Burnt to the Core ♨ Chapter 14 | reader(f) x Firelord Zuko
synopsis: you are firelord zuko's direct attendant. zuko has long reformed the fire nation after ozai's takedown and zuko's assuming of power. but now you had a challenge of your own: your feelings for the firelord. what was just a simple crush turned out to be more trouble than you would have imagined. but it may have been worth it.
word count: 5222
warnings: no spoilers of the movie (besides using this gif here + how gaang now looks as adults). WARNING: [M] [TW] SA, violence, sexual topics (i.e, intercourse), cursing, mental/physical disorders (depression/depressive acts) + MDNI
authors note: we love an early chapter post! you already know why im gonna say thank u, but as always, thank u!! your patience and comments make my heart sing and motivate me to write these chapters so much faster. also, highly encourage you have jealous type on repeat starting from this chapter causeeee zuko kindaaaa...
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Morning came, and Master Iroh’s words replayed in your mind.
It wasn’t that you did not hold any trust in him. He was your way out of the mundanity that was running your parents’ tea shop with them. But, you also realize that you do not totally know Master Iroh as a person, besides being the kind, welcoming uncle to the Firelord.
And now here you were, rather than providing the service, but being serviced by Katara, a dignitary of the Firelord. You already felt bad for not being able to repay her for treating you (as she profusely insisted it was unnecessary). But here she was, on her last day at the Palace, taking care of you for a final time before her long journey back home.
“You do not have to do all this,” you murmured quietly, your body finally on your side. You stood tall, but careful, as if the scar on your back could open like a crater. Straightening your posture, you could feel the scar limiting the way your skin was able to stretch. “I am well enough to take over from here.”
Katara stood behind you, brushing your hair lovingly. She was immersed in the softness of your hair, and the way few strands had stuck out from minimal frizz. “Yes, but,” she spoke softly, “I have a favor to ask of you, and I’d like you to feel as beautiful as you are.”
A favor? You were skeptical of this, but immediately took it as an opportunity to relieve yourself of this indebted feeling. “...What would the favor be?”
“You can absolutely say no,” Katara says, her excited tone very much differing from her actual words. “But, I’d like for you to meet the rest of us– Zuko’s friends, that is.”
It was this moment that you realized hindsight had completely ruined you. Perhaps your temporary ailment might make your mind fuzzy, but you should have known that if someone from the Water Tribe were to visit the Palace, it would be someone of great power or leadership. And in this case, this was the very Katara who worked with Zuko to establish peace between all the nations.
You turn to her, your eyes wider than the moon, “th-the rest of you?”
Dots finally connected, and Katara could see the sudden horror in your eyes. She quickly turns you around and grabs your shaky hands. She gives them a (not so) reassuring squeeze, “I promise they do not bite. They can be ridiculous, but still.”
She could see the reticence in your eyes, but you couldn’t dare deny the eagerness in hers. Katara had been nothing short of kind to you, and nursed you to health both physically and mentally. She allowed you to learn on her like a wall, a sudden developed trust for a stranger who was known and praised by all nations alike.
You give her shy eyes, unable to defeat her excitement, “...must it be today?” She nods, further stumping your opposite feelings. It wasn’t that you did not want to meet them– but rather, you were too anxious. “Will… Lord Zuko allow me to meet you all?”
Katara’s eyes flickered around, its movements coated in slight dishonesty. “He will be there as well,” she informs you, her voice becoming slightly shrill. “He just won’t be expecting you there.”
So he won’t know. You look at Katara, whose eyes would beg verbally if they could. She holds your hands tight, your palms becoming clammy in the process. It was hard to say no to her– and honestly, you just couldn’t.
“...alright,” you agreed quietly, seeing as she quickly jumped at your words. “Let me grab my robes, and we can head out.”
“About that,” Katara’s eyes continue to be coated with a sort of scheming you’d never think to see on someone like her. She lets you go, turning over to your closet to fetch what you assume is a robe set. “Though you’ve healed quite well, your wound needs air.”
You look over at her, watching as she pushes away several garments hung on the closet’s pole. You look down at your body, which is mostly skin exposed as you are getting ready. “But, I haven’t really been covering up these days since I’ve woken…”
“Right, but I mean you need fresh air,” she insists, her voice muffled and struggling to get through from the sounds of her rummaging. “I’ve had a seamstress prepare a dress– ah! Here it is!”
When Katara offers the garment to you, your entire body goes hot.
“You’re going to miss us so much,” Sokka gushes, his arm hung around Zuko’s neck as they walked down a long corridor.
His friends were preparing their departure, and the time they spent here felt far too short for his liking. Considering that Katara was occupied treating you, and Aang was busy finding their ideal wedding spot, Zuko could only spend so much time with Sokka and Toph.
He was busy finalizing many documentation of law, with a few side requests from neighboring towns and nations. And with Toph and Sokka taking it upon themselves to help out in the Palace, Zuko could not enjoy his friends the way he wanted to.
But alas, that is the life he has accepted when he became the Firelord.
“Yeah, alright,” Zuko rolls his eyes at his friends’ narcissistic words. That said, he does not push away at all, as he already began to miss Sokka’s ridiculousness. “Your bed will stay warm by the time you’re back.”
Sokka chuckles, “I don’t think I’ll get away with bribing Appa again, but perhaps I’ll get lucky again!”
“Sokka, do not,” Aang hums a quiet warning, his arms crossed above his chest. “He doesn’t eat his regular food when you do, and I don’t want to force Appa on another diet.”
“Why do you even put Appa on a diet anyway?” Toph piped in, joining the conversation as they continued walking down the corridor. “He’s a massive flying bison– let him eat whatever he wants.”
Aang only scoffs, “clearly some people have never taken care of animals before.”
“Listen twinkle toes, I can’t see a single thing,” Toph begins, waving her hand casually in front of her face to once again prove her impairment. “But I have never seen an animal as efficient, strong, and capable as Appa. He deserves to eat as he pleases.”
Aang only rolls his eyes, keeping his thoughts to himself as Sokka gives her an agreement nudge on her shoulder. She smirks, the two sharing snickering glances as Zuko smiles between them. It was these small moments that made him forget he was the Firelord. In this moment, he was just a man with his friends, no pressure or expectation tied to it.
As they made their way closer to the entrance of the garden, Zuko noticed Katara was not present. “Will Katara be joining soon?” He questions, his eyes falling to the Avatar.
Aang looks over at him with a small nod, “she is helping your attendant one last time before we go.”
“I… owe her too much,” Zuko says, his words so honest, they came out almost instantly. He looked down at his feet, feeling bits of worry over Katara’s own health. She spent day and night in your quarters nursing you to help, without troubling any of them. “I will make sure your wedding plans are perfect when you guys return.”
