A/N: I apologize for the wait. I really wanted to take my time with this chapter. I didn't want the quality of the story to drop, so I chose not to rush it.
I own nothing.
Green
Navigating his way through the commercial district of Ba Sing Se had become second nature to Zuko fairly quickly after moving to the city almost four months ago - Iroh had the teashop up and running almost immediately after and for a time Zuko had worked there, at first he worked the register but it became abundantly clear his ever-present scowl wasn't fit to be the face of the Jasmine Dragon, Zuko was only too happy to get relegated to kitchen duty where he didn't have to talk to customers and his one job was to wash dishes. He was happier still when Iroh had finished hiring all the help he needed and Zuko didn't have to work there anymore. Not that that stopped Iroh from calling him up occasionally to run a delivery when the boy he hired had the night off or lock up when he had his pai-sho night.
Pulling his car into the small staff parking lot behind the teashop he felt the familiar feeling of returning home- granted he hated tea just as much as his uncle loved it but the shop always had a feeling of safety and comfort to it. He wondered if that feeling was simply because the shop was Iroh's and he knew he could always find him there- Iroh would spend more time there than he did at his house in the residential district. Zuko always admired the dedication Iroh would put into any task he'd take on, including becoming the surrogate father to his broken wayward teen nephew.
"I'm a little nervous" Katara spoke in time to pull him from the threat of his dark thoughts. "Isn't that kinda funny?" She added with a nervous laugh as she ran her long fingers down the seat belt across her chest.
"Kinda" he offered a soft almost laugh as he turned to face her. She met his pure honey-coloured eyes through the black lashes of her azure eyes. He felt his breath catch at the direct view of her blushing face. Immediately he averted his gaze, his palm flat to the back of his neck. That look she gave him held too much power for him to hold his stare. His heart was beating at a mile a minute, part of him hoped she couldn't hear it.
"My Uncle loves you, he used to talk about you a lot" he reassured, taking several attempts to clear his now dry throat. "More than I did," he added, as he kept his eyes fixed out of the driver's side window.
"I guess that makes sense. I left you after all" she spoke so softly he almost missed it. His face flushed as he felt a panic in his gut, he hadn't meant it like that. He'd meant to reassure her that she had nothing to be nervous about. He cursed inwardly as he wracked his brain for a way to try and soothe the situation over, he'd never blamed her for leaving. Not once.
Tell her then. The voice in his head chastised.
"Kat-"
"Does your uncle know we're coming?" She asked a little too brightly as she turned her eyes back to him, her smile a little too forced. He thought better of it but he took her cue, she didn't want to talk about it. Maybe it was an as painful memory for her as it was for him? He mentally slapped himself for the thought.
What do you mean maybe? Of course, it was. You were there, Zuko. The little voice hissed at him, causing him to flinch. It was right though, he'd never forgotten the look in her eyes or the way she'd held him. Not even for a second.
"Ah, no. I figured we'd just surprise him" he replied after a moment that was perhaps a little bit too long. If she'd noticed she didn't mention anything, she'd never did. She had always just taken his awkwardness in her stride, accepting it as part of him when even he didn't want to.
"Let's go surprise him then," she said as a more organic grin spread across her face, a little mischief sparkled in her eyes as she freed herself from the seatbelt, he wanted to open the door for her but by the time he'd managed to move she'd already gotten out of the car and was closing the door behind her.
"Lead the way" she smiled as she came around the car to stand by his side. His fingers itched to reach out and encase her smaller hand in his, to feel her fingers intertwined with his again, the way he used to when they were teens. He remembered how he would sometimes wrap his arm around her narrow shoulders and pull her against his side, normally when they were watching a movie or idly wasting time on the Internet, she used to tuck her head into the space between his shoulder and jaw, her wild curls used to tickle his neck, there was a good few times they'd fallen asleep like that.
The memories brought a wave of nostalgia flooding through him, he missed those days. The days when he could just reach out and grab her hand, wrap his arms around her shoulders and hold her against his chest or even tilt her chin to him so he could place a soft kiss on her plush lips or across her face. He felt a gnawing grow in his gut. If he was being completely honest he just wanted Katara back. He wanted to be her boyfriend again, not her ex-boyfriend or friend, hers. He wanted to be hers and for her to be his. It had felt right that way.
Katara felt her sense of familiarity as she walked through the door to Iroh's new tea shop, the gentle tinkle of the windchimes that sounded when Zuko had opened the door for her brought warmth to her chest. She smiled at him in gratitude as she allowed her eyes to take in her surroundings, the shop was deceptively larger than it had appeared from the front, the walls were lined with earthy-coloured booths, while the centre had varying sizes of round tables, all dark wood. The walls were painted a shade of cream with the softest touches of green, bringing a warmth and lightness to the room, and covered in the most scenic mountainscapes and grasslands Katara had ever seen. Along the farthest wall was a register with a pastry display case, several teapots and cups lined behind. Along the roof, instead of gaudy chandeliers or room darkening lampshades were exposed light bulbs in what looked like intricately designed bird cages.
This shop looked nothing like the shop she had once worked in and yet something about it was so familiar that she felt a tug in her chest, maybe it was the scent of green tea and ginseng in the air or the large hand-painted mural of a white lotus on the wall to the right of the large room or maybe even the beautifully elegant decor but this tea shop just felt comforting. Like Iroh.
"It's beautiful" Katara gaped at the room as she took in all the delicate splendour. She noticed there were a few other patrons inside, some reading books to themselves with a steaming cup in front of them, others quietly chatting between themselves, but the shop was relatively quiet.
"Yeah, Uncle spent months on the design before we moved up here" Zuko replied as he began to make his way to the counter, that admiration and softness that Zuko always displayed when talking about his beloved uncle was so clear on his face that she felt another tug in her chest. Katara found it hard to look away from his handsome face as she followed him, the only reason she did was so she didn't trip over a stray chair and make a complete fool of herself.
