Swampy (Zuko x Reader)

25: Settling In

"YN! How did you get in here? Are you okay?" Iroh hurried to the bars that separated you both and held out his hand to you.

"I am a blood-bender if ya forgot it, old man. I'm fine, just wanted ta see ya." You sighed as you took his hand and held it tightly. "Ya know Zuko's bein' a royal pain-in-ma-butt."

Iroh chuckled. It wasn't very funny, the situation that he was in, but you always seemed to make him crack a smile.

"I am not surprised, my dear. He has finally gotten what he wanted, but soon enough he will discover how unsatisfactory it truly is."

"Is there anything that I can do ta help him?"

"No, he has moved beyond our help. I cannot ask you to do any more for him. If he's truly bothersome to you, then I'm afraid to say that you are welcome to go back to your home."

"Well... Azula says the avatar's dead. And as suspicious as that sounds, I ain't leaving until I know fa sure that Aang can still kill ya  brother."

"And if he is?"

"I can do it." You stated solemnly as you got up to leave. You were quickly tiring from blood bending the guards at the door. "I will come again soon. Please, hold on."

Iroh nodded as he noticed the sweat beading on your forehead.

You would need to clean up a bit before dinner. Especially since it would be with the Fire Lord and his family.

Meanwhile, Zuko was with Mai.

"Do you not find me attractive enough?"

"No! That's not it! I'm just super stressed out. It's my first day home, I'm being heralded as a hero who killed the avatar and I'm meeting my father in like an hour!"

"Jeez, calm down Zuko. I'm sure it happens to everyone." Mai rolled her eyes, annoyed at Zuko's excuses. She had just wanted to give him a special welcome home and now it had evolved into a whole big deal. And Mai hated big deals.

"Well whatever. I'll just leave then. I'll come back later." Zuko stormed off and got dressed, leaving Mai alone in her bed, forgetting his promise to you.

Stupid. I should've just stayed behind with YN. Maybe I wouldn't have had sex, but at least I would've been satisfied. Zuko scowled to himself as he sulked back to his room. And now she's mad at me too. So I'm out of luck. I guess I'll just get dressed for my announcement.

It took him some time to get back, since he refused to be carried home, but he wasn't in a hurry. He was not looking forward to this "welcome home" celebration. And before he did that, he had to get dressed in his stuffy, restrictive Fire Prince formal clothes.

What he didn't expect however, was to find you napping in his bed when he finally returned.

"W-What are you doing here, YN?" He asked, surprised.

"What? Ain't I allowed in here?" You quipped back.

"Well technically, no." He admitted as he rubbed the back of his head.

"But?" You pushed.

"But it's my room. And I'm happy to see you. I've had a really long day and it's really just started." He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Can I talk to you about it?" Zuko asked hesitantly.

"Eh, why not?" And you sat behind him and began massaging his shoulders.