Chapter 15 – The tavern

The next day, Milah didn't leave them – to Zuko's relieve. Instead, she helped Iroh mount the ostrich horse and got up herself as well, Zuko taking the first shift to walk. He was in a rather good mood today, pleasing the little Waterbender.

''So… you resolved it?'' Iroh asked them warily, to which both of them nodded. ''Good. In times like these, we should stick together, not fight each other.'' They heard Zuko let out a sigh, but he nodded anyway.

Around noon they arrived at a little town. They were happy about that, seeing they hadn't come across any river to catch some fish or found edible plants – they didn't want to risk eating the berries they found, seeing they weren't sure whether they were poisonous or not, not after Iroh's misstep the week before.

So they searched through town to see if they could grab some food, but they realised they were out of money. Iroh had given the pouch they carried to Song and Sui upon seeing they struggled to come by.

''This heat is excruciating,'' Milah moaned at one point. They were sitting on the ground at what seemed like the town's square, leaning against their ostrich horse. It was thirsty as well, but luckily they had found a water basin meant for animals at some point, although the party of three didn't dare drink from it. She was wearing the straw hat that was usually on top of Zuko's head, but he had given it to her once he saw her struggle.

''I know,'' Zuko grunted. He was sat next to her, arms crossed over his chest. Iroh had taken off his hat to collect coins from passing strangers – it would be called begging. Suddenly, a cart with various masks attracted his attention. One of the masks was the Blue Spirit one which he had lost on the night his ship exploded. He looked to his right, wondering if Milah saw it too, but she was laying on her side, facing him, with her eyes closed, trying to take a nap. He decided that he would get that mask, one way or another.

They were sitting like that for another hour, Iroh having collected several coins from kind strangers. Milah was fast asleep, having moved until she was laying with her head on Zuko's lap, who didn't seem to mind having the girl on top of him. He studied her peaceful face, the one he always wanted to look at. He imagined them being like this, her taking a little nap on his lap while he would gaze in front of him to the little pond back home where the turtle-ducks would swim in. She would wear a crown that would make her the Fire Lady, wearing a ring on her left finger that would be as beautiful as she was. Two children running around them, one bending fire with golden eyes like his father and the other the water from the pond with radiant blue eyes like her mother. He would run his fingers through her soft hair, gazing upon the lips he would kiss every day at every moment he could. He would-

His thoughts were cut off by his uncle, who spoke up all of a sudden. ''Spare coins for weary travellers?'' Iroh asked a passing man, who reached inside his pouch before tossing a few coins in his uncle's straw hat. His loud voice woke up the sleeping Milah, who put her hand on the Prince's thigh to sit up again. Zuko took in a sharp breath, willing his body to stay calm, even though she was wandering a dangerous place with her hand.

''…wha-'' she started, but was cut off by a large yawn coming from herself. ''What's going on?'' Her eyes were droopy and glossy from the delicious nap she just had.

''It's humiliating. My uncle's begging for money,'' he told her grumpily, but that wasn't the only thing why his mood was down at the moment; he was angry his uncle had woken him up from the fantastic daydream he was having. ''We're royalty. These people should be giving us whatever we want.'' Milah frowned at him.

''Don't be like that,'' she scolded him softly, having sat back at her previous place. ''You should appreciate the tiny things people will give to you if you ask them nicely.'' Iroh gave out a hearty laugh.

''I'm with Milah on that one, nephew,'' Iroh agreed with the Water Tribe girl, who was smirking smugly and reached out with his hat towards a young lady who passed them by. ''Spare change for a hungry old man?'' She looked upon them with pity and reached inside her sleeve to collect a coin.

''Aw, here you go,'' she said with empathy and tossed the coin into Iroh's hat, who smiled like a Cheshire cat.

''The coin is appreciated, but not as much as your smile!'' he smoothly complimented the lady, who giggled lightly and walked away. Milah had to stifle back a laugh while Zuko slapped his forehead. She watched Zuko with amusement, who later gave her a sheepish smile when a big shadow was cast over them. They both looked up to see a broad man with dual swords strapped behind him approaching them. He had a malicious smile on his face.

