Childhood friend Zuko

Zuko. That name reminded you of many stuff. Yet the name was owned by a boy who sought out the avatar. You used to be close friends with him. Really close. He always ran to you for comfort whenever his father yelled at him. Told you all his secrets. Late night talks. Sleepovers the list went on and on. He loved you. You two were unbreakable. That’s what you both thought..

Zuko always wanted to prove to his father that he wasn’t a mistake. That he was better than Azula. Something you noticed a lot. Especially with the way he always yelled his frustration out to you. You were also a noble like him. High up in the ranks. People high up were.. snobby to say the least. Especially the fire lord Ozai. Zuko’s dad. You didn’t mind Ozai. You didn’t really enjoy how he treated Zuko, you watched it before. Yelling, high expectations and just a neglectful father. Both physically and emotionally. Two in one. You wonder how Zuko could even manage. You’ve seen how Zuko always practiced his fire bending. Always challenging you. That boy was desperate for his father’s love and attention. You’ve even told him to get a grip and actually practice properly instead of getting in a hissy fit when something went wrong. He always brushed you off and huffed offended you would even say that! Come on you were his best friend for god sake! You were supposed to support him! To love him.

One day, Zuko was actually allowed to go in a war meeting with his father. He was ecstatic if this was a way to prove himself to his father then so be it !. That’s what he thought. During the meeting, a general said something out of context. Zuko thought for a second and spoke out of turn. The whole room went quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ozai’s eyes narrowed in anger. He viewed Zuko’s interruption as disrespect. Ozai hummed and challenged Zuko to fight. Zuko’s eyes widen in horror. And there he was in front of the whole fire nation. Including you. He refused to fight his father. Ozai saw that as weakness and banished Zuko from the fire nation. Stripping his rank. And ordered to find the avatar to ‘restore’ his honour. Zuko looked utterly distraught. He looked around almost for help his eyes met yours. His own heart shattered in a million pieces as he saw the tears in your eyes. That image etched in his mind even during his sleep

———————————————— 3 years later—————————————————

3 years. Him and his uncle iroh went on an extremely long and difficult journey to find the avatar. 3 years. Not seeing you not knowing what you were doing. Until one day he was in a fight with that avatars stupid friends. That’s when he saw you. Not helping him. No. No no fight against him helping the other side. He felt absolutely betrayed. Out of rage he dashed towards you with all his strength and burnt your leg. He still remembers the scream you let out in pain and horror. The look you gave him. It shattered him once more. Again and again.

another year passed. Lots of things changed. Zuko betrayed uncle iroh he was now alone. He realised all his mistakes. In fit of trying to capture the avatar he hurt everyone around him. including you. That broke him once more. Soon after a while of overthinking and secretly following the avatar and the gaang. He found them. After plead after plead they finally allowed him in. Even if they were still suspicious of him. Especially you. You didn’t speak to him at all refusing to even look at him or acknowledge him.

right now it was night you were allowing the cool air hit you as you stared at the moon that’s when you heard a noise you immediately turned around and saw Zuko. That same scar same face same posture. Same everything that irked you for sure as he soon spoke “hey.. can I sit here.” He asked, nervously as he looked at your face. You were still the same person he knew. Beautiful and strong spirited he saw the flicker of burn scars on your leg. A wave of guilt and regret hit him as he waited for your respond