Archive of Our Own

Everyone from all nations knew of the infamous story of the Fire Lord. 

Once ruled with an iron fist, he was a treacherous leader and a horrible man who stopped at nothing in order to achieve his goals by many means necessary – the all fearful ruler, Fire Lord Ozai. 

He sought to achieve his power through violent means; destroying homes, cutting off trades and gaining both political and economic power by conquering all nations in order to name himself as a king of all subjects.

However, even kings as powerful as him were still victims of mother nature, the price of existence paid by merely living a short, mortal life, which meant needing to produce an heir in order to continue the bloodline suited for only the royal family. 

Prince Zuko was to be said heir, forged by his father’s hatred to be molded into the world’s future king, though he was overshadowed by Azula, his younger sister, who gained his father's...not love, but something. 

But that’s now how you knew Zuko. 

You met him outside the palace walls on a warm, sunny day while he was out and about with his mother, accidentally running into him while playing with your friends. 

He caused a scene, berating you for not seeing where you were going and bumping right into him. 

The bystanders stood with bated breath as the prince looked at you angrily, wondering what punishment he'd bestow upon you. 

But you stuck your tongue out, telling him how rude he was for yelling at a girl and surprising everyone at how little you feared the young prince. 

He was taken aback, never experiencing anyone brave enough to challenge his authority while his mother hid a laughter behind her hand. 

He stumbled on his words, finding any other way to insult you before his mother nudged him to apologize. 

It might have been an accident, but he was still royalty and needed to act as such. 

After much grumbling, he apologized with a half-assed bow, and you accepted straight away. 

Since then, you have taken an interest in him.

In times you would sneak away from family you’d visit the palace grounds, finding him alone or being bullied by his sister or others. 

Not once did he ever seem happy, no matter what time of day you found him in, but the more you visited the more he’d grown attached, opening up to the one person that didn't look at him like he was broken. 

He didn’t want to admit it, but days were much bearable when you were around. 

Since then you’d become inseparable, finding ways to spend time with one another and just being kids together, even when his father forbade him from seeing you. 

You brought over snacks that your family made, promising him that you’d learn to make it for him someday if he wanted to.

And by the spirits he truly wanted you to. 

He treated the bond like precious metals, doing everything he could in his power to ensure that he'd never let his father hurt you or let his sister get her hands on you. 

He ran to you after his Agni Kai, riddled with shame and guilt as he refused to fight his father in front of the very people he thought he'd rule over one day. 

Banished. You repeated the word in your head over and over again. 

You hugged him tightly, tears streaming down your cheeks as you come to realize that this would be the last time you’d ever see him. 

It was a chilly morning when you watched his ship leave the docks, heart shattering into a million pieces as he didn’t even get to say goodbye to you. 

Life wasn’t the same since he was exiled, the colors growing mute as years went by. 

During his absence you found yourself dabbling in medicine, training under the best doctors between your home and the Earth kingdom, ultimately becoming one of the world’s greatest apothecaries.

With your sharp nose and book smarts you helped many people, providing medicine and teaching future doctors how to create various healing tactics with what mother earth provided. 

Many of the kind people around you kept you hidden under aliases, not wanting to have your gifts being stolen by the current Fire Lord and hope to continue to do good by your people.

The job was steady, earning a decent wage and having your own place to call home, but there was always that ache in your heart that never went away – a piece of you taken by the prince. 

After the end of the hundred year war and the dethroning of Ozai, Zuko returned back home, spending many days searching for you, a small part of him hoping that you had forgotten all about him so that you’d be free from his insolence. 

After what felt like an endless loop of information and word-of-mouth, he found you working in a quaint little shop in the middle of the market district. 

You had stood shocked when he came to the back of the house, almost dropping your new batch of medicine as his highness stood in the doorway, disheveled and very sweaty. 

Though most shocking was seeing him with a full head of hair. 

He fell to his knees, hands and head on the ground begging for forgiveness with a promise to make up for lost time. 

The shop owner was baffled, the sight of the once-feared prince now at the mercy of a commoner. 

You could’ve thrown insults, belittled him for destroying families or even hit him for being the sole reason that the world was no longer the same, instead you had hugged him, calling him a stupid head for leaving you alone all this time. 

He hugged you back, tears streaming down his face as he believed he’d lost the one person he couldn’t live without, spending every day thinking about you and carrying you memory everywhere he went as he had gone through a perilous journey in finding himself. 

Since that day, he spent nearly every hour contributing his time to spoil you rotten, ignoring your pleas of not needing any gifts, but he insisted, filling your home with precious gemstones, flowers and exotic fruits. 

You’d scold him but he’d just poke you on the forehead – a sign of affection he used to do in your youth.

Regardless, you were happy that he had changed, thankfully, for the better. 

Once he was finally settled in and declared the new Fire Lord, you had accepted his invitation to come on board to be part of his team, becoming the nation’s apothecary and his personal advisor. 

Many had put in a great word for you, singing praises of your miracle work and incredible work ethic, saying how much you enjoyed helping others. 

It was a bit awkward getting used to the routine of seeing him everyday, but you couldn’t complain as he had every intention to be part of your everyday life, sharing his stories about his travels with the Avatar over dinner and asking about your life while he was gone. 

The bond you had forged had thinned out years ago, his alienation from his home plucking every string with each passing day until only one remained.

Hope had dwindled, but now it was stronger than steel, proving his change and loyalty to you without you even asking.

Long before, Zuko was a fortress; he was someone who kept everyone out and only allowed you to peek into a crack of who he truly was, seeing a darkness passed down to him by his insolent bastard of a father that swallowed him up.

