Chapter 8 – Amim
The two days that followed were spent figuring out where the Avatar was. Zuko was mostly in the board room with his uncle and Lieutenant Lee and Milah was spending her time reading on the front deck of the ship. The sun was shining and she was all alone, which was rare. The book she was holding told a story about a General that fell in love with a farmer's daughter, who later turned out to be the heir to a great fortune. It was romantic and very far-fetched to ever happen in real life, but she liked it anyway. It distracted her.
She was laying on her stomach, her lower legs raised in the air behind her, and the sun burned the part of her back that was bare because of the belly top she was wearing. She was just reading the part where the General declared his love to the girl when a big shadow came over her, blocking the warmth of the sun for her.
''Hey!'' she exclaimed and turned around to face the sun-blocker. ''Can you-'' but she was cut off by her own choke at seeing someone she hadn't seen in a long time, for some reason.
''It's nice to see you too, Milah,'' the man said with a twinkle in his eyes and held out his hand to pull her up. She took it gratefully but didn't make a move to hug him. Some things in the back of her mind held her back. Some things she couldn't yet forgive.
''Amim,'' she greeted him back and stood before him awkwardly, hands at her side and book on the ground. ''How are you?'' Her voice lacked enthusiasm, unlike his, but Milah simply wasn't that excited to see him.
''I'm… fine, I think,'' he told her uncertainly, his grin suddenly disappearing from his face. ''It's been busy. Zuko ordered me to put all my time into finding the Avatar, so I barely had any time to…'' He didn't finish his sentence and lowered his eyes to study his feet. Milah crossed her arms against her chest, signalling him to go on.
''I wanted to apologise,'' he finally said softly. ''I never should've listened to him. You have the right to protect your family and I've been a complete asshole. Especially since I've waited so long to say sorry.''
Milah's heart indicated that she believed him, her anger at him seeping away. His body language was true and sincere, trying to tell her to please forgive him. And she knew she couldn't stay mad. It wasn't in her nature to hold a grudge.
''It's okay,'' she simply said and reached out to place her hand on his shoulder. She felt his body slightly leaning in and his eyes immediately brightened. His lips turned up into its usual grin.
''Thank you!'' he shouted and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her body was entirely pushed into his and he pulled her up into the air. Her arms were still flailing by her side, not knowing how to react. But eventually, she put her hands around his neck and returned his hug gladly, having missed human contact with someone after such a long time without.
She didn't count the touches she had had with Zuko. Because they simply didn't count, seeing Milah ignored those moments in her mind as much as possible.
But the Water Tribe girl felt her spirits lift now she had made amends with her only friend on this ship – Iroh was a friend too, but she had missed talking to someone that was her age.
Zuko had stepped through the door that led to the front deck and was met with a sight that made his blood boil for some reason, a strange feeling cutting into his heart and stomach that made him sick. The torch that hung beside the door flared dangerously, his good mood disappearing instantly and his fists tightly pressed against his side.
It was Milah, hugging Amim, his crewman. They were tightly pressed against each other and Milah had a look of happiness on her face, one he didn't get to see often. Amim put her on the ground then but still had his arms around her waist. The blue-eyed girl, in turn, laughed at something he said and pulled her arms from his body to cover her face with her hands. She was wearing the outfit he got her, somehow satisfying him at that moment, and his attention was then brought to her neck when she reached up to touch the necklace that she had put on. It sparkled in the sunlight, her fingers tracing the pendant.
His anger dissolved slowly, his eyes fixed on her collar. Amim gave a look at it as well and Zuko saw his brows furrow just a little. The Prince found it time to interrupt the moment that passed through the lovers and give Amim an order to do something.
''Amim,'' Zuko called out once he reached the two. Milah only noticed him then, her face contracting into one of annoyance. ''Go help my uncle in the board room.'' Amim dropped his arms that were around Milah at once and gave his Prince a curt nod of obedience, walking away instantly. Zuko and Milah both watched him leave before turning to glare at one another.
''Why did you send him away?'' she asked him with venom laced in her tone.
''He was doing nothing, so I gave him something useful to do,'' he told her as a matter of fact, his arms crossing his chest. She copied him stubbornly. His eyes were distracted for a moment, zooming in on her cleavage.
