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Katara knew that if she continued to lean her forehead against Zuko's, her face would nudge her and her lips would somehow find their way onto his. So she took her time drying the tears from his face before letting them slowly slide down his face and to her sides. She gave him a final look before she noticed a sweet scent that invaded her nostrils. When she finally forced her eyes away from Zuko's, she looked down at the plate with the small round balls pierced by skewers and glazed with a brown substance.

"Oh, yeah. I was making these," he took the plate, "as a way to cheer you up. Especially since you had been sleeping for so long."

Katara smiled before nodding at him. Katara was expecting both of them to go back to their usual selves of cracking jokes and teasing each other, but the first thing Katara said when they both settled on two chairs by the kitchen counter was: "My mother died last April and she had given me this necklace right before it."

Zuko simply sat there, looking at her. But she knew he was contemplating his every move around her. And she loved that about him. He had served some green tea in a tea cup with no handles. The scent was soothing and staring at her reflection was the only thing that kept her mind focused on the story, and the story alone.

She continued. "We were in a car." Her voice cracked, feeling the lump in her throat re-emerge. "Everything happened so fast and I-" Her eyes closed and she faced away from the tea cup for a minute before taking a deep breath.

When she returned her eyes to her reflection, she started again. "Ever since then I have been." She bit her lower lip and, as if her body had taken over her mind, her hand made its way to her elbow, rubbing it. "I've been- I've wanted to die ever since."

"I've wanted to die ever since."

No.

"The paramedics told me that they had to sedate me because I wouldn't stop reaching for a sharp object. That's why-" she gestured her head back. And he knew she was referencing the incident at his uncle's teashop.

He knew that the usual 'I'm sorry' would be futile in this situation. All this while he was hoping to take the role of her supporting rock until her mother returned but to think that she never- Zuko didn't want to finish the thought. All he knew was that he would- no- that he wanted to be her rock for however long she wanted him to be. She had her brother, Sokka, but he would not hesitate to be the first one to pull her into a tight hug and not let go until she was visibly losing her breath.

Although the situation with his mother was nothing in comparison, he thought that it might still help. So he said, threading on each world with absolute care. "I… My mother left our family when I was very young. She's out there," he shrugged, "somewhere."

He rubbed his thumb on the tea cup. "My father knows where she is but he won't tell us, or me. Azule doesn't really care."

"That's awful, Zuko. I-" He brought his palm up to stop her. He didn't want to make her feel as though her feelings couldn't compare.

"The reason why he is withholding the information from me is because," his eyes closed trying to calm the rising anger with heavy breaths, "I never wanted to study business. I wanted to do something that would actually change this world, for the better. Not continue a business that has committed atrocious deals to get to the top and a business that continues to look past their breach of ethical laws and labour rights."

He sighed. "But if I ever wanted to know where mother was I would have to take business and become the head of the business. My mother left with no hint to where she could possibly be so I… I just have to do what my father says."

Right there he felt Katara's soft hands on his. He looked at her to see, not pity, but sympathizing eyes. Something he didn't know he appreciated more than anything. "I'm sorry, Zuko."

"No, I'm- I didn't mean to take away from your story. I just thought…"

She smiled. "You thought that telling a similar story would make me feel better."

Zuko's lips straightened. "Did it-" she nodded.

She gave him a wider smile. "I feel less lonely, now."

"Really?!"

She nodded again.

He smiled to himself. "I'm glad. Erm," he took one of the skewers with 4 balls, "my mother used to make these whenever I was sad or in a bad mood. They are my favorite treat. They are called dango."

"Dango?" She said while picking a skewer for herself, rotating it to observe each side.

"Although it's a traditional treat from my country, I always considered these to be my mom's special 'never-seen-before' recipe."

Katara covered a chuckle with her mouth and he noticed how his hands were making 'jazz hands'. He quickly hid them under the counter, looking away from her with a slight pout which made Katara burst into fits of laughter. He grinned to himself. Never in a million years did he think that he, Zuko, would ever, willingly, pull a pout. But if it was for the sake of hearing Katara's beautiful laugh then it was worth it.