"Zuko! It's so nice to see you again" the pretty girl behind the counter beamed as they approached. The girl didn't even so much as give Katara a second glance.
"Hi Jin, is my uncle around?" Zuko asked, his eyes scanning the area behind the girl called Jin. Katara kept her eyes fixed on the girl who was practically drooling all over the counter, she had already been irritated that she didn't so much as throw a glance in her direction but now she could feel anger brewing in her gut.
He isn't yours Katara. The Suki voice all but sang at her. The reminder should have calmed her down but only lit the fire further. That didn't matter all that much to Katara, he was still the boy she loved. This girl would have a serious fight on her hands if she tried to make a move while Katara was in earshot.
"He's in his office, want me to go get him?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice that made Katara want to gag, the girls fluttery eyelashes were almost sweeping the counter as she stared wide-eyed at Zuko. Katara bit down on a scoff, she looked ridiculous, like a baby bird waiting to be fed by its mother.
"No, that's fine. I'll go back and see him" Zuko said as he craned his head in the direction of the doorway to the right of the girl. Katara gave Jin a hard stare as she folded her arms over her chest, She'd never been jealous before Zuko or after him either, but she always got that way when other girls would look at him with that wistful look in their eyes. Like he was a prize to be won from her. She hated it. He was a person he had a choice and he had chosen her- she cut off her familiar rant inside her head.
He isn't your boyfriend anymore, Katara. This time that niggling voice sounded like Sokka, she felt her blood boil inside her veins thinking about earlier that day. She was still so angry with her brother, she made a mental note to ask Suki and Yue tomorrow about how the whole conversation between them happened. She hadn't had the time to properly listen earlier but she looked forward to hearing all about how her friends had given her brother a dressing down.
"Kat?" Zuko's concerned voice broke through her thoughts as she turned to look at him, she felt embarrassment and shame swirl in her gut as she met his golden eyes. She offered him an apologetic smile, as she mentally cursed herself for thinking about Sokka when she was out with Zuko. She made a silent promise to herself to not think about her stupid big brother again tonight.
"I'm sorry, I was in a world of my own," she said softly. He didn't pry, she didn't expect him to, he always respected her space. It was one of the things she loved so much about him.
"Do you want to come back with me?" He asked. Her heart leapt as if he'd just asked her to get back with him. She cursed her hopeful selective hearing. In her defence, the sentences were similar enough for her romantic heart to make that leap. Reigning in her foolish heart she offered him the same grin she had done outside.
"I'll wait here. He won't expect me and then we can surprise him" Katara's heart did a full turn inside her chest as he returned her grin.
S-sexy. She thought, her usually confident inner voice becoming equally as flustered at the site of the mischief sparkling in his Amber eyes. She felt heat rise from her toes and spread through to her face before nestling itself nicely in her belly.
"If you insist" his voice low and raspy and not doing anything to stop the prickling heat that was coursing through her veins. She swallowed hard as she watched his broad back retreating from her, part of her wanted to reach out and pull him back to her, she wasn't entirely sure what she'd do once she had him in her grasp again but she was positive they'd both enjoy it.
"So, you know Zuko?" Jin spoke finally acknowledging Katara's presence. Katara felt that heat that had been slowly taking over her retreat and replaced itself with another kind of heat. She wasn't a massive fan of the tone Jin had used or the way her brown eyes stared at her.
"That's pretty obvious, don't you think?" Katara returned as she threw her arms over her chest and cocked an eyebrow at the girl.
"Well, just to let you know, I've been chasing him for months now. And I think he might like me back" Jin returned. She was bold, Katara had to give her that. Katara eyed the girl for the moment deciding if a scoff was too much.
Months? Katara could see her months and raise her two and a half years, and not only had she chased Zuko, but she'd caught him too. And if this girl thought she'd be successful with doe-eyes, fluttery eyelashes and that stupid grin on her face then she was wrong and in the slim chance, she managed to catch his attention Katara was willing to battle her for it.
"That's doubtful," Katara replied as she cocked her hip.
"And why exactly is that?" Jin challenged with a quirk of her own neatly groomed eyebrow. She was pretty, Katara had to give her that, but you needed more than being pretty to catch the attention of someone like Zuko.
"Because he's with me" Katara replied with a slight raise of her chin to emphasise her point. She wasn't lying technically he was with her, in a proximity sort of way, but that wasn't the meaning Katara was hoping Jin would take. She knew she was being petty, catfighting with a barista over her ex-boyfriend, she knew that. But she just couldn't stop herself from replying to her jabs with her own. She'd probably die of embarrassment if Zuko actually saw or even heard this spat but she just didn't care. Jin had tried Katara first and Katara was nothing if not stubborn.
"I already said no Uncle" Zuko's groaning voice appeared through the doorway before he did, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. Whatever the conversation had been going on between them it was obvious Zuko was done having it. Both Katara and Jin turned at the same time to see Zuko let out a long sigh.
"It would just be for the night, Nephew. Can't you do this ageing man a favour?" The warm voice drifted through the space between them and wrapped itself around Katara like a comforting blanket, she fought back the sudden tears stinging the corners of her eyes, the spat with Jin and the territoriality she'd been feeling immediately forgotten.
"I said no uncle. I already told you I can't" Zuko huffed.
"You did, but you neglected to tell me why that was Nephew" Iroh chided softly. Katara felt her heart squeeze as the short rotund old man with the grey beard appeared from the doorway, following on his nephew's heels with a grace and elegance a man of his age and build should not have been able to achieve.
"Shouldn't no be enough?" Zuko replied he was more animated than Katara had seen him since they were teens. Iroh always pulled that out of him. Katara admired that, Zuko was always at his most comfortable around his Uncle, she'd always counted herself lucky enough to see that side of him by proximity.