''He was doing something useful,'' she stated and took a step closer to him. The grey spots in her clear blue eyes were visible to him then. ''He was talking to me. For the first time in days, I've had a real conversation. And now you've robbed me from it.'' He studied her for a moment, not knowing what to say. He knew he was avoiding her and ignoring her as much as he could.
''Well then, tell me,'' he started mockingly, not giving in to the guilt that was flooding him. ''How are you?'' She huffed out a breath of air and pushed his shoulder forcefully while walking past him.
He is absolutely aggravating! Milah was thinking when she stomped her way towards the dining room to grab herself something to eat. The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon and her eyes felt sleepy from being lazy all day.
The next day, they harboured at a small village in the Earth Kingdom. Zuko announced they were running low on supplies again, so most of the men on the ship were out buying food and fuel. Milah was just walking down the walkway when someone walked up to her. And when she looked up, it was the aggravating Prince.
''What do you think you're doing?'' she hissed through her teeth, completely done with his shit for the time being.
''I'm accompanying you,'' he answered her with a hint of displeasure. ''Believe me, I'd rather be doing something else, but past actions have proven that you can't be left alone when you go on land.'' Her necklace bounced against her skin when she walked off without saying another word. She just wanted to have a nice and peaceful day, for crying out loud.
Thankfully, he didn't say another word to her. She was taking a stroll through the little town and gazed at the items that were placed on various stands. Delicious looking food and drinks were seen all around, but Milah didn't have any money. Her stomach was rumbling softly, but no one seemed to hear.
She was standing at a fruit stand with two others when she suddenly overheard their conversation, her attention being drawn by the word 'Avatar'.
''…Avatar has been seen around the fortress of that Fire Nation Admiral. I don't know his name,'' a man with a basket whispered to the man with a straw hat. Milah faked being busy studying some mangos, but her ears were keen.
''Zhao, I think. But that means he's been taken prisoner?'' the hat-man whispered back. The basket-man quickly shook his head.
''No, you see, that's the thing. Rumours go that he was rescued by a figure called the Blue Spirit,'' the basket-man excitedly whispered. The Blue Spirit?
''I've heard of him, yes! His wanted-poster is hanging all over town,'' the hat-man agreed. Milah's ears were ringing, her legs making way towards a board that hung on the town's hall. Several pieces of papers were pasted on it, but one stood out among the others. It was new, and the face that was printed on it was recognisable. It was a blue mask, a mask she had seen before, on Prince Zuko, and the words 'WANTED: The Blue Spirit. 50 golden pieces. Directly report to Admiral Zhao of the Fire Nation'.
The face of the Water Tribe girl became devoid of any colour and her hands touched the poster gently. She took it off the board, turned around, and faced the man of the poster immediately. His eyes were unreadable, his hands behind his back. The poster was in her hands, holding it in a tight grip, not knowing what to think exactly.
Zuko knew he would be caught someday. He just still hadn't figured out how to deal with that fact. The fact that he had freed the Avatar out of his own free will. He could only hope now that Milah wouldn't rat him out. He hoped she trusted him enough. Her eyes told him a story he couldn't decipher, so the only thing there was to do for him now was to wait for her reaction.
''I won't tell,'' she whispered and looked at him from under her eyelashes. ''I promise.''
Milah felt her feeling for him change. A sense of trust was building inside of her. He had proven himself somehow. She knew he had probably saved Aang out of his own interest, but still. He had saved him from the claws of the awful Admiral. The man whose eyes were emotionless and cruel.
She made a move to walk past him, but he grabbed her arm out of nowhere. They were close. Too close. Milah's breath hitched in her throat and her cheeks flushed a bright red. She could feel his own breath tickle her ear. ''Milah, I…'' he started to say but didn't know how to end.
Her own hand found its way to his, putting it carefully on top of it. Their eyes met, blue clashing with gold, and for a moment there was complete silence. Her soft hair was brushing against his bare forearm, making him shiver slightly. He could feel his own yearning for her, his selfish need for… something. He wasn't going to admit it. He couldn't, it would make it too real. Too inevitable.
He walked away then after letting go of her soft arm, not wanting to look at her anymore. She was taunting him, teasing him. He didn't like the way his body acted when she was near. Or the way his heart would speed up or the distraction she brought with her entire existence. She was the sister of one of the best friends of the Avatar, for crying out loud. She was of the Water Tribe. The enemy. Or actually, he was her enemy. He didn't think of her that way anymore. He couldn't after all the things she had done for him.
