Chapter Text
It begins when you both sit idly by the edge of the fountain, playing with the turtleducks rippling across the waters.
Zuko pets ones’ feathers. It flutters gently against his palm before speeding away. “If I asked you to marry me, would you say yes?” He says, partly just musing, and partially genuinely curious.
“No.”
Silence. It drags on.
Zuko’s entire world shatters. “N-no…?”
“No.” you say, more firmly this time. His light, his radiant star, his beautiful gem - said no. Twice.
His stomach drops. An icy feeling of dread creeps up onto his skin. Shame wells as hot tears unto his eyes. Of course.
“Can I ask why?” he rasps, breathing in, breathing out, to swallow back the clog lodged in his throat.
You start to flounder. He hears a soft, ‘Oh shit’ before two hands cup his face. He chases it, unashamed in the way he relishes your warmth.
“Zuko, baby, let me explain.” you begin hurriedly, “If I marry you, it won’t just be me being your wife. You know that, right?”
“What else could you be?” Zuko wants to die. Preferably, curled up in a cave where he can rot away forever.
You let go of your hands, awkwardly placing it at your sides. “I’d also be the Fire Lady. I’d be tied to your kingdom.”
“Do you… not want that?”
“No.” You shake your head. “I’m not engaging myself to the Fire Lord. If I did, I’d be roped into your court. I’d have to make decisions for you while you’re gone. And- and…” a furious blush takes over your face, “I’d have to bear you… an heir.”
Oh. An heir. Zuko feels the threads of his robe singe.
“And- and who knows if our hypothetical baby would even be a firebender? My parents were earthbenders, so could you imagine? A Fire Lord as an earthbender? It’ll turn into a whole other controversy for sure!”
Bending genetics didn’t work like that, but okay.
Your face twists into something more manic. “And I don’t want to be the source of any of your future troubles, not when you’re already working yourself to the bone, and if the court doesn’t approve me, it’ll just be one problem after another, and I’m too stupid to handle these things-”
This time, Zuko’s hands find yours in a firm grip. He doesn’t start talking until he sees the tension seep out of your shoulders.
“Let’s slow things down a bit.” Zuko starts, “If these reasons didn’t exist - would you accept my proposal?”
You pause. Then, slowly, nod your head. Relief floods his very being; like heavy rain after a raging fire. “Okay.” he says, more breathless than he intended, and he can’t stop a smile from worming into his face - she loves me, my stunning ruby loves me, she would marry me -
Get a hold of yourself, he scolds internally. Your girlfriend needs you right now.
“Firstly, don’t ever talk about yourself like that. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. You know this as much as I do.”
“But I don’t know how your court even works-”
“You won’t have to if you don’t want to.” He brings your hands to his lips, pressing light kisses on your knuckles. “I’m the Fire Lord now. Whatever I say, goes. We can figure something out.”
“...You’d be breaking so many traditions for me.” you mutter, voice deeply fragile in a way that tears his heart apart. “I don’t want to feel like you have to choose. We can be bound in another way. We don’t even have to marry! I’ll always be bound to you.”
“The Fire Nation is my home, but it’s only because you helped me make it happen.” Zuko squeezes your hands, “I only want to be your husband, and you my wife.”
A new goal forms in his mind. “Give me some time.” He says, with a form of conviction that reminds himself when he first realized his destiny, “It may take- a while. But if I manage to get rid of all your doubts and worries, may… may I propose to you then?”
A smile forms on your face. “Zuko,” you whisper in awe, “If you really manage that, I’ll propose to you myself.”
He only smiles, sheepish.
And so another resolution for the Fire Lord was born.