return. it didn't reach your eyes and faded when you looked back at the sky.
almost immediately, zuko got up from the log he was sitting on and made his way towards you. you wouldn't have realized, if toph hadn't called out: "where ya going, sparky?"
he settled in the grass next to you, mirroring the way you kept your hands clasped over your stomach. there was no room left between you, his arm pushed up against yours comfortably.
"uh..." zuko started out. "you can talk to me, you know that right? about your feelings?"
"yeah," you said, your voice quiet. but you didn't want to talk to him. in fact, you'd rather talk to azula about you were feeling, than him.
silence followed.
"so, why'd you walk away from the fire?"
"i just needed to think."
"about what?"
you turned to face him with a raised eyebrow, only to find him staring back at you. you blushed, but felt a smirk creep over your features.
he sighed, looking up again. "sorry."
zuko was content, laying there with you, looking as if he had not a single thing in the world to worry about. as if next to him, you didn't have a voice in the back of your head screeching for you to do something already.
but you just looked– your eyes followed his facial features and noticed how each time he blinked it was longer than the last, you wondered if he would really fall asleep next to you.
"the stars remind me of you."
you were caught off guard. "what?"
"the stars are... bright, they light up the sky. even when things are dark, and you can’t see clearly, they’re there to show you the way. they're beautiful, and create incredible constellations. i can't look away from them."
whatever you were going to say, died in your throat. you didn't know how to respond. he spoke so casually as if his words didn't light every one of your nerves on fire. the flurry in your stomach only became more extreme. it felt too good to be true, it couldn't be real. the boy you were laying with under the stars told you possibly the most romantic thing you ever heard.
you'd been staring for so long, you forgot you had yet to actually say anything.
zuko faced you, a worrisome expression clouding his features. "was that weird?"
"no!" you squeaked. unwilling to meet his eyes, you looked away. "no, it was really nice. i just didn't expect it, at all. no one's really ever said anything–"
he leaned on his side and placed a hand on your cheek, and feeling that you missed. he didn't give you much time to process as he directed your chin to face him again, and then he kissed you. it was desperate, but soft, not wanting you to pull away but not being demanding. you kissed back with surprise, raising your eyebrows. it lasted a few seconds before he pulled away.
"was that weird?" he pulled his eyebrows together.
"not at all," you smiled gently, sweeping a hand through his hair.
in the distance, toph made herself known. "hey, are you two done over there? you're giving my feet a headache!"
"isn't that a feet-ache?" sokka chimed in, followed by an instantaneous groan as a rock slammed against his head.
A/N; Gender neutral reading, also that’s my favorite gif LMFAO
——
You laid down, blanket up to your chest as you stared at the ceiling. “You alright?” Zuko asked, a towel around his waist.
“Mm.” You nodded, looking over at him. “Did I hurt you?” He questioned, sitting next to you on the bed. “In the beginning.” You sat up, kissing his shoulder, the blanket falling. “But it went away.”
He bit the inside of his cheek and looked down at his hands. “Did I bruise you?” He turned his head to look you over. “I did…” he whispered, noticing bruises on your sides and hips, tracing his fingers along them slightly.
“Stop.” You pushed his hand. “I’m okay.” Your hand moved to touch his cheek.
“I hurt you.” He looked to the side.
“I’m okay.” You repeat yourself, moving his face to meet yours.
He made a small grunt and looked to the side. “Zuko. Don’t pull a Edward. I enjoyed myself, you enjoyed yourself. Don’t ruin this, okay?” You moved his face back.
“An Edward?”
“Cullen?”
“Oh.”
You broke out in a smile and he nudged you. “Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” You hugged his neck. “Time to sleep.” You pulled him down on top of you.
“I love you.”
“I love you more. Least you know you can have honor in sex. Because A1 dick.”
hey guys I would really like some feed back on this. I'm thinking of making a series for Zuko x reader following the TV through the episodes. the reader would be a fire bender who left when zuko did and end up helping the avatar and trying to help zuko whenever they run into each other. would you be interested in this?