''How about some entertainment in exchange for a gold piece?'' he asked the party. Zuko's smile disappeared, making a place for its usual frown.

''We're not performers,'' he grunted to the man who was getting impatient. Iroh quickly stood up.

''Not professional anyway,'' the old man hurriedly said, wanting to get that gold piece. He started to sing a song he had learned in Ba Sing Se, but the man wasn't pleased yet.

''Come on, we're talking a gold piece here! Let's see some action!'' the man laughed meanly, taking his swords from behind his back. ''Dance!'' And with this, he began to slice the ground near Iroh's feet, who hopped to dodge the swords. Zuko was getting angrier with the minute and made a move to stand up to teach the man a piece of his mind.

''No, don't,'' Milah whispered to him, taking his arm in her hand. He relaxed upon her touch. ''We don't want to make a scene.'' He understood this and stayed put.

Once Iroh was done with the song – which Milah enjoyed – the man laughed before saying, ''Nothing like a fat man dancing for his dinner!'' But he didn't give the coin yet, suddenly noticing Milah who was sitting beside Zuko.

''And you? Can you sing?'' he asked her with hungry eyes, looking over her body. Zuko stood up then, having heard enough of him.

''That's enough,'' he grunted at the man.

''If she can sing, I'll give you four gold pieces. How about that?'' the man hissed to Zuko, whose ears were almost blowing steam. Milah quickly stood up as well and went to stand in front of Zuko, smiling with difficulty at the horrible man.

''I can sing,'' she told him softly and began the song she had first sung for the crew on Zuko's ship all those nights ago. She saw the man's face change from one that wanted to bully, to one that was actually enjoying her voice. His posture relaxed and a tiny smile formed on his lips.

And when she was done, he simply gave her the pieces he promised and walked away. She let out a relieved sigh and turned around to find Iroh looking happy and Zuko looking pissed off, but his eyes told her another story. Together, they sat down once more. After a while, Zuko stood up, saying he had some stuff he had to take care of. When Milah tried pressing for details, he evaded her questions like a professional and was gone before she could stop him.

When the sun was setting – and Zuko had returned –, they had collected a sufficient amount of coins that they could rent a room at the tavern for the night, hot supper and breakfast included. But unfortunately, they only had enough to get them a room with two single beds, raising the question of who would sleep where.

''This discussion is over,'' Zuko tried to end the subject when they were engaged on their dinner. ''You're each sleeping in a bed and that's that.'' Milah shook her head with a frown.

''No, I'm perfectly capable of sleeping on the floor. You don't have to do that for me,'' she tried to reason with him, but she knew she wouldn't win this battle.

''I know, but I want to,'' he said lastly, taking a sip from his hot tea. Iroh was enjoying his roast duck way too much to pay attention to their little quarrel.

''You're so stubborn,'' she mumbled, taking a sip from her soup. ''You could be Water Tribe. Some men in my Tribe were stubborn as well. Annoying as hell, it was.'' Zuko's ears perked up upon hearing her talk about the men in her Tribe.

''So… was there ever someone you… you know…'' he tried to start but was too embarrassed to continue. Milah gave him a sneaky smile.

''Yeah, go on,'' she encouraged the awkward-looking Prince. She enjoyed his discomfort way too much to let this go.

''You know… was there ever someone?'' he tried again, failing miserably.

''You mean in a relationship?'' she finished for him. He let out a relieved sigh, nodding. Milah shook her head. ''No, there was never someone. My grandfather, Pakku, tried to have me married off to Soto who was a fine warrior in the Northern Water Tribe, but since my father wasn't present at the time, he couldn't. Not without my permission.'' Zuko looked oddly pleased.

''Why didn't you?'' he asked eventually. Milah looked at him like he had grown a second head.