Now he was free, allowing himself to experience life to the fullest all while rebuilding a friendship he thought was once lost. 

It was easier to speak to him now, his smiles and mannerisms of someone who held no fear in his heart anymore. 

In those quiet nights while you spent time in his quarters or in the garden did he learn more about you, beating himself over and over again as he missed out on many milestones of your career and livelihood.

He swore to never miss another one, making a promise that he’d ensure he’d never break so long as he lived. 

Deep down, you believed him, having no reason to distrust him even now. 

However, as you begin to spend more of your days with him, along came feelings neither of you had expected to experience. 

Stolen glances, accidental brushes of his hands, even visiting each other’s chambers late at night to simply chat; these were all things that felt so natural that it frightened you both. 

You had thought that the way he treated you was due to him being a gentleman, his days spent away from his home making him grow into a kind, patient and understanding man, but he never doted on the ladies of the house like he did you. 

You’ve caught yourself wondering too many times what it would be like to have his hands around your waist, guiding you through the great halls. Or how it would feel to dance a waltz in the middle of the festival room, held close by him. 

But Zuko wasn’t completely blameless, either. 

His attention favored you, and it was obvious with how shameless he was at not trying to hide it. 

The previous Lord had no intention of even looking at anyone else, let alone his advisor, but he spent every waking moment trying to fill your days with laughter and gifts.

He learned to know your likes and dislikes to a tee, going as far as being able to pick up on miniscule signs that determine as such: a twitch of the brow, purse of the lips, scrunch of your nose, the works. 

You once mentioned how much you loved long hair, that brushing it and braiding it was one of your favorite things. 

Over the years he secretly brought in ingredients to keep his mane healthy and shiny, asking you to brush it or braid it from time to time.

You once asked him why, and he explained that it makes having to change into his formal gowns much easier. 

Little did you know how much he adored having your hands on his scalp, practically purring whenever your fingers brushed against a sensitive spot against his neck. 

During walks he’d stay close, taking notes of what flowers you like the most so that he’d bring you a bouquet to your door to have placed by your bedding. 

He’d personally cook your meals, more so in times when you fell ill and were unable to stand.

Although you worked beneath him, you were companions first, spending your free time together as much as possible and continuing what was lost in your childhood. 

Everyone around you saw it before either of you did, but neither of you were forward enough to admit it. 

It was unmistakable how you looked at one another, as if seeing the world’s priceless treasures sitting right in front of you. 

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆🕯⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

The staff were busy preparing the conference room while you were smoothing out your dress, looking in the mirror and thinking about what to do with your hair. 

A guest from the Earth Kingdom was to set foot in the palace soon, however, it wasn’t exactly under the best circumstances. 

He was the son of a trader who has provided the nation with spices and herbs for many years, creating a strong tie with both kingdoms by supplying goods to one another. 

Recently he was undergoing a trial as a way to see if he was ready to take over the family business once his father was too old to carry on. 

However, there have been some suspicions about some of the cargo being tampered with ever since he stepped in and took over the shipments. 

It wasn’t noticeable at first, able to bypass some of the checkpoints without question, but it wasn’t until a significant number of complaints from doctors and farmers started to come in, many pointing out that something had changed, but there was difficulty in telling what exactly. 

You were called in to directly inspect the new shipment, a job you’ve become greatly familiar with ever since you’ve traveled between here and the Earth Kingdom to discuss supplies with other doctors. 

Once Lahang, the brilliant son of the trader, stepped foot onto land, all hell had broken loose. 

His initial interaction with the council after his arrival had put a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth; he was arrogant, the up-and-coming heir walking around as if he was just as important as the Fire Lord himself with how highly he spoke of himself, portraying himself as being the best decision his father had done since starting his business. 

He spoke only with the men and looked down on the women, not even glancing their way when he passed by, exhibiting his true nature in loud silence. 

Word began to spread, reaching both you and Zuko – clearly, both irritated. 

Obviously, neither of you wanted to deal with this buffoon showing off his cards so easily, but since it directly dealt with his nation, it had to be done. 

It was the livelihood of Zuko’s people that he was interfering with, and by extension, you, something that he held near and dear to his heart, and it needed to be fixed now. 

Eight of you sat around a large table in one of the smaller rooms with Zuko placed right at the end as you sat on his right side. 

It was your suggestion to have the ladies in waiting take the place of the men who usually sat in, a showmanship of solidarity and equality as they were just as qualified to sit with you.

Unlike the scummy man who sat on the other side eyeing one of them with a lustful look in his eyes, but they were poised and ignored his stares, matching your own mask as you smoothed out your dress. 

“I assume you know why you’re here.” 

Zuko started, hands folded neatly on the table.

Lahang sat at the opposite end of Zuko, his crew sitting by his side looking mighty smug. 

“I am, but I assure you there’s nothing to worry about!” The oh so humble man declared. “I wouldn’t even dream of doing something to break our contract and your trust with my family.” 

Your brow twitched. The mere high pitch of this man’s voice made you feel ill. 

Zuko’s foot touched yours beneath the table, a sign that he was here should you need him. 

And to also prevent you from killing the man. 

You nudged his foot back, seeing a small twitch of his lips. 

Dork. 

“Please bring out the samples.” 

Zuko asked, watching as his soldiers brought multiple small bowls, each having a small portion of the typical goods that were delivered. 

“These were directly from the crates you delivered?”

You asked, mentally burning Lahang alive as he didn’t even look at you at all while Zuko’s men responded to you with the utmost respect.

“They are, my lady. We’ve checked them thoroughly.” 

You nodded, dismissing them back to their posts as you were now in work mode. 

