Disclaimer- I don't own ATLA!
NOTE: If you are afraid of Zutara or are allergic to love do not read!
Chapter 9
A storm raged inside Katara as she silently sat on the big stone table in the center of a small, clean room. Her heart felt like rumbling thunder; her tears fell like pelting rain, and her emotions flipped over themselves like an unlucky ship in the middle of it all. Her mind was polluted with the pros and cons of what her heart told her. 'He can be sweet and honest and caring,' she told herself. 'But he's a real hothead sometimes,and he hurt me,' she reminded her heart. 'But he apologized and seemed serious.'
Gold light poured in through the open window, leaving a small warm patch of light on the floor. Katara allowed herself to walk over to the window and lean on the ledge. She dangled her long brown hair out so that it almost brushed the weeds growing alongside the building. She let a final tear fall onto the grass, then pushed herself away from the window. After recomposing herself, Katara shakily pulled back the deep red curtains that separated her room from the other.
Instantly, she felt both sets of eyes on her. They were staring her down cruelly, though they didn't mean to. This was the longest second of her life. She raised one foot and put in in front of the other until she was three feet from the two people who saved her life. Mother and son. So alike, yet so different. It was only then did she realize that she was staring right at Zuko- and that he was staring right back.
"I-" They started together.
"No, you-" simultaneously they blushed.
"Okay-" They continued to stutter.
"Listen," Zuko said alone. "I, really, think that- uhm, that I- kinda- and- uh-w-would you, possibly- no,no! Did you ever think about- you know- me?"
"Well, of course I have?" Katara answered, unsure of how to put all her emotions into words.
"And you?" Zuko finished quietly, reddening.
Katara felt her heart leap, both with excitement and nervousness. "O-oh," she said in a shuddering breath. Silently, she forced a smile, though she wanted to cry. "Zuko-"
He saw a tear coming to her eyes and turned away from her quickly. No, he wouldn't see her crack and shatter and break. And she wouldn't let herself do it in front of him. He was older- stronger than she was and she wasn't about to let him see her that way. With a deep breath, Zuko turned to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward. Its just that, I really- really do like you and I think I can handle you saying 'no'."
Katara laughed quietly. "Yes," she whispered.
"What?" Zuko's eyes, which had been cast downward in shame, shot up.
"Zuko," She whispered, the sound of his name sending shivers up her spine. She'd never said his name that way before. "Yes,"She said louder, throwing her arms around his neck. He in turn, let his hands come to rest around her waist. They'd done it, each one feeling indescribable.
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Don't Fear! This isn't the end. But if you like this 'ending' then you can stop reading now. (But please don't!)
Yeah, our second physical Zutara moment! (If you only counted the hugs)! Hey, I hope you liked! I hope it was up to what you guys were expecting. O.o I have huge state assessment tests all this week in writing. T-T. It sucks... ohwells! Kwa! The Zutarianess increases!
-Sami
