Emptyness is inflammation (zuko/oc fic)

Northern Goodbye's

It's been two weeks since we've been stuck in Zhao's harbor. It is making me nervous to know Zhao could step onto our ship at any moment, while I'm not prepared to be caught. So I've been wearing a helmet at all times. 

"Rie," I look at Chang eating his bowl of rice, "Take that stupid thing off please," "Shhush! Don't call me Rie," I say suspiciously while I eye the crowd and I put my hand on his mouth.

I had told Chang and Iroh about what happened, the rest of the care just seems to think I'm scared of being attacked. I don't really mind, as long as I'm not recognizable.

Chang grabs my helmet and pulls it off my face, "Cheng!" I get up as I try to reach for it, to no avail. "You're in closed quarters right now Rie, no need to worry." I frown at him as I fold my arms over each other. Suddenly, Chang pulls me into a hug giving me a kiss on my cheek. I smile sheepishly but quickly snatch back my helmet as I march out of the cantine.

"Aw, Rie, come on, don't you have free time? Music night starts in like, twenty minutes!" Chang says. "Yeah, I'll be right back," I wink in his direction as I walk out of view. 

I got ahold of my mental checklist. What's next? Zuko checkup, then music night. Music night had been such a success that Iroh decided to hold it weekly.

I walk downstairs and stop in front of Zuko's door. It's been two weeks since we've spoken. Every day I try to hold a conversation with him, but he never wants to talk. Since our last fight, he's been isolating himself from everybody, only allowing Iroh to bring him food. I know he said it was all fine, but I have my doubts.

I knock. No reply. "Please, Zuko, open up!" I plead to him. "Talk to me," Nothing.

I slide down the door and rest the back of my head against it. "Do you remember when we used to go to Ember Island with Iroh? That we'd roll off the dunes, and build sandcastles together? Or when we'd secretly sneak to each other's rooms in Iroh's vacation house, and we kept on getting caught because we were laughing too hard?" No reply.

"I really miss those times, Zuko," I say as I get up.

I head outside as my ears are blessed with sweet tunes, "Heyyy, Rie," Chang twirls me around suddenly before he kisses my forehead. "Hey," I blush. "I'm gonna get a drink real quick, alright?" I tell him as I walk towards a very DIY style bar. Juren was handing out drinks. "Hey, Juren," "Hey Rie," He smiles. "What would you like?" He asks me. "Have you got sake?" "Warm or cold?" "Cold, please,"

Juren hands me the drink as I thank him and make my way back to the crowd. Iroh was singing a sweet song. "Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, four seasons four loves, four seasons for love,"

The crowd stops moving as a group of masked fire nation soldiers enter our ship, including Zhao, marching upfront. Everyone turns as some false notes were played by men who were caught of guard. "Party's over," Zhao says. I quickly hide behind Chang and I peek at Zhao.

I turn to Iroh and mouth: 'why now?'.

"I order all the men of this ship to join me on my mission, you have five minutes to pack your stuff," Zhao instructs coldly. Chang turns to me quickly and pulls me inside, "Rie, you have to hide, now!" He tells me as he pulls me behind a pillar. "You can't leave!" I say frantically. "It's fine Rie, I'll be fine." He says while pulling me into a hug. Tears start rolling down my cheeks, I can't seem to find any words to speak.

"Rie, look at me, I'll be just fine alright." I press my head into his chest as I hold onto him tightly. "I'll miss you," I strain. "I'll miss you too." He says kissing my forehead. "Tell Ukasao and Juren that I'll be thinking about them as well," I request. Chang swiftly gives me one last kiss on my cheek as he nudges me to hide, "Go," He says.