A Storm, A Promise, and A New Explanation for Tenzin

by Alex Fortier

Katara wakes up in the middle of a lightning storm with nightmares of Zuko dying from Azula's bolt before she can save him. She creeps into Zuko's room and he comforts her. A little bit later, a torrid love affair between she and Zuko starts up, and continues even after Aang returns. Will Katara continue to see Aang and Zuko, or will she pick one? This may contain future lemons!

The storm rages, lightning flashing every few moments. Katara huddles in the uppermost corner of her bed, shuddering with every lightning flash and its corresponding crash of thunder. Suddenly, the largest and brightest flash and most resounding crash so far comes forth. Katara leaps out of her bed with a squeal of terror and runs out of her room, through the hallway, and into Zuko's room. She is grateful for the dark curtains on his windows, for it keeps out the storm.

Katara leans heavily on the door, now locked to keep out the storm, paralyzed with fear and the realization that she has just barged into the sleeping fire lord's rooms.

She slips silently to stand next to Zuko's bed, hesitating before gently reaching out to touch his shoulder, lightly whispering "Zuko?"

The fire lord awakens immediately, nearly toppling Katara over in his haste to sit up. "Katara?" At the sight of her bedraggled and petrified appearance, along with her tear-stained face Zuko immediately gathers her up in his arms, making quiet soothing sounds. "Shh.. Shh.. It's okay, it's okay. It's just a storm. It's okay."

A flash of lightning dances across the room. Katara jumps and buries herself deeper into Zuko's chest.

"It's not the thunder. It's the lightning. Whenever I see it I remember how you almost died for me. It's scared me ever since." Katara whispers in between sobs. Zuko, who had remained silent throughout her explanation, now pulls the master waterbender even closer to his chest, up onto his lap.

"Oh, Katara. Katara, Katara, Katara," the fire lord whispers over and over, like a mantra and a prayer, while rocking slowly to soothe her. "Katara, I'm right here. I'll always be right here. I promise. I promise."

Katara sniffles and pulls back slightly to see his face. She nods. "Okay," she whispers.

"Okay," he whispers, pulling her small form to his larger one, noting in his head how they fit perfectly together. Her head is buried in his chest, the sense of him invading all of her senses, making her drowsy and unstable.