You studied the herbs, already noting some discrepancies with the previous orders by merely looking at the shapes and colors. 

A book with all of your annotations was opened up, reading through the notes and looking at the various images while comparing the small batches of goods that sat neatly around you. 

You’ve studied for years, so sure in your mind about everything that you saw that the probability of making a mistake was practically zero. 

You did double-takes on some, coming to a conclusion after a few minutes of silence. 

Zuko’s brows furrowed, as if able to read exactly what you were thinking. 

Some of these didn’t look right. 

“Why are these a different shade than the usual batch?”

You ask, lifting a leafy herb up and showing it to the council.

The man eyed you suspiciously, shrugging. 

“You must be mistaken, it’s the same herbs we’ve been cultivating for centuries. We haven’t changed a single thing.”

The answer was too simple, not even trying to come up with something more clever to hide his stupidity. 

You didn’t buy it. 

“Is it, now?” You hum, twisting it in your fingers. “Tell me, what does this one typically smell like?”

The plant twirls in your hand. 

“Spicy pepper.” 

Your eyes narrow.

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.” 

“How much would you bet on it?”

The room fell silent as you stared right into the man’s soul. 

Zuko knew well enough that this meant that you had definitely discovered something, but he knew better than to interrupt while you were in this mode, watching in awe as you were like a beautiful snake, fangs ready and venom swirling in your veins to pounce on your prey. 

“My life.” 

You give him a wide smile, catching the way the man’s demeanor fell slightly as he gave his answer.

He hesitated, and that was all you needed. 

What an idiotic man. 

You gave Zuko’s foot two taps, and he knew that it was time to pay attention. 

“Excellent.” 

With the mortar and pestle you crush the ingredient, grinding it down to tiny flakes as the room falls into silence, a coldness lingering in the air as all eyes are on you now. 

The bowl was lifted to your nostrils, taking a small inhale of the greenery. 

It was fresh with a sharp undertone, almost making your eyes water.

Not a hint of pepper. 

“Your highness, what does this smell like to you?” 

You hand the bowl over to him, watching as he takes it and breathes in the scent. 

His eyes narrow, now staring daggers at his so-called trader. 

“It’s mint.” 

The room goes still, the ladies sitting alongside you having trouble hiding their leers towards the man. 

“There has to be some sort of mistake–”

“I don’t make mistakes.” 

You cut in, deliberate in making him feel as small as he made everyone else feel. 

He flinched, gritting his teeth as he almost decided to bark back, only to stop as Zuko sat up just a bit straighter, making him back down. 

He clears his throat, folding his hands together as he finally looks at you. 

“Then perhaps I need to check in with my people to see what has happened. I'm sure this is some sort of mix-up with our deliveries.” 

It was a poor excuse, terrible, in fact, but everyone at the table knew there was no escaping your hawk-like vision. 

“We’ll look into it, for now, you’re dismissed to your designated quarters until further notice.”  

Zuko calls the meeting over, and you nudge his foot once more, understanding what you meant.

You needed a break. 

Zuko stayed behind whilst you made your way back to your quarters, letting out a sound of irritation as you shook your head.

How dare he act like you didn’t know a single thing? He probably couldn’t even form a coherent thought in that dumb, giant, bald, sweaty–

“Excuse me, my lady.” 

You stopped in your tracks, gritting your teeth as you recognized the voice. 

Calm down, just pretend you care and let him go on his merry way…

You turn, chin high and face stone cold as the scrawny man stood a mere four paces in front of you. 

“What is it?” 

Lahang bowed deeply, the gesture making you raise a brow. 

How is it that it took more than half a day for this man to speak respectfully to a woman. 

“I wanted to apologize about my actions earlier. It wasn’t very honorable of me.” 

His head remained low, but you stood in thought. 

He most likely didn't take the time out of his day to apologize to all of the ladies he met before you, and there were plenty who had given their complaints to you, hence the meeting. 

He wasn’t sorry for his actions – he was embarrassed how you made him feel during the short interaction you had with him in the room. 

“Is that all?” 

It was clear there was no use trying to get your sympathy, and so in his brilliance he attempted a different route. 

He rose back to his height, taking a step closer to you. 

“Actually, I have a business proposition for you, my lady.” He steps closer, closing the space ever so slowly, but you don't move, refusing to show weakness around him. 

“We could have someone like you in our business: intelligent, beautiful–” 

It felt like he had slapped you in the face. 

“I can pay you handsomely, both in coin and in…other ways.” 

Bile rose up to your throat as a sickening itch crawled across your skin, but you remained poised, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of his words affecting you as he stood way too close to you. 

“My loyalty is to the Fire Lord and him only.” 

You spoke clearly, ensuring there was no misunderstanding or mistake in your standing, both economically and socially. 

You knew it ran deeper than that, but you were still a reflection of Zuko’s status, and needed to act accordingly. 

Lahang grinned a sickening grin, able to see that familiar lust drip down his maw. 

“Oh come on, don’t you want to live somewhere better? I can treat you better than your precious Fire Lord.”

He reached for your face, but you slapped his hand away, unable to shake the frightening feeling gripping your heart. 

“Don’t touch me!” 

You stepped back, but Lahang didn’t back down so easily.

He grabs your wrist, pulling you close to him and hissing as he squeezes your wrist. 

“Let me go!” 

“Now now, just be quiet and–”

“What’s going on here?” 

Zuko appears from down the hallway, his eyes going between you both. 

He locked onto you, but you shook your head softly, swallowing down thickly. 

He raises a brow, but you shake your head again. 

Then he looks down at where Lahang’s hand was touching you. 

