The diner was full and he sat all alone in the booth by himself, sipping a small cup of delightful tea.
His waitress walked by and asked if he would like anything else. He looked up to her. She looked like an angel. Her brown hair was pulled back into a cute ponytail with a polka dot bow tied to the top of her head. She had on a casual typical diner dress and a long black apron in front. She had dark tan skin and one hell of a smile. But the most impressive feature was her eyes. Like two oceans of cerulean and a thunder storm off in the distance. He felt his lips curl upward before speaking.
"I'm sorry if this sounds strange, but I'm feeling really lonely and I was wondering…if a pretty girl like you would accompany me in a cup of coffee?" He blushed shyly but kept his eyes glued to hers.
She smiled sweetly and answered, "I'm off in an hour. I know where we can go." Before winking and walking away.
He shook his head and smiled.
How adorable.
The pier was lovely at sunset. The sun dancing along the water's surface and the seagulls flooded the sea's shore. The two strangers walked close to each other as they shared stories and small bits of information.
"So when do you ship out?" She asked.
"Three hours." He answered.
"What? Three hours? How sudden."
"Yes ma'am. But I'm greatful that you agreed to keep me company. I don't really know anyone else to share my last few moments with." He smiled to her and his knuckles grazed against her smooth skin.
She blushed and looked at him with a smile.
"Well of course. You looked lonely enough sitting there all by yourself. And a handsome boy like you shouldn't be spending his last few hours all alone."
She grasped his hand in hers.
He looked down to their entwined fingers and smiled up to her.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me sugar."
"So, I have another weird question."
"Shoot."
"Well, I know in the military we're aloud to write as many letters as we want. But I don't have anyone to write to. Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?"
He watched her expression; trying to read some sort of emotion, search for any type of signal. Anything.
She smiled sweetly and stopped them both in their tracks. She leaned in close to him until her lips brushed lightly against his check.
"I would love that." She whispered.
He smiled and pulled her into his arms.
And the funny part was it wasn't strange. It wasn't awkward for neither of them to be hugging a person they'd only met a few hours before. It was so natural.
They continued walking around the beach area, soaking up the evening sky and each other's comfort. Until it was quarter to nine and he was back at the bus stop, waiting to load onto the cargo truck that would take him into unknown territory. He held her hands in his warm ones. She just stood before him, looking into those beautiful gold eyes. Like melted lava they were.
He took a deep breath as the truck pulled up.
"I want you to have this." With that said he pulled out a blue mask.
"And as long as it's with you, I promise I will return safe and sound."
She held in her hands a mask. It looked ghostly with its dark eyes, blue face, and white fangs. She rippled her fingers against the surface, feeling every crevice and the shards of wood. She was staring at a mask. But it wasn't just a mask. It was a promise.
With that being said, he lifted his bag onto his shoulder, kissed her temple, and boarded the bus.
Dear Katara,
It's terrifying. They've managed to train us 'civilians' in a matter of weeks. Like a quick course so we can get out there faster to fight. We've only got a few more lessons to learn and then I'll be shipped out to Vietnam. The letters will come less frequent but I will still write. Tell me how you are. How's that diner doing? I miss you.
Sincerely,
Zuko
Dear Zuko,
I miss you too. I got so excited when I saw this letter in the mail box. The diner's fine. Busy as always. Except there are no handsome young men asking to talk with me. How difficult is training? Where in Vietnam will you be? I hope you're okay. Don't go getting hurt on me alright? Tell me more. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Katara
Eight Months Later
It was Friday and the big football game was starting. Before anyone started banging the drums, screaming to their rivals, or running onto the football field, the principle spoke into the microphone, "Folks, would you bow your heads for a list of local Vietnam dead."
A few students shuddered in sheer horror as they heard a few ex student's names. One girl collapsed as her boyfriend's name was said aloud. Under the bleachers stood a kid with tears in his eyes. Then a name was read and nobody really cared.
But the pretty little girl with the bow in her hair.
It had been almost a month since she found out about his misfortune. As soon as she heard she ran home and hid the mask. Threw it an old green chest in the attic and locked the bolt, and then throwing the key somewhere in anger.
No one asked, and no one really minded. Everyone was hurting from this war, and she was just another broken promise. She re-read his letters, over and over and over again. There was a large stake of them, all dated and important.
It was a whole thirty days of being reminded that he couldn't keep his promise.
Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy like always. It was the same thing every day.
Her heart hurting and broken. Nothing was right.
It wasn't for another month and a half when a knock at the door woke her from a weak slumber. She checked her watch and it read 5:12 a.m.
She rolled out of bed unhappily and made her way downstairs.
The knock sounded again.
She growled, yanked open the door, and shouted "what?"
But her breath hitched in her throat. 'What the…'
"But! But! They said you were-"
"I promised didn't I?"
There stood a handsome man, dressed in green. A large scar covering the right side of his face and his left arm in a sling.
Before he could say anymore, her arms were carefully thrown around his neck and her lips were on his.
Not only was it a mask, it was a promise.
Stole the main point from Traveling Soldier.
ZUTARA WEEK!
[So, I absolutley HATE this chapter. But I can't fix it without re-doing it completely.
So-basically he gave someone else his dogtags, and when they found the other dead body-they found Zuko's dog tags.
Which is why he was thought to be dead.]
Let's fuckin' party.
-Durrr.