Aang gave him a warm smile, “we appreciate you allowing us to do this here. The island I spotted was perfect. It’s as if it’s barely been explored.”
Zuko nodded, “few of the vacant islands here have been checked for anything dangerous, but not so much explored.”
“Makes it more special in a way,” Aang hums, his low tone barely covering his excitement. “I hope Katara loves it as much as I do.”
Sokka puts a hand on Aang’s shoulder, forcing Zuko to bend under the weight of his arm, “as disgusting as your love is, I know Katara’s gonna love it.”
As they all make it to the entrance, Zuko was the first one to freeze at the sight.
There you were, at the very clearing of the garden. You were petting a very grateful Appa, who melted at your touch. He would emit approving growls, his eyes completely shut as your delicate hands worked through his thick hair to scratch his needy skin. In your side profile, Zuko watched your wide smile get wider as Appa moved around for your hands to hit the right spots.
Honey eyes then sauntered down, his face going red from the very scene. Your body was hugged in yet another backless gown, this beautiful golden brown working around every dent and curve of your body. It exposed your back very eagerly, allowing Zuko to see the downward stream of your spine.
But, with that, he was also met with that scar, the reminder of his failure. He did his best to subdue those feelings immediately, considering that you were there, lively and cheerful. The memories did taunt him, and he had to work even harder to knock them away.
“L-Lady Sai?” Zuko called out to you first, his voice so soft that it feared interrupting your joy. You turned around slowly, looking back at him. That very smile still stuck, though it shrunk when meeting his eyes.
You quickly let go of the bison and bowed, “g-goodmorning, Lord Zuko!” You keep bowing, keeping your eyes down to avoid what was coming next. On cue, Katara poked her head from atop Appa, sitting comfortable in his now tied harness.
“There you all are– we’ve been waiting!” She announces, jumping off of Appa to greet her friends.
Sokka had been too busy looking at you to look at his sister, earning a playful jab to the side from Aang. “Goodmorning,” Aang hums, his hands snaking their way around her waist. He pulls her in, planting a kiss on her forehead. She happily takes it, a sudden glow evident in her face.
“Get a room, we beg you,” Toph says in a fake-disgusted tone. She looks over Sokka’s direction to continue the banter, only to be met with nothing. Realizing he was distracted by you, she changes her focus to you, feeling you through the ground. “Zuko, this is your attendant right?”
You straighten up once more, knowing Katara might scold you if you didn’t. For the sake of your healing, you once again meet those honey eyes, with your face completely pink. Even your shoulders felt hot from how exposed you were, but you couldn’t go against your treatment.
But, this is exactly what Katara wanted. Having an open dress was good for your back, this was true. However, this also allowed her to disguise her revenge for you on Zuko with treatment. A man could only resist a woman for so long, especially one who had obvious feelings.
Zuko finally registered Toph’s words after a minute and regained himself, “y-yes! This is Lady Sai… my attendant who Katara has been treating these last couple of weeks.”
Suddenly, Zuko felt a weight get lifted from his shoulders, only to notice the outline of Sokka being empty beside him. Honey eyes look over to see the man standing right before you, his hands now occupied with one of yours.
Sokka looks at you, azure eyes as captivating as Katara’s, and gives you a wide smirk, “Sokka, Southern Water Tribe’s current Chief. I’m sorry to have not made your acquaintance before, but better late than never, right?” His words follow a more smug smile, and a wink.
You were very well aware of who Sokka was, considering how a non-bender made such a hefty impact in the world and the many walks of life they have encountered since teaming up with the Avatar.
You stifle a giggle and accept his introduction. You curtly bow to him, “Lady Sai, it is so wonderful to meet you. Thank you very much for your service to this nation, and to the rest of the world.”
Before Sokka could roll in the praise, he was gently lifted by a piece of rock and practically pushed away from you. Small pieces of rock and pebbles fly, taking Sokka’s place before a shorter, more muscular woman presents herself to you.
She offers a hand to you, catching you off guard at her awareness of the environment. But you quickly accept it, and give her hand a squeeze. “Lady Toph,” you hum quietly, keeping from bowing as it would be in vain. She’s careful not to squeeze your hand in return, as she herself was not sure how strong she actually was.
Her hand was rough, but it was warm, “makes sense Zuko was hiding you from us. I can tell, you’re very pretty.”
From Toph, that’s a compliment from the gods themselves. You were flattered beyond belief, your body still hot, “th-thank you very much! It’s an honor, really– to meet the very first metal bender.”
It was Toph’s turn to blush, taken aback by the sudden praise. She glances back at Zuko, a small smile playing at her lips, “I like her.”
Then, the time came to meet the final friend. Toph walked over to check on Sokka, who was grumbling on the piece of rock she had dismissed him with. Aang walked up, taking her place, and an immense amount of space. He was extremely tall, a body chiseled by Gods unknown. You had heard so much about the Avatar, but it was nothing like what you’ve heard.
Those blue tattoos truly were a sight to see, the teal ribbons going down all of his limbs, trailing his back and ending arrows at the ends of his body. And those grey eyes were nothing short of warm and welcoming. His smile? Even more so.
You needn’t offer your hand, as he was already reaching out for it himself. Your hand was extraordinarily small in his, though that couldn’t surprise you anymore. This entire group was all muscle, taking up every inch of space anywhere. “Aang,” he says simply, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
You couldn’t believe you were shaking hands with the Avatar. Even your knees threatened to go out from how anxious you were. With your body in trembles, you give him a low-dipped bow. You were speechless, unable to speak.
Katara quickly saved you, rushing to your side to try and calm you down. She gives Aang an undeserving glare, getting a sad puppy face in return. “y/n, you alright?” You did not respond to her, your eyes now fixed on the Avatar. He gives you a friendly wave before getting teased by Sokka and Toph. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I know he’s quite a sight, but that’s just my fiancé.”
You look back at Katara, further shocked at her words, “you… and the Avatar…?” She smiles sheepishly, a small red hue on the upper side of her cheeks. You shut your eyes and nod, silently praising her for conquering the Avatar himself. This earned you a giggle.
“Stop overwhelming my attendant.” A monotone, stern voice was heard from a distance. Katara lets you go, and the two of you look over at Zuko. Red in his cheeks, with arms tightly wrapped in front of his chest.
He walks up to you, his body, too occupying all the space in the world it felt. His entire frame takes over your sight, and you’re swallowed up by his tall shadow. Zuko looks down at you, his jet black hair pouring down from his head and shoulders.
Those honey eyes pulled you into a trance, unable to even break the gaze. His expression was too complex, as he seemed relieved and worried at the same time. So, you offer a curt bow, greeting him how you always have.
He holds onto this look, staring you down as if looking for something. And you let him, allowing for the silence between you both to sit for as long as he desires. Zuko’s eyes then soften, clearing his throat before speaking once again.