The flames in the torches grew tenfold as Zuko’s hands balled into fists. 

Lahang speaks up as he releases you; a mistake he would pay for later. 

“We were just having a friendly conversation, weren’t we?” 

He looked at you, hoping that you’d submit to his suggestion, only to be taken aback as your face twisted in anger, no longer hiding the regal facade you portrayed to those who weren’t Zuko.

“I think you should leave.” 

You suggested darkly, eyeing Zuko from the corner of your eye. 

Huffs of smoke escaped his nostrils, and if you knew anything about Zuko, this meant trouble if the room wasn’t cleared in the next three seconds. 

“Now.” 

You urged Lahang, and he finally listened once he saw the Fire Lord’s burning gaze drilling holes into his very soul.

“I apologize, again.” He moves around Zuko, careful to avoid the flames forming around his fists. 

Zuko watches him as he pushes through a doorway and leaves, leaving you to calm your racing heart. 

“I ought to murder him, that annoying little–” Zuko then turns to you, his face dropping as he rushes towards you.  

“What happened?”

Zuko scans your face, finding any miniscule reason to chase the man and burn him into a crisp, cursing to himself that he couldn’t be here for your aid quicker.

You shake your head, letting out a deep breath you’ve been holding since the encounter. 

“Nothing, he was just bothering me.” 

He should accept your words and drop the conversation, but he couldn’t help but notice the way you couldn’t even look at him. 

Something happened, he knew that much, and whether it was because of not wanting to sever the ties with his trader or your pride that you refused to tell him, he didn’t know, but he didn’t care, only wanting to ensure that you were safe under him. 

“Do I need to handle it?” 

You shook your head once more.

“Zuko I’m fine–”

“Did he hurt you?”

You rubbed your wrist, looking down as he didn’t, in fact, hurt you physically. 

Mentally, however…

“No. I promise.”

You finally looked up at him, but you realized he wasn’t looking at you. 

He lifts your hand, placing a soft kiss where Lahang had grabbed you, erasing the mark the scumbag left behind. 

The pulse in your veins rushed as he placed another kiss, replacing a bad memory with a better one. 

You didn’t question it, the action feeling as natural as the sun rising. 

He placed a few more kisses, creating an array of love and affection wrapped around your wrist, and you accepted his affection with a full heart in the middle of the hallway. 

“Meet me in the grand hall in two hours. Sit by my side.” 

He spoke softly, but his request threw you off. 

There were only a handful of times he had requested for you to sit by him in the throne room, typically left to stand at the bottom of the steps with the other high ranked officers.

It was during times he felt the most stress that he’d request your attendance, your presence just enough to keep his head on his shoulders and his heart calm. 

It seems Lahang really did a number on him, but so did he on you. 

“Okay.” 

He gives you a boyish smile, forgetting to release your wrist as his thumb rubs circles against your skin.

But you didn’t pull away, the motion soothing. 

“Do you need anything in the meanwhile?” 

“Lahang being beaten to a pulp.”

He chuckles, mischief in his golden eyes.

“I can have that arranged.” 

“Joking.” 

All worries melted away as you both giggled, the stress of the day vanishing into thin air.

He released your wrist, immediately missing his touch on your skin. 

“Actually…” You started, a softness curling around your heart. “Can I braid your hair? Maybe have some firecracker buns?” 

There it was, back to a normalcy you both had grown used to. 

He was hoping you’d ask to whisk him away from his duties. 

Zuko nodded, leading you down the pathway you were taking originally. 

“Of course, your room or mine?”

You grin, the accidental brush of your hands making your stomach flutter as a hue of pink settles on Zuko’s ears.

“Yours.” 

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆🕯⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

The air was tense in the grand hall, guards lined up from the entrance all the way to the foot of the throne. The torches flickered all about, lighting up the room in a warm yet threatening aura. 

After designing a new braid and taking a small nap after some food, you entered through the doors, all eyes on you as you climbed the steps, eyeing the crackle of fire and the sea of people filling the space. 

Once you reach the top, your heart swells. 

Zuko sat neatly, wearing a new set of royal garments provided by the royal seamstress with a pattern that you recognize being yours. 

He looks up at you and gives you a soft smile, and you return one of your own, eyeing the new braids in his hair done by yours truly accentuated by the shimmering golden crown on his head, but there was an unsettling feeling in your heart as you knew once it came down to business, this side of Zuko would disappear. 

You take your place next to him, sitting proper and ready to witness what would, hopefully, be an outcome worthy of your time. 

Lahang and his small group of traveling traders stood in the middle of the long carpet, all looking very worried and speaking in hushed whispers to one another. 

“Thank you all for showing up.”

He starts, giving a bow to everyone, even though some didn’t deserve it. 

He takes a deep breath, now lifting his head and settling into his position.

Here now sat his highness, Fire Lord Zuko.  

“Son of Lohak, step forward.” 

Zuko demands of Lahang. 

The man takes a few steps, an air of arrogance and confidence surrounding him as he now stands before the Lord with his hands behind his back. 

“My Lord, this is all a big misunderstanding–” 

“Kneel.”

There was a bite to his command, a new side of him coming forward.  

You side eye Zuko, feeling your stomach twist in knots as you replay the way he spoke the demand. 

A thought crossed your mind, wondering if maybe…

You’d save that thought for later tonight. 

Lahang lets out a dry cough, wincing as he now folds himself down to his knees. 

“In hopes of extending our services to the other nations, I had thought that inviting you to present your findings would be most valuable not only for yourself, but for your family’s honor.” 

The flames in the hall flicker as his men stood along the walls, observing the trial in silence as Zuko spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. 

