Zutara Month 2015: Day 1: Secret Lovers
—-
The smooth hiss of boots sliding over ice was almost unnoticed by the moonlit evening. Aquamarine eyes peered over her right shoulder before disappearing into the dark forest.
The water tribe girl tiptoed towards the clearing at the center of the forest, lightly grasping the misty air. Suddenly, a rustling in the tree caused Katara to jerk her head left, before two strong arms pulled her right.
She was about to ice-spear the mysterious person, until she heard the voice. Smoky, gentle, and a touch more playful than she'd remembered.
"Zuko?" Katara whispered, turning to see his tawny eyes crinkling. "Zuko!" She threw her arms around his neck, before pulling back and lightly slapping his shoulder. "Don't scare me like that-I, I almost hurt you!"
Zuko smiled, taking her wrist and melting the ice spear with one breath. "Right," he chuckled. "With ice?" A tiny flame kindled at his fingertips before disappearing into a trail of smoke. Kissing her forehead in intimate greeting, the firebender took her hand and pulled her into the clearing. It had been a fortnight since he'd last seen Katara and had been dead set on making their second meet up perfect.
Ancient candles were arranged in a large circle, emitting a golden glow amidst the mist. An old crimson blanket stretched across the dewy grass in attempt for something warm. Zuko wore his blue spirit attire as the charcoal getup allowed him to blend into nature better than even Katara. He'd packed her favorite foods; he'd taken them from the palace chef but it was for a good cause. Along with the plethora of blankets he'd smuggled from the closet and the Fire Nation war balloon, Zuko thought he'd done a pretty good thing. Sitting down on the dampening blanket, he warmed it once more and then patted the dry part for Katara to sit.
She knelt in front of him, smiling as she reached for his face. Her nail traced his hairline beneath the shaggy bangs, trailing behind his ear and pulled him closer for their lips to brush. He was warm, he was always warm, and she scooted closer in both necessity and comfort. The firebender embraced her, slipping the blue silken threads from her shoulder and peppering the bare skin with his heated kisses. Katara leaned to his touch until she'd knelt lightly over his torso and he was flat on his back.
"Katara," he murmured, eyes closing as her fingers rushed through his hair. Gently running his fingers up and down the curve of her waist, he continued. "We can't keep this up," he stiffened as he immediately felt her fingers freeze and eyes widen.
"Wh-what do you mean?" The water tribe girl tried to avoid snapping but it wasn't her nature to stay calm. They'd only been together for half an hour and the fire prince was already threatening to get on her last nerve. She couldn't believe he'd cut connection with her; in her heart, she knew that's not what they wanted. "You don't want to see me anymore?"
"No, of course I do…" Zuko trailed off, instantly regretting not practicing his speech with the bullfrog a couple more times. "But I don't want to tear you from your family and… This has already gone on too long," he muttered, his hand stilling on her hip. "Katara," he brushed her long dark waves away from her face, knowing she'd soon push him away unless he spoke faster.
"I want to join the Southern Water Tribe."
Katara's mouth fell open and the mist in the air immediately froze. He could feel her forefinger tapping quickly against his skull and the fire prince bit his lip, hard.
"Breathe, Katara," his smoky voice went lower and the mist in the air resumed its natural aura.
"I can't believe you want to come to my tribe! I don't understand you-"
"I want to be with you," Zuko twirled a strand of her dark hair. "What's so unbelievable about that?"
"You, Zuko," Katara laughed, gripping his jaw and pulling him closer. Ignoring his sudden gasp, she kissed his open mouth briefly, keeping her nose pressed to his. "You're absolutely unbelievable."
—-