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Description
Zuko’s POV
I forced the captain of the ship to blow the fog horn, signaling all of my men back on board, more specifically, the doctor. I carried (Y/n) myself onto the ship and into my bed. She was panting and sweating, she had clearly overworked herself. Finally, the doctor boarded the ship and immediately came to my quarters.

“I need you to heal her! She’s very weak and I-” the doctor stopped me and said,

“I know you’re concerned, Prince Zuko, but you will have to be patient. It looks like it’s just a fever and I will do what I can. But what she needs most is rest and hydration. I will show you what to give her and how but you will have to listen.” I was silent as the doctor gave her a cold compress and tilted her head forward, slipping a pill between her lips. He also took a bowl of herbs and had me light them on fire, small enough to produce more smoke than flame.

“Now, let her rest for a few days. Feed her 3 times daily and keep her hydrated constantly.” Normally, the doctor would do all of these things, but we both knew that I’d be doing them.

“Thank you. I will do my best.” The doctor nodded and made his way, not before asking,

“Will you be okay changing her clothing? She definitely shouldn’t be in her work clothes, and they should be washed.” I kept my composure at the specific request, but knew that I must do this for her.

“I will fetch her clothing from her room.” I went down to her room yet found nothing but a small piece of cloth. Where was her clothing? I thought back, and realised that she’d been wearing the same plain dress every single day since I’d bought her. Had she just been washing it everyday? Wearing a soaking wet dress in the morning? No wonder she’d gotten sick! I internally cursed at myself, I hadn’t even noticed her struggling and now she was dealing with the consequences.

I went back up to check on her and then went straight back to the market. I went with my uncle who helped me purchase some clothing and even basic belongings such as a mirror and a brush. I had my men carry the items to her room and I went back to change her clothing.

She was still unconscious, which made it easier yet more difficult. I tried to limit what I saw of her while still being efficient and quick. Her body was very warm, though.

She was soon dressed in a loose dress and back in my bed. I knew that it was late, so I prepared for bed, but decided to give it to her for the night. I simply sat down next to the bed and looked at her sleeping face.

She was always looking up at me as if I was a god. She was so thankful when I had done nothing for her. Now, I just wanted to protect her. She was strong, but she clearly didn’t know that she had to take a break every now and again.

I could only think of all the trials she’d been through. When I was dressing her, I saw multiple scars. Most prominently on her ankles, they looked like they’d been vicious and deep, and whoever had made them showed no mercy. She also had marks on her wrists and neck, similar to those of chains.

It made me so angry to think that she’d been treated so cruelly. She was such a kind and selfless spirit, but it made me wonder if that came from her home, or her conditions. If only I’d found her sooner. Maybe then I’d know.

Eventually, I fell asleep with my head resting next to her. Her breathing kept me comforted.

Description
Zuko’s POV
I forced the captain of the ship to blow the fog horn, signaling all of my men back on board, more specifically, the doctor. I carried (Y/n) myself onto the ship and into my bed. She was panting and sweating, she had clearly overworked herself. Finally, the doctor boarded the ship and immediately came to my quarters.

“I need you to heal her! She’s very weak and I-” the doctor stopped me and said,

“I know you’re concerned, Prince Zuko, but you will have to be patient. It looks like it’s just a fever and I will do what I can. But what she needs most is rest and hydration. I will show you what to give her and how but you will have to listen.” I was silent as the doctor gave her a cold compress and tilted her head forward, slipping a pill between her lips. He also took a bowl of herbs and had me light them on fire, small enough to produce more smoke than flame.

“Now, let her rest for a few days. Feed her 3 times daily and keep her hydrated constantly.” Normally, the doctor would do all of these things, but we both knew that I’d be doing them.

“Thank you. I will do my best.” The doctor nodded and made his way, not before asking,

“Will you be okay changing her clothing? She definitely shouldn’t be in her work clothes, and they should be washed.” I kept my composure at the specific request, but knew that I must do this for her.

“I will fetch her clothing from her room.” I went down to her room yet found nothing but a small piece of cloth. Where was her clothing? I thought back, and realised that she’d been wearing the same plain dress every single day since I’d bought her. Had she just been washing it everyday? Wearing a soaking wet dress in the morning? No wonder she’d gotten sick! I internally cursed at myself, I hadn’t even noticed her struggling and now she was dealing with the consequences.

I went back up to check on her and then went straight back to the market. I went with my uncle who helped me purchase some clothing and even basic belongings such as a mirror and a brush. I had my men carry the items to her room and I went back to change her clothing.

She was still unconscious, which made it easier yet more difficult. I tried to limit what I saw of her while still being efficient and quick. Her body was very warm, though.

She was soon dressed in a loose dress and back in my bed. I knew that it was late, so I prepared for bed, but decided to give it to her for the night. I simply sat down next to the bed and looked at her sleeping face.

She was always looking up at me as if I was a god. She was so thankful when I had done nothing for her. Now, I just wanted to protect her. She was strong, but she clearly didn’t know that she had to take a break every now and again.

I could only think of all the trials she’d been through. When I was dressing her, I saw multiple scars. Most prominently on her ankles, they looked like they’d been vicious and deep, and whoever had made them showed no mercy. She also had marks on her wrists and neck, similar to those of chains.

It made me so angry to think that she’d been treated so cruelly. She was such a kind and selfless spirit, but it made me wonder if that came from her home, or her conditions. If only I’d found her sooner. Maybe then I’d know.

Eventually, I fell asleep with my head resting next to her. Her breathing kept me comforted.