Zuko's POV:
I held her close through our first dance. She was talking to me softly about how bad she usually is but how Sokka had been trying to learn so she got a refreshing teaching course.
"I find it hard to believe you went without dancing at every party you went through." I told her and she laughed lightly and her hand on my shoulder tightened and she pulled back to look at my face.
"I don't dance as often as you must think. I do it usually out of duty not for fun. I don't think I've ever danced with a boy or man... who I wanted more with." She added on slowly like she was worried what I would do with that information.
"Well I guess if you don't want to dance we can sit the next couple out... but if you want to, I'm happy to stay on the floor and twirl you around until we're both dizzy." I told her and the smile I had hoped to see stay on her face turned even brighter.
"At least I know I won't be bored at parties anymore." She told me as I sent her out for a spin before pulling her back in. She and I talked about what else she's been up to, small things she hadn't written about.
I told her about the meetings that turned into nothing and how useless some advisors seemed to me. We sat down when she said something about her shoes and she kicked them off under the table. It wasn't too long after we were graced with dessert and while I had a sweet tooth, it seemed Katara had one ten times as big as mine.
I shared the second piece of cake I ordered with her and she told me about the cake she had one time that gave her such a sugar high she danced by herself in her rooms.
"One time Azula had a small party for no reason, had cake, tarts, dancing and huge dresses... her and her two friends and I was the only boy who bothered to show up. I tried to get out of dancing by eating." I looked back to the dance floor and saw my sister and some guy dancing. "She wasn't having it so she took all the sweets out of the room and told me that if I wanted them later I had to help her learn a new dance."
"That's a cute story. I could see Azula doing that." She laughed and I kept my eyes on her eyes as she smiled wide.
I sat with her as we ate, danced with her again, and then I saw my uncle and father talking with a monk and I told her that it was my time to put on a show. She watched me and walk away and I was then pushed into the back.
I stripped down to my pants only, my uncle helped with the marks on my body, and then my father announced me.
I walked out and heard the drums. I got in my stances, created the dragon for the show, and I started to dance, showing the people around me, the Avatar, the power I had over my bending. I made the dragon grow and dance and fly above people as I did the moves my Uncle Iroh taught me.
When I was finishing I let it rise high into the sky, then he dived back down just above the Avatar and as it got close I made it spark off and it rained down in slow glittery ash.
I bowed when I was done and the whole place clapped loudly and as the Avatar made his appreciation known for the show I went to clean the marking off my chest and back.
I got dressed again and when I walked out I saw Katara on the dance floor with her father and as I made my way to where we had been sitting. When the song was done I was sure she would end up coming to the table again. But my father intercepted her and they started dancing and I started to tap the table with my fingers.
"You know nephew, if you want her to yourself, you could always cut in." I heard Uncle Iroh and I looked behind me as he sat down slowly.
"She's having fun Uncle. I'm sure if she wanted me to cut in, she would give me a sign." I told him and looked back at her before hearing my uncle laugh.
"So that is why you are watching her so closely." I smiled softly and then I felt a hand on my elbow.
"Care to dance brother dear?" Azula asked and I sighed but stood and started to dance with her until we got closer to my father and Katara. "Father can we switch I want to go over some plans I have with you." Azula sent him a wide smile and I was grateful for her smart thinking.
"Of course. Katara, thank you." My father spun her out and towards me and I spun Azula to my father before my hands closed around her waist. My fingers felt her bare skin and I pulled her in so we were chest to chest.
"I liked your demonstration." She told me and I smiled. "The marking you had were from the Sun Warrior times right?"
"They were. Uncle spent time with them when he was younger, he taught me the dance and he gave my the symbols. Guessing you're well read on them since you know why they are." I assumed and she nodded slowly.
"We have a few fire bender history files as well as Earth and Air. Most of our books and scrolls are based on water tribe nation past and spirits." She told me and I nodded slowly and she went on to tell me how she was reading one Earth Kingdom historical romance about Omashu.
"Tale of Two Lovers?" I asked her and she nodded slowly and I smiled. "That's my favorite one, proven to be true and authentic." I told her and she nodded and started telling me her favorite part as we dance through the next song.
Even after the night ended I couldn't help but see her wide smile and hear her voice talking to me. I slept and thought about how our trip was going to be spectacular, especially after her birthday.