Hello fellow Avatar fans! I'm new to writing Avatar fics. Well, actually, this one-shot is a first for a lot of things for me: song fic, zutara, Avtar, romance. You get the picture. The song is "So Close" By Jon Mclaughlin and it's a really good song and I usually don't like love songs but this is my 4th favorite song in the universe. (Top 6: 1.) American Pie 2.) Bohemian Rhapsody 3.) Imagine 4.) So Close 5.) Living on a Prayer 6.) Dream a Little Dream of Me (the only othe love song but that's a different fic)) Listen to the song on youtube while reading. And the singing parts above any paragraphs are to be heard WHILE reading the actual scenes. I'm sorry if you guys don't like it. I know it sucks but read and review even if it's bad, so I can fix it. Thanks! Oh and I got the idea from a youtube video called "Zutara Tribute : so close" made by xprettyinpunk18x. She has an amazing video and it's way, way WAY better than mine so take a look at it.
-splattermusic
I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or So Close, they belong to their respective owners: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Koneitzko, and Jon McLaughlin . The only thing I own is the dance scene.
"But I am ready to forgive you"
Katara wrapped her arms around the prince, surprisingly. He quickly hugged her in return. She melted into him, like liquid metal into a mold, it was a perfect fit. Maybe, just maybe, Zuko might have a chance with her.
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
They did not know if they were going to be alive or dead in the next few hours. Zuko steered for now and Katara sat and thought of the ensuing battle to come. She, a master water-bender, and him, Zuko, a near master fire-bender bender, were going up against Azula, the prodigy, the lucky one, the sociopath, his sister. Was there any chance of surviving? She looked at him, suddenly feeling cold. Impulsively, she snaked up to Appa's neck and sat next to Zuko, leaning her head into his neck. He indistinctively murmured. She only caught the words "rest", "you'll", "need". She slowly nodded, and began to drift away while listening to his monotonous heart beat faster.
The music playing on for only two
A few days after their surreptitious attack on the Southern Raiders, Aang, Katara, Zuko, Suki, Sokka and Toph arrived at Ember Island
Feeling bored, she abandoned the group for a bit and wandered around the beach. She took one more step and Katara heard something crinkle from beneath her foot. She lifted her leg up to see a crumpled sheet of paper. Using three fingers, Katara lifted the paper into her line of sight. She scanned the flyer with her eyes. She murmured a bit of it aloud. "Dance competition…plaza…free admission…can be any dance…must have dance partner…grand prize: 150 gold pieces!" The perfect partner immediately popped into her mind. She thought of the dance party in the cave with all the Fire Nation students. Suddenly, she spotted one of the regulations, "Participants must be 14 and older." Katara slumped her shoulders in disappointment, until she thought of another partner who might be just as good, maybe even better, Zuko.
So close together
"I'll show you lightening!" Azula stuck her index and middle fingers toward Katara and blue lightening shot forth. All of her instincts, every inch of her mind told her to run, but her legs would not obey. She was frozen with fear. Zuko, however, was not.
"No!" He ran towards her. Everything was in slow motion. Katara could only stare in horror as Zuko jumped into the air. Blue sparks cackled through his body. He had only redirected some, but not all, of the lightening. As he fell to the stone pavement with a thud, Katara finally felt feeling return to her legs, "Zuko!" and she ran towards him, for his life depended on it.
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
As they headed towards their uncertain fate, Katara clung onto Zuko's hand.
Innocently, Katara asked, "Do you think Azula will kill us?"
He didn't answer.
Despite being so close to death, being beside his warm body, feeling his heated breath nip her neck, she had never felt more alive.
A life goes by
On his way home to the Fire Nation, Zuko couldn't help, but think of one thing…
Romantic dreams will stop
For so long, he was the enemy. Now, they are in an underground crystal catacomb, together and she had her hand on his scar. He never let anyone touch his scar, not even Uncle. Why her? They started to lean in, ignoring the battle above.
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
"What's on your mind?"
Zuko lost his train of thought to his sister. He looked up to see that they were almost home. He slightly shook his head.
"Nothing."
