Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 1

You had been around for about a month. Now serving the whole family but still having to go back and forth between Zuko and Azula but things have been lax regardless. And during your time here, you learned more about Zuko and Azula and the dynamic between them. They were close at heart but something deep down within Azula just left a bitter taste in your mouth. However, seeing the moments between them made you only slightly envious of them.

Right now you were in the garden with Zuko and Ursa though you were mediating under a tree not to far from them. Allowing the two have their time together peacefully. You opened an eye and looked at the two. Zuko was cuddled up against Ursa. The two of them laughing lightly causing an ache in your heart you swallowed harshly and closed your eyes again. Not allowing yourself to cry then and there. The two of them eventually called out for you and you followed behind them around the palace. Ursa teaching Zuko some lessons as well as giving the boy some advice. Though Azula caught your attention and demanded you to play with her and her friends. She grabbed your wrist and rushed to the garden where her two friends are. "(Y/n). This is Tai Lee and Mai." You awkwardly waved to them and Tai Lee smiled brightly at you.

"Oh it's so good to meet you!" She exclaimed and pulled you into a tight hug. Feeling like she was crushing your ribs. You let out a wheeze and she finally let go of you, causing you to gasp for air. Mai just sent a monotone hello and a wave and you returned the wave.

"We'd like for you to play with us. From now on, you're not my servant. You are my friend and my bodyguard. Nothing else." Azula demanded and you gave a nod. It was honestly better than being servant for Azula. The first few weeks you had arrived, she was brutal with her orders. "Oh come on! Bright up. You can speak, can't you? You seem to talk to my brother all the time without issue. Why am I different?" She asked you. Mai seemed a little ticked off hearing Azula mention you and Zuko. You mentally questioned it but ignored it for now.

"My apologies. I'm just not completely comfortable with you I guess." You replied. Telling half of the truth. The reality was, she scared you. She seriously intimidated you and it wasn't often that, that would happen. Especially since she was younger than you. Azula punched your arm lightly.

"Please. You've known me for a whole month. Surely you're used to me by now." She assured. You just let out a simple shrug and Mai smirked at you.

"I like her already." She said with her arms crossed.

"Thanks?" You replied.

"Anyway. Ready to practice our cartwheels?" Tai Lee said with the brightest smile. You perked a little at her statement and she picked up on it. "Oh! Can you do some tricks too?" She asked. Her eyes sparkling at this new knowledge. You nodded shyly. "Oooohhhh! Do show us what you can do!" She exclaimed as she jumped up and down excitedly. You smiled and moved away to do a cartwheel with your hands, then one without and into a backhand spring, into a flip, into a spin in the air and then to a backflip. Tai Lee clapped excitedly and Mai gave a few half assed claps while Azula just glared.

"Kay. So you can do some tricks like Tai Lee. But can you fight well?" Mai asked from beside Azula. You let out a shrug.

"I guess. I mostly used the sword I had than my bending... But I guess I'm okay at using both." You answered truthfully. Mai just gave a hum as a response and Azula and Tai Lee practiced their cartwheels and you stepped in to teach them how to do one without hands. You started them off by doing it with one hand repeatedly until they were comfortable doing it. Tai Lee was catching on quick while Azula was a little slower but was learning quick too. You heard Ursa and Zuko come by but kept your focus on teaching the two girls while Mai sat by the tree picking at the grass below her. Her and Zuko made eye contact and the two blushed and looked away. Azula seemed to have caught on too.