“Are you feeling okay?” He asks softly, his words drenched with worry. “Should you need more rest, please say the word.”
You shake your head, trying to be as obedient as possible without crying. Your heart was still broken, but you could not behave as such. You still work for the Firelord, and you must continue to adhere to your responsibilities as his personal attendant. “I’m fine,” you insisted, “do not worry too much, Lord Zuko.”
He wanted to say something about the return of formalities, but had to swallow his words. After all, he had just hurt your feelings and now you had returned back to work and followed his every direction.
He nods, his eyes scared to even tread whatever the meaning of your expression was, “good… good– that’s good. If ever the case you feel the opposite, don’t shy from telling me.”
You only nod, forcing away your want to cry. It was hard to face Zuko, despite how you were behaving. You love this man, and you felt beyond embarrassed to even ask him to court you. How could you think that that was even a possibility for you?
The Firelord and his unknown, unremarkable attendant?
It was wishful thinking, you had to admit. But were you wrong in seeing the small remnants of affection from him? Perhaps you were delusional, but the Firelord does not act the way he does with you, with others. But maybe you were giving yourself too much credit.
A few moments pass, and you watch from the background as the group of friends prepare for their departure. You gave them all a final farewell, with a continued string of gratitude towards Katara.
And then you watch as Zuko joins them on Appa, and pulls them in for a group hug. You could tell how much love he had for them, and how much he did not want them to go. This act alone tugged at your feelings, and finally forced out tears.
You were emotionally charged lately, considering your recent rejection. The tears rolled down hot, leaving your face to collide with the ground below you. It was still fresh, so of course your mind could only think to cry.
Then, you feel a tap on your shoulder.
You turn to your side, meeting eyes with a man. Your eyes were blurred by your tears, but you had seen a handkerchief being offered to you. Reticent, you take it, murmuring a quiet, “thank you…”
You quickly dab your eyes, your desire to uncover the identity of the person who offered the cloth to you. With clear sight, you look up to meet with cocoa brown eyes. He was tall, features burly but neat, with a dangerous smile.
“My pleasure,” the man says quietly, a voice as smooth as tequila. You quickly go to return the handkerchief to him, only for his flattened hand to halt you at your wrist. “Please, keep it. I fear my mother might return as a ghost and haunt me if I take that back from a beautiful maiden still in tears.”
You snort, still crying while utilizing his porcelain white handkerchief to wipe away your continued weeping. You weren’t stupid to trust a stranger so easily. But, with everything that happened, you also knew Zuko would not permit just anybody to his Palace.
Little did you know that even Zuko had not a clue of this man's being.
Appa had quickly gone, swaying in the air as his friends continued to wave their farewells. They disappear into the sky, with only Appa’s loud growls lingering in their stead. But you were still too weary of the man beside you, who did not relent in his gaze on you.
Your tears quickly dry, patting your cheeks to calm down the now flush state. This mysterious man watches you with a sort of immediate adoration you did not notice. You finish your tears, and begin to fold the handkerchief gently to return to this man. He watches you silently do this.
Then, the handkerchief falls from your hands, and unravels itself before reaching the floor. You both reach down for it, his hand touching yours. “Oh! ‘m so sorry,” you quickly spew, grabbing the handkerchief to brush off any dirt.
“It’s okay,” he quickly forgives, remaining crouched to stay at your level. You gently dust off the cloth, removing any spec of dirt and dust you saw on it. While all this was happening, Zuko had already had his eyes burning into this unknown person, his sight completely red.
It annoyed him how close this man was to you. The way he smiled at you, admiring you as you did such a minuscule, mundane act of service. He gave you a look that Zuko was familiar with– after all, it was like he was staring at a mirror.
Amber eyes study this man, slowly approaching you two. His garments were of Fire Nation nobility, which relieved nothing about his suspicions and curiosity due to recent events. He then looks over at the patch on his shoulder, indicating his clan.
The cherry on top came when you lost your balance while crouching down. Before your hands could meet the ground, the man caught you, holding your hands tightly. “Are you alright?” He asks quietly, making you wonder if his ask was not just about your close fall.
“Excuse me,” Zuko immediately interrupts the tension you did not realize was there. He quickly walks up to you, offering his hands to help you rise. And you take his offer, pulling away from this stranger's hold into familiar hands. You barely have to put effort as Zuko easily helps you back up. “But who are you?”
The man copies you, straightening up before bowing before the Firelord. He glances up, a smirk going your way before he goes serious. Meeting Zuko’s eyes, he quietly speaks, “goodmorning to you as well, Firelord Zuko. I’m Lord Layro, born in the Yu Dao colony, but now represent my clan in the neighboring islands of Capital City.”
“Ah,” Zuko had connected dots. He was very familiar with his clan, as they were the biggest supporters in ending all the colonies, starting with their own. Layro was someone who has been here many times, but has long visited due to personal diplomacy within his clan. “No wonder I didn’t recognize you. You were not a man yet.”
“‘Yet,’” Lord Layro hung onto his word, chuckling a bit. He offers his hand, in which Zuko takes it for a firm shake. You were confused by this sudden tension, unsure if their exchange was good or bad. “It’s been a while, Firelord Zuko.”
“It has been,” Zuko replies simply, letting go of his hand. He looks over at you, checking your dress to ensure no dirt or dust had stuck on. He then reverts his attention back to Lord Layro, whose eyes made their way to you as well. Clearing his throat, he gestures to you, “ah, this is my attendant, Lady Sai.”
You bow before him once again, “it is nice to meet you, Lord Layro. Welcome to the Palace.”
He nods, the smile tugging at his lips seemingly permanent. You were surprised, as you waited for him to do some other slick move. But, he does not. He simply thanks you and takes a step back, as if respecting whatever boundary he doesn’t even know about.
And now Zuko finally asks the right questions, “are you here for any urgent matters? I don’t recall any council meeting planned for today.” He does gather his thoughts, but Zuko cannot think of a reason why this man would be here.
Lord Layro, too, looks confused, but for other reasons. He opens his suit a bit, and takes out a well-tucked scroll from his garments. He opens it up for Zuko before allowing him to take it from his grasp, “I was invited for the Palace Courtship.”
The Palace Courtship has been changed from its original meaning. In the past, nobles had buttered up attendants for more power within the Royal Family, even marrying them at times to have more leverage. But since Zuko’s reign, it has become an opportunity for the Ladies in Waiting to resign from their service, marry well, and enter their final chapter in their lives of domestic life.
You had never participated in one before, as you were never interested. You made sure to strictly do your job and assist the other ladies, who eagerly got ready to be courted by any handsome, rich lord. But, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t interested in such a life.
You wanted to be courted, but you made it clear who you wanted to be courted by.
