Yay another chapter!! I'm having so much fun with this story and reding the reviews.

In response to Brenne ( 's review – That's my favorite part about him, unfortunately its also what I'm finding the hardest, balancing his softness with his tough "I don't care" attitude. XD

Here we have some shameless plugging LOL. So I have started another story, "Learning to trust, learning to heal". Yay! It's honestly thanks to the people following this story that I felt confident enough to try my other idea. So go check that story out, It's another Au but VERY different from this one.

Both my stories are now on Ao3 too so if that's your preferred format… You have options XD

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Zuko heard Suki's distinct light footsteps approaching and pointedly didn't look up from his bowl. She slid onto the bench across from him, put her bowl down, and started. Zuko thought they both did an admirable job pretending the other wasn't there.

Zuko was walking down the hall out to the courtyard when someone jostled his shoulder as they walked past. They probably hadn't even noticed what they had done, but other people had seen him wince when his ribs were jostled. Possibly the same people who had seen him get beat up by Chu a week ago. He had to make a statement. He almost felt bad.

"Watch were you're going" he growled as he spun around and grabbed the mans wrist, stepping in close to other's body and flipping the poor guy over his shoulder. Zuko gritted his teeth the whole time to keep from screaming as his ribs protested loudly that he shouldn't be getting in any more fights.

Zuko ignored them and delt the man a munch to the face that laid him flat on the ground again. He shot a glare around at the gathered inmates and strode away, struggling to keep his gait even as he went to find a secluded corner to collapse in.

Zuko felt like pulling his hair out when he heard Suki's voice, the last thing he wanted to do was put on another show of strength but it was looking like he might have to.

"So that simple flip seemed to take a lot out of you. Didn't take you for the kind to have a bark bigger than your bite."

"I don't have to explain anything to you."

She merely shrugged and settled down next to him, arms crossed clearly waiting for him to start talking.

"If I talk to you do promise to leave."

"If that's what you want"

"Fine. Normally that move would have been nothing but I have at least three broken ribs from dealing with Chu. Is that all?"

Zuko had considered and decided that Suki was just ridiculously nosy, but that she wouldn't try to use the information against him. And, in all honesty he was mainly focused on getting her to leave him alone to his agony. Thankfully, she nodded and got up, leaving him alone. Zuko ignored the tiny traitors' corner of his mind that felt a stab of disappointment.

After what could have been hours or minutes, Zuko had been drifting in and out of consciousness, he heard footsteps approaching and snapped to attention, bringing up his fists.

"Relax it's just me" said a voice that was becoming all to familiar. Zuko groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

" Sit up."

Zuko looked over at Suki confused, she was kneeling in front of him with what looked like strips of cloth.

"What are you doing?"

"You look pathetic, walking around clutching you side, sit up so I can wrap your excuse for a ribcage."

She had a small smile on her face that made him think maybe he didn't need to punch her.

Zuko was even more confused now, but he sat up warily. He still wasn't prepared when Suki suddenly pulled his shirt up in one quick movement.

"What are you doing!"

"Wow, you really don't seem all that bright. For the last time, I'm wrapping your ribs."

Zuko glared at her but slowly leaned forward, so she could reach behind him.

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After that, Suki continued to eat at Zuko's table. They never talked and after the meal was done they always went their separate ways, but Zuko had to admit that the small bit of companionship was nice.

He was heading out into the yard, about a week after Suki had wrapped his ribs, they were healing nicely. When he noticed the small group gathered where Suki usually sat.

They looked like Chu's gang. That couldn't be anything good.

Cursing his newly rediscovered morals, Zuko headed over to make sure that Suki was okay.

She was getting into a fight.

For some reason Zuko wasn't all that surprised.

He stepped through to where Suki was beating up one of Chu's cronies and cracked his fist against the jawbone of the one who had been trying to sneak up on her from behind. She gave him a small smile, he scowled, and they went back to beating people up.

He stayed closer to her after that. Not enough to be conspicuous, but close enough where he could see if trouble started to brew.

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Apparently he wasn't as stealthy as he had thought because Suki called him out, several days after he had resolved to keep an eye on her.

"Zuko, why have you been following me?"

Zuko spluttered, "I – I havn't"

"Yes, yes you have. I can take care of myself you know."

Zuko was feeling defensive now, "I know that."

"Well than you must have some other, completely unrelated reason for following me around. Right?"

She's smirking. Zuko hates it when people smirk at him. He folds his arms across his chest and gives her his best glare. She remains nonplussed.

After several seconds of groping for an answer, Zuko realizes he doesn't have one. As he turns to walk away Suki calls after him.

"You know you could just ask if you want to hang out." He thinks he might literally be steaming.

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The next morning finds him leaning up against the wall next to Suki. Glaring at anyone who glances their way. Suki has been silent, now she opens her mouth, and he groans.

"So, does this mean we're friends?"

That was…. not what he was expecting.

"…No?"

"Are you my bodyguard then?"

"No"

"Boyfriend?"

"No!"

She bursts out laughing. Zuko glares at her. This seems to be a recurring theme.

"I'm just, leaning against the wall.. it happens to be near you."

Suki gives him a look that looks almost…. Fond? He must be going crazy.

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Suki was an expert at getting Zuko to talk. Everyday as they left the table and walked out to the yard, he vowed that he wouldn't tell her stories or get into another debate. And everyday he failed. Today she wanted to know his favorite animal.

"Why?"

"Because, I really like Fire Ferret's. there are some things you just need to know about people. This is one of those things."

Zuko thinks about it and decides that there's no harm in being truthful.

"I think Turtle Ducks are cute."

He scowls when Suki giggles and grabs his hand, dragging him down to sit in the dirt with her. But when she leans over and rests her head on his shoulder, he can't bring himself to push her away.

"Oh, Zuko. I'm so glad you found me."

He tries to ignore the warm feeling that's spreading from his chest.

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Suki was walking with her arm around his shoulders like always. After the first time when she had touched him and he hadn't punched her she had seemed to take that as a go ahead to hang off him at every possible moment.

Sitting with an arm around him, laying and using him as a pillow, or kicking him under the table. Zuko had been stiff the first few days, and she had been sure to move slowly, but as he slowly relaxed around her. Sure that the sudden movements coming from his blind side weren't going to harm him, she had started to be more and more bold.

Zuko always scowled and huffed but he secretly didn't mind. It was nice to have someone touch him who didn't want to break every bone in his body.

He had quietly asked her about it one day and she had told him about growing up on Kyoshi Island, explaining that being raised with and training alongside a dozen other teenage girls had made her very used to physical affection. She told him that opportunities for hugs hadn't been plentiful while out in the war, and then in prison.

He merely hummed in response, but tightened his arm around her and she seemed to get the message.

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As they walked back to their cells, about to part for the night, the Captain of the guard strolled by. He passed right by them, and Zuko turned to walk down the hall to his cell when he heard the captain shout, "Hey, you!"

Zuko slowly turned, already tensed for a fight.

"You didn't kneel when I walked by."

Zuko couldn't hold back his scoff. "That's not a rule."

"It is now. Kneel"

"No"

Suki was frantically shaking her head at him from her place in the circle that was gathering.

"I. Said. Kneel"

" And I said no." Zuko wasn't going to let this nobody bully him.

As he turned to walk away, he heard the hiss of a fire whip trailing through the air and spun just in time to dissipate the flames with his own. Silently cursing himself for being led so easily into that trap.

But that was the farthest thing from his mind when he caught sight of Suki as the guards hauled him away. She was standing absolutely still, a look of shock and betrayal on her face that almost broke him. It was then that he realized she didn't know he was a fire bender.