Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender copyright Dante Dimartino, Brian Konietzko and Nickelodeon Studios.


Katara kept staring at the arm wrapped protectively around her waist, emotions grappling for dominance. Currently anxiety was winning. She didn't know what she'd expected, but this wasn't it. Zuko was acting like nothing had changed between them!

She titled her head, trying to catch a glimpse of his face. A part of her hoped she'd catch him smiling down at her but his stern gaze remained fixed on the horizon, his expression a direct contrast to the tenderness of his grip.

She wondered when it had happened, when their friendship had become something more, and why he hesitated now.