''Why didn't I? Why do you think?'' she asked him incredulously, shaking her head. ''I didn't love him of course. I hardly knew him. And besides, I promised myself to only marry out of love and to not settle for anything less.'' She told him while taking a sip from her soup, looking at him from under her eyelashes.

''Mmh… is that so,'' he quietly responded, more to himself than to her. He thought about marrying for love. Since he was royalty, the possibility of marrying out of love hadn't been there for him, not really. He and Mai had been a match – he liked her and she liked him – but that was also because Mai was the daughter of one of his father's most loyal advisers and considered royalty in the Fire Nation.

But when he thought about marrying now, he could only picture the girl that was sitting in front of him as his wife. He could imagine her wearing a fine red dress that would compliment her skin or their wedding night…

He shook his head, wanting to clear his thoughts. It still was no good to go there. His sole mission was to capture the Avatar and restoring his honour in the process, even though he didn't know if that was all he wanted. Maybe he wanted something else even more. He looked up from his food to the face of the girl he was thinking about. She was staring at a few couples who were dancing across the room to some music others were making. The necklace he had bought for her all those months ago was hanging proudly around her neck.

He felt his mother's ring around his own neck and thought back to the moment she had given it to him on the night she left him. She had left him a letter which contained only two simple sentences, saying, 'Dear Zuko, one day you'll find the one that'll love you like I have for so many years and I'm sorry I can't be that one anymore. Keep it safe for that special someone. Love, mom', and the wedding ring his father had given her. It was a fine golden ring with seven coloured diamonds, the outer two yellow, then orange, then red and then a single blue one in the middle. It symbolised fire.

He thought about his mother's words. Was Milah that special someone? Did she love him? Did he love her?

Yes, he loved her, he finally admitted to himself. He clenched his fists beneath the table, feeling his heart stutter dangerously upon thinking the words to himself. It was like a weight fell off his shoulders, a warm feeling passing through his entire body.

I love you, I love you, I love you, he repeated and repeated in his head, never stopping and never taking his eyes off her. He was drowning in her grin and blue eyes when she finally turned around to face him once more.

''Are you okay?'' she asked him upon seeing his somewhat frightened look. ''Is there something on my face?'' His face changed to one of relaxation, a crooked smile forming on his lips.

''No,'' he answered softly, his golden eyes burning. ''You're perfect.'' She looked down coyly.

''You flatter me,'' she timidly tried to dismiss it. Iroh spoke up for the first time, having finished his dinner.

''No, he is right!'' he called out. ''You are beautiful.'' Zuko shook his head awkwardly.

''Uncle,'' Zuko groaned, giving his forehead another slap. Iroh only raised his shoulder sheepishly, making Milah laugh out loud. She didn't know what to think of Zuko's behaviour at the moment, but she made a promise to herself that she would find out why he was acting this way.

''Want to dance?'' she asked him excitedly upon hearing a melody that made the tavern roar with glee. Zuko grimaced and shook his head.

''I don't dance,'' he simply said but thought about his words when her face fell. She rested her chin in her hands, looking with envy towards the happy dancing couples. ''But for you, I can make an exception?'' And with that, he stood up, offering his hand. Her eyes shone brightly for him.

''Really?'' both Milah and Iroh asked, the latter with utter disbelieve. He gave his uncle a stern look which shut him up. Iroh gave his nephew a sneaky smile.

''Come on,'' the Prince uttered, pulling her towards the dance floor. She followed him eagerly, bumping against people and apologising to the ones that gave her the stinky eye. When they arrived at the centre of the dance floor, he turned her around and pulled her close to him. Together, they swayed across the room with the other dancing people. Many cheered them on. Milah could feel her cheeks burning by the way Zuko was looking at her. His hand felt hot on her lower back, making it difficult for her to focus on not stepping on his feet. Luckily, she managed not to do so and was sad when the song ended.

Everyone clapped for the musicians who bowed elegantly before them. Zuko simply stood beside her with his arms crossed over his chest, looking at her with a side-eye.

