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I'm slow to wake this morning even as the sun shines into my eyes. The night prior had lasted far too long. I luckily had little to do this morning. My eyes slip open with a slowness, sleep still clinging to every part of my mind and body. Slowly as my mind wakes more I find that the space in bed is empty, unsurprisingly of course, Zuko always seems to have something to do as of lately, though I can't help but feel a small disappointment still. I miss him dearly, though we sleep side by side every night it's as if we are both always too tired for anything, even one another.
I reach out to run my hand over the empty space and find that it's still slightly warm from his body, i find myself shifting closer curling in on his side of the bed as if the warmth left on the sheets would somehow satisfy my need to feel him, it doesn't of course, in fact it only makes my heart clench more.
Suddenly I hear the sound of shifting fabric and the soft barely there steps of feet on the wood floors behind me. I almost chalk it up to a servant til I catch the telltale sigh that slips past the person's lips. It's Zuko. It's unmistakable, I shift over and to no surprise of my own am met with the sight of Zuko, fully dressed, moving to settle at the large vanity in the corner of our room.
In one hand he holds a brush, and in the other he's rather tightly holding onto his hair. He has yet to notice I'm awake, though that only lasts a few moments as a small snicker slips past my lips at the sight. I watch as his eyes widen slightly in the view of the mirror before he turns around with what I can only describe as what's meant to be a scowl but comes off like a kicked puppy almost begging for assistance.
“Having some trouble huh?” I tease as I shift to rest up onto one of my elbows.
“I don't understand how you can possibly do this every morning.” he grumbles.
I laugh again before fully lifting to sit up into a stretch. My eyes trail over him gently for a moment, despite the mess of his hair he looks soft, the morning light shining in highlighting his face, and more importantly making his eyes almost glow.
“Why didn't you wake me to do it then? I have no problem doing it for you, you know?” I hum gently as I move to slip off the side of the bed slowly.
He frowns slightly and sets the brush down releasing his hair from his grasp as well, lifting from his spot and meeting me almost at his side of the bed that I slid off of. His hand lifts to brush over my cheek, I can't help but lean into the warmth of his touch.
“Youve been working hard lately, I didn't think it was fair to wake you every morning like this to simply do my hair. Especially after last night, i never make it to bed before you.” he says in a voice so soft and gentle you'd think if he spoke any louder id shatter into pieces.
I can't help but smile, pressing a gentle kiss to the inside of his palm.
“You know I enjoy doing your hair in the morning, it's soothing.” I say gently lifting a hand to twirl a strand between my fingers.
It also makes a certain part of me swell with pride to know that even if I'm not by his side all the time a small piece of him still has me in it, not that I'd admit out loud to such possessive claims of course.
There's a short moment of silence between us. His thumb brushes over my cheek with the tenderness one would use on an ancient scroll that you'd fear would crumble if any more force were used to hold it. My eyes are drifting about his face at the same moment, dragging along from his eyes and the slope of his nose to the shape of his cheeks and finally down to his lips.
Slowly as if we both somehow knew to do so we both shifted closer, leaning in til our lips touched. The kiss is tender and sweet and endlessly warm. His hand becomes a bit firmer against my cheek and my own hand slips into the hair at the back of his head. Both pressing the other closer, savoring the warmth and the sweetness of the moment before slowly pulling away, foreheads coming to rest together.
“Let me?” I say gently.
My fingers carefully drift through his hair and I relish the way he melts into my touch. Slowly he pulls away enough and nods his head wordlessly.
We move in accidental sync together as we make our way to the vanity. He settles onto the stool and I carefully lean down to pick up the brush. Slowly working through any knots, to give him some credit despite his awful attempt he luckily hadn't added many more knots in the process at least. I feel his eyes on me through the mirror but I pretend to be none the wiser about it, letting him stare as I continue my work.
Careful as I work through knot after knot, before slowly parting his hair into sections to tie his hair off exactly as I have done every other morning. I admire the way his hair drapes over his back. Such soft delicate hair framing such strong broad shoulders, it's a beautiful contrast, one that almost perfectly describes Zuko himself.
I lean down and brush hair from his neck to press a soft kiss to the skin just under his ear, I can't help but get a bit lost as I lavish a few more down the side of his neck. At least til I hear him clear his throat softly with a chuckle.