Milah watched him leave with a hurting heart. The proof of Zuko's kindheartedness was in her hands, and she knew it. She had known all along, she thought, but it was too hard to admit after all the things he had done to hurt her family, and in order, her. She touched the necklace on her neck, feeling the cold metal against her skin, and she knew her feelings for him had changed in that very moment. No longer was Zuko the heir to the throne of the Fire Nation, the son of a man that had absolutely no remorse, or the bastard he could be most of the times.
No, her thoughts interrupted her change of heart firmly, do not got there. She followed his trail that led back to the ship and decided to give him some privacy. Something had happened between them and he had noticed it as well. Their proximity, the unsaid words, it all contributed to something bigger than she was aware of.
She ate dinner with Iroh that evening. They had a good laugh at a story he told about the one time he had performed in a bar, completely wasted, and then he was arrested by some patrolling soldiers for making too much noise, but they soon discovered he was the heir to the throne, so they let him go. He was Zuko's age at the time and life hadn't ever been more beautiful. Milah envied Iroh for having a simple life but remembered the story of how his son died, and immediately her grin disappeared.
Iroh saw the girl's face sadden for a second and thought of something that would cheer her up. He imagined it has something to do with his nephew, seeing the two of them looked at each other. Zuko's eyes burned for her, and Milah's eyes shone for him. It was like fire and water wanting to fight and devour each other at the same time.
''You know you can talk to me about anything, right?'' he softly told her, wanting to hear what she had to say. The General always thought of her as some kind of mystery, seeing the way she treated the men on this ship, the men that were Fire Nation. ''I promise I can keep a secret.'' A small smile returned to her lips, but it didn't really reach her eyes.
''I know, Iroh,'' she answered him. ''But there's nothing to talk about, really. I don't even know it myself actually.'' Her voice gave away no lie and he decided to drop the subject and started a new one about the tsungi horn.
When the Water Tribe girl was walking towards her room to finally call it a night, she ran into Amim again. He was coming from the bathing area and his hair was still damp, hanging over his ears. She decided he needed a haircut tomorrow.
''Hey!'' she called out, letting go of the doorknob she had grabbed to open her door. The handsome man turned towards and gave her one of his famous grins. ''I'm sorry you had to run off like that the other day.'' He shrugged as an answer and walked his way over to her.
''It's okay, there were lots of things to do anyway,'' he joked and placed his hand beside her head on the wall. ''Are you turning in?''
She nodded, not knowing what to say with him being so close. ''Yes. I'm really tired. It's been a long day,'' she stumbled over her words a little, distracted by the weight under his gaze.
''That's a shame,'' he said almost teasingly. ''I was actually wondering if you would like to count stars with me, on the front deck.'' His goofy grin made up for the extremely horrible line he used on her, but she still tried to step away from him a little, her hand reaching for the doorknob again. Something about this made her feel slightly uncomfortable, and she suddenly understood why Zuko insisted on her staying in his room for all that time, even though she was friends with the pretty Fire Nation soldier.
''Err, I think I'll pass,'' she told him uneasily. ''But thanks though, maybe another time.'' She tried to open the door, but his hand found hers quickly, pulling it against his lips.
''Don't you want to finally have a romantic night?'' he whispered hoarsely, hurt laced in his voice. ''I thought you felt it too.'' Milah started to panic.
''I'm sorry, Amim, it's just-'' but she was caught off by the door opening with great speed. A hand grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, her vision shielded by a bareback she recognised as the Prince's.
''I think it's time you left, Amim,'' Zuko spat out, his fists clenched against his sides. Amim looked unsure. ''And that's an order.'' The soldier saluted sloppily and walked away after, his head hanging low. Milah's heart hurt for him, but he had gone too far. Too close for her liking. She hadn't ever been with a boy, rarely thought of it, but Amim had suggested it just now. And she was disgusted by it.
Tears suddenly filled her eyes. Milah turned around, covering herself from anyone's view, and made way to her bed. She didn't even bother to put on her nightclothes, just simply got under her covers and buried her head into her pillow. She didn't know why she cried exactly, but the horrible feeling in her stomach just kept getting worse. The friendship between them was probably over and it upset her greatly. Iroh was her only friend left. Zuko didn't count; one minute he was treating her like a goddess, the other like she was a piece of filth underneath his boot.
