AN: Merry Christmas, everybody! I know this is very lame and pretty predictable and the bad sort of fluffy but I had to give you all a Christmas gift and work only allowed my muse to do this. It's the thought that counts?

Anyway I hope you all have a great festive season and I wish you all the best for the new year. Korra is soon, guys! And the next volume of the comics! Expect more Zutara from me – I can't promise I'll improve, though :P

This one is, as the title suggests, based on the song 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. It's been redone by at least four people/groups so pick your favourite and think of that version as you read. And no comments about the way it's only very, very, very loosely based on the song – I was too lazy to make this a story on its own. *giggles evilly*

Once again, have a very Zutara Christmas! ;) And thank you all so very, very much for all the love and support I've received from you guys over the past year. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

Disclaimer: Avatar, its characters and the song are not mine. I just borrowed, screwed up and returned in a less than satisfactory state before the warranty ran out.

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Surprisingly, it had all been Sokka's idea. As the winter wore on and the world entered into the half-hibernation stage that accompanied each year's snow, the Gaang was allowed a brief respite from politics, peacekeeping and life in general. Naturally this respite was used as an excuse to plan a Gaang vacation, despite the general knowledge that the six of them would be ready to murder each other when the whole thing was done. The letters that had been sent dutifully throughout the three years since the war had ended now increased in number and excitement as the planning took a life of its own. Finally it was decided that they would all commune in the Western Air Temple because the Fire Nation did not get snow, it was a sentimental place and its position would allow Zuko to go home and save his nation should any problems arise.

It was on the third day of this vacation during an argument between Toph and Katara about what the Earthbender should and should not be allowed to do that Sokka got his 'brainwave'. He realized (or so he said) that none of them had ever really celebrated anybody's birthday, firstly because of the war and after that because the rest of the world and their own affairs kept them busy throughout the year. Sokka's solution was to make a 'shared birthday' during that winter month; a day where all of them feasted, danced, partied and gave each other gifts.

It was Suki who pointed out that buying all five other people birthday gifts would not only be expensive but very impractical seeing as they were currently in the middle of nowhere and thus had to travel to the nearest town to do shopping. It was Katara who came up with the solution: since there was an even number of people each person would draw a name out of a bag and then get a gift for that person. It was Aang who suggested that it all be a surprise – that nobody would know who was buying for whom. And so an old flyer was torn up and names were hastily scribbled on the torn pieces and shoved into Sokka's bag. And then, one by one, each member of the Gaang went up and picked a name. Their reactions varied: some grinned slyly, some airpunched excitedly and others picked the piece of paper, stared at it blankly and then gave it to Aang to read. (the Avatar was sworn to secrecy.)

Zuko was, naturally, the last one to pick a name. The entire time the others had been picking and carrying on the Firelord had been silently praying to the spirits. It wasn't an elaborate prayer – it consisted of only three words that were chanted over and over as he got more and more anxious. Please, not Katara. Please, not Katara. Please, not Katara. He would happily find a gift for any of the others as long as he wasn't expected to get one for the Waterbender. If he was being very honest he had to admit he was hoping for Sokka – he knew where to buy dried meat the warrior would love.

It was this 'positive expectation' state of mind – something his uncle had tried to teach him over the past years – that Zuko employed as he stepped up to the sack. He was going to get Sokka. Everything would be great and easy and wonderful. He was going to get Sokka. There went his hand. It was reaching down. One slip of parchment left. It would have Sokka's name on it. Here it came. He was reading it. It said…

It said Katara.

Agni damn it all.

The Firebender kept his expression stoic even as his heart and stomach plummeted and his brain started up an accusing roar at the very unfair and obviously vindictive spirits. The one person he couldn't buy for and he'd selected her. Just perfect. It wasn't as if he didn't want to buy her a gift – actually, the complete opposite was true. The big problem lay in the fact that he had no idea what to get her. Had it been a year ago he would have gotten her some Fire Nation perfume and left it at that, content that the gift would be used or given away and their friendship would not suffer because of it. But it was not a year ago. And Bumi's 115th birthday party had changed a lot since a year ago.

