Zuko knocked three times on the door. The little window opened up and the doorman stared out.
"Are you looking for something?"
"Nothing but a place to rest my feet."
She waited for him by the bar tonight, because there was nothing left for them to hide. Zuko saw her from the entryway, sipping on a drink beneath the soft feathers of her mask. His own was tied looser than usual, for ease of removal later on. The song currently playing was a slow one, slower than anything he'd ever heard the band play before. It was strangely appropriate.
He circled the dance floor, and many people took notice. A pair of men in goblin-like red masks cracked face splitting grins from their place at the dining area, and raised their glasses to him with a shout. Several women dressed in vibrant reds and greens eyed him with clear intent. The bolder ones winked when he looked their way and brushed by him with sultry steps. Zuko saw right through them, and almost burst out laughing when he found Katara in the crowd, and she was looking the women's way with her fists tightly clenched and her lips pursed. And they said he was the possessive one.
She left the bar and moved through the dance floor, navigating around slow-dancing couples as fluidly as water itself. He met her halfway, and perhaps it was fate that the perpetually wandering spotlight settled on them at that moment, and lingered for longer than it ever had. There was a lovely glow about her in the golden light.
"You finally made it," she said teasingly.
"I hope I'm not too late," he answered.
Their hands came together first, then their bodies, and then their lips, like a shock that rocked them both to the core; a spark that starts a fire. They melded together like two parts of one whole, a world of fantasy and reality melting away at their feet until it was just them together. There may have been people watching them, and that's alright. Maybe they were jealous; maybe they were wishing them well. There was just a few hours before the sun came up, and then they would go home and do it all again in the light. But these nights, once a week, same time same place, are all for them. Only them.
Another song started and they pulled apart. The air was rejuvenated by the quick and upbeat tempo that had everyone cheering and clamoring to get a spot on the floor. As everything sped up, Zuko felt that old itch again.
"May I have this dance?" he asked smoothly.
Katara smirked and her eyes shined brilliant. "It would be my pleasure."
A/N: So the final day is just a short epilogue to cap everything off. I'd like to thank you all who read, commented, and favorited this fic. I was really unsure about doing a full fic for my Zutara Week entries, and there were times when I seriously considered throwing my hands up and scrapping everything. I think this has been the best Zutara Week yet for me, and I hope to see you all again next year.
Until then, here's to Zutara!