But still, the regarded Prince gently put his hand on her arm, rubbing the bare skin with his finger softly, showing the kindness she knew he was capable of. At least, with her.
Zuko could feel her body shaking slightly and anger flared inside of him. How dare Amim touch her like that, when it was obvious she didn't want him to. Her whole body had been cowering away from him and his arm, that was placed beside her head against the wall, was trapping her into a position she didn't want to be in. He had heard their conversation, and it had unnerved him, and he didn't want to interfere with her business, but once he heard the tremble in her voice, he couldn't hold back.
It reminded him of that one evening after music night, the one where he had rescued her from the good-for-nothing man that had attacked her and dragged her off to a quiet place to have his way with her. Not ever again would he allow that to happen. No one should be attacked like that. Not even his worst enemies.
He heard her breathing even out after a little while and stood up from his spot beside her legs on her bed. He blew out the candle on her nightstand and tucked himself in. But not long after he fell asleep, he got woken up by soft mumbles and little sobs. He recognised the sound of Milah having a nightmare and made his way over to her again in his sleep-drunken state, wanting to wake her up so he could get his much-needed sleep. She was laying on her back, her head going from right to left, murmuring 'stop it' and 'please don't'.
Milah was rudely awakened by a tight grip shaking her. Zuko was standing over her with an annoyed look on his face. She realised she had had a nightmare and probably woke him up again. It didn't happen often, but she could've known she would have one tonight.
''I'm sorry,'' she whispered to the Prince and wiped off her dried tears. His face softened for a second, but instead of an 'are you okay', he grunted and made his way over to his own bed again. She laid back on her side, watching him fall asleep again. He looked vulnerable like that, his muscles relaxed and his chest was going up and down, seeing he was lying on his stomach. And with that view, she fell asleep more relaxed than before, knowing he was there with her.
The next day Milah tried to avoid Amim at all costs, which wasn't hard since they had just anchored in a small harbour and he had to pick up supplies ordered by Zuko. She didn't know if he had done it for her or if he really needed Amim to do it, but she was grateful anyway.
The Water Tribe girl had spent her day reading a book underneath a tree, enjoying the coolness of the shade. Twilight was setting when suddenly a big beast with a strange snout ran past her, a woman her age riding it. Half of her face was covered with straight black hair, but even then it was clear that the woman was fierce and strong, her posture screaming bad-ass and a tattoo of a snake visible on her arm. Milah was amazed by the sight, never having seen a woman like her before since on the North Pole women actually weren't allowed to fight – an exception had been made for her, seeing she was the granddaughter of the Waterbending Master in question – and she had mostly been surrounded by men for the past two months, so a fighting woman wasn't something common to her.
Milah stood up quickly and eyed the beast. It was going towards Zuko's ship, she noticed, and hurriedly she ran to it, not wanting to miss the excitement. It was a good ten minute run for her, so she was panting when she got up the ship, her hands clutching her sides. She only could hear the last part of the conversation that was going on. The woman was walking back towards her beast and slung a man she hadn't seen before on the back of the beast.
''The toxins will wear off in about an hour,'' she was saying, Milah still trying to catch her breath. ''But by then, he'll be in jail and I'll have my money.'' The woman mounted her beast and prepared for take-off. Then, Zuko spoke up. Milah looked his way, seeing he looked impressed as well.
''But how did you find him on my ship?'' he asked with curiosity. Milah could guess where his mind was going.
''My shirshu can smell a rat a continent away,'' she answered him, unimpressed herself.
''Well, I'm impressed,'' Iroh said then and stroked his beard thoughtfully. Milah almost laughed at the way the old man was looking at the woman.
The lady was in the middle of cracking her whip when her gaze suddenly rested on Milah, who finally had gained her breath again and was leaning against the railing, watching the whole scene. Milah stiffened upon her gaze, preparing herself for something she didn't yet know. But, the woman simply smirked and turned towards the two men that were looking at her in amazement.
''Go easy on her, will you?'' she said with a side-glance towards Zuko and Iroh. ''She doesn't look like she can handle you guys well.'' Milah didn't understand what she meant exactly, but that comment didn't sit with her well. She moved towards the front of the so-called shirshu and crossed her arms over her chest.
''Excuse me?'' Milah exclaimed. ''I can handle myself quite well, thank you.'' The woman simply laughed, shook her head, and finally cracked her whip, her shirshu jumping off the ship. Milah watched her go with annoyance, not liking her then.