“Color me surprised when I discovered that ever since you had come in position as head of the business, many of your herbs and spices had been coming in both mislabeled and incorrect for months.” 

Lahang’s eyes widened, and you grinned. 

Zuko knew you were right; his trust in you is the reason you sat up there with him right by his side. 

“After thorough investigation, it has been concluded that your actions were due to cutting costs to save coin without giving a single thought about how it would affect not just other nations, but the very people who need these spices in order to survive?” 

His voice grew tight, sensing his anger surge through him while you remained in your seat, calm and collected. 

It was incredible to see his restraint. Had he been in his youth he would’ve burned the place down until there was nothing but ash, but now as he sits on his throne without even a twitch of a muscle? 

He was much more terrifying than Ozai. 

“Not only did you come to parade your fraudulence in front of my council, but you thought to have taken me for a fool.” 

Lahang’s posture begins to crumble alongside his world, realizing how crucial his mistake was now that he was found out. 

“Your highness–”

The flames rise, burning brightly as Zuko raises a hand to silence him.

“You have been nothing but a parasite in my presence, draining both my time and efforts in order to make a mockery of my name.” 

Suddenly an arm wraps around you, pulling you to sit across his lap. 

Heat rose up your thighs and neck as you were held against his broad chest, his hand now resting on your hip to hold you steady while the other grips the arm rest of his throne. 

You were frozen in shock, wanting to say something – anything – to get his attention, but his focus was entirely elsewhere, and who would dare challenge the actions of the Fire Lord in the middle of this hearing? 

“Then you have the gall to challenge my apothecary’s intelligence, flaunting your stupidity as she remains composed and steady in her honor in order to keep me and my people safe.”

His hand grips your hip, thumb rubbing against the fabric of your dress in apology. 

Truth be told, you felt smug, watching as the man’s face twisted in fear as Zuko made his statement loud and clear, realizing now that his mistake was much worse than he thought. 

From afar he seemed composed, a fury barely contained beneath a sneer. His eyes remained forward, but his jaw was tight, the veins in his neck bulging out. 

It was a white-hot anger you’ve never seen before. 

“You even went out of your way to assault her, to dare touch what’s mine.” 

The men and women in the room all gasped, shocked by the accusation. 

Lahang began to panic, practically slamming his head on the ground as he begged for forgiveness. 

Your breath hitched, his words going straight to your core as his hands traveled down to your thigh, suddenly aware of how big they were.

You never took Zuko to be such a possessive man, but you couldn't deny the way he dominated the room with ease made you feel that he was perfectly suited for his role. 

His chest rises and falls harshly, a puff of fire escaping his nostrils and his body heating up with emotion. 

You should be afraid, should be uncomfortable how close you were and being shown off like a trophy, yet you couldn’t help the coils beneath your naval that wound up as he displays his raw power and in the same breath declaring you as his. 

You sneak another glance, watching a droplet of sweat dribble down his temple. 

Perhaps you were starting to like this side of him now. 

“I should have you arrested and flogged in public to make an example out of you.” 

Lahang breaks down into tears, clasping his hands together. 

“Please, Lord Zuko, I beg of you, I won’t make the same mistake again!”

You place a hand on Zuko’s chest, breaking his focus as steam and fire starts to push out with every exhale. 

He was teetering on the edge of becoming someone dangerous, a bit afraid that maybe that younger version of himself was still alive and well deep inside of him.

He turns to look at you, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest as your hand reaches up and cups his cheek, thumb brushing against his scar and tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear. 

You communicated in silence, giving him a small plea with your wide eyes and slightly parted lips. 

His eyes search yours, tilting his head down in question as you nod. 

After a long, silent minute he finally sighs and nods in return, taking a deep breath and taking your hand in his, intertwining your fingers together. 

There was that same feeling as before, a thrumming in your chest as you relax against him, nuzzling your head in his neck.  

“Very well.” He looks back up, his heart returning to a steady rhythm. “Be thankful that my apothecary is so kind and forgiving, for I am not."

Zuko looks back to the accused, chin held high.

"In her honor, I will instead spare you of your punishment.” 

The group behind Lahang bows in thanks, everyone seemingly caught off guard by the Fire Lord’s generosity. 

“Thank you, your highness and my lady. You’re very kind, and gracious and all powerful and–” 

“You are no longer welcome to set foot in the Fire Nation, and I will see to it that your family name will be tarnished.” 

The man’s face falls and you giggle, finding this punishment much more fitting.

“Consider yourself fired. I will be sending a letter to your father about your insolence.”   

Zuko grins, squeezing your hand as he rubs his thumb on your skin. 

“We will take our business elsewhere.” Zuko waves a hand; a signal to his guards. “Send them back to their ship.” 

He then looks to the rest of his council, feeling himself being drained by the second. He was reaching his breaking point, just needed to wait a bit longer before he could finally relax.  

“You are all dismissed. Please don’t set foot in here until I say so.” 

Everyone bows, filing out in neat lines throughout every available door until there was nothing but empty space left. 

A long, heavy exhale followed by a small flicker of flames slipped past his lips as he closed his eyes, a headache beginning to bloom. 

Before you could speak he moved you, your knees now settled around his thighs as he wrapped his arms around your back, his face buried against your chest. 

He’s never held you so close before, only done so when he’s had too many drinks or when you were alone, which made everything that happened earlier so much more intimate. 

Suddenly you felt something against your body; a small vibrating pressure around your body. 

He was trembling.

He really must’ve been livid.  

“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me for what I did earlier.” 

You were stunned into silence. 