Now, because of that party and those letters and that night of talking and that wine, he was in a position where he'd rather face Azula again than get Katara a gift. Because now he had to make sure that her gift was absolutely perfect. Not okay, not simply useful, not just pretty. Perfect. It was an irrational thing, but one he knew for certain he would not be able to get rid of – no matter how much he wanted to let himself settle for a mediocre gift his emotions (those Agni damned things) would never let him. Zuko was not always in tune with how to behave, especially around girls, but he was smart enough to know that being in love made everything not make sense anymore.

Not that he was in love with Katara. It had been a few personal-ish letters. And one night of talking face-to-face about things they'd both never told anybody else. And one kiss. Two kisses. Three at the very most. And some more letters in the months that followed. But she hadn't mentioned anything about the night in those letters so he was totally correct in assuming she didn't want to speak about it. And, alright, the feelings that had cropped up on Bumi's birthday had kinda grown during the months apart instead of faded. But that didn't mean he was in love with her. Not at all.

(He was so screwed and he knew it.)

It had been decided – by somebody or other – that they would take five days to think about possible gifts before flying to the nearest big town to do the actual shopping. Zuko spent these five days doing what he'd been doing since Bumi's birthday (namely avoiding Katara and staying out of her way as she avoided him) and also attempting to wrack his apparently dead brain for gift ideas. When, by the second day, he was still coming up with nothing but an empty whistling noise behind his ears he decided to take desperate measures. Borrowing Hawky from Sokka was a tedious exercise that took far too much time and wheedling for Zuko's liking. But it proved to be worth the experience as the Dragonhawk returned the very next day with Iroh's reply. (Sokka boasted for a full week after that about his Hawk's capabilities).

The first half of Iroh's reply was full of his gloating about how he'd known 'right from the start' that Katara would one day steal his heart. The second half of his letter was full of warnings and cryptic comments about the Ways of a Woman – something the old general treated like a thesis of some kind. Finally, in the closing line of the four scrolls that Zuko swore to burn as soon as possible, Iroh gave some advice on what to get her. Write her a poem, nephew, his uncle's hand suggested.

Zuko was sceptic about it all but after much self-deliberation – mostly done in a sparring match with Sokka – he conceded that his uncle had an uncanny way with the ladies and should therefore be trusted in such situations. The decision, however, proved to be much easier than the actual doing. The Firebender spent the entire evening and the best part of the next morning staring down at a blank scroll while he chewed, tapped, doodled with, spun and half-snapped his pen and all he got from his efforts were three ink stains. Finally, when noon of the next day rolled around, inspiration (or something like it) struck and he began to write. After twenty tedious minutes he decided to glance back and read what he'd written so far so he could edit on the go.

The Fire Nation is red

The Water Tribe is blue

Your birthday has passed like Bumi's did

But I still really want you

Together we'll make purple

I mean our colours will at least

And if you come to my house

I'll prepare you a feast

Katara, this is stupid

Could we at least talk?

I really want to make you mine

Even though you're annoying and make me want to scream and accuse me when it's not my fault and make me stomp instead of walk.

The Firelord read it through twice and then burned it all. There was no way this was going to work. At all. His uncle was insane. Feeling frustrated and rather put-off, he then decided to go to the next person on his list. Sokka was, after all, her brother. The trip quickly proved to be a waste of time: Sokka's suggestions ranged from Fireflakes to something called Sea Prunes which sounded Water Tribe-ish but weren't nearly good enough. When probed what else could be given as a better gift he was met by a blank stare and a shocked reply that nothing was better than food. Suki, who had been sitting quietly amused throughout the exchange, chose to save Zuko and speak up.

"All three of us girls are warriors, but that doesn't mean we aren't girls," she told Zuko gently, smiling as he shifted and proved her guess that he was shopping for a girl correct. "Some Fire Nation jewellery will be wonderful – even Toph would like that."

