Second Zutara fic in one day :D I'm one roll XD I love this couple a lot and it was so terrible to see that they didn't end up together, Kataang is sweet and I do ship them to some extent but Zutara will always be my OTP, they have so much unexplored potential and I'm disappointed that the writers decide to kill this pairing and go with Kataang instead. Anyways, enjoy and please review :).
Skin Deep
Zuko would be blind if he didn't see that Katara was beautiful. There were no qualms about it. The raven haired girl had beautifully tanned skin, doe like eyes that reflected the ocean and a slender physique. She was the epitome of beauty, turning heads wherever she went, no matter how sloppy she was dressed.
But that wasn't why he loved her.
Just then, his girlfriend turned to him and shot him the most dazzling smile he had ever seen and she showed him a flower she'd picked, the firelily's petals dancing about as the wind tickled them, it was pretty, but incomparable to the allure of the water bender holding it.
He grinned and opened his hand to reveal a flower exactly identical to hers except it was made out of fire.
She rolled her eyes at his attempt to show off and waved her free hand about, pulling water out from the air and fashioning the same flower.
They smiled at each other and both closed their fist at the same time, the flame dying beneath his fingers and the flower turning into a puddle of water at hers.
However, when Zuko opened his hands, instead of an empty palm, a beautiful necklace laid in the center of his hand. The charm of the necklace was breathtaking, it was a simple blue stone shaped like a diamond with a small crimson stone in the center that had been shaped into a flame strung on a blue satin ribbon.
Katara gasped, "What-how-" she stuttered.
He smiled nervously, "I started making around four months ago," he admitted sheepishly, "Aang, Sokka and Toph had to help me out because I had no idea how to fashion a necklace. Though most of the time they were more of a pain than help, Toph and Sokka wouldn't quit bringing their lovers quarrel in while Aang had to play peacemaker, as usual. Honestly, I think I would've gotten it done faster by myself," he grumbled, making her giggle.
He relaxed at the familiar sound took a deep breath before continuing, "Um, I really don't know how to say this, but, Katara, I love you. I know I don't say it often enough but I really do. We've been together for seven years now and honestly it's been the best years of my life. I want us to continue like this forever, so, I guess what I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?" he asked hopefully, not daring to meet her eyes.
Silence rang between them before Zuko felt Katara press her hand to his cheek, gently turning his head.
His scared amber eyes met with her tearing blue ones, "Of course I will Zuko," she laughed, tears threatening to spill over, he sighed in relief and she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and his arms wound themselves around her waist second naturally.
"How could I ever say no?" she giggled brushing his cheeks lovingly, "You are the most brave and selfless man I know, you love everyone so much and protect them, even though you don't know how to show it, and I love you so, so much Zuko," she breathed.
He grinned goofily, suddenly feeling like he was flying, "I love you too," he whispered back and kissed her happily.
Beauty was only skin deep, he didn't love Katara because of what he could see but what she could. She saw pass all the anger and hurt in him and right to his center, she what he really was and that's why he loved her. After all, beauty will fade with time but her heart of gold won't.