Katara stared at him, her eyes full of awe and wonder at the blue pearl earrings he held in front of her.

"I love you, Katara." He said, not even aware of the words until after they escaped his mouth. Katara gasped and a full second passed before she glomped him, squealing. Before she got off him, she gave him a seductive look.

"Thank you…very much," she purred, leaning closer…

RIIIIIIIIING

Zuko groaned, and buried his head underneath his pillow.

"What the hell…" he murmured, because it wasn't his alarm clock that was ringing, oh no. It was his phone. Without even looking, he knew who it was. Only one person would have the nerve to call him at…

2:06. In the morning.

He was tempted to let his phone just keep ringing, but he knew he would get worse than hell in a few hours if he didn't pick up. So he did.

"What do you want?" he growled, but it didn't sound half as threatening as he wanted it too; being half asleep can do that to you.

"Is that any way to greet someone? Hi to you too, Zuko."

"Katara…it's freaking two in the freaking morning. What do you freaking want?"

"Come outside." And with that, she hung up.

Zuko groaned and covered himself with his blankets. No sooner had he begun to drift off, than the phone rang again.

"I MEAN IT!" she yelled into the phone. Zuko sighed, and tried to go back to sleep, but his curiosity got the best of him. He got out of bed, thankful his bed didn't squeak, and threw on jeans, a shirt and hoodie. Making his way downstairs quickly but quietly, he slipped on his shoes and creeped outside.

And immediately started swearing and shivering. Only Katara could bring him outside in such weather.

Speaking of which, she was there, waiting in front of her house, which was just across the street, with a …sled in tow. Zuko's thoughts immediately turned sour.

"What are we—" He never got to finish as Katara grabbed his hand and pulled him along. They walked in silence, and soon they had exited their neighborhood and crossed the main street, walking toward the rural areas. After a while, they reached a hill. No, hill was an understatement. It was more like a MOUNTAIN.

"Since there's so much snow, this hill is always crowded…except for now. I wanted to sled with you," Katara said, shivering. Zuko could see her breath in the air. He shook his head.

"You're insane, you know that?" he scolded, but couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping his lips.

Katara grinned. "Why, thank you," she said and ran up the hill, Zuko following. The sled Katara had brought was made for two people, but Zuko was sure they were made for two midgets. Not that he was complaining. Katara sat in the front, snuggling against Zuko in the back.

"Ready?" he asked, but before she could say anything, he pushed off, laughing at her shriek of surprise.

As they made their way down the hill, Zuko took a moment to close his eyes and pressed his face into Katara's hair which smelled like sweet snow.

This was just one of the many reasons he loved the crazy girl across the street.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY PEOPLE!!!! Many things I want to express:

(1) I am not dead.

(2) I AM AWARE of the fact I have not updated The Color Red with the ultimate Zutara chapter, which many of you have been waiting for. School's just really tough right now, but I WILL POST IT SOMETIME.

(3) Please don't hate me.

(4) Please look out for the next chapter of TCR.

I apologize from the depths of my heart.

Disclaimer: Don't own ATLA. Geez, these things are getting repetitive, I can't come up with creative ones anymore.