Say it with Flowers
Ambrosia
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She smiled. It was over. The war is finally over. And their little ragtag group, which included the Avatar, a blind earthbender, the banished Fire Nation prince, a Kyoshi warrior, herself and her brother, are still intact. They're all alive. She felt tears fill her eyes, and her smile grew wider and softer.
But she was also relieved for another reason. She was happy, because she had been given another chance. Another chance to say what she needs to say.
"Katara… are you… afraid that you might die in the war?" Zuko suddenly asked her while they were on their way to the Fire Nation to fight Azula. Katara looked away from him.
"Of course. Of course I'm afraid to die. But I'm more afraid for everyone else." She paused, and then turned to him. "Aren't you afraid?"
"I am. I am afraid, but not of dying. There are… things that I need to say and I'm afraid that if I don't say them now, I'll never have the chance to do so again." He replied, looking at the blue sky.
"Oh. You mean…you need to say something to Mai?" She mumbled.
"No, not to Mai. To you." He looked her in the eye.
"I might die in the war. And I can't bear dying without telling you what I truly feel." Katara felt the beating of her heart speed up. "What I want to say it that… I love you."
Katara's jaw dropped. Zuko was in love with her? She can't comprehend it. She didn't answer; she was at a loss for words.
Zuko tore his eyes away from hers, whispering "I thought so". Before she had the chance to speak, he said "We're here."
She can't believe how stupid she had been. What if she had died? What if he had died? Then Zuko wouldn't have known what was truly in her heart… What she really feels…
She was sitting by Zuko's bedside, and he was sleeping soundly. She held his hand, the hand of the one who saved her life. Zuko began to stir, and opened his eyes.
"Katara?"
"Zuko, thank Agni you're finally awake." She smiled at him.
"Katara… Why are you here?" Zuko said weakly.
"To watch over you, of course. You had me worried sick."
Even when in a weak state, he still managed to raise one eyebrow. "You don't need to do that just because I 'saved your life'. I took that lightning blow because I wanted to, because I love you. You don't owe me anything. So stop worrying yourself unnecessarily." He withdrew his hand from her grasp. She flinched.
"About that, Zuko, I… never really gave you a proper answer. I was just so surprised that I was at a loss of what to say that time. But Zuko, I want you to know that-" She was cut off by a knock on the door.
"Come in." Sokka entered.
"Katara, it's time for Dad's healing session."
"Oh. Zuko, I'm sorry, I have to leave, but I'll be back." Then she rushed off with Sokka.
Zuko sighed but somehow was relieved she didn't finish what she was about to say. He didn't think he could have handled her outright rejection. It was then that he noticed a hint of pink at his bedside table. He took it. It was a flower. Then his eyes went wide and he gave a small smile, putting the flower back in its place and closed his eyes. The flower, an ambrosia, slightly swayed with the wind coming from the open window.
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Your love is reciprocated
-END-
A/N: I kind of suck, don't I? But I just have to write this. I love Zutara. By the way, I'm going to include a picture of the flower in each story, just in case you're curious. Here's the Ambrosia in the story: .. Please review, thank you!