Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

AN: This seems to be taking place outside of the Jasmine Dragon, in Ba Sing Se. It's probably right after the series ended, maybe a couple of hours after Aang & Katara's kiss on the balcony. I know it's kind of vague...but that's the way some plot bunnies work, I guess...Either way, I'm totally onboard Zutara partially cuz Zuko's a total hottie & I have a thing for angry jerks but mostly because their relationship seems pretty much impossible. I love the tension. :3

[Update 5/27/11: Just some minor formatting and a few rephrasing, nothing major]

Reviews would be appreciated. And thanks to Kimberly T for catching the Aunt Wu slip & giving me those awesome sites to look up!

Blame It On the Juice

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"It's not that simple!" Katara exclaimed angrily as she walked further away from the party. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to overhear them.

Zuko scowled. "Actually. Katara, I think it is. Aang's twelve! He hasn't even hit puberty yet! Of course he thinks he's in love with you! You're the first girl he's ever liked!"

He was beyond frustrated.

Fire Nation people, as a whole, were passionate. You didn't learn to fall in love, you either were or you weren't. If it was lust, you'd figure it out within the first few months, before things got serious and then move on. There was no wishy-washy, well maybe it'll change later, we'll just wait and see phase because if you couldn't accept someone for who they were, you were unworthy of them. To break a vow, for whatever reason was dishonorable. Relationships were rare because once you made a pledge to someone, you were theirs, forever.

But he didn't know how to say all of this to Katara without yelling loudly and blasting plumes of fire. He wasn't completely healed yet and he didn't want everyone rushing out or worrying that he'd gone crazy. Besides, knowing Katara, she'd take it the wrong way.

"Technically, he's a hundred and thirteen!" The waterbender said sarcastically. "And why are you such an expert? Just because you grew up with the love of your life-"

"Don't bring Mai into this!" Zuko shot back. His eyes glowed dangerously in the light of the street lamps. "You don't know the first thing about us."

"But you know all about me and Aang?" Katara hugged her chest and turned away from him. With her back to him, she seemed to deflate, just a little. "I know it's... weird. It's not what I expected. I mean, Aunt Wu said I would marry a powerful bender but...I just..." She sighed. "I know he's young now but he's going to grow up. And then maybe I'll see him differently. " She turned and looked at Zuko hopefully, her eyes pleading that he'd understand. "Kissing him…it's not as weird as I thought it'd be and he doesn't try to push me, you know? It's actually kind of sweet. He's so innocent and-"

He did the only thing that he could think of. He stomped up to her, grabbed her face firmly, and kissed her as hard as he could.

It wasn't meant to be a short kiss but he didn't want to jam his tongue down her throat, either. If Aang really was the only person she'd ever kissed, he didn't want to traumatize her. Even though he was pouring his heart into it, the last thing he wanted was for her to feel like he was forcing something she didn't want.

But, Agni!, her bottom lip was so sweet and plump and then, surprise! Her tongue was the one entering his mouth, her face was pushing against his. And yes, his hands were still on her cheeks, but her hands were tangling into his hair and she was pushing her body almost as if she could tell how eagerly he wanted to pull her tighter against him.

It ended so much slower and less suddenly than it had started.

He literally had to drag his mouth away from hers. There still seemed to be a few kisses on her lips that he had missed. He tried to get them all but his head was starting to spin. There was one, right in the corner of her mouth that he really wanted, but he'd have to wait for his heart to stop pounding so hard, for his vision to clear. For now, he took a deep breath and rested his forehead against hers.

They were both breathing heavily. Bits of steam came out of their mouths, even though the summer night was warm and humid.

"I've been wanting to do that since the catacombs." Zuko managed to puff out. It felt so good to finally admit it. He looked down at her, nervously.

Katara nodded. Her eyes were closed. "Yeah..." Slowly she opened them and looked up at him in wonder. Her eyes were so wide. He could see the entire night sky reflecting back at him. Her hands managed to untangle themselves from his hair. "We should never drink cactus juice again." She mumbled softly.

Zuko's head snapped back, surprised. "Cactus juice? When did you have cactus juice?"

Katara frowned. "I didn't... I..." She seemed to be having a hard time focusing. "I thought maybe you did and maybe there was some left over in your mouth." Her hands slowly rested on his and she gently pulled them away from her face. "Why else would I be this dizzy?"

He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to make the moment worse.

So he said nothing and she stumbled dizzily back to the Jasmine Dragon.