only bought this dress so you could take it off.
adult zuko x reader | contains smut | minors dni. | wc: 5,5k
Summary: in which a very inconvenient royal gathering, one persuasive Katara, and a suspicious blue drink lead you to realize you and the fire lord are definitely not just friends anymore.
Content: adult!zuko x reader, smut, friends to lovers, alcohol use, mutual pining, humor, tension, a bath scene, lowkey ‘dress’ by taylor swift inspo but i got carried away.
⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹
You hadn’t expected to be invited.
The Fire Lord had begun (reluctantly, and under considerable pressure) his search for a Fire Lady. Or, as the council so bluntly put it, the future bearer of his heirs. Despite his many objections, delays, and carefully constructed excuses, the royal council had finally insisted on a solution: a formal gathering. A carefully curated event where daughters of noble families and valued allies of the Fire Nation would be presented, each given the opportunity to earn his favor.
You knew better than anyone that it was, in every possible way, not Zuko’s style.
Your visits to the palace had become frequent enough that the guards barely questioned your presence anymore, and among your friends, you were the only one who never seemed eager to leave. You had seen him in moments the council never would: tired, frustrated, quietly resistant to everything they were trying to force onto him.
Which was exactly why the invitation in your hands felt so… wrong.
Katara had been beside you when it arrived, and her reaction had been immediate. A delighted gasp, followed by barely contained excitement over what she insisted on calling your long-standing crush on Zuko.
A perfectly reasonable- and, you would argue, entirely manageable- crush. Because more than anything, he was your friend.
“Maybe it’s a mistake,” you said quickly, already trying to dismiss it. “My family isn’t noble. We live on the outskirts of the capital. I shouldn’t even be on this list.”
“Or,” Katara countered, eyes lighting up, “he did it on purpose. Maybe he realized he likes you, and this is his way of making it official!”
You huffed softly. “If that were true, he could have just asked me to come. Not… include me with everyone else.”
There was a flicker of something in your voice closer to disappointment than you cared to admit, and Katara didn’t miss it.
She crossed the room in an instant, already digging through your wardrobe before pulling out a garment you hadn’t touched since Ba Sing Se. “Either way, you’re wearing this,” she declared, holding it up with a grin. “You looked beautiful when you tried it on. He’s going to lose his mind! Honestly, I wish I could be there to see it.”
You hesitated, your arms crossing as your gaze settled on the dress you had been saving for an occasion that had never come.
“I’m not wearing that,” you said after a moment. “In fact, I’m not going at all.”
Katara raised an eyebrow.
“I’m just a good friend,” you added.
She studied you for a second, then softened slightly. “He knows I’ll be traveling with Toph to visit Aang,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe he just… wants someone he trusts there.”
You raised your eyebrows.
She stepped closer, gently pressing the dress into your hands. “A good friend wouldn’t let him face that alone, would she?”
You exhaled slowly.
She was persuasive. Annoying, but persuasive.
And, unfortunately, right. Not just about the quality of friend you were.
About the dress, too.
The fabric was a deep, smoldering red, layered with sheer silk that shifted like flame when it moved. Gold threading traced delicate patterns along the bodice (subtle, but unmistakably Fire Nation in design) while the neckline dipped just enough to feel daring without crossing into impropriety. The sleeves were light, almost weightless, leaving your arms free, and the skirt fell in soft, flowing panels that caught the light with every step.
You didn’t belong to the court, but you certainly didn’t fade into it either.
Heads turned as you stepped further into the room, the hum of conversation continuing around you, and standing there, surrounded by a sea of people, you realized… maybe Zuko wasn’t the only one who was going to faint.
He stood across the room, mid-conversation with an attendant, a glass held loosely in his hand.
And spirits, he had never looked like that before.
Zuko was dressed in full Fire Lord regalia, layers of deep crimson and black falling sharply along his frame, embroidered with gold that caught the light like flickering fire. The high collar framed his face, emphasizing the sharp line of his jaw, while the structure of the robes did nothing to hide the strength beneath them- broad shoulders, a straight posture that spoke of both discipline and quiet power. His hair was pulled back neatly, though a few strands had come loose, softening him in a way that made him look less like a ruler and more like him.
