Flameheart | Zuko

TWENTY-FIVE

Humming echoed around the room, a foreign tune the woman had made out on the spot as she stood in front of a mirror, fixing her hair into a half-bun. The morning rays of the sun slipped in the room through the crack of the curtains, spots of light appearing all around the space, a rainbow forming against the wall from the light directed there through her sword that was left unseathed on the floor. It was a peaceful morning and Homura had for once woken up in a pleasant mood.

A knock on her door was heard and she stopped humming. "Come in."

The door opened and she couldn't help but smile as Zuko peered inside before walking in fully. He closed the door and crossed the space between them.

"What are you doing here?" she asked softly as she fixed her hair and turned to face him, standing up slowly as he came to a stop in front of her, taking in her appearance.

"I finished early and decided to come by," he admitted. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Ty Lee suggested we took a walk around the gardens. We're supposed to meet by the pond with the turtle ducks in a while."

He hummed in response as he sent her a small smile that had her heart beating faster. "You wouldn't mind being late for a while, would you?"

Her cheeks gained colour at once as she looked away. "Well, I kind of would-"

"Can I change your mind?"

She was certain by now her whole face was a not so complimentary tone of scarlet but Zuko didn't really give her a moment to reply as he leaned in and kissed her. It was useless fighting him, and Homura didn't even try. Her eyes slowly fluttered closed as she kissed him back, her hands moving from his shoulders over to his neck, a hand tangled in the back of his hair as his own hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer.

She was the first to pull back, her breath heavy. She rested her head against his shoulder, needing to take a moment to calm herself down. She could feel Zuko laughing slightly and it brought her to smile.

"Stop it," she whined as she looked up at him, her eyes narrowed in a playful manner. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Considering that's all it took to get you breathless, yes, I am."

She scoffed as she let her hands fall from his neck and attempted to shove him. Before her hands could make contact with his chest, though, he grabbed her wrists, an eyebrow raising in mock challenge. She huffed.

"I think I prefer it when you're being moody."

"That's harsh."

She couldn't help but smile as she looked up at him and with no hesitation, reached up and pecked his lips. She had hardly pulled back though when he pressed his lips against hers once more, and like the previous time, she melted against him, her meeting with Ty Lee almost gone from her mind. Almost.

"Zuko," she murmured as he pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers. "I've got to go to Ty Lee."

"Stay for just a while longer."

"Zuko," she laughed as she looked up at him, her eyes bright. "I hadn't realised you like me that much."

"It's been a while since we last got the chance to spend some time together," he pointed out as she reached up to peck his lips once more.

"I'll make it up to you next time we get to be alone," she murmured against his lips as she walked away.

Zuko sighed, "Fine."

"Would you like to come with me to the pond?"

"Alright."

She sent him a smile as she left the room and he followed behind her. They walked in silence, greeting a few guards and servants that walked past them on their way to the pond. They had hardly crossed half the distance there, though, when Mai and Ty Lee came running towards them.