Healing Touch

A Zuko and Katara Fanfiction

For Zutara Week 2014, Day 1

By Nagone

Summary: Zuko's scar aches when it rains, and sometimes, only her hand can comfort it.

Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort

Rated: T

Words: 816

Prompt: Melancholy

The skies over Capital Island were thick with grey clouds.

Rain pelted the landscape, driving aristocrats and workers inside of teahouse and buildings. It roared across the landscape, cooling the air to a chill.

In the center of Caldera City, a sector elevated high on Capital Island lay the Royal Palace. It too, suffered the same onslaught of rain: the rush of water filled the cracks in the cobblestone street, pooling in small dips in the cratered surface.

Inside the palace lay Fire Lord Zuko in his lush bed, canopy drawn back, fire roaring in the corner. His hand was clutched to the left side of his face, pressed against his scar. In light of the rain, he was in immense pain, scar aching from the sudden cold front brought from the North.

The rain had put him in a foul mood, driving him from his normally pleasant disposition and into a melancholic mood. Already, he'd been the terror of the palace, driving away staff, igniting breakfast, and driving a maid to tears. All the staff and residents had kept their distance from the Fire Lord's quarters, save for his advisor.

His advisor, a curvy girl named Wen Ya, had suggested he go to the Royal Spa, a favored location of hers, and a place of healing. "It'll help what ails you, Fire Lord," she's intoned, thin eyebrows rising high on her brow. Zuko was quick to turn her down, and she'd spun on her heel, trailing her long, red and brown gowns as she left the room, muttering what Zuko thought were quite rude things about his disposition.

Now, more than ever, Zuko longed for his wife, Katara. A priceless waterbender, she had a healing touch, enough that she could, at least, sooth away the burning pain in his face for a little while. Yet it seemed that she was siding with the residents of the palace, keeping her distance until her husband's attitude changed.

Knock, knock. "Zuko?"

Zuko turned towards the door, face screwed up in pain. "Come in!" he yelled, groaning. His jaw stung from just talking, sending waves of pain across his cheek and brow.

Katara entered, clad in a simple cheongsam and a pair of tight black pants: simple clothes. Civilian's garb. "Hey there," she said, smiling gently. Zuko's expression softened a bit and he patted the bed. Katara practically skipped over, but stopped, composing herself and walking over as if a queen.

"Katara," Zuko began, "you can be excited. I… I don't mind it," he finished lamely, laying back against the pillows. He groaned, glad for her company. He could feel the scar increasing in weight against his cheek, pressing hard against his bones.

"So, what can I do to help?" she asked, hand still on the gourd. "I'm sure you've already been admonished for not going to the Royal Spa." She couldn't help but chuckle when Zuko rolled his eyes. Wen Ya and Katara often had the same ideas.

"I didn't want to go because…" he paused. He'd never been good at this part, at explaining his feelings. "I wanted you to… you know."

Katara relaxed onto the bed, propping herself up on one elbow. "I know what?" she questioned.

Zuko huffed. "Katara."

Katara chuckled. "I know what?" she teased.

"Katara!"

Katara held up a hand, chuckling. "Okay there, tigerdillo, calm down. I know exactly what you mean." Shifting, Katara sat up and uncorked the gourd she'd brought with her. Water swished inside, a pure, bright blue, just like Katara's eyes. "Lay down."

Zuko eagerly obeyed his wife, resettling so he was flat on he bed. Gently, she shifted his hand from his cheek, and she hissed. The scar was inflamed, swollen and warm to the touch. "Zuko, why didn't you do anything?" she scolded, voice shaking. "You could, can, get ill." Zuko nodded, eyes cast downward.

"I didn't want to be a bother."

Katara smile, eyes gentle. "You're never a bother with me."

Slowly, she pulled water from the gourd, wrapping it around her fingers until she formed it into a ball. Katara shifted her fingers, and the water settled onto his scar. He let out a sigh of relief as the water relaxed his cheek. Already, he could feel the bending taking effect, soothing the inflamed tissue.

Katara shifted her hands and the water pressed deeper, moving along the chi lines in Zuko's face, working the muscle and flesh back and forth. After a while, the water was fully a part of Zuko, and his scar, albeit still a bit swollen, felt immensely better. He extended an arm towards his wife and pulled her close. She giggled and corked the gourd, relaxing down next to him in the bed.

"Better?" she whispered, looking at her beloved husband.

Zuko smiled slightly, and simultaneously, the dreary weather calmed, a ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds. "I'm getting there."