Author's note- so this is gonna be one of those chapters where I literally changed everything from the OG episode so just telling y'all now.

"I see you're still weak. You always were. And now... now I will show you what happens when weaklings like you betray me."

"Azula! Wait please I can explain" I panicked, heat rushing through my veins. I could feel tears trickling down my cheek. Was she really going to hurt me because of Zuko?

"There is nothing to explain (Y/N), it's all over now." She lit a fire in her palm. Embers scattered through the air as she came hurrying towards me.

"NO!"

My eyes shot open. I was shaking and I couldn't seem to stop. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I looked around.

The only light I could see was a hint of moonlight glistening from the window. I laid helplessly on my cot, "Another night's sleep ruined I suppose."

Ever since the incident with Jet a few nights ago, my nights have been... rough. It had reminded me to much of what Azula had done to me all those years ago I suppose. So my subconscious decided to torment me with bad dreams again.

"(Y/N)!" Zuko screamed rushing toward me, his dark hair was messy and unkempt.  I suppose I had woken him up to."I heard you screaming please tell me you're okay."

"I'm fine I'm fine. I just... had another nightmare about Azula and woke up. Don't worry about me Zuko, I hate it when you get upset because of me." I replied, his golden eyes brimming with concern.

"That's the fourth night in a row. I can't just sit here and let you suffer like this. Maybe there's something Uncle could do."

"It's alright Zuko, don't worry about me. I'll just wait for a few more days until my mind gets off it. It did last time."

"What if, what if I try to take your mind off it now" he muttered his pale face growing with color.

"Zuko, your Uncle is literally asleep right over there I don't think that's the best idea-" I retorted.

"That's not what I meant (Y/N)!" He shot back looking nearly ready to faint.

"I know it isn't. I just like teasing you."

"I thought... that maybe we could go on a date. To ummm distract you a bit. But- only if you think that would help.
"

"It's the middle of the night. What is your plan for this date exactly?"

"Well, it's not to late we could umm go to a restaurant or something."

"I thought you hated the food here"

"Well, I don't hate you" he muttered.

"That is literally the nicest thing I think you've ever said to me Zuko."

"Guess it's a date. So should we go." He muttered still not entirely sure thos was actually happening.

"Wait! I want to change first"

"But you only own two outfits? Why would you-"

"Of my two outfits the other only is slightly better. Therefore I will wear that one. You are the prince of the Firenation after all, I have to look halfway decent."

"I-I don't understand you" he said brushing his raven hair back. Even though I've known Zuko all my life, damn is he still attractive when he's nervous.

"Good, you have a whole lifespan to figure it out now wait here."

~

I came back in my other outfit, which was a slight bit greener and slight less dirty. Upon looking at Zuko, I immediately noticed he had fixed it.

"(Y/N) you look-"

"Hold up. What did you do to your hair?" I questioned trying not to laugh.

"I thought I'd fix it since you were getting dressed up. Uncle always says I should look decent when going on a date."

"Honesty I'm scared of the things Iroh tells you when I'm not around."

"It's mostly nonsense." He muttered crossing his arms.

"Come on crabby it's date time and I'm hungry!"

"Can-can I hold your hand? Since this is a date and I umm well-" he stuttered awkwardly.

"Of course! We are turtle duck buddies after all"

~

"Thank you!" I chriped as the restuarant guy lead us to our table.

We were sat outside, it was dark but lanterns made it manageable. Around us, about half the tables were full of Ba Sing Sa citizens. I looked across at Zuko, his hair was still "fixed" and his eyes still shown with gold even in the dimness of night. I could feel my heartbeat stirring, in a room full of people it seemed like we were the only ones there.

"So, this is a date. What do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"I don't know, whatever." Zuko muttered.

"But like talk about what exactly?"

"Nothing." He scoffed crossing his arms.

"You're really positive, aren't you "Lee"?

"Don't call me that." Zuko blushed as he played with the utensils on the table.

"Why not? It's basically your codename. It's not exactly like I can call you your real name."

"It's just weird to hear you say it." He retorted looking down to the floor.

"Aye Lee, Lee LEE! Are you enjoying our date LEE?"

"Okay okay you've made your point...-my fiance Huian" he smirked shedding a rare smile.

"Oh it is so on LEE-"

"Excuse me miss, I hate to interrupt your date but I'm ready for your order" our waiter said awkwardly smiling at us. Zuko looked like he was about ready to kill the man.

"Oh yeah right almost forgot."

~

"So how's your food?"

"Horrible." Zuko muttered staring at his empty plate.

"Then why have you eaten it all?" I raised my eyebrow.

"I don't know."

"You don't know much do you?" I questioned.

"I know that I think you look nice tonight."

"Wow, look at you being all smooth. Iroh would be very proud." My face was tinted with color.

"Let's get out of here... there are to many people around. I think we're being watched." He muttered lowering his voice and looking around.

"You always think we're being watched. But if you insist-"

Zuko set the money for the food on the table and grabbed my hand as we began walking through the streets of Ba Sing Sa.

The pathway was uncrowded under a vast dark night. Stars twickled tracing the sky. The skin from Zuko's hand felt soft against mine.

I suddenly began to miss the old days- messing around in the palace with Zuko and hiding from Azula.

Now, I was stuck in the capital of a country where I couldn't even firebend.

"(Y/N)- what's wrong?" Zuko questioned turning toward me.

"I'm just a bit homesick that's all."

"Do-do you ever regret coming with me? I know Azula didn't give you much choice but I always wonder." His golden eyes glowed in the darkness of night. I found myself a bit unsteady.

"At the end of the day, no. But somedays you wonder-"

"-what would of happened if you never left." He finished. Our eyes met.

"You-you feel it to?" I stuttered out.

"Every day, I feel like I'm taking the wrong path. But I don't know what to do! It's my fault you and Uncle are stuck here. I should of never-" I grabbed him my the shoulder making him look at me. Tears were welling up in his eyes.

"Don't worry about the past we can't change it. Just try to find something to believe in in the present. The Avatar is still out there somewhere, we will find him eventually. We have to."

"But what if we don't (Y/N)? What if Azula finds him first?" He panicked.

"Then we move on... because at the end of the day, I'm here for you.. Iroh is here for you and that's-"

He crushed his lips against mine. For a moment I had no clue what was happening until I kissed back. After I was out of breath before I pulled away. Something about kissing Zuko felt so right.

"We should probably head back before your Uncle wakes up." I stammered out. Zuko and I both looked as if about to faint. I never knew Zuko could be so forward!

"that's probably a good idea, but (Y/N)." He muttered the blush still present on his cheeks. The moonlight illuminated the harshness of his scar. A knot formed tightly my stomach.

"Yes Zuko?"

"Thank you."