Get ready for some angst and all that other fun stuff that comes with today's prompt.

Rating: T-ish

Soothe

v. To reduce pain or discomfort

"No!" Zuko shouted. The lightning was making a path straight for him. Katara ran in front of him and let the lightening strike through her core.

"Katara!" Zuko yelled as he ran towards his fallen comrade. Azula was laughing maniacally. Did she even realize that the Agni Kai was over? His sister lost by bringing someone else into their duel. But that didn't really matter now, did it? All that mattered to Zuko was Katara.

He reached her a knelt down beside her. "Oh Agni, Katara. Why?" He asked as he examined the mark Azula left, just like the one on Aang.

She looked up at him. " Everyone needs you to be the Fire Lord. I'm expendable, while you one the other hand are not. " Katara said, wincing through the pain. With tears in her eyes, she smiled.

"Katara. Katara? KATARA!" He yelled. This couldn't be happening. This could not be-

"Zuko!" He heard her frantic yell. He opened his eyes ans saw Katara, alive and okay. "Zuko. It's okay. You were just having a nightmare. It was just a dream."

Katara was looking at him now. Zuko felt a searing pain in his abdomen. Why was he in pain? He looked down and found his answer.

"It's going to scar." She told him dejectedly.

In that moment, he didn't care. She was fine. "You're okay." Zuko stated. Azula didn't her. She's alive. He held Katara's hand, unable to let go for fear that this was a dream itself and that she would vanish in front of him if he let go.

"Shhhh... It's okay, Zuko. I'm okay, you're okay, and everybody else is okay." Katara whispered soothingly, instantly calming the firebender.

"Will you stay with me? Please." He added, practically begging. He didn't want to sleep alone, fearful of what might happen in his dreams.

"Sure." Katara replied. A wave a relief washed over him as she lifted the sheets and crawled into the bed next to him. She lied down and placed a hand on his shect to push him down back int the bed gently. he closed his eyes and a small smile crept onto his chapped lips. Knowing that she was there soothed him. She was able to chase his demons away like his did it every day. Thinking about it, she probably did.

It didn't take too long for her to fall asleep. She was probably exhausted from healing him and watching over him. "You will never be replaceable to me, Katara." Zuko whispered asfter he was sure that she fell asleep. "Never."

And another installment of Zutara Week has been finished. 438 words total.

Rememember to Smile :)

~Becca