So hi, first post since a long time, for Zutara week nonetheless. There is little point in me writing this, since it would be addressed to my past-readers and I switched language and fandom since then, but who knows? Si vous me suivez depuis l'époque de SLG et que vous êtes dans l'ATLA fandom en français, annoncez vous et je posterais une version française de cet OS.
As for the rest of you, this is my first post for Zutara week, i can't assure you that i'll do the other prompts but i'll try my best. Enjoy your reading
Zutara week 2018
29 July: First Kiss
Zuko had put a lot of thought into scenery of his first kiss with Katara. Actually, Zuko had put a lot of thought into gaining Katara's affection as well but this plan was still… ongoing. Even though she seemed to warm up to him after the Southern Raiders event, she was keeping her distances since Aang finally defeated Ozai.
Zuko looked up, Katara was sitting next to Suki, sadly, neither of them was paying him any attention. He exhaled, this seemed impossible. And he didn't want to crush this little fragment of friendship that was starting to grow between them, or Aang's trust now that he thought of it.
There never were such issues with Mai, to be honest, he always knew how she felt about him, it made things easier. But he remembered almost blushing, almost, when he asked her out. Maybe this was similar? A little bit of courage, a direct speech? But what about the location? He can't do it near the villa, anyone might come out at any time, same goes for the beach, no he would have to take her apart for a little while. Without anyone, well Aang and Sooka, suspecting anything.
He glimpsed at the two girls again, his mouth shifted into a loving smile, only to be stabbed by Suki's sharp glare, which turned into a mischievous smirk as she noticed his expression. Zuko tried to act busy, scrambling with papers at his feet but it was too late.
Suki successfully cornered him after a few hours of constant hiding.
"Hello Zuko, there you are! You know" she said pointing a finger towards his chest " I've noticed that you seem to be hiding from me? Could it mean that my suspicions were true?"
"I can't say that I see what you mean, you seem tired Suki, you should go rest"
"Don't play these kinds of games with me fire… fire thing! I knew it, I knew it! You do like Katara!"
"No, I don't, please leave me now, I have things to do"
"You wish! The truth is written all over you face. So, spill it, what's your plan?" Zuko had an arm crossed over his torso and a guilty look. Suki was already sitting on the floor, rocking back and forth, trying to contain her satisfaction.
"I knew you were capable of feelings, I just knew it. And you two, it's so obvious, I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner. I mean you took a lightning bolt for her!"
"Please be quieter… Yes, I admit it, I like her. But Suki, you can't tell her. And Sooka, oh Sokka'll kill me…"
"Don't even worry about it, tell me what you plan to do."
"Well, I need to take her somewhere the others won't interrupt. I was thinking the forest between the villa and the town? I mean I just want to talk to her…"
"That's a bit simple, you're sure you don't want to do things with a bit more… sparks?"
"No, I don't want to force her into anything, I mean you saw how that went for Aang. I just want to tell her how I feel, otherwise I'll never be able to move on."
"You're maybe right, that's disappointing. Well, I'm guessing you won't have the guts to ask her to come meet you in the forest after sunset, I'll do it!"
"Really?" That was unexpected, Suki was way more enthusiast that what Zuko was prepared for. But she had a point, seeing how Katara was avoiding him, it'll be better if Suki asked her. "I guess that's for the best. I can count on you?"
"Don't worry Firelord, I won't let you down!" The Kyoshi warrior sneaked out with stealth.
"Well, I guess I just have to wait 'till sunset now…" Zuko let his back fell on the floor. There was no going back now. This was such a mistake.
He was rearranging his robes uncomfortably when Katara appeared:
"So, Zuko, what is going on?" questioned the girl with a concerned frown.
"Oh, well, see…" muttered the visibly blushing firebender, "I was thinking, no, I was wondering why, why you are so distant towards me lately because, how do I put that? I don't like it. I felt as if we bonded a bit lately and, I don't know it just felt nice." Katara's frown disappeared and her pupils shifted as if avoiding Zuko's questioning glare.
"I mean, oh I'm doing this all sort of wrong. Katara, please listen to me and, I guess don't hit me either okay?" The teenager was trying to regain his confidence
"I need to be honest with you, and I'm not upset because I like talking to you"
"Excuse me?" interrupted Katara, with an angry frown on her face.
"No no that's not what I meant, oh La what is going on with me! "Zuko was even more flustered than before. "I like you okay? I like you and so, and that's why I don't like you being all distant with me. I'm sorry Katara, I know that's not what you expected and honestly I see why you would reject me, I mean I've been a jerk, repeatedly but…"
"Zuko." Katara interrupted him, with a calming voice.
"No please Katara let me talk. I've liked you for a long time, it used to be… I mean, we were on opposite sides and all, but then there was Ba Sing Se. And I am so, so sorry for what happened there, but it started something, I couldn't stop thinking about what you said, how you were ready to offer me your trust. How I ruined everything… But you're one of the reasons I switched side, I started to think about the war's point, thanks to you and my travel in the Earth Kingdom. And I realized how wrong it all was. Because nothing makes it okay for someone to take a mother away from her children." He cleared his throat, as his voice was starting to weaken.
"I'm sorry, I'm rambling. The thing is, once I joined you guys, I got to see you, like I started to in the catacombs. I got to know you and I couldn't stop myself from… developing certain feelings for you." Zuko lowered his head. "I guess I'm done, thank you for listening to me, I'll get out of your way now."
He was already disappearing in the bushes when Katara seemed to regain her focus:
"Zuko what are you doing?"
"Going on a cliff to see if I can airbend" retorqued the fragile teen, but the tone of his voice was lacking something.
"Get back here, please."
Zuko reluctantly obliged. He was standing a few feet away from Katara, having used up all his bravery, he was staring at the ground, sometimes glancing up to the dark bushes.
"I mean you could at least wait for me to give you an answer!"
Katara was torturing him, she knew that, but the spark of hope that glittered in the firebender's amber eyes forced her resolution to shatter.
"I'm sorry Zuko, I thought that you would go back to Mai as soon as the war was over, and I didn't really want to witness that."
"Katara…" the roles were, once again swapped, and the ocean eyes were now shyly restrained behind half-closed eyelids, as the amber's were staring straight ahead. Zuko showed a satisfied smirk:
"So, it would seem that I'm not alone in this after all" Zuko's smirk widened, Katara was keeping her mouth shut.
"Katara…" Zuko was gladly accepting the opportunity that was offering itself as he whispered in a stone-still-Katara's ear. He saw her cheeks redden and her breathing fasten. If this had been a story, they would probably have been interrupted by now, forcing the narration to accelerate. But this was no story, and Zuko swore that he would never let go again of his own happy ending.
He leaned in, their lips touching finally. He felt Katara's mouth smile against his and he felt more at peace than he ever did.
Katara had put a lot of thought into the scenery of her first kiss with Zuko, but sometimes fate surprises you, after all, maybe it doesn't matter how, when, where, maybe what matters is that it was just meant to be.
Thank you for reading! I know it's not much but i wanted to contribute to the fandom. Review if you wish, even a smiley face is appreciated. I haven't wrote in a while and some comments would boost my confidence.
Ethod
