A/N: I actually really liked this one. I don't wanna overanalyze it. Send me your thoughts! From Crossroads of Destiny. Zuko's take on it.

Crossroads of Destiny: Zuko

He sucks in his breath as she moves closer. It's a confusing moment. He didn't think he could see the peasant waterbender as anything more than an enemy. But now they're both peasants, aren't they? And they're both trapped because of the same person. They both have a common enemy, so what does that make them? Allies? Friends?

Zuko closes his eyes as he feels cool fingers touch his scar. He's prepared. He wants to be rid of this mark. If she did this for him, he'd be eternally grateful. They could become friends, even. The idea starts an unfamiliar flutter in his chest that he ignores.

She moves her fingers a bit and he peeks at her. Her sapphire eyes are gazing at his golden ones, not at his scar, and he doesn't know what to think. He wants to ask why she doesn't have her water ready, why she's looking into his pupils rather than inspecting his wound.

A moment of enlightenment. Something clicks in his mind and he thinks they are on the same page. Something has happened and now they are both aware of it. She won't take her hand off his face and he allows it, because now, they understand each other, and they both want the same thing.

There's no time to react when there's a crash. In bursts the Avatar, to throw the surprised girl into a hug. The airbender glares over her shoulder at Zuko, who readily glares back. A pang of jealousy hits him, and the moment of enlightenment is gone. He's perplexed, wondering what just happened, wondering what he felt. He's fearful. He pushes away all his feelings of hurt and confusion as the girl wanders off. She casts him a sympathetic glance and he looks away, still unsure of what just happened.

~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~ . ~

Azula offers him a choice. Uncle or his nation.

Zuko remembers looking into sea blue eyes and feeling something. He knew she felt something, too. Even if it had only been a second, it had been strong, beautiful, clear. He's puzzled. He's angry. If she felt it too, why did she leave with the Avatar?

He's sorry for his Uncle, but he can't side with them. He can't side with the Avatar. He can't side with the waterbender.

Most certainly not after he's experienced his first heartbreak.