Zutara Month Day 7: Melt
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.
They were sitting on the steps of the beach house. Everyone else had gone into town to scavenge some supplies together for dinner. They had been sitting there silently until Katara spoke.
"How did it happen?"
"What?"
"Your scar."
"You don't want to know."
"I do want to know."
"No, you don't."
"Yes, Zuko, I do."
"It's not important." He turned away from her.
"It is important! I want to know. What if I can help you?" Katara almost yelled with a note of exasperation in her voice.
He stood, turned fully to her and erupted. "No, Katara. You do not want to know! You do not want to know what it is like to have your own father challenge you to an Agni Kai. You do not want to know how it feels to stare up, petrified, as a fire blast comes toward you. You do not want to know the deep sting of humiliation as your nation watches your disgrace. And you most certainly do not want to know the feeling of your skin melting off your face and the pain during the months of recovery when the burn feels like it is on fire! So no, Katara, you do not want to know and not you or your bending, or anything else can help either!"
She leaned back, her eyes locked with his while he drew quick, ragged breaths. He slowly shook his head and turned his face away. "Sorry, I need to go." He turned and began to walk away toward the beach. He had not gone far when he felt a pair of lithe arms encircle around his waist and the weight of a body leaning on his back.
"Yes, Zuko, I do want to know. I want to know because I want to understand. I want to know because it is a part of who you are. I want to know because it made you stronger. I want to know because I know how deep scars really are."
Zuko did not reply. He stood there with her arms around him unmoving for what seemed to be an eternity and she just simply held on.
He finally turned around and she looked up at him without relinquishing her hold. The look in his eyes had softened considerably. They were remorseful, filled with age beyond their years. He silently shook his head, unfolded her arms, and turned back toward the beach. She watched his back until he was a mere speck by the water, wishing for his scars to heal.
A/N: Almost caught up! Just one more. I hope that you are enjoying reading. Once again, to the magnificent SoapDuck thank you. And everyone remember, Stay Awesome (because you are) ;)