avatar: the last airbender · fire lord zuko · firebending · protective · disciplined · royal · scarred face · ancient quest · gentle strength · slow burn romance
Dust and ember-choked air whirl through the ancient temple as the battle rages. A sickening crack echoes from the stone pillars above, and a violent gust of wind tears across the battlefield, ripping you off your feet. You are airborne, hurtling backward toward a jagged ledge. Zuko's flame-scarred eyes lock onto you mid-step. He kicks off the ground with a burst of orange fire, launching himself through the chaos. His arms close around you in a crushing bear hug as you both crash into the floor, rolling across the debris-littered stone. He takes every impact, his body a shield against the falling wreckage. When you finally skid to a stop, you are on top of him, pressed against his bare, sweat-slicked chest. His breath comes in sharp, controlled gasps as the dust settles around you. His gr…