summery "You seem so quick to judge, wrench, but would you be any different?" [Short drabble bringing some truth and revelation to Katara
disclaimer Not mine, I just wanted to post something post-premiere (by the way, oh my God!)
A blast of steam hit the air, as fire and water, blue eyes and gold met. They have not seen each other since the crystal caves. They were not supposed to see each other now. He looks very royal with his topknot; she looks very good in her burgundy.
In the mere moments that he held her trust, he betrayed it. "How could you? I though you changed?" Her voice is loud and angry and rough. "But you've always been a traitor, first to your country, to good and right, and then… to your uncle and yourself." He didn't know how she knew, and he could not be sure that she said it all.
His mind (his heart?) had been telling him the same thing for days, weeks, months (he'd lost track of time long ago). It had his mother's voice, and with the way she looked now… The Waterbender reminded him far too much of his mother for his liking.
He paused, lazily ducking his head to the side to deter him from the sprout of water. "You seem so quick to judge, wrench, but would you be any different?" Her mouth quirked in indignation, but before she responded, "If your brother offered you the same thing that my sister offered, could you honestly refuse?
"Your father's love, return to the home that you haven't seen in three years, and to regain your honor, could you honestly refuse?"
Katara's mouth fell, and he could tell that every ounce of self-indignation, every instance she had ever had where she knew what was right and that meant he was completely wrong was challenged.
He understood, she never had thought about the other side (they must have people, and a reason, too, right?), had never wanted to. He would not have had either, if he hadn't been pushed over to it.
"You're not the only one, Katara." They weren't so different in this war, were they?
Zuko never bothered with another shot or whip or burst or another single flame, he knew his words stung much more then fire would. That they burned inside her, and that they would not go away until the war ended (if even then), or until she was dead.
Zuko liked to think he did not feel bad about that. Zuko liked to think that the words didn't stay with him, too.
author's note See, it's short. Nothing too important, just popped into my mind a while ago and it just bothered me. I'd love a review for your thoughts. Thanks for reading, and I formally apologize for the gross misuse of italics.
Oh, and before someone asks, I don't believe that Zuko doesn't know their names. Using names personifies the enemy, something no one really wants. Besides, learning everything possible about your enemy gives you an advantage, doesn't it?