It was incredibly unusual to see him so shaken up, used to seeing a very calm and collected Zuko cross the halls everyday, which only made you sympathize more. 

It reminded you of the first day when he found you in that shop all those years ago. 

This was truly something serious. 

You carded your fingers through his hair, careful to avoid his crown and braids as you create a soothing pattern for him, wiping away his worries with every stroke.

“I was angry about everything, about what he did to you, and then I just put you in that position and–”

“I didn’t mind.”

You interject, his words now caught in his throat. 

He looks up at you surprised. 

“You…didn’t?”

He thought he had overstepped, that maybe in his red hot anger did he succumb to his selfish desires and crossed a line he thought you didn’t want him to step over, but you only smiled at him, tucking another loose strand of hair behind his ear. 

“A warning would’ve been nice, but I wasn’t exactly against the idea.” 

You swallowed, feeling small as he looked up at you with those pretty amber eyes. 

You thought it would be hard to admit how much you enjoyed feeling like you were his, but Zuko ensured that he made a space where you could tell him anything without fear of judgement.

Though, you were sure that the unspoken feelings lingering in between longing gazes and the touch of your hands was something you both had a mutual understanding of, making things much easier to admit as he hugged you tighter.  

“When I saw him put his hands on you...” He huffs, upsetting himself up once again. “I would’ve killed him on the spot if you told me to.” 

You sucked in a sharp breath, the admittance making heat pool deep in your stomach. 

You knew he meant it with the way he would do anything you asked; whether it would be your favorite snacks, a small vacation or to add an extra acre of land to the garden.

Knowing that you had such power over the Fire Lord thrilled you, but you wouldn’t go as far as having him take a life over disrespecting him.

At least, not today. 

You shake your head and poke him on the nose. 

“No killing.” 

He sighs playfully, exaggerating with the drop of his shoulders. 

“No killing.” He parrots, grinning widely as you cup his cheeks, sighing as your thumbs caress his skin. 

And as you both sat so close, you couldn’t help but feel comfortable in such a position. 

You locked gazes, heart synching as one as every breath felt just a tad too shallow. 

You were sitting too close, and yet not close enough. 

“I meant what I said before.” A hand rubs your lower back. “You’re mine. Or at least, I want you to be mine.” 

He gives you the widest puppy eyes, your heart wrenching as you replay his words in your mind. 

You never took him to be a possessive man, but with the way he held you, showing you off in front of everyone…

You wanted that everyday. 

“Zuko…” You sighed.

“Seeing him touch you like that made me realize I don’t want anyone else having such access to you like that.” 

He admits, his hands squeezing your hips, as if grounding himself to ensure that you wouldn’t float away. 

“Who, then?”

You asked, already knowing the answer to the question, but you wanted to hear it right from the source, heart hammering in your chest as his hands slid up your sides slowly.

“Me. Only me.” 

You swore you saw hearts in his eyes, reveling in the softness of your body sitting in his lap. 

The feeling has been budding for ages now, spending years yearning for your undivided attention and affections, but he knew his duty came first, and he didn’t want to put you in a position where you’d be picked apart underneath a microscope by those who didn’t understand the relationships you both had.

However, after seeing that filthy, dirty man put his hands on you, he realized he could only conceal those feelings for so long before he exploded, literally and figuratively. 

It should only be his hands on your, his kisses on your skin, your body on his. 

He couldn’t bear at the thought of anyone else being the mother of his future children. 

“You’re so smart, so beautiful.” A hand reaches up, cupping your cheek and cradling you like porcelain. “Kind, selfless and strong.” 

His praises covered you from head to toe, like a warm blanket on a cold winter night. 

You leaned into his touch, noting that he was much closer than before, but he wasn’t the only one leaning in. 

“When you put that man’s place in that meeting room? I wanted to propose to you on the spot.”

Your eyes went wide, heart doing backflips. 

The thought has crossed your mind every now and then, both of you nearing the age where you’d be wed off and set to settle down and start a family, but to think that Zuko had given much thought about it as much as you have…

An ember twinkled in his eyes, seeing his past, present and future right in front of him. 

“There’s no one else I’d trust to be by my side for the rest of my life.” 

You knew you’d already be going to spend the rest of your life alongside Zuko, devoted to both his happiness and his passion to make the world a better place.

But to sit beside him as both his advisor and his wife? 

It was both of your dreams come true. 

He takes one of your hands, lifting it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on your knuckles. 

“Will you grant me the greatest honor of my life and be my Queen?” 

Tears pricked at your eyes in an instant, your heart leaping out of your chest as the question echoes in your mind repeatedly. 

A wide smile tugs at the corner of your lips, nodding enthusiastically. 

“Yes. A million times yes.” 

The union was sealed with a searing kiss, your arms locked around his neck as he pulled you in close, sighing into one another as he kept pulling you into him, leaving not an inch of space between you. 

The flames in the room flickered wildly, his hands traveling across your back as you slipped your tongue in his mouth, the muscles dancing with one another as the room began to grow hotter and hotter. 

You moan into his mouth, grinding into him as his hand slides down to your hip, guiding your movement to press right up against something hard. 

A soft whine leaves you as you mindlessly roll your hips into him, cursing at the fabric for keeping your bodies apart. 

You were first to pull away, filling your lungs with oxygen as a string of saliva connected you both. 

Zuko looks up with half-lidded eyes, his own lips swollen and red. 

“You’re so beautiful, my flame.”

“Shut up.” 

You say without an ounce of malice. 

His hand grips your chin, pulling you down and kissing you again. 

The torches roared to life as his hands cupped your bottom while yours roamed over his chest, feeling hardened muscles beneath layers of royal cloth. 