''Thank you so much!'' she told him and wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a hug. He was startled, not having expected the gratitude he got from her. ''You just made my day. It's been so long since I've danced!'' She twirled around again before going back towards the table where a laughing Iroh could be found. Zuko followed her, eyeing up every man who would stare at Milah for too long.

It wasn't long until a couple from another table asked them if they could sit down, wanting to get to know some new people. They introduced themselves as Than, his pregnant wife, Ying and his sister, Losha. They told them they were refugees who were trying to get to Ba Sing Se. Milah listened to their story with interest, fascinated by the stories they shared.

''Before I forget, congratulations on your little miracle!'' Milah said to them once Than was done, signalling to the swollen belly of his wife. Ying smiled greatly.

''Thank you, Kya,'' she said with gratitude. They had given them their fake names in fear of Azula ever hearing of them being here. ''And I believe I must return it. For how long have you been married?'' Her expectant eyes were curious and honest. Zuko snorted, disbelieving that this was the second time someone had guessed it without even being true.

''For two months now, actually,'' Milah answered them, trying to hold her laughter back. ''Lee and I are very happy.'' She looked up to meet Zuko's eyes, finding them filled with an emotion she couldn't place. She had been getting pretty good at reading the Prince's emotions, but tonight he was trying his best to close that door. ''And when are you due, Ying?'' The pregnant woman smiled.

''In about two months. But you never really know!'' she laughed with Milah. ''And what about you?'' The amused Waterbender shook her head with a smile.

''No, not yet. But I can't wait to have children on my own,'' she dreamed out loud in a soft voice. It was true, she did want children. Back in her Tribe, women were considered eligible once they reached the age of 16, and she was already 18. Friends of her had gotten married and pregnant before they reached the age of 17, leaving her alone with her grandfather. Not that she wanted a loveless marriage anyway, but she had been envious of seeing the joy married couples got from their children.

''We'll just have to keep trying,'' Zuko sneakily spoke up for the first time, squeezing her side. She choked on the tea she had been sipping, giving Zuko the evil-eye. Secretly, she was curious to know what it would be like, with Zuko. She blushed and sipped her tea again, wanting to hide her rosy cheeks. However, Zuko did notice her flustered state, making him feel pretty smug.

''Right,'' she half-heartedly agreed, rolling her eyes to Ying who laughed out loud. Meanwhile, Than had engaged in a conversation with Iroh, both of them chatting with the other animatedly.

''But tell me, where are you going?'' she asked the two of them. Zuko looked unsure what to say, so Milah led the conversation. She told them they didn't have a destination, living from day to day to see what life would bring them instead. She made it sound like they were some kind of nomads and thankfully, Ying bought it.

''I'm sorry, I don't want to be rude or anything, but…'' Ying suddenly said when Milah was done telling a story. Milah's eyes widened in understanding.

''No! Don't apologise. You're seven months pregnant, you should've retired to bed sooner,'' Milah joked with the woman who gave her a grateful smile.

''It was nice meeting you. I hope we'll see each other again,'' she said her goodbyes, both standing up to give each other a hug.

''Same here. Maybe we'll see each other in Ba Sing Se once,'' Milah foretold in hope to which Than nodded with a grin. Losha hadn't spoken during the conversation, making Milah wonder if she had trouble speaking at all, and when the married couple left, Losha gave them a small bow, a smile and turned around to leave as well.

''Such nice people,'' Iroh thought out loud, humming to the music that had started again. Milah nodded.

''I think I'm going to bed as well. We should leave early tomorrow,'' Zuko grumbled and looked at the way of his two companions. ''Are you coming?'' Milah sighed but nodded. She knew she should get as much sleep as was possible when she could lay in a bed instead of dirt. Iroh followed them obediently to the chamber they had been assigned to. Two small beds could contain one person each. Zuko gave a sigh out of foreboding discomfort but made his way towards the bucket of water that stood in the corner to wash before going to bed.