"You say no far too often Nephew, perhaps saying yes to more would help you feel fulfilled" Iroh offered in his wise old voice. "Like saying yes to a delivery shift for your old Uncle" he added.
Katara couldn't help but smile. Iroh had always been a past master at emotional blackmail, but he always managed to do it in such a way that no one was offered and everybody felt as if it had been their choice, to begin with. Katara herself had been on the receiving end of those proverb-turned-chores on more than one occasion while she was working for Iroh. Then she'd grumble, about his skills and wished she possessed them, while she worked her way through whatever odd job Iroh had needed doing, now they brought a warmth to her heart.
Zuko just replied to his uncle with another groan, his fingers running through his long hair and down the back of his neck. He rolled his head in Katara's direction as if to ask her for help but the look on her face caught him off guard. Soft and full of affection, it warmed him.
"I can't uncle because I'm already out with someone" Zuko replied as he met the golden eyes of his uncle. Iroh returned his nephew's stare with one of his own, his head tilted in question. Zuko flicked his head in Katara's direction.
Katara seized as Iroh's golden eyes, identical to Zuko's, fell on her. She felt the butterflies in her stomach take off as she shuffled nervously from foot to foot.
"Zuko, your friend is a rare beauty" Iroh whispered unsuccessfully as he gave Zuko a light elbow in his side.
"You don't remember me, Mr Iroh?" Katara spoke finally, managing to summon the words to her dry mouth. She watched as Iroh turned to her for a moment, his eyebrow cocked in confusion before the realisation spread across his face.
"Miss Katara! Is that you? My how you've grown!" He laughed as he made his way over to her. Katara had to blink the tears forming in her eyes as she returned the hug Iroh was offering her. He was as warm as she had remembered and his embrace equally as strong and reassuring, almost like receiving a hug from her late grandfather.
"It's been a long time" Katara laughed as Iroh released her from his iron embrace, she could see the lines of age soften on his face as he gave her a bright toothy grin.
"Too long, Miss Katara, too long. And I thought I told you to call me uncle?" He reprimanded lightly. Katara fought the lump in her throat as she nodded in response.
"Of course, Uncle" she forced through, much to the delight of the old man before her. She lifted her face to smile at Zuko, he was leaning against the counter watching the scene with a small smile on his face.
"Nephew!" Iroh called as he turned to mock glare at Zuko, causing him to straighten immediately "How could you betray your uncle like this? Keeping Miss Katara's presence from this old man" he added.
"We only ran into each other again yesterday" Zuko argued as he lifted his hands and shook his head, his long bangs moving as he did. Katara didn't notice the hard glare Jin was giving her.
"That's still too long. My days are numbered" Iroh replied as he shook his head. Zuko let out another groan as he folded his arms over his broad chest.
"I'm sorry, Uncle. If I happen to run into Katara again after two years I'll let you know immediately" Zuko replied somewhat dryly. Katara felt a smile crack her face as Iroh just nodded in acceptance of his nephew's sarcastic response.
"See that you do" Iroh nodded as she turned his attention to Jin behind the counter, she smiled at him. "Jin, my dear, get these two whatever they want, on the house"
"Actually, I'd rather pay uncle" Zuko replied as he sheepishly flicked his eyes to Katara and back to his uncle.
"Oh?" Came the response from Iroh, the old man understanding his nephew's insistence, he repeated Zuko's gaze, following from Katara back to his Nephew. A knowing smile breaking his face, before he nodded at Jin.
"Come Katara, you must tell your uncle all about how you ended up in this wonderful city" Iroh smiled as he patted Katara's hand and lead her to a booth, Zuko felt grateful to his uncle had he not distracted Katara she would have probably protested and tried to pay for herself.
Katara sat across from Iroh chatting idly about her classes at the college or about how her family was doing, she gave a summary on Sokka, deciding she didn't break her promise as she didn't bring him up. A few minutes later Zuko slid in next to Katara and placed a clear plastic cup in front of her. She eyed the drink for a moment, without so much as taking a sip she could already tell what drink he'd picked for her.
"Green tea and Jasmine, iced. It's your favourite right?" He asked softly. It had been, back when she was working with Iroh, she used to enjoy the bitter taste of the green tea and the light fragrance of the sweet jasmine, she'd even preferred the drink iced over hot so she could drink it in-between serving customers and not comprise the taste- much to Iroh's shock. she couldn't necessarily say it was her favourite anymore, she hadn't drunk any tea since she'd left Crystal Bay, it had reminded her too much of the boy she'd left behind and the tea shop she'd spent most of her time in.
He remembered. She thought to herself softly. Her chest warming, since her teen years she gained an appreciation for sweeter drinks, she'd figured having a Starbucks in walking distance from her house had contributed to her newfound love of coffee smothered in cream and syrup. But she wasn't going to tell either of them that Iroh would likely kick her out of his tea shop for the insult. So instead she smiled and nodded, and took a sip.
And it was because of this love for the sweeter drinks that Katara was immediately alerted to the fact that not only did her drink house the usual bitterness of the green tea but another bitterness entirely.
Salt. Katara identified as she let the cold liquid warm in her mouth. She didn't have to raise her eyes to know the barista was eyeing her from her spot behind the cash register, a barely concealed smirk behind her hand.
Bitch. Katara cursed inwardly. Now she had a conundrum, spitting the tea out would risk insulting Iroh and possibly Zuko who'd bought it for her, her next option would be to yell about how the barista had poured salt into her drink on purpose, but then she'd have to explain why she would have done that and Katara did not want Zuko finding out about her earlier spat, plus the girl could just say it was an accident and Katara would have made a scene in Iroh's place of business, and the third and final option would be to swallow the drink and pretend like nothing was wrong.
