It was in the middle of battle when Zuko realized his true feelings for Katara. He was so focused on finding himself that he didn't realize at all.
He first noticed her beauty in the South Pole when he was looking for Aang. He wasn't sure exactly when the pinpoint where he fell for her, he'd like to think it was close to when they were underneath Lake Laogai. No one understood but her. How it feels to lose your mother at such a young age, she knew exactly what to say and what he needed to hear.
Her gentle touch in his scar, he would never forget how soft her skin was. He could feel the love and care she had for everyone, including him when he was an enemy. Now, she fought by his side, watching carefully m, she dared not taking her eyes off the fight.
"Afraid that I'll redirect it?" Zuko challenged his sister. Which is where he got too cocky. Azula knew, she knew his feelings for Katara. Somehow, some way, or maybe she's just that perceptive of people but she knew how he felt about her. Directing her lightning right at the water tribe girl.
His memories of his mother then slowly begin to fill with memories of Katara. All of them in his memories, when they fought, when they found her mother's killer, when they talked and her smiling face. The electricity surged throughout his entire body as he tried to fight it, unable to control his own limbs.
"Zuko!" He heard Katara's voice call out in despair.
He was in and out of consciousness, seeing her fight for his life. Her movements reminded him of a dragon. Fast, her strikes were strong and carefully thought through with precision. They were deadly even if you got scraped. She may be a water bender but she definitely fought like a fire bender, refusing to go out.
"Katara," he called out, unable to call louder. She didn't respond, which was understandable as she fought for her life, eventually single handedly even beating his sister at her own game. Even beating her with Sozins comet, she managed to outsmart his sister who trained by royal masters.
She ran toward him, immediately healing Zuko once his sister was tied down. He could feel the cool water coursing through him as she weaves the water in and out of his body from the lightning.
"Thank you, Katara." He managed the whisper weakly.
"I should be thanking you." Her voice trembled as she headed him, tears falling into his bare chest.
Zuko lifted his hand to her cheek, while Katara put her hand on top of his, both of them holding her cheek.
Prince Zuko, the banished prince that tried so hard to prove himself, he really was a good man.
"I love you." Zuko managed out, Katara's eyes widened from the sudden confession. She still held his hand on her cheek, why was it that his confession made her heart burst.
The words of the fortune teller rang in her mind that she would be with a powerful bender, and he was one of them.
Zuko didn't regret one bit saying those three words, it felt right. When he said them to Mai he always felt anxious, that she wouldn't say it in return.
"I know you love, Aang."
"Stop," Katara hushed him, beginning to heal him again. "right now isn't the time. We've gotta get you out of here and find Aang."
Zuko didn't protest, she was right, it wasn't the time. He had to say them just in case before he died, how he really felt. If he did die if that's the case.
Once he was healed up enough, he sat up with Katara's help, soon summoning Appa to retreat and with Azula tied down.
As Zuko rested, Katara thought about the confession while trying to concentrate while flying.
Zuko loved her? Her of all people? She was sure that Zuko thought of her as a little sister. Then again, his little sister wasn't really a sister to begin with. Would he know what a true family is like? No offense, she thought to herself.
But she couldn't deny that moment in Lake Laogai. Ever since then she did feel somewhat a connection to him until he betrayed her. Even then, she still sensed between them. Was it really love though?
Katara glanced back at the banished prince, resting on Appa's back.
She didn't deny it though, despite his scar and past he was still very handsome. He definitely had the charming part down but Katara would never admit that to him.
She couldn't stop hearing his voice in her head that he loved her, she wished to hear them again but she didn't dare wake him up. As much as she liked Aang, she just didn't see him that way. She was confused and conflicted about Aang's confession but with Zukos, it made her heart pound.
"I think I love you too." Katara said to herself as she flew on the flying bison to Aang. Just saying those words made her cheeks hot, she was feeling embarrassed. Even though no one is watching her she couldn't help but feel silly. Just admitting it to herself she felt like a kid again, even though technically just still is.
