Reunion
Zuko's eyelids flutter, as does my heart. He opens his eyes.
After a moment, he focuses on me. "Hey."
Tears pricking at my eyes, I reply, "Hi."
He tries to sit up, and winces in the process.
Instantly, I'm at his side. "Be careful."
He flops down and says nothing for a moment. "So what happened after Azula… you know…?"
I smile at him. "Some guy showed up, and started yelling for help. A bunch of people came, and she left."
"How did I get here?" Saying this, he looks around the campsite. We're in a meadow, tree branches hanging over our heads, turning everything green. A happy stream gurgles nearby, and plenty of bushes plump with berries dot the perimeter. It's the perfect campsite- offering water, food and shade. It took us almost two days to find it, but we did.
"And where exactly is here?
"We're in a forest in the Earth Kingdom."
"Yeah, I got that."
Attempting to sit up again, he says, "So, you, uh… I mean, I'm guessing you-" He nods down at his chest, which is bare with a huge red welt on it.
"Yeah," I say, looking away, thinking about the crying, healing, and water whips at Aang and others that had taken place.
"Oh. Thanks," he mutters, looking down.
The conversation stutters to an awkward halt. We don't look at each other. Instead, we suddenly find clouds and dirt very interesting.
The tension breaks when Zuko begins to speak again. He looks around. "Where is everybody?"
"Gone," I say simply. At his horrified look, I add, "They're collecting supplies."
Zuko nods and rubs his neck. "How long have I been out?"
"About three days." He stares at me, and I blush. "It takes awhile to get over being hit by lightning."
I don't know what's wrong with me. Up until about four days ago, I hated Zuko. He was the face of everything bad in the world. Betrayal, untrustworthiness, destruction, hate, rage.
But now, when I look at him, I see a handsome, beautiful man that is capable of more than all of that.
And that's what scares me. My feelings have been changed with the unveiling of a garden and a near-death experience. I never knew that could happen- I never knew Zuko could do that to me.
Especially now, with his shirt off and his staring at me. I feel confused, but in a good way. It's hard to explain.
But when I look at Zuko now, a huge wave of insecurity washes over me like an expert bender is behind it, trying to kill me. How does he see me? Does he like me to? Or does he like me as a little, annoying sister?
A voice breaks through the spell of silence that had settled over us. "We're back!" it sings.
Aang steps into the clearing. "How's Zuk-" He sees him, and breaks into a huge grin. "Zuko! You're up! How do you feel?"
Zuko smiles at his enthusiasm, and his smile causes me to smile. It's so adorable!
"I'm fine."
"That's great!" Turning back into the forest, he yells, "HEY TOPH! SOKKA! ZUKO'S UP! GET OUT HERE!"
Zuko winces.
Sokka breaks out of the ring of trees, followed by Toph, walking more nonchalantly. "Zuko, buddy! You're okay! I thought you were a goner!"
"Gee, thanks."
"No, I didn't mean-"
"It's fine," Zuko says with a smile.
Toph steps up and punches Zuko on the arm. He flinches, but gives her a small smile. "Sparky! Good to see you awake!"
Admist all the chaos of Aang and Sokka yelling, Zuko looks over and smiles at me. Butterflies fill my stomach, and I'm afraid they're going to float me away.
0
Later, that night, Zuko's standing up and is walking around. Slowly, but surely.
We've started a campfire, singing songs softly, telling jokes and drinking Toph's tea (Iroh taught her once).
He's sitting on the opposite side of the fire from me, and our eyes meet occasionally across the flames.
Sometimes he smiles at me, and my heart palpitates. Other times, he casually looks away, and my heart falls the ten feet it's flown up, and lands on the ground with a splat.
After we've put the fire out (it is summer, after all), we fall asleep, and my stomach clenches at the thought of Zuko laying a few feet away from me.
Damn.
I hate crushes.
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A/N- It's not done yet! We still have the exploration of Katara and Zuko's true Zutarianism, and then we're done. I'm guessing about two more chapters. Review!