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Things at the Fire nation have been hectic with Zuko working non-stop, meeting with the council, and planning with Aang. He barely had any time to rest and when he does, it’s mostly plagued with nightmares of his past. You always try to comfort him in any way you can, but you were tired from today’s events that you just fell asleep in your quarters without talking to him all day.
Zuko’s having trouble sleeping lately and he always goes to your room before he sleeps just to ease his mind that you’re safe and there with him. This night, he was so exhausted that he went straight to bed and fell asleep immediately
It was happening so fast, he was battling Azula and that’s when he saw Azula preparing to bend lightning and her eyes flickered to where you were. Zuko saw what Azula was going to do, so he tried to protect you but he couldn’t move from his spot. It was like Ty Lee blocked his chi and he can’t move his feet to protect you.
Everything became a blur when Azula suddenly directed her attention to you, he watched as you were struck by his sister’s lightning while he can’t do anything. He watched as you screamed so loud and fell to the ground. All he could hear was your deafening screams while he didn’t do anything to save you.
Katara managed to defeat Azula but it was too late, once he regained the strength to move his feet, he ran towards you, but all he saw was half of your face burnt, your eyes wide as you writhe on the ground, electricity still flowing in your body, no sounds were coming out of your mouth as you looked at Zuko. Katara tried to heal you but it was too late, you already took your last breath.
Zuko suddenly woke up with a scream and sweat covering his body. This wasn’t his first nightmare, but it was the first time he had a nightmare and you were in it. He was breathing loudly and panics when he doesn’t see you. Zuko was trying to calm himself down and convincing him that you were safe in your room but it wasn’t enough. He removed the covers from his body and immediately left the room without putting his robe and slippers on.
He ran towards your room and the guards let him in an instant. He felt relieved when he saw your body under the covers and he watched your chest rise up and down, telling him that you were alive and safe. He sighed loudly and walked towards your figure, tears streaming down his face because you were there with him, you’re sleeping, you’re safe, most importantly, you’re alive and his nightmare wasn’t true.
He went under the covers beside you and held you tightly, afraid that you’d disappear. You sensed his presence the moment he embraced you and you turned your body towards him, hugging him tightly.
“Zuko?” you groggily asked him, eyes still closed.
“I’m here, you’re here, we’re safe,” he said to you but it felt like he was convincing himself. You figured out that he had a nightmare because of how his hands were shaking, and his rapid breaths. “That’s right Zuko, we’re here and we’re safe, you have nothing to worry about,” you told him as you brush his hair away from his face and see his tear-stained cheeks. You rub your hands up and down his sides to comfort him as you hum a soft lullaby to help him calm down.
Once he was calmed down, he finally opened his eyes and looked at you.
“I’m sorry for waking you up” Zuko whispered to you as he put his hand on your cheek softly. You just smiled at him, “And I told you to stop apologizing when you have nightmares. I’m always gonna be here for you, Zuko.” He let out a soft chuckle as he tangled your legs together.
“You wanna talk about it?” you asked even though you knew he wouldn’t want to. You just want to make him feel that you’re always there to listen and to comfort him whenever.
Zuko hesitated and started talking, “It’s always the same one, my sister and I’s Agni Kai. The only difference this time was you were in it and-” he took a deep breath and you rubbed his sides telling him it was okay, “-you were there, she struck you with lightning and I couldn’t do anything. I let you die! I watched and didn’t do anything, I just let her kill you.” his voice was shaky towards the end and few tears leaked out of his eyes.
You knew most of his nightmares were of his past but this was new, you were in it.
You hugged him tightly, his head on your chest as you rub your hands on his hair, trying to calm him down. He held on to your waist, not wanting to let you go. “I’m here, my love. I’m safe with you” you repeatedly whispered in his ear. You told him about your day as a distraction from his nightmare, trying to calm him down again.
Once you heard his soft breaths, you knew he’s calmed down. “How about you sleep here with me tonight?” you asked him. He just nodded against your chest and moved his body closer to you. You smiled softly as you rubbed his back and hummed a soft lullaby.
Your eyes were starting to close again and you saw his chest rise slowly, indicating he was asleep. You were about to sleep again when you heard him whisper, “I love you, Y/N”
It was your first time hearing him say it and it made you smile, you kissed his forehead and intertwined your legs with him.
He was here with you, he was safe. Most importantly, he was in your embrace.