A/N: This is my sixth Zutara week so let's go!
Disclaimer: I don't own. Are people even still using disclaimers?
I was pretty sure I was going to hate Paris by the time I left. So far I'd been scowled at for having an improper accent three times, slipped down the wet Metro steps (a wonderful performance for a waterbender), found bird poop in my hair, and met my new and first ever student who was bouncing off the walls and couldn't seem to sit still enough to even properly introduce himself.
"Head up," Suki chided. "You're the one who said you had a terrible day and dragged me to this bar for a drink and now you're going to be a big girl and drink." I usually, on principle, wasn't close with Sokka's girlfriends. Suki was the exception though and when they officially announced their engagement I'd been thrilled (though I had know what Sokka had planned for months and Suki had figured it out about three weeks before he asked). She claimed she came with me to help me get settled in with my step grandfather but I also knew that Sokka was coming in three days and they planned a romantic vacation.
"Oh fine," I grumbled lifting my head out of my arms and drank about half of whatever pink and definitely girly drink Suki had bought me. "How am I going to teach him? I can't get him to stop talking about this animal he read about or to stop goofing around long enough to ask him how much he already knows."
"Assert yourself. Tell him to sit down and shut up and answer all your questions."
"I can't do that! He's my first student and I want to do a good job and I want him to like me. I want him to be able to tell Pakku that I'm his favorite teacher and he learned because of how fun I made things."
"You can't have it both ways," Suki reasoned. "Just tell him to get to the fun he has to go through all the boring stuff first. How old is the kid anyway?"
"Sixteen," Suki's eyes went wide. "But he acts more like he's twelve," I added.
"Damn Katara. Do you know why he's learning waterbending so late?"
"Apparently he came into his gift recently. It took a lot of pleading and calling in favors to even get Pakku to meet with the kid. He sent me his file and asked if I'd be interested in teaching him. How could I say no?"
"So you're taking him as your first ever solo student the summer after you graduated college because you actually feel bad for the kid?"
"I didn't say that!"
"You gave way too long of an explanation about his bending. You want to help him fulfill his potential."
"Oh shut up and stop listening to what Sokka says about me," I complained as I downed the rest of my drink.
"Aw but the story of how you would chase him around to make him play house with you was cute!"
"I'm not nearly drunk enough to listen to this. I'm going to go get another drink, want something?"
"No. I, unlike you, know how to sip a drink."
"Ha ha," I laughed mirthlessly.
Making my way from our table to the bar was harder than it should have been. Tuesday nights weren't supposed to be busy (or so I thought) but shoving through the mass of people not only annoyed me slightly but also reminded me that Suki and I were painfully under dressed in our jeans and t-shirts. Every other woman seemed to be in some sort of dress or skirt or nice slacks. Whatever it's not like I was here to look pretty, I just wanted to drink.
I shoved my way up to the bar and tried to get the bartender's attention. However there was a pair of water nymphs at the other end who seemed to be giggling and monopolizing his attention. I hated them. You'd think waterbenders and water nymphs would get along but they get rather testy when you bend with whatever body of water is they protect. Finally he turned his attention from them and I asked for a glass of red wine.
"What kind?" he drawled.
"The house one is fine," I hoped there was one.
"Four Euro," he said as he poured the glass. I left five on the counter and took my glass and began to shove my way back to the table Suki was at.
Keeping my focus on my glass and trying not to spill I managed to miss what was right in front of me. Which was a very solid person. So instead of dodging I crashed right into him and my spilled my wine all over my light blue shirt as well as a little on his dark red shirt. Bastard wouldn't even notice the stain.
"Oh crap. Watch where you're going!" I gripped trying to shake out my shirt.
"I believe you ran into me," his accent surprised me. It wasn't like the others I'd heard recently. It was proper but at the same time had a slight lint that had me wondering what his first language was. I looked up to glare at him and had to try very hard not to have my mouth fall open. The red shirt I'd cursed looked very nice on him with his pale skin and dark hair. What drew my interest though were his eyes. They were the most interesting shade of amber though the left one had a scar around it.
"Uh, yeah," I responded lamely. I mentally kicked myself. He took a step closer and I immediately became aware of the fact that he was a head taller than me. There was something about him that made me want to get closer while at the same time setting off a slight warning in my head. His stony expression changed to one of slight confusion as he looked down at me.
"Let me get you another," he offered. That was the last thing I expected him to do. Say I ruined his shirt, sure, but offer to get me another? With the day I'd been having that wasn't exactly the response I expected.
"S-sure," I stammered out. I had to stop acting like a schoolgirl who was talking to her crush; I didn't even know this guy for Spirit's sake!