Milah took a seat on the bed that was next to the only window and Iroh on the one opposite of the room, next to the door. They looked at each other and then to Zuko, who was pulling off his shirt. She couldn't help but admire the splendour form of him, amazing and luring her every time she saw him without any cover. When he was done, he grabbed the spare blanket and pillow that had been laid down on the ground for him – special request – and put them over himself.

Milah stripped herself of everything as well – except for her white pant skirt and chest binding, of course – and laid down in her bed, facing the moon that was peeking through the curtain. Only the left side was visible, so the light of it didn't bother her so much. She closed her eyes, tried to sleep, but didn't succeed. She kept glancing over at the large form of Zuko on the ground, looking more uncomfortable with the minute.

She was woken up from her dreamless slumber she had apparently fallen into when she heard the sound of a shuffle coming from outside the window. Milah immediately stood up from her bed, trying to wake her mind some more. But it was then that she noticed Zuko was gone as well, making her frown. She still bended the water from the bucket and prepared herself to battle an intruder, walking towards the open window and moved aside the curtain. But it wasn't an intruder; it was Zuko himself. He was clad in his daily attire, making Milah wonder what he had done just now.

''Wha-'' she started to whisper, but he entered the room swiftly, pressing a hand to her mouth to muffle her. He put his finger to his lips, signalling her to be quiet. She nodded to let her know she would be, but also trying to tell him that she wanted to know tomorrow.

She laid down in bed again as Zuko went towards his spot on the floor, pulling off his shirt. He groaned softly when he laid down, giving away his discomfort. Milah decided she was done with that and stood up from her bed. When she walked over the short distance to him, he sat up to meet her. She crouched down to meet his eye and opened her mouth to whisper, ''You can sleep with me, you know.'' She blushed when she said that, not knowing where it came from. She trusted him enough to offer it, she knew that. But to actually suggest it…

''Are you sure?'' he whispered back, his eyes questioning. She nodded with a small smile. He stood up quietly, following her to the bed. She laid down first, facing the wall and window and he laid down next, facing Iroh on the other side of the room. They didn't dare touch, although the temptation was great.

Her scent filled his being, making it hard for him to breathe or try to sleep. He found it hard to constrain himself; he wanted so badly to turn around and make her lay in his arms as they did on the raft. And when she was so close, in less clothing…

The next morning, Iroh woke up from his deep sleep by the sound of chirping and singing birds.

The sun had started to come up, waking up nature and, as a result, waking up Iroh as well. A loud yawn escaped his lips as he sat up, expecting to see his nephew on the floor. But instead, he found his nephew tangled up with the little Waterbender they had been travelling with. His arm was laid out over her bare stomach, his head resting on her chest, and his legs tucked underneath hers. One of her hands was rested upon his arm and the other in his hair, like she had stroked it one time during the night – unconsciously or fully aware, he didn't know.

Deciding to give them some more privacy, he went out of the room to get himself some breakfast. If they still hadn't come down after he was done, he decided, then he would go up to wake them. Until then, he would allow them to wake up on their own.

Zuko woke up first, noticing he was laying on something warm and soft with his soft. A heartbeat could be heard loudly in one of his ears, but his mind hadn't caught up yet. He snuggled deeper into the soft and warm person beside him, wanting to disappear into the comfortable spot.

Milah woke up from the pressure on her right breast and the snuggle into it. She looked down to see Zuko sprawled over her with his arm and legs. Her hand was tucked in his soft hair which was getting much longer, much to her liking. She stroked through it for a while, absentmindedly, watching the man with an emotion that made her insides glow and flutter.

It was love, she realised, what she felt for him. She had loved him for a long time now, even though their fate together was doomed, forbidden. But the emotion had come anyway. It didn't care about Nations, Tribes, wars or horrible fathers. She hadn't even realised it – or just didn't want to admit it – but it was clear to her now. She wanted to wake up with him like this every morning for the rest of her life, even if that meant betraying her family and Tribe. If Katara and Sokka really loved her, then they would accept them.

A loud growl coming from Milah's stomach interrupted her realisation of her love for Zuko, waking up the man himself in the process. His arm tightened around her for a bit, hugging her close to him, making her insides go to mush again.