Their night continued with Zuko pulling the most ridiculous faces and telling the most nonsensical jokes he never thought he would do. And Zuko realised that, throughout the night, he wasn't embarrassed by this newfound side of him. In fact, it was a side that allowed him to be happy and not give a care in the world. He was… relaxed. And he could be himself without anybody making any snarky comments on how 'out of character' or 'lame' he was being.

Once the dangos were gone and their tea cups emptied, Zuko thought it best to go to sleep. However, since Katara had been sleeping for a whole day her eyelids wouldn't close no matter how much she wanted them to. The only reason it was the same case for Zuko was because Katara wouldn't keep her hands to herself.

She would poke his sides, nudge his legs with hers, and ruffle with his pillows. Then she started becoming more… intimate. She would make circles with her fingers on his chest, waiting for a reaction. When that didn't work she would go a finger through his abs. He sneaked a look while she was busy with his abs and couldn't suppress a smile at her pout.

He heard her move around and suddenly he could feel a warm breath around his cheek, followed by a finger. And that finger pressed deeper, deeper, and deeper until his face turned towards the woman he loved.

"Katara. Sleep."

"No."

. . . .

She gave him a 'hmph' before laying down again. It wasn't long before she did this, though- "Zuko." She moaned with a childlike voice. She proceeded to wrap her arms around his and pull it with her as she turned over. "Play with me."

Oh, she was so! He thanked the spirits that the room was dark because the tightness in his groin could not be contained anymore. And if he tried to move, just a tiny bit, he knew she would feel his erection. It didn't help that his arm was now pressed against her chest- her breasts! Her breasts were as soft and comfy as he had imagined them to be and he could only imagine what they would feel like in his mouth. Had she been her girlfriend he would play with her, alright! And he would make sure that his name was all she could say once he was done with her.

She couldn't believe she had said that! There was no way that a woman, in bed with a man, could mean those words in any innocent way. And she knew that his arm was basically nuzzled in between her breasts but she… she didn't care. She liked it. A lot. And she knew she was terribly wrong for it. Yet, no voice was scolding her or reminding her of someone's existence this time.

No.

Just for tonight, she thought, she wanted to know what it felt, or had, felt like to be Mai. Just for tonight.

And as if the spirits of La heard her silent prayer, Katara heard Zuko move. And before she knew it, he had slung his other arm around her, pulling her close to him. "Don't tell me I never did you a favour."

Katara opened her mouth to speak until she felt a… thing poke her behind. "Zuko, what's tha-"

She heard him smirk and her face flushed in the deepest shade of red she had ever felt. She- he- his! Oh La, how did he expect her to fall asleep now when her mind was now on something else? And her mouth, especially, wanted to be somewhere else. No! Katara had to stop before those thoughts became… a reality. So she closed her eyes, tight. And she didn't open them until sleep would take her.

And it seemed like that sleep never came to her.

"Katara, don't cry." He cupped her cheeks into his hands and wiped the incoming tears away. "It's just a little over a month."

It had been 2 months since that night. It had been 2 months since Zuko and Katara decided that continuing their group project at Zuko's house was a better idea. For the sake of avoiding Mai, and for the sake of protecting Katara from Jet in case Zuko wasn't there. In that time it had felt like him and Katara were an actual couple; the only thing separating them being the distance.

He couldn't forget the times Katara would "accidentally" brush her hands against his, using his oversized shirts to make herself comfy or ruffle his hair at random moments. There were moments that made him wish he could have pulled her into a kiss, though. When she would sit hip to hip with him on the couch, or when she would lean her head against his shoulder when they were working from his bed, or… especially, that time they were watching a movie on his bed and she had fallen asleep. With her arms around his waist, holding him close to her.

