A/N: Happy Zutara week everyone!
"What?"
He had heard the words clearly, but he didn't want to believe them. They couldn't be true. He had said...during the eclipse...
"Your mother's dead, Fire Lord Zuko." the words Fire Lord were coated in venom. Zuko glared hatefully at his father, his amber eyes ablaze with hot, angry tears. But he wouldn't let them fall. Never again would his father see how week he was.
The teen ruler backed up against the wall, using it for support. This couldn't be happening. Why would his father make him believe something like that? He hung his head, allowing his bangs to cover his eyes, a sad smile on his face.
It was all a joke, to make him feel guilty for leaving. To make him feel guilty for living at all. His mother had been dead for who knows how long. Zuko flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Zuko...come on. Let's get out of here." Katara said softly. She glared back at Ozai with the same look she had given Yon Rha. This man, no, this monster, had taken everything from his son. She looked back at Zuko, noticing how drained he looked.
Without a word, Zuko allowed Katara to walk him out of the prison. He said nothing as they walked side by side back to the palace. When they arrived, they went straight to the garden, where the turtleduck pond was.
Zuko was absolutly silent as he sank to the ground. Katara felt aweful, knowing full well how hard it was to lose someone you cared about. She remembered the feeling of wanting to kill her mother's murderer, but she had drawn her strength from the broken man on the floor.
"Zuko..." she murmered his name, as she sat next to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder again, and used the other to turn his head towards her. She sighed sadly at how sick he looked. His face was paler than normal, and his eyes looked dull and emotionless.
"It's okay. It's just you..." she started, getting on her knees and hugging him. She rested his head on her shoulder, stroking his hair. "...and me." Zuko felt the sticky tears make their way down his face, and he let out a soft cry.
"There, there...it's alright." she cooed, and he wrapped one arm around her, clutching the back of her shirt. "Just let it out..." she whispered, rubbing his back.
"No...no I can't...I'm not allowed..." he mumbled. Katara leaned her head against his, smiling sadly.
"Yes, you can." she said, tightening her hold around him. Zuko whimpered, and pressed his head against her chest. Katara gasped softly, but didn't hesitate to wrap her arms back around him. He clutched her shirt, not letting her leave him.
Neither of them wanted to let go, because they felt a strong sense of comfort emitting from each other. They gave each other strength, and courage. She kissed the top of his head, and he relaxed slightly.
"Thank you...Katara..." he said softly. She smiled, and pulled his head back. He smiled a small smile through his tears, and she used her thumb to wipe them away.
They both looked at the turtleduck pond, smiling at the family that was gathered to watch them. Katara giggled, and leaned against Zuko, who now had his back against the tree. He looked at her, and felt a spark of happiness. He looked back at the family, and slipped his hand through hers.