Summer Day
In the middle of the summer, in the middle of the garden, the two sat under the massive tree, sheltered from the blazing sun over head. They sat near the pond where the mother turtle duck swam, followed by her ducklings in a neat line. The two bender watched as the littlest one swam behind the rest, trying to catch up. The two laughed quietly at the sight. The little duckling turned its head toward the noise and followed it to the edge of the pond. The firebender attentively reached his hand out to the tiny animal.
"Zuko, you're going to scare him away" the waterbender scolded. The little duck turned its head at the sight of the massive hand in font of him. Curious he walked up to it, hoping for some bread; it came closer. Upon noticing no sign of food the turtle duckling quacked his complaint, which made Katara giggle. With his hand still stretched out Zuko beckoned to the small creature.
"Come on, little guy," he called. The duck, without hesitation hoped into the waiting hand of the fire lord. Zuko brought the small duck closer, stroking its smooth head. He offered it to the girl for her to hold.
"What if I drop him," she worried.
"Katara, you won't. Just cup your hands together like I'm doing," he showed her doing so with his own hands. Katara did as she was showed and the small turtle duck made his way over to the smaller hands. The hands of the waterbender were much cooler making the creature quack in delight. Her hands were smaller and softer creating a sense of comfort.
"I think he likes you"
"He is so tiny and cute." the water bender cooed. While the small duck nestled in her hands she stroked his head softly. After an hour of holding him Katara moved over to the waters edge and set him down. She bid the little creature goodbye and started to get up. As the two walked off hand in hand the little duck quacked in complaint. He wanted to stay near the girl with the cool hands much longer. The two turned at the sound only to see the duckling waddle after them.
"Ok that turtle duck really likes you"
"You sound jealous" Katara teased as she bent down to pick the duck up. She held it close as she made her way toward the pond.
"Listen little guy, how about you go home and I'll be back tomorrow" she put the duckling down again near the edge.
"Katara, it's a turtle duck it's not going to understand you" she heard over her shoulder. Ignoring it she watched as the small duck quacked in agreement and hopped into the waiting pond, making its way to his mother. Katara turned to face Zuko with a smirk on her lovely face. She walked on leaving him behind confused. He shook his head out of his daze and ran after her to catch up, leaving the garden in the middle of summer as the sun started to set behind them.
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