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"Well I suppose this means that we’re soulmates then.” He raised his right hand where the string shone with a bright blue color tied at the tip of his little finger. Orora raised her hand as well, showing the string that glowed red. She pursed her lips, chewing at the inside of her cheek as she stared back at him, her face devoid of any emotion. Zuko stared back, growing a little uncomfortable by the minute as the silence stretched on.
Finally, his shoulders sagged and he raised a hand to run through his hair. “Look, I know I am not the person you expected. You probably thought your soulmate was some warrior who had made a name for himself but instead you got a Prince who betrayed his own Nation to help the Avatar.” His gaze flitted to the ground, to the sky and to the sides. Anywhere but look directly at her. No sooner had his little speech ended when Orora spoke.
“I would rather have a soulmate with his heart in the right place. Someone who knew the difference between right and wrong. Rather then have a soulmate who thinks he’s a hero because he fought in a couple of battles.”
Molten gaze stared at her, dumbfounded. When had she come to stand right in front of him? Orora was supporting a gentle smile on her lips as she reached out to tenderly cup the side of his cheek, thumb brushing just along the edge of his scar. The second her skin touched his, Zuko felt a warmth settle in his chest. A warmth he had not felt since his mother disappeared.
“Huh.” He mused to himself, smiling back at her.
The Waterbender raised an eyebrow at the sound. “What?” Reaching up, Zuko took her hand, intertwining their fingers as he stepped closer to her. “Considering you prefer to use ice over water as part of your bending, I always thought your hands would be cold.” His gaze flickered to their hands as he lifted them up to press his lips to the back of her tanned skin. “You’re so warm.”
A blush rose to her cheeks, prompting Zuko to smirk at the sight. Orora tried snatching her hand back, but Zuko held fast. Grinning he pulled her towards him, dropping her hand to catch her as she fell against him, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“You’ve managed to slip away from me one too many times Orora.” He said, his voice low as he pressed their forehead’s together. “I’m not about to let you go again.” She gave an amused laugh. “Spirits! A year ago if you had said that to me I would’ve thought you hit your head or something.” It was hard to believe a year ago she had barely even known the Firebender, since he was the enemy. Now? He was one of her closest friends. “And I always imagined you would say those words to Aang rather then me.” Zuko gave an embarrassed chuckle as he thought back at how desperate he had been when it came to capturing Aang. “You’re right. I would have said something like that to him.”
The girl let out a soft laugh as she reached up to wrap her arms around his shoulders, sharp blue eyes never leaving his golden gaze.
“You are stuck with me for the rest of your life Prince Zuko. Or at least until I grow bored of you.”
Zuko opened his mouth, probably to protest at her words but Orora didn’t give him a chance to speak as her mouth slanted over his, silencing him. His eyes widened comically and he stood frozen for a few seconds. But only for a few seconds though. Because as soon as his mind caught up to the fact that Orora was really kissing him, he returned the kiss with equal passion, arms tightening around her waist, leaning down so that she’d have to lean back to support his weight.
The embrace was by no means perfect. The kiss was a little messy, and Orora had to pull away to catch her breath when it became a little too intense for her. She stayed in his embrace though, as his lips chased after hers for another kiss.
“Zuko! Stop.” She giggled. Spirits that was a sound he didn’t hear often. Orora giggling. “Why? You don’t like it?” He asked in-between kisses, refusing to let her pull away from him. Her protest was muffled by his lips for a brief second, before her hand came up to press to his mouth to keep him at bay.
“I’m not saying that.” She said with a bright smile. “But I do need to breath.” Moving her hand the Waterbender ran her fingers through his hair. Zuko seemed to melt into her touch, his head tilting to press himself further against her. A look of pure bliss overtook his features as he sighed deeply. Orora’s heart clenched at the sight. How long had it been since someone had touched him lovingly? His Uncle maybe? His mother? “If Sokka finds out just how much of a softie you are he would have a field day teasing you.” She said with a grin. Zuko shrugged in response.
"It's his mission to annoy me as many times as he can during the day. What's one more?" He smiled as she laughed, shaking her head at him, before dipping it forward to press her lips to his once more, her smile only widening when she felt her Soulmate respond with just as much enthusiasm.
Their fates may still be unsure, their destinies unknown, but what the two Soulmates were sure of, was that whatever happened they would face every threat together.
Because the whole point of having a Soulmate?
Was so that neither of you would face the world alone.