So once again, you would not be participating. At least, so you thought. Master Iroh quickly makes himself known, walking slowly to the garden with a few other lords behind him. Their eyes immediately make their way to you, and you couldn’t help but feel a bit exposed.
Zuko notices this and moves more to block you. Not only because of your discomfort, but for his need to hide you from other men. “It is not that I do not mind this, Lord Layro,” Zuko begins quietly, his eyes still on his uncle and the approaching men. “But, I did not send this letter to you.”
They both share confused glances before Master Iroh walks up to them. His smile was laced in scheme, but even you couldn’t exactly pinpoint his intentions. You quickly bow, greeting him with a quiet welcome.
“I’m glad to see you back out here, Lady Sai,” Master Iroh says, his tone warm and excited. You smile back at him, thanking him for his kind words. He then looks up at Zuko, his smile still glued to his lips, “goodmorning, Lord Zuko.”
“Uncle,” Zuko replies quietly with a respectful nod. His eyes scan the men behind him, familiarizing himself with who they were and their respective clans. He knew a good lot of them, as they have been in many council meetings before. These men are usually on his side when discussing diplomatic issues and decisions. “Goodmorning to you all as well.”
They all bow, addressing him properly and all in unison. You glance over at Lord Layro, who also bows before Master Iroh. This is to his liking, as Master Iroh puts a hand on his shoulder, “Layro, you have grown so much. You’re becoming the splitting image of your grandfather in his prime.”
Lord Layro chuckles, but seems appreciative of his words, “so I’ve been told. I’m glad to hear that, since it sounds like I look dashing.”
Sounds? You were confused. Lord Layro was acting as if he had never seen himself before. But, you keep your thoughts to yourself, as you watch him blush at Master Iroh’s praise.
“Uncle,” Zuko quickly bends over to whisper near his uncle's face. “Mind explaining what’s going on?”
Uncle Iroh nods, his hands returning to the large sleeves of his robes, “as I’ve been interim Chamberlain, I’ve had to assume her responsibilities.” Chamberlain Minji was fired? You were getting completely beat down by all the updates since you’ve been bedridden all these weeks. “And the ladies had informed me about the Palace Courtship that was to come in just a few weeks. I figured to push it earlier and invite our closest lords.”
Zuko was deadpanned, only being able to blink at his uncle. He wasn’t bothered by it necessarily. He cared for his Ladies in Waiting, and he wanted them to find their happiness. Marriage and parenthood is a sentiment shared amongst them, and he’d be damned to be the reason they were kept from that.
But, he did not care for how these men had their eyes on you. They were like starved mutts looking at a slab of meat. It bothered him somewhere, something in his very core that he could not dismiss.
And with this damn dress that held your body so well, even the garment looked like it could barely handle it. The brown complimented your skin beautifully as it hung from you. With every little shift and tiny motion, your natural assets made themselves known underneath the rich silk.
Before he could really protest (though he had no protest in him), Master Iroh had turned to face the men once more. “A breakfast is being prepared by the Palace chefs now. Please follow me to the Throne room, and we can get you all situated.”
This was code for the lords to have a seat, drink some tea, and have a look at their ‘options.’ You realized that the Ladies in Waiting must be completely dolled up and ready to showcase themselves. You looked down at yourself, realizing that it looks that you, too, were accidentally participating.
“Lady Sai,” your name was called. You escape your thoughts and meet eyes with Master Iroh, who called on you. “I trust you can prepare our guests with your phenomenal tea?”
You immediately nod, “o-oh! Of course!” You look up at Zuko, who looked so irritated, he could frighten anyone. You let out a deep sigh, and worked up the courage to speak, “am I… excused?”
He could just say no. He could keep you right at his hip at all times until the lords had chosen their picks and left with them. Zuko had to bite his tongue, as his thoughts were all scrambled. But, even so, he couldn’t reveal his true feelings. Not here, not like this. He gives you a simple nod, allowing you to leave to prepare the tea.
Before you leave, you offer the lords and Master Iroh a bow. You then turn to Lord Layro, who remained beside Zuko. You quickly lift your hands up, and offer the now folded handkerchief he offered to you. “Thank you again, Lord Layro.”
His large hand reaches to yours, and cups one of them before slowly pulling the piece of cloth from your grip. You could only stare at him as you felt the calloused hand graze your skin, trailing off as he takes back his handkerchief.
He winks at you with a small grin, “anytime. I look forward to having your tea. I’ve heard nothing but good things.”
You were confused by his words, but Zuko was not. He glared at his uncle, who happily guided the lords from the Palace and towards the Throne room. It seems that Master Iroh already spoke about you to these men, making them familiar and aware of your existence.
You blush at his words, nodding awkwardly before rushing off to the kitchen. Zuko only watched as your silhouette disappeared into the corridor. The scar on your back playing as a reminder of his shortcomings, but also provoking the feelings he’s working so hard to keep in.
“Fuck me,” he whispers to himself, already exhausting for what is to come.
ꮼ firelord!zuko is a lovesick man when it comes to you
ᦸ sweetheart boyfriend!zuko is a hardcore yearner ⸝⸝ not proofread.
boyfriend!zuko is a very sympathetic man; he hates to see you in any amount of pain—trying to help any way he can, from making you tea to heating a bag of rice with his flames so he can rub it over your aches in an attempt to soothe.
He'll expertly rub the tense muscles on your back or carefully hold the hot bag over cramps, just happy to make things easier for you.
boyfriend!zuko has a glow whenever he sees you, a softness only you get to know. He's still kind to the others and to his friends and puts on a brave face to the nation—strong & honorable—but you see when he collapses into you after a grueling day.
Vulnerability has never come easy for him, but it's never as hard when it comes to being vulnerable and 'weak' in front of you; it's comforting, actually.
boyfriend!zuko loves when you're cuddled up in bed & lie on top of him, claiming him as your 'special heated blanket.' He finds it oddly endearing when you tug his arms around him and burrow into his skin.
Having you pressed up against him, so content and comfortable, is always so grounding after a hard day.
boyfriend!zuko lets you play with his hair in private, twirling it in your fingertips, scratching his scalp, or just running your fingers through it whenever he's lying on your chest.
Your fingers tangled in the long strands always make it easier to sleep—he's typically out within five minutes flat whenever you start youing with it.
boyfriend!zuko doesn't hide how much he cares for you; he's had countless moments in front of his men where they've caught him holding, kissing, or just touching you for reassurance, & his only reaction is to be annoyed they didn't knock first.
He's not afraid to be honest; he's in love. There's no point in being with someone if you're not in love & not at least sometimes affectionate.
boyfriend!zuko loves whenever you start yapping. He's a rather quiet person, so he adores it whenever you start going on and on about something. It could be the most mundane, uninteresting thing, & as long as you look happy talking to him, he's listening.
