And Zuko tries his best to keep his golden eyes on the seashore, stubbornly convincing himself that watching the dock and the crashing waves is actually interesting. In fact, it’s far from it.

Honestly, he has no idea – or simply doesn’t want to figure out – when it all started. First you were enemies, then he joined the Gaang, and you were friends. But Zuko wants more. Zuko needs more.

His golden eyes always find you. In a crowd of people, in line at the market, even when you’re just riding Appa! It’s really starting to get exhausting, how much he’s drawn to you. Worse than a moth to a light. How did he, the Prince of the Fire Nation, fall so completely and irrevocably in love with someone he was supposed to hate?

He’s pulled out of his thoughts by a shell, the firebender’s unfocused gaze falling on it. White, large, and interestingly shaped. Zuko reaches out, picks up the sea creature, turns it over and examines it.

The golden eyes fall on you again, and a thought softly hits your head. Should he give you the shell?

Zuko's fingers lightly squeeze the shell, and he himself is lost in thought. He doesn't want to seem stupid, to show too obviously his feelings, which are filling his chest, not allowing him to breathe.

As the idea plays in his head, like an annoying record on an old tape recorder that won't let go of his already exhausted and filled with you thoughts, the Prince decides to try his luck.

Turning his head to look at you, Zuko holds out the shell.

"Uh...here, take this, it's for you. I thought girls liked these."

he said, trying not to sound too awkward.