26. Eavesdropping

A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. Life, and the holidays got in the way. I wanted to get some stuff up before Christmas, but I've been too exhausted to write. I'm just now getting the wind back in my sails, as it were. There's just gonna be the one update for now, but those who have requests, please bear with me. I'm catching up with them as I am able to, since some of them are considerably longer than mere drabbles. Know that I haven't forgotten you, and hopefully I'll have at least one or two more updates this week. Thank you all for your understanding.

This is an idea that popped into my head and just wouldn't leave me alone. I hope you like it. Remember, reviews are love!

Zuko laid on top of Appa's head, his fingers laced behind his head as he gazed up at the vast expanse of stars in contemplation.

The subject of his contemplation involved a certain young waterbender. Ever since her confrontation with Yon Ra, and the hug on the dock, and the blooming of their fragile friendship, the young Fire Prince had developed certain…feelings for her.

Zuko was finding that he really, really liked Katara.

In fact he was willing to go so far as to admit that he was, quite possibly, falling in love with her.

Of course, who wouldn't fall in love with her? She was stunningly beautiful, kind, compassionate, strong-willed, a talented bender -Zuko could personally attest to this fact since he'd been on the receiving end of her vicious water whips and miniature tsunamis more than he could count-despite her delicate appearance, Katara was a force to be reckoned with in battle. She was also giving, warm-hearted…Zuko felt he could have gone on forever listing all of her good qualities. Agni knew, there were many.

Zuko inhaled a deep breath and rolled onto his stomach.

"Okay. So I might have a thing for her." He admitted to Appa.

He wasn't sure that this was a good thing. He figured that Katara was the Avatar's girl, since he'd seen Aang making calves' eyes at her. The kid had it bad for the Water Tribe girl. Zuko had nearly badly burned Aang on more than one occasion when Aang had stared dreamily at Katara while they were sparring.

However, whether or not Katara returned those feelings, Zuko didn't know. He hadn't asked, because he'd figured it would be well, impolite. And as a general rule, he wasn't the nosy type. Sure he considered them fellow comrades, perhaps friends even, but he figured romantic entanglements within the group weren't his business.

And besides, after this was all over, and if their campaign succeeded, and they were able to overthrow his father, Zuko knew that he would have to ascend the throne and work to repair his war-torn country, and foster peace between the three remaining nations.

That, and hopefully reconcile with Uncle.

At the thought of Uncle, Zuko felt guilt knife through his heart.

He deeply wished that Uncle were here to guide him, comfort him, give him words of wisdom.

Uncle…I'm so sorry for everything. I should have listened to you.

Zuko made a silent vow that he would put every wrong he could to right, and as Fire Lord he'd make sure that Uncle lived out the rest of his days in ease and comfort as apology for his betrayal.

Even if Ozai fell, there was so much to do. Zuko felt weariness descend upon him at the gravity of the situation.

In two weeks, the comet was arriving. There was a very real possibility that not all of them would come out of this alive. Perhaps, none of them.

"So, what do you think?" the Prince asked Appa. "Should I tell her how I feel?"

The Air Bison merely grunted in response.

Zuko smiled crookedly and idly scratched a spot near the bison's horn. Appa grumbled in pleasure, making the Prince chuckle and scratch harder. "So, is that a yes?"

Appa yawned widely.

Zuko continued confiding to the Air Bison. "I mean, if I don't tell her, I'll regret it. But if I do tell her, it could complicate things between us. I mean, I like what we have now, but could there ever be, you know, more between us?"

Oh sure, it was a bit silly to be talking to a ten-ton fluffy magical flying monster (to use Sokka's description) that couldn't exactly answer back, but it wasn't as if he had anyone else to talk to about this, and well, at least Appa was a good listener, if nothing else.

Zuko sat up. "Ugh! What would Uncle say?" He paused thoughtfully for a second, and then tried to imitate Uncle " 'Zuko, risk nothing, regret everything. Risk everything, regret nothing.' Or maybe it would be something like 'Sometimes you have to take a gamble, and if you don't, you'll never know, and that would be bad, because you'll end up regretting it…' "

Zuko let out a frustrated groan and drove the heels of his palms into his eyes, flopping backwards against Appa. Well, there was one thing he knew: he really, really sucked when it came to proverbs. Philosophical, Zuko was not.

Damn it. If she weren't so gorgeous and amazing, and those large, deep blue eyes of hers weren't so hypnotic, and he didn't feel his heart race every time she looked at him...

He told himself he shouldn't be falling in love with her…and yet, somehow, it felt right. When they'd teamed up against the Southern Raiders, it had felt right. In battle, it was as if they could read each other's thoughts, they were so perfectly coordinated. And whenever they dueled, it was almost like a dance.

"Well, if I'm going to confess, what would I say to her? Katara, I really, really like you as more than a friend. I think you're beautiful, and special, and a great bender, and I was wondering if perhaps we could, erm, maybe do an activity together sometime…"

Zuko sighed. Okay, so he wasn't good at romantic speeches either. Truth be told, he wasn't sure if he could ever muster up the courage to tell Katara how he felt about her, because he feared rejection. Oh sure, he could rush into battle without a second thought, but when it came to affairs of the heart, he was a coward. He snorted in disgust at himself.

"Katara…I have feelings for you. I think I'm falling in love with you."

There. Simple, direct, and to the point.

…And there was no way in hell that he'd ever have the guts to say such a bold statement to her. He'd become choked up and tongue-tied. He'd never exactly been what one would call eloquent.

With a resigned sigh, Zuko slid off of Appa, and gave the bison a final pat. "I'm going to find a secluded spot to meditate. Thanks for listening."

However, as Zuko left, Toph and Katara emerged from their hiding spot as soon as he was out of earshot.

"See Sugar Queen, I told you that Sparky was totally in love with you!" The little earthbender looked rather smug.

Katara said nothing, and merely watched the retreating figure of the Fire Prince, her heart racing in her chest.

So, her suspicions were confirmed. She hadn't imagined the attraction between them.

At this realization, a slow smile crept over her face.

She swore that when the time was right, she would let Zuko know that she returned his feelings.

But not yet. After all, there was still a war to be won. For now, they would remain comrades.

And perhaps someday, they would be something more.

A/N: What was this inspired by? I have no idea, but it made for an amusing mental image. And yeah sure, Zuko's kinda OOC, but…oh, well.

Come to think of it, I think this might have been sort of inspired by the scene of Zuko talking to the badgerfrog. I thought that was funny. XD!