It's so sweet to see the way he looks at you once you start your ramblings—the soft spot is very visible with the smile on his lips.
boyfriend!zuko likes to kiss your shoulder a lot. Waking up in a tangled mess of limbs? Expect a kiss on your cheek. Getting ready together in the bathroom? Expect his arms wrapped around you and kisses on your shoulder. A moment alone? You get it. Expect a kiss on the shoulder.
It feels more intimate than a plain kiss on the cheek, and he likes the variety of reasons he can come up with for kissing your shoulder.
boyfriend!zuko is surprisingly gentle; obviously, he'd never be mean to you, but everything between you has this soft, loving undertone.
From the tone of voice he uses, how he speaks to you, & how calm he is around you, everything is serene. He does his best to never be anything like his father. Its so sweet how he treats you.
here is your daily reminder to COMMENT ON THE AO3 FICS YOU READ! it goes such a long way, especially if it’s a multi-chapter work and you can only leave kudos once. ANYTHING is an acceptable comment—emojis, keyboard smash, screaming, in-depth analysis! i promise you, the writers want it ALL
and honestly this goes for all commentable platforms where writers write (and all sorts of artists period). as a writer myself, i love knowing people are liking what im writing abt
it truly does motivate us to keep writing, despite writer blocks or sometimes just not wanted to write because of the lack of desire/'incentive'
do you prefer the <s> (small) font when reading works (series, smut, one shots, etc) here?
yes
no, regular font is better
Remaining time: 3 hours 11 minutes
i see so many pieces done in the small font. i dont mind either or, but i find that the small font seems to gain more traction? maybe im crazy idk
just curious bc after i finish burnt to the core, ill get into one shots (im a smut writer, shameless ik) and was curious how people prefer to read such works here
Burnt to the Core ♨ Chapter 14 | reader(f) x Firelord Zuko
synopsis: you are firelord zuko's direct attendant. zuko has long reformed the fire nation after ozai's takedown and zuko's assuming of power. but now you had a challenge of your own: your feelings for the firelord. what was just a simple crush turned out to be more trouble than you would have imagined. but it may have been worth it.
word count: 5222
warnings: no spoilers of the movie (besides using this gif here + how gaang now looks as adults). WARNING: [M] [TW] SA, violence, sexual topics (i.e, intercourse), cursing, mental/physical disorders (depression/depressive acts) + MDNI
authors note: we love an early chapter post! you already know why im gonna say thank u, but as always, thank u!! your patience and comments make my heart sing and motivate me to write these chapters so much faster. also, highly encourage you have jealous type on repeat starting from this chapter causeeee zuko kindaaaa...
TAGLIST CLOSED
***ONLY PUBLISHED ON TUMBLR***
Morning came, and Master Iroh’s words replayed in your mind.
It wasn’t that you did not hold any trust in him. He was your way out of the mundanity that was running your parents’ tea shop with them. But, you also realize that you do not totally know Master Iroh as a person, besides being the kind, welcoming uncle to the Firelord.
And now here you were, rather than providing the service, but being serviced by Katara, a dignitary of the Firelord. You already felt bad for not being able to repay her for treating you (as she profusely insisted it was unnecessary). But here she was, on her last day at the Palace, taking care of you for a final time before her long journey back home.
“You do not have to do all this,” you murmured quietly, your body finally on your side. You stood tall, but careful, as if the scar on your back could open like a crater. Straightening your posture, you could feel the scar limiting the way your skin was able to stretch. “I am well enough to take over from here.”
Katara stood behind you, brushing your hair lovingly. She was immersed in the softness of your hair, and the way few strands had stuck out from minimal frizz. “Yes, but,” she spoke softly, “I have a favor to ask of you, and I’d like you to feel as beautiful as you are.”
A favor? You were skeptical of this, but immediately took it as an opportunity to relieve yourself of this indebted feeling. “...What would the favor be?”
“You can absolutely say no,” Katara says, her excited tone very much differing from her actual words. “But, I’d like for you to meet the rest of us– Zuko’s friends, that is.”
It was this moment that you realized hindsight had completely ruined you. Perhaps your temporary ailment might make your mind fuzzy, but you should have known that if someone from the Water Tribe were to visit the Palace, it would be someone of great power or leadership. And in this case, this was the very Katara who worked with Zuko to establish peace between all the nations.
You turn to her, your eyes wider than the moon, “th-the rest of you?”
Dots finally connected, and Katara could see the sudden horror in your eyes. She quickly turns you around and grabs your shaky hands. She gives them a (not so) reassuring squeeze, “I promise they do not bite. They can be ridiculous, but still.”
She could see the reticence in your eyes, but you couldn’t dare deny the eagerness in hers. Katara had been nothing short of kind to you, and nursed you to health both physically and mentally. She allowed you to learn on her like a wall, a sudden developed trust for a stranger who was known and praised by all nations alike.
You give her shy eyes, unable to defeat her excitement, “...must it be today?” She nods, further stumping your opposite feelings. It wasn’t that you did not want to meet them– but rather, you were too anxious. “Will… Lord Zuko allow me to meet you all?”
Katara’s eyes flickered around, its movements coated in slight dishonesty. “He will be there as well,” she informs you, her voice becoming slightly shrill. “He just won’t be expecting you there.”
So he won’t know. You look at Katara, whose eyes would beg verbally if they could. She holds your hands tight, your palms becoming clammy in the process. It was hard to say no to her– and honestly, you just couldn’t.
“...alright,” you agreed quietly, seeing as she quickly jumped at your words. “Let me grab my robes, and we can head out.”
“About that,” Katara’s eyes continue to be coated with a sort of scheming you’d never think to see on someone like her. She lets you go, turning over to your closet to fetch what you assume is a robe set. “Though you’ve healed quite well, your wound needs air.”
You look over at her, watching as she pushes away several garments hung on the closet’s pole. You look down at your body, which is mostly skin exposed as you are getting ready. “But, I haven’t really been covering up these days since I’ve woken…”
“Right, but I mean you need fresh air,” she insists, her voice muffled and struggling to get through from the sounds of her rummaging. “I’ve had a seamstress prepare a dress– ah! Here it is!”
When Katara offers the garment to you, your entire body goes hot.
“You’re going to miss us so much,” Sokka gushes, his arm hung around Zuko’s neck as they walked down a long corridor.
His friends were preparing their departure, and the time they spent here felt far too short for his liking. Considering that Katara was occupied treating you, and Aang was busy finding their ideal wedding spot, Zuko could only spend so much time with Sokka and Toph.
He was busy finalizing many documentation of law, with a few side requests from neighboring towns and nations. And with Toph and Sokka taking it upon themselves to help out in the Palace, Zuko could not enjoy his friends the way he wanted to.