“Sorry, can't help it. It's unfair how good you look and I'm simply expected not to want to revel in you?” I sigh as I force myself to pull away peering down at him through the mirror.
I watch a small flush crawl up his cheeks at my words, the powerful firelord blushing at a compliment like this its almost funny really, but here behind the doors of our room he is no one but Zuko, my husband, the man who is impossibly awkward and a bit emotionally constipated.
“You are impossible, you know that?” he huffs hand coming to cover his face slightly, half concealing the growing smile on his lips.
I can't help but laugh softly.
“I’ll remind you that it was you who asked me to marry you, you have no one but yourself to blame.” I tease tracing my fingers along his shoulder teasingly.
His shoulders slump slightly and he shakes his head with a soft laugh, one I just barely catch. Before he slowly lifts to stand, turning around to face me. I can't help but grin at him mischievously, though it melts slightly as his hand comes to my cheek again.
“Id have it no other way.” he says and his voice is so genuine and soft i swear the words physically shot through my heart with the way it clenched in my chest.
Now it's my turn to flush, because words so truthfully spoken with the look of pure love in his eyes has my head reeling. I can't help but look away, his gaze almost too intense.
“Damn you, sappy man.” I huff teasingly as if that would somehow hide the clear flustered edge my voice holds.
I force my gaze back to his, not backing down from this now and I'm met with a smirk that's tugged to his lips. It has my eyes rolling as if unimpressed with his words, he laughs at my antics and I can feel myself melting even more at the sound. His laugh sounds like the most beautiful music I've ever heard when it lands on my ears.
Slowly he leans down and his lips brush sweetly over my cheek, then the corner of my eye, the bridge of my nose, and finally they land softly against my lips. I swear I feel my heart leaping in my chest, ready to land into his gentle hands. I melt into him, my own hands coming to cradle his face. I can't help but deepen the kiss, slightly desperate to put as much love and care into the kiss as I can in the hopes he’ll understand.
Unfortunately we are interrupted by a voice.
“Firelord you're needed–” the voice starts but cuts off quickly.
The moment is broken in an instant as we both pull away. My lips are hot and I can taste him still, I'm sure he is the same way. I can't find it in myself to even feel much shame at getting caught really, though when my eyes trail over to Zuko, his face is a much darker shade than it had been. I barely contain a laugh behind my hand as it lifts to my lips. He does his best to attempt a glare from the corner of his eyes at me but it's a poor attempt at best, he's far too embarrassed for it to come off any other way really.
He straightens himself and takes a slow deep breath before speaking.
“Yes?” His voice is so much different than it had been moments ago, so much firmer, it clearly carries an undeniable power to it.
“Um,, yes your meeting with the diplomats from Omashu was set to start a few minutes ago.” the man informs him.
I watch as a slight surprise flashes subtly over Zuko's expression, before he nods wordlessly.
“Thank you, I'll be right there,” he says.
“Of course firelord, I'll head back and inform them that you are on your way.” he says before rather quickly exiting the room, a flush on his cheeks.
I don't attempt to hold in my laughter anymore the second the door closes. I hear a long sigh come from Zuko at my side, my gaze shifts his way.
“Cant believe you forgot about your important meeting, firelord.” I tease between chuckles.
That has his shoulders stiffening slightly as his gaze moves and points my way. His cheeks are still flushed and his gaze is slightly pointed, it makes me laugh even more.
My laughter slows and I step back into his space, bringing a hand to brush a strand of hair from his face.
”you should get going, don't want to keep them waiting now do you?” I hum as I trace my finger along the edge of his scar.
“Maybe just a few seconds longer,” he sighs.
He leans in and presses his lips to mine with a tenderness that is almost overwhelming, his hands resting at my sides firm and warm. Slowly he pulls away, like he doesn't want to end this just yet, I know I dont.
“I should be free around mid day for a bit, if all goes according to plan. I hope to see you then.” he says sweetly.
“Then I suppose I'll see you for lunch.” I hum softly, leaning up to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.
“I love you.” the words slip from his lips gently, so soft it's as if they were meant for no one but myself.
“I love you too.” I whisper back in a matching tone thumb brushing his cheek.
He presses one last kiss to my lips before slowly, finally parting from me to turn and leave. I can't help but stand there watching him go, the warmth of him still buzzing against my lips, the sweet taste of him on my tongue. What a way to start the day.