Like the boy you knew before he’d redeemed himself, and now the man you couldn’t stop thinking about.
His gaze found you in an instant.
Without thinking, you lifted your hand in a small wave, instinctive and almost private (except it wasn’t). You noticed the women gathered nearby begin to murmur among themselves, one of them smiling as if that look had been meant for her.
If only she knew.
You tried to weave your way through the crowd, intent on reaching him, when the hem of your dress was suddenly tugged back by someone stepping on it.
“Excuse me, I need to speak with the Fire- oh.” The woman turned, recognition lighting her face. “It’s you. Aren’t you… a friend of his?”
“I…” Your eyes flickered past her, catching sight of Zuko already being drawn into yet another conversation, this time with a different woman. “…am. Yes.”
“I thought this event was reserved for nobility,” she continued, her gaze traveling over you with thinly veiled judgment. “Shouldn’t you be off fighting alongside the Avatar or something, instead of trying to fit into places like this?”
Before you could answer, a hand- one you would recognize anywhere- rested lightly on your shoulder.
“Lady Renmei,” Zuko said smoothly, stepping into place beside you. “I wasn’t aware your invitation had been approved.”
She immediately bowed. “It was, Fire Lord, and it is an honor to—”
“In fact,” he cut in gently, though his tone left no room for argument, “I believe it has just been revoked.”
He smiled politely in response to her shocked expression.
“This gathering is not intended for those who lack basic courtesy. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
You had to press your lips together to keep from laughing as an attendant swiftly escorted her away.
The moment she disappeared from view, you turned back to him, your amusement impossible to conceal. You lifted your hand, and he met it with a quick, faintly smug tap. Small enough to go unnoticed by anyone else.
“So this is why the Fire Lord can’t find a Fire Lady,” you murmured. “You charm them straight out the door.”
A quiet laugh escaped him. “If that were true, I might actually be grateful for all of this. I could dismiss them quicker.”
He shifted beside you, his gaze moving briefly over the crowd. “This whole process is exhausting.”
“Have you, though?” you asked, glancing up at him. “Found someone?”
He rolled his eyes- completely undisguised, and very much not befitting a Fire Lord. “Not even close. I never intended to. But they insisted, and I was obligated to at least try, remember?”
“They’re going to be disappointed,” you said lightly. “Good luck with that.”
“Perhaps not,” he replied, quieter now.
You didn’t quite understand what he meant. He had stepped closer without you noticing, the warmth of him unmistakable now, radiating through the space between you.
“I’m glad you came,” he added. “I thought you might leave with Katara and Toph.”
So Katara had been right.
Again.
You took the untouched glass he offered, still warm from his hand. The brief contact sent a quiet spark through you, one you tried very hard to ignore.
“I just thought you might need some support,” you said. “And I am a good friend, aren’t I?”
Zuko stilled.
For a moment, he didn’t respond, as if weighing your words more carefully than they deserved. “I—“
“Fire Lord Zuko,” a nobleman interrupted, stepping forward. “Allow me to present my daughter….”
“Of course,” Zuko replied, the politeness returning instantly, though you could hear the effort behind it.
Before he turned away, he glanced back at you briefly. You dipped into a small, proper bow.
“Duty calls, Fire Lord.”
He nodded before turning away, though you could have sworn there had been something else in his eyes, almost like disappointment.
You drifted toward a quieter side of the hall, where a long table had been arranged with Fire Nation desserts- glazed fruits, delicate pastries, and warm, spiced sweets you had grown far too fond of over the years. Beside them, trays of drinks shimmered under the light.
You paused there, looking over them, unsure.
“You do not seem very happy.”
Uncle Iroh’s voice was unmistakable, even in a room this full as it carried warmth all its own.