But alas, that is the life he has accepted when he became the Firelord.
“Yeah, alright,” Zuko rolls his eyes at his friends’ narcissistic words. That said, he does not push away at all, as he already began to miss Sokka’s ridiculousness. “Your bed will stay warm by the time you’re back.”
Sokka chuckles, “I don’t think I’ll get away with bribing Appa again, but perhaps I’ll get lucky again!”
“Sokka, do not,” Aang hums a quiet warning, his arms crossed above his chest. “He doesn’t eat his regular food when you do, and I don’t want to force Appa on another diet.”
“Why do you even put Appa on a diet anyway?” Toph piped in, joining the conversation as they continued walking down the corridor. “He’s a massive flying bison– let him eat whatever he wants.”
Aang only scoffs, “clearly some people have never taken care of animals before.”
“Listen twinkle toes, I can’t see a single thing,” Toph begins, waving her hand casually in front of her face to once again prove her impairment. “But I have never seen an animal as efficient, strong, and capable as Appa. He deserves to eat as he pleases.”
Aang only rolls his eyes, keeping his thoughts to himself as Sokka gives her an agreement nudge on her shoulder. She smirks, the two sharing snickering glances as Zuko smiles between them. It was these small moments that made him forget he was the Firelord. In this moment, he was just a man with his friends, no pressure or expectation tied to it.
As they made their way closer to the entrance of the garden, Zuko noticed Katara was not present. “Will Katara be joining soon?” He questions, his eyes falling to the Avatar.
Aang looks over at him with a small nod, “she is helping your attendant one last time before we go.”
“I… owe her too much,” Zuko says, his words so honest, they came out almost instantly. He looked down at his feet, feeling bits of worry over Katara’s own health. She spent day and night in your quarters nursing you to help, without troubling any of them. “I will make sure your wedding plans are perfect when you guys return.”
Aang gave him a warm smile, “we appreciate you allowing us to do this here. The island I spotted was perfect. It’s as if it’s barely been explored.”
Zuko nodded, “few of the vacant islands here have been checked for anything dangerous, but not so much explored.”
“Makes it more special in a way,” Aang hums, his low tone barely covering his excitement. “I hope Katara loves it as much as I do.”
Sokka puts a hand on Aang’s shoulder, forcing Zuko to bend under the weight of his arm, “as disgusting as your love is, I know Katara’s gonna love it.”
As they all make it to the entrance, Zuko was the first one to freeze at the sight.
There you were, at the very clearing of the garden. You were petting a very grateful Appa, who melted at your touch. He would emit approving growls, his eyes completely shut as your delicate hands worked through his thick hair to scratch his needy skin. In your side profile, Zuko watched your wide smile get wider as Appa moved around for your hands to hit the right spots.
Honey eyes then sauntered down, his face going red from the very scene. Your body was hugged in yet another backless gown, this beautiful golden brown working around every dent and curve of your body. It exposed your back very eagerly, allowing Zuko to see the downward stream of your spine.
But, with that, he was also met with that scar, the reminder of his failure. He did his best to subdue those feelings immediately, considering that you were there, lively and cheerful. The memories did taunt him, and he had to work even harder to knock them away.
“L-Lady Sai?” Zuko called out to you first, his voice so soft that it feared interrupting your joy. You turned around slowly, looking back at him. That very smile still stuck, though it shrunk when meeting his eyes.
You quickly let go of the bison and bowed, “g-goodmorning, Lord Zuko!” You keep bowing, keeping your eyes down to avoid what was coming next. On cue, Katara poked her head from atop Appa, sitting comfortable in his now tied harness.
“There you all are– we’ve been waiting!” She announces, jumping off of Appa to greet her friends.
Sokka had been too busy looking at you to look at his sister, earning a playful jab to the side from Aang. “Goodmorning,” Aang hums, his hands snaking their way around her waist. He pulls her in, planting a kiss on her forehead. She happily takes it, a sudden glow evident in her face.
“Get a room, we beg you,” Toph says in a fake-disgusted tone. She looks over Sokka’s direction to continue the banter, only to be met with nothing. Realizing he was distracted by you, she changes her focus to you, feeling you through the ground. “Zuko, this is your attendant right?”
You straighten up once more, knowing Katara might scold you if you didn’t. For the sake of your healing, you once again meet those honey eyes, with your face completely pink. Even your shoulders felt hot from how exposed you were, but you couldn’t go against your treatment.
But, this is exactly what Katara wanted. Having an open dress was good for your back, this was true. However, this also allowed her to disguise her revenge for you on Zuko with treatment. A man could only resist a woman for so long, especially one who had obvious feelings.
Zuko finally registered Toph’s words after a minute and regained himself, “y-yes! This is Lady Sai… my attendant who Katara has been treating these last couple of weeks.”
Suddenly, Zuko felt a weight get lifted from his shoulders, only to notice the outline of Sokka being empty beside him. Honey eyes look over to see the man standing right before you, his hands now occupied with one of yours.
Sokka looks at you, azure eyes as captivating as Katara’s, and gives you a wide smirk, “Sokka, Southern Water Tribe’s current Chief. I’m sorry to have not made your acquaintance before, but better late than never, right?” His words follow a more smug smile, and a wink.
You were very well aware of who Sokka was, considering how a non-bender made such a hefty impact in the world and the many walks of life they have encountered since teaming up with the Avatar.
You stifle a giggle and accept his introduction. You curtly bow to him, “Lady Sai, it is so wonderful to meet you. Thank you very much for your service to this nation, and to the rest of the world.”
Before Sokka could roll in the praise, he was gently lifted by a piece of rock and practically pushed away from you. Small pieces of rock and pebbles fly, taking Sokka’s place before a shorter, more muscular woman presents herself to you.
She offers a hand to you, catching you off guard at her awareness of the environment. But you quickly accept it, and give her hand a squeeze. “Lady Toph,” you hum quietly, keeping from bowing as it would be in vain. She’s careful not to squeeze your hand in return, as she herself was not sure how strong she actually was.
Her hand was rough, but it was warm, “makes sense Zuko was hiding you from us. I can tell, you’re very pretty.”
From Toph, that’s a compliment from the gods themselves. You were flattered beyond belief, your body still hot, “th-thank you very much! It’s an honor, really– to meet the very first metal bender.”
It was Toph’s turn to blush, taken aback by the sudden praise. She glances back at Zuko, a small smile playing at her lips, “I like her.”
Then, the time came to meet the final friend. Toph walked over to check on Sokka, who was grumbling on the piece of rock she had dismissed him with. Aang walked up, taking her place, and an immense amount of space. He was extremely tall, a body chiseled by Gods unknown. You had heard so much about the Avatar, but it was nothing like what you’ve heard.
