Day Two: Change
Summary: Zuko finally got the throne he fought so long for. But in less than a month the title of Firelord is taken from him and forced upon his uncle. Katara takes pity on Zuko and she promises to help him change the minds of the council so he can once again become Firelord. But their plan takes a long time to come about, and in this time the two start growing very close indeed…
AN: This one is loosely based on the song "Change" by Taylor Swift. I wanted to do this for MFU but when I saw the Zutara Week prompts I kept it in my head and wrote it for this instead. Excuse the mistakes too- I wrote this out on paper and bribed my little sister with chocolate to type it out for me. I did edit it, but I was running out of time so I didn't do it as well as I wanted. I also put the lyrics to "Change" after the fic because I feel it's also a song for us Zutarians: it tells about our struggles against the other ships too ;)
I hope it's okay- I don't really like this one that much. But it's got some really fluffy moments in that my sis said she loved… Please do judge it in a review xD
Disclaimer: Again, ATLA is not mine. If it was, I'd have made the movie waaaay longer and filled with much Zutara fluff.
Katara stood next to Zuko as he watched his country be taken from him. Her heart broke for him, and she was glad he wasn't crying; she wouldn't be able to handle his tears on top of it all. Finally she couldn't stand it any longer and she placed a hand on his shoulder. He did not welcome it, but he did not shake it off either. In fact, he just continued to watch his uncle's coronation as though nothing had happened. His face was stoic as the sage made his speech, but Katara could feel him trembling beneath her fingers.
The Firelord's crown was lowered onto Iroh's head and Zuko slumped at the finality the picture seemed to have. Katara rubbed his back, trying to give him a small bit of comfort. He'd finally gotten his throne only to have it taken away from him within a month. Finally he couldn't stand it any longer and he turned and walked away, not catching the sad look his uncle gave his retreating back. Katara sighed and wrapped her arms around herself at the unfairness of it all. Neither Iroh nor Zuko wanted it to end like that. The new Firelord caught her eye and he inclined his head to where Zuko had gone, a plea on his face. Katara bowed her head at him and went to find Zuko. She found him in a courtyard with his shirt stripped off, sending volleys of fire into the empty air before him. She sank to the ground and watched him sadly, ready to step in if he started to hurt himself.
"It was a week ago," he panted suddenly, not stopping his assault on the air. "Exactly a week ago we were in the Jasmine Dragon in Ba Sing Se and Sokka was drawing that ridiculous picture and now..."
Now everything has changed again she finished for him silently.
"Why can I never get the destiny I want!" Zuko roared, fire spurting from his fists. "I'm so sick of fate stabbing me in the back!"
His fist connected with a stone pillar and she saw it as her cue to step in before he hurt himself. She slowly walked over to him, taking her time so he didn't lash out.
"It'll be okay." Her hand found his arm and he turned to look at her with listless eyes. "It will. You just have to figure out a plan so brilliant they'll have to acknowledge you're ready for the throne." He scoffed at this, obviously doubting it would work even if it did happen. "I'll help you figure it out," she promised him quietly, standing even closer. "No matter how long it takes, I'll be here."
"Why?" His entire body was guarded and his voice was harsh.
"Because I believe in what you can do. I believe your uncle; you're the right one for the job. And I'll do anything to see this plan through because of that belief. And because you're my friend; part of my extended family." She smiled. "Things will change Zuko. And for the better."
Some fire sparked back into his dull gold eyes, and she felt her heart warm. He sighed and ran a hand through his tussled hair.
"Because you believe in me..." he muttered. "And because I saved you from a fatal lightning bolt and didn't whinge about it?" he teased lightly.
She grinned. "And because you saved me from a fatal lightning bolt and didn't whinge about it."
-x-x-x-x-
She was worried he was going to set the entire library on fire. Smoke was practically steaming from his nostrils as he paced up and down like a caged and very volatile wolfbat.
"They are purposefully trying to keep me from proving myself!" he roared, and she flinched at how loud it sounded after the silence. "Forbidding me to ask favours and opinions of other nations? How can they even do that? I'm their prince!" The lamps flickered ominously.
