Prince Zuko x Reader

Y/N walked up toward the deck of the large ship. The morning sun was bright enough to temporarily blind her.

"Ah, good morning, Y/N. Would you like for me to show you this game?" Iroh said, beckoning her to join him at the small table.

She sat in front of him to observe. The board before her was large and circular with a grid pattern.

"This is Pai Sho. I think you might like it. It has strategy, but some of the game is up to chance. They say the game was discovered by the spirits themselves." Iroh explained.

"Why are we going off course?!" Zuko yelled, interrupting Iroh's explanation.

"I can assure you, Prince Zuko, we are stopping due to something of utmost importance. It seems I have lost my lotus tile." Iroh said calmly, "For my Pai Sho board. I believe the lotus tile is essential for my strategy."

"You've changed the course for a stupid tile?!"

"It shouldn't take long. Hopefully one of the merchants at this port will have my lotus tile. Then I will be able to give Y/N a better explanation of the game."

Obviously enraged, Zuko's face grew hot. He looked at Y/N who looked down at the Pai Sho board when she noticed him looking. Zuko huffed, smoke left his nostrils as his face returned to its usual color. With that, he turned on his heels and returned to his quarters.

"I'm lucky to have such an understanding nephew." Iroh joked.

Y/N giggled lightly with him.

"Has he always had such awful anger issues?" Y/N asked gently.

"Well, Zuko is only so ill-tempered because he is so determined. When he was younger, before he was banished, he was very caring. It seems to have been the reason he was banished; he was too kind." Iroh responded, his gaze turning sad and returning to the board before him, "My brother has never been the merciful type. I just wish Zuko would realize that."

"It must be hard to see him struggle then. Obviously, Zuko is important to you."

"Ever since my son...passed, I have thought of Zuko as my own." Iroh fiddled with the tiles before him sadly.

"I'm sorry about your son. No loss is comparable to that of losing a child."

"Don't be sorry. He fulfilled his purpose. I am satisfied with my time with him while he was alive."

The shipped lurched to a halt by the port. Before anyone could take a step off the ship, they had been encountered by Zhao. He and Zuko exchanged some not so friendly conversation. Zhao threatened to "steal away" the crew of Zuko's ship. This led to Iroh, Zhao, and Zuko disappearing to converse where Y/N or the crew members couldn't hear.

"You go ahead and see if you can find a lotus tile that matches my set. I'll catch up with you in a moment." Iroh said before following Zuko away.

So, Y/N left to go visit merchants by herself.

After Zhao had left the ship, Iroh and Zuko planned their next move.

"He's taken my entire crew, and I'm sure he's going to attempt to destroy the ship. I'll have no way of finding the Avatar." Zuko said, his head in his hands.

"Zuko, we have to get off the ship." Iroh said, trying to calm him.

"And then what, uncle?!"

"We'll think of that when our safety is guaranteed."

Zuko groaned. Then he thought, "Where would Y/N go after the ship was destroyed?" Wait. Y/N. She was a stowaway for quite a while before she was discovered. What if he did the same thing?

"Uncle, we could stow away on Zhao's ship. That way, if he finds the Avatar, I'd have the opportunity to capture him before he has the chance."

"That's a wonderful idea, Prince Zuko."

The two further ''discussed their plans, and eventually, Iroh left to find Y/N. He found her searching through a vast number of tiles. She picked up one specific tile and handed the merchant a few various coins. As she turned, she realized Iroh had been behind her.

"General Iroh! I've found the tile you were looking for." Y/N said, holding up the tile with a detailed painting of a lotus blossom.

"Y/N, I must tell you of a specific plan. Not long from now, Zhao will be destroying our ship. Zuko will be stowing away disguised as a guard, and I will be forming a false alliance with Zhao." Iroh explained.

Y/N noticed how her name wasn't mentioned. Though she understood, she had to hide her hurt. She thought maybe, just maybe, she had made a deep connection with Iroh at least.

"Is this where we say goodbye?" Y/N asked.

Iroh nodded solemnly. Y/N handed held the tile out for him.

"Keep the tile. Think of it as a promise that I'll teach you how to play Pai Sho one day. You'll see us again one day." Iroh said.

Boom!

With that sound being the signal to go make allies of Zhao, Iroh turned to leave.

"General Iroh, thank you for your company. Tell Prince Zuko that I had fun." Y/N said.

Iroh smiled widely and left to assess the damage of the ship. Y/N grasped the tile firmly; she remembered Iroh's promise. As Zuko was getting ready to board Zhao's ship, he stopped. He started running into town searching for someone. He was looking for Y/N.

"I want Y/N to come with me."