Aang successfully had taken down his horrible father, as Zuko was taken to the palace for Katara to finish healing him. It was just them now as Aang handled the rest of the world for now before Zuko can be recoverable.
Katara felt extremely awkward, did he even remember what he said? Was it just out of courtesy? Was he worried and wanted to say something nice to her for once? Was it loved? So many questions ran through her mind but she didn't say anything.
"I remember." Croaked out Zuko, Katara flinched from his sudden voice, fully awake. "If that's what you're thinking." He managed to sit up and hiss in pain.
"Zuko, don't get up." She laid him back down, continuing to heal him.
"I can see it in your face. Normally I can't read what you're thinking, but I know what I said threw you off."
"You can say that." Katara said shortly, trying to focus.
"I meant what I said." He glanced at her, and the water she used fell all over his chest until she bended it back into her pouch. Her cheeks were flushed.
"Zuko is now really the time to tell me how you feel about me? I'm confused and," she sighed exasperatedly as she stood up to fetch bandages.
"Aren't you with Mai anyway?" She asked, trying not to get her hopes up. She also prepared herself for a kiss but he didn't bother getting up. Unlike Aang he kissed her when she wasn't certain herself.
"Sort of." He looked away from the water tribe girl. He stayed quiet but only winced and groaned in pain when Katara had to put bandages around him. She couldn't help but admire his physique as she wrapped around him. They locked eyes on each other, all her anger and rage went away about the fire nation towards him. He was no fire nation, far from it. Everything he did was supposed to help himself and the world, and he was confused. She had already forgiven him but there was more there. She could see all the pain in his eyes, the desperate love he wanted. With Mai, he thought it was. Sure, she loved Zuko, but her attitude and constantly feeling on eggshells when speaking with Mai was exhausting.
With Katara not only did she remind him of his mother, but she really listened to him. Cared for him, healed him, even saved his life multiple times and he gladly did in return. He felt absolutely safe, all of his anger washed away. Her gentle touches on his scar and her healing were completely comforting to him.
"I have to think." Katara said, looking away. Her heart wanted to burst and confess too but her brain definitely warned her with caution.
"I understand." Zuko said, placing a hand on top of hers once she finished wrapping him up. "I know everything we've been through will be hard but I know if we can get through this war, we can get through anything. If you prefer Aang I don't blame you."
Katara couldn't help but give a soft smile.
"Thank you, Zuko."
"No, thank you. You have nothing to thank for. Take all the time you need." Katara gently laid Zuko back down in his bed as he rested, leaving him alone in his room.
"So, how is he?" Katara jumped again from the sudden voice, seeing Aang.
"He just needs some rest. Otherwise, he'll recover." She smiled at him as Aang sighed in relief. She knew he would want to talk to her about the invasion and his confession too. She already knew the answer, she didn't want to be with him. But she wasn't even sure she would want to be with Zuko.
"Katara, I—"
"I have to go." Katara interrupted, "I'm sorry, I have to report about Zuko's condition. Another time?" And she hurried off, leaving Aang by Zuko's door.
It pained her to have to avoid Aang but she really couldn't concentrate about Zuko's offer to be with him. Would it even be possible? She wasn't sure about how the royal family worked, it was nothing like in her tribe.
She put her hair back into a braid as she thought, sitting by the pond with turtle ducks. She would also have to deal with Mai, that wouldn't be pretty at all either.
—
The following morning Zuko awakened, refreshed for once. He was able to stand up, attempting to put on his red and gold silk robe. He hissed in pain, regretting not calling for Katara.
"Need help with that?" He turned, seeing the familiar voice of Mai, standing by the door.
"Mai, how did you get out?" He asked
"I pulled a few strings with my uncle." She said casually, helping him tie the silk robe around him, going for a kiss. He gave it back to her nervously, "but never break up with me again."
This was awkward. He would have say something at some point. He smiled nervously as she hugged him. She was cold for a fire bender, her touch was nothing like Kataras. Cold and piercing like her knives, unlike Kataras warm and nurturing.