"Zuko, I know it's unfair," she tried to sooth him in a gentle voice. "Your uncle knows it's unfair. Heck, even some of them think it's unfair! But nobody can do anything. Iroh's hands are tied and those on the council who support you are right now a minority and-"
"I know!" Zuko roared. She flinched and he sighed, sinking into a chair with his head in his hands. "I know."
Now that he was calmer she moved into the room, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll change their minds," she promised him softly. "Even when they fight unfair we'll still win."
Zuko looked up at her, his thanks written on his face.
"We need evidence, though. And how are we going to get it if anything we get from other nobles is discredited?" He scowled deeply again. "Agni, I feel as though I'm on trial by a court of law..."
She giggled. "How do you know about that? I thought only the Earth Kingdom had those in the old days."
"They did. Uncle just likes to teach me random history."
She sat down on the couch next to him and realized her hand was still on his shoulder. She removed it quickly, ducking her head to hide the blush. "Can't you ask Mai's father for information under the table?"
"No." Zuko's voice was clipped.
"But he's governor. Surely-"
"I can't, Katara." He sighed and shut his eyes. "She left," he said woodenly. "And she's not coming back."
"Zuko..." her heart ached for him. "I'm so sorry... Did you... fight?"
"That's all we seemed to do for the past few months," he muttered. "Then this morning she packed up her things and told me I'd changed too much and left." He was silent for a while. "Have I changed?"
"No. You're the same Zuko that you were six months ago when you stalked us to the Western Air Temple. I think..." Katara hesitated. "I think she didn't realize that you changed before, though. I think she still sees you as the Zuko she knew as a kid."
"I think I like that Zuko better," he muttered.
"I don't," she replied softly, and he looked at her in confusion. "I like this Zuko much more."
He didn't look away and for a long, long time they sat in silence and stared at each other. The silence was tense but not awkward, as though it was charged with some unseen electricity. Then he cleared his throat and turned away so that his shaggy hair hid his face.
"So favors from Mai's father are out," he said calmly.
"That's okay. We'll find a better way to make them change their minds."
"And we'll start when you get back from Kyoshi," he said, stretching his legs.
She instantly blushed with guilt. "How did you hear about that?"
"My uncle is a notorious gossip and the Firelord; he knows everything." He raised his eyebrow at her. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because I didn't know if I wanted to go. I still don't."
"But Suki and Sokka will be there too." He was confused.
"Yes, because Suki lives there and so he's allowed to go. The only reason I'm allowed to attend is because of Aang. Toph won't be there... And neither will you."
"You've spent enough time with me and my problems."
"Not that much time..."
"Katara. We've spent so much time together we've stopped arguing."
Her eyes widened. "Oh wow... We have, haven't we?" He gave her a bemused look and she sighed. "Aang wants me to go to the Avatar Kyoshi party so we can salvage our relationship."
"And?"
"I just don't think there's anything left to save," she mumbled, staring at her hands.
"Go to Kyoshi," Zuko said firmly. "What you guys had... Once you lose it, it's gone. Just… take it from somebody who knows: if there's even a slight chance, you should take it."
Katara sighed again and changed the subject.
-x-
It was past midnight when Katara gave in to the fact that she could not sleep. The decision she had to make about the Avatar Party made her feel guilty and nervous and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get it out of her mind long enough to fall asleep. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, she pushed back the blankets on her bed and got out, putting on a Fire Nation cloak. She figured she'd head down to the library and get a scroll she could read until she felt sleepy.
She met nobody in the silent and dark halls of the palace, and she was secretly relieved; even though she was doing nothing wrong the silence of the palace made her fear being caught. She finally reached the colossal doors of the library and pushed them open slowly, sighing in relief when they didn't creak. She was about to turn straight to the mythology section when she noticed a small light coming from behind one of the shelves. Katara frowned and crept toward the light source, hand automatically hovering over her water skin. She turned the shelf and blinked in surprise, relaxing at once.
The light came from a lamp that was on a desk overflowing with scrolls. Slumped over all the scrolls with a brush still in his hand was Zuko. For a moment Katara stood still and watched, but when she was sure he was really asleep she quietly tiptoed over and removed the brush from his hand. Then she took off the cloak she wore and draped it around his shoulders carefully, making sure she didn't wake him.
But when she moved to put out the lamp she found herself pausing to simply stare at him. She frowned at the dark shadows under his eyes but as she saw how peaceful he was her frown turned to a soft smile. The urge to stroke his hair overwhelmed her, and she ran light fingers over the shaggy bangs. She couldn't leave him. He needed her; needed her help and her encouragement. Even with her around he was overworked and almost despairing. To leave him would be... wrong. And impossible for her to do. She was needed in the Fire Nation, not on Kyoshi Island.
She doused out the lamp and quietly slipped back to her room, her arms empty of scrolls. She knew from the lightness of her heart that she wouldn't have trouble sleeping anymore.
-x-x-x-x
The door to the library burst open and both of them squeezed through at once. Katara's hair was knotted and dirty, Zuko had the beginning of a scraggly beard and both of them were in desperate need of a bath and some sleep. But personal hygiene was, once again, the last thing on their minds.
"We're so close!" Katara bubbled, clearing the desk of scrolls so Zuko could put down the three he was carrying.
They both stared at the scrolls as though they were made from pure gold. Zuko turned to her with fire in his eyes.
"This is it." His voice was slightly hoarse. "Katara, this is it! If we can find a scroll in this library that proves our plan will work..."
"Then our two years of effort will pay off. Things will change. You'll become Firelord again..."
A grin flared across his face and Katara's stomach reacted to how handsome the gesture made him. She shook the thoughts out of her head and, desperate to negate the blush, began to tease him.
"So are we going to go and bathe, eat and sleep now and start again in the morning?"
He looked at her as if she was insane. "We've been looking for the plan that will change everything for two years. You only left the Fire Nation palace four times to go and see your family. And now we're this close and you want to... No. We're finishing this."
Katara choked down a giggle as Zuko marched off to the back of the library. He pulled a random scroll out of a shelf, checked it, placed it back and walked on. This he did six times until they reached a massive shelf made of old wood and coated with dust.
"The scroll we need is somewhere in here? Perfect," Katara scowled. "And here I thought the end bit, at least, would be easy."
Zuko just grinned again and together they began pulling off scrolls to scan through. They both got absorbed in their work as the pile of discarded scrolls grew taller, and Zuko only glanced at Katara once. When he did, however, he saw her tiredly rubbing her eyes, and he frowned.
"Katara... I... Maybe you were right earlier... I mean if you want to go and sleep I-"
"What, are you crazy? I was kidding; we're not giving up now!"
This left Zuko shaking his head in confusion. Girls were crazy. Time ticked by unchecked as they sat and poured over scroll after scroll. Katara finally got frustrated and glared at the ceiling as she tossed yet another scroll aside. It was then that her eyes fell on a group of scrolls high up on the shelf. She frowned- there was something about them that made her skin tremble.
"Zuko, give me a leg up, won't you?"
He gave her a doubtful look when she pointed out the scrolls but came over anyway.
"Ready?" His voice in her ear made her tremble. "One, two, three."
He placed his hands on her hips and lifted her easily. She could feel herself blushing as she quickly grabbed all the scrolls. Hugging them protectively to her chest she was lowered gently by Zuko's strong hands before being caught securely in his arms. She turned around slowly with his arms still around her and gazed into his wide eyes with eyes equally as big.
"Uhm... Scrolls..." She held one up stupidly.
He looked away and let her go. "Right." He cleared his throat. "Scrolls."
She hid her very red face behind the first scroll and began to read eagerly. But the first one was a disappointment, as the were the second and the third... Finally she had one left and felt close to tears. All that work only to be stumped with one little thing... Things had to change... They had to... Dispassionately she opened the last scroll and her breath caught.
"Zuko..." It was barely a whisper.
He turned with a frown that only deepenedwhen he saw her face. "What?"
Wordlessly she held up the scroll, letting it roll open for him to read. There was a second of silence, and then Zuko yelled.
"You found it!" She had never seen him that excited before. "That's it! You brilliant, brilliant girl!"
Before she knew what was happening he had grabbed her and was swinging her around the room. Then he pulled her face down and kissed her.
Katara forgot everything except his lips. She forgot her exhaustion, her frustration, her hunger, her excitement, her dirtiness, her mission. All there was was Zuko's warm lips and slightly stale breath that still tasted sweet and his hair and his body and…
Zuko put her down and backed away, shaking his head.
"No. We can't. It won't... No. They'll only use it against us. The plan will mean nothing and..." He began backing towards the door. "We don't need this. We don't need another thing stacked against us."
She watched him turn and leave with a numb feeling encasing every inch of her body. She'd misread him. All those smiles and dances and the looks in his eyes... She'd been right the first time: they were coincidences. She knew that; she'd known it all along. When had she started listening to her irrational side that they meant more? She'd been so sure she'd squashed that little voice with reason and facts...
Zuko came back into sight slowly, his eyes on the ground. He looked up at her and her heart spluttered into life again, twice as quick as it should have been. She couldn't misread what was in his eyes then. Those mismatched points of gold told her he knew they could beat the opposition, that they could win, that they could change more than they'd first thought. She slowly held her arms out to him and he walked over to her and pulled her close, sealing her lips with his own.
-x-x-x-
The cool breeze was welcome against cheeks red from dancing. The music in the great hall could still be heard even up there and she had to smile; Iroh knew how to throw a party. Her hands nervously interlocked at the knowledge of what was coming: tonight was the night their hard work was rewarded and Zuko was named Firelord. Or it was the night when all their hopes were dashed to pieces...
"Katara."
She jumped but then smiled at him, fondly thinking how handsome he looked in his black amour. How handsome and nervous he looked.
"Relax. It's going to be okay." She placed her hand over his as he sat next to her.
"What happens when it's over?" he asked after a long moment of silence. "Will you... return to the South Pole? Your work here will be done..."
Even though he was trying hard to hide it, Katara knew him well enough to detect the pain in his voice.
"You know, in the beginning it was just work. I was there to do my bit to change the world and help out a friend. But after I chose you over Aang's party... It was after that that I realized that even though I knew he would take my refusal as a break-up I stayed with you. You, Zuko, not the work. After that I started to see that I was staying because I liked it, not because I had to. And all those times I went away I thought about you a lot. You, not the work we were doing." She sighed. "This being over won't change anything where I'm concerned. You've already made so much change for me and in me."
He was silent and when she looked at him there were too many emotions in his eyes for her to decipher.
"As the Firelord I'll be able to change things," he said quietly.
She smiled. "I know. That's-"
"Things including laws," Zuko went on as if she hadn't spoken. "Almost every law except who the Firelord has to marry." Her heart turned to ice and she looked away. Zuko's hands turned her face back to his. "Because I got my uncle to change that already."
Before her he dangled strip of fine crimson silk embroidered with images of an eclipse. She stared wordlessly at it as tears began to pool in her eyes. Then she took off her mother's necklace and handed it to him with a shining face. Zuko gently pulled off the pendant, slipped it onto the silk and then tied it around her neck. When he was done he kissed her so warmly she felt like melting and she was sure he felt the same inside.
Still without a word he took her hand and led her back down to the party hall. Iroh was waiting for them at the doors and he beamed as he noticed their linked hands. He hugged both of them at the same time, nearly winding Katara, before stepping back into the hall and clapping his hands for silence.
"Presenting the new Firelord, Firelord Zuko, and his new fiancé, Lady Katara."
Zuko pulled her into the light and cheers and she felt herself grinning wider than she'd ever grinned before. She liked this change.
Change- Taylor Swift
And it's a sad picture, the final blow hits you
Somebody else gets what you wanted again
You know it's all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you're getting sick of it
But I believe in whatever you do
And I'll do anything to see it through
Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
We sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah
So we've been outnumbered
Raided and now cornered
It's hard to fight when the fight ain't fair
We're getting stronger now
Find things they never found
They might be bigger
But we're faster and never scared
You can walk away, say we don't need this
But there's something in your eyes
Says we can beat this
Because these things will change
Can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
This revolution, the time will come
For us to finally win
We sing hallelujah, we sing hallelujah
Tonight we'll stand, get off our knees
Fight for what we've worked for all these years
And the battle was long, it's the fight of our lives
But we'll stand up champions tonight
It was the night things changed
Do you see it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back fell down
It's a revolution, throw your hands up
'Cause we never gave in
And we'll sing hallelujah, we sang hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hidden message in the CD book lyrics: You Made Things Change For Me
