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Zuko had trouble with the temporary newcomers to their little gang. He was used to Katara and Sokka bickering, even Toph’s sometimes rude remarks washed over his head. But this was different. The supposed couple showing them around the newly formed water tribe location were an interesting match to say the least.
There was Taka, a tall and tan man with two long braids, who seemed to constantly wear a frown. He was all muscle, clearly he was the builder here. Then there was y/n, a little shorter than Zuko himself and quiet. He was one of the architects in the villa. Zuko thought he had a handsome face and a sweet smile. He didn’t understand why Taka was so hard on him.
Taka often gave y/n short answers and quips in response to anything he said. Zuko even saw him grab his wrists and arms roughly more than a few times. Y/n usually pulled his limbs away with a weary look.
They spent three days around the couple’s house in the new villa. Sokka helped with building some of the remaining structures. Aang and Toph sort of spent a lot of time goofing around. Toph appreciated it, she wasn’t much help since she was forced to wear shoes to keep her feet from freezing. Zuko helped build too but he spent a lot of his time around y/n.
“Can you ask Taka where he put the sleds? Aang talked Toph into sledding finally.”
Zuko laughed lightly, “Sure, y/n.”
Y/n smiled in return and Zuko felt something warm in his chest. He’d never really found a man attractive until he met, y/n. Though, he was starting to admit to himself that many of the water tribesmen were easy on the eyes. Zuko didn’t know what to think. Maybe the cold was getting to his brain.
He went to find Taka.
Zuko found him around one of the older huts they had built before constructing the houses. They mostly used the hut for storage and apparently for hooking up. He watched Taka follow a woman out of the door while adjusting his clothes. He pulled her in for another quick kiss.
Zuko was disgusted. He turned on his heel. He was going to tell y/n about this.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Taka walked up beside Zuko.
Zuko turned around.
“You’re not going to tell y/n, right? He’ll never believe you, besides he’ll be heartbroken to think you’re trying to come between us.”
“He deserves the truth.” Zuko spat.
“He only has me. He’ll be mad at you, trust me.”
Zuko stomped away. Would y/n be mad at him for telling the truth? It wasn’t right for his partner to cheat or treat him like he did. Y/n deserved better.
Taka beat Zuko back to everyone. He announced that he and y/n were going to go fish to see if they could catch anything interesting for tonight's supper. Katara and Sokka immediately volunteered to go along.
“I’m coming too.” Zuko decided.
Taka glared at him.
“Come on, y/n.” He snatched y/n’s hand and tugged him along.
They walked on the ice for a bit. Katara would bend some of the ice away for fishing holes. Sokka, Y/n, and Zuko each carried a pole.
There was a loud echoing snap as the ice shattered and cracked under them. Everyone froze.
“It’s okay the ice is pretty thick here.” Taka shrugged and kept walking.
His weight shifting made another crack appear and it shot out towards y/n.
The ice gave way beneath him instantly.
They all watched as y/n fell back and hit the water with a splash.
Taka groaned.
“Come on, y/n just roll outta there.” He said.
“Katara!” Sokka shouted. She was already running and bending the water to get enough momentum to get y/n out of the water.
Y/n popped out of the water with a forceful wave from Katara. She strengthened the ice around them. He landed with a slap on the ground, sopping wet and shivering.
Zuko ran over to him. His lips were already blue and he was shaking harder by the second.
“I guess we’ll fish another time.” Taka sighed.
“Dude, he could’ve drowned and you're worried about fish?” Sokka said to Taka. He crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed.
Zuko paid them no mind.
He picked up y/n and started back towards the village. Katara walked with him.
The icy cold seeped into Zuko’s clothes but he hardly felt it. He was so angry. He wanted to ask y/n why he stayed with that loser. Why did he let him treat him so badly? Zuko couldn’t stand it.
Y/n couldn’t feel his limbs as Zuko and Katara peeled his cold and soggy clothes off of him.
“Zuko, the fastest way to fight off hypothermia is body heat and staying by the hearth.” Katara explained as she threw logs into the fire pit in the middle of the room. “You’re easily the warmest of all of us here, would you mind?”
“Not at all.” Zuko automatically said as he blasted the logs with fire.
He didn’t realize y/n would be half naked and curled into his own shirtless chest. The fire crackled before them. Y/n still shivered slightly. Zuko blew hot, heated breath into his hands and rubbed them up y/n’s back. Y/n melted into him under his touch.