You turned instantly, a smile breaking through as you stepped forward to embrace him. He laughed softly, returning it.
“What troubles you, my dear?” he asked, studying you with that same knowing gentleness. “Are you not enjoying the gathering?”
You let out a quiet huff, your shoulders dropping just slightly. “I would… if I could spend it the way I want. With who I want,” you admitted.
His smile deepened, thoughtful rather than amused.
You had known him long enough to trust that look,, ever since those quiet afternoons in his tea shop in Ba Sing Se, where advice had come as easily as the tea itself.
“Don’t you have a tea for this?” you added.
“Oh, my dear,” he said, folding his hands behind his back, “tea can calm the heart, but it cannot decide for it. When your path feels uncertain, it is often because you are standing at the edge of a choice you already know you must make.”
You stilled slightly at that. After a moment, he picked up a glass from the table, filled with a soft, blue liquid and offering it to you.
“But in your case,” he added with a small, knowing smile, “tea may not be enough.”
You took the glass, and the evening seemed to blur pleasantly after that.
Time slipped through your fingers. You danced with Uncle Iroh, spoke with him longer than you meant to, and drank just a little more than you probably should have. The music softened, the laughter grew warmer, and for once, your thoughts stopped circling back to him.
At least… not as often.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Iroh, I shall return with more!” you promised, already stepping away. He laughed, clearly delighted by your company.
You were scanning the room for another tray of that same blue drink when your footing faltered, and before you could fall, a pair of strong hands caught you.
“Whoops!” you laughed, looking up. “I’m so sorry to interrupt your Fire Lordness—spirits! How are you? I haven’t seen you in a while.” Your hands slid to his arms without hesitation. “You look amazing, did you know that?”
Heat rushed to his face almost instantly.
Zuko steadied you carefully, his grip firm but controlled, as if he wasn’t entirely sure what you might do next. He glanced toward a nearby attendant. “Clear the area, tell everyone to leave,” he said quietly. “I’ll handle this.”
“Yes, Fire Lord,” the attendant replied, already moving. “Good luck with your friend.”
“Handle what?” you asked, slipping your arm through his as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Who’s your friend? Have you already chosen someone?”
“You are my friend,” he said, a little more quickly than intended, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked you over. “And what, exactly, did my uncle give you?”
You followed his gaze across the room, spotting Iroh near the drinks, happily waving in your direction.
“A great piece of advice, of course,” you said, as if that explained everything. “You should try it- you look like you need it. Oh! There it is!”
You reached for another tray, grabbing it entirely from a passing attendant before Zuko could stop you.
“You’ve had more of those?” he asked, incredulous now, guiding you gently, but firmly, away from the crowd.
“Yes,” you said brightly. “It’s better than tea.”
“That’s… not reassuring.”
He led you through the edge of the hall, away from the music and the watching eyes, into a quieter corridor lined with warm lantern light. Guards straightened at his approach, but he dismissed them with a brief gesture before opening a set of doors and guiding you inside.
You stepped in—
and stilled.
You weren’t in the gathering anymore. You were in Zuko’s chambers.
The space was quieter, warmer than the rest of the palace, lit by low, steady firelight that flickered softly along the walls. Rich fabrics in deep reds and golds framed the room, but there was something more personal beneath it- less ceremonial and more lived-in. A low table rested near the center, scattered with scrolls and maps, some half-unrolled as if he had left them mid-thought. His armor stood carefully arranged near one wall, not displayed, but ready. And just beyond it, his bed… simple in structure, but softened by layered blankets and dark silk.
You turned slowly, taking it all in, your gaze lingering just a moment too long on the details that felt so familiar, so Zuko.
The quiet click of the door pulled you back. You turned, still holding the tray, and found him watching you. There was something uncertain in his expression, almost disbelieving but warmer than anything he had allowed himself to show in the hall.
“So this is where you rest…” you said, stepping further into the room, your fingers brushing lightly along the edge of a table as you passed. “Very appropriate.”