She chose the third option. This barista hadn't come to play, she was already making moves to eliminate her competition, but she hadn't met Katara. If she thought a tablespoon of salt was enough to scare her away she was sorely mistaken. Katara had grown up on her fathers cooking and the ex-militant wasn't a stranger to the seasoning either. So she swallowed the drink suppressing the telltale twitch of her eye as she did, not even bothering to give Jin the satisfaction of a glare. Katara would drink the whole thing if it meant Jin would get the idea.
After a few more minutes of light conversation, the tea shop picked up, the after-work rush, as Iroh called it. After a moment or two the whole shop had filled out and Iroh quietly excused himself from the booth, but not before ensuring that Katara returned soon. She could see all the burning questions in his eyes just waiting to uncover the last two years of her life and she wasn't sure she was ready to answer them, but Iroh had always held a special place in her heart and she knew avoiding that conversation wouldn't do her any good, so she promised she'd return.
"I thought this shop closed at six?" Katara asked softly as she eyed the now bustling shop, she'd have felt somewhat bad for the now very busy barista if she hadn't contaminated her drink. The sight of the girl's flustered face gave that petty part of her joy.
"No, it's ten. Once a month though uncle closes early and hosts a pai-sho night" Zuko half laughed into his cup, Katara could smell the sharp biting scent of coffee emanating from his cup. She guessed he still took his coffee black with no sugar, she pondered asking him for a sip to wash away the taste of salt that was drying out her mouth but thought better of it.
"Ah. Pai-sho?" She quizzed.
"Old people game. Uncle loves it, apparently, he's really good at it. I wouldn't know though, the rules have never made sense to me" he replies with a shake of his head.
"It's getting busy, maybe we should move so someone else can have the booth" Katara spoke as she eyed the growing line and shrinking available seats. She spied Jin eyeing her from the corner of her eye, Katara felt the raise in her gut again, the cracking dryness of her throat demanding some vengeance. Without thinking too much about it she shuffled herself in closer to Zuko, ignoring the sparks and goosebumps that ran up her flesh. Jin's cheeks puffed, Katara laughed inwardly, she would've wrapped her arm around Zuko's too if she didn't think it would be a step too far.
"Are you hungry? We could go get some food" Zuko asked softly, in her pettiness it hadn't occurred to her exactly how close she'd shuffled in next to him so when she felt his warm breath brush across her cheek or hear the cool rasp of his voice so clearly in her ear she almost jumped. Turning to face him she was met with his burning gold eyes only inches away from her own, despite the girliness in her demanding she turn away and blush she didn't. She held his gaze. Her blue eyes searching his before they fell on his lips.
He's so close... She thought to herself, as her eyes lingered longer than they should have. Her bottom lip finding its way between her teeth.
Does he know what he does to me?... the voice sounding more and more distant the longer their eyes lingered on each other.
I could just… she felt herself closing the distance between them, leaning into him like her heart had demanded her to do since she first saw him again in between the rows of books, his breath kissing her bottom lip as she freed it from her toothy grip.
A loud vibration echoed off the hardwood of the tabletop breaking her from the trance his mesmerising eyes had put her in. Quickly she looked away, clearing her throat as she did. A part of her felt disappointed but the other part of her rationalised it wasn't the right time, not here. Not now in the middle of this busy tea shop with what felt like all of the city to watch.
Picking up her phone she looked at the caller ID screen and whatever was left of her wonderful trance dissolved into a pit of anger. Sokka. She huffed before hitting the power button on her phone. She wasn't ready to talk to her brother especially not right now, the fact that he had even tried to call her only added to her already mounting fury at her brother. He knew she was out and he knew who with.
"You said food? I'm starving, let's go" Katara smiled as she stuffed her phone to the bottom of her bag, before turning to face him. To her surprise he had turned away from her, his mouth resting in his hand, she could see the tip of his good ear was tinged pink. She felt a smile slip onto her face.
"Zuko?" She pressed her palm against his arm, feeling him jolt and then relax before he turned back to her. "You said you were hungry"
"Y-yeah. Let's go" Katara noted his voice was slightly higher than usual. She felt a spark of pride knowing she could make him flustered too.
As they rose to their feet Zuko offered a wave to his uncle behind the counter who returned it before going back about whatever task he was doing. Katara spied his free hand hanging lamely by his side, again she didn't think too much of it as she slipped her hand into his. The warmth of his skin rushed her body through her palm, the lingering sense of familiarity that they'd been locked in since yesterday exploded in every nerve of her body, the sparks sending immediate shock waves up her arms. The sudden burst of energy between them both surprised and excited her but she didn't pull away.
And neither did he, his fingers linking with hers like they were two pieces of the same puzzle, fitting nicely together as if they were two parts of the same whole. It felt right. Wordlessly he led her out of the teashop on to the busying streets of the commercial district where even then he held her hand.
After a small debate about what food they wanted to eat, Katara wanting something sweet, to combat the salty taste in her mouth, Zuko wanting something spicy they settled on pizza - Zuko could have all the chillies he wanted and Katara could have her dessert pizza, the best of both worlds - the conversation was light and centred mostly around Iroh and Hokoda, neither party willing to sully the easy mood they'd settled into with discussing the pasts they were both so ashamed of.
By the time Zuko had looked at his phone, it was well after nine PM, his eyes drifting to the window behind where Katara had been sitting, before she excused herself, he realised the sun was almost fully set and the commercial district had all but closed up business for the day and transformed itself into the night. He could see the obnoxious neon signs beginning to turn on as the doormen stood sentinel outside doorways blocked off with velvet rope, the music pulsating out onto the street and reverberating through the floor.
