"I'm hungry," you whined, shifting against Zuko's side. His arm rested lazily on the back of the bench, his posture relaxed despite the loud, crowded party surrounding you.

"So what?" he muttered.

"So find me some food," you shot back, tilting your head at him expectantly.

Zuko sighed but got up, making his way to the buffet. The air was thick with the scent of food, the noise overwhelming-laughter, clinking glasses, and music vibrating through the walls. He grabbed a few dishes he knew you'd eat and turned back.

But before he could take more than a few steps, someone bumped into him, knocking the plate right out of his hands. The food spilled onto the floor, and Zuko's eye twitched as he turned sharply toward the culprit.

“Hey, watch it! That food was for my cranky girlfriend!” He yelled as he pointed at your direction only for the stranger to smirk. Zuko instinctively followed his gaze—only for his irritation to spike into something far worse.

A stranger had taken up a spot next to you on the bench, one hand resting against the painting behind you as he leaned in slightly.

You weren't exactly engaging in the conversation, but you were looking up at him with apparent interest.

The guy who had knocked Zuko's plate snickered, but before he could say anything else, Zuko was already striding across the room. He shoved the stranger away from you, his jaw clenched.

"What the hell are you doing?" the man snapped, stumbling slightly.

“Stop talking to my girlfriend,” Zuko growled, stepping in front of you. His body was tense, shoulders squared as he positioned himself like a human barricade between you and the guy.

The stranger scoffed, glancing Zuko up and down before smirking. “Relax, man. It’s just a party.”

The guy took a step forward.

Zuko didn’t let him take another.

With a flick of his wrist, a controlled burst of flame shot from his fingertips, slamming into the guy’s chest.enough to send him flying backwards and crashing into a vase.