He'd been relieved – and a little smug that it really hadn't been that hard after all – when Sokka decided to burst his bubble.

"Well, actually… Katara wouldn't wear anything. Maybe an armband or some Fire Nation hair loopies but those aren't really all that great, you know? More like a self-present than a gift for somebody else. All the Fire Nation really have are earrings and necklaces. Katara doesn't have holes in her ears and she'll never willingly replace Mom's necklace."

Zuko could have throttled him. In less than a minute the oaf had succeeded in shattering all his hopes and the sight of his victory, leaving him once again frustrated, starting to panic, and completely blank. Trying not to take his anger out on Sokka and Suki – it wasn't their fault, after all - the Firelord sulked around for a bit before going to Toph. She'd never let him forget it if she found out why he was asking for her help but at that point he was rather desperate and he didn't really care.

At first, it seemed as though he'd made a good choice.

"Sweetness is a warrior, Sparky," Toph told him as she picked her toenails.

"But I'm not buying for Ka-"

"Sure you aren't. And I'm a flying hogmonkey," she replied in a voice dripping with superiority and sarcasm. "As I was saying: Sweetness is a warrior. Everybody tends to forget that when there aren't battles going on. And I know she hates that – she feels as though her skills aren't being taken seriously. So cosy up to her – get her some weapons."

In relieved eagerness the Firelord began to question the Earthbender, soaking in all the information Toph gave even when it sounded a little fishy. It was only when the Blind Bandit started talking about the length of swords in a voice that was loaded with suggestiveness and accompanied by a smirk so evil it could rival Ozai's that Zuko caught on to the innuendos she'd been using the entire conversation. Angry, a little embarrassed and frustrated out of his mind Zuko stormed away after yelling at her and finally causing her to break down into peals of laughter.

The day they'd set out for shopping finally dawned and Zuko had nothing except a list of things not to get Katara. As everybody slowly started to get ready for the day Zuko paced and fidgeted and fought with his pride. Finally he had no choice but to swallow it – Aang had, after all, dated her for two years. The Avatar was bound to know what gifts she liked. He found Aang meditating and feigned an interest to join in. After too much time wasted the silent period was over and Zuko casually brought in gift ideas. Aang, it seemed, already knew exactly what he was getting his giftee and this made Zuko both desperate and hopeful at the same time. The hopeful part was dashed as he asked for ideas and got a typically Aang reply in response.

"It's not the gift that matters, Zuko. All objects are just things – they are earthly ties that eventually mean nothing to you when your spirit passes on. It's the thought that counts. Just get whomever it is something very thoughtful and something from your heart and they'll love it."

This, while astoundingly wise, helped Zuko even less than everybody else's advice. He was thus in a terrible mood as they flew to their shopping destination, sitting right at the back of Appa's saddle and glaring at the passing clouds as though they were the reason he had no idea what to get Katara. Any small, flickering hope that he'd see something at the market and 'just know' that it was perfect was diminished as the hours slipped on and all he passed was junk. Finally, five minutes before everybody else was set to leave, Zuko bought a huge packet of Fireflakes and an ornamental flower that, at a squint, could be passed off as blue. It wasn't even close to adequate, let alone perfect, but Zuko was so fed-up and so frustrated that he convinced himself he didn't care anymore. It was, after all, just a stupid gift.

His mood did not improve as the next day was born. Throughout the night he had fumed and grumbled and worried about his gift, his temper souring even more as he realized she might have gotten Aang as her giftee. What if she still had feelings for the Avatar and expressed them in an elaborate gift in front of everybody? Half-baked dreams of Aang and Katara kissing each other wildly around random corners haunted his dreams and his sleep deprivation coupled with his rather pathetic gift made the day promise to be terrible.

However, for once in his life Zuko's pessimism was proved wrong.

After breakfast it was decided that nobody could wait for their gifts any longer and the exchange happened. It was revealed that Toph had been the one to draw Zuko's name from the sack. The little Earthbender, blushing slightly, handing him his gift with a sniff and a badly put-on air of indifference.

"To make sure the Fire Nation keeps its ruler," she explained in a mumble, scuffing her toes against the tiles.

She'd Metalbended him a knife – sharp as any store-crafted blade and with an amazing grip. It was, however, a dusty black thus making sure it wouldn't shine in light and give him away while he hid. The blade also retracted – how she'd gotten that right he'd never know – so that he could fit it easily in a pocket. It was, he had to admit, an amazing gift.

"I thought you said women liked long swords," he questioned her with a smirk.

Knowing he was joking she smirked right back. "I was speaking about Sweetness. Sparky, I'd much rather make out with Bosco than kiss you, let alone measure your sword."

His hug was fleeting and more than just a little awkward but it made him feel slightly less cold inside and it made Toph smile in a soft way that made her look adorable. The moment was made even sweeter when he realized that Sokka was enthusiastically thanking Katara for his new boomerang – Aang had been chosen by Suki, it seemed. The Firelord felt relief flood him and he actually grinned.

The lightness disappeared when he realized he had to give Katara her gift. Dreading every step he marched up to her sulkily and unwillingly handed over the package. Then he crossed his arms and glared at her, mentally daring her to insult his present. Unnoticed by both the sulking Zuko and the curious Katara, Toph shooed everybody else forcefully out the room. The Waterbender's face showed surprise as she saw the gift, her fingers hesitantly stroking the not-blue blue flower. Suddenly a smile twitched at her lips.

"You didn't perhaps ask Sokka for gift advice, did you?"

Her tone was light and teasing with no apparent disapproval at all. But for Zuko that one barb was enough to finally lift the lid on his temper. His arms dropped to his sides, fists clenched and nostrils flaring as his anger welled up inside of him like an inferno.

"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get you something?" he yelled at her, eyes spitting accusations as though it was entirely her fault. Katara's eyes widened in surprise. "You and your… your… no jewellery-wearing tendencies! What woman doesn't wear jewellery?"

"Whoa just - " Katara started to snap angrily, but Zuko was already in full-scale erupt mode and he didn't even register her speaking.

"And then Toph went on and on with those blasted innuendos. I couldn't get you swords after that! And Aang was useless. 'It's the thought that counts' my ass." Katara's eyebrows were steadily rising higher and higher as Zuko ranted. "So I finally take the one slightly good piece of advice that I got – uncle is useless when it comes to actually getting a girl! – and you decide to mock me about it."

"I wasn't- "

"So I really don't know, Katara. Everybody says I'm the unemotional one. But really you're just as bad when it comes down to it."

"Excu-!"

"You write all those letters and make me think all those things and… and Bumi's party and then…" He dug his hands through his hair in utter frustration, finally looking at her in the eyes. "What do you want, Katara?" Finally realizing that he'd probably said too much, a blush tainted his unmarked cheek and he amended, "As a present. What did you actually want as a gift?"

The Waterbender opened her mouth, seemed to think better of it and closed it again. Somehow, Zuko could not make himself break her gaze. He'd forgotten how deep her eyes could really go, how the colour changed subtly with her mood, how the corners crinkled ever so slightly when she laughed. Red suddenly stained her cheeks and he was surprised as well as curious – why was she blushing? Katara looked away from him and to the bag of Fireflakes in her hand.

"You wanna know what I want?" she asked quietly. "Even if I probably can't have it?"

He swallowed loudly. "Yes." The curiosity would haunt him eternally if he didn't ask.

Suddenly she was moving forward, her red-tinted skin coming closer and closer until it was right before his face, mere inches from his touch. Then she stood on her toes and her lips were on his again – soft, sweet and entirely too irresistible to be allowed. She broke away far too quickly for his liking, blushing furiously now as she backed away.

"You," she told him quietly. "I just want you."

He'd honestly forgotten what the question was. He licked his lips nervously and managed to croak out, "That could be arranged."

Her answering beam was the most amazing sight in the world. And, once again, Zuko of the Fire Nation knew exactly what he wanted and that he'd go to any lengths to get it.