He knew it wouldn't be long before the commercial district would be lined with people out looking for a good time, inebriated and looking for fights or other forms of drunken entertainment. The idea turned his stomach, he never understood the joy people took in drinking themselves into oblivion and acting like fools while their inhibitions melted away, better still, the allure of the hangover and the splitting headache coupled with slices of memory's from acts performed with said inhibitions lowered only served to further reduce his desire to get blackout drunk.
And you don't want to end up like your mother. The voice crept in. He shook his head immediately as he found a sudden interest in a napkin, that needed shredding, on the table.
He didn't have to sit too long alone with his thoughts before the comforting sound of Katara's voice sounded behind him. He didn't quite catch what she'd said but it didn't much matter, he could tell from the look on her face she was more than likely talking about the conditions of the bathrooms. He already knew he'd been to the men's and he was willing to bet whatever she saw he'd seen worse.
"It's dark already?" Katara asked as she took her seat back in front of him, he was always amazed by her beauty no matter what situation she was in, she managed to look pretty, and he'd seen her in some states as teenagers.
His mind drifted back to the time she'd decided to drag him on an early morning hike in a bid to be more at one with nature, an idea she'd had from watching a documentary on his laptop the night before while he'd played video games blissfully unaware of what his girlfriend was planning behind him. She'd quickly abandoned the idea when she'd stepped in a puddle, leftover from the rain the night before, that had come up to her waist. He should have helped her climb out but the image of her embarrassed puffy-cheeked face had made him laugh so hard he'd cried. Funnier still by the time she'd pulled herself out of it and realised she'd lost a sneaker.
The memory brought a smirk to his face as he tried to bite back his laughter. It didn't work as well as he had hoped it would as Katara turned to him a questioning tilt of her head.
"What's funny?" She asked non-combative, the sight of his smile bringing a small smile to her face.
"Nothing much, just a memory" he replied as he took a sip of his drink. The image of her angrily stomping through the centre of town covered in mud, dripping with one shoe on while she turned the air blue with her curses to nature, at seven in the morning widened the smirk on his face. He snorted again.
"I can tell from that smug look on your face, it's a memory where I embarrassed myself" Katara half chided half laughed as she smirked at him.
"There are so many" he teased.
"Okay, spit it out, which one?" She let out a deep sigh before leaning into the high leather back of the booth they were currently occupying.
"The hike" was all he had to say for her eyes to widen and the same big cheeked impression of a pufferfish spread across her delicate features.
"I don't see why that one is so funny, I lost a shoe" she grumbled, before sipping at her drink and averting her gaze.
"That's exactly why it's funny, that and the instant karma for dragging me out into the woods at the crack of dawn" he replied, the smirk still resident on his face.
"What? You like early! Loved it in fact. You love waking up more than any single person I know" she spoke incredulously, her arms flailing in what Zuko could only describe as her best impression of Sokka.
"I don't like the mud, Kat" he spoke dryly. She looked at him from the corner of her eye before her own face split into a smile.
"I guess it was a little funny. I had leeches in my underwear and mud where mud shouldn't be" she said with a snort as she leaned her head in her hand.
"I remember the teeth marks" he grinned slyly at the memory. The muddy hike and Katara's impromptu swim had been funny but the morning they'd spent in his shower while Iroh was at work had been the most fun. He felt a heat flare in his veins at the memory, they'd only been teens then. Despite their best efforts, it had been kind of awkward and a little rigid, he wondered if that'd be the case now…
"We had a lot of fun together didn't we?" Katara smiled wistfully as she swirled the straw around her soda. A part of him felt a little guilty for the way his mind went during their conversation, but he was a hot-blooded male after all and Katara no longer had a girl's body. He could see from the way those jeans hugged her curves that she was more woman now… he tipped the thought from his head.
Reign it in. You've held hands. He thought to himself, as he pushed the thoughts from his head.
"Yeah, we did" he replied, his thoughts now fully purified and back in innocent enough territory.
"I miss those days" she sighed, a smile still on her lips. He felt his heart tug inside his chest. So did he, he missed the innocence of wasting his days doing nothing and still having fun doing it, but on the other hand, he didn't really miss them all that much, everything that had seemed so apocalyptic-level important just didn't anymore. In a way he preferred being older, at twenty he no longer had to worry about his father recalling him home or his mother trying to have him move in with her, he had money- surprisingly enough to him his grandfather had left him a sizable trust fund- not that he really used it for anything other than living expenses, and he didn't have to answer to anyone he didn't want to.
Katara had been right though, they did have a lot of fun together.
"Do you trust me?" Zuko asked suddenly as a thought occurred to him.
"Not when you're making that face" Katara replied as she raised a brow at him.
"Probably a wise decision. Let's go" he replied as he lifted himself from his seat and offered her his hand. She took it, she didn't hesitate. He felt the same bolt of lightning shoot through him as he had done in his uncle's tea shop, she must have felt it too because she looked up at him through her lashes. His chest fluttered. It was almost a tradition now. One he welcomed.
"Oh, wait. I need to pay" Katara spoke as she dug in her bag for her purse.
"Already did when you were in the toilets" he replied with a nonchalant shrug.
"Zuko! I thought I was supposed to pay for the food?" She spoke her mouth pressed into a hard line, her free hand clutched to her purse.
"It's fine. You can get it next time" he said with a palm in the back of his head.
"Fine. But I'm leaving the tip" she grumbled as she fumbled in her purse for a note. He wasn't going to tell her he'd already left one, he knew her well enough to know that wouldn't have mattered anyway, she'd have just left double.
A few minutes later they were back inside his Camaro leaving the commercial district and all the party-goers in the rearview mirror. He noted she seemed less stiff about his car this time and instead of her initial awe just sunk into the seat, enjoying the luxury of the heated leather. He found he liked having her so relaxed In the passenger seat of his car, the way she moulded perfectly into the Italian leather or the way she chatted so naturally about all she could see from her window, the whole situation felt so comfortable.
