"It's a lonely road—where the forgotten go.
Where your misery finds its company."
- Elle King, Playing for Keeps –
Aang pulled at a loose string on his pants as Katara prepared the meal of rice. They were all seated around a small fire that Zuko had instructed Aang to make an hour or so ago. Now everyone sat in near silence as they waited for their dinner to finish cooking—even Sokka was quiet as he stared at the boiling water.
"It's going to be a little bit," Katara bit out, eyeing Sokka suspiciously. It wasn't as though they hadn't eaten in days. Since Zuko had joined—and brought quite a bit of money with him—they'd actually been eating a little better, even if it was miles to the nearest village. A quick ride on Appa, and the gang was set for another week. It hadn't done anything to make Katara like Zuko anymore than usual, though. If he was looking for her forgiveness, he wouldn't gain it through her stomach like one might with Sokka.
Sokka grumbled something inaudible under his breath and threw an arm over his eyes dramatically. "But I'm hungry!" he wailed, finally breaking the prolonged silence he'd been holding.
The only two people currently missing were Zuko and Toph. Katara clenched her teeth together as she spooned the first serving of rice into a bowl and handed it off to a suddenly less-cranky Sokka. If there was a problem to be had with her brother, food was most likely the solution, and if not, a bad joke might suffice. The waterbender told herself that life would be easier if she was just as easily bribed, but unfortunately, that's not how it worked. And she could hardly bring herself to believe that she'd want to make Zuko's life easier either—he deserved to work for her trust. He deserved to work hard but never win it, she thought to herself crossly. Where are those two anyway..
A loud crash answered her.
Without even having to move a muscle to see what had happened, dust filtered through the air and settled in the pot of rice. Katara's lips turned down in a severe frown that only deepened when she heard traces of Toph's laughter.
"Sweetness! Help me!"
She didn't bother moving, only crossed her arms as she waited for Zuko and Toph to appear. Toph came running around the corner first, throwing up a rock wall that Zuko easily dodged, lithe body twisting around it. She didn't move when they both landed in a heap right at her toes after a small fight either. Her gaze was sharper than any ice daggers she could ever conjure with water.
"You ruined the rice, unless you want to eat it with dirt mixed in then be my guest."
"Don't worry about it, Sugar Queen," Toph replied flippantly, waving her hand as she stood. "Dirt is my favorite side dish."
Katara let Toph pass, but she stepped in front of Zuko when he tried to follow. "None for you," she said snottily, a smirk dancing on her lips as she quickly assumed the upper-hand in the argument she'd just started.
"It's okay; I'm not that hungry anyway," the fire prince replied evenly. And just as suddenly as she'd started it, her argument had died with his response. Damn Zuko.
She opened and closed her mouth, pointing a finger at him angrily as she tried to formulate a good comeback. None came to mind, though. Nostrils flaring, Katara could feel the heat of white hot anger searing through her veins and wondered minutely if that's what it felt like to have fire within one's body, but she soon banished the thoughts from her mind. "Fine. You can help do the dishes tonight then." It was the least he could do, and the best threat she could manage at present.
Zuko merely raised his eyebrows before taking a seat next to Toph—his blasé attitude irking Katara to no end.
"What's your problem?" Zuko questioned exasperatedly, golden eyes narrowing. Not for the first time since they'd started, Katara had 'accidentally' splashed the brooding firebender with the dirty dish water. Now she assumed yet another innocent smile, blue eyes glinting maliciously in the firelight.
"I have no idea to what you're referring," and she started humming as she continued to wash a tea cup.
Curious wisps of smoke issued from the tips of Zuko's fingers, but the girl barely paid him any attention. She was making a pointed attempt to ignore him for the time being. Katara had gotten very good at giving him the silent treatment and only opening her mouth to accuse him or make a joke at his expense.
A yawning Aang stumbled into the kitchen area. He stopped awkwardly by where Katara was, watching her unabashedly until he caught Zuko giving him a skeptical look and he averted his gaze, a blush rising to his cheeks. "Um, goodnight, Katara. And.. and Zuko!" The second part came out as an afterthought; the young airbender clearly having expected to only run into Katara. Zuko idly mused if he was getting in the way of something. He turned to watch them full-on, hoping to get a rise out of Katara or Aang or both.
"Goodnight, Aang," Katara smiled, giving him a look that Zuko couldn't see with her back turned to him. Aang held her gaze for a moment before dropping his head once more and heading off to bed.
A beat of silence passed between the two.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing," Katara muttered, turning so that Zuko couldn't see her face, but he could see the bright pink color the tips of her ears had turned. A smug smirk graced his features.
"I wouldn't say that was nothing," he replied nonchalantly, drying the last of the bowls and reaching for one of the wet tea cups. "He looked like he was expecting something from you. Maybe a hug? Maybe—"
"Drop it."
"Why? You said it was nothing. I'm allowed to guess, aren't I?" he drawled the words out, flipping the towel about as he spoke.
More silence fell between the pair and Katara thought the idiot might have finally shut up for good. And then..
"Personally, I think Aang was expecting a goodnight kiss. I can't imagine how disappointed he is right now."
Katara whirled around and marched over to where Zuko was standing, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I said drop it," she growled fiercely. She'd caught him a little off guard, but any surprise melted off his face faster than she could possibly detect it, or so he hoped. Her own intense glare was met with one of his own. It was blue on gold; their hot breath mixing with the palpable tension hanging in the humid night air.
For a moment, they were back at the tree, the curtain of night hanging heavily on their shoulders. Katara was tied to a tree, and Zuko circled her like a vulture. His voice was barely above a whisper as he came to stand just behind her left shoulder. I'll save you from the pirates.
Something unreadable flickered in Zuko's expression and he was backing up—backing down. Katara watched in disbelief as he hurriedly finished his drying and stalked away wordlessly. Her disbelief faded into a new wave of anger and she threw a clean tea cup at Zuko's retreating figure.
Author's Note: I was contemplating doing an a/n at the beginning to warn you guys, but then I didn't want to ruin the song quote I put in (ocd formatting issues I have, lol) and then I got lazy, so here it is down here! Now, I kind of want some feedback on what you all think about this, but I should probably explain what I'm referring to first.
So I've been thinking over the way I'm formatting this story, and I think I might throw in some flashbacks, mostly centered around Katara and Zuko interactions. :) I'm still debating whether I want to make this a regular, every-other-chapter deal, or randomize it and throw them in when I see fit. What do you think? Reviews are always lovely. ;) *hint, hint*
And I'll throw in my disclaimer here (before I forget), but I obviously don't own Avatar or Elle King. :D Enjoy, lovelies.