"What's wrong?" Mai asked.
"Nothing." He looked away as Katara walked in with more medical supplies. She almost dropped them but contained her composure.
"Oh, sorry." Katara said, "I can come back at another —"
"No!" Zuko almost shouted then cleared his throat, "nows fine. Uh, Mai can we talk later?"
"Sure." Mai, suspiciously eyed the water tribe girl and left without causing a scene successfully.
"So much for being with Mai, right?" Katara retorted, having a pang of jealousy seeing them together. She pictured herself in his arms, and honestly she could definitely see herself with Zuko. Being together and fighting together, he respected her wishes and decisions. Especially when they were in lake laogai, he didn't do anything until he was okay with what she wanted.
"I know," he sighed, "but don't worry, I plan to officially break up with her when I see her again."
"I'm not worried." Katara said looking away, her lips forming into a small pout, "I just thought you guys weren't together again."
Zuko felt himself smirk at Katara's denial, he had to admit, she was definitely cute when Kataras was jealous. Unlike Mais jealousy, she was rash and probably would kill on sight if she found out about his true feelings for Katara. Which he would have to choose his words carefully when he would break up with her.
"Right." He said, and Katara gave him another healing session, helping him up to his feet. Instinctively, he held onto Katara a little more than usual, Katara gladly giving him the support he needed. Her heart raced when she looked up at the tall prince. He's definitely grown taller the last she saw him, she quickly looked away before she was caught for admiring him for too long.
"Okay, you should be good for now. Let me know if you have any pain." She wiped away her face from her hard work.
"I will." He said, definitely taking note if he was, he'd be sure to ask for her ASAP. He still thought about the confession. When she pulled away, he ached for her already. It was an awkward goodbye, even Katara wanted to stay a bit longer with him.
"Uh, well, I have to go now. Aang is probably looking for me." She dreaded that conversation, but she had to get it over with sooner or later.
"Yeah." Zuko said, sullen at the mention of Aang's name. He didn't dare speak against him, he was his friend and the avatar of peace. He wouldn't get between them at all, he let Katara choose. If he could totally have her all to himself he would. Cherish her, worship her, he began to imagine her lips touching his and getting too close for comfort. He felt himself blush and put a hand on his face from embarrassing himself at the thought. He hadn't had any of these stirrings in a very long time. He exasperated, wondering how to even start how to break up with Mai. He knew either way it was going to end badly, which is what he didn't want. This was Mai he was thinking about and knowing her, she would either get angry or not show anything at all with that cold stone face she makes when she's really angry. Which he was expecting, if he could reflect it only onto him and leave Katara out of it that would be way better than her going off to kill Katara. Who would even win in a fight? He definitely had bets on Katara but Mai is extremely deadly.
He pushed the imaginative fight away, he needed to stop procrastinating and find a way to break up with her soon, and fast.
With Katara she was already met with Aang, who anxiously awaited her arrival at the celebration party.
Katara nervously walked toward the avatar, as much as she loved Aang and do anything for him she just did not see him as a romantic interest unlike with Zuko now.
He smiled so brilliantly just from seeing her, she was afraid she wouldn't see that smile anymore. And it would be all her fault.
"Hi Katara!" He almost shouted, Katara laughed at his enthusiasm.
"Hi Aang."
"Why do you seem sad?" Aang asked, his brows furrowing with worry. Katara looked surprised, was she so easily read now?
"Actually," Aang looked away, his back turning toward the fire nation, looking onto the horizon. "I think I know the answer. I'm sorry for pressuring you." He said solemnly.
Kataras eyes saddened. She stepped up next to him, "Its okay Aang. I know it doesn't help much but you're still my best friend."
"Mine too." He smiled warmly this time, "I wouldn't be alive without you. Literally."
Katara giggled, "I'll do it again if I have to."