A small smile found its way onto his lips, and he ran a hand through his hair in an uncharacteristically shy gesture that didn’t quite belong to the Fire Lord.
“I wasn’t sure where else to take you so I could—” he paused, searching for the right words, “—make sure you were alright. Forgive me if this is… improper.”
“Does your chamber have a bath?” you asked suddenly, interrupting him as you turned back, your tone light but earnest. “I really need one. May I?”
He blinked, caught off guard, then nodded, still a little speechless as he gestured toward a door tucked into the corner of the room.
You smiled, placing the tray into his hands before lifting one of the glasses and finishing it in a single motion. “Don’t get rid of these,” you added, already moving. “I love them. You should try one- here!”
You pressed another glass into his hand, ignoring the way he eyed it with suspicion.
“Oh, come on, don’t be boring, flameo hotman,” you teased, stepping backward toward the door. “I expect that glass to be empty when I come out.”
The bathing chamber was warm the moment you entered, the air thick with rising steam and the faint scent of heated stone. Fire Nation design carried through here as well- dark red tiles, polished to a soft sheen, lined the floor and walls, while narrow vents along the edges released controlled heat, keeping the space comfortably hot.
At the center sat a large sunken bath, carved from smooth stone, wide enough to fit several people at once. Thin streams of heated water flowed continuously into it from sculpted spouts, the surface rippling gently under the glow of low lanternlight.
The warmth settled into your skin almost instantly. You exhaled, already beginning to undo your dress, fingers working quickly at the fastenings hidden along the side. The fabric clung stubbornly, resisting your efforts far more than it had any right to.
You tried again.
And again.
A quiet huff escaped you.
‘Please don’t do it. Please don’t do it’, a voice in your mind insisted.
You hesitated for only a second.
“Zuko!” you called, the sound echoing softly against the stone. “Could you—” you paused, then committed, “—come help me, please?”
You weren’t entirely sure he had heard you, so you considered calling again. You weren’t drunk, you knew that, but you were certainly something. Enough to say things you normally wouldn’t, and to let thoughts slip past the careful filter you always kept in place around him.
“What can I help you with?”
His voice came from the doorway.
You turned slightly.
Firebenders… if only the heat affected him the way it affected you. You would have given anything to see those layers gone from him, just once.
“My dress,” you said, turning your body so he could see the fastening along your side. “I need you to undo it. The blue drink isn’t exactly helping.”
A faint pout tugged at your lips.
Color rose to his cheeks almost instantly.
“I—yes—of course,” Zuko stammered, clearing his throat as he stepped fully inside and closed the door behind him.
He approached carefully like each step required more thought than it should have. His hands hovered for a brief moment before finally settling at the fastening of your dress.
Warmth creeped through your body. Not from the room, from him.
His fingers worked slowly, deliberately, undoing each tie with care, though the occasional brush of his knuckles against your skin sent a quiet shiver down your spine. He was focused- too focused on the task, as if looking anywhere else would be a mistake.
Once the dress loosened enough to slip from your shoulders, he stepped back immediately, turning away from you altogether.
“What are you—?” you began, then stopped, understanding settling in. “Oh. Thank you for your help. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
The words lingered in the air longer than you intended. He didn’t move.
“I think I should,” he said after a moment, still facing away. “You’re not exactly steady, and I’d rather not have you slipping into my bath unattended.”
You smiled to yourself, the fabric already on the floor, and stepped into the water.
The heat wrapped around you instantly, sinking into your skin, easing tension you hadn’t realized you carried- but it wasn’t the same. Not like his touch.
Not like the warmth of his hands, careful and grounding, lingering far longer in your mind than it had on your skin.
You exhaled softly, settling into it.
“You can turn around now.”
He did, slowly, as if giving himself time to prepare, and when his gaze finally found you in the water, it faltered for just a fraction of a second. His eyes widened, not enough to be obvious, but enough for you to notice.
You held back a smile.
“I might already know your answer,” you said lightly, tilting your head just enough, “but could you bring me the tray with the drinks?”