After another ten minutes or so he pulled up onto a side street before turning his car off. She eyed him suspiciously, wondering what exactly his plan was before he reached over her seat, her heart pounded in her chest as the smoky scent of his cologne caressed her senses. As soon as he had, he was retreating, she felt embarrassed and if she was being honest the slightest tinge of disappointment as he pulled a jacket from the back seat.
"Here, it's getting cold" Zuko's raspy voice cut through her shame spiral as he offered her the black jacket. She took it while she grumbled thanks, as cute as her blouse was it was sleeveless and when the sun dropped below the horizon so did the temperature. She quickly slid herself into the jacket before following Zuko out of the car.
Zuko eyed Katara, if he had liked the sight of her in his car then he loved the sight of her in his clothes albeit his hoodie was too big for her and she'd had to pull the sleeves slightly up her arms to have use of her hands, but that didn't matter to him, she looked cute, and a little sexy regardless.
"Where are we?" She asked in an almost whisper as she took in the neat and clean ally they had found themselves in.
"Upper ring" he shrugged.
"Should have guessed, even the alleyways smell like money" She grumbled as she took a few steps closer to him. He nodded in agreement, he knew what she meant. The wealthy didn't concern themselves with poor people problems, and smelly trash was one of them. Most residential areas had a bin collection once a week while the wealthy had several, the garbage men would throw buckets of disinfectant down the alleyways too. That way the rich really did live a step above the poor. It always seemed like a waste of money to him, but it was his father's money and it was better off in the pockets of the garbage collectors than Ozai anyway.
"Come on, this way" he spoke, not bothering to regulate his volume the way Katara had. Wealth had been his world, he knew from experience that they wouldn't meet anybody on the streets. Most of the residents would be piled into one of their excessive manors engaging in topical conversation and drowning themselves inexpensive brandy and cigars. He rolled his eyes at the memories, dinner parties like that were always political and someone somewhere would be getting the raw end of a business deal come Monday. Big business decisions were always made on a Friday night over cognac and duck confit.
"What about your car?" Katara asked, her voice still hushed.
"I think it'll be fine" he replied dryly, casting a glance over his shoulder to where his luxury car sat nestled in the cleanest alleyway in Ba Sing Se.
It didn't take them long to reach their destination, a few streets over and a steep incline had them starting at a wall that looked to be made of old brick. Katara turned to look at Zuko. Her face flat.
"Where the hell are we?" She asked scanning the surrounding area to no avail. All she could see were the large houses at the base of the incline and the wall stretching for what seemed to be miles. As she turned back to him she could see him feeling along the wall, a sudden shifting of brick alerted her to what he was actually doing.
"I am not scaling this wall, Zuko Roku, that's breaking and entering" Katara spoke flatly as she gave him a warning look, her arms folded over her chest.
"Katara Kuruk, are you telling me you're afraid to bend the rules a little?" He threw over her shoulder with a grin.
"And you're not?" She hissed incredulously.
"I think we both know I've already had a few brush-ins with the law" Zuko replied as he rubbed his hands together, clearing them of the brick dust.
"Ah, how could I forget? You're the bad boy of Crystal Bay after all" she replied dryly as she watched him line his foot up with the hole he'd created in the wall, one hand finding purchase on another stray brick before he hoisted himself up. Katara had to admit she was impressed, he seemed to pull himself up with little to no struggle.
"And don't you forget it" he grinned down at her from atop the eight-foot wall, he threw one of his longs legs over to gain a steady base before raising his eyebrow at her.
"I am not climbing this wall" Katara huffed again.
"You don't have to, just put your foot in the hold and I'll pull you up" he rasped coolly as he watched her run her eyes from him down the base of the wall.
"What if I fall?"
"You won't"
"What if I do?" She asked again as she tilted her chin upwards to look at the Amber eyes boy starting back down at her, a smirk across his handsome face.
"Don't you trust me?" He asked, his voice still thick with his smile. Even from her spot on the ground, she could see his Cheshire cat smile and mischief dancing in his honey-coloured eyes.
"No" her reply was instant. To her surprise it was followed by a low chuckle, she looked back up to him, the sound travelled deep inside her filling her with its warmth.
"Where is your sense of adventure?" He asked, Katara wasn't sure if it was the look in his eyes or the pale outstretched hand that made her move but what she did know was, despite her earlier insistence, she would trust him with her life. So, despite her better judgement, she lined her foot the way he had gained a strong purchase before she reached for his hand.
Like he promised he hauled her up the wall, only a small grunt giving away any exertion he might have felt by lifting one hundred and ten pounds of dead weight eight foot into the air. She scrambled to position herself the way he had before murmuring her thanks and scanning the area on the other side of the wall.
A large building, yellowish in tint, with large thick green columns holding up an outcropped roof, stood proudly before her. An opulent and unnecessarily long staircase led up to two equally opulent doors with intricately painted gold accents. She noted the lights were off in the whole building save for a few floodlights that gave the front of the building a somewhat ominous appearance. She stared for a moment wondering what kind of building would need a wall this high before it dawned on her.
"Zuko! This is the Palace! We're breaking into the Palace?" She hissed as she stared at him in abject horror. His lips curled as she stared at her, that same mischievous grin occupying his handsome face.
"Technically it's a museum now. We're breaking into a museum" he corrected as she threw his other leg over the wall and lightly pushed himself off onto the platform that sat about a foot lower from the lip of the wall.
"Did all those chillies fry your brain? We could get arrested if we are caught" she spoke in a hushed hiss as her eyes darted around the premises, to her relief she couldn't see any guards patrolling.
"Would you relax? We are not actually going inside, and even if we did there's only one night guard and he's ancient" he threw over his shoulder as he continued walking the wall.