I'm perfectly capable! she thought to herself, while she could hear Iroh say something more about him being 'impressed' by her. Yeah, we know, she thought grumpily and made her way to the dining area. No one was there, but the cook had already prepared some rice with various vegetables and something that looked like chicken. She grabbed a bowl and made her way towards a little table, eating alone.
However, she wasn't alone. She just hadn't seen Amim who was sitting quietly in a corner. He felt awful, fearing his friendship with Milah he harboured so much was over, and there was nothing he could do about it. He saw her looking somewhat sad, her shoulders hunching and sluggishly eating her dinner. She was beautiful, he had always thought so. Her brown hair shined and her blue eyes were one of a kind. And her personality made her an angel. She was good itself, she had proven so with the way she had treated everyone on the ship, where she was basically kept as a prisoner. And still, she cared about everyone.
Amim loved her, for a few weeks now. It happened fairly quickly, but what else was to expect with someone like her. He had never felt like this for anyone before, yet it was as clear as a bright blue sky. He wanted to tell her so badly, to take her home and introduce her to his family. Maybe she would like that. Or maybe she would realise how wrong it was, just like he knew it was.
Milah was Watertribe, he was Fire Nation. It couldn't happen, not while the war was still going on. Not while under the nose of Zuko, who kept him at a close eye, always watching his every move.
And then, the man who loved so greatly, stood up, knowing this was his chance to make amends. He had acted like a complete asshole last night, practically forcing himself on her. He hated himself for it and wanted to apologise so badly, but he knew she wouldn't forgive him so easily. Who would?
Milah was startled, suddenly, by a big dark looming figure in the corner she hadn't seen when she came in. She made it to her feet quickly and wanted to run out the door as soon as possible, but the figure stepped into the light. It was Amim, bags under his eyes, clothes dishevelled and his hair uncombed.
''Milah…'' he started whispering. ''I don't know what to say, but I'll start with an apology. I am so, so, so sorry. I don't know what came over me.'' His hands were shaking slightly, she could see, and she could feel her heart forgiving him almost instantly.
''It's okay,'' she said back and tried to give him a small smile. ''I know you. You wouldn't do something like that on purpose.'' The man before her looked shocked, his mouth in a tiny 'o'. ''As long as you don't do it again,'' she added teasingly and stepped forward to give him a hug. It wasn't like her to stay mad at someone for a long time. It was easy for her to forgive and forget. And that was exactly what she was giving Amim right now. He deserved it; he had been nothing but be a friend to her ever since the beginning of her journey on Zuko's ship.
After the little reconciliation between her and Amim, she made her way to her bedroom, feeling tired. But as she opened the door, she stumbled upon something she wasn't meant to see. Zuko stood in front of his trunk, holding her mother's necklace.
Milah's eyes widened from shock and her first reaction was to step forwards to grab it out of Zuko's grasp, but he was quicker than she had ever been. He had pulled it away and put it in his pouch before she could say anything. The words were stuck in her throat, the little trust she had been building for him slowly crumbling to the ground.
But after recollecting herself, she bent the water that was ever-present in their room and pushed him against the wall behind him, trapping him in ice. She knew he could break out easily if he wanted to, but he didn't instead, he looked at her expectantly. Waiting for her to say something.
''What-'' she started but had to clear her throat, ''What were you going to do with that? And why did you steal it from me in the first place? You could at least have given it to me after you took it! I would've considered it as borrowing.'' She was close to his face now, her breath coming out as pants and her fists clenched at her sides. ''Why do you always have to ruin everything?'' Her voice was getting louder, anger swirling in her stomach. ''Have you got nothing to say for yourself? What, you like me being angry at you?'' His eyes softened at seeing her like this.
He didn't like aggravating her like this. Of course, he didn't. Just because he didn't want to admit it, didn't make it any less real. She was close to him like his uncle was. He wanted to make her happy, to make her smile like that peasant Amim could. She had always been good to him, but he wasn't for her. He wasn't good at all. A fallen son, the disgraced heir to the Fire Nation and a scarred, hideous beast. But to her, he didn't know what he was, and he didn't want to ruin it. He couldn't.
''Milah,'' he called out softly, making her look in his eyes that hopefully had a soft glow in them to show her that he was being sincere, instead of the forever burning fire, ''I'm sorry, but I needed it to track your sister.'' Her cheeks flushed from disbelief and fury and she pushed her fallen hair out of her face.
