#tideraised

STARTER CALL.      ➲            @tideraised​

“      Get outta town,      ”      he replies,  his  s u r p r i s e  hiding the mild  p a n i c  at her words.      “      Uh  ...  where’d you  hear  that?     ”        Mako asks,  his brows   furrowed   slightly as he reaches his arm back to rub absently at the back of his neck.

send  ❛ ♡ ❜  to suddenly hug my muse !

The Southern Water Tribe. He cannot tell if the air is chillier than he last recalled, or if the hot climate of his homeland makes it seem that way in comparison. A lot has changed since the previous time he was here: for starters, his armor and hostility were traded for heavy robes and a kind smile. Several months had passed since the war had ended, which also made it several months since Zuko last saw his friends. He almost struggled to contain his joy when the prospect of visiting the Southern Water Tribe for “diplomatic purposes” was brought to his attention. He had business to do, but attending a conference made the perfect excuse for the Fire Lord to visit some of the people who have seemed to take permanent residence in his brain. 

The two friends were seated together in the still of the night, next to a small fire that was lit by his own hand. There was hours worth of content for the pair to catch up on, and their conversation flows effortlessly from topics ranging from his least favorite attendant to the new ways Sokka continues to embarrass himself. He can see his breath in the air as he laughs at all her jokes, an unusual sight to behold; thanks to the lighthearted sound of her voice, he almost forgets the reason he invited her to chat in the first place. As Zuko cranes his neck to double-check there is nobody in the vicinity, he reaches his right hand into the pocket of his robes. Fingers search momentarily and wrap around a small object, which remains hidden in his fist as he brings it into view. 

❝ I almost forgot. I got you something. ❞ He uncurls his fingers to reveal a thin gold bracelet, embroidered with ruby gemstones. The corners of his lips lift into a bashful smile as he explains. ❝ I had this made by the palace jewelers, and I specifically asked them not to make it gaudy. I wanted to thank you for saving my life when you did, and I never got to do so formally. It’s not much, but – ❞