IT'S taken me forever to get this second chapter out to you all. I know. It did. But since this entire series is a compilation of one-shots, I figure finishing it is possible, despite how long it takes. So I'll be completing the entire three-part series C: it just may take awhile. Also, I've decided that this Edition will not be 10 chapters. It will be much shorter, possibly 5 or 7 depending on how many proposal scenarious I can manage to come up with that are different enough from each other to provide variety. Also, I can't seem to stretch proposing too far. Zutara, to me, isn't dysfunctional enough, I mean, after the initial getting together, I'd think it would be rather smooth sailing, lol. So I'll aim for Seven Chapters.
SORRY if I haven't replied to your reviews, guys. I've been at a block for this fic and I've been busy as of late (for those of you who haven't yet, feel free to check out my newest addition to the Zutara fandom: Memoirs. It is actually my main focus as of now, so it will be updated at least twice a week). Mm, I don't feel like this chapter does well to capture the Zutaraness at its core, but I'm trying to ease back into writing for Zutara...and...bah. I somewhat enjoyed writing this chapter out. Hope you guys enjoy reading it despite some OOC you might encounter D:
SOKKA'S FIELD GUIDE
A Three-Part Series
Part II : So She Choked on the Ring
'How about writing her name in the sky?
'Don't you think that's more Aang's thing? Why don't you sing to her?'
'What the hell am I supposed to sing?'
'I don't know. Don't you two have a 'song' or something?'
'Do you and Suki?'
'. . . how about writing her name in the sky?'
'We've been over this!'
'Well, I don't know!'
'This is impossible!'
'Proposing is overrated. Just demand that she marry you.'
'Like that would work. Maybe if she was pregnant or something--'
'Flying-kick-a-pow!'
SECOND OVER-USED CLICHÉ: PREGNANCY
She hated him. Hated, hated, hated him for being such a jerk. Seriously, what kind of man would avoid his own girlfriend of two years the week of their anniversary? Zuko had been acting incredibly suspicious lately, and Katara was in no mood to ponder what second thoughts he might be having about her, about them - because surely the reason of his sudden distance had something to do with reluctance in being together. Surely he wanted to break up with her. And why was he spending so much time with Toph? Not that Katara suspected the earthbender of anything, but that was beside the point! She missed Zuko and she hated him because he was being a selfish jerk. (Zuko couldn't have been planning a completely romantic and sentimental date for them on their two year anniversary, of course not.)
Which was why, when he finally approached her after what felt like eternity, just three days before their two year celebration, and asked if she was free on the eve of their anniversary, Katara said no.
"No?" Zuko echoed, taken aback. "What do you mean no?"
His expression was so incredulous the waterbender had to fight the urge to smile. He looked so goddamn adorable, all confused and unsure and shocked - but she kept her wits about her and nodded firmly. "No. I am not free that night," she repeated.
No. The word echoed in his head, louder and louder, accompanying the thump-thump-thumping of his suddenly quick-paced heart. "Well…what the hell are you doing then?" Zuko asked, at a loss for anything else to say.
Katara shrugged, avoiding his gaze in hopes of maintaining her lofty tone. "Heading out with Haru," she responded, answering as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Which it wasn't, because this was all news to Zuko (and was a downright lie).
"Haru?"
"Yes, Haru," the girl responded in kind, eyes flashing as she dared spare him a glance. The incredulity on his face was just nearly enough for her to feel guilty. Nearly.
"But…but why?"
"Well…because he asked first," the waterbender replied, idly sifting a comb through her hair. She sat before her vanity, doing her best to seem aloof.
Zuko frowned. "Don't you think I have priority on that day?" He demanded.
Katara blinked in faux surprise, the fine-toothed comb pausing as she rose a quizzical brow. "Oh? And why would you think that?"
"Because it's our two year anniversary!" The prince exclaimed.
"Oh? You mean you actually remembered?"
"Of course I remembered!"
She scoffed, "Somehow, I doubt it." Katara glanced at his reflection, setting down the comb (he gave her as a 'just because' present), "You've been spending an awful lot of time with Toph lately."
"What does any of this have to do with Toph!"
"You tell me!" The waterbender snapped, abruptly standing from her seat. She had done well to keep herself in control up until that point, but Zuko's act was unbearable. How could he stand there and lie to her face so casually? So convincingly? "I've seen so little of you lately that I have no idea what's been going on with you!"
Zuko stared at her in awe. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you!" Katara raged, arm gesturing across the space between them, "Us! This!"
"What about 'this?' " He challenged.
And she started crying.
Zuko's face fell. "Katara--"
"No!" The girl sniffed, turning away from his attempt at an embrace, "Don't touch me!"
"Katara, what's come over you?"
"You don't…you don't love me anymore!" She managed to blubber out, shoulders trembling from the tears. "You…you've been avoiding me! Admit it! You don't have to play dumb, I can take it, go ahead, just tell me. End it before I waste another breath on you!"
Zuko, for the umpteenth time, gave her a most incredulous look. "What in Sages are you going on about? Of course I still love you," he said lightly, just a bit confused, but mostly concerned. His hand reached out for her shoulder and she stiffened. "Katara…how could you ever doubt that?" he questioned, slightly hurt at her assumptions. "Katara…stop crying," Zuko urged, moving nearer. Katara only lowered her eyes."What do I have to do to prove it?" The firebender sighed, seeing the uncertainty in her eyes. "Whatever it takes for you to believe me, I'll do it - you need to understand just how much I--"
"I'm pregnant."
Zuko blinked. "Sorry, I didn't catch that, what?"
A deep breath, then, "I'm pregnant."
Katara's heart quickening, anxiety peaking, and then, Zuko's wonderful, beautiful voice, "Let's get married."
She gaped, "What?"
Zuko met her eyes, sure and loving and positively indulgent. "Marry me, Katara."
"I--no!"
"What do you mean no?"
"I mean no!"
"Well, why the hell not?"
"You'd only be marrying me because of the baby!" She scowled.
Zuko sighed. Annoying woman. "You're pregnant with my child - we're getting married."
"No. We're not!" Was her tenacious retort.
"Stop being so stubborn!"
"You stop being stubborn!"
How could one woman be so goddamn irritating? Zuko was about to reply that he wasn't the one being stubborn, and wasn't she over-reacting to everything (as she often did anyways)? But he was cut off as she went on in a fit, her voice loud and annoying as it always was, as she always was (and yet he loved her despite that).
"Why do you want to marry me so badly, anyways?"
"We're having a kid," Zuko muttered, a faint red tingeing his cheeks. A red so endearing that Katara found it increasingly difficult to stay angry at him (and why was she angry with him in the first place…?)
"Is that all?" She prompted.
Zuko scowled. Now he was having second thoughts about their love. "I guess I like you," he said mockingly.
Katara punched him in the forearm.
"You're the one who thinks I don't!" The firebender countered sagely.
His companion all but glared. "So you want to marry me because you guess you like me," she repeated flatly.
"Care about you," Zuko amended mulishly, massaging the likely bruised area of his arm. When Katara showed no signs of yielding, he sighed. "Love you."
She eyed him for a moment, as if weighing his words, before letting that beautiful smile spread across her lips. "So we're getting married?"
It was Toph's snide remark that answered, "You're both idiots if you don't realize you're already married."
'OW! What the hell was that for!'
'SWDIJSIDKJSIPOD KATARA EIJHOEIDJEJFE PREGNANT EWIJIODSJSF !'
'It was hypothetical!'
'Oh.'
…
'I think. -runs-'
'SID(SWJWPODMSD?!'
THERE it was C: the anticipated Second Cliche. Stay tuned for the third, I haven't yet decided what it will be - I'm deciding between three 8D. Don't expect it to be up soon, perhaps in a week or so, or two. But not tomorrow or anything. Feedback is very much appreciated, as always, and I'll do my best to respond to all the reviews from now on for this fic, I'm rather bummed I missed the chance to respond to the first chapter and am much too lazy to go back now D: -fail- Lol, and don't forget to check out Memoirs if you haven't already! I might just be paralleling this to that fic. And if this chapter was confusing, apologies, it's rather late over here and I haven't had a chance to read over it yet C:
PS: it seems short chapters for these particular one-shots are inescapable. Apologies D:
