Title: Searching
Word Count: 456
Summary: Zuko and Katara unexpectedly find themselves thrown together under unfortunate circumstances.
Answer to and winner of Rashaka's Insta!Fic Challenge at the katarazuko LJ community (I found it kinda last minute, so I wish I had a bit longer to work on it; but I'm happy over all).
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or any related characters, etc. Damn. Also I have not read anyone else's entries, so any and all similarities that may exist are purely coincidental.
"I don't really know you at all," came the whisper, "but sometimes it feels like I do."
The small tongue of flame flickered lower in his palm before flaring back to its original magnitude. He remained still, curious as to whether she would continue, but too stubborn to offer encouragement. He sensed her gaze upon him before it returned to the ground between them, watching the shadows dance over pebbles and dry leaves.
She was silent for a time, shifting frequently, obviously frustrated by his silence . He supposed she had grown unaccustomed to sitting quietly while in another's presence, traveling with the Avatar. Who knew when she would once again be able to immerse herself in the comfort of incessant chatter.
"You're a jerk."
Yes, frustrated and, maybe, he ventured, a bit afraid. It didn't seem possible, knowing what he did of her from past encounters. He scowled and noted as the slight shift of expression triggered a flicker of satisfaction to flit across her face, pleased perhaps that she had coaxed even some small reaction from him.
"Well, it's true. You know it is. I bet I'm the first to tell you to your face."
She was trying to distract herself. Anything to keep from thinking about their current situation. He was even a little glad of the distraction himself. He was tired of running, tired of hiding, tired of devising hopeless plans.
"Still," she hesitated, and he began to wonder if she had abandoned her thought. "You're not a bad person, Zuko."
He tensed for a moment, but forced his body to resume its former posture. Concentrating on his breathing, he nurtured the only light that staved off the darkness, and waited.
"Misguided, arrogant, single-minded--yes. But not malicious really. You're intelligent and determined and loyal. And you were doing what you thought was right. I see that now."
Their eyes finally met, the light reflecting faintly from shining irises, before her gaze strayed to take in first his close shorn hair and then his scar. He shied away from her scrutiny, marveling inwardly as the ire that normally rose upon such occasions manifested as embarrassment.
"You love your nation. We all do and we all fight for our people the best way we know how. I don't really know why you're here now, or why you tried to help us. I don't even know why I'm saying all this to you." She was staring at him now, unabashedly. Slowly a soft smile, tainted by fatigue and melancholy, spread across her lips. "But I'm glad you've found your way."
He could feel his cheeks warming under the surprising heat given off by ice blue eyes, and allowed the flame to dim, lengthening the shadows.