"Zuko! Zuko! Get back here. Zuko Roku!" She hissed after his retreating back. She heard another chuckle float through the air but he didn't stop walking.
"Are you coming?" He called to her as he raised a hand for her to follow.
She huffed again and she climbed from the part of the wall she'd occupied, she found herself grateful for not wearing a skirt or a dress because at least now when they were caught guards from below wouldn't get a good look at her underwear. Pulling Zuko's hood around her ears in a vain attempt to protect her identity she shuffled after him, cursing his name as she went.
"Nice of you to join me" his voice low and raspy and carrying more timber than Karara had ever heard him use, if she wasn't so mad at him for making her an accessory to his crime she'd have probably been a pool on the floor.
"You're enjoying this crime too much" Katara spoke, her voice hushed and slightly panicked as her eyes darted around the grounds of the palace/museum.
"We've been over this, I'm an outlaw. It's in my blood" he shrugged, a hard attempt at a joke. She stared at him flatly wondering if the chillies from his pizza really had fried his brain or if he'd potentially hit his head when he scaled the wall like a spider monkey.
"Let's just get this over with" Katara groaned as she pulled the hood tighter around her head, the smell of smoked sandalwood enveloping her senses.
"Close your eyes," he said deeply as they approached another set of stairs some eight hundred yards from where they'd first broke in. She eyed him nervously before deciding she'd already gone this far and she doubted that he'd come to the upper ring to throw her off the Palace Wall. She let out another sigh as she nodded. She felt her heart pound as he came up behind her and covered her eyes with his warm reassuring hands.
With a great amount of trust, from Katara, and clear instructions, from Zuko, the pair managed to make their way up the stairs and step out onto the farthest part of the wall.
"Can I look now?" She asked, feeling the warm summer breeze kiss her cheeks.
"Not yet" came the reply. They walked a little bit further before she felt him shift behind her, his body pressing gently against hers.
"Now?" She asked as they came to a stop.
"Now" he spoke against her ear, she could feel the heat of his warm breath through the layer of the hood. Her skin turning to gooseflesh as his low voice caressed against her senses bringing back that heat she'd felt when he'd grinned at her in Iroh's tea shop or when she caught the darkening of his golden eyes inside the restaurant. She almost whined when he removed his warm hands from her eyes and moved from behind her, and she would have if it wasn't for the gasp that escaped her at the sight laid out before her.
"Zuko… it's incredible" she whispered as she allowed her eyes to wander over the bright, sparkling lights of Ba Sing Se. She felt tears stinging in her eyes as she tried to eye each ring individually, under the gentle green-glowing lights of the city lampposts, illuminated as soon as the night kissed the horizon, the city looked whole and alive. Not separated by three enormous walls, designed to keep the lesser in the outskirts and the more opulent in the centre. From where Katara was standing it was the farthest ring that hummed with the most energy, like fireflies in a glass jar.
"I thought you might like it" he spoke as he leaned his hands against the once battlements.
"Like it, it's stunning. Like a river of light," she spoke softly as she took a step closer to the battlements.
"Worth the risk?" He asked, turning his head to face her.
"Worth the risk" she agreed as she cleared the distance between them. She held his Amber eyes, his stare as direct as hers, she felt her heart thump itself into a steady rhythm, an odd sense of calm washing over her. His eyes darted to her lips, lingering there before he lifted them back to her eyes. She nodded before reaching her fingers to brush his long bangs from his eyes, her fingertips brushing against his skin and electrifying it as she did.
Her breath was shallow as he dropped his head, his breath once again kissing her bottom lip, his own fingers coming up to her cheek before laying his palm flat and cupping her face like he'd been so desperate to do. She tilted her head upwards to meet his before finally, he closed the distance, their lips finally melting together after two years apart.
She felt fresh tears cling to her eyelashes as his lips guided hers, every nerve exploding in her body at the pressure of his warm mouth against hers. She felt a tear fall, hot, down her cheek before another fell, a whimper escaped her throat as she felt the pressure against his lips retreat.
"Why are you crying, pretty girl?" He asked so softly that it was almost lost in the space between them, both his hands cupped her face as his thumbs wiped away the falling tears.
"I'm sorry, I ruined it" she whispered as more crystalline tears fell from her azure eyes. Her own hands had balled up the sides of his shirt at some point during their kiss, holding him to her as if he'd float away if she let go.
"You didn't ruin anything" he replied so softly she wondered if words could break, like fragile glass or clay bowls.
"I missed you" she spoke around another soft whimper, as a fresh set of tears fell from her eyes.
"You have no idea how much I missed you" he replied as his thumbs went back to their fruitless work of wiping the tears away from her damp cheeks.
"Zuko…" she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her cheek against his broad chest. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, crushing her to his broad chest like he had wanted to do all night and letting the other hand smoothing down the hair at the back of her head.
He felt a sense of peace wash over him as he clung to the girl his heartbeat for, part of him believed this wasn't happening that he'd open his eyes to his dark teen room back in Crystal Bay, the space she'd laid in so many times empty of her. The larger part of him rationalised that he could feel the weight of her body, the warmth of her salty tears and the smooth silk of her hair under his palm as well as the pressure against his lips from where they'd kissed not a minute earlier.
They stayed clung to each other, the heat from their bodies mingling in the places they touched, looking out onto the green glow of the city. Her butterfly fingertips tracing patterns on his back and his rubbing soothing circles into hers, her light sobs still penetrating the night.
"Kat, if we don't move soon we might actually be caught" he rasped after a few minutes of stolen peace. She groaned against him, tightening her grip before softening it and nodding her head in acceptance before backing away from him. His body felt the heat retreating from him instantaneously, he grieved her touch and scent wrapped around his. But before her heat had completely left him she reached out her hand to him, he took it without hesitation.
"Lead the way, Outlaw" she teased a smile spreading on her face, her mocha skin blotchy from her tears. He returned her smile leading her by hand back to his car still tucked neatly away in the alleyway.