Both teenagers laughed together as they enjoyed the party. Zuko gladly eventually came to the celebration, taking it slow before he heard another nagging session from Katara. During the celebration both Katara and Zuko sneaked peeks at each other through the night.
Just enough we're neither of them caught on to each other yet.
One by one, each of the avatar gang fell asleep. First Sokka, then Toph, then Aang. Zuko and Katara were left alone again. Katara was helping Zukos uncle clean up his tea shop after the long night.
"You don't have to do that, my dear." Iroh said sweetly, "I love taking care of the shop."
"I know. You've done so much for us in the war, it's the least I can do." Katara smiled, as she continued to help with Zuko watching from a distance.
His wise uncle has definitely caught the two teenagers sneaking peeks at each other. It was unlike his nephew to show interest in somebody. Even when he would push him to go on a date, he didn't seem too interested. The old wise man stroked his beard in thought. He had the perfect plan.
"Zuko," he called out.
"Yes, Uncle?" Zuko perked up a little taken off guard.
"Would you be so kind to take Katara out? I would love to but I have to close the rest of the shop. She's done a lot for us you know."
"Oh, you know that's not really necessa—" Katara began to protest till Zuko stood up.
"I'd love to." He smiled at the water tribe girl and held out his hand. He secretly thanked his Uncle for giving him an excuse to give more time with her. Katara could feel herself blush and played with her braid as she began to walk a bit nervously beside Zuko, gladly taking his hand. Katara made sure that the prince didn't push himself too much but he was adapting quickly. It had been so awkward between them lately, she wasn't even sure how to make conversation anymore.
They walked underneath the moonlight together with laced fingers. His hand was so much bigger than hers, yet fit perfectly with hers. Filled with such warmth, as expected from a fire bender. They eventually reached the plaza that was filled with torches, illuminating in small segments can still see clearly. It was beautiful sight.
Katara helped Zuko sit down slowly in front of the water fountain, only a couple of winces and less hissing when he sat.
"How are you feeling?" Katara finally asked.
"A lot better thanks to you." Zuko paused, his eyes shifting unsure to ask but blurted, "how are you and Aang?"
"Still friends, surprisingly." Katara said truthfully, "He was really understanding about it."
"About us?" Zuko questioned with a brow raised. He could definitely understand about Aang being rejected especially him being a monk and all.
"I actually left that part out." Katara admitted guiltily.
"It's probably for the best. At least for now."
Silence fell upon them again, Zuko began to regret his confession. He missed how they would talk normally, but he knew this would take time. He reminded himself to be patient.
"And Mai?" She asked, holding her hands behind her back as she stood.
"I haven't seen her for the rest of the day, but I do have an idea what I'm going to say." He didn't want to push Katara either for an answer, but she did look off into the distance. This was the part where it was hard for him to read her. That blank face, what could she be thinking about? Her answer? Her mother? The war? Everything was hard to soak in and he didn't blame her one bit.
"Would mind taking me to one more place? It's my favorite spot. I'd like to show you." Katara snapped back into reality and happily obliged, helping him up. Casually, they held hands once more as Zuko led the way. He was secretly thrilled that Katara held his hand, walking more slowly, an excuse for him holding it longer.
They reached the turtle duck pond where Katara was earlier, and he sat down in the grass as Katara did the same right next to him with her knees curled in.
They both watched the turtle duck family sleeping next to the pond peacefully, with the perfect view of the full moon.
"My mother and I spent a lot of time here." Zuko admitted, "it's where I cherish the memories I have left of her."
Katara placed a hand on his back, giving him a small side hug as they sat. Katara listened to him without judgement or pity as Zuko spoke about his mother. The memories he had. The lessons he learned from her, especially saying how Azula would harm the turtle ducks as Katara laughed at that part.
Katara did the same, sharing her most precious memories of her mother. How she took care of both Sokka and Gran Gran, there was only so much Gran Gran could do and with her joints didn't really help with the cold. She did the fishing with Sokka and did all the chores and made sure her brother had clean clothes to wear when he was off practicing protecting the tribe when they were there.
