Day 4: Whimsical
A cool wind whips through Katara's hair as she darts through the western air temples. The ground beneath her is cold against her bare feet but she doesn't stop, can't stop. He's coming for her - again. At the fountain, she pauses to catch her breath, her chest heaving as she glances around anxiously. She sighs when she realizes she's alone, bends water from the fountain and closes her eyes as the refreshing water slips down the back of her burning throat. A pale muscled arm snakes around her waist and a small squeak escapes her lips, her eyes flying open as she prepares to fight. It's only when the grip loosens and a voice, soft and warm against her ear whispers, "I got you," does she let out a sigh of relief, turning in his arms to see the face of the "it" man.
"You know, that's not exactly how you tag someone."
"No?" His face contorts in confusion, his head cocked as his eyes slide to the side, lost in memory.
Katara chuckles softly. "Have you ever even played this game?" She doesn't mean to make him feel bad but he looks at her with wide eyes, before blushing red and smiling crookedly, his hand going up to the back of his head absentmindedly.
"Well, actually..." he trails off as he tries to form some seemingly reasonable excuse about Azula and his deprived childhood. Katara shakes her head, touches his hand lightly to ease his embarrassment and their eyes meet, gold melding with blue.
"It's okay. To tag someone, you lightly tap them. The rest is running and chasing."
"Oh." He nods slowly, his hair falling in front of his eyes.
"Try it," Katara adds.
"Okay." The words barely leave his lips as he leans down, their lips inches apart. Slowly, he lowers his head, brushes his lips against hers gently. Katara's eyes widen, and she gasps, her lips parting to unwillingly give entrance to Zuko. Her mouth burns with the taste of him, ashes and tea, but she finds herself closing her eyes and leaning in as she wraps her arms around his neck. When they part, Zuko never looks away, his heartbeat racing, hands shaking and golden eyes drowning in the deep waters of hers.
"Zuko," Katara begins, throat dry. Her breathing is heavy and she forces herself to breathe.
"Oh-ho-ho!" The voice jolts them out of their silent trance and they pull away, stepping back. Katara half turns to see Toph, arms crossed, knees bent, standing next to her, her blank eyes staring knowingly. She gulps, waits expectantly. Opposite her, Zuko stares down at his feet, tapping agitatedly, hands clasped behind his back. He forces himself to breathe, to not look back...stare...think...remember...
"Well." Toph states, "Don't just stand there. Who is 'it'?" She asks, smiling crookedly.
"Katara," Zuko responds huskily. "She's it."
Katara smiles, shrugging. "I suppose I am." Toph laughs with delight and, taking Zuko's hand, the two leave Katara standing alone. Sighing, she lifts her hand to her lips, her mind briefly remembering the kiss. She smiles determinedly then and sets off running through the temples and past the fountains, in pursuit of Zuko.