“I need you.” He speaks in between kisses. “Right now.” 

You almost couldn’t think clearly as he trails down your neck, biting down on a sensitive spot and making you squeeze around his thighs. 

“Right here? But what if someone comes in?” 

“Then I’ll punish them for walking in on me and my wife.”

Wife. 

The title made you squirm.

You were being moved once again, now sitting on his throne as his hands roamed over your front, squeezing and kneading your mounds. 

The throne was comfortable, cushioned enough to have you sit while Zuko felt every inch of your clothed body, growing more sensitive as he dragged his fingers across your stomach and down to your legs. 

He stops as he reaches the belt of your dress, his hand trembling once more, but not in anger this time. 

Though he might have changed, there was no mistaking the greed that filled his veins as he dipped a finger beneath your dress, watching your mouth fall open and eyes following his every movement. 

He knew that look all too well. 

He undid the knots on your robes, exposing your nude body to him and instinctively shut your legs closed. 

A darkness pools in his vision, eyeing you from head to toe. 

Your skin looked so soft.

How lucky was he to have you as his future queen. 

He kisses your knees, never once taking his eyes off of you. 

“You’re perfect.” 

He sighs dreamily as you roll your eyes, attempting to hide your face in shyness. 

He takes his time exploring your body, biting down on a sensitive spot on your neck and suckling on your breasts, finding that he himself enjoyed the feeling of your body pressing up against him with every kitten lick. 

Although a bit unorthodox to do so in the throne room, he’s dreamed of having this very moment with you, to shower you in his affections while he mapped out every inch of your skin, burning the feeling of your softness into his mind. 

How could he go so long without asking for you to be his? 

He rests his cheek on your belly, imagining what it would feel like swollen with his first child. 

His cock bounced at the thought. 

“I need to taste you.” He groans, unable to hold back any longer.  

He travels down, nuzzling the soft curls right above your sex, but you stop him. 

He looks up, tilting his head in question. 

“You have too many clothes on.” 

He blinks, suddenly realizing that in his haze he had forgotten to treat you properly as well. 

He smirks, deciding to stand at his full height and take his turn to undo his robes, letting it fall off his broad shoulders, pooling around him. 

Your jaw dropped, attempting to memorize every bit of him and burn it into your brain. 

Years of training and combat had sculpted his body to perfection as every inch of his body, from his shoulders down to his toes, was covered in pure, raw muscle.

“Like what you see?”

He asked while flexing his biceps, and you rolled your eyes in amusement. 

You followed the outline of his arms, biting your bottom lip and nodding as you trailed down to his strong abdomen, noting a scar that sat neatly in the middle, right above his belly button.

You’d ask him about that later. 

A hand reaches up and touches his pectorals, feeling every divot and valley of steel beneath his skin. 

“Yeah, I do.” 

It came out breathier than you wanted, but it was hard to think when you looked past the soft patch of dark fuzz that led down to his thick, bobbing shaft. 

The tip was spongy and uncut, able to see a pearl of liquid dribbling down and past two thick veins - just as pretty as he is. 

Without thinking you reached out and caressed it, his cock feeling hot to the touch. 

He chokes out a moan, stomach pulsing as you smear the pearl of pre around his head and grip his shaft. 

He bucks into your soft palm, a light shade of pink decorating his cheeks and the tips of his ears as it felt too good to stop. 

It takes a bit, but he regains his focus. 

Your hand is removed as Zuko kneels between your legs, pressing soft kisses to your knees, still keeping your legs shut. 

“Please let me in.” He begs softly, looking up at you with a pathetic look that nearly makes you whimper. "Please let me taste you." 

How could you ever deny your Lord? 

Slowly, you spread your legs, feeling exposed as you remembered where you were, but Zuko didn’t care. 

He pulls you to the edge of the throne, licking his lips as he sees you practically drip onto his seat, placing your own mark on his kingdom. 

He licks a long, teasing stripe between your folds, nose nuzzling the soft curls right above your sensitive button and wastes no time in digging into his meal. 

You gasp, voice echoing across the room and amplified by the empty space. 

If anyone was in earshot they’d be able to hear your whines as he slurps you up, tongue flicking against a wonderful spot that made you grab at his hair. 

“Zuko–ah!” You cry out as he wraps his arms around your thighs, holding you down and devouring you with every greedy suck.

“M’queen, so delishoussh.” He slurs against your soaked mound, losing himself in your pleasure and his as your juices coat his mouth and drip down his chin. 

Your nails dig into the arm rest as the other tugs as his scalp, the room beginning to spin as he moans against you, the vibrations adding another layer of electricity. 

His eyes roll back, spreading your folds open with two thick digits and opening you up more as he slides a finger in, eager to feel your core. 

“A-ah!” You cry out, the small pain from the intrusion melting away in seconds as he slowly pumps in and out.

His tongue refused to let up, painting against your canvas as he then curled his finger, the sudden brush of his calloused digit on a spongy bundle of nerves adding oil to the blazing wildfire in your belly. 

You chant his name like a prayer now etched into the walls of the throne room as you climb higher and higher, the coils winding up tighter and tighter. 

You pulls his face in, and he rubs his sharp nose against you, his fingers curling and pumping faster and faster, his tongue working you up more and more.

Stars explode behind your eyes as you grind against his mouth, pouring liquid ambrosia into his maw as you ride out your high, squeezing around his finger. 

A guttural groan rumbles in his chest, flattening his tongue to lick up every drop. 

Even after you fell from your peak he kept himself latched onto your button, his mouth making a buzz dance along your skin. 

You attempt to move away but he chases you, mouth attached to your weeping cunt. 

But you were growing impatient. 

You pull him up to kiss him, tasting you on his lips and feeling up his muscles.   

“Please. I need you. Make me yours.”

A wildfire lit in his belly, kissing you once more before he moves swiftly, eagerly following your command. 

“Anything for you, my queen.” 

He climbs back to his throne, body slick with sweat and heat as he moves you to sit in his lap and rest against his chest, now facing the tall doors of the entrance to the hall. 

As if you weren’t exposed before, now here you were on full display, legs spread wide resting on his thick thighs as his shaft sat up against your aching core. 

A hand travels down your body, gasping as his hand was back rubbing small circles on your bud. 

You cling onto his bicep, digging your fingers into him as he takes your chin and kisses you again, growing addicted to the feeling. 

“Please.” You beg into his mouth, body jerking as he dips two fingers inside, slowly stretching you out with slow, steady pumps and swirling them against your walls. 

“Someone’s eager.” 

Zuko teases, but he didn’t need to look in the mirror to know that he was talking about himself too.

You lean over and bite his neck in retaliation, the sensation going straight to his cock and igniting his blood in his veins as a small blotch bloomed on his skin. 

He himself was losing control as you grind against his hard cock, coating him slick with your sweet nectar. 

His hands rest on the back of your knees now, flexing his power by lifting you up with ease and making you hover over him. 

You wrap an arm around his neck, tugging on his scalp as you can feel his tip poke at your entrance, but he doesn’t move any further, letting just the head slide inside and stretch you out with a loud moan. 

Imagine the controversy it would cause should anyone spread the word about the Fire Lord consummating with his future wife where the previous matriarchs once ruled. 

The idea was vexing, but to you it made you feel powerful. 

“Your highness is so cruel.” 

The words followed a long needy whine, still able to form words and talk back to him. 

Looks like he’d have to change that. 

“My apologies, my queen. Please, let me give you what you need.” 

He sinks you down ever so slowly, hissing as he struggles to fit inside, the resistance almost making him slide right back out.  

He pushes the air out of your lungs, his thickness stretching and pushing against your soft wetness. 

Every inch was pleasurable agony, practically forcing you to mold into his shape with how tight you were. 

“So warm, so wet.” He jerks his hips upwards, a shot of pleasure shooting up his spine as he pulls you all the way down to the base and fully sheathes himself in your heat, but he doesn’t move, reveling in your snug warmth. 

Delirium settled in, losing all the energy and letting your head fall against his shoulder as his cock felt incredibly hot, literally. 

You move a hand to your stomach, feeling a pressure settle deep within your womb, like molten lava coating every inch of your insides.

Every breath you took he moved inside you, nudging your heart every time you squirmed. 

“S-sho big.” You whine, and it made his hips jerk involuntarily. 

 He starts off slow, savoring every sound and squelch of his cock sliding in and out of you, holding you still and making you take him. 

“Faster, please Zuko.” 

You plead, a high pitched whine escaping as he obliges. 

His pace crescendos, bouncing you in his lap as he leans down and nips at your neck, now assaulting the plush bundle of nerves deep inside you. 

Steam slipped out of his nostrils, his fire nearly setting the palace ablaze as he thought back to earlier events. 

“Should’ve done this in front of him. Should’ve shown him who you belonged to.” 

You clench around him and he gasps, grinning against your nape as you react as expected to his words. 

“Someone likes that.”

“S-shut up!” You rebuttal, but he drives his hips upward, shutting you up and turning your mind into mush as he drills into your cervix. 

His spongy head grows more sensitive with every thrust, his stomach twisting and tightening as you pull and push against him.

It was madness - utter, pleasurable madness with how incredible you felt on and around him. 

He’d never let you go, already planning out what your gown would look like, to expand and redecorate his quarters to fit you both, maybe even make blueprints for a nursery. 

“Zuko–!” 

A hand dips between your legs and rubs tight circles as the other grabs your neck, turning you to face him. 

A thin layer of shimmery gloss coated your eyes, saliva dripping down your chin and your mouth hanging open. 

Spirits, you looked absolutely gorgeous as you were thoroughly speared on his cock, not a single thought behind your captivating eyes. 

“My life, my Queen, my flame, my everything. I love you so much. Please, please–”

He didn’t know what he was begging for, babbling incoherently as all he knew was that he was nearing his end, needing you to open up for him and accept every ounce of his essence. 

With one final deep push your toes curl, reaching your peak in unison with a loud moan and a mewl. 

You rode the high together with a kiss as he spurts rope after rope into your welcoming womb, squeezing and milking every single drop out of him and arching yourself to the sky. 

An arm wrapped around your midsection, holding you down as he spills the last bit of his seed deep inside you, stuffing as much inside and hoping you'd take.

A mixture of your essence and his milky substance dripped down, pooling right on the cushion and settling your mark on his throne.

His hips began to move again, and you hissed, still sensitive as you climbed down from the peak. 

“So insatiable.” You lean up to kiss him, shuddering as he twitches inside you. “My greedy Lord.” 

You accuse, but he just grins with mischief in his eyes and kisses your shoulder, the use of his title riling him up again.

“You must take responsibility for your actions, my flame.” He kisses your neck, your abdomen curling as he rolls his hips. 

“Alas, as your humble wife, I will accept my duty in doing as such.” 

You both break out into a fit of giggles, peppering each other in pecks and sighing happily. 

Without another word he lifts you up, letting out a laugh as he drapes his robes around you, doing a poor job in covering both you and him. 

He rushes down the steps and makes his way to his quarters, prepared to spend the rest of his day and yours fulfilling his duty in producing an heir – or ten.