Always and Forever
Love always finds a way. By chance tonight's encounter was under the moonlight in the royal palace garden underneath the white blossom tree.
He was pacing, thinking about everything, all the problems he faced causing him to not sleep. She on the other hand was at peace, she loved to roam at night without cause, without running into people and guards. Leaving her bedroom to finish her own private tour of the palace, she walked past the huge throne room door, past the corridors that led to her brother's room, past Aang and Toph's room. Having turned into an unfamiliar hallway she began to wander once again. Suddenly she felt the cool midnight breeze coming from down the hall. She began to follow it needing to feel the freshness against her skin that reminded her of the open sea. Closing her eyes letting herself be guided by the wind, she was taken to him.
He hadn't noticed her until she stepped out into the garden. She stood there, eyes closed embracing the midnight breeze, brown hair pushed away from her face letting all of her features be seen.
She's beautiful. He thought.
Her blue robes perfectly complimented her mocha skin under the moonlight. She stood there hands held together embracing the moonlight and all that it offered to her. Opening her eyes she noticed him standing there, looking at her. Not expecting him she let out a barely audible gasp. The last time they had been alone was after the Agni Kai with Azula, when they declared their love for one another.
"Katara, thank you for saving my life-"
"No Zuko, thank you I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there." As she placed his head in her lap, tears fell from her blue orbs looking away.
He then reached up and gently grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him.
"Katara look at me. I know this isn't the best situation to say any of this… but it may be the only time... Katara I love you." Looking into her eyes searching for something that said she felt that way to but nothing. She shut her eyes and leaned down and kissed him.
"I love you too Zuko." She whispered into his lips as she pulled away, placing her hand on his scarred cheek, "Always and forever."
Looking stressed he stared into her eyes. Please Zuko don't do this. She pleaded with her eyes, but yet she couldn't pull away from his gaze. He's beautiful.
Without thought he approached her and within seconds their lips met once more. She didn't resist and nor did she think about it. It was a dance of fire and water, she fought for control while he taunted her giving in to her shortly before taking it back. Grabbing onto his arm she pulled herself up needing more of him, while the other hand grabbed onto his hair. He wrapped his arm around her waist and grabbed onto her neck needing every bit of her. Katara stop this he'll hurt you again. Stop! He pulled away slowly making her ache for more. You see he was just using you again. She looked into his eyes asking Why?
As if the silence lasted years he finally spoke, "Katara stay with me".
Staring into those beautiful golden eyes of his shifting her gaze to his scar. She placed her hand on his scar and he closed his eyes afraid of what she'll say.
"Always and forever."