“Thank you.” Y/n said after a while.
Zuko looked down at him. The color was returning to his face and Zuko was relieved.
“My pleasure.” Zuko said softly.
Y/n burrowed into him, his cold hands touched Zuko’s sides and stayed there. Zuko didn’t mind, he wanted y/n to warm up as much as he could.
“You’re so warm.” Y/n whispered. “I expected that of a fire bender but your personality is too.”
Zuko frowned. He wasn’t sure why he sounded upset.
“Taka told me outsiders, especially firebenders, are mean and evil. All you do is destroy.”
Zuko took a sharp intake of breath.
“But you’re kind and so are your friends.”
Zuko exhaled.
“y/n-”
Taka suddenly burst into the room.
He saw the way Zuko curled his arms around y/n.
Sokka came in after him, with a bottle of water.
“I’ll make some tea to help bring up your temperature.” He said to y/n.
Taka sat across the hearth while Sokka fussed with the kettle. He hadn’t taken his eyes off of y/n and Zuko.
“Zuko’s like a personal heater, isn’t he?” Sokka attempted to lighten the mood.
Y/n wasn’t sure if it was the lingering cold or madness but he laughed.
“Yes, he’s quite warm.” y/n snuggled into his chest more. His chilly cheek met Zuko’s collarbone.
Taka glared at them.
Y/n decided that maybe it was madness after all because he couldn’t help himself from speaking.
“Why are you making that face, Taka? Are you cold too? Maybe you should ask Hyiv to warm you up?”
Sokka nearly dropped the kettle. Taka gaped at him.
Zuko tensed, he could guess Hyiv was the woman he saw Taka with earlier.
Y/n turned his head away from Zuko’s chest and held up his icy gaze to his supposed loving boyfriend.
“You’re a fucking idiot, y/n. Who’s going to take care of you if not me?” Taka asked angrily.
Zuko shifted and y/n’s hand curled around his bicep under the blanket that was draped over them.
“I think I’ll manage, Taka.” Y/n said. He sounded defeated and tired.
“You should go.” Sokka spoke up.
Taka turned his head up and got up from his seat.
“You’ll come crawling back, you always do.” Taka said it softly like it was truth. Zuko realized that maybe something like this had happened before.
“Tell us you are not going back to that asshole.” Sokka said as he pointed to the door Taka had just left from.
Y/n buried his face into Zuko’s warm chest again.
“I- I won’t.” Y/n said.
“You should come with us.” Zuko blurted.
Y/n peered up at him. Zuko couldn’t help but be slightly embarrassed. Y/n’s eyes were wide. A blush crept up Zuko’s face.
“Are you overheating?” Y/n asked.
Sokka laughed, "Wow, smooth, fire lord, smooth.”
Zuko turned his head and tucked y/n’s forehead into his chin so he couldn’t see him.
“It was just an idea.” Zuko muttered.
“It’s a good idea, as long as I get to stay with you.” Y/n said back.
Sokka poured the tea into cups and stayed quiet. He could see Zuko’s ears growing red.
“I, yeah.” Zuko cleared his throat. He was trying to collect himself.
Y/n moved out of his arms slightly and tilted his head up. He was nose to nose with Zuko.
“Would it be okay if I stayed with you?”
Zuko let his warm palms trail up y/n’s back. He was smiling up at him.
“Yes.”
Sokka clinked two cups together and coughed. They both looked at him.
“Are you two gonna kiss or what?” He said.
“Uh.” Zuko began.
Y/n laughed and turned Zuko’s chin back to him with his finger. He pressed his lips to Zuko’s. Zuko gently pressed his mouth into his before pulling away.
“You’re still cold. Sokka, give me the tea.”
“Whatever you say, loverboy.” Sokka teased as he handed over the cups of warm tea. He winked at y/n and left them alone in the room.
Zuko pulled y/n closer to him again and held the tea cup to his lips. He would treat him with care and love like he deserved. Zuko found his stomach fluttering, his brain was just now catching up with the kiss. He’d never kissed a man before. His lips were soft and well, Zuko needed to make sure this was really happening.
“Y/n,” He said gently.
Y/n tilted his head toward Zuko. Zuko tipped his chin up and kissed him again. His heart fluttered and he pulled y/n close.
Y/n melted against him. He'd never been held quite like this or kissed so softly.
Y/n pulled away with a smile and snuggled into Zuko.
He was glad he fell into the water like he fell for Zuko.