Those blue tattoos truly were a sight to see, the teal ribbons going down all of his limbs, trailing his back and ending arrows at the ends of his body. And those grey eyes were nothing short of warm and welcoming. His smile? Even more so.
You needn’t offer your hand, as he was already reaching out for it himself. Your hand was extraordinarily small in his, though that couldn’t surprise you anymore. This entire group was all muscle, taking up every inch of space anywhere. “Aang,” he says simply, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
You couldn’t believe you were shaking hands with the Avatar. Even your knees threatened to go out from how anxious you were. With your body in trembles, you give him a low-dipped bow. You were speechless, unable to speak.
Katara quickly saved you, rushing to your side to try and calm you down. She gives Aang an undeserving glare, getting a sad puppy face in return. “y/n, you alright?” You did not respond to her, your eyes now fixed on the Avatar. He gives you a friendly wave before getting teased by Sokka and Toph. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I know he’s quite a sight, but that’s just my fiancé.”
You look back at Katara, further shocked at her words, “you… and the Avatar…?” She smiles sheepishly, a small red hue on the upper side of her cheeks. You shut your eyes and nod, silently praising her for conquering the Avatar himself. This earned you a giggle.
“Stop overwhelming my attendant.” A monotone, stern voice was heard from a distance. Katara lets you go, and the two of you look over at Zuko. Red in his cheeks, with arms tightly wrapped in front of his chest.
He walks up to you, his body, too occupying all the space in the world it felt. His entire frame takes over your sight, and you’re swallowed up by his tall shadow. Zuko looks down at you, his jet black hair pouring down from his head and shoulders.
Those honey eyes pulled you into a trance, unable to even break the gaze. His expression was too complex, as he seemed relieved and worried at the same time. So, you offer a curt bow, greeting him how you always have.
He holds onto this look, staring you down as if looking for something. And you let him, allowing for the silence between you both to sit for as long as he desires. Zuko’s eyes then soften, clearing his throat before speaking once again.
“Are you feeling okay?” He asks softly, his words drenched with worry. “Should you need more rest, please say the word.”
You shake your head, trying to be as obedient as possible without crying. Your heart was still broken, but you could not behave as such. You still work for the Firelord, and you must continue to adhere to your responsibilities as his personal attendant. “I’m fine,” you insisted, “do not worry too much, Lord Zuko.”
He wanted to say something about the return of formalities, but had to swallow his words. After all, he had just hurt your feelings and now you had returned back to work and followed his every direction.
He nods, his eyes scared to even tread whatever the meaning of your expression was, “good… good– that’s good. If ever the case you feel the opposite, don’t shy from telling me.”
You only nod, forcing away your want to cry. It was hard to face Zuko, despite how you were behaving. You love this man, and you felt beyond embarrassed to even ask him to court you. How could you think that that was even a possibility for you?
The Firelord and his unknown, unremarkable attendant?
It was wishful thinking, you had to admit. But were you wrong in seeing the small remnants of affection from him? Perhaps you were delusional, but the Firelord does not act the way he does with you, with others. But maybe you were giving yourself too much credit.
A few moments pass, and you watch from the background as the group of friends prepare for their departure. You gave them all a final farewell, with a continued string of gratitude towards Katara.
And then you watch as Zuko joins them on Appa, and pulls them in for a group hug. You could tell how much love he had for them, and how much he did not want them to go. This act alone tugged at your feelings, and finally forced out tears.
You were emotionally charged lately, considering your recent rejection. The tears rolled down hot, leaving your face to collide with the ground below you. It was still fresh, so of course your mind could only think to cry.
Then, you feel a tap on your shoulder.
You turn to your side, meeting eyes with a man. Your eyes were blurred by your tears, but you had seen a handkerchief being offered to you. Reticent, you take it, murmuring a quiet, “thank you…”
You quickly dab your eyes, your desire to uncover the identity of the person who offered the cloth to you. With clear sight, you look up to meet with cocoa brown eyes. He was tall, features burly but neat, with a dangerous smile.
“My pleasure,” the man says quietly, a voice as smooth as tequila. You quickly go to return the handkerchief to him, only for his flattened hand to halt you at your wrist. “Please, keep it. I fear my mother might return as a ghost and haunt me if I take that back from a beautiful maiden still in tears.”
You snort, still crying while utilizing his porcelain white handkerchief to wipe away your continued weeping. You weren’t stupid to trust a stranger so easily. But, with everything that happened, you also knew Zuko would not permit just anybody to his Palace.
Little did you know that even Zuko had not a clue of this man's being.
Appa had quickly gone, swaying in the air as his friends continued to wave their farewells. They disappear into the sky, with only Appa’s loud growls lingering in their stead. But you were still too weary of the man beside you, who did not relent in his gaze on you.
Your tears quickly dry, patting your cheeks to calm down the now flush state. This mysterious man watches you with a sort of immediate adoration you did not notice. You finish your tears, and begin to fold the handkerchief gently to return to this man. He watches you silently do this.
Then, the handkerchief falls from your hands, and unravels itself before reaching the floor. You both reach down for it, his hand touching yours. “Oh! ‘m so sorry,” you quickly spew, grabbing the handkerchief to brush off any dirt.
“It’s okay,” he quickly forgives, remaining crouched to stay at your level. You gently dust off the cloth, removing any spec of dirt and dust you saw on it. While all this was happening, Zuko had already had his eyes burning into this unknown person, his sight completely red.
It annoyed him how close this man was to you. The way he smiled at you, admiring you as you did such a minuscule, mundane act of service. He gave you a look that Zuko was familiar with– after all, it was like he was staring at a mirror.
Amber eyes study this man, slowly approaching you two. His garments were of Fire Nation nobility, which relieved nothing about his suspicions and curiosity due to recent events. He then looks over at the patch on his shoulder, indicating his clan.
The cherry on top came when you lost your balance while crouching down. Before your hands could meet the ground, the man caught you, holding your hands tightly. “Are you alright?” He asks quietly, making you wonder if his ask was not just about your close fall.
“Excuse me,” Zuko immediately interrupts the tension you did not realize was there. He quickly walks up to you, offering his hands to help you rise. And you take his offer, pulling away from this stranger's hold into familiar hands. You barely have to put effort as Zuko easily helps you back up. “But who are you?”
The man copies you, straightening up before bowing before the Firelord. He glances up, a smirk going your way before he goes serious. Meeting Zuko’s eyes, he quietly speaks, “goodmorning to you as well, Firelord Zuko. I’m Lord Layro, born in the Yu Dao colony, but now represent my clan in the neighboring islands of Capital City.”
“Ah,” Zuko had connected dots. He was very familiar with his clan, as they were the biggest supporters in ending all the colonies, starting with their own. Layro was someone who has been here many times, but has long visited due to personal diplomacy within his clan. “No wonder I didn’t recognize you. You were not a man yet.”
