So Close
She wept.
Shoulders trembled as she slumped across his inert form. Slender fingers caressed the folds of his crimson tunic, straying, for moments, across the blackened, charred path; the path of Azula's lightning.
His own sister.
His sister, who lay heaving upon the ground, drenched in the disgrace of madness and defeat.
The crystalline droplets made their way in steady rivers along her cheeks. Staining the blue of her tunic. She hardly noticed the puddle of tears upon his chest.
His chest. His abdomen.
Gods, his abdomen…
There were few things in the world that scared the Waterbending Master. She prided herself on being strong; courageous. She was a young woman of substance.
She was not a helpless girl.
And yet she wept.
She was scared.
"Ka—ta—"
She gasped. Pallid fingers grasped hers—but they were cold to the very touch. Some yards away, Azula began to howl; but Katara was deaf to the Princess. "Zuko—"
He smiled. His amber orbs were shielded beneath narrowly-lidded eyes, lightly misted; disorientated. But he was here.
He lived.
"Ka—ta—ra…"
"You could have died—" Her voice was but a croak; and then a broken sob. "—why, Zuko? Why did you have to save me like that?"
"I'm sorry." His jaw twitched. Perhaps it hurt him to speak—his words were but lulling whispers carried on by the grace of the winds. "I know why it hurts you, and I'm sorry."
"My mother…" The tears came, now, in waves of anguish. There were needles within her heart and stakes upon her very soul. "My mother died so I could live."
His grip of her tightened; he pushed himself into a seating position, grunting in discomfort. One hand went, instinctively, to his middle—the flesh was a raw, bloody crimson; but it would do for now. "I'm sorry."
She shuddered, lowering her head ever so slightly as another wave of tears threatened to swallow her whole. "I was scared, Zuko. I was so scared you'd die."
"I know." He murmured. For a moment or two, he allowed his gaze to linger upon the wildly-flailing form of his sister—and Katara saw pity in his eyes. But he'd turned, moments later, and amber fell upon blue as their eyes met. "I'm sorry."
Restraint crumbled.
"I d-don't want anyone else dying on my behalf—!" She choked, between ragged sobs. Her forehead found his shoulder—had she leaned into him? "Least of all, you, Zuko—not you…"
"I'm not dead." If he was surprised by her actions, he did not show it. One arm went about her waist, instinctively tugging her closer. The other stroked at her hair, brushing chocolate-tinged tendrils from her neck and face. "I'm here, and I'm alive, Katara."
She bit her lip as she curled within his arms. It felt warm.
It felt safe.
"So close, Zuko—you were so close." A murmur. And then silence.
She could hear the smile upon his lips as he spoke. "So close, Katara, to losing you. But we neither of us are lost."
He held her close as she lifted her gaze to his.
And knew, even for a fraction of a section, that come morning, all would be well.
All would be over.
All would be perfect.
Author's Note: Phew. I hope you guys enjoyed this! It was sort of a random one-shot spawned from me wishing to... well, help bluetarako over in dA in creating our perfect Zutarian ending. Though, if this made any of you readers happy, please drop me a review to make -me- happy in return? I shall appreciate it with... fluffy bunny slippers and more caramel-sweet one-shots to satisfy your tastes! XD
Peace out!