She told Zuko that Sokka couldn't really remember much of their mother and only pictured her. However, Katara was the opposite. She vividly remembered her mother, beautiful and caring. She looked more like her father than her mother, in Katara's opinion. She remembered every single detail she could right after losing her mother to the fire nation. Zuko listened intently, this was the first time he really heard more about the water tribe pair and their family. He could only imagine what they both went through while he was out venturing searching for the avatar. While they were in the South Pole on the brink of survival.
"I miss her." Katara exhaled a deep sigh, "She always knew what to say. And what I needed to hear."
"Mine too." Zuko agreed with a smile, "She always knew when Azula did something." Both of them laughed together as Zuko gazed into the water tribes bright blue eyes in the moonlight.
Zuko then leaned in, placing his lips onto Kataras. She didn't put up a fight, she was gazing right back at him, fixated on his lips. She was just as curious, thinking maybe even a kiss could tell her how she felt.
She was right. As she suspected, kissing him now, she wanted to be with him. He parted temporarily as he leaned in more for a deeper one. Katara's heart pounded, she kissed Aang before in the Secret Tunnel of Omashu but this was different. Zuko's kiss was sweet, loving, and addicting. With Aang, it felt like she was kissing her brother.
For Zuko he never kissed anyone else but Mai, and never had experienced that saying the spark connection. It was bland, not that her kisses were bad but, it seemed nothing to him now. With Katara he was sure he felt the sparks with their kiss. They were like fireworks to him, alone together in the world.
Katara parted the kiss, glancing away a bit more shy.
"Sorry." Zuko said, not really meaning his apology also not regretting their kiss.
"It's fine, really." Katara assured, "it's just." She paused a bit, giggling to herself as Zuko raised a brow with a half smile.
"It's just what?" He asked curiously.
"It's just that I never expected us to even have feelings for each other, I thought we were opposites. But we actually have a lot in common."
"I was thinking the same," admitted Zuko. "I was also thinking you're quite cute when you're shy."
Katara blushed even more, a compliment from the prince himself she never thought he would do. He was quite the romantic, she would have never known at all but she finally gave him that chance.
"Wanna hear something silly?" She asked. Zuko gave a low chuckle. Katara was seeing so many sides to the fire prince. She considered herself quite lucky seeing him smile for once, even laughing which was music to her ears.
"Sure." He said.
"When we were in Makapu Village, I met a fortune teller."
"Oh boy." Zuko said, Katara giving him a light playful punch.
"Shut up, I know but listen!" She laughed.
"I'm listening." Zuko said, patiently waiting for Katara story now.
"When I met the fortune teller she told me I would be with a powerful bender. At first I thought it was Aang which would make sense cause he's the avatar, but," Katara paused briefly waiting for a reaction from Zuko but he didn't react quite yet, in fact he listened and watch with eagerness, "I saw that fight with you and Azula and honestly I was quite blown away. You're a powerful fire bender. There's no doubt about that, and even taught Aang fire bending."
Zuko couldn't help but be quite pleased from the fortune that Katara experienced. He actually wondered if he had somewhat the same fortune. It tempted him to make a trip there but for now he liked not knowing, cause he knew for sure he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life, but he would save that for another time.
"I wonder if I had the same fate if I ever met this fortune teller." He said.
"Me too," Katara laughed, "it's getting late. Let's get you to bed." She helped the prince up without him protesting once more, walking hand in hand to his bedroom. They took their time, taking the long way as they talked more with each other, enjoying the company. Once they reach his bedroom doors, Zuko leaned down to the tribe girl for one last kiss, before heading to his bed and closing the door while Katara left to her quarters for the night.
Zuko laid down slowly and peacefully getting comfortable. Never had felt so much more relaxed and safe in one night of just talking to Katara. He would definitely have to visit his uncle the next morning as a thank you for being a wingman. Zuko laughed to himself at the thought, "Crazy old man." He said, before closing his eyes and dreaming of the master water bender.