''And you didn't think I wanted to know?'' she shouted in disbelieve. ''You don't think I want to find my little sister? I had waited for seven years, Zuko! Seven years and you took me, prisoner, the same day I reunited with them again.'' Her eyes were filling with tears, her heart hurting.
''I'm sorry,'' he simply whispered, having broken out of the ice, that had been holding him, by his breath of fire. ''But you can't come.'' She laughed sarcastically, already taking on a fighting stance.
''I don't think so, Prince,'' she hissed through her teeth. ''I am coming. Someone has to protect my baby sister and brother from you. They are children. You're not.'' He looked with grieve at the Water Tribe girl, so eager to protect her family.
''I'm sorry, Milah,'' he simply whispered and grabbed her hands before she could do anything to him. The girl cried out and tried to thrash away from him, but he simply held her against his body, trapping her. ''I promise, I won't hurt them. I won't hurt Sokka or Katara.'' He could hear the little sobs coming from out her mouth, but she had relaxed against him.
''You promise?'' she sniffed with a tiny voice.
''I promise,'' he whispered back and took her cheeks with his calloused hands. Her eyes were red and puffy, but she was beautiful, like always, looking at him. ''And I'm sorry for taking your mother's necklace. I know how important family is.'' She nodded and closed her eyes.
Milah didn't know if she was being foolish, but she trusted him not to hurt her brother or sister. He had promised and as she looked into his eyes, she knew she could believe him. He didn't even want Sokka or Katara, only the Avatar. And from what she had seen, Aang could handle himself. He was a mastered Airbender and the Avatar for god's sake. If that didn't count, then what would.
She let Zuko and Iroh go that evening after making Iroh swear he would keep an eye out on his nephew, seeing to it he didn't hurt her family. The old man had reassured her that he could be trusted, he wouldn't break his promise he had made with her. She watched them go with a heavy heart, not knowing whether she should follow them or not. But it was best if she stayed here. After seeing the shirshu and seeing its incredible speed, she knew she would be no match. She couldn't run that fast.
So the only thing she had to do now, was waiting. And that was what she did, falling asleep on the front deck after it was well past midnight and waking up to someone shaking her shoulder. It was Lieutenant Lee who had brought her a cup of soup. She thanked him gratefully and stared at the horizon, waiting nervously.
The sun had already set when she finally saw the shirshu making its way towards the ship, seeing only three people on top of it. The woman, Iroh and Zuko. But no Avatar or Katara or Sokka, which made her breathe out in extreme relief. But it was short-lived when she looked at Zuko's riling face. Iroh was simply enjoying the time he had sitting behind the woman he secretly fancied while she was looking bored with a hint of annoyance.
Iroh and Zuko mounted off the shirshu once they were back on the ship, Iroh greeting her gleefully and giving her a playful wink.
''So,'' the woman began, looking at her nails uninterested. ''Where's my money?'' Zuko grunted in reply, not bothering to look at the hopeful looking blue-eyed girl who desperately wanted something of news about their failed journey. He returned shortly after with a bag of gold and threw it her way.
''Here you have it,'' he sneered at her. ''Now leave.'' She laughed at his rudeness and turned towards Iroh and Milah.
''Take care, Uncle Lazy and Angry Boy's girlfriend, you'll need it.'' And with that, she disappeared with her shirshu. Milah's cheeks flamed at being called Zuko's girlfriend, but she didn't comment on it. the only thing she cared about now was to hear their story, so she made Iroh tell her everything.
Milah was pleased hearing everything went well for Team Avatar. Not for Zuko, of course, but still. The angry Prince would once realise that there was more to life than honour and horrible fathers. And until then, Milah would never stop trying to cross him and mess up his plans.
So, a little author's note at the end. I was trying to find a correct timeline for ATLA, not as in 'world history', but a clear timeline of the show from s1e1 to s3e21. And I wanted to point out that according to a reddit post – which made a lot of sense – they have been together for a little more than 2 months. I will include little things like how many days or months have passed from now on! Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! Also, keep in mind that Zuko is older in this story, so he may act more mature than he was in the series. And lastly, things may not go exactly like the plot, but those will be tiny little minor things you won't even notice unless you know every transcript and scene by head. And I mean literally, by head. So please keep that in mind while reading this fanfic! It's fanfiction after all :).