He crossed his arms, something amused flickering across his face. “It’s gone.”
“What?” you asked, sharper than you meant to be. “Why?”
“I…” He hesitated, then exhaled. “I drank the rest.”
You blinked.
“You… did?” A laugh escaped you before you could stop it. “Well. That’s unexpected.”
“I apologize,” he added quickly, though there was a faint hint of ease in his voice now, his hands moving behind his back. “But now that you’ve discovered them, I’ll make sure they’re prepared whenever you visit.”
“They are very good,” he admitted, almost as an afterthought.
“I know,” you said, your laughter softening. “But they help you relax. I’m sure you noticed. Maybe you should—”
You stopped yourself, your hand quickly covering your mouth.
He let out a quiet laugh.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” you said quickly, sinking just a little deeper into the water, as if it might hide you. You inhaled slowly, steadying yourself before peeking at him again. “We’re friends, right?”
He nodded, a small, knowing smile resting on his lips.
“Would it be strange,” you continued, your voice softer now, “if you joined me? It might help. The water is… very nice. And you deserve to rest.”
“We’re friends,” he said after a beat. “We’ve been in the sea together before. I suppose this isn’t much different.”
Before you could fully process his answer, his hands lifted to the fastenings of his robes- only for him to pause.
“I turned around…” he reminded you.
You did so immediately, your back to him, suddenly far more aware than you had been moments ago. You kept your gaze fixed ahead, willing yourself not to turn, not to think too much about the quiet movements behind you such as the soft shift of fabric, the faint sound of layers being set aside.
You didn’t move. Not until you heard the water behind you, a soft ripple followed by a light tap against your shoulder.
When you finally turned, your breath caught.
His silhouette had changed. The weight of his formal attire was gone, leaving only the quiet strength of him beneath the water, the surface breaking just at his chest. His hair, no longer bound, fell freely around his face and shoulders, dark strands softened by the steam.
This time, you felt your cheeks warm.
“Well…” you said, letting out a small laugh, “I suppose the bath works better than the drinks.”
A faint smile tugged at his lips. “I’m still not convinced those drinks should be allowed in the palace.”
“They should,” you countered, shifting slightly in the water, the movement sending gentle ripples toward him. “They make people honest.”
“That explains a lot,” Zuko replied, glancing at you with quiet amusement.
You smiled, relaxing a little more. “And they’re calming! You needed it. You looked like you were being sentenced, not hosting a gathering.”
“That’s not far from the truth,” he admitted, settling back against the warm stone ledge of the bath. “I think I spoke to at least ten people about alliances I don’t want and futures I’m not planning.”
“And the ladies?” you asked, raising an eyebrow. “Any of them win you over?”
He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “Not even close.”
“Wow,” you said lightly. “They’re going to be devastated.”
“I think they’ll recover,” he replied dryly. Then, after a beat, his tone softened just slightly. “You weren’t supposed to be part of that, you know.”
You stilled a little. “Then why am I?”
He hesitated.
“My uncle insisted,” he said. “He said I should invite people I actually trust.” His gaze flickered back to you. “People I would rather see there.”
The words hit your chest in an exquisite way.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he added.
You looked down at the water briefly, your fingers trailing through it. “I almost didn’t.”
That caught his attention.
“Why?”
You shrugged slightly, though it wasn’t as effortless as you wanted it to be. “Because I didn’t want to be… part of a list.”
“You’re not,” he said, a little too quickly.
You looked up at him again, studying him more carefully now. “Then what am I, Zuko? Just a friend?”
He didn’t answer right away.
The water between you stilled.
“Someone I wanted here,” he said finally. “A very important guest.”
You huffed softly, trying to pull the moment back into something lighter. “Well, next time you could just say that. Save me the competition.”
“There wouldn’t be any,” he replied, almost absentmindedly.
You blinked.
“…Zuko.”
He seemed to realize what he’d said a second too late, his gaze shifting, a hint of color rising to his face again.
“I didn’t mean—” he started.