“‘Yet,’” Lord Layro hung onto his word, chuckling a bit. He offers his hand, in which Zuko takes it for a firm shake. You were confused by this sudden tension, unsure if their exchange was good or bad. “It’s been a while, Firelord Zuko.”
“It has been,” Zuko replies simply, letting go of his hand. He looks over at you, checking your dress to ensure no dirt or dust had stuck on. He then reverts his attention back to Lord Layro, whose eyes made their way to you as well. Clearing his throat, he gestures to you, “ah, this is my attendant, Lady Sai.”
You bow before him once again, “it is nice to meet you, Lord Layro. Welcome to the Palace.”
He nods, the smile tugging at his lips seemingly permanent. You were surprised, as you waited for him to do some other slick move. But, he does not. He simply thanks you and takes a step back, as if respecting whatever boundary he doesn’t even know about.
And now Zuko finally asks the right questions, “are you here for any urgent matters? I don’t recall any council meeting planned for today.” He does gather his thoughts, but Zuko cannot think of a reason why this man would be here.
Lord Layro, too, looks confused, but for other reasons. He opens his suit a bit, and takes out a well-tucked scroll from his garments. He opens it up for Zuko before allowing him to take it from his grasp, “I was invited for the Palace Courtship.”
The Palace Courtship has been changed from its original meaning. In the past, nobles had buttered up attendants for more power within the Royal Family, even marrying them at times to have more leverage. But since Zuko’s reign, it has become an opportunity for the Ladies in Waiting to resign from their service, marry well, and enter their final chapter in their lives of domestic life.
You had never participated in one before, as you were never interested. You made sure to strictly do your job and assist the other ladies, who eagerly got ready to be courted by any handsome, rich lord. But, you’d be lying if you said you weren’t interested in such a life.
You wanted to be courted, but you made it clear who you wanted to be courted by.
So once again, you would not be participating. At least, so you thought. Master Iroh quickly makes himself known, walking slowly to the garden with a few other lords behind him. Their eyes immediately make their way to you, and you couldn’t help but feel a bit exposed.
Zuko notices this and moves more to block you. Not only because of your discomfort, but for his need to hide you from other men. “It is not that I do not mind this, Lord Layro,” Zuko begins quietly, his eyes still on his uncle and the approaching men. “But, I did not send this letter to you.”
They both share confused glances before Master Iroh walks up to them. His smile was laced in scheme, but even you couldn’t exactly pinpoint his intentions. You quickly bow, greeting him with a quiet welcome.
“I’m glad to see you back out here, Lady Sai,” Master Iroh says, his tone warm and excited. You smile back at him, thanking him for his kind words. He then looks up at Zuko, his smile still glued to his lips, “goodmorning, Lord Zuko.”
“Uncle,” Zuko replies quietly with a respectful nod. His eyes scan the men behind him, familiarizing himself with who they were and their respective clans. He knew a good lot of them, as they have been in many council meetings before. These men are usually on his side when discussing diplomatic issues and decisions. “Goodmorning to you all as well.”
They all bow, addressing him properly and all in unison. You glance over at Lord Layro, who also bows before Master Iroh. This is to his liking, as Master Iroh puts a hand on his shoulder, “Layro, you have grown so much. You’re becoming the splitting image of your grandfather in his prime.”
Lord Layro chuckles, but seems appreciative of his words, “so I’ve been told. I’m glad to hear that, since it sounds like I look dashing.”
Sounds? You were confused. Lord Layro was acting as if he had never seen himself before. But, you keep your thoughts to yourself, as you watch him blush at Master Iroh’s praise.
“Uncle,” Zuko quickly bends over to whisper near his uncle's face. “Mind explaining what’s going on?”
Uncle Iroh nods, his hands returning to the large sleeves of his robes, “as I’ve been interim Chamberlain, I’ve had to assume her responsibilities.” Chamberlain Minji was fired? You were getting completely beat down by all the updates since you’ve been bedridden all these weeks. “And the ladies had informed me about the Palace Courtship that was to come in just a few weeks. I figured to push it earlier and invite our closest lords.”
Zuko was deadpanned, only being able to blink at his uncle. He wasn’t bothered by it necessarily. He cared for his Ladies in Waiting, and he wanted them to find their happiness. Marriage and parenthood is a sentiment shared amongst them, and he’d be damned to be the reason they were kept from that.
But, he did not care for how these men had their eyes on you. They were like starved mutts looking at a slab of meat. It bothered him somewhere, something in his very core that he could not dismiss.
And with this damn dress that held your body so well, even the garment looked like it could barely handle it. The brown complimented your skin beautifully as it hung from you. With every little shift and tiny motion, your natural assets made themselves known underneath the rich silk.
Before he could really protest (though he had no protest in him), Master Iroh had turned to face the men once more. “A breakfast is being prepared by the Palace chefs now. Please follow me to the Throne room, and we can get you all situated.”
This was code for the lords to have a seat, drink some tea, and have a look at their ‘options.’ You realized that the Ladies in Waiting must be completely dolled up and ready to showcase themselves. You looked down at yourself, realizing that it looks that you, too, were accidentally participating.
“Lady Sai,” your name was called. You escape your thoughts and meet eyes with Master Iroh, who called on you. “I trust you can prepare our guests with your phenomenal tea?”
You immediately nod, “o-oh! Of course!” You look up at Zuko, who looked so irritated, he could frighten anyone. You let out a deep sigh, and worked up the courage to speak, “am I… excused?”
He could just say no. He could keep you right at his hip at all times until the lords had chosen their picks and left with them. Zuko had to bite his tongue, as his thoughts were all scrambled. But, even so, he couldn’t reveal his true feelings. Not here, not like this. He gives you a simple nod, allowing you to leave to prepare the tea.
Before you leave, you offer the lords and Master Iroh a bow. You then turn to Lord Layro, who remained beside Zuko. You quickly lift your hands up, and offer the now folded handkerchief he offered to you. “Thank you again, Lord Layro.”
His large hand reaches to yours, and cups one of them before slowly pulling the piece of cloth from your grip. You could only stare at him as you felt the calloused hand graze your skin, trailing off as he takes back his handkerchief.
He winks at you with a small grin, “anytime. I look forward to having your tea. I’ve heard nothing but good things.”
You were confused by his words, but Zuko was not. He glared at his uncle, who happily guided the lords from the Palace and towards the Throne room. It seems that Master Iroh already spoke about you to these men, making them familiar and aware of your existence.
You blush at his words, nodding awkwardly before rushing off to the kitchen. Zuko only watched as your silhouette disappeared into the corridor. The scar on your back playing as a reminder of his shortcomings, but also provoking the feelings he’s working so hard to keep in.
“Fuck me,” he whispers to himself, already exhausting for what is to come.
