-Zuko POV-

I sat at Avery's side as she sipped her tea quietly. Any time I tried to start a conversation, she'd strike me down with a single look. I eventually sighed.

"Avery, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't realize that an argument could effect you like this."

"You think I'm sick because of the argument?" She snapped, her voice strained with misuse.

"Well, yeah..." Avery laughed bitterly with a head shake.

"You really are dense, aren't you." She asked rhetorically. "I'm sick because of stress, and guilt, and worry. Not some stupid fling of an argument. I gave up my one chance to make my own decision, and followed you like a faithful lap dog. That's all I am at this point. A trained beast to do your bidding."

"Avery, that isn't true. You're my friend."

"Friends don't pull stupid hat tricks like that. They explain if they don't feel same, and they don't lead them on." She snapped. I sat back in my chair and shook my head.

"I didn't mean to." I said. Avery scoffed.

"Bullshit." She said. She put down her cup of tea and pushed the blankets off her lap, getting her feet out from under. She swung her legs over the side and got up. She was still incredibly thin, but she was definitely gaining her weight back. She went to storm past, but I grabbed her hand, pulling her back. I enveloped her in a hug and rested my chin on her head and she stood rigid.

"I said I am sorry, and I'll keep you here until you forgive me."

"I'll call the doctor in." She warned, her voice muffled by my chest. And that's when what the doctor said clicked. She was saying not to let Avery go, to not end up with Mai.

"I don't think she'll do much to help you." I said. Avery wriggled one of her arms from my grasp and slammed it against my rib.

"Lemme go!" She said.

"Nope." I said.

"Zuko, stop." She said. "Please."

"No."

"I will call my dad. I'm not kidding." Avery said. I loosened my grip to look her in the face. Her eyes were welling with tears, but her face itself gave way to no emotion. "I'm serious."

"Fine." I said, letting her go. A sharp noise rang out as Avery slapped me.

"You asshole!" She said. "What was that supposed to accomplish! Pissing me off more?!"

"Oh, there you are Zuko." Someone said from the doorway. Avery and I turned to see Mai standing there. "What's going on?"

"Zuko sucks at jokes." Avery huffed, crossing her arms. Mai smirked and walked forward.

"He's not that bad." Mai said, placing a hand to my face. I smiled slightly.

"Why were you looking for him?" Avery piped up, sitting back down.

"You're dad is sending us on vacation." Mai said, acting as if I had asked, not Avery.

"How come?"

"I'm not sure. You could ask your sister." Mai said.

"That's it?" I asked. She smiled.

"What, I'm not allowed to miss you?" She said. She quickly kissed me before heading off.

"Are you kidding?" Avery snapped.

"Wha-"

"We literally just had this conversation." Avery said. She stood up and walked out. I held my head in my hands and sighed.

"What an ass." Lin said, crossing her arms in annoyance.

"Which one? Mai or Zuko?" Chi asked.

"Both! I mean, come on, she had just talked to him about him kissing Mai in front of her, let alone in general, and then he kisses Mai right in front of her!"

"I'm really bad at telling what's bad in these situations, aren't I?" Chi asked rhetorically.

"It's a girl thing, don't take it personally." Lin said. She continued to watch the image and huffed. Her face then lit up with a grin.

"I've got an idea!"

I ran through the courtyard and towards the jail. I then slowed and headed in. The guard stopped me.

"Why are you here?" He asked. I pushed back my hood and looked up. He nodded and let me through. I went to Iroh's room and entered, closing the door and sitting.

"Avery?" Iroh said.

"Iroh."

"What is it, child?" He asked.

"Zuko's being thick headed, as always." I said, sighing.

"Let me guess, Mai and him are in a relationship, and they keep showing it in front of you."

"How'd you guess." I asked rhetorically. I sighed, shaking my head. "What should I do?"

"Are you happy here?"

"Not really."

"Do you want to leave?"

"Not yet."

"Then leave when you can." Iroh said. "And when you want to."

"Thank you Iroh."

"Of course."

"I feel bad for leaving without you." I admitted.

"I'll be fine. I'm leaving soon as well." Iroh chuckled and I nodded.

"Good luck." I said.

"And to you, Avery."

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