Katara stood and waived on the third place step. Her arms were filled with white roses and the little knitted buffalo from earlier. She smiled and waved at the cameras and crowd. The flowers were taken away from her and they were all asked to pose.
"Don't think just because you upped Katara this once means you can up me." Yue whispered to Korra. Katara's eyes got wide briefly but her smile never wavered. Yue was scary.
Katara looked over to where Suki was snapping photos with her phone. They were all asked to hold up their metals and there was an explosion of flashes. Katara turned and blinked a few times. Sokka held out a hand for her and Yue as they stepped down from the small platform.
"Congratulations you two." Sokka smiled and gave both of them a kiss on the cheek.
Katara stood next to Suki as the medals for the men's skate went next. Katara fiddled with the sleeves of the jacket she put back on. She was practically sat on the whole day so she wouldn't run off to see Zuko. Her dad had called and said that the surgery went well, and the cast would be off in less than 8 weeks. He was still asleep when Dad called. But he promised to call Katara as soon as he is awake. And that she could come over once the ceremony was finished.
"Aang Wan comes in first with 275.28 points. Congratulations." The announcer overhead said. Katara watched as Aang kissed his gold medal. Thousands of flashes went off. Katara rolled her eyes as the group got together and they all smiled and posed, Aang rarely ever keeping a serious smile on his face. When Aang walked down he was greeted by many reporters and they talked about his skating and quads.
Aang stood beside her as the ceremony turned to the pair's skates. Suki and Sokka had barely missed first place. A younger duo beating them by .03 points and the third place couple coming .75 points after them. Katara watched as Suki and Sokka posed with the other couples and held up each other's medals. Katara clicked a few on Suki's camera.
Katara flipped it to record as the two of them stepped down and stepped forward along with a reporter. "Congratulations on the win, you two." The reporter smiled and she almost seemed genuine. "That was an amazing skate today. It seems like you two step it up every year. But this year we really seem to be watching you two grow more intimate, if I can say it that way," The reporter raised her eyebrow. "That was a very romantic piece you both did during your free skate today. We can all see what great chemistry you have." She gave another wide smile as Sokka and Suki nodded along. Sokka looked over to Suki with a crooked smile. "On and Off the ice, hmm?"
"Oh, no actu-." Suki began with a shake of her head.
Sokka stopped her though by getting down on one knee and pulling out a small box. "I had hoped we would be wearing gold to match but," Sokka popped open the lid and there sat a small tab of gold with 's + s' engraved on it on a necklace. "Suki, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Oh. My…" Suki covered her mouth and nodded.
There was a round of hand claps as Sokka stood and gave Suki a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Suki buried her face in Sokka's neck and was laughing. Sokka stepped back only to give Suki the necklace.
Katara stopped recording and went to hug her brother and best friend.
Zuko was watching the footage of the skating competition with Azula when everyone stepped in. Katara gasped and was first to his side. She took the hand of his good arm and squeezed it.
"Your short program wasn't very good, Kat." Zuko said with a half smirk.
Katara looked close to tears as she gave a soft laugh, "Oh are you an expert now or something?"
"Definitely." Zuko brought Katara's hand to his lips. "I haven't watched your free skate yet. But I heard you got third so you must have really stepped up."
The others stepped out to give Katara and Zuko some space.
"I tried." Katara gave a watery smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been shot in the arm." Zuko winced as he pulled up his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," Katara bit her lip and looked to his wrapped shoulder.
"What for?" Zuko chuckled. "You didn't pull the trigger."
"I know, but I'm still sorry."
Zuko rubbed the back of Katara's hand with his thumb, "If anything it made me realize…" He grunted and adjusted in the bed. "Katara I want to ask you something."
He let Katara's hand go in order to pat the bed for her to sit. Then grabbed it again when Katara sat down with a very confused look on her face. "Katara the past few months have been a whirlwind," Katara licked her lips and gave a soft laugh. "And I've loved every moment I have spent with you." Zuko took in a deep breath and let it out. "And I love you."
