Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 18

You held onto Zuko as the two of you lowered down on the rope and landed down carefully. You looked around and remembered coming here with Zuko and Iroh a while after his banishment. Zuko groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. You placed a gentle hand on his back and gave him a sympathetic look. "Your different from then. Don't let the past drag you down..." You muttered softly. He glanced at you and smiled a little but then grew nervous after he heard Appa groan. He pulled you into cover and watched Appa go ahead and land in a different part of the temple. Zuko grabbed your hand and rushed up the stairs to make camp above ground I'm case the gaang found you. Once you found a spot to camp at. You set it up while Zuko tried figuring out how to speak to the group to a frog sitting on a hollowed out log. You laughed a little and glanced over to him with your arms crossed. He did his impersonation of Iroh and then one of Azula. You rolled your eyes playfully and approached the awkward teen.

"How am I going to convince them to let me join their side?" He asked you with a defeated look.

"The gaang is full of understanding people. They accept most people but in your case, maybe not so much. I could try to vouch for you but I cant promise you it will work." You assured the teen. He sighed and rested his head on your shoulder as your arm wrapped around his own shoulders from your crouched positions.

"What should I say to them?"

"Well... Just be honest. Maybe even apologize for everything. They might allow you in if I'm with you but they could also want me back but have you leave."

"What would you do if they did that? Would you stay with them?"

"As tempting as it is, I wouldn't. I'll stay with you until they accept you for who you are." He looked at you with astonishment and kissed you.

"Thank you..." He muttered.

"Of course... I'll give you some time to figure this out but we'll have to confront them sooner than later." You advised and stood up. He nodded and stood up as well.

~~~

"I think that will have to wait." Toph spoke as Appa moved out of the way to reveal you and Zuko to the gaang. Aang looked shocked while Katara and Sokka looked pissed.

"Hello. Zuko here." Zuko spoke causing you to face palm. The gaang got in defensive positions "Hey I heard you guys flying down here so I just... Waited for you here." Zuko continued. You could honestly die from second hand embarrassment right now. Appa went over and licked Zuko and then did it again. Aang looked surprised and you kept silent, wanting Zuko to do this on his own. Zuko wiped the slobber off his face. "I know you're all surprised to see me here."

"Not really. Since you've followed us all over the world." Sokka snapped back.

"Right.... Well uh... Anyway, what I wanted to tell you about... Is that I've changed... And I uh... I'm good now. And- well I think I should join your group. Oh! And I can teach fire bending, to you." Aang lowered his guard a bit more. Excitement bubbling inside you a little bit. "See I uh-"

"You wanna what now?" Toph asked.

"You seriously can't think any of us can trust you, can you? I mean how stupid do you think we are?" Katara snapped.

"Yeah! All you've ever done is try to hunt us down and capture Aang!" Sokka added.

"And if we wanted someone to teach Aang Fire Bending, it should be (Y/n)! She's proven to us she can be trusted!" Katara exclaimed. You shook your head.