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
Zuko closed his eyes in pain, he looked over to Katara. How could she stand a chance against a psychopathic, comet-enhanced, firebending prodigy? He tried to stay hopeful, but couldn't. Now, he just waited, waited for death and he knew she was waiting too.
And now forever I know
Katara silently tiptoed up to Zuko. She tapped him on the shoulder.
"What do you want?" Zuko turned around, realizing who it was. "oh Katara, sorry about that."
She twiddled her thumbs, "I was just asking…
All that I wanted
"Do you…"
To hold you
"Want to go to a dance thing with me?"
So close
Katara looked up at him hopefully. He smiled a grin more genuine than she had ever thought was capable of him. "Yes, yes I do."
So close to reaching that famous happy end
She couldn't believe how close, Zuko, the Fire Nation crown prince was to her. They began to lean in. Everything seemed to be okay.
Almost believing this was not pretend
They began to forget that they were imprisoned. They forgot that they were enemies. And Katara began to forget about Aang.
And now you're beside me
As the rocky training soldiers crumbled around them with a combination of fire and water, Zuko couldn't help but admire her. She was youthful, beautiful, graceful, powerful and flawless. Zuko began to envy her. At least he thought it was envy. Wasn't it? Little did he know, it was far more deep and meaningful than jealousy.
And look how far we've come
Katara shivered in her seat, despite it being a very warm night. The contestants were fluid in their movements. The partners moved perfectly in synch. She began to hyperventilate. Zuko, sensing her nervousness, laid his hand on her shoulder. He leaned in and whispered into her ear, "Don't worry, you'll do fine, you've faced a lot worse."
So far we are so close
Zuko and Katara bowed to each other and started to dance. Their plan: just spar. Zuko punched and kicked powerfully, without relinquishing any fire. Katara easily dodged with her flexible body and jumped with nimble foot steps. As different as the two styles were, they easily meshed together. Though the two moves were opposites, they belonged, like yin and yang, push and pull, moon and sun, ocean and land, water and fire.
As the music played on, Zuko placed one hand around Katara's waist and the other intertwined with her hand. They began a quick-paced tango. It was smooth and august, yet fast and fiery.
As they twirled one last time, Zuko sent a twister of flame around them, obscuring them from the world. He led Katara into a slow dip and whispered in her ear once more, "And now, for the grand finale."
He placed his lips on hers. She was shocked, surprised and pleased. She thawed under his touch. Despite the surrounding flames, she shivered with pleasure. The kiss grew more and more passionate. Neither of them cared, no one was watching. Unexpectedly, Zuko broke off the kiss and the tornado around them disappeared.
The audience began to clap. And Katara brought her hands to her lips.
How could I face the faceless days
During the dead silent moments on Appa, Katara thought, "Why would Zuko really want to help me find my mom?" she looked at his slumbering body, so peaceful, so handsome. Suddenly, she felt an impulse to… "No!" she mentally slapped herself. "What are you thinking? He can't be trusted,
If I should lose you now?
"for now."
We're so close
"And the winner is…"
Unknowingly, Katara clutched Zuko's hand. He looked down and blushed, though Katara did not seem to mind at all.
To reaching that famous happy end
"Miss Sapphire and Mister Lee!"
And almost believing this was not pretend
Realizing that the judge had just called their incognito names, Katara leapt with joy. She grabbed Zuko by the collar and kissed him on the lips for a few short seconds.
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
She smirked and whispered into his ear, "That was payback for your little surprise in the fire twister."
So close
"Zuko," tears streamed down her face, "You're alive."
As she put her arms around Zuko to help him up, he whispered, "I think... I love you."
So close
Katara came into the palace to congratulate Zuko on his new position. She hid behind a pillar and spotted Zuko… and Mai… kissing. A single tear ran down her face, so she too ran.
And still so far
Zuko looked out to the balcony of the Jasmine Dragon. Katara began to hug Aang. Relief spread throughout his whole body, until, their lips met. Maybe, he didn't have a chance after all.
And so, they continued life, with the ones they weren't meant to be with, not knowing how much either of them really cared.
There, done, I know, it was horrible but I needed to get it out. Hope you liked it, if not... well you're not the only one...
-splattermusic