Katara's hand tightened in his and her watery smile returned but this time in happiness. "I love you, too." She whispered out. Zuko let go of her hand to raise it to her cheek. Katara turned her head into his hand.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" Zuko gave her a smile.
"Yes," Katara smiled so wide her whole face lit up. A stray tear fell and Zuko caught it with a kiss. Then kissed her again on the lips.
A few years later
"Please help me welcome, for their pairs skate debut at the Avatar Gala, Katara Rivers and Zuko Sparks."
"I am so nervous." Zuko mumbled under his breath
Katara took Zuko's hand and pulled him out onto the ice. Katara looked over her shoulder to Zuko, "Just like we practiced. Plus, the lights are dim, and you really can't see a thing with the spotlights."
"Well that's reassuring." Zuko said dryly.
Katara shook her head at him and took off to skate around the rink. Zuko followed behind her a few paces away. He rubbed his hands together and looked Katara over. He never thought he would be here on the ice. And here she is, in dark red silk short shorts and a flowy white shirt tucked into the high waist of the shorts. She turned and gave Zuko a smile as she skated backwards. 'Ready?' She mouthed to him. He swallowed and nodded.
Zuko took her hand as they skated to the center. Katara snapped the elastic of the suspenders Zuko was wearing before he skated off to his first position. The lights dimmed and Zuko focused on Katara in the middle of the rink, everything else fading into blackness around them.
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
I know you want me
So, don't keep saying our hands are tied
Zuko took his first steps to skate towards Katara. He reached her in what felt like a heartbeat. Katara turned her head away from him as he skated around her. He reached out and cupped her cheek, she leaned into it for only a moment before ducking under it and facing away from him.
You claim it's not in the cards
Fate is pulling you miles away
And out of reach from me
They spun around once together and then Katara pulled out from Zuko. Katara lead them slowly to the curve of the rink.
But you're here in my heart
So, who can stop me if I decide
That you're my destiny?
Zuko caught her hand and switched her places to lead them to skate around the edge. They picked up speed and Zuko turned to smile at her. Katara gave the smallest of smiles but he could see it in her eyes. She was having the time of her life.
What if we rewrite the stars?
Zuko took both of her hands pulling him to her. Then grabbing her hips and throwing her into a spin before catching her. He placed her back on the ice. She broke character and smiled at him as she skated backwards a step.
Say you were made to be mine
Nothing could keep us apart
You'd be the one I was meant to find
Katara spun around and Zuko took the lead around the curve. He took her hand as she lifted a leg gracefully behind her. When they exit Katara took both of his hands. They skated to the center again and spun together with Katara wrapped in Zuko's arms. Zuko released Katara but only to the fingertips before he clasped his hands and pulled her back into a spin.
It's up to you, and it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
He held her hips and took a deep breath before throwing her again, this time away from him. He watched her spin before landing perfectly on the ice. He wanted to shout out in excitement. Of all of the tricks this one was strangely hard for them to land. Zuko and her went their separate ways but only briefly. He did a small loop jump. Man, he had come a long way.
So why don't we rewrite the stars?
Maybe the world could be ours
Tonight
Zuko took her hands again and Katara spun so she was behind Zuko. Her hands clung to his shirt but only for a split second. Katara slowed as Zuko sped up and took her hand to skate with her backwards out of the curve.
Katara took off faster than him from the curve and to the center. Spinning and doing fancier footwork Zuko would ever know how to do.
You think it's easy
You think I don't want to run to you
But there are mountains
And there are doors that we can't walk through
He smiled when she turned back to him. Zuko had slowed almost to a stop at one end of the rink. Katara came skating back to him. He took a minute to prepare as they met. He took her hips and pushed her over his head as he spun slightly. Her warm body draped settled safely in his hands. He lowered her down and Katara's back curving into an arch as she reaches to touch the ice.