She watched his handsome profile from the passenger's side of his car, he glanced in her direction every so often before returning his eyes to the empty roads. Every time he did she could see his smile grow a little wider, she felt it in her soul.
Once they'd returned to campus it was well after eleven and the campus was silent. Most students, those who were old enough, would've been out at the bars and clubs in the residential district while those who weren't were probably all crammed into a hallway somewhere drinking cheap wine coolers and warm beer. Despite all the students his age partying, he was perfectly happy where he was. Kissing the plush lips of his love, her petite body wrapped in his arms. He didn't think his heart could have taken much more happiness without passing out.
"Do you think we're going too fast?" Katara asked softly as she leaned her head against his shoulder, him leaning on the hood of his car.
No. He answered inwardly.
"Maybe a little" he replied, knowing where this conversation was going.
"We only met up again yesterday right? So, maybe it's a little fast" she spoke with a sigh as she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes, her lips, now devoid of any of the pink gloss she'd been wearing earlier, slightly swollen from his lips.
"Katara, I'll go at whatever pace you want" he replied as he tightened his grip around her shoulders. She let out a satisfied hum before she placed her head back against his shoulder.
"I like kissing you though, really like it" she mumbled as her fingers began to trace nonsense patterns against his back.
"You can still kiss me, I'll allow it" he spoke in his best attempt to sound regal, she laughed softly against his chest.
"Guess that's fair, you're an outlaw, after all, you don't do rules" she added, she felt the rumble in his chest before the soft chuckle made it out of his mouth. They held each other for a moment longer before Katara broke the embrace, but not before placing a soft chaste kiss on his chest where her head had been earlier.
"I should go before the dorm mother freaks," Katara sighed, before pouting her bottom lip.
"Yeah, I should go before Hahn uses my bed as a makeshift footstool," Zuko said dryly, folding his arms over his chest.
"Your roommate is Hahn!?" Katara gaped her eyes wide.
"You know the guy?" Zuko replied, feeling a sense of dread. Of course, Katara knew Hahn, why wouldn't she? Nothing in his life could be simple.
"Not by choice" she added, half disgusted. "What's that even like?" The other half intrigued.
"Awful" came the flat face response.
"You should tell me about it sometime" Katara nodded as if agreeing with his earlier statement.
"How about Sunday?" He asked, surprised with his own smoothness, he knew he'd never be able to recreate that if he tried.
"What are we going to break into the space station this time so you can show me the stars?" She teased softly, her arms on her hips in mock disapproval.
"Could work. Or I could take you to the lake, while it's still warm enough to swim" he said with a tilt of his head.
"Like a real date this time?" She asked with her eyes sparkling at the prospect.
"Yeah, a real date" he repeated softly, his heart thumping softly against the forearm leaning across his chest.
"It's a date then" she smiled softly before leaning in placing a soft kiss against his lips. Before it began It was over but it was enough for them both.
"Goodnight, Outlaw" Katara spoke as she took a step back from him.
"Goodnight, Kat" he replied equally as soft before he watched her safely enter her building. He ran his hands over the back of his neck, a smile on his face before he got back into his car and drove off.
Katara was floating on cloud nine as she entered her building, her heartbeat was melodious and her steps were as light as air as she all but skipped to the dorm room she shared with Yue. She wondered if Yue would even be awake by the time she got back to their room or if she would be spending the night with her boyfriend, the thought brought a girly giggle from her chest, the idea of Zuko trying to sleep while Hahn and Yue didn't, made her laugh. She could almost see the scowl that would be on his face, feel the rage building in him.
Then she blushed, thinking of Zuko at all brought a blush to her face. Not only had they had fun but he'd kissed her, the tingling sensation on her lips providing all the evidence she needed that it had happened. She let out another girly giggle. He'd missed her too, he'd said as much and they were going out again. On a real date this time.
"You look happy" the voice caught through her mood like a hot buzz saw through half-melted ice. She felt her mood sour immediately as her eyes fell on the tall form of her brother, leaning against the hallway wall next to her door. She let out a long sigh as she dug in her bag for her keys.
"Have you come to say you're sorry?" Katara spoke as she walked past her brother.
"What for? I didn't say anything that wasn't true" he spoke as he straightened himself up, his arms immediately thrown to his sides in defence.
"Sokka, if you're not here to apologise then just leave, I'm tired okay?" Katara sighed as she proceeded to unlock her dorm.
"From your date?" He half hissed half accused. She felt her blood boiling in her veins, why had he chosen now to pick a fight with her?
"No, Sokka. It wasn't a date. But Zuko did ask me on a date and I said yes" Katara spoke in a low controlled tone daring him to take another stab at Zuko. She wasn't in the mood, she'd been here before. All the whispers and hateful eyes thrown his way without anyone ever actually trying to get to know him. She didn't take it from strangers or her father, she was sure as hell not going to take it from Sokka either.
"Do you actually like that guy? Or is this some fantasy of yours?" He asked. She wanted to so badly turn around and snap at him, throw that question back in his face and ask him how he would have liked it if she'd talked badly about Suki. Or ask how he'd feel if people made up false rumours about her based on her appearance. She wanted to tell him to mind his own business and her relationship with Zuko was hers and his and none of Sokka's goddamn business, and that yes, in fact, she liked Zuko very much and despite whatever shit he believed from two years ago Zuko is and was the only boy to ever treat her right and his buddy Jet, had treated her far worse than any rumour about Zuko ever had. But she didn't, because all that would have fallen on deaf ears.
"No Sokka, I don't like Zuko," she said with a sigh as she placed her hand on the handle of her room.
"Then I don't-"
"I love him" she spoke, cutting him off before she closed the door in her speechless brother's face.
A/N: please R&R