"I'll also get you some napkins." As he moved past me I got a whiff of whatever cologne he was wearing. It smelled smoky and spicy and I wanted to smell more. Now that he was properly gone I took a look down at my shirt. It was sticking to my chest like I'd been in a wet t-shirt contest. Oh, that was why he was buying me another. Well best not to look a gift horse in the mouth and if he stared at my chest the whole time then I could just write it off as part of a bad day.
As I contemplated the possibility of slipping back into the crowd he reappeared with a glass in each hand. "Thanks," I said taking the one he offered. I sniffed it, just in case there was something weird in there. It smelled like mulled wine, an interesting choice for the beginning of June but hey, it was free so why not? Taking a sip I thought my mouth was on fire for a second when the intense spices registered on my tongue. "Oh wow, what is this? It feels like I might have burned off my taste buds."
"I thought you'd like it."
"If I can taste another sip I'll let you know. I do like spicy foods." I braved another sip and was rewarded with much less harsh and much more pleasant taste. "I do like it, what is it?"
"A special vintage," he said while directing me to another table. I knew I shouldn't but then he placed his hand on the small of my back and a wonderful thrill went through me so I threw caution to the wind. Besides I was in a public place, all the tables were in plain view of the center of the bar and the door and, if needed, I could bend all the liquid in the room at him.
"What's your name anyway?" I asked as I slid across from him.
"Zuko, yours?"
"Katara." If he wasn't going to give his last name I wasn't going to give mine. Besides, considering where I was, a bar that catered to those of us who were part of the Otherworld of people who dealt with magic, I knew full names had power and I really had no idea who he was. So far he was the first truly nice person I'd met here.
"Why are you in Paris?" He was direct; I'd give him that.
"I'm here for the summer."
"You're not telling the whole truth."
"I have no reason to. Why are you here?"
"Business."
"Any specific kind?"
"Checking on investments and a few personal things." Personal things could mean mistresses and I wasn't going to be added to that list.
"That's nice, thanks again for the drink but I have to get back to my friend, she must be wondering where I've disappeared to. Sorry about your shirt." I stood and as I turned to leave he placed his hand over mine. It felt warm and I felt that thrill through me again.
"You're welcome. I hope I run into you again." He smiled and I wanted to stay, badly but I knew better.
When I got back to Suki she took one look at me and smirked. "Have an interesting time?"
"I'm just keeping a tally of the horrible things that happen to me here. I did get a replacement drink from a guy so it's not a total loss."
"Well I'm getting tired and you need to change so whenever you're ready I'm up for leaving."
"I think I better call it a day before I set something on fire." I took a final sip of whatever it was I was drinking and stood.
As we made our way outside Suki babbled about how Pakku had given her (and not me, I'd deal with that later) money for a cab home instead of taking the Metro or walking. Suki abruptly stopped about a block away from the bar on our way to the taxi stand. "Shit I left my purse in there."
"I'll go back with you," I offered.
"No, I can go get it myself. Just stay here I'll only be a minute."
I crossed my arms over my chest and wait thinking of everything that could go wrong in the time between now and when Suki came back. I looked around and again reminded myself I was in Paris and should be having fun and just enjoying the city.
Suddenly I was spun around and there was Zuko again, smirking. "I'm glad I found you again. I have something to give you." Before I could respond he leaned down and kissed me. Not a sweet little peak but one that felt like I was being set on fire. Literally. There was more heat in this kiss than any I'd had before and it felt like an inferno was pouring from his lips into me. I felt like I was going to burst until suddenly I didn't. My arms had gone limp at my sides but suddenly it was like I was returning the heat back to him and my arms shot around his neck. He groaned and I tilted my head slightly to the side. His hands, which had made their way to my waist, pulled me closer.
Air became a problem and I broke the kiss. Looking into his eyes I saw his desire for me there and I welcomed and dreaded it. I had no idea who this man was but, after that, I could at least let him try to find me. "Ummi," I said.
"Huh?" He looked surprised.
"My name's Katara Ummi. I'm staying with my step-grandfather Pakku North. Look me up," I said before turning to see Suki coming out of the bar. I quickly walked towards her, leaving the guy with the possible mistress behind me.
"You know who that was, right?" She asked when I caught up with her.
"He said his name is Zuko and come on, the taxi stand is behind us, I can see it," I said as I grabbed her hand.
"Katara that was Zuko Agni," Suki said, causing me to stop.
"The Zuko Agni?" I asked softly.
"The one and only leader of the Red Dragons."
I gulped. He was a dragon, an actual dragon. And I let him buy me and drink and kiss me. "Do you think he meant anything by that kiss then?"
Suki looked across the street rather than looking at me. "Well if you felt like you were on fire but lived it's really, most probably possible he thought you were his mate."
"Well fuck," I said. I now had a student who wouldn't listen and a dragon who thought I was his mate. This day was getting better and better.
Dragon mythology is from Katie MacAllister, who's opinions on fanfiction I tried to find years ago but couldn't. Idk how she feels.