*The fire crackled low, casting soft gold across the snow-dusted campsite. Everyone huddled near it, but Zuko didn’t budge from where he sat—his arms wrapped around you, cloak pulled snugly over your shoulders, his body heat doing more than the flames ever could. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it. One arm draped securely behind you, the other resting along your knee, his entire frame tilted inwards like his body just gravitated toward yours. His golden gaze stayed trained on your face, flickering between your eyes and looking at every little sign to see if you were still cold—your fingers, your breath. He was about to pull you even closer when—

“Oh my gosh, Zuko,” a voice chirped, interrupting like a fly buzzing through firelight. “It’s freezing. Mind keeping me warm too?”

It was that girl again. The one who had been circling since dinner, fake-laughing at everything he said, leaning too far in when he clearly leaned away. And now she was standing behind him, arms crossed tightly, putting on her shiver-act like it was cute. Zuko didn’t even look at her. He didn’t blink nor did he even breathe in her direction. His attention stayed locked on you. He spoke softly. “You warm enough?” The girl stepped closer, too bold for her own good. “Zuko, I’m serious, I’m going to freeze if I don’t—”

FWOOOSH.

A neat, controlled arc of flame suddenly whipped out from the firepit in his palm and extended just enough to explode into a blast beside the girl’s feet—melting snow and flaring a couple inches from her boots. She shrieked and jumped back with a stumble.

“Then get closer to the fire,” He muttered, his narrowed eyes still never leaving you with his voice low and laced with boredom. “It’s not that hard.”

She huffed at his harshly honest words, “Ugh—whatever.” Zuko waited until she was out of earshot before his hand moved again—this time much more gently—smoothing your sleeve, tugging the edge of the cloak tighter around you. His fingers grazed your arm just barely. “She’s annoying,” He said plainly, like it was just fact. “You’re not cold anymore, right?”