Pairing: Zutara

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Garden

(n.) a piece of ground, often near a house, used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables.

Katara seemed to come here a lot. Zuko had once told her that his mother used to take him here to feed the turtleducks. His face lighted up with a smile when he revealed the special memory to her. His smile was sad, like he was talking about a someone close to him who had died.

'That's something we have in common.' She knew what it felt like. She truly understood what it was like to yearn for someone like that - La knows she's done it many times.

The firebender in question was resting. He had just fallen asleep and Katara needed the fresh air and the calm that the royal garden had to offer.

The Agni Kai was only a couple days ago, yet to her those days had seemed like years. Wrapping and unwrapping his bandages. The healing sessions. The worry and guilt that washed over her whenever she looked at his still body. All these things had kept her going - no, praying - that the firebender would wake up and be aright.

And then he did and Katara checked to make sure he was responding normally. She told him to get some more rest when he tried to get up and he obliged, closing his eyes and smiling for some reason unknown to Katara. That was a few hours ago.

Katara was watching the little turtleduck follow their mother when she heard rustling behind her. She turned around to find Zuko, up and stalking over to her spot.

He sat down next to her and Katara looked him over. He was so close that their shoulders were almost touching. He was leaning back on his hands and his legs were outstretched, reaching the short distance to the small pond. Tui and La, he looked tired. The healer in her was screaming at her for letting the persistent firebender walk around with a severe burn on his chest - it was unsanitary and anything could still get under those bandages of his. She tried to tell him this but he brushed her off, saying he's felt worse - a complete lie if you ask her.

She had no idea what came over her. One minute she was rolling her eyes at his response and the next she realized that her head was resting on his pale shoulder. She looked at his face to gauge his reaction. She saw him smile as he realized that she wasn't going to move.

The two sat in silence, watching the sun descend over the horizon and the turtleducks swimming freely in the pond.

That was actually shorter than I planned but oh well. I thought it was cute

Remember to Smile :)

~Becca