''Not yet,'' he mumbled with his eyes still close. ''Just a bit longer.'' She laughed at his persistence.

''I agree,'' she softly assented with him.

''Iwuveyoo,'' an unknown word escaped his mouth, his voice muffled by her breast. She laughed softly in confusion.

''What?'' she whispered, but he didn't reply. She let it go, not knowing what to make of it, and instead went through his hair with her fingers again. He sighed in delight, not wanting this moment to ever end.

''Can I still take you up on that offer?'' he suddenly mumbled.

''Of what?'' she asked back, her eyes closed, enjoying their moment together.

''Of staying with you forever,'' he rambled on, drowning in the girl he loved. Milah's hand stopped with what it was doing, alarming Zuko, but she continued fairly quickly after.

''Only if you promise me that you'll stay with me, forever,'' she answered him, not knowing whether he would like it or not. ''And that means, no more hunting down the Avatar.'' His arm tightened around her some more, not giving away what he was really thinking.

Suddenly, he sat upon his elbow, facing her head-on. ''So… what if I promise you?'' he asked her gently. ''We can do it, you know, run away.'' Milah's heart fluttered at the suggestion, but she knew she couldn't let him do this. His mind was clouded with what he thought he wanted, not with what he actually wanted. She reached up with her now free hand to touch his scar, upon which his eyes closed.

''Zuko…'' she started, not knowing how to end, but he broke her off by pressing his lips upon hers. She was startled at first, not knowing what to think, but her mind quickly caught up with the reality. He was kissing her!

He couldn't help it. Her lips looked so plump and inviting, he couldn't help but press his rough lips against her delicate ones. He didn't care about the consequences, only knowing what he wanted and needed at this moment. And that was Milah, the girl he loved and wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Their lips moved synchronously, anticipating the others move and adjusting it to their own. Zuko moved his free hand to weave it through her hair and feel the soft locks of it, never getting tired of the feeling. Her left hand, which had been resting on his arm, came up to meet his chest and slowly pushed him away from her.

He moved away as soon as he realised she was putting pressure against his chest. Her eyes were wild and her lips were red and swollen, a sight which he would remember for the rest of his life. But he got off the bed quickly, not knowing where they stood at this moment, and not knowing what her thoughts were after pushing him away.

''Zuko…'' she tried calling him back to her, regretting her action. But in truth, she didn't know if it was wise kissing him, not when there were still so many unspoken things between them. Not when he couldn't let go of the ridiculous notion that he needed to regain his honour while he already had so much to fight for. ''Zuko! Please.'' He had put on his shirt and was about to open the door and leave the room, but stopped upon hearing her desperate cry for him.

''Look, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I don't know what came over me,'' he started, not turning around for he didn't want to face her. ''It's probably hormones. I haven't been with a woman for a while, so it's probably just that.'' He wanted to fix the situation so badly, felt insecure about her feelings for him, and sincerely didn't want to mess up their relationship.

''Oh,'' Milah answered bitterly. ''Yeah… hormones.'' She stood up from her bed as well, putting on the green shirt and brown skirt.

''Yeah… so… no hard feelings?'' he asked her in a pained voice, feeling like his heart had shattered into a thousand pieces.

''Sure,'' she whispered sullenly. He left the room then, shutting the door behind him. The first tears fell after, a sob escaping her mouth. She had genuinely thought they were getting somewhere, that he was realising there more things to life than honour and a cold throne. That he could choose love and goodness. But it had gone south, all of it, and why? She didn't know.

And so she was all alone in the room and all that was left was a wistful feeling.

Little author's note: I was listening to tavern ambience sounds, like music and chattering people, which inspired me for this chapter. I was having difficulty with what I should write but I have it clear in my head now. Also, shout out to all the readers that have favourited or followed my story, because whenever such a notification pops up on my phone of laptop I'm encouraged to write and continue, so thank you all! I am also always grateful for Vosck's kind reviews, they make me the happiest person in the world! :)