“You did,” you interrupted.
You shifted in the water.
“For someone who didn’t want this whole thing,” you murmured, “you’re not doing a very good job of hiding your preferences.”
His eyes met yours again.
“I wasn’t trying to,” he said.
The words struck you more directly than you expected, like a lightning, leaving no room to laugh them off.
“Zuko, I—”
“Don’t do that again,” he said suddenly.
You stilled, confusion flickering across your face as you found yourself drifting closer without quite realizing it.
“Do… what?” you asked, a note of uncertainty slipping into your voice. For a brief second, doubt crept in… had you misread everything? Had you gone too far?
“Say my name like that,” he interrupted your thoughts, his voice lower now. He stepped closer as well, closing what little distance remained between you. “And before you ask, I mean when you say it like that. Breathless…”
He stopped himself, jaw tightening slightly, as if he had already said more than he meant to.
“It makes me want to—”
He cut himself off.
Your gaze didn’t leave his.
“It makes you want to what?” you asked, softly. “What, Zuko?”
The space between you disappeared in a single movement, his restraint finally giving way as he kissed you firmly. It wasn’t hesitant, but it wasn’t careless either; there was intention in it, in the way he held you and the way he didn’t pull away.
Your hands found his hair almost immediately, still damp, fingers threading through it. The contact seemed to undo something in him, his composure slipping as his hands moved to your sides, finally allowing himself to touch you, to feel the closeness he had been so careful to avoid.
You were already close, but it wasn’t enough.
His grip tightened as he drew you closer, guiding you with him as he lowered himself against the edge of the bath, bringing you with him until you were settled over him, the water shifting around you both.
“Zuko…” you breathed, breaking the kiss.
“Exactly like that,” he murmured, his forehead resting briefly against yours. “You’re not very good at following requests, are you?”
A soft laugh escaped you, light but unsteady, as you leaned in, pressing a brief kiss to his cheek, just at the edge of his scar. He stilled for a moment, caught off guard by the gentleness of it before your hand came up to his face in a quiet reminder that it was only you. He relaxed.
“I am,” you said quietly. “Even more now, I promise. The blue drink made me more… agreeable.”
“Then,” he replied, his voice lower now, steady but no longer distant, “may I request something of you?”
You simply nodded.
“Would you let me touch you?” he asked.
Given the way you were seated over him, the question felt almost rhetorical.
“Yes,” you breathed. “Please.”
A small smile curved on his lips as his hand moved between you. “You sound delightful,” he murmured. “That’s a word I’ve never heard from your mouth before…”
You didn’t get the chance to respond.
A sharp gasp escaped you as his fingers found your clit, circling with intention, drawing an immediate reaction from you. Your body sank further onto him, your hands rising instinctively to cradle his face as he leaned back against the edge of the bath.
“Isn’t this trick effective?” he asked, his voice edged with curiosity as his movements grew more precise. His other hand steadied your waist, keeping you from shifting too far. “I don’t hear you talking anymore…”
A breathy laugh slipped from you as you leaned into the crook of his neck. “You are… you—” you tried, your words breaking as his rhythm adjusted, firmer now, exactly where you needed him.
Until he stopped.
You barely had time to react before his lips brushed your shoulder, grounding you again, and then he rose from the water, lifting you with him effortlessly.
“You move your waist too much,” he said, almost thoughtful, as he carried you out of the bath without pause. “I think we should move somewhere more… stable.”
“I’m being carried, so I trust you,” you replied with a small laugh. “Though I’m starting to think this was your plan all along.”
The lightness in your tone didn’t last long.
He set you down gently on the bed, and for the first time, you really looked at him.
Water still traced down his skin, every line of his body defined beneath the dim light- the strength in his shoulders, the firmness of his chest, the way his abdomen tightened with every small movement. There was something almost unfair about it.
“I could really get used to this,” he said, moving over you.
He had barely settled into place when you shifted, pushing him onto his back instead. Now he lay against the mattress, and you were above him, your body still damp, the last drops of water slipping between you.
“Me too,” you answered.
Your hands moved over him starting at his chest, sliding lower, until they reached him. Already hard. You stroked him once, then again, slow enough to feel the effect it had on him as his breath caught.
“You were right,” you murmured. “This trick is… very effective.”
His hands found your waist, gripping just firmly enough.
It was all the invitation you needed.
You leaned down, pressing your lips to his again as your hand continued its slow rhythm, your body shifting closer until you aligned yourself over him. You paused just for a second, before easing down, taking him in gradually.
Both of you let out a low moan at the same time.
You adjusted, your hands moving briefly to push your hair back before settling into a rhythm- slow at first, but with an urgency beneath it that refused to be ignored. The lingering warmth from the drink was nothing compared to the feeling of him inside you, the steady pulse of him making your body respond around him.
The pace didn’t stay slow for long.
The soft sounds of movement filled the room as your rhythm quickened, the contact between you becoming more insistent, less controlled.
“You feel… so good,” he said, his voice strained now, his hands tightening as he shifted, lifting you slightly just to change the angle, his movements growing harder and faster.
“Don’t stop, Zuko… please,” you breathed. “I’m close.”
“How could I even dare?” he answered, his voice strained with his own effort.
The heat of him only seemed to intensify, his skin burning warmer beneath your hands, his grip tightening as he moved with you; matching your pace, guiding it, until it was impossible to tell who was leading anymore.
“You’re so… beautiful,” he murmured against your ear, his voice breaking slightly as his rhythm continued, the sounds of your bodies meeting filling the space between his words. “You always have been…”
His voice, his words, the feeling of him still buried inside you- it all came together at once, sending you over the edge. Your body trembled, your legs tightening as your release hit you.
He held you through it, steadying you, grounding you, before easing you down onto the bed beside him- never leaving you, never breaking the connection between you.
His movements grew uneven, less controlled, until he followed you, his breath catching as he finally stilled.
For a moment, neither of you moved. Only your chests did in attempt to catch your breath.
His hand remained at your side, absentmindedly tracing slow patterns against your skin, as if grounding himself in the fact that you were still there.
You shifted slightly, just enough to look at him.
He was already looking at you.
You leaned in first.
His hand came up to your face almost instinctively, holding you there with gentleness.
When you pulled back, it wasn’t far.
“We’re… very bad at being just friends,” you murmured, touched with the faintest hint of a laugh.
A breath of a smile crossed his lips.
“I think we’ve been bad at that for a while.”
You huffed lightly, letting your forehead rest against his for a moment. “Katara is never going to let me hear the end of this.”
That earned you a quiet laugh from him.
“She already didn’t,” Zuko admitted.
You pulled back just enough to look at him. “What does that mean?”
“She may have said something,” he replied, almost too casually. “About you not just being there for… support.”
Your eyes narrowed slightly, though a smile betrayed you. “I knew she was involved somehow. She was very insisting about that dress.”
“I’m glad she was,” he said. “You looked flawless.”
Your fingers drifted lazily over his chest, tracing patterns without much thought. “I don’t regret listening to her. Nor do I do the dress, the drinks, the very questionable decisions—”
“The drinks were definitely a factor,” he added.
You laughed softly. “They were excellent, by the way.”
“I noticed. And I’m glad you don’t regret it.”
You shifted closer again, your head finding a more comfortable place against him, your voice lowering as the weight of the night finally began to settle in.
His arm moved around you without hesitation.
Your eyes began to grow heavier, your body finally giving in to the exhaustion you had been ignoring all evening.
“Don’t let them pick someone else,” you murmured, already half-asleep, your words softened by sleep.
A quiet breath of a laugh left him.
“I’d like to see them try,” he said quietly, his thumb tracing slow, absentminded patterns against your skin as the night finally stilled around you.
Part 2.
𐙚₊˚⊹♡ ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹
Note: i spent so much time on this. it wasn’t supposed to be this long but I hope you enjoyed! Xx