I know you're wondering why
Because we're able to be
Just you and me
Within these walls
Katara came back up and hugged him then pulled away. She skated with his hand in hers to the curve. He let her take the lead through the whole curve, catching Katara's boot at the end. Katara slowly rotated so she was staring up. Zuko pulled very gently so they did a spinning camel pressed together.
But when we go outside
You're going to wake up and see that it was hopeless after all
Zuko took Katara again by the hips as they dropped their feet and pulled her back into the curve they just exited. They gained a little speed around the curve as Zuko lift Katara up and threw her again. She spun before landing slightly wobbly and touching the ice with her fingers but straightened with ease. Zuko wanted to skate to her and apologize he might have not thrown her far enough. But they were in the middle of barely lit ice in the middle of
No one can rewrite the stars
How can you say you'll be mine?
Everything keeps us apart
And I'm not the one you were meant to find
Zuko took a breath as he followed Katara closely. He had a small break before any major tricks. They skated lifting up a leg in sync. He kept Katara close as they did an easy twist and Katara spun away from him. They went into the curve again this time separately. Zuko held his breath as they did side by side double toe and double loop jumps. Zuko turned to look to see Katara had also landed hers perfectly.
It's not up to you
It's not up to me
When everyone tells us what we can be
Katara took his hands as they spun around like they were doing ring around the roses. Katara let go of his hands and did a spin by herself. He followed her catching her hand and she spun around twice barely holding to his fingers above her.
How can we rewrite the stars?
Say that the world can be ours
Tonight
They let go for a touch to do a side by side sit spin to a corkscrew spin. They took a pause and Zuko reached out for Katara's hand and pulled her to spin in his arms. Then pulled her up to hold her bridal style in his arms.
All I want is to fly with you
All I want is to fall with you
So just give me all of you
Zuko lifted Katara up with straight arms and did one spin, then they lifted with just one hand. Zuko thought he could hear applause and then Katara held onto his shoulder. He released her arm to grab to her waist. Katara reached behind her and held onto her skate. They continued to spin about the ice. Zuko dropped Katara into his arms. He felt her release a laugh.
It feels impossible (it's not impossible)
Is it impossible?
Say that it's possible
Zuko placed her back on the ice. Then Katara slid down into a death spiral, her hand gripping at his wrist. Zuko sat and raised his arm to finish the look. They had practiced this death spiral over and over again. Zuko personally thought it rivaled Sokka's and Suki's.
How do we rewrite the stars?
Say you were made to be mine?
Nothing can keep us apart
'Cause you are the one I was meant to find
Zuko pulled Katara up to him gently. Katara smiled to him and put her hands in his as they spun around. Zuko let go and they both turned out into side by side spins. They both paused and Zuko saw Katara's smile. They took off to opposite sides of the rink. Both spread out the arms and legs as they skated the edge of the curve. They turned back to the center going a good speed.
It's up to you
And it's up to me
No one can say what we get to be
And why don't we rewrite the stars?
Changing the world to be ours
Zuko caught Katara by the waist and they did a spin where Katara's feet lifted off the ground. He sat her back down. They did a lose lazy eight before coming back together and looping arms while holding onto one of their skates. Then wrapped their arms around each other spinning faster as they pulled their feet in too.
You know I want you
It's not a secret I try to hide
But I can't have you
We're bound to break, and my hands are tied
Their momentum slows with Zuko's toe pick scratching the ice. Katara's arms have wrapped around his shoulders and she pulls back in the embrace. Katara leaned back and cupped his face, Zuko held onto her wrists. Zuko brought his forehead to hers. They were both breathing heavy as the last words were sung.
Applause exploded throughout the arena. Zuko leaned forward and kissed Katara's nose. Katara brought her arms around Zuko's middle hugging him. She smiled up to him, "Congratulations on your first skate! I am so proud of you."
"You too," Zuko kissed her forehead, "I love you."
"I love you too." Katara breathed out and pulled out of Zuko's embrace to bow to the audience.
