After-words
They were arguing again. But, everyone knew this was different. Toph sensed it to be more than just a squabble. Sokka saw the tears in his sister's eyes before anyone else. Aang felt the pain in Katara's voice. Iroh knew from experience that his nephew was not angry…just frustrated.
What they were arguing about exactly was anyone's guess.
'Why would you say it if you didn't mean it?' Katara cried
'I don't know…sometimes I say things but…I don't always mean them! I just…lose my temper!' Zuko replied, his voice much louder than he had intended.
'It's not fair, Zuko! You HAVE to understand that your words have consequences!'
'I KNOW that already!'
'Well, if you do, why do you still ACT like this? Why do say things when you KNOW how they'll make me feel?!'
'Because I…I…'he looked straight at her. Why did he say things like that? He knew she would get angry but….he exhaled heavily.
'It's easier for me to fight. I always argued with the people I cared about…my uncle can vouch for that…Sometimes I think it's easier to fight than to face facts and just tell someone how you feel about them…you know?
Katara looked up at him, her anger melting and quickly being replaced by curiosity. 'It's not right for you to keep your feelings for those around you bottled up Zuko. You're not that person anymore. It'll be better for you AND everyone around you if you just speak with people…Tell them how you feel.'
Suddenly, it was just the two of them. The surroundings, their friends and family all melted away. It was just them now…them and their feelings…
And he finally said it…he didn't mean to…he only realized himself just seconds into the argument. And the realization and the words were never supposed to have left his lips the way they did.
I love you…
Katara's gasp wasn't the only one. Aang prayed he had heard wrong, Sokka's jaw dropped helplessly, Toph chuckled knowingly to herself as Iroh mumbled a silent prayer…
'What?' Katara asked breathlessly, the two of them still completely disregarding their surroundings.
He couldn't take it back now…why would he want to? Like she said; he wasn't that person anymore. 'I love you,' he repeated, now slightly apprehensive of the consequences.
But his fears were unfounded as she took a step forward, closing the distance between them…and kissed him.
And it wasn't a passionate kiss filled with hunger…it was the type of timid kiss that passes between two young hearts on the brink of this new adventure called…love.
They broke apart, their faces flushed…and he looked straight into her eyes. He wasn't a fool. He knew THIS was the time to speak, to say something to seal things up…
Toph suppressed a giggle as Iroh continued his prayer, 'Say something, nephew.'
But the words wouldn't form. He had confessed his feeling for her…and now he was drawing up a blank! 'Anything nephew, please…'
Zuko looked straight into Katara's dreadfully blue eyes, opened his mouth…everyone held their breath…
After a few seconds with his mouth open, he mumbled, 'My heart burns for you…' so timidly, it was almost a question.
Five words. They rang out as clear as day in the pin-drop silence.
Aang gaped at his sifu disbelievingly, Sokka just barely held back his giggles, Toph didn't even bother trying to hold back her laughter and cackled wildly, Iroh smacked himself in the forehead. 'Anything but THAT, nephew!' he murmured under his breath.