This is Chapter II of my AtLA fic (Trying Circumstances) Warning: this chapter contains (fortunately) necessary Zutarian fluff... beware... ;)
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my words.
Chapter II (revelation)
Aang watched from behind a large, clumpish group of shapeless bushes as Katara stopped to turn and look at Zuko. He was standing several paces back from her with his head down. The small flame he held in his hand to light their path cast odd shadows on his face, which was half hidden by his hair. Katara took a step closer to him, putting her too close to him for Aang's liking, and sighed. The glassy silence that followed was broken by the waterbender's soft voice.
"Zuko, I've already forgiven you for everything in the past… if you're speaking of this morning… I don't… It's, it's not something that needs forgiving."
Katara blushed, and started to turn away, but Zuko's arm shot out and caught her by the shoulder. He spun her around to face him and pulled her in a little closer than she had been before. Aang started to feel lightheaded as he took in the touching scene before him.
No… Katara…
Zuko's voice was so low when he spoke that Aang almost didn't hear him.
"Thank you, Katara"
He said her name in a low, mature voice heavy with emotion. Aang's young, high-pitched voice had never sounded like that.
They exchanged a few words Aang couldn't hear, both with gentle smiles on their faces, before Zuko pulled Katara into a silent embrace.
Aang's eyes couldn't focus, his heart was racing, and he suddenly couldn't put a single coherent thought together. It felt like a physical blow to see her in the arms of another man. A part of his mind that seemed to want to cause him pain forced his eyes to refocus on the scene in front of him.
Their arms were wrapped around each other's backs, and Katara's face was buried in Zuko's neck. His eyes were closed, and he was smiling against Katara's hair.
Something snapped inside Aang, and his breathing became heavier. He felt like he used to feel right before he entered the Avatar State, the pain having become too much for his spirit to bear. But he could not enter it now, he had lost that power in Ba Sing Se. He had left the Guru, and failed to master the Avatar State for her.
Katara…
Aang felt his jaw clench, and he unconsciously stomped a foot into the ground, creating a dent in the earth. Not so far off in the woods, a branch snapped off it's tree and fell to the ground, but no one noticed.
Aang watched wretchedly as Zuko whispered something into Katara's ear. A moment later, they broke apart and looked at each other with shining eyes. Zuko cupped Katara's cheek with one hand and leaned down slowly. It was a truly magical moment, and Aang was off to the side, dying bit by bit.
It's not fair, I kissed her first. I've loved Katara before we even met you, when you were the enemy! This can't be happening!
Aang's inner turmoil had finally built up to such a point that he could no longer contain his pain. His heart was about to tear open. He opened his mouth to scream, but before he could do so, a hand was roughly clamped over his mouth. He started to struggle in his captor's grasp when he felt himself sinking rapidly into the ground. He tried to earthbend himself up, but the earth refused his commands. His opponent's will was too strong. The last thing he saw before sinking into the ground were Katara and Zuko's lips meeting.
A/N: Thats the second chapter, I know its a bit slow, but hopefully this chapter will be a suitable offering to the Zutara shippers. ... of which I am one... oh well... Zutara and Taang just fit so, so nicely together. I have my own sort of background story concerning whats going on/ has gone on between Zuko and Katara, but this is (seriously, like definitely next chapter I promise) primarily a Taang fic... so it won't be told here. Sorry... but if enough people actually care/want to know whats happening/ has happened/ will happen (haha... slashes//////) I might write it in a parallel fic thingy...
Review or the foamy mouth guy will come after you!!!