Azula once went to Ty Lee's place for a sleepover for a week and she offered her room to Katara, which was totally out of character for Azula but Zuko shrugged it off. Katara had declined the offer, and instead decided for Zuko's room. Zuko had, in turn, had the absolute pleasure, luck, blessing of waking up next to Katara.

He could never forget the calmness of her sleeping face and it had never failed to put a smile on his face. Or when she would nuzzle closer to him in her sleep. Or when she would make him wrap his arms around hers because she was having nightmares. Or when she would cook him some of the most delicious food he had ever tasted in his life. Or when they would sit up all night doing… all kinds of stuff. Or when they-

"I'm going to miss you."

He saw a blush form across her cheeks. They were at the airport, Sokka and Suki, were around as well, somewhere. . Since there were none he recognised he pulled Katara into a tight hug. "I'm really going to miss you, even if it's for a month."

Zuko knew that he was being more emotional than his usual self and so he leaned into her ear. "These were the last words of my mother before she left us."

Her arms immediately rung themselves around him, tightly. "Zuko, I-"

"I know we will see each other again, it's just…"

She shook her head against his chest. "I understand." He heard her grin. "That's why we should video chat every other day from now."

He smirked. "That would be lovely." He took his time in letting go of her. And for the remainder of the little time they had left together they just enjoyed each other's company. In silence.

Mai had tried to contact him over the 2 months but he hadn't replied. In fact he opened up about it to Katara. Something he didn't think he would do, either. And she had been supportive of him to follow his heart. And his heart was telling him that he would be a fool to take Mai back and not try to, at least, take a shot with Katara. As much as he had come to cherish their friendship, he wanted to hold her for longer periods of time. Well, longer than they are now. And he wanted to feel her. Everywhere. Thoroughly.

Unfortunately, it hadn't stopped Mai from trying to see him. One time she was waiting outside of the complex. He was thankful for Katara being there at the moment because she had turned off the intercom, took his hand and followed him back to his room where they went on a movie marathon. He had kissed her on the forehead as thanks. And that had been the closest he had ever gotten to kissing her and he- he wanted more. And he was going to miss her. How he wished he could accompany her back home.

After finding out that Katara and Sokka were siblings he had come to feel like family when he hung out with the two of them. Sigh. He was going to miss them. Truely. His crush and his best friend. Gone. For a month. And he was stuck in Republic City because he would rather drain toilets than spend Christmas with his father.

Good afternoon, passengers. This is a pre-boarding announcement for flight 12A.

Zuko took a deep breath before releasing it into a defeating exhale. He saw from the corner of his eye Katara rising from her seat. He followed her lead, finding it difficult to look at her because he knew it would be the last before Christmas was going to seperate them.

"Ka-"

She threw herself on him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He caught her, as he always would. "You're making it hard to say goodbye, you know."

"Shut up, Zuko." She said, but based on her tone he could tell she was fighting back the tears.

She whispered into his neck. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Katara." Was all he could say. When his eyes looked up he saw Sokka with his hand luggage, making his way to them. He internally sighed before letting her go. As he was about to speak, he felt two plump lips on his cheeks before cobalt blue eyes stared right into his soul. Her hands were gripping his, tightly.

"Promise me that you will take care of yourself."

He nodded. "I will."

This is the final boarding call for passengers booked on flight 12A to Northern Water State. Please proceed to gate 5.

As each passing second drew the sensation of her fingers were disappearing, leaving only traces of her scent behind. His fingers betrayed him and pulled closer to that source of warmth, peace and tranquility but as her feet began to move back he knew it would be futile to make her stay. He knew… that by the time those cobalt blue eyes, soft brown wavy hair and smile was lost amongst the crowd, it was too late.

And even though time had been lost in the new faces that had gone by, his eyes were still stuck at the place she had stood. He had never felt such a sense of longing since his mother left him. But this time, he reminded himself, she would come back. And he would ask her to be his by then.

A month to relax from such a hectic semester, is what they should remind themsleves of. But knowing how these stories goes, not for them. Especially not for Katara ;)

Thanks for reading.

See you later!