Catch My Drift
A Zuko and Katara Fanfiction
For Zutara Week 2014
By Nagone
Summary: There's no place I'd rather be than on my surfboard out at sea.
Genre: Adventure, Romance
Rated: K
"Katara, is this really safe?" Zuko asked, wading in the shallows of the Mo Ce Sea. The cool water chilled his skin and he shivered, beatngs his arms quicker as he tried to stay afloat.
Katara, completely at home in the water, swam quick circles around him, and snorted. "Of course it is," she answered. "I mean, I've never tried it, but in theory, it's completely fine. Plus," she paused waving her hand. A tendril of water spun up from the sea, controlled by her hand, "I'm a bender, remember?"
Zuko sighed and made his way closer, nodding. "F-Fine," he answered. "Just… Just get it over with already.
Katara nodded, and closed her eyes in focus. The water around her began to bubble, and Zuko yelped, shifting amidst the roiling water. "K-Katara?" he asked. She shh'd him, raising her arms higher as they began to rise from the water. Zuko adjusted, turning around on the solid platform, feet slapping against the moist shape.
Behind them, out on the open water, waves rolled, tumbling into one another as they grew. "Surf's up!" Katara shouted, turning them around. She spread her fingers behind her and the board sped over, skipping across the water.
There was no place that Katara would rather be than out in the ocean blue, surfing under the setting sun. She cut through waves, water cascading over Zuko and her as they rode the current. Soon, Zuko's screams turned to shouts of joy as he leaned in tandem with Katara, laughing loudly. She wrapped her arms around him as they road out towards the horizon.
When they fell, they tumbled into the water, swimming amongst playful elephant koi in the deeper waters, and schools of fish with bright, rainbow colored scales in the shallows. Katara would gather up water again and they'd set off, tumbling about and letting the waters return them to shore.
By the time the sun had dipped beyond the horizon, they had washed up onto the beach for the last time, limbs entangle as they giggled, exhausted from the long day. "See?" Katara whispered as they stood to their feet. Zuko wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling. "I told you it'd be fun. Plus we got dinner," she nodded at the net slung over his shoulder. Six fish wiggled inside, fat and juicy looking. 'I call that a great day."
Zuko smiled, and they made their way up the beach to their camp, a large hammock extended low across the sand, a short distance from a large pile of logs and their packs. Slowly, they settled onto a blanket near the fire, and set the fish to roast on long sticks. "Yeah," Zuko